An indeterminate amount of time passes. Daring Do slowly sits up and looks around groggily.
“Ugh… what… happened?”
Shaking her head in an attempt to clear it, she feels something soft under her.
“What’s this…?”
Poking it with a hoof, Daring Do suddenly feels something sharp take hold of her fetlock. Instinctively she lashes out. A cry rings out in response.
“HEY! STOP!”
Gasping, Daring Do squints as she is suddenly blinded by a Light Spell.
“What the…?! Princess?!”
Auriel glares at her as she rubs her breast. “What’s the big idea?!”
“I… didn’t know what was happening! Then when you grabbed me with your claws, I just kinda… reacted!”
Auriel sighs. “Fine. But where are we?”
Daring Do looks around as her eyes adjust to the lighting. “I remember Caballeron dropping us down here.”
“And Arc?!”
“He probably wasn’t lying when he said the Hero of Light had fallen into some kind of internal dungeon.”
Auriel gasps. “We need to find him!”
Daring Do shakes her head. “No, we need to find Caballeron and stop him!”
“Arc’s life could be in danger!”
“If Caballeron finds whatever is in here all of EQUESTRIA will be in danger!”
“But…!”
“Look, princess… the Hero of Light is sworn to protect and defend the realm, or whatever. If he were here right now what would he want you to do?”
Auriel bows her head. “Save Equestria before saving him probably.”
“Right. Now then, let’s get moving.”
Auriel moves to stand but suddenly doubles over in pain. Daring Do frowns.
“Don’t tell me you’re hurt!”
“I think my wing is broken.”
Daring Do groans as she points a hoof behind her. “Then that makes two of us.”
“How did YOU break a wing! After all, you landed on ME!”
“Yeah. But you were the one who went NUCLEAR and slammed me into a wall after I dropped your stallionfriend!”
Auriel glares at Daring Do as she moves to stand, albeit weakly. “Well, YOU were the one whom told him to put the orb in its holder without knowing what would happen!”
“It was an educated guess, okay?! Even I’m not always right!”
“Yeah, that I can see!”
Daring Do sighs. “Look, we can sit here arguing all night or we can get moving and see if we can find Caballeron.”
“Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
“Agreed.”
Daring Do moves to stand up but suddenly cries out in pain. Auriel turns to her and rolls her eyes.
“Come on! It’s a broken wing, not a crushed spine!”
Daring Do gasps in pain. “Not my spine! My back hoof!”
Auriel sighs and walks toward the mare.
“Fine, so you twisted it. Still we need to…!”
She suddenly stops talking and frowns. Daring Do raises an eyebrow, confused.
“What?!”
“Your leg.”
“Oh?”
“It looks broken from here.”
“WHAT?! NO WAY!”
Jumping up, the mare’s pupils shrink as she screams out in agony. Falling back to the floor she glares at Auriel as she points an accusatory hoof at her.
“You did this to me!”
Auriel points to her own injured wing. “And YOU did this to ME!”
“At least you can still walk!”
“Give me a second.”
Looking around, Auriel spots several large branches that fell down with them. Picking one up she looks it over a moment before turning back to Daring Do.
“Going to finish me off, huh?”
Auriel frowns as she breaks the branch in half. “I wish I could after what you did to Arc. But I need your help to resolve this situation right now.”
Walking over to the mare, Auriel kneels down and runs a claw up and down her leg. The mare pulls it away with a shriek.
“What are you DOING?!”
“Trying to set your leg.”
“I don’t need your help!”
“Well, I’m not carrying you around. So you’d better let me set the bone so you can walk under your own power.”
Groaning, Daring Do nods. Auriel feels the bone and sighs.
“Okay, here’s the break. I can set this, but it’ll hurt like nothing else.”
“I can take it. Go ahead.”
Auriel puts one claw on the mare’s thigh and other just above her knee. With a quick motion she sets the bone as Daring Do screams. Putting the branch on the leg to help support it, Auriel grabs some vines and ties them to the wood before looking the leg over again.
“That should do it. Try putting some weight on it now.”
Daring Do carefully stands and moves her leg tenderly.
“I… think I can make this work for now.”
Auriel frowns. “It should last until we can get back to The Equinox. Then Nurse Redheart can do it properly.”
“Fine. Let’s go.”
“Which way though?”
Daring Do points a hoof. “This way.”
Auriel raises an eyebrow. “How do you know?!”
“Intuition.”
“That same thing that got Arc dropped into the dungeon?”
