//------------------------------// // Daring Do and the Architect's Birthstone // Story: The Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Architect's Birthstone // by MyHobby //------------------------------// Daring Do and the Architect's Birthstone Daring Do clamped her mouth down on the rope as she dangled above a gaping precipice. She had managed to grasp the rope just before the bridge fell out from under her. The tattered remains of the rope bridge hung limply on the other side of the chasm, much like her injured wing flopped painfully against her flank. Sweat poured down her neck as she stared up the rope to the ledge above her, her lifeline wrapped precariously around a wooden stake. She looped her end of the rope around one mustard-colored hoof and pulled tight. Using the new-found leverage, Daring Do slid her teeth along the rope, getting a little higher up the sheer rock wall. Switching between her hoof and her mouth, she inched upwards. She sighed with relief as her hoof reached the top of the chasm. She pulled herself up with her strong legs until she reached safety. Taking a moment to push her sweat-soaked grayscale hair out of her eyes, she set forth towards the ruins that awaited her. The Palace of the Royal Pony Sisters loomed before her, dark, gray, and foreboding. She raised a hoof to her pith helmet as she entered the front entrance, casting her gaze around for any traps. Loose stones clattered underneath her hooves, and cobwebs stuck to her tail like ghostly specters. Brave though she was, a chill ran down her spine as she stepped into a large chamber, tattered by time and nature. A pedestal lifted five round stones aloft in the center of the room. Daring Do trotted past the pedestal, looking for the small door described on her map. She found a discolored stone in the wall, sitting on the far side of the room. She pushed it in until it clicked, and a portion of the wall fell away. She ducked into the new portal quickly, casting one final glance at the decrepit room behind her. The tunnel was narrow and low, barely enough room for the full-grown pegasus mare to fit. Years of training and dozens of adventures kept her from feeling claustrophobic, though mild panic set in every time she got stuck. She wiggled herself loose every time her progress was halted, and she proceeded fairly quickly down the rabbit hole. The tunnel ended in a dead end, or so it seemed. Daring produced a small trinket out of her shirt pocket. It was shaped like a key, and crafted from iron. She brushed a cobweb away, revealing a subtle indent in the middle of the wall. The adventurer placed the key against the indent and gave it a soft whack. The wall swung open, and Daring Do leapt through. Inside the new chamber stood a shining, priceless jewel: The Architect’s Birthstone. Daring Do approached the gem slowly, circling from every angle. Finding no tripwires, axes, or other implements of anti-adventurer technology, she grasped the sizable trinket and stuffed it into a satchel on her back. Wicked laughter filled the tunnel, laughter that could only belong to the most devious, nefarious, downright dirty villain in the history of Equestria. “Ahuizotl!” Daring shouted. “How did you find me?” A lithe, catlike body appeared out of the gloom. Ahuizotl’s blue fur rippled with glee as he faced down his mortal foe. “Daring Do! You should know by now that I never do any work that I don’t have to!” His long, toothy face drew close to the pegasus, and his foul breath activated her gag reflex. “I followed you all this way.” His tail snaked around, a small hand-like appendage attached near the end. He grasped the Birthstone and removed it from her satchel. “What once vas yours is now mine, again. Haaa heh heh heh!” His screeching laughter was accompanied by several large jungle cats pouring into the room, as well as one small tabby. They surrounded Daring, their claws inches from shredding her face. She gulped as she was backed into a wall. “You’d better be careful, Ahuizotl…” He grinned as he admired The Architect’s Birthstone. “And vhy is that, Daring Dooo?” She produced a stick of dynamite from her pocket. “Because if you don’t let me go, I’ll blow us all sky high!” Everyone’s attention was on Daring Do and her explosive. Just to prove that she wasn’t kidding, she lit a match and held it up next to the dynamite. Ahuizotl’s mouth fell open. “You would destroy a historic monument like this palace? Vhat kind of archeologist are you!?” Daring Do grinned as her match lit the wick. “I’m not an archeologist, I’m a treasure hunter!” The room filled with hissing light as Daring tossed the bomb towards the back of the antechamber. Ahuizotl’s minions flew through the tunnel, leaving their