> My Little Investigations: Wonderbolts Under Fire
>  by Metool Bard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: A Bit of Background
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I know what you're thinking right now.  You're thinking; "Wow!  Is Spitfire talking to me?  As in the Spitfire?!  Somepony hit me; I must be dreaming!"

To that I say two things.  One, you're not dreaming.  Two, stop freaking out.  I'm not gonna be able to tell my story if you're squealing like a school filly.

For those out of the loop, I'm Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts.  Now, that means a lot of things.  It means that I am an entertainer; my specialty being precision flying.  But my job is more than just flying around and looking cool (although I'll admit, that is the majority of it).  I'm also the top brass concerning all things weather, and I run the Wonderbolts training camp for new recruits.  And that's not to mention that the Wonderbolts are also considered a branch of the Equestrian Navy, and I coordinate all activities regarding that.

So to recap: I'm a stunt flier, a weathermare, a talent scout, an instructor, and a commanding officer.  Notice that nowhere in my job description does it say "private investigator."

But, I'm getting ahead of myself.  I think it'd be best if we started from the beginning.  This whole mess began a couple of days ago, although I had no way of knowing it at the time...


***
January 12, 08:00
Wonderbolt Academy
***


I was in my office, waiting for the mail to arrive.  That's where ponies can usually find me after breakfast.  This is because I get a ton of mail, and I think you can all guess why.  As such, I usually find it best to get it out of the way first thing, so that the rest of my schedule is cleared up.

"Mail call!"

Yep, right on time.  I expected nothing less from Crescent Moon.

Oh, you guys probably don't know Crescent Moon, do you?  Well, he's kind of our behind-the-scenes pony.  He keeps our schedules; sorts our mail; makes sure we're healthy.  You know, that kind of stuff.  What any of that has to do with his Cutie Mark of a crescent moon, I haven't the slightest idea.  He says it's not important, but I chalk that up to the fact that he doesn't really like to talk about himself all that much.

Anyway, Crescent Moon came in with a heavy box strapped to his back and a clipboard in his mouth.  I could literally see the sweat staining his dusty brown coat and chocolate-colored mane.  This did not bode well for me.

"You need a hoof with that, Crescent?" I asked.

"Ugh!  N-no thankth, Captain.  I-I got it," Crescent grunted before plopping the box on my desk, sending a few letters flying around.  He then set his clipboard down and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Phew!  There we are."

I peered into the box and began to feel a sense of dread.  It was packed to the brim with all sorts of letters.

"Great," I groaned. "This is gonna take me all morning."

"Well, it's just as well," said Crescent with a shrug. "You don't have anything scheduled this morning."

There wasn't really a way I could respond to that, so I simply shrugged and began sorting through my bumper crop of mail.  For the most part, it was what you'd expect.  Lots and lots of fan letters and posters waiting to be autographed.  One would think that I'd get sick of it after a while, but honestly, I love hearing from my fans.  I just wish I had more time to give them all the attention I felt they deserved.

"Anything of interest, Captain?" asked Crescent.

"Nah, just the usual," I said, stacking all the letters into a neat pile. "So, what's on the agenda for today, Crescent?"

"Well, let's see," Crescent mused, picking up his clipboard. "Hmm.  Oh, there's the Wonderbolt Derby this afternoon."

"Am I scheduled to race?" I inquired.

"Um, yes."

"Hmm," I said with a shrug as I continued sorting my mail. "Rapidfire is sure to be disappointed.  He's always the favorite in those races."

"Doesn't Fleetfoot beat him all the time, though?" asked Crescent.

"Yeah, but the bookies over in Canterlot never seem to catch on," I said with a dry chuckle. "Ah, well.  What're you gonna do?  Oh, hello.  What's this?"

It was then that I found a letter not quite like the others.  It was marked with a regal-looking seal depicting a hoof, a talon, and a paw placed one over the other; as if three separate creatures were swearing an oath of brotherhood.  I recognized the seal right away and raised an eyebrow.

"Now, this is quite interesting," I said. "Why would Honor Bound send me a letter?"

"Honor Bound?" asked Crescent, tilting his head. "I'm not sure I know who that is."

I gave Crescent a half-smirk. "You really ought to pay more attention to politics, Crescent.  Honor Bound is only one of the most prestigious diplomats around.  He's the griffons' ambassador to Equestria; a living testament to griffons and ponies being able to live together in harmony."

"O-oh," said Crescent sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, I didn't know.  Um, is he really that highly revered?"

"From what I understand, some of his prestige is exaggerated because of his bloodline," I said as I opened the letter. "I'm no diplomat myself, but I would imagine that it takes more than just being a hippogriff to become an ambassador.  Anyway, let's see what he has to say."

I unfolded the letter and began to look over it carefully.  As I read the message, I couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised.


Dear Captain Spitfire:

This letter is an invitation, a proclamation, and something of a challenge.  With the Equestria Games still looking for a new host, I believe it's high time we introduce a new event that will allow griffons to participate.  And so, with Princess Celestia's blessing, I have taken the liberty of organizing the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet; a prototype for this new event.  It is a race through one of Equestria's most dangerous trenches, and I would be most delighted if the Wonderbolts would take part in the test.  You will be facing the finest aerialists the Griffon Kingdom has to offer, the Proud Pride.  If both you and the griffons approve of this event, it will most likely strengthen our already-strong relations.

The race will be held a week from today.  I hope to see you then.

Most sincerely,

Honor Bound


"Well, what does it say?" asked Crescent.

I looked up at Crescent with a spark of determination in my eyes. "Crescent, is there anything after the Wonderbolt Derby?"

"Um, no."

"Perfect.  Have the team meet me at the training ground at seventeen hundred hours, sharp.  I've got a special announcement to make."

"Oh.  Uh, right away, Captain," said Crescent, hastily jotting the meeting down on his clipboard. "So, what did Honor Bound want?"

I smirked. "The griffons are challenging the Wonderbolts to a race through Ghastly Gorge as a gesture of goodwill.  And I'm not planning on insulting them by backing out."

Crescent seemed flummoxed. "Wh-when is this?"

"Next week."

Crescent frantically flipped through his clipboard. "I-I didn't get any prior notice of this, Captain."

I had to snicker.  Crescent doesn't really like his ordered little world to be shaken up. "And that's why you should pay more attention to politics," said I.

"Um, right," said Crescent. "I'll be sure to remember that.  A-and I'll be sure to have a message ready for the mess hall bulletin board by lunchtime."

"I know you will," I said with a smile. "You're dismissed."

"Th-thank you, Captain," said Crescent with a hasty salute before darting out the door.

My smile grew as I went over to the window to reflect on Honor Bound's letter.  As you can imagine, I was pretty stoked.  I'm always up for a good race, and so is the rest of my team.  And not only was this a race, but it was an event that could possibly make it into the Equestria Games.  There were also the diplomatic benefits and implications, but to me, that was just the icing on the cake.  To me, this was a chance for us Wonderbolts to show our stuff and test our mettle against the best the Griffon Kingdom had to offer.

Little did I know that in the same day, my entire world would be royally rocked...
> One Stray Spark
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 12, 17:00
Wonderbolt Academy
Training Ground
***


Anypony who has flown with me long enough knows that I'm a stickler for punctuality.  If I say there's a meeting at seventeen hundred, I expect everypony attending to be there at seventeen hundred on the dot.  So it's no surprise that when I arrived at the training ground, I was greeted by my team; all standing in a row at attention.  I gave a nod of satisfaction and turned to address my fellow Wonderbolts.

"Alright, Wonderbolts!  Sound off!" I ordered.

"Soarin', here!"

"Blaze, present and accounted for!"

"Misty Fly, reporting in!"

Each Wonderbolt called out their name in turn.  Each of them, that is, except one.  I had to roll my eyes.  I knew all too well what was coming next.

Five, four, three, two, one...

"SURPRISE~!"

Yep, just as I suspected.  The last Wonderbolt on the list, Surprise, flew up from behind me and shrieked right into my ear.  She does this all the time.

"Reporting for duty, Cap-a-rooni!" the hyperactive white pegasus said with a salute.

I sighed. "Surprise, do you know what would really surprise me?"

"What's that, Cap?"

"If you didn't do that."

Surprise tilted her head. "I don't follow, Cap.  Is this some sort of paradoxical riddle that I'm not supposed to get?"

"Never mind," I said.  Seriously, trying to use logic with Surprise is like trying to solve a crossword puzzle with vague clues.  It's possible, but if you keep at it for too long, it's gonna make your brain hurt. "Just get in line, alright?"

"Okey-dokey, Cap!" said Surprise with a salute as she dashed to the end of the line.

"So, what's this all about, Boss?" asked Rapidfire. "Crescent said you've got something important to tell us."

"I do indeed, Rapidfire," I said with a smile as I marched up and down the line. "This morning, I got a letter from none other than Honor Bound, the Hippogriff Ambassador."

The Wonderbolts began muttering amongst themselves before High Winds spoke up.

"What would the Hippogriff Ambassador want with you, ma'am?" she inquired.

"I'm glad you asked, High Winds," I said. "Apparently, he's planning to strengthen pony-griffon relations by creating a new event for the Equestria Games which both griffons and ponies can enter."

"Ooh, ooh!  Ooh ooh ooh!" Surprise exclaimed, flailing her foreleg in the air like a filly trying to get the teacher's attention.  I gave an exasperated sigh.

"What is it, Surprise?" I asked.

"Why do we need to strengthen our relations with the griffons?  We already live together pretty peacefully."

That was, actually a pretty good question.  I gotta hand it to Surprise; she always finds a way to live up to her name and catch me off-guard.

"I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that, Surprise," I said with a shrug. "Besides, that's not the reason I called you all here."

"Well, what iss?" asked Fleetfoot.

I gave my team a sly grin. "To test this new event, Honor Bound has organized a friendly competition at Ghastly Gorge a week from today.  He wants us to race against the Proud Pride, the best fliers in the Griffon Kingdom."

"The who?" asked Wave Chill, tilting his head. "I've never heard of those guys."

"Me, neither," said Silver Zoom. "Are they new?"

"I suppose," I said. "Honestly, this is my first time hearing about them, too.  But even so, I plan to take Honor Bound up on his offer.  If these guys are supposed to be the best fliers amongst griffons, then it would be insulting if we just stood them up."

"I hear that, ma'am!" Fleetfoot proclaimed in agreement. "I'm alwayss up for a good racce!"

There was a general muttering of agreement from the rest of the Wonderbolts, punctuated by a squeal of glee from Surprise.

"This is gonna be so much fun!" she exclaimed, turning to Fire Streak. "Are you excited?!  'Cause I'm excited!  Excited!"

"Glad to hear you're all on board," I said, lowering my flight goggles. "Because if we're gonna do this, we can't afford to do it half-assed.  I already had Crescent Moon prepare the obstacle course for us, so let's get a few practice runs in before dinner."

"That's just like you, Spitfire.  Always on top of things," said Misty Fly, putting on her own goggles. "I'm ready whenever you are."

That's what I love about my team, amongst other things.  They're always ready to move at a moment's notice.  Sure enough, the rest of them lowered their goggles and got ready for takeoff.  I smiled.

"Good to hear, Wonderbolts!" I said proudly. "Now then, we'll divide into six wing pairs and take off in order.  Blaze, you're with Surprise."

"Got it, Sis," said my younger twin with a salute.

"Soarin', you go with Wave Chill."

When Soarin' didn't respond, I looked up and had to groan.  Even through his opaque goggles, I could tell that his eyes had completely glazed over.  Honestly, I don't know what he thinks about half the time.  The other Wonderbolts joke and always say it's pie, but I know better.

"Hey, Earth to Soarin'!" I snapped, clapping my hooves in front of his face.

"Huh, what?" said Soarin', shaking himself. "Oh, uh...  Sorry, Spit.  What was that?"

"You're with Wave Chill."

"Oh, right!  Yeah, no prob," said Soarin' sheepishly.

I simply shook my head and continued going down the list. "Fire Streak, you're with Lightning Streak."

"Understood."

"Silver Zoom, you're with High Winds."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Fleetfoot, you're with Rapidfire."

"If he can keep up," said Fleetfoot with a sneer.  Rapidfire scowled.

"Cut the crap, Fleet," I said, giving both ponies a stern glare. "This is exactly why I'm pairing you two.  Both of you, get the Wonderbolt Derby out of your heads and fly as a team.  You got me?"

Fleetfoot swallowed. "Y-yess, ma'am," she said meekly.  Rapidfire gave a hasty salute of his own.

"Good," I said with a curt nod. "Misty Fly, you're my wing."

"I won't let you down, Spitfire," said Misty Fly.

"I know," I said with a smile. "Alright, Wonderbolts!  Let's fly!"

With a chorus of acknowledgments, the Wonderbolts took to the skies in the wing pairs I assigned, starting with Blaze and Surprise and ending with me and Misty Fly.


***


At first, running through the obstacle course was pretty standard fare.  We go through this sort of training all the time to keep ourselves in top form.  If asked, I'd say that pretty much all of us could run the course blindfolded.  I know I could.  So while flying through the course, I usually find myself using the time to reflect, putting myself on autopilot as I get lost in my thoughts.  This time around, I was thinking about my team.

Most new recruits see me as a hard-dock who doesn't take any crap from anypony.  While that's true, there's more to it than that.  Besides, you've already seen that we have our share of discipline issues.  Soarin' often has his head in the clouds, Fleetfoot and Rapidfire have a tendency to be overly competitive, and Surprise is, well, Surprise.  And trust me, there's a lot more that I could get into.

But you know what?  None of that matters to me.  For one thing, they know how to hide their flaws while performing.  But more importantly, it makes them who they are.  Nopony can take that away from them, least of all me.

I'm usually not a sappy pony, but when I'm asked about what my team means to me, I can't help but think about how much I care about each and every one of them.  As their captain, I'm responsible for them.  They're my comrades, and everypony knows I would never let them down.  I'd even go so far as to call them my family (don't laugh.  I can be sentimental when I want to be).  They may follow my orders, but in the back of their minds, they can take comfort in the knowledge that I can steer them in the right direction.  It's that mutual respect that makes us a great team.

And just when I was about to write this off as a pretty damn good day, disaster struck quite literally and turned my world upside-down.

I was snapped out of my daydreaming by a loud peal of thunder ringing in my ear.  That already set off warning bells in my head.  According to my autopilot, Misty Fly and I were nowhere near the thundercloud patch.  When I stopped to take stock of what happened, I was surprised to see that Misty Fly was no longer by my side.  Frantically, I looked around for my wingpony.  After catching sight of a trail of smoke some ways back, it didn't take long for me to find her.

I looked down and gasped in horror.  Sure enough, Misty Fly had been hit by that rogue thunderbolt and was falling fast.  Without a moment's hesitation, I dove after her.

"Hang on, Misty Fly!" I shouted. "I'm coming!"

At least, that's what I think I said.  My ears were still ringing from that thunderbolt.  But that didn't matter.  Nothing else mattered.  I had to save her.

In a few short seconds, I managed to close the gap between us.  Upon closer inspection, I saw that the thunderbolt had hit her pretty bad.  Her right wing was completely singed, and she couldn't hope to recover.  I slowly increased my acceleration, aiming to position myself under her and catch her that way.  Pure adrenaline ran through my veins like wildfire, and my heart was going a mile a minute.  I had to make this count, no matter what.

Just as I was within hoof's reach of her, she disappeared from my field of view.  Utterly baffled, I stopped my dive and looked around again.  This time, I caught sight of something that caused me to lower my goggles as my jaw dropped.

Carrying Misty Fly was perhaps the weirdest-looking pony I had ever laid eyes on.  From the pony's build, I guessed that it was a mare, but I couldn't be sure.  She was dressed in this bizarre costume, complete with a skintight body suit, a purple cape, and a wide-brimmed hat.  The mystery pony landed on the tarmac below the obstacle course and set Misty Fly down gently.  She then gave me a salute and flew off without another word.

I had countless questions running through my head, but I put them all on the back burner as I rushed to Misty Fly's side.  I landed next to her, panting heavily as I looked over her barely conscious form.

"Hey, *pant* Mist.  Y-you *gasp* alright?" I asked breathlessly.

Misty Fly tried to get to her feet, stumbling a bit as she did so. "I-I'm sorry, Spitfire," she said weakly.

"No.  Don't apologize.  You did nothing wrong," I assured her, holding out my hoof. "Need some help?"

"Th-thanks, Spitfire.  I-I'll be okay, though," Misty Fly grunted as she continued to struggle.  Honestly, I don't know why she bothered.  I know false bravado when I see it.

"Hey, maybe you should save your energy," I said firmly. "You took a pretty nasty hit back there."

Misty Fly knew right away that I saw through her facade, and she let out a heavy sigh. "M-my wing feels completely numb, Spitfire.  I-I don't know when it'll get better.  I-I'm..."

"I told you, don't apologize," I interrupted. "Just take it easy, alright?  I don't want you to push yourself."

"O-okay," said Misty Fly as she did as I asked.  The other Wonderbolts crowded around from above, looking down at us.

"Everything okay, Spit?" asked Soarin'.

I gave Soarin' a dirty look.  Seriously, what kind of question was that?  Did he not see Misty Fly's condition?  I let out a deep sigh.

"All of you, go hit the showers," I said. "Training's over for today.  Oh, and Blaze?"

"What's up?"

"Get Fast Clip and Whiplash over here, on the double.  Tell them to bring a stretcher.  Also, get Crescent Moon in on this.  I want him to find out what the hay happened up there."

"Right away, Sis," said Blaze with a solemn nod.  With that, the Wonderbolts dispersed, leaving me and Misty Fly.

I looked down at my wounded comrade for the longest time.  I'm not ashamed to admit it; I felt like crying.  I was just so, relieved that she was still alive.  But one thing about being a captain is that you have to know when it's okay to cry.  And right then and there, Misty Fly needed me to be strong for her.  So, I held it in until our security detail, Fast Clip and Whiplash, came in to take Misty Fly to the infirmary.  After giving them a salute, I flew off to the barracks.  I needed a cold shower and a lot of time to think.
> Myriad Mysteries
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 12, 18:04
Wonderbolt Academy
Main Barracks
***


When I got to the barracks, I could already hear the other Wonderbolts talking amongst themselves over the sound of running water.  I wasn't paying all that much attention to what they were saying, but it sounded like they were concerned about me and Misty Fly.  I allowed myself to shed a single tear as a soft smile crossed my face.  That's another thing I love about my team.  Despite our differences, we try to look out for one another.

I got out of my uniform and entered the mares' shower room.  As if by magic, the muttering stopped.  Even Surprise clammed up, and trust me, that's rare for her.  I guess none of them really knew what to say to me.  That or they wanted to give me my space and let me sort out my thoughts.  Either way, I was grateful.  I wasn't really in the mood for talking, anyway.

I stepped into the nearest stall, turned on the water, and let the cold spray hit my face.  Slowly, I began to clear the fog around my mind and piece together what had transpired.

Now, before you ask, I did not blame myself.  Yeah, I daydreamed during practice, but that's because I knew the course so well.  Which is why I knew for a fact that the thunderbolt that hit Misty Fly was out of place.  Otherwise, Misty Fly would've dodged it no problem.  Or at least, she wouldn't be in such critical condition.

Did Crescent Moon make a mistake setting up the course?  No, that couldn't be it.  Crescent is many things, but one thing he's not is careless.  Besides, we passed that same spot at least five times during our run-through, and only on the sixth lap did that thundercloud decide to release its payload.  As an expert weathermare, I can tell you that thunderclouds don't work like that.  In order for that to happen, somepony had to be operating the cloud manually.

As soon as that thought entered my mind, the gears in my head went into overdrive.  The more I thought about it, the more apparent it became that this wasn't an accident.  Someone tried to punch Misty Fly's ticket.  The very notion brought my blood to a boil.  I didn't feel like crying anymore.  I felt like hitting something repeatedly.  Preferably the schmuck who thought attacking my team was a good idea.

But, that brought me to another problem.  There were only twelve pegasi in the sky at the time, and those twelve were me and the rest of the Wonderbolts.  It couldn't have been one of the others; we have more respect for each other than that.  Did one of them see something and not tell me?  If so, why didn't they?  And if not, where the bucking hay did that thunderbolt come from?!

With a scream of frustration, I punched the wall with all my might.  For the longest time, the only sounds I heard were the water from the showers and my own heavy breathing.  I stood there, staring down the drain as I let my rage dissipate.  Throwing a tantrum wasn't going to solve anything.  I knew that better than anypony.  But sometimes, even I can't be the level-headed captain who's always in control no matter what life throws her way.

"Need a hug, Cap?"

I didn't even turn to address Surprise.  I knew she meant well, but she also had no tact whatsoever.  One of these days, she's gonna end up picking her teeth up off of the floor.

"I don't think that's going to help, Surprise," I muttered.

"Mmm.  Well, let me know if you change your mind," said Surprise.

"Yeah, sure," I said. "Oh, and Surprise?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell the others to go to the mess hall without me.  I'll catch up later."

"You got it, Cap."

I then heard Surprise's hoofsteps as she left the shower room.  With a sigh, I turned off the water and got into my bathrobe.  I decided to wait around for Crescent Moon's report before hitting the mess hall myself.

I didn't have to wait long.  As soon as I got out of the shower room, Crescent Moon was right there, waiting for me.  His cheeks turned a rosy pink.

"Um, uh...  I-is this a bad time?" he asked nervously.

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it, Crescent.  Just give me your report."

Crescent swallowed. "I'm afraid I have bad news, Captain.  I checked the obstacle course at least seven times.  Nothing was wrong."

I bit my lip, resisting the urge to chew Crescent out for this.  After all, it wasn't really his fault.  I took a deep breath to compose myself before addressing him again.

"Well, keep at it," I said. "Also, how's Misty Fly doing?"

"The doctors are taking a look at her right now," said Crescent somberly. "They said they'll have a full diagnosis in the morning."

"She isn't giving them too much trouble, is she?"

"When I last saw her, she was resting comfortably."

"Well, at least that's something," I said with a sigh. "Let me know about her condition as soon as you can."

"Will do," said Crescent. "Oh, and one more thing.  Whiplash found this attached to Misty Fly's uniform.  He said you might want to know about it."

He held out his hoof, showing a little note attached to a pin.  Raising an eyebrow, I snatched it up and read it to myself.


Meet me in your office at midnight tonight.  We have much to discuss.

~A fan


Well, that didn't help.  If anything, it made me more confused.  And believe me, more confusion was the last thing I needed.

"Everything alright, Captain?" asked Crescent.

I gave Crescent a deadpan look.  Soarin' I could understand, but Crescent isn't this oblivious.  I think he knew that as well, because I could see the embarrassment on his face.

"R-right.  Stupid question.  Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I-I'll just get back to work."

With a quick salute, he left in quite a hurry.  I sighed and shook my head.  I didn't like any of this one bit, and I had a bad feeling in my gut that it was only gonna get worse.


***
January 12, 23:55
***


As you could imagine, I couldn't sleep a wink that night.  I had so many thoughts running through my head that I couldn't relax.  After just lying in my bunk for a while, I looked at the clock.  It was almost midnight.  I shrugged and quietly got out of bed.  I figured as long as I couldn't sleep, I might as well see who this fan was and what they wanted.

When I got to my office, I noticed that the door was already ajar.  That didn't bode well.  Crescent usually locks up my office before Lights Out.  Cautiously, I peeked into the room.  My eyes went wide when I saw somepony sitting at my desk.  Throwing caution to the wind, I slammed the door open and burst in.

"And just what do you think you're doing?" I said with an angry snort.

The pony turned to me and slowly emerged from the shadows.  I recognized who it was, but I didn't know what to make of it.  It was that oddball pony that saved Misty Fly's life.

"You're early," said the pony in a dull whisper.  Judging by the pitch, I felt it was safe to assume that she was female.  However, it was nopony that I recognized off-hoof.

"Don't dodge the question, pal," I said sternly. "How did you get in here?"

The weirdo shook her head. "Tsk tsk.  Poor Ms. Spitfire.  Are you really going to get hung up on something as trivial as that?"

"Since when is breaking and entering not trivial?" I retorted, putting my hooves on my hips.

"Considering that I saved your comrade's life, I thought you would be grateful," said the weirdo with a shrug.

I was not in the mood for this. "Is that what you came in here for?  A medal?  I had the situation under control, you know.  I didn't need your help."

"Oh, medals are not for me, Ms. Spitfire," said the weirdo with a dismissive wave of her hoof. "I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves."

"If that's the case, your actions are speaking in gibberish," I growled. "Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.  What do you want?"

"Simply to talk," said the weirdo.

"Alright then.  Start talking," I said, folding my forelegs. "First, tell me who you are."

"I suppose that's acceptable," said the weirdo.  She then got up and walked around the desk, stopping in the middle of the room to take off her hat and bow to me.

"My true name is a secret that I will take to my grave," said she. "But you may refer to me as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well."

Yeah, that didn't sound corny or anything.

"Alright, Ms. Mare-Do-Well.  What's your game?" I asked.

"It's no game, Ms. Spitfire.  Of that, I can assure you," said Mare-Do-Well, sounding a bit offended. "I am a vigilante by trade.  Whenever a pony needs my help, I answer their call."

"How very noble of you," I said dryly. "So, you just saved Misty Fly out of the goodness of your heart, is that it?"

"Sharp as a tack, Ms. Spitfire.  I'd expect nothing less," said Mare-Do-Well.  She might've been mocking me, but it was very hard to tell.

"Alright then, answer me this," I said. "How did you know that Misty Fly would be attacked?"

There was a pause.  I don't know why, but the room suddenly felt a lot colder.

"I come to you with a warning, Ms. Spitfire," Mare-Do-Well said darkly. "This attack is but the first of many."

I wasn't sure if I heard that right.  At least, that's what I told myself. "Excuse me?"

"Someone aims to kill you and the Wonderbolts, Ms. Spitfire," said Mare-Do-Well. "And the only way to save your team is to find the one who would want such a thing."

"Easier said than done," I said. "The Wonderbolts are a household name.  I can't think of anypony who'd want to hurt us."

"Notice that I never said 'pony,' Ms. Spitfire," said Mare-Do-Well tersely.

"Oh, well that narrows it down then," I said sardonically.

"Your sarcasm is noted," said Mare-Do-Well, obscuring her eyes with her hat. "Nevertheless, I ask that you take this seriously.  You care about your team, don't you?"

"More than anything," I said without missing a beat.

"Then perhaps you can channel your energy into solving this mystery, hmm?"

This mare was unbelievable.  I couldn't even begin to imagine why she'd ask this of me.

"Listen, whoever you are.  I'd do anything for my team, but what you're asking of me isn't really my forte," I said as plainly as I could. "I'm not a sleuth."

"Why should that matter?" inquired Mare-Do-Well. "We both know you don't want these attacks to continue, and there's only so much I can do to protect you and your team.  If you want this to stop, you have to reach out of your comfort zone a bit."

"Hey, here's an idea.  If you know so much about this, why don't you do the legwork and catch this dock-hole yourself?" I asked.

"If I could do that, we wouldn't be having this conversation, Ms. Spitfire," said Mare-Do-Well with a shrug. "I'll do what I can to help, but catching this 'dock-hole,' as you put it, is up to you."

"Okay then.  Give me one good reason as to why I should trust you," I said, starting to lose my patience. "Because as of right now, your credibility is very suspect.  I don't even know who you are, for crying out loud!"

"You're not supposed to," said Mare-Do-Well, lowering her hat over her eyes again. "However, as proof of my integrity, I shall give you a clue to help you get started."

With that, she reached into her cape and threw something at me.  Instinctively, I caught the object with my hoof.  When I got a good look at it, I saw that it was a piece of cloth.  It was bright crimson with a golden border, and it felt very much like silk.  I stared at the fabric blankly.

"Really?  This is supposed to be my first clue?" I griped. "What the heck am I supposed to do with—?"

When I raised my head, I found that I was talking to myself.  The window was wide open, and Mare-Do-Well was nowhere to be seen.  The only thing left of her was her hat with a note pinned to it.


I know you'll make the right decision, Ms. Spitfire.  I look forward to our next encounter.  Pleasant dreams.

~Mare-Do-Well


Right then and there, I decided that this Mysterious Mare-Do-Well character was a bit of a cunt.  I apologize for the language, but really, can you blame me?  This oddball just showed up out of nowhere and expected me to play detective in order to save my team.  What the heck was I supposed to think of her?  I stared at the note for a while, and then back at the "clue" Mare-Do-Well gave me.  I sighed.

"'Pleasant dreams,' she says.  That's a laugh," I scoffed bitterly. "As if I'm gonna get any sleep now..."
> Meeting the Competition
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 13, 05:30
Wonderbolt Academy
Main Barracks
***


Most ponies I work with tell me that a bugle playing reveille at the crack of dawn is the most annoying sound in the world.  Honestly, I never got that.  Maybe it's because I'm usually an early riser, but even when I first joined the Wonderbolts, that wake-up call never bugged me in the slightest.

However, after a whole night of tossing and turning with a million thoughts flying around my brain like a swarm of angry hornets, I began to see where those ponies were coming from.  And boy, did I feel their pain.

"Mmph.  Shut up," I mumbled, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep.  I fought against the bugle's call with every ounce of dwindling strength I had.  I don't think I need to tell you that this was a losing battle.  As I tried in vain to drift off, a thought caused a sense of impending dread to grip my heart.  See, our bugle kind of has a cavalry for the really heavy sleepers in the Wonderbolts.

And that cavalry's name is Surprise.

Now I wanted to wake up.  I never had to go through Surprise's follow-wake-up call (as she called it), and I planned to keep it that way.  Unfortunately for me, the adrenaline flow triggered by the threat of Surprise was not enough to get me moving.  And just as the call of reveille ended, I heard Surprise start chanting loudly while crashing two cymbals together.


"Wake up, wake up, sleepyheads!
Get out of your cozy beds!
Bathe yourselves in Celestia's rays!
'Cause it's the dawn of a brand new day!

Sound off! *crash crash*
Sound off! *crash crash*
Sound off!  One two three four.  One two!  Three four!"


And just like that, all hope of staying in bed went flying out the window.  Seriously, you try going back to sleep after hearing that.  I'm thoroughly convinced it can't be done.

With a groan, I slowly but surely hauled my hindquarters out of bed.  I was about to head to the shower room when Crescent Moon came barging in.

"Urgent message for you, Captain!" he said breathlessly.

I breathed a deep sigh and turned to face Crescent. "What izzit?" I mumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"We just got word from the control tower," said Crescent. "Ambassador Honor Bound is requesting permission to land."

I'll be honest; after he said that, I felt like slamming my head against the wall.  With everything else that had been going on with Misty Fly and that Mare-Do-Well weirdo, I had forgotten all about Honor Bound!  How could I have been so stupid?!

I shook myself and took a few deep breaths to calm down.  One key thing about being a Wonderbolt is that even when you spin out, you can make a quick rebound.  That's the whole concept behind the Dizzitron, after all.

"Inform the Ambassador that he's clear to land, and that I'll be right there to meet him," I told Crescent.

Crescent gave me a once-over and raised an eyebrow. "Permission to speak freely, Captain?"

"Granted."

"I don't think it's wise for you to greet the Ambassador in your current state."

I chuckled dryly. "I'm well aware of that, Crescent.  Nevertheless, my order stands."

Crescent shrugged. "If you say so, Captain."

With a salute, he made a brisk departure.  Wasting no time myself, I made a quick dash to the shower room in order to make myself presentable.


***
January 13, 05:43
Wonderbolt Academy
Landing Strip
***


After a quick shower and slapping on my dress uniform, I rushed out to the landing strip just in time to meet our noble guest.  I hastily adjusted my shades and stood at attention as Hound Bound made his final approach.

As you'd expect, he had a pretty commanding presence.  Everything from his regal grey feathers and coat to his sapphire eyes that could stare into your very soul just screamed prestige.  He wore a nice brown uniform with a red sash that made me feel positively underdressed.  Even his Cutie Mark depicting his seal seemed prestigious (yes, hippogriffs have Cutie Marks.  They do have the hindquarters of a pony, after all).

He touched down gracefully and bowed to me.  I made sure to do the same.

"Welcome, Ambassador," I said as I raised my head. "I do apologize for the wait.  We weren't expecting you."

"Merely a trifle, Captain Spitfire.  The wait wasn't too long," said Honor Bound. "Thank you again for agreeing to participate in the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  This will truly mean a lot to griffons and ponies alike."

"I'm sure it will," I said, mainly because I couldn't think of anything else to say.  After a brief pause, I cleared my throat. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure for this visit, Ambassador?"

"Why, I thought you'd be interested to meet the Proud Pride, of course," said Honor Bound.

Question: What made you think springing this on me at oh-six hundred was a good idea?  I haven't even had breakfast yet, was what I would've said if I didn't know better.  Instead, I replied; "I must confess, Ambassador.  I've never heard of the Proud Pride before, and neither have the rest of my team.  Are they new?"

"To Equestria," said Honor Bound. "They've actually made quite a name for themselves back in the Griffon Kingdom."

That didn't sit well with me. "With all due respect, Ambassador.  If some flight team is making a splash over in the Griffon Kingdom, I would think that at least one pony on my team would hear about it."

Honor Bound smiled and shook his head. "That's where you're wrong, Captain Spitfire.  The Proud Pride was formed just a few days ago.  News may travel fast, but certainly not that fast."

I lowered my shades. "Doesn't that strike you as odd, Ambassador?  I mean, how can this team build such a reputation in only a few days?"

Honor Bound's smile quickly turned into a stern frown. "I'm afraid that information is strictly on a need-to-know basis, Captain Spitfire," said he.

I readjusted my shades to hide my eye rolling.  Of course it was confidential information.  Why would I have expected otherwise?

"So, where's this team?" I asked.

"They are above us as we speak, Captain Spitfire," said Honor Bound. "Just a moment, I'll call them."

He then let loose a powerful shriek that could be heard from the Crystal Empire.  I felt the onset of a migraine.  After Surprise's follow-wake-up call, this was exactly what I didn't need.  I shook myself and regained my composure as three griffons descended from the sky, two male and one female.

I had to lower my shades again.  Each griffon was dressed in combat fatigues; mountain camo if I had to guess.  They also wore red bands on their right forelegs.  Was this really the look they were going for?  They looked more like a strike team than a group of stunt fliers.

The center of the trio was probably the captain, as he was wearing a red beret atop his head.  Apart from that, he looked a bit, odd.  I don't know, maybe it was because of the small, thin mustache he had on his beak.  To his left was the female of the group; a smaller griffon with radiant eyes of violet.  The last griffon was the largest, and he looked very stern and serious.

"Captain Spitfire, allow me to introduce you to the three top members of the Proud Pride," said Honor Bound as the three griffons touched down.  I walked over to them and gave them a nod.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," I said.

"Ah, no no.  The pleasure, she is all mine," said the mustachioed griffon in a thick accent. "I am Pierre le Grand, and these are my compatriots, Drake and Kierra."

"It's an honor to meet you in person, Ms. Spitfire," said the female of the group with a warm smile. "The Wonderbolts have quite the reputation, even amongst us griffons."

The stern griffon said nothing, but gave me a curt nod.

"You must forgive Drake.  He has lost his tongue and cannot speak," said Pierre.

I was not about to ask. "I see," I said, clearing my throat. "So, I take it you're the leader of this outfit, Mr. le Grand?"

"But of course, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre with a bow. "We hope you will give us a good challenge in the upcoming Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  Rest assured, we are not to be taken lightly."

"The Wonderbolts always give a hundred and ten percent, Mr. le Grand," I said with a smug grin. "You will not be disappointed."

Pierre's beak curled into a sly smile. "I'm holding you to that, Capitaine Spitfire."

"Good," I retorted. "So am I.  If you're as good as you say, you'd better give us a run for our money."

"Now now.  There will be plenty of time for banter later," said Honor Bound with a chuckle. "Why don't you tell Captain Spitfire a little about the Proud Pride, Pierre?"

"What is there to tell?" said Pierre with a shrug. "We are the best fliers in the Griffon Kingdom.  That is all Capitaine Spitfire needs to know, yes?"

"I think she could do with a little more than that, Pierre," said Kierra, rolling her eyes.  She then turned to me. "Well, we can't say much, but we all contribute something a little different to the team.  For example, my specialty is gliding.  I can go a long time without flapping my wings."

I had to admit, that sounded impressive. "Hmm.  That must come in handy," I said. "And each of you have your own traits and styles, huh?"

"Oh, yes.  All twelve of us."

Something clicked in my mind. "Wait.  Did you say twelve?"

"Yes.  There are twelve of us," said Kierra, tilting her head. "Why?  Is something wrong?"

I cast my eyes downward and bit my lip.  This was not going to be easy to say.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news on my end, Ambassador," I said with a sigh. "Misty Fly was hit by a stray thunderbolt during practice yesterday.  I'm not sure if she'll be able to make it to the competition."

"Is that so?" said Honor Bound, bowing his head in reverence. "You have my deepest condolences, Captain Spitfire."

"Mine as well," Kierra added.

Drake nodded.

"Thank you all," I said with a small smile. "That means a lot to me."

"Hmmph," Pierre said with a snort. "You would not catch any of the Proud Pride being taken out of commission so easily."

"Know your place, Pierre," Honor Bound scolded. "We are trying to strengthen our relations with the ponies.  We show them the same respect they show us."

Pierre gulped. "Y-yes, Ambassadeur Honor Bound.  M-my apologies," he said with a bow.

I decided to let the breach in conduct go.  Honor Bound seemed to have it handled, anyway. "Well, thank you for taking the time to visit, Ambassador," I said with a bow.

"It was indeed a pleasure, Captain Spitfire," said Honor Bound with a bow of his own. "We shall see you in six days time.  Fare well, and I hope your comrade has a speedy recovery."

With that, he and the three griffons took off into the air and flew off over the horizon.  As I watched them leave, Crescent Moon walked up to me.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"Let me get back to you on that," I said.  I sighed inwardly.  This Proud Pride was raising a whole new crop of questions on top of the attack on Misty Fly and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  I still wasn't keen on the idea, but playing detective seemed to be getting more and more palatable.

I then heard a growl from my stomach and blushed a little.  First thing first.  If I was going to do any sleuthing, I sure as heck wasn't gonna do it running on empty.

"I'm gonna go hit the mess hall," I told Crescent. "When I get back, I want a full report on Misty Fly's condition and your latest findings from the obstacle course."

"Right-o, Captain," said Crescent with a salute.  We then flew off our separate ways; Crescent to get some intel, and me to get some grub.
> Nosy Sister Syndrome
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 13, 06:05
Wonderbolt Academy
Mess Hall
***


I was hoping that breakfast would be uneventful.  With everything happening one after the other in rapid succession, I desperately needed some time to take stock of the situation and consider my options.  As such, my plan was to get my food, eat, and get back to my office to wait for Crescent Moon's report.

Sadly, things didn't quite go according to plan.  As soon as I entered the mess hall, Blaze was right there waiting for me.

"'Morning, Sis," she said pleasantly.

I grunted a salutation in response and tried to walk right by her.  Unfortunately, Blaze was having none of that.  She kept pace with me as I went to get my food.  After filling my tray, I breathed a sigh and turned to face her.

"What do you want, Blaze?" I asked.

"What?  Is it wrong for me to want to have breakfast with my big sister?" asked Blaze with a shrug.

Oh Celestia, did I ever dread what was coming next.  You see, there's something you should know about Blaze.  Out of all the Wonderbolts, she's the one who gives me the most headaches (and yes, that's taking Surprise into account).  Why, you ask?  Well, how do I put this?  Blaze can, sometimes be a bit of a brat.

Now, don't get me wrong.  She wouldn't be a Wonderbolt if she didn't know how to behave herself.  Despite being one of our more casual members along with Soarin' and Surprise, she's highly disciplined.  It's just that every once in a while, she likes to play the Kid Sister card when she wants something from me.  This can range from me giving her my dessert to me letting her lead the charge against a dragon attacking Ponyville.  And to make matters worse, she knows I hate it when she does this.  When it comes to my team, I don't like to play favorites.  And yet, even though I've made this crystal clear to her several thousand times, she still insists on going through this whole "I'm your kid sister, so you have to do what I say" routine with me.  To be fair, it's mainly just to tease me, but as you can probably guess, I was not in the mood.

"Blaze, please don't do this to me," I pleaded. "I've got a lot on my mind right now."

"All the more reason we should eat together, Sis," said Blaze, her voice reflecting concern. "I've talked about it with the others, and we all agree that you need some support right now after what happened to Misty Fly.  Maybe talking to somepony will help you clear your head a little."

Well, at least she wasn't being facetious.  I mulled it over for a bit before letting out another sigh.

"Alright, fine," I relented. "But it's not because you're my sister."

"I know," said Blaze with a grin as she got her own food.  Once she filled her tray, we took a seat at an unoccupied table over in the far corner of the hall.

"So, how did your meeting with the Hippogriff Ambassador go?" Blaze inquired.

"Alright, I guess.  There's not much to tell, really," I said with a shrug. "He just wanted me to meet the Proud Pride."

"He dropped in on us this early in the morning just for that?  What the hay was he thinking?"

"Believe me, I'd like to know that myself," I sighed, starting in on my food. "Honestly, I wouldn't have minded so much under normal circumstances.  You know how I'm usually a morning pony and all."

"Yeah," said Blaze, flattening her ears and poking at her own food. "I, heard you tossing and turning last night.  This whole thing with Misty Fly is really getting to you, huh?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that," I said. "Blaze, you mind if I ask you something?"

"Not at all, Sis.  What's up?"

"Yesterday during training, did you see anything odd before Misty Fly was hit?"

Blaze placed a hoof to her muzzle. "Hmm.  I can't think of anything off the top of my head," she mused. "Why?"

"Because I have no idea where that thunderbolt came from," I said, dipping my voice. "You saw us; we were nowhere near the thundercloud patch when Misty Fly was attacked."

"Wait, attacked?" said Blaze, blinking in confusion. "You think somepony tried to hurt us?"

