One day in Ponyville, it was a peaceful morning.

“Extra! Extra! Get your Ponyville Chronicle right here!” said a newspaper colt. “Extra! Extra! Get your Ponyville Chronicle right here!” He suddenly saw Eric walking by, “Oh, hey, Eric. Want a copy?”

“Thanks,” Eric said, before paying the colt three bits for it.

“Extra! Extra! Get your Ponyville Chronicle right here!” the newspaper colt called out.

“Fan-tizzy-astic! I just love to read about happy happenings, and it’s always good to be a pony in the know, you know? And there’s so much to know!“ Pinkie said in glee.

“Eh, seems like a bunch of boring hooey to me!” Rainbow replied.

“Does “New Shrubbery In Castle Garden” sound like boring hooey to you?“ Pinkie asked.

“Snooze,” Rainbow replied unenthusiastically.

“What about…’Parasprite Infestation In Fillydelphia Eradicated’?” Pinkie asked, “Ah! That’s great news!“

“Eh. Another day, another parasprite hype story,” Rainbow replied.

Pinkie read some more headlines, “Noodles Named Official Food Of Whinnyapolis”, “Author A.K. Yearling Announces Retirement”, “Cloudsdale Election Heating Up For Candidate In Favor Of Cooling It Down”...

“WHAT?! Let me see that!” Rainbow Dash said, until she saw the fourth column of the article.

“I never knew you were so into politics, Rainbow,” Pinkie said.

“No, this! It can’t be true...” Rainbow replied.

“Because of the noodles being the official food of Whinnyapolis or the parasprite infestation?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“No, this! I can’t believe the greatest author and secret pony adventurer of all time that we love to read from, A.K. Yearling... is retiring!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Speaking of news, I have some for you!” Eric spoke up.

“What’s your excitement about, Eric?” Pinkie asked.

“My new sibling is due to be born this week!” Eric replied excitedly.

Later on, Rainbow Dash (with Eric on her back) and Pinkie Pie ran off to check up on A. K. Yearling, with Gale flying alongside them.

“So, A.K. Yearling just retired. Like, today. Are you sure she wants visitors?” Pinkie asked.

“Pinkie, the A.K. Yearling I know would never quit and retire out of the blue! Something could be really wrong, and we need to make sure she’s okay!” Rainbow said.

“I’m sure she’d desperately want to see me, since I am her friend too after all,” Gale added.

“Okay! Heeeey... Wait a minute... You’re not just trying to make sure she writes more Derring Do books, are you?” Pinkie asked.

“Of course not! But that wouldn’t hurt either. Now come on!” Rainbow replied.

Suddenly, they arrived at A.K. Yearling’s house. Rainbow knocked on the door, but didn’t get an immediate response.

“Uh, maybe she’s not home. Maybe she went to the editor-in-chief of the Ponyville Chronicle to correct the misprint they’ve made,” Rainbow said.

“Nope! She’s home!” Pinkie replied, looking through the window.

“How do you know?” Rainbow asked.

“Because she’s right there looking all sad and alone,” Pinkie replied.

“I knew it! Something is wrong! A.K.!” Rainbow gasped, then knocked again.

“Now she’s sighing with the weight of the world. Now she’s hanging her head in utter despair. Now she’s shaking her hoof and cursing the heavens like nothing could ever possibly be the same again. Why, oh, why did this happen to her?!” Pinkie said.

“What?!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“Whoops. Never mind. That time, she was just stretching.” Pinkie replied, chuckling.

“Seriously, Pinkie? Did you have to bring up the exact details?” Gale asked annoyed.

“A.K., it’s us! Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie! Your friends!” Rainbow said, knocking five times.

The door then opened, and A.K. Yearling appeared with a sad face, then looked around and signaled them to come inside. They went inside, A.K. Yearling continued packing her stuff.

“Good to meet you, Eric Sparkle,” A.K. said.

