The older man in the dark blue pinstripe suit and tie walked solemnly around the empty classroom. Class had been cancelled that day due to the mysterious absence of Dr. Henry Jones, professor of archeology. Indy should have returned by now.
Marcus Brody wondered if his friend and colleague had finally taken one artifact too many. Marcus knew that Indy had a knack for getting in and out of trouble, always scouring the globe for antiquities. Maybe Indy had crossed a line in trying to retrieve the fertility idol and the Chachapoyan gods had gotten to him, or a Hovito spear. Making matters worse were the two Army Intelligence agents who had arrived on campus and demanded to see Dr. Jones. Marcus didn’t know what to say to them, and they weren’t telling him much either.
Marcus’ chain of thought was broken by a loud knock at the classroom door. He assumed it was the two agents.
“I already told you.” he said as he opened the door, “I don’t know where Dr. Jones is, and I don’t know when he’ll return.”
“Would you sign for him then?” said a blue-uniformed postman holding a large wooden crate.
“A package?” Marcus wondered, “The fertility idol?”
“No, sir. It’s a live animal.” the postman replied, “Be very careful.”
Marcus gave a bewildered look as the postman put the crate on the desk. The crate read “Caution: Live Animal” in large black letters and had small air holes cut into the top.
“What am I supposed to do with a live animal?” Marcus questioned, “What animal is it?”
“Peru…I think…” the postman replied, “From what we’ve been told, it’s a rare breed of miniature horse from Peru, but nobody’s really gotten a good look at it. We’re not supposed to open the package.”
“Why on earth would Indy send me a horse?” Marcus questioned, “And why ship it here?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” the postman said, “If you don’t mind signing here….”
The postman retrieved a small notepad and pencil from his jacket, recording his delivery schedule. Marcus signed for the package; the postman shook his hand, tipped his hat, and scurried out the door.
“A miniature horse?” Marcus said, “Small enough to fit in this crate? I have to at least have a look.”
Marcus fiddled with the hooked metal latch keeping the crate lid shut. It didn’t even have a lock. As soon as he removed the lid, he stepped back and gasped.
“What on earth?!” he exclaimed, “I’ve never seen anything like it…”
The tannish-brown pegasus in a green shirt and pith helmet slept softly with her wings and hooves folded under her. She was surrounded by assorted leaves, straw, and weeds; some of which she had been feeding on. Marcus also noticed the little brown droppings that Daring had reluctantly piled as neatly as she could under the circumstances.
“Is this…a pegasus?” Marcus asked, completely astounded, “And why is it dressed up?”
Marcus couldn’t resist but tugging on one of Daring’s feathery wings. She slowly opened one eye, took one look at Marcus, and swiped at him with her front hoof. The professor drew back, just barely missing a hoof in the jaw and almost fell to the floor, collapsing against a student’s desk.
Daring fluttered out of the crate, stretching her wings and yawning. She balanced her four hooves on the floor and looked up at the human with an extremely irritated glare.
“I’ve been stuck in that box for two days!” she complained, “All I could smell was my own…”
“You can talk!” Marcus observed, “A little talking pegasus! I must be dreaming…clearly I must be dreaming…”
Marcus frantically rubbed his eyes and face. He then pinched his cheek, trying to wake himself.
“This simply cannot be real…” Marcus said, “Why…and how…did Indy send me a pegasus that can speak perfect English?”
“So you know this ‘Indy’ guy too, huh?” Daring responded, “That other human in the big metal bird…Jock, told me about him. So now Indy is missing, and I’m trapped here in a world full of humans.”
“Who are you?” Marcus asked, “What are you?”
“The name’s Daring Do.” she announced, “I’m a pegasus. Sorry that I took a swipe at you. Like I said, I’ve been trapped in a crate for two days. Jock flew me as far as he could, but the only way I could make it here is if he had me shipped in that box. I couldn’t even talk, or they’d think I was a human trapped in there and open it up.”
“You’re certainly speaking now!” Marcus said.
“Jock said this is where Indy lives.” Daring replied, “I was hoping I could find some clues as to what happened to him, and to me. Are you one of his friends?”
“Why…yes…in fact.” Marcus said, trying to become accustomed to the presence of a ‘talking horse with wings’, “My name is Marcus, Marcus Brody.”
“I’m Daring Do.” she said, politely tipping her helmet and holding up her hoof.
Marcus bent down and reluctantly shook the flat of pegasus’ hoof, still not quite believing his eyes and ears.
“So you have no indication of Indy’s whereabouts?” Marcus asked.
“I don’t even know how or why I got here.” Daring said, “Most of the humans I’ve met so far have tried to kill or ponynap me. Not that it’s all that different in Equestria.”
“I don’t know what to tell you.” Marcus admitted, “If you have no knowledge of what’s happened, then neither do I. Where are you from, anyway?”
“That’s kind of hard to explain.” Daring replied, “I live in a place where most everypony looks like I do, of course we also have dragons, and griffons…and Ahuizotl…ugh…but I always thought humans were a myth.”
“Humans are a myth?” Marcus questioned, “I thought pegasi were a myth, much less ones who spoke and wore clothing.”
“So now what?” Daring wondered.
“Well, I do have other business with which to attend.” Marcus said, “I’m not the only one wondering what happened to Indy. Do you mind staying here until I return?”
“It doesn’t look like I have much of a choice.” Daring complained.
The adventuring pegasus gave a heavy groan and folded her legs to the floor, lamenting her predicament. Marcus left the room to tell the two government men that Dr. Jones wouldn’t be returning any time soon.