> My Little Investigations: Marehunter
>  by Metool Bard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: Introductions All Around (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I just want to make something clear before we start.  I understand that some of you may be excited or nervous (or nervo-cited, as Pinkie would call it) about me addressing you like this.  To those who feel this way, I ask that you relax.  I want to keep things as informal as possible, at least between us.  If anything, it'll give all of us one less thing to worry about.  Thank you.

Now then, allow me to introduce myself.  For the very very very very few who don't know me (and no, that's not an exaggeration), I am Princess Twilight Sparkle.  My formal title is the Princess of Friendship, and it is my royal duty to spread the magic of friendship all across Equestria.  Of course, this role was not given to me by divine right.  I had to earn it through many trials and tribulations.  Heck, I wasn't even the most social pony in the world growing up; far from it as a matter of fact.  It wasn't until I first came to Ponyville that I truly discovered what it really meant to have friends outside my family, and how much those friendships mean to me.

Now, I have a lot of friends.  There are of course the five ponies who sit on my Royal Cabinet: Private Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy.  They are the ones who first taught me about the value of friendship.  But over the years, I've become acquainted with many other ponies, as well.  In fact, everypony in Ponyville knows my name (and no, it's not just because I'm a princess.  Although that may be a factor in some cases).  While these friendships aren't as strong as the one I share with my Royal Cabinet, I still consider these bonds to be friendships.  I even have a chart showing how strong of a bond I share with everypony I know.

...

What? Don't look at me like that.  I'm the Princess of Friendship.  I have to keep my friendships organized, don't I?

Anyway, I digress.  I want to focus on one friend in particular.  A friend who is brave, noble, and modest to a fault.  A friend who protects ponies who are in peril.  A friend not just to me, but to Wonderbolts, musicians, and jewelers alike.

Her name is the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  And I fear that she is in terrible danger right now.

I feel I should start at the beginning and give you all some background.  Most good stories start at the beginning, after all (except those that start in media res, but again, I digress), and this story should be no exception.  I first met Mare-Do-Well many moons ago; long before I earned my wings and my crown.  I remember it like it was yesterday...


***
January 19, 11:19 PM
Ponyville
Golden Oak Library
***


I was sitting at my desk, sipping a hot cup of earl grey tea and brushing up on some new spells Princess Celestia had sent me a few days before.  It was pretty late at night, but one thing you have to know about me is that I was never a pony who went to bed on time.  I know it's not the healthiest habit in the world, but I can't help it.  I've always enjoyed late-night reading ever since I was a foal.  And besides, I knew Celestia wouldn't have sent me these books unless they were important, so I had to make sure I had each spell memorized.  That's just the way I do things.

Anypony who knows me knows that when I read, I really get absorbed in what I'm reading.  Once I dive into a book, that book is pretty much all I'm focusing on.  I can't risk getting distracted and losing my place, after all.  As such, I tend to tune out pretty much everything that's going on around me.  Again, not a great habit to fall into, but when it's late at night, it's usually not a problem.  But this particular night was an exception as my pet owl, Owlowicious, started hooting right in my ear to get my attention.

"Huh, wha?" I said, shaking myself as I was brought back to reality. "What is it, Owlowicious?"

Owlowicious said nothing, but instead pointed a wing towards the front door.  It was then that I heard a light tap coming from it.  I arched an eyebrow.

"Now who could that be at this hour?" I mused, getting up from my desk.  As quietly as I could, I walked over to the door and opened it ever so slowly.  When I saw who it was, I gasped.

Standing before me was a strange-looking pony.  She was wearing a black, skintight outfit with a mask covering her face, a long, purple cape, and a wide-brimmed hat.  I had not seen that costume for many moons.  It was the costume of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well; a creation made by my friend, Rarity.  But I didn't know what to make of this new pony wearing that outfit.

See, many moons ago, my friend Rainbow Dash was a huge braggart.  Well, technically, she still is, but there was once a time when it was just out of control.  She performed these acts of heroism all over town and just got a swelled head about the whole thing.  So to show her the error of her ways, my friends and I forged a new hero who would be modest and humble, thus teaching Rainbow Dash a lesson in humility.  We called this hero the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  However, that was a long time ago, and nopony had used the costumes since Rainbow Dash learned her lesson.

Then something clicked in my mind.  A little over a week before, Rarity received an anonymous order for the Mare-Do-Well costume.  She was paid for the commission, but up until this moment, there was no way of knowing who the client was.  I had been investigating the matter along with a local weatherpony named Raindrops, and it seemed that I would finally get an answer.

"Um, can I help you?" I asked.

The stranger said nothing, instead opting to avert her eyes.  I couldn't tell because of the mask obscuring her features, but she seemed a bit, nervous.  I tried again.

"Are you the one who commissioned a Mare-Do-Well costume from Carousel Boutique a few days ago?" I inquired.

"No," said the stranger in a hoarse whisper.

I tilted my head. "Then, why are you wearing that costume?  Only six costumes like that exist in Equestria, and five of them belong to me and my friends.  The sixth was commissioned by an anonymous client.  Ergo, by process of elimination, I deduce that the client could only have been you."

"Well, it wasn't," said the stranger. "Listen, I'm here because I have a favor to ask of you."

"Don't change the subject," I said brusquely. "I still don't know who you are."

"Oh, right.  I apologize," said the stranger, clearing her throat. "You can simply refer to me as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well."

I blinked in confusion. "Uh, what are you talking about?  That can't be your real name.  The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well isn't a real pony."

"It's the only name I know," said Mare-Do-Well with a shrug. "Look, somepony told me you could help me with something.  You are Twilight Sparkle, correct?"

I furrowed my brow.  This situation was getting weirder and weirder by the second, and I really didn't know what to make of it.

"Um, yes.  That's me," I said as I braced myself for whatever was coming next. "What do you need me for?"

"Tell me, Twilight Sparkle.  Do you know what a ponunculus is?"

The term sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite put my hoof on it.

"Just a moment," I said, turning to Owlowicious. "Owlowicious, would you mind bring a few books down?"

Owlowicious complied, bringing down books as quietly as he could so as not to wake up Spike, my number one assistant.  One of Spike's biggest pet peeves is being woken up in the middle of the night, which is understandable.  He's a baby dragon, after all, and he needs his rest.  That's why I have Owlowicious helping me at night.  I took the first book on the pile, The Principles of Alchemy, and started skimming through it.  It wasn't long before I found what I was looking for.

"Ah, here we are," I said, reading from the passage. "'A ponunculus is an artificial pony created through alchemy.  Alchemists mainly use ponunculi as a source of labor or companionship.  This high-level spell requires the following ingredients...'"

"I think you get the picture," said Mare-Do-Well, cutting across me. "So, if you know about ponunculi, then you must know what this is."

She reached into her cloak and pulled out a vial hanging off of a necklace.  The vial was generating a powerful illumination, and I couldn't quite make out what the contents were.  After refreshing my memory, I knew what it was.  That vial was a ponunculus core, which serves as its heart.  The wheels in my head went into overdrive as I immediately made the connection.

"You mean, you're a ponunculus?" I asked.

"Indeed," said Mare-Do-Well, sounding a bit pained (I wasn't sure why). "And I need your help with this."

She pointed to her core.  Shielding my eyes against the glare of the core, I took a closer look.  The vial was covered with cracks and fractures of varying shapes and sizes.  If something wasn't done soon, it would break.  And when that happened...

At that moment, I knew what I had to do.

"There's no time to lose," I said, taking Mare-Do-Well by the hoof. "Owlowicious, go downstairs and prepare the laboratory.  Mare-Do-Well, what type of pony is your structure based off of?"

"A, pegasus," said Mare-Do-Well, unfurling her wings.

"Right," I said, turning back to my book and looking up the ingredients. "Owlowicious, I'm gonna need a pegasus feather and my chemistry set, stat.  Wake up Spike if you have to.  This pony needs our help."

Owlowicious nodded and flew off as I led Mare-Do-Well down to the basement.  I understand that it's weird for me to just help a pony I barely know, but if there's one thing I learned from my friend Fluttershy, it's that a little act of kindness can go a long way.  Granted, I wouldn't exactly call saving somepony's life a little act of kindness, but you know what I mean.


***


As most ponies know, magic is a major passion of mine; right up there with reading.  After all, it is my special talent, as well as the Element of Harmony I represent.  As such, I know several different branches and disciplines of magic; far more than the average unicorn.  And yes, that does include alchemy.  But honestly, this was my first time repairing a ponunculus core.  Mainly because Mare-Do-Well was the first ponunculus I ever came in contact with.  Take it from me; creating new life from magic is very high-level stuff, and as such, you don't see a lot of ponunculi running around.

Alchemy in and of itself is very complex.  Even simple recipes like the salve I had to create in order to repair Mare-Do-Well's core can blow up in your face if you're not careful.  Which is why I made a checklist of all my ingredients before I started working.  Luckily, I had just visited Ponyville's local witch doctor, Zecora, so I had pretty much everything on the checklist.  The only thing missing was a pegasus feather.

While I arranged and rearranged the various elixirs in front of me, I saw Mare-Do-Well looking all fidgety out of the corner of my eye.  She was sitting on a stool next to the prep table, where her core was restrained and stabilized.  I decided to break the tension and strike up a conversation with her.

"So, why come to me?  Couldn't your creator fix your core?" I asked, keeping an eye on my work.

Mare-Do-Well sighed and said nothing.  Perhaps that question was a bit too personal.

"Um, you mentioned that a pony recommended me to you.  Would I know this pony?"

Another sigh.

"You know, maybe you should lie down and conserve your energy while I repair your core," I said. "I have a bed upstairs where you could..."

"I'm fine, thank you," interrupted Mare-Do-Well, sounding quite anxious. "Just repair my core, and I'll be on my way."

I set down my flasks and turned to face her. "Uh, are you okay?  You seem a bit apprehensive."

"Mmm?  Oh, sorry," said Mare-Do-Well, obscuring her eyes with her hat. "I'm just, not used to this."

"Not used to what?"

"Sharing secrets."

I tilted my head. "You mean, the whole thing about you being a ponunculus was supposed to be a secret?"

"Yes," said Mare-Do-Well. "I came to you for repairs because I had no other choice."

"Well, what about your creator?"

Mare-Do-Well flinched, and the room suddenly felt colder.

"I, do not wish to discuss that," she said darkly.

"Oh, right.  Sorry.  I didn't mean to pry," I said, turning back to my work. "Just one question, though."

"What?"

"Was your creator the one who ordered your costume?"

There was a pause which was punctuated by a heavy sigh.

"Yes," Mare-Do-Well said as she exhaled.

"I see," said I. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me any more than that, would you?"

"No, I would not," said Mare-Do-Well.

I turned my head and raised an eyebrow. "You're not very social, are you?"

Mare-Do-Well cast her eyes downward. "I, suppose you could say that," she said. "After all, I am the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  I'm not supposed to reveal myself to others."

I had to wonder if she was designed that way, but seeing as her creation appeared to be a sensitive subject for her, I kept these thoughts to myself.  Seeing as I wasn't going to get any answers that way, I changed the subject.

"So, how'd your core get damaged, anyway?" I asked. "Or, is that a personal question, too?"

"It is, somewhat," said Mare-Do-Well. "All I can say is that I was hurt in the line of duty."

Now we were getting somewhere. "The line of duty?" I parroted. "What do you mean?"

"I'm a vigilante by trade," said Mare-Do-Well. "I protect ponies who are in peril.  That is my purpose."

I knitted my brow. "So, let me get this straight.  Somepony heard about the original Mare-Do-Well, and wanted to make a pony just like her?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that," said Mare-Do-Well, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Again, it's personal."

I sighed. "Okay then," I said, turning back to my work.  Honestly, I was getting a bit frustrated.  I had so many questions to ask this new Mare-Do-Well, but she didn't want to give me any answers.  Was it because she was programmed to be mysterious for some reason, or was her past really painful for her to think about?  At this point, either answer seemed plausible.

Just then, Owlowicious flew in, carrying a yellow pegasus feather in his beak.  He landed on the table in front of me and set it down.  Taking a closer look at it, I noticed that it was molted and uneven.  It was probably discarded by somepony during their molting period.  That was a relief.  The last thing I needed during this delicate operation was an angry pony banging on my door demanding what the big idea was (not that Owlowicious would do something like that; he knows better).  While I was concerned about how it would affect the salve, the book seemed to indicate that it would be fine.  So, all I could do at this point was knock on wood and hope for the best.

"Thank you, Owlowicious.  This'll do just fine," I said. "Alright, let's see here..."

Ever so carefully, I followed the recipe in my book step by step.  No ingredient was missed, I stirred and mixed them properly, and I cooked the mixture for just the right amount of time.  As the powder-blue contents of the flask began to generate their own illumination, I could tell that it was ready.

"Alright, I think this should help you," I said, levitating the flask over to the prep table. "Now, hold still.  This might sting a little."

I undid the stopper in Mare-Do-Well's core before daintily pouring the contents of the flask into it.  A shimmering sound came from the core as it accepted the new agent.  The illumination from the core grew brighter and brighter, until it was almost like staring directly into the sun.  I clamped my eyes shut and turned my head, hoping that it would work.  Surprisingly, I didn't hear a single yelp of pain from Mare-Do-Well.

Finally, the light died down slightly, and the shimmering sound disappeared with it.  I opened one tentative eye.  Indeed, the core was still intact.  Through the glare, I could already see the cracks in the vial begin to mend.  The salve was a success.  I let out a sigh of relief.

"There.  That should do it," I said, taking the core out of the clamps and giving it to Mare-Do-Well. "It'll take a few days to mend entirely, so take it easy until then."

"I'll try," said Mare-Do-Well, placing the necklace back on. "Thank you, Ms. Sparkle."

"Don't mention it," I said as we made our way back upstairs. "Actually, you're more than welcome to stay here with me while you recover."

Mare-Do-Well obscured her eyes with her hat. "I appreciate the gesture, Ms. Sparkle.  However, I must decline.  I still have a job to do."

I arched an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say you'd take it easy until you fully recovered?"

"I said I'd try," Mare-Do-Well replied. "Believe me, Ms. Sparkle.  I understand the risks of my profession perfectly well.  But that is secondary to the safety of the innocent."

I couldn't help but remember a time when my friend Applejack had the same mentality.  She wasn't playing a superhero like Mare-Do-Well was, but she prided herself in being a dependable pony that others could always count on, even when she herself needed help.  So while I admired Mare-Do-Well's dedication to her purpose, I also worried that she could have the potential to overdo it like Applejack did.  But unlike Applejack, I didn't feel comfortable giving her advice that she probably didn't want to hear.  After all, we only just met, and she was reluctant to tell me anything about herself beyond a few details.

"Well, if that's the way you feel about it, I won't try to stop you," I said. "Just don't say I didn't warn you."

Mare-Do-Well chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind," she said. "Just, one more thing."

"What is it?"

"We may meet again.  Like I said, I understand the dangers of my profession, and I expect my core to get damaged quite frequently.  You don't mind, do you, Ms. Sparkle?"

I still wanted to know why she couldn't go to her creator for this kind of maintenance, but at this point, I was too tired to argue.

"Um, sure.  I suppose that's okay," I said.

"Thank you," said Mare-Do-Well with a bow. "And you won't tell anypony about me, will you?"

"My lips are sealed," I said with a nod.  Since I didn't find out anything about the identity of Rarity's anonymous client besides the fact that he (or she) is apparently an alchemist, there wasn't much to tell, anyway.

"Thank you again," said Mare-Do-Well. "I'm glad I can trust somepony else with my secret."

I assumed that she was talking about her creator, but given how little I knew about that, I wasn't so sure.  Before I could ask her anything else, I heard a voice from upstairs.

"Twilight?"

I looked up and saw Spike at the top of the stairs, holding his blanket over his shoulder and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.  I blushed and flattened my ears.

"Oh.  Hi, Spike," I said sheepishly. "I woke you up, didn't I?  I'm sorry."

"Yeah, you should be," Spike said groggily. "I was in the middle of the best ice cream dream I've ever had.  Who were you talking to, anyway?"

"Oh, actually, I was talking to—"

I gestured with my hoof, but when I turned around, Mare-Do-Well was gone.  This was very odd, seeing as I didn't even hear her leave.  One moment she was there, and as soon as I turned my back, she just up and vanished.  She really must be dedicated to living up to her name.

"Yes?" said Spike, tapping his foot.

I sighed. "Never mind.  It's nothing," I said. "Just, go back to sleep.  I'll be up in a moment."

"I'm holding you to that, Twi," said Spike with a yawn. "You shouldn't stay up so late.  It's making you see things."

I knew deep down that this wasn't the case, but because of my promise to Mare-Do-Well, I simply shrugged and headed on upstairs.  But all the while, I couldn't stop thinking about her.


***


Since that day, Mare-Do-Well had indeed become an occasional visitor of mine.  She would always arrive in the dead of night, and her core would always be in desperate need of repair.  What's more, I never saw her leave.  Not once.  I'd just be looking somewhere else for a moment, and when I turned around, she was gone.  I grew used to it after a while, but I still had to question if it was absolutely necessary.

As I started to gain her trust through her visits, I learned more about her.  At it turned out, her creator didn't want her to be a hero.  She was initially designed as an assassin to kill the Wonderbolts.  For reasons I don't quite understand, she found herself unable to follow her creator's orders and instead went to aid the Wonderbolts in fending off this threat.  And thus, she's been a hero ever since.  This might be the first time a ponunculus openly defied its creator.  Nothing in my books has ever covered such a phenomenon.

I heard about many more of her exploits from the news, word of mouth, and occasionally the mare herself.  The most noteworthy incidents that come to mind are the attempted sabotage of the Manehattan Music Festival and the protection racket that was set up right here in Ponyville.  Of course, the news outlets never figured out the truth behind this vigilante.  Sometimes, her involvement wasn't mentioned at all.  All ponies knew was that she was a hero you could always rely on.

The last time she dropped in for a visit at my house was at the beginning of autumn, just before the Running of the Leaves.  I didn't see her again until this year's Grand Galloping Gala, which is where our story really begins...
> At the Gala (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 13, 7:20 PM
Canterlot Castle
West Garden
***


"Octy~!"

"What?"

"I'm bored~!"

I had to groan and roll my eyes. "Honestly, Vinyl.  We've only been here for twenty minutes."

"See?  Twenty minutes and I'm already bored out of my skull," Vinyl Scratch griped.

"Oh, just give it a chance," I said. "You've been to the Gala before.  You know it's not that bad."

Vinyl deadpanned. "Maybe you're not aware of this Tavi, but it's common knowledge that the Grand Galloping Gala sucks.  It sucks, it has always sucked, and it will continue to suck as long as these snooty ponies constantly act like they have massive forks shoved up their flanks."

I arched an eyebrow. "I've seen you come here on your own accord, Vinyl.  Why would you do that if it's so bad?"

"Well, duh!  It's to support your band!" said Vinyl. "You know I'm always down for that.  But since you guys aren't performing this year, I've got no reason to be here."

I massaged the bridge of my nose with my hoof. "First of all, it's called an ensemble, and you know it," I growled. "Secondly, while I am disappointed that my ensemble isn't performing this year, you must admit that Lyra has been doing a splendid job thus far."

"Yeah, Lyra's cool and all, but she's not my roommate," said Vinyl. "I don't have the same obligation to her that I have to you.  Thus, I still don't have a good reason to be here other than you forcing me to be here."

I will admit that Vinyl might have a point here, if only because her constant complaining is causing ponies to stare at us.  If this keeps up, it will indeed be a long night.

"Vinyl, for my sake, please stop acting like a child and behave yourself," I pleaded. "A little bit of high-class culture isn't going to hurt you."

Vinyl suddenly gripped her chest and fell to the ground. "Ooh~!  It hurts, Octy!  It hurts~!" she whined melodramatically.

Ugh, I walked right into that one. "Vinyl, I am begging you at this point.  I could've given my second ticket to the Gala to anypony, and I decided to give it to you.  Do not make me regret that decision, or there will be consequences when we get home."

"Yeah, refresh my memory, Octy.  Why did you give the ticket to me again?" asked Vinyl, getting to her feet. "You know I'm not into this prissy, froo-froo stuff."

"Because I wanted to spend this evening with somepony who's special to me," I said.

"And I guess Fred, BB, and Harpo didn't make the cut, huh?" said Vinyl. "Pfft, lucky them."

"They already had tickets to the Gala, Vinyl."

"Then what about Fiddlesticks?  She's your sister, isn't she?"

"I would've asked her if I knew where she was.  You know how she likes to travel around."

"So, you basically chose me because you had nopony else to give the ticket to."

"That and I'm apparently a glutton for punishment," I said with a sigh.

"Yep, you sure are," Vinyl chuckled.

I gave Vinyl a dirty look.  I'm used to her verbal jabs against me, but that one was uncalled for.  Vinyl got the message and immediately sobered up.

"Uh, yeah.  Sorry, Octy," she said sheepishly. "I'll, try to behave myself."

"You'll try," I parroted.

"That's the best I can offer you, Tavi," Vinyl said with a shrug. "Take it or leave it."

The sad thing is that this offer really is the best she can do.  Restraint isn't really something that comes naturally to Vinyl, after all.

"Alright, I'll take it," I said. "But don't do anything too crazy."

"Heh, no promises," said Vinyl with a wink.

I simply sighed and continued to walk around, seeing if there were any appetizing hors d'oeurves on offer.  We were just passing the special VIP lounge when Vinyl suddenly stopped.

"Oh, what now?" I groaned, turning to see what got her attention.

As it turns out, she was looking over at the table where the Wonderbolts were gathered.  I quickly figured out why, and I began to feel a sense of dread.

"Vinyl, don't," I hissed.

"What?" said Vinyl, giving me a cocky grin.

"You know what!" I whispered.

"Look, she probably doesn't want to be here any more than I do," said Vinyl. "If anything, I'd be cutting her a break."

I suppose that was a fair point, although the look on Vinyl's face didn't ease my worries.

"At least get her attention in a way that doesn't involve you making a scene," I said.

"Don't worry, I got this," said Vinyl, turning to the Wonderbolts' table and cupping her hooves over her mouth. "YO, SPITSHINE!"

That, was the exact opposite of what I just told her.  Sometimes, I don't even know why I bother.

"Nice going, Vinyl," I growled through gritted teeth. "Now everypony here thinks you're a boorish fool."

"And that changes stuff how, exactly?" said Vinyl with a laugh.

"I suppose it doesn't, does it?"

I swallowed as a third voice made its way into the conversation.  I slowly turned around to see who it was.  Sure enough, it was Spitfire, the captain of the Wonderbolts.  She flew right in front of us with her forelegs folded and a stern look on her face.

"You got that right," said Vinyl, still laughing about the whole thing. "Good to see ya, Spitshine.  I didn't know they were letting ratty old mules into the VIP lounge."

"Ha ha, very funny," said Spitfire sardonically.  Slowly, a small smile crossed her face as she landed and gave Vinyl a hug. "Didn't think I'd see you here, Scratch."

"Yeah, well.  I got dragged to this bore-fest by the ole ball and chain over here," said Vinyl, pointing at me.

"I see," said Spitfire with a giggle as she released Vinyl. "Hey, Octavia."

"Um, hello, Ms. Spitfire," I said.  Oddly enough, she didn't seem to be all that mad.  I honestly keep forgetting how easy-going and informal she is.

You might know about this if you follow our radio broadcast on K-COLT Radio, but if you don't, I suppose I should explain something.  Spitfire is actually one of Vinyl's oldest friends.  Actually, Spitfire was probably the only friend Vinyl had growing up.  Vinyl always had an abrasive personality, and you really need the patience of a saint to get along with her.  But once you have that, you come to realize that she is actually quite a sweetheart.  I suppose that's why Spitfire put up with her for all that time.  Heck, it's why I put up with her now.

"So, what's up, Vinyl?" asked Spitfire.

"Oh, you know.  The usual," said Vinyl with a shrug. "By the way, that air show we saw coming in was just as rad as ever."

"Well, we try," Spitfire chuckled. "Glad you enjoyed it, Vinyl."

"No prob," said Vinyl. "Hey, uh, Spitshine?  Just between you and me, are you as bored as I am right now?"

"Vinyl~!" I scolded.  Spitfire simply laughed.

"Don't sweat it, Octavia.  She actually has a point," she said. "I only tolerate this little shindig because it's a great place to mingle with fans like you guys.  That and the Wonderbolts are obligated to perform at the Gala every year."

"Sheesh, tough break," said Vinyl, taking Spitfire's hooves in her own and bowing her head. "You have my deepest condolences."

"Eh, it's not so bad," said Spitfire with a shrug.  She then looked over at the table where she was sitting and frowned. "Although I feel like you just made this night a bit longer for me."

I looked to the table and saw that one of the Wonderbolts was laughing hysterically.  The Wonderbolt in question actually looked very much like Spitfire.  Same yellow coat; same orange mane.  The only differences were that she was a bit smaller in build, and her mane didn't have the same fiery streak in it that Spitfire's did.

"Who's that?" asked Vinyl.

Spitfire sighed. "I really hoped I could go through life without you two crossing paths, but it seems my hoof has been forced," she said, turning to the table. "Hey, Blaze!  Get your act together and come over here!"

The laughing Wonderbolt straightened up and flew over to us, still giggling all the while.  Spitfire sighed and shook her head.

"C'mon, Blaze.  It really wasn't that funny," she growled.

"Oh, man.  She just, just— Ehahahaha," chuckled the Wonderbolt, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Yeah, yeah.  Yuk it up," said Spitfire, rolling her eyes before turning to me and Vinyl. "Guys, this here's my kid sister, Blaze."

"I can see the resemblance," said Vinyl, holding out her hoof. "I'm Vinyl Scratch.  Maybe you've heard of me."

"H-hang on," said Blaze, trying to contain herself. "I-I just gotta save that one for the archives."

Something tells me I don't want to know what that means.  Something else tells me that I'm about to find out, anyway.

"Okay, I'm good," said Blaze, taking a few deep breaths.  She looked up and immediately did a double take. "Whoa!  Who knew DJ P0N-3 was rocking this party?"

"Don't get too excited, Blaze.  She's not here to perform," said Spitfire.

Blaze's expression drooped. "Aw, ponyfeathers.  Maybe that would've actually made this Gala worthwhile."

"Hey, I'm right there with you, buddy," said Vinyl. "I'm only here because of Octy."

"Th-that would be me," I said, trying to steer this conversation into more appropriate territory. "I'm Octavia Melody, cellist for the Canterlot Ensemble.  It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Blaze."

"Nice to meet you, too," said Blaze with a smile. "I actually listen to your stuff on K-COLT all the time.  You guys are funny."

"We aim to please," said Vinyl. "So, you know that Spitshine and I used to hang out, right?"

"Pfft~.  Yeah," said Blaze, stifling another laugh. "Although I was not expecting you to call her out like that in front of everypony."

"That's because you don't know Vinyl Scratch like I do," I said.

Vinyl snickered. "Aw, lighten up, Tavi.  It's all in good fun."

"Maybe so, but you just gave my little sister some more ammunition to use against me," said Spitfire with a pout. "Thanks a lot, Vinyl."

"No problem," said Vinyl with a snarky grin.

"Wait, isn't Ms. Blaze a Wonderbolt?" I asked. "That means you outrank her, right?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't stop her from being a pain in the flank sometimes," said Spitfire. "Kid sisters are obnoxious like that."

"Hey!" Blaze snapped in mock indignation.

"Oh, c'mon.  You know as well as I do that it's true," said Spitfire with a snigger before turning back to us. "Anyway, that's why I was hoping you and Blaze wouldn't cross paths like this, Vinyl.  She's annoying enough without getting help from you."

Again, I was surprised that Spitfire was keeping her cool throughout the whole ordeal.  Then again, I've never really seen her get mad.  I suppose it's because I don't see her as often as other ponies do.

"Well, them's the breaks sometimes, Spitshine," said Vinyl with a shrug. "That being said, your little sister's pretty cool.  I bet she has plenty of awesomely embarrassing stories about you."

"Vinyl, don't you think she's been through enough?" I said.

"I don't!" chirped Blaze.

"W-well, you don't count!" I sputtered.

Spitfire let out a hearty laugh. "Heh, you guys are just as crazy as ever."

"Hey, you know you like it," said Vinyl with a smirk.

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Scratch," said Spitfire. "Anyways, we'd better get going.  You never know when somepony's gonna want a photo-op with us.  Later."

"Yeah, seeya," said Vinyl with a wave. "And it was nice to meetcha, Blaze."

"Same here," said Blaze with sinister smirk. "And hey, after the Gala, I'm still willing to share those embarrassing stories about my sister."

"Keep it up, Blaze, and I'll tell them about the dragon attack in Ponyville," said Spitfire, raising an eyebrow.

Blaze gulped. "Okay, shutting up now," she whimpered. "S-seeya."

She flew off back to the table.  Spitfire snickered and shook her head.

"She can dish it out, but she sure can't take it," she said before looking up. "Whoop!  Looks like they're starting the photo-ops already.  Gotta jet!"

With that, she took off like a shot.

"Well, that was fun," said Vinyl. "It's always nice to see ole Spitshine, even at a boring place like this."

"I, suppose," I said. "Come, let's head inside.  I want to hear more of Lyra."

"Sure, sure," said Vinyl.  There was a brief pause before she gave me a knowing smirk. "Say, Octy?"

I sighed. "What?"

"You're only here to listen to Lyra, aren't you?"

I shook my head. "Don't be ridiculous, Vinyl.  Unlike you, I love the Grand Galloping Gala.  I, for one, can appreciate the sophistication and prestige of this event."

"Yeah, right," said Vinyl, nudging me with her elbow. "You're not that snooty, Tavi.  I know you're not.  Maybe a real square like Symphony would like it here, but you have your snootiness limits."

"Vinyl, if you don't stop making me regret bringing you here, you're going to be sleeping on the couch for the next moon and a half," I warned.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but first you gotta throw 'em," said Vinyl in a singsong voice.

Ugh, she is so immature sometimes.  I need this like I need somepony ramming into me.

"Ammy!  Ammy, where are— oof!"

You know, I really should've seen this coming.  No sooner had I thought that than I was tackled to the ground by some random pony.

"Omigosh, are you alright?" asked the attacker, holding out her hoof to me. "I'm really really sorry.  I didn't see you there."

"Nngh, it's fine," I said, getting to my feet.  I saw that the pony who rammed into me was a grey pegasus with a lazy eye wearing a blue dress decorated with bubbles.  I've actually seen her a few times before.  She's Derpy Hooves; a mailmare by trade.  I get packages from her every so often, but that's the extent of our relationship.  Though what she's doing at the Grand Galloping Gala, I have no idea.

"Heya, Derpy," said Vinyl. "You looking for somepony?"

"Kinda," said Derpy, brushing the back of her head. "I came here with my daughter, but I wandered off and got lost.  If you see a pony named Amethyst Star, could you tell her that I'm outside looking for her?"

"Um, sure," I said. "But, why did you wander off?"

"I heard there were gonna be muffins here, so I'm trying to find them," said Derpy. "But all I found were a bunch of gross english muffins.  Blech~!"

I didn't have the heart to tell her that those were the muffins that were promised. "Well, good luck with your search, Ms. Hooves.  We'll let your daughter know you're here."

"Yeah, thanks," said Derpy with a salute before taking off into the air again.

"Y'know, I'm actually starting to get used to this," said Vinyl. "I wonder what other crazy stuff is gonna happen tonight."

"Probably a lot, considering that you're here," I said dryly.

Vinyl smirked. "Ah-ha."

I blinked in confusion. "Ah-ha what?"

"You brought me here so that you wouldn't get bored.  Admit it."

That was, actually somewhat true.  I like the Gala, but sometimes it can be a bit, dull.  I don't notice it as much when I'm performing, but when I'm simply another guest, I have to admit that Vinyl's claims are not entirely unfounded.  However, I refuse to give her the satisfaction of saying that to her face (and you won't tell her, either).

"Don't push it, Vinyl," I said, hiding my face so that she wouldn't see that I was blushing.

Vinyl seemed to catch on anyway and shrugged. "Whatever you say, Octy," she said as we made our way into the castle.
> An Uninvited Guest (M)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 13, 8:30 PM
Canterlot Castle
Main Hall
Twilight's POV
***


I remember the first time I went to the Grand Galloping Gala.  I remember being so excited about having the best night ever, spending time with my mentor and talking about everything I learned.  Turns out all I did was stand at the top steps greeting everypony as they came in.  As such, the best night ever quickly became the worst night ever.

I bring this up because I'm pretty much doing the same thing right now.  Except this time, I'm wearing a crown.  Somehow, that doesn't make the experience any less tedious.

"Are you alright, Twilight?"

I looked up at Princess Celestia, who was wearing a neutral expression.  She still had the calm, serene smile that I've become accustomed to seeing, but I wasn't sure if that's how she truly felt.  After all, she once told me that she herself found the Gala to be dull.

"Just a bit restless," I said. "I wonder what's taking my friends so long.  I remember sending all of them tickets."

"Ah, don't sweat it, Twi," said Spike, who was decked out in a powder blue tuxedo and red bow-tie. "I'm sure they'll be here any minute now.  There's no way they're gonna let you suffer the Grand Galloping Gala alone."

I stifled a giggle. "Spike, mind your manners."

"What?  Don't pretend that you weren't thinking it," said Spike, folding his arms.

"Th-that's not the point," I said, regaining my composure. "I'm a princess, Spike.  I'm not supposed to say those things out loud in front of everypony."

"Yeah, yeah.  Whatever," said Spike, rolling his eyes. "I keep forgetting about that princess title of yours.  Mainly because you keep downplaying it so much."

I opened my mouth to scold him, but thought better of it.  After all, he did have a point.  Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I want special treatment.  Actually, one of the few royal decrees I've ever made is for ponies to treat me the same as everypony else.  It's not that heavily enforced, but I'm just uncomfortable with the idea of being praised left and right because of my title.  I only want to use my power and be recognized for my status when it's appropriate.  That's what Celestia and Luna do, and I think it's best to follow their example.

"Point taken," I said, turning back to the crowd of ponies waiting to be greeted.  I desperately scanned the crowd, looking to see if there were any familiar faces.  Then, right at the front gates, I saw them: The five ponies that I care about so, so much.  I looked to Celestia and cleared my throat.

"Mmm?  What is it, Twilight?" she asked.

"Um, my friends are here," I said, pointing out to the crowd. "Could I...?"

Celestia cut across me with a chuckle. "Twilight, you're a princess now.  You don't need me to tell you what you can and cannot do.  I'll take over from here."

Words cannot describe how happy I was to hear that.  With a nod of thanks, I quickly scooped Spike up and flew down to greet my friends.

"Guys!" I squealed, spreading my forelegs wide.

"Twilight!" they cheered in unison, pulling me into a group hug.  Seeing as I'm the Princess of Friendship, I don't find this behavior to be all that inappropriate for the situation.  Others may disagree, but I honestly don't care.

"I'm so happy you guys could make it," I said as we released each other.

"We wouldn't dream of missin' it, sugarcube," said Applejack with a tip of her stetson.  Looking at all of them, I noticed that they were all wearing the dresses Rarity made for them for the first time we went to the Gala.  The only exception to this was Rainbow Dash.  She was sporting a sky blue uniform with a folded cap, golden buttons, and a yellow stripe on both of her front sleeves indicating her rank.  I smirked.

"I see you decided to break in your new Wonderbolt Reserves uniform," I said.

"You know it," said Rainbow Dash, puffing out her chest. "I wanted to show off my awesomeness to everypony here, and what better way than to show my Wonderbolt spirit?"

I giggled.  That's just like Rainbow Dash; always willing to brag about her accomplishments.  Some things never change.

"Does this mean you'll be hanging out with the Wonderbolts instead of us?" asked Pinkie Pie, sounding a bit disappointed.

"What?  Nah," said Rainbow Dash with a playful chuckle. "I mean, if they notice me, I'll go over and shoot the breeze for a bit.  But I learned my lesson from last time.  No offense to them or anything, but I'd much rather hang out with you guys."

And I'm suddenly reminded of how much has changed since we first met.  I feel like I just got whiplash.  It's not as unpleasant as I thought it would be, though.

"I do apologize if we were a bit late, darling," said Rarity. "There were some, last-minute complications in my schedule that I had to sort out."

"Last-minute complications?" I parroted. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it turns out I might need some scheduling tips from you," said Rarity sheepishly. "See, Sapphire Shores wants the Ponytones to open for her concert in Manehattan tomorrow, and I told her we could make it.  I completely forgot that the Gala was tonight, and that I wouldn't be ready to perform."

At first, I thought this kind of thing would be odd for Rarity.  Like me, she's pretty good at keeping herself organized.  However, I think I understand why she messed up this time.  Sapphire Shores, the Pony of Pop, is one of Rarity's biggest clients; a pony that Rarity would not want to disappoint.  I'm not entirely sure how she heard about Rarity's small-time a cappella group, but if she wanted them to open up for her concert, Rarity was gonna have a hard time saying no.

"So, what happened?  Is she disappointed that you can't make it?" asked Spike.

"A bit," said Rarity. "However, I'm happy to say that the Ponytones will still be able to perform in Manehattan tomorrow.  It took some work, but I managed to find myself a replacement."

"On such short notice?" I asked, knitting my brow. "Who did you get to replace you?"

"Why, Sweetie Belle, of course."

Ah, that makes sense.  Sweetie Belle, a pupil of mine, just so happens to be Rarity's little sister.  I imagine Rarity was able to pull some strings and convince Sweetie Belle to take her place.

"Well, that's great to hear, Rarity," I said. "Although Sweetie Belle has often told me that she's not comfortable with singing in front of large crowds.  Are you sure she'll be okay?"

"Oh, don't worry about that, Twilight," said Fluttershy with a sweet smile. "I was able to give her a little pep talk.  She'll be just fine as long as she believes in herself."

Again, makes sense.  Fluttershy is a pony who's always had trouble with stage fright and standing up for herself.  While she's taken steps towards overcoming her anxieties, they haven't completely disappeared (actually, I doubt they ever will).  As such, I can totally picture her empathizing with Sweetie Belle and giving her some pointers.  Especially since she herself has had a similar experience with the Ponytones.

"Well, what're we waiting for?" said Pinkie, hopping up and down. "Let's go find a spot to hang out and make this the best night ever!  For reals, this time!"

Everypony cheered in agreement, including myself.  I'm sure some ponies found this odd, but again, I don't care.  What's the point of being the Princess of Friendship if you don't enjoy spending time with your friends?  With the formalities out of the way, we all went inside.


***


"Ugh, just as boring as ever.  I'm beginning to wonder if all galas are this boring."

Ponies continued to give us odd looks as we made our way through the main hall.  I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it was because of Pinkie Pie.  All the while, she was looking around left and right, clicking her tongue and shaking her head in disappointment.  While we were all thinking the same thing, we had the good decency to keep it to ourselves.  That's never been something Pinkie got the hang of.

"I wouldn't worry 'bout it too much, Pink," said Applejack. "After all, we're gonna have plenty of fun hangin' out with each other, aren't we?"

"Yeah, I know," said Pinkie with a sigh. "It's just that the Grand Galloping Gala was said to be the biggest party in Equestria, and ever since we went to that first one, I couldn't help but feel like it was false advertising.  Sheesh, where's Cheese Sandwich when you need him?"

"I, think there's a reason they never asked Cheese Sandwich to host one of these highfalutin', fancy-shmancy parties," said Applejack, raising an eyebrow. "These hoity-toity types don't like that kind of thing."

"Well, it's their loss," said Pinkie with a pout. "I dunno, guys.  I just feel like this party could use a bit more oomph, y'know what I mean?"

Applejack's face darkened. "Careful what you wish for, Pink.  Ya just might get it," she warned.

Pinkie blinked. "Wouldn't that be a good thing?" she asked.

Applejack groaned and rolled her eyes. "Never mind."

Pinkie laughed and wrapped her forelegs around Applejack's neck. "I'm just messing with you, AJ.  I know I'm gonna have a great time at this gala, oomph or no oomph.  'Cause I'm gonna be spending it with my bestest best friends and my favorite fourth cousin twice removed from a fifth cousin."

We all shared a laugh.  That's the great thing about Pinkie Pie.  She can always find a way to put a smile on your face, even in the darkest (or in this case, the dullest) of situations.

"Yeah, you said it, Pinkie," said Spike. "I just hope our time together isn't ruined by ponies constantly asking for Twi's autograph of something."

"Ugh, don't remind me of that, Spike," sighed Rainbow Dash, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her hoof. "That's what ruined my night the last time we were here.  The Wonderbolts were too busy being mobbed by fans left and right to hang out with me."

"Well, I'm gonna make sure that's not the case this time," I said. "Starting right now, I am not going to let anypony accost me unless it's an emergency.  That is my promise to you as a princess."

"Is it your Pinkie Promise?" asked Pinkie.

I sighed and performed the Pinkie Promise gesture. "Yes, Pinkie.  It's my Pinkie Promise," I said.

"Good!  We're all holding you to that," said Pinkie with a wink.

"Princess Twilight!"

Wouldn't you know it?  As soon as I made that promise, somepony was running up to me.  With another sigh, I turned to see who it was.  At it turned out, it was Amethyst Star (better known as Sparkler), a jeweler's apprentice from Ponyville.  She was wearing a blue dress and an orchid in her mane, and she looked rather worried.

"Um, hello, Sparkler," I said. "Listen, I'm actually very busy right now, so if you don't mind..."

"Oh.  Sorry, Your Highness," said Sparkler. "I, just have a small favor to ask you."

"If it's an autograph, I'm not..."

"It's not an autograph," said Sparkler. "Um, have you seen Derpy Hooves anywhere?  I came to the Gala with her, and she seems to have wandered off.  I want to find her before she gets herself into trouble."

I looked back to my friends, and we all shared a shrug.

"Sorry, Sparkler.  We haven't seen her," I said. "We'll keep our eyes open, though."

"Thank you, Your Highness," said Sparkler with a bow.  She then started running off again. "Mom!  Mom, where are you?!"

"Huh.  That was, something," said Spike, scratching his head.

"I'm honestly not that surprised," said Rainbow Dash, her expression becoming deadpan. "Derpy's sense of direction isn't the best in the world."

"Do you think we should help her?" asked Fluttershy.

"I suppose that would be the right thing to do," said Rarity, furrowing her brow. "Although it's not an ideal way to spend an evening like this, is it?  What do you think, Twilight?"

Before I could respond, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.  Turning my head, I saw that it was Pinkie Pie's tail twitching.  I knew what that meant.  It was her Pinkie Sense indicating that something was about to fall out of the sky.

"Incoming!" I shouted, ducking under a table while the rest of us did the same.  The only one who didn't hide was Rainbow Dash.  She instead looked up at the ceiling and narrowed her eyes.

A split second later, there was a loud crash, and shards of glass littered the ground.  From my vantage point underneath the table, I could see that many of the other guests were surprised by this turn of events, and for good reason.  Rainbow Dash darted upward, out of my line of sight.

"I gotcha!" I heard her say. "You guys can come out now!"

We did so.  I looked up to see what had fallen, and I gasped in horror.  One of the large windows overlooking the garden had been smashed.  The cause of the broken window was resting in Rainbow Dash's forelegs, and it was none other than Derpy Hooves.  From what I could see, she was covered in nicks and bruises.  What happened to her?

Before anypony could process this, the side door burst open and several guards ran in.  Already, ponies were starting to mutter amongst themselves nervously.  The leader of the guards ran up to me and pulled me aside.

"Your Highness, I do not wish to alarm you, but there is an intruder on the loose," he whispered. "We think it may be some sort of assassin.  They have already made an attempt on Prince Blueblood's life."

My eyes went wide.  Prince Blueblood, Princess Celestia's nephew, is a very important pony indeed.  However, he wasn't the most important pony attending the Gala.  Why would an assassin go after him when Celestia and I were bigger targets?  I couldn't dwell on this mystery for long.  After all, I'm a princess.  I have to take action.

"Everypony, this area is not safe!" I announced. "I ask that you all leave the premises as soon as possible, and that you all remain calm!  The guards will escort you out in an orderly manner!  They'll keep you safe!"

Taking that as an order, the Royal Guard sprang into action, trying to keep everypony from panicking as they led them out of the castle.  I turned to the guard that just told me the news.

"I want details about this attempt on the prince's life as soon as possible," I said. "Also, keep your eyes open for anypony suspicious.  I'll be in the throne room with my cabinet if you need me."

"Yes, Your Highness," said the guard with a bow before rushing off.

"So much for the best night ever," sighed Spike.

"I'll say," said Pinkie, dusting herself off. "That was way too much oomph.  I only wanted a little bit of oomph.  Hey, any chance we can find the super-suspicious pony and complain?"

"Rainbow Dash, is Derpy okay?" I asked.

Before Rainbow Dash could answer, Derpy wriggled a bit in her grasp.  It seemed like she was waking up.

"Ugh, owie," she mumbled.

"Hang on, Derpy.  It's gonna be alright," said Rainbow Dash, floating gently to the ground.

"Mom!"

As soon as Rainbow Dash touched down, Sparkler came rushing in.

"Mom, wh-what happened?" she whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "Are you okay?  How many hooves am I holding up?"

"I-it's alright, Ammy.  I'm gonna be fine," said Derpy, getting to her feet.  As she did so, I noticed that there was a note taped to her body.  Using my magic, I took it off and opened it.  It read as follows:


Princess Twilight Sparkle:

I have been replaced by an impostor.  She is either in Canterlot, the Griffon Kingdom, Manehattan, or the Mewlun Mountains.  You must stop her.

~Mare-Do-Well


I had a lot of questions about this, and none of them were gonna be solved simply by standing around.

"Derpy, I want you to accompany us to the throne room," I said. "I have some questions to ask you."

"Okay," said Derpy with a weak nod.

"Mom, don't," said Sparkler, placing a hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "You're hurt.  You should go see..."

Derpy shook her head. "I've had worse than this, Ammy.  I'll be okay, I promise," she said, stroking Sparkler's cheek with her own hoof.

Sparkler cast her gaze downward and bit her lip.  After a pause, she looked up at me.

"With Your Highness's permission, I'd like to accompany my mom to the throne room," she said.

I could hear the concern in her voice and see it in her eyes.  Although I felt like I was breeching some sort of protocol, I couldn't in good conscience deny her request.

"I'll allow it," I said. "C'mon, everypony."

With that, we all made our way to the throne room, with Sparkler throwing one of Derpy's forelegs over her shoulder.  Many questions swam through my mind as we walked, but one stuck out the most:

What did this mean?


***
December 13, 20:50
Canterlot Castle
West Garden
Spitfire's POV
***


"Captain Spitfire!"

I was distracted from my eleventh photo-op by a voice calling out to me.  Truth be told, I was kinda relieved.  Since my meeting with Vinyl, I was waiting for something else to shake things up at this party.  I turned to see that it was the current captain of the Royal Guard, Holy Lance.  He was a proud-looking alabaster unicorn with a golden mane and a suit of golden armor with a red plume on his helmet to signify his rank.  He seemed to have a concerned look on his face, which already set off warning bells in my head.

"Report," I said.

"There have been reports of an intruder attacking the castle," said Holy Lance. "Princess Twilight has already asked everypony to evacuate, and the guards are currently searching for the assailant.  If at all possible, we could use the Wonderbolts' help in this matter."

This was, quite unexpected.  But of course, that didn't matter in the slightest.  A Wonderbolt has to be ready to move at a moment's notice, no matter what.  I gave Holy Lance a nod and turned to my fellow Wonderbolts.

"Wonderbolts, we're needed!" I bellowed, spreading my wings. "We may have a bogey in Canterlot airspace!  All ponies, prepare to scramble!"

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

"Don't worry, Holy Lance.  If this intruder is airborne, we'll bring them down," I said, lowering my flight goggles. "Blaze, Misty Fly!  You two are my wing!  The rest of you, divide into wing trios and cover every side of the castle!  Let's move!"

Nopony needed to be told twice.  We all took off into the air and spread out to every point of the compass, surrounding the castle.  It wasn't long before I noticed a shadow fly by my field of vision.

"I see something!" I called out to my wingponies. "This way!"

"Right behind you, Sis!" Blaze hollered back.

"We've got your back, Spitfire!" Misty Fly concurred.

We took off together, Blaze and Misty Fly at my heels as I followed the shadow to the best of my ability.  Whoever it was, they were pretty good.  I had to do a lot of ducking and rolling to keep up with their tight maneuvers.  Their stamina was impressive, too.  We probably were chasing this bogey all throughout Canterlot airspace.

Finally, the bogey stopped and turned to face us.  To be honest, I was surprised to see who it was.  I lowered my flight goggles to get a better look.  She appeared to be a pegasus mare wearing a skin-tight suit, a purple cape, and a wide-brimmed hat.  I know that outfit from anywhere.

"Mare-Do-Well?" I asked. "What're you doing here?"

The mare in question didn't answer, but instead continued to stare at me.  Cautiously, I approached her.

"Are you looking for the intruder, too?" I inquired.

Again, no answer.  I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this.

"Mare-Do-Well, it's me, Spitfire.  Remember?" I said.

Mare-Do-Well pressed her hooves together and mumbled something.  I couldn't quite make out what it was, but it sounded like singing.  Suddenly, there was a bright flash, and a thick cloud of opaque smog washed over me.  I coughed and wheezed, struggling to stay airborne while the offending vapor tried to fill my lungs.  I felt a strong breeze at my back as Blaze and Misty Fly blew the cloud away.

"You okay, Sis?" asked Blaze, flying up to me and holding out her hoof.

"I-I'll live," I panted, slowly catching my breath.  When I looked up, I saw that Mare-Do-Well had disappeared entirely.  I can't quite explain it, but something about this whole scenario feels, wrong.  I remember Mare-Do-Well quite vividly.  Although she was initially a bit of a pest, she was a great help in repelling an assassination attempt on the Wonderbolts earlier this year.  Why was she acting like, this?

"We should go report this to Princess Twilight," I said. "Misty Fly, find Soarin' and tell him that he's in command.  If anything comes up, I want him to let me know ASAP."

"Understood, Spitfire," said Misty Fly with a salute.

"Blaze, you're with me," I said, forcing out another cough.

"Hey, take it easy," said Blaze, placing one of my forelegs over her shoulder. "You sure you're okay, Sis?"

I gave Blaze a look.  When you think about it, that was a dumb question.  Of course I'm not okay.  I'm very, very confused.  Much like the first time I met Mare-Do-Well, but for different reasons.  However, I knew that wasn't really what she meant.

"Physically, I think I just need to catch my breath," I said as we made our way down to the castle. "Otherwise, I've just got too many questions on my mind right now."

"Yeah, same here," said Blaze. "Do you think Princess Twilight knows what's going on?"

I sighed and shook my head. "I really can't say for sure, Blaze.  All I know is that I've got a feeling that this might just be the start of something bigger."

"Bigger?" parroted Blaze, arching an eyebrow. "Sis, what could be bigger than crashing the Grand Galloping Gala?"

"Lots of things, Blaze," I said, staring off into the distance. "And that right there is the problem."

As we touched down, I noticed Vinyl and Octavia still wandering about.  As soon as Vinyl noticed me, she made a beeline right for us.

"Spitfire, hey," she said, giving me a once-over.  The fact that she wasn't calling me by the nickname she made for me showed that she was being serious.  That's never a good sign with Vinyl.  When she's acting serious, something really bad is going down.

"Are you alright, Ms. Spitfire?" asked Octavia.

"We only ask because right now, you look like shit," said Vinyl, prompting an elbow jab from Octavia.

I sighed. "I'll be alright, guys," I said. "I suggest you two get out of here.  There's somepony causing a ruckus, and I wouldn't want..."

"You mean Mare-Do-Well, right?"

I did a double take at Vinyl's statement.  How did she know about Mare-Do-Well? "Uh, what're you talking about?"

"Octy and I saw some silhouette fly above us while the guards were showing us out," explained Vinyl. "Octy said it looked a lot like Mare-Do-Well."

"That's, true," said Octavia nervously. "A-although it really could've been anything.  The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well would never do something like this, would she?"

Methinks I'm not the only pony who had the pleasure of meeting the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  This I had to hear.

"I was about to head to the throne room and give my report," I said. "I think you two should come with."

"Are you sure, Ms. Spitfire?" asked Octavia. "W-we're just civilians.  I don't think the princess would..."

"Trust me on this, Octavia," I said, giving her a stern look. "And in the meantime, it seems we both have some stories to share..."
> Investigation Organization (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 13, 9:15 PM
Canterlot Castle
Throne Room
***


I couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu when we walked into the throne room.  I've visited this great hall of stained-glass windows a few times in the past.  Almost every time, I would end up leaving with the fate of Equestria in my hooves.  I'm not sure if that'll be the case this time, but it seems rather likely.  The only way to know for sure is to get a better idea of what's going on.

"Alright, we shouldn't waste any time," I said, turning to Derpy Hooves. "Derpy, I'd like to hear your testimony as to what happened tonight.  Try not to gloss over any details."

"Mom, are you sure you're up for this?" asked Sparkler, still looking rather worried as she carried Derpy over her shoulder.

Derpy nodded. "Don't worry about me, Ammy.  It's really not that bad."

Sparkler opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was a heavy sigh as she let Derpy go.  Derpy frowned.

"Ammy?  Are you, mad at me?" she inquired.

Sparkler shook her head. "No, I'm not mad at you, Mom.  You didn't really do anything wrong."

"No, I did," said Derpy, her expression drooping. "I shouldn't have wandered off like that.  It's just that this party promised muffins, and I wanted to find some for us to share."

The wheels in my mind began turning. "Spike, make sure you pay close attention to this," I said. "I might want you to take notes later."

"You can count on me, Twi," said Spike with a firm nod.

I turned back to Derpy and Sparkler. "Sparkler, at what time did you notice that Derpy went missing?"

"Pretty soon after we arrived," said Sparkler.

"And when was that?"

"Around ten minutes to seven."

And if I remember correctly, Derpy came crashing through the window at approximately eight forty-five.  Meaning there was roughly a two hour gap between events.  I need to know what happened during that time.

"Derpy, do you remember seeing anypony suspicious while you were wandering around?" I asked.

Derpy furrowed her brow. "Not really.  I mean, I thought I saw the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well at one point, but that was probably just a shadow."

"Do you remember where you saw this shadow?"

"Nope, sorry."

Hmm.  Something tells me that Derpy wasn't just seeing things when she came across that shadow.  It's very possible that it was Mare-Do-Well out there, or her doppelgänger.

"Why did you think it was just a shadow?" I inquired.

"Because I went over to talk to her," said Derpy. "But, I didn't find anypony there."

This doesn't exactly discredit my theories.  Mare-Do-Well has been known to disappear into the shadows when she feels she has to, and her impostor probably wouldn't want to get caught.  There has to be more to this story that we're not seeing.

"Hang on a sec, Derpy," said Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow. "Why did you think that the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well would be at the Grand Galloping Gala?"

"That's what I wanted to know," said Derpy with a shrug.

"So, after you tried to find Mare-Do-Well, what happened?" I asked.

Derpy rubbed the side of her head. "Um, I kinda don't know.  I heard some sort of song, and then the rest was just, blurry.  The next thing I knew, I was being carried by Rainbow Dash."

So she was knocked out somehow.  And while she was unconscious, somepony taped a note addressed to me to her body and threw her through the window.  Since the window overlooks the East Garden, it's safe to presume that she saw Mare-Do-Well's shadow somewhere in that area.  But that's still not enough to go on.

"I'm still not sure about this whole Mare-Do-Well thing," said Rainbow Dash, stroking her chin and furrowing her brow. "I mean, she's gone, isn't she?  She disappeared a long time ago.  There's no way Derpy actually saw her unless there's something you guys aren't telling me."

Oh boy.  She has no idea how accurate that statement is.  I promised Mare-Do-Well that I'd keep her existence a secret, and as such, I never told any of my friends about her.  But for her sake, it looks like I'm gonna have to break that promise.  I let out a sigh.

"Actually, there's something I need to tell you guys," I said.

All eyes were now on me.  Best not to waste any time.  I'm sorry about this, Mare-Do-Well.  But my friends have to be on the same page I am if they're gonna help me.

"It's a bit of a long story, but I'll try to summarize as best as possible," I said, clearing my throat. "There actually is another Mare-Do-Well out there.  Let me explain..."

I proceeded to tell them everything about Mare-Do-Well, or at least what I knew.  When I was done, Rarity was the first to speak up.

"So, all this time, you knew the identity of the one who commissioned that Mare-Do-Well costume all those moons ago?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, but she made me swear to secrecy."

"It's quite alright, darling.  I understand," said Rarity. "However, what does all this have to do with anything?"

"I found this on Derpy's person," I said, taking out the note. "It's a plea for help from Mare-Do-Well.  She says she has an impostor running around."

"Which means we have a suspect," said Pinkie, taking out a magnifying glass, a bubble pipe, and a brown hat from her mane (don't ask; this is actually very normal for her). "This identity thief could very well have crashed this gala to tarnish Mare-Do-Well's good name."

"We don't know that for sure, Pinkie," I said. "But at this point, it's a good hunch."

Pinkie nodded and started blowing bubbles out of her bubble pipe. "Hmm.  Sounds to me like we need more clues," she mused.

Just then, one of the guards came in.

"Princess Twilight, Captain Spitfire wishes to have an audience with you," he said. "She says it's urgent."

"Let her in," I said.

"Yes, Your Highness," said the guard with a bow.  Using his magic, he opened the doors all the way.  Just as he said, Spitfire was right there waiting.  She was accompanied by another Wonderbolt as well as two civilian ponies.  I recognized the civilians as the famous radio talk show hosts from K-COLT: Vinyl Scratch (better known as DJ P0N-3) and Octavia Melody.  What they're still doing here, I don't know.

"Sorry if this is a bad time, Your Highness," said Spitfire with a salute. "I hope you don't mind if these two civvy ponies join us.  We actually have a lot to discuss."

"Uh, Spitshine?  We do have names, y'know," said Vinyl.

"Vinyl~!  Not in front of the princess!" Octavia hissed.

"It's alright," I said. "Come on in and give me your report."

The four ponies nodded and did as I asked.  As soon as Spitfire got close, Rainbow Dash landed and gave her a salute.  Spitfire and the Wonderbolt accompanying her gave one in return.

"At ease, private," said Spitfire with a small smirk. "It's good to see you."

"You as well, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash.  While this isn't the first time I've seen Rainbow Dash talk to the Wonderbolts without completely flipping out, it's still an odd sight for me.  I suppose the fact that she's part of the Wonderbolt Reserves now means she has to temper her enthusiasm a bit.

After that brief exchange, Spitfire turned to me and cleared her throat. "Anyway, I have some, troubling news to report.  I sighted a bogey in Canterlot airspace that looked like the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  When I approached her, she unleashed some kind of smokescreen and disappeared.  Also, my friends here claim to have seen her, too."

I furrowed my brow. "Is this true?"

"Yes, Your Highness," said Octavia with a bow. "At least I think so.  I have no way of knowing for sure."

"Hey, what a coinkcidink," Derpy pipped up. "I thought I saw her, too."

"It seems too convenient to be a coinkcidink, my dear Derpy," said Pinkie Pie, blowing more bubbles out of her bubble pipe.

"I agree," I said, stroking my chin as I started making connections in my head. "Ms. Spitfire, you remember when Mare-Do-Well helped repel that assassination attempt on the Wonderbolts this past January, correct?"

"How could I forget?  I was doing most of the legwork throughout that whole debacle," said Spitfire.

"And Ms. Octavia, you were attending the Manehattan Music Festival in April when Mare-Do-Well assisted in catching a saboteur, right?"

"Yes, of course," said Octavia. "It was quite a, trying experience."

"And Sparkler, as I recall, Mare-Do-Well also helped you take down that protection racket being set up in Ponyville back in July."

"Yeah, that's true," said Sparkler, arching an eyebrow. "But why bring this up, Your Highness?"

"I believe this mystery may very well involve all of you," I said. "Ms. Spitfire, I think you and Ms. Octavia should read this."

I took out Mare-Do-Well's note.  Spitfire took it first, reading it over carefully.

"What does it say, Sis?" asked the other Wonderbolt.

When Spitfire looked up, her face darkened. "We've got trouble, Blaze, and it's not just in Equestria," she said. "Octavia, here."

She handed the note off to Octavia, who quickly read it over before letting out a gasp.

"O-oh dear," she said. "Th-this is quite serious.  Your Highness, what does this mean?"

"I don't know, but I intend to find out," I said firmly.

"Um, hi.  A few of us are out of the loop here," said Vinyl, raising her hoof. "Care to fill us in?"

"Basically, Mare-Do-Well has been replaced by an impostor, and that impostor is somewhere in Equestria," said Sparkler. "She didn't indicate where she was herself, but hey, she's never been known for her straightforwardness."

"We're not limited to Equestria, though," added Spitfire. "The note said she could be in the Griffon Kingdom, too.  Makes me wonder if this is her old creator's work."

While that is doubtful, I understand why Spitfire thinks this.  Mare-Do-Well's creator, Gypsy Moth, was an alchemist captured by the now-defunct Tengu Dynasty a long time ago.  She was driven mad by the dynasty's barbarous culture of treachery and paranoia, and she used her alchemy to become their new empress.  As I mentioned, she created Mare-Do-Well as an assassin to kill the Wonderbolts, but that plan didn't work.  She instead struck up a campaign targeting both Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom, attempting to conquer them both and bring the Tengu Dynasty back.  She was thwarted by Spitfire and was sentenced to spend the rest of her days in prison for her crimes.  She currently resides in a maximum-security facility in the Griffon Kingdom.

