Episode 24:

Stranger than Fan Friction

Daring Do found herself right in the middle of another one of her life or death situations. Like many adventures before, she was searching for an ancient artifact that would spell great danger to everyone around it if it got into the wrong hands and hoofs. Hands and hoofs that would have zero qualms using it for evil purposes should that happen.

The brave Pegasus now found herself deep in a cave, struggling to find any source of light to help her see as she made her way along. Going forward into the cave of darkness had her knowing she had to be careful. Because the path she was walking on was made of rocks which suddenly began to give way and crumble.

If that wasn’t bad enough for Daring Do, the cave she was in was full of snakes. Not that they frightened her in the slightest but regardless, she was still not exactly pleased to see them. She desperately made a leap, pulling herself up to a ledge as she saw something shiny give off a faint glimmer of light in the distance.

Fortunately, Daring was able to pull herself up to safety. And her eyes locked upon the treasure she'd been searching for. A smile broke out across her face, and she momentarily pushed the sound of falling rocks and snakes hissing to the back of her mind in favor of getting to the easy part of the adventure at hoof. The hard part now is getting it out without losing it, and making sure it was safely delivered to a museum. Going forward from here, Daring Do knew she'd have to plan her next moves carefully if she ever plans on getting it there unharmed and not in the wrong hands and hoofs.

In reality, this "adventure" was actually a story that Twilight Sparkle was reading to Rainbow Dash. All the while the overly excited pony was flying about her home, packing up her things in a suitcase that was already stuffed to the max.

Rainbow herself was preparing to leave for a trip she'd been looking forward to for months, and so was Twilight. Along with Ono, who already had his belongings packed himself alongside Twilight though not quite as pumped as her pony friends right now.

"Come on, don't stop there!" She called to Twilight. "You read, I pack! That's the deal!"

Twilight sighed and apologized. "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. Really. I just can't stop thinking about all the fun that’s going to happen at the Daring Do Convention. I just can’t believe that today is already here."

"Oh, yeah! Of course it is already here! I wouldn’t stop talking about it ever since the day it was announced to take place!” Rainbow exclaimed still excited. “And here I’m the only pony getting excited about it?”

“You two are the only ones getting excited about it.” Ono noted. “Though more overly is what I find more accurate. And all this over a once a year convention?”

“Uh, yeah!” Rainbow returned like it’s a no brainer. “Because this is a really special you don’t want miss it kind of deal.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, really!”

“And how about you, Twilight? I don’t suppose the same applies to you too?”

“Of course it does! I am really looking forward to this!” Twilight insisted and agreed with Rainbow for once. “It’s just I just wasn’t sure this was actually going to happen. Given that’s it’s usually far away and out of my parent's budget to attend them when I was young along with never having the time to do so between being Celestia’s student and now my current responsibilities as leader of the Pony Guard and Princess of Friendship. I’m just lucky that nothing popped up at the last minute to prevent me from finally going.”

“And consider it something to blessed with and take full advantage of what’s going to happen next.” The brash speedster replied. "And regardless whether you’re worried of what happened back when you were Midnight Sparkle, don’t be. Because it’s all in the past now. No pony not even the adventuring pony herself is going to judge you so don’t even think about it much. In fact, think more of the fact that we can get our books signed by A. K. Yearling herself." Folding up her suitcase to the best of her ability, she then happily exclaimed! "I can't believe she's actually gonna be there, herself! She never goes to conventions!"

“Me neither.” Twilight expressed with a smile. “It’s actually a first really.”

Rainbow Dash flew over, pulling Twilight in close as she tried to reassure her friend to the best of her ability along with Ono who is still not looking impressed himself. "Which, I’m also sure, will be cool for all those other fanponies too . But since you and I know A. K. Yearling personally," With a knowing wink and a hushed tone of voice she added. "And we know that she is really Daring Do herself, it's no big deal. That is of course we keep her secret in return. I mean sure, the convention will still be fun and everything, but it's nothing to get too excited about."

“Doubt it…”

“...and nailed it.”

Of course, they both actually made it to the convention and set hoof inside the convention hall, Rainbow’s earlier statement to Twilight was completely thrown aside. "So excited!" She happily exclaimed as she gazed upon all the sights and sounds of the convention. Everything about it was themed around Daring Do and her adventures: From display stands, to exhibits, even things like a ball pit and a cardboard cutout stand of Daring Do and Ahuizotl.

“I’m sorry what did you say?” Twilight teasingly smirked and asked her friend. “Because I couldn’t help up hear that you are indeed really excited for this as much as I am.”

“Oh, don’t you know it!” Rainbow didn’t even deny it having already gotten herself a custom made pith helmet designed to look like the one Daring Do always wore to wear for today. In addition, Twilight herself was also wearing a custom made Daring Do shirt along with a helmet and a bullet proof vest underneath it.

“Now what do you say we get our books signed?”

“I’d thought you’d never ask!”

Both excitedly shared before racing their way through the place in order to do so.

“Wait up, girls!” Ono called after them from behind while trying to hang onto his Daring Do hat and binoculars.

Little did they know is that the time of their big time fan lives is about to find themselves with even more company. One that doesn’t even know of the big secret at hoof.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight both rotted up and down, admiring the attention to detail for the convention. Said place gone the extra mile to make out Daring Do's adventures as real as possible here. All that’s left is Daring Do herself to make an appearance something that is known never that happen whenever these events happen.

“Girls!” Ono exclaimed while catching his breath and landing on Twilight’s back. “At least try not to run off without your heads on tight. Or at least allow me to stay close behind if going off ahead.”

“Sorry.” Twilight apologized while giving him a drink of water from a water bottle she had on hoof. “We just can’t help ourselves since this our very first time going to this event.”

“I know! It’s so sweet! And even sweeter aside from getting our books signed is of what’s to come soon.”

Just then, an earth pony stallion of a slightly slender build appeared right beside the two ponies. He had a gray and white coat, blue eyes, a dusty blue mane and tail styled into a buzz cut, and a cutie mark depicting a yellow colored flash of light. He had a listening device in his left ear, and wore a two shaded safari green jacket with a small image of Daring Do's face stitched onto it. "Excuse me, ladies, sir." The stallion spoke up in an energetic and excited manner. "You look like someone who'd be up for an all-inclusive one-of-a-kind adventu-cation, where you can get to live the Daring Do experience! But don't take my word for it:" He hoofed them a small, brightly colored pamphlet. "Read for yourself, see what you're missing out on." Both Twilight and Rainbow quickly turned the pamphlet back over to the stallion.

"Eh, no thanks. Already did that,"

“But thanks, anyway.”

They then trotted off, hoping to find A. K. Yearling (or at least somepony who had seen her). Instead and so far, they only found a recreation of the tiled floor from the very first Daring Do book.

“Hello...”

“...what do we have here?"

They questioned, where the brash speedster stepped onto one of the tiles. There was an audible click, and red colored streamers meant to represent lava spewed out from holes in the walls.

The rainbow maned Pegasus herself was impressed. "Wow!" She exclaimed like it’s the most wonderful thing she’s seen.

Twilight herself gave it a try and was able to replicate the same thing when she stepped on that same tile herself. “Not bad!”

“Are you kidding me?!” Rainbow asked like it is the more incredulous thing she’s heard all did to the grinning alicorn. “This is the most awesome thing ever!" As she spoke those words, she became aware of another pony who had said the exact same thing. She turned to look at him, finding herself face to face with a sturdy and somewhat bulky earth pony stallion who seemed to be slightly taller than her yet as tall as Twilight.

The stallion had an orangish-brown coat, moderate blue eyes, a mane and tail with a mix of solid black to a dusty blackish-gray in color, and a cutie mark depicting a speech bubble. Like Rainbow Dash and Twilight, he was wearing a two shaded safari green jacket (albiet one with several white and green buttons bellow the shirt color and on the front legs), as well as a helmet that has several holes in it. He was not aware that Rainbow was looking at him as he spoke. "See? Now this is something that only true fans can appreciate. The attention to detail is perfect!"

