A few hours had passed since the visit from Blueblood and Daring Do was already riding in a train headed for Canterlot. She had her disguise on knowing that even if Blueblood had promised not to reveal her identity, other ponies might freak out if they saw Daring Do walking down the streets of Canterlot. Besides, she wasn’t so sure he was actually telling her the truth or just what she wanted to hear.

Either way, she was at least grateful for this opportunity. With her mind coming up with blanks for any new story ideas, going on this adventure would be a surefire way to generate a new story to write. As she looked out the window, she could see the majestic spires of the capital city drawing closer as the train made its way up the winding path of the mountain.

This was one of the very few trips into the city that she had ever made. After all, the noise of the city was just too loud for her to concentrate. That and she would be constantly bombarded by admirers asking her for autographs, pictures, and even locks of her hair. For this reason, Daring Do took on the A.K. Yearling persona and her real identity became a fictional character.

The train slowly came to a screeching halt while the station came into Daring’s view. The rest of the passengers filed out as the doors opened, spreading out as the ponies entered the lower part of the city. Daring took another route, leading her up to the business sector of the city. She looked around, seeing all sorts of emblems and insignias of various influential ponies on the buildings. However, she was looking for one in particular. She stopped when she came to a large building surrounded by a skydock with a fleet of airships in port. Over the front door was the image of three crowns: the cutie mark of one Fancy Pants.

Knowing she had found the place, she walked up the steps of the building, examining the establishment before her. From what she could tell, whoever this Fancy Pants was, he was very rich. To have a small array of airships and even a docking area for them was quite an impressive sight. It also indicated he owned his own shipping industry.

She stepped up to the top of the stairs and noticed a pony walking out onto a balcony far to the right and couldn’t help but look towards the pony. When she did, stopping for a brief moment, she recognized the unicorn. Her mane was a dark indigo that flowed over her flawless white coat with a slight wave at the end. She wore a black wool sweater and shoes with a red beret comfortably seated on the right side of her head. She recognized her as one of Rainbow Dash's friends and one of the Elements of Harmony, yet there was something different about her. The way she carried herself and even the expression on the unicorn’s face were different from before. Though she wore a smile for the group of high class ponies accompanying her, Daring could see the distant look in her blue eyes. Those eyes carried so much pain, fear, and distress. Daring had seen that look before, it was the look of a pony that had experienced something truly awful. What could such a prim and proper mare like herself have experienced to rattle her like that?

The mare looked in her direction and Daring’s eyes briefly made contact with the unicorn’s gaze. A look of surprise showed on the unicorn mare, but the pegasus looked away and continued on. Even though the look on the mare’s face that said she recognized Daring was expected, she didn’t come here for idle chit chat, she came here with a job to do.

She entered through the door and looked around at the inside of the establishment, a fountain and foliage standing before her in the large atrium. The lobby was furnished with expensive pottery and comfortable looking sofas and chairs. There was a mare sitting at the receptionist's desk, but Daring bypassed her and made her way down a hall. As she continued on, she could hear faint chit chat nearby and went to investigate it.

Daring walked around the corner and saw four ponies, all sitting down in chairs that were assembled in a half-circle. There were two earth ponies, a younger looking one and a huge, gruff looking one, a pegasus, and a unicorn.

The younger gray earth pony wore a dark blue jacket with the hood pulled down, revealing his mess of brown hair. His eyes were an ultramarine and his cutie mark was a horseshoe pointing up. The larger one wore a flak jacket and his dark blue mane was buzzed. His face was frozen in a scowl as he stared down at the smaller stallion with his burgundy eyes. His cutie mark was two warhammers crossed into an “x”.

The pegasus sitting across from the gray pony had maroon fur and wore sunglasses over his golden eyes, a black vest, and a Stetson with the brim on the left side turned up, covering the black mane streaked with scarlet. His cutie mark was a black arrow and a toothpick hung from his muzzle, being chewed every so often.

