>The sun's high in the sky now, and you'd left the coast behind about an hour ago.
>You had never seen the sea before, it was breathtaking.
>Or was it the ocean?
>Doesn't matter.
>Mom had rigged some kind of haphazard autopilot with some rope and a broken belt, and was now rifling through some papers.
>She paused on one and stared blankly at it,
What's that, mom?
>She sighed,
>''I guess now's a good a time as any to explain,''
>She paused as if she expected you to protest.
>Go ahead, I'm all ears.
>''This lead is more important than any job I've done in the past, hell, I was prepared to leave you for what could've been months to make sure it stays under control.''
>You blush a little whenever she implies how much she cares about about you.
>She gives you the paper,
>It's filthy, and the writing is barely telligible.
>It says something about an 'item X', and goes on about how serious this might be.
>Not many details, and the letter isn't signed.
What's it mean?
>''I'm sure you noticed 'item X' on the itinerary,''
Yeah, but...
>You shrug a bit, handing the paper back to her.
>She looks around nervously, as if someone might be eavesdropping on us hundreds of feet in the air over a massive body of water.
>''The letter was sent by an old trusted contact of mine while I was out in the field, as soon as I read it I packed up and jumped ship.''
>You're surprised,
>That's not like mom, to drop projects so easily.
>''Item X refers to a specific artifact,''
>Figures, but there must be more to it than that.
>''known as the 'Maker's Horn',''
>She held her breath and looked you right in the eye.
>''I guess that name shouldn't carry much weight with you, but in my business, it's a big deal. Game-breakingly big.''
What's so special about it?
>''This isn't just some long-lost trinket, son. This is serious,''
>''The legends say the maker's horn is the conduit through which the world's magic flows, and it's said that's where the princesses got their power.''
>''It's been split into an unknown amount of pieces, but each one isn't to be taken lightly; the last time one was found, it nearly ripped Equestria a new asshole.''
>''You can imagine the kind of seriousness this entails. It wont stay quiet for long, and we wont be the only ones looking for it.''
>You swallow hard,
>What the buck have you gotten into?
>''From this point on, we refer to it as 'X', we trust nobody but each-other, and don't talk about it to anyone.''
What about your contact? Can he be trusted? And what about that pegasus that gave us the ship?
>She scoffed a bit at your words,
>''That pegasus is the last living mortal to see the power of item X, he knows it's serious.''
>She looked a bit down now, as if she just remembered a sad thought.
>''And my contact is serious about this too, otherwise he wouldn't have sent the letter. I know him, he doesn't expect to live through this ordeal. That's why he called me in; as a trump card.''
How do you even know it's him? That letter wasn't signed.
>She chuckled a bit, and lifted up the letter,
>she pointed to some rips in the paper,
>''these claw marks,''
>Claw marks?
>There were two small tears, then another a few inches down.
>''Ol' three toes, his messenger phoenix. Not a bird like him in the known world. Uses him to sent messages from the field, so they don't get lost.''
But the message doesn't say where he is, how do you know?
>''I don't, that's why we're going to gather information first.''
That's stupid, why wouldn't he tell you?
>''best be safe than sorry, son. It shows you're new at this.''
>You both shared a laugh for a few seconds,
>then she put the message with the stack and put them in her jacket pocket.
>Suddenly silent,
You don't regret taking me along, do you mom?
>''In hindsight, I think you're ready for this. It's a big first start, but it never hurts to jump into the deep-end first.''
>You wrap a foreleg around her shoulders and bring her in for a side-hug,
Thanks mom.
>''heheh, yeah. Just don't die.''
You're ruining the moment, mom.
>''If this turns out to be what it should be,''
>She turns to look at you, and your noses are pressed together,
>''I hope you're ready for one hell of a ride.''
 
-----------------------------------------------------
 
>Mom took a long nap after that.
>Not sleeping for three days'll make you wanna do that, I guess.
>She slept up here on deck, in case you needed her.
>She went from edgy to adorable in 2.4 seconds,
>The way she curls up into a ball, hugging her tail and hind legs,
>hard to believe she's a hardened explorer.
>By the time the sun was going down, you could see a coastline on the horizon.
>Nudging her awake, she told you that was your destination for now.
>There was a port city situated on the coast, and in less than an hour you had parked your ship-thingy and were walking through the streets of the town.
>All kinds of strange folk passed by, many of them not even remotely equine.
>She told you not to stare if you like all your limbs attached to your body.
