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"I can't believe this...." Daring mutters, giving a strong glare onto the one stallion she hates more than all her rivals put together; Ironically, all her rivals are standing around the one pony she despises...working together in this new encounter unlike any before.

"Cannot believe what, little sister?" Charade asks in question with his mockery expressed through the tone of his voice. "You cannot believe that I have actually pulled off perhaps my greatest heist ever? How I have rounded up all your rivals and enemies to team up in capturing you and Clever together? How I have FINALLY WON?!!"

"No!" Daring Do replies, shouting back without anything held back. "That's not it."

"Then why don't you inform me...sis?"

"First off...you are no brother of MINE!" Daring Do retorts upon hearing this evil pony dare to call her something she has long let go of, "Second...I actually cannot believe you needed to call on my own enemies, other enemies, to trap both myself and Clever here. I mean...whatever happened to you being a solo villain, huh?!~"

Charade says nothing, and just stands there with a blank expression.

Catching onto what Daring might be planning, Clever Wits holds nothing back and joins in...giving off a wicked grin, "That's right, Charade. I mean...why would you need help for this one? You would always gloat on being the "Greatest Single Criminal in all of the World" and so on, and yet...yet here you are now, asking for help from others? I never imagined you being the kind of "Master Jewel Thief and Master of Disguises" to plead to Daring's other enemies for help to stop and capture us~"

"Be quiet...." Charade mutters, feeling a bit peeved by such insults.

"I mean...seriously!" A.K. Yearling takes her turn to speak and continue the insults, "First, you pull off a great scheme to reunite me with Clever...only to use my appearance to lure my ONE AND ONLY brother to a ruin like this, trap us both...including Rainbow Dash's son, and leave us to perish. However, that failed fast and we all got away while you just got all wet from the pond you fell into~"

A snarl starts out small, but begins to rise up from the grinding teeth of the enraged unicorn jewel thief. "I...said be...quiet."

"Oh! Lets not forget that time you took JUST me on, along with Gust and his marefriend, during that play at the theater some time ago...and that ended with you falling through the floor. Literally~" Clever mocks his older brother, unable to hold back a chuckle after recalling the event that brought the attention of so many to finally notice Charade for who he was, "I mean, for you to fail when it was just myself and some help from friends, I can understand why you would seek-"

"ENOUGH!!!!!" Charade roars upon hearing just about enough of the mockery. His voice carries on through the temple and even to the outside and all around the area of the forest to hear; Plus, a great ray of magic erupts from his horn upon this anger being released.

Azhuizotl, Dr. Caballeron, and many of the jungle cats and henchponies all gasp and take a few steps back upon witnessing such power and anger being displayed in a way that none of them wish to speak at this moment; While they may have their own skills and abilities that make them dangerous, to challenge a pony who has mastered many traits and other skills is a move none wish to take.

"You...." Charade mutters, panting as all the rage released has tired him out based on what his own siblings are now witnessing themselves, "You...two...know nothing of this! I could could have taken you out long ago!"

"Then...why didn't you?!" Clever asks, curious more than most.

"Like I said: You know nothing...." Charade chuckles and shakes the anger off...for the moment, "A Master Jewel Thief never reveals his plan!"

"Because you have nothing~" Daring teases, "Sheesh, my own reputation as a writer and adventurer is greater than any plans you have come up with! I mean, you call THIS your best move?"

"QUIET!!!" Charade barks onto his sister, snarling at her and his brother as well, "If you really want to know, I plan to demand a ransom for Twilight Sparkle's crown...and her own daughter and friends~"

All forms of laughter come to an end the moment the mention of kidnapping the daughter of the Tambelon Royal Family, and her best friends, comes to light.

"Awwww, whats the matter? No more mockery?~" The confident unicorn, dressed in nothing but his dark trench coat, expresses with pride, "If you are gonna steal a priceless item that is worth ALL the gold in Tambelon, best to come up with a secondary plan to ensure I get what I come for. After all, without this crown...." Charade uses his magic to levitate Princess Twilight's crown before his siblings before continuing, "...Princess Starlight will NEVER be crowned the new ruler of this nation OR ANY NATION!!!"

Daring and Clever can only shake their heads in silence, never imagining Charade would go this far to acquire wealth nopony could ever hope to accomplish...especially at this level.

"Why else do you think I brought help?" Charade just mocks his prisoners before turning to the no-longer frightened members of his team, "If you are gonna pull off a heist and plot this big, best to have some help; After all, six little teenagers and a crown are a lot of work for just one pony!"

"Yeah...." Clever mutters, "One pony...who is too weak to handle this on his own!"

"What?!"

"Oh, come on! While this plan of yours may be a shock...I expected YOU to be the one to pull it off without any assistance! You really are slipping...Charade!"

Once more, a snarl can be heard from the nostrils and teeth of the once-powerful and most wanted pony in all of the world who's reputation now seems a bit lower than it use to be based on what the only two ponies that matter in the ways of recognizing his skill can see. "You have quite a mouth, Clever. Let's see if that will get you out of this one!"

"What should we do with them, boss?" Dr. Caballeron asks, being the only other villain in the ruined temple brave enough to step up and ask that which may hopefully ease the anger of the one who hired them all for this job. "Shall we tie up their mouths, to shut them up and-"

"No!" Charade reacts, "While it is not a bad idea, I would rather they be elsewhere; I have had enough looking upon them for today! Throw them into the room nearby: The one we decided to make into a prison room for them...and the Yearling Six once we capture them next!" He reveals with a wicked chuckle.

"You got it!"

The henchponies get right on untying the bonds that hold Daring Do and Clever Wits onto the structure and haul them off to the room just ways away from Charade and the rest. Once there, the group of evil ponies throw their hostages inside and shut the brick down behind them...locking them in.

"Enjoy your new commendations, little brother and sister!" Charade laughs as he takes time to speak in between, "You two will never foil this plan! You will fail and live with the knowledge I will get away with the biggest crime ever pulled in this world! Soon...all will know...of CHARADE!!!!"

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

"Well...that worked like a charm," Daring Do admits upon helping her brother up off the ground from where both were throw upon.

"I have to admit: You really had Charade going there," Clever speaks in a whisper so nopony outside of the cell...which is a room with brink walls all around with plants and roots that have grown through, leaving little sunlight to shine on in...to hear. "He always was one to brag and speak with pride about his accomplishments every time I would encounter him in random places of the world...and here in Tambelon too. Hopefully when he shouted loud enough for it to carry through the jungle will be enough."

"I hope so too, little brother. We cannot allow Charade, Azhuizotl, Dr. Caballeron, and all their servants to get away with this," Daring reminds in a low voice in order for none outside their prisoner room to catch an ear of, "Lets not forget what is at stake here...."

"I know...." Clever answers with full awareness of the situation, "Right now, we have to do something about the numbers out there; Our backup may not be able to handle those three without all those jungle cats and henchponies to make things complicated."

"Not to mention what may happen if they escape...."

Clever can only shake his head with a firm notion to prevent such a possibility to happen, "We cannot...CANNOT...allow Charade to escape. Not this time...."

"We won't, Clever. I'll be my whole career as a writer that today is the day we stop him for good," A.K. Yearling, also known by her fans as Daring Do, states with every ouch of strength and determination within her heart and body, "We will stop him...as well as Azhuizotl and Dr. Caballeron; I have a feather to pick with them."

"I don't doubt that...but its really Charade who is the main target, sis. If he escapes-"

"He won't...!" Daring Do repeats once more, "We will see to it he goes down for all the thefts and disturbances he has caused since our younger days."

Giving a firm nod of agreement, Clever Wits then gives his big sister a smile and feels every bit of confidence rising through him the same way she is. "You're right: Charade will not escape...." His sights turn to the ground away from his sister, only to spot a small plant near one of the tree trunks growing through the room, "...and I think I know just what to do."

"What?"

"Over here...." Clever whispers and guides his sister over to where the light from outside shines within, barely, onto where a small green plant with multiple blue flowers of such small proportions all about seem to be residing, "This plant growing here may just be what can help us even the odds out there...and allow for our backup to have an easier time dealing with the henchponies while we deal with the main ones."

"What makes you say that?"

"This is called Tambelon Ivy: Only native to this island, and infamous for its effects that can paralyze anypony who eats it...or get a taste of its juices from anywhere else on the body; Such as a small needle pricking them with the sap upon it...would be enough," Clever explains, based on his knowledge that seems to be further developing a plan.

"I take it you have something it mind, Clever?" Daring asks with confidence in her little brother.

"I think I just may...." Clever replies, pointing out to the small patch of reeds growing nearby, "Grab me some of those reeds beside the small body of water over there...and I'll dig out the plant. I think I have a plan here."

"Got it."

"Just grab some pieces of that truck of the tree as well...and we just may have a way out of here," Clever Wits declares, placing all his knowledge and focus into this one plan which may be the key to escaping and evening the odds for their supposed backup mentioned...whomever it will be.


"So...what is the plan now, Charade?" Azhuizotl questions the one who continues to hold the crown of Princess Twilight Sparkle, "I assume you have one for this "kidnapping" of the Royal Family's daughter, correct?"

