Daring Do and the Lost City of Icarus

Two weeks later…

Daring Do was currently in Manehattan for a book signing event at the Manehattan National Library. Not that she particularly wanted to be there but her publisher practically begged her to come, explaining that it would boost her sales. Of course, she couldn't argue with that she really needed that money in the first place.

Despite her feelings, Daring put on a smile and was patient when any of her readers asked any questions, especially when they were complicated. Signing her name as A.K. Yearling was as natural as it came to her but even now it still felt odd. The pseudonym was for her protection, as many ponies, griffins, you named it wanted her dead. Luckily, none of her fans (okay only a few) have met Daring Do in person and none of her enemies ever met A.K. Yearling (if any had read her books, the best they could conclude was Yearling interviewed Daring Do personally). It wasn't until a young filly came up to her earlier that she started questioning herself.

“Um...how did you come up with Daring Do and what inspired you to write these kind of stories?”

Daring paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts. The first was easy: even without them being based on true events she always had a love for adventure. Her father had been an archaeologist like herself, but he never had the adventures she had. But why did she write all these stories? What she saw as real her fans saw as fiction.

“Daring Do relates to me in a way,” she said. “We both love adventure. But what I enjoy most is giving readers an idea of what is out there for them. Life is full of possibilities but you don't need to be an archaeologist to explore them. Just do what Daring does and follow your dreams.”

It must have been good enough for the filly smiled and gave Daring her book, which happened to be Sapphire Stone, her first adventure. Daring smiled a real smile for once and signed the book.

It was only for an hour but it felt like forever. There was one last pony, a unicorn stallion who seemed a bit old for these types of stories but hey, to each their own. “Oh, no this isn't for me, my daughter is sick but she begged me to come see you and get her book signed.”

That made more sense, but something still seemed off about the unicorn. As Daring opened the cover, she noticed the writing on the top right of the first page.

832 Baker St.

Meet me there in half an hour. We have much to discuss Miss Do.

Daringhad a good pokerface so despite the surprise, her face remained neutral as she signed the book. “Tell your daughter I hope she feels better.” The unicorn nodded in thanks before leaving.

After packing up her things, she spent the next twenty minutes at the café next door drinking a cup of tea as she constantly glanced at the clock. This wasn't the first time she was approached by Canterlot officials. There were times when certain artifacts absolutely had to be kept away from certain individuals or groups and by the sound of it the Icarian Stone was one of those artifacts.

Daring then left the café and headed towards Baker Street. Once she found 832, she went up to the door and knocked three times. The door opened and the unicorn from before stood there and nodded, stepping to the side and said, “Please come in.”

Daring went inside and immediately looked around the house. “You don't have a daughter, do you?”

The unicorn chuckled. “Was it that obvious? No, but if I did I'm sure she'd be a fan as well. Anyway, there's someone else here to see you and we have much to talk about.”

He then led her to his study, where a rather large griffin was sitting on a couch reading a book. He looked up and his eyes lit up immediately. “Ah, Daring Do my friend!” He got up quickly and went over, giving the mare a big hug. “It is great to see you!”

Daring smiled. “Good to see you too Pierre.” Daring only had a few friends she could trust, and Pierre happened to be one of them. To be honest, it's hard not to like him since he wasn't the typical griffin.

“Ah, I forgot to introduce you,” Pierre said, looking at the unicorn. “Zis is Lieutenant Commander Manewaring, Army Intelligence.”

“Intelligence?” Daring asked. “It's that important?"

“I wouldn't necessarily be exaggerating if I said it comes from Princess Celestia herself,” Manewaring stated. This just got more interesting.

“Yes, yes,” Pierre said impatiently. “That can wait.” He turned to Daring and smiled widely. “So...did you get it?”

“Of course. But do you mind if I take this off?” Daring asked as she took off her hat, glasses, and coat. She then went through her bag and took out the Icarian Stone.

Pierre almost cackled as he took it from her and gazed at it closely. “Magnifique!** Daring my dear you deliver once again! Any trouble while you were zhere?”

Daring shrugged as she sat on the couch. “The usual, but it took care of itself. You know, if I got caught by any griffins I'd probably be locked up in the Gulag right now.”

Pierre snorted and waved his claw in dismissal. “No such zhing and you would've been lucky to have run into one griffin over zhere.”

“Ahem.”

Pierre looked over and sighed. “My apologies. Please lieutenant.”

Manewaring stood up straight and cleared his throat. “Intelligence has been picking up a lot of activity on the Griffin mainland. Changeling activity.”

Daring couldn't help but see Pierre with the same sour look on his face. “Are they expanding their territory?”

“Changelings can only do so by creating more hives,” Manewaring explained. “But we haven't seen any evidence to prove that. But they're looking for something.”

“I'm guessing this has to do with that stone?” Daring asked.

“What purpose would it have?” Pierre wondered. “Such a zhing wouldn't exist if it didn't have a connection to the Icarians.”

“The Icarians supposedly were an advanced race that exceeded even us,” Daring stated. “So...our bug friends want a way to take over Equestria again huh?”

Manewaring motioned them over to a table where a map of Equestria sat. There were three circles around the area to the north of Griffonstone. “This area has the largest concentration of changelings.

“The Crystal Mountains?” Daring asked. “So they're excavating…”

“And they're damn efficient at it too,” Manewaring said. “Arriving by train is too risky so we managed to get you on a cruise to the Griffin mainland. There's a professor currently in Trottingham who you'll meet up with before travelling overseas.”

“He knows more of ze Icarians zhan anyone else,” Pierre said. “He'll be quite helpful.”

Daring looked back and forth between the two. “So when do I leave?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Manewaring said. “You can sleep here tonight of course. I take it you already have everything you need?”

“Just in case,” Daring grinned.

“I wish you all ze luck zhen,” Pierre said. “Changelings are no joke...us griffins know from experience.”