TenochtiCon [Complete] [Rainbow Dash SoL]

>Three nights and four days.
>Four FULL days of basking in the glory of the single largest annual convention of Daring Do in all of Equestria!
>TenochtiCon at the world famous Fluxor Pyramid hotel and resort in Las Pegasus!
>You can only sit and stare in awe for a moment at the monolithic glass and steel stepped pyramid awash in colored light.
>You're really here! Really, really HERE!
"OhmygoshohmygoshohmyGOSH!"
>Your impromptu dance of joy comes to a sudden halt as a large group of ponies chattering in various costumes pushes past you into the prepaid ticket line.
"Hey! Wait..!"
>You sigh and grab your safari hat from where it fell and quickly flap your way into the air.
>If these ponies want to be rude, well, two can play at THAT game.
>A couple of swift flaps send you shooting through the crowded fans like cloud pillar obstacles.
>As you pass you flip onto your back and waggle your hoof in front of your nose before sticking out your tongue and laughin-...huh?
>A pale aura around your tail holds you firmly in place as the now indignant ponies glare at you and trot past.
"What!? H-hey! Lemme GO!"
>'Scuse me, Miss..."
>Finding your tail free you whip around and discover yourself nose to nose with a rather large unicorn security guard.
"What's the problem? Those ponies just pushed past me like I wasn't there!"
>He simply gestures at a small sign showing a pair of wings with a circle around them and a line through it.
"But...!"
>"Sorry Miss. You weren't in line so they didn't cut, and it's Con policy not to allow wings for queuing. Please keep your hooves on the ground when entering lines..."
>He looks you up and down over the rim of his shades and gives you a wink.
>"...Miss Do."
>You stammer a bit as he smiles and trots back to patrol the maze of roped off lines.
>Hmm...you'll have to thank Mayor Mare for her expertise on gray mane coloring. Your costume seems to be the best it's ever been!
>Another large surge of ponies approaches and you quickly trot into place to prevent a repeat.
>You take a deep breath and brace yourself.
>This line looks almost as bad as Cider Season....

..........
"UUUGH!"
>Two hours later you drag yourself forward the last few feet to the counter.
>You dramatically claw your way up to the bored looking mare behind it and slump onto the cool surface.
"Finally...w-what day is it?"
>The mare merely rolls her eyes and starts flipping through a ledger.
>"Name, and valid ID please."
>You answer her rolling eyes with your own before straightening up and fishing into your bulging saddlebags.
>You slap your glossy Wonderbolts Reservist ID card on the counter.
"Name's Rainbow Dash! You've probably heard of me. But no autographs, please! I'm on vacation."
>The ConStaffer gives you a tired look before her eyes widen a bit at your ID. She looks a bit happier as she checks it against your cutie mark and then presses a foil seal onto a badge and hoofs it to you.
>You smile at her and wave as you put the badge's lanyard around your neck.
>Your bravado rarely fails to cheer ponies up.
>Now to check into your room...
................
>Another three hours finds you checked in, fed, napped, and thoroughly ready for the opener parties before the Con officially starts tomorrow morning.
>You look over your thick complimentary booklet that lists all the sponsored panels and parties.
>Hmm...but the unofficial ones are usually WAY more interesting...
>You need insider info and quick. It's not your first convention, but this one is on a whole other level.
>You need a Con guide. A...a Con Sherpa?
>Whatever. You're pretty sure you've got an idea anyhow.
>You look around your room at your scattered belongings and scoop up some essentials into your bag.
>Gotta leave room for swag.
>After your bits, water bottle, booklet, and autograph book goes a large, paper wrapped glass bottle.
>You stop in front of the mirror and adjust your costume a bit before giving your reflection a wink and rushing out the door.
>You come to a screeching halt.
"ROOM KEY!"
>You dive back inside just before the door closes and grab it off the nightstand.
>You trot back out more sedately and head down to the first floors.
>It's party time!
.................
>It isn't hard to find a room party.
>An elevator ride to the third floor and a short walk brings you to several rooms with ponies standing outside the doors and bass whudding through the walls.
>Your best "fashionista" smile and unveiling the  bottle of Apple's Best Hard Cider gets you through the door.
>The room party is already in full swing.
>Ponies laugh, dance, and chat in every available space all while the latest underground-that-every-pony-knows pop music blasts over everything.
>A heavily stocked impromptu bar caters to every liquid desire.
>You take it all in for a moment before heading to the quieter balcony for air and some information.
>A colt in a similar Daring Do costume waves you over.
>His cardboard wings and hat don't do much to disguise his horn, but cosplay is for every pony you suppose.
>"There she is! You're the one with that top shelf handle, right?"
>You nod and produce the bottle.
"I'm Rainbow Dash. And aren't you a liiiiittle young to be..."
>He scoffs and looks admiringly at the bottle.
>"I'm whatever age I want to be in MY room, babe. Besides, I'm older than this cute face'd have you believe. Yessss, I've always wanted to try this stuff."
>You stash the bottle back and give him a look.
"Looks like you got plenty in your cup already there, Superstar. Don't worry though. It's not going anywhere."
>He looks like he's going to argue, but before he can another colt comes running up to meet you.
>"Gumbo! You have to come quick!"
>"What's the idea? I just got this party rollin'."
>The tawny colt comes to a stop panting loudly.
>"I just heard...gah, from Hornshine..."
>He takes a deep breath and looks at you both before speaking in a voice of quiet awe.
>"Anonymous! He's here! He's at TenochtiCon!"
>You look mildly confused and a bit disappointed having thought you were already on the verge of some Con secrets.
>"NO WAY! I mean, no way, bro! Everypony knows he never leaves Griffonstone!"
>"No, but he's HERE! Hornshine is dating one of the organizers! He's doing a one time event tomorrow morning and Horny says he already arrived!"
>"Bullpies! There's no way..."
>The conversation continues in this vein and quickly bores you. Not wanting to give up your new contact to an organizer, you step in.
"Yo...who's this...Anonymous?"
>You nearly fly off the balcony from the force of the disappointed glares that fire from all over the terrace.
>You just HAD to speak up right in a lull in the music.
>Your host looks at you incredulously.
>"Aren't you a Daring Do fan? Oh, wait, are you just one of those professional cosplayers?"
>Caught between the challenge to your fandom and the compliment to your costume you just manage to mutely nod before quickly snapping out of it.
"No! I mean, uh, I'm a real fan! I am!"
>"But you don't know Anonymous. Mhmm..."
"Look, I've read every Daring Do book, even the dust covers. I've read every article about A. K. Yearling. I've seen all of it and I've never heard of Anonymous."
>The smug smiles on the colts' faces puts you in a very applebucking mood.
>"Look, sweetie. Let a real fan educate you."
>Your fury rises as he throws a hoof around your shoulders.
>"Anonymous is a writer. A fanfic writer. For Daring Do. And he's the greatest of them all."
"Fanfic?"
>You'd heard of it.
>Okay, you'd WRITTEN some of it.
>But you never thought anypony really cared about that stuff. It's just for fun.
>The tawny colt speaks up.
>"Yeah, dude. He's harder to find than A. K. herself. He lives in Griffonstone, a-and folks say he's, y'know, a monster... You can only buy his stories twice a year here and at the San Palomino ComiCon."
"Wait, he SELLS them?"
>Your host pats your flank.
>"Ponies gotta eat. Monsters too. Now why don't you and me g-AAAAAGHK!"
>You lower your hind hoof to the ground as your host crawls out from under the table you kicked him through, and give him a smirk.
>You puff your bangs out of your eyes and flick your tail at him.
"Thanks, but no thanks, kid. Your party has a bit of an insect problem."
>You trot out through the front door and blend in with the crowd before he can call security.
>Meh, he probably won't now that you think about it.
>But now you've got something really interesting to work toward.
>Some monster from Griffonstone is trying to cash in on Daring Do's hard work and solid branding?
>Looks like a job for Rainbow Dash!

>You hop up into a hover to see over the milling crowd.
>It's a bit of a long shot, but if you can find this "Hornshine" pony you might be able to get some answers.
>Over the railing you can see down into the lobby.
>Between the elevators and the three-hoof restaurant lies a large bar and lounge area.
>Ponies sit talking and mingling around tables and cushions made to look like gilded artifacts.
>A full service bar that's shaped like an ancient stone altar and sarcophagus rounds out the theme.
>One table in particular catches your eye.
>The large semi-circular booth in one corner host a half dozen Con security and their hangers-on laughing around a table carved with glyphs.
>You straighten your khaki duds and glide over and down.
>Pegasi in various costumes and merchandise fill the air in the massive open space within the resort.
>It's almost a Cloudsdayle traffic jam despite the sheer amount of space between the railed room levels that angle up the Pyramid's interior.
>Careful to draw little attention you reign in your desire to shoot around the slower ponies.
>You land lightly next to the bar and fold your wings.
>You push your safari hat into a jaunty angle and stick on your best confident smile before approaching the group of off-duty revelers.
>Before you've even reached them one of the ConSec ponies spots you.
>The golden-brown Earth pony leaps out of the booth and hurries toward you making you scramble to a worried stop.
>"Wow! You're the best I've seen yet! And it hasn't even started! Mind if we take a photo? Your mane is PERFECT!"
>The fanpony's gushing catches you off guard, but you recover quickly.
>You suppose ConSec doesn't HAVE to be all jaded and cynical.
"Heh, sure. Isn't it amazing? My friends helped me make it!"
>He jerks his head in a wide-eyed nod as he waves another security pony over and hoofs his camera to her.
>You plan to ask these ponies some questions so you take several pictures hugged up to the fanpony, and several more solo shots of your best action poses.
>As the flabbergasted fan pumps your hoof and thanks you over and over before trotting away, you look toward his smirking coworker.
"Hey, I've got a question for you."
>She tilts her head and nods.
"So...I was talking to Gumbo..."
>Her sympathetic expression leads you to believe she's familiar with him.
"...and he was talking about some interesting stuff. D'you know a pony named Hornshine?"
>Her expression lightens at the name.
>"Well, yeah. Ha! Wanna talk to him? HEY! Horny! C'mere a sec!"
>Your bewildered expression hits full on incredulity as a familiar pale unicorn pops his head over the scrum at the booth and climbs out.
>He trots over with a small smile on his face, and plants a kiss on the little Pegasus Security-mare who called him.
>"Hon, you know I hate that nickname."
>He turns to you and does a passable Caballeron impression.
>"So, we meet again, Miss Do!"
>You stand speechless as a few details slam home.
>The Security mare's ID emblazoned with CHIEF.
>The sparkling ram's horns cutie-mark on her coltfriend.
>Her pale orange wing flaps in front of your face.
>"Equestria to Rainbow Dash! Come in, Rainbow Dash!"
>You snap out of your shock with a shake.
"Wha-? You know my name?"
>She smirks and flicks your 'Rainbow Dash' displaying Con badge.
>You facehoof as they chuckle.
"Guuh! Okay, Hornshine. I heard from Gumbo about some hack writer with no name cashing in on A. K. Yearling! I wanna meet this so-called monster and...talk to him..."
>You had started to hover in your enthusiasm and ended by smacking your hooves together at the word 'talk'
>Hornshine looks at his fillyfriend with a grin.
>She merely huffs and shakes her head.
>"This is right up your alley, Hornmuffins. You can handle this. I'm going back to the table. See ya, Dash. If you're ever not crusading against literary genius, ask for Windsong and we'll hang out, okay?"
>You can only nod in surprise as she walks off.
"She wants to hang out?"
>Hornshine watches her retreating flanks and nods.
>"Yeah...she's a big Wonderbolts geek. She always checks the rolls of pre-passes for anypony associated with 'em. It was only a matter of time before she found you. She was talking about it earlier."
>He turns toward you with a smile.
>"She played it cool, but I bet she's freaking out over there. C'mon, let's grab a table and talk."
........................
>He leads you over to a table made to look like a giant Zebra spirit drum and pulls out a chair for you.
>The gesture is unnecessary, but you decide not to say anything and sit down.
>Once you'd both ordered some tasty things to munch and sip on he leans back and throws a hoof over the back of his chair.
>"So, you're trying to find out more about Anonymous?"
>You nod as the waitress sets down your orders.
"Yeah. I've never heard of this guy before, and now he's suddenly at the biggest Con in Equestria making bank off of somepony else's adventures!"
>He raises an eyebrow.
>"You've really never heard of him, huh? Well, as much as you and I may not like it, what he's doing is completely legal."
>You give him a skeptical look.
"So you think he's a con artist too? How is that legal?"
>Hornshine takes a bite of his three cheese nachos and gestures with a stringy chip.
>"Mmf! Good stuff...myeah, I don't like him cashing in on Daring Do's popularity, but he never mentions her by name or uses any of the characters from Yearling's novels."
>He washes it down with a gulp of tangy orange cream daiquiri.
>"His stories are all about crazy places nopony's ever heard of, and opposing a big military conspiracy who're after artifacts and such."
>That actually sounds...pretty cool.
>You give yourself a mental shake.
"Wait, then how are they Daring Do stories?"
>He points at one of your eggplant sliders with a questioning look.
>You wave for him to grab it and dig into one yourself.
>"Thanks, these are a favorite. But trust me, you read one of these stories and you'll have no doubt who they're about. Doesn't hurt that you can only buy them at Daring Do conventions."
>He polishes off the slider with a small burp.
>You answer with a much louder one, and you both nearly fall over laughing.
>"Nice one! Still though, he sells out every year on the first day. A lot of ponies come to these just to pick up the latest."
"He's really that popular?"
>Hornshine nods still chuckling lightly.
>"You should see for yourself. Just a sec..."
>He gets up and trots over to talk to his marefriend for a moment.
>You finish off your snack and contemplate what you've learned.
>After a few minutes he returns with an amused expression on his face.
"What's up?"
>He leans in close and speaks softly.
>"Windsong is a big fan of Anonymous. She'll do a lot if she thinks she'll convert somepony. Now this isn't, strictly speaking, something she's supposed to do..."
>You nod and hold your breath hoping he's not about to suggest anything too elicit.
>"She radioed ahead to tell the pony on duty at the dealers' hall to let you through. The booth is at 237-A. Don't take anything, but read one of the stories. See what you think, huh?"
>You quickly try to gauge how legit this is, but since you aren't taking anything it shouldn't be an issue.
>You probably won't make it through the story anyway.
>You nod and stand up.
"Okay, I'll go see what this guy is all about. That way, he can't say I didn't read it when I get hold of him!"
>Your fierce grin gets another wry chuckle from the unicorn.
...........................
>The brightly lit space of the resort lobby gives way to the beautifully decorated lower floors where all the conference halls are placed.
>The Fluxor's ancient crypt/temple theme continues downstairs in the carved stone mouldings and friezes.
>Actual living vines and trees are worked into the surfaces, and cool, clear water flows down from artificial waterfalls and statue mouths.
>The place is purposely built like a labrynth.
>You laugh inwardly.
>A labrynth with shiny brass plaques giving directions at ever corner.
>A signboard comes into view with a ConSec pony beside it in front of a grand double-door carved like the gates of Tartarus.
>You trot past the 'Dealers' Hall' sign with a nod for the guard and push through one of the heavy doors.
>You're unable to move forward for a second as the view of the grand hall opens up before you.
>A gigantic oval room like some kind of indoor amphitheater curves around you.
>Five large tiers lift upward and nearly every inch of available space is covered in booths and merchandise ready for the grand opening tomorrow.
>With only a quarter of the lights on, the combination of decoration and swag swirl together into a surreal dimension of Daring Do everything.
>You slowly enter the holy place feeling a natural desire to be hushed and reverent.
>After gawking your way down several aisles and subconsciously planning your attack for tomorrow, a guard's wavering flashlight brings you back to your task.
"237-A...hmm..."
>You find a helpful signboard with a labeled map of the hall.
>You're not far, and it'll be rad to see all of this from above since you can't later on.
>You soundlessly slide upward into the air and take it all in for a moment before slipping back down to your destination.
>You look at the tiny, nondescript booth.
"Aw, c'mon! Did I get the number wrong?"
>It's a folding table covered in a white cloth.
>A matching chair sits behind it, followed by a large square tent.
>You'll never find it in this dim light.
>Better take a look just in case.
>You move to push back the tent flap, and come up against something solid.
>Pulling the cloth aside you see dozens, no, hundreds of large cardboard boxes stacked up.
>This isn't a tent. It's a bunch of stock covered by a large cloth tarp.
>And ever box is similarly marked by a large stamp that says [ANON] and a number 1 to 4.
>Your tail swishes excitedly.
"This is IT!"
>You push back your hat and slowly lift the flaps on the nearest carton.
>Inside are two heavy stacks of printer-paper novels bound by staples.
>The left one reads, "The Seven Veils By: Anonymous" and "The Unicorn's Legacy By: Anonymous"
>Just as you're about to pick one up you hear a shuffling sound and see the cloth over the other boxes twitch.
"Hey! Who's there?"
>The sound of hurried footfalls spurs you into action almost before you can think.
>You leap and glide over the stacks in time to see a tall cloaked figure round a corner in the direction of the doors.
"Authorized personnel only, thief! You won't get away!"
>Your wings flick you into a sweeping turn around the corner where you barely manage to swerve as you're blinded by a guard's flashlight.
"Aagk! Watch out!"
>Your hooves hit the ground hard and you go rolling across the ground before planting a hoof and bouncing back up to a halt.
>An impressed whistle and clapping comes from the wide eyed guard as he turns out his light.
>"Nice moves! You're the one Windy said would be coming, right?"
>You catch your hat when he tosses it to you and seat it back on your head.
"Yeah, but never mind that. I saw somepony rummaging around at the Anonymous booth! They may have taken something!"
>The guard pony snorts and shakes his head.
>"Can't steal what's already yours. You and Anon are the only ones in here. That I guarantee."
>You fly up and grab the guard's face.
"That was HIM?!"
>Distantly you hear the sound of the heavy doors in front close with a bang.
>You drop to your knees on the floor.
>He was right THERE!
>You pull your hooves away from your face at the light touch from the guard's hoof.
>"You all right, Miss?"
>You simply nod as you get to your hooves.
>"Okay, good. Because I get off shift in a few hours and I'd rather you were done reading by then."
>That's right!
>You thump his shoulder.
"I still have to read it!"
>You begin to fly back over and call over your shoulder.
"Don't worry, this won't take long!"
........................
>You walk slowly forward as the heavy double-doors thud closed behind you.
>Lost in thought, you barely hear the voice talking to you.
"Wha...huh?"
>The guard behind you smirks and repeats himself.
>"I asked what you thought of his story. Windy's trying to convert you, right?"
>Countless thoughts run through your head as you try to come up with an answer.
>You'd sat down on a carton of the cheap novels and pulled out the shortest of the four stories available.
>You flipped it open intending to skim through it quickly for the major plot points, but...
>Two hours flew by, and you'd only finished half!
>Daring Do...or whoever, was so AWESOME in this story.
>Hornshine was right. She was never referred to by name. Just vague monickers.
>But in THIS she was just as smart, athletic, and cocky, but she also had supporting characters.
>And a WHIP!
>The story had everything.
>Ancient artifacts, magic curses, hidden crypts, puzzles, mystery, action!
>It even had its own villain in a blonde Earth Pony supremacist seeking world domination!
>The guard pony waves his hoof in front of your eyes.
>"Anypony home?"
>You give yourself a quick shake.
>Unwilling to admit your thoughts to that smirk, you return it with one of your own.
"Meh, I've seen better. He's got a few things going for him, but nothing to freak out about."
>"Oh? I see..."
>The smug little so-and-so only smiles more broadly.
>You turn your tail to him and walk off as normally as you can.
>His soft chuckle is fervently ignored.
................
>Once back upstairs you head out onto the closest patio.
>The lights of Las Pegasus bathe the dry air in tints of flashing color.
>The Fluxor itself spears the heavens with a gigantic beam of light.
>The patio is insanely crowded.
>Yet another bar outside quenches ponies' thirst as a small drum circle tamps out a soothing rhythm in the corner.
>Burning herbs of every sort fill the air with cloying scents as ponies mill around talking and laughing.
>A passing Earth pony offers you a drink from the pack on his back.
>Tastes just like apple pie, but you hold off from tasting too much knowing its hidden wallop.
>You breathe deeply, taking in the cosmopolitan atmosphere and soaking up the unique culture.
>You have a lot to consider, and don't really feel like getting bombed.
>You also need to rest up for your early start tomorrow.
>Maybe you should head to bed?
>A large group of ponies forming up into a circle catches your eye.
>You trot over curiously.
>A young Pegasus notices you.
>"We're playing 'Are you a Changeling?' Want in?
>A broad grin spreads across your face.
................
>A call from the Luna forsaken front desk wakes you as ordered right at dawn.
>You drag yourself blearily off your bed and into the shower.
>Twelve games of 'Are You A Changeling'.
>And a bit more Apple Pie than you probably should have had.
>They never caught you when you drew the 'Changeling' card though. All the 'villagers' got their love stolen.
>You smile as the hot water revives your desiccated form.
>Rainbow Dash gets ALL the love.
>With your second Daring-Do outfit on, and a Red Minotaur inside you're ready to conquer the Con!
>Rarity's insistence on you having a fresh costume each day and two spares seems a lot more reasonable looking at the shambles of your first cosplay outfit.
>Saddlebags locked and loaded, you head down for the complimentary breakfast.
>You munch on fruit and nuts as you breeze through the Con catalogue trying to map out your day.
>First thing, the big parade around the hotel.
>There's supposed to be a bunch of awesome floats.
>The dealers' hall opens at eleven......but it's bound to be Tartarus down there with Anonymous' booth.
>Maybe if you get there early you could get close enough...
"Eh, why not. It's worth a shot."
>The cosplay contest doesn't kick off til one anyway.
>"What's worth a shot?"
>Your wings fly out I surprise, but you manage to stay grounded.
>Windsong had slid in next to you at your booth.
"Hey, Windsong! I was just figuring out my day. Thought I might try to get near Anonymous at his stall."
>She looks at you over her shades and grins.
>"Want an autograph, Dash? Maybe I could arrange it..."
>You try to look completely bored by the thought.
"N-no! I just wanna talk to him, like I said."
>She thumps your foreleg hard.
>"Ha! Admit it Dash! He's awesome, right? Better than Yearling for sure!"
>You look at her like she'd smacked you across the face.
"WHAT?!"
>You're airborne now! Whatever, you're not in any line.
"How could you say that? A. K. Yearling's stories are perfect! They're WAY better!"
>She frowns slightly.
>"C'mon, Rainbow. Her stuff doesn't have half the interesting things his do."
"Yeah, but hers are REAL...!"
>You barely manage to catch yourself.
"...ISTIC! M-more than his anyway!"
>You facehoof internally. Smooth.
>She shrugs still wearing that disappointed look.
>"Yeah, that's why I read fantasy. Realism. Whatever. Hey Dash. If you want, I'd still like you to come to our party tonight. Room 217. We can talk about other stuff. See you."
>She leaves without waiting for an answer, and you floating there sputtering.
>Crap. You let your fangirling go overboard.
>You just don't want to admit how much you liked it!
"Why is this so hard?"
>"Ahem...?"
>The soft throat clearing makes you turn.
>A young bellhop with a slightly dented cake box looks up at you.
>"Miss Rainbow Dash? Package for you."
>You wordlessly take the box and hoof over a tip.
>You pry up the lid.
"What the hay is---!"
>As the lid comes up a loud bang resounds as a blast of confetti and streamers hits you in the face with shrill horn sounds.
>You look down to see the tops of thirteen pink cupcakes squashed into the box. A letter is written on top of them in turquoise icing.
[Hi, Rainbow Dash! It's me, Pinkie Pie! But not really me I'm just writing this, silly. I hope you're having a splendiferous time! (Twilight says that's not a real word, but I think she's still just moping since she couldn't go with you) Don't forget us, and write back about your adventures! I hope you meet some new friends! Love, Everypony!]
>You can't help but smile as you pull one out and cram it into your mouth distorting the letter.
"Mmmf!"
>Strawberry-Cherry icing on banana cake! Yum!
>You'll have to talk with Windsong. Can't let your new friend be down like that. You'll definitely be going to that party.
>But that's later on, for now the big Parade!
.................
>The crowds in the lobby oozing in and out of the resort are ridiculous.
>Ponies mill around everywhere in colorful costumes of every type and quality.
>You're stopped every ten feet or so for pictures with other guests, but it doesn't bother you.
>A tiny pega colt with shining eyes dressed up as the sapphire statue with his Daring-Do mom almost makes you die on the spot from cute overload.
>You finally get outside into the clear, cool desert air.
>It's pretty nice out here before the sun climbs very high.
>You wind through the chattering crowds and get up front to a spot along the parade route.
>You take a moment to fasten your camera in its harness around your neck.
>You finish and take a sip of water just as the marching band comes around the corner down the block.
>The music pounds as the band closes in.
>The musicians are dressed in colorful costumes like ancient Tenochtec warriors, and they dance animatedly in a stellar choreography.
>The first of the floats draws near after them depicting the cover art from the first edition of book 1.
>You cheer and holler with the rest of the crowd while taking photos of everything.
>After a while an enormous float comes slowly down the road.
>It's a masterpiece of flowers arranged to look like a towering Ahuizotl with a dance floor as the palm of his hand.
>Dancing to the tribal beats of a synth-pop track are nearly a dozen ponies of every size and shape all dressed like Daring Do.
>Your feverish photo taking is interrupted as a pony wearing an earpiece waves at you and gestures at the big float.
"Huh? You want me...?"
>He nods with a smile as the crowd around you cheers and makes way.
"Aaaaw YEAH!"
>You leap into the air and zoom over to the dance floor where you quickly join in the dancing fun as the crowd screams and cheers around you.
>The view of the crowds and other floats from up here is amazing, and more Daring Do costumers are pulled out of the crowd to join as you pass.
>You dance up a storm back and forth on the floor.
>You pair up with a pony, get down, and spin away to the next.
>You even run into Gumbo, but he seems to have no hard feelings as he grins at you and tries to show his moves.
>As you near the end, Ahuizotl's other hand above the stage opens and drops scores of gold colored bead necklaces with the Con symbol as a medallion onto the floor.
>You rush over with the other Daring-Dos to grab them and toss them out to the frothing crowd.
>Wow.
>Ponies go NUTS for some cheap beads!
>You smirk as you imagine yourself climbing over ponies and screaming for one if you were still down there.
>Half an hour later, as you disembark, you hug and exchange photo ops with a few other cosplayers before trotting off for something to drink.
>You're worn out and it's only ten to eleven.
>You jerk to a halt.
>The dealers' hall opens in TEN MINUTES!
>Forgetting your fatigue, you race back into the resort and down the escalators.
>And are brought to a stop immediately behind the ginormous line winding through the halls.
"This...this can't be the line for the dealers' hall..."
>The pony in front of you turns to look at you.
>"No, no. Of course not. This is the line for Anon's booth. He's actually here! And he's signing each copy you buy!"
>You just stand there gaping at the wiggly, excited filly.
>"They started letting ponies in a little while ago just for his booth 'cause of the line. If you want to just get into the hall there's another line a bit further down. It'll be open soon."
>You look again down the eternal line of excited fans.
>There is NO way.
>You'll just have to give up on Anonymous for now.
......................
>Now that you're freed up for a few hours you return to the central lobby pub to weigh your options.
>You still need to get to the dealers' hall on day one.
>You've learned to do any swag purchases the last day or so when they're trying to push out their stock, but some more rare and interesting items may be lurking in wait for a savvy customer earlier on.
>That'll have to come later though.
>You don't want to spend all day in a line.
>You flip through the catalogue looking for something to check out before your cosplay contest.
>A panel debating the morality of Caballeron in the first three novels?
>Best argument gets a free spaghetti dinner from room service?
>You are SO there!
...........................
>An hour and a half later finds you touching up your costume and mane dye in your room.
>Why does a tiny colt know such big words?
>You got destroyed in the debate by a glasses wearing colt who convinced the whole crowd that Caballeron is an upstanding citizen and borderline hero.
>You adjust your hat as you glare into the mirror.
"Stupid kid. 'Grats on your spaghetti. I hope you spill it."
>Your sour grapes mumbling makes you chuckle as you look at yourself.
"I'll get him next time!"
>You check the clock next to your bed and squeak before rushing around to gather your things.
>You zoom out and over the railing down to the lobby.
>The elevators are nice but crowded, and the wing restriction only applies to queues so you use your advantage as much as possible.
>You alight onto the floor and make your way to the stage at the far side of the lobby.
>Ponies are already gathering as you go back stage to sign up.
>You're given the number 4 and sent to wait in line.
>You peek out the curtain at the crowd.
>Whoa, this is a big event! And they hold one every day.
>You look back along the row of whispering contestants.
>You probably have a good shot.
>None of the other Daring-Dos are as good as you so far as you can tell, and the other character players are only average.
>The announcer pony comes out and stirs up the crowd.
>You're early in the lists, but you have a plan to make yourself stick in the fans' minds.
>The first contestant goes out when called.
>She's a mare dressed as a female Caballeron.
>The crowd's reaction is pretty loud.
>You go over your plan as the next couple of contestants take their turns.
>"And now for contestant number four! Rainbow...DASH!"
>You swagger on stage and hop to the very front extending your wings and winking at the crowd.
>The cheers explode as you go through your photo poses and finally zoom in a flash out over the crowd before doing an inverse loop and landing back on stage.
>You're nearly blinded by the flashing of cameras as the shouts and cheers crash over you.
>You've got this in the BAG!
>You take to the sideline to watch the next contestants and hoofbump some of the fanponies.
>The next ten ponies have nice costumes, but not the quality of your own.
>"And now our final contestant, A.....Ahuizotl?"
>Your head snaps up in surprise.
>From behind the curtain steps somepony wearing the most complex costume you've ever seen.
>It's Ahuizotl if he were made of brass fittings, gears, and leather. Small puffs of steam rise from the ornate mask.
>Life-like blue leather clad hands lurch outward over the crowd before he stands upright and takes a bow.
>You and the crowd are speechless for a moment.
>Then it's like a bomb goes off.
>Screaming cheers, flashing cameras, and a frenzy of shouted questions roll out from the crowd.
>You hurry backstage as he goes back through the curtain.
>The other contestants make way in awe before the mighty cosplayer, but you can't resist going straight up to talk to him.
>He stops as you approach and leans back as you flap up to peer at his mask.
"This.....is AWESOME!"
>You see his shoulders relax a little.
"Seriously! This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen! What made you make a...a train Ahuizotl?"
>A voice softly murmurs out from the mask.
"Hmm? What?"
>"...steampunk..."
>You lean closer making him take a step back.
"Steam...what?"
>He takes a deep breath.
>"I'm a Steampunk Ahuizotl. It's a...genre mixing...thing."
>You nod as you fly around him in circles.
"Well, whatever that is its the coolest thing I've seen in a while! You're sure to win!"
>He shrugs and shakes his head; his muffled speech comes a bit more audibly.
>"Ha, thanks, but nah. Cute mares always win these things..."
>The announcer's voice cuts through over the speakers.
>"This was a very close contest, folks! But there can be only ONE winner! The pony who wins the full spa package for two (Courtesy of Fluxor Resort and Wellness Spas) is.....NUMBER FOUR, RAINBOW DASH!"
>Thunderstruck, you numbly start making your way to the stage.
"But...mine's not...I mean-"
>"The ponies have spoken, Ms. Dash! You're our first winner at the eighth annual TenochtiCon!"
>Another explosion of applause sounds out as you're handed your spa tickets in a thick, heavy envelope.
>With no real avenue to dispute it, you raise it up high and try to smile to the crowd.
>After a few minutes of photos and hoof shakes you race backstage as quick as you can.
>You look all over the place, but Steam...prank? ...is nowhere to be found!
>You grab one of the other contestants.
"Which way did he go? The Steam...steamy Ahuizotl guy?"
>She points across the concourse where you can just see the blued leather and brass construct heading for the elevators.
>"He's over there I think...nice costume, by the wa-AY!"
>You'd taken off while she was still in mid sentence and turn back to wave and shout a thank you.
>The elevator doors close before you get there making you have to follow it as it crawls up stopping at each floor.
>Finally you see him get off and whip around to catch up.
"Hey! Steamyzotl! Wait up!"
>He turns and tenses up a bit as you approach.
>"Something you want?"
>You come up short at his posture and try to seem less intense.
"Hey, I just want to talk a sec. You really should have won that-"
>He cuts in with a swipe of his arm.
>"Don't worry about it. Rainbow Dash, right? You won. It's a fan opinion thing. There's no objective criteria. I just do it for fun. So no worries, just enjoy your-HEY!"
>You'd flown up and smacked him lightly on top of his head with the envelope.
"Dude, just how am I supposed to use two tickets at once? You can come with me and use the other one! That way, we both win!"
>Your confident smile will convince him if nothing els-
>"Pass."
>Your jaw drops as he turns and walks down the row of rooms.
>What the hay? How does he get off being like that? How does he even operate that costume? He must be tiny or something...
>You clear your head with a shake.
>You're not giving up that easily.
>A quick flurry of your wings sends you between him and his door right as he raises his card key.
>"W-what?! What are you doing?"
>You fold your hooves across your chest and glower at him.
"Look, it sucks that you lost, sure. But I'm being nice here! I want to share the prize with you! Quit being a mopey mule and just come with me!"
>"I'm NOT moping! I just..."
"Well then, what's the problem? An awesome mare just won best costume and wants to hang out with you! I saw a few other stallions who'd have jumped at the chance! What's your name, anyway?"
>ignoring your question he huffs and tries to push past you.
>"Just go with one of them then! Let me through!"
>Okay, that was a bad tactic, but he's starting to get on your nerves.
"Not until you at least tell me why you won't go! Sheesh, I'll give you both tickets if you don't want to go with me. I'm not huge on spa treatments anyway."
>He stops pushing past.
>"You're not? Then, why...?"
>You tap his head with your envelope again.
"'Cause you're awesome! Anypony who makes a costume like that has to be the biggest fan ever! I wanted to talk to you. And ask questions. Y'know, like how does a pony even work that thing."
>He moves to open the door, and this time you don't stop him.
>He pauses on the threshold with his back to you.
>"Easy...I'm not a pony."
>He heaves a sigh and straightens like he's preparing for impact.
>"You can come in for a bit...if you want."
>You smile and land to follow him through the door and silently pump your hoof.
>Rainbow Dash gets ALL the love!
......................
>You sip your orange juice and look out the window across the active cityscape of Las Pegasus.
>Steamyzotl's room is a full on suite.
>You helped yourself to the mini-bar at his suggestion while he went into the bedroom to clean up and get out of his costume.
>You wish he'd hurry up.
>The tickets have your appointment starting in a little over an hour, and as much as you'd said otherwise the whole spa thing has been growing on you lately.
>Not to mention you can't wait to see the look on Rarity's face when you tell her you won a 5 star spa day for two while she was hundreds of miles away.
>You hear the shower turn off and some rustling from behind the door to the bedroom.
>"...Dash? You...still out there?"
"Of course! Your room is super nice. I wanna talk before we hit the spa, so hurry up in there!"
>Your ears twitch as you hear more movement.
>"Hokay...I'm coming out. Just...don't freak out, okay?"
>You fidget on the sofa in confusion.
"Dude, if you're worried about...not being a pony, don't. I mean, my first friend was a Griffon. I've met all kinds of pon-...different folks. I'm not gonna freak out."
>You hear the door open and turn to look
>Your curiosity can't be contained at this point.
>"You know a Griffon? That's cool. I live near a bunch of them..."
>You stare as he walks into the room.
>His pale, coatless skin wrapped in stylish clothing.
>His small, gleaming eyes, straight posture, and...
"So........tall..."
>He barks a laugh and, seemingly more comfortable from your reaction, rounds the sofa to sit next to you.
>"Well...this is me. Sorry, I've been pretty impolite making you call me "dude" all this time. It's nice to meet you. I'm Anonymous."