"Yeah, they even put the tiles in the correct order." Rainbow commented in agreement.

"Huh. Good catch. Didn't actually notice that," The earth pony stallion admitted, then introduced himself once he turned to see the pony along with her accompanying friends. "Oh, where are my manners. Name's Quibble Pants, I'm from Manehattan."

Rainbow Dash extended a hoof out to shake Quibble's hoof, all the while saying. "I'm Rainbow Dash, I’m from Ponyville. Name ring a bell to you?"

Quibble put a hoof to his chin. "I think it actually has before, quite a few times since the Lion and Pony Guard’s names appeared in the headlines of every newspaper for the last three years. I've seen your name and face in the papers a few times.” He then turns and sees the alicorn and egret accompanying her. “And the same goes for you two.” He moved to greet them both with hoof and wing shakes. “The Guard’s Keenest of Sight, Ono.”

“Hi!” Ono casually waved.

“And the Guard’s most Magical and Fiercest Leader of the Pony Guard herself, your majesty.” He moved to shake her hoof along with kissing it. “A wonderful honor to meet you as well.”

Twilight sheepishly chuckled in response. “Thanks. Good to meet you too.”

“Pleasure’s all mine. And to think you along with your friend would happen to be Daring Do fans too.” He chuckled while eyeing Rainbow Dash. “"I’d have to say, you have a striking resemblance to Daring Do at first glance. Are you sure you’re not her?” He jokingly asked.

"You’d wish." The rainbow maned Pegasus jokingly replied while hoof bumping Quibble Pants. "Nice costume, by the way."

"Same to you." Quibble kindly returned. “You along with your friends.”

Rainbow smiled, eager to accept the compliment from another Daring Do fan. "Thanks. You should know that the hardest part was figuring out..."

"-The right number of arrow holes," Quibble finished like he already knew the answer. “Yes, I know. I’ve also done my research." With a boastful smile, he held up his helmet and compared it to Rainbow Dash's, all the while explaining the logic he'd used to arrive at the correct number while struggling to contain his excitement as he continued. "On page eighty four of Quest for the Sapphire Statue, it describes her dodging quote 'A score of arrows, shooting forth from holes in the very walls.' unquote. But then on page one hundred and seven, Daring Do herself says she quote 'Barely made it past the traps, including the barrage of arrows.' unquote. But clearly Daring Do is just embellishing and the correct number of arrows is..."

Rainbow Dash joined in saying at the same time as Quibble Pants. "Twenty!" And then they chuckled to themselves at the knowledge they shared. At the same time both Twilight and Ono we’re astonished by this pony’s on par knowledge to Daring Do.

“So, Quibble Pants...” Twilight then spoke. “...since we’re all friends who share the same common interest in Daring Do adventures, would you like to join us while we check out this place some more? You know what they say between friends who have the same interests, the more the merrier.”

Quibble Pants smiled in response to the offer. “I’d thought you’d never ask.” From there, he happily accepted the offer to explore the rest of the convention hall.

The four fans thus went off together, and enjoyed spending time checking out the various exhibits. They even swung on ropes, walked across a fake rope bridge, played in the ball pit, and posed inside the cut-outs of Daring Do and Ahuizotl. The only thing that gave Rainbow any cause for concern was when she saw a display stand featuring a large pillow. Said pillow had a picture of Daring Do on the floor, tied up in ropes. Quibble, however, seemed to find it very amusing if the smile he flashed was any indication.

Eventually, they all stopped to get carrot dogs from a vendor, as well as some refreshment that was served in coconuts.

Rainbow Dash sighed, delighted to have a quiet moment to just talk to Quibble Pants more in depth. At the same time, Twilight was starting to like this pony more given of how she and Rainbow were getting along swimmingly together with him. Though Ono himself couldn’t help but feel a little irritated whenever he tries to speak a fact himself only for Quibble to beat him to the punch before he can get a word out.

"Wow! I am so glad I ran into you here, Quibble. It’s not everyday I meet fans outside of my friends back home.” Rainbow happily expressed.

“Well it’s not every day I get to meet ponies who are important protectors of the realm and are royalty in one day. Quibble replied. "So I guess it evens out along with the fact that even royalty can admire the Daring Do books the way you and I do."

“It sure does.” Twilight giggled while Ono continued rolling his eyes in response.

The rainbow maned Pegasus nodded in agreement too. "Yeah. Even though I knew this convention would be totally awesome, it's much more fun when you're with someone who really knows Daring Do as much as we do.”

The sturdy earth pony stallion nodded back. "I know what you mean. It's so hard to find a pony who really gets it. It’s a passion I have no regrets having. And considering it’s the first book series I ever read, I hope to pass on that very passion to foals of my own if that ever happens.”

“Well, let’s hope for the best.” Ono said willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, at least for that one moment. They then took a look at a paper map that showed the layout of the entire convention. Something immediately caught the keen-sighted bird’s attention. "Hm. That's weird. We've only done stuff from the first trilogy so far.

“Huh, that’s odd…” Twilight commented finding it pretty peculiar herself. “...considering they aren’t the only books that are part of the series.

It was there Rainbow then proposed to their new friend. "After lunch, we should probably start working our way back and go through the events from the other books."

But much to the group’s surprise, Quibble narrowed his eyes and frantically insisted. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. There are no other books in the series. It's just the first three and nothing else. And as for the rest, they don’t count as canon.”

"Um, actually of course they are.” Ono corrected and insisted. “Surely a Daring Do fan like you would know they still part of the series even if they’re not as popular as the original trilogy.”

“Ono’s right, Quibble.” Twilight commented. “And even if they aren’t our favorites in the series, we still acknowledge them as such.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed before listing off the names of the books that came after the original trilogy. "Daring Do and the Trek of the Terrifying Towers, Daring Do and the Many Faces of—"

Quibble interrupted, putting a hoof in Rainbow's mouth as he used another to cover his face and groan. "Stop! P-please, please don't," He insisted sounding annoyed and frustrated at this point. “Just don't even mention the titles. I-I'm not saying those books don't exist. I'm saying that I refuse to acknowledge them to the point I’ll read them."

Rainbow removed Quibble's hoof from her mouth, glaring at him as she questioned. "Why not?"

The bulky stallion insisted in a bitter tone of voice. "'Cause they're horrible! I mean, there isn't a single thing after The Ring of Destiny that is even remotely in the realm of the possible!”

“Now come on.” Twilight then interjected trying to be polite about all of this. “I mean understand what you’re saying but they’re not that bad.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow assertively stated. “And I know for a fact that everything in every one of those books is one hundred percent possible!"

"Oh, really?!" Quibble retorted while skeptical of that claim. “If that’s so then how could you possibly know that?" He then taunted. "Do you just so happen to know A. K. Yearling herself?"

Rainbow Dash growled in response before having a hoof placed on her shoulder to get her to calm down before she does something rash while Ono shook his head and waved his wings to stop her from running her mouth before she gets them all in trouble.

Twilight however did calmly counter his argument with this simple reply. “Maybe if you actually bothered to actually pay attention to detail, maybe you’ll find that the truth itself is actually written on those very books with the proof in that very ink used to write it down.”

“Hmm...Cryptic…subtle...yet...compelling…” Quibble remarked still not buying it. “Not!”

Rainbow groaned while acknowledging she had no way to prove to Quibble that the Pegasus he'd just mentioned was really her and that Daring Do (as A. K. Yearling) had changed the Pegasus's name and appearance so as to avoid the issue of having a "fictional" character team up with a pony everyone knew was real. So she just slammed a hoof down on the table, locking eyes with Quibble Pants as she questioned him. "Why would you even come to this convention if you hate Daring Do so much?

“Yeah! What he said! Mr. I love the Daring Do series so much I would tell my future kids about it with hopes they’ll be into it someday?” Ono added feeling very perplexed with this fan pony’s stance in the matter.

“Now, come on everyone…” Twilight tried to get everyone to calm down on deaf ears.