commander alone. He smashed a paw down in an attempt to crush Daring, but she dodged to the side. She raced around and netted the jewel with her satchel, dragging it out of the villain’s grip. He towered over her, claws outstretched to snuff out her life for good. Then the dynamite went off. The explosion threw Ahuizotl and Daring Do against the wall. Rocks fell and the earth shook as the floor crumbled beneath them. The catlike creep screamed in terror as he lost his footing and tumbled down into darkness, a large chunk of the roof following after him. Daring Do got a foothold on the edge of the tunnel as the ground fell away. The satchel caught on a rocky outcropping, fighting Daring’s every attempt to pull it free. Looking around at the crumbling castle, she decided that her life was more important than the untold riches promised by the giant jewel. Daring let the satchel fall into the abyss and scrambled up the tunnel. She reached the large room just as the narrow portal collapsed behind her. The entire palace tilted on its side as she raced for the Everfree Forest, and freedom. Boulders smashed down as she ran, pebbles flew and struck her face, and the loose stones caused her to stumble. She yelled as she launched herself out of the front door, just as the palace fell into the earth behind her. She lay motionless until the ground stopped rocking, her heart beating a thudding tattoo in her chest. When the forest fell silent, she looked over the destruction that she had caused. She breathed a sigh of relief, while glumly cursing her bad luck. “Drat! That was gonna be the big one! I woulda been set for life!” Daring Do grumped as she sat backwards on a chair. “I had it, Heavy! I had it in my hoof!” Heavy Tomes sighed as he scribbled notes in his book. “I told you the Dynamite was a bad idea, but you never listen.” She stuck her tongue out at her friend. “Yeah, whadda you know?” Heavy slapped his book shut and turned to Daring. “I know that you could use a night on the town. What do you say we get a drink?” Daring Do lowered her head and said nothing, but Heavy ducked down to grin at her. “You know, a drink?” Daring shook her head, but couldn’t help smiling back as Heavy Tomes led her out of his office and out into the town. “That was awesome!” Scootaloo leaped into the air, wings buzzing as she slowly fell back to the ground. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle matched her excitement with a hoof bump. Apple Bloom pumped her foreleg up and down as she laughed. “That was fan-tastic when she tossed that stick ah dynamite at those darned cats!” “It was so sweet for Heavy Tomes to take her out,” Sweetie cooed. “Do you think they’ll get married, now?” “Yuck! No way,” Scootaloo gagged. “He just buys treasure from her; he doesn’t need to be her… Sweetie-Pie Smoopy Do.” Sweetie pouted out her lower lip. “Well, I think it’s sweet.” Apple Bloom carried the book, Daring Do and the Architect’s Birthstone, across the library to Twilight Sparkle. The librarian smiled as she approached. “Hello Apple Bloom, did you and the girls enjoy the book?” “An’ how!” she answered. “It was the best yet!” Twilight chuckled as she shelved the book. “I’ve always thought that the first was the best, but this one was pretty great.” She threw a sly smile Apple Bloom’s way. “Unlike how the book ended, the palace is still standing pretty firmly.” Apple Bloom tilted her head to the side. “Wait, the Palace of the Royal Pony Sisters really exists?” “Oh yes,” Twilight nodded. “That’s where we found the Elements of Harmony. “Most of the Daring Do novels take place in real locations, and all of her treasures are based on real life myths and legends.” She began writing a checklist as she talked. “The Griffon’s Goblet, for example, belonged to the griffon king in ancient times.” She tapped her quill against her cheek, accidently leaving a black mark on her face. “Though… it probably didn’t have the power to control the world’s weather...” “C’mon Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo called from the doorway. “We’re gonna miss half-off ice cream if we take too long!” The apple sibling’s eyes grew wide. “Uh, see you later, Twilight, thanks!” Sweetie and Apple Bloom climbed into a red wagon, connected with a rope to Scootaloo’s scooter. The vehicle had been affectionately dubbed “the Scootsmobile,” and the rattle of its wheels had become synonymous with the three fillies’ mishaps. The Scootsmobile served as an escape vehicle more often than not, when their efforts to earn a cutie mark grew out of control. Apple Bloom buckled her helmet securely, settling down behind Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo turned to them with a grin. “You guys ready for this?” With