“So what is it?” asked Mayhem, still sniffling a little. “What wish can I grant next? I don’t care what it is. I’ll make it happen.”

“We need some fun to get rid of that sadness,” said Chocolate. “So why don’t we go to a carnival?”

He nodded hard, snapping. Once more the world dissolved, and suddenly they were outside in a fairground.

The place was bustling with activity. Ponies were walking around as carnival workers hawked their wares or encouraged others to play games.

“That’s a lot of ponies,” said Flash. “Are we at an actual carnival?”

Mayhem shook his head. “No. Unlike our last two adventures I thought it would feel kinda empty if the only ponies were the workers. It would give the feeling of being abandoned. I just wanted this place to feel alive.”

“Oh. That makes sense.”

“But don’t worry. They won’t slow down our fun. They’ll play the games and ride the rides from a distance, but they’ll always be finishing up right as we get close.”

“Even better,” said Chocolate.

“So what’s first?” asked Plum. “Rides or games?”

“I could go for a game.”

“Well, this is your wish, so games it is.”

They sat down at a booth where you had to shoot water into a clown’s mouth to make an object rise to the top. Sweet Pea won that one by a hair.

Next they went to a dart throwing game where they had to pop water balloons. Flash won that one by a wide margin.

As Twilight watched them go along the strip and try all the games she couldn’t help but find herself getting a little jealous again. It was hard watching so much fun going on and not being able to participate. But, as she had to keep reminding herself, this was about Mayhem, not her.

She conquered her jealous feelings by focusing on her gratitude. It was clear that Mayhem just wasn’t ready to play superheroes again, even if he would be on the same side this time. She thought that everything had been ruined, but as she had to be reminded occasionally she shouldn’t underestimate the power of friendship.

These four children, who had never met Mayhem before today, all fought for him, to help him past his guilty feelings and push him to keep on going himself. It gave him the courage to give it another shot, and now he was all smiles again as they played the games. These children were everything she could have hoped for. When Mayhem’s heart was crumbling they stabilized it, becoming the pillar holding him up.

She could see her plan already starting to succeed. Mayhem had now developed a meaningful connection with them, giving him new reasons to stay on the right path.

When the children tired of the games they went on the rides. The Ferris wheel, a giant slide, bumper cars, the merry go round. After some coaxing they even were brave enough to get on a roller coaster. The screams of the children echoed throughout the park.

Plum looked a little green as she got off, needing to sit down for a bit to settle her nausea. The others waited patiently for her to recover.

“Hey,” said Chocolate. “What about some snacks? Cotton candy and popcorn!”

Flash licked his lips. “I could go for that… when Plum is ready, of course.”

“It’s fine,” the filly replied. “Just go without me. I’ll catch up.”

“No way! We’re a group. I’m not leaving you behind.”

Mayhem snapped, and the color returned to Plum’s face. She put a hoof to her stomach, a questioning look on her face. “I… I feel better, and cotton candy and popcorn sure sounds good right about now.”

They walked along the fairway for a bit until the smell of popcorn hit their nostrils.

When they arrived they all grabbed some snacks and drinks and sat at a nearby table stuffing their faces.

As they finished up Mayhem said, “So, Sweet Pea, have you given any thought to what you want your wish to be when it’s your turn?”

“Not really,” she replied. “Everything has just been moving so fast and been so fun I haven’t really thought about it.”

She got a thoughtful look on her face, looking up to the sky. After a little while her eyes lit up. “Oh! I know what I want.”

“Cool,” said Flash. “What is it?”

Sweet Pea opened her mouth, then paused. “Umm… are you okay with just regular heroes, not superheroes?” She got a sad look. “I don’t want to see you freak out like that again.”

“Well… what did you have in mind?” asked Mayhem cautiously.

“Well, my older brother Specter likes to read me stories. I really like the Daring Do books. I think it would be awesome to go through the jungle, exploring temples and stopping Ahuizotl from his newest nefarious plot.”

“Oh my gosh, yes!” said Chocolate. “I’m good with the carnival bit. That sounds way more exciting.”

“Well… if you’re sure,” said Mayhem. “I just don’t want you to feel shorted.”

“No worries. Going to a carnival is something I could do any day. Getting to go on an adventure with Daring Do and be a hero isn’t.”

“Okey-dokey!” He raised his arms. “Don’t be afraid, okay?”

“Don’t be afraid of what?” asked Plum.