The unicorn with a brunswick green coat was the only female and wore a matching hooded cloak with white symbols decorating it. From within the hood, pale, ice blue eyes that seemed to glow peered at the others with a look that could chill anypony just by making eye contact with her.

The younger stallion sat on the chair adjacent to the cloaked pony and looked to the red pegasus, shifting around in his seat excitedly. “Hey, tell us about that one mission again. I cannot get enough of that one part.”

“Alright, alright, so, I’m sitting there, you know, doing my usual business and scoping out a guy. I nearly had him in my sights and that’s when I noticed his buddy looking in my direction,” the pegasus stallion said with an accent while smirking, “and that’s when I thought to myself, ‘I wonder if his mate saw me.’ The next thing I know, a bolt of magic hits the railing I’m leaning on and I said, ‘Yes. Yes he did.’ So I had to act fast. I lined up the shot, took it, and got the Tartarus out of there!”

“I still can’t believe you managed to get your hide out of there in one piece.” Spoke the female this time. “After all, I heard your last boss gave you a hard time for your screw up.”

The burgundy pegasus chuckled before adding, “Yeah, thought she was going to tan my flank for sure. But, in the end, I got the job done.” His chuckling died as his eyes flicked towards the check-in station and turned to see Daring looking at the group.

Noticing the burgundy pegasus looking at somepony, the other three turned to face Daring as her hoofsteps echoed through the lounge area. The female unicorn stood from her seat and slowly made her way towards the disguised Daring Do, staring at her with those chilling eyes. “Well, well, well, who do we have here?”

“I’m here to see Fancy Pants.” Daring explained.

“You're here to see Mr. Fancy Pants? I’m sorry, but we have orders not to let anypony in unless they have an appointment.” The dark green mare smirked as she stood face to face with Daring, challenging her with a cold gaze. As the mare got closer to her, Daring could see strands of black hair streaked with pale blue framing the unicorn’s face under the hood. The fearless explorer, however, was accustomed with dealing with things much worse than these four ponies. Instead of being intimidated, she stared back at the mare through her fake glasses.

“I’m here on an important mission from the Princesses. It’s imperative that I meet with your employer.” The three stallions straightened up and locked their eyes on the female unicorn.

The unicorn mare looked to them and then back to the pegasus in front of her. “So… who are you supposed to be, then?”

“Who I am is none of your concern. What does matter is that I’m supposed to be talking to Fancy Pants right now.”

“Hmm, demanding, aren’t we?” The mare chuckled slightly, looking away with a swoop of her cloak. “Well, since you’ve been ‘asking’ so nicely… Roughneck, go tell Mr. Pants he has a visitor.”

“Why me?” Roughneck whined.

“Because I said so, that’s why.” The unicorn glared at him.

“Ugh, fine! I don’t know why I have to do everything around here.” He mumbled as he went to the office’s door. “Why don’t you get off your fat flank and do it yourself?”

The unicorn’s horn glowed with a pale blue aura and her eyes widened in rage. A bolt of magic shot out towards the young stallion’s flank, making Roughneck yelp as it stung his hindquarters. He rubbed his sore flanks, cursing under his breath, and then entered the office. After he was out of sight, the mare looked back at her own flank, staring at it. Even Daring couldn’t help but take a quick look and thought she didn’t look fat at all. Daring Do couldn’t help but to quietly chuckle after their bickering.

The unicorn’s hood swayed as she stared at the golden brown pegasus, glaring at her. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing, really. I was just thinking you and your coltfriend are so cute together.” The maroon pegasus and the orange earth pony gave each other amused, yet almost nervous looks as the hooded unicorn seethed.

“What did you say!?” She screeched, pressing her muzzle up against Daring’s.

“I said, ‘a little mouthwash goes a long way,’ if you know what I mean.” Daring Do grinned as she saw the unicorn’s pale eyes bulge as she grit her teeth.