“Good to meet you too, A.K. Yearling,” Eric greeted, “I assume you’ve heard about me like everypony else has?”

“That’s right. You’re as much a celebrity as I am or was. That and Gale told me a while back,” A.K replied.

Rainbow Dash was horrified about this, “Oh, no. Did somepony ransack your cottage again and steal some ancient, mysterious relic that’s the key to saving all of Equestria?!”

Pinkie Pie found an Anubis-like relic, “Oooh! Sparky!” A.K. Yearling gasped and took it from her, then put the artifact back into the chest and then closed it.

“Nothing’s been stolen,” she said.

“Then is somepony blackmailing you and forcing you to retire? Cause if they are...!” A.K. Yearling cut Rainbow off, “No. Nothing like that, either.”

“So you’re just quitting and moving away? Why would you do that?!” Rainbow Dash asked. A.K. Yearling grunted with a sigh, “I already explained everything to the Ponyville Chronicle.”

“Oh, really? ”Author A.K. Yearling announced yesterday that the next adventure novel in her popular series, ‘Daring Do and the Curse of the Pharaoh’s Tomb’, will be her last. Yearling looks forward to her retirement.”That doesn’t even explain anything at all!” Rainbow Dash said.

A.K. Yearling groaned with frustration, then Rainbow Dash continued, “It just says you’re giving up writing stories. But most ponies don’t know that you actually are Daring Do and that the stories are real. So what you’re really saying is that you’re giving up being Daring Do, but you’re not saying why!”

“I even tried telling that to the masses, but they refused to believe me,” Gale added.

“Of course, if you don’t feel like talking about it, that’s A-okay, A.K.! As your friends, we completely understand!” Pinkie said, “Right, Rainbow Dash?”

“We just came to make sure you’re all right. That’s really why we wanted to find out what’s going on,” Rainbow said.

“Please tell us. We just want to help you,” Eric added.

“If you really want to know...” A.K. Yearling said, then continued. “My last quest took me to a village in Southern Equestria, where I started seeing these.” She showed the three some recent newspapers.

Rainbow read the first one, “”Wake Of Destruction: Derring Do Ruins Entire Village Marketplace!””Pinkie Pie read the next one, “”Dare Or Scare: Local Rogue Daring Do Involved In Frightful Fiasco”?” Rainbow Dash was about to read the third headline, “”Daring Do Leads Bull Into China Shop During High-Speed Chase—””

“That’s enough!” A.K. Yearling said with annoyance in her head, then sighed with a deep breath. “Sorry. It’s just that... Everypony I tried to help is mad at me.“

“That’s not true,” Eric pointed out, “They’re not mad at A. K. Yearling. They’re only mad at your other half, Daring Do.”

“Yeah, those articles are just a load of rubbish,” Gale added.

“That’s not the point,” A. K. Yearling said to Eric, “They don’t sell my books in Southern Equestria. The ponies there don’t know who A. K. Yearling is. They only know Daring Do, and apparently she does more harm than good.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t you who did this,” Eric replied.

“And it’s a good thing you look so different as A.K. Yearling!” Pinkie added.

“So all we have to do is go down there and explain to these ponies that none of this stuff is true,” Rainbow said.

“Easy-peasy-cheesy!” Pinkie added.

“And we’ll help you,” Eric offered, giving the author a hug.

“But that’s just the thing, it is true.” A.K. Yearling said.

“WHAT?!” the four asked in unison, and A.K. Yearling nodded.

“I guess I’ve always been so focused on saving priceless relics and stopping the bad guys that I never really thought about the mess I leave behind,” she said with despair.

“Then you are in a tricky pickle. But why is all this happening now?” Rainbow asked.

“I guess ponies are finally fed up. Either way, I’m done with adventures, having or writing,” A.K. Yearling said with a sigh.

“No, you can’t be done. You can’t give up now,” Eric replied, “Evildoers like Glacio could have free reign to try and steal valuable relics for any cause they have.”

