Daring Do and the Bleeding Stoneby cajun brony94ChaptersPrologueThe ReunionOn The RunArrivalPrologueDaring Do woke up that morning, tired as ever. She sat in her bed for at least 10 whole minutes before she even climbed out. “Another boring day” she said to herself as she walked downstairs. She went into her kitchen to fix herself some coffee. She looked at the kitchen clock - the hands read "2:00 pm". Realizing she overslept she let out a big sigh. She grabbed a bowl and the box of her favorite cereal. She went to the dinner table ready to eat her breakfast. But before she could even have her first bite, a knock came at her front door. As she approached the door, she took notice of her hat that hung on the hat rack next to the front door, she let out another sigh. Remembering the fun adventures she had, it had been almost an entire year since she even looked for ancient artifacts. She heard another knock on her door. At last Daring opened too see her sister Ditzy Doo. “Hi Daring, long time no see.” she said in a happy and upbeat voice. Daring smiled at the sight of her sister. “Hay Ditzy, it’s been a while hasn't it?” she responded. She invited her sister in her home. Ditzy noticed the box of cereal on Daring's table. “Hey, do you have any more of those oaties?” Ditzy asked. Again her voice was happy and upbeat. “Yeah sure, you want a bowl?” she ask her sister still with a smile. Ditzy nodded her head. Daring fixed another bowl of the cereal and brought it to her sister. They began to eat their breakfast, Daring looked at her sister, without a smile this time. “You didn’t come here just to visit your big sister, did you Ditzy?” asked Daring sounding disappointed. Ditzy suddenly stopped eating and slowly handed her a letter. “How could you tell, smarty pants?” Daring was amazed at how happy and upbeat she was. “Well you're wearing your mail mare hat, and your mail bag.” she said with sarcasm. Daring took the envelope and opened it. In the envelope was a letter folded into three sections. Daring unfolded it. “A letter from Aerohead? what could he want?” she began to read the letter aloud. Dear Daring, I have a matter of your utmost interest, meet me at my home in ponyville. Hurry, I don’t have much time and a thief is after my personal belongings. So get your flank over here ASAP. your friend, Aerohead “Who's Aerohead?” asked Ditzy “A friend of mine, he lives in ponyville.” Daring said. “Don't know why he wants to see me so badly though.” she thought aloud” “Oh, does he have a crush on you?” Ditzy joked. “Shouldn't you be delivering mail?” Daring said in a frustrated tone. Ditzy just giggled. Realizing that she was right Ditzy got up and said “See ya later daring, maybe we can hang out sometime?” Daring quickly nodded not paying attention to what her sister was saying. Ditzy smiled, then left. Daring stared at the letter, thinking what Aerohead could possibly want. finally she smiled, and with excitement she ran upstairs, put on her favorite explorer vest, and ran downstairs. before she ran out of her front door, she said “Oops! Almost forgot my hat.” she grabbed the hat off of the hat rack, put it on her head, then adjusted it. With excitement she ran outside and started flying toward ponyville. The ReunionDaring thought about Aerohead’s letter the whole way to ponyville. She couldn’t stop thinking that he needed to track down a thief who stole something valuable. Or at least stop him from doing so. “Stopping a thief isn't exactly the most fun adventure, but it's been so long I’m up for anything.” she thought out loud. As she flew closer towards ponyville, she saw the small town increase in size over the horizon. Doing so, she felt excited to see her friend with his important news. “Wonder what he needs my help for... it’s just a thief.” she pondered as she landed in the center of town. She began to trot toward Rarity’s home, since he lived with her. As she headed toward the other end of town she took notice of a tall, well dressed pony wearing a hat, and round glasses. He seemed to be staring at her, but she ignored him. She arrived at the other side of town at Rarity’s home, knocked on the door, hoping somepony would answer. Rarity opened the door, seeing Daring, happy to see her husband’s friend she said. “Hello Ms. Do, are you here to see Aer-- “I need to see him now!” she interrupted “I’m sorry, it’s just I got a letter from him, and he tells me a thief is trying to rob you.” daring apologized “Excuse me dear, but a thief? I don't recall Aerohead telling me about a thief.” Rarity retorted. Daring wondered why Aerohead didn't mention a possible thief to his own wife. Aerohead saw Daring through the doorway, he was laughing. “I knew that would get you to fly over here as fast as you could.” he joked. daring looked angry as he continued to laugh. “Aerohead why did you get me to come all the way out here? To make fun of me?” daring said angrily. “No, I brought you here for a reason.” he responded, halting his laughter at last. “Come in, I need to show you something” he said as he walked into the living-room. Daring walked in with an annoyed look on her face, Rarity couldn’t help but laugh as well. She tried to hold back her laughter as daring passed her through the doorway. She let out A few giggles, Daring overheard her, and looked at her, still annoyed. Daring just continued trotting to the living room. she noticed that a large map and old books were scattered around the coffee table. She approached the couch he was sitting on to sit next to him. As she sat on the couch she took notice of what the map was. “A map? Of Las Pegasus? Aerohead, what's going on?” “come on, isn't it obvious at this point? you remember king Orion, right?” “Yes but what does that have to do with anything?” “He wore a necklace, with a blood ruby. The legend says its the last thing his enemies ever saw.” Aerohead explained. daring’s eyes lit up, she had finally understood what he was getting at. “You’re telling me that King Orion was buried somewhere with his blood ruby? But I thought all of his precious belongings were kept in a separate tomb.” Daring questioned Aerohead. “Yes, so did everypony else. But think about it, anypony who knows about ancient history knows that the blood ruby went missing.” He explained to her. Daring look angry again. “Damn daring, I knew you were getting rusty but this is--” “Just shut up and tell me where we need to go.” Daring interrupted him. “Calm down Daring I was only kidding.” Aerohead tried to calm her down. She then looked disappointed, with a sigh she said.“Sorry it’s, just been too long, my nerves are just getting to me.” Rarity walked into the room hearing the argument. “Would you like some tea, Daring?” Rarity politely asked. Daring nodded her head. Aerohead patted Daring on her back, hoping it would calm her nerves, even a little bit. Rarity returned to the kitchen to make the tea, while in the kitchen she yelled over to Aerohead.“Oh I’m sorry Aero, did you want some too?” “No thanks.” he replied. “What are all these books, Areo?” Daring asked picking up one of the dusty old books. “They’re old documents, from a museum.” he answered hesitantly. “Did you steal these, aerohead?” Daring scolded “No, I had a friend of mine stole them.” he said sarcastically “Fine Aero, fine. just tell me what's in them.” daring said in a frustrated manner. “They’re documents that other archaeologists who have been looking for this very ruby wrote.” As he responded, Daring flipped through each page, taking in the notes written on each page, even a few graphs and maps were drawn. Rarity finally returned with Daring’s tea, “One lump, or two?” she asked. “Two please” Daring responded. Rarity nodded and placed two lumps of sugar into her cup of tea. “Thank you” Daring said, as she picked up the teacup and took a large sip. “So you know where his tomb is then?” Daring said trying to calm down. “Uh, not actually. That's where you come in. I can't exactly find where it is. I was hoping with your knowledge of history, you might know.” Aerohead said nervously. “Well if you say you know where it might be then I’m in, it should be fun.” daring replied with a smile on her face. “Alright then! That’s the spirit!” Aerohead said with excitement. “Are there any clues to its exact location?” Daring asked. Aerohead grabbed one of the dusty books and tossed it to her. “Look on the last page of that book.” Aero told her as she caught it. “My blood lies under the crescent moon, and with my blood, you shall find the stone of blood.” Daring read aloud. “Seems pretty vague if you ask me.” “You’re telling me” Aero replied. Suddenly There was a knock on the front door, as if someone were pounding on it as hard as they could. “I’ll get it.” Rarity said as she walked over to the door. She opened it to find that a tall, well dressed unicorn, wearing round glasses, and a hat was standing there. “Güten tag, I am Heinrich Ponyzeit. I have come to speak vith, Miss Do and her associate Aerohead.” “I’m sorry but, do I know you?” Rarity replied. She felt intimidated by the colts big and frightening build. “Nein, but the two pegasie do, or at least they should.” he had a gritty and deep voice. Rarity glanced at Aerohead and Daring, both of them shook their heads, almost in unison. “I’m sorry but you must have the wrong--” “I think it would be in your best interest to let me in your home. Now!” he interrupted. He levitated something from behind his back, something large, and metal. Rarity knew exactly what it was. Trying to remain calm Rarity backed away and said, “I’m sorry but I’m afraid you're going to have to leave.” “Why