In the town of Ponyville, it was a pleasant morning. “Extra! Extra! Get your Ponyville Chronicle right here!” said a newspaper colt. “Extra! Extra! Get your Ponyville Chronicle right here!” He suddenly saw Thomas walking by, “Oh, hey, kid. Want a copy?”
“Thanks,” Thomas said, before paying the colt 3 bits for it. “Extra! Extra! Get your Ponyville Chronicle right here!” Thomas then went over to a bench and read it, before he was shocked about an article.
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie took a stroll around the town. “Ah... isn’t it such a perfect sunny day today?! I just love the taste of warm sunshine in the morning!” Pinkie Pie asked. “Yep, you said it, Pinkie. I just can’t wait to get out of the house, stretch my legs, and get a good old taste of...” Rainbow Dash was cut off when they saw Thomas crying at the bench. “Thomas? What’s wrong?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Thomas showed her the article, until Pinkie Pie read some headlines, “Wow. "New Shrubbery In Castle Garden", "Parasprite Infestation In Fillydelphia Eradicated", "Noodles Named Official Food Of Whinnyapolis", "Author A. K. Yearling Announces Retirement", "Cloudsdale Election Heating Up For Candidate In Favor Of Cooling It Down"...“
“WHAT?! Let me see that!” Rainbow Dash said, until she saw the fourth column of the article. “No! It can’t be true...”
“Because of the noodles being the official food of Whinnyapolis or the parasprite infestation?” Pinkie Pie asked. “No, this! I can’t believe Thomas was crying because the greatest author and secret pony adventurer of all time that Thomas loves to read from, A. K. Yearling... is retiring!” Rainbow Dash said. “I don’t want her to go!” Thomas said, as he continued to cry, but suddenly he was held in a cradle by Pinkie Pie, and he cried as he buried his face into her chest. “Let’s pay her a visit,” Rainbow Dash said.
Later on, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie ran off to the Everfree Forest to check up on A. K. Yearling, and Rainbow Dash was flying while she was holding Thomas with her right foreleg as he buried himself against her chest so he can cool off. “So, A.K. Yearling just retired. Like, today. Are you sure she wants visitors?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Pinkie, the A. K. Yearling I know would never quit and retire out of the blue! Something could be really wrong, and we need to make sure she's okay! Plus, it’s making our nephew feel worse than before!” Rainbow Dash said. “Okay! Heeeey... Wait a minute... You're not just trying to make sure she writes more Daring Do books, are you?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Not exactly, but that wouldn’t hurt either. I just want to check on her, and maybe if we find a different way to make our nephew smile besides scaring him, we’ll find a way to make her smile as well, because I don’t think a party will work,” Rainbow Dash said, as Thomas rubbed his cheek on her chest fur. “Shhhhhh... Don’t worry, buddy. Auntie’s gonna take care of things. Just relax for a bit, okay?” Rainbow Dash said. Thomas nodded, and then tried to calm himself.
Suddenly, they arrived at A. K. Yearling’s house. Rainbow Dash then landed on her hooves and then kept holding Thomas. “Hey, Pinkie? Could you look through the window to make sure she’s in before I knock,” she asked. “Sure,” Pinkie Pie said, and then she gazed through the window for a peek. “Yep! She’s home!” Pinkie Pie said. “Whew. Well, that’s good,” Rainbow Dash said. “I-I-Is... Is s-s-s-sh-she okay?” Thomas asked. “Hmmmm... Awwww... She’s right there looking all sad and alone,” Pinkie Pie said, almost starting to cry. Rainbow Dash gasped, “I knew it! Something is wrong!”
“Wait, wait, wait!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “Now she's sighing with the weight of the world. Now she's hanging her head in utter despair. Now she's shaking her hoof and cursing the heavens like nothing could ever possibly be the same again. Why, oh, why did this happen to her?!” Thomas began to cry again, and then Rainbow Dash comforted him gently. “No, wait,” Pinkie Pie said. “Whoops. Never mind. That time, she was just stretching her bones.” She then chuckled with glee.