“Come on! For every one pony who’s upset, there must be at least a hundred that know you’re a hero!” Rainbow said.

“I don’t think so, Dash,” A.K. Yearling replied.

“But there has to be!” Eric said, “I know you’re innocent! I swear!”

“Something tells me that you were framed by someone who’s trying to get back at you,” Gale added.

“Well, why don’t we go visit this village “Som...nam...bu...la” and see for ourselves?” Rainbow asked.

“Those articles seem to make it pretty clear how the villagers feel,” A.K. Yearling said.

“But if we go there, the ponies can tell you personally just how much they appreciate you,” Eric replied.

“Yeah! It’ll be fun!” Pinkie added.

“You really think so?” A.K. Yearling asked.

“We know so! Let’s go!” Rainbow replied.

“Wait! I need to stop at my house and pack a few things, and I should ask my parents first,” Eric said.

“Probably a good idea. When you’re ready, meet me at the train station later,” A.K. Yearling replied.

They nodded and then Rainbow, Eric, Gale, and Pinkie went over to the Castle of Friendship to ask them.

When they entered the door, Eric went over to Twilight for a quick hug.

“Hi, Mommy,” Eric said.

“What’s going on, sweetheart?” Twilight asked.

“A.K. Yearling’s retiring,” Rainbow Dash said, “Something about Daring Do being framed for some kind of crime in Southern Equestria.”

“How awful,” Twilight replied.

“Mommy? Daddy? Can I please go with them?” Eric asked.

Twilight smiled warmly and then she leaned her head down to give him a kiss on the forehead, “Yes, you may,” she said.

“Just be sure you make it back in time for the baby’s birth,” Storm added.

“Thanks. Bye, Mommy and Daddy,” Eric said.

“Be safe,” Storm replied as the four of them left.

Soon enough, they arrived at Somnambula, it was a peaceful desert town. Eric saw stores, lots of homes, and up ahead, a statue of a pegasus mare wearing Egyptian-style clothing, and a giant temple that resembled a pyramid.

“This is so cool! It looks just like that village in your last book where Daring Do recovers the Doomed Diadem from the Wild Bunch Gang who chase after her through the desert!” Rainbow remarked, squealing.

“It should. I based that entire chapter on my experiences here in Somnambula,” A.K. Yearling replied with a smirk.

“That’s right, because it is the village in the latest book,” Gale added.

“What happens? No, wait, don’t tell me. I changed my mind! Tell me!” Pinkie asked as she zoomed next to her.

“Daring Do thwarts Ahuizotl’s evil plot to separate the Sister Crown Relics,” Rainbow Dash said, “And if it wasn’t for her, the region would be cursed with eternal night, and the entire town of Somnambula would have sunk into the ground!”

“Don’t forget. I helped,” Gale replied.

“Ah, puh!” Pinkie exclaimed, “There’s no chance that these ponies don’t think you’re a hero.”

Eric pointed at the sight he was seeing. “Watch this,” Rainbow added.

They then saw some ponies repairing their things, and selling a few things. Rainbow and the other three went over to an elderly earth pony stallion with grayish amber fur, a grayish streaked red mane and tail with a small beard, blue eyes, a white shirt with a brown vest, an orange headband, and his flank had a cutie mark of an apple with a purple lily. His name was Cortland.

“Hiya there, mister! I was hoping you could tell me about a pony named Daring Do. I hear she’s an awesome adventure-pony hero,” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Daring Do? Oh, she’s awesome, all right. Awesome at destroying ponies’ apple carts ...and priceless, sacred statues!” Cortland said.

“Allow me to be of assistance,” Eric replied, pointing his wand, “Reparo.”

“Thanks, Prince Eric,” Cortland said, seeing his now fixed apple cart.

“Indeed. Daring Do is a menace who destroys everything she touches!” a mysterious stranger spoke up.

