Starry Skies lowered her sunglasses, amber eyes narrowing as she looked around the place. The Surly Sow certainly looked like the type of bar where beings of questionable repute would meet to discuss certain matters of a less than appropriate -- or legal -- nature. The place was poorly lit. There were a small number of patrons around, with most of them turning to look at her as she stood at the door. Others, she was certain were making a point to ignore her. Among the former was a griffon that was glaring at her, and of the latter was a changeling that was not even trying to disguise itself.

It made Star feel a little out of place with her jacket and sunglasses. Considering all she saw, it seemed unlikely that anyone here would have given a bat pony a second look. In fact, the outfit made her stick out more than if she had been without it. Her wings shifted under the jacket, a desire to stretch them out suddenly coming over her.

Taking off her glasses, she stuck them in her pocket, then waved at the door.

In walked what looked to be an earth pony. He was a heavy-set stallion, with a thick mustache which -- along with his mane and tail -- was mostly gray in color. He stopped near Starry Skies and looked around, taking in the room around them.

"You go ahead and grab us a table," Starry Skies said. "I'm going to get us some drinks."

"Do see if they have some of that 'mead' stuff," the stallion said in a gruff voice. "I would like to try something with honey in it."

"As long as it's in an unopened bottle," mumbled Star as she turned to head toward the bar. She did not trust the cleanliness of the glasses in this place. Or any of the beings for that matter. Any one of them could be willing to drug their drinks, either with the intent of killing or abducting them.

That was one of the problems in meeting in such a place. Any of the creatures here could be working for another organization, or have certain connections. They could have plans to abduct and interrogate, or kill someone. Or they could simply listen in and pick up secrets, either taking them back to their bosses, or selling the information to the highest bidder.

If the look the bartender gave her was an indication, he was just as suspicious of Star as she was about him and the others. He said nothing as he got the three beers she ended up ordering, and turned away from her once she had paid her bits.

"They didn't have mead," she said as she joined the old stallion at the table, "or much of anything besides beer and hard liquor."

With a slight grunt, the stallion took the beer and gave it a swig.

"Such is the fate of those of our standing," he sighed out. "We must travel to such locales as the idea of a good drink it but an idle fantasy." Throwing his head back, he placed a hoof to his forehead. "Oh, how we must suffer for the good of our kingdom and its rulers."

Starry Skies could not help but roll her eyes at the reaction, but said nothing. Taking a seat that let her watch the door (and kept her back to a wall), she set the third beer down near her and took a sip of her own. She kept her gaze split between the stallion and the door, her ears shifting to pick up any possible sounds coming from around them.

"Are you certain she'll be here?" asked the stallion.

"As certain as we can be in a situation like this," Star replied. "This was the place and day she gave us, and close to the time, but it can be pretty hard to keep to a schedule in a job like hers."

"I suppose," he huffed out. "Still, I would much prefer that we complete this transaction as soon as possible. Why can't we ever be sent to a spa, or a beach?"

"We did have a job on a beach not too long ago."

"That doesn't count. I mean a nice warm beach with plenty of sand to lay out and sun ourselves on. Not a cold, foggy beach covered in rocks that may or may not hold smugglers." He shuddered. "I swear, I still find salt in places to this day." He then shifted his eyes narrowing.

"Although... if a certain somepony wanted to help lick it off..." One eyebrow lifted.

"I told you not to flirt with me when you look like that," Star said before taking another drink.

"Sorry," the stallion said with a grin. "Just couldn't resist."

Some time passed in silence, the two of them slowly working on their drinks. Some of the patrons left while new ones entered. Each time one came in, Starry Skies would study them, checking to see if they were the pony the two of them were waiting for, or a possible threat. Some she kept a better eye on than others.

The door opened wide and a pegasus mare stepped in. In the momentary sunlight, Starry Skies managed to catch sight of a sandy brown coat and gray tail. The mane and face was somewhat obscured by a pith helmet. The helmet and head lifted up, possibly scanning the room.

Starry Skies held up a hoof and gave a small wave, getting a nod in response. She then leaned forward and whispered, "she's here."

The stallion set his beer aside and straightened up. He puffed out his chest and ran a hoof down it, adjusting his tie.

"How do I look?" he asked.

"Like a middle-management bureaucrat," Star replied.

"Perfect," he said with a grin before turning toward their approaching contact.

"Miss Daring Do. How wonderful of you to make it. Please have a seat. We got you a drink if you're interested."

