Daring Do and the Crystal Key

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

Prologue

Daring Do was surrounded by Diamond Dogs on all sides inside the ancient temple, slowly being forced towards the pit of crocodiles below her. The leader of The Diamond Dogs wore many golden artefacts, including a necklace, belt and a gem encrusted crown. "Heathen Intruder!" Bellowed the leader of the Diamond Dogs, pointing a gem tipped gold staff at Daring Do accusingly. "Sacrifice her to the Gods above!" The leader continued pointing the staff to the heavens.

Daring Do sighed and rolled her eyes "Can't please anyone..." she whispered, unfortunately the leader heard her words and gave a venomous stare, and gave a nod to the Diamond Dogs behind Daring Do to push her closer towards the crocodile pit.
"Sacrifice her to the Gods above!" The leader repeated, now looking at Daring Do with scorn. "THROW HER TO THE CROCODILES!" The Leader Shouted, pointing the staff at the pit, gaining a great cheer from the Diamond Dogs surrounding him.

One of the Diamond Dogs behind Daring Do poked her with a spear. "Hey! Now that hurts!" She cried. She looked up and saw a ledge. She smiled. The Diamond Dogs may have tied her wings up, but she knew she could leap pretty far, and thanks to that poke she had felt the ropes loosen slightly. "I'm not one to argue with Gods..." She said as she took a great leap "...But that's the worst idea I've heard all day!"

She heard the Diamond Dogs cry as the ropes fell and Daring Do spread her wings wide, she grinned triumphantly as she flew higher "In fact, if you'll pardon the pun, I think it's a crock!" Daring Do said, just one for wing beat and she would be on the ledge. Suddenly the air was full of arrow heads. "Arrow Heads?!" Screamed Daring Do. Suddenly everything around her was warping and shifting into a sink hole, and Daring Do felt like she was falling down it into a complete dark void.

She awoke with a start, with a cold sweat on her brow. It had just been a dream, but Daring Do breathed hard as if she had just run a marathon. She looked around became aware that she was definitely in her own quarters at Canterlot University. Daring Do took a moment to calm, and sighed. "Arrowheads! Damn Daring, stop dwelling on tomorrow's lecture!" She said to herself. She was now wide awake, and in the dim light she saw the mess of papers on her desk. "Well; doubt I'll get back to sleep, may as well do some marking." she said disheartened, and got out of bed.

~The Next Day. Canterlot University.~

A quiet and peaceful sort of day, as Dr. Do teaches her class, who are listening intently to her lecture about arrow heads; on her own desk she has set up a display of several different arrow head types as examples. "Make sure you hand this in promptly to me! I'll have those graded and back to you, er, some time…Next week... Ish." She mumbled absentmindedly, as she was finishing writing the assignment on the blackboard. She turned to the class, and gestured to the display of arrow heads. "Before class ends, I'd like you to have some real experience age-grading real arrowheads." She said with a smile.

"This is a clinch, you see how rough they are - and the crudest ones are the oldest!" Dr. Do heard a stallion say somewhere at the back. Dr. Do never missed a thing, and locked onto Weight Lift. Star player of the Hoofball team. Not such a star in Dr. Do's classes.

"Well Weight Lift!" She said making the entire class stare at him. "Would you like to go first? I need to know which one is genuine!" Weight Lift gulped and began to sweat. Dr. Do smiled again and continued "Just put them in order, Weight Lift, and give me your reasons!"

Weight Lift stood from his desk. "Um...sure..." he said as he staggered to the front of the class. He studied the arrowheads and made a "hum" as he did, scratching his chin with his front hoof. "Okay...see, this one's the oldest. You c'n tell because...well, they didn't know much t' start with, and then they got better tools, and..." Weight Lift said, until Dr. Do put up a hoof to stop him.

"An interesting theory, Weight Lift, except..." she said taking the arrow head he had chosen as the oldest and showed it to the class. "This…ahem 'Ancient' arrowhead was made this morning, by me!" Daring gave a wry smile and the entire class burst into laughter, making Weight Lift go bright red.
"Please keep in mind, Weight Lift that they were as sophisticated in their day as Hoofball players are in ours." Dr. Do said as the laughter died down.

"An excellent point, Dr. Do!" Said a stranger, making the class look around. An old unicorn stallion wearing a dusty blue coat stood in the door and came in, he took one look at the arrow head display and said "I would say only two are authentic: this one here, and the other on the far left." This caused a murmur through the class. Even Dr. Do was stunned for a moment, and then gave a nod.

"That's pretty good guessing, are you an archaeologist?" Dr. Do asked. The old unicorn gave a bark of a laugh. "I am Mr Corn." he introduced himself. "And I try never to guess. As for archaeology, let’s say I have played my parts." He used his unicorn magic to levitate something out of his coat pocket. "Today, for instance, I am a searcher! I wonder, can you identify the ritualistic markings on this key? It is, I assure you, very ancient indeed." Mr Corn said levitating a very odd piece of metal over to Dr. Do's desk.

The bell went, signifying to the University students that their class had finished. Dr. Do didn't even notice her class getting up and leave, her eyes were fixed on the key in front of her. It was long rectangle of metal with prongs at the end, what was most interesting was the swirling patterns of crystal upon the key itself. "I can't say if I am able, but if you'll let me keep it overnight...?" Dr. Do hinted to Mr Corn whilst she was scratching her head with her fore hoof.

Mr Corn smiled "Not a problem. Dr. Do, take your time." he said "I'll be back..." Dr Do was about to ask another question, but when she looked up, she saw that not only had he gone, but her entire class as well. She felt her stomach rumble. "Ugh...I can't think on an empty stomach..." she moaned and went to the University Cafeteria, the key still having a firm grasp on her conscious thoughts.

~University Cafeteria~

Dr. Do took a bite of her Daisy sandwich and stared at the key in her hoof, as if that alone would unlock it's secrets. She thought about this strange Mr Corn, who had just vanished before she could ask where he had found it! "It reminds me of something, a jar or a knife that I saw..." she muttered as she spun the key in her hooves.

