Daring Do and the Amulet of Graveeda

by Bother

Part 6

Daring Do and the Amulet of Graveeda

Part 6

Daring had had some good fortune and found an old unused robe in one of the alleyway trash bins. She was now walking slowly down the street, her ‘problem’ somewhat hidden, but still bulging out so far that anypony who took a good look at her would notice. It was hard trotting with so much offset weight, even more so as her senses were overwhelmed by the strong kicks of the foals.

To make matters worse, there were more ponies on the street now, although most were stallions that paid her no mind. She tried to avoid eye contact with them, but she couldn’t help notice a faint spark of hope flicker in their faces from time to time, as if they’d heard a rumor too good to be true.

Daring marveled that she’d gotten this far without being stopped. She was just doing her best just to put one hoof in front of another, and her beleaguered walking had to look odd to anyone who bothered to look. She was just silently thanking her good luck when she felt another wave of magic coming on, and she could tell that it was going to be a big one.

Without much fuss she slipped into an alleyway, not wanting to risk being seen out the open. The foals inside her had begun shifting around, causing a strange tickle that was triggering something else. She'd just gotten out of sight as the next part started, and she groaned as her girth rocked back and forth of its own accord.

It was throwing so much weight around she had to take a wide stance to keep her balance. It jostled around in many directions, but it eventually settled in a clumsy forward and back rocking motion. Her entire body eventually swung with it, the robe teasing her sensitive skin. She couldn't help but gasp as the mass between her legs displaced itself, the feeling of so much weight moving causing no end of flutterings.

Daring had to find a seat, quickly. Her gut was getting warmer, and she was beginning to understand what that meant. Daring opted to sit where she was, her own plot a little more cushy than she remembered, but she didn’t worry about that right now. The foals were jostling around enough that she could see her stomach distend from obvious points of internal prodding. She squirmed as she watched her belly be bumped and prodded from the inside, the internal pressure moving around in an oh-so-lovely way.

Daring couldn’t believe how good she felt. The sensations had become amplified after the spa, and now, even the little things felt so much greater. The two foals in her were basically fighting for more room, rolling around like a couple trying to figure out which side of the bed they preferred. Clearly they were too cramped in there. Her girth was already considerable, but she knew it wasn’t enough. She needed to prepare for more foals. She needed to know how to grow.

As if on cue, Daring felt something inside her, like a spark that grew into a fire. The heat in her womb bloomed immensely, and her mind was caught off guard as her stomach began pulsing much harder; both from internal prodding and her own breathing. The familiar pressure built up quickly behind the heat, her gut slowly becoming firmer as an unseen force filled her with more magic. She watched her belly swell once more, the sensitive surface expanding across the ground in quick throbs.

Daring couldn't help but stroke herself, the mass growing softer as it ballooned out in front of her. It stopped just short of looking like triplets, and the sensation of the foals within her moving and exploring their new boundaries gave her shivers. She didn't care about her size anymore. She just wanted the foals within her to be happy and healthy. And judging from how much they rocked her belly about, she knew that they were.

Daring still wasn’t quite sure what was triggering this. Was she the one controlling it, or did the magic have a mind of its own? Each episode had had different circumstances associated with it, but they all seemed to elicit the same reaction. Eventually though it would end, and her gut would feel tight and firm once more, the foals settling down.

This time, however, it was lasting longer than usual. Fortunately, she didn’t have a problem with this, as it was so wonderful to rub that softened mass between her legs, to coax out the next throb with tender care. It was sad that the strange ghostly hooves had yet to return, though. They'd appeared the first few times, but hadn't since.

“Excuse me?”

Daring's thoughts were interrupted by a deep voice. She looked up, and noticed a pegasus stallion staring at her from his backdoor.

“A-Are you?”

Daring smiled. “C'mere.”

Hesitantly he obeyed, his eyes wide with awe. She had him sit before her and gestured to her warm, glowing womb.

