The high rise flats that Mr Fortune had come to was a major contrast from what he was used to, as soon as he entered the lobby it was obviously the less successful part of Canterlot, Mr Fortune was repulsed as what he thought was a pile of trash a mule stirred, belched and stood wobbling. It was clear he had been drinking. “Hay! I ain’t seen you around ‘ere before.” The Mule said with a hiccup as he walked over to Mr Fortune and put a dirty for hoof on Mr Fortune’s expensive sharp suit. “Spare some change?” Asked the Mule; with a blissful smile.
Mr Fortunes face was red with rage and he was gritting his teeth as he saw the large clump of dirt now on his favourite suit, he would have lashed out on the poor mule if it wasn’t for his Sectary hadn’t stepped in, removed the hoof and cleaned off the dirt from Mr Fortune’s shoulder whilst saying “Mr Fortune does not like being touched. However it looks lie there has been no damage.” the Secretary took a close look at Mr Fortune’s sharp suit, and nodded in satisfaction that she had removed all the dirt.
She then turned to the wobbling mule, whose smile had gone and now looked quite aggressive. The Secretary took from her own saddle bag a small purse and counted out some change. “Here, that should be enough for a cider or two.” The Secretary said putting bits into the Mule’s outstretched hoof, and the Mule grinned and wobbled away. “Whoo! Thanks, and just in time for happy hour!” the mule cried as he left the lobby.
“Thank you, this place is dreadful” Are you sure this is the correct address?” Said Mr Fortune with concern as muffled arguments could be heard from upstairs. He still had a horrified look and seemed to be eyeing the pile of trash as if somepony else was going to appear from it.
His Secretary groaned. “Yes, we’ve been over this a million times. This is the place Madame Daisy Dig-good lives, her apartments on the seventh floor. Now unless you want to be called out when your friends realise you don’t have any thing from the occult and a massive scandal breaks out, you are doing this.” She said with annoyance as she walked to the stairwell.
Mr Fortune’s face went red with rage again as he caught up with his Secretary “You have no right to use that tone with me missy! I am your employer!” He said with force, however his secretary barely flinched. She was used to this from her boss. “If you hadn’t noticed, that Mule would have taken your bits by force, so you owe me for that. Plus not to mention I’m the one who found out about this Dig-good who was willing to sell you items.” She said as matter of fact as she climbed the stairs with Mr Fortune. He looked like he wanted to argue, but the Secretary inwardly smiled. He couldn’t as he relied on her far too much these days.
If the lobby was bad, the 7th floor was worse. The Secretary read the numbers on the door’s and stopped at one, raised her hoof and said “This is hers.” as she knocked on the door. The door swung inward, Mr Fortune looked to his Secretary and shrugged. “Guess we just go in.” He said, walking into the apartment. Mr Fortune instantly tried to run out.
It was lit by candle light alone and was full of mysterious old relics and ritualistic symbols. His secretary had to force him into the room, the further they went in; the more Mr Fortune noticed his surroundings. There were skulls, and shrunken heads scattered on table tops, and on the wall Mr Fortune noticed a hanging rabbit’s foot on a chain.
The Secretary closed the door behind her, preventing Mr Fortunes escape. Instantly the room was full of long shadows. Mr Fortune gasped as he heard movement and a blur of red. “Madame Daisy Dig-good?” He said aloud, but his voice betrayed him as it was full of fear. “I’m a little afraid…” he whispered to his Secretary behind him.
When he turned back around, Madame Daisy Dig-Good was standing right in front of him, so close that their noses almost touched. “Afraid of what Mr. Fortune, Me?” She asked as Mr Fortune jumped back, she lowered the hood of her blood red cloak, revealing her face. She had violet eyes, her unicorn horn poked out from her long sleek ginger mane which was platted with various silver charms, and around her neck was a necklace made of many purple marbles.
“No, Madame! Not of you! Though a practical pony, I find your mind reading talents quite impressive…and diverting… but Crystal Caves? That sort of mystic view of history does make me shudder!” he said, visibly shaking as she gave a piercing gaze as if she was looking into his soul.
“Crystal Caves are no mystic fantasy Mr. Fortune.” She said as she went around her room, until she stood in front of a display case. She raised her necklace with her forehoof and showing it to him. “This necklace and this very display hold treasures came from the Crystal Caves!” She began, and then motioned Mr Fortune to come closer to the display case, he saw that it was full of various objects that had crystal spirals on them.
She held her necklace again, holding it just right that the Purple marbles that made it sparkled brilliantly. “What I hold, I believe that it empowered its priestess to speak to the spirits!” She continued. Mr. Fortune eyes bulged and he’s jaw hung loose, unable to take it all in. Madame Daisy took a deep breath, playing with the necklace in her hooves she said “Even as I touch it, I feel the presence…of…a great being…as though a light were shining through…into my soul!”
Mr Fortune was transfixed as Madame Daisy Dig-good continued. “I am but a vessel for their thoughts, the very ideals…the vast knowledge buried within this last noble civilization! Our world is longing for the spiritual awakening that only the lore of the Crystal Caves can bring us!” She said, causing Mr Fortune to nod in agreement to everything she said.