"Dr. Do!" Called Weight Lift. Spotting his lecturer across the University Cafeteria. He came over quickly "Great! I gotta talk to you-" he said, in his haste, he made Dr. Do spill her glass of Orange Juice. "-Ooo-Oops! Gee, oh Geez, Dr. Do I'm sorry! I didn't mean..." Weight Lift started apologising, as Dr. Do wiped Orange Juice off of herself.

"It's just Orange Juice, Weight Lift, What's the problem?" She said, and looked up to Weight Lift. He looked awkwardly around and said "See, I know I'm not doing well in your class. I'm terrible with old stuff. But they'll drop me from the team if I flunk your course..." It was a pre-made speech, and Dr. Do listened, nodding, and absently drawing spirals in the spilt Orange Juice.

"Wait a sec! Of Course!" She cried, making Weight Lift stop dead in his tracks. "Huh?" he said clueless. Dr. Do had fire in her eyes as she stood. "The Jastro expedition!" She cried. Weight Lift blank. Dr. Do pointed to the key excitedly and explained "You see the design? The Running Spiral? I knew I had seen it before, it's a very distinctive ancient ritualistic markings!" Weight Lift blank again. What Dr. Do had said had obviously just gone in through one ear and out the other.

Dr. Do sighed and gave Weight Lift a look and said in a rather annoyed tone "I thought we covered this in class?" Weight Lift looked away awkwardly, which said everything. "Never mind… we're still storing most of the pieces, and that’s where I’m heading now. As for your grade Weight Lift. See me after class on Friday." she said making a move. Weight Lift just stood there and watched as she dashed off. "Oh Pony Feathers." he muttered to himself, he could tell his Professor was only interested in what the strange pony had shown her.

~Storage~

Daring Do almost galloped to the Archaeology Department Storage. "The Jastro find was dated before the founding of Equestria! No civilisation at that time even had keys...or so was believed!" She thought as she unlocked the store. She hit the light switch and the room lit up, revealing a mass of artefacts and treasures. Daring Do looked through the shelves frantically. She grabbed a chair and stood upon it to get a look right at the top of the shelves. She knew what she was looking for now, and gave a cry as she grabbed it and brought it down to ground level. It was a small Diamond Dog statuette, made of the same metal and had the same crystal spirals running over the Diamond Dog's body.

She delicately made space on a nearby table and set the statuette down. Feeling the anticipation, she felt the statuette until she found a small gap, and slowly inserted the key. With a Click! The body popped open to reveal what was inside.
Daring Do didn't have any time to see what was inside, as the door was opened by Mr Corn. "Thank you, Dr. Do, now I will take it!" He said using his magic to pick up the open statuette, it slipped out of Daring Do’s hooves and she continuously attempted to grab it as it floated through the air. She failed, as Mr Corn pocketed the statuette in his blue coat and he galloped off "After all, Dr. Do, you did use my key!" He shouted as he charged through the corridors.

Daring Do was right on his tail. "Get the guards!" she cried as she passed confused and shocked students as she ran by. She leapt and tackled Mr Corn, taking him to the floor, but he was far stronger and with a strong kick got free. He got to the main doors of the University and there waiting was a wooden cart with a pony ready to charge away. "Hay!" Cried Mr Corn, jumping on the back of the cart. "Go...NOW!" The cart began to pull away, just as Daring Do managed to leap on.

"What's your hurry, pal?" Shouted Daring Do, in a hope more to draw attention from on looking ponies as the cart picked up speed. Mr Corn was obviously a tough fighter. Kicking and attempting to grab Daring Do. He was surprised at her reflexes, and clearly had not expected a teacher to be able to defend against his attacks. Finally he managed to grab her and held her over the edge of the cart. The stone road sped below them. If he pushed her she would not be getting back up. He grinned triumphantly "Good bye, Dr. Do!" he said. Daring Do gulped.

Weight Lift tackled Mr Corn. Hard. "Don't you hurt my teacher!" Weight Lift cried as he kicked Mr Corn square in the jaw. Daring Do looked up, moth wide as her student fought with Mr Corn. With the advantage, Mr Corn was struggling to hold off both of them. He turned desperately to the driver of the cart. “I think this is a good time to fall back, there’s more competition than I first realised!” Mr Corn yelled.

The Driver nodded and weaved in between other ponies pulling carts; during this Mr Corn shoved Weight Lift on top of Daring Do, by the time they both got back to their hooves, Mr Corn had leapt onto a different cart. Mr Corn laughed “Send them on a wild ride! So long!” he cried, causing the pony pulling the cart he was now on to slow, stop, and attempted yell at Mr Corn, as he ran off down an alleyway.

Meanwhile it had become difficult for either Daring Do or Weight Lift to jump off, as the pony pulling the cart they were on was now galloping. “I’ll pay you double whatever he was to go after him!” Shouted Daring Do, but she got no response, somehow the pony was running even faster than before. “I’ll pay you ten times just to get you to stop!” Daring Do yelled, now terrified as she saw ponies diving out of their way.

The Driver looked back at them and laughed. “So long” The Diver said and removed the harness and ran away from the out of control cart. The two wheel cart slanted forward, and the harness bounced off the ground. “Quick, stand with me Weight Lift; we have to balance out the weight or we’ll be thrown off, and at this speed that’s going to hurt!” She said and grabbed his hoof and moved him to a position beside her so that the cart balanced out. They wobbled slightly, and Daring Do grinned. The grin fell as she saw the road disappear down the longest hill in Canterlot.

Weight Lift screamed like a little filly as the cart plunged down the steep hill, Daring Do held him to prevent the cart tipping too far. “Keep it balanced!” Shouted Daring Do to the extremely panicky Weight Lift as the hill came to a levelled section. “Get ready! Hold on to the side of the cart.” Continued Daring Do, they had both just enough time before the cart flew over the edge.