“Go on,” she said with a chuckle. “I won’t bite.”

Gently, the stallion began rubbing her belly in soft, kneading strokes. She could only sigh, delighted as a soft throb pressed into his touch, his ministrations stoking the fire inside her and drawing out more magic. The stallion was dumbstruck as he massaged the living breathing mass before him, coaxing out warm throbs time and again to feel her precious cargo.

She felt a strong wave of magic coming, encouraged by his slow circling hooves. She grunted from the building force and pushed into him as her belly throbbed hard enough to push him back a little. He was shocked by the surge of power, and could only sit and stare bewildered as her warmth bathed over him.

“So,” Daring said as she recovered. “How’d you know it was me?”

It took a few seconds for the stallion to snap out of his daze. When he did, though, he got up without a word and went inside his house. He returned a moment later and showed her a piece of parchment.

“Ah,” Daring said. “Yep. That’do it.”

It was a wanted poster with her picture on it. Not the most accurate likeness she’d ever seen, but it did show off enough of her profile. The message along the bottom was hard to figure out, though. It sounded more like a missing pony report than a bounty? Whatever, probably just a ruse to work over the kinder hearts. She'd seen such tactics used before.

“Gonna turn me in?” Daring asked the stallion.

The stallion shook his head. “G-Godmother, I…”

But Daring already knew what was on the stallion's mind. However, f she said yes, it was probably going to incapacitate her. Two was a task and a half, but three? She only had the barest idea of how to control this power, and she had no idea how the magic had made the rest of her bigger back in Teddy’s spa.

Yet what else was she supposed to say? To hear 'no' from the one pony that could help you, just so she could aimlessly wander around and probably get caught anyway?

“...Take me to her,” Daring said.

The stallion widened his eyes. “I-I don't have anything to give...”

Daring rolled her eyes. “Who would put a price on this kind of thing?! C’mon, dumbass. Time’s a-wasting. Help me up so we can go get your kid back.”

The look on the stallion’s face was priceless, like a kid on Hearth’s Warming that’d just been given the best present ever. He eagerly helped her up onto her hooves, and after Daring caught her breath, she let him lead her inside his house.

()()()()()

“How long?” Quick Fix asked.

Headmaster Glory Finch examined the Amulet of Graveeda, the light at its center growing dim. “Hours. Half a day at most.”

“Is there anything else we can do?”

“Nothing that won’t start a riot.” The Headmaster sighed deeply. “A pity that your friend couldn’t delay her at his spa a while longer.”

Quick Fix shifted back and forth on his hooves. “The search party and I combed the streets and alleyways in the area, but we didn’t find any trace of her. What if the citizens are hiding her?”

The Headmaster shrugged. “Then they’re hiding her.”

“But sir! We can’t—”

“No!” The Headmaster snapped. “We can’t escalate our efforts! The fear of oppression runs deep in this town, Quick Fix. If we even show a hint of dominion, we'll risk open rebellion! We are servants of the Godmother, and by extension, servants of our little ponies. We are not, nor have we ever been, their rulers!”

Quick Fix grit his teeth. “Headmaster…”

The Headmaster’s eyes were hollow as he turned back to the amulet. “If we are to fail, then we'll fall keeping to the code. If we start to violate our ponies’ rights, we're no better than—”

The Amulet was suddenly swiped out of his grasp.

The Headmaster blinked. He looked over and saw Quick Fix fitting the Amulet around his neck while preparing to leave.

“I believe you said something earlier about me needing to help clean up this mess,” Quick Fix said matter-of-factly. “Suppose I should get to it, then.”

“Quick Fix,” The Headmaster said with a voice full of dull fire.

“I’m not gonna sit around while the future of this town dangles by a thread!” Quick Fix grabbed a map and a compass from a nearby table. “We’re not their rulers or keepers? Fine. But that doesn’t mean we should sit around and do nothing! The ponies of Prodigal Point need the Godmother, and the Godmother needs us! I’m not about to abandon her or them, and if you’re gonna just sit there and mope, do me a favor and stay the hell out of my way! I’m gonna find her if it’s the last thing I do!”

