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Organised by
RogerDodger
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2000–8000
Daring Do and the Jade Songbird
The steamy heat of the Zebrican Jungle beat down upon Daring Do as she chopped her way through dense foliage blocking the narrow path. Her machete was gripped tightly in her teeth while she whipped her head back and forth to forge a path for herself and her precocious filly companion, Ginger Sprout. Ginger forged bravely through the gap, then helpfully gripped a branch in imitation of her hero, denying it the opportunity to scratch at Daring’s hide when she passed.
The two were approaching the fabled Fathomless Falls, which were said to guard the way into the Valley of the Jade Songbird, wherein lay the object of their quest. The roar of the river grew as the pair crept quietly through the jungle, for neither wished to alert the myriad fearsome predators that could be lurking in the darkened shadows cast by the thick canopy above.
A branch cracked loudly beneath Daring’s hoof, and Ginger squealed in alarm before she could cover her mouth. Ginger held her breath and looked slowly about the area. Nothing moved, and she let out a relieved sigh as Daring relaxed. A short nod later, and the two were moving forward once more. The jungle was thinning now as they approached the riverbank, and it looked like they would be able to make a safe descent into the valley.
Ginger bounded ahead of Daring, then turned to beckon Daring to join her. Her hoof froze moments later, her eyes went wide, and slowly she pointed and mouthed in silent terror, “B-b-behind you, Daring!”
Daring’s ears slowly flicked backwards, and she stilled herself for a moment, then suddenly ducked as a shadowy shape leaped out of the trees and narrowly missed ensnaring her in its outstretched limbs. The creature crashed to the ground, but was up in a moment, bellowing a roar of challenge to the two ponies who had dared violate its feeding grounds.
In the open air of the riverbank, Ginger was able to see the shape of their fearsome foe. Green scales that had blended so well with the leaves of the trees now glinted in the open sunlight. It rose on long legs as a tail tipped with a wickedly sharp stinger lashed behind it. Its fanged mouth hung open, forked tongue flicking outwards in Daring’s direction as it fixed its gaze on the larger prey. An Emerald Stinger! One of the most dangerous predators in the entire jungle!
“Hurry, Daring! While it’s still dizzy from hitting the ground!” Ginger frantically beckoned her, and Daring fanned her wings, then flicked them along the ground to blow a shower of dirt and debris into the massive reptile’s eyes. The next shriek was one of pained rage as it blindly whipped its head about, and Daring took the opportunity to gallop forward to the riverbank.
Ginger panted with effort as she kept ahead of Daring, while behind them, the Emerald Stinger jumped, covering half the distance between itself and the fleeing ponies. It bellowed once more, and then another jump brought it even closer, while ahead Daring and Ginger could see the river drop away into the misty abyss below. There was no time to find a safe way down. The Stinger was right behind them, and Ginger squeezed her eyes shut as she skidded to a stop at the cliff’s edge, sure this would be the end.
She felt her stomach drop as suddenly she was pulled forwards and over the edge, and a scream escaped her as the air whipped at her mane. She was falling! She was going to be a pancake on the ground below! Except...except she felt herself slowing, downward plummet replaced by the thrilling sensation of soaring forward. Ginger hesitantly opened her eyes, only to let out a whoop of excitement as she rested in Daring Do’s snug grip while Daring’s wings caught the air and carried them ahead. Behind, the Stinger let loose one final roar of frustration at being denied its meal.
For a short time, they were lost in the mists of the Fathomless Falls. The cool wetness soothed the discomfort of their jungle trek, and helped to calm pounding hearts after the narrow escape from the Emerald Stinger. And then the mists began to thin, and there before them was revealed the Valley in all its splendor. Even from so far above the ground, Ginger was struck by the vivid hues of massive flowers that formed a kaleidoscope of wild color. Few had ever set eyes on the Valley, and tales of its flora had failed to do it justice. Ginger sucked in a breath as they dropped ever lower, and then she plopped to the ground as Daring released her, the two in a small clearing about a mile away from the Falls.
Ginger slowly turned to look at the Falls behind her. The water itself was lost to the mists churned up by its impact upon the rock beneath, yet a brilliant rainbow hung within the mist. “Daring! Look at that!” Ginger pointed, and Daring turned to take in the sight.
“Worth almost being eaten just to see that,” Daring mused aloud. “Wish I could stay, but duty calls.”
