When she woke up again, it was night. Rainbow Dash could hear chattering and laughs down stairs, and she ventured down the stars to have a look. Spike was roasting marshmallows for s'mores, Rarity was complementing the stary night, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were watching patiently for their s'mores- well as patient as Pinkie could ever be when it came to sweets- Twilight was picking out a book to start reading, Apple Jack was telling a story of her day, and Daring Do was simply enjoying the company of other ponies. Rainbow Dash smiled at her friend's loyalty, and love they had for her. She almost didn't want to disturb them, almost.
"Look whose back from the dead!" Rainbow Dash announced.
"Oh, hello, Rainbow sleep well?" Rarity asked.
"Rainbow Dash! Um," Daring said.
"Hi Daring, thank you for saving me, and staying here to make sure I was alright, I really appreciate it," Rainbow said as kindly as she could.
"No problem at all, Rainbow Dash. Do you remember anything when we were there?" Daring asked, tentatively.
"I do remember Arizotal say something about my real parents, but that's it," Rainbow lied.
In truth, she remembered everything, the deal, the torture, the pain, the black out, she remembered it all. She just needed the information from Daring Do. She had to hear the story from her.
XXXX
Daring sighed with relief. But she knew in her gut that Rainbow Dash deserved to know what she knew. But how could she tell her without breaking her young heart? She had no idea. But she had to say something fast, otherwise Rainbow would wonder what happened.
"So, Rainbow how are your burns?" Twilight asked, saving Daring from saying anything too soon.
"They still sting, but I'll live. I got a headache though, that's not fun," Rainbow Dash explained.
More guilt swam through Daring. If only she was more careful with protecting Rainbow. Then this- any of it- might not have happened. Daring took a deep sigh, and walked over to Rainbow Dash. The sorrow in her eyes was prominent, but she had to tell Rainbow, she had to tell Dasher.
"Listen, Rainbow Dash. I have a confession to make, a confession, and a story. I didn't want to tell you, and I really didn't want to know the story myself, but you've got to know," Daring explained.
"What confession, Daring?" Rainbow asked.
"We're sisters," Daring said, deadpanned.
XXXX
Every pony gasped in shock except for Rainbow and Daring Do.
"I think I knew that ever since we were kidnapped, I just wanted you to say it," Rainbow explained.
She could see Daring becoming relieved to here the news.
"Do you know what happened to our parents?" Rainbow asked.
XXXX
Daring nodded sadly.
"Sit down every pony. I got a story to tell you," Daring explained.
Over Thirty Years Ago
In Manehatten there lived a little pegasus colt with a sandy pelt with a striking rainbow mane and magenta eyes. His grandfather worked as a shoe maker, and his mother a chef. In his pass time, he loved to read the Equestrian map his parents hung up in the main hallway of their house. He used to dream of traveling around Equestria in search of gold and jewels and adventures! His name was Shilling Grove, and he wanted to be an explorer! But his mother didn't want him to explore the world because it was dangerous and a silly way to pass the time. His grandfather, who always dreamed of exploring, always encouraged Shilling Grove's dream. Every night after they'd say prayers, his grandpa always made up adventures that Shilling Grove would go on, and Shilling would always cheer whenever he would defeat the bad guy in his grandfather's stories.
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In Cloudsdale there lived a small filly with a light blue pelt as blue as the sky with a mane of grey hues, and magenta eyes. She lived with her mother and three sisters. Green Way was the oldest, Free Bird was the second, and Crest was the youngest of the three eldest. Since each sister was well into their teenage years, none of them had time for their sister. And their mother was the CEO of the weather team, so she was always too busy for her youngest filly. Her name was Star Map, and her dream was to travel the world in search for gold and jewels and adventure! But she barely knew how to fly, and never actually believed that her dream would ever come true. So she'd sit on her bed at night, and watch the stars.
On Star Map's tenth birthday, her friends gave her a compass, and an explorer's hat! And that was it. That was the day she believed and wanted with all her heart to be an explorer. And a map cutie mark showed up on her flank. All her friends, and herself were cheering and celebrating her getting a cutie mark because she was the first of her friends to get one. When Star Map ran home to show her mom and sisters, they were actually excited, and showed off theirs as well. nothing was more perfect.