"Not to worry, Azhuizotl. Once the next stage of my plan begins...we-"

"That is just it: What kind of plan are you hatching?!" Azhuizotl blurts without any hesitation to interrupt, "I mean, of course your plan to steal the Royal Crown of the Princess of Friendship, along with capturing my greatest nemesis, has been a great success...but I have yet to see why going along with another plan is necessary! We have the crown, the means to ransom all the treasure of this kingdom, and get our revenge on those who have interfered with our plans countless times! I say we just demand our ransom and then leave!"

"I agree!" Dr. Caballeron shouts in agreement to his own employer...whom is employed by the Master of Disguises himself.

"Yeah!" One of the Henchponies stomps his hoof upon concuring.

"Rwar!" One of the jungle cats, the little white kitten, replies with a meow.

Hearing enough of the sudden outbursts, Charade raises his head high with his horn angled towards the ceiling while stomping his hoof right at the moment his mouth opens to raise his voice towards those he has brought here for this evil mission of his...which now he is beginning to regret, "SILENCE!!!!!" Magical energies of blue sparkle and shoot out from h is horn as a means to quiet everypony down.

All henchponies, jungle cats, and their leaders simmer down upon such a blast of magic brings them to realize no means of countering is possible due to none of them a creature with magical proportions.

After releasing such amounts of magic, Charade pants just a few before turning his gaze upon all those around him, "You fools...KNOW NOTHING!"

A few light gasps fill the entire temple room, from the lowly servants to the few leaders present upon hearing such an insult.

"Do you really think we can just claim a ransom for the crown...AND JUST LEAVE! WE ARE ON AN ISLAND IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN!!!" Charade blurts the intelligent point so many around him seem to be missing, "It took a lot to bring you here through smuggling through boats and dirigibles, and my magic alone is not enough to teleport you all off Tambelon, and you're only thinking of JUST THE BITS WE CAN GET OFF THIS CROWN?!!!"

Every villain present says nothing and just remain silent.

"Don't you see? The whole purpose of bringing you all here to this island was to band together...and take control of it!" Charade reveals his master plan, moving to explaining each step, "Sure, I alone remained here the last few months since Clever Wits foiled my plans to rob all of Tambelon of their riches...but I did so biding my time and planning what may be perhaps the greatest crime every committed: I, along with any who will follow me, to steal the crown of the Royal Family, lure the young princess and her friends into a trap, and use them as leverage to take the castle and everything else on this island! THAT...THAT is...my Master Plan!!!"

The moment everything comes to light, the majority of the villains about feel mixed thoughts on all this: Some see this as a means of claiming one of the greatest treasure and source of power in all the world, while the rest believe this is the plan of a mad-pony.

"Uhhhh...." Azhuizotl attempts to speak up.

"What...?!" Charade replies with a snarl, feeling doubt among those who do not see his grand-master plan in motion.

"Even if...IF...this plan is full-proof, what about Daring Do and her brother Clever?" The concerned nemesis, who alone controls the various jungle cats, tigers, and panthers all around him. "Won't their friends, or even the Royal Guard come looking for them? So far, all I see is a plan to ransom those two plus this crown! To capture the Royal Family and taking over the kingdom...sounds impossible! Crazy, even! Do we even have the numbers to take on the entire Royal Guard of Tambelon?!"

Giving off a sinister chuckle of great amusement, Charade grins his early-white teeth and nods his head as a response, "We do, so long as we plan our attacks well...and yes, I have no doubt a search party will come for Daring and Clever. But...nothing will prepare them for what I have planned: With Dr. Caballeron's henchponies all stationed here and outside, and your feline pets at the ready...plus my ability to sneak in and capture important members to where the rest will surrender or be lost in the fight...will be PLENTY enough to gain us a victory!"

Suddenly, the doubts in most begin to fade once everypony plus their two bosses hear something that places their fears of failing such an extreme plan away. Most begin to murmur among one another, whispering positive thoughts and admiration of this plan.

"So...if all your doubts have been depleted...shall we proceed to planning the next stage?~" Charade questions those that seem ready to follow him to victory.

"YEAHH!!!" Everypony within the temple shouts, giving their support to the Master of Disguises who may be the answer to all their hopes for a future they will be in control of.

From the beautiful sounds of everypony agreeing with him and giving their loyalties as well, Charade chuckles in such a wicked manner while holding up the crown of Twilight Sparkle...with his eyes glancing onto the gold and jewels that reside upon it, "Soon...all of Tambelon will be mine. Nopony will stop me...or any who follow!!"

"Did you hear that, brother?" Daring Do whispers, "I think I just heard our older brother's plan: He means to capture the Royal Family and take over the kingdom."

"Really?" Clever Wits asks with doubt, hoping what was heard is not the truth.

"I think so, but...can he really do it?"

With a shake of his head, waving his sandy-color mane as he does, gives his answer, "I don't know, sis. With the number of the allies he has, along with his ability to disguise himself as any pony or creature he wishes, there is a chance Charade could succeed."

"Then we have to stop him...here and now. Our backup have no idea whom he has allied with, which may give Charade the upper-hoof in this."

"Well, then it is a good thing I have finished...." Clever reveals, laying out before him...in the small amount of light available inside their closed-off cell...two long reeds with a few sharp pieces of wood chips, which appear to be soaked in something at the tip.

"What are they?"

"Blowpipes...similar to what the zebra use when protecting their home, or sneaking up on enemies," Clever reveals, "With the reeds growing from that big puddle of water over in the corner, some pieces of the tree trunk that grew through this room, and the juices of that dangerous plant, together make something that may just give us the advantage from within here," He explains the weapon, followed by the plan, "There are a few holes in the wall over there, small but big enough to fit the reeds through, we can aim them at the various henchponies right outside the cell...and fire upon any of those close enough to where upon contact, it will paralyze every muscle in their body to where they will appear frozen in place."

Amazed by such a plan using such simple pieces of nature found within this very cell, Daring Do takes hold of one of the reeds and turns her sights onto her brother...and smiles, "Clever. You never cease to amaze me with that mind of yours; Your plan may just save us and the ones coming to rescue us...which may allow for us to put an end to Charade, Azhuizotl, and Dr. Caballeron's plans forever."

"I sure hope so too," Clever admits, making his way over to the wall with the few holes, where right outside lie the dozens of servants to the three great enemies of himself and his sister, "Alright then. Let's do this, big sis." He whispers, placing the tip of his blowpipe right through one of the holes...while using the hole above to look on through in order to aim properly.

"Right behind you, Clever."

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

"We're in position, your Highness...." Solemn Vow, Captain of the Tambelon Royal Guard, informs his superior with a low volume of his voice as they hide behind the bushes and trees surrounding the ruined temple, "Just give the word and we will move in."

"You have my permission to move in, Captain. Move in and surround the temple. I do not want Charade to escape with my crown, or anything else he may have stolen! Not this time...." Princess Twilight Sparkle, the beautiful and now frustrated Ruler of all Friendship, gives the all-clear for her captain to make their move.

"Go ahead, Captain Vow. Ensure us that Charade will not escape this time...or any time ever again!" Prince Courageous Heart, the Ruler of all that is Courage, concurs with his wife and allows for the rest of their most elite guards to follow their captain's command. "Today...we end this."

Giving a firm nod of his head, Captain Solemn Vow turns his attention to his troops both near and ways out...and raises his armor front leg, only to bring it down as a means of giving the signal.

"Let's do this, Task...together," Oath Sworn, a member of the most Elite Royal Guards, and the younger sister of Solemn Vow himself, whispers onto her beloved husband...whom she stays close beside due to their nature of working together as a married couple and ones who best succeed as one.

"Right behind you, my love...." Task Duty, another proud member of the Tambelon Elite, whispers to his wife and crawls along the ground...careful with every intent not to make too much noise due to their silver-gold armor upon their bodies and head. "Together...."

"Together...."

As the troops move into position, preparing for their assault on the ruins from all around, the few stationed henchponies of Dr. Caballeron spot the guard ponies from the top of the temple and one gallops his way on down to the lower levels, the main level to be exact, to inform his boss and the rest of the company they now face.

"Dr. Caballeron! D-Dr. Caballeron!!!" The near-exhausted henchpony calls out to his employer, while attempting to gasp for air at the same time.

"What is it?" The wicked stallion, with a mane that shines and a golden skull cutie mark that shines even more so, turns to the one servant of his who has come from the stairs that lead up to the top of the temple. "Well, spit it out already!"

"We...We...have company! The...Royal G-Guards...are here!!!"

Gasps fill the temple room all around, save for the one confident stallion in the middle wearing the dark trench coat. "Excellent. Looks like our plans move to now rather than later," Charade chuckles with an eye full of desire for the ultimate power this island and its kingdom, plus the Royal Family, have to offer, "How many were there?"

"It looked like...a...a small band. Plus...I could have sworn I saw the Princess and the Prince as well."

"Even better!!"

"Do you really think we can take them...now?!" Azhuizotl questions, feeling unprepared for such an encounter, "Do not think I am acting like a coward and attempting to run, but will our numbers triumph over theirs...when they are better trained?"

Charade only turns back to look upon the tall creature, and shines a wicked grin, "Indeed we do. If only a hoofful of troops plus their leaders, we will have the upper-hoof here!"

