Daring Do and the Mystery of Eternal Ruinsby KhampostelChaptersAct IAct IIAct IIIAct I Daring Do carefully advanced through an extensive plain, illuminated by the moonlight. Devoid of trees and covered in abundant grass, the plain was caressed by the gentle night breeze, giving the landscape a magical air where the grass waved in silvery ripples under a starry sky. The beauty and peace of the place were almost an irresistible resting trap that tempted any pony to gallop towards the horizon and immerse themselves in an eternal sea of tranquility. Although Daring Do, being a pony, also felt this temptation, she was on a personal mission and couldn't afford such liberties at the moment. Unlike the quiet daily life of most other ponies, Daring Do was a passionate adventurer who risked her life in constant treasure hunts and exploration of unknown places. However, she also found solace in quieter pastimes, like her "field investigations," where she acted as an archaeologist and scientist, distancing herself from the image of the 'out-of-control adventurer' assigned by her critics. Furthermore, she enjoyed writing, an art she had perfected as much as her combat skills. Her books, narrating her adventures and experiences, often became big hits that generated additional income, funding her personal expeditions. Although her literary hobby brought financial benefits, it also brought setbacks, like the one she was experiencing now... "Daring Do and the Fugitive of Crystalhaven," Daring Do suddenly thought, adjusting her hat. Every time she returned from a long journey, she would write a new book, using the most epic adventure she had lived as a basis. However, this time, she was in a dilemma. She had been away for so long, on different extraordinary adventures, that now she had too many options to choose from. So, she decided to use a new method: she would pick the adventure with the most catchy title to turn it into her new publication. "...Crystalhaven, Crystalhaven," she murmured to herself. The impromptu solution she had imagined didn't seem to be working as well as she had initially supposed. Then, Daring Do's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the pony walking ahead of her. "It's a wonderful night, isn't it? UWU," the pony said. "Yes, it's a quite pleasant night," she replied dryly. Her guide was a middle-aged pony named Meg Tree, whose name was fitting as his green mane was as lush and untidy as the tree's canopy. In addition to his striking hairstyle, trapped under a straw hat, he had a hoarse voice that almost seemed forced and an evidently fake accent. If he didn't carry a lantern with the title "official guide," whose light shone less than the moon itself, anyone would think he was a lost farmer rather than a travel guide. If this individual was one of the many undercover agents trying to end her, he was undoubtedly one of the most mediocre she had seen. On the other hand, it could also be just a peculiar vagabond desperate for some money. Although everything indicated it was the latter, personally, she hoped for the former. "It might be a quiet night, UWU, but these plains are wild lands where it's better to be accompanied. UWU... Giant eagles are known to hunt at night too, UWU, so a lady like you should tread carefully, UWU," Meg Tree said, looking suspiciously at the sky. Daring Do rolled her eyes. She had already studied those territories. In the past, these lands south of Equestria had been the scene of wars between the minotaur, centaur, and lion gargoyle kingdoms. Those realms knew no harmony and constantly engaged in disputes over the slightest nonsense. It was believed that Tirek and Scorpan, two powerful creatures that had caused great trouble in the land of ponies long ago, originated from these lands. Currently, however, those realms had isolated themselves and didn't allow entry to foreigners or changes in their cultures. War itself had become a taboo among them. She didn't believe it was the best solution for those societies to remain isolated and backward, but it was much better than an era of eternal conflict. Daring Do stopped trotting and gazed thoughtfully at that beautiful plain. Her eyes slid across the river they had crossed and the forests of dwarf trees they had left behind. Finally, she halted at the distant lights of the village they had departed from. What future awaited these lands? Daring Do couldn't even imagine. The arrival of Equestrian settlers in the last hundred years had brought improvements to the land, almost erasing the traces of past wars. It had also paved the way for improved trade with other species inhabiting the region. All of that was very positive, but it could also become a new source of conflicts in the future. Undoubtedly, the new princess would have a lot of work ahead... "UwU! We're almost there!" neighed Meg Tree. Both were approaching a solitary hill adorned with unusual rocks at its peak. "Perfect, there's no need to..." "UWUUU!" "... accompany me to the top," Daring Do finished, clearly uncomfortable. Daring Do had been interrupted by Meg Tree's delayed 'UWU.' That catchphrase the pony repeated was becoming increasingly annoying for the adventurer. "Of course, it's necessary, UWU. I've given you my word to take you to the top, and I intend to keep it, UWU," Meg Tree replied, taking off his hat as if making a solemn oath. "Alright... fine," said Daring Do, looking away to avoid seeing the guide's untidy and unhygienic mane. "Great, UWU!" Meg Tree responded cheerfully. He turned around and, with a skip, continued ahead with proud steps. Daring Do sighed. She regretted accepting Meg Tree as a guide. She had passed through the town earlier that day to stock up, and while chatting in one of the stores, she casually mentioned that she was heading to the "hill of eternity." Suddenly, that pony appeared out of nowhere, begging her to allow him to be her guide. After creating a shameful and embarrassing scene in the middle of the square, she finally agreed in exchange for a few coins. That solved the immediate problem, but considering she was a pegasus and only needed to fly for less than an hour to reach the hill, having a guide became ridiculous. The journey had taken HOURS since the afternoon. Surprisingly, Meg Tree