Right now I'm running with my mother at my side as best as an old mare like her can keep up. We had just gotten a letter from The Doctor informing us Ditzy is on the last legs of the sickness caused by the Succubus Stone- an artifact that mother had stolen long ago that took the life forces from everyone who she had loved, even my father. She distanced herself because the stone doesnt care how old somepony is whilst taking their life forces. She didnt want us to be taken at all despite her coming back to Ponyville- our hometown I guess you could say- and seeing or starting to think about Ditzy. I'm so in a panic right now I barely remember the details. I've only had to stop for a moment to memorize a map of where we were, where the cave was that was supposed to house the damn artifact and such. As I ran my mind went into freak out mode trying to keep myself in good spirits even with the cards I've been dealt. I didnt even stop once to drink something or rest until we got to the cave. I stopped and collapsed out of breath, my mother stripping me of my pack and dropping hers as well also out of breath. "Daring! Daring sweetie get up! We're almost there! Its just inside!" She said.

I quickly scrambled for the canteen. I'm lucky we had refilled it before we left the inn this morning. I drank for a good minute before giving it to my mother. "I.... I'm sorry I had to run.... I dont wanna lose Ditzy..." She said. She quickly hugged me and shushed me for a good couple of minutes... A couple of minutes that still didnt feel any better because it was a minute on being closer to losing my sister.

"Daring please calm down! You're going to make yourself sick! Just breathe! Stay calm! D-Ditzy will be alright if we get this done..." I sniffled a bit tearing up. I was shaking vigorously, wings were all frizzy and my mane if not messed up by the wind was definitely messing up now. Even under my pith helmet.

"Th-This is just... this feels like the day I left all over again..." The day I left.... It was a day yes but it felt like it lasted a few days just to be real. We were still getting over the time outside in the storm... Maybe had been a few weeks and storms were still on and off.... Ditzy and I had to cuddle during the night and The Doctor had to make sure I went to the bathroom before I wet the bed- which I can admit had happened during a thunder storm a few days after we had gotten back home. It was embarrassing but this time Ditz was happy to have me in her bed after I washed up. Tonight there was no storm but I was sitting in the study and I was up Contemplating my life after I had nearly lost Ditzy. I was so good at finding my way as if I was always looking at the north star. Even during the day. Ahuizotl came to us a few days ago to check on us and make sure we're doing okay.

I think I was reading a book... 'Mythical treasures around the world, rumors of the old world.' I think the title was. The lantern I had nearby flickered next to me on the desk my father used to sit at.... One of these days I'm paying a cleaning company to clean up the old home, a moving company to help move everything that can be.... The cleaning company because... well you know what happened last time I was there... Spiders and a few lucky children figuring out their favorite writer is also their favorite character. I'm sure it was still bound to slip out even if Twilight and her friends hadnt caught me with my pants down, quite literally I might add. I heard the door creak open behind me. I looked back only to see the Doctor coming in rubbing his eyes. "Daring? What are you doing up this late? You should be sleeping!" He said yawning afterwards. I sighed flipping the page to this book.

"Yeah... I know but I cant... I just... I keep thinking about my cutie mark... helps me find my way when I dont have a map.... I mean... if I hadnt found Ditzy who knows what could've happened to her..." He came in and sat down next to me nudging the book shut in front of me.

"Well you saved her which is great... I just wished it wasnt raining that hard... Honestly wished I could go back and accompany her while she had gotten up... I didnt realize she would've wandered so far... And to the Princess' old castle.... Werent you scared of what could've been lurking in there? Animals, insects... all that dust? I'm surprised you didnt come out of there with black lung or any sign of inhaling black mold!"

"Who ever built that castle knew how to make it sound and sealed tight from the elements..." I sighed getting up. "But think of this... what if I could find more places like that to explore? Perhaps bring something home to show off?"

"Daring... That's insane you could get yourself extremely hurt... Besides if you were thinking about going for that treasure in the book you're reading I'd look for something that doesnt have 'myth' in the title...." He held up the book before sliding it back onto the desk. "...Do you want some warm milk before you sleep? I dont wanna see you ruining your sleep schedule or crashing during your daily flights too and from Ponyville just because you're losing precious hours of sleep!" I stretched a bit, feigning a yawn as I did to hide my eye rolling.

"I'm fine without it doc..... Just go back to bed and I'll go back to mine." I grabbed my lantern as he huffed.

"I'll go back to bed when you do.... I know you're a mare of your word but I'd rather see you go to bed rather than find you anywhere else but your bed... You could still hop in bed with Ditzy if it makes you feel any better to sleep." He knows me so well. When we were younger I'd stay up and play with my dolls until I got caught by mother... She took the toys she knew I'd love away if she caught me again. I tested her on this and she took Mr. Bunbun away... I cried so hard that night within hours she gave me him back and I learned my lesson. I had to be taken to Ditzy's bed to cuddle with her and Mr Bunbun just to calm down... Still surprised she never woke up while I bawled my eyes out.

I felt like I was herded to my bed like cattle to a barn for the milking. I tried making a needed stop to the toilet, Doc tried to stop me but he remembered how I was when my feathers started molting and now he doesnt try to stop me from using the bathroom when I need to. But yeah it was something he knew not to do. I knew not to stay in the bathroom too long during my uh.... Mare time... Caught with my hoof where it didnt belong... doesnt mean I dont do it... After that I was brought back to our room where I hopped in bed with Ditzy. She cuddled right up to me but I just stayed awake thinking about things. Well.... For however long it was I laid there I still managed to pass out without even realizing it. The next morning I found myself alone in the bed, Mr. Bunbun in place of Ditzy. The room was a bit warm even if I wasnt all the way under the covers. I kicked the covers off and went to the vanity in our room grabbing the brush off the counter and started tugging at my mane and tail. Wings were preened soon after. Normally didnt do it myself. Ditz always knew the best way to do it. Even if she pulled a few feathers out accidentally. As I stepped out I smelled something that.... Well... that reminded me of my fathers cooking. "Yaaaay! Pancakes!" I hear Ditzy say, her cheery voice echoing through the halls. I quickly glided downstairs following my nose smelling the fresh pancakes, syrup and such.

