Prologue
Prologue
Ah, the Daring Do series. Fans have called it the group of novels pioneering the very genre of adventure fiction in Equestria. Mysteriously authored by an individual under the pseudonym of Phoenix Wrighter, Daring Do's enterprises went on by the dozens. Thousands of avid readers constantly awaited in great anticipation for the the next installment of the story set to be released.
However, one particular fan craved the thrill of Daring Do's undertakings to the point of unadulterated obsession. This pegasus had read each book of the Daring Do chain six times, and was now working on the seventh go. Her love for the suspense apparent in the adventurer's many exploits proved overwhelming. Yet she continued on as a zealous admirer. To the addict, there was no other heroine that plucked her heartstrings like Daring Do. And who was this vehement devotee?
Why, it was Rainbow Dash, of course.
The cyan Pegasus with the mane of polychromatic colors was a case of irony. Before discovering Daring Do, Rainbow Dash had been of the mindset that reading was for 'eggheads'. To the mare's chagrin, she had once been persistent in avoiding books at all instances. What a mistake that was, she finally concluded. For the sound of a flipped page or the nostalgic touch of a hardcover's spine were absent in the days as a filly. Though, now, at an age ripe with energy and youth, Rainbow Dash put forth total investment in snagging the next edition of the popular novel line. And after a few straight reads and analytical critiques, she always found herself seeking more. These were the best stories ever told in the history of Equestria, Rainbow Dash believed. Anypony was crazy to think otherwise.
Therefore it wasn't surprising when Rainbow Dash would immediately shoot open the cover of an installment she's not read in the past, becoming entranced by the words of each page.
On an uneventful morning, the Pegasus entered the Golden Oaks Library to ask her close friend, Twilight Sparkle, for assistance in finding another book with similar features to Daring Do. Opening the candlestick emblem door, the rainbow-maned mare was greeted with only spacial emptiness. Twilight Sparkle must have been out, she figured. Rainbow Dash then sauntered her way to the 'D' section located adjacent to the alphabetical shelves of the Library. She wanted to catch another look at the wondrous center of her passion, and you can be positive she was very glad to have done so. Because the moment she stepped up to the row of volumes, her body shivered in pure ecstasy.
There was a Daring Do she had never before noticed wedged deep into the far left edge of the bank. Its spine was painfully conspicuous from its bright green facing. On the side wrote 'Daring Do and the Mystery of the Emerald Eyed Dragon'. She couldn't believe her luck. Why had she not known of this particular installment? Was it a new release? Impossible, the compulsive fan contemplated. She was sure to have been the first one at the book store to purchase it.
Rainbow Dash pulled out the book and had scanned the cover while beaming madly. An illustration of her favorite explorer swinging on the vines of a jungle tree met the pegasus's deep stare. And in the background the glow of two ominous, emerald ovals partially concealed in shadows presented a darkening aura. The book had already sucked her in. She just couldn't stand by any longer. It was now a matter of life and death. There was only a desperate need to pop open the novel right then and there, inevitably diving into another grand quest of danger and spontaneity.
Flopping onto the nearby sofa for reading comfort, Rainbow Dash squealed giddily as she turned over the front cover.
"Daring Do and the Mystery of the Emerald Eyed Dragon." Rainbow Dash read aloud slowly. "Wow. This is going to be so awesome!"
And the story began.
Spike's Daring Do
Spike the baby dragon was blinded as he groggily pulled open his heavy eyelids. Something extremely blaring stung his irises, and as he swung his aching arms over his face the soft cry of cicadas could be heard at a distance. Spike coughed hoarsely after seconds of groaning on the cold, hard ground he lied upon.
He realized he was sweating profusely under the rays of the scorching sun. The dragon's scales glistened exquisitely in the light. His head felt like it was going to explode from heatstroke. A sudden migraine overtook him as he cringed in stress.
Why was it so hot? It was absolutely steaming!
Spike came upon difficulty while attempting to pace a steady breathing pattern. His lungs expanded broadly to inhale more oxygen that seemed to be lacking in the overbearing humidity of the air.
Why was it so humid? He could barely breathe!
Digging his claws into the soil beneath, Spike gradually brought his body to a wobbling standing position. Still dazed, Spike was unable to register his surroundings. Hues of green and orange danced about as he calmly focused his attention to his front.
A field of large, slouched palms lied before the dragon. A jarringly purple firmament enveloped a sea of exotic animals and insects inhabiting the natural lands. The reddish dirt under his feet spread endlessly. The sheer exoticness of the entire stage proved enormously disorienting to the young Ponyvillian.
His vision finally stabilizing, Spike gasped. "W-where am I?"
"You're in the southern jungles of Marelaysia, creature." A bolden voice projected from Spike's rear.
Spike whipped his head back to only trip over in exasperation. Resting lazily on a slumped palm was a pony he was familiar with. Only, he wasn't. Because he knew that whoever the greyscale-maned, vested Pegasus resembled, there was no possibility of she ever being one and the same.
She couldn't be the fictional protagonist of those famed pieces of literature...right?
"What are you, anyway?" The sandy brown pegasus peeked from under her pith helmet. "And what are you doing sleeping in a place like this?"
Spike then noticed the mare's cutie mark. The distinct image of a compass rose was sported on the side of her flank. At that, Spike reeled in utter astonishment.
Was it true? Was it really her? Was it...?
"Daring Do?" Spike muttered, his eyes widening.
The Pegasus produced a gentle smirk. "The one and only."