"Do me a big favor and don't spread it around," I whispered sternly. "I don't want to spook the rest of the team."

"Yeah, sure.  Wonderbolt's honor," said Blaze solemnly. "But I'll be honest, Sis.  I didn't see anything.  Neither did anypony else."

I hated to admit it, but that was a bit hard to swallow.  It's not that I doubted my team; I'd trust them with my life.  But by the same token, that thunderbolt couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere.

"I'm having Crescent Moon go over the course with a fine-tooth comb," I said. "With any luck, he'll find at least something."

"Well, that's good and all," said Blaze. "But what about the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet?"

I gave my twin sis a smirk. "Blaze, you of all ponies should know that it would take a lot more than that to weaken my resolve.  Yeah, I was a bit rattled when Misty Fly got hurt..."

"A bit?" said Blaze, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"Okay, very rattled," I confessed. "And truth be told, I'm still not over it.  But I've accepted Honor Bound's challenge, and I don't intend on backing down.  I know Misty Fly would agree with me."

Blaze smiled. "You're a great captain, Sis.  Truly an inspiration to us all," she said.

I couldn't help but blush a little. "Y-yeah well, I try," I said, taking a moment to compose myself. "Still, there's something that bugs me about our competition."

"Huh?"

"I, don't know a whole lot about them."

Blaze tilted her head. "Didn't you just say that Honor Bound dropped in this morning so you could meet them?"

"Yeah, but their background is very sketchy," I said. "Lots of confidential information.  I really don't know why; as far as I'm concerned, they're just a new flight team."

"Well, did they tell you anything about themselves?"

"Just that they formed a few days ago, and yet somehow managed to become pretty big in the Griffon Kingdom.  That and they all have their own unique abilities."

Blaze was flabbergasted. "Whoa whoa, time out!  They built up a huge reputation in just a few days?!  How the hay did they manage that?!  And why didn't we hear about it until yesterday?!"

"You're not the only one who wants answers to those questions," I said. "Unfortunately for us, Honor Bound and the Proud Pride are being very tight-beaked about the whole thing."

Blaze struck a thinking attitude. "Hmm.  That's pretty strange.  So, what are you gonna do about it?"

"What can I do?  It's not like I can press Honor Bound on this issue," I said with a shrug. "Besides, I have more important things to worry about."

"Yeah, I hear you," said Blaze. "You want to find the bastard that shot Misty Fly out of the sky, right?"

"I know I won't be getting a good night's sleep until I do."

"Alrighty then.  Count me in."

I lowered my shades and raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"

"I wanna be your wingpony on this one, Sis," said Blaze. "You may be our captain, but that doesn't mean you should tackle everything on your own.  Let me help out a little."

"Thanks, Blaze.  But I think I'll be okay," I said. "After all, I've got Crescent Moon helping me."

"This isn't up for debate, Sis," Blaze said firmly. "I want to know what happened to Misty Fly too, y'know."

"Yeah, you and the rest of the team," I retorted. "We all want to know what happened.  This isn't news to me, Blaze."

"Maybe not," said Blaze, a mischievous gleam in her viridian eyes. "But I have my own reasons for wanting to help."

"Don't say it, Blaze," I growled.

"It's not just for Misty Fly's sake, y'know."

"Don't you dare say it."

"Do you want to know my reasons?"

"Blaze, I swear to Celestia; if you say what I think you're going to say, I'm gonna put you on KP so fast it'll make your head spin!" I warned.

Blaze gave me a gentle smile. "I know how much the Wonderbolts mean to you, Sis.  But to me, you're more than just my captain.  You're my big sister.  And as your sister, I'd feel terrible if I just sat on my hooves while you had the world on your shoulders."

Sunnova bitch, she said it!  Not only that, but she really laid it on thick with the sap.  I took off my shades, slapped my forehead with my hoof, and let out an exasperated groan.  After composing myself, I gave her a dirty look.

"Do you want to know something, Blaze?" I asked.

"What is it, Sis?"

"You're a real pain in the flank sometimes."

Blaze chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't be your kid sister if I wasn't," said she. "So, am I in or what?"

I sighed.  There was no way around it. "Yeah, you're in," I conceded.

"Cool.  You won't regret it, Sis," said Blaze, looking rather pleased with herself. "So, what's our first move?"

"First, we finish breakfast," I said plainly. "Then, I want you to accompany me to my office.  I'll give you a full briefing on the way."

"A full briefing?  You mean there's more?" inquired Blaze.

"'Fraid so, Blaze," I said, heaving another sigh. "I'll cover it in the briefing, but for now, let's just say that Misty Fly wasn't the only reason I had trouble sleeping last night..."
> Brainstorming with Blaze
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 13, 07:00
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


"So, let me get this straight," said Blaze after I had concluded my briefing. "This weirdo saves Misty Fly's life, sneaks into your office in the middle of the night, and tells you that someone is trying to kill us."

"That's the long and short of it," I said as we walked into my office.

Blaze's expression drooped. "No wonder you couldn't sleep last night.  You were worried about us."

"Yeah, that's part of it," I said, making my way to my desk. "The other part is that I don't know who this Mysterious Mare-Do-Well is, or why she's telling me all this."

"Or why she doesn't just do it herself," added Blaze. "She clearly knows more about what's going on."

"You think I didn't already tell her that?" I groaned. "Apparently, I have to be the one to track down the prick who attacked Misty Fly.  She's only here to help."

"But, you're not a detective."

"I'm painfully aware of that Blaze," I sighed. "Still, I don't see any other options right now.  Problem is, I also don't really know where to start."

"Didn't you say that Mare-Do-Well gave you a clue?" asked Blaze.

"Yeah, if you call this a clue," I scoffed, pulling the cloth out of my drawer and tossing it over to Blaze.  Blaze looked over the red cloth for a moment and raised an eyebrow.

"Not much to go on, is it?" she said.

Thank you, Captain Obvious. "Yeah.  I would've bitched to that Mare-Do-Well weirdo about it, but she disappeared on me."

"Creepy," said Blaze, giving the cloth back to me. "So, what?  Are you gonna trust her?"

"I don't know," I confessed. "She's being overly cryptic and mysterious, but she also saved Misty Fly.  I think the safe thing to do is hedge my bets and assume she's right."

"So our next course of action is, what exactly?"

"I have no idea."

Blaze struck a thinking attitude. "Well, let's go back and review what we know so far.  Maybe something new will come up," she suggested.

"Yeah, I was planning on doing that after breakfast, anyway," I said. "At the very least, it'll kill some time before Crescent Moon gets here."

"Sounds like a plan," said Blaze with a nod. "Okay, let's start at the beginning.  We were in the middle of the training session and running the obstacle course you had Crescent Moon set up."

"Right," I said. "Now, we went five laps, and nothing happened.  On the sixth time around, that thunderbolt hit Misty Fly."

"That seems rather arbitrary," Blaze mused. "Unless you were in the thundercloud patch, that shouldn't have happened."

"But that's the thing.  We weren't," said I. "If I remember correctly, we were actually circling around for our seventh run-through; nowhere near the thundercloud patch."

"Hmm," said Blaze as she knitted her brow. "That's pretty sloppy."

I raised an eyebrow. "Sloppy?"

"Think about it, Sis," Blaze explained. "When that thunderbolt struck, you knew right away that something was wrong.  If I were the assassin, I would've struck from the thunderbolt patch.  Not only would that get rid of the evidence, but it would've taken you longer to react, thus increasing the chance of Misty Fly biting the dust."

Something about what Blaze said got the wheels in my head turning. "Wait a minute, Blaze.  I think you're onto something here."

"What is it, Sis?"

"Let's consider the obstacle course for a minute," I said. "As you know, it's comprised of four sections: The vapor cannons, the rings, the thundercloud patch, and the precision turbines.  At what point would you position a thundercloud meant to unleash its payload on those running the course?"

"Like I said, the thundercloud patch," said Blaze with a shrug. "That way, it could be easily written off as an accident."

"Wrong," I said.

Blaze tilted her head. "Wrong?  But why?"

"First, let me ask you this.  Did you see what angle the thunderbolt was striking from?"

"Well, no," said Blaze, shaking her head. "Surprise and I had just gotten through the turbines when Misty Fly was hit.  But I did ask High Winds, and she said she saw the strike while going through the rings."

"And what did she say?"

"She didn't get a good look at it, but she thinks the thunderbolt came from above."

"Right.  Just as I suspected," I said with a nod. "Now, look at the course from a bird's eye view.  Specifically, look at the thundercloud patch.  What's the problem with striking from there?"

It didn't take long for Blaze to get my point. "Oh yeah!  That area's completely opaque!  It would be impossible to aim!"

"Exactly," I said. "And not only that, but none of the other obstacles are ideal vantage points, either."

"Hmm?  What do you mean?"

"Thunderbolts might be quick, but you still gotta aim them," I explained. "And the way we fly through the obstacle course, that's impossible."

"Hmm.  I see what you're getting at, Sis," said Blaze with a thoughtful nod. "We pretty much move like the wind.  There's no way an assassin would be able to draw a bead on us while we're flying."

"Unless he knew where we were going, to, be..."

I trailed off as an epiphany began to dawn on me.  It wasn't much, and I didn't have any way to prove it.  Nevertheless, I felt like I had just barreled through a thick fog and was now basking in the sun's rays.

"That's it!" I exclaimed.

Blaze jumped. "Whoa!  Wh-what's it?" she inquired, surprised by my outburst.

"When we loop around for the next pass, we don't do any fancy flying," I clarified. "Therefore, an assassin armed with a thundercloud can watch us loop around and safely presume that we'll always be in relatively the same spot every lap."

"Oh~!  Yeah, that makes sense," said Blaze. "That's why he waited to strike.  He wanted to gauge our positions before attacking."

"You got it," I said. "And that means Crescent Moon can check the obstacle course all he wants, but he's not gonna find crap.  Because technically, Misty Fly wasn't attacked on the obstacle course."

"But, now what do we do?" asked Blaze. "That thundercloud could be gone by now."

I smirked. "Not if the assassin planned to use it more than once."

Blaze raised an eyebrow. "I dunno, Sis.  Do you really think he's that stupid?"

"It's all we've got," I said with a shrug. "Unless you want to try to get answers out of the cloth."

"Yeeeeeeeah, we'll go with your theory," said Blaze. "I just hope it's not a dead end.  If that Mare-Do-Well character is right about there being more attacks in the future, we should catch this guy before he strikes again."

"Glad to see we're on the same wavelength," I said with a smile.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"That must be Crescent Moon," I said. "It's open!"

Sure enough, Crescent walked in.  He marched right up to my desk and laid his clipboard in front of me.

"I just got the diagnosis on Misty Fly's condition from the infirmary," said he. "The doctors say that she's going to be fine, but she'll be out of action for at least a couple of weeks."

"I see," I said, looking over the clipboard.  As I read the report, a warm smile formed on my face.  Inside, I was jumping for joy.  This was exactly what I needed to hear.  Even though Misty Fly was gonna miss the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, I could at least take comfort in the knowledge that she'd be okay. "Make sure to schedule some time for me to visit her."

"Of course." said Crescent. "Oh, and, um..."

"What is it, Crescent?"

Crescent sighed and shook his head. "I went over the obstacle course again, like you said.  I still haven't found anything."

My smile broadened. "It's alright, Crescent.  You did what you could," I said.

Crescent blinked. "I'm sorry, Captain?"

"I had you waste your time looking for something that wasn't there, and I apologize," I said sincerely. "I'll find a way to make it up to you later.  For now, you may resume your normal duties."

"Um, right," said Crescent, still a bit confused. "Th-thank you, Captain.  L-let me know if you need anything else."

"Of course," I said with a nod.  Crescent responded with a salute and went on his way.

"You'd think he'd be used to that by now," said Blaze.

I chuckled a bit.  Honestly, I was with Blaze on this one.  Crescent has been working with the Wonderbolts for a while now.  I would figure that by this time, he would realize that even I make mistakes.  I'm not a perfect pony, nor do I claim to be.  I just do the best I can and take my lumps when I mess up.

"Glad to see you're feeling better, Sis," said Blaze with a giggle of her own. "So, what now?"

"Now, we go see if my theory is correct," I said as I got up from my desk. "Let's get going, Blaze.  It's high time we got this investigation underway."

"Right behind you, Sis," said Blaze.  With that, we left my office and made our way to the training ground.
> A Shocking Discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 13, 07:37
Wonderbolt Academy
Training Ground
***


When we arrived at the training ground, I had a feeling that something was wrong.  Not only was the area devoid of any ponies, cadets or otherwise, but there were far too many clouds in the sky.  Or at least, they shouldn't have been clustered around the obstacle course like they were.

"Looks like the new recruits are getting complacent," said Blaze half-jokingly.

"To be fair, cloud busting drills don't start for another couple of hours," I said. "Still, there weren't that many clouds up there yesterday evening, unless there's a memo from Cloudsdale that I missed."

"You think the assassin is trying to cover his tracks?" asked Blaze.

"Only one way to find out," I said, taking off into the sky.  Quickly, Blaze followed my lead, and we got right to work.

You might not believe this, but cloud busting is an important part of being a Wonderbolt.  Yeah, it's a job that any pegasus can do, but what a lot of ponies forget is that the Wonderbolts have a major responsibility regarding Equestria's weather.  This includes monitoring rainwater collection, rain distribution, and yes, even cloud busting.  I'll say this right now; if you plan on becoming a Wonderbolt, you'd better bring your cloud busting A game.  Otherwise, forget it.

And as expert cloud busters, it didn't take long for me and Blaze to clear the sky and find what we were looking for.  Just as I was clearing the last cloud bank, I found a small grey spot poking out of the sea of white.  I smiled.

"Gotcha," I said to myself. "Blaze, over here!  Help me with this bank, would you?"

"On my way, Sis!" Blaze hollered back.  She quickly flew to my side, and we carefully excavated the cumulonimbus hiding within the cirrus clouds.

"Well, Blaze.  We found the culprit behind the rogue thunderbolt," I said. "Though I'm not sure what to make of it."

"Me, neither," said Blaze, furrowing her brow. "Especially since it further proves my point that our assassin is pretty sloppy."

"How so?"

"If we hadn't figured out his plan, this thing would've been uncovered during the cloud busting drills," said Blaze.

"That's true," I concurred as I looked over the cloud carefully.  I then raised an eyebrow. "Wait, this doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't?"

"There are no hoofprints on this cloud."

Perplexed, Blaze took a closer look at the cloud herself. "Yeah, you're right.  This cloud's completely untouched.  But then, how did the assassin use it?"

"I can't even begin to answer that, Blaze," said I. "There could be a chance that this isn't the cloud we're looking for, but it's so out of place up here.  Not to mention that it was hidden from plain sight.  This has to be the weapon the assassin used to attack Misty Fly."

Blaze placed a hoof to her chin and struck a thinking attitude. "So, what now?"

Luckily, I had an answer to that one. "We're not gonna find anything by just looking at it.  There must be something hidden in this cloud's structure," I said. "Blaze, get Fast Clip and Whiplash up here, on the double.  We need to get this little troublemaker over to the Weather Factory in Cloudsdale for a full analysis."

"On it," said Blaze with a salute.  With that, she darted off.

As I waited for her return, I kept looking over the cloud in a vain attempt to find anything of interest.  As I have already mentioned, thunderclouds do not act like this.  If you want to aim a thunderbolt, you need to operate the cloud manually.  Otherwise, you have no control over what that thunderbolt is going to hit.  As such, there should've been some sort of sign that this cloud was used.  And yet, there was nothing.  Not a single hoofprint or indent blemished the cloud's surface.

Another possibility came to mind, but it only made me more frustrated.  Mainly because it's an area I'm not all that familiar with.  I'm talking, of course, about magic.

Now, because the weather is mainly delegated to the pegasi, weather spells are not all that common.  At least I think.  Again, magic is not really my area of expertise.  Even so, I reasoned that a thundercloud could conceivably be operated by magic and not show any indication that it was used.  Only problem with that theory was that there was no way I could prove it.  At least, not without the help of the Weather Factory.

As I pondered this, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.  The thundercloud was beginning to glow and spark on its own.  Curious, I cautiously prodded a blank spot with my hoof.  I had to draw it back quickly, as the cloud produced a nasty static shock.  Slowly, the cloud glowed brighter and produced more and more sparks.  As I stared at the cloud, something in my gut told me that this was not a good sign.

"Get back!"

Before I could react, a figure flew in out of nowhere and tackled me.  After I had recovered from the hit, I discovered that it was that Mare-Do-Well weirdo.  With a growl of frustration, I pushed her off.

"Hey!  What's the big id—?!"

My question was answered before I could ask it.  Right above us, the thundercloud abruptly detonated in a burst of electricity.  A large shock wave rippled across the sky, along with a deafening boom.  The air was alive with electricity, and it caused my mane to stand up on end.  My heart was pounding something fierce, and my breathing became erratic.  That, was way too close.

"Buck me," was all I could say as I stared blankly at the light show above.

"I would think that you'd be more careful, Ms. Spitfire," said Mare-Do-Well sternly. "Especially since the one you are looking for is trying to kill you."

She had a point, but at the same time, how was I supposed to know that would happen?  Thunderclouds may be dangerous to handle, but they don't explode!  They're just clouds, for Celestia's sake!  What the flipping heck was going on here?!

I closed my eyes and breathed a deep sigh.  I wasn't going to answer that question staring at the sky like an idiot.  Slowly but surely, I found my center and regained my composure before turning to address Mare-Do-Well.

"A-any idea what the hay that was?" I asked.

Mare-Do-Well obscured her eyes with her hat. "I wish I knew, Ms. Spitfire.  I've never seen anything like this."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then, how did you know to tackle me out of the way?"

"It's a reflex," said Mare-Do-Well. "I react quickly to danger, even when those in danger can get out of it themselves."

"Mmm-hmm," I said. "So, you were just passing by, huh?  Or are you stalking me?"

"I think we both know the answer to that question, Ms. Spitfire," said Mare-Do-Well coyly. "After all, I'm supposed to be helping you, aren't I?"

I wanted to argue, but really, I couldn't think of anything.  After all, she did just save my life.

"Well, thanks," I said. "But don't think that this means I trust you."

"Perhaps you don't," said Mare-Do-Well with a tip of her hat. "But you still need me, Ms. Spitfire.  After all, you're not a sleuth."

Okay, I knew that was a shot.  I was about to retort when I heard a familiar voice call out to me.

"Sis!"

I turned to see Blaze rushing in with Fast Clip and Whiplash.  And boy, did she ever look worried.

"A-are you *pant* alright?" she asked breathlessly. "We were *gasp* just coming back *huff* when we saw *puff* that explosion."

"Relax, Blaze.  I'm fine," I assured her.

Blaze breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Oh, thank Celestia.  What the hay happened?"

"You're not gonna believe this, but that thundercloud we found just decided to explode on me," I explained.

Blaze's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?!"

"Yeah, I can't believe it, either," I said. "Mare-Do-Well here says that..."

I gestured with my hoof over to where Mare-Do-Well was flying, but she had completely disappeared.  I groaned.

"Okay, if she insists on doing that every time I meet her, it's gonna get old really fast," I groused.

"But, what do we do now?" asked Blaze. "We're back to Square One.  That thundercloud was our only piece of evidence that was worth a damn."

I sighed. "I don't like it, but we're gonna have to wait for this dock-hole to strike again.  Fast Clip, Whiplash."

"Yes, ma'am?" said the two security guards.

"I want you both to keep your eyes peeled and your ears open," I ordered. "If you see anything, and I mean anything out of the ordinary, you tell me ASAP.  Blaze, that goes double for you."

"Understood, ma'am," said Fast Clip and Whiplash with a salute.

"Yeah, I gotcha, Sis," said Blaze with a salute of her own.

"Good," I said with a curt nod. "Dismissed."

Fast Clip and Whiplash flew back to resume their normal duties.  Blaze lagged behind to give me a concerned look before flying back herself.

I stared at the spot where the thundercloud once was and glowered.  I had many questions floating around my head, but one seemed to resonate stronger than the others:

Just who the heck was I dealing with?
> Danger Zone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 13, 13:45
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


After the incident with the exploding cloud (honestly, I still can't get over that), everything was pretty much status quo.  The only important difference was that I was on high alert.  Oh, I wasn't paranoid or anything.  A good captain doesn't get paranoid and throw accusations around.  No, I was just on the lookout for any sign that the assassin would strike again.

Luckily, the other Wonderbolts didn't notice, or if they did, they kept it to themselves.  The only ones in the know about the whole situation were Blaze and the security detail, and they were able to keep things on a need-to-know basis.  This gave me a lot less to worry about.  While looking out for my team's safety, I also had to look out for their morale.  And thankfully, it didn't seem to be a huge issue.

"So, did you get around to reorganizing my schedule like I requested?" I asked Crescent Moon as I did my paperwork.

"Yes, Captain," said Crescent, looking at his clipboard. "Tomorrow, there's another Wonderbolt Derby."

"Didn't we just have one of those?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, yes," said Crescent, rubbing the back of his head. "Um, you're not scheduled to race, but Mr. Fancy Pants has invited you to join him in his private box for tea."

I rolled my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.  Let me just get this out of the way: I hate stuffy, high-class events.  The only one I tolerate is the Grand Galloping Gala, and that's because I find that it's a great chance to meet my fans.  As you're probably aware, I'm not a classy pony.  I really don't fit in with the Canterlot elite.  Which is why I always wonder how I get so many invitations to these things.

"Did he mention anything else in the invitation?" I asked.

"Just that Ambassador Honor Bound will be joining him."

I looked up from my paperwork and placed a hoof to my muzzle.  Now this was interesting.  Perhaps Honor Bound wanted to see the Wonderbolts in action.  Or maybe he was there to promote the upcoming Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  Either way, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some more information about the Proud Pride.

"Let him know that I'll be happy to attend," I said. "What else?"

"Well, the day after, there's a festival in Ponyville promoting the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  The Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride are expected to attend," said Crescent.

I smirked.  Recently, quite a few new recruits have come from Ponyville, including a particular pegasus with a lot of potential.  If they were in the loop about Honor Bound's plans, they were probably gonna make sure this festival was one to remember.  Mainly because of me and the Wonderbolts, but eh, what're you gonna do?

"Well, I'm certainly looking forward to that," I said. "Anything else of interest?"

"Apart from that, your schedule is clear, Captain," said Crescent. "The rest is just practice and training up until the big day."

"Good," I said, turning back to my paperwork. "Is that all you have to report?"

Before Crescent could answer, Fast Clip burst in.

"Urgent message for you, ma'am!" he said breathlessly.

"Report," said I.

"We've received a distress call from an airship in Academy airspace, ma'am," said Fast Clip. "We're still waiting on reports from the sentries as to the extent of damage."

I furrowed my brow.  This had to be a trap.  There were simply no two ways about it.  I was certain that once we approached that airship, it was rigged to explode or something along those lines.  No way was I dealing with that again.

"Have any of the Wonderbolts been deployed to assist the sentries?" I asked.

"No, ma'am."

"Good.  Keep it that way.  I don't want anypony in the air until the sentries have a full report."

"Understood, ma'am," said Fast Clip with a salute.

"Sis, we've got trouble!"

Blaze came barging in with a frantic look on her face.

"What is it, Blaze?" I asked.

"It's the sentries!  They're under attack!"

My eyes went wide.  Some of our sentries are only cadets; a few of them barely out of Flight School.  If this was a trap, it was a pretty damn good one.  I had to take the bait, otherwise innocent ponies would get hurt.

"Celestia dammit," I spat before tapping the intercom on. "ATTENTION ALL WONDERBOLTS!  WE HAVE A HOSTILE BOGEY IN OUR AIRSPACE!  SUIT UP AND PREPARE TO SCRAMBLE!  THIS IS NOT A DRILL!  I REPEAT: THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"

I tapped the intercom off and turned to Fast Clip. "Get some medical personnel on the tarmac, on the double!  I want those sentries tended to!"

"Yes, ma'am!" said Fast Clip with a salute.

With that, I marched out of my office with Blaze at my heels.  I was fuming.  This assassin really wasn't screwing around.  He'd go to any lengths to kill me and my team.  But man oh man, was he messing with the wrong mare.


***
January 13, 14:10
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


"All Wonderbolts, check in!"

"Blaze, standing by."

"Soarin', standing by."

"Wave Chill, standing by."

Each of the Wonderbolts sounded off as we made our approach.  To be blunt, it was not a pretty sight.  The sentries were already forced into a fighting retreat, and I didn't blame them.  Several missiles came pouring out of the airship.  Upon closer inspection, I saw that they were fireworks.

"Tsk.  Such a waste," said Surprise. "Everypony knows you can only truly enjoy fireworks at night."

"Cut the chatter!" I barked. "We need to focus if we're gonna take this thing out!"

"Right-a-rooni, that's a copy," said Surprise with a nod.  Like I said, even though some of the Wonderbolts can be a bit difficult, they put all of that to the side when the chips are down. "So, what's the plan, Cap?"

"The cords," I said. "Those hot air balloon supports are the airship's lifeline.  Once we take a few out, they'll be forced to surrender.  Now, I want to make this quick, and I want to make it clean.  Is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" came a chorus of acknowledgments.

"Good," I said. "Break off into wing pairs on my mark.  Ready...  Mark!"

The Wonderbolts did just as I ordered, spreading out into their wing pairs as they surrounded the airship.  The only one without a wingpony was me, but that was by design.  I still knew deep in my gut that this was a trap, and I had to keep my eyes on everypony fighting out there.  I was not going to let any of them end up like Misty Fly.  Not this time.

The fireworks came hard and fast, but we were all able to outmaneuver them.  But believe me, it wasn't easy.  I lost count of how many close calls I saw.  Dodging one could very well steer you right into the path of another, and dodging that one could lead you into another still.  It was like flying through the obstacle course while dragons try to cook you from all sides.  I'm sad to say it, but the sentries didn't really stand a chance against such an onslaught.

"I got one, ma'am!" Fleetfoot called out.  Sure enough, I saw the airship lurch a bit as one of the cords snapped.

"Great!  Don't let your guard down!" I hollered back. "You never know what a cornered beast might do!"

The battle continued for a while, and I was starting to get nervous.  When was this schmuck gonna spring the trap on us?  We were right there in hoof's reach, so what was the delay?  What exactly did this guy have in store for us?

As these thoughts weighed on my mind, I became partially aware that the fireworks had stopped.

"It appears they have run out of ammunition, ma'am," said Wave Chill. "Requesting permission to board."

Wait.  Wait, that was it!  That's what the assassin was waiting for!

"That's a negative, Wave Chill!" I yelled. "We're grounding this thing!  Wonderbolts, attack formation Hurricane Gamma!"

We all regrouped and formed a large vertical line.  We then began to spin around the airship in a circle, creating a vortex of wind.  The ensuing tornado caused the remaining cables to snap, sending the hot air balloon drifting off into the sky while the airship plummeted like a stone.  I smiled to myself.

Take that, you son of a bitch, I thought triumphantly.

"Ah!  Mayday!"

My moment of triumph was interrupted by a cry for help.  Wide-eyed, I looked up to see that Fire Streak had broken formation and was going into a tailspin.  I was about to go after him, but somepony else beat me to the punch.

Once again, it was Mare-Do-Well to the rescue.  She had caught Fire Streak, and placed him gently on a cloud.  I quickly rushed over.

"Fire Streak, what happened?" I asked.

Fire Streak winced. "Ah!  I, dunno ma'am.  One moment I was flying, the next there was this *oof* sharp pain in my back."

I took a closer look, and I couldn't believe what I saw.  There were two incisions running along Fire Streak's back.  It was almost like someone had tried to cut his wings off with a pair of box cutters.  I-I had no words.

"Our quarry is good," said Mare-Do-Well, obscuring her eyes with her hat. "Too good."

"Too good?" I parroted.

"The only trace left behind was that cloth I found," said Mare-Do-Well. "There's no evidence to be gathered from this attempt."

"Except that he's not very good at his job," I huffed. "Fire Streak here isn't dead."

"That is indeed puzzling," said Mare-Do-Well, placing a hoof to her chin. "But, I suppose that would depend on the method used to attack, and we can't determine that here."

"Then, what?  I should just wait for this prick to strike again?" I said, getting rather fed up.

Mare-Do-Well chuckled.

"What the hay is so funny?" I growled.

"You didn't assume that our quarry went down with the ship," said Mare-Do-Well. "Again, I compliment your sharp mind, Ms. Spitfire.  Keep using it, and you'll pull through."

"Captain!"

I looked up to see Crescent Moon fly in with Fast Clip and Whiplash by his side.

"We saw the airship go down, and we wanted to see if you were all okay," said he.

"Fire Streak here got hit," I said glumly. "You'd better take him to the infirmary."

Crescent nodded. "Right away," he said. "I'm sorry, Captain."

I couldn't respond to that.  Most ponies say "It's alright," but in this case, it wasn't.  I tried so hard to keep my team safe, and the assassin still managed to get the drop on me.  So, the only thing I could do was salute as Fast Clip and Whiplash carried Fire Streak off.

"This has not been my day," I sighed. "Well, I guess there is someone out there trying to kill us.  You were right, Mare-Do..."

But just like last time, she had vanished without a trace.  I sighed again and sat down on the cloud.  I felt a presence fly down next to me.

"You want my shoulder to cry on, Sis?"

I gave Blaze a small smirk. "Maybe later," I said. "But, could you stay with me for a while?"

"Sure," said Blaze, draping a wing around my shoulder. "I told you that you wouldn't regret letting me help."

I had to snicker.  That's just like Blaze; always ready to take me down a peg.  After composing myself, I sighed.

"Mark my words, Blaze.  When I find this bastard, he's gonna pay big time," I said darkly.

"Yeah, I know," said Blaze as we watched the other Wonderbolts return to base.


***


The rest of the day was rather uneventful (thank Celestia), but I knew that I was in for another sleepless night.  Not only were the mysteries piling up, but the assassin was pulling all the stops to take the Wonderbolts down.  If I wanted to catch this guy, I had to step up my game.

So, this is where I stand now.  Misty Fly and Fire Streak were both attacked, and my only lead to their attacker that hasn't exploded in my face is a piece of cloth.  Oh, and I have a cryptic stalker with bizarre fashion sense.  As you can probably tell, this is not a good start.

Don't worry, I'm not planning on losing my mind or breaking down.  That's not how I roll.  After all, I'm the captain of the Wonderbolts.  I don't believe in giving up until I've given it my all.
> Tactical Evidence
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 14, 05:33
Wonderbolt Academy
Main Barracks
***

"Wake up, wake up, sleepyheads!
Get out of your cozy beds!
Don't you pout and don't you squirm!
The early pony gets the worm!

Sound off! *crash crash*
Sound off! *crash crash*
Sound off!  One two three four.  One two!  Three four!"


Surprise's follow-wake-up call hit me like a vapor cannon fired at point blank.  As I hauled myself out of bed, I made the decision that as long as the assassin was on the loose, I would be sleeping outside.  Yeah, I know that doesn't sound smart, but this mystery is giving me enough headaches without Surprise's help.

Despite that, I took this as a good sign.  It should be obvious by now that Surprise is generally a good gauge of the Wonderbolts' morale.  If she's not acting silly and bombastic in a casual setting, then the team is usually due for a pep talk.  As you can plainly see, that wasn't the case today.  Thank Celestia for small favors, I suppose.  After all, I couldn't think of anything to say to them.

As I groggily made my way to the shower room, my mind was hard at work trying to plan my next move.  To be perfectly honest, I was stumped.  Nothing in this mystery was adding up.  Heck, I still couldn't wrap my mind around yesterday's attack.  I went into the battle knowing full well that it was a trap.  Unless this guy was psychic, there was no way in Tartarus that he could've known that I knew it was a trap.  And yet, Fire Streak was taken out just after the airship was neutralized.  I'm sorry, those dots just don't conne...

As the shower's spray hit me, so too did an idea.  Mare-Do-Well was wrong.  There was some evidence to be gathered from that attack.  It wasn't tangible, but I was almost positive that it could get me into the assassin's head.  Hey, it was certainly better than nothing.

I quickly finished showering, slapped on my bathrobe, and went looking for Blaze.  I caught her just as she was about to head off to the mess hall.

"Hey, Blaze!" I called out.

Blaze turned to me. "Oh, hey Sis.  What's up?"

"You doing anything after breakfast?"

Blaze blinked. "Uh, no."

"Great.  Meet me in my office at oh-seven hundred.  I think I'm onto something."

Blaze smiled. "Understood, Sis," she said with a salute.  With that, she took off.

I couldn't help but smile myself.  After all, I came up with something that even the great Mare-Do-Well missed.  What's more, I didn't need to think like a detective to find it.  I just needed to think strategically.


***
January 14, 07:00
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


"You wanted to see me, Sis?" Blaze asked as she tentatively poked her head through the door.

I looked up and smiled. "Right on time, Blaze.  Come on in."

"Sure, sure," said Blaze, letting herself in. "So, you said you were onto something.  Care to fill me in?"

"First, let me give you a hypothetical scenario," I said, pressing my hooves together. "I'm the assassin, and you're me.  I send in an airship firing volleys of fireworks to attack you.  You, of course, respond.  After a while, I run out of ammunition.  What do you do?"

Blaze tilted her head. "Honestly, I'd order the Wonderbolts to bring that ship down.  If I'm you, I know it's a trap.  Therefore, both boarding and impounding the airship are out of the question."

"Good answer," I said with a smirk. "Now, answer me this.  Do you think the assassin would've been prepared for that?"

Blaze shrugged. "I dunno.  It's not like he knows how you think or anything."

I raised an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure, Blaze?  After all, he booby trapped the cloud that attacked Misty Fly, and he knew I wouldn't go after the airship unless he opened fire on the sentries."

"Yeah, but he couldn't have expected you to take the airship out with that tornado," Blaze argued. "You came up with that one on the fly."

"And yet, he still managed to get at Fire Streak," I said. "That can only mean one thing."

"What?"

"Blaze, we are dealing with a professional strategist."

Blaze gave me a blank stare. "A, strategist?" she parroted.

"Think about it, Blaze," I explained. "These attacks were planned out ahead of time.  They had to be.  Otherwise, he wouldn't have this many fail-safes.  I'd bet my wings that he has drawn up a strategy to take each and every one of us down."

"That doesn't explain how he got to Fire Streak, though," said Blaze. "There's no way he can prepare for everything."

"Which tells us something else about our assassin," I said. "He thinks quickly, and he's able to adapt to changing situations."

"So he plans ahead, but he also thinks on his feet," Blaze mused. "That's one heck of a combination, Sis.  How do we fight against something like that?"

"Simple, Blaze.  We exploit his weaknesses," I said. "Judging by his tactics, subtlety is not his strong suit.  He doesn't bother to disguise his attempts as accidents, and his traps are far too obvious.  If I can find a way to play off of that, I can form a counterattack of my own."

Blaze nodded. "Wow.  You're really on top of things, Sis.  I just hope he's not thinking the same thing."

I smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that, Blaze.  After all, he's not the only one who can recover from a spinout."

"You wouldn't be a Wonderbolt if you couldn't, Sis," said Blaze with a grin of her own. "So, are we done here?"

"Pretty much," I said. "Remember, keep your eyes open and report anything you find suspicious."

"Done and done," said Blaze with a salute. "Keep up the inspiring work, Sis."

"I intend to," I said, returning her salute. "Dismissed."

After Blaze had left, I went over to the window.  I suppose this was a good a time as any to reflect while waiting for Crescent Moon to bring the mail.  I felt that I had a good handle on one mystery.  Now, I was going to make some headway in the next one on my list: The Proud Pride.  There had to be something behind all the secrecy, and I could dedicate my resources to finding out what that thing was.  After all, it wasn't likely that the assassin would attack at the Wonderbolt Derby.  There were too many witnesses, and only an idiot would draw attention to himself like that.

Well, I would probably keep my guard up just to be safe.  Just because it was unlikely doesn't mean it was impossible.

"Color me impressed, Ms. Spitfire.  You found what I could not."

I smirked. "Dare I ask how you got in here, Ms. Mare-Do-Well?" I asked as I turned around.  Sure enough, there she was in all her mysterious glory.

"Same way as last time," said Mare-Do-Well with a shrug. "By the by, have you figured out my clue yet?"

I scoffed. "Are you kidding?  That cloth is as useless as a one-winged duck."

"Perhaps to you," said Mare-Do-Well cryptically. "But someone else might have a use for it."

"Someone else?  What do you mean?"

"You're a bright pony, Ms. Spitfire.  I'm sure you can figure it out."

I sighed. "Look, you're supposed to be helping me, right?" I said, going into my desk draw and pulling out the cloth. "I mean, I'm grateful for you being there to save my team and all.  I guess it fits, seeing as you've got this whole superhero look to you.  But do you know what would really help me?  If you just dropped all of the cryptic crap, told me who you are, and explained to me exactly what the flying feather is..."

And just like that, Mare-Do-Well was gone, and my window was open.  I swear, all I have to do is take my eyes off of her for one second, and she disappears.  I don't know how she does it; I don't know why she does it.  Honestly, I just don't get her.  I looked at the cloth in my hoof, and then back out the window.

"You're next on my list, Mare-Do-Well," I said partially to myself. "If you want me to play detective, then I'm gonna unravel every mystery that has been placed before me these past couple of days.  Including you."
> Prying before Post Time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 14, 14:30
Canterlot
Wonderbolt Derby Racetrack
***


I should probably take this time to explain the purpose of the Wonderbolt Derby.  See, most ponies just see it as just another Wonderbolts event; something that's not really all that different from any of our other performances.  The truth is actually much more practical.  Because for us Wonderbolts, the Derby is a great way to relieve stress.

I mentioned before that we try to look out for one other, and that we have a mutual respect that makes us a great team.  That might be true, but just like any group of ponies who have to share living space, we can sometimes get on each other's nerves.  So we use the Derby as a means to blow off some steam and settle scores.  That way, nothing gets in the way of our regular duties and performances.

For that reason, I usually don't attend these races as a spectator.  Knowing the backstory behind the sport doesn't make it all that interesting to watch.  But this time, I wasn't here for the race.  I was here to get some information.

I walked over to the soldier guarding the entrance to Fancy Pants's private box.  Not surprisingly, he recognized me right away and used his magic to let me pass.  I gave him a nod of thanks and made my way upstairs.  Once I stepped into the private box, I was greeted by none other than Fancy Pants himself.

"Ah, Ms. Spitfire!  So glad you could make it," said he.

As soon as he said that, every other pony in the place turned to look at me and immediately started to crowd around.  This, I did not need.  I like my fans and all, but even I have a little something called "personal space."  You'd think that being civilized ponies of the Canterlot elite, they'd understand that.  Heaving a sigh, I nudged my way past the crowd and over to Fancy Pants, who was with his consort, Fleur de Lis.

"Well, thank you for inviting me, Mr. Fancy Pants," I said with a polite nod. "Although I have to say, it's very odd of you to drop this on me out of the blue.  What's the occasion?"

"I simply thought you'd like to join me for a spot of tea," said Fancy Pants with a shrug. "After all, with the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet coming up, even a hard-working pony like you could deserve a break."

I raised an eyebrow. "You, know about the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet?"

"But of course, Ms. Spitfire.  It's been the talk of the town ever since Ambassador Honor Bound made his address a couple of days ago," said Fancy Pants.

"Huh," was all I could say to that.  I suppose it made sense.  An event of this magnitude was bound to generate at least some attention.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Fleetfoot was the first to finish," Fancy Pants continued. "She is quite the fast flier."

I snickered and shook my head. "Believe me when I say this, Mr. Fancy Pants.  It takes more than just speed to fly through Ghastly Gorge."

"She is correct, Fancy Pants."

I recognized that stern voice right away.  I turned around and sure enough, there stood Honor Bound.  We quickly exchanged bows.

"Good of you to join us, Ambassador," said Fancy Pants with a bow of his own. "I was worried that you'd be too busy to accept my invitation."

"I managed to work it into my schedule," said Honor Bound with a shrug. "Besides, it is a good chance to see the Wonderbolts in action before the big day."

"Of course, of course," said Fancy Pants. "Oh, I should probably introduce you to Miss..."

"We've met," I said, cutting across Fancy Pants. "He dropped by the Academy to visit yesterday.  At oh-six hundred."

Honor Bound chuckled. "I do apologize if that was a bit too early for you, Captain Spitfire.  It's just that the Proud Pride was eager to meet their competition."

"I see," said I.  I then took a deep breath.  This was it.  If I was going to get any background on the Proud Pride, it had to be here and now. "Um, Mr. Fancy Pants?  Could you please excuse us for a moment?  The ambassador and I have some, private matters to discuss."

"Of course, Ms. Spitfire," said Fancy Pants with a nod. "Take your time."

As we went over to an unoccupied corner of the private box, Honor Bound seemed perplexed.

"Is there something troubling you, Captain Spitfire?" he inquired.

"A few things," I said, dipping my voice. "Among them is the Proud Pride."

Honor Bound gave me an odd look. "I never took you to be the nosy type, Captain Spitfire."

"Usually I'm not," I said, adjusting my shades. "However, the whole concept behind this new team just baffles me to no end.  They've been around for less than a week, and yet they somehow managed to build a great reputation in the Griffon Kingdom without making an impact on anypony here in Equestria.  It doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, does it?"

Honor Bound snorted and turned his attention to the racetrack below. "Your point is not without merit, Captain Spitfire.  Nevertheless, this is none of your concern."

"With all due respect, Ambassador, I want to decide that for myself," I said firmly.

"In the interest of national security, I ask that you do not continue this line of inquiry," said Honor Bound sternly.

That little verbal slip got my attention. "National security?" I parroted.

"That's all I can tell you, Captain Spitfire," said Honor Bound. "I'm sorry."

Okay, so it wasn't a verbal slip.  But it was still a vital piece of information.  Something was happening in the Griffon Kingdom.  I had no idea what, but it had to be something pretty serious to justify the secrecy.

