//------------------------------// // Part 16: "Finally, she figures it out." // Story: The Death of Daring Do: The Engine of Eternity // by DuncanR //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash and Derring-Do looked up as Perez and the high priest approached the heavy iron bars of their bleak, stone cell. They had a troop of guards behind them: the stallions in black long coats marched side by side with the silver-masked cultists in midnight-blue robes. Perez opened the prison door and went inside. "Are you feeling well enough to stand up, Miss Do?" Derring-Do scowled at her, and stood up without a word. The cult leader approached her and examined the ugly snake bite on her flank. The purple bruise had turned black and the hair overtop of it had fallen out in a neat little pattern. It looked almost exactly like a skull. "The fang marks of the Black Lotus Viper," he said. "There can be no mistake. She will die soon." "Fetch an antivenom immediately," said Perez. The priest shrugged. "There are none. Not for this." "Then make one," she said, tersely. "The guardian of the crypts has afflicted her with the death curse. One cannot cure destiny." Derring sighed. "Not this again." Perez arched an eyebrow. "Again? What do you mean?" The cult leader nodded to her. "She plundered the city of Still Waters and removed the sacred stone from its most holy resting place. For this, she is cursed to die." "What about the wise-witch of the lost tribe?" said Rainbow Dash. "She told me you were going to die soon. Does that count as a curse?" Derring shook her head. "Doubtful. She was just pointing it out to you." Perez frowned at her. "How many times can one mare be cursed to die?" Derring-Do gave her a bored look. "...Today, you mean?" Perez stared at her for a moment. She then turned to the cult leader. "You can at least create a cure for the physical symptoms of a snake bite." "There are no symptoms," he said. "There will be no pain, no infirmity, before the end." "Go!" Perez shouted. The cult leader watched her for a moment, utterly bland and disinterested. He exited the cell and followed his robed bodyguards away. Perez stepped out of the cell and locked the door behind her. "Dismissed," she said to the remaining guards. They marched off down the hall, leaving the three of them alone. "It was never my wish for you to come to harm," said Perez. "Zweibrücker was acting alone when he dropped your plane out of the zeppelin's hanger. I had nothing to do with it." "You're working for the lunatics," said Derring. "What did you think was going to happen?" "I didn't know it was them!" hissed Perez. "I've had dozens of different investors throughout my career, and it turns out the Cabal had its hooks in every last one of them. They control over a dozen global industries, and have more resources than most small countries you could name. By the time they told me the truth the expedition was already underway. There was nothing I could do about it." "You could've quit. You could've told the princess. You could have done anything at all, besides roll over like an obedient dog." "They don't take well to rejection. You know full well they would've had me killed as soon as I took one step out of line. What would you have me do?" Derring-Do's frown darkened. "...Most ponies would be proud to die for their princess." Perez met her gaze. "I've spent the last thirty years of my life searching for the truth. Nations come and go. Thrones rise and topple. But the truth... the truth is the only thing worth dying for." Rainbow Dash watched the two mares. Derring's frown faded into a look of awe. "You've destroyed us all," she said. Perez Arched an eyebrow. "Finally, she figures it out." Rainbow Dash glanced between them. "What? Understands what?" Derring said "the old legends claim that before their civilization fell, some Dzunturans fled the city to live as nomads. They vowed that they would never again set hoof in that abandoned city... nor would any of their ancestors, no matter how distant." Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. "You mean... she's a descendant!?" "Why else would I spend a lifetime searching for this place?" said Perez. "At first all I wanted was to find my home, or a hint about my past. But as you now know, other opportunities presented themselves. The Lunatic Cabal knew that only a pony of true Dzunturan lineage could have any hope of operating the engine of eternity. They're superstitious about such things as prophecies." Derring-Do scowled at her. "The prophecies also say that the Dzunturan vowed never to return to the city. And that if they did, a terrible curse would bring them to complete and utter ruin... they would suffer catastrophe such as even the gods have never before witnessed. The moment you set hoof in this city you destroyed yourself, along with any hope of understanding your past. You have nopony to blame but