I landed just outside the kitchen and trotted my way in just seeing the doctor setting out plates for him and Ditzy with one waiting for me right by the skillet. As the Doctor set the plates down he smiled. "Pancakes Doc? I thought you hated mixing the batter...." I said.

The Doctor smiled as I took a spot near Ditzy as she started digging in to her short stack covered in blue berries and whipped cream. "Yeah I do but.... I feel like it's been a bit since any of us had a good breakfast like this in a while. What do you think I was doing up so late?" He asked.

"Checking to see if I was still inside the study reading?"

"...Well that was one reason... the other was to try to find your fathers old cook books and I tried to replicate the taste as best I could. I used everything I could to get that taste and even without using the sugars you're allergic to. Brown sugar, mixed in with the batter and I've got blue berries, bananas and even some home made syrup from a sap farm up the road." Ah yeah... nearly forgot that was there.... Think the trees died off or something because what's there now is just a bunch of homes... Either Ponyville expanded officially or unoffically... Either is the answer because what lies there now are fenced off homes for the rich. Their syrup still pops up from what I taste every time I have pancakes or waffles or the rare sandwich I make with tofu bacon and some fruits. Hopefully they still work on it and its not exported to some sort of factory...

"Well... Good of you to do this Doc... Home cooked meal is the best rather than one cooked over a camp fire... or from a can...."

"I totally agree. Couldnt imagine what the only thing you ate for that time would've been good for your digestion. Tell me have you been feeling a bit uh.... strange when going?" I shook my head blushing.

"Can we talk about this after breakfast Doc? Kinda hungry here!" He gave a smile and nodded turning back to get me a plate of pancakes. He even surprised me with a bit of whipped cream and powdered sugar on top. I managed to eat what I had in front of me and two more pancakes with just syrup on it. It was delicious. Loved it. After that I volunteered to do the dishes. Doc had to help Ditzy clean her face up. You should've seen the blueberries stuck to her upper cheek! It was too cute! But alas... those days are long gone. The doctor still cares for her yes but... what's going on now is making me wish I can go back in time... change all of this and keep it from happening... Though Doc has a bit of a theory about time changes... one of us couldnt exist, maybe neither of us exist, possibly he couldnt exist...

That day started like any other but things were definitely not what I was expecting. Back to what was currently happening. Mother was having me do deep breathing exercises. My breathing was deep yes but I was shaking... still afraid of losing Ditzy.... "There we go... in.... and out..." Mother said. I followed directions. Mother kissed me on my forehead, giving me a bit of hope by standing me up on my hooves and giving me the canteen. I sipped from the lukewarm water... "Feeling better now sweetie?" I gave a hesitant nod. "Good.... Now I want you to keep breathing..." She started digging into our packs before pulling out the wrapped up idol. "Here. Take the Succubus stone and take it back to where it belongs... I want to see this put to rest... and not your sister so hurry! Please!" She placed it on my back, tied it down with a leather strap and nudged me along after taking the water from me. "Go! Now! We havent much time!" I nodded looking back at mother before turning back to the cave and setting in to a light jog. Inside this cave was dark... Good thing here I always had a small light in my vest pocket. I took my helmet off, grabbed the light and afixed it to the band on my helmet before flicking it on. I looked around as I walked through the dark cavern.

I watched as natural light was replaced with the artificial slowly. Well... I had planned to go further but I froze just to wet myself seeing a spider just... hang itself from my helmet. I screamed and just turned out and booked it expecting to get away from it. I didnt realize it was from my helmet before I just bucked wildly outside the cave sending my helmet flying. "MOMMY! MOMMY SPIDER! KILL THE SPIDER MOMMY!" I screamed.... Yeah... Yeah I did that.... I had to do that for the first few weeks after mom left... just making sure she wasnt playing a mean old joke. Mother came over to me grabbing me and sitting me down to cry before she picked up my helmet shaking the spider off and kicking it away before putting my pith helmet back on me.

"There we are! Its okay Daring the spider's gone! See?" I grabbed onto mother holding on to her shoulder just bawling... "Sweet Celestia you're soaked! Did my baby girl have an accident?" I sniffled nodding into her shoulder. "Oh no its okay sweetums! You're okay! No mean ol spider's gonna scare my baby and get away with it!"

My mind went right back to that fateful day I left It was maybe an hour or so after breakfast and I decided to wash up but... I guess while I was washing up a spider made its way onto the wall... Something similar happened here but I was already wet. I had to be wrapped up in a towel sitting outside the bathroom with Ditzy and I sitting down on a towel just so we didnt get water anywhere that it wasnt already. The Doctor came out of the bathroom with an opaque bowl and plate stacked on top of each other. "There! It's as good as gone Daring! You're good now just breathe!" He said. "Ditzy help your sister back into the tub and make sure she keeps breathing nice and deep okay?" Ditzy nodded before taking my hoof and leading me back into the bathroom. She stripped me of my towel and helped me back into the tub.

