//------------------------------//
// Falling with Style 
// Story: The Do Dilemma 
// by Metool Bard 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 20:
Falling with Style


When the Crimson Baroness opened the door leading outside, a blast of wind hit Scootaloo like a splash of ice cold water.  If it wasn't for the two griffons holding her shoulders, she felt as though she would've been blown away.  She and Tailspin were forced out onto the poop deck, and the Crimson Baroness took in a deep breath.

"Ah~.  Refreshing, isn't it?" she said whimsically. "I always find these high altitudes invigorating.  Nothing like a nice breeze to get the mind working and make some important decisions, don't you find?"

There was a bit of menace in the Crimson Baroness's voice with that last sentence, and Scootaloo heard it as clear as a bell.  She shivered, both out of fear and from the cold winds.

"I-I said I'm n-not going to h-help you, and that's f-f-final," she stammered.

The Crimson Baroness turned to the frightened filly and began stroking her chin with her riding crop. "Well, aren't you a little brat," she said in a sultry tone. "I think somepony needs a spanking."

With that, she swung her weapon at Tailspin, striking the yellow pegasus across the cheek.  Scootaloo winced as she saw Tailspin stagger.

"Now, I'll ask again," said the Crimson Baroness. "Will you, or will you not give us a free passage through Mt. Götterdämarerung?"

"Sh-she's not doing it," grunted Tailspin, rubbing her cheek.  There was another deafening crack as the Crimson Baroness whipped her again.

"Fool.  Let her speak for herself," the blood red pegasus spat. "Well, filly?  What is your answer?"

Scootaloo swallowed. "Y-you're not so tough!" she stuttered, trying to sound defiant. "I-if Rainbow Dash were here, sh-she'd show y-you a thing or t-two!"

"Would she now?" said the Crimson Baroness with a mocking chortle. "Oh my.  I'd better watch myself.  I wouldn't want to offend the great Rainbow Dash.  Hmmhmmhmmhmm."

She concluded her chuckling with another crack of her riding crop, her demeanor changing in an instant as she got right in Scootaloo's face. "Get this through your thick skull, filly.  Nopony can shoot down the Crimson Baroness.  Not Ms. Do, not this Rainbow Dash you speak of, not even Das Reingold himself.  I will take what is rightfully mine, and nothing in all of the world can stop me."

"Rightfully yours?" asked Tailspin, confusion overriding her fear. "But Das Reingold's treasure is below sea level, quite outside your so-called domain.  Why do you want it?"

The Crimson Baroness shot Tailspin an annoyed look before turning her back to the two pegasi. "Dorsal, Ventral."

"Yes, Commander?" asked the two griffons.

"Do either of you know any dragons that can swim?"

Dorsal seemed perplexed. "That's, quite an interesting question, Commander."

"Interesting?  She's asked us this question six times," said Ventral, raising an eyebrow. "Seven if you count this time."

"Well, if you're so smart, why don't you answer her?"

"Oh, and you think I just so happen to know any dragons personally?"

"Well, do you think I do?"

"Don't you know it's improper to answer a question with a question?"

"Looks who's talking, you little hypocrite!"

"Enough!"

The Crimson Baroness ceased the argument with a crack of her riding crop.

"The answer I'm looking for is 'no,'" she said viciously, turning back to the captive pegasi. "There are no dragons that can swim.  However, several dragons, if not all of them, can fly.  Ergo, the Ring of the Dragon Sages should not be in the hooves of some sea pony scoundrel, but with me!  For I am the Mistress of the Skies!"

Tailspin stared blankly at the Crimson Baroness for a moment before leaning over to Scootaloo. "I think somepony has had their head in the clouds for too long," she whispered, making a circular motion around her ear with her hoof.  Scootaloo giggled in spite of herself, but was quickly interrupted by another crack of the Crimson Baroness's riding crop.

"You think that's funny, do you?!" she snapped. "Do you not understand the implications of this?!"

"The only thing I understand is that you're completely out of your mind!" Tailspin shot back. "Daring would say the same if she were here!"

"Well, she's not!" the Crimson Baroness shouted before turning back to Scootaloo. "This is your last chance, filly!  Are you or are you not going to assist me?!"

"She's not," said Tailspin.

"I thought I told you to let her speak for herself," the Crimson Baroness growled through gritted teeth.

"You misunderstand me," Tailspin stated plainly. "I'm not letting her do it."

All eyes were on Tailspin, and all of them were widened in surprise.

"Wh-what did you just say?" inquired the Crimson Baroness.