"Let's do it then!" Dr. Caballeron declares, turning back to the group of henchponies, which number around thirty or more...give or take...standing and sitting near the cell where Daring Do and Clever Wits are being held, "All of you! Get a move on! We have a kingdom to capture!"

The henchponies...do nothing.

"Did you not hear me?!"

No answer nor movement is given.

"What the hay are you all doing?!!" Dr. Caballeron blurts out in question, shocked to see his own loyal henchponies just standing still as if they were statues.

"Allow me~" Azhuizotl steps in, "My jungle cats will serve better than your ponies anyway~" Turning his attention to the panthers, tigers, lions, and one white kitten standing nearby where the supposed "Fear-Frozen" henchponies remain unmoved, "Get those Royal Guards and capture the Princess and the Prince!!"

The jungle cats do not move; The only movement given is but the blink of their eyes.

"What?! What is this?!! Why are you not moving?!!!"

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!!" Charade demands to know why none of the army of those he has brought to this island are moving. Making his way on over with Dr. Caballeron, the enraged Master jewel thief taps the side of one of the henchponies...only to watch in shock as said frozen pony falls over without so much as a movement given; The effect shown gives the impression they are-

"Frozen?! They really are frozen?! How is this possible?!!" Dr. Caballeron demands to know what has happened to his henchponies and those of his boss Azhuizotl. "How did this happen?!!"

"WE...are what's happened!!" Daring Do shouts loud enough through the hole in the wall, giving the answer to one of her greatest enemies before inhaling a large collection of air...and blowing into her blowpipe, shooting a sharp, wooden spike...coated with the paralyzing juices from the plant gathered nearby...right into the neck of the evil doctor.

"Ahh! What th-" Dr. Caballeron gasps to the sharp pinch of the tip that has pricked his coat and skin underneath...only to feel light in the head and unable to move, "Wha...is...hap...ening...." He mutters, only to feel his lips freezing up fast long with the rest of his body. Within seconds of feeling the tip of the dart hit him hard, Dr. Caballeron feels frozen in place, unable to move and unable to speak another word; The only thing left to move is his eyes, which he blinks and glances all around, shocked how his defeat came at the hooves of his own nemesis...without her so much as laying a hoof on him.

"NO!!!" Charade roars in anger, seeing how his army plus the evil doctor defeated by no doubt another brilliant plan concocted by his own brother and sister...but mainly his brother, "Clever...." He mutters, realizing his numbers have been reduced to less than fifteen now, which is nowhere close to the right amount to take on the guards above.

Just then, the whole temple begins to shake...as everypony glances up in shock as the ceiling rises up from the temple structures and walls itself; A great aura of magic surrounds it all as the appearance of several unicorn guards...plus Princess Twilight herself...remove the roof and most of the outside part of the temple, opening up the way in to where the sight of Charade, Azhuizotl, and many henchponies and jungle cats...both frozen and not...stand with jaws dropped low.

Charade can only pant and feel panic as his entire plan to conqueror Tambelon has be foiled: Without an army of his own and something he did not see coming through such power even he cannot match with all their combined magic, defeat feels close.

"Charade!!!" Princess Twilight shouts after she and her special-trained unicorn guard elite cast a spell to freeze the removed roof above them for as long as needed, calling out to Tambelon's Most Wanted, "For the crimes of stealing MY crown...."

"...attempting a coup on the Royal Family of Tambelon...." Prince Courageous adds in before allowing the next pony to speak for him.

"...planning to capture me and my friends...." Princess Starlight steps forward with her five best friends all present: Delicacy, Candy Apple, Gust, Tyke, and Shani all stand by the teenage alicorn's side...three on one side and two on the other.

"...and holding us hostage in hopes to use us and the crown for ransom...." Daring Do shouts, carrying her brother out of the cell now that the roof is gone which allowed for her to fly with ease on up and free of the small prison that held them both.

"...YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!!!" Captain Solemn Vow finishes, shouting at the top of his lungs so that the message is good and clear.

"Its over...brother!" Clever Wits adds in one last set of words, which are pretty much as true as the inevitable defeat of Charade and the rest has come to be.

Realizing what has come to be, and without the means to fight back with victory possible, the now-enraged unicorn thief raises his head to the skies and shouts with all the anger built up into this one final reply, "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

"ATTACK!!!!" Captain Solemn Vow orders to all the Elite Guards of Tambelon, pointing his hoof on down towards all those who are a target...from the henchponies to the main one: Charade.

"This cannot be happening!!!" Azhuizotl refuses to accept that which is now coming for him, "This is all your fault!!" He calls out to Charade, blaming him for the trap that was suppose to be in their favor but are now in theirs.

"Oh yeah, it is happening!!" Daring Do shouts, using the great power in her wings to dash on towards her secondary target before her main...with her back, right leg first in the form of a kick.

"Totally Happening!!!" Rainbow Dash, swooping on in from the opposite direction, concurs as she joins in with her idol and friend.

"Without a doubt!!" Gust, the proud son of Rainbow Dash and Soarin, shouts as he flies on down and towards Azhuizotl from the middle.

"Uh oh...." Azhuizotl mutters as the sight of three fast pegasai ponies dash on towards him...only to punch and/or kick him right in the head from three different directions. The blow to his head is hard enough to put him into a daze, causing him to spin around and fall to the ground, "Curse....you."

"YEAH!! TOTALLY 20% AWESOME!!!!" Daring Do, Rainbow Dash, and Gust all shout with glee together...giving one big high-hoof as a means to celebrate their victory over one annoying bad-guy.

"I won't go down like this! NOT LIKE THIS!!!" Charade declares to his brother, whom he faces before him.

"You are going down, Charade! Today and no other!!" Clever Wits snaps back, noticing the henchponies and jungle cats all around falling and being subdued by the royal guards...leaving only one left: The evil pony and sibling before him. "Give up now!"

"NEVER!!!!" Charade shouts for all to hear, "I will not fall like the rest of these fools! You will not have me!!!" Casting a spell by summoning his magic, Charade seems to prepare his means to escape...with the crown of Twilight Sparkle still in his possession.

"NO!!!" Clever Wits shouts, galloping forward in hopes of stopping yet another escape of his brother.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Charade laughs in such a sinister way, and teleports himself out of the temple and away from the area. Only his laugh can be heard from the distance.

"He got away...again!!" Daring Do grunts in frustration at the failure of this whole mission.

"No!" Clever announces, "He could not have gone far: His magic cannot take him a great distance!!"

"Right!" Solemn Vow concurs and turns to those of his guards who do not have their hooves full of apprehended villains, "You! Spread out and find Charade! We cannot allow him to escape!!!"

Obeying orders right away, The Tambelon Elite scour the area of the Master of Disguises: The Yearling Six are ordered to remain with Task and Oath while Daring and Clever make their ways towards where the faded laughter of their hated brother was last heard...with Princess Twilight and Prince Courageous following close behind. The search for their main target continues...with the hopes of bringing it all to an end before Twilight Sparkle's crown...which she has worn since her younger days...is lost forever.

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

"Where did he go?!!" Clever mutters in frustration while he, his sister, and the two Royal Alicorns of Tambelon search the area with the latters' Royal Carriage just up the hill close by, "We cannot allow him to escape! We cannot!"

"Calm down, Clever...." Prince Courageous Heart orders onto the over-determined stallion next to him, "We will find Charade. He could not have gone far and neither shall we allow him to escape. Just remain calm and we will find him."

"I'm sorry, your Highness," Clever apologizes, "I've been chasing him for years, and today felt like the sure moment he would be caught at long last; Even with his army subdued before you all got there, he was prepared to flee nonetheless."

"I agree. Charade was always one to just steal and run...hardly one to just face us head-on," Daring Do reveals that which few know...save for herself and her little brother, "He has always escaped every attempt at capture, so I feel the same as Clever here."

Twilight Sparkle, a huge fan of Daring Do and her stories, flutters her way on over to the pegasus flying just above the two stallions in order to speak her mind, "We will find him, Daring. We promised we would after what he pulled during that play some months ago, so do not worry one bit...okay?"

"Yeah, I have no doubts from one of my favorite fans and princess what this will end today."

Once the lovely lavender alicorn returns the response with a smile, her attention turns back to the carriage above on the hill where two guards seem to be watching over, "YOU TWO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CHARADE!!"

"YES, YOUR MAJESTY!!" The two guards reply, shouting loud enough so the Princess and the Prince may hear. Once they witness the group of four below returning to their searching around in that very area...which happens to be near a cliff with the ocean out in the distance below and beyond...the two guards return to their watch of the carriage and the area around them.

"Do you think shouting would have given Charade's position away?" The unicorn guard asks onto the pegasai mare in the same silver-gold armor he is dawned in.

"Not sure...but I sure hope not," The mare guard replies, "Keep your eyes open, already! We cannot fail our Princess in finding this criminal."

"I get it...but I doubt he has gone far."

"What makes you say that...?"

Just like that, the unicorn stallion sneaks up to his partner...and casts a spell onto her head.

"What th-" The mare gasps upon feeling a strange magic being cast onto her. She turns around to notice her own partner being the one casting it, but before she can react...she falls asleep and down onto the dirt ground.