I looked to Ditzy as she just stroked my hoof. "It's okay sissy big scary buggy is gone!" She said. "You okay?" I sniffled nodding a bit before sinking a bit lower into the tub leaving enough room for my nose to stick out of the water. The bathwater was still warm but I shivered like it was ice cold. You know by now about how bad spiders scare me... ripped and destroyed clothing, urinating on myself... one of these days its just gonna be a straight up heart attack. "Da-RING! Say sometin!"

I whimpered. "...Big... Big bug..." I muttered bringing my head above water. "....Th-they're all over me... the... the spiders are all over me!" I was about to thrash again feeling my skin crawl but Ditzy held me in the bath, even getting into the water with me hugging me.

"Nuh-uh! No buggies here! Take breaths sissy!" She started leading me in breathing deeply.... Spiders dont panic me as much now but they used to just get me to where I'd be on the floor for hours after. Depending on where the spider was. Could be on the floor, on my bed, in another room entirely or even up on the cloud depending on how big the thing was. I dont remember how many times I had to cuddle up to Ahuizotl outside of a cave or in tent while his survivalist teams shook out blankets, sprayed bug repellent around our tents and even check the bags because one non poisonous arachnid found its way into my mane. We sat there in the water, breathing deeply and calming my nerves as I'm doing now. After a while Ditzy climbed out of the water, dried herself off and helped me wash my mane as best she could. She did shove me under the water slightly with how hard she did use her hooves but it was just how Ditzy was... Screw something up because her motor skills arent what they used to be. Once done she helped me dry off and brushed my mane, yanking knots out in the process. My mane gets kind of knatty when wet so it was expected.

After that I was back in the study, reading books. I was calmed down enough after preening my wings a bit to make them as smooth as I could. The book I read now? Survival: an Apocalypse Ready Survival book! Why my father had that in a collection I dont know but my mother always thought there would be some end of the world thing and honestly... Mother always believed in such things but more of a religious end with the Devil and The Goddess above fighting it out, with the good saved in the clouds and the rest to rot down here. Though... you wouldnt believe how many artifacts i've found that actually could end the world if given a chance to. I'm keeping it out of those hooves that would use it for evil.... Dr. Calebreon... I flipped past causes for the end and how to survive out in the wilderness. I'm pretty sure my mind was more on camping rather than doing work on my books. There was a knock at the door that startled me into closing the book almost like I had been caught with a naughty magazine.... which i've only seen on shelves and- oh who am I kidding its light reading material for bed when I'm at home... take with that what you will. Anyways I looked back to see The Doctor at the door looking in at me with a tray with some tea on it. Tea pot, cup and a few sandwiches. "Oh! Sorry for startling you Daring... Just... Thought you needed something to snack on while you read..." He said trotting his way in carefully. Once at the desk i was at he slid the tray on to the right side of me and my books stacked to read when I get to them. "Also... I may be prying and I apologize if I am but... is something the matter Lady Daring?"

I gave a sigh as I poured myself a cup of black tea, warmed with a hint of blue berries... my favorite. "Have you ever done something that you know you want to do again but you're afraid to just to make it seem worse?" I asked. He sat next to me on the floor.

"All the time... When I had started working for your father I was a bit nervous helping out with you and Ditzy as foals and your mother... Well she was a wildcard... Thought I was doing things too hard, giving her the wrong things to treat ailments and such. She didnt believe I knew what I was doing until you or Ditzy came down with a fever... And with how young that you were I couldnt figure out how much of what medicines to give you but I remembered some herbal combinations that were safe no matter how much you took. Had to calm you down just to feed you because I guess it was a lot of pressure on your sinuses or something but we couldnt tell. You took the medicine and it just worked... Im still glad I had saved you otherwise your mother would've cast me out and I'd be up a tree without a ladder to stand on..." It didnt hit me at the time but he's saying something dark here... could probably tell what... I sighed sipping from the teacup. The warm berry flavored leaf water trickled down my throat nicely.

"Well... For me its different...." I replied. "...That camping trip went and caught my attention to something.... I'm wondering if I could do something like that for a living... Camping out, finding my way to interesting sights and perhaps be a cartographer or something.... Perhaps there are things that have been missed out there in the world that the public could see... Perhaps I could just... Become a park ranger and be out in the wilderness a lot more... I'm not sure but I just have that draw to do so..." He hummed a bit looking through my books. I had novels of adventure, novels of outdoor survivalists, and some biographies of those who had gone and conquered the wild whether it be a forest, desert or even mountains. There were- keyword were- a group of ponies long ago that had to resort to eating each other to get through a harsh winter after they took a wrong turn going to Apploosa... Yeah... Came from up north, went east instead of west and they started eating each other. Still no survivors. Diaries were there for someone to find and reread the horrible adventure and publish it into a book. Didnt have that one here gladly.

"I'm surprised you'd wanna go camping after Ditzy got lost... hopefully you dont go alone if you do just in case you're ever attacked by a wild animal or you accidentally fall on one of those southern equestrian agave plants or a strawberry bush with sharp branches."

"Of course I'll have someone to go with me! I'll have some assistant if I'm a cartographer or a partner if I'm a ranger. They can administer first aid, give me my epipen and hurry me to the nearest hospital or med center."

"But what if they cant? What if they misplace it or cant carry you? Then you're dead unless they know how to immediately get the toxins out of your system!" He stood up. "Do something where you're NOT putting yourself in danger by being around wild animals or even plant life you're allergic to! I dont want to see you on a missing poster or in the obituaries because you were found in the woods all puffed up from allergies or sewn back together just to see who you are!" I gave a sigh and closed my book.

