The Expedition

by The Steam Engineer

Meet four non-ordinary personalities on the biggest adventure of all time, Stellan, Rail, Green, and Kalos as they set sail on the ship The Forgotten One toward a cavernous part of Equestria in search for answer to one of Celestia's many curiosities. What lies beyond our horizon? The team runs into many puzzles and complications, but nothing is stopping this brigade.

1. Chapter 1

"OK and this one?"

In the room 3 ponies, a grey earth pony, a white unicorn and a yellow Pegasus, are sitting in from of a desk with seven ID papers. The grey one takes one of the paper on the table and read:

Kalos ga-dolam

Gender: Male

Species: Griffin

Age: 32

Personality: Probably the shyest Griffin of the cooking equestrian college, He won 3 equestrian cook competitions and have worked with the cake family for 3 years (and survived to Pinkie Pie!) He grew up with a Pegasus father and a Unicorn mother from Las Pegasus.

Accolades: Won three international cooking competitions, Private Chef for many royals.

"Looks like we have the cook for the expedition!" says the yellow Pegasus.

"Now for the environment specialist…hmm this one looks gratifying" The Unicorn passes the paper to the two other:

Green Star

Gender: Mare

Species: Unicorn

Age: 19

Personality: She goes to the Celestia special institute for gifted Unicorns where she found the interest for the environment. She probably read all about nature, species and elemental book of all Equestria. She works for the Everfree forest research center in the botanical division.

Accolades: PhD in Botany, Herbals and Healing Certificate Acquired, Spent 10 years in a free housed research facility. Achieved highest level of notification by the SSR.

"Perfect" said the Pegasus and the earth pony in unison.

The grey pony takes the other paper.

"Hmm lets me see, we have the cook and the environment specialist. We need a scientist and a steam mechanic specialist. For extra insurance you know."

"I think I have the scientist we are looking for." says the Unicorn and give to the gray one a paper where you can read:

Rail "Gustus" Wind

Gender: Stallion

Species: Pegasus

Age: 20

Personality: Being a scientist he takes and evaluates every situation carefully, and hates to have something go badly, not panicy he tries his best to fix it as fast and as effeciantly as possible, really tender if he shows it, but mainly is pretty well hoofed all around.

Accolades: PhD In Biological/Microbiological Sciences, Won 10 Math-Science Championships at 12 years of age, Masters of Applied Mathematics, Valedictorian in all fields.

"Look like a good one, and for the engine specialist?"

"Hum... take a look of this one" say the yellow Pegasus

The grey pony take paper from the Pegasus hoof and read:

Stellan BlueGears

Gender: male

Species: Pegasus

Application: Left mechanic wing

Gender: Stallion

Age: 20

Personality: be a trouble magnet, he always in the most awkward situation you can get. But, he the best Steam Balloon mechanic of equestrian and this is for that Princess Celestia forgives him for all trouble he makes.

Accolades: Master Steam mechanist, Won 10 young engineer's competition at 10 years of age, Doctorates in Engineering and Steam Mechanics.

"That is not the one who burned half of the steam balloon into the storage building? Are you sure the one from the REA not a better choice?"

"Yes is he and yes, I'm sure this is the good choice we have made, this Pegasus is the best expert in steam machinations you can found in all Equestria!" says the yellow one.

"OK, mares and gentlecolts, we have the most probable team of all time, I'm sure we found the perfect match for this mission. A Unicorn, a Griffin and two Pegasi, that the team we need for this griseous task!"

"Miss Red Burst? You can send the letters to the postal service yes?" Says the grey pony to the Unicorn, who says:

"Of course! Mon chere, I will send them right now."

Her horn began to glow with a red aura and the four letters disappear from the table.

"Let it be done." They all say in unison.

Act 1: Meet the team.

Stellan:

Stellan reads the neatly folded paper for the hundredth time today, how in the world did the princess choose him out all Pegasi? I am probably is the worst flyer in all Equestria! Why did she not choice the Pegasus from the REA? He a lots better than me! He can make stunts like is was nothing but breathing. But ,no! She choice me! Stellan, the most insufficient flyer the world has ever seen. Reading the letter with the royal stamp again:

Dear Stellan Bluegears,

We are looking in all candidate and after deliberation we made ours choice.

