Daring Don't
Pony's Log Number 404: Anypony whose read a good adventure has dreamed of living the adventure firsthand. But this takes "living the adventure" to a whole new level...
One day Fluttershy had invited Mario to come give her a hoof in helping some new baby birds how to fly. Mario just hovered nearby as Fluttershy taped a drawing of how to fly behind her against the tree trunk. The two baby birds just looked at the yellow Pegasus and alicorn prince curiously as Fluttershy began to demonstrate how the birds were supposed to flap their wings. The two baby birds looked at each other nervously before they began to flap their own wings. Immediately, they began to start hovering above their nest without any difficulty.
"Fantastico," Mario replied as he gave the birds a light applause and Fluttershy smiled proudly. It was then a familiar streak of rainbow zoomed across the background and then the foreground.
"Four more months, four more months, four more months!" Rainbow chanted as she then pushed Fluttershy out of the tree, "I bet you're excited, huh?"
"Oh, my, I, uh, I could be excited," said Fluttershy as Mario hovered beside her, "I don't really know. I wasn't really think-"
"Come on, you gotta be excited!" Rainbow retorted eagerly as she hovered in front of the yellow Pegasus.
"Oh, well, I guess maybe I'm a little kinds sort of excited," Fluttershy replied.
"I thought so!" said Rainbow as she placed her fore-hooves on Fluttershy's shoulder. Mario just looked puzzled.
"I'm not following her," Mario said to Fluttershy.
"Yeah...So, um, why am I excited? Why should Mario be excited?" Fluttershy asked puzzled.
"Because the next Daring Do book is coming out exactly four months from today!" Rainbow replied as she clapped her fore-hooves together and did a couple of loops in the air, "That's how exciting it is! So what amazing, incredible, awesome adventure do you think Daring Do will have in her next book, huh?" Rainbow then flew about the two ponies and then punching the air above her.
"There are so many possibilities," said Mario, "Daring Do does so many cool and amazing things!"
"Will she at long last stalk the Fortress of Talacon?" Rainbow asked as the view showed Daring Do moving through a jungle area. The adventure pony then moved a bush as she looked at the fortress in the distance that was guarded by ponies wearing ancient attire and facial paint.
"Only to be forced to contend with its dreaded and impenetrable arrow defense?" Rainbow continued as the guards ponies held up some bow and arrows. Daring Do yelped as she used her tail to create a tornado to capture the oncoming arrows and slam them into the ground behind her.
"And if so," Rainbow continued, "could her skill, quick wits, and courage possibly carry the day? Or will her next adventure bring her face to face with the vast and horrible Ahuizotl himself?!" Daring Do than charged ahead until she got face to face with Ahuizotl. The two stared each other down until the blue creature roared loudly at her, sending the adventure pony into a tailspin.
"Would she cower, turn tail and run?" Rainbow thought as Daring Do air dived at Ahuizotl as he began throwing various object at her, "Or would she fly at him, full bore, knowing full well against all odds that the greatest challenge she ever faced was still no match for-"
"Look out!" said Ahuizotl in a high-pitched voice, but it was actually Fluttershy as the view returned to normal and Rainbow Dash had actually tried to air dive at both Fluttershy and Mario.
"Yikes!" Mario called out as he and Fluttershy hovered out of the way at the last second.
CRASH!
Rainbow then crashed into the birds nest, the baby birds just tweeted as they flew circles around Rainbow's woozily head as her eyes swirled about dizzily.
"Oh, I'm not so sure she's gonna last another four months..." said Fluttershy with worry.
"And I thought it was bad when Sweetie Belle got excited over the next issue of my talking train stories and kept wondering when I'd release it," said Mario to himself. Sure, he was a diehard fan of Daring Do himself, but he would never get this excited over a book.
...
...okay he and Twilight have, but they would never admit to it.
(Main Theme)
"Three months and twenty six days, three months and twenty six days, three months and twenty six days," Rainbow chanted as she did one jump, then a double jump, and then jumped a third time and added a side-somersault before she landed on the ground.
"Heya, Twilight and Mario!" said Rainbow as she burst into the Great Oak Library, "Aren't you excited that-" Rainbow was then interrupted when a yellow party horn tooted into her face. Rainbow then noticed that all her friends were inside the main room having a party with a cake sitting on the center table. Each pony was wearing a different type of party hat on their heads. Applejack was wearing a extra large red apple patterned cowpony hat on her head, Pinkie had a fez hat, Rarity wore a tiara with hearts on it, Twilight had a traditional party hat with sparkle stars on it, Mario was wearing a yellow glittery top hat, and Fluttershy had on a purple mini floral top hat. Some music was playing in the background as Applejack began to dance.
"So glad you've finally made it!" said Twilight.
"We knew you wouldn't miss a Pinkie party," Mario added as he stood beside his wife.
"What's everypony doing here?" Rainbow asked puzzled.
"We're having a holiday party!" Pinkie answered as she blew her party horn right into Rainbow's face, making the blue Pegasus cringe.
"So what holiday would today be?" Rainbow asked.
"National Random Holiday Party Day! Woo-hoo!" Pinkie exclaimed as she cheered excitedly.
"I've never heard of it either," said Rarity as she took a sip of her drink, "But the punch is quite tasty."
"You might say the secret ingredient is..." Pinkie added as she whispered to Rainbow, "a secret!" Rainbow looked unamused as Pinkie just gave a happy smile and squee.
"Either way," said Mario, "Twilight and I have been wanting Pinkie host a party here since we got married. So we were more than welcome to a little fun and spending time with our friends."
"Aw, I'm glad I could make my big brother happy," Pinkie replied as she gave him a firm but still breathable hug.
"How come nopony bothered to invite me?" Rainbow asked, feeling a little left out.
"I came to invite you personally," said Applejack as she stood beside Rainbow, "but it seems you were a speck too busy reading the last Daring Do book for the twelfth time."
"Ease off AJ," said Mario, "I seem to recall you and Apple Bloom reading my talking train stories volumes 1, 2, and 3 for...what was it...the twenty-third time."
"Oh hush up," Applejack remarked indignantly.
"Yeah, well, in three months and twenty six more days," said Rainbow as Twilight arrived carrying a tray of cups filled with punch with her magic and the blue Pegasus and Mario took a glass each, "I'll be able to read the next one."
"Oh, haven't you heard?" said Twilight as Rainbow took a long drink of her punch, "The release of the next book got pushed back another two months." Rainbow then did a spit-take right into Twilight's face.
"Two more months?!" Rainbow spluttered as Mario used his magic to clean his wife's face with a napkin, "I've been waiting so long already! I don't think I can take another two months! I'll never make it!" Rainbow suddenly had a mini-nervous breakdown as her body trembled and she plopped on her stomach with her face planted into the floor.
"Yeah, I can vouch for that," Fluttershy remarked from behind the center table.
"Same here," said Mario, "Rainbow's been smashing and crashing into things because her excitement is making her imagination run wild." Pinkie didn't seem to notice Rainbow's distress as she just plopped a pink party hat on her head.
"Did they give a reason?" Rainbow asked as she lifted her head up.
"The publisher just said author A.K. Yearling won't be able to finish the book for another two months," Twilight answered as she lifted a tray of tasty treats, "Cupcake?"