Daring Do took a seat and grabbed the beer. As she threw her had back to chug it down, Starry Skies had the opportunity to study her up close. There were signs of mud or dirt stuck to her coat, and something else Star could not quite make out. There were also multiple spots where the fur was shorter than the rest.

"Okay," Daring said as she set down the now empty beer bottle, "you know who I am and you got me here. Now who are you and what do you want?"

"No small talk?" the stallion asked, pouting a little. "I like having small talk. At least the pretense of camaraderie and all that. But fine, straight to it. You can call me Mister Middle. This is my associate, who would prefer not to give a name. We represent some ponies who have heard rumors about your recent expedition, and wish to attain a certain item you may have discovered."

Daring Do took her helmet off and looked at Mister Middle with narrowed eyes.

"What sort of ponies?"

"The type that want to keep Equestria safe and continue to guarantee its prosperity," Mister Middle replied. "Ones that feel that, in this particular case, having the article in question placed in a museum would be insufficient of protecting the kingdom."

"But they don't want to be associated with it," Daring continued, "so they sent you to buy it."

"If it comes down to that, we can. However, you and I both know that bits are not really the issue here, seeing as you are quite wealthy from your adventures being quite popular with young readers."

Daring Do's eyes went wide, her wings spreading out in surprise.

"But only the Pr--"

Before she could get any further, Starry Skies lunged forward and shoved her hoof in Daring Do's mouth, muffling the rest of the statement. This got a gasp from the other mare, who yanked backwards and slapped the hoof away.

"What the hay?" Daring snapped, now glaring at Star.

"I apologize for my associate's reaction," Mister Middle said calmly. "However, you must understand. We do not know who may be listening in on the conversation, and those we represent do not wish to have their connection to this known. As such, whether correct or not, declaring who may or may not be aware of Daring Do's connection to A.K. Yearling could potentially cause problems. If the guess is accurate, it will just be for those we represent. If not, then possibly for them, but certainly more so for those who were assumed so. To that end, we do not even have anything which could thoroughly prove our official connection to any pony of interest."

Daring Do looked at the two of them, eyes narrowed and lips pursed.

"I'm going to get another beer."

She gave them one last look before getting up and heading toward the bar.

"I can't believe you shoved your hoof into her mouth like that," Middle whispered, turning to Star with wide, oddly faceted, emerald green eyes.

"I didn't know what else to do," Star whispered back. "If she had finished what she was saying and was overheard, it might cause trouble. That was a nice recovery, by the way."

Smirking slightly, he puffed out his chest.

"Improvisation is an important skill when it comes to acting," he said. "And is especially useful in a job like this."

Star tapped the stallion and pointed at the returning Daring Do. She resumed keeping an eye and ear open on the crowd, trying to pick out anything suspicious. Meanwhile, Mister Middle turned to face the approaching Daring Do, a small, professional smile on his face.

"This is supposed to be my last adventure," Daring said as she took her seat. "I've been getting too old for this job." With a sigh, she ran her hoof through her mane. "Barely even made it through this time. Well, more so than usual. If some of those traps had been a little faster, I would have ended up looking like a changeling from all the burns and arrows."

She took another long drink of her beer before continuing.

"Let's say -- just hypothetically -- that I believe you (and I'm not saying I do). If I give this item to you, what happens to it?"

"It will be placed in a vault in a location that few know the location of, and even less have access to," Mister Middle replied. "Not even my associate or I will have access unless we get direct orders from the highest authority. Although it may in time end up being studied by a pony of very high standing within the kingdom and proven to be extremely trustworthy and loyal. A pony whom you have met an associate of during a prior adventure."

Daring Do leaned back in her seat, staring at the two of them. One hoof rested on her bottle, slowly spinning it around. After letting out a snort, she reached into her saddle bag, pulled out a wooden box, set it on the table and pushed it across to them.

"Be careful if you open that," she said as she grabbed her beer. "It's a bit unstable and that box keeps the excess magic from going wild."

Slowly, Mister Middle took a hold of the box and pulled it closer. Leaning in close, he took a hold of the lid and lifted it up. Inside was a wand with a white staff and glowing pink star on the top. The star glowed and pulsed with light, small sparks spitting out of it.

"It's real," Mister Middle whispered, eyes wide. "One of the Rainbow Wands from ancient Unicornia." One hoof rose up, reaching out toward the wand to touch it.

