Author's Notes:

This chapter touches on a bit of Daring’s younger days. I’ll warn you now, there will possibly be some cute things in this chapter.

Daring stared at what was supposed to be an application form for the town, all it looked like to her was a pointlessly long questionnaire. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship and one of Equestria’s most prominent bibliophiles, had written up the thirty-two page monstrosity that Daring was now trying to leaf through. There was screening for potential problem residents, overshooting the mark, and whatever this behemoth of paper was. Daring was not very happy with what she had before here, she was hoping for an acceptable distraction so she could politely refuse Twilight’s overly application.

As if the universe wanted to cause her problems Twilight trotted in with a mug of coffee, “So, what are your thoughts?” Twilight inquired after a sip from her mug that proudly proclaimed her as the book lover she was. Her nightgown looked like it was one massive yellowed scroll on an old kind of parchment, made all the more amusing by the slipper-like hoof cozies that were modeled after ancient writing tablets.

“All the questions seem to be relevant, if a bit overly daunting for most ponies,” said Daring diplomatically, “the only real problem I can see is that it’s too long. Filling something like this out would feel like writing down pieces in an ad lib novel, at best. At most, the application should be five pages. Preferably two to four pages.” Daring was in a maternity gown that Daring was in a maternity gown that was green and blue, she also looked a little uncomfortable in it.

Twilight blinked a few times before saying, “Well, that is a valid criticism. I do have a tendency to get a little carried away on some projects. By the way, thanks for the rough sketches for all the facilities in the community, it helped me draw up a more accurate mockup.”

“I’m thinking we’ll need it for a more accurate visual aide,” said Daring, “especially with the near fiasco that was Princess Celestia’s prior picks. Before you say it, you and Spike have already given me that assurance a half dozen times, each. We all make mistakes Twilight, leaders just have to hope there’s don’t turn into something problematic for the majority of those they govern. So, in a way, we’re lucky it’s just this small group of ponies.”

“But it brings up a much larger issue,” huffed Twilight as she took the excessively long admission form from Daring in her magic, “That problem being the fact that service reports can’t be trusted.”

“Well, just not the ones with glow recommendations from ‘elite’ ponies,” said Daring as she rubbed her abdomen, her baby bump already showing to a point that thinking she had just put on some weight through fat was no longer a viable excuse. “All things considered, it’s just one team. We can easily replace them with a more appropriate group. Btu still doesn’t entirely excuse the fact that a team not suited to working on such a large scale experiment was put in as part of the teams that would be establishing the foundations.” Daring let out an annoyed groan.

“They were the ones you assigned to build the temple.”

“Yep, the slackers barely did any work, and were the only ones to openly challenge Spike and myself on the work. Luna’s team was far more interested in the artistic merits of the project to really care, and the team I picked out conveniently ended up with some super fans of Spike. I didn’t know it at the time, they didn’t say anything about it when I gave them an interview. They did mention a rumor about him being married and wanting to confirm it themselves, but I decided to let him do the explaining on that one. Needless to say, when they showed up and he effectively confirmed we are an official couple they had a less than professional moment for a few minutes.”

“Which you happened to write down in your report.”

“If they want to have a fan moment they can do it on their own time,” said Daring teasingly, “the looks on their faces was priceless when I told them who I am, and how everything they learned at the job site was to be kept confidential until they are informed otherwise.”

“That’s probably tearing them up inside.”

“Not really, they just asked for an opportunity for taking some pictures and autographs, some even asked for those involving Spike and me together.”

“In other words, they were good sports about it, what about the rest.”

“They’re still in the dark about things.”

“Well, given how much Celestia’s crack team proved to not be up to the task, I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“I suppose I should head back there,” said Daring after a few minute of silence.

“The town’s site,” said Twilight, “Celestia’s former team has been removed from the project, she’s still working on finding their replacements.”

“No,” said Daring, “I have a very special account at a bank in Canterlot, one I shared with my sister before she disappeared. We were so green at the time we made it, mom and dad thought it was cute.”

“Why?”

“The names on the account are DD and SL, I’m keeping some very special momentos there. I think it’s time I pulled them out of the vault, it’s been ages since I checked on them.”

“I’ll send word to Princess Luna, she’s handling things while Celestia corrects her mistake.” With that she floated piece of blank paper and and clipboard over along with an ink pen and ink well and started writing, when she finished the note disappeared in a flash of light.