“That’s a lot of talk coming from a spinster!” The unicorn shot back, eyes quickly glancing across the disguise. Daring narrowed her eyes and raised an unseen hoof under her shawl, ready to knock the unicorn’s lights out, but inhaled deeply through her nose and slowly exhaled as she lowered it back to the floor. Nopony seemed to have recognized her true identity, at least her disguise as A.K. Yearling was effective. “Somepony ought to teach you a lesson!”

“That’s quite enough, Miss Rune.” A sophisticated voice said from the office doorway. Both mares’ heads turned towards a mustached white unicorn stallion with a royal blue mane wearing a suit coat and a monocle. From the three golden crown cutie mark, Daring Do knew who he was.

“Fancy Pants, I presume.” Daring called out.

“Indeed, I am. And, if i may ask, who might you be?”

“I’m A.K. Yearling. I’ve been sent here by-”

“The A.K. Yearling?” He asked while raising an eyebrow. “The reclusive author of the popular Daring Do novels?”

“The same.” She confirmed.

“Oh, my dear, this is an unexpected pleasure. Please, come in, come in. Miss Rune, if you wouldn’t mind.” Crystal Rune grumbled furiously as she reluctantly stepped aside and allowed “A.K. Yearling” to pass by. Roughneck, who was standing at Fancy Pants’ side, snickered at Rune’s humiliation. However, he stopped laughing when his hoof was encased in a pale blue aura and punched him in the face.

“Ow! Motherfu…” His expletive was cut off when the door closed behind him.

Fancy Pants took his seat behind his desk as Daring sat in one across from him. On the desk stood a framed picture of a statuesque white unicorn mare with a pink mane. She was reclining on a bed with white sheets and was giving an inviting look. At the bottom of the picture were the words, “To my darling husband. Love, Fleur,” accompanied by a lip shaped smear of red lipstick. Even though she lived in the remote parts of Equestria, she recognized the mare as the famous supermodel, Fleur Dis Lee. “I am terribly sorry, Miss Yearling. Do forgive Miss Rune. She and her crew’s behavior are far from savory, but they are excellent at their profession.”

“I was not aware you were in the habit of hiring mercenaries.”

“Well, I prefer a less dirty word than that, but even I need ponies of their talents to ensure the safety of my shipments.” He claimed.

“And perhaps ‘take care’ of the competition?” She raised an eyebrow.

Fancy Pants sighed, a frown forming on his lips. “Miss Yearling, you wound me. I would never lower myself to that level or jeopardize my company’s good image in such a manner.”

The pegasus frowned all the same. “I can’t help but say what I see. Those mercenaries are just more of the low-life scum I would usually see.”

The unicorn simply chuckled, “Yes… I’d imagine you would see quite a few.” He clopped his hooves together, “After all, somepony in your line of work would know quite a few things about trust… isn’t that right, Daring Do?”

Daring stared wide-eyed, mouth agape as another pony had seen through her disguise. “But… but-”

“How did I know?” He finished for the surprised mare, chuckling once more. “If you're as old as I am, living the life of owning a company as large as mine will teach you a few tricks. Besides…” He then reached down and pulled out a copy of Daring Do and the Forbidden City of Clouds and placed it on the desk. On it was a picture of Daring Do and one of her nemesi, Doctor Caballeron. “I’m quite familiar with your work. Doctor Caballeron is a business rival of mine. If he is real, then Daring Do is real. Who better to write her stories than the mare herself?”

Daring chuckled, surprised and amused by his intuitive manner. “You are quite the surprising pony.”

He chuckled this time before adding, “Well, I do try my best.”

A thought popped into her mind, she had to ask about that one unicorn. “By the way, I noticed you talking to a mare as I arrived, Rarity, was it?”

“Ah, yes… Rarity. Quite the remarkable mare, isn’t she? One of the most promising up-and-coming names in fashion. The pony everypony should know, or so I’ve heard.”

“Well, when I looked at her, she seemed a little… off. Is she alright? I heard something terrible happened in Ponyville. ”

A frown formed on his face, recalling the events she went through. “Right… I’m not surprised the news has spread so far that even you would hear about it.” He breathed in, sighing at the memory of seeing his favorite fashionista so distraught. “She… well, went through something terrible. A horrible monster attack Ponyville. It killed many ponies, some of which were friends of hers.”