He left without another word, the sound of his wings the only thing marking his exit.

The Headmaster watched him leave without comment. He stood silent and stoic in his office, but then as he went back over to his desk, the ghost of a smile graced his lips.

“Maybe I was wrong about him.”

()()()()()

“Will this be fine?” the stallion asked Daring.

Daring chuckled. She’d simply asked him for a place with plenty of room, and he showed her to his home's living room. It was a spacious place that would've looked rather homey under different circumstances, but right now, the windows were shut, the curtains were drawn, the lights were dimmed, and the fireplace was unlit.

“This’ll... work...” Daring suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. A jolt wracked her body shortly after, and the foals in her womb leaped fearfully.

The stallion hesitated. “Are you alright?”

Daring shook her head clear. “I’m fine, heh.” She pulled her robe closer around herself. “Just a little chilly, that’s all.”

“Want me to light a fire? It'll only take a minute.”

“Nah, I’m good.” Daring nudged him towards the door. “Hurry and go get your wife. I'll wait here.”

The stallion obeyed, but he seemed uneasy about doing so. “I’ll just be a moment, promise. Make yourself comfortable.”

Daring watched him leave in a rush. As soon as he was gone, she put a hoof to her forehead and closed her eyes. Something about that cold was just... wrong. She had a feeling she knew what it was, but she couldn’t dwell on it right now. Her legs were still aching from the earlier trip, and she seriously needed to find a place to rest. There was an oddly shaped couch in the room, one of those things that wouldn’t look out of place in a psychiatrist’s office. It looked rather plush, too, so she decided that was a good place to park her rump.

Her instincts were proven right. She lay upon the couch carefully, her foal-filled womb towering over her as she wrapped the robe around her like a blanket. She still couldn't quite shake that cold feeling, but cuddling up with the warmth of her belly so close both strengthened and soothed her. She felt herself getting drowsy, and she probably would’ve nodded off had she not heard the sound of hoofsteps.

What rounded the corner brought down a heavy hammer on Daring’s heart. The stallion’s wife was an utter wreck, disheveled, beaten down, and bereft of hope. It looked as though she hadn't looked after herself in weeks, and only the strength of her mate had been keeping her going.

“Celestia,” Daring breathed. It was a wonder that this mare was even still alive. It hurt to even look at her, and Daring couldn’t even imagine the stress this must be putting on the husband.

She made up her mind right then and there. She didn't care if she was never able to walk again. Consequence be damned, this mare, this mother, had suffered enough.

Daring tried to call the mare over, to bring her near, but she seemed frozen in place. A look of total disbelief was etched on her tired and worn features, and it wasn't until her husband gave her a slight push that she reacted at all. She stumbled forward on weak, haggard limbs, her eyes never leaving the twin-filled womb before her.

Daring reached out and touched one of her hooves. “Hi.”

The mare looked like she’d been shocked. “You… Y-You’re really…” She began to tear up. “No, you can't help me. It's been too long.” Her voice hitched and cracked. “I can't even remember her name! I can’t remember my daughter’s name!”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Daring lifted up her chin so she was looking her in the eyes. “Listen to me. It’s gonna be alright. I’m gonna help you.”

The mare hiccuped. She didn’t look away, but she was so lost that the words barely registered.

“Do you still want her back?” Daring asked.

The mare weakly nodded behind broken sobs.

“Then we’ll bring her back,” Daring said. “Simple as that.”

The mare still didn’t look like she believed. “H-How?”

Daring guided the mare’s hoof to her waiting belly. “Like this.”