“What?! No! Derring Do is the exact opposite of a menace!” Rainbow replied.

“That’s a lie, you scumbag!” Gale said.

“She’s a real hero, and you know it!” Eric added.

“Ugh! I tried to tell you! Coming back here was a mistake!” A.K. Yearling said, as she walked away.

“Come on, A. K.! So we picked a bad example. That was just one angry pony,” Rainbow replied.

“Two angry ponies!” Pinkie added.

“It doesn’t matter! I never should have come with you! You four should just go home!” A.K replied.

“Come on! We gotta follow her!” Rainbow said.

“I dunno. It really seemed like she doesn’t want us cramping her saddle,” Pinkie replied.

“But we have to convince her that ponies do appreciate her! As her friend, I have to make sure she believes that,” Rainbow said.

“You and be both, Rainbow,” Gale replied.

“Wait!” Eric shouted. A.K. Yearling turned around and looked at him, “What is it?”

“Where are we gonna sleep?” Eric asked.

“Hmm... I think I know the one place, but I don’t know if they’ll accept me because of my other half,” A.K. Yearling said.

“Well, we can tell them you’re just from Manehattan who’s visiting this place for a vacation,” Pinkie said.

“You know. That’s not a bad idea,” A.K. Yearling replied, as she led her friends to the hotel, which was somewhere nearby and a little bit far from the village.

“Look. You see that right there?” A. K. Yearling asked, pointing at the hotel, “It’s called the Get On Inn. I stay here all the time in my adventures as Daring Do.”

“Which means there must be ponies here who love Derring Do! Maybe they can help us,” Rainbow said.

“I don’t know, but it’s worth a try,” Eric replied, as he rode on A.K. Yearling’s back.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered,” A.K. Yearling said, and then they continued. As they entered the building, they saw a mare named Mrs. Trotsworth at the check-in desk.

“Excuse me, ma’am? Can I check in for a room of five, please?” A. K. Yearling asked.

Mrs. Trotsworth looked at her, and then when she saw the four of them, Rainbow Dash pointed down, until Mrs. Trotsworth looked over and saw Eric alongside them and then Mrs. Trotsworth confirmed the check in, “Okay, I’m booking you to the third floor. Now, enjoy your stay.”

“Umm, ma’am. I know you’re going to be angry about it, but is it true Daring Do stays here?” Eric asked.

“Not anymore, she doesn’t!” Mrs. Trotsworth replied angrily.

“But why? She’s a good pony like you are,” Eric said.

“The last time I rented that rascal a room, she was in such a rush to hightail it outta here, she didn’t even pay her bill!” Mrs. Trotsworth replied, “After that, a band of ruffians showed up and destroyed half the rooms looking for her. Guess she made them even more mad than she made me!”

“No, no, no. You’ve got it all wrong,” Rainbow said.

“Hmph! How do you figure?” Mrs. Trotsworth asked.

“Daring Do was trying to save everypony from the curse of the Doomed Diadem of Xilati, and she was only in a rush because she had to get the crown back to the Tiara of Teotlale before the curse took effect,” Rainbow replied before turning to Pinkie, “Chapter 17.”

“She was in such a hurry that she forgot to pay you,” Gale added.

“This should be enough gems to cover her bill and any damage done to the rooms,” Eric said, taking out a bag of gems.

“I appreciate your gesture, Eric Sparkle. But it sounds like a tall tale to me, especially coming from a griffon, and a hard one to believe, now that I know Daring Do is a scoundrel and a thief! Every year, ponies come to offer precious glowpaz to the Somnambula statue in the village in hopes for a good future. Why, that poor fella had his glowpaz necklace stolen by Daring Do just yesterday!” Mrs. Trotsworth replied.

Eric, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Gale, and A.K. Yearling went to go sit down at a table.