And Quibble Pants quickly explained refusing to acknowledge the Princess’s request. “I don't hate Daring Do, not as a character. What I hate is what has come out since the original trilogy. It stands out like a sore hoof compared to them! The first trilogy was smart and cool and an amazing nod to old-time serialized adventure books, that somehow managed to be self-reflective and ironic while at the same time celebrating the art form without a hint of cynicism."

“True…” Ono acknowledged to an extent before voicing his opinion. “...but the more I think about is that at the time A. K. Yearling was clearly still trying to find her stride in this series. And by the time the first trilogy was completed, she had found that stride. And with each book she became more and more confident about what she was writing and why she was writing it."

“Ooh! Smart bird who now sees why I came to this convention," Quibble pointed out as he snorted. "When I learned A. K. Yearling was going to be here, I wanted to ask her muzzle-to-muzzle why she sold out and dumbed down the rest of her books into just a series of impossible action sequences!”

“Guys!” Twilight piped up once more with her patient now running thin from all of this arguing that was now heating up but was still ignored.

And that was where Rainbow herself was rolling her eyes in disbelief with what he was saying. “Okay, now I know you're crazy. A. K. Yearling is awesome, and every Daring Do book that comes out is better than the last! And I'm not just saying that because I just so happen to know A. K. Yearling personally. I'm saying that as a proud Daring Do fan myself.”

"Big talk from an overly proud yet blind fan pony who has yet to acknowledge the hard truths in life." Quibble retorted. "I respect A. K. Yearling, I do, but that doesn’t mean I’m not blind to the writing of this series ever since the fourth Daring Do book came out!"

“Guys!” Twilight repeated one last time which got everyone’s attention. “Enough!”

Heading the princess’s command, Quibble then stood up from the table, groaning and sighing. "I-I-I'm sorry, but I could never be friends with somepony who's willing to believe impossible stuff is possible as long as Daring Do does it.”

"Fine by me!" Rainbow angrily returned as she stood up and glared at Quibble. "Because I know I I could never be friends with somepony who's so focused on things being possible that he's willing to turn his back on the coolest hero of all time!"

“Me neither!” Ono also voiced standing by the brash speedster’s side.

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

With that the three fans turned their backs to each other and both went their separate ways with Ono still standing by Rainbow’s side. All while Twilight can only sigh to herself seeing that what was supposed to be a nice relaxing fan outing turned into another sour dispute already.

“So much for a relaxing day out.” Twilight said to herself in disappointment with what had just happened. “Almost makes me wish the friendship summit at Griffonstone had actually happened today.”

Rainbow Dash neither knew nor cared about where Quibble Pants wandered off to after their heated debate at lunch and neither did Ono. Now they’re more concerned about trying to prove him wrong. And they were left convinced that there was only one way to do that, and that is by getting the real Daring Do herself to show up. That would put Quibble in his place for sure and prove him wrong.

So Rainbow trotted off, leaving the convention hall and approaching the front desk at the hotel where the convention was being held. She soon inquired about the whereabouts of A. K. Yearling, and whether the author was available for a private audience.

"Look, just tell A. K. Yearling that Rainbow Dash along with Ono and Twilight are here, and I need her help to convince a certain know-it-all pony that everything Daring Do's ever done actually happened!" Rainbow demanded of the clerk behind the desk. "I know her personally and so do my friends. So if I say it's urgent, it's urgent!"

Just then, said pony they’re looking for, A. K. Yearling herself appeared. She was wearing her hat, cloak, and glasses. And for some reason, she seemed to be taking extra precautions to avoid being seen by anypony. "Rainbow Dash?" She blinked in surprise. “Ono? Twilight?”

The rainbow maned Pegasus turned around, locking eyes with the author. "A. K.!" She happily exclaimed! "Great to see you again!" Then she cleared her throat. "I gotta talk to you. It's an emergency!"

“You got the time?!” Ono also asked.

A. K. looked all around, as if fearing that somepony might be watching her. She then whispered in a hushed tone to the two. "Not here! Come on!" She promptly led her friends away, retreating to the safety of a hotel room. After shutting the door tightly behind her, and drawing the curtains across the windows, she eyed the brash speedster and asked of her first. "Okay now, what's going on? Does this emergency involve Caballeron? Did you see him?" She gasped. "You didn’t have him follow me did you?!"

"What?" Rainbow Dash blinked in surprise. "No. I haven't seen Dr. Caballeron anywhere and neither did any of my friends here right now.” She then explained herself. "But there is a pony downstairs who thinks everything you've written after the first trilogy is totally unrealistic and terrible.”

Ono then moved to explain next. “Said pony to be fair wasn’t one of those um… Karen ponies but he’s still upset about them, having deemed in his words, 'sold out and dumbed down the rest of her books' unquote. We even told him ourselves about one of your adventures, but he doesn't believe us. So could please just help set the record straight with them?”

A. K. Yearling groaned and rolled her eyes and so did Twilight. “I’m sorry but I've got much bigger problems on my hooves right now than some dissatisfied fanponies," She dug into one of the pockets of her long, flowing cloak and pulled out a gold colored object in the shape of a key. "And that is this!”

Rainbow's eyes went wide when they saw the shiny, silvery object and so did Ono’s.

“Whoa!”

“Hapana!”

“What is that?!" Twilight asked.

A. K. explained. "It's the Amulet of Culiacan, and Caballeron wants it. But the amulet's only a key, it's not a treasure," She chuckled and then brought out a map, placing it down on the ground and unfolding it. It was a map of the Tenochtitlan Basin, depicting every part of it in great detail. "The real treasure is hidden in a lost temple somewhere in the Tenochtitlan Basin. The Seven-Sided Chest of Chicomoztoc," She then folded the map back up and explained. "Caballeron wants it so he can sell it to the highest bidder. Which is why I've gotta find it first before he and or Ahuizotl get a hold of it. The fate of the jungle depends on it!"

The rainbow maned Pegasus smiled, rubbing her hooves together in delight! "Great! Sounds like another awesome Daring Do adventure!”

“If I can I’m in.” Twilight also voiced her support for this mission before asking A.K. “But... why hide out here as opposed to hiding out in your cottage?”

A. K. explained further. "Since I haven't found the temple yet, this is the safest place possible for the amulet and for myself. Plus, it's crawling with security, so that way if I get into any trouble...” She proceeded to shed her cloak and remove her glasses, revealing herself to in fact be Daring Do. "I can just blend in with all the Daring Do cosplayers where no pony but you three will be able to know it's really me."

Rainbow Dash had watched Daring Do shed her disguise with excitement, then excitedly she asked. "How can we help?"

Daring Do tucked the amulet away in her pith helmet, then shoved the parts of her A. K. Yearling "disguise" under the bed of her hotel room so as to avoid them being seen or stolen. "Just keep your eyes out for anything suspicious. And if you do see Caballeron or Ahuiztol, let me know immediately but do not engage like last time."

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Twilight quickly assured while placing her hooves on her friends. “Because I’ll make sure that they remain level headed at all times.”

“See to it, Princess.” Daring expected of her before racing to the door, opened it, and rushed outside to get back to the convention hall.

But not without Rainbow Dash peeking back into the room to ask Daring. "Does a pony who only likes your first trilogy qualify as suspicious?" She received her answer in the form of a frown and glare to show she is not interested in answering the question nor amused right now. “Sorry.” Twilight quickly pulled Rainbow away before letting the mare do her thing.

Daring Do, meanwhile, sighed as she thought to herself of how she got tangled up in this mess. She could only hope that hiding in plain sight at the convention would give her the peace of mind she needed to continue her research and be able to find out where the temple that housed the chest was located, before anything else happens.

As it turned out, Dr. Caballeron had indeed tracked Daring Do to the convention. But he lost track of her amidst all the ponies cosplaying as the brave adventurer. And the only thing more annoying to him than that was how much merchandise there was on her. It seemed like everywhere he and his henchponies went, they were bombarded with fanfare and praise for Daring Do.

Tossing away a brochure, the evil earth pony stallion groaned and muttered to himself. "All this fanfare on my arch nemesis is so... disturbing. How she has achieved such praise beyond that what she truly deserves is beyond me." He trotted up to the same stallion that had talked to Rainbow Dash earlier, asking him. "Excuse me, sir? Where is the booth for Dr. Caballeron?"