>A loud buzzing seems to fill your ears.
>Your pupils contract as your heart races.
>Did...did he just...?
>Anonymous looks at you.
>Alarm and frustration cross his face as he sees your wings lift defensively.
>Your brain screams incoherently at your new seemingly obvious information.
"Y-you! You're...!"
>Your mouth refuses to give voice to the explosive fact.
>"I knew it! You're freaking out..."
>Anonymous stands up quickly and starts making his way back to the bedroom.
>"Ponies just...I'm sick of this. Once I'm out of sight just leave and I'll g-OOW!"
>He jumps and spins wildly in time to see your hoof falling from your floating wind up pitch.
>The corner of your heavy prize envelope had tagged him right on the top of his head.
>"What the actual FU-"
"You're ANONYMOUS?"
>He backpedals a few steps as you practically teleport in front of his face.
"You!"
>You jab a hoof into his chest.
"...are ANONYMOUS!"
>He looks at you wide eyed and rubs his chest defensively.
>"Um...yes? Are you a fan?"
>Your brain nearly melts down from the many ways you'd like to answer THAT question.
"But you! You're signing copies! And the contest! And your costume? How! Why? What's  going on here?!"
>A small smile appears on his face.
>"You mean...well um, we sold out by noon. I like cosplay because I can be out...there."
>He waves a hand vaguely at the door.
>"I had time so..."
>The change in his demeanor just makes you more confused.
>He seems positively happy to have you prodding him angrily.
>"Um...sooo, have you read-?"
"You're a con-artist!"
>The volume of your voice refuses to be checked.
>"Ha! Well, my art is only sold at Cons..."
"Gah! That's not what I meant! You rip off Daring Do! You make money off of A. K. Yearling's adv...stories and characters!"
>He crosses his arms and grins.
>"It may be a rip, but I've taken NOTHING from A. K. Yearling."
>He raises an eyebrow at you. Is he enjoying this?
>This conversation is not going how you'd imagined. He admits it's a rip off, but...
"What d'ya mean?! I read your story! You can't hide it just 'cause you don't say her name!"
>You bristle at his openly happy expression.
>Shouldn't he at least be smug?
"And why are you so HAPPY!"
>The question comes out a bit more angrily than it maybe should have, but he immediately smartens up and composes himself.
>"Um, well I...its just I haven't ever talked to a pony without them being...y'know scared or paranoid."
>He sighs and rakes his fingers through his hair.
>"Look, you're obviously a big Daring Do fan. Can I maybe...explain myself to you? I swear I'm not trying to hurt Yearling or steal from her."
>You're caught between curiosity and wanting to buck him off the balcony for your friend.
>...
>The others would hear him out though.
>You huff through your nostrils at him and flap back across the room to sit down.
>He doesn't seem like a bad...thing.
>A small part of you hopes he's convincing.
"Okay, talk. And hurry up. Our spa appointment is in less than an hour."
>Maybe a not so small part after all.
>Again he smiles that bright, happy grin and moves to sit down.
>"Alright, but it needs...context..."
>You eye him closely, but it doesn't seem like he's trying to back out.
"Just spit it out! This is weird enough as it is..."
>He laughs a rough, oddly resonant agreement.
>"Hate to tell you, Rainbow. It gets weirder."
>You impatiently motion for him to go on.
>"Okay, first thing's first. I'm not from Equestria. I'm from another world. A very...different world."
"Oh c'mon! A different world? You expect me to belie-"
>"It's true, Rainbow."
>His calmly quiet affirmation shuts you down.
>You can't put your hoof on why, but you find yourself actually believing this.
>"Look, going into specifics would have us here for eternity..."
>He runs his fingers through his hair again.
>That nervous habit of his is kinda fascinating to watch.
>"The short version is that I ended up here about eight years ago near Manehattan. When I got to the city it was a huge mess. Suffice it to say I got chased out with torches and pitchforks."
>He heaves a sigh.
>"I was alone, and scared and there were creatures and monsters everywhere I'd always believed were fairy tales and cart-...stories."
>You realize you're squirming with pent up questions and try to settle.
>"I eventually found my way to Griffonstone. They were the first ones to not care what I looked like. They only asked me one question to let me stay."
>You chime in unison with him. The obvious question.
"Got any bits?"
>You both burst out laughing.
>"Ha! Yeah, exactly! I did have a few too. Ponies weren't directly cruel you know. Not most of 'em."
>He stares into his palm as he rubs his thumb across the lines etched there.
>"Some of 'em were...really nice. Gave me some bits. But they never wanted me to stay."
>You find yourself getting angry that your fellow ponies had basically shunned this creature. He's kind of cool! What's their problem anyway?
>"I dunno. Guess I'm just too different."
>He sighs again and shakes his head.
>You hadn't realized you'd said that last bit out loud.
>"Anyway, I got set up, but the coin ran out quick. I needed some way to make lots of bits fairly quickly. My old life skills weren't really a help, but I realized something."
>He looks up into your eyes with a searching expression.
>"It hit me that I've got all sorts of information and music and stories from my world that your world's never had before. If I could get it to catch on, I could make bank. Maybe even become...y'know, respected."
>His eyes beg you for understanding.
>"So I heard about some big yearly gatherings for fans of pulp adventure serials. I'm a huge nerd for those things. My favorites back home were stories about an archaeologist called Indiana Jones."
>You can't help but smile at his excitement talking about his favorite books.
>"He's awesome! I've read all of them dozens of times, and I thought maybe I could market 'em to ponies, y'know?"
>He leans forward earnestly. It seems like he's eager to get this all out in the open.
>"I rewrote one of 'em. As well as I could. And I went to the book convention in costume to sell it. Nobody cared."
>He slumps back in his seat.
>"But I did find Daring Do and the Saphire Statue. It had been out for two years and was massively popular, but the author was reclusive and wouldn't commit to writing another one. Wouldn't even give an interview. And everyone was clamoring for another adventure..."
>You lean in as he takes a breath and rushes out the end of his tale.
>"...so I reworked the Indy story to parallel Daring Do to fill that gap. And it sold amazingly! But then ponies kept asking for more, and shortly after that the second Yearling novel dropped. I freaked out. And then most of my earnings got taxed away by the Griffons and Canterlot so I barely had enough to live on again. My stuff was popular so I had to keep going! You see don't you? I'm not trying to buck Yearling! I'm just...trying to get by."
>The story rings true, but his reasoning doesn't completely hold water.
"So why didn't you change to one of the other things from this other world of yours? Why keep copying A. K. Yearling?"
>He flinches at how easily you found the hole in his logic and takes a deep breath.
>"The truth?"
>You nod. It's kinda obvious but you want to hear him admit it.
>"Whshooo...okay...the truth is, I like being popular. Okay? I like having ponies talk about me and wanting to meet me. I like that my favorite stories are exciting a whole race of aliens! It's...nice to be appreciated."
>He looks up in surprise as you thump his arm.
"Yeah. I get it."
>You manage not to look completely smug as you fly over to the mini bar for another juice as he sputters and tries to make words.
>"You...'get it'? Just like that?"
>You playfully flick the bottle cap at him.
"Just like that!"
>"Wait...no no no, you can't jus-"
"Hurry up, Anon. We have to get moving if we don't want to miss our appointment."
>You flap quickly to the door and exit into the hall as he trips over his feet to get a covering robe on and follow you.
"I'll be waiting at the elevators!"
>"Wait! Rainbow Dash! I wanna...ACK!...talk about this!"
"We'll talk at the spa! MOVE it!"
>"Rainb-!"
>You shut the door and hurry off to the elevators.
>The thoughts and feelings running through you crash and battle.
>You need a few minutes alone to try to sort yourself out.
>For now, all you're sure of is that Anonymous isn't what you expected.
>You sigh as you glide down the hall.
"What am I gonna do..."
--------------
>You sail slowly to the floor outside the elevators trying to collect your thoughts.
>Anonymous.
>You'd thought you were dealing with some terrible creature who lurked in the shadows feeding off A. K. Yearling's reflected glory.
>You were gonna expose the fraud for what he was and send him back to whatever crack he crawled out of.
>With your own hooves if he got feisty.
>But now...he seems like nothing more than he'd said.
>He's just a lost alien who wants to make a connection here.
>To have a place and ponies who like him.
>You blow your bangs out of your eyes.
"I mean...who doesn't?"
>You're still firmly convinced that what he's doing is wrong, but you can't help but feel that if he'd been better treated when he arrived maybe things would be different.
>And he seems pretty cool too.
>You sigh and mutter under your breath.
"So what's the answer?"
>You absentmindedly take out your box of cupcakes and begin to eat one.
>"Rainbow Dash!"
>You look up in surprise at the familiar voice coming from the cosplayer who just walked up.
>By all rights it looks like a Minotaur.
>A Minotaur who's dressed as one of the robed guards from Daring Do.
"A...Anonymous?"
>The Minotaur makes shushing gestures.
>"Yeah, it's me. Don't be so loud. Just call me Anon when we're out, okay?"
>You peer closely at his costume and walk around him slowly.
>Wow, if you hadn't already seen Steamyzotl you'd hardly believe the quality.
>Even up close its hard to tell he's not a real Minotaur.
"Hey...aren't you trying NOT to seem like a monster?"
>Anon shuffles you into an elevator as the doors open.
>The doors slide shut separating the two of you from a group of wide eyed ponies backing away.
>"I am a monster, Rainbow Dash. At least to these folks."
>He shrugs and leans against the wall.
>"I've tried to accept it."
>You snort at him.
"Well, duh some ponies are gonna be scared if you go around dressed as a Minotaur."
>"You're not scared."
"Yeah, 'cause I could totally take you! You're not the first thing to think they're too monstery to get brought down by a Pegasus."
>"Human"
>You look at him bewildered.
"What?"
>"I'm a Human. It's what I am. Or Man if you like."
"Um..."
>You can't help but giggle.
"...that's, um, that sounds intimidat-"
>"Oh shut up!"
>The elevator nears the lobby. Things are so much slower without wings.
>"So...you've fought monsters?"
>You lead the way out the doors and across the  swarming lobby.
"You know it! All sorts of crazy stuff comes out of the Everfree forest. Sometimes you get really bad stuff like dragons and Hydras. Even Discord, but he's cool now."
>"Wait...what?"
>You stop and turn to look at him.
"What?"
>He gives you a long look before speaking.
>"You aren't lying...are you?"
>You toss your head smugly and use his sleeve to pull him through the spa entrance.
"Nope. S'all true. Discord's a total bro now."
>"Um...Rainbow Dash...you don't happen to work for...Princess Celestia. Do you?"
>You rummage in your saddlebags for your ticket envelope.
"Well I do NOW, of course I'm only a reservist, but I hope soo-...HEY!"
>Anonymous had taken off running back across the lobby.
"What the hay is going on?"
>You take a moment to cinch your bags tightly closed and adjust your hat and costume.
>You then lightly open your wings and spring into the air.
>He yells and slips to the floor as two seconds later you rocket directly in front of him.
"Dude, running from a Wonderbolt? Ha, you'll have to try harder than that!"
>You land in front of him and offer your hoof to help him up.
"Why are you running away?"
>He looks up at you, then turns his head away to mumble softly.
"Um, Anon it's really loud in here...I can't hear-"
>"I got scared! Alright? I just...I mean...you're a Wonderbolt? I thought you meant something else."
>Now you're really curious.
>You flap and pull him to his feet.
"Take a look for yourself. Here's my ID."
>You toss him the glossy rectangle.
>It's amusing and a bit frustrating that he checks it over more thoroughly than the event staff here.
"Look, I wanna know what's going on with you. I've told you I'm cool and I'm not gonna freak out and be a jerk so what's got you so spooked?"
>He looks around and leans in close to you.
>"Not here. Whew...I'm glad you're not...I mean, let's go to your spa. Here. You left the tickets after hitting me with them..."
>You can hear his voice relax a little despite the mask.
>"...we can talk there."
>You stuff the envelope into your saddlebags.
"Awesome! Thanks! Now let's go. There's other stuff I want to do today too."
>Now why would THAT make him look depressed?
>You'll figure it out later.
>Right now you've got more pressing questions and a Sauna, soak, and massage waiting up ahead.
>You bite his sleeve and pull him through the crowd again.
"You'll see, Anon. This is better than you think."
>"Sir, you'll have to take off ze costume..."
"Anooon! Just take it off!"
>"Leggo! I didn't think this through...aargh!"
>The sight was not pretty.
>Anon struggling to hang onto the bulky robes half pulled off by your own yanking and flapping.
>His head and arms seem trapped in the fabric pulled over his head as the rest of his pale body jumps and struggles wearing only some kind of short, white leggings.
>"Sir, I assure you zat our staff perform to only ze highest standards, and do not prejudice to ozzer species."
>The young stallion watches your struggle with an amused detachment.
"D'you hear that? They...Don't...CARE!"
>Anon finally gives in and let's you pull it off the rest of the way.
>You toss the bundle to the attendant and turn to Anon with a smile.
"There, see? Not so bad is-?"
>Your smile freezes on your lips.
>Despite his imposing size and strong looking limbs Anon stands there slightly hunched over with his arms wrapped protectively around him.
>You know that wide eyed look of barely contained panic.
>Fluttershy would understand.
>You flap over to gently put a hoof on his bare shoulder wincing slightly when he jumps.
"Anon? It's cool, okay? Nopony's going to hurt you..."
>"Certainly not, Herr Anonymous. Here is your robe. Ve have many patrons of unique physiology and ve pride ourselves in catering to zeir needs."
>His shoulders remain tense, but he takes the robe.
>"Okay...I'm okay. Just not used to this."
>You tie on your own fluffy terry-cloth robe and try to maintain a cheerful air.
"Alright! Let's hit the sauna!"
>Anonymous slips on the robe as the attendant coughs gently and nods toward the human's little shorts.
>"The underwear stays on, Pal."
>His tone brooks no argument.
>You quickly follow the eye-rolling attendant and motion for Anon.
>Humans are weird.
>Down a beautifully appointed corridor that looks like the wood chased stone hall of some forgotten temple, you're brought up to a series of heavy, wooden doors.
>With a tug on the handle the attendant pony pulls one open letting a flood of damp, hot air into the hallway.
>You land to quickly shimmy out of your robe and hang it up before grabbing a nearby towel and trotting inside.
"This looks perfect!"
>Anonymous follows you in tying a towel tightly around his hips and watching in every direction.
>The attendant seals the two of you in the mid sized room.
>"Wow, this really is pretty nice."
>Even Anon's discomfort has a hard time standing up to the decorative might of this resort.
>The hexagonal room has three tapering tiers of hardwood benches all clustered around a large brazier of heated stones.
>The smooth, high quality wood is inlaid with crushed jet and bits of turquoise.
>The heavy brazier is a steel monstrosity with gold leaf shining brightly even in the dim light from accents of tribal symbolism carved throughout.
>A wooden bucket of water with a steel ladle sits next to it, and the whole room has the heavy heat of an oven in a rainforest.
>And best of all you have it to yourselves.
>Anon takes a seat as you toss your towel over next to him and trot up to the brazier.
>You spot a small bowl of crushed powder and use a tiny spoon to sprinkle some over the hot stones.
>Immediately, the room is filled with tropical floral scents.
>Their wild aroma combines with the splash and hiss of water exploding into steam as you ladle a few scoops onto the stones.
>Anon leans back hooking his arms over the bench behind him and takes a deep, sighing breath as the heat and moisture roll through the room spreading the exotic fragrance.
>You grin as you replace the tool and return to climb up on the bench.
>Nopony can resist relaxing in a sauna.
>You tuck your hooves in and settle comfortably on the wood with a sigh of your own.
>"Thanks, Rainbow Dash."
>The quiet words almost too low to hear still reach you.
>You reach out to swat his arm.
"Hey, don't sweat it. I had an extra ticket anyways."
>That quick bark of laughter rings out again into the roiling steam.
>"Ha, yeah. I see what you did there. Yeah, the ticket. I do appreciate it."
>Are all humans this confusing?
>The comfy warmth is just barely not enough to stifle your curiosity. And something from earlier was still bothering you.
"Hey, Anon. We're away from ponies now so...what was that about in the lobby? You know, about me working for Princess Celestia?"
>Anon sits forward and starts fiddling with his fingers.
>"Ahm...you may not know this, but outside Canterlot's realm it's pretty well known. Have you ever heard of Celestia's Anti-Monster special forces?"
>Now it's your turn to burst out laughing.
"Her what?"
>He turns to look at you with a grave glint in his eyes.
>"She keeps you ponies in the dark a lot, but think about it. Surely you've noticed the weird things happening the last few years."
>This gangly alien is serious!
"What weird stuff? C'mon Anon! Anti-Monster special forces? I'm in the Wonderbolts. I think I'd have heard of them."
>He quickly shakes his head.
>"No, really though! Think about it a second okay? Look, a few years ago things started going nutty. You can't tell me you haven't noticed any of it!"
>You know Anon had some bad experiences in Equestria, but he's starting to sound crazy.
"Noticed what? What, are you saying the Princess is going around taking out monsters?"
>He nods.
>"Sure, the ones she can't control anyway. Folks are getting real antsy about her climbing power outside Equestria."
>What in Tartarus?
>"C'mon, you mentioned it yourself earlier! Discord is a total bro now, right? You said that! It all started with her sister finally being set free. One of the most legendary and terrifying creatures of the ancient past just suddenly reappeared and works for Celestia! Then the same thing happens to Discord! Sombra's empire reappears and she annexes it immediately! That giant monster thing appeared destroying everything and then, BOOM! Big flash of light and he's gone! Don't you see? Celestia's forming an army of unstoppable monsters that only she can control! And these are just the ones too big to keep quiet! How many lesser monsters, things like me, do you think she's recruited or eliminated? I don't want to be on that mare's radar!"
>You stare at the wide eyed human completely unable to form words.
>The twisted logic and half truths have seriously warped this guy's already dim view of pony society.
>You suddenly realize just what it means that Anon has no real idea who you are.
>He seems to be waiting for your response.
>A small headache starts forming behind your eyes as you try to think how to handle this.
"Anon..."
>You take a very deep breath.
"You've got it all wrong."
>He shakes his head.
>"She's got you ponies so indoctrin-"
"Anon! Just listen for a sec, okay?"
>He looks annoyed, but he stops.
>You open your mouth, but suddenly realize you have no idea what to say.
>Do you just tell him about yourself and your friends?
>Twilight? The Elements of Harmony?
>Would he even believe you?
"Anon...lemme...I want to think about this for a bit..."
>"Starting to come together, isn't it?"
"No! I mean...some of these things are...related. But I think...I KNOW it's not some big conspiracy from the Princess!"
>He adjusts his towel with a touch of anger.
>"Rainbow Dash, things like these don't just happen. If you've got some insight I'm happy to hear it, but blind faith in your Alicorn Empress is not a good argument."
"Ever heard of the Elements of Harmony?"
>You don't think they're a secret. They're in a library book for pony's sake.
>"The what?"
>You toss some more water onto the stones and turn to look at him with a smirk.
"Only the most awesome magic artifacts in Equestria!"
>You take a breath and collect your thoughts.
>If you explain well he should see there's nothing to fear.
----------------
>"They...turned into a castle?"
>You nod fervently.
>It'd taken you most of an hour to explain the details of the Elements.
>"So now these six random mares are, like some kind of incarnations of friendship?"
>Okay, so maybe not all the details.
"Um, yeah. Something like that."
>He ran when he heard you worked for Celestia.
>There's no telling how he'd act if he found out you're the Element of Loyalty.
>Anon sits with his head lowered pondering what you've told him.
>He'll see now that the Princess is only interested in spreading harmony.
>"So, Celestia has a team of empowered ponies at her beck and call who control a magical super weapon."
>Your eyes go wide.
"Weapon?! What? Did you even list-"
>The heavy wooden door thuds open letting in a whisp of seemingly arctic air.
>Anon jumps and turns quickly to look, but manages to keep himself mostly under control.
>You both clutch your towels as close as possible.
>"Ms. Dash, ze hot spring is ready for you and your guest. Zis vay if you please."
>Anon stands and grins at the sight of you trying to cover every bit of your damp coat with your too small towel.
>He offers you his hand as he shivers slightly.
>"Our robes are outside, let's go."
>You swipe a hoof at his hand and stand up trying to look as self possessed as possible. .
"I know! And we're not done talking about this!"
>He nods and gestures for you to go ahead.
>He has that almost goofy look of happiness again.
>You turn and march out through the door half ignoring him and tie your fluffy, warm robe around yourself.
>Once Anon has his on as well, the attendant pony leads you down the hall and around a corner.
>The soft sound of distant water falling sparks your curiosity.
>The sound grows louder as you get further down the hall toward a pair of ornate doors.
>Closer inspection as you approach shows that the doors aren't solid.
>They're both complex relief sculptures of dozens of tiny carved ponies prancing around the pools of a large hot springs.
>You spot ponies of every ilk amongst the pools, and even a winged griffon or a Minotaur here and there.
"Is that a Yak?"
>The 'pools' are holes cut cleanly through the door letting light and steam filter through from the room beyond and bringing the door's imagery to life.
>The attendant stops and pushes the doors back before stepping aside with a nod.
>You and Anon walk past into one of the coolest rooms you've ever seen.
>The three story room looks like a natural cave.
>Falls of steaming hot water cascade down the rock faces around the room as high above a large skylight lets in a view of early evening sky.
>The rough-hewn rocks are carved in places to look like tribal ponies, monsters, and legendary creatures.
>Hot water pours from the mouths of a twelve headed hydra and splashes off the heads of laughing ponies as they dance above the coils of a lunging sea serpent.
>The water gathers in pools at various heights where other pony patrons bask and relax.
"Only way this could be better is with a ten foot diving board, eh Anon?"
>Standing in the doorway you look around only to see the hem of Anon's robe peeking from behind the door.
>Right. The other patrons.
>You try not to sigh as you go back and curve your neck behind the door.
>Anon stands there shaking, but it isn't the cooler air.
"Anon, you'll be fine! I'll be in there with y-"
>He gives you a pained look and shakes his head.
>"No...I know you don't understand. But I just can't."
>He starts walking rapidly back up the hall with his head low and his shoulders hunched.
"Anon! Wait!"
>The attendant rolls his eyes and moves away down the hall.
>You flap quickly after Anon to fly backwards in front of him.
"Don't go! I'll be right there. If anypony says anything I'll..."
>"NO, Rainbow. You may be fine around me for whatever reason but-"
"It's RUDE to interrupt!"
>You jam your hoof into his chest bringing him to a halt.
"Listen for a sec! You're being stupid, Anon. I know you had a rough time before. But you've seen how I and these spa ponies treat you. Yeah, you're different. But nopony cares! For pony's sake, you're a famous author! Ponies want to meet you. It won't be the way it was before, I'm sure of it!"
>He pushes your hoof away and walks past keeping his eyes from yours.
>His soft voice still carries over the sounds of splashing water.
>"It'd be worse..."
>You drop to the floor and trot up beside him.
"Why would it be worse? Especially if I'm here watching your back?"
>He folds his arms and grips them across his chest.
>"Anonymous. Ha. I could never live up to the legend, Rainbow. You're an outlier, but think about it. There's only two ways for ponies to go. Either they'll hate me for a monster, or they'll be disappointed that I'm nothing like the rumors. The spa ponies are nice up front, but I bet they're talking about all this right now."
>You huff your bangs out of your face.
"So what? Ponies are gonna talk no matter who you are. Pony or not. Look, just lemme prove it. Come to the bath. We can relax and finish our talk. I even got invited to a party tonight by some of your biggest fans. You could come with me! I swear I've got your back. If anypony says word one, we'll both leave."
>You look up to offer your most confident smile, but are only met by hollow fear and worry in his.
>"I'm going back to my room. Thanks, Rainbow Dash. If you want to talk more..."
>He heaves a resigned sigh.
>"...if you want to talk again, I'll be around."
>You stop and watch as he shuffles off.
>What will it take to get through to him?
>You managed to get him into the spa, but he's still so defensive.
>You're gonna need some help if you want to get Anon to chill out and start using his talents without stepping on Daring Do's hooves.
>As Anon disappears around a corner you turn and walk back to the hot spring.
"So how do I do that?"
>He seems to like talking to you.
>Maybe it's talking to anypony at all, really.
>The way he always lights up when you talk and deflates when you even mention going away.
>It's not you. He just wants ANYPONY to talk to.
>You drop your robe and ease into the water while flicking and ruffling your wings.
>A soft sigh escapes you as the hot bath settles between your feathers and you feel some of your tension immediately flow away.
>You move to the edge of your pool and set a soft, folded towel on the side to rest your chin on.
>The murmur of voices mixed with the flow of water as clouds of steam waft through the room relaxes your entire being.
>You close your eyes.
>Maybe it's time to send a letter back to the ponies at home.
>A little advice never hurts.
----------------------------------------
>You didn't realize you'd fallen asleep amid the warm, splashing waters.
>The gentle nudge of a hoof on your shoulder rouses you to see a smiling attendant.
>"Your masseuse is ready for you, Ms. Dash."
>You stand up out of the comfy pool and allow her a moment to stand back before shaking off.
"Hah, thanks! This hotspring is great! I got so relaxed I guess I fell asleep."
>She merely nods with a smile and hovers your robe over.
>Once you're snug in your plush wrapping, you follow her across the 'cave' to a side door made of wicker woven into complex patterns.
>She lets you through into a short hallway with archways leading off of both sides.
>The arches are covered with strands of beads made from obsidian and hematite carved in simple shapes.
>They click softly as the attendant's magic pulls them aside on a room to the right and gestures you within.
"Oh, cool! I've always wanted to try this stuff!"
>In the center of the room is a wide massage table made of a fluffy, transluscent material.
"This is Cloudpad, right?"
>"Yes ma'am. All of our massage tables and high-end suites have this material for bedding and cushions."
>Earth Ponies and Unicorns weren't content to leave the comfort of lying on clouds to just the Pegasi.
>You jump up onto the table and settle into the cushy material as it seems to flow slightly and mold to your body.
>Shifting back and forth a bit causes it to reform and cradle you no matter how you lie.
>But it's still not the same.
"Huh...not bad. Still has a long way to go, though."
>The attendant's horn flashes lighting several candles throughout the room.
>A lulling scent of mint and eucalyptus fills the room from them as she helps you off with your robe again.
>"She'll be along any minute, Ms. Dash. Is there anything else you'd like while you wait?"
"Nah, I'm good. Thanks though."
>She nods and leaves after hanging your robe on a hook.
>You settle into the manufactured pseudo-cloud and sigh lazily.
>Once you're out of here you'll send off your letter, but it's kind of fun to imagine what the others would do.
>Horrible thoughts of stacks of books, indexed notecards, costumes, musical numbers, animal actors, and miles of hoof written scrolls fill your mind.
>Maybe not so much fun...what about...
>"Bon soir, Ms. Dash. My name is Doux Reve, and I will be your masseuse. Are any areas troubling you?"
>The fit looking earth pony snaps you out of your reverie as she bustles in and begins to lay out several bottles of oils and cremes.
>Her voice is calming with an accent like all her words have rounded ends.
"Just the upper legs and wing joints. I did a lot of dancing today."
>You flop onto your stomach on the soft table and spread out your limbs and wings as she applies some oil to her hooves with a nod.
>She touches a lever on a box with a collection of differently sized crystals connected by thin, shining wires.
>The artistic lattice of wire begins to vibrate gently at different rates producing a series of calming chimes that rise and lower in simple patterns.
>The scents and sounds wash over you as Reve begins to work her hooves gently into your tired muscles.
>Your vacation has certainly become complicated.
>You've met some interesting ponies.
>And one interesting human.
>There's got to be a way to bridge the gap between them.
>Maybe you're being optimistic since you've only known Anon for a few hours, but you feel confident that given the chance Anon can be comfortable with ponies.
>You've seen first hand the kinds of attitudes that Anon must have encountered.
>But most ponies aren't like that.
>You just can't believe anything else.
>He's just had the worst luck meeting ponies. That must be it.
>And he has some weird ideas about how things work in Equestria.
>The Elements of Harmony are a weapon?
>How jacked up is that?!
>"Please, Ms. Dash, try to relax."
>You realize you'd been flexing your wings in frustration and settle down again.
"Heh, sorry."
-------------------------------
>An hour later finds you standing back outside the entrance to the Spa refreshed and smiling.
>You feel like liquid poured into a pony shaped mold you're so relaxed.
>You stop next to a reflective display to do one last check that your costume is back in order.
>A quick trip to the concierge desk nets you a quill and scroll.
>Now, what to write?
>You chew the end of the large Griffon quill as you think a moment.
>You dip the nib and begin to write.
["Hey Girls! Las Pegasus is the coolest place in Equestria! There's stuff to do everywhere, and I'm not just talking about the Con! There's rides, and games, and spas, and cool sightseeing stuff everywhere. The Con is on a whole other level though. The resort is massive and it feels like every inch of it is packed with Daring Do! I've met some rad ponies too. I went to a party and the parade, and I even won a costume contest! Nopony can even touch my Daring Do cosplay! I got a paid ticket to the awesome spa here for a prize."]
>You pause a moment as you try to think of how you want to approach the next bit.
>You aren't sure if you and Anon are friends yet, and the things he's told you seem kinda...private.
>You munch on another of Pinkie's cupcakes while you consider your position.
>Intrigue is all fine for books, but you prefer when things are more straight forward.
["I met somepony interesting too. He's not what you'd expect. He's not from Equestria and has had problems with ponies treating him like a monster. He's also doing some stuff to get by that's not completely on the up and up. But he's not a bad guy! I want to get him to talk to ponies and give it another shot so he doesn't have to anymore, but he wont listen to me. I don't know what to do here, but I want this guy to see ponies aren't bad. I'm still having a great time though. I'm going to the dealers' hall next, and I got invited to a VIP party by the Chief of Con Security, Windsong! I've got tons of pictures and I'll have more by the end. See you guys soon!]
>That seems pretty legit.
>You tie and seal your letter and hoof it to the concierge with a bit.
>Equestrian Express isn't as fast as dragonbreath but you'll probably hear back by tomorrow at some point.
>You've got a couple hours before Windsong's party, and you've got a bag of bits burning a hole in your saddlebags.
>Time to hit the shops!
----------------------------------
>You flash down the now-familiar route to the dealers' hall.
>The scrum of ponies coming and going is still super crowded, but it's moving at a good pace so there's really no wait.
>Back through the Gates of Tartarus into the huge underground amphitheater, you're momentarily stunned by the sea of milling ponies.
>The noise is unreal, and the deals are waiting!
>You quickly join an advancing line of ponies making their way through the gauntlet of consumer nirvana.
>Anything that is even remotely connected to Daring Do seems to be for sale here.
>You stop at a stall selling real wilderness expiditionary equipment for a moment to admire the heat rippled edge of a thick machete.
>Okay, things to look out for: Anything rare actully connected to D.D., cool souvenirs for your friends, and unique items only findable at a place like this Con.
>Just from where you're standing you can see a booth selling vinyl figurines, a glass sculptor taking requests, a counter full of Daring Do licensed merchandise like lunchboxes and stationary, and a portrait artist painting ponies into actions scenes with their favorite characters!
>You have to stop at the big poster stall to pick up a few to tack up at home from the literal hundreds to choose from.
>The book covers are all here as posters, but you already have those.
>You pick up a few that show artist interpretations of locations from the books done up as travel agent advertisements.
>["See the beautiful and deadly Jungles of Tenochtitlan!"] and [Lose your soul in the Dungeons of Eternal Sorrow!] are definitely worth grabbing.
>[Join the Henchponies Guild! We have Cookies!]...Sold.
>Cosplay gear is a staple around you everywhere, and it's actually pretty cool that you can see and buy different quality levels depending on how much you want to invest.
"Oooh! I HAVE to get that!"
>You swiftly cross several divergent lines of ponies to approach a souvenir counter.
>From across the way you'd spied a desktop replica of the Rings of Destiny.
>They're a bit more ornate than the real things, but that just makes them look neat.
>You jab a hoof at the knickknack and look toward the salespony.
"How much?"
>"A steal at ten bits, my dear! But the Rings of Destiny can be yours for only eight!"
>You smile at him.
"Yeah, they're pretty nice, but the book describes them as smooth, heavy metal. All that decorative engraving looks nice, but it's off. I'll give you five for 'em."
>A gleam flashes in his eye as he leans across the counter with a slow smile.
>"Ah, but the ritual of unending heat requires strong magic! And the book doesn't say they DON'T have magical markings! And just look! The quality of craftsponyship is remarkable! Why, the base and runic altar are as faithfully reproduced as possible! But as I can see you're a TRUE fan, I'll part with them for seven bits."
>You ruffle your wings and nundge your safari hat back on your head.
"Yeah, it's well made to be sure, but the altar rod was square, not eight sided, and the glyphs weren't so complex. I want to show this off if I get it right? What'll other fans think? Make it six."
>The salespony dips his head with a grin and gestures to a box of badges with Daring Do related art and slogans.
>"I couldn't possibly let such a fine piece go for such a price! I'd starve in the streets! But for seven bits I'll let a master fanpony and shrewd negotiator take any two of these badges as well. I normally charge a bit apiece. I'll have to tighten my belt, but you've worn me down, young lady."
>You have to giggle a bit at his smooth delivery and nod in agreement.
>You hoof over seven bits and rummage through the badges to find two you want while he wraps up your prize.
>[Another Day, Another Dungeon] with her compass cutie mark is on one you choose.
>The other reads [Never Dodge Arrows Without It] and has a minimalist stamp of her safari hat.
>You pin them onto your saddlebags before carefully transferring your Rings of Destiny in too.
"Thanks dude! See ya 'round!"
>You trot off back into the sea of purchasing mania.
>Two more hours pass in a flash as you make the rounds several times.
>You always manage to find something interesting you missed the first time and keep going back.
>You'd picked up a wood bound Saddle Arabian first edition of The Griffon's Goblet and made careful note of some good souvenirs to pick up for yourself and the others once the prices drop in a few days.
>Your saddlebags are heavier and your bit-pouch is considerably lighter as you make your way out of the hall.
>You ask a guard for the time and figure you've got just enough to drop stuff off in your room before hitting up Windy's party.
>You're still all relaxed and perfumed from the spa so you don't need a shower just yet.
>And maybe if you ask in a round about way you can get Windy and Hornshine's insight on how to deal with Anon.

>You rush around your room attempting to organize your scattered belongings.
>You only have a few minutes to spare before you have to leave if you want to arrive fashionably late.
>Gotta remember you're representing the Wonderbolts as well as trying to have a blast.
>You brush away a few wrinkles and give your reflection in the mirror confident wink.
>Well, you try to.
>It comes out more as an explosively huge grinning wink.
>So you're hype for a good party! So what?
>Your steam, soak, and rubdown still has you all tingly and surging with energy despite your active day.
>Everything looks good; time to go.
>You nab your bottle of Apple’s Best Hard Cider again on the way out.
>These ponies should be able to TRULY appreciate it.
-----------------------------------
>You leave your room and hop over the railing.
>Your wings snap open to carry you in a slow spiral down to the second floor with effortless grace.
>You skim along the slanting interior pyramid and alight in a perfect four point landing near the elevators.
>With a grin at a foal and her mother who both look like they've just seen a storybook character fly out of their dreams, you ruffle your wings and fold them before trotting off.
>Strange.
>Room 217, right?
>As you approach the door in question you start feeling more and more curious.
>There's no music, no ponies, no…..anything.
>You raise your hoof to knock on the disturbingly average door.
>”Dash! Hey, Rainbow Dash! Over here!”
>You look around to see that security fanpony you took photos with hurrying up to you.
“Oh, hey! You coming to Windsong’s party too?”
>He smiles warmly as he trots up.
>”Just came from there. Windy changed the venue. She sent me to grab you. She forgot til just now she hadn't told you yet.”
“Oh! Cool. Okay, where is it...umm...I don't think I got your name yet…”
>He reaches out to vigorously pump your hoof again.