“Look out below!” Yelled Daring Do. The cart bounded off the cobblestone road with a clatter, causing several ponies to run screaming. The cart shook, making it extremely difficult to keep balanced. Daring Do noticed the wooden boards they were standing on were coming loose from the violent treatment, also after the heavy landing the wheels were wobbling. “What do we do? What do we do?” Asked Weight Lift as one of the wooden board he was standing on gave way and fell off.

Daring Do saw a pony pulling an apple cart crossing, now in the middle of the road. Daring Do knew the pony would not be able to get out of the way. She opened up her wings and began to flap backwards whilst gripping the cart. She just brought it to a gradual stop as they reached the apple cart. Both Daring Do and Weight Lift panted, the pony pulling the apple cart had the most confused look on her face. “Good gravy, Y’all right there sugar cubes? Looks like you just had one hay of a wild ride!” The pony said with a laugh “Ah guess ah learned a valuable lesson about not lookin before crossin the road! Here on the house!” The pony passed two shiny apples before continuing on her way.

“Why is there always a fruit cart?” murmured Daring Do, and then looked to Weight Lift, who was already eating his apple. “You need to explain yourself Weight Lift.” she said to him, and Weight Lift swallowed. “I still wanted to talk about my grades! And I thought if I helped maybe… you know? You could do something.” said Weight Lift.

Daring Do smiled. “You assaulted an older pony, and then rode on an out of control cart…just to talk about grades? Ha! Congratulations kid, you just passed with flying colours!” she said, shaking his hoof wildly. Weight Lift beamed, but looked confused “Uh thanks! But what was all that about? Anyway?” he asked.

“That was a completely average day for me.” Daring Do as she thought over everything that just happened, Mr Corn was extremely determined to get a single artefact from the Jastro excavation, this worried her as she never thought much about the dig. However she knew one pony who took it too far. Weight Lift saw Daring Do thinking. “What’s wrong Dr. Do, you look worried. Can I help?” He asked.

Daring Do refocused. “Huh? Oh, yes I need to visit somepony… if you would like to help then can you talk to the Dean of Canterlot University? You need to give an account of everything that’s happened.” She said, and saw Weight Lift wince when she mentioned the Dean, she waved a hoof. “Oh don’t worry. He’s used to this. Anyway I better be off, congratulations on passing again!” Daring Do continued as she ran off, leaving Weight Lift looking extremely confused. “What just happened?” he said to himself as he watched his professor charge across the street.

~To Be Continued~

Chapter 1

The high rise flats that Mr Fortune had come to was a major contrast from what he was used to, as soon as he entered the lobby it was obviously the less successful part of Canterlot, Mr Fortune was repulsed as what he thought was a pile of trash a mule stirred, belched and stood wobbling. It was clear he had been drinking. “Hay! I ain’t seen you around ‘ere before.” The Mule said with a hiccup as he walked over to Mr Fortune and put a dirty for hoof on Mr Fortune’s expensive sharp suit. “Spare some change?” Asked the Mule; with a blissful smile.

Mr Fortunes face was red with rage and he was gritting his teeth as he saw the large clump of dirt now on his favourite suit, he would have lashed out on the poor mule if it wasn’t for his Sectary hadn’t stepped in, removed the hoof and cleaned off the dirt from Mr Fortune’s shoulder whilst saying “Mr Fortune does not like being touched. However it looks lie there has been no damage.” the Secretary took a close look at Mr Fortune’s sharp suit, and nodded in satisfaction that she had removed all the dirt.

She then turned to the wobbling mule, whose smile had gone and now looked quite aggressive. The Secretary took from her own saddle bag a small purse and counted out some change. “Here, that should be enough for a cider or two.” The Secretary said putting bits into the Mule’s outstretched hoof, and the Mule grinned and wobbled away. “Whoo! Thanks, and just in time for happy hour!” the mule cried as he left the lobby.

“Thank you, this place is dreadful” Are you sure this is the correct address?” Said Mr Fortune with concern as muffled arguments could be heard from upstairs. He still had a horrified look and seemed to be eyeing the pile of trash as if somepony else was going to appear from it.

His Secretary groaned. “Yes, we’ve been over this a million times. This is the place Madame Daisy Dig-good lives, her apartments on the seventh floor. Now unless you want to be called out when your friends realise you don’t have any thing from the occult and a massive scandal breaks out, you are doing this.” She said with annoyance as she walked to the stairwell.

Mr Fortune’s face went red with rage again as he caught up with his Secretary “You have no right to use that tone with me missy! I am your employer!” He said with force, however his secretary barely flinched. She was used to this from her boss. “If you hadn’t noticed, that Mule would have taken your bits by force, so you owe me for that. Plus not to mention I’m the one who found out about this Dig-good who was willing to sell you items.” She said as matter of fact as she climbed the stairs with Mr Fortune. He looked like he wanted to argue, but the Secretary inwardly smiled. He couldn’t as he relied on her far too much these days.

If the lobby was bad, the 7th floor was worse. The Secretary read the numbers on the door’s and stopped at one, raised her hoof and said “This is hers.” as she knocked on the door. The door swung inward, Mr Fortune looked to his Secretary and shrugged. “Guess we just go in.” He said, walking into the apartment. Mr Fortune instantly tried to run out.

It was lit by candle light alone and was full of mysterious old relics and ritualistic symbols. His secretary had to force him into the room, the further they went in; the more Mr Fortune noticed his surroundings. There were skulls, and shrunken heads scattered on table tops, and on the wall Mr Fortune noticed a hanging rabbit’s foot on a chain.

The Secretary closed the door behind her, preventing Mr Fortunes escape. Instantly the room was full of long shadows. Mr Fortune gasped as he heard movement and a blur of red. “Madame Daisy Dig-good?” He said aloud, but his voice betrayed him as it was full of fear. “I’m a little afraid…” he whispered to his Secretary behind him.