“Daring Do ruined our town and stole our precious glowpaz! We need to make sure that if she turns up again, there will be consequences! Everypony who’s with me, meet at the statue tomorrow!” the cloaked stallion said, as the townsponies agreed with comments.

“The nerve of that pony! Just who does he think he is?!” Rainbow asked.

“I think I know who we’re dealing with,” Gale said, squinting at the stallion.

“Now I’m getting blamed for things I didn’t even do? Why would I steal from them?” A.K. Yearling asked, sighing in sadness.

The next day, the ponies met the cloaked stranger at the statue. “I shouldn’t be here, Rainbow Dash. This is never gonna work,” A.K. Yearling said, as Eric rode on her back.

Rainbow scoffed, “Of course it will! All I have to do is go up there and explain to everypony how wrong they all are.”

“Yeah! And then I’ll be like, “What she said!” Well, you know,” Pinkie said.

A.K. Yearling replied with a sigh, “Easy-peasy-cheesy...”

“Exactly!” Pinkie said.

“Mind if I join in?” Eric asked.

“Be my guest!” Rainbow Dash said, as she carefully placed him onto her back and went over to the statue.

“Here it is! Your — Our beloved Somnambula statue! Now that Daring Do has destroyed it, tell me, where will we hang our glowpaz?” the cloaked stranger asked.

“We don’t even have any glowpaz because they were stolen by Daring Do!” said a random villager.

“Reparo!” Eric incanted, pointing his wand.

“What?!” asked the cloaked stranger, as he saw the statue back in its normal self.

“Everypony STOP!” Eric said, and then they saw him and Rainbow Dash walk up, “Listen to me! Daring Do would never steal anything! And okay, she destroyed your statue by accident, but it was because she was trying to save you all from Ahuizotl!”

“You know! He looks kinda like a mix between an otter and a wolf with a claw on his tail?” Gale added, “Would Daring Do ever steal anything from you?! No!”

“Trust me, if Ahuizotl had gotten away with the Doomed Diadem, your entire village would have been swallowed up!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Rainbow Dash is right! You should all be ashamed of yourselves thinking someone as heroic like Daring Do would steal everything from you! Well, she wouldn’t! ‘Cause I know her best,” Gale added.

“See what I mean? If this so-called “Somnambula” were here, she’d forgive Derring Do and accept her apology if Daring ever helped rebuild the statue,” Rainbow said.

“But if Somnambula were here, she would condemn Daring Do for destroying your– our symbol of hope!“ said the cloaked stranger. The ponies then argued and walked away, until the stranger walked away as well. Eric sat near a building in sadness.

“What’s troubling you, kid?” a voice said.

He turned around and saw Cortland.

“I don’t know why you’re so angry at Daring Do for destroying your statue, but she was only trying to protect you,” Eric said, “It’s just not fair, after I fixed your apple cart and the statue.”

Eric suddenly looked at the statue and asked, “Who does that statue represent, anyway?”

“This sacred statue is the namesake of our town,” Cortland said, “But if you want to understand us, you must first understand her.”

“Who?” Eric asked.

“She goes by the name that is also the name of our town, Somnambula,” Cortland said.

“Is she another legend?” Eric asked.

“Yes, she is,” Cortland said, “Long ago...”

“...this village fell prey to an evil Sphinx who demanded most of their crops. Like her fellow villagers, Somnambula didn’t have much, but she used what she had to keep others from giving up hope. The son of the Pharaoh, Prince Hisan, was so moved by her compassion that he decreed nopony would go hungry again. But when Hisan stood up to the Sphinx, the beast captured him, telling the Pharaoh the only way to get Hisan back was to solve her riddle. Nopony would volunteer to save the prince. Nopony except Somnambula.”

Somnambula flew to the pyramid, where the Sphinx held Hisan captive, and then landed on the ground to confront the beast.

”The Sphinx gave her the riddle.”