had behaved quite well throughout the way. However, his boring and improvised talks became as uncomfortable as a bent horseshoe. Daring Do looked up at the top of the hill. Setting aside that annoying guide, Daring Do already had her trip's objective within reach. Taking a leap into the air and maintaining a light flight, with Meg Tree marching ahead, she continued on towards the summit. Act II Finally, they reached the summit of the hill. There were no significant structures, such as stairs or nearby buildings, only some white stones standing like teeth on both sides. However, at the top, four large vertical slabs, arranged by size, lined up in an incomplete circle. The place was exactly as Daring Do remembered it. This had been the goal of one of her first expeditions outside of Equestria. However, back then, the expedition turned out to be a failure. Despite digging for a long time, she found no ruins, dungeons, treasures, artifacts, or remains indicating the existence of a lost civilization. After two weeks of research, she gave up and left the place. She never mentioned this journey to any colleague or referenced it in any of her written works. Only in her personal notebook were the details of that adventure found, in the section of inconclusive and irrelevant expeditions. However, recently, that place had returned to her thoughts. Now that she was back amidst those ruins, they seemed shrouded in an arcane and ancient aura. "Stay away from those stones, miss. They're very ancient, and it's said they bring bad luck if touched, UWU," Meg Tree warned Daring Do as she began to examine the rocks up close. "Really? But do you know how old these ruins are?" Daring Do asked as she lit a torch near the largest slab. "I couldn't tell you, miss. But it's said they were here before the sun rose for the first time, UWU," Meg Tree replied. Daring Do pondered those words for a moment and then began to review her notes. "Actually, I've been here before, several years ago, and in that investigation, I estimated that these rocks are at most about 25 years old," Daring Do said as she wrote in her notebook. "Really? Are you pulling my leg? The hill and the ruins were already here before the nearest town was founded. That was more than 80 moons ago, UWU," Meg Tree said with an incredulous tone. "It's true that the hill was already here, but the ruins weren't. Let me explain: these rocks were recently brought here, deliberately carved in this way, and placed here in this order. The same goes for the other rocks in the surroundings; they all come from the same quarry located south of this plain, and this very quarry is the one the town uses to build their homes," explained Daring Do. "Are you telling me that someone just placed these rocks here for no reason? Or that the people in the town made up the story? UWU," Meg Tree retorted, frowning. "Not exactly. In the past, when I discovered where the rocks came from, I suspected that the inhabitants had placed them here just to attract attention, sort of like promoting tourism. But now, I believe there might be another explanation. I think someone else has been replacing the rocks of these ruins for a long time," said Daring Do as she took out her equipment from her backpack. Meg Tree was absorbed for a moment, as if processing everything that had been discussed, then continued with an abrupt laugh. "Haha, so they replaced them... Doesn't it sound crazy that someone would steal rocks and swap them for identical ones?" "I didn't mean theft. I meant that something or someone has been changing the rocks of these ruins for a long time," explained Daring Do. Daring Do had a hypothesis, though she had no way to prove it at that moment. Based on her previous notes from the place, she suspected that the hill's soil contained compounds older than the surrounding mountains. The fineness of the soil, increasing as she dug, and the lack of biological waste were evidence of this. Her years exploring all kinds of ruins around the world had caused her to reevaluate her previous conclusions, and now she had a more expert view of the place. "Why would anyone do such a thing?" Meg Tree asked in a confused tone. "That's what I've come to find out," replied a confident Daring Do with a mischievous smile. If anyone was going to solve the mystery of these ruins, she was the right pony for the job. The night passed without surprises, with Daring Do fluttering from slab to slab, taking notes, collecting samples, and measuring. Her goal was to gather as many samples as possible to analyze them in Equestria. If her hypothesis turned out to be correct, she would embark on a new expedition with a full team in the next moon. Meg Tree, on the other hand, had lit a campfire, sat down, and was watching her intently, never averting his gaze. It was almost as if he was analyzing each of her movements. Daring Do noticed this unusual behavior but didn't pay it much attention. After a few hours, the Pegasus had finished collecting all the information she needed and finally approached the campfire to rest. "Well, that would be it. I appreciate the company, but I'd prefer to spend the night alone here. I hope that's not a problem... Meg Tree?" Daring Do abruptly finished saying. The tranquility of her thoughts had been interrupted by a spooky sight, something she did not expect to see. In front of her, sitting by the fire, was a stiff Meg Tree. But it wasn't the unusual stiffness of the guide that frightened her, it was the face he had. A face that would have made any other pony scream just by looking at it for an instant, but in Daring Do, it only awakened her instincts to face danger. Thus, without saying another word, drawn by the fascination of confronting danger, Daring Do approached that pony slowly, observing that face without averting her gaze... It was Meg Tree, without a doubt, but he looked very different. His eyes were wide open, so much so that it seemed they would pop out of their sockets at any moment. Thick and frothy yellow saliva dripped from his slightly open mouth, and in his mane, small restless shadows swirled, hiding from the light of the campfire. Then, being so close, she realized he wasn't breathing. Considering that she might be facing an undead, Daring Do subtly began