"Fair enough, Ambassador.  Let's change the subject a bit," I said. "What inspired you to create the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet?"

Honor Bound smirked. "I thought I had already made that clear, Captain Spitfire.  I am trying to create an event for the Equestria Games that both ponies and griffons can enter.  It is sure to strengthen our relations."

"Yeah, yeah.  I know all that," I said. "But, why do our relations need strengthening?  From where I'm standing, we get along just fine."

"That doesn't mean it couldn't be improved," said Honor Bound with a shrug. "You'd be surprised how many griffons in Equestria wish to participate in the Equestria Games."

"And that's all there is to it."

"That's all I can tell you," Honor Bound corrected. "There's more to it, but again, that information is classified."

I knitted my brow.  It became rather apparent that Honor Bound was in no position to tell me what I needed to know.  I had to get my answers elsewhere.

"Is that everything, Captain Spitfire?" asked Honor Bound.

I then remembered that I had brought Mare-Do-Well's clue with me.  It was a long shot, but it was my last chance to get some semblance of clarity.

"One more thing, Ambassador," I said, reaching into my pocket and taking out the cloth. "Does this look familiar to you at all?"

Honor Bound eyed the cloth quizzically. "Where did you come across this, Captain Spitfire?"

"I just found it in my office," I said with a shrug. "Why?  Do you know it from somewhere?"

"Perhaps," said Honor Bound, holding out his talon. "May I?"

"Oh, of course," I said, giving him the cloth.  He looked over the piece of fabric with a critical eye for a brief moment before closing his eyes and nodding sagely.  He then handed it back to me and brought his beak to my ear.

"This is not something I can help you with, Captain Spitfire, though I wish I could," he whispered. "I suggest going to the Proud Pride.  They would know more than I."

I have to give Honor Bound credit; he's not the type to pull the wool over your eyes.  The way he said that, I knew I could believe every word.  I gave him a nod and put the cloth away.  I didn't get all the answers I wanted, but I had enough to plan my next move.

As it so happened, I managed to wrap everything up with Honor Bound just in time.  The bugle had sounded, and the race was about to begin.  Feigning interest, I looked out at the racetrack below.

With a wave of the flag, the Wonderbolts were off.  As was the norm, Fleetfoot and Rapidfire were neck-and-neck while the others followed at their heels.  For a moment, it looked as though Wave Chill would make an attempt to take the lead, but Fleetfoot and Rapidfire weren't letting anypony pass them.  It looked like it was going to be another close race between those two.

Then, the unexpected happened.  On the final lap, Fleetfoot charged forward and violently rammed Rapidfire off of the racetrack.  Rapidfire spun out and crashed into the wall, the impact knocking him out cold.  The audience was astonished, as was I.

"I take it that usually doesn't happen," said Honor Bound.

I snorted and adjusted my shades. "No, it doesn't," I said darkly. "Please excuse me, Ambassador.  I think a member of my team needs to be disciplined."

With that, I flew out of the box and made my way to the track below.  In my mind, this didn't make sense.  Fleetfoot can be a hothead at times, but she's never violent.  Either Rapidfire did something that really pissed her off, or there was some other form of foul play at work.  Either way, she had a lot of explaining to do.
> Confrontation: Fleetfoot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I had arrived on the scene, there were medical personnel already attending to Rapidfire while the other Wonderbolts flying in the Derby were muttering amongst themselves.  I made a beeline to Fleetfoot and cleared my throat.  Once my presence was known, all of the other Wonderbolts moved away.

"You'd better have a damn good explanation for this, Fleetfoot," I said sternly.

Fleetfoot swallowed, but stood her ground. "I-it wassn't my fault, ma'am!  It wass an acccident!" she exclaimed.

I lowered my shades. "I'm having a hard time believing that, Fleet.  You know this track like the back of your hoof.  How could you just 'accidentally' ram Rapidfire like that?"

"I-I sswear, ma'am!  I didn't mean to hurt him!" Fleetfoot insisted. "Wonderbolt'ss honor!"

I gave Fleetfoot a stern glare and got right in her face. "You know what'll happen if I find out that you're lying to me, right?"

Fleetfoot gulped again. "Y-yess, ma'am."

"Good," I said, backing up and readjusting my shades. "So with that in mind, I want you to tell me exactly what happened back there."

"Y-yess, ma'am," said Fleetfoot with a salute.

It was hard to tell what she was thinking from the way she was acting.  I don't know if she was actually feeling guilty, or if she was just afraid of me.  I figured that once I heard her story, I'd find out soon enough.


***
Testimony: What Happened
***


"It wass the lasst lap of the racce, and Rapidfire and I were neck-and-neck," said Fleetfoot. "I have to admit; he wass putting up a good fight thiss time.  But no way wass I gonna let him beat me.  So I wass jusst about to passs him when ssuddenly, I encountered ssome odd wind ressisstancce.  I acccelerated to compenssate, but as ssoon as I did, the wind died down and I went barreling into Rapidfire.  That'ss the honesst truth, ma'am."

I placed a hoof to my chin.  Fleetfoot's story didn't really seem to make sense on the surface.  But I know Fleetfoot.  She may be cocky and competitive, but she's not a liar.  I needed to ask her a few more questions.

"Let's back up a bit," I said. "You mentioned something about wind resistance, right?"

"Yess, ma'am," said Fleetfoot.

"Describe it for me."

Fleetfoot rubbed the side of her head. "Not quite sure how to do that, ma'am.  It wass like nothing I had ever come acrosss."

"Try," I said, folding my forelegs.

"R-right, sure," said Fleetfoot, pausing to think for a moment. "Well, it was a sstrong gale.  Almosst like ssomething you'd find in a tornado.  Whatever it wass, it wass powerful enough to sslow me down."

"And then when you accelerated to compensate, it just disappeared."

It was hard to tell because of the opaque goggles she wore, but I could guess that Fleetfoot knew that her story sounded ridiculous. "B-believe me, ma'am.  I-I don't get it, either.  B-but that'ss what happened," she said.

"Hmm," I said, knitting my brow. "What about Rapidfire?  Did he feel this wind resistance, too?"

Fleetfoot tilted her head. "Why would he?  He wass pulling ahead of me."

I sighed and shook my head. "Fleet, you're not helping your case any.  I know your speed is something you take pride in, but are you honestly going to make up a story just to save your ego?"

"This issn't about ssaving my ego!" Fleetfoot blurted out before realizing who she was talking to. "I-I mean, you know me, ma'am.  I like nicce, clean raccess.  I'd never do ssomething like this on purposse."

I decided to let the outburst go.  I had bigger clouds to clear, after all.

"Well, let me ask you this," I said. "You were the only one feeling this, gale, as you called it, right?"

"That'ss correct, ma'am," said Fleetfoot with a nod.

"That would have to be a pretty small gale if it only affected you," I said. "I think we both know that wind doesn't normally act like that."

"I know, ma'am," said Fleetfoot, sheepishly rubbing her foreleg and casting her gaze downward. "B-but that'ss what I felt.  Honesst.  I wass trying to passs Rapidfire, not hurt him."

I felt like I was on a merry-go-round.  I kept trying to press Fleetfoot for new facts, and she just kept looping back to her lack of motive and sticking to her bizarre story.  There had to be some way to break this pattern and stop flying around in circles.

Wait.  Flying around in circles.  That's it!

"Fleet, something has just occurred to me," I said, putting away my shades. "The way I see it, this accident shouldn't have happened."

"Wh-what?  What do you mean?" asked Fleetfoot.

"As I mentioned before, you know this track like the back of your hoof," I explained. "As such, you know that it goes in a circle.  Now, I was watching from Fancy Pants's private box.  When you rammed Rapidfire, it was while he was making a turn.  And yet you plowed ahead in a straight line.  Why didn't you turn?"

Fleetfoot appeared flummoxed. "I-I don't know, ma'am..."

"Oh, you don't know, huh?" I said, narrowing my eyes and staring down at Fleetfoot. "You're gonna have to do a heckova lot better than that, Fleet.  Otherwise, I think there are some potatoes in the Academy kitchen with your name on them."

"NO!  IN THE NAME OF CCELESSTIA, ANYTHING BUT THAT!"

Fleetfoot recoiled from my threat.  She hates being put on KP; more so than any of the other Wonderbolts.  Now that she knew the stakes, I was certain that she'd be more willing to cooperate.

"Like I said, you're gonna have to give me a better explanation," I said. "What happened on that track?"

"I-I sswear, ma'am!  It wass that sstupid gale!" stammered Fleetfoot.

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought the gale only slowed you down."

"W-well, it did," said Fleetfoot. "B-but I jusst remembered ssomething elsse about it.  Pleasse, let me exsplain."

I snorted and put my shades back on. "Alright, Fleet.  I'm listening.  But this had better be good."

"O-of coursse, ma'am," said Fleetfoot.

If she was sticking to her gale story, there had to be a reason why.  Either it was true, or Fleetfoot was just talking out her dock.  In my mind, neither of those scenarios made a lick of sense.  But, there was a chance that could change.


***
Testimony: The Gale
***


"The gale didn't jusst come from one direction, ma'am," said Fleetfoot. "It, ssort of ssurrounded me from all ssides.  And when I acccelerated, the wind behind me got sstronger and I couldn't turn.  I know that doessn't make ssensse, but I can't find any other way to exsplain it."

That last part convinced me that Fleetfoot was on the level.  She didn't believe her own story, but she insisted that it happened.  That led me to believe that there was something else at work here.

"So, this gale of wind surrounded you, and yet you were still able to move," I said.

"Yeah," said Fleetfoot with a nod. "At leasst, that'ss how my body felt.  It wass like the wind wass targeting me for ssome reasson."

Another light bulb went off in my head. "Fleetfoot, repeat that."

"What?  The wind targeting me?"

"Yes, that," I said. "That right there might just prove your innocence."

Fleetfoot breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Thank goodnesss.  I almosst thought you didn't believe me," she said.

"Don't celebrate yet, Fleet," I said tersely. "Because this still doesn't make sense."

"How sso?" inquired Fleetfoot.

"Remember the airship that attacked us yesterday?" I said. "I think whoever was behind that tried to sabotage this race."

Fleetfoot gasped. "What?!  Ssabotage a racce?!  Ooh, jusst wait until I get my hoovess on whoever..."

"Stand down, Fleetfoot," I ordered. "I'm not done yet."

"O-oh, right," said Fleetfoot, clearing her throat. "P-pleasse continue, ma'am."

I nodded and adjusted my shades. "Without going into too much detail, I believe that Rapidfire was supposed to die from this, and whoever wanted to off him planned on framing you."

Fleetfoot lowered her flight goggles and gave me a blank stare. "I'm, not following you, ma'am.  Why would ssomeone want to kill Rapidfire and frame me?"

"I wish I knew," I said with a sigh. "Anyway, I'll figure this out.  You're off the hook for now, Fleet."

"Thank you, ma'am," said Fleetfoot with a salute.

I returned her salute and went over to the medics. "What's Rapidfire's condition?" I asked.

"He just had a minor concussion," said one of the medics. "He should be fine by tomorrow."

"Good to hear," I said with a nod.  Although this was great news, it just served to baffle me further.  If this was the work of the assassin again, he really sucked at his job.  None of the ponies he attacked were dead, or even crippled.  Misty Fly had it the worse, and she just needed some time in bed.  What was the point of trying to kill my team if this dock-hole wasn't going to, you know, kill my team?

Despite that conundrum, this attack did give me some more information.  Whoever this guy was, he could apparently control the weather.  Or at least, he could make thunderclouds that exploded (still can't get over that, by the way) and change the direction of the wind.  Yeah, that wasn't really a good lead.  Heck, after my chat with Honor Bound, I was sure that I'd get more answers out of the cloth.

I flew back to Fancy Pants's private box to say my farewells before heading back to the Academy.  Maybe Blaze had something to say about all this.  But knowing my luck with this stupid mystery, that was wishful thinking.
> Changing Tack
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 14, 17:07
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


"Wait, he what?!"

"Trust me, I'm not happy about it, either," I told Blaze. "But, that's apparently what happened.  The assassin tried to kill Rapidfire and frame Fleetfoot at the Wonderbolt Derby."

Blaze snorted and shook her head. "That son of a bitch," she spat. "Another attack is one thing, but trying to pin it on one of us is just low.  The Wonderbolts don't hurt each other like that."

"At least not intentionally," I said. "Further proving my point that this guy lacks subtlety.  He could've just as easily made it look like an accident, but he chose to make it appear deliberate."

"Why would he do that?" Blaze inquired. "Does he think you're stupid or something?"

"Actually, I don't think so," I said, shaking my head. "If anything, this attack proves my tactician theory."

"How so?"

"I think he knows that I'm onto him."

Blaze gave me a worried look. "What makes you say that?"

"This particular assassination attempt breaks the pattern that he established with the previous two attacks," I said. "Before, his attacks were painfully obvious.  He caught me off-guard, but it didn't take me long to figure out that he was behind them.  This time, he was trying to be subtle and throw me off the scent by blaming somepony else.  He failed miserably, but the attempt alone proves that he knows somepony is trying to catch him."

"But it doesn't prove that he thinks it's you," said Blaze. "For all he knows, it could be that Mare-Do-Well weirdo."

That was actually a good point.  While he wasn't leaving any clues for me, I wasn't exactly leaving any clues for him, either.  He had no real way of knowing that I was trying to find him unless he was spying on me.  And with Mare-Do-Well stalking me, I highly doubt that any assassin could pull that off for long.  Even so, this scenario just made too much sense for me to disregard.

"My point still stands, Blaze," I said. "The assassin is readjusting his strategy to cover his tracks."

"So, what do you plan to do about it?" asked Blaze.

"I was hoping I could get your help on that one," I said, pressing my hooves together. "I mentioned before that we need to form a counterattack.  Trouble is, I'm not entirely sure what that attack would entail."

"Yeah, that's a tricky one, alright," said Blaze thoughtfully. "This guy is already one step ahead of us, and he can adjust his plans on the fly.  There isn't exactly a strategy to counter something like that."

"Then we have to think of one.  Because I'm not planning on just sitting on my hooves and waiting for him to try again," I said firmly. "I've had enough of that."

"I hear you," said Blaze with a nod. "So, where exactly should we start?"

"Like I said before, our best bet it to play off of his lack of subtlety," I said. "When he attacks, we'll know it.  After that, it's just a matter of reacting to it quicker than he can react to our countermeasures."

"So the plan is to, not have a plan," said Blaze, raising an eyebrow. "Uh, no offense, Sis, but that sounds stupid."

I sighed. "I know, but it's the best I've got," I said. "The problem is that I always figure him out either after the attack or while he's attacking.  I have no way of knowing when he's going to strike."

"There is one pattern I found, but I don't think it helps," said Blaze.

"Lay it on me anyway."

"It seems that he's only attacking one Wonderbolt per day," said Blaze. "After one attempt, he calls it quits until the next sunrise."

Blaze was right; it didn't help.  If anything, it made things worse.  One attack per day meant that once I got out of bed, I had to be on pins and needles until it happened.  It was almost as if this schmuck was going out of his way to make me lose my Celestia-damn mind.  If he is onto me, it's a smart tactic.  Or it would be if he knew anything about me.

Then a thought hit me, and it shook me to my very core.

"Blaze, we need a plan now," I said, intensity in my voice.

"Wh-why?  What's wrong?" Blaze asked.

"If this pattern you brought up is correct, that means he plans to attack at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet," I said darkly. "If that happens, the political fallout won't be pretty."

Blaze swallowed. "Yeah, I see what you mean," she said glumly. "But that doesn't change the fact that we're in a major rut here.  How exactly do we outsmart a guy who keeps catching us off-guard?"

That statement sparked something in my mind. "Wait, Blaze.  I-I think you're onto something."

"Um, I am?" said Blaze, giving me a blank stare. "What are you talking about, Sis?"

"Let me ask you something, Blaze," I said. "Do you know anyone who keeps catching ponies off-guard?"

"You mean besides this prick?"

"Don't get cute with me, Blaze.  I'm being serious here."

"Right, sorry," said Blaze, pausing to think for a moment. "Well, there is always Surprise, but..."

She trailed off for a moment, and her face lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree. "Oooooh~!  Now I get it!  Who better to fight an unpredictable dock-hole than the Queen of Unpredictability herself?"

"Bingo," I said with a self-mocking smirk. "Honestly, I don't know why I didn't think of this before.  It's actually pretty obvious."

"We'll need to brief her on everything," said Blaze. "Shall I go get her?"

"By all means," I said. "Just one thing."

"What's that?"

"Let's keep Mare-Do-Well between you and me, alright?  I don't want Surprise to lose focus."

"Got it," said Blaze with a salute. "I'll be back in two shakes of a pony's tail!"

With that, she was off like a shot.  I couldn't help but smile to myself.  If this guy thought I was an idiot, I was about to prove him wrong.  It was time for me to bring out the big guns.


***


A few minutes later, Blaze came back alone.  I raised an eyebrow.

"Where's Surprise?" I asked.

Blaze looked behind her, and became equally confused. "I dunno.  She was behind me a second ago..."

"SURPRISE~!"

I don't know why I expected anything different.  As was her wont, Surprise appeared out of nowhere and yelled right into my ear.  As I recovered, I noticed that she actually came in through the window.

"You wanted to see me, Cap?" Surprise asked with a salute.

"Um, yes," I said, clearing my throat and composing myself. "Now, listen carefully, Surprise.  I have something to tell you, but you have to promise me not to tell anypony else on the team.  This is between you, me, Blaze, and the security detail.  Understood?"

"That's a big ten-four, Cap," said Surprise with a nod. "Your secret is safe with me."

"Good," I said. "Now then, let me ask you something.  Remember the attack yesterday?"

"The one with all the fireworks that were misused?"

"Yes, that one."

"What about it?"

I took a moment to readjust my shades. "I have reason to believe that whoever was behind that attack was also behind the thunderbolt that attacked Misty Fly," I said sternly.

Surprise frowned. "Really?"

"Yeah," I said. "Also, did you hear about the incident at the Wonderbolt Derby today?"

"I just heard about it from Wave Chill.  He said you really read Fleetfoot the riot act," said Surprise, looking at me with sad eyes. "She's not in trouble, is she Cap?"

"Not the kind you're thinking of," I said. "See, I think that incident also had something to do with the same guy behind the previous two attacks.  The point I'm trying to make is that someone is trying to take us out, and we need to stop him."

"How do you know it's a boy?" asked Surprise with a shrug. "It could be a girl."

That's the thing about Surprise.  She's able to somehow say things that are relevant and irrelevant at the same time.

"W-we'll cross that bridge when we get to it," I said. "Anyway, I want you to be on high alert.  If anything seems suspicious, you come right to me.  Also, this assassin seems to be rather slippery.  Think you can come up with a little something to trip him up?"

"Or her," Surprise corrected.

I sighed. "Yes, or her.  Now, can you do that?"

"Consider it done, Cap-a-rooni!" said Surprise with a firm nod. "This meanie isn't gonna get away with hurting the Wonderbolts!  I'll give him or her the surprise of his or her life!"

"Glad to hear it, Surprise," I said with a smile. "Get started as soon as you can."

"Sure.  Would the sixteenth be good?"

I gave Surprise a look. "Surprise, that's two days away.  I just told you to get started as soon as you can."

"Right, I know.  But we have the big festival in Ponyville tomorrow, and you know how I love a good party," said Surprise. "Besides, I don't think we should let the meanie know that we know what he or she is doing.  It'll ruin the surprise."

I, guess I couldn't argue with that logic. "Alright, fine.  You can start working on this after the festival is over, but I'm holding you to that.  And keep your guard up in the meantime."

"You got it, Cap," said Surprise with a salute.

"Both of you, dismissed."

With that, Blaze and Surprise left.  As I watched them go, I couldn't help but feel a little proud.  The news didn't seem to rattle Surprise in the slightest.  If anything, it just strengthened her resolve.  That right there made me feel a whole lot better.

As I started in on my paperwork, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.  Raising an eyebrow, I saw that Surprise had forgotten to close the window.  With a sigh, I walked over to close it.  When I got there, I saw a note hanging off of the edge of the window.


When in Ponyville tomorrow, don't forget what's important.  I'll see you there.

~Mare-Do-Well


Remember that good feeling I just had?  Yeah, it's gone now.  Overly-cryptic stalkers tend to do that.

I didn't really need to think too hard about what she meant by that.  Mare-Do-Well left me this note to prevent me from trying to find out who she was.  Though honestly, I don't know why the note was necessary.  Out of all the mysteries dumped onto my lap, this was the one I had made the least headway in.  I had no clues; no suspects; nothing that would lead me to the identity of Mare-Do-Well.  So, why the note?  Did she know something I didn't?  Was there something special in Ponyville?  All of these questions were just more mysteries to add to the pile.  Great.  As if I didn't have enough of those.

I heaved a sigh and got back to my paperwork.  I suppose there's no use fighting it.  I just have to keep my head in the game and take things as they come.  I may not like it, but if it means protecting my team and unravelling all of these riddles, I'll live with it.
> Fine Feathered Friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 15, 05:32
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


In hindsight, sleeping outside wasn't such a good idea.  Not because of the assassin or anything, but because I spent the whole night freezing my flank off.  Yeah, yeah.  I can just hear the smart alecks now: "Oh, the irony!  Spitfire is cold!" Ha ha ha.  Seriously, you try sleeping on a cloud at a high altitude.  Unless they're special insular clouds used to build cloud houses, they don't provide much warmth.

Oh, well.  At least I didn't have to deal with Surprise's follow-wake-up...


"WAKE UP, WAKE UP, SLEEPYHEADS!
GET OUT OF YOUR COZY BEDS!
I HOPE NONE OF YOU ARE ILL!
'CAUSE TODAY WE PARTY IN PONYVILLE!

SOUND OFF! *crash crash*
SOUND OFF! *crash crash*
SOUND OFF!  ONE TWO THREE FOUR.  ONE TWO!  THREE FOUR!"


Okay, how did she get access to the intercom?!  Bucking how?!  And furthermore, why?!

"Ugh, Celestia dammit.  I thought I would get away from her this time."

A familiar voice coming from a cloud a few feet below me gave me an answer to one of my questions.  I peeked over my own cloud to see Soarin' grumbling to himself as he slowly stretched himself out.  You may not know this, but Soarin' is probably the heaviest sleepers in the Wonderbolts.  He's one of the reasons Surprise started the follow-wake-up call in the first place.

"Honestly, Soarin'.  I thought you'd know by now that one doesn't simply pull a fast one on Surprise," I said with a sleepy giggle.

Soarin' looked up at me, and almost fell off of his cloud. "Spit?  What are you doing up here?" he asked.

"Same thing you are," I said. "I haven't been able to get much sleep lately."

"Really?" said Soarin'. "Why not?"

I gave Soarin' a look. "Please tell me you aren't asking me that after what's been happening the past few days."

"Oh, right," said Soarin', casting his eyes downward. "Sorry."

"It's fine," I said with a yawn. "Well, hopefully things will be looking up.  We have the festival in Ponyville, after all."

"Heh, yeah," said Soarin', licking his lips. "I wonder what they'll have to eat.  Maybe a nice warm apple pie, or maybe cherry pie.  Ooh, or maybe they'll have some of those pumpkin pies that I like so much!"

I snickered and shook my head.  I might've mentioned this before, but I can tell you from personal experience that pie isn't all that Soarin' thinks about.  However, you wouldn't know that if you just met him for the first time.  Once you get him started on pie, it's hard for him to stop.

"Settle down there, Soarin'.  You're making me hungry," I said. "C'mon, let's get back to the barracks and freshen up.  We've got a big day today."

"Mmm?  Oh, yeah.  Sure thing, Spit.  Right behind you," said Soarin'.  With that, we flew down back to the Academy.


***
January 15, 10:49
Ponyville Airspace
***


After a rather uneventful morning (not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, considering that the assassin could strike at the festival), we made our way to Ponyville.  Everypony on the team was excited.  Soarin' was fantasizing about the food, High Winds was eager to talk to the Proud Pride, and Surprise was just ready to have a good time.  I suppose I could relate.  After all, this was a great chance to meet my fans.

Speaking of fans, I noticed several ponies waiting on the outskirts of town as we made our final approach.  They were all holding banners of different shapes and sizes.  I smiled.

"Alright, Wonderbolts!  Just like we rehearsed!" I shouted. "Ponyville is giving us a great welcome, and we should return the favor!"

"Yes, ma'am!" came a chorus of acknowledgments.

With that, we broke off into groups of five and ascended towards each other.  When we met in the middle, we broke off and spread out in different directions, creating a small burst of energy as we did so.  The ponies below cheered as we made our final descent and touched down.

For those who are curious, we call that one the Weeping Willow.  It's named after the firework pattern of the same name.

As soon as we landed, I was immediately approached by a small procession of pegasi.  I recognized them all right away and smiled.  They were all Wonderbolt Cadets; students at the Academy.

"Welcome to Ponyville, ma'am," said one of the cadets with a salute.  I had to stifle a laugh.

"At ease, Raindrops," I said. "There's no need for that today."

"There isn't?" said Raindrops, appearing confused. "But I thought..."

"I told you that you were worrying over nothing, Rainy," said Cloudchaser, rolling her eyes. "We aren't at the Academy, y'know."

"Maybe not," I said with a smirk. "But I hope you aren't using that as an excuse to shirk your training."

"Eep!  N-no, ma'am!" Cloudchaser whimpered.  I chuckled.

"It's good to see you all, cadets," I said. "We're all looking forward to a wonderful festival."

"Well, of course!" said Thunderlane. "Everypony knows that Pinkie Pie throws the best parties in all of Equestria!  Isn't that right, Bulk?"

"YEAH!" Bulk Biceps bellowed.

"Wait, did somepony mention pie?" asked Soarin'.  An audible growl could be heard from his stomach.

"Ugh, do you think about anything else, Soarin'?" groaned Silver Zoom.

I had to snigger again as I turned to address the last of the cadets.  She was trying to look all calm and collected, but she was failing miserably.  In all honesty, I was expecting that.  She has a tendency to get overexcited about the Wonderbolts.

Remember when I mentioned that there was a pony in Ponyville with a lot of potential?  Well, this is her: The one and only Rainbow Dash.  You probably know her as the winner of the Best Young Flyer competition a while back.  But that isn't the only reason I think she has potential.  She also has a lot of guts, and she's pretty sharp to boot.  Heck, she even taught me a few things about clear communication, and she also once saved my life.  But, those are stories for another time.

"It's, great to see you, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "And may I just say that this Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet is sure to be the most awesome thing ever!"

"I know we're looking forward to it," I said. "Actually from what I hear, you've flown through Ghastly Gorge plenty of times yourself."

"Sure have, ma'am," Rainbow Dash gushed. "I know it so well, I could fly through it blindfolded, no problem."

I had a feeling she was exaggerating to make herself look cool.  Honestly, I don't know why she bothered.  I've already seen her in action.  She doesn't need to impress me.

"So, ma'am.  I was just curious," said Raindrops meekly. "Who exactly are these Proud Pride griffons you're gonna be racing?  None of us have ever heard of them."

"Join the club," I muttered under my breath.

"What?"

"Nothing," I said. "Anyway, they're a new team from the Griffon Kingdom.  They claim to be the best fliers from over there."

"Heh, I bet those guys have got nothing on the Wonderbolts, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash with a sneer.

"I wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions, Rainbow Dash," I said. "After all, we have yet to see them perform."

"Hey, look up there!"

I turned to where Cloudchaser was pointing and smirked.  Speak of the draconequus.

Twelve griffons came in from the sky, flying in wing trios and performing their own stunts.  Honestly, I was impressed.  These guys moved with great coordination and precision.  And just like Kierra told me, they all brought a unique flying style to the table.  Some of them glided through the air gently, while others were able to dart around with the randomness of a hummingbird.  Honor Bound wasn't joking; these guys were good.  They were the best griffon fliers I've ever seen, to say the least.

The Proud Pride concluded their show and touched down.  Pierre le Grand walked over to me and smirked.

"So?  What do you think, Capitaine Spitfire?" asked he.

"Not bad," I said. "You certainly live up to your name as the best fliers of the Griffon Kingdom."

"But of course," said Pierre haughtily. "I told you, the Proud Pride are not to be trifled with."

"I never said they were," I countered.

Pierre chuckled. "Touché, Capitaine Spitfire."

"Hey, Cap.  Are we gonna just stand here all day?" asked Surprise. "I thought we came here to par-tay!"

The other Wonderbolts snickered.  Rainbow Dash looked a tad confused.

"Inside joke.  You'll understand once you become a Wonderbolt," I told her. "Alright, Wonderbolts!  Go and enjoy yourselves!  That's an order!"

"Yes, ma'am!" the Wonderbolts proclaimed.

With that, the Wonderbolts dispersed and made their way into town, along with the Proud Pride and the other ponies.  I lagged behind a bit to walk next to Rainbow Dash.  I could see that she was blushing.

"You, really think I'll become a Wonderbolt someday?" she asked.

"This shouldn't be news to you, Rainbow Dash," I said with a chuckle. "I know potential when I see it, and you've got it in spades."

"Th-thank you, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash sheepishly. "I-I hope you enjoy the festival."

"I'm sure I will," said I. "Hey, why don't you show me around town?"

Rainbow Dash's eyes went wide. "Wh-what?  Y-you want me to...?"

"Well, sure.  I performed here plenty of times, and I've monitored the rainwater collection.  But I've never really been in the town itself," I said with a shrug. "Besides, I feel like I kinda owe you for brushing you off at the Grand Galloping Gala."

"What, that?" said Rainbow Dash. "O-oh, you don't owe me for that, ma'am.  I-I understand."

"Even so, my request still stands," I said with a playful smirk. "Don't make me make it an order."

Rainbow Dash grinned from ear-to-ear. "Yeah, sure.  I-I mean, yes ma'am!  I-I'd be more than happy to show you around.  C'mon, follow me!"

With that, she zoomed ahead in a streak of myriad color.  I chuckled a bit and quickly followed after her.  With all the excitement and good cheer in the air, it almost made me forget about the mysteries that had been piling up around me the past few days.  Key word there is 'almost.'  Yeah, even if I'm planning to enjoy myself, no way in Tartarus am I letting my guard down.  Especially not here.
> Memory Lane
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 15, 11:20
Ponyville
Town Square
***


As Rainbow Dash continued to lead me around Ponyville, I couldn't help but notice just how much energy was put into this festival.  I'm serious, they had something for everyone.  Food; games; live music.  You name it, it was there.  Whoever organized this thing must've spent a fortune.

"So, you think this Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet is really gonna become part of the Equestria Games?" Rainbow Dash inquired.

"Maybe," I said with a shrug. "Ambassador Honor Bound said that both the Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride have to approve it.  Not quite sure how that's gonna work."

"Man, it would be awesome if it did become an event," said Rainbow Dash with a wide grin. "It sounds like a lot of fun."

"Well, we'll see," said I. "So, have you been keeping up with your training?"

"Heck yeah!" said Rainbow Dash proudly. "I've even used Ghastly Gorge as a training course.  I always keep myself in tip-top shape, ma'am!"

"Good to hear," I said. "I wouldn't want one of the best fliers in the Academy to get complacent."

"You don't have to worry about that, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "Hey, you getting hungry?"

I paused to think for a moment. "Well, I guess I am a bit peckish."

"Alright then, hang on a sec," said Rainbow Dash, taking a look around. "Ah, there she is.  Hey, AJ!"

She was waving over to an orange Earth Pony running what I could only describe as an apple stand.  I recognized her as one of Rainbow Dash's friends, but we never were fully acquainted.  After getting the pony's attention, Rainbow Dash and I made our way over to her.

"Howdy, partner," said the salespony with a tip of her hat. "You enjoyin' the festival?"

"Immensely," I said with a grin. "This must've taken a lot of work to put together."

"Well, that's jus' how we do things 'round these parts," said the salespony. "So, whatcha hankerin' for?  Apple fritters?  Apple fries?"

"We'll take two samples of Zap Apple jam, please," said Rainbow Dash. "Trust me on this one, ma'am."

"Comin' right up!" said the salespony, taking out two slices of bread and a jar filled with a rainbow-colored substance. "You're very lucky, miss.  We jus' finished up our Zap Apple harvest, so our jam is guaranteed fresh."

"I'll take your word for it," I said, mainly because I couldn't think of much else to say without sounding awkward.  Yeah, I have absolutely no idea what a Zap Apple is.  Sue me.

"Well, RD.  You managed to get one of the Wonderbolts to hang out with ya after all," said the salespony with a smirk as she spread the rainbow substance on the bread. "Looks like you win the bet."

"Bet?"

"Oh, it was just a little something between me and Applejack here," said Rainbow Dash sheepishly. "No need to look into it any further."

"I was figurin' that all you Wonderbolts would be gettin' mobbed by fans left an' right, an' y'all would be too busy," said the salespony with a shrug.

"Okay, that's enough, AJ," Rainbow Dash growled. "I'm not gonna let you embarrass me in front of Spitfire."

"It's fine.  I don't mind," I said with a giggle.  To be honest, I could understand a bet like that. "So, you're one of Rainbow Dash's friends, I take it?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Applejack. "Name's Applejack.  I help run Sweet Apple Acres; the premier apple orchard 'round these parts."

Big surprise there. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Applejack."

"Pleasure's all mine," said Applejack. "Here you go: Two samples of Zap Apple jam."

"Thank you," I said. "Um, I'm afraid my uniform doesn't have a place for a wallet.  Just tell me how much I owe you, and I'll have my secretary write you a check or something."

"Oh, don't you worry 'bout that none," said Applejack with a smile. "It's on the house."

"Oh.  Well, thank you very much," I said, picking up my piece of bread and taking a bite.  Let me tell you something; whatever a Zap Apple is, it's delicious.  Seriously, I've never tasted anything like it.

"Good, right?" said Rainbow Dash with a smirk.

"Mmm," was all I could really say.  Trust me, if you were tasting this, you'd have the same reaction.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash!  Fancy seeing you here."

An elegant voice got my attention, and I turned to see who it came from.  It was another one of Rainbow Dash's friends; a unicorn named Rarity.  I took in a sharp breath through my teeth.  I had a bad feeling that this was going to get awkward.

Now, I'm not really the kind of pony to hold a grudge.  I know that's hard to believe given how I've been reacting to this assassin prick trying to kill my team, but that's a special circumstance.  I'm certainly not going to hate somepony if they hurt me by accident.  I bring this up because I have a bit of a history with Rarity.  And to be frank, it wasn't a proud moment for either of us.

See, at the Best Young Flyer competition I told you about, Rarity was one of the competitors.  Some unicorn magic'd her up a pair of wings (not entirely sure why), and she was flaunting them all over Cloudsdale when somepony suggested that she entered.  So she did, and she ended up vaporizing her wings in the middle of her performance.  Apparently wings made out of magic have the same consistency of tissue paper.  Go figure.

So, of course, I tried to save her.  Problem was that she was having a panic attack as she was falling.  Because of that, she actually knocked me and my wingponies out by accident (for the record, she has a mean left hook).  Honestly, we all would've been dead if Rainbow Dash hadn't come in and saved us at the last minute.

Now let me make this absolutely clear.  I've put that incident behind me.  There's no need for me to dwell on what could've happened.  Besides, from what little I understand, Rarity got what she deserved anyway; and she learned a valuable life lesson as well.  So really, I bear no ill will towards her.  I was just hoping that Rarity knew that.

"Hey, Rarity!  Yeah, I was just showing Spitfire here the awesomeness that is Zap Apple jam," said Rainbow Dash.

"Ah, I see," said Rarity pleasantly. "Well, I do hope you're enjoying yourself, Ms. Spitfire.  We all worked very hard to make this a festival worthy of commemorating such a prestigious event as the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet."

Oh, thank Celestia.  It seems like she let bygones be bygones, too.  I swallowed my bit of bread before addressing her.

"I most certainly am," I said. "Rainbow Dash was kind enough to show me around town."

"Oh, have you shown her the spa yet?" asked Rarity.

Rainbow Dash tilted her head. "I, didn't know the spa was open today."

"Oh, but it is.  Lotus Blossom and Aloe have a special treatment lined up for the Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride," said Rarity. "Fluttershy and I overheard them talking about it yesterday afternoon."

"A special treatment?" I asked.

"But of course," said Rarity with a nod. "After all, this is going to be a major milestone in pony-griffon relations.  Anyone would get stressed out over that."

"C'mon, Rare!  This is Spitfire we're talking about!  The captain of the Wonderbolts!" said Rainbow Dash. "She doesn't get stressed out!"

I sighed inwardly.  If only she knew what I had been through the past few days.

"Actually, a trip to the spa doesn't sound like a bad idea," I said. "Truth be told, I haven't been getting much sleep lately."

"Staying up all night training, huh?" said Rainbow Dash with a grin.

"Something like that," I said. "Anyway, I figure it could do me some good."

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Well, I guess if you want to, that's fine.  How 'bout we meet up at Sugarcube Corner later?  I hear that Pinkie Pie has something extra special planned later this afternoon."

"Sure, sounds good," I said. "When is it?"

"I think she said it was at one o'clock," said Rainbow Dash.

"Thirteen hundred.  Got it," I said with a nod. "I'll be there."

"Thirteen what-now?" asked Applejack, looking more than a bit confused.

"It's a Wonderbolt thing," I said with a shrug.

"I'll explain later, AJ," said Rainbow Dash. "Anyway, see you then, ma'am!"

With a salute, she dashed off.

"Now then, let me show you to the spa," said Rarity. "This way."

I shrugged and followed her, giving Applejack a quick wave goodbye as I left.


***
January 15, 11:45
Ponyville
Spa
***


"Hey, Sis!"

It seemed like Blaze had the same idea I did.  When I got to the spa, she was already getting a deep massage from one of the attendants.

"Hey, Blaze," I said. "Just a sec, let me get out of my uniform."

After a quick change, I laid down on the table next to her as another attendant got to work on me.

"Ah~.  That's it, right there," said Blaze. "Mmm.  Just what the doctor ordered."

She certainly wasn't wrong there.  I felt a good portion of my stress melt away as the masseuse rubbed my back and shoulders.

"They really went the extra mile for this festival, didn't they?" said Blaze. "I'm almost afraid to ask how much it cost to set all this up."

"I'm sure Honor Bound provided most of the funding," I said. "After all, this is meant to promote the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet."

After a vigorous massage, we were led to the steam room.  Once there, I was greeted Rarity and another one of Rainbow Dash's friends, Fluttershy.  They seemed to be in the middle of some sort of conversation.  I cleared my throat.

"Mind if we join you?" I asked.

"Oh, not at all, darling," said Rarity sweetly. "Please, do come in."

We did as she asked and situated ourselves on a bench.  I gave Fluttershy a smirk.

"So, how's Rainbow Dash's number one flier doing these days?" I inquired.

Fluttershy hid her face behind her bangs. "A-alright, I guess," she muttered.

To be perfectly honest, I don't know why she was so embarrassed.  The reason I called her that was because she showed a lot of guts and made a large contribution to one particular session of rainwater collection.  I thought it was something to be proud of.  Guess I just don't know Rainbow Dash's friends all that well.

"Sorry about that.  I didn't mean to embarrass you," I apologized.

"I-it's fine," said Fluttershy.

"So anyway, as I was saying," said Rarity, continuing the conversation. "I still have no clue who placed that order.  I'm telling you, Fluttershy, I think this is probably my strangest order to date."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually," said Fluttershy. "After all, how hard can it be to find somepony who has that Mare-Do-Well costume?"

My ears perked up. "Hang on a second.  Did you say Mare-Do-Well?"

"Um, yes," said Fluttershy. "What about it?"

I had to be careful here.  I didn't want to reveal anything about the attacks on the Wonderbolts.

"I, just thought I heard the name somewhere before," I said. "Can't remember where, though."

"Oh, I doubt you'd know anything about it, Ms. Spitfire," said Rarity. "That was something between us and Rainbow Dash."

"Rainbow Dash?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rarity rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Well, it's a bit embarrassing.  Promise you won't tell Rainbow Dash, alright?"

"Wonderbolt's honor," I said solemnly. "Right, Blaze?"

"Huh?  Oh, sure.  Mum's the word," said Blaze.  She then leaned over to my ear. "You sure you don't want to tell them?" she whispered.

"The Wonderbolts are in enough trouble as it is, Blaze.  I am not roping anypony else into our mess," I whispered back.

Blaze simply shrugged and turned back to Rarity and Fluttershy. "So, tell us about this Mare-Do-Well."

"Well, it's like this," said Rarity. "There was a time when Rainbow Dash was, rather full of herself.  Well, she still is, but she once took it too far.  She started performing these acts of heroism all around Ponyville and bragging about it."

"So to teach her a lesson, we created a hero known as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well who was modest and humble, and we all played her at different times," continued Fluttershy. "She, didn't really like that."

"So, what happened?" I asked.

"It got to the point where nopony was paying attention to her," said Fluttershy. "After that, she got fed up and chased Mare-Do-Well down.  When she found out who she was, she was finally able to learn her lesson about conducting herself with grace and humility."

"I see," I said, furrowing my brow.  It was an interesting tale, and I suppose it gave me some insight into Rainbow Dash's inner growth.  But it didn't give me any information on this particular Mare-Do-Well who was stalking me.  I knew for certain that this Mare-Do-Well was a pegasus, and the only one of Rainbow Dash's friends with access to the costume who would fit that description was Fluttershy.  Judging by the way this Mare-Do-Well conducted herself, either Fluttershy was a really good actress, or I would be barking up the wrong tree by accusing her.  Plus, it didn't explain how she knew so much about what was going on.  I needed to look into something else.

"You mentioned before this strange order you got," I said to Rarity. "What's that all about?"

"Oh, well, I was the one who designed Mare-Do-Well's costume," said Rarity. "And just last week, I got this peculiar order asking for it.  I still have no idea who it was from."

"Then, how were they supposed to pick it up?" asked Blaze.