"Sweet dreams, beautiful~" The unicorn wishes with a chuckle, now turning his magic onto himself...removing the aura around himself which reveals himself to be not a guard, but Charade himself. "Too easy...." He whispers, turning his sights to the carriage and the path downward to where the four ponies reside, "...and now for an even easier victory~" Climbing onto the drivers seat of the carriage in front, Charade summons his magic yet again...moving the royal transport's wheels to move on forward and allowing the slope of the hill to do the rest, "This...ends now."

"Maybe we should keep looking that way?" Courageous Heart suggests, pointing his hoof to the east...which is further away from the temple from where they came.

"Maybe you are right, sweetie...." Twilight concurs with her husband, seeing very little other direction to go: South leads right off the cliff into the ocean while west is just back towards the temple, while north may be the other other way to go, "Perhaps we should head north and check?"

Daring Do lands before the royal couple and gives her suggestion, "Anywhere is good for me...but maybe we should try north and-"

"OH NO...!!" Clever Wits suddenly exclaims upon turning his sights towards the top of the hill...and the carriage that is now rolling on down towards them, "LOOK!!"

Twilight, Daring, and Courageous all turn towards where the sounds of what seems to be something rolling very fast down the hill, and see that it is true: The Royal Carriage rolls at high speed down the hill directly towards them all...with Charade "driving" it all the way.

"Charade!!" Daring gasps the name of the one who seems to be attempting to run them over.

"ONE ORDER OF PONY PANCAKES...COMING UP!!!" Charade shouts and laughs while the moment of victory feels so close; Only seconds away from the front of the carriage running over the Royal Family and his own siblings, bringing an end to all his enemies with yet another chance at claiming this kingdom.

With no time to leap out of the way, due to the sudden sight of the approaching carriage with little time to react, Twilight Sparkle is the first to perform the only escape plan to avoid the impact of the carriage...and summons a teleporting spell all around her, allowing for Daring Do, Clever Wits, and her husband Courageous Heart to be transported over a few yards over...dodging the carriage just with one second to spare; A close call countered by a clever cast.

"No! NO!!!" Charade shouts in frustration upon his targets disappearing right before him, ending all hope of his plans to succeed. What is worst is the cliff that is right before him...and with no time to stop the carriage, Charade is helpless as both he and the Royal Carriage roll right off the cliff, and both begin to fall down onto the water below. The only thing left to shout is the name of the one pony who has once again defeated him; His own sister and the Royal Family and all their friends and allies are included, but only one name is released in an outburst so loud the whole area of the island around them could hear:

  "CLEVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!"

  Despite what seems like a failed mission to claim riches and power, Charade awaits for the indefinite impact of the water below...knowing full will the survival rate is high in his favor; Falling from high heights into water is mere horseplay compared to what capabilities are within this Master of Disguises and Thievery. However, such a means of escape below comes to a halt...when Charade finds himself halted himself by a strange glowing bubble of magic all around him.

Somepony has saved him from falling...to his escape.

"What?! What is this?!!!" Charade exclaims in shock upon feeling himself being levitated back up instead of falling downward. Struggling all around him in a sphere without any form of gravity within, Charade rotates himself around and spots four ponies upon with edge of the cliff: Clever Wits, Daring Do, Prince Courageous Heart, and Princess Twilight Sparkle...who seems to be the one responsible for the magical bubble that has thwarted Charade's escape. "NO!!!"

"Oh yes!!" Twilight expresses, using all focus in her magic to ensure the Master of Disguises does not escape this time, "After what Clever and Daring told me about when you captured them in another temple years back, I was not gonna take any chances with you escaping into the impossible! Also, don't even think about casting magic inside the bubble; Its magic-proof within~"

Testing such a claim out, Charade attempts to cast a spell...only to find out it is true: Nothing works upon trying with all might to cast a spell within the bubble. Charade...is truly trapped and defeated. "Nooo...."

"Once more...YES!!" Daring Do taunts her older brother, flying on up to the bubble and making a face at him, with her tongue sticking out. "Ha-Ha! No escaping for you!~"

"Grrrr....."

"Hehehehehe, feel better, A.K.?" Clever asks onto his sister who seems to be performing such foalish acts that he himself has been desiring to do since they were very young, " May I join?~"

"Sure!" Daring swoops on down, grabs hold of her brother's body, and carries him on up to the bubble...where they proceed to make random funny faces at the helpless stallion, who deserves this and so much more after years of trouble-making all over the world.

"Knock it off!!!" Charade demands, finding such a mockery of his defeat already embarrassing enough.

"Nope! We have plenty more to go!~" Clever and Daring reply, giggling a little, and continuing their taunting.

"Should we stop them, honey?" Courageous asks onto his wife when the sight of such silliness seems a bit much.

"No. Let them have their moment. Both Daring and Clever have awaited for this moment for a long time, so let them enjoy it~" Twilight Sparkle informs her husband, unable to hold back her giggling of the funny faces being made at Charade. She does retain her hold on the magical sphere with the strongest focus she can summon, ensuring this finally-caught criminal does not escape.

****************************************************************
LATER....

"Okay, everypony inside...NOW!!" Captain Solemn Vow orders the captured criminals...made up of Azhuizotl, Dr. Caballeron, and all their jungle cats and henchponies...into the various prison carriages upon the road not too far from where the ruined temple's location. "We have a long ride to the Tambelon Prisons...and we plan to ensure we get you there before you are all transported to a BIGGER one far away! None of you will ever set hoof or paw on this kingdom again! THAT I promise you!!"

Such strong words spoken in such a fearless tone forces all criminals to enter without hesitation; Their chains around their bodies prevent any form of attack or escape, especially with magic.

"Now...for you!" Oath Sworn pokes the side of Charade as they load him into the last carriage.

"Get in there!" Task Duty orders onto the criminal.

"Know this!!" Charade barks, turning himself around to glare upon his two siblings over yonder as well as the Royal Family and all their friends, "No prison will hold me...for long! I will get out, steal again, and keep on doing so until the world is mine!!"

"Good luck with that, Charade!" Clever Wits scoffs and replies without a hint of worry, "If you do manage to escape, I will be ready for you!"

"Same here!" Daring Do adds in her support as well.

All other ponies, young and older, all pitch in...showing no fear to this master criminal and the chance of him escaping.

Giving one last snarl before being pushed in, Charade shakes his head and sits himself down inside...preparing for the ride to the prison that awaits him. All the other criminals within their carriages sigh and cannot believe they followed this pony, despite how great his promises were...when it only ending with prison, for life.

"Thank you for all your help, Your Highness," Clever Wits expresses his gratitude towards everypony before him who participated in this operation to apprehend Charade and all those who were working with him, "If it were not for you, there would be no telling how far Charade would have gone and succeeded in his plans."

"I'm just glad YOU were around yourself, Clever; Making that blowpipe out of whatever was in the prison cell. That was some smart thinking there!" Daring Do praises the work and intelligence of her younger brother, "Paralyzing all those henchponies and cats did the trick...."

"....and what made our job to apprehend our targets much easier!" Courageous adds in, "But, I am sorry we did not get here sooner."

"No harm meant, Your Majesty. You came just in time and the whole mission was a success."

"Indeed it was!" Rainbow Dash concurs, "The way those guards removed the roof off the temple made all those fools inside drop their jaws...and then Gust and I swooped on in and gave ole Azhuizotl a what-for...plus the look on Charade's face when you trapped him in that bubble!"

"Yeah, that was pretty funny! I have to admit, this was perhaps the best adventure...involving Daring Do and Clever Wits...ever!" Twilight Sparkle admits with a smile upon her lips.

"It sure was, Mom~" Starlight admits as well, "I just wish I could have done more myself."

"Maybe next time, sweetie."

"Yeah! I agree!" Gust, hovering in the air above everypony...save for his mother who is up there with him, "THAT...WAS...."

"...SO..." Rainbow Dash joins in with her teenage son, as they both finish together.

"...AWESOME!!!!!!!!!" The two Wonderbolts and fans of Daring Do exclaim together out loud, chuckling all at once.

Everypony shares a delightful laugh to express this glorious moment when another adventure has come to a successful end with the bad guys defeated and friendship triumphing once more. The Yearling Six all share a laugh and hugs all around, hoping they will have another one like this...but only greater...soon.

"So...shall we all head on to the palace to celebrate?" Courageous asks the question he probably knows how everypony will answer.

"YEAH!!!" Everypony replies without a second though.

"Then lets go!!"

Daring Do and Clever Wits walk side-by-side, exchanging a warm smile between themselves...showing a moment of relief and happiness to a great victory that has come their way at long last; Not to mention the adventurous pegasus pony having a story in mind to write for her next book. Starlight and Type walk alongside one another as a couple, although not officially yet, while Gust blushes to his marefriend Candy snuggling by his side as they walk beside one another as well. Delicacy and Shani walk along side one another as friends, giggling as they go, while the Prince and Princess do the same...but as the happy, married couple they are.

All together, the great heroes of Tambelon make their way home...with Rainbow Dash flying on ahead since the idea of riding in a carriage is too slow for her.