The stallion with the earpiece pointed a hoof to a small stand tucked into a corner of the packed convention hall. It featured a cardboard statue of Dr. Caballeron that ponies were currently gawking at and making fun of.

Caballeron rolled his eyes and grumbled. “I do not see the likeness." Then he saw some of his henchponies approach, one of the stallions carrying a large body pillow depicting Daring Do laying on the ground, tied up with ropes. Since that is not the pony he is looking for, the earth pony himself was not impressed. He knocked it off his henchpony's back and berated him. "That’s not the real Daring Do! That is just an fan pony!”

"Sorry.” The stallion apologized before letting said pony go.

Dr. Caballeron groaned before he moved to quickly instruct his henchponies. "Come on, let's go find Daring Do and the Amulet of Culiacan. I know she's here somewhere, and I don't want to have spend any more time in this place than I have to! Plus this place is already starting to give me a headache!" He along with his gang of stallions trotted away. “I swear if I see another convention like this again, I am going to do more than just deal with another unnecessary headache.” He muttered to himself while leaving the scene.

Unbeknownst to them, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Ono had all overheard their conversation from afar and been watching them with great concern!

Rainbow gasped realizing and seeing the truth before her eyes. “We have to warn Daring Do!” She whispered to the others who are both on board with this.

“I’ll try to spot her out…”

“...while I try to spot her out…”

With that the three split up from each other ready to cover more ground in order to achieve this before the worst case scneraio comes to play.

Along the way the brash speedster had yet to find the adventurous pony and luck would have she wound up bumping into the last pony she wants to see right now. And is none other than Quibble Pants.

“Well, well, well…” Quibble Pants taunted with a smirk. "If it isn't the pony who believes that the impossible is possible! So tell me, how did it go with her?”

Rainbow groaned in frustration. "Ugh! Just the pony I didn’t want to see!” She snarled before answering. “Sorry, Quibble, I've got more important things to do than argue with a pony who thinks awesome means unrealistic. See ya!" She promptly turned around and smacked him with the back of her tail.

Quibble was left surprised by the rude brush off. Not that it stopped him from following after Rainbow, determined to keep on taunting her about how wrong he thought she was. "No no no, wait! I want to hear more about how you're one hundred percent sure that in Curse of the Jungle Queen, Daring Do could possibly survive a 'sixty-story drop from the top of a waterfall after sustaining a broken wing in a category-six rapid'"

The rainbow maned Pegasus groaned once more along with rolling her eyes in response. “Aside from a few exaggerations here and there, obviously

her wing wasn't actually broken, even if she thought it was. And further more-" But then she stopped herself when she saw a sight that alarmed her. “Oh, no! Caballeron!”

Quibble Pants however unaware of that very sight in front of them just prattled on. “Exactly! Now that's a great character. Everything a character should need: Solid backstory, good motivations..."

Rainbow Dash made a shushing motion with her hooves, frantically whispering to the bulky earth pony stallion. "No-no-no-no!” She pointed a hoof to said pony in question. “Caballeron is right there!"

Quibble adopted a knowing smirk still refusing to acknowledge the very danger in front of them. “Of course he is.” He proceeded to point a hoof to several ponies portraying themselves as the evil stallion. "He's also over there, over there, ooh, ooh, over there," Then he unknowingly pointed a hoof at the real Caballeron and his goons as they all trotted past, completely unaware of either of the two ponies they bypassed. “And of course, over there." When he saw Rainbow Dash follow the group to the exit that led out to a small back alley, he questioned. "Hey, where are you going?"

Rainbow didn't answer, instead rushing to the door in pursuit of Caballeron and his stallions, only to find that they'd somehow disappeared.

At the same time, Twilight and Ono just managed to spot them all out.

“Rainbow! Wait!”

“Rainbow! Stop!”

But to no avail, as they saw that Rainbow was once more leading herself into a trap. Especially when the villainous band of ponies managed to pick up they now have a tail. And that’s what spurred the keen sighted egret to go after them much to Twilight’s wide eyed horror.

Quibble then asked. "And you led me out here because...?"

The brash speedster looked all around, frantically and desperately stating. "Daring Do told me that Caballeron came to this convention to steal the Amulet of Culiacan, and I just saw him and his henchponies come this way! They're trying to find her! I have to stop them!"

Quibble Pants rolled his eyes. "Okay. Whatever you say.” He then proceeded to turn back away from Rainbow towards the door. “Since there's just a little too much crazy out here for the both of us, I am going to see myself out back inside where it’s more normal and sane there.” Before he could do just that, he found himself facing down Caballeron and his goons. "Oh, hello. Here to see one of Daring Do’s so called friend?” He asked, still unaware of who exactly he is talking to. By then it was too late because it was the last thing before they both got jumped while getting literally sacked.

“Rainbow! Look out!” Ono tried to warn.

Rainbow didn't have a chance to react before she was jumped and captured too along with Ono.

Caballeron chuckled with malevolent satisfaction. “Actually, yes! Not to mention the two for one deal while I’m at it.”

All while both Twilight could only in horror as they watch as their friends got helplessly captured.

A short time later, Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Quibble Pants tumbled out of a large sack. They found themselves quickly surrounded and tied up with chains, a pad lock firmly holding the chains and preventing their escape. They had been taken out of the convention hall and deep into the nearby jungle where there are deep lush trees and dense foliage lay everywhere.

Dr. Caballeron snarled as he eyed his captives. "Well, if it isn’t the pesky pony who helped Daring Do track me down, a.k.a. The Pony Guard’s Fastest, Rainbow Dash. Not only that she has also brought in a couple of friends with her, including the Lion Guard’s Keenest of Sight, Ono. I only wish our little reunion was on under better circumstances but that’s not the case today.” He then continued getting straight to the point. “Anyways...I don't know what Daring Do is playing at along with whatever she has told you, but I don’t care. All I know is that she obviously trusted you both enough to tell you about my plan to steal the amulet. Therefore you both must work for her ad I'm not about to take the risk of having you both mess it up this time.”

Rainbow adopted a knowing smirk, confident that this would be proof enough for the other captive pony standing by her side. "Ha! What do you have to say now, Quibble? Still think this is all fictional nonsense?"

Quibble still wasn't convinced. "Obviously! You really think I'm that much of a fool?! This was your big plan to prove the Daring Do books are actually realistic? You bought a Daring Do Adventu-cation Experience for the two of us?"

The rainbow maned Pegasus was shocked at Quibble's ignorance and so was Ono. "What?! Are you that blind?! Look around you, Quibble! Henchponies, Caballeron, the jungle it took forever to get to? This is the real deal! Not only that right now as we speak, we are both in very real danger here!”

The bulky stallion sarcastically responded. "Right. We're actually being held captive by the actual Caballeron. Puh-lease! I’d know if I actually saw the real deal myself. And this guy's accent is all over the place!" He quickly added. "No offense, but you need more practice in order to sell it to me that you’re the real deal.”

Caballeron looked on in disbelief, no prisoner had ever talked to him like this before.

“Hapana!” Ono muttered under his breath at the pony’s stupidity while struggling with the tiny chains tying him up. And Celestia, help him he manages to survive.

Quibble sighed, impatiently questioning. "Okay, ‘Caballeron.’. What's the setup here? You've... kidnapped us, and taken us out to the middle of nowhere because...?"

Dr. Caballeron grinned, rubbing his hooves together. He seemed to delight in explaining his evil plan to a captive audience. "Because I know for certain that the Temple of Chicomoztoc is somewhere in this jungle. When I find it, the Seven-Sided Chest is as good as mine! I just need the Amulet of Culiacan to unlock it."

Quibble Pants quickly concluded what seemed to him like an obvious observation, even sarcastically clapping his hooves as he remarked. "Uh-huh, and Daring Do has the amulet so you came up with this over-complicated plot to lure her into the jungle and exchange it for us. Oh, that sure is surprisingly something alll right."