He brought his arms down, and the carnival sunk into the ground. A few moments later something crashed into the ground nearby, making them jump. When they looked they saw it was a jungle tree. More and more trees came down upon them, but never getting within ten feet of them.

Flash began to crack up laughing. “It’s raining trees!”

Plum chuckled a bit. “I guess it is.”

After the trees came bushes and other things until it looked just like a jungle.

“Incredible,” said Sweet Pea, her eyes twinkling in amazement. “I know it’s starting to sound like a broken record, but it just gets harder and harder to imagine that none of this is real. The whole world just came into existence falling piece by piece.

“And, to think… I get to be one of four children in all of Ponyville to get to experience this. I just feel so lucky to have a friend like you.”

“Mmm-hmm!” “Yeah!” “Got that right!” The others all voiced their agreement.

Mayhem blushed, rubbing his hoof on the floor bashfully. “I’m just happy I get to make you happy.

“So are you ready to begin?”

“YEAH!”

He gave the five of them costumes like Daring Do, moving gently up and down with elation.

They looked at themselves, and then the others.

Suddenly they heard movement in the distance, the sound of hooves in the dirt getting closer to them.

They didn’t know what was coming. All of them were in a circle, and Twilight was a short distance away.

Daring Do jumped through a bush, stopping nearby.

“Ooooo!” Sweet Pea said in delight.

“There you all are,” Daring said with a huff. “I’ve been looking all over for you.

“We have to move quickly. Ahuizotl is getting ready to unleash his most nefarious plan yet. I’m going to need all of you for this. It’s going to be a job that’s too big for me alone.

“Are you all ready?”

The four children just stared at her, fanboying and fangirling internally even if it was just an illusion. They had Daring Do not five feet from them.

“Helllllloooo! Anybody home in there? We don’t have time to waste. If you’re not going to take this seriously I’m going to have to get someone else.”

That snapped them out of their reverie. “No, no!” said Plum. “We’re on the job. You can count on us.”

“So,” said Sweet Pea. “What is Ahuizotl up to this time?”

“He’s seeking the power of three special gems.”

“What do they do?” asked Flash, squirming in excitement to be part of this.

“When combined, their magic can amplify the sun’s rays. If he then focuses that power through a telescope lens he can cause the destruction of entire cities. He could burn Equestria to the ground over the course of a few moons.”

Plum gulped. “That’s a lot of power!”

“Exactly!” She stomped a hoof. “I was too late to stop him from taking the first one, and for the second one I was overwhelmed by sheer force of numbers. I barely managed to escape. That’s why I’m going to need assistance, even if I don’t like relying on others much. Ahuizotl absolutely cannot be allowed to get that final gem. It would mean the end of Equestria.”

“You can count on us!” Sweet Pea said with a salute. “We’ll do everything in our power to help.”

“That’s what I want to hear. But enough talk. We’ve wasted too much time already. If we wait any longer it may be too late.”

“Yes, ma’am!” said Chocolate, also saluting.

“Follow close behind me, and don’t take any unnecessary risks. I don’t want to see any of you get hurt.”

With that they slipped into the underbrush, trotting for a few minutes until Daring suddenly told them to stop.

“We’re getting close. I can see some scouts. I’ll get their attention. You sneak up from behind and tie them up.”

They nodded, approaching the scouts. Daring deliberately called out, and the two scouts came running. “It’s her!”

They passed right by the children hiding behind the trees, and they each pulled out their whips, wrapping it around their legs and tripping them up.

As they fell to the ground the children grabbed some vines and tied them up.

“Good work,” said Daring, “but this is just the beginning. It’s only going to get harder from here, but at least you can handle yourselves.”

The children were glowing at getting praise from Daring Do.

They continued on, occasionally capturing more guards, until the temple came into sight.

“We’re close. Stay on your hooves.”

“Yes, Daring!” they responded.

They came upon a river with a line of circular stones leading right towards the temple.

“Alright, kiddies. Time your jumps well. There’s probably crocodiles in the water.” Her eyes faded out in annoyance. “There’s always crocodiles in the water. I guess there’s just something about ancient temples they just love.”

They couldn’t help snickering.

Daring took a running leap, hopping from stone to stone with ease until she was on the other side. “No problem,” she said as she turned around to them. “It’s easiest to just do it all in one go.”