>”Oh, yeah! Sorry! I'm Nimble Trot. Folks call me Nims. C’mon this way.”
>You attempt to gather yourself after the manic hoof shake and stumble after the effervescent pony.
>He leads you down the railed walkway past a dozen rooms and hooks a left down a corridor that you're sure doesn't exist on any other floor.
>”I'm a mountain climber and surveyor by trade, but I've loved Daring Do since I was a colt!
>The corridor is lit by ornate torch sconces every few feet.
>The flames must be some kind of magic with their smokeless, blue, sparkling tongues flickering in the otherwise dark hall.
>”I'm always hoping when I'm hanging off a mountain in the back of beyond somewhere that I'll come across some ancient, forgotten ruin.”
“Yeah, that'd be awesome!”
>Thuds of heavy bass and the squeals and laughter of ponies start to waft up the hallway as you advance.
>”I know, right? I'd explore them from end to end and find artifacts and go through traps just like Daring Do!”
>The big doors at the end of the corridor are wide open and you catch glimpses of ponies moving around in more flickering torchlight.
>Past them you can see a sliver of final sunlight filtering in a half dozen hues as the notes of the upbeat music start to hit you.
>Nimble notices your distracted expression and nudges you as you pass the doorway.
>”Great isn't it? Windy managed to reserve the entire thing!”
>In the open air with the shining pyramid behind you lies a resort vista to top everything you've seen yet.
>Twenty nine soaring stone columns raise a heavy rectangle of stone over a massive pool of identical proportions.
>The interior of the ‘roof’ is entirely missing creating more of a frame of intricately carved stone.
>The pyramid’s black facade lit by neon beams of light reflects in the pool captured perfectly in the border of the raised frame.
>Smaller pools with dancing fountains and ornate sculptures swirl geometrically away from the central one, and small channels feed their water back to the main pool in complex, angular paths.
>Everywhere ponies run and splash and laugh with each other while a DJ booth to the side of the pool blasts custom beats for everypony’s entertainment.
>Bubbles and sparks gush out from the colorful array of tiki torches lighting the area to dance and float around the guests.
>Your stomach rumbles in appreciation of the enormous stone grill where six or nine ponies rush around cooking up every flame kissed delicacy you can imagine.
>”Nice, huh? You haven't been to the pool area yet I see.”
>You nearly leap out of your costume having completely forgotten about your escort.
“Y-yeah...this...this is amazing!”
>You slowly move down the steps still trying to take it all in.
“This has to be the work of a professional party pony.”
>”Well, the resort’s ambience takes care of a lot of it, but yeah, I think Windy hired somepony. She’s gonna be over by the bar. This way.”
>You follow Nims through the maze of partying swimmers, water effects, and torches to a side area covered in little round tables with a nearby bar.
>The slick looking stone bar is crowded by ponies enjoying any number of cocktails in the backlit neon glow of the party.
>It's quieter here away from the DJ allowing everypony to talk freely.
>”Windsong! I found her!”
>Nims nudges you forward before turning to make his way to the barbecue pit.
>”Dash! Hi! I'm glad you made it!”
>The orange creamsicle pony disengages from a knot of laughing friends to flap over and pull you into a hug.
>Seems like the party’s been in swing for a while already.
“Yeah, you know I wouldn't miss this! Especially after you invited me yourself.”
>You pull forward the bottle tucked under your wing.
“Here. I brought this to share with you and Hornshine. Where is he anyway?”
>Windsong pulls you toward a table covered in her and Hornshine’s belongings.
>”He's probably still at the pool. The DJ’s an old friend of ours and it's perfect swimming weather. Leave your stuff here and go have some fun. I'm setting some stuff up, but we can hang out soon, okay?”
>Her earnest expression reminds you of what Horny said about her being a little anxious.
>You toss your hat onto the table and start to shrug out of your costume.
“No problem! I was hoping for a chance to hit the pool once I saw it. I'll find Hornshine and hang with him til you're free.”
>She immediately looks more relaxed, but something…
>”Um...hey Dash, we’re cool right?”
>You stack your cosplay gear together and shake out your mane and tail.
“Hmm?”
>”I mean, this morning. I got a littl-”
>You swipe a wing at her.
“Don't sweat it, Windy. I wanted to talk to you about Anon anyway.”
>”You don't have to, Rainbow. I think I just got a little worked up thinking I could get you to come over to the dark side.”
>She gives a little laugh watching you closely, and you smile brightly at her.
“Nothin’ wrong with that. Really. I got worked up too. I really do want to get your opinion on something though.”
>She raises an eyebrow and seems to relax a little more.
>”See, now you're making me curious. Okay, I'll get free ASAP after I'm done and find you and Horny. We'll eat and have a chat. See you soon!”
>You wave as she finally gives a smile before returning to her other guests.
>This is working out well.
>You jump skyward and spiral up and over the pool area.
>You'd hoped for a chance to run this stuff by Hornshine first anyway.
>He seems like more of a neutral party in all this.
>You soar over the party keeping a sharp eye out for the pale stallion and finally spot him smacking a beach ball toward some other ponies.
>You nose down and tuck your wings into your sides.
>First the right, then the left letting your angle of attack carry you into a tight wing roll.
>The agitated air from your spinning dive begins to pull the water splashing upward around Hornshine.
>In a few seconds, as you race downward, he notices something's wrong and turns to look up.
>A laugh of pure triumph bursts from your lips as his eyes widen in sheer disbelieving shock just before you explode into the water behind him.
>You swim around and come up to find him and a hoof-full of other ponies spluttering and trying to orient themselves after your tidal wave.
“Hey Hornshine! Long time, no see!”
>He flails around a moment more to gain his bearings.
>”Rainbow Dash! Guh...ahem, I see you found the party?”
>You flop onto your back and paddle around him in a circle.
“Yup! Just talked to Windy, but she was kinda busy so I came for a swim.”
>He claps a hoof to his forehead.
>”Gah! I completely forgot! I'm supposed to be bringing her a toasted avocado burger and roasted corn! She's gonna kill me.”
>You shrug and wave a hoof toward the bar.
“She looked pretty busy, and said we'd catch a bite later, so you're probably off the hook.”
>He looks relieved for a moment before swatting a hoof-full of water at you.
>”Nice entrance by the way.”
>You deftly dodge his splash and buck an apple barrel’s worth back at him.
“The look on your face already told me that much! You guys playing a game?”
>He waves off the other stallions and paddles to the edge of the pool to relax a moment.
>”We were. I guess I got distracted. I came over to catch up with...you know what, just a sec.”
>He hauls himself out of the water and yells out toward the DJ.
>”Hey! Amp! C’mere a sec!”
>At his call, the spikey maned DJ looks your way with a grin and flips a few toggles before trotting over.
>”Just finished that set. Ah, mate! Just how many lovely mares do I have to see you with before you send a few my way? Hello, Love! I'm Amplitude. Las Pegasus’ pre-MIERE entertainment executive. And what might your name be?”
>You hadn't even realized he’d knelt to take your hoof and had nearly brought it to his lips when Hornshine ‘accidentally’ nudges him over into the water.
>”Premiere? So SIX ponies know your name now?”
>The sputtering and splashing party pony finally makes it back to the surface as you swim back a bit and chuckle with Hornshine.
>”Bhlar! What’s got your tail in a twist! I was only being civil! These clothes aren't cheap, Horny!”
>Somehow even soaked, the trademark Trottingham silky smooth persona didn't even ruffle.
>”I'll have you know I have tens of fans!”
>He smirks playfully and falls back into an easy stroke in lazy circles.
>”Just your luck I fancied a dip regardless.”
>Hornshine’s laugh echoes over the music.
>”You just needed to cool your jets a bit. Dash is a personal guest of Windy’s.”
>He turns to look at you.
>”Sorry about him. He, Windy, and I grew up together around here.”
>You notice Hornshine get an odd expression and silently gesture you out of the water.
>”He’s always been something of a flank chaser.”
>”Don't go damaging my reputation, now! I'm a connoisseur of feminine mystique!”
>Hornshine grins at you and looks up.
>Your eyes follow his to a rather large storm cloud building over the stone frame above the pool.
>All the other ponies quickly make their way out of the water save for the oblivious DJ.
>”You know, Horny, I've half a mind to make you cough up for new headphones. These are likely ruined and-”
>”CLEAR THE POOL FOR THE MAIN EVENT YOU FOG BREATHING NITWIT!”
>Windsong’s voice crashes down from her position above the cloud just before she gives it a firm kick lancing a thunderbolt straight into the water.
>Hornshine averts his face and whispers to you.
>”Windy disapproves.”
--------------------------------
>The spontaneous flash frying of a local DJ serves to alert all the ponies around that the main event is beginning.
>Everypony gathers around the edge of the pool as Windsong starts talking.
>”Alright everypony! I hope you've been having a good time! Now it's time for a game! You all know how the staff has worked all day to put together tomorrow's obstacle course…”
>A jolt of excitement runs through you from nose to tail.
>The obstacle course is a TenochtiCon exclusive!
>Every year the Con organizers create a devious faux dungeon to test the mettle of wanna be Daring Do’s.
>And every year it gets tougher and the prizes get huger!
>The ponies with the best completion times win!
>”...and you also know that tickets to compete sold out half an hour after opening.”
>Your whole body slumps.
>You were planning on entering the contest first thing tomorrow.
>You had no idea they sold the tickets the day before.
>”So, for our little game tonight the winning team gets admission to the big event tomorrow! Naturally my security ponies can't enter, but the rest of you feel free!”
“What's the game!”
>You yell the question out as your curiosity and excitement boil over.
>Windsong smiles and looks you straight in the eye.
>”The game is...Capture the Flag!”
>Her grin becomes mischievous.
>”Sea Pony style!”
>A quiver of excitement runs from your nose to your tail as you hold your breath waiting to hear more.
>”All ponies wanting to participate, pair up on this side of the pool! No partner, no play, got it? Everypony else step back to watch the fun!”
>A mad scramble ensues as ponies rush around to either snag the partner they want or clear off.
>Your wings flap in frustration as you zip back and forth trying to figure out who’s in and who's not.
>Anypony’ll do! You can make up for any lack of-
>”Oy! Rainbow Dash! Hey, let's team!”
>Your eyes roll as you turn to see the sopping wet, still lightly smoking DJ trot up to you.
>”C’mon love! Let's give it a go!”
“Con employees can't compete, Amplitude! I have to find somepony that can do this legit.”
>He waves his hoof and chuckles.
>”Tut tut, my dear. Never fear. I was hired for this party only as a private contract with Windsong. I'm not a Con employee, so there's no problem.”
>You look him over suspiciously from the bolt-blackened tips of his spikey mane to the waterlogged designer clothes.
“Do you even read the books? You don't look like much of a Daring Do fan. And athletic ability is gonna be a thing here too, y’know?”
>He huffs a breath over his hoof and polishes it on his shirt with a few squishing noises.
>”Don't you know better than to judge a book by its cover? Ha! I'll have you know I introduced Windy and Hornshine to Daring Do after I'd read them.”
>You look skeptical, but he doesn't seem to be a lying type.
>”As for athletic ability, well, I promise I'll get us the win even with you holding me back, deal?”
>Your wings shoot up into an attack angle as he gives a toothy grin and offers you his hoof.
>This…..this little...did he just?
>Your grimace stretches into a feral grin to match his as you plant a fierce hoofbump into his.
“Try to keep up, Amp. You wouldn't want to hurt your rep.”
>You walk to the poolside under Windsong and line up with six other pairs of ponies.
>Everypony chatters excitedly as Windsong looks around to make sure nopony else is coming.
>You catch a glimpse of her face when she notices your teammate.
>Amp blows her a kiss and points at you with a wink.
>You expected exasperation from her, or shock maybe.
>You didn't expect her to nod and smile back.
>”Alright fillies and gentlecolts! Looks like everypony is ready. Everypony gets a velcro band around their waist and a matching colored flag. Each team has a different color. Snatch a flag from somepony and stick it to your band. Anypony with no flags is out, and the first team to get one flag of every color wins!”
>You hop up and down excitedly waiting for the twist.
>”And last but not least, the magic! UNICORNS!”
>A half a dozen ConSec unicorns including Hornshine step forward.
>The Velcro belts and flags levitate over and fix themselves around you and the other pairs of ponies.
>You check to ensure yours is fastened well when a bubble forms around your head distorting your vision slightly.
“Huh? Hey!”
>Before you or anypony else can protest further, you're all hauled into the air via magic and dumped into the pool.
>From above you hear the muffled shout from Windsong.
>”GAME ON!”

>Your wings immediately open in an attempt to right yourself, but as usual the increased stability is overshadowed by the huge amount of added drag.
>Wonderbolts use underwater training to increase wingpower for just that reason.
>As you do a quick roll to right yourself a hoof nudges your flank helping complete your turn.
>You find yourself face to face with your partner who looks completely unperturbed.
>”That's the way, love, nice and easy. We need to get moving. Ponies’ll be dropping out soon and it'll just get harder from there.”
>If this pony thinks he's really gonna show you up down here he's got another thing coming.
>And you'd complained that water training would never be useful.
>Oh well. Spitfire never needs to hear about this anyway.
>You perform a perfect corkscrew turn and face the other direction.
>The pool is fifteen feet deep at this end. Plenty of room to maneuver.
“Okay, follo-”
>”This way, Rainbow! Stay on my flank!”
>You almost fall behind as the crazy stallion blasts past you rolling through the water like a greased eel.
>Your wings and and hind legs pump to keep up as you naturally assume the best form for a swimming Pegasus.
>Even then it's not easy staying up with him.
>You go racing toward the green pair still trying to get their bearings with your own white flags trailing behind you.
“What gives? How’d you learn to swim like that?”
>He does a sort of inverse roll to flash you a grin without losing momentum.
>”Always been this way, love. Been an aquapony longer’n I could walk almost. I'm always more at home in the water than dry land.”
>He laughs happily as you try to absorb this information.
>”My passion is my music, but water and music...it's all just waves innit?”
>You open your mouth to respond, but nothing comes out.
>He's actually kind of...awesome.
>”Break right!”
>You instinctively follow the instruction veering off to the right as your brain catches up to the situation at hoof.
>The greens have turned your way to face off and protect their flags, but the unicorn/earthpony duo aren't moving nearly as well as your team.
>The unicorn mare puts up a hard water barrier to block Amplitude as he jets around drawing her attention away from the big stallion next to her.
>You swim directly at him opting for a feint.
>Just before you reach him you flip over and curve to move under him letting your flag trail behind you.
>His eyes widen as he lunges toward your flag letting you get behind him with ease.
>In one swift motion you catch his flag in your teeth and flick yours out of his reach with a swish of your tail.
>”Got it? Right, let's go!”
>Amp begins swimming away and down swiftly, opting not to pursue the other green flag and its spell slinging protector.
>You carefully stick the green flag to your belt as you go ensuring it's on tightly.
“Nice one! Five more to go!”
>A quick look around shows you a few ponies leaving the pool as the rest begin to get their game on in earnest.
“Amp!”
>He stops to see you motion a hoof as you turn to pursue the orange team who is in turn chasing the blues.
>He winks and sleeks around to approach their outside flank as you close in from directly behind.
>It's looking like in straight lines you're faster, but Amp has superior maneuverability.
>You can work with this.
>You kick into high gear thrusting forward with all six of your limbs.
>As planned, the pressure wave of water in front of you alerts the orange team to their danger and they spin around to confront you.
>You only continue your charge with a manic grin as Amp circles around from the side.
>The swamped pegasi of the opposing team square off to block you and flail in shock as you fling your wings out to stop quickly letting the burst of moving water around you collide with them.
>They get knocked wobbling ears over flank letting you and Amp snatch up their flags easily.
>”Ha! Perfect, Rainbow! We're going to-”
“GREEN!”
>Again to his credit, Amp instantly goes from celebration to retreat as you flap hard to throw yourself backwards.
>The bolt of telekinetically charged liquid barely misses the two of you and hits one of the flailing ex-oranges wrapping them in a cage of hard water.
>You have to do a stupid sort of flopping turn to avoid the second one as Amp zips up and over to face the charging unicorn.
>Spell magic never ceases to impress.
>The little maroon mare seems to have generated a sort of underwater treadmill to propel her around and she's coming in fast for revenge.
>”Watch out! Blues!”
>Amp’s warning comes barely in time.
>Two more considerably smaller bolts of hard water zip through the place you just were a second before as you twist and roll back to try to get everypony in sight.
>The blue team had apparently turned as you defeated their pursuers and saw the approaching green team mare.
>Now the two unicorns who had previously been swimming as hard as they could with their hooves had copied her creative use of telekinesis to become almost as big a threat.
>But they weren't the dynamos of arcane power that she seems to be.
>Amp moves quickly to try to put the green mare between him and the blues.
“Okay, diversionary tactics.”
>You don't need the other green flag, but she's clearly the bigger threat.
>Ooh, but the blues have a red flag and two yellows!
>You push forward and down forcing the green unicorn’s attention from Amplitude as you swim to your left to block the blues’ incoming fire with her body.
>The blues fire anyway obviously hoping to take as much advantage as possible.
>Green stops her treadmill and puts up her shield before firing two bolts, one at you and one at them.
>All three of you dodge the strike and you see the two blues regroup to shoot together at the green.
>Amp finishes his flanking turn and starts toward the blues pouring in more speed than they're aware he can muster.
>You time your movements carefully and rush in just as the blues release their spells.
>Green sees your sudden approach out of the corner of her eye and begins to turn trusting her shield to protect from the blues’ magic.
>Burgundy light runs up her horn as she prepares to zap at you.
>A wing flip sends your body into a spin bringing your rear hooves to face her as you slide in the last few feet.
>Her eyes widen as you draw your hooves up as far as you can, and she jerks hard to try to point her horn at you.
“Not quick...ENOUGH!”
>You buck your hooves into her shield as hard as the water allows just as the blues’ spells hit from the other side.
>The hard water sphere shatters making her prepared bolt spell fail in a shower of sparks from her horn.
>You dart in toward the dazed mare and pull off her green flag before she can gather her wits just as you hear a shout from above.
>You look up to see Amp spiraling away to dodge spells from the blues with two flags clenched in his teeth.
>Yellow and red.
>But they're not out of the game yet.
>You swim as quickly upward as you can to try and split their attention, but are knocked sideways by a golden streak out of nowhere accompanied by a sudden tug at your belt.
>You look around to find a gold and gray Pegasus completing a turn with one blue and one green flag in his mouth.
>You quickly check yourself and find that the green is the only one missing, but whoever that pony is managed to get one from both you and one of the blues!
>He rolls into a graceful inverse loop to face you.
>He gives you a quick smile as he fixes his new flags next to his...TWO purple flags?
>He must've already avenged his teammate then.
>”Hey, Rainbow Dash, right? I'm Boots. Sorry, but I'm gonna have to-HEY!”
>You have to laugh as Amplitude dashes past him pulling off a purple and the blue as he passes.
>”Cheeky. Chatting in the middle of a competition? Won't make that mistake again, now will you?”
>Boots glares at him while deftly dodging a bolt from the remaining blue who only had one yellow flag left to keep him in the game.
>”You won't get away with th-”
>A loud whistle sounds even through the water cutting off the visibly annoyed young stallion.
>”And we have a winner! First team to assemble all the colors, Rainbow Dash and Amplitude, team White!”
>You swim up and offer Amplitude a hoofbump with an excited cheer.
“We did it! We won!”
>He sticks his tongue out at Boots while waggling his hoof in front of his nose.
>”That we did, my dear! We make an excellent combination, you and I. But just remember!”
>He makes you go cross eyed a bit as he taps your nose.
>”There's only one grand prize for the dungeon course, and I fully intend to win it!”
>You hoof his shoulder roughly with a laugh.
“Better bring your best, Amp! I doubt it'll be underwater!”
>You both laugh for a moment before beginning to swim for the pool edge.
>Your wings are tired from pushing water and you need to stretch them and rest for a bit.
>Windsong meets you at the edge and offers a hoof to pull you out.
>”Nicely done, Rainbow! I was kind of hoping you'd have to face off against Amp down there, but I knew you’d win regardless.”
>”Oy! Little help here? These clothes are all heavy now!”
>”Shallow end is that way, Ampy. C’mon Rainbow. Let's get you dried off and both of us fed. You said you had something to talk about too, right?”
>You laugh at your spluttering aquapony teammate pretending to be stranded before looking up at Windsong.
“Yeah. Let's get some food. I wanna ask you and Hornshine some stuff.”

>You follow Windsong around the pool and stop to pick up Hornshine.
>He exchanges a satisfied hoofbump with you and congratulates you on your win.
>"And what about me? Blimey, you leave a friend sopping in the shallows like he didn't just win that game for you!"
>You turn and just manage to leap back into the air as Amp trots up and shakes the water from his mane and tail all over Windsong and Hornshine.
"You make a good wingpony, Amp. Underwater at least."
>Your laughing eyes take in the now bedraggled and fuming forms of your other friends.
"A good soak is really relaxing, huh guys?"
>Windy and her coltfriend just fix Amp with a sour look before staring at each other and snickering.
>"There now, that's more like it!"
>Amp throws a hoof over each of their shoulders and shakes them lightly.
>"All smiles when Amp's around, eh? And great music to boot!"
>Hornshine smirks at him.
>"What music? I don't hear anything."
>He looks at Windsong.
>"This party's DJ is a lackadaisical sort, ain't he?"
>Hornshine's affected accent is matched only by Windsong's high pitched match.
>"Oh my, YES. Dreadful layabout. We really SHOULD speak to somepony..."
>Amplitude backs off with a grimace and an amused lift of his eyebrow.
>"All right. Alright I said! Give a pony a chance to breathe! New set coming up! And your accents are atrocious by the way."
>He sniffs indignantly with a twinkle in his eye and turns to trot back to the DJ booth.
"He's one to talk."
>You snicker into your hoof as you turn back to your friends.
>"Don't let him hear you say that, Dash."
>Hornshine smiles as Windsong addresses you.
>"He's very proud of his accent. Almost as much as his...well, everything else."
>Pride is certainly not something Amplitude lacks, you agree nodding.
>You land and follow the two over to the huge barbeque pit and stare back and forth over the steaming piles of tasty morsels.
>You grab a large plate and use the distraction of long awaited food to draw Hornshine a bit to the side.
>He looks at you curiously levitating their plates before realizing you want a word.
>"Oh, right. You wanted to ask me something? Before Windy, right?"
>You make shushing motions with you hooves and draw nearer looking back and forth.
"It's about Anon."
>You continue to look around warily as you slide some kabobs onto your plate.
>Windy is entirely absorbed in piling everything in reach onto her own, and no one else is near.
“I met him. But...he’s not what you’d expect. Seriously. He’s not a monster, but there’s some issues...um...just how attached to his writing ARE ponies? Like Windsong?”
>Hornshine’s face goes through a gamut of expressions as you tumble out the string of whispers.
>”You MET him? And he’s...hmm…”
>His magic scoops up food at random onto his plate as he ponders.
>”I dunno, Rainbow. Ponies really like his stories. Is he not going to write anymore?”
>You take a breath and shake your head.
“No, I didn’t mean that exactly…”
>He shakes his shoulders and stares into a bowl of spice rubbed, buttered ears of grilled corn.
>”I still don’t know. I’ve heard a lot of ponies wishing he’d expand on some of his subplots and stuff. Others wish he’d write more social stuff than action, but nopony’d be happy if he stopped altogether.”
>You nod as Windsong walks back over to you.
>”C’mon! I’m starving! You two got everything? Table’s this way.”
>Hornshine gives you a curious look before levitating your plate too and trotting off with a jerk of his head to follow.
>You quickly make your way back to the table with your stuff.
>Windsong clears your belongings onto a chair and digs in almost before Hornshine gets the platters on the table.
>You pick up a kabob and munch the perfectly roasted veggies off the wooden skewer deep in thought.
>A muffled, chewing voice reaches you from over the pile of food obscuring Windsong.
>”Sho watcha wanna talk abou?”
>You smirk at the bits of flying food debris raining to the sides of the table as Hornshine watches her nibbling a roasted carrot with a look of adoration on his face.
“Yeah, um, I wanted to ask you about Anon.”
>The buzzsaw noises of rapid ingestion slow as Windy peeks around her pile at you.
>”Oh...right. Did you read more or something? I know you don’t like the lack of realism, but…”
>You shake your head.
“No not about that. I met him. Anon. We hung out for a few hours earlier toda-”
>Windsong flies over the table into your face.
>”YOU MET HIM? Did you get his autograph? What’d he look like? Was he still all in robes? What do you mean you hung out? Why didn’t you call me? Did you invite him to the party?”
>You lean back in your chair as she grips your shoulders and assaults you with questions.
>”Easy there, babe.”
>Hornshine’s soothing voice cuts in as his magic gently pulls her back before letting her hover on her own.
>Faint color blossoms in her cheeks as she looks between you and her coltfriend nervously.
>”Um...ha...sorry. I just...um, yeah…”
>She quickly zips to her seat and looks at a spot over your shoulder trying to collect herself.
>”So you m-met him, huh? That’s pretty cool. So what did you want to ask?”
>Her breathy question tries to ignore her earlier outburst.
>You give Horny a sidelong glance, and he just shrugs and looks at his food.
“Yeeeah...um, I met him. So, we talked about a bunch of stuff, and I was wondering. You know, since you’re such a fan, if you would be against him starting to write...other stuff. If his fans would be against it.”
>Windsong stares at you blankly for a moment.
>”Other stuff? Like, not Daring Do?”
>You nod carefully and ready yourself to save your platter in case she throws the table over.
>She sits thinking for a moment longer as your tension builds.
>”I don’t see why not.”
“WHAT?”
>The question leaps out of you before you can hope to control it.
>You clear your throat, this time it’s your turn to look abashed.
“I mean...really?”
>Windsong peers into your eyes with a weighing look.
>”Well, it’s not like he writes about “Daring Do” now anyways, right?”
>She makes quotation marks with her hooves as she speaks.
>”His stories are pretty far from Yearling’s already, and most of his fans like his differences. They don’t read his stuff for the similarities. There’d be no point. Might as well wait for more from Yearling, y’know?”
>You realize your mouth is hanging open.
>”What? Did you think I’d get mad and throw the table or something?”
>You swiftly take your hooves back of your platter.
“No! I mean...no. I just thought...you’re such a big fan.”
>She nods with a smile and starts into a spinach and onion stuffed mushroom the size of her hoof.
>”Mmf, so good! Nah, I’m a fan of Anon...mmff...and Yearling. I like Anon better...ooh! Try these turnips!...but she’s better than him for the whole tomb raiding, artifacty stuff.”
>You see Hornshine grinning into his bowl of garlic roasted potatoes.
>”He’s better at the whole...y’know…”
>She gestures in a circle with a half eaten parsnip.
>”...the whole world thing. All the different factions and interweaving intrigues. That stuff.”
>She cleans her face with a napkin for a minute.
>”So, as long as it’s still him, I’d read whatever he wrote. I’m pretty sure most ponies would. The ones that like him anyway.”
>You leap into the air excitedly pumping your hoof.
“That’s perfect! If he starts writing other stuff he doesn’t have to keep stealing from A.K. Yearling!”
>Windsong rolls her eyes and you hear her mutter sarcastically about stealing.
>”More importantly…”
>Windsong eyes you up and down as you settle into your chair.
>”If you two are all buddy buddy now...can I meet him?”
>Hornshine snorts a laugh into a cup of juice.
>”What? What kind of fan would I be, Horny? I can’t just let this pass!”
>You look at her thinking even harder how to phrase the next bit.
“Well, that’s part of the problem…”
>Windsong gives you a questioning look.
“He’s really...nervous about being seen by ponies. He’s had it rough since he came to Equestria. He’s had some hard times. He doesn’t want anypony to see him, or talk to him.”
>A skeptical glance meets your eye from Windy.
>”But you saw him, right? And you said you hung out. What’s the issue?”
>You heave a sigh and take a bite of a hay cake.
“I may have, sort of, bullied him into it…”
>You blush as her eyes widen in surprise.
“I didn’t know it was him! Not at first, anyway. And he told me all this later. I tried to get him to come to the party, but he just isn’t comfortable around ponies.”
>Windsong nods and thoughtfully peels a roasted artichoke.
>”Well, if you can talk to him again, and it sounds like you’re going to try, see if you can get him to meet me and Horny.”
>She pauses and looks at you.
>”Not just because I want to meet him, okay? Just, if you want to convince him to write other stuff, and that ponies are okay we could help I think. What’s he like? Is he some horrible thing from Tartarus or something?”
>You wince at the flippant question.
“Um...well, I’ve never seen anything like him before. But really, he’s not a monster. At all. And if I convince him you can’t say stuff like that. Even joking, okay?”
>She nods seriously with an apologetic look.
>”But, Dash. I mean, if he’s not anything I’ve ever seen before, what’s he like? If you don’t tell me I can’t help it if I’m surprised when we meet.”
>Your mind battles itself on how to answer that.
>On one hoof she’s right, and on the other it’s his secret and not yours.
>You try to think what the others would do.
>Pinkie’s face blooms in your mind for a moment and her voice echoes…
>-”FOREEEEEVEEEEEEER!”-
>You shudder and shake your head quickly.
>AJ’s voice comes through.
>-”Ain’t the whole reason yer doin’ this about makin’ Anon trust ponies? Maybe you should trust ‘em too!”-
>You nod firmly and look up at the mildly concerned face of Windsong.
“It’ll be fine. I trust you both. You’ll be able to handle it. If he lets me tell you guys something, I will.”
>Windsong and Hornshine look at each other, and then back at you before nodding.
>Hornshine shakes out his mane and snatches an onion Windy was reaching for.
>”Hey!”
>”Now that’s settled, let’s finish eating and then hit the dance floor. What’ya say, Windy m’dear?”
>She glowers at him before pegging another onion at him that he barely deflects with a shield.
>”Sure, honey! Eat up, Dash! Amp’s gonna have the tunes burning up all night.”
>You nod and and dig in with a will.
“I just gotta stop by the concierge desk for a minute first and send a message up to his room.”
>You finish your meal quickly and flit into the sky as your companions finish up.
>You swoop low under the heavy stone frame and up the steps to the corridor.
>It’s been a good evening. Things are going better than you’d hoped.
>You look back towards the table, and do a double take as you flap quickly to a stop.
>You’d thought you saw a tall figure behind the bushes just past Hornshine and Windy’s table.
>But it’s not there now.
>You shrug and continue into the building.
>Anon’ll take some convincing, but you think you can handle it.

>You trot up to the concierge desk and grab a quill and paper.
>Your ears twitch as you stare at the blank rectangle thinking hard.
>Anon has to be handled delicately, but that's not really your style.
>His worldview is warped, and he's insular and possibly unstable.
>But that's what makes him interesting; never mind the whole creature from another world thing.
>You chew the end of the quill a bit until a raised eyebrow from the concierge makes you stop.
>You want him to see that ponies aren't bad.
>That he just had bad luck at first, and that he doesn't have to live in hiding.
>Windsong and Hornshine are key to the idea, but how do you convince Anon to meet with them?
>A dozen ideas for phrasing and approach run through your head before being dismissed.
>You wish you had somepony here who was better at writing stuff.
>You frown at the page.
“No use trying to be somepony else…”
>You scribble a quick note and read it over.
[Hey! Breakfast tomorrow is my treat. I'll be over early before the big performance. You'd better be ready! -Rainbow Dash]
>A little vague, you guess, but he should be aware of the big play in the Atrium.
>Professional actors from Manehattan and Applewood are gonna perform scenes from the books.
>it's a major attraction for the Convention, so it should be apparent what you mean.
“Good enough, here. Thanks!”
>You give the note and a bit to the concierge after scratching Anon’s room number on the top.
>That done, you hurry back to the pool area, eager to get properly into the party.
>Your friends are still at their table waiting for you.
“You guys didn't have to wait! I said I'd be right back.”
>Hornshine flashes you a grin as he nudges your bottle of Apple’s Best across the table toward you.
>”Oh, we weren't waiting for you, Rainbow. We were waiting for a chance to try this!”
>Windsong nudges a glass tumbler toward you with her lower lip stuck out in a mock pout.
>”Pleeeease!”
>You roll your eyes and huff a strand of your mane out of your face.
>Hornshine’s smile only broadens as he spins two more tumblers in midair.
>”Sorry, Rainbow. But I think we all know who the real VIP at this party is.”
>You have to smile at their casual attitude.
>It seems like this group of ponies likes taking shots at each others’ egos.
“Just my luck.”
>You grin back at them.
“I meet some ponies I thought were cool, and they're just after me for my cider.”
>Windsong laughs as you uncork the bottle.
>”Just help me make sure Horny doesn't have too much. He might try to levitate that big frame over the pool again.”
>Hornshine looks serene as he places the three glasses in front of you.
>”She's asking you to do it, Dash, because more likely than not she'll be flying in loops upside down and crashing into everypony inside an hour.”
>A loud thump and a grunt comes from Hornshine’s direction as you pour.
>The three of you sit back and sip happily at the reserve beverage, and soon begin toasting everything from Celestia to the ponies who discovered fermentation.
>You hold a little back in the bottle.
>When the three of you lurch off to the dance floor to spin away the cobwebs, you hoof it to a surprised Amplitude who accepts it with a grateful wink.
>The rest of the night blurs in a stream of fun music, dancing, chatting with ponies, and all around party fever.
>It's almost as good as cutting loose at one of Pinky’s more legendary shindigs.
>An eternity passes in the blink of an eye and you find yourself being escorted back to your room by a knot of laughing ponies.
>It's apparently Windy’s custom for all the last revelers to head back together dropping ponies off at their rooms one by one.
>You yawn and stifle a laugh as Windy narrowly misses Amplitude with a buck when he offers to take your stuff in for you.
>Instead she brings in your costume and saddlebags herself before hugging you goodnight and returning to the others.
>You flop onto the turned down covers over your pseudo-cloud bed and sigh as you sink in half a foot.
“Great...party…”
----------------------------------
>A shrill ringing crashes through your skull making you leap up and fall out of bed with a thump.
>You fumble the receiver off the hook dropping it twice.
>Your desert dry mouth manages a hoarse whisper into the mouthpiece before you start working your tongue for moisture.
“Acham...hello?”
>”Good morning, Ms. Dash! This is your 7:30 a.m. wake up call!”
>You stare around in shock.
>The light through the curtains is certainly daylight, though.
“Um...thanks.”
>”Our pleasure! Have a wonderful day!”
>You stare at the receiver in distaste until the dial tone forces you to hang it back up.
>You'd swear your head had only just hit the bed.
>But the clock agrees with the Sun and the annoyingly chipper desk service clerk.
>You'd been down for a few hours at least.
>You look at the bed longingly before shaking yourself and heading into the shower instead.
>You can sleep when you're back in Ponyville.
>The Con awaits.
>Blistering hot water wakes you fully, and a thorough scrubbing gets your blood flowing.
>You step back into your room with a towel draped over your head and steam billowing around you to find an envelope has been shoved under your door.
>It's addressed simply on the outside with your room number.
>You take it to the writing desk and open it as you finish drying your mane and tail.
>[Rainbow Dash, breakfast sounds good, but I already ordered it from room service. You can meet me at my room and we can eat if you want. If not, I understand. -Anonymous]
>You snort and begin putting on a fresh costume.
>Well, you'd hoped to get him to come out with you, but he's got a ready made excuse.
>That's not gonna put you off though.
>One last check in the mirror and you grab your saddlebags before heading out.
----------------------------
>The constant buzz of the crowds greets you in the hallway making you smile at the thought of the day to come.
>You extend your wings and flap upward spiraling higher up the pyramid incline to the suite levels.
>Breakfast with Anon.
>You have high hopes for this meeting, and you're pretty sure you can get Anon to agree.
>Just gotta put on the ol’ Rainbow Dash charisma and he'll have no trouble coming to meet your friends!