Daring Do shrugs. “Nopony’s perfect.”
Auriel glares at her. “Well, it’d better improve and quick!”
“Come on, princess, or I’ll leave you behind!”
Walking on, they come to a room full of stairs and corridors leading in numerous different directions. Auriel frowns.
“This doesn’t look good.”
Daring Do sighs. “It isn’t. This is what’s known as a ‘labyrinth’.”
“A maze?!”
“Perfect for keeping out intruders like Caballeron.”
Auriel looks around as she moves her Light Spell. “And us too I might add.”
“No design is perfect though.”
“Which way then?”
Daring Do groans. “No idea.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
“Just being honest.”
“Well, we can’t just sit here doing nothing!”
“Normally I would fly around and check each of the corridors the stairs lead to for traps.”
Auriel raises an eyebrow. “What would that accomplish?”
“Because it stands to reason that the path without traps would be the right one.”
Auriel shakes her head. “Demons don’t really think like that though.”
“Huh?”
“We would trap everything with the understanding that an authorized visitor would either be accompanied by a guide or be given a map showing the trap’s locations.”
“Clever. Well then, which way do YOU think we should go, princess?”
Auriel shrugs. “No way to know. We just have to pick a path and start walking.”
Daring Do rolls her eyes. “I could’ve come up with that.”
“Fine. You can pick the first path then.”
“Alright.”
Pointing a hoof, the mare looks to the highest stairway.
“This one.”
“Lead the way.”
Heading up the stairs, they peek down the darkened corridor. Spotting an unlit torch nearby, Daring Do picks it up and turns to Auriel.
“Can you give me a spark?”
Nodding, Auriel casts a weak Fire Spell on the torch. Its end bursts into flames as Daring Do grins.
“There. That should save your mana.”
Auriel frowns. “How nice of you.”
Daring Do chuckles. “Don’t thank me. We may need it later to get out of here.”
As they walk slowly down the corridor before them Daring Do holds the torch low and scans the stones carefully.
“Look out for anything that looks like it doesn’t belong.”
“Like what?”
Daring Do stops and points a hoof. “Like that stone in the floor there.”
“What’s so special about it anyways?”
“It’s too perfect. Like it was made to go right there.”
“I don’t understand.”
Daring Do rolls her eyes. “That means it’s probably a button or switch that sets off a trap, so go around it.”
Doing so the pair continue on their way. Daring Do frowns.
“There’s another switch and a tripwire ahead.”
“Lot of traps this way.”
“That could be good.”
“How?”
“If what you told me is true, then the demons might have put lots of traps here to protect the right path and its treasures.”
Auriel sighs. “Time will tell, I suppose.”
A few minutes later they emerge into a large room filled with stairs. Daring Do groans as she looks around.
“We’re back here again?!”
Auriel sighs. “I didn’t feel the corridors turning THAT much though.”
Daring Do points a hoof. “One way to find out. There’s the stairs we supposedly took earlier. Let’s check them out.”
Walking up the stairs again they arrive at the entrance to the corridor at the top. Daring Do looks to one side as she gestures to her torch.
“There’s the empty torch holder I got this thing from.”
Auriel points a claw. “And there’s our footprints leading down it.”
“Guess it’s your turn now.”
“Um… what?”
“To pick a path.”
“Why me? You’re supposed to be the expert.”
“Well, it appears to be random. So I guess I can afford to let a novice like you give it a shot.”
Auriel frowns. “Gee… thanks.”
She looks around a few moments before pointing to a lower path.
“There.”
“Alright. I’ll take the lead though.”
“Fine.”
As they set off down the corridor Daring Do turns to her.
“So… why this path?”
Auriel shrugs. “No real reason I can base in scientific fact. I suppose you could say it was just an impulse.”
“A lot of exploring is done using one’s knowledge of what’s worked in the past to figure things out in the here and now.”
“And if that doesn’t work?”
“Intuition.”
Auriel sighs. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
“Well, you just used it yourself.”
“Only due to lack of options.”
Daring Do grins slyly. “And that’s ‘Adventuring 101’.”
“What is?”
“There are never zero options.”
“Never?”
Daring Do shakes her head. “Never. The choices at hoof may not be what one would consider ideal. However sometimes you have to do something really outside the box.”
“Like what?”
“Well… one time I tried to retrieve an artifact from a group of thieves by disguising myself as a wealthy collector. I made a beard out of dried leaves to help convince them of my legitimacy.”
“But why THAT?!”
