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// Ch. 4: A Storm of Disciples 
// Story: A Daring Do and Epsilon Hoof Tale: The Teardrop Keystone 
// by Silver Cloud Drifter 
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Oheyo everypony! Back with yet another installment of The Teardrop Keystone! Wow. Two chapters in two days.
I'm not sure how many of you have heard of TV Tropes or have looked up Daring Do on there. I only found out recently, but I looked, and if you've seen that page and read it and expect this story to relate to that, you're gonna be dissapointed. I don't think I'll try to have it resemble any of the stuff on there for a few reasons: 1. My original plan was to create stories of Daring Do that came out of my imagination and bore no intentional resemblence to anyone else's ideas. 2. I feel that many others will try to replicate some of those stories, and I aim to try and make something original.
I also will not make my own versions of those stories considering I already found an author on here who did a much better job with one of those stories than I would have. Look up Daring Do and the Cloud-Held Eternity by Trivial.
So, let's just get on with chapter 4!
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Ch 4 A Stom of Disciples
The first few days on the ship passed by slowly and uneventfully. Daring Do and company had aquainted themselves with some of the other ponies, but nothing out of the ordinary had occured.
That is, until day four on their voyage.
Daring Do was on the deck of the ship when she noticed dark storm clouds gathering overhead. "What the heck?"
Ruby approached Daring Do. "Hey Daring! What are you doing out here? Come in the dining hall! Epsilon's a terrible conversationalist. It seems he's uncomfortable socializing with other ponies. Probably spends too much time in that office of his."
"Hey Ruby? Does something look off to you about those clouds?"
"Hmmm. What are clouds doing this far out at sea? Is there a pegasus patrol that brings the weather out here?"
"No Ruby. Prevailing winds normally bring clouds and other weather out to sea," Daring said, remembering her lessons on weather. "What I meant is, do they seem...unnatural?"
Just then, Epsilon interrupted. "Hello Daring Do..." he trailed off when he saw Ruby Ice.
Daring took pity on the unicorn and said, "Epsilon. Does something look wrong with those clouds?"
"Nothing appears out of the ordinary."
"Maybe it's just me being a pegasus, being able to sense weather changes better than most, but I just get this terrible feeling from them," Daring Do said.
Jett came striding up to them with another pegasus pony. "Hey D! Epsilon. Ruby. Have you guys met Jackof Alltrade. You should hear some of the things he's been through."
Jackof was cobalt colored with a neon green mane. Daring was surprised she hadn't seen him before. He had scars running from the base of his neck to his left eye. "Pleasure to meet you all," he said shaking everypony's hand.
"Where did you get that nasty scar?" Ruby Ice asked not attempting to be subtle in any way.
"Well it would appear that he's in good physical shape. Broad chest, good for sucking in air on long flights. Well muscled. I can see from his cane design" - Epsilon gestured to a cane hanging from a belt around Jackof's waist - "that it is used rather for show or" - he took the cane - "self defense." Epsilon pulled the handle and unsheathed a sword hidden within the cane's hollow tube. "And judging by that unmistakable medal you're wearing, you were once an explorer for Princess Celestia, leading a team of explorers to expand the borders of her kingdom."
Everyone just stared at Epsilon. Jackof broke off laughing. "My, my you're quite the detective aren't you!"
"I kind of have to be, considering my job requires it."
"Yes, well. I was indeed a part of the expansion team. I got this medal for 'showing bravery and quick thinking under high pressure' as my captain at the time put it."
"That's all quite interesting Alltrade, but can you tell me, do those clouds look off to you?" Daring Do said, pointing to the storm clouds.
Jackof noticed the clouds for the first time, and his eyes widened. He quickly gained his composure and said, "Oh my I really must be going."
"Hold on Alltrade." Epsilon pulled Jackof back. "That scar. The deep gouges, the jagged lines, the imperfections..." Epsilon stiffened. "It would appear that you and I have a lot to talk about."
Suddenly the winds picked up to a roar and lightning flashed across the sky. Jackof was looking around frantically. "Whatever do you mean by that Mr. Hoof? I really don't have the time..." Jackof said, yelling to be heard above the storm. Rain had begun pouring down heavily. The ship's crew were trying to herd everyone indoors.
"Oh I can make time Mr. Alltrade," Epsilon said with steel in his voice.
"Guys!" Jett was staring out to sea. "WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT?!" A ship had come into view and was plowing straight for them. It was something out of a museum. An old ship used in colonial times, with large sails, cannons, the whole wad. A cannon aimed towards them fired. Rather than a cannonball, a harpoon bolt sailed into the ship and buried itself in the side. A rope was attached and cloaked figures appeared on the deck. A lightning flash illuminated the ship and a flag bearing the crest of Celestia's Disciples appeared; a star with the sun in its center.