yourself." Perez pursed her lips. "A pitiful deception, Miss Do." "She's not lying," said Rainbow Dash. "It's the truth." "Then she's simply in error. An amateurish error, at that: the Aduu word for 'curse' is very similar to—" "I've made no mistake," Derring said, "I know what I heard." "And would you be willing to stake your professional reputation on this interpretation of yours?" "I've already staked my life on it." Perez turned to leave. Rainbow Dash rushed to the bars and called after her. "They're still alive!" Perez paused to look back at her. "There's a whole tribe of Dzunturan living in the jungle! They've been there for centuries, and their culture hasn't changed a bit! Let us out of here, and we'll bring you to them! Once we stop the cabal, you'll never have to worry about them coming after you ever again!" Perez gave her a derisive sniff and walked away. Dash shouted after her. "What do you need this stupid city for when you could actually meet your ancestors face to face? They're your family! Argh!" Dash kicked at the bars. "Stupid, stubborn mare! She's every bit as bad as the cultists!" She looked back and saw Derring-Do sitting on the floor, facing the wall. She walked over and sat beside her. "What's wrong? Do you wanna talk about it?" Derring remained silent. Dash took a slow breath. "Perez was your hero for the longest time. I know how much it hurts to find out what she's really like... but you can't blame yourself. She's made her own decisions." She watched her for awhile, sitting perfectly still. "So... I know it hurts now, but it won't hurt forever. It's okay to be sad or angry. And... if you wanna talk about it... about anything at all... I'm here for you. Even if you just need a shoulder to cry on. And that's okay too." Dash looked around the cell, saw nopony watching, and sidled up against her. She held her front leg out and awkwardly put it around Derring's shoulders. "Don't touch me!" Derring screamed at her. "Don't ever touch me, ever again! My life is a misery because of you! I wish we'd never met!!" She shoved her away and scampered sideways, sitting in the corner of the cell with her head down. After a minute or so, Dash walked over and sat next to her again. She hugged Derring around the neck. She let out a tiny sniffle, and her shoulders shook. She slumped against her and pressed her tear-stained face against Dash's neck. Her sobs grew louder and more ragged, like the strangled cries of a wounded animal. "I'm sorry! I'm so... so sorry!" Dash hugged her tighter. "It's okay. Really." Derring-Do struggled to speak in between strangled chokes. "You were right about her before. Perez and Zweibrücker were working together, but I didn't believe it... I didn't want to believe it. I trusted a childhood hero I'd never even met, and ignored the only friend I've ever had in the world... we've been through so much together, and I chose her over you just because of how many books she's published! Because of how famous she is!" "Shh... it's okay." "It's n-n-not okay!" Derring sputtered. "You're g-g-gonna die here because of me... the only friend I've ever had in the world, and it's my fault you're gonna die!" Dash lifted her up slightly and hugged her tighter.       Several hours later, the guards took them out of the cell and escorted them to the uppermost point of the flying catacombs: a great circular planetarium with a domed ceiling, held up by a dozen massive stone pillars. The room was open and exposed and the cloudy sky was clearly visible between the columns that supported the dome. Frigid wind whipped throughout the interior, and there was a faint dusting of frost on the walls. The guards led Rainbow Dash and Derring-Do to the outer wall and tied them both to a wooden stake. Other guards filed into the room, standing guard around a circular hole in the middle of the floor. The sound of stone-and-bronze machinery filled the air and a great stone platform rose up from the hole, bringing with it the engine of eternity: the massive gyroscope expanded to full size as it emerged, dominating the center of the room. The guards all stared in awe as it whirled and rotated around itself. Perez, who had been standing on the platform as it arrived, was focusing her attention on a clipboard. "Ahh, professor!" Zweibrücker stepped out of the crowd and climbed up onto the platform. "How goes the procedure? Nothing but good news, I hope?" "The engine appears to be operational," she said, "but it will take some time to calibrate the balance. All we need is to let it spin up for a few more minutes, and then check for any irregularities." "Yes, yes..." Zweibrücker stepped up onto the platform and gazed up at the machine, smiling. "We've been waiting quite a long time for this moment... what's a few more minutes?" The elderly cult leader entered the room with the clear triangular prism on his back, resting on a blue velvet cushion. The crowd