Author of the most loved series in Equestria, A.K. Yearling. A very loved author for her Daring Do book series. Most read the book series and would think the books are just stories about a fictional character doing adventures in a land off somewhere far away. But very few know the actual story of those Daring Do stories. Even A.K. Yearling herself. To her the name A.K. Yearling is a pen name, a secret identity if you will. Who she really is her own character in her books. Daring Do the thirty five year old adventurer. Yep. Each of her stories are about her and her arch rival Ahuizotl. Ahuizotl has tried to kill her in many ways. A giant rock falling down a cliff, cuffed to a stone tablet and a lowering pendulum blade closing in, a trap of a rope to pull her over a pit of snakes and even an ambush of carnivorous big cats and one mean kitten that she apparently had angered by taking a dead rat from it and tossing it away into a trash can. That kitten would never forgive her. Today Daring Do is A.K. Yearling at a bookstore in Canterlot doing a meet and greet with many of her adoring fans. She wore a faded red dress, a carefully weaved sunhat and a pair of 'A.K. Yearling's signature glasses'. Her fans were as young as children in elementary school and adults old enough to be her designated driver on her twenty first birthday. She gave a loving smile to a little colt as she handed back a book of hers after she signed it. "Keep on reading my young adventurer!" She said.

The little colt gave her a smile and laughed a bit. "I will Miss Yearling! Thank you!" He said just before running off. She gave a sigh watching as the little colt joined his mother as he showed her the signature. She looked back just as a full grown Pegasus stallion walked up. He had a black mane. His eyes were a light blue color and the look on his face just gave away his nervousness. He wore a black button up shirt open with a white tee shirt underneath. He also wore a pair of blue jeans along with a pair of red canvas sneakers. He just stood there for a second unable to speak.

"Sir? Sir are you alright?"

Daring waved her hand in front of the stallions face and he flinched a bit snapping back to reality from what ever fantasy he was in. He placed his copy of the first Daring Do book on the table. "S-sorry Miss Yearling!" He said. "I-I'm just so excited meeting you for the first time!" He said. "I'd lie and say this book was for someone else but I just... well..." The mare gave a smile and opened the front cover signing the inside.

"Don't worry. I've seen many other stallions your age come through here just perky or embarrassed about this but its fine. Nothing to worry about." She grabbed a silver marker and signed the inside of the cover 'A.K. Yearling' in brilliant cursive writing. After she capped the marker again she gave a quick blow on the ink drying it faster before closing the cover and giving it back to him. "Here you go sir. Just for that little sister of yours!" She gave a wink.

The stallion gave a smile and a nod before walking off quickly towards the adventure section of a store. Daring sighed and continued her meet and greet with maybe ten or twelve ponies. Most of them children. She gave a quick glance only to see a stallion dressed in a black trench coat, a suit and tie and a trilby hiding his face come up past the line. He stopped maybe six feet away and reached into his trench coat. "TRY ESCAPING FROM THIS BITCH!" He yelled before pulling a pistol. Everything went in slow motion as everyone in the line ran in the opposite direction. He aimed the gun having everyone rush around him. He got distracted for just enough time for Daring to duck underneath the table. One moment her life is flashing before her eyes and the next she has her eyes clenched shut and her hands covering her ears as a gunshot rings out. She expected to get killed right then and there. Yet there was no hot flash, no cooling down to frozen. Not even flames or a cloudy utopia made of gold. She looks up shaken only to see the stallion in the trench coat on the ground with the nervous stallion on top of him and the gun right out of their reach smoking at the barrel.

The nervous stallion was slapping handcuffs on the assassin. He got off of the assassin and picked up the smoking gun and popped the clip out shoving it into his pocket and emptying the chamber. He sighed pinning the assassin under his boot. "...The one fucking day off I have..." He said pulling a phone from his pocket. He dialed a number on it quickly and looked to the mare underneath the table and pointed towards the adventure section past the wake of destruction of the now empty bookstore. "Yeah. Got a bit of a problem here at the A.K. Yearling book signing. Shooting. No injuries to report but everyone's just very shaken up." Just as Daring got up from the table the assassin called out something that just made her freeze in place.

"AHUIZOTL ISNT DONE WITH YOU!" He then started to search the inside of his mouth with his tongue before showing a pill in his teeth. The stallion that pinned him looked down and gasped seeing the pill. He dropped his phone and dropped down grabbing the assassins jaw just as he closed his lips. Before the stallion could even struggle to get the assassins mouth open he bit down onto the pill and almost instantly started frothing at the mouth and convulsing on the floor. The stallion grunted and picked up his phone again before walking over to Daring.

"Dammit! One KIA via cyanide pill. Must've had it hidden away! Bring medics and clear out the bookstore. I've got Yearling!" He hung up the phone and shoved it back into his pocket before resting a hand on the frightened mare's shoulder and walking her towards the adventure section. "Miss Yearling are you alright? No injuries?"

Daring shook her head. "...N-no... just... startled is all...." She said. "...Who are you? Are you a guard?" The stallion gave a nod.

"Royal Guard. Name's Ryder. Today was supposed to be my day off from duty but crime just doesn't rest unless the criminals are six feet under in a wooden box." Ryder. Thirty two year old stallion with family problems. Weirdo dad, loving little sister and annoying cousin.

"...Ryder thank you for.... s-saving my life..." They walked over to a small table with a few tipped over chairs. Ryder placed them both upright and sat the mare down in one as he sat in the other.

"...What was that about? About that villain in your book? Ahuizotl?" Daring thought to herself. Was she about to reveal her secret identity to a guard and risk everything? Or was she going to hide it and face death? She looked to Ryder.

"Check everything... Either that or take me somewhere more private... I still feel like a sitting duck with a target the size of manehattan on my head..." Ryder gave a hesitant nod and got up from his seat. He went towards the book shelves leading out into the open area. All he saw was the debris created amongst the panic and the one dead guy in the middle of the room. He looked back at her.