“Shh….” Ono tried to shush the pony who still kept running his mouth but can’t take a hint to shut up.

The stallion with the five o'clock shadow growled. "Surprising or not it is still an efficient plan for Daring Do is not the kind of pony who would allow any innocent ponies to be harmed when caught in the crossfire. Therefore, you along with Rainbow are the perfect ponies for the job.”

The earth pony simply replied still not buying it even ignoring Ono desperately waving his wings to signal to him to stop talking before he decides to kill them all on the spot. "Okay, fine. While I’d hate to break it to you like this but I’m not into whatever show you’re putting on right now so you can just cut the cut already. You can keep her money if you want, but I want a refund. I'm not-"

Caballeron coldly hissed, locking eyes with Quibble as he told him in no uncertain terms to assert that this in fact is all real. "-Going anywhere. You may not approve of my plan, but I'm the mastermind here!"

"That's debatable, but whatever." Quibble muttered under his breath along with glancing to the side.

Caballeron then added after having heard that remark from the latter. "Even if you feel it’s debatable, you will stay here until Daring Do comes to rescue you! When she does, she’ll know the terms of my demands: Your safety in exchange for the amulet assuming that she and does and will care about you both. Oh, and before you get any ideas of trying to escape, don’t. Because these aren’t your every day locks you can just pick and be on your merry way."

Ono gasped, realizing what Caballeron was referring! "The Griffon's Lock!"

"Ah, so you know about it!" Caballeron said with a smile. "Further proof that tells me that you are indeed working for Daring Do!"

"Or she just so happens to read the books a lot." Quibble Pants mumbled to himself.

Dr. Caballeron then retorted having once more heard that. "Seriously?! You really think this is a game to you?! You really have no idea how to grasp the severity of the situation you are in?!” He stomped a hoof down before turning his back on the prisoners with an agitated sigh. “You know what? I'm not gonna argue with you both because I don’t have time for this. Now I'm going to continue my search for the temple where I will get a hold of the treasure inside of it. In the meantime, feel free to talk it out with my henchponies for the time being. Or don’t. I don’t care." And he trotted away, turning his back to his two captives once more for good.

Now alone with just Caballeron's henchponies, Quibble Pants struggled in vain in trying to unlock the lock on the chains. So he turned towards Rainbow Dash and whispered to her quietly to the best of his ability. "Okay, you win. If this is all part of you getting me to believe that the rest of the Daring Do books are realistic, then fine, I'll admit it. Just call off the henchpony repertory theater over there."

Rainbow Dash snarled. "If I could I would, but it’s not going to happen and do you know why? Because they're real henchponies, and they actually abducted us."

Quibble wished he could put a hoof to his face in response, but couldn’t because of his limited mobility due to his chains. So he had to settle for a groan and a sigh. "Oh, wow, so you're gonna stick with that script?" He reluctantly relented. "O-Okay, fine. We're, we're in a Daring Do Adventure. Which means... there's only one we get out of this." He spotted a small metal object on the ground not far from him. He leaned down, grabbed it with his teeth, and tossed it off into the distance as far as he could! The metal object made an audible clink as it did so.

"Hey?! What was that?!" One of the henchstallions asked.

Quibble put little effort into "faking" the emotions as he called out. "Daring Do. Thank goodness. We're over here."

“How very convincing acting yourself.” Ono sarcastically muttered loud enough for Rainbow to hear who likewise shared the same mood and expression.

Another henchpony then insisted. "We can't let her rescue them! Spread out and look for her, now!" And all the henchponies split up to do so.

Rainbow began straining against the chains, trying to lift them up. All the while, Quibble could only comment with amusement. "All four?! I mean, shouldn't at least one of them stay behind to guard us? Oh, oh, wait, the... No, because then it wouldn't be a terrible Daring Do adventure. Isn’t that just perfect writing?!”

“Perfect, peachy writing.” Ono said still going on with his sarcastic streak towards the oblivious pony.

The rainbow maned Pegasus then sat down, frowning as she unhappily declared. "But it doesn't matter. We're never gonna be able to solve the Griffon's Lock before they get back."

Luckily for her, Quibble instead found it easy to use a spare key he'd spotted lying on the ground. "Conveniently", it had fallen out of the back pocket of Dr. Caballeron's jacket as he had trotted away. It took only a little bit of fumbling around with it before he heard a click, and the lock was picked. Just like that, he'd freed himself and his fellow "captive" from their prison.

The brash speedster found herself forced to give credit where credit was due and so did Ono. "Okay, that was pretty good," She admitted. "No way I could've picked the lock as fast as you did," Then she unfolded her wings along with Ono.

"Quick! We've got to get out of here and warn Daring Do! Maybe we’re not too late if we pick up the pace!" Ono then stated urgently.

Quibble Pants shook his head and stomped his hooves down. "We?! Oh no, not happening. Just point me back to the Trottingham Grand Hotel. You can play fanpony and hunt treasure out here all day long. But I want no part in it."

Rainbow Dash groaned with frustration along with Ono as they both shared that knowing look with one another. They could not believe Quibble was still not seeing the danger they were just in! It felt tempting to just abandon him on the spot. But since it goes against her element and Twilight wouldn’t want that either she decided against it. Especially the former since she hadn't meant to drag him into this, so they owed it to him to get him out of it unharmed. So she reluctantly sighed, deciding it best to "play along" for the time being. "You know what, let's say you're right and this is a Daring Do Adventucation that I booked for the two of us. The only way to get back to the convention is to go through it. So just follow me, and I'll lead you out of it. Deal?"

Quibble after thinking about it moved to give her his answer. "...Deal."

Rainbow then trotted and led the way on land, knowing that it Quibble doesn’t have the speed nor wing power to keep up with her. While Ono could fly at a fair pace, he still had the decency to not fly too high. Not that it stopped the former from saying under her breath. "Maybe you’d be convinced if I just leave you in the jungle, you lucky know nothing know it all."

The journey through the jungle was very difficult, especially for Rainbow Dash since she had to put up with Quibble Pants' constant talking. Quibble, for his part, didn't seem to care a bit. He still genuinely thinks that they are not in danger.

Exiting a bush, the stallion was just concluding another one of his rants about his problems with the later books in the series. "-Which would make Daring Do left-hoofed, which we know is false, and that is everything that's wrong with Daring Do and the Trek to the Terrifying Tower. Now, the problems with the next book are even-"

“Stop!” Ono stated just when Rainbow brought up a wing to silence Quibble, more so because of what’s in front of them rather than to get him to shut up. The bulky earth pony while annoyed had to resist the urge to roll his eyes once again as he took in the sight of a rickety, old, rope bridge. It was suspended high in the air over a river whose waters were rapidly churning beneath. “Rickety old bridge dead ahead.”

"-Oh, right. What Daring Do adventure would be complete without the precarious rope bridge?"

“Only the classics.” Ono replied with narrowed eyes.

"Still think this is just a pretend adventure?" The brash speedster replied as she began trotting across the bridge.

"Of course. It's the most obvious cliche in the book, every Daring Do adventure has to have one," Quibble Pants remarked still thinking so, while following suit, albeit more slowly. When he moved to step onto the bridge, it creaked and swayed ominously with every step he took. "Look, I'm all for making things feel as real as possible, but are these Adventu-cation ponies sure this thing is safe?"

All Rainbow could say in reply was. "I’m sorry? Is it too 'realistic' for you? We wouldn't want that on a Daring Do adventure, now would we?"

The earth pony stallion just retorted back. "Hey, if this was really a real Daring Do adventure, I'm sure I'd step on the wrong plank at exactly the wrong—" Right on cue, he stepped onto a wooden plank that broke and gave away. Luckily he did everything in his power to keep his balance and not fall through the gap.

Rainbow Dash and Ono, both thinking quickly, flapped their wings and flew up! They both got behind Quibble with the former tugging on him by the tail while the latter tugged him on the back of his skin, trying desperately to pull him back onto the bridge.