Sweet Pea went first, then Chocolate. As Flash was halfway across he heard a scream from behind him, seeing Plum sliding off the edge. “No!”

He grabbed his whip and shot it towards her, wrapping it around her leg. He stopped her for a moment, but her weight jerked him forward off the stone and now both of them were falling.

He strained to fly, but the extra weight was proving too much for him.

Suddenly the extra weight vanished, and he saw Daring flying beneath him, holding Plum. As she ascended she grabbed him too and took him to the other side.

As she landed by the others Plum was panting. “T-thank you, Daring.” Her face grew hot. “Sorry.”

“Eh.” She shrugged. “It happens.”

Plum got up and hugged Flash. “Thanks for trying to save me.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, returning the hug.

“Alright!” said Daring. “Enough with the sappy stuff. We got a world to save.”

“Right,” said Plum, releasing him.

The group walked a little further until they reached the entrance to the temple.

“Well… here we are. Keep your wits about you and don’t drop your guard for a moment. There are bound to be traps, and Ahuizotl himself might show up if he finds the location of this temple. They’ve at least narrowed the location down given all those guards, but it doesn’t seem they’ve found out the exact location yet.”

The temple was a dull brown with moss growing everywhere. There was debris in various locations. Age had definitely gotten to the place.

Daring slowly walked forward, her eyes scanning the floor, ceiling, and walls.

They followed behind her, walking through one room. The second room had a grate barring their passage. Daring tried to lift it, but it was too heavy.

She huffed as she gave it up. “Okay… that didn’t work.”

Flash spotted a lever on a wall. He flew up to it and pulled it down, figuring it would lift the grate.

Sweet Pea suddenly had a strange sensation go through her. It was like an inner voice, telling her to jump backwards. She followed it’s call, hopping back a few feet. Just as she did so a spear came spiraling past her, burying itself in the wall with a clang.

She gasped in surprise at how close she had come to being skewered.

“S-sorry!” Flash cried out. “Sorry, sorry, sorry. I didn’t know it was going to do that.”

“Hey!” Daring called out angrily. “Don’t just go pulling random levers! These places are always filled with traps to stop ponies from entering.”

Flash blushed in embarrassment.

Plum shook her head in amazement and fear. She walked along the corner of the room, when her hoof suddenly sank into the floor. She looked down, seeing one of the tiles had descended.

Just like with Sweet Pea she got an instinctual feeling of danger, and she dived to the floor just as a rain of arrows passed by over her head.

“Come on!” said Daring. “I just told you these places are filled with traps.”

“This is crazy,” said Sweet Pea as she stood up. “I could have been killed!”

“Exactly my point! You have to approach with caution.”

“I will.”

The room went gray. “Did you feel it, Sweet Pea and Plum?” asked Mayhem as the world paused.

“Feel what?” asked Flash.

“Yeah,” said Sweet Pea. “What was that?”

“What was what?” asked Chocolate.

Mayhem grinned. “I gave you all super senses for this game.”

“Super senses?” asked Flash.

“The whole point of this is to have an experience that feels real. It defeats the purpose if you can’t be hurt.” He snapped, and an endless rain of arrows came out of the wall, going right through him harmlessly.

“I mean, just look at this. How is this world supposed to feel real to you if everything is just going right through you? Of course, I can’t get rid of those rules and risk your safety.

“So what do we do? Simple. I give you the ability to read the threats ahead of time. Dodging out of danger still feels more realistic than being able to just stand still and not care about getting hit.”

“Ooo!” said Chocolate. “I get it! That sounds cool!”

Mayhem smirked. “Well, let’s get back to the game.” The color came back.

“I found an inscription,” said Daring. “It says, ‘Only those who have displayed their courage and faced the dangers may pass. If you survive the four traps the path ahead will open.’ ”

“Well, we already set off two of them,” said Flash.

Daring bit her lip. “Well… I guess we don’t have a choice than to set the other two off. Don’t be reckless, though.” She scanned the wall. “I don’t see any more levers. Look around the room and see if you spot anything unusual.”

They split up and began to search the room.

Sweet Pea finally noticed something. There were pony statues adorning all four walls, each one holding a spear. All the statues were rearing up, as if ready to throw, but there was an odd one out. It’s hoof was down, the spear pointing towards the floor. She pushed on it’s hoof and the leg moved until it was symmetrical with the rest.

There was a click, and the children twitched as their danger senses went off. Panels opened inside all the statues, and spears shot out of them. They followed the call of their senses and hit the floor.