"Come on. It's all clear. Just in case you need to keep your head down and behind me! I don't want any more dead on my hands." Daring gave a nod and got up rushing to his side. Just as they stepped out in the open area Daring hid her head with the use of Ryder's torso hiding it away from the big glass front of the book store. "Alright... We're gonna go into the back storage area. There's a very low chance of someone being there other than the ponies who work here. You can trust anyone who works here right?" She shook her head.

"...No... I-I just want to talk with you one on one... to m-many tattletales that would love to spread some of my secrets...." She whispered. "...Just... I don't know take me into the restroom... privacy I-is guaranteed there... that and... I... I feel like I'm gonna...." She suddenly pushed Ryder away and lurched over vomiting. She coughed and spat a bit as Ryder got his arms around her. "...Yeah... that..."

"Alright come on... try to hold everything else down until we get to the restroom okay....?" Daring gave a nod to the guard helping her stay upright. They walked around the pool of puke and through a doorway marked 'Employees only' Ryder looked around as they made their way towards the employee restroom. "Hello? Royal Guard! If there's anyone in here you need to get yourself out right now! Everything is okay but we have guards coming in to clean this place up and take witness statements and we don't want any surprises!" No answer from anywhere.

"...All the workers were on the floor getting my books sold... they ran out amongst the chaos...." Daring wiped her mouth on her sleeve. "...bathroom should be around here somewhere.... god I need something to fucking drink... get the taste of digested jalapenos and cola out of my fucking mouth..." Ryder stopped at a bathroom door and huffed as he gave the knob a quick hit with his hand before pushing it open with his wings.

"I know how that feels... Ate a pile of peppers and one nutshot drove me to the worst tasting shit I have ever thrown up..." He went into the bathroom with the mare and sat her near the toilet. "Alright... I'm gonna leave you here for just a minute. I'll lock the door and make sure everyone got out safe alright? I'll knock three times for you to let me back in alright?" Daring gave a nod and just rested her hand on her churning stomach. Ryder turned a little knob on the door handle and closed it behind him as he left. After he left her stomach had settled a little. She got up to her feet and stood in front of the sink just looking into the mirror.

"...What the hell...? Ahuizotl.... is trying to kill me...? This must be some bad dream... I cant have a hit out on me.... There's no way he could know my secret identity..." She turned the knobs to the sink turing it on. She removed her glasses and splashed some cold water on her face hoping she would wake up. She looked into the mirror and shuttered. "...Okay... Not a dream Daring... Just....Hide away or something... You've got a bunker stocked with food, water and..." She grunted and punched the wall before yelping a bit holding her hand. "...No NO! You aren't giving up that easily... you've been in situations worse than at gunpoint... Almost being locked in an ancient jail cell and smashed by boulders is worse than a gunshot.... But what of the guard...? He's questioning what the assassin said before offing himself... I'm surprised Ahui didn't go with a suicide bombing... Probably didn't want terrorism taking the spotlight..." She took some paper towels from the dispenser and wiped her face. "...I was lucky a guard was here... A second longer and my body would've been out there... He seems loyal... he looks like he kept secrets about his job... If he can keep secrets about that he can certainly keep my true self a secret... I hope...." She took a deep breath and gave a shuttery sigh. "Just... Make it seem like it slipped out by accident like.... a nip slip from a tight top or a bowling ball greased up a bit too much... Yeah like that." She got a little handful of water from the faucet and sipped from her cupped hand. She did that for about a minute before going to her seat near the toilet. A moment later three solid knocks came to the door.

"Miss Yearling? It's Ryder! Come one open up. Guards are here to take a report from you. Is everything okay in there?" Daring looked up to the door.

"Yeah... But... I want you and only you to take the report... I'm afraid to be close to anyone else... You I can actually trust... Just give me a second to get up." Carefully she brought herself to her feet and went over to the door giving the little knob a quick turn. "Alright... Careful when you open it i'm right here." Slowly the door opened and in came Ryder. Once the door was shut behind him Daring hugged him. "...I... I don't know how I can thank you for saving my life..." Ryder looked at her and blushed smiling.

"...Uh... Well that's my job ma'am... Don't need to thank me Miss Yearling. Now uh... maybe stop hugging me? Please? I don't want to make things awkward right now...." Daring broke the hug and backed away.

"What ever for? Have you ever hugged a woman before?" Ryder gave a hesitant nod as he leaned against the wall.

"Yeah... Sorry it's a few reasons... just getting over a bad break up and uh... Call me crazy but... You sorta look like your own character... Take away the glasses and the hat and maybe get some wings on you and you're just the perfect mare to play the movie role of Daring." Daring stayed silent and averted her gaze having her heart drop.

"...Um.... well... I gotta say you have quite the eye for things... May I just... Show you something?" He gave a hesitant nod. "Alright... You may wanna sit down but know... I wont go any further than my underwear and I don't want you to say ANYTHING! Now close your eyes! I don't want you to see anything until I'm ready okay?" Ryder gave a nod blushing harder before walking over and sitting on the toilet just covering his face. Daring shuttered as she thought to herself starting to remove her hat and glasses first setting them on the sink. '...am I really trading my identity for protection...? Sure he saved my life but... he could work for Ahuizotl... he could've lead the assassin here... But... why would he take down his own man...?'

"Uh... Miss Yearling...? Can I look yet?" Daring looked to him as she tried to reach the zipper on the back of her dress her dress. Just a few inches out of reach.

"I cant seem to reach the zipper on my back... Do you think you could get it and help me slip the bloody thing off? I'm actually burning up in this thing now..." She went in front of Ryder and turned around just as he took his hand away from his eyes. Hesitantly he grabbed the zipper and slowly pulled it down the mare's back. Instantly he saw medical bandages.

"...Oh my god did you hurt yourself or something?" Daring shook her head as she dropped the dress just before her hips.

