VI
MARE DO WELL
Manehattan Garden Party Fiasco
Felicity wasn't a happy camper. She sat at the end of the diner, sullenly sipping her banana smoothie with Flair right beside her, snapping off photos of the garden party across the street.
As ordered by J.J., she was to cover the Middle Park garden party. A bunch of famous ponies from Canterlot and some from Manehattan would gather to Middle Park and enjoy an evening of luxurious talk and lovely tea and crumpets. Originally, the party was meant to be held on the eve of the solar eclipse, to celebrate the event. But, as time passed the party became more and more exclusive and now doesn't do anything relevant to the eclipse.
Felicity really didn't want to be here; she didn't want to interview a bunch of posh, stuck-up ponies at such a lame event. But no, thanks to J.J., she's here. And it wasn't like she could just leave to do some crime fighting, she was supposed to document everything that goes on as well; she couldn't just let Flair to do all the work.
After snapping another photo, Flair looked at her and tried for a smile.
"Come on, we should at least check out the party," he flashed his badge which granted both of them entrance to the party. "It looks nice."
She put her head down on the table. "Eh, no thank you. I think I'll just stay here, you can go check it out."
Flair pouted, like he wanted to argue and insist on her going, but instead just stood up to leave. Felicity simply wasn't in any mood to do some journalism. Her meek personality stood in the way of her desires, if she were more aggressive and confident she would definitely tell J.J. off and demand to write what she wants to, but she isn't.
Felicity Peridot may be Mare Do Well, but those two have distinctive personalities. Felicity is quiet, shy and highly introverted; Mare Do Well is confident, brave, swift and strong. That mask gives Felicity the strength she wants, the strength she needs.
She grumbled to herself, asking Mare Do Well for some courage. Her green mane splashed all over her head, like seaweed under the sea; her depression was getting the better of her, and she hated it.
The party was, as expected, excellent! The food was simply exquisite; Flair grabbed as many cupcakes as he could possibly get. Though the music was slower than what he'd prefer, the atmosphere was lovely and calming. He knew Felicity would enjoy a party like this; despite her alter ego's personality, she enjoyed quiet places so she could think.
Someponies were taken aback at Flair's appearance; they weren't readily accustomed to seeing Minotaurs out like this. Minotaurs usually stayed by the countryside or even in wild places, they seldom live amongst the populace.
Flair was used to it, however, after living amongst the ponies for all his life he had to get used to the way ponies looked at him. Some of them were scared of him, while others had an irrational hatred toward him. But it didn't matter, Flair tried to be nice and hospitable, so he could get along with the ponies better.
He met Felicity two years ago; she was the one who introduced him to J.J. and got him the job as a photographer. Felicity was always nice to him, she didn't treat him differently because he was a Minotaur, and she treated him like she would any other pony.
Flair saw a candy stand across the street; he thought maybe Felicity would want some. She has a bit of a sweet tooth, and it was the least he could do to try and cheer her up.
Before he could make his decision, on the main stage a pony approached the microphone and the band stopped their music.
The pony had a dark gray coat with a white mane; his cutie mark, hidden underneath his waistcoat, was a microphone. He smiled brilliantly at the crowd and cleared his throat against the mike.
"Welcome fillies and gentlecolts," he said with a voice as confident as his appearance. "To the Middle Park Garden Party."
A polite applause came from the hundred or so ponies attending.
"As you know, Princess Celestia is producing a solar eclipse in a few days, a wondrous feat that only comes every few years. This party was originally to commemorate that event, but over time its true meaning was forgotten. But, I think that this year we shall remember what this party was for and praise our princess!"
Another polite, but louder, applause echoed through the park.
These parties were such a bore. Flair never really understood how these socialites have fun in events in like these. The Grand Galloping Gala is slightly more entertaining, but was still dreadfully boring. It wasn't in his right to complain, however, so Flair dutifully took a picture of this pony.
Meanwhile, in the diner, the place began to clear out. Everypony wanted to get in on this party despite its exclusivity; they usually just stand by and gawk at the socialites. Felicity stared into her milkshake sullenly; all of this nonsense with the Bridle was making her seriously reconsider her career path. It wasn't making her happy like her mom promised, it just made her frustrated and depressed; how could she be happy in a job where she can't write what she wants? But at the same time, she didn't want to leave Klondike.
Felicity rolled her eyes in spite of herself; it wasn't like Klon and her were an item. He wouldn't notice if she quit. She slammed her head down, giving her a nice little headache, and tried to think things logically.
Even if she quit, there was no guarantee that she would be able to find another job. Her job at the Bridle was a position other ponies would maim for, she only got lucky with her first story being Mare Do Well; if it wasn't for her alter-ego she wouldn't be in the position she's in now.