an affirming nod from her friends, Scootaloo’s wings began flapping hard. The cart moved slowly at first, but moved quicker as momentum kicked in. Ponies dodged for cover as they rolled past, though Scootaloo was careful to keep to the center of the road. “Looks like our reputation precedes us again.” They rolled to a stop in front of Sugarcube Corner. Sweetie Belle read the sign sitting out front. “’Ice cream half-off all afternoon…’ Looks like we made it!” The three of them cheered as they disembarked the Scootsmobile. They trotted into the bakery and were met by the sight of a swarm of colts and fillies waiting in line for their sweet treats. Lifting their heads, they could see Pinkie Pie filling out orders behind the counter. “Rocky Road Rumble!” Ice cream flew through the air as she flipped the dessert into cones. “Peppermint Twist!” The line moved fast, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were soon enjoying their favorite flavors. “And one Neapolitan!” A group of their classmates were sitting together at a table. One pegasus colt waved them over. “Sweetie! Scoots! Bloom! Over here!” “Hey, Rumble.” Scootaloo took a seat beside the colt. “’Sup?” “Ith cream’th up!” A red-maned filly, Twist, sat across from the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “I got my favorite, Peppermint Twitht.” A skewbald colt sat next to a purple unicorn filly. “Chocolate, matey. Pure an’ simple. Wot do you have, Dinky?” The unicorn looked down at her treat hungrily. “Vanilla, it’s got blueberries mixed right in. Try some, Pipsqueak!” “No thanks,” Pipsqueak declined hastily, cheeks blushing. “I’m fine.” He turned to the new arrivals. “So where have you lot been all day? Haven’t seen you around much.” Apple Bloom grinned. “Reading a new Daring Do book, The Architect’s Birthstone.” Rumble took a lick of his ice cream. “That’s a good one.” Twist nodded. “I like how Heavy finally taketh her out.” Sweetie nudged her with an elbow. “I know, right?” Pipsqueak looked back and forth between the other foals. “Wot? Am I the only one who hasn’t read that one yet?” “I haven’t,” Dinky shook her head. “What’s the Architect’s Birthstone?” “It’s this big, ginormous gemstone,” Scootaloo replied. “It was supposedly used as the capstone for some princess’s palace.” “Not the capstone, Scoots,” Rumble corrected. “The cornerstone, the first one that was laid.” “Oh.” Scootaloo examined her ice cream for a moment. “Then what’s a capstone?” “Oh, I know this one!” The entire table looked to Dinky, who proceeded to shrink down bashfully. “Er, it’s, um, it’s the highest stone on the building. It’s sometimes the last stone that’s laid.” “Hmm,” Pipsqueak mused. “Wot was the palace?” “Th’ Palace of th' Royal Pony Sisters,” Apple Bloom replied. “It’s that one in th’ Everfree Forest. What’s left of it, anyhow.” “Hey, thath the one where your thister got the Elemenths of Harmony, right?” Twist giggled. “Talk about a thmall world.” “Hay, that’s right!” Sweetie squeaked. “I’ll bet Rarity’s been on more adventures than Daring Do ever did, and they’re all real.” “I should ask Applejack more about her adventures,” Apple Bloom smiled. “I think we could get a real great series of books just writin’ down her stories.” “Blimey, I can see it now!” Pipsqueak held out a hoof. “The next bestseller: The Elements of Harmony: Friendship is Magic!” “Pip,” Dinky whispered. “You told my mom you wouldn’t use that word anymore.” “Sorry,” he mumbled. Scootaloo finished off her cone with relish. “Now that hit the spot, what do you guys think?” She was answered with a chorus of “yeps,” “uh huhs,” and “ayes.” Apple Bloom stood, followed by Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Saying their goodbyes, they exited the bakery and started towards Sweet Apple Acres. The orchard played home to the Cutie Mark Crusader Headquarters, a tree house sitting in a stocky apple tree. Scootaloo parked the Scootsmobile outside the entrance while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle trotted up the steps to the door. When the pegasus joined her friends, they were already deep into the process of brainstorming. “We could try fer a construction cutie mark, Fluttershy’s chicken coop needs repairs.” “I already tried building the sets for our show, that didn’t work out very well.” “I guess a singin’ cutie mark is outta the question then?” “You can say that again.