It was just like before with Merry. As soon as the cursed mare touched her, Daring felt the warmth in her womb pick up. The mare kneaded Daring’s taut flesh in small circles, her eyes glazing over and her breaths evening out. The magic in the air became palpable, and as if in a trance, she leaned forward and kissed Daring’s pregnant stomach. Once more Daring felt a spark ignite from the touch, and a wisp flew out of the mare’s mouth and flew immediately into Daring’s.

However, the mare did not whisper the foal’s name.

Daring’s womb began to swell. It pulsed alongside each breath, surging with heat every time it grew bigger. A pressure built up within her, pushing against her stomach's expanding limits, but once it again, it surpassed them and pushed her girth to new heights. Daring couldn't believe how truly large she was becoming, but when the first real throb hit her, she became lost in the endless flutters that worked their way through her immense belly.

Daring ached with need as a warmth surged up her throat, and she leaned back to let it loose. Once again a light left her mouth and floated toward the expectant mother, who looked at it longingly, but no words came. The wisp stayed for a time, flitting back and forth in the space between the two mares, but then it slowly faded, leaving the mother alone once more.

Daring didn't understand what went wrong. But she had little time to figure it out, as something in her gut demanded her attention. It’d begun glow similar to before, but now it was much, much stronger. The sudden influx of magic left Daring moaning in bliss, and on instinct she shifted slightly to reveal the crest of her mountainous belly to the mare, who approached once more with glassy eyes.

The mare wrapped her lips around Daring’s sensitive navel.

“Ohhhhh…” The brief touch from a kiss had brought about strong feelings by itself, but this was something else entirely. Daring rode the storm of sensations that made her entire body pulse with building magic, the mare continuing to create stronger waves that raised the sensations to new highs. She pulled and sucked on Daring's swelling button, making her tremendous girth surge larger, increasing the pressure along with it. Daring thrust her gut in tandem with the throbs of growth, and each time the mare pulled deeply, Daring’s belly would rise a little more...

Daring was suddenly rocked by a spasm, making her groan deeply. Before she knew it, she’d shoved her navel wholly into the mare's mouth. A portion of the warmth inside her poured into the mare, who staggered backwards and fell to the ground. Now her belly began to glow and fill out, rapidly growing into a motherly shape as the nameless foal returned from the void.

Daring could feel the little one entering her womb, as well. Her gurgling, rumbling gut was filled with otherworldly light, each surge of growth rocking and shifting it about. Daring herself was unable to concentrate on anything but the weight forming within her, sighing as her mass quivered with tingling throbs. She thrust upward again, the peak of her womb being pushed outward even farther, its shape truly growing into a healthy set of triplets.

She couldn't contain herself amidst all the throbbing and growth, her belly rising and falling from her hot and bothered breathing. There was a last mighty surge of growth, causing her to yelp in surprise, and her belly surged upward immensely until her womb was filled with a powerful pressure from three full-grown foals sharing such a snug space.

Daring could only breathe easily as she watched her new size rise and fall with grace, the warm throbs slowly tapering off and the warm glow leaving her. It wasn't until she could hear the sounds of a couple happy and crying from the return of their lost foal that she realized it was all over. Yet she couldn't join them in their revelry, as she abruptly felt both tired and cold. All she could do was wrap the robe tighter around her body and slowly close her eyes, hoping that her tall belly was unaffected by what she felt.

()()()()()

The stallion couldn't believe it. His daughter was back! she was really back! He held his wife in his arms and felt her swollen stomach, sniffling slightly as the foal poked curiously at his hoof. His wife came to shortly after, and upon discovering that she was pregnant once more she smiled and laughed for the first time in days.

The stallion looked over at Daring. “Godmother, how can we ever—”

His words were cut short as he looked at her. Her eyes were closed, her face was pale, and she was radiating a chill instead of any heat.

“Godmother?” He came over and touched her… only to recoil instantly from the sting of a freezing chill. It had felt like he’d touched dry ice!

“Hun, what's wrong?” his wife said.

The Godmother arched her head back, an expression of pain on her face. She let out a hacking cough, a cloud of black smog rising out of her mouth.