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On Shilling Grove's tenth birthday, his grandpa gave him a telescope, a map, and a plastic hacking knife.
"This is what I want to do!" Shilling Grove thought to himself.
Then, he looked down at his flank to see a telescope on it. Both his grandfather and him cheered. But his mother, who was already mad that Shilling's grandfather got his those ridiculous things, would have lit on flames if it were possible. She was furious with Shilling Grove for getting that for his cutie mark instead of something practical like a baker or a school teacher. That was then Shilling Grove vowed to changed his name to Traveler, and not keep it at Shilling Grove which he absolutely hated as a name. His grandfather flew him out to the legal court to do just that. And Traveler was never happier.
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On a family vacation to Manehatten, when Star Map was sixteen, she was barely able to stay in the air. She was teased constantly teased and mocked by Green Way who was pregnant and holding a foal, Free Bird who was the same, and Crest who was watching her three foals be better at flying than Star Map. She was never a good flyer. Even as a filly. She was just never finding a reason to fly until then. Her friends all lived close, and her school was walking distance, there was never any reason to fly at all in Star Map's mind, but here every pony was, mocking her. She hated her family. She wanted to get away.
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When Traveler was sixteen, he was already living in an apartment with his friend Poppy, a gardener. His grandfather died of old age two years prior, and his mother kicked him out of the house a year later. Traveler was always talking about getting away from the city to make a life of his own, and Poppy always talked of his dream to work in the palace gardens in Canterlot. They both supported the dreams of their friend, always telling him that his dream will come true soon. One morning, while in the park throwing a hoofball, Traveler caught his eye on the most gorgeous pegasus he'd ever lay his eyes on. A sky blue body with a mane of different shades of grey, and her eyes! Her eyes were the exact color his eyes were!
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When the family arrived, Star Map wanted to beat up every pony in her family. She was angry, upset, and her self-esteem wasn't the highest it had ever been. She would have left if it wasn't for the colt that was staring at her. His eyes! His eyes were the same shade as her's! If that wasn't magical, she didn't know what was. His wings were strong, and his coloring was a fun combination. A cinnamon body, with a beautiful rainbow colored main. She had to meet the stallion, so she walked up to him right when he was walking up to her.
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Traveler couldn't believe it. The mare was walking towards him too! She noticed him! She noticed him!
"Hello," Traveler said.
"Hello," was her reply.
She looked to see if her family was paying attention, they weren't.
"I'm Traveler," He introduced.
Just then Poppy walked up towards them. He had an uncombed black-ish red mane, and dirt in his ruby red pelt. Traveler thought he was just too unrepresentable for this gorgeous, well groomed mare.
"This is Poppy," Traveler explained.
"Hello, Poppy, I'm Star Map!" She explained.
"What brings you to Manehatten?" Traveler asked.
"A family get away," Star Map explained.
"And so you picked here? Why not Canterlot?" asked Poppy.
Traveler jabbed him in the side.
She actually giggled, and said, "We go there all the time. My mother is the CEO of all the weather teams in Equestria, so my mom takes us to the meetings with the princess all the time."
XXXX
Both stallions go wide eyed when they heard that.
"A rich filly, eh? Well, welcome to Manehatten! Where all the horse crap in the world, happens every day!" Poppy explained with cheerful sarcasm.
Star Map realized that this Poppy was a sarcastic, fun loving, doofus. And Traveler, though polite, was trying hard not to laugh at his friend's jokes. She then spotted Traveler's cutie mark, and started to get excited and fly around.
"Wow! Are you an explorer? Where have you been? Who have you met on your adventures? I'm an explorer too! Well, I'm meant to be one, I've never been anywhere except for Cloudsdale, Canterlot, and now here! Is it exciting? Is it dangerous? What's it like?"
Star Map was going out of her mind with excitement, doing loops, and speeding, she was having a grand old time asking this experienced explorer everything she could.
"Actually, I haven't gone anywhere either. I'm just like you," Traveler explained.
"Oh," Star Map said, disappointed and ashamed.
XXXX
In all truth, Traveler wanted to tell her that he did in deed travel a lot, but he hated lying to ponies he liked. Especially pretty ones. Star Map looked back at her family to see what they were doing. It turns out, they were still trying to figure out the map they were carrying.
