We're not the First...

It's been some time since Twilight actually cursed Celestia's sun. Although this was far from her worst hangover. She still awoke and trudged her way to the kitchen.

"Morning darling. Asprin?" Rarity greeted as she slid a cup of Cinnamon Chai tea over to Twilight.

"Thanks Rarity." Twilight smiled as she swallowed the asprin. "So, Daring offered us all to go on an expedition..."

"That's right." Daring said from behind the two mares. "Like I said last night though, it'll be dangerous. Not Ahuizotl or Caballeron dangerous. But dangerous lands, and unpredictable animals. Got any coffee?"

"It's already on dear." Rarity answered, just then a small ding sounded, announcing that the coffee was done. "Sugar or cream dear?"

"Straight please."

"So Daring, how far away is this site?" Twilight asked.

"By hoof, 2 weeks. But if we take my airship, three days. Only she's docked in Canterlot." Daring answered as she sipped her coffee. "So if you don't mind a short train ride we can be underway by lunch. Assuming you pack lightly."

"I didn't know you had an Airship Daring!" Rainbow said excitedly as she entered the kitchen. "What's it like?"

"You'll see Dash. You'll see." Daring chuckled. "Let's wait for every pony to wake up and get over their hangovers."

"Well Spike is in Canterlot on royal business." Twilight said "So unfortunately he's gotta stay behind. If the expedition is as dangerous as you say it is, it's better if he stay behind anyway. He is still just a baby dragon after all."

"Good call Princess."

The morning wore on as the ponies made their preparations. Pinkie Pie was as bouncy as ever, constantly babbling on about a new adventure. Fluttershy was as anxious as ever and had Roseluck, a local florist keep an eye on her animals. Despite her anxiety, she was excited at the possibility of making new animal friends. Rarity was hesitant at first, but realized quickly that Fluttershy wouldn't last long without her their to comfort her. Applejack fortunately was done with applebuck season, and had nothing better to do. Rainbow was on leave from Wonderbolt duty, as it was off season. Twilight and Starlight both often worked together and were capable of changing their schedules around with relative ease. At roughly noon, they all met up with a disguised Daring Do at the train station.

"Okay. I've taken the liberty of buying your tickets." Daring said holding out the tickets in her hoof. "Once we're on board we'll go over the ground rules."

"Got it." the other seven chimed as the train pulled in with a loud hiss.

"Ponyville to Canterlot, now boarding!" the conductor shouted over the racket of the engine. As they boarded, the conductor stopped them. "Hold on ladies, you need to pa- Oh! Princess! I didn't know you'd be with us today! My apologies!"

"Don't worry about it conductor. And we do in fact have our tickets." Twilight responded, a hint of annoyance bleeding into her voice.

"Again, My apologies ladies. Please take a seat and enjoy the ride."

Once they found themselves some seats, Daring shuffled slightly, he disguise causing annoyance on her feathers.

"Now then, ground rules. One: I'm the expert archaeologist. Do as I say, when I say. clear?" at their nod, she continued. "Two: as you probably know, I get into trouble out there. A lot. So if I say to not touch something, I mean don't touch. Dash I'm looking at you." She pointed. "Three: We don't know exactly what it is we're getting into. No pony has been where we're going, so play it safe. Dash. Four: When we board my ship, do NOT insult my crew. You'll see why, but if you so much as show ANY form of malice to them, I WILL throw you out. Mid flight or not. They saved my life more times than I care to count, and they deserve respect."

"You got it" Twilight said.

"Five: If you feel sick in any way, speak up. No joking around. Dash. A dizzy spell, headache, speak up. We cant risk any exposure to a contagion."

"Tickets please?" the conductor asked, causing the 8 mares to pass him their tickets. Just as quickly as he arrived, he clicked their tickets, and moved on to the other passengers.

"Ah thought you said the disease passed almost 500 years ago." AJ queried.

"Maybe it did, maybe it didn't. Maybe it just got weaker, I don't know Applejack. I'm an archaeologist, not a doctor. Maybe it was a local plant, or something in the air. It may just be dormant, waiting for something to disturb it. Hence, Rule two. Dash." Daring explained.

"Why do you keep picking on me?" Dash asked with a huff.

"Oh, I don't know. Probably because your reckless, childish, and act before you think. It's a wonder all those crashes didn't get it through that thick skull of yours to... what's the phrase? Oh yes. BE CAREFUL! This isn't some walk in the park with Ahuizotl, or Caballeron. Ponies have actually died going where we're going. I also know very well through my correspondence with Princess Twilight here, that you love to play jokes. Out there, said jokes will get you, or one of us killed, so that pony getting hurt or killed will be on you. Being a Wonderbolt, you should know by now that you take responsibility for you, and those around you. Your more than an aerobatic, Dash. You're now also technically a member of the elite pegasus battalion of the Royal Guard." Daring growled impatiently.