Quibble was not used to any of this, from having his tail be touched along with the ongoing shock of his current situation. All he could do was keep on talking. "Good thing this is all just a pretend adventure," He insisted, trying to convince himself of that. "'Least we know all of this struggling won't make the bridge fall apart or anything."

No sooner than he said it, a loud snap happened, with one of the ropes holding up the bridge broke. And the other rope was soon to follow suit in a matter of seconds!

A horrified Quibble Pants turned to Rainbow with only this to say to her. "You need to get your money back." Then, with another loud snap, the other rope broke. The whole bridge collapsed into the river below, taking a horrified Quibble screaming for his life.

The brash speedster along with the keen sighted flyer immediately swooped down after Quibble, determined to save him. Making use of what was left of the broken ropes, they were both able to catch up to Quibble, slow his fall, and gently glide him along the river's edge. It worked until the stallion found that the river led straight to a huge waterfall. He went over the top and began to plunge over the edge, only to find that Rainbow was able to save him by lifting him up and drop him on top of a tree. The tree itself broke his fall, and thankfully it didn’t snap and allowed him to slide down safely on solid ground again.

Rainbow Dash couldn't resist the opportunity to brag and gloat afterwards. "Hah! How's that for not possible?"

The earth pony found himself at a loss for words for once. All he could do was stutter and repeat himself as the shock from what had just happened still held strong for the moment. "That was... awesome! I-I-I thought we... and then you, and the flying...! Wow, and I was like, 'Hey, where are you going?!' A-a-and then you swerved, and I was, I was, I was on the water, and then... Wow!"

The Pegasus pony with a rainbow mane and tail smirked, unable to resist further proving her point to Quibble. "Yeah. If you read that in a book, you might even think it was unrealistic."

Quibble was reluctantly to admit it in that regard. "Okay, okay. I'll give you that one. There is no denying of how much of a close call that was. I mean, we could have died back there." Then the full reality of the situation had finally started to kick in for him as evident by his wide opened eyes. "And by that I mean actually nearly coming close to actually knocking on death’s doorstep. W-What kind of Adventu-cation is this?! This is very bad business! What, what the heck are these ponies thinking?!"

“Hm, good question.” Ono replied like this is all coming together too, just for the sake of proving a point. “Maybe that’s because we’re thinking that maybe just maybe this isn’t all staged. Maybe that’s what we’re thinking right now.”

Once more to answer to that question, a familiar sinister voice laughed. "Right now? We are thinking that we should thank you for escaping. For you have led us directly to the Lost Temple of Chicomoztoc!" Just then that very voice belonged to Dr. Caballeron where he along with his henchponies emerged from the bushes.

Rainbow Dash gasped, jumping back in surprise as her eyes spotted a very ancient looking temple in the distance! Without realizing she unknowingly helped Caballeron find what he'd been looking for and so di Ono.

“Hapana! The Temple! But...How?! How did you tail us?!"

"The less you know, little birdie, the better.” Caballeron merely said before whistling.

Before either Rainbow Dash, Ono, or Quibble Pants could react, they found themselves once again tied up and bound by traditional ropes this time.

Caballeron led his captives inside the temple, using torches provided by his henchponies to light his way through the dark passageways. And to his henchstallions he instructed. "Make sure they are secured this time! And I mean secured to the point they don’t escape this time!"

"You're not gonna get away with this!" Rainbow Dash snapped as she struggled in vain to break free of the ropes that held her captive.

"That’s right!” Ono fiercely agreed. “No matter what you did you’ll ever come out on top, even you manage to come a feather second close to it!”

But Dr. Caballeron felt sure of it as he cackled with fiendish glee. "Oh, that’s where you’re wrong because Daring Do would never let anything happen to you two along with that annoying friend of yours. Therefore she will have no choice but to give up that amulet to me, and the fortune I will be able to obtain from the treasures I can obtain will be mine!" Then he turned to Quibble Pants, delightfully surprised by the bulky earth pony's silence. "What? No witty remarks this time about how silly my plan is? No more laughing in the face of the real deal?"

Quibble narrowed his eyes like the truth is finally clicking to him. “Hold up, you mean this isn't really the official Daring Do Experience Adventu-cation."

"Finally!”

“About time you figured it out!"

Both Rainbow and Ono stated now feeling relieved that’s now out of the way.

But even still the bulky pony went on to say. "It's just some cheap knockoff run by a bunch of incompetent ponies that have no idea how to execute this adventure with any level of safety! Are you kidding me with this?!"

The brash speedster along with the keen sighted egret could only blink their eyes in disbelief, groaning while placing their hoof/wing on their foreheads.

"Ugh!”

“Hapana!”

Neither one of them could believe of how oblivious this pony is being right now.

Quibble Pants didn't care what anypony else thought about him, though. He was beyond fed up with everything he'd been through today, and so he felt perfectly content to rant on and on, listing off his grievances. "What was that with the rope bridge back there?! We were in actual danger because of it! Death early claimed us right there!" As he spoke, he was unaware that he was stepping on tiles and pressing them down. A faint click could be heard, and mud started pouring in from holes. "I'm totally gonna report you guys to... to... well, I don't know, actually. But it's gonna be somepony important," Then to Rainbow Dash he said. "Oh, and don’t think for one minute that this little cut-rate “Experience” and 'stunt' of yours has changed anything. This has all the hallmarks of a bad Daring Do adventure."

"Uh, Quibble..." Rainbow tried to speak up, hoping to draw his attention to what was going on around him.

But Quibble was far too occupied with his complaints to take any notice of anything else. He didn't even notice as he stepped on more tiles, causing other traps within the temple to activate with audible rumbles. "-I'm not done talking!" He bitterly remarked, and continued to talk at length. "It's so obvious: Generic jungle location – check. Overly complicated villain plot – check. Random coincidences that conveniently get us to the next big set piece – check!"

Now Ono tried to speak in an attempt to get the stubborn pony back to reality. “Ix-nay on the oopid-say.”

“Who are you calling oopid-say?!” Caballeron angrily demanded before turning to try to scold Quibble Pants after seeing what he was doing! "And watch where you are stepping, you blind, ignorant fool! Do you have any idea what this really is and what you really think you're doing?!"

The bulky stallion snorted. "Listen, buddy, I don't take orders from some second-rate performer who learned acting from the Supervillain School of Bad Accents! Clearly you’re not Caballeron!" As he spoke, he was unaware of a very large beast emerging from the ground behind him. Ironically, happening just as he was shouting at the top of his lungs! "The only thing this mess is missing is some giant Ahuizotl wannabe monster, and I have a feeling that would be a bit too much for you bargain-basement adventurers to pull off!"

Yet it was then that there was a loud rumble, loud enough to make Quibble turn around very slowly. What he saw was enough to nearly make his eyes pop out! It was a huge, giant crocodile with sandy yellow scales! One with razor sharp teeth and a mean look that indicates that is not by any means very friendly since his first instinct was to let out a guttural roar.

It was the very truth and reality of the situation was now sinking in. There was no denying it anymore. "You're... real. This is real. This is all real!"

“Took you long enough!” Ono exclaimed in annoyance as he and Rainbow Dash managed to break free of their binds just as Caballeron and his goons ran for their lives. Both fliers then managed to free Quibble Pants, and the three ran/flew through the temple as fast as their hooves could carry them! Mud was filling up the place fast, and the monster crocodile was literally right behind them with remarkable speed for it’s size.

Suddenly, a light gold blur swooped in to save Rainbow, Ono, and Quibble! It carried them up to the next level of the temple, where the mud had yet to rise to that point. Their savior was none other than Daring Do herself. And at the same time a bright purple and pink blur sped towards them head on towards the crocodile and delivered a super powerful magic blast along with a super powerful and fast upper punch to the lower jaw. Said blows managed to knock the creature off of his feet and sent him plopping backwards into the deep pool of mud. And those came from their Princess Twilight Sparkle herself.

“Daring Do! Twilight!” Rainbow greeted with relief. “Boy am I glad to see you both!”

“Are you all okay?” The princess asked.

“Yeah! We are!” Rainbow answered.