The Secretary rolled her eyes “If that stuff is true” She said with great emphasis on the word ‘true’ “Then what you’re suggesting means that your display here is probably worth more than this entire apartment!” The Secretary continued with an annoyed tone. Madame Daisy smiled and said “You would not be here, if your heart was not ready to believe!” Madame Daisy used her Unicorn magic and a slideshow clicked into action.
The first picture same up against the blank wall behind Madame Daisy, showing a romantic illustration of Diamond Dogs working in harmony, and using technology ponies like Mr Fortune could only dream of.
Madame Daisy began her speak. “Long before the dawn of civilisation, before the glory that is Equestria, there were the Crystal Caves. The most evolved society in pony history, with a technology far superior to ours. The Diamond Dogs rode on magnetic belts. They didn’t need mass labour to build their temples.” Madame Daisy used her magic to changing the slide.
It now showed Diamond Dogs smiling and working around giant levitating blocks of stone. “I’m convinced they had mastered anti-gravity!” Madame Daisy announced, her announcement creating a great gasp from Mr Fortune. Madame Daisy pressed the button again now showing Diamond Dogs socialising, dancing, and partying in rich robes in a highly decorated hall. She cleared her throat and continued with her speech “But it was no mere technocracy. They had mastered the perfect society.”
Mr Fortune stood. “Sounds like Utopia!” he cried. Madame Daisy smiled and said “Exactly! And at the heart of it was the spirit, the soul of the society…all dedicated to the higher good! That is what we must learn from them!” Mr Fortune was completely hooked. “How… What do I do?” He asked excitedly.
“Well, you can write out a nice, fat check payable to Madame Daisy…just for openers.” Said a new voice. Every pony jumped and turned in surprise to see who spoke. “Right Daisy?” Said Daring Do as she entered the room.
“Dr. Do! How dare you? This is a private gathering! Who do you think you are?!” Mr. Fortune said furiously, so angry his face had gone scarlet red.
Daring Do smiled and shook his hoof, suddenly breaking his guard. “Better me than commissioner on fraud and confidence games…” Daring Do said with a wry smile “Just imagine if a special task force on mystics and fortune tellers stormed in and ask you all to help them with some testimony?”
Mr Fortune coughed suddenly, seeing what Daring Do was getting at. “Ah, ahem…sorry! I’ve a full calendar! Oh, dear how time flies! I’m late, for the thing…at the place…” He said as he made for the door. The Secretary hastily caught up to her boss. “Ah, very nice to meet you, doctor…Sorry I can’t stay to chat!” She said as she slammed the door strongly behind her.
Madame Daisy was fuming as she turned the main lights on to her apartment with her unicorn magic. Daring Do shrugged. “They left Daisy! Was it something I said?” Daring Do said with a sheepish grin. “Good t’see you again –” She started. Madame Daisy smashed a vase over Daring Do’s head, breaking it into a thousand tiny shards.
“You smug, self righteous, silly pony!” She shouted. Daring Do was seeing stars, and shook her head before looking to the broken vase on the floor. “Good grief! Not…” Daring Do asked swallowing hard. Madame Daisy gave a hard forced laugh. “A valuable Piece? Ha! I wouldn’t waste one on you! Damn you Do…This is my career!” Madame Daisy said angrily, stomping. “What give you the right?”
Daring Do rubbed her head and said with annoyance “Come off it Daisy! This isn’t for you! Fleecing rich clients with this, honestly! I’ll give you this…you’re smooth.” Daring Do gave a terrible imitation of Daisy as she said “I feel a great presence…”
Daisy gave her a look of scorn. “The fact is, some times I do! Know what else? I give these ponies something! A spiritual feeling…and hope!” Daisy said in an attempt to explain her actions.
Daring Do blew out her cheeks. “Damn, Daisy…You’re an archaeologist! You were good! Why throw it away? For these cheap carnival tricks and stories” she said with disappointment.
Daisy looked away from the look Daring Do was giving her. “I got tired of being shunned because of my theories…while you got to climb the academic ladder, Doctor Do!”
Daring Do gave a sigh. “I know, I know! But you won’t change anything by just quitting…” She said, studying the room around her, suddenly Daring Do recognised them. “These pieces are from the Jastro dig…you set aside some choice pieces from that dig for yourself!” She said, shocked. “Some bozo was willing t’kill me to get a single piece…”
Daring Do looked at Daisy “You have to let me find out what makes them so valuable! Besides, it could be dangerous for you to have ‘em around!” Daring Do said, taking a seat. Daisy wasn’t taking her seriously, she just laughed and said “What makes them valuable? Nothing! They’re carved, dirty stones! Ponies see in them only what they want to see, besides. I just keep ‘em around for atmosphere!”
Daring Do almost fell of her seat “What! You haven’t catalogued or indexed any of this? You must have over a hundred irreplaceable relics…” She said completely shocked. Her jaw dropped when Daisy said “Just pretty rocks to me.” with a shrug.
Daring Do facehoofed and sighed. “Look, Daisy, it’s too late for me to head back tonight. Suppose I go through these things and then bed down on your couch?” she asked.