"You mean that weird bird lady you were just telling me and Octy about?" said Vinyl. "I dunno, Spitshine.  From what you told us, you really did a number on her.  She'd be stupid to try anything like that again."

"That or crazy, which she is.  Crazy, I mean," said Blaze darkly. "I'm with my sis on this one; this Mare-Do-Well impostor thing definitely has her hoofprints all over it."

"I said it was just a possibility, Blaze," said Spitfire sternly. "Nothing more, nothing less."

"Twilie!"

Just then, we were interrupted by somepony else barging in.  I knew who it was right away, but what would he be doing here?  Curious, I looked up.  Sure enough, it was my BBBFF, Shining Armor.  He was accompanied by Princess Celestia, and he looked quite worried.  Not that I blame him with every that's been going on.

For those who don't know, BBBFF stands for Big Brother Best Friend Forever.  And that is Shining Armor in a nutshell.  Along with my parents, Spike, Celestia, and my foalsitter Cadence (who is now my sister-in-law), he was one of the few friends I had growing up.  He now rules the Crystal Empire alongside his wife, Princess Cadence.  Which is why I'm quite surprised that he's here.

"I heard about the attack on the Gala as soon as I got here," he said. "Are you alright, Twilie?"

"I'm fine, Shining," I said. "Although I have to ask.  What are you doing here?"

"I was gonna surprise you by coming to this year's Grand Galloping Gala and spending some time with you," said Shining.

Aw, geeze.  That's actually really sweet of him.  Truth be told, I've been spending more time with Cadence than Shining Armor, and I don't even see Cadence all that much.  Seeing him at the Gala would've been a real treat.  However, that's all academic right now.

"We were actually just discussing the matter," I said. "It's a long story.  Let me ask you this.  Have you heard anything about the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well?"

"The Crystal Empire gets some news about her activities every once in a while, but it's all vague and kind of unreliable," said Shining Armor. "What about it?"

"Apparently, some bozo decided to take her place and cause some havoc around Equestria," said Rainbow Dash. "I can't speak for anypony else, but I'm thinking that she crashed the Gala."

"Hold on there, RD," said Applejack, raising her hoof. "How do we know that wasn't the real Mare-Do-Well runnin' around?  Didn't she tape that there note to Derpy?"

"I might have to side with Private Rainbow Dash on this one," said Spitfire. "The Mare-Do-Well I ran into was acting strange.  It must've been the impostor."

"Well, maybe they were both here, and Spitfire ran into one of them while Derpy ran into another," said Spike.

"But that doesn't explain why the real Mare-Do-Well would knock out my mom and throw her through a window," said Sparkler.

"Everypony, please," I said firmly, drawing myself to full height and spreading my wings. "Senseless debate is not going to get us anywhere.  Right now, we can't say for certain if Mare-Do-Well or her impostor are here."

"Then, what should we do?" asked Fluttershy.

"First, we should make sure we don't forget any details," I said. "Ms. Spitfire, you mentioned before that Ms. Octavia and Ms. Scratch have something to contribute."

"Oh, that's right.  Nearly forgot," said Spitfire. "Octavia?"

"Mmm?  Oh, yes," said Octavia, clearing her throat. "Actually, Your Highness, Ms. Spitfire told me that before Mare-Do-Well unleashed her smokescreen, she heard her mumble something melodic.  I can't say for sure as I wasn't there, but she may have been using Pan's Music Code."

"Pan's Music Whatzzit?" asked Pinkie.

"It's a way to perform magic through music," I explained, remembering the book on the subject quite vividly. "It was discovered by the famous satyr minstrel, Pan.  From what I heard about the incident at the Manehattan Music Festival, the saboteur was trying to get their hooves on it."

"That's correct," said Octavia. "But why would Mare-Do-Well be using it herself?  Or her impostor, for that matter?"

"Actually, I heard something like that, too," said Derpy. "It was just before I got knocked out and ended up going through the window."

Shining Armor rubbed his head. "This is all pretty complicated stuff, Twilie.  You're gonna have to bring me up to speed later."

"I'll be sure to do that," I said. "In the meantime, I have a plan."

"Well, lay it on us, sugarcube," said Applejack. "Whatcha thinkin'?"

"According to the note, Mare-Do-Well's impostor is in one of these four locations," I stated. "As such, we'll divide ourselves into teams, and investigate each area."

"I call dibs on the Griffon Kingdom!" Blaze blurted out, prompting a deadpan glare from Spitfire.

"Hmm.  Fluttershy, perhaps it's best if we take a trip to Manehattan," said Rarity. "I'm, actually quite worried about Sweetie Belle."

"Wait a sec.  Sapphire Shores and the Ponytones are performing in Manehattan tomorrow, aren't they?" asked Vinyl.

"Um, yes."

"Then count me in!"

Octavia smacked her forehead. "Vinyl, focus.  We're trying to help Mare-Do-Well, remember?"

"Yeah, I know.  But awesome music is awesome music, Tavi," said Vinyl. "You of all ponies should know that."

Octavia sighed. "I'd better join this Manehattan group, just so that I can keep on eye on Vinyl."

"Figured you'd say that," said Spitfire with a chuckle. "Anyway, I think I'll have the Wonderbolts check out the Griffon Kingdom.  We have a history there, so it should be fine."  She then turned to Rainbow Dash. "Whaddya say, private?  You ready for your first mission as a member of the Wonderbolt Reserves?"

Rainbow's face lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree, but she still made a concerted effort to keep her enthusiasm in check. "Y-you mean it, ma'am?"

"It'd be a honor to have you with us, private," said Spitfire.

"Heck yeah!" Rainbow Dash cheered, pumping her foreleg.  She then quickly sobered up and saluted. "Um, I mean yes, ma'am."

Spitfire snickered. "Keep up that enthusiasm, private.  I think we're gonna need it."

"Um, I have a question," said Derpy. "What exactly are the Mewlun Mountains?"

"I can answer that," said Celestia, stepping forward. "The Mewlun Mountains are a mountain range in the southeast; just beyond the grotto of the breezies.  It is the home of a nation that has not made contact with Equestria as of yet: The Neko Shogunate."

"The Neko Shogunate?" I parroted. "Why haven't they made contact with us?"

"They are an isolationist society that does not believe in outside influences," said Celestia with a heavy sigh. "There is but one mountain where they allow others to venture."

I perked up. "Hang on, Celestia.  Back in July, I remember meeting a great dragon philosopher named Kohryu.  He said his home was to the southeast just beyond our borders.  Could that be the mountain you're talking about?"

"It's possible," said Celestia.

I knitted my brow.  These connections are starting to get uncanny.  As part of the protection racket Sparkler took down, Kohryu and his acolytes, the Four Benevolent Animals, were cursed and trapped inside mystical gemstones.  Mare-Do-Well played a major part in freeing them from that curse.  I'm starting to think that there's a reason for this.

"Maybe we should go see our old friend, Ammy," said Derpy. "He probably misses us, and since he's super smart, he'll help us find Mare-Do-Well!"

"Well, maybe," said Sparkler. "I'm not too fond of this Neko Shogunate, though.  They might not let us snoop around."

"Aw, don't worry about it," said Pinkie Pie. "I bet if we throw them a big party, they'll love us in no time!"

"I, don't think that's gonna work, Pink," said Applejack, obscuring her eyes with her stetson.

"We won't know until we try," said Pinkie.

Applejack sighed. "In that case, I'm comin' with ya.  We can't have you startin' any wars like you did in Appleloosa."

"Hey, that was a fluke!" Pinkie protested.

"Sure it was," said Applejack, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, let's settle down here," I said. "It looks like we all know where we're going."

"I guess so," said Spike. "I suppose that means we're staying in Canterlot and trying to find Mare-Do-Well here?"

"Indeed, Spike," I said. "You're welcome to help us out if you want, Shining Armor."

"You know I would in a heartbeat, Twilie," said Shining with a smile. "Although I'll have to let Cadence know what's going on."

"I'll take care of that," said Celestia. "Kibitz!"

An old tan unicorn with a bushy mustache and a pocket watch for a Cutie Mark ran in. "Yes, Your Highness?" he asked.

"Send a letter to the Crystal Empire informing Princess Cadence that Shining Armor will be indisposed for a time here in Canterlot," said Celestia. "Also, I'd like four passports for the Wonderbolts, four train tickets to Manehattan, and an airship ready to depart for the Mewlun Mountains first thing tomorrow morning."

Kibitz blinked in confusion. "Um, sure.  Anything you say, Your Highness," he said, scribbling the information down on a piece of parchment. "Might I ask what all this is about?"

"It's for an important investigation," I said somberly. "An investigation to save a friend, and probably all of Equestria."

Kibitz recoiled, his spectacles flying off of his face. "What?!  Equestria's in danger?!"

"Not quite yet, but it might be if we don't do something about it," I said.

"Uh, alright.  Yes, I'll just, make a note of that," said Kibitz.

Celestia let out a small chuckle before placing a hoof on my shoulder. "It seems you have your work cut out for you, Twilight."

"I suppose I do," I said with a smile. "Don't worry, Princess Celestia.  I'm up for the challenge, as is everypony else here."

There was a chorus of acknowledgements from everypony else in the room, except for Kibitz, who simply muttered to himself as he continued scribbling.

"Alright, everypony.  It's pretty late, so I suggest we all get some rest," I said. "We've got a big day ahead of us."

"I'll arrange rooms for everypony," said Celestia. "Kibitz, if you wouldn't mind..."

"Y-yes, of course," said Kibitz nervously.

With that, we all headed off for bed.  Many questions remained unanswered, but then again, that's how most mysteries start.  I should know; I've read enough of them.  Nevertheless, I know that no matter what, we will prevail.  I believe in my friends, and I believe in the magic of friendship.  It is that magic that helped me, Spitfire, Octavia, and Sparkler create our bonds with Mare-Do-Well.  And it is those bonds that will save her from her devious doppelgänger.

...

At least, that's the idea.  Again, I firmly believe in the magic of friendship.  I'm the Princess of Friendship, after all.  I have no doubt that we'll find some way to come out on top.  However, even now, I can't help but wonder how the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well got herself in such a predicament, or what dangers lie in store for us.  I really hope she's okay, wherever she is...
> Assistant's Head Start (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14: 8:15 AM
Canterlot Castle
Royal Suite
***


Although I sometimes go to sleep late because of my reading habits, I usually don't have trouble getting up in the morning.  I always make it a point to get up nice and early so that I have time to put together a to-do list, check my schedule, and anything else I need to do before starting my day.  Spike always says it's amazing how much stamina I have in the morning, but this is coming from a dragon who'd spend the whole day in bed if he could.  He's not exactly one to talk about my sleeping habits.

However, today was different.  I found it very difficult to get out of bed, since I got barely any sleep last night.  I simply couldn't get the events of the Gala out of my head.  I considered discussing the matter with Princess Luna once or twice (she goes into ponies' dreams at night, which is why she never attends the Gala herself), but the endless questions bombarding my mind kept me from drifting off and seeing her.  I wonder if anypony else had the same problem.

"Rise and shine, Princess Twilight.  We have a big day ahead of us."

The formal-sounding voice was accompanied by the enticing aroma of hot camomile tea and english muffins.  My stomach grumbled and growled, and I licked my lips in anticipation.  I find that the promise of breakfast is always a sure-fire way to wake someone up.  It always works with Spike, even in his most intense ice cream dreams.

With a yawn, I sat up and stretched myself out.  When I had opened my eyes, I saw that there was a breakfast tray sitting on the bed, and that Kibitz was standing right in front of me.

"I took the liberty of preparing breakfast in bed for you, Your Highness," he said. "I figured you'd want to start your investigation early."

"Mmph.  Thank you, Mister...  Kibitz, was it?" I said groggily, remembering him from the night before.

"Yes, Your Highness.  But, just Kibitz will do," said Kibitz, looking down towards the foot of my bed where Spike was sleeping. "Um, I wasn't sure what dragons ate, so..."

"It's alright," I said, pouring myself some tea. "Spike'll eat just about anything.  I'll just share my breakfast with him when he gets up."

"Mmm.  Very good, Your Highness," said Kibitz. "Now then, I must inform you that Princess Celestia has asked me to assist you in your *ahem* investigation.  While this is most unorthodox, I will do my best."

I gave Kibitz an odd look. "Unorthodox?  How so?"

Kibitz removed a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow. "Well, you see, Your Highness.  Usually in these matters, the princess acts as a judge, not a detective.  They're supposed to hear the culprit's case when they come to trial, not track down the culprit themselves."

"I see," said I. "Well, you forget that I'm not only a princess, but I'm also an Element Bearer.  I'm supposed to protect Equestria from threats like this."

"Yes, but surely your royal title comes first in such matters.  If something were to happen to you..."

I sighed. "Kibitz, my royal title doesn't come first.  There are things that are more important."

"But Your Highness..."

"I don't want to hear it, Kibitz," I growled. "My royal title shouldn't keep me from doing what I have to do.  That's something a good friend of mine taught me during my first Summer Sun Celebration."

Kibitz let out a sigh of his own. "As you wish, Your Highness," he conceded begrudgingly. "But I still find this most unorthodox."

I'm starting to think that Celestia sent Kibitz to help in the investigation not for my benefit, but for his.  He needs to get out of this mindset that princesses shouldn't get their hooves dirty.

"On that note, I think we should get started," I said, taking a half of english muffin, spreading some jam on it, and levitating it in front of Spike.  Sure enough, the smell of breakfast was enough to wake him from his slumber.

"Mmph.  Breakfast time already?" he murmured with a yawn.

"Yep," I said. "Kibitz here made it especially for us.  We really need our heads in the game today."

"Huh?  Oh, right.  The investigation," said Spike, taking the bit of english muffin from me. "So, where do we start?"

"As it so happens, I have gotten some information regarding the assassination attempt on Prince Blueblood that may interest you," said Kibitz.

Oh, that's right.  I remember telling the guards to get as much information about that last night.

"Any idea why it took so long?" I asked.

"There were a few *ahem* complications in the investigation," said Kibitz, clearing his throat. "Even now, the Royal Guard still doesn't have all the details."

"Well, what do they have?"

"First and foremost, a diagnosis of the prince's condition, written up by the royal doctor himself."

Kibitz reached into his pocket and pulled out the medical document in question.  I used my magic to take it from him and read it over.  Apparently, Prince Blueblood had been strangled.  A red mark around his neck indicates that much.  Indents in his croup and haunches show that there might've been some sort of struggle.  The attack took place some time between 8:00 and 8:15 PM.  I raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"This says there was a sign of a struggle," I said, looking up at Kibitz. "Wouldn't that have gotten somepony's attention?"

"That's one of the complications I mentioned," said Kibitz. "There weren't any witnesses to the attack on the prince.  In fact, the first ponies to notice something wrong and alert the Royal Guard found his body after the attack had occurred."

Right away, I have a big problem with this.  The Grand Galloping Gala is a huge event, and I mean huge.  Unless you're venturing into the royal gardens to check out the wildlife (which I don't recommend), you're going to be around a lot of ponies.  And somepony will definitely notice you if you're being strangled by an assassin and making a lot of noise.

"Who were the first ponies to notice him?" I inquired.

"A Ms. Photo Finish and a Ms. Coco Pommel, Your Highness," said Kibitz. "They stumbled upon him at around eight-forty or so.  At least, that's when Ms. Finish informed the Royal Guard about the attack."

I knitted my brow.  Photo Finish and Coco Pommel are names that certainly ring some bells.  Photo Finish is known for being the most popular fashion photographer in all of Equestria.  I'm quite familiar with her work, if only because my friend Fluttershy was unwittingly roped into her being her model once (don't ask; it's a long story).  As for Coco Pommel, she's what I'd consider a friend of a friend, for the lack of a better term.  She's a small-time seamstress from Manehattan that I met during Fashion Week.  She actually learned an important lesson about generosity from Rarity during that week, but again, that's a story for another time.

"Are Photo Finish and Coco Pommel still in Canterlot?" I asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," said Kibitz with a nod. "Apparently, Ms. Pommel fainted when she discovered the prince's body.  She's currently recuperating at the infirmary."

"And Photo Finish?"

"That's another complication," said Kibitz, rubbing the back of his head. "The Royal Guard confiscated Ms. Finish's camera to see if she had any photographic evidence of the perpetrator.  As such, she has refused to leave until they give it back."

"Wait, wait.  Time out," said Spike, gesturing with his claws as crumbs of english muffin dribbled from his chin. "Why would Photo Finish bring her camera to the Grand Galloping Gala?"

That was actually a good question.  Cameras are allowed at the Grand Galloping Gala, of course (after all, the Wonderbolts have plenty of photo-ops from what Rainbow Dash tells me), but Photo Finish doesn't strike me as a pony who takes pictures for sentimental value.  After all, she's a fashion photographer.  All of her photos are of model ponies wearing the latest fashions.  So, was she on business at the Gala?  If so, she certainly didn't tell Celestia about it, or anypony else for that matter.  I might have to ask her a few questions later.

"Was the camera used at all?" I inquired, taking a sip of my tea.

"The guards did find a few photos, and they're currently under inspection," said Kibitz. "They'll let you know if they find anything interesting."

"Good," I said. "One last thing, Kibitz."

"Yes?"

"Where was Prince Blueblood's body found, exactly?"

"According to the Royal Guard, in the East Garden."

"Hang on.  That's where Derpy was when she got attacked, isn't it?" asked Spike.

"It is," I said. "And I doubt that's a coincidence.  While we can't ask Derpy any more questions since she's probably on her way to the Mewlun Mountains right now, I think we've got our first course of action."

"Finish breakfast?" Spike asked hopefully.

I gave Spike a bemused grin. "Nopony likes a smart aleck, Spike," I chided. "Yes, we'll finish breakfast.  After that, we'll wake my brother and head out to the East Garden together."

"Right," said Spike. "I suppose you'll want me to take notes?"

"Of course," I said.

"Of course," Spike parroted, giving me a small grin.

"Um, what of me, Your Highness?" inquired Kibitz.

I tapped my muzzle and pondered for a bit. "Go check and see if Shining Armor is up.  If he is, tell him everything you just told me.  I want him to be on the same page when we start investigating."

"Very good, Your Highness," said Kibitz with a bow. "I'll see to it right away."

With that, he headed off, muttering to himself all the while.  Spike watched him leave before turning to me.

"Promise me you won't let me turn into that guy," he said.

I giggled.  That's just such a Spike thing to say.

"I promise, Spike," I said. "Now, let's finish our breakfast.  We've got a lot of work to do."

"Got it," said Spike with a firm nod.

As we continued eating our english muffins, I took a moment to look out the window and reflect.  Thanks to Kibitz, I managed to get some vital information before I even got out of bed.  I wonder if my friends are having the same luck I am.  I can only hope that's the case.  After all, my investigation is probably going to be the safest, seeing as I'm in Canterlot surrounded by guards (though honestly, that's still not saying much).  I have no idea what lies ahead for my friends...
> Rivals' Return (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 09:22
Frozen North
Equestria/Griffon Kingdom Border
***


Believe it or not, the Wonderbolts have done one or two performances in the Griffon Kingdom.  It should come as no surprise, really.  After all, as fellow creatures of the sky, we're just as popular with griffons as we are with ponies.  Because of this, I've actually been to the Griffon Kingdom before.  And I gotta tell ya; it's nothing like Equestria.  You'll see what I mean in a minute, I'm sure.

As we flew over the vast expanse of the Frozen North, I couldn't help but feel as though we lucked out big time.  Along with the Everfree Forest, the Frozen North is the only place in Equestria where nopony has any control over the weather (don't ask me why; all I know is that it has to do with magic).  This being the case, it's nigh-on impossible to know what's a good day to fly.  It seems like today is one of those days, because everything looks pretty calm.  Good thing, too.  There isn't a pegasus alive who wants to be caught in a blizzard.

I took a moment to look over my wingponies for this particular mission.  Just as I thought, they all looked ready for action.  Although in Blaze's case, maybe a bit too ready.  I dunno, ever since we met with Princess Twilight last night, I've got this feeling that something's bugging her.  Being a Wonderbolt, she should be able to put that aside and perform her duty.  But even the best of us lose control sometimes.

Which is why I also asked Misty Fly to accompany us on our mission.  Most ponies don't know this, but Misty Fly really takes her role as a team player very seriously.  Whether we're on or off duty, she dedicates herself to supporting her comrades.  It's been that way ever since her days at the Academy.  This being the case, I'm hoping she can help Blaze with whatever's bothering her, or at least keep her focused on our objective.  She always seems to know the right thing to say in situations like that.

And then there's Rainbow Dash; one of the newest privates in the Wonderbolt Reserves.  If you're wondering why I chose her for this mission and not somepony else on my team, well, she could use the experience.  Yes, I will be the first to admit that she's an amazing pony destined for greatness.  Heck, I often get questions about why she's not a full member of the team yet.  The reasons for that is actually quite simple.  There's no fast track to the Wonderbolts.  You start out as a cadet at the Academy and work your way up from there.  That's how I became a Wonderbolt, and now Rainbow Dash is following the same path.  It's just gonna take some time for her to grasp what it truly means to fly with the best of the best.  Trust me on this one; I was in the same boat as her when I started out.

"We'll be approaching the border very soon, ponies," I called out to my teammates. "If you have any questions about our mission, now's the time."

"Yeah, I've got one, Sis," said Blaze. "Are we gonna be telling anyone what we're up to?  I'm sure the local authorities would gladly help us track down Mare-Do-Well once we briefed them on the situation."

"Yes and no," I said. "This mission is on a need-to-know basis.  We can't have the griffons jumping to conclusions and making things more complicated than they need to be.  However, there are a few griffons who need to know."

"I take it you know who these griffons are?" asked Misty Fly.

I nodded. "It's just a hunch, but we might need to drop in on Gypsy Moth and ask her a few questions.  In order to do that, we'll need permission from the Griffon Magistrate.  However, we'll cross that bridge if and when we get to it.  For now, all information regarding this mission is classified unless I say otherwise.  Understood?"

"Gotcha, Sis."

"Understood."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Good," I said. "Now then, Rainbow Dash?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Is this going to be your first time in the Griffon Kingdom?"

"Uh, yes, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "Kinda.  I mean, I've flown with griffons before, but I've never been here, ma'am."

I can actually buy that.  According to Rainbow Dash's dossier, she was a member of the Junior Speedsters, which is one of the first flight training camps in Equestria to accept both pegasi and griffons.  It was very progressive for its time, meaning that Rainbow Dash probably had a better understanding of griffons than most ponies did back then.  Of course, things have changed a lot since that time.  After all, we've just had our first griffon competitors in this year's Equestria Games.

"Well, flying with griffons and experiencing the Griffon Kingdom firsthoof aren't the same thing, private," I said sternly. "As such, I expect you to follow our lead and be on your best behavior.  Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash with a salute.

"Good.  I'm holding you to that, private," I said with a smirk.  After taking care of those matters, I turned my attention to the ground and saw a pair of bright red flares leading to an outpost built onto the side of the mountain range that separated the griffon's home from our own. "Alright, everypony.  I see the checkpoint up ahead.  I'll get us through customs, so just let me do the talking.  Now, let's get this ball rolling."

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

With that, we all descended upon the landing strip provided for us.  As soon as we touched down, we were approached by two security guards.

"State your identity," growled one of the guards.

"Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts," I responded without missing a beat. "I am traveling with Lieutenant Commander Misty Fly, Lieutenant Blaze, and Private Rainbow Dash.  We seek admittance to the Griffon Kingdom."

The guard took out a notepad and pen and began scribbling in it. "Reason for your visit?"

"We're meeting with some friends in the city on official business," I said.

"What sort of business?"

"That information is classified."

The guard looked up and arched an eyebrow. "Classified?" he parroted.

"Yes, classified," I repeated. "I do apologize for the inconvenience, but we're under orders."

"From whom?"

"Princess Twilight Sparkle."

The guard furrowed his brow. "I'm going to need to see some ID."

"No problem," I said, reaching into my saddlebag.  I took out the passports that Princess Celestia had prepared for us the night before and showed them to the guards.  After a pause, they both nodded.

"It checks out," said one of the guards before turning to me. "Right this way, Captain Spitfire.  We just need to check your luggage and stamp your passports, and then we'll let you go."

"Thank you," I said with a bow.  With that, we were lead into the complex.


***
December 14, 09:35
Griffon Kingdom
Mountain Port
***


We managed to get our passports stamped without any difficulty at all.  Not that I was expecting this to be difficult.  All we had in our saddlebags were some rations, and our passports guaranteed that we would be let in without asking too many questions.  Again, we really lucked out on that front.  Going through customs in the Griffon Kingdom is a major pain in the flank if you don't have the right connections.

As soon as we left the outpost, I could tell that we had set foot in a different nation.  The air was alive with roars and screeches of all sorts.  There were a reasonable number of griffons around and about, but most of them looked like they'd tear your wings off if you looked at them funny.  Even the atmosphere felt murky and oppressive.  From my personal experience, I can tell you right now that not all of the Griffon Kingdom is like this.  However, this is not a good first impression for ponies visiting the place for the first time.

Case in point, Rainbow Dash.  I looked over my shoulder at her to see how she was adapting to the new environment.  Although I could easily read the bewilderment on her face, she was doing her best to maintain composure.

"You okay there, private?" I inquired.

"Um, yeah.  I-I mean yes, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash, her eyes darting every which way. "Just, getting used to things, y'know?  I've never really been here before, so..."

She trailed off as her eyes focused on something to our right.  I watched as her jaw dropped to the floor and her eyes bugged out.  I looked over to see what she was reacting to, and well, I don't blame her.  She was staring at a meat merchant who was hard at work.  The griffon in question raised a sharp cleaver into the air and brought it down on a piece of meat.  Fluids from the unrecognizable animal splattered out of the carcass with every swing of the butcher's knife.  You see what I mean when I say that the Griffon Kingdom is nothing like Equestria?  There are places in Equestria for griffons to buy meat, but they're all indoors and clean.  This was, anything but.  Yeah, it's not exactly a pretty sight for a pony.

I turned back to Rainbow Dash.  As I suspected, she was having trouble keeping it together.  Her face had turned a sickly green color, and she was clutching her stomach while placing a hoof to her mouth.  Truth be told, I had the same reaction when I first came here.

"Ugh~.  I think I'm gonna be sick," she moaned.

"It's alright, private," said Blaze. "Most ponies don't like seeing this stuff.  Heck, the first time my sister was here, she got so sick that she..."

"Really not the time or the place, Blaze," I interrupted, giving her a stern glare. "As I recall, you're not exactly one to talk."

"None of us are," said Misty Fly. "Griffons are very different from us, in more ways than one."

"Yeah, I know that," said Rainbow Dash. "I just didn't know they were like, well, this.  Chopping up, uh, what is that thing, anyway?"

"You're, probably better off not knowing," said Misty Fly with a sigh.  She then looked up at me. "Spitfire, I believe Private Dash will need some time to recuperate before we begin our investigation.  We should head back to the outpost and rest."

"Heheh.  You lame-o ponies are such wimps."

A sharp, snide voice made its way into the conversation.  With an angry snort, I turned to see who it was and demand an explanation.  It was a smug-looking female griffon with sleek brown fur and sharp yellow eyes.  She had this cocky swagger as she walked, as if she was telling the rest of the world that she was better than everyone else.  I've seen her type plenty of times before at the Academy.  She was probably just some punk trying to start trouble.  I was about to ignore her when she made a beeline right for Rainbow Dash.

"Well well well," she snickered. "Never thought I'd see you again."

Rainbow Dash looked up, and her eyes went wide. "Gilda?"

"Oh, and look!  You recognize me, too!  I'm so flattered," said the griffon mockingly.

"Wait.  You know this griffon, Rainbow Dash?" I asked.

"Y-yes, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash, trying to regain her composure. "Sh-she's an old friend of mine from the Junior Speedsters."

Gilda folded her arms. "After what you pulled, you still call me a friend?  Don't make me laugh, flip-flopper."

Rainbow Dash sighed. "Really, G?  You're still hung up on that, even after all this time?"

"Hey, you're the one who ditched me," Gilda snarled.

"And whose fault is that?" Rainbow Dash retorted.

"It's not mine.  I'm not the one who chose a bunch of losers over my best friend."

"They are not losers, Gilda."

"Sure, sure.  You keep telling yourself that, Dash."

"I mean it, Gilda.  Stop acting like this."

"Make me.  Or has your time in the lamelight made you soft?"

Rainbow Dash snorted, arching her back and pawing the ground. "I don't wanna hurt you, G, but you're really asking for it right now."

"Heh, I knew it.  The awesome Rainbow Dash I knew is dead and gone," said Gilda with a sneer. "Back in the day, you would've come charging at me ready to kick my teeth in by this point.  Now look at you, lying down and taking it like a bitch."

I could see that Rainbow Dash was fit to be tied.  I have no idea what all this is about, but I think it's time I intervened.

"That's enough, private," I said, standing between Gilda and Rainbow Dash. "We don't want any trouble."

Gilda laughed. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen.  You're too chicken to take me on yourself, so now you're having your loser friends 'hold you back.'  Th-that's just rich."

"Hey!  Don't talk to my sister like that!" barked Blaze.

"Stand down, Blaze.  I got this," I said firmly before turning back to Gilda. "Look, we don't have time to deal with you right now.  We're on official business from Princess Twilight Sparkle, and..."

"Blah blah blah, whatever," said Gilda, cutting across me. "You lame ponies are nothing but talk."

Did Rainbow Dash really used to be friends with this dock-hole?  Good grief.  I think we're better off just ignoring her.

"Let's go, guys," I said, turning my back to Gilda. "She's not worth our time."

"Hey!  I'm not done with Dash!" Gilda snapped. "We've still got a score to settle."

"No, you don't," I said flatly.

"Oh yeah?  Says who?" said Gilda.

Okay, I take back what I said.  We're not gonna be better off ignoring her.  In an instant, I spun around and stared Gilda straight in the eye.

"Says Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts, that's who," I stated. "You wanna make something of it?"

Gilda's eyes became as wide as dinner plates. "W-wait.  You're Spitfire?  As in the Spitfire?"

"In the flesh," I said.

"And, you're friends with that two-faced loser?" said Gilda, pointing at Rainbow Dash.

"Not only that.  She's serving under me as a member of the Wonderbolt Reserves," I said. "She's one of the best flyers we have."

Gilda stood there for a time with her mouth hanging wide open.  After a pause, she shook herself and cleared her throat.

"Uh, yeah.  That's cool.  That's, cool," said Gilda, trying to hide her embarrassment (and failing miserably, might I add). "I was just, pranking you guys.  Yeah."

"Nice try, G," said Rainbow Dash dryly.

"No, I mean it!  It's awesome that you're living your dream, Dash!" said Gilda. "And hey, guess what?  I got a big break, too!"

Rainbow Dash messaged the bridge of her nose. "Gilda, you're not fooling anypony.  Just drop the act, alright?"

"What?  I don't know what you're talking about, Dash," said Gilda with an inauthentic chuckle.

"Yeah, sure," said Rainbow Dash, clearly not believing her. "Alright, I'll bite.  What's this big break you got, G?"

"Privé Gilda!  What's going on over here?!"

Before Gilda could respond to Rainbow Dash's question, a commanding voice with a thick accent made itself known.  It was a voice I recognize quite well.  Looking up, I saw that it belonged to a proud-looking griffon with a pencil mustache and a red beret on his head.  He was accompanied by a larger griffon with black fur and a scar over his right eye.

"Oh, h-hey Captain le Grand," said Gilda, still trying to play everything off like it was nothing. "I was just schmoozing with these ponies here.  One of them's an old friend of mine, you see.  No biggie."

"Really?" said the mustachioed griffon, raising an eyebrow. "Because it sounded to me that you were trying to start a fight."

"What?  Nah, that ain't me," said Gilda with a chuckle. "Dash, back me up here.  You know I was faking, right?"

Rainbow Dash said nothing, but instead simply rolled her eyes.

"You suck, Dash," grumbled Gilda.

The mustachioed griffon sighed. "I do apologize for this, Capitaine Spitfire.  She's our newest recruit.  Still wet behind the ears."

"Yeah, I hear ya," I said with a smirk. "Trust me, I get that all the time.  It's only fair that you suffer just as I have."

Captain le Grand chuckled. "I suppose so, Capitaine Spitfire," said he.

Wow.  He really changed since I last met him.  Back in January, Pierre le Grand here was given the honor and responsibility of being the captain of what was supposedly the Griffon Kingdom's answer to the Wonderbolts: The Proud Pride.  We were going to have a race in Ghastly Gorge to strength pony-griffon relations, but that was apparently just a cover for a top-secret military operation to repel a group of mysterious invaders.  Pierre, however, didn't quite get the memo.  He was so focused on proving that he was better than the Wonderbolts that I'm surprised he wasn't court martialed.  But now, he seems like he's starting to understand his responsibilities, and I'm happy to see that.  I wish I could say the same for his new recruit.

"Wait, you're still a captain?" asked Blaze, tilting her head. "I thought the Proud Pride was disbanded."

"Perhaps officially, but we're planning to make a comeback," said Pierre. "Isn't that right, Drake?"

The burley griffon simply nodded and smiled.

"That's actually why we're here, you see," Pierre continued. "We're planning to head over to Equestria soon for our first show, and I sent Privé Gilda to stock up on supplies."

"Just you wait," said Gilda haughtily. "Once we show our stuff to Equestria, the Wonderbolts are gonna have some stiff competition."

"I'll believe it when I see it, G," said Rainbow Dash. "So, these are those Proud Pride guys from the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, huh?"

"Yep," I said. "Oh, I should probably introduce you.  Captain le Grand, Drake, this here is Private Rainbow Dash.  She part of the Wonderbolt Reserves.  This over here is Lieutenant Commander Misty Fly.  She was MIA for most of the *ahem* incident surrounding the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet."

"The pleasure is all mine," said Misty Fly with a bow.

"And of course, you already know my sister, Blaze," I said.

"Yo," said Blaze with a wave.

"Indeed," said Pierre. "It's nice to meet you, Mademoiselle Rainbow Dash.  And you as well, Mademoiselle Misty Fly.  I am Pierre le Grand, leader of the Proud Pride.  This here is my right-talon man, Drake."

Drake bowed silently.

"Uh, what's with him?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, right," said Pierre sheepishly. "Please forgive him, Mademoiselle Dash.  He lost his tongue and cannot speak."

"Oh my," gasped Misty Fly. "I'm really sorry to hear that."

Drake shook his head and raised his talon, indicating that it was alright.

"Anyway, I must say I'm quite surprised, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre. "What brings you to the Griffon Kingdom?"

"Official business," I said. "Actually, I think you might be able to help me."

"Oh?"

"Do you happen to know where Kierra is?"

Pierre furrowed his brow. "Professeur Kierra?  Why do you want to see her?"

"We've got trouble in Equestria," I said, dipping my voice so that no one else could overhear. "It might be related to the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet incident back in January."

Pierre stroked his chin in thought. "How are you so sure?"

"Trust me, I know," I said.

"Um, ma'am?  Who's Kierra?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"A former member of the Proud Pride," I explained. "She did a lot of research on the Tengu Dynasty, but she was shamed because the dynasty disappeared before her research was published.  After getting concrete evidence of the dynasty's existence back in January, she resigned from the military and went back to being an historian."

"And you think she can help us?" inquired Misty Fly.

"Kierra and Gypsy Moth have a bit of history together, and not all of it is good," I said darkly. "I'll bet anything that Gypsy Moth still holds a grudge against Kierra for thwarting her plan to bring back the Tengu Dynasty.  If my hunch about Gypsy Moth's involvement is correct, Kierra might be in danger.  And that's why we have to go warn her about Mare-Do-Well's impostor before we do anything else."

"Mare-Do-What-Now?" asked Gilda.

"Long story," said Rainbow Dash.

"And one I wouldn't mind hearing," said Pierre. "Very well, Capitanie Spitfire.  We'll help you."

Gilda blinked. "Wait, we will?"

Pierre ignored Gilda's comment and continued. "Professeur Kierra works at Epiphany University; one of the finest establishments in the Griffon Kingdom.  We can take you there if you're willing to share this, Mare-Do-Well story along the way."

"Sounds fair to me," I said with a nod.

"Whoa, wait.  Time out," said Gilda. "I joined this outfit so that I could fly with the best of the best.  Helping the Wonderbolts find some batty old egghead is not in my job description."

Pierre towered over Gilda and snorted. "You will show respect to Professeur Kierra, Privé Gilda.  She is ten times the flyer you will ever be.  Furthermore, I will not tolerate this kind of insubordination.  You will behave yourself around our friends here.  Is that understood?"

I could see the beads of sweat form on Gilda's brow as she swallowed. "Y-yeah.  Sure.  No prob," she said nervously.

Rainbow Dash smirked. "'Bout time someone put you in your place, G."

"You shut up," Gilda spat. "You're still a flip-flopper, Dash.  Cool one minute; lame the next."

Rainbow Dash let out a sigh. "I wish you'd stop taking things so personally, Gilda.  It's not cool."

Gilda scoffed. "Whatevs.  I'm outta here."

With that, she took off.  Pierre shook his head.

"Tsk.  She still has much to learn," he said. "Well, we'd better get going.  We'll wait for you up ahead.  Drake, allez."

Drake nodded, and the two of them flew off after Gilda.  Rainbow Dash let out another sigh.

"Darn it, G.  I still wanna be your friend," she muttered. "You just can't let things go, can you?"

"It's frustrating, isn't it?" said Misty Fly, draping a wing over Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah," said Rainbow with a nod.

Misty Fly smiled. "We all sometimes wear masks to hide our true feelings, Private Dash.  Your friend Gilda is no exception."

"Even if she's being a major prick about it," Blaze jeered.

"Hush, you," said Misty Fly firmly before turning back to Rainbow Dash. "Anyway, I suggest you keep trying.  It'd be a shame to let a friendship die over something so petty."

Rainbow Dash took a moment to process this before nodding. "Yeah, you're right.  Thanks, ma'am."

"Anytime," said Misty Fly, saluting with her wing.

I smirked.  As I've mentioned before, Misty Fly always seems to know exactly what to say in these situations.  They don't call her the Wonderbolts' Unofficial Shrink for nothing.

"Alright, Wonderbolts.  I think it's time we got this show on the road," I said. "After we warn Kierra about Mare-Do-Well's impostor, we can start looking for leads.  Let's move."

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

With that, we took off after the Proud Pride.  I gotta say, we're really off to a good start.  Good weather coming in, no problems in customs, and we met some old friends who are leading us to our first stop.  I hope we can keep this up after we tell Kierra about what's going on.  But, if the last time I dealt with Mare-Do-Well is any indication, it's not going to be that easy...
> Music in the Skyscrapers (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 10:18 AM
Manehattan
Grand Centrot Station
***


"Grand Centrot Station!  Watch your step!"

As we disembarked from the train, I couldn't help but feel a slight wave of nostalgia.  I've mentioned this in a few interviews, but for those who don't know, I was born in Manehattan.  I spent a good deal of my childhood taking in all the sights and sounds of this fine city; especially the sounds.  However, we were not here for a trip down memory lane.  We had important work to do.

"Alright, Octy.  We're here," said Vinyl. "So, what's our first move?"

I gave Vinyl a quizzical look. "Um, why are you asking me?"

"Well, I figured since you were the head detective last time, it would be fitting for you to take charge this time, too," said Vinyl with a shrug. "That is, if it's okay with you two."

"Oh, I don't have any objections," said Fluttershy meekly. "I mean, if it's okay with everypony else."

"It's fine by me, I suppose," said Rarity thoughtfully as she knitted her brow. "While I did design Mare-Do-Well's costume, I didn't get the chance to meet her the way you have, Ms. Octavia."

I tilted my head. "Are you two sure you don't want to take charge?  After all, you both serve on Princess Twilight's Royal Cabinet.  Surely, you have much more authority than I do."

"If I recall correctly, that wasn't really a factor last time," said Vinyl.

"Well, it might be one this time," I said. "Besides, I'm not really a great detective."

Vinyl snickered and raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?  Tell that to everypony you saved at the Manehattan Music Festival."

"Most of that was just luck, Vinyl.  I had no idea what I was doing."

"Sounds like somepony is being too modest.  Again."

"I'm serious, Vinyl.  I really don't think I'm the most qualified for this job."

"Why'd you come with us then, hmm?"

"You know very well why!"

"Hehaha.  You are so cute when you get mad."

"Vinyl~!"

"Both of you, stop," said Fluttershy firmly, flying between us. "We're not going to get anything done by arguing."

"Good point," said Vinyl. "All in favor of Octy taking charge, say aye.  Aye."

"Aye."

"Um, aye, I guess."

"There you have it, Tavi.  Majority rules," said Vinyl, flashing me a smarmy grin.

Ugh, shazbot.  I was really hoping I'd never have to go through this bollocks again, but it looks like I have no choice.  Don't get me wrong; I want to help Mare-Do-Well and all.  But I honestly would've been more comfortable if somepony else was taking the reins this time around.  Oh well.  I guess I'll have to live with it.

"Alright, fine," I conceded. "But I'm really counting on you three to support me."

"That goes without saying, Tavi," said Vinyl, patting me on the shoulder. "We're here for you through thick and thin."

"Indeed, darling," Rarity added. "This is not a task one can handle alone."

"I'm well aware of that," I said with a sigh. "I just hope it's not as bad as last time."

"We're all with you there, Tavi," said Vinyl. "So, what's the plan?"

I furrowed my brow. "I must confess, I'm not entirely sure," I said. "The note said that Mare-Do-Well's doppelgänger might be somewhere in the city, but it didn't specify where.  It just said 'Manehattan.'"

"Yeah, not a lot to go on," mused Vinyl. "You'd think she'd be a bit more specific.  I mean, Manehattan's a pretty big place.  She could be anywhere."

"My point exactly," I said. "Meaning we're going to need some way to narrow down our search."

"Hmm," hummed Rarity, tapping her chin.  After a brief pause, her face lit up. "Ooh~!  Idea~!"

"Did you figure something out, Rarity?" asked Fluttershy.

"Remember what Twilight said last night," said Rarity. "She believes that this mystery might be connected to the previous cases Mare-Do-Well played a part in.  Ergo, a good place to start is where the Manehattan Music Festival was hosted back in April."

"Unless the faker knows that we know about that and decided to hide somewhere else," said Vinyl.

"Wait, what?" said Fluttershy, rubbing the side of her head. "How would she know that we're coming?"

"No idea," said Vinyl with a shrug.

I smacked my forehead. "Vinyl, this really isn't the time to be joking around."

"Hey, that was only a semi-joke."

What does that even—?  You know what?  Sod it.  Even when Vinyl Scratch takes things seriously, she doesn't take things seriously (if, that makes any sense).  It would be useless to argue semantics with her.

"Never mind," I sighed. "Look, the point is that we have a good lead, so we might as well pay a visit to Lincolt Center and check it out."

Rarity stopped in her tracks just as we were about to leave the station. "Um, just a moment, darling.  Did you say, Lincolt Center?"

"Yes.  That's where the Manehattan Music Festival was hosted this year," I said. "Why?"

Rarity's eyes went wide, and her breathing became erratic. "Oh no.  Oh no oh no oh no!  Of all the worst things that can happen, this is..."

"Rarity!" Fluttershy hissed, placing a hoof over Rarity's mouth. "Not here!"

While this was going on, I noticed that we were getting odd looks from several ponies.  I don't know what would've happened had Fluttershy not intervened, and honestly, I'm not going to ask.  After Rarity had taken a few deep breaths to calm herself, Fluttershy released her.

"Th-thank you, Fluttershy," panted Rarity, still sounding like she was hyperventilating. "I-I know it's very unladylike for me to make a scene, b-but th-this is simply terrible!"

"Why?  What's wrong?" asked Fluttershy.

"Th-the Ponytones *phoo phoo phoo* and Sapphire Shores are *phoo phoo phoo* having a concert *phoo phoo phoo* at the Bent Trumpet *phoo phoo phoo* this afternoon!"

I gasped.  No wonder Rarity was so bent out of shape.  In fact, I can't help but empathize with her.

"The Bent Trumpet?" said Fluttershy, sounding puzzled. "Rarity, what does that have to do with Lincolt Center?"

"The Bent Trumpet is cabaret restaurant that's part of Lincolt Center," I said darkly. "Meaning if Mare-Do-Well's impostor is there, Sapphire Shores and the Ponytones could very well be in danger."

Fluttershy's eyes widened as she placed both hooves to her mouth. "Oh my," she squeaked. "Th-that is terrible!  We have to hurry!"

"Agreed," I said, rushing down the steps and straight to the curb of the sidewalk. "Taxi!"

Luckily, we managed to flag down a cab just as he was about to leave.  We all piled into the rather small carriage, with Rarity hyperventilating the whole time.

"Is, she gonna be okay?" asked the driver.

"I do apologize; we're in a bit of a rush," I said. "Take us to Coltlumbus Circle, as fast as you can."

With a shrug, the driver took off.

"It's okay, Rarity," Fluttershy cooed, delicately holding Rarity's hoof. "It'll be fine.  Just take deep breaths."

Actually, that's not a bad idea.  After all, I'm starting to really get bad sense of déjà vu.  Maybe it's the worrywart in me talking, but this is starting to feel like the Manehattan Music Festival all over again.  And if that's the case, Celestia help us all.


***
December 14, 10:37 AM
Manehattan
Coltlumbus Circle
***


By the time we arrived at our destination, Rarity managed to calm down a little.  At the very least, she had enough composure to leave the cab driver a very generous tip as we climbed out of his carriage.

"Right, let's not waste any more time," she said. "We should get in and find that impostor before she hurts anypony."

"Yeah, uh, quick question.  How're we gonna do that?" said Vinyl. "We don't have any tickets or backstage passes to this concert, and I'm not seeing any scalpers around."

I hate to say it, but Vinyl's right.  Lincolt Center by in large is open to the public, but there's no way we're going to get into the performance spaces without tickets.  What's more, that's where Mare-Do-Well's impostor is most likely to strike.  This is a fine kettle of fish indeed.

"Melody?"

As I pondered what to do next, I heard a voice call out to me.  Looking up, I saw that a black unicorn stallion wearing an orange headset was waving to me.  I recognized him right away.  It was Mike Check; a pony who claims to be one of the best roadies in Equestria.  Curious, I waved back.  In response, he approached us.

"Been a long time, Melody," he said with a chuckle.

"Yes, it certainly has," I said. "Oh, I should probably introduce you.  Mr. Check, these here are Ms. Rarity and Ms. Fluttershy.  Ms. Rarity, Ms. Fluttershy.  This is..."

"Hang on, hang on," Mike interrupted, raising his hoof and arching an eyebrow. "Rarity?  Aren't you with the Ponytones?  Sapphire told me you wouldn't be able to make it today."

Well, this got awkward in a hurry.  Rarity's eyes darted all around as her face turned bright crimson.

"W-well, um, yes.  I, did say that," she said sheepishly. "I-it's, complicated.  I really don't want to talk about it."

Mike tilted his head. "Well, now I'm confused.  Are you performing or aren't ya?"

"Well, no," said Rarity, clearing her throat. "I have, other matters to attend to.  Important, matters."

"Uh-huh," said Mike, sounding rather skeptical. "Well, it's probably none of my business.  Just know that if Sapphire sees you, I'm not getting involved."

"That shouldn't be a problem," I said, deciding to change the subject. "Anyway, as I was saying, this here is Mike Check.  He's a roadie."

"Not just any old roadie, Melody.  One of the best," Mike gushed.

"Mmm.  You don't say," said Rarity, stroking her chin. "I take it you were hired to assist with today's performance?"

"You know it," said Mike. "Truth be told, I don't usually take jobs like this.  It's a very simple setup; not a lot of challenge to it.  But I wanted to give my new assistant something small to sink her teeth into."

"New assistant?" parroted Vinyl. "Anypony we know?"

"Probably not," said Mike. "Here, I'll introduce you."  He then turned his head. "Yo, Babs!  Get your flank over here!"

In a few moments, I managed to see a small brown Earth Pony filly with a short bushy tail, a red combover for a mane, and freckles walk up to us.  She was carrying a small black saddlebag and had a small headset of her own.

"This here is Babs Seed," said Mike. "She just started volunteering for me yesterday.  She's a bit shy."

"Uh, hey," said the filly, blowing back her combover.

Vinyl raised an eyebrow. "Uh, Mike?  Don't you think she's a bit young to be working for you like this?  I mean, she doesn't even have her Cutie Mark yet."

"Vinyl, she's right there," I scolded.  Sure enough, Babs was blushing and trying to hide her bare flank with her tail.

"Aw, geeze.  Sorry, kiddo," said Vinyl, brushing the back of her head. "Didn't mean to insult you like that."

"Nah, it's fine," said Babs, blowing back her combover. "That's why I'm doin' this job in the first place.  I'm gonna earn my Cutie Mark in bein' a roadie!"

"Something about that sounds awfully familiar," Fluttershy mused.

"It should," said Rarity with a slight chuckle as she gave Babs a warm smile. "I remember Sweetie Belle telling me a lot about you, Babs Seed.  I take it you're crusading for your Cutie Mark as well."

"Um, yeah," said Babs. "I'm guessin' you're Rarity?  Sweetie Belle told me a lot about you, too."

Rarity tilted her head. "She did?  Odd.  She said she hasn't seen you in quite some time."

"I actually heard that she's performing with the Ponytones today from Mr. Check," said Babs, grinning from ear to ear. "Once I knew that, I just had to head on over to her hotel and catch up."

"It's all she's been talking about for a while now," added Mike. "She's pretty excited about this concert."

"I'm sure a lot of ponies are," said Vinyl. "After all, we've got Sapphire Shores as the headliner, and this is gonna be the Ponytones' first performance outside of Ponyville.  It's a pretty big whoop."

"It sure is," said Mike, giving Babs a stern look. "Which is why it's very important for you to keep your head in the game.  You're not gonna be earning any Cutie Marks for slacking, got it?"

Babs flinched. "G-got it," she murmured.

I can't help but think we're getting a bit off-track.  We should get back to figuring out what we're going to do to get into the performance area.

"Well, it was nice meeting you again, Mr. Check," I said with a nod. "Now, if you'll excuse me, my friends and I have to..."

Wait a tick.  As I recall, Mike Check was also involved in this year's Manehattan Music Festival fiasco.  He was hired as a roadie then, too, and he actually was a great boon to the investigation.  Maybe he'll be willing to help us again.  I can't hurt to try.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask you, Mr. Check," I said. "It's rather important."

"Important?" parroted Mike. "What're you talking about, Melody?"

"Do you remember what happened at the Manehattan Music Festival this year?"

"Kinda hard to forget something like that.  What about it?"

"I think something similar is going to happen again," I whispered. "It's a long story, but we're actually under orders from Princess Twilight Sparkle to investigate.  If you can get us in, we'll tell you the full story."

Mike's brow furrowed. "You sure about this, Melody?  I mean, I know you kinda had a knack for this back during the festival, but that was a while ago."

"Trust me, Mr. Check.  I wouldn't lie about something of this magnitude," I said earnestly.

Mike placed a hoof to his muzzle and thought about it for a while.  Finally, he tapped his headset.

"Yo, Lockdown.  We're gonna have a few ponies joinin' us backstage," he said. "They go by the names of Octavia Melody, Vinyl Scratch, Rarity, and Fluttershy.  They're here on important business, so let them do their thing."

"Thank you ever so much, Mr. Check," I said with a bow. "I don't know how to repay you."

"Don't bother, Melody.  As a roadie, it's my job to make sure the performance goes off without a hitch," said Mike. "Take note of that, Babs."

"You got it," said Babs, blowing back her combover.

"Good," said Mike, giving her a firm nod. "Now go get that equipment upstairs so we can start setting up.  Chop chop!"

"On it!" said Babs, and with that, she was off like a shot.  Mike sniggered.

"She's got a lot of spunk.  I'll give her that," he said before sobering up. "Alright, Melody.  Talk to me.  What exactly are we dealing with here?"

I nodded. "Well, it's like this..."

I proceeded to explain everything to Mike Check as we went inside.  I assume he sent Babs on ahead so that she didn't overhear us talking.  I don't blame him.  This kind of thing is far too heavy for a young filly like her to handle.

...

It just hit me.  There are children involved in this.  It's bad enough that there's a madmare trying to besmirch Mare-Do-Well's good name on the loose, but now there's also the risk of little children getting caught in the crossfire.  Ugh, we only just got here, and already my stomach is tying itself into knots.  But, just like last time, I can't give way to fear.  If anything, that fear is only going to motivate me to catch this doppelgänger before she can do any serious damage.  It will not be easy, though.  Oh Celestia, give me strength...
> Cats and Dogs (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 10:34 AM
Mewlun Mountains Airspace
***


I've never really thought about flying before.  I dunno, it's just not something that's crossed my mind up until this point.  Sure, we've got a hot air balloon in Ponyville, but I haven't considered taking a ride in it.  Partially because I don't know the first thing about operating it, but the point still stands.

I bring this up because flying in this airship now, I've discovered something.  This is actually kinda cool.  We've got an amazing view, and the feeling of the wind in my mane is surprisingly relaxing.  A pony could really get used to this.  No wonder those rich ponies over in Canterlot have those fancy yachts.

In fact, the only thing I'm really worried about is a territorial nation seeing us as a threat and shooting us out of the sky.  Brr~.  Just the thought of that sends chills up my spine.  I hope I'm not the only one thinking about this.

"Are you alright, Ammy?"

I turned to see Derpy walking up to me with a concerned look on her face.  Despite what happened to her at the Gala, she actually looked like she made a pretty good recovery.  There weren't even any noticeable scars on her body.  Then again, I shouldn't be surprised.  Derpy Hooves is always bouncing back from these kinds of things.  I really don't know how she does it.

"I'm just admiring the view," I said, turning my attention back to the sky as I rested my forelegs on the railing.

Derpy walked up to me and draped a wing over my shoulder. "Now, Ammy.  You know better than to hide things from me," she chided.

I sighed. "Alright, alright.  I'm keeping an eye on things.  Just for my own peace of mind, y'know?"

"Yeah, I know," said Derpy softly, nuzzling my cheek. "I understand that you're nervous, Ammy.  We all are.  But we're gonna be okay."

"Mmm," I said, mainly because there was nothing else I could say to that.  Instead, I decided to change the subject. "It actually is a pretty view."

"Mmm-hmm," said Derpy. "I've actually never seen anything like it before."

"I know, right?!  Isn't it exciting?!"

I turned my head to see Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down as if she had swallowed a spring mattress while Applejack gave her a dirty look.

"Cool your jets there, Pink," Applejack said sternly. "We ain't here for sightseein'.  Remember, we've got a job to do."

"I know, I know," said Pinkie. "But I'm just so nervo-cited right now I can barely sit still!"

"That's still not a word," groaned Applejack, lowering her stetson over her eyes.

"Applejack's right, Pinkie," I said, getting up from my resting spot. "This is really serious.  We're heading into a territory that nopony has ever been to before to look for a madpony dressing up like Mare-Do-Well."

"Um, duh.  I know that.  Why do you think I'm so nervo-cited?" said Pinkie, tilting her head.

"She has a point, Ammy," said Derpy.

I decided to refrain from commenting.  It wouldn't have done much good, anyway.

"Attention, attention!" a guard's voice called out over the intercom. "We're currently at the edge of the Neko Shogunate's territory.  We will be landing shortly."

"Sounds like we're here," said Applejack. "Y'all ready?"

"As I'll ever be," I said.

"Me, too," Derpy concurred.

"Me, three!  I mean four," said Pinkie. "Alright, ponies!  Suit up!"

Before I could ask what she meant by that, she took out two bowler hats, a brown cap with flaps, a magnifying glass, and a bubble pipe.  She gave one of the bowler hats to Derpy and gave me the little detective costume.  Why was she carrying all this stuff?  Because she's Pinkie Pie.  'Nuff said.

"There we go!  Now Sparkler's our head detective, and we're all her Faithful Assistants!" said Pinkie, placing the other bowler hat atop her head.

"Wait a minute.  Why am I the head detective?" I asked.

"'Cause you're the one who knows Mare-Do-Well the best out of all of us, of course," said Pinkie. "At least the ponunculus version; AJ and I are the experts on the character we made up for Rainbow Dash.  But that's not gonna do us much good here."

"I'm gonna side with Pinkie on this one, sugarcube," said Applejack. "You've met this new Mare-Do-Well face-to-face; we haven't.  You're our best bet for trackin' her down."

"Not to mention her identity thief," added Pinkie.

"Plus, we know Mr. Kohryu," Derpy chimed in. "We can convince him to put in a good word for us if those Neko Show-gun-its start getting mean."

"It's Neko Shogunate, Mom," I corrected.

Derpy blinked. "Right.  What did I say?"

"Never mind," I sighed. "Alright, guys.  I'll play along.  But just fair warning: I'm not very good at this sleuthing business.  There was a lot of luck involved last time I had to do this."

"That's alright, Sparkler!  We're here to help you every step of the way!" said Pinkie, a spark of determination in her eyes. "After all, we're an investigation team!"

As soon as she said that, the airship lurched a bit as it touched down.  Looking over the side, I noticed that we appeared to be at the base of some sort of stairway leading up the mountainside.  One of the Royal Guards joined us on the deck.

"Alright, ladies.  This is as far as we go," said he. "We'll be waiting right here for you when you're done with your investigation."

"Okey-dokey-lokey!" Pinkie Pie chirped. "Let's go, everypony!  The game is afoot!"

With that, she took off like a shot.

"Pinkie, slow down!" Applejack hollered, running after her.

I sighed and shook my head.  This was gonna be a looooong investigation.  Oh well, no use putting it off.  With a bow of thanks to the guard, Derpy and I disembarked and followed Applejack and Pinkie up the steps.


***
December 14, 10:48 AM
Mewlun Mountains
Border Patrol
***


After a long climb, we reached a large red arch halfway up the mountain.  I think it was supposed to be a gate, but there were no doors of any sort.  There was only these thin red beams holding up an ornate beam at the top.  Standing at either side of the arch were a pair of what appeared to be bipedal cats wearing the kind of armor you'd only see in Neighponese action movies.  Each of them were carrying some kind of, oddly-shaped flag.  I dunno, I've never seen anything like it before.

"Huh.  That's weird," said Pinkie, stroking her chin. "I thought Princess Celestia said these guys didn't like ponies walking around in their home.  My piggy bank is more secure than this."

"Careful, Pink," Applejack warned. "Looks can be deceiving."

"Mmm, you're right," Pinkie mused. "I'm gonna go over there and see what's up."

She started bouncing up the mountain.  I've seen this kind of scenario play out so many times before, so I knew what was coming.

Three, two, one...

"Halt!"

"Who goes there?!"

Yep, called it.  As soon as Pinkie got to the step the cats were on, they crossed their weapons, barring our entrance.

"Oh, hiya!  I'm Pinkie Pie!" said Pinkie with a friendly wave. "And these here are my friends Derpy Hooves, Sparkler, and my fourth cousin twice removed Applejack.  What's your name?"

The cat didn't answer, but instead let out a deep-throated growl.  Pinkie giggled.

"That's a weird name," she said. "Now then, Grrrr, my friends and I have important business.  Would you mind letting us in, please?"

The cat shot Pinkie a glare. "Are you mocking us?" he snarled.

"What?  Why would I do that?" said Pinkie. "I have a great respect for cats.  In fact, my friend Rarity has a pet cat!  Her name's Opalessence, but most ponies just call her Opal.  Do you know Opal?  She's very nice once you get to know her.  Sure, she can be a bit pushy at times, but..."

"Pinkie?" interrupted Applejack.

"Yes, Applejack?" said Pinkie, turning her head.

"Stop talkin'."

"Oh, fine," said Pinkie with a pout. "I was just trying to be friendly."

"I know," said Applejack, giving her a warm smile. "Here, let me try."

"Okey-dokey-lokey!" said Pinkie, stepping down. "It's all yours, AJ."

Applejack nodded and stepped up to the cat guards.  She then took off her stetson and bowed before them.

"Howdy, gents," she said, placing the stetson back atop her head. "We do apologize for not givin' you prior notice, but my friends and I are on an important mission from Princess Twilight Sparkle, and we need to go through the Mewlun Mountains."

The guard scoffed. "You are a fool, pony.  The Nyeko Shogunyate does nyot recognyize any such authority.  We only answer to the Grand Shoguns, Mochi and Mimi."

"Wait, the Nyeko Shogunyate?" asked Derpy, blinking in confusion. "I thought it was called the Neko Shogunate.  Now I'm all confuzzled."

"They're speaking with a speech impediment, Mom," I said, rolling my eyes.

Derpy blushed. "Oh, whoops.  Sorry, Mr. Kitty.  Ehheheh..."

I let out an exasperated sigh.  Derpy really needs to think before she speaks sometimes.

"Enyough of this," snarled the guard, brandishing his weapon and pointing it at us. "Nyo one is allowed to enter our land without the permission of Grand Shoguns Mochi and Mimi.  Go back the way you came and tell that to your princess."

"Look, we don't have time to argue," said Applejack, standing her ground. "We need to get in.  It's very important, and..."

