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// Writer's Block 
// Story: Daring Do and The Reign of King Caballeron 
// by Zee The Freeman 
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	A.K. Yearling reclined in a cushioned chair, racking her mind for what she might do next. She published 'Daring Do and The Ring of Destiny' last month, though the adventure felt more satisfying than the finished book for her. If only she rewrote the section of the capture, or the ring ritual, though it probably didn't matter now. The book was published. A question arrived into her mind. What would I write about next, she asked herself. The adventures looked to be drying up. Ahuizotl received a thrashing he wouldn't recover from for months. Besides, he got boring ages ago. His tactics reflected his age, the plans kept getting more and more complicated and patchy. Despite the complication they were simple to crack, always something he forgot or overlooked. She struggled to recall a relic that she hadn't recovered and brought safely to a place away from the hands or hooves of evildoers. Perhaps the time arrived, the time to end Daring Do's series. The thought held her while she stared blankly at the ceiling. End the series? That would mean the end of her adventures. She was a mare in her prime still, so bodily condition wasn't to blame. Perhaps there's only so much to do before one just runs out. Sometimes everything is solved, all the knots tied and the cases closed. A smile grew on her face as she remembered Caballeron. During her capture, her once-denied partner made off with his fortune, terrified of Ahuizotl's rage. Perhaps he would soon be up to no good. Probably not though, she remembered his desire to retire to a life of splendor. His new-found fortune would buy him that and more. She hoped, with a little shame mixed in, that perhaps he might use that fortune for some trouble down the road.
Daring crawled out of her chair, and paced around the room. Until any trouble might occur, she still needed to meet some deadlines. She needed an idea for a story to pitch to the publishing company. At least one, they told her, one dazzler of an idea to bring more fans to her work. Her typewriter sat upon her desk, beckoning her to bring about her masterpiece. She approached her desk, and stared at the pages of notes she wrote from brainstorming sessions earlier in the week. Bunches of scribbles on pages, at least that's what they looked like to her. Each of the ideas in the scribbles contained something she didn't think was good enough. This one had too many plotholes in it, where would she continue with that idea? None of them would work out, and certainly wouldn't gain favor from the publishers. Who cares about those publishers anyway, making her work like this. The only reason she signed up with them was for the fame. She certainly pocketed that, thus why the pen name A.K. Yearling was needed. That and Daring Do needed to conduct her adventures in secret, privacy being something A.K. Yearling really didn't have. Though they do make such nice covers for her books. The artists under their employ outdid any skill at drawing she possessed, let alone anypony she might know. She wasn't mad at them anyway. She only needed one idea. One simple, little, tiny, good idea. She didn't even need to turn it into a book, just to own an idea that could become some written work. She peered out her window, the smudged pane reminding her she didn't clean anything for that week. Too busy looking for an idea. She wiped away some of the dust and rested her head on the windowsill. Looking out the dirty glass didn't provide the inspiration she'd hoped it would've. Only thing out there was a group of fillies that played in the field. Perhaps she could write something about a group of little ponies who just can't find their way. They can't get their cutie marks, no matter what they try. Nopony would read that, and she shrugged off the idea. She's not the sappy kind of writer either. Daring preferred her writing the mirror her life, full of action. Except now, there hadn't been even the slightest hint of action in over a month. Suddenly a crash erupted from the next room, breaking her focus. Daring acted immediately and ran into her kitchen to investigate. The source of the crash appeared to be the window. Laying upon the ground in front of said window, a stunned Rainbow Dash twitched her wings as her eyes boggled inside her head.
Rainbow Dash wasn't somepony she was happy to see, but nor was she one that Daring could deny that she liked. Rainbow's fiery spirit reminded Daring of herself, as well as refusing to take no for an answer when adventure calls. She certainly enjoyed pestering Daring any chance she got, her being one of the fastest pegasi allowed her to arrive to the cottage at a moment's notice. She did bring muffins one time, claiming they were from 'The Queen of Muffins'. Perhaps that pony she could write about. She stored the idea in her mind vault, and watched Rainbow get up and shake the dizzy out of her head.
"Something you needed?" Daring dryly inquired, turning her attention to the kitchen to search for a bite to eat. She grabbed a crisp apple and chomped half of it away in one bite, chewing silently with her back facing Rainbow.
"Just thought I'd, you know, drop in." Rainbow grinned at the back of Daring's head, hoping to get her approval.
"Well, you certainly did that." Daring walked around Rainbow to examine the window, taking another bite from the apple.
Rainbow chuckled nervously, "Sorry about the window, but I do have some news."
"And the news is?" Daring swiftly faced Rainbow, nearly dropping her apple. She covered her excitement with her normal stern face, waiting for Rainbow to respond.
"Twilight told me about something going on over in the Changeling Kingdom. Something huge, like a giant pile of pancakes." Rainbow's mouth watered slightly at the thought, but she continued, "Other than that, she didn't really say. Or maybe I wasn't listening. After all, when she told me I did have to skip breakfast."
"Sorry to say, Dash, but that's not much for me to go on." She said, containing her excitement under her serious visage.
"Well, can I come with you? I've never been over there before and anything is worth it to spend time with you." Rainbow said the last part quietly, almost as if she didn't want Daring to hear it.
"How did you know I was even going to go?"
"Oh come on Daring, I know your cues by now. All your badass hiding what you truly feel-"
"And you don't do the same?" Daring responded, grinning at the now blushing pegasus.
"I don't know what you're talking about. But can I still come with you?" Rainbow pleaded, wrapping her hooves around Daring's, her eyes wide and sappy.
"Well, I suppose I could use a travel companion. Share stories over a fire on the cold starry nights."
"I'll pack my stuff and be back in a flash!" Rainbow shot out of the broken window, bursting with excitement. Daring felt the same, finally another adventure! Life didn't have to be boring anymore. Even though Rainbow did feel like a pest sometimes, constantly visiting her, it would be nice to have somepony else to travel with. Somepony to spend time with in general, her recent writer's block prevented her from leaving her house most days.
Rainbow shot back in during Daring's thought stream, "I'm ready! Oh I can't believe it! I'm going on an ADVENTURE with THE pony of adventures! This is gonna be-"
"So awesome?" Daring interrupted, a grin shining from her face. She quickly packed her things, and dawned her famous pith helmet. The time for adventure arrived.