"Oh, thank you, dear," Mario replied as he used his magic to pick up a cupcake and started eating it. Pinkie just gobbled one up in a single bite. Rainbow just pouted and growled.
"How could you possibly know that before me?" Rainbow asked the purple pony, "I'm the series biggest fan!"
"I'm just as big a fan as you!" Twilight retorted.
"Ahem..." Mario grunted indignantly.
"Sorry," Twilight replied hastily, "My husband and I are just as big fans as you! In fact, we were the ones who first introduced you to the books, remember?"
"And let's not forget that fact you tried to hide the fact you loved the series," Mario added, "and actually resorted to petty theft just to finish the book instead of just being honest!"
"Oh. Right," Rainbow replied sheepishly.
"A.K. Yearling just might be our favorite author," Twilight said happily as Mario listened with a smile on his face as Rainbow just looked rather annoyed, "I know everything about her. Where she grew up, where she studied literature, where she wrote the first Daring Do book..." It was then Rainbow got an idea.
"Where she lives?" Rainbow asked hopefully.
"Uh...no, though, I could probably find out somehow," Twilight answered.
"Really?" Mario said, rather surprised.
"Of course, honey," Twilight replied, "You know how good I am at extensive research."
"But isn't that personal information?" Mario asked.
"Not necessarily," said Twilight, "Most authors put a short commentary of their general living area at the beginning or ending of each book and we can easily deduct her living location from there." Twilight then turned to Rainbow as she remembered the reason she was thinking about this at all, "Why?"
"Don't you get it?" Rainbow replied, "The new book is obviously delayed because she needs help dealing with whatever everyday nonsense is distracting her from spending her every living breathing second writing! So I-I mean, fans like me, can get to read the new book ASAP!" Pinkie and Applejack just listened with interest. Twilight and Mario rolled their eyes indignantly.
"Yeah, because their whole purpose in life is pleasing the fans," Mario replied indignantly, "they don't have any personal lives whatsoever!"
"Exactly!" Rainbow answered.
"I was being sarcastic!" Mario retorted, "Take it from somepony who is an actual writer himself! As much as ponies want me to finish volume 4 of my talking train stores ASAP, I have a life beyond just writing. I have a wife to support and take care of, friends that I like spending time with, and royal duties to deal with now! I'm sure A.K. Yearling has her own priorities."
"Fair enough," Rainbow answered, "But we can still help with the simple things."
"Rainbow..." Mario warned.
"Think about it!" Rainbow continued before she hovered over to Applejack and wrapped a fore-leg around her and then stood before the royal couple on her hind legs, "We could help her with her laundry, buy her groceries, cooking her meals, whatever! Now, who wouldn't appreciate that?" Everypony else gathered around as Twilight and Mario gave Rainbow some skeptical looks.
"Hmm, I don't know..." Twilight pondered, "What she probably wants most of all is respect for her privacy."
"I know I don't like the idea of a fan pony stalking me to complete my book," said Mario, remembering a few occasions when some young colts and fillies tried it with him. He nearly lost his temper when it happened too.
"She can always just say no," Rainbow pointed.
"Mmh...I suppose you're right..." Twilight replied, but she was still feeling rather skeptical about the idea.
"Would be nice to meet A.K. Yearling face to face," Mario added as he pondered.
"Of course I am," said Rainbow as she hovered up before the royal couple before she zoomed away, leaving her party hat on the floor, but then returned, "So...how's about getting that address?" Mario and Twilight just glared and roll their eyes at her.
It wasn't long before the mane seven began on their journey to find the home of A.K. Yearling. The view of an old Equestrian map could be seen as red line showed where they went as they made their journey across the lands and various types of landscapes. And then it was revealed that Pinkie Pie was walking backwards the whole time painting a red line to show where the group had been.
"You see what I mean?" Twilight pointed out as they made their way through some dark forest environment with Applejack, Rarity, and Mario right behind her, "Why would she live in this remote part of Equestria except to keep folks from intruding on her privacy? We should respec-"
"I think I spotted her house!" Rainbow interrupted as she popped out of a bush, "We're super close!" Everypony minus Twilight and Mario raced off.
"Wait!" Twilight called out but nopony paid attention as Mario walked up to her.
"I'm surprised you're not excited about meeting A.K. Yearling face to face," Mario pointed out.
"Of course I am," said Twilight, "But unlike everypony else, I'm trying to keep a level head about it and respect her privacy!"
"Hey, I didn't go running off like a fan pony," Mario pointed out.
"Yet, you dressed up like one!" Twilight remarked. Mario had put on an aviator's jacket with a dark brown fedora on his head.
"Hey, I had a feeling that this was going to be some sort of adventure," Mario replied snootily, "excuse me for dressing for the occasion, darling!" Mario walked away in a huff, leaving Twilight stunned.
"Rarity! Can you please tell my husband to stop acting like you!" Twilight called out as she approached the group, who were standing behind some bushes.
"I can't help it that he acts like me, dear," Rarity answered as Twilight caught up to the rest of the group, "it's just shows that we're practically brother and sister is all." Twilight rolled her eyes until she noticed what everypony else was looking at.
"Oh no," Twilight exclaimed, "What happened?" The seven ponies looked about to see a two story house that was surrounded by a front door hanging on its hinges, and several broken pieces of furniture laying all over the front yard.
"Apparently somepony has intruded on her privacy pretty hard already," said Rainbow as she approached the front door. She then knocked on the front door, causing it to fall off its hinges. She and the other six ponies all looked inside the house to find that the interior of the house was in no better condition. Books, broken pieces of wood, other furniture, and pieces of paper were scattered everywhere.
"Hoo-wee, somepony really trashed this place," Applejack remarked.
"I've heard of rage due to writer's block, but I don't think writer's block is the cause for this mess," Mario pointed out as he looked around.
"Hmm...Maybe...or maybe A.K. Yearling's just a terrible, horrible, unbelievable slob!" Pinkie pointed out as she popped out of the pile of items with a saucepan on her head, then slid down the staircase railing.
"I hope A.K. Yearling's alright," said Rarity as she looked at herself from a large but cracked mirror.
"Oh no!" said Twilight as she gave her husband a worried look, "What if something terrible happened to her?"
"I know!" Rainbow gasped, "There might be no more books!"
"Rainbow..." Mario sneered as he and Twilight gave the blue Pegasus a death glare.
"Uh...But of course," said Rainbow sheepishly, "I'd be worried about her, too. Heh." Mario just shook his head at her in disapproval when a pastel orange colored pony with dark grey mane appeared wearing red glasses over her eyes, a grey cloche hat, and a purple cloak around herself.
"What are you all doing here?" She asked.
"Uh...A...K-K...Yearling...?" Rainbow spluttered when she gave a squee and pressed her cheeks together to make a very dorky looking face.
"We didn't do this! We swear!" Twilight replied as Mario shook his head in agreement.
"What have you done to my house?" A.K. Yearling asked as she rushed through the main room.
"We didn't do this, Ms. Yearling-whoa!" Applejack tried to explain but then A.K. Yearling literally pulled the rug from under the orange pony and sent her crashing off screen.
"We're awfully glad to see you're alright," said Twilight as the pastel orange pony continued to search the room for something, but the seven ponies didn't know what it could be. Rainbow was standing on one book and was trying to read some papers on the floor, but she quickly whistled to herself when A.K. Yearling came by her desk.