so soon fräulein? We have much to discuss!” he yelled as he revealed the weapon from behind his back. As he fired the gun, Rarity let out a shriek of terror. Daring quickly grabbed the map and a few of the books, and flipped the coffee table on its side. Aerohead quickly flew to Rarity and grabbed her before she was shot. As he tried to get back to the the coffee table for cover he felt a sudden pain in his left wing, the pain was so great he couldn’t fly anymore. He fell behind the coffee table and told the two mares “I...I’ve been shot, I can't move my wing.” his voice was weak and fading, they could barely hear them over the gunfire. Rarity started to panic, as did Daring. Rarity kept talking to her husband try to make sure he didn't pass out or even die. Daring looked around hoping she'd find something, anything that could help. “Daring. Daring!” Aerohead shouted, trying to get her attention. Finally she looked at him, he was still breathing, but he was bleeding, as he continued to bleed, he told her. “Go into the kitchen, there should be a first-aid kit in there - grab it and bring it here. Rarity, you know how to sew a rip in clothing right?” “Why, of course I do, you shouldn't even have to ask.” “Good, sewing this up should be like the same thing.” As he told her, Rarity looked surprised. “You want me to--” “Yes rarity, but for now keep your hooves pressed on the wound. keep pressure on it, it’ll stop the bleeding.” Daring dashed into the kitchen to look for the first aid, thankfully Heinrich didn’t notice her. He instructed. Finally the constant gunfire ceased, Heinrich threw the Tommy gun he was levitating aside, then pulled out a handgun. he approached the coffee-table, and aimed the weapon at Rarity. “Now, let us discuss your retirement.” he said with a disgusting grin on his face “Don’t you dare touch her!!” Aerohead shouted. He then jumped and tackled Heinrich. They tumbled across the room, Aerohead then punched Heinrich in his face several times. During so Aerohead knocked off his glasses. Before he could continue, Heinrich pointed the gun at his head. “I’ll make you pay for zat.” he said with a very angry voice, he fired the gun, it just narrowly missed Aerohead. “Shiza! My glasses!” Heinrich yelled. Seeing this opportunity Aerohead jumped from on top of him and hid back behind the table. Grabbing his glasses, he approached the table, levitating his weapon “I’ll kill you both, Du Hurensohn!” he shouted. without thinking, Rarity kicked the table with her back legs, Sending it flying into the other direction. trying to dodge the table flying at him, Heinrich jumped to the left, he was hit however. The table knocked him down, before he got up, he looked around searching for his handgun. He had found it, but too late. Aerohead grabbed it with his mouth, and threw it out of the window. Heinrich growled and said “I’ll see you again, dummkopfs” realizing he was out numbered. He ran off leaving Rarity’s home a derelict. Daring came back with the first aid kit, she noticed the destruction and ran to aerohead who looked like he was in even more pain than before. “Aero, you ok?” she said as she ran over to him. “Other than the fact there's a bullet in my wing I’m fine.” He replied. She opened the kit and looked for the proper tools. She took out the bandages, and a disinfectant ointment. She continued to look through the kit for a needle and thread to sew the wound. “Rarity, look for a needle and a thread, you’ll need them to close the wound.” Aerohead instructed. Rarity ran to her work room and grabbed the first needle and thread she saw, a relatively small needle, and a pink-colored thread. Rarity then rushed over to aerohead, who while winning his fight with Heinrich, was still bleeding, and in a lot of pain. “Sorry Aero dear, but this pink thread was all I could find.” She explained “Its fine. we’ll bang it up anyway. Before you even try to sew anything thought, we need to get the bullet out.” Aerohead explained. “You sound like you’ve done this before.” Daring said. Aerohead chuckled while rarity tried to levitate the bullet out of aeroheads wing, slowly and gently. “When you’ve traveled around as much as I did, you tend to meet some... unfriendly ponies.” He replied. Rarity had finally got the bullet out of her husbands wing and threw it aside, and began to start sewing his wound. “Talk to me Aero, that way we’ll know if you pass out” Daring said. “Who was that colt, he really wanted to see us dead?” Aerohead asked “Heinrich Ponyzeit, I was hoping that if he had the wrong address he would leave, but he seemed to recognize me right away. He’s a greedy stallion, he doesn't care who he steps on to get what he wants, he’d probably kill Celestia herself if it meant he would get money out of it.” Daring explained to him. “Sounds like your typical crime lord.” Aerohead retorted. “He is one, he probably owns the biggest crime syndicate in Ponyville, he's got connections from here all the way to Canterlot. hay, he’s even got connections in Appeloosa!” Daring continued to describe Heinrich and his crime family. At last, Rarity finished her effort, and let Aerohead stand on his hooves. “If he’s looking for us, then we need to leave ponyville now.” he said wrapping the bandages around his wing. “Rarity, I need you to go into hiding, his goons might be looking for you, and I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you.” Aerohead told his wife. Rarity shook her head and said “No I’m going with you and I--” “Rarity, if anything happens to you I will never forgive myself. Besides, we’ll be walking in the desert. Do you really want to walk in a desert?” Aerohead interrupted. “Fine, just please be careful.” she said. Daring stood by the front door and said “Aero, come on! we gotta go!” Aerohead turned to her, nodded, turned back to rarity, and gave her a kiss good bye. Finally he turned back to Daring and ran with her out the front door. they quickly went out the east exit of Ponyville and went straight for, Las Pegasus. On The RunDaring and Aerohead went straight to the train station. Daring looked a little nervous, concerned that they would be ambushed by Heinrich and his goons. “Next train to Las Pegasus! All aboard!” shouted the conductor. His loud voice startled Daring, which made Aerohead laugh. Daring just ignored his laughter and got on the train. The train ride would last a few days and had only one other stop in Canterlot. Aerohead and Daring found a small sleeper-car to stay in. While he was settling into the cramped train-car, he noticed Daring looking out the window, with a worried look on her face. “Daring, you’ve had that look on your face since we left Rarity’s, something bothering you?” Aerohead asked. “I can’t shake the thought that we’re being followed. Heinrich’s got men all across Equestria, hey, everypony on this train could be working for him!” “Relax, we weren't followed. Why would he want to kill us anyway?” Aerohead said trying to calm her down. “Aerohead, the colt has goons everywhere! Look can you just check the other cars out?” Daring asked “If it will calm you down, fine.” He said. Aerohead walked out of the sleeper-car, and started trotting toward the dining-car. He took notice of everyone he passed. Observing their faces closely, he kept an eye out for anyone who stood out. As he entered the dining car he noticed a well-dressed pony, he was tall and showing another pony a picture, he seemed to be asking them about the picture. But he just ignored him. Finally he turned around and went back to the sleeper-car. “Daring there's no pony here, ok we’re safe. Now come on to the dining car, I’m starving.” Aerohead reassured his friend. Daring nodded and walked out the car. Again Aerohead noticed the well dressed pony asking ponies about the picture. listening closely, Daring leaned toward his direction, she heard him say “Have you seen the mare in this picture?” Daring felt worried. She began to panic, looking everywhere for something, anything to hide herself. finally she found a newspaper. she grabbed it and held it close to her face. “You ok?” Aerohead asked “Somepony’s looking for us.” Daring whispered “I thought I told you the coast is clear!” Aerohead replied sounding annoyed. Finally the tall pony arrived at their table, showed aerohead a picture of Daring, and asked “Have you seen the mare in this picture?” “N- no, I haven’t. Never seen her in my life.” Aerohead replied nervously. The tall pony nodded, then walked to the next table. “Ok you’re right, we are being followed. We have got to lose him somehow.” Aerohead tried to look calm. Daring finally had a calm look on her face and said “Wait here.” she then got up, and went to a conductor that was passing by the dining-car to get to the sleeper-cars. “Excuse me, but there seems to be something wrong with my bed in my car.” Daring said to the conductor. “Oh really, well take me to it, and we’ll see what’s wrong with it.” replied the friendly conductor. Daring took the conductor to her sleeper-car, and pointed at her bed. “I don’t see anything wrong here” said the conductor. Daring then punched the conductor in the back of his head as hard as she could, knocking her out. Daring took the uniform off of the conductor, hoping the uniform would fit her, she then put it on. It fit like a glove. Daring then went back to the dining car and saw that the tall well dressed pony was still asking ponies about her picture. He was talking to a couple in a booth near a window. It had seemed that the couple hadn’t ordered anything yet. “Have you seen the mare in this picture?” he asked the confused couple. “ticket?” Daring