The wife backed away. “No…”

The cloud grew thicker and more ominous, the temperature in the room falling rapidly. It started to spread out to fill the room, but before it could, a sliver of light appeared within the center. It separated itself from the darkness and flew back into the Godmother's mouth.

Daring let out long, scratchy breath as her eyes flew open.

The stallion went to her again. “Godmother, what's—”

Her hoof whipped out and yanked him close.

“GAH!” Daring’s hoof was both amazingly warm and bitterly cold. The stallion winced from the painful touch, but then forgot about it as he saw that her eyes. They were glowing pure, white light, with contrails that looked like comet’s tails.

“The Amulet.” Daring said in an otherworldly voice. She coughed and expelled another cloud of black smog, “We must have the Amulet!”

Without another word she passed out, the warmth leaving her touch as only coldness remained.

For a moment the stallion was stunned. He’d never seen anything like that before! The amulet? What amulet did she mean? How could he possibly know—wait… hold on. Did she mean THE amulet?!

“Honey?” his wife asked him. “What’s happening to her?!”

“I'll be back, Blossom!” The stallion galloped towards the door. “Don't touch her! Whatever you do, do NOT touch her!”

His wife watched him leave, a fearful movement rocking her womb. She couldn't help but echo that fear as she turned to watch more smog rise from their daughter's savior.

()()()()()

There was a meager crowd gathered in the space before Quick Fix. It was far less than what he’d hoped for, but it was all he could get with some many ponies unwilling to leave their homes. He was surprised he’d gotten this many, truth be told. There were even a few mares in the crowd.

“The Godmother is real!” Quick Fix said to all of them. “She’s out there right now, helping anypony she can find, but she’s in danger! She can’t fully fend off the curse without the Amulet of Graveeda!”

He held the Amulet high above his head, causing a murmur of surprise among the crowd.

“If you find her, tell her that I’ve been sent to give it to her!” Quick Fix continued. “She has nothing to fear from our order! We are her allies, not enemies! We are her chosen guardians, and with our help she may restore all that has been lost!”

The crowd grew uneasy, exchanging looks of worry amongst themselves.

Quick Fix spoke over them once more. “I know this is a lot to ask. A great change has struck us all with no warning, but we must adapt! We must find the Godmother! Spread my message to all you see! Tell them that Quick Fix seeks to give the Amulet of Graveeda to the her! Hurry!”

Quick Fix then spread his wings and took to the skies. He didn’t really know if this was going to work, but he had to get the word out somehow. He had many more places to go, much more hope to spread. Ponies needed to know that the Godmother was out there—

“WAIT!”

Quick Fix slowed. He’d just cleared the rise of a buildings when he heard a voice from below. He banked back around and saw a single stallion on the edge of the crowd, jumping up and down.

“What is it?” Quick Fix asked as he landed.

The stallion was pale and frantic. “The Godmother is at my house! I think the curse is attacking her! You need to come quickI”

The crowd reacted immediately, but Quick Fix silenced them. “Where is your house?!”

“I’ll take you there!” The stallion whirled around and sprinted off.

Quick Fix followed at full gallop. A few ponies from the crowd followed as well, the future of their families in the balance.

()()()()()

Daring was freezing. She'd no idea where she was, or what was happening. All she knew was that it was dark and cold. There'd been a voice at one point, saying something about an Amulet, but it'd faded away along with her body. She was now just a spark adrift in a frigid void, and everything felt so very far away...

There was still some warmth she could feel; the warm glow that emanated from her womb. No matter how cold she got that source never died, standing like a bastion against whatever had stolen the world from her eyes. The three foals within danced within her warm and safe, but that was to be expected.

After all, the curse wasn’t attacking them anymore.