"Okay, clearly this isn't the best time," said Rainbow, "but I've just gotta say how much we all really love your books..." Rainbow gave some nervous laughter when A.K. Yearling sent Rainbow flying off when she grabbed the book the blue Pegasus had been standing on. Twilight and Mario watched with interest as A.K. Yearling rotated the bindings on the spine of the book, which caused the horseshoe icon on the cover to glow. She then rotated the horseshoe icon, which caused the three binds of the book to open, which allowed a giant gold ring to appear out of the book.
"Wow..." said Mario impressively as the pastel orange pony admired the ring and sighed with relief.
"It's safe," A.K. Yearling said quietly before tucking the gold ring into her cloak.
"Great!" said Rainbow as the pastel orange pony began to fix her desk, "Maybe now would be a good time for me to ask her how we can help move the new book along a little faster. Chop-chop!" Rainbow then put the typewriter on the desk and clapped her fore-hooves excitedly. A.K. Yearling just gave Rainbow a glare and rolled her eyes. Rainbow just kept smiling at her like a fangirl until Twilight encased Rainbow inside her magic grip.
"Rainbow Dash, a minute please!" Twilight said sternly before she carried the blue Pegasus out of the house.
"I apologize for my best friend's behavior, Ms. Yearling," said Mario as he removed his hat, "She's eager to hear about the next Daring Do adventure, but has the patience of a filly whose desperate for her cutie mark."
"I heard that!" Rainbow snapped, but then Twilight released the blue Pegasus from her magic grip.
"A.K. Yearling has made it pretty clear that she wants to be left alone," Twilight told Rainbow sternly as the rest of the group exited the house, "We need to respect her wishes!"
"You should tell that to those guys," said Pinkie as she appeared between the two ponies and pointed at three stallions making their way inside the house from a window on the second floor.
"Those ponies don't look like her friends," said Mario, "We better make sure A.K. Yearling is alright." He then added sternly to Rainbow, "Don't do anything until I say so!" Rainbow glared as Mario walked away.
"Yes, Dad!" Rainbow remarked before landing and joining the rest of the group as they watched things unfold from the window. Inside A.K. Yearling was just cleaning up some more of the mess on the main room. She had just finished adjusting the cracked mirror when she spotted the three stallions glaring at her. Once she saw she was surrounded, she threw her cloak at one stallion, then her hat at the second, followed by her glasses at the third. As she stood before them, the pastel orange pony showed that her mane and tail had a very familiar tri-colored shade of grey, wearing an explorers shirt and hat. She was also holding the gold ring by keeping her wings open as she squatted down ready for a fight. Twilight, Rainbow, and Mario were completely shocked.
"A.K. Yearling is Daring Do!" they exclaimed.
It didn't take long before the three ponies recovered from their shock as A.K, Yearling, which will now be addressed by her true name, Daring Do, was getting ready to fight the three stallions inside.
"A.K. Yearling and Daring Do are one and the same!" Twilight said excitedly, "My mind is officially blown!"
"Same here," said Mario, "Who knew our favorite author actually lived the adventures in her books?"
"Aw, come on, I knew it all along," said Rainbow as Twilight and Mario glared at her. Then Mario smirked.
"Just like how we know you secretly wear a giant pink ribbon in your mane when nopony is around," Mario suggested.
"Yeah, exactly, I..." Rainbow replied but then her eyes enlarged and her cheeks turned pink, "Hey!" Whether that was true or not is debatable, but in the end, Twilight and Mario just snickered and shared a hoof-bump for getting the blue Pegasus to admit to it. As Rainbow recovered from her embarrassing moment, one of the stallions tried to grab the ring Daring Do was holding as the four ponies began to fight with each other.
"Amazing!" said Applejack as one stallion used his teeth to grab Daring Do by the tail, only to get a hard buck to the face. Then two stallions attacked Daring Do at once. As a dust cloud appeared, the gold ring was then sent flying away, ricocheting off a chandelier, and landing in the fire place. The ring glowed red as the fire heated it up. The mane seven watched as the three stallions just looked and nudged one another to decide who would grab it. Then Darling Do used a whip to grab the ring from the fire and knocked into a leftover pitcher of punch, spilling it over the ring.
"Incredible!" said Rarity as the spilt punch cooled the ring off.
"Wow! So much action!" said Pinkie as Darling Do grabbed the ring before the three stallions could before backing over to her desk.
"Whee!" Pinkie cheered as Daring Do stood on guard holding the ring in her mouth and spare chair with her fore-leg.
"Daring Do!" Rainbow shouted, startling the pastel orange pony when the three stallions ambushed her into another tussle, creating a dust cloud around them as the gold ring flew away and rolled over to a brownish-grey pony wearing an explorer shirt, red and white polka-dot necktie, and had a five o-clock shadow on his muzzle.
"Many thanks, Daring Do," said the brown-ish grey stallion as the mare was pinned down by the three stallions, "As you've probably surmised, our earlier search for this treasure was unsuccessful. So kind of you to find it for us." Daring Do tried to stand up, but then one of her legs creaked to prevent her from doing so.
"Give it back, Caballeron!" Daring Do shouted.
"That's Doctor Caballeron to you," the stallion corrected. Twilight and Mario were left stunned once more.
"He's from book four: Daring Do and the Razor of Dreams," Rainbow told them in a hushed tone, "He wanted to partner with Daring Do on her adventures."
"I know, but she refused!" Twilight added in an excitedly tone, "I can't believe it! The real Daring Do and the real Caballeron!" Both ponies began to watch the scene unfold excitedly. Mario didn't share in the excitement and had quietly sneaked away.
"So let me guess," Daring Do replied as she struggled to stand up, "Ahuizotl has put you up to this? You're stealing the ring to give to him so his hold on the Fortress of Talacon will be good for eight centuries as foretold by prophecy!"
"Close, but...no," Dr. Caballeron said smugly, "I'm going to sell this to him, make a bundle, and retire from archaeology in splendor."
"Caballeron, you fool!" Daring Do snapped as she tried to reach out and stop him, but the three stallions held her back. The mane seven, minus Mario, continued to watch with worry, "You're dooming the valley to eight centuries of unrelenting heat!" But Dr. Caballeron refused to listen.
"To market, henchponies!" he commanded when suddenly the ring he was holding was snatched away from him by a whip. The pony holding the whip was Mario himself. The six ponies outside gasped.
"Mario, what are you doing?!" Twilight whispered in shock.
"Now, now, doctor," said Mario in a smooth tone as he held the ring with a fore-hoof, "That's no way to treat a lady and her jewelry."
"What are you doing here?" Daring Do demanded.
"Let's just say I don't like seeing a lady being mistreated by stallions," Mario replied.
"Who are you?" Dr. Caballeron demanded. Mario smirked as he tipped his Fedora a bit.
"The name's Pony," he replied, using a cover name, as he smirked and posed on his hind legs, "Indiana Pony to be precise. Protector of precious artifacts and treasures of Equestrian history at your service." Twilight and the others were stunned.
"Is he seriously trying to get into the story?" Rainbow asked in shock and a twinge of jealousy.
"I can't believe he would do that!" Twilight retorted angrily.
