Daring Do and The Disavowed Connection

Deep within the White Tail Woods, resided a quaint little cabin. Thin rays of pale moonlight pierce through the thick foliage. Failing in its attempt to illuminate the dark nebulous environment below. A faint crunching sound could be heard in the otherwise silent woods as several shadows approached the cabin's door. A sharp knock upon the door woke its sole resident from their slumber.

The pony slowly rose in the bed, wiping the sleep from their eyes. Another, more forceful knock, snapping the pony from their drowsy state. Hopping from the bed, the occupant crept through the room, down the stairs, and toward the peephole in the door. Without warning the front window imploded, as shadowy ponies entered through the doorway and shattered window.

“Do you really believe this is where Daring Do lives,” snapped one of the shadows.

“We won’t know for sure until we ransack the place,” replied another in a nonchalant tone. Unaware of the cabin's owner hovering above their heads. The five shadows split up to search the cabin for Daring Do or anything else of interest. Only when the intruders were in separate rooms did the owner began to stalk them.

Deciding to take out the single goon upstairs, Daring quietly making her way toward the stairs. Silently landing on the top step, a faint rustling sound could be heard to the left. Despite her tip-toeing along, a light was flicked on when she entered the room. Temporarily blinded, Daring lifted her arm to shield her eyes.

“So its true, Daring Do does live in this tacky little cabin,” a stern voice was heard in the room. Daring’s eyes adjusted quickly, the blur that stood before her was revealed to be Dr. Caballeron.

With an exasperating sigh, Daring grumbled, “Why are you here pestering me at this hour?”

“How could I resist, after learning where you lived, I thought I’d reacquire what rightfully belongs to me,” Caballeron sneered back. Daring gave an annoyed huff while Caballeron continued. “My minions should be getting close to discovering where your…” Caballeron paused as he stared at the pegasus before him.

Several tense moments passed as they attempted to stare the other down, nothing but the sounds of hooves from downstairs were heard. “You know, without your outfit, your quite the looker,” Caballeron spoke with a sneer. Daring reeled back in disgust before an idea occurred to her.

It was something that she tried to avoid but given her current circumstances, it might be her only chance. Recomposing herself, both mentally and physically, Daring took a deep breath. “Do you really think so?” she replied in an alluring tone. Slowly sauntering toward Caballeron, fluttering her eyes, and exaggerating the swing of her hips.

Caballeron’s face took on a confused expression at Daring's shifted personality. Perfect, she thought while continuing to advance toward him. Daring was slowly gaining the upper hoof against her blindsided adversary. Stopping a few feet away, Daring spoke in a sultry voice, “I always thought there was something more to our encounters.”

Caballeron gave a nervous gulp, while Daring smiled at how unnerved Caballeron had become. Perhaps she could even get him to reveal his intentions if she played her cards right. Fluttered her eyes again, she tilted her head.

Daring’s luscious mane of black, gray, and silver seductively slid over her ear to partially cover the left side of her face. It took everything Daring had to keep herself from laughing at Caballeron’s apprehensive behavior. However before Daring could interrogate him, a loud crash echoed through the house. Both of them instantly turned to the door, wondering what was destroyed.

Making to most of his reprieve, Caballeron dashed past her and out of the room. Daring quickly followed but he was already down the stairs. Unfolding her wings, Daring was about to dive over the railing when a dart struck her in the neck. She quickly yanking the dart from her flesh, yet it was already too late.

Whatever liquid was stored in the dart was quickly taking effect. Daring could feel her body beginning to feel heavy. Her once clear vision was now a warped and distorted blur, ultimately fading into an abyssal burst of darkness. Her last recollection was falling, a bump on her head, and a loud thump.

Meanwhile, Caballeron and his thugs retreated from the cabin, satchels full of treasure from Daring Do’s vault. Caballeron’s racing hooves now mimicking the pace his heart adopted moments prior to his escape. That was a close call, I never thought she’d resort to that he thought. They raced into the shadow of the woods while Daring laid unconscious on the floor.

“Uuhhh” came the soft moan from Daring’s open muzzle. A chill crept up her spine from laying on the cold floor, Opening an eye, her dilated pupil struggling to bring her surroundings into focus. Eventually, she could make out the railing that ran above her head. Followed by the stairs that descended to the room below.