When he turned back around, Madame Daisy Dig-Good was standing right in front of him, so close that their noses almost touched. “Afraid of what Mr. Fortune, Me?” She asked as Mr Fortune jumped back, she lowered the hood of her blood red cloak, revealing her face. She had violet eyes, her unicorn horn poked out from her long sleek ginger mane which was platted with various silver charms, and around her neck was a necklace made of many purple marbles.

“No, Madame! Not of you! Though a practical pony, I find your mind reading talents quite impressive…and diverting… but Crystal Caves? That sort of mystic view of history does make me shudder!” he said, visibly shaking as she gave a piercing gaze as if she was looking into his soul.

“Crystal Caves are no mystic fantasy Mr. Fortune.” She said as she went around her room, until she stood in front of a display case. She raised her necklace with her forehoof and showing it to him. “This necklace and this very display hold treasures came from the Crystal Caves!” She began, and then motioned Mr Fortune to come closer to the display case, he saw that it was full of various objects that had crystal spirals on them.

She held her necklace again, holding it just right that the Purple marbles that made it sparkled brilliantly. “What I hold, I believe that it empowered its priestess to speak to the spirits!” She continued. Mr. Fortune eyes bulged and he’s jaw hung loose, unable to take it all in. Madame Daisy took a deep breath, playing with the necklace in her hooves she said “Even as I touch it, I feel the presence…of…a great being…as though a light were shining through…into my soul!”

Mr Fortune was transfixed as Madame Daisy Dig-good continued. “I am but a vessel for their thoughts, the very ideals…the vast knowledge buried within this last noble civilization! Our world is longing for the spiritual awakening that only the lore of the Crystal Caves can bring us!” She said, causing Mr Fortune to nod in agreement to everything she said.

The Secretary rolled her eyes “If that stuff is true” She said with great emphasis on the word ‘true’ “Then what you’re suggesting means that your display here is probably worth more than this entire apartment!” The Secretary continued with an annoyed tone. Madame Daisy smiled and said “You would not be here, if your heart was not ready to believe!” Madame Daisy used her Unicorn magic and a slideshow clicked into action.

The first picture same up against the blank wall behind Madame Daisy, showing a romantic illustration of Diamond Dogs working in harmony, and using technology ponies like Mr Fortune could only dream of.
Madame Daisy began her speak. “Long before the dawn of civilisation, before the glory that is Equestria, there were the Crystal Caves. The most evolved society in pony history, with a technology far superior to ours. The Diamond Dogs rode on magnetic belts. They didn’t need mass labour to build their temples.” Madame Daisy used her magic to changing the slide.

It now showed Diamond Dogs smiling and working around giant levitating blocks of stone. “I’m convinced they had mastered anti-gravity!” Madame Daisy announced, her announcement creating a great gasp from Mr Fortune. Madame Daisy pressed the button again now showing Diamond Dogs socialising, dancing, and partying in rich robes in a highly decorated hall. She cleared her throat and continued with her speech “But it was no mere technocracy. They had mastered the perfect society.”

Mr Fortune stood. “Sounds like Utopia!” he cried. Madame Daisy smiled and said “Exactly! And at the heart of it was the spirit, the soul of the society…all dedicated to the higher good! That is what we must learn from them!” Mr Fortune was completely hooked. “How… What do I do?” He asked excitedly.

“Well, you can write out a nice, fat check payable to Madame Daisy…just for openers.” Said a new voice. Every pony jumped and turned in surprise to see who spoke. “Right Daisy?” Said Daring Do as she entered the room.

“Dr. Do! How dare you? This is a private gathering! Who do you think you are?!” Mr. Fortune said furiously, so angry his face had gone scarlet red.
Daring Do smiled and shook his hoof, suddenly breaking his guard. “Better me than commissioner on fraud and confidence games…” Daring Do said with a wry smile “Just imagine if a special task force on mystics and fortune tellers stormed in and ask you all to help them with some testimony?”

Mr Fortune coughed suddenly, seeing what Daring Do was getting at. “Ah, ahem…sorry! I’ve a full calendar! Oh, dear how time flies! I’m late, for the thing…at the place…” He said as he made for the door. The Secretary hastily caught up to her boss. “Ah, very nice to meet you, doctor…Sorry I can’t stay to chat!” She said as she slammed the door strongly behind her.

Madame Daisy was fuming as she turned the main lights on to her apartment with her unicorn magic. Daring Do shrugged. “They left Daisy! Was it something I said?” Daring Do said with a sheepish grin. “Good t’see you again –” She started. Madame Daisy smashed a vase over Daring Do’s head, breaking it into a thousand tiny shards.

“You smug, self righteous, silly pony!” She shouted. Daring Do was seeing stars, and shook her head before looking to the broken vase on the floor. “Good grief! Not…” Daring Do asked swallowing hard. Madame Daisy gave a hard forced laugh. “A valuable Piece? Ha! I wouldn’t waste one on you! Damn you Do…This is my career!” Madame Daisy said angrily, stomping. “What give you the right?”

Daring Do rubbed her head and said with annoyance “Come off it Daisy! This isn’t for you! Fleecing rich clients with this, honestly! I’ll give you this…you’re smooth.” Daring Do gave a terrible imitation of Daisy as she said “I feel a great presence…”

Daisy gave her a look of scorn. “The fact is, some times I do! Know what else? I give these ponies something! A spiritual feeling…and hope!” Daisy said in an attempt to explain her actions.

Daring Do blew out her cheeks. “Damn, Daisy…You’re an archaeologist! You were good! Why throw it away? For these cheap carnival tricks and stories” she said with disappointment.

Daisy looked away from the look Daring Do was giving her. “I got tired of being shunned because of my theories…while you got to climb the academic ladder, Doctor Do!”

Daring Do gave a sigh. “I know, I know! But you won’t change anything by just quitting…” She said, studying the room around her, suddenly Daring Do recognised them. “These pieces are from the Jastro dig…you set aside some choice pieces from that dig for yourself!” She said, shocked. “Some bozo was willing t’kill me to get a single piece…”

Daring Do looked at Daisy “You have to let me find out what makes them so valuable! Besides, it could be dangerous for you to have ‘em around!” Daring Do said, taking a seat. Daisy wasn’t taking her seriously, she just laughed and said “What makes them valuable? Nothing! They’re carved, dirty stones! Ponies see in them only what they want to see, besides. I just keep ‘em around for atmosphere!”

