Daring Do sat down, her back itching on the spot where a wing used to be. She looked around her desk, smiling at the various souvenirs from her adventures, picking up a picture of her and her biggest fan, posing outside the Golden Oaks Library at Ponyville.

She then heard a cough and turned around to find a lilac colored earth pony.

“How long have you been in there, kid?” she asked, putting down her glasses to get a better look at the young mare.

“Well...I…”

“Nice uniform,” Daring interrupted her. “What does the B on the pocket stands for?”

“Brave. That´s my name ma'am, Brave Hooves.”

“No, it's not.”

“Sorry?”

“Well, for starters, I doubt your parents named a filly with such a name and I doubt you kept it after your Cutie Mark turned out to be twin butterflies,” Daring said and the mare blushed. “Let´s see, straight mane, shimmer on the eyes...you´re a Crystal Pony. A pure-breed Crystal Pony, that´s odd, I thought most of you already married ponies all over Equestria.”

The ashamed mare took her hat and scratched her neck, obviously uncomfortable.

“Yes, the Crystal Empire. I tried so many times to find it. I even started working on a novel about it, Daring Do and the Crystal Heart. I was so sure I would find it, I even wrote two chapters in advance. I tried so hard...but at the end the Empire came back on its own and somepony else found the heart,” Daring said, looking at her book collection. “It was for the best, at the end.”

“Mrs. Yearling…”

“Crystal Hooves,” Daring said, looking at an application.” Yeah, I remember you. You presented the best story but, why would a Crystal Pony ask for such a job as being my assistant?”

“I always wanted to be an adventurer, ever since I read my first Daring Do novel. I don't care what my name or my Cutie Mark implies, I want to be just as brave as Daring Do, as you ma´ama.”

Daring smiled and took her hat from a rack.

“You know, when I first started I never imagined that I would inspire some fillies like you. I needed a disguise and a way to finance my expeditions, this job covered both. As time passed by, I got slower and now I can't even fly anymore. I thought about retiring and telling the world that Yearling and Daring were one and the same but now I think that the worlds needs a Daring Do, even if it´s not me…”

“But you´re Daring Do!”

“And I´m always remember when I was her. But times change and new readers need new adventures and since I can´t go out…” she said, dragging the chair next to Crystal Shoes. “You know the first rule of being an explorer?”

“Always carry a map?”

“Good idea but no,” Daring said, placing the hat on Crystal Hooves. “Never forget the past but keep heading forward.”

Crystal Hooves smiled, adjusting the hat.

“Now, an unscheduled storm revealed an ancient Mermare castle. The Princess sent a Royal Guard boat to protect but you can bet pirates are already planning an attack so first thing to do…”