"Since when do you have a coltfriend?" Dr. Caballeron asked Daring Do, rather stunned himself.
"He's not my coltfriend!" Daring Do snapped.
"You can say that again!" Mario and Twilight said together, through neither was aware of it, "I'm a married stallion, doctor. You don't want to get my wife angry. She makes Ahuizotl look like a playful kitten." Mario smirked mischievously. Outside Twilight was smirking deviously as she rubbed her hooves together. Hearing Mario say that made her feel...powerful...
"Yes I am," Twilight said darkly, "I am a force to be reckoned with. You don't wanna mess with me..."
"Twilight, cool it!" Rarity warned sternly as the purple pony looked to see her friends giving her dirty looks.
"Heh...ehh...sorry," Twilight said sheepishly as her cheeks turned pink and she looked away from the group.
"I repeat, why are you here?" Dr. Caballeron demanded, "That treasure belongs to me!" Mario just looked bored as he looked at the ring.
"A ring that holds a dark magic to cause unrelenting heat and destruction," Mario said casually, "You wish to sell it for wealth, not caring about the consequences and are willing to physically attack a lady. As far as I'm concerned, doctor..." Mario tucked the ring into his jacket, "You need to be stopped." Dr. Caballeron glared.
"Very well, Indiana Pony," he replied, "henchponies! Attack!" The three stallions then went to fight Mario. Dr. Caballeron placed a fore-hoof on Daring Do's back to keep her from getting up. Mario glared.
"You are certainly no gentlecolt, doctor," Mario muttered as he stood on his hind legs. The first stallion then lunged at Mario to attack when Mario then countered his momentum to send him flying back. Then the second stallion attacked as Mario got into his back and used his hind legs to send him flying over him. The third stallion got ready to attack, when Mario somersaulted forward and bucked him in the face in mid attack.
"You fools! Get him!" Dr. Caballeron shouted. The three stallions jumped at Mario all at once. The mane six watched in awe as they saw Mario fighting them all single-hoofed.
"Mario's gotten good at defending himself," said Rainbow.
"Woo-hoo!" Twilight cheered, "Get 'em honey! Show 'em whose boss!" Mario had just back-flipped under the chandelier as he managed to knock the three stallions away from him. The three stallions just growled as they approached him. Mario just smirked, ready to attack as soon as they made the first move. That was then Dr. Caballeron noticed that the chandelier was above. He quickly bucked a book at it, causing it to unhook from the ceiling and fall right above Mario!
"So who's feeling lucky?" Mario challenged when...
CRASH!
The chandelier smashed right on top of Mario, making the six girls cringe, as Mario was left dazed and the gold ring came rolling out of his jacket.
"That should take care of you, Indiana Pony," Dr. Caballeron bragged as he laughed, "As I said before, henchponies, to market!" The four stallions made their leave. Daring Do just grunted as she got on her hooves, but grunted as her leg creaked again, which prevented her from following the four stallions.
"Uh...should we go in and help her and Mario, maybe?" Fluttershy proposed since the others had been so mesmerized just watching the scene unfold.
"Oh, right," the five ponies said at once as they made their way back inside the house. Applejack and Rarity shoved the broken chandelier off of Mario.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Twilight asked worried as Mario groaned.
"Ugh...I had them, Twilight," said Mario, "I could have stopped them from taking that ring from Daring Do!"
"So...you weren't trying to just force yourself into the action?" Twilight asked. Mario glared as he held his still aching head.
"I saw she was in trouble," said Mario, "and was physically hurt by stallions. That's low! I wasn't going to just sit and watch them do that to her! A true stallion doesn't physically hurt a mare!" Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity just smiled.
"Well, we know you're a real gentlecolt, darling," Rarity replied as the three ponies nuzzled him. Fluttershy and Rainbow headed toward Daring Do, who was using a wood plank and a piece of cloth to wrap up her injured leg. Rainbow gasped.
"Are you okay?" Rainbow asked with concern as she extended a fore-hoof to the pastel orange pony. Daring Do just sternly swatted it away.
"I got this," said Daring Do sternly, "And your friend wasn't of any help."
"Um, she and Mario were just trying to help, Ms. Do," said Fluttershy in their defense.
"Daring Do doesn't need help," said Daring Do as she struggled to stand up, "She handles her business herself." She then tried to wobble away when Mario stood in front of her.
"Right," Mario retorted with an eye roll, "You had the upper hand when four stallions had you pinned to the floor!"
"Just stay out of my way!" Daring Do snapped as she got into his face and then flew off.
"You're welcome," Mario replied sarcastically as he and the others watched her leave the house. Rainbow exited the house first to watch Daring Do disappear into the woods.
"We gotta go help!" Rainbow told the others as Twilight and Mario made their way out of the house with the other four ponies behind them.
"You heard her!" Twilight protested, "She says she works alone!"
"I just got a chandelier in the head trying to offer my assistance," said Mario as the other four ponies stood in the background, "and no gratitude for it either!"
"How can we just stand by and do nothing?" Rainbow protested as the four background ponies looked at her, "You know what's at stake here! Ahuizotl has sought control of the Tenochtitlan Basin since book three!"
"True," said Twilight as the four background ponies were now looking at her, "but in book four, she defeated Ahuizotl and secured control of the Amulet of Atonement, dispelling the dark magic from the Ketzwctl Empress, and thus protecting the basin with the Radiant Shield of Razdon!"
"Only if you assume that the Rings have yet to be retrieved," said Rainbow as the four background ponies looked at her again, "and the ring Caballeron just stole isn't the last to completely restore the dark tower and its cruel hold on Tenochtitlan! Did you ever think of that?!"
"You gotta admit, Rainbow Dash makes a pretty good point," Pinkie remarked, though whether or not she even knew what Twilight and Rainbow were talking about was debatable.
"We gotta help Daring Do retrieve the ring for safekeeping before it's too late" Rainbow told the group as she hovered in the air above them. Twilight just sighed.
"Okay, but sounds to me like we're in way, way, way over our heads," Twilight pointed out.
"It was no different when we faced Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, or King Sombra to name a few," Mario pointed out, "But thanks to us reading the books from A to Z we've at least got some information about the situation." Twilight giggled.
"True," said Twilight, "We're going to need a carefully thought out plan..."
"I'm coming, Daring Do!" Rainbow shouted with determination as she took off into the sky.
"That's not a plan!" Twilight yelled.
"Rainbow Dash, get back here!" Mario yelled before groaning loudly, "Guess somepony's gonna have to go after her."
"Yeah..."
"Probably..."
"Pretty much..."
"Obviously..." said the group in a mutual and yet apathetic tone. Mario just glared.
"Oh, not with everypony taking off at once!" Mario retorted sarcastically as he opened his wings and took to the sky in pursuit of the Blue Pegasus.
Meanwhile, Rainbow was high above the trees trying to find Daring Do on her own.
"Come on, come on, come on...Bingo!" Rainbow said to herself as she saw Daring Do crawling about from tree to tree as quietly as she could. Surprisingly, her leg had already recovered as the brace on her leg was no longer there.
"Here I come, Daring Do!" said Rainbow, "To join the adventure with the greatest, bravest, coolest, most incredible hero I could ever-" Rainbow then whimpered as she stopped herself in mid-flight.