"Alright, ponies!  One side, one side!  Outta our way!"

Before Applejack could finish her thought, some brute shoved me to one side.  I would've fallen off the mountain if Derpy hadn't caught me.  When I recovered from the shove, I got a good look at the assailant.  To be honest, I was pretty surprised.

Standing at the gates in front of Applejack were two nasty-looking Diamond Dogs with black fur and long snouts.  They looked exactly alike, except one had a red collar while the other had a blue one.  I remembered them from when I was looking into that protection racket that was set up in Ponyville back in July.  They were Rosco and Desoto; the bodyguards of the most notorious Diamond Dog in the underground network, Sykes Silvervest.  What the hay were they doing all the way out here?  Surely, the influence of the Silvervest pack doesn't extend to the Neko Shogunate.

"Oh, nyot you again," groaned one of the cat guards. "What is it this time?"

"You know very well what, you mangey feline," snapped Rosco. "The Top Dog is tired of you dragging your feet.  We want that fugitive, and we want him now!"

"We do nyot answer to your Top Dog, canyine," said the guard. "Nyo one is allowed to cross our boarders.  Especially nyot half-witted mutts."

"Who're you callin' a mutt, furball?!" Desoto barked, looking like he was ready to gouge the cat's eyes out.

"Desoto, heel," Rosco ordered. "The Top Dog is trying to avoid starting a war with these, pests."

"You're the pest, dog," the guard growled. "We nyekos own these mountains.  You are the trespassers."

"Look, this wouldn't be a problem if you guys just handed over our fugitive!" yelled Rosco, unfurling a document. "We have it on good authority that Dodger Dragonvest is seeking sanctuary in your territory!  He's wanted for high treason against the Silvervest pack, and he's very dangerous!  It's in your best interest to tell us where he is!"

As soon as I heard the name Dodger Dragonvest, I felt the burning sensation of bile rising to my throat.  Oh, how I've come to hate that name.  Dodger Dragonvest is one of the most despicable people I've ever had to deal with.  He was a delusional madman who rebelled against Sykes Silvervest because of a girl (no, I'm not making this up).  He apparently was trying to reverse this antiquated Diamond Dog law that stated that dating outside of ones pack was taboo.  To do this, he fooled the great philosopher Kohryu and strong-armed a bunch of teenage dragons into serving him, all while helping the girl he was infatuated with carry out her own evil schemes.  So, yeah.  I don't really have a favorable view of the guy.

"We told you before.  There is nyo such fugitive in our land," said the neko plainly. "If there was, we would've dealt with him ourselves."

"We're not buying that!" spat Desoto. "You cats are always up to no good!  The Top Dog will hear of this!"

"Wait a minute," said Derpy. "I thought Ammy said you guys took care of that Dragonvest meanie.  Why are you saying he's out here?"

Rosco turned to Derpy, and his eyes met mine.  He snorted.

"Oh, it's you," he growled. "I should've known you'd be prying into our business again, Little Miss Nosy Pony."

"Nice to see you, too," I said dryly. "Look, I helped you guys before, didn't I?  Why the hostility?"

Rosco folded his arms and closed his eyes. "The Top Dog is, grateful for your assistance, pony.  But that doesn't mean you've earned his respect.  You're still just as annoying as ever."

Somehow, I'm not surprised.  From the few times I've met Sykes Silvervest, I've come to know him as a Diamond Dog who has no respect for anyone other than himself.

"Anyway, my mom has a point," I said. "I was under the impression that you dealt with Dodger already.  What's all this about him being a fugitive?"

Rosco's face darkened. "We kept a close eye on Dodger after capturing him and putting a stop to his little dragon rebellion.  But apparently, he doesn't know when to call it quits.  A couple of months ago, our watch-dragon, Crackle, started wandering off again.  Dodger was part of the group responsible for getting her back, but he double-crossed the team and took off into uncharted territory."

Okay, I'm kinda baffled that Sykes didn't just kill the bastard, but whatever.  However, there was something else that didn't make sense.

"Wasn't he safer with you guys if you were keeping him alive?" I inquired. "If I remember correctly, those teenage dragons that he forcefully recruited want his hide."

"They weren't gonna find him underground, though," said Rosco. "Dodger may be crazy, but he's not stupid."

"An', how exactly do you know he's in the Mewlun Mountains?" asked Applejack.

"Because of this."

Rosco showed us the document he was presenting to the guards.  It was a wanted poster calling for Dodger Dragonvest, dead or alive.  The reward was five thousand gems.  I don't know how much that is to a Diamond Dog like Sykes, but to a pony, that's a pretty hefty sum.

"The Top Dog put a major bounty on Dodger's head, and we've had a few headhunters respond to the call," said Rosco. "One of our more reliable contacts said that he went into the Mewlun Mountains, but because of these stupid cats, no one has been able to go in after him.  So, he sent me and Desoto to deal with Dodger ourselves.  But for weeks, these felines have been lying to us and saying that he isn't here."

"Because he isn't," said the neko guard. "And even if he was, he's nyot yours to deal with anymore."

"I don't think this is our business, Ammy," said Derpy. "We should just go."

While I see Derpy's point, I'm not sure what to do next.  We can't get to Kohryu if...

Wait a minute.  I just got an idea.

"Listen, we really don't want any trouble," I said, approaching the guards. "Princess Twilight actually asked us to meet with Kohryu, and..."

The guards' eyes went wide. "You're here to see the Great Kohryu?" one of them asked.

"Um, yes,"

The guard nodded. "I see.  Well, why didn't you say so before?  Just a moment, please."

He then banged his weapon on the ground and let out a high-pitched meow.  A few moments later, another neko ran down to greet us.  He was a tall, lanky fellow with black fur and two scabbards strapped to his belt.  He seemed to have a serene expression in his amber, catlike eyes.

"This here is Orph," said the guard. "He will escort you on your spiritual pilgrimage to the Great Kohryu."

"It is my honyor to be in the presence of those who wish to be enlightened by Kohryu's wisdom," said Orph with a bow.

Bingo.  It seems that Princess Twilight's hunch was right.  Kohryu's nest is the only place in the Neko Shogunate outsiders are allowed to travel to.

"Hey, wait just a minute!" Desoto shouted. "How come these stupid ponies get to pass?!"

"They are here on a spiritual quest; you are nyot," said Oprh, his black tail swishing from side to side. "Come, let us leave these mongrels to their futile whines and yelps."

I gave Rosco an apologetic shrug before bowing to the guards.

"Thank you very much," I said.

"Yeah, thanks," said Derpy.

"Much obliged," said Applejack with a tip of her hat.

"Thanks, Grrrr!  Let's hang out after this!" said Pinkie.

The guard gave Pinkie a puzzled look. "First of all, that's nyot my nyame.  Second, what are you talking about?"

"Don't, mind her," said Applejack. "We'll jus' be on our way now."

"Indeed," said Orph. "Please, walk this way."

He then crouched down on all fours and scampered up the steps.  Derpy and Pinkie shared a shrug and started mimicking him.  Applejack and I sighed.

"Not what he meant, guys," I said.

Derpy sheepishly got to her feet and rubbed the back of her head. "Oopsie.  Sorry," she said. "I guess flying's easier, anyway."

"Meh, you can do that if you want, Derpy," said Pinkie with a shrug. "As for me, this is just too much fun!  I'll see you at the top!"

We all just shared a shrug and proceeded to follow Orph.  Yeah, reasoning with Pinkie is always an uphill battle (no pun intended), at least in my experience.  But my kooky mom and Pinkie's antics were the least of my worries.  If Rosco was correct about Dodger fleeing into the Mewlun Mountains, that means I might have to deal with him again.  That's not something I'm looking forward to.  I'm also not sure how much Kohryu can protect us from the Neko Shogunate.  These guys don't seem to like outsiders all that much.  This investigation is not going to be fun in the slightest.  Not that I expected it to be, anyway.
> De Nature Walk (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 9:20 AM
Canterlot Castle
East Garden
***


After finishing our breakfast, Spike and I met up with Shining Armor and Kibitz in the main hallway.  As we walked to the East Garden, I told Shining everything about Mare-Do-Well and her exploits.  There were some parts here and there that he already knew about, such as the attack on the Wonderbolts and the events surrounding the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  But for the most part, this was all news to him.

"I gotta say, Twilie.  It's amazing how you can remember all that off the top of your head," said Shining sheepishly. "This is really a lot of stuff to keep track of."

"Don't worry, Shining.  I've got ya covered," said Spike, taking furious notes on his notepad as he rode on my back. "Uh, Twi?  How do you spell 'ponunculus?'"

I suppressed the urge to groan.  Although Spike is a handy assistant, I keep forgetting that vocabulary is not one of his strong suits.  He should really start reading stuff other than those Power Ponies comics every once in a while.

"P-O-N-U-N-C-U-L-U-S," I said as slowly as I could.

"...L, U, S.  Okay, got it," said Spike, giving me a thumbs up.

"Um, Your Highness.  Are you certain that Mr. The Dragon is fit to be our notetaker?" inquired Kibitz.

Spike turned to Kibitz and snorted. "What's that supposed to mean, huh?"

"Easy, Spike," I said, clearing my throat. "I assure you, Kibitz.  Spike here has a strong attention to detail.  I trust him to keep track of every step of our investigation.  Isn't that right, Spike?"

"Yeah," said Spike, giving Kibitz the evil eye.

"I-it was just a question," whimpered Kibitz, wiping his brow with his handkerchief.

"Alright, settle down, you two," said Shining sternly. "We can't afford to get sidetracked by petty arguments."

"This is an outrage!  You cannot do this to me!"

"Ma'am, I apologize, but you have to understand that..."

"What I understand is that you have taken what's rightfully mine!"

"B-but we gave you back your camera."

"I'm not talking about the camera, you fool!"

Somehow, I knew this was going to happen as soon as Shining made that statement.  Right in the middle of the East Garden, two ponies were busy bickering.  Well, it was more like one pony was accosting the other.  The pony being accosted was a member of the Royal Guard with a red plume on his helmet, and the pony yelling at him was none other than Photo Finish.  I was hoping I wouldn't have to deal with her until later, but I suppose that would've made things too easy.

"What's going on here, Holy Lance?" asked Shining.

The Royal Guard turned to us, and his pupils dilated. "P-Prince Shining Armor, sir!" he said, giving Shining a salute. "I-I did not expect you to be here, sir."

Shining sighed. "At ease, captain.  You don't need to do that anymore."

"O-oh, right," said Holy Lance, awkwardly clearing his throat. "My mistake, sir."

"I take it you two know each other," I said.

"We should," Shining chuckled. "Twilie, this is the current captain of the Royal Guard, Holy Lance."

"Ah, right.  Of course," I said with a thoughtful nod.  I know I should probably know his name, what with me being a princess and all.  But honestly, I'm not that familiar with the Royal Guard.  Sure, my brother used to be their captain before he married Princess Cadence, but I never got to know them personally like he did.  Heck, I don't even have my own royal escort, unless you count my cabinet.  So actually, it makes sense that I don't know his name.

"Ah, Princess Twilight," said Photo Finish, bowing before me. "Thank goodness you're here.  Please, talk some sense into you Royal Guard!  He won't return my photos to me!"

"Ms. Finish, we've already been over this," said Holy Lance sternly. "Those photos could contain valuable evidence relating to the attempted assassination of the prince."

"Nonsense!  They contain nothing of the sort!" huffed Photo Finish. "I should know!  I took them!  And I only take pictures of fine beauty!  Pictures of elegance and grace!  Pictures that have, de magicks~!"

"Sounds to me like you've got your hooves full, Holy Lance," Shining observed.

"Hmm?  Oh, n-not at all, sir," said Holy Lance, saluting Shining once again. "Everything's under control."

I, found that hard to believe.  It's time I intervened.

"Ms. Finish, I'd like to ask you a few questions," I said.

"Only if you return my photos to me," said Photo Finish firmly.

I sighed. "Ms. Finish, you know I can't do that.  Holy Lance is right.  Those pictures could contain clues regarding what happened at the Gala last night."

Photo Finish scoffed. "Princess Twilight, I am no forensic photographer; I am an artist.  As such, those pictures should be worthless to you."

I can see Photo Finish's point, but I'm sure even a great photographer like her could capture something on film unintentionally.  Besides, this raises an important question.

"Alright, Ms. Finish," I said. "If those photos don't have anything to do with the attack on Prince Blueblood, what were you taking pictures of?"

Photo Finish's face turned a bit pale. "Th-that's none of your business," she said.

"We're going to find out one way or another, Ms. Finish," said Shining sternly.

"You will find out when I release those photos to the public," Photo Finish retorted. "I will not tolerate my work being spoiled like this!"

I smirked. "So, you were attending the Gala on official business, were you?"

"Yes, of course I was!  Why do you think I want my photos back so badly?!" snapped Photo Finish.

"Strange," said Kibitz, adjusting his spectacles. "You didn't bother to inform Princess Celestia or anypony else about this."

Photo Finish swallowed. "I-I have my reasons for that," said she. "Am I not entitled to some privacy?"

That's quite ironic, coming from her.  You know, seeing as her job is to shove ponies into the spotlight.

"So, you have a new model, I take it?" I said.

"Oh, yes," said Photo Finish, calming down a little. "And without giving too much away, she is the best model I've had yet.  She truly has, de magicks~!"

"Hang on, hang on.  How do you spell that?" asked Spike, still scribbling in his notepad.

"Never it mind, Spike," I sighed. "So, you were taking pictures of her here at the Gala."

"Yes," said Photo Finish. "I was taking pictures of her and nothing else."

"Were you out here in the East Garden?"

"Oh, nonononono.  Not here," said Photo Finish, seemingly repulsed by the idea. "We needed a background much more, inspired."

"Which would be?" inquired Shining.

"Out there," said Photo Finish, pointing to the underbrush. "We were in a secluded area where we wouldn't be bothered by anypony.  And as you know, the garden this time of year is perfect for capturing, de nature~."

She's not wrong there.  For whatever reason, the castle gardens are at their peak by the time the Grand Galloping Gala rolls around.  It's all quite serene and peaceful, if you don't try to befriend the wildlife like Fluttershy did.  I can imagine the gardens making an excellent backdrop for a photo shoot.

Suddenly, something clicked in my brain.

"Captain Holy Lance?"

"Y-yes, Your Highness?" asked Holy Lance.

"Where was Prince Blueblood's body found?"

"Right over there," said Holy Lance, pointing in the exact direction Photo Finish was pointing. "I can take you there if you want."

I furrowed my brow.  It's just as I suspected.  Prince Blueblood was attacked in the more secluded part of the East Garden, where there weren't many witnesses.  That explains why the attack went unnoticed until it was too late.  But that begs the question: What was he doing there?  I'd have to ask him once he had the strength to talk.  But for now, we've got to check out the scene of the crime.

"I think we're done for now, Ms. Finish," I said. "However, I may have some questions for you later."

"That's fine by me.  I'm not leaving until I get my photos back," said Photo Finish.

Holy Lance sighed. "Ma'am, be reasonable.  Prince Blueblood's life is more important than your little scrapbook."

"I'm telling you right now, good sir.  Those photos will not benefit you in the slightest," said Photo Finish firmly. "All you're doing is potentially damaging my career.  Mark my words, I will take this to Princess Celestia if I have to.  You won't get away with this."

After telling Holy Lance off, she bowed to me. "That being said, I am willing to share with you any information I can regarding this incident, Princess Twilight.  I do hope you catch the one responsible."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," I said, giving Spike a shrug.  It seems that Photo Finish's ire is directed solely at the Royal Guard, meaning she might be more cooperative with me.  That's good to know, although I have to wonder what all the secrecy is about.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm needed elsewhere," said Photo Finish.  After an unnecessary dramatic pause, she added, "I go!"

And with that, she dashed off as quick as a wink.  Don't ask me what business she could possibly have elsewhere, seeing as she's refusing to leave the premises.

"Finally," said Holy Lance. "I thought I'd never be able to get rid of her."

"Didn't you say you had everything under control?" inquired Shining Armor, arching an eyebrow.

Holy Lance blanched. "W-well, I did.  I-I just didn't think she'd be so stubborn, sir."

"Let me worry about Photo Finish, captain," I said. "For now, take us to the scene of the crime.  I need to confirm a few things."

"O-oh, yes.  R-right away, Your Highness," said Holy Lance, clearing his throat and regaining his composure. "Please come this way."

He started off into the underbrush.  When he was out of earshot, Spike turned to Shining.

"He seems a bit skittish to be captain of the Royal Guard, doesn't he?" he asked.

"I'm guessing it's because I'm around," said Shining with a shrug. "He was really honored when I made him captain in my stead, and he vowed to live up to his title's prestige like I did."

Spike snickered. "So, he was embarrassed by you seeing how poorly he handled talking to Photo Finish, huh?"

"Probably," said Shining. "Don't underestimate him, though.  I wouldn't have made him captain if I didn't think he was up to the task."

"Duly noted," I said as we followed Holy Lance into the underbrush.


***


Once we arrived, I could tell that the Royal Guard spared no expense at preserving the crime scene.  They had already made a tape outline of Blueblood's body, and a strong protection spell was cast around the area, preventing any critters from tampering with evidence.

"So, this is what you've found so far?" asked Shining.

"Yessir," said Holy Lance. "There were a few hoofprints in the area, including the prince's.  However, we're not sure which ones belong to the assailant."

I stroked my chin in thought. "How many sets of hoofprints did you find?"

"Four so far."

My brow furrowed. "That doesn't make sense," I mused. "I could be wrong, but by my count, there were at least five ponies out here last night.  There was Prince Blueblood, Photo Finish, her model, Derpy Hooves, and Mare-Do-Well's impostor.  Somepony's hoofprints are missing."

"Keep in mind, both Derpy and Mare-Do-Well can fly," said Spike. "Maybe Mare-Do-Well's impostor used her wings so that she wouldn't leave any trail."

"I do believe you're correct, Spike," I said. "But just to make sure, we're gonna need casts of all the hoofprints here."

"Consider it done, Your Highness," said Holy Lance with a salute.

"Right.  Now then, let's move on," I said, venturing into the forest.

"Um, Your Highness?" said Kibitz. "I don't mean to be rude, but isn't the crime scene over there?"

"I don't think there's anything to be found there that the Royal Guard wouldn't have discovered already," I said. "Bear in mind, Mare-Do-Well wears a full-body suit.  That means she wouldn't leave any evidence behind unless her costume was torn."

"And for the record, we haven't found anything like that," added Holy Lance.

"W-well, that's all well and good, Your Highness," said Kibitz skeptically. "But why do you want to know where Photo Finish was?"

"I have a feeling that Photo Finish might be hiding something," I said. "I'm not quite sure what that something is, but it might have to do with the photos she took."

"Yeah, she did sound pretty determined to get them back," said Spike, still writing furiously in his notepad.  When he took a break to look up, he quickly tapped me on the shoulder. "Hey, Twi!  Check that out!"

He pointed with his claw.  When I looked where he was pointing, I could see what he was so excited about.  A few meters away from the crime scene, there were three small holes in the ground.  Taking a closer look, I saw that they were about a centimeter wide and less than a millimeter deep.  I smiled.

"Good eye, Spike," I said. "These markings could've only come from Photo Finish's tripod-mounted camera."

"Meaning, what exactly?" asked Shining.

"We're about to find out," said I. "Shining, if you could, stand over here and pretend you're taking a picture."

With a shrug, Shining did as I asked.

"Now then, what can you see?" I inquired.

"Not much of interest," said Shining, tapping his chin. "I mean, I can kinda see the crime scene from here, but it would probably be at the edge of the viewfinder."

"I see," I said. "Spike, take a note of this.  This might be important later on."

"I don't see how, but alright," said Spike, jotting everything down in his notepad.

"Captain Holy Lance, are the Wonderbolts still deployed in the area?" I asked.

"Yes, Your Highness.  They're under the command of Lieutenant Commander Soarin' due to Spitfire's absence," said Holy Lance. "He said he's under orders from Captain Spitfire to help with the investigation."

"Tell him I want an aerial schematic of this area," I ordered. "In the meantime, keep on the lookout for anything suspicious."

"Yes, Your Highness," said Holy Lance with a salute.

"You really think that's gonna help, Twilie?" asked Shining Armor.

"We'll see," I said.  I've read enough detective novels to know that most clues don't make sense when you first come across them.  But in the end, they always do.  Which is why I'm not leaving any stone unturned.

"So, what now, Twi?" asked Spike.

"Let's go check in on Prince Blueblood," I said. "If he has the strength to talk, I've got more than a few questions for him."

Spike drew in a sharp breath through his teeth. "This, is not gonna end well," he muttered.

"What're you talking about?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, remember when Rarity said that Blueblood was a royal pain?"

"Of course.  What about it?"

"I don't want to know what dealing with a royal pain feels like."

I sighed and shook my head. "Suck it up, Spike.  We're gonna have to do a lot of things we're not comfortable with if we're gonna solve this mystery and help Mare-Do-Well."

"I know, I know," said Spike. "But I've still got a bad feeling about this."

"I'm gonna have to go with Spike on this one, Twilie," said Shining. "I've talked to Blueblood plenty of times.  He's not an easy pony to get along with."

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Shining," I said. "Besides, he has to show respect to me.  I'm a princess, after all."

"For your sake, Your Highness, I hope that'll be enough," said Kibitz with a sigh of his own. "He's in the castle infirmary.  This way."

With that, he led us back to the castle.  Honestly, I don't get it.  Yeah, from what I heard from Rarity, Blueblood was quite obnoxious.  And it seems Shining Armor and Kibitz have their own problems with him.  But he's still a prince, and Celestia's nephew at that.  Surely, he can't be that bad.

...

Can he?
> Terminated Tenure (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 10:19
Griffon Kingdom
Scholar's Plaza
***


"So, let me see if I've got this straight, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre just as I finished briefing him on the situation. "That costumed pony that showed up during our duel back in January is some great hero to Equestria, and her impostor is in the Griffon Kingdom?"

"She could be here; we don't know for sure," I clarified. "But you've got the basic gist of it."

Pierre knitted his brow. "You didn't mention any of this in your report regarding the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet, Capitanie Spitfire."

"It was for Mare-Do-Well's sake, Captain le Grand," I said. "Apparently, she's allergic to getting attention or something.  Don't ask me why."

"Mmm.  I see," Pierre mused. "Well, seeing as we're not a military unit anymore, we don't have the authority to investigate this matter on our own.  However, we'll do everything we can to help."

"Um, hello?  I'm still not on board with this, Captain," said Gilda. "Why can't these ponies just clean up their own mess?"

Okay, I'm finding it hard to believe that Gilda was part of the Junior Speedsters.  Like I said, that flight camp was very progressive for its time for allowing pegasi and griffons to fly together.  But apparently, that message of unity between species didn't managed to bore its way into Gilda's thick skull.  If it really is that thick; she could just be putting on an act to look cool.

"It's not just our mess, G," Rainbow Dash said firmly. "This phony Mare-Do-Well could very well be a danger to the Griffon Kingdom, too."

"Pfft.  Yeah, right," scoffed Gilda, rolling her eyes. "I could clobber her with one talon tied behind my back."

"Don't be so sure, Privé Gilda," Pierre said darkly. "I've fought this Mysterious Mare-Do-Well before.  If her impostor is anything like the real one, she would be quite a challenging opponent."

Gilda scoffed again, but said nothing.  Well, at least she's smart enough not to talk back to her CO when she has no argument.  Credit where credit is due, I guess.  Still, where did Pierre find this dock-hole, and why did he think she'd make a good edition to the Proud Pride?  She wouldn't last a day under my command.

"So, how much longer until we reach this Epiphany University, anyway?" asked Blaze.

Pierre smirked. "Funny you should say that, Mademoiselle Blaze.  For we are here."

We touched down in front of a large, black gate flanked by two marble statues; one of a griffon and the other of a hippogriff.  A golden crest with the letters EU engraved on it adorned each of the statues.  Beyond the gates, I could see a very luxurious campus with a few students flying about.  Unlike at the outpost, the atmosphere felt quite welcoming and tranquil.  None of the griffons here looked like they wanted to start anything.  They were all heading to classes, or sharing gossip, or lounging about on the grass.  This is a side of the Griffon Kingdom that not a lot of ponies talk about.  And you know what?  They should.  'Cause while I can't speak for anypony else, I'm not a big fan of stereotyping griffons as savage brutes.  I think it's wrong, I think it's offensive, and I think anyone who buys that stereotype should be ashamed of themselves.  But, I digress.

"Wow.  This is quite an impressive campus," observed Misty Fly. "Quite large, too.  You guys wouldn't happen to know your way around here, would you?"

"I'm afraid not, Mademoiselle Fly," said Pierre. "None of us have attended Epiphany University ourselves.  But I'm sure if we ask around, we'll find out where Professeur Kierra is."

"Are you sure that's wise, Captain le Grand?" asked Misty Fly, arching an eyebrow. "We're trying to keep a low profile with this investigation.  That's going to be rather hard to accomplish if we just waltz onto the campus like this."

"Oh, please.  As if eggheads give a damn about anything other than their egghead stuff," said Gilda with a snicker. "They're just a bunch of nerds who don't know what's cool.  I'll bet they haven't even heard of the Wonderbolts."

"Hey, is that Spitfire?!"

As soon as those words left Gilda's beak, one of the students spotted us from across campus.  A split second later, a whole mob of griffons and hippogriffs rushed up to the gate.  I don't know whether I want to smack Gilda upside the head or laugh at her in bemused contempt.  Of course the Wonderbolts are gonna be recognized here.  I know plenty of highly educated individuals who are our fans.  Heck, I've been asked to speak at universities like this several times in the past.  So this notion that these griffons wouldn't give us a second glance just because they're students of a prestigious university is simply preposterous.

"You were saying?" said Rainbow Dash, giving Gilda a knowing smirk.

"Sh-shut up," Gilda snarled, her cheeks turning bright red.

"Well, so much for keeping a low profile," Blaze sighed. "Now what're we going to do?"

"I have no idea," I said, letting out a sigh of my own.  While I like my fans a lot, this is not the time or place to be signing autographs.  We're on a very important mission here.  However, it was too late to try and get that message across.

"What are you all doing out here?!  Get back to your classes!"

A powerful roar echoed from behind the students, who immediately dispersed.  When the last student was out of sight, we were approached by an elderly griffon wearing a pair of reading glasses on a chain as well as dark green robe that accented his dusty red plumage.  Unlike most griffons I had come across, he seemed rather scrawny and fragile.  Yet despite that, he still had quite a commanding presence.

"Uh, thanks for that," I said, brushing the back of my head. "I do apologize for causing a ruckus like this."

"It's not your fault, madam," said the griffon. "The students of Epiphany University should know better than to behave like that.  I don't know what gets into them sometimes."

"Hey, I'm used to it," I said. "Um, perhaps I should introduce myself.  I'm Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts."

The griffon gave me a long, critical look and adjusted his glasses.

"Hmm.  So you are," he said, sounding rather intrigued. "I must say, Ms. Spitfire.  I was not expecting you to speak at my university this fine day."

"Your university?" I asked.

"Oh, sorry," said the griffon, clearing his throat. "Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Javier Hawke, headmaster of Epiphany University.  It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Spitfire."

"Pleasure's all mine," I said with a nod. "Now then, we're actually here on official business from Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"You are, are you?" asked Javier, stroking his chin. "Why was I not notified about this?"

"We, didn't really get any advanced warning," I said sheepishly. "Listen, we're actually here to see Kierra."

"Does she know you're coming?"

"Uh, no.  Again, I apologize, but we weren't given any prior notice, either."

Javier's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure I can abide by this, Ms. Spitfire.  Professor Kierra has been rather busy as of late.  She must not be disturbed."

"Busy?" inquired Misty Fly. "Busy doing what?"

"Who knows?  Egghead stuff, maybe," said Gilda with a shrug.

Javier let out a deep-throated growl and glared at Gilda.  If looks could kill, she would've been dead by now.

"Ignorant whelps like you should not bother setting foot on my campus if you're not willing to open your minds," he snarled.

"Whatever, gramps," said Gilda dismissively. "Look, can you just tell the Wonderbolts where this Professor Kierra is so I can get on with my life?"

"I told you, Professor Kierra must not be disturbed," Javier said with a snort. "She's conducting important research."

"Really?  On what?" I asked.

"I don't know; she didn't tell me," said Javier. "And for that matter, what business is it of yours, Ms. Spitfire?"

"Directeur Hawke, it is imperative that Capitaine Spitfire sees Professeur Kierra right away," said Pierre. "She could be in grave danger."

Javier gave Pierre a blank look. "Grave danger, you say?" said he. "From what?"

"It's a long story," I said. "Listen, Kierra knows me.  I helped her gain back her credibility as an historian.  I'm sure she'd be willing to let me see her."

"Yes, she did mention something about that when she came back," mused Javier. "And truth be told, she has been acting rather strange lately."

"Strange?" I parroted. "How so?"

"I'm not sure how to describe it," said Javier, tapping his beak. "She's been spending a lot of time holed up in the library or in her office, often for hours at a time.  She's also been rather, on-edge as of late.  Personally, I think it's because she's been working day and night on her research, whatever it is."

Something tells me it's a bit more complicated than that.  Maybe she already knows about Mare-Do-Well's impostor somehow, and she's trying to find a way to stop her.  The only way to know for sure is to ask Kierra herself.

"Headmaster Hawke, this is a matter of national importance," I said, projecting as much determination as I could. "I'm under orders from Princess Twilight Sparkle to track down a madmare that may very well be in the Griffon Kingdom.  I have my suspicions that she might be targeting Kierra, and that's why I have to see her."

Javier's eyes went wide. "Wh-what?  An assassin, here?"

"Possibly," I said with a nod.

Javier took a moment to compose himself. "W-well, by all means, go on ahead.  She should be in her office.  It's in the small brown building just east of here, Room 105.  You'll need a key to access it, so allow me to accompany you."

"Thank you, headmaster," I said with a bow. "Alright, Wonderbolts!  Let's fly!"

"Yeah, you go do that," said Gilda. "We're gonna take off now.  Seeya!"

"Not so fast, Privé Gilda," said Pierre sternly. "I told Capitaine Spitfire that the Proud Pride will help her any way we can, and I will not go back on my word."

"What?!  Oh, c'mon!" Gilda griped. "That old crow is gonna take 'em to Kierra, so we're not needed anymore!"

"Regardless, my order still stands," said Pierre, leering at Gilda. "You're free to leave if you wish, but if you do, you will be leaving the Proud Pride as well."

"Ugh, dick move, man," Gilda grumbled, folding her arms. "Fine, I'll stay.  But I won't like it."

"No one's asking you to like it," said Blaze, rolling her eyes.  Rainbow Dash stifled a chuckle.

"Blaze, behave yourself," I scolded. "And that goes for you too, private."

"Y-yes'm!" Rainbow Dash sputtered, giving me a hasty salute.

"Right, I think we've wasted enough time here," I said. "Okay, let's go."

We all then followed Javier to the staff building on campus.  My mind was racing furiously as we flew.  Kierra's up to something.  It probably has to do with Mare-Do-Well.  I'm not sure how she was made privy to her impostor running around, but I intend to find out.  Kierra was a great help to me before; I'm sure she'll come through for me again.


***
December 14, 10:43
Epiphany University
Staff Building
***


It didn't take us long to find Kierra's office on the first floor.  Javier gave the door a light tap.

"Professor Kierra?" he called out. "I know you don't wish to be disturbed, but you have a visitor."

There was no answer.  Javier tried again.

"Professor Kierra?  It's me, Javier.  Ms. Spitfire wishes to see you."

Again, no answer.

"Well, looks like she's not home," said Gilda with a shrug. "Guess we should— ow!"

Drake clamped his talon around Gilda's tail and shook his head.  Gilda snarled and snatched it from him.

"This is odd," murmured Javier. "She should be here."

"Ugh, we don't have time for this," said Rainbow Dash, cracking her neck. "Here, let me."

"Belay that, private," I ordered. "There's no need to break the door down."

"Oh.  Um, yes, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash sheepishly.

Gilda snickered. "Like I said, Dash.  Cool one minute; lame the next."

"Shut up, G," Rainbow Dash growled through gritted teeth.

I sighed.  I still want to know how she got into the Proud Pride, 'cause there's no way a poser like Gilda would make it in the Wonderbolts.  But, one problem at a time.

"Do you think she's at the library or something?" I asked.

"Doubtful," said Javier. "Professors usually leave notes on their doors when they've stepped out.  There's no such note here."

Hmm.  I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this.

"Is there any way to get into her office?" I asked.

"We could ask security for a spare key," said Javier. "Otherwise, the only one with a key to this office is Professor Kierra herself."

"Right," I said. "Rainbow Dash, go to the security desk and ask for a spare key to Room 105.  Tell them you were sent by Headmaster Hawke, and that it's urgent."

"Yes, ma'am!" said Rainbow Dash, zooming off in a burst of color.  In less than a minute, she came back with the security guard.

"I still say you should've broken the door down, Dash," said Gilda.

"No, that would've been unnecessary and stupid," said Blaze frankly.

"All of you, stop arguing," said Misty Fly, spreading her wings. "This is not the time."

"Thank you, Mist," I said. "Now then, if you please, sir."

The guard nodded and fumbled with his keyring for a bit.  After a few seconds, he found the right key and unlocked the door.

The vision that greeted us was, horrifying.  Th-there's just no other way to describe it.  Kierra was there, lying on top of her desk with her beak hanging open.  Her eyes were glazed and, lifeless.  There was no sign of her breathing.  W-we were too late.

"By the King's beak!  Th-this is impossible!" sputtered Javier.

"I-I think I'm gonna be sick again," moaned Rainbow Dash.

"S-stop being so melodramatic, Dash.  I-it's no big deal," said Gilda, sounding rather shaken herself.

"No, Privé Gilda.  It is a big deal," said Pierre coldly. "We should inform le Griffon Magistrat, immediately."

"The Griffon Magistrate?  Isn't he supposed to be like, the judge?" asked Blaze, tilting her head. "I thought judges didn't lead investigations."

"Different culture, Blaze," I said in a strained tone. "Their justice system doesn't work the same as ours."

"Right, sorry Sis.  Kinda, forgot that for a sec," said Blaze.  She then let out a big sigh. "Dammit all."

"I know how you feel, Blaze," I said somberly. "Captain le Grand, go fetch the Griffon Magistrate.  We'll get started here."

"At once, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre with a salute. "Drake, Privé Gilda.  Allez."

With that, they were gone.  I let out a sigh and shook my head.  I knew it.  I bucking knew this would happen.  Somehow, I had a feeling that Kierra would be targeted, and lo and behold, she's been murdered in cold blood.  Why did I have to be right about this?  I-I feel like slamming my head against a wall.  No, scratch that.  I feel like slamming my hoof into the schmuck who thought that taking someone else's life was a good idea.

"Will you be alright, Spitfire?" asked Misty Fly.

"Y-yeah," I murmured. "Just, give me a minute."

I flew over to Kierra and stared into her blank, dead eyes.  Ever so gently, I reached out with my hoof and closed them.

"I'm sorry, Kierra," I whispered. "Don't worry.  Whoever did this to you, they're gonna pay.  I'll make sure of it myself.  Wonderbolt's honor."

I straightened up and let out another sigh.

"I'm gonna take a bit of a walk to clear my head," I said. "When I come back, I expect you all to be ready to start investigating.  Is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," came a chorus of acknowledgements.

"Good," I said. "Mist, if you need to work your magic, do so."

"Understood, Spitfire," said Misty Fly sagely.

With that, I ventured out into the hall and just started pacing back and forth.  Well, so much for our luck holding out.  Kierra really didn't deserve to go out like this, y'know?  Then again, no one does.  Not really.  Which is all the more reason why I'm gonna make sure this dock-hole impersonating Mare-Do-Well gets her comeuppance.

Well, on the plus side, we know the impostor's in the Griffon Kingdom.  That should mean that none of the other teams have to go through something like, well, this.  A good thing, too.  I'd hate to imagine what would happen if somepony else had to deal with the same crap my team's dealing with right now...
> Awkward Darkness (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:07 AM
Lincolt Center
Music Floor
***


"Hmm.  That's, quite a story, Melody," Mike Check said after I finished explaining everything to him. "I'll be sure to run all this by Lockdown, and I'll tell Babs to keep her eyes open.  If this phony Mare-Do-Well is here in Lincolt Center, she won't be ruining this concert."

I gave Mike a quizzical look. "I'm honestly surprised you're taking this so well."

Mike chuckled. "After what happened at the Manehattan Music Festival, I've discovered that even the most far-fetched stories can be true," said he. "You're the one who taught me that, if I recall correctly."

"Well, I'm just glad you're on board with us, Mike," said Vinyl. "So, what now?  You think we should warn Sapphie about what's going down?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Ms. Scratch," said Rarity. "We wouldn't want to spook her or cause her undue stress.  That's the last thing any performer needs."

"Besides, we wouldn't be able to talk to her even if we wanted to," Mike added. "Lockdown doesn't let just anypony see Sapphire Shores."

"Um, I've been meaning to ask.  Who's Lockdown?" inquired Fluttershy.

"Sapphire Shores's personal bodyguard," explained Mike. "The guy's a real hard-dock who doesn't answer to anypony other than Sapphire herself.  While he knows you guys are investigating, he's not gonna let you see her unless she says so.  And don't try pressing the issue; he really doesn't like that."

"So, he's not gonna care that we're under orders from the Princess of Friendship," said Vinyl.

Mike snickered. "Scratch, he wouldn't care if you were under orders from all four alicorn princesses plus the queen of Prance.  Like I said, he only answers to Sapphire."

Vinyl drew in a sharp breath through her teeth. "This guy's just gonna be loads of fun to talk to; I can tell."

"I must agree; it's quite odd that he thinks Sapphire Shores has more authority than anypony else," I said with a shrug. "Then again, he is her bodyguard.  Her safety must be his top priority."

"That must be the case," said Fluttershy. "I suppose we won't be telling the Ponytones, either."

"Tell us what?"

Well, that was quick.  Fluttershy merely had to mention the Ponytones, and lo, they did appear.  It should be noted that as a music connoisseur myself, I am quite familiar with this a cappella group that has been making waves in Ponyville.  Although strangely enough, from what I read about the group, their musical background is rather limited.  The tenor, Toe-Tapper, owns a music shop that specializes in jazz; and the mezzo-soprano, Torch Song, is a freelance music journalist.  The only other experience worth mentioning is their soprano, Rarity, who knows a thing or two about the performing arts being a famous fashion designer and all.  Otherwise, this is pretty much this group's first foray into the music world.  Their bass vocalist, Big Macintosh, is actually an apple farmer of all things.  Yet every music critic I've come across says they're sensational.  I haven't actually heard them myself, and truth be told, I kind of want to.

"Oh.  Um, nothing," whimpered Fluttershy, hiding her face behind her bangs.

"Wait a minute.  What're you doing here, Rarity?" said Toe-Tapper, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you wouldn't be able to make it today?"

"It's, complicated," said Rarity, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "All I can say is that we're here on important business, and that I still won't be able to perform."

"Important business, huh?" said Torch Song, sounding rather skeptical. "You know better than to lie to us, Rarity."

"Trust me, Torch Song.  I wouldn't lie about this," Rarity said firmly. "You guys have to believe me here."

"Rarity, relax.  We're not mad at you," said Toe-Tapper. "We know full well why you're here."

Rarity blinked. "Y-you do?"

"You're worried about Sweetie Belle, aren't you?"

Rarity blushed. "That's, I, um..."

Torch Song let out a hearty chuckle. "It's nothing to be ashamed about, Rare.  Sweetie Belle was plenty nervous on the way up here.  I'm sure she'd love to see you supporting her like this.  Isn't that right, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh with a nod.

"Well, I'll admit that I, am quite worried about Sweetie Belle," said Rarity, twiddling her hooves. "However, it's not really for the reasons you're thinking of.  I-I'm not at liberty to say any more than that."

The other Ponytones looked at each other and smirked.  They clearly weren't believing a word she was saying.  I suppose it doesn't matter much, seeing as they weren't asking any truly compromising questions.  As much as I sympathize with Rarity, I believe she can suffer a little embarrassment if it means we get to keep our cover.

"Whatever you say, Rare," said Torch Song with a warm smile.  She then noticed me and Vinyl and whistled. "Wow.  I didn't know you two were coming to hear us, too."

"Are you kidding?  We wouldn't miss it for the world, Torchy," said Vinyl with a laugh. "Now you'll know what it's like to be on the receiving end of the press for a change."

Torch Song's smile faded as she narrowed her eyes. "And what's wrong with the press, huh?"

"Oh, nothing," said Vinyl, casting her gaze upward.

I think we all knew full well what Vinyl was referring to.  But since it's Vinyl, I decided to change the subject before things became even more awkward.

"So, where's your soprano, anyway?" I asked. "Ms. Rarity said something about her little sister taking her place."

"Oh, she's not here," said Toe-Tapper sheepishly. "We, actually don't know where she is right now."

My eyes widened. "You don't?"

"Nope," said Big Macintosh with a shake of his head.

Mike checked his watch. "Well, you guys aren't on until twelve-thirty.  We've got some time to look for her."  He then tapped his headset. "Yo, Babs.  Be on the lookout for your friend Sweetie Belle, a'ight?  The Ponytones are missing their soprano."

My brow furrowed.  I'm sure the poor filly just has stage fright, but it's not safe for her to be running around unsupervised.  Especially not when you consider the faux Mare-Do-Well might be lurking around the corner.

"Actually, we'd be more than happy to help you look," I said. "When did you last see her?"

"At the hotel," said Toe-Tapper. "In the lobby, we bumped into her parents, and they said they wanted a moment to congratulate her.  They told us they'd bring her here to Lincolt Center, but we haven't seen them yet."

"I think I can hazard a guess as to why," said Rarity with an exasperated sigh. "I love my mother and father and all, but this is their first time in Manehattan.  They probably went sightseeing with Sweetie Belle and forgot that performers are expected to come early to their performances, not just on time."

That certainly sounds like an innocent enough explanation, but the worrywart in me is already dreaming up the worst-case scenario.  I know that sounds incredibly paranoid, but I can't help it.  It's in my nature to worry.

"Did they specify where they would meet you?" I asked.

"We agreed to meet here in Lincolt Center; just outside the Bent Trumpet," said Torch Song, brushing her braided lock out of her eyes.

"And, they know how to get here, right?" said Vinyl.

"Well, they had a map when we saw them," Toe-Tapper replied, tapping his muzzle thoughtfully. "Plus, we already went over the directions with Sweetie Belle, so she can lead the way if they get lost."

"So, I guess we're just waiting for them to show up, huh?" said Mike.

"It sure looks like it," said Torch Song with a sigh. "Although they seem to be taking their sweet time.  I hope we don't have to wait on them for too long."

"Rarity?"

An unfamiliar voice made itself known.  As I turned to see who it was, I noticed that Rarity's eyes were nearly popping out of her skull.  Standing before us were two middle-aged unicorns, a stallion and a mare.  The stallion was a large fellow with a white coat, a bushy brown mustache, and three footballs for a Cutie Mark.  He was wearing a tropical shirt and a large straw hat.  The mare was a matronly pink pony with a purple mane done up in a beehive hairdo.  Her attire consisted of a red shirt, bellbottoms, and a visor cap.  Judging by Rarity's reaction, I'm guessing her parents have arrived.

"F-father?  M-mother?" Rarity stammered.

"Why so shocked?" asked Rarity's mother with a hearty chuckle. "You knew we were coming to see the Ponytones today, didn't you?"

"In fact, we're more surprised to see you here," said Rarity's father. "Didn't you say you weren't going to make it?"

"I, um, er..."

Rarity tried to form a coherent sentence, but all that came out was incoherent gibberish.

"Hey, we were just talking about you two," Vinyl laughed.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh concurred.

"What took you guys so long, Mrs. Crumbles?" inquired Toe-Tapper.

"Oh, well, after we left the hotel, Magnum and I wanted to do some souvenir shopping with Sweetie," said Rarity's mother. "I'm afraid we might've lost track of the time, though."

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that," said Rarity's father with a tip of his hat. "We really wanted to find something for our little girl to show her how proud we are."

It seems Rarity's hypothesis was completely accurate after all.  Thank Celestia for small favors.

"So, Rarity.  What exactly are you doing here again?" asked Rarity's mother.

"Um, I'm actually here on i-important business," said Rarity, trying to regain her composure.

"That's what she's calling it, anyway," said Toe-Tapper with a knowing grin.

Alright, I think that's enough of that.  Since I live with Vinyl, I know all too well how it feels to be publicly humiliated like this.  I believe Rarity here has suffered enough.

"Well, it's nice to see that you support your daughter in her artistic endeavors," I said. "I'm sure the Ponytones will be just as sensational as the critics claim, Mrs. Crumbles, was it?"

"Yeah, you got it," said Rarity's mother, giving my hoof a friendly shake. "I'm Cookie Crumbles, and this here is my husband, Hondo Flanks."

"Please, call me Magnum.  Everypony else does," said Rarity's father, shaking my other hoof. "And you are?"

"Octavia Melody," I said. "I play the cello for the Canterlot Ensemble."

Magnum's eyes went wide. "Hey, I thought you sounded familiar!  You're on that talk show on K-COLT Radio!  Sweetie listens to your stuff all the time!"

"It appears your reputation precedes you, Octy," said Vinyl.

"Oh, really?  I haven't noticed," I said, rolling my eyes.

Vinyl laughed. "Always such a kidder," she said, walking up to Rarity's parents. "So, where's the star of the hour, anyway?  The Ponytones here say that you came here with her."

Rarity's parents looked at each other before turning back to us.  I can't help but get a bad feeling about this.

"We thought she was with you," said Cookie Crumbles.

Oh, great.  This is going to be one of those situations, isn't it?  Ugh, bollocks.

"Wait, wait.  Time out," said Mike, gesturing with his hooves. "The Ponytones said that you two were bringing her here.  How could you think she was with us?"

"Well, when we got here, we ran into Sapphire Shores," said Magnum. "Sweetie said she wanted to talk to her for a bit, so we let her go on ahead.  We just got done checking out the amazing department stores you've got here."

Hmm.  There's nothing too out of the ordinary about that.  I'm guessing Sweetie Belle's still nervous about her performance, so it's only natural that she'd want to get some pointers from a veteran.  What's more, Sapphire Shores is a rather casual pony for somepony of her fame.  She'd certainly allow something like this.

"Well, looks like that's all cleared up then," said Mike. "Now we just need to..."

He trailed off and raised his hoof. "Ugh, what now?" he groaned, tapping his headset. "Talk to me.  Uh-huh.  Uh-huh.  Babs, I already told you; you can't reason with...  Wait, what're you...?  Hold on, Babs.  I'll be right over.  Don't do anything until I get there."

He then tapped his headset off and sighed.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Babs is butting heads with Lockdown over seeing Sapphire Shores," said Mike.

"Wait, what?" I said, tilting my head. "But why?"

"Heck if I know," Mike growled. "All I got out of Babs was that it's apparently an emergency.  Whatever the case may be, I'm gonna go sort it out."

Yes, that's not ominous or anything, now is it?  Again, it's very likely that Babs is just crying wolf, but I don't want to take that chance.

"We should come with you," I said. "Just in case."

"Fine by me," said Mike with a shrug. "C'mon, let's go.  Sapphire should be in one of the performance studios."

Rarity sighed. "I'm terribly sorry about this, Mother and Father, but duty calls."  She then gave them both a peck on the cheek. "We'll talk later."

"Wait, I thought you were just here for Sweetie Belle," said Torch Song, raising an eyebrow. "Rarity, what's going on?"

"No time to explain, Torchy," said Vinyl. "We must be off, for the game is afoot!"

Ugh~.  She just had to say it, didn't she?  Well, of course she did.  It wouldn't be Vinyl if she wasn't completely tactless about everything.

"Let's just go," I said as we took off after Mike Check, leaving several baffled ponies behind.


***
December 14, 11:14 AM
Lincolt Center
Performance Studio B
***


"I'm telling ya, man!  You gotta let me in!"

"Kid, ain't nobody gonna disturb Ms. Sapphire.  I don't care what you say."

I have to say, I'm very surprised by how courageous Babs Seed is.  When we arrived on the scene, she was arguing with a bulky grey stallion nearly five times her size with a goatee and no mane to speak of.  He wore a fancy black suit with a blue tie, a pair of heavily-tinted shades, and an earpiece in his right ear.  His Cutie Mark depicted a golden padlock, making me think that this was Lockdown.

"Alright, you two.  Break it up," said Mike sternly, standing between the two ponies. "What's going on here?"

"Mr. Check, Sapphire and Sweetie Belle are in danger!" yelled Babs. "But this big ugly galoot won't let me go in and check on 'em!"

"I don't know what crazy idea got into the kid's head, Mr. Check," said Lockdown gruffly. "The only ponies in that room are Ms. Sapphire and Ms. Belle.  I've made sure of that."

"Mr. Check, I saw someone go into that room!" Babs insisted. "You gotta believe me!"

Mike sighed. "Babs, Lockdown's been standing here all morning.  I think he would've seen someone try to sneak into the studio."

"And as I've told the kid several times now, I haven't seen anyone," said Lockdown.

Babs's eyes narrowed. "You callin' me a liar, tough guy?" she snarled, blowing back her combover.

"Ponies, please," I said. "Let's try and settle this rationally.  Babs, would it make you feel better if we took a small peek inside the studio?"

Babs paused for a moment before letting out a sigh. "I guess," she muttered.

"Right then," I said. "We'll just take a tiny little peek, and if everything's okay, we'll say nothing more about it."

Lockdown snorted. "I don't agree to this.  Ms. Sapphire cannot be disturbed."

Vinyl folded her forelegs. "Look, pal.  I know Sapphie.  I really doubt she's gonna fire you over something like this."

Lockdown growled. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  No one has tried to get into the performance studio since I started standing guard."

"Let's just be sure about this, alright?" said Vinyl. "If nothing else, it'll make the kid happy."

Lockdown let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine, fine.  If you'll all get off my back, I'll allow this.  But just this once."

He then knocked on the door. "Ms. Sapphire?  You've got company."

There was no reply.  Lockdown knocked again.

"Ms. Sapphire?"

Again, no answer.

"Can't ya just open it?" asked Babs.

"No can do.  It's locked from the inside," said Lockdown, trying again. "Ms. Sapphire?"

Once again, not a sound came from the room.  I swallowed as my heart began pounding.  I've got several possible explanations for this in my mind right now.  None of them are good.

"B-break down the door," said Rarity, her breathing becoming erratic.

Lockdown gave her a puzzled look. "I'm sorry?"

"Y-you heard me," said Rarity, intensity seeping into her voice as she trembled all over. "M-my little sister is in there.  B-break down that d-door, now."

"Ma'am, I ask that you remain calm," said Lockdown, still as stoic as ever. "There's probably a good reason for..."

"Just do as she says," I said firmly. "Please.  I have a feeling something's dreadfully wrong here."

Lockdown let out another sigh. "I don't get paid enough for this crap," he mumbled under his breath. "Alright, stand back."

We complied.  Lockdown walked a few paces, turned around, and rammed the door with all his might.  After a few successive rams, the door finally gave way.  What lay beyond it was my worst nightmare.

Slumped against the far corner of the room was Sapphire Shores.  Scuffs and bruises covered her face, and her costume was in tatters.  Her body was as limp as a rag doll.  A young unicorn filly was nestled against her barrel, shaking like a leaf and sobbing.  Rarity gasped in horror.

"S-Sweetie Belle!" she squeaked. "Who—?!  How—?!  Why—?!  Oooooh~."

With that, she swooned right into Fluttershy's waiting forelegs.  Truth be told, I'm having difficulty maintaining my constitution myself.  I-I just can't believe what I'm looking at right now.

"Th-this can't be right," sputtered Lockdown, still trying to maintain his unflappable disposition. "I-I didn't let anyone in here."

"Well, I highly doubt Sapphie did this to herself, so I don't know what to tell ya," said Vinyl with a shrug.

Fluttershy set Rarity gently to the ground and flew over to Sapphire's body.  She then prodded Sweetie Belle with her hoof. "Sweetie Belle?  It's me, Fluttershy.  A-are you okay?"

Sweetie Belle looked up, her eyes swollen with tears.  She opened her mouth to speak, but not a sound came out.

"Looks like the poor thing's still in shock," said Mike, shaking his head. "How's Sapphire?"

Fluttershy placed a hoof on Sapphire's neck and checked her pulse. "She's still breathing."

Mike sighed. "Well, that's some good news, at least.  I'm gonna call an ambulance."

"R-right," said Lockdown, clearing his throat and placing a hoof to his earpiece. "I'll notify the authorities as well."

Babs snorted. "Don't bother.  I'll find this punk myself and give him what-for."

"No, you're not," said Mike sternly. "I'm not letting any assistant of mine get herself killed."

"Well, I can't just sit on my dock and do nothing!" Babs spat. "He hurt my friend!"

"Trust me, Babs.  We're not gonna do that," said Mike earnestly. "I understand you're upset.  We all are.  But you can't just..."

"Watch me," said Babs, cutting across Mike.  Before anyone could protest, she darted out the door.

"Hey, get back here!" Mike hollered, running after her.

"How much you wanna bet that Rarity's gonna have the same reaction when she wakes up?" said Vinyl.

I deadpanned. "That was uncalled for," I said flatly.

"Yeah, I guess.  Sorry, Tavi," said Vinyl with a sigh. "Looks like we're gonna have to tell the Ponytones that the concert's off.  It's a shame, really.  It really was gonna be awesome, y'know?"

"I think the concert is the least of the our worries right now, Vinyl," I said.  As Fluttershy held Sweetie Belle close and fanned Rarity with her wings, I couldn't help but stare at Sapphire Shores.  Just as I feared, it's the Manehattan Music Festival all over again.  But, why?  Why was this doppelgänger of Mare-Do-Well doing this?  What is she trying to achieve?

"You gonna be alright, Tavi?" asked Vinyl, nuzzling my cheek.

I let out a heavy sigh. "Not until we find this impostor and put an end to this nightmare."

Vinyl let out a sad snicker. "Fair enough," said she. "We should wait a bit before we start sleuthing.  At least until Rarity's conscious again.  We need some time to recuperate from all this, know what I mean?"

"Indeed I do, Vinyl," I said softly, still staring at Sapphire's unconscious form. "Indeed I do..."
> Cruel Comeuppance (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:40 AM
Mewlun Mountains
Mt. Kohryu
***


"Nyot much farther now, my friends.  Your enlightenment is just within reach."

I don't mean to question our guide here, seeing as it's his home, but I'm pretty sure he said that three mountains ago.  Ugh, I feel like I'm just about ready to collapse.  Traveling up and down these staircases is probably the most intense exercise I've ever gotten in my life.  It's times like this that I envy my mom (and pegasi in general) for having wings.  And before you ask, no, I don't know any teleportation spells.  Even if I did, I'm pretty sure you can't teleport to a place if you don't know where you're going.

Oh well.  I suppose I should count my blessings.  At least Pinkie Pie hasn't been running her mouth and annoying us all.  She tried to a few times, but Applejack was quick to rein her in.  That being said, the silence is kinda getting to me.  Maybe having a little chat with Orph isn't such a bad idea.  Gathering the strength I had, I propelled myself to the front of the pack.

"Um, Mr. Orph.  I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to ask you a few questions," I said.

Orph turned to me and tilted his head to one side. "You wish to ask me questions?  Why?  Shouldn't you save them for the Great Kohryu?"

"Trust me, I know what I'm going to ask Kohryu," I said. "But I want to ask you some stuff, too.  Like, do you do this kind of thing often?"

Orph rubbed his eye with his paw. "It's nyot my official job, if that's what you mean," said he. "Few nyekos have the privilege of meeting wise outsiders such as yourselves.  I am actually the chief of Mochi and Mimi's samurai guard, maintainying order and stability in our land."

"Ooh!  Just like the Royal Guard we've got back home!" said Pinkie.

Orph shrugged. "I suppose, if you want to look at it that way," he said indifferently.

"And I suppose you have it on good authority that this Dodger Dragonvest varmint isn't around these parts?" inquired Applejack.

Orph shook his head. "If he was, he wouldn't last a day.  Ever since the Great Kohryu and the Four Benyevolent Anyimals were cursed by one of those accursed Diamond Dogs, Mochi and Mimi have forbidden them from setting foot in our land.  The samurai guard has been instructed to kill any mutt who snyeaks past our borders on sight."

Derpy swallowed. "I-isn't that a bit, harsh?" she whimpered.

"It is the will of Mochi and Mimi," said Orph sagely. "And as their samurai, it is my duty to uphold their decree."

"B-but..."

"Mom, just drop it," I sighed. "Honestly, I'm not comfortable with the idea, either.  But it's their land, so they make the rules.  We can't really do anything about that."

"Well, we could, but I reckon it'll get us in trouble," said Applejack, lowering her stetson over her eyes.

Orph smirked. "You equines are indeed wise.  I can see why you would wish to see the Great Kohryu."

"Yeah, about that," I said, rubbing the side of my head. "I'm pretty sure Kohryu is a pacifist.  Why isn't he objecting to this law?"

"The Great Kohryu is indeed powerful, young equine, but he holds nyo sway over the Grand Shoguns," said Orph. "He holds out his claw to guide us, and we appreciate his guidance.  However, it is our choice whether or nyot to accept it.  That is his promise to all who seek his wisdom."

If that's the case, Kohryu must have the patience of several saints.  I can't even imagine Princess Celestia turning a blind eye to this kind of thing simply on the principle of not wanting to control what others think.  I mean, I understand where Kohryu is coming from, but if I was him, I'd probably draw some sort of line in the sand, y'know?

"So, wait.  Kohryu has to follow your rules, right?" said Pinkie.

"Correct," said Orph with a nod.

"But, Twilight asked him if his acolytes could be the ambassadors for eastern dragons, and he said yes," said Pinkie. "Wouldn't Mochi and Mimi get mad about that?"

Orph snickered. "Even with all your wisdom, you are still outsiders," he said, shaking his head. "Just as the Great Kohryu doesn't interfere with the affairs of the Grand Shoguns, the Grand Shoguns do nyot interfere with the affairs of the Great Kohryu.  Unless, of course, the unthinkable occurs."

"The unthinkable?" parroted Pinkie, tilting her head. "What's the unthinkable?"

"I try nyot to think about it," said Orph darkly.

"Oh~.  Yeah, that makes sense," Pinkie mused.

Derpy, however, disagreed. "Y'know, not thinking about something bad doesn't make it go away."

Orph gave Derpy a curious look. "I must confess, I have nyot heard such a proverb from the Great Kohryu."

Derpy blushed. "It's, not a proverb," she said sheepishly. "I tell my daughter Dinky that all the time."

Orph's eyes went wide, and his tail stiffened and bristled. "Y-you are a philosopher as well?!"

"Uh, no.  I'm a mailmare," said Derpy, blinking in confusion.

I stifled a chuckle.  While it's true Derpy isn't nearly as dumb as most ponies think she is, I can't really picture her as a philosopher.  She's smart and all, but some things just fly over her head.

"Let's, just move on," I said, composing myself. "You said we're getting close to Kohryu's nest, right?"

"We are currently scaling Mt. Kohryu, yes," said Orph. "His cave is just at the top.  I'm sure he will be pleased to make the acquaintance of brilliant equines such as yourselves."

"Oh, actually, most of us have met him before," I said.

Orph whipped his head around, staring at us in disbelief. "You have?  But you are the first nyon-zebra equines to cross into our land.  How is this possible?"

"It's actually a long story," I said.

"And one I would very much like to hear," said Orph, rubbing his eye. "I had a feeling that you were nyo ordinyary equines."

"Yep, you're right about that!" said Pinkie gleefully. "Here, let me tell you all about it.  It all started when..."

"Lord Orph!"

Just then, Pinkie's story was interrupted by a loud roar coming from up the mountain.  Looking up, I saw that there was a large, blue dragon flying down towards us.  Unlike most dragons Equestrians are familiar with, his body was long and thin like a serpent, and he was sporting a light blue mane and two thin, wiry whiskers.  Despite having no wings to speak of, he flew through the air with the grace of a ballerina.  He stopped before us and bowed, while Orph did the same.

"Seiryu," said Orph. "This is quite a pleasant surprise.  I was just leading these wise equines up to see the Great Kohryu, and..."

"I do apologize, but the Great Kohryu is in no mood to accept any visitors," the dragon said darkly, cutting across Orph.

Orph blinked. "Nyot even visitors such as these?" he asked, gesturing to us. "These equines claim that they have met him before, even though this is their first time venturing into our home."

Seiyru looked over all of us.  When his eyes met mine, they went wide.

"Star Amethyst?" he said, sounding quite shocked. "Can it really be you?"

"Yeah, it's me," I said with a nod of my own.  It looks like Kohryu's acolytes recognize me.  That's a relief.

"So, it's true then?" asked Orph.

"'Tis," said Seiryu. "Star Amethyst and her mother, Hooves Derpy, helped free us from the curse cast upon us many moons ago."

"Uh, why are you sayin' those names backwards?" asked Applejack.

"When you address someone around here, the surname is said first," I explained. "Trust me, I was just as confused when I first talked to Kohryu."

"Ooh, ooh!  Does that mean I'm Pie Pinkie?" asked Pinkie, getting more excited about this development than anypony should. "That's funny!"