The figures began running across the rope to the ship. Jackof pushed Epsilon back and ran into the ship. The cloaked figures made it onboard and chased after him, not paying any attention to Daring Do or the others. "Come on!" Epsilon said running after them.
Daring didn't need to be told twice. Jett and Ruby followed. They traveled throughout the bowels of the ship, finding evidence of Celestia's Disciples; overturned tables, doors on their hinges, shattered cabinets, and more.
They entered an ampitheater and were about turn back when they found the door locked from the outside. "Come on! Open!" Jett kicked the door in frustration and was rewarded with a pain in his hoof. 
"Here. Let me try," Ruby said. Her horn glowed as she pushed on the door with magic. Nothing happened. Sweat trickled down her brow as she tried again. Panting she said, "No good..."
"Hmmm." Epsilon tried magic himself, but stopped after a few seconds. "It's warded."
"What?" Jett said.
"Somepony has put a charm on this door and whatever's blocking it. It prevents magic to be used on it. The only way to get rid of it is to use the countercharm on it," Epsilon explained with the tone he used for lectures.
"Well use the charm and get us out of here!" Jett said, exasperated.
"It's not that simple. First I need to identify what the original charm was and remember the countercharm. But if it's a spell I've never seen, or one I don't know the counter for, we're stuck here," Epsilon said.
"Well hurry-"
"YOU!" Jett was cut off by a voice echoing off the walls of the ampitheater. A cloaked disciple stood on the balcony in front of a dozen more. "We thought we told you to stay away from our business," the lead disciple said, venom dripping down his voice.
Daring whispered to Jett, "How does he know we're on that case?"
"AND YET WE FIND YOU HERE HUNTING OUR QUARRY!" the disiple roared.
"Hold on! What's Jackof got to do with this?!" Jett said, defending his new friend. The lead disciple jumped down to the floor and surprisingly landed lightly on his feet.
"He knows too much. He's a loose end we need to tie." the disciple growled.
"What does he know?" Epsilon said.
The disciple hissed, "Don't think you can get me to tell you. I already warned you to stay out of this business. Only because I hold no personal grudge against any of you, are you still alive. Again I shall say, call off your investigation. Should we catch you in our way again, we won't be so generous."
"You're just as charming as when we last met, Snaggletooth." Jackof materialized out of the shadows and flew towards the lead disciple, Snaggletooth. Apparently.
Snaggletooth sidestepped Jackof and bit down on him. Jackof brought his cane around and slammed it in Snaggletooth's face. Profanity flying from his mouth, the lead disciple said, "No one calls me SNAGGLETOOTH! MY NAME IS INCISOR!" The roof of the ship exploded in a flurry of wood and glass as the storm intensified. He leaped onto Jackof and held him on the ground. "You'd do well to remember that, not that you'll be alive long enough to worry about it," Incisor growled.
Daring Do ran to tackle Incisor, but was pulled back by Epsilon. The other disciples leaped down from the balcony and gagged and tied Jackof. A whole section off the wall had blown apart when the roof exploded. The disciples exited with Jackof. They ran up the rope to their ship. Incisor turned to face Daring Do and the rest. She could practically feel the fear mixed with anger that coursed through their group. "Don't keep up with this investigation." And then Incisor ran up to the ship.
The harpoon bolt slid out and the ship travelled away from the ruin it left behind. The storm travelled away with it. Everyone ran out and watched it sail away. The sun was setting, and Daring Do could see a harbor beginning to appear.
They had arrived at Dabylon.
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I know this chapter is a lot shorter than my other ones and really rushed, but I guess that's what happens when I try to get through things too quickly. I'd hold back from posting this to go over it, but unfortunately, with me, I'm just too lazy to do that since I'm already done. I know, I know! That's really lame and stupid, but I promise I'll spend more time making sure the next chapters aren't so rushed.
Not sure if I could call it an easter egg, but I guess I will anyway. The name, Jackof Alltrade, is an Easter Egg in this chapter. I took it from a phrase. Kind of like Daring Do's name was made from the phrase, "derring do."
Snaggletooth, is another egg. It was used to insult a villain in Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques. I reccomend that book to any fantasy fan.
Leave your guesses for what the Easter Eggs are reffering to in the comments like usual. And leave a comment of praise and constructive criticism if you can as well. Next chapter will be out in a week at the latest. 
Welp, keep rocking!