Congratulations you have been selected for a mission of high importance. You are the most qualified in all to bring this mission to the final point.

In this letter you found the address of the complex and your nexus to enter. You are to be on the deck for 14:00 tomorrow flat. No waiting will be tolerated!

Have good day and we see you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Selection Team

Wow, after I read this and finaly understand that this is not a prank from Pinkie Pie, Stellan ran to pack stuff like he has a manticore after him, he jump to the bed room and begin take thing he mean need for this mission, flying google, check, shampoo, check, oil bottle, double check, maps, check and my steam engine plans, check!

"Alright! All checks made, hmm…I feel like I miss something….nah." I stuttered

Stellan packed all of his things in the saddle bag gave a last look to the shop, gave a look to the wonderbolt poster, turned his head to right to look at little baby, an extreme pressure balloon engine. Stellan reminds himself when he had made the blueprints, just the blueprints take him 2 years to complete, and after 3 years of hard work making the engine parts and 2 hours for the engine assembly. Stellan remind the joy when the engine came to life in a loud bang.

Stellan turned himself to the light control panel and with an audible sigh he turned all the lights off and left the shop after locking the entrance.

He trots about 1 hour before reaching the train gate, normally, when a Pegasus want travel without using they wings (extremely rare) they take the steam balloon. Being a Pegasus, Stellan, receives a lot of staring from other ponies, not "oh you have something on your mouth stare" a stare more like a "What!? A Pegasus taking the train and not the balloon!? What the buck is going on!" stare.

Stellan doesn't give a buck of this. By the way being a handicapped Pegasus, he knows that comes with a bad side, like the other ponies reaction to the handicap.

Stellan patiently waits for buying a train ticket when he hears a little unicorn filly voice say:

"Why does the Pegasus not have a normal wing?"

Immediately followed by the filly's mother:

"Oh my! Never say that again Sweetie, that is not a nice thing to say to anypony!"

Stellan immediately says:

"Hahaha, that's ok, I'm used to this, she is just a little filly, she is just curious and it's true I'm not like the other Pegasi"

Stellan turns his head to where the little filly is and says,

"You know, I'm not normal because when I was a little colt, my parents and I had a steam balloon accident."

Stellan gets close the filly and say with a murmur,

"Do you want know a little secret of mine? "

The filly make a yes with her head.

"Now all balloons scare me like hell." of course that not true.

The filly starts laughing hysterically.

"Do you want a ticket or not? Because now you are blocking the line!" said an angry voice behind him.

"Oh, sorry about that, yes I want one ticket for Canterlot"

"That 4 bits." The counter pony said.

Stellan takes the bits and gives it to the brown stallion and he give him the yellow train ticket in return.

When he turns back to leave, the mare tells him:

"I'm so sorry again mister?"

"Bluegears, Stellan Bluegears, but you can call me "the weird Pegasus with a fake wing" if you want." I proclaimed.

"Hahaha, I never can call you like that, Mr. Bluegears." She suggested.

"Bah, just call me Stellan, have a good day!"

"Good day to you too." and Stellan gets inside the train.

Rail wind:

My usual days consist of the basics, with a dash of work and organization. I'm a shut-in to be frank, never really leave my domain. Strangely enough I get a knock on the door, mail? I hope so, I've been expecting my new vials for a while now.

"I'll be there in a minute." I muffled.

I shuffle my papers neatly and vials unstilted. Walking over to my door I peep a bit just to see who it might be. A mail mare I never saw before dressed in a peculiar suit. Opening I rely caution.

"May I help y…." Cut off by the mail mare as she opens a briefcase with a letter.

"This letter contains important documents that are to be shown to nopony other than you are we clear." She said with a strong voice.

"Ahem…yes ma'am?" I mumbled.

"Learn to speak up…" She turns around. "Have a nice day."

I turn around closing the door. "Rude." I look at the letters seal and recognize its caliber. My eyes widen as I shut the shutters and enter my common area. Wonder what this is about, I don't get mail with the royal seal for nothing nor often. I carefully peel the seal and begin reading, it follows:

Dear Rail "Gustus" Wind

We are looking in all candidates and after deliberation we made our choice.