Rainbow Dash floated for a little bit, and knocked on the door 5 times, until she landed on the ground again, “A.K., it’s us! Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie! Your friends, remember?!” Rainbow Dash looked down and then brought Thomas over to the door. “Miss Yearling, please open up,” Thomas said with soft worry.
The door then opened, and A. K. Yearling appeared with a sad face. “Hey, you guys,” she said. “Hi, Miss Yearling,” Thomas said. A. K. then took Thomas from Rainbow Dash and held him on her hoof, “Hey, sweetie. How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been good,” Thomas said. “Why don’t you come inside? I’ll explain everything,” A. K. Yearling said. They all nodded, and then A. K. Yearling carried Thomas inside as she held him, but she placed him on his feet so she can continue packing her stuff. Rainbow Dash was horrified about this, “Oh, no. Did somepony ransack your cottage again and steal some ancient, mysterious relic that's the key to saving all of Equestria?!”
Pinkie Pie found an Anubis artifact, “Oooh! Sparky!” A. K. Yearling gasped and took it from her, “Don’t touch anything! They’re very rare artifacts!” She put the artifact back into the chest and then closed it. “And no. Nothing’s been stolen,” she said.
“Then is somepony blackmailing you and forcing you to retire? Cause if they are...!” A. K. Yearling cut off Rainbow Dash, “No. Nothing like that, either.”
“So you're just quitting and moving away? Why would you do that?!” Rainbow Dash asked. A. K. Yearling grunted with a sigh, “I already explained everything to the Ponyville Chronicle.”
“Oh, really? "Author A. K. Yearling announced yesterday that the next adventure novel in her popular series, 'Daring Do and the Curse of the Pharaoh's Tomb', will be her last. Yearling looks forward to her retirement." That doesn’t even explain anything at all! Don’t you even realize how sad this kid’s gonna feel?! He loved your adventures as much as I do!” Rainbow Dash said. A. K. Yearling groaned with frustration, then Rainbow Dash continued, “It just says you're giving up writing stories. But most ponies don't know that you actually are Daring Do and that the stories are real. So what you're really saying is that you're giving up being Daring Do, but you're not saying why!”
“Of course, if you don't feel like talking about it, that's A-okay, A. K.! As your friends, we completely understand!” Pinkie Pie said. “We just came to make sure you're all right. That's really why we wanted to find out what's going on,” Rainbow Dash said. “Please tell us. We just want to help you,” Thomas said. “If you really want to know...” A. K. Yearling said, then continued. “My last quest took me to a village in Southern Equestria, where I started seeing these.” She showed the three some recent newspapers.
Rainbow Dash read the first one, “"Wake Of Destruction: Daring Do Ruins Entire Village Marketplace!"”Pinkie Pie read the next one, “"Dare Or Scare: Local Rogue Daring Do Involved In Frightful Fiasco"?” Rainbow Dash was about to read the third headline, “"Daring Do Leads Bull Into China Shop During High-Speed Chase—"”
“That's enough!” A. K. Yearling said with annoyance in her head, then sighed with a deep breath. “Sorry. It’s just that... Everypony I tried to help is mad at me.“
“That’s not true,” Thomas said. “They're not mad at A. K. Yearling. They're mad at your other half, Daring Do.”
“That’s not the point, kid,” A. K. Yearling said to Thomas. “They don't sell my books in Southern Equestria. The ponies there don't know who A. K. Yearling is. They only know Daring Do, and apparently she does more harm than good.”
“Well, I don’t think you’ve done this,” Thomas said. “And it's a good thing you look so different as A. K. Yearling!” Pinkie Pie said. “So all we have to do is go down there and explain to these ponies that none of this stuff is true,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Easy-peasy-cheesy!” Pinkie Pie said. “And we’ll help you,” Thomas said, giving the author another hug. “But that's just the thing – it is true.” A. K. Yearling said. “WHAT?!” the three said in unison, and A. K. Yearling nodded. “I guess I've always been so focused on saving priceless relics and stopping the bad guys that I never really thought about the mess I leave behind,” she said with despair. “Then you are in a tricky pickle. But why is all this happening now?” Rainbow Dash asked. A. K. Yearling sighed, “I guess ponies are finally fed up. Either way, I'm done with adventures, having or writing.”