asked angrily “Not now” The stallion replied. “I said I need your ticket!” Daring yelled. “I don’t have one ok!?” the stallion replied. Daring then grabbed the stallion from behind and threw him out the window of the stationary train. He landed on a pile of suitcases. All the attention was drawn to Daring, everypony was looking right at her. “No ticket.” She said. Just as she said that, everypony then reached into their pockets and pulled out their train tickets. The car soon echoed with shouting, all daring could make out of the shouting was “I have a ticket!”, “ticket here!”, “don’t throw me out!”, and “you can’t do that!” Aerohead was just staring his friend in awe at what she had done. “Daring, where’s the mare who was wearing that uniform?” He asked. “Waking up soon.” She said as she rushed to her sleeper-car, Aerohead followed suit. When they arrived Aerohead was aghast with the sight he saw. “Ok first I was the one to tell you to calm down, now the tables have turned. There is an unconscious mare in the middle of our sleeper-car!!” he shouted. “Everything will be fine if we just put the uniform back on her, then tell her that she hit her head by accident” Daring said in a calm voice. Aerohead shook his head “Are you out of your mind?!” he shouted. “Look it’s the best shot we have, otherwise they’ll throw us off the train.” Daring argued. Aerohead was silent for a few moments, finally he said “Alright fine, lets see if this works. But I am seriously doubting that this will work.” “It will, you just have to trust me.” Daring said. Aerohead nodded and moved outside the car, another conductor was trotting toward the car. He began to worry that they were about to get caught. “Ticket please” he said. Aerohead quickly and nervously gave him his ticket. The conductor held it close to his face as if to try as see it wasn’t a fake, he then took out a hole punch and punched a single hole into the ticket. “Have a nice day sir.” The conductor said in his bland and monotone voice. He finally walked into the sleeper-car and saw Daring and a conductor unconscious under the bed. “What's going on here?” asked the conductor. Aerohead looked into the sleeper-car, and was relieved to see that daring actually put the conductor's uniform back on her. “She dropped her hole puncher and it fell under the ben and she hit her head, I swear it was an accident “ The conductor looked frustrated. “Its ok, this kinda stuff happens a lot.” he said. He then walked over to her and shook her, hope it would wake her up. “Hay, wake up!!” he shouted. She finally woke up and said “What happened?” “You hit your head, again.” he said in a frustrated tone. Then they got up, Daring and Aerohead apologized for the confusion. At last the two conductors left the sleeper-car. “That was almost too close.” Aerohead said. At last the train started moving. Daring climbed into the bed and tried to make as much space as possible for Aerohead. “Thats ok, I'll sleep on the floor.” Aerohead said “No you can't, that would be rude. Its not like we're trying to--” “I want to sleep on the floor, I'm used to it.” Aerohead replied before Daring could finish what she was about to say. Finally they fell asleep. The next morning they realized they had stopped at the Canterlot train station. Daring looked out the window and saw many colts dressed in suits carrying gun cases. Daring looked worried and opened the window. She managed to hear hear the conversation. “Sorry sir, no weapons allowed on the train without a permit.” “Calm your flank down, we got permits.” the well dressed pony responded. Daring worried that Heinrich was following her and Aerohead. she woke Aerohead up and said “We need to go. Now!” Aerohead stood up off of the floor stretched out his wings. “What is it Daring?” Aerohead asked. Daring then pointed out the open window to see the four colts rushing into the train with their gun cases. “Aerohead we need to get out of here now!!” Daring shouted. Just then they heard shouting outside the door. “They are in here!! Get them!!” one of the colts shouted. He then kicked down the door and the four colts aimed their guns in the empty room. Just then one of them saw the two ponies running out the train station. “Over there! They're getting away!” One of them took a shot off, and almost shot Daring continuing to run, they almost lost them. Suddenly they were cut off by a carriage packed with several ponies aiming guns at them. They then suddenly turned left into the alleyway that that carriage emerged from. Daring looked behind her to see that the carriage was now chasing them down the alley. It was quickly catching up to them if they didn't do something soon they would be run over. Just then, Daring saw her chance - she grabbed Aerohead and carried him on her back. Using her wings to spring her forward, she jumped and grabbed onto a nearby fire escape and climbed up the ladder, the four colts from the train gave pursuit. At last she got to the roof of the building and let Aerohead off her back, just then one of the colts fired his handgun at them. Daring could even feel the bullet fly past her. They began to start running again, jumping onto each building, hoping that they could lose them. They ran as fast as their hooves would let them. At last, they came to a tall building that they couldn't jump up to. They were pinned down, the only thing behind them was another ally that separated them between the tall building. Daring slowly backed towards the edge, Aerohead followed suit. Looking behind her she knew she had only one choice left. Grabbing aerohead she fell backwards off of the building she was standing on. “Oh horse-apples!!” shouted one of the gun-wielding goons. As they were falling Daring was looking desperately for another fire escape to grab on, unfortunately there was none to grab. Fortunately, the building she was standing on wasn't tall enough for the impact to kill her break or fracture any bones. But the impact hurt. When they hit the ground they both fell on their backs. “Buck!” One of the goons shouted as he saw Daring and Aerohead run off. Before they could stop and breathe a sigh of relief, the carriage that was carrying the colts from earlier came speeding toward them. They ran as fast as they could again, at last they found a taxi carriage being pulled by a pegasus. “Driver, get us away from these maniacs!” Daring shouted. The pegasus noticed the colts leaning out the window with guns, and said “No problem” Daring and Aerohead got into the carriage and the pegasus took off. They both sighed with relief, but it was short lived, it had turned out the pony pulling the goons carriage was also a Pegasus, and he gave pursuit. gunshots came from the carriage hitting the taxi. “That’s it I've had enough, I didn't think I would even have to use this.” daring said. And she pulled out a revolver from her vest. “Get down!!” she shouted to Aerohead and the driver. She then rolled down the window and leaned out the window. She was almost hit three times with gunfire, she then aimed her revolver at the carriage and fired. She managed to actually hit the Pegasus pulling the carriage. He was hit but alive, however she somehow hit his wing and the carriage began to spiral down. Daring finally had a moment to breathe, she leaned back into the carriage. Looking at both the Pegasus pulling the carriage and Aerohead. “Everypony ok?” She asked. The Pegasus pulling the carriage nodded. She then looked at Aerohead who was trembling. “Yes, now put that bucking thing away!” Aerohead shouted. Daring looked confused and asked. “Aero, are you.....afraid of guns?” “Yes ok, now get it out of my sight please!” he responded, Daring finally put her weapon away. The Pegasus pulling the carriage interrupted them and asked “where you two headed? I'll take you there for free on account you just saved my life.” “Too Las Pegasus” Daring said. ArrivalChapter 3: Arrival It took almost twenty four hours for the driver to get to Las Pegasus. At last they have arrived at Las Pegasus, it was late, everywhere there was bright lights, flashing colors, and shouting coming from other ponies. Aerohead heard music coming from a center resort and casino. “Like a fella once said, ain’t that a buck in the head.” Aerohead looked around and say nothing but large scale resorts, bars, casinos, and strip clubs. He then noticed that daring was walking towed one of the resorts. He caught up and asked “Daring, where exactly are we going?” Daring couldn't hear him over the loud noise of the city. He asked again louder to try and get daring attention. Finally Daring noticed him and replied “Oh, sorry. Hard to heard you over all this noise. We need to lay low for a while. And we can probably do as much research as we can here. You still have your map right?” Aerohead responded with a simple nod, But then looked worried. “What’s wrong?” Daring asked. Aerohead then looked like he was beginning to panic. “Daring, I left the old journals on the train!” He said “Grate, just great.” Daring said placing her hoof on her forehead. “You think the men who chased us down got them?” Daring asked “I hid them, I don’t think so, only problem is, there's the possibility that they searched the room. So I don't know.” “Ok, I have an idea though, it'll be a long shot, but it just might work.” Daring said. “What do you have in mind?” Aerohead asked “I know where the Las Pegasus University is, we might be able to find something there.” as they continued to converse they walked into the resort. “We may as well have some fun while we're here. Let’s get a drink.” Daring said with a smile. Aerohead