When the spears stopped flying they slowly got up.

“O-one more,” said Chocolate.

After another minute of looking around they hadn’t found anything.

“Nothing,” said Plum.

“Hmm,” said Daring. “Come here.”

They met up with her near a big piece of rubble on the floor. “Help me move this.”

The six of them all strained, but eventually they moved the pillar over. “Okay. Now stand back.” Once they all moved she began stepping on the tiles the pillar had been covering. Finally, one sunk in.

The four children could feel their senses tingling, and almost as one whipped at Daring, pulling her towards them just as two trees wrapped in vines came out of the ceiling and collided with one another with a loud thump.

Plum let out a heavy breath as several wood chips landed on her.

“Whew!” Flash said in relief. “That was a close one.”

“Good job, team,” said Daring with a chuckle. “You’ll make me proud yet.”

That made them all beam.

There was a rumbling, metallic sound nearby, and they saw the grate being raised.

“Okay, let’s go.”

They entered another chamber. This one was thin, only about six feet wide and equally as tall.

Daring’s eyes darted around rapidly. “I don’t like this. These kinds of narrow corridors are always the worst. No room to really dodge.

“Well, nothing to it but to do it.”

She flew in the air, zooming across to the other side of the room as fast as possible until she was out of sight. She came back to them at a slower pace. “Well, either this room isn’t a trap, or the trap can be bypassed by a pegasus.

“It might be a little slower to progress, but I’m going to take you across one at a time. Any trap avoided is good to me, and in a space as tight as this it’s too risky to set one off.”

They nodded.

“Flash, you can fly already, but just in case something happens where we need to move quickly you’ll be the last to go.”

“Okay, Daring,” he replied.

She picked up Sweet Pea and took her across, setting her down at the exit to the chamber.

As soon as she did the exit was blocked by a slab of rock that came out of the floor.

“Shoot!” said Daring. “I should have dropped you off outside the room, but I didn’t want to risk setting off a trap in another room while I was grabbing the others.”

A similar slab had blocked the way they had come in.

Flash said, “Um… there’s another inscription on the slab that just came up. It says this is called the chamber of endless tears.”

“Endless tears?” said Mayhem with a mournful expression. “That sounds really sad.”

“Does that mean,” Plum said fearfully, “that we’re stuck here forever? Our tears will be ‘endless’ because we’re never getting out?”

“I sure hope not,” said Flash with a gulp. “Hmm?” He felt moisture on his face, and looked up to see it seemed to be raining.

“Uh-oh,” said Daring, also noticing the water. “I think I know what it means by ‘endless tears’ now.”

Sweet Pea twitched. “W-wait! You mean this water isn’t going to stop?”

“Exactly! And this room is completely sealed. There’s nowhere for the water to go. Once it fills up the room completely we won’t be able to breathe. We’ll all drown!”

A shudder went through the filly. Things were getting too real again. Her logical head knew she wasn’t in danger of drowning, but her emotional side could feel her heart thumping like crazy as the water coated the bottom of the floor and began to rise.

The other children were in much the same state. Even if it was only the appearance of danger it was enough that it felt real.

Besides, even if they would be unaffected, Daring, illusion or not, wasn’t bound by Mayhem’s rules and could still be hurt. Not a one of them wanted to see one of the coolest ponies drown when they could have prevented it.

Sweet Pea checked the exit door, wondering if it would say anything about how to disarm the trap, but it only said the same thing the entrance did.

They all began frantically looking around for a way to disarm the trap, but they couldn’t find anything.

“What do we do?” asked Flash with a note of panic.

The water was now a foot up their hooves and showed no sign of stopping.

Daring let out a huff. “I get it. I screwed this all up.”

“What do you mean?” asked Plum.

“The trap didn’t go off until we touched the floor of the room, but back when this temple was in use they couldn’t just be drowning their own tribe.

“The inscription about the endless tears isn’t in the room itself, but only the doors when someone is trapped as a message to intruders. I’d bet anything that right on the other side of that blocked door is a switch to stop the trap from being active. If I had only left Sweet Pea on the other side…”

Sweet Pea felt a jolt in her stomach. “Don’t… don’t say that. You couldn’t have known.”

“So… there’s nothing we can do?” asked Flash with a touch of hopelessness.