Daring could feel it pulling her, dragging her numb form down into the deepest reaches of the darkness, and the cold was sinking deeper and deeper, trying to get at her soul. All she could think of was her life, and what it had led to. There was so much about her old life that she’d loved: The adventure, the discovery, the danger, the money. But in all of it, she’d never done something as selfless as this. Was this as rewarding as all those other things she’d done? Was it something worth giving her life up for? In the end she’d only been able to restore three families. Would a stronger pony have been able to do more?

As her world grew colder, Daring couldn't help but smile, the warmth of the far-off womb never fading. She supposed that three was a good number. Three families saved, three lives allowed to live? That was more than most could say they’d saved. Maybe somepony else could’ve done more, but she was the one who had been given the chance. So many had been taken, and so many were still lost but these three inside her womb? They were safe.

And that was good enough.

()()()()()

Quick Fix and the stallion skidded to a halt at what they saw. The stallion’s house was covered in ice, the windows were frosted over, icicles hung from the gutters. A dreadful smoke was rising from the chimney, with all of it slowly spreading. A pregnant mare was outside with a panicked look on her face, backpedaling away from the ice.

“Blossom!” The stallion ran up to his wife. “Are you alright? What happened?!”

Blossom shivered. “I tried to stay with her, but the cold got so bad… I had to get out before everything froze! ”

Quick Fix looked down at the Amulet of Graveeda. The light within it had faded, now replaced by an ominous black mark.

Quick Fix turned to the stallion. “Please tell me that smoke is from a fire.”

Both he and Blossom shook their heads.

Quick Fix knew his was going to be bad, but this was even worse than he expected. He began to make his way towards the house’s front door.

“W-Wait!" The stallion called out. "What are you doing?!”

“I have to go!” Quick Fix said. He touched the door handle and let out a hiss of pain. It felt like he’d touched a burning stove. “The Godmother needs the Amulet!”

“Are you crazy?!” the stallion demanded. “You’ll freeze to death!”

Quick Fix whirled around and bucked the icy door, shattering to pieces with a sound like breaking glass. “Look after your wife, eh? She looks like crap.”

And with that he flew inside.

“Idiot!” The stallion yelled after him. “Damn it… the Godmother’s in the last room at the end of the hall!”

()()()()()

Quick Fix was greeted by darkness. The warmth of outside was left behind as soon as he crossed the house’s threshold, and he did his best to pull his robe close while staying aloft. The air was filled with such an intense chill that the couple’s belongings had frozen solid, and the walls looked brittle to the touch. The tip of his wing brushed against a door frame, making him let out a pained yelp. It seemed there was no safe place to land, and the only way he’d get in farther is by keeping in the air.

“Gotta be fast.” He made his way down the lifeless hallway, his wingbeats steady and sure. His nose and ears had already gone cold, and the ends of his legs were starting to go numb. As his eyes adjusted, he saw that a thick, cloying smoke was hanging in the air with a ghostly stillness, but it was steadily retreating away from him. Perhaps it was because he was carrying the Amulet?

Quick Fix found the open doorway at the end of the hall. The smoke was at its thickest here, its icy bite stinging his eyes. He could see something at the heart of the smoke—a soft glow, a beacon that brought forth a slight shimmer to the Amulet. As he drew close, the smoke pulled back to reveal a circle of untouched ground. The Godmother lay there on a couch, shimmering in the eye of the storm as powerful magics warred over her.

Yet upon taking one look at her, it was clear which side was winning.

Daring was pale, the color of her fur undone by frost and magic. The air hung still around her, far colder here than the rest of the home. An occasional gout of smoke would rise from her lips, but besides that she was still as death. Quick Fix feared the worst, but then, he noticed something that gave him pause.

Her enormous womb was still intact.

Quick Fix landed in the circle and laid a hoof upon it, surprised to find that while chilly, a gentle warmth still emanated within. A weak kick answered his prodding, followed by two others in quick succession.

Quick Fix looked upon Daring, a strange mare that knew nopony in this town, and yet had tried to do so much. It seemed that she’d refused to let the families she met suffer, despite what it meant for her own well-being.