Congratulations you are selected for a certain mission of high importance. We have found you the most qualified in all for bring this mission to the final point.

"Me most qualified?" I muffled.

In this letter you will find the address of the complex and your nexus to enter this complex. You are to be on the deck for 14:00 tomorrow flat. No waiting will be tolerated!

Have good day and we will see you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Selection Team

"Selection Team…that sounds quite familiar." I mumbled to myself.

As I shuffle through and through staring at the clock seeing time slow down. I gather some suitcases and glass care boxes.

"Doesn't explain what we are doing; better pack everything essential to my "qualifications" just to be safe." I say while loading some vital gear and clothing.

I still ponder what the mission at hand is, but I can't be late as I am never late. Gathering the final vital elements of gear I walk outside stretching my wings a bit, waving down the taxi pony. Quickly I gather my thing upon the trunk and signal him to the said address. As I rode, I pondered, am I doing this alone…Selection Team, so it must be a team? Quicker than I thought it would be I was there already. I pay the taxi pony and walk toward the facility.

"Place looks well-guarded…" I gulped staring at the many guards above and below.

Approaching the door is a familiar face. The same mail mare, except not in the same apparel I approached.

"Nexus…" She stuck her hoof out.

"Here we are." I handed her the nexus and she scanned it, itself incinerating.

"Your room is number 9 Mr. Gustus." She stood aside.

"You can call me Rail." I gestured.

She gave me a blank stare. Leaving it at that I walked into my room relaxing…trying my best to do my best on whatever lies ahead. I hope I don't goof up.

Stellan

"HALF DAWN ROTATION! NIGHT GUARDS TAKE LEFT DAY GUARDS RIGHT!" says a yelling voice in a speakerphone.

I get out of the train and, weird, I don't see any other ponies around. Just me. Alone in a creepy place.

I begin trotting to the station exit when a see a taxi pony just in front of the station entrance with a the same mare who give me the letter, but in military look apparel .

"Mr. Gears?"

"Oh, you can call me Mr. Blue, joking ha, you understand? You call me , but my name are Bluegears and I'm blue….ha….you…know…Mr….blue…he…ha…..ha…"

"Yes. Very funny." says the mare with a blank stare.

"Now get in, we have lost enough time speaking."

"Cold bitch." I mumbled to myself.

"Do you have something to add?" says the mare with an extremely oppressing stare.

"No,no nononononono never!" I say mischievously.

"Perfect! NOW GET YOUR RUGGED FLANK IN THE TAXI!"

"YESS MA'AM!"

And I fly faster than Rainbow dash in the taxi.

Those take no more than 1 hour to get to a strange big white building.

"Are we here? " I say when I get out of the taxi fallowed by this blank stare bitch.

Stellan head up and sees all the guard on the wall with bows and other weapon he never see.

"This is a lot of guards!"

"Yes we here do not joke with security measures but, before we go more far, nexus please."

"Nexus?"

"Yes, your nexus." She stated.

"Did you mean this weird thing in the letter?"

"If for you a plasma ID card is a weird thing, yes this is the thing,"

"Do your eyes blink sometime? "

"Why do you ask this very irrelevant question?"

"Because, during the entire trip from the train station to here, I never saw you blink one-time."

"I just blink when I need too."

"Shit, you probably have the driest eyes of Equestria!"

"We get use to that." She countered

"…..I guess it's okay."

She take the nexus and scans it, Stellan make a surprise jump when he see the nexus itself incinerating.

"WHAT THE BUCK BY CELESTIA SAKE IS THAT SHIT!"

"Security measure. Sir."

"Shit! You don't joke when you say you not joking with security."

"Your room is the number 8 just in from in from of Chamber 9"

"You don't say!" I said sarcastically.

But when he turns himself, Stellan see nopony around, without the guards of course.

When he turns again, he saw the door number 9, and saw they are not completely close and see one big eye in the crack checking him.

"Excuse me!"