"I, fail to see the humor in this, equine," said Seiryu, arching an eyebrow.

"She's always like that," said Applejack with a sigh. "Don't mind her, Mister..."

"Oh, I do apologize," said Seiryu, clearing his throat. "I am Seiryu, the Azure Dragon as sharp as the timber.  I serve as one of the Great Kohryu's acolytes."

"Right.  Nice to meetcha," said Applejack with a tip of her stetson. "I'm Applejack, and this here is Pinkie Pie.  Of course, you already seem to know Derpy and Sparkler."

"Of course," said Seiryu with a warm smile.  The smile quickly faded as he furrowed his brow. "Actually, now that I think about it, your arrival here might be an omen, Star Amethyst."

"An omen?" asked Orph. "What sort of omen?  And why is the Great Kohryu reluctant to receive visitors?  That has nyever happened before."

Seiryu's face darkened. "A great evil has been committed in Kohryu's sacred home.  Suzaku has already gone off to inform the Grand Shoguns, but they have yet to respond.  When I first saw you on our mountain, I thought you had been sent by them.  It seems I was mistaken."

Every hair on Orph's body stood up on end, and his tail became stiff. "What is this great evil, Seiryu?!  Tell me, nyow!" he hissed.

Seiryu sighed. "It might be better if I showed you," said he. "Star Amethyst, against my better judgement, I ask that you and your equine friends accompany us.  You've helped us greatly before; I feel that we will need that help again."

Just the way he said that is giving me the chills.  I'm not jumping to conclusions or anything, but if Princess Twilight's hunch is correct, then this "great evil" Seiryu's talking about was probably committed by Mare-Do-Well's impostor.  If the Neko Shogunate find out that a pony is the perpetrator of, whatever crime happened up there, then we might have an international crisis on our hooves.  Possibly even a war.  And I think we all know what good can come from that.

"A-alright," I said with a swallow. "I-it could tie in with our own investigation, actually."

"Your own investigation, you say?" asked Seiryu, stroking one of his whiskers. "Hmm.  Perhaps this is an omen.  You'll have to tell me about this investigation of yours later.  For now, we have no time to lose.  Here."

Seiryu then twirled about in the air before gesturing with his claws.  Suddenly, I felt a rumbling beneath my feet.  Before any of us could react, several large roots sprang from the ground, carrying all of us high into the air.

"Whoa nelly!" gasped Applejack, struggling to get her footing.

"Wee~!  This is fun!" Pinkie cheered, wrapping her legs around the root beneath her. "I didn't know dragons could do stuff like this!"

"That's because most of our western cousins don't bother to study magic," said Seiryu. "Come, we must make haste."

"Agreed," said Orph, his tail swishing from side to side as he placed a paw on the hilt of one of his blades.

Seiryu rose into the sky, and the roots he summoned followed, with Derpy flying alongside us.  I took a few deep breaths to calm myself, but it wasn't really working.  Part of me hopes that this is just a coincidence, but let's face it.  I'm not that lucky.


***
December 14, 11:55 AM
Mt. Kohryu
Welcoming Chamber
***


The roots dropped us off at a ledge just short of the very top of the mountain.  On that ledge was a large cave marked with a golden talisman depicting Kohryu and his acolytes, the Four Benevolent Animals.

"This is where the Great Kohryu usually receives his visitors," said Seiryu. "I suggest you prepare yourselves before you venture inside.  It is not a sight for the weak of heart."

Well, that's comforting.  I looked over at Derpy, who was shaking like a leaf.  With a sigh, I took her hoof in my own.

"It'll be okay, Mom," I said. "I'm right here.  I won't let anything hurt you."

Derpy looked over at me as a ghost of a smile crossed her face. "I-I know, Ammy," she whispered. "I-I'm here for you, too."

With a nod, I walked inside the cave.  Now, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about dragons, but from what I do know, they like to line their nests with gemstones and treasure.  This, was nothing like that.  Small torches burned at either side, releasing the light smell of incense into the air.  Instead of a cold stone floor, I felt soft leaves rustling between my hooves as we walked.  The soothing sound of a babbling brook echoed around us.  Veins containing metals of varying alloys lined the ceiling and walls, sparkling in the light of the torches.  It's, actually kinda relaxing.  I can almost feel the tension melt from my body with every step I take.  I gotta say, Kohryu sure does know how to make his visitors feel welcome.

"Goodness gracious!"

A shriek from Derpy snapped me out of my trance.  Looking up, I yelped myself as my blood ran hot and cold.  A large Diamond Dog stood before us, suspended in midair by black cords wrapped around his wrists and ankles and stretching them apart like a starfish.  The Diamond Dog himself was a shaggy fellow with white and brown fur and a vest that appeared to be made out of dragon scales.  He didn't seem to be breathing.

"Inconceivable!" Orph roared, brandishing his katanas. "Murder has been committed in the sacred home of the Great Kohryu!  This act cannyot go unpunyished!"

"W-wait a minute, wait a minute," I said, trying as hard as I could to keep myself from hyperventilating. "I-I know who that is.  That's Dodger Dragonvest; the fugitive Rosco and Desoto are after."

Orph's tail stiffened and bristled as he let out an angry snort. "That's even worse!  A Diamond Dog, snyeaking into our lands, and into the Great Kohryu's home, nyo less!  He must be punyished as well!"

"Uh, beg pardon, but I don't see how you can go about punishin' a dead guy," said Applejack, lifting her stetson and arching an eyebrow.

Orph snarled. "Well, whoever did this should knyow that the Great Kohryu forbids the taking of life within the sanctity of his home," he said darkly. "While the perpetrator has done a service to the Nyeko Shogunyate, his crimes should nyot be absolved.  He will be honyored, then punyished with death."

Derpy gulped and clung to me tightly. "Ammy, I don't like it here," she whimpered.

I sighed, brushing my hoof along Derpy's back. "I know, Mom.  I'm scared, too," I cooed.

"You may have to hold off on your punishment for now, Lord Orph," said Seiryu gravely. "As of this moment in time, I'm sad to say that none of us know who did this."

"We might know," said Applejack, adjusting her hat. "Y'got some time to spare?  It's a bit of a tale."

Seiryu knitted his brow. "It would be wise for us to share our knowledge so that we may solve this mystery together," said he. "But this is hardly the ideal place to speak."

"Yeah, I don't know about you, but I would have a hard time talking with a dead guy around," said Pinkie with a shudder. "Brrr~.  That's one ghosty even I can't giggle at."

Seiryu raised an eyebrow. "You, laugh at the spirits of the dead?  What would possess you to do such a thing, Pie Pinkie?"

"It's not what you think," said Applejack. "'Sides, we ain't got time for that now."

"Mmm, indeed," said Seiryu with a nod. "Come, follow me to the Meditation Chamber.  We can talk there."

He flew past the suspended body of Dodger Dragonvest and further into the cave.  Tentatively, we all followed.  Derpy still held me close, and while Applejack and Pinkie appeared to be composed, they both looked rather pale.  Orph himself was growling angrily all the while, his tail swishing from side to side.  As for me, well, I don't really know how to feel.

I mentioned before that I hate Dodger Dragonvest's guts.  I do not take that back; he's still an insane prick with delusions of grandeur.  But as much as I hate him, I would never wish death on the guy.  I would never wish death on anyone.  So while I think he should've paid for his crimes, I also think that whoever strung him up like this took it too far.  And even worse, I highly doubt Mare-Do-Well's impostor killed him in the name of justice.  If she did kill him, that is.  Again, I'm trying not to jump to conclusions here.

"You can always count on those who are close to you to protect you from the bad stuff," I whispered partially to myself.  Just so you know, that's a little something I got from the Zen of Dinky.  It might be a bit of a mouthful, but I'm gonna need to keep that mantra in my heart if I'm gonna get through this mess...
> Impatient Patients (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 9:53 AM
Canterlot Castle
Infirmary Wing
***


"Auntie, I cannot abide by this!  It's an outrage!"

"Blueblood, this isn't really that big of a deal."

"Not a big deal?!  Auntie, you know not what you're saying!"

No sooner had we turned down the hallway leading to the infirmary than we were treated to a loud quarrel coming from the room.  From the sound of it, Princess Celestia and her nephew were having some sort of disagreement.  On the plus side, it means that Prince Blueblood is well enough to talk.  However, if he has the gall to talk back to his own aunt (who's the ruler of Equestria on top of that), then I'm beginning to see why everypony else is nervous about this upcoming interview.

"It seems the prince is in the middle of something," said Kibitz, swallowing hard and placing a handkerchief to his brow. "P-perhaps we should go somewhere else and come back later."

"Until the Royal Guard and the Wonderbolts finish surveying the crime scene, Prince Blueblood is our only real lead right now," I said. "I don't like this any more than you do, but we don't really have a choice here."

Kibitz sighed. "If you say so, Your Highness."

With that, we walked into the infirmary and followed the sounds of bickering.  Soon enough, we came across Princess Celestia standing over Blueblood's bed.  Blueblood was giving his aunt a defiant glare, while Celestia just seemed to be as calm and serene as ever, if not a bit peeved.  She was the first to notice me, and she gave me a warm smile.

"Ah.  Good morning, Twilight," she said. "How goes the investigation?"

"We're off to a bit of a slow start, but I've got some hunches," I said. "Actually, that's why I'm here.  How's Prince Blueblood?"

"Um, you can ask me yourself," huffed Blueblood indignantly. "And if you must know, I am absolutely appalled!  These accommodations are unacceptable!"

Spike raised an eyebrow. "You nearly got assassinated last night, and all you're worried about are your accommodations?"

"First of all, I was not nearly assassinated," said Blueblood haughtily. "I was fending off an attacker.  Secondly, how can you not see anything wrong with this picture?!"

I took a look around the area.  I, honestly have no idea what he's talking about.  The bed looked neat and tidy; the privacy curtains weren't ripped or tattered; he even had a little bell on his nightstand to ring for his servants or the medical staff.  So what's he making a big fuss about?

"Everything seems to be in order, Your Highness," said Kibitz, adjusting his spectacles.

"Well, it's not!" Blueblood groused. "Because I have to share this room here with, her!"

He used his magic to violently draw back the privacy curtain and pointed an accusatory hoof at the bed to his right.  Looking over, I saw that somepony was hiding under the covers and clamping a pillow over her ears.  Celestia sighed.

"Blueblood, at least lower your voice," she scolded. "The poor dear can still hear you."

"Well, she shouldn't!  That's the point!" Blueblood barked. "You cannot expect me to share my royal space with this, this commoner!  It's unheard of!"

Wait, that's the problem?  He's complaining about his roommate because she's a "commoner?"  Sheesh, no wonder Rarity called him a royal pain.

"I wish you would use more tactful language to describe your subjects, Your Highness," Kibitz groaned, massaging the bridge of his nose.

"Wow.  You're seriously saying that you are offended by this pony's mere existence," Shining Armor sighed, shaking his head. "That's low, Blueblood.  Even for you."

"D-don't put words in my mouth, Shining Armor," Blueblood sputtered. "I assure you, I have nothing against this, lovely peasant.  She can exist as much as she wants.  I just want her to do it somewhere else so that I can have my royal privacy."

"Um, isn't that what the curtain's for?" asked Spike.

"It does't change the fact that she's in my royal space," Blueblood grumbled. "I mean, it's not her fault, obviously.  If anypony's to blame, it's the Royal Guard.  Honestly, what were they thinking, bringing her here of all places?  Couldn't they have just, I don't know, brought her to some inn or tavern or something?  Ugh, this wouldn't have happened if..."

Okay, this isn't going to work.  There's no way I can get any information out of Blueblood while he's in the middle of this inane tirade.  However, I think I might know who his roommate is.  And if I'm correct, listening to him rant like this is the last thing she needs.

"Blueblood, you can't fault the Royal Guard for doing their jobs," I said firmly. "As soon as I heard about the attempt on your life, I ordered them to protect the public.  They couldn't do that if they had left the castle grounds.  Especially not to carry one pony to an inn when we've got a fully functional infirmary right here."

Blueblood scoffed. "Humph.  Of course the princess with the least experience would not understand the implications of this."

"Actually, I'm not familiar with these implications myself," said Celestia, tapping her chin thoughtfully.  I get the feeling that she was being sarcastic, but with Celestia, it's hard to tell.  Whatever the case was, Blueblood knew that he had no rebuttal to that.

"W-well, regardless.  The Royal Guard still needs to answer for this breach in conduct," he said, hastily clearing his throat.

Maybe if we were under the rule of King Bullion and Princess Platinum, this behavior would be justified.  The problem is that we haven't had this outdated mentality of royalty being separate and better than the public for over a millennium now.  I can only speculate as to why Blueblood adopts this mentality when nopony else does.  My best guess is that according to my genealogical research, his ancestors are indeed the unicorn kings and queens of old.  But just because I understand where his behavior comes from (somewhat) doesn't excuse it.

"Tell you what, Blueblood," I said. "I'll have the Royal Guard answer for this 'breach in conduct' if you apologize to your roommate for hurting her feelings."

Blueblood's pupils dilated. "Wh-what?!  Why do I have to apologize to her?!"

"Well, it's not her fault these arrangements were made," I said with a shrug. "You admit that much, yet your ranting has left her rather intimidated."

"And how is that my fault?" asked Blueblood. "I made it perfectly clear that I have no ill will towards her.  If anything, I completely sympathize with her."

"You could've fooled me," said Spike, rolling his eyes.

"I'm being serious," said Blueblood. "The poor dear saw me wounded and fainted.  Anypony would need to recuperate from an experience like that.  What I'm miffed about is that the Royal Guard brought her here and forced her to violate my personal space."

I think it's about time we got off this merry-go-round.  Fortunately, I have an idea.

"How do you know about that?" I asked. "Weren't you unconscious at the time, too?"

"I overheard the doctors talking to her, which is how I became aware of this ghastly predicament," said Blueblood. "I think her name is, Chocolate something or other."

"I-it's Coco, actually."

A worried whisper came from the neighboring bed as the pony emerged from under the covers.  Just as I suspected, it was none other than Coco Pommel; the first witness to the assassination attempt.  She still looked rather pale, though I'm not sure if it was from her experience last night or from listening to Blueblood rant and rave all morning.

"Right, yes.  That," said Blueblood, clearing his throat. "I'm usually quite bad with the names of commoners such as yourself.  You'll have to forgive me."

"Your Highness, I think that's what has her upset," Kibitz growled. "Don't call her a commoner.  It's insulting."

"W-well, what should I call her then?" asked Blueblood. "Peasant?"

"No."

"Peon?"

"That's even worse."

"Serf?"

"That one's not even accurate!"

"Civilian?"

Kibitz sighed. "I suppose that'll have to do."

Blueblood let out a sigh of his own. "You are so picky about the strangest things, Kibitz," he said.

"Look, I'm sorry if I'm being a burden," said Coco meekly. "I can just..."

"Trust me, Ms. Pommel.  You have nothing to apologize for," I assured her. "You stay here for as long as you need to."

Coco smiled. "Th-thank you, Your Highness," she said with a nod.

"Please, call me Twilight," I said, returning her smile.

Blueblood blinked. "Um, I understand that you're the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle.  However, is it truly necessary for you to be so casual with this common—"

"Ah-HEM!" coughed Kibitz, nosily clearing his throat.

"Er, this civilian?" Blueblood concluded.

"I don't see why not," I said. "But let's talk about something else.  I'm actually investigating last night's incident, and I want to ask you a few questions about the assassination attempt."

Blueblood arched an eyebrow. "I thought I already told you that it wasn't an assassination attempt, Twilight Sparkle."

"Really?  That's what everypony else is saying," said Shining, rubbing his head.

"Well, they're misinformed," said Blueblood. "In actuality, I would've saved the Grand Galloping Gala if that rapscallion fought with any sort of honor."

Huh.  This is new.  What's more, it's actually kind of plausible.  Despite living in ivory towers (metaphorically), the old unicorn kings were trained in the art of combat.  Even though they believed they were separate from their subjects, they were not above getting their hooves dirty in order to protect them.  I'm sure Blueblood is no exception to that.

"Alright, Blueblood.  Let's hear your account of what happened," I said. "Spike, be sure not to miss anything."

"One step ahead of you, Twi," said Spike, scribbling furiously in his notepad.

Blueblood straightened up in his bed and cleared his throat. "Well, it's all quite simple, really.  I was at the Grand Galloping Gala, mingling with the *ahem* civilians and minding my own business.  Suddenly, I saw a sinister-looking shadow lurking around the East Garden.  Believing this rogue was up to no good, I marched on over to confront him.  We fought long and hard, but alas, he had outmaneuvered me somehow and left me for dead."

"And you didn't think of telling this to Holy Lance or anypony else in the Royal Guard, why exactly?" asked Shining.

Blueblood snickered bitterly. "Truth be told, Shining Armor, the Royal Guard hasn't been the same since you left.  Honestly, they didn't take my royal privacy into account when they placed me in the same room as this, civilian.  How can you expect them to fight off a threat such as, well, whatever was sneaking around last night?"

Shining's eyes narrowed. "I appreciate the flattery, Blueblood, but you really should consider giving Holy Lance a lot more credit than that."

Blueblood shrugged. "I just did what I thought was best, Shining Armor.  Even a prince has to take risks sometimes to protect his subjects."

Hmm.  Shining actually raises a good point.  Why would Blueblood take care of this himself?  He doesn't strike me as that kind of pony at all.  I know appearances can be deceiving, but even today, ponies who are royalty don't fight unless they absolutely have to.  If he's telling the truth, something prompted him to fight Mare-Do-Well's impostor.  I have no idea what this could be at the moment, but it is something that I'll have to revisit.

"Did you get a good look at the attacker?" I inquired.

"I'm afraid not," said Blueblood, shaking his head. "It was too dark to see."

"But, aren't you a unicorn?" asked Coco. "You could've just used your magic."

There was a pregnant pause.  I could see the beads of sweat forming on Blueblood's brow.

"I-it's not that simple," said he. "Th-this was no ordinary intruder.  He actually managed to disable my horn.  That's why he prevailed."

Alright, I was willing to cut Blueblood some slack since his story is at least somewhat plausible, but that plausibility is starting to slip away.  There's definitely something that he's not telling us.  And I think I'm gonna need to do some more investigation before I find out what that something is.

"I think we're done here for now, Blueblood," I said. "I might be back later.  I hope you have a speedy recovery."

"I thank you, Twilight Sparkle," said Blueblood with a nod. "Oh, and if you could, let Holy Lance know of my distaste of his incompetence, will you?"

Oh, for the love of Pete.  He's still on that?  Ugh, what did Rarity see in this guy?

"Right, I'll get right on that," I said dryly.  I then turned to Coco. "I might want to ask you some questions, too.  Is that okay?"

"That's fine, Princess Twilight," said Coco. "However, I don't think I'm in the mood to talk right now.  Honestly, I'm still having trouble coping with this, nightmare.  This was my first time to the Grand Galloping Gala, believe it or not."

"Oh," I said with a sigh.  I then smiled. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, my first Grand Galloping Gala was a huge disaster, too."

Coco's eyes went wide. "Goodness.  Was it really?"

"Yep.  But not for the same reason," I said. "Anyway, I understand how you feel.  When you think you're ready to talk, just let one of the doctors know, and they'll come get me."

"Okay.  Thanks, Princess Twilight," said Coco with a nod.  She then reached over and closed the privacy curtain.

"Well, I'd best be going," said Celestia, drawing herself to full height and giving Blueblood a stern look. "Blueblood, I don't want this happening again.  I have better things to do than to quell your tantrums."

"They're not tantrums, Auntie.  They're legitimate complaints," huffed Blueblood.

"The point still stands, Blueblood," said Celestia, staring Blueblood right in the eye. "If I hear from the doctors that you're making trouble for them again, I'll have you cleaning Philomena's cage for the next three moons.  Is that clear?"

Blueblood swallowed. "Y-yes, Auntie."

"Good," said Celestia, returning to her sweet demeanor.  I guess even Blueblood knows that Celestia is not a pony to mess with.  She might be the most patient pony I know, but once that patience wears thin, well, you don't want to know what happens then.

"Um, Princess Celestia," said Kibitz. "I must ask.  Are you sure Princess Twilight should be investigating?"

Celestia smiled. "You already know the answer to that, Kibitz," she said simply.  And with that, she left without another word.

"Just drop it, Kibitz," chuckled Shining. "There's no way Celestia's gonna have Twilie stop her investigation.  Not when she's on a roll like this."

"I wouldn't exactly call it that, Shining," I said. "We still have more questions than answers.  Let's check in with Holy Lance and see if he discovered anything new."

"Or bail him out if he's getting pestered by Photo Finish again," laughed Spike.

Shining and I gave Spike a cold glare.  In response, he let out a nervous chuckle and blushed.

"Uh, never mind," he said. "Let's just go."

With that, we left the infirmary.  Despite what Blueblood says, I really don't think Holy Lance is as incompetent as he appears to be.  It's more likely that he's just under pressure from his former boss being around to check up on him.  Honestly, I can relate.  Back when I was Celestia's student, I always got nervous before a big test, no matter how well I studied.  It's a perfectly normal reaction, I believe.  Still, if he wants to help me get to the bottom of this mystery, he has to get his head in the game.  I can't do everything, after all.
> Failed Forewarning (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 10:55
Epiphany University
Staff Building
***


After snapping out of my fugue state, I flew back into Kierra's office.  I was glad to see that my team was standing at attention and awaiting orders.  That's something you need to keep in mind if you're planning to become a Wonderbolt.  When something throws you for a loop, you need to be ready to correct your course and keep flying.  Otherwise, you're just gonna crash and burn.

"Alright, team.  We've got some time before the Proud Pride comes back with the Griffon Magistrate," I said. "Let's make the most of it."

"I think we should start off by going over what we already know," suggested Misty Fly, knitting her brow.

Blaze arched an eyebrow. "Well, that's a pretty short list.  Kierra's dead; the phony Mare-Do-Well is our top suspect; bing bang boom.  Not a whole lot to go on there."

"No, Mist is right, Blaze," I said. "There's a lot more to it than that.  Headmaster Hawke."

Javier looked up and adjusted his glasses. "Y-yes?"

"You said that Professor Kierra and the security staff have the only keys to this office, correct?"

"Y-yes, Ms. Spitfire."

"And there don't seem to be any windows the culprit could've snuck through.  Private, check the ventilation shaft."

"On it," said Rainbow Dash, flying up to the ceiling and looking around. "Ventilation shaft's clean, ma'am.  No sign of forced entry."

"So, what?  Kierra just let the fake Mare-Do-Well waltz right into her office?" asked Blaze, rubbing the side of her head. "I'm not the only one who thinks that's unlikely, am I?"

"It is rather far-fetched," I admitted. "However, Kierra did know Mare-Do-Well.  It's possible that she let her in not knowing that she was an impostor."

"Impossible," Javier said with a snort. "The campus security would've seen her coming and stopped her before she even entered the building."

I smirked. "You don't know Mare-Do-Well like I do, Headmaster Hawke," I said. "Avoiding detection like that is pretty much her MO, and I'm sure the impostor's no different."

"And that means she probably didn't leave any trace behind, either," Blaze said darkly. "That doesn't bode well for our investigation, Sis."

"That's no excuse to give up, Blaze.  You of all ponies should know that," I said. "Now then, there's something else worth mentioning."

"You're talking about Professor Kierra's research, correct?" inquired Misty Fly.

I nodded. "Bingo, Mist.  Headmaster Hawke said that Kierra was researching something, and that she was feeling on-edge.  If we can find out what she was researching, it might connect to her murder."

"I don't see how," said Javier, tapping his beak. "If Professor Kierra's life was in danger, why didn't she tell anyone?"

"Only one way to find out," I said. "Wonderbolts, let's start looking for evidence.  Remember, anything that we find should be shared with the Griffon Magistrate."

"Yes, ma'am!" came a chorus of acknowledgements.  Just before we got to work, Javier cleared his throat.

"Um, I don't mean to interrupt, Ms. Spitfire, but are the Wonderbolts trained for this sort of thing?" he asked.

There really isn't a right answer to that question.  Crime scene investigation is not really in a Wonderbolt's job description, but that didn't exactly stop Mare-Do-Well from dumping a mystery onto my lap when I first met her.  I merely shrugged.

"We know what we're doing, headmaster," I said simply.  And with that, we got right to work.  It wasn't long before somepony spotted something.

"Ma'am, take a look at this," said Rainbow Dash.

I flew behind Kierra's desk and look at where Rainbow Dash was pointing.  At the edge of the desk, the ivory-colored carpet was stained light brown.  Shards of porcelain were also scattered around the stain.  I leaned down and took a whiff.  It smelled very strongly of chocolate.

"It's an interesting find, private," I mused. "However, I'm not sure what to make of it."

"I didn't think so either, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "But when I was flying around the room to check the ventilation shafts, I noticed something."

"What's that?"

"There isn't any blood splatter in this room."

Curious, I flew up to the ceiling and scanned the floor.  Rainbow Dash was indeed correct.  There wasn't a speck of red to be found in the carpet, or anywhere else for that matter.  I then took a closer look at Kierra's body.  Much to my surprise, I didn't find any sort of trauma.  No nicks; no scrapes; no cuts; not even a single bruise.  It doesn't look like she was struggling against any sort of opponent when she died.  Coupled with the chocolate stain Rainbow Dash found, I think I might know how Kierra was killed.

"I think you're onto something here, private," I said. "I can't say for certain, but it looks like the cause of death was poison."

Javier's face grew pale. "P-poison?  Th-that's ridiculous.  There would've been a campus alert if our science lab was broken into."

"I never said where the assassin got the poison, headmaster," I said. "For all we know, it could've come from outside the kingdom's borders.  The only way to know for sure is with the forensic assistance of the Griffon Magistrate."

"Even then, we still don't know how the poison got into her tea," said Misty Fly.

"Hot cocoa, actually," Javier corrected. "Professor Kierra has always preferred hot cocoa as her beverage of choice.  Truth be told, she actually couldn't brew tea to save her life, and she was never a fan of coffee."

Hmm.  That explains the chocolate smell.  But Misty Fly's point still stands.  How exactly did the culprit sneak poison into her drink?  If Kierra was on-edge like Javier claims, wouldn't she have been more cautious about this sort of thing?  I dunno, something about this feels wrong.  Well, everything about this feels wrong, but you know what I mean.

"Headmaster Hawke, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something," I said.

"By all means, Ms. Spitfire," said Javier.

"When did you last see Professor Kierra?"

"Yesterday evening, in the library.  She said she was working overtime on her research, just as she did for the past week."

So, this has been going on for a week now.  And for some reason, Kierra didn't bother to tell anyone what she was up to for all that time.  She had to have a reason for this odd behavior, but what?

"What time was that, headmaster?"

"I'd say around nine o'clock or so."

"And is there anyone else on campus who could testify to Kierra's activities last night?"

"That's quite doubtful, Ms. Spitfire.  Only the faculty have access to the library in the evening, and most professors up at that hour are busy teaching night classes or grading papers."

My brow furrowed.  This is not a whole lot to go on.  Without any witnesses to Kierra's activities, we have no way of knowing when her hot cocoa was poisoned.  We might need to wait on the Griffon Magistrate if we're gonna make any headway in this case.

"Hey, Sis!  Check this out!"

I turned around to see Blaze peering into Kierra's wastebasket.  We all gathered around to see what got her attention.  Oddly enough, the only thing in the basket was a folded-up piece of parchment.  Already, I know something's amiss.  If it's garbage, why isn't it crumpled or shredded?  It's almost like whoever put it there wanted someone to find it.

"I think this might offer some clue as to what Kierra was researching before her ticket got punched," said Blaze.

"Maybe," I concurred. "Only one way to find out.  I don't think the Griffon Magistrate will mind if we take a little peek before they get here."

Ever so carefully, I fished the parchment out of the wastebasket and unfolded it.  To my surprise, the whole thing was almost illegible.  Smudges and scratchings dominated most of the page.

"Wow.  I thought she'd have better penmanship," said Rainbow Dash. "Twilight would have a fit if she found out any super smart professor was writing like that."

"You're not wrong there, private," Blaze agreed. "I can't read any of this chicken scratch."

"We can't give up so quickly, team," I said sternly. "We should at least take a closer look at it."

I took the document and laid it down on Kierra's desk, making sure not to disturb the body.  It read as follows:


Dearest Magistrate:

If you receive this letter, then you know that unintelligible smudge.  I have just been made awasmudge of a major threat to unintelligible smudge.  You must completely unintelligible smudge.  The prisoner known as unintelligible smudge is unintelligible smudge accompanied by a tear in the paper.  I don't know why nor how, but she unintelligible smudge.  The Kuunintelligible smudge not to be taken lightly.  I will unintelligible smudge when I find smudge.  For now, stay safe and...


At that point, the letter just, stopped.  It was as if the quill had just slid off the page.  D-did Kierra die while writing this?  That's the only conclusion I'm coming up with.  But if that's the case, why is a good chunk of it crossed out?  It couldn't have been an effect of the poison, could it?  And this still didn't explain how she knew all this, or even what she knew.  As it stands, it is indeed a clue, but I have no idea what it—

"All rise for le Griffon Magistrat!"

I was snapped back to reality by Pierre's voice.  I turned my head and immediately stood at attention.  Standing before us was a very serious-looking hippogriff wearing white robes with golden tassels.  I could tell she was a hippogriff because as she walked, I could distinctly hear the clip-clopping of hooves.  She was holding a golden scepter with a gavel at the head, and the look she gave me seemed to suggest that she wanted to bash my head in with the thing.  It didn't help that her steely silver eyes looked like they could bore right into my soul.

"Captain Spitfire, I presume," she said sharply.

"Yes, Your Honor," I said, taking a moment to compose myself.

"A pleasure to meet you," said the Griffon Magistrate, although her tone didn't reflect that at all. "I am Eagle Eye, the fifty-first Griffon Magistrate of the Griffon Kingdom."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Your Honor," I said with a bow.  Quickly, my fellow Wonderbolts did the same. "I presume that Captain le Grand has told you about the reason for our visit."

"Indeed," said Eagle Eye, her eyes narrowing. "However, you are no longer needed here."

I blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"There is no evidence connecting the murder of Professor Kierra to your vigilante fugitive as of this moment," said Eagle Eye flatly. "As such, I ask that you leave the rest of this investigation to us and focus on your own task."

"Sheesh, rude," Blaze muttered under her breath.  Catching her, I gave her a swift smack with my wing.

"Let me handle this, Blaze," I said sternly, turning back to Eagle Eye. "Your Honor, I must disagree with that assessment.  If you'd just allow my team a bit more time to investigate, I'm sure that—"

"Overruled!"

Eagle Eye cut across me with a roar and a swing of her scepter.  Instinctively, I took a quick step backward.  The scepter struck the ground before me with a powerful thud, making a dent in the carpet.  Before you ask, I don't think she was actually trying to hit me with that thing.  Even so, that was kind of uncalled for.

"Hey, what's the big idea?!" barked Rainbow Dash, sharing my sentiments.

"Your request to continue your investigation here has been denied, Captain Spitfire," said Eagle Eye curtly. "If I do find a connection to your case, I will be sure to inform you.  But for now, you are interfering with the law of our land.  Leave, now."

Well, this isn't what I expected.  I was really hoping we could work together on this, but it turns out I'm a bit rusty on the nuances of griffon law.  Rainbow Dash let out a deep-throated snarl.

"Well excuse us for trying to help!" she snapped. "We didn't come all the way from Equestria to—"

"Stand down, private," I ordered. "This is out of our hooves."

Rainbow Dash growled. "Yes, ma'am," she mumbled bitterly.

I sighed and turned back to Eagle Eye. "Be sure to keep us apprised, Your Honor.  We'll be taking our leave now."

"Indeed," said Eagle Eye, stepping to one side. "Fare well, Captain Spitfire."

I bowed and walked right by her.  As we left, I saw Pierre and Drake give me apologetic shrugs.  Gilda, however, seemed to be quite amused by this.  She gave Rainbow Dash a sneer, which prompted Rainbow Dash to give her the evil eye in return.

"Permission to speak freely, ma'am?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Denied, private," I said. "I already know what you're gonna say.  I'm thinking it, too.  But it won't do us any good to argue with the Griffon Magistrate."

"So, what?  Are we just gonna leave?" inquired Blaze.

"Not a chance," I said, shaking my head. "We still need to find out what Kierra was researching.  The only way to do that is to check out the library."

Misty Fly's face darkened. "I don't think the Griffon Magistrate is going to like the fact that we're investigating Kierra's murder behind her back, Spitfire."

"Oh, don't be such a worrywart, Misty Fly," said Blaze. "We're not getting in her way or anything."

"Blaze's right, Mist," I said. "I'm sure we'll be spared her wrath if we just let her do her thing.  Besides, I don't care what she says; Mare-Do-Well's impostor is connected to Kierra's murder.  She has to be."

Misty Fly nodded. "It's good to see you have the strength of your convictions, Spitfire.  But I still suggest we tread carefully."

"That is indeed the plan, Mist," I said. "C'mon, let's find the library."

With that, we took off.  As I looked over at Rainbow Dash, I saw that she was still fuming.  I sighed inwardly.  I really am just as frustrated as she is right now, but we didn't have much of a choice back there.  Even so, I get the feeling that talking to the Griffon Magistrate again is gonna be an uphill battle.  I dunno about you, but something about people trying to intimidate me by threatening to bludgeon me with a gavel kinda gives me the impression that they don't like me very much.  I don't really understand the hostility, but again, not a whole lot I can do about that.

Nevertheless, I wouldn't be much of a Wonderbolt if I gave up now.  I made a promise to Kierra, to Princess Twilight, and to myself.  That promise was to find the fake Mare-Do-Well and bring her to justice.  And I fully intend to keep that promise, no matter what it takes.
> Amateur Seniority (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:22 AM
Lincolt Center
Performance Studio B
***


"Uh-huh.  That's right.  Just off of Coltlumbus Circle; Fourth Floor, Performance Studio B.  Okay, thank you."

Lockdown tapped his earpiece and turned to us. "I just had a word with the Manehattan PD.  They're sending somepony over to investigate."

"Word, word.  Any idea when they're gonna get here?" asked Vinyl.

"They said they'd be here as soon as possible," said Lockdown. "So I'd say in about, oh, five, maybe ten minutes."

Vinyl knitted her brow. "Hmm.  Not a lot of time for us to sleuth, Octy.  We should find a way to wake Rarity up and get this show on the road."

"Now wait a minute," said Lockdown gruffly. "Mike Check says that you're all investigating something, but you don't look like any detectives to me.  In fact, I'm pretty sure three of you are famous musicians in your own rights."

"That's actually true, Mr. Lockdown," I said sheepishly. "We're not really detectives, but we are conducting an investigation for Princess Twilight Sparkle.  It's a bit of a long story."

"You think that story will be enough to convince the cops when they get here?" inquired Lockdown.

"Frankly, no," I said, brushing the back of my head. "I-it's actually rather far-fetched.  But it is true.  Mr. Check can vouch for me."

"And what makes you so sure of that?" asked Lockdown, staring right down at me.

I swallowed. "W-well..."

"Ooh, my head."

Before I could say anything, Rarity moaned and slowly sat up.  It looks like she's finally come to.

"Are you okay, Rarity?" asked Fluttershy.

"Mmm.  I've been better," mumbled Rarity.  She then noticed Sweetie Belle being held in Fluttershy's forelegs, and her pupils dilated. "S-Sweetie Belle!  I—"

"Okay, calm down there," said Vinyl, placing a firm hoof on Rarity's shoulder. "We don't want you fainting again.  That won't do anypony any good."

"R-right.  Sorry," said Rarity, taking a few deep breaths. "Fluttershy, how is she?"

Fluttershy cast her gaze downwards. "Well, she's unhurt.  Physically, anyway.  She hasn't said a word since we found her."

Rarity let out a sigh, her eyes welling up with tears. "M-may I?"

"Oh, of course," said Fluttershy, passing Sweetie Belle to Rarity.  Rarity then held Sweetie Belle close to her chest and stroked her back.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle," she whispered, tears running down her cheeks and ruining her mascara. "I'm sorry you didn't get your chance to shine.  Don't worry, we'll fix this."

Lockdown cleared his throat. "Um, I don't mean to interrupt, ladies, but you mind doing this somewhere else?  The police are on their way right now, and they're not going to like seeing you ponies standing around where you don't belong."

Vinyl turned to Lockdown and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we just get through explaining that we're here on official business from the freaking Princess of Friendship?  We need to investigate, too."

"Look, it's not that I don't believe you," said Lockdown defensively. "I just don't want to get into trouble for letting civilians tamper with the crime scene."

"Ah, don't worry about it," said Vinyl. "I've got the perfect solution."

Oh no.  This can't be good. "What are you talking about, Vinyl?"

"We're calling dibs."

There was a pregnant pause as we all stared blankly at Vinyl.  Fluttershy was the first to break the silence.

"Um, what're we doing?" she asked meekly.

"Well, we were here first, so we've got first dibs on the investigation," said Vinyl with a shrug. "Ergo, we're calling dibs."

"Vinyl, do you really think that's going to fly with the police?" I groaned, massaging the bridge of my nose with my hoof. "We're not a bunch of foals on the playground, in case you haven't noticed."

"Hey, the rule of dibs trumps all, Tavi," said Vinyl. "Besides, we know what to look for; they don't.  If anything, they should be thanking us for giving them a head start."

"Except it's more likely that they're going to throw us in jail for tampering with evidence," I said. "Vinyl, you have to think these things through."

"Tavi, if we did that for everything, we wouldn't get anything done," said Vinyl, folding her forelegs. "Sometimes, you just gotta go with your gut."

Ugh, I feel like I'm arguing with a child.  Actually, I almost always feel like that when I argue with Vinyl, so not much has changed there.  Oh, forget it.  I know nothing is going to change her mind at this point.

"Right, fine.  Whatever," I conceded. "But if we get in trouble for this, I'm blaming you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Tavi," said Vinyl with a cocky smirk. "So, how should we start this?"

"I think we first need to figure out what attacked Ms. Shores," suggested Fluttershy.

"Agreed," said Rarity.  She then noticed that Sweetie Belle was still nestled against her bosom and blushed. "Uh, you all start without me.  I'll just, be over here.  Ah ha ha...  Hoah~.  Mother and Father are not going to like this."

"Is there anypony who could conceivably like this?" asked Vinyl.

"Not the time, nor the place, Vinyl," I scolded before clearing my throat. "Anyway, getting back on track, I think Fluttershy makes a good point.  You don't mind, do you, Mr. Lockdown?"

Lockdown snorted. "I still think this is a bad idea, but it looks like you ladies can't be persuaded.  Alright, I'll allow it.  But I'm keeping my eye on you, so no funny stuff."

"We wouldn't dream of it," I said somberly.  I then walked over to Sapphire's unconscious form and looked it over with a critical eye.  To be honest, I'm at a complete loss.  She didn't appear to have any open wounds, and I couldn't see or smell any blood.  Upon closer inspection, I saw quite a few lacerations decorating her face and forelegs.  But the odd thing is none of them were particularly deep.  It just looked like someone tried to give her a bunch of paper cuts.  Now, I'm no doctor, so it's very possible that I'm overlooking something.  Even so, those lacerations couldn't have been made by a hoof.

"I think we'll need a more trained eye for this," I mused. "Ms. Rarity?"

"Mmm?"

"Could you take a look at Sapphire's costume?  I think we might be able to gather some clues from it."

Rarity's face flushed red again. "W-well, I would.  But I really feel that Sweetie needs me right now.  Fluttershy is very good at sewing though.  Perhaps she could help."

"Oh, I really don't think I'm nearly as good as you, Rarity," said Fluttershy, twiddling her hooves. "Nevertheless, it would probably be best if you took care of Sweetie Belle, so I'll give it my all."

"Thank you, Fluttershy," said Rarity with a sincere smile. "You are a true friend."

Fluttershy nodded and flew over to Sapphire's body.  She narrowed her eyes and took a long, particular look at the tattered costume.  Suddenly, she recoiled and placed a hoof to her mouth.

"Oh my," she gasped.

"What's up?" said Vinyl.

"I-I don't think even Rarity would be able to save this," said Fluttershy glumly. "It looks like it was torn apart by a tornado."

Rarity let out a strained grunt.  Looking at her, it appeared that she was ready to explode in anger.  But because of Sweetie Belle, she held it in.  I'm guessing that being a famous fashion designer, Rarity takes pride in her work.  From what I understand, she's made plenty of costumes for Sapphire Shores, so hearing something like that couldn't have been pleasant for her.

"Well, it's not a whole lot to go on," I said, furrowing my brow. "I spotted quite a few lacerations on her forelegs, and her costume was apparently damaged beyond repair.  But I don't know what manner of weapon could've done this."

"It could've been some kind of spell," said Vinyl. "We already established that this phony Mare-Do-Well knows Pan's Music Code for some reason."

"I'm not so sure about that," I said, tapping my chin. "If she was using Pan's Music Code, then Mr. Lockdown should've been able to hear her."

"Actually, that's not entirely true," corrected Lockdown. "From what I've been told, the performance studios here are designed with soundproof walls so that musicians can practice without disturbing anypony else."

So the assailant could've attacked her at any time without Lockdown noticing.  That's not exactly a comforting thought, but it certainly explains things.

"Out of curiosity, Mr. Lockdown.  When did Sapphire and Sweetie Belle enter this room?" I asked.

Lockdown scowled and snorted.  He still didn't seem too keen on us investigating.  I personally don't blame him, seeing as this was all Vinyl's idea.

"They arrived about half an hour ago, give or take," he rumbled.

Seeing as we discovered this mess at around eleven-twenty (by my estimate), that means there's roughly a twenty minute gap between Sapphire and Sweetie Belle entering the performance studio and us finding them in this horrific state.  And of course, as Lockdown claims, no one else entered or left the room during that time.  But Babs Seed seems to think otherwise for some reason.  I might need to ask her about that later.

"Wait, wait.  I just thought of something," said Vinyl. "That door only locks from the inside, right?"

Lockdown arched an eyebrow. "Yes."

"And this room is designed to be soundproof, right?"

"Correct."

"So, why did Sapphie need you to stand guard?"

Lockdown let out a low growl. "What are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything," said Vinyl with a shrug. "I'm just saying putting you in front of the door was overkill on Sapphie's part.  Unless, of course, she was expecting something to happen."

"Vinyl, that preposterous," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Do you honestly think that Sapphire would know anything about this?  Heck, even if she did, I don't think she would somehow figure out that she was being targeted."

"Look, I'm just not ruling anything out here, alright?" said Vinyl. "Crazier stuff has happened, Octy."

I hate to admit it, but she has a point.  Still, we can't go around chasing every presumed lead that comes our way.  If we did that, we'd just be running around in circles, and that won't get us anywhere.

"I don't think there's much else we can do here," I said. "We should get going.  Thank you for bearing with us, Mr. Lockdown."

Lockdown huffed. "If you find the one behind this, you'll have my gratitude," he said, stepping to one side and opening the door.

"Don't worry, big guy.  We will," said Vinyl with a wink. "C'mon, let's—"

She was about to leave when all of a sudden, we saw that several police officers were heading out way.  Well, bugger.  I was hoping we could make our exit before they got here, but it turns out we're not that lucky.  A dark brown Earth Pony stallion with a five o'clock shadow and a grey trench coat walked up to the head of the pack and looked around the room.

"Alright, which one of you is Lockdown?" he asked.

"That would be me, sir," said Lockdown.

The stallion nodded and took out his badge. "Detective Shamus, Manehattan PD," he said. "You reported an attempted homicide on Ms. Sapphire Shores, yes?"

"That's correct, Detective," said Lockdown, giving us a sideways glance. "These ladies were just leaving."

Shamus arched an eyebrow. "Pardon me for asking, but what were they doing here in the first place?"

"Investigating, that's what," Vinyl blurted out before any of us could stop her. "You're welcome."

Shamus narrowed his eyes. "You think this is a joke?"

"You have to understand, officer.  With Vinyl, everything's a joke," I said.

"Well, I ain't laughing, see?" said Shamus with a snort. "Now, I'll be sure to question you all later.  But right now, you all need to clear out.  Unless, of course, you plan on spending the rest of your day in a detention cell."

"Hey, I'll have you know that we were sent here by Princess Twilight Sparkle herself," said Vinyl, standing her ground. "And if you arrest us, you'll have to answer to— mmph!"

I swiftly cut her off by placing a hoof over her mouth.  I normally don't do this, but I'm not about to get arrested because of Vinyl's tactless behavior.

"Don't mind her, officer," I said, ignoring Vinyl's muffled protests. "We'll, just be on on our way now.  Come along, everypony."

With that, we all piled out of the studio.  Once we were out of earshot, I released Vinyl.

"Tavi, what'd you do that for?" she groused. "We had dibs!"

"Vinyl, this is complicated enough without getting in trouble with the police," I admonished. "We are not doing anything illegal under my watch."

"But, what do we do now?" asked Fluttershy.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I want to find Mother and Father," said Rarity, looking down at Sweetie Belle as she cradled her in her foreleg. "I don't want to slow you ponies down by fretting over her this whole time.  And while it'll be hard to tell them what happened, they're going to find out eventually."

"We understand, Rarity," Fluttershy cooed, nuzzling Rarity's cheek. "Is that okay with you two?"

"Actually, I want to find Babs Seed and see what she has to say," I said. "However, I'm sure we can kill two birds with one stone and look for them both.  That is, if Mike Check hasn't caught up to Babs already."

"Well, what're we waiting for, then?" said Vinyl. "Lead the way, Octy."

I nodded, and we started on our way.  Thinking about it now, I'm worried that this is going to be more difficult than the Manehattan Music Festival.  Not only are we throwing child trauma on top of everything, but the actual detectives are not going to be too happy with us poking our noses where they don't belong.  Except, of course, we have to do just that.  Otherwise, Mare-Do-Well's doppelgänger may never be found.  And if she's so destructive that she managed to injure somepony undetected, I can't let that happen.
> Known and Unknown (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:58 AM
Mt. Kohryu
Meditation Chamber
***


It wasn't long before Seiryu led us to a large golden door decorated with rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and onyx.  It's a good thing, too.  I'm starting to get a bit lightheaded, and I'm not entirely sure why.  Maybe it's the elevation; maybe I'm just exhausted from the climb up here; maybe I'm still getting over the shock from seeing the corpse of Dodger Dragonvest.  Whatever it is, my mind feels like it's gonna turn to mush any minute now.

"I ask that you all stand back for a moment," said Seiryu sternly. "I need to check if the chamber is occupied."

Perhaps it's because I'm incredibly woozy right now, but I don't see how disturbing someone's meditation is dangerous.  Sure, it must be annoying, but we're not in any real danger here, are we?  Eh, whatever.  Better safe than sorry, I suppose.  At the very least, I wouldn't want to raise Orph's ire by questioning Kohryu's acolyte.

We all complied with Seiryu's request (even Pinkie, which kinda surprises me).  Once we were a safe distance away, Seiryu tapped his claw on one of the sapphires.  The sapphire glowed briefly and made a pleasant chime noise.  After a slight pause, the door slid open.

All of a sudden, a strange feeling washed over my entire body.  I-I don't really know how to explain it.  It started with a slight itching in my brain and my legs feeling like jelly.  The itching gradually increased, but it never really got that painful.  All it felt like was that I was experiencing several sensations at once, and my mind was straining just to keep track of it all.  And then, just when I was about to black out, the feeling passed.  I quickly shook myself and rubbed my temples.  As I recovered from the odd experience I heard a familiar, booming voice.

"Star Amethyst.  Is it fate or is it coincidence that led you to my humble abode?  Perhaps it's both.  The two are cousins, after all.  Wait, no.  I'm thinking about sleep and death."

I opened my eyes and looked up.  Floating before us was none other than the Great Kohryu himself in all his golden glory.  Looking at him now, I just realized how big this cave is.  I probably shouldn't be amazed by this, since a huge dragon like Kohryu does need a lot of space to live comfortably, but I could've sworn it didn't feel this big when we first walked in.  I dunno, maybe it was the soothing nature of the Welcoming Chamber that distracted me or something.

"Mmm.  That felt super weird," Derpy mumbled.

"I know, right?!" chirped Pinkie. "It was just like that time Twilight turns us into breezies, only it was just happening in my head and nowhere else."

"Nngh.  Looks like I'm not the only one who felt that," grumbled Applejack. "Everypony okay?"

"I think so," I said, turning to Kohryu.  Before I could ask him what that was all about, Orph stepped in front of me and got down on one knee.

"Great Kohryu," he said somberly, bowing his head. "It is an honyor to see you again, although I wish these were better circumstances."

"Indeed, Lord Orph," said Kohryu. "I take it the Grand Shoguns have received Suzaku's message?"

"Actually, no," said Seiryu. "Lord Orph was leading this equines to see you.  They say they're on an important investigation of their own."

Kohryu furrowed his brow and stroked his chin. "Hmm.  I was wondering why the samurai guard was mysteriously absent."

"I am sorry, Great Kohryu," said Orph. "Had I knyown that this great injustice had been inflicted upon you, I would've come prepared."

"It matters not, Lord Orph," said Kohryu. "I'm sure these fine equines will be more than happy to help us; just as they did in the past.  You don't mind, do you, Star Amethyst?"

"Well, no.  Of course not," I said earnestly.

"I thank you, Star Amethyst," said Kohryu with a bow. "Now then, I'm sure you have your own reasons for traveling here, so what are they?"

Seiryu raised an eyebrow. "I just mentioned that they're here because of their own investigation, o Great Kohryu," said he.

"Oh, yes!  Right.  Silly me," said Kohryu, sheepishly clearing his throat.

Applejack knitted her brow. "Hmm.  I reckon you've been around for quite a while now."

Kohryu blinked. "That is true, equine.  I have lived for about nine hundred years, by my estimates.  How were you able to guess this?"

"Let's just say I know somepony back home who's an awful lot like you," said Applejack with a smirk. "She's as sharp as a tack, but her age sometimes gets the better of her."

I know exactly whom Applejack is referring to, but I don't think the comparison is entirely accurate.  Yes, Kohryu and Granny Smith both have a lot of experience and wisdom, and they both can be a bit senile.  But I dunno, Granny Smith's knowledge seems to be more practical and pragmatic, while Kohryu is contemplating stuff like the meaning of life or something abstract like that.  They're both smart; just in different ways.  Plus, it's sometimes hard to tell when Kohryu's being senile.  Maybe it's because I'm used to ponies in Ponyville being a bunch of eccentric nuts, but I never got that with Granny Smith.

"Hmm.  I see," mused Kohryu. "That's quite an insightful comparison, especially considering we have not crossed paths before.  What is your name, equine?"

"Oh, pardon me," said Applejack, taking off her stetson. "The name's Applejack.  Pleasure to meetcha."

"The feeling is mutual, Applejack," said Kohryu with a nod of his own. "Are you here for the same reason as Star Amethyst?"

"Yep," said Applejack. "We actually might know the guy who killed that there varmint you've got strung up back there.  We were just about to head inside the Meditation Chamber and tell Seiryu here the whole story."

"That will not be necessary," said Kohryu, shaking his head. "Come, follow me into the Meditation Chamber."

We did as he instructed.  As we entered the enormous alcove, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.  There was no source of light to be seen inside.  In fact, the only illumination that was provided was from the open door behind us and Kohryu's golden aura.  Once we were all inside, the door closed behind us, and everything became pitch black.

"Do not be afraid, my friends," said Kohryu. "No harm will come to you.  Darkness and evil are not synonymous."

"Yeah, that's great and all, but we can't see our hooves in front of our faces," I said. "It's kinda inconvenient to talk like this, don't you think?"

"There are no need for words in this chamber, Star Amethyst," said Kohryu, his eyes glowing bright crimson. "Open your minds to me, and all thoughts and explanations will be shared."

The weird itch in my brain returned.  I don't know what Kohryu is talking about, but I think he's using his magic to tap directly into our minds.  He did something like that when I first met him, but I don't remember it feeling quite like this.  After taking a deep breath, I looked right into Kohyru's eyes.  Suddenly, my mind went completely blank.  The only thing I could hear was Kohryu's voice, which had this to say:


***


I was first made aware of the incident this very morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise.  Suzaku alerted me of some horrible crime being committed in my Welcoming Chamber.  That crime just so happened to be the murder of Dodger, the false hierophant who was unmasked and shamed all those months ago.  His body has remained untouched since his discovery, as per my instruction.  There is no sign that he used any other means of entrance other than the Welcoming Chamber, which is open to all.  As far as I know, Suzaku was the first to see him.  The murder itself was not seen or heard.  That is all I can tell you.


***


The golden shape of Kohryu slowly came into focus, indicating that I was back in the here and now.  Honestly, that didn't take as long as I thought it would.  And that worries me.  Kohryu clearly has no idea what happened to Dodger.  Heck, for all he knows, Dodger might not have even been killed here.  That means we don't have any reliable witnesses to the crime.  We're not exactly off to a great start here.

"So, you are here because of an equine wishing to slander the one known as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well," said Kohryu, thoughtfully stroking his chin.

"Hey, that's right!" chirped Pinkie. "How'd ya know?"

"Your mind told me the entire story," said Kohryu simply. "In this room, all thoughts and ideas become connected in a vast ocean of mental power so that the mind may be clear for meditation."

"That's all fascinatin' and stuff, but I still don't get a few things," said Applejack. "How did this happen without any of you noticin'?  Doncha have any way of knowin' when someone's at the door?"

"Normally, each of the Four Benevolent Animals take turns watching the Welcoming Chamber," said Seiryu. "We welcome whoever comes and guide them to the Great Kohryu."

"Well, who's guardin' the place now?"

"Why, I am, of course."

I placed a hoof to my muzzle. "And who was on guard yesterday?"

"Suzaku."

"And how long do these shifts go on for?"

"From one sunrise to the next."

So for some reason, Suzaku didn't see anything suspicious until it was too late.  Something about that doesn't sound quite right.  I might need to have a word with him when he comes back from seeing the Grand Shoguns.

"There's somethin' else that's buggin' me," said Applejack. "That there Orph fella said that Diamond Dogs were supposed to be killed on sight 'round these parts.  Y'think one of them did it?"

"Impossible," said Orph irritably. "It is true that Diamond Dogs are forbidden to enter our land.  However, the home of the Great Kohryu is sacred ground where all life is treated equally.  Nyo one in my samurai guard would be so foolish as to defy the Great Kohryu simply to appease the Grand Shoguns."

I have to wonder if that's true.  The Neko Shogunate clearly has a great respect for Kohryu, seeing as their Grand Shoguns pass laws that conflict with their own draconian measures simply for his benefit.  But when you get right down to it, Kohryu doesn't really have any authority over them, does he?  So how do his wishes trump the Neko Shogunate's laws?  Maybe it's because I'm a foreigner, but honestly, I don't get it.

"Wait, I'm confuzzled," said Derpy, rubbing her head. "If you guys were ordered to, um, take care of Diamond Dogs on sight, then why are Mr. Rosco and Mr. Desoto still alive?"

"Simple.  They haven't crossed our borders," said Orph. "We understand that it is immoral to kill those who have done nyothing wrong.  We aren't the tengu, after all."

That last sentence caused something to click in my mind.  Last night, when Princess Twilight was explaining the whole story to her friends, she mentioned how Mare-Do-Well was created as a weapon to be used by the Tengu Dynasty.  Did Orph see that part when Kohryu linked our minds?  Or does he have personal experience with this Tengu Dynasty?  Seeing as he just brought it up out of nowhere, I'm probably gonna go with the latter option.

"Wait, what's this about the tengu?" I asked.

"It's nyone of your concern, Star Amethyst," growled Orph. "The Tengu Dynyasty is gone.  Nyothing about them pertains to this crime."

"Okay, okay," I said, taken aback by Orph's harsh tone. "Sheesh.  I was just curious."

Orph snorted. "Well, direct that curiosity towards something more useful.  We have the information we nyeed; nyow we must find our culprit."

"Absolutely!" cheered Pinkie. "And the first thing to do is to look for clues!"

"It seems you are all adequately prepared for this," said Kohryu. "That being the case, I see no reason to detain you."

His eyes glowed red, and the door to the chamber slid open.  Just as a crack of light flooded the room, Pinkie Pie darted through the open door.

"Hey, wait up!" hollered Applejack, giving chase. "Ugh, consarnit, Pink."

Derpy chuckled. "Well, at least they're enthusiastic."

"Mmm," I said before bowing to Kohryu. "Don't worry, Mr. Kohryu.  We'll get to the bottom of this.  I promise."

"I do not doubt your skill, Star Amethyst," said Kohryu warmly. "But be wary.  The greatest weapon that can be used against you is your ignorance.  Or is it overconfidence?  I might be thinking of a different proverb there, actually..."

"I, get what you're trying to say," I interrupted. "I'll be sure to keep it in mind.  C'mon, Mom."

With that, we followed Applejack and Pinkie out of the chamber.  Yeah, Kohryu seems to have a habit of forgetting his own proverbs.  You'd think that he would've written them down somewhere.  Still, for the record, I do know what he was trying to say there.  I'm gonna need to be walking on eggshells throughout this investigation, 'cause right now, I have no idea where it's gonna lead me...
> Unexpected Update (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 10:33 AM
Canterlot Castle
East Garden
***


When we got back to the scene of the crime, I was pleased to see that the Royal Guard was still hard at work looking for evidence.  This time, however, things were slightly different.  It was a bit difficult to tell thanks to the branches of the trees blocking my view of the sky above, but I managed to see a few members of the Wonderbolts flying around.  I suspect that they're working on that aerial schematic I asked for.  I approached Holy Lance, who was talking to another Royal Guard.

"Are you sure?" he muttered. "Well, that certainly complicates things.  The Princess is not going to like this."

"Not going to like what, Captain Holy Lance?" I asked.

Holy Lance jumped and hastily saluted. "Y-Your Highness!  I-I didn't expect you to be back so soon," he stammered.

"Yes, well.  There wasn't a whole lot to Prince Blueblood's story," I said. "Apparently, it wasn't an assassination attempt, but a duel against a hidden opponent."

"Or so he claims," added Shining Armor. "We can't be sure unless we have some evidence.  Speaking of which, what've you got for us?"

Holy Lance cleared his throat. "Right, well.  Just as you requested, we've taken samples of the hoofprints in the area."

I have a feeling that he's changing the subject to save face, but I don't think it's wise to press him on it now.  I simply made a mental note and let him continue. "So, what're your findings?"

"We managed to identify two sets of hoofprints," said Holy Lance. "One belongs to Prince Blueblood; the other to Ms. Photo Finish.  The other hoofprints are unknown as of right now."

Considering that one set of hoofprints has to belong to Photo Finish's new model, I deduce that the fourth set either belongs to Derpy Hooves or the intruder from last night.  So basically, the Royal Guard hasn't found anything that we didn't already know.  Well, unless you count the bit of bad news I just missed out on, but that could be anything.

"I see," I said, tapping my muzzle. "What's the status on the photos?"

"Still in development, but they should be ready soon," said Holy Lance.

"And the aerial schematic?"

"Captain Holy Lance!"

Before Holy Lance could respond, a voice called out from above.  Three of the Wonderbolts descended through the trees and touched down right in front of us.  I recognized the leader of the group as Soarin'; a pony that I have a passing familiarity with.  I remember that he flew for Cloudsdale at the Equestria Games, and he and Rainbow Dash apparently shared a discussion or two at the tryouts.  Otherwise, I haven't really made his acquaintance up until this point.  But, that's neither here nor there.

"Ah, Commander Soarin'," said Holy Lance with a soft smile. "You're just in time.  I was just about to tell the Princess about your progress on that aerial schematic she requested."

"Well, we just finished it," said Soarin', giving me a folded-up document. "It's not as professional as I hoped it would be, but Surprise insisted on drawing it up.  Man, I really gotta learn to say 'no' to her one of these days."

I unfolded the document and had to raise an eyebrow.  I don't know why, but the schematic was drawn up in what appeared to be crayon, with childish drawings representing Photo Finish, Prince Blueblood, the camera, and just about everything else.  I'd expect this kind of tomfoolery from Spike or one of my Twilight Time students, but a Wonderbolt?  If I showed this to Rainbow Dash and told her who the artist was, she'd think I was pulling a prank on her.

"Well, as long as it's legible, we can still use it.  Thank you, Commander Soarin'," I said, looking over the schematic. "Um, just to clarify, these hoof-shaped markings indicate where each set of hoofprints was found, right?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Soarin' sighed. "Again, I'm really sorry about this."

"It shouldn't be a problem," I said, turning back to the document.  So far, everything was lining up with expectations.  According to the rather crude schematic, Photo Finish and her model were at one end of the page while Blueblood was a few meters away.  But then, I saw an anomaly.  The fourth set of hoofprints was also a few meters from the actual scene of the crime, but it wasn't in the same vicinity as Photo Finish and her model.

"Captain Holy Lance, what can you tell me about these hoofprints?" I asked, pointing to the schematic.

Holy Lance took a moment to process the crude drawings before realizing what I was talking about. "Ah, yes.  Those are some of the unknown hoofprints we found.  It seems that somepony was wandering around in this area, as the prints seem to be aimless in direction."

Armed with this new information, I replayed Derpy's testimony in my head.  She said that she ran out here looking for Mare-Do-Well, meaning that she didn't really have a set direction of where she wanted to go.  So that means it's very likely that this fourth set of hoofprints belongs to her.  But if that's the case, where was the intruder?