>You're met with a surging crowd as you exit an alleyway, and you go to fly over them
>She smacks your flank and pulls you down,
>''Don't draw attention to yourself, you'll be getting enough of it as it is.'' she hisses in your ear,
>all you can do is nod and follow her lead.
>As the setting sun throws eerie shadows over the streets, you spend the better part of two hours lurking the streets.
>Occasionally mom would talk to some shady looking pony or other, every time she came away without answers.
>Eventually you slink into an alley and she sighs,
>''Nothing. No one's seen him for months.''
>You can't think of anything to say, so you don't.
>the thought of being on these dodgy streets alone at night made you nervous,
What's the plan?
>''Not sure...''
>She sighs and looks down the road.
>''I have a few more contacts in the city, but they're all hairy.''
>You shrug,
>''That's the spirit, let's go!''
>You had only walked about 20 feet down the road when the crowd began to surge,
>The two of you exchanged glances, and mom flew a little above the crowd to get a better look.
>She landed next to you looking disturbed, and by now it was clear that something was plowing its way down the narrow road.
>''We should go, don't fly and stick together.'', mom hissed in your ear.
>Dear god what's happening,
>The two of you start to shuffle through the crowd, but it's impossible to get anywhere any faster than a crawl.
>As you look back, a huge reptilian creature breaks through the crowd, sending pegasi and griffons flying in its wake.
>It feels like its headed straight for you,
>Then you see it's pulling some kind of carriage, manned through a covered cabin.
>You're not sure what's going on, but you hear your mom swear under her breath as the carriage heads towards you.
>Listen to mom and potentially get run over, or disregard her and book it?
>Before you have a chance to decide, it's next to you and someone's shouting out a window.
>''Daring? Daring! It IS you!''
>One of the doors pops open and smoke spews out into the open air.
>Mom has stopped trying to get away, and is now in front of the door, waving smoke out of her vision.
>''Whose ugly voice is that I hear?'' Mom's tone was suddenly friendly,
>The smoke cleared, in the doorway of the carriage was a massive stallion, probably the bigest you've ever seen.
>he wore a shaggy jacket, and his black mane was slicked back.
>And he wore a million dollar smile. Not the good kind.
>''What brings your pretty little face to town this time?'' You swear you could taste his breath all the way over here,
>''Just coming back from an expedition. I'm on my way out, actually...''
>People were starting to stare, and you started closing the gap between you and mom.
>''But you just got here! And who's this man?'' He shifted his gaze to you,
>Is this the contact we've been looking for?
Oh, I'm-
>''A new friend of mine!''
>Right, hairy.
>''Well, here's not the place for chit-chat. We'll continue this conversation over dinner.'' This wierd guy was surprisingly courtious.
>Your mom nods and turns to you,
>''Think you can find your way back to the ship?''
>Implying I don't want to get involved,
>As you open your mouth to respond, he does it for you,
>''Nonsense! Everyone's invited!''
>Mom gulps as he turns back around to enter the carriage
>You're hesitant to enter, but he doesn't look like a stallion you want to say no to.
>As if it wasn't ominous enough getting into this whack-o's carriage, you see a griffon fly out across the street,
>One flash of green scales and yellow teeth later, and his carcass is being swallowed by a lizard-thing.
>You're not in Equestria anymore.
 
-----------------------------------------
 
>The three of you spend a little under an hour in the spacious carriage, barely saying a word.
>The wierd stallion kept on sucking an intoxicating smoke from a mouthpiece attatched by a tube to some kind of pot in the center of the carriage.
>It was wierd, yeah,
>But it WAS a bit relaxing.
>And you couldn't help but notice a little stump on his forehead,
>Mental note: don't stare.
>Guess he's the biggest unicorn you've ever seen.
>The thought sends shivers down your spine, but you suppress them.
>His house is massive, considering the rest of the city is in terrible shape.
>All three of you are whisked away to a dining hall, sat around a surprisingly modest table.
>Nobody speaks for at least half an hour, when that wierd unicorn starts:
>''So what brings you back here, Daring?'' His voice booms through the hall.
>She pauses to swallow her mouthful,
>''Coming back from a bum expedition, I'm just on my way east...''
>''But I heard you came from the east.''
>''Adam sent me on that dud, I came through in hopes of giving him a bit of shit for that.''
>''Ah, I see. Just like you, Daring.''
>Damn, mom was a good liar.
>''But I can't find him, have you seen Adam recently?''
>Adam must be that contact we were looking for.
>''Afraid I haven't seen ol' Adam for about... Four? Five, months now?''