followed hesitantly. In the bar they stopped for a moment to look around, Aerohead inhaled heavily through his nose. “It smells like booze and smoke in here, I don't like it.” Aerohead said angrily. Then he trotted toward the black jack tables. Daring went toward the bar, there she sat next to an earth pony, he was a blue pony, with black hair and a goatee. He had two empty drinking glasses by him and one half full of scotch. His head was down on the bar top. “Rough night Lucky Jack?” Daring said. Lucky Jack looked up at her and said. “No different than any other night.” He replied. She asked the bartender for a cup of cider. Lucky Jack was quite for a minute or two. Finally he said “Why are you hear, you don't seem like the kind of pony to come crawling back after--” “Meeting you here was nothing more than coincidence, I'm here to find something of high value.” Daring interrupted. He looked at her with a smirk on his face. He chuckled and said “Well sweet heart you came to the right place, everything that is valuable is lost here, there are no winners. So if you want to rob the place, then we can--” “I'm not robbing the casino. Who do you think you are Torte Dillinger?” Daring interrupted again. Daring looked angry at Lucky, and they were silent again. Finally, the bartender brought Daring a glass full of foaming cider. Daring took a large sip from it and placed the glass back on the counter top. “Why are you here then?” Lucky finally asked. Daring took another sip of her cider, looked at Lucky and said “I'm looking for a blood ruby, hidden in a tomb. It’s been said that the tomb has is hidden in the desert nearby.” Lucky Jack just looked confused at her. “Hay if I know anything about that.” He responded. Lucky took a sip from the glass of scotch. They were both silent again, Lucky finally asked “Why are you looking for this thing anyway? What’s your motivation to find this stupid rock anyway?” Daring took another big sip from the cider, she was silent. “Can’t tell me huh?” Lucky said, daring was still silent. She couldn't answer; she herself didn't know why she was looking for this blood ruby, or anything she ever found. All she ever did was put her artifacts on her shelves and let them collect dust. Aerohead soon came back and said, “Daring, can we get outta here now? I'm starting to feel sick from this smell.” he then took notice of Lucky jack sitting next to daring. “Who’s he?” he asked “Name’s lucky jack, just lucky to you kid.” the half drunken earth pony answered. Aero only responded with an angry stare. Lucky just laughed and nearly fell out of the bar stool he was sitting on. “Come with me, I'll take you to my room.” He stammered. He stood up from his seat, wobbled a bit and stammered again “follow me” he could barely walk a straight line to the elevator. He somehow managed to call it. “You know him daring” Aero asked daring after seeing lucky make a spectacle of himself. “I’d rather not say anything about that Aero. Besides, shouldn’t we be thankful we someplace to lay low?” Daring said rather angrily. Just as they arrived to the elevator it had arrived. The group went inside and luck hit the button to take them to the 5th floor. “So Daring hic is this guy hic your colt friend? 'Cuz I can h-ook you two up sometime hic sometime, if you wanted too.....too.....you know” Lucky Said as he warped his hoof over daring s shoulder , winking at her. Daring gave Lucky an annoyed look, she then responded by smacking him in the head. “Now that waz uncalled for” Lucky said as he fell to the floor. Daring smacked a hoof against her head in annoyance. “You actually know this clown?” Aero asked with sarcasm. Daring just ignored him as she garbed Lucky's room key. “Room 503, we can lay low for a while, I have an idea about what we can do since you lost all of our resources to finding the ruby.” Daring the picked up lucky and carried him to the room. When they arrived they took notice of the mess in his room, it was nearly a derelict. “Ugh just look at this mess, this place is filthy!” Aero commented as he started to clean up the room a bit. Daring laughed and put lucky on the couch for him to rest “Wow Areo, you really are Rarity's husband.” Aero was too distracted cleaning to pay attrition. Daring then took her explorers vest off, he took notice of the revolver in its holster, then suddenly remembered Aero's nerves brake down while they were being chased by Henrich's goons. “Aero, something’s bothering me.” she said to him in a calm voice. Aero glanced at her and replied with “What? I like keeping things tidy.” Daring just shook heard “It’s not that. Earlier, when we were on the run from Henrich's goon squad. You really seemed afraid of the gun I pulled out. You were almost having a panic attack” “Well I was around guns a lot in as a little colt, I was nearly killed once, it kinda...traumatized me” “You weren’t scared when Henrich pulled a gun on you” “Daring he was pointing a gun at my waif, you can bet you flank I was scared! Hay I thought I was going to die! But I did it for her, so she could live! I took a bullet for her, and broke my wing, and I’d do it again if I have to!” Aero snapped. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell” he apologized. Daring only nodded, then looked at lucky. “We're going to wait until he wakes up. In the mean time I'll get some rest myself. You should too.” Aero only shook his head and said “Maybe I should go and scout downstairs, see if anything looks a little too suspicious” Aero responded. He soon left the room to head down to the lobby. Daring then just moved to the large king sized bed and lied down on it, she then fell asleep. Meanwhile Aero was in the elevator, going down. The elevator finally reached the lobby and Aero walked out. He noticed that the lobby was empty; the front desk only had one pony working at it. The only room that had ponies in it was the casino. Aero walked in to see if Henrich's goons where looking for them. The casino was crowded, and full of ponies. It was very loud due to a concert being held there. Aero also recognized the smell of booze and smoke, which smelt worse then it did before. He did notice a strange pony asking about something. He couldn't quit make out what he was saying. He got a little closer without being noticed by him. “Do you know ze pony by ze name of Dreing Doo.” Aero know exactly why he wanted to find daring. He glanced toward the pony to see it was not Henrich, but rather, a very large and muscular pony. He was towering over everypony, and he was obviously far stronger then anypony els. Aero was afraid of this pony, and he knew that if stayed at the hotel he'd be found out eventually. Even faster if he stayed down there. Aero Looked around desperately for anything that he could use as a distraction. At last opportunity struck, aero saw a pony staggering around trying to keep his balance, talking with slurred speech. He approached the intoxicated pony and said “Hay, you see that pony over there.” “yesh, I-I see hic him” “Do you know what he said about your mother?” “No...wha he say?” Aero then leaned tword him and wispered something in his ear “wha...that son ov a bich, I'll kill em, I'll kill em.” the drunken pony then stagered over to the huge pony. And started swinging his hooves at him “What are you doing? Saufkopf” it wasn’t much, but it was a distraction. Just then, a concert was starting. The band started playing a song on the stage in the large casino, starting out rather slow. Then the lead vocalist grabbed his mic and sang “Take me down to the paradise city,” “Where the grass is green, and” “The mares are pretty!! Oh” “Won't you please take me home, yeah, yeah!!” Aero saw this as an opportunity to give this huge pony the slip. He knew that Henrich was in Las Pegasus with them, and they had to find king Orion’s ascent blood ruby, and fast. Aero went to elevators, and called it. From a distance he saw the huge muscular pony approach him. He was getting closer. Looking at Aero with incredible fury in his eyes. Aero pressed the call button again, and again. Peek his head from the corner every few seconds to see how close the giant was getting. “Come on, come on!!” He said with instance anxiety at last the elevator door opened, just as the y did the giant turned the corner and reached to grab Aero by his broken wing. He only narrowly missed him by mere seconds, as he sprinted in to the elevator. Aero the pushed the button to the 5th floor as fast as he could “dummko--” he was cut off but the closing doors. He breathed a sigh of relief and wiped to sweat away from his forehead. The elevator arrived at the 5th floor and Aero ran out as fast as he could, sprinting to the room. “Daring open up, we got a huge problem!” He said thought the door. Finally she opened it and yawned. “What is it?” she asked. Aero then ran in and slammed the door shut. “It's Heinrich, he knows we're here, he's sent a henchmen after us. He was bucking huge!” Aero said as he was pacing back and forth anxiously. Daring sighed and said “Grate, now he’s sending him after us, his name is Rüdiger, he's Heinrich's brother, and his personal hit pony” A sudden pounding came at the door. Lucky had woke up and said “I'll get it.” He was holding his head from the hangover. “We need to get out of here Aero, now. I know where we can find a pony who can help us find the tomb of Orion.” Daring said outing her explores vest back on. The pounding came again, this time harder and louder. Lucky groaned and said “Alright alright, don't get your saddle in a knot, I’m coming.” Suddenly the door was kicked in and there stood Rüdiger towering over the ponies ready to tear them apart.