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"I can't believe this...." Daring mutters, giving a strong glare onto the one stallion she hates more than all her rivals put together; Ironically, all her rivals are standing around the one pony she despises...working together in this new encounter unlike any before.

"Cannot believe what, little sister?" Charade asks in question with his mockery expressed through the tone of his voice. "You cannot believe that I have actually pulled off perhaps my greatest heist ever? How I have rounded up all your rivals and enemies to team up in capturing you and Clever together? How I have FINALLY WON?!!"

"No!" Daring Do replies, shouting back without anything held back. "That's not it."

"Then why don't you inform me...sis?"

"First off...you are no brother of MINE!" Daring Do retorts upon hearing this evil pony dare to call her something she has long let go of, "Second...I actually cannot believe you needed to call on my own enemies, other enemies, to trap both myself and Clever here. I mean...whatever happened to you being a solo villain, huh?!~"

Charade says nothing, and just stands there with a blank expression.

Catching onto what Daring might be planning, Clever Wits holds nothing back and joins in...giving off a wicked grin, "That's right, Charade. I mean...why would you need help for this one? You would always gloat on being the "Greatest Single Criminal in all of the World" and so on, and yet...yet here you are now, asking for help from others? I never imagined you being the kind of "Master Jewel Thief and Master of Disguises" to plead to Daring's other enemies for help to stop and capture us~"

"Be quiet...." Charade mutters, feeling a bit peeved by such insults.

"I mean...seriously!" A.K. Yearling takes her turn to speak and continue the insults, "First, you pull off a great scheme to reunite me with Clever...only to use my appearance to lure my ONE AND ONLY brother to a ruin like this, trap us both...including Rainbow Dash's son, and leave us to perish. However, that failed fast and we all got away while you just got all wet from the pond you fell into~"

A snarl starts out small, but begins to rise up from the grinding teeth of the enraged unicorn jewel thief. "I...said be...quiet."

"Oh! Lets not forget that time you took JUST me on, along with Gust and his marefriend, during that play at the theater some time ago...and that ended with you falling through the floor. Literally~" Clever mocks his older brother, unable to hold back a chuckle after recalling the event that brought the attention of so many to finally notice Charade for who he was, "I mean, for you to fail when it was just myself and some help from friends, I can understand why you would seek-"

"ENOUGH!!!!!" Charade roars upon hearing just about enough of the mockery. His voice carries on through the temple and even to the outside and all around the area of the forest to hear; Plus, a great ray of magic erupts from his horn upon this anger being released.

Azhuizotl, Dr. Caballeron, and many of the jungle cats and henchponies all gasp and take a few steps back upon witnessing such power and anger being displayed in a way that none of them wish to speak at this moment; While they may have their own skills and abilities that make them dangerous, to challenge a pony who has mastered many traits and other skills is a move none wish to take.

"You...." Charade mutters, panting as all the rage released has tired him out based on what his own siblings are now witnessing themselves, "You...two...know nothing of this! I could could have taken you out long ago!"

"Then...why didn't you?!" Clever asks, curious more than most.

"Like I said: You know nothing...." Charade chuckles and shakes the anger off...for the moment, "A Master Jewel Thief never reveals his plan!"

"Because you have nothing~" Daring teases, "Sheesh, my own reputation as a writer and adventurer is greater than any plans you have come up with! I mean, you call THIS your best move?"

"QUIET!!!" Charade barks onto his sister, snarling at her and his brother as well, "If you really want to know, I plan to demand a ransom for Twilight Sparkle's crown...and her own daughter and friends~"

All forms of laughter come to an end the moment the mention of kidnapping the daughter of the Tambelon Royal Family, and her best friends, comes to light.

"Awwww, whats the matter? No more mockery?~" The confident unicorn, dressed in nothing but his dark trench coat, expresses with pride, "If you are gonna steal a priceless item that is worth ALL the gold in Tambelon, best to come up with a secondary plan to ensure I get what I come for. After all, without this crown...." Charade uses his magic to levitate Princess Twilight's crown before his siblings before continuing, "...Princess Starlight will NEVER be crowned the new ruler of this nation OR ANY NATION!!!"

Daring and Clever can only shake their heads in silence, never imagining Charade would go this far to acquire wealth nopony could ever hope to accomplish...especially at this level.

"Why else do you think I brought help?" Charade just mocks his prisoners before turning to the no-longer frightened members of his team, "If you are gonna pull off a heist and plot this big, best to have some help; After all, six little teenagers and a crown are a lot of work for just one pony!"

"Yeah...." Clever mutters, "One pony...who is too weak to handle this on his own!"

"What?!"

"Oh, come on! While this plan of yours may be a shock...I expected YOU to be the one to pull it off without any assistance! You really are slipping...Charade!"

Once more, a snarl can be heard from the nostrils and teeth of the once-powerful and most wanted pony in all of the world who's reputation now seems a bit lower than it use to be based on what the only two ponies that matter in the ways of recognizing his skill can see. "You have quite a mouth, Clever. Let's see if that will get you out of this one!"

"What should we do with them, boss?" Dr. Caballeron asks, being the only other villain in the ruined temple brave enough to step up and ask that which may hopefully ease the anger of the one who hired them all for this job. "Shall we tie up their mouths, to shut them up and-"

"No!" Charade reacts, "While it is not a bad idea, I would rather they be elsewhere; I have had enough looking upon them for today! Throw them into the room nearby: The one we decided to make into a prison room for them...and the Yearling Six once we capture them next!" He reveals with a wicked chuckle.

"You got it!"

The henchponies get right on untying the bonds that hold Daring Do and Clever Wits onto the structure and haul them off to the room just ways away from Charade and the rest. Once there, the group of evil ponies throw their hostages inside and shut the brick down behind them...locking them in.

"Enjoy your new commendations, little brother and sister!" Charade laughs as he takes time to speak in between, "You two will never foil this plan! You will fail and live with the knowledge I will get away with the biggest crime ever pulled in this world! Soon...all will know...of CHARADE!!!!"

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

"Well...that worked like a charm," Daring Do admits upon helping her brother up off the ground from where both were throw upon.

"I have to admit: You really had Charade going there," Clever speaks in a whisper so nopony outside of the cell...which is a room with brink walls all around with plants and roots that have grown through, leaving little sunlight to shine on in...to hear. "He always was one to brag and speak with pride about his accomplishments every time I would encounter him in random places of the world...and here in Tambelon too. Hopefully when he shouted loud enough for it to carry through the jungle will be enough."

"I hope so too, little brother. We cannot allow Charade, Azhuizotl, Dr. Caballeron, and all their servants to get away with this," Daring reminds in a low voice in order for none outside their prisoner room to catch an ear of, "Lets not forget what is at stake here...."

"I know...." Clever answers with full awareness of the situation, "Right now, we have to do something about the numbers out there; Our backup may not be able to handle those three without all those jungle cats and henchponies to make things complicated."

"Not to mention what may happen if they escape...."

Clever can only shake his head with a firm notion to prevent such a possibility to happen, "We cannot...CANNOT...allow Charade to escape. Not this time...."

"We won't, Clever. I'll be my whole career as a writer that today is the day we stop him for good," A.K. Yearling, also known by her fans as Daring Do, states with every ouch of strength and determination within her heart and body, "We will stop him...as well as Azhuizotl and Dr. Caballeron; I have a feather to pick with them."

"I don't doubt that...but its really Charade who is the main target, sis. If he escapes-"

"He won't...!" Daring Do repeats once more, "We will see to it he goes down for all the thefts and disturbances he has caused since our younger days."

Giving a firm nod of agreement, Clever Wits then gives his big sister a smile and feels every bit of confidence rising through him the same way she is. "You're right: Charade will not escape...." His sights turn to the ground away from his sister, only to spot a small plant near one of the tree trunks growing through the room, "...and I think I know just what to do."

"What?"

"Over here...." Clever whispers and guides his sister over to where the light from outside shines within, barely, onto where a small green plant with multiple blue flowers of such small proportions all about seem to be residing, "This plant growing here may just be what can help us even the odds out there...and allow for our backup to have an easier time dealing with the henchponies while we deal with the main ones."

"What makes you say that?"

"This is called Tambelon Ivy: Only native to this island, and infamous for its effects that can paralyze anypony who eats it...or get a taste of its juices from anywhere else on the body; Such as a small needle pricking them with the sap upon it...would be enough," Clever explains, based on his knowledge that seems to be further developing a plan.

"I take it you have something it mind, Clever?" Daring asks with confidence in her little brother.

"I think I just may...." Clever replies, pointing out to the small patch of reeds growing nearby, "Grab me some of those reeds beside the small body of water over there...and I'll dig out the plant. I think I have a plan here."

"Got it."

"Just grab some pieces of that truck of the tree as well...and we just may have a way out of here," Clever Wits declares, placing all his knowledge and focus into this one plan which may be the key to escaping and evening the odds for their supposed backup mentioned...whomever it will be.


"So...what is the plan now, Charade?" Azhuizotl questions the one who continues to hold the crown of Princess Twilight Sparkle, "I assume you have one for this "kidnapping" of the Royal Family's daughter, correct?"