"The order asked me to leave it in the boutique unattended," said Rarity. "Sure enough, I left it out one night, and the next morning, it was gone.  And in its place were a pile of bits and a thank you note."

Ah-ha~.  So that's why Mare-Do-Well didn't want me to ask around about her in Ponyville.  This is where she got her costume.  That order and that thank you note were my best bets to figuring out who she was.  There was just a small problem.  How was I going to get them?

"Who else knows about this?" I asked.

"Just me and Fluttershy," said Rarity. "Oh, and I mentioned it to Twilight as well.  She's doing what she can to help."

Then that was who I had to talk to next. "Well, that's quite an interesting story, Ms. Rarity.  I, hope you find your mystery client."

"I hope so, too," said Rarity. "I suppose it doesn't matter in the long run, but this has just left me baffled.  Oh well, c'est la vie.  Anyway, do enjoy the rest of the festival, darlings."

"Oh, don't worry.  We will," said Blaze with a huge grin. "It was nice talking to you."

"Likewise," Fluttershy said meekly.

With that, the attendants led me and Blaze to the next leg of our spa experience.  After finding out about that big clue, it was much easier to relax.  But even as I was getting the special treatment, I still kept on the alert.  The assassin had yet to strike, and I knew in the back of my mind that he would.  It was just a matter of how and when...
> From Sweet to Sour
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 15, 12:52
Ponyville
Sugarcube Corner
***


After our amazing spa session, Blaze and I headed right over to Sugarcube Corner.  As I suspected, Rainbow Dash was right outside waiting for me.

"Hey, you made it!" she said cheerfully. "And with quite a bit of time to spare, too."

A sly smirk crossed Blaze's face. "Well, doy!  It wouldn't be like my big sister to be late for something."

"Your sister, huh?" said Rainbow Dash thoughtfully. "If that's the case, then you must be Blaze."

"Methinks my reputation precedes me," said Blaze with a chuckle. "How'd you know?"

"Oh, that's easy.  I know everything about the Wonderbolts!" said Rainbow Dash proudly.

Yeah, I'm not touching that one with a ten-foot pole.  Knowing the smart alecks out there, some of you have already come up with snarky comments on your own.

"Well, it's nice to meet such a big fan," said Blaze. "You must be Rainbow Dash.  My sis has told me a lot of great things about you."

"Really?" said Rainbow Dash, blushing a little. "Like what?"

Blaze's smile broadened. "Like how you stood up to her at the Academy and..."

"Alright, Blaze.  Knock it off," I growled, my own face turning red. "What are you trying to do, embarrass both of us?"

"Nope, just you!" Blaze said jokingly.

I sighed. "I'm, terribly sorry about that, Rainbow Dash.  Blaze was just teasing me.  She does that sometimes when we're not on duty."

"N-no prob.  I-I mean it's fine, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash, clearing her throat. "Anyway, come on in!  Pinkie's just getting everything set up."

"Yeah, sure thing," said Blaze with a wicked smile. "By the way, I've got a lot more embarrassing stories about my sis if you want to hear them."

"Keep it up, Blaze, and I'll tell her and the rest of the cadets about how you coerced me into letting you lead the charge against a dragon attacking Ponyville and..."

"Okay, shutting up now," Blaze whimpered, her face turning a bit pale.

I snickered.  Blaze might know several ways to annoy me, but she really can't stand the taste of her own medicine.  With the banter out of the way, we followed Rainbow Dash inside.


***


The inside of Sugarcube Corner was just as lively as the rest of the festival.  There were games, music, and a rather impressive spread for the buffet.  Everyone there just looked like they were having a great time.

"Ah, Capitaine Spitfire!  There you are!"

Pierre le Grand strolled right up to me; a griffon I did not recognize by his side.  He wore a chef's hat and a long scarf.  Like Pierre, he also had a mustache, only his was long and wiry.

"Capitaine Spitfire, allow me to introduce you to my brother, Gustav," said Pierre, indicating the griffon chef. "He is very much in support of Ambassadeur Honor Bound's attempts to strengthen pony-griffon relations.  He helped with the catering for this festival."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, mademoiselle," said Gustav with a bow.

"Pleasure's all mine," I said. "So, you're looking forward to the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet?"

"But of course," said Gustav. "As a griffon who has always called Equestria home, I could not be more excited.  A chance for griffons to compete in le Equestria Games is truly magnifique.  Therefore, in celebration, I have worked with Mademoiselle Pinkie Pie to create a culinary masterpiece that is sure to please the palate of griffons and ponies alike."

"My brother's pastries are some of the best I have ever tasted," added Pierre. "Rest assured, you will not be disappointed, Capitanie Spitfire."

"Sounds good," said Blaze, licking her lips. "So, where is it?  I want to get a piece before Soarin' gets to it."

"Patience, mademoiselle," said Gustav with a chuckle. "It shall be unveiled in a few moments.  Mademoiselle Pinkie is just putting on the finishing touches."

I guess this was the big event Rainbow Dash was talking about before. "So, you're enjoying the festival so far, Captain le Grand?"

"It is quite interesting, yes," said Pierre with a shrug. "The ponies of Ponyville certainly know how to make us griffons feel welcome."

"That's because everyone is welcome in Ponyville!"

A familiar voice suddenly came out of nowhere and startled me.  At it turned it, the voice belonged to Pinkie Pie; another one of Rainbow Dash's friends.  Like with Applejack, I don't know a whole lot about her.  All I know is that one time she took a hot air balloon all the way to the Wonderbolt Academy just to give Rainbow Dash a care package.

"Ah, Mademoiselle Pinkie.  Is everything ready?" asked Gustav.

"Just about!" said Pinkie gleefully. "I finished setting up the trays, and they should be ready to serve!"

"Splendid," said Gustav with a smile. "Please excuse me, Mademoiselle.  I must attend to our pièce de résistance."

"Although trust me, I don't think anyone here will be able to resist," said Pinkie with a giggle. "Truth be told, it was kinda hard for me to resist while setting things up.  Luckily, I met this great pony who knows all of these silly jokes that kept my tummy distracted.  She seemed awfully familiar, too.  Don't know why."

Pierre gave Gustav a quizzical look.  Gustav merely shrugged.

"Her mind is a mystery to me as well," said he. "But it matters not.  We should get ready to..."

"SURPRISE~!"

I couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu as Surprise appeared in our midst randomly.

"This is a great festival, huh Cap?" she said with a huge grin.

"Um, yeah.  It sure is," I said.

"Oh, hey Surprise!" said Pinkie with a wave. "You wanna help me and Gustav with the unveiling?"

"Thanks, but I'm alright," said Surprise. "We should talk more later, though.  You're funny!"

"So are you!" said Pinkie. "Alright, seeya later!"

With that, Pinkie bounced off while Gustav followed.

"I like her.  She reminds me of me before I joined the Wonderbolts," said Surprise.

Pierre scoffed. "Are your ponies always like this, Capitanie Spitfire?" he inquired.

"Trust me, Captain le Grand.  They wouldn't be Wonderbolts for long if they were," I said. "Besides, Surprise is a special case."

"I have no comment," said Pierre with a shrug.

I can't really describe it, but something about Pierre's attitude rubbed me the wrong way.  It was almost as if he was determined to prove that the Proud Pride were better than the Wonderbolts.  Why?  It didn't really matter who won the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, did it?  The whole thing was just a prototype for the Equestria Games.

"Fillies, gentlecolts, and griffons!  Your attention please!"

Before I could pursue the matter, Pinkie Pie and Gustav came out of the kitchen wheeling in a large trolly with a white cloth draped over it.  Gustav cleared his throat.

"For doing such a wonderful service to all our races, Mademoiselle Pinkie Pie and myself have prepared a special treat for le Wonderbolts and le Proud Pride," said he. "Behold!"

With that, he pulled back the cloth.  Sitting on the trolly were several trays of several different kinds of tarts.  I have to say, they looked simply divine.

"We present for your delectation, Full Spectrum Tarts," said Gustav, blowing a kiss to the air. "Bon appétit."

"Alright!  Mini pies!" Soarin' cheered.

I had to laugh.  That was just such a Soarin' thing to say.  Pierre, however, was less than amused.

"Doesn't he know that there is a difference?" he asked no one in particular.

"I wouldn't let it bug you.  Soarin' usually just says whatever pops into his head," I said as we made our way to the trolly.  We all helped ourselves to a couple of tarts (except for Soarin', who helped himself to a whole bunch).  Pierre wasn't exaggerating about his brother's talents.  The meringue tart I picked up was simply exquisite.

"My compliments to the chefs," said High Winds, munching down a chocolate tart.

"You have truly outdone yourself, Gustav," said Kierra.

Soarin' tried to say something, but it was all lost due to the fact that he was talking with his mouth full.  From what I could tell, he certainly looked like he was enjoying himself.

While we enjoyed our tarts, I decided to take the time to look for Twilight Sparkle; the last of Rainbow Dash's friends.  According to Rarity, she was looking into the pony who ordered the Mare-Do-Well costume.  She was my best bet to finding out who my stalker was.

I managed to find her talking to Raindrops.  I walked over and cleared my throat.

"Hmm?  Oh, hello ma'am," said Raindrops. "Are you enjoying the festival?"

"I most certainly am," I said with a smile. "I can tell that you all put a lot of work into it."

"Well, this is Pinkie Pie we're talking about, ma'am.  When she organizes a party, you know it's gonna be good," said Raindrops.

"Duly noted," I said. "Anyway, Raindrops.  Do you mind if I have a word with Twilight Sparkle for a moment?"

"Huh?  Oh, not at all," said Raindrops. "Let's pick this up later, Twilight.  I'll be sure to know more by then."

"Let's hope so," said Twilight.

Something about that exchange got my attention, but before I could ask, Raindrops left.

"So, what did you want to see me for?" asked Twilight.

I cleared my throat.  Once again, this was going to be difficult.

"Well, it's like this," I said, dipping my voice. "Do you know anything about the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well?"

"Well, yeah.  How do you know about that?" asked Twilight.

"I heard your friend Rarity gossiping about it at the spa," I said. "I think I might have a stalker that dresses in that costume."

"A stalker?" Twilight inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but I don't know who it is," I said. "It might be connected to that order Rarity got."

Twilight knitted her brow. "It's certainly a possibility," she mused. "I'll let you know if I find anything."

Dammit.  I couldn't get the evidence from her directly.  I needed to leave things in her hooves, or else she'd start to get suspicious.  And like I said before, I was not going to rope any other ponies into these attacks.

"I'd appreciate that," I said. "I'll tell my secretary to expect a letter from you."

"Augh!"

As soon as I wrapped up my discussion with Twilight, I heard a loud moan from Soarin'.  When I looked up, I was dumbfounded.  Soarin' looked like he was in pain, and a half-eaten tart was lying at his feet.

"Oh no, oh no!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Is there a doctor in the house?!"

"I'm a doctor!" said a white Earth Pony, rushing onto the scene.

Pinkie gave the pony a blank stare. "Well, duh.  I know you're a doctor, Nurse Redheart.  I was asking if there was a doctor in the house."

Nurse Redheart simply rolled her eyes and began examining Soarin'.

"I don't get it," said Surprise, rubbing her head. "Soarin' never gets a stomachache.  He's like a bottomless pit."

Surprise was right.  Soarin' has one of the biggest appetites amongst the Wonderbolts, if not the biggest.  Something fishy was going on here.

"I need to get him to the hospital to run some tests," said Nurse Redheart. "Can somepony help me carry him?"

"Wave Chill, you're with me," I said. "We'll handle this, ma'am.  Just tell us where to go."

Wave Chill and I made a makeshift stretcher out of the cloth Gustav used to cover the tarts, and we followed Nurse Redheart to the hospital.  I breathed a deep sigh.  The day started out so well.  Why did it have to end so badly?
> Confrontation: Gustav le Grand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 15, 13:31
Ponyville
Hospital
***


Time seemed to slow down to a crawl as I sat in the waiting room and awaited the doctor's diagnosis on Soarin's condition.  Normally, I'd be pacing back and forth and wearing a groove in the floor, but I just didn't have the energy.  My mind was still reeling from what had happened, and I was still in the middle of processing everything.

After what felt like an eternity, Nurse Redheart walked in.  She had a very serious look on her face.  My heart sank.  That couldn't mean anything good.

"Ms. Spitfire?  Dr. Horse wishes to see you in his office," said Nurse Redheart. "It's important."

I sighed.  Might as well get it over with.  Without a word, I got up and followed Nurse Redheart.


***


Seeing the doctor in his office didn't exactly rekindle my hopes.  He too looked rather grave and serious.

"Please, sit down, Ms. Spitfire," he said.

I did as he asked and let out another sigh.

"Alright, Doc.  Gimmie the bad news.  I can take it," I said.

"I think I'd better give you the good news first," said Dr. Horse. "Soarin' is going to be just fine.  He just needs to rest here for the day, and he'll be right as rain by tomorrow morning."

It took a while for the doctor's words to sink in, but once they did, my heart felt a lot lighter.  A ghost of a smile crossed my face as I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"I'm, very happy to hear that," I said. "So, what was the problem?"

"That's the bad news," Dr. Horse said darkly. "It's actually a miracle that Soarin' is alive right now.  According to the tests, we discovered traces of some sort of unknown chemical in his body.  We have reason to believe that it's some sort of poison."

I bit my lip.  That right there confirmed my underlying suspicions: The assassin dock-hole had struck again.  And this time, he managed to sink even lower than before.  I was certain that he intended for me to accuse Gustav le Grand and create political controversy.  Well, I wasn't gonna play his game.

"Thank you for the report, Doc," I said, getting up from my seat. "Let me know if anything changes."

"Will do, Ms. Spitfire," said Dr. Horse with a nod. "I assure you; Soarin' is in very capable hooves."

I nodded in return and began the walk back to Sugarcube Corner.  I needed more information, and I knew just who to go to in order to get it...


***
January 15, 13:55
Ponyville
Sugarcube Corner
***


When I got back, it appeared that somepony beat me to the punch.  Or, at least I think so.  Pinkie Pie was looking over all of the tarts with a critical eye.  For reasons beyond my comprehension, she held a magnifying glass, wore a weird-looking hat on her head, and was blowing on a bubble pipe.

"This is certainly a puzzler, Faithful Assistant.  We've only got one clue and no suspects," she said.

"Very curious indeed," mused Surprise, who was wearing a bowler hat (don't ask me why). "Do you think we should start interviewing the witnesses, Detective?"

"That might be a bit of a problem," said Pinkie. "The only ones in the kitchen were you, me, and Gustav.  None of us have any motive to taint the tarts."

"On that, we can agree, Mademoiselle Pinkie," said Gustav with a huff. "I have far too much respect for my craft to even attempt such an unsavory act."

"I find myself in agreement, Mr. le Grand," I said, making my way into the conversation. "Which is why I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Oh!  I didn't know you wanted to help, too," said Pinkie. "Here, hold on."

Without warning, she placed the odd hat on my head and the bubble pipe in my hoof.  I could hear Blaze snickering in the crowd.  I don't know if it was because this wasn't a good look for me, or due to the fact that she knew I was being forced to play detective to save my team.  Either way, I was not amused.

"Laugh it up, Blaze," I muttered, rolling my eyes.  I then turned back to Gustav. "As I was saying, Mr. le Grand.  I want to know a few things about this Full Spectrum Tarts masterpiece you worked on."

Gustav raised an eyebrow. "Why do you wish to know, Mademoiselle Spitfire?" he inquired.

"Call it mare's intuition, but I think whoever did this was trying to frame you," I said. "I'm not buying it for a second, so that means you have nothing to hide from me or anyone else."

Gustav twirled his mustache in thought. "I see your point, mademoiselle," said he. "Alright, I'll tell you what I can.  But I don't know how much help it'll be."

"Let me be the judge of that, Mr. le Grand," I said.


***
Testimony: Full Spectrum Tarts
***


"I made the Full Spectrum Tarts with the intention of commemorating this event," said Gustav. "Just like le Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet symbolizes the unity between ponies and griffons, so too does this masterpiece I worked on with Mademoiselle Pinkie Pie.  What's more, we were the only ones handling the tarts.  Neither of us have a reason to poison them."

Hearing Gustav's testimony, I couldn't help but think the assassin was getting more and more sloppy with every attempt.  Not only was Soarin' going to recover, but no one was buying his attempt to pin the crime on Gustav.  There had to be more to this.

"Are you sure they were poisoned?" I asked.

"That's the only explanation," said Gustav with a nod. "I take my work very seriously.  Ask any pony or griffon in Equestria.  I have never made a bad dish."

Considering that I had sampled his work, I was inclined to believe him.  However, that brought up an interesting point.

"Surprise?"

"Yes, Cap?"

"Did anyone else get sick while I was gone?"

"Nope-a-reeno," said Surprise, shaking her head. "Pinkie and I already thought of that, but everyone else seems to be hunky-dory."

I furrowed my brow. "That means that only one tart out of the whole spectrum was poisoned," I said. "That, seems very sloppy."

"Sloppy?" asked Gustav.

"It's very likely that the poisoned tart would never have been eaten," I explained. "It was just pure luck that Soarin' managed to find it.  And while I'm at it, that tart could've been eaten by anyone."

"I'm confuzzled," said Surprise. "What exactly does that mean, Cap?"

"I can't say this with full certainty, but I think whoever poisoned that tart was aiming to hurt one of the Wonderbolts."

There was a collective gasp.

"Hurt the Wonderbolts?!  But who would want to do that?!" exclaimed Pinkie.

"Not Mr. le Grand, that's for sure," I said. "He's already a staunch supporter of Ambassador Honor Bound's attempts to strengthen pony-griffon relations.  This assassination attempt could very well have thrown a wrench into the Ambassador's plans."

"Sacre bleu, you are right!" Gustav gasped.  He seemed absolutely horrified by the prospect, further proving my point.

"Wow.  Lucky we didn't jump to conclusions this time," said Pinkie.

"But it still leaves us with an important question," I said. "Who would have a motive to hurt the Wonderbolts and have access to the tarts?"

Gustav snorted. "Mademoiselle Spitfire, I think I might know."

"Hmm?"

"I know who might have a motive," said Gustav gravely. "My brother, Pierre."

Okay, I did not see that coming.

"Gustav, how dare you!" Pierre roared, flying right into his brother's face.  Gustav was not intimidated in the slightest.

"You don't think I know my own brother?" he said sternly. "I have plenty of good reasons for this accusation."

"If that's so, I think we should hear them," I said.  This, was going to get rather sticky.  If the captain of the Proud Pride had a reason to do away with the Wonderbolts, what did that mean for the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet?


***
Argument: Pierre's Motive
***


"The Le Grand family has always been a family of fierce competitors." said Gustav. "Pierre here is no exception.  But unlike me, he has no control over his competitive spirit.  He believes that all's fair in love and war, and he'll do anything to claim victory."

That threw me for a loop.  If what Gustav said was true, Pierre wouldn't last a day in the Wonderbolts.  Whose bright idea was it to make him captain?

"Are you absolutely certain about that, Mr. le Grand?" I inquired. "That's a very bold accusation, especially since it's against your brother."

"I will confess: I've never seen him go this far," said Gustav, giving Pierre the evil eye.

"Then, why accuse him?"

"Because the only thing on his mind is defeating you, mademoiselle," said Gustav plainly. "It's all he's ever talked about ever since le Proud Pride was formed.  Never mind what this means for the griffons of Equestria; he just wants to prove that he's better."

"That doesn't mean I'd poison them!" Pierre snarled.

Something clicked in my mind.  Maybe the assassin wasn't as sloppy as I thought.

"Hold everything, both of you," I said sternly. "I think this is what the assassin behind this wants."

Gustav tilted his head. "What?  But I thought he was trying to frame me."

"So did I," I said. "But consider this.  Which patsy would cause more political damage?  A simple pastry chef, or the representative of the best fliers in the Griffon Kingdom?"

"Sacre bleu!  How could I have been so blind?!"

Gustav recoiled in horror.  He seemed to understand what I was getting at.

"Plus, there's a major problem with your accusation," I said. "As I said before, that tart could've been eaten by anyone.  That includes the Proud Pride.  Heck, Captain le Grand could've eaten it himself.  There was no sure way to get that particular tart to its desired target."

"Unless this kind of political controversy is what the assassin was aiming for.  Mademoiselle Spitfire, you are a genius!" exclaimed Gustav.

"Hmmph.  That doesn't explain who poisoned the tart," Pierre said with a snort.

"Hey, I just defended you from your brother's accusation.  Show some gratitude," I said, more than a bit insulted. "Anyway, I'll try to figure this out.  No one hurts my team and gets away with it."

"Then I wish you the best of luck, Mademoiselle," said Gustav with a bow. "And Pierre, I do apologize for my rude accusation.  Nevertheless, you'd best curb your attitude.  You were put in charge of the Proud Pride for a reason."

Pierre grunted in response.  Something told me that he wasn't going to take that to heart.  Oh joy.

"That was some pretty impressive deduction, Detective Cap," said Surprise.

"Yeah!  You sounded like you were really on top of things," Pinkie chimed in.

I sighed.  Even if I was on top of thing, I still had no idea who the assassin was.  The only clue I got from any of this was that he was trying to unravel what Honor Bound had established.  At least I think.  There was no way to know for sure.

"Ma'am?"

I looked up and saw Rainbow Dash walking in with the other cadets.  None of them looked particularly happy.

"We're sorry things had to go wrong," said Raindrops glumly. "We really put a lot of work into this festival, and..."

"And I appreciate that," I said, cutting across her. "Even if things didn't go as planned, we still enjoyed ourselves.  And besides, Soarin' is gonna be back to his old self in the morning."

I then smiled. "Which is why I have a special mission for you five."

They all looked up. "Special mission?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"I want you five to personally escort Soarin' back to the Academy tomorrow morning."

Rainbow Dash beamed. "Yes, ma'am!  Consider it done, ma'am!" she said with a salute.

"Um, yeah.  Sure," said Raindrops with a salute of her own.

"Got it, ma'am!"

"Will do, ma'am!"

"YEAH!"

"Good," I said, returning the salute. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd say it's time the rest of us returned to base."

With that, I began rounding up my team.  You're probably wondering why I gave the cadets this mission.  Well, a few reasons.  First, it was a cautionary measure.  Soarin' could still be targeted by the assassin, and no way was I leaving anypony alone.  Second, I didn't want the cadets to blame themselves for anything.  They and everyone else involved put together a great festival.  It was the assassin's fault for messing things up, not theirs.

Third, and most importantly, I needed to talk to Raindrops.  She was helping Twilight with her investigation somehow, and I needed to know how.

In the meantime, though, I needed to tie up some more loose ends when I got back.  The festival gave me a lot to think about, and I wasn't about to just sit on my dock and just wait for things to happen.
> Test of Trust
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 15, 15:04
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


"I thought I told you not to get distracted from what's important."

I just can't get a break, can I?  I mean, after the whole fiasco at the festival, the last thing I wanted to see was Mare-Do-Well in my office.  And yet, there she was, looking like she was about to lecture me.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  If she's stalking me, she would've figured out that I was trying to unmask her sooner or later.

"Look, maybe I wouldn't have to investigate you if you were a bit more open with me," I said wearily.

"I see no reason to do so," said Mare-Do-Well with a shrug.

I gave Mare-Do-Well a deadpan glare. "Oh, really?  Well then, I see no reason to trust you."

"Does me saving the lives of you and your team not count?" asked Mare-Do-Well.

Okay, she kinda had a point there.  But I wasn't going to back down.

"That doesn't change the fact that you're hiding something from me," I said sternly. "And I'm not just talking about your identity."

Mare-Do-Well leaned forward and pressed her hooves together. "Very well, Ms. Spitfire.  Enlighten me.  What am I hiding?"

"How do you know someone is trying to kill my team?"

Mare-Do-Well paused.  The room suddenly felt a lot colder.

"If I told you that, you wouldn't trust me," said she.  Her voice seemed to convey a mixture of melancholy and menace that sent chills up my spine.  I took a moment to regain my composure.

"So it's one of those 'damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't' situations, huh?" I said. "Because right now, you've given me very little reason to trust you."

"Besides the fact that I'm protecting the Wonderbolts."

"I said very little, didn't I?" I countered.

Mare-Do-Well lowered her hat over her eyes. "Well played, Ms. Spitfire," she said. "Alright, if you're looking for a reason to trust me, I'll give it to you."

She reached into her cape and pulled out two vials.  One was a simple flask containing a white powder.  The other was an ornate oval-shaped container housing a clear liquid.

"And what are those?" I asked.

"Your next clues," said Mare-Do-Well, gesturing to the powder. "This is the poison used on the tart.  Crushed toxic truffles.  It has the same taste of chocolate, but it is deadly to consume."

"Never heard of it," I said. "Is it some kind of rare plant from the Everfree Forest or something?"

"Emphasis on 'rare,'" said Mare-Do-Well. "It's almost impossible to find toxic truffles in Equestria."

"And that helps me, how exactly?"

"If you stumble across toxic truffles, you'll be one step closer to the truth."

She said that as if it was as easy as falling off a cloud.  Frankly, I think I'd have a better chance pulling a sky chariot with a broken wing.

"Alright, so what's in the other vial?" I asked, pointing to the liquid.

"The antidote," said Mare-Do-Well. "I took the liberty of placing a few drops on all of the tarts while Pinkie Pie and Surprise were distracted."

I raised an eyebrow. "And how did you get your hooves on that, pray tell?  Furthermore, how did you know one of the tarts would be poisoned?"

"I am a mare of many talents, Ms. Spitfire," said Mare-Do-Well with a shrug. "I thought you'd be at least partially aware of that by now."

I snorted. "Does one of those talents happen to be psychic powers?" I asked sardonically. "Because that's the only reason I can come up with as to why you know so much more than I do about this whole mess."

Mare-Do-Well sighed. "You're overestimating me, Ms. Spitfire," she said. "I know as much about our quarry as you do, perhaps less."

"Sorry, I'm not buying that," I said, standing my ground. "You clearly knew about this bastard's existence long before I did.  There's something you're not telling me."

"That is why I'm giving you this," said Mare-Do-Well, pointing to the antidote. "You won't trust me if I just tell you.  So instead, I intend to show you."

If that was supposed to make sense, it went way over my head. "Why can't you just show me without making me jump through all these hoops?"

"That's, part of what I intend to show you," said Mare-Do-Well, lowering her hat over her eyes. "I'm, well aware that it's a paradox."

Well, I couldn't really disagree with that.  It didn't make anything clearer, but hey, at least Mare-Do-Well knew what she was telling me was overly-cryptic tripe.  Almost made me wonder why she bothered.

"At the very least, tell me what you do know about this prick," I said. "You're supposed to be helping me, right?  So, let's compare notes."

Mare-Do-Well placed her hoof to her chin for a moment. "I, suppose that's fair," she said. "Alright, here's what I've been able to deduce.  First, our quarry is not a pony.  Second, our quarry has access to many tools, some of which I'm not even familiar with."

"Like the exploding cloud," I said.

"Precisely," said Mare-Do-Well. "Third, our quarry's target is the Wonderbolts and the Wonderbolts alone.  The rest is everything you've managed to piece together."

Wow.  Mare-Do-Well was right; she really didn't know all that much.  Maybe I am the one who has to solve this mystery, after all.  But, what exactly did I have that Mare-Do-Well didn't?

My pondering was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Crescent Moon, Captain," said a familiar voice. "You said you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, sure," I said. "Just a sec, let me..."

When I turned back, Mare-Do-Well was gone, and the window was open.  You know, I'm getting kinda sick of that.  I mean, I've come to expect it from that weirdo by now, but that doesn't make it any less annoying.

"Never mind," I said with an exasperated sigh. "Come in."

Crescent made his way into the office as I got behind my desk.

"So, what did you want to see me about, Captain?" he asked.

"Crescent, I want you to take a letter," I said. "Inform Ambassador Honor Bound about potential insubordination within the Proud Pride."

Crescent blinked. "I'm, sorry Captain?"

"Today at the festival, it became apparent to me that Pierre le Grand has a bit of an attitude problem," I explained. "According to his own brother, he only cares about winning the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet and little else.  I don't want any shenanigans in this race, and I'm sure Honor Bound doesn't either."

"Um, I see," said Crescent, making a few notes on his clipboard. "Uh, permission to speak freely, Captain?"

"Granted."

"Do yo really think this is wise?  I mean, the Proud Pride should be sorting this out themselves, shouldn't they?"

I got up from my desk and looked out the window. "The credentials of a good captain shouldn't differ from species to species, Crescent.  I'm giving my advice as a gesture of goodwill to the griffons.  Ambassador Honor Bound has no reason to interpret it otherwise."

"I, guess that's true," said Crescent with a shrug. "I take it you'll be dictating?"

"Indeed," I said, clearing my throat. "Feel free to chime in, though.  This letter is about Captain le Grand and him alone.  I don't want to paint a political bull's eye on my back."

"Of course, Captain," said Crescent. "Whenever you're ready."

As I dictated my letter, I couldn't help but wonder what would come of it.  In all honesty, Crescent's point wasn't without merit.  Whatever discipline issues the Proud Pride had wasn't really my business.  However, this was more than just our relations being at risk.  I still remember what Honor Bound told me about the problems in the Griffon Kingdom, whatever they may be.  If the Proud Pride are related to that (which I'm pretty sure they are), Pierre is a crappy choice of captain.  In the interest of our griffon neighbors, I had to give Honor Bound a little wake-up call.  And who knows?  Maybe it would lead to some more information about the Proud Pride and what exactly was going on.

Yeah, I know that's a bit of a stretch.  But at this point, I'll take anything I can get.
> Legendary Gossip
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 16, 05:40
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


Once again, I chose to sleep out in the cold rather than in the barracks.  Even after the festival, I still couldn't get much sleep, and I desperately needed just one morning without a splitting migraine.  Luckily, I seemed to be getting my wish.  It was ten minutes after the call of reveille, and I didn't hear a peep from Surprise.

"Boop!"

Until just now when she poked my nose.  Hey, I'll take that over a migraine any day.

"Mmph.  Surprise?" I mumbled, slowly stirring from my restless slumber. "What are you doing up here?"

"Wow, Cap.  We are so in sync," said Surprise with a wide grin. "I was just gonna ask you the same thing!"

I groaned. "Surprise, do you really not know?"

"Well, kinda.  I know you haven't been sleeping well, but I need to be here today," said Surprise. "I'm supposed to be setting up the surprise for the big meanie, remember?"

That was, actually a good answer.  You've probably figured this out by now, but Surprise isn't as ditzy as she appears.  Although, it is sometimes easy to forget that.

"Right, sorry," I said, stretching myself out and yawning.

"It's kay-o, Cap," said Surprise. "I'll just let you know when everything is ready."

"Good," I said, giving Surprise a salute before flying down to the barracks.  I didn't bother asking her what she had in mind.  I already knew the answer to that one: "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise!"  That's Surprise for you, I guess.  She's somehow able to be predictable and unpredictable at the same time.  Figure that one out on your own; it's actually not that hard once you think about it.


***
January 16, 06:00
Wonderbolt Academy
Mess Hall
***


After a quick shower, I flew over to the mess hall to get my breakfast.  As I filled up my tray, I noticed that High Winds was behind me.  She was giving me these strange looks for, some reason.  I turned to face her.

"Good morning, High Winds," I said.

High Winds jumped. "O-oh!  'M-morning, ma'am," she stammered. "S-sorry, I just didn't know you'd be here today."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

High Winds blushed and began twiddling her hooves. "W-well, I thought you flew back to Ponyville to stay with Soarin'."

I let out an exasperated sigh.  The things I put up with sometimes.  You might not believe it, but this is pretty typical for High Winds.  What do I mean by that?  Well, let's just say that romance is to High Winds what pie is to Soarin'.

I hesitate to go so far as to call her a completely incurable romantic because I know that she knows restraint.  After all, it's not like she's trying to play matchmaker for all of the Wonderbolts or anything.  No, it's just that she's really into those fairy tale love stories where the dashing prince or princess saves his or her true love from certain doom and all that jazz.  But that's not the annoying part.  The annoying part is that she thinks Soarin' and I are an item, and nothing has been able to convince her otherwise.

Why does she think this?  Because Soarin' and I are childhood friends.  It's true; we've known each other since we were foals.  You notice how he calls me by a nickname instead of "Yes, ma'am" or whatever?  I let him get away with that because I've known him for a long time, and I know he likes to call me that.  But in High Winds's mind, it means that he's my special somepony.  Whether that's true or not is none of her business (and for the record, it's none of yours, either), but either way, it's one of those things that gets on my nerves.

"High Winds, I think I have more important things to worry about than just Soarin' right now," I said frankly. "Besides, the doctors said he was going to be okay."

"Oh, really?" said High Winds, still twiddling her hooves and casting her eyes downward. "That must've been a relief."

"Considering all the crap I've been through, yeah.  It really was," I said.

"Mmm," said High Winds with a nod as she got her own food. "I can understand that, ma'am.  I thought the festival would be a good reprieve, but boy, was I wrong."

"You don't need to tell me, High Winds.  I was there," I said, rolling my eyes.

"R-right.  Sorry, ma'am," said High Winds sheepishly. "Well, it wasn't a total loss.  I managed to learn a bit about this new Proud Pride team.  They're actually pretty nice."

The gears in my head began to turn.  High Winds was excited to talk to the Proud Pride, so I'd expect that she somehow managed to do just that.  Maybe she knew something about what was going on in the Griffon Kingdom.

"I, actually didn't get much of a chance to talk to them.  Other than Captain le Grand, I mean," said I.

"Oh.  Well, let's have breakfast together then.  I'll tell you all about it," said High Winds with a smile.

"Okay, sounds good." I said as we made our way to an unoccupied table. "So, who did you talk to?"

"Kierra, mainly," said High Winds. "She was the one most eager to talk.  Well, her and that Drake guy, but he's not much of a conversationalist.  Something about losing his tongue.  I didn't bother to ask."

"Honestly, neither did I when I first met him," I said. "So, what did you and Kierra talk about?"

"Oh, y'know.  This and that," said High Winds with a shrug as she started in on her food. "She says that she's not allowed to talk about the Proud Pride all that much, but she told me a lot about herself."

"Like what?"

"Well, she did tell me about this hippogriff playwright in the Griffon Kingdom that she's a fan of.  He has written a lot of plays based on his own experience with having parents of two different species," said High Winds with a whimsical sigh. "It sounds romantic, doesn't it?"

Okay, this wasn't getting anywhere. "Um, yeah.  I guess," I said with a shrug. "So, that's all you talked about?"

"Oh, no.  Not at all," said High Winds with a laugh. "Kierra also told me how excited she is about the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  She's really looking forward to strengthening our relations."

"Does she think they need strengthening?"

"She just said things could be better," said High Winds. "I don't see how; I think they're pretty good right now."

"Ambassador Honor Bound told me the same thing at the Wonderbolt Derby a couple of days ago," I said. "He said there was more to it, but it's all classified."

"Huh.  Weird," said High Winds. "But not as weird as the other stories Kierra told me."

"Other stories?"

"Yeah.  Like, have you ever heard of the Tengu Dynasty?"

I shook my head. "Can't say that I have," I said.

"Apparently, it's this ancient civilization of warriors from the east," said High Winds. "I've never heard of it myself, but Kierra insists that it's real.  She says she was a traveling historian before joining the Proud Pride, and the land of the Tengu Dynasty was one of the places she visited."

"Well, maybe it's something only griffons have discovered," I said.

"I thought so, too," said High Winds. "But other members of the Proud Pride listening to our conversation said that Kierra's delusional, and that there's no such thing as a tengu."

I knitted my brow.  I wasn't sure if any of this was related or not, but from my limited experience, Kierra didn't seem like the delusional type.  Then again, some people have a way of hiding that kind of thing.

"Well, what exactly is a tengu?" I asked.

"The way Kierra described it, it's very weird," said High Winds. "It's like this really tall bird with two sets of talons and a long nose.  Or maybe that's just a mask; Kierra was a bit unclear about that.  Anyway, they apparently had a leader who controlled the wind, just like Princess Celestia and Princess Luna control the sun and the moon."

Maybe it's because I'm a pegasus, but manipulating wind doesn't sound all that special to me.  Ah well, different culture, I guess.  That is, if this culture existed.

"So, what happened to them?" I inquired.

"Beats me," said High Winds with a shrug. "Kierra doesn't know, either.  She thinks they're still around, though.  They just don't have their own nation right now."

"Hmm.  Interesting story," I mused.

"I suppose," said High Winds. "Personally, I think the romantic plays are way better.  I wonder if they have any copies in the Crystal Empire library?"

And that was all I was going to get out of High Winds.  Not that it was much.  This just sounded like some sort of fairy tale from the Griffon Kingdom.  I don't see what it has to do with the assassin, Mare-Do-Well, or the Proud Pride, aside from the fact that Kierra apparently thinks the story is real.  The only other connection I could make was the attack on Rapidfire at the Wonderbolt Derby, where wind was manipulated to make Fleetfoot ram him.  But, that was pretty tenuous.

I finished my breakfast and bid High Winds farewell before heading to my office.  I still had a lot to do, and a lot to look out for.  Hopefully, I was going to solve at least one mystery today.  At least, that's the goal I'm setting for myself.  Knowing my track record these past few days, I'm not entirely sure I'm gonna reach it.  Oh well.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
> Quick Escalation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 16, 08:00
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


"Mail call!"

As per usual, Crescent Moon strolled into my office with a huge box of letters.  Hopefully, one of those letters was from Twilight Sparkle.  Until I could get some time with Raindrops, she was my only lead to Mare-Do-Well's true identity.  And that meant this was going to be more frustrating than usual.  The phrase "finding a needle in a haystack" comes to mind.

"Anything to report?" I asked as I got started on sorting my mail.

"Just this," said Crescent, taking out his clipboard. "Fire Streak has fully recovered from his injuries.  He's due to be let out of the infirmary this afternoon."

This was good news indeed, although I was too engrossed in my mail to fully acknowledge it beyond a quick nod.  It meant that we were only going to be down one pony at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  At least something was going in my favor.

As I continued to sort through my mail, I noticed Honor Bound's telltale seal buried within the sea of letters.  I was sure that this was a reply to the letter I dictated yesterday regarding Pierre le Grand.  In all honesty, I wasn't expecting a response from him so soon.  I just hoped that I got my message across without starting some sort of political firestorm.

Before I could open the letter, Whiplash barged in.

"Urgent message from the control tower, ma'am!" he exclaimed.

"Report," said I.

"It's the Proud Pride.  They're requesting permission to land."

I don't think I need to tell you that I had a bad feeling about this.  There's no way they'd come knocking at my door this early in the morning just to shoot the breeze.

"Tell them they have clearance," I said. "I'll be waiting for them."

"Yes, ma'am!" said Whiplash with a salute.

With that, I got up from my desk and quickly made my way to the tarmac.  As I walked, I mentally prepared myself for what was to come.  Political firestorm or not, this was going to be anything but pretty.


***
January 16, 08:10
Wonderbolt Academy
Landing Strip
***


Just as I suspected, Pierre le Grand looked absolutely livid as he made his final decent.  Even before the rest of the team landed, he made a beeline to me and got right in my face.

"You have some nerve, Capitaine Spitfire!" he roared. "How dare you embarrass me in front of le Hippogriff Ambassadeur like that!  Who do you think you are?!"

"I think I'm a pony who knows what she's talking about," I countered. "I don't know how you got to be captain of the Proud Pride, but from what I've seen, your attitude does not befit your position."

"And what business is that of yours?!" Pierre snapped.

"Considering that we have to race each other in a few days, I'd be remiss if I didn't make it my business," I said firmly. "I know you're aiming to win the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet and prove that you're better, but that isn't why Ambassador Honor Bound created this event."

"We understand that, Ms. Spitfire," said Kierra, making her way into the conversation. "And we appreciate your concern.  But Pierre still has a point.  This isn't really your business."

"I apologize if I was out of line," I said. "I just thought I could help, given that I have experience as a captain and all."

Pierre's eyes narrowed. "So, you think you're better than me, do you?"

"Don't twist my words, Captain le Grand," I said tersely. "You've only been a captain for what?  A week?  Ten days at most?  I've been a captain for a few years now.  I think it's fair to say that I have more experience than you."

"That doesn't mean you're better," Pierre snarled. "This insult will not go unpunished, Capitaine Spitfire.  I challenge you to a duel!"

"Pierre, no!" Kierra said sternly. "You're already in enough trouble with Ambassador Honor Bound.  I am not going to let you make it worse."

"Shut your beak and know your place, Kierra!" Pierre barked. "This is between her and me!"

I just had to shake my head.  Pierre was shooting himself in the foot by proving my point.  A good captain doesn't pull rank in order to silence dissent.

"I'd actually listen to her, Captain le Grand," I said. "This isn't going to accomplish anything."

"Don't try to back out of this, Capitaine Spitfire," Pierre growled. "You will not get away with insulting my honor."

To be perfectly blunt, I didn't have time for this.  The cadets were probably on their way back with Soarin', and I still had to keep on the lookout for the assassin.  Unfortunately, it didn't look like Pierre was going to budge anytime soon.  I heaved a great sigh.

"Alright, Captain le Grand.  You'll have your duel," I said. "But whatever it is, make it quick.  I have a pretty full day today."

Pierre snorted. "Fine," he said. "My challenge is a practice race.  Me, Kierra, and Drake against you and two of your team.  I intend to show you exactly why you have no chance at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet."

"Pierre, this is ridiculous!  I refuse to..."

Kierra's protest was interrupted by Drake, who placed a talon on her shoulder and solemnly shook his head.  Looks like he knew there was no way out of this.  In a way, I kinda felt sorry for them.

"Fair enough," I said. "We'll meet at the training ground in five minutes."

"We'll be there," said Pierre, extending his talon.  I took it in my hoof and gave it a firm shake.  It took sheer force of will to keep myself from rolling my eyes.  What the hay was I getting myself into?


***
January 16, 08:24
Wonderbolt Academy
Training Ground
***


"Permisssion to sspeak freely, ma'am?"