PrologueDaring Do woke up that morning, tired as ever. She sat in her bed for at least 10 whole minutes before she even climbed out. “Another boring day” she said to herself as she walked downstairs. She went into her kitchen to fix herself some coffee. She looked at the kitchen clock - the hands read "2:00 pm". Realizing she overslept she let out a big sigh. She grabbed a bowl and the box of her favorite cereal. She went to the dinner table ready to eat her breakfast. But before she could even have her first bite, a knock came at her front door. As she approached the door, she took notice of her hat that hung on the hat rack next to the front door, she let out another sigh. Remembering the fun adventures she had, it had been almost an entire year since she even looked for ancient artifacts. She heard another knock on her door. At last Daring opened too see her sister Ditzy Doo. “Hi Daring, long time no see.” she said in a happy and upbeat voice. Daring smiled at the sight of her sister. “Hay Ditzy, it’s been a while hasn't it?” she responded. She invited her sister in her home. Ditzy noticed the box of cereal on Daring's table. “Hey, do you have any more of those oaties?” Ditzy asked. Again her voice was happy and upbeat. “Yeah sure, you want a bowl?” she ask her sister still with a smile. Ditzy nodded her head. Daring fixed another bowl of the cereal and brought it to her sister. They began to eat their breakfast, Daring looked at her sister, without a smile this time. “You didn’t come here just to visit your big sister, did you Ditzy?” asked Daring sounding disappointed. Ditzy suddenly stopped eating and slowly handed her a letter. “How could you tell, smarty pants?” Daring was amazed at how happy and upbeat she was. “Well you're wearing your mail mare hat, and your mail bag.” she said with sarcasm. Daring took the envelope and opened it. In the envelope was a letter folded into three sections. Daring unfolded it. “A letter from Aerohead? what could he want?” she began to read the letter aloud. Dear Daring, I have a matter of your utmost interest, meet me at my home in ponyville. Hurry, I don’t have much time and a thief is after my personal belongings. So get your flank over here ASAP. your friend, Aerohead “Who's Aerohead?” asked Ditzy “A friend of mine, he lives in ponyville.” Daring said. “Don't know why he wants to see me so badly though.” she thought aloud” “Oh, does he have a crush on you?” Ditzy joked. “Shouldn't you be delivering mail?” Daring said in a frustrated tone. Ditzy just giggled. Realizing that she was right Ditzy got up and said “See ya later daring, maybe we can hang out sometime?” Daring quickly nodded not paying attention to what her sister was saying. Ditzy smiled, then left. Daring stared at the letter, thinking what Aerohead could possibly want. finally she smiled, and with excitement she ran upstairs, put on her favorite explorer vest, and ran downstairs. before she ran out of her front door, she said “Oops! Almost forgot my hat.” she grabbed the hat off of the hat rack, put it on her head, then adjusted it. With excitement she ran outside and started flying toward ponyville.
The ReunionDaring thought about Aerohead’s letter the whole way to ponyville. She couldn’t stop thinking that he needed to track down a thief who stole something valuable. Or at least stop him from doing so. “Stopping a thief isn't exactly the most fun adventure, but it's been so long I’m up for anything.” she thought out loud. As she flew closer towards ponyville, she saw the small town increase in size over the horizon. Doing so, she felt excited to see her friend with his important news. “Wonder what he needs my help for... it’s just a thief.” she pondered as she landed in the center of town. She began to trot toward Rarity’s home, since he lived with her. As she headed toward the other end of town she took notice of a tall, well dressed pony wearing a hat, and round glasses. He seemed to be staring at her, but she ignored him. She arrived at the other side of town at Rarity’s home, knocked on the door, hoping somepony would answer. Rarity opened the door, seeing Daring, happy to see her husband’s friend she said. “Hello Ms. Do, are you here to see Aer-- “I need to see him now!” she interrupted “I’m sorry, it’s just I got a letter from him, and he tells me a thief is trying to rob you.” daring apologized “Excuse me dear, but a thief? I don't recall Aerohead telling me about a thief.” Rarity retorted. Daring wondered why Aerohead didn't mention a possible thief to his own wife. Aerohead saw Daring through the doorway, he was laughing. “I knew that would get you to fly over here as fast as you could.” he joked. daring looked angry as he continued to laugh. “Aerohead why did you get me to come all the way out here? To make fun of me?” daring said angrily. “No, I brought you here for a reason.” he responded, halting his laughter at last. “Come in, I need to show you something” he said as he walked into the living-room. Daring walked in with an annoyed look on her face, Rarity couldn’t help but laugh as well. She tried to hold back her laughter as daring passed her through the doorway. She let out A few giggles, Daring overheard her, and looked at her, still annoyed. Daring just continued trotting to the living room. she noticed that a large map and old books were scattered around the coffee table. She approached the couch he was sitting on to sit next to him. As she sat on the couch she took notice of what the map was. “A map? Of Las Pegasus? Aerohead, what's going on?” “come on, isn't it obvious at this point? you remember king Orion, right?” “Yes but what does that have to do with anything?” “He wore a necklace, with a blood ruby. The legend says its the last thing his enemies ever saw.” Aerohead explained. daring’s eyes lit up, she had finally understood what he was getting at. “You’re telling me that King Orion was buried somewhere with his blood ruby? But I thought all of his precious belongings were kept in a separate tomb.” Daring questioned Aerohead. “Yes, so did everypony else. But think about it, anypony who knows about ancient history knows that the blood ruby went missing.” He explained to her. Daring look angry again. “Damn daring, I knew you were getting rusty but this is--” “Just shut up and tell me where we need to go.” Daring interrupted him. “Calm down Daring I was only kidding.” Aerohead tried to calm her down. She then looked disappointed, with a sigh she said.“Sorry it’s, just been too long, my nerves are just getting to me.” Rarity walked into the room hearing the argument. “Would you like some tea, Daring?” Rarity politely asked. Daring nodded her head. Aerohead patted Daring on her back, hoping it would calm her nerves, even a little bit. Rarity returned to the kitchen to make the tea, while in the kitchen she yelled over to Aerohead.“Oh I’m sorry Aero, did you want some too?” “No thanks.” he replied. “What are all these books, Areo?” Daring asked picking up one of the dusty old books. “They’re old documents, from a museum.” he answered hesitantly. “Did you steal these, aerohead?” Daring scolded “No, I had a friend of mine stole them.” he said sarcastically “Fine Aero, fine. just tell me what's in them.” daring said in a frustrated manner. “They’re documents that other archaeologists who have been looking for this very ruby wrote.” As he responded, Daring flipped through each page, taking in the notes written on each page, even a few graphs and maps were drawn. Rarity finally returned with Daring’s tea, “One lump, or two?” she asked. “Two please” Daring responded. Rarity nodded and placed two lumps of sugar into her cup of tea. “Thank you” Daring said, as she picked up the teacup and took a large sip. “So you know where his tomb is then?” Daring said trying to calm down. “Uh, not actually. That's where you come in. I can't exactly find where it is. I was hoping with your knowledge of history, you might know.” Aerohead said nervously. “Well if you say you know where it might be then I’m in, it should be fun.” daring replied with a smile on her face. “Alright then! That’s the spirit!” Aerohead said with excitement. “Are there any clues to its exact location?” Daring asked. Aerohead grabbed one of the dusty books and tossed it to her. “Look on the last page of that book.” Aero told her as she caught it. “My blood lies under the crescent moon, and with my blood, you shall find the stone of blood.” Daring read aloud. “Seems pretty vague if you ask me.” “You’re telling me” Aero replied. Suddenly There was a knock on the front door, as if someone were pounding on it as hard as they could. “I’ll get it.” Rarity said as she walked over to the door. She opened it to find that a tall, well dressed unicorn, wearing round glasses, and a hat was standing there. “Güten tag, I am Heinrich Ponyzeit. I have come to speak vith, Miss Do and her associate Aerohead.” “I’m sorry but, do I know you?” Rarity replied. She felt intimidated by the colts big and frightening build. “Nein, but the two pegasie do, or at least they should.” he had a gritty and deep voice. Rarity glanced at Aerohead and Daring, both of them shook their heads, almost in unison. “I’m sorry but you must have the wrong--” “I think it would be in your best interest to let me in your home. Now!” he interrupted. He levitated something from behind his back, something large, and metal. Rarity knew exactly what it was. Trying to remain calm Rarity backed away and said, “I’m sorry but I’m afraid you're going to have to leave.” “Why so soon fräulein? We have much to discuss!” he