Daring Do shrugs. “Like I said, it wasn’t my first choice. But since it was all that was available to me at the time…”
“I don’t think I’d make a very good adventurer.”
“Why not?”
“Because I couldn’t have thought up something like that.”
“Look, we all do what we’re good at, princess. I’m an expert in archeology and spelunking. You’re an expert… royal, I guess.”
“I’m actually pretty good with machines.”
Daring Do raises an eyebrow. “You are?”
Auriel nods. “Yes. In fact I used to build all kinds of things to try and help the demons in Tartarus escape.”
“…what?”
Auriel sighs. “Probably shouldn’t have said that.”
Daring Do frowns. “Does the Hero of Light know about that?”
“Oh yes. In fact he took me in after I was banished from Tartarus for taking my last invention’s power supply.”
“And what did you do with it?”
“Turned it over to the princesses.”
Daring Do sighs. “I would have loved to study it.”
“Trust me when I say it’s too dangerous to be let out of…”
“Wait!”
“What is it?”
“Listen!”
They are silent for a time. Auriel gasps.
“Is that… Kerbelrelian?”
Daring Do nods. “Yes. And it’s ‘Caballeron’. Follow me closely and keep quiet!”
The pair hurry forward as quietly as they are able. Coming to the end of the corridor they find themselves back in the large room with stairs and doorways. Looking up they spot Caballeron and his group of thugs walking along a caged stone walkway high overhead. Caballeron calls out to the others as they walk.
“And below us is an example of the ancient demon’s handiwork in designing inescapable tunnels.”
One of the thugs calls out. “With all those doors?”
Caballeron laughs. “More doors and passageways than one could explore before collapsing from exhaustion! However it isn’t the number of options that’s important, but the layout.”
“I don’t get it.”
Caballeron sighs. “How about I show you then?”
Stopping, he gestures to an old chest nearby. Opening it, he motions for the stallion to approach.
“Step inside.”
The stallion does so. Caballeron closes the lid and fastens the hatch before calling out.
“Now then, try getting out by going left.”
“But it’s just a wall, sir.”
“How about right then?”
“Just another wall.”
“Front and back?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“Down?”
“The only way out is through the top, sir. Just like I got in.”
“Ah, there you are wrong.”
“Sir?”
“Try the top.”
The stallion pushes against the lid with all his might but cannot budge it due to the latch being fastened.
“It… seems to be stuck, sir.”
Caballeron nods. “Right. Now then, even if you were to push in any direction as hard as you could you still would not be able to escape before passing out from exhaustion. The reason being… is because there really isn’t a way out.”
“That makes sense.”
“In any case, let’s be off.”
Another of the thugs calls out. “S-sir?! Aren’t you forgetting something?!”
“No, I don’t think so. Why?”
The stallion in the chest calls out. “Me!”
Caballeron chuckles. “Don’t worry about that. I didn’t forget you.”
“That’s good.”
“I just don’t want to let you out.”
“W-what?!”
Caballeron laughs throatily as he turns to walk away with the others.
“If you can’t understand such a simple concept, then I don’t see any reason to keep you around.”
They continue on their way, leaving the stallion to pound at the inside of the chest. Daring Do and Auriel grit their teeth.
“Did you hear THAT?!”
“Quite clearly.”
“What do we do now?!”
Daring Do frowns as she puts a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “He was going to have us wandering around down here until we starved to death.”
“Actually dehydration would occur first.”
“Not helping.”
Auriel points up to the stone walkway high above them. “We need to get up there where they are then!”
“Yeah. But those bars protecting it aren’t making that any easier.”
“The designers of this place must’ve not wanted anyone with wings circumventing this trap we’re in.”
Daring Do points a hoof. “Yeah. But there’s our ticket inside.”
Auriel looks up to see a large hole in the bars where a rock from above smashed into them some time ago. Sighing, she shakes her head.
“We still can’t reach it with broken wings.”
Daring Do looks around and grins. “I think I might have an idea.”
“How can I help?”
“Grab me three unlit torches and all the vines you can find.”
“But how will that help us…?”
Daring Do winces as she sits down on her flank. “Trust me on this one. I’d help, but I really need to rest my leg.”
Nodding, Auriel does as she is told. Grabbing the torches and a number of vines she returns to Daring Do. Dropping the goods on the ground in front of her she watches as the mare looks over the torches before tying them together with the shortest piece of vine. Auriel raises an eyebrow skeptically.
“Are you trying to make us a ladder?”
Daring Do nods as she continues to work. “In a manner of speaking.”