“Affirmative! A little shaken up, but thanks to you two we’re good now.”

“Good.”

Once it was confirmed that both Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Quibble Pants were safe, Daring Do immediately locked eyes with her fellow Pegasus and scolded. "I told you to warn me if you saw anything suspicious and not to engage Callabron yourself! And now look what almost happened. If it weren't for your friend alerting me when she did you all could have just been killed!”

"It wasn’t like we planned for any of this to happen!" Rainbow defended.

“Yeah!” Ono also stated in his defense. “Caballeron and his guys jumped us the moment we spotted them." He then turned towards Quibble. "And he just so happened to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Quibble Pants could hardly believe his eyes upon seeing Daring Do herself right in front of him. "Wha... Whoa, whoa, y-you're real!" He exclaimed, then noticed Rainbow trotting over to the adventure and wrapping a wing around her with Twilight and Ono also standing by her side. "Wait... you're... you're actually friends with her? How? Why?"

"Long story," Daring Do grumbled in reply. "We'll have to save the introductions for later, whoever you are. Right now we need to..."

"-Get out of here! Yes, thank you!" Quibble nervously insisted.

But Daring shook her head from side to side. "No, not yet."

The bulky earth pony stallion blinked his eyes, surprised by the adventurer's statement. "What?! Why not?!'

The Pegasus moved to explain why. "I'm not leaving without the treasure. Especially since Caballeron is still around ready to steal it. We need to get to it before our 'friend' back there gets any higher." In the distance came the sound of the now recovering crocodile roaring, splashing around as the mud continued to rise and flood the temple. From here there are starting to run out of time.

Quibble reluctantly sighed unable to say no in helping a friend in need. "All right. Let's get it over with."

Twilight was all ready to do her part as she opened her wings back up ready to fly once more with her horn at the ready with magic at her disposal. “You four go ahead and get the treasure! I’ll take care of the crocodile!” She then sped off ahead to do so leaving Quibble unsure if that’s a good idea or not.

“Should we…”

“No. She can handle our friend over there.”

“Besides she has experience fighting them.”

“Okay.” He said before following after Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Daring Do as they ventured further into the temple.

It didn't take long for the quad of brave adventurers (more or less) to reach the center of the temple. Pushing through a stone sliding door, they were greeted with a sight of seven doors with ancient stone carvings in bold detail. Each door had a lock that fit the key shape of the amulet in Daring Do's possession.

Daring quickly analyzed what this puzzle was. "Seven doors, One of them leads to the treasure. I'd rather not think about what the others lead to.”

“Me neither.” Ono said in agreement before shuddering at the very thoughts that could lie on the other side of the wrong doors.

Quibble Pants nodded his head. "Yeah, yeah, it's the classic 'Pony and the Tiger' bit. And all you have to do is-"

Rainbow Dash was quick to raise a hoof, to silence the stallion. "Maybe you should Daring Do figure it out?"

"Oh, excuse me." Quibble replied rather annoyed before he moved to say nothing else reluctantly.

Daring Do's eyes examined the seven doors carefully, looking for anything about them that could serve as a clue. At least twice she thought about bringing the amulet up to a door, only for Quibble to not so subtly tell her not to do so. Daring found herself all ready losing all patience because of it. "Remind me again, who he is, Rainbow Dash, Ono?" She asked.

"Quibble Pants.”

“The fan that I was talking about back at the hotel."

The two answered.

"Well, is he always like this?" Daring irritably asked as she turned around to look at him.

The brash speedster shrugged her hooves while saying. "Yeah. But... he's usually right…”

“...Most of the time.” Ono muttered not so quietly.

“But still…” Rainbow said now willing to give the pony the benefit of the doubt on this one. “...maybe he knows how to crack the code on this one."

Daring reluctantly sighed as she turned to speak to Quibble directly. "Since you seem to know a thing or two about this, which lock do you think it is?"

"I’m glad you asked." Quibble Pants replied before he pointed out. "Look, each door has another door that matches:" He proceeded to point out the pairs, starting with the doors on the far left and far right. "These two both have earth ponies fighting serpents," Next he pointed to two doors closer to the center of the room. "These two have Pegasi fighting griffons," Then he pointed to two doors on the sides of the room. "And these two have unicorns fighting bears," Finally, he pointed to the single remaining door. "But this one..."

Daring Do gasped she just realized the very obvious answer as it just popped in her head. "-Has an alicorn on it! Of course!" And she wondered aloud. "How did I miss that?"

"Been asking that myself since book four." Quibble muttered to himself.

Daring looked aside rather embarrassed even as she trotted forward with the amulet. "I think I might to start investing in a pair of glasses fit for an adventurer on the go. At least for the little details I can’t make without them."

With that line the earth pony realized something when he managed to pick up on what she just said. "So that means you and A. K. Yearling..." He gasped. "...I can’t believe I didn’t think to think of that either!"

The adventurer chuckled. "That's the idea behind it. So obvious so nopony would ever think of it we’re one and the same." Then she inserted the amulet into the key hole. There was an audible click, and the door parted to reveal a gleaming, silver colored chest resting on a pedestal! Taking it into her hooves, she happily proclaimed! "The Seven-Sided Chest of Chicomoztoc! At last! Now let’s get out of here."

"Uh, I’d hate to beg to differ, but we got a big problem with that." Quibble pointed out as he revealed that not only was mud continuing to pour in, but water too in the mix. It cut off the entrance to the temple, and it wasn’t slowing down nor stopping anytime soon.

“Hapana!” Ono gulped. “The entrance is sealed! We can’t get back out that way!”

Rainbow also gulped. "How are we supposed to escape now?!"

Daring looked up, pointing a hoof. "There!" She shouted towards the small opening where light was streaming down from above on the ceiling.

The bulky earth pony stallion could only mutter in disbelief. "Seriously, do you ever not escape out of the top of a temple?!"

The gold colored pony with rose colored eyes replied in annoyance. "You have a better way out?" When she didn't receive a reply, she swished her tail and retorted. "I didn’t think so." Then another thought struck her. "But Rainbow Dash, Ono, and I will have to find a way to carry you out, Quibble. Seeing as you can't fly like we can."

Both fliers accompanying her however were quick to point out the major flaw with that escape plan.

"We won't be fast enough! We'll never make it!”

“Isn’t there another way?! We’re running out of time!"

Fortunately, Quibble Pants himself came up with an idea. He spotted some nearby reeds, and remembered both Rainbow Dash and Ono's daring rescue of him after he'd fallen through the rope bridge earlier. He flashed a knowing wink at the brash speedster while telling Daring Do. "I think Rainbow Dash and I have this covered."

So it was that Quibble was towed along behind the two Pegasi, both of them pulling him along by using the reeds like make-shift ropes while the egret moved to use his legs to help support the earth pony from below.

Suddenly, up from the depths emerged the monster crocodile! Its fangs were bare and it was ready to strike…

...at least before punched aside by the alicorn princess still fighting her. “Come on, everypony, Ono! Let’s go!” She urged of them while keeping her guard up.

A horrified Quibble Pants frantically hollered! "Go around! You can't go over him!"

Daring Do didn't hear him properly, all she heard was the words "Go over him!". She shouted back at Quibble! "Are you crazy?!"

“He’s not!” Ono yelled out while struggling to keep the pony’s weight over his head.

Rainbow Dash just replied. "If Quibble says go over him, we go over him!" And to Quibble she shouted! "Hang on tight!"

The bulky earth pony stallion screamed in fright and terror as he watched himself be dragged closer and closer to the monster crocodile! To his surprise, however, the Pegasi pulling him were able to lift him up and use the beast as a ramp to propel him into the air! Soon, they all had cleared the temple, the six-sided chest safely in tow. And before anything else, Twilight moved to fire another blast of magic to knock the monster crocodile out cold. Once she was sure the beast was completely defeated, she then teleported out of the temple in a flash.

Quibble immediately felt relieved as he moved to quickly removed the reeds once he was back on solid ground again and was able to stand up. After taking a moment to catch his breath and recollect himself, he shouted at the two Pegasi! "You two are insane!"