"The bandages aren't hiding an injury but... they are hiding something... What I want you to do is get the end of it back there and just start to unwrap it. You wont see any bloody patches, not any embarrassing tattoos and certainly not any scarring." Ryder shuttered as he found the end of the bandages. Daring could feel his hand shaking vigorously. "Come now... Deep breaths and calm down." The stallion closed his eyes and let the bandages go as he took a few deep breaths. Daring took hold of the bandages and stripped them off her revealing her wings and a beautiful black laced bra. She dropped the bandages and dress around her ankles revealing a matching pair of laced panties with her cutie mark half revealed on her flank. "You all good now?" She turned around and backed away from the toilet as Ryder gave a nod. He didn't shake anymore but was still blushing. "Alright... Now don't scream, don't say anything to anyone and if I see anything in the media about this someone's losing their job to a bullet! Now open your eyes!" She turned to her side and revealed her compass rose cutie mark. Ryder's eyes opened and his jaw dropped as her wings extended.

"...Y-you're... you're..." He shook his head and punched a wall before yelping in pain. "...Okay... Not a fucking dream...." He looked to Daring and just hid his face. "...You're REAL! Holy shit... this is gonna change those books forever..." She gave a sigh.

"Well don't stop reading. Now do you see a little correlation between what the assassin said and me?" Ryder gave a nod. "Now look... This is of vital importance... I'm staying at a hotel here in town and I'm afraid it's been booby trapped... Do you think you can maybe get a swat team and a bomb squad to my hotel to gather my things...? I'd go back to my home but leading him there would cost me my life, my treasures and all my loyal fans to wonder where the hell A.K. Yearling has gone!"

"Now uh... Miss Yea- Dar-... Fuck just..." Ryder huffed. "Okay I'll get someone out there! Just... Get dressed, give one of the guards outside your hotel name and your room number and they'll gather all of your things disarming any traps and searching for any bombs. Might cause a bit of panic but... I don't want anyone to get hurt." He got up from the toilet and picked up the mare's disguise giving it to her. "Here... I'll just cover the assassination up by a crazy fan just wanting the value of a signed book to go up... That make sense to you?"

"Quite the cover up... Have you done something like that before?" Ryder gave a nod as he grabbed the hat and glasses off the sink. He unfolded the glasses and put them on the mare.

"I've been doing undercover work. I did a lot of theatre classes when I was younger but didn't think it would help me in my line of work much. Had to make up a back story to get into a gang. Took it down first day inside. Dumbass gang leader needed protection and why take the new guy? Shot the other guy in the leg twice before arresting the leader. Entire gang split into jails all over Equestria." He blushed and averted his gaze. "...Maybe... You'd want to come back to the castle with me? Just to get you more protection?" Daring gave a smile as she started to put her dress on.

"That sounds nice actually... Are you sure the princesses would allow me to be inside the castle even with a guard?" Ryder sighed.

"Pretty sure they will.... They kinda owe me at the moment... Working on a day off. Now... I should go before things get REALLY awkward...." Daring gave a nod blushing as he covered his crotch.

Not long later Daring was being escorted out of the bookstore with Ryder covering her head with his button up shirt. Guards around them were keeping fans and other spectators away as they stepped into a waiting guard truck. As they sat down Ryder took his shirt back. Another guard got in the front seat and looked back as he started the truck. "Alright Miss Yearling a swat team is in route to your hotel to retrieve your things." He said. "The hotel is being evacuated just in case of any traps someone could've set for you. The General has made sure you would be comfortable inside the castle for the rest of your stay in Canterlot."

Daring gave the guard a confused look. "The General?" She asked. "Who's he? Am I going to meet him when we get to the castle?"

Ryder snickered throwing an arm over the mare. "Nah I'd say you already did!" He said. She gave him an even more confused look. "The guy who saved your flank, saved your books and now your things?"

"You? You're the General of the Royal Guard?" Ryder gave a nod. "What the hell are you doing on a day off? Shouldn't you be running a regiment or something?"

"Nope. Things have actually been working out for me since a Princess back in my hometown talked with Celestia after i was kicked out of my house... I was lucky to even get a room with all my things... If not I probably wouldn't even have my own home... my checks are always low because the asshole 'partner' I have always having me buy him things... Celestia forces me to stay at his side when I'm on duty..." He leaned forward and huffed. "Speaking of which what do you think the odds are that he's going to be waiting for me at the front fucking gates?"

The guard glanced back. "I'm gonna say seventy five percent." He said. "Last i checked he was out on a robbery call."

"Don't tell the princess or Shining this but I hope he gets shot!" Ryder sat back in his seat and huffed.

Daring put an arm around him seeing his lip quiver a bit. "This guy must torment you if you hope that!" She said. "What has he done if you don't mind me asking?" Ryder huffed and pushed a button putting up a deeply tinted barrier between the backseat and the front part of the truck. It covered up the windows too.

"Bullet proof shielding... This might help us... Both in keeping you safe and what I have to say from tattling ears..." He huffed and just leaned his seat back into the storage area. "...A long time ago my partner now used to be a big bully of mine and was friends with who is now my exmarefriends brother... I used to call him my friend but that was until his sister broke up with me and forced him to throw me out... That bully partner of mine knows things that I wont dare ever speak of.... Back when my mother was alive she thought my bully and I would be friends but no... I tell him a secret and he blabs to the whole school about it... I basically got into a fight giving him a bloody nose and I got suspended for a week because of it... For the week after I was looked on as a bomb with a short fuse... I never intended to do that but he forced my hand... After that he had my ex's brother be my 'friend' to see what cool stuff I had that he could take... he took a few games I said I liked but didn't really want from a console I had, he took a dart gun or two and a few collectible cars only to gain my forgiveness which didn't stop... Age fourteen I found an old dagger in my backyard and he ups and grabs it and threatens to stab me with it. I thought I was free of him when I was sixteen when I got my car and my ex's brother smacked the hell out of him for trying to grab my keys and... believe it or not that was a car my mother was supposed to give me when I was eighteen but... she died because my dumb-fuck of a father wasn't at home to stop her from choking... Choked on a tofu cube which is why I wont eat it any more... but... this was just about my damn bully and not... her..." He whimpered and curled up in his seat facing away from Daring. She sighed.

