My Little Investigations: Wonderbolts Under Fire

by Metool Bard

Quick Escalation

"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.

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?

"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.