"Doc you want me to do something useful with my life and I'm trying! I dont want to live off the fortune that mother took half of leaving me and Ditzy with you and a thieving nanny who needed to be locked up way before us!" I got up and walked out of the room. He followed.

"Yes I want you to do something with your life but doing that is completely out of the question! I'm trying to be the voice of reason here. You cant just say you wanna do things without thinking of the ramifications of things that could happen!" I stopped at the door to mine and Ditzys room. Ditzy wasnt in there I'm glad to say.

"WELL I'M A GROWN MARE! TREAT ME LIKE ONE! I'M NOT A CHILD ANYMORE!" I yelled before shutting myself into the room and sitting against the door hugging myself. He didnt even knock, didnt try to force the door open and didnt even try to coax me out.... No promises of gifts, no promises of my choice for dinner... Not even Ditzy tried. I stayed in there for hours... Didnt nap, didnt even go out to use the toilet- and no that doesnt mean i pissed out the window or in the corner. Didnt even cuddle Mr. BunBun even though that was an option to make myself feel better.

After that few hours I did get a knock at the door. Didnt open it, didnt acknowledge them. Just huddled into the corner of the doorway. They knocked again. I didnt recognize the knocks.... The Doc does something musical, Ditzy just bangs on the door a bit, and even though I'm not on the otherside of the door I knock with a burst of three and two after a pause. It changes slightly but I always use that combination of knocks. Then the voice came... "Daring? Daring may I come in please?" They said. It was Ahuizotl. "Daring let me in, I just want to talk. You and me, mono e mono. Nobody else."

"...We can talk through the door! I'm not opening it just in case The Doctor is on the other side...."

"He's not here. He let me in and left with your sister to do shopping. Can you please let me in? You have my word that its just us in the house together. I'll give you a few minutes and come back up. If you dont wanna wait I'll be downstairs in the den waiting for you." I listened as he walked away and down the stairs. I know he didnt fake it because the second to third step down decides to squeak and creak if you step on it a certain way and I heard it trigger twice. The Doc did that one time when he was gonna punish me and I fell right into that trap. Bar of soap shoved in my mouth and I'm in the corner in the study... potty mouths are bad if you're a child especially if it was towards the nanny you actually made cry. Yeah... told her to fuck off weeks after mother left. Unsure if that was one of the causes to have her steal from us or not but I got her pretty good when I told her nobody loved her and that her mother didnt love her just like ours did. Little did I know until now at least.... I waited a moment before getting up and stretching a bit because I was in one position for so long. I opened up the door and flew downstairs narrowly missing the chandelier and landing just by the front door like I was about to run out. It was the safest spot to land because of the rug we had. Didnt wanna buff out hoofprints from us landing anywhere else. I walked over to the den entrance and saw Ahuizotl with a newspaper open in front of him in what used to be my fathers seat. It was near to the fire place with a table nearby and a wet bar. There was always a stash of alcohol in there no matter what. Pretty sure there still was alcohol last I was there... may have to check for wine or whiskey... maybe champagne? Dunno.

"Ahui?" I said alerting him. He set the newspaper down and smiled.

"You finally came out of your room eh? Told you nobody else was here." I blushed taking a seat just across from him in the middle of the room. Was my mothers chair when she was feeding us as foals.

"Yeah... But... Why are you here? Surely it was for the doctor but he was leaving for shopping right?"

"As you'd think but... No.... I would like to extend an offer if you will. Your survival skills in our last outing were something interesting. There have been times where I've had to go deep into the woods, nail something to a tree that points the way back. Sometimes that doesnt necessarily work and someone has to go, memorize a path to go and come back to lead us and even the rare occasion where someone finds us and helps us out. Payment with bits, food and other survival tips. You? You found your way to your sister, no map needed, no compass other the one on your rear end and not even the threat of slipping in mud nor falling trees or even dangerous animals had deterred you from completing your mission."

"Can you cut to the chase please? It's like you're kinda stalling...." He huffed.

"I can forgive that slight paranoia... Dont want the doctor to catch you out of the room... Point here being is I'm wanting you to come with me, camp out and perhaps find somethings that nopony has seen before. I hear theres a lot of money in it for some things museums have been looking for and they'd pay a lot of bits for those to be donated and I happen to know about some treasures and details of how you could go about it and the best part: Those treasures are supposedly a myth." I was... Shocked a bit. Was he telling the truth? Or was it a ploy to pull me out of my comfort zone to show me how wrong I was?

"I.... I dont know what to say..."

"Take your time Daring. Think on it. Talk it over with the Doctor when he returns. Do you need me to fix you something to drink? I think theres still tea things from uh... that... time...." The time he accidentally poisoned me but saved my flank. Thank goodness I told him where my epipen was.... Theres two under my bed just in case of emergency now because of that and one in the kitchen and... a couple more in the Doctors room... Well... was.... there was.... But I have one braided firmly into my tail just in case I get scratched out in the wilderness or eat something that has strawberries in it and I dont know. Ahui actually has a few more just in case too.

Anywho I was still thinking at that point and I thought for hours more because apparently the doctor had to help someone out in town. Heart attack victim, saved his life and such. But back to today... I was calmed down and dried off by my mother using a rag we had in our bags... I was still sticky and embarrassed by it. Mother sighed sitting aside as I paced back and forth breathing deeply. "Daring... Its now or never sweetie... I dont know how much longer Ditzy can last..." She said. "You can do this! Save your sister and lets be a family again!"