Daring Do almost fell of her seat “What! You haven’t catalogued or indexed any of this? You must have over a hundred irreplaceable relics…” She said completely shocked. Her jaw dropped when Daisy said “Just pretty rocks to me.” with a shrug.

Daring Do facehoofed and sighed. “Look, Daisy, it’s too late for me to head back tonight. Suppose I go through these things and then bed down on your couch?” she asked.

Daisy smiled “Sounds fine to me. I’m going to have a bath and then off to bed. I’ll leave you to it. Remember Dr. Do – you’re just here for research, I better not find anything missing.” She said, and waked off to her bathroom.

Daring Do heard the taps running. “You’re safe with me. We spent three months in the Crystal Mountains and you came out unscathed, remember?” Daring Do said loudly rolling her eyes. “Until you started fleecing suckers…What the hay happened to you, Daisy?” she thought as she picked up an object at random. A green crystal with silver spirals running through it.

“Well…To Work…Hmm this piece has similar markings to the statuette.” She thought. “Could Daisy really believe this stuff came from the Crystal Caves?” As she studied the crystal she felt her eyelids getting heavy. Daring Do gave a yawn suddenly feeling tired, she decided to give it in for the night. She laid down and closed her eyes.

The front door opened with a quiet click. “Boss…? I got the door open…” said a whisper. There was a quick shuffling and a small amount of light came through from the hallway. Waking Daring Do instantly. “Good. Remember…Take all the artefacts…” Came another voice. Daring Do’s eyes went wide as she recognised the second voice. It was none other than Mr Corn.

Daring Do sat up instantly and turned the lights on. “Hello Mr Corn. What role are you playing now?” Daring Do said with a warm welcome. For a moment Mr Corn was stunned. “Ah Dr. Do! Another interesting meet…” Mr Corn turned to the two goons that were with him. “Deal with her, and bring those artefacts to me!” He said. The goons laughed. Daring Do gave a gulp. She knew that this was going to hurt.

Crack! Thud! Whack! Smash! Donk! Daisy raised her head from her pillow slowly. “Bwah, what ‘re doing? Eating the furniture?” Daisy said with a great yawn. Suddenly her bedroom door was nothing but splinters of wood as Daring Do and another ponies bundled through it in a great pile.

“Daisy! Do something!” Cried Daring Do. Daisy was scared, but she managed to grab the pony off Daring Do, but the pony managed to break free. He grabbed a chair and began to swing it wildly, making Daisy scream. Daring Do cried “Daisy! Get out of here!” before getting struck over the head by the chair.

Daring Do instinctively kicked, despite having a mind numbing headache and managed to kick the pony out of Daisy’s bedroom window. Daring Do climbed to her hooves and looked out of the now broken window, and heard the pony scream as they fell to the street below. “I’m sure they’ll be fine…” Daring Do said, more to reassure herself than Daisy who still looked terrified.

Meanwhile the other goon was busy filling a sack with the artefacts in Daisy’s living room. The sack was now full and took it to Mr Corn. “Here, Boss! I rounded up those arty-facts, like y’said!” Mr Corn smiled. “Thank you my boy, thank you. Now come with me, and we’ll settle your payment…” he said taking the sack and leading him out of the apartment.

Daring Do’s head throbbed terribly. “He’s gone, with everything!” she said shakily. “Whoa…that hurts.” She collapsed in a chair. “Now he’s got all the pieces!”

Daisy smiled “Not quite.” Holding her necklace in her front hoof “This necklace came from the jastro expedition…I never take it off!” she practically beamed, but then noticed that Daring Do had fainted. “Oh dear, you’re badly hurt! Don’t worry Daring Do, I’ll get you to a doctor!”

~Some time later. In a secret laboratory.~

“Have you had a chance to study the artefacts, Mr Corn?” Said Ahuitzotl. Mr Corn held the Diamond Dog statuette and nodded. “Why yes. I believe they are clues to possibly the most powerful energy source ever made!” Mr Corn said excitedly. “There is much ancient lore about energized metal from the lost Crystal Caves…but I never thought I would ever hold any pieces!”

Ahuitzotl hummed. “The Crystal Caves? You give credence to that myth, Mr Corn?” Mr Corn had expected this and brought the key and put it into the statuette and opened to reveal inside a purple marble. “Observe, please! This piece was found near a quarry, and I believe it to be highly advanced. See this marble? Note it fits neatly into the idol’s mouth.” Mr Corn did so as he spoke; he pulled the statuettes arm and pointed the statue at the wall. Suddenly the marble glowed and fired a beam at the wall, Mr Corn pulled the arm back to its original position. There was now damage on the wall and burn marks where the beam had hit the wall.

Ahuitzotl was clearly impressed. “My, I’ve never seen such a thing! And this is just a mere model!” he said and gave a booming laugh. “Do you realise what this means, Mr Corn? We hold the fate of Equestria in our hands!”

Mr Corn laughed too, until Ahuitzotl gave him a serious look. “What happened to those goons you used?” he asked. Mr Corn smiled reassuringly. “Fear not, they have been disposed of…” he gave a smile. “What’s more, one gave Daring Do one heck of a whack to the head. Even she won’t be inter fearing!”

“Bah! Curse Daring Do! She will interfere, she always does. Remember that. However I think I’ll send her someone to wish her a speedy recovery.” Ahuitzotle said and laughed as he left Mr Corn to his studies. Yes, there was one perfect pony for a job like this, and Daring Do is going to get a visit from them.

~ To Be Continued ~

Chapter 2

“Bwah! Snakes!” Cried Daring Do as she sat up in bed. “Bed?” she thought confused as she looked around, her head throbbed terribly. Canterlot Hospital, Daring Do realised as she went to the window to let some fresh air in. It didn’t help her head at all.