yelled as he revealed the weapon from behind his back. As he fired the gun, Rarity let out a shriek of terror. Daring quickly grabbed the map and a few of the books, and flipped the coffee table on its side. Aerohead quickly flew to Rarity and grabbed her before she was shot. As he tried to get back to the the coffee table for cover he felt a sudden pain in his left wing, the pain was so great he couldn’t fly anymore. He fell behind the coffee table and told the two mares “I...I’ve been shot, I can't move my wing.” his voice was weak and fading, they could barely hear them over the gunfire. Rarity started to panic, as did Daring. Rarity kept talking to her husband try to make sure he didn't pass out or even die. Daring looked around hoping she'd find something, anything that could help. “Daring. Daring!” Aerohead shouted, trying to get her attention. Finally she looked at him, he was still breathing, but he was bleeding, as he continued to bleed, he told her. “Go into the kitchen, there should be a first-aid kit in there - grab it and bring it here. Rarity, you know how to sew a rip in clothing right?” “Why, of course I do, you shouldn't even have to ask.” “Good, sewing this up should be like the same thing.” As he told her, Rarity looked surprised. “You want me to--” “Yes rarity, but for now keep your hooves pressed on the wound. keep pressure on it, it’ll stop the bleeding.” Daring dashed into the kitchen to look for the first aid, thankfully Heinrich didn’t notice her. He instructed. Finally the constant gunfire ceased, Heinrich threw the Tommy gun he was levitating aside, then pulled out a handgun. he approached the coffee-table, and aimed the weapon at Rarity. “Now, let us discuss your retirement.” he said with a disgusting grin on his face “Don’t you dare touch her!!” Aerohead shouted. He then jumped and tackled Heinrich. They tumbled across the room, Aerohead then punched Heinrich in his face several times. During so Aerohead knocked off his glasses. Before he could continue, Heinrich pointed the gun at his head. “I’ll make you pay for zat.” he said with a very angry voice, he fired the gun, it just narrowly missed Aerohead. “Shiza! My glasses!” Heinrich yelled. Seeing this opportunity Aerohead jumped from on top of him and hid back behind the table. Grabbing his glasses, he approached the table, levitating his weapon “I’ll kill you both, Du Hurensohn!” he shouted. without thinking, Rarity kicked the table with her back legs, Sending it flying into the other direction. trying to dodge the table flying at him, Heinrich jumped to the left, he was hit however. The table knocked him down, before he got up, he looked around searching for his handgun. He had found it, but too late. Aerohead grabbed it with his mouth, and threw it out of the window. Heinrich growled and said “I’ll see you again, dummkopfs” realizing he was out numbered. He ran off leaving Rarity’s home a derelict. Daring came back with the first aid kit, she noticed the destruction and ran to aerohead who looked like he was in even more pain than before. “Aero, you ok?” she said as she ran over to him. “Other than the fact there's a bullet in my wing I’m fine.” He replied. She opened the kit and looked for the proper tools. She took out the bandages, and a disinfectant ointment. She continued to look through the kit for a needle and thread to sew the wound. “Rarity, look for a needle and a thread, you’ll need them to close the wound.” Aerohead instructed. Rarity ran to her work room and grabbed the first needle and thread she saw, a relatively small needle, and a pink-colored thread. Rarity then rushed over to aerohead, who while winning his fight with Heinrich, was still bleeding, and in a lot of pain. “Sorry Aero dear, but this pink thread was all I could find.” She explained “Its fine. we’ll bang it up anyway. Before you even try to sew anything thought, we need to get the bullet out.” Aerohead explained. “You sound like you’ve done this before.” Daring said. Aerohead chuckled while rarity tried to levitate the bullet out of aeroheads wing, slowly and gently. “When you’ve traveled around as much as I did, you tend to meet some... unfriendly ponies.” He replied. Rarity had finally got the bullet out of her husbands wing and threw it aside, and began to start sewing his wound. “Talk to me Aero, that way we’ll know if you pass out” Daring said. “Who was that colt, he really wanted to see us dead?” Aerohead asked “Heinrich Ponyzeit, I was hoping that if he had the wrong address he would leave, but he seemed to recognize me right away. He’s a greedy stallion, he doesn't care who he steps on to get what he wants, he’d probably kill Celestia herself if it meant he would get money out of it.” Daring explained to him. “Sounds like your typical crime lord.” Aerohead retorted. “He is one, he probably owns the biggest crime syndicate in Ponyville, he's got connections from here all the way to Canterlot. hay, he’s even got connections in Appeloosa!” Daring continued to describe Heinrich and his crime family. At last, Rarity finished her effort, and let Aerohead stand on his hooves. “If he’s looking for us, then we need to leave ponyville now.” he said wrapping the bandages around his wing. “Rarity, I need you to go into hiding, his goons might be looking for you, and I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you.” Aerohead told his wife. Rarity shook her head and said “No I’m going with you and I--” “Rarity, if anything happens to you I will never forgive myself. Besides, we’ll be walking in the desert. Do you really want to walk in a desert?” Aerohead interrupted. “Fine, just please be careful.” she said. Daring stood by the front door and said “Aero, come on! we gotta go!” Aerohead turned to her, nodded, turned back to rarity, and gave her a kiss good bye. Finally he turned back to Daring and ran with her out the front door. they quickly went out the east exit of Ponyville and went straight for, Las Pegasus.
On The RunDaring and Aerohead went straight to the train station. Daring looked a little nervous, concerned that they would be ambushed by Heinrich and his goons. “Next train to Las Pegasus! All aboard!” shouted the conductor. His loud voice startled Daring, which made Aerohead laugh. Daring just ignored his laughter and got on the train. The train ride would last a few days and had only one other stop in Canterlot. Aerohead and Daring found a small sleeper-car to stay in. While he was settling into the cramped train-car, he noticed Daring looking out the window, with a worried look on her face. “Daring, you’ve had that look on your face since we left Rarity’s, something bothering you?” Aerohead asked. “I can’t shake the thought that we’re being followed. Heinrich’s got men all across Equestria, hey, everypony on this train could be working for him!” “Relax, we weren't followed. Why would he want to kill us anyway?” Aerohead said trying to calm her down. “Aerohead, the colt has goons everywhere! Look can you just check the other cars out?” Daring asked “If it will calm you down, fine.” He said. Aerohead walked out of the sleeper-car, and started trotting toward the dining-car. He took notice of everyone he passed. Observing their faces closely, he kept an eye out for anyone who stood out. As he entered the dining car he noticed a well-dressed pony, he was tall and showing another pony a picture, he seemed to be asking them about the picture. But he just ignored him. Finally he turned around and went back to the sleeper-car. “Daring there's no pony here, ok we’re safe. Now come on to the dining car, I’m starving.” Aerohead reassured his friend. Daring nodded and walked out the car. Again Aerohead noticed the well dressed pony asking ponies about the picture. listening closely, Daring leaned toward his direction, she heard him say “Have you seen the mare in this picture?” Daring felt worried. She began to panic, looking everywhere for something, anything to hide herself. finally she found a newspaper. she grabbed it and held it close to her face. “You ok?” Aerohead asked “Somepony’s looking for us.” Daring whispered “I thought I told you the coast is clear!” Aerohead replied sounding annoyed. Finally the tall pony arrived at their table, showed aerohead a picture of Daring, and asked “Have you seen the mare in this picture?” “N- no, I haven’t. Never seen her in my life.” Aerohead replied nervously. The tall pony nodded, then walked to the next table. “Ok you’re right, we are being followed. We have got to lose him somehow.” Aerohead tried to look calm. Daring finally had a calm look on her face and said “Wait here.” she then got up, and went to a conductor that was passing by the dining-car to get to the sleeper-cars. “Excuse me, but there seems to be something wrong with my bed in my car.” Daring said to the conductor. “Oh really, well take me to it, and we’ll see what’s wrong with it.” replied the friendly conductor. Daring took the conductor to her sleeper-car, and pointed at her bed. “I don’t see anything wrong here” said the conductor. Daring then punched the conductor in the back of his head as hard as she could, knocking her out. Daring took the uniform off of the conductor, hoping the uniform would fit her, she then put it on. It fit like a glove. Daring then went back to the dining car and saw that the tall well dressed pony was still asking ponies about her picture. He was talking to a couple in a booth near a window. It had seemed that the couple hadn’t ordered anything yet. “Have you seen the mare in this picture?” he asked the confused couple. “ticket?” Daring asked angrily “Not now” The stallion