“I hope he ordered wheat cakes.”
>You touch down outside his room and raise your hoof to knock on his door.
>With an ear raised against the carved wood, you make out the sound of an approaching shuffle.
>You tap your hoof on the carpet impatiently as you see the light in the peep hole dim and hear several locks being undone.
>You huff a sigh and try to arrange your face into a less exasperated expression.
>The door opens just enough for you to enter, and a voice comes around from behind it where you can't see.
>”G’morning, Rainbow Dash! Come on in. The trays just got delivered.”
>You trot inside and look at him as he quickly closes the door.
>He looks a little haggard.
>Dark rings circle his eyes despite the comfy robe he's wearing indicating he's at least been to bed.
>You snort to yourself.
>Bet he wishes he stayed for the full spa treatment now!
“Morning! Thanks for having me. What's for breakfast?”
>The meal was just a pretext for talking to him, but your tum just has to choose now to growl loudly in anticipation.
>That smirk of his should be ILLEGAL!
>You trot into the sitting room of his suite trying to ignore your stomach and his twisted grin.
>”Hum...yeah, well, we've got pancakes and hash browns. Some really nice looking fruit and cheese, and here's some roasted nuts.”
>He wafts the steam from the pancakes toward you with that smile still on his face.
>You ignore his antics and concentrate on not drooling.
“So, what'd you do after you left yesterday?”
>He pauses suddenly in the act of piling pancakes onto two plates, nearly dropping his fork.
>”Hmm? Oh, um, nothing really. Just came back here to rest, y’know?”
>You slide a bowl of grapes over and pluck a few with your lips as you consider him.
>His baggy eyes, messy hair, he smells like punch and...and dish soap?
>You shovel a few big bites of pancake into your mouth for time as you look him over.
>After handing you your plate he's seemed to avoid your eyes and stare into his food.
>Punch and soap, punch and soap, it rings a bell, but…
“AHA!”
>You'd leapt into the air and pointed your hoof at him.
“YOU WERE AT WINDY’S PARTY LAST NIGHT!”
>There's no question.
>After you'd rejoined your new friends and hit the dance floor there was a big part where Amp had Hornshine hit a big tub of soapy water with his magic making it spew lemony scented foam all over the party goers.
>And aside from cocktails there was fruity punch flowing like water for anypony who wanted a drink!
>For a moment you’re so busy congratulating yourself on your detective skills that you almost fail to notice Anon holding his head in his hands.
>”God, I'm sorry Rainbow. I know I shouldn't have, but I was worried. And, and I got paranoid and I started to wonder…”
>As his voice trails off you suddenly realize what he’s implying.
“Wait, wait, wait. You were SPYING on me? On us?”
>You get a sudden flash of the tall figure you'd thought you saw behind the bushes near Windy last night.
“You...you…”
>Anger flashes red in your vision as you flit back and forth over the table trying to keep yourself from flying at him.
>”Rainbow...I heard what you said and I'm really sorr-”
“OF COURSE you heard what I said! You were SPYING on us!”
>You suddenly realize you're nose to nose with the startled human.
>You ram your hoof into his chest.
“Spying! On us! On me! After everything! RrrAH!”
>You turn and fly to the window fuming at the sheer nerve of this guy.
>”Rainbow…”
“Here I am trying so hard...and you just…”
>Your frustration makes even getting words out difficult.
>”...I'm sorry...really”
>His apology sounds sincere and your anger subsides a little.
>You turn to look at him.
“Well? So, what did you discover on your little expedition?”
>You're able to keep most of the nastiness out of the question but he still flinches.
>He runs his fingers through his hair and looks at you and quickly away again.
>”I heard...I mean, I listened and I found out that…”
>He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, finally meeting your eyes.
>”...that you wouldn't betray me. That you're a better friend than I deserve and I've only known you for one day.”
>His eyes tighten as he looks at you sadly.
>”That maybe some ponies...aren't out...out to mess with me…”
>You just look at him trying to figure out what to do now.
>”Sorry, Rainbow. I'd hoped you wouldn't find out. I'll get the door for y-”
“Oh no way, Anon. You're not getting off the hook that easy.”
>He freezes half out of his chair looking at you.
>The words had just burst out of you before you could think.
>What do you say now?
>Your friends’ faces swim in your mind and you come to a decision.
>Anon pales a bit as you stare at him and nod silently.
“You've been alone a long time, Anon.”
>You begin to float back and forth still staring into his eyes.
“Maybe it's different where you're from, but in Equestria friendship isn't something that ends just for something like this.”
>You stop your aerial pacing and swoop in closer.
“So you wanna make it up to me?”
>He nods with a gulp.
“Good.”
>You gather up your saddlebags and head for the door after rolling up a hash brown in a pancake to eat as you go.
“Dinner. Tonight, with Windsong and Hornshine. The King’s Chamber restaurant at 8 o’clock sharp! Don't be late!”
>He nods again fervently still mesmerized that you're talking to him at all.
>You reach the door and walk into the hallway as he numbly follows.
>You turn to him outside with a hoof on the door pull.
“One last thing.”
>He looks at you blankly seeming to just be comprehending what he's agreeing to.
“No costumes!”
>Your wings spring open and you flip back and over the railing with a bright laugh and begin sailing down to the lobby.
>A quickly stifled cry of “RAINBOW DA-” follows you before the knucklehead realizes he's outside and uncovered and dives back into his room.
>Your laughter continues all the way to the atrium floor.
>This is awesome!
>You'll have the whole day to have fun and get ready, and he'll have time to come to grips and prepare as well.
>You've got to get a hold of Windy though.
>Without her connections you doubt you can get a reservation to the hotel’s finest three hoof restaurant on short notice.
>Time to move!
---------------------------
>Your laughter cuts short as you wheel around to prepare for landing and nearly plow through a tight snarl of Pegasi.
“What the-?”
>Barely catching yourself in time, you float up a bit to look around at what’s causing the traffic jam.
>Below, in the center of the Atrium, a large circle of sets has been erected and a huge crowd of ponies surrounding them takes up every possible inch of space.
>Looking around the Pegasi you notice that lengths of shiny red ribbon have been stretched between the upper floor railings and elevators to designate an area for Pegasi spectators.
“The performance!”
>No one can have a problem using wings to queue for THIS area at least.
>You zoom around looking for a moment and find a good vantage point to watch down over the entire display.
>Lights flash near the center signalling that only a few minutes remain until it begins.
>You wish you had a bit of cloud to sit on, but hovering isn’t so bad.
>In short order the same pony who played announcer for the costume contest yesterday steps into the center of the ring of sets.
>”Ladies, and Gentlecolts! Welcome to the eighth annual TenochtiCon Daring Do Live Action Experience!”
>A roar of cheering erupts through the assembled crowd of ponies, and you find yourself yelling as loud as anypony.
>The Atrium lights dim and a spot from a unicorn up on the second floor shines down to illuminate one of the set pieces.
>”When we last left our HERO, Daring Do had just escaped the vaults of memory holding the first of three keys to the lost hoard of King Grover of Griffonstone!”
>A pony appears trudging wearily out from backstage dressed as Daring Do.
>You’re pretty sure your costume is better.
>”Weary, yet triumphant, Daring Do still has a long road ahead of her if she wants to win the race to the hoard against the nefarious forces arrayed to stop her! We join her now on the streets of Dodge City, searching for a contact who may know the whereabouts of the second key!”
>An excerpt from the Griffons Goblet.
>You cross your legs and settle back into your slow, easy hover.
>The play is actually very well done.
>The different actors seamlessly transition from the urban landscape of a city, to the rocky terrain of Griffonstone, to the rolling hills near Canterlot.
>You’re completely drawn in finding yourself gasping, sighing, and cheering with all the other assembled spectators like one gigantic organism.
>It’s better than you’d even hoped.
>Daring Do is well played and the costumes and silky smooth transition of the scenes from novel to visual form shows just how much work they’ve put in.
>When it’s all over an hour later you scream and cheer and pump your hoof as hard as anypony else.
>The crowd begins to dissipate under the watchful eye of a fire marshall and your stomach
roars it’s disappointment that you’ve only had what amounts to a snack.
>You quickly zoom over to the pub area and alight to order some breakfast.
>Lunch.
>Brunch?
>A big mushroom and avocado sandwich with hay fries and a slice of lingonberry pie satisfies your noisy stomach, and you pull out your schedule again to plan out your day.
>The big obstacle course isn’t til this afternoon.
>You absentmindedly double check your hard won ticket.
>There’s always the dealers’ hall again, but you don’t really need to go down there until the last day for the deals.
>No need to put your remaining bits in more jeopardy than is strictly necessary.
>You also need to talk to Windsong ASAP.
>You look around as you dust crumbs from the front of your costume.
“There should be at least one around here…”
>You trot around the Atrium and into the lobby area where you spot what you’re looking for.
>A small blue colored booth stands off to one side with a pair of ConSec workers watching the crowds and peace-binding replica weapons for the attendees with plastic straps.
>You watch with interest as you approach.
>A large stallion wearing Saddle Arabian garb was holding up a long, curved sword in a scabbard.
>The ConSec ponies used a plastic tie to secure the sword to the sheath so that it couldn’t be drawn.
>You smile at them as they send the stallion on his way.
“Hey guys! How’s it going?”
>The two security ponies look up at you and smile.
>”Hey! Nice costume! Anything we can help you with?”
>They look bored and happy to be talking to anypony at all, so you spend a few minutes talking about the events and their duties before getting to your question.
“So...I’m looking for Windsong. Either of you know where she might be this morning?”
>One of them looks at you more closely.
>”Oh right! You were with her last night at the party!”
>The other one nods suddenly.
>”Yeah, she was, huh? Oh, um...Windy is a little...worse for wear this morning.”
>The first pony rolls his eyes and quirks a smile at you.
>”That’s putting it mildly. She’s always a wreck the morning after a party”
>They both look at you.
>”But, she’s always up early no matter what. I think she had Hornshine do her duty this morning, so she’s probably taking it easy somewhere around here. I’d check the pub.”
>You nod and thank them for their time.
>You just came from the pub, but maybe you just missed her.
>Trotting back the way you came you look around at the tables and bar.
>Your eyes pass a huddled form in a headscarf and sunglasses you’d seen earlier before suddenly snapping back.
>You hurry over.
“Windsong?”
>The obscured face jerks in your direction before the ears beneath quiver and flatten.
>The poor mare gently cradles her head in her hooves before croaking softly at you.
>”...morning Rainbow...ungh...it is still morning...right?”
>You nod and slide into a chair across from her as quietly as possible.
“Still morning, Windy. Are you...gonna be okay?”
>She flinches a bit still despite your near whisper.
>How she can stand the noise of the milling crowds around this place is beyond you.
>A waiter levitates a tray with a huge mug of black coffee and a plate of fried eggs to sit in between you.
>Windy sighs and immediately begins wolfing down the eggs and gulping the coffee.
>”Mrf...yeah..I’ll be fine. Ooh, hot! Just a little worse for wear after the party last night.”
>She gives you a wry smile.
>”It’s always like this. S’why I don’t party like that very often. I really should know better by now.”
>You manage to contain the smirk trying to tug at your lips.
“You...d’you always...um...fly upside down like that too?”
>Okay, maybe you weren’t as under control as you’d thought.
>Color flashes across her cheeks as she buries her nose in the enormous mug.
>”Did you need something, Rainbow Dash?”
>You’re practically quivering with suppressed mirth.
>You cover a burst of a laugh by clearing your throat.
“W-well aside from checking on you...ahem...I need a favor.”
>Windsong sighs and mops up some egg yolk with a scrap of toast before munching it.
>”Why do I feel like this is gonna be trouble…”
>You stare at her a moment, savoring your revelation.
“Well...if you don’t want to, it’s fine. It’s no big deal. I got Anon to agree to dinner with me, you, and Hornshine tonight at the King’s Chamber, but we need a reservation. I guess if you’re not up for it~”
>The mug bangs loudly on the table making Windsong wince at her own noise.
>”WHAT? Oooow...sweet Celestia… You got him to agree? Really?”
>You nod, smiling happily.
>”Wow. You work fast, Rainbow. Okay.”
>She chuckles softly to herself, ears flicking back and forth.
>”Last minute reservations to the premiere restaurant in the resort. Well, at least you don’t ask for much. Me and Hornshine can wing it, but do you have the bits for it? The place ain’t exactly cheap.”
>You mentally go over your remaining bits.
>To be honest you don’t normally buy much.
>Since you started going to Cons and such you’ve spent more than ever before, but your stockpile of bits is never really dented much.
“I got it covered. Even if I’m paying for Anon too.”
>She nods and takes out a walkie talkie from the saddlebags next to her.
>”If you didn’t, we’d have you covered. No worries. Him too. It’d be rude to...ask...Anon to come and not cover him at least.”
>She doesn’t quite meet your eyes when she says “ask”, and you remember admitting to bullying Anon earlier.
>Better not to mention how you got him to agree.
>Windy takes another slug of coffee before clearing her throat and lifting the walkie.
>”Dirtybird to Studmuffin. Come in, Studmuffin.”
>You gape at her as she grins wickedly into the radio.
>”GAH! Windy! What in Tartarus?!”
>Hornshine’s voice crackles over the speaker full of embarrassed indignation.
>”Are you still...this ISN’T a private line!”
>You and Windsong both giggle at his consternation.
>”Whaaaaat? I just needed your attention...cutie pie!”
>Confused spluttering comes across the radio as you and Windy hear laughter exploding from the security booth across the way.
>”Windsong! What the ever loving h-”
>”Relax, sweetie. I just needed your attention. Where are you stationed at the moment?”
>There’s a long pause at the other end.
>”Windy...I’m covering your shift at the signing booths, remember?”
>Your friend blushes furiously.
>”W-well, GOOD! I was just making sure…! Everything’s good right?”
>”Um...yeah. Wha-”
>”RIGHT. Me and a VIP are coming by to ask you something. Be there in a sec.”
>”A VIP? They’re all here signing though. Why don’t you just ask n-”
>”OVER AND OUT”
>She quickly snaps the radio off and drops it into her saddlebags before hiding her face in her hooves.
>You busy yourself playing with small cellar of sugar.
>If this goes much farther you’re going to crack a rib from not laughing.
“Um...so...should we go?”
------------------------------------------------
>Down in a conference room set up near the dealers’ hall you find rows and rows of booths set up like the vendors down the hall.
>Only here the ponies behind the tables are signing artwork or writings or clothes or whatever the milling crowd asks for.
>Some pose for instant photos and sign them for ponies while others simply scrawl their signature with a thick black marker on whatever’s at hoof.
>There’re ponies here representing a whole side of the Daring Do fandom that you’ve never really associated with.
>Artists, musicians, writers, toymakers, sculptors, every kind of creative mind you can think of.
>And you know these only represent those popular enough to be sought after for their autograph.
>It’s a bit mind blowing for you seeing just how intense ponies can get for the things they love.
>At one end of the hall you spot Hornshine standing near a stall, head swiveling to passively keep an eye on the room.
>Windy nudges your flank and you both quickly trot over to him.
>Hornshine grimaces at Windy as you approach but turns a smile on you.
>”Ah! Nice to see you, Rainbow Dash. So you’re our “VIP”, huh? You don’t look like last night left you any problems. Unlike SOME ponies.”
>A hoof to his ribs doubles him over wheezing as Windsong smiles fiercely at him.
>”Nice to see you too, HONEY.”
“Hi, Hornshine! You sound a little under the weather, yourself. Don’t overdo it, okay?”
>A laugh bubbles from your lips as you watch him try to maintain his composure.
>His voice comes out more hoarsely than is really necessary.
>”So, what can I do for you two fine ladies?”
>Windy nods in satisfaction.
>”Dash set up a dinner date with Anon and us. We need a table at the King’s Chamber tonight. I don’t think the time really matters. But we need it pronto.”
“Yeah, it came together really fast before I could think about it. I was hoping you guys could arrange something.”
>Hornshine shakes his head ruefully.
>”Sweet Luna, you two don’t ask for much, do you?”
>He finally straightens completely, though he still massages his bruised ribs.
>”Well, since it’s for you two...and a chance to meet Anon. Just a sec.”
>Hornshine walks a few paces away where it’s a bit quieter and starts talking into his walkie.
“Do you think it’ll work?”
>Windsong looks at you.
>”The reservation? Or convincing Anon that ponies aren’t bad people?”
>You’re not sure what you meant and shrug shaking your head.
>”Well, as to the first, Hornshine knows a lot of ponies. If anyone can get the res, it’s him. As for Anon...I really can’t say. You said he had issues. Can you tell us anything else yet?”
>You shake your head sadly.
“I actually forgot. We didn’t talk for long this morning. I left as soon as he agreed. I should’ve asked him some more stuff, but I was just happy he’d said yes, y’know?”
>She gives you that sidelong look again.
>”He DID say yes, right?”
>You look abashed.
>He did say it! He agreed! But what if…
“He said he’d come. But I’m not a hundred percent sure. Maybe I’d better talk to him again…”
>Hornshine trots past you heading toward a booth and waves a hoof to stop the two of you from following.
>He starts talking into the ear of one of the signing ponies.
>”Maybe you’d better. From what little I’ve already heard, he may not appreciate it if you’ve somehow...cornered him into it.”
>You hunch your shoulders.
>She lays a comforting hoof on your shoulder and looks at you.
>”It’s fine, Dash. Just talk to him. Try to maybe...listen a little?”
>You sigh and nod.
>Crap. You’d thought you had it all so nicely tied up.
>Hornshine comes walking back up with a smile on his face.
>”I’m so good, it’s scary sometimes.”
>Windsong brightens.
“You got us the reservation?”
>You and Windsong speak up quickly in perfect unison.
>His smile broadens.
>”Nope. I got one for tomorrow night.”
>You physically feel yourself deflating.
>”But I got Inkwell over there to switch his reservation with mine. For tonight!”
>You and Windsong stare at him dumbfounded.
>”It took some finagling, but a master of negotiation can alwaWHOA!”
>Windsong had dived into him carrying him to the ground in a hug.
>”You’re amazing!”
>He laughs and strokes her mane before giving her a quick squeeze and helps her get up with him.
“Wow! Seriously, Hornshine, you’re awesome! That took no time at all!”
>You laugh as Windsong continues to cling to him.
>”I get to meet Anonymoooooous!”
>Hornshine laughs with you at her obvious delight.
>”It’s no problem, Rainbow. It makes my marefriend happy, after all.”
>Windsong gives him another hug for that before looking at you seriously.
>”You still have to handle that other thing, Dash. Make sure he’s coming legit. You have to go talk to him.”
>You heave a sigh and nod despite Horny’s searching look.
“I know. I’ll make sure I get a hold of him. I better go. I’ll see you tonight.”
>You all make your goodbyes and you’re halfway out of the room before Windsong catches up and taps you on the back.
>”Oh, Dash! I forgot to mention. The King’s Chamber is a three hoof restaurant with a strict dress code. Make sure you wear something appropriate, okay?”
>She takes your speechless expression as confirmation and hurries back to Hornshine.
“....something...appropriate…”
>You have a strong feeling that you know what that means.
>You meander slowly out of the hall not looking where you’re going.
>Well...dresses aren’t THAT bad…
“Uuuughh!”
--------------------------------------
>You scribble angrily at a piece of paper at the Concierge’s desk as the pony looks at you in mild concern.
>You’d made a quick trip up to your room to check your belongings, but you already knew you didn’t have anything appropriate for a fancy restaurant.
>You don’t have any time to spare. It’s time to bite the bullet.
[Hey girls! I’m still having a blast out here in Las Pegasus! I went to a radical party last night and won a competition for tickets to a big event here today. You can bet I’ll take the grand prize! Thanks for your last letter. I’m trying to take care of stuff while still doing everything the Con has to offer. Tonight I’m going to a fancy restaurant. The King’s Chamber. I have to wear something fancy to get in, so Rarity, I need some help. Can you send me something before tonight? I know it’s last minute, but I don’t have anything here. I’ll write more when I can. Stay awesome! -Rainbow Dash]
>You give the sealed letter to the concierge with the extra bits for an expedited courier.
>Hopefully Rarity will get back to you quickly.
>Magical mail is expensive, but sometimes worth it.
>You look at the clock above the reception desk.
>There’s still a few hours before the obstacle course.
>No putting it off any more.
>You flap your wings and sail slowly upward trying to think of what to say.
>You feel like a complete idiot.
>Why did you have to bully him into it like that?
“That wasn’t even the plan!”
>Other pegasi fly wide at the sight of you muttering to yourself.
>Well, you didn’t really HAVE a plan.
>You just saw an opening and went for it.
>But Windsong is right, that’s not the best way with this po-...human.
>You alight and raise your hoof, tapping on his door.
>The door quickly opens and you jump in surprise.
>The linen wrapped flanks of a housekeeping pony back out nearly running you over as the earth-pony employee drags a cart loaded with supplies out after her.
“Whoa! Hey, watch out!”
>The housekeeper merely looks at you as she rolls her cart ahead of her now.
“Hey! Wait!”
>You fly around quickly in front of her, watching past her as Anon’s door swings shut.
“Was there a...anyone home? In that room?”
>The mare heaves a sigh.
>”Nopony home, no. I hate VIP guests. He always has a Do Not Disturb sign out and we’re supposed to only come up to restock and turn down the room when he’s out. Now, please excuse me. My shift should’ve ended half an hour ago.”
>You swoop around in front again, earning yourself a tired, reproving look.
“Sorry, just one more thing. He didn’t check out, did he? The guy in that room?”
>The pony shrugs.
>”How should I know? ‘Scuse me, Miss.”
>A thought occurs to you.
>”LUGGAGE! Was there still luggage in the room?”
>Your yell behind her makes her pause for a moment.
>”Sorry, yeah. His stuff was still there. I didn’t think of it.”
>You thank the tired mare and wend your way back down to the Atrium.
“Where could he have gone?”
>He wasn’t at the signing booths, and his stock sold out almost as soon as he opened shop.
>You don’t have any other way of getting in touch with him.
“Just my luck. A hermit decides he wants to travel as soon as I want to find him.”
>You chuckle to yourself.
>Guess you’ll just have to check back later.
>A quick study of your booklet gives you a short list of panels you’d like to attend before the big event this afternoon.
>Even with all of that there should be plenty of time to find him this evening.
>You head back to the lower floors looking for the first one on your list.
>[History and Peoples of Tenochtitlan]
>A bit brainy, but you’ve picked up a small interest in history.
>Very small.
>But it might be cool to know the real history of the places so famous in A.K.’s books.
>After watching the admittedly interesting presentation (they had artifacts and relics of the ancient civilizations to examine), you move on to the next one.
>A panel by real archaeologists talking about the places they’re excavating.
>After that, a discussion about dungeoneering and how ancient traps and mechanics work.
>That one gives you a few ideas that may be useful in the upcoming game.
>Most interesting of all was the last one.
>A Q&A for scout ponies who’re paid under Royal charter to explore and document areas outside Equestrian influence.
>Nims waves at you from behind the guest speaker’s table and you wave back.
>You go up to talk to him afterward.
“Hey! I didn’t know you were a guest speaker!”
>You hoof his shoulder.
“How’d you end up working security?”
>He smiles sheepishly
>”They give free passes to ponies who come to speak at sponsored panels so I was here anyway, but then Windsong told me she was short hooved so I decided to lend one. That’s all.”
>You look at him with an extra measure of respect.
“So you knew her already? I guess you grew up around here with them and Amplitude?”
>He shakes his head emphatically.
>”Oh no, no. I’m from Rainbow Falls. No, I’ve just been coming to TenochtiCon since the first one back when I was a colt.”
>You smirk to yourself thinking he’s not very much older NOW.
>”Windsong’s been chief of security since the beginning, and you can’t come here every year like that and not get familiar with some of the staff.”
>You walk with him down the hallway chatting about the previous Cons.
>”Hey, you won the thing last night, right?”
>He checks a small watch strapped around his foreleg.
>”You’d better hurry if you want to participate.”
>You leap into the air in alarm.
>The panels had been so much fun you’d nearly forgotten!
“Thanks, Nims! See you later, I gotta fly!”
>You race down the hallway forgetting yourself enough to leave a rainbow trail careening around corners as you head for the escalators.
>You come to a sharp halt at the bottom and wind into the scrum of ponies trying to reach the Atrium.
>A few long seeming seconds of huffing and tapping your hoof impatiently as the stairs climb you up to the next floor and you take off running toward the rear patio.
>You dodge around other Con goers and leap through the big double doors out into the bright Las Pegasus afternoon.
>You pull your safari hat low to shield your eyes until they can adjust and finally look up to see something out of Pinkie Pie’s most wild dreams.
“A….awesome…”
>Beginning only a few feet away and towering over the patio stands a massive construct.
>Wooden beams and plywood panels shroud a pony made cave entrance that leads into the huge...thing.
>Huge bulges with gears and pulleys sticking out rear here and there, heavy booms with weighted sacks acting as counterbalance, even a working water-wheel that seems to be driving most of the mechanics.
>The construct rears high up at least two stories implying multiple floors inside, and your mind races with the possibilities of what might be found inside.
>A buzz of wondering conversation fills the air with quiet tension as the dozens of ponies who’ve come to watch jabber at each other, awestruck by the immense complexity of it.
>”Amazing sight, innit?”
>You clap your mouth shut with a click as the familiar accent whispers from entirely too close to your ear.
>You spring away into a hover and glare at the dark gray pony.
>Amplitude smiles widely showing every one of his brilliant white teeth as he sweeps a bow.
>”Lovely day for sport, eh Rainbow Dash?”
>You have to take a moment to absorb the flashy weirdo.
>His mane is still lime green, streaked with black and styled into spikes.
>You’re sure his finely cut clothing and neon yellow shades are designer brands.
“Don’t sneak up on ponies, Amp. That’s a good way to get a hoof to the face.”
>He only grins wider.
>”Sneaking? What an appalling slight upon my good name, Lady Dash! And besides, nopony would ever damage such a national treasure, even by reflex!”
>Your eyes roll so hard it almost hurts.
“So, you planning to go into that dungeon in that?”
>You gesture to his fancy duds.
>He starts and looks himself over quickly as if he had no idea what he was wearing.
>”Hmm...that’s...well, look at you! You’re still in your Daring Do costume!”
>You lift one of your lapels with a hoof.
“Oh, you mean this? You mean this safari outfit? This uniform of adventurers and dungeon crawlers?”
>He looks at you sourly and opens his mouth, but you cut him off with a smirk.
“Yeah, this comfortably loose, hard wearing fabric might be a real problem in there, Amp. Maybe I should get myself some nice flappy designer stuff, huh?”
>”Alright, alright!”
>The DJ flaps a hoof at you with his nose up.
>”I daresay you look a sight better than me in anything, my dear. A pony like you can dress all for function and end up setting fashion trends to shake Manehattan by days end, I expect.”
>He eyes you sideways and then gives you a roguish wink.
>”Perhaps later you’d like to give me a lesson on dressing properly…”
>You sigh and smile, shaking your head.
>Off balance for all of two seconds. He doesn’t ruffle easily.
>”Contestants, this way please! Clear the way for the Contestants! Present your ticket to the security pony near the entrance, please!”
>You and Amp both turn to look.
“No way…”
>There must be fifty ponies queuing up for the course.
“Fifty ponies? And only one winner? This can’t be right. There’s too many!”
>Amp turns to you with the characteristic twinkle blazing behind his shades.
>”Ten more than last year, love. One winner and no pony made it all the way through.”
>You look at him and land to ask quietly as the two of you approach the line.
“Have you done this before? Do you know anything?”
>He gives you another sideways look.
>”Nnnooo, I haven’t. I wish I could tell you. But all I’ve heard is that it’s not that the dungeon they build is long exactly. It’s that they’re devious tricky. You’ll see.”
>Thanks to your conversation, you and Amp are among the last to get your numbers in exchange for your tickets.
>After everypony has one, the security pony touches a crystal hanging around his throat, and his voice echoes out magically amplified.
>”All contestants and spectators, welcome to the eighth annual TenochtiCon Dungeon Trial! Each contestant will enter the dungeon by the front entrance and proceed as far as they can. Progress will be monitored by a panel of judges and shown via crystal projection on the screens to the side of the dungeon. Contestants waiting for their turn must do so in a waiting room just inside the resort where they cannot view or hear the proceedings. The contestant who achieves the greatest progress toward their goal will receive prepass tickets to next year’s convention, a full suite with amenities for next year’s Con, and a voucher for any item or group of items from the dealers’ hall valuing up to fifty bits, all courtesy of the TenochtiCon Convention Board, and Fluxor Resort and Wellness Spa! All contestants other than contestant one please follow the security pony near the doors to the resort back to the waiting room for your turn. And thank you all for attending the eighth annual TenochtiCon!”
>His long pronouncement is met by deafening cheers and cries as the huge huddle of contestants flows around you back towards the doors.
>You nudge Amp who’s staring at the construct with a shrewd look on his face and you both turn to go.
>You sigh inwardly as you enter the comfortably appointed waiting room.
“Fifty contestants, and I’m number forty seven! If I was earlier I could at least watch the rest do the trial.”
>Amplitude walks past you to grab a skewer with a cookie in his teeth and hold it under the fall of a chocolate fountain.
>”That’s how the cookie crumbles, my dear.”
>He punctuates that by snapping the chocolate coated munchy into his mouth.
>”Something tells me it won’t be so bad as all that, however.”
>You eye him again as he goes up and down the snack table.
>Just what does he know?
>Windsong would probably give a bugbear insider information before Amplitude, but he keeps making those comments.
>You shrug and shake yourself.
>He’s a local. He probably has just been to the Con for years now, and has just watched the events even if he’s never participated before.
>You settle into a plush leather chair to wait for your turn.
>Amplitude was right.
>You hate to admit it, but the contestants get called rather quickly.
>Anypony else might call the speed of new contestants being called ‘nerve wracking’.
>But not you.
>Twenty contestants in just under an hour.
>The first half dozen or so went in no time at all.
>But you’re not nervous.
>Why should you be?
>You get a surprise as contestant twenty-five gets called and Amp stands up and stretches.
>”Wish me luck, love! I’m off!”
>He waves his #25 card under your nose before walking out with a smirk.
>You sit there fuming.
>The jerk must’ve traded with somepony else too nervous to go.
“Wish I’d thought of that…”
>But there’s no point doing it now. Not when he did it first, anyway.
>The wait was intolerable.
>Finally, after nearly a whole other hour, you’re next.
>You run your hooves over the arms of your chair in the deathly quiet room.
>The tick of the clock’s second hand seems to come more and more slowly as time goes by.
>You can barely hear the breathing of the other three ponies who all look like they’re trying to merge with the furniture beneath them.
>The door opens.
>”Number Forty-Sev-”
“THAT’S ME”
>You shoot into the air with your hoof raised and practically scream at the pony.
>His eyes go wide and and you quickly land and run your hoof over your mane.
“I mean...that’s me…I’m forty-seven.”
>You hoof him your card, and he nods silently turning to lead you out.
>There must have been some kind of spell on the doors, because as soon as you cross the threshold into the hallway you’re nearly knocked flat by the clamor from outside.
>As you follow the security pony out into the sunlight, you gaze around open-mouthed at the cheering, talking, yelling, excited crowd.
>Here and there as you approach the dungeon entrance you can spot a contestant from earlier.
>There’s one looking angry.
>Another with a broad stripe of red paint across his face.
>Amplitude coated nose to hoof in green slime of some kind.
>Each one you spot seems to be halfway caught between annoyance, and excitement.
>”Please empty your pockets and leave your saddlebags here with me. They’ll be returned to you after you complete your trial. Continue through the course to obtain the artifact until you are either marked with red paint, or expelled from the course entirely. Good luck.”
>You quickly comply and adjust your hat to give an air of rakish confidence.
>At least the wait is over, time to DO this!
>”Contestant Forty-Seven, are you ready?”
>The magically amplified voice echoes over the ebullient crowd.
“READY!”
>You yell defiantly as you ready yourself to dash inside.
>”BEGIN!”
>You hurl yourself into the entrance and gasp as two heavy wooden slabs slam shut behind you and all the noise of the patio vanishes in an instant.
>Looking around the dimly lit entrance room, you see three paths leading off.
>The left one goes up a stair.
>Forward and right twist out of sight quickly.
>You mentally apologize to the waiting ponies inside, but you’re not about to rush this when there’s no time limit.
>You look between your options musingly.
>You don’t want to go up yet, and center just doesn’t seem like a good choice.
“Right it is, then.”
>You carefully enter the right hallway and curve around a corner until you enter a medium sized room.
>Fairly obviously, the walls and ceiling are covered in what look like foam spikes tipped in red paint.
>One step into the circular room and the floor begins to rotate and rock in crazy directions.
>Your hooves skitter and slip you towards a spiked wall before you get enough purchase to spring into the air and flare your wings.
>You remember just in time to keep from flying up into the ceiling spikes, and you just hover there a moment watching the bucking floor and calming your heart rate.
“This is no joke.”
>You see how so many ponies got eliminated so quickly.
>A fierce smile crosses your face.
>There were only a hoof full of pegasi contestants.
>Nopony can complain if you maximize your advantage.
>You angle your wings and flap to move across the room only to be sent spinning sideways by a sudden blast of air.
>You halt your flipping slide sideways just before you hit the spikes only to be buffeted back the other way by another explosive gust.
“Gyah! Come...ON!”
>You move your wings with all the skill you can muster.
>Blasts of air come from every direction one after the other sometimes crossing to spin you, sometimes hurling you one way or the other.
>Several times you only barely manage to tuck in a limb before it can touch the spikes.
>Slowly you start to understand the air movements and start using each one to advance you before bracing against the next.
>You make it to the entrance to the hallway at the end of the room and settle back to your hooves with a grateful sigh.
>A very slight click is your only warning.
>All six of your limbs fling out wide as a trap door drops out from under your hooves.
>Just as your hooves barely cling to the outside edge of the chute leading down to what looks like a pool of slime below the construct filled with foam ‘gators’ a heavy weight thumps onto your back.
>A heavy sack filled with what feels like flour dropped out of a niche in the ceiling to ensure whoever tripped it falls in.
>Your muscles strain and sweat pours down your face as you struggle to hang on to your tentative grasp at the edges.
“Wingpower, don’t fail me now!”
>You give your wings a heavy pump and flail with your forehooves as you shoot forward a few feet.
>You scramble at the edge as the sack slides off your back and hangs by an attached rope.
>With a grunt of effort you haul yourself out of the pit trap and flop onto the floor of the hallway gasping for breath.
“For...for Celestia’s sake! This is insane!”
>Beyond where you lay panting lies a circular room.
>In its center stands a wooden altar with a golden key standing on end on top of it.
>Aside from that the room seems completely innocuous.
“Sure. Like I’m gonna believe that.”
>You roll onto your stomach and stand to your hooves.
>A more thorough glance around the room doesn’t give you any further insight.
>No markings, symbols, trip cords, switches...nothing.
>You sigh loudly.
“Guess I just go for it, then.”
>You walk into the room with a gingerly step and a look of intense focus.
>Nothing happens.
>You take another few steps toward the altar.
>Still nothing.
>Giving in to paranoia, you circle around the altar and approach from the other side.
>The nothingness is starting to seriously creep you out.
>Finally, becoming frustrated with yourself, you walk straight up to the altar and snatch the key, looking around sharply for any signs of...anything.
>Nothing.
“Oooookay-”
*SHWACK*
>The noise heralds the room becoming a blur of flying ‘death’.
>Thin foam disks whip into the room from every possible direction spinning in the direction of the altar.
“GYAAAAAAAH IT’S VOICE ACTIVATED???”
>You yell and jump, weave and dodge.
>You buffet some of the light foam disks away with puffs of air from your wings, and dive around like a drop of water on a hot griddle.
>After what feels like a decade the torrent of disks stop flying and you lay stretched out panting quietly on the floor again.