There was a loud bang as something slammed against the door, knocking it off the hinges. Starry Skies lunged at Mister Middle, sweeping a leg across the table to slam the box shut on the wand and pulling it over to them. She then kicked the underside of the table, knocking it over to use as a shield as they hit the floor.

"DARING!" a deep voice bellowed.

"Ahuizotl," Daring cried out with a grin. "And here I was worrying I wouldn't see you. It would have just broken my heart if my last mission was without you."

"We both know you are not retiring, Miss Do," Ahuizotl said. "The thrill is in your blood too much. Now, give me the wand."

"Sorry to disappoint you," Daring called out as she leaped out of her spot and toward her opponent, "but you're too late. The wand is already gone."

After making sure the wand was still in the box, Starry Skies closed it and passed it to Mister Middle.

"I'll help Daring Do keep him busy," she stated. "While he's distracted, you sneak out with the wand, change disguises, and get out of here. I should be able to catch up with you at the dock."

"Right," Middle said, giving a nod.

While he got ready to run, Starry Skies looked around the table at Daring Do and Ahuizotl. Having read the stories and seen the covers, she was familiar with what the creature was supposed to look like, but seeing it in real life was very different. Supposedly, he was some sort of feline creature, but there was nothing cat-like about him except maybe the ears. The head was a big square brick, with the eyes just above the large mouth full of jagged teeth. His chest and front limbs were those of a gorilla. The back did look something like a cat's, except for the hand that was on the end of the tail.

"By the way," Ahuizotl said as he circled around Daring Do, keeping his eyes on her, "I have a new minion I'd like you to meet." He then gave a snap of his tail fingers.

There was a loud crash as something smashed through a boarded up window, showering the patrons with jagged splinters of wood. Standing in the room where it had landed was a manticore. The scorpion tail lashed back and forth as it straightened up. Spreading its draconic wings wide, it opened its massive lion mouth and let out a roar.

Star stared at it wide eyed before slipping back behind the table.

"Okay, change of plans. You get moving now. I'll try to keep the manticore busy and hope that Daring Do can keep her old nemesis preoccupied."

"Are you sure you can handle that thing by yourself?"

Shifting, Star peaked out at the creature again. It was larger than an actual lion, and nearly four times her size. She had been told about dealing with them before, but could not really remember the stories. Except one, but it seemed unlikely the manticore simply had a thorn in its paw this time.

"No," Star finally admitted. "But the job comes first, and that is to get that wand out of here. Besides, I just have to avoid its teeth... and claws... and the tail..." She took a breath and let it out. "Just need to keep it busy long enough for you to get a good head start."

She tilted her head to look at Middle from the corner of her eye.

"Hold on one second... and you may want to avert your eyes."

Turning away, Star raised a hoof to block the other pony from sight fully. Even with that, she could still see a bright flash of green magic.

"Okay," a lighter, more feminine voice said. "I'm ready."

Where a chubby brown earth pony had been was now a lean unicorn mare with solid black fur and hair. The only thing that looked the same was the oddly faceted emerald green eyes.

"On three, run," Star told her. "One. Two. Three!"

The black mare took off, moving as quickly and quietly as she could. Her black coat blended with the heavy shadows, allowing her to disappear in the dimly lit bar.

At the same time, Starry Skies grabbed one of the beer bottles and threw herself the opposite direction. Pulling her foreleg back, she launched the improvised projectile as hard as she could at the manticore. It hit the creature, bouncing off its flank before shattering against the floor.

"Hey furball!" she shouted. "Don't you have a ball of yarn that needs chasing or something!"

The manticore turned toward Star and let out another roar.

At which point Star realized that she did not have any sort of plan. Grabbing the closest chair, she held it out in front of her.

"Back, Simba." She waved the chair at the feline monster. "Back."

The scorpion tail reared up high before thrusting down at Star. As it did, she brought the chair up between her and the stinger. There was a loud thud as the tail struck, the tip piercing the wood and cutting through the padding, sticking out with venom dripping.

Star's amber eyes went wide as she stared at the barb so close to hitting her. If it had struck, it would have at least been painful, and put her at greater risk. Whatever the effects of manticore venom was, it would reduce her abilities to focus and react. In a situation like this, that could prove fatal.

The tail tugged back, yanking against the chair. After a second of resistance, Star let go, hoping that the chair would be stuck and render the stinger less of a threat (and admittedly, she was also hoping the creature would manage to hit itself in the head with the thing and knock itself out). Rolling to one side, she looked for something else to use to defend herself.