"Commander Soarin', is there any indication that the trees were disturbed?" I asked. "Broken branches, bits of clothing, anything like that?"

"So far, no," said Soarin', shaking his head. "But we're still looking."

I sighed.  If they haven't found anything by now, I doubt they're ever going to.  Mare-Do-Well is simply not that careless, and it stands to reason that her doppelgänger shares the same trait.  I think we should focus on something else.

"Spike, can I borrow your quill?" I asked. "I need to confirm something."

"Hmm?  Oh, sure thing, Twi," said Spike.

Using my magic, I plucked the quill from his claw and looked at the schematic.  Ever so carefully so as not to tear the parchment, I traced an arc and a dotted line that would represent the field of view of Photo Finish's camera.  When I completed tracing out this representation, I smirked.

"Just as I suspected," I said.

"What is it, Your Highness?" asked Kibitz.

"Assuming that Photo Finish is using the latest camera model, the crime scene would've been in her field of view while she was taking pictures of her model," I said, pointing to my diagram. "It's very possible that she accidentally took a picture of the crime while it was in progress."

"Hang on, Twilie.  I'm not following you here," said Shining, furrowing his brow. "If Photo Finish saw the crime through her viewfinder, then why is she insisting that her photos aren't helpful?"

"We're gonna have to ask her that ourselves," I said. "Captain Holy Lance, do you know where Photo Finish is now?"

"Somewhere on the castle grounds, I believe," said Holy Lance with a shrug. "Honestly, I'm just glad she's not here.  I understand her plight and all, but I can't allow civilians to interfere with the crime scene."

Hmm.  So really, she could be anywhere in the castle.  My guess is that she's trying to flag down Princess Celestia and complain about her photos.  But before we go searching for her, there's still something I need to clear up with Holy Lance.  I need to know what he was talking about when I arrived.

"Thank you, Captain Holy Lance," I said. "Oh, before I forget, you were discussing something with somepony else about things getting complicated.  Would you care to elaborate?"

Holy Lance's face darkened. "I was hoping to tell you in private, Your Highness.  This is a rather delicate matter."

"Anything you can say to me, you can say to all of us," I said firmly. "We're all part of this investigation, Captain.  We need to be on the same page here."

"Mmm.  Understood, Your Highness," said Holy Lance with a somber nod. "I just got a report from the Night Guard.  Apparently, the dungeons were broken into last night."

"Good heavens!" Kibitz exclaimed, his spectacles falling off his face as he recoiled. "Th-there was a jailbreak last night?!  Why wasn't anypony informed of this?!"

"Calm down, Kibitz.  I don't think it was a jailbreak," I said, a bit baffled myself. "Still, you have a point.  Why was nopony made aware of this development until now?"

"That, may have been my fault," said Holy Lance sheepishly. "When you gave the order to have the Royal Guard escort everypony out of the castle, I had the Night Guard assist in our efforts.  They probably didn't notice anything until they got back to their post."

Huh.  It seems that Holy Lance isn't a pony who likes taking chances in situations like this.  As such, I can't really fault him for this oversight.  However, I'm still not sure about his wording.  Why would someone break into a dungeon?  Usually, it's the other way around, which is probably why Kibitz thought it was a jailbreak.

"Any idea who broke in?" I inquired.

"Details are rather sketchy right now," said Holy Lance. "All that we know is that one of the prisoners was injured."

"Which prisoner?"

"Someone by the name of Pine Talon."

Hmm.  Something about that name seems oddly familiar, but I can't quite put my hoof on it.

"Wait a sec.  Did you say Pine Talon?" asked Soarin'.

"Um, yes," said Holy Lance. "Why?  Are you familiar with him, Commander?"

"I should be," said Soarin'. "Spit's the reason he's locked up right now.  But honestly, this doesn't make sense to me.  He really shouldn't have any enemies here.  Who would try to hurt him?"

As Soarin' pondered this, something clicked in my mind.  Now I remember where I heard that name.  Back in January, there was a trial held for a tengu named Pine Talon.  His crime was the attempted assassination of the Wonderbolts under the order of the Tengu Empress, Gypsy Moth.  I don't know all that much about the trial, and Mare-Do-Well never mentioned Pine Talon by name.  Even so, I think this means something.  It's another connection to Mare-Do-Well's previous exploits, and I'm starting to doubt that these connections are coincidental.

"Any word on how bad his injuries are?" I asked.

"Again, we don't have all the details," said Holy Lance. "I'll be sure to keep you posted, though."

"Right," I said with a nod, giving Spike back his quill. "Spike, be sure to make note of all this.  We might have to speak to Pine Talon later."

"Uh, sure.  Gotcha," said Spike, scribbling in his notepad.

"So, what now, Twilie?" said Shining.

"Well, if we can't get Pine Talon's story, we're gonna have to settle for the next best thing," I said. "Let's go look for Photo Finish.  Maybe somepony in the castle has seen her."

"Are you sure she's willing to cooperate, Your Highness?" inquired Kibitz. "She still seemed very cross about her photos when we last saw her."

I sighed. "Kibitz, it doesn't matter if she's cooperative or not.  We're gonna need the truth from her.  Now c'mon, let's go.  Captain Holy Lance, be sure to keep me posted.  If anything like this news about the dungeon being broken into comes up, I want to know as soon as possible.  Is that clear?"

Holy Lance swallowed and saluted. "Y-yes, Your Highness."  He then added something under his breath.  I'm guessing it was an apology to Shining Armor.  Ignoring that, I led the way out of the forest.

As we made our way back to the castle, I couldn't help but wonder about Pine Talon.  Soarin's right; he shouldn't have any enemies here.  The Tengu Dynasty was all but destroyed when Gypsy Moth's plans were thwarted all those months ago.  Sure, the Wonderbolts might have a distaste for him, but not to the point that they'd outright attack him almost a year after the fact.  Besides, their alibis are airtight.  They were helping the Royal Guard find the intruder last night.  So, what happened?  Was this also the work of Mare-Do-Well's impostor?

I shook my head.  No, I can't make blind assumptions like this.  It's a good theory, but there's no way to prove it.  Not without confirming that the impostor was indeed at the Grand Galloping Gala.  And the only way to know that for sure is through Photo Finish and the pictures she took last night.  I just hope she's calmed down since we last met.  Otherwise, this will not be a fun conversation...
> Reader's Block (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:25
Epiphany University
Main Campus
***


In hindsight, I think we should've asked Pierre or Javier for some sort of escort.  Not only is this campus huge, but we have no idea where we're going.  And on top of that, we're getting a lot of unwanted attention.  I'm actually afraid of asking for directions, thinking that it'll just lead to getting mobbed by fans.  I know that comes with being a Wonderbolt, and trust me, I've got no problem with that.  But I didn't fly all the way from Equestria to sign autographs.

"Hey, Sis?"

I sighed. "What is it, Blaze?"

"Assuming we actually find this library, what exactly are we looking for?  I mean, I know we have to find out what Kierra was researching, but we don't really have a point of reference, do we?"

That's, actually a good point.  The only clue that we had to Kierra's research was her letter to the Griffon Magistrate, and even then, we couldn't hope to decipher it.  Otherwise, we're completely in the dark on this one.  Ugh, if only the Griffon Magistrate gave us more time to look around her office.

"Are you alright, Spitfire?" asked Misty Fly.

I let out another sigh.  One of the things that make Misty Fly the Wonderbolts' Unofficial Shrink is that she's really good at reading ponies.  Ever since we were at the Academy, I could never hide anything from her.  Not that I was trying to this time around.

"Just a bit frustrated, Mist," I said. "I dunno, maybe once we find this damn library, I'll be able to clear my head."

"Well, we sure ain't gonna find it just flying around in circles," said Blaze. "Maybe we should ask someone for help."

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea, Blaze," said Misty Fly firmly. "We're already attracting enough attention by flying around a crowded campus in full uniform.  We can't afford to make it worse."

"Look, I'm not suggesting that we bribe someone with an autograph or anything," said Blaze with a shrug. "That's not how the Wonderbolts roll."

"But we very well may have to do that if we ask for directions," Misty Fly argued.

"Aw, c'mon.  What're the chances of that happening?"

"Considering how all of the students were reacting when they first noticed us, I'd say it's very likely."

"Well, we'd waste just as much time flying around aimlessly, so I still don't see what the big deal is."

"Trust me, I don't like this any more than you do.  But we don't have many other options right now."

"Uh, yeah!  We kinda do!  There's no shame in asking for directions!"

"I'm not saying there is.  I'm saying that it isn't something we need right now."

"Okay, yeah.  I totally get what you're saying.  But I'd rather run that risk than spend all day looking for a needle in a haystack.  I know you agree with me, don't you, Sis?"

I gave Blaze a dirty look. "Please tell me you're not dragging me into this hoping that I'll agree with you just because I'm your sister."

Blaze blanched and twiddled her hooves. "Um..."

"That's what I thought," I sighed. "Listen, you both have good points, but I'm sorry; I'm gonna have to go with Mist on this one.  I am in no mood to deal with rabid fans at this point in time."

"Rats," grumbled Blaze with a pout. "You never take my side."

For the record, that's entirely untrue.  I knew Blaze was just acting like a brat to make me feel guilty about disagreeing with her.  She actually does this a lot, believe it or not.

"Just FYI, I'm not in the mood for your brattiness, either," I scolded. "Now, let's..."

"I know where to go, ma'am."

We all spun around to stare at Rainbow Dash, who was oddly silent all this time.

"You do?" I asked. "Explain yourself, private."

"I noticed some griffons talking down below while we were flying, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "From what I could tell, it sounded like they were talking about studying.  Therefore, if we follow them, I'm sure we'll find the library."

I lowered my flight goggles and gave Rainbow Dash a blank stare.  I'm not surprised that she was able to keep track of other stuff in mid-flight.  When you're a Wonderbolt, multitasking is essential.  But the inferences she was able to make down to the slightest detail is something I have never seen before.  If I had any regrets about bringing her on this mission before, I don't now.

"Wow.  You never cease to amaze me, private," I said, clearing my throat and readjusting my flight goggles. "Alright, we'll follow your lead."

Rainbow Dash blinked. "Uh, sure.  I-I mean yes, ma'am!"

With that, she took the lead while we all formed up behind her.  I can't say for sure, but I think she feels a bit weird leading around three veterans as part of her first mission as a member of the Reserves.  For the record, she shouldn't feel that way.  I'm not above playing wingpony to somepony of a lower rank as long as they know what they're doing.  Besides, this isn't the first time Rainbow Dash has steered me in the right direction when I've flown off-course (metaphorically, at least).  But, those are stories for another time.


***
December 14, 11:35
Epiphany University
Library Building
***


Of course, Rainbow Dash's inference was correct.  We arrived at a large brownstone building with a sign out front clearly indicating that it was the library.

"Nice work, private," I said with a nod.

"Th-thank you, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash with a salute. "So, what's the plan?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure," I confessed as we made our way inside. "Like Blaze said, we don't have any good clues as to what Kierra was researching, and I doubt we can ask the librarians about it."

Blaze tilted her head. "Why not?  Everyone seems to like us here.  They'd probably be very cooperative."

"Two reasons," I said. "First of all, just because we're Wonderbolts doesn't mean we can use our fame to our advantage, nor should we.  Make a note of that, private."

"Um, yes, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash with another salute.

"Second of all, no one else knows that Kierra is dead," I continued, dipping my voice extra low so that no one else could overhear. "If the Griffon Magistrate wants to make that information public, that's her decision.  Not ours."

"Oh, yeah.  You're right," said Blaze, heaving a great sigh. "So, what?  We're just gonna rummage through books until we find something of interest?  That plan kinda sucks."

"I may have to agree with Blaze here, Spitfire," said Misty Fly, looking around. "This library seems rather massive.  Kierra could've been researching anything."

"Meh, no worries," said Rainbow Dash with a shrug. "I'm sure we'll find what we're looking for eventually."

Blaze turned to Rainbow Dash and arched an eyebrow. "What makes you say that, private?"

"Simple.  I've done this kind of thing before."

Now it was my turn to give Rainbow Dash an odd look. "Care to elaborate, private?"

"Eh, it's nothing really that special, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash simply. "It's just that whenever something bad goes down, I often find myself rummaging blindly through a library with my friends trying to find the answer."

I, have no response to that.  I mean, I know she's had a hoof in saving Equestria many times before along with her friends (one of whom is the Princess of Friendship herself), but I honestly didn't know this was a thing with them.  Then again, it's not exactly something that would appear on her dossier.

"Well, let's at least try to narrow it down," I said. "Even though we are Wonderbolts, I don't think the students are gonna take kindly to us tearing the whole place apart."

"Agreed," said Misty Fly. "So, where should we start?"

"I'm thinking alchemy," said Blaze, furrowing her brow. "If she suspected that Gypsy Moth was up to something, she'd probably try and figure out how to beat her at her own game."

I raised an eyebrow. "Blaze, all I said was that Gypsy Moth might be involved.  We have no way of knowing if that's the case or not."

"Sis, just go with me on this one," said Blaze, sounding rather agitated. "It's better than nothing, right?"

Well, she's not wrong there.  Still, I think she's jumping the gun.  Don't get me wrong; I have the same gut feeling that Gypsy Moth could be responsible for this.  She's certainly crafty enough to find a way to pull it off.  The difference is that I recognize that it's a gut feeling and nothing more.  The same can't be said for Blaze.  She seems so, sure about this.  And that worries me.

"Alright, we'll start looking up magic for now," I said.

"Not alchemy specifically?" inquired Misty Fly.

I shook my head. "Remember when that fake Mare-Do-Well disappeared on us last night?"

"Yes."

"Well, I talked to Octavia about what happened.  She said that she might've been using something called Pan's Music Code.  I wanna learn a bit more about whatever that is.  We can't be too careful."

"Mmm, yeah.  Good thinking, Sis," said Blaze with a thoughtful nod. "Alright, we should probably get started."

"Right," I said.  I then walked up to the information desk and cleared my throat. "Um, excuse me."

One of the librarians looked up.  It didn't take long for him to recognize us.

"Wait.  Y-you're the Wonderbolts, right?"

"Um, yes," I said sheepishly. "Look, it's a bit of a long story, but we have a good reason to be here.  Do you have any books on magic here?"

"W-we have some books on the history of magic downstairs, but we don't carry any spell books," said the librarian.

So much for Blaze's theory about Kierra trying to learn alchemy here.  Still, I think we can work with that.

"Is there anything on Pan's Music Code?"

"H-hang on, let me check," said the librarian, consulting a scroll. "Um, yes!  We have one bo—  Wait, hold on.  I-I'm terribly sorry, but that book has been checked out."

"By whom?"

"I-I'm not at liberty to divulge that information, miss."

"Can you at least tell me when it was checked out?"

"Uh, I suppose.  It was taken out just five days ago."

I knitted my brow.  I remember Javier saying that Kierra was conducting her research all week.  It's very possible that the book was checked out under her name.

"Are there any other books that talk about Pan's Music Code?" I asked. "Anything will help."

"Well, I guess you could try looking in the Nature Magic section.  Here, I'll write out a list for you."

"Thank you," I said with a nod. "Oh, and could you also direct us to anything you have on alchemy?"

"Uh, yes.  Of course," said the librarian, scribbling everything on a small card. "Um, if you don't mind me asking, why would a Wonderbolt be interested in this sort of thing?"

"It's complicated," I said. "Don't worry, Headmaster Hawke knows we're here."

"Right.  I'll be sure to make note of that," said the librarian, still sounding rather astonished (not that I blame him).  He finally finished writing down the information and handing me the card. "There you are.  I hope you find what you're looking for."

"Thank you again," I said. "Alright, Wonderbolts.  Let's go."

We shared a nod and headed straight downstairs.


***


We didn't stop getting odd looks as we scanned the shelves and looked through the books that were recommended at the front desk.  It must be an odd sight to see a Wonderbolt in a library, I imagine.  I don't think it should be, though.  While I'm certainly no bookworm myself, I'll often find the time to sit down with a good book.  Heck, just between you and me, A.K. Yearling is one of my favorite authors.  Besides, the Wonderbolts aren't just looking for ponies who can fly fast and look cool while doing it.  We want smart ponies, too.

That being said, there are some books out there that just make my head hurt.  Books on magic fall into that category.  I know, I know.  Everypony has some inherent magic inside of them.  But pegasi and Earth Ponies don't think about that stuff on a conscious level like unicorns do.  After all, when's the last time you saw a pegasus or an Earth Pony go around casting spells?  Unless you're a smart aleck, the answer to that question should be "never."  As such, I really don't know a whole lot about the inner workings of magic.  And because of that, a lot of the books we had to go through were very complicated.  I'm seriously struggling to wrap my mind around it all.

Nevertheless, we persevered.  Since it was probably against the school's policy to deface the books, we used notepaper and pens provided at the desks to write down anything that we found important.  I honestly didn't find a whole lot on my end.  The book that referenced Pan's Music Code just had a brief history about its origins, which is something Princess Twilight already went over with us the night before.  I'm thinking the book that was checked out is gonna be our only real source for understanding that, but without the Griffon Magistrate's permission, we can't get to it.

"Alright, let's take a break," I sighed, messaging my temples. "What did you guys find?"

"I got something," said Blaze. "This book describes a lot of ingredients used in alchemy."

"So?"

"Soooo, one of those ingredients is toxic truffles."

Wait.  That actually might be important.  In one of the assassination attempts back in January, the culprit tried to poison Soarin' with a poisoned tart.  Mare-Do-Well told me that the poison used was known as toxic truffles; a fungus that tastes like chocolate, but is deadly to consume.  That would make it the ideal poison to hide in something like hot cocoa.  However, toxic truffles are also incredibly rare.  So that begs the question of how the culprit managed to obtain them.  I guess we'll know for sure once Eagle Eye publishes her autopsy report.  Assuming she's willing to share it with us.

"Well, at least that's better than me," I said. "What about you, private?"

"Bupkis," growled Rainbow Dash. "I still have no idea why Lieutenant Blaze thought we'd find something here, ma'am.  I don't even know what to look for."

"I'm sure she has her reasons," I said. "Keep at it.  Mist?"

"I haven't found anything of interest yet," said Misty Fly, flipping idly through some dusty old tome. "Although I have to agree with Private Dash; I'm not sure what— oh, hello.  What's this?"

I looked over to see what had gotten her attention.  Much to my surprise, there was some sort of note card hiding between the pages of the book she was reading.  She carefully removed the card and set it down on the table for all of us to see.  There was something written on it.


You are not safe as long as I'm alive.
You are not safe as long as I'm alive.
You are not safe as long as I'm alive.
You are not safe as long as I'm alive.
You are not safe as long as I'm alive.


I-it just went on like that.  The same sentence, over and over again.  Wh-who wrote that?  Was it meant for Kierra?  How did it end up in that particular book?  Call me silly, but I don't think I'd use a death threat as a bookmark.  Honestly, what other conclusion can one draw from this?

"Well, that clinches it," said Blaze gravely. "Someone wanted to tuck Kierra in with a shovel."

"L-let's not be hasty here," I said. "Mist, what's that book?"

Misty Fly looked at the front cover. "It's an anecdotal account about how alchemy was historically used in warfare and sabotage.  This particular passage actually talks about a specific recipe that ended up being outlawed in the Griffon Kingdom and many other nations because of how dangerous it is."

"What is that recipe?"

"Something called Rage Powder."

Hmm.  That's not exactly ringing any bells.  But honestly, we've got bigger clouds to clear right now.  If Kierra was reading this book, and if that note was meant for her, then we need to tell the Griffon Magistrate.  She might not be happy that we were investigating behind her back, but I can't in good conscience leave her out of the loop.

"Alright, we're done here," I said, packing up the notes we took.

"You planning on talking to the Griffon Magistrate, Sis?" inquired Blaze.

I nodded. "You know it.  It's not much, but I think this might be the clue we need to connect the phony Mare-Do-Well to Kierra's death."

"I hear that," said Blaze. "I just hope she's willing to hear us out."

I smirked. "Even if she's not, we're not backing down.  And trust me, I don't like the implications of that any more than any of you.  Nevertheless, we're on a mission here, and I'm gonna make sure we see it through."

"Spoken like a true captain," said Misty Fly sagely. "We're with you all the way."

"Good," I said with a nod. "Now let's get going."

With that, we packed up our things and headed off.  Just like last time, this mystery seems to get more and more confusing with every new fact I uncover.  Even though Blaze's theory about Gypsy Moth does hold a bit more water than it did before, we're still missing several key pieces to this puzzle.  I just need to convince the Griffon Magistrate of that fact.  And considering how hostile she was towards me when we first met, I get the feeling that this is gonna be one of those things that's easier said than done.  I seem to be running into a lot of those lately.  Then again, it can't really be helped, now can it?
> Quite a Puzzle (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:36 AM
Lincolt Center
The Bent Trumpet
***


"Look, officer.  I-is this really necessary?  W-we honestly don't know anything about this."

"I do apologize, Mrs. Crumbles.  However, I must follow standard police procedure and question all potential witnesses to the crime."

While we didn't manage to find Mike Check or Babs Seed anywhere, we did happen upon Rarity's parents in the Bent Trumpet.  Along with the Ponytones, they were being questioned by a rather delicate-looking white Earth Pony with a wavy streaked mane of yellow, purple, and pink.  She was wearing a tan trench coat and a customized monocle that was designed to resemble a magnifying glass, and her Cutie Mark seemed to depict a magnifying glass over a jumble of puzzle pieces.  Before any of us could react to this situation, the police pony looked up and adjusted her monocle.

"Ah, more witnesses, I take it," she said. "Detective Shamus must've sent you my way."

"Um, that's partially true," I said.

"Really now," said the police pony, scribbling in a notepad. "Care to tell me the other part?  I do so hate incomplete answers."

"It's quite complicated, actually," I said sheepishly.

The police pony gave me a coy smile, and her eyes sparkled. "Well, lucky for you, I just so happen to like complications," she said, flashing her badge. "Detective Puzzlement, Manehattan PD and puzzle enthusiast.  Nothing is too difficult for me to wrap my head around."

"Wanna bet?" said Vinyl.

Puzzlement's grin grew wider. "Yes, as a matter of fact.  Yes, I do."

Vinyl blinked. "Uh, that was supposed to be a rhetorical question."

"And I gave you a rhetorical answer," said Puzzlement with a shrug. "Now then, let's get back to my questions, shall we?  We can start with your names."

"Oh, of course," I said, clearing my throat. "I'm Octavia Melody, and these here are Vinyl Scratch, Rarity, and Fluttershy."

"Alright, fair enough," said Puzzlement, recording everything in her notepad. "So, you were sent here by Detective Shamus and something else.  Would any of you care to elaborate?"

Okay, I think I'm spotting a big difference between this disaster and the Manehattan Music Festival (you know, besides the child trauma).  Last time, I was trying to keep my cover and share as little as possible with other ponies so that the culprit didn't get wise to my activities.  Here, however, I think it might be more beneficial to share our information with the police.  If nothing else, we could make up for getting on Shamus's bad side earlier.

"Well, here's the thing," I said. "We were sent here by Princess Twilight Sparkle to conduct our own investigation."

Puzzlement raised an eyebrow. "Strange.  We received no word of this development."

"Yes, well.  We had no idea this would happen when we got here," I said, brushing the back of my head. "I mean, we thought something might happen here, but we didn't know for sure."

"I see," said Puzzlement, tapping her chin with her pen. "So then, what exactly is this investigation you're conducting for the Princess, Ms. Melody?"

"Would you believe we're trying to track down a dock-hole trying to impersonate the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well and ruin her reputation?" asked Vinyl.

Puzzlement winced. "I-I would prefer it if you didn't use such coarse language in your testimony, Ms. Scratch."

"Hey, it's my testimony; I'll say whatever the buck I want, thankyouverymuch," said Vinyl, blowing a raspberry at Puzzlement.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Rarity clasping her hooves over Sweetie Belle's ears while giving Vinyl a very dirty look.  I'm guessing that Vinyl forgot about Sweetie Belle, because otherwise, she would've checked herself.  Swearing in front of children is one line she does not cross intentionally.

"Vinyl, maybe you should think about what you say before you say it," I growled through gritted teeth.

"I'm doing a lot of that, Tavi," said Vinyl. "And I think that this über-sensitive flatfoot can go—"

"Ild-chey in the oom-rey!" I hissed, pointing violently at Sweetie Belle.

Vinyl finally connected the dots.  When she did, her cheeks matched the color of her eyes.

"Oh, right.  Yeah.  I-I'm really sorry about that, Rarity," she said. "I-I'll try to be better with my language."

"Hmmph.  I sure hope so," huffed Rarity. "Honestly, Detective Puzzlement is right.  It's very unbecoming of a lady to speak in such a repulsive manner."

"Ms. Rarity, there are many words that can be used to describe Vinyl Scratch," I said dryly. "'Lady' is not one of them."

"Can we please get back on track?" said Puzzlement, a touch of agitation seeping into her voice. "Now then, repeat that last part of your testimony."

"It's just as Ms. Scratch said, Detective Puzzlement," said Fluttershy. "There's a pony impersonating the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, and we have to find her."

"And, are any of you detectives?"

"No, but Octy here thwarted the sabotage of the Manehattan Music Festival this past April," said Vinyl. "Does that count?"

"No, it does not," said Puzzlement blankly, not even bothering to look up from her notes.

Vinyl deadpanned. "You must be a riot at parties," she said sardonically.

"Vinyl, she's just trying to do her job," I groaned, massaging the bridge of my nose. "Stop making it hard for her."

"Let me speak for myself, Ms. Melody.  Please and thank you," said Puzzlement stiffly. "So, at what time did you all arrive here?"

"Um, actually, we don't really have time for this," said Fluttershy, meekly twiddling her hooves. "We actually just wanted to drop Sweetie Belle off here so that we can continue our own investigation.  That is, if it's okay with you."

Puzzlement looked up and adjusted her monocle. "That's not really my call to make, Ms. Fluttershy.  I'm under strict orders from Detective Shamus to interview all witnesses.  It's standard proced—"

She trailed off as she noticed Rarity holding Sweetie Belle in her foreleg. "Um, who is that?"

Vinyl let out a dry chuckle. "Really?  It took you this long to notice that?  Some detective you are."

"I could say the same about you, Ms. Scratch," said Rarity, narrowing her eyes.

Vinyl blushed and cleared her throat. "I-in my defense, she hasn't really said much since we found her.  And before you say anything, yes, I know there's a reason for that."

"L-let's slow down here," said Puzzlement. "What're you talking about?"

I looked over at Magnum and Cookie Crumbles.  As I suspected, they looked very confused and concerned.  I suspect that they kept quiet out of respect of Puzzlement.  I looked over at Rarity.

"Shall I?" I inquired.

"It's okay, Ms. Octavia.  I'll tell them," said Rarity.  She then took a deep breath. "W-we found Sweetie Belle in the Performance Studio where Ms. Sapphire was attacked.  She's unhurt, but th-that's about all we could g-gather."

Cookie Crumbles gasped and buried her face into Magnum's chest.  Magnum sighed.

"I-it's alright, dear," he said somberly. "Detective Puzzlement here will find out who did this.  Won't you, Detective?"

"O-of course," said Puzzlement, sounding a bit shaken herself. "My, this adds a whole new dimension to this puzzle.  A-are you sure she's not well enough to talk yet?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "She doesn't seem to be.  Why?"

"Because as of right now, she may be our most valuable witness," said Puzzlement.

Well, I would figure that goes without saying.  After all, she was the only other pony in the room when Sapphire was attacked.  But still, I think anypony would have moral qualms with interrogating a traumatized filly.  I know I do.

"Don't worry, Rare," said Torch Song. "We'll all do our part to make sure Sweetie Belle has the support she needs to get through this."

"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh with a firm nod.

"That would really mean a lot to me," said Rarity, walking over to Torch Song. "Thank y—"

"R-Rarity?"

A small, trembling voice made itself known.  I could see Sweetie Belle fidgeting a bit in Rarity's grip.  It appears she's finally recovered from the shock to some degree.  Thank goodness for that.

"Yes, Sweetie Belle.  It's me," murmured Rarity, a fresh batch of tears welling up in her eyes. "It's going to be okay."

Sweetie Belle shook her head. "N-no.  Th-that thing...  I-it's...  Ms. Sapphire...  I-is she...?"

"Sapphire Shores is still alive, according to our reports," said Puzzlement, walking over to Sweetie Belle. "In the meantime, I'd like to ask you a few—"

"Hold your horses, Detective," said Magnum sternly, cutting across Puzzlement. "Can't you see my little girl's been through enough already?  She doesn't need you badgering her with questions."

Puzzlement snorted. "I'm trying to do my job, Mr. Flanks," she said in a pained tone. "P-please don't make this more difficult than it already is.  Like it or not, Sweetie Belle here is a key witness to the crime.   And if I don't get her testimony, Detective Shamus is going to have my badge."

Seeing as I've only just met Detective Shamus, I can't say for sure if Puzzlement is exaggerating or not.  Still, it doesn't really sound like she wants to do this.  I don't really blame her, but I also see her point.  One way or another, we need to hear Sweetie Belle's side of the story.  And I'm sad to say this, but I don't think Mare-Do-Well's doppelgänger is going to let us wait around for her to recover fully.

"Sweetie Belle, it's alright," Rarity cooed, brushing her hoof through Sweetie Belle's mane. "Mother and Father are here.  They're not going to let anything hurt you.  And I'm going to find the one responsible for this."

Sweetie Belle sniffled. "O-okay," she mumbled, drying her eyes. "B-but I'm still really s-scared.  That thing...  I-it wanted Ms. Sapphire's voice."

Puzzlement arched an eyebrow and got out her notepad. "What do you mean by that?"

"I-I dunno," said Sweetie Belle. "I just know it was an evil thing.  It was big, and scary, and loud."

Wait.  That last description seems critical.  I understand that the Performance Studio's walls are soundproof, but there's never a case where you would describe an assassin as "loud."  Especially not someone trying to impersonate the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  So, why would that stick out in Sweetie Belle's mind?

"Hang on.  I think I have an idea," said Puzzlement, giving her notepad to Sweetie Belle. "Can you draw this evil thing for me?"

Sweetie Belle hemmed and hawed over the question.

"It's okay, Sweetie," said Rarity. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

Sweetie Belle looked up at Rarity. "Y-you're trying to catch it, right?"

"Yes."

"Th-then you need to know what it looks like.  L-let me help."

Rarity let out a great sigh and nodded. "Alright then."

Sweetie Belle took up Puzzlement's quill with her magic and scribbled all over the blank page.  When she was done, she gave it to Rarity.  Rarity arched an eyebrow.

"Um, Sweetie, darling.  Are you sure this is what it looked like?"

"Uh-huh," said Sweetie Belle with a nod.

"Something wrong, Rarity?" asked Vinyl.

Rarity took the sketch with her magic and showed it to all of us.  Honestly, I think I know why she's so confused.  She probably expected the scribble to resemble Mare-Do-Well, but it clearly doesn't.  In fact, it's not shaped like a pony at all.  It looks more like some bipedal creature, like a minotaur or something.  Except I don't know any minotaurs that have large protrusions of questionable nature springing from its back.  I-is that supposed to be some kind of cloak?  Also, it's holding something, and there are some lines coming out of it.  Maybe those lines represent sound?  I don't know, it's too hard to tell.

"Huh.  How to make this fit," mused Puzzlement, looking over the drawing. "Has anypony in this room seen something like this roaming around?"

"Uh, no."

"I think we would've brought it up earlier if we did."

"I don't even know what that's supposed to be."

"Nope."

Puzzlement sighed. "Alright, I'm not gonna press the issue and have you do it over.  But I'll be honest, I can't show this to Shamus.  Not until I can figure out what it means."

"You really think you can do that?" asked Vinyl.

Puzzlement smirked. "I haven't met a puzzle that I haven't been able to solve yet.  I just hope Shamus is a bit more patient with me this time."

"Um, what do you mean by that?" asked Fluttershy.

Puzzlement shrugged. "On the force, we tend to call him Speedy Shamus.  He likes to make his arrests quick and clean, which doesn't always work out for him.  I, on the other hoof, like to take my time and put all the pieces together.  But right now, we don't really have all the pieces, and some of them are in weird shapes.  Shamus doesn't really like that."

"I don't see how that's a problem," said Vinyl. "I mean, sure, it could get annoying if he yells at you, but he's still a cop.  It's not like he's gonna arrest somepony randomly just to get the case over with.  That'd just be silly."

"Detective Puzzlement!"

Just then, another police officer ran in and saluted.

"What is it?" asked Puzzlement.

"Detective Shamus needs you in the performance studio right now," said the officer. "He thinks he has a suspect."

I gave Vinyl a bemused look. "You were saying?"

Vinyl sighed. "Alright, I'll hit myself for that one," she said, smacking her own ankle.

"Trust me, you don't know Shamus like I do," said Puzzlement with a sigh of her own. "Well, I'd better go see what he's up to.  You guys stay here until I get back.  If he finds out that witnesses are wandering around unsupervised, he'll really lay into me."

"I'm afraid we can't abide by that, darling," said Rarity. "We still have our own investigation to conduct."

"Look, I don't make the rules; I just enforce them," said Puzzlement. "Shamus is not going to be happy to see you four wandering around doing who-knows-what."

"Who cares if he's happy or not?" said Vinyl. "We're not backing down, missy."

"Vinyl, that attitude could very well land us in jail," I groaned.

"If he tries to arrest us, he's only gonna hurt himself, Tavi," Vinyl countered. "I say we go over there and talk some sense into him."

"Uh, that doesn't really sound like a good idea," said Fluttershy.

"That's because it isn't," said Puzzlement.

"Hey, that's never stopped me before," laughed Vinyl. "C'mon, Octy!  Let's go!"

Before anypony could make a move, she darted out the door.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" Fluttershy chanted to herself as she flew after her.

Rarity leaned down and gave Sweetie Belle a kiss on the forehead. "Stay here with Mother and Father, Sweetie Belle.  They'll keep you safe."

"O-okay," said Sweetie Belle softly. "G-good luck, Rarity."

Rarity nodded and ran off after Vinyl and Fluttershy.  Puzzlement gave me a bewildered look.

"Has Ms. Scratch always had a death wish?" she asked.

I snickered. "No, she's just insane and impulsive."

Puzzlement blinked. "What?"

"Trust me, Detective Puzzlement," I said as we took off after them. "You don't know Vinyl Scratch like I do."
> Misused and Unused (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:07 PM
Mt. Kohryu
Welcoming Chamber
***


"Uh-huh.  I see.  That's very interesting."

Some ponies say that Pinkie Pie is incapable of taking anything seriously.  I can see why they think that, but honestly, I don't agree.  Take right now, for instance.  She's already whipped out the magnifying glass and is searching for clues on her own.  Plus, her body language indicates that she's not treating this as a game.  At least it seems that way; it's nigh-on impossible to know what goes on in Pinkie's head.

"Did you find anything yet, Pinkie?" I asked.

"Mmm?  Oh, hey Sparkler," said Pinkie, not even bothering to look up. "I think I found something.  Kinda.  You're not gonna like it, though."

A disclaimer like that just sounds so promising, doesn't it?  Ugh, screw it.  We might as well get it over with.

"What did you find?" inquired Derpy.

"The thing I found is a curious lack of things," said Pinkie.  It sounded like some kind of joke, but Pinkie's tone was completely without mirth or humor.  That does not bode well.

"What sort of riddle is that, Pie Pinkie?" growled Orph, his tail swishing from side to side.

"It's not a riddle.  It's the truth," said Pinkie, squinting a bit and continuing to look around. "I've been looking all over for pawprints or blood or anything that would be helpful, but I haven't found squat."

"I ain't seen nothin', neither," Applejack chimed in. "The only indication that someone was nosin' around is that there corpse strung up like a scarecrow."

Warning bells started going off in my head.  On paper, this sounds impossible.  There's no way someone could do this much damage without getting caught.  However, something about this scenario seems eerily familiar to what happened back in July.  I can't prove it yet, but perhaps the lack of clues is in and of itself a clue.  If that makes any sense.

"Maybe we should try looking at the body," I suggested. "At the very least, we can figure out the cause of death."

Derpy gulped. "I-I think I'm the only one who can do that," she whimpered, not sounding too keen on the idea.  Hey, I don't blame her.  If I was in her horseshoes, I'd be getting the willies, too.

"Do nyot bother yourself, Hooves Derpy," said Orph. "I shall handle this task."

"You?  How?" asked Applejack, tilting her head. "You can't fly."

Orph smirked. "Nyo, I cannyot.  But I can do this."

With that, he leapt up into the air at one of the ropes holding Dodger.  As soon as he landed on the cord, he ran up it on all fours.  I feel like I should be amazed by this, but he's a cat creature who lives in the mountains.  It kinda makes sense that he can climb like that.  Still, I gotta admire that dexterity.

When Orph reached the body, he squinted and let out a thoughtful purr.  He then leapt up to a higher rope and carefully observed one of Dodger's front paws.

"Odd," he mused, furrowing his brow. "Quite odd indeed."

"You found somethin'?" hollered Applejack.

"I might have," replied Orph. "One moment."

He then leapt from rope to rope, taking care not to touch the body with his own paws.  After a while of searching, he leapt down and landed perfectly on his feet.

"Well?  What's the story?" asked Pinkie.

Orph flicked his tail and folded his arms. "His front paws are caked with someone's blood.  Whether it is his own or someone else's, I cannyot say."

"Whoa there, partner," said Applejack, arching an eyebrow. "Pinkie just got through sayin' that she didn't find any blood.  How in tarnation can there be blood up there, but not down here?"

Applejack does raise a good point.  Logically, if Dodger's paw was bleeding or covered in blood, it would drip onto the floor.  But looking at the ground now, there isn't even a speck of blood to be found in this leafy carpet.  I dunno, maybe the culprit took the bloody leaves and hid them somewhere.  But why would he do that if he's just gonna leave the body hanging there, anyway?

"I do nyot have an answer for that at this time," Orph sighed. "I don't even knyow how this mongrel died."

I did a double take. "Wait, what?  But you were just up there."

"I only saw his bloody paws," said Orph. "The rest of his body has barely even a scar or blemish.  The damage to his body could be internyal, but I'll need the assistance of the Grand Shoguns to knyow for sure."

Why do I find that hard to believe?  I mean, it's not impossible, but to my recollection, most of Dodger's enemies wanted to tear him limb from limb.  Not to mention that I remember him being able to hold his own against Desoto.  You'd think that he would have some battle scars or something, but according to Orph, that simply wasn't the case.  Something really screwy's going on around here.

My pondering was interrupted by a soft twang coming from above me.  I looked up to see Derpy batting at one of the ropes and scrunching her face.  Seeing as we're trying not to disturb the body, I don't think that's wise.

"Mom, what're you doing?" I sighed.

"Wha?  Oh, sorry Ammy," said Derpy. "I was just thinking about these ropes.  Like, where did they come from?"

Huh.  That's, actually a very good question.  I feel kinda dumb for not realizing that earlier, but that's just the way things go sometimes, y'know?

"I think a better question is why the killer went through so much trouble to string Dodger up like this in the first place," I said. "But, let's take this one step at a time.  Applejack, do you think you can find out anything about these ropes?"

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Just 'cause I like to use a lasso doesn't mean I'm automatically some kind of rope expert, sugarcube," she said bluntly. "All I know is that if they can string up a Diamond Dog like that, they must be pretty well-crafted and strong.  Much stronger than I'm used to, that's for sure."

"Wait, what're they even tied to?" said Pinkie, looking through her magnifying glass. "I don't see any stalagmite or stalactite connecting these things.  They just seem to be stuck in the wall."

Looking around, I saw that Pinkie was right.  The ropes did appear to be embedded in the walls of the cave.  We probably should've noticed that earlier, considering that Orph just ran up and down the things.  I guess we were too preoccupied with other stuff that we completely glanced over it.  Alright, I'm gonna make sure that doesn't happen again.

"Mom, think you can find out what those ropes are attached to?" I asked.

"You got it, Ammy," said Derpy with a salute.  She then took the rope in her hooves and gave it a sharp tug.  I could see something budge in the wall where the rope was connected.  Derpy yanked again, and a small bit of metal emerged from the rubble.  It looked like part of an anchor or something.

"Hang on, Mom," I said. "I need to try something out.  We don't want to damage Kohryu's place too much."

"I admire your respect for the Great Kohryu, Star Amethyst," said Orph, rubbing his eye. "But is this truly within your capabilities?"

"Hey, I carve gemstones for a living," I said with a shrug. "This shouldn't be that much different."

Truth be told, I was partially saying that to myself.  I'm good at carving gems, sure, but I haven't dabbled that much in excavation.  That falls more in the domain of a rock farmer or a miner than a jeweler.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, envisioning the wall as an imperfect gemstone ready to be turned into jewelry.  When I had finished centering myself, I opened my eyes and activated my carving spell.  With the precision of a surgeon, I carefully traced the beam around the object, chipping away just enough rock for it to wiggle loose.  When I felt it was enough, I stopped my spell.

"Alright, try it now, Mom," I said.

Derpy nodded and gave the rope another yank.  The object slid out of the hole, taking a few chunks of metal ore with it.  I wish that cut was a bit cleaner, but for my first time excavating, I don't think I did too badly.  I caught the object with my magic and set it gently to the ground.

The object in question was a grappling hook of some sort.  At least, that's the best way I can describe it.  It had a blade that resembled that of a pickaxe, but it didn't seem to have any mechanism for boring through solid rock and metal.  Not only that, but the hilt had some strange markings on it.  Just like so many times before, the answers were leading to more questions.  Honestly, I think it would be foolish to expect anything different.

"Wait.  I've seen that blade design before," said Oprh, his tail becoming stiff. "A-and those markings.  They're impeccable.  B-but this is impossible.  My samurai guard do nyot utilize this kind of weapon."

Pinkie gave Orph a quizzical look. "This is a weapon?  It looks more like a big fishing hook to me."

"Trust me, I knyow what I'm talking about," said Orph. "This right here is the kama of a kusarigama."

"The what of a what?" asked Derpy, blinking in confusion.

Orph sighed. "It appears you outsiders don't knyow your weaponry," he said. "A kusarigama is a kama, or sickle, and a weight connyected to either side of a metal chain."

"But I use sickles for harvestin' and stuff all the time back home," said Applejack. "Sure, it can be pretty sharp, but it clearly wasn't designed to kill nopony."

"You'd be surprised how many weapons start out as something peaceful and unyassuming," said Orph, rubbing his eye. "However, you'd be hard-pressed to find such a weapon within the Nyeko Shogunyate."

"How come?" I asked.

Orph's face darkened. "The use of this weapon was banned by the Grand Shoguns ever since it was discovered to be a hazard to our dragon nyeighbors.  Seeing as they share our land and abide by our laws, it would be wrong of us to hurt them without reason.  Especially since they are very powerful creatures."

Okay, so much for my theory about the Neko Shogunate being responsible for Dodger's death.  As strict and ruthless as they are, they do seem to have some code of honor around here.  That being said, this is still very strange.  If this weapon was banned by the Grand Shoguns, how did someone manage to sneak four of them into their borders?  I know they only took the blade (or kama, as they call it), but it's still tied to a rope.  Not to mention that Orph immediately recognized it as part of a kusarigama and not just some ordinary sickle.

But believe it or not, that's not the strangest part.  Looking at the kama, there's a distinct absence of blood on it.  As such, it couldn't have been the murder weapon.  But, why not?  It is a weapon, isn't it?  However, all the culprit used it for is as part of some glorified grappling hook to tie Dodger up and suspend him in midair.  So on top of killing a Diamond Dog in a place where they're not allowed and stringing him up by his wrists and ankles, he also took the time to sneak in parts of an illegal weapon to do the job.  There has to be a reason this guy is going through all that trouble.  Otherwise, it would just make more sense to chuck the corpse off a cliff or something.

"Lord Orph.  This is indeed a surprise."

A screech came from the mouth of the cave.  I looked up and turned to see who it was.  Standing before us was perhaps the biggest phoenix I had ever laid eyes on.  I recognized him right away as Suzaku; one of Kohryu's acolytes.  He's known as the Vermillion Phoenix as bright as the flame.  And before you ask, all of the Four Benevolent Animals have long, clunky titles like that.  Heck if I know why.

"Ah, Suzaku," said Orph with a bow. "I take it the Grand Shoguns have been informed of this travesty."

"Indeed," said Suzaku, nibbling at his wings. "Mochi and Mimi's paw-selected soldiers are scaling the mountain as we speak.  They will be here to assist you in time."

"Good.  I feel that their assistance will be most valuable," said Orph.

Suzaku nodded and then noticed me. "Star Amethyst?  You are here as well?  This has been quite an odd day."

"It's a long story.  I'm sure Kohryu will fill you in later," I said. "Right now, however, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

Suzaku knitted his brow. "My journey has been long and tiring, Star Amethyst.  I require rest."

"Sounds to me like someone's tryin' to make excuses for himself," said Applejack, narrowing her eyes.

Suzaku's plumage ruffled, and I could see the anger radiating from his eyes. "You insult my honor with your accusation, equine."

"I don't think she meant it," I said, trying to defuse the situation.

"Look, I ain't sayin' nothin'," said Applejack with a snort. "I just think it's a bit suspicious that you don't wanna give us the information we need to solve this thing."

Suzaku snarled. "How was I supposed to know you were assisting in this investigation, equine?  I just got back here."

"That's enough," said Derpy firmly, flying between Suzaku and Applejack. "We're all friends here, right?  We shouldn't be arguing like this."

Applejack paused for a moment and sighed. "Yeah, you're right.  Sorry, Derpy.  I'm just a bit frustrated, y'know?"

"We all are, AJ," said Pinkie, patting Applejack on the back. "Mysteries are always frustrating when you don't know what's going on."

"Wise words, equine," said Suzaku, calming down a bit. "Tell you what.  We'll speak in my living quarters, the Southern Chamber of the Fiery Summer.  I'll tell you everything I know while I rest up."

Wow, and I thought the titles of the Four Benevolent Animals were needlessly long and clunky.  Seriously, who names their room that?

"That's fair," I said. "Lead the way."

Suzaku nodded and flew off into the cave, his fiery plumage guiding our path.

"I'll let you knyow if my men find anything here," said Orph with a polite nod. "Best of luck to you, Star Amethyst."

"Thanks.  I think I'm gonna need it," I said with a nod of my own.  With that, we took off after Suzaku.  I have to wonder if Applejack is onto something with Suzaku's reluctance to talk.  I mean, he's one of Kohryu's acolytes.  I see no reason to doubt his word.  But if he is hiding something, well, there's more than just his honor on the line.  Even if he is our ally, I can't afford to pull any punches.  Not that I was planning to, anyway.
> Confrontation: Photo Finish (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:14 AM
Canterlot Castle
Main Hall
***


"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I haven't seen Ms. Photo Finish come this way."

I sighed.  Tracking down Photo Finish was a bit more difficult than I had anticipated.  I was almost certain that she would go to Celestia to air her grievances about her photos, but she wasn't in the Throne Room nor the Royal Court.  Meaning she could be anywhere in the castle, and who knows what she's up to.

"Thank you, anyway," I said the guard. "Let me know if you see her."

"If I may interject, Your Highness," said Kibitz, adjusting his spectacles. "Why don't you simply issue a summons?  You are a princess, after all."

"Nah, Twi doesn't like doing stuff like that," said Spike with a sly smirk. "She won't even assert her authority to get a cab ride in Manehattan."

I can't believe he still won't let that go.  I'll admit, maybe things would've been easier if I handled the situation that way, but I wasn't sure if it would be the right thing to do.  Honestly, I'm still not entirely sure.  But, I digress.  I know that royal authority is not the right course of action in this particular situation.

"It's not a question of that, Spike," I said sternly. "I just want to ask Photo Finish a few questions.  I'm not trying to arrest her.  She really hasn't done anything wrong."

"Twilie's right, Kibitz," Shining concurred. "We don't want her to get the wrong impression."

Kibitz sighed. "I suppose you have a point.  Still, where could she be?  She said she wouldn't leave the castle until she got her photos back."

"I know," said I. "Which is why we..."

I trailed off as I noticed a familiar pony walking down a corridor out of the corner of my eye.

"Wait, there she is!" I exclaimed, running up to her. "Ms. Photo Finish!"

Indeed, I was correct.  The pony in question stopped in her tracks and turned to face me.

"P-Princess Twilight," she stammered, hastily bowing before me. "I-I didn't see you there."

"We were looking all over for you," said Shining Armor. "What're you doing over here?  We thought you would be trying to find Princess Celestia."

"Oh, that," said Photo Finish, brushing the back of her head sheepishly. "Well, I am planning to let her know of my complaints, but first I have to do the thing at the, place."

Kibitz looked behind her and raised an eyebrow. "Would this 'place' be the royal infirmary, by any chance?  Because that seems to be where you're headed."

"Um, yes," said Photo Finish, clearing her throat.

Something's not right here.  Why would Photo Finish be so jumpy about that?  If she wants to pay her respects to Blueblood, that's fine.  It's not skin off my nose.  I seriously believe that she's hiding something, and I'm going to find out what.

"I'm sure this'll only take a moment, Ms. Finish," I said. "I just want to ask you a few questions about last night."

"I've already told you everything I know, Princess Twilight," said Photo Finish brusquely. "There is no more for me to tell."

"I just want to make sure.  For the record," I said.

Photo Finish sighed. "Fine.  Who am I to argue with a princess?  The thing at the place can wait, so the only time you're wasting is your own."

"Let me be the judge of that, Ms. Finish," I said firmly. "Spike, make sure you get all of this down."

"You got it, Twi," said Spike, scribbling in his notepad.

I cleared my throat. "Now then, let's start at the beginning, shall we?  Tell us about your activities last night at the Gala."

"Of course, of course," Photo Finish said with a nod. "Anything for you, Princess Twilight."

Well, I'm glad she's being cooperative, but her tone seems a bit too passive-aggressive for my taste.  Maybe it's because she's still miffed about her photos; maybe she really sees the whole exercise as a waste of time.  Whatever the case may be, I can't let it deter me from the truth.


***
Testimony: Gala Photo Shoot
***


"I arrived at the Gala at around eight o'clock to meet with my new model," said Photo Finish. "We made arrangements a few days in advance, so she knew to expect me.  We went to the garden to take some photos.  Then, after about ten minutes or so, we heard a cry for help from the bushes.  We rushed over and saw that Prince Blueblood had been attacked.  It was then that I informed the Royal Guard.  That's all I can tell you."

I get the feeling that last part was a blatant lie.  Photo Finish is omitting several key details from her testimony.  I'm not sure why, though.  Only one way to find out, I suppose.

"You've been mentioning this new model a lot," I said, furrowing my brow. "Is it somepony I would know?"

"I doubt that," said Photo Finish, shaking her head. "I found her in Manehattan during Fashion Week.  You should've seen her yourself, Princess Twilight.  She had it in spades!"

"Had what?" inquired Shining.

"Why, de magicks, of course," Photo Finish squealed with glee. "She is just so graceful; so elegant!  I've never seen anything like her before or since!"

That's more or less what Photo Finish said about Fluttershy when she roped her into being a model.  I don't know why, but I find that rather intriguing.  However, there's something else that catches my interest even more.

"What's the name of this model?" I asked.

Photo Finish's face lost all color. "N-name?"

"Yes, her name," I said. "You were in contact with her, so you have to know her name, don't you?"

Sweat trickled down Photo Finish's face as she adjusted her collar. "I-I don't see how that's important, Princess Twilight.  L-let's talk about something else."

Hmm.  Yep, she's definitely hiding something.  And that something just so happens to be the name of her new model.  But why would she want to hide that?  To answer that question, I think I need to figure out who this model is.  Fortunately, I have a hunch.

"Were you the first one to discover the assassination attempt, Ms. Finish?" I asked.

"Um, yes," said Photo Finish. "That is, we were.  My model and I.  We both discovered Prince Blueblood's body and reported this attack to the Royal Guard."

I smirked and tapped my forehead smartly. "That's not how I heard it, Ms. Finish."

Photo Finish gave me a blank stare. "Pardon?"

"According to the official reports, there were two witnesses to the attempt on Prince Blueblood's life," I stated. "The first of these witnesses fainted at the sight of the body, and she's currently recovering in the infirmary along with Blueblood.  Do you know who that witness is, Ms. Finish?"

Photo Finish swallowed nervously. "I-I have no idea whom you're referring to, Princess Twilight."

"You should," I said. "After all, that's the identity of your new model.  Ms. Coco Pommel!"

"Ach!"

Photo Finish recoiled from my assertion.  I do believe I'm right on the money.

"Wait, Coco Pommel?" said Shining Armor, tilting his head. "Why do you think it's her, Twilie?"

"A few reasons," I said simply. "The obvious reason is simple process of elimination.  There were four sets of hoofprints at the crime scene: Photo Finish, Prince Blueblood, the model, and Derpy Hooves.  The two witnesses to attempt on Prince Blueblood's life were Photo Finish and Coco Pommel.  Ergo, the model's hoofprints belong to her.  But that's not the only reason."

"Wh-what do you mean?" asked Photo Finish.

"You mentioned that you met this new model at Fashion Week," I said. "As it just so happens, my friends and I were at Fashion Week, too.  And we also got to meet Coco Pommel."

"B-but that could just be a coincidence!" sputtered Photo Finish. "You have no proof of that!"

"I don't need proof that you met her at Fashion Week," I said with a smile. "I already know from my first proof that she's the new model you're talking about.  The only question is why are you trying to be so secretive about it?!"

"I-I...  ACH!"

Photo Finish recoiled again.  She then let out a deep sigh.

"Y-you are correct, Princess Twilight," said Photo Finish. "Ms. Pommel is the next big star who will shine all over Equestria.  I approached her after Fashion Week, but she declined my offer."

"Wait, wait.  Hold up," said Spike, folding his arms. "If she told you 'no,' then why is she modeling for you now?"

Photo Finish twiddled her hooves. "Well, to my understanding, she's an up-and-coming fashion designer in her own right.  She just got finished creating the costumes for a new show on Bridleway, after all.  When I got wind of this, I knew I had the perfect opportunity.  So, we made a deal."

"A deal?" I parroted.

"Yes," said Photo Finish. "She poses for a few photos at the Grand Galloping Gala; I promote her work.  It's a win-win!"

Huh.  That, actually sounds pretty fair to me.  However, something still doesn't sound quite right.

"If she agreed to this arrangement, why are you trying to keep this under wraps?" I asked.

Photo Finish let out a heavy sigh. "It was part of our deal.  She didn't want any extra publicity until the photos were officially released.  I thought the whole thing was silly, but this was my only chance to capture her grace on film.  A pony as beautiful as Ms. Pommel is not something you find every day."

Well, at least she's taking her model's feelings into consideration.  Somewhat.  It's a step up from how she treated Fluttershy; I'll say that much.

"So that's why you're so adamant about getting those photos," mused Shining. "You're trying to uphold your end of the bargain with Ms. Pommel."

"That's exactly correct," said Photo Finish, dipping her voice. "Promise me you won't tell anypony else about this, will you?  I'd hate to upset Ms. Pommel."

"My lips are sealed," I said solemnly.

"Yeah, same here."

"As you wish, Ms. Finish."

"Yeah, alright."

"Thank you," said Photo Finish with a bow. "Thank you ever so much.  I cannot let either of our reputations be damaged by this slip-up."

"We understand, Ms. Finish," I said. "However, we still need those photos.  They could contain valuable evidence."

"I still don't think that's the case, Princess Twilight," said Photo Finish, adjusting her shades. "You're making a big mistake here."

"How can you be so sure?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

Photo Finish scoffed. "Princess Twilight, I am a professional.  I know these things.  And I'd be happy to explain it to you."

I don't see how being a professional makes you perfect.  Even professional make mistakes every once in a while.  But, if Photo Finish is sticking to her guns like this, I might as well hear her out.

"Alright, Ms. Finish," I conceded. "Let's hear your argument."

"It is no mere argument, Princess Twilight," Photo Finish said with a snort. "It is fact."

Yes, well.  We'll just see about that, now won't we?


***
Argument: Professional Photography
***


"When I take a photo, it is a work of art," said Photo Finish. "No photo should ever have anything short of, de magicks~!  Therefore, I make absolutely sure that everything is as perfect as can be.  The lighting, the scenery, makeup, dresses, and of course, the model herself.  This is especially true in an open area, where I make certain that there are no chances of photobombs.  Trust me, Princess Twilight.  Those pictures could not have captured anything even remotely related to the crime."

"Hold on, back up," said Spike, squinting at what he just wrote. "What's a photobomb?"

"It's a photograph that's ruined by something unexpected coming into the photographer's viewfinder while they're taking a picture," I explained. "I'm guessing that's part of the reason Ms. Finish decided to shoot in a secluded area of the garden."

"Exactly," said Photo Finish. "So, you concede my point, yes?"

Not quite.  I get that Photo Finish is a perfectionist who would check for this kind of thing, but even so, she's still just a pony.  Everypony makes mistakes; even me.  Therefore, her excuse doesn't hold water.  Besides which, I have evidence that points to quite the contrary.

"Ms. Finish, I want you to take a look at this," I said, taking out the aerial schematic.

Photo Finish raised an eyebrow. "Why would you show me some sort of child's scribblings, Princess Twilight?"

Oh no.  This is gonna be a problem, isn't it?  Ugh, the things I put up with sometimes.

"Look, I know what it looks like, but trust me, it's an official document," I said, resisting the urge to groan. "The Wonderbolts made an aerial schematic of the crime scene."

Photo Finish knitted her brow. "It's rather far-fetched, but I'll take your word for it, Princess Twilight.  Still, why are you showing me this?"

"Look here," I said, pointing to the document. "You and Ms. Pommel were over here, and the crime took place a few meters away over there.  Now, I've traced a line from where your camera was pointing in order to see what would be in your field of view.  Do you notice anything?"

Photo Finish looked carefully at the diagram before blanching.

"What?  N-no," she gasped. "Th-this is impossible.  I-I didn't see anything like that in my viewfinder!"

"Maybe you didn't see it, but the evidence speaks for itself," I said. "It's very possible that inadvertently, you managed to snap some photos of the crime without realizing it.  Granted, you probably didn't notice it because it was so far off to the side, but the possibility still remains.  You were taking photos between eight o'clock and eight ten, which is around the time Prince Blueblood was attacked.  Ergo, those photos can very well be considered evidence!"

"I-i-inconcievable!"

Photo Finish recoiled from this revelation.  I sighed.

"It's only inconceivable because you haven't conceived it," I said sagely. "Listen, once the photos are developed, we'll know for sure.  If they don't turn up anything, we'll return them to you without hesitation."

Photo Finish sighed. "I, suppose that's for the best," she murmured. "Still, this is quite disheartening, to say the least."

"I'm sure your reputation will survive this, Ms. Finish," I said. "You've bounced back from worse."

Photo Finish let out a self-mocking chuckle. "That I have, Princess Twilight.  Thank you.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to see how my mo— I mean, Ms. Pommel is doing."

With that, she walked off.  Well, now we know what Photo Finish was hiding.  It didn't really help in the grand scheme of things, but that's one mystery solved, at least.  I might as well take what I can get.

"Princess Twilight!"

I turned to see a Royal Guard run up to me and salute.

"Report," I ordered.

"We just finished developing the photos, Your Highness," said the guard. "They're in our makeshift darkroom; over in the Royal Observatory."

Hmm.  If I recall correctly, the Royal Observatory also doubles as Princess Luna's bedchamber.  I'm assuming they got permission to convert it into a makeshift darkroom, because otherwise, this was going to be very, very awkward.

"Ah, perfect timing," I said. "We just got finished talking to Ms. Finish.  She has agreed to let us keep the photos if they do indeed contain any evidence."

The guard blinked in confusion before clearing his throat. "Um, yes.  Great.  I'll be sure to let Captain Holy Lance know of that."

"You do that," I said, stifling a chuckle. "In the meantime, we'll head over to the observatory."

"Are you sure you don't need an escort, Your Highness?" asked Kibitz.

"Um, I thought we were her escort," said Spike, pointing to himself, Kibitz, and Shining Armor.

"Th-that's different, Mr. The Dragon," said Kibitz, wiping some sweat from his brow.

"Never it mind, Kibitz," I said. "We don't need the Royal Guard following us around.  They have important jobs to do, after all.  Now then, let's go."

"Um, right.  Of course," said Kibitz, mumbling something under his breath.

I sighed inwardly.  Kibitz must really not be used to this.  I wonder if he's this annoying to Celestia and Luna, too.  Not that I'd ask them that, of course.  That would be incredibly rude.  Oh well, no use thinking about that now.  After dismissing the thought, I led the way to the observatory.  Finally, we're gonna be getting some concrete answers.

...

Hopefully.
> Confrontation: Eagle Eye (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:20
Epiphany University
Main Campus
***


"Y-Your Honor.  Wh-what are you doing on campus?  Has something happened?"

"Indeed.  I wish to ask you a few questions regarding a, troubling incident that occurred last night."

Well, that's convenient.  We aren't even halfway back to the crime scene and already we found Eagle Eye questioning the students.  We must've spent a long time in that library for her to be at this stage of the investigation.  I dived down and landed before her, making sure to bow as I did so.  My teammates quickly followed suit.