>Careful to avoid the paint-edged disks, you crawl like a mouse in a dream across the floor toward the hallway thinking incredibly quiet thoughts.
>Still unwilling to risk a noise, you leap over the pit trap and fight your way across the spinning floored air blast room and back to the entrance.
>You collapse bonelessly onto your back, chest heaving for air.
>A smile tugs at your mouth as you hold up your prize for a moment.
“...got a key...ugh…”
>Ignoring your already protesting muscles, you clamber to your hooves.
>You remember making noise aloud in here, so it should be safe.
“Okay. I got the key. Now which way?”
>Still reluctant to go up the stairs, you go down the center hallway and curve around to…
>A door.
>You rummage excitedly for your key before you notice that the door handle is painted blue.
>With a queasy feeling in your stomach you try the gold key in the lock.
>On the up side, nothing happened.
>On the down side, that includes opening the door.
>You grunt in frustration and pocket the key.
“Upstairs it is, then.”
>You quickly return to the fork and glance up the staircase.
>It looks sinisterly normal.
>It’s starting to look like you aren’t going to see any of these traps before they’re sprung.
>The ponies in charge are pretty good at this game, you grudgingly admit.
>The stairwell is too small for you to extend your wings, and the stairs too high for you to do a wing assisted jump.
“A coincidence, I’ll bet.”
>You roll your eyes and sigh again.
>You start trotting up the stairs.
>Listening with all your might you’re just able to hear the click as you reach halfway up the stairs.
>It doesn’t help much.
>The stairs flatten into a very steep, smooth slide as a panel flips up at the bottom revealing a thick snarl of red tipped spikes.
>You scramble for footing on the slide as your wings try to snap out and bump against the walls.
>The inability to open your wings strikes a stab of panic at you, but you’ve trained for moments like these.
>A thought suddenly comes to you as you begin to slide down.
>You plant your hooves flatly on the slide allowing yourself to whoosh back a few feet, but enough to let you spring up off of it.
>You grunt as your back hits the ceiling nearly knocking the wind out of you, but you keep it together enough to hurl your hooves and wings out sideways into the walls of the stairwell.
>Hanging there suspended from the walls, you catch your breath for a moment trying to figure out your next move.
>A second, louder click sounds and the slide folds out back into stairs.
>Muscles in your limbs start to shake with effort as you ponder your situation.
>You think you remember which stair is the trick one…
>After taking a deep breath you hurl yourself forward again, curling your body for as much distance as possible.
>You flail forward and up scrambling up the steps with a mad strength as soon as you land.
>With a flop and a groan you roll past the top step and find yourself laying on the floor again.
>This seems to be a trend today.
>Refusing to give in to your building exhaustion, you roll to your hooves and straighten up.
>You adjust your hat and look into the room ahead.
“Well, at least this is normal...hmm…”
>The room has an octagonal shape and a floor of tiles with various symbols carved on them between you and the altar with a blue key standing up from it.
>A similar trap is one of the more recognized from the books, but…
>At the same time with everything else you’ve seen, that seems way too obvious.
>You look at the symbol carved floor tiles.
>The symbols are nothing you’ve ever seen before.
>Some repeat here and there, others don’t seem to have a double on the floor at all.
>Looking at the ones with no copy, they don’t seem to provide any path to the altar specifically.
>You flex your wings hesitantly.
>Traps so far have been designed specifically to counter pegasi.
>You don’t know what to do.
>It all makes you wonder if there’s some counter to teleporting too.
>You shake your head.
>Letting your mind wander won’t help anything.
>It’s frustrating how often you’re reduced to just letting loose and dealing with what comes.
>You take several deep breaths and slowly flap into the air.
>Looking around furtively, you ease across the room to the altar.
“So far, so good.”
>A gasp wracks your body as you clap a hoof to your mouth remembering the sound trap, but nothing happens.
>You slowly let out your breath and reach for the key as sweat runs down your face.
>You stop suddenly just as your hoof touches the key.
>There’s a small switch under it.
>But the only thing in your pockets is another key!
>You growl loudly at the altar.
>Gritting your teeth you flap around to the back of the altar.
>You poise your hooves around the key and gather your strength, taking long, steady breaths.
“NOW!”
>You tear at the air with your wings as you snatch the key off the altar.
>Hundreds of tiny ‘pft’ sounds fill the room as little pellets fire from the walls in all directions.
>Your mouth stretches in a wordless cry of defiance as you haul the key as hard as you can fly towards the hallway.
>Your speed of movement is the only thing that saves you.
>All the pellets were trained on the altar and fired that direction, but you’d vacated that space as quickly as possible.
>You plunge into the stairwell still yelling and pull your wings in.
>Rolling down the first few stairs, you activate the trick stair and swiftly slide down.
>Planting your hind hooves at the last second to propel you tail over ears back into the entrance room over the spikes, you painfully tumble up against a wall.
>You climb shakily to your hooves and stare at your new blue key.
>How many ponies could’ve made it this far?
>Maybe there’s some other way to stop the traps?
>No time to think of that right now.
>Every part of you feels strained and slightly bruised.
>You lift your hat and wipe at your face with the back of a hoof.
>Can’t be much more...maybe you can make it to the end?
>You trudge down the center hallway and stick the blue key in its lock.
>Gathering yourself as much as possible you strain your eyes and ears again for any sign of problems as you turn the key and push the door open.
>Your breath eeks out of you as nothing happens and you see only another short length of hallway before another door with a gold painted handle.
>You enter the closet sized space warily.
>The gold key slides into place as easily as the blue, and you can’t help but to hold your breath again.
>The door clicks open and swings wide showing another fun room.
>A wide hallway stands between you and another open doorway.
>In between are a number of swinging foam blades all edged in red paint swinging wildly at different rates.
>You watch carefully and quickly spring forward a few feet at a time.
>Careful of your tail, you dance along the hallway timing each jump as nearly as you can to ensure the next comes before you get hit.
>It takes careful timing and maneuvering, but this is no harder than completing any normal obstacle course though you are careful to watch for any signs of greater danger.
>You leap past the last swinging ‘blade’ with alacrity at the last possible instant, and turn to look at the blade trap.
>That one wasn’t so bad.
>You carefully tip-hoof around an s-curve hall and peek into the room beyond.
>Breath catches in your throat as your eyes widen.
>You have to appreciate the sheer effort put into this thing.
“Whoa…”
>Several skeletons, made of what looks like craft foam, and carrying foam weapons march around the room animated by some kind of magic.
>The shimmery, colorful aura around them is proof of that.
>You grin at the look of one of the skeletons.
>A pegasus, with wing bones folded neatly.
>This is pretty cool.
>Across the room on a tall stone plinth sits a replica of the Sapphire Statue.
>You’d seen similar ones in the dealers’ hall, but none so big.
>This one has to be a one to one scale!
>You’re sure it isn’t real sapphire, but it’s still pretty amazing looking.
>Is this the last obstacle?
>You size up the six pony skeletons.
>Spooky, but nothing to worry about.
>And since they’re not ponies in costume nopony will care if you go all out.
>You rub your hooves together in anticipation.
>This dungeon has been pretty harsh…
“Time to work off some frustration, YAAAAAAAH!”
>You charge into the room yelling like mad.
>The skeletons immediately turn your way and rush in waving their foam weapons.
>You skid around and plant a hard buck into the chest of an earth pony skeleton with a foam sword in his teeth.
>The bones explode away from your powerful double kick with a satisfying clatter.
>You jump, kick, roll, chop, dive, and kick some more!
>The skeletal guards don’t stand a chance.
“HaaaaaAH!”
>The last boney guard falls to pieces when you uppercut its skull off as you rise into the air from under him and twist around a few times.
>You huff a breath through your nose at the piles around the room as you watch closely to make sure that they aren’t getting back up.
>That felt surprisingly good.
“Just what the doctor ordered.”
>You eye the statue on its plinth.
>It sits there benignly gleaming in the dim light of the room.
>There’s no way this is it.
>It can NOT be as simple as grabbing it.
>You study the statue and look around it and the room trying to figure out how it might be trapped.
>Nothing leaps out at you.
>You wonder how long you’ve been in here.
>It feels like forever, but you’re sure it hasn’t been all that long.
“Grah! Why can’t I see it?”
>You walk around the plinth carefully.
“Maybe another snatch and run...hmm…”
>You tap a hoof thoughtfully on the floor wishing you had some other pony to bounce ideas off of.
>A deep sigh wells up as you roll your eyes.
>You’re gonna have to leave it up to reflexes and luck again.
>Just how many of these traps can honestly be avoided?
>No use worrying about it.
>You flap up above the plinth and ready your hooves to swipe the statue.
>As before, you take a few long, steadying breaths.
“GYAH!”
>You whip your hooves over and yank the statue off with everything you can muster.
>The statue and your hooves barely clear the plinth when a square of four foam blades crashes down around it faster than you can blink.
>Your hooves tingle with their close passage as your eyes widen.
“A Sun forsaken GUILLOTINE?!”
>It doesn’t matter that it’s foam!
“These ponies are completely crazy! Comple-”
*click*
>Your body lunges into motion towards the hallway as the room behind you fills with whizzing pellets.
>You yell your lungs out as you swoop into the hallways and gallop back up their length to the entrance room
>Not daring to stop you continue onward, clutching the statue tightly under your wing.
>You reach the big double doors and hammer on them with your hooves.
“Lemme out! I got it! I GOT THE STATUE!”
>The doors crack open and you waste no time.
>You dive out between them and roll to a stop clapping your hooves over your ears as a head splitting roar of noise assaults you.
>Staring around and spinning defensively, you suddenly realize that the noise is the crowd going absolutely ballistic.
>You’d completely forgotten about them.
>Ponies scream and clamor in cheering adulation as the announcer pony steps up to throw a hoof over your shoulders and gesture for you across the assembled crowd.
>Everypony is going completely nuts!
>The spectators, the other contestants, even Amplitude!
>”Wow! What a performance! Everypony give it up for contestant forty-seven!”
>As if they needed any encouragement.
>You laugh out loud triumphantly as you hold the statue up over your head.
>At his direction, you gather your stuff from the announcer pony and make your way down into the crowd.
>You make your way toward the back as Amp falls in beside you while you give hoof bumps and bathe in the wash of happy ponys’ congratulations.
>”Hey, Dash! Really well done! You were the very best so far, I swear.”
>You look at him questioningly.
>”No lies, my dear. Two others reached the Sapphire Statue so far, but neither got past the guillotine or the pellets. I’m still amazed YOU did.”
>You smile at him tiredly.
“Well, it wasn’t all that bad. By that point I’d dealt with sudden blades and pellets already.”
>He grins at your affected modesty.
>”Of course, of course. No trouble at all. Surely not.”
>You thump his shoulder.
“I’m going back to the waiting room. I need...want a place to sit down for a bit.”
>He looks you over a moment.
>”Sure, sure. Come this way. They have a separate room for that. The screen isn’t as big, but it has facilities to clean up and such. Over here.”
>You follow the party pony into the small room with a bathroom and another refreshment table near a small screen that shows contestant forty-eight getting ready to enter the trial.
>You get into the bathroom making sure to securely lock the door and jump in the shower.
>The hot water makes you feel much better even if you still feel extremely tired.
>Toweling off, you hop out of the tub opting not to put your sweaty costume back on.
>You bundle it up and stuff it into a saddle bag before going back out.
>Despite your suspicions Amplitude is no longer in the room.
>Seems like everypony has gone out to watch the bigger screens in the crowd.
>You rest in a plush chair and watch contestant fifty slowly creep down a hallway.
“Watch out for the...trap door…”
>You smile to yourself as the unicorn mare tumbles down into the pool of slimy green goop.
>Remembering Amplitude wearing a similar coating makes your smile even bigger..
>The announcer’s voice comes through the crystal projector tinny and thin, but clear.
>”Alright folks, you know what that means! We have our winner!”
>You jump up and gallop out the door and down the hallway.
>The doors burst open ahead of you letting you back out into the sun just as the announcer finishes saying your number..
>Another huge swell of noise breaks over you as the crowd makes way for you to the dais in front of the entrance.
>”Contestant Forty-Seven! May I have your name?”
“Name’s Rainbow Dash!”
>”Well done, Rainbow Dash! You are our winner for the eighth annual TenochtiCon Dungeon Trial!”
>The announcer hoofs you an embossed brass plaque and a certificate before gesturing for you to hold them up.
>You oblige him and smile huge for all the flashing cameras.
>It always amazes you how a cheering crowd can fill you with energy.
>You hoist the plaque up high and yell your excitement back at the crowd.
>After a long period of photos and hoof shakes, and even an interview for the TenochtiCon newsletter, you tiredly make your way back into the hotel.
>Amp had excused himself after walking you back inside saying something about promising to tell Windsong what had gone down.
>You slog towards the elevators. No need to fly at the moment.
>What you really need is a nap, but you have so much to do.
>You still have to talk to Anon, and you have to work out something to wear tonight.
>A wide yawn makes your jaws click as you ride the delightfully gentle elevator up to your floor.
>You walk into your room and dump your saddlebags and key on the floor.
>Falling into your bed, it takes everything you have to fumble the receiver off the phone on the bedside table
>”Front desk! How may we be of service, Miss Dash?”
>Are all reception ponies so chipper?
“I need a wake up call. Two hours.”
>”Certainly. We will call you to wake up in two hours. Is there anything else, Miss Dash?”
“Mrf.”
>You hang up the phone and let sleep wash over you.
-------------------------------
>Your cloud perch over Ponyville is sooo comfy...perfect for basking in the late afternoon sun.
>Sounds of construction drift up from below.
>What could they be making?
>So much hammering!
>You pull some of the cloud up over your head to try drowning out the noise.
>”Ms. Dash! Ms. Dash, are you there?”
>The hammering gets louder.
>What could construction ponies need with you?
>You groan and roll over to look over your cloud…
>...and splat firmly onto the floor falling out of your bed.
>You gather yourself blearily in your dark, curtained room gaping around in confusion for a moment.
>A muffled voice filters through the door.
>”Guess she isn’t here.”
>”But the concierge said it was maximum priority!”
>”She’s not answering!”
“M’here! Juss a sec!”
>You call out and clamber to your hooves giving yourself a good shake as you peer at the clock.
>Only a bit over an hour since you fell asleep.
>This had better be good.
>You go over to the door and open it enough to stick your head out.
“Whas goin’ on?”
>The bellhop ponies facing you quickly avert their eyes from your still sleep mussed mane as you rub your eyes with a hoof.
>”Ms. Dash, this package just came for you.”
>”Maximum Priority!”
>”We were told to bring it to you as soon as possible!”
>You flick your gaze back and forth as the two talk over one another, and finally come to rest on the heavy box bearing the gilded sigil of Carousel Boutique on the top.
“It’s here! Already?”
>They cut off abruptly as you lunge forward to grab the string-tied box.
>Trepidation and anticipation war with each other as you quickly take the box into your room.
“Stay there a minute, guys!”
>You set it down and rummage through the piles of your belongings for a few bits and hoof them out the door to the bellhops for a tip.
“Thanks for keeping at it. I was dead asleep, but I needed this quick.”
>They both make smart bows and turn to go with smiles at your generous gratuity.
>You turn the lights on in the room stifling a yawn and glare at the powder-pink box on the bed.
>With a snort you pull the rough twine off the box and lift the lid.
>On top of what looks like a thick wrapping of tissue paper lies a letter sealed with wax bearing an ornate sigil with three diamonds.
>You smirk and break the seal, folding open the heavy parchment.
[Dearest Rainbow Dash, thank you ever so much for your last correspondence. The rest of our little circle were absolutely delighted to hear from you again, as was I. Pinkie in particular keeps pestering me to request some greater detail from you, though I doubt you have much time for writing with all of your fun. You’ll also find enclosed the itemized itinerary of panels and events that you...accidentally left behind. Twilight made me promise, dear. I sincerely hope the event is proving to be everything you had hoped considering how much you spoke of it. As to your needs for a formal nightgown, well, a Lady should refrain from saying I told you so. Suffice it to say that this particular little issue could have been avoided. In any case, I have enclosed a suitable garment for any general formal occasion. Your lack of details made selection a task. Thankfully I insisted on retaking your measurements for your costume. Silver jewelry and white floral arrangements should complement it magnificently, and it will suit even for dancing. Best of luck, Darling, and do try to take care of it. Most inseparably yours, Rarity]
>Your eyes practically double at the slew of loopy script covering the page.
>Putting the letter aside, you look over the neatly noted and cross-referenced page of panels written in Spike’s expert lettering with a sigh.
>Setting that aside too, you take an encouraging breath and start rummaging through the tissue paper.
>It takes longer than you’d thought.
>Despite the box’s size the garment inside seems rather small.
>The slippery fabric of light-killing black slips over your hooves like a cool liquid.
>There doesn’t seem to be enough of it for a dress considering Rarity’s style of pleats, frills, and drapery.
>You carefully maneuver it around and find the hem before gently pulling it on over your head.
>The sleek material falls with a whisper over you and you turn to look in the mirror.
>Your eyes widen as your cheeks heat.
>The...the dress...is a snug scrap of deepest black that tightly clings to your body far too noticeably before a short skirt flares out to fall across your hips.
>The cut and stitching is every bit as fine as you’d expect, but...it’s just so clingy.
>You normally don’t even bother with clothes, but this makes you feel more exposed...aware...something.
>But there’s no time to change it.
>Besides, it doesn’t look bad or anything.
>You quickly flip the skirt over your head and shimmy out of it before carefully laying it out on the bed.
>It’ll be ready for later, it’s not like you need to wear it now.
>Dragging a comb through your mane, you look through the curtains at the early evening sun coming down over the city.
“Well, I’m awake now. Maybe he’s home.”
>A quick call to the front desk cancels your wake up call, and you don’t bother to suit up before stepping out with only your saddlebags.
>You flap up the slope of the pyramid to the now familiar level with the high end suites.
>You straighten your shoulders and knock firmly on the door to Anon’s suite.
>”Be right there!”
>Your head spins a little as relief and anxiety take turns rolling through you.
>Something shifts behind the door, and the peephole darkens.
>”Rainbow?”
>The door opens just wide enough for you to fit through, and you quickly move inside.
>You turn around opening your mouth without knowing quite what you’re going to say.
>”I’m glad you’re here. You can help me with this.”
>You catch yourself staring a moment.
>Anon closes the door and turns toward you wearing sleek black pants, and a snowy white shirt buttoned up to his neck.
>”I’ve been trying to decide on these…”
>He holds a black bow tie up to his throat first, and then a long, bright red tie of more common type.
>”Which is better? The tailors just got it all up to me, and I’d asked for both but…what?”
>You realize your mouth is hanging open, and promptly shut it with a click.
“I just...didn’t expect you to be getting ready. So soon.”
>He nods toward you.
>”Yeah, well I didn’t know how long it’d take the tailors to work even with a hefty bonus for speed.”
>He’s getting ready! It’s no problem then!
>Windy’s face seems to flash across your eyes with that half annoyed/half concerned look from earlier.
>You take a deep breath.
“Anon...I’m sorry I...bullied you earlier.”
>A wince tightens your mouth before you can master it.
“You don’t have to come...unless you really want to.”
>Anon looks past you and moves across the room to sit down, studying his socked feet.
>”Every time…”
>You barely catch the half whispered words.
“Hmm? Every time?”
>He looks up to meet your eyes with a serious expression.
>”Every time I think I’ve got you figured out, you do something unexpected.”
>You only watch him, unsure how to take that.
>He runs his fingers through his hair and sits back.
>”I felt bad about spying on you. So I was gonna come to this dinner no matter what...but…”
>He shakes his head.
>”I thought, after what you said this morning, that maybe you were just trying to...y’know...get me to meet your friends and all.”
>He shrugs.
>”I felt like after all I did spy on you, and you were friendly and nice so maybe I owed you that much, but…”
>He gestures to the pile of heavy, packed luggage in the hall leading to the bedroom of the suite.
>”...after that, I was planning to go.”
>You take it all in, working moisture back into your mouth.
“So...you aren’t now?”
>He looks at you with a piercing gaze.
>”Maybe. Why’d you come here? To say that? What made you change your mind?”
>You flap over to sit across from him, forcing yourself to meet his look squarely.
“Honestly...it was Windsong.”
>Surprise registers before curiosity and then suspicion.
“I’d told her how we first met. You know...with me kinda...pushing in here?”
>He nods.
“Yeah, so when I told her you’d agreed to come tonight, she wondered, after hearing how you were nervous about ponies, if I’d been a little too...eager.”
>Each word feels like you’re digging it out with a blunt spoon, but you’d finally said it all.
>He smiles slowly. That seems like a good sign.
>”And you say she’s my biggest fan?”
>You nod cautiously.
>”I gotta hand it to you, Rainbow. You’ve got me looking forward to this, a bit.”
>You let out a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding.
“Look, I’m really sorry I got carried away.”
>He waves away your apology.
>”It’s all good. At least there’ll be no surprises.”
>His slightly nervous laugh cuts short as you stiffen, wings ruffling as if to fly away fast.
>”Are you alright, Rainbow?”
“There’s...one more thing you should know.”
>His back stiffens as well.
>”What? What’s going on?”
>He’d find out eventually…
“Okay, just...don’t freak out…”
>Your words, so similar to his when you first met, makes you both pause for a moment before laughing softly together.
>”Okay, I’ll keep it together. What’s up?”
>You gather yourself and fix him with the same serious gaze he’d given you before.
“I’m one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. Loyalty.”
>The blood drains visibly from his face, and you can see his fingers digging into the cushions of the couch.
>”That isn’t funny…”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner! It...it normally doesn’t come up, and you were so worried about Princess Celestia…”
>You trail off as he sways slightly and you quickly jump up and race over to get him a bottle of water from the minibar.
>He accepts it with trembling fingers, and drinks it down in one go.
>”You...you work...you’re part of that wea-”
“Don’t call it a weapon!”
>You immediately try to moderate the heat in your voice.
“It’s not like that.”
>You make yourself sit down across from him again as he tries to pull himself together.
“Twilight could tell you more...I don’t really know how it works. It’s just, our friendship. Our friendship coming together to...to hold things back. To stop the worst stuff that tries to hurt Equestria.”
>”Twilight? As in Princess Twilight?”
>You nod and he shudders.
“Anon, I’m telling you there’s no weapon. No grand conspiracy. If anypony’d know, I would. I’m in the Wonderbolts, and an Element of Harmony.”
>”Just...lemme sit a minute.”
>You clamp your mouth shut and watch him as he struggles with himself.
>”So you...and five others...use some kind of magic artifacts to protect Equestria...and you say it’s not a weapon. Celestia doesn’t use it to...control other things, countries?”
>You snort derisively making him jump.
“Sorry. But yeah. Princess Celestia hasn’t ever made us use them or even tried to. It only works when all six of us use it together anyway. And I’d never do anything like that.”
>He looks up at you surprised hearing that.
>”It only works if all of you..?”
>You nod.
“I told you. It’s our friendship that makes it work. All of us.”
>”But what about Nightmare Moon, and Discord, and that huge magic eating monster?”
>You wave your hoof at him.
“Tirek? Yeah, we’ve had to deal with some stuff. But Princess Luna is alright now, Discord’s a friend, and Tirek was sent back to Tartarus.”
>His eyes bulge.
>”You s-sent him to Tartarus?”
“Oh, no. That wasn’t us. We stopped him with the Elements after he absorbed all our magic, but he had originally escaped from Tartarus, so that’s where he went afterward.”
>He just stares at you.
>”A-and the Crystal Empire?”
>You shake your head.
“We were there, but that was all thanks to a big crystal heart powered by love. It stopped Sombra.”
>You see him silently mouth the words “...powered by love…”
“I mean...most of this is known. Maybe the details aren’t, but everypony has heard most of what’s gone on. I’m sure when you talk to the others…”
>His head jerks up.
>”The others...right…”
>His eyes take on that piercing look again.
>”Why’d you tell me all of this?”
>You shrug.
“It’s not a secret. I don’t think our names have ever been exactly shouted around, but it isn’t all hushed up or anything. I’m sure the others knew before I even met ‘em. You’d find out one way or another, and I figured it’d be better if I just told you.”
>He stares a moment more before nodding.
>”I don’t know, Rainbow. I don’t think you’re lying to me...but I just don’t know. It’s a lot to take in.”
>You return his nod sadly.
“Are you still gonna come tonight?”
>He pauses, flexing his hands slowly before nodding again.
>”Yeah. I think I should. I need...I should talk to these ponies.”
>You aren’t sure if this change in attitude is positive or not. But it’s something.
“Sure, Anon. We all wanna talk. It’s a few hours yet before the reservation.”
>He looks up at you quickly, almost his original self again.
>”Oh, I got a message from Windsong. She said the reservation is for nine, not eight.”
>He shuffles over to a writing desk and hands you a sheet of stationary.
>”It says to let you know too.”
>You read Windsong’s short message and set it down.
“Anon, I don’t want you to think I’m...I dunno, trying to manipulate you or something. I’m gonna go for now, and I’ll meet you for dinner at the restaurant, okay? That way you can talk, and listen, and ask what you want in front of all of us.”
>His face softens in a grateful smile.
>”Okay Rainbow. That’s a good idea. I’ll see you tonight.”
>You stand up and trot over to the door, pausing as you pull it open to look over your shoulder.
“Use the normal tie, the bowtie doesn’t look as good.”
>His smile broadens, and the tightness in his eyes lessens as he looks hopeful.
>”You got it.”
>The door clicks shut softly behind you as you walk out onto the causeway.
-----------------------
>You sit down outside Anon’s door for a minute letting your thoughts stop jumping around.
>Every time, he’d said.
>He’s not exactly easy to figure out, himself.
>You shake your head with a rueful smile.
>All because you wanted to make sure nopony was plagiarizing your author friend.
>The table in the castle hadn’t set ‘friendship problems’ this difficult even.
>You huff a small sigh and stand up.
>Twilight is gonna explode when she finds out you were part of a delegation of ambassadors to an alien species.
>You quirk a smile at the thought.
>It sounds so important that way, and yet somehow less intense than what it really is.
>You really want to talk to Windsong, but even racking your brain you know you don’t have much new to say about it all.
>It’d just be nice to be around a friend.
>Several hours to go, but you don’t feel like going to any of the late panels.
>A quick hop over the railing has you sailing gently down to the swarming lobby.
>The Con is still at it’s normal fever pitch.
>It looks like some sort of contest just ended in the Atrium as a large crowd disperses into the more general scrum.
>You take a seat in a booth at the pub, and order a tall, fizzy tropical drink.
>From your vantage point it’s easy to sit back comfortably and watch the unending flow of fans heading in every direction.
>All of Equestria is represented here as well as every facet of Daring Do fandom alongside some stuff you don’t recognize at all.
>One pony is dressed up in a perfect likeness of Princess Celestia.
>Perfect, if the young mare weren’t a quarter of the ruler’s size.
>That flowing mane just has to be some kind of magical effect.
>You watch with a smile as ponies in costume stop to take photos every few steps, inwardly praising yourself for leaving yours behind this evening.
>Weariness from earlier starts to creep back over you as you sip your drink and watch lazily.
>Ponies walking around holding ‘Free Hugs’ signs...what’re ‘Free Boops’?
>A hoof gently shakes your shoulder.
>”Rainbow? Rainbow Dash, c’mon hon. You can’t sleep here.”
>The soft, familiar voice makes your mind climb out of the comfortable fog of sleep.
>Wait, sleep?
>You leap up, wings flung outward in startlement.
“Gah! I fell asleep!”
>Half formed fears of missing the dinner fall away as your eyes meet Windsong’s.
>Wearing her security badge and ConSec marked saddlebags, your friend bites her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
>”You...you got a little something…”
>Her whole body shakes as she gestures toward her own mouth.
>You quickly scrub a hoof across your face smearing away drool from your cheek, and try not to look too abashed.
“Windsong! What time is it? Did I…?”
>She calms you with a soothing gesture and slides into the booth across from you.
>”No, you’re fine Dash. I got a call on the radio that you’d passed out in the pub. Attendees aren’t allowed to sleep in any public areas, but the guards knew you were my friend so they called me to take care of it.”
>You wince, but she just waves it away as she pulls your drink over to herself for a long sip.
>”It’s no problem, of course. Day two of the Con, ponies drop off all over the place on the regular. It’s half what I’ve been doing all day, waking ‘em up and sending ‘em on their way. You should probably get a nap before tonight, though.”
>You watch the ice cubes in your glass slowly lower to the bottom as she finishes off your tasty spritzer.
“Thanks, Windy. Sorry anyway. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Still thirsty? I can order you another one.”
>You layer as much sarcasm in the last bit as you can while trying not to giggle.
>”I said it’s no problem, Dash. Ah! Nah, this was just perfect.”
>She noisily slurps at the bottom of the glass with the straw.
>You roll your eyes and lean back comfortably.
“Well, I talked to Anon again. Just before I came here.”
>You grin as her eyes snap up to yours, widening, before she masters herself again.
>”Oh? Did you pick out his clothes and tell him how to sit and act this evening?”
>Your face colors slightly, but it was only a tie!
>”By Celestia, Rainbow! You didn’t really, did you?”
“NO!”
>Your blush deepens as you hear the loud denial in your own ears.
“No! Really no! I didn’t, I swear!”
>Windsong looks caught somewhere between exasperated amusement, and chiding older sister.
>”Dash! You know he’s-”
“I know I know! I didn’t! Really. I went up to talk to him about earlier. I told you I kinda cornered him into coming, and I told him that wasn’t right and that he didn’t have to come if he didn’t want to.”
>She stiffens in her seat.
>”What’d he say to that?”
>You flag down a waiter to bring two more drinks as Windsong taps her hoof impatiently.
“He was surprised I admitted it, and seemed kinda happy that I wasn’t pushing him if he didn’t want to anymore. He’s still coming, though. Said he felt bad about spying so he was gonna come anyway, but now he really wants to.”
>She fixes you with an unreadable gaze.
>”Spying?”
>Your eyes widen.
“Oh, um...yeah.”
>You fiddle with the swizzle stick on the table and look around for the waiter.
>”Rainbow Dash!”
“Rrraah! Okay! He...sort of...came down to the party at the pool last night. He sneaked around and listened to see if I was gonna start blabbing about him to my friends since I’d told him you were huge fans.”
>She stares a moment more and nods before looking thoughtful.
>”But you didn’t...you wouldn’t tell us anything about him. That’s the whole reason we came up with the dinner idea.”
>You nod quickly and drain half the glass passed to you by the waiter.
“Right! That’s why he was so willing to go earlier. He felt bad for...doing that.”
>She nods thoughtfully and peers into her own glass before sipping slowly.
“Really, Windsong, he felt bad. He apologized for being paranoid and everything! I was all set to convince him to come, but I thought I had an in since he was so sorry. I know I messed up there, but I apologized now too, and he really wants to come, so please don’t be mad!”
>Her head jerks up and she gives you a bewildered expression.
>”Mad? Oh, no I’m not mad about that. How did he get passed my security though? Guess I’ll have to add that to the list of stuff to ask him, huh?”
>You stare at her.
“You aren’t mad he spied on us?”
>She smirks and takes another long drink.
>”Rainbow, you said he was a paranoid hermit obsessed with anonymity. I didn’t think of it before, but of course he spied on us. I’m glad he knows it’s not a good thing. Wouldn’t want him to become a stalker or something.”
>You shake your head in disbelieving acceptance.
“Well, that’s...good then.”
>Windy finishes her drink and licks an ice cube out of the glass to munch on as she stands up.
>”I gotta get back to my rounds. My shift is up in an hour, and then I gotta get ready. If you’re gonna fall out in a pub with a thousand strangers you should probably take a quick nap before you get ready too.”
>You stand up too and pull her into a quick hug.
“Okay, I’ll head back up. See you in a while.”
>You and Windsong part and fly off.
>She heads toward the front entrance, and yourself back up to your room’s level.
>You aren’t sure Windy was completely forthcoming about the whole spying thing, but she seems to have it under control just like everything else.
>Another wakeup call ordered from the desk, and you curl up on the large bed beside your dress box.
>This is gonna be interesting.
--------------------------------------------
>After a gratingly cheery wakeup call nearly three hours later, you trot out of the bathroom toweling off from your hot shower.
>You feel much better now.
>Drying and brushing your mane should be plenty, and you don’t have the time or desire to visit a stylist.
>Remembering the unrelieved black of the nightgown you roll your eyes and dial the concierge’s desk.
>”Ja, Ms. Dash. How may ve be hof service?”
>A few grumbled words orders what you want, and you go back to brushing out your mane and coat.
>Half an hour later, as you look yourself over in the mirror still trying to convince yourself that your dress doesn’t emphasize more than it covers, a knock sounds at the door.
>Opening it, you find a bellhop holding a small, clear plastic box.
>”Your corsage, Ms. Dash.”
>You take the box, and hoof over the bits for your purchase.
>The little box contains a large, red rose blossom surrounded by a spray of tiny white flowers.
>Trotting carefully over to the mirror, you pin the sweet smelling ornament over your left shoulder.
>You turn around a few times in front of the mirror to see yourself from different angles before suddenly stopping in realization of what you’re doing.
>Refusing to look at the mirror again you tuck your room key under your wing and head out the door.
>You have to ride the elevator to reach the restaurant, separated as it is from the resort proper.
>Besides, flying would probably wrinkle the dress.
>Though that isn’t why you don’t fly, of course.
>You ignore the open, gaping stares from many of the other Con patrons as you ride slowly upward.
>They don’t have to make fun of you like that, sheesh.
>You step out onto the observation level halfway up the pyramid and follow the long, central walkway leading out of the front side.
>There aren’t any rooms on this level, only large open areas with tables and chairs, and huge picture windows all the way around showing the sparkling city around.
>Your walkway leads to an open skybridge that leads out over the resort’s entry patio.
>Suspended hundreds of feet above the ground, seeming to float at the end of the bridge is a large, shining black, stepped diamond shaped building.
>The King’s Chamber is one of the hottest dining spots in all of Las Pegasus.
>Tall gilded, black braziers crackle with flames on either side of the wide entrance.
>You make yourself start moving again after staring a moment to take in the sight.
>Complex drum beats and weaving flutes’ music wafts from within along with the smells of a dozen different mouth watering dishes.
>You take a deep breath and walk inside.
>The host pony looks you over with a discerning eye before giving a slight nod.
>”Welcome to the King’s Chamber. I am your host this evening, Servus Sol. May I inquire as to your reservation?”
“I’m Rainbow Dash. Hornshine has the reservation.”
>He blinks at you before checking his ledger with a perfunctory glance.
>”Yes, Ms. Dash. You’ve been expected. Your party is already waiting. Please follow me.”
>You walk around the small podium and into the restaurant proper following your dapper escort.
>The dining area is a large square with tiers following the exterior shape of the stepped diamond building.
>Gold, silver, enamel and lacquer work shine from every surface.
>The room is decorated to resemble some ancient king’s hoard of wealth, and it goes beyond even that in your opinion.
>Gilt carvings and friezes decorate the edges of tables.
>Statues, masks, pottery, weapons, and armors stand around everywhere, even artfully heaped in some places.
>In one corner a quintet of tribally painted ponies skillfully play a large collection of drums and flutes, both ranging in size from smaller than your hoof to big enough to crawl into.
>Gauzy silk skeins hang from the ceiling in a dozen colors draping in such a way that the room seems full of bright color and warmth among the treasures while giving each individual table its privacy.
>You take it all in as finely dressed wait staff waft back and forth bearing trays of scrumptious looking delights and the soft murmur of countless conversations wash over you.
>Sol leads you on a winding path around the tables and you catch half seen glimpses of ponies behind the silks screening, noticing that you actually look...not out of place here.
>”Here you are, Ms. Dash. Please, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy the hospitality of the King’s Chamber.”
>You snap your head around as Sol pulls back a sheer length of hanging to reveal a large, round table where Hornshine and Windsong sit chatting softly.
“Hey guys!”
>You trot happily up to the table and drop into a seat across from them.