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes as she cantered over. “I think I busted some eardrums last time.” “Yer singin’ ain’t that bad,” Apple Bloom reassured her friend. “You just need a little… practice is all.” “Practice?” Scootaloo asked. “You know what the definition of insanity is?” When Apple Bloom shook her head, Scootaloo gestured to Sweetie Belle. The unicorn sighed as she answered. “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” She was quick to amend, “But practice is about getting better every day. Like with my magic, and your flying.” “Fine,” Scootaloo sighed as she sat. “You practice singing; I’ll be doing wing exercises.” “How ‘bout somethin’ else then?” Apple Bloom crossed several lines of text off of the brainstorming page. “Somethin’ like… Oh, saaay!” Sweetie and Scootaloo raised an eyebrow in concert. “What?” “What if, just hear me out…” Apple Bloom’s grin went from one ear to the other. “What if we got cutie marks in adventurin’?” Scootaloo’s smile slowly grew to match her friend’s, but Sweetie Belle was unsure. “I don’t know, Apple Bloom. I promised mom and dad that I wouldn’t do anything dangerous.” “No, no, I like where this is going,” Scootaloo interrupted. “Nopony says it has to be dangerous.” “But isn’t that what an adventure is?” Sweetie squeaked. “Boldly going where no pony has gone before? Isn’t that bound to be a little dangerous?” “Depends on what we do, where we go,” Apple Bloom’s pencil scratched against paper as she scribbled furiously. “Maybe we should try to be a specific type of adventurer, like Darin’ Do.” “Cutie Mark Crusader Treasure Hunters?” Scootaloo hovered in the air as the possibilities filled her mind. “The daring Scootaloo, and her sidekicks Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, on a world-spanning, epic adventure!” “I am not gonna be a sidekick,” Apple Bloom groaned. “C’mon, let’s think about this fer real. We gotta figure out what we’re lookin’ for.” “Wait, did we just decide this?” Sweetie looked askance. “Tell me we didn’t just decide this.” “Don’t worry Sweetie,” Scootaloo said as she hugged the unicorn. “We’ll find something local to explore. We can’t just go trekking through the crystal caves under Canterlot.” “And we can’t go into the Everfree Forest, right?” Sweetie bit her lower lip. “Remember what happened last time?” “I wouldn’t worry none ‘bout that, Sweetie.” Apple Bloom dotted an “I” as she finished writing. “If we go back in there, we’ll be better prepared.” “Back in? Hold on-” Sweetie’s comment was interrupted by Scootaloo once again. “Come on, the cockatrice thing was months ago, we’re older and wiser now.” Sweetie stuck her tongue out. “Wise enough to stay away?” “Not hardly.” Apple Bloom presented the list to her friends. “I got it! We gotta find all the information we can get about The Architect’s Birthstone, that's nice an' local.” Scootaloo read over the list. “And find out how to get to the Royal Pony Sister’s Palace, find out the right foods to eat, find the right equipment…” “And find the minds you two lost!” Sweetie leapt between her friends and pushed them apart. “Listen to yourselves, you’re actually going into the Everfree. To get a cutie mark. In the Everfree.” “Sounds about right,” Scootaloo nodded. “But add a dash of adventure and treasure hunting.” “You know what our parents will say,” Sweetie cautioned. “And what your brother and sister will say, Apple Bloom.” “Don’t have to tell ‘em.” Apple Bloom trotted over to the back of the tree house to grab scissors. She cut the list into three pieces and gave each crusader a piece. “At least, we don’t have to tell ‘em everythin’.” “Yikes, dishonesty, peer pressure…” Sweetie took the list and glared at it. “You two are acting like the set up for a bad Saturday morning cartoon.” Apple Bloom stopped short of putting the scissors away. “Aw gee, Sweetie Belle, you’re right.” Scootaloo sat down hard. “We’re kinda being a little stupid, aren’t we?” “That’s right!” Sweetie exclaimed. “You should be ashamed of yourselves! If our siblings could hear us now, they’d be-” “Sweetie Belle, dear!” A voice called from outside the tree house. “It’s time to go home, now!” Sweetie gasped. “That’s Rarity!” She ran out the door to meet her sister. “See you guys at school tomorrow.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo waved goodbye from the house’s window. “Later, Sweetie!” The two fillies knelt down beside the checklist, grins returning in an instant. “We can find out about the birthstone from Twilight’s library…” “I can ask Rainbow Dash to tell me where the palace is…” They plotted late into the day, splitting duties and deciding where to get the equipment and information they needed. Applejack was the next pony to call her sister home. “Best get tah bed afore much longer, Apple Bloom, you got school tomorrow!” Apple Bloom nodded and skipped out of the tree house. Applejack raised an eyebrow at her sister. “You look mighty happy, what’s got you so smiley?” “Oh, just a surefire way to earn my cutie mark,” she replied. Applejack frowned, but decided