“No. You can’t be done. You can’t,” Thomas said with a crying tone, hugging her leg once more. “Come on! For every one pony who's upset, there must be at least a hundred that know you're a hero!” Rainbow Dash said. “I don’t think so, Dash,” A. K. Yearling said. “But there has to be!” Thomas said. “I know you’re innocent! I swear!” He then continued to cry, until A. K. turned herself around and wrapped her foreleg around him for a hug.
“Well, why don't we go visit this village "Som...nam...bu...la" and see for ourselves?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Those articles seem to make it pretty clear how the villagers feel,” A. K. Yearling said. “But if we go there, the ponies can tell you in person just how much they appreciate you,” Thomas said. “Yeah! It’ll be fun!” Pinkie Pie said. “You really think so?” A. K. Yearling asked. “We know so! Let’s go!” Rainbow Dash said. “Wait! I need to stop at my house and pack a few things, and I should ask my momma first,” Thomas said. “Probably a good idea. When you’re ready, meet me at the train station later,” A. K. Yearling said. They nodded and then Rainbow Dash, Thomas and Pinkie Pie went over to Fluttershy’s cottage to ask her.
When they entered the door, Thomas went over to Fluttershy for a quick hug. “Hey, Momma,” Thomas said. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Fluttershy asked. “A. K. Yearling’s retiring, and it’s hurting your son,” Rainbow Dash said. “Something about Daring Do being framed for some kind of crime in Southern Equestria.”
“Aww... How awful,” Fluttershy said. “Momma, can I go with? Please? I wanna help,” Thomas said, giving her the puppy eyes. Fluttershy smiled warmly and then she leaned her head down to give him a kiss on the forehead, “Yes, you may.” Thomas made a squee and then he ran upstairs to pack his bags.
“Are you sure you and Pinkie can take care of him during your adventure with A. K. Yearling, who is actually Daring Do? Was he any trouble with her?” Fluttershy asked. “Not really. Last time he met her, her arch nemesis, Dr. Caballeron captured him and used him as bait to lure Daring to the Temple of Chicomoztoc, but she was lucky enough to help me save him and bring both the Seven-Sided Chest of Chicomoztoc and your son back safe and sound. He even solved a puzzle with the doors one time,” Rainbow Dash explained. “Oh. Well, I’m glad,” Fluttershy said. “And don’t worry. We’ll make sure to protect him if it happens again,” Rainbow Dash said. “Okay, but please make sure he doesn’t get hurt,” Fluttershy said. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie both nodded, and then they saw Thomas with his stuff for the trip, which consisted a small suitcase, and his travel bag. “I’m ready,” Thomas said.
Later on, they met A.K. Yearling at the train station and then took it over to Somnambula. When they arrived, it was a peaceful desert town. Thomas saw stores, and lots of homes, and up ahead, he saw a statue of a pegasus mare wearing Egyptian clothing, and a giant temple that looked like a pyramid.
“This almost reminds me of Egypt back in my world,” Thomas said. “Your version of this place is called Egypt?” Rainbow Dash asked. Thomas nodded, and then Rainbow Dash spoke up, “Cool.”
Rainbow Dash then squealed, “This is so cool! It looks just like that village in your last book where Daring Do recovers the Doomed Diadem from the Wild Bunch Gang who chase after her through the desert!” A. K. Yearling smirked, “It should. I based that entire chapter on my experiences here in Somnambula.” Pinkie Pie zoomed next to her, “What happens? No, wait, don't tell me. I changed my mind! Tell me!”
“Daring Do thwarts Ahuizotl's evil plot to separate the Sister Crown Relics,” Rainbow Dash said. “And if it wasn't for her, the region would be cursed with eternal night, and the entire town of Somnambula would have sunk into the ground!”
“Ah, puh!” Pinkie Pie said. “There's no chance that these ponies don't think you're a hero.” Thomas pointed at the sight he was seeing.