to prepare the dagger she had hidden in her shirt when suddenly... "HAAA!" Meg Tree suddenly shouted, causing Daring Do to jump back in the air frightened. "Sorry, Miss Daring, I think I dozed off. I hope I didn't bother you with my snoring," said Meg Tree, yawning sleepily and wiping off the drool. In the air and shaken, taking a moment to recover from the scare, Daring Do finally told him: "No, not at all." "Well, it seems quite late now... would you like something to eat?" Meg Tree said very calmly as he pulled out a bunch of carrots from his saddlebag. "Ummm... sure," replied Daring Do with a forced smile. The bad taste left by the previous scare was still present, but she decided to conceal it, just like the dagger in her shirt. Daring Do touched down again and sat by the campfire. The night continued to unfold... After sharing the carrots, facing each other, they began to eat in silence. The warm wind blew across the meadow, and the moon had reached its highest point in the night sky. From a distance, the hill looked like a gigantic, glowing crown abandoned in the meadow. Several minutes had passed, and they were almost done with dinner when Daring Do noticed Meg Tree starting to shift uncomfortably in his place. "You know..., making campfires like this reminds me of my foalhood days. Do you like campfire stories, Miss?" Meg Tree asked absentmindedly and restlessly. "Yes, like any normal pony," replied Daring Do dryly. She had noticed that Meg Tree no longer said "UWU" at the end of sentences, which increased her mistrust toward her guide. However, encountering eccentric ponies in her travels was not a first, so she decided to play along. "Even if they are dark and mysterious," said Meg Tree, who suddenly began gazing at the starry sky. "I have no problem with that," replied Daring Do confidently. "Well, say no more," said Meg Tree firmly, turning his gaze back to the adventurous Pegasus. He now looked more serious and focused. "This story is about a terrible and strange nightmare that my very respectable and beloved mother had when I was very young..." "A strange nightmare," said Daring Do skeptically. "Yes, it was something that deeply affected her. So much so that she always talked about it with everyone she knew. In that nightmare, she had a vision about these ruins and the lords of darkness," said Meg Tree seriously, with a subtle change in his voice. "The lords of darkness," thought Daring Do to herself, then asked with interest, "And what happened in that nightmare?" "Well..." Meg Tree cleared his throat. "In that nightmare, my mother was forcibly taken to this hill by an unknown creature, and after being tied to one of these rocks, a voice began speaking to her, saying something like this..." "'Before the sun and the moon rose, before the first tree was born, the world was plunged into darkness. And this darkness was ruled by the Dark Lords, who longed to seize the soul-light of the world for themselves. Stirred by their own greed and arrogance, each of them fought against the others to always be the first to claim it. And from that beginning, neither time nor desire has been able to stop this endless conflict, and the inhabitants of the world have been mere witnesses, as powerless as the stones that bear this world.'" At that moment, a cold wind seemed to blow over the silent hill. "Wow, that was quite eerie. I've never heard something like that... before," declared a surprised Daring Do. She didn't want to admit it, but for some reason, the strange verse that Meg Tree had recited seemed very familiar to her. "Gotcha!" said Meg Tree with a smile. "My mother did have quite a bad night, and there's more!" "More?" "Yes, have you seen the drawings on those slabs?" "Yes..." Behind her were the four slabs, each engraved with the depiction of a monstrous creature. "Those are the lords of darkness. So my mother assured me. Look, miss, my dear mother told me that when the first settlers came to these lands, they found that the tribes of minotaurs, centaurs, and lion gargoyles avoided these plains because they believed the hill was cursed. The pony settlers never got too close to the ruins, so there was no way to prove if they were cursed or not. Over time, the story of the hill became just a witch's tale, but some farmers said that if a pony spent the night near the hill, they would end up with nightmares where one was chased by those monsters and tormented by ominous omens. My mother was one of those unfortunate ponies. Can you believe it?" Daring Do had frozen. A memory had rushed into her mind and soon began transforming into a terrible image. Act III Daring Do had traversed a large part of the world and seen all kinds of creatures and kingdoms; however, she had not yet explored everything the world had to offer. Despite this, she had already reached certain conclusions about the world she lived in. Firstly, that the world was truly magical, with floating islands, lakes of fire, soap deserts, and other scenarios that defied logic. Secondly, there was a recurring myth in different cultures and species: the "Tree of Beginnings," from which all races were believed to originate. However, this myth was only shared by creatures living on the surface, while those inhabiting the oceans or the underworld were unaware of this story. Thirdly, the depths of the oceans and the underworld were entirely unknown and vast, much like the North and South Poles. And lastly, it was the discovery she had made today. "Miss Daring, are you okay? Is something wrong?" asked a puzzled Meg Tree. Daring Do, shaken, had turned towards the rocks behind her, gazing at the figures engraved on the slabs. She then replied, "I know you won't understand, I don't even understand it myself, but I know the names of the creatures represented on these stones." Daring Do might not uncover the origin of the world, but she did know who had ended it. Before her were the figures of those criminals, according to the myths and legends she had learned. The shadow of these terrible beings appeared in the world at different locations but during the same era. The arrival of one of these entities brought an age of darkness and terror that culminated in a primordial cataclysm, from which few were said to survive. In her last