"...You poor thing... those items must've been special to you like treasure is to me... It's hard to see something you've held onto for so long just get taken away from you..." Ryder sniffled. She could see his wings tremble.

"....Book three.... chapter six.... First line...." Daring smiled a bit.

"...You really do know my books... do you... want a hug perhaps? It... could make you feel better..." He just stayed the way he was. She leaned her seat back and just worked her arms around him. "...You're shaking... Can you please calm down?" Ryder curled up even more and clutched Daring's hands. "Here we are... you definitely wouldn't want that partner of yours seeing you like this and start making fun of you would you?" He shook his head. "Then please don't cry! You wouldn't want me to slap you to snap you out of it would you?" He shook his head again. "Then I suggest you calm down. Just take a bit of a nap... I'll ask the driver if he could take a long route to the castle." He glanced back at Daring.

"...Cant do that... I cant put you in danger by driving around anymore... When I called backup I even said for whoever is driving us to just come here and drive straight to the castle... I've seen heists go where two gangs try for the cash and one truck rams the other killing both parties... double roll overs aren't good... By the way you might want to move your hands... don't wanna crush your wrists if i need to flip over..." Daring gave him a smile and took her arms back just resting her hand on his shoulder.

They lied together in the back seat just keeping each other company for about ten minutes. They could feel each bump in the road, when the truck went faster or slowed to a stop. Suddenly they felt the car jerk to a stop. Just then they could hear the guard in front bang on the bullet proof shielding. Ryder sat both the seats up and lowered the bulletproof shielding slowly being cautious of what ever could be around them. They both sighed once they saw they were inside the front gates to the castle of Canterlot castle. The guard up front looked back at them giving a smile. "Good thinking on putting up that BP shielding sir!" He said. "The citizens thought it was a princess and with all the attention no one would think of attacking. Too many witnesses to ID the guy." Ryder chuckled a bit and gave his eye a little rub.

"Yeah... That's what I wanted to do..." He looked around out the windows. "You see him anywhere?" The guard in front looked around.

"Nope. Not one sign of him... Let's hope your words didn't do anything otherwise the princess could think you did it."

"HEY! She finds out there goes a chunk of your paycheck!"

"Okay okay sorry sir! I know you're a bit on edge, worrying about Miss Yearling there but please calm down... May I suggest taking a little trip to a spa? I heard the one in Ponyville is running a special on their deluxe spa treatment."

"Nope! No! Nu-uh! Not doing that! Not with that bitch of an ex around there! Now you get your ass out there and get the ladies door open! If I wanted to relax in a hot place I'd ask Celestia to set my ass on fire!"

The guard shook his head and sighed before stepping out of the truck. Daring looked to Ryder as the guard walked around the back of the truck. "You seem really stressed out!" She said. "Are you sure you don't want to just relax and take a nap or something?" Ryder sighed and hung his head.

"So sorry about that... just kinda pissed about my ex and my partner... Remembering the hell I went through is just...." He grunted and punched the back of his seat. Daring shook her head and grabbed the angered stallions hand and dragged him out of the truck as the guard opened the door. She looked to the guard.

"You don't need to worry about him sir. I'll see to it the general calms down by reminding him about his job!" She looked at him and growled a bit. He just blushed embarrassed as the mare walked with him like he was a child not getting a toy as they walked towards the castle doors. She huffed trying not to flex her wings. "What is wrong with cleansing your mind of a few things you're hiding? I showed you who I really was and you said something you've been keeping to yourself. Do you really think keeping in all this is helping what so ever?" Ryder shook his head as they started up the front steps. "Well first off we are going to the princess with your partner problem before he shows up and after you're going to show me where your room is! You really look and sound like you're in need of a nap."

Ryder sighed and walked up the steps with the false writer. She opened up the large doors and closed it behind them as they entered. The large front foyer in front of them had stairs leading half way to the second floor before splitting off. The white linoleum shown brilliantly with the dark midnight blue rugs lining the large floor giving it a bit of well needed traction. Just as they came to the middle of the room a guard dressed in uniform was coming downstairs. He was a unicorn guard. Neon green stripes in his silver mane and tail. He also had a deep grey coat. "Well well if it isn't my so called partner on his day off!" He said. "I really think you still owe me this months check! Got a party that needs DJ Pon3 to get into to get it jumping!"

Ryder huffed and groaned taking his hand back just as the stallion came down the steps. "Fuck off Laser I already paid your ass!" He snapped. "No fucking DJ is coming to any shitty party you threw. You'd end up trying to fuck the nearest thing that moves! Why don't you go take a hot frying pan and shove it in your ass large end first?" The stallion he called Laser gave him a dirty look.

"Come on you little incest foal pay up or Princess Celestia is gonna hear about some bad things you did when you were younger... Could even fall down the stairs and file a lawsuit against you saying you pushed me."

Daring stepped up and pulled Ryder away. "Well you must be the ruffian giving this noble stallion a load of manure." She said. She never used profanity as her persona of A.K. Yearling. "Why don't you go and run along and get some money from some homeless veteran on the corner after you arrest him for panhandling?" Laser looked over Daring's shoulder at Ryder.

"Where'd you pick up this nerd? Local computer store or something?"

Ryder moved the mare between them out of the way gently. "This 'nerd' is none other than A.K. Yearling!" He snapped. "She is the author of the Daring Do book series and I happened to be there when someone attacked her! I saved her life!" Laser gave a huff of disbelief.

"Really now? How do I know you didn't spend the money you owe me on some whore and get her to dress like that terrible author?"

Ryder growled and clenched his hand into a fist. Just as he wound up Daring grabbed his wrist. "Come on.... This guy isn't even worth our time!" She said giving him a dirty look. "You sir should be ashamed for making your superior want to strike you down! If you want to talk like that I suggest you look in a mirror before mouthing off like that!" Laser gave a laugh.