of cultists and mercenaries all watched the stone as it passed by, marvelling at its brightness and clarity. "Install the prism immediately," said Perez. "I'll make the final adjustments as soon as the machine is properly aligned." Zweibrücker set a hoof on Perez's shoulder. "Fear not, Professor! As soon as you've completed this one little task for us, the Cabal will gladly consider your debts paid off in full." "All of them?" said Perez. "Oh yes. I'm fully aware of how much money you've borrowed from our benefactors over the years. I assure you it was a small price to pay, considering the scope and magnitude of what we're about to accomplish!" "I understand completely." He stepped close and stroked a lock of hair out of her face. "You've done such good work for us, though... I'm sure we'll have many more opportunities for you in the coming years. Please do consider the benefits of an extended contract." "Of... course I'll consider. That's very generous." Zweibrücker turned back to the machine, smiling warmly. Perez climbed off the platform and marched through the crowd, calm and professional. She stopped by the stake that Dash and Derring were tied to. "I don't suppose you have any last words," she said, "for posterity's sake, at least." "You're wrong," said Derring. "If you were wrong about such a simple translation, there's no way you can be trusted to operate this machine." "It really is a common mistake," said Perez. "The words for 'curse' and 'destiny' are quite similar. It's nothing to be ashamed of." "I know what I heard. You've brought ruin to us all." Perez nudged her hat up. "You don't actually believe in curses, do you?" Derring-Do tilted her head. "You don't actually believe in destiny, do you?" "I believe we create our own destiny. Think about it, Miss Do... would you rather make history, or watch it unfold before you?" Perez leaned in close and lowered her voice. "Thrones really do rise and topple faster than most ponies realize... the Cabal is just another change in the wind. But this machine—this engine—is forever. The Lunatic Cabal are utterly irrelevant in this day and age. They don't matter, and they certainly won't last long, but this elixir will allow us to live on after they're gone and forgotten. Isn't that a small price to pay?" Rainbow Dash frowned. "And what makes you think you'll live long enough to drink it?" "Zweibrücker needs me to operate the machine. He wouldn't dare kill me." Perez took a step back. "Good day, Miss Do. Perhaps you will at least live long enough to see which of us is the better linguist." "Ooh, ooh!" Rainbow Dash struggled against her restraints, bouncing energetically. "I know this one! Can I guess? Me-me-me, lemme guess!" Perez rolled her eyes. "Youth is wasted on the young." They watched her walk through the crowd and up onto the stage. Rainbow Dash leaned over as far as she could. "Zweibrücker is totally gonna betray her, isn't he?" "Oh yeah," she said. "Big time." "I don't think I can break through the ropes this time... too thick. Got any ideas?" Derring-Do's eyes flicked back and forth as she scanned the room, searching the crowd and examining the machine. "Rainbow Dash?" "Yeah?" "It's been an honor." Dash twisted her neck around, trying to look at her. "You don't mean that!" "I do," Derring said with a warm, friendly smile. "I meant every word of it."       Professor Perez Walski took the clear prism off its blue velvet cushion and carefully inserted it into the base of the engine, clamping it between a set of triangular vice grips. She stepped back and pulled a lever on the base of the machine: the engine instantly ceased its rotation and fell into an unnatural stillness. She pulled two more levers, and the prism quickly spun in place. She put on a pair of heavy, darkened goggles. "The engine is calibrated!" she shouted. "Release the main etherium valve!" The soldiers in longcoats nodded, and relayed the orders throughout the temple via radio. Moments later, a narrow beam of light surged up from the base of the engine and struck a facet of the prism: the glassy stone lit up like a solid block of light, pure and white. A cascade of tiny rainbows shone up against the inside of the great domed roof. The rings and loops of the engine spun faster and faster, whipping through the air. Perez clenched her teeth and struggled with the levers, adjusting the prism a few fractions of a degree at a time. The light grew brighter, and the crowd of cultists all shielded their eyes. A shudder ran through the catacombs. "Release the secondary etherium valves!" she shouted. "We need more power!" The cult leader struggled to keep his footing. "No! The temple will shake itself apart!" "Do as she commands!" Zweibrücker roared. "We've come too far to lose it all to a moment's hesitation!" The guards relayed the orders, and the beam of light intensified. A shrill ringing shattered the air. Frost crumbled