>They both stop talking and stare wide eyed at you.
“Guys?”
>They both jump slightly and look at each other before looking up and away quickly.
>Why in Equestria are they blushing?
>Hornshine winces with a grunt as Windsong hoofs his shoulder harder than seems friendly before speaking up.
>”Hi, Dash. Um, you look...really nice.”
>”Ahum...really nice, yeah.”
>Hornshine rubs his shoulder as he grimaces at Windy.
“You guys don’t have to sugar coat it. It was a last minute thing! I had to have something if I wanted to be let in, right?”
>Hornshine is wearing a smart looking, short, black blazer with a finely knotted gray cravat, and Windy looks like a whole different pony in lilac folds of silk with her mane styled in thick curls.
>Windsong’s eyes bulge slightly.
>”Hyeah...last minute, huh?”
>Hornshine is grinning evilly at her and she looks ready to hit him again.
>You look back and forth between them, confused.
“Well, yeah. I didn’t think I’d need anything like this. It’s always such a hassle too. It took almost an hour to get ready!”
>Hornshine chokes into his drink, snorting his fizzy juice all over the table.
>His marefriend smacks his back as he struggles to breathe with a dangerous glare in her eyes.
>You order a drink from a passing waiter to take your attention from your insane friends.
>When you look back Hornshine is smiling happily at her as she uses a napkin to wipe off the table with a small smile on her face.
“So have you guys already ordered yet? I guess we’re still waiting for Anon…”
>Windy nods.
>”He’s not here yet, so we haven’t ordered anything but drinks.”
>Hornshine raises his empty glass to signal a waiter.
>”They have some really great appetizers though, if you want something sooner.”
>You look over the menu as Hornshine gets his drink refreshed and chat back and forth with them about which dishes you should try.
>”Here we are, Mr. Anonymous.”
>The dry voice of the host pony, even dryer saying Anon’s name, brings a quick hush to your party.
>The silk is drawn aside by a gleaming hoof to reveal the guest of honor.
>Anon steps into the table area with a very nervous smile on his face, holding a white square of lace-edged handkerchief that he uses to quickly wipe his face before nodding to each of you.
>He looks pretty awesome in a close fitting black suit nearly as dark as your dress.
>That matched by the blizzard white shirt you’d seen earlier, and the shiny red tie you’d suggested fastened with a silver tie pin.
>Realizing that the silence had gone longer than would be comfortable for anypony, you quickly stand up and walk around to stand next to him.
“Hornshine, Windsong, this is my friend Anonymous.”
>You turn to look up at him.
“Anon, these are my friends Hornshine and Windsong”
>You gesture at the two staring ponies.
>His face twitches as he looks over them, but his smile doesn’t look so painfully fixed.
>”H-hi. Hello, Hornshine.”
>He gives a small bow.
>”Hi, Windsong. I’m...j-just call me Anon.”
>Windsong gives a small squeak and sways in her chair.
>Her coltfriend quickly wraps a hoof around her shoulder and waves a napkin in her face.
>He looks apologetically at Anon’s stricken face.
>”Sorry, Anon. She’s just a really big fan. She’s been looking forward to this...a lot.”
>Windsong shakes free of Horny’s hoof and stands up to walk around in front of Anon.
>She shifts from hoof to hoof, looking around behind Anon, up at the ceiling, and back over her shoulder at Hornshine.
>Anon looks at you fearfully, but you just give him a confident smile and a nod.
>”Um...Anon...sweet Sun! I’m never like this! Just, COULD I PLEASE HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH?”
>She scrunches her eyes closed and quickly holds out a small booklet and pen.
>Anon jumped a foot into the air when she suddenly shouted the last bit out all in a rush, but with a hand over his chest and breathing a little hard, his smile becomes real for the first time you’d seen outside of his rooms.
>”Sure, Windsong. Here..”
>He takes the book and pen from her, and flips it open making her open one eye to study him cautiously.
>”Here you go, ‘To my dearest Windsong. Thank you. -Anonymous’. That alright?”
>She carefully takes the book back from him as if it might shatter in an instant.
>”That’s perfect. Thank you so much!”
>You smile wryly at the two of them and look over at Hornshine who returns your expression with a shrug.
“Soooo, you guys wanna sit down?”
>They both start and look around quickly.
>”Yeah, um...sorry.”
>”Of course! Geez, Dash. Way to make it awkward.”
>You laugh at Windsong’s quickly regained composure and gesture to the seat next to yours for Anon.
>Anon sits gingerly at the edge of his seat and rests his elbows on the table.
>You seat yourself as well and hoof him a menu before looking around for a waiter.
>”That's a really nice dress, Rainbow.”
>You roll your eyes and look past him, holding your hoof in the air to get a passing server’s attention.
“Late to the party, Anon. Everypony’s already given me guff about my stupid dress.”
>Anon stares at you.
>”What? No, real-”
>”Don't bother, Anon. She doesn't see it.”
>Hornshine cuts him off gently while stirring his bright red cocktail with a stalk of celery.
>You have no idea what they're talking about, but you're not about to let them know that.
“Ha, yeah. Classic me, am I right?”
>Windsong busies herself by attempting to drown in her coffee.
>Shortly, everyone orders their food and more drinks.
>”So, Anon…”
>Hornshine speaks up between snacking on wine sautéed mushrooms with ricotta.
>”...tell us about yourself. We've heard very little despite how much Rainbow talks about you. Me and Windy here are locals. And we've been helping keep the Con together since it started.”
>Anon toys with his spoon for a moment as Windy nods encouragingly.
>”Well, I'm what's called a human. I guess that's first. I'm from a different place. A different world.”
>He shrugs self consciously.
>”The details are a bit hazy after all this time. But the short version is that I woke up one day, and I wasn't in bed. I was in the middle of a meadow by a road.”
>Windsong’s eyes pop.
>”Wow...just like that? Scary.”
>Anon nods, and you nudge his drink toward him.
>He takes a drink with a grateful smile.
>”I had no idea where I was. I followed the road, and I came to a town. Suburbs. Near Manehattan.”
>He hunches his shoulders.
>”I'd never seen talking ponies before. I thought I was going crazy. They thought it was a monster attack.”
>He shakes his head and drains his glass.
>”The details aren't important. I ran away, but rumors were quicker. Everywhere I went had heard stories of the Screaming Hairless Ape and I'd no sooner get near a group of ponies than get chased off.”
>He stirs his lentil and potato stew around with a distant look in his eyes, not even seeing the waiter refreshing his sweet tea.
>”Most of the time. Sometimes...I guess I looked so pathetic. I was hungry a lot back then. Some farm ponies out in the country would give me a meal, or a place to sleep for the night. Like a hayloft, or under the chicken coop. A few even gave me some money when I left and wished me good luck. But it was always clear that I was supposed to leave.”
>Windsong reaches out to take Hornshine’s hoof, and he holds it and pats it comfortingly.
>Anon dips a torn off piece of roll in his stew and chews it thoughtfully.
“And that's when you found Griffonstone, right?”
>He looks at you as if suddenly remembering where he is.
>”Oh, yeah. That's right.”
>He shrugs and looks at the other two, pausing to give them a small smile of comfort.
>”I'm probably making it sound worse than it really was. I was fourteen. And I guess it could've been a lot worse. The Griffons barely looked at me twice. As long as I could pay my way, they were satisfied.”
>Windsong leans forward.
>”Is that when you started to write?”
>You mentally bless your friend as Anon’s demeanor becomes less dark and he seems to relax.
>”Yeah. I figured my world had a lot of stuff to offer like music and fiction. It took a while to find my niche, but I started adapting adventure novels I loved to be about Daring Do. Most of the details had to be rewritten, but the major plot points are mostly the same.”
>He seems not to notice Windy’s shocked look as he focuses on eating and talking more animatedly.
>Your brain races to think how to help Windy deal with this little fact you'd never considered before.
>Hornshine just looks at you sternly.
>”The experience has been invaluable. After the first few, since the stories started to deviate more and more, I had to make more and more of it up myself. The ones I released last year are the first that are, like, ninety nine percent me. Now I just use themes and basic concepts of the genre. It's not as hard as you'd think.”
>Windy and Hornshine both look up at that, and you breathe easier.
>”So, it’s all original work now?”
>Windy’s question makes your wings ruffle nervously.
>Anon shrugs.
>”As original as it can be. I mean, I'm using a character from another series, and themes from pulp adventure serials, but yeah, the stories are mine.”
>Windy gives Hornshine a knowing thump on his foreleg as if chide him for being worried.
>Horny just rolls his eyes.
>”Your newer works are definitely your best. It's all steadily improved over the years, but I finally started reading you last year. I was only mildly interested before because of Windy here.”
>Windsong hugs her autograph book to her chest before returning to her quiche.
>”Amplitude’s going to spit!”
>You turn to grin at Anon.
“He's another friend of theirs. So, you feeling alright?”
>Anon stops in the act of wiping out his empty bowl with the rest of the roll.
>He smiles back. Warmly!
>”Yeah. I feel okay. Y’know...the semi privacy helps, but…”
>He looks at Windy and Hornshine.
>”You guys are just...I'm glad I came.”
>He shrugs again, embarrassed.
>Windsong smiles back and Hornshine offers a hoof bump that Anon clumsily returns.
>You feel muscles unknotting that you hadn't realized were tight as you finally relax a bit.
>Shortly, your entrées appear, and you all share some light chatter about Daring Do and your favorite parts of various stories.
>As time moves you on to a dessert of chocolate drizzled, hot cherry pies made individually in tiny crocks, Anon looks up a bit nervously at the other two.
>”I have a question for you, if you don't mind.”
>You're pretty sure this is the hurdle you've been anticipating, and your friends quickly assure Anon he can ask whatever he wants.
>”Well, what do you know about...the Elements of Harmony?”
>They both look questioningly at you before Windsong looks slowly sideways back at Anon.
>It takes serious effort to school your face to neutrality to give away nothing.
>”Wweeeell...Rainbow’d know more about that than anypony. She's the Element of Loyalty.”
>Anon nods seriously as she speaks.
>”She told me. I meant more...you've seen all the crazy stuff happening these last few years. Doesn't it seem like Cele...like Equestria is, i dunno, expanding its influence?”
>Windsong looks at her coltfriend for help.
>”What, like creating an empire or something? C’mon, Anon. Luna knows, if she had any ideas like that she'd have started it a few hundred years ago don't ya think?”
>Hornshine grins and gestures with his hoof.
>”I mean, why wait til now?”
>Anon idly takes a bite of his little pie.
>”I see what you mean, but she's not really a thousand years old, of course. I've heard ponies talk about her thousand years of peace, but that's just a sayin-”
>He cuts off and looks around the table at the dumbfounded looks coming from all of you.
>”What?”
>This human is completely off his rocker.
“You think it's just a saying? Anon. She's really ruled Equestria for over a thousand years. She's an Alicorn.”
>You smile wonderingly at his stunned look, and Hornshine speaks up.
>”Did you think Princess Luna being her sister was just another saying? Because they're both royals?”
>Anon nods mutely.
>Horny chuckles as Anon tries to absorb this information.
>”I'd always wondered why an ancient ruler like her didn't supplant Celestia after returning. But if Luna really is her younger sister…”
>”It makes more sense now right? And it's ‘Princess’ Luna, Anon.”
>Hornshine’s light hearted rebuke brings a grin to Anon’s face as Windsong smirks.
>”Of course! Millennial Diarchs benevolently ruling a magical kingdom of colorful ponies. I don't know why I ever doubted.”
>You all chuckle at his amused consternation.
>”She’s not perfect, Anon.”
>Windy nods at his words and jumps in.
>”And nopony expects her to be. Quite apart from controlling the Sun and Moon, before Princess Luna returned anyway, she's actually pretty good at it.”
>The look on Anon’s face makes you think maybe he doubted that story too.
>You poke him in the ribs, making him jump.
“If you don't believe it Anon, I know a Princess or two pretty well. I'll bet Princess Celestia’d make it do a few figure eights if you asked real nice!”
>You can't help but to laugh at the surprised look on his face.
>He relaxes back again, and runs his fingers through his hair.
>”No thanks, Rainbow. No Princesses yet, please.”
>Everyone laughs at that, and the dessert portion goes by without incident.
>Finally, as everyone cleans the last bits away you offer to walk back in with Anon.
>Hornshine and Windy both say good night, speaking their intention to stay for some dancing, and you and Anon quietly walk out into the warm night air.
>”That was...unexpectedly nice, Rainbow. Thanks.”
>You yawn widely, but still manage to smile at him as you enter the pyramid.
“So, think you might stick around for the rest of the Con?”
>He thinks a moment, and nods.
>”Yeah, that sounds like it could be fun.”
>You thump his hip as you approach the elevators.
“Good! Cause you owe me for walking out on my super generous spa day.”
>He smiles, but looks a bit nervous trying to avoid the curious looks from the other ponies queuing for the elevator.
>”Hah, you got it, Rainbow. I'll think of...of something.”
>The doors open, and he rushes inside.
>You quickly follow, and apologizing you firmly tell the others to wait for the next one. Your friend is feeling ill.
>After the doors slide closed you turn to see Anon leaning his head on the cool glass at the back of the elevator.
>”Sorry, R-rainbow...I-”
>You pat his side and smile comfortingly as you quickly rise up to his floor.
“No need to be sorry. You're doing well. It's not gonna get better all at once.”
>Again he gives you that grateful smile and heaves a sigh.
>”Yeah. Baby steps, right?”
>You nod and lead him out to his door.
“Here ya go! Safe and sound. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?”
>He fumbles his key into the lock and nods an assent.
>”Oh, and Rainbow?”
>You turn to look curiously.
>”You really do look great tonight. I don't think the others were kidding either.”
>Heat flushes your cheeks and you quickly turn away.
“I always look awesome, Anon! I'm used to ponies lookin’ at me!”
>You hear a soft chuckle and the click of his door closing.
>Peering back over your shoulder you see he's gone in.
>You let out a long breath and flick your tail as you prepare to glide out over the rail, nice dress or no.
>What does he know, anyway?
>You quickly swoop down to your own door several levels below.
>Even with your earlier naps, your activities are piling up on you.
>You push your door open and drag into your room feeling like each step adds a hundred pound weight to your back.
>You collapse across your bed, wondering if it's possible to sleep in the dress without ruining it.
>”Took you long enough. Wow, Rainbow. Never thought you'd wear something so...slinky~!”
>The familiar voice out of nowhere makes you yelp and leap into the air.
>In a shadowed corner, a shape stirs and leans forward into the lamplight.
>Her safari hat tilts back revealing a vindictive smile and fierce eyes.
>”I’m here to deal with a thieving scumbag, I thought you might be down to help!”
>Your eyes bulge as you stare at her open mouthed.
“A...A. K.?”

>Your heart beats a staccato rhythm to match anything the drummers played tonight.
>Thoughts lurch through your muddied brain trying to make sense of what you’re seeing as your friend and hero starts laughing openly from the armchair in the corner.
>”Rainbow, your FACE!”
>She collapses sideways laughing uncontrollably across the chair as your face lights up like a signal fire.
“I’M JUST-”
>You instantly moderate your volume and lower yourself to the bed to stop your wings’ overanimated flapping.
“I’m just surprised. That’s all. I wasn’t expecting somepony in...hey! How’d you get in my room?”
>A.K. Yearling wipes a tear from one eye as her mirth subsides into fits of soft giggling.
>”Rainbow, sweet Celestia, I don’t think I’ve ever seen somepony go through so many facial expressions so fast.”
>She sits up and adjusts her hat as before clopping her hooves together twice to bring up the rest of the room’s lights.
>”I was hoping to surprise you, but that was just PERFECT.”
>Making up for your earlier loss of composure a bit, you manage to avoid reacting to her prodding.
>You flick your tail and hop down onto the floor with a dismissive look.
“Breaking and entering in a five star resort could surprise anypony, A.K. Did you decide to go for a job change?”
>Her eyes flash, but still look amused as you see her looking you over.
>Realizing you’re still wearing the filmy, clinging black dress you quickly start hauling it off.
>No way you can maintain any dignity while you’re wearing that.
>Your brain still whirls with what she’d first said. She has to be talking about Anon...right?
>The tan pegasus rolls her eyes as you struggle with the enfolding fabric and hops up to come help you off with it.
>”Careful, Dash. A nice piece like this’ll be ruined if you tug on it like that.”
>You take pointed notice of her continued smirk as she helps you out of the dress before folding it carefully into its box on the bed.
“I just needed it for one night. I had to wear it or they wouldn’t let me in. Anyway, what are you doing here, A.K.?
>She looks at the dress box thoughtfully and you catch a mumble...something about being the same size?
>Her eyes turn to look up at you.
>”I already said, didn’t I? Oh, and Rainbow, I know I told you to call me A.K. when we’re in public together, but this is TenochtiCon. Ponies hear that and I’ll get swarmed. So, while we’re here Daring Do is just fine.”
>Despite the oddness of the situation a thrill runs up your spine.
“Really?! That is AWESOME!”
>You leap into the air pumping your hoof as she smiles at you.
>”Yeah, I like coming to the conventions sometimes. Here, I’m just one Daring Do among dozens. Nopony cares or thinks I’m the ‘real’ one, anyway.”
>You laugh and slip to the floor again.
>”I hadn’t thought of that. It’s gotta be fun though, seeing all these ponies dressing up like you and imitating your adventures.”
>She smirks again and looks pointedly at the pile of discarded Daring Do costumes in the corner of the room making you blush faintly.
>What? She already knows you’re a huge fan.
>”It’s fun for the most part, but you really haven’t lived until you have some filly come trotting up to you to list all the reasons why you look NOTHING like Daring Do should.”
>She sighs with a long-suffering smile and shrugs her wings.
>”Comes with the territory I guess.”
>You snort and walk over to hoof her a can of cola.
“Oh yeah. Fame. Glory. Money. Adoring fans. You’re in one heck of a bind.”
>Your smile takes any heat from the words and she chuckles as well.
>”It’s good to see you Rainbow, but like I said. This isn’t all vacation for me.”
>She sips her drink and settles back into her previous armchair as you take the one across from her.
>”This is your first time at TC, right? Have you ever heard of this pony, Anonymous?”
>You nearly spit out your drink.
“Anonymous? He...um...yeah. I’ve heard of him…”
>Her eyebrows raise, but she doesn’t immediately comment.
>”Hmm...well. Anyways, he’s been plagiarizing my work for years now, and it’s caused some problems with my publishers.”
>She waves a hoof at you quickly.
>”Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with fanfiction. Far from it. The problem is the legal issues and his fanbase causing problems trying to get my people to publish him too.”
>She sighs.
>”He’s always been elusive. And Griffonstone doesn’t give a rotten apple for copyright laws in Equestria. Trying to deal with this by paper has been a nightmare.”
>You start in your seat.
“You...contacted him about this?”
>Daring do nods thoughtfully.
>”Of course. Dozens of letters, cease and desist notifications, requests for meetings, even a few subpoenas.”
>She sips her cola and looks wistfully out the windows.
>This is bad.
>”So far, he’s been impossible to pin down. His name is well earned. But now…”
>She slaps one hoof down into the other.
>”Now I’ve got him right where I want him. He’s here, in Equestria. In Las Pegasus. In this very resort. AND, he brought enough of that compost he calls fanfiction that he’s violated import laws as well.”
>You feel your heart clench in your chest.
>”I’m not gonna bother with the guards. I’m gonna handle this Daring Do style. We’re going to find this Anonymous, arrest him, and haul him to the guards ourselves!”
>She finishes her speech with another grinding motion of her hooves.
>”I say ‘we’. I’m hoping you’ll be free enough to lend a hoof.”
>She looks at you expectantly as your brain struggles to remember how to form words.
>Your mind is in a hurricane of tossing thoughts and emotions.
>Of course Anon had been approached about his shady business. How had you not asked about that?
>Why had he continued?
>And Daring Do wants justice...can you really say she doesn’t deserve it?
>Your head starts to throb as you feel almost physically torn between your two friends.
>”Dash? Rainbow Dash? You okay? I mean...you don’t have to help if you don’t want to. I just thought…”
>Your friend looks crestfallen a bit as she makes to stand up.
“NO! I want to help!”
>You leap out of your chair and place a hoof on her shoulder.
“There has to be a way to help with this. I...I’ll come up with something. We can figure this out!”
>She looks bewildered and you realize how weird you’d sounded.
>But you can’t just lie to her.
>Your face scrunches up as you try to figure a way to deal with this.
>A full day of activities and other worries is making you sluggish as it is.
>You wish Windsong were here.
“WINDSONG!”
>Daring Do leans back squinting her eyes as her ears flick in annoyance.
>”Did you have to scream at me? And what’s a windsong?”
>You back away a step sheepishly before talking animatedly.
“I met some ponies here at the Con! Windsong is the pegasus head of security, and her coltfriend Hornshine works for ConSec too! They’re my friends, and I’m sure they could help us figure out...figure out what to do about Anonymous.”
>You wince inwardly. It still feels like you’re lying. But you have to get to the bottom of this. Jumping to conclusions hasn’t helped anypony yet.
>She nods slowly.
>”I’d hoped to get into this ASAP.”
>She smiles up at you.
>”That way we’d have time to enjoy some of the Con. But, having ConSec on our side would be a big help. It’s too late to get them now, unless you think they’re still up at a room party or something?”
>You mull that over, but the two of them looked to be settling in to a romantic evening for two as you’d left the King’s Chamber.
>They probably wouldn’t appreciate being disturbed.
“Probably best to wait til morning. Besides, I’m wiped out as it is.”
>Daring nods in fervent agreement, and you suddenly notice just how tired she looks as well.
>”Sounds good. I’m beat as well. I’ll go get a room, and we’ll meet up in the morning, ‘kay?”
>You nod for a moment before registering what she’s saying and snort derisively.
“Get a room? In the middle of the Con? You won’t find a broom closet without somepony in it. The resort’s been booked solid since three weeks after they opened reservations last year.”
>Daring Do looks perturbed for a moment.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this massive bed. Just stay with me, and we can take care of this stuff in the morning.”
>She brightens visibly, looking at you with a smile.
>”Great idea! Thanks, Rainbow. It was a long flight here, and I didn’t fancy having to find a different hotel.”
>You chat back and forth a bit about more mundane things as you call room service for some extra towels and amenities.
>A luxurious bath seems to leech what remaining energy your friend possessed, and she quickly buries herself under the covers on one side of the bed.
>Begging a short time to settle your belongings and make room for her small amount of luggage, you quietly wait for her to slip off to sleep.
>Tired as you are, you have to do a few things before you can get some rest too.
>It’s amazing to see your friend again, but her arrival had thrown everything into chaos.
>You stifle a massive yawn as you rummage in your belongings and wait to hear her breathing even out.
>Nothing involving Anon can ever be simple, it seems.
---------------------------------
>It doesn’t take long for Daring Do to start breathing deeply with a soft snort every so often.
>You sigh and force your creaking legs into motion.
>Thinking it over and over in your mind had produced no solutions.
>You don’t want Anon to get in trouble, but you also don’t want to let down your idol.
>You shake your head in frustration as you silently slip out the door.
>It’s kind of hard to shake the feeling that Anon deserves it anyway.
>He’s a nice enough guy. You like him a lot, honestly. But the whole reason you’d even got to know him was to try to get him to stop stepping on A.K.’s hooves.
>It’s not really a surprise that he’s got legal troubles thanks to that.
>They’ll probably fine him. Heavily. Maybe even everything he’s got.
>You rest your forelegs over the railing and gaze down into the Atrium’s only slightly smaller swarms.
>He could even face jail time.
>You really need to consult somepony on this, but now you’re caught between TWO stupid secrets.
>Nopony knows Daring Do is real, Anon is hiding his identity, and A.K. is trying to keep her author status a secret as well. THREE Sun blinded secrets!
“Horseapples!”
>You smack a hoof onto the railing.
>Why does everypony have to be so completely shady all the time?!
>All the secrecy makes your mane itch.
“So...Anon, or Windy…”
>It’s too late to contact the Ponyville gang.
>Without dragonfire you couldn’t get a message fast enough anyway.
>You’re just about to glide down to knock at Windsong’s door, but quickly remember the way she was looking at Hornshine earlier and think better of it.
>Instead, you flit out over the expanse and circle upward to the suites.
>Trotting up to the now familiar door of your friendly alien, you knock softly.
>It shouldn’t be enough to wake him if he’s already asleep.
>”Just a sec!”
>His voice muffled through the door makes you feel relieved and on edge all at once.
>His peephole darkens and you think you hear a chuckle before the door pulls open.
>Anon stands holding the door looking at you with a small smile.
>”Didn’t expect you tonight, Rainbow. What’s up? You look like you’re about to collapse where you’re standing.”
>Wearing one of the resort’s fluffy white robes and holding a small glass of amber liquid, he leads you back into the softly lit sitting room of the suite.
“I’ve got a problem, Anon.”
>He stops in the act of sitting down, and then slowly lowers himself into the chair.
>”Okay, what kind of probem? Can I help?”
>You feel a rush of gratefulness at his immediate offer, but take your time sitting down on the couch across from him.
“It’s...complicated. But it involves you, so...I just don’t know what to do.”
>He looks concerned and waits for you to continue, but raises an eyebrow after the silence stretches for a while.
>”Rainbow...I can’t exactly help if you don’t tell me what’s going on. It involves...me?”
>You nod with your ears flat, not looking at him.
>He looks at you thoughtfully for a moment.
>”Um...well, so what’s the issue? I thought we got along great tonight...with your friends I mean. So, what’s the pro-”
>He cuts off, eyes going wide before his face colors red and he quickly gulps nearly half the glass of liquor.
>”R-rainbow...I mean, w-we haven’t known each other for very long…”
>You jerk up straight in your seat, mouth gaping.
“NO! Not anything like that! For Celestia’s sake! I’m friends with A.K. Yearling who’s secretly really Daring Do, and she showed up in my room tonight out of the blue saying she wants to track you down and bring you to justice! What the hay, Anon?”
>His face goes so pale as he sits thunderstruck like a poleaxed ox that you grow suddenly concerned.
>”You...you’re serious...aren’t you?”
>You nod.
>His glass slips from numb fingers and bounces on the rug pouring his drink out over the floor.
>He lowers his face into his hands and takes a long, shuddering breath.
“Anon…?”
>Your mouth tightens as you inwardly berate yourself for blurting all that out at once. But you had to say it eventually, right?
>He stands up quickly.
>”Okay, I have to go. I have to leave now. Maybe I can make it back to Griffonstone before she...what?”
>You shake your head sadly.
“Anon, you don’t get it. You’re about as far from Griffonstone as you can be, and she’s Daring Do. The REAL Daring Do.The only reason the guards don’t have you already is because she wants to handle it personally. A-and...she wants me to help.”
>He looks at you suspiciously before his face smooths over again and he runs his fingers through his hair.
>”Well, you’re here, so I guess that means you’re trying to help me...right?”
>The pleading look in his eyes is heartbreaking.
>You take a deep breath.
“I want to help, Anon. I really do. But I don’t know what to do. She has a right to come after you.”
>Anon starts pacing back and forth, nodding and muttering under his breath.
>”Makes sense now. How you were so adamant. This is a disaster. I knew I shouldn’t have come to Equestria. Ponies always make my life a nightmare…”
>You leap up into the air angrily and swoop to hover directly in front of him.
“NO Anon!”
>You halt him with your gaze alone.
“This is NOT A.K.’s fault! You knew you were doing something wrong! You said so when we first met! And A.K. said she’s sent you tons of letters and stuff to get you to stop! YOU kept going, YOU kept selling, YOU came to Equestria to push the stories, this is YOUR fault!”
>He stares at you, dumbfounded.
“I’m here to help you, Anon. I don’t want you thrown in jail, or fined until you’re homeless again, but this is not because of ponies. If you want my help, you’re gonna have to face up to the fact that you did this to you.”
>His mouth works soundlessly for a moment as anger and shame war across his face.
>Finally, he slumps and totters backward to fall into his chair.
>”You’re right...I’m sorry Rainbow Dash. This is all my fault.”
>He puts his face in his hands again.
>”But what in God’s name can I do?”
>You swish your tail, still angry, but you fly back to settle back onto the couch.
“I dunno, okay? We have to figure it out. I’m exhausted and I don’t have any answers yet. We have to figure this out though. You’re both my friends.”
>He looks up at the matter of fact tone in your voice.
>”You say that like...that’s all that matters to you, isn’t it?”
>You look at him, confused.
“Well, yeah. What else is there?”
>His smiles, looking ashamed again, then grateful.
>”Thanks, Rainbow.”
>You wave a hoof at him.
“For what? Anyway, we’re not out of the clouds yet.”
>He nods, and you start thinking as hard as you can.
-----------------------------------
>You both sit in silence as the minutes tick past softly from the carriage clock on the table.
>Anon shifts and shuffles uncomfortably before finally standing up and going to rummage around in the minibar.
>”You know...it’s a lot more, um, serious knowing she’s...real.”
>You look up at him.
“Daring Do?”
>He nods.
>”Yeah. I thought she was just an adventure story character. Did the books really happen too?”
>You take the bottle of cream soda he hands you and murmur a thanks.
“Mhmm. She’s the real deal, and her stories too. I never asked her why she started writing them down into books, though. I’ll have to do that if I can remember.”
>Anon takes his seat with his own soda and a bowl of cashews.
>The silence stretches on more and more.
>There seems to be a soft buzzing between your ears that defies any serious attempt at thought or planning.
>Your body feels like you’re in a pool of cold molasses.
>”D’you...do you think it’d matter to her that I’m stopping?”
>Your eyes shoot up to his.
“You are? Writing?”
>He gestures with his open bottle.
>”No, not writing all together. Just, after talking with you guys and all that I was thinking maybe it was time to give up Daring Do and try to go my own way.”
>He smiles at nothing and munches a few cashew halves.
>”I couldn’t give up writing adventure stories. It’s the only thing that makes me happy. I love knowing someone is reading my stuff and enjoying it.”
>He shrugs.
>”But honestly, I never exactly felt ‘right’ about riding on Daring Do’s tail. I did it to make ends meet, but I don’t have that issue now.”
>He barks a laugh and runs a quick hand through his hair.
>”At least, I don’t until I’m thrown in the stocks and fined until I’m destitute.”
>You hadn’t dared hope for this. Not yet, anyway.
>You’re no shrink, but you can at least figure out that Anon has to give up Daring Do on his own for it to be a true change that lasts.
>And now he’s offering it himself?
>Cautiously, you sip your drink and eye him sideways over the lip.
“You sure about that, Anon? You’re a big fan of hers too, and you’ve been doing it for so long.”
>He opens his mouth to answer immediately, but stops and thinks for a moment before nodding and looking up at you.
>”Yeah. I’m sure. You’re right, I do love Daring Do stories, but in my case it’s the stories themselves and not her character that I’m drawn to. I just love pulp adventure.”
>He shrugs again.
>”I couldn’t stop reading ‘em or writing ‘em if I wanted to. But...well…”
>He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, almost writhing around.
>”You have to understand. When I started doing this there was one book. Just one.”
>He looks at you earnestly.
>”Everyone was clamoring for a new one, even the Griffons! A.K. Yearling couldn’t be found for comments or interviews, and it looked like the whole shebang was gonna just fade into obscurity.”
>He takes a long pull from the soda.
>”And it’s sooo much like the stories I read as a kid. I didn’t think it’d be hurting anything when I started. So I wrote my first. Just a rewrite of one of the books I had on my world, but with Daring Do.”
“But...even in that first one I’m guessing you didn’t use Daring Do’s name or any other character names from the book, right?”
>He blinks and smiles sheepishly.
>”Well, no. I was...worried about things like copyrights. Didn’t know if ponies even had such things, but…”
>His voice trails off as he catches your full meaning.
>”So yeah, I guess I knew even then that I was doing something wrong.”
>You yawn widely and settle into the couch more comfortably.
>”And then I got kind of riled up. No, that’s too soft. Yearling pissed me off.”
>Halfway through another yawn your jaws click as you look sharply at him.
“hauWhat? What did A.K. do to ‘you’?”
>Anon quickly shakes his head.
>”It’s silly. Stupid really, but I was still just a kid at the time. So, I came out with my manuscript. Got a small printing group in Griffonstone to publish and I sent a traveling pony to an early convention in Baltimare. It was a pretty small one compared to TC, but it was all about fiction and adventure stories. My story sold like crazy after the first day, once word spread.”
>He drains the remainder of his soda and idly flips and twirls it in his hands.
>”Pretty soon I was sending crates of prints to every gathering of fiction lovers I could. Some sold more, some less, but all of ‘em made a good profit. Then, after a few months and finally starting to live decently…”
>He looks troubled and starts picking the label of the bottle.
>”Well...A.K. Yearling published a second book out of nowhere.”
>He shakes his head.
>”No warning, no fanfare. Just BOOM, published. I found out when I was passing the Griffonstone library. I rushed home. I was actually excited.”
>He smiles wryly.
>”I went to grab some bits and run to the bookstore, but I got stopped by a courier Griffon with an express letter.”
>You just watch him strongly suspecting what that letter contained.
>He straightens his back and pulls back his shoulders taking on a mock official tone and expression.
>”Mr. Anonymous, it has come to our attention that you are creating and selling merchandise associated with properties owned by India Black & Mulberry Publishing Co. Daring Do and related intellectual properties and materials are copyright A.K. Yearling. We request and require your immediate cessation of all works and trade involving these properties. Failure to comply will result in our legal recourse. Thank you for your interest in India Black & Mulberry Publishing Co.’s products.”
>He smiles coldly and spins the bottle sideways on the table.
>You can’t help the frown on your face. Why are official letters always like that?
“That sucks, Anon. But angry letters from publishers can’t be all that bad. And besides, you really were doing what they said.”
>He nods quickly, but then shakes his head.
>”It wasn’t the letter. Not by itself, anyway. It was the timing, Rainbow.”
>He sighs and leans back.
>”No sooner had I started making a decent profit...more than decent really...than A.K. Yearling comes out of the woodwork after years in seclusion to produce another novel. It was just too convenient.”
>You hop up and start pacing around the table to keep your foggy mind from drifting.
“I can see how it looked, but it WAS a coincidence. Daring Do just probably didn’t have a story worthy adventure up til then.”
>”But I didn’t know she was REAL, Rainbow Dash. A bunch of the Griffons agreed with me too. Said I had just picked up something that A.K. had obviously left behind, and now that I’d made it popular again she wanted to swoop in and take it.”
>Your eyes widen.
“That’s crazy, Anon! My friend Twilight has been a fan since the books came out, and she told me they’ve always been insanely popular.”
>He shakes his head again.
>”You’re right, but I was pissed. I live outside of Equestria, so I took what I heard at face value. It wasn’t hard to pass a few bits and convince the Griffon embassy and functionaries to ignore what I was doing in the name of ruffling feathers in Ponyland.”
>You nod thoughtfully as another jaw creaking yawn rolls through you. Griffons seem to delight in being a nuisance to ponykind as a matter of fact. Some of them, anyway.
>”You know, it’s funny.”
>He looks up musingly before throwing his bottle across the room into a trash can.
>”Because of that I started thinking of myself as her competitor.”
“You’re crazy.”
>You half laugh the words as you plop onto the floor tiredly.
>He laughs as well.
>”Everything seemed to bear out the idea though. She started publishing more often too. Still not as much as me, but mine weren’t as popular as hers. I took every angry letter from that point on as a sort of...war trophy.”
>He blushes faintly and looks away.
>You snort and laugh again softly.
“Sounds like you got yourself all wrapped around the twist for nothing.”
>You flick your ears as you consider all this.
“So now, you’ve made a good life for yourself, and you’re not at war with Daring Do, and you’re willing to stop?”
>He pauses for a moment before nodding firmly.
>”Yeah. I thought A.K. was...I dunno, only writing still because I’d revived her first story. I know! I know it’s stupid, but it’s what I really thought at the time. I don’t know when I stopped believing that, but by that time I was in too deep in my competition with her to care.”