Daisy smiled “Sounds fine to me. I’m going to have a bath and then off to bed. I’ll leave you to it. Remember Dr. Do – you’re just here for research, I better not find anything missing.” She said, and waked off to her bathroom.
Daring Do heard the taps running. “You’re safe with me. We spent three months in the Crystal Mountains and you came out unscathed, remember?” Daring Do said loudly rolling her eyes. “Until you started fleecing suckers…What the hay happened to you, Daisy?” she thought as she picked up an object at random. A green crystal with silver spirals running through it.
“Well…To Work…Hmm this piece has similar markings to the statuette.” She thought. “Could Daisy really believe this stuff came from the Crystal Caves?” As she studied the crystal she felt her eyelids getting heavy. Daring Do gave a yawn suddenly feeling tired, she decided to give it in for the night. She laid down and closed her eyes.
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The front door opened with a quiet click. “Boss…? I got the door open…” said a whisper. There was a quick shuffling and a small amount of light came through from the hallway. Waking Daring Do instantly. “Good. Remember…Take all the artefacts…” Came another voice. Daring Do’s eyes went wide as she recognised the second voice. It was none other than Mr Corn.
Daring Do sat up instantly and turned the lights on. “Hello Mr Corn. What role are you playing now?” Daring Do said with a warm welcome. For a moment Mr Corn was stunned. “Ah Dr. Do! Another interesting meet…” Mr Corn turned to the two goons that were with him. “Deal with her, and bring those artefacts to me!” He said. The goons laughed. Daring Do gave a gulp. She knew that this was going to hurt.
Crack! Thud! Whack! Smash! Donk! Daisy raised her head from her pillow slowly. “Bwah, what ‘re doing? Eating the furniture?” Daisy said with a great yawn. Suddenly her bedroom door was nothing but splinters of wood as Daring Do and another ponies bundled through it in a great pile.
“Daisy! Do something!” Cried Daring Do. Daisy was scared, but she managed to grab the pony off Daring Do, but the pony managed to break free. He grabbed a chair and began to swing it wildly, making Daisy scream. Daring Do cried “Daisy! Get out of here!” before getting struck over the head by the chair.
Daring Do instinctively kicked, despite having a mind numbing headache and managed to kick the pony out of Daisy’s bedroom window. Daring Do climbed to her hooves and looked out of the now broken window, and heard the pony scream as they fell to the street below. “I’m sure they’ll be fine…” Daring Do said, more to reassure herself than Daisy who still looked terrified.
Meanwhile the other goon was busy filling a sack with the artefacts in Daisy’s living room. The sack was now full and took it to Mr Corn. “Here, Boss! I rounded up those arty-facts, like y’said!” Mr Corn smiled. “Thank you my boy, thank you. Now come with me, and we’ll settle your payment…” he said taking the sack and leading him out of the apartment.
Daring Do’s head throbbed terribly. “He’s gone, with everything!” she said shakily. “Whoa…that hurts.” She collapsed in a chair. “Now he’s got all the pieces!”
Daisy smiled “Not quite.” Holding her necklace in her front hoof “This necklace came from the jastro expedition…I never take it off!” she practically beamed, but then noticed that Daring Do had fainted. “Oh dear, you’re badly hurt! Don’t worry Daring Do, I’ll get you to a doctor!”
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~Some time later. In a secret laboratory.~
“Have you had a chance to study the artefacts, Mr Corn?” Said Ahuitzotl. Mr Corn held the Diamond Dog statuette and nodded. “Why yes. I believe they are clues to possibly the most powerful energy source ever made!” Mr Corn said excitedly. “There is much ancient lore about energized metal from the lost Crystal Caves…but I never thought I would ever hold any pieces!”
Ahuitzotl hummed. “The Crystal Caves? You give credence to that myth, Mr Corn?” Mr Corn had expected this and brought the key and put it into the statuette and opened to reveal inside a purple marble. “Observe, please! This piece was found near a quarry, and I believe it to be highly advanced. See this marble? Note it fits neatly into the idol’s mouth.” Mr Corn did so as he spoke; he pulled the statuettes arm and pointed the statue at the wall. Suddenly the marble glowed and fired a beam at the wall, Mr Corn pulled the arm back to its original position. There was now damage on the wall and burn marks where the beam had hit the wall.
Ahuitzotl was clearly impressed. “My, I’ve never seen such a thing! And this is just a mere model!” he said and gave a booming laugh. “Do you realise what this means, Mr Corn? We hold the fate of Equestria in our hands!”
Mr Corn laughed too, until Ahuitzotl gave him a serious look. “What happened to those goons you used?” he asked. Mr Corn smiled reassuringly. “Fear not, they have been disposed of…” he gave a smile. “What’s more, one gave Daring Do one heck of a whack to the head. Even she won’t be inter fearing!”
“Bah! Curse Daring Do! She will interfere, she always does. Remember that. However I think I’ll send her someone to wish her a speedy recovery.” Ahuitzotle said and laughed as he left Mr Corn to his studies. Yes, there was one perfect pony for a job like this, and Daring Do is going to get a visit from them.
~ To Be Continued ~