Daring Do and the Treasure of the Ancient Cocoon
After the release of my latest book, I immediately set out on my next adventure. Every pony around me, from my family, friends, even some of my closest fans, begged me take a few months off from treasure hunting. Told me I should take a vacation. As if I’d ever do such a thing. Every one of my adventures is a vacation to me, especially this next one. During my journeys to the forbidden tombs of the Butterfly Queen, I came across an ancient writing upon the walls of the Queen’s resting place. The language was absurd, but I soon managed to uncover that the writing translated into equestrian showcased the location to the Queen’s hidden treasure reserve, located deep within the cocoon where she was transformed. There was always rumors of the cocoon, but I never imagined the actual location of its whereabouts would ever be discovered, until today that is. The writing read....
“Look to your heart upon the enemy. Only until then will you seek what you deserve.”
A stone painting of the cocoon appeared next to it. If I was ever to find the wealth of the Queen, I had to figure out the reading within the text. “Look to your heart” and “upon the enemy” doesn’t make sense in that order, or does it. Butterflies tend to be eaten by many creatures in the wild, making many enemies in the process. But which is the text referring to, and what does it have to do with the heart?
For this, I had to turn to some pony who knows this kind of stuff. I usually fly this solo, but most recently, I came across a Pegasus from Cloudsdale who’s got quite the team of explorers. One in particular is the Princess of Friendship of all things! My travels soon took me to the small town of Ponyville, where I came across the most massive looking treehouse I’d ever seen. At least I think it was a treehouse. If not, it was quite an interesting castle. Getting in was no problem at all. I didn’t even have to say a word once the Pegasus, Rainbow Dash, noticed I was there. The next thing I know, I’m on the floor, tackled in a massive hug by the sky blue gal herself.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I can’t believe you’re actually here!”
She was certainly happy, but I had to stop this before she squeezes the breath out of me.
“Hello…Rainbow Dash…could you please….I…can’t breath.”
Thank Celestia, she’s a good kid, but sometimes the fangirling can get a little out of control.
“Oh Ms. Do! I’m so happy you showed up! I got all your latest books and would love for you to sign them for me! If….if that’s ok with you?”
I was originally going to say that it wasn’t the time, but before I could even speak, she gives me the biggest puppy eyes even a brave explorer like myself couldn’t resist. I just couldn’t say no.
“Where are they?”
I don’t know if what I did was right or wrong, because the next thing I know, the Pegasus is flying through the air, screaming with joy.
“I apologize about her, Ms. Do. Haven’t seen her this excited since becoming a Wonderbolt."
It was the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle. So this was the famous Twilight Sparkle.
“A Wonderbolt, huh? I’m not surprised. She’s quite the flyer.”
“That she is, Ms. Do.” “Princess please, you can call me Daring.”
“Really? Well you can call me Twilight.”
“Well Twilight, I would love to hear what you’ve uncovered about the message to the cocoon.”
“Oh yes, this way please.”
I was quite impressed with all she’s done over all these years in Ponyville. I always wondered about using some of her stories for a new book series, but I prefer to use my own material.
“I can show you what I’ve found using the Cutie Map.”
“Cutie what now?”
The purple Alicorn brought me into a large room, where five other mares sat waiting for the princess.
“Twilight, darling! So glad you arrived, and with A.K Yearling herself! It’s great to see you!”
“Ummm thanks I…ummm may I ask what you’re doing to my shirt?”
“Oh sorry dear, I just noticed you have a loose button on your collar. If you slip that off I’m sure I can fix that in a jiff!”
“Yeah I…I really have to…”
“Move Rarity! She promised to sign my books!”
“Uhhh yeah! That!”
I thought that Unicorn was eyeballing what I’m wearing the minute I got here.
“Spike, get a chair for our guest, please?”
“Sure thing, here you are Ms. Do. It’s a real pleasure to see you.”
“Awww thanks cute little guy.”
The little ones are some of the reasons I continue writing at my best. As I sat down to sign the books, the others sit in their chairs, causing something quite magical to happen. A holographic view of all of Equestria appeared before me, clear as the eye can see! I just couldn’t believe how amazing it looked. The map even found my home not far from the Fortress of Talacon! If I had access to this mystical table, it would’ve made a lot of my past adventures so much easier, but then again, probably wouldn’t of been as good of a book either.
“Alright Ms. Do, I mean Ms. Daring, after some fun research from my library, I think you’ll like what me and the girls found out. Fluttershy?”
A yellow mare stood up, trying hard not to cry for some reason.
“Are…are you ok?”
“Ummm my butterfly friends told me about some of the mean things happening to them. The pray mantises just don’t seem to get along with them. It’s very sad to be honest.”
Pray mantis? Of course! It all makes sense, except for that other part.
“Wait, pray mantises, and looking to the heart. Could that mean the cocoon is within the heart of the mantis grounds?”
“You are quite correct, Ms. Daring.”
“OH MY GOSH SHE’S SO AWESOME!!!”
“Easy there Dash.”
“Sorry”
“Anyway, Ms. Do, if the mantises are in possession of the cocoon, then you’ll find them East, here to be exact.”
She jumps onto the table and points to the location with her hoof. Just as I suspected, the mantis league of the mad. This formed a bad feeling in my chest, knowing exactly what I was getting my flank into.
Author's Note
Hope you enjoy the first chapter!