"Okay, maybe I just need a sec..." said Rainbow nervously and landed gently on the ground, "Just another adventure. No big deal." Rainbow then smacked herself in the face.
"Get a grip!" Rainbow told herself as she leaped forward, "I got this."
"Though, doing it alongside Daring Do...Wow!" said Rainbow as she took a few steps back and started fangirling again, "Maybe I could get my picture taken with her, or an autograph..." Rainbow then smacked herself again.
"There you go again," Rainbow scolded to herself, "She's just a pony like any other pony. A pony who stops entire armies of bad guys with nothing more than her bare-hooves, and an attitude, and-!" Rainbow then smacked herself a third time, leaving a purplish-pink bruise on her cheek.
"Ow...That's starting to hurt," Rainbow as she rubbed her sore cheek. It was then Daring Do put her hat over Rainbow's eyes and tackled her to the ground.
"Yow! Stop!" Rainbow pleaded.
"Oh, it's just you," said Daring Do annoyingly as she took her hat back and walked away. Rainbow just smiled at her like a fan meeting their favorite celebrity for the first time.
"Wait don't go!" Rainbow called out as she tried to wave Daring Do down. When she was ignored, she turned around and began to talk to herself, "Think fast. This is your big chance to impress her with your quick wit and courage." As Daring Do continued to move cautiously forward when Rainbow popped out of a nearby bush.
"I am suuuuuch a huge fan," Rainbow said giddily and gave a nervous chuckle. Daring Do just sighed and rolled her eyes as she continued on her way.
"Wait, wait, wait!" said Rainbow as she grabbed the collar of Daring Do's shirt, "Let me help you! I promise I could be a huge, huge, huge help if you just give me a chance." Rainbow then realized she was wrinkling Daring Do's shirt collar and tried to iron it out with her fore-hooves. Daring Do glared at her before saying slowly and sternly.
"I. Work. Alone."
Rainbow leaned away a bit as the pastel orange pony walked off.
"But why won't you let me team up with you just this once?!" Rainbow pleaded as she followed Daring Do while kneeling on her hind legs.
"My work always involves secrets," said Daring Do, "And since you never know who you can trust, it's best never to trust anypony."
"She's right about that," said a voice when suddenly a familiar peach colored hoof grabbed Rainbow over the mouth, making her gasp dramatically. Rainbow then slumped a bit in a state of shock when it was revealed that Mario was the one who had grabbed her.
"You need to stop taking off on us like that and acting like a fangirl before you lead us all to our doom!" Mario scolded sternly as Rainbow roughly pulled Mario fore-hoof off her mouth.
"Don't. Tell. Me. What. To. Do!" Rainbow retorted back as Mario glared.
"What are you doing here, Indiana Pony?" Daring Do demanded sternly.
"Rainbow for starters," said Mario, "but I'm also here to help protect the Tenochtitlan Basin."
"I just said..."
"...that you work alone," Mario repeated, "I understand that, but you need to understand that you're not the only pony who is concerned about the safety of Equestria from the misuse of ancient and historical treasures!" Daring Do just glared.
"So what's in it for you?" Daring Do asked indignantly.
"The satisfaction that I did my part," said Mario firmly, "instead of just sitting behind a closed door expecting somepony else to save the day." Daring Do just groaned.
"Just know that I'm a pony you can trust," Mario added.
"I don't trust anypony!" Daring Do shot back before walking away.
"But just because you can't trust some," Rainbow replied as she walked beside the pastel orange pony, "doesn't mean nopony can be trusted." Mario nodded in agreement.
"Look, I don't have time to argue-" Daring Do tried to tell Rainbow.
"Neither do I," Rainbow replied, "Let's go!" Rainbow then took off the skies. Daring Do sighed in irritation.
"Can't believe I'm even talking to her..." Daring Do muttered under her breath.
"She can have that impression on someponies," Mario replied, "but she is a very loyal friend."
"I don't need friends," Daring Do remarked. Mario chuckled.
"My wife once thought the way you do," said Mario, "until she realized just how powerful the magic of friendship can be. You'd be amazed at how much more you can do if you embraced its magic into your own life." Daring Do rolled her eyes and said nothing, coming to terms over the fact these two ponies were not going to leave her be.
By the time night had fallen, Mario had secretly teleported a message to his wife and the rest of the group that he had found both Rainbow Dash and Daring Do. The group had also found Dr. Caballeron's camp site and were hiding behind some bushes.
"Looks like they decided to have an early dinner before making their way down the hill to the marketplace in town," Rainbow pointed out quietly as she watched the four stallion eating some hay.
"So what is the plan, Daring Do?" Mario asked as she gave him a glare.
"Besides, staying out of your way," Mario replied with an eye roll, "I'd prefer to be useful and not be a possible hostage thank you!" Daring Do said nothing as she began digging about and putting some mud on her face. She also took her hat and flattened the top a bit.
"Oh I see," said Rainbow as she hovered nearly, "You're gonna ambush them like in book four at the Horavian Caves! Or maybe, that neat trick you did in book three, where you swoop in and knock three guys down with one swing! Or maybe-" Rainbow's fangirling was stopped as both Daring Do and Mario gave her death glares.
"Okay, I'll be quiet now," said Rainbow in a hushed tone as she landed and stood behind the pastel orange pony, who was still squatted by the mud. Rainbow put a fore-hoof over her mouth to avoid giving a squee, "Just watching very quietly, heh. Shh. So, what kind of ambush are you gonna use them?" Daring Do then stood up, showing that she had made herself a beard with leaves and twigs and held up a giant sack loaded with bits with a fore-hooves.
"Wow!" said Rainbow in amazement.
"I guess you'll retrieve the ring while I keep Rainbow out of trouble and out of sight," Mario suggested. Daring Do just glared in reply as Mario rolled his eyes.
"I don't need anypony keeping me out of trouble," Rainbow muttered, but nopony was listening to her.
As, the four stallions continued their dinner, Daring Do appeared to the group in disguise.
"I have been led to believe you have in your possession an item of significant importance that might be...for sale," Daring Do said to the group using a gravelly voice. The sack of bits she jiggled before them seem to catch their attention immediately as they stared at the money excitedly.
"Oh, uh, well..." said Dr. Caballeron as he tried to recompose himself, "I did have another buyer lined up, but he's not here, so...sounds like we have a deal."
"CABALLERON!" a voice roared close by. The three henchponies quivered in fear before running for their lives. Caballeron quivered fearfully when another familiar creature appeared with a furious look on his face.
"Ahuizotl!" Daring Do exclaimed.
"The ring!" Ahuizotl demanded as Dr. Caballeron gasped as he dropped the ring, grabbed the sack of bits and disappeared into the bushes without another word. Daring Do and Ahuizotl just exchanged looks with each other before Daring Do removed her disguise and grabbed the ring. Ahuizotl roared loudly once again.
"Be cool, Rainbow Dash, be cool," said Rainbow, trying to contain her worry and excitement, "she's got this!" Daring Do just backed away as the creature prowled after her and slammed his fists into the ground, making Daring Do jump back.
"The ring, Daring Do!" Ahuizotl demanded, "Give it to me!" Daring Do put the ring around her neck.
"Now, Ahuizotl, you know I love you," said Daring Do sweetly, "But I can't give you the ring 'til I've properly proposed." Rainbow and Mario snickered.