"How do you know all of this?" Starlight asked.

"Spitfire's my cousin. She and I write to each other every month. Even let's me know how my fan is, and her new nickname. Eh, Rainbow Crash? She's also told me how she catches you eyeballing Clipper's flank every so often." She chuckled. Dash blushed. Heavily.

"Any more rules darling?"

Daring thought for a moment. "Not off the top of my head. I've already gotten the important stuff out of the way. A biggie for me though is my crew. They've always been there when I needed them, and I'd trust my life with them before even the Princess here. No offence."

"None taken." Twilight smiled.

"Now I really hope your skills with animals really does come in handy Fluttershy. Who knows what we might find." Daring chuckled.

"Oh... uhm... I just hope we don't see any big dragons." she whimpered.

"Nah. As Twilight said last night. No dragons go to our destination. Some legend or something about Celestia's power..." Daring assured.

"Now arriving in Canterlot!" The conductor said as he entered the car. "Mind your step ladies."

"Alright. We're going straight to the shipyard from here."

"What about lunch on Restaurant Row?" Rarity asked/complained.

"I don't care for that crap that Zesty calls 'food'. Besides, my crew can cook. They'll have no issue cooking us some food." Daring explained as she walked past The Row, much to Rarity's chagrin.

The walk was uneventful. Despite having to drag Rarity and Pinkie away from the occasional food or dress store, sometimes literally. Within a half an hour, they made it to the shipyard.

"Is that your ship? OH! Is that your ship? OH OH Is THAT your ship?!" Pinkie babbled pointing at the various ships.

"No, no, and no. Ah, there she is!" Daring exclaimed with a smile. "Home sweet home!" she said as she pranced to a slightly worn airship, the name 'Icarus' emblazoned on the side in gold paint. "She may not look like much, but she hasn't failed me yet."

"It looks like it needs some work." AJ said bluntly.

"Yeah, that she does. But I haven't had the time. Come on."

"CAPTAIN ON DECK!" Barked one of the crew mates.

"As you were. I brought guests so if you could have some rooms prepared please?" Daring said with a smile. "Also, whats Cookie got for us on the lunch menu today?"

"Lunch is grilled cheese and tomato bisque. Dinner is Enchiladas." The first Crew pony smiled.

"Aw Sweet~! Cookie makes the best enchiladas!" Daring practically bounced. "Cast off as soon as possible. We need to get this expedition underway. And if you don't mind showing our guests to the galley."

"Consider it done Captain."

"Follow Top Hat here. He'll take you to lunch. Just remember Rule 4." Daring said. "And when your done, head on up to the bridge."

"Captain, Shall I 'scrape' Blueblood's vessel by 'accident' again?" asked the helms pony with a smirk.

"Do ya have to ask?" Daring chuckled.

"This I have to see darlings." Rarity giggled.

"Cast off!" Daring yelled.

The ponies all watched as the dockworkers untied and tossed lines to the now departing airship. A unicorn dockworker lit up his horn and shoved the ship as hard as he could. Little by little, the Icarus began to move. The crew began to unfurl the sails alongside the large balloon holding the ship aloft, as a large propeller in the back was spun by local pegasi. The steam engine came to life as the propeller was spun, and the ship began to move.

As Rarity walked up to the edge nearest to Blueblood's garish airship, aptly named 'Royal Blood', the Icarus turned, and scraped against Royal Blood; scratching the fresh coat of paint and caused the L and D on 'Blood' to fall off and plummet to the bottom of the mountain. Blueblood immediately ran to the front of his vessel, and began to shout and scream at the Icarus and her crew. Rarity and Daring both started laughing. The shouting stopped as soon as the Prince noticed Rarity, who promptly turned with a haughty air about her, but not before blowing a raspberry in his direction. The crew aboard the Icarus immediately began to laugh at Blueblood's expense.

Unbeknownst to every pony involved, high above in a tower of the castle, The royal sisters both began to chuckle.

"Remind me again why you made him a prince." Luna said with a fading smile.

"It's really an empty title." Celestia chuckled. "He's not genuinely a prince. He thinks it's a tier thing."

"Ah. Same thing with Princess Platinum?" Luna asked.

"Same as Princess Platinum."

Luna couldn't help but chuckle.

Back aboard the Icarus, the helms pony looked to Daring Do.

"Captain, whats our heading?" She asked calmly.

"Head due east. We're on business." Daring replied over the gentle whir of the propeller.

The helms pony hesitated. Her calm composure seemingly cracked.

"Aye aye captain... turning due east." she said as she turned the helm accordingly.