They then saw some ponies repairing their things, and selling a few things. Rainbow Dash and the other three went over to an elderly earth pony colt with grayish amber fur, a grayish streaked red mane and tail with a small beard, blue eyes, a white shirt with a brown vest, an orange headband, and his flank had a cutie mark of an apple with a purple lily. His name was Cortland. “Excuse me, sir? What happened here?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Well, Daring Do happened,” Cortland said. “What?! But that’s impossible! She never could’ve done this!” Rainbow Dash said. Thomas hid underneath A. K. Yearling’s cloak and hugged her leg as she comforted him by stroking his hands and fingers with her hoof as he softly stroked the fur on her leg.
“Oh, no? Well, read it and weep!” Cortland said. “P-P-Please, sir. Daring Do never would’ve done this. She’s was probably being framed,” Thomas said. “How could you even say some uncool things in front of a little kid like him?! He has a sensitive heart, and he cares for Daring Do!” Rainbow Dash said. “Well, indeed, my friend,” said a stranger in a male Mexican accent. He wore a brown cloak over him. “Daring Do is a menace who destroys everything she touches! I mean, look around! Is this what a hero would do?!” The ponies argued in agreement. “What?! No! Daring Do is the exact opposite of a menace!” Rainbow Dash said. “She’s a real hero, and you know it!” Thomas said. “Ugh! I tried to tell you! Coming back here was a mistake!” A. K. Yearling said, as she walked away. “Wait!” Thomas shouted. A. K. Yearling turned around and looked at him, “What is it?”
“Where are we gonna sleep?” Thomas asked. “Hmm... I think I know the one place, but I don’t know if they’ll accept me because of my other half,” A. K. Yearling said. “Well, we can tell them you’re just from Manehattan who’s visiting this place for a vacation,” Pinkie Pie said. “You know. That’s not a bad idea,” A. K. Yearling said, as she led her friends to the hotel, which was somewhere nearby and a little bit far from the village.
“Look. You see that right there?” A. K. Yearling asked, pointing at the hotel. “It's called the Get On Inn. I stay here all the time in my adventures as Daring Do.”
“Which means there must be ponies here who love Daring Do! Maybe they can help us,” Rainbow Dash said. “I don’t know, but it’s worth a try,” Thomas said, as he was riding on A. K. Yearling’s back. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered,” A. K. Yearling said, and then they continued. As they entered the building, they saw a mare named Mrs. Trotsworth at the check-in desk. “Excuse me, ma’am? Can I check in for a room of four, please?” A. K. Yearling asked. Mrs. Trotsworth looked at her, and then when she saw the three of them, Rainbow Dash pointed down, until Mrs. Trotsworth looked over and saw Thomas hiding behind A. K.’s leg, and then Mrs. Trotsworth confirmed the check in, “Okay, I’m booking you to the third floor. Now, enjoy your stay.”
“Umm, ma’am. I know you’re going to be angry about it, but is it true Daring Do stays here?” Thomas asked. “Not anymore, she doesn’t!” Mrs. Trotsworth replied angrily. “But why? She’s a good pony like you are,” Thomas said. “The last time I rented that rascal a room, she was in such a rush to hightail it outta here, she didn't even pay her bill!” Mrs. Trotsworth replied. “After that, a band of ruffians showed up and destroyed half the rooms looking for her. Guess she made them even more mad than she made me!”
“No! You’re wrong! Daring Do’s a hero!” Thomas said. “And how do you figure, young man?” Mrs. Trotsworth asked. “Because I was once in one of her adventures, and she saved my life. I got to say thank you that time,” Thomas said. “She’s got a good heart.”
“Sounds like a tall tale to me. And a hard one to believe, now that I know Daring Do is a scoundrel and a thief! Every year, ponies come to offer precious glowpaz to the Somnambula statue in the village in hopes for a good future. Why, that poor fella had his glowpaz necklace stolen by Daring Do just yesterday!” Mrs. Trotsworth replied. Thomas then began to cry, until he was lifted up by Rainbow Dash. “You better think about what you said to our nephew, because you don’t ever talk to him that way! Ever!” she said, and then she, Pinkie Pie and A. K. Yearling went to go sit down at a table. A. K. Yearling took Thomas and held him with both hooves in a cradle to calm him down.
