DARING DO
&
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST CITY
Chapter 2
The sun was shinning brightly this morning over Pegasopolis . It was unusual for a Pegasi city as it was based on the ground far north of Cloudsdale. It was famous for it scholars and philosophers who were taught at the University. And inside one of the class rooms Daring Do was collecting the homework she had set on unicorn influence on modern architecture. Instead of her Hat And Jacket, she had her hair tide in a bun and was wearing an Cyan blue Blouse with neckerchief. Her class of teenage Fillies and colts were glad to have her back teaching and all were bright eyed waiting for class to begin.
Bring, Bring Bring, went the bell
“Would everypony take a seat and turn your text books to page 42 please.” The sound of pages turning filled the room
“Today we will be looking at the ancient Gryphon architecture and its role in history”
A bored sigh came from the majority of the class, but was quickly silenced by a loud cough from the Daring Do. The lesson seemed to go on forever for the Students but for Daring it went in a flash. By three o'clock the bell rang out for the end of the day and the last of the students were filing out her class.
“See you tomorrow Miss Do” Said a green colt as he dropped a apple on her desk
“I will. She chuckled. But don,t forget that homework assignment or their will be trouble!”
The classroom was now empty of all students and Daring was hard at work marking the test papers of her mornings exams. The time slowly ticked by as she worked but she raised her head when she herd the door open. She was pleased when she saw a silvery blue stallion in a tatty old suit come through her door.
“What time do you call this Doctor longitude” She joked
Sorry my dear, but my lecture carried on longer than expected and before I knew it, I was late.
As he came closer to Daring's desk, she put her hoof into her top draw and pulled out an item wrapped in cloth and placed it on the table. She untied it to reveal to the professor the eye of the yeti king and when the light from the window hit the cut surface the entire room was filled with a dazzling light show.
“You have done it again Daring Do! This will be a fine addition to the museum and would make you famous if you let me tell them you found it!” Every time she brought back treasure she refused to be named as the discoverer. When the Sapphire stone went on display at the museum their was mass debate to who had found it and every paper in Equestria had their own theory.
“NO thanks doc. I couldn't stand all those awful dinners and lectures I would have to do. Just do the same as last time, you keep it for the museum and pay my tab at the broken horseshoe”
It was Daring do's favourite pub in Pegasopolis but she had the habit of maxing out her tab and being chucked out when she promised to pay another day. She also would drink a bit too much apple cider and make herself a little tipsy.
“Fine, fine. I was only making a suggestion”
“By the way doc, I found this, behind the eye”
She pulled out her notebook and showed the professor the marking she had copied down.
“Hmm looks familiar. Come with me to the museum archives and lets see what we can find”
The basement was stacked high with books and draws full of maps. They found themselves a table to sit at and the doctor disappeared down a row of books in search of what he needed.
“This is it” He said dropping a large dusty book onto the table with a thump. They dust thrown up made Daring sneeze several times but when she finally stopped Doctor latitude started turning over pages looking for the right section.
“Ah haa. Here we go. He turned the book around and showed Daring the page”
“That's the symbol! she exclaimed”
“That is the Banner of Commander Hurricane” Longitude said in a proud tone. It was during one of the darkest times in Equestrian history. Four years after the founding of Equestria, we were invaded by the Barbican Horses from the East. Their army was beyond measure and ours was small in comparison. Our armies were defeated at each engagement till only Canterlot was Left. Longitude told her the story of the battle for Canterlot over a thousand years ago.
The ragged remains of the Equestrian army marched grudgingly through the gates of the new city of Canterlot. They had marched for two days strait from Trottingham, which now in the hands of the Barbican horde and their hired mercenaries. They had put up a diligent defence but the sheer mass of the hundred thousand strong horde was just too much for the defenders, who fled when the walls were breached. The Barbican had hired two large bands of mercenaries to fight on their side with the promise of gold and territory. The Firebrands were griffin outcasts who were banished from the griffin kingdom due to their savage nature. The second was two and half thousand Changeling, who only wanted ponies and had no care for land. They swept through Equestria with a violence never before seen. The burnt and pillaged many of the towns and small villages taking the ponies they captured as slaves.
Princess Platinum, Chancellor Puddinghead and Commander Hurricane, worked fast to raise an army to fight this new threat and ex spell them from their home. At the first battle Puddinghead was taken prisoner and his army massacred. Commander Hurricane had fought off an attack on his city and brought less than half of his troops to Canterlot. His seventeen thousand pegasi brought the total number of fighting fit ponies up to thirty two thousand. Canterlot was the last city left in Equestria and the Barbicans knew this. So they had mustered every pony, Changeling, Griffin and troll, for this deciding battle which would see Equestria finally trampled under hoof. Commander Hurricane looked out over the balcony, into the city below which was full of refugees and Soldiers trying to keep warm in the wintry conditions. Princess Platinum walked up and stood beside him.