"Hey, you said to go over him!" Daring Do shouted back.

Quibble Pants then explained. "No, I said to go around him!"

Then, Daring's trained ears picked the sound of hooves in the distance. She made a shushing motion with her hooves and frantically whispered. "Now’s the time to be quiet!"

A short time later, a furious Dr. Caballeron and his henchponies were trotting through the jungle around the outskirts of the temple with their leader now furious as evident by his shouting. "This way! I heard them! Don’t let them get away, again!"

Unbeknownst to Caballeron and his henchstallions, Daring Do, Ono, Rainbow Dash, and Quibble Pants were all hiding not too far away. They were watching from behind the safety of some thick bushes that allowed them to be unseen by the passing by group.

Quibble smirked as he watched this, finding that Caballeron trot past, completely unaware that the ponies he was looking for were nearby. Then he got an idea, proposing to Daring Do. "Okay, I got it. Let's create a fake treasure out of mud and rocks, give that to Caballeron, and then we—"

But the adventurer just grinned as she picked up a stone and replied. "-Not every Daring Do plan has to be super-complicated. Just watch." She threw the stone as hard as she could. It struck a wall of the temple, causing it to crumble.

Caballeron growled, kicking at the stone as it appeared in his path! "I swear I heard them!" He grumbled to himself. Then he became aware of a faint roaring sound coming from directly behind him. He turned around fast and saw the monster crocodile staring back at him. It let out a roar, and chased after him and his men! Yet while running for his life, he could be heard hollering and yelling out before disappearing. "I'll get you for this, Daring Do! If it’s the last thing I do!"

After the danger had passed with Cabelleron and his men gone, Twilight had managed to regroup with the others. Quibble Pants after what had happened, had this to say in mind. "Meh. Not particularly original or inspired, but it worked."

"Thanks, at least it got the desired outcome." Daring shrugged her hooves in reply. Then she blinked. "Though I do have to say you do have a striking resemblance to me even though we’ve never met before."

Quibble chuckled. "Yeah, funny, right? Don’t suppose there is an ancestral connection someway somehow?"

The adventurer adjusted her helmet. "Maybe an answer to look into another time.” She then turned to Twilight. “In the meantime and before I forget, I'll be sure to change your actual names and faces for my next book. So that way none of you will receive unwanted attention. I know how much of how bothersome it can be."

“Thanks.”

“No, thank you.” Daring insisted with sincere gratitude. “For everything you and your friends have done today. And if there is anything I can do to show my appreciation, just let me know. You know how to contact me.”

“Of course.” She then spoke up remembering something. “Now that you mention it, there is one thing you can do and this…” She makes a few books appear with her magic. “...by signing our books.”

“You got a deal! Once I get my disguise that has my reading glasses with it...” Daring Do said with a smile.

“Ah, right. I think I can help you out with that.” Twilight nodded before working her magic to teleport away. In a blink of an eye, she reappeared with her full disguise in her hoof along with a pen on top of it. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” With her reading glasses on she was able to write and sign her name on each and every one of the books for those who helped her out big time today. Once that was done she took off her glasses and placed them along with the rest of her disguise in her bag, and then pulled the six-sided chest out from underneath her pith helmet. "Now I'm going to take this to the nearest museum. And since you’re capable of teleporting, I think you all are in good hoofs in regards to transportation." She coughed into a hoof and

changed the subject. "Enough said, thanks for your help. I couldn't have done it without you. All of you."

“You’re welcome.” Ono returned with a nod.

“Happy to help, like before.” Rainbow happily chimed in before the adventurer made her grand exit and disappeared into the deep parts of the jungle.

Rainbow Dash smiled, while turning to Quibble Pants as she asked him. "So...?"

“Any new thoughts about the books following the original trilogy with this adventure in light?” Ono also asked.

The bulky earth pony stallion reluctantly replied. "So... maybe the later books are slightly more realistic than I gave them credit for," He then added. "I still don't like them, though. That hasn't changed."

Both Ono and Rainbow's mouths dropped open in shock and surprise!

"What?!”

“Even with the very truth displayed right in front of you?! How can you—?!"

Yet the stallion then brought up a hoof still not done explaining himself. "-Wait, hold on. Before we get in another fight, I-I think I've finally figured it out! I love the Daring Do that solves puzzles and uses her brain to get out of tough situations, and she did way more of that in the original trilogy! You love the Daring Do that is brave and awesome and comes out on top no matter what the odds!"

“"Yeah.”

“And...?"

Both the rainbow maned Pegasus mare and white male egret asked, uncertain of the point Quibble is trying to make.

A smile slowly formed on Quibble Pants' face as he explained. "And that's okay! We might never agree on what makes Daring Do cool, but you... are definitely cool. I-I mean, the way you two saved me on the bridge? Wow! And escaping from the temple... you, Rainbow Dash, are awesome," He then added turning to Twilight. "And you, the Princess of Friendship herself, being around taking down that huge scary crocodile back in the temple, that had got to take a lot of guts even knowing that it was a difficult fight to take on.”

Twilight simply and humbly smiled. “I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with situations like this.”

“Quite a lot.” Quibble and Twilight both chuckled before the former turned to the other two friends with much needed words to say to them both. Rainbow, Ono. Thank you both for saving my life, even though I gave you both many, many reasons to want to leave me behind when you had the chance."

“Well, there’s no denying that.” Ono admitted to which had Twilight looking on with a smirk at him and Rainbow.

“But even still…” Rainbow added knowing that the alicorn would urge her to continue speaking if she didn’t. “...we’re not the kind that would do that. And you were very impressive yourself. You know, in a brainy, egghead, puzzle-solving kind of way.” Twilight couldn’t resist giggling and neither could Ono resist a light chuckle too. “After all, not just anypony could locate a treasure in half the time Daring Do can!"

“And it’s not everyday you learn more about your friends and what we have in common.” Quibble noted while seeing the similarities he shared with each and every one of them. He then said next. "I guess we don't have to agree on everything to get along. Friends?"

"Definitely friends." Rainbow nodded as they trotted off along with Ono and Twilight in the direction of the sunset.

Yet Quibble Pants then saw fit to start talking at length. He had his own ideas about how to "improve" the Daring Do series, much to Rainbow Dash's annoyance. “Uh, do you think A. K. Yearling would consider letting me write the next book? I... I think I can make things way clearer. I mean, for instance, in the second adventure…”

“What do you mean?” Ono asked.

“..there's a side character. I don't want to kind of name it right now, because it's sort of this thing that I've already written a lot of fan fiction on. I don't want you to... Not that I'm saying that you would steal it! But I am saying this would totally go along my whole thing about puzzle-solving, except what if each puzzle that was solved, uh, unlocked a new karate move? Think of it that way, right? And I mean I'm kind of a "Yearlite" myself, so I'm sure she'd be open to—“

At that point, Rainbow Dash had enough. “Quibble!”

“Sorry!”

Author's Note

Here are in this latest chapter of the Lion and Pony Guard lives or (Rainbow, Ono, and Twilight's books I should say), has the three Daring Do enthusiasts and adventurers off exploring a once in a lifetime experience at a Daring Do convention. And in case you're wondering, it's also because she wasn't on her friend's side during the last Daring Do adventure back in early Season 4.

Where not only do they find themselves entangled in a Daring Do adventure but dealing with a tag along in the form of another Daring Do fan but with the mind who wishes to decide what he thinks is cannon and not cannon. Kind of like a handful of episodes we saw and wish didn't exist whether it's from this show or another. And it sure proves to be a hoofful when said pony winds up entangled with Ono and Rainbow while Daring Do's enemies are off aiming for the treasure of the year this week.

Thankfully, due to the power of friendship and teamwork between the three combined with both their saviors coming to their rescue, they all came to an understanding together that allows them to continue on with life and their love for Daring Do in peace, though it wasn't easy.

Next up we have "The Underground Adventure." where both Rarity and Fluttershy find themselves in for said adventure due a sudden ambush when guiding and watching over half of the Royal Family on a day at the Mud Springs so stay tuned for that next week...