//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Flight Talk // Story: Daring Do and the Soluna Stone // by Goldenheart //------------------------------// Daring Do and the Soluna Stone: Chapter 2 After making it to the landing pad after barely making the scheduled flight, Daring finds a mini-zeppelin waiting for herself and her friends. There's a pilot waiting for them in the lobby of the zeppelin and greets them at the door of the lobby. "Why, hello my lovely Daring Do. It's great to see you after so many years.", says the pilot as he saluted her. "Jarvis, it's good to see you again!", says Daring as she gives the pilot a hug. Twilight, Spike, and Trixie all have questioned looks on their faces as to say what is the relation between them. Daring looks back after hugging the pilot to see her friends faces with the looks then figure they need an explanation. "Oh, sorry guys. This is Jarvis, he helps me with transportation all over the world. When it becomes too hard for me to handle, he helps me travel long distances and/or harsh environments.", says Daring with a smile. "A pleasure to meet you all on this lovely day. My name is Jarvis von Krieger, just call me Jarvis.", greets Jarvis. Jarvis has his mane neatly groomed back which is black in color, but is faded with gray and white hairs on the side. His coat is a shade of dark brown. He also has a neat mustache(which Spike is fascinated by). He is wearing a pilot suit with a chain going into one pocket in the front of his jacket. His Cutie Mark is that of a Aviator Hat, which makes his talent seem to be all about flight travel and navigation as he is the pilot of the zeppelin. " So you're going to be our pilot today?", asks Trixie, looking unimpressed. "How long have you known him, Daring?", asks Twilight. "How great of a pilot is he?", asks Spike, no doubt looking to know anything more about Daring. Daring breathed in, then spoke, "Yes, 6 years, and one time he flew through a hurricane.". Twilight has a pleased look, Trixie still looks unimpressed, and Spike's eyes look like they're gleaming as he got a question answered. A ring is being heard somewhere nearby. Jarvis goes into his coat pocket and reaches for the chain and pulls out a fancy pocket watch, and checks the time. "We must get going, we have no more time for chit-chat. Climb aboard and strap yourselves in.", says Jarvis. Just as he said so, all four of them get into the lobby of the zeppelin. The inside looks compact, obviously looking like not to accommodate more than 6 ponies. There are four chairs in the middle of the lobby, with three doors in the room. One is in the front for the control room for Jarvis to use. One in the back for a restroom. and the side door for the exit. As they go to sit down, Spike goes to sit right next to Daring, obviously to ask her questions along the entire trip. So that leaves Twilight to sit next to Trixie. Jarvis closes the door outside and locks it in place. He then goes to the controls to start the zeppelin. Everypony straps themselves in and gets ready to lift off. After several minutes of waiting, the sounds of the engines begin going as they begin lifting off the ground and begin to leave the city. Sounds of static is heard in the corners of the lobby as there are intercoms with Jarvis speaking into them. "Well everypony, say goodbye to the city, cause it'll take about a day to get to Saddle Arabia.", says Jarvis as his voice is heard over the intercom. All four of them look outside the window to see a tall building moving away and the city going out of sight. Their adventure to find the Soluna Stone has now officially begun. Twilight can't help that there's to be danger in their journey. Even though Daring is a professional, will they still be in more trouble then they're getting themselves into? -------------------------------------- 7 hours later... The flight has been very smooth for the most part and the gang have been trying to entertain themselves over time. For Daring, it has been torture for her when Spike has been hitting her with question after question about her life and her many adventures like if he's going to write an autobiography of her life. Twilight is chatting with Trixie about her actual reasoning for coming with the group and also discussing about her relationship with her friends. Spike is talking to Daring to death with continuous questions. This appears to be giving Daring a headache as Spike sounds like he never stopped to take a breath in-between questions. Daring rubs her temples with her hooves as she can't stand anymore questions from Spike. She finally snaps and shoves her hoof in Spike's mouth to shut him up. "Spike, please. You've been giving me questions for hours. I asked about half of them and you haven't stopped since then.", says Daring as she tried to stop herself from yelling at Spike. "Sorry, but I want to ask you everything I've read in your books and ask for the real facts.", says Spike with sparkles in his eyes. "You know that all the stuff in my books are exaggerated Spike. How many times do I have to tell you?", asks Daring. Spike looks very sorry and says, "I've been thinking after the Nightmare Moon incident, that I can act a little more brave and be a hero, like you. So that way, I can help our friends and not get in the way." Daring looks shocked at Spike's confession. "You act all brave and kind. You are honest with all your friends and not afraid to reveal yourself in public at times.", says Spike with his head low. Daring