Chapter 4: "A Sticky Situation."

Simon thought for a moment. He seemed to be collecting his thoughts, before he finally answered. "I see." he said. "Very well, miss-

"Daring." Daring reminded him.

"Yes. Daring. If you two would follow me to my library, I think I can answer both of your questions." said Simon sincerely. But I caught a lilt in his voice that masked the actual tone he wished to use. He was hiding something else.

Hopefully we would find out when we went to the library.

Dr. Cobalt's Private Library, 12:05 pm

Simon was a stallion of learning. As such he had to have a library that fit his need and desire for knowledge. As me, Daring and Simon exited the elevator we came upon Simon's massive library, with shelves full of books that towered over us, and many long tables where visitors could read the books they checked out (Yes, you could check books out of the library.)

Though there was no librarian, as Simon explained. The library was watched over and overseen by Ivan, which of course was the mansion's artificial intelligence. He was represented by a large black screen to the far wall, with a red pulsating circle on it.

"That means he's watching." Simon explained, gesturing to the circle.

"Creepy." Daring said backing away from Ivan. And I had to agree. A library was meant to be private. It hardly felt like a library when you always know somepony-or rather something, is watching you.

Simon went over to the red, pulsating circle. "Ivan, please look up everything we have on The Heart of Oceana and The Legend Of Crescia, and deliver them to the table."

"Right away, Dr. Cobalt." Ivan responded.

The sound of machinery exploring the library was heard from behind the walls, as a series of three tomes, appeared from little slots on the table in front of us. "Please, have a seat." Simon said politely, as he wheeled himself over to where he could be seen better across the table.

Me and Daring took seats next to one another without noticing and listened as Simon opened the first book and explained.

"It was years ago, when Daren Do first came to me, going on about a mystical sapphire, he had learned of from a mysterious cube shaped stone he found floating on the ocean just of the coast of Aruba. It told him that this sapphire had been used many thousands of years ago, by the first Seaponies to protect their kingdom, using Oceana's magic that was stored away inside it."

My ear twitched a bit. "Who is Oceana?" I asked. I saw Daring lean back in her chair, a clear look of disinterest on her face. A sign she already knew what Simon was going to say.

Simon nodded. "Ah yes. Oceana was an Alicorn and friend of the Alicorn Queen who originally founded Equine society itself, hundreds of thousands of years ago. All that's known is she fell in love with the ocean and used her magic to turn herself into the first Seapony. She became the ruler and founder of the fabled seapony kingdom of Seaquestria."

Simon paused to clean his glasses. "But I'm afraid there is nothing else we know of her at the moment. There are no texts nor scriptures that explain more about her, nor about this mysterious Alicorn Queen, whose name has since been lost to history. The only tome in existence that would have everything on her is the legendary Book Of Friendship, which has of course been lost for centuries."

Daring rolled her eyes. "Pfft, The Book Of Friendship? That's a pretty dumb name for an ancient artifact." She scoffed.

"Hmm perhaps, now Morning,' Simon said turning his attention to me, "I believe that this sapphire, this Heart Of Oceana, is what Clover and Starswirl hid on this island. The reason though, I can't be sure."

Simon then turned to Daring. "And I'm afraid I myself had very little to do with your father's search for the sapphire. He....well, made it quite clear he didn't trust me. Then left to go find it."

Daring leapt from her chair, eyes wide with alarm. "So your saying that my father could still be on this island!? Still looking for this sapphire?" she asked, nearly yelling.

"I'm not sure. This was years ago, mind you. I've only recently discovered that the sapphire and whatever Clover and Starswirl hid, were one in the same."

Daring nearly deflated as she sat back down in her chair, eyes suddenly listless.

My heart went out to her. I could clearly see how badly she wanted to see her father again. "Apologies Simon, But I wouldn't skip to conclusions just yet." I said politely, getting Daring to look up a bit at me. "If anyone could survive for so many years in the jungle, it would be Daren Do. We can't say he isn't still here, or at least that he hadn't found what he was looking for."