I paced back and forth. "...Y-Yeah... A... A family... I can.... I can do this... I'm a brave girl...." I told myself. "It... It's just a cave.... There's... Nothing to be afraid of... You've dealt with scarier things than sp-spiders.... rock falls, poisonous plants.... M-magma.... spilling out of the walls.... snake pits, and angry tribals...." Yep... No joke when I say way south east there are tribes of pony who prefer to be alone and when we showed up we had to run... lucky they were mostly peaceful and couldnt aim for shit. "You can do this... Do this for Ditzy... Do this for Ditzy, mother.... daddy.... and... For the Doc and Dinky...." I looked to mother as I faced the cave. "Mother... I think... I think I'm ready..." She nodded.

"Do it then! I'll be right here when you get out of there!" I nodded and kept my breathing as I walked towards the cave entrance again. I slowed for a moment checking my corners for spiders before starting to jog straight into the cave. My light still worked thank Celestia. About twenty yards into the cavern it started to descend down oddly built steps... like they had been here a long time. Longer than I had been alive, possibly- no... definitely longer than mother had been alive. The steps were carved out level by level... I swear I felt pickaxe marks under my hooves. Or at least something that felt like it.... for all I know it was moisture erosion that dried out long ago. As I descended I stepped on a trigger tile. I stepped on it, felt it give and heard it slide down. I quickly got myself to the side of the cavern and waited for something... Spears to shoot out from the walls, doors to close behind me or even poison tipped darts to rain down from above. Nothing. I waited for about a minute before giving a sigh and hesitantly continuing on. I looked around at the walls and they started to get some archaic designs on em... Not like cave paintings but... etchings of hieroglyphs and other images. I didnt have time to determine from when this cave was made or what tribes had made it if any... As I walked faster there was more of a natural light coming from torch holders afixed to the wall. It was... kinda strange that there would be a light switch in the floor. I soon came unto a large room. Torches lined the walkway, lighting up what could be seen around. The room was still dark despite the torches lighting the path. The room around me had collapsed pillars, some still clinging to the roof, others standing tall with little damage. There was even supports made from old wood, rotting slightly but still standing tall. In front of me was the altar bedecked with gems, tarnished by time, the shine from them gone because of the dust and-upl- webs... all over the altar... No spider in sight thank goddess above. No bags to counteract traps, no other idols, not even any tools or long dead bodies showing signs of habitation. I carefully took the Succubus Stone from its wrapping... The gold gleaming in the torch light and the gems on it glowing brilliantly as if it sought out its home much like I did. I set it carefully on the altar and backed up and waited. And waited.... My heart began to sink...

"Wh-What...? No glow? No.... No rumbling? No release of some trap finding its trigger being pushed in?" I asked myself inspecting all parts of the room around me and the altar up and down. "Is... is this even the real altar? Is this even the correct artifact? I... I swear I never let it out of my sight... Mother wouldnt hide it from me.... Would she?" I started tearing up starting to fear something was wrong... "No... I... No.... this... this cant be right... this has to be some sort of joke! I.... I cant be losing my sister.... I CANT BE!" I rushed the altar shoulder checking it to no avail. Hurt myself a bit but I didnt care as I started crying hard. I bucked at the altar screaming, tears coming down my cheeks.... One of those bucks caught the succubus stone and I just froze seeing it teeter for a moment. I stayed frozen watching it come back and forth on its bottom but... it went too far forward and fell onto its side and I dove for it. I was there to catch it but... it landed just between my arms smashing before my eyes. But that did it. It sent out a burst of magic sending me flying across the room. I rolled stunned as the room started to glow a bright blue. The flames on the torches turned blue as I carefully got to my hooves fixing my helmet and rubbing the dust from my eye. When I got up and looked to where the broken idol was I froze... not because I felt scared not knowing if what I did was right or not but... what I saw before me. Four stallions, transparent, glowing and... I might not have recognized three of them but one... I could never forget his... It was my father... I hesitantly approached not even breaking my gaze. "...D-Daddy?" I asked.

My father smiled. "Daring... My little girl all grown up... I see you've gone and made something for yourself..." He said, his voice was reverberating slightly. Not enough to distort but enough for me to notice. "How did you know to destroy that thing and save us?"

"I... I.... I didnt... I just... I started throwing a tantrum... thinking I had lost Ditzy..." He sighed and stepped away from the stallions to hug me. It was weird to feel... It was cold yet... I still felt him rest my head on his shoulder.

"I hope you arent too late.... your sister doesnt need the torture we've endured..." He broke the embrace and stepped away. "If you do see your sister... Tell her I love her and miss her... Thank you for releasing us Daring... Be a good girl now... I... I have to go..."

"N-No! Please... Stay! Dont go!" I reached out for him but he just.... Gave a face of regret.

"I... I wish I could but... the mother in the sky calls... Send a prayer later... I'll be sure to send good fortune your way for this... Farewell my beautiful daughter." I'm not gonna lie here I wiped tears from my eyes smiling. I got to see and hear my fathers voice for one final time... Even after his death.

