//------------------------------// // Rival // Story: A Figment of Her Imagination // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// The cold winter days seemed to fly by. Daring and Fluttershy could hardly leave one another alone. They were always happy and usually together. They even had one particularly steamy night, which they both joked was a necessity given that a harsh blizzard had trapped them inside for nearly two days. But as hopelessly infatuated as they had become, they kept their heads. The relationship was a secret from everypony in town. After all, there was no telling what the princesses’ decision would be and neither Daring nor Fluttershy could guess how news of the romance would affect things. Besides, if Daring was to fade away, they only had so much time. They wanted to use up as much of it as possible. So when word came from Spike that Twilight was on her way back to Ponyville with the princesses’ conclusion, Daring and Fluttershy agreed that only Daring would go to investigate. It was a hard decision, particularly for Fluttershy, but they would not risk their relationship being found out, not yet. Not until they had a well-drawn plan, which they wouldn’t be able to form until they knew what had been decided. And so Daring waited at the station, bouncing from hoof to hoof to keep warm. Even the coat and scarf wasn’t doing enough. She wished she were a real pony; maybe if she had actual blood, and veins for that blood to flow through, she might be warmer. Snow came in a slow, graceful descent, the last remnants of the two-day blizzard. Tomorrow would be Hearth’s Warming Eve. For all her happiness, that fact weighed heavily on Daring’s mind, for if the spell was not renewed then that day would be her last. But she kept herself positive, bolstered by her thoughts of Fluttershy. The princesses would let the spell be renewed. How could they not? She’d surely proven that she had every right to live as they did. She would survive. She would be with Fluttershy. She would find happiness in this new world and make her own identity. A.K. Yearling’s predictions hardly disturbed her. In fact, she’d not thought of that jerk of a pony in quite some time. The train came rolling up, and Daring waited with bated breath for her fate. Ponies began to file out, greeted by friends and loved ones. It was a busy traveling day; ponies from all over were returning home to be with their families on Equestria’s most beloved holiday. She watched as the ponies in the crowd laughed, talked, hugged and kissed. Then she was hit with a hard truth: she had no family. She could remember her father and mother, but they were just characters in books. The real Daring Do’s parents wouldn’t know her. Indeed, there was no way for her to know if A.K. Yearling had written information about her real parents or not. As far as Daring knew, the parents in her head didn’t exist at all. Everything she’d ever known about her past was a fable, and that was disturbing. “Daring?” She jerked out of her reverie, realizing that Twilight was standing right in front of her. The princess studied her with a concerned frown. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine,” she whispered. “Just… facing some sad facts. But I’m okay.” She leaned over to see Twilight’s suitcases. “You need any help with those?” Twilight offered a soft, understanding smile. “Yeah, sure. We’ll each take one.” Daring had the strange feeling that she knew exactly what ‘sad facts’ Daring had been talking about. They made their way to the library, Daring quietly listening as Twilight spoke of her time in Canterlot. She talked about her royal duties, the annoyances of politics and how getting to spend time with Celestia made it all worth it. Daring wanted to shout; she wasn’t interested in any of that! But the pegasus held her tongue, knowing she should not press the princess. It wasn’t until they’d made it into the library and Spike, curiously polite, took the suitcases upstairs that Daring finally asked the question. “So what about me? What was the decision?” Twilight smirked. “I was wondering when you’d finally run out of patience. The news is mixed.” Daring tilted her head with a raised eyebrow. “Whaddaya mean, mixed?” Twilight sat and stuck out her chest in a regal pose. “It is the official decision of the Princesses of Equestria that the spell used to summon Daring Do is to never be used again. It is both dangerous and potentially immoral, and thus has been banned from all future casting.” If Daring had a heart, it would be sinking. She stepped back, eyes wide and hooves shaking. “H-how is that mixed? What’s going to happen to me?” Twilight raised a hoof with a patient smile. She went on, maintaining the formal speech she’d adopted for the moment. “However, as Daring Do is already present and has shown definite