"That was a good one," Mario chuckled quietly to himself. Then Ahuizotl laughed as well.
"Interesting, because my friends here have a proposal of their own," said Ahuizotl as he snapped his tail finger, summoning his feline minions, evil kitten included! Rainbow and Mario looked a little worried. Rainbow started to sweat nervously as Daring Do backed herself into a corner of some cliffs
"Easy Dashie," said Mario quietly, "She'll be fine." Mario discreetly offered the girl a fore-hoof to hold, which Rainbow accepted since nopony could see her holding it.
"Bring it!" said Daring Do confidently as she squatted down. A black panther charged at her first, but Daring Do quickly punched it away. The other felines were left stunned when a tiger took its turn to attack as Daring Do hovered above and then stomped the tiger's head, and then she went for an air karate kick to attack a jaguar. A cheetah then caused a dust cloud as Daring Do began to tussle with it.
"Come on, Daring Do, come on..." Rainbow cheered worriedly. It was then a Wilhelm scream was heard as Daring Do continued to fight and bucked away the felines. Mario then noticed the felines refused to back down.
"Rainbow, no matter what happens, stay down!" Mario ordered as he exited the bush to join the battle.
"Mario, no!" Rainbow pleaded, "What are you doing?" Mario then rushed up the side of the cliff as the four felines gathered to attack Daring Do at once.
"I've got your back, Daring Do!" Mario called out as he jumped from above and landed squarely on the head of the jaguar. Summoning himself into a turn battle with the felines.
"Let's a-go!"
(Cue RPG battle theme)
"WA-HOO!" Mario shouted as he dealt pre-battle damage to all the felines. Mario then stood on his side of the battlefield.
"I was doing just fine!" Daring Do barked, not taking the idea of Mario interfering lightly.
"Well, these felines aren't backing down," said Mario, "And you look like you needed help." Mario then went for a double stomp attack on the leopard. Thanks being an alicorn now, his offense was high enough to knock out the leopard with one attack. The little kitten yowled fearfully and fled the battle. The remaining three felines went on the attack. Each one tried to pounce Mario, but he used his hammer to knock them back, dealing counter damage. Mario then knocked out the tiger as the panther and jaguar to tried to take a swipe at Mario with their claws, but Mario jumped to avoid any damage. Mario then took out the panther next. Then the jaguar made the mistake to try another pounce attack, which Mario countered, knocking it out.
(Battle Victory!)
Mario didn't have long to celebrate as the five felines attacked both him and Daring Do, knocking the hats they were wearing off their heads and landed near the bush Rainbow was hiding in.
"Daring Do! I've got your hat! You want me to toss it?" Rainbow called out as she went to pick up her hat, but didn't bother with Mario's. But when she was ignored she shouted louder, "Daring Do? Daring Do?" That was Rainbow's mistake because Ahuizotl turned around and saw her.
"Rainbow! I told you to...Oof!" Before Mario could scold her, he was bucked in the back end by the panther, sending him crashing into the cliff wall, knocking the wind out of him.
"Momma-mia..." Mario groaned as he passed out as he slid down, face first, down the cliff side.
"Whoa!" Rainbow yelped as Ahuizotl took her hostage by grabbing the blue Pegasus with his tail claw. Daring Do looked stunned as she bucked away the evil kitten when the other four felines all attacked her at once. Once the dust had settled, Daring Do was now tied up in some ropes.
"Don't worry, Daring Do!" Rainbow shouted, "I'll come help you!" Before she could react, Ahuizotl had the leopard pull the still dazed Mario within grabbing range. He then picked Mario up with his claw. He then tossed Rainbow away, but then threw Mario harder so the two ponies slammed into each other before crashing into the ground behind him.
"Whoa! Ow!" Rainbow grunted from the impact of both Mario crashing into her and hitting the ground.
"Don't bother!" Daring Do retorted as the tiger picked her up and carried her off, "I'd say you both have helped plenty." Rainbow just watched as Ahuizotl and the felines took Daring Do to the fortress in the distance. To say Rainbow felt rather ashamed was an understatement.
"What have I done?" Rainbow said sadly. It didn't help that when she turned around that Mario, who had recovered from his being dazed, was now staring daggers at her. Rainbow flinched when she noticed that his hat was missing and looked back to see it still laying on the ground. Rainbow quickly dusted it off and gave it to him. Mario angrily swiped the hat off her fore-hoof and put it on as he kept glaring at her.
"Don't just stand there!" Rainbow pleaded, "if you're gonna yell at me, just do it! I get it! I messed up. I didn't listen to you! You have every right to just yell at me so do it!" Mario wanted to. He could feel the anger on the tip of his tongue. He remembered the breathing technique Cadance had taught him and breathed in and breathed out to calm himself down.
"Is there a reason why you don't listen to anypony?" Mario asked calmly. Rainbow just sniffled.
"'Cause I'm dummy who thinks she's awesome," Rainbow replied in a cracked voice, "and I'm clearly not!" Mario just pulled Rainbow in for a hug, which she accepted as she buried her face into his shoulder.
"I thought you were mad at me?" Rainbow asked quietly.
"I am mad at you," said Mario quietly, "But that doesn't mean I've stopped caring. And you look like you need a hug." Rainbow just sniffled in gratitude.
By the time the sun had risen, Rainbow was just sitting quietly and feeling very sorry for herself. Mario just put a fore-leg around her for comfort. He wasn't mad at her anymore. Rainbow said she was sorry and he forgave her, but he could tell that Rainbow looked very depressed. It was then the rest of the group finally arrived. It had taken them all night for Twilight to trace the letter Mario had sent them last night.
"Thank goodness you two are alright!" Rarity gasped. Twilight then saw that Mario looked rather beat up.
"Honey, are you okay?" Twilight asked worried.
"I'm fine," said Mario softly, "it's Rainbow that I'm more worried about."
"Quick, where does it hurt?" Twilight asked the blue Pegasus.
"In here," said Rainbow sadly as she pointed a fore-hoof to her heart, "Daring Do and the ring have been captured by the dreaded Ahuizotl, and it's all my fault." The others minus Mario gasped.
"Dash," said Twilight, "I'm sure whatever you did was an honest mistake."
"Mario would say otherwise," Rainbow retorted, "He was actually useful and I ruined his efforts so Daring Do got mad at both of us!"
"Rainbow, I already said I forgave you," Mario told her gently.
"Whatever, let's just go home," said Rainbow as she got up to leave. The others watched her walk away before Applejack spoke up.
"We can't go back now!" said Applejack, "Looks a mite like she needs our help more than ever!"
"Trying to help is how I got in this mess in the first place," said Rainbow, "You were right, Twilight and Mario. We should've stayed out of this."
"Look, there is more going on here than meets the eye," said Twilight, "In every Daring Do book, there always is!"
"Exactly," said Mario, "This isn't just some book adventure come to life. There is a real danger if Ahuizotl managed to collect all those rings and we need to find a way to foil his evil plan or it will cause some major destruction to the entire area!"
"Right," said Twilight, "We can't turn our backs on her!"
"She doesn't want our help, Twilight," Rainbow retorted bluntly.
"Perhaps," said Twilight, "But she might need it anyway."
"No," said Rainbow, "My hero's way better off without me." Twilight and Mario looked at her sternly.