"Hold on, fine citizen.  I have to address this," said Eagle Eye, sounding quite annoyed. "You're dismissed for now."

With a nervous nod, the student flew off.  Eagle Eye turned to us and raised an eyebrow.

"What're you still doing here, Captain Spitfire?" she inquired. "Don't you have your own investigation to deal with?"

"We're working on that, Your Honor," I said. "However, my comrades and I have found some information that must be brought to your attention."

"What kind of information?"

"Proof that our investigation is tied in with the murder of Professor Kierra."

Eagle Eye shook her head. "You've been misinformed, Captain Spitfire.  There is no possible connection."

I blinked. "What makes you say that, Your Honor?"

"Simple.  Professor Kierra was not murdered."

My jaw dropped.  In all honesty, I was not expecting that.  At all.

"What?!  Whoa whoa whoa, time out!" barked Blaze. "Whaddya mean she wasn't murdered?!"

Eagle Eye glared at us. "That is none of your concern."

"My flank it's not!" Blaze roared.

"Blaze, stand down," I said sternly.

"B-but..."

"Stand down, Blaze.  That's an order."

Blaze let out a frustrated grunt and held her tongue.  With a sigh, I turned back to Eagle Eye.

"I apologize for this breech in conduct, Your Honor," I said with a bow. "It's just that we've found evidence to the contrary, and—"

"Overruled!"

Eagle Eye cut across me with a swing of her scepter.

"No such evidence exists, Captain Spitfire," she snarled, dipping her voice. "Professor Kierra was not murdered.  She took her own life."

Wait, what?  That doesn't seem the least bit likely.  I might not know Kierra all that well, but in my experience, she was not suicidal.  Where was this coming from?

"I'm afraid I don't follow, Your Honor," I said plainly. "What makes you so sure of this?"

Eagle Eye snorted. "Your persistence is unwarranted, Captain Spitfire.  Keep it up, and I'll have all of you arrested for investigational interference."

"Look, if you can convince us that Kierra committed suicide, then we'll gladly leave without another word," I said. "Until then, we've still got a stake in this."

"Hmph.  So you say," growled Eagle Eye, furrowing her brow. "Very well.  If it's the only way to get you to leave, then I shall oblige.  However, keep in mind that you are wasting my time with this drivel.  Anything that I deem irrelevant will count as a strike against you.  Earn enough strikes, and you can consider yourself arrested."

"I assure you, it won't come to that, Your Honor," I said with a bow.

"We shall see," Eagle Eye scoffed. "I was not appointed to this prestigious position for no reason, Captain Spitfire.  I will open your eyes to the truth before long."

Sounds to me like someone let their position go to their head.  Historically, the Griffon Magistrate has been considered to be infallible.  This was never the case, of course, but when you dictate and enforce the laws of the entire kingdom, credibility is a must.  Even so, I'm gonna have to knock Eagle Eye off her high horse and show her that she's wrong.  Otherwise, she's the one who will be blinded to the truth.


***
Argument: Kierra's Suicide
***


"According to our findings, Professor Kierra died at around midnight due to poisoning," said Eagle Eye. "Headmaster Hawke mentioned that she was acting strange all week, perhaps from some sort of dementia or depression.  Not only this, but she was the only person who had access to her office.  No murderer could've gotten past security.  Finally, there's the note we found in her office.  Although indecipherable, it's safe to assume that this is a suicide note.  Ergo, Kierra took her own life.  All we need to know is why."

I'm not one to tell someone else how to do their job, but this is very unsettling.  Her argument is full of blind assumptions that I highly doubt she can back up with any kind of evidence.  Almost makes me wonder if she's doing that intentionally so that I will slip up.  Geeze, I hope that's not the case.  Anyway, I'd better get a firmer grasp of the situation.

"Did you know Professor Kierra personally, Your Honor?" I asked.

"To my understanding, she was a war hero that served with the Proud Pride back in January," said Eagle Eye, thoughtfully fiddling with her scepter. "In fact, I know that she fought side-by-side with you Wonderbolts to thwart the now-defunct Tengu Dynasty."

"So, you have no idea about whether or not she was suicidal," I said.

"Not so," said Eagle Eye, shaking her head. "It can be inferred that Kierra was suffering from some sort of PTSD.  The battle she fought in was rather stressful for her, after all."

"Yeah, but shell shock doesn't take eleven months to kick in.  It's usually a lot more immediate.  I've read up on my military history; I know these things."

"Ah, but who are you to say she wasn't simply hiding it through therapy or medication?  You haven't seen her since that battle, now have you?"

"Nnngh..."

I flinched.  I hate to admit it, but she's right.  I haven't spoken to Kierra since that incident.  A lot could've happened in eleven months that I just wasn't aware of.  I'm not gonna get anywhere through this line of questioning.

"Just a moment, Your Honor," Misty Fly chimed in. "You mention the possibility of her being treated for PTSD.  But do you know this to be a fact?"

Eagle Eye furrowed her brow. "As of right now, no."

"Then why even bring it up, huh?" asked Blaze.

"Because all of the other evidence points to suicide," said Eagle Eye bluntly. "Trust me, I would not stoop so low as to argue from a position of ignorance."

Well, that's an ironic statement if I ever heard one.  And I think I have the evidence to show her why.  But first, I need a different avenue of attack.

"I'm sure Headmaster Hawke made you aware of Kierra's activities leading up to this, incident," I said.

"Of course," said Eagle Eye.

"Then you know that she's been conducting research all week, correct?"

"Yes.  Where are you going with this, Captain Spitfire?"

I smirked and raised my flight goggles. "Well, if Professor Kierra was doing all this research, wouldn't that mean it would be less likely that she committed suicide?"

"Her research means nothing, Captain Spitfire," said Eagle Eye dismissively. "It's possible that she simply snapped in the middle of her work."

"I don't see it that way, Your Honor," I said, shaking my head. "Because if that was the case, then why didn't she just hang herself or do something simple like that?  Poison isn't exactly an easily acquired commodity, and Headmaster Hawke already informed me that the science lab on campus doesn't keep anything of that nature.  So why go through all the trouble based on a spontaneous decision?"

Eagle Eye fiddled with her scepter as sweat formed on her brow. "Y-you're out of order, Captain Spitfire.  You cannot claim to know Professor Kierra's mind any more than I can."

"I see.  So you admit that you're arguing from a position of ignorance."

"That—  I—  Ergh...  Overruled!"

Finding herself unable to make a suitable comeback, Eagle Eye simply swung her gavel at me again.  I didn't even flinch this time.  It was intimidating at first, but now it's starting to get annoying.

"Y-you shouldn't be so smug, Captain Spitfire," she snarled. "What of the note?  According to Headmaster Hawke, it was placed in such a way that it was intended to be found!"

"That doesn't automatically make it a suicide note," I said frankly. "You said yourself that the note itself was indecipherable.  Neither of us really know what Kierra was trying to say with it.  However, there's one thing you overlooked about it."

"And what is that?"

"It's addressed to you."

Eagle Eye closed her eyes and knitted her brow. "I realize that, Captain Spitfire.  However, I don't know why she chose to do that.  We don't know each other personally."

"Exactly," I said with a nod. "But tell me, Your Honor.  Which is more likely?  That Kierra wanted you to read her last words, or that she was trying to inform you about something important?"

"I, um...  I...  Overruled!"

Eagle Eye swung her gavel again, showing once again that she was unable to refute me.

"I will admit that my judgement was perhaps a bit hasty, Captain Spitfire," she said. "However, the Wonderbolts still have no business in this investigation."

"Pardon me for disagreeing, Your Honor, but we do," I said, standing my ground.

"That's impossible," said Eagle Eye brusquely. "There's nothing linking these two events."

"Why not hear us out before you say we're wrong?" Blaze growled. "I thought judges didn't jump to conclusions like this."

"Overruled!"

Eagle Eye swung her gavel yet again, this time at Blaze.  She really should've saw that coming.

"That one was uncalled for, Blaze," I admonished.

"Oh, don't pretend you weren't thinking it, too," Blaze said with a pout.

I gave Blaze a stern glare. "It's not a matter of that, Blaze.  We have to respect the Griffon Magistrate.  She's the legal authority around here, not us.  Is that understood?"

Blaze swallowed. "Y-yeah.  G-gotcha, Sis.  S-sorry, Your Honor."

"I should hope so," Eagle Eye grumbled, straightening herself out. "Anyway, seeing as you're so adamant about this, I'll hear you out.  But if you cannot provide sufficient evidence, you must leave."

"That is fair, Your Honor," I said.

"Good," said Eagle Eye, clearing her throat. "Now then, let's see if this proof of yours can answer my inquiries."

"Permission to speak freely, ma'am?" whispered Rainbow Dash.

"Go ahead, private."

"You sure we can convince her with the evidence we've got?"

I sighed. "I don't know," I confessed. "She doesn't seem to like us that much, though to be fair, we haven't given her a reason to like us.  We'll just have to hope for the best and give it our all."

Rainbow Dash said nothing, but simply knitted her brow.  I kinda see where she's coming from, actually.  She of all ponies knows that there's a fine line between pushing the envelope and just being reckless.  I understand this, too.  But sometimes, life doesn't work that way.  You gotta take some risks if you want to get anywhere.  The key is to know when it's appropriate to take those risks, such as in this instance.


***
Argument: Still No Connection
***


"Through our discourse, you have proven that Professor Kierra did not commit suicide," said Eagle Eye. "For this, I thank you and humbly apologize for my oversight.  Nevertheless, there still isn't any evidence to support your claim that our investigations are connected.  You may claim that Professor Kierra's research is the connection, but then what was she researching?  You may claim that the note addressed to me is the connection, but then what does it say?  Unless you can answer either of these questions, your argument holds no water."

Okay, I'll give Eagle Eye some credit.  At least she's not mad about being proven wrong.  Now all we need to do is get her to see our side.  Fortunately, I have just the evidence for that.

"I actually took the liberty of visiting the campus library, Your Honor," I said. "We found some information there that might prove quite useful."

"Elaborate," Eagle Eye stated.

"For one, there was a book checked out five days ago," I explained. "It was on Pan's Music Code; a form of magic that is conducted through music."

"And what makes you say Professor Kierra was the one who checked it out, hmm?"

"I can't prove that specifically," I admitted. "However, I can provide a tangental connection."

Eagle Eye arched an eyebrow. "A tangental connection?  What do you mean?"

"Last night, at the Grand Galloping Gala, I confronted the vigilante that we're currently tracking," I said. "She sang some sort of melody and created a smokescreen.  My friend believes that she was using Pan's Music Code.  She happened to have a similar experience back in April."

Eagle Eye's brow furrowed. "That's rather flimsy, Captain Spitfire."

"Perhaps so, but there's something else," I said. "See, I don't think Pan's Music Code was the only form of magic Kierra was researching.  I have reason to believe that she was looking up alchemy as well."

"Why do you say that?"

I pressed my front hooves together and gave Eagle Eye a serious look. "We found something in one of the books on the very subject."

I then took out the notecard Misty Fly found.  Eagle Eye still appeared skeptical.

"So, you were blindly looking through books until you came across this?" she asked. "That doesn't seem plausible."

"Meh, it happens to me all the time," said Rainbow Dash with a shrug.

Eagle Eye blinked. "I, beg your pardon?"

"Don't ask," I said. "Anyway, I think you might want to read what's on this notecard."

I handed Eagle Eye the notecard in question.  As she read it over, her eyes went wide.

"I-I can't believe it," she stammered. "Th-this is clearly a death threat.  Where did you say you found this?"

"In a book on alchemical history," said Misty Fly. "She appeared to be using it as some sort of bookmark, though we're not entirely sure why."

"But then, what of your vigilante?  How does she tie into all this?"

"Answer me this, Your Honor," I said. "Do you know what a ponunculus is?"

"No."

"It's an artificial pony created by alchemy," I clarified. "And that is exactly what our vigilante is.  Not only that, but Kierra also happened to know her creator, and I think you do, too.  Does the name Gypsy Moth ring any bells?"

"Why, of course," said Eagle Eye. "She was sentenced to life imprisonment after being tried in Equestria for sabotage of diplomatic relations and attempted murder."

"Then there you go," I said. "Now, this is just a theory, and I'll be the first to admit that it's quite far-fetched.  But we cannot deny the possibility that Gypsy Moth might've had a hoof in this.  If Kierra was researching alchemy, it's possible that she believed that, too.  But again, that's just a theory.  We need to find out is what convinced her to pursue this research in the first place to see whether it's true or not."

Eagle Eye folded her arms and closed her eyes.  After a few thoughtful nods, she opened them again.

"Indeed," she said. "I accept this notecard into evidence, and until we can determine otherwise, the Wonderbolts have permission to assist in this investigation."

"Thank you, Your Honor," I said with a bow.

Eagle Eye growled. "Don't thank me yet, Captain Spitfire.  The truth still eludes us, and as long as it does, your team will answer to me.  Is that clear?"

Well, it didn't take her long to bounce back from that misstep.  Seriously, I just dissuaded her from making a horrible mistake.  The least she could do is say "thank you."  Still, I understand that she still wants to be the one in control.  Even so, I wasn't planning on taking the reins from her or anything.  This is not our land, and the Wonderbolts don't usually deal with this kind of thing, anyway.  It would be foolish of us not to follow her lead.

"Understood, Your Honor," I said with a salute. "We'll be sure to inform you of any further developments."

Eagle Eye nodded. "Right then.  I'll let the librarian know of your activities so that you can have more access to Professor Kierra's records.  In the meantime, you can assist the Proud Pride with their investigation of the crime scene."

"We're on it, Your Honor," I said. "You heard the Magistrate, Wonderbolts.  Let's fly."

With that, we exchanged bows and went our separate ways.  I think I might want to ask Pierre if there's any way to get on Eagle Eye's good side.  I mean, she's not hostile towards us anymore, and I'm thankful for that.  But if we're gonna be working together, we have to get along.  A lack of trust makes a team fall apart, after all.
> Confrontation: Shamus (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:47 AM
Lincolt Center
Performance Studio B
***


"This is your last warning, toots.  If you don't stop getting in my face and interrupting my investigation, I'm gonna arrest you, too."

"Okay first off, rude.  Second, you're a moron if you think this is gonna fly."

"Um, maybe we shouldn't call him names, Ms. Scratch..."

Well, I can't say this was entirely unexpected.  As soon as I arrived at the performance studio, I was treated to a heated debate between Vinyl and Shamus with Fluttershy trying to play mediator.  This is more or less what happens when I leave Vinyl to her own devices in situations like this.  I also wasn't shocked to see that Sapphire's body had disappeared and that a tape outline took her place.  She's probably in transport to the hospital right now.  However, I was astonished to see that Lockdown was standing by Shamus's side with zip cuffs around his ankles.  The reason I find this strange is that out of all the ponies here, Lockdown seems to be the least likely suspect.

"Is there a problem here, Shamus?" asked Puzzlement, butting into the conversation.

Shamus turned to us and smirked. "Ah, Puz.  Perfect timing," he said. "We've got our stallion right here, but this broad's making things difficult.  Be a doll and book this deadbeat while I get this one's story, will ya?"

Lockdown let out a low growl. "You're making a big mistake, officer," he grumbled, surprisingly stoic for a stallion being falsely accused of attacking his boss. "Ms. Sapphire will hear of this."

"Oh, don't you worry about that, tough guy.  I'll make sure she gets the news," said Shamus with a toothy grin.

"And she'll probably become pissed at you when she finds out you're locking up her bodyguard," said Vinyl, folding her forelegs.

Shamus leered at Vinyl and snorted. "I don't think I like your tone, missy."

"Do you honestly expect me to give a damn about that?" Vinyl scoffed. "I mean, look at who you're talking to here."

"Oh, I'm looking, alright," said Shamus darkly. "And you know what I see?  A pony who just earned herself a one-way ticket to the Detention Center.  Puz, we're placing this mouthy unicorn under arrest, too."

"That, actually wouldn't be wise, Shamus," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle.

Shamus whipped around and narrowed his eyes. "What the hay are you talking about?"

"Ms. Scratch has been sent here by Princess Twilight Sparkle to conduct her own investigation, along with these other ponies," Puzzlement explained, gesturing to Rarity, Fluttershy, and myself. "It's something that involves the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  I have yet to ascertain all the details."

Shamus gave Puzzlement a blank stare before stifling a laugh. "You're yanking my chain, Puz.  There's no way you're this gullible.  Why would the Princess of Friendship send these rubes to look into a stupid urban legend, huh?"

"For starters, it's no mere urban legend," I said, stepping forward. "I saw her at the Manehattan Music Festival this past April.  If it wasn't for her, well, I wouldn't be standing here right now."

"Yeah, yeah.  I've heard it all before," said Shamus with a dismissive was of his hoof. "Puz, please don't tell me you're actually buying any of this malarky.  These dames are just trying to stir up trouble."

Rarity's face darkened. "Considering that my little sister may very well be scarred for life from what just happened here, I take a great amount of offense to that, good sir," she snapped.

Shamus sighed. "Okay, okay.  Let's just say for the sake of argument that you're all telling the truth and that you were sent here to investigate Mare-Do-Well.  What does that have to do with the attack on Sapphire Shores?"

"Possibly everything; perhaps nothing," I said.

Shamus gave me a blank stare before turning to Puzzlement. "Y'mind translating that, Puz?  I don't speak in riddles like you do."

If Puzzlement was offended by that remark, she didn't show it. "This is just a guess, but I do believe that there's a distinct possibility that our investigations are connected in some manner.  At least, that's what Ms. Melody seems to believe."

"Is that right?" said Shamus, sauntering up over to me. "Well, little lady, I have it on good authority that your cockeyed little fable has nothing to do with actual police work.  We've already got our suspect right here."

"About that," I said, furrowing my brow. "I was under the impression that Mr. Lockdown was the kind of pony who went above and beyond the call of duty to protect Sapphire.  Why is he being placed under arrest?"

"That's none of your beeswax," Shamus spat.

"I dunno, Shamus.  Maybe it is," said Puzzlement somberly. "If they are who they claim to be, it would not look good for us if we continued to act hostile towards them."

Shamus scowled. "You really are throwing your lot in with these loons, aren't you, Puz?  Sheesh, I thought you were just an oddball before, but now I can see that you're completely crazy."

"I'm not throwing in my lot with anypony, Shamus," Puzzlement said plainly. "I am simply erring on the side of caution.  Try it sometime."

"Tch, wisenheimer," Shamus muttered under his breath before turning to me. "Alright, you.  We'll play your little game for now.  But if it turns out you're just throwing a wrench into good honest police work, I'm throwing all four of you into the slammer, capisce?"

I swallowed. "D-duly noted," I stammered, trying to collect myself.  Alright, this should be simple enough.  There's no possible way that Lockdown's the culprit.  All I have to do is prove that, and we're in the clear.  I just hope Shamus is reasonable enough to hear me out.


***
Argument: Lockdown's Crime Part I
***


"The way I sees it, Mr. Lockdown is the only possible culprit," said Shamus. "After all, according to his own testimony, he was at the scene of the crime all day.  Plus, since he's Ms. Shores's bodyguard, nopony would suspect him of any wrongdoing.  But most incriminating of all is what I found in his pocket.  It's a death threat that was obviously meant for his boss, Sapphire Shores.  And that's the final nail on this guy's coffin.  So unless he just so happens to be Mare-Do-Well, you've got no authority here even if you were on the level."

I notice that he failed to mention Lockdown's motive at any point.  That right there tells me that he arrested him for the sake of convenience, nothing more.  Well, the convenient answer isn't always the right one, now is it?  Besides, that's the least of this argument's problems.

"Let's get the important stuff out of the way first," I said. "Mr. Lockdown is the one who called the police, was he not?  Why would he do that if he was the culprit?"

Shamus snickered. "To give himself an alibi, of course.  Seriously, you don't have to be Puzzlement to figure that one out."

Shazbot.  I really thought that was a good point.  Still, I don't believe that to be the case.  Lockdown was just as surprised as the rest of us when we found out that Sapphire had been assaulted.  Of course, Shamus is not likely to believe that excuse, either.  I need to attack from a different angle.

"You mentioned before the Mr. Lockdown was carrying a death threat on his person," I said. "May I see it?"

Shamus scoffed. "You're kidding, right?  Why the hay would I trust you with valuable evidence?"

"Um, did you forget that we've got our own investigation here, pal?" asked Vinyl.

"I'm still not convinced of that," said Shamus sternly. "You might've been able to fool Puzzlement, but nopony can pull the wool over my eyes."

Well, I can understand why we may seem untrustworthy.  We're not really detectives, and our story is still rather remarkable even though it's entirely true.  Even so, I need to find out what that death threat says.  Shamus is right about one thing; it may indeed be a key clue to the whole thing.  So how can I go about getting him to relinquish it?  Hmm.

"Um, out of curiosity, Detective Shamus," said Rarity, clearing her throat. "Where did you say you found this death threat again?"

"It was on Mr. Lockdown's person," said Shamus. "He probably stashed it away to hide the evidence."

That right there provided just the opening I needed.  I smiled and straightened out my bow-tie.

"Well, that's nothing more than conjecture, isn't it?" I said.

Shamus raised an eyebrow. "How is that conjecture?"

"I thought that would be obvious," I said with a shrug. "You're simply assuming that Mr. Lockdown wrote that note in the first place."

Shamus growled. "Well, why else would he have it, huh?"

"Why indeed," I said, knitting my brow. "Tell me, what condition was the note in when you found it?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Shamus spat.

"Just answer the question, Detective Shamus," I said flatly. "What's the condition of this note?"

Shamus tugged at his collar as sweat formed on his brow. "W-well, it was folded neatly in his pocket."

"Ah-ha," I said with a knowing smirk. "So, it wasn't, say, torn to shreds of crumpled up?"

"N-no.  B-but do you really expect a punk like him to think about that?"

"Ad hominem attacks do nothing to help your argument, Detective.  In fact, it just shows that you're not thinking this through at all."

"Tch!"

Shamus bitterly clicked his tongue and winced.  It appears he has nothing to say to that.

"So, the note itself was found intact on Mr. Lockdown's person," I mused. "Seeing as your argument holds no water, we have to find another reason for this."

"Well, what other reason is there?" Shamus snarled.

"That's easy enough to find out," I said. "Mr. Lockdown?"

Lockdown looked up at me. "Um, yes?"

"Is it true that Detective Shamus found a note on your person?"

"Yes."

"And would you describe it as a death threat?"

"Indeed."

"So, how did you come into possession of this letter?"

Lockdown averted his gaze. "I'm not at liberty to say.  It's a private matter between myself and Ms. Sapphire."

Puzzlement stroked her chin. "Hmm.  A private matter between boss and bodyguard regarding a death threat.  Why, those two pieces fit together seamlessly, don't you think, Shamus?"

"You're thinking about this too much, Puz.  Again," groaned Shamus. "Can't you see he's just trying to cover his flank?"

"Actually, I do believe that you're the only one thinking that, Detective Shamus," I said. "Detective Puzzlement is right; there's obviously something going on behind the scenes here.  You'd have to be completely daft not to catch it."

"Oooh~!  That was a sick burn, Octy!" Vinyl cheered.

Shamus's cheeks became bright red. "Sh-shaddup!" he barked. "He's the only one who could've done it!  There was no one else in this room!"

"Just as I suspected," Puzzlement sighed. "You went with the easy answer just to get everything over with.  You can't keep doing this, Shamus."

"Shut your trap, Puzzlement!  I wouldn't have to rush if you didn't take forever and a day to get your act together!"

"Oh, so now this is my fault, is it?"

"I'm just saying by the time you figure out one of your stupid puzzles, the culprit is miles away!"

"That's not relevant to the matter at hoof, Shamus.  You made a mistake.  Don't take it out on me."

"This can't be a mistake, Puz!  These dames all have bats in the belfry!  You can't expect me to—"

"Both of you, stop!"

Fluttershy suddenly flew in between Shamus and Puzzlement, giving them both disapproving looks.

"You two are partners, aren't you?" she scolded. "This is no way for friends to behave.  We should be working together here."

"Oh, now you're gonna preach to us?  Give me a break!" Shamus snarled.

"I have to agree with Fluttershy here," said Rarity. "I'll admit, I don't know what personal problems you have with Detective Puzzlement, but you can't allow them to cloud your judgement.  Especially since you're arresting somepony who is most likely innocent."

Shamus shook his head. "You still don't get it, do you?  If you keep focusing on the little things, you never get anything done.  I'm telling you, this guy did it."

"You haven't necessarily been doing a good job of convincing us of that," I said frankly. "If anything, Detective Puzzlement seems to be correct.  You're just latching onto this asinine theory because Mr. Lockdown was the only other pony in the room."

"Well, sometimes that's all there is to it," said Shamus with a snort. "Let's look at the facts one more time.  But I'm gonna warn you right here and now; I'm very close to the end of my tether with all of you.  If you refuse to take a hint after this, consider yourselves under arrest."

Bugger.  He seems adamant about making this difficult for us.  But despite being quite intimidating, I don't think I have anything to be afraid of.  Proving Lockdown's innocence should still be child's play, and if he does arrest us, we can send word to Princess Twilight and have her vouch for us.  Seeing as she has her own investigation to worry about, let's just hope it doesn't come to that.


***
Argument: Lockdown's Crime Part II
***


"Mr. Lockdown said it himself," said Shamus. "There's no way in or out of this room besides the front door.  The only other pony to enter this room was some kid named Sweetie something or other.  It's a simple process of elimination.  The kid didn't do it, and Ms. Shores couldn't have attacked herself.  Thus, there's only one pony who could've pulled it off."

Rarity let out a strained sigh. "For your information, her name is Sweetie Belle," she growled through gritted teeth. "She also happens to be my sister."

Shamus blushed and cleared his throat. "Um, right.  Th-thank you for the update, miss."

Vinyl stifled a laugh.  I'm certainly glad she's enjoying herself.  I, on the other hoof, have to destroy this line of reasoning before it gets us all into trouble.  Thankfully, that shouldn't be too difficult.

"I take it you questioned Mr. Lockdown before arresting him, yes?" I inquired.

"Well, yeah.  Of course I did," said Shamus. "Despite what Puzzlement says, I'm not an idiot."

"For the record, he's not," said Puzzlement. "He just doesn't use his brain.  And in many ways, that's even worse."

Shamus shot Puzzlement a glare.  Before he could launch into a tirade, I cleared my throat.

"Right then," I said. "So, that being the case, you should know that the door to this studio locks from the inside."

"Yeah, so?" said Shamus with a shrug. "Ms. Shores obviously would've let him in if he knocked first."

"Except he had no reason to knock," I said, adjusting my bow-tie. "Because he was standing guard.  That's his job, you see."

"Yeah, and he's no slouch about it, either," Vinyl chimed in. "Seriously, we really had to twist his leg to let us in."

Shamus smirked. "Hang on.  Why did you all want to come in here, anyway?"

"It's part of our own investigation," I said with a smile of my own. "However, now that you bring it up, I can provide a thorough reason as to why Mr. Lockdown is not the culprit."

"You can, can you?" said Shamus with a snicker. "Alright, I'll bite.  What's this reason of yours?"

"Simple.  Somepony else claims that an intruder snuck into this room."

Shamus's eyes went wide for a moment before he let out an insincere laugh. "Y-you really expect me to believe that?"

"It's true," said Rarity. "A junior roadie named Babs Seed said that she saw someone go into the room, even though Mr. Lockdown claims otherwise.  Now, let's say he was the culprit.  Why would he insist that nopony got past him?  Wouldn't he agree with Babs to make it look like someone else did it?"

"W-well, he just...  I mean, you can't...  Augh, you bucking minx!" Shamus sputtered, unable to form a rebuttal.

"Language!" Puzzlement admonished.

"English!" Shamus retorted.

Vinyl let out a hearty guffaw. "Okay, I have to give him that one," she chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. "You are so immature," I sighed before turning back to Shamus. "Anyway, you have to admit it now, right?  Mr. Lockdown's innocent of all wrongdoing."

"B-but if he didn't do it, then who did?!" Shamus roared.

"We simply don't know at this point in time," I said with a shrug. "However, we may have something that could lead to the identify of the attacker."

Puzzlement grew pale. "M-Ms. Melody, I don't think it's a good idea to show him that now," she stammered.

"I do apologize, Detective Puzzlement.  But it's the only way for him to see reason," I said. "You still have it, right?"

"O-of course," said Puzzlement. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

She gave me the piece of notepaper, and I in turn showed it to Shamus.  Shamus arched an eyebrow.

"What the heck is that supposed to be?" he inquired.

"We asked Sweetie Belle to draw a depiction of the assailant," I explained. "This is what she came up with, although we're not quite sure what to make of it.  One thing we can gather, however, is that it's clearly not a pony.  Ergo, Mr. Lockdown cannot be the one we're after."

"B-but he...  And I just...  You...  Mmmrgh!"

Shamus recoiled from my logic.  When he recovered, he cast his gaze downward.

"R-release him," he mumbled. "H-he's clearly not our guy."

"That's exactly what we've been telling you from the beginning," said Vinyl with a complacent smirk. "Nice to see that you're not completely stupid."

"Don't get cute," Shamus snarled. "I don't know how you ponies showed me up like that, but it won't happen again.  And by the way, I'm still not completely sold in this Mare-Do-Well nonsense."

"I'll have one of our sergeants send a request to Canterlot for confirmation of their story," said Puzzlement, freeing Lockdown from his cuffs. "In the meantime, I ask that you four try and avoid us for the time being.  You may have bested Shamus in this battle of wits, but trying his patience is not something I'd advise."

"Y-yes'm," Fluttershy squeaked timidly.

"I think that'll work out just fine, darling," said Rarity. "After all, we've got something to occupy our time.  Don't we, Ms. Octavia?"

Oh yes, that's right.  We still need to hear Babs's side of the story.  I wonder if Mike Check has caught up with her yet.

"That's right," I said. "We'll be sure to inform you if anything else comes up."

"That would be most appreciated," said Puzzlement with a nod. "Now, if you'll excuse us—"

"Uh, just a sec."

I turned to Lockdown.  Free from his bonds, he adjusted his shades and gave me a curt nod.

"I owe you one, Ms. Melody," he said. "Ms. Sapphire is going through enough without having to worry about me."

"It's no trouble at all," I said earnestly.

"Although if you still feel like you owe us, you could give us the deets on that death threat," said Vinyl.

I smacked my forehead.  I know that death threat is probably important, but did she really have to ask that now?  Ugh, that mare has no tact whatsoever.

"W-we can discuss that later," I said, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Right now, we should get moving."

With that, we headed off.  That was probably a lot more trouble than it was worth.  While I managed to prevent our arrest, I didn't get any new information from debating Shamus.  Well, except for the death threat, but without knowing what it said, we can't—

Wait a tick.  I remember Vinyl saying before that Lockdown's presence was unnecessary, seeing as the door to the performance studio locks from the inside and the walls are soundproof.  Maybe Sapphire was suspecting something, and she had Lockdown guard the room for her own peace of mind.  She can be a bit superstitious at times.  However, it still doesn't seem likely that Mare-Do-Well's impostor would target her of all ponies.

...

Mmm, no use dwelling on it, I suppose.  I guess only Sapphire herself would know whether or not she was being targeted, but there's no way we can contact her right now.  So, let's just focus on finding Babs Seed and getting her side of the story.  If she really did see something, then we need every detail we can get from her.  Because I don't know about you, but the fact that we really don't know what we're up against is not exactly a settling thought for me...
> Confrontation: Suzaku (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:14 PM
Mt. Kohryu
Southern Chamber of the Fiery Summer
***


"Hoo-wee~!  Is it just me, or is this place startin' to feel a bit toasty?"

Applejack certainly wasn't wrong there.  As we followed Suzaku to his chamber, I distinctly noticed an increase in temperature with every step we took.  At first, I thought it was just Suzaku's body warming the air around us.  Then we stepped into a large alcove bathed in red light, and let me tell you; we might as well have been walking into an oven.  Plumes of flame sprang from the ground at seemingly random intervals, generating a heat so strong that my vision became blurry.  Oddly enough, the air contained the distinct odor of salt and sand, almost as though we were on a beach.  The pleasant scent combined with the oppressive atmosphere somehow made me feel comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.  I didn't think that was possible.

"I do hope these accommodations aren't too, intense for you," said Suzaku, perching himself before us.

"Well, it is a bit hot," said Pinkie, fanning herself. "But then again, I suppose they don't call this the Southern Chamber of the Fiery Summer for nothing, huh?"

"Indeed," said Suzaku, preening himself. "Now then, you had some questions for me, yes?"

"Mmm, yeah," I said, taking a moment to adjust to my surroundings. "Seiryu told us that you were guarding the entranceway last night."

Suzaku nodded. "He is correct.  Each of us take turns welcoming those who have come to see the Great Kohryu, and yesterday was my turn."

"So that means you were at the scene of the crime when Mr. Dragonvest was killed, correct?" asked Pinkie.

Suzaku knitted his brow. "I don't think I can answer this question."

"And why not?" said Applejack, raising an eyebrow.

"Because up until the dawn, I saw no crime take place."

Applejack squinted and snorted. "Beg pardon, but I don't see how that's possible.  That there Diamond Dog was all tied up and hoisted into the air.  How in tarnation did ya miss that?"

Suzaku sighed. "I-I don't know.  You're right, this shouldn't have happened.  But it did."

I don't know whether it's a good thing or a bad thing that Suzaku doesn't believe his own story.  On one hoof, we can at least trust him to be honest.  I doubt one of Kohryu's acolytes would lie, anyway.  However, that also puts us all on the same page.  Neither of us know any more than the other about what happened.

"How about we start from the beginning?" I suggested. "Tell us everything you remember from last night, up until the point you found the body."

Suzaku took a moment to preen himself before responding. "There's not much to tell, really.  But I shall oblige to the best of my ability, Star Amethyst."

Heh.  That's actually a load off my mind.  The last time I had to debate one of the Four Benevolent Animals, I was afraid he was gonna tear me apart for saying the wrong thing.  This time, not so much.  And for that, I'm grateful.  Now I just need to see if Suzaku actually knows anything that might be useful.


***
Testimony: What I Witnessed
***


"All throughout the night, the chamber was still," said Suzaku. "Not a soul entered; not a soul left.  Then, by the light of the dawn, I saw something that shouldn't have been there.  It was the false hierophant, dead and suspended in midair by black cords.  Suspecting some sort of wrongdoing, I immediately informed the Great Kohryu, and then set off to tell the Grand Shoguns."

This was basically nothing that we didn't already know.  Nevertheless, it still doesn't sound right.  How did something like this slip under Suzaku's nose?  I don't think even Mare-Do-Well is that good.  Maybe there's something we're missing.  I have to dig deeper.

"Is there any other way into the mountain?" I inquired. "Like a back entrance of a secret passage of some sort."

Suzaku shook his head. "We have no need for such things.  No, the only way in or out of this cavern is through the Welcoming Chamber."

"Well, what if someone tried to dig through some other way?" asked Derpy. "That Dragonvest meanie is a Diamond Dog, right?  He should be good at that kind of thing."

I gave Derpy a quizzical look. "Mom, Dodger's the victim."

"Yeah, I know," said Derpy, furrowing her brow. "But what if he was the one trying to sneak in here?"

"Why would he do that?"

"I dunno."

I groaned and massaged the bridge of my nose. "Mom, try to think these things through before you come up with theories like that, okay?"

"Sorry, Ammy.  It just made sense in my head," said Derpy sheepishly.

"As a matter of fact, it makes sense in my head as well, Hooves Derpy," said Suzaku. "The Grand Shoguns have forbidden Diamond Dogs from venturing into the Mewlun Mountains.  The only way a Diamond Dog would be able to get past them is by traveling underground."

Well, that might explain how Dodger snuck into the Neko Shogunate's territory, but it doesn't explain why he's dead.  There has to be something else we're all missing here.

"Did you know the identity of the body when you first saw it?" I asked.

"Yes," Suzaku said with a nod. "It was unmistakably the false hierophant.  His is a face that none of the Four Benevolent Animals will soon forget."

"And I suppose you were wondering what he was doing here, right?"

Suzaku arched an eyebrow. "I'm not sure what you're getting at, Star Amethyst.  Of course I wondered that.  I'm still wondering that.  He managed to pass me by and get himself killed without so much as making a noise or casting a shadow.  It shouldn't be possible for him to do that."

"I know, I know," I said. "But that's not quite what I meant."

"Hmm?"

"I mean, did you ever wonder what he was doing in the Mewlun Mountains in the first place?"

Suzaku furrowed his brow and preened himself. "The thought has crossed my mind once or twice, yes.  But to be frank, I don't think it matters in the grand scheme of things.  All that concerns me is that he's dead, and that his corpse is desecrating the Great Kohryu's sacred home."

"But, didn't he take advantage of that stupid curse you all were under and make you his slaves?" asked Pinkie, tilting her head.

"This is true, equine," said Suzaku. "However, it is against the Great Kohryu's teachings to hold a grudge.  Any ill will we had towards him disappeared the moment he left our lives."

So Suzaku doesn't know what Dodger was doing here, nor does he care.  Normally I'd question this, but he seems to have his reasons.  Nevertheless, I think this is a question worth answering.  And thinking back on it, I just might have that answer.

"It might not be important to you or the Great Kohryu, Mr. Suzaku," I said, brushing the underside of my nose. "But the fact remains that Dodger's reasons for coming here didn't die with him."

"You have my attention, Star Amethyst," said Suzaku, leaning in expectantly. "Please, elaborate."

"Let's start with this.  Did you know that there's currently a bounty on Dodger's head?"

Suzaku's feathers ruffled. "I-I was not aware of this, no."

"Well, you are now," I said. "He fled from his captors a while ago, and from what I understand, he was last sighted here in the Mewlun Mountains.  But because of the Neko Shogunate's strict laws against outsiders trespassing, no one has been able to go after him."

"That's all well and good, Star Amethyst, but you're neglecting a crucial detail," said Suzaku. "The Grand Shoguns have ordered that any Diamond Dog in their land is to be executed on sight.  By fleeing into their territory, the false hierophant was walking right into death's embrace."

"Ah, but here's where it gets interesting," I said. "If what you said is true, and it is, Dodger should've been dead long before he scaled Mt. Kohryu.  That means he either evaded detection somehow, or he was dragged up here by his murderer."

"Hold on there, Sparkler," said Applejack. "Didn't Derpy bring up the possibility that a Diamond Dog could sneak in to these here mountains by burrowin' underground?"

"Exactly," I said. "In fact, I'm willing to bet that's precisely what Dodger did."

"But then, what of his murder and murderer?" asked Suzaku. "Perhaps it was someone who wanted to collect the bounty."

"No, that's not it," I said, shaking my head. "The bounty itself was placed by Sykes Silvervest; Dodger's former boss and one of the most influential Diamond Dogs in the underground network.  When he found out that Dodger had slipped out of the range of his bounty hunters, he sent his own goons, Rosco and Desoto, to collect him.  They've been arguing with the border patrol for weeks, trying to get the Neko Shogunate to turn him over."

"Wait a minute.  I just had an idea!" Pinkie exclaimed. "What if Dodger snuck into the Mewlum Mountains knowing that Sykes Silvervest couldn't follow him?"

"I dunno, Pink.  That varmint would have to be mighty slippery if this was his best option," said Applejack, stroking her chin. "'Sides, what exactly was he plannin' to do while he was here?  He couldn't have been thinkin' that he could hide out here forever, could he?"

I furrowed my brow.  Applejack's right.  The only reason I can think of for Dodger to come here is that he wanted to bide his time and make another attempt at taking down Sykes Silvervest.  But last time he tried to do that, he had an army of teenage dragons, the Four Benevolent Animals, and the Great Kohryu on his side.  Once all that was stripped away from him, he had nothing.  And he certainly wasn't going to find what he was looking for in the Mewlun Mountains.  So, what would he be doing here?

"He obviously had some reason for being here," I mused. "I have no idea what that may be, but it must've been pretty important for him to risk his neck like he did.  I'm sure we'll figure it out later.  Right now, let's focus on something else.  Mr. Suzaku?"

"Yes, Star Amethyst?"

"You claimed that absolutely nothing happened last night.  Do you stick to that story?"

Suzaku brushed his beak with his wing. "Well, that's not exactly an easy question to answer, now is it?  Yes, from my perspective, nothing happened.  But just because I didn't see something doesn't mean it didn't occur."

"You ain't gettin' any argument from us," said Applejack. "What I wanna know is how that can be the case if you were supposed to be standin' guard."

Suzaku narrowed his eyes. "You insult my honor again, equine.  I find that most uncalled for."

"Look, it's no big deal," said Pinkie with a shrug. "I fell asleep while guarding MMMM before.  It happens to the best of us."

"I know not what this MMMM is, but I'm certain my duty as the Great Kohryu's acolyte is much more important," said Suzaku stiffly.

"It ain't really a matter of importance, partner," said Applejack, adjusting her hat. "I just wanna make sure you're not hidin' anythin' from us.  I'm a bit of a stickler for honesty, y'see."

"I can vouch for her, Mr. Suzaku," I said. "Applejack is one of the most honest ponies I know.  To a fault, even."

"Mmm.  I see," Suzaku said thoughtfully. "I suppose I can respect that.  Very well.  To defend my honor as the Great Kohryu's acolyte, I shall demonstrate precisely how this cannot be the case."

"We're all ears," said Applejack with a nod.

Why do I get the feeling that Applejack's blunt nature might get us into trouble sometime down the line?  Seriously, she's lucky Suzaku is being so patient with us.  I realize that we're pretty much surrounded by friends here, and I'll admit that we really are looking for honest answers here.  Still, in the future, it might not be wise for us to push our luck like that.  Oh well.  If it means Suzaku has something we can work with, I'll take what I can get.


***
Testimony: What Couldn't Have Happened
***


"The Four Benevolent Animals take turns standing in the Welcoming Chamber and greeting those that enter the Great Kohryu's home," said Suzaku. "To prepare for our shifts, we hibernate the day before our turn arises.  That way, there is no risk of us falling asleep while standing guard.  As such, nothing short of a special incantation should've escaped my sight."

Wait.  That last part.  Something about it is triggering a memory from back in July.  I-I need to find out what he's talking about.  It's just a hunch, but if it's correct, this whole mess will start making sense.

"What do you mean by a 'special incantation?'" I inquired.

"There is a sacred barrier set up within the walls of this cavern," explained Suzaku. "Magic that is cast with malevolent intention will not work here."

"Mind bein' a bit more specific?" asked Applejack, arching an eyebrow.

"If a spell's purpose is to harm another, then it cannot be used in the home of the Great Kohryu," said Suzaku. "This is a place of peace, after all."

"So, this barrier can distinguish between spells meant to harm someone and spells that could harm someone, right?" I said. "'Cause I just used my gem-cutting spell a few minutes ago, and it worked just fine."

"Yes, that is a bit of a loophole in the enchantment," said Suzaku, hiding his face with one wing. "It's not an easy fix, either.  This is something that's even beyond the Great Kohryu's capabilities."

"And does this apply to any sort of magic?"

"It does.  Evil charms will also lose their function here."

So, as long as a spell is not specifically designed to hurt anyone, it can be utilized in Kohryu's home.  Meaning a seemingly benign spell can still be used for evil intentions.  And I know just the thing that falls under that category.

"I think I know why you didn't notice anything last night, Mr. Suzaku," I said, brushing the underside of my nose.

"Ya do?" said Applejack. "Well, don't keep us in suspense, sugarcube.  Whatcha thinkin'?"

"Well, it's just as Suzaku said.  The only way something could've gotten by him is if there was some sort of magic involved," I stated. "And there's one form of magic that can account for a lot of what happened here."

Derpy gasped. "Ammy, you don't mean..."

"I'm afraid I do, Mom," I said. "This is just a hunch, but I think the culprit was using Shroud Emeralds."

"Ca-raw!"

Suzaku let out a surprised screech as his feathers bristled and his shoulders stiffened.

"Wh-wha?  What's wrong?" asked Applejack. "What're Shroud Emeralds?"

"A very rare and dangerous form of magic," Suzaku said darkly. "Star Amethyst, I do believe you can explain better than I can."

"Sure," I said, clearing my throat. "Shroud Emeralds are a type of mystical gemstone; similar to Fire Rubies and stuff like that.  Under the influence of a Shroud Emerald, the wielder and all of his and her activities go completely unnoticed for a few hours.  From an outsider's perspective, it looks like nothing's happening.  These gemstones were used to great effect by Dodger as part of the protection racket back in July."

"Yeah, I remember that," said Pinkie, scrunching up her face and nodding contemplatively. "But those things are supposed to be like super rare, aren't they?  And they break as soon as you use them.  How did Dodger get his paws on more?"

"I don't know," I confessed. "I don't even know if he's the one who had them.  But that has to be why there's no evidence of the murder taking place here besides the body.  I can't think of any other illusion enchantments that are that powerful."

"That's because there aren't any," growled Suzaku. "It's why that here in the Mewlun Mountains, they are reserved to only the most deadly of assassin.  At least until the Grand Shoguns outlawed their use many moons ago.  Whoever committed this atrocity has no regard for any of the Neko Shogunate's laws."

"Hold on a second," I said. "If Shroud Emeralds became such a problem that they were banned, does that mean they're more abundant in the Mewlun Mountains than in Equestria?"

"That would appear to be the case," Suzaku sighed.

Hmm.  That would give Dodger a good reason to come here.  When Mare-Do-Well and I took down the protection racket, his ready supply of Shroud Emeralds must've been cut off.  And speaking from experience, they do make a powerful weapon even though they don't technically hurt anyone.  Nevertheless, there's still something that bothers me.  Did Dodger somehow know that he'd find Shroud Emeralds here?  If so, how?  And furthermore, if it's the fake Mare-Do-Well that's using Shroud Emeralds, how did she get her hooves on them?

"Do you think you can prove this Shroud Emerald theory, Ammy?" asked Derpy.

"I wouldn't really know where to start," I said, heaving a great sigh. "The spell probably wore off long ago, which is why Dodger's corpse is plainly visible."

"Well, I think we should file it under Important Stuff, anyway," said Pinkie. "Remember what Twilight said about all of Mare-Do-Well's previous mysteries being connected to this one?  This might be another one of those connections."

Applejack arched an eyebrow, seeming a bit skeptical about the idea. "Pinkie, Twilight said that they might be connected.  We don't know that for sure."

"Hey, it's better than nothing in my book," I said with a shrug.

"I suppose," Applejack sighed. "So, y'think we're done here?"

"Pretty much," I said, bowing to Suzaku. "Thanks for helping us out like this."

"'Tis my pleasure, Star Amethyst," said Suzaku with a bow. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I should probably recover my strength.  Flying from here to the Capital City is quite a journey."

With that, he flew up to a large bird's nest tucked away in a small cranny close to the ceiling.

"We probably should leave him be," I said. "Let's go see if Orph's found anything new."

"We're right behind you, Ammy," said Derpy. "Lead the way."

"Um, do we even know how to get back?" asked Applejack nervously.

Crap, that's right.  We really don't know our way around here, do we?  We should've asked Suzaku to lead us back, but he's asleep right now.  Ugh, Celestia dammit.

"Don't worry, everypony!  Where there's a will, there's a way!" cheered Pinkie. "If we don't find it ourselves, I'm sure Mr. Kohryu or someone else will come and get us!  C'mon!"

Before we could stop her, Pinkie darted on ahead.

"Hoo boy.  Here we go again," said Applejack, letting out an exasperated sigh and rolling her eyes.

With that, we all took off after Pinkie.  Y'know, she's actually kinda right.  Getting lost in here is not really something we have to worry about.  Trust me, there's plenty of other stuff that fills that category.  Still, leave it to Pinkie Pie to find the silver lining in any raincloud.

In a way, I'm kinda glad that she's here.  Somepony has to keep our spirits up throughout this whole ordeal; it might as well be her.  I just hope her enthusiasm lasts.  We already bumped into one thing that even Pinkie can't laugh off, and that was the death of Dodger Dragonvest.  If we bump into something that's just as bad or even worse, then we're in real trouble...
> Phantom Photobomb (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:33 AM
Canterlot Castle
Royal Observatory
***


"Ooh, wow~!  I gotta say, I really like what Princess Luna did with the place."

I really have to agree with Spike here.  While most of Canterlot Castle has remained unchanged since I was studying magic as Princess Celestia's personal student, I haven't exactly been to the Royal Observatory since my astronomy exam back when I was a filly.  Seeing it again now, well, it's obvious that Princess Luna has added a lot of her personal touches.  There were no torches on the spiral staircase leading up the tower, but instead luminescent crystals that shimmered like stars.  At least, I think they were crystals; it's very hard to tell.  Walking up the stairs felt like very much like ascending into the heavens on a clear night.  It's quite breathtaking, actually.

"I suggest you keep your voice down, Mr. The Dragon," Kibitz whispered brusquely. "Princess Luna might still be asleep, and she has no mercy for anypony who wakes her up."

"I don't think we have to worry too much about that, Kibitz," I said. "For one, I've seen Princess Luna active during the day plenty of times.  She's probably out and about right now.  Secondly, if what you say is true, why did the Royal Guard bother to turn her bedchamber into a makeshift darkroom in the first place?"

Kibitz cleared his throat. "I-I cannot say, Your Highness.  Still, better safe than sorry."

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "Considering we're conducting an important investigation here, I think we can risk dealing with the wrath of a groggy Luna, don't you?"

Kibitz had no response to that.  We continued up the stairwell in silence until we reached the door leading into Luna's bedchamber.  I gave the door a light tap.

"Hello?" I called out.

The door creaked open.  Much to my surprise, Princess Luna herself poked her head out.  Despite Kibitz's fears, she actually looked quite happy to see us.

"Ah, Twilight," she said pleasantly. "I see you got my message.  Please, come in."

Before I could ask what she meant, she opened the door all the way and invited us inside.  I took a cursory look around to see if everything was in order.  All windows and light sources covered so that no light could damage the photos: Check.  Trays of the appropriate chemicals set up nice and neatly: Check.  Photos themselves hung up to dry on a clothesline and over a drip pan: Check.  Huh.  For a makeshift darkroom, it actually isn't half bad.  Especially considering that the Royal Guard is probably not trained to handle something like this.

"Um, good morning to you, Your Highness," said Kibitz, wiping some sweat from his brow with his handkerchief. "I, do hope the Royal Guard didn't disturb you too badly."

"Not at all, not at all," said Luna. "In fact, I was the one who set up this area."

I gave Luna a quizzical look. "Really?  Celestia and Holy Lance never said anything about that."

"Well, nopony in the Royal Guard knows that much about photography, so I had to supervise," Luna explained. "That being said, they did do most of the work."

"Ah, I see," I said with a nod.  Truth be told, I wasn't expecting Luna to be involved in this process at all.  Not because she's a princess or anything; that's not really an excuse in this day and age.  However, she was banished to the moon for a thousand years after becoming Nightmare Moon and trying to overthrow her own sister.  After she returned to normal, she had trouble adjusting to modern pony society.  At least, that's what I had gathered from one particular Nightmare Night when I helped her win the respect of her subjects.  But, that was a long time ago, too.  I'm sure she's come a long way since then.  She must have if she's able to supervise a delicate procedure that wasn't around at the time when she was banished.

"I wasn't aware you knew all that much about photography yourself, Princess Luna," said Shining Armor.

Luna shrugged. "When you have your picture taken enough times, you get curious," she said simply. "Anyway, what matters is that the photographs that Ms. Photo Finish took at the Gala last night have been fully developed.  Here."

Using her magic, she delicately took five photographs from the clothesline and set them daintily on the table next to the chemical pans.  As Kibitz drew back the curtains, the rest of us gathered around for a closer look.

Just as I thought, all five of the photos were of Coco Pommel standing in the East Garden.  Looking at them now, I can see why Photo Finish chose her to be her next model.  Instead of proud and dynamic like most fashion models, Coco's poses could only be described as sheepish and timid.  It's very reminiscent of Photo Finish's previous work with Fluttershy, actually.  At this point, I'm guessing this kind of thing is Photo Finish's motif or something along those lines.  I'm not entirely familiar with her work, so I can't really say for certain.

"So, what exactly are we looking for, Twi?" asked Spike, scratching his head. "'Cause I don't think I'm seeing it."

"According to the aerial schematic we got from the Wonderbolts, the crime scene was just within the camera's field of vision," I explained. "Therefore, we need to find some evidence to that effect."

"It might also help if we knew the exact time when these photos were taken," added Shining. "You wouldn't happen to know that, would you, Luna?"

"They should be in order from left to right, according to the guards that confiscated Ms. Finish's camera," said Luna. "However, that's all we were able to figure out."

That would make sense.  Cameras like the one Photo Finish uses don't typically display timestamps.  Only more casual models and security cameras do that sort of thing.  Nevertheless, Photo Finish did give us a narrow-enough timeframe to work with, so the exact specifics don't matter too much in the grand scheme of things.

"Alright, let's each take a photo and see what we can find," I said. "Spike, you start with the earliest one.  Then Kibitz, then Shining, then myself, and Luna will look at the latest.  If anyone finds anything of significance, just speak up."

Shining chuckled. "That's just what I'd expect from you, Twilie.  Always so organized and on top of things, no matter what.  I'm glad you're the one leading this investigation."

I gave Shining a knowing smirk. "Save the flattery for after we solve this mystery, BBBFF," I chided playfully.

"Alright, alright," Shining said with a laugh. "I just thought I'd throw that out there, y'know?  For those of us who weren't entirely convinced of that yet."

I think I know exactly whom he's referring to.  Sure enough, Kibitz let out an irritable sigh before muttering something under his breath.  I'm guessing it was something about him still finding this to be unorthodox.  Well, he can grumble about it all he wants, but it's not going to change anything.  The sooner he accepts that a princess is allowed to get her hooves dirty, the better off we'll all be.

We each took our designated photo.  To the naked eye, mine didn't seem to be all that significant.  It was just a shy-looking Coco Pommel wearing a beautiful powder blue ball gown that was like nothing I've ever seen before (I'm assuming that she made it herself in order to promote her own work, which was part of the deal she made with Photo Finish).  But as I took a closer look, I noticed a strange anomaly in the background.  It appeared to be a wisp of, something or other blowing past and rustling the branches of the trees overhead.  It was almost as if part of the night sky had made its way into the foreground.  That's the best way I can describe it, anyway.  Actually, now that I think about it, I feel like I've seen this wisp somewhere before.  I can't quite put my hoof on it, though.  Hmm.

"I do believe I've found something."

My musings were interrupted by Luna holding her photo aloft.

"Well, what is it?" I inquired.

"Look here," said Luna, laying the photo on the table and pointing with her hoof. "Notice how the model's ears have perked up here?  That indicates that she might've heard something."

I compared Luna's photo with my own, and I immediately saw her point.  In my photo, Coco's ears were folded back, and she was blushing slightly.  In Luna's photo, she appeared to be much more alert.  Photo Finish must've taken this photo the minute they realized that something was amiss.

"I see," I said, tapping my chin. "Anything else?"

"Just over here," said Luna, pointing at the far left side of the photograph. "It's hard to make out, but I do believe that white speck might be part of Blueblood's horn.  It also seems to be enveloped in some sort of aura."

I squinted and took a closer look at the spot Luna indicated.  Indeed, there was a slight discoloration in that area of the photo, and it was surrounding a barely visible white speck.  It's no stretch of the imagination to say that Photo Finish would miss something this minute while she was taking these pictures.

"Well, that's better than me, at least," said Shining. "I didn't find anything out of the ordinary here."

"Nor did I," said Kibitz.

"Ditto," added Spike. "What about you, Twi?"

"Well, that's debatable," I said, laying my photo down. "I saw this wisp over here, just above Coco's head, but I'm not quite sure what it is."

Luna leaned in close and gave the photo a long, particular look.  After a pregnant pause, she gasped and placed a hoof to her mouth.

"I-impossible," she stammered. "Th-that can't be right at all."

"What?  What is it?" I asked.

"That wisp you're referring to," said Luna. "I've seen it before.  I-it's the Nightmare Forces."

"WHAT?!"

Spike let out a roar of surprise as he recoiled from this revelation.  I had more or less the same reaction.  For those who are unaware, the Nightmare Forces are creatures that live on the moon.  They were parasitic creatures, fueling their victim's fears and darker emotions through nightmares until the victim allows them to overtake their body and mind.  It is through their manipulations that Princess Luna's jealousy and loneliness spiraled out of control, eventually turning her into Nightmare Moon.

But as Luna said, this development is impossible.  Many moons ago, the Nightmare Forces latched onto another victim in the form of Rarity.  They chose her so that their one weakness, the Elements of Harmony, would be rendered useless.  Despite this, they were soundly defeated, and two of the creatures even vowed to change their ways and prevent anything like that from happening again.  What are they doing back?

"Th-this is most peculiar, to be sure," I said. "I really thought they left us for good after last time."

"They did," Luna said darkly.

I did a double take. "Wait, huh?  How can you be so sure?"

"As the Princess of the Night, it is my duty to walk through everypony's dream," said Luna. "If the Nightmare Forces did return, I would've sensed their presence long ago.  However, that has not been the case."

"Th-then what's the explanation for that?" said Spike, jabbing his claw at the photo.

Luna let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know.  The magic of the Nightmare Forces is not something that's easily replicated.  Only the most powerful practitioners of dark magic could do something like that."

Throughout my trials and tribulations, I've come into contact with many a foe that would fit that description.  However, most of those foes are either reformed, locked up in Tartarus, or dead.  It's very possible that we're dealing with something entirely new.  Could it be that Mare-Do-Well's impostor is the reason behind this anomaly?  No, that doesn't make sense.  Mare-Do-Well's structure was based off of a pegasus, not a unicorn.  If the impostor had a different structure, that would be a dead giveaway, now wouldn't it?  I suppose she could've been using Pan's Music Code, just like Spitfire and Octavia described.  But I don't think Pan has any spells like that in his repertoire.  Ugh, it's so confusing!

"You alright, Twilie?" asked Shining. "You look a bit pained."

I suddenly remembered a special technique Cadence taught me a while back to calm my nerves.  In a fluid motion, I placed a hoof to my chest and took a deep breath.  As I exhaled, I extended my foreleg.  With that exhale, my mind became a bit clearer.

"It seems this mystery is far from over," I said. "To find out what really happened in these photographs, we're going to need to talk to Prince Blueblood again and get the full story from him."

"Assuming he's not ranting about his accommodations, that is," Spike said sardonically.

"After that talking Celestia gave him?  I highly doubt it," Shining snickered. "Blueblood might be a stuck-up snob, but he knows better than to get on his aunt's bad side."

"Indeed," said Luna. "I've seen Celie scold Blueblood before.  It's not a pretty sight, and it's certainly not something he wants if he wishes to recover from this attack."

That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be amiable, but I guess it's better than nothing.

"Well, I think I know where we should head to next," I said. "Thank you for your help, Luna."

"My pleasure," Luna said with a bow. "Kibitz?"

"Um, yes?"

"If you could, make sure these three photos are returned to Ms. Photo Finish, would you?"

Kibitz took a moment to clear his throat. "Uh, of course.  Anything you say, Your Highness."

I turned to Luna and arched an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you be entirely capable of doing it yourself?"

"Well, yes," said Luna with a giggle. "But what's the point of being a princess if you don't have somepony else do things for you?"

Okay, I know that Luna isn't that lazy.  She does take it upon herself to walk through everypony's dreams, after all; not to mention her countless other duties.  As such, I'm guessing that was a joke.  At least, I'm hoping it was a joke.

"No comment," I said.

"I'm just kidding, Twilight," said Luna. "I'm actually intrigued by this supposed return of the Nightmare Forces.  I have to look into this.  If I discover anything, I'll be sure to let you know."

Ah, so that was a joke.  That's a relief.

"Right.  Thanks," I said with a nod. "Good luck with that."

"Best of luck to you as well, Twilight," said Luna with a serene smile. "And be sure to keep on your guard."

"I will," I said firmly.  And with that, we made our way back downstairs.  Well, it seems Photo Finish was wrong, at least partially.  Some of these photos do contain valuable evidence.  The only question is, what do they mean?  And I know this might sound a bit pessimistic, but I'm not entirely sure if Blueblood has the answer to that question.  I guess there's only one way to find out, I suppose.  But considering the mood he's in, I'm not exactly looking forward to it...
> Softer Sides (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:33
Epiphany University
Staff Building
***


"Man, this bites.  Why does the Griffon Magistrate want us to do her dirty work, anyway?  I'm pretty sure we're not trained for this."

"If you have time to complain, you have time to investigate, Privé Gilda."

Oh, joy.  Just what I want to hear when I come back to a crime scene: Disputes among the investigators.  I mean, I see Gilda's point and all; the Proud Pride doesn't normally handle this kind of thing.  Nevertheless, I'm guessing that Pierre volunteered their services to find out what happened to his comrade.  From what I've been hearing out of Gilda's beak since I met her, she's not too happy about that.  And when we entered Kierra's office, we didn't exactly improve her mood.

"What're you guys doing back here?" she snarled, giving us the evil eye. "I thought the Griffon Magistrate sent you packing."

"We had a bit of a discussion with her," I said. "She's allowing us to investigate for the time being.  Oh, and just so you know, she doesn't consider this to be a suicide anymore."

Pierre nodded. "That's welcome news, Capitaine Spitfire.  I personally didn't think that was the case, either."

"Yeah, but she still doesn't seem to like us," said Blaze with a pout. "What's her deal, anyway?"