A stallion in a medical coat came into Daring Do’s room “Ah you are awake? Good morning Dr. Do I am Doctor Ray!” He said adjusting his glasses. “Still having trouble with those snakes eh? You’ve been muttering about snakes through out the entire night, had to move you here as you were keeping some patients awake!” he smiled as he took a clip board off the bottom of the bed.

The Doctor hummed, and Daring Do stared out the window. “Ah! Yeas don’t worry, only head injury.” The Doctor said as he smiled. Daring Do’s head felt like a herd of buffalo run through it and the doctor was not helping her mood. It got worse as his eyes widened. “Dr. Do, I must be mistaken, but apparently your last check up was three years ago?!” The doctor asked as he looked up from the medical notes.

Daring Do sighed. “Yes, that’s true…I don’t agree with hospitals.” She grumbled as she lay back on the bed. “Just tell me when I can go. Please?” Daring Do gave a pleading look.
The Doctor pulled a face. “Originally it was only going to be until the end of the day, but I can’t let you leave until we give you your jabs, and then make sure all your medical information is up to date, that should only take about a week?” He said.

Daring Do gasped. “A week? A whole week! What the hay am I supposed to do for a week? Don’t you know I’m very busy? I cannot just sit here doing nothing!” She said annoyed, making her head throb even worse.

The Doctor gave a weak smile as Daring Do stared at him. “Don’t worry, we’ll do the best we can! I’ll contact Canterlot University to let them know you are here…Ah! I have today’s paper; I’ll leave it with you.” He said as he picked up The Celestial News and gave it to Daring Do. “Now I’ll contact the University and must get back to my rounds. I’ll get a nurse to visit you later! Goodbye for now!” He gave a quick smile and closed the door behind him.

The door closing sounded like lightning striking, Daring Do rubbed her eyes and groaned. Someone must have struck her really heavy across the head! She decided to read the paper. She idly flicked through until one picture made her eyes go wide in suprise. The two ponies that had assaulted her, sitting rather confused in a rubbish dumb! She read the article: -

Mystery of the night: Ponies found at local dump site!

Two ponies were found today at the rubbish dump, with no clue of how they got there. “Well I opened up this morning, and well, there they were! Just sittin there on top of the heap! Let me tell you: not half did they stink!” Said Mr Tip, owner of the rubbish dump. Guards are currently looking for any eye witnesses, as both ponies have so far only spoken complete nonsense. The two ponies are under protection, and have been given a bath. “We hope that not only will this will bring them to their senses, but also try and remove the smell of rubbish from their coats.” Said a guard, who was first on the scene when Mr Tip reported the incident. Both ponies are strong build and appear to have been in a brawl, one has a white body with short blond mane and tail with a bucket as a cutie mark. The other has a grey body with short light blue mane and tail with three nails as a cutie mark. If either of these ponies are known to you, please notify the guards, so then they can get them home safe.

“Well there you are then…it’s a relief they are okay I guess, at least I know who they were too, it was so dark to see who they were. But Mr Corn must have wiped their memory with a spell so they couldn’t say what they had done! That’s very clever…” thought Daring Doo.

She heard the door open and looked up as a Nurse came in. “Hullo Dr. Do! Doctor Ray has just told me Headmaster Dean will be visiting you this afternoon, in the meantime can I get you anything?” She asked.
Daring Do gave a thought. “Actually if I’m here for a week I think I’ll send a few messages to some friends…” she said.

The Nurse smiled “Well there is everything you need in this desk” she said going over to a corner desk and taking out a quill, ink well and paper. “Post is collected twice a day, although you have missed the first post. I’ll leave you to it.” The Nurse said as she waved goodbye and left the room.

Daring Do sat by the desk and started addressing letters, she needed to carefully plan her next moves, Mr Corn has a tremendous advantage. If she was going to be stuck in hospital for a week. Daring Do sighed and began to write.

~Later That Day~

“Stop fussing Dean, I’m fine!” Said Daring Do as Headmaster Dean fluffed Daring Doo’s pillow.
Dean, a grey old earth stallion who’s black mane was receding, and had a cutie mark of Canterlot University coat of Arm’s had heard Daring Do’s account of everything that had happened to her, took a step back and looked away, mumbling an apology before saying “But you should be resting, you are getting all worked up about this lost Crystal Cave business!”

Daring Do looked up from the map and gave Dean a look. “I’m stuck here for a week whilst the Doctor jabs me with needles and wait for paperwork to clear! Besides, I’m in here because of all this, so there is definitely something to it! Every pony has gone off the steep end, ten years ago some strange relics are found, and now not only Daisy Diggood, a smart archaeologist thinks that these are connected spiritually to the Diamond Dogs, but also Mr Corn fought hard and really believed these pieces from the Jastro dig as valuable…enough to break into Daisy’s apartment!” Daring Do said exasperated and collapsed on the bed. Dean offered her a cup of water which she gladly accepted.

“And darn near broke you Dr. Do! Honestly I worry that one day I’ll get a note saying you will no longer be able to teach as you have disappeared doing Celestia knows what! But…why is Mr Corn doing all this? They’re not much more than curiosities, unless of course he really does believe that the Crystal Caves exist? ” Dean said, trying to work out the mystery that was unfolding before him.

“The ponies doing the follow up work on those finds…shouldn’t we contact Jastro, and warn them?” Asked Dean.
Daring Do flashed a smile and produced several letters from the desk. “Way ahead of you, Dean! I’ve got a batch of letters already written, all I need now is to get them posted!” She said with enthusiasm, making Dean smile, he had suspected as much.

There was a knock at the door, and Daring Do cringed expecting the nurse t o return with another giant needle. Instead, it was Weight Lift. “Professor, Are you okay?” he asked as he entered. “I got every pony in our class to sign you a get well card.” Weight Lift produced a hoof made card from his saddlebag and gave it to Daring Do. The Card had ‘Get Well Soon’ on it, inside it was full of student signatures.