"...Alright... I will... Goodbye daddy... I love you...." I watched sniffling as each stallion faded away... my father was the last one to go. After that I went and looked at the scraps of the idol that lay on the ground. I didnt know which parts were cursed or if all of it were cursed. Either way I kicked it all behind the altar and went back topside. The walk felt longer than usual on the way back up. I was nervous returning to mother... I wanted to tell her that I talked to father again... Ask her if she thinks we saved Ditzy and that if she wanted to come back with me to see her... But when I did get to her she was on her side... I thought.... I thought she was sleeping... Tired from waiting and deciding to nap but... when... When I tried to wake her she didnt... Took a pulse... Listened for a heart beat.... nothing. Not a single heart beat. I even tried to perform CPR to get her heart started again but to no avail... No breaths, no heart beat... I just lost it there... I screamed and cried for her to wake up and stop playing around... I wanted this all to be a horrid nightmare that I'd wake up from, thinking the idol in the cave broke and the magical blast from it sent me into a wall knocking me out... I bit my own arm to check but no... Nothing... just pain. I had to check my map with tears clouding my vision and my sobs choking me up too much to even send a letter to who ever I could contact for aid. I used a blanket to cover my mothers body before taking off for a village due south. I felt as if I flew for days with how hard I was crying. I landed at their guard outpost, 'donated' a bag full of bits to shut them up and told them to get a cart for my mothers body to be retrieved... They got to it post haste and had me guide them... They had lied me and my mother down in the back... Her wrapped in a body bag and I asked to be brought to Canterlot or Ponyville... that one of the Princesses, Twilight or Luna... Or even Celestia for that matter would allow me inside.

Along that way I had passed out with no energy to use to keep myself awake. I found myself falling deep into sleep where I started to dream. I found myself on a cloud pathway... Darkness around me but I saw a light ahead. I started running to it. Things got brighter as I ran for the light. The path got wider and wider until I came to a golden gate. When I got to that gate I saw one pony skipping around outside... It was Ditzy! I quickly rushed her and hugged her starting to cry yet again. "Daring? Daring I'm all better! No sickies no mores!" She said.

"....I... I'm too late.... I lost you...."

"Lost? I's right here! No cry Daring!" I just couldnt stop crying at this point. She held me tight and close.... almost as if I were there with her. I cried with her for but a few moments before I feel a hoof rest on my shoulder.

I looked back only to see Princess Luna standing over me. I went from my sister straight over to her and she just shushed me, rubbing my back. "...Daring... Calm down... You're alright and so is your sister..." The Princess of dreams said. "I must say you're lucky... I had to fight hoof and feather to get this arranged. Not many are lucky to walk the clouds above and see their loved ones... You two are out of me, Celestia, and two other ponies granted this liberty of visiting the cloudy heavens."

I looked around. Golden and ivory pillars dotted the cloudscape, golden shining gates stood just before us and above the gate brilliantly written in cursive was 'Heaven'. I looked back to Luna. "....Princess i.... Is this... really the afterlife?" I asked sniffling. She nodded.

"Yes. Thou art seeing the afterlife for the good ponies who had done good in their lives. I had a few strings pulled and well... it wasnt easy but I convinced my mother- the goddess herself- to allow your mother to come here after sacrificing herself to save thine sister.... She's here... reunited with your father and happy together..." She stood me up and wiped my tears with her wings. "Come. Allow me to lead you to them." She beckoned Ditzy to my side and had us follow. It felt nice holding Ditzy's wing in mine... Knowing I'd be able to do this again and again when alone or walking somewhere in the dead of night comforted me. We walked through the gates and past ponies who looked happy to be here... running along side their loved ones who had passed on, new friends they had made and those who looked at peace for their lives ending the way they did. Some old, some young... some too young for me to even want to know how they got up here in the first place... Luna looked back at us. "Seeing the sights?" I met her gaze and nodded. "Good. Its a sight to see all these good ponies... some gone too soon... others gone when it was their time. Most I've had the pleasure of meeting before they passed... Some I wish I had met and talked with them when they were alive... Those that take their lives are either brought up here or spend eternity down below... others? Neither mother nor father know where they lie and they still walk amongst the living never to be seen or heard... Perhaps after you meet with mother and spend time with your parents I might ask that you meet somepony from history for you to ask a question of."

"I would but... perhaps another time... its... Still kinda hard knowing we're here to visit with our parents... And me... you know...."

"Trust me I know... Those other two ponies I mentioned? Ponyville residents. Brother and Sister. They had just arrived back at home just to see their parents after they were murdered in cold blood... The sister screamed and cried both at home and at school every time someone mentioned their parents for months until I stepped in and helped. They visit every now and then to make sure things are alright and that nobody is thinking anything dark... The brother nearly took his own life until I had given him a purpose to live. General of the guard just to protect his little sister. He is a fan of yours by the by. Perhaps I can arrange something for him if you wish?"

"I think I know him. Twilight introduced us and he was nervous as anything but he warmed up when I showed him some appreciation via a few autographs." And... A night we both wont forget but it shuts him up knowing he slept with me. Yeah... I slept with a guard. Wasnt really the first thing I wanted to do but when I heard it was is birthday I had to make an exception. Oh the way he looked after the fact was kinda funny but it was under the order of a princess... Nonetheless it was an experience.

"Exactly. He and his sister are granted time up here with their parents as are you. All you need to do is ask." She looked forth yet again. "Ah good. Speaking of parents mother is here." I looked around Princess Luna only see my parents, white wings on each talking with a tall Alicorn Mare, taller than Celestia. Pure white coat, red mane and golden gates as a cutie mark. "Mother! Oh mother! I have brought their children as requested!" The alicorn looked to us and Ditzy and I both bowed in respect. I looked to Ditzy.

"Ditz.... Why dont you go to mother and father? Show them how grown up you are."

Ditzy smiled and nodded pushing her way past the two alicorns in front of us. I saw her just hug mother with father joining in. The Alicorn mare looked to me and smiled. "So you're the one who saved your sisters life and set your fathers spirit free!" She said. "My word.... That relic kept souls from reaching their intended destinations and kept the soul that had the relic from passing on which in most cases would get you a one way ticket to meet my husband but with the way your mother came to you and acted like a mother... And a little nudge from Luna... I can make an exception and absolve her of her sins. What is thy name?" I swallowed. Do I tell her my real name? My pen name?