>A hush fell over the room, but this unicorn wouldn't have that.
>''But where are my manners! We haven't been introduced!''
>Obviously he's talking to you,
>Mom looks worried.
>''My name is Sir Leonnard Kenningfield Rickmond Achtang the Third.''
>All my what,
>''But you can call me Leo, after all, a friend of Daring is a friend of mine!''
My name is-
>you were both cut off by mom choking loudly on some chunk of food,
>''Oh, god I'm so sorry. You'd think I'd know how to chew by now... Go on.''
>You have a feeling she was faking it,
>Think fast,
My name's Anon. Pleased to make your aquaintance, Leo.
>you'd shake his... Hoof(?), but you're sitting too far away, so you simply nod at each-other.
>Use a fake name, that's what she must've meant... right?
>yeah.
>She seems to have relaxed a bit.
>Leo glanced at Mom from behind the rim of a chalice,
>''At least you have good taste in Stallions.''
>Mom almost choked on her wine, you just smile a bit and look down at your drink.
>''Reminds me of myself not too long ago.''
>Oh god what,
>That sinking feeling in your chest made you forget to swallow,
>''I propose a toast to you two!''
>This guy's starting to wierd you out a bit,
>In a minute, a pony came in carrying a tray with three shots on it
>you all gathered around, toasted them, and downed them.
>an awkward few seconds passed by,
>You knew it was about to happen when Leo talked again.
>''So are you two gonna share a room?''
>Mom was quick to speak up,
>''Whoa there, Leo. Two is fine for now.''
>After that, you were escorted to your rooms in this massive house.
>There were guards all over the place, but luckily your bedrooms were in the same corridor.
>Alone in a wierd guy's house. Great.
>He didn't seem all that bad, but mom seemed to know him for longer.
>Sweet Celestia, he couldn't really be your father, could he?
> ...Nah, that list was pretty big.
>Hm. Never thought about it, but mom really got busy before you were born.
>Mom.
>Gotta ask her what's up, now.
>They left the door unlocked, thank Luna.
>When you got there, you knocked lightly on the door,
Mo- Daring!
>Never know who might be listening,
>The door opens and she drags you in,
>''Quick thinking there, 'Anon','' She's speaking in low tones,
Yeah, never seen you choke on food before.
So what's up with this guy?
>She pauses and listens for a second,
>''Guy's a nutjob, egotistical power tripper with a private army. Same business as me, technically, we're rivals.''
>''Piece of advice: dont let him know he's been lied to, and don't say no to him.''
Why's he so friendly?
>''Bucked if I know. Thinks he's royalty or something. We're leaving, now.''
So no lead on... Adam?
>''yeah, and he's telling the truth.''
>She withdraws the note from her jacket pocket,
>''Damnit, the trails run cold.''
>There was silence, as she scratched herchin with one hoof,
>Then her head whipped around, a surprised look smacking her across the face.
Wha-
>Before you could say anything, she dropped the note and flung you onto the bed
>She then pinned you down seductively and started kissing you on the lips.
>your arms flung about a bit before calming down,
>but not before knocking a glass of water off the night stand, it's contents spilling onto the floor next to the bed.
>Then the door opened casually,
>realization struck you,
>You kiss back, and reach up to grab her flanks.
>She pretends to be surprised and looks at the doorway,
>''Whoa, hey, a little privacy, please?''
>You pretend to be shocked too,
>''Apologies'' It was one of the guards. ''Sir Leonnard Ken... Kenning... Would like to see you both.''
>Dontgetabonerdontgetaboner
>god your moms flanks are so tight...
>Guess her line of business keeps you fit.
>''Tell him we'll be... say five minutes?''
>He sighs and shuts the door.
>You both dont move a muscle until he's out of earshot,
>''You can let go of my flank now.''
Oh shit, sorry.
>She hops off and looks to the floor,
>''Damnit, spilled all over the note. Not like its any use to us now.''
>she trots over to the window and looks out,
>You hop off the bed and take the note out of the puddle of water,
Wait a minute, this note's not wet at all!
>Her ears perk up and she swings to you,
>''Stars above, you're right!''
>she snatches it from your grip,
>Then she takes a huge sniff of it, and nibbles on the edge.
>And a huge smile creeps across her face,
>''By Celestia's hairy ass, the trail ain't cold anymore!''
What now?
>she opens the window quietly,
>''We make a beeline for the ship, and be thankful we got a free meal from him instead of having our wings chopped off!''
>You're just thankful you didn't get a boner when your mom pretended to make a move on you.