****************************************

It seemed Celestia decided to take a break from her combing dossiers, which was probably a good idea, and join them at the bank. Daring was feeling uneasy, mostly because of security password she hadn’t used in years. The password that was marginally embarrassing for anypony over the age of nine, Spike was also there along with Twilight and Princess Luna.

Daring looked around, the bank seemed as opulent as she remembered it, just in a different way from when she had last visited it. This bank was a few blocks down from the one she used for business purposes.

“Hello and welcome to the Canterlot Star Bank, to what do we owe the pleasure?” The pony who greeted them was a sky blue unicorn with ocean green mane, her name tag identified her as ‘Delta Anchor’, one look at the name made Daring and company wonder about the poor mare’s parents a bit.

Daring made a polite cough before saying, “Yes I’m here to access safety deposit box 374, if I recall correctly we chose to use a password instead of the standard PIN for identification purposes.”

Delta opened a filing cabinet that was behind the desk and began sifting through it until she pulled up the appropriate file. Opening it she looked through it and said, “That is correct,” as she closed it and returned it with her amber colored magic. “It also lists that two ponies as the holders, which one are you?”

“DD,” said Daring, she could hear Spike, Twilight, and Celestia holding back giggles and snickers, Daring couldn’t help thinking if they were laughing now then they would be rolling on the floor once they heard the password. “I’m aware once the password is recited it will go to the next one on the list, the file said we had a few dozen, right?”

“Seventy-six,” said Delta with a perplexed look, it wasn’t often that so many passwords were arranged in advance for a single account. Twilight and Celestia looked at her like they wanted to gawk.

Daring did a polite throat clearing exercise before saying, “The silly pegasus carries a wand proclaiming she’s a unicorn while the little unicorn prances about with flight goggles claiming she’s a pegasus, and thus both say ‘Wiggly Woggly Dutily Do’,” Daring said with straight face, but she could feel every single one of her companions wanting to laugh out loud hard. “After you help get the box out could you have the employee leave my companions and myself?” Delta looked over at Celestia, who was holding her composure and gestured to the half dozen guard that had followed her, some of which looked like they were having trouble maintaining their own composure.

“I suppose, seeing as the princesses did bring their own security,” said Delta. “Follow me.”

After a few minutes she got the designated box out and left Daring and her companions, moment she was out of earshot all of her companions broke into hysterical laughter. “That’s right, let all out,” said Daring as she popped the box open, “for your information, Star Log and I were seven when we made all those passwords. I haven’t been here in over thirty years, I’m pretty sure the teller was an infant the last time I was here.”

“Sorry,” said Twilight as she regained her composure, “it’s just the password sounded so not you and more like something Pinkie would say.”

A “Snrk” was heard from Celestia and Spike as they continued to giggle like schoolchildren. Daring gave Luna and Twilight a worried look, both were also still chuckling.

When the case opened Daring smiled and pulled up a very old looking notebook, and set to the side. It read “Daring Do and Star Log: Secret of the Waterfall” and was clearly written in what appeared to be the stylings of a an early grade schooler. The next item she pulled out she hugged to her chest, which had undergone some noticeable growth since her last visit, before bringing it to her muzzle and lightly kissing the distinctly old, well loved and well cared for toy.

“What’s that?” Luna inquired as Daring performed her cute ritual with the plush star.

“This,” said Daring turning around to reveal a green plushy star, which she promptly turned around to reveal a smiling face on with two blue buttons for eyes and yellow thread for a mouth, “is Astro, my sister’s favorite toy when we were growing up. Even as we grew older she would take him everywhere, after she nearly lost him at school she stopped taking him with her when going to the school or shopping. He was the one thing she treasured more than anything else, she always had a hard time sleeping without him.”

“That is so adorable,” said Luna, “may I?”

“I suppose,” said Daring, “just treat him with care.” Luna gently pulled the plush star to her in her magic, Twilight carefully pulled the foalish book over to her in her magic. Spike and Daring just rolled their eyes and said nothing regarding Twilight’s choice. Daring went back to pulling items from the box, the next thing she pulled out was an orange plush cat with green buttons for eyes and black stitching for a mouth. “Well, hello, Gingersnap,” said Daring Do as she pulled the plush into a cuddling hug for almost a full minute. An act that actually made her look adorable to all who were there with her.

“Gingersnap?” Spike said in surprise, “Why you call him that?”

“Her,” Daring corrected, “she was my favorite toy when I was a filly, I put her here when Star and I moved into our first place together.” She placed the toy cat down next to her, the condition was excellent, the toy showed very few little damage or fading. Without a word Luna floated Gingersnap over to her.