"M-My name is uh... D-Daring Do... And... A.K. Yearling ma'am.... I write books of adventures I have and i... exaggerate some of the things that happen in them... And you must be the mother in the sky." She smiled brightly.

"Yes. Heavens Light at your service. Pleased to make your acquaintance Daring. Your heart is in the right place if you're helping your family the way you do. I'm happy to allow you and your sister time with thy parents. Luna told me what happened with thy parents when you were young and I am sorry for that..."

"I... Its okay but... if you had said that when I was younger I would've said otherwise... Can I just... Talk with my mother and father please? I.... I hoped to have much more time with my mother..."

"Very well Daring. Take as much time as you need." I gave a nod before joining my sister.

When I did my mother took hold of my sister who was crying into her shoulder while Father took me aside. "Daring.... I... I wish I could've seen both of your cutie marks...." He said. "...I'm proud you and your sister got yours at the same time even when it was under the circumstances.... What happened to your sister to have her eyes the way they are?" I sighed sitting down next to him.

"...She overheard mother trying to say you were okay but we both knew you werent... Ditzy ran off, flew out the window and hit some trees after a bird hit her... she fell so hard I almost couldnt look her in the eye without crying weeks after..." I looked to him. "...I wish I could've at least said goodbye to you... But with Ditzy the way she was and how mother lied to us... I just...." I started tearing up again. He brought me in and hugged me.

"It's okay... I understand.... You're sisters and you stay together no matter what... I still remember a time we couldnt have you two do different things without one of you crying to get your sister involved. But now that I know what you really do? I'd say I'm extremely proud of my little girls... If I could've cooked you one last breakfast as a farewell... I'd make it so breakfast was all day, every day.... Just so I wouldnt have to leave..." He kissed me on my forehead holding me close shushing me until mother and Ditzy came over.

Ditzy had tears streaming down her cheeks and mother was holding her hoof. "Here we are.... Come on hug your sister... She's here for you...." Mother said. Ditzy grabbed a hold of me and squeezed me and father tight. "There we are.... Daring I... I want to say I'm sorry for putting you and your sister in danger with that stupid thing... I wish i hadnt found it in the first place but then... where would you be...? My beautiful baby girls...."

I lied Ditzy's head on my shoulder looking to my mother. "Mother... I honestly take back everything bad I ever said about you since you left... and trust me it was a lot when I say that..." I said. "...You truly did love us... I didnt realize that until now to change my mind... I... I apologize if I gave you any attitude during our adventure mother.... I had even hoped to take you back to Ditzy... introduce you to her daughter and have dinner with us possibly..."

"I would've liked that.... Though if I had known this would've taken the life out of me I'd've told you and I would've gotten to say goodbye instead of you finding me the way you did. I'm sorry about that...." She joined the embrace.

"You didnt know... But... If its one thing you do its leave without saying goodbye.... But I forgive that.... I hope you can at least forgive me for the way I acted...."

"I do Daring... I forgive you..." She too kissed me on my forehead. And for once I felt as if we were a complete family, not bound by time, hatred or anything... but bound by love...

For the rest of the time Ditzy and I spent time talking, playing and sitting with our family members. When it was time to go Ditzy and I cried... Luna promised we can see them whenever we wished though Ditzy would be brought here when feeling down or something. No doubt she'd say something to the doctor about all this... Saying she saw mother in a dream and such... He'd chalk it up to her passing since if you remember when my father passed he did. I told Luna I didnt know if I could thank her enough but she told me it was not necessary. When I woke up I found myself in a familiar yet... unfamiliar room. It was one I recognized but one that just made me feel weird wondering why I was here. It was my old room... Ditzy's bed except a tad bit bigger And the window looking out? It was a painting of a forest... The forest I saw once as a little filly. My stuff was tucked into a corner, my helmet on top and my vest folded neatly under it. I turned to the door and hesitantly opened it. To my surprise I saw the inside of Twilight's castle. And pacing outside the door was Twilight herself. The click of her hooves almost masked the mumbling under her breath. I opened the door all the way and just rushed out surprising her as I hugged her. She hugged me back. "Daring thank goodness you're awake..." She said. "I am so sorry for your loss... With your mother and just.... I cant imagine that happening..." She pried me off of her. "Are you okay? Do you want something to drink?" I tried speaking but my mouth was as dry as a bone. "I'll take that as a yes. Tea, water, anything you need is yours. Wont even object to alcohol but I have to limit you after what you went through." She took my hoof and walked me all the way to her dining room just a few doors down from where I was. "By the by... Luna gave me the idea for the room... Do you like it?" I gave a nod as she sat me down at her table.

"It's a very sweet gesture..." I said wheezing slightly. "Now... Something to drink? Water for now and.... Maybe something to snack on? I feel like I havent eaten for hours... What time is it?" She looked to a clock she had on her wall as she went to the fridge. I couldnt see rightly what time it was.

"Its about nine at night... You slept most of the day....Did you get any rest last night?" I shook my head being as truthful as I could. I watched as she used her magic to put together a daisy sandwich and take a pitcher of water from the fridge and pour it into a glass she pulled from the cabinet. "I hope it wasnt due to your sisters sickness..." She set the glass in front of me preparing a quick side of cucumber slices around the sandwich. I took the glass and sipped carefully and nearly drank the entire glass I was so thirsty. Felt so nice. I set the now half empty glass back onto the table.