replied. “I said I need your ticket!” Daring yelled. “I don’t have one ok!?” the stallion replied. Daring then grabbed the stallion from behind and threw him out the window of the stationary train. He landed on a pile of suitcases. All the attention was drawn to Daring, everypony was looking right at her. “No ticket.” She said. Just as she said that, everypony then reached into their pockets and pulled out their train tickets. The car soon echoed with shouting, all daring could make out of the shouting was “I have a ticket!”, “ticket here!”, “don’t throw me out!”, and “you can’t do that!” Aerohead was just staring his friend in awe at what she had done. “Daring, where’s the mare who was wearing that uniform?” He asked. “Waking up soon.” She said as she rushed to her sleeper-car, Aerohead followed suit. When they arrived Aerohead was aghast with the sight he saw. “Ok first I was the one to tell you to calm down, now the tables have turned. There is an unconscious mare in the middle of our sleeper-car!!” he shouted. “Everything will be fine if we just put the uniform back on her, then tell her that she hit her head by accident” Daring said in a calm voice. Aerohead shook his head “Are you out of your mind?!” he shouted. “Look it’s the best shot we have, otherwise they’ll throw us off the train.” Daring argued. Aerohead was silent for a few moments, finally he said “Alright fine, lets see if this works. But I am seriously doubting that this will work.” “It will, you just have to trust me.” Daring said. Aerohead nodded and moved outside the car, another conductor was trotting toward the car. He began to worry that they were about to get caught. “Ticket please” he said. Aerohead quickly and nervously gave him his ticket. The conductor held it close to his face as if to try as see it wasn’t a fake, he then took out a hole punch and punched a single hole into the ticket. “Have a nice day sir.” The conductor said in his bland and monotone voice. He finally walked into the sleeper-car and saw Daring and a conductor unconscious under the bed. “What's going on here?” asked the conductor. Aerohead looked into the sleeper-car, and was relieved to see that daring actually put the conductor's uniform back on her. “She dropped her hole puncher and it fell under the ben and she hit her head, I swear it was an accident “ The conductor looked frustrated. “Its ok, this kinda stuff happens a lot.” he said. He then walked over to her and shook her, hope it would wake her up. “Hay, wake up!!” he shouted. She finally woke up and said “What happened?” “You hit your head, again.” he said in a frustrated tone. Then they got up, Daring and Aerohead apologized for the confusion. At last the two conductors left the sleeper-car. “That was almost too close.” Aerohead said. At last the train started moving. Daring climbed into the bed and tried to make as much space as possible for Aerohead. “Thats ok, I'll sleep on the floor.” Aerohead said “No you can't, that would be rude. Its not like we're trying to--” “I want to sleep on the floor, I'm used to it.” Aerohead replied before Daring could finish what she was about to say. Finally they fell asleep. The next morning they realized they had stopped at the Canterlot train station. Daring looked out the window and saw many colts dressed in suits carrying gun cases. Daring looked worried and opened the window. She managed to hear hear the conversation. “Sorry sir, no weapons allowed on the train without a permit.” “Calm your flank down, we got permits.” the well dressed pony responded. Daring worried that Heinrich was following her and Aerohead. she woke Aerohead up and said “We need to go. Now!” Aerohead stood up off of the floor stretched out his wings. “What is it Daring?” Aerohead asked. Daring then pointed out the open window to see the four colts rushing into the train with their gun cases. “Aerohead we need to get out of here now!!” Daring shouted. Just then they heard shouting outside the door. “They are in here!! Get them!!” one of the colts shouted. He then kicked down the door and the four colts aimed their guns in the empty room. Just then one of them saw the two ponies running out the train station. “Over there! They're getting away!” One of them took a shot off, and almost shot Daring continuing to run, they almost lost them. Suddenly they were cut off by a carriage packed with several ponies aiming guns at them. They then suddenly turned left into the alleyway that that carriage emerged from. Daring looked behind her to see that the carriage was now chasing them down the alley. It was quickly catching up to them if they didn't do something soon they would be run over. Just then, Daring saw her chance - she grabbed Aerohead and carried him on her back. Using her wings to spring her forward, she jumped and grabbed onto a nearby fire escape and climbed up the ladder, the four colts from the train gave pursuit. At last she got to the roof of the building and let Aerohead off her back, just then one of the colts fired his handgun at them. Daring could even feel the bullet fly past her. They began to start running again, jumping onto each building, hoping that they could lose them. They ran as fast as their hooves would let them. At last, they came to a tall building that they couldn't jump up to. They were pinned down, the only thing behind them was another ally that separated them between the tall building. Daring slowly backed towards the edge, Aerohead followed suit. Looking behind her she knew she had only one choice left. Grabbing aerohead she fell backwards off of the building she was standing on. “Oh horse-apples!!” shouted one of the gun-wielding goons. As they were falling Daring was looking desperately for another fire escape to grab on, unfortunately there was none to grab. Fortunately, the building she was standing on wasn't tall enough for the impact to kill her break or fracture any bones. But the impact hurt. When they hit the ground they both fell on their backs. “Buck!” One of the goons shouted as he saw Daring and Aerohead run off. Before they could stop and breathe a sigh of relief, the carriage that was carrying the colts from earlier came speeding toward them. They ran as fast as they could again, at last they found a taxi carriage being pulled by a pegasus. “Driver, get us away from these maniacs!” Daring shouted. The pegasus noticed the colts leaning out the window with guns, and said “No problem” Daring and Aerohead got into the carriage and the pegasus took off. They both sighed with relief, but it was short lived, it had turned out the pony pulling the goons carriage was also a Pegasus, and he gave pursuit. gunshots came from the carriage hitting the taxi. “That’s it I've had enough, I didn't think I would even have to use this.” daring said. And she pulled out a revolver from her vest. “Get down!!” she shouted to Aerohead and the driver. She then rolled down the window and leaned out the window. She was almost hit three times with gunfire, she then aimed her revolver at the carriage and fired. She managed to actually hit the Pegasus pulling the carriage. He was hit but alive, however she somehow hit his wing and the carriage began to spiral down. Daring finally had a moment to breathe, she leaned back into the carriage. Looking at both the Pegasus pulling the carriage and Aerohead. “Everypony ok?” She asked. The Pegasus pulling the carriage nodded. She then looked at Aerohead who was trembling. “Yes, now put that bucking thing away!” Aerohead shouted. Daring looked confused and asked. “Aero, are you.....afraid of guns?” “Yes ok, now get it out of my sight please!” he responded, Daring finally put her weapon away. The Pegasus pulling the carriage interrupted them and asked “where you two headed? I'll take you there for free on account you just saved my life.” “Too Las Pegasus” Daring said.
ArrivalChapter 3: Arrival It took almost twenty four hours for the driver to get to Las Pegasus. At last they have arrived at Las Pegasus, it was late, everywhere there was bright lights, flashing colors, and shouting coming from other ponies. Aerohead heard music coming from a center resort and casino. “Like a fella once said, ain’t that a buck in the head.” Aerohead looked around and say nothing but large scale resorts, bars, casinos, and strip clubs. He then noticed that daring was walking towed one of the resorts. He caught up and asked “Daring, where exactly are we going?” Daring couldn't hear him over the loud noise of the city. He asked again louder to try and get daring attention. Finally Daring noticed him and replied “Oh, sorry. Hard to heard you over all this noise. We need to lay low for a while. And we can probably do as much research as we can here. You still have your map right?” Aerohead responded with a simple nod, But then looked worried. “What’s wrong?” Daring asked. Aerohead then looked like he was beginning to panic. “Daring, I left the old journals on the train!” He said “Grate, just great.” Daring said placing her hoof on her forehead. “You think the men who chased us down got them?” Daring asked “I hid them, I don’t think so, only problem is, there's the possibility that they searched the room. So I don't know.” “Ok, I have an idea though, it'll be a long shot, but it just might work.” Daring said. “What do you have in mind?” Aerohead asked “I know where the Las Pegasus University is, we might be able to find something there.” as they continued to converse they walked into the resort. “We may as well have some fun while we're here. Let’s get a drink.” Daring said with a smile. Aerohead followed hesitantly. In the bar they stopped