"Do you have wax in your ears, you nutter?" said Tailspin, her confidence gradually rising as she spoke. "I am not letting you force a young filly to go through a volcano littered with deathtraps just so that you can get your hooves on a pretty ring!  I don't know why I was so afraid of you!  You're nothing but a lazy, sadistic nutcase who thinks that she owns the sky!  Well, here's a news flash for you: Nopony owns the sky!  If you want this treasure so badly, you do your own dirty work!"

The Crimson Baroness stared at Tailspin for a moment, stunned by her insult.  But soon, her lips twisted into a sinister smile.

"You know what?  You're right," she purred. "We don't really need either of you.  We can always just use the airship's cannons to blow up the mountain.  I just thought I'd give you both a chance to live.  And it looks like you just blew it.  I hope you're proud of yourself."


***


"Brilliant job, Tailspin.  Once again, your big mouth has been put to great use."

Tailspin was berating herself as she and Scootaloo were tied together along with the scooter, hanging upside-down from the airship's mizzenmast.  Scootaloo squirmed and struggled in vain, more angry than afraid.

"You won't get away with this!" she shouted up at the Crimson Baroness.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I think I already have!" the Crimson Baroness hollered back. "I'll be sure to give Ms. Do your regards!  Happy landing!"

Just then, the rope snapped, and the two pegasi began to plummet to their doom.  Scootaloo's fear began to return, and she shuddered.

"T-Tailspin?" she whimpered. "I-I don't wanna..."

"Neither do I," said Tailspin, cutting across her. "There might be a million and one things that I wasn't prepared for in this adventure, but this isn't one of them."

Scootaloo blinked in confusion. "H-huh?"

"I'm gonna show you how I got my Cutie Mark, Scootaloo," said Tailspin with a grin. "Now, can you turn around?"

"A-a little."

"Good.  Hold onto me, and don't let go."

Scootaloo shuffled a bit and complied, gripping Tailspin's chest.  Suddenly, Tailspin began to spin.  She spun slowly at first, but as they fell, she spun faster and faster.  Soon, she was twirling through the air with the grace of a ballerina.  Scootaloo scrunched her eyes shut, almost blacking out from the breakneck speed.

As Tailspin continued her downward spiral, the cords binding her and Scootaloo began to unravel.  Slowly but surely, the ropes undid themselves and were left far behind.  When she felt that they were completely free, Tailspin spread her wings and pulled herself out of the dive, swooping back up towards the airship.

When Scootaloo felt that they weren't spinning anymore, she opened one tentative eye.  Her heart leapt as she discovered that they were no longer falling, but flying.

"Woo-hoo!" she cheered, almost letting go of Tailspin in her excitement.

"Easy there," said Tailspin with a chuckle, steadying her flight. "Here, climb on up."

"Huh?  Oh, sure," said Scootaloo, making her way onto Tailspin's back with the scooter still in hoof. "So, what now?"

Tailspin grinned, and lowered her goggles. "Now, we give that crazy pony what-for," she said. "Hang on tight, Scootaloo!  This is gonna be a bumpy ride!"


***


"Commander, we'll be within firing range of Mt. Götterdämarerung in a few moments," said a pegasus soldier.

"Excellent," said the Crimson Baroness with a sneer. "Ready all cannons."

"Yes, Commander," said the pegasus with a salute.

The Crimson Baroness licked her lips as she saw the large volcano off in the distance.

"Soon, I will take what's rightfully mine," she said to herself.

"We're in firing range," said the soldier.

"Bring us to a full stop and fire when ready," the Crimson Baroness ordered.

Just as the airship stopped, something flew past her field of vision.  Curious, she looked up, only to see the hot air balloon keeping the airship airborne obstructing her view.

"Probably nothing," she said with a shrug.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the mysterious shape again.  She turned her head, and this time, she saw what it was.  Her eyes narrowed and her body became tense.

"Dorsal!  Ventral!" she barked.

"Y-yes, Commander?" the griffons said with a hasty salute.

"Why are those two still alive?!" she bellowed, pointing her riding crop at Tailspin and Scootaloo.

The griffons looked at each other.

"Should we tell her that we don't know?" asked Ventral.

"Are you crazy?  She'll punish us if we tell her that," said Dorsal.

"Punish us for being honest?"

"It's not what she wants to hear."

"But she doesn't want to hear excuses, either.  Thus, we're in a bit of a no-win situation."

"Well, what should we tell her then?"

The Crimson Baroness was not in the mood for this. "How about you two just shut up and get them?!" she screamed, cracking her riding crop.

"Oh!  Oh, yes," said Dorsal, blushing profusely. "R-right away, Commander."

The two griffons took off into the sky, beginning their pursuit.