Speaking of Mare Do Well, how could she expect to continue doing this? Writing in the day and moonlighting as a hero at night wasn't good for her body. Never mind the insomnia, those diamond dogs rattled her a bit too much. Her ribs were still aching and she felt like she could slip into a coma if presented with the idea of sleep.
She couldn't keep doing this for too long, that's for sure.
Despite how dark and desolate the diner was, two ponies entered. Daring Do and Herpy assessed the empty eatery. Daring frowned, she had hoped to get some food; she hadn't eaten since Canterlot.
"I'll go see if there is some food at the party." Herpy suggested, eager to leave. Dare had been dragging Herpy all over Manehattan to find any hint of Mare Do Well. That unicorn, J.J., was hardly helpful. He was happy when Daring had told him she was robbed by Mare Do Well, but provided very little information on her.
He wouldn't even tell them where Mare Do Well's photographer, Flair, was! So, Daring had no leads and had to search all throughout Manehattan. Eventually, Herpy's complaining had penetrated Daring's skull and she stopped at this diner to get some food. But it was empty, nopony was tending to it either, how irresponsible.
Daring nodded at Herpy, giving him permission to go, and sat down at a booth. Across from her was a lone unicorn banging her head on the table, what a strange pony.
While Felicity considered career options, at the party, the speaker continued.
"And it is only thanks to you, the ponies, that we are able to celebrate this. So, thank you," he smiled again, showing off his pearly whites. "But, shall we continue with the festivities?"
As quickly as the party started, however, it was abruptly ended. The music stopped, rudely interrupted, and the ponies gasped as a guest showed up. Standing on his dog-like hind legs and ape-like forelegs, Ahuizotl stood proudly and wickedly beside the speaker pony. His eyes gleamed with mischief and his smile Cheshire.
His henchcats quickly took to the scene along with a few unicorns that disguised themselves in the crowd. They had all surrounded the perimeter and kept any quick-thinking ponies at bay with their magic. Ahuizotl looked at the pony beside him, who quiver with fear, and scuffed.
"Do you mind?" he asked.
The pony shook his head and handed him the microphone. Ahuizotl took it, cleared his throat, and said. "I'm afraid the party must end on account of the rain."
Daring stood up from her spot, upon hearing Ahuizotl's voice. She looked out the window and saw him on the stage while his mooks round up everypony.
Growling, she suddenly forgot all about her quest to find that thieving mare. If Ahuizotl was here… well, things won't be so pretty in a few minutes.
She was about to leave but the bathroom door had opened. Turning, a masked, tights-wearing mare stood almost heroically behind her.
"Oh, this'll be fun." Daring closed the door behind her, and locked it.
Before Felicity could kindly, and heroically, ask Daring to step away from the door, the crazy pegasus karate kicked her! She didn't have time to stop the kick and was sent flying back into the bathroom. Her head slammed against the hoof dryer and she saw stars.
Daring blocked the exit and was seething. "So, you're Mare Do Well?"
She wanted to answer with something witty, like, "No."
"Some ponies think you're some kind of hero, shame I know who exactly you are."
Felicity's heart froze with fear; did this mare really know her?
"A thief!"
Oh, good, she didn't know who she was… wait, what?
Daring jumped at Felicity; rolling back, Felicity reeled back her hind legs and kicked Dare in retaliation. She lay sprawled over the floor, but Felicity didn't give her a chance to recover. Tackling Dare, the two tumbled awkwardly out of the bathroom and right back into the diner.
Judo-flipping Dare, Felicity sent her crashing into one of the tables. Ouch, splinters are never a pleasant experience. But Daring exploded out of the pile of wood and came out swinging. It was all Fleece could do to dodge the punches; Dare must have been some sort of boxer, her hooves were lightning fast!
Felicity swept her legs and Dare crumbled to the floor. She spared a glance outside; Ahuizotl was still out there ravishing on his victory over… high-class socialites? She couldn't figure out why someone would hold this many ponies hostage, and she needed to find out quick.
Daring recovered and spear tackled Felicity at the waist. Pushing her to the ground, Dare's eyes flared dangerously under the low light. "Where's the turquoise serpent?!"
Her horn shimmered with magic and Daring was levitated in the air. She struggled against the magic but was ultimately trapped, Felicity stood, panting, and regarded her.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Felicity said, voice hoarse from Daring's tackle. "While we're fighting, that is going on!"
She pointed Daring toward the window, to show her Ahuizotl's hostage situation.
Suddenly, Daring stopped struggling; her face went a sickly shade of white.
"Herpy," muttered Daring.
Gently, but quickly, Felicity put Daring down and released her from the magic.
"Good, now that you're calm, we can-" Daring interrupted with a quick jab to Felicity's mouth.