"Do you two want to hang out?" Star Map asked.
"Yeah we do!" Traveler said.
They were then in the sky flying higher and higher, leaving Poppy on the ground. Traveler felt safe with Star Map. He felt that what ever he did, this mare would support him more than his mother ever did.
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Star Map felt secure and confident with Traveler beside her. He didn't mock her for her weak flying skills, he didn't laugh when she nearly fell, Traveler was a perfect gentlecolt, and she was amazed by him.
"Star Map!" Her mother yelled.
It was time for her to check into the hotel with her mother sisters, nieces and nephews. She wasn't looking forward to spending two weeks with her entire family. She'd rather stay home alone like she usually did, but there she was. And the sooner she could go back to Traveler and Poppy the better she would be. She couldn't believe it. She looked back longingly at the cute pegasus and his red earth pony friend. If only she could get away from her family.
"We'll be here all day! Come here if you can!" Poppy called.
Star Map smiled at that.
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"Wow, wasn't she something?" Traveler sighed.
"Sounds like you have a crush!" Poppy said, bumping Traveler's shoulder.
"So what if I do? She's attractive! And she comes from a better family than I ever did," Traveler said. His mind wondered to that beautiful pony for the entire hoofball game.
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Star Map did not come the next day, she was family locked. Meaning mental abuse all day everyday for two weeks. She tried to escape to the park the next day, but she was forced to see the city. All she could think of Traveler. She needed to see him again, but the entire two weeks, it was all about what her mother needed to do. And what the fouls needed to do. Star Map could not stand her family. She was angry and bitter the entire trip. Until, the Friday before they left! She finally saw Traveler at a bakery arguing with the owner. He said that his mother had wanted him to live with her again, and Star Map was surprised that Traveler lived alone at six-teen years old! He gave her his address to mail letters, and Star Map gave her's in return.
They sent letters to one another all about their days, and how much Star Map's mother was annoying, they'd talk about that. They always talked about the day they would see each other again. And finally, when each of them where eight-teen, Star Map finally moved out of her mother's house, and went to Manehatten. And there they were. Poppy and Traveler. She embraced them with all her love. She couldn't believe she was seeing them again. They sit in the park for hours just catching up.
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He couldn't believe it. He just could not believe it. After three years of letter writing, Traveler finally saw Star Map once again. And she wasted no time. Right then and there they started to travel. It was all in the last letter Star Map sent. They would meet her in the park where they met with everything they would need to travel. Star Map herself had an explorer's hat on. It looked like she had it for years, just waiting to put it to use.
There first stop, which took two days, was to Canterlot. Star Map asked a favor from Princess Celestia to let Poppy work in the gardens as one of her employes. Poppy was ecstatic when he heard the news, and he thanked her when ever he go the chance. And when they said good-bye, Traveler promised to see how Poppy was liking his job when ever they were in Canterlot. The princess then walked up to the filly and colt.
"You two have much loyalty in your hearts. That will get you far in life, you know," The princess said, winking at the pair. She then went to go show Poppy where he could start.
Traveler and Star Map got to go to amazing places! Fillydelphia, Los Pegasus, they traveled the world together. But the most dangerous place they went to was Saddle Arabia. When they were nine-teen, they found a cave in Saddle Arabia to hide from a sand storm. And in that cave, there was a huge pile of gold, jewels, diamonds, silver, and coins. They were so excited! They thought they were lucky beyond belief. But little did they know, the dweller of the cave wasn't happy with them steeling his things. He called himself Arizotal, and he called after them as they flew away from the creature.
"I will have my revenge!"
For a few months Star Map believed that Arizotal would come for his revenge. But after a year of nothing from the strange creature, she became more relaxed. Traveler and Star Map were twenty, Traveler purposed! The wedding was a small wedding, only with Poppy, and Fire Fly, Star Map's friend, with Celestia herself wedding them. Though the numbers were miniscule, Traveler and Star Map treasured their wedding. And promised that their foals would never be treated like they were. They would be respected, believed in, and never made fun of.