“You don’t mean the Elements of Harmony, do you?” She asked, fearing for the six mares’ lives.

“No… thank Celestia they made it. Only a couple of them were injured badly. The one named Applejack was stabbed in the shoulder and the one named Rainbow Dash…”

“Rainbow Dash!?” She almost screamed, fearing for one of the only ponies she could call “friend” and one of her biggest fans. “Is she okay!?”

“Yes, she’s expected to make a full recovery.” He answered slowly.

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“The monster impaled her right through her stomach. Nearly killed her.” Daring Do stared at him in disbelief. Rainbow Dash was a pegasus so similar to herself. Both were fearless, bold, and determined to accomplish their goals, no matter the cost. To hear that she almost died was too much.

“But that is nothing compared to what happened to Rarity.” Snapping out of her stupor, Daring continued to listen. “This horrible creature was apparently like an overgrown parasite. Very much like the spider wasp, it lays its young in its victims’ chests, where they incubate until they burst their way out. Poor Rarity had one of those things growing inside her. But she was very fortunate. They were able to rescue her from the monster’s lair in time and remove the creature’s spawn before it was too late. Tragically, it was too late for every other pony infected and they didn’t make it, including Prince Shining Armor.”

To hear all of this was just so unreal. Daring Do had been a loner for most of her life and the first friends she had made in a long time almost died at the claws of an unspeakable creature. She looked away, quickly recovering her composure before facing him again. “But that is a subject I do not like to reminisce on.” Fancy Pants rested his hooves on the desk. “So… how about we get back to the real subject?”

Daring looked back up and nodded. “Yes, I was sent here because the Princesses need me to recover an item of great importance. They believe it is in the possession of Caballeron.”

“Yes, a shrewd businessman. Never agreed with his tactics on acquiring certain items. However, it will be an honor to assist you on our mission for the Princesses.”

“Where was he last located, do you know?” Daring inquired, leaning forward on the desk.

“I do not know. He was last reported heading towards the Tenochtitlan Basin. Rumor has it that he has a new business partner and even I don’t know who he or she is, though I have my suspicions.” Fancy Pants sighed, “Whoever it is, I still believe that he is making his way towards this partner.”

“For what purpose?”

“I don’t know. But, this is Caballeron we’re talking about so I’m certain it can’t be anything good. What exactly are the Princesses sending you to recover?”

“I’m not sure. I was only told it could be dangerous in the wrong hooves.”

“Could Ahuizotl be behind this?” The stallion raised his hoof.

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Those two have been working together for years.” Daring raised a hoof to her chin. “So, how will I get there? It will take days to get to the Basin on train, even longer by hiking. And I can’t exactly fly myself and my equipment all the way there. And I believe we don’t have the time to waste, right?”

“Exactly, that is why I am lending you one of my airships.”

“An airship?” Daring murmured, her eyes widening at the prospect of riding in one of the massive aerial vehicles.

Fancy chuckled, seeing the surprise on her face. “I can imagine that you haven’t been on one before, correct?” She nodded in reply. “Well, do not worry. They are completely safe. I’ve made sure that each ship is fully functional and fit for flight.”

“Has...”

“Anypony gone near them?” The white unicorn finished another sentence for the pegasus. “No, I have taken all the necessary precautions.”

“Well, you seem to on top of things.”

“It pays to be attentive. Especially since there are those who you cannot trust.” Daring nodded in agreement. Fancy Pants clapped his hooves together before continuing. “Well, shall we proceed to the docking area?”

“Let’s.” Daring simply agreed with a grin. The two got up from their chairs before Fancy Pants opened the door, leading the mare outside the room. The group of mercs heard the door open and turned to watch the two step out.