signs of individuality, intellect and self-awareness, it is also the judgment of the princesses that she be considered a living, sentient pony. To permit her end would be unequine, and all measures are to be taken to ensure her continued survival.” She lowered her hoof and grinned. “In short, we’re making an exception. You’re gonna live, Daring.” Daring sagged so low her chin nearly hit the floor, the air she’d been holding flying out of what she could only assume were lungs. But she quickly took on a confident pose. “Well of course, I knew it all along! It was the only proper solution.” Twilight giggled. “Right. Actually, the question of what to do with you was answered pretty quickly. Most of the debating was about the first part: whether the spell should be banned. I wanted to keep it available for academic use, but I couldn’t pull it off.” She shrugged. “Well, ya win some, ya lose some. But congratulations! You’re a pony in name, if not in body.” “It’ll do,” Daring declared with a grin. She glanced around the library. “So… When are ya gonna renew the spell? You can renew the spell, can’t you?” “Sure can. I wasn’t just debating and spending time with Celestia; I did a lot of good research, too. I’m confident I know what I need for you to stick around for another month. But—” Twilight added with a firm look, “—a more permanent spell is a long ways away, I’m afraid.” Daring noted her seriousness and knew exactly what she meant. “So I’ll have to come in about once a month to stay around, is that it?” Twilight nodded. “Until I can find a way to make the spell last, and that could take years. I’m sorry, Daring. I know it’s not a practical solution, but if you miss even one appointment you’re gone, and there’s nothing I can do about that.” For a moment – just a tender moment – A.K. Yearling’s warning came back to echo in Daring’s mind. She shook it off; this was worth it. For Fluttershy, she could do this. “I’ve got it, Twilight. Believe me, I’ve got it.” “Good.” Twilight glanced around the library, pursing her lips. “I need to move some things around, get the spell ready. It’s not as simple as just pointing my horn at you. This time I’m gonna need to use runes and the like. Weaving the spell's parts together the first time was one thing, but this is going to require me to completely rework everything that made you.” Daring winced and took a step back. “That sounds… painful. Is it dangerous?” Twilight turned to her with a grin. “Oh, no. You won’t feel a thing! Well, maybe you’ll feel something, but I have absolutely no reason to think it would hurt. Trust me.” Daring raised her hooves with a smile. “Hey, like I’ve got a choice? I’ll trust ya, Twilight. Just tell me what I need to do.” “Not a thing,” Twilight replied, once again eyeing the library with a critical gaze. “I just need a day to set things up. Come back tomorrow evening and we’ll get it done. Might have to use the laboratory, though…” She rubbed her chin, glancing up at the ceiling with piercing eyes. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a lot to do, starting with figuring out what Spike’s done. He hasn’t been down since he grabbed my suitcases, and he was awfully… nice. Exaggeratedly so. He did something, I just know it.” That suited Daring just fine; she was eager to tell Fluttershy the good news anyway. “By all means, have at ‘em,” she replied, making for the door. “And thanks, Twilight. Thanks for everything!” “Daring.” She paused to glance back, and Twilight locked her with her most serious stare yet. “This is an appointment you really can’t afford to miss. “Don’t be late.” It was the day of Hearth’s Warming Eve and nothing could ruin Daring’s mood. Not four hours at Pinkie Pie’s ‘You’re a Real Pony!’ party, not even three hours keeping her side of her deal with Rarity and trying on her grotesque ‘adventurer’ fashion line. Daring had two things on her mind: she was going to live, and she was going to live with Fluttershy. All was right with the world. She finally escaped the Carousel Boutique, trotting along at a giddy pace and pack rocking at her side. In it was her prize, the fruit of her little adventure with Rainbow Dash. She still had a few hours yet before she was supposed to see Twilight and she couldn’t be burdened with waiting; she was headed straight for Fluttershy’s cottage. She was so pleased with herself, she even made time to greet and chat with her fans, to their clear delight. She was still in the center of town when Rainbow appeared, floating down from a low cloud to land in the snow next to the road. “Hey, Double D! You look like you just had the best birthday ever.” She eyed the beaming adventurer and fell in-step with her along the road. “Don’t tell me you actually liked being Rarity’s toy for a few hours?” Daring rolled her eyes, though she was still grinning. “Good