“I don’t give up!” said Daring. “If there isn’t a path then I’ll just have to make one.” She pulled off her coat. “You five, give me your clothes as well.”

The water was now up to the bellies of the children, and they didn’t feel like asking what she wanted their clothes for.

Once she had all their coats she began to wrap them all around the top of one of her front legs with a little assistance from Flash. None of them knew what tying clothes to her leg had to do with finding a way out, but the water was now getting close to their heads and they didn’t want to distract her.

Once all six sets of shirts were tied she took to the air. “Well, let’s just hope hundreds of years of aging has helped to rot this place enough.” With that she rammed into the slab blocking the exit.

Nothing happened, so she got some more space and hit it again. She let out a grunt as she hit, but still it didn’t give.

The children understood now. She was using the shirts for padding to lessen the pain of crashing into the wall.

Plum was getting antsy. The water was rising above her neck and near her mouth.

Daring let out a cry of frustration. She knew time was running out. She flew over to the other side of the room, kicking off with her hooves to increase her momentum as she flapped as hard as she could.

She slammed into the slab with a gasp of pain, but there was a satisfying cracking noise. Daring hovered, holding her shoulder.

“O-one more.”

The children felt horrible. Even with six of them the shirts were of too thin a material to make any real protection.

Daring sucked it up, returning to the other side of the room. She only had time for one more ram. She wouldn’t be able to get enough momentum underwater. If this didn’t do it…

Adrenaline wiped out her pain, and she kicked off with a yell, slamming into the slab as hard as she could.

The top of the slab shattered, and Daring came out the other side. Just as she expected there was a switch on the wall, which she quickly pulled down.

The water stopped coming down and the remains of the slab descended back into the floor as the water spilled out into the room.

Once she gave the room a cursory look to be sure no more traps were going to go off she dropped to the floor, quietly cursing under her breath as she held her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Flash asked with concern. The others gathered around her.

“You all alive?” Daring spat out with a groan.

“Yes.”

“Then I’m fine.”

“But-” started Plum.

“I said I’m fine!” Daring said sharply. “I always put my life on the line, and injuries are just a part of the job.” She grimaced as her shoulder throbbed, and she grit her teeth until the pain receded. “B-but you’re different. I’m not going to let harm come to you brats.”

The others sat down to rest. After a minute Chocolate said, “We’re going to have to wait for Daring to recover before we move on.”

That made the mare growl. “I’ve rested long enough. We’re moving on.”

“But you’re hurt!” said Mayhem.

“I told you already. This is just a part of the job. In my line of work you don’t have the luxury of sitting around sucking your hoof when the world is at stake.” She pushed up, hissing a bit as she strained to get to a sitting position. After a moment she flapped her wings to assist her until she made it.

She slid off the shirts of the others. When she got her own off she made a makeshift sling out of it.

Flash winced as he saw the bruise forming on her shoulder before it was covered up.

Daring bit her lip. “With this injured leg I can’t carry you right now, though if need be you can ride on my back.”

“Let me take the lead,” said Flash. “If you’re hurt it would be best for me to go first since I can fly.”

Daring didn’t look enthused by the idea, but reluctantly she agreed.

They proceeded with caution, but they didn’t encounter any more traps in the next few rooms.

Sweet Pea said, “So what’s the deal? Did they give up?”

“I find this concerning as well,” said Daring. “When the path ahead is this free of twists and turns it’s much more stress inducing than being attacked in every room.

“Although… the path ahead may actually be clear now.”

“You think so?” asked Plum.

“Think about the nature of the two traps. First we went through a room that said we had to survive four traps to get the pathway to open. The first trap required good reflexes to get through, but as soon as you prove yourself a second trap is immediately sprung, this one inescapable. If you weren’t meant to be here and were good enough to get past the first room then your journey can only end in death in the second room. After all, we only escaped because these ruins are so old the material has started to deteriorate.”

“What about a unicorn?” asked Sweet Pea.

“Outside of the princesses, most unicorns don’t possess much power outside of their special talents. The average unicorn couldn’t have powered their way out of that, and you have to remember how old this temple is. Spells weren’t nearly as advanced back then as they are now.

“Anyway, what it all comes down to is that your average greedy explorer couldn’t have gotten this far. Having beaten the first room and having the path ahead opened they would most likely be blinded by the prospect of treasure and run straight into the second trap.

“Odds are, they probably expected most ponies to fall in the first room, and any who were good enough to survive would be lost in the second. They never expected anyone to actually be able to make it through both rooms, hence why there haven’t been more traps since then.”