"This doesn't sound like you," said Applejack as she got beside Rainbow.
"Where's the Rainbow Dash who would help anypony at the drop of a hat?" Pinkie asked as she hugged the blue Pegasus.
"Or pith helmet, as the case may be," Rarity added.
"Who always says that she's there for anypony in need?" Mario said as well.
"She's here where she's got no business being," Rainbow retorted as she shoved Pinkie off and started walking off again, "She should be at home."
"It's fine to look up to Daring Do," said Twilight firmly, "but you've put her so high up on a pedestal, you can't even see your own worth anymore!"
"Yeah, take it from somepony who used to do that with his own mother, his friends, even his own wife!" Mario added. Twilight was stunned.
"Wait, you looked up to me like that!" Twilight asked stunned. Mario blushed as he looked at her timidly.
"I told you I was lovesick over you," said Mario, "I still don't get how out of all those strong and handsome stallions you chose to love and marry me." Twilight just chuckled to herself and kissed his cheek. Rainbow rolled her eyes discreetly, but deep down, she did understand what Mario was talking about.
"Getting back to Daring Do," Twilight continued as she and Mario walked up to her, "She's in the fortress, and we're here, and we wouldn't be who we are if we didn't go after her! And neither would you! So, are you with us, or not?" Rainbow lifted her head and looked back at the group. They were all waiting anxiously for what Rainbow's decision would be.
As all but Rainbow and Mario headed toward the fortress, Daring Do was once again in another sticky situation. For the moment, she had been bounded to a wall that had two spiked pillars on the corners. She was also bounded just above some water that was filled with piranha jaws. And it was a no brainer that these fish were hungry.
"Surrender now, Ahuizotl," Daring Do warned as she tried to get herself free, "or I'll be forced to take you down!" The creature laughed as he appeared on a platform above her.
"Oh, Daring Do," Ahuizotl said smugly, "I will so miss your amusing laughter-jokes. Now I must leave to commence the ring placing ceremony to unleash eight hundred years of unrelenting, sweltering heat!" Daring Do looked worried as Ahuizotl laughed and pulled a cord that caused the water level below the pastel orange pony to rise before he took his leave. Daring Do looked down at the rising water as the piranha jaws were trying to jump up and snap at her. After some grunting, Daring Do managed to get one hind leg free by pulling out the entire stone cube out of the wall. She then did the same with her other hind leg. She was soon sweating, especially since the blocks of stone on her hind legs were weighing her down. She then noticed that the water was getting closer to her before freeing each fore-leg one at a time, but the heavy stones made just hovering very difficult.
"Gotcha!" said Rainbow Dash and Mario as they grabbed her from behind to lift her to safety from the piranha jaws, which was easier said than done because of the four heavy stones attached to her hooves.
"You can flap too, y'know!" Rainbow pointed out to make hers and Mario's job easier. Daring Do finally snapped out of being surprised as she gave her wings a flap so the two points could set her safely on the platform above. Daring Do wasted no time smashing the bounds and stones on her hooves.
"I was just about to save myself, y'know," Daring Do retorted.
"Of course," said Rainbow as she stood beside her, "I just thought you might need this." Rainbow then gave Daring Do her hat back, which the pastel orange pony look at skeptically.
"Have I mentioned yet that I work alone?" Daring Do added indignantly.
"Have I mentioned yet that you're lucky that Mar-I mean Indiana Pony and I...don't?" Rainbow shot back smugly.
"While we don't doubt you could save yourself," said Mario, "the extra help wasn't all bad. After all, didn't you say in book three that you gotta work smarter, not harder?" Daring Do just sighed as a smile appeared on her face. She then took off down a hallway with Rainbow and Mario right behind her.
Elsewhere in the temple, Ahuizotl had his claw raised in the air as several ponies wearing ancient tribe attire and facial paint were rhythmically thundering the bottom of their spears on the stone floor. Two more ponies were holding the giant ring above a tower of rings that were placed from biggest to smallest. The mane five peeked inside the room as Ahuizotl laughed triumphantly.
"Drop the ring Ahui...whatever you name is!" Applejack demanded as she and the four other ponies made their presence known.
"Hmph, place the ring, quickly!" Ahuizotl ordered as Pinkie bounced into the air and jumped on top of the relic, knocking the two ponies holding it. Pinkie hula hooped with the ring for a moment and jumped off before Ahuizotl could grab her or the ring using the claw on his tail.
"Get it!" Ahuizotl shouted as Pinkie tossed the ring away and Applejack then bucked the ring back into the air before two henchponies could grab it. Applejack then grabbed the ring and tried to run off, but a henchpony tripped her up with his spear, causing her to drop the ring. The henchpony than grabbed the ring, ran off, and then tossed it to Ahuizotl. Fluttershy then flew in front of him to intercept to ring. Fluttershy held the ring fearfully as she tried to fly away from the pursuing Ahuizotl until Twilight ran underneath the yellow Pegasus and snatched the ring with her horn. Twilight then skidded to a stop and teleported away when two henchponies tried to ambush her and crashed into each other. Twilight then reappeared on the other side of the room and ran off as some more henchponies chased after her. It was then Daring Do, Rainbow, and Mario arrived to see all the commotion.
"How ya doing, honey?" Mario called out.
"Do I have to answer?!" Twilight replied as she gave the ring to Applejack.
"Indiana Pony, go help your wife," said Daring Do before turning to Rainbow Dash, "Come with me! Help me get all these rings off!" The two Pegasi then flew over to the stack of rings and began trying to lift them off the center obelisk. Mario noticed that they were struggling as a pony tossed the ring to Fluttershy, but a henchpony intercepted it by sticking it spear into the air to grab it. But before he could claim it, Applejack snatched it away, causing him to growl at her.
"They're gonna need time to get those rings off," said Mario when he remembered that they whole point of their little game of keep away was to keep Ahuizotl from claiming it. Mario then got an idea.
"The perfect distraction," Mario said when he saw Twilight toss the ring away, "Honey, come here!" Twilight leaned in as Mario whispered his plan. Twilight beamed with excitement before nodding in agreement before approaching the blue creature.
"It's over Ahuizotl!" Mario said boldly with Twilight as his side, "Victory is ours!"
"I don't know who you think you are, Indiana Pony!" Ahuizotl snarled, "But neither you, Daring Do, or your so called friends will leave here alive!"
"We will see," said Mario confidently, "Charge!" Mario and Twilight ran at the blue creature, summoning a turn battle.
"Let's a-go!"
"Let's go this!"
(cue favorite RPG boss battle theme)
Ahuizotl roared loudly.
"You think you can defeat me?" Ahuizotl bragged.
"You bet!" Mario replied, "Come on, honey! Super Splash Ponies!" Twilight then got in front of Mario.
"I'm ready!" said Mario as he did the steps so he spin jumped right into the blue creature's head.
"Ow...that's hurt..." Ahuizotl whined before he growled.
"Oh you haven't seen nothing yet!" Twilight added as she initiated Super Bounce Ponies. The impact from both Mario and Twilight's attacks left Ahuizotl dizzy.
"He's lost his attack turn!" Mario shouted, "Quick! Super Chopper Ponies!" Twilight then got into position. Daring Do watched as the two ponies literally smacked Ahuizotl into the air several times to deal damage. She then watched as they then did Super Knockback Ponies and cringed when Twilight smashed Mario's curled up body into Ahuizotl's face.