>He settles his head back onto the back of the chair.
>”She has plenty of reason to hate me ‘now’. I don’t know if stopping will even matter at this point.”
>You snap your eyes open as they try to droop and yawn hugely again.
“D..dhhhoon’t worry Anon. That’s why I’m hhere. A.K.’s a good pony. I think I can convince her that you’re a good human.”
>Anon pales and goes stiff.
“Anon, you’re gonna have to meet her I think. At least I have to be able to tell her about you.”
>He grips the arms of his chair, but nods slowly.
>”Just...don’t spring it on me, okay? I n-need to be ready...if I’m gonna meet her after all this time. Are you sure I have to?”
>The pleading in his voice is sad, but he needs to get serious.
“If you want to stay free and comfortable in Griffonstone I think you kinda have to, Anon.”
>He nods again.
>”Okay...okay. I’m gonna try to sleep some, Rainbow. You should get some rest too.”
>You stand up as quickly as you can. That sounds like a GREAT idea.
>Turning back just as you reach his door, you see him standing with his head down. Lips moving silently.
“Anon, you have to deal with this sooner or later. Running now won’t help you. She’s Daring Do, and even without my help she’d find you eventually. We can handle this together, alright.”
>He still looks unsure, but tries to give a confident smile as he nods.
>”I’ll try to give it a shot, Rainbow. Just...keep me in the loop. No surprises, okay?”
>You return his confident smile more genuinely.
“I think I can handle that.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>A hoof baps you across the nose making you start awake with a sneeze.
>You sit up letting the warm comforter slip off of you as you look around to catch your bearings.
>The blackout curtains on the wide picture windows shroud the area in gray darkness, reducing the room to silhouettes of your scattered possessions.
>A bar of warm, morning light slices through the room illuminating the outflung hoof of your friend still snoozing softly beside you.
>Daring Do.
>Here, at the Con.
>The swarm of activity yesterday rushes back to you as you ooze out of bed and stretch.
>Daring Do just snuffles and burrows deeper into the cushiony goodness.
>You smile faintly and trot into the bathroom to wash your face and find your brush.
>The last major day of Con is here, and you’ve already got a slew of things to take care of.
>Sure, tomorrow is the REAL last day, but most of the major panels and events end today.
>The only thing you’re really interested in tomorrow are the steep discounts at the Dealers’ Hall.
>It feels a little odd putting on another fresh costume when the real thing is happily ensconced only a few feet away, but you’re PROUD of your awesome cosplay this year.
>You pop the tab on a room temperature Red Minotaur and drain it as you scribble a quick note to Daring.
[Running a quick errand. I’ll be back soon, and we can go get breakfast or lunch or whatever. I should have some ideas on what to do by then. See ya! -Rainbow Dash]
>That should suffice.
>You put the note inside her hat and make your way out onto the concourse.
>The Sun’s fully up, looks like it’s about nine a.m.
>Scents of fresh food waft up from the pub making your stomach rumble in anticipation of fulfilling your note’s promise, but you have a few things to do first.
>You try to keep your mind focused on the task at hand instead of letting your nose focus on whatever that warm, fresh baked smell is below.
>Hopefully Windsong won’t be too cranky.
>You slip over the railing and snap your wings open to glide gently downward.
>The Con is taking its toll.
>There aren’t any fewer ponies milling around below, but the earlier energy seems to be waning.
>Ponies are moving just a bit more slowly, taking their time.
>There seems to be more of a friendly, homey feel this morning.
>Closer to Ponyville’s rural collective than the metropolitan bustle that dominated before.
>It looks like there are more groups scattered around just talking and relaxing. Less of a mad scramble to get to various destinations.
>Ponies of one sort or another have found more of their kind here, and gravitated toward each other making new friendships, forging new relationships.
>You curl inward to land just inside the railing on the second floor, and walk over to Windy and Hornshine’s room.
>After your second knock you hear what’s somehow a loud mumble through the door.
>”You’d better have coffee whoever you are…two minutes...”
>The raw menace in that tone makes you spin around and look over into the Atrium with a hint of panic.
>Throughout this ocean of converging clans of fandom there is but one eternal constant.
>Caffeine.
>There!
>The coffee cart that’s always a fixture somewhere on the entry floor!
>You clap your safari hat tightly to your head with one hoof as you blast back over the railing and downward.
>The cart is a mishmash of what looks to be nearly a dozen large barrel casks cut apart and fixed together to form an artistically haphazard shrine for wayward insomniacs.
>The large black banner strung over the coffee pony’s head proclaims [CAPTAIN BLACKWATER’S SCREAMING BEAN FACTORY] and promises to provide chemical energy at the lowest possible prices.
>You screech across the floor a few feet away and bolt up to the startled unicorn barista.
“Three coffees! Black! NOW!”
>”Y-yes Ma’am! Er, I mean, YAR M’LADY!”
>The poor colt splashes some of the blistering liquid as he hastily fills three tall paper cups and lids them while you slap bits onto the counter.
>You wonder idly why a coffee franchise would be pirate themed, but let it lie.
>”Ahem...Here ye be, Missus! And don’t be forgettin’ ter try our-”
“Thanks! Gotta fly!”
>Offering an apologetic smile for cutting short his upsell speech you spin around and hurry to the edge of the waiting group of caffeine junkies.
>You cradle the cups to your chest and rocket off the floor.
>A faint click comes from the turning handle of Windsong’s door just as your hooves hit the ground.
>The door pulls open, revealing the haggard eyes of your friend who looks you over unhappily until she sees the beverages.
>”R..Rainbow? Oh, you brought coffee. Okay, then. C’mon in.”
>She turns and walks back in leaving you to push the door open and follow.
>You trip almost immediately walking through the door.
>The room is a replica of yours above down to the smallest detail, only covered in at least three times as much of a mess.
>It seems a rather larger assortment of clothing, costumes, swag, and paraphernalia than two ponies alone could generate.
>You look around in awe at the spectacular display of disorganization before finally looking at Windy as she sits down on her bed.
>Your jaw drops open as your cheeks heat up.
>Windy quickly motions for you to hoof her a cup, seemingly completely oblivious to your stare.
>You mutely hold out one of the jet black cups marked with a pony skull and crossbones.
>The mare is wearing a complex leather bodice that doesn’t hinder her wings, complimented by a pair of full length fishnet stockings.
>You hear a snore and realize that Hornshine is passed out on the floor next to the bed as if he collapsed there unable to go further.
>”Ah...thanks Dash. This is perfect. Neither of us has duty until tonight, but I always wake up with the Sun.”
>She sips happily at her coffee as you desperately try to compose yourself.
>Windsong meets your eyes with a small smile before reaching out to toss a riding crop off the bed so you can sit down.
>You numbly sit down and set Hornshine’s coffee on a side table before taking a deep drink of your own.
>Windy watches you for a long moment, casually sipping her drink before finally shaking her head.
>”I do appreciate the coffee, really Dash, but is there a reason you’re down here so early? You seem to like my outfit, wanna borrow it?”
>She laughs out loud as you gape for another second before spluttering.
“NO! Oh, I mean, you look great! IT looks great! But I don’t. No I wanted to talk about something!”
>You finish the torrent of words a bit lamely, but she just nudges you with her hoof and settles back.
>”Relax, Rainbow. Don’t blow a gasket. What’s up?”
>You take her advice and return her smile as you try to muster yourself.
“Windy...we’ve got a problem. There’s somepony here. A friend of mine. She’s...involved with the official Daring Do stories.”
>Windy perks up at that and leans forward.
>”Really? Why didn’t you mention her before? That’s pretty cool. What’s the issue?”
>The little orange pegasus picks up on your nervous vibe and looks at you intently.
>You gather your thoughts as best you can, tension building as you try to think how to phrase things.
“Grah! This is so annoying!”
>Windsong looks at you with concern.
>”What? What’re you talking about?”
>You shake your head, ears twitching with frustration.
“Secrets! Everypony has all these secrets! And they have problems, and I want to help, but I can’t do it all myself and I can’t tell anypony what the hay is going ON!”
>You hop up into the air and start floating back and forth.
>Setting her cup down, Windsong looks confused.
>”Secrets? Does this have something to do with Anonymous?”
>Her eyes stray to her little autograph book sitting in its own relatively clear space on the dresser.
>You rub your eyes with a hoof and increase your air-pacing speed.
“Yeah. It does.”
>She stands up and begins rolling off her stockings and carefully slipping out of her outfit.
>”I guess that makes sense. Your friend is involved with Daring Do stories? But wait…”
>She looks at you questioningly as she pulls her Chief badge and a pair of sunglasses out of a pile of clothes.
>”But I already know that secret. I know about Anon. What’s the problem? Or is this a different secret?”
>You flop onto the bed with a grunt and nod sadly in her general direction.
“I came to you because I KNOW you could help with this, but I forgot that I’m not supposed to say things.”
>Windsong visibly controls the strong curiosity that plays across her face.
>”Huh, much as I’d like to, Dash, I won’t try to convince you to tell somepony else’s secrets. I’m super curious though. Is there anything you CAN tell me?”
>You mull that over for a moment as you sip your coffee.
>Finishing getting dressed in a simple white sundress, Windy sits down again and begins brushing out her mane and tail.
“Okay. I’ll tell you what I can. I just hate this. It feels like I’m lying to a friend by not telling everything.”
>She reaches over to pat your shoulder gently.
>”Dash, it’s fine. You’ve told me straight out that there’s things you can’t say. You aren’t leaving me in the dark. I wanna help if I can, and if this is what it takes, that’s cool. Okay?”
>You feel your chest swell as you beam gratefully at your friend. She deserves better than all this secrecy.
“Y’know. Maybe I don’t have to worry about it. I already got my friend to agree to talk with you and maybe team up with you both if you want to. Maybe it’s better if she just explains…”
>Windy taps her brush thoughtfully with a hoof.
>”Team up? For what?”
>Your ears flatten again.
“Grrrrh...this is harder than it should be. It’s about Anon. She wants to take advantage of his being here in Equestria to...bring him to justice, I guess.”
>”WHAT?”
>She leaps into the air, clapping her hooves to your cheeks to stare into your eyes.
>”WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SO? This is serious, Rainbow Dash!”
>You shake your head free and back up a bit.
“I was trying to! It’s just all so muddled up!”
>Windy takes up your previous pacing at an even quicker rate.
>”We can’t let this happen, Rainbow! I dunno what they’d do to him...it probably wouldn’t be too bad, I think. But still! He might have to stop writing! And..!”
>She looks at you, full comprehension dawning in her eyes.
>”Oh, SUN! He might think you had something to do with it! It’d undo all the stuff we’ve been trying!”
>A muffled grunt sounds from beside the bed, and Hornshine’s head pops up as his magic unbuckles a complex leather mask from around his head.
>”Rainbow? Thought I heard you...mmgh...what’s everypony yelling about?”
>Windsong silences him with a waved hoof.
>”Dash, you said she’s willing to meet us? Does she know you’re friends with Anon?”
>You sadly shake your head.
“She showed up out of nowhere after dinner last night. I didn’t know what to say. That’s part of why I need your help!”
>Hornshine looks curious, but just busies himself untangling from the blankets on the floor.
>Windy still looks perturbed.
>”I dunno if we can make this good, Dash. But...maybe we can convince her to give him a chance.”
>She snorts in laughter.
>”I mean, it’s not like it’s A.K. Yearling herself.”
>You flop back on the bed with a strangled groan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
>You just manage to make it out of their room after getting a quick promise to meet you at the pub for breakfast in an hour.
>Windsong looked shaken up, and Hornshine looked pretty worried too.
>You lean against the railing outside their door and let yourself hang there like a damp towel for a moment.
>No surprises, Anon had said.
>This is gonna be an act worthy of The Great and Powerful Trixie.
>You can’t help but to feel your mood lighten at the thought.
>The big clock standing in the middle of the Atrium shows that only about half an hour has passed.
>A.K.’s probably not up yet. She seemed pretty exhausted last night.
>Almost as tired as you, to be honest.
>Luckily, you’ve got enough caffeine in you at this point to propel the Friendship Express at ramming speed.
>You need to let the girls know what’s going on.
>At least to some extent.
>If you don’t send a letter once every twelve or so hours the chances of receiving a candy flavored letter bomb containing a pink monster go up dramatically.
>You hop over the railing and let yourself skim low over the crowds toward the lobby and concierge desk.
>”MOMMY! Look, it’s Daring Do!”
>A tiny unicorn filly bounces excitedly around her mother, who smiles at you while dual wielding a camera and a huge cup of coffee.
>”Do you mind?”
>She asks you politely as she nudges her camera up on it’s holder around her neck.
>A huge smile breaks out on your face.
>What would they do if they knew the REAL Daring Do was only just a few floors up?
“Sure! Always willing to take a picture with my biggest fans!”
>You playfully ruffle the filly’s mane and prepare to strike your best poses.
>The culture of the Con is pretty solidly understood, so others passing by who are interested in photos gather around in a small semicircle as you stand ready instead of waiting to take turns.
>You try out a few of your more heroic poses with the little one, and the more daring, actiony poses for the solo shots.
>They all exchange thanks with you before departing to continue their photo safari among the dozens of other cosplayers who gather down here.
>The Concierge and other front desk staff once again look as bright eyed and bushy tailed as ever.
>Where do the FIND these ponies?
>You take the offered pen and stationery, and begin to work out your letter.
[Girls, this Con is the one to end ALL Cons! Seriously! I’ve had more fun here than you’d believe! Last night a group of friends and I went to the King’s Chamber for dinner. The whole place looks like an enormous treasure vault! It’s in this big, diamond shaped thing sticking out over the ground hanging out from the side of the resort! It’s truly awesome. Today there’s some panels I’m going to, a sneak preview of the Daring Do movie, and tonight is the big rock concert! Still lots of stuff to do and see, so I gotta get moving. But I’ll write some more before it’s over, I promise. Rarity, thanks for the dress. Everypony said they liked it at least. I had no problems getting into the restaurant. -Rainbow Dash]
>You look the letter over, trying to make sure you didn’t forget anything.
>Oh, right.
[P.S. Thanks for the list, Twilight. I’m sure it’ll be a big help.]
>You sigh smiling, and fold the letter up closing it with a stick on wax seal bearing the TenochtiCon sigil.
>That done, you hoof it to the Concierge and lift off to circle back up to your room’s level.
>Time to wake up Daring Do.

>You trot through the lobby toward the far side before pushing off into the air.
>Conflicting thoughts swirl in your mind as you slowly circle upward toward your room.
>You give yourself a small shake as you tap a hoof down on the railing of your floor and swing over onto the concourse.
>Everypony always expects a lot from Rainbow Dash.
>And that’s only natural.
>You’ll just have to be confident and show that you’re ready for whatever.
>For now, you have somepony to drag off to breakfast.
>A smile tugs at your mouth as you hoof out your room key and let yourself in.
>You have to stop a moment to let your eyes adjust to the smothering darkness in your room.
>Soft snores continue to make your friend’s shrouded presence known as you quietly walk in and shut the door.
>Your smile widens maliciously as the gray shape of mounded covers and pillows, dead center on your bed, shifts slightly in sleepy comfort.
>Tiphoofing across the room, you snag hold of the curtain pull cord with your teeth.
>You yank the cord as hard as you can making the curtains SNAP back to the sides.
“WHERE HAVE YOU HIDDEN THE IDOL?!”
>Sunlight practically explodes into the room bright enough to even blind you for a moment.
>”GAAAAAAAAAAH! Whaaa?”
*thunk*
>”RAINBOW DASH!”
>The sight of your friend bursting upward, hooves ready for a fight, only to get tangled in the bedsheet and topple to the floor is just too much.
>You collapse to the floor, rocking with laughter, and trying to catch your breath.
>“It’s not THAT funny, Rainbow Dash!”
>Daring Do struggles to roll over and sit up, but the twist of sheet is firmly wrapped around her hind leg.
>”Grrrrrhhh...C’MON! For pony’s sake, Rainbow! Help!”
>You manage to gasp your way over to her, wiping tears from your eyes and help disentangle her hoof.
>”’Bout time! Geez, the Sun’s barely up! Isn’t it a bit early for pranks?”
>You snort and give a quick flap to lift you onto the bed.
“It’s never too early for pranks, D.D.”
>She scrunches her nose and sticks out her tongue at you before circling the bed to her luggage.
>”D.D.? Ew, Rainbow. My mom called me that when I was a little foal, and she’d put little ribbons in my mane.”
>You settle in and chuckle at that.
“C’mon! Everypony should have a nickname. It’s what friends do!”
>Her snout wrinkles again as she drags out some travel sized bathing implements and a fresh outfit identical to your own costumes.
>”Meh, I guess it’s okay if it’s you…...Dashie.”
“Hey! That’s not fair! I already have a nickname! Only Pinkie calls me that, and it’s only ‘cause I can’t make her stop!”
>She shrugs and opens her eyes wide in a look of supreme innocence.
>”But, Dashie! It’s what friends do!”
“GRAH! Fine! I won’t call you D.D.! Okay?”
>But Daring Do merely shakes her head with a sly smile as she trots lightly into the bathroom.
>”I dunno, Dashie. I think D.D. is kinda growing on me. C’mon, we can scrub each other’s backs and get some food.”
>Your annoyed grumble in response only makes her quiet laughter increase as you follow her into the bathroom.
>For an adventurer pony, Daring Do seems to carry around a much larger assortment of bath potions than you’re used to.
>”Have you been up a while already? You were awake even longer than me yesterday.”
>You murmur a yes as you juggle different bottles for coat, mane, and tail.
“We’re supposed to meet those friends of mine I told you about soon for breakfast. That way we can...discuss what we wanna do.”
>She deftly spins you around so she can scrub your back and work some of the foamy shampoo into your mane.
>”Sounds good. I’ve talked with the ConSec ponies before when I’ve come to the Con in disguise, and they’re all good ponies. I hope the food here’s as good as it was last time.”
>In much less time than you’d have expected, you’re both scrubbed, conditioned, rinsed, and toweling off as you walk out to grab your clothes.
>”Really, Rainbow. Even if you don’t use it often, Doctor Locks Mane and Tail Elixir is too good NOT to use.”
>You snort disdainfully as you pull on your latest khaki safari top and undershirt.
“It’s a waste of bits! A few seconds flying around busting clouds and your mane’ll be back to-”
>The receiver on the night stand starts ringing loudly.
>Curiously, you pick it up and are immediately flooded with the clipped tones of an obviously annoyed Windsong.
>”Hey, Rainbow. Got a sec? We need to change our plans.”
>Your heart clenches in your chest.
“Why? What happened? Is...is everything alright?”
>Windsong heaves a deep sigh.
>”It’s nothing about our little situation, Rainbow. But me and Hornshine still have a problem. A gaggle of our security guards got a little too involved in a game of cider pong and now they’re all too hungover to roll out of bed. Sugarlumps and I are gonna have to cover the holes in the roster all day long.”
>You clop a hoof to your forehead as you try to think of what you can do.
“But...okay, so what does this mean? You said we can change plans, right? Can we still meet up.”
>The line stays quiet for a moment.
>”Yeah, we still can, but it’s gonna be...a bit of a hassle. And your friend there may not like it.”
>Your eyes slide toward Daring Do as Windsong outlines her plan in detail over the phone.
>”Rainbow Dash, what’s up with that guilty look on your face?”
>You try without much success to make your expression more neutral as you hang up the phone.
“There’s been...a bit of a snag.”
>Your friend eyes you suspiciously.
>”What sort of snag?”
>You swiftly fill her in on what Windsong had told you about her ConSec ponies.
>”Okay, so that just means they can’t help, right? We’re on our own?”
“Weeeeeeeell…”
>”RAINBOW DASH!”
“Okay! Windsong has an idea. At one this afternoon the Con is hosting this big deal VIP lunch thing. Windsong and Hornshine have to be there now for security, but we can get in and talk to them if-”
>”Oh, I don’t like where this is going…”
“IF you show up as A.K. Yearling.”
>She stomps a hoof and paces back and forth in agitation.
>”I KNEW it. Rainbow Dash, I HATE attending these things out of disguise.”
>She pauses.
>”Or in disguise, or whatever. You may not have noticed, but I’m not exactly the most social pony ever. I never know what to say, or what to do with my hooves!”
>You trot up quickly to lay a hoof on her shoulder.
“It’ll be fine! You’ll have me there, remember? You may not have a VIP pass, but Windy says they’d be fired if they didn’t give you one when you show up. And VIP’s can bring a plus one to the lunch so I’ll be there with you!”
>Her head slowly rolls back and forth as her ears and tails flick from tension.
>”Ugh! You’re SURE these ponies are worth the hassle? I’m still pretty sure we can handle Anonymous on our own.”
>You shake your head swiftly and grab her shoulders.
“No! We need their help! T-to make sure we do everything right and don’t, um, mess up the Con or cause a scene!”
>Daring Do still looks defiantly skeptical.
“They’re my friends, Daring. And they’re in charge of ConSec. They won’t appreciate me doing anything that causes them trouble.”
>Your ears sweep back.
>It’s true enough, even if you still feel dingy leaving Daring Do in the dark like this.
>But it’ll be fine. Once you have Windy and Hornshine to back up what you say, you can tell her everything about Anon, and she’s sure to see reason.
>She looks into your eyes and finally twists her lips and nods.
>”Okay Rainbow. If this is how you think it should be done, we’ll go see your friends.”
>She sighs loudly as she flips her safari hat onto the bed.
>”You’re just lucky I always carry the A.K. outfit too. Otherwise this would all be bust anyway.”
>She smirks grimly as she pulls out her familiar royal purple, embroidered cloak.
“Oh, hey. The VIP thingy isn’t until one. We still have a few hours before you have to put that on.”
>You smile encouragingly at her.
“We’re at the biggest convention of the year! There’s still all sorts of stuff we can do. Here…”
>You dive into your saddlebags and rummage out your Con schedule.
“Look, there are a few panels before noon I thought’d be cool to check out.”
>She smiles ruefully, but the genuine sparkle is back in her eyes.
>”I’d forgotten. This is your first TC, isn’t it? Okay, Rainbow. Let’s go.”
>She settles her own saddle bags on her hips and collects her hat.
>”But first, we HAVE to get some breakfast. I could eat an aurochs.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>After swiftly gathering up your Con safari necessities, the two of you head out.
>Daring waits for a moment perched on the railing as you tuck away your room key before clamping her hat down with one hoof and backflipping out into open air.
“Oh, so it’s like that, huh?”
>You secure your own safari hat and leap forward.
>You clear the railing close enough to peel a layer of varnish before doing a half-wing tuck into graceful spiral.
>The steep angle of attack brings you swiftly to the gently circling Daring Do, allowing you to pass within an inch of her as you spiral around her in passing.
>She laughs joyfully as you grin up at her from below before joining you on the atrium floor.
>”Almost can’t believe it, Dash. You’ve gotten better.”
>You give her your best Wonderbolt expression.
“Of course I am! When you’re the best, the only pony to compete with is myself!”
>She just stares at you a moment before giving a sudden honk of laughter and trotting over to sling a hoof over your shoulder.
>”That’s why I like you, Rainbow. Only you could make a famous, rich, successful adventurer/author like me feel humble.”
>You aren’t quite sure she’s taking a shot at you or not.
>Doesn’t matter.
>It makes you sound cool.
“C’mon, the pub has really good food.”
>She follows you across the atrium toward the pub, but stops suddenly looking around making you have to turn back.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
>She sniffs at the air.
>”Don’t you smell that?”
“Smell?”
>You take a deep sniff through your nose, letting yourself really take it all in for the first time in a few days.
>Yup.
>Despite the resort staff’s best efforts there’s only so much you can do about tens of thousands of milling fans in various states of sweaty, perfumed, drunk, and unwashed.
>Saturated through it all is the bold scent from the coffee galleon near the front entrance and-
“Ooh! What IS that? I smelled that earlier!”
>Wafting almost undetectable now through the Atrium is the same buttery, freshly baked smell you’d caught earlier this morning.
>”I dunno, but I’m gonna find it.”
>Without waiting for your assent she sets off toward the rear of the Atrium.
>You follow without hesitation, trusting Daring Do’s apparently superior sense of smell.
>The two of you wend your way through the bustling crowds noisily jamming the Atrium and finally burst through the rear entrance into the bright, mid-morning sunlight.
>Yesterday’s enormous construct has been completely cleared away leaving a wide open patio.
>Sparkling reflections dance from a number of complex quartz sculptures placed in a semicircle around the area.
>Huge urns and chalices placed in swirls and curves of the geometrically laid tiles on the ground hold dozens of brightly colored flowers and leafy green shrubs.
>The sight makes your stomach lurch and rumble even more than before as you chase the grayscale tail flashing around other Con attendees in front of you.
>At last you come to a halt behind her and glance past to see a large blue pavilion surrounded by ponies.
>The baking smells are intense now, and accompanied by the smells of stewed berries, honey, and syrup.
>Unable to hold yourselves back, you both charge forward into the crowd.
>A large sandwich board covered with loopy writing in colored chalks proclaims: [Ils Sont Croissant! Flakey delights!]
>The ponies in stark white aprons and hats standing behind a series of large tables move about busily cutting open enormous crescent rolls and filling them with whatever the customers ask for.
>Everything from grilled beans and sprouts, to honey and nuts, to hot preserves of a dozen fruits and berries.
>Combined with a final swipe of chocolate or caramel on top or a streak of honey butter or cheese, the steaming hot pastries have commanded an enormous mob of hungry ponies.
>You and Daring quickly make your way into the crowded queue.
>The smiling chefs do their work quickly, and despite the large number of customers it only takes a few minutes to get your breakfast.
>Daring Do takes a seat on a bench around a large black enameled urn full of sunflowers and dayblooms.
>She fixes the huge, two-hoof, blackberry filled crescent roll with powdered sugar on top and swiftly digs in as you join her.
>”Oh sweeft Sheleshtia...mrfmphf...this is amazing! What’d you get, Rainbow?”
>You grin as you brandish your own enormous pastry, this one stuffed with apple preserves and cream cheese.
>The cool air and flower scents, mixed with the ever present warm smell of baking bread, make the outdoor breakfast just perfect.
>You and Daring dig in greedily, finally sharing bites of each other’s order when it becomes abundantly clear that neither of you can finish it entirely.
>”So, what’s on the agenda?”
>The adventurer pony licks a spot of blackberry preserve off her hoof and settles back with a contented sigh.
“Well, there were a few panels I wanted to check out.”
>You take note of the position of the Sun.
“It’s too late for some of ‘em. There should be a big one starting soon, though. There’s a mapmaker who’s pretty well known holding one. He’s supposed to have this huge collection of maps.”
>”Yeah, Mr. Maps. I’ve met him. He’s got some that predate Equestria.”
>You nod and stand as you crinkle up the fruit stained paper with the last scraps of your breakfast to toss into a bin.
“It’s supposed to be really cool seeing how ponies thought the world looked, and y’know cities and countries that used to be around.”
>She smirks at you as she tosses her own leavings.
>”Becoming a history buff, Rainbow?”
>The look in her eye tells you there’s no safe way to answer that so you just wave your hoof.
“C’mon. If we hurry we’ll have plenty of time to check them out before we have to go the lunch thing.”
>She smiles even more widely, but follows your lead back through the crowd and into the resort.
>You make your way down the annoyingly slow escalators into the dungeonesque conference area of the lower floors.
>Even this late into the Con you can see the tail end of a line into the Dealers’ Hall sticking out of a corridor down the way, but this morning you’re headed the opposite direction.
>Following the helpful little brass plaques, you quickly find your way to one of the less gargantuan conference rooms where a sign labeled [Mr. Maps’ Colossal Cartography Collection] and walk inside.
>The room is spacious, and you find that to be a good thing considering the number of ponies attending.
>Nearly all of the open floor space is taken up by dozens of free standing displays.
>The artistically styled displays are each topped by two thick sheets of glass with one of the collection’s maps sandwiched safely between.
>Ponies meander about looking at them from all angles, and a few are even sketching likenesses.
>You start to rummage in your saddlebags for your camera, thinking that Twilight would probably kill for photos of some of these, but Daring points out a sign prohibiting flash photography.
>Detaching the bulb will reduce the quality, but it’s better than nothing, so you do.
>”I’m gonna go look around, Dash.”
>You nod and separate to check out the exhibits.
>At the back of the room, a dais holds a long table slightly higher than the rest of the room.
>On approach, you see that several extremely old looking specimens are in more protective cases displayed on it.
>A wizened old stallion sits behind them eyeing each pony who comes to look with the wary eye of a mother hawk protecting her chicks.
>You move up the line of spectators to look and lean over an ancient looking map that...looks almost like it has eyeholes torn out of it.
>”BACK UP”
>A gnarled hoof flashes under your nose making you leap back in alarm.
“Guhwhat?”
>The old stallion is flailing his hooves at you and giving you a glare that could make a cockatrice jump.
“What gives, old guy? I was just looking!”
>”You’ve got apple gunk all over your face! I don’t need some filly dribbling ick all over the oldest maps in the exhibit!”
>A Daring Do flavored guffaw echoes from the far side of the room at the old pony’s tirade.
>You feel your face heating up.
>”Not all of these are mine, y’know! Some are on loan from the Canterlot Archives. Not that I’d want you drooling fruit paste all over them even if they weren’t!”
>You open your mouth in desperation to try to salvage your dignity, or at least return fire.
>”Why I have half a mind to-”
>”Mr. Maps! She didn’t mean to, and the exhibits are fine. Please, stop shouting.”
>Your mind jolts in the middle of forming the angry comeback that you’re positive would’ve singed the old unicorn’s mane.
>A young earth pony with an ocean colored coat and seafoam green mane gives you a small, longsuffering smile.
>”Who’re you to be telling me what to do? Eh? Look! You’ve got ink stains all over you again! I swear to Celestia-”
>”-That you’ll never take another apprentice as long as you live. Everypony knows, Master. Oh! That filly is getting close to the Trottingham dynastic maps with her ice cream.”
>The young apprentice gestures a hoof at a small yellow pega filly holding a massive three scoop cone.
>Before you can really gather yourself together, the roaring old mapmaker charges off across the room to accost her parents.
“Um...thanks? I think.”
>The other ponies in the room swiftly move out of the Master’s way as he confronts the offenders of his precious maps.
>”Don’t mention it. He’s always like that.”
>The young stallion sweeps a lock of wavy mane out of his eyes.”
>”About everything. Anyway, enjoy the exhibit. And feel free to ask any questions about the pieces here. I wouldn’t ask the Master if I were you. He’s probably already got a nickname for you.”
>You look at him, a little nonplussed.
“I’ll bet. I’m Rainbow Dash, by the way.”
>”Meridian. Nice to meet you. Stick around for the lecture portion, if you can. I promise it’s more interesting than it sounds. Also...you might want to wash your face, just to be safe.”
>He almost hides a small smile as he turns away to greet some other visitors.
>You yank a water bottle out of your saddlebags and use some to furiously scrub your mouth with a hoof.
>”It’s not working.”
>Daring Do’s voice pipes up beside you.
“What? I didn’t get it all?”
>She smiles brightly.
>”Nope, still looks like your face.”
>You start to reply that she doesn’t exactly look a whole lot different, but Daring snags your hoof and pulls you through the crowd.
>”C’mon, you got all the apple off. You should see this map of tribal lands in Zebrica.”
>The two of you spend the better part of an hour examining various maps.
>It turns out that Daring is pretty knowledgeable about them, herself.
>The lecture given by Mr. Maps and his apprentice shows how cartography techniques have improved over the centuries, and to your surprise you only nodded off once.
>Daring took care of that.
>You both accept a rolled up map of Equestria hoof drawn and signed by the mapmaker duo, and head back up to the Atrium.
>”Gimme your key, Dash. I’ll run up and change real quick.”
>You start to hoof it to her, but a thought occurs to you.
“You can’t change up there. You’d never make it back through the Atrium.”
>Daring nods in agreement.
>”You’re right, we’ll have to wait til the lunch starts, I’ll change downstairs, and then we can go in together.
“Sounds good.”
>In perfect unison you spread your wings, crouch, and push up into the air.
>A happy gasp sounds from nearby, and looking down you notice a pony with a video camera, hurriedly turning the crank to catch the two Daring Do’s flying in mirror image.
>As you look back, you see that she’s noticed him too, and she gives you a roguish wink.
>Taking the cue, you lead your friend through a series of simple aerial maneuvers as you climb the inside of the pyramid, weaving through the other pegasus patrons.
>You land laughing together outside your room.
“Ha! That’s some five star footage he got there!”
>Daring offers you a hoofbump.
>”Yeah, can’t get quality like that just anywhere.
>You return the bump and let yourself into the room.
“We’ve got maybe ten minutes before the lunch, and we should show up late.”
>She nods as she hurriedly shoves her cloak, hat, and glasses into her saddlebags.
>”Yeah, that should be just enough time to get down there and for me to change.”
>She tightens the buckle on her bag securely, and nods at you again.
>”Okay, let’s go meet these friends of yours.
>You look at her closely.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?”
>She grins at you.
>”You ask me this now? Heh, yeah Rainbow. I’m good. I don’t like doing it, but at least it’s for a good reason. Let’s go.”
“Okay then. And...thanks Daring.”
>She smiles at you.
>”Anything for you, Dash.”
-------------------------------------------
>You lead Daring into a gentle glide back down to the Atrium level.
>The VIP luncheon is supposed to be in one of the smaller galleries here on the entry floor.
>You’d looked into it when you bought your ticket.
>The VIP passes are limited in quantity and almost double the price of normal admission, but they grant all access to a number of events attended by the Con’s high profile guests and speakers, not to mention getting you into the fast lane for the Dealer’s Hall and certain public events.
>Still, it didn’t seem like a good use of bits since you weren’t all that aware of, or interested in the peripheral ponies important to the fandom.
>You hadn’t even known about Anon, after all.
>The two of you wend your way through the never ending streams of fans toward the halls opposite from the spa.
>The corridors here have a very posh, almost royal feel to them with thick colorful carpeting and highly polished wood panels on the walls.
>The ornate lamps on the walls set the almost mirror finish worked deep into the mellow wood grains aglow with warm light.
>Here and there as you walk along are a number of fancy looking paintings in antique looking frames depicting everything from landscapes and castles to groups of ponies in centuries old clothing gathered around to sign some document.
>As nice as it is, it seems to all sort of...deviate from the apocryphal feel of the rest of the resort, but you figure this area is for business meetings and the like, so it’s probably supposed to appeal to that kind of muckity muck big shot ponies.
>The end of the hall dead ends into a T with large picture windows down one side of the hallway showing the nearby buildings and attractions of Las Pegasus.
>Around the bend you make out a ConSec pony standing outside a door not far from where the hall dead ends, and thankfully before those is the tasteful plaque marking the little pony’s room.
“Alright, get changed and meet me back out here. It should be right there down the hall.”
>Daring rolls her eyes at the clipped authority in your speech and steps past you.
>”It’s not a military engagement, Dash. I’ll be happy if we can get in and get out as quick as possible, but there’s no need to be so worked up.
>You take a breath and settle back.
“I know. It’s just, I know you don’t really wanna do this, so I want it to go smoothly is all.”
>She smiles softly at you.
>”It’s fine. I don’t avoid ponies because I don’t like them or anything. I just...hmm it’s just I don’t know what to do when they’re all fawning all over me and stuff. Even when I’m actually out there, having my adventures or whatever I always clear out as soon as it’s over. Ponies thanking me and wanting me to feast with them and meet their foals…”
>You nod agreeably even though her attitude boggles your mind.
>Who doesn’t love having ponies cheering and chanting your name?
>And the little foals are always the most excited to see you!
>”Anyway, it’s just not for me. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“I’ll be here.”
>You turn to rummage in your saddlebags as her tail disappears into the bathroom.
>Pulling out your water bottle, you rinse it in the fountain and fill it up before stooping to get a cold drink for yourself.