“Right! We have a job to do!” Ginger agreed, and while Daring held up the enchanted compass that promised to guide them to the legendary Jade Songbird, Ginger busied herself inhaling the sweet scent of the glade they were within.
The snap of the compass closing drew her out of her reverie, and she matched Daring’s stride. Daring adjusted her hat, and Ginger looked back to make sure the bow round her own tail was still snugly cinched. To any pony, it would look like a normal ribbon, but Ginger knew better. The ribbon was as strong as any rope, and the weights entwined within its length meant Ginger had a hidden lasso, just like Calamity Marigold, heroic outlaw of the untamed wilds far beyond Appleoosa! That’s where she’d gotten the idea, anyway, but Calamity used her lasso to style her mane in a bun, which Ginger had always found a little impractical. It seemed too hard to pull free at short notice, plus then her mane might get in the way! Much better to just bite and tug the edge of a tail ribbon and the whole thing would slip right free!
Ginger realized Daring was pulling ahead of her, and so she raced back to Daring’s side. “How far do you think we have to go?” she asked solemnly. Now wasn’t the time to daydream about Calamity Marigold! They had to find the Songbird. “How big do you think it’ll be?” she asked. “I mean, if the statue is too big, we’ll never be able to carry it back.”
Daring snorted in what may have been a chuckle, and Ginger grinned sheepishly at her. “Right. Focus. Being quiet now.”
The two trekked ahead in silence, and every so often, Daring would pull out the compass to ensure they were headed in the right direction. As time dragged on, Ginger felt herself thinking back to how they had met. Daring Do was usually a pony to travel alone. Her first companion had been forced on her, an eager fanfilly who Daring had wanted nothing to do with, but who had come through in the end to help Daring stop Ahuizotl from wielding the Rings of Scorcherro.
Ginger, however, had come across Daring quite by accident, when the famed adventurer had crashed through the window of her home while fleeing with the compass she now held. Ginger had been swept along, at first simply trying to escape from the thuggish ponies who’d been after Daring. That companionship of circumstance had blossomed into friendship with Daring Do when Ginger Sprout was able to demonstrate just how talented she could be, and help her evade the dogged pursuit of the perilous pony pursuit.
When her parents had been taken hostage by the same gang of criminals who sought the Valley of the Jade Songbird, Daring allowed the filly to accompany her until they could be rescued. Ginger had learned the criminals worked for the evil Duchess Hidden Charm, a vain mare who sought objects of great beauty and would do whatever it took to acquire them.
Together, they had infiltrated the lair of the Pirate Gryphon Longfeather, in order to steal his fastest ship, which allowed them to sail across the Sapphire Sea in record time. They had fought their way through the raging storm that threatened to sink them halfway across. They had explored the wondrous marketplace of Az’Kuli’Nadom, where strange relics from lost civilizations could be purchased for the right price. They had made friends with a Changeling of all creatures, one who had agreed to guide them through the jungle. They had soon lost their newest companion when she was captured in a nighttime ambush by Hidden Charm’s thugs, and was now no doubt held hostage with Ginger’s parents.
Ginger’s reverie came to an end when they came to the edge of a vast lake. Water lapped at their hooves, the lake’s surface shimmering with crystal clarity that allowed them to see straight to the bottom, which must have been a hundred hooves below, for the shore turned to a sheer drop just ahead. Only a number of silvery pillars of rock stood out in the otherwise empty lake. The pillars rose to just beneath the water’s surface, and formed a path to their destination. Across the lake sat an island. Upon the island lay the silvered monastery that was said to hold the Jade Songbird.
“Deceptive,” Daring noted. She turned round and scooped up a small rock that lay upon the ground, then pitched it into the water. It sank for several seconds, flitting whimsically through the water as it fell downwards. Then, from within the pillars, a flood of red billowed out, forming a cloud of fish that engulfed the rock. They swarmed around it for several seconds, then turned and swam back into their lairs. The rock was gone..
Ginger shivered. Any pony who fell into that lake...but Daring had begun to trot ahead, taking great care to not stray from the pillars that provided the only safe passage across the lake. Though the water rippled outwards from Daring’s hooves, the fish did not show themselves. Ginger gulped, gathered her courage, and then splashed her way forward to catch up to Daring Do.