"And I'm supposed to be afraid of some slut? How much did he pay you? Sixty bucks for dress up? I can give you eighty to run off right now leave this little pussy where he stands. Bet you you'd be disappointed at what you saw." Daring pulled Ryder behind her and got in the stallions face.

"I am no two bit prostitute! You sir should hold your tongue! I am the real A.K. Yearling! I was attacked at a book signing your superior was at!" Laser gave a grin looking past her at the General.

"Well then.... I guess you check out since I heard it over the radios... Bet you wont believe what this poor fuck of a guard did while reading your books!"

Ryder gasped. "Don't you fucking DARE!" He said.

"Oh I dare bitch! You're not paying me so this is your punishment!" Laser looked to Daring who had a bit of curious look on her face. "You need to know that I found this guy in one of the bathrooms jacking off to that character you write about! Dude wants some adventure yet cant get his hand to stop adventuring into his crotch!" He busted up laughing hard just buckling down. Daring blushed and looked to Ryder who had tears in his eyes blushing hard. He sobbed and started to back away. Daring tried approaching him but he flew up to the banister and disappearing upstairs.

The mare looked back at Laser and growled. "You are the SORRIEST excuse for a guard I have ever seen!" She snapped. "You are a disgrace! Embarrassing your superior like that! You're the first I've said this to! Go burn in hell!" She pushed Laser onto his side and rushed upstairs to where she saw Ryder disappear. Just as she got to the top of the steps she huffed breaking out into a run. "Ryder? Ryder where did you go?" She looked in to each door as she passed them. She saw guards standing at their posts, a large theatre room but no Ryder or Princess. "Come on Ryder there's no reason to feel embarrassed just come here and we can talk something out!" She started to slow down feeling her dress getting caught up between her legs. Just as she came to a stop she saw a few guards come out of a large door shutting it behind them. She looked at one guard as she approached. "Sir? Excuse me sir can you help me out?"

The guard looked to her and hummed. "A.K. Yearling I presume?" He said. Daring gave a nod. "The general said you'd be here because of the attack and threats."

"Yes yes I am now where is the general? He ran off and now I cant find him what so ever! Do you think you can help me find him! Please?" The guard looked to the few others standing at the door with him.

"Stand guard! No one else can enter!" The other guards saluted and he turned back to Daring. "Right this way Miss Yearling. The Princess is dealing with the general right now. You might have to promise to not say anything about what you're going to see... Understood?"

"Yes sir. Promise!" The guard gave a little bit of a smile and turned to the door. He opened the door up and walked inside with Daring following closely acting intimidated by the other guards. Once inside she found out she was in Princess Celestia's throne room. Celestia herself was standing right at her throne consoling Ryder like she was his mother. The room had a large glass window looking out over fields towards the northern part of Equestria with a glimpse of the Crystal Empire towards the west.

"Princess!" The guard said alerting them. He knelt down just as the Princess looked up. "I apologize for the intrusion Princess but A.K. Yearling is checking on the general! She was left alone as he ran off!"

Princess Celestia leaned down a bit and whispered something into Ryder's ear. He looked up and nodded before going to sit near the throne. The large princess approached with her wings extended. She wore a white dress with a gold trim bringing out the glorious colors in her mane. Her horn looked as if it were polished with the light of the sun itself. Daring immediately bowed in respect to her. "Ah so what Ryder said is true!" She said. She looked to the guard as he got back to his feet. "Leave us now. I must speak with Miss Yearling and The General." The guard saluted.

"Yes princess!" Just as Celestia looked to Daring the guard rushed out. Celestia looked Daring over inspecting her. She hummed.

"...A.K. Yearling... Coming out of a shooting without a scratch on you.... You don't seem as scared as any normal pony would be in that situation..."

Daring swallowed a bit nervous. "Well... Why should I be scared now that I'm surrounded by countless guards?" She said. "Being here is keeping my life out of danger!" Celestia gave a little laugh.

"That isn't what I meant... Daring!" Daring gave a silent eep as Celestia laughed. She fell to her knees just looking at Ryder tearing up.

"....You... You.... YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! YOU TOLD HER DIDNT YOU?!"

Ryder scrambled back to his feet. "I DIDNT SAY SHIT!" He snapped having tears stream down his cheeks. "I promised to keep my mouth shut! I have no fucking clue how she knows!" Daring threw her hat off and folded her glasses shoving them into her cleavage.

"BULLSHIT! SHE COULDNT HAVE KNOWN WHO I WAS THAT FUCKING QUICKLY!" She tried charging Ryder but was held back by a mysterious force. She looked back at Celestia who had a smile on her face with her horn glowing a brilliant yellow.

The princess walked over to Daring and crouched down giving a slight laugh. "I'm sorry Miss Do it wasn't much of a surprise to me." She said. "I wasn't born yesterday yet everyone acts like they were including my own guards..." She looked over at Ryder who looked a bit frightened. "Ryder come over here! I want you to apologize for running off on her!"

Ryder gave a nod and walked over to Daring hesitantly. He sniffled and hugged her just resting his head on her shoulder. "...S-sorry for running a-away..." He said. "....I just... I didn't want you to hear that... I didn't want anyone to hear that..." He just sobbed over the adventurers shoulder.

"Alright Miss Do... Now I want you to apologize to Ryder for blaming him on my little surprise for you."

Daring nodded and was released from the magical hold she had on her. Immediately she hugged the sobbing stallion just stroking his wings. "....Ryder... I apologize for that... I wasn't expecting her to just say something like that..." She said. "...And... about what Laser said... who cares if you're someone who imagines that stuff? I can tell you I've done it thinking about trying something with a guard or something yet who I was deterred me from it...." She blushed hard and looked at him feeling something twitch between them. "....Maybe you and I could fulfill each others fantasies in your room? You saved my life and... Well showing you my true self doesn't seem enough to thank you for that...." Ryder looked to her blushing hard. He tried to get some words out but his eyes rolled back into his head as he went limp. Daring leaned down just holding him close keeping him from nailing his head on the ground. "Shit SHIT!" She looked to Princess Celestia who was already getting to the door opening it right up.