Daring Do was taken back “Whoa… I’m touched, thank you! But your supposed to be at lectures, isn’t hoof ball practice today?” Daring Do asked as she kept the get well card close, Weight Lift looked down and muttered with a rather downcast look “I got permission…I just thought maybe I could help…”

Daring Do smiled, Weight Lift’s heart was certainly in the right place. She looked to Dean who, as if reading her mind gave a short, sharp nod. Daring Do beamed “Right! Well you’re a running back, aren’t you Weight Lift?” She asked as she pulled all the letters she had been writing, and Weight Lift nodded. “Perfect, you’re my leg pony! Get these posted pronto! All the money you need is in this envelope, including you’re lunch!” Daring Do thrust it all into Weight Lift’s bag, who just stared at her. “Well what are you waiting for? Hop to it!” She said, giving Weight Lift a start.

Daring Do and Dean watched him suddenly jump up and gallop off, and Daring Do gave a laugh as she heard Weight Lift say “Gosh…A gofer!” as he left the room. Dean gave her a hard look, making her say “What?” causing him to roll his eyes. She got up and went to the window. “You know Dean, I’m probably small enough to fit through this…” Daring Do said wit ha sly smile.

The Dean caught on immediately. “No, nope, not this time! Come on Dr. Do, for Celestia’s sake don’t do anything stupid!” He said, however he was no where near to prevent her doing anything, he flung the door wide and cried “NURSE! DOCTOR!” hoof fall came towards the room, Dean made way as several doctors and nurses charged into the room, only to find it completely empty. Before any doctor or nurse could ask, Dean said “Dr. Do has just left the building…I swear I’m going to MAKE her take her injections even if I have to SIT on her!”

Daring Do’s head may have still hurt, but she was glad her wings didn’t. She glided down with ease, ran to Canterlot Railway Station and got on the first train north; she had a lot to discuss with Jastro. Founder of the Jastro Excavation, and the pony who found the very statuette Mr Corn had taken.

It was a sleeper train, as it went right across Equestria. Daring Do’s stop was a good two days travel north, and she didn’t have that much money on her so only managed to get a bunk in third class carriage that was shared with twelve other ponies.

Daring Do actually preferred travelling that way, always new friends to meet and stories to hear. As per normal for third class, ever pony was really friendly and already were laughing, joking, and chatting between bunks as she entered the carriage. She decided at random and threw her bags in an empty bunk and flopped.

There was a young pony family, Mr and Miss Well across from Daring Do’s bunk, and their son Ink was in the bunk above hers. Never before had Daring Do met such a curious kid. After Daring Do had introduced herself to the family, the kid had asked “Why the silly hat?” causing them all to laugh.

“It’s not silly! I always wear it when I’m on an adventure!” Daring Do said defensively as the kid stared at her over the edge of his bunk into hers. Ink’s eyes lit up at the word ‘adventure’ and he gasped, causing his parents again to laugh.
“Would you like to wear it?” Asked Daring Do, who was instantly deafened by Ink’s “YEAH!” she handed him her trusty hat, which he plonked at an angle on his head as it was too big. “Mum! Dad! Look! I’m an explorer!” He said laughing. Mr, Miss Well and Daring Do laughed too.

“Why you look brilliant, my boy! And thanks Dr. Do for letting my son wear your hat, he is obsessed with going out exploring, you wouldn’t believe the amount of times he’s come home completely filthy!” said Mr Well with a laugh. “I’d really hate to put you on the spot like this but, if you don’t mind, could you share sharing a tale to us?”

Daring Do sat up, and saw that Ink was giving her a pleading look with big round eyes. She grinned “Well, let me tell you the time I recovered the Sapphire Stone, if you haven’t been to the Canterlot Museum. Go. The Curator there was extremely pleased to add it to their collection! Anyway, I was lost in the jungle, with my wing broken, and I heard the roar of the big cats that were closing in on me…” Daring Do said and launched into the full tale. Only excluding Ahuitzotle, as no one knew of him, or his plan to take over Equestria using ancient and powerful artefacts.

To his merit, Ink Well and family were a good audience, gasping at the right moments and cheering when she escaped the tomb. By the time she had finised the story it had become Luna’s night. “Wow you are so awesome!” Said Ink, giving Daring Do her hat back. “I bet ponies would love to hear all about your amazing tales, have you ever thought of getting your adventures published?” Ink continued, attempting to badly hide a yawn.

“My goodness it’s late! You should be in bed little Ink!” said Miss Well, and when Ink looked like he was going to complain, Miss Well said “Now come on dear, Dr. Do was kind enough to give you a bed time story, I don’t want to hear any moans. Besides, we’re off tomorrow on our own adventure, you want to be wide awake so you can tell your granny all about who you met on the train don’t you?”

Ink sighed and said “I guess…Thanks Dr. Do for the story, night mum! Night dad!” before turning off his light and pulling the curtains across his bunk after both Mr and Miss well said “Night!” back.
“Nice kid.” Whispered Daring Do. And both Mr and Miss Well gave a smile and nod in thanks. “Well we best be off to sleep too Dr. Do, thank you kindly for sharing your story with us.” Said Mr Well.

Miss Well said “Yes thank you, from all of us, good night Dr. Do, we’ll be off early so probably won’t get to say goodbye…shame, Ink Well really like you!” Daring Do nodded in agreement, and then as a spur of the moment, pulled out some ink, a quill and a scroll.

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll write my address and then we can keep in contact, I can send him more stories that way, how does that sound?” Daring Do said, passing the scroll over, to Mr Well who looked stunned.
“Really? Why, thank you that is awful nice of you, we’ll be sure to keep in contact, well we’ll be off to bed, we got a long day tomorrow.” Said Mr Well, who shook Daring Do’s hoof.
They said their good byes and good nights, and Daring Do was thanked again by Mr and Miss Well, before they both turned their lights out and drew their curtains.

Darind Do decided she would get some rest too, and did the same, she lay for a while smiling thinking over Ink Well’s words. Maybe it would be good to write down her adventures.