“Why did you name her that?” Spike inquired as he watched the toy float over to Luna.

“They were my favorite treat when I got her, and I was five at the time.”

“These are excellent quality, not a stitch out of place,” said Luna, “where did you get them?”

“We had an elderly mare in the neighborhood all the foals called ‘Grammy’ but we never took the time to learn her real name. Come to think of it, I can barely remember her mark. None of us ever did discover who her real grandfoal was, but we didn’t think it really mattered. She visited the houses of all the foals in the area, there weren’t that many in those days. Only four homes had foals in them, and we all got little plush companions.”

“I think a look at the records from the time should help with that,” said Celestia as she eyed the cat and star in her sister’s hold, “Twilight, would you like to handle that, or should I leave it to Luna?”

“I think I can handle it,” said Twilight, “Besides, Daring still needs to write up the town’s manifesto, once that’s done I can get to writing up a proper screening application.”

“Unlike that twenty plus page monstrosity you gave me to look over a few hours ago,” Daring retorted.

“Yeah, that’s completely on me,” said Twilight as she began to crack open the book.

“That might not be up to your standards,” said Daring, “it was the first story my sister wrote.”

“And yet it has thiry pages,” said Twilight after a quick look at the book’s side, “most first works have trouble getting past nine, especially at such a young age.”

“It was the first time our ‘adventure’ was recorded, chances are you won’t find much beyond typical spelling and grammatical errors for that time.”

Twilight seemed to ignore the warnings and continue on to actually reading it, much to Daring’s amused annoyance. Deciding to switch gears she returned to the box and made a change of conversation, “How are the investigations into Star’s disappearance?”

“Thirty ponies forcibly retired due to incompetence, nineteen dishonorably discharged, seven promotions based on verifiable evidence, and a few dozen extra unanswered questions,” said Luna as she continued her inspection of the plush toys.

“I didn’t think it would be that bad,” said Daring, “I figured at most it would be a small handful of corrupt law officers, some of which were actually being bribed.”

“Several of those cases were just that,” said Celestia, now choosing to speak, “but more than were anticipated just kept on doing things like that because they were led to believe it was a tradition that should not be infringed on and just followed through. It’s clear standards for all Equestria’s communities need to be improved to ensure such a thing does not continue.”

“We ran into something similar regarding Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts,” said Twilight as she leafed through the book literally written by a foal, “I wasn’t there but got told about it after the fact. In that case, the perpetrator of the incident was appropriately punished and the guards involved in incident were suitably reprimanded.”

“It was more than that,” Celestia said with a cross of her arms under buxom chest, “they were all sent back to the training grounds and had to run the hardest course, five times, and attend class on proper procedures for the better part of a month.”

“All with docked pay,” said Luna as she returned the plush toys to Daring, “we also raised the standards for graduation by a considerable marin.” Luna then decided to redirect the conversation, “What do you want to do about the idol?”

“Hold onto it for now,” said Daring, "once we’re all moved in I will personally come to get it, and if that is not possible then I will send Spike to do so. Anypony else that claims to be a proxy coming to retrieve it will not be permitted access, it’s me or Spike or they go away empty handed.”

“A good policy,” said Spike, “also, did anyone tell you that you look adorable cuddling ‘Gingersnap’?”

“Yes, my parents and sister,” said Daring as she sifted through the rest of the box, “it’s been ages since I had even seen her. I might give her to our foal, make her a sort of heirloom.”

“Maybe wait until the foal has some control on her abilities, there might be unforeseeable side effects to being part dragon.”

“Good call,” said Daring as she pulled up a pair of old family photo, these ones was of her had her parents as foals with the ponies she had been told were her grandparents. “I never met my grandparents, on either side, they passed on before I was born. These might help in tracing my lineage, I think it’s best to know where I come from.”

Luna took the photos in her magic and stared at them, “It looks like they both grew up in a nurturing environment, none of the expressions seem to be false.”

“Is that everything in the box?” Twilight inquired.

“There’s the charm bracelets Star Log and I wore for my tenth birthday and an old quill dad said he wanted us to hold onto until the right moment, he said it was old family heirloom that was more something we were just looking after than anything else.” She lifted the items out of the box and Luna gasped.

“That’s my old golden owl quill, I spent ages doing calligraphy and art with it. I entrusted it too… we need to trace your father’s lineage posthaste.”