"Granted."

"I don't like thiss."

I sighed. "You're preaching to the choir, Fleet.  But Captain le Grand refuses to see reason."

"How exactly did he become captain, then?" asked Blaze.

"I haven't the foggiest idea," I said. "Look, let's just play along and get this over with.  The Proud Pride doesn't want to be here any more than we do."

"Yes, ma'am," said my wingponies in unison.

With that, we arrived at the training ground.  Of course, Pierre was waiting.

"Right on time.  Impressive," he said with a sneer. "It seems you can put your wings where your mouth is."

"Cut the banter and let's get on with it," I said. "I haven't got all day."

"Neither do I," said Pierre, spreading his wings. "Twenty laps around, and no breaking formation."

"Agreed," I said, spreading my own wings.  Fleetfoot and Blaze did the same.  Kierra was a bit more hesitant, but also prepared herself after a prodding from Drake.

"En garde," said Pierre, arching his back.  We all got ready to take off.  Time seemed to stand still for a moment, and then...

"Allez!"

On Pierre's signal, we all took into the air.  The Proud Pride took an early lead, but it didn't take long for me and my team to catch up.  Very soon, we were neck-and-neck.

To my surprise, it remained that way for the majority of the race.  When we tried to inch ahead, Pierre was ready to cut us off, and visa versa.  I'm not kidding; we were evenly matched.  But, that didn't change the fact that this race was entirely pointless.  Pierre was just trying to show me up because I wounded his precious ego.  No captain of any team, pony or griffon, should act like that.

We were on the last lap when I saw something out of the corner of my eye.  I couldn't quite make out what it was; it was gone as soon as I noticed it.  A few seconds later, Drake broke formation and swiped his talon at Fleetfoot.  Being caught completely off guard, Fleetfoot took the brunt of the attack and was sent into a dive.  Drake went after her.

"Drake, what are you doing?!" Kierra shouted, chasing after him.  Pierre did not take kindly to this.

"Get back in formation, Kierra!  Now!" he ordered.

That was the last straw.  I don't give a flying feather if Pierre thinks otherwise; a good captain does not leave anyone behind.

"Blaze, let's go!" I called out. "We gotta help Fleetfoot!"

Blaze gave me a quick nod of acknowledgment and followed me as I dove after Drake.  We had just caught up to Kierra when Fleetfoot managed to recover and fly back up.  Drake followed in hot pursuit; his talons outstretched and poised to attack.

"Drake, stop!" Kierra cried out. "What's gotten into you?!"

If Drake heard her, he certainly didn't show it.  He simply continued to chase Fleetfoot all over the sky.  Something was definitely wrong here, but I could only focus on one problem at a time.

"C'mon, Blaze!  Double time!" I ordered.

We both increased our velocity and closed the gap between us and Drake.  Just when we were about to overtake him, he stopped in midair.  When I saw what caused him to stop, I wasn't sure what to think.  There stood Mare-Do-Well, giving Drake a cold glare and folding her forelegs.

"If you want her, you'll have to go through me," she said.

Drake shook his head and flew back over to Kierra.  I thought that was going to be the end of that, but Pierre suddenly came barreling out of the skies seething with rage.

"This is outrageous!" he boomed. "You disobeyed a direct order, Kierra!  I told you to return to formation!"

"Hey!  How about sscolding the guy who attacked me?!" Fleetfoot yelled, flying in and placing her hooves on her hips.

"You dare tell me how to run my team?!" Pierre yelled back. "Capitaine Spitfire, tell her to stand down!"

"No," I said simply. "Because she's right.  Drake was the first to break formation, thus violating the rules of your little challenge.  Not only that, but he attacked Fleetfoot without provocation.  And yet you're mad at Kierra for breaking formation to stop her comrade before he did any serious damage?"

"What are you implying?" Pierre growled.

"You really want to know?  Alright, I'll tell you," I said. "I don't know what just happened, or if it was intentional or not.  But either way, I've come to one conclusion."

"And that is?"

"Pierre le Grand, you are the worst captain I have ever had the displeasure of meeting!" I yelled. "Whoever put you in charge was clearly out of their mind!  You care nothing about your team, your responsibilities, or how you conduct yourself!  All you care about is proving that you're better than me!  Well let me tell you something, pal!  There's more to being a captain than fancy flying!"

Pierre clenched his talons into fists and gave me a dirty look. "Mind your tongue, Capitaine Spitfire.  Or I just might rip it out," he threatened.

"You can't bully me," I said, standing my ground. "You're already on thin ice with the Hippogriff Ambassador.  If he gets word about this, you can kiss your rank goodbye."

"Pierre, listen to her," said Kierra. "This whole thing was a bad idea from the beginning.  Stop this before you do something you'll regret."

"You are out of order!  Both of you!" Pierre snapped. "I am le capitaine of the Proud Pride!  Neither of you have the right to talk to me like that!  You will both pay!"

He then charged for me, bearing his talons and ready to fight.  I was about to fly away when Mare-Do-Well appeared in front of me and blocked Pierre's charge.

"I'll tell you what I told your partner," she said coldly. "If you want her, you'll have to go through me."

"And just who are you?!" Pierre snarled.

"Somepony you don't want to mess with right now," Mare-Do-Well said darkly. "Now, are we gonna do this the easy way, or the hard way?"

"I have no time for this!" Pierre spat. "Out of my way!"

Mare-Do-Well sighed. "Why can't you guys ever pick the easy way?"

She then reached into her cloak and pulled out a pair of ankle bracelets with claw-like blades attached to them.  She attached each bracelet to her front ankles.  Pierre snorted.

"If you won't get out of my way, then I'll just have to swat you out of the sky as well!" he proclaimed

"En garde, mon ennemi," said Mare-Do-Well.

With a roar, Pierre charged.  Mare-Do-Well quickly dived under him and countered with a fierce uppercut.  Pierre shook himself and quickly flew after Mare-Do-Well.  The two of them continued to exchange blows, Pierre with his talons and Mare-Do-Well with her makeshift claws.  After a few minutes of brawling, the two flew back from one another and stared each other down.  They then charged straight for one another.  In an instant, they passed each other in midair.  Once again, time seemed to stand still.

Mare-Do-Well was the first to exhibit signs of injury.  She winced and gripped her shoulder.  Pierre didn't fair much better; his flight becoming wobbly due to an injury in his wing.

"Blaze, get some medical personnel up here, on the double," I ordered. "I want both of them to be tended to."

"You got it, Sis," said Blaze with a salute.  With that, she darted off.  When she had gone, I flew over to Mare-Do-Well's side.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Fine," said Mare-Do-Well flatly. "I've had worse."

"Any idea what that was all about?" I inquired.

"I do not wish to jump to conclusions," said Mare-Do-Well, still gripping her shoulder. "You shouldn't, either."

"Wasn't planning on it," I said. "But Le Grand still has a lot to answer for."

"I take it you're talking about more than his ineptitude as captain," said Mare-Do-Well, dipping her voice.

"I'm talking about the Proud Pride in general," I whispered back. "If they have anything to do with these attacks on my team, I need to find out what."

"Ms. Spitfire?"

I turned to see Kierra approaching me, looking rather ashamed.

"What is it?" I asked.

"On behalf of the Proud Pride, please accept my apology," said Kierra, hanging her head. "We didn't mean for any of this to happen."

I sighed.  I was still very angry at Pierre, but I couldn't take my frustration out on Kierra.

"I don't hold your team accountable for your captain's actions," I said. "Still, I don't take back anything I said about him."

"I know," said Kierra with a sigh. "To be brutally honest, what that costumed pony did was something that I wanted to do for a long time."

"Yeah, I don't blame you," I said, looking over at Pierre as Drake helped him stay airborne. "Hey, you think you could do me a favor?"

"Anything," said Kierra.

"If you can figure out Drake's side of the story, let me know, alright?"

"That's fair," said Kierra.  She then took a look around. "Hmm, strange."

"What is it?"

"I wanted to thank that costumed pony for diffusing the situation, but she seems to have disappeared," said Kierra. "I could've sworn you were talking to her a second ago."

I turned around and sure enough, Mare-Do-Well was gone.  You'd think that she'd want to stick around to get that shoulder looked at.  Despite her bravado, I think that looked pretty painful.

"I'll, let her know the next time I see her," I said. "Before you ask, it's a long story."

"And one I wouldn't mind hearing," said Kierra. "Perhaps another time, though.  I'll let the Ambassador know that Pierre is in your care.  Fare well, Ms. Spitfire."

With a salute, she flew off.  Drake left to join her just as the medical team arrived.  Blaze flew up to me, wearing a small smirk on her face.

"Well, I've got some good news," she said.

"Lay it on me."

"The Ponyville cadets are here with Soarin'.  They're requesting permission to land."

Now that's what I call perfect timing. "Tell them I'll be right there personally to escort them in."

"You got it, Sis," said Blaze with a salute.  She then flew off.  I watched as the medical team lead Pierre down to the infirmary.

"Enjoy this reprieve while you can, Le Grand," I said partially to myself. "Because once you recover, you and I are gonna have a little chat."  With that, I flew off after Blaze.
> Cross-Country Sleuthing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 16, 08:55
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


I arrived on the scene just as Blaze finished telling the cadets the news of my arrival.  Right away, the five of them gave me a salute.

"Sorry we're late, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "There were some, complications."

She gave Thunderlane a sideways glance, and he seemed to be a bit insulted.

"Hey, it wasn't my fault!" he protested. "I'm never up before noon!  Ask Rumble!"

"Strange.  You didn't seem to have that problem while you were at the Academy," I said, raising an eyebrow.

Thunderlane gulped. "W-well, that's different, ma'am."

"How so?"

"I didn't have a bugle blasting in my ear."

My eye twitched involuntarily.  I realize he had no way of knowing what I've been through, but I did not want to be reminded of the call of reveille right now.

"That, is not an excuse," I said firmly, flying right up to Thunderlane and getting in his face. "A Wonderbolt has to be ready to move at a moment's notice.  I don't care if you have a mission in the middle of the night; you haul yourself out of bed and get your rear in gear.  Is that understood?"

"Y-yes, ma'am," said Thunderlane nervously.

"Hey, cool it, Spit," said Soarin'. "The important thing is that we're all here, safe and sound."

He was right, of course.  Soarin' might be aloof, but he can have his lucid moments.  I took a deep breath and turned to address him.

"It's good to see you, Soarin'," I said. "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry," said Soarin', his stomach making an audible growl. "Hey, you didn't happen to save those mini pies Gustav made, did you?  Those things were good."

I had to laugh.  It looked like Soarin' was gonna be just fine.

"You guys have any trouble getting here?" asked Blaze.

"Nope.  It was smooth flying throughout," said Soarin'.

Meaning the assassin didn't target the cadets.  That was a load off my mind.

"Well, good work, cadets," I said. "Sleep schedules notwithstanding, you managed to get Soarin' back here at a reasonable hour.  Nicely done."

"Thank you, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash with a salute. "We, actually better get back to Ponyville.  We have a light drizzle scheduled today, and we need to get to work."

"Glad to see you're on top of things, Rainbow Dash," I said with a nod. "You're all dismissed.  Oh, except for you, Raindrops."

Raindrops flinched. "M-me, ma'am?"

"Yes.  I'd like to have a word with you.  Privately."

Raindrops gave her fellow cadets a nervous look, and they all shrugged.  She then turned back to me and swallowed.

"Y-yes, ma'am," she said meekly.

"Good," I said. "Follow me."

As the other cadets left to perform their duties, I headed back to the Academy with Raindrops, Blaze, and Soarin' at my heels.  Hopefully, Raindrops would have some answers regarding the mare behind Mare-Do-Well's mask.


***
January 16, 09:03
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


"S-so, what did you want to see me about, ma'am?" said Raindrops as we stepped into my office.  When I got behind my desk, I noticed that she was trembling all over.  I sighed.

"Calm down, Raindrops.  You're not in trouble or anything," I said.

Raindrops tilted her head. "Wait, I'm not?  Then, why did you want to see me?"

"I understand that you're working with Twilight Sparkle on a mystery that's cropped up in Ponyville," I said, leaning forward and pressing my hooves together. "Something regarding a costume order?"

"Oh," said Raindrops, brushing the back of her head. "Yeah, Twilight mentioned that you were interested.  Something about..."

She trailed off, and her eyes darted around the room. "Wait, she's not here, is she?"

"Who?"

"Mare-Do-Well.  Your stalker."

I would've chastised her for being paranoid if she didn't have a point.

"I, actually wouldn't know.  She has a knack for hiding in the shadows," I said with a shrug. "Anyway, don't worry about it.  I doubt she'll barge in on our conversation."

"O-okay," said Raindrops, still a bit uncertain about the whole thing.

"So, tell me, Raindrops," I said. "How have you been helping Twilight Sparkle?"

"Well, you know how I do some side work as a delivery pony?" said Raindrops.

This was indeed true.  According to Raindrops's dossier, she had experience volunteering for the Equestrian Postal Service.  However, I didn't know they were still letting her volunteer there.  From what I understand, there was an incident where she and a fellow pegasus accidentally dropped an entire shipment on an unsuspecting unicorn.  If you're wondering how she made it into the Academy after an incident like that, well, it's because there weren't any lasting consequences apart from Raindrops leaving on her own accord.  The unicorn never pressed any charges, and all the other pegasus got was a slap on the ankle.  How that's the case is beyond me, but then again, I've never dropped a piano on anypony, so I wouldn't know.

"Yes, I'm aware of that," I said. "What about it?"

"Well, about a week ago, Derpy and I delivered this package to somepony in Stalliongrad," said Raindrops. "It was a lot of rare herbs and spices from the Griffon Kingdom."

"Was the package sent from the Griffon Kingdom itself?"

"No, ma'am.  The origin of the package was the Crystal Empire."

Ah, that made sense.  Because of the Griffon Kingdom's trading laws (which Honor Bound is trying to reform), the only place in Equestria that accepts imports from the Griffon Kingdom is the Crystal Empire.  The only other way to get a package like that into Equestria is through the Griffon Kingdom's black market, which is a daunting task for ponies.  That's because Equestria doesn't have a black market.  Really, that shouldn't come as a surprise.

"So, you took this package from the Crystal Empire to Stalliongrad," I said. "What happened then?"

"Well, we got the package there safe and sound, although Derpy kept thinking we were going the wrong way," said Raindrops. "Anyway, when we got back to Ponyville, Twilight was asking around about the Mare-Do-Well order.  When she showed me the order form, I knew I recognized that hoofwriting."

Now this was getting interesting. "You did?"

"Yes, ma'am.  It was the same as the pony who got the shipment of Griffon Kingdom herbs out in Stalliongrad."

Bingo.

"Raindrops, do you remember who this pony was?" I inquired.

"A unicorn named Gypsy Moth, ma'am," said Raindrops "She's some kind of alchemist."

Okay, not bingo.  I knew for a fact that the Mare-Do-Well stalking me was a pegasus.  Why, then, did this new clue lead me to a unicorn?  And furthermore, what use did an alchemist have for the Mare-Do-Well costume?  Heck, how did she even hear about Mare-Do-Well all the way out in Stalliongrad?  From what Rarity and Fluttershy told me, that was strictly a Ponyville phenomenon, and Stalliongrad is on the other side of Equestria.  This simply was not adding up.  Par for the course, I guess.

"Raindrops, do you still remember where this alchemist lives?" I asked.

"I think so," said Raindrops thoughtfully.

"Can you take me to her?"

Raindrops did a double take. "Can I what now?"

"You were planning on going there yourself, weren't you?" I said. "Well, I want to come along.  If that costume order has anything to do with my stalker, I need to know."

"I, suppose that's fair," said Raindrops. "I-I mean, yes ma'am!"

"Good," I said with a nod. "Just let me leave a note for Crescent Moon before we go."

"Wait, you want to go now?" Raindrops squeaked.

"Is, that a problem?" I asked.

Raindrops flattened her ears and began twiddling her hooves. "W-well, we still have that drizzle over in Ponyville, and I don't wanna get written up for missing a day," she said.

"Why would you get written up?" I asked, more than a bit perplexed. "According to my files, you have a perfect attendance record as a weathermare."

"And I still do, ma'am," said Raindrops. "But I don't want to take that chance."

I don't know about you, but I'm beginning to think that Raindrops is due for a vacation.  I admire a hard worker just as much as the next pony, but there is still such a thing as burning yourself out.

"Don't worry about that," I said. "I'll write you a note of exemption when we get back.  The ponies over at the Weather Factory know me.  They'll understand."

"O-oh," said Raindrops, blushing slightly. "Y-you'd really do that for me, ma'am?"

"This is official Wonderbolt duty, Raindrops.  It has priority," I said.

"I-I see," said Raindrops. "Th-thank you, ma'am!  I'll meet you out on the landing strip as soon as you're ready."

With a salute, she dashed out the door.  I was desperately hoping that this wasn't going to be a dead end.  Stalliongrad is a long ways to travel for just a red herring.  But then again, I didn't have many other options.  With a sigh, I wrote up a note for Crescent Moon and packed up the clues Mare-Do-Well gave me before heading out to meet Raindrops.
> The Pseudo Alicorn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 16, 11:33
Stalliongrad
Train Station
***


Here's a bit of a meteorology trivia for you.  By now, you should be well aware that we pegasi are responsible for controlling the weather in Equestria.  However, that doesn't mean that we have complete control over the weather.  And no, I'm not talking about season-changing events like Winter Wrap Up and the Running of the Leaves where other ponies contribute to the process.  I'm talking about an aspect of the weather that nopony really has control over.  That aspect is the weather in a region known as the Frozen North.

To this day, no weather team has ever been able to control anything that goes on in the Frozen North.  Why?  I couldn't even begin to tell you.  All I know is that there's some sort of magic mumbo jumbo involved.  Honestly, you're better off asking some unicorn historian, or at least somepony who knows who Starswirl the Bearded is beyond; "Oh, yeah.  The pony who told Clover the Clever about the windigos."

And speaking of windigos, that is the only form of weather in the Frozen North: Cold.  It's as if the entire region is stuck in a perpetual winter.  The only place there that isn't cold is the Crystal Empire, and that's because of all the Crystal Pony magic that goes on in that place.  Other than that, it's just snow, snow, and more snow.  I guess with a name like the Frozen North, very little is left to the imagination.

Why am I bringing this up?  Well, I just wanted to give you an idea as to why Raindrops and I chose to take a train to Stalliongrad instead of flying straight there.  Because nopony controls the weather in that region, it's impossible to know what days are good to fly.  And I don't care how tough a pony claims to be; there is no pegasus alive who wants to be forced to fly in a blizzard. 

As it turned out, taking the train was a good move on my part.  Looking out the window, I could see that it was snowing, and snowing hard.  Seriously, I couldn't even see the sun, and it was almost twelve hundred.  Heck, if it wasn't for the sudden jerk of the train, I wouldn't have even known that we were at our destination.

"Satlliongrad station!  Watch your step!" the conductor called out.

Raindrops and I had a bit of trouble disembarking.  Fighting against the wind while flying is one thing, but trust me; it's much more difficult to fight against it while grounded.  The snow blowing right in my face and forcing me to clench my eyes shut didn't help matters.  I quickly lowered my flight goggles to compensate, but while that provided protection against the wind and snow, it didn't really improve my vision any.

"Sweet Celestia!  I can't even see my hoof in front of my face!" I hollered, straining my voice over the wind. "How are we supposed to find where this Gypsy Moth pony lives?!"

"Not to worry, ma'am!" responded Raindrops. "I still remember her exact address!  I can take you there, no problem!"

"Good!" I said. "I don't want us to be out here any longer than we have to be!"

"Understood, ma'am!" Raindrops called out. "Follow me!"

I then let her trot on ahead of me as I tried my best to keep pace.  Yeah, easier said than done in this weather.  Wonderbolt uniforms might be insulated against low temperatures, but being cold wasn't really the problem here.  I could still barely make out Raindrops's form ahead of me, and the wind was working against me every step of the way.  Why anypony would choose to live here is beyond my comprehension.

After a few minutes of walking, Raindrops stopped in her tracks.

"What is it, Raindrops?!  Are we here?!" I asked.

Raindrops said nothing, but instead pointed to a small beacon of light above us.  I looked to where she was pointing and tried desperately to make it out.  After a few moments, the light seemed to get closer.  And once I made out what it was, my jaw dropped.

Descending upon us was a blue unicorn with a sparkling silver mane.  She appeared to be wearing a purple babushka and a dress that was incredibly tattered.  She was also carrying some sort of satchel around her shoulder.  Her horn pulsed with violet energy, providing some sort of bubble around herself.  But that wasn't what kept her airborne.  No, it was a pair of huge butterfly wings that protruded from her back, just like the ones Rarity had at the Best Young Flyer competition.  I didn't know such delicate wings could even survive in this weather.

When she finally touched down, we were both inside of her magic bubble.  The wind suddenly didn't feel as strong, leaving me to believe that the bubble was some kind of shield.  She looked up at us with starry eyes of jade and tilted her head.

"My, my.  Curiosity certainly abounds," she mused, walking up to me and looking me over like I was some sort of prized statue. "What would the captain of the Wonderbolts be doing here in the Frozen North?"

This is usually the part where I ask how she knows who I am, but let's face it.  When you're captain of the Wonderbolts, you're gonna get recognized.

"I'm looking for a pony named Gypsy Moth," I said. "I was told that she lives here in Stalliongrad."

The stranger's eyes seemed to smile at me. "Your timing is most impeccable, child.  Had you arrived a few hours later, Stalliongrad would've no longer been my home."

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" I asked.

"First, I think it's only proper that I introduce myself," said the stranger with a bow. "I am Gypsy Moth to my friends; the Pseudo Alicorn to my enemies.  I can create anything of an arcane nature you so desire."

The Pseudo Alicorn?  Geeze, and I thought the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was a cheesy name.

"So, you were planning on moving?" asked Raindrops.

Gypsy Moth turned to Raindrops and smiled. "Ah, 'tis you.  Names often escape me, but I never forget a pony who has assisted me.  You are, Derpdrops, right?"

"Raindrops, Ms. Moth," Raindrops corrected. "So, why are you moving?"

"I'm always moving, Droprains," said Gypsy Moth, getting Raindrops's name wrong again. "It has been that way since I can remember."  She then turned back to me. "So, if I may be so inquisitive.  How may I be of assistance to you?"

Before I could answer, the magic bubble around us seemed to flicker.  Gypsy Moth sighed.

"Blasted protection spell," she muttered. "I can never get those right."  She then looked up at me. "We should probably continue this discussion indoors.  I wouldn't want my wings to get ruined."

"Any place you have in mind?" I asked.

"My workshop should suffice," said Gypsy Moth. "I haven't started packing yet, so it should still be hospitable.  Come, follow me."

With that, she took into the air.  I gave Raindrops a nod, and we followed after her.


***
January 16, 11:44
Stalliongrad
Gypsy Moth's Workshop
***


We arrived at a small cottage at the top of a hill.  Once Gypsy Moth had opened the door, the smell of exotic herbs hit my nostrils.  Looking around, the place seemed rather, empty.  The only piece of furniture I saw was a couch off to the side and a few chairs.  There was also a workbench and a forge on the far end.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," said Gypsy Moth. "I'll fix you up some potato soup, and we can talk over luncheon."

"Um, thank you," I said, still looking around. "So, I take it you live alone, then?"

"I do, child," said Gypsy Moth, using her magic to manipulate several flasks. "It has been that way for a long time now."

"Don't you have any friends?" Raindrops asked.

Gypsy Moth paused for a moment. "I used to," she said sadly. "It's not a story you want to hear."

"That's fine.  We won't ask if it makes you uncomfortable," I said. "Um, I'm just curious.  Why the wings?"

"Mmm?  Oh, right," said Gypsy Moth. "Well, that's part of my special talent.  I am an alchemist.  I can change any inanimate object into whatever I please as long as I have the right ingredients.  The spell that earned me my Cutie Mark was being able to take gossamer and morning dew and turn them into temporary wings."

Wow, no wonder those things are so fragile.  But, I had more important things on my mind.

"You said you travel a lot," I said. "Have you ever been to Ponyville, by any chance?"

Gypsy Moth stopped what she was doing and struck a thinking attitude. "Ponyville, Ponyville..." she said thoughtfully. "I'm afraid my mind is not what it once was, child.  Is there something in Ponyville I should know about?"

"Just one thing," I said. "Have you ever heard of somepony calling herself the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well?"

Gypsy Moth's wings flittered a bit and she breathed a whimsical sigh.

"The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well," she said. "Now there's a name I haven't heard in a long time."

"You know her, then?" I asked.

"First thing first, child," said Gypsy Moth, putting down her flasks and carrying over three bowls of soup. "Here, eat.  I have a bit of a tale to tell."

"Oh.  Thank you," I said, accepting the bowl.

"Yeah, thanks," said Raindrops.

Gypsy Moth sat herself down as well and folded her wings. "I remember now.  I have been to Ponyville.  But, it has been quite a while."

"So, you were around when Mare-Do-Well was helping out the town?" asked Raindrops.

"Yes," said Gypsy Moth. "And honestly, I wish more ponies were like her."

"How did she help you?" I inquired.

"Oh, she didn't," said Gypsy Moth. "But I saw everything she did for the ponies of Ponyville.  I never found out who she was, though."

I needed to change gears a bit.  None of this was new to me, and I needed to know if she placed that order. "Ms. Moth, I recently became aware of the fact that an anonymous order for Mare-Do-Well's costume was placed in Ponyville."

"Really?" said Gypsy Moth. "And?"

"I think you're the one who placed that order."

Gypsy Moth gave me a quizzical look. "I haven't been to Ponyville in ages, child."

"But I recognized your hoofwriting on the order form," said Raindrops. "It's the same as when you signed for the package I delivered to you."

"Oh?  Can you show me?" asked Gypsy Moth.

Raindrops flattened her ears. "No..."

"Then why should I believe you?" said Gypsy Moth with a shrug. "It's not that I doubt your integrity, Waterdroplet.  You don't seem like the kind of pony who would throw accusations without precedent.  I just find it hard to blindly accept mere words as truth."

I suppose there's some merit to that philosophy, but it wasn't helping my investigation any.  If Gypsy Moth was going to talk, I needed to get my hooves on that order form.  But in the meantime, I could at least show her something else.

"Ms. Moth, I want you to take a look at this," I said, showing her the antidote Mare-Do-Well gave me.

Gypsy Moth's wings flittered. "Just a moment.  That's mine," she said.

"It is?" I said.

"Indeed.  The design on the vial is unmistakable," said Gypsy Moth with a nod. "Tell me child.  Where did you get that?"

Wow, way to put me on the spot.  If I brought up Mare-Do-Well now, there was no way I could back up my claim that she was connected to Gypsy Moth.  But by the same token, I had to make the most of this trip.

"Somepony gave it to me," I said with a shrug. "I don't remember who."

"I see.  Most curious," mused Gypsy Moth.

"Um, what is it?" asked Raindrops, tilting her head.

"It's an antidote for toxic truffles," said Gypsy Moth. "It's very hard to synthesize.  The ingredients can only be found in the Griffon Kingdom and the Frozen North."

"And, what about toxic truffles themselves?" I inquired.

"Oh, those are quite rare," said Gypsy Moth, placing a hoof to her chin. "They're almost impossible to find in Equestria.  They're more plentiful in the Griffon Kingdom, but that isn't saying much.  From what I recall, they become more common the farther east you go."

I don't know why, but something about that reminded me of that weird story High Winds told me about earlier today.  The connection was tenuous, but if it existed, it could blow this mystery wide open.  Hey, it was certainly better than nothing.

"Please indulge me in one last question," I said. "Where will you be heading to next?"

"I haven't quite decided yet," said Gypsy Moth. "But I am leaning towards the Crystal Empire.  I need more herbs from the Griffon Kingdom, and receiving packages out here is quite inconvenient."

I looked over at Raindrops.  She looked like she wanted to say something, but she held her tongue and continued eating her soup.  I quickly finished my own.

"Well, thank you for the hospitality, Ms. Moth," I said. "Hopefully, we'll see each other again."

Gypsy Moth smiled. "Judging by your last question, it'll be sooner than you think."

I'm not gonna lie; the way she said that was kinda creepy.  She might not be good with names, but she's a sharp one.  If she was connected to any of this, I needed to work extra hard to outfox her.


***


Luckily, the blizzard had died down when we left Gypsy Moth's workshop.  Still not willing to take any chances, Raindrops and I decided to take the train back.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," said Raindrops glumly as we flew to the train station. "I was so caught up with escorting Soarin' that I forgot to ask Twilight about the letter."

"Not your fault," I said. "Just be sure to remember next time.  Oh, and try to get a copy for me if you could."

"Yes, ma'am," said Raindrops with a salute.

I nodded in response.  If Gypsy Moth wanted proof, then I had to deliver.  All I needed to do was wait for Raindrops to get what I required.  In the meantime, however, there was a certain griffon that was overdue for some grilling back at the Academy...
> Confrontation: Pierre le Grand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 16, 14:28
Wonderbolt Academy
Infirmary
***


As soon as I got back to base, I wasted no time and went straight to the infirmary.  Visiting Gypsy Moth gave me some time to cool down (don't ever think about making the pun), so I felt I could discuss things with Pierre in a calm, level-headed manner.  I was just hoping he was willing to do the same as I entered the facility.  The medical staff gave me a quick salute.

"What's the status on Captain le Grand?" I asked.

"Grumpy," said one of the nurses. "His wounds are superficial, but he's been giving us all a hard time."

Figures.  I guess him being calm would make things too easy for me, and we couldn't have that, now could we?

"Let me see him," I said. "We have a lot to discuss."

"Of course, ma'am," said the nurse. "This way."


***


The nurse was not kidding around.  Pierre looked incredibly ornery and bad-tempered as he lay in bed with a bandaged wing.  Seeing me walk in the door didn't improve his mood any.

"I suppose you're going to say I deserve this, Capitaine Spitfire," he snarled.

"You're half right," I said. "Your subordinate Drake attacked Fleetfoot without any form of provocation, and you didn't even acknowledge it.  Either you planned for that to happen, or you just didn't care.  Whichever it is, I've seen cadets who are better leadership material than you."

Pierre snorted. "Is that why you came here?  To insult me?"

"Celestia forbid," I said, taking a seat across from Pierre. "I came here to get some answers.  I want to know what happened this morning, and why Fleetfoot was attacked.  I also want to know about the Proud Pride."

Pierre's eyes narrowed. "That information is classified."

"I don't care," I said firmly. "I've been in the dark for too long about this, and unlike Ambassador Honor Bound, your talons aren't really tied.  After what you pulled today, I doubt you're going to keep the title of 'Captain' much longer."

Pierre muttered something incoherent, probably some griffon obscenity I'm not familiar with.

"I'll tell you about the incident this morning," he said sharply. "But nothing more, you understand?"

"We'll see," I said.  Pierre could resist my inquiry all he wanted, but I had an ace in the hole.  He was gonna tell me everything about the Proud Pride, whether he wanted to or not.


***
Testimony: This Morning's Incident
***


"I have no idea what happened with Drake, nor do I care," said Pierre. "I may be eager to beat you, Capitaine Spitfire, but I would not resort to foul play.  By the same token, however, accidents happen.  And if the accident goes in my favor, then c'est la vie."

So the attack wasn't planned per se.  He just didn't care about what happened to my team.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to break his beak, but that wouldn't get us anywhere.  Besides, I had a feeling that the whole "accidents happen" thing was a load of horse apples.

"Your brother says you'd do whatever it takes to win," I said. "Do you deny that?"

"You're still hung up on that?" Pierre growled. "If I told you once, I told you a thousand times!  I did not poison the tarts!"

"We're not talking about the tarts, Le Grand," I said sternly. "We're talking about you.  Now, how far would you exactly go to win against us at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet?"

"I would not shy from using more, aggressive maneuvers," said Pierre. "But that would only happen at the race itself, not during a practice run."

Note to self: If Pierre isn't kicked out of the Proud Pride, tell everypony on the team to watch their six during the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.

"Tell me this, Le Grand.  Do you happen to know Drake personally?" I inquired.

"Somewhat," said Pierre with a shrug.

"Is this the kind of thing he would do?"

"Not to my knowledge.  He listens to Kierra more than he listens to me."

"Then, how are you captain?"

Pierre blinked. "Come again?"

"I think I've made it abundantly clear why I think you're a lousy captain," I explained, folding my forelegs. "And from what I've seen, Kierra has more leadership skills in the tip of her talon than you have in your entire body.  So what genius looked over all of the griffons who were going to be part of the Proud Pride and thought that you would be a good leader?"

"Capitaine Spitfire, that is not only an insult to me, but to the Griffon Kingdom military as a whole!" Pierre roared. "Retract yourself this instant!"

Oh, man.  I was not letting that one go. "So, the Proud Pride was formed by the Griffon Kingdom military?" I asked with a sly smirk.

Pierre's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "No!  No, you weren't supposed to hear that!"

"Too late," I said. "I already know from the Hippogriff Ambassador that there's something going on in the Griffon Kingdom, and now I know that the Proud Pride are related to that.  Care to explain yourself, Le Grand?"

Pierre sputtered angrily, unable to formulate a retort.  I had him right where I wanted him.  After he had calmed down, he gave me a dirty look.

"You are a wily one, Capitaine Spitfire," he growled. "But that's all you'll get out of me.  I'll never betray my country."

"Except for the sake of winning," I added. "Face it, Le Grand.  If you tried to pull anything at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, it would be disastrous for both our nations.  Personally, I don't give a flying feather if the Proud Pride beats us as long as they beat us fairly.  But all you care about is boosting your ego and putting it on display for everyone to see.  Therefore, you don't have a wing to fly on.  And don't say that remark was insensitive; I know your wounds are minor."

Pierre grunted. "Hmph.  I'll give you this, Capitaine Spitfire.  You certainly think as fast as you fly," he said. "Fine, I'll tell you what I know.  But if anyone asks, you didn't hear it from me, got it?"

"I'll consider it," I said.  In truth, I didn't plan on snitching on Pierre.  I like to think I'm better than that.  But if the Griffon Kingdom really was in a major crisis, I had to have the option to cite my sources.


***
Testimony: The Proud Pride's Origins
***


"The members of the Proud Pride were randomly selected for their flight skills," said Pierre. "We were told about a series of random attacks that had been going on in the Griffon Kingdom, and that our true mission was to find those responsible.  So as not to alert this enemy, we took the guise of a simple flight team.  We organized le Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet with le Hippogriff Ambassadeur as part of our cover."

So the Proud Pride was actually a covert ops group, and Pierre got his position out of pure luck.  I can't say I was surprised by the latter, but the former just complicated things.  Why would the Griffon Kingdom military decide that this was the best course of action?  Sure, they got themselves some good fliers, but did anyone in the Proud Pride have any real combat experience other than Drake?  I mean, Kierra was an historian before joining the team.  Not to bash griffon military tactics or anything, but I'm not sure they thought this one through.

"Tell me more about these attacks, Mr. le Grand," I said.

"From what we've been told, they are very strange," said Pierre. "The target was always military-based.  No civilians casualties.  Also, they all occurred in the air."

"In the air?" I asked.

"Yes," said Pierre. "And it was always some sort of weather.  Freak tornados, sudden squalls, gusts that could cut skin, all very odd things like that.  There was even a report of an exploding cloud, although no one believes that one."

The mention of the exploding cloud immediately brought back memories of my own close call with such a phenomenon.  Was this somehow connected to the assassin trying to pick off the Wonderbolts?  I had to find out.

"Mr. le Grand, I have something for you to look at," I said, taking out the cloth I got from Mare-Do-Well. "Do you recognize this?"

Pierre raised an eyebrow. "We found that at the site of a few of the attacks.  Why?"

"Because what's been happening in the Griffon Kingdom, may also be happening to my team."

Pierre's jaw dropped. "A-are you serious?!"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" I said. "Ever since I got that letter from Ambassador Honor Bound about the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, my team has been systematically attacked one by one.  You already saw what happened to Soarin' at the festival, and I'm now thoroughly convinced that the same dock-hole is also stirring up trouble in the Griffon Kingdom."

Pierre let out a muted sigh. "Perhaps I have let my pride get the best of me, and it blinded me to my true duties," he mused.

"Gee, you think?" I said. "Look, if Ambassador Honor Bound wants to keep you around, it's no skin off my nose.  But if you were under my command, I'd have you packing your bags and find someone else.  Preferably someone who's able to put ego aside and get the job done."

Pierre chuckled dryly. "I will not disagree with you, Capitaine Spitfire.  However, it's too late to change our command structure.  I have already pledged my duty to the Griffon Kingdom, and until this threat is dealt with, I have to see it through.  That's how it works with griffons."

I have no comment.  It's a different culture, they have a different way of doing things, and we're obviously not going to always see eye-to-eye.  It happens.

"Well, thank you for telling me all this, Mr. le Grand," I said. "It was most helpful."

Pierre grunted in response.  Seems like he still wanted to keep that last shred of dignity he had left.  Eh, he can have it.  I've done enough to his precious ego for one day.  But while I was here, I figured I'd go check up on somepony else...


***


After my discussion with Pierre, I went over to the room across the hall and lightly tapped the door.

"It's open," came a voice from inside.

I slowly opened the door and poked my head in.  There was Misty Fly, still recovering from that first attack.  Her wing was in a cast, and she didn't look all that happy about it.  Seeing her like this made my heart feel like it weighed a ton.

"Hey, Mist," I said softly as I let myself in.

Misty Fly looked up at me, and a soft smile crossed her face. "Hey, Spitfire.  It's good to see you," she said.

"How's the wing?" I asked as I sat down next to her.

"Still numb," Misty Fly groused. "I can't even move it."  She then sighed. "Looks like I'll be missing out on the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet."

"It's okay," I said. "You just focus on getting better."

"Will do," said Misty Fly with a nod.  She then flattened her ears and cast her eyes downward. "I'm afraid to ask.  How have you been holding up, Spitfire?"

"I'm not gonna mince words here, Mist," I said with a sigh. "It's been rough."

"I can imagine," said Misty Fly. "I saw them bring Fire Streak in after that attack a few days ago."

"It's not just Fire Streak," I said. "Someone out there wants all of the Wonderbolts dead.  Rapidfire and Soarin' have also been attacked."

Misty Fly's good wing stood up on end. "Sweet Celestia.  Spitfire, a-are you okay?"

"I'm still fighting," I said with a smile. "You know me, Mist.  I'm not the type to crack under pressure."

"Maybe not, but I'd hate to see what your dreams are like," said Misty Fly. "They must be horrific."

"Actually, I haven't been sleeping much lately," I said sheepishly. "This whole damn thing is keeping me up."

"Perhaps you should try getting some sleep," suggested Misty Fly. "Everypony knows that Princess Luna can help you deal with any fears or worries you might have."

I sighed and shook my head. "It wouldn't change a thing," I said. "Whatever night terrors are locked away in my psyche, I'm gonna make sure they don't come true.  I'm gonna find this dock-hole behind these attacks, and I'm gonna make him pay.  You just wait and see."

Misty Fly giggled. "Spoken like a true captain," she said. "Still, I hope you're not planning on doing this alone."

"Blaze and Surprise have been helping out, plus I've got a few other friends in high places," I said. "I'll be okay, Mist.  Trust me."

"I already do," said Misty Fly. "Hey, Spitfire?"

"Yeah?"

"You mind staying with me for a while longer?  I enjoy your company."

I smiled. "Sure.  No problem."


***


I stayed with Misty Fly for as long as I allowed myself, and then went back to my normal routine.  Now that I knew the true purpose of the Proud Pride, it got me to thinking.  Fleetfoot was attacked today, and that technically meant that the assassin filled his quota.  But it was Drake who attacked her, and I still have yet to hear his side of the story.  It was possible that the assassin used Drake to attack Fleetfoot just like he used Fleetfoot to attack Rapidfire, but was that actually the case?

At this point, I'm gonna say it's certainly a possibility.  Why?  Because the rest of the day went off without a hitch.  Hey, I'm not complaining.
> A Stronger Alliance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 17, 05:35
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


I'm starting to miss my old bed.  This was the third night that I forced myself to sleep outside in order to escape Surprise's follow-wake-up call.  While Misty Fly's advice of talking to Princess Luna has some merit (although I still think it wouldn't make a difference), falling asleep with so many thoughts weighing heavily on your mind is easier said than done.  Even so, it couldn't go on like this.  Clouds may be pretty comfy, but they do have their disadvantages.

"Urgent message for you, Captain!"

One of them is that falling out of bed is highly ill-advised.  And that's what I almost did when I heard Crescent Moon calling out to me.  Seriously, I was not expecting that at all.

"For Celestia's sake, Crescent!" I snapped irritably as pulled myself up. "What the hay are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?!"

"T-terribly sorry, Captain.  Won't happen again," said Crescent nervously. "It's just that there's urgent news from the control tower, and Surprise told me you were up here."

"Well, this had better be pretty damn important," I snarled. "Give me your report."

"It's Ambassador Honor Bound, Captain.  He's requesting permission to land."

Well, this was gonna be awkward.  That's another disadvantage of sleeping on a cloud: You don't get much in the way of privacy.  I took in a sharp breath through my teeth.

"Please tell me he can't see me right now," I said.

"I, don't think he can, Captain," said Crescent.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief.  Thank Celestia for small favors.

"Tell him he has clearance, and extend my apologies for not being there to receive him," I said. "I'll try to move as fast as I can, so you won't have to stall him for too long."

"Understood, Captain," said Crescent with a salute.

As Crescent flew off to tell Honor Bound the news, I made a mad dash to the barracks to make myself at least semi-presentable.


***
January 17, 05:44
Wonderbolt Academy
Landing Strip
***


Luckily for me, getting a quick shower and changing into my dress uniform didn't take as much time as I expected.  As I trotted out to greet Honor Bound, it didn't look like he was waiting long.  Kierra and Drake were also with him, making me wonder what this was all about.

"I do apologize if I made you wait, Ambassador," I said with a hasty bow. "Honestly, I just got out of bed."