"Uh-oh!  Here comes trouble!" Scootaloo called out as she saw the bogeys closing in.

"I see 'em!" Tailspin called back. "No worries, Scootaloo!  I know how to fix their little red wagon!"

Tailspin then began to swoop and dive, pulling off tight maneuvers as she flew around the airship.  Dorsal and Ventral were never too far behind.  They occasionally got close enough to scratch at Tailspin with their talons.

"They're gaining on us!" Scootaloo shouted in a panicked tone.

"Yeah!  That's the idea!" said Tailspin. "Trust me, Scootaloo.  This time, I do know what I'm doing!"

She then made a sharp turn and set herself up in front of a set of wires that tied the hot air balloon to the airship.  When the griffons got close again, she zoomed ahead, zigging and zagging around the cords.  The griffons spread out, trying to flank her as they closed in.  They got within arm's length and made a grab for her...

Only for the nimble pegasus to slip away at the last second.

"Ha!  Look at 'em!  These blockheads couldn't catch a cold!" Tailspin taunted, pulling down her eyelid with her hoof and sticking her tongue out at her pursuers.

Dorsal snarled. "Oh, you're in for it now, you little runt!" he roared, taking off ahead of his partner.

"Uh, Dorsal?  Maybe we should try a different tack," said Ventral, flying up from behind. "Something doesn't seem right."

"Shut up, Ventral!" Dorsal shouted back. "These two have had it coming for too long!"

Ventral shrugged and continued the chase.  Once again, Tailspin navigated around the cords tying the hot air balloon to the airship.  After a few more rounds of this maneuver, one of the cords snapped, causing the airship to lurch.

"R-report!" the Crimson Baroness ordered.

"Th-there seems to be something wrong with the suspension cords!" said a griffon soldier nervously.

"Well, go and fix it!" the Crimson Baroness boomed.

The soldier was about to reply when another cord snapped, followed by another and another.  The soldiers began to panic.

"Abandon ship!" called out one of the pegasi.  Hastily, all of the griffons and pegasi scrambled into the air.

"Wh-what do you all think you're doing?!" the Crimson Baroness exclaimed to the panicking masses. "Are you ponies and griffons or mice and jellyfish?!"

But the soldiers paid their commander no heed as they continued to fly away.  The Crimson Baroness snorted.

"Well, fine!  Be that way, you yellow-bellied cowards!" she shouted, holding the map aloft. "The treasure of Das Reingold shall be mine and mine alone!  None of you deserve it, you hear me?!  None of..."

"Yoink!"

In the middle of her rant, Tailspin swooped in and snatched the map from the Crimson Baroness's hooves.  Before she could process this, the last cord snapped, and the airship fell from the sky while the hot air balloon drifted off into the wild blue yonder.  There was a bright flash from below as the ship exploded when it hit the ground.

"Oorah!" Tailspin cheered, pumping her foreleg. "That's what you get!"

"W-wow," said Scootaloo. "Th-that was amazing, Tailspin!"

"Yeah.  I-I guess it was." said Tailspin, her cheeks matching her scarf. "So, I guess I'm taking you back to Hoofington, huh?"

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Well, after I made that big speech, I'd feel kinda bad if I let you tag along," said Tailspin, twiddling her hooves.

Scootaloo smirked. "Are you kidding?  No way am I missing out on this."

Tailspin blinked. "Huh?"

"I've done a lot of crazy things to get my Cutie Mark, Tailspin," said Scootaloo with a twinkle in her eye. "And this is just one more!  Cutie Mark Crusaders Treasure Hunters!  Yay!"

Tailspin laughed. "I'm not even gonna ask what that means," she said. "Alright, it's your choice.  But keep this in mind.  No heroics.  That's my job.  Got it?"

"Got it," said Scootaloo with a wink.

"Good," said Tailspin. "Now, let's fly!"

As Tailspin zoomed off towards Mt. Götterdämarerung, Dorsal and Ventral looked down at the mess they made.  They then turned to each other.

"If you say 'I told you so,' I am going to tear you limb from limb," Dorsal snarled.

"Okay, I won't say it," said Ventral, folding his arms. "You must admit, however, that I had a point."

"Well, how was I supposed to know that would happen?!"

"I don't know, maybe by paying attention instead of letting your rage blind you?"

"Don't take the high road, Ventral!  You were just as mad at that pony as I was!"

"Yes, but I have self-control.  You, however..."

The argument was interrupted by a third set of flapping wings from behind.  The two griffons turned around and blanched at the mysterious third flyer.  They both swallowed.

"I-it was his fault," they said in unison, pointing at one another.