journey, Daring Do believed she had found a sanctuary dedicated to these monsters. It was a sect of camels called "The Eternal Mountain," which worshipped supposed "dark gods" granting blessings to their followers in exchange for tributes to their congregation. As expected, it turned out to be a scam, and the images of their supposed gods were nothing more than exaggerated depictions of known predators. Local authorities arrested them, and their temple was burned for heresy. However, the name of each of these "dark gods" sounded familiar. This doubt grew over time, haunting her and making her feel sick. Without really knowing what she was searching for, she decided to return to Equestria. It was then that she remembered having visited a place with a name similar to that camel sect, and so her hooves led her back to the "Hill of Eternity." Now that she had the names and faces of those wicked beings, all that remained was to put them in order. She focused her attention on the smallest slab and said aloud, "Ever Fand," the dark queen who filled the world with a nightmare forest. Her figure was that of an inverted flower. Then, she looked at the next slab: "Bottom Ness," the ocean tyrant who sunk all continents to the ocean floor. It was a diabolical five-eyed octopus. Finally: "Nodoub Death," the necromancer who reversed the world's poles and emptied the seas. The figure on the slab was that of a bicephalous skeletal bird with four limbs and four wings. But on the largest slab, Daring Do didn't recognize the creature depicted. There was no record of it or any reference in her previous travels. It was a dragon with three stars above its head and carried an empty orb in its chest that seemed to want to conceal with its claws. Then, she noticed, thanks to the moonlight, the faint reliefs of two more stars near its tail. "Wow! You know the names of these guys; have you seen them before? Are there other stone ruins around the world?" exclaimed an excited Meg Tree. "This is amazing, Miss!" "No, it's not about that..." said Daring Do still confused and surprised. "I just heard the names of these creatures from a strange group of camels on the other side of the world. I didn't understand why their propaganda felt so familiar, until now." Meg Tree stayed silent, frozen in place, trying to process what he had just heard. "ARROGANT PARASITES! HOW DARE YOU DESECRATE THE SACRED SANCTUARY OF MY BELOVED LADY!..." shouted an angry and strident voice. Daring Do reacted immediately, turned around, and there was Meg Tree issuing threats toward some place on the horizon, but he was no longer the same pony with a fake accent she had known moments before. Now, he acted like an entirely different pony, perhaps not even a pony at all. "...JUST WAIT, YOU'LL PAY DEARLY FOR THIS OFFENSE, ALL WILL BE TRIBUTE TO ETERNAL DARKNESS," said Meg with a malicious laugh. Daring Do saw how a greenish mist enveloped Meg, and from it emerged a creature she had never seen before. That creature wore a fuchsia robe and hood, had no lower limbs, a green scarf enchanted around its neck, arms like withered branches ending in clawed hands, and its indecipherable face of darkness contained two unblinking emerald eyes. Then, all that anger vanished, and it slowly turned towards her. Daring Do always faced danger; that was practically 80% of her life as an adventurer and explorer. But at that moment, all her instincts screamed one thing: "RUN." She took flight with all her might, but it was already too late. A sticky, invisible force halted her escape and threw her to the ground, leaving her breathless. It was magic, of course; however, it was the first time she felt a magical grip so relentless on her body. "Well, well, I apologize for my previous behavior. I didn't intend to 'scare' you like this, Miss Daring Do," 'Meg's' voice was calm but carried a tint of mockery and anger. "I think it would be impolite to leave without saying goodbye... Don't you think?" "Who the hay... are you?" asked Daring weakly as the magic crushed her more against the ground. "Hah! Can you still talk? You're truly a formidable Pegasus. Well..." Meg paused to think as he looked at the night sky. "I am a messenger..., rather, a herald of a lord of darkness. Don't worry; I won't harm you. The stars favor you today. In fact, since you warned me about those annoying pests, I'll give you a gift: the gift of 'knowledge.' The knowledge that this is not our first encounter, the knowledge that from this moment on, I'll be watching you, the knowledge that our next meeting... will be the last." Daring Do lost consciousness at the end of that sinister threat. Daring Do woke up with a start, still disoriented as she looked around. She found herself amidst those ruins, and then the memory of the previous night hit her all at once, bringing with it a terror that ruffled every last feather. Why didn't they finish her off last night? What was that being? Had she encountered it before? What were the Lords of Darkness, and what did they intend to do in her world? The pegasus stirred, trying to react and shake off her dark thoughts. It wasn't the time to ponder questions she knew she couldn't answer. She sat up and looked at the sky; the light of a new day was already slipping through the clouds, and there, a last visible star seemed to greet her with its brilliance. An idea illuminated her mind. She remembered a pony, or rather a "princess," who could help her unravel this mystery. All her confidence and courage returned in a determined look on her face; she stood up, knowing exactly what to do next. Daring Do adjusted her hat and soared into the sky, leaving behind the darkness of those infamous ruins. She headed towards the sunrise, toward her homeland, "Equestria." Author's Note [en] Hello everyone, I just updated today, 16/05/2023, the content of my first MLP fanfic. For those who have already read it, I only added a few more paragraphs and used a new translation engine. The changes include a slightly improved cover. I hope you enjoy it. [es] Hola a todos, acabo de actualizar hoy 16/05/2023 el contenido de mi primer fanfic de MLP. Para aquellos que ya lo hayan leído, solo se añadieron algunos párrafos mas y se uso un nuevo motor de traducción. Los cambios incluye cover ligeramente mejorado. Espero que sea de su agrado.
