Daring Do trekked through the swamps near the southern side of the Celestial Sea. The air was hot and muggy, and bugs flew around her face. Daring waved her wings and reached with her hoof to pull her pith helmet down over her eyes.
"Finally. All of this will be worth it..." Daring panted, grabbing her machete from around her waist. "Sorry Fluttershy, I know I promised not to harm the forest, but this swamp has so much greenery, and I need to get out of here."
Daring swung the machete and cut apart the vines and branches. She was so dehydrated, even swinging the machete was a workout. The vines were sliced to bits and Daring gasped for air as she tumbled onto the sandy beach
"Now, at last, the key to the Crystal Sphere of Khumn!" Daring cried, dropping the machete and digging through the sand. "If the rumors Ravenhoof heard are true, then the entry way should be right here."
The sun beat down above her as she dug, sand hitting her face and getting in her coat. Daring used her wings to block the sun as it warmed her back a little too much. Daring spat out a mouthful of sand and kept going. She began coughing as the sand was flung into her face.
"Ugh. This stupid sand. Wish I had my canteen." Daring grunted, but she kept going. "Finally-cough-the ability to heal any ailment...is just under..." Daring swept the final bit of sand away.
There was nothing there. Just muddy, wet sand. Daring felt the bottom for something, anything. But the only thing there was a small puddle of water, which you'd find in all holes in the sand. Her efforts had been rewarded with nothing.
"A muddy sand pit...I walked through hours worth of swampland for a muddy sand pit?!" Daring shouted, dropping onto her hindquarters and sighing, pulling off her pith helmet. "I'd better make the long flight back home. And start my research all over again."
As Daring stood she couldn't help but feel like this wasn't another dead end. "But there's nothing here. I've really been off my game for the past few...months. I need a break. Maybe...somewhere peaceful." Daring thought to herself, trotting into the waters of the Celestial Sea to cool off and clean her sandy hooves.
"Come to think of it, I've never asked Rainbow Dash where she lives. Wherever that is, I bet it's more relaxing than this place. It's not an emergency but it couldn't hurt to drop in for a visit." Daring said to herself, closing her eyes and letting the water soothe her, the way her Uncle had shown her during their quest for the Eternal Flower.
"It doesn't have to be strictly business all the time with her." Daring assured herself as she stood up in the shallow water, stretching and extending her wings before taking off, water flying from them "At least, I hope not. Because I could use some laid back, regular hang out time with my friend. I am still young, for all I've accomplished."
Daring Do flew back to the beach, only to grab her pith helmet and machete, along with her saddlebags of food. Daring picked up the bags and weighed them in her hooves
"Pretty light." she muttered to herself, opening the side where her rations were. "Almost empty. Well, Horseshoe Bay isn't far from here. I can make it by nightfall and find an Inn to stay for the night. I'll grab some food and water supplies in the morning and look for Rainbow Dash then."
So, Daring headed north, where Horseshoe Bay was. She made it as the sun set and the moon began to rise. Daring landed just outside and pulled on her AK Yearling cloak, then trotted into town. Daring wandered around the town, looking for an Inn that was open. Most of them didn't have vacancies, since it was so last minute. Eventually she was forced to pitch a tent outside town and settled down for the night.
"Ugh, I'll be glad to find Rainbow, just to get some sleep on a real bed. And eat real food." Daring muttered as she ate the last of her apple biscuits, which were now dry and hardly edible. She forced herself to eat the food, then laid down for an...uncomfortable night's sleep.
The next morning, Daring got up and stretched, yawning. She cracked her back, which was stiff from her long night. Daring then went into town and bought some food from the market.
"Right, now, where do I find Rainbow." Daring said to herself, taking off and flying over the swamps.