Pierre sighed. "You have to forgive her, Mademoiselle Blaze.  She is the first hippogriff to earn the prestigious position of Griffon Magistrat, and because of that, she feels that she has something to prove."

"I don't see what her big deal is," said Gilda with a shrug. "I mean, so what is her mom's a pony?  That's not a reflection on her as a magistrate.  Heck, any pony that has the guts to fly with a griffon is pretty badass in my book."

Wow.  That's, actually a very intelligent way of looking at things.  Maybe Gilda's not as bad as I thought.

"Heh, I guess that means we're cool with you, now that we're working together, huh G?" said Rainbow Dash hopefully.

Gilda scoffed. "Don't get your hopes up, Dash.  You're still a flip-flopper."

Rainbow Dash flattened her ears and sighed.  I'm starting to think that Eagle Eye isn't the only one around here who feels like she has something to prove.  Again, I've seen ponies who are just like Gilda all the time at the Academy.  They think that being tough means you have to be an insensitive jerk.  That is simply not the case.  It's a very inauthentic way of looking at yourself, and I just wish it would stop.  But, I'm getting off-track.

"So, you guys find anything new?" I asked.

"Just a bunch of egghead stuff," said Gilda indifferently. "Books, random notes, more books, y'know."

Rainbow Dash deadpanned. "I think we're looking for something a bit more specific here, G.  I mean, did you even bother to read any of those notes?"

Gilda blinked. "Dash, who do you think you're talking to?  Do I look like an egghead?"

"Since when is that a prerequisite for reading?" inquired Misty Fly.

Rainbow Dash cringed a bit at Misty Fly's statement (or it might've been in response to Gilda; I can't really tell).  I don't really know why, nor do I think it's any of my business.

"Mind your tongue, Privé Gilda," Pierre scolded. "Epiphany University is a place of study and learning.  No one here wishes to listen to your imbecilic insults."

"Pfft, whatever," said Gilda, rolling her eyes. "It's not like I want to be here."

"Right, 'cause the rest of us were really looking forward to investigating a murder today," Rainbow Dash said dryly. "You're not alone on this, G, so don't act like it, alright?"

Gilda glowered. "Shut up, Dash," she spat.  She then opened one of Kierra's desk drawers and started rummaging through it.

Drake let out an exasperated snort and shook his head.  Honestly, I'm right there with him, and I don't even know Gilda all that well.

"I take it you've been having these issues with Private Gilda for a while now," said Misty Fly.

"You could say that," said Pierre sheepishly. "Truth be told, when Privé Gilda learned that I was bringing back the Proud Pride, she was one of the first to volunteer."

"No surprise there," said Rainbow Dash. "Heck, I pretty much did the same thing when I heard about the Wonderbolt Reserves."

"Yeah, but you were basically a shoe-in for that," said Blaze, playfully nudging Rainbow Dash with her elbow.

Rainbow Dash blushed. "Y-you really think so?  I-I mean, I am awesome and all, but..."

"Knock it off, Blaze," I sighed. "Really, you should know better than to tease new recruits like that."

"Who said I was teasing?" Blaze said with a shrug. "I'm just saying that Gilda here doesn't seem to have the same credentials as Private Dash."

"Um, hello?!  I can still hear you!" Gilda snapped. "And I'll have you know that I'm just as awesome as Dash, if not more awesome!"

I resisted the urge to smack my forehead.  Blaze really has to think before she speaks.  The worst part is I know she's fully capable of doing that.  Sometimes, I think she just does that to annoy me.  While I wouldn't put it past her, this really isn't the time for that.

"Well, while we're on the subject, Private Gilda, I'm a bit curious," I said. "What are your credentials for joining the Proud Pride?"

Gilda smirked. "Heh, I'm glad you asked," she gushed. "Top-ranked flyer of the Junior Speedsters, star athlete of Antiock Academy Arrows rugby team, formal boot camp training, and I was a warden at Nemean Correctional Facility."

Okay, for all intents and purposes, that's really not half-bad.  I question the boot camp training as she seems to be anything but disciplined, but if I saw that on an application to the Wonderbolts, they'd have a decent shot of getting into the Academy.

"Uh, you had me up until that last part, G," said Rainbow Dash, rubbing the side of her head. "What's being a jailer have to do with flying?"

"Perhaps I can answer that," said Pierre, clearing his throat. "Nemean Correctional Facility is the highest security prison in the Griffon Kingdom.  It is the home of the most ruthless of criminals, meaning the staff needs to be trained and dedicated to dealing with anything and everything that might happen there.  Privé Gilda here has thwarted at least three jailbreaks according to her record, and before you ask, le Griffon Magistrat can vouch for her."

I figured it was something along those lines.  Seeing as the Proud Pride was originally a military strike team, it makes sense that Pierre would look for someone with the same skill set.  However, I don't think he was expecting Gilda to be a total thug.  Nothing in her dossier could possibly attest to that.  Still, nice to know that her inclusion in the Proud Pride wasn't completely arbitrary.

"I think we should get back on track with the investigation," said Misty Fly. "Captain le Grand, did you happen to read any of the notes Professor Kierra left?"

"A few," said Pierre, furrowing his brow. "Nothing of interest as of yet.  In fact, none of these are dated any later than the sixth."

According to my calculations, that would mean these notes were taken before Kierra started her research.  Right away, that doesn't sit right with me.

"What about the books?" I asked. "Any idea what she was researching?"

"Magic, apparently," said Pierre with a shrug. "We found several books on alchemy and natural magic, and all of them have at least one bookmarked passage.  None of those books were part of her personal bookshelf."

Meaning she must've checked them out from the campus library.  Now we're getting somewhere.

"Tell me, Captain le Grand.  Would one of these books happen to be about Pan's Music Code, by any chance?" I inquired.

Pierre's eyes went wide. "Th-that's correct, Capitaine Spitfire.  H-how did you know?"

"It's part of a hunch I have," I said with a shrug. "May I see it?"

"O-oh, of course.  Drake, if you please."

Drake saluted and handed me a tattered old tome with what appeared to be sheet music on the cover.  The title read: Pan's Music Code: A Revolution in Natural Magic Theory.  I do believe this was the book that was checked out five days ago.

"If you haven't done so already, I think we should make note of the specific passages she bookmarked," I said, opening the book. "I'm very sure that Kierra's research ties in with her murder.  It would explain why she was acting strange."

"What's so strange about an egghead reading too much?" asked Gilda.

Ugh, really?  Did she really just ask that?  I can't tell if this is merely her tough guy act talking, or if she's seriously just that ignorant.  At this point, both explanations are equally plausible.  There wasn't much point in responding to it either way, so I simply ignored her and flipped the page to where Kierra had left her bookmark.

"Huh.  Now this is fascinating," I said, reading the title of the chapter. "'The Kurama Tengu.'  I thought Kierra was the only scholar to talk about this kind of thing."

"Apparently not," said Misty Fly. "What does it say, Spitfire?"

I quickly skimmed the chapter. "According to this, the Kurama Tengu were among the most powerful clans in the Tengu Dynasty, and it was all thanks to Pan's Music Code.  One unnamed tengu somehow learned the code from Pan, but was quickly assassinated.  The Kurama Tengu used this new magic to overpower their foes, warding off disease and bringing them good luck in battle."

"I don't think we ever had to deal with anything like that when we trounced them at the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet," said Blaze, tapping her muzzle. "You'd think the Tengu Empress would like guys like them on her front lines."

"That's just it," I said, reading further. "The Tengu Emperor at the time deemed them to be too much of a threat, so he had the entire clan slaughtered and their musical instruments destroyed.  There's nothing to suggest that any of them escaped, at least not in this book.  Pan himself is quoted to say that this was his greatest mistake as a minstrel mage, and that he vowed to make sure his magic was never used for violence ever again."

"Riveting," said Gilda, her voice slick with sarcasm. "So, what does that have to do with Professor Kierra biting the dust, huh?"

"I don't know yet," I admitted. "But if Kierra was looking into this, there has to be a reason why.  And it could very well tie in with Mare-Do-Well and her impostor."

"And Gypsy Moth.  Let's not forget about her," Blaze added.

Misty Fly knitted her brow. "Something seems to be bothering you about Gypsy Moth, Blaze.  Are you okay?"

"Huh?  What're you talking about?" said Blaze. "I'm fine, really.  I just think we need to keep that option open, y'know?"

"Blaze, trust me.  We're keeping that option open, I promise," I said firmly. "But we can't just accuse her when we don't have any proof that she did anything wrong.  She is in prison, after all."

"Wait wait wait.  Are we talking about the same Gypsy Moth here?" said Gilda.

Rainbow Dash tilted her head. "You know her, G?"

"'Course I do.  She's over in Nemean," said Gilda. "I've talked to her plenty of times when I was a warden over there.  She's very senile, but she wasn't making any plans to break out last I checked.  Not that she could, anyway."

Hmm.  Maybe I'm looking too much into this, but Gilda was kinda quick to jump to Gypsy Moth's defense there.  Again, there's nothing saying whether she's involved or not beyond Kierra's research, and even that is kinda sketchy at the moment.  But while I can understand why Blaze seems adamant about indicting her, I don't know why Gilda is acting as her advocate.  This might be something to bring up with the Griffon Magistrate, as I doubt Gilda is at liberty to discuss her reasons.

"Let's come back to that later," I said, clearing my throat. "Is there anything else of interest?"

"Actually, there is one more thing Drake found," said Pierre. "Drake?"

Drake nodded and pulled out a miniature cassette tape.  There were no visible labels on it indicating what it was.  Upon closer observation, I could see that the tape was exhausted.

"You think Kierra recorded something on this?" I asked.

"It's highly possible," said Pierre. "However, much to our confusion, we could not find her tape recorder anywhere.  I'm sure Directeur Hawke or le Griffon Magistrat have access to a tape deck, though."

First the blotted-out letter, and now a missing tape recorder.  I'm starting to think that someone else was in this room, and that they were trying to dispose of evidence.  However, I know full well that Kierra and campus security were the only ones with access to this room.  And since the door was locked when we first arrived, we know that the lock wasn't picked.  So then why...

Hang on.  I think I might've answered my own question just now.

"One last thing, Captain le Grand," I said. "Is Kierra's key in this room right now?"

Pierre stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, it's not on her person, if that's what you mean.  We haven't found it in any of her desk drawers yet, either.  Why do you ask, Capitaine Spitfire?"

"I've got another hunch," I said darkly. "I'm kinda hoping this one's wrong, but just in case, I think you guys should really start looking for that key."

Pierre's brow furrowed. "We'll keep our eyes out for it, Capitaine Spitfire.  What will you be doing in the meantime?"

"Saving you guys a trip," I said, snatching up the cassette tape. "You said that the Griffon Magistrate might have access to a tape deck, right?  Well, I think we need to listen to whatever's recorded on this thing."

"I see.  Good plan, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre with a salute. "Best of luck."

"Same to you, and more of it," I said, returning the salute. "C'mon, Wonderbolts.  Let's head back to the library."

"Sure thing, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "Seeya later, G."

Gilda simply grunted in response, and with that, we left the Proud Pride to their investigation.

"Hey, private?" said Blaze.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Has that Gilda girl always been like that?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Kinda.  I don't remember her holding grudges for this long; that's for sure."

"I notice that she constantly refers to you as a flip-flopper," said Misty Fly. "Perhaps she feels you betrayed her somehow?"

"Yeah, I think that's the case," Rainbow Dash sighed. "Still, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  Being loyal means you gotta let your friends know when they're screwing up, y'know?"

I let out a self-mocking snicker despite myself.  I know full well what Rainbow Dash is talking about.  After all, she gave me the same treatment whenever I messed up.  Unlike Gilda, however, I take her advice to heart and become a better pony because of it.  Maybe if Gilda did the same, she wouldn't need to act like such a thug.

But, that's neither here nor there.  We still have an impostor to catch, and we all need to work together to catch her, personal baggage notwithstanding.  If tensions between us mount too high, well, she can use that to her advantage.  And I'm not about to let that happen.  I can't let that happen.  Not now, not ever.
> Confrontation: Babs Seed (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:02 PM
Lincolt Center
The Whinnyton Maresalis Theater
***


"This ain't fair!  I gotta find that punk!  L-let me go!"

"And let you get yourself into trouble?  No dice, kiddo."

We didn't have to explore the Music Floor for long before we heard familiar shouts coming from one of the bigger theaters in Lincolt Center.  Sure enough, we arrived on the scene to find Mike Check standing right in front of the stage, gripping a flailing Babs Seed in his orange magical aura.  As we got closer, I could see that Babs's mane was disheveled, and her coat was covered in a fine layer of soot.  Mike didn't look much better, either.  Neither of them appeared to be hurt, though, so that's something, I guess.

"Um, they seem to be a bit, preoccupied," said Fluttershy meekly, turning herself around. "M-maybe we should leave..."

"And go where?" asked Vinyl, raising an eyebrow. "We can't go back to see Lockdown because of the fuzz, Sapphie's in the hospital, and I really don't feel like interrogating a traumatized filly.  Babs is our best lead right now."

"While there's no disputing that, I understand what Fluttershy is saying," Rarity said thoughtfully. "This is a rather delicate situation.  It wouldn't necessarily be prudent of us to interfere."

Vinyl deadpanned. "We've got an anonymous assailant on the loose who may or may not be a fake Mare-Do-Well.  I don't think we really have the luxury of being 'prudent,' whatever the heck that means."

I'd actually be more surprised if she did know what that word meant.  Still, I do see her point.  If we don't pursue this lead, we'd basically be sitting around doing nothing.  I doubt any of us want that.  That being the case, it's a bit hard to watch this exchange play out.  I'm actually having difficulty deciding whether I sympathize with Mike or Babs.  Perhaps it would be best if we did give them some time to sort this out before we...

"Oh, hey there, ladies.  You ponies actually have pretty good timing.  Think you can lend me a hoof with Babs over here?"

Before I could decide what to do, the choice was made for me when Mike noticed us and waved us over.  With not other options at this point, we ventured forward.

"How can we help, Mr. Check?" I inquired, even though I already had a feeling what the answer was going to be.

"It seems that my new assistant has a bit of a death wish," Mike said with a snort. "I've been trying to calm her down and get her to stop being reckless, but she's not listening to me."

"Hey, I'm not letting this jerk get away with hurtin' my friend!" Babs snapped.

Rarity sighed and stepped towards Babs. "Babs, I promise.  None of us are going to let that happen," she said, her tone soft yet firm. "But it's not safe for a filly your age to be running around chasing after a dangerous ruffian.  You really could've gotten hurt, or worse.  I don't think Sweetie Belle would be very happy if that happened, do you?"

Babs paused for a moment before letting out a great sigh. "I-I guess not."

"Right," said Rarity with a nod. "So, no more running off on your own, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," Babs conceded.

Vinyl smirked. "What was that you were saying about this being a delicate situation, Rarity?"

"Just because it was a delicate situation doesn't mean I wasn't prepared for it," Rarity replied. "Believe me, I understand where Babs is coming from with this."

Mike chuckled. "Boy, I sure wish I had you around when Babs ran off," he said, setting Babs to the ground. "It would've made this a lot less frustrating."

"Do we want to know what you mean by that?" said Vinyl.

Mike sighed. "To make a long story short, I kinda had to chase her all over the freaking building," he said. "She even tried to sneak through the air ducts, believe it or not."

"I thought the culprit was hidin' in there," Babs said defensively, blowing back her combover. "I wasn't tryin' to get away from you, Mr. Check."

Hmm.  That explains why both Babs and Mike look like they desperately need a shower.  However, I don't see how the details of this chase are relevant to the matter at hoof.  Unless Babs found something of interest while she was on the run, that is.  I suppose we can come to that later, but for right now, there's more pressing business to attend to.

"Actually, Babs Seed, there's a way you can help us with our investigation," I said.

"Yeah?  Whazzat?" asked Babs.

"I remember you claiming that you saw someone go into the Performance Studio, even though Mr. Lockdown insists that nopony got past him," I said. "Do you stand by that claim?"

"Hey, I'm no liar," Babs growled, blowing back her combover. "I know what I saw."

"R-right, of course," I stammered, taken aback by her harsh demeanor. "Well, if that's the case, maybe you can tell us what you saw."

"Honestly, Babs, I'm pretty curious about that myself," said Mike, rubbing the side of his head. "Lockdown's no slouch.  It would be pretty tough for somepony to get by him."

"Look, I saw it with my own two eyes.  Someone else got into that room," Babs insisted.

"Perhaps it would help if you were more specific, darling," said Rarity.

Babs pondered this for a bit before nodding. "Yeah, sure.  No prob."

Well, this is a welcome change of pace from debating Detective Shamus.  Nevertheless, I don't have a good feeling about dealing with this particular testimony.  While I'm glad that Babs is being cooperative with our investigation, she's still a child.  A lot of what she saw could've just been her imagination running away with her.  I hope that doesn't turn out to be the case.  I'd hate to trigger another temper tantrum at a time like this.


***
Testimony: The Intruder
***


"So, I was just heading down the hall, minding my own business, y'know?" said Babs. "Then, all of a sudden, I hear this faint tune coming from one of the performance studios.  When I went to see what it was, I saw the guy slip past Mr. Lockdown and into the Performance Studio.  It looked like some kinda ghost or somethin'.  Then I told Mr. Lockdown about it, and you probably know the rest."

This is just what I feared was going to happen.  And no, it's not because of ghosts being involved.  Rather, I don't know what to make of this.  Either Babs was just imagining things, or she really did see some sort of specter.  Both are credible explanations, but only one is true.  And I suppose I have to go about finding out which one is the right answer.

"So you were in the hallway when you heard this mysterious tune," I said, furrowing my brow. "May I ask why you were there?"

Babs blinked. "Whaddya mean?"

"Well, you're Mr. Check's assistant, aren't you?" I said. "I would think that you would be at the Bent Trumpet setting up the stage."

Babs blushed and hid her bare flank with her tail. "W-well, yeah.  B-but I got a call from Mr. Check tellin' me to be on the lookout for Sweetie Belle, so I decided to take a look around."

Oh, yes.  That did happen, didn't it?  Alright, fair enough.

"So, you simply dropped what you were doing to look for Sweetie Belle, is that it?" I inquired.

"H-hey!  Th-that wasn't it at all!" Babs barked, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of crimson. "S-stop making me look bad in front of Mr. Check, will ya?!"

"I-I do apologize.  I-it's not intentional, I assure you," I said defensively.

"Smooth, Octy," snickered Vinyl.

"You shut up," I snarled. "This isn't exactly easy, you know."

"Never said it was," Vinyl said with a shrug.

Oh, for the love of Pete. "Let's just move on," I sighed, clearing my throat and turning back to Babs. "Now then, you were looking for Sweetie Belle in the hallway, and then you heard this faint tune, correct?"

"Yep," said Babs with a nod.

"Can you describe the tune for me?"

Babs knitted her brow. "Not really.  It was kinda muffled."

"What about this ghost you saw?" inquired Rarity. "Did you get a good look at it?"

Babs tapped her chin. "Kinda.  I mean, it was disappearing into the wall when I spotted it, but I managed to make out some stuff."

"Such as?"

"Well, for starters, the guy was pretty tall.  Taller than Mr. Lockdown, even.  And he looked like he had these things coming out of his back.  I couldn't see what they were before he went through the door, though."

Ah-ha.  I know exactly where I've seen something like that before.

"Well, Babs Seed.  I'm actually inclined to believe you," I said, adjusting my bow-tie.

Babs smiled and puffed out her chest. "Y'see?  I told ya I'm not a liar," she said proudly, blowing back her combover.

"We never said you were lying, Babs," said Mike with a heavy sigh. "Even so, Melody, I'm pretty lost.  This story sounds like an overblown fantasy to me."

"Perhaps on the surface," I said. "But we've come into contact with some evidence that might prove otherwise."

"Oh, you mean that drawing Sweetie Belle made?" said Rarity.

"Precisely," I said with a nod. "You weren't around for this, Mr. Check, but Sweetie Belle did manage to draw a picture of what we believe is her assailant."

"And you're saying this picture matches what Babs saw?" said Mike.

"Mostly," I said. "We can't exactly make a proper comparison, seeing as Babs Seed and Sweetie Belle saw this entity from different angles.  But I do remember Sweetie Belle's drawing having large protrusions coming out of its back."

"Yeah.  Yeah!" said Babs with an enthusiastic nod. "They looked kinda like wings, didn't they?"

"Um, actually, we couldn't tell," said Fluttershy sheepishly. "The drawing itself isn't really that good."

Vinyl shrugged. "Well, if Babs says they're wings, who are we to say they're not?  I mean, she's the one who saw the thing."

"Hang on, we're still forgetting something here," said Mike, raising his hoof. "What about the whole bit with the guy phasing through the wall?"

Mmm.  That was a good point.  However, there is a simple explanation.

"It's possible the culprit used some kind of magic to make themselves etherial," I suggested. "As for what kind of magic was used, I cannot say.  I do have a theory, though."

"Well, lay it on us, Octy," said Vinyl.

"Babs said she heard a tune in the hallway," I said. "I don't have any firm proof of this, but that tune could very well have been Pan's Music Code."

Mike shook his head. "I dunno, Melody.  It doesn't sound like something Pan would do."

"I never said it was Pan," I stated firmly. "We all know he would never do something like this, especially not to a fellow musician like Sapphire Shores.  At the Gala last night, both Ms. Spitfire and Ms. Derpy Hooves claimed to hear some sort of melody before strange happenstance overtook them.  That sounds very much like Pan's Music Code to me."

"So, you think Mare-Do-Well's impostor is here, then?" asked Rarity.

"I can't say for sure," I said. "Not without further evidence."

"Would somethin' like this help?"

Babs pulled out a folded piece of paper.  We all gawked at her for a moment before Rarity spoke up.

"Uh, Babs, darling.  Where did you find that?" she inquired.

"I, kinda don't remember," said Babs, brushing the back of her head sheepishly. "I wasn't really payin' attention to all that much.  I just wanted to find the punk who hurt Sweetie Belle."

"Do you at least know what it is?" asked Fluttershy.

"Yeah.  I mean, I guess," said Babs. "I didn't really have the time to take a good look at it.  I think it's a map or somethin' but that's all I know."

"Well, I'm sure you didn't pick it up for no reason," I said, unfolding the map.  Just as Babs said, it did appear to be some kind of map.  However, I couldn't possibly tell you what it was a map of.  All of the text appeared to have been written in some kind of hieroglyphs.  The shape of the map didn't help, either.  It was so generic that it really could've been any location.

"Yeesh, and I thought Sweetie Belle's drawing was indecipherable," said Vinyl, peering over my shoulder.

"Hmm," I said thoughtfully. "I think our best course of action is to find out how you came across this map, Babs Seed.  Maybe then, we can figure out if it's important or not."

"Uh, yeah.  Sure," said Babs, blowing back her combover. "I mean, I'll do the best I can, but keep in mind everything was very touch-and-go for me while I was chasin' that punk."

"Duly noted," I said with a bow. "I'll be sure to fill in the blanks where I can.  Just tell us what you know."

"Gotcha," said Babs, clearing her throat.


***
Testimony: Finding the Map
***


"So, I was looking for the culprit all over the place, right?" said Babs. "As Mr. Check mentioned, one of those places was the ventilation shaft.  While I was crawling through there, I saw that piece of paper taped to the ceiling.  I thought it was weird, so I snatched it up.  But before I could really look at it, Mr. Check caught up with me and dragged me outta there."

I don't really find fault with any of this, considering the typical attention span of a child.  Nevertheless, Babs might've been onto something here.  After all, finding a map taped to the ceiling of a ventilation shaft is probably one of the most suspicious things one could imagine.  But even so, how exactly did it get there?  While Babs clearly doesn't have the answer to that question, there might be a way to find out.

"I'm actually surprised you didn't drop this when Mr. Check caught you," I mused.

"Yeah, me too," said Babs, blowing back her combover. "I would've lost it if this blast of wind didn't blow it right into my face.  It kinda hurt, actually."

"What, you mean like a paper cut?" said Vinyl.

"Nah, nothin' like that," said Babs, shaking her head. "I don't really know how to describe it.  It was almost like the wind itself was tryin' to blow me away or somethin'.  Mr. Check pulled me out before it could, though."

Wait a tick.  I remember Spitfire telling me about a foe that used wind as a weapon last night, when we shared our Mare-Do-Well stories.  It won't be easy to prove, but it could provide the proper explanation to this phenomenon.  Although, I can't say I like where this is going.

"Babs Seed, I'm afraid I may have some, distressing news," I said, adjusting my bow-tie.

"Huh?  What's up, Tavi?" asked Vinyl.

"I have reason to believe that this gust of wind was no mere gust," I said. "Babs, I think someone didn't want you to find that map, and they were trying to kill you."

"You kiddin' me?!"

Babs recoiled from this revelation, and I cringed.  I didn't like bringing it up any more than she liked hearing it.

"It's a bit of a long story, but I'll try to summarize," I said. "Mr. Check, remember what I told you about Mare-Do-Well being connected to the Tengu Dynasty?"

"Yeah, I think so," Mike mused, furrowing his brow. "Still having trouble wrapping my head around that whole thing, but let's be fair here.  It is a lot to take in.  What're you getting at, Melody?"

"According to Ms. Spitfire, the Tengu Dynasty utilized wind-based weaponry," I explained. "For some reason unbeknownst to us right now, the culprit left that map in the ventilation shaft, thinking that no one could find it.  But when Babs did, he tried to kill her so that she wouldn't steal it."

"This seems very far-fetched, even for you, Melody," said Mike, arching an eyebrow. "I hope you have some other evidence to lend more weight to this theory."

"As a matter of fact, I just might," I said. "Ms. Fluttershy, do you remember the state of Sapphire's costume when you examined it?"

"Um, yes," said Fluttershy, twiddling her hooves.

"And, how did you describe it?"

"I-it was as if it was torn apart by a tornad— oh my goodness!"

Fluttershy gasped, immediately putting the pieces together.

"So, wait.  The fake Mare-Do-Well's in with those bird people now?" said Vinyl, rubbing the side of her head. "This is getting complicated, Tavi."

"Princess Twilight said that all of the mysteries involving Mare-Do-Well might be connected to this one," I said. "This is not a possibility we should rule out."

Mike sighed. "You do realize if what you're saying is true, we're not trained to deal with it, right?"

"Most of us aren't, yes," I admitted, swallowing a large lump in my throat. "B-but we can't give up here.  Not with so much at stake."

"I hear that, Tavi," said Vinyl. "So, what now?"

Rarity fidgeted a bit. "W-well, if you don't mind, I'd like to see how Sweetie Belle's doing.  You know, just to check in on her."

"M-mind if I come with?" asked Babs, still sounding rather shaken by the possibility of her brush with death. "I-if I can't find the guy who hurt her, the least I could do is cheer her up."  She then bit her lip. "I-I might need it, too, actually..."

Rarity's concerned frown turned into a soft smile. "Of course you can join us, darling.  You don't mind, do you, Mr. Check?"

"No skin off my nose," said Mike with a shrug. "I better give my testimony to the cops, anyway.  They might wanna hear this."

"Good luck getting that Shamus guy to believe you," said Vinyl. "Last we left him, he wasn't buying our story."

"To be fair, I don't think many ponies would believe us right off the bat, Vinyl," I said.

"The point still stands," said Vinyl with a shrug. "Anyway, until Shamus gets word from Princess Twilight that we're on the level, I doubt he's gonna let us back into the Performance Studio, anyway.  As such, this might be our best option."

"Mmm," hummed Fluttershy, her eyes darting every which way. "Um, we should keep our eyes and ears open, too.  J-just in case."

I do believe that could've gone without saying.  Not because it's obvious, but because I do not wish to be reminded of the fact that the assailant could be watching us right now, ready to strike at a moment's notice.  Shazbot, I almost regret bringing up that Tengu Dynasty possibility now.  I just gave myself a whole new batch of things to worry about.  Well, that's all academic at this point.

"Don't sweat it, Fluttershy," said Vinyl with a sneer. "If someone does come after us, we'll be ready for 'em."

"Y-yeah!" Babs cheered, doing her best to put on a brave face.

I couldn't help but smirk at Vinyl and Babs's enthusiasm.  I hate to admit it, but Vinyl's antics do help take the edge off of dark situations like this.

"Right.  We should still be cautious though," I said, clearing my throat. "We'll see you later, Mr. Check."

"Yeah, seeya," said Mike with a nod. "Keep up the good work, Melody."

With that, we parted ways.  As I walked, I couldn't help but notice that I was shivering slightly, most likely due to nerves.  This was really starting to get dangerous, and I can't say for certain if our luck is going to hold out.  A Mare-Do-Well doppelgänger is bad enough, but one who can use Pan's Music Code and the weaponry of the Tengu Dynasty?  That is quite a deadly combination indeed.  Brrr~.  Just thinking about it is making my shudder.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm very frightened right now.

Nevertheless, I have to keep going.  Because while I'm very afraid of what might happen to us, I'm more afraid of what'll happen if we don't act.  That's what kept me going last time, too.  And while it's an unpleasant feeling, it hasn't really failed me thus far.  Make of that what you will.
> Suffering Sabotage (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:30 PM
Mt. Kohryu
Welcoming Chamber
***


"Ah, Star Amethyst.  You have returned."

It seems that every time I play the gumhoof, I find new ways to surprise myself.  I was so worried that we'd end up getting ourselves lost in this place, but really, finding our way back to the Welcoming Chamber wasn't all that difficult.  In fact, Orph was waiting for us right where we emerged.  It's almost as if all the passages and corridors lead back to this one location.  Which kinda makes sense, now that I think about it.

"See?  I told ya we'd find our way back, no problem!" said Pinkie happily.

"And your timing could nyot be more impeccable," said Orph with a swish of his tail. "I take it your conversation with Suzaku went well?"

"More or less," I said with a shrug. "We'll get to that in a moment.  How are things going here?"

Orph folded his arms and furrowed his brow. "Slowly.  In fact, that's what I wanted to discuss with you.  Come."

He then walked towards a small alcove at the other end of the room, and we followed.  As we walked, I noticed that Dodger's body had been taken down from the ceiling.  That's a relief.  I don't think I need to see that grotesque image anymore.  It really ruins the atmosphere of this place, y'know?

We arrived at the alcove, where a group of neko samurai were hard at work looking over Dodger's body.  The cords that bound him also lay strewn across the ground, and each one of them was attached to a kama, just like the first one we found.  This could not mean anything good.  If finding one of those things was an issue in the Neko Shogunate, how the heck did this guy get his mitts on four?

"So, did ya manage to find out how this here varmint died yet?" asked Applejack.

Orph sighed. "We're still trying to determine that, but our current findings do nyot look promising."

"Whaddya mean?"

"I mentioned before that there were nyo fatal wounds on this mongrel's body.  That fact has remained unchanged."

Yeah, I'm still having major problems with this assessment.  I'm not saying it's impossible, but it just seems very, very unlikely.

"Are there any wounds on his body at all?" I inquired.

"That we have been able to determine," said Orph. "The blood on his paws definitely belongs to him.  My medics have taken a sample to test for poison."

"So, his front paws were cut up pretty bad, but that wouldn't have been enough to kill him.  Is that what you're tryin' to say?" asked Applejack.

"Precisely," said Orph, rubbing his eye. "Again, at this point, it's very likely that he succumbed to some sort of toxin.  Assassins in the Mewlun Mountains have been knyown to use such tactics, and he does have a bounty on his head."

Derpy blinked. "I thought Mr. Rosco said that Mr. Silvervest's guys couldn't reach that Dragonvest meanie here."

"This much is true, Hooves Derpy," said Orph sagely. "However, the Mewlun Mountains has its own share of assassin guilds and the like.  It's nyot out of the question to theorize that one of them got wind of the bounty."

"But then, why was Dodger's body found here and not in the paws of Sykes Silvervest?" I asked.

Orph shrugged. "I can only speculate at this point, Star Amethyst.  In truth, we are still very much in the dark.  Unless, of course, Suzaku mentioned something useful to you."

"Actually, he might have," I said thoughtfully. "Mr. Orph, are you familiar with Shroud Emeralds?"

Orph's face darkened. "I am.  It is a form of magic I will nyot forget anytime soon, nyor do I wish to," he snarled. "The Grand Shoguns outlawed their use when it became apparent that they gave too much power to the assassin guilds.  You would nyot believe how much damage they caused when I was ordered to confiscate them.  It was an utter mess."

"Believe me, I am intimately familiar with how dangerous those things are," I said coldly. "They were pretty much the bane of my existence back in July.  And I think someone used them to sneak Dodger past Suzaku."

Orph's tail stiffened and bristled. "Wh-what?!  Impossible!  My men got rid of them all; I made sure of it myself!"

"It might not be that simple," I said, knitting my brow. "To my understanding, mystical gemstones need to be treated before they can be used.  Just because you confiscated the treated gemstones doesn't mean there aren't raw deposits lying around in the mountains.  Suzaku himself mentioned that they're more plentiful here than in Equestria."

"Hang on, hang on.  I think you're onto somthin' here, Sparkler," Applejack mused. "Outta curiosity, is it illegal 'round these parts to sell raw Shroud Emeralds?"

Orph paused for a moment and rubbed his eye. "Nyot per se.  Selling raw Shroud Emeralds is legal, but any potential buyers have to go through a rigorous background check to make sure they have nyo nyefarious motives.  On top of that, it's also forbidden to sell them to the assassin guilds or anyone with a criminyal record."

Applejack sighed and lowered her stetson over her eyes. "Well, there's that idea up the flume."

"Don't give up so quickly, AJ!" said Pinkie. "I think you might be on the right track there."

Applejack arched an eyebrow. "How do ya figure, Pinkie?  He just said that it wouldn't be easy to buy the raw stuff."

"Yeah, but what if the culprit stumbled upon a deposit all by himself?" said Pinkie. "I mean, Rarity does that all the time."

That's actually a very good explanation.  After all, Diamond Dogs that practice magic do make use of mystical gemstones, and Dodger certainly fits under that category.  If he found raw Shroud Emeralds, he most likely knew how to treat them in order to make use of them.  It could also explain why Dodger traveled to the Mewlun Mountains in the first place, even though it was a risky gambit for him to do so.

However, that tells us nothing about the guy who killed Dodger.  We have no way of proving that he (or she, if this was carried out by the fake Mare-Do-Well) knows about Shroud Emeralds like Dodger did.  All we know is that whoever did this really likes pissing the Neko Shogunate off.  They're using illegal weapons, illegal magic, and they committed murder on sacred ground.  This has to be deliberate.  Why would anyone take so many risks for no reason?  It can't be stupidity; otherwise the schmuck would've gotten caught long ago.

"Mr. Orph, does the Neko Shogunate have any enemies?" I asked. "Besides Diamond Dogs, I mean."

Orph frowned. "That is nyone of your concern, Star Amethyst.  You may be a friend of Kohryu, but the Nyeko Shogunyate does nyot give such delicate information to outsiders under any circumstances."

"Well, that's silly.  And rude," said Derpy bluntly. "We're just trying to help."

"Kohryu asked for your help; I do nyot remember doing so," growled Orph.

"Now you're just talkin' outta two sides of your mouth," said Applejack with a snort. "You didn't have any problem with us helpin' you until now."

"AJ's right," Pinkie concurred. "We're all friends here, so we should act like it.  Help us help you help us help you help us help you help— mmph!"

"I think we get the picture, Pinkie," I said, using my magic to hold Pinkie's mouth shut.

Orph tilted his head. "You equines are quite a strange bunch, in more ways than one."

"Oh, you have no idea how right you are," I muttered under my breath.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing," I said, releasing Pinkie from my spell. "Anyway, my friends have a point.  If we're supposed to be working together, we should share everything we know.  Someone out there is breaking a lot of the Neko Shogunate's laws.  Maybe it's the fake Mare-Do-Well we're chasing; maybe it's not.  Either way, we have to find out who it is, and we have to find out why.  If nothing else, we'd be doing you a favor."

Orph let out a strained sigh. "I do apologize if my demeanyor was a bit, brusque.  I'm afraid I nyever had to deal with something as strange as this before.  Nyever in the Nyeko Shogunyate's history have we ever nyeeded the assistance of outsiders."

"Well, there's a first time for everything," said Derpy with a shrug.

"Mmm, indeed," mused Orph, his tail swishing from side to side. "Let me send a report to the Grand Shoguns and ask them how to proceed.  If they deem you trustworthy, I'll tell you everything I knyow."

Considering we haven't actually met the Grand Shoguns, I don't really see how this is going to work.  Sure, we're friends of Kohryu and all, but I'm beginning to wonder how much clout that really gives us.  I mean yeah, Orph doesn't exactly have an unfavorable view of our involvement in this matter, but I'm not expecting a glowing recommendation from him, either.  If anything, he just seems to be confused.  I suppose I can understand that, seeing as the Neko Shogunate is an isolationist society.

"I guess that's better than nothing," I said simply. "In the meantime, we'll continue doing what we can with what we have."

"Right, yes," said Orph, nodding absently. "Tell me, Star Amethyst.  Are all equines like you where you come from?"

"I, don't think there's a right way to answer that question," I said sheepishly as I looked over at Pinkie and Derpy.  They both tilted their head in confusion.

"What is it, Ammy?" Derpy asked.

"Nothing, Mom," I sighed. "Anyway, we should probably figure out what we're gonna do—"

"Ms. Pie!  Ms. Applejack!  We have an emergency!"

My train of thought was interrupted by a loud, familiar voice coming from the entrance.  When I looked up to see who it was, I immediately got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Just as I thought, it was the pony from the Royal Guard that escorted us here in the first place.  His armor was all busted up, his face were covered with soot, and I'm pretty sure the plume on his helmet was on fire.

"What is the meanying of this?!" hissed Orph.

"Terribly sorry, sir.  The border guards gave us permission to come here," said the guard with a bow.

"What's all the hubbub about?" asked Applejack.

The guard swallowed. "I-it's the airship, Ms. Applejack!  It's been, destroyed!"

My jaw just hit the ground right then and there.  Th-this can't be possible!  The Neko Shogunate has no reason to do something like this!  Wh-what's going on here?!

"Whaddya mean it's been destroyed?" Applejack growled.

"I-I can't explain it, ma'am," said the guard. "Something just burst our hot air balloon, and the next thing we knew, the whole thing was set aflame!  Thankfully, nopony has been seriously injured.  We're planning on heading back to Canterlot in order to acquire a new airship, but I don't know how long it'll take by wing alone."

"Does that mean we're trapped here forever?!" Pinkie shrieked. "Omigosh, omigosh!  AJ, this is terrible!"

"C-calm down, Pinkie," I said sternly, trying to collect myself. "W-we'll think of something.  Right now, we should go see what happened."

"But how?" whimpered Derpy. "The Royal Guard doesn't know how the airship got broken."

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.  C'mon, think Amethyst.  There has to be something we can do.  The destruction of an entire airship couldn't have just gone unnoticed.  Someone had to see it.

"Wait.  We were docked at the base of the mountain leading up to the border, right?" I said.

"Uh, yeah," said Derpy.

"There's someone at that border we have to talk to," I said. "Mr. Orph, is there a faster way down the mountain?"

"I can help you there, Star Amethyst."

As if answering my prayers, Seiryu flew in before us.

"Oh, right.  I almost forgot that this was your shift," I said, clearing my throat.

"Indeed," said Seiryu. "Here."

He gestured with his claw, and his eyes glowed green.  Three of the leaves from the floor rose before us and grew to the size of bedsheets.

"Grab hold of each end of the leaf, and it will guide you where you need to go," Seiryu instructed. "Be safe, Star Amethyst."

I nodded and did as he said.  Suddenly, a burst of wind lifted the leaf into the air and out of the cave.  Pinkie and Applejack did the same, and Derpy was flying not too far behind us.  While the experience was nothing short of breathtaking, I was too worried to be awed.  Someone destroyed our way back home.  If that's not suspicious, I don't know what is.  And things were going so well for us, too.  But, in the immortal words of my mom, I just don't know what went wrong.

Thankfully, I have a way to find out.  Like I said, there's no way an airship can just explode without someone witnessing it.  And I have the perfect witness in mind.  Not only can he tell us what happened (hopefully), but he might have answers to some more pressing questions on my mind.  I'm pretty sure he's not going to be cooperative though, but hey.  Whoever said that killing two birds with one stone was easy?
> Confrontation: Prince Blueblood (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 11:57 AM
Canterlot Castle
Infirmary Wing
***


When we got back to the infirmary, I realized that everything was a lot quieter than when we first checked up on Blueblood.  However, it wasn't too quiet.  There was just a peaceful atmosphere around the place that most infirmaries have.  I take this as a good sign for two reasons.  One, it means Blueblood has calmed down.  And two, I don't have to worry too much about watching my back for anything unexpected.

To further prove my point, we saw that Blueblood was simply enjoying a fancy luncheon set up on a tray.  I could hear Spike drooling at the magnificent spread, and honestly, I don't really blame him.  Blueblood's lunch was more like something you'd give somepony for breakfast in bed rather than anything you'd find at a hospital.  Then again, we are in Canterlot, and he is a prince.  This kind of thing is more or less expected.

"Good to see you've calmed down, Your Highness," said Kibitz.

Blueblood looked up from his meal and raised a hoof, signifying that he wasn't done chewing.  When he finally swallowed, he looked at me and smiled.

"Ah, Twilight Sparkle.  Nice to see you again," he said, wiping his lips with his napkin. "Have you made any progress in your investigation?"

"Some," I said. "Actually, I was wondering if I could ask you a few more questions about last night."

Blueblood tilted his head. "I already told you everything, Twilight Sparkle.  I discovered a foe, we fought, and I lost.  What more is there to say?"

"A lot more, actually," I said. "Keep in mind, none of us were there.  We need you to describe what happened in full detail, or at least as much detail as you're able to remember."

Blueblood tapped his muzzle with his hoof. "Well, I do hate to be disturbed during my royal luncheon, but this is a rather delicate situation," he mused. "I suppose I could make an exception in this case and indulge you."

"Glad to see you've got your priorities straight, Blueblood," said Shining with a sneer.

Blueblood let out a haughty snort and ignored Shining's comment.  I guess he was keeping his temper in check for Celestia's sake; otherwise I can't imagine him taking too kindly to that insult.

"Let's just get on with it," I said. "Spike, you ready?"

"Huh, wha?" sputtered Spike, hastily wiping drool from his mouth. "Uh, yeah.  Sure thing, Twi."

I giggled despite myself. "We'll take a break for lunch after this, I promise," I said. "For now, we still have work to do."

"Gotcha," said Spike, opening up his notepad.

Blueblood raised an eyebrow. "You seem to take this insubordination rather well, Twilight Sparkle."

"I, don't really consider it insubordination," I said with a shrug. "Spike's just hungry.  Besides, I do believe we have more pressing matters to attend to, don't you?"

"Oh, right.  Of course," said Blueblood, clearing his throat.

Okay, I have to make sure that Blueblood doesn't go on any unnecessary tangents.  I've noticed that he seems quick to criticize my conduct as a princess, and I can sense that it's going to really grate on me after a while if I don't do something about it.  Not only is it irrelevant to the matter at hoof, but to be frank, I find it rather insulting.  Which is why I think it's best that I keep Blueblood's testimony focused.  Should be easy enough.  In theory, anyway.


***
Testimony: The Epic Duel
***


"It all started at around eight o'clock, just when the Gala was in full swing," said Blueblood. "I was just mingling with everypony and minding my own business when I heard a sound from the forest.  Thinking it was some rogue wishing us harm, I ventured into the underbrush.  Sure enough, there in the forest was a dangerous rapscallion completely obscured in shadow.  I confronted him, and it was clear that I was the superior opponent.  However, the rascal cheated.  He used some sort of spell to disable my horn, and then knocked me out.  When I woke up, I was in this very bed."

I get the feeling that Blueblood's ego is exaggerating a few parts of this story.  I'm not saying he can't hold his own in a fight; I can't prove that one way or another.  But against a foe like Mare-Do-Well or her impostor, well, it's not that simple.  Of course, it's going to take a lot of doing to get Blueblood to admit that.  Well, here goes nothing.

"You claimed before that you couldn't see your opponent all that well," I said. "How, then, did you figure that you were the better fighter?"

Blueblood smiled. "You can tell a lot about an opponent from their fighting style, Twilight Sparkle," said he. "This rogue relied entirely on cheap tactics.  Sneaking around; staying in the shadows; that sort of thing.  Had he been a match for me, he would've had the dignity to fight me head-on."

I can already write this off as Blueblood blowing hot air.  Brawn alone does not determine the outcome of a fight.  If anything, his opponent was just being smart.  I'll need to focus on something else.

"So you said you heard a noise coming from the forest, and thus automatically assumed that it was a foe," I said.

"You know as well as I that no one goes into that forest during the Gala with the exception of the Royal Groundskeeper," said Blueblood simply. "It couldn't have been the wildlife, either."

"Do you think you could describe this sound for us, Your Highness?" asked Kibitz.

"Well, I distinctly heard talking," said Blueblood, stroking his chin. "And there was also a clicking noise.  But not the kind of clicking you'd hear from insects.  It was a lot more, mechanical.  Probably some kind of weapon, if I had to guess."

That was just the opening I needed to take his ego out of the equation.  I smirked and tapped my forehead smartly.

"Blueblood, what would you say if I told you that I could tell you exactly what that noise was?" I inquired.

Blueblood blinked. "I'd say good for you, Twilight Sparkle.  You've figured out the obvious."

"I in no way dispute that," I said. "But it appears we're not exactly on the same page here."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Blueblood.

"I mean that sound you heard could not have been the assailant."

"Ah!"

Blueblood flinched.  That revelation certainly hit a nerve.

"Wh-whatever do you mean by that, Twilight Sparkle?" said Blueblood, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "I know what I heard!  It had to be our foe; I know it!"

"That's a lie," I said bluntly. "You know as well as I do that what you heard was nothing more than Photo Finish and Coco Pommel holding a photo-op!"

"I-impossible!  I saw no such thing!"

"Maybe you didn't see them, but they certainly saw you."

"And how, may I ask, do you intend to prove that?"

"With this," I said, showing Blueblood the photos. "See this last photo here?  I have it on good authority that this white pixel at the edge of the photo is your horn."

Blueblood looked at the photo and squinted. "I don't see anything of the sort."

"Look closer," I said, pointing with my hoof. "Notice how this white speck has a black aura around it?"

"Vaguely," said Blueblood with a shrug. "It still could be anything."

"Well, you said before that your horn was disabled by some sort of magic," I said. "Tell me, what form did this magic take?"

Sweat was trickling down Blueblood's face. "I-I'm not sure.  I-it happened so fast, I couldn't tell."

"Allow me to jog your memory then," I said, showing him the fourth photo. "Does this black wisp over Ms. Pommel's head look familiar?"

"I-I...  Yike!"

Blueblood recoiled again.  Now we're getting somewhere.

"So, you've seen this before," I stated plainly.

Blueblood sighed. "Y-yes.  Th-that is the magic the ruffian used to disable my horn."

"Which brings me to my final point," I said. "You didn't really expect to get attacked, did you?  You just wanted to know why Photo Finish was holding a photo-op in the middle of the Gala!"

Blueblood blushed profusely. "W-well, you see, th-that's not the only explanation.  M-maybe I just wanted to make sure they were safe!  Th-there was a ruffian in the forest, after all!"

"Okay, now you're just grasping at straws," said Spike, folding his arms. "Twi already figured you out, Prince Blueblood.  You can't lie anymore."

"I-I'm not lying!" roared Blueblood. "I did duel that assailant!"

"Pardon me, Your Highness, but the photographic evidence says otherwise," said Kibitz, displaying the remaining three photos. "If you truly did battle this foe, Ms. Finish would've captured it on film.  Especially if you were using magic to illuminate the shadow, which you never appeared to do at any point.  I must say, it's quite unbecoming of a prince to lie so brazenly."

Blueblood had no retort for that.  Instead, he let out a dejected sigh.

"D-don't you think this is embarrassing enough?" he grumbled. "The most prestigious event in Equestria, and I spend the majority of it unconscious!  Not only that, but I wake up next to a *ahem* civilian of all things!  This has to be my most humiliating experience as a prince!"

Just as I thought.  His ego was interfering with his ability to tell the truth in his testimony.  Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we should be able to get a better idea of what really happened.

"Take it easy there, Blueblood," Shining Armor scolded. "You don't want us to tell Celestia that you've been misbehaving again, do you?"

Blueblood's eyes bugged out. "You wouldn't dare."

"That all depends on whether or not you decide to cooperate, Blueblood," I said firmly. "After all, you yourself said that this was a delicate situation.  Ergo, you should be truthful with me so that I can find your attacker."

Blueblood paused for a moment before clearing his throat. "I, suppose there's some truth to that," he conceded. "Alright, Twilight Sparkle.  I'll tell you the full truth.  But please, don't let what I say leave these walls."

I sighed. "I'm not going to lie for your sake, Blueblood.  Not with so much at stake."

"Oh, right.  Of course you wouldn't," Blueblood mumbled. "Perhaps you're a better princess than I give you credit for, Twilight Sparkle."

It took turning yourself into a hypocrite to realize that?  Ugh, whatever.  I've come to the conclusion that Blueblood's a lost cause.  If he wants to uphold the legacy of his ancestors, fine.  That's his prerogative.  I just think he's going about it the wrong way.

"Just tell us what really happened, alright?" I said.

"Right, right," said Blueblood with a nod.


***
Testimony: What Really Happened
***


"It's just as you say, I'm afraid," said Blueblood. "I was curious about Photo Finish's seemingly random photo-op being held in the forest.  When I went to ask her what was going on, a mysterious force overtook me from above.  I can't say which direction it came from; it was all a blur.  I fought back the best I could, but the enemy disabled my horn, so my options were limited.  Of course, you know the rest."

So instead of a noble hero, Blueblood was just a curious onlooker.  I don't see how there's any shame in that; I'd probably do the same thing if I was in his horseshoes.  But while he is being truthful, I still feel that his testimony was incomplete.  Time to fill in the blanks.

"You keep saying that some sort of magic disabled your horn, preventing you from using magic," I said, knitting my brow. "Any idea what kind of magic it was?"

"All I remember is that it was black and sinister," said Blueblood gravely. "Most likely, the rogue was using some form of dark magic."

"I see," I said, stroking my chin in thought. "Tell me, did you happen to hear anything when you were attacked?"

Blueblood scrunched up his face and rubbed the side of his head. "I-I'm trying to remember.  I-I think there was some kind of melody, but it was barely audible."

Hmm.  That's three times I've heard this story.  It doesn't seem possible, but deep down, I don't think this is a coincidence.  I straightened up and tapped my forehead smartly.

"Blueblood, I think I know what kind of magic was used to disable your horn," I said.

Blueblood blinked. "You do?  But, I barely even remember it.  How were you able to figure it out with such a scant description, Twilight Sparkle?"

"To be honest, I haven't," I confessed. "It's just a hunch.  But considering what we've been dealing with, it's still very likely."

"Hunch or not, it's better than nothing, Twilie," said Shining Armor. "What's your take?"

"I think the magic that was used on Blueblood was none other than Pan's Music Code."

Blueblood tilted his head. "Pan's what?"

"Pan's Music Code is a method of casting magic through music," I explained. "So far, I've heard three separate accounts of it being used at last night's Gala.  There's Ms. Spitfire, Ms. Hooves, and now you.  The problem is that it hardly qualifies as dark magic."

"But the magic in the photo is clearly dark magic, Twi," said Spike, pointing at the photo in question.

"I know that, Spike," I said. "But you have to understand.  Since Pan's Music Code is derived from song rather than arcane energy, it can be combined with other forms of magic.  Nevertheless, you have to be a really powerful minstrel mage to pull something like that off, and I don't think Mare-Do-Well fits the bill, nor does her impostor."

"What makes you say that, Your Highness?" inquired Kibitz.

"Let's look at the aerial schematic again," I said, taking it out. "There are four sets of footprints that were recorded at the crime scene.  There's Blueblood, Photo Finish, Coco Pommel, and Derpy Hooves.  What's missing is the hoofprints of the attacker.  Now, the best explanation for this is that she used her wings to fly above the ground.  And that means her structure is based off of a pegasus, not a unicorn.  Ergo, it would be impossible for her to have control over that kind of magic."

Spike scratched his head. "Well, what if she's an alicorn ponunculus?  That's possible, isn't it?"

"No, that can't be it, either," I said, shaking my head. "You can't create a ponunculus based off of an alicorn.  It's impossible.  The ponunculus's core is simply not designed to generate that much raw magical energy."

"Well then, I'm stumped," Spike sighed.

I gave Spike a reassuring smirk. "Don't worry, Spike.  There has to be some reason for this," I said. "We just haven't found it yet."

"Well, where are we gonna find it, Twilie?" asked Shining.

"Your Highness!"

Before I could answer, a white unicorn with a black mane, wide-framed glasses, and a pen and ink bottle for a Cutie Mark rushed in.

"Ah, Raven," said Kibitz, adjusting his spectacles. "I take it Princess Celestia has some news for us."

"Um, yes.  There are two items to report," she said, flipping through her own notepad. "First and foremost, Princess Twilight.  We just got a request from the Manehattan Police Department.  They claim that four civilian ponies are investigating a crime scene at your behest, and they wish for confirmation."

Hmm.  It sounds like Octavia's group has stumbled onto something big.  It that's the case, it's possible that this is where Mare-Do-Well's doppelgänger is hiding out.  While there's no way to say that for certain, I can't take that chance and bring her investigation to a halt.

"Spike, take a letter," I said, clearing my throat.

"Oh, allow me," said Raven, her pen already hovering inches away from her own notepad.

I turned to Spike, and he simply shrugged.  I guess he's okay with it.

"Right.  Thank you," I said, beginning again. "'To Whom it May Concern: I do hereby confirm that Ms. Octavia Melody, Ms. Vinyl Scratch, Ms. Rarity, and Ms. Fluttershy are indeed investigating a matter of great importance at my request.  Please do not impede them.  Best regards, Twilight Sparkle; Princess of Friendship.'"

"Very good, Your Highness.  I'll send this out as soon as I'm able," said Raven. "Oh, and before I forget, Princess Celestia wishes for you to have lunch with her in the Royal Dining Hall.  She says it's imperative that she speak with you."

I can't say I was expecting this.  Ever since I became a princess, Celestia no longer felt the need to check up on me (at least I think that's when she stopped checking up on me; it might've been before that).  If she wants to talk to me, it must be something important.

"I'll be right there," I said, bowing to Blueblood. "Thank you for your testimony, Blueblood.  It was most helpful once you started telling the truth."

"Y-yes, well, there's no harm in a little white lie, now is there?" said Blueblood with a nervous chuckle.

I think my friend Applejack would staunchly disagree with that statement.

"No comment," I said. "Get well soon, Prince Blueblood.  C'mon, guys."

With that, we followed Raven out of the infirmary.  Well, on the plus side, I think we have a clear picture of what happened to Blueblood last night.  However, I haven't forgotten that he wasn't the only one who was attacked that night.  After meeting with Celestia, I'm going to need to pay a visit to the dungeons and get Pine Talon's story.

...

Actually, now that I think about it, this might be a good opportunity to get some more information.  Sure, Celestia's not hiding anything from me (she'd never do that), but she was in charge of Pine Talon's trial.  I probably should learn more about this tengu assassin before interviewing him.  Plus, she also knows a lot about all sorts of magic.  Maybe she has an explanation for the phenomenon in the photos.  I'm sure she'd be willing to help if I just asked.  Still, I can't help but wonder what she wants to see me about.  I just hope it's nothing bad.  Bad news is the last thing we need at this juncture...
> Cautious Kierra (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:56
Epiphany University
Library Building
***


"And that's all the books she's checked out in the past week."

"Y-yes, Your Honor.  Every last one."

"Very well.  I accept this into evidence."

Huh.  Whaddya know?  We were planning on following up on my hunch about Kierra's research, but it looks like Eagle Eye has beaten us to the punch.  I can't say I'm all that surprised; she wouldn't be doing a good job if she didn't follow up on this lead.  But still, I hope this new information got us on her good side.  Judging by the librarian's reaction to her, I can't say for sure if that's the case or not.

Actually, what surprised me more was that Javier Hawke was right by her side.  I'm guessing she has a few more questions for him, but even so, why did she drag him here?  Surely, he has other stuff to do, being headmaster of the entire university and all.  Or, maybe I'm looking too much into it, I dunno.  What I do know is that this could be our chance to get some more information out of him and Eagle Eye.  I approached them both and cleared my throat.

"Are we interrupting anything, Your Honor?" I asked.

Eagle Eye turned to us and snorted. "Captain Spitfire.  I didn't expect you to come here so soon.  Have you found anything with the Proud Pride?"

"Some things here and there," said Blaze with a shrug. "They're still working on it."

Eagle Eye folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Then, why are you back here?"

"A few reasons," I said. "First and foremost, we were going to ask for more information about Kierra's research, but it seems you've got that covered."

"Yes, I do," said Eagle Eye, still glaring at us.

"And, what've you found?" asked Blaze, motioning with her hoof and prompting her to continue.

"More questions," said Eagle Eye disdainfully. "As it turns out, you were right, Captain Spitfire.  Professor Kierra did indeed check out a book on Pan's Music Code, and it should still be in her office."

"I know.  We just looked through it," I said. "She bookmarked a passage regarding the Kurama Tengu."

"See, that makes sense," stated Eagle Eye, tapping the underside of her beak with her gavel. "Professor Kierra was known for her work on the Tengu Dynasty; it would be obvious that she would've highlighted any passing mention of them in other books.  However, the librarian just got through telling me that she's been leaving bookmarks in the books when she returns them."

"Yeah, we found that in her office, too," said Rainbow Dash. "The Proud Pride are working on finding out what passages she bookmarked."

"As they should," said Eagle Eye with a thoughtful nod. "But it's not just the books in her office."

"You're talking about the death threat I found, correct?" inquired Misty Fly.

Eagle Eye nodded. "Indeed.  Every book Professor Kierra has checked out has a bookmark in it.  It seems strange, seeing as you wouldn't normally leave bookmarks in a library book, but it has yielded some clues."

"I might be able to explain that," Javier interjected. "Professor Kierra's biggest pet peeve was forgetting things.  Whenever she stumbled upon an important piece of information, she'd find some way to leave a reminder about it."

That must explain the cassette tape we found.  Still, there's something odd about this revelation.

"Pardon me, Headmaster Hawke, but I don't remember Kierra having any memory problems when I spoke to her," I said.

"Oh, she didn't," said Javier. "Her mind was always very sharp.  She just never wanted to leave such things to chance is all."

Ah.  That makes sense, I suppose.  There's just one problem, though.  Kierra's still dead, and from poison no less.  One would think that she would be on the lookout for that if she was acting strange all week.  How did this slip under her radar?

"I haven't the time for such tangents, Captain Spitfire," Eagle Eye growled. "You said Professor Kierra's research was important, yes?"

"I-I did, Your Honor," I said, hastily clearing my throat. "That fact has not changed.  I just thought this was important, too."

Eagle Eye sighed. "If we keep going like this, pretty soon everything is going to have importance to you, Captain Spitfire."

"Hey, she was right about Kierra's research, wasn't she?" Blaze blurted out. "I realize this isn't really our job, but as long as we're here, the least you could do is—"

"Over—"

"Shhh!"

Eagle Eye was about to swing her gavel again when Javier placed a talon to his beak and shushed her.  I don't know many griffons who would have the balls to do that to the Griffon Magistrate, even if this is a library.  It seems to have worked, though, as Eagle Eye withdrew her outburst, blushing all the while.

"Captain Spitfire, I ask that you maintain better control of your subordinates," she said in a strained tone.

"Won't happen again, Your Honor," I said, giving Blaze a dirty look. "Will it, Blaze?"

"I make no promi—"

"Will it, Blaze?"

Blaze got the message and immediately swallowed a lump in her throat. "Y-you got it, Sis," she murmured.

I sighed. "Again, I do apologize for this, Your Honor.  Blaze isn't the most tactful pony in the world."

"I've noticed," Eagle Eye said with a snort. "Anyway, as you said, most of the books Professor Kierra checked out were on alchemy and other forms of magic.  But those are not the only subjects she was looking into."

I tilted my head. "They aren't?  What else was she researching?"

"Law and international affairs," said Eagle Eye. "She even asked if there was any way to obtain news stories from Equestria."

"And are there?"

"Oh, yes," said Javier, adjusting his spectacles. "You'd be surprised how many students here wish to major in international journalism nowadays."

Actually, I don't think I would be.  But, that's because I have a better understanding of griffons than most ponies do.  Anyway, this might be our big clue the ties everything together.

"Out of curiosity, what news stories was Professor Kierra looking into?" I inquired.

"There are two stories she copied from our international periodical," said the librarian. "One is from the Manehattan Times, dated April 11th, and the other is from the Ponyville Gazette, dated July 13th."

Hmm.  I'm not sure about the Ponyville Gazette, but the date on the Manehattan Times article matches up with the Manehattan Music Festival where Octavia met Mare-Do-Well.  I need more clarification.

"Private, do you remember if anything happened in Ponyville on the thirteenth of July?" I asked.

Rainbow Dash placed a hoof to her muzzle. "Now that you mention it, I do.  There was some sort of protection racket being set up in town.  And Sparkler had a big hoof in taking it down, along with..."