"I need a medic and a stretcher here on the double! The General fainted! AND WILL SOMEONE FIND THAT LASER LIGHT!?" Celestia huffed looking pissed as she came back from the door. "Daring I want you to follow him to his room! When he wakes up you tell him Laser is as good as fired! He'll even get another paycheck with half of the money he had lost to that... Disgrace..." She sighed having her feathers ruffle on her wings. "...I have a feeling your things will be here as soon as you get there. If anything happens to him there will be a guard stationed just a few doors down from his so just tell him the problem and either me or more guards will come to aid him. And for my mothers sake please... use your hat to cover that tent on his pants...." Daring looked back down and saw Ryder's pants still bulging. Slowly she lied him down as Celestia nudged the hat towards them. Daring picked it up and just covered Ryder's crotch with it.

Not long later they were both inside Ryder's room. Ryder was tucked away into his bed. His bed had two pillows on each half of the bed with wonderbolts themed sheets and pillow cases. Over his head he had a signed poster of Gems N Tulips. Daring sat at a desk wearing a Metallicolt shirt with the sleeves cut off and a pair of jeans held do her waist with an old car seat belt buckle. The desk she sat at had two monitors, one gaming console, a gaming key board and mouse on it. There was a guitar hung up on the wall just to the right of a door leading to a bathroom. She gave a sigh and got up just looking over the still sleeping stallion just holding her dress as if she were still in it or if it were a childs blanket. She really couldn't tell. She sat down on the foot of the bed just thinking of what she was doing and why Ahuizotl was after her... and how he found out her cover. She sat there for a few minutes until a knock came to the door. "Miss Yearling?" She heard a guard call out. "I'm with the swat division! Do you think you can come outside the room for a moment?"

Daring huffed. "If you have my things leave them at the door!" She called out. "I don't trust anyone but the general and the princesses at the moment! I'll give you five seconds to drop my things at the door and get out of here before I have Celestia remove you for me!" She waited a moment and heard the sound of a bag being dropped on the floor and the sound of boots rushing away. She got up from the bed and walked to the door opening it only a foot before reaching out and dragging in a duffel bag. She brought it back over to the bed and unzipped it finding a tape recorder with a sticky note on it that read 'Play Me'. She pulled it out and looked onto it curiously. "...This isn't mine... Did that guard mistake it for mine? Could've been in one of the drawers...." She looked back at Ryder. "...Do I dare wake him...?" She gave it a moment of thought before grunting and crawling on top of him. She gave him a few quick shakes and his eyes snapped right open. Ryder yelped and sat up throwing Daring back. She quickly sat back up and hugged him and shushing him.

The stallion looked around his room and then at Daring holding her close. "What... What the hell happened...?" He asked. "...All I remember is saving your flank and the drive here... Did I hit my head or something?" Daring brought her head from his shoulder and looked him in the eye.

"No you didn't I made sure of it! It must be a short term memory loss after hyperventilation or the mass of blood moving to other areas of your body leaving your brain to go into a low state of consciousness.... You feeling fine now? All rested?" Ryder gave a hesitant nod. Daring smiled climbing off of him and sitting at the side of the bed. "Good... Now uh... what ever you do please try not to freak out again... I got a little tape recorder here... It was in my things and I have no clue who put it in there or who it actually belongs to..." Ryder threw the covers off and moved himself to the edge of the bed carefully.

"...Let me guess... You wanted me to listen to it and protect you just in case it's rigged to blow?" Daring looked at him in a bit of disbelief.

"What? No! But..." She looked to the device in her hands. "...Shit now that you mention it..."

Quickly she shoved it into Ryder's chest accidentally hitting the 'play' button. A sound of static sounded off. "...Daring... You little two faced bitch!" Someone said. Daring and Ryder's hearts dropped. "You think your little hideaway is working now? Disappearing amongst Equestrian cities as a book writer telling everyone about your adventures? You were lucky to have escaped alive today but you might not be so lucky once I get my hands on The Sword of The Golahan... You get a bounty on your head in the entire Steuropean empire... If you value your own life I'd suggest you stay away from Bullvania! AND the sword! By the way... check your bags thoroughly.... Make sure those guards didn't miss anything." The recording cut off leaving Ryder and Daring shocked. Ryder set it on the ground and kicked it away gently as Daring scrambled for her bag dumping it out onto the bed. She started to rifle through her things.

"Shirt, pants, medpacks.... What the fuck did he take....?!" Just as she tossed a pair of her panties aside she froze staring down at something that scared the living hell right out of her. Ryder looked down and jumped up from his bed yelling as he suspended himself in the air with his wings. There on the bed was a big hairy tarantula. Daring screamed having her wings extend pushing up against the back of the shirt before diving off the bed towards the computer desk.

Suddenly a guard rushed in with a pistol drawn and at the ready. "General?! MIss Yearling? Is everyone alright?!" He asked panicked.

Ryder landed behind the guard and pointed to the bed. "....Sp-spider.... Fucking huge....." He said sounding as if he were on the verge of crying. "...G-get it out! NOW!" The guard gave a nod and nudged Ryder to his side as he holstered is weapon and pushed a button on an earpiece.

"I need someone to wake Princess Luna up immediately! A spider has somehow made its way to the generals room and it needs to be extracted immediately!" Ryder rushed over to Daring and pulled her into the bathroom closing the door behind him. Daring broke down crying holding him close as he sat down near the tub with her.

"...I-I got you... that thing's gonna be gone fast... don't worry, don't cry... I need to keep you safe...."

Daring looked to Ryder tearing up a bit. "....He's serious... he really wants me dead...." She said. "...The gunman Ahuizotl sent.... was a messenger.... sent only to scare me and have everyone mob me to make his get away and make it seem like I cant get anywhere without revealing myself...." She whimpered and let out a little sob. Ryder started to shush and console her.