Auriel frowns. “But even if you’re successful, we could never attach it to anything all the way up there.”
“I’ve already got that worked out too. Just let me do what I’m best at, princess.”
“Fine. Anything else I can do?”
“Grab a few more torches while I work on this.”
Auriel turns to do so as Daring Do continues working on her own project. A short time later she returns to the mare’s side with the unlit torches.
“These are the only ones that weren’t rotted or otherwise unusable.”
Daring Do winces in pain. “They’ll… they’ll do.”
“You okay?”
“Kinda.”
“Wing or leg?”
“Leg!”
“Want me to take a look at it?”
Daring Do bows her head. “Probably should.”
Auriel kneels down next to the pegasus. Looking the leg over she checks the splint as well.
“Looks like the bone is still in alignment and the splint is holding up nicely.”
“Then why does this hurt so bad?!”
Auriel sighs. “Probably because we’ve been walking for hours. The splint just holds the bone in place while forcing you to keep it straight.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?!”
“Not really. After all, I don’t actually have any real medical training.”
Daring Do raises an eyebrow. “Come again?”
“I’m a scientist, not a doctor.”
“WHAT?!”
“Trust me. That splint is the best thing for you right now. It’s all the walking that’s causing the inflammation.”
“Inflammation?!”
“And the unsanitary conditions down here are leading to infection too.”
“Will I be okay?!”
Auriel nods. “Yes. If we can get you back to the ship in a day or two.”
Daring Do groans. “Why am I asking you ANYTHING?! You don’t know for sure anyways!”
“I’ve read up on the subject. It’s pretty light reading to learn some basic first aid. Frankly I’m surprised you don’t know some yourself.”
“Well, I prefer to just avoid injuries altogether whenever possible.”
“As this proves, that’s not always possible.”
Daring Do looks away. “Thank you, doctor.”
“I don’t need to be a doctor to know that sometimes getting hurt isn’t avoidable!”
“Yeah well… there’s also the ‘skill’ factor.”
“Even the best don’t always escape harm.”
“Well I beg to differ.”
Auriel points a claw. “Then explain your wings and leg?”
“That was YOUR fault!”
“And it was YOUR fault that Arc fell into that trap!”
“Well, I…!”
Daring Do sighs and bows her head before continuing.
“…I guess that’s somewhat accurate.”
“Yes, it is!”
“I said ‘somewhat’!”
Auriel groans. “It’s a step in the right direction.”
Daring Do holds up her finished project. “So is this.”
“What is it?”
“Our ticket out of here if we play our cards right.”
“Cards?”
Daring Do rolls her eyes. “It means… aw, skip it.”
Auriel points to the item is Daring Doo’s hooves. “So what are we supposed to do with that?”
“Watch.”
Getting to her hooves unsteadily, Daring Do grabs a vine and holds it up as she speaks.
“I tied all these vines together to make a rope. With this we can climb up to and through that hole in the bars overhead.”
“But neither of us can get up there to tie it for the other.”
Daring Do holds up three of the unlit torches. “That’s what these are for. Watch!”
Tying them to the end of the makeshift rope, Daring Do twirls them about her head for a moment before launching them at the hole in the bars. Missing, she tries again. This time adding more power behind the throw. As the mare fails again, Auriel looks down at her injured leg.
“That looks painful.”
“It is!”
“I’m noticing that you hesitate before each throw.”
“Because it hurts!”
“However if you continue you may do serious damage to your leg.”
Daring Do scoffs as she prepares to throw it again. “And if I don’t do this we’ll be stuck down here forever!”
Throwing the torches with all her might, Daring Do cries out in agony as she releases. It flies straight up as the mare falls onto her side gasping in pain. Lunging forward, Auriel grabs the torches before they smash into the injured mare.
“Th-thanks.”
Auriel frowns. “Like it or not, we need each other right now.”
Setting the torches down, she kneels next to Daring Do. Putting a claw on her leg Auriel frowns.
“It’s becoming inflamed.”
“What does THAT mean?!”
“That you need to take it easy.”
“Well, our only other option is for YOU to do this!”
“I might be able to.”
Daring Do shakes her head. “Nothing personal, princess, but that’s rather unlikely.”
“What else can we do?”
There is a long silence. Eventually Daring Do sighs and pushes the torches toward Auriel.
“Fine… go ahead.”
“Just a moment.”
“What is it now? Do you want some pointers, or something?”
Auriel folds her arms over her chest as she smiles slyly. “If I can do this… I want something from you in return.”