"what's you plan for tomorrow Hurricane? We still have no word from the Crystal ponies, weather they will send us re-enforcements." they had sent a pegasus to the Crystal kingdom, pleading for help in their time of need. They told them that if they do not help, they would be the Next ones to suffer the Barbicans wrath.
"we have no choice! We have to fight them to what ever end. The unicorns will man the wall's and the Earth ponies and Pegasi will face them head on"
"that's suicide! Why not just join us on the walls? I don't want to lose you" she started to blush as Hurricane stood closer to her.
"we can't allow them to breach the city. If we face them outside then we can buy the others time to escape through the mountain pass".
Morning came and the sounds of bugles and horns fill the early morning air as ponies pulled on their armour and sharpened their weapons for the up coming battle. Commander Hurricane stood at the front of the line with his golden spear in hoof. This gift from the gods was said to bring victory to any army which was behind it. Hurricane prayed that the legend was true as in front of him all he could see was the the Terrifying Barbican horde in their black armour with their allies in the air and on the ground. The Trolls that were with them were nearly ten feet tall and green. They horde was intimidating to the Equestrians as the earth beneath them shook from the sheer mass of marching hooves that was coming towards them.
Hurricane turned and look at his forces. He could see fear in their eyes and he knew what he had to do. He lifted into the air and took a deep breath.
"silence! Silence please. I know that most of you are scared of what is to come in the next few hours. Some of you would rather flee for your lives. But if you run you will abandon all those who look to you for their protection. Generations to come will talk of the day when all bonds of friendship were broken and we allowed chaos and tyranny to rule. Do you want to be remembered for this!"
"NO!" Was the reply
"Then follow me to legend and glory. For peace, for freedom, FOR EQUESTRIA! CHARGE!!!!"
"CHARGE!" and every pony cheered as they moved toward the enemy.
Captain pansy took command of the pegasi in the air whilst Hurricane would lead the ground force. They all started to trot strait at the enemy. The trot became a canter, which soon turned to a full gallop. Spears and swords alike were levelled for the impact that was coming. The Barbican horses and equestrian ponies collided with the sound of breaking staffs, clashing swords. Commander hurricanes spear had pierced strait through the armour of the horse in front and was pulled free with great ease, just to be rammed into the next horse in front. All over the fighting was raging between the two sides swords and spears were finding their marks and high above the Pegasus Elite guard who were led by captain Pansy Were having a hard time against the griffins with their powerful talons. The Captain was using every trick he knew to try and lose the two behind him. He twisted and cork screwed but it was no use, suddenly a talon came close to his head! He yelled orders at one of his lieutenants, who acknowledge with a nod and flew back towards Canterlot. Pansy did the same and at full speed he started to doge and weave through the cities tower. Some of the Griffins were smashing into walls or injuring their wings. As they fell into the city, they were set apon by the town guard who showed them no mercy. Pansy now had over ten Griffins chasing him, all with the wish to rip him to pieces. He flew around a tower and went strait over the city walls shouting "NOW". The Unicorns turned around and filled the sky with bolts of magic. The Griffins were much to big to miss and many of them fell from the sky hitting buildings and the wall.
"well done there"called out princess Platinum to the troops. Just as a huge piece of rock smashed into the wall sending unicorns and wall tumbling into the city behind. The huge trolls were now now close enough to throw their rocks at the city and cause chaos for the defenders. Quickly the unicorns started to throw up magical shields to stop the bombardment, but there were too many to stop and the wall was falling. Earth ponies and unicorns alike were crushed as the wall started to fall. Hurricane was still fighting hard and the dead were piling up around him. He just lifted his spear for the next attack when he felt a blow to the side of his helmet which sent him falling to the ground with a ringing in his ears. In a daze he looked around at the fight all around him. One pony was being held to the ground as a changeling was digging his fangs into his neck. Another was trying to pull himself free from the pile of dead but his leg was trapped as a Barbican walked up with his spear. He felt the blackness starting to fill his head and thought to him self
"Is this the end for me? Have I failed Equestria?"
"don't give up just yet my little pony" the soft voice spoke to him.
He looked up to see the outline of a tall pony surrounded by blinding light.
"You must not give up yet Hurricane. Help is on the way but you must hold on for a bit longer"
" who are you and how do you know my name?." he was still very confuse about what was going on.
"I am a future ruler of Equestria. But if you don't getup now I'll never exist. Now GET UP!"