Act I Daring Do carefully advanced through an extensive plain, illuminated by the moonlight. Devoid of trees and covered in abundant grass, the plain was caressed by the gentle night breeze, giving the landscape a magical air where the grass waved in silvery ripples under a starry sky. The beauty and peace of the place were almost an irresistible resting trap that tempted any pony to gallop towards the horizon and immerse themselves in an eternal sea of tranquility. Although Daring Do, being a pony, also felt this temptation, she was on a personal mission and couldn't afford such liberties at the moment. Unlike the quiet daily life of most other ponies, Daring Do was a passionate adventurer who risked her life in constant treasure hunts and exploration of unknown places. However, she also found solace in quieter pastimes, like her "field investigations," where she acted as an archaeologist and scientist, distancing herself from the image of the 'out-of-control adventurer' assigned by her critics. Furthermore, she enjoyed writing, an art she had perfected as much as her combat skills. Her books, narrating her adventures and experiences, often became big hits that generated additional income, funding her personal expeditions. Although her literary hobby brought financial benefits, it also brought setbacks, like the one she was experiencing now... "Daring Do and the Fugitive of Crystalhaven," Daring Do suddenly thought, adjusting her hat. Every time she returned from a long journey, she would write a new book, using the most epic adventure she had lived as a basis. However, this time, she was in a dilemma. She had been away for so long, on different extraordinary adventures, that now she had too many options to choose from. So, she decided to use a new method: she would pick the adventure with the most catchy title to turn it into her new publication. "...Crystalhaven, Crystalhaven," she murmured to herself. The impromptu solution she had imagined didn't seem to be working as well as she had initially supposed. Then, Daring Do's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the pony walking ahead of her. "It's a wonderful night, isn't it? UWU," the pony said. "Yes, it's a quite pleasant night," she replied dryly. Her guide was a middle-aged pony named Meg Tree, whose name was fitting as his green mane was as lush and untidy as the tree's canopy. In addition to his striking hairstyle, trapped under a straw hat, he had a hoarse voice that almost seemed forced and an evidently fake accent. If he didn't carry a lantern with the title "official guide," whose light shone less than the moon itself, anyone would think he was a lost farmer rather than a travel guide. If this individual was one of the many undercover agents trying to end her, he was undoubtedly one of the most mediocre she had seen. On the other hand, it could also be just a peculiar vagabond desperate for some money. Although everything indicated it was the latter, personally, she hoped for the former. "It might be a quiet night, UWU, but these plains are wild lands where it's better to be accompanied. UWU... Giant eagles are known to hunt at night too, UWU, so a lady like you should tread carefully, UWU," Meg Tree said, looking suspiciously at the sky. Daring Do rolled her eyes. She had already studied those territories. In the past, these lands south of Equestria had been the scene of wars between the minotaur, centaur, and lion gargoyle kingdoms. Those realms knew no harmony and constantly engaged in disputes over the slightest nonsense. It was believed that Tirek and Scorpan, two powerful creatures that had caused great trouble in the land of ponies long ago, originated from these lands. Currently, however, those realms had isolated themselves and didn't allow entry to foreigners or changes in their cultures. War itself had become a taboo among them. She didn't believe it was the best solution for those societies to remain isolated and backward, but it was much better than an era of eternal conflict. Daring Do stopped trotting and gazed thoughtfully at that beautiful plain. Her eyes slid across the river they had crossed and the forests of dwarf trees they had left behind. Finally, she halted at the distant lights of the village they had departed from. What future awaited these lands? Daring Do couldn't even imagine. The arrival of Equestrian settlers in the last hundred years had brought improvements to the land, almost erasing the traces of past wars. It had also paved the way for improved trade with other species inhabiting the region. All of that was very positive, but it could also become a new source of conflicts in the future. Undoubtedly, the new princess would have a lot of work ahead... "UwU! We're almost there!" neighed Meg Tree. Both were approaching a solitary hill adorned with unusual rocks at its peak. "Perfect, there's no need to..." "UWUUU!" "... accompany me to the top," Daring Do finished, clearly uncomfortable. Daring Do had been interrupted by Meg Tree's delayed 'UWU.' That catchphrase the pony repeated was becoming increasingly annoying for the adventurer. "Of course, it's necessary, UWU. I've given you my word to take you to the top, and I intend to keep it, UWU," Meg Tree replied, taking off his hat as if making a solemn oath. "Alright... fine," said Daring Do, looking away to avoid seeing the guide's untidy and unhygienic mane. "Great, UWU!" Meg Tree responded cheerfully. He turned around and, with a skip, continued ahead with proud steps. Daring Do sighed. She regretted accepting Meg Tree as a guide. She had passed through the town earlier that day to stock up, and while chatting in one of the stores, she casually mentioned that she was heading to the "hill of eternity." Suddenly, that pony appeared out of nowhere, begging her to allow him to be her guide. After creating a shameful and embarrassing scene in the middle of the square, she finally agreed in exchange for a few coins. That solved the immediate problem, but considering she was a pegasus and only needed to fly for less than an hour to reach the hill, having a guide became ridiculous. The journey had taken HOURS since the afternoon. Surprisingly, Meg Tree had behaved quite well throughout the way. However, his boring and improvised talks became as uncomfortable as a bent horseshoe. Daring Do looked up at the top of the hill. Setting aside that annoying guide, Daring Do already had her trip's objective within reach. Taking a leap into the air and maintaining a light flight, with Meg Tree marching ahead, she continued on towards the summit.