“Daring Do ruined our town and stole our precious glowpaz! We need to make sure that if she turns up again, there will be consequences! Everypony who's with me, meet at the statue tomorrow!” the cloaked stallion said, as the townsponies agreed with comments.
“The nerve of that pony! Just who does he think he is?!” Rainbow Dash asked. A. K. Yearling sighed with sadness as she sat Thomas on her lap and comforted him with a hug, “Now I'm getting blamed for things I didn't even do? Why would I steal from them?”
“I still know you’re innocent! I just do!” Thomas said, as he buried his face in her chest. “They are super bad! But we're still staying the night, right?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Yes, Pinkie, we’re staying for the night,” A. K. Yearling said. “But since this poor boy’s suffering so much from recent news, he’s sleeping with me tonight.” Thomas nodded and then continued to cry softly, until he softly yawned with tiredness in his eyes. “Gosh, is it late already?” A. K. Yearling asked. “Listen, A. K. After a good night's sleep, we're going to fix all of this. I promise,” Rainbow Dash said. A. K. Yearling nodded in agreement, and then later on, they tucked Thomas into bed, and then got ready for bed.
The next day, the ponies met the cloaked stranger at the statue. “I shouldn't be here, Rainbow Dash. This is never gonna work,” A. K. Yearling said, as Thomas rode on her back. Rainbow Dash scoffed, “Of course it will! All I have to do is go up there and explain to everypony how wrong they all are.”
“Yeah! And then I'll be like, "What she said!" Well, you know,” Pinkie Pie said. A. K. Yearling sighed, “Easy-peasy-cheesy...”
“Exactly!” Pinkie Pie said. “Mind if I join in?” Thomas asked. “Be my guest!” Rainbow Dash said, as she carefully placed him onto her back and went over to the statue. “Here it is! Your — Our beloved Somnambula statue! Now that Daring Do has destroyed it, tell me, where will we hang our glowpaz?” the cloaked stranger asked. “We don't even have any glowpaz because they were stolen by Daring Do!” said a random villager. “But why is it rebuilt now if it was recently destroyed?” asked another villager. “What?!” asked the cloaked stranger, as he saw the statue back in its normal self. “Everybody STOP!” Thomas said, and then they saw him and Rainbow Dash walk up. “Listen to me! Daring Do would never steal anything! And okay, she destroyed your statue, but it was because she was trying to save you all from Ahuizotl! You know! He's about yea big? Long neck? Itty-bitty face? Weird claw thingy on his tail?” she explained. “Ooh! Ooh! I know him! He’s a real baddie!” Pinkie Pie said. “And she saved my life from a giant crocodile in the Temple of Chicomoztoc after I was taken by Dr. Caballeron on purpose!” Thomas said. “Would Daring Do ever steal anything from you?! No!”
“What are you saying, kid?” asked another villager. “I’m the one that rebuilt the statue! I barely even slept afterwards, but that’s okay!”
“Trust me, if Ahuizotl had gotten away with the Doomed Diadem, your entire village would have been swallowed up!” Rainbow Dash said. “Aunt Rainbow Dash is right! You all ought to be ashamed of yourselves thinking someone as heroic like Daring Do would steal everything from you! Well, she wouldn’t! Because Daring Do saved my life, and I’m grateful!” Thomas said. “And I care, and so would you!”
“See what I mean? If this so-called “Somnambula” were here, she’d forgive Daring Do and accept her apology if Daring ever helped rebuild the statue,” Rainbow Dash said. “But if Somnambula were here, she would condemn Daring Do for destroying your– our symbol of hope!“ said the cloaked stranger. The ponies then argued and walked away, until the stranger walked away as well.
Thomas sat near a building in sadness, crying about the villagers disagreeing with him. “What’s troubling you, son?” a voice said. He turned around and saw Cortland. “I don’t know why you’re so angry at Daring Do for destroying your statue, but she was only trying to protect you. She even saved my life,” Thomas said. “It’s just not fair, after I did to help fix the statue.”