Nothing interrupted their travel, and soon their hooves met with solid ground once more. Daring allowed herself to relax, and Ginger with her. “That was really frightening,” Ginger murmured. “I wish we could have used a boat, but if those fish can eat rocks…”
The monastery stood before them. Daring pulled the compass out one last time, and the arrow pointed straight ahead. Ginger stayed faithfully by her side as Daring pushed open the monastery doors, and cool air washed over them as they stepped inside.
Ginger looked about in awe. All around were statues made from every precious metal, every gemstone known to ponykind, each statue formed in exquisite detail. A serpent was captured rearing to strike, a zebra stood firm with axe gripped in challenge, a unicorn with her head high and horn scintillating with rubies to mimic her magic.
They made their way along the hallway, and Ginger marvelled at every sight. The far end of the hall was made from doors of solid gold, and a stunning relief of a massive bird decorated their front. Ginger gave an encouraging look to Daring Do, and together they eased open the doors.
The two entered a dimly lit chamber, lit by the flicker of dim torches set into the walls. Ahead lay a large dais, and upon it sat what could only have been the Jade Songbird. It was huge, and if the hall statues had seemed vivid in their detail, they were pale imitations of the Songbird. At first, Ginger was confused. How were they to carry that with them? And then there was a ripple of movement. A pair of golden eyes fixed upon them, and Ginger suddenly understood. “The Jade Songbird isn’t a statue...it’s alive!”
The torches suddenly burst into bright flame around them, dispelling the shadows and revealing that the Songbird had been chained to the dais. The Songbird trilled, a hauntingly beautiful note that faded beneath a tide of wicked laughter.
“Do you like my new pet?” came the silken voice of Hidden Charm as she smugly walked out from behind the dais. She was flanked by a dozen henchponies, each levelling weapons at the intrepid pair of heroes. “My, my, you have been quite the thorn in my side, Daring Do. But you do realize that if you do not get your hooves into the dining room this instant, your dinner will get cold!”
Ginger blinked, and the monastery faded away to be replaced by the far more mundane walls of her bedroom. “I’m coming!” she called, and the book she held fell from her hooves. Ginger Sprout bounded off her bed and towards the delicious aroma that left her all too aware of her empty stomach.
Daring Do and the Emerald Songbird lay upon the bed, forgotten for the moment. The cover had fallen open when Ginger dropped it, and words written with loving care were inscribed upon the title page.
Ginger Sprout,
May you always remember no spell may outshine imagination, and books carry within them a special magic to carry us on voyages to places exotic and wondrous. I’ve always enjoyed my travels with Daring Do, and I know you will too.
Happy 9th Birthday,
Princess Twilight Sparkle
The two were approaching the fabled Fathomless Falls, which were said to guard the way into the Valley of the Jade Songbird, wherein lay the object of their quest. The roar of the river grew as the pair crept quietly through the jungle, for neither wished to alert the myriad fearsome predators that could be lurking in the darkened shadows cast by the thick canopy above.
A branch cracked loudly beneath Daring’s hoof, and Ginger squealed in alarm before she could cover her mouth. Ginger held her breath and looked slowly about the area. Nothing moved, and she let out a relieved sigh as Daring relaxed. A short nod later, and the two were moving forward once more. The jungle was thinning now as they approached the riverbank, and it looked like they would be able to make a safe descent into the valley.
Ginger bounded ahead of Daring, then turned to beckon Daring to join her. Her hoof froze moments later, her eyes went wide, and slowly she pointed and mouthed in silent terror, “B-b-behind you, Daring!”
Daring’s ears slowly flicked backwards, and she stilled herself for a moment, then suddenly ducked as a shadowy shape leaped out of the trees and narrowly missed ensnaring her in its outstretched limbs. The creature crashed to the ground, but was up in a moment, bellowing a roar of challenge to the two ponies who had dared violate its feeding grounds.
In the open air of the riverbank, Ginger was able to see the shape of their fearsome foe. Green scales that had blended so well with the leaves of the trees now glinted in the open sunlight. It rose on long legs as a tail tipped with a wickedly sharp stinger lashed behind it. Its fanged mouth hung open, forked tongue flicking outwards in Daring’s direction as it fixed its gaze on the larger prey. An Emerald Stinger! One of the most dangerous predators in the entire jungle!
“Hurry, Daring! While it’s still dizzy from hitting the ground!” Ginger frantically beckoned her, and Daring fanned her wings, then flicked them along the ground to blow a shower of dirt and debris into the massive reptile’s eyes. The next shriek was one of pained rage as it blindly whipped its head about, and Daring took the opportunity to gallop forward to the riverbank.