"Not to worry, Azhuizotl. Once the next stage of my plan begins...we-"

"That is just it: What kind of plan are you hatching?!" Azhuizotl blurts without any hesitation to interrupt, "I mean, of course your plan to steal the Royal Crown of the Princess of Friendship, along with capturing my greatest nemesis, has been a great success...but I have yet to see why going along with another plan is necessary! We have the crown, the means to ransom all the treasure of this kingdom, and get our revenge on those who have interfered with our plans countless times! I say we just demand our ransom and then leave!"

"I agree!" Dr. Caballeron shouts in agreement to his own employer...whom is employed by the Master of Disguises himself.

"Yeah!" One of the Henchponies stomps his hoof upon concuring.

"Rwar!" One of the jungle cats, the little white kitten, replies with a meow.

Hearing enough of the sudden outbursts, Charade raises his head high with his horn angled towards the ceiling while stomping his hoof right at the moment his mouth opens to raise his voice towards those he has brought here for this evil mission of his...which now he is beginning to regret, "SILENCE!!!!!" Magical energies of blue sparkle and shoot out from h is horn as a means to quiet everypony down.

All henchponies, jungle cats, and their leaders simmer down upon such a blast of magic brings them to realize no means of countering is possible due to none of them a creature with magical proportions.

After releasing such amounts of magic, Charade pants just a few before turning his gaze upon all those around him, "You fools...KNOW NOTHING!"

A few light gasps fill the entire temple room, from the lowly servants to the few leaders present upon hearing such an insult.

"Do you really think we can just claim a ransom for the crown...AND JUST LEAVE! WE ARE ON AN ISLAND IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN!!!" Charade blurts the intelligent point so many around him seem to be missing, "It took a lot to bring you here through smuggling through boats and dirigibles, and my magic alone is not enough to teleport you all off Tambelon, and you're only thinking of JUST THE BITS WE CAN GET OFF THIS CROWN?!!!"

Every villain present says nothing and just remain silent.

"Don't you see? The whole purpose of bringing you all here to this island was to band together...and take control of it!" Charade reveals his master plan, moving to explaining each step, "Sure, I alone remained here the last few months since Clever Wits foiled my plans to rob all of Tambelon of their riches...but I did so biding my time and planning what may be perhaps the greatest crime every committed: I, along with any who will follow me, to steal the crown of the Royal Family, lure the young princess and her friends into a trap, and use them as leverage to take the castle and everything else on this island! THAT...THAT is...my Master Plan!!!"

The moment everything comes to light, the majority of the villains about feel mixed thoughts on all this: Some see this as a means of claiming one of the greatest treasure and source of power in all the world, while the rest believe this is the plan of a mad-pony.

"Uhhhh...." Azhuizotl attempts to speak up.

"What...?!" Charade replies with a snarl, feeling doubt among those who do not see his grand-master plan in motion.

"Even if...IF...this plan is full-proof, what about Daring Do and her brother Clever?" The concerned nemesis, who alone controls the various jungle cats, tigers, and panthers all around him. "Won't their friends, or even the Royal Guard come looking for them? So far, all I see is a plan to ransom those two plus this crown! To capture the Royal Family and taking over the kingdom...sounds impossible! Crazy, even! Do we even have the numbers to take on the entire Royal Guard of Tambelon?!"

Giving off a sinister chuckle of great amusement, Charade grins his early-white teeth and nods his head as a response, "We do, so long as we plan our attacks well...and yes, I have no doubt a search party will come for Daring and Clever. But...nothing will prepare them for what I have planned: With Dr. Caballeron's henchponies all stationed here and outside, and your feline pets at the ready...plus my ability to sneak in and capture important members to where the rest will surrender or be lost in the fight...will be PLENTY enough to gain us a victory!"

Suddenly, the doubts in most begin to fade once everypony plus their two bosses hear something that places their fears of failing such an extreme plan away. Most begin to murmur among one another, whispering positive thoughts and admiration of this plan.

"So...if all your doubts have been depleted...shall we proceed to planning the next stage?~" Charade questions those that seem ready to follow him to victory.

"YEAHH!!!" Everypony within the temple shouts, giving their support to the Master of Disguises who may be the answer to all their hopes for a future they will be in control of.

From the beautiful sounds of everypony agreeing with him and giving their loyalties as well, Charade chuckles in such a wicked manner while holding up the crown of Twilight Sparkle...with his eyes glancing onto the gold and jewels that reside upon it, "Soon...all of Tambelon will be mine. Nopony will stop me...or any who follow!!"

"Did you hear that, brother?" Daring Do whispers, "I think I just heard our older brother's plan: He means to capture the Royal Family and take over the kingdom."

"Really?" Clever Wits asks with doubt, hoping what was heard is not the truth.

"I think so, but...can he really do it?"

With a shake of his head, waving his sandy-color mane as he does, gives his answer, "I don't know, sis. With the number of the allies he has, along with his ability to disguise himself as any pony or creature he wishes, there is a chance Charade could succeed."

"Then we have to stop him...here and now. Our backup have no idea whom he has allied with, which may give Charade the upper-hoof in this."

"Well, then it is a good thing I have finished...." Clever reveals, laying out before him...in the small amount of light available inside their closed-off cell...two long reeds with a few sharp pieces of wood chips, which appear to be soaked in something at the tip.

"What are they?"

"Blowpipes...similar to what the zebra use when protecting their home, or sneaking up on enemies," Clever reveals, "With the reeds growing from that big puddle of water over in the corner, some pieces of the tree trunk that grew through this room, and the juices of that dangerous plant, together make something that may just give us the advantage from within here," He explains the weapon, followed by the plan, "There are a few holes in the wall over there, small but big enough to fit the reeds through, we can aim them at the various henchponies right outside the cell...and fire upon any of those close enough to where upon contact, it will paralyze every muscle in their body to where they will appear frozen in place."

Amazed by such a plan using such simple pieces of nature found within this very cell, Daring Do takes hold of one of the reeds and turns her sights onto her brother...and smiles, "Clever. You never cease to amaze me with that mind of yours; Your plan may just save us and the ones coming to rescue us...which may allow for us to put an end to Charade, Azhuizotl, and Dr. Caballeron's plans forever."

"I sure hope so too," Clever admits, making his way over to the wall with the few holes, where right outside lie the dozens of servants to the three great enemies of himself and his sister, "Alright then. Let's do this, big sis." He whispers, placing the tip of his blowpipe right through one of the holes...while using the hole above to look on through in order to aim properly.

"Right behind you, Clever."

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

"We're in position, your Highness...." Solemn Vow, Captain of the Tambelon Royal Guard, informs his superior with a low volume of his voice as they hide behind the bushes and trees surrounding the ruined temple, "Just give the word and we will move in."

"You have my permission to move in, Captain. Move in and surround the temple. I do not want Charade to escape with my crown, or anything else he may have stolen! Not this time...." Princess Twilight Sparkle, the beautiful and now frustrated Ruler of all Friendship, gives the all-clear for her captain to make their move.

"Go ahead, Captain Vow. Ensure us that Charade will not escape this time...or any time ever again!" Prince Courageous Heart, the Ruler of all that is Courage, concurs with his wife and allows for the rest of their most elite guards to follow their captain's command. "Today...we end this."

Giving a firm nod of his head, Captain Solemn Vow turns his attention to his troops both near and ways out...and raises his armor front leg, only to bring it down as a means of giving the signal.

"Let's do this, Task...together," Oath Sworn, a member of the most Elite Royal Guards, and the younger sister of Solemn Vow himself, whispers onto her beloved husband...whom she stays close beside due to their nature of working together as a married couple and ones who best succeed as one.

"Right behind you, my love...." Task Duty, another proud member of the Tambelon Elite, whispers to his wife and crawls along the ground...careful with every intent not to make too much noise due to their silver-gold armor upon their bodies and head. "Together...."

"Together...."

As the troops move into position, preparing for their assault on the ruins from all around, the few stationed henchponies of Dr. Caballeron spot the guard ponies from the top of the temple and one gallops his way on down to the lower levels, the main level to be exact, to inform his boss and the rest of the company they now face.

"Dr. Caballeron! D-Dr. Caballeron!!!" The near-exhausted henchpony calls out to his employer, while attempting to gasp for air at the same time.

"What is it?" The wicked stallion, with a mane that shines and a golden skull cutie mark that shines even more so, turns to the one servant of his who has come from the stairs that lead up to the top of the temple. "Well, spit it out already!"

"We...We...have company! The...Royal G-Guards...are here!!!"

Gasps fill the temple room all around, save for the one confident stallion in the middle wearing the dark trench coat. "Excellent. Looks like our plans move to now rather than later," Charade chuckles with an eye full of desire for the ultimate power this island and its kingdom, plus the Royal Family, have to offer, "How many were there?"

"It looked like...a...a small band. Plus...I could have sworn I saw the Princess and the Prince as well."

"Even better!!"

"Do you really think we can take them...now?!" Azhuizotl questions, feeling unprepared for such an encounter, "Do not think I am acting like a coward and attempting to run, but will our numbers triumph over theirs...when they are better trained?"

Charade only turns back to look upon the tall creature, and shines a wicked grin, "Indeed we do. If only a hoofful of troops plus their leaders, we will have the upper-hoof here!"