“That makes sense,” said Chocolate.

“Of course, we shouldn’t take anything for granted. I could be completely wrong. Don’t drop your guard until we have the jewel and are out of here.”

The children nodded.

Their journey remained uneventful until they came upon a wide room with a high ceiling. In the middle of the room was a large set of stairs situated over a pit with a jewel sitting at the top. The rest of the room was unadorned.

“This is it,” said Daring.

At her direction the five of them picked up whatever they could find and began throwing it all around the room, trying to set off any traps that may be there. However, no matter how much they threw, nothing happened.

Eventually, Daring accepted that there was nothing waiting in the room itself, and whatever traps there were would be situated around the stairs.

They all entered the room, heading towards the stairs.

“I’m getting a bad feeling,” said Daring. “There’s always one last trap. Buuuuuuut, again, that’s a hazard of the job.”

Like before, she had them throw things up the stairs to see if anything would happen.

There was a grinding sound, and part of the ceiling shifted, a giant boulder falling onto the stairs and rolling down it towards them.

“Run!” Daring said sharply. They didn’t need to be told twice, all of them dodging to the sides. The boulder missed all of them, slamming into a wall.

“Dang!” said Sweet Pea. “Could they put any more traps? Sheesh.”

“Well, there’s always things that need to be protected at all costs. I am, essentially, stealing from them, even if it is for the right cause. I’m sure the ancient ponies wouldn’t want their jewel to be used to destroy Equestria, but I can’t explain to them I’m doing this to protect what they’ve left behind.”

She unfurled her wings, heading up towards the chest. As she neared it her wings hit some vines, and they snapped.

All four children suddenly felt their danger senses going off, and almost simultaneously yelled out, “GO RIGHT!”

Daring didn’t question, following their yells just as a swinging blade came out of the ceiling and nearly chopped her in two.

She inhaled hard at how close she had come to death. “Thanks, you guys. I owe you one.”

That made them all feel special. How cool was it that they had protected Daring Do?

She set down upon the altar, then immediately hopped off and hovered a short distance away, just in case one final protection was around the jewel.

However, nothing happened.

She set down, making a quick lap around the altar and then flying away again, but no more traps activated.

She landed, quickly grabbing the jewel and flying near the bottom of the stairs.

She kept her senses on high alert, rapidly looking around the room. After another minute, when nothing else happened, she finally relaxed. “We got it,” she said happily. “Now, let’s get out of here.”

“Right!”

Clapping caught their attention. “Well done, Daring Do!”

They all turned towards the voice, seeing the familiar blue figure of Ahuizotl.

“Ahuizotl!” Daring said with disgust.

“Very well done. You made it all the way through, and all for nothing.”

“Nothing? You’re not getting this jewel without a fight.” The creature began to chuckle. “What’s so funny?”

“There’s no need to fight.”

“No need to-YAAAHH!” Daring let out a scream of pain as the jewel in her hoof suddenly lit up, lightning streaming around her.

The pain made her drop the jewel and stumble back, right over the edge of the abyss.

“Daring Do!” yelled Flash, zooming down and getting under her, straining his tiny body to the limit.

Plum, Chocolate, and Sweet Pea all used their whips, grabbing Daring. Mayhem grabbed their tails, pulling them backwards one step at a time until Daring was back on solid ground.

Daring had blank eyes, but slowly stirred. “A-A-Ahuizotl,” she panted out. “W-what did you do?”

He began to chuckle again. “What you were looking for… was it this?” He held up a jewel identical to the one Daring had dropped.

“W-what?” Chocolate called out, looking between the two.

“It’s a fake!” Sweet Pea called out, understanding. “He already had the jewel before we ever got in here.”

“Wait, what?” said Plum.

“So that’s it!” said Flash. “Daring said there’s always one last trap. Everything… all of this was just one big trap.”

She understood now. “So then… he took the real jewel, and then replaced it with a fake that can electrify someone?”

Ahuizotl clapped again. “Very good, kiddies.”

“But wait,” said Sweet Pea. “If you switched the jewels that means you already had the third jewel before this. So what was the point of all the guards?”

Ahuizotl walked forward. “Simple. Daring Do has interfered with my plans one too many times. She is annoyingly persistent. In order for me to defeat her once and for all I needed to weaken her first.