Act II Finally, they reached the summit of the hill. There were no significant structures, such as stairs or nearby buildings, only some white stones standing like teeth on both sides. However, at the top, four large vertical slabs, arranged by size, lined up in an incomplete circle. The place was exactly as Daring Do remembered it. This had been the goal of one of her first expeditions outside of Equestria. However, back then, the expedition turned out to be a failure. Despite digging for a long time, she found no ruins, dungeons, treasures, artifacts, or remains indicating the existence of a lost civilization. After two weeks of research, she gave up and left the place. She never mentioned this journey to any colleague or referenced it in any of her written works. Only in her personal notebook were the details of that adventure found, in the section of inconclusive and irrelevant expeditions. However, recently, that place had returned to her thoughts. Now that she was back amidst those ruins, they seemed shrouded in an arcane and ancient aura. "Stay away from those stones, miss. They're very ancient, and it's said they bring bad luck if touched, UWU," Meg Tree warned Daring Do as she began to examine the rocks up close. "Really? But do you know how old these ruins are?" Daring Do asked as she lit a torch near the largest slab. "I couldn't tell you, miss. But it's said they were here before the sun rose for the first time, UWU," Meg Tree replied. Daring Do pondered those words for a moment and then began to review her notes. "Actually, I've been here before, several years ago, and in that investigation, I estimated that these rocks are at most about 25 years old," Daring Do said as she wrote in her notebook. "Really? Are you pulling my leg? The hill and the ruins were already here before the nearest town was founded. That was more than 80 moons ago, UWU," Meg Tree said with an incredulous tone. "It's true that the hill was already here, but the ruins weren't. Let me explain: these rocks were recently brought here, deliberately carved in this way, and placed here in this order. The same goes for the other rocks in the surroundings; they all come from the same quarry located south of this plain, and this very quarry is the one the town uses to build their homes," explained Daring Do. "Are you telling me that someone just placed these rocks here for no reason? Or that the people in the town made up the story? UWU," Meg Tree retorted, frowning. "Not exactly. In the past, when I discovered where the rocks came from, I suspected that the inhabitants had placed them here just to attract attention, sort of like promoting tourism. But now, I believe there might be another explanation. I think someone else has been replacing the rocks of these ruins for a long time," said Daring Do as she took out her equipment from her backpack. Meg Tree was absorbed for a moment, as if processing everything that had been discussed, then continued with an abrupt laugh. "Haha, so they replaced them... Doesn't it sound crazy that someone would steal rocks and swap them for identical ones?" "I didn't mean theft. I meant that something or someone has been changing the rocks of these ruins for a long time," explained Daring Do. Daring Do had a hypothesis, though she had no way to prove it at that moment. Based on her previous notes from the place, she suspected that the hill's soil contained compounds older than the surrounding mountains. The fineness of the soil, increasing as she dug, and the lack of biological waste were evidence of this. Her years exploring all kinds of ruins around the world had caused her to reevaluate her previous conclusions, and now she had a more expert view of the place. "Why would anyone do such a thing?" Meg Tree asked in a confused tone. "That's what I've come to find out," replied a confident Daring Do with a mischievous smile. If anyone was going to solve the mystery of these ruins, she was the right pony for the job. The night passed without surprises, with Daring Do fluttering from slab to slab, taking notes, collecting samples, and measuring. Her goal was to gather as many samples as possible to analyze them in Equestria. If her hypothesis turned out to be correct, she would embark on a new expedition with a full team in the next moon. Meg Tree, on the other hand, had lit a campfire, sat down, and was watching her intently, never averting his gaze. It was almost as if he was analyzing each of her movements. Daring Do noticed this unusual behavior but didn't pay it much attention. After a few hours, the Pegasus had finished collecting all the information she needed and finally approached the campfire to rest. "Well, that would be it. I appreciate the company, but I'd prefer to spend the night alone here. I hope that's not a problem... Meg Tree?" Daring Do abruptly finished saying. The tranquility of her thoughts had been interrupted by a spooky sight, something she did not expect to see. In front of her, sitting by the fire, was a stiff Meg Tree. But it wasn't the unusual stiffness of the guide that frightened her, it was the face he had. A face that would have made any other pony scream just by looking at it for an instant, but in Daring Do, it only awakened her instincts to face danger. Thus, without saying another word, drawn by the fascination of confronting danger, Daring Do approached that pony slowly, observing that face without averting her gaze... It was Meg Tree, without a doubt, but he looked very different. His eyes were wide open, so much so that it seemed they would pop out of their sockets at any moment. Thick and frothy yellow saliva dripped from his slightly open mouth, and in his mane, small restless shadows swirled, hiding from the light of the campfire. Then, being so close, she realized he wasn't breathing. Considering that she might be facing an undead, Daring Do subtly began to prepare the dagger she had hidden in