Simon nodded. "Indeed so."

Daring sat back up in her chair and smiled warmly at me. I couldn't imagine what she had gone through. To lose a parent like that, and at such a young age. I suppose I was in the same boat as her now. But I knew we would both see our parents again. And we wouldn't let anything stop us. "Then it looks like the excavation site is where we need to go next. Maybe there will be some clues as to what actually happened there." I said, thinking out loud.

"Quite right, Morning. Naturally, I had the site shut down as soon as Adden and Dawn went missing. You should have no trouble with your investigation." Simon assured me.

Simon closed the book, and gestured back to the elevator. "Anyways, you two should be getting back to Dr. Seastone and Breeze. I'm sure they've been wondering where in Equestria I had taken you from!" he laughed.

As we entered the elevator, I looked over at Simon. "Aren't you coming?"

"Hm? Oh, I'll be down in a minute. I just want to organize a few things is all. I'll meet you back in the cafe."

Daring tilted her head. "This place has a cafe?"

The doors closed before either me or Simon could answer.

Laboratory Entrance Lobby, 12:25 pm

Me and Daring exited the elevator and began our trek back to the laboratory where Tropical Breeze and Dr. Seastone where hopefully still waiting for me. On the way, I noticed Daring looking at me with suspicion.

"Is....something wrong?" I asked, looking over at her as we walked.

"You're her, aren't you?" Daring said with a smile.

"I'm sorry?"

"You know, HER! The pony who saved the world from eldritch gods and some crazy voodoo conspiracy! You're Morning Meir! I've been hearing tons about you recently!" Daring exclaimed, excitedly. "Are you really as smart as everypony says?"

My cheeks reddened as they always did when somepony talked about my infamous title. I struggled to answer without sounding conceited. "Well, I'm....I mean, I guess I am smarter then most, but there are surely others smarter than I."

Daring laughed. "None that I know. And I know plenty of ponies."

I changed the subject, not wanting to get too far off topic. "So, how did you get to this island anyway, Daring? I never saw you on the boat, I came on."

Daring smiled. "I flew. Well not, flew flew, I mean I flew in a plane. Or rather I was flown here by a plane. Dropped off I mean."

"I see. So you had somepony drop you off then?"

"Yep. My friend, Swift Wing. She's awesome, you definitely have to meet her!"

"I look forward to it." I said smiling back.

At this point we were halfway to the laboratory, when I noticed something....odd. There were usually guards, patrolling this wing of the mansion. But as I looked, I saw nopony else in the hall. And looking up ahead, I also saw that the actual doors to the lab were now closed.

I didn't like this. Something wasn't right. I hurried up to the door and tried it but it wouldn't budge. Daring came up too and looked at it with shock. "Hey! What the heck? This door wasn't shut when I came through!" she exclaimed.

We both tried it with all our might, but it was no use. The door had been pneumatically sealed from the other side. We were not about to open it normally.

I thought about using my magic. I hadn't used my magic again, since I defeated the Voodoo Cartel in Nawlans, but it might have been worth a try.

But before I could even cast a spell, the hallway suddenly went pitch black. All light from the room was gone in an instant, as I sensed a presence drop down from the ceiling, and unfurl itself from the shadows. We were surrounded in an instant.

Daring spun around, ready for a fight. "Ninjas? I haven't fought ninjas in like, for-

But she stopped suddenly. As I saw her stumble around, I saw the dart in her neck. But, how had they made such a well timed and accurate shot in pitch darkness?

The only thing I managed to catch of them before I felt the dart on my neck, was that they wore deep red robes that had been outfitted with ancient looking armor, and their faces were hidden beneath hoods and muzzles hidden under a mask. Before I could register anymore, me and Daring both hit the floor, and lost consciousness.

Mysterious Room, Unknown Time

Ohh...my head.

Wait. Where am I?