“I could have begun my plans to melt what I wanted already, but that wouldn’t satisfy after all the aggravation you’ve caused. The very first thing I want to use this weapon on is you, and only you. When you’re gone nothing will be able to get in my way again.”

He raised the hand on his tail and snapped, and dozens of ponies entered the room.

Plum’s heart began to race. What were they supposed to do now?

“Capture all of them!” Ahuizotl commanded.

“Hold it!” said Daring, panting heavily and straining hard as she got to her hooves. One of her eyes was closed and her legs were shaking as she struggled to stay up. “If you want me, then fine. What do you care about these pathetic losers?”

That made all the children look at her, hurt looks on their faces.

Daring’s voice grew cold. “They’ve been nothing but burdens the whole way through, setting off every trap like they were trying to help you get rid of me.

“Let them go. These pieces of trash are of no use to anyone, so why get them involved in our quarrel?”

Ahuizotl stared at her for a little while, then shrugged. “I suppose you’re right. I don’t care about them at all. I could capture them to watch you squirm, but you’re already going to spend your final hours lambasting how you failed Equestria anyways.”

He snapped. “Tie her up! As long as she doesn’t resist you can safely remove the brats from my sight.”

The children watched helplessly as Daring was tied up. There were way too many for them to fight, and with Daring injured already there was nothing they could do.

Collars were slapped around their necks, and the henchponies gently tugged at them to keep them moving as they walked out of the temple.

“Just one hour,” said Ahuizotl victoriously. “In one hour the sun will be at the perfect spot for my test run of my machine. I guess this time you won’t be able to take the heat.”

Daring tried to make a retort, but she was too weak and barely got out a few muffled words before growing quiet and seemingly passing out.

When they were outside the temple Ahuizotl planted a spike in the ground, trying the ends of the ropes to it. “You can stay here. When I’m through with Daring Do I’ll release you and you’ll be free to go. Of course, soon no place will be safe. Enjoy the time you have left.”

With that they headed off.

“We… we failed,” Sweet Pea said sadly, tears slowly coming down her eyes.

“We were played for suckers,” said Chocolate, also crying. “And Daring got hurt because of it.”

“We were supposed to be heroes,” said Plum, similarly crying, “but we blew it royally.”

Flash was crying like the rest of them, but after a few moments he said, “It’s not over yet! Even with a bad leg Daring pushed on. We need to keep going too!”

“But… does she even care about us?”

“You heard what she said,” said Sweet Pea. “We’d probably just get in the way if we tried to rescue her. She’s always managed to save herself before.”

“She saved our lives,” said Mayhem, making all of them look at him. “She had to call us worthless trash so they’d overlook us. If she made us seem too important they would have grabbed us too.

“Being dismissive of us was the only way to give us a second chance. Now that we have it are we going to turn our backs on her and let her be burnt to a crisp?”

“But… but… I mean, can we even do anything?” asked Chocolate. “If it was just Ahuizotl then sure, but he has so many henchponies with him.”

“Daring put her trust in us,” Mayhem replied, putting a claw to his heart. “She brought us along on this adventure because she knew she needed help. If we do nothing then not only is Daring going to die, but Ahuizotl will slowly destroy all of Equestria.

“We’re the only ones who can do it. We’re the only ones who know what Ahuizotl is trying to do and that Daring has been captured.

“If we don’t do this a lot of ponies are going to get hurt. Are you going to just let him hurt your family and friends? I know I’m not going to allow that.”

Mayhem put his claw out in the middle of them. “What do you say?”

A few moments passed, and slowly the spirit returned to the children. They each put their hooves on top of his.

“I say yes!” said Flash. “We’re gonna rescue Daring and stop Ahuizotl.”

The others voiced their agreement. “Then let’s do it! We only have an hour.”

Mayhem used his claw, sawing away at the rope until he was free. He proceeded to help get the collars off the others, then they headed in the direction Ahuizotl went.

Twilight followed behind them, feeling her heart thumping a bit. Even more than before she wished she could participate in the games. Daring Do was one of her favorite series, and things were playing out exactly like one of her books. It was extremely exciting.

At least this time it wasn’t so bad being a spectator. Watching them get through the traps, Daring’s capture, Mayhem rallying the children; it was all such a blast to watch.

She didn’t want to break their immersion, so she didn’t speak too loud. Still, she had to say, “Come on, you guys. You better win. The series can’t end here.”