"Let's do it then!" Dr. Caballeron declares, turning back to the group of henchponies, which number around thirty or more...give or take...standing and sitting near the cell where Daring Do and Clever Wits are being held, "All of you! Get a move on! We have a kingdom to capture!"

The henchponies...do nothing.

"Did you not hear me?!"

No answer nor movement is given.

"What the hay are you all doing?!!" Dr. Caballeron blurts out in question, shocked to see his own loyal henchponies just standing still as if they were statues.

"Allow me~" Azhuizotl steps in, "My jungle cats will serve better than your ponies anyway~" Turning his attention to the panthers, tigers, lions, and one white kitten standing nearby where the supposed "Fear-Frozen" henchponies remain unmoved, "Get those Royal Guards and capture the Princess and the Prince!!"

The jungle cats do not move; The only movement given is but the blink of their eyes.

"What?! What is this?!! Why are you not moving?!!!"

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!!" Charade demands to know why none of the army of those he has brought to this island are moving. Making his way on over with Dr. Caballeron, the enraged Master jewel thief taps the side of one of the henchponies...only to watch in shock as said frozen pony falls over without so much as a movement given; The effect shown gives the impression they are-

"Frozen?! They really are frozen?! How is this possible?!!" Dr. Caballeron demands to know what has happened to his henchponies and those of his boss Azhuizotl. "How did this happen?!!"

"WE...are what's happened!!" Daring Do shouts loud enough through the hole in the wall, giving the answer to one of her greatest enemies before inhaling a large collection of air...and blowing into her blowpipe, shooting a sharp, wooden spike...coated with the paralyzing juices from the plant gathered nearby...right into the neck of the evil doctor.

"Ahh! What th-" Dr. Caballeron gasps to the sharp pinch of the tip that has pricked his coat and skin underneath...only to feel light in the head and unable to move, "Wha...is...hap...ening...." He mutters, only to feel his lips freezing up fast long with the rest of his body. Within seconds of feeling the tip of the dart hit him hard, Dr. Caballeron feels frozen in place, unable to move and unable to speak another word; The only thing left to move is his eyes, which he blinks and glances all around, shocked how his defeat came at the hooves of his own nemesis...without her so much as laying a hoof on him.

"NO!!!" Charade roars in anger, seeing how his army plus the evil doctor defeated by no doubt another brilliant plan concocted by his own brother and sister...but mainly his brother, "Clever...." He mutters, realizing his numbers have been reduced to less than fifteen now, which is nowhere close to the right amount to take on the guards above.

Just then, the whole temple begins to shake...as everypony glances up in shock as the ceiling rises up from the temple structures and walls itself; A great aura of magic surrounds it all as the appearance of several unicorn guards...plus Princess Twilight herself...remove the roof and most of the outside part of the temple, opening up the way in to where the sight of Charade, Azhuizotl, and many henchponies and jungle cats...both frozen and not...stand with jaws dropped low.

Charade can only pant and feel panic as his entire plan to conqueror Tambelon has be foiled: Without an army of his own and something he did not see coming through such power even he cannot match with all their combined magic, defeat feels close.

"Charade!!!" Princess Twilight shouts after she and her special-trained unicorn guard elite cast a spell to freeze the removed roof above them for as long as needed, calling out to Tambelon's Most Wanted, "For the crimes of stealing MY crown...."

"...attempting a coup on the Royal Family of Tambelon...." Prince Courageous adds in before allowing the next pony to speak for him.

"...planning to capture me and my friends...." Princess Starlight steps forward with her five best friends all present: Delicacy, Candy Apple, Gust, Tyke, and Shani all stand by the teenage alicorn's side...three on one side and two on the other.

"...and holding us hostage in hopes to use us and the crown for ransom...." Daring Do shouts, carrying her brother out of the cell now that the roof is gone which allowed for her to fly with ease on up and free of the small prison that held them both.

"...YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!!!" Captain Solemn Vow finishes, shouting at the top of his lungs so that the message is good and clear.

"Its over...brother!" Clever Wits adds in one last set of words, which are pretty much as true as the inevitable defeat of Charade and the rest has come to be.

Realizing what has come to be, and without the means to fight back with victory possible, the now-enraged unicorn thief raises his head to the skies and shouts with all the anger built up into this one final reply, "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

"ATTACK!!!!" Captain Solemn Vow orders to all the Elite Guards of Tambelon, pointing his hoof on down towards all those who are a target...from the henchponies to the main one: Charade.

"This cannot be happening!!!" Azhuizotl refuses to accept that which is now coming for him, "This is all your fault!!" He calls out to Charade, blaming him for the trap that was suppose to be in their favor but are now in theirs.

"Oh yeah, it is happening!!" Daring Do shouts, using the great power in her wings to dash on towards her secondary target before her main...with her back, right leg first in the form of a kick.

"Totally Happening!!!" Rainbow Dash, swooping on in from the opposite direction, concurs as she joins in with her idol and friend.

"Without a doubt!!" Gust, the proud son of Rainbow Dash and Soarin, shouts as he flies on down and towards Azhuizotl from the middle.

"Uh oh...." Azhuizotl mutters as the sight of three fast pegasai ponies dash on towards him...only to punch and/or kick him right in the head from three different directions. The blow to his head is hard enough to put him into a daze, causing him to spin around and fall to the ground, "Curse....you."

"YEAH!! TOTALLY 20% AWESOME!!!!" Daring Do, Rainbow Dash, and Gust all shout with glee together...giving one big high-hoof as a means to celebrate their victory over one annoying bad-guy.

"I won't go down like this! NOT LIKE THIS!!!" Charade declares to his brother, whom he faces before him.

"You are going down, Charade! Today and no other!!" Clever Wits snaps back, noticing the henchponies and jungle cats all around falling and being subdued by the royal guards...leaving only one left: The evil pony and sibling before him. "Give up now!"

"NEVER!!!!" Charade shouts for all to hear, "I will not fall like the rest of these fools! You will not have me!!!" Casting a spell by summoning his magic, Charade seems to prepare his means to escape...with the crown of Twilight Sparkle still in his possession.

"NO!!!" Clever Wits shouts, galloping forward in hopes of stopping yet another escape of his brother.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Charade laughs in such a sinister way, and teleports himself out of the temple and away from the area. Only his laugh can be heard from the distance.

"He got away...again!!" Daring Do grunts in frustration at the failure of this whole mission.

"No!" Clever announces, "He could not have gone far: His magic cannot take him a great distance!!"

"Right!" Solemn Vow concurs and turns to those of his guards who do not have their hooves full of apprehended villains, "You! Spread out and find Charade! We cannot allow him to escape!!!"

Obeying orders right away, The Tambelon Elite scour the area of the Master of Disguises: The Yearling Six are ordered to remain with Task and Oath while Daring and Clever make their ways towards where the faded laughter of their hated brother was last heard...with Princess Twilight and Prince Courageous following close behind. The search for their main target continues...with the hopes of bringing it all to an end before Twilight Sparkle's crown...which she has worn since her younger days...is lost forever.

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

"Where did he go?!!" Clever mutters in frustration while he, his sister, and the two Royal Alicorns of Tambelon search the area with the latters' Royal Carriage just up the hill close by, "We cannot allow him to escape! We cannot!"

"Calm down, Clever...." Prince Courageous Heart orders onto the over-determined stallion next to him, "We will find Charade. He could not have gone far and neither shall we allow him to escape. Just remain calm and we will find him."

"I'm sorry, your Highness," Clever apologizes, "I've been chasing him for years, and today felt like the sure moment he would be caught at long last; Even with his army subdued before you all got there, he was prepared to flee nonetheless."

"I agree. Charade was always one to just steal and run...hardly one to just face us head-on," Daring Do reveals that which few know...save for herself and her little brother, "He has always escaped every attempt at capture, so I feel the same as Clever here."

Twilight Sparkle, a huge fan of Daring Do and her stories, flutters her way on over to the pegasus flying just above the two stallions in order to speak her mind, "We will find him, Daring. We promised we would after what he pulled during that play some months ago, so do not worry one bit...okay?"

"Yeah, I have no doubts from one of my favorite fans and princess what this will end today."

Once the lovely lavender alicorn returns the response with a smile, her attention turns back to the carriage above on the hill where two guards seem to be watching over, "YOU TWO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CHARADE!!"

"YES, YOUR MAJESTY!!" The two guards reply, shouting loud enough so the Princess and the Prince may hear. Once they witness the group of four below returning to their searching around in that very area...which happens to be near a cliff with the ocean out in the distance below and beyond...the two guards return to their watch of the carriage and the area around them.

"Do you think shouting would have given Charade's position away?" The unicorn guard asks onto the pegasai mare in the same silver-gold armor he is dawned in.

"Not sure...but I sure hope not," The mare guard replies, "Keep your eyes open, already! We cannot fail our Princess in finding this criminal."

"I get it...but I doubt he has gone far."

"What makes you say that...?"

Just like that, the unicorn stallion sneaks up to his partner...and casts a spell onto her head.

"What th-" The mare gasps upon feeling a strange magic being cast onto her. She turns around to notice her own partner being the one casting it, but before she can react...she falls asleep and down onto the dirt ground.