“I shine brightest in the dark. I am there but cannot be seen. To have me costs you nothing. To be without me costs you everything,” The Sphinx said. ”As Somnambula thought of the hardship she and her fellow villagers had experienced, she instantly knew the answer.” “Hope!”, she shouted.

The Sphinx roared angrily, and then stomped her paws on the ground.

“The Sphinx was so enraged, it seemed she might still refuse to release the prince, so Somnambula asked her for one more challenge. But if she accomplished it, the Sphinx would leave from the kingdom forever. The Sphinx quickly agreed, asking only that Somnambula walk to the prince across a deep chasm... blindfolded! Further, the Sphinx had cast a powerful spell that prevented Somnambula from flying.”

The Sphinx laughed evilly at what she did to Somnambula, as she pushed her over the bridge.

“But Somnambula never lost hope! She knew she’d need to make a leap of faith to save the prince. Guided by the sound of the prince’s voice... she easily made it across.”

The Sphinx got angry again and then flew away to never return. Somnambula then freed Prince Hisan from the capture and then he removed the blindfold from her eyes.

“The Pharaoh asked how Somnambula prevailed, and she explained that she had always hoped she could make things better for her people and that hope had carried her through. The Prince replaced the pearls Somnambula gave up with a string of glowpaz. And around her neck, they glowed bright enough to light the entire kingdom.”

“Forever after, glowpaz became our symbolic jewelry of hope,” Cortland finished.

“Wow... My friends and I had no idea how special the statue is. Somnambula sounds like a pretty compassionate pony. So what happened to her then?” Eric asked.

“She disappeared later on, mysteriously without a trace,” Cortland said.

“Just like Rockhoof, Mistmane, and Flash Magnus,” Eric replied, “If she were still here, I’d ask her for a chance for me to never give up hope like how she would’ve, and probably for Daring Do also.”

“She would also tell you how cool Daring Do is too, because they’ve both fought to protect this town!” Rainbow added.

“If Somnambula were here today, she would condemn Daring Do for destroying your– our symbol of hope!” the hooded stallion said.

Rainbow Dash suddenly saw the cloaked stranger with a grin on his muzzle, and then looked at him angrily.

“Hey, you! What did Daring Do ever do to you to deserve all of this?!” Rainbow asked.

“Only... everything!” the pony replied, after removing his cloak. It was Dr. Caballeron.

“Dr. Caballeron?!” Rainbow asked.

“Yes, Rainbow Dash!” Dr. Caballeron replied, with an evil laugh, “When I saw you, her closest friend, I knew that Derring Do and her meddling griffon friend would not be far behind. I really do owe you for leading them right to me.”

“No! I didn’t mean to!” Rainbow said.

“Of course you didn’t! Thank you for helping me break Derring Do’s spirit by destroying her reputation, but I can’t have you running off and telling her my plan,” Dr. Caballeron replied.

He then whistled for his henchmen. They tied up Rainbow with rope, put white cloth over her eyes and mouth, and took her hostage.

Eric and Gale suddenly saw Dr. Caballeron and his henchmen take Rainbow away, “Oh no! Rainbow!” A.K. Yearling looked at Eric with confusion.

“Eric, what is it?” A.K. Yearling asked, and then she saw Caballeron taking Rainbow, “Caballeron?! No!”

“I figured it was him the whole time, and my hunch was right,” Gale said.

“They’ve got Rainbow Dash! Come on!” Pinkie replied.

It wasn’t long before Eric, Gale, and Pinkie were lost in the desert, searching for their friend.

“We’re... coming... Rainbow... Dash...” Pinkie said, panting to catch her breath.

“Are you giving up, just like that?” a voice said. Pinkie saw Daring Do appear, “Ah! I knew you’d come!”

“You did? Well, I sure didn’t. What if I cause more trouble?” Daring Do asked.

“You won’t!” Pinkie said.

“Really? How do you know?” Daring Do asked.

“I just do! Besides, you wouldn’t let anything bad happen to Rainbow. You care too much,” Pinkie said.