Suddenly the world came back to him and he looked up at a Troll getting ready to bring down a rock on his head. He twisted away and thrust his spear under the Trolls chin. Making it fall backwards to the ground. Hurricane stood back up and pulled on his dented helmet and fell back into the fray. Princess Platinum was in the remains of the wall helping to free trapped ponies when she heard the sound of a bugle horn in the distance. It's crystal clear sound echoed over the battlefield. Pony, Barbican, Griffin and Changeling looked the west, to sounds source. On the hill was a Crystal pony in Diamond armour and slowly the hill was filling with more and more ponies until the entire hillside was covered in them. Prince jade and princess Rubeus looked onto the plains below them. The black shapes of the Barbicans filled the plain and the lower level of Canterlot were either on fire or demolished.
"The Equestrians have suffered this day. Let us show them they don't have to stand alone. Get ready for the charge!"
Jousting lances were levelled and the Crystal ponies started their attack. They picked up speed till they were at full gallop.
A black Hooded figure looked out at the sight of these new enemies and smashed his armoured hoof to the Ground.
"Form rank you filth! Form rank! Horses in front. Trolls behind. The Barbicans formed a line to face the attack and all along spears were levelled and shields raised. The trolls began to throw rocks at the crystal ponies and some found their mark but didn't slow them down. A roar came from the ponies as they smashed into the enemy sending them falling back from the force of the impact. The Crystal ponies were some of the best jousters in the world and it showed. The Barbicans were starting to run for their lives heading for the river and safety. The hooded figure was shouting madly at forces.
"stand your ground you pieces of filth! Deserters will suffer death." with that blasts of magic were vaporising Barbicans as they retreated. Prince Jade found commander Hurricane and the remains of his forces and told them that the Barbicans were running for the river.
" we must stop them at all costs! If they escape they will come back worse than ever."
"there are still a lot of Barbicans fighting! I we move now we will leave Canterlot an open target. Lets mop up these ones first and then we go for the river." Prince Jade suggested.
"leave this to me! I'll take care of them!" with that commander Hurricane took to the sky and with a sonic boom flew for the river.
He hovered above the Barbican camp where he could see ships taking on troops and making ready to sail. He knew of only one way to stop them. Commander hurricane closed his eye's and concentrated. Oh Lord Chronos. Forger of time and space, heed my call in my time of need. Help me stop these horses from ever threatening the peace and harmony of Equestria. Lend me your strength. He lifted the spear into the sky and bolts of golden lightning started to leap from the tip. The sky filled with dark clouds and the wind began to whip up into a gale. The ships were starting to bob up and down as the river started to become aggressive! A ship's anchor cable snapped causing it to drift away. It drew closer to another ship and with smash the two ships collided spending timber and Barbicans tumbling into the river. One by one the ships lost control and were being force onto the shore or were sinking at their moorings. When the storm clouds finally disappeared the river was a tangled mess of sunken ships, rope and Horses. The majority of the Barbicans were still on the bank, but the sight they had just witnessed had struck some of them dumb with fear. Hurricane landed in front of them and planted the butt of his spear into the soil.
" It's over! Surrender now and you can go home. Refuse and you will be my prisoners. What say you." they were all silent.
"we will never surrender to the likes of you!" a voice came from the black hooded figure walked forward to stand in front of Commander Hurricane. His cloak disappeared into dusk to reveal al dark purple Alicorn in blacked spiked armour. His mane was black and blue and seemed to flow like water. His golden eye's did not move from Hurricane and on his right leg was a sword. Hurricane recognised those eyes! They belonged to one of the first four Alicorns who created the first lands. He had killed his brother and sisters and had been exiled from this land, his name was knightshade. Bringer of darkness and shadow.
"You were a foal to come here alone my little pony!"
"don't call me that!" hurricane spat at Knightshade.
"then die now!" the sword whistled through the air and missed Hurricane by a hair. It smashed into the ground and only half the blade was visible. But with no effort it was pulled free and was lunged at Hurricane who parried with his spear. His spear was swung around towards Knightshade who leapt back, avoiding the razor sharp blade. The fight was surprisingly even, between them, but the wounds the Hurricane had revived earlier were starting to slow him down. He heard the sound of hoofs behind him and then the voice of princess Rubeus who was bringing up the remnants of the equestrian/ crystal army to finish the job.
Hurricane suddenly heard the sound of Knightshades blade again and tried to dodge but he was just too slow. He felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder and felt the warm trickle of blood running down his leg. It was agony for him to stand on that leg, he loss balance and fell on his side still clutching his spear. Knightshade stood over him with a look of pleasure on his face. "your time is up my little pony. Time to die!" his horn started to glow yellow and was being pointed at Hurricane head. He saw his chance and made his move. He swung his spear with all his strength at knightshade. The spear hit his horn with a crack and a smash, sending fragments of horn and magic in every direction. Knightshade fell back is shock and pain!
He hit the floor with a loud crashing of metal . Blood poured from the shattered stump as Hurricane finally got back to his feet. A call came from the crowd of ponies around him. "finish him off Hurricane! Do it now!" The rest of the Barbicans were now being rounded up and put under guard and knightshade looked towards Hurricane walking towards him. From under his breastplate he pulled out a dagger and hid it under his hoof. "please show mercy Hurricane. I beg you!"