“Aww... poor dear,” said a mare, giving the poor boy a hug. Thomas suddenly looked at the statue, “Who does that statue represent?”
“This sacred statue is the namesake of our town,” Cortland said. “But if you want to understand us, you must first understand her.”
“Who’s her?” Thomas asked. “She goes by the name that is also the name of our town, Somnambula,” Cortland said. “Is she another legend?” Thomas asked. “Yes, she is,” Cortland said. “Long ago...”
“...this village fell prey to an evil Sphinx who demanded most of their crops. Like her fellow villagers, Somnambula didn't have much, but she used what she had to keep others from giving up hope. The son of the Pharaoh, Prince Hisan, was so moved by her compassion that he decreed nopony would go hungry again. But when Hisan stood up to the Sphinx, the beast captured him, telling the Pharaoh the only way to get Hisan back was to solve her riddle. Nopony would volunteer to save the prince. Nopony except Somnambula.”
Somnambula flew to the pyramid, where the Sphinx held Hisan captive, and then landed on the ground to confront the beast.
”The Sphinx gave her the riddle.”
"I shine brightest in the dark. I am there but cannot be seen. To have me costs you nothing. To be without me costs you everything," The Sphinx said. ”As Somnambula thought of the hardship she and her fellow villagers had experienced, she instantly knew the answer.” "Hope!", she shouted.
The Sphinx roared with anger, and then stomped her paws on the ground.
“The Sphinx was so enraged, it seemed she might still refuse to release the prince, so Somnambula asked her for one more challenge. But if she accomplished it, the Sphinx would leave from the kingdom forever. The Sphinx quickly agreed, asking only that Somnambula walk to the prince across a deep chasm... blindfolded! Further, the Sphinx had cast a powerful spell that prevented Somnambula from flying.”
The Sphinx laughed evilly at what she did to Somnambula, as she pushed her over the bridge.
“But Somnambula never lost hope! She knew she'd need to make a leap of faith to save the prince. Guided by the sound of the prince's voice... she easily made it across.”
The Sphinx got angry again and then flew away to never return. Somnambula then freed Prince Hisan from the capture and then he removed the blindfold from her eyes.
“The Pharaoh asked how Somnambula prevailed, and she explained that she had always hoped she could make things better for her people and that hope had carried her through. The Prince replaced the pearls Somnambula gave up with a string of glowpaz. And around her neck, they glowed bright enough to light the entire kingdom.”
“Forever after, glowpaz became our symbolic jewelry of hope,” Cortland finished. “Wow... I had no idea how special the statue is. Somnambula sounds like a pretty compassionate pony. So what happened to her then?” Thomas asked. “She disappeared later on, mysteriously without a trace,” Cortland said. “Just like the other legends,” Thomas said. “If she were still here, I’d ask her for a chance for me to never give up hope like how she would’ve, and probably for Daring Do if she were here to help save your town.”
Cortland then rubbed Thomas’s shoulder, “Don’t lose hope, son. Just keep believing. It’s what we all would’ve done for her.” Thomas nodded and then Cortland walked away, until Thomas went to the statue and hugged its foreleg, “I know I’m just hugging a statue, but if you can hear me... in my world, I gave up hope on waiting for a family that would accept me, but every time it happens, they wouldn’t accept me. All I’m asking for is... please give me a chance to not give up hope on myself, because I don’t want others to suffer like I have, or pay for my broken-hearted life. I beg of you.” Thomas then kissed the statue’s forehoof and walked away.
He suddenly saw the cloaked stranger with a grin on his muzzle, and then looked at him angrily. “Hey, you! What did Miss Daring Do ever do to you to deserve all of this?!” Thomas asked. “Only... everything!” the pony replied, after removing his cloak. It was Dr. Caballeron.
“Dr. Caballeron?! It was you?!” Thomas asked. “Yes, my dear boy!” Dr. Caballeron replied, with an evil laugh. “When I saw you, her most beloved super fan with her closest friend, Rainbow Dash, I knew that Daring Do would not be far behind. I really do owe you for leading her right to me.”