The manticore, meanwhile, was lashing its tail, trying to shake the chair off. It then shifted and turned, trying to grab at it with its forepaws. It was almost cute. Like an over-sized kitten. A very over-sized kitten. One that could eat a pony in two bites, had claws that could tear flesh to the bone, and a massive scorpion tail with a venomous barb on the tip.

A quick glance over confirmed that Daring Do was keeping Ahuizotl busy with ease. As such, Star would just need to come up with a way to deal with the manticore, and everything should work out fine. She should also work fast. The wand should be a good distance from them by now.

Raising its tail high, the manticore slammed it hard against the floor, freeing it from the chair.

Charging forward, Star jumped up and grabbed the tail, wrapping her forelegs around it as tight as she could. Her wings shifted, causing a moment of discomfort as they tried to spread out inside the jacket she was wearing. Hind legs kicking, she tried to get them onto the tail as well. As long as she held on, she was safe: the stinger could not get her, and it would be tough for the manticore to bite or scratch her. Now she just needed to figure out how to capitalize on it. Maybe she could get some leverage and twist it, throwing it off balance. Or--

There was a thud as she slammed into a table, a whuff escaping her as the air was knocked from Star's lungs. Her jaw clenched as she kept trying to hold on.

The manticore pulled its (his: Star realized the manticore was definitely male) tail up and back, getting ready to swing her again. This time, Star was ready for it. As she moved toward the table, she kicked out with a hind leg and knocked it over. She then slipped her hoof into the gap of a chair's back rest, pulling it with her.

Now what was she going to do with it?

Lifting her leg, she tried kicking the chair into the back end of the manticore. The kick ended up going wide, completely missing him. Worse, the chair went flying from her, leaving Star unarmed.

Hanging onto the tail was not working. She needed a better idea. Something that would stop or scare away the manticore. Something like...

Fire!

Letting the tail go, Star ran for the bar. With a jump, she went over the counter and slid across it (something that admittedly she always wanted to do), before landing behind it.

"I need your strongest alcohol," she said as she came down beside the hiding bartender. "And a lighter if you got one."

The bartender turned to look at her, brow furrowing.

"What?"

"Alcohol," repeated Star, "and a lighter. Or something that can make a flame."

After looking at her a while longer, the bartender gave a shake of his head and reached up to grab a clear bottle.

"Here. The cheapest stuff that'll burn. There should be a lighter in the drawer on the end."

Tossing some bits to the bartender, Star grabbed the vodka and started crawling along. Reaching the drawer, she stood up and looked out. No one was paying attention to her. Pulling the drawer open, she grabbed the lighter. A quick check made certain it work before flicking it shut again.

What she had in mind was crazy. And dangerous. It was something she had never even tried before. If it worked how Star hoped, it would scare off the manticore and possibly get Ahuizotl's attention. If it went poorly, she could end up burning herself, or -- worst case scenario -- set The Surly Sow on fire.

"Don't burn a place down" seemed like a pretty low standard to meet.

Star took a deep breath before slowly letting it out, gathering up her courage, and prayed to Luna that what she was about to do worked how she wanted. She then took the cap off the vodka and opened the lighter, flicking on the flame. After taking a quick swig of the alcohol, she shot out from behind the bar.

The manticore turned to face her, baring its teeth. Star lifted up the lighter and spat out the vodka she had in her mouth. Most of the alcohol sprayed across her foreleg, soaking into her jacket. Some of it managed to hit the flame, causing it to jump and sputter before returning back to normal.

It had been nowhere near as impressive or intimidating as it was when done properly or described in stories.

However, it seemed effective enough to make the manticore flee. After letting out a yowl, he turned and jumped back out through the window, running off until disappearing into the brush.

"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" Ahuizotl shouted. "Get back here."

"Aww," Daring said with a smirk. "Poor Ahuizotl. Did you new friend run away?"

"This is not over Daring Do. We will meet again. Be sure of it."

Ahuizotl then turn and ran, fleeing from the bar and leaving it empty save for three ponies.

Starry Skies shut the lighter and set it on the bar top. Grabbing the cap, she put it back on the bottle which she then tucked into her jacket. Pulling out the sunglasses, she put them back on.

"Miss Do, it was very nice to meet you. Good luck with whatever happens next, and just to be clear: we would very much appreciate it if this entire meeting managed to be left out of your next book."