I opened my eyes, only for the burn of smoke to make me close them again. Opening them once more, I found myself tied to a chair, ropes binding my arms back as I looked down to see a massive poisonous spider skittering across the floor towards me. Flames consumed the room, as they licked at the ceiling.

"Morning? Are you alright?" I heard Daring ask, sleepily. She was tied to another chair that we had both been bound together.

"Yes, I'm fine. Although, this is certainly a situation I had never thought I'd find myself in."

I heard Daring laugh. "Really? Happens to me almost every week."

We both laughed before the roar of the flames and approaching deadly spider reminded us of what a predicament we were in.

"Um, Daring?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't suppose you know how we can get out of here, do you?"

"First off, we need to make it so you don't end up as that spider's lunch. Or dinner, or whatever time of day it is." she called over the crackling of the flames. "When I say go, I want you to push off the ground as hard as you can. I'll pull my legs up, and we can get some distance between you and that thing. Okay?"

"Okay."

I waited for her command. As I watched that spider crawl its way even closer, I heard Daring say "Go!"

I pushed hard from the ground and slid the chair to the far wall, next to a bookcase. But the spider pursued us. There were only three things I didn't like about spiders. The way they looked, the way they moved and the fact that they lived on the same planet as me.

This one was big, mean and hairy. And most definitely not a native of Equestria.

Daring laughed. "Okay, so far so good. Next is my turn. Let me see if I can figure out a way to get us out of these ropes."

I nodded, as I watched the disgusting arachnid edge that much closer to me. I turned to the bookcase and glanced over the books, vaguely hoping to find a copy of "How To Escape From Poisonous Spiders While Tied To A Chair." No such luck, but I noticed one small corner of the bookcase was supported by a loose block of wood, which had been used to replace the original foot of the bookcase.

Thinking quickly, I kicked the block of wood from the bookcase, sending it falling right on top of the spider. I heard a sickening splat that made my stomach lurch. Daring turned in her chair and looked back at me. "Whoa! Did you do that?"

"Yes. I don't like spiders."

"Jeez, Morning. You really are a smart cookie!"

I blushed, yet my face was already red from the smell of flames in the air, so it would be hard to be able to tell.

"Okay. So that's one problem solved...but I'm still tied to a chair, in a burning house with no means of escape." I thought.

Daring looked around for some means of cutting the ropes that bound our arms to the chair. It was then that she noticed that the bookcase had been anchored to the wall, by a protruding metal bracket. It had sheared off as the bookcase had fallen, leaving a jagged edge.

"I got an idea! Slide with me over to the wall again!" she shouted to me.

We slid over and used it to slice the ropes that held us to the chair. I stood up and rubbed my hooves tenderly, as Daring did the same, along with stretching out her wings which had also been tied down. But the flames quickly reminded us of something. Oh yeah. This house is on fire.

We had to find a way out of here. We both looked around but saw that every exit had either been blocked by flames or falling debris. The first thing we had to do was take care of that fire.

As Daring searched the right side of the room, I spotted a writing bureau to the left side, with its door shut. Perhaps it had something we could use to get out of here? It was worth a shot.

I went over and pulled the door open. Inside I found a bottle of extra strong Klugetown Tequila- If I ever drank, this would've been just what I needed given the circumstances. But maybe I could use it for something else.

Daring looked over my shoulder. "Um, I get that this is a pretty stressful situation, but..."

I ignored her as I took the bottle in hoof. I had an idea. But I needed something else for it work. I searched the drawer of the bureau and found what looked like a house key. Where ever we were, it was most definitely not Simon's mansion, or any house I recognized. An old Victorian chateau, that would've been rather beautiful if it wasn't currently burning to the ground with us inside it!

I pocketed the key, and continued to look around. I spotted a dart on the ground. the very same dart that had been used to tranquilize me and Daring. I picked it up and looked at it closely. It was a needle sharp dart with a flight of green and yellow feathers. I bit the tip, and tasted bitter poison on my tongue. Whatever they had used on us, was quite potent indeed. A rare toxin, that could only be found to the farthest Easts of the world. Whoever the red ninjas were, they must've gotten this poison from somewhere over there.

