It was the news of the century. Daring Do, famous adventurer and archaeologist, had made another breakthrough discovery. Just when it seemed like her career was reaching a plateau, she had uncovered the ancient and fabled Kingdom of Jade. No one ever thought it could actually exist, let alone be found hidden underground, but after months of digging, it was found.

The contents of the ancient capital were vast. Houses of ornate decorum, decorations venerating the Jade Empress, and oddest of all, jade statues of mares in various poses. Some locked in fighting positions, some in terror, some with smiles on their faces, but all of them seemingly frozen in motion.

The palace had trinkets and items as well. Many items of royal affair, from scepters to crowns, to dresses of green silk, all of these were adorned with the symbol of a circle with horns on either side that intertwined above it.

The magnum opus of it all was what they found within the throne room: a statue of jade and gold of what looked to be the Jade Empress herself, a twin-horned mare clashing with a golden mare with the features of a cat wielding a staff. The visage cut one of a tragic victory, with the two becoming frozen in time for all eternity.

With the help of the Canterlot Archeological Society and League of Adventurers, Daring had helped move everything to the Equestrian Museum of Myth & History for study and eventually for display. Before it could be on public display, Daring requested that the Element Bearers and Princesses come to observe her discoveries. She was very proud of finding what she had and believed it to be the height of her career. Perhaps it was the point where she could comfortably retire, even if she wasn’t at retiring age just yet. Thoughts for later, was what she told herself when the question popped up in her head.

As she read through the translated journal found within the palace, she took careful notes. There were things she didn’t know that were still confusing her. Why jade? Why was the cat mare gold? She ran a hand through her hair as she kicked her feet onto her desk. There had to be something in here that could make some semblance of sense.

“Hey there, bestie!”

Daring would have fallen out of her chair and onto the ground had she not been caught by a blur of blue and rainbow. Looking up, she saw Rainbow Dash, one of her close friends, smiling at her. She rolled her eyes as she stood up.

“It’s called knocking, Dash.”

“Hey, c’mon! We’re pals, right? You could walk into my room if you wanted!”

“Oh yeah?” Daring raised an eyebrow. “Even if you were in the middle of private time with that body pillow I know you have?”

Dash opened her mouth to counter but kept her mouth shut, her cheeks bright pink. The archaeologist chuckled and hugged her. “Good to see you too. Are the others here?”

“Yeah, we had a little bit of a snag, though,” Rainbow replied as she began walking to the door. “We had to bring two extras with us to keep an eye on them. There was an incident that happened a week ago…”

Daring raised an eyebrow. “Incident?”

Dash laughed a bit. “Let’s just say it involved a lot of whipped cream, peanut butter crackers, and a bad teleport.”

Daring blinked. She had suddenly discovered the greatest forbidden knowledge that she had no desire of learning. As they exited Daring’s temporary study, she found the group marveling at the many discoveries she had found.

“Wow, Moondancer!” Princess Twilight exclaimed. “I can’t believe you got to be the Canterlot Museum of Myth & History’s curator! I’m kind of jealous!”

“Oh really?” Moondancer smirked with an eyebrow raised. “Miss Princess of Friendship is jealous of me? I’m flattered~”

Twilight pouted. “Moony, you know how much I’ve wanted to have a job like that! And now you get that life!”

“Hehe, I know, I know…” Moondancer nodded and put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “But you have a great life. Don’t sell yourself short.”

As the two talked, Applejack inspected each one of the jade statues that had been brought in. “That there is weird…” She said as she looked into the eyes of the sheep before looking at Zecora. “They got the detail down mighty good, how are they in this good a’ shape?”

“I must agree,” Rarity spoke up as she looked at the scales on the snake. “Every minute detail… It must have taken months to get such a statue made in such a way!”

“The secrets of the empire are hidden quite well,” Zecora said as she looked at the one of a very tall horse. “But we must all wait for what the journal will tell.”

“Journal?” Applejack raised an eyebrow and looked around. “Ah didn’t see no journal around here.”

“The journal that I speak of is with Ms. Do, but a copy was made…” She pulled out a freshly bound leather book from her satchel. “So now we have two.” She opened the pages and revealed the truth about each of the animals and their symbolism. “Each statue had a temple, a purpose and meaning, and celebrations often meant the statue’s convening. United, they gave the Empress great power, until she was struck down in her final hour.”

She pointed to the last statue of the Empress with the gold statue of the cat pony. Applejack only nodded and responded. “Ah think ah get it… But then why is that gal all gold?”

“Indeed! Green and gold can be quite a clashing color set!” She grimaced a bit at the sight of the two opponents literally clashing with each other.

Zecora chuckled and walked towards the statues. “We believe the only means to defeat the magic of jade, was through the use of gold and the magic it had made.” She pulled out a bit and clinked it against the jade, both the coin and the jade resonating and glowing from it. The two were amazed and clapped at the minor spectacle.