to play along. “Really, now? What’s this ‘surefire way?’” “You’ll find out,” Apple Bloom teased. “I’d better,” Applejack said. “Or you’ll be in a world of trouble if’n it gets outta hoof.” Apple Bloom fell silent, and her older sister sighed. “I’m just worried about you, is all. I don’t want you tah get hurt.” “I’ll be careful, Applejack, I promise.” “Pinkie Pie Promise?” Applejack rubbed her sister’s hair. “Cross mah heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Apple Bloom went through the motions, sincerely hoping to avoid danger of the bone-breaking, life-threatening variety. Hoping. Really. Scootaloo sped home on her trusty scooter, leaving the wagon safely parked at the tree house. She waved to her mom in the garden as she trotted into the house to grab a bite to eat. She peeled a banana and went over her portion of the list. “Map, directions, equipment… Hmm.” “Heya, chickarino, I’m home!” Her father walked into the kitchen, holding his forelegs open to receive a hug from Scootaloo. “Daddy!” She ran into his waiting arms. “You’re home!” “How are you doing, Scootaloo?” he asked. “Any more progress on that cutie mark?” She glumly examined her rump. “No sign of one yet, but I’m not giving up!” “That’s my girl,” he laughed, chucking her chin. “I found some new flying exercises for you to try out, they look pretty intense…” “Gimme!” She leapt up on his back and dug through his saddlebags. One book lay separate from his usual collection of tools. “‘Updrafts and How to Ride Them?’” “Ah, that one’s for later.” He held the book up to the light. “Rainbow Dash recommended it for when you can hold your hover for a little longer.” “Sweet.” She continued digging until she uncovered two pamphlets. “Here they are!” He chuckled as her face lit up. “I think you’ll get really strong practicing these.” He knelt down and touched her forehead with his horn. “I love you, chicky.” She nuzzled him in return. “I love you, too, daddy.” As night fell, and Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom were tucked into bed, plans were formed. Two of them chuckled in their sleep as they imagined the adventures that awaited them in the Everfree; while one hoped, rather morosely, that her friends weren’t planning on doing anything stupid. “Hey, Pipsqueak!” The earth pony colt looked over to where the voice had come from. “Oh, hey Scootaloo. Wot’s up?” The orange pegasus filly grinned as she matched the colt’s pace. “Not much, I was just wondering if you had a map of the area I could borrow.” He shrugged. “Sure, wot for?” “Uh,” Scootaloo thought hard. “Just a side-project for school, it’s about the Everfree.” Pipsqueak squinted at her. “Why do you need me for the map? You could get one at Maps and Coffee Mugs.” “Well, you’re real good at directions,” she replied. “I was hoping you could help me find a specific spot based on somepony’s directions.” “I don’t see why not,” he walked off a bit faster. “See you after school!” “Sounds good!” “Hay, Twist!” The red-maned candy maker turned at the sound of her name. “Oh hay, Apple Bloom! What bringth you here tho early?” Apple Bloom trotted up and motioned for Twist to come closer. Twist complied, and Bloom whispered in her ear. “You know about any high-energy food, like the kind mountain climbers eat while they’re climbin’?” “Yeah,” Twist nodded. “Why are we whithpering?” Apple Bloom opened her mouth to reply, but her mind went blank. “Huh. No reason, I guess.” Sweetie Belle walked into the library with saddlebags overflowing with school supplies. She glanced at the clock; there were still a few minutes before she had to be at school. “Miss Twilight? Are you here?” “Not today,” came the reply. A pudgy baby dragon waddled into view. “She’s in Canterlot for some magic business. Whadda yah need, Sweetie Belle?” Sweetie frowned. “Have Apple Bloom or Scootaloo come in and asked any… odd questions today, Spike?” Spike shrugged. “Nope, and that’s the weirdest question I’ve been asked all day.” “Ah huh.” Sweetie turned to leave, but stopped herself. “Hay, do you have any books on The Architect's Birthstone?” “Probably a couple.” He walked over to the historical section of the library. “What do you need them for?” “Oh, I just finished reading Daring Do and The Architect’s Birthstone.” She smiled sweetly. “I wanted to compare notes.” “Tell you what,” Spike said as he pulled a ladder over to the shelf. “I’ll look for the books while you’re at school, and you can come by later today to pick them up.” Sweetie Belle chewed at her bottom lip. “That sounds… great, Spike. See you later.” “Later.” Sweetie ran towards the schoolhouse as the first bell of the morning rang out. It was going to be an adventure in itself to keep her friends out of trouble.