//------------------------------// // Chapter 48: A Journey to the South // Story: Chaotic Harmony // by shirotora //------------------------------// Echo is from The Ballad of Echo the Diamond Dog and the sequel The Legend of Echo the Diamond Dog by Rust September 2, 1005, The vessel lurched into the sky above Canterlot. It wasn't a very graceful thing, but it wasn't designed to be. When Jynx was asked to make a means of transporting large amounts of cargo of passengers, she asked me to design the overall machine. I knew more aircraft than any pony did, so Jynx decided I could probably do a better job. I pretty much just drew an over sized C-130 with Osprey like engines. “So, Echo, I already know a bit about Daring, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself.” I wanted to figure out what Rust got right and what he made up. It's obvious his origins were wrong, as he's probably from northern Equestria based on his British-like accent. “Alright, but then you have to give us your story.” he psychiced (is that even a word? Well it is now), “Nopony knows anything about you, and the princesses banned paparazzi from hassling you.” “Deal, but my story is... hard to believe.” I said. “Well I guess I should begin at the beginning.” started the D-Dog, “I was born to the Ruby Spear pack near Manechester in the northern province. Sadly though, the entire pack was killed by a dragon seeking their gems. A few hours later a pony arrived to meet a friend of hers, a diamond dog. She received a letter that she had just given birth to two males and a female, but when she arrived the place had already been sacked. She ran in trying to find her friend, and found her she did. She was dead, but clutched in her arms was one of her pups, me. “The pony took me in and raised me as her own. I had difficulty fitting in for quite some time, but I didn't let it get to me and I was eventually the first Diamond dog to graduate with a PhD in archeology from Hayle University. “I first met Daring in the southern rainforest, where we're heading now. We were instant enemies.” he chuckled, “After all, not only were we rival archeologists, but we were from rival colleges. It wasn't until we got cornered by a pack of jaguars that we began growing fond of each other. Mostly because one of then ripped my throat open and Daring nursed me back to health. When I recovered I had lost the ability to speak. At first I used a pencil and some parchment but then we found a glow stone and I just wrote in the air with that. “It wasn't long before we realized that we had grown close and began dating. Daring introduced me to a friend of hers that cast a spell on me that let me speak with my mind. At first I could only speak if I was touching whoever I need to speak to but it grew stronger and now it's like I have my voice back. “That's really all there is to my story.” he said, “So what about you? I’d guess, with how civil you are, you were probably raised by ponies as well.” I laughed, “Not even close. My story is... unique. It starts in an entirely different world...” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- “... and that's how Equestria was made.” I wanted to use that one for a long time. The two lovers were staring at me jaws slack and eyes glazed. I think I broke them. “I knew some of that, like how you defeated Chronos.” Daring said, “But not the part where you came from another world. I guess that's why the princesses didn't want info about you to get out. You'd never have a moment's rest.” “You had an alien in your class and didn't even know it.” Echo said with a grin. “Yeah, tell me about it.” she responded, “I don't think I could handle being torn from everypony I know and love.” “Yeah,” I said, “I was kinda sad for a while, but Twilight and the others were always there for me. Now, even if I was offered a way home, I’d turn it down.” We made small talk for a while. I talked about my family and friends, and they talked about their real adventures. Daring's books are heavily exaggerated. For example, Ahuitzotl is completely fake. He's symbolic for everything that could go wrong. “You know Daring, there are ancient myths of a creature called ahuitzotl in Aztec myth. In fact it's almost exactly as you described him in your book.” I said. “Really?” she said, “I thought I just made him up.” “And I thought I made up a certain pony, now he's my son.” I said. “Perhaps this link between Earth and Equestria goes both ways.” Echo said, “It would explain why so many city names are similar.” “You could be right.” I said, “I'll have to run that by Tia sometime.” “Do you always talk about the princess so casually?” Daring asked. “No,” I said with my best Pinkie Pie impression, “I usually call her Sunshine.” “One of the perks of befriending royalty.” Daring said, “OK were still several hours out, so let's go ahead and get this out of the way.” She walked to the opposite side of the cabin and pulled a map from her bag. She came back over and spread it out. It depicted a massive forested area along with some grasslands and a little of the Great Desert that covers about 1/5 of the planets surface. “OK this is where we're going to land.” she said pointing to a bit of forest, “There's a clearing that we can land in near a small village. We're going to get a few supplies from the town before we head south, to here. This is where we'll establish a base camp. The ruins are about a quarter mile south of the here so it's perfect.” She rolled up the map and placed it to the side, “Now for the real reason we asked for you specifically.” that got my attention, “The ones who built this temple, The Ki-nali, a race of sentient bipedal felines, are all gone. They were all killed when they refused to help Nightmare Moon. “They were very protective of their temples and were known to place wards that would only allow cats into certain places. You see where I’m going with this.” “You need me to enter those places.” I guessed. “And find out if there's a way to let us through.” replied the adventurer. “What can you tell me about this temple. What it's for, what's inside, anything.” said the