While those three talked, Trixie had been pouring over some of the texts of the Jade Court, fascination in her eyes. Starlight, an eye raised, walked over to her marefriend. “Wow, Trixie. I don’t think I’ve seen you study this much.”

Trixie gave a haughty chuckle and turned to Starlight. “Well, the Great and Powerful Trixie is not just some one-trick pony. I’ve heard that as part of the Court, the Empress had magicians who performed many tricks. And now I get to read about them! Maybe I can add a few to my act!”

Starlight chuckled and leaned into the old text. “You never cease to surprise me…”

Trixie wasn’t the only one pouring through the text of the past, though. Pinkie had found a bunch of recipes that she hadn’t seen before and was taking vigorous notes with a notepad and pencil pulled from her mane. Fluttershy watched her, amazed that she could be so studious. “A-Anything good?”

“Hmm?” Pinkie looked up before smiling. “Oh yeah! Some special small cakes that sound suuuuper tasty! I can’t wait to try them!”

“W-Well, if you do, c-can you maybe… Keep me out of it please?” Fluttershy rubbed her arm. “Last time we taste tested, I ended up needing to buy new pants and dresses…”

“Oh come on!” Pinkie giggled and patted Fluttershy’s ass. “You know there’s nothing wrong with more cushion for the pushin’~”

“M-Maybe for you…” Fluttershy muttered as she blushed harder. “You don’t get anxious when so many people stare at your… B-B-Butt when it gets big…”

“Oh, like you don’t secretly looove it~” Pinkie giggled and leaned into Fluttershy, who avoided eye contact and instead focused on the princesses.

The royals were talking with Moondancer as they inspected the exhibits. Celestia smiled softly at the geeky mare in professional clothing. “Well, Ms. Moondancer, how are you enjoying your new position? Is everything to your liking?”

“O-Oh, yes Princess!” Moondancer bowed her head gratefully, her hands fiddling with each other out of anxiety. “I-It was a lot to take me, but you know me! Always studying and talking about what I learned and-!”

Luna approached and put a hand on Moondancer’s shoulder. “My dear, you do not need to worry. I understand that social interactions may be difficult for someone such as yourself. However, I know that this place is best suited for you, especially given what Twilight has said about you.”

Moondancer stared at the nightly princess in surprise. “P-Princess Luna…”

Cadence stepped in with a smile. “Besides, if you ever feel like you’re going to panic, just try this…” She held her hand to her chest and took a deep breath, then held her hand out as she breathed slowly.

As Moondancer mimicked the technique, Twilight smiled in pride. The mare she had let down before she decided to carry on with friendship was now becoming much more capable and social. She was proud of her and was glad that she could keep helping others.

While all of this occurred, Daring as AK Yearling was still going over the notes within the journal. She flipped through the pages and scratched her head with a sigh. There was something that had been causing her many restless nights, a series of indecipherable lines whose unknown meaning pushed her to delay the exhibit. Today was the final day, however, and if she couldn’t uncover it, then the exhibit would have to be presented as is.

“Hey, best buddy!”

Rainbow Dash’s speedy belligerence snapped the disguised Daring from her studying, nearly making her drop the text. “R-Rainbow! What did I tell you about doing that when I have an artifact in my hand??”

“Hehehe, sorry.” Rainbow threw an arm around Yearling, looking down at the ancient texts. “Watcha got there? Some kinda ancient prophecy?”

“What? No…” Yearling rolled her eyes as she inspected the jade parchment. “I mean, probably? I don’t fully know. I found this warning as we were extracting everything, and the writing is… Different from everything. The only thing I can understand is the words ‘Warning’ and ‘Seal’.”

“Uhuh…” Rainbow nodded along, looking at the gold writing on the page as if she understood what was on the page. “I see… Well, why is it such a big deal? I mean, nothing happened when you took it all out, right?”

“Well, no…” Yearling looked away, adjusting her glasses. “But, if there’s some kind of curse, I want to translate it so that we can make sure it doesn’t get activated. This is my last day to uncover it all.”

“Oh, huh…” She scratched her head. “Well, that makes sense… But, I mean, if you keep it all behind glass, wouldn’t it be just fine? No curses can get activated if you lock it all up, right?”

“I mean, I suppose…” Yearling muttered unsure of herself. She was told that by the museum owners as well, and despite her pleading, she couldn’t get another extension. Something was wrong, and no matter what anypony told her, she couldn’t let it go.

“See? Don’t worry about it! Come on and hang out with us!” She patted Yearling on the back, and the author smiled a bit in kind. She walked with Rainbow before looking towards the statue of the Golden Cat and Jade Empress.

“Hang on, Dash. Just… One last thing.” She walked towards the statue and gazed at the detail. The Empress’s gaze was wrathful as if she was still trying to destroy the catlike mare, while the Cat’s serious expression seemed more at peace. She seemed to accept her fate, whatever that was. The mix of jade and gold seemed so organic, like waves of force were moving in both materials in ways no artist could make.