then sighs and decides to give him a long explanation, and also give him a confession. "Spike, I'll be honest with you. I may reveal myself when I'm with my fans, but I don't like the fame as much as I told you all before. I wish I never became so famous because of my work. The pony who writes my books, is Sandy Shores.", says Daring in a sad tone. Spike gasps from all the information he's being given. ----------------------------------------------------- After my expedition to Saddle Arabia, Sandy contacted me and offered to write books about my many travels. I agreed and figured I could at least give them the truth of my many journeys. After the first book came out, I read it for myself and saw that Sandy exaggerated not only my adventures, but my personality altogether. I asked her why she did this, and said that she thought my life needed a little more flair. Afterwards, I started getting more attention. I tried to avoid this by taking a job at the museum of Manehattan and using my birth name, Honey Do, as 'Daring' is only a nickname. I only appear to my fans if Daring Do meet-ups want me there, so I put on a smile for my fans. For once I want Sandy to write the truth on my books. For years, I just want to settle down and not have any worries. So after this adventure, I'm going to stop my expeditions and settle down at the museum for awhile with you guys to be happy with. ----------------------------------------------------- Daring smiles after her explanation, but she is tearing up and sniffling a bit. Spike then moves closer and hugs Daring to comfort her. Daring then wipes away her tears and rubs Spike's head, which has made her feel better. "I'm sorry for annoying you Daring. I never knew you kept this all inside you.", says Spike. "No, I should've told you all more what I've been feeling.", says Daring. "I promise Daring, no matter what happens, I'll be sure to get the Soluna Stone for you. I'll make this adventure the most memorable for you.", says Spike with a confident tone. "Thanks Spike. I know with your help and with Twilight and Trixie helping us, we'll get that gem for sure.", says Daring with renewed vigor. Daring then gives Spike a huge hug and she feels much better knowing that her friends will always be there to help her out. On the other side of the lobby, Twilight is talking with Trixie. Twilight, for the last hour or so, has been talking to Trixie about their life and recent events. "So you being Celestia's student pretty much must be very pressuring for such as you.", says Trixie. "It is, but I know that the Princess has complete faith in me.", said Twilight with a smile of thinking of Celestia. "I wouldn't know. I never went to the school for gifted unicorns. You had the chance to go back and live the splendor life of Canterlot. Why didn't you go back?", questions Trixie. "Well, you all made me think what it means to have friends. The thought of losing friendship would've made me sad of being alone again.", says Twilight. She then thinks back to the memory of when she decided to stay in Manehattan. ----------------------------------------------- "Spike, take a letter.", says Celestia. Spike then takes out a piece of parchment and a quill to write down. "I, Princess Celestia. Hereby decree, that the unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, will report to me with her findings on the magic of friendship, from her new hometown of Manehattan.", she says with a royal tone. Twilight is shocked as her friends then hug each other as they hear the good news that Twilight will be staying in town now, and to write to the Princess on her findings on friendship."Princess, I don't know what to say but, thank you!", says Twilight." Everypony, I know that I'll be happy here, knowing that I have friends like you.". ---------------------------------------------- "Trixie, friendship is something that will never be replaced or removed.", says Twilight. "Well, I never had friends before I met you all. I always was a sideshow act when I perform around equestria.", said Trixie. Twilight leans closer to know more about her. Trixie continues her story, "After a mishap I had in Ponyville, I decided to perform in Manehattan for a couple of months. After what happened with Nightmare Moon and with my boastful heroics last month, I knew Manehattan would be my permanent home!" Twilight is happy to hear her friend say this, as Trixie has the tendency to be boastful of herself. "Now you know how precious it can be. Having friends, in the most unexpected of places, was the right path we both decided to take", says Twilight. Trixie sighs, "Yes I do, I just saw you at first as a new pony to show off my act to. Now that I want to make my show known around the world, I want to bring smiles to many ponies. I want to share our friendship to everypony!", says Trixie gleefully. "So that's why you wanted to come with us?", asks Twilight. "Yes. Now I can bring joy to everypony, by sharing smiles and laughter to all!", says Trixie with flair as she raises her hooves like she's performing on stage . "Well, we've got all night of sleep to catch on. *Yawn*", yawns Twilight. With that said, Twilight gets a blanket and covers herself so she can sleep. Trixie then sees Daring and Spike bundling up together and are happily sleeping. Trixie takes off her hat and cloak with her magic to set on the ground, then gets a blanket to sleep as well. Before she drifts to sleep, her last thoughts are of what Twilight told her about keeping friendship close.