sexy kitty. “It's called the Temple of the Traveler. It's purpose is something we're hoping to discover.” she said, “What we do know is that what ever is inside is important. It's the most heavily protected temple I’d ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of temples. They wouldn't go through that much trouble if it wasn't worth it.” “What kind of protective measures are they known to have used?” I asked. “Barriers, wards, mechanical traps, and in some cases automatons.” Daring said, “This being a major ruin you can expect all of them.” “What kind of automatons?” I asked. “Mostly enchanted objects, things like statues, and even furniture sometimes.” she answered. “So basically anything and everything inside is a potential threat. Got'cha.” I said. “That's the best way to think of it.” Echo said, “Some call it paranoia, we call it surviving.” “Anything else?” I asked. “Not at the moment.” Daring said, “Do you have any questions for us?” “Yeah,” I said, “Would you mind if I introduced you to my son? He's a big fan of you novels.” “Sure.” she said, “First thing we'll do when we get back.” “How 'bout now?” I asked. Daring looked at me like I’m crazy, “We're about 10000 feet in the air and several...” “Hi dad!” said Midnight's voice from the projection over my phone, “Are you in the jungle yet? Are you and daring going to swing around on vines?” “Whoa, slow your roll, Mid.” I said, “We still have several hours before we arrive and you better be in bed when I get there.” “Aww,” he said, disappointed. “But I AM sitting here with Daring Do, in the flesh.” I said. He immediately perked up and began speaking in a way that Pinkie would have had to ask him to slow down. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I tried to get him to slow down to no effect, so I just waited for him to slow down himself. Five minutes later I was finally able to speak, “If you can be calm for a second I'll introduce you.” “Hows it going, kid?” said Daring, “This thing's pretty awesome. I’m guessing your mom made it?” “Ohmygoshit'sreallyyou!!!” he said hyperventilating. “Breath, little man, breath.” I said. He stopped and took a slow deep breath, “I'm OK now.” he said. “OK then.” I said, “Daring this is Midnight Star, the colt Jynx and I adopted. Mid, this is Daring Do, the famous author and explorer.” “It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am” he said. “The pleasures mine, kid, and call me Daring.” she replied. “Wow, I can't believe my dad's going on an adventure with THE Daring Do. This is the coolest thing you've ever done!” he said. “Oh, and killing a god isn't cool?” I asked. “Well that's neat and all, but now you're actually going on an adventure with the DARING DO!” he said. “The kid's got a point. Killing an evil god is nothing to looking at rocks from old buildings with me.” Daring said sarcastically. “I know, right!” Midnight said, thinking she was serious. I had just noticed that, although he seemed to not be moving, the terrain behind him was, “What are you doing?” “Just riding to the clubhouse.” he said. “Riding? Riding what?” I asked. “A timber wolf.” he said as if it were a perfectly normal thing fr a colt to do. “Did he just say timber wolf?” Daring said, a hint of fear on her voice. “Yeah. Toos lib, Halkir” he said, and the wooden face of a timber wolf. Daring's eyes went as wide as dinner plates at the sight. “What was that you said?” I asked. “It means “say hello, Halkir”.” he said, “Halkir is his name, and that's Oopulu, Ank, and Fiur.” three other wolves rose there heads to be seen, “Laalia taught me how to bind them to ponies so I'm giving Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Bell their own timber wolves.” “Did you name them?” I asked. “No, they told me their names.” he said, “I'm giving Fiur to Sootaloo because she's kind of crazy and loves music. Oopulu, I'm Giving to Sweetie, because he use to be bound to one of Starswirl's apprentices, and can help her not blow stuff up. And Ank is for Applebloom, because she knows where a lot of rare herbs are.” “Did you ask Applejack, Rarity, and Thunder Struck if it was OK?” I asked. “Yeah, Applejack said, “Ah'm sure it'll help keep them varmints outta my orchard” Rarity said, “If it will keep Sweetie occupied while I work.” and Thunder Struck said, “As long as it keeps her out of trouble”.” he said with rather good impressions. “OK, but stay out of town, got it?” I said. “We'll probably just stay at the farm.” he said. “OK, well I have to go.” I said, “You be good for your mother, and help her with your brother.” “I will, dad. Bye” he said. “Talk to you later.” I said and hung up. “That's remarkable.” Daring said, “You told us he can control them, but to see it with my own eyes...” “It's not so much that he controls them, they just listen to him.” I explained, “It's like a dog that's been trained to only respond to a curtain language.” “He said one enjoys music?” Echo asked. “They all have their own personality. They're living creatures after all.” I said, “I'll admit I didn't know that until I saw Midnight having a conversation with one.” As they were lost in thought, an idea came to me, “Why don't I see if he can find one for you two? I’m sure having a timber wolf on your expeditions would be helpful.” “No thanks,” said Daring, “I've one too many encounters with them. I wouldn't be... comfortable with one so close.” “Alright,” I said, “Well, I'm kinda bushed. I guess I'll sleep the rest of the trip off.” “That sound's like a good plan.” Daring said. “I guess I’ll see you two in the morning.” I said as I went to one of the beds along the wall and pulled it down. I jumped in and closed my eyes, laughing at the thought of the crusaders riding around Ponyville on timber wolves. ************************************* Fact #3: The name alicorn actually refers to the material composition of the unicorn horn. In unicorns, only their horns are made of alicorn, where as alicorns' (the ponies) entire bone structure is comprised of alicorn. This allows them to use magic that unicorns cannot, and cast spells through their hooves, wings, or even their whole body.