"No. It was from a storm... It... Scared the heck out of me i must say... brought back memories about something that happened in my youth... When it rains I'm alright... But once it starts pouring with Thunder I just get scared... Badly... I might add..." She sighed as she now set the plate in front of me. I snacked on a few cucumber slices as she sat next to me.

"Sounds like Ryder... He may be a pegasus but when it storms, his sister has to go to her friends house and he's gotta go somewhere to sleep... most likely here for me to soundproof the room..." She looked to me. "I can allow you the liberty if you're ever in the area again..." I smiled a bit.

"Thank you... I... I feel like I might be in town for a bit... Both for my sake and my sisters sake... And now I can just hope I can have mother buried in the cemetary... next to father... it's what she would've wanted...." I hung my head, still with a smile on my face as a tear streamed down my cheek.

"Please dont cry more.... The guards said you were almost hysterical crying about your mother..... I dont wanna have to use my old foal sitters magic on you too..." I wiped my eyes sniffling a bit.

"...Sorry... Its just.... She's been gone most of my life... left me and my sister when we were just getting our cutie marks.... left the same day of actually... Worst part was it was the same day father had passed from his sickness and the same day Ditzy started looking the way she does..."

"Understood.... I'm here for you though. I can see what I can do for you to give your mother a resting place here in Ponyville... I.... I can have you stay here if you desire until then... shouldnt take but a couple weeks if that." I thought as I sipped my water more, the cool liquid still felt good.

"...That sounds wonderful.... Though I might need to step out.... Do you have the spare dress, glasses and hat so I can step out incognito?" She nodded. "Good... Being cooped up is something I'd rather not be... Speaking of being cooped up... Is there any way we can have my sister come here? I..." I got a bit choked up. She rested a wing on my back.

"I'll get her over here just for you. I can have her here immediately if its not too late or I can have her here tomorrow morning. Which ever is better." I sighed.

"Its late... I shouldnt-" Just then I heard the clang of armor and the click of hooves come down the hall. I looked to the door and in comes a guard.

He was a pegasus guard His mane was a dirty blonde that almost tapered off into a black color. His armor was golden, wings were a bit messy but he never cared. "Princess I-" He said stopping when he saw me. This. This was Ryder... and the guard I slept with... Not bad in bed. "Oh uh... Miss Yearling.... I.... Good to see you up and awake..." I smiled.

"It's fine... It's just us here sir..." He looked back down the hall to his right.

"I'd agree but... Princess uh... we have some unintended guests... It's that 'Hooves' Family... they say you're expecting them. Do I need to swear them to secrecy or hide 'Miss Yearling' here?"

Twilight sighed allowing me to take a bite of my sandwich. "No need to do either... General you're about to learn something I was glad to know..." She said. "I was more glad to know this than to know the turth about who 'Miss Yearling' really was. As for now lead them up and swear your secrecy to keep this close to heart as you have with Daring's identity."

The guard gave a nod blushing a bit before turning back out of the room and trotting down the hall. I swallowed looking to Twilight again. "...He's gonna flip hearing this huh? Just like you did." I said. She chuckled slightly as she used her magic to get a tea set to appear on the counter nearby.

"That's gonna be an understatement. He's always making sure your sister's alright when something happens to her. Either when its her fault or if someone is being an ass. He's even walked her home a few times when there were dangerous animals about that Fluttershy had to calm... Mountain lions are a pain when they think attacking ponies is a good way to ask for help with a thorn in its paw... Though he's gotta make sure everyones okay just for the sake of his sister..."

"Sounds a lot like yours truly... Make sure everyones okay just for my sister... Though I cant fix everyone..."

"Nor can I... Or even Ryder for that matter and he's pretty much the local engineer and fixes just about everything he can...." She got up as she put some water into the teapot before setting it on the stove and turning it on. "Now sit tight and eat. I'm gonna go make sure Derp- I mean... Ditzy.... feels right at home in your new room... Its always gonna be open if Canterlot is too far for you." I smiled.

"I'd... I'd like that Twilight... Thank you..." That night was fun. Ryder got to see the Do family for the first time and within a week mother got buried. Doc, Ditzy, Dinky, me, Twilight, her friends and Ryder all came, Ryder because... well... a guard has to be near a Princess at all times. I'm not saying I cried but... Ditzy and the Doc had to hold me close while they lowered the coffin into the ground. I stayed there for hours with Ditzy to say my goodbyes as many times as I could before Ryder had to lead us out of the graveyard and back to town. Told us he was starting to get an uneasy feeling and might cry if he stayed too long... Didnt know his parents were buried just a few plots over. And even though Twilight had a room for me and Ditzy... I stayed in Ditzy's guest room for the rest of the week before going back to my home outside canterlot. I even stopped at the alley way and just gave a sigh sitting near it.... hoping mother would surprise me again... and that i'd be able to start anew... Sadly that didnt happen... I went back home and started writing the new book... Changed names, changed roles and even the setting... I had the hardest time writing this book knowing all the details, the panic I had endured and the emotions I had to go through just to get to this point. But... There are more adventures ahead. Remember the good times, forget the bad. Love who you can before they're gone... It might be soon, it might not.... it hurts all the same. As for now... Until next time.

Author's Note

I'm not gonna lie I had a hard time writing this last chapter. I may or may not have more Daring Do and Ditzy Do related stories in the future I'm not sure. But I knew I needed to complete this just to tick it of my list of things to do. While you're here check out some of my other stuff. Sonata's Ryde will also make a comeback and that will be finished soon too. I might even look at some older fanfics, decide whether or not they're worth going back to at this point.