"You're still a no-good thieving mare," Dare explained, "That's for stealing from me."
This Pegasus was getting on Felicity's nerves. "Okay! Now that we got that over with, we can calmly assess the situation. I'll go stall that guy-"
"Ahuizotl."
"And you go get the police."
She started to walk out the door, but Daring held her back.
"Whoa, whoa little missie, my friend is there and if you think I'm just going to sit on the side-lines, helpless, you got another thing coming." Argued Dare.
Felicity turned and placed her own hoof on Dare's, she really was getting on her nerves. "You're hot-headed. You'll just end up causing more trouble than you're worth."
"Oh yeah? Why don't you try to stop me?"
This conflict was bound to get out of hoof. Daring Do was much too hot-headed and fiery for Felicity's calm, cool and analytical personality. Felicity wanted to step back and analyze the situation, but Daring looked like she just wanted to rush in, head first, and pummel anything that got in her way.
Felicity instead shrugged her hoof off.
"Whatever, we'll work together this time-"
"Then after this, we'll go back to killing each other."
"Deal."
The two mares stepped outside the diner and started to head to the park, but the sun came out earlier and faster than usual. A bright light exploded in Middle Park, temporarily blinding the duo, when it died down, the light turned out to be a force field created by the unicorns working for Ahuizotl.
A shockwave boomed throughout the park and knocked Daring off her feet; Felicity barely managed to withstand the force and tried to get a closer look at what was happening inside the bubble. All of the ponies began to faint and fall to the ground from the magic of the force field. Even Flair passed out.
She saw Ahuizotl laughing and the force field got brighter and brighter… oh no, she recognized this magic.
Felicity galloped toward the force field but it continued to brighten until it exploded. The force knocked her back, into Daring. When they got up, Middle Park was completely barren; they were gone.
The first five minutes was spent calming Dare down. She was ranting, raving and generally cursing Ahuizotl. Felicity had to keep her back from compromising the crime scene, so Dare just bucked the walls for a little bit while Felicity investigated.
Felicity crouched at the edge of the park, the parts where the force field ended had left the grass burnt. She took a sample of the grass and placed it in a tube; any residual magic left over should help in identifying who did this. Or what…
The magic casted by those ponies was an older brand, one not taught in schools, either these ponies have been brushing up on ancient magic or…
No, the thought was too absurd to consider.
Pocketing her evidence, Felicity stood and glanced at Dare who managed to calm down long enough to inquire about her activities.
"Evidence," answered Felicity. "We need to figure out who did this."
"Why? We already know who did this. Ahuizotl and Corkscrew!"
She stopped. "Corkscrew?"
"This old pirate that sent me to look for something called the turquoise serpent-“
"The thing you claimed that I stole?”
“You mean the thing I know you stole? But yeah, he was here tonight, right next to Ahuizotl, before they all teleported. It's obvious - you don't need to be a detective - they are in cahoots!"
"The who is obvious," admitted Felicity, "But the why isn't. Why did Corkscrew tell you to get this serpent only to end up kidnapping a hundred ponies with Ahuizotl? And, since, I didn't steal your serpent, who did? Why would they masquerade as me? And why is that serpent so important?"
"All good questions," Daring stepped in front of Felicity. "But, I've got one of my own. Who are you?"
Staring into that mask, Daring hoped to extract that information via telepathy. But, before Felicity could answer the police sirens broke through the night. They wouldn't appreciate Mare Do Well being at a crime scene; they would probably try to pin everything on her.
"We'll talk about it later."
They hid in the covers of night.
They had reached her hideout by midnight. Which was good; Daring's hooves were killing her. Felicity had insisted on walking, flying would have attracted too much attention but then again so would a mare who thinks every day is Nightmare Night.
Her 'hideout' was actually just an abandoned warehouse off the outskirts of Manehattan. With a flip of a switch, a cave opened up and the lair of Mare Do Well was revealed to Ms. Do.
The cave was forty feet underground and massive. You could fit three Canterlot universities in here and would still have enough room to fit the racing stadium in. It was simple and rough, indicating that this was merely the prototype version of the Mare Cave.
There was a single huge ring-like platform with super computers set up all around it, complemented by one jumbo screen overlooking the entire cave. Underneath the platform was the lake created by the artificial waterfall to either side of the jumbo screen. Each of the computers seemed to be running something; police radios, news channels, everything so that Mare Do Well was on top of crime.
She walked on the platform and toward the jumbo screen, using her magic she removed her hat and mask and turned to face Daring Do.
"My name is Felicity Peridot; I'm just a journalist for The Daily Bridle. And, I need your help."
"Always nice to make a friend Fleece, I'm Daring Do."