Evening was gently closing her many-hued curtain over the small rural town. From beneath the softly falling veil of eventide, a commotion drifted from Sugarcube Corner, 135 Hoofington Way, Ponyville. For this reason, the disturbance was hardly heeded. Nocturnal activity was not uncommon at Sugarcube Corner, and was never dull in its modus operandi, this evening's being no exception. Weekly meetings of the Equestrian Exploration Institute, that being the source of the evening's fracas, had become second-nature disturbances. These meetings would typically carry on into all hours of the night, or until no topics of key interest remained to be fully discussed. The key of these topics, of course, being the geographical exploration of the land of Equestria, "For Princess and Prowess," being the premise. Warm and topical banter, over good cider and biscuits, would fill the second floor hall during these weekly assemblies. The caucus had become particularly sonorous over the past fortnight-and-a-half, justifiably owing to the vast undertaking upon which one of their own was about to embark. The excited discussions and devices laid behind closed doors were reaching their forte on this night, and a modest crowd of Equestrian exploration and intellectual elite occupied the upper hall, raising all Tartarus of a din. Explorers all, having between their various experiences, a near complete atlas of Equestrian geography. There was the dauntless Mr. Turnip, having in his time led expeditions throughout the southeast of Equestria. In a mere one hundred and twenty days, his party of thirty mules and ponies completed a geographical cataloging of the Hayseed Swamps. There was the contumacious Rocky, whose stubborn resolve pulled him and his exhausted expedition through the perils of the San Palomino Desert. There was Madame le Flour, whose exploits included the White Tail Woods and the regions encircling the Smokey Mountains. The stoic Admiral Gummy counted amongst their numbers as well. Though he never spoke, none doubted the magnitude of his naval explorations. Then, of course, the Chairman Sir Lintsalot himself, having led expeditions throughout the regions of northeastern Equestria, even crossing the Crystal Mountains. These daring explorers, these giants of intellectual exploit, were all gathered here on this night to bring together the fruits of their ambition. Chairman Sir Linstalot, midst hearty applause, echoing sentiments, and many a chorus of "here here!" continued to dictate with an air of pomp, regarding their most intrepid enterprise.
"And yes, friends, you may believe that it shall succeed!"
"It shall! It shall!" came the unanimous response of those gathered. Another toast was raised with much applause and cheering. Through the raucous clamor, the Chairman continued his rousing speech.
"For while our institute exists to expel the unknown, we must therefore seek out that very heart of darkness, which is our sovereign duty!"
"Indeed! Our sovereign duty!" More applause filled the hall.
"Yes!" continued the Chairman, "one of our very own sisters, a prime exponent of our sovereign nation, shall penetrate that heart of darkness that lies in the center of the Everfree Forest! This endeavor, should it succeed (And it will!), will be on the tongues of every Ponyvillite, nay, every Equestrian, in the land!"
"Here here!"
"And indeed, our most intrepid explorer, our own sister savant of science, shall go forth boldly on this endeavor, and bring back the glory, for Princess and Prowess!"
Cheers rang forth from every throat, along with enthusiastic applause and the intermittent "For Princess and Prowess!"
"I propose another toast!" Every head in the room turned to address the speaker. Admiral Gummy raised his mug of cider, his lips framing a toothless grin.
"A toast, then! To Pinkamina Pie and her daring endeavor!"
"To Pinkamina Pie and her daring endeavor!" came the unanimous response.