Goddess, no! But it was well worth it. Today is a special day, after all.” “Yeah, Twilight told me,” Rainbow acknowledged with a hoof-pump. “Daring Do is here to stay. Oh yeah, awesomely fun times ahead!” Daring typically found Rainbow’s overenthusiastic nature annoying, but today she made an exception and offered a hoof-bump, which Rainbow accepted with gusto. “Wait till Soarin hears this,” the fawning fan declared with a strut. “He’s a big fan. I’m sure I mentioned that. He’s gonna be so jealous when he finds out you’re gonna be my neighbor! So, hey, wanna hang out before you go see Twilight?” Daring chuckled. “Naw, I’ve got something real important to do with Fluttershy. I didn’t go through three hours of Rarity for nothin’.” Rainbow’s grin faded as she raised a curious eyebrow. “Really? You got Fluttershy something?” Under normal circumstances, Daring never would have shared her intentions. But Rainbow had helped her at the castle. Besides, she wanted to share, so she reached into her pouch and pulled out her prize. It was a necklace, the wire hidden beneath green stones carved to look like vines. The bottom part was a wide piece made from golden silk that shimmered in the winter sunlight, and at the center – surrounded by sparkling peridots – was the Tear of Ay Dede. Daring displayed it to Rainbow like a trophy and beamed. “Whoa…” Rainbow’s eyes went wide as she stared at the necklace. “Rarity had to have gone all out! This is what you’re giving Fluttershy?” She reached up, and Daring let her hold it. Rainbow studied it closely, clearly impressed. “It’s lighter than it looks…” “Fluttershy’s all soft,” Daring noted with a smile. “I thought it would be appropriate.” “Wait.” Rainbow turned and, keeping the necklace held up in one hoof, gestured to the large blue stone. “This looks familiar. It looks like… like that jewel you were after in the castle! The Tear of Something-or-Other.” She cast a suspecting look at Daring, who blushed. “Erm… yeah. I meant to tell ya, I actually did find it. I just… sorta forgot.” “You forgot?” Rainbow frowned and thrust the necklace right before Daring’s muzzle. “This is the whole reason we went out there! How could you forget?” Daring took the necklace back, cheeks burning. “I had a lot on my mind, okay? I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret, really.” Rainbow considered this with a solemn expression, but abruptly grinned. “Ya know what? That’s okay. We can just say it’s a gift from both of us, how ‘bought that?” Daring sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back, holding the necklace close. “No way. This is my gift to Fluttershy!” Rainbow blinked, eyebrows rising. “What? But we got it together, didn’t we? We both went to the ruins. We worked together to solve the puzzles.” Daring shook her head, worry creeping into her mind. Oh please, don’t let the accursed pegasus press the issue! “The entire reason I wanted to go to the castle in the first place was to get something for Fluttershy, something that is wholly and unquestionably me. I can’t share it, it’s too important.” She hurriedly put the necklace back in her pouch and started to walk on, hoping she’d settled the matter. Rainbow didn’t follow, which she prayed was a sign of her acceptance. “Important why?” Daring paused, closed her eyes and sucked in a calming breath to ease her worry. She looked back over her shoulder at Rainbow, who now had her head lowered and eyes sharp. “What do you mean?” Rainbow eyed the pouch, then locked her focus back on her hero. “Why is it so important that you gift this to Fluttershy alone? I know she’s helped you out, but this sounds like more than that.” Daring’s cheeks burned once more and she suddenly couldn’t meet Rainbow’s gaze. Should she confess the truth? It was going to come out soon anyway. Was there any point in keeping the secret, anymore? Daring was going to stay, that was established. So… “Fluttershy’s important to me.” Daring offered a reassuring smile. “We’re close.” Rainbow’s eyes widened, and it was several seconds before she could respond. “H-how close?” Daring thought of her host – no, her partner – and imagined their first kiss. She brushed her lips and couldn’t resist a smile. “It’s pretty serious, Rainbow.” Rainbow’s jaw dropped almost to the snow, her eyes going wider than saucers. “Y-you mean…you two…” “Don’t worry!” Daring turned and waved her hooves. “I know she’s your friend. I promise I’m being careful about all this. It’s not like I meant to fall for her or anything.” She turned away, readjusting her pack and grinning at the speechless mare over her shoulder. “Look, I’ll tell her you helped me find it, okay? But this has to be a gift from me. It’s important, Rainbow.” She looked away, breathed a happy sigh, took two steps— —and fell on her haunches. Rainbow had flown over to hit the ground before