Without hesitating, he took the Amulet of Graveeda and placed it around her neck. He leaned close to her ear and spoke softly, praying to the powers above this would work.

“Wake up, Godmother. Your little ponies need you.”

()()()()()

Daring wasn't sure what she just heard. Possibly a voice, but it was so far away that she couldn’t make out what had been said. She somehow knew that the voice had been speaking to her, so she focused a little harder, trying to see if she could catch anything else.

There was a light off in the distance. It sparkled only briefly, but it still dazzled her eyes. Daring began to feel something, a warm something, like a strong hoof pressing into her listless body from far, far away. It roused from whatever malaise she was in, but before she could make any headway, the cold bit deeply into the warmth and made it recoil.

Daring didn't understand what was happening. How could she still feel her body when it was so far away? How had she been separated from her body in the first place?! She didn’t know the answer to either, but as she was wondering the warmth returned in full force, this time as a torso that wrapped around her.

“Listen to me,” the voice said. She heard it loud and clear this time. The cold savagely sank its fangs into the warm body, but it didn’t let her go. Instead, it wrapped a pair of wings around them both like a feathery blanket. “Take what you need from me. Use it to come back to us! Don’t let the curse win!”

Daring could see it now, a light off in the distance that beckoned to her. It was her body, calling to her! She wanted to go to it, but she was consumed by a strange numbness. The warmth of the torso was removing a layer of it, but there was still so much more—

Somepony kissed her, their warm lips breathing life into her dwindling spirit.

Daring felt a fire alight in her belly. She could feel herself breathe again, the numbness fading to lucidity. She was in a blue, hazy void filled with wispy clouds that lazily drifted past her, stretching on and on in every direction without end. Through the link to her body she felt the curse spread to the unknown pony, and it wasted no time in stealing their life away.

“You moron!” Daring yelled. “Get away! You’re gonna die!”

But it was no use. The pony was fading, and there was nothing she could do about it.

“Grgh!” Daring wiggled and flailed around. “C’mon! Snap out of it, girl! You’ve been in worse traps than this! You just need to—”

A bright silver star appeared off in the distance. It glowed with a mighty, divine power, and she recognized the energy calling out to her.

“The Amulet!” She stretched out her hoof, and felt herself begin racing towards the star. The clouds of the void whizzed past her as she flew forward at dizzying speed, but it wasn’t fast enough. The warmth of the stranger was fading. The darkness was closing back in as well, the cold numbness creeping back into her limbs.

“Come onnnnnnnnn!” Daring grit her teeth. “Faster! FASTER!”

“The stranger’s warmth was almost gone, no more than an echo within her body. The bitter cold was crushing her with its presence, and just as she was about to fade out, she threw herself forward and sailed headlong into the star.

A blast of heat exploded outward, burning away the cold, ravenous dark in the blink of an eye. Daring’s vision became filled with light, and the full sensation of her body returned… just in time to feel like she was on fire. Vast amounts of power flowed into her body and soul, all of which she eagerly absorbed, until the world faded to white.

Comments

[Leo Archon]

6623867 This is what is known as a stylistic choice. The artist chose to portray Daring as having a short mane and a slightly squared-off snout. As for the boobs... they're being hidden by her stomach. Remember, this ain't anthro.

[PPS]

Would you mind using a different cover image? I don't have a problem with you writing what you want to write, but I have to scroll past this image in the Popular Stories thing when I'm checking for new stories and updates that interest me, and it's really not the kind of thing I want to see. I wish I could just filter it and not have to bother you, but the site doesn't provide any way to do that.

[Azure Blackstone]

....Yep, I definitely want to see the end of this. Favourited.

[Luckyfanisaac]

However, if she said yes,

Graveeda to the her! Hurry!”

You need to come quickIy”

Quick Fix knew this was going to be bad,

——) The stranger’s warmth was almost gone, no more than an echo within her body.