//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: This is how many times, now? // Story: Daring Do and The Knights of Time and Space // by spectacles_ak //------------------------------// The group of ponies walked through the dense jungle, the ones in front using their magic to clear the path while Legerdemane and Daring Do discussed a crudely drawn map. The male unicorns face was impassive while Daring’s held barely contained anger. The Doctor and Ditzy simply walked, collars having been attached around their necks, with chains connecting them with a group of rather robust unicorns, presumably to keep them under guard and to remind Daring of their status as hostages. “Ditzy?” The Doctor said suddenly. “Yeah?” She said sullenly and turning her head to look at him. “You never mentioned your sister before. You mentioned your parents, and your roommate even, but never a sister. Why?” “Its...its kind of complicated. I don’t think now is really the best time to talk about it.” “Well, I dunno. Its not like we’ve got anything else going on anyway. Though I must admit, finding out about these..’Knights of the Black Horn’ rather suprising to be honest. Pony society seemed so, well, peaceful and accepting that having a unicorn supremacist group is a bit of a shock.” “Its a bit of a suprise to me too. I know they are some folks that act a bit snooty, especially unicorns in Canterlot, but to this extent is almost unbelievable.” “Is it?” One of the guards suddenly spoke, their voice muffled by the balaklava covering their face. “Excuse me?” The Doctor turned to look at the speaker, the chain jangling as he did so. “Don’t talk to the prisoners. Do you want to get in trouble with the boss again?” Another sighed, annoyance heavy in their tone. “I don’t give a sack of horsefeathers. Let him get mad. And don’t you tell me what to do either.” The first guard snapped back. “Please, everypony. Just calm down. Though our relationship in this situation is a bit, well, awkward that no reason to at each others throats” The Doctor interjected. One guard yanked hard on the chain. “And you shut up too! I bet you got your cutie mark for running off at the mouth!” “How does that even make sens- OW! Fine I’ll be quiet! No need to be so testy” The Doctor hung his head. They continued on for some time the scenery changing little except for brightly colored tropical birds and black buzzing insects that bit them and buzzed annoying. Other animals could be heard but none it seemed had the courage to approach the large group. The light that had filtered through the trees was beginning to take on an orangish cast to it, and the air was starting to cool slightly, which only seemed to encourage the bugs. The group had stopped moving forward, and several of the pathfinding ponies were speaking to Legerdemane and Daring. Ditzy strained to hear what they were saying but she couldn’t make it out. The dark spectacled unicorn sounded angry but then rubbed his eyes. He turned and spoke to one of the henchman nearest him. This one nodded and turned towards the others. As he approached, he waved one leg around, causing the others to circle up. He pulled down his balaklava, removed the goggles, and wiped down the sweat that had formed. “All roight, yaouw lot. tek foiv' minutes rest, get summat ter drink. when yom done, check yaw gear an' get ready ter goo. A gid the prisoners sum too. they're rubbish as hostages if they die too early.” He shouted at them with a strange accent that Ditzy couldn't place and the Doctor thought would not have sounded out of place in Birmingham. The group of guards seemed to simultaneously relax, almost of them taking off their head gear, and loosing the black clothing. They began chatting and laughing amongst each other, and drinking out of canteens they hovered in midair. A mare, a rather tall and muscular mare tossed two canteens at The Doctor and Ditzy’s hooves. “You heard the captain. Drink up. Dying of dehydration is not a fun way to go, trust me.” The two did as they were told, Ditzy drinking a bit too fast and started to cough. “Whoa there filly, you need to slow it up. Drinking too fast is just as bad as drinking not at all.” Ditzy nodded fiercely as she caught her breath. “If you’ll excuse miss..I didn’t catch your name.” The Doctor said conversationally. “Not really any of your business. I don’t tell things like that to prisoners.” She glowered at him. “I’m just trying to be friendly, as it seems we’re going to be hanging out together for a while we might as well get to know each other. My names- “ The mare simply held her hoove in front of his face. “Nope. Don’t care. Don’t try that buddy buddy stuff on me. This isn’t make first time watching hostages. None of us are new at this. Thats what we do and thats what we are good at. Guarding prisoners and hostages. I have seen every single trick in the book, buddy and it ain’t gonna work on any of us, so don’t try. Drink your water and just stay quiet.” The Mare moved away a bit but kept watch on the two, her eyes almost predatory. The Doctor was a bit taken aback. He looked at Ditzy but her attention seemed elsewhere. “Look, Ditzy.” “Yeah?” “I’m really sorry about this. I didn’t exactly plan for this.” “You usually don’t Doctor. After our adventures I’ve come to realize that whenever we finally stop some place, it usually seems to be for the best.” She said, without looking at him. “Well, I’m glad you understand. Still though, didn’t expect competent henchman. Thats certainly novel. And your sister here too, eh? And a secret society to top it off! How exciting, huh?” “Yup. Exciting.” Ditzy responsed, continuing facing foreward. “She seems awfully protective of you though. I mean being the older sister I guess that makes sense.” “She’s younger actually.” “What?” “She’s about two years younger than me.” “But she’s so..” “I know. She got that way after I had a really bad accident.” “Accident.” “Yeah. It happened along time ago. Its kept me from going with her on her adventures. That why I was so willing to go with you in your blue box. A chance for some excitement again.” Ditzy sighed with a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. “She blames herself. I don’t. It was my own fault. But she blames herself, and thats why she never comes home to visit. I don’t think she likes remembering that not every adventure ends up well.” “Did this accident..um..is it why your eyes-” “Remember when I said I didn’t want to talk about that, when we first met?” She interrupted. “Yes?” “Still don’t.” “Right. Now, lets change the subject. How are we going to get out of this pickle barrell, eh?” He said, enthusiam returning to his voice. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry.” Ditzy said, looking at him with a smile. “See Daring over there?” “Yes?” “She how her tail is moving?” “I see it but I’m not quite..oh. Oh!” Realization dawned on the Doctor as he noticed that the tail was swishing in a particular pattern. “Thats a code we came up with, that one for when we were grounded but wanted to get out of the house anyway.” Ditzy whispered to him, using her hoove to hide her mouth, just in case one of the guards had for some reason mastered lip reading. “And?” “She’s got this. We just need to be able to hold up our end when the time comes and make the best of whatever opportunity she gives us..” She told him. “Our end? And what does that mean?” The Doctor said incredulously. Ditzy grinned widely and looked at him with mischief in her eyes. “In basic terms, we wing it and hope for the best. Easy as muffins!"