her shirt when suddenly... "HAAA!" Meg Tree suddenly shouted, causing Daring Do to jump back in the air frightened. "Sorry, Miss Daring, I think I dozed off. I hope I didn't bother you with my snoring," said Meg Tree, yawning sleepily and wiping off the drool. In the air and shaken, taking a moment to recover from the scare, Daring Do finally told him: "No, not at all." "Well, it seems quite late now... would you like something to eat?" Meg Tree said very calmly as he pulled out a bunch of carrots from his saddlebag. "Ummm... sure," replied Daring Do with a forced smile. The bad taste left by the previous scare was still present, but she decided to conceal it, just like the dagger in her shirt. Daring Do touched down again and sat by the campfire. The night continued to unfold... After sharing the carrots, facing each other, they began to eat in silence. The warm wind blew across the meadow, and the moon had reached its highest point in the night sky. From a distance, the hill looked like a gigantic, glowing crown abandoned in the meadow. Several minutes had passed, and they were almost done with dinner when Daring Do noticed Meg Tree starting to shift uncomfortably in his place. "You know..., making campfires like this reminds me of my foalhood days. Do you like campfire stories, Miss?" Meg Tree asked absentmindedly and restlessly. "Yes, like any normal pony," replied Daring Do dryly. She had noticed that Meg Tree no longer said "UWU" at the end of sentences, which increased her mistrust toward her guide. However, encountering eccentric ponies in her travels was not a first, so she decided to play along. "Even if they are dark and mysterious," said Meg Tree, who suddenly began gazing at the starry sky. "I have no problem with that," replied Daring Do confidently. "Well, say no more," said Meg Tree firmly, turning his gaze back to the adventurous Pegasus. He now looked more serious and focused. "This story is about a terrible and strange nightmare that my very respectable and beloved mother had when I was very young..." "A strange nightmare," said Daring Do skeptically. "Yes, it was something that deeply affected her. So much so that she always talked about it with everyone she knew. In that nightmare, she had a vision about these ruins and the lords of darkness," said Meg Tree seriously, with a subtle change in his voice. "The lords of darkness," thought Daring Do to herself, then asked with interest, "And what happened in that nightmare?" "Well..." Meg Tree cleared his throat. "In that nightmare, my mother was forcibly taken to this hill by an unknown creature, and after being tied to one of these rocks, a voice began speaking to her, saying something like this..." "'Before the sun and the moon rose, before the first tree was born, the world was plunged into darkness. And this darkness was ruled by the Dark Lords, who longed to seize the soul-light of the world for themselves. Stirred by their own greed and arrogance, each of them fought against the others to always be the first to claim it. And from that beginning, neither time nor desire has been able to stop this endless conflict, and the inhabitants of the world have been mere witnesses, as powerless as the stones that bear this world.'" At that moment, a cold wind seemed to blow over the silent hill. "Wow, that was quite eerie. I've never heard something like that... before," declared a surprised Daring Do. She didn't want to admit it, but for some reason, the strange verse that Meg Tree had recited seemed very familiar to her. "Gotcha!" said Meg Tree with a smile. "My mother did have quite a bad night, and there's more!" "More?" "Yes, have you seen the drawings on those slabs?" "Yes..." Behind her were the four slabs, each engraved with the depiction of a monstrous creature. "Those are the lords of darkness. So my mother assured me. Look, miss, my dear mother told me that when the first settlers came to these lands, they found that the tribes of minotaurs, centaurs, and lion gargoyles avoided these plains because they believed the hill was cursed. The pony settlers never got too close to the ruins, so there was no way to prove if they were cursed or not. Over time, the story of the hill became just a witch's tale, but some farmers said that if a pony spent the night near the hill, they would end up with nightmares where one was chased by those monsters and tormented by ominous omens. My mother was one of those unfortunate ponies. Can you believe it?" Daring Do had frozen. A memory had rushed into her mind and soon began transforming into a terrible image.
Act III Daring Do had traversed a large part of the world and seen all kinds of creatures and kingdoms; however, she had not yet explored everything the world had to offer. Despite this, she had already reached certain conclusions about the world she lived in. Firstly, that the world was truly magical, with floating islands, lakes of fire, soap deserts, and other scenarios that defied logic. Secondly, there was a recurring myth in different cultures and species: the "Tree of Beginnings," from which all races were believed to originate. However, this myth was only shared by creatures living on the surface, while those inhabiting the oceans or the underworld were unaware of this story. Thirdly, the depths of the oceans and the underworld were entirely unknown and vast, much like the North and South Poles. And lastly, it was the discovery she had made today. "Miss Daring, are you okay? Is something wrong?" asked a puzzled Meg Tree. Daring Do, shaken, had turned towards the rocks behind her, gazing at the figures engraved on the slabs. She then replied, "I know you won't understand, I don't even understand it myself, but I know the names of the creatures represented on these stones." Daring Do might not uncover the origin of the world, but she did know who had ended it. Before her were the figures of those criminals, according to the myths and legends she had learned. The shadow of these terrible beings appeared in the world at different locations but during the same era. The arrival of one of these entities brought an age of darkness and terror that culminated in a primordial cataclysm, from which few were said to survive. In her last journey, Daring Do believed she had found a