Daring eventually got to her hooves, with minor wobbling, possibly a side effect from the dart's contents. All at once her head began to throb, upon inspection Daring could feel a bump. Great I feel woozy and have a headache, she thought to herself. Not trusting her ability to fly at the moment, Daring made her way to the kitchen.

After a tedious descent down the stairs, hugging the wall for support, Daring finally made it to the kitchen. Despite what needed to be done, she set about making coffee. If nothing else, the familiar taste would at least simulate normality. After a couple of cups and messaging her temple, Daring felt more coherent.

Leaving the kitchen, Daring trotted into her library and sighed. The room was a disorganized mess, bookshelves toppled over while books littered the floor. Spreading out her wings, Daring slowly lifted off the ground. Maintaining a constant hover, she made her way toward the back of the room. On several occasions having to fly higher to clear toppled shelves.

From the higher elevation, she noticed her vault had been compromised. Against wanting to delay further disappointment, Daring looked into the vault. Figures, they could’ve at least left me two bits to rub together, she thought sarcastically. About ready to make her way back to the kitchen, a ragged piece of parchment caught Daring’s attention.

Lowering herself to the ground, she carefully extracted it from under a book. After finding nothing more of interest, Daring quickly made her way back toward her bedroom. However, as she entered the living room she stopped in mid-air. There stood a familiar and the first welcoming sight since this ordeal began.

In the open doorway stood, Twilight Velvet, a light gray mare with a light purple/silver stripped mane and tail. The unicorn stared at Daring with her vivid artic blue eyes. “Did I catch you at a bad time,” Velvet asked curiously. All at once Daring swooped down and embraced Velvet in a tight hug. “If you missed me that much you could always visit,” Velvet chuckled as she returned the gesture.

After a few moments they broke apart, Daring motioned toward the couch. Once they were seated, Daring began to tell Velvet of the events that transpired. Omitting the part about how she tried to seduce Caballeron. Velvet listened intently until her tale was through. “What were they after?” Velvet inquired.

Daring just shrugged as she inferred a possible robbery. “I found this note and was on my way to Canterlot when I saw you standing in the doorway,” Daring answered.

“What does it say,” Velvet asked with a hint of curiosity. Leaning closer, she tried to sneak a peek at what was written on the shred of paper.

“It mentions something about a cave south of Griffonstone,” Daring began. “With my library in shambles, I‘m left with The Royal Library, perhaps the answer resides there.” Then an oddity came to Daring’s mind as she turned to Velvet. “How come you’re here, not that I mind the visit,” Daring quickly added.

“Its just that you usually don’t drop in unannounced,” Daring asked. Velvet’s expression began to take on a sour appearance, her gaze shifted downward, as she began to fidget slightly.

“I know we have a lunch scheduled in a couple of days,” Velvet began. “However since the tragedy, I can‘t help but feel estranged from everypony.” Daring knew what Velvet meant, more then she preferred to. Nopony knew what happened that day, even now the reason remains a mystery.

Perhaps Discord had returned to his evil ways or his mind had finally snapped. Whatever the reason, He had begun terrorizing Canterlot. Both princesses tried to subdue him, Celestia was vaporized in the process, while Luna was severely injured. It took the utilization of an ancient spell, performed by the only uninjured Princess at the scene. Princess Twilight Sparkle was able to completely vanquish Discord and save the inhabitants of Canterlot.

After everything calmed down a little, everypony began to cheer for their savior. Unfortunately, tragedy wasn't quite done, demonstrating that even a god can fall. The feeble silence that settled over the city was shattered as Twilight's screech and cries of pain set the city into a panic.

Her body writhed in mid-air as if being pulled apart piece by piece. The whole of Canterlot watched in dread as the now limp form of Twilight twitched and spazzed above their heads. With a loud explosive sound, Twilight’s body was shattered like glass before fading into nonexistence.

There before the masses, one of Equestria’s greatest defenders was reduced to nothing more than particles upon the wind. A cold shiver crawled down Daring’s spine at the mere memory of that horrible day. An extremely soft sob could be heard from her left.

Without another thought, Daring began to comfort Velvet. Her trip to Canterlot just got postponed by more pressing priorities. Daring held her friend tight, granting Velvet a sanctuary of serenity, temporary as it may be.