>The door behind you opens and closes quietly as you drink.
>”Rainbow?”
>The semi-familiar cracking voice makes you turn to see the youngish colt you’d met at the room party your first night here.
“Oh! Hey! Umm...Gumbo, right?”
>He smirks and twitches his tail.
>”That’s right, honey! Y’know I’ve been thinking about you since we had so much fun dancing at the parade.”
>Somehow you manage to keep the raw disbelief from showing too strongly on your face.
“I danced with a lot of ponies up there, short stuff. We all did. Where’s your costume?”
>The question at the end catches him off guard in the middle of protesting his new nickname.
>”Oh...that. Nah, I’m goin’ to the big lunch down the hall. S’posed to be a real nice time. Y’see…”
>He leans in conspiratorially and tugs his name badge up where you can see it.
>”I’m a VIP.”
>He stops and looks up at you, clearly waiting for your reaction to his bombshell.
“Erm...that’s...great?”
>He looks bewildered for a second, but quickly recollects his bravado.
>”Well...y’see Rainbow. I’ve got this here VIP pass, that means I can get in, right? Well, I can also take one lucky filly with me too. All she’d have to do is ask, follow?”
>He fixes you with his best sleazeball smile.
“You mean...you haven’t gotten a date already?”
>It takes every ounce of your self control to keep your face neutral.
>Wha-? O-oh, nah I have somepony on hook, but you know, I only take the finest mares to an event like this!”
>He moves in closer, trying to nonchalantly lean against you where you stand.
>Under cover of putting your water bottle back in your bag, you move away from him making him almost fall over.
“I can’t, Gumbo. I’m waiting for my friend to come out and then we’re-”
>From the first word he looked devastated, but he almost instantly recovers himself, cutting you off.
>”Don’t sweat it, sweet cheeks! I got a few other mares who’d love to come with me anyway, I was just givin’ you a chance to hang with a VIP for a while. See ya around!”
>Without waiting for a reply he quickly trots off down the hall toward the luncheon.
>That colt never fails to make you shake your head.
>”Dash? Is it cool for me to come out now?”
>You turn to see a pair of horn rimmed glasses peeking out from the mare’s bathroom door.
“All clear, sorry D-, sorry A.K.”
>She clicks her tongue and peers up and down the hall as she steps out next to you.
>”It’s just me. I heard you talking to somepony and didn’t want to make a scene as soon as I came out.”
>She adjusts her hat a bit nervously and pulls at her cape.
“You look fine.”
>”I know. Mrf...this is just a bit awkward is all.”
>You put a hoof on her shoulder and give her your best confident smile.
“We’ll talk to Windy and Hornshine and get out as quick as we can. It shouldn’t be any problem at all.”
>She smiles back, looking a bit less rattled.
>”Okay, Dash. Lead the way.”
>You do just that and trot up the corridor toward the Security pony.
>As you approach he looks your way, and does a double take so hard you hear his neck audibly pop.
>”Wh-what? That’s n-not a costume! You! Y-you’re-!”
>You hold up a hoof to the stammering guard.
“Would you mind telling the staff inside that A.K. Yearling is here, we...don’t have a pass to get in.”
>The guard nearly falls flat on his nose pulling the radio out of his saddlebags and talking in a furious whisper into it.
>You glance back at Daring who gives you a nervous smile.
>”Okay! The boss is busy, but a staffer says you’re good to go on in! And may I say, Miss Yearling, I’m one of your absolute biggest fans! I love your books and the adventures in them are just so-”
“THANKS! Um, we have to go on in, okay?”
>The flabbergasted guard seems to suddenly realize how he was gushing and turns to quickly open the door for you.
>As soon as it swings out to admit you a veritable flood of chatter rolls out over you into the hall.
>The room must be soundproofed, because the excited murmuring is nearly overwhelming.
>You feel A.K.’s shoulder against your side as you walk in, mentally steeling yourself for the sudden outburst of fan glee sure to hit any moment.
>It takes you a moment to realize that literally nopony is paying any attention to you whatsoever.
“What?”
>The room isn’t large, and it’s made to feel that much smaller by the large table dominating its center.
>Half a hundred ponies are crammed into the space, but most aren’t seated, instead the whole group seems to be pressing toward the corner of the back of the room.
>You even spot Gumbo, jumping up and down trying to see over the rest of the noisy press of ponies.
>A look toward A.K. is enough to tell you that she’s just as surprised and confused as you are.
>”Dash! MOVE, PONY! DASH!”
>You look over to see Windsong’s small frame attempting to push her way toward you through the throng.
>She’s yelling for you and waving her hooves as she tries to fight against the current with no room to use her wings.
>”Is that your friend, Rainbow? What’s up with her?”
>Your mane starts to stand up on it’s own as she gets nearer still flailing and yelling with a look of near panic showing through her dark sunglasses.
“W-wait...something’s not…”
>Despite the noise and commotion in the room, Windsong’s progress through the crowd had started to gain some attention.
>Enough that you feel your heart constrict in your chest as you see a lean, tall figure stand up from the front of the crowd where he must have been sitting before.
>”Rainbo-”
>He lifts his hand in greeting, your name just making it out of his mouth when Gumbo’s voice echoes through the rapidly quieting room.
>”IS THAT A.K. YEARLING?”
>Time seems to stop.
>You feel A.K. pressed against your side, her hoof resting on your back as you’d led her into the room.
>Every eye in the room turns toward the two of you as dead silence smothers conversation.
>The look of abject horror on Windy’s face must be an exact mirror of your own, but Gumbo can’t contain his peaking fangasm.
>”Anonymous AND A.K. Yearling?! BEST CON EVER!”
>The blood drains visibly downward from Anon’s face like the fuse on a bomb.
>A hoof tightens against the fabric of your safari outift.
>”WAIT, THAT’S HIM?!”
>And all Tartarus breaks loose.
>Noise EXPLODES everywhere as the crowd snaps out of its stupor and begins to surge toward the two of you.
>Before they get close you see a flash of movement as the tall form of Anonymous sprints for the door to the adjoining room.
>Daring Do’s instincts kick in and you feel her leap off the floor in his direction, only to be encumbered by the heavy cloak pinning her wings as the mob surges up to surround you.
>Somewhere you hear the sorrowful sound of Windsong’s voice still calling out to you and spot the hulking form of Hornshine wading through the crowd to rescue her.
>Numbly your realize Gumbo is begging you to get him an autograph from the famous author and a high pitched whine seems to be building in your head just behind your eyes.
>It’s all...over.
>It all just...came apart.
>Suddenly you realize that Daring Do’s flank is pressing hard against you as she backs away from the crowd of fawning fans and the staccato lightning flashes of cameras going off.
>You can feel her trembling as she tries to push backwards through you to the door and just see that wild eyed horror in Anon’s eyes as he disappears through to the next room over.
>They’re both in trouble.
>Barely thinking at all, you wrap your hooves around A.K.’s waist and spin deftly on one hoof.
>You pull open the door with one hoof, and shove her through it with the other.
“Run! Get changed! Find me! I’ll catch Anon!”
>You reach through and grab the flummoxed guard outside, yanking him into the room with you and slam the door in A.K.’s dumbfounded face.
“You! Keep everypony here! Don’t let them chase her!”
>He barely has time to nod before you hop over the nearest pony’s head and plant your hooves against the wall.
>With clearance for your wings you shove off, and rocket over the crowd to the adjoining room.
>A number of stunned ponies dressed in chefs’ whites stare at you as you careen in through the door.
>Spilled bowls of ingredients and scattered utensils make it clear that Anon must’ve vaulted the tables in the room to get to the hallway ASAP.
>You follow as fast as the tight quarters allow.
>He can’t have gotten very far.
>Back out in the hallway, A.K. Yearling is nowhere to be seen, but from here the hall only goes one direction.
>You see Gumbo and a group of other young ponies standing outside the Mare’s room with autograph books, and quickly fly over to him.
“Gumbo! How’d you get out here? Nevermind! Did you see Anon come past?”
>The colt turns toward you still flushed from all the excitement, his affected ‘maturity’ forgotten.
>”Yeah! We came into the hall and saw A.K. Yearling hoofing it toward the bathroom, but we can’t follow her in ‘there’. So we’re waiting. Then Anonymous just came sprinting past a second ago.”
>Your heart leaps.
“Did you see where he went? Down further into the meeting rooms?”
>Gumbo shakes his head.
>”Nah, he was going full tilt around to the Atrium. Hey, can you go in for us and get A.K.’s au-”
“Thanks Gumbo! I owe ya one!”
>You rocket off down the hall, pulling a flawless ninety degree turn into the corridor toward the Atrium.
>You’d been hoping that in his panic Anon might not’ve headed the right way, but oh well.
>The walls of the corridor open into the open jungle of ponykind that is the Fluxor Atrium.
>The sudden swell of noise and movement is disorienting, but you know how to handle sensory overload.
>Your flight path takes you at a sharp angle swiftly upward toward the center of the area where a large snarled piece of artistic sculpture hangs suspended over the pub.
>Training your keen eyes in a quick circle, you’re sure Anon isn’t anywhere immediately close.
“Okay...up to his room? Or out…”
>Only two good options for where he might have gone.
>Thanks to your not-so-quiet life you’ve seen ponies in every possible flavor of panic, and Anon’s human...ness doesn’t make him seem any different.
>He’s definitely in the ‘flight’ mode of fight or flight.
>You snort and turn towards the front doors.
>Anon’s fast, apparently, but he can’t fly, and you don’t see him in the elevators.
>He must’ve gone out the front, abandoning his stuff.
>You arc your wings and swoop low, headed straight for the resort’s front doors.
>Using your tail to control your drag, you time your maneuver so that you shoot through the doors over a pair of ponies just as they open them.
>Glare from the bright, arid Sun half blinds you as you zoom out over the steps.
>But a scattered line of gaping ponies clearly leads your searching gaze to the lanky human racing away from you.
>You grit your teeth and pour on the speed, wings pumping in time with your heart.
>The distance closes, but less quickly than you’d have expected.
>Those long legs can put out some speed, if only for a landbound creature thing.
“ANON! WAIT!”
>The sound of your voice makes him turn around violently mid step, but his forward velocity didn’t change a bit.
>Your mouth drops open in shock as he hits the street hard, rolls twice directly under the safety railing, and into the cloudbank holding up the more mundane road material.
>”.....help…”
>His mouth forms the word quietly, not even trying to shout in his stunned state as he vanishes into the fall.
>You shake off your initial shock and dive over quickly to plunge after him.
>Thick, viscous clouds that are nothing more than simple mists to any other kind of pony cling to you before being flung away by the furious beats of your wings.
>The sensitive feathers lining your second most defining feature let you feel the eddies and currents of the blinding material and follow the shifting path of Anon’s flailing descent...then…
>Daylight!
>The parched grays, browns, and reds of the rocky desert below explode into view as you pass through the cloud layer.
>Below you, Anon flips and spins, his long limbs catching the rushing air to throw him first one way and then another.
>Even now no sounds seem to be able to escape him.
>His weight and size are an issue, but a few powerful thrusts of your wings lets you tuck your hooves up to your body and match his speed, then surpass it, closing in.
>The ground rushes up ahead of you, but there’s no chance he could hit. You’re too fast to miss catching a falling compatriot.
>Finally you draw up to him, and despite being worried about his flailing, when he feels your hoof wrap around his chest he immediately turns and clings to you with everything he has.
>You nearly freak out a moment as one of his arms pins your left wing, but you yank it free without too much trouble and level off before starting the laborious climb back to the top.
>Without the wind rushing in your ears at hurricane force, you become aware of the sound of Anon murmuring softly into your shoulder where he’s tucked his face so he can’t see the ground.
>”...ohfuckohfuckohfuckohfuckohfuckohfuckohgodohshitohfuck…”
>Not trusting yourself not to laugh if you open your mouth, you silently work to flap your passenger back to street level.
>When you come through the clouds, you’re actually pretty close to the front of the resort, so you set Anon down on the steps outside.
“Anon…?”
>His murmuring continues as he just sits there with his head in his hands.
“Anon! Hey! Are you okay?”
>You nudge him with a hoof, making him jump.
>”O...okay? Are you fucking serious, right now? I just nearly DIED, Rainbow!”
>You nudge his shoulder again in a friendly way.
“Nah, there was no chance of that. I was there, remember?”
>He leaps to his feet and whirls to face you.
>”SO WHAT? Why’d you even bother to save me? Whatever happened to NO BLOODY SURPRISES Rainbow Dash?”
>His shouting catches you off guard, and some other ponies are starting to stare.
“Wai...what’re-”
>”In WHAT world does ambushing me with A.K. CELESTIA DAMNED YEARLING count as no surprises? When did you decide to join her side and sell me out?”
“I..”
>”You know what? I don’t even care! Save it! I’m getting out of here, Rainbow, and I don’t care if you’re a thrice damned Wonderbolt, you AREN’T stopping me! I should’ve known thinking you were my friend was complete horseshit!”
>A voice sounds from directly behind you as you try to make any response whatsoever to this verbal assault from Anon.
>”W-wait, Rainbow, you and Anon are friends?”
>Words turn to stone in your throat as you turn to see Daring Do standing behind you, staring at Anonymous.
>Anon’s pale skin goes almost bone white as he realizes she’s not just another cosplayer.
>”D...Daring…”
>”AND YOU, ANON!”
>She flies up and jams a hoof into his chest, much as you yourself have done a few times before.
>”Just where do YOU get off talking to Rainbow Dash that way? After everything YOU’VE done!”
>That loud buzzing of misfiring brain connections hums in your ears as you try to gather yourself in the face of their progressively louder argument.
>”ME? What the hell, I didn’t even know you were REAL until last night! You aren’t even really an AUTHOR!”
>”That’s a laugh coming from a plagiarist monster from some bird-mountain backwater!”
>”At least my recent stuff is CREATIVE! It actually requires TALENT!”
>”A talent for thievery? Or are you more like some filthy scavenger, picking at whatever you can find?”
>”As opposed to YOU blatantly making bank off the REAL lives of the so called characters in YOUR books? Do you reall-”
“STOP!”
>Unable to take anymore you leap up between the two of them, holding them both at hoof’s length.
“Anon, Daring, we have to talk about this. We h-have to talk it out. We can figure it out if we try!”
>Anon roughly shoves your hoof out of the way.
>”It doesn’t matter anymore, Dash. I’m done. I’m through with all of this. I can’t take it. All the stupid secrets, and denials, and betrayals. I’m DONE. I swear I’ll never write again!”
>A wailing “NOOOO” sounds from across the way at his last loud declaration.
>You turn to see Windsong looking haggard and worried flying up to you.
>This could not possibly get any worse.
>Windy joins the argument trying to convince Anon to keep writing, while Daring yells at you asking who in Tartarus this new pegasus is all while Anon keeps trying to edge to the side to leave making Daring zip around to block him.
>You’re at a loss.
>How are you supposed to make this good?
>Heavy hooffalls sound next to you, and you look up to see Hornshine marching up to the party.
>The look on his face almost makes you leap back in alarm, but as he looks at you he speaks in his normal, soft tones.
>”Stay close, Rainbow.”
>You nod and walk up with him as he approaches the group of snarling ponies and one human.
>Without a word, he leads you into the center of the bunch, much to their consternation and angry protestation, and then bright light erupts from his horn in a blinding flash.
>There’s a momentary lapse in your sense of up and down, and then suddenly…
>You look around, and the whole group is doing the same, looking disoriented.
>”Hallo there? Quite the entrance, Horny, but my room isn’t the best place to stage a flash mob.”
>Amplitude snickers softly at the thunderstruck look on the faces of his sudden guests as Hornshine walks up to speak to him.
>”Sorry to barge in, Amp. But these ponies needed a less public place to talk. And speaking of which…”
>His horn ignites again, and an audible click sounds from the door leading out as a steady glow surrounds the handle and pulses softly.
>”Nopony’s going anywhere until you all hash this out. I don’t know all of what’s going on here, but this whole deal is giving my Windy a hard time. So you work this out. Like the adults you are. Now.”
>Having said what he intended, Hornshine turns to sit across the small table from Amp and starts up a conversation, thoroughly ignoring the rest of you.
>Surprise and gratitude well up in you as you look around from Anon’s defiantly petulant stare, to Daring Do’s sputtering anger, to Windsong’s tear streaked worry.
>Nopony says a word.
>Looks like it’s up to you.
“Um...okay everypony. This…...this is all my fault.”
>Daring Do immediately speaks up.
>”No, Rainbow! This isn’t on you! I mean...I wish you’d told me you were friends with him, but if anything this is all HIS fault!”
>Anon opens his mouth for an angry retort, but snaps his jaws shut instead and sits on Amp’s bed, trying hard not to glare at anypony in particular.
>You take Daring’s hoof in your own.
“Anon has a lot to answer for…”
>His face flashes red, but he still says nothing.
“...but this all became such a problem because you BOTH have so many secrets and worries that I couldn’t figure out a way to talk about it.”
>You turn to Windsong.
“Windy, I’m REALLY sorry. Anon and A.K. were both willing to talk to you and Hornshine, but I couldn’t get them to talk to each other without telling their secrets. I pulled you into the middle of this and I feel terrible about it.”
>She nods and wipes her cheeks, her eyes still worried, but full of hope that you’re helping.
>You sigh loudly.
>You don’t know if you can fix this, but you have to try.
“Anon, Daring...you’re both my friends. You both deserve the truth. Will you...just listen?”
>They stare at each other for a long moment, but finally each turns to you and nods.
“Okay...well...this is gonna take a minute…”
>You pull out the still cold bottle of water from your saddlebags and take a swig to ease the unnatural dryness of your throat.
“Daring, you know Anon is my friend, but you don’t know that he’s not a monster.”
>He gives you a grateful look as Daring opens her mouth, closes it, and looks at him thoughtfully.
“He’s an alien. From some other world. Who can say where, but...he’s here now.”
>You take another deep breath.
>”Anon, you know now that Daring Do is real, and that A.K. Yearling is the same pony, and that her stories are based on her real life adventures, but you don’t know that she spends weeks and months in front of her typewriter editing her stories and trying to tell them in the most interesting way possible for her readers.”
>He shifts uncomfortably and looks away from her.
“You’re two pon-...well, two things who know about each other, but you know NOTHING about each other!”
>A frustrated growl rumbles in your throat.
“Anon, you avoided all contact with Yearling and her publishing company, made your own opinions and just decided all on your own that you were the one in the right.”
>Daring Do nods matter-of-factly, and you round on her.
>”And you, Daring! Trying to pin him down has been frustrating, but when you finally had a chance to meet him face to face you didn’t even think of talking. You decided to take matters into your own hooves like he was one of the villains from your novels!”
>She at least has the grace to look sheepish, taking her hat off and rotating it in her hooves.

>You huff another deep breath.
“So...let’s do this right. Finally. Let’s just...pretend this is the first time, okay?”
>They both look at you quizzically, Windsong simply watching and biting her lip.
>You stand up and hop onto the bed between Anon and Daring Do.
“Anon, this is my good friend, Daring Do. She’s a honest to goodness dynamic adventure pony who’s saved Equestria and everypony in it at least a dozen times, and she’s also the famous writer A.K. Yearling.”
>You turn toward Daring.
”Daring Do, this is my good friend Anonymous. He’s a Human from some other world who arrived mysteriously when he was just a foal. He’s a conspiracy theorist from Griffonstone who writes the most successful Daring Do fanfiction in Equestria, and he’s had problems distrusting ponies since they practically ran him out of Equestria when he was young.”
>You step back and look at both of them.
“Say ‘Hi’, you two.”
>They look at each other again, but now curiosity and interest has replaced a lot of the hostility.
>Daring Do shakes her head and snorts, making Anon blush and stiffen in his seat.
>”Conspiracy theorist? What does that mean?”
>She smirks at him, and he returns it with a sheepish smile.
>He runs his hand through his hair.
>”Well...have you ever noticed how monsters just seem to sort of...disappear in Equestria?”
>You sink back against the edge of the bed next to Windy as the two of them start to talk.
>She turns toward you and whispers into your ear.
>”He didn’t mean it, did he? That he’s done forever?”
>You hook your hoof around her neck and pull her up close next to you.
“Nah. We talked about it, and he said even before all this that he was gonna give up the Daring Do stuff, but not writing in general.”
>She heaves a weighty sigh of relief.
>”So that’s why you asked me about that. If ponies would still read if it wasn’t Daring Do. Thank goodness. Being part of this fandom has meant a lot to me.”
>You smile at her and help her up, walking her over to the table with Amp and Hornshine to let the other two have some space for their long awaited conversation.
>Hornshine snugs Windsong to him as Amp slides a can of soda over to you.
>”Here, love. You look a bit parched, and our Windy isn’t the only one who’s been having a hard time, is she?”
>You give Amp a grateful look and take the drink, looking back over your shoulder at two of your most impossible friends.
“I hope they can work it out. I don’t think there’s anything else I can do.”
>Hornshine pats your shoulder in a paternal way.
>”You did the best you could with what you had, Rainbow. No fault there.”
>You nod and sip your drink, but suddenly jerk your head up, spraying a stream at Amplitudes blankly smiling face.
>”...ahem...erm...not your flavor, deary?”
>Your face lights up and you hoof him a handkerchief out of your saddlebags.
“Sorry, Amp. I just realized I missed basically everything today. I don’t even know what time it is.”
>Hornshine pulls a watch out from his uniform pocket.
>”It’s not so late yet. We still have a few hours before the big concert yet.”
>You shake your head sadly as the murmuring conversation of Anon and Daring buzzes behind you.
“There’s no way. It’s on the other side of the resort, and the lines gonna start forming soon. I’ll never get in.”
>Windsong smiles broadly and pats Hornshine’s chest.
>”Isn’t that terrible, Hon? Rainbow Dash can’t get in to her concert. If only she knew somepony...ANYPONY who could help!”
>Your face goes redder than before.
“Okay okay, would you tw-”
>Hornshine’s voice cuts in with a sorrowful tone.
>”If only she knew someone from Security, but that’s silly!”
>Amp pipes up.
>”Or the pony who set up the sound equipment, but no luck there.”
“Guys…”
>Windy interjects again.
>”Heck, if she knew someone with VIP access, JUST ONE, she might be able…”
“GUYS. OK.”
>You slap your hooves on the table as the three of them guffaw and Windy sticks her tongue out at you.
>You chat with the three friends for a while, and before you know it you feel a hoof on your shoulder.
>”Rainbow? Y’wanna come over here for a sec.”
>You swallow the sudden knot in your throat and nod, following Daring Do back over to the bed.
>She sits down across from Anon, and Windy joins you a second later.
>Daring looks at Anon, who sighs and straightens himself up to speak.
>”Dash...we...me and Daring Do...we wanna apologize to you.”
>The adventurous pegasus nods in agreement, adding her voice to his.
>”When Anon and I started all this, we were both pretty much alone. We did this stuff by ourselves, and our ‘big secrets’ were only known to ourselves.”
>Anon nods and speaks up again.
>”We were protecting ourselves, but it didn’t matter ‘cause nobody else had to keep it too.”
>Daring chimes in.
>”We aren’t...neither of us, used to having ponies in our lives that we can rely on to help us when the going gets rough. We used these little secrets to make ourselves feel safe, but didn’t realize that once we’d made a friend…”
>She reaches her hoof out to you, and you take it in your own.
>”...that they can be the thing that helps when it gets bad, y’know?”
>You smile at her and then look at Anon.
>He nods and tries to smile as well.
>”Look, I won’t pretend everything can just change overnight...but that was why I was at that luncheon today. I realize now that you had no idea that I’d be there. I had the invite, and I just thought that maybe I’d see how it was. Trying to...y’know...be around ponies.”
>The thought of Anon, trying to brave that room full of strange ponies without you or somepony else there to run interference isn’t something that had occurred to you.
>It’s a powerful gesture on his part.
“So, does this mean that...um...you aren’t gonna try to get him arrested?”
>Daring laughs and shakes her head.
>”Noooo...though after all this time it seems like a waste.”
>She grins at Anon to show she’s joking.
>”Seriously though, we’re all good. Anon has decided to stop writing.”
>Windsong tenses up next to you, but Anon quickly speaks up.
>”I’m not gonna write Daring Do fanfiction anymore. Or at least…”
>Now it’s his turn to grin at her.
>”..at least I won’t be ‘selling’ it anywhere if I do. From now on, it’ll all be my own original works.”
>Daring nods at him.
>”He’ll probably be even more popular that way in any case.”
>Amplitude’s voice sounds from the corner of the room.
>”Lovely! Everypony’s bosom chums now! I can’t wait to see what you buy me for my birthday!”
>You laugh as Anon and Daring Do look at him in bewilderment.
“Heh, sorry guys. That’s Amplitude. He’s Windy and Hornshine’s friend from foalhood.”
>He trots over and pushes in to sit snugged between you and Windsong.
>”I’m ‘your’ friend too, my prismatic princess, and I’ll thank you very much if you announce me by my full title.”
>Your mouth writhes in a knowing smirk.
“And ‘what’ exactly might that be?’
>He grins at the room in general.
>”Why, Lord Kingprince Amplitude, Earl of Entertainment, Margrave of Melodious Mastery, Purveyor of Pleasant Memories for at least two fillies somewhere at some point…”
>His recitation peters off as laughter fills the room, and affects a look of injured dignity.
>”Stop that. Stop it, I say! You are all guests in my magisterial domain!”
>Hornshine stands up.
>”Alright everypony. If we’re gonna make the big concert, we’d better be heading out now.”
>The others get up immediately, but Anon shakes his head and holds up his hands.
>”I don’t think so, I never go to this stuff…”
>Daring do swats his shoulder with her hoof.
>”And that’s the problem, isn’t it? C’mon, Anonymous. We may not be ‘friends’ yet, but I think the rest of us can keep you safe from the pony rockers out there.”
>He sucks in a breath and nods.
>”Fine, but you and Dash have to be my escort. I’m a famous author, you know.”
>She snorts and leads the way out the door once Hornshine unlocks it.
>You stop in your tracks as the rest make their way up the hall to talk to him.
“Hornshine! I just remembered! You and Windy were covering for someponies right? I didn’t even think-”
>He waves at you shaking his head.
>”No worries, Rainbow. I took care of it. A couple of guys I know from the Con were hanging around when everything went to pieces, and I offered ‘em free admission next year if they spent the rest of the day covering our shifts. There’re enough experienced ponies to make sure they do it right.”
>Again, you can’t help but to be impressed by Hornshine’s efficiency and level headedness.
>”C’mon, let’s go have some fun.”
-----------------------------------------------------------
>You’re pushed into the center of your little entourage as you make your way downstairs from Amp’s room.
>Despite going at what you’re sure is a much slower pace, you find yourself downstairs before you know it.
>Something just feels right, being surrounded by a group of talking, laughing friends.
>Amp’s voice pipes up next to you.
>”Ah...it’s already started, but no worries, we’ll get in.”
>At first you have no idea what he’s talking about, but as you all approach closer to the huge back patio the whudding bass and sonic scream of steel strings starts to sound from outside.
>The ConSec ponies watching the doors to the concert give a nod and open them for your party.
>One of them gives you a jaunty wave.
>You give Hornshine a startled look.
“Was that Gumbo in a ConSec uniform?”
>Hornshine shrugs and smiles as you walk out onto the patio.
>The enormous back patio area has been transformed once again.
>Now cleared of all of its sculptures, and no longer sporting a massive obstacle course, the promenade stretches out in all its glory.
>What must be a couple thousand ponies all crammed together in the space makes waves of cheering, singing, and yelling as the stage erected way in the back blasts out heavy metal waves of furious excitement.
>The blackmetal band Broken Olympus and it’s front pony Hades thrash through a pounding chorus and solo to roaring fans as two dozen unicorns flood the whole area with flying sparks, lasers, and jittering explosions of light.
>Between Anon and Windsong, your group is able to make your way through the tunnel of black cloth erected as a sort of hallway down one side to the roped off VIP area at the very front of the concert.
>A set of speakers taller than the Apple family barn looms over you all, visibly pulsing and churning the air with its sonic apocalypse.
>You immediately grab Anon and pull him up to the edge of the ropes with Daring Do following close behind.
>Not giving him a chance to protest, you both join the yelling, singing, and dancing.
>Despite giving it a decent try, Anon seems to have little physical coordination for dancing, but still manages to look like he’s having some fun as he flails around.
>Various bottles and cups pass around between you all, lubricating Anon’s fit into the electric mayhem around you.
>The clear, cool night air rolls over you all as the band booms its way through its entire discography.
>The stars burning clear and bright over all make the whole concert feel almost otherworldly and alien.
>Somehow Amplitude and Hornshine made it onstage long enough to crowd surf, but while Amp went sliding over the screaming fans like the aquapony he is, Hornshine’s bulk only opened up a large gap in the crowd into which he plunged like a meteor to thud into the floor hard enough to feel over the music.
>Windsong found some vendor selling glowsticks of various sizes and shapes and decked herself, you and Daring Do out from nose to tail in glowing lines and rings.
>Before the drinks got too heavy, the three of you did a little coordinated flying over the crowd, twisting and turning to draw crazy designs with your glowing accessories.
>Some time before midnight, Anon begged for release and Hornshine agreed to take him back to his room.
>Amp had passed out under a table bearing several very dry punch bowls.
>It had become a girl’s night out!
>The three of you party like Celestia’s never raising the Sun again.
>Well after midnight, Amp wakes up long enough to help Windy escort you and Daring back to your room where the two of you collapse onto the bed and cease to exist for a while.
>You look at the piles of stuff heaped all over the room, too tired to reach out and hit the button to turn the lamp off as Daring snores loudly beside you.
>The music of the concert feels like it’s still running up and down your spine as exhaustion rolls over you in waves.
>A truly good night.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>You wake up feeling like every Yak in Yakyakistan believes your head is not perfect.
>It takes three tries to roll out of bed, and that only succeeds in depositing you on the floor.
>After a few eternities you manage to haul yourself into the bathroom for some aspirin and boiling hot shower.
>It’s only as you’re toweling off that you realize that Daring Do wasn’t in the room when you woke up.
>As you walk back into the room, a knock sounds at the door.
>You open it to find Daring’s smiling face looking like she didn’t just have the exact same night that you did.
>”Morning Rainbow! I’m glad I didn’t wake you, but I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”
>You let her into the room, still processing the simple fact of existing.
“Huh, you’re leaving? Why? What’s happened?”
>She sits down, and only then do you realize she’s carrying a tray on her back with two tall cups of what looks like Captain Blackwater’s Deathspresso.
>She holds out the tray for you to take one, which you do with all the gratitude in your being.
>”I went downstairs to check for messages, and something big has come up.”
>She takes a long pull of the liquid insanity and hums softly in satisfaction.
>”A very old, and very rich collector of ancient Zebrican relics has recently passed on, and his Estate was robbed of several key pieces as they were being transported to a museum in Trottingham. A contact of mine thinks that one of them might be the Lute of Ten Thousand Monsoons.”
>She gives you a very significant look, and you nod, trying to look like you understand.
“Yeah, that sounds...really...bad?”
>She sighs and smiles knowingly.
>”Yeah. Bad. Anyway, I think I might have an idea who would want such a thing, so I’m gonna go see if it really is what we think it is, and try to recover it. I’d ask you to come with, but I doubt you can just pack off for Zebrica at the moment.”
>She smiles softly, showing that she knows and it doesn’t bother her.
>”I’ll be in touch, but I have to run if I’m gonna make a flight that long in any kind of time.”
>You walk over to hug her.
“You know me and the girls have your back if you run into any real trouble, right?”
>She hugs you tight.
>”I know. I said I’d be in touch, right?”
>She adjusts her hat, and brushes some imaginary lint off her collar.
>”See you soon, Dash.”
>You walk her to the door, and watch her go, fighting your strong desire to go with her no matter what anypony says.
>But you still have stuff to do back at Ponyville, and anyway it’d be hard to do a stealth mission when you’re worried that Pinkie might pop up to scold you for not coming home from any rock on the path.
>You trot back in and get dressed.
>It may be the last day of the Con, which is supposed to be the most laid back, but that’s no reason not to keep up your style.
>Dressed and caffeinated, you head out, and up to see how Anon’s doing.
>After several knocks on his door with no answer, you’re slightly at a loss.
>Could he have left?
>You swoop down to the concierge desk and ask after any messages you might have.
>The pony behind the desk hoofs you a fine looking envelope with ‘Rainbow Dash’ scrawled across the front in what looks like Anon’s writing.
>Opening the letter, you begin to read.
[Hey, Rainbow. I hope you aren’t mad that I left, I tried to explain to you last night, but you were a little into the concert to listen. I had arrangements to leave Con this morning, and there was really no way to change plans on short notice. I can’t say in a letter how much everything you’ve done means to me. I really can’t, so after I get stuff settled from my trip back in Griffonstone, I’m gonna take you up on your offer to come visit in Ponyville. I’ll get in contact to work out the details, so expect to hear from me soon. I’ve got some ideas on what to start writing next that I wanna bounce off you and maybe your friends too. A.K. Yearling is an interesting pony, and I’m glad the two of you are friends. Who knows what might’ve happened otherwise. Anyway, I’ll send you a letter once I’m home, and we can work out the rest. I’ll see you soon. -Anonymous]
>You snort and shove the letter into your saddlebags.
>That human is going to pay for sneaking out like that.
>Ponyville is your home turf.
>He won’t stand a chance against your pranking skills.
>You glide over to the pub for some breakfast and spot your other friends having coffee in one of the booths.
>Hornshine and Amp greet you amicably as you walk up, but Windsong just sits there with her head buried in her hooves.
>”I told you, Dash, my little Windy can’t handle that kind of partying anymore.”
>You grin at Hornshine as poor Windsong just whispers “Never Again” over and over under her breath.
“D’you guys have duty today?”
>Hornshine shakes his head and jerks his hoof at the ponies standing at the security booth across the way.
>Gumbo and one of his friends stand with one of the regular ConSec ponies checking badges and peace bindings of passing patrons.
>”Those two and some of the others are really keen on joining ConSec, so me and Windy have the last day off.”
>Windsong mumbles incoherently as she drains a coffee cup.
>You fill them in on Daring Do and Anon’s departure, and tell them about his upcoming visit to Ponyville.
>Windy flops over to tug at Hornshines elbow pathetically, making him pat her hoof softly.
>”I know, Hon. Hey, Rainbow, would it be alright if we came to visit at the same time? It could be a lot of fun, and I think Windsong wants another autograph or thirty.”
>You smile broadly at them.
“Sure! And you can meet all my Ponyville friends. Oh, wow! Pinkie’s gonna throw such a HUGE party!”
>After some breakfast and a few more cups of coffee, even Windsong comes around to join the conversation at your table.
>It turns out that there’s another showing of the first trailer for the upcoming Daring Do movie, and a few other things worth checking out.
>You all decide to go make the rounds as a group and head off toward the lower floors.
>At the last second, you remember yourself and tell them to hold up as you jet back over the crowds toward the concierge desk.
>You quickly pull a sheet of parchment and a quill over and begin a hasty scribble.
[Girls! You won’t believe this, but a bunch of the ponies I’ve met over here are gonna come to visit in a few weeks at Ponyville! I know, right? I’m so AWESOME! I have sooooo much to tell you about when I get home tomorrow, but this’ll have to do for now. Daring Do showed up and we had some surprising stuff happen that I’ll have to tell you more about when I get there. She’s off chasing some Flute of a Bunch of Monsters or something now. It’s the last day of Con though, so we’re gonna take it easy and just wander around a bit. I’ll be flying home first thing in the morning, so I’ll see you all soon! Tell Twilight I have some stuff about friendship to tell her that she’s probably never even heard of! Talk to you later! -Rainbow Dash]
>You roll up the parchment, seal it, and then hoof it over to the concierge for an expedited courier.
>That done, you hurry back to join your new friends.
>This summer is only just starting to get interesting.

[The End]