"Oooooh, he's gonna feel that in the morning," said Daring Do to herself. Ahuizotl then roared as his body glowed red. The key sign he was nearing defeat. Ahuizotl then approached Mario. He planned to snatch Mario with his tail, but as he did so. Mario used his hammer to smack the claw away. The blue creature then tried to same tactic with Twilight, but the purple pony countered him easily. He then slammed his front claws into the floor to cause several shock waves, but both ponies managed to successfully jump over them.
"Shall we do the elemental moves?" Mario proposed.
"Nah!" said Twilight, "Let's just go straight for the Super Swing Ponies!"
"Good choice," said Mario as Twilight got into position, "I'm ready!" Twilight then jumped at Mario so he grabbed her fore-legs with his own and spun her around. Once he was spinning at optimum speed, Mario let go so Twilight slammed her hind hooves into his face. Mario then jumped into the air as Twilight used the last of her momentum to jump up to them. They then held out their fore-legs, linked hind hooves, and drilled onto Ahuizotl's back.
"The pain! It buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrns!" he groaned loudly as he was eventually forced to plop into his stomach.
"Oh yeah!" Mario and Twilight shouted at once before returning to their positions.
"Okay, you gotta do that special move!" said Mario excitedly.
"Oh...alright," said Twilight, knowing she liked using it herself, "Super Thunder Ponies!" Twilight then had Mario get behind her.
"Let's do this!" said Twilight as she made an electric orb appeared at the tip of her horn. Mario then raised his hammer and ducked her underground. Twilight then moved forward until she was right under Ahuizotl when...
WHAM! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
Twilight dealt her powerful uppercut that dealt heavy damage and electrified the blue creature. Daring Do whimpered.
"Indiana Pony wasn't kidding when he said he wife was a force to be reckoned with!" Daring Do remarked as she continued to remove the rings with Rainbow.
"Curse youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" Ahuizotl shouted as a bright light appeared around his body, followed by a shower of stars, as he disappeared from the battlefield.
(Battle Victory!)
Mario and Twilight shared a hug before rejoining the others in their game of keep away. With Ahuizotl out cold for the time being, this gave Rainbow and Daring Do the extra time they needed to clear the rest of the rings and they were exhausted as they neared the end of their task.
"If we can remove the giant ring at the bottom," Daring Do explained as they held the second to last ring in their fore-hooves, "the whole fortress will collapse!"
"W-was this your plan all along?" Rainbow asked.
"I had to find a way to get into the fortress," said Daring Do.
"You did it on purpose?!" said Rainbow as she put two and two together, "But-But Mario and I thought-"
"I didn't count on how heavy this ring would be," Daring Do point out before Rainbow could finish her train of thought, "though...Guess having a little help can be handy sometimes." Rainbow just smiled. It was then the ring was tossed into the air. Several ponies tried to grab it...only for Ahuizotl, who had recovered, grabbed the ring instead. He laughed sinisterly when the fortress started to rumble. The six ponies and the henchponies looked around worried as the fortress continued to rumble. That was then Ahuizotl noticed Rainbow and Daring Do about to get the last ring off the obelisk.
"Stop her!" Ahuizotl shouted loudly. The henchponies wasted no time surrounding the two Pegasi and started pointing their spears at them as Daring Do tried to fend the spear off with her hind legs.
"You can flap too, y'know!" said Daring Do in a straining tone. It was then Mario flew over to them.
"Need a hoof?" Mario asked as they two Pegasi both nodded and Mario helped them lift the final ring.
"Ponies!" Rainbow shouted in a strained tone, "Run! This place is goin' down!" The five ponies wasted no time running out while Ahuizotl and his henchponies still tried to grab the last ring, but Daring Do, Rainbow, and Mario managed to successfully lift the giant ring off the obelisk, causing the pillar to melts as they flew above an opening in the ceiling. Ahuizotl tried to grab them, but was literally left in the dust. A Wilhelm scream was heard just as the five ponies made it out of the fortress as the entire building came crashing down into rubble. The henchponies were left in the mist of the rubble when Ahuizotl poked out of the rubble in rage.
"Daring Do! I will have my revenge!" Ahuizotl cried out.
A short distance away somewhere safe, the three ponies tossed the ring aside, which shattered to pieces as it hit the ground.
"Could never have done this without you, Rainbow Dash," said Daring Do, "Same to you, Indiana Pony." Daring Do offered them for a hoof bump.
"Glad to be of service," said Mario as he returned the gesture, "If you ever need a friend, just let us know."
"Whatever you say...Prince Mario Star," Daring Do replied with a smirk, making the alicorn's eyes pop out.
"How did you know?" Mario asked.
"You and your wife are alicorns," Daring Do replied, "It's kind of obvious."
"Well, excuse me for trying to keep my royal status incognito," Mario replied as Daring Do just chuckled. She then offered Rainbow a hoof bump. The blue Pegasus smiled as she gave Daring Do a hug instead. Daring Do just smiled and returned the hug before gently shoving Rainbow off since the blue Pegasus didn't want to let go.
"I've got a book to finish!" said Daring Do as waved goodbye at the two ponies and flew off. Rainbow and Mario waved back before they shared multiple hoof-bumps and then hugged each other, laughing at they did so. The two ponies then flew down where their friends were and shared a group hug together.
"Just had the coolest adventure with the coolest pony ever," Rainbow recited as she wrote into their brand new friendship journal, "Came this close to blowing it because I got so wrapped up in how awesome she was, I almost forgot about how awesome I was. Good thing I didn't, 'cause it gave me a chance to show her how important it is to put your trust in somepony else." As Rainbow wrote her entry, Mario just sat beside her. They were both inside of her house.
"Care to add your thoughts buddy?" Rainbow asked.
"You sure?" Mario asked, "This is your journal entry."
"But you were there to help me," said Rainbow, "Just add a little something." Mario just conceded as he grabbed the pencil with his magic.
"Always remember that when you look up to somepony," Mario wrote, "that they are a regular pony just like you and me. And that even the most famous ponies can be taught how powerful the magic of friendship can be."
"Awesome," said Rainbow as she read what he wrote and they shared a hoof-bump. Just then they heard some knocking on the front door. She opened the door to find a messenger pony.
"Packages from A.K. Yearling," said Messenger pony once he saw Mario behind Rainbow.
"Sweet!" said Rainbow as she grabbed the package and Mario grabbed his own with his magic, "The new book a week before anypony else gets it." Rainbow inhaled excitedly as she unwrapped it.
"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Rainbow exclaimed excited as she flew about the room. Mario then opened his package to look at the book and saw why Rainbow was so excited.
Rainbow had made the front cover. Lucky mare!
Mario knew he wouldn't hear the end of it for weeks.
Hope you enjoyed Mario's tribute to Indiana Jones.
If you've noticed, unless I find an episode where Mario can learn an independent lesson, He'll mostly be adding a short summary of what he learned when the others write their entries. It's not meant to take away from their other's lesson, but to show that he played a role in each lesson they learned.
So far we've seen Mario have bonding moments with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, now it's finally time Mario has a tender moment with Scootaloo!
Peace Pony Fans!