"Is that so?" said Honor Bound thoughtfully. "Well then, I apologize for calling on you so early.  I'll try not to make a habit of it."

"No, no.  It's my fault," I said. "A Wonderbolt has to be able to move at a moment's notice.  I have no excuse."

"Mmm.  Very well then," said Honor Bound with a nod. "With that out of the way, I wish to make another apology on behalf of the Proud Pride.  I heard from Kierra about Pierre giving you trouble."

I had a feeling that this was what Honor Bound wanted to talk about.  I sighed.

"I'll tell you the same thing I told Kierra, Ambassador," I said. "I don't blame the Proud Pride for their captain's actions."

"Drake also wishes to apologize," Kierra said. "He is a strong advocate of unity between ponies and griffons, and he would never attack anyone without provocation."

Except that he did.  I knitted my brow and adjusted my shades.

"Did you get his side of the story like I asked?" I inquired.

"Yes, but it's most baffling to me," said Kierra. "He said he had no control over his actions.  The wind just seemed to, control his limbs and push him wherever it saw fit.  It was almost as if some outside force was making him attack your comrade."

I frowned.  If this meant what I thought it meant, I had to tread carefully.

"Actually, I believe you," I said.

Kierra and Drake blinked. "You do?" Kierra asked. "I mean, we're grateful, but we both agree that it's incredibly bizarre."

"The same thing happened to my team a few days ago," I explained. "Do you recall the incident at the Wonderbolt Derby, Ambassador?"

"Mmm.  I do indeed," Honor Bound mused. "You said that your teammates don't typically attack each other like that."

"And they don't.  We might have our differences, but we don't go at each other's throats," I said. "I talked about it with Fleetfoot, and she said there was some sort of strange gale that made her attack Rapidfire.  I have a hunch that the same phenomenon made Drake attack Fleetfoot yesterday."

Honor Bound placed a talon to his beak and struck a thinking attitude. "How very peculiar," said he. "What are you basing this hunch on, Captain Spitfire?"

I took a deep breath.  If what Pierre told me yesterday was true, then the griffons had a right to know about what I had to deal with for the past few days.

"Kierra, remember what happened to Soarin' at the festival?" I asked.

"How could I forget?" said Kierra. "What about it?"

"It was actually part of a string of attacks that the Wonderbolts have been suffering lately," I said. "Ever since I first heard about the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, someone has been trying to pick my team off one by one."

Honor Bound's eyes widened.  Kierra's brow furrowed.  Drake snorted and cracked his knuckles.

"Ms. Spitfire, tell me everything you know about these attacks," said Kierra firmly. "I need to confirm something."

"I'd be happy to oblige," I said.  With that, I briefed them on all of the attacks, conveniently leaving out my conversations with Mare-Do-Well.  Kierra nodded sagely.

"It's just as I feared," she sighed. "Ambassador, I fear the tengu have followed us from the Griffon Kingdom."

Well, that came out of nowhere.  Honor Bound gave Kierra a stern glare.  Before he could reprimand her, I had to step in.

"Just a moment, Kierra," I said. "What's this about tengu in the Griffon Kingdom?"

Kierra paused for a moment before whispering something to Honor Bound.  Honor Bound whispered back and nodded, but gave Kierra a stern look as he did so.  Kierra breathed a deep sigh.

"Our land has recently been attacked by an unknown enemy," said she. "The Proud Pride was formed as a countermeasure.  From what I've seen of the attacks combined with my research, I believe that it's the work of the remnants of the Tengu Dynasty."

"Or it would be, if there was any such thing," Honor Bound added with disdain. "Kierra might have a good head on her shoulders, but this tengu obsession of hers sometimes clouds her judgment."

Kierra opened her beak to protest, but instead let out a sigh and held her tongue.

"Despite that, she may be correct," Honor Bound continued. "It's possible that our mystery assailants have come after you."

Just as I suspected.  Truth be told, this went a lot better than I thought it would.

"I think I have some proof to that end," I said.

"I presume that you're talking about the red cloth you showed me at the Wonderbolt Derby," said Honor Bound. "How did you know?"

"I, had a little chat with Captain le Grand," I said sheepishly. "I'm, sorry for breaching protocol like this.  I know you wanted to keep this information on a need-to-know basis."

"There's nothing to apologize for, Ms. Spitfire," said Kierra. "You needed to know.  The Griffon Kingdom and the Wonderbolts have the same problem, after all."

"We just didn't know we did before," I said. "If we didn't have a legitimate crisis on our hooves and talons, it would actually be kinda funny."

"Never mind the ironies, Captain Spitfire," Honor Bound said firmly. "This must be dealt with, and the Proud Pride will use any resource they can to assist."

"I'd truly appreciate that, Ambassador," I said. "Actually, I've been doing some work on my own, and..."

"SURPRISE~!"

Heh, speak of the draconequus.  Then again, Surprise always had a knack for perfect timing.

"I'm here to report the status of the Meanie Trap, Cap-a-rooni!" she said with a salute.

"The, Meanie Trap?" asked Honor Bound, raising an eyebrow.  Kierra and Drake looked equally confused.

"Yeah, Surprise has been working on a little something for our pest," I explained. "What's your status, Surprise?"

"Everything is ready and raring to go, Cap!" said Surprise gleefully. "He or she won't know what hit him or her!"

"Excellent.  Good work," I said with a nod. "Dismissed."

"Right-a-rooni!" said Surprise with a salute.  With that, she flew off.  Kierra cleared her throat.

"Um, if you don't mind, I'd like to stay here and observe this, trap," she said. "I believe it's in our best interests to work together and see this through."

Translation: She wanted concrete proof that this was a tengu.  I made a mental note to look into that later.

"It's no skin off my nose," I said with a shrug. "What do you think, Ambassador?"

"I suppose it couldn't hurt," said Honor Bound with a shrug of his own. "Although because of Pierre being incapacitated, Kierra is acting captain of the Proud Pride.  It wouldn't be wise of her to leave like this."

"That will not be a problem, Ambassadeur Honor Bound."

I turned around to see Pierre le Grand strolling in with his wing as good as new.  Honor Bound scowled.

"I do hope you learned something from your actions, Pierre," he snarled. "If it were up to me, you'd be out on your tail faster than you can blink."

"I do not blame you for thinking this, Ambassadeur," said Pierre. "But rest assured, I will start taking my responsibilities seriously."

"Words are cheap, Pierre.  Let me actually see it," said Honor Bound before turning back to me. "Well, it seems that has been sorted.  Be sure to let us know about any new developments, Captain Spitfire."

"I shall, Ambassador," I said with a bow. "Thank you for taking this time to visit."

"I wish you and Kierra the best of luck, Captain Spitfire," said Honor Bound with a bow of his own. "Fare well."

With that, he took off into the air with Pierre and Drake quickly following.  Kierra let out a deep sigh.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

"I'm just frustrated is all," said Kierra, sounding a bit dejected. "I know this is the work of the Tengu Dynasty, but no one else will believe me."

I guess that can be frustrating, but I didn't have a response to that.  I knew next to nothing about this Tengu Dynasty, or if it was connected at all to what was going on.  Still, Kierra seems pretty adamant about this.  There has to be a reason.

My stomach made an audible growl and I blushed.  Finding that reason would have to wait.

"Um, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you?" I asked.

"I have, actually," said Kierra. "Besides, I doubt your cook can make anything for griffons."

Yeah, she had a point there. "Well, I need to get some food before I do anything else.  But how about you drop by my office at, say, oh-seven hundred?  I'd like to hear more about this Tengu Dynasty."

Kierra smiled. "I'm glad you're willing to listen, Ms. Spitfire.  Alright, I'll see you then.  Um, where is your office, exactly?"

Before I could answer, Crescent Moon came flying in.  His timing couldn't have been more impeccable.

"Captain, there's a bit of a problem," said he. "I just found a note in the mess hall saying that cloud busting drills are canceled for the day.  I, didn't get prior notice of this."

"That was Surprise's doing," I said. "Don't worry, she has a good reason for it.  Hey, since you're here, I have a favor to ask you."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Kierra here is going to be staying with us today.  Why don't you give her a bit of a tour while I go hit the mess hall?  Just be sure to drop her off at my office at oh-seven hundred."

Crescent took a second to process this, but immediately started jotting everything down on his clipboard once he did. "Y-yes, Captain.  O-of course, Captain."

I stifled a giggle. "Don't mind Crescent.  He tends to be a bit skittish when it comes to things like this," I told Kierra.

"So it appears," said Kierra with a shrug.  She then gave Crescent a nod. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Crescent gulped. "P-pleasure's all mine, miss," he stammered. "Th-this way, please."

As he led Kierra off for the impromptu tour, I flew over to the mess hall to get some well-deserved breakfast.  Finally, it felt like things were starting to go in my favor.  Of course, that's no reason to get complacent.  There are still several unanswered questions that had to be addressed, and the assassin prick is still out there somewhere.  But at least I'm making progress, unlike before when I felt like I was just spinning my wheels.  I just have to wonder what all of this is building up to...
> Confrontation: Kierra
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 17, 06:59
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


After a quick breakfast, I wasted no time getting to my office to wait for Kierra.  I didn't have to wait long, as I managed to bump into her and Crescent Moon just as I was about to open the door.

"O-oh!  S-sorry, Captain," said Crescent sheepishly.

"Don't apologize, Crescent," I said with a smile. "You know how I like ponies who are punctual."

"Yes, quite," said Crescent, clearing his throat. "I'll just resume my regular duties, shall I?"

"Yeah, you go do that," I said. "Dismissed."

Crescent gave me a salute and trotted off, leaving just me and Kierra.

"You have quite the facility here, Ms. Spitfire," said Kierra as I let her into my office. "The Wonderbolts have indeed earned their prestige."

"I'm glad you enjoyed the tour," I said, walking around to my desk. "So, let's get right to it, shall we?  Tell me more about this Tengu Dynasty, and why you think they're involved in the attacks on the Griffon Kingdom and the Wonderbolts."

"This isn't merely a theory, Ms. Spitfire," Kierra said firmly. "I have proof that the tengu are indeed the cause of all our problems."

This I had to hear. "Well then, don't let me stop you," I said. "Please, proceed."

"Of course," said Kierra, clearing her throat.


***
Testimony: The Tengu Dynasty
***


"I first discovered the Tengu Dynasty a few years ago, back when I was an historian," said Kierra. "They are a race of savage beings; bipedal birds with weapons that utilize wind.  Their leader had a special fan called the Wind's Mandate, which allowed him complete dominance over the wind.  From the tactics used in the assaults on the Griffon Kingdom, I have deduced that only they can be behind this catastrophe."

There wasn't much in the way of new information from Kierra's explanation.  Practically all of this was stuff I already heard from High Winds the day before.  I had to dig a bit deeper.

"You mentioned before that the attackers are remnants of the Tengu Dynasty," I said. "What happened to them?"

"It's quite simple, really.  The Wind's Mandate was lost," said Kierra. "It disappeared during a power struggle between the emperor and his heir.  Without the Wind's Mandate to guide them, the dynasty crumbled, and the tengu scattered."

"If they scattered, then how are they the ones behind the attacks?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "From my experience, they seem rather organized."

"I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that, Ms. Spitfire," said Kierra, furrowing her brow. "My best guess is that someone found the Wind's Mandate after all this time.  Though how is beyond me."

Well, that was a bit of a dead end.  I needed to change gears a bit.

"What motive do you think the tengu have to attack the Griffon Kingdom and the Wonderbolts?" I inquired.

Kierra's face darkened. "The tengu are a race of warmongers, Ms. Spitfire.  Even the most aggressive of griffons would call them barbarians.  The only reason they haven't attacked us before is because they spent so much time fighting amongst themselves with the wielder of the Wind's Mandate the only source of order and stability.  But now that they have fled their borders and somehow reorganized themselves, they are free to seek out new lands to conquer."

That didn't sound good.  Because Equestria is a peaceful nation, we don't typically resort to violence to deal with our adversaries.  There are exceptions to that rule, and it looked like the tengu were gonna be one of those exceptions.  But I still didn't know why Kierra was singling them out.

"You said before that you had proof that the tengu are to blame," I said. "What is this proof?"

"The method of attack, mainly," said Kierra. "Most of the attacks are wind-based.  As I have mentioned, such methods are indicative of the tengu."

"But the tengu aren't the only beings that can control the wind," I countered, adjusting my shades. "It could be a pegasus, or perhaps some magic wielder."

Kierra shook her head. "Magic is indeed involved, Ms. Spitfire.  But no pegasus can replicate the methods of the tengu.  You know what happened to Drake and your comrade Fleetfoot, right?  Only a tengu can do that."

"Even so, I think I need something more concrete," I said.

Kierra thought for a moment, and then nodded. "I know just the thing," said she. "Do you still have that cloth you showed Honor Bound?"

"Yeah," I said, taking it out of my drawer. "What about it?"

"May I see it?"

Without a word, I gave the cloth to Kierra.  She looked it over with a critical eye for a long time.  Suddenly, her eyes sparkled.

"Eureka!" she exclaimed.

"You find something?" I asked.

"This is the same silk I found in the tengu's nation back when I stumbled upon the Tengu Dynasty," Kierra explained. "We found the same cloth at the site of several of the attacks in the Griffon Kingdom.  I'm certain that this is their calling card."

That got the wheels in my head turning.

"Hold on a sec, Kierra.  I'm getting mixed signals from this," I said.

"Mixed signals?" parroted Kierra.

"These tengu have been able to avoid capture for a while," I said. "But here's my question: How?  They're leaving evidence tied directly to them at the scene of their attacks.  Wouldn't they have been figured out by now?"

Kierra sighed. "That's where I run into my problems, Ms. Spitfire.  Most griffons dismiss the tengu as a mere myth."

"Why?  You're an historian, aren't you?  You had to have written a book about them or something."

"Why do you think I ended up with the Proud Pride?" Kierra growled. "My findings made me a laughingstock of the historical community for a long time.  Everyone thought I was crazy."

"How come?"

"Bad timing on my part," said Kierra. "My findings were published just when the Tengu Dynasty dissolved.  And what's worse, they left nothing behind.  If you go to the far east today, there isn't a shred of evidence that any civilization lived there."

Oof, tough break.  Still, that didn't sound right to me.

"Sounds to me like your colleagues aren't looking in the right places," I said.

Kierra blinked. "Whatever do you mean, Ms. Spitfire?"

"I mean that I may have another clue pointing to them," I said.

Kierra leaned forward with interest. "Well, don't leave me in suspense, Ms. Spitfire.  What is this clue?"

"This right here," I said, taking out the vial of poison.

Kierra tilted her head. "Ms. Spitfire, what is that?"

"Crushed toxic truffles.  It's a deadly poison that tastes like chocolate," I said. "It's very hard to find, too."

"I'm, afraid I don't understand," said Kierra. "How does this tie in to the tengu?"

"I heard on the grape vine that the farther east you go, the more plentiful these toxic truffles are," I said. "Plus, I managed to figure out that this exact poison was used on Soarin' during the festival a couple of days ago.  Now, tell me, Kierra.  Did the tengu utilize poisons?"

"On occasion, when they didn't want to draw too much attention to..."

Kierra trailed off as a realization hit her. "Of course!  That's why they appeared to have vanished!"

"Why?"

"They took everything with them!"

I stared at Kierra blankly. "They, took everything with them?" I parroted.

"The tengu live in trees and nests like any other bird," said Kierra. "A nest would be easy to dismantle, and no one would look twice at a tree."

I suppose that made some sense.  At this point, it looks like Kierra has a plausible theory.  But we needed more than simple speculation if we were gonna convince Honor Bound and the others.

"I don't know why I didn't see this before," said Kierra. "I remember Gypsy Moth telling me all about the toxic truffles."

I did a double take. "Did you say, Gypsy Moth?"

"Yes.  Do you know her?"

"We've, met," I said. "I managed to catch her in Stalliongrad yesterday before she moved to greener pastures.  It's, unrelated to this."

Kierra frowned. "Now this is quite queer," she mused.

"What do you mean?"

"I had no idea Gypsy Moth was still alive."

I found myself utterly speechless.  Gypsy Moth was supposed to be dead?  How come that never came up when Raindrops mentioned her?  Something screwy is going on around here.

"Well, I assure you that she is indeed alive and well," I said. "But, I'm curious.  How do you know her?"

"It's a bit of a tale," said Kierra. "A sad one, at that.  Do you still wish to hear it?"

"Yes," I said automatically.  If Gypsy Moth somehow fits into all this besides being connected to Mare-Do-Well, I need to know how.


***
Testimony: About Gypsy Moth
***


"I first met Gypsy Moth just before I left to discover the Tengu Dynasty," said Kierra. "She was a traveling alchemist seeking new ingredients for her spells.  I allowed her to accompany me on my travels to the east.  It was dangerous, but we managed to protect each other with our combined knowledge.  Then, one day, we were ambushed by a clan of tengu.  I was able to fight them off, but not before they captured Gypsy Moth.  That was the last I saw of her."

So, Kierra and Gypsy Moth used to be traveling partners.  That opened the door to a whole slew of new possibilities.  I had to know more.

"Did Gypsy Moth tell you about herself at all?" I asked.

"Not much," said Kierra with a shrug. "She was just out in the world trying to make a living as an alchemist.  She said there wasn't much else to tell, and I honestly didn't see how there was.  She was quite a pleasant pony, although she kept getting my name wrong."

"She did mention something about being bad with names when I met her," I said. "So, when the tengu caught her, you thought she was dead?"

"The tengu don't take prisoners, Ms. Spitfire," said Kierra darkly. "To a tengu, a prisoner is libel to kill you when your back is turned, so it's better to kill the prisoner first."

Yikes.  That's, pretty harsh.  I'm telling you right now; there isn't a pony alive who would condone that.  I don't even think they'd resort to that in Pre-Unification times.  Heck, I think even a complete dictator like King Sombra would draw the line at killing the defenseless!

"Well, I just had lunch with her yesterday, so she obviously survived somehow," I said.

"I don't see how," said Kierra. "The tengu had to have done away with her quickly so that she wouldn't have time to strike.  There's no logical way she could be alive right now."

Except that she was.  If the tengu were as ruthless as Kierra said, then this didn't make a lick of sense.  Gypsy Moth somehow survived her encounter with the tengu.  But how?

After much pondering, I came up with an answer.  It wasn't perfect, but it was the only explanation I had.

"I think I know how Gypsy Moth survived," I said.

"You do?" asked Kierra. "How?"

"With this."

I took out the vial containing the antidote.  Kierra tilted her head.

"And, just what is that?" she inquired.

"The antidote for toxic truffles," I said. "It was synthesized by Gypsy Moth herself."

"But I don't see how..."

Kierra trailed off again, and pounded her fist into her palm.

"By the King's beak, I think you've got it!" she cheered.

"Thanks.  Um, what did I get?" I asked.

"That's the only way Gypsy Moth could've survived: By providing something the tengu needed," said Kierra. "According to my research, the tengu didn't have much in the way of medicine.  All they had were natural remedies provided by their forest home, and they felt that was enough."

"Except it clearly wasn't," I said. "Gypsy Moth told me that the antidote for toxic truffles has to be synthesized.  If a tengu was dying from that poison and Gypsy Moth managed to cure him, then they'd have no reason to kill her."

"Well, the other clans would.  But again, they were reined in by the Wind's Mandate," said Kierra. "It's possible that Gypsy Moth managed to live amongst them up to the time of the dynasty's fall."

"Or perhaps she left before then," I added. "She did say she was quite a traveler."

"Hmm, indeed," Kierra said with a nod. "I must say, Ms. Spitfire.  This discussion has been most insightful."

For her, maybe.  As for me, I was still kinda confused.  Our only concrete lead to the tengu was Gypsy Moth, and even then, it was possible that it was a red herring.  Were the tengu really to blame for these attacks?  And if so, what role did Gypsy Moth play, if she played a role at all?

My pondering was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Crescent Moon!" came a familiar voice. "Urgent news from the control tower!"

"Come in," I said.

Crescent Moon didn't have to be told twice.  He barged right in, looking rather ragged.

"Sheesh, Crescent.  You look like crap," I said. "What's got you all worked up?"

"We received a request to land from Raindrops, Wonderbolt Cadet Second Class," said Crescent. "However, her request was blocked by Surprise, and nopony at the control tower knows why.  You have to sort this out, Captain."

Well, that's just ducky.  I guess that's the downside of keeping information classified.  There's no way the cadets at the control tower would know of Surprise's little trap.

"I'm on my way," I said. "Sorry I have to cut this short, Kierra.  But, duty calls."

"Of course, Ms. Spitfire," said Kierra. "Anything I can do in the meantime?"

"Just keep your eyes to the skies," I said. "I'd like to know when we've got something in the trap."

"Understood," said Kierra with a salute.

I let out a dry chuckle and shook my head.  If I were to guess, I think that was a subtle jab at Pierre.  I decided to let that go for now as I left my office.  I had more urgent matters to attend to.
> Dogfight of Wits
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 17, 07:33
Wonderbolt Academy
Control Tower
***


"We weren't given any previous notification of this, Lieutenant Surprise!"

"Well, of course you weren't!  If you were, it wouldn't be a surprise!  Doy!"

"What wouldn't be a surprise?!"

When I had gotten to the control tower, things had already gotten out of hoof.  The cadets in charge of the control tower were tearing their manes out while Surprise was being her usual semi-silly self.  I sighed.

"Ten-HUP!" I barked.

And just like that, the bickering stopped.  Works every time.

"Alright, what's going on here?" I asked.

"Ma'am, please talk some sense into Lieutenant Surprise!" pleaded Sightseer. "She says Raindrops doesn't have permission to land, but she won't tell us why!"

"She has a good reason, cadet.  Trust me," I said.  I then turned to Surprise. "By the same token, however, I want you to let me know about these kinds of things.  I was expecting Raindrops to drop by."

"Oopsie-daisy.  Sorry, Cap," said Surprise sheepishly. "So, what now?  We can't have Raindrops ruining the surprise."

I smirked. "Well, let's go out to meet her and see what she wants," I said.

Surprise thought for a moment, and then gave me a broad smile. "Sounds good to me, Cap.  After all, what's a good trap without bait?"

Before you ask, she whispered that last part so that the other cadets wouldn't hear.  Yeah, I bet you all expected her not to be able to keep a secret to save her life, didn't you?  Well, that's the beauty of Surprise.  She always subverts your expectations.

"Right," I said with a nod before turning to the cadets. "Surprise and I will deal with Raindrops.  Resume your regular duties."

"Um, yes ma'am," said Sightseer with an awkward salute.  With that, Surprise and I left.


***
January 17, 07:37
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


Raindrops was just as confused as the cadets at the control tower; maybe even more so.  She simply stood there rubbing her foreleg sheepishly.  When she saw me, she quickly saluted.

"Ma'am!" she squeaked. "I-I didn't expect you to come out here to get me."

"At ease, Raindrops," I said. "To be honest, I didn't expect you back so soon.  We're in the middle of, something rather important.  We're blocking all requests to land for the time being."

"Oh," said Raindrops. "W-well, I can always come back later..."

"I'm sure this won't take a minute," I said. "Give me your report."

"Oh.  O-okay," said Raindrops, taking some time to collect herself. "Well, I talked to Twilight about what happened yesterday, and she gave me the order form regarding the Mare-Do-Well costume."

"Mare-Do-What-Now?" asked Surprise, tilting her head.

"Not your business, Surprise," I said sternly.

"If you say so, Cap," said Surprise with a shrug. "I'll just do a perimeter sweep while you deal with this, thingamabobber."

"That would be most appreciated, Surprise," I said with a nod.

Surprise then gave me a salute and flew off.  I had to breathe a sigh of relief.  Surprise has always been overly curious, but she knows when to respect somepony's privacy.  Most of the time, anyway.

"Anyway, that's good news, Raindrops," I said. "You mind if I take a look at it?"

"Oh, not at all," said Raindrops, reaching into her saddlebag. "I have it right..."

Her thought was interrupted by the sound of a firecracker being launched, followed by an explosion.  Before I could react, Surprise returned with a giddy disposition that was reflected in her flying.

"The Meanie Trap was a success, Cap!" she cheered. "We got him!  Or her.  Or it."

"It?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It could be a changeling," said Surprise with a shrug. "You never know."

A sly smirk crossed my face. "Well then, we'll just have to find out, now won't we?"

"Um, ma'am?  What's going on?" asked a frightened-looking Raindrops.

My smile vanished, and I sighed.  I really didn't want to rope Raindrops into this, but at this point, this was bigger than just the Wonderbolts.  There was no point in keeping the information classified anymore.

"I think it's better if I show you," I said. "Surprise, lead the way."

"Right-a-reeno, Cap-a-rooni!" said Surprise with a salute.  With that, she flew off, and Raindrops and I followed right at her heels.  At long last, I was gonna meet the schmuck who was attacking my team.  I pounded my hooves and cracked my neck.  I couldn't wait to give this guy a piece of my mind.


***


Surprise led us to four clouds sculpted to have a hook shape.  Each cloud held a rope connected to a large net suspended in midair.  And indeed, there was someone struggling in the net.  Surprise managed to catch the assassin; hook, line, and sinker.  Honestly, I'd expect nothing less from the Queen of Unpredictability.

"Oh, Ms. Spitfire!" Kierra called out as she flew up to us. "I was just about to come get you."

"Surprise has already made me well aware of the situation, Kierra," I said, turning to the net. "Now then, let's see who our little pest is."

"So you got me in a net.  Good for you," said a voice from the net.  Judging by the pitch, I believe it was safe to say that the assassin was male.  But was it me, or did he sound, bored?

"You've got a lot to answer for, dock-hole," I said with a snort. "Why did you attack my team?"

"Oh, so it's your team, is it?" said the assassin. "Well, I was planning on saving you for last, but since you're here..."

Suddenly, the net was shredded to pieces right before my eyes.  Once the assassin had revealed himself, all of our jaws dropped.  The creature flying in front of us was just as Kierra described: A bipedal bird with jewel-encrusted wings and a long, stick-like nose (or was that just part of a mask?  I couldn't really tell).  He wore in a wide-brimmed hat that shrouded his eyes and a brown cloak decorated with pine needles.  He threw back his cloak, revealing a staff that he gripped in his right talon.  There was no longer any doubt in my mind; the assassin was none other than a tengu.

"My name is Pine Talon," said he. "Mark it well.  Or don't; I don't really care.  Either way, I am here to kill you."

"We'll see about that, you meanie!" Surprise snapped. "We're not going down without a fight!"

"That, can be arranged," said Pine Talon.

With that, he threw something at Surprise in a quick motion.  Before I could see what it was, it exploded into a towering cyclone!  Surprise barrel rolled out of the way just in time.

"I guess I'm supposed to be impressed by that," said Pine Talon apathetically. "I could've dodged that in my sleep."

"Dodge this, you barbarian!"

Kierra flew up at Pine Talon with her talons bared.  His motions a blur, the tengu met Kierra's charge and smacked her cheek with his staff.

"Must you shout?" Pine Talon groused, cleaning out his ear with his finger. "I'm already blind, you know.  I do not wish to be rendered deaf as well."

My brow furrowed.  For someone claiming to be blind, his attacks were pretty damn accurate.  Either he was lying, or he was using his other senses.  Whichever the case, fighting him was going to be tricky.

"You won't get away with this!" Kierra snarled, recovering from the blow. "I'll make sure that you pay for your crimes against the Grif— ack!"

In the middle of her declaration, Pine Talon swooped in and grabbed her by the throat.

"You are giving me a headache," he growled. "So, you'll die first."

No way in Tartarus was I letting that happen.  No one, pony or griffon, was dying on my watch.  Without uttering a word, I swooped down towards Pine Talon.  I was just about to ram him when he let go of Kierra and blocked with his staff.  I continued my forward momentum, pushing the staff against his chest with my hooves.  Pine Talon flapped his own wings and fought against my charge.  I appeared to be winning the standoff when I suddenly felt a tingling in my hooves.  Something was happening to the staff.  Before I could figure out what, the tingling turned into a searing pain.  It felt like several blades that were dipped in ice water were slicing up my ankles.  I yelped and drew back my hooves, allowing Pine Talon to get in a strike of his own.

"Ho hum.  How incredibly droll," was all I managed to hear him say before he was too far away to hear.  When I felt the pain in my hooves dull, I pulled out of my dive and flew back towards him.

"Ma'am, watch out!"

As soon as I heard Raindrops's warning, I swerved to the side.  Sure enough, a towering cyclone manifested itself from my left and grazed my wing, plucking a few feathers off in the process.  I winced.  If I had been a second late, that thing might've torn me to ribbons.

When I got my bearings, I saw that Pine Talon had turned his attention to Raindrops.  With a shriek, she flew away in terror while Pine Talon matched her move for move.  Wasting no time, I flew towards the fray with the intention to intercept.  Before I could reach him, Surprise flew in front of me and held up her foreleg.

"Let me handle this, Cap," she said firmly. "This meanie's little red wagon is broken, and I know just how to fix it."

"You sure?" I asked.

"Sure as sunshine, sweetheart," said Surprise with a firm nod. "And as an added bonus, I promise never to call you that again.  I just always wanted to say that."

I fought back the urge to laugh.  I don't know about you, but I really can't get mad at Surprise for being silly.  Exasperated maybe, but never mad.

"Alright, Surprise.  He's all yours," I whispered. "But if you find yourself in trouble..."

"You'll be right there to help.  I know," said Surprise, finishing my thought. "Just leave it to me for now."

With that, she flew away from me and took a deep breath.

"HEY, BIRDBRAIN!  I'M CALLING YOU OUT!" she yelled at the top of her lungs.

Pine Talon winced and turned angrily to Surprise.

"I thought I told you not to make me deaf," he said irritably.

"Sorry.  Just wanted to get your attention," said Surprise, putting up her dukes. "And now that I have it, I'm challenging you to a duel!  Mono-a-mono, birdy!"

Pine Talon scoffed. "So, you wish to die first.  Meh, fine by me.  Just remember this; it's too late to change your mind."

With that, he flew up at Surprise.  Surprise swooped out of the way of his charge and flew a good distance away.

"Hey, Cap!  Guess who I am!" she said, closing her eyes. "He's behind me, he's behind me, he's behind me..."

Pine Talon sighed. "If you're trying to mock me, that's rather poor," he said.

"He's behind me, he's behind me, he's behind me..." Surprise continued to chant.

"I can't believe you think I'm this imbecilic," Pine Talon groaned, palming his face (mask?). "You honestly believe that I'm going to get annoyed, charge at you in a blind rage, and allow you to strike me?"

Surprise didn't answer, but continued her chanting. "He's behind me, he's behind me, he's behind me..."

Pine Talon shook his head. "Alright, fine.  I'll play along.  But it'll be your doom."

He then flew around to Surprise's left flank and charged up towards her.  Just when he was about to slash with his staff, Surprise kicked him in the forehead.  Pine Talon stumbled backward.

"Grah!" he grunted. "How did you...?!"

"Lucky guess," said Surprise with a shrug. "Here, let me try again."

She then turned around and closed her eyes. "He's to the right, he's to the right, he's to the right..."

Pine Talon let loose a deep-throated snarl and flew up above Surprise.  He then charged down into a sharp dive.  Before he could reach her, Surprise did a bicycle kick and clocked the tengu in the cheek.

"Hmmph.  So you fancy yourself to be clever," he growled. "I'll say this much; I haven't had such an invigorating fight in a long time.  You are indeed a worthy opponent."

"Ooh, this is fun!" Surprise squealed. "Here, let's try it one more time."

She then closed her eyes once again. "He's in front of me, he's in front of me, he's in front of me..."

Pine Talon snickered. "Here's where it all ends, trickster.  I've figured you out."

That's what he thinks.  Seriously, I've flown with Surprise ever since she became a Wonderbolt, and even I haven't completely figured her out.  I highly doubt anyone can.

Sure enough, Pine Talon tried attacking from the front, predicting Surprise to strike in a random direction.  But instead, she clamped her hooves over his long nose, swung him around like a hammer, and let him fly.  Pine Talon slowly regained control and snorted.

"Careful, you crafty little fox," he warned. "For I have some tricks of my own."

He then flipped himself upside-down and began spinning in place.  As he did so, he held his staff in front of him and spun it like a parade leader twirling a baton.  Currents of wind began to form around his body, and he bobbed up and down.  In a matter of moments, the winds grew stronger and stronger, until his body became engulfed in a giant tornado!  And a powerful one, at that!

"Uh-oh!  I think he's mad!" Surprise hollered over the roaring winds.

Insert your own snarky comment here.  I'm too busy trying to stay airborne right now.

"Wh-what do we do?!" Raindrops shrieked, hugging her saddlebag close to her body.

Before I could answer, the other Wonderbolts came flying in.

"Thought you could use a hoof!" Blaze called out. "Whiplash gave the order to scramble as soon as the tornado formed!  What is that thing, anyway?!"

"No time to explain!" I yelled. "High Winds, you take half the team and give that cyclone some counterbalance!  Once it slows down, the rest of us will strike!"

"Yes, ma'am!" said High Winds with a salute. "Soarin', Wave Chill, Fleetfoot, Rapidfire, Silver Zoom!  You're all with me!"

As High Winds's team flew off, Blaze gave me a dirty look and pouted her lips.  I gave her a stern glare in response, and she immediately adjusted her attitude.  Yeah, I wasn't about to put up with Blaze's brattiness at a time like this.

"Alright, Wonderbolts!  Form up!" I ordered. "Attack formation Pansy Delta!  Raindrops, Kierra, follow our lead!  We charge on my mark!"

The remaining Wonderbolts complied, spreading out in a zigzag formation.  Kierra and Raindrops hustled into formation as well as we watched High Winds's team fight against Pine Talon's cyclone.  Just as I saw a glint of Pine Talon's wings hidden in the gale-force winds, I found my opening.

"Wonderbolts, attack!"

We all charged forward, tearing through the tornado like a hot knife through butter.  When I turned around to see the results, the tornado had all but dissipated, and Pine Talon dropped like a rock.  Soarin' and Rapidfire managed to catch him by his arms.

"He seems to be unconscious, Boss," said Rapidfire. "What are your orders?"

I paused to think for a moment.  As much as I hated this guy, unnecessary brutality is not my policy.  Besides, I still wanted some answers out of him.

"Take him to the infirmary," I said. "Have them let me know when he's ready to talk.  And make sure his room is under heavy guard.  I don't want this guy causing any more trouble."

"Got it, Boss," said Rapidfire with a nod.  He and Soarin' then carried him off.

"It appears *pant* the tengu are stronger *whew* than I remember," Kierra said as she caught her breath.

"Mmm," I said with a nod. "On the plus side, we know for a fact that they're the ones behind the attacks."

"So, what now?" asked Blaze, flying up to me.

"We can't explore the tengu too much until Pine Talon's awake," I said, turning to Raindrops. "Which means we need to pursue another avenue."

"M-ma'am?" Raindrops whimpered nervously.  She still appeared to be in shock.  I can't say that I blame her after what just happened.

"I promise, Raindrops.  I'll explain everything," I said. "Now, you have that order form, right?"

"Y-yes, ma'am.  Right here," said Raindrops, taking out a small slip of paper from her saddlebag.  As I took it from her hooves, she reached in again and pulled out a baguette.  I had to raise an eyebrow.

"Raindrops, what is that?" I asked.

Raindrops gulped. "C-comfort food, ma'am," she said meekly. "I-I think I need it."

I sighed. "Alright, fine.  But don't make a habit out of this."

"Y-yes, ma'am," said Raindrops, nibbling the heel of her bread.

"So, that's the order form for the Mare-Do-Well costume Rarity told us about?" said Blaze, looking over my shoulder.

"The very same," I said. "And I think I know who ordered it."

"What do you mean?" asked Kierra.

"I mean we're gonna take a trip to the Crystal Empire," I said, pocketing the form. "It's time we paid your old friend Gypsy Moth a visit.  I'll give you and Raindrops the full briefing on the way."
> Wild Goose Chase
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 17, 10:45
Crystal Empire
Train Station
***


"That is, quite a tale, Ms. Spitfire," Kierra mused as I had concluded my briefing. "Are you certain that costumed pony and Gypsy Moth are connected?"

"Mare-Do-Well was the one who gave me the toxic truffles antidote, and Gypsy Moth said that it belonged to her," I said. "If that isn't a connection, I don't know what is."

Raindrops said nothing, but simply gave me a worried look.  I was actually expecting that from her.  This was a lot for her to take in, after all.

"I dunno, Sis," said Blaze, stroking her chin. "Is finding out Mare-Do-Well's identity really necessary?  I mean, we caught the prick that was attacking us."

"Yes.  The prick that was attacking us," I said. "I don't care how tough he is; one tengu cannot be responsible for attacking the Wonderbolts and the Griffon Kingdom.  There has to be more to this, and if Gypsy Moth is connected to the tengu, then so is Mare-Do-Well."

"But, that doesn't make sense," said Blaze. "I mean, if she knew about the tengu, why didn't she just catch the motherbucker and save you the headache?"

"I've been asking myself that since this whole mess started, Blaze," I sighed. "Hopefully, we'll get some answers from Gypsy Moth."

"Crystal Empire, ladies!  Watch your step!" the conductor called out.

As we disembarked, I couldn't help but feel a certain sense of awe.  Believe me when I say this; the Crystal Empire is one of the most beautiful places in Equestria.  And, that's about all I know about it beyond some remedial history that was made public knowledge after its reappearance.  Again, a lot of it has to do with magic, which is not my area of expertise.

"So, how are we supposed to find this Gypsy Moth pony?" asked Blaze.

"We'll just have to ask around, I guess," I said with a shrug. "Besides, she's a regular unicorn in a city of Crystal Ponies.  She should stick out like a sore hoof, especially with those butterfly wings of hers."

"Perhaps we can try the marketplace," suggested Raindrops. "She did mention that she wanted to get more herbs from the Griffon Kingdom."

"Ah, good thinking," I said. "Alright, let's move out."


***
January 17, 11:00
Crystal Empire
Marketplace
***


"So much for sticking out like a sore hoof," said Blaze.

I would've reprimanded Blaze for the snark if she didn't have a point.  Despite Raindrops's good inference of where to find Gypsy Moth, the marketplace was deserted.  I mean, there were a few salesponies here and there, but none of the griffon merchants were around to offer their exotic wares.  Was this because of the attacks from the tengu?

"Captain Spitfire?  What are you doing here?"

A gentle voice made itself known behind me.  I turned to see who it was, and couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.  Standing before me was a unicorn stallion I knew all too well.

"I could ask you the same thing, Captain Shining Armor," I said with a salute.

Shining Armor chuckled. "You forget that I'm not Captain of the Royal Guard anymore, Captain Spitfire," said he.

"Oh, right.  Sorry, old habit," I said sheepishly.  Being fellow ponies charged with protecting Equestria, the Wonderbolts and the Royal Guard have a great amount of respect for one another.  We don't interact too much, but I'll occasionally get a Royal Guard transferring to the Wonderbolts, and visa versa.  Because of this, I've been in contact with Shining Armor on and off.  And I'll be honest here; I can't really picture him outside of the role of Captain.

Yes, I know he's a prince now that he's married to Princess Cadence.  But that doesn't change the fact that he's a damn good captain.  And this is coming from a pony who strives to be a good captain herself, so I think I know what I'm talking about.  He put as much hard work and dedication into his job as I put into mine.  I'm not saying that I can't picture him as a prince; I just haven't gotten used to referring to him as such yet.

"Anyway, I think I should make some introductions," I said, clearing my throat. "I take it you already know Blaze, my sister and fellow Wonderbolt.  These here are Raindrops, Wonderbolt Cadet Second Class, and Kierra, a member of the Proud Pride."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty," said Kierra with a bow.

"Pleasure's all mine," said Shining Armor. "I heard a bit about the Proud Pride from Ambassador Honor Bound.  You guys are racing the Wonderbolts in a couple of days to test out a new event for the Equestria Games, right?"

"Um, yes," said Kierra. "Ambassador Honor Bound believes it'll strengthen our relations."

"Well, that's certainly another reason to get the Crystal Ponies excited," said Shining Armor with a smile. "You may not know this, but the Crystal Empire is actually being considered as a host for the Games this year.  If it is, it would be the perfect place to introduce this new event."

I suppose there was some truth to that.  The Crystal Empire is the closest pony settlement to the Griffon Kingdom, which is why it's the only place to get goods from the Griffon Kingdom in Equestria.  And believe me, before the Empire reappeared, trade negotiations with the Griffon Kingdom were a massive pain in the flank.  But, I digress.

"So, Captain Spitfire.  What brings you and your friends to the Crystal Empire on this find day?" asked Shining Armor.

"W-we're looking for a pony named Gypsy Moth, Your Highness," Raindrops said timidly. "She told us yesterday that she was moving here from Stalliongrad."

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I know anypony named Gypsy Moth.  Do you know what she looks like?"

"Blue coat; silver mane; butterfly wings.  Trust me, she's not exactly hard to miss," I said.

Shining Armor knitted his brow. "I'm sorry, Captain Spitfire.  I can't think of anypony matching that description," he said thoughtfully. "Although I think I know somepony who can help."

He then looked up at one of the merchants, who quickly bowed out of respect.

"Yes, Your Highness?" he asked.

"Do you know where we can find Quicksilver?  I need to speak with her."

The salespony pondered for a moment. "I just saw her a few minutes ago.  She went that way," he said, pointing west.

"Great, thank you," said Shining Armor with a bow. "C'mon, Captain Spitfire."

He didn't need to tell me twice.  As he galloped off, I quickly followed after him with Blaze, Raindrops, and Kierra not far behind.


***


"Um, pardon me, Your Majesty, but who is this Quicksilver?" asked Kierra as we followed Shining Armor.

"She's our messenger pony," explained Shining Armor. "If there's anypony who would know about somepony like this Gypsy Moth moving to the Crystal Empire, it's her.  Ah, there she is now."