off the walls and sparkled like silver dust in the blinding light. A rippling field of magnetic force formed around the prism, distorting the air around it. "Almost... almost!" Perez looked up: the domed ceiling was engraved with hundreds of circular symbols, and the dozens of tiny rainbows were aligning themselves perfectly: Perez watched as each individual rainbow was positioning itself to shine on a different symbol. All at once, the storm of light and sound faded down. The prism now pulsed with a warm glow, and steam rose from its edges with a faint hiss. Perez took a plain metal goblet and quickly set it on a slot beneath the prism. A glistening drop of liquid fellfrom the bottom corner, like the tear of a goddess, and landed in the goblet below. "It worked," Perez whispered. She pulled her goggles off and picked up the Goblet, utterly transfixed by the single bead of liquid within it. "It really worked! All the legends... all the stories... they were true!" Zweibrücker cleared his throat. Perez looked up, her trance broken. "Wait your turn, professor," he said with a smile. "I promise... you'll get what's coming to you." Perez stood there, mesmerised, with the goblet near her own lips. Eventually, she walked to him and passed the goblet. "Yes, of course. We're not savages, after all." Zweibrücker took the goblet, reverently, and gazed at its miniscule contents. He swirled the cup around and watched the bead roll along the curved surface. "It's beautiful!" "It won't keep long," Perez said. "The etherium elixir evaporates quickly." He put the cup to his mouth and threw his head back, drinking the elixir. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. The goblet fell to the floor with a clatter: the only sound in the hall. Perez took a step back. "Sir?" Zweibrücker broke the silence with a laugh: a harsh, raucous sound. The laughter grew louder, more intense, until he was reeling with rapture. "I can feel it within me... the power! At long last!" He reared up and flexed his muscles, energetically. He turned to Perez with a giddy leer. "And now, of course... I think it is time for your well earned reward!" He stepped towards her, but moved with an unexpected limp. There was a heavy, metal clunk behind him, and he looked back at his hindquarters: his rear hooves gleamed like metal, with the color of the rising sun. The metallic texture crept up his ankles at a voracious pace. He staggered towards Perez, pulling against the sudden weight: his golden hooves scraped against the floor, clumsy and limp. His body became stiff and lifeless under his coat. He reared up as the transmutation spread up along his neck. "No... this cannot be! I am invincible! Invincible!!" The alchemical contagion covered his head entirely and froze his face into a grim, twisted grin of rage and terror. Perez darted forward. "Here's what I think of your debt!" she said as she shoved the golden statue off the platform: Zweibrücker's glittering remains struck the floor below with a dull clang, as stiff and lifeless as any other statue. "Destroy the traitor!" one of the guards cried out. The soldiers in longcoats immediately pointed their launchers at Professor Walski and fired a volley of deadly harpoons. She stood her ground, and a rippling field of force scattered the deadly missiles aside harmlessly. "Fools!" she shouted. "How can you control something you cannot even begin to comprehend? The temple city deserves a proper hereditary ruler... a ruler with vision and clarity! A ruler worthy of it's riches!" The cult leader leaped forward and raised his staff to the ceiling. "All hail the true princess of the Dzunturan! Protect her with your lives, my brothers, and she will lead us to greatness!" Perez rolled her eyes, but the cultists leaped into action regardless. The robed ponies whirled their deadly silver spears, and the black stallions in longcoats fought back:  they had no time to reel their harpoon launchers, but drew their crossbows and loosed a deadly volley of silver-tipped arrows at point blank range. The two forces clashed against each other in a savage, violent fracas and the air rang with demented screams. Perez watched the melee below her platform. These mindless fanatics actually thought they could take over the world? That's just sad. She glanced across the room, and her eyes locked on a wooden stake near the wall: there was a silver javelin lodged in its side, and a heap of severed ropes were sitting on the floor. Derring-Do and Rainbow Dash were nowhere to be seen. Perez roared at the cult leader. "The prisoners are loose! If they return to Canterlot, the royal guard will send a whole cavalry troop to stop us! Stop those two from escaping at any cost!” "At once, my princess!" The elderly stallion sprinted towards the exit, using his staff to knock aside everypony in his path, friend and foe alike. I suppose they'll be useful a little while longer.