sanctuary dedicated to these monsters. It was a sect of camels called "The Eternal Mountain," which worshipped supposed "dark gods" granting blessings to their followers in exchange for tributes to their congregation. As expected, it turned out to be a scam, and the images of their supposed gods were nothing more than exaggerated depictions of known predators. Local authorities arrested them, and their temple was burned for heresy. However, the name of each of these "dark gods" sounded familiar. This doubt grew over time, haunting her and making her feel sick. Without really knowing what she was searching for, she decided to return to Equestria. It was then that she remembered having visited a place with a name similar to that camel sect, and so her hooves led her back to the "Hill of Eternity." Now that she had the names and faces of those wicked beings, all that remained was to put them in order. She focused her attention on the smallest slab and said aloud, "Ever Fand," the dark queen who filled the world with a nightmare forest. Her figure was that of an inverted flower. Then, she looked at the next slab: "Bottom Ness," the ocean tyrant who sunk all continents to the ocean floor. It was a diabolical five-eyed octopus. Finally: "Nodoub Death," the necromancer who reversed the world's poles and emptied the seas. The figure on the slab was that of a bicephalous skeletal bird with four limbs and four wings. But on the largest slab, Daring Do didn't recognize the creature depicted. There was no record of it or any reference in her previous travels. It was a dragon with three stars above its head and carried an empty orb in its chest that seemed to want to conceal with its claws. Then, she noticed, thanks to the moonlight, the faint reliefs of two more stars near its tail. "Wow! You know the names of these guys; have you seen them before? Are there other stone ruins around the world?" exclaimed an excited Meg Tree. "This is amazing, Miss!" "No, it's not about that..." said Daring Do still confused and surprised. "I just heard the names of these creatures from a strange group of camels on the other side of the world. I didn't understand why their propaganda felt so familiar, until now." Meg Tree stayed silent, frozen in place, trying to process what he had just heard. "ARROGANT PARASITES! HOW DARE YOU DESECRATE THE SACRED SANCTUARY OF MY BELOVED LADY!..." shouted an angry and strident voice. Daring Do reacted immediately, turned around, and there was Meg Tree issuing threats toward some place on the horizon, but he was no longer the same pony with a fake accent she had known moments before. Now, he acted like an entirely different pony, perhaps not even a pony at all. "...JUST WAIT, YOU'LL PAY DEARLY FOR THIS OFFENSE, ALL WILL BE TRIBUTE TO ETERNAL DARKNESS," said Meg with a malicious laugh. Daring Do saw how a greenish mist enveloped Meg, and from it emerged a creature she had never seen before. That creature wore a fuchsia robe and hood, had no lower limbs, a green scarf enchanted around its neck, arms like withered branches ending in clawed hands, and its indecipherable face of darkness contained two unblinking emerald eyes. Then, all that anger vanished, and it slowly turned towards her. Daring Do always faced danger; that was practically 80% of her life as an adventurer and explorer. But at that moment, all her instincts screamed one thing: "RUN." She took flight with all her might, but it was already too late. A sticky, invisible force halted her escape and threw her to the ground, leaving her breathless. It was magic, of course; however, it was the first time she felt a magical grip so relentless on her body. "Well, well, I apologize for my previous behavior. I didn't intend to 'scare' you like this, Miss Daring Do," 'Meg's' voice was calm but carried a tint of mockery and anger. "I think it would be impolite to leave without saying goodbye... Don't you think?" "Who the hay... are you?" asked Daring weakly as the magic crushed her more against the ground. "Hah! Can you still talk? You're truly a formidable Pegasus. Well..." Meg paused to think as he looked at the night sky. "I am a messenger..., rather, a herald of a lord of darkness. Don't worry; I won't harm you. The stars favor you today. In fact, since you warned me about those annoying pests, I'll give you a gift: the gift of 'knowledge.' The knowledge that this is not our first encounter, the knowledge that from this moment on, I'll be watching you, the knowledge that our next meeting... will be the last." Daring Do lost consciousness at the end of that sinister threat. Daring Do woke up with a start, still disoriented as she looked around. She found herself amidst those ruins, and then the memory of the previous night hit her all at once, bringing with it a terror that ruffled every last feather. Why didn't they finish her off last night? What was that being? Had she encountered it before? What were the Lords of Darkness, and what did they intend to do in her world? The pegasus stirred, trying to react and shake off her dark thoughts. It wasn't the time to ponder questions she knew she couldn't answer. She sat up and looked at the sky; the light of a new day was already slipping through the clouds, and there, a last visible star seemed to greet her with its brilliance. An idea illuminated her mind. She remembered a pony, or rather a "princess," who could help her unravel this mystery. All her confidence and courage returned in a determined look on her face; she stood up, knowing exactly what to do next. Daring Do adjusted her hat and soared into the sky, leaving behind the darkness of those infamous ruins. She headed towards the sunrise, toward her homeland, "Equestria." Author's Note [en] Hello everyone, I just updated today, 16/05/2023, the content of my first MLP fanfic. For those who have already read it, I only added a few more paragraphs and used a new translation engine. The changes include a slightly improved cover. I hope you enjoy it. [es] Hola a todos, acabo de actualizar hoy 16/05/2023 el contenido de mi primer fanfic de MLP. Para aquellos que ya lo hayan leído, solo se añadieron algunos párrafos mas y se uso un nuevo motor de traducción. Los cambios incluye cover ligeramente mejorado. Espero que sea de su agrado.