He stopped and pointed to a tan Crystal Pony with wings on her ankles (don't ask; I really don't know) buying some crystal berries.  I'll say this much; she certainly fit the description of a messenger with her brown postal uniform.  Shining Armor cleared his throat, and the pony quickly perked up and rushed up to him.

"Y-your Highness!" she said with a hasty bow.

"Settle down, Quicksilver," said Shining Armor sternly. "I need to ask you something."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Captain Spitfire here is looking for somepony named Gypsy Moth.  She says she was moving here from Stalliongrad."

Quicksilver tilted her head. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but nopony named Gypsy Moth has come here from Stalliongrad."

My brow furrowed. "I don't get it," I said. "Raindrops and I talked to her yesterday.  She told me that she was going to be moving here so that she'd have ready access to herbs from the Griffon Kingdom."

"The Griffon Kingdom?" asked Shining Armor, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not sure if you know this, but the Griffon Kingdom isn't in a position for trading right now.  They've been suffering these strange attacks, and they cut off all forms of trading with us as a precaution."

"Understandable, but how would she know that?" I asked.

"I'm afraid I can't answer that, Captain Spitfire," said Shining Armor with a shrug. "Who is this Gypsy Moth, anyway?"

"She's a traveling alchemist," said Kierra. "She used to travel with me before I became a member of the Proud Pride.  That was some time ago, though."

"Well, she did say she might be moving here," said Raindrops. "Maybe she changed her mind?"

It sounded like an innocent-enough explanation, but for some reason, I wasn't buying it.  I don't know, it just sounds too, convenient.  Despite her mannerisms and somewhat-senile behavior, I managed to gather that she was a pretty crafty pony.  It was very possible that she lied to me about the Crystal Empire to get me off her back.  But why?  All I was looking into at the time was her connection to Mare-Do-Well.  In the context of this investigation, that wasn't as important as finding the assassin and unraveling the mystery behind the Proud Pride.  She didn't really have a reason to hide this from me, did she?

And more importantly, how was I supposed to find her now?  I didn't have the time nor the energy to search every corner of Equestria for this one pony.  I still had to deal with that prick Pine Talon, and get in some training for the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  I gave a deep sigh of frustration.

"It looks like we're just wasting our time here," I said. "I'm sorry about this, Cap— I mean, Your Highness."

"Wait.  There is something I wish to ask," said Kierra. "Your Majesty, do you know anything about the attacks?"

"Only what Ambassador Honor Bound told me, and it's not much," said Shining Armor. "I'm supposed to be meeting him today for lunch so that he can give me an update."

Huh.  Now, this was an interesting development.  Perhaps this trip wasn't a total loss after all.

"When he does drop by, let him know that we caught the assassin who has been attacking the Wonderbolts," I said.

Shining Armor's eyes widened. "Somepony's been attacking the Wonderbolts?" he asked.

"It's a long story," said Blaze. "The Ambassador will probably give you more details once you let him know."

"Don't worry, there haven't been any serious casualties," I added. "Apparently, this assassin sucks at his job."

"Hmm," said Shining Armor with a nod. "Alright, I'll let him know.  I just hope the Crystal Empire isn't in danger.  Despite everything going on in the Griffon Kingdom, everything has been rather peaceful here."

"I don't think you'll have to worry, Cap— Your Highness," I said. It's only the Wonderbolts they're after, I added mentally. At least according to Mare-Do...

As soon as the name Mare-Do-Well crossed my mind, an epiphany hit me like a splash of cold water.  I didn't have to track down Gypsy Moth after all!  I already knew a pony who could tell me everything!  Now, if only she'd cooperate...

"I, suppose we'll be taking our leave now," I said with a salute. "It was nice meeting you, Cap— Your Highness." I then sighed. "I'm never going to get used to that."

Shining Armor chuckled. "It's alright, Captain Spitfire.  And thanks for letting me know about all this.  I'll be sure to relay your message to the Ambassador."

With that, we exchanged brief farewells and went our separate ways.

"I have to give you a lot of credit, Kierra," I said. "You managed to prevent this trip from being a complete waste of time."

"I figured you'd appreciate that, Ms. Spitfire," said Kierra. "Now that this has become a greater incident, I feel that we can be more free with our information."

"Well, that's all well and good, but what now?" said Blaze. "This Gypsy Moth pony could be anywhere."

"Don't worry, Blaze.  I know how to find Gypsy Moth," I said with a grin. "But, that can wait until later.  For now, let's get back to the Academy.  I want to give a certain birdbrained dock-hole a piece of my mind..."
> Confrontation: Pine Talon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 17, 14:14
Wonderbolt Academy
Infirmary
***


After dropping Raindrops off in Ponyville, Blaze, Kierra, and I went straight to the infirmary.  The medical staff working there all looked rather on-edge.  However, when I approached one of them, she wasn't incredibly startled.  She calmly gave me a salute without jumping in surprise or anything.

"What's the status of our assassin guest?" I asked.

"He's awake," said the nurse. "His room is under tight guard, just as you ordered.  His weapons have also been confiscated."

"Good," I said with a nod. "Is he in any condition to talk?"

"Well, that's debatable," said the nurse sheepishly. "He hasn't said a word since he got here, and his anatomy is so alien that all we could do was patch up any visible wounds.  We've never seen anything like him, ma'am."

"I didn't expect you to," I said. "Well, all we can do right now is hope for the best.  Take me to his room.  One way or another, he has to explain himself."

"Yes, ma'am," said the nurse with a salute.  With that, she led us to the room in question.


***


Just as the nurse said, the room was under heavy surveillance.  Fast Clip and Whiplash were right outside the door, and Pine Talon himself was strapped down to his bed.  As we entered, he looked up to the best of his ability.

"Ah, so my executioner has finally arrived," he said, still sounding like he was bored out of his skull. "Whatever means you plan to use, make it quick.  Neither of us have got all day."

"I take it this is your first time in Equestria," I said, adjusting my shades. "Around here, we don't go out of our way to kill anyone.  We express hospitality to our friends and our foes, and act only in self-defense."

"Is that so?" said Pine Talon. "Tch, I knew this whole thing was a stupid idea."

"What whole thing?" asked Kierra.

"Trying to impose our will on a nation we don't understand," said Pine Talon simply.

"Does that include the Griffon Kingdom?" Kierra snarled.

"Before you jump to any conclusions, I just wish to say that I had nothing to do with that," said Pine Talon. "The blame falls squarely on my brethren, though I use the term rather loosely."

"But you still attacked the Wonderbolts," said Blaze darkly.

"Attacked, not killed," Pine Talon clarified. "Believe me, if I was taking this seriously, the Wonderbolts would've been destroyed long ago."

My anger suddenly gave way to confusion. "You mean, you weren't trying to kill us?"

"Oh, I was trying.  Just not very hard," said Pine Talon with a shrug. "Perhaps I should explain."


***
Testimony: My Actions
***


"Indeed, I was ordered to kill the Wonderbolts," said Pine Talon. "This land, Equestria, has been marked for conquest by our Empress.  However, I do not see eye-to-eye with the Empress.  And yet, I cannot disobey her order.  So, I only put the most minimal amount of effort into trying to kill you all.  Whether you died or not didn't matter as long as it looked like I was doing my job."

I, wasn't quite sure how to feel about that.  Even though he wasn't really trying, several members of my team were still hurt pretty badly.  I shudder to imagine what would've happened if he actually gave a damn.  But that didn't change the fact that he wasn't telling me everything.

"I was under the impression that the Tengu Dynasty fell a long time ago," I said. "When did it come back?"

"Oh, it hasn't.  Yet," said Pine Talon.

"Yet," I parroted.

"Well, we certainly didn't attack you and the griffons for the fun of it," said Pine Talon with a shrug. "The Empress wishes to bring the Tengu Dynasty back."

Kierra gasped in horror. "Wh-who in their right mind would want to do that?!" she exclaimed. "The Tengu Dynasty fell for a reason!"

"Nngh.  Not so loud," Pine Talon growled, squirming in his restraints. "Must you insist on screaming every other sentence?"

Kierra snorted angrily. "Why you—"

"Easy there," I said, raising my wing and shaking my head. "Trust me, I don't like his attitude, either.  But he's not gonna give us any answer if you tear him limb from limb."

Kierra let out a strained sigh and stood down.

"That being said, she has a point," I said, turning back to Pine Talon.

"Oh, I know she does," said Pine Talon. "Indeed, the Tengu Dynasty destroyed itself through power struggle after power struggle.  No one remained leader for long.  It actually got quite monotonous towards the end."

"Tell me, are you the only tengu aware of this fact?" asked Blaze.

"Yes, but that wasn't always the case," said Pine Talon. "I'm actually considered a maverick amongst tengu because I apply my brain to things other than war and conquest.  The only reason I lived while others like me have died is because I don't try to change our society.  I just accept the status quo and do everything half-assed."

I can't say that I'd do the same in his position.  I have a lot of respect for cadets who speak their mind and challenge me as long as they're respectful and have a legitimate grievance.  Just ask Rainbow Dash.

"If you have so little respect for your leader, why follow her at all?" I asked.

"Because I'm not an idiot," said Pine Talon bluntly. "If I were to disobey a direct order, I'd most certainly be executed for treason.  That's how the tengu do things: Follow whoever is in charge until you can kill him or her and take command yourself."

Is it just me, or does that sound like an incredibly crappy way to run a dynasty?  I highly doubt it's just me.

"So, you were behind all of the attacks," said Blaze.

Pine Talon seemed to raise an eyebrow. "Define 'all,' my dear."

"You launched a thunderbolt from an exploding cloud at Misty Fly, you sent an airship as a decoy to get at Fire Streak, you had Fleetfoot ram Rapidfire at the Wonderbolt Derby, you poisoned Gustav le Grand's Full Spectrum Tarts, and you forced Drake to attack Fleetfoot," I said, running down the list.

"Well, that's three out of five.  Not too bad."

I did a double take. "Three?!"

"The third and the fifth were not my doing," said Pine Talon.

I-I couldn't believe my ears!  Was he serious?!  Was there another assassin out there?!

"Who else is out there?!" I demanded, rushing up to him and pressing my hooves against his chest. "Tell me, now!"

Pine Talon sighed. "There.  Right there.  That is why this whole thing is stupid."

"Answer my question, dock-hole!" I barked. "If there's more than one of you attacking my team, I want them all to pay, not just you!"

"As of right now, I am the only real threat to your team," said Pine Talon in a very matter-of-fact tone. "And that's only because you're allowing me to live."

"But you just said..."

"Sis, maybe you should practice what you preach, yeah?"

Blaze's words really resonated with me.  She was right.  I had to keep a cool head if I wanted to get through this.  I slowly got off of Pine Talon and took a deep breath.

"Sorry.  I'm sorry," I said as I exhaled. "I-I lost control."

"It's okay," said Blaze, nuzzling my cheek with her muzzle. "I know you're worried about us."

Pine Talon scoffed.  At least, I think he did.  It sounded more like he was contemplating something.  After I had calmed down, I turned to him again.

"You said the attacks on Rapidfire and Fleetfoot were not your doing," I said. "Do you know what happened?"

"Yes," said Pine Talon. "The Empress intervened both times."

"Why should we believe you?" asked Kierra. "I know the tengu are capable of harnessing magic."

"Not this kind of magic," said Pine Talon gravely. "Those two attacks did use tengu methods, but only the Empress could've done it."

"What makes you say that?" I asked.

"Because only the Empress has access to the Wind's Mandate."

The Wind's Mandate.  Of course!  Now I get it!

"You may call me crazy for saying this, but I believe you," I said.

"You, believe him?" asked Kierra.

"Stop me if I get something wrong," I said. "The tengu have weapons that utilize wind, but they can't manipulate it themselves.  The only way for a tengu to manipulate wind is with the Wind's Mandate, and whoever wields that has command over the tengu.  In the cases with Rapidfire and Fleetfoot, the wind was manipulated to make others attack the desired targets.  Meaning the one behind those attacks was none other than the wielder of the Wind's Mandate!"

Kierra beamed. "You never cease to astound me, Ms. Spitfire," said she. "But, that still leaves us with a problem.  The Wind's Mandate disappeared, thus causing the Tengu Dynasty to collapse.  Who found it?"

"Oh, the original was destroyed in that particular battle," said Pine Talon.

"Then, why is there a new Empress running around?" asked Blaze.

"It's a bit of a tale," said Pine Talon. "Honestly, no tengu can claim to know all the details.  Heck, some tengu are so confused by this new development that they stubbornly write it off as myth."

"And yet they follow the Empress anyway," I said.

"If it means living for a little bit longer, it doesn't matter if you're a hypocrite," said Pine Talon. "Anyway, I'll tell you what I know, but if you want the true story, you'll have to seek out the Empress yourself."

"Oh, don't worry.  I plan on doing just that," I said.  Yeah, catching one tengu wasn't going to stop all of this.  I needed to nip the problem in the bud.  But first, I needed to know who I was dealing with.


***
Testimony: The Tengu Empress
***


"I disremember when exactly this phenomenon occurred, but it was most certainly after the dynasty's fall," said Pine Talon. "According to legend, the Empress had forged a new Wind's Mandate out of nothing but the wind itself.  She then rounded up the scattered tengu, and proclaimed that the dynasty would rise again.  She went about this by forging new weapons for us, such as the exploding clouds.  We then ventured forth to the Griffon Kingdom and Equestria in order to make her dream a reality."

That, didn't tell me a lot about who this Empress was.  And a lot of the story was heavily shrouded in mystery and fanciful exaggerations.  But I couldn't press him on what he didn't know.  Still, I could press him on what he did know.

"Have you ever seen the Empress yourself?" I inquired.

"Oh, no one sees the Empress," said Pine Talon. "At least, no one who's still alive.  The Empress has forbidden us to approach her, lest we be torn apart by the very wind she wields."

Well, gee.  That doesn't sound suspicious at all, now does it?  This Empress wasn't just manipulating griffons and ponies with her magic; she was also playing the tengu for a bunch of saps.  But why would she want to keep her identity a secret?  And what was she trying to accomplish by doing this?

"How does the Empress order you if you're not allowed to approach her?" I asked.

"She hides herself in the clouds, and speaks from above," said Pine Talon. "She also has the wind supply us with her weapons."

"Mmm," I said with a nod. "And, I take it you're not a big fan of her."

Pine Talon snorted. "The Tengu Dynasty should not rise again," he said darkly. "A culture where everyone tries to kill each other to gain power is not a culture; it's a bloodbath.  As I have previously stated, I'm probably the only tengu alive who knows that.  The Empress is mad, my dear.  Madder than any Tengu Emperor before her.  If you want to stop the tengu, you have to stop her."

"On that, we can agree," I said. "Equestria is a nation of peace, and we'll do everything we can to protect it."

"And, that is why you won't kill me?"

"The thought never even crossed my mind."

Pine Talon gave a dry chuckle. "You wouldn't last a day as a tengu."

"And you wouldn't last a day as a pony," I retorted.

"Actually, that's where you're mistaken," said Pine Talon. "It may take some getting used to, but I can picture myself willingly embracing your culture when my brethren would not.  Perhaps I am jaded in my old age, but I find constantly fearing that your neighbor is plotting to end you while you plot to end him is, rather dull.  Living with creatures who show compassion rather than contempt is a nice change of pace."

Wow.  The way he said that, he kinda made me feel like a heel.  All this time, I thought that the assassin was nothing but scum who wanted nothing more than to hurt me and my team.  But, I was wrong.  Beneath the cynicism and the cold-hearted culture he came from, he was actually a decent fellow.  Just goes to show you that you can't really judge a book by its cover.

"It's a shame we had to meet like this," I said. "We, could've been friends."

"Perhaps.  Or perhaps not.  I understand either way," said Pine Talon solemnly. "I'd still recommend maintaining your guard if you plan to keep me alive.  Instinct can sometimes override rational cognition."

"Noted," I said. "Thank you, Pine Talon."

"You're welcome.  Please, tell me your name before you go."

"It's Spitfire."

"Your name fits your voice, young Spitfire.  It can hear the blazing inferno of determination and the gentle hearth of concern with every phrase you utter.  I shall never forget your name, nor your voice."

I sighed.  I-I can't hate this guy anymore.  He hurt my team, but he did so out of self-preservation, not malevolence.  I, actually felt sorry for him.

"Once this is all over, I'll turn you over to Princess Celestia," I said. "You must stand trial for your crimes."

"I accept this," said Pine Talon. "May the wind sing your good graces, young Spitfire."

"Right.  Thank you," I said, mainly because I couldn't think of anything else to say.  With that, I left him with Blaze and Kierra at my heels.

"You okay, Sis?" Blaze asked.

I nodded and gave Blaze a soft smile. "I'll be alright," I said. "I, just wasn't expecting that."

"Yeah, I hear you," said Blaze, breathing a sigh of her own. "I guess the real enemy here is that Empress bitch, whoever she is."

"I'll be sure to give Ambassador Honor Bound my full report," said Kierra. "If the Empress finds out that Pine Talon has been captured, there's no telling what she'll do."

"We'll just need to keep our eyes and ears open," I said. "But one thing's for certain."

"What's that?"

"Whether the Empress finds out about Pine Talon or not, I guarantee you that she'll attack at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet," I said. "Be sure to include that in your report.  I'll let my team know, too."

"Understood." said Kierra.

"Um, back up a sec, Sis," said Blaze. "Why are you so sure about this?"

"Look at the facts, Blaze," I said. "The Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet represents unity and cooperation between ponies and griffons.  If this Empress wants the Tengu Dynasty to rise again, then she has to destroy those concepts.  And what's more, she's not expecting us to see it coming."

I paused to breath a great sigh. "Well, we're gonna prove her wrong.  She might've been getting the drop on us thus far, but this time, the horseshoe's gonna be on the other hoof..."
> Boxing Shadows
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 17, 21:15
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


After my tete-a-tete with Pine Talon and seeing Kierra off, I spent the rest of the day training for the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  Yeah, the threat of the Tengu Dynasty was not an excuse for me to slack off, or anypony else for that matter.  Besides, we needed to be in tip-top shape for the tengu's inevitable attack at the event.  That Tengu Empress was going to notice her top assassin (of course, I'm using the term loosely) was missing, and all Tartarus was gonna break loose once that happened.

Luckily, I had a plan to put the tengu in their place.  But I had to coordinate with the Proud Pride in order for it to work, and I couldn't do that until Kierra brought Honor Bound up to speed.  I just hope he'll believe her.  Oh well.  If he doesn't I'll gladly take him to meet Pine Talon face-to-face myself.  Those tengu might have a lot of fancy toys, but in my mind, our ignorance is their greatest weapon.  And that meant I had to tie up all loose ends by sundown tomorrow.

I still had time until then, so I figured now would be a good time to hit the hay.  There were still fifteen minutes until Lights Out, but I could definitely use the extra time, considering how hard it has been for me to actually nod off lately.  Speaking of which, this is gonna be the fourth night in a row that I force myself to sleep outside so that I don't get a headache in the morning.  Man, I can't wait for all this to be over and done with.

I found a nice, mid-sized cloud at a low altitude and fluffed it a few times to create a makeshift pillow.  But before I could lay down and close my eyes, I felt a presence behind me.

"I never got the chance to say this before, but you are quite brave, Ms. Spitfire."

Without even turning around, I knew who it was.

"So, you've been watching me sleep too, eh?" I said, still not bothering to turn around. "You don't have any respect for my privacy, do you Ms. Mare-Do-Well?"

"How am I supposed to protect you if I leave you alone?" Mare-Do-Well countered. "However, I'm a vigilante, not a peeping tom.  I wouldn't stoop so low as to breathe down your neck during your more *ahem* intimate moments."

"Great.  That makes me feel so much better," I said sardonically. "So, if you don't normally watch me while I sleep, why are you here?"

"I just wanted to offer my congratulations, of course," said Mare-Do-Well. "You managed to capture our quarry."

"I wouldn't celebrate just yet," I said tersely. "This mystery isn't over.  Not by a long shot."

Mare-Do-Well flew out in front of me and tilted her head. "What makes you say that, Ms. Spitfire?"

"I think you know what," I said. "This isn't just about one dock-hole attacking my team anymore.  This is about an entire army poised to conquer Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom.  Or did you not know that?"

There was a heavy silence, and the air suddenly felt a lot colder.

"I have nothing to say to that," said Mare-Do-Well, obscuring her eyes with her hat.

"My flank you don't," I said sharply. "As it so happens, I've got a bit of dirt on you, Mare-Do-Well.  And I've managed to discover that you may very well be connected to all this."

"I am not going to confirm nor deny that accusation," said Mare-Do-Well simply. "Like I said before, I want to show you the truth.  But you have to show me some truth in return."

I snorted angrily.  That was the last straw.

"Okay, listen up and listen good, you weirdo," I said, lifting myself off the cloud and getting right in Mare-Do-Well's face. "I've had it up to here with your riddles and your overly-cryptic crap.  I've been busting my flank trying to catch this guy and figure everything out, and all you've been doing is playing hero and dropping me vague hints.  Now, I'm going to ask you this one last time, and you had better give me a straight answer or so help me, I will rip that stupid mask off with my bare hooves.  You knew more about what was going on from the very beginning.  Why, then, did I have to play detective?"

If Mare-Do-Well was intimidated, she certainly didn't show it in her voice. "I thought you knew that already, Ms. Spitfire."

"Well, enlighten me then," I said, folding my forelegs. "Why didn't you do this yourself?"

"Because I didn't know everything, nor did I have the resources to find what you found."

I scoffed. "I don't believe you," I said. "You're connected to the tengu.  Don't act like you aren't."

"I assure you, I'm not," said Mare-Do-Well. "At least, I don't think I am."

I raised an eyebrow. "You don't think you are?  What the flipping heck is that supposed to mean?"

"To be honest, I'm trying to figure that out myself," said Mare-Do-Well.

Okay, now this was just getting ridiculous.

"So, we've gotten to the point where even you don't know what you're talking about," I said, rubbing the bridge of my nose with my hoof. "Great.  That's just bucking marvelous.  You know, if you were straightforward with me from the beginning, we wouldn't have this problem!"

"If I was straightforward with you from the beginning, you would never have believed me," Mare-Do-Well retorted brusquely. "I've been protecting you and your team for five days now.  You should not be treating me like an enemy."

"Take your own advice," I shot back. "You said you were here to help me, but you've been keeping me at wing's length.  I don't know how vigilantes operate, but in the Wonderbolts, you trust your partner.  I'm willing to put my trust in you if you give me a good reason to.  Maybe you should do the same."

Mare-Do-Well grew quiet.  It was hard to tell because of the mask, but I think I hit a nerve with that one.  I'm not sure why, though.  Before I could inquire further, Mare-Do-Well's head shot up.

"Ms. Spitfire!  Behind you!"

I spun around just in time to see a large shadow bearing upon me with some sort of blade drawn back.  I rolled out of the way, and felt a sharp breeze as the blade missed me by a hair.  Before I could retaliate, Mare-Do-Well flew out in front of me.

"We were in the middle of something," said Mare-Do-Well firmly. "Leave.  Now."

The shadow did nothing of the kind, but instead flew towards me, trying to strike again.  Mare-Do-Well responded in kind by burying her hoof into the assailant's chest.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me," grunted Mare-Do-Well. "I told you to leave."

The assailant elbowed Mare-Do-Well in the neck and shook her off.  Getting a better look at the silhouette, I figured out that it was a tengu.  Looks like the Empress wanted to send someone to clean up Pine Talon's mess.

"What we have here is a failure to communicate," growled Mare-Do-Well as she recovered. "So, I'll make this easier for you.  Nopony is getting hurt as long as I still draw breath."

The tengu must've taken that as a challenge, because his next attack was aimed at Mare-Do-Well.  He threw one of those cyclone weapons at her, and she nimbly dodged to the side and flew towards him.  Her charge was met by a parry and a slash.  Mare-Do-Well was sent into a somersault, but once she got her bearings, she charged again.  This time, her attack connected as she buried both of her forehooves into the tengu's gut.

"You cannot beat me," Mare-Do-Well snarled. "Not while you threaten the innocent."

The tengu once again elbowed Mare-Do-Well and shook her off.  He then lunged and slashed.  Her motions a blur, Mare-Do-Well ducked and flew behind him.  She then propelled herself into a dive.  I saw the assassin draw back his blade, waiting for Mare-Do-Well to get into range.  I sighed.  I still didn't trust Mare-Do-Well completely, but I sure didn't want her to die.

"Pull up!" I barked, as if she were my wingpony.

Mare-Do-Well did as I ordered, narrowly dodging the strike as she did so.  While the assailant processed this, I saw an opening.  Taking the cloud that was supposed to be my bed, I flew over the tengu and jumped up and down on it several times.  The ensuing downpour certainly succeeded in throwing him off-kilter, as he had no idea how to react to that.  I gave Mare-Do-Well a nod, indicating that he was all hers.

Mare-Do-Well nodded in return and swooped in, delivering several punches and kicks.  The tengu tried his best to block and parry them all, but my downpour made him so confused that he made a lot of sloppy mistakes.  While he managed to get a few hits in, it didn't hinder his opponent in the slightest.  With one final uppercut, Mare-Do-Well sent the would-be assassin into a tailspin.

I peered over my cloud to get a better look.  Mare-Do-Well looked like a complete wreck.  Her costume was tattered and torn, and her flight was very wobbly.  Fortunately, our rude guest didn't decide to fire off a parting shot, thus provoking Mare-Do-Well to do something stupid in order to protect me.  I flew over to her.

"You alright?" I asked.

Mare-Do-Well panted heavily and gave me a look. "Never *gasp* better," she said breathlessly.

Yeah, I'm calling horse apples on that.  Again, I know false bravado when I see it.

"Let me take you to the infirmary," I said. "You could..."

"I said I'm fine," Mare-Do-Well growled, cutting across me. "It isn't that bad, trust me."

"Give me a reason to first," I retorted.

"Is that any way to talk to a pony who just saved your life?"

"Is that any way to talk to a pony who's trying to help you?"

"You've got it backwards, Ms. Spitfire.  I'm helping you."

"Yeah, well.  I'm not letting you fly solo on this one."

With that, I flew next to her and put her foreleg around my shoulder.  Mare-Do-Well struggled against my grip.

"Wh-what do you think you're doing?" she sputtered.

"Same thing you did when you saved my life back there.  I'm doing what's right," I said, giving her a smile. "Thanks for that, by the way."

Mare-Do-Well snorted. "You just want me under your hoof so that you can force answers out of me."

"What?  I can't have more than one reason for doing something?" I said with a chuckle.

Mare-Do-Well sighed. "Sharp as ever, Ms. Spitfire.  Though I don't know why I'd expect anything different, considering that you made it this far."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I said as I flew her back to base. "Now, after I check you in, you let the doctors do their thing and get some rest.  And don't you dare disappear on me this time.  We have a lot to talk about tomorrow."

Mare-Do-Well gave another sigh. "I suppose we do, Ms. Spitfire.  I suppose we do..."
> Confrontation: Mare-Do-Well
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 18, 05:40
Wonderbolt Academy Airspace
***


I spent the rest of the night sleeping with one eye open (or at least trying to sleep).  I know that sounds a bit paranoid, but let's be honest here.  If someone just tried to kill you, I highly doubt you'd simply treat it like you would a mosquito bite.  The tengu weren't screwing around, and neither could I.

When I finally felt like I had the strength to get up, I felt something on my face.  As I opened my eyes, I discovered that it was a piece of paper.  Curious, I took it in my hooves and looked it over.  Turns out it was a note.


Meet me in your office after breakfast.  We'll talk then.

~Mare-Do-Well


Ugh, that Mare-Do-Well weirdo is as stubborn as a mule (no offense to any mules out there).  She won't even let the doctors look at her when she's clearly wounded.  Is keeping that stupid secret identity really that important to her?  Sheesh, it's almost comical at this point!

Oh well.  At least she was willing to talk to me.  I just had to wonder if what she had to say would actually help, or if she was just gonna spout off some more cryptic gibberish.  Only one way to find out, I guess.


***
January 18, 07:00
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


Sure enough, Mare-Do-Well was where she said she would be; sitting behind my desk no less.  I expected her to be covered in bandages or something, but to my confusion, she looked just fine (apart from a slightly-tattered costume).

"I've been giving some thought to what you said last night," said Mare-Do-Well, leaning forward and pressing her hooves together.

"Apparently not," I said. "Didn't I tell you to get those wounds looked at?"

"I told you before, Ms. Spitfire.  I'm perfectly fine," said Mare-Do-Well. "Besides, we have more important matters to square away."

"Like what?"

"You said that I'm connected to the tengu when I know for a fact that I would never be associated with such savages."

"Forgive me if I'm a tad skeptical," I said, folding my forelegs. "Because I have proof."

"You do?  My, my," said Mare-Do-Well, thoughtfully stroking her chin. "Well, at least hear me out.  I wish for a chance to defend myself."

I suppose that was reasonable. "Alright, but no vague riddles this time."

Mare-Do-Well snickered. "That all depends on what you interpret as a vague riddle, Ms. Spitfire.  But I'll try my best."

Oh, brother.


***
Argument: No Connection to the Tengu
***


"As you are no doubt aware, the tengu are your enemy," said Mare-Do-Well. "If I had any connection to them, why would I be trying to save you and the Wonderbolts?  Besides, I was unaware of their existence until you caught our quarry.  It's hard to be connected to something when you have never heard of it before."

Her points were somewhat valid, but not airtight.  All she had to offer were words, after all.  I, on the other hoof, had tangible evidence.

"Let's go over a few facts here," I said. "First of all, you told me from the start that you knew the assassin wasn't a pony."

"That doesn't automatically mean that I knew it was a tengu," Mare-Do-Well retorted. "You shouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions, Ms. Spitfire."

"I'm just getting warmed up," I said. "Second, you managed to get your hooves on toxic truffles.  You said so yourself that they're almost impossible to find in Equestria.  However, they are far more plentiful in the far east, where the Tengu Dynasty once resided."

"Again, that's merely conjecture," said Mare-Do-Well in a very matter-of-fact tone. "I could've gotten the toxic truffles from the assassin himself."

"Ah, but if you could pick his pocket, then why didn't you catch him?" I said with a smug grin.

Mare-Do-Well lowered her hat over her eyes. "Touché."

"Thirdly, and most importantly, I know you're connected to somepony who has been in contact with the tengu," I said.

Mare-Do-Well titled her head. "Some, pony you say?"

"Let me get to my desk.  I have something to show you."

Mare-Do-Well obliged, and I pulled out the order form I got from Raindrops.

"This form was sent to a fashion designer named Rarity over in Ponyville, and it was asking for your costume," I said. "From what I understand, this order was sent by an alchemist named Gypsy Moth.  Does the name ring a bell?"

Mare-Do-Well snorted. "Why should it?"

"Because that's also where you got the toxic truffle antidote."

Mare-Do-Well flinched ever so slightly.  It looks like I was right on the money.

"H-how do you know that?" she sputtered.

"Simple.  I asked her," I said. "I took a trip to Stalliongrad and showed her the vial you gave me.  She said that it belonged to her.  Meaning you somehow managed to pilfer it from her."

Mare-Do-Well obscured her eyes with her hat. "You've done your homework, Ms. Spitfire.  Impressive," said she.

"So, you see now what I'm getting at," I said. "Gypsy Moth is connected to the tengu, and you're connected to Gypsy Moth.  Ergo, you are connected to the tengu."

"Incorrect."

I sighed. "You're really going to fight me on this?  The logic is stacked against you."

"All I knew was that our quarry was not a pony.  I didn't know it was a tengu," said Mare-Do-Well.

"Why should I believe you?"

Mare-Do-Well paused for a moment.

"It's a simple question," I said with a shrug. "Why should I believe you?"

Mare-Do-Well looked up at me. "Because I'm trying to help you."

"You can help by being honest with me," I countered. "If you're not connected to the tengu, then what's your relationship with Gypsy Moth?"

Mare-Do-Well nodded. "It seems I have no choice," she said. "As I have said on previous occasions, you won't believe me if I just told you.  So, I shall show you.  However, you have to promise me that what you are about to see never leaves this room."

I had to think about that for a moment.  If Mare-Do-Well was important to the investigation, I couldn't keep it to myself.  But on the other hoof, I wasn't going to get anything out of her unless I gave her my word that I'd keep her secret.  After debating with myself for a few minutes, I relented.

"Your secret is safe with me," I said solemnly. "Wonderbolt's honor."

"Good," said Mare-Do-Well. "Now, I can show you."

She reached into the collar of her suit and pulled out a glistening vial hanging from a necklace.  It appeared to have, something in it, but I couldn't tell what.  The glare emanating from the vial was too strong.

"What is that?" I asked.

"There's a short answer and a long answer," said Mare-Do-Well, pointing to the vial. "The short answer is that this, is me."

I gave Mare-Do-Well a blank stare. "Excuse me?"

"Perhaps I should give you the long answer," said Mare-Do-Well. "Ms. Spitfire, have you ever heard of a ponunculus?"

"Um, no," I said, mainly because there's no other way to answer that question.

"Well, I didn't think so.  Only those gifted in magic would know," said Mare-Do-Well. "A ponunculus is an artificial pony created by magic, alchemy specifically.  And that, Ms. Spitfire, is what I am.  This flask houses my core.  My 'heart,' if you will.  As long as it is intact, I continue to exist."

The wheels in my head began turning. "So, your connection to Gypsy Moth is that, she created you?"

"Yes," said Mare-Do-Well with a nod.

"But, why?"

"At first, I thought it was to have a companion.  Now, I'm not so sure."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"That is the truth I want from you," said Mare-Do-Well, putting away the vial. "Allow me to explain."


***
Testimony: Mare-Do-Well's Plight
***


"As a ponunculus, I am supposed to follow my creator's will without question," said Mare-Do-Well. "However, when I was given my first instructions, I found that I couldn't carry them out.  My mind has blotted out why, but I know that I fled afterward.  I feel that this missing memory is why I knew of the attacks before you did, and it's also why you had to reach out of your comfort zone and play detective."

Well, she was right about one thing.  If she simply told me all this from the beginning, I never would've believed her.  Honestly, would you?  Even so, this was gonna be tricky.  How was I supposed to retrieve a memory that Mare-Do-Well blocked out when I didn't even know where to start?

"Tell me, do you have a name?  Other than Mare-Do-Well, I mean," I said.

Mare-Do-Well placed a hoof to her muzzle and furrowed her brow. "Truth be told, Mare-Do-Well is the only name I know.  If I do have another name, then I must've forgotten it."

Hmm.  That didn't seem to help on the surface.  But, what if I looked at it from a different angle?

"Gypsy Moth spoke highly of the original Mare-Do-Well when I asked her about it," I said. "Maybe she was trying to create another Mare-Do-Well to carry on the mantle."

"It's possible," said Mare-Do-Well. "But it doesn't explain why I couldn't follow her instructions.  If she created me to be a new Mare-Do-Well, then her intention must've been to create a hero.  Why, then, couldn't I obey her?"

That was a puzzler, alright.  The only explanation I could think of was that Mare-Do-Well was given orders that the original Mare-Do-Well would've found impossible.  But why would she do that if she wanted to create a pony who was fearless, stealthy, and...?

Wait.  Fearless and stealthy.  Who else fits that description?  Only one answer came to mind, and I'll be the first to admit that it was a massive leap in logic.  But no matter how much I thought, that was the only conclusion I could reach.  I had to at least try it out.

"Mare-Do-Well, I don't think Gypsy Moth wanted you to be a hero."

I couldn't tell because of the mask, but I'll bet anything that Mare-Do-Well was staring at me as if I had three heads. "Wh-what?  But I am a hero.  I'm the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well."

"Yes, but that's not what Gypsy Moth wanted," I said. "I think she wanted you to be an assassin."

"Surely you jest!"

Mare-Do-Well sounded absolutely horrified by this revelation.  Can't say that I blame her.

"I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out," I said. "Gypsy Moth based you on a pony who was brave and didn't draw a lot of attention to herself.  Those are the traits she wanted.  So when she gave you orders contrary to Mare-Do-Well's nature, your brain protected itself by suppressing the memory."

"But I could've just erased it," said Mare-Do-Well. "Why suppress it?"

"Because something about the memory triggered your heroic instincts," I said.

Mare-Do-Well gasped. "Y-you don't mean...?"

"I'm afraid I do," I said somberly. "Mare-Do-Well, I believe Gypsy Moth created you, in order to kill the Wonderbolts."

Mare-Do-Well froze.  She stood as still as a statue for a long time.  I, think I might've broken her.

"Um, are you okay?" I asked.

No answer.  Yep, I definitely broke her.  I sighed.

"I'm sorry, but this is the only way this makes sense," I said. "Gypsy Moth was captured by the tengu a long time ago, and she somehow survived.  Maybe she's working with them now, and she's helping them strike against Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom.  Why, I don't know.  Nopony would willingly stay with a culture of murderers."

"I-I don't get it," Mare-Do-Well mumbled. "I-I would never kill.  Never."

"I don't know any ponies who would," I said with a shrug.

"Then why even create me?" said Mare-Do-Well.

"I can't answer that," I said sadly. "Maybe Gypsy Moth was forced to create you by the Tengu Empress."

Mare-Do-Well winced. "W-wait!  That's it!"

"What's it?" I inquired.

"M-my memory!" said Mare-Do-Well. "I-it's starting to come back!  Quick, what do you know about this Tengu Empress?!"

"Just that she managed to reforge the Wind's Mandate and..."

I trailed off as an epiphany struck me.  And let me tell you; this one was a doozy.  Now, everything was starting to come together.

"I, think I get it now," I said. "The Tengu Empress is the one who reforged the Wind's Mandate out of wind.  And the only one who could've done that is an alchemist.  And the only alchemist connected to the tengu is your creator, Gypsy Moth!  Therefore, she's the Tengu Empress!"

Mare-Do-Well cringed and gripped her head.  For a second, I thought she was going to scream in agony, but she managed to hold it in.  Her pain threshold must be incredibly high.  When she regained her composure, she gave me a nod.

"Yes.  I remember now," she said. "My creator ordered me to kill, which is something Mare-Do-Well would never do.  I couldn't handle the contradiction, so I suppressed the memory, along with all memory of the tengu.  But I still knew that the Wonderbolts were in danger, so I took it upon myself to protect you."

She paused. "And yet, not once did I believe that I was doing the wrong thing by disobeying my creator."

"Because you weren't doing the wrong thing," I said with a small smile. "Heh, I guess the only real difference between a pony and a ponunculus is the external heart.  Otherwise, I think any pony would've done more or less the same thing in your position."

Mare-Do-Well paused for a moment, and then nodded. "Yeah.  I-I guess so," she said.  She then took off her hat and bowed to me. "Thank you for taking off my blinders, Ms. Spitfire."

"Um, no problem," I said. "So, what now?"

Mare-Do-Well looked up.  Even through her mask, I could see the determination in her eyes. "I know now what I must do," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet."

Before I could say anymore, there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Crescent Moon," came a familiar voice. "Message from the control tower."

"Sure thing, let me just..."

When I turned my attention back to Mare-Do-Well, she was gone.  After all that, she still insisted on just disappearing when my back was turned.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" I groaned.

"Um, Captain?" asked Crescent.

"Ugh, never mind," I said. "Come in and give me your report."

Crescent Moon did so. "It's Ambassador Honor Bound and the Proud Pride, Captain.  They're requesting permission to land."

And they had impeccable timing.  Now that I had solved all the mysteries, all that was left to do was plan a counterattack with the Proud Pride.

"I'll be right there," I said. "Oh, and send Blaze to the landing strip as well.  She needs to be in on this."

"Right away, Captain," said Crescent with a salute.

With that, he dashed off to fetch Blaze while I made my way to the landing strip.  I was still hoping that Ambassador Honor Bound believe Kierra's story about the tengu.  It wouldn't exactly look good if I had to drag him to the infirmary to meet Pine Talon.  But if I had to, I had to.  If we're going to survive this, we all have to be on the same page.
> Friendly Rivals United
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 18, 07:45
Wonderbolt Academy
Landing Strip
***


When I got out to the landing strip, I got the feeling that Honor Bound had the same idea I did.  It wasn't just him and the three frontrunners of the Proud Pride coming in, but the entire team.  I smiled.  That made it a lot easier to coordinate with them.

My smile faded, however, when I noticed that Kierra looked rather dejected.  I took that as a sign that Honor Bound didn't believe her report about the tengu.  I drew in a sharp breath through my teeth.  This, was gonna get ugly.

Honor Bound touched down before me and bowed.  I made sure to do the same, and quickly prodded Blaze when she didn't follow suit.  Honor Bound didn't seem to notice this breech in protocol; most likely because he had more important things on his mind.

"Welcome, Ambassador," I said. "I take it you've gotten Kierra's report?"

"I have," said Honor Bound.

"And?"

"I find it hard to believe, but I cannot dismiss it outright," said Honor Bound thoughtfully. "So, I'd like to hear from you, Captain Spitfire.  Is Kierra's report accurate?"

"It is," I said automatically. "I can vouch for Kierra personally.  I even have the assassin under guard in the infirmary if you want to talk to him."

"In the infirmary?" asked Pierre, raising an eyebrow. "Why not a detention cell?"

"What detention cell?" asked Blaze.

Pierre looked flabbergasted. "You, don't have a detention block here?"

"We never had a need for one before," I said with a shrug. "I usually deal with insubordination personally."

"I, see," said Pierre, placing a talon to his beak.  It looked like he was fighting the urge to berate me for this and act superior.  Good.  If he were to try, he'd just come off as pathetic.

"Ambassador, Ms. Spitfire wouldn't lie about something like this.  She has no reason to," said Kierra. "Surely you believe me now."

"I see no reason to doubt Captain Spitfire's integrity, Kierra.  Nor your own, for that matter," said Honor Bound. "Still, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.  When we're done here, Captain Spitfire, I wish to see this tengu for myself."

"Understood, Ambassador," I said with a bow.  I breathed an inward sigh of relief.  That went a lot better than it could have.

"So, why's the gang all here?" asked Blaze.