"....Hey hey... don't worry... Ahuizotl wont get you... I'll make sure you stay safe even if I have to shoot him myself..." Daring looked to him.

"...Please.... Disable him... don't kill him... Please.... I want... I want my books to go on...." The stallion sighed.

"...I'll try but... Please... don't count on me to do that... I'm trained to shoot and kill if its needed... if he's got a gun to you I have to protect by doing what I must... I'm gonna just... I'm gonna let you think on it... I don't want to do anything that you wont like and..." He averted his gaze as he started to tear up. "...Just think on it okay....? I don't like it, you don't like it... Once the spider is gone we're gonna go back out there and I'm gonna take a walk around... My door will be locked, it's unbreakable so... you can just be alone... I don't want you to feel pressured... I'll leave my cell number so just call me up and I'll come back.... Take a nap do what ever, my room is your room too..." He sniffled and just nuzzled Daring. She felt safe in his arms. Safe enough to just fall asleep as she cried.

As she slept she started to dream. She dreamt she was walking around an abandoned temple. Vines came from holes in the high stone ceiling. She was in her adventurers outfit- pith helmet, survivalist vest, khaki cargo pants and her combat boots- as she carried a lit torch. She came to a crumbling stone door still holding a bit of debris on it and kicked it a bit having it tip back throwing up a bit of dust which she blew away with her wings. Behind the door was a long corridor. She cautiously stepped in with the flame of the torch low to burn any trip wires and reveal any hidden trap tiles in the stone floors. She quickly came up on a room full of gold that shined brilliantly from the large goblets near a golden idol. She grinned and tossed the torch aside before climbing steps towards the idol. Just as she was reaching for the idol a gunshot went off and the sound of the ricocheting bullet echoed. "Don't move a muscle Daring!" Someone said. She froze and turned back only to see Ahuizotl. He wore golden arm bands and a golden neckpiece that reached his chest. He wore a tropical button up shirt that wasn't even buttoned and black combat pants. He had his arms crossed with his tail- having a hand at the end- holding a magnum revolver smoking at the barrel. "...You thought getting away from all of my men would stop me from killing you myself?"

Daring growled as she put her hands up. "Go fuck yourself Ahui you know what I'm capable of!" She snapped. "You try to even put that gun against my head it's as good as mine and you're as good as swiss cheese!" Ahuizotl climbed the steps to Daring and pulled another gun from the back of his pants and aimed it at Daring.

"One gun may be a downfall to me but to you... Two is enough... One bullet in the leg to incapacitate you." He fired the revolver in his tail hand at Daring's leg making her scream out as she dropped to her knees. "And one to just finish you off...." Daring clenched her eyes shut as Ahuizotl laughed and aimed the other gun right at her face. She was expecting a gunshot but felt the pain in her leg fade away.

A sigh from a mare was heard. She sounded relieved. "....That was close... I don't want you waking up before we talk Miss Do." They said. "Come on now... Open your eyes you're okay." Daring opened her eyes hesitantly and found herself at the feet of Princess Luna herself. She wore a dark blue dress with lunar symbols around the brim of the dress and on her flank. Her wings were extended widely just having a hand out to help the frightened mare up. Daring grasped her hand and stood up quickly hugging her. "There.... You aren't hurt but that dream tells a lot about your situation.... You're a target. There is a big bullseye on your forehead."

Daring whimpered. "....Ahui... he wants to kill me...." She said. "...He sent a gunman to my book signing.... he found out who I am when not treasure hunting.... R-Ryder.... he... he saved me.... D-did you get the spider out of Ryder's room?" Luna nodded releasing the frightened mare.

"Any arachnid found in his room or my sisters I have to extract. Ryder had me hear the recording Ahuizotl left you and he wants to protect you from him but at a possible price... He adores you and your books too much to have them end because of a stupid decision he made on his own... I do understand he is giving you time to think but your mind is saying you should listen to him... You both think you should just keep rushing for treasure and the sword. He wants to join you on your journey and see the making of what could be the last Daring Do book but... that's all up to you... either give him a chance or crush his dreams... As we speak he's actually researching that 'Sword of The Golahan' Ahuizotl mentioned. Have you researched that sword?" Daring gave a hesitant nod.

"...The Sword of The Golahan is a legendary blade crafted by a blacksmith in the days of old and enchanted by Starswirl himself.... They say who wields it is a powerful warrior. But that's only if they pull it from the stone it is set in. The only one who can pull the sword is a blood relative of the prince who wielded it way back when before he escaped the clutches of a rapidly approaching army to create what is now Bullvania... No one knows why he had it enchanted but many think it was to prevent anyone else from getting it from the stone..." She backed away from Luna and sat down giving a sigh. "...I want to do this but... Ahuizotl... If I'm alone I'm dead and if I'm with someone who can protect me my death can be prevented or prolonged even more..." Luna knelt down next to Daring.

"Don't talk like that now. You will live. Ryder is one of our toughest and best guards despite losing his mother... He's tough wanting to get any sick perverts, violent assholes and any kidnappers bent on selling little fillies to the sex trade just to protect his little sister... Now... I should wake you up to get dinner ready. I'll meet you to lead you towards the dining hall so you don't get lost. So think of what you wish to eat and it will be made specifically for you. We'll even have a canine sniff for any poisons in the food just in case. Ryder told me about your trust issues and I'm willing to go to great lengths as well." Princess Luna's ear flickered a bit. "Oh speaking of which.... you might want to move."

"Move? Why would I move? Nothing's going to happen!" Just then from out of no where water came and drenched Daring leaving Luna cringing a bit.

"Oh... That's why.... Just wake up, let me get Ryder and stay where you are! I'll take the blame for this but if Ryder asks tell him the dream but tell him about something breaking and letting water in. See you in a minute!" Before Daring could answer the princesses horn glowed and everything faded in an instant. She opened her eyes and found herself tucked away in Ryder's bed with a warm wet sensation under her.