The point was sharper then the business end of a mosquito, but it didn't stop me from safely pocketing it anyway. When I had the chance, I should further analyze it to find out more about it.

"Hey, Morning! Over here!" Daring called.

I went over to the right side of the room, where Daring was knelt down and looking at a strange wooden box, with an eastern flare to it. It had been the box the spider had come from, judging by the web trail left behind.

Daring picked it up and looked it over with a spark in her eye. "Tibetan made. Probably around mid third century wood crafting. Used by various tribes to catch dangerous and otherwise poisonous creatures, and use their venom for rituals." Daring explained. She tucked it under her wing. "I think I'll hang onto it. Might give us a clue as to who our ninja friends were."

I was fine with that. Not like I was going to touch that box, after that spider had been inside it.

We continued to look around, but we were running out of time. The flames were growing more and more out of control. The last safe place was by the front door of the house, which was blocked by a small wall of flames. That door was our way out, but we needed to get past the fire. I racked my brain to think of a way to improvise a fire extinguisher.

Then I spotted a soda fountain on the nearby table. But as I picked it up, I noticed it had no pressure to it. Out of gas, I realized.

I tried the cabinet beneath, but it was bolted shut. Daring tapped me on the shoulder. "Stand back." she said.

I did, and watched as she smashed the door open with one kick. Inside, was a small metal cylinder, which appeared to be a new gas tank for the soda fountain, but the temperature in the room had made it impossible to pick up with my bare hooves.

Daring handed me the box, and I worked to push the gas tank into it, lightly tapping it with my hoof. After it was in there, I handed it back to Daring.

The flames roared around us as we replaced the soda fountain with the new tank, and used it to spray a strong stream of water onto the fire that blocked our escape.

The fire fizzled and sputtered as it died at our feet, and we had finally reached the door. But the fire had rendered the door knob red hot, and I wasn't about to burn myself opening it. I then took the liberty of kicking the door down, to Daring's impressed smile.

I peeked out. The doorway led to the stairs in the entrance hall. Quickly and quietly, me and Daring hurried out of the room, into the hall.

Mysterious Manor, 2:35 pm

As we descended down the stairs, we quickly noticed that the rest of the mansion hadn't been hit by the growing flames. At least not yet. The front door was directly in front of us, but I noticed something on the table to the right. It was a folded clipping, taken from a newspaper.

I picked it up and examined it. It referred to a forthcoming eclipse of the moon. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be visible from the Tropicana Seas. The best place to view the eclipse would be Klugeico, to the farthest south of Equestria. I pocketed it, and was about to leave, when all of a sudden the phone on the table rang.

I hesitated to answer it for obvious reasons, but I had a strong feeling that it was a friend that awaited me on the other line. Perhaps it was Dr. Seastone!

With caution, I picked up the receiver. "Hello?" I said carefully.

An almost ear piercing squeal from the other end, nearly made me chuck the phone across the room. "Morning!? Oh, thank Celestia you're alright!" a familiar, high pitched voice said, sounding very relieved.

I raised an eyebrow in thought. I knew that voice. "Who is this?" I asked.

"There's no time for that right now, silly! You need to get out of there! Meet us in the Island Brew Coffeehouse, in Emerald Town. You're not far from it! We can talk then, okay?"

"Hey! Wait, I-" But the dial tone on the other end was clearly heard, even as flames appeared from the hall we had come out of.

"Time to go!" Daring yelled, grabbing me by the hoof, and leading me out the front door. We both slammed it shut behind us, as flames blew out the windows to the side.

Conclusion

My latest case to find my missing parents had been interrupted when me and famous adventurer, Daring Do were suddenly captured by, well, the only thing they can be called: Ninjas. We very nearly escaped death in a burning house, and now find ourselves in Emerald Town, about to meet a mysterious individual who somehow knew where we were. I didn't like it.

And I had a feeling this was only the beginning of the danger this case will no doubt test me with.