RAIL

Silent in my room, oh so silent, I unpack my things and dress up a bit more formal. Who knows who I am…we are, going to meet in just an hour. Making sure I'm premed and prepped I trot over to the wide crystalline mirror hanging on the wall facing my nest. I walk into the bathroom which was really nice, Silver trimmed metal sinks with granite tops. There was amazing art hanging from the walls and a glorious aroma floating in the air. Using my right wing I pick up my brush and begin combing my mane and tail making sure it's completely untangle and worth of the audience of Princess Celestia herself. Using the soft blue cloths provided complementary to the room I wash my face, muzzle, ears, eyes, and even my neck a bit.

"Well, not bad Raily, looking good…I guess." I stuttered.

I later here some voices and a taxi pony arrive, another team member maybe? What or whoever they are they seem to have made a scene. I trot back to the mirror double checking making sure every detail is in place, wouldn't want to look sloppy in front of a anypony, especially this pony we are seeing it seems. Listening to the noises outside while trying to fix my façade I heard another voice that I have yet to hear, a stallion it seemed. I sit back down waiting for any notification on whether I can leave the room, I was hungry. About twenty minutes pass and somepony bumps into my door, scared me a bit I looked over. I didn't get to catch the face or anything but it was a pony for sure. Must like shiny things, he was wearing something, an anesthetic maybe. Ouch.

"Goodness, well at least I'm not here alone anymore. I'm getting annoyed with the silence." I said peeking through my door.

Trying to look around I face across to "Room 8" where the stallion is staying it seems. I was right, an anesthetic…WING. Must have been in a horrible flying accident, or, well I don't know but it must have been awful to have such a vital part of you gone.

"Oh my, its looks ravishing, but…I feel bad." I whispered to myself peeking. I figured to at least try to get acquainted with the Pegasus. I creek open the door.

"Excuse me, Gears is it?" I whispered.

Stellan

I hear a very little voice just behind me, a turn myself to face the new one. He was another Pegasus, very clean looking, and mane, and tail, coat, all perfectly styled. I noticed he had a pair of red classes on his muzzle. This pony pretty much looked like one of the scientists' out of Cloudsdale University.

I realize he wanted an answer from me

"Yes, it is, but you can just call me Stellan, Mr.?"

"Ah excuse me, my name is Rail Gustus Wind, but you can just call me Rail"

"Alright, Rail, are you here for the expedition?"

"Yes, of course, but I really don't know why nor the objective."

Shit, this Pegasus looks so much wiser than me!

I hear a loud groaning.

"What is that?"

"Oh my, sorry it was me, or well my stomach I'm just a little hungry. I was on the way when I saw you or a least, heard your voice."

"We can go together! I'm hungry too"

"Capital!" said Rail.

As we trot together in the complex for thirty minutes searching for some place to eat.

"I can't believe they do not have any place to eat in this complex!" Stellan exclaimed.

When I say that, I move myself to the left when a little pin on the wall blew one of my mechanic wing steam pipes. I got myself being repulsed off the wall in front of Rail.

Rail:

As Gears flew my eyes widened and I froze a bit. His wing was pulled and steam was bursting frantically form a couple of pipes. His crash with the wall in front of startled me for a bit.

"Oh sweet Celestia are you alright? Anything hurt or well broken, shattered for that matter?"

I use my wing to carry his and my hooves for him...trying to thrust him upon my shoulders.

"I hope nothing broke or anything, its looks really intricate and expensive at that."

"No no, I am ok I am ok. Just, these stupid pins, been causing me problems ever since I got the damn thing. What can I say, better than nothing at all right?" Gears applied.

I set Gears down over near a table and check him out a bit seeing if anything was wrong, he hit the wall pretty damn hard. Staring at his one mechanical steam shifted wing I could not help but be dazzled by the craftsmanship. The gears, cogs, springs, steam automatons, etc. He and or somepony else did an amazing job on the anesthetic wing.

Excuse me, Mr. Gears, who did such magnificent work upon your wing there…it is absolutely stunning I might say." I say while gently picking up some of the pieces that flew off as he made impact. Giving the pieces back I also notice some other gears, but much more of accessories than actual work of the body, I am assuming he is an engineer of some sort. Not to mention his cutie mark is 3 cogs. So if we have an engineer for this mission we are prepping for, who else are we going to need?