her so hard the snow erupted in a thick wave, blinding Daring with white. She shook her head to get the snow off her face and was alarmed to see Rainbow's lips half-curled in a sinister sneer. “R-Rainbow? What’s gotten into you?” Rainbow’s voice was cold as ice, rising up from her throat and through gritted teeth. “You can’t give her the necklace.” Daring frowned and stood, back-stepping a little at her fan’s – former fan’s? – threatening presence. “What do you mean? Why not?” Rainbow’s eyes flared, a snort blowing steam from her nostrils. “I have been with Fluttershy most of my life. I have protected her, stood by her and encouraged her.” Her voice grew louder with each word. “We’ve comforted one another through the worst times, always had one another’s backs. I have been at her side for years and I am not going to let some storybook doll take her away from me!” Daring stared, wide eyed in the realization that her abrupt romance was stamping on the hooves of a very different affection, a secret affection. “You mean after all that time, you never even tried?” Rainbow leaned back, an instant of alarm coming over her. “I… I-I was waiting for the right moment!” But her anger was back just as quickly as it had gone. “Yeah, the right moment, and I’m not letting you beat me to the buck!” Daring realized the situation she was in, but she also felt no sympathy. On the contrary, if she felt anything about this, it was annoyance. This was supposed to be her ‘greatest fan’? She readjusted her pouch, making sure it was well away from Rainbow, and leveled a grim frown her way. “You’re too late, Rainbow. We’re already an item. If I beat you to it, you have only yourself to blame. You should have been more decisive. Now get out of my way.” “No!” Rainbow rose, wings beating in rhythm with her pounding hooves. “Fluttershy is mine.” Daring sneered. “And ponies say I’m arro—hey!” Before she could register the attack, Rainbow had dropped down, grabbed her by the shoulder and tossed her. She slammed painfully into a nearby wall, but was able to land on all fours. By the time she looked up Rainbow was there, delivering an uppercut so fast all Daring saw was a blur of colors! Rainbow flew high with the hit and then darted by from Daring’s left, her hoof smacking Daring’s jaw. Holy horseshoes, that pony was quick! Thinking fast, Daring hoped the attack pattern was obvious and stuck out a hoof. Rainbow – coming from the right this time – slammed into the side of the stiff leg. Daring spun in place, but the move served its purpose; Rainbow lost control and smashed into the snow-covered ground, a long trench marking her path. In the back of her mind, Daring heard a voice telling her to be the better pony, to ignore her instincts, to not get in a brawl with Fluttershy’s foalhood friend. Wings spread, she ignored that voice and flew. She was hurting, she was angry, and she had a lesson to teach. Rainbow’s head came up, covered in snow. She brushed the stuff away and turned just in time to take Daring’s foreknee across the cheek. She was knocked away, but Daring caught her by the tail and jerked. Rainbow was tugged back, and just as she passed Daring delivered a powerful hit aimed straight down. Rainbow hit the ground on her stomach with a gasp. “You think you can fight me?” Daring grabbed Rainbow by the shoulders and, demonstrating her strength, lifted the pony over her head. “You think you’ve got what it takes to face Daring Do?” She threw Rainbow right through the window of the house next to them. “I’ve saved the world a dozen times over. I’ve gone up against demigods!” She flew through the window to hover over her opponent, ignoring the two ponies who fled the room. Her former fan was just beginning to pick herself up off the glass-covered floor. “You don’t stand a chance, Rainbow!” Rainbow looked up at her, blood dripping from her muzzle. She rubbed it away, gaze calm and menacing. “Okay, I’ll admit it: ya could probably give AJ a run for her money in the power department. But…” The hit came in a blur, Rainbow zooming underneath Daring and hitting her in the stomach. She flew straight up, smashing Daring between herself and the roof with such force that the wood cracked. The air knocked from her lungs, Daring struggled to breathe, but it was difficult with Rainbow flying circles and delivering hit after hit after hit. After what was probably only a second or two – but felt like minutes – Rainbow ceased her incessant strikes and caught Daring by the back of the head, forcing her low and tossing her back out the window. Daring recovered, spread her wings and managed to ascend just in time to avoid smacking the snow as Rainbow had. She rose, turned around and shouted as a multicolored blur flew past her, but there was no hit. Then something whacked the back of the head – hard – and she dropped