I guess that is something to be admired, she thought as she set the warning down at the base of the statue. Old techniques and cultures long since gone, things we never got to learn… She sighed and adjusted her glasses. A moment passed through her as she wondered how long she’d be doing this. She didn’t even have a successor when she did retire. She was so focused on the now, she didn’t think about what tomorrow would be for her work. And as she contemplated these things, she didn’t notice cracks forming in the statue…

BOOM!!!

The force sent Yearling flying back. She just barely managed to catch her balance with fancy footwork and spreading her wings. When she got stable, she looked up in shock. Standing before her, stretching in an elegant and ornate green dress, was the Jade Empress. No longer encased in that gem, she smiled in bliss as her hands rubbed over her curvy body.

“Mmmm… What a wonderful feeling it is, to be free of that prison. I feel a thousand years young again…” She chuckled and looked at the author. “Thank you very much, dear… What you lack in the stunning beauty I behold, you make up for in foolishness.”

Yearling stammered a bit as she backed away. She was normally far braver than that, but the sheer aura emitted made her feel… Unworthy. As if something grabbed her heart to stop its beating, she remained frozen. The Empress simply turned to the golden warrior and scowled. “And you… It seems your little trick almost worked. We could have spent an eternity posing in such a way. Not that I wouldn’t have minded, had I actually had you on your knees where you belong…”

The Golden Cat responded with a swing of her staff, only for the Empress to block each swing with her own. Soon, the rest of the mares ran in and were immediately caught off guard by the presence of what were once statues.

“W-What in Equestria??” Applejack shouted in confusion.

“They… Were real…?” Rarity stared in a mixture of shock and awe of the Empress’s divine beauty.

Rainbow’s wings spread wide as she assumed a crouching stance. “Don’t just stand there! Dog pile!” She rushed the Empress with a kick prepared, only to be swatted away.

“Rainbow!” Twilight shouted as a few of the unicorns and Princesses fired their magic. Again, it was blocked and absorbed into the staff of the Empress, who smiled as she glowed.

“Mmmm, that’s much better,” the Jade Empress muttered. She wiggled her fingers as magic coursed through it, then counted the ponies. “Hmmm… It appears that there are just enough. More even. Wonderful.” She slammed her staff onto the ground, and the eyes of the twelve jade statues glowed brightly. Each of the animal spirits flew off in different directions, and no matter how hard they tried, no one could contain them for long. Soon, each of the spirits flew into one of the mares. First Trixie, then Applejack. Celestia held her own before getting flanked and taken, then Fluttershy. One by one, each pony collapsed on the ground, glowing green. The only ones spared were Starlight, Yearling, and the Golden Cat.

“Excellent!” The royal clapped her hands. “Soon enough, you all will become my perfect champions! As for you two…” She looked to Starlight and Yearling. “If you assist me in containing that golden vermin, I will ensure you wonderous positions in my court. Anything you could desire will be at your fingertips, so long as you swear fealty to me.”

Yearling’s resolve finally returned to her, and she quickly threw off her civilian clothing to reveal her true identity as Daring Do. “Never… I won’t bow to you!” She gripped her fist.

“Neither will I!” Starlight shouted, stomping her foot. “I’d never obey someone who would hurt the ponies I care about!”

“Hmph… So be it.” She waved a hand. “Although, your compliance isn’t really a factor.” She smirked and held out a hand. “Once I take care of her…” She pointed to the exhausted Golden Cat. “I will ensure that you both will beg to join me.”

Daring acted first, throwing herself in between the two and using herself as a human shield. She braced for the impact of whatever spell was coming for her…

And the spell never came.

She was suddenly hit by a cool breeze and a sulfurous stench in her nose. The ground seemed rougher, and a nearby voice snapped her out of it.

“Daring Do??”

Daring’s eyes snapped open. She was no longer in Canterlot Castle, but in the volcanic home of the Dragonlands. Standing before her was a young purple dragon that she recalled being the assistant of Princess Twilight. She took a breath and adjusted her hat.

“Y-Yeah. You’re… Spike, correct?” She nodded to him.

Spike nodded before looking at the golden catmare trying to stand. “Is she okay?? She looks beat!”

Just then, the feeling of a magical boom occurred, shaking the ground before them. Dragons looked around in shock as a wave attempted to hit him, but died out as it reached their lands. Dragon Lord Ember flew up and looked out at the land to see what had caused it. All she saw was a noticeable green fog resting in the direction of Manehattan.

Daring flew up and noticed it as well. She didn’t need special eyes to guess what that was. Equestria had fallen under the sway of the Jade Empress, and it was her fault.

“No… I don’t think any of us are alright…”

Author's Note

So, this is the start to this story. If you like it, let me know and I'll occasionally post these. Again, sorry no other stuff at the moment, but I wanted to try another story, a weird adventure idea that was rolling around in my head. Love it or hate it, let me know, but genuinely, thank you for taking the time to read this.