“She’s got a point, you know,” Gale added.

“You know what? You’re right,” Daring Do replied, and then she took out her binoculars. “Which way did they go?” She saw the oasis up close, and then she saw Caballeron and his henchmen running towards the pyramid. “To the pyramid!” she said, as they ran for the pyramid.

As they got inside, they heard Rainbow’s voice, “Help me! Somepony help me! Pinkie Pie? Daring Do? Is that you?!” Rainbow asked.

Don’t worry, Rainbow! We’ll save you!” Pinkie said.

They noticed the pool of glowing green bubbling slime, and then they had no idea how to get across without the bridge in place. They suddenly heard Dr. Caballeron’s cackle, and looked up at the ceiling.

“If my previous plan didn’t cause you to give up, Daring Do, then the shame of losing your dear friend Rainbow Dash to the slime will! Oh, and that ancient magic from the legend is real. There’ll be no flying in the pyramid! Good luck, Daring Do!” Dr. Caballeron said, cackling again. He escaped by trapping the heroes in the pyramid.

The pillar began to move, and Rainbow tried to struggle free. Daring Do and Gale tried to move their wings, but they wouldn’t budge, “He’s right! We’ll never get to her in time!”

“If this really is like Somnambula’s story, then we just have to have hope that we can,” Pinkie said.

“I think we need more than hope, Pinkie. There was a bridge in the story, and there’s no bridge here. What are we going to do?” Daring Do said.

Rainbow kept frighteningly whimpering as she kept trying to get free. “I don’t know, but Rainbow is our friend. Just like Somnambula, we need to make a leap of faith and hope that we can save her!” Pinkie replied, as she was about to jump off the edge.

“Pinkie, wait!” Eric said, “Gale, you got any rope in your bag?”

“I do, and a grappling hook,” Gale replied as he took out the rope.

Eric managed to anchor the rope with a stake and a rock to the wooden planks where they stood, then pointed his wand and secured the grappling hook to the pillar.

“Come on, Pinkie!” Daring Do said, as they both crossed the rope over to the other side with Eric.

“I knew we’d do it!” Pinkie, giggling happily.

“Thanks for reminding me to never give up hope, guys,” Daring Do replied.

“And I’m kinda “hoping” you ponies will untie me before we all take a bath in bubbling green slime!” Rainbow said.

“We’re on it!” Daring Do replied.

“Diffindo,” Eric incanted, pointing his wand.

With Rainbow untied, Eric undid the grappling hook, climbed the rope back to the other side and the three ponies gripped the rope in their mouths, then he and Gale pulled them back up.

Gale then placed Eric on the back of Daring Do and then they all left the pyramid, until they saw Dr. Caballeron and his henchponies running for the village.

“We can still stop them! Come on!” Eric said, and they all nodded with brave faces and rushed back to the village.

Dr. Caballeron and his henchponies were walking out of the village with the sack. Suddenly, Daring Do stood in front of them, “Not so fast, Caballeron!” she said.

Eric climbed off Daring Do and stood with her. Rainbow, Pinkie, and Gale surrounded the henchponies, as they dropped the sack, revealing the glowpaz stones and necklaces, as one of the pieces touched a mare’s hoof.

“You stole our glowpaz!” Nile Faras said pointing at Caballeron and his crew. The ponies of Somnambula made angry and disappointed comments at the bandits.

“I should’ve known you were just trying to sully my name so that you’d be free to steal whatever you wanted,” Daring Do said angrily.

“Of course that was the plan, Daring Do!” Dr. Caballeron replied, “At first I just wanted all the glowpaz, but then I saw an opportunity to write you out of the story for good!” Caballeron then cackled evilly, as the other ponies gasped at what he said. “And with the destruction you leave in your wake, it didn’t take too much to convince ponies you were a villain!! That and Glacio paid me and my crew to fetch him any relics we can find here.”