“No! I didn’t mean to!” Thomas said. “Of course you didn’t! Thank you for helping me break Daring Do's spirit by destroying her reputation, but I can't have you running off and telling her my plan,” Dr. Caballeron said, until he whistled for his henchmen, until they tied up Thomas with rope, and put white cloth over his eyes and mouth, and took him hostage.
Rainbow Dash suddenly saw Dr. Caballeron and his henchmen take Thomas away, “Oh no! Thomas!” A. K. Yearling looked at Rainbow Dash with confusion. “Rainbow Dash, what is it?” A. K. Yearling asked, and then she saw Caballeron taking Thomas. “Caballeron?! No!”
“They’ve got our little cutie nephew! We’ve gotta do something!” Pinkie Pie said. “And where they’re going is where we’re going. Come on!” Rainbow Dash said, until A. K. Yearling thought about why Caballeron would take Thomas hostage since the last time, and then she made a brave face, and went with them.
Later on, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were lost in the desert searching for their nephew. “We’re... coming... little... cutie...” Pinkie Pie said, panting to catch her breath. “Are you giving up, just like that?” a voice said. Pinkie Pie saw Daring Do appear, “Ah! I knew you’d come!”
“You did? Well, I sure didn't. What if I cause more trouble?” Daring Do asked. “You won’t!” Pinkie Pie said. “Really? How do you know?” Daring Do asked. “I just do! Besides, you wouldn’t let anything bad happen to the little cutie. You care too much, and about our nephew since he’s your biggest fan!” Pinkie Pie said. “She’s got a point, you know. I did promise his mother I’d watch over him, but I’m not breaking that promise,” Rainbow Dash said. “You know what? You’re right,” Daring Do said, and then she took out her binoculars. “Which way did they go?” She saw the oasis up close, and then she saw Caballeron and his henchmen running towards the pyramid. “To the pyramid!” she said, as they ran for the pyramid.
As they got inside, they heard Thomas’s voice, “Help me! Someone help me!” They saw him tied up onto the stone that Prince Hisan was held by The Sphinx, and blinded. “Daring, is that you?!” Thomas asked. “Don’t worry, buddy!” Rainbow Dash said. “Yeah! We’ll save you!” Pinkie Pie said. They saw the pool of glowing green bubbling slime, and then they had no idea how to get across without the bridge in place. They suddenly heard Dr. Caballeron’s cackle, and looked up at the ceiling. “If my previous plan didn't cause you to give up, Daring Do, then the shame of losing your dear friend Rainbow Dash to the slime will! Oh, and that ancient magic from the legend is real. There'll be no flying in the pyramid! Good luck, Daring Do!” He cackled again, and escaped by trapping the heroes in the pyramid.
The pillar started to move, and Thomas tried to struggle free, “MOMMY! HELP ME!” Daring Do tried to move her wings, but they wouldn’t budge, “He's right! We'll never get to him in time!”
“If this really is like Somnambula's story, then we just have to have hope that we can,” Pinkie Pie said. “I think we need more than hope, Pinkie. There was a bridge in the story, and there's no bridge here,” Daring Do said. “So, what do we do?” Thomas asked. Thomas kept frighteningly whimpering as he kept trying to get free. “I don't know, but Thomas is our little cutie nephew. Just like Somnambula, we need to make a leap of faith and hope that we can save him!” Pinkie Pie said, as she jumped over the edge. “Pinkie!” Daring Do and Rainbow Dash shouted in unison, but suddenly, Pinkie Pie was bouncing with the steam. “Hey! Not a bad idea!” Rainbow Dash said. “Come on!” Daring Do said, as they both bounced over to the other side with Pinkie Pie. “Wheeee! I knew we'd do it!” Pinkie Pie giggled happily. “Thanks for reminding me to never give up hope, Pinkie,” Daring Do said. “Uh... a little help here?!” Rainbow Dash asked, trying to untie her nephew. “We’re on it!” Daring Do said, as she untied Thomas and held him against her chest as she, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie bounced back to the other side.