"you who enslaved hundreds of ponies and burnt towns to the ground, now beg for mercy! I thought you were made of stronger stuff".
Suddenly a yellow pegasi leapt out from the crowd. She had seen the dagger and was going to stop him from using it. " No you don't you monster!"
"Out of the way Cloudswirl!" exclaimed Hurricane. she tried to knock it out of his hoof but he was too quick. He was back of his hoofs and had the Pegasi locked under his arm as he threw the dagger at Hurricane where it planted it self into he chest strait down to the hilt. Commander Hurricane once again fell on his side. He wasn't moving but he was breathing. Knightshade threw Cloudswirl into the nearby crown and looked down at Commander Hurricane. "I haven't had this much fun since I killed the sisters! It's over My Little Pony!"
Their was a coughing and a spluttering from Commander Hurricane as he tried to breath. "I said. Don't call me that!" In a flash the spear sped towards Knightshade. And with a sound of crumpling metal, the spear pierce his neck and stuck in his spine. Knightshade reared up flapping his wing's frantically, but to no avail. As he fell backwards stone dead, the spear shaft protruding from his neck. "It's *caught* over" Commander Hurricane's head fell to the ground.
Canterlot was strangely quiet that knight all over equestrians and crystal ponies alike were being treated for their wounds. Some would make it but others were not so lucky. Out of the thirty two thousand. Six thousand were dead, eleven thousand seriously wounded. Many would not last the night. For one of them up in one of the Castle room's, his time was nearly at an end. Commander Hurricanes was lying on the bed with a nurse looking at the wound in his chest. She shook he head and turned to the ponies surrounding him. " I'm afraid their is nothing we can do. The wound is fatal."
The ponies drew closer to the bed.
"Do not Grieve for me friends. We have secured the future for Equestria today." It was hard but he turned his head to look at captain Pansy. "Pansy old friend. I am promoting you to Commander. Take care of the others for me. " But Hurricane I'm just a soldier. I'm not ready"
Hurricane smiled lightly at him " neither was I. But you caring and kind nature is what we need now. You'll be fine." He looked over a Princess Platinum who had Tears in her eye's at her close friend who she cared for more than any pony really know. "You should let the Barbicans go home sweet princess. They will not bother us again. Without a leader they will not pose a threat." she gently nodded her agreement.” Tears were Streaming down her face. “ last of all my final request. Take my body back to my city. Let me watch over the people I care for." He started to splutter and cough again as his gave his last word. "Thank Equestria I did my Duty" with that he closed his eyes and gave out a soft breath. Commander Hurricane. The hero of all Equestria, the defeater of darkness was now at peace. His Body was placed in a magical glass coffin which would protect him for all time and his armour and spear were both placed in the Tomb with him.
“His Tomb was in city of the pegasi! But when Discord came to Equestria he threw the city far off over the horizon. Discord placed clues all around Equestria as a game for his own amusement. The ponies he force to play were never heard from again apart form one.”According to this, he was found adrift in the southern ocean. He was very dehydrated and died shortly after being rescued buy a Gryphon called Hornbeak, who brought the ponies body to city of oasis for burial in the temple.”
“I think if you want to find Commander hurricanes spear you will have to find the city. looks like you will have to travel to oasis and search for the temple. I can give you the name of an expert who lives their. He could help you find his resting place”
“Oh boy I cant wait.” Said an excited Daring Do who to sped to the door
“Hold you horses! You need to rest first. Go home and sleep. The train going south, won't leave till tomorrow morning”
“Fine. I'll see you in the morning at the train station” She took to the evening sky and headed for her home on the outskirts of the city. She landed outside a small house with a un-kept lawn and A mail box full to bursting. For some reason their was a muffin in with the post. She took a bite and found it was blueberry flavour. “mmm. Tasty” She turned the key in the lock of her front door and switch on the light in the front room. She looked around at all the trinkets she had collected on her travels and gave a warm smile at the photo on the fireplace. “Hi mum, Hi Dad” Both of her parents had Disappeared on a Archaeology dig out in the west, when she was just a small filly. Their assistant Duster had came back with the bad news and gave the little Daring Do, Her father's hat, which was found in the sand. She cried so hard that day and no pony was able to break her out of her sorrow. But on the second day she looked at the hat on the mantelpiece, picked it up in her hoofs and placed it on her head.
“I Promise you Mum and Dad, I am going to make you proud and be an explorer just like you” It was at that moment her cutie Mark had appeared. She knew, that very moment what her destiny was.
She was soon in her bed and letting her tiredness finally take over. She drifted into a deep sleep, dreaming of the adventure and treasure that awaited her.