“See? I told you Daring Do was innocent,” Eric said.

Everypony was shocked to find out that Dr. Caballeron and his crew were hired by Glacio.

“You’re wrong, Caballeron,” Daring Do said, “And I won’t let you break my spirit again. Because I’m never going to give up hope that I can protect ponies and ancient treasures from miscreants like you!”

The townsponies made agreeable comments with Daring Do.

“Just like Somnambula would do,” Eric added.

Derring Do then nodded, and then Caballeron thought of a lie quickly.

“R-Remember! Sh-She ruined your statue! You’re all fools to believe in her!” he said.

The ponies didn’t fall for it, and then kept surrounding the villains. Dr. Caballeron growled in frustration and shouted, “YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS, Daring DO!!!”

He and his crew fled without the glowpaz. The ponies of Somnambula cheered for her.

“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Daring Do said, and then they put her down.

“Guys?” she asked. Eric, Gale, Rainbow, and Pinkie walked over to her. “Thanks for backing me up, and for helping me come to my senses. You four are true friends.”

“Are you kidding? That... was... awesome!” Rainbow Dash said. “Yeah! We’re just glad you’re back to your normal self again!” Pinkie said.

“Me too. I’m glad that I realized that even if you’re fighting for something good, you’re still responsible for your actions, no matter what happens,” Daring Do replied, with a nod.

“And if something bad happens that you didn’t intend, you shouldn’t give up hope or lose faith in yourself,” Rainbow said.

“Yeah! All you gotta do is make it right,” Pinkie added.

“Umm, could you use that in your next book?” Eric asked.

“You know, since you’ve helped me believe in myself, I think I’ll consider about it,” Daring Do said. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie both squealed in excitement and laughed.

Soon after apologizing to Mrs. Trotsworth, the five friends boarded the train for Ponyville. When they got back, it was late afternoon and Eric returned to the Castle of Friendship. Upon returning home, Eric was greeted by his parents.

“Welcome home, sweetie,” Twilight said.

“How’d you like your adventure with Daring Do?” Storm asked.

“It was quite an experience. I learned about a pony called Somnambula, but we found out that Dr. Caballeron was hired by Glacio to steal relics for him,” Eric replied.

“At least you’re home safe, Eric,” Twilight said, before feeling a sharp pain causing her to wince and groan.

“Mommy, are you okay?” Eric asked.

“We need to get to the hospital, quickly,” Twilight said.

Just then, they walked into town hoping to catch a taxi carriage. “Taxi!” Storm called out. A carriage came and they immediately got in.

Ponyville General Hospital

Soon enough, Eric was in the waiting room, reading. Just then, Nurse Redheart came up to him, “Eric, your mom wants to see you. She’s in room A-113,” she said, signaling him to follow her.

It wasn’t long before Eric entered the room, he was greeted by his aunt and uncle.

“Hi, Uncle Shining. Hi, Aunt Cadance,” Eric said, ah he hugged them.

“Hi, Eric,” Cadance and Shining replied in unison.

Twilight was lying in the hospital bed holding a baby alicorn colt, with Storm alongside her. The colt was a medium shade of teal and had a purple mane and tail with pink and reddish brown streaks, and with purple eyes. Storm levitated Eric onto the bed with his mom.

“Eric, this is your baby brother, Midnight Star,” Twilight said.

“Mommy, can I please hold him?” Eric asked.

“Of course, sweetie,” Twilight replied as she passed Midnight to him.

Shining and Cadance were in glee, seeing their new nephew for the first time. Storm also had a good look at Midnight. While Eric has holding his little brother, he opened his eyes. Eric was fearful that he might cry, but he didn’t and just got a good look at him.

“Come on, sweetheart. Hand him back to me, please,” Twilight said.

“Yes mommy.” Eric replied, giving Midnight back to Twilight.

Next Chapter: Chapter 7: A Health of Information Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 20 Minutes