to the ground on her knees. Rainbow’s words hit her ears. “You think you’re the only hero in Ponyville? I’ve faced off against Discord, the changeling queen and Nightmare Moon! I did it with my friends, because I actually have some. I’m not some arrogant, standoffish jerk!” Daring climbed to her hooves and turned to face her new enemy, a sneer on her lips. “It’s not my fault I was written to be a loner.” “But that’s just it, isn’t it?” Rainbow began to fly quick circles over Daring’s head. “You’re written. Everything you’ve ever done is fake! You’re not a real pony, you never really fought Ahuizotl. You wouldn’t even exist if I hadn’t begged Twilight to summon you up in the first place!” “Shut up!” Daring flew up to strike, but Rainbow dodged with ease, made a few lightning-fast circles around Daring and hit her from the side. “You’ve done nothing,” Rainbow snapped as Daring reeled through the air, working to orient herself after the powerful strike. “You’ve only been alive three weeks! My achievements are real.” Daring was struck just as she was beginning to align her horizon. “My achievements are known!” Another hit. “I worked hard to be where I am!” And another. She was too fast, Daring couldn't see where the strikes were coming from. “You’re piggybacking off the fame of a book.” Whack! Daring saw stars and knew she was in trouble. “And you want to take my special somepony away?” Smack! She was flipping head-over-hooves. “I should have left you as a name on paper!” Something grabbed Daring, and she found her world spinning. Rainbow had her by the tail! She was sent flying, too dizzy from the hits and spinning to align herself. She spread her wings, flapped, struggled to find a horizon that swung wildly across her eyes. She saw the tree, but couldn’t place it. She tried to swerve left, ended up flipping upside down. She struck limbs. Her forehoof caught on something and twisted so hard she let out a scream. Her body smacked the trunk and she toppled. She hit the ground on her side, snow flying from the impact. Daring tried to stand, only to cringe and collapse: her leg was broken. Rainbow landed before her, tall and seething as she gazed down her muzzle at the broken pony. “Give. Me. The necklace!” Daring clutched at the pouch with her good hoof, glaring daggers at her attacker. “It’s not yours to give!” She was ready to fight some more, pain or no, but the attack didn’t come. Rainbow was staring, her anger suddenly mixed with surprise. Daring noticed, and hesitantly followed Rainbow’s gaze. It was her first good look at her broken leg. Except it wasn’t… normal. The break had occurred below the knee, but it wasn’t a twist, and there was no bone sticking out. Instead, it was like something had partially ripped the leg off, revealing what was inside. And what was inside was… gold. It was solid, and the exact same color as her coat. Daring stared at her ruined limb, not comprehending what she was seeing. Tentatively, she reached her good hoof down and touched the inside. She cringed at the intense pain that resulted from it, but at the same time noted how it had felt soft. Like… Like her coat. Though it stung like hell, she felt a determined need to know, so she used her good hoof to move the leg and set it back into position. The parts matched perfectly, like ripped paper. She gazed at the perfect lines, mind numbed by the otherworldly image. She sucked in a sharp breath as the seam began to mend before her eyes! It didn’t hurt, it only tingled a little. Within seconds her leg was back together, like nothing had ever happened. She flexed it, waved it, worked her hoof around, but it was entirely normal. “What the buck are you?” Daring gazed up at Rainbow with wide eyes. This was a moment of truth, and Daring was abruptly terrified. “I don’t have any bones. I… I don’t have any muscles.” Her eyes locked on Rainbow’s muzzle, which was still dripping blood. Surely she should be bleeding like that, too… She felt at her nose, but there was no moisture. “I don’t have any blood…” Rainbow, all anger lost, took a few steps back. She gazed upon Daring as if she were some otherworldly creature, rather than a pony. Daring felt at her cheeks. No moisture. After the pain she’d been through, she should have tears. “I… I-I don’t have tears! No blood, no bones, no tears, no heart. R-Rainbow… what am I?” Rainbow licked her lips as she hesitated. “You’re… I don't know...” Daring was hyperventilating. She looked down to see her hooves shaking violently. She fought for control, but only one thought kept running through her head: she wasn’t real. She broke into a run. She didn’t know why, or where she was going. She just ran, an inexplicable horror guiding her to flee as fast as her hooves could carry her. The thought kept flying through her mind, over and over and over again… She wasn’t real.