"Initially, I know that I handled it worse than she did and I think partly because I've always been... every bit of adversity I've faced up until the last year and a half is adversity I brought upon myself - or the opposing teams have given me."
-Brett Favre
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They were all packed up. Camping gear, exploration gear, bits for renting a shelter at where they were going to go. Even train tickets which had been reserved beforehand was ready for today. As Hal, Daring, and Dr. Grounds double checked their bags they smiled inwardly. It was going to be fun at least, even if it was a hoax. A lot of ponies wanted to go to the Falls but not everypony usually had the time or economic safety to go. Another perk of being homeless for the two adventurers and that the doctor among them had enough economic safety to be able to go as well was considerably lucky as well.
The time had come to go, several days had passed already, and now that they were adequately prepared they had left for one of the largest tourist attractions in Equestria; Neighagra Falls. There it was rumored that its beauty had been the spot for many a cheesy marriage proposal, action story, and even by general tourist standards it was going to be entertaining to be the least. Even more so now that they had a objective in mind. The 'Pinnacle of Science', which was theoretically stored under the deafening rock breaking waters of the fall's. Though they weren't to know it, another force was similarly moving out to get the same artifact, though it was for very different purposes.
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"Situation report." A commanding voice demanded for probably the tenth time that hour.
One of her guards, a bat pony in standard uniform named Night wing spoke, "Commander Sky and company are still investigating your highness. The book is proving elusive at worst and it is far from it's worst so to speak."
Her benevolence sighed, "Why did Tia have to burry that with such a long arduous puzzle behind it..."
"Because she didn't want anypony to take it your highness." her same guard replied, having repeatedly did this conversation before days previously.
"She could of just burnt it." The dark being replied in turn to her guard, "Not hide it away behind such extreme measurements."
"Maybe she wanted to make a game of it." Cloudy Sky rolled his eyes, not noticing that his commander could see the same action.
"maybe..." The voice trailed off as if lost in thought.
Few minutes later the same voice spoke again in the same demanding tones, "situation report."
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The first half of the train ride was uneventful to say the least. The trip went on for one entire day of nothing but relaxation and boredom. Hal and Dr. Ground took to playing Chess on the train ride, both equaling each other in strategy and winning and losing evenly. Daring however was less entertained. Maybe it was Hal but it seemed that the mare seemed to somehow end up in more and more ridiculous positions of boredom starting from the normal sitting position and then a laying position as she studied the passing scenery. Then she increasingly seemed to rotate until she was upside-down, hanging from the storage rack that was up top, and even balancing on her head on top of a luggage case in the middle of the cabin they had in the train. Every once and a while a food trolley would go by and offer them snacks or a meal.
The second day however was more eventful. Much more eventful. It began with a simple question from a fellow passenger with a nasally voice, "Excuse me, have any of you three seen a toad around here?"
The voice came from a lively looking older mare who's hair was remarkably like an afro, her greyed mane color however contradicted harshly with the ragged cut of dark green fur that coated her equine body. Though her most identifiable feature was a large quarter sized mole that hung just under the left side of her mouth that was even sporting a trio of hairs from the middle of it as if it was a large putrid tick waiting to pounce in a field of grass. Her teeth was partially crooked leaving a gap between her front teeth and had a slight overbite. Though no one could recall the color of her eyes. As they were too transfixed
Daring Do toppled over off her latest pose of balance on the seat, she had been attempting something she called planking, with a loud, "Oof!" followed by an low groan of pain, holding her nose between her hooves and shutting her eyes at the sudden intrusion.
Dr. Ground's looked around towards the elderly pony with eyes widening as he took in the mole and became transfixed, he mumbled out, "N-no we haven't seen a mol- I mean toad. Right Hal? No toad here..."
Hal turned his head to look at the intruder as well and found his eyes draw inevitably to the mole as well, however due to cultural differences he didn't view the mole as something to be disturbed about, however he did have trouble processing its impossible size. It took even Hal a few moments to find words, "No toad has entered this cabin. May I ask you a question however?"
"Go ahead young lad." The elderly pony grinned again
"How did you manage to get a mol-" Hal began but was interrupted by a not so subtle kick under the table from Dr. Ground.
Dr. Ground continued where Hal, "I think what Hal meant to say was, have you checked the bathrooms or kitchens? Mol- I mean toads tend to like...moist... areas."
The mare looked surprised at the suggestion, "Oh dear, I better make sure that the cooks don't accidently cook him up for one of the carnivorous guests on this train. Sorry for intruding and thanks for your help!"
As she left Hal noticed Daring Do just standing there slack jawed with wings drooping down and brushing the ground, as she whispered barely audible, "Mole-y... mole-y...mole-y..."
Hal looked on curious and annoyed, as Dr. Ground gave a shuddering sigh. Hal questioned back, "Why did you kick me? I was only going to ask how she managed to get a mole that big on her chin."
Dr. Grounds retorted with venom in his voice, "Do you have no concept of disgust or something? That... thing... was hideous."
"As a matter of fact, I am not programmed with such a emotion." Hal replied in an easy going sentence, drawing a strange look from the Doctor.
Dr. Ground raised an eyebrow, "Programmed?"
Daring shook her head as if to clear it, "Don't mind him doctor, Hal used to be a machine."
Dr. Ground looked at Daring then back at Hal in surprise, "I didn't think such technology was possible."
Daring opened her mouth to comment but Hal beat her to it, "The process technically should be impossible. I was dead, revived from dead as a biological creature in middle of nowhere, abandoned presumably at rebirth by unknown savior. Discovered world vastly different from my own, my creator Dr.Sandra would be ecstatic if she ever discovered this planet."
Dr.Ground considered that statement, "I guess it would explain the lack of cutie-mark and the 'battle saddle'. So that makes you an alien then?"
This time it was Hal's turn to raise an eyebrow, "I guess?"
The doctor beamed at them, "Great, I can check that off my L list when we get back."
"Your what now?" Both Daring and Hal asked at once.
"My L list," Dr. Ground told them, "It's a list of unrealistic things I wanted to accomplish in life." I call it a Live List in full because it's full of expectations we never actually fulfill. Like how fillies expect they will get super powers and become a superhero or villain."
Daring looked sad for a few moments, "You mean we don't eventually? That's disappointing..." she grinned at her friends incredulous expressions and laughed, "Got you both. Gee you two are gullible." she broke up into giggles before recomposing herself.
Dr. Grounds was about to prepare an witty remark but a loud scream from down the hall outside of their caboose interrupted them followed by an gruff stallions audible yell, "What in Equestria is that?!"