Thomas then opened his eyes, and looked at his aunts and Daring Do, but he suddenly hugged the adventurer and cried happily. “Shhhhhh... it’s okay, Thomas. It’s okay. You’re all safe now,” Daring Do said, as she held him and rubbed his back. “Fluttershy’s not gonna like this,” Rainbow Dash said. Daring Do then placed Thomas on her back and then they all left the pyramid, until they saw Dr. Caballeron and his henchponies running for the village. “We can still stop them! Come on!” Thomas said, and they all nodded with angrily brave faces and ran back to the village.
Dr. Caballeron and his henchponies were walking out of the village with the sack. Suddenly, Daring Do stood in front of them, “Not so fast, Caballeron!” Thomas climbed off Daring Do and stood with her. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie surrounded the henchponies, as they dropped the sack, revealing the glowpaz stones and necklaces, as one of the pieces touched a mare’s hoof. “You stole our glowpaz!” Nile Faras said pointing at Caballeron and his crew. The ponies of Somnambula made angry and disappointed comments at the bandits. “I should’ve known you were just trying to sully my name so that you’d be free to steal whatever you wanted,” Daring Do said angrily, as she placed one of her wings around Thomas for a hug.
“Of course that was the plan, Daring Do!” Dr. Caballeron said. “At first I just wanted all the glowpaz, but then I saw an opportunity to write you out of the story for good!” Caballeron then cackled evilly, as the other ponies gasped at what he said. “And with the destruction you leave in your wake, it didn't take too much to convince ponies you were a villain!!”
“See? I told you Daring Do was innocent,” Thomas said nervously, as he hugged Daring Do’s foreleg. “You’re wrong, Caballeron,” Daring Do said. “And I won’t let you kidnap anymore innocent children or break my spirit again. Because I’m never going to give up hope that I can protect ponies and ancient treasures from miscreants like you!” Thomas blew a raspberry with his tongue at Dr. Caballeron, and then the ponies made agreeable comments with Daring Do.
“Just like Somnambula would do,” Thomas said. Daring Do then nodded, and then Caballeron thought of a lie quickly. “R-Remember! Sh-She ruined your statue! You’re all fools to believe in her!”
The ponies didn’t fall for it, and then kept surrounding the villains. Dr. Caballeron growled in frustration, “YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS, DARING DO!!!” He and his crew began to flee without the glowpaz. The ponies of Somnambula cheered for her. “Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Daring Do said, and then they put her down. “Guys?” she asked. Thomas, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie walked over to her. “Thanks for backing me up, and for helping me come to my senses. You three are true friends.”
“Are you kidding? That... was... awesome!” Rainbow Dash said. “Yeah! We’re just glad you’re back to your normal self again!” Pinkie Pie said. Daring Do nodded, “Me too.” She felt Thomas tugging her sleeve, “Yeah?”
“Thanks for saving my life again,” Thomas said, in a cute way. “Aww, no problem, buddy. I’m always happy to help,” Daring Do replied, giving Thomas another hug. “I'm glad that I realized that even if you're fighting for something good, you're still responsible for your actions, no matter what happens.”
“And if something bad happens that you didn't intend, you shouldn't give up hope or lose faith in yourself,” Rainbow Dash said. “Yeah! All you gotta do is make it right,” Pinkie Pie said. “Umm, could you use that in your next book?” Thomas asked. “You know, since you’ve helped me believe in myself, I think I’ll consider about it,” Daring Do said. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie both squealed in excitement and laughed. Thomas then whispered an idea for Daring Do.
So, later on, Daring Do sent Cortland a letter about repairing his Apple cart, and then donated some bits to the motel she usually stay in to pay for the bill, until Mrs. Trotsworth removed the wanted sign for Daring Do and placed one for Dr. Caballeron since he lied to them about Daring Do being evil. Thomas then showed them the remolded statue he completed, and then Daring Do, Thomas, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie stayed in Somnambula for a 3 day feast of honor.
“Thanks for believing in me, kid,” Daring Do said. “You’re welcome, Daring Do,” Thomas said.