~ To Be Continued ~

Chapter 3

Daring Do jumped off the train at her stop, and looked up at the surrounding mountains. It was late afternoon and her breath misted as light snow began to fall. “Should have worn something warmer…” she muttered as she left the station and climbed an old pathway that led away from the small town, and into the mountains.

Daring Do smiled as she remembered last nights talk with the Well family, it was a shame no pony else came into her compartment, she did enjoy chatting to other ponies. It was the one thing she didn’t like about adventuring and saving Equestria, she never really stayed in one place enough to keep friends. That and she knew it was far too dangerous, if Ahuitzotle found out; he would use them against her.

She stopped to catch her breath once she was about half way up, and looked back down to the town below, she could see many of the houses had their lights on already. She watched her breath swirl for a moment, and found it all quite peaceful thinking about the families setting up for their evening meals.

She closed her eyes, and was a filly again, she had run into the house excited to find her mother, who she found in the office. Daring Do burst through the door of the office and shouted “Mom! Look!” But she never did, she didn’t even move her eyes from her diary. “In a moment Junior…” said Hoofrietta Do Senior as she carried on reading from her diary. Daring Do gaped. “But mom this is important! Daring Do pleaded.

Hoofrietta Do Senior turned a page and said “Take a breath and count to ten…in Griffon!” Daring Do sighed and closed her eyes in hard concentration to remember the ten numbers, she spoke them out slowly and deliberately and managed to get to the Griffon of seven when she heard one of her class mates knocking on the outside window, she opened her eyes and saw it was Apple Seed. “Hay Do! Everypony is waiting for you, come on you don’t want to be late!” She yelled through the closed window.

Daring Do looked to her mother; she hadn’t even noticed the other filly banging or shouting on the office window. “Okay I’ll be out soon!” Daring shouted back. she looked to her mother, who was still reading her diary. “We are celebrating at the school; you can come…please?” Daring Do said. Her mother seemed to be reading quietly from her diary, muttering what was written inside.

Daring Do knew that there was no reaching her at this point; once her mother started muttering the Griffon Gauntlet lore there was no reaching her. She stood expectantly in the office door. “Please come.” She said, and left her mother to study. It wasn’t until a week later that Hoofrietta Do Senior noticed that her daughter had got her cutie mark.

She shivered as the wind cut through her. She had been standing for a while now and was feeling stiff; she turned to Jastro’s shack, hoping for a good fire and a warm drink. As she walked, the light snow just hid the single tear Daring Do shed.

She finally reached the shack, the snow fall had stopped, but it was still bitterly cold. Daring Do banged on the old door. “Jastro! I’m freezing my plot out here!” Shouted Daring Do as she shivered. She swung the door open and went in, finding it empty and colder on the inside. Daring Do’s teeth chattered as she decided to put the logs in the burner and warmed herself up.

As she warmed up she looked out the window and saw outside there was a rope that went down a hole. “Maybe that’s where Jastro is?” Thought Daring Do, she looked around the shack for anything warm to wear, there was hardly any thing in the shack other than the burner and an old bed with lots of blankets. Annoyed at herself, Daring Do put more logs on the burner and went back out into the cold.

Daring Do followed the rope to the edge of the hole, she peaked over the edge. “Jastro! What you found?” Daring cried, her voice echoed down below. Hearing no reply, and worrying about Jastro, she opened her wings and hovered down into the hole. There was just enough light to see around, the hole was mainly rock and ice, Daring Do couldn’t see why Jastro would have come down here…

Daring Do gasped as she then traced the rope to the frozen body of Jastro hanging just below her. “Jastro!” Daring Do cried, but it was no use, he had been frozen for some time and the old timer would fall asleep when she was on the excavation with him, even as she looked at him now thorugh the ice he looked like he was having a peaceful doze. Daring Do idly flicked the sweat from her brow and noticed something clutched within Jastro’s arm. It was another Diamond Dog statuette with crystal spirals, Daring Do couldn’t believe her luck!

“Whew!” Said Daring Do as she wiped her brow a second time. Suddenly alarm bells rang in her head. She quickly bashed some of the ice around the statuette away and managed to wriggle it free. By this point she was sweating as if she was in a sauna. Natural underground springs were all over the mountains, and Daring Do was in was a geyser that was about to blow. Clutching the statuette in her fore hooves and flew up as quick as she could.

VWOOOOOOOOOOSH!

As soon as Daring Do cleared the hole, hot spring water fired out from behind her. The sheer force of water threw her off balance and she landed heavily in the snow. Daring Do was instantly freezing, with her teeth chattering and shivering like mad, she was thankful that she left a stockpile of logs to burn in Jastro’s hut as she walked back to it carrying the statuette with her.

~Meanwhile at Canterlot University ~

A Mail Mare delivered Dean a letter. He was viably shaking when he recognised Daring Do’s hoof writing. He closed and locked the door of his office, and sat at his desk. He simply stared at the letter, not wanting to open it. With a deep sigh, he decided to get it over and done with and read the letter:

Dean,

I write this letter after my most recent discovery at Jastro’s hut. Jastro is dead, but his last find was another statuette. I send this letter ahead of me, and will shortly be getting back on the train to Canterlot and will be trying to discover what is inside. The statuette seems complex for no explainable reason, and the only way to reveal the interior is another key.

I hope to get back to Madame Dig-Good as she seems some kind of expert on this, she must know more places that have artefacts like this. I know you are still annoyed at me after what happened at the hospital, and I promise I will get my medical records up to-date at some point, I’ll even get it done at the University as it’ll be easier, plus I can discuss with you what my next move is.

I’ll see you at Univerity when I get there

Do.

Dean re read the letter before breathing a sigh of relief. She was safe! But Jastro’s death was concerning though, especially with his movement to take hold of these artefacts related to the Crystal Caves. Dean was now in deep thought, what exactly was wanted from the Crystal Caves so badly?

~ To Be Continued ~