Honor Bound's expression darkened. "There is one point of Kierra's report that I find most troubling, Captain Spitfire.  She said you believe that there will be an attack at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet."

"There's no doubt in my mind, Ambassador," I said.

"What are you basing this on?"

I adjusted my shades before responding. "At least two of the attacks inflicted on the Wonderbolts in the past week were designed to drive a wedge between ponies and griffons.  If the same were to happen at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, the political backlash would be catastrophic."

"But didn't you say you already caught the assassin?" asked Pierre.

I lowered my shades. "Captain le Grand, are you honestly telling me that you believe one dock-hole conducted all of the attacks on the Wonderbolts and the Griffon Kingdom?"

Pierre's eyes narrowed as his cheeks turned red. "Why must you continue to make me look stupid, Capitaine Spitfire?"

"It's not on purpose, I assure you," I said. "Anyway, let's get back to the matter at hand.  These attacks aren't random, Ambassador.  They have a purpose.  The tengu are aiming to conquer Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom in one fell swoop, and it's gonna be pretty hard to stop them if we're at each other's throats."

"Indeed, Kierra has come to the same conclusion," said Honor Bound. "I brought the rest of the Proud Pride here on her recommendation.  Tengu or no, we must be ready to confront this threat together."

I smiled. "Great minds do indeed think alike, Ambassador," said I. "Which is why I ask that the Proud Pride spend the day training alongside the Wonderbolts."

Pierre snorted. "This we cannot do, Capitaine Spitfire.  We are supposed to be opponents."

I sighed. "Will you forget about the race for two seconds and actually consider the implications, Captain le Grand?  Who wins the race doesn't matter.  It never mattered."

"I know that," Pierre snarled. "But, wouldn't our enemy get suspicious if we were to train side by side?  You just said they were trying to drive us apart."

I blushed.  I guess Pierre le Grand finally decided to shape up and I didn't notice.  Boy, did I feel dumb.

"I, apologize for that," I said, clearing my throat. "That's a good point, Captain le Grand.  If this is gonna work, we can't let the tengu know we're onto them."

"Maybe we can include some sparring exercises," suggested Blaze. "That way, it'll look like we're fighting when we really aren't."

"That might be too risky," said Kierra. "We don't want a repeat of what happened to Drake and Fleetfoot."

I paused to think for a moment. "We actually might not have to worry about that," I said. "The Tengu Empress is probably too busy setting things up at Ghastly Gorge to personally interfere with us here.  I say we go with Blaze's idea and give whatever spies might be lingering in our airspace a bit of a show."

Pierre stroked his chin a bit before nodding. "I suppose that is fair, Capitaine Spitfire," said he. "Very well, we accept your invitation."

"Good," I said, adjusting my shades. "Let me just introduce the Ambassador to Pine Talon, and we can get started.  Blaze, get all of the Wonderbolts out here ASAP.  I want everypony to be ready to fly by the time I return."

"You got it, Sis!" said Blaze with a salute.  With that, she darted off while I led Honor Bound to the infirmary.


***
January 18, 08:03
Wonderbolt Academy
Infirmary
***


I wasted no time leading Ambassador Honor Bound to Pine Talon's room.  Fast Clip and Whiplash were at first skeptical about letting the Hippogriff Ambassador enter, but I assured them that it was okay.

"Pine Talon?" I called out.

Pine Talon turned his head. "Ah, young Spitfire.  So good to hear you again.  Tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I want to introduce you to someone," I said. "Pine Talon, this is Ambassador Honor Bound of the Griffon Kingdom.  Ambassador, this is Pine Talon, the assassin responsible for the attacks on the Wonderbolts."

Honor Bound walked up to Pine Talon and looked him over with a critical eye.  His expression was very hard to read.

"What, are you?" he asked.

"A tengu, Ambassador," said Pine Talon. "Though only in a biological sense.  You'll find that my brethren are not as pleasant as I."

Honor Bound nodded. "Hmm.  It seems I owe Kierra an apology," he mused. "Her report was accurate after all."

Pine Talon tilted his head. "Did you really doubt young Spitfire, Ambassador?"

"Not per se.  It's just that, we always thought the Tengu Dynasty was a myth," said Honor Bound.

"Sadly, no.  It's not," said Pine Talon. "I should know.  I lived through it.  Is that all you wished to see me for, young Spitfire?"

"Yes," I said.

"In that case, may I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you really plan to fight the Tengu Empress?"

Well, that was a no-brainer. "I do indeed.  We're gonna make her pay for everything she's done."

Pine Talon snickered. "You're that confident, are you?  The Wind's Mandate is not some mere scepter, young Spitfire.  You've seen for yourself what it can do."

"That's true," I said. "But I'm not going down without a fight."

"Nor should you," said Pine Talon sagely. "May the winds sing of your victory, young Spitfire."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," I said as Honor Bound and I left.

"I must say, I find myself surprised," said Honor Bound.

"How so?" I inquired.

"I was under the impression that you wouldn't be on friendly terms with the assassin who tried to kill your team."

I breathed a deep sigh. "I suggest taking another look at Kierra's report, Ambassador.  It's a bit more complicated than that.  Besides, we've got bigger clouds to clear at the moment..."


***


The rest of the day was spent training with the Proud Pride and formulating strategies for the upcoming battle.  Kierra was more than helpful with the latter, as her knowledge of the tengu happened to include their preferred battle tactics.  As Blaze suggested, we held a few sparring matches in the sky to keep the spies entertained while other forms of training were done at a lower altitude.  Crescent Moon ran himself ragged recording all of our results and making sure everything was running smoothly.  At the end of the day, we were all exhausted, but at the same time, we felt ready.  We knew what we were going to do, and we were in the right physical condition and state of mind to do it.

I didn't bother to tell Kierra about the Tengu Empress's true identity.  For one, I didn't know how she'd take the news.  She had an important job to do, and we couldn't afford any unnecessary distractions.  But more importantly, I just didn't get it.  What would possess Gypsy Moth, a humble alchemist, to become a cruel tyrant?  Why was she trying to bring back the Tengu Dynasty?  I couldn't answer those questions, and I knew Kierra would ask them if I told her.

I guess I was wrong before.  Not all of the mysteries had been solved yet.  I still had one last question to answer before declaring this case officially closed.  And one way or another, I was gonna get that answer tomorrow.

At the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.
> Wonderbolts' Turnabout
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 19, 11:45
Ghastly Gorge
***


Ghastly Gorge.  The most notorious canyon in Equestria; known for its wind tunnels, quarray eel nests, and various other hazards that make flying through it the most dangerous gambit a pegasus can think of.  You know the phrase: "I'm a professional; don't try this at home?" Well, as corny as it sounds, that's my advice from me to you.  Unless you've got the skill to match your guts, you should treat Ghastly Gorge as a no-fly zone.  Otherwise, you're in for a world of hurt.

When my team and I arrived at the entrance to the canyon, we couldn't ask for a better turnout.  Ponies and griffons from every corner of Equestria (and perhaps a few from the Griffon Kingdom) crowded around the cliffs overlooking the valley below.  I managed to spot Fancy Pants, Gustav le Grand, all of the ponies from Ponyville, and many more besides.  Even Shining Armor and some of the Crystal Ponies came to cheer us on.  Considering that Ghastly Gorge is out in the middle of nowhere, this was pretty impressive.

However, I couldn't focus on that now.  I had more important things on my mind.

We landed on a large rock outcropping at the base of the ravine.

"Wonderbolts, sound off!" I ordered.

"Soarin', here!"

"Fleetfoot, itching to fly!"

"Blaze, present and accounted for!"

Each of the Wonderbolts (sans Misty Fly) rattled off their names in turn.  Even Surprise checked in normally, which did surprise me.  But, only a little.  I know Surprise can be serious when she wants to be.  She just doesn't want to be ninety five percent of the time.

"Alright, you all know the drill," I said. "Captain le Grand and I will take point.  Until we give the signal, just treat this like a normal, clean race.  Once we give the signal, we take to the skies and give the tengu what's coming to them.  Any questions?"

There was silence.  I smiled and nodded.

"Good," I said. "Now let's get ready to fly.  We're due to start any minute now."

As if on cue, Honor Bound and the Proud Pride descended from the skies.  The griffons landed across from us, while Honor Bound touched down in between the two teams.

"Fillies, gentlecolts, and griffons!" Honor Bound called out. "I welcome you all to the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet; a potential event for the Equestria Games!  If successful, this will be a monumental step towards strengthening ties between ponies and griffons!"

The spectators cheered.  Pierre and I met in the center.  He took my hoof in his talon and gave it a firm shake.

"Is your team ready?" he whispered.

"As we'll ever be," I whispered back. "You?"

"But of course, Capitaine Spitfire.  These tengu will soon know the wrath of the Proud Pride."

"And the Wonderbolts," I added.

Pierre didn't respond, but merely nodded as we got into position and prepared for takeoff.

"Now, the rules are simple," said Honor Bound. "The first team to the end is the winner.  I expect everyone to fly fair."

There was a chorus of acknowledgments from both the Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride.  I lowered my goggles and spread my wings and my comrades did the same.

"Good luck to all of you," said Honor Bound.  When he said that, I knew he wasn't talking about the race. "Now, without further ado, let the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet commence!"

"Let's fly, Wonderbolts!"

"Proud Pride, allez!"

With that, we all took off from the starting point and went soaring into the ravine.  As we planned, Pierre and I took an early lead while the others were clustered behind us.  I kept my eyes faced front and my ears open.

Bring it on, Tengu Empress, I thought as I licked my lips in anticipation. I'm ready.


***


As a Wonderbolt, I can safely say that flying through Ghastly Gorge is not necessarily a daunting task for me.  But there's a bit of a trick to Ghastly Gorge, and that is you need to pay attention to what you're doing.  Unlike the obstacle course at the Academy, I can't fly through Ghastly Gorge blindfolded.  I'd be stupid to try.  This is mainly because there are more things to crash into in Ghastly Gorge.  And I mean a lot more.

So, you can imagine how hard it was for me to focus on my flying and be on the lookout for the tengu.  I mean, it wasn't impossible, but it sure made bobbing and weaving through the thorn bushes and the quarray eels that much more difficult.  I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that I had lost a few feathers here and there while flying.  But, of course, I couldn't get distracted by that.

And I'll say this much: Pierre le Grand might've been a lousy choice of captain, but he's a damn good flier.  He managed to keep pace with me as if we were a wing pair.  Every turn I made, every swoop, every dive, he matched me with expert precision.  If we actually were racing, he'd be a worthy opponent.

Then, just as we were at the midpoint, I saw something falling from the sky at a fast pace.  My eyes widened.  It was one of those exploding clouds!

"Incoming from above!  Evasive maneuvers!" I yelled, rolling to the side and increasing my acceleration.

"I see it!" Pierre hollered back as he did the same.

We both managed to get clear of the cloud's blast radius just as it detonated and caused an avalanche behind us.

"That's our cue!" I said. "Let's go!"

With that, Pierre and I propelled ourselves upwards and out of Ghastly Gorge.  It was then that I spotted my target: A bunch of grey clouds that weren't supposed to be there.  I flew through one, and sure enough, I hit something solid.  When I stopped in midair to see what I had hit, it was indeed a tengu.

The tengu corrected his course in midair and snarled at me.  He then charged forward, only to get blindsided by Pierre.

"Thanks," I said.

Pierre gave me a curt nod.  Eh, better than nothing, I suppose.

After our initial attack, the other Wonderbolts and the rest of the Proud Pride followed suit.  I watched as cloud after cloud was busted, revealing the tengu soldiers hidden within.  When all the clouds were clear, we found ourselves in the midst of a small army.  While we weren't outnumbered or anything, there were still enough tengu here to do some serious damage if we weren't careful.  We had a brief reprieve while they were recovering from our surprise, and I had to make it count.

"Wonderbolts, form up!  Break into wing pairs on my mark!" I ordered. "Blaze, you're with me!"

"Proud Pride, en garde!" Pierre barked.

Just as we all got into position, the tengu had recovered and were coming in fast.  Some threw their cyclone weapons; others gripped their blades and prepared to slash.

"Ready...  Mark!"

"Allez!"

The Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride charged to meet the tengu.  The ensuing battle was fast and furious.  Fleetfoot goaded a pair of tengu into chasing her, and led them right into the thorn bushes.  High Winds countered the cyclone weapons by flapping her wings rapidly and creating small tornados of her own.  Drake was tearing through hoards of bogeys as they tried to surround him.  There's more I could mention, but I was distracted by something in the air.

The wind around us was slowly getting stronger and stronger.  It was barely noticeable at first, and it didn't affect our flying at all.  But suddenly, I noticed that the sky above was turning black.  A large cloud pulsing with electricity manifested itself over us.  In the middle of the cloud, I noticed a faint, green glow.  I had a good idea what it was.

Blaze and I flew over to Kierra and helped her dispatch a bogey on her tail.

"Thanks," said Kierra.

"No problem," I said. "C'mon, you're with me and Blaze."

Kierra tilted her head. "Any reason for this, Ms. Spitfire?"

"I want your help in dealing with the Tengu Empress," I said. "You know the tengu better than anyone else."

Kierra pondered for a second, and then nodded. "Alright.  I'm your wing."

The three of us then flew up towards the dark cloud as the battle continued to rage below.  This was it.  I was going to finally come face-to-face with the mastermind behind everything I had been through the past week.  If I was scared by this, I didn't notice it on a conscious level.  I only had one thought going through my head as we went to meet the Tengu Empress:

Say your prayers, Gypsy Moth.  Because one way or another, I'm taking you down.
> Eternal Inner Flame
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When we burst through the large storm cloud, a sudden chill washed over my body.  It wasn't just because of the harsh winds that were blowing every which way, though that didn't help.  The entire sky was black with clouds that produced small cyclones and random flashes of lightning.  The only real source of light was a green glow in the middle of it all, which was masking a violet magic aura.  The glow filtered through two radiant prisms shaped like butterfly wings.  Kierra recognized the wings and became perplexed.

"Gypsy Moth?  Is that you?"

The unicorn in question turned her head.

"Ah, Kairai.  It's been too long," she said, turning her whole body around.  As she did so, I saw that she was holding a fan that radiated green mystical energy.  Kierra recognized that as well.

"W-wait.  That's the Wind's Mandate!" she gasped. "Gypsy Moth, how did you...?"

"Oh, this?" said Gypsy Moth, looking over the fan. "Yes, it's an interesting toy, isn't it?  I made it myself.  One wave of this simple device, and all of the tengu bow before me.  Unless, of course, they try and take it.  And that happens more often than you'd expect."

Kierra's brow furrowed. "So, that's how you survived," she said. "You forged a new Wind's Mandate with your alchemy and became the new Tengu Empress."

"Sharp as ever, Karrie.  Some things never change," said Gypsy Moth. "But then again, other things have to."

"What are you talking about?" asked Kierra, clenching her talons into fists. "Why are you doing this, Gypsy Moth?  This isn't you."

"I just told you.  I changed," said Gypsy Moth. "And I've come to one conclusion.  The Age of Ponies is over.  The Tengu Dynasty will rise again."

"My flank it will!" I barked. "I saw your little sneak attack coming, and as we speak, the Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride are sending your little army packing.  It's over Gypsy Moth.  And you lost."

Gypsy Moth shook her head. "Tsk tsk tsk.  Poor delusional child.  Do you know why the Age of Ponies is over?"

"I'm not going to let you conquer Equestria!" I snarled.

"Conquer?  Oh, that's just a tengu euphemism," said Gypsy Moth. "No, I'm liberating Equestria."

I, don't think I heard that right.  Neither did Blaze or Kierra, apparently, seeing as they were equally aghast.

"What the hay are you talking about?!" snapped Blaze. "How is trying to kill us 'liberating' Equestria?!"

"It's quite simple, really," said Gypsy Moth darkly. "Equestria is living in a dream state.  It is a principality wrapped in naiveté and ignorance, shielded from the dark reality of the world around it.  I am here to wake it up."

I think I'm beginning to see why Pine Talon called the Tengu Empress insane.  Mainly because I haven't got a Celestia-damn clue what the bucking hay she's babbling about.

"Stop speaking in riddles, Gypsy Moth!" Kierra roared, apparently sharing my sentiments. "What are you trying to accomplish?!  Why are you doing this?!"

Gypsy Moth's wings flittered as she raised the Wind's Mandate. "I think it's better if I showed you," said she.

Just then, the Wind's Mandate glowed with energy.  I felt the wind around me get stronger.  Whatever she was doing, it wasn't good.

"Blaze, Kierra!  Evasive maneuvers!" I ordered. "Try and draw her fire if you can!"

No one needed to be told twice.  The three of us dashed away in separate directions.  What we were dodging, I don't know.  I didn't exactly bother to turn around and check.  Instead, I flew towards Gypsy Moth, aiming to attack.  As I did so, she gave the Wind's Mandate a mighty flap.  A split second later, I heard a scream that caused my heart to stop for a brief moment.

"Blaze?!"

I stopped mid-charge and frantically looked around.  When I found Blaze, I gasped in horror.  Visible tendrils of wind were wrapping themselves around Blaze's legs and tightening.  Blaze struggled the best she could, but it didn't seem to be any use.  She sounded like she was in unbearable pain.  As I recovered from the shock, my blood began to boil.

"What did you do to Blaze?!" I demanded, turning savagely to Gypsy Moth.

"I'm simply using this soldier for my little demonstration," said Gypsy Moth nonchalantly.

"The buck you are!" I bellowed. "You let her go right now, or I'm taking that stupid fan and shoving it right up your dock!"

Gypsy Moth frowned. "I'm afraid you're not in a position to make ultimatums, child," she said. "I, however, am.  So, here's my ultimatum.  Either you kill your soldier, or she'll kill you."

"And what makes you think I'll agree to..."

I was interrupted by a hoof clocking me in the face.  When I recovered, I couldn't believe my eyes.  Blaze stood over me, looking like she was ready to duke it out.  However, even with the opaque flight goggles, I could tell that she was just as horrified as I was.

"Do you see now, child?" said Gypsy Moth menacingly. "Do you see what reality is?!"

Before I could answer, Blaze charged right at me.  Acting on instinct, I blocked her charge and pressed my hooves against her own.  As I did so, I could feel the wind around Blaze's forelegs swirling violently.  It was just like with Fleetfoot and Drake.  The wind was controlling her!

"Gypsy Moth, stop this!" I heard Kierra cry. "This isn't right!"

I couldn't see what happened because I was preoccupied with Blaze, but from what I heard, Kierra tried to charge in only to be stopped by the Wind's Mandate.

"Yes.  You're correct, my dear Rakey.  It isn't right," said Gypsy Moth bitterly. "But it is truth!  I have learned that trust and mercy are nothing but bull's eyes you paint on your back!  You have to look out for yourself, because no one else will look out for you!  That is reality!  And that is why Equestria must fall and give way to the Tengu Dynasty!"

Horse apples, horse apples, and more horse apples!  Didn't she know that the Tengu Dynasty destroyed itself because of that asinine mentality?!  If I wasn't caught in this standoff with Blaze, I'd fly over there and shred her stupid wings to ribbons!

"Gypsy Moth, I'm *ack* sorry!" Kierra yelled in a strained voice, sounding like she was being strangled. "I didn't mean to *gasp* abandon you to the tengu!"

Gypsy Moth laughed bitterly. "Oh, you think this is about that, Key-Ra?  I'm not mad at you for that.  How were you supposed to know I'd survive?"

I then saw her fly into my peripheral vision with a manic look in her eyes. "But by the same token, do you know how many tengu I had to slaughter just because I was stupid enough to believe that they were my friends?!  And what's more, do you have any godly idea what that felt like?!  Well, you will now, child!  You will experience the bitter taste of reality like I did, and be the first casualty of the new law of the land!"

With that, she flew away, leaving me in my standoff with Blaze.  As we pushed against each other, I saw Blaze's lip quivering.  Just the sight of that made my heart sink.  I knew she didn't want to do this.  I didn't, either.  I would never, and I mean never, hurt my team.  And being forced to do so in order to save my own life, well, it was scary.  Yeah, that's right.  I'm scared right now.  Whether I fight back or not, I'm going to hurt her, either physically or emotionally.  No matter what happens, we both lose.

I shook my head.  No.  No way in Tartarus am I letting it end this way.  A good captain supports her team.  And Blaze needs me to be strong right now.  I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.

"Blaze, look at me," I said gently. "Look at me, Blaze."

Blaze averted her eyes.  I sighed.

"Blaze, look at me.  That's an order," I said, my tone becoming a bit sharper.

Blaze complied.  I felt like I was staring right past the flight goggles and straight into her swollen pupils.  Honestly, I wouldn't blame her if she was on the verge of bursting into tears.  No amount of training can prepare you for something like this.

"Blaze, it's going to be okay," I said as softly as I could. "Everything is gonna be okay.  We'll find a way out of this.  Just, don't lose heart.  Understood?"

Truth be told, I wasn't just talking to Blaze then.  I was also talking to myself.  I still didn't have a plan, and that didn't do a whole lot of good for my confidence.  But that didn't mean I was gonna give up.  If I'm going down, I'm going down flying.

Fortunately, Blaze agreed.  She gave me a solemn nod.

"U-understood," she said. "I-I trust you, Sis."

"I know," I said.

With that, I let go of Blaze and bent over backwards, allowing her to soar over me.  I then looped around and flew at Gypsy Moth, who seemed to be torturing Kierra with the Wind's Mandate.

Before I could get within striking distance, Blaze came barreling in and cut me off.  She then started swinging her forelegs at me.  I parried and blocked most of the punches she threw at me, but she got a few lucky hits in.  She even managed to break my flight goggles.  After a while of this, I found an opening and zipped by her, once again making a beeline to Gypsy Moth.

I got closer this time, but once again, Blaze managed to catch up and bar my path.  She aimed to throw another punch, but I quickly blocked it.  She tried to hit me with her other hoof, and I blocked that as well.  We were caught in another standoff, each side struggling to overpower the other.

"It's futile, child," said Gypsy Moth, using the Wind's Mandate to asphyxiate Kierra. "No one can escape the harsh reality of the world.  Not you, not Equestria, no one.  You are doomed to either kill your friend, or die by her hoof.  That is your punishment for putting your faith in others."

Something about her words sparked something in my brain.  I smiled.

"That's a load of crap," I grunted. "And I'm gonna show you why.  Blaze, hang on tight!"

With that, I let go of one of her hooves and allowed her momentum to throw her off-balance.  Before she could recover, I gripped her other foreleg, swung her around, and sent her flying behind me.  Gypsy Moth probably wasn't impressed, because she didn't even bother to turn and look.

"Fight as you might, the result will be the same," she said as the Wind's Mandate glowed with magic. "The winds control her now.  She'll come back as many times as is required."

"That's what I'm counting on," I said smugly.

This time, Gypsy Moth released Kierra and turned to face me with a perplexed look in her eyes. "What are you...?"

Before she could finish, I heard Blaze coming in from behind.  Just as she was about to reach me, I ducked.  Unable to react in time, Gypsy Moth took the full brunt of Blaze's charge and was flipped around.  This was enough to disrupt her magic, and it caused her to drop the Wind's Mandate.  Free from the fan's spell, Kierra dove after it as Gypsy Moth recovered.  Surprisingly, she seemed more peeved than distressed.

"I told you, it's futile," she spat. "The wind still holds your soldier.  She'll return to kill you."

"Not if I have anything to say about it!"

Gypsy Moth spun around to face the new voice.  I had to smirk.  Took her long enough to show up.

Sure enough, it was none other than Mare-Do-Well, gripping Blaze tightly against her chest and flapping her wings with all her might.  Gypsy Moth's wings flittered, and she snorted angrily.

"Everyone else, I can understand," she said. "But I created you!  You can't disobey me like this!"

"I can, and I will!" Mare-Do-Well grunted, wincing as the winds around Blaze's legs threatened to tear her apart. "I do not bow to a cold-hearted tyrant!  I only answer to the plight of those in peril!"

"That's not what I created you for, you worthless automaton!"

"That's who Mare-Do-Well is, you cynical dock-hole!"

Wow.  Did not expect to hear that out of the mouth of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  I must be rubbing off on her.

"Fine!" Gypsy Moth snapped. "The Wind's Mandate is shattering your core as we speak, anyway!  You're sacrificing yourself for nothing!"

Yeah, I wasn't gonna let that happen.  I started to fly over to lend Mare-Do-Well a hoof when I heard a whistle from below.

"Aren't you forgetting something, Gypsy Moth?!"

Gypsy Moth looked down, and her eyes went wide.  Kierra was holding the Wind's Mandate in her talon.

"You little minx!" Gypsy Moth boomed, flying down towards Kierra as her horn pulsed with a magic aura. "Give that back to me!"

Without a word, Kierra took the fan in her talons and tore it in two.  As soon as she did, the winds died down.  Gypsy Moth was horrified.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" she shrieked. "The tengu will kill me for this!"

"One, that doesn't change much, does it?" I said, pounding my hooves and cracking my neck. "Two, I think the tengu are the least of your problems right now."

Gypsy Moth looked up at me and snarled.

"You think you can best the Pseudo Alicorn, child?" she growled, creating an exploding cloud with her alchemy. "Well, have at you!"

She threw it at me, and I dodged it without a scratch.

"I'm gonna pay you back for every member of my team your little Tengu Dynasty hurt!" I proclaimed. "This one's for Misty Fly!"

I slashed across her, detecting the shimmer of a faulty protection spell as I passed.  I looped around for another pass.

"This one's for Fire Streak!"

Another slash.

"For Rapidfire!"

Another slash.  This time, I distinctively heard a crack.

"For Fleetfoot!"

The crack became louder and more pronounced.

"For Soarin'!"

That one shattered the protection spell completely.  I towered over Gypsy Moth, who looked rather dazed from my strikes.

"And this one is for Blaze!"

I flew into a sharp dive and tackled her.  Down, down, down we fell.  We barreled right through her dark clouds and straight towards Ghastly Gorge below.  Before we reached solid ground, I decreased my acceleration and slowed myself to a stop within inches of the cliffside wall.

I panted heavily as I held Gypsy Moth in my forelegs.  Her coat was covered with bruises, and her precious wings had been completely shattered.  She was still breathing, but she was in no condition to do anything.  Good.  Because I still had more to say to her.

"G-go ahead," she panted. "Do it.  Kill me.  You know you want to."

"And let you take the easy way out?  Not a chance," I said. "I'm not like you."

"Then you give me ample time to recover and stab you in the..."

I slapped her across the face to shut her up.  I wasn't going to put up with that song and dance again.

"Cut the crap.  This isn't about the Tengu Dynasty," I said. "It's all about you, and what you think reality is.  Equestria might be more peaceful than other nations, but we're not perfect.  We still have our share of fights, and yes, sometimes we fight with our friends and family.  But nopony can live alone.  We still support each other at the end of the day.  The tengu destroyed their own dynasty because they didn't understand that."

Gypsy Moth scoffed. "You think you understand what I had to go through?  I had to kill several tengu because I thought they were my friends!"

"And I'm very sorry that you had to endure that," I said. "But instead of trying to fix the damn problem, you just accepted it as status quo and decided to force your pain down everyone else's throats.  That's simply repulsive."

"You're repulsive," Gypsy Moth spat, resorting to schoolyard taunts (seriously, that's just sad). "You don't know what true pain is."

I slapped her again.  Now she's gonna get it.

"Because of you, I had to go through an entire week of torture!" I screamed. "Your little schemes forced me to watch helplessly as you and your little assassin friend tried to strike down my team one by one!  So you're in no position to lecture me about pain!"

I then hefted her up and forced her to look me in the eye.

"However, there's a major difference between you and I.  When life throws me for a loop, I correct my course and keep flying.  You, on the other hoof, are content to just crash and burn.  Well, guess what, bitch?  You're not taking me with you."

I then lifted her horn out of the way and headbutted her right between the eyes, knocking her out cold.  Afterward, I set her down on the edge of the cliff.  As I did so, Pierre and Drake came flying in.

"The enemy has fled, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre. "We are victorious."

"Good," I said with a nod. "Tell Ambassador Honor Bound that I have subdued the Tengu Empress.  I'll let him decide whether she'll be tried in Equestria or the Griffon Kingdom first."

"Very well," said Pierre. "Um, where is she?"

I pointed with my hoof. "It's a long story," I said. "I'll make sure you get a copy of my report later.  Right now, there's something I gotta take care of."

Before Pierre could ask any further questions, I flew off in search of Blaze, Kierra, and Mare-Do-Well.


***


It didn't take my long to find them.  Blaze was completely unconscious and lying on a small rock outcropping in Ghastly Gorge while Mare-Do-Well and Kierra were licking their wounds.  I came in for a landing next to them.

"How are you all holding up?" I asked.

"Mmph.  I've been better," Kierra groaned, her voice still sounding hoarse. "I still find myself at a loss for words."

"I wouldn't shed any tears over Gypsy Moth," I said bluntly. "She got what she deserved."

"I, suppose so," said Kierra. "It's still quite tragic, though.  She wasn't always like that."

"I know, but it doesn't excuse what she did," I said, turning to Mare-Do-Well. "What about you?"

"My core is pretty badly damaged," whispered Mare-Do-Well, taking out the flask she showed me before and using her cape to hide it from prying eyes.  Indeed, the vial looked pretty beaten up.

"Well, I know a unicorn in Ponyville who can probably fix you up," I said. "She's currently looking into the order form for your costume.  Sharing your secret with her is probably not gonna kill you."

Mare-Do-Well obscured her eyes with her hat. "I'll consider it," she said. "Your comrade Blaze is still breathing, by the way."

I breathed an inward sigh of relief. "Right.  Thanks," I said.

"Just doing what I was meant to do," said Mare-Do-Well with a pained chuckle.

I trotted over to Blaze and prodded her with my hoof. "Hey.  You awake?"

Blaze stirred and opened her eyes. "Ow.  I hurt all over," she moaned as she tried to get to her feet.

"Whoa there.  Easy now," I said. "You should save your strength."

Blaze looked up at me. "S-sis?"

"Hey, Blaze," I said with a soft smile.

Blaze cast her eyes downward. "I, didn't hurt you too badly, did I?"

"No, you didn't," I assured her. "You managed to get a few good hits in, but I'll live."

Blaze shook her head and looked at me with teary eyes. "No.  Be straight with me, Sis," she said. "Sh-she wanted us to kill each other.  I-I tried to stop myself, but I just couldn't.  I-I don't know what would've happened if..."

I raised my hoof and cut across her.

"Wonderbolts don't play the 'What if' game, Blaze," I said solemnly. "Besides, I told you everything would be okay, didn't I?"

"W-well, yeah," said Blaze as she sat up. "B-but I was still scared."

"I understand, Blaze," I said with a nod. "I was scared, too."

As soon as those words left my lips, a dam inside of me just burst.  All of the tears that I held back for the past week were now flowing freely down my face.  Blaze sniffled, trying to hold back her own tears.

"C-c'mon, Sis.  D-don't do this to me," she whimpered. "I-I hate seeing you cry.  You know that."

"Sorry, Blaze," I said with a sniffle of my own. "But, a good captain is honest with herself and knows when it's okay to cry.  And after everything I've been through, I think I've earned this."

I then walked forward and wrapped my forelegs and wings around Blaze. "I-I'm so glad you're okay," I whispered.

"S-same here," Blaze said, returning my hug. "Y-you're the best captain a pony could ever ask for, Sis.  I-I love you."

I smiled through my tears.  She wasn't saying that just to tease me.  She really meant it.  I could tell.  After all, I am her sister.

"I love you too, Blaze," I cooed. "And I'll always be there for you, no matter what."

"I know," said Blaze. "But, it's not just me."

"Mmm?"

"You're there for all of us, Sis.  Each and ever pony in the Wonderbolts can always count on you.  That's what makes you a great captain."

The tears running down my cheeks seemed to double. "You want to know something, Blaze?"

"What?"

"You're a real sweetheart when you want to be."

Blaze got all flustered. "Wh-what?  I-I, um, th-thanks.  I guess."

I giggled. "Let's just stay like this for a while, okay?"

"Sure thing, Sis.  I-I was about to ask you the same thing, anyway."


***


And so, we stayed wrapped in each other's forelegs and wings until neither of us could shed any more tears.  And you know what?  I'm not embarrassed in the slightest.  Because Blaze is absolutely right.  Every pony on my team is important to me.  And whether they need a strong leader or just a shoulder to cry on, I will never let them down.
> Final Farewells
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


January 19, 14:30
Ponyville
Town Square
***


After we finished recuperating from the tengu attack, Honor Bound gathered everyone in Ponyville to make a speech regarding what happened.

"Although the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet will most likely not become part of the Equestria Games, it has succeeded in its original purpose," said he. "With both the Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride working in tandem to fight a common enemy, I can safely say that our relations have never been stronger!"

There was a huge round of applause, with ponies stomping the ground and griffons letting loose mighty roars.  Honor Bound raised his talon in order to indicate he wanted silence.  When the applause died down, he continued.

"Of course, this wouldn't have been possible if we allowed our enemies to lurk in the shadows and divide us," he said. "Which is why these three fliers, Captain Spitfire, Lieutenant Blaze, and Lieutenant Commander Kierra, deserve special mention.  In the face of doubt, they persevered and sought out the truth.  And by working together, they were able to take down the Tengu Empress and provide a shining example for ponies and griffons everywhere!"

Another round of applause.  Honor Bound motioned us to step forward.  Blaze was a little skittish, but I managed to convince her to follow me and Kierra.

"So, without further ado, I present these three with the Cross of Unity.  Like them, it is a symbol of what ponies and griffons can accomplish if they work together."

He then pinned the golden medal on each of our uniforms.  It portrayed two wings, one of a griffon and one of a pegasus, crossed in an X shape.  As a Wonderbolt, I get medals and trophies all the time.  And while I'm proud of all of my accomplishments, this one just seemed to carry a little more weight.  Just a little, though.

After another applause, Pierre was the first to approach me.

"Congratulations, Capitaine Spitfire," he said. "You wear the Cross of Unity well."

"Thanks.  Nice to see you got your act together, too," I said. "What are your plans from here?  I imagine now that the tengu have been dealt with, the Proud Pride will be disbanded."

"Officially, perhaps," said Pierre with a smirk. "But even if it is, I plan on continuing it.  I want to make a name for the Proud Pride, just like the Wonderbolts have here in Equestria.  Once that is done, we can have a real race through Ghastly Gorge."

I snickered.  Even if Pierre got his act together, he still had that competitive streak to him.  Ah well, that's not necessarily a bad thing. "I'm looking forward to it," I said.

"I'm afraid I won't be joining you, Pierre," said Kierra. "Once I get back to the Griffon Kingdom, I'm tendering my resignation from the army."

Pierre raised an eyebrow. "What brought this on?  You are a great flier, Kierra.  I could use someone like you."

"Thank you, Pierre, but army life is simply not for me," said Kierra. "I'm going back to being an historian.  Now that I can prove the existence of the Tengu Dynasty, my research won't be laughed at."

Pierre stroked his chin for a moment. "Are you sure there is nothing I can say that can...?"

"Sorry, no," said Kierra with a shake of her head. "My decision is final.  Besides, you still have Drake with you.  He'll more than make up for my absence."

"I, suppose," said Pierre. "I would prefer if you stayed, but, c'est la vie.  I wish you the best of luck, Kierra."

With that, the two shared a salute, and he walked away.

"He's learning," I said. "Maybe he can be a good captain when he puts his mind to it."

"Perhaps," said Kierra. "At the very least, he'll be fine without my help."

"What do you think will happen to the tengu?" asked Blaze.

"I'm not sure," said Kierra. "Without the Wind's Mandate, they cannot organize themselves.  I suppose they'll just go their separate ways and try to live the best they can."

"Hopefully, they'll learn a thing or two from us," I said. "You can't have a society where everyone is trying to kill each other.  After all, no one is an island."

Kierra smiled. "Too true, Ms. Spitfire.  Too true."

"SURPRISE~!"

All of a sudden, I was jumped by none other than Surprise.  When I recovered, I noticed that the other Wonderbolts were standing before me.

"Congrats, Cap!" Surprise squealed. "You too, Blaze!  I'm gonna get some supplies from Sugarcube Corner and throw a big party for you two when we get back to base!"

"Aw, c'mon Surprise," said Blaze, blushing a little. "You don't need to do that."

"Yeah, Blaze is right, Surprise," I said. "We've, had enough excitement for one day, don't you think?"

Surprise placed a hoof to her muzzle. "Hmm.  Good point.  Okay, how 'bout tomorrow then?  We gotta celebrate somehow."

I chuckled. "I'll, think about it," I said.

"I'm gonna have to go with Surprise on this one, Spit," said Soarin'. "Now that those stupid tengu are gone, you don't have to stress yourself out anymore.  You should take some time to relax."

"Again, I'll think about it," I said. "But really, Blaze and I aren't the only ones who should get all the glory.  Throughout this entire mess, you all managed to keep your heads held high and roll with the punches.  I had to worry about a lot of things this week, but team morale wasn't one of them.  I'm very proud of you all."

In response, the Wonderbolts saluted.  Blaze and I responded in kind.

"Am I interrupting anything, Captain Spitfire?"

I turned to see Ambassador Honor Bound approach us.

"Not at all, Ambassador," I said.

"I just wish to thank you again for all your hard work," said Honor Bound. "Also, I thought you'd be interested to know that I've decided to have Gypsy Moth be tried in Equestria first."

"Oh, really?  Why's that?" I asked.

Honor Bound chuckled. "Because if she went to the Griffon Kingdom first, I'd fear that there would be nothing left to prosecute once she got back to Equestria.  We'll need some time to drive the remaining tengu out of our land, and some more time after that to calm down."

"Understandable," I said, although I had a feeling Honor Bound was exaggerating a little.  Griffons can actually be quite civilized, and they don't automatically see violence as the only solution (just look at Kierra).  That said, Princess Celestia was going to be a lot more lenient than the Griffon Magistrate.  And that's not a shot against the Princess, mind you.  Whatever punishment she was going to give Gypsy Moth, that alchemist was gonna deserve it.

Just then, I felt Blaze poke my shoulder.  It looked like she had a secret.

"What's up?" I asked, leaning in and dipping my voice.

"I'm just wondering where Mare-Do-Well is," said Blaze. "She helped, too.  You'd think she'd at least stick around to take a bow."

I sniggered. "I happen to know that Mare-Do-Well isn't one for medals and praise," I said. "She simply lets her actions speak for themselves."


***
January 19, 16:04
Wonderbolt Academy
Spitfire's Office
***


After some light festivities in Ponyville, we returned to the Academy.  I went straight to my office to file my report.  When I got there, I saw that the door was ajar.  I smirked and walked in.  Just as I suspected, Mare-Do-Well was sitting at my desk.

"Y'know, we really gotta stop meeting like this," I said.

"I see your rapier wit has not lost its edge," said Mare-Do-Well.

"Yeah, yeah.  Enough with the banter," I said. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to thank you again for helping me recover my memories," said Mare-Do-Well. "I'm not sure I would've been able to stand up to my creator without them."

"Well, you're welcome, I guess," I said with a shrug. "So, what will you do now?"

Mare-Do-Well snickered. "Well, for one, I'm going to stop stalking you," said she. "Now that the threat against the Wonderbolts has been neutralized, you don't need my help anymore."

"Thanks.  That's good to know," I said. "But, where will you go?"

"Anywhere I'm needed," Mare-Do-Well said with a shrug. "You've probably figured this out, but I'm not really bound to my creator in any way, shape, or form.  So, I'll simply continue to carry on the work of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well and protect those in peril."

I nodded. "Well, good for you, Mare-Do-Well.  As long as you're happy."

"Indeed," said Mare-Do-Well. "However, I think I might want to get my core fixed first."

I sighed. "You really couldn't bring yourself to share your secret with somepony other than me?  I told you before; that unicorn in Ponyville can really help you out."

"My identity is supposed to remain a secret, Ms. Spitfire.  These are uncharted waters for me," said Mare-Do-Well, obscuring her eyes with her hat.

"Well, you'll get used to it after a while, I'm sure," I said.

"Perhaps," said Mare-Do-Well. "And with that, I shall bid you adieu."

"Alright, see you around," I said, not taking my eyes off her.

Mare-Do-Well tilted her head. "What's this all about, Ms. Spitfire?"

"I'm tired of you disappearing on me, Mare-Do-Well," I said, folding my forelegs. "So this time, I'm gonna watch you leave."

Mare-Do-Well sighed. "Honestly, Ms. Spitfire.  Is this really necessary?"

"I dunno, is it necessary for you to disappear on me when my back is turned?" I retorted.

Before Mare-Do-Well could answer, there was a knock on the door.  I didn't take my eyes off of her.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Fast Clip, ma'am.  We're ready to take the tengu prisoner to Canterlot for trial," said the voice on the other side.

"I'll be there in a minute," I said.

Mare-Do-Well obscured her eyes with her hat. "Shrewd, Ms. Spitfire.  Quite shrewd."

"Just get going," I said. "I'm sure you'll want to get that core of yours looked at as soon as possible."

"I suppose," said Mare-Do-Well, taking out the flask.  Its radiance forced me to shield my eyes.  I heard a window open, and I could barely make out Mare-Do-Well's form saluting me.

"Fare well, Ms. Spitfire.  And thank you."

When my vision returned, she had disappeared.  I gotta hand it to her; she's one crafty ponunculus.  I think she's gonna be okay.


***


I spent the rest of my day filling out my report on the incident and helping escort Pine Talon to Canterlot.  Looking back, it certainly was a rough week.  But no matter what twists and turns those mysteries threw at me, I didn't stop fighting.  That said, I'm sure glad it's all over.  Maybe now I can get a good night's sleep.

And well, that's my story.  Thanks for taking the time to listen, and I hope you got something out of it.  Now, if you'll excuse me, it's currently Lights Out, and I have an appointment with my bed, a proper pillow, and Princess Luna.  This is Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts, signing off.


***
Wonderbolts Under Fire
~
End