Ginger panted with effort as she kept ahead of Daring, while behind them, the Emerald Stinger jumped, covering half the distance between itself and the fleeing ponies. It bellowed once more, and then another jump brought it even closer, while ahead Daring and Ginger could see the river drop away into the misty abyss below. There was no time to find a safe way down. The Stinger was right behind them, and Ginger squeezed her eyes shut as she skidded to a stop at the cliff’s edge, sure this would be the end.
She felt her stomach drop as suddenly she was pulled forwards and over the edge, and a scream escaped her as the air whipped at her mane. She was falling! She was going to be a pancake on the ground below! Except...except she felt herself slowing, downward plummet replaced by the thrilling sensation of soaring forward. Ginger hesitantly opened her eyes, only to let out a whoop of excitement as she rested in Daring Do’s snug grip while Daring’s wings caught the air and carried them ahead. Behind, the Stinger let loose one final roar of frustration at being denied its meal.
For a short time, they were lost in the mists of the Fathomless Falls. The cool wetness soothed the discomfort of their jungle trek, and helped to calm pounding hearts after the narrow escape from the Emerald Stinger. And then the mists began to thin, and there before them was revealed the Valley in all its splendor. Even from so far above the ground, Ginger was struck by the vivid hues of massive flowers that formed a kaleidoscope of wild color. Few had ever set eyes on the Valley, and tales of its flora had failed to do it justice. Ginger sucked in a breath as they dropped ever lower, and then she plopped to the ground as Daring released her, the two in a small clearing about a mile away from the Falls.
Ginger slowly turned to look at the Falls behind her. The water itself was lost to the mists churned up by its impact upon the rock beneath, yet a brilliant rainbow hung within the mist. “Daring! Look at that!” Ginger pointed, and Daring turned to take in the sight.
“Worth almost being eaten just to see that,” Daring mused aloud. “Wish I could stay, but duty calls.”
“Right! We have a job to do!” Ginger agreed, and while Daring held up the enchanted compass that promised to guide them to the legendary Jade Songbird, Ginger busied herself inhaling the sweet scent of the glade they were within.
The snap of the compass closing drew her out of her reverie, and she matched Daring’s stride. Daring adjusted her hat, and Ginger looked back to make sure the bow round her own tail was still snugly cinched. To any pony, it would look like a normal ribbon, but Ginger knew better. The ribbon was as strong as any rope, and the weights entwined within its length meant Ginger had a hidden lasso, just like Calamity Marigold, heroic outlaw of the untamed wilds far beyond Appleoosa! That’s where she’d gotten the idea, anyway, but Calamity used her lasso to style her mane in a bun, which Ginger had always found a little impractical. It seemed too hard to pull free at short notice, plus then her mane might get in the way! Much better to just bite and tug the edge of a tail ribbon and the whole thing would slip right free!
Ginger realized Daring was pulling ahead of her, and so she raced back to Daring’s side. “How far do you think we have to go?” she asked solemnly. Now wasn’t the time to daydream about Calamity Marigold! They had to find the Songbird. “How big do you think it’ll be?” she asked. “I mean, if the statue is too big, we’ll never be able to carry it back.”
Daring snorted in what may have been a chuckle, and Ginger grinned sheepishly at her. “Right. Focus. Being quiet now.”
The two trekked ahead in silence, and every so often, Daring would pull out the compass to ensure they were headed in the right direction. As time dragged on, Ginger felt herself thinking back to how they had met. Daring Do was usually a pony to travel alone. Her first companion had been forced on her, an eager fanfilly who Daring had wanted nothing to do with, but who had come through in the end to help Daring stop Ahuizotl from wielding the Rings of Scorcherro.
Ginger, however, had come across Daring quite by accident, when the famed adventurer had crashed through the window of her home while fleeing with the compass she now held. Ginger had been swept along, at first simply trying to escape from the thuggish ponies who’d been after Daring. That companionship of circumstance had blossomed into friendship with Daring Do when Ginger Sprout was able to demonstrate just how talented she could be, and help her evade the dogged pursuit of the perilous pony pursuit.
When her parents had been taken hostage by the same gang of criminals who sought the Valley of the Jade Songbird, Daring allowed the filly to accompany her until they could be rescued. Ginger had learned the criminals worked for the evil Duchess Hidden Charm, a vain mare who sought objects of great beauty and would do whatever it took to acquire them.