“We have an agreement. Crystal, you and your team will be accompanying Miss Do to the Tenochtitlan Basin to reclaim a certain object, so I want you all to get ready. You’ll be leaving in a few hours.” The mercs looked between each other and the legendary explorer. They looked to Rune, who nodded in reluctant acceptance. As they stood up and filed out the room, Daring stared at them until her gaze met Rune’s once more. The unicorn mare glared at her as she left with the others. Daring did the same, refusing to break eye contact until she disappeared from sight.

Fancy Pants sighed, “Do not mind her. She’s just concerned for the safety of everypony on this trip.”

“Yeah… ‘concerned.’ I could definitely see when she zapped Roughneck on his flank that she was totally worried for his safety.”

Fancy frowned, looking away. “Yes… her methods are very… ‘barbaric’, but she gets the job done none the less.”

“Look, Fancy Pants, I don’t need a team. I usually work alone.” Besides, she didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of working with Crystal and her gang.

“Trust me, Miss Do. They may be rough around the edges, but they’re dependable. You’ll need help on this one.”

Daring was going to reply, but they heard the sound of hoofsteps approaching them. The pony that rounded the corner was the fashionista they talked about for only a brief moment. Daring saw the same smile she had seen upon arriving to the building and the same gaze. The white unicorn had a red beret, tilted to the right side on her head. A black wool sweater and shoes. Her indigo mane was out of its usual curl and flattened out so it hung from both sides, hanging over her sweater. The tips of her hair were wavy and flowed in the wind as she increased her pace.

“Well, I must be off, Fancy Pants.” She hugged the stallion, keeping her smile. The mare turned towards the light gold pegasus and hugged her as well. “It is good to see you, Daring. I was so surprised to see you arriving here that I just had to come and see you before I returned to Ponyville.”

The unicorn mare pulled away and looked towards Fancy Pants, still holding onto Daring’s shoulders. He smiled back at her before declaring: “It was a great pleasure to see you again, Rarity. You are always welcome at my establishment.” As Rarity let go of Daring Do, she closed her eyes in a wince and placed a hoof on her chest. “Are you alright, my dear?”

“Oh, yes.” She reassured them, but retained her pained expression and staggered a bit. Fancy Pants moved to her side, ready to catch her if she fainted, but she shook her head and smiled as the discomfort passed. “I’m alright, really.”

Daring and Fancy gave her an unconvinced look as Daring’s gaze moved to the white mare’s chest. She knew that underneath the black sweater there must have been a scar from her experience with her “unwanted pregnancy.” Daring couldn’t help but say, “Rarity… I… heard what happened to everypony. I’m sorry.”

The unicorns expression changed from a smile to a frown. “It’s… alright… really.” Despite trying to remain calm, her tone had changed drastically. Her voice sounded a little ragged as tears brimmed the corners of her crystal blue eyes, already smudging the edges of her mascara. She quickly wiped her eyes.

“Rarity…”

“I-I’m… I’m sorry… I have to go…” As more tears came she quickly made her exit, Fancy Pants and Daring Do watching her leave with sympathetic looks on their faces.

Fancy Pants sighed, a sad frown formed on his lips as he turned to look at Daring Do. “Poor girl… she was always so bright and cheerful before all this. Now… she’s so distant and… well, you saw how she is.”

Daring looked in his eyes and then back over to where Rarity had left in a hurry. There was a sense that she wanted to comfort her friend and help her, but there were other important matters at hoof. She looked back to Fancy Pants and said, “Well, I better get ready. It’s going to be a long journey and I’ll need to be prepared for what lies ahead.”

“Of course. Allow me to show you to the airship.”

Author's Notes:

Sorry about the lateness of this chapter. Diablo was having a vacation, (or in this case caught the flu) and needed his rest. But do not worry, we shall commence the release of more chapters to come as they get ready for shipment. Oh and there are a few references in the story if anypony caught them yet. Hope you have fun finding them.

And as always, have a good morning, afternoon, evening, night or whatever and we shall all see you in the next AN. Oh, and remember... sweet dreams...