"Sweet dreams, beautiful~" The unicorn wishes with a chuckle, now turning his magic onto himself...removing the aura around himself which reveals himself to be not a guard, but Charade himself. "Too easy...." He whispers, turning his sights to the carriage and the path downward to where the four ponies reside, "...and now for an even easier victory~" Climbing onto the drivers seat of the carriage in front, Charade summons his magic yet again...moving the royal transport's wheels to move on forward and allowing the slope of the hill to do the rest, "This...ends now."

"Maybe we should keep looking that way?" Courageous Heart suggests, pointing his hoof to the east...which is further away from the temple from where they came.

"Maybe you are right, sweetie...." Twilight concurs with her husband, seeing very little other direction to go: South leads right off the cliff into the ocean while west is just back towards the temple, while north may be the other other way to go, "Perhaps we should head north and check?"

Daring Do lands before the royal couple and gives her suggestion, "Anywhere is good for me...but maybe we should try north and-"

"OH NO...!!" Clever Wits suddenly exclaims upon turning his sights towards the top of the hill...and the carriage that is now rolling on down towards them, "LOOK!!"

Twilight, Daring, and Courageous all turn towards where the sounds of what seems to be something rolling very fast down the hill, and see that it is true: The Royal Carriage rolls at high speed down the hill directly towards them all...with Charade "driving" it all the way.

"Charade!!" Daring gasps the name of the one who seems to be attempting to run them over.

"ONE ORDER OF PONY PANCAKES...COMING UP!!!" Charade shouts and laughs while the moment of victory feels so close; Only seconds away from the front of the carriage running over the Royal Family and his own siblings, bringing an end to all his enemies with yet another chance at claiming this kingdom.

With no time to leap out of the way, due to the sudden sight of the approaching carriage with little time to react, Twilight Sparkle is the first to perform the only escape plan to avoid the impact of the carriage...and summons a teleporting spell all around her, allowing for Daring Do, Clever Wits, and her husband Courageous Heart to be transported over a few yards over...dodging the carriage just with one second to spare; A close call countered by a clever cast.

"No! NO!!!" Charade shouts in frustration upon his targets disappearing right before him, ending all hope of his plans to succeed. What is worst is the cliff that is right before him...and with no time to stop the carriage, Charade is helpless as both he and the Royal Carriage roll right off the cliff, and both begin to fall down onto the water below. The only thing left to shout is the name of the one pony who has once again defeated him; His own sister and the Royal Family and all their friends and allies are included, but only one name is released in an outburst so loud the whole area of the island around them could hear:

  "CLEVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!"

  Despite what seems like a failed mission to claim riches and power, Charade awaits for the indefinite impact of the water below...knowing full will the survival rate is high in his favor; Falling from high heights into water is mere horseplay compared to what capabilities are within this Master of Disguises and Thievery. However, such a means of escape below comes to a halt...when Charade finds himself halted himself by a strange glowing bubble of magic all around him.

Somepony has saved him from falling...to his escape.

"What?! What is this?!!!" Charade exclaims in shock upon feeling himself being levitated back up instead of falling downward. Struggling all around him in a sphere without any form of gravity within, Charade rotates himself around and spots four ponies upon with edge of the cliff: Clever Wits, Daring Do, Prince Courageous Heart, and Princess Twilight Sparkle...who seems to be the one responsible for the magical bubble that has thwarted Charade's escape. "NO!!!"

"Oh yes!!" Twilight expresses, using all focus in her magic to ensure the Master of Disguises does not escape this time, "After what Clever and Daring told me about when you captured them in another temple years back, I was not gonna take any chances with you escaping into the impossible! Also, don't even think about casting magic inside the bubble; Its magic-proof within~"

Testing such a claim out, Charade attempts to cast a spell...only to find out it is true: Nothing works upon trying with all might to cast a spell within the bubble. Charade...is truly trapped and defeated. "Nooo...."

"Once more...YES!!" Daring Do taunts her older brother, flying on up to the bubble and making a face at him, with her tongue sticking out. "Ha-Ha! No escaping for you!~"

"Grrrr....."

"Hehehehehe, feel better, A.K.?" Clever asks onto his sister who seems to be performing such foalish acts that he himself has been desiring to do since they were very young, " May I join?~"

"Sure!" Daring swoops on down, grabs hold of her brother's body, and carries him on up to the bubble...where they proceed to make random funny faces at the helpless stallion, who deserves this and so much more after years of trouble-making all over the world.

"Knock it off!!!" Charade demands, finding such a mockery of his defeat already embarrassing enough.

"Nope! We have plenty more to go!~" Clever and Daring reply, giggling a little, and continuing their taunting.

"Should we stop them, honey?" Courageous asks onto his wife when the sight of such silliness seems a bit much.

"No. Let them have their moment. Both Daring and Clever have awaited for this moment for a long time, so let them enjoy it~" Twilight Sparkle informs her husband, unable to hold back her giggling of the funny faces being made at Charade. She does retain her hold on the magical sphere with the strongest focus she can summon, ensuring this finally-caught criminal does not escape.

****************************************************************
LATER....

"Okay, everypony inside...NOW!!" Captain Solemn Vow orders the captured criminals...made up of Azhuizotl, Dr. Caballeron, and all their jungle cats and henchponies...into the various prison carriages upon the road not too far from where the ruined temple's location. "We have a long ride to the Tambelon Prisons...and we plan to ensure we get you there before you are all transported to a BIGGER one far away! None of you will ever set hoof or paw on this kingdom again! THAT I promise you!!"

Such strong words spoken in such a fearless tone forces all criminals to enter without hesitation; Their chains around their bodies prevent any form of attack or escape, especially with magic.

"Now...for you!" Oath Sworn pokes the side of Charade as they load him into the last carriage.

"Get in there!" Task Duty orders onto the criminal.

"Know this!!" Charade barks, turning himself around to glare upon his two siblings over yonder as well as the Royal Family and all their friends, "No prison will hold me...for long! I will get out, steal again, and keep on doing so until the world is mine!!"

"Good luck with that, Charade!" Clever Wits scoffs and replies without a hint of worry, "If you do manage to escape, I will be ready for you!"

"Same here!" Daring Do adds in her support as well.

All other ponies, young and older, all pitch in...showing no fear to this master criminal and the chance of him escaping.

Giving one last snarl before being pushed in, Charade shakes his head and sits himself down inside...preparing for the ride to the prison that awaits him. All the other criminals within their carriages sigh and cannot believe they followed this pony, despite how great his promises were...when it only ending with prison, for life.

"Thank you for all your help, Your Highness," Clever Wits expresses his gratitude towards everypony before him who participated in this operation to apprehend Charade and all those who were working with him, "If it were not for you, there would be no telling how far Charade would have gone and succeeded in his plans."

"I'm just glad YOU were around yourself, Clever; Making that blowpipe out of whatever was in the prison cell. That was some smart thinking there!" Daring Do praises the work and intelligence of her younger brother, "Paralyzing all those henchponies and cats did the trick...."

"....and what made our job to apprehend our targets much easier!" Courageous adds in, "But, I am sorry we did not get here sooner."

"No harm meant, Your Majesty. You came just in time and the whole mission was a success."

"Indeed it was!" Rainbow Dash concurs, "The way those guards removed the roof off the temple made all those fools inside drop their jaws...and then Gust and I swooped on in and gave ole Azhuizotl a what-for...plus the look on Charade's face when you trapped him in that bubble!"

"Yeah, that was pretty funny! I have to admit, this was perhaps the best adventure...involving Daring Do and Clever Wits...ever!" Twilight Sparkle admits with a smile upon her lips.

"It sure was, Mom~" Starlight admits as well, "I just wish I could have done more myself."

"Maybe next time, sweetie."

"Yeah! I agree!" Gust, hovering in the air above everypony...save for his mother who is up there with him, "THAT...WAS...."

"...SO..." Rainbow Dash joins in with her teenage son, as they both finish together.

"...AWESOME!!!!!!!!!" The two Wonderbolts and fans of Daring Do exclaim together out loud, chuckling all at once.

Everypony shares a delightful laugh to express this glorious moment when another adventure has come to a successful end with the bad guys defeated and friendship triumphing once more. The Yearling Six all share a laugh and hugs all around, hoping they will have another one like this...but only greater...soon.

"So...shall we all head on to the palace to celebrate?" Courageous asks the question he probably knows how everypony will answer.

"YEAH!!!" Everypony replies without a second though.

"Then lets go!!"

Daring Do and Clever Wits walk side-by-side, exchanging a warm smile between themselves...showing a moment of relief and happiness to a great victory that has come their way at long last; Not to mention the adventurous pegasus pony having a story in mind to write for her next book. Starlight and Type walk alongside one another as a couple, although not officially yet, while Gust blushes to his marefriend Candy snuggling by his side as they walk beside one another as well. Delicacy and Shani walk along side one another as friends, giggling as they go, while the Prince and Princess do the same...but as the happy, married couple they are.

All together, the great heroes of Tambelon make their way home...with Rainbow Dash flying on ahead since the idea of riding in a carriage is too slow for her.