for a moment to look around, Aerohead inhaled heavily through his nose. “It smells like booze and smoke in here, I don't like it.” Aerohead said angrily. Then he trotted toward the black jack tables. Daring went toward the bar, there she sat next to an earth pony, he was a blue pony, with black hair and a goatee. He had two empty drinking glasses by him and one half full of scotch. His head was down on the bar top. “Rough night Lucky Jack?” Daring said. Lucky Jack looked up at her and said. “No different than any other night.” He replied. She asked the bartender for a cup of cider. Lucky Jack was quite for a minute or two. Finally he said “Why are you hear, you don't seem like the kind of pony to come crawling back after--” “Meeting you here was nothing more than coincidence, I'm here to find something of high value.” Daring interrupted. He looked at her with a smirk on his face. He chuckled and said “Well sweet heart you came to the right place, everything that is valuable is lost here, there are no winners. So if you want to rob the place, then we can--” “I'm not robbing the casino. Who do you think you are Torte Dillinger?” Daring interrupted again. Daring looked angry at Lucky, and they were silent again. Finally, the bartender brought Daring a glass full of foaming cider. Daring took a large sip from it and placed the glass back on the counter top. “Why are you here then?” Lucky finally asked. Daring took another sip of her cider, looked at Lucky and said “I'm looking for a blood ruby, hidden in a tomb. It’s been said that the tomb has is hidden in the desert nearby.” Lucky Jack just looked confused at her. “Hay if I know anything about that.” He responded. Lucky took a sip from the glass of scotch. They were both silent again, Lucky finally asked “Why are you looking for this thing anyway? What’s your motivation to find this stupid rock anyway?” Daring took another big sip from the cider, she was silent. “Can’t tell me huh?” Lucky said, daring was still silent. She couldn't answer; she herself didn't know why she was looking for this blood ruby, or anything she ever found. All she ever did was put her artifacts on her shelves and let them collect dust. Aerohead soon came back and said, “Daring, can we get outta here now? I'm starting to feel sick from this smell.” he then took notice of Lucky jack sitting next to daring. “Who’s he?” he asked “Name’s lucky jack, just lucky to you kid.” the half drunken earth pony answered. Aero only responded with an angry stare. Lucky just laughed and nearly fell out of the bar stool he was sitting on. “Come with me, I'll take you to my room.” He stammered. He stood up from his seat, wobbled a bit and stammered again “follow me” he could barely walk a straight line to the elevator. He somehow managed to call it. “You know him daring” Aero asked daring after seeing lucky make a spectacle of himself. “I’d rather not say anything about that Aero. Besides, shouldn’t we be thankful we someplace to lay low?” Daring said rather angrily. Just as they arrived to the elevator it had arrived. The group went inside and luck hit the button to take them to the 5th floor. “So Daring hic is this guy hic your colt friend? 'Cuz I can h-ook you two up sometime hic sometime, if you wanted too.....too.....you know” Lucky Said as he warped his hoof over daring s shoulder , winking at her. Daring gave Lucky an annoyed look, she then responded by smacking him in the head. “Now that waz uncalled for” Lucky said as he fell to the floor. Daring smacked a hoof against her head in annoyance. “You actually know this clown?” Aero asked with sarcasm. Daring just ignored him as she garbed Lucky's room key. “Room 503, we can lay low for a while, I have an idea about what we can do since you lost all of our resources to finding the ruby.” Daring the picked up lucky and carried him to the room. When they arrived they took notice of the mess in his room, it was nearly a derelict. “Ugh just look at this mess, this place is filthy!” Aero commented as he started to clean up the room a bit. Daring laughed and put lucky on the couch for him to rest “Wow Areo, you really are Rarity's husband.” Aero was too distracted cleaning to pay attrition. Daring then took her explorers vest off, he took notice of the revolver in its holster, then suddenly remembered Aero's nerves brake down while they were being chased by Henrich's goons. “Aero, something’s bothering me.” she said to him in a calm voice. Aero glanced at her and replied with “What? I like keeping things tidy.” Daring just shook heard “It’s not that. Earlier, when we were on the run from Henrich's goon squad. You really seemed afraid of the gun I pulled out. You were almost having a panic attack” “Well I was around guns a lot in as a little colt, I was nearly killed once, it kinda...traumatized me” “You weren’t scared when Henrich pulled a gun on you” “Daring he was pointing a gun at my waif, you can bet you flank I was scared! Hay I thought I was going to die! But I did it for her, so she could live! I took a bullet for her, and broke my wing, and I’d do it again if I have to!” Aero snapped. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell” he apologized. Daring only nodded, then looked at lucky. “We're going to wait until he wakes up. In the mean time I'll get some rest myself. You should too.” Aero only shook his head and said “Maybe I should go and scout downstairs, see if anything looks a little too suspicious” Aero responded. He soon left the room to head down to the lobby. Daring then just moved to the large king sized bed and lied down on it, she then fell asleep. Meanwhile Aero was in the elevator, going down. The elevator finally reached the lobby and Aero walked out. He noticed that the lobby was empty; the front desk only had one pony working at it. The only room that had ponies in it was the casino. Aero walked in to see if Henrich's goons where looking for them. The casino was crowded, and full of ponies. It was very loud due to a concert being held there. Aero also recognized the smell of booze and smoke, which smelt worse then it did before. He did notice a strange pony asking about something. He couldn't quit make out what he was saying. He got a little closer without being noticed by him. “Do you know ze pony by ze name of Dreing Doo.” Aero know exactly why he wanted to find daring. He glanced toward the pony to see it was not Henrich, but rather, a very large and muscular pony. He was towering over everypony, and he was obviously far stronger then anypony els. Aero was afraid of this pony, and he knew that if stayed at the hotel he'd be found out eventually. Even faster if he stayed down there. Aero Looked around desperately for anything that he could use as a distraction. At last opportunity struck, aero saw a pony staggering around trying to keep his balance, talking with slurred speech. He approached the intoxicated pony and said “Hay, you see that pony over there.” “yesh, I-I see hic him” “Do you know what he said about your mother?” “No...wha he say?” Aero then leaned tword him and wispered something in his ear “wha...that son ov a bich, I'll kill em, I'll kill em.” the drunken pony then stagered over to the huge pony. And started swinging his hooves at him “What are you doing? Saufkopf” it wasn’t much, but it was a distraction. Just then, a concert was starting. The band started playing a song on the stage in the large casino, starting out rather slow. Then the lead vocalist grabbed his mic and sang “Take me down to the paradise city,” “Where the grass is green, and” “The mares are pretty!! Oh” “Won't you please take me home, yeah, yeah!!” Aero saw this as an opportunity to give this huge pony the slip. He knew that Henrich was in Las Pegasus with them, and they had to find king Orion’s ascent blood ruby, and fast. Aero went to elevators, and called it. From a distance he saw the huge muscular pony approach him. He was getting closer. Looking at Aero with incredible fury in his eyes. Aero pressed the call button again, and again. Peek his head from the corner every few seconds to see how close the giant was getting. “Come on, come on!!” He said with instance anxiety at last the elevator door opened, just as the y did the giant turned the corner and reached to grab Aero by his broken wing. He only narrowly missed him by mere seconds, as he sprinted in to the elevator. Aero the pushed the button to the 5th floor as fast as he could “dummko--” he was cut off but the closing doors. He breathed a sigh of relief and wiped to sweat away from his forehead. The elevator arrived at the 5th floor and Aero ran out as fast as he could, sprinting to the room. “Daring open up, we got a huge problem!” He said thought the door. Finally she opened it and yawned. “What is it?” she asked. Aero then ran in and slammed the door shut. “It's Heinrich, he knows we're here, he's sent a henchmen after us. He was bucking huge!” Aero said as he was pacing back and forth anxiously. Daring sighed and said “Grate, now he’s sending him after us, his name is Rüdiger, he's Heinrich's brother, and his personal hit pony” A sudden pounding came at the door. Lucky had woke up and said “I'll get it.” He was holding his head from the hangover. “We need to get out of here Aero, now. I know where we can find a pony who can help us find the tomb of Orion.” Daring said outing her explores vest back on. The pounding came again, this time harder and louder. Lucky groaned and said “Alright alright, don't get your saddle in a knot, I’m coming.” Suddenly the door was kicked in and there stood Rüdiger towering over the ponies ready to tear them apart.