Together, they had infiltrated the lair of the Pirate Gryphon Longfeather, in order to steal his fastest ship, which allowed them to sail across the Sapphire Sea in record time. They had fought their way through the raging storm that threatened to sink them halfway across. They had explored the wondrous marketplace of Az’Kuli’Nadom, where strange relics from lost civilizations could be purchased for the right price. They had made friends with a Changeling of all creatures, one who had agreed to guide them through the jungle. They had soon lost their newest companion when she was captured in a nighttime ambush by Hidden Charm’s thugs, and was now no doubt held hostage with Ginger’s parents.
Ginger’s reverie came to an end when they came to the edge of a vast lake. Water lapped at their hooves, the lake’s surface shimmering with crystal clarity that allowed them to see straight to the bottom, which must have been a hundred hooves below, for the shore turned to a sheer drop just ahead. Only a number of silvery pillars of rock stood out in the otherwise empty lake. The pillars rose to just beneath the water’s surface, and formed a path to their destination. Across the lake sat an island. Upon the island lay the silvered monastery that was said to hold the Jade Songbird.
“Deceptive,” Daring noted. She turned round and scooped up a small rock that lay upon the ground, then pitched it into the water. It sank for several seconds, flitting whimsically through the water as it fell downwards. Then, from within the pillars, a flood of red billowed out, forming a cloud of fish that engulfed the rock. They swarmed around it for several seconds, then turned and swam back into their lairs. The rock was gone..
Ginger shivered. Any pony who fell into that lake...but Daring had begun to trot ahead, taking great care to not stray from the pillars that provided the only safe passage across the lake. Though the water rippled outwards from Daring’s hooves, the fish did not show themselves. Ginger gulped, gathered her courage, and then splashed her way forward to catch up to Daring Do.
Nothing interrupted their travel, and soon their hooves met with solid ground once more. Daring allowed herself to relax, and Ginger with her. “That was really frightening,” Ginger murmured. “I wish we could have used a boat, but if those fish can eat rocks…”
The monastery stood before them. Daring pulled the compass out one last time, and the arrow pointed straight ahead. Ginger stayed faithfully by her side as Daring pushed open the monastery doors, and cool air washed over them as they stepped inside.
Ginger looked about in awe. All around were statues made from every precious metal, every gemstone known to ponykind, each statue formed in exquisite detail. A serpent was captured rearing to strike, a zebra stood firm with axe gripped in challenge, a unicorn with her head high and horn scintillating with rubies to mimic her magic.
They made their way along the hallway, and Ginger marvelled at every sight. The far end of the hall was made from doors of solid gold, and a stunning relief of a massive bird decorated their front. Ginger gave an encouraging look to Daring Do, and together they eased open the doors.
The two entered a dimly lit chamber, lit by the flicker of dim torches set into the walls. Ahead lay a large dais, and upon it sat what could only have been the Jade Songbird. It was huge, and if the hall statues had seemed vivid in their detail, they were pale imitations of the Songbird. At first, Ginger was confused. How were they to carry that with them? And then there was a ripple of movement. A pair of golden eyes fixed upon them, and Ginger suddenly understood. “The Jade Songbird isn’t a statue...it’s alive!”
The torches suddenly burst into bright flame around them, dispelling the shadows and revealing that the Songbird had been chained to the dais. The Songbird trilled, a hauntingly beautiful note that faded beneath a tide of wicked laughter.
“Do you like my new pet?” came the silken voice of Hidden Charm as she smugly walked out from behind the dais. She was flanked by a dozen henchponies, each levelling weapons at the intrepid pair of heroes. “My, my, you have been quite the thorn in my side, Daring Do. But you do realize that if you do not get your hooves into the dining room this instant, your dinner will get cold!”
Ginger blinked, and the monastery faded away to be replaced by the far more mundane walls of her bedroom. “I’m coming!” she called, and the book she held fell from her hooves. Ginger Sprout bounded off her bed and towards the delicious aroma that left her all too aware of her empty stomach.
Daring Do and the Emerald Songbird lay upon the bed, forgotten for the moment. The cover had fallen open when Ginger dropped it, and words written with loving care were inscribed upon the title page.
Ginger Sprout,
May you always remember no spell may outshine imagination, and books carry within them a special magic to carry us on voyages to places exotic and wondrous. I’ve always enjoyed my travels with Daring Do, and I know you will too.
Happy 9th Birthday,
Princess Twilight Sparkle