The door opened and in came Ryder looking worried with Princess Luna on his tail. Ryder slid to his knees and stripped the covers off revealing a huge wet stain on Daring's pants and on the sheets below her. She sat up and froze blushing hard looking onto the large wet stain she had made. She started to tear up as Ryder hugged her. "....Hey come on don't cry!" He said. "....Happens to the best of us...." He looked up at Luna as the mare in his arms started to sob silently. "Did you see what happened in her dream?" Luna gave a sigh.

"I only came when it was already too late." She replied. "She claims to have been attacked in a temple by Ahuizotl in her dream. Not only that but that spider must've crawled it's way into her psyche and collapsed the entire temple plunging her into watery depths making her bladder lose control. You should probably get her into the tub and make sure she calms down. I'll handle the laundry and tell Celestia you two will be late for dinner!" Ryder gave a nod and took the wet mare in his arms almost as if she sat in a chair. He stood up as Luna stepped aside and hurried to the bathroom.

As they went inside Daring tried pushing away from Ryder who had a firm grip on her. He closed the door and set her on the side of the tub where she just swept Ryder's leg out from under him and pushed him back. "D-Don't touch me!" She snapped. "....I shouldn't be doing this! ...I'm a full grown fucking mare.... not some five year old baby...."

Ryder huffed as he sat up. "...Look everyone has an accident at one time or another!" He said standing up with the help of the toilet. "I've done it, some other guards did and I can even say some of the other stallions in that line earlier have probably pissed themselves even if today was their first after the attack! Just calm down! It's okay...!" He bent over a bit blushing as he leaned against the sink. He averted his gaze. "...Just... Slip out of your clothes and I'll get something fresh for you to wear." Daring blushed noticing a little twitch in a little bulge on his pants. She stood up hesitantly and grabbed Ryder's crotch having it feel stiff. He gave a muffled yelp not even moving his arms.

"....You're definitely getting some sick kick off of my embarrassment! A stiffy like this doesn't happen unless the stallion it's attached to sees something he likes! Do you like seeing me like this? Do you want to see me mess myself as well?!" Ryder quickly slapped Daring's hand away from his crotch before pulling her close and kissing her. She froze shocked before falling into bliss. He quickly pushed her away and collapsed.

"SORRY SORRY I'M SO SORRY! PLEASE DONT HAVE ME FIRED!" Ryder curled up and hid his blushing face just as Daring steadied herself using the wall to keep herself upright. She knelt down next to Ryder as he broke down crying and sat with him slinging an arm around him.

"...Ryder come on now be honest. Did you really want to do that?" He gave a hesitant nod. "...And.... Did you really want to see me naked?" He nodded more sure of himself this time. "...Well... I take it you remember what I had said to you earlier?" He shook his head. "Really? I think you'd remember a little thing I wanted to do that involved sleeping with a guard. I do remember you wanting to sleep with me you know...." She blushed grinning as she brought his face back into view. He had a bit of a smile on his face with tears running down his cheeks. "Yes that's right... I remember you wanting to fuck me silly... What's say you take me and maybe during dinner we could talk about being in a book... Luna told me you were doing your homework on the sword and i'd like it if you could explain some of your findings but... that can wait for later.... Just get naked, get in that tub and rut me!" Ryder smiled more brightly and got up fast pulling Daring to her feet as well. She kissed him as he started to undo the pants she was wearing. She helped him out of his shirt before shoving her hand down his pants just feeling his rock hard member. It throbbed in her hand just begging to be freed from its tight prison. Within moments they were both naked and in the strong stream of the shower head just holding each other close as they kissed deeply. They broke the kiss and looked into each other's eyes.

"Front door or back door? Fine with either but... pretty sure you wanna be running fine just in case Ahuizotl is watching us." Daring blushed and turned about sticking her flank out as she leaned against the wall.

"Pick any door you like and... don't worry about the filling. All safe here." Ryder grinned and started teasing Daring's pussy making her shudder. She gasped as it slipped in and pushed towards her womb. He slowly started thrusting and squeezed her breasts just glistening with the water. She let out a moan as he started to thrust faster. "Oh god.... You're so big... please... Harder...."

"Sorry if this isn't your thing but...." Ryder grabbed onto her mane and started to ram her. Daring cried out as each thrust sent a shockwave of pleasure through her. She blushed as her face showed the pure ecstasy she was enjoying from the pussy pounding. Her wings extended with a loud POMF splashing Ryder in the face with water. Ryder's wings extended quickly as he neared his climax. He released her mane and slapped her flank a few times getting a few good screams of pleasure out just before he rammed her one last time cumming hard. He grunted as his essence filled her to the brim. Daring twitched feeling as if she were just melting as she came at the same time. The stallion backed away letting his cock slump out letting a glob of his white goo land with a 'plop' on the floor of the tub. Daring turned about and kissed Ryder and nuzzled him.

"...You were amazing... You know... You're the first one to actually do that to me.... judging by... that... it isn't your first time..." Ryder gave a laugh amongst his panting.

"...First almost dream like fucking.... My first was actually a princess but... you were better..." He kissed her again and started to scrub her down.

"You know.... I feel like I already know you.... Like... before you saved me...." Ryder sighed.

"...I've probably walked past your book signings in Ponyville when I was with my cousin to get a few of her books signed.... She can be such an idiot at times... Pushed me out of line and made me bring the car around... I ended up crashing that car into a fucking light pole totaling it... GT with a V8 engine... Cherry red finish with a black racing stripe up the middle and a gift from a friend around where we actually need to go... He's an engineer just like me but he builds things up while I fix things that can be fixed... car is unfixable...."

"Wait that was you? I thought that was a random drunk driver. Did some guy cut you off or something?" Ryder gave a nod.

"Pulled right out of the lot, dude saw me coming and thought he had the fucking right of way even though he was still parked on the side of the damn road... Now you think you could clean up your under carriage? I kinda don't trust myself after our fun here...." Daring grabbed the scrubber and proceeded to clean herself between her legs. A scare like that, and a new friend to protect her. Daring lucked out on that. Can she be even more lucky? To Be Continued....