And when Star Map and Traveler were twenty-one, on one hot day in June, in the cabin they built a year before, they gave birth to a beautiful filly. Her eyes magenta, her mane in grey hues, and her pelt a sandy color. Growing up, Daring Do was a good foal. Always ate what she was told, always fallowed the rules, never lied, and always thought her parents her entire world. And when Daring Do was very small, about two, they started to run. The creature from four years ago came back, and they fought for their peace, and lives back. And only growing up to this, Daring Do felt it important that she never leave her parents.
She was trained in fighting, spying, defense, tracking, and weaponry. By the time she was eight, Daring Do could join her parents while they explore without the fear of being defenseless. After all, Arizotal never stopped hunting them, and they never stopped being hunted. When they stole from him those four years ago, they had no money left, and they were starving and homeless, and they got desperate when they reached that cave. But the three or four times they were captured, they weren't brought to a cave, but a temple made entirely out of gold and stone. They'd always escape and fight to get to Daring. And then, their lives changed forever when Star Map realized the shocking news.
When Daring Do was nine years old and got her cutie mark, a compass showing that she is exactly like her parents, Star Map discovered she she was already ten months pregnant with another foul. Admittedly she was slower, and she thought she had gained a little wait, but she figured it was just her getting older. She never dreamed of letting another innocent soul into their life. So when she gave birth to this filly, it was decided that she will be put into a family. Daring was only ten so she had to stay home with Traveler as she went to Fire Fly's house, and pray she will take her daughter.
"It's okay, Dasher. Mommy and Daddy loves you," Star Map calmed her crying infant.
After an unexpected dispute with Traveler, Star Map convinced him to go back. Her heart was pounding, and she was crying. For herself, for her foal, but more importantly, she cried for the filly's future that she won't be able to be apart apart of.
"Please keep my filly safe, until I can come back for her," she begged. And then she left the filly.
"I'll be back, Dasher. I promise," She said to herself as her tears flew down, and touched the ground.
Alas, she would never see her little filly again. While on the run from Arizotal, Traveler find certain information about certain rings that would help Arizotal rule the world. And he wanted that information. When Daring Do was eleven, the ponies who worked for Arizotal finally got them for good. Arizotal kept them in the dungeon for days without food. And he'd force them to do labor, and beat them when they wouldn't tell him what he wanted. They never told. They swore to him they would die before they would tell him anything.
"Is that so?" Arizotal said one day, bored of the same answer.
He then held an object up in the air with his tail. At first glance Traveler and Star Map couldn't understand what he was holding, until it moved.
"Tell me what I need to know, or she dies!" Arizotal shouted threateningly.
"No!" Star Map screamed and tried to fly towards Daring, but exhaustion and the lack of food prevented her from doing so.
"Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!" Traveler yelled angrily, nearly passing out doing so.
"Spunk Traveler? I like spunk in my victims. Fine. I'll keep her as a pet until you two come to your senses," Arizotal said.
And he did. For three more months Star Map and Traveler still said nothing about the rings. Arizotal was fed up with them one evening. He just wanted them to die! He was pacing back and forth in his quarters while the bone thin filly sat helplessly chained to the corner.
"You're Traveler and Star Map's daughter, right?" Arizotal said after a few hours in silence.
Daring Do jumped from hearing his voice and forgot to answer.
"Answer me, dog!" He demanded.
With another jump, Daring managed to stammer, "Y-y-yes, M-master."
The little filly was in tears upon answering her master.
"Then you go everywhere your parents do, right?" Arizotal asked.
"Ye-yes, Master," was Daring's response.
He then demanded Traveler and Star Map to be awakened. They were put on upright tables, and forced to keep quiet. He then put Daring in view of them, and Traveler feared the worst.
"Kill them!" Arizotal shouted.
And two pegasi sped their way both holding knives. In one moment the knives cut through the skin of both Star Map and Traveler. Their blood dripped rapidly down their bodies as their daughter watched in shock. She was then thrown to the ground by Arizotal.
"Take her memories!" was the first memory Daring Do had.
Present Day
Daring Do didn't really know the reason why she had been fighting Arizotal for so long, and for what purpose (Other than keeping the world safe from him). Yesterday she found out. She has been fighting Arizotal for the revenge of her parents. She vowed to keep it a secret from Rainbow Dash- Dasher. She was only Twenty, and didn't need the burden of knowing how her parents died, and what her sister goes through daily. But these are the truths of their family back story.