“Excuse me, are you that adventure pony?”

Daring Do looked up from her drink and saw a smiling gray pegasus staring back at her.

At least… she thought that the mare was looking back at her. Her eyes didn't quite match up and seemed to be looking in two completely different directions.

“Um, if you mean if I’m an adventurer, than yes, I am.” Daring replied, not quite sure who the pony in front of her was. She didn't look like anypony associated with one of her enemies, but it wouldn’t be the first time she was fooled and caught off guard.

At Daring Do’s confirmation, the mare’s awkward eyes lit up and she flapped her wings in excitement. “Oh, you are! Yes! I found you at last! I’m saved!”

Curiosity grabbed a hold of Daring. “Whoa, slow down there. Who are you and why did you need to find me?” she asked, motioning for her to sit down.

Taking a bit longer than a normal pony should, the gray pegasus finally managed to sit and started her explanation. “Okay, well, I kinda messed up and my boss is really mad, so I gotta fix it soon or else I’ll be fired. I only need one more thing, but I can’t get it by myself and nopony in town it. One of the shop keepers told me where I can find it, but I need somepony who’s familiar with the area to help me. Oh! My name is Ditzy Doo, but my friends call me Derpy.”

“I’m Daring Do.” Daring replied, shaking Derpy’s hoof a bit reluctantly.

Derpy’s eyes widened with wonder. “Really? Do you think we’re sisters?” she asked excitedly.

Daring laughed nervously. “Heh, I… I don’t think so. I think I would know if somepony like you was related to me.” she replied.

“Oh.” Derpy said, looking a little crestfallen.

“So, what’s this thing you have to find, and why do you need an adventurer to help you find it?” Daring asked, wanting to change the subject.

Derpy’s eyes lit back up. “Oh, that’s right! Well, the item I need is rare, very rare. I was told that the only place to find it is the Equestrian Rein Forest. Twilight told me I could find it at some temple. I think she said Candy Temple or something. I forgot what the exact name is. Oh, here. She wrote it down, and I can’t pronounce it.”

Looking at the scroll Derpy pushed towards her, Daring’s eyes widened in excitement as she saw the name of the temple inscribed above a detailed map and list of directions. “This… this is to the Temple of Qandisa! How did… who… I've been looking for this temple for ages!”

Derpy shrugged. “I dunno, Twilight found it in one of her books.” she said.

Making a mental note to speak more to this Twilight, Daring Do looked over the map and nodded. “I know where this is. We’re going to need the standard supplies, and my time isn't cheap either…”

“Oh, don’t worry.” Derpy said. Reaching into her saddle pack, she brought out a heavy sack and tossed it onto the table, landing with a heavy ’thunk’. The noise alone told Daring that there was a considerable amount of bits inside, to which Derpy confirmed. “Will three thousand bits cover it? I really need to get the thing, so could we leave tomorrow?”

Daring’s jaw dropped at the hefty sum of bits. Her normal charge for an expedition usually averaged a thousand bits, plus extra for any special equipment she may not normally bring. However, three thousand bits was an extraordinary sum for a pony to pay her, especially for exploring the Temple of Qandisa. Besides the location of it being lost for so long, there wasn't any research showing that the temple would be any more dangerous than the average tomb. A simple booby trap or two, but that’s it. ’This pony must really need that relic badly.’ Daring thought. “So what did you do that your boss needs this so badly? What are we getting?”

Derpy’s ears drooped. “I… I can’t say yet, I’m sorry.” she said sadly. “It’s a surprise for him and I can’t let anypony know or else he may not forgive me. But it’s really important.”

Daring nodded. Many of the ponies who hired her didn't like to disclose what they were looking for or why, and she prided herself for respecting other pony’s privacy. She thought it would be best to leave the topic for now, and besides, she would find out sooner or later what they were looking for once they arrived at the temple. It was most likely some artifact or relic deep inside the temple; it usually was. “Alright, we leave tomorrow then.” Daring Do said.

In a split second, she found herself knocked over as Derpy zipped over and tackled her with a giant hug. “Really?! Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you!” she said excitedly.

Before Daring Do could push Derpy off of her, she turned beet red in the face as she then felt Derpy mash her lips against hers, kissing her a little too friendly for two ponies that just met. Just as suddenly as it happened, Derpy broke off and zipped out the door and back home to prepare for her journey tomorrow. Dazed by what had just happened, Daring Do eventually picked herself up off of the floor and retrieved her trademark pith helmet from where it had landed. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she collected her payment and the map, tucking both of them into her bag before setting off to collect the items she would need for her new assignment. “That’s one strange mare. Hopefully this is as strange as it gets.” Daring said to herself. “Hopefully she’ll have the common sense to meet me here in the morning.”

To Daring Do’s surprise, she found Derpy waiting for her outside of the tavern they had met in the night before. However, Daring couldn’t help but burst out in laughter as she saw the assortment of items Derpy had collected for the adventure.

“D-Derpy, what in… what in Celestia’s name is all of this?” Daring managed to ask in between laughs.

Genuinly confused, Derpy looked at the items on her back. “Well, it’s an old temple, so I figured we’d need to change a few light bulbs to see. And this stepladder may help if the thing is up high. Oh, and I brought plenty of clothes in case we show up underdressed. And in here is…”

Afraid she may die of laughter, Daring shushed Derpy with her hoof. “Haha! D-don’t, please stop! Ahaha, okay, okay… calm down, Daring.” the professional adventurer said more to herself before addressing Derpy. “Okay, I thought something like this would happen. Well, not quite this bad. No offense, but you don’t look like the adventuring type. I packed you a rucksack and got you some clothes that will be comfortable but sturdy enough. Let’s go back to your place and dump this junk and get you prepared.”

After dropping off Derpy’s ‘adventure kit’ back at her house and preparing her for the trip, both pegasi emerged prepped and ready to go. Derpy sported the same outfit that Daring Do wore, the adventurer having graciously donated one of her extra vests and helmets, and while Daring carried most of the equipment that would be needed to travers any obstacles, Derpy carried most of the medical, food, and water supplies. There wasn’t much overall since the expedition was estimated to take two or three days, but as always Daring packed a little extra, just in case.

Checking over everything one last time, Daring nodded to Derpy. “Alright, looks like we have everything we need. You ready?” she asked.

Derpy nodded excitedly. “Yeah, let’s go!” she said. Flapping her wings, the bubbly mare took off and started flying away, excitedly yelling ‘Adventure!’ as she flew off.

Smacking her forehead, Daring quickly took off after her employer. “Derpy, stop! Stop! You’re going the wrong way!” she yelled after her.

Author's Note

So... the adventure begins.

I'd like to take this time now to apologize to Daring Do for what I'm about to put her through.