She trailed off as an epiphany hit her. "Wait a minute.  Ma'am, Professor Kierra must've been investigating the other mysteries that involved Mare-Do-Well!"

"Shh!" Blaze hissed. "We're still in a library."

Rainbow Dash blushed. "Oh, right.  Sorry."

I rolled my eyes, knowing full well Blaze was just being facetious.  Still, we hit the jackpot.  There's no doubt in my mind now; Mare-Do-Well is connected to this murder.  Now all we have to do is find out why Kierra was researching all this.

"It appears I stand corrected," said Eagle Eye, closing her eyes and tapping the palm of her hand with her gavel. "You do have a stake in this matter after all, Captain Spitfire."

"Yeah, we've been saying that from the beginning," said Blaze.

"Stow the snark, Blaze," I scolded. "We've still got to tie up some loose ends.  Headmaster Hawke."

"Yes, Ms. Spitfire?" asked Javier.

"We found this cassette tape in Kierra's office," I said, showing him the tape in question. "Did Kierra often record things like this?"

"Oh, yes.  Very much so," said Javier with a nod. "It's all part of what I told you earlier.  She likes to keep reminders around, just in case."

"Is there a place we can listen to this?"

"As a matter of fact, there is.  It's right downstairs.  Come, I'll show you."

No one needed to be told twice.  As we followed Javier down to the lower level, I mentally prepared myself for what was coming next.  I'd bet my wings that this cassette tape is going to have all of our answers.  Part of me feels good that we're making progress, but even so, I can't shake the feeling that I'm not gonna like what I'm about to hear...


***


"Here we are.  These stations are usually reserved for students and faculty only, but in your case, we can make an exception."

The stations in question were large, personalized booths hooked up to noise-cancelling headphones.  Each booth only had one cassette deck, but it was possible to plug in multiple headphones into the same station.  Still, I wasn't too fond of the idea of all of us being cramped together in one spot.  It makes me wonder why anyone would want to plug in multiple headphones in the first place.  The booth is large enough for one griffon, sure, but not four ponies, a griffon, and a hippogriff.

"I was always under the impression that these facilities were used to read microfilm," said Misty Fly.

"They are," said Javier. "But at Epiphany University, we pride ourselves in keeping audio records on file as well as visual ones.  We're one of the few schools to have such a distinction."

Seeing as audio records are very hard to get hold of (at least to my knowledge), I'm thinking that this setup was anything but cheap.  Then again, Pierre did say this was one of the best schools in the Griffon Kingdom.

"Like I said, I haven't the time for tangents, Mr. Hawke," said Eagle Eye gruffly.

"Right, of course," said Javier sheepishly. "I'll just get this set up for you all."

He took the cassette tape and placed it in one of the empty decks.  As he rewinded the tape, each of us grabbed a set of headphones.  Just as I thought, it was a bit of a squeeze having us all sit at the same booth.

"Hmm.  I might want to invest in larger booths," Javier mused.

"Gee, y'think?" grunted Blaze.

"Suck it up, Blaze," I growled. "We need to listen to whatever's on that tape."

Javier sighed. "I'll be sure to look into it," he said, taking a pair of headphones. "Now then, let's see what Professor Kierra has to say, hmm?"

With that, he tapped the play button on the tape deck.


***


December 7, 20:45

I was visited by the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well today.  At least, that's what she calls herself.  I recognized her from the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet as a pony who lent her services to Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom to stop the Tengu Dynasty.  But when I asked her why she wanted to see me after all this time, she simply said that I might be in danger.  She didn't specify what I was in danger from, but I have a feeling that she herself didn't know the answer, either.

Most curious.


***


So, our pal Mare-Do-Well somehow got into the Griffon Kingdom to warn Kierra about something.  Okay, that's a good start, explanation-wise.


***


December 8, 15:04

This is, unsettling.  One of my bookmarks has been defaced.  It appears to be some kind of, threat.  How did it get like this?  The students know better than to fiddle with my bookmarks; I made that specifically clear at orientation.  As such, I don't believe this to be a prank.

First Mare-Do-Well's visit, now this.  It must be for a reason.  Also, the threat itself is quite off-putting.  "You are not safe as long as I'm alive."  I know only one person with that mentality, but it can't be her.  Can it?


***


She must be talking about the bookmark Misty Fly found.  Goodness knows why she kept it after it got defaced.  Actually, I'm more interested in how it got defaced, but the tape's not over yet.


***


December 9, 19:40

Just received a message from Nemean Correctional Facility regarding my information request.  It seems my old friend is undergoing therapy while she carries out her sentence.  They say she's responding quite well to the treatment, which puts me at ease.

Nevertheless, something is amiss.  They say she speaks fondly of me, even though she has no reason to.  She couldn't have forgiven me.  Not after what I did to her.

December 10, 16:19

This Mysterious Mare-Do-Well is quite an extraordinary pony.  I've been researching her origins, and while I haven't quite found what I've been looking for, the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet was not her only exploit.  It's quite remarkable, actually.

In the meantime, I've discovered something quite, well, I'm not sure how to describe it.  Under our law, Gypsy Moth is allowed special privileges since Equestria declared her insane and in need of rehabilitation.  I don't object to this law, but can't the Magistrate see that she's dangerous?  Then again, maybe her treatment is working.  I could go to Nemean and find out for myself, but, I don't think she wants to see me again.

December 11, 21:48

Mare-Do-Well has revealed her origins to me.  I don't know why she decided to do this, but that point is rather moot.  She's an artificial pony created by Gypsy Moth.  That explains her outburst during the battle at Ghastly Gorge.  Still, I'm not sure if it's possible for a ponunculus to betray her creator.  I'll have to look into this.

She also revealed something even more disturbing.  A member of the Kurama Tengu clan is still alive, and he's been in hiding for years.  She says he might've heard about the Tengu Empress's imprisonment, and that he might aim to break her out.  She won't tell me any more than that, apparently for my own safety.  Well, I'm afraid I can't sit idly by when matters are this dire.


***


And once again, Mare-Do-Well seems to know more about what's going on than the person she's trying to protect, yet she wants them to do all the investigating.  I really thought she learned her lesson from the time she tried to pull that crap on me.


***


December 12, 19:04

I am convinced that Nemean is full of idiots.  Sure, the ingredients she gets are harmless enough on their own, but she has the means to do horrible things.  I suppose that doesn't mean she will, but they know she's a powerful alchemist.  Why are they giving her such dangerous toys?

M-maybe all this research is making me paranoid.  She's getting the help she needs; she has been for months now.  Besides, she just sent me a lovely gift.  She must've changed.  She wouldn't do something like this.  Not now.

December 14, 00:31

There.  I recognize that melody.  It's the Kurama Tengu.  He's nearby.  I-I have to hurry and let Her Honor know what's going on.  Even if I'm wrong about her, he might hurt her or-or force her to relapse.  I'll write her a letter, tonight.  I just hope she responds quickly.


***


The tape stopped there.  Honestly, I-I'm speechless.  It really felt like Kierra was driving herself nuts trying to figure this out.  I-I can't help but feel bad for her.  Not only that, but if she was visited by Mare-Do-Well, and Mare-Do-Well wasn't around to protect her, something must've happened to her.  I know how Mare-Do-Well operates.  She wouldn't have let Kierra die.

"By the King's beak," Eagle Eye murmured, looking as white as a sheet. "H-how could I have been so blind?"

"To be frank, I think there's still a lot of this we're not seeing, Your Honor," I said somberly. "Nevertheless, this tape does clear things up a bit."

"I should say so," said Eagle Eye, shaking herself. "I accept this tape into evidence."

"Wait, before you do so, I think we should hear that last entry again," said Misty Fly.

"Why is that?" asked Eagle Eye.

"Professor Kierra mentioned that she heard a melody," Misty Fly explained. "It could be in the background of that entry."

"Good call, Mist," I said.  I then reached over to rewind the tape, only to find that my hoof was too bulky to press the button. "Um, Headmaster Hawke, if you would be so kind..."

Javier jerked his head and quickly brushed a few tears from his eyes. "Mmm?  Oh, yes.  Of course."

He rewinded the tape and played it again.  Sure enough, there was music in the background, just like Misty Fly said.  It was faint, but it was there.  That could've been Pan's Music Code, which is why she thought it was the Kurama Tengu.

"Your Honor, I understand if you disagree, but I ask that my comrades and I have access to Nemean Correctional Facility," I said.

Eagle Eye nodded. "Normally, I'd refuse.  But considering the circumstances, it wouldn't be right of me to use red tape to bar your way to the truth.  Whatever it may be, that is."

"Hang on," said Rainbow Dash. "What's this about privileges to prisoners and stuff?  Gilda never mentioned anything like that when she talked about her shtick as a warden."

"That's because that sort of information is confidential," Eagle Eye clarified. "And amongst other things, wardens of Nemean are chosen for their discretion."

I then remembered that Gilda was quick to defend Gypsy Moth from Blaze's accusation.  I think before we head on over to Nemean, we need to speak with her first.  I'd ask Eagle Eye about the legal technicalities, but she seems to be in shock from what we just heard.  I can't say that I blame her.

"We're done here, Wonderbolts," I said as we all squeezed ourselves out of the booth. "Let's head on back to the Proud Pride and see what they picked up.  We'll be sure to keep you up to date, Your Honor."

"Much appreciated," said Eagle Eye sorrowfully, heaving a great sigh.

I sighed as well. "Look, don't blame yourself for what happened to Kierra.  I don't think it's your fault.  We're dealing with a very tricky foe here, after all."

Eagle Eye scoffed. "Your pity is noted, Captain Spitfire.  But suffice to say, I see no reason to add it to the record."

"Whatever floats your boat, Your Honor," I said with a shrug. "C'mon, let's fly."

With heavy hearts, we left the Griffon Magistrate to collect herself.  I honestly can't believe how complicated this whole mess has gotten.  Even though we have more information, we still don't know what it means.  Even Kierra herself didn't know whether or not she could trust Gypsy Moth.  But I'm sure Blaze feels that this is proof of her involvement.  Just looking at her now, I can see the stewing anger building up inside.

As for me, though, it's too soon to make a call.  I don't trust Gypsy Moth any more than Blaze does, but that doesn't mean she did it.  All I know is that I'm not going to let Kierra's research be in vain.  No matter what, I'm getting to the bottom of this.  That's my promise as a Wonderbolt.
> Ringing Some Belles (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:19 PM
Lincolt Center
The Bent Trumpet
***


"So, you're sure that's everything Ms. Shores told you?"

"Uh-huh."

"Sweetie, you know you don't have to—"

"Mom, I told you a hundred times.  I'm fine now."

I just keep running into the most unexpected situations today, don't I?  When we got back to the Bent Trumpet, the atmosphere didn't feel as tense as it did when we left.  Part of that was that Sweetie Belle looked a lot less stunned than she did before.  At least, she was well enough to answer Puzzlement's questions.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't relieved by this turn of events, but even so, a child her age doesn't usually get over traumatic events that quickly.

"Is everything alright over here?" asked Rarity, clearing her throat.

Puzzlement looked up at us and smiled. "Oh, it's you gals.  Nice of you to join us," she said. "Oh, before I forget, there's something you should know."

"What's that?" I inquired.

"We just got word back from Canterlot.  Turns out you four were telling the truth about your investigation for Princess Twilight.  As such, you have been granted full authority in this case."

"Boo-ya!" Vinyl cheered, pumping her foreleg.

"Um, are you sure that's okay?" said Fluttershy, twiddling her hooves. "I mean, we wouldn't want to get you and Detective Shamus into trouble."

Puzzlement let out a slight chuckle. "You're working for the Princess of Friendship, Ms. Fluttershy.  I think that pretty much answers your question."

Well, that was quick.  While I'm not comfortable with the fact that we might've wasted Princess Twilight's time with this nonsense, I'm glad to hear that she responded quickly to our plight.  Now we should be able to work completely in tandem with the police, which is the ideal situation for all parties involved.

"We'll do all we can to help, Detective Puzzlement," I said with a nod. "Actually, we just uncovered some new information.  Perhaps we should exchange notes."

"Yeah, good idea," said Puzzlement, flipping through her notebook. "I was just finishing up my interview with Ms. Sweetie Belle here."

"Whoa whoa whoa!  Back up!" snapped Babs Seed. "Who gave you permission to pester Sweetie Belle, huh?!"

Puzzlement looked down at Babs and adjusted her monocle. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."

"Oh, this is Babs Seed," I said. "She's the junior roadie we mentioned earlier."

"Ah, yes.  I remember that," said Puzzlement. "Is there any reason she wasn't with the rest of the witnesses?"

"She was trying to track down the guy herself, believe it or not," said Vinyl.

Puzzlement's eyes went wide. "Sh-she what?"

"It's just as Vinyl says, I'm afraid," I said sheepishly. "Luckily, she's unharmed."

"Hey hey hey!  Let's not change the subject here," growled Babs, leering at Puzzlement. "I asked you a question.  Why're you pestering my friend?  Don't you think she's been through enough?!"

Puzzlement let out an exasperated groan and rubbed her temples. "Look, I'm just trying to do my job here.  I need her statement for—"

"It's not the job of the police to be a bully, busta!" Babs interrupted, blowing back her combover.

"I-I never said it was!" Puzzlement yelped defensively.

"Then what exactly are you—?"

"Babs, that's enough.  Calm down."

Sweetie Belle's interjection caused Babs to do a double take.

"S-Sweetie Belle?" she stammered. "Wh-wha—?"

"It's not what you think, Babs," said Sweetie Belle, shaking her head. "I gave Ms. Puzzlement permission to interview me."

Babs's pupils dilated. "B-but you were...  I was...  She..."

"Trust me, Ms. Seed.  I don't like the idea of pressing traumatized witnesses any more than you do," said Puzzlement. "But Sweetie Belle herself says that she's feeling much better now.  Ask her yourself if you don't believe me."

After a pause, Babs sighed and hid her bare flank with her tail.

"I-I'm sorry," she muttered, her cheeks turning bright red. "I-I didn't know..."

"It's understandable," said Puzzlement gently, adjusting her monocle. "Truth be told, I wasn't sure about Sweetie Belle's claim myself.  It's quite, unusual."

"To say the least," said Rarity, walking up to her younger sister. "Sweetie, darling.  Are you, sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Sweetie Belle replied. "I'm still a little scared, but Ms. Sapphire taught me a neat trick, so I'm feeling better now."

Hmm.  It's odd, but I feel this is important somehow.  I'm sure Sapphire Shores knows plenty of techniques for overcoming stage fright.  From what I understand, that was why Sweetie Belle met with her in private.  But it's one thing to psych yourself up for a crowd; it's quite another to recover from severe mental trauma.

"Would you mind showing us this trick?" I inquired.

"Sure!" Sweetie Belle chirped. "See, Ms. Sapphire says she gets scared sometimes, too.  In fact, she said she was pretty scared today about her performance.  So, she told me that whenever I get scared, I should just sing this little melody, and all of a sudden, I don't feel scared anymore!"

"That sounds like Sapphie, alright," sniggered Vinyl. "Still, hard to believe that whistling a happy tune helped you get over, well, you know."

"I thought that, too," said Sweetie Belle. "But it works!  It really does!  Here, I'll show you."

She then cleared her throat and sang a string of notes.  Oddly enough, it sounded very much like scat; something that wouldn't be out of place in a professional jazz concert.  I say this not only because of the music itself, but because Sweetie Belle actually has an excellent singing voice.  I mean it, it's incredible that a filly her age can sing this well.  Now I see why Rarity wanted her to substitute fir her as the soprano of the Ponytones.

Suddenly, just as the last note left her lips, there was a brief flash of green light.  When the flash disappeared, Sweetie Belle had changed.  At first glance, the change was unnoticeable, but looking closely, I could see a passionate flame burning brightly in her eyes.

"Ms. Sapphire says that all I have to do is remember this song, and whenever I sing it, I feel like I can take on anything," said Sweetie Belle.

Vinyl blinked. "Uh, hey, kid?  Did Sapphie ever tell you what that song was?"

Sweetie Belle shrugged. "Not really.  She just said she learned it from a friend."

"Uh-huh," said Vinyl with a slow nod.  She then turned to me. "I dunno about you, Tavi, but I'm starting to get a bit of déjà vu over here."

"I feel the same way, Vinyl," I concurred, knitting my brow.

Sweetie Belle tilted her head. "Um, what're you talking about?"

"Well, how do I say this?" I said, placing a hoof to my muzzle. "I have reason to believe that this melody Sapphire Shores taught you is a spell straight out of Pan's Music Code."

Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. "A spell?  But I didn't use my horn at all.  And besides, Earth Ponies can't teach spells to unicorns.  That's just silly."

"I understand it might be difficult to grasp, but this is a special circumstance," I said. "Pan's Music Code is a way to perform magic through music.  Anyone who can carry a tune can utilize it, not just unicorns."

"That's all very well, Ms. Melody," said Puzzlement, equally skeptical. "But how exactly did Ms. Shores know about it?"

"She learned about it at the Manehattan Music Festival from the one who invented it," I explained. "You remember how Vinyl said before that I thwarted the designs of a saboteur at that time, yes?"

"We have the case on record, and your involvement is indeed documented," said Puzzlement with a nod. "Why?  What about it?"

"Well, Pan knew about the saboteur all along; he just didn't know who it was," I said. "As a precaution, he taught a healing spell to Sapphire Shores, which she used after she herself was attacked."

"Wait, are you sure Sweetie Belle was using that spell?" said Fluttershy, rubbing the side of her head. "Because I'm not sure boosting confidence would qualify as a healing spell."

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that," I admitted. "Pan's Music Code is not exactly something that I know off the top of my head."

"Hey, I wouldn't be so quick to back out of that theory, Octy," said Vinyl. "So what if the two spells aren't the same?  Who's to say that Pan only taught Sapphie one spell?"

I sighed. "Vinyl, that's just blind speculation.  We can't confirm it."

"Well, we can't deny it, either," said Vinyl with a shrug. "And that's good enough in my book."

"Maybe so, Ms. Scratch, but it's not good enough in mine," said Puzzlement sternly. "Pieces have to fit in order to make sense.  Just because a piece can fit doesn't mean it will."

"This is all quite fascinating; really, it is," interjected Rarity. "But I do believe we're getting off-track.  What were you asking Sweetie Belle, Detective Puzzlement?"

"Hmm?  Oh," said Puzzlement, flipping through her notes. "Well, I just wanted to know what she and Ms. Shores were doing before they were attacked.  Apparently, Sweetie Belle was nervous about her upcoming performance, and Ms. Shores wanted to help her."

"Yeah, that isn't exactly anything new to us, Detective," said Vinyl, folding her forelegs.

"There is a bit more to it," said Puzzlement. "Sweetie Belle mentioned that Ms. Shores was nervous about something.  She didn't ask why, but I think that piece connects to the death threat Mr. Lockdown had."

Oh, yes.  Shamus did bring that up when we confronted him on the matter, didn't he?  I think it's about time we found out what that's all about.  But first, I need to clear something up.

"Did you ask her for details about the attack itself?" I inquired.

Puzzlement heaved a great sigh. "I don't like pressing witnesses any more than necessary, Ms. Melody.  I tried to get as much as I could, but she always got to a point where she'd just clam up or sing that song again."

"Well, what were you able to find?" asked Fluttershy.

"Just a motive, if you can even call it that," Puzzlement scoffed bitterly. "The assailant was aiming to steal Ms. Shores's voice.  I don't know if that has to do with her singing, or if she knew something she wasn't supposed to."

"I'm thinking the latter," said Vinyl, furrowing her brow. "Sapphie did get a death threat, after all."

While that does seem the most plausible, I still don't know how it's possible.  At the Manehattan Music Festival, Sapphire Shores's interaction with Mare-Do-Well was minimal at best.  On top of that, she has nothing to do with the Tengu Dynasty.  If she did know something about all this, then two pertinent questions need answering: What did she know, and how did she come across this information?  I feel that these questions can only be answered by Lockdown.  And if he can't answer them, then only Sapphire Shores herself will have the answer.  And who knows how we'll get to speak to her.

"Tell me, Detective Puzzlement.  Is Mr. Lockdown still in the Performance Studio?" I asked.

"Yes," said Puzzlement.

"Well, we need to go talk to him," I said. "If you're done here, we'll tell you what we found on the way."

Puzzlement tapped her chin for a moment. "Hmm.  Is there anything else you wanted to tell me, Sweetie Belle?"

"Nope, that's it," said Sweetie Belle.

Puzzlement nodded. "Alright, let's go then."

"Hang on, I got a question," said Babs.

"Oh?  What is it, Babs?" asked Sweetie Belle.

Babs blew back her combover and brushed the back of her hoof. "Um, do ya think you could teach me that little ditty?  I-I might need it for, something."

Vinyl smirked. "Translation: She's scared."

"H-hey!" Babs barked, her cheeks matching her mane. "D-don't you go spreading rumors like that, punk!  I-I mean, me?  Get scared?  That's— pffsh!"

Vinyl laughed. "Getting scared is natural, kiddo.  Especially after what you just went through," she said. "Don't try to hide that just to act tough, okay?  That's my schtick."

Just so you know, that is more or less true.  It's hard to think of a time when Vinyl's not acting bombastic and crazy, and when she isn't like that, well, you know something really bad happened to her.  Still, those softer sides are still there.  You just have to look for them.

"Uh, yeah.  Okay," said Babs, looking a bit more cheerful. "Anyway, about that ditty..."

"Hmm?  Oh, sure," said Sweetie Belle, clearing her throat. "I mean, I'm not that great of a teacher, but I'll try my best."

"Um, actually, could you teach me, too?" asked Cookie Crumbles. "I know I'm not much of a singer myself, but your father and I have been pretty worried about you."

Sweetie Belle blushed and twiddled her hooves. "Oh.  Um, I dunno..."

Rarity let out a brief chortle. "Well, at least she's going to be okay," she murmured, wiping a tear from her eye. "That's a load off my mind."

"It is nice to see her looking chipper, isn't it?" said Fluttershy, draping a wing over Rarity's shoulder.

"Indeed," said Rarity, a swelling of determination in her voice. "Which is why we should do all we can to find the one responsible for this."

"I couldn't agree more, Ms. Rarity," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "And on that note, I do believe we've dallied long enough.  We should go check in on Shamus."

"Oh, right then," I said. "Let's go, everypony."

With that, we left Sweetie Belle and Babs.  I must say, the general mood of everypony here has certainly improved quite a bit.  I'm sure part of it has to do with Pan's Music Code, but still, it's a nice change of pace.  Although I can't help but worry that we're being lulled into a false sense of security.  The killer, whoever he is (or she, if it is the faux Mare-Do-Well) almost killed Babs.  I shudder to think what would happen if he chose to strike again.

...

And the worrywart inside me once again rears its ugly head.  Ugh, I really should stop doing that to myself.  Fretting over every little thing and getting paranoid is not going to help us any.  Maybe I should try singing that confidence boosting spell.  It's a bit of an ear worm, so I'm sure I could recite it note for note if I wanted to.  Mmm, perhaps later.  I still have to tell Puzzlement what Babs told us, amongst other things.  Besides, I'd probably look like a twat if I did that in the middle of the investigation.  That's Vinyl's department, not mine.
> Confrontation: Rosco (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:44 PM
Mewlun Mountains
Border Patrol
***


Just as Seiryu said, the giant leaf parachutes led us directly to the border of the Neko Shogunate's territory where we first entered.  I couldn't help but notice the cloud of smoke billowing out of the canyons below.  That leads me to believe that this attack on our airship must've been pretty recent.  But, if that's the case, how come we didn't hear it?  If I'm not mistaken, sound's supposed to be able to travel pretty far in the mountains.  Hmm.  Maybe it all depends on how recent it was.  Of course, we have no way of finding that out without some more information.

I averted my gaze from the smoke and scanned the steps of the mountain for familiar faces.  Sure enough, Rosco and Desoto were still at the gate arguing with the guards.  I'm not sure how to feel about that.  I mean, yeah, they're the guys I wanted to talk to, but I highly doubt that they want to talk to me.  Still, they might be our best source of finding out what's going on, and I can't let that chance slip away.

"Wee~!  That was super fun!" Pinkie Pie cheered just as we touched down. "Let's do it again!"

"Cool it, Pink," Applejack said tersely. "We came down here for a reason, remember?"

"Yeah, I know," said Pinkie with a shrug. "I'm just saying we should use these leaves to go back up the mountain once we're done here."

Applejack opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Rosco and Desoto descending upon us.  They must've noticed us flying in, which is understandable.  After all, it's rather hard to miss three ponies gliding through the air using giant magical leaves.

"I thought you were on a spiritual quest or some crap," said Rosco, folding his arms. "What're you ponies doing back here?"

"First of all, we're not exactly on a spiritual quest," I said. "I just happen to know Kohryu personally.  You know, after saving him from that curse and all.  Second, we're actually conducting an investigation, and you guys have some information we need."

A low snarl escaped from Rosco's throat. "What makes you think we wanna talk to you, pony?"

"Because I have some information that might be of interest to you," I answered. "So, how about this?  I'll tell you what I know, and after that, you tell me what you know.  Sound fair?"

"Sounds fishy," Desoto growled, leering at me with hungry eyes. "Don't think we forgot about how much trouble you caused for the Top Dog with your shenanigans."

"As I seem to recall, my shenanigans ended up helping you guys catch Dodger Dragonvest, amongst other things," I retorted, standing my ground. "I'm very willing to do that again, but first, you gotta promise to help me, too."

Rosco snorted. "Unless you've got some way to get these felines to let us in, we're not interested."

I swallowed. "Well, see, that's actually kinda impossible."

Desoto knelt down on all fours and stared me directly in the eye. "And just what do you mean by that?"

Hoo boy.  I know where this is going.  Man, they are gonna be so pissed.

"Want me to tell 'em?" Applejack offered.

"N-no, it's okay.  I got this," I said with a deep sigh.  I then turned back to Rosco and Desoto. "The Grand Shoguns passed a law saying that Diamond Dogs are forbidden to set foot in their territory.  Anyone who breaks that law is to be killed on sight."

Desoto's shoulders stiffened as he bent himself back, ready to pounce. "Why you little—"

"Desoto, heel," Rosco ordered. "This actually could work to our advantage."

"But she's lying!  I know she is!" Desoto barked. "She can't be trusted, Rosco!"

"It ain't no lie, partner," said Applejack, adjusting her hat. "We heard it from the captain of the guard himself."

Rosco furrowed his brow. "So, let me get this straight.  You're saying that Dodger was a dead dog the moment he set foot in these mountains, and that the Top Dog has just been wasting his time trying to get him back?"

"Sure seems like it, considering that we managed to find Dodger's corpse being used as a ceiling decoration in Kohryu's cave," I said simply. "We don't know how he got there, but I take it you don't really care at this point."

Rosco clicked his tongue in frustration. "Tch.  There's no telling how the Top Dog's gonna react to this."

"Regardless, I'm sure you'll find the information helpful," I said. "Now then, let's get around to my questions, shall we?"

"We don't have to tell you anything, pony!" Desoto growled through gritted teeth. "I still think you're trying to pull a fast one on us!"

"Hey, don't talk about Ammy that way!" Derpy snapped. "She has no reason to lie to you!"

"Oh, like you would know, goofball," Desoto scoffed. "How do I know you're not just trying to protect her, huh?"

"That's enough outta all of ya," said Applejack, walking between us. "This here argument ain't gonna get anyone anywhere."

Desoto snarled and bared his teeth while Rosco hummed in thought.

"Alright, let's say you are telling the truth," he said. "What exactly do you want out of us?"

"Well, first and foremost, there's that," I said, pointing to the smoke pillar coming up from behind us.

"You mean that explosion?" said Rosco, raising an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"According to our escort, that explosion came from someone destroying our ride home," I stated.

Rosco shrugged. "And what do you want us to do about it, huh?  Furthermore, why do you think we care?"

"You two had front-row seats to the whole thing; you tell me," I replied.

Rosco deadpanned. "You really expect us to give a damn about this, don't you?  Well, just so you know, we don't.  At all."

"Don't you see, Rosco?!" Desoto barked, pointing an accusing finger at me. "She's trying to pin it on us, just like she did with the Top Dog!"

I smacked my forehead. "Okay, how did you come to that conclusion?  I don't suspect you guys at all.  Sure, I'm fairly certain that you hate my guts, but you wouldn't do something like this unless Sykes Silvervest ordered you to, right?"

Rosco let out a strained grunt and clenched his paws. "Ignore Desoto.  He has no idea what he's talking about."

"You seem a bit tense there, partner," said Applejack, arching an eyebrow. "How do we know that you ain't lyin' to us?"

"I could ask you the same thing, pony," Rosco growled.

"We have no reason to lie, Mr. Rosco.  Honest," said Derpy, tilting her head. "But I agree with Applejack; you're acting kinda weird.  Didn't you say that you didn't care about the airship?"

"I don't," Rosco snapped, clenching his paws tighter. "J-just get off our backs.  We don't have time to deal with this."

Pinkie narrowed her eyes. "Oh yeah?  How do we know you're not just saying that to make us go away, huh?"

"They're doing it again, Rosco!  It's a setup!" Desoto roared, his muscles rippling with tension. "Let me kill them, dammit!  They're nothing but trouble for the Top Dog!  I'll tear them limb from—"

"Desoto, heel!"

Rosoc's order came out as a loud bark that echoed all around us.  Desoto did as he was told, and Rosco took a moment to collect himself before addressing us.

"Looks like you nosy ponies won't leave us alone until we indulge you," he said stiffly. "Alright.  We'll play your game for now.  But no funny stuff, lest I let Desoto loose on the lot of you.  You're just wasting your time with us, anyway."

"Let me be the judge of that, Mr. Rosco," I said.  Truth be told, I was thinking the same thing as Applejack.  Rosco looked like he was hiding something, or at least that he knew more than he let on.  I'd consider that a lucky break, as it might give us some fresh leads.  Nevertheless, I have to walk on eggshells here and be sure not to piss him off any more than necessary.  I'm not sure how easy that's gonna be, but rest assured, this will not be enjoyable for either of us.


***
Testimony: The Explosion
***


"The truth of the matter is we really don't know anything about this," said Rosco. "Desoto and I were just standing here like morons trying to get in when the explosion occurred.  It smelled slightly off, but that's all I can really tell you.  Plenty of dragons roam around these parts; maybe one of them did it.  I don't know, and like I said before, I don't care."

Hmm.  It's easy to just say that, but I'm not sure if he means it.  Sure, he sounds like he does, but his body language is a whole different story.  He might not have done anything wrong, but he could be trying to get rid of us.  Well, tough patooties, pal.  We're not leaving until we got what we came for.  And I know just where to start.

"You mentioned that the explosion smelled off," I said, knitting my brow.

"Yeah, what of it?" said Rosco. "Diamond Dogs smell a lot of things.  It's really not that special."

"Well, can you be more specific?" I inquired.

"Why should I?  It's not like it's gonna help you any," Rosco huffed.

"The longer you drag this out, the longer it takes for us to leave," I stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "You might as well give us all the details, Mr. Rosco.  It's in your best interest."

Rosco sighed. "You really are a pain in the neck; I hope you realize that," he grumbled.

"Hey, I do what I gotta do," I said with a shrug. "Now, about that smell..."

"Alright, alright," said Rosco, heaving another sigh. "See, it was kinda faint, but it did smell like gemstones for a bit."

Pinkie tilted her head. "Gemstones?  Are you sure?"

Rosco gave Pinkie a bemused look. "I'm a Diamond Dog.  I think I know what gemstones smell like."

"Yeah, but gemstones don't explode, silly," Pinkie giggled. "Trust me, I used to live on a rock farm.  I know my stuff, too."

"No, wait.  I think they can," said Derpy thoughtfully.

Pinkie blinked. "What're you talking about, Derpy?"

"Yeah, I'm with her, Mom.  I've worked with gemstones every since I got my Cutie Mark," I said, raising an eyebrow. "I've yet to come across one that explodes."

"Well, maybe not explode," said Derpy, furrowing her brow. "But I do remember seeing a gemstone that shoots fire."

Wait a minute.  So do I!  Is that what Rosco's talking about?  I have to press him on this.

"I'm just going to go out on a limb here, but I'm guessing this gemstone smell was similar to that of a Fire Ruby," I said.

Rosco's shoulders became tense. "Wh-what?"

"I know a thing or two about mystical gemstones, Mr. Rosco," I explained. "In fact, I had to deal with a lot of them back when I took down that protection racket in July.  And as I'm sure you're aware, one of those gemstones just so happens to be a Fire Ruby."

Rosco's face darkened. "S-so what if it was?  That doesn't prove anything!"

"No, but it does tell me why Desoto thought this was a setup," I said, brushing the underside of my nose. "Unless I'm mistaken, mystical gemstones are most commonly used by Diamond Dogs such as yourselves.  You were here when the explosion happened, and I already know that you don't care for me.  On paper, you had the means and the motive to destroy our airship.  Therefore, you wanted us to leave so that we wouldn't peg you as suspects!"

"Rrragh!"

Rosco lunged at me, snapping his jaws inches away from my nose.  I do believe I hit a nerve with that one.

"Y-you can't prove anything, pony!" he barked. "Y-you said you didn't suspect us!"

"And I still don't," I said plainly. "You guys aren't stupid.  If Sykes Silvervest found out that you destroyed an Equestrian airship without his permission, he would not be happy about it.  You know this; I know this.  Nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact that you were content with hiding this information from me."

"Well, we answer to the Top Dog, not you," Rosco spat. "Despite what you might think, we don't owe you any favors.  You four can rot in this hairball-ridden place for all I care."

Derpy pouted and folded her forelegs. "You guys are mean."

I opened my mouth to deliver a snarky remark, but thought better of it.  It's just too easy.

"Wait, hold on there, Sparkler," said Applejack. "If you don't suspect these varmints of doin' nothin', then why're they gettin' all worked up?"

"Simple.  Because as of right now, they're the only suspects," I said. "They're the only Diamond Dogs around, and I'm sure they know how mystical gemstones work."

"That's still not enough to pin it on us," said Rosco sternly. "Diamond Dogs aren't the only ones who use mystical gemstones, after all."

Crap, that's a good point.  But Rosco still looks apprehensive.  There has to be a reason why.

"Alright, I'm calling your bluff," I said smugly. "Name one other species that uses mystical gemstones like a Diamond Dog does."

Rosco blanched, sweat pouring down his face. "Um, well...  There's, eh...  I-I'm sure those mangey felines could've done it!"

"Nice try, but the Neko Shogunate has no quarrel with us," I said. "Besides, they wouldn't attack something outside of their borders without a good reason."

"Well then, I...  Uh...  Sh-shaddup!"

Rosco lunged and snapped at me again.  Now we're getting somewhere.

"I knew it," I said with a smirk. "The culprit to this attack must've been a Diamond Dog, and you two were afraid of taking the rap!"

"I've heard enough out of you, pony!" Desoto boomed. "You might've been able to trick the Top Dog, but it won't work again!  I'm gonna end you!"

"Whoa there, varmint.  Let's not get hasty," said Applejack, raising her hoof. "If y'all were just up front and honest with us, we would've believed you.  Didn't this Sykes Silvervest fellow ever teach ya that?"

"He taught us not to poke our noses where it doesn't belong," said Rosco, glaring at me. "Something this pony here has trouble grasping."

"So, wait.  Our airship getting smashed is somehow not our business?" asked Pinkie.  I can't tell if she was being sarcastic, or if she was genuinely confused.  Then again, Pinkie was never an easy pony to read, despite her outgoing nature.

Rosco gave Pinkie the evil eye and snorted. "Cute," he said sardonically.

"No, she's right.  This does involve us, whether you want it to or not," said Applejack firmly. "So unless you want me to tan your hide, you've got some 'splainin' to do.  Why didn't ya tell the truth?"

Rosco let out an exasperated grunt. "You really wanna know?  Fine.  But this is off the record, y'hear me?  We don't want any trouble with the Top Dog."

"Trust me, I wasn't even planning on it," I said earnestly.

Rosco narrowed his eyes. "With you, it's never easy to tell," he said coldly.

I'm starting to doubt that there's any way for me to get on good terms with this guy.  Not that I want to be his friend or anything, but I kinda wish we didn't have this animosity between us.  It would make this a whole lot easier.


***
Testimony: The Truth
***


"I believe I mentioned this to those felines, but the Top Dog told us not to start any international incidents while we were here," said Rosco. "The Silvervest pack might be strong, but without the support of every single pack in the underground network, we can't exactly take on an entire nation.  When I smelled that explosion, I knew that you would think we did it.  In the end, we were just following orders."

"Y'know, this still could've been avoided if you were truthful with us from the beginnin'," said Applejack, arching an eyebrow.

"That doesn't work on this pony," Desoto spat, looking directly at me. "If anything, it just makes things worse.  Just ask the Top Dog."

I sighed. "Sheesh.  You guys act like digging for the truth is a bad thing."

"Some truths have to remain buried for the sake of the pack, pony," Rosco quipped. "That's just the way it is."

"Beg pardon, but I think that kinda mentality is a load of hogwash," said Applejack bluntly. "Sure, the truth may hurt or be inconvenient, but that shouldn't stop ya from speakin' it."

Rosco scoffed. "It isn't always that simple, pony.  Plenty of Diamond Dogs who run their mouth have been dealt with by the Top Dog.  Sometimes, honesty isn't the best option."

Applejack snorted angrily.  To be frank, she really looked like she wanted to buck Rosco in the face.  I'm not saying I blame her, but Rosco's not going to be in the mood to talk if he's too busy picking his teeth up off the floor.  I need to change the subject over to Dodger somehow.

"So, you have no idea who was behind the attack," I said.

"Not a clue," said Rosco. "Some Diamond Dog must really hate you if he came all the way out here just to sabotage your little trip, and the only ones who fit that bill have been taken care of."

"You mean like Dodger?"

"Exactly like Dodger," said Rosco.  He then snickered. "Truth be told, he really had it in for you when we hauled him back to the Top Dog.  In fact, he was bent on getting revenge.  I'm thinking that's why he escaped, but with a mental case like him, who can say?"

"Yeah, he was pretty crazy," I said, furrowing my brow. "But he wasn't stupid."

Rosco blinked. "Come again?"

"Well, think about it," I said, brushing the underside of my nose. "If it's forbidden for Diamond Dogs to set foot in the Mewlun Mountains, why did Dodger come here in the first place?"

"Like I said, I don't know," said Rosco. "What?  You think you do?"

"I can't say for certain, but I have a pretty good hunch," I said. "See, I heard on the grapevine that this place has a lot of Shroud Emeralds."

Rosco's eyes went wide. "You for real?  Those things are as rare as hen's teeth in the underground network."

"Yes, in the underground network.  Not the Mewlun Mountains," I said frankly. "In fact, the Grand Shoguns outlawed their use when they gave too much power to the assassin guilds."

"You don't say," Rosco mused. "Hmm.  It is a tantalizing prize for any Diamond Dog.  Shroud Emeralds are quite a valuable resource, after all.  But who would be crazy enough to..."

He trailed off as an epiphany hit him. "Wait, you're saying that Dodger knew this?!"

"Not only did he know this; he was counting on you guys not being able to follow him," I said. "Not without starting a war, anyway.  And as you just said, Sykes Silvervest was trying to avoid that."

Desoto bared his teeth and growled. "That little sneak!  When I get my paws on him, I'll make him wish he was dead!"

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but someone already beat you to it," I said somberly. "Still, the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery."

"If he's dead at all," said Rosco darkly.

Derpy did a double take. "Wait, what?  We just said he was.  Why don't you believe us?"

"I'm not saying that," said Rosco. "But think about it this way.  Dodger knew that it would be suicide to just waltz into the Neko Shogunate, yeah?  You said it yourself; he's crazy, not stupid.  He must've had a plan for surviving here."

I, find no reason to dispute that.  Even so, where is he going with this?  So what if Dodger had a plan?  He's still dead, somehow.  We saw his corpse and everything.

"I don't think I'm following you on this one," I said sheepishly.

"Then figure it out yourself.  That seems to be your thing, after all," said Rosco with a sneer. "But if you want my advice, mind your own business.  Dodger's death doesn't concern you."

Except that I know for a fact that it does.  However, arguing with him at this point isn't going to do me any favors.  I don't think there's anything else he can tell us, anyway.  That being said, we don't really have that many good leads.  All we were able to gather is that the airship was demolished by a Fire Ruby.  That's about it.  And we don't have any suspects for this sabotage, either.  So, we basically came all the way down here for what essentially amounts to next to nothing.  Great.  J-just great.

"You okay, sugarcube?" inquired Applejack. "You look a bit frustrated."

"Gee, I wonder what tipped you off," I said sarcastically.

Derpy rubbed the side of her head. "Uh, I can't speak for Applejack, but I think you're angry that we didn't find all that much here."

Thank you, Mom; that was the joke.  Ugh, I keep forgetting that Derpy doesn't have a firm grasp on sarcasm.

"Yeah, well.  Can you blame me?" I sighed. "I mean, I was sure these two would know something, but they—"

"Star Amethyst!"

My venting was interrupted by a neko samurai flying in on another magic leaf.  From the look on his face, you'd think that he saw a ghost.

"What's new, pussycat?" said Pinkie cheerfully.

The samurai gave Pinkie an odd look. "Th-that's nyot my..."

"Never mind; she's just bein' Pinkie," said Applejack, cutting across him. "You have a report for us, I take it?"

The samurai's face darkened. "The mongrel you call Dodger Dragonvest may still be alive, Star Amethyst."

"What?!" I exclaimed. "Wh-what are you talking about?!"

"Yeah!" Desoto chimed in. "The pony said he was dead!  She lied to us!"

"We cannyot discuss it here, Star Amethyst," said the neko. "Let us hurry back to Kohryu's scared home, posthaste.  It's best if we show you."

This day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?  I sighed.

"Alright," I said. "We're right behind you.  C'mon, let's go."

Without a word, we all mounted the magic leaves and flew off.  Well, isn't this ducky?  Not only did we get very little information out of Rosco and Desoto, but we missed out on something very crucial back at the crime scene.  I-I still can't get over that.  Last time we saw Dodger, he was as dead as a doornail.  Sure, we don't know how he died, but he looked pretty dead to me.  And now we find out that he might still be running around doing Celestia knows what?  How is that possible?  And furthermore, what was he trying to accomplish with this elaborate ruse?

I'm going to jinx myself by saying this; I know I am.  But, I-I can't help it.  I really have a bad feeling about this.  Oh, Celestia, give me strength...
> Leads for Lunch (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:23 PM
Canterlot Castle
Royal Dining Hall
***


"Ah, Twilight.  I'm glad you got my invitation."

When we got to the dining hall, Celestia was already there waiting for us.  Not only this, but the table already had an abundance of food prepared for us, including a chalice of gemstone for Spike.  It was rather extensive for a meal just for the five of us, but I get the feeling that was by design.  Although I don't know whether it was so that I could take a break from investigating, or we just had that much to talk about.  I guess there was only one way to find out.

"Ms. Raven said you had something to share with me," I said, sitting down next to her.

"In a moment, in a moment," said Celestia, pouring herself some tea. "I want to hear from you first.  How's the investigation coming along?"

I shrugged. "We've made some progress here and there, but there's still a lot to be done."

"At the very least, we know what happened to Blueblood last night," Shining added. "It took a while for him to be truthful with us, but Twilie managed to get past his ego."

Celestia sighed. "He always was a stubborn stallion.  I do hope he wasn't too much trouble."

Spike chuckled. "Aw, c'mon, Princess Celestia.  Twi's tackled stuff a lot more challenging than Prince Blueblood."

I was about to admonish Spike for the insult, but Celestia didn't seem to mind.  Instead, she let out a slight giggle. "I suppose that's true."

Not wishing to continue this conversation, I cleared my throat. "Actually, there were a few things I wished to discuss with you as well."

"Oh?  Such as what?"

"We heard from the Royal Guard that a prisoner named Pine Talon was attacked last night.  You wouldn't happen to know about this, would you?"

Celestia's pleasant smile slowly turned into a troubled frown. "I was informed, yes.  I suppose you plan on speaking with him."

"Well, he is our best lead right now," I said truthfully. "Which is why I need to know as much about him as I can."

Celestia nodded. "I see.  Well, there isn't that much to tell, really, but I'll tell you what I know about him."

Kibitz adjusted his spectacles and gave Celestia a concerned look. "You seem pained, Your Highness.  Does something about Pine Talon trouble you?"

"You could say that," said Celestia somberly. "First, let me ask you this, Twilight.  How much do you know about the Tengu Dynasty?"

"Only what Mare-Do-Well told me," I answered. "That and I do know a few details regarding Pine Talon's trial.  He was charged with trying to assassinate the Wonderbolts, correct?"

"Yes," said Celestia. "Although in his own words, he didn't actually try that hard."

Spike raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

Celestia heaved a great sigh. "As you may already know, the Tengu Dynasty was a barbarous culture of savages that betrayed each other for power or simply to survive.  It should be noted, however, that Pine Talon's worldview is considerably different from a typical tengu.  For that, he was considered a pariah amongst his brethren.  The only reason he survived this long is because he didn't try to change the flawed society he came from."

"So, all he was doing was carrying out the orders of the Tengu Empress," I mused.

"More or less," said Celestia, sipping her tea. "Although he didn't claim that this justified his actions in any way.  Not that it would, of course."

I nodded absently and poured myself some tea. "Did he say anything else at his trial?"

"Only that he's willing to be reformed," said Celestia, knitting her brow. "Personally, I'm still having trouble sorting that out.  The Tengu Dynasty is almost a complete antithesis of Equestrian society.  Even if he's willing to adapt to our ways, I don't know if he's able.  Which is why I sentenced him to be imprisoned until further notice."

I have to say, it's very uncomfortable to see Celestia be so, unsure about something.  Maybe it's because I'm biased, being her student and all, but I was always under the impression that Celestia had an answer for pretty much anything.  I mean, I know she doesn't really, but part of me can't help but cringe whenever she simply throws up her hooves and says "I don't know."

"Okay, so is this guy going to be easy to talk to, or not?" Spike asked bluntly.

"That depends," said Celestia. "Pine Talon is a very jaded and cynical individual, though most of that comes for his distaste for the practices of the Tengu Dynasty.  His tongue can be quite sharp, but keep in mind that his resentment is not directed at you per se."

"Wait, how do you know this?" asked Shining Armor, helping himself to some salad. "Did you talk to him after the trial?"

"We've spoken a few times," said Celestia nonchalantly. "Again, I'm trying to see if he can be reformed despite his upbringing."

I smiled. "I'm sure it's possible.  After all, we were able to reform Discord, right?"

"Yeah, but I don't remember that being easy," said Spike, folding his arms.

I didn't really have a response to that, so I just shrugged.  It's true that Discord's reformation was a constant uphill battle, but something tells me it's easier to reform someone if they're willing to cooperate.  Until recently, that wasn't the case with Discord.  But, I feel we're getting off-track.

"Well, is there anything else we should know?" I inquired.

"Just one more thing," said Celestia. "He is blind."

At first, that seemed to be a rather arbitrary thing to bring up.  But I know Celestia.  She doesn't say things like this without a reason.

"Blind in what way?" I asked.

"Simply that," said Celestia plainly. "His eyes are completely useless to him."

Ah-ha.  I think I get what Celestia's trying to say.  She means Pine Talon is literally blind, and because of that, he won't be able to tell us what he saw.  I can't say this is ideal, as we still don't know the identity of the intruder.  Nevertheless, that little fact just might've saved me some awkward embarrassment.

"Thank you, Celestia," I said with a nod. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind when I talk to him."

"Of course," said Celestia.  She then turned her attention to a large layered cake at the center of the table.  She sliced off a piece and levitated it in front of me. "Care for a slice?"

"Oh.  Uh, not right now, thanks," I said, opting to take some mashed potatoes instead.

Celestia shrugged. "Suit yourself," she said, taking a huge bite.

"Now, Your Highness.  Remember what we talked about," Kibitz scolded. "You can't keep indulging yourself like this.  It's not good for your glucose levels."

Celestia gave Kibitz a bemused grin. "Oh, very well.  If you say so, Father," she said mockingly before setting the cake down.

Spike was roaring with laughter.  I'd be lying if I didn't find it amusing myself.  I can't tell which is more interesting: The fact that Kibitz can actually scold Celestia and get away with it, or that Celestia can take said scolding in stride.  Something tells me this isn't the first time they had this conversation.

"I fail to see how keeping the ruler of Equestria healthy is humorous, Mr. The Dragon," Kibitz grumbled.

"I do believe we have more important things to discuss than my health, Kibitz," said Celestia, dabbing her muzzle with her napkin. "Is there anything else you wanted to ask me, Twilight?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact," I said, clearing my throat. "Did you get a chance to speak with Luna yet?"

Celestia's face darkened. "I have.  That's actually what I wanted to speak with you about."

I gulped.  I had a feeling that was the case, but even with this foresight, I don't think I'm ready to hear this.

"Wh-what's all this about, Your Highness?" stammered Kibitz, wiping sweat from his brow.

"First the good news," said Celestia. "Despite the appearance in the photos, this is not the work of the Nightmare Forces.  It's merely a close facsimile."

Spike swallowed. "Th-there's bad news?"

"That all depends on if this is true or not," said Celestia. "Twilight, you mentioned that this new Mare-Do-Well is a ponunculus, correct?"

I blinked. "Um, yeah.  She is.  I don't remember telling you, though."

"You didn't, but Pine Talon did," said Celestia. "Apparently, Mare-Do-Well has paid him a few visits herself."

Now this is odd.  I'm not wondering why Mare-Do-Well didn't tell me about Pine Talon; that's her business.  And I suppose they both had their problems with the Tengu Empress, so it's very likely for a friendship to develop between them.  What I don't get is why Pine Talon would tell Celestia any of this.  Mare-Do-Well swore me to secrecy; surely she did the same with Pine Talon.  So why did Pine Talon break that promise?  I guess that's another question I'll have to ask him.

"I'm not really following you on this, Your Highness," said Spike, biting hard into an orange gemstone. "What does that have to do with the photo?"

"I was getting to that, Spike," said Celestia, taking a roll from the bread basket. "Now then, I'm sure you're aware that a ponunculus is bound to their creator, yes?"

"Of course," I said. "Well, except for Mare-Do-Well, but even then, I don't know how she managed to disobey her creator."

"It's quite simple, actually," said Celestia. "Although I'm afraid none of your books mention this, as it's a bit of an unwritten rule."

"Well, what is this unwritten rule?" inquired Shining Armor.

"A ponunculus is unable to take another life."

I did a double take. "How does that qualify as an unwritten rule?  That seems pretty important to the creation of a ponunculus."

"Oh, it is important, to be sure," said Celestia. "However, for all intents and purposes, a ponunulus is a pony shell filled with life-giving magic.  And there's a basic principle that I do believe you know, Twilight."

"Wait, but you just said that my books wouldn't know anything about this," I said, blinking in confusion.

"Because you're thinking about the wrong books," said Celestia sagely. "Alchemy books don't cover this because it's a fundamental principle of all forms of magic, and restating it would be redundant."

Hold on.  A principle of magic, specifically having to do with life...  Of course!  Why didn't I think of that before?!

"If you use magic to create life, that same magic cannot be used to bring about death," I said, remembering Professor Inkwell's lecture quite vividly.

Celestia smiled. "Exactly.  And that's why Mare-Do-Well defied her creator.  An order to kill is a paradox to a ponunculus.  And since she was designed after the heroic deeds of you and your friends, she knew subconsciously that her creator had to be stopped."

"Wait, wait.  That still doesn't make sense," said Spike, holding up his claw. "Wouldn't Gypsy Moth have known this already?"

Celestia shook her head. "My guess is she didn't take that into consideration when she was the Tengu Empress.  The Tengu Dynasty is all about death and killing; it's not unreasonable to say that she forgot about this basic truth behind her craft."

"I'm afraid I'm still lost, Your Highness," said Kibitz, stroking his chin. "What does this have to do with the photos?"

Celestia let out a muted sigh. "There is a way to get around this unwritten rule, but it involves a lot of dark magic," she said gravely. "If Mare-Do-Well's impostor is a ponunculus herself, she probably was created using such spells, which explains why it's present in the photo.  I didn't know it would be this powerful, though."

So, we're either dealing with a powerful dark sorcerer, a stronger-than-average ponunculus who was created using dark magic, or both.  None of those options sound particularly appealing for Equestria's future.  This goes beyond crashing the Gala or whatever mischief has been caused in the other locations.  Once again, the fate of Equestria (and possibly the Griffon Kingdom and the Neko Shogunate) hangs in the balance.  You'd think I'd be used to this kind of pressure by now, but trust me, it never gets easy.

"I understand that you're worried, Twilie," said Shining Armor, placing a hoof on my shoulder. "But I also know that if anypony can put a stop to this, it's you."

I gave Shining a smirk. "Not just me, BBBFF.  I'm counting on all of my friends, too.  This is a team effort, and we're all going to solve this mystery.  For Mare-Do-Well and for Equestria."

"Well said, Twilight," said Celesita with a nod. "Now, I suppose you don't wish to be detained any further..."

"Uh, actually, I'm still kinda hungry," said Spike, cutting across Celestia.

I sighed. "Spike, we'll have time for food later.  Right now, we have to go see Pine Talon and keep moving."

"C'mon, please?" Spike begged.

"No," I said sternly. "I'm sorry, Spike.  But you know what they say.  There's no rest for the weary."

Spike looked as his chalice of gemstones, which was already half-gone. "Can I at least take these gems with me?"

I let out another sigh. "Oh, fine," I conceded. "But be ready to take notes when I need you to, alright?"

"You got it," said Spike, scooping up the chalice.

"Good.  I'm holding you to that," I said before turning to Celestia. "Thanks for everything, Celestia."

"You're very welcome, Twilight," said Celestia warmly. "Keep up the good work, and best of luck.  Oh, and one more thing before you go."

"Yes?"

Celestia leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Try not to let Kibitz get to you.  I'm sure you've noticed that he can be a bit of a worrywart, but he means well."

It's times like this that I envy my mentor.  Even in dark situations like this, she finds the time to crack a lighthearted joke.  I don't think I'll ever be able to do that.  Oh well, at least I still have Spike and Shining Armor to keep my spirits up.

"I'll keep that in mind," I said with a nod. "Thanks again."

With that, we left Celestia to her luncheon and headed off to the dungeons.
> Confrontation: Gilda (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 13:27
Epiphany University
Main Campus
***


"Hang on, ma'am.  I see Captain le Grand and Gilda just below us.  They're heading in our direction."

I did a quick scan of the ground below and saw that Rainbow Dash was correct.  Pierre and Gilda were heading up the walkway towards the library.  While I do question this on some level, it at least saves us the trouble of going all the way back to the staff building.  I let out a sharp whistle to get Pierre's attention.  When he noticed us and flagged us down, we came in for a landing.

"This is quite a coincidence, Capitaine Spitfire.  We were just coming to fetch you and le Griffon Magistrat," said Pierre.

"I see," I said, taking a quick look around. "Um, where's Drake?"

"Back at the crime scene, watching over things," said Pierre.

I nodded. "Smart move.  So, what did you want to tell me about?"

"First thing first," said Pierre, clearing his throat. "We actually managed to find the key to Professeur Kierra's office.  Believe it or not, she was using it as a bookmark.  I had no idea she was so worried about forgetting things."

Well, there goes my theory about the key being stolen.  That means we still have no idea how the culprit got into that room to dispose of the evidence.  My best guess now is that it has to do with Pan's Music Code, but that's not exactly something I can prove.

"It appears there's a lot about Kierra we didn't know before," I said with a shrug. "Anyway, anything else to report?"

"Indeed," Pierre said with a nod. "We complied a list of the passages that Kierra had bookmarked.  All of it has to do with some kind of magic, though I still don't know why she'd be researching this.  Here, take a look."

He handed me a few pieces of scrap paper containing bulleted lists of all the books and passages.  I quickly skimmed through the list to see if there was anything interesting.  Like Pierre said, most of it was relating to magic.  The psychological effects of dark magic on unicorns; general magic theory; the Kurama Tengu; even a brief essay on ponunculi.  The specifics were a bit too complex for me to get my head around, but one thing was certain.  Kierra believed that Gypsy Moth was either up to something or in danger.

"Thank you, Captain le Grand," I said, giving the scrap paper back to him. "I'll be sure to take a closer look at it later."

"You can keep that copy, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre. "I had Drake and Privé Gilda take notes as well."

"Yeah, and it was a major pain in the rear," Gilda groaned, rolling her eyes.

Pierre shot Gilda a sharp look, to which Gilda shrugged.  I probably don't need to tell you this, but her attitude has really been grating on my nerves.  I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels this way, either.  Even so, I can't let something like this drive a wedge between us.  We have to work together, whether all of us want to or not.

"Well, thank you again, Captain le Grand," I said with a bow.

"The pleasure is all mine, Capitaine Spitfire," Pierre replied warmly. "So, have you found out what's on that cassette tape?"

"We did," I said, turning to Gilda. "Which is why I want to ask you some questions."

Gilda raised an eyebrow. "Huh?  Why me?"

"Out of all the things Professor Kierra was looking into, one of them was Nemean Correctional Facility," Rainbow Dash explained. "Seeing as you were a warden there, you might have some deets on the place and prisoners."

Gilda scoffed. "Sorry, can't help you guys there.  A lot of the inner workings of Nemean is kept on the down-low.  We don't just kiss and tell."

"The Griffon Magistrate has given us permission to investigate Nemean due to one of the prisoners being a possible suspect," said Misty Fly.

Gilda tilted her head. "Who?"

"Gypsy Moth."

Gilda snickered. "Y-you're kidding, right?  I already told you; that old geezer can't hurt anybody."

"You seriously believe that?" Blaze snarled. "We know what she's capable of."

"What she was capable of, maybe," said Gilda, crossing her arms. "There's no way that's the case now, though."

"But—"

Blaze opened her mouth to protest, but I interrupted her with a stern glare.  She clammed up, but not before snorting in frustration.  I understand how she feels, of course.  Honestly, part of me feels the same way.  But baseless conjecture is not going to help anyone, and she should know that.

"Sorry about that," I sighed, turning back to Gilda. "Look, you might be right about this.  We don't know right now.  Still, I feel it's best that we have some form of confirmation."

Gilda chortled and shook her head. "Trust me, Captain Spitfire.  You don't want to waste your time flying all the way over to Nemean if you're planning on catching this Mare-Do-Well guy.  Gypsy Moth's got nothing to do with anything, and I can prove it."

"You can, huh?" said Rainbow Dash thoughtfully. "Alright, G.  Lay it on us.  It could end up saving us the trip."

"Not freaking likely," Blaze mumbled under her breath.

Gilda leered at Rainbow Dash. "You think brown-nosing me like this is gonna change your flip-flopper status, Dash?  'Cause it's not."

"I'm not trying to brown-nose, you, G," Rainbow Dash insisted. "I just—"

"Save it," Gilda interrupted.

Rainbow Dash heaved a great sigh and backed down.  While I can't help but feel bad for her, Gilda kinda has a point.  We shouldn't get off-track like this.

"Let's not waste any more time on this," I said. "Private Gilda, we'll gladly hear you out.  But just so you know, it's gonna take quite a bit to convince me that Gypsy Moth's on the level."

Gilda gave me a complacent sneer. "We'll see about that."

She really seems confident about this, and to be fair, it might be for a good reason.  However, I can tell that she's not going to make this easy for me.  That's okay, though.  I deal with proud hotheads all the time at the Academy.  This shouldn't be much different.


***
Argument: In Defense of Gypsy Moth
***


"Gypsy Moth has changed a lot since you took her out all those months ago," said Gilda. "She's been getting therapy, and while I'm no shrink, it appears to be working.  Plus, her cell is outfitted with state-of-the-art anti-magic fields.  The only place she can use magic is within the confines of that cell.  So, yeah.  She can't be involved in that egghead's murder."

I can't say I completely disagree with Gilda here.  On the surface, it sounds like Gypsy Moth has a good alibi.  Nevertheless, I still have my doubts.  I don't think Gilda's lying; it's just that there might be a few things she's not aware of.  I'll press her on a few points, just to make sure.

"You mentioned before that you've talked with Gypsy Moth," I said. "I didn't know a high-security prison like Nemean allowed wardens to do that."

"Normally, they don't," said Gilda. "But Gypsy Moth's one of our special cases."

"How so?"

"At the behest of Princess Celestia, Gypsy Moth was given a more lenient punishment than she would've gotten," Gilda explained. "You ponies wanted us to focus on rehabilitation, and while the Griffon Magistrate disagreed, she made a compromise that she'll spend the rest of her days in Nemean while getting help."

"And you think that help is working," Rainbow Dash mused.

Gilda shrugged. "Seems to be.  She's actually quite nice when you get to know her.  She could never get my name right, though."

"Yeah, I remember she was pretty bad with names," I said, knitting my brow. "What did you two talk about, exactly?"

"This and that," said Gilda indifferently. "She really didn't have all that much to talk about.  She was always busy with that little alchemy setup of hers."

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Blaze shouted. "They're letting her perform alchemy in there?!  Are they nuts?!"

"Hey, you guys wanted her to be rehabilitated; don't blame this on me," Gilda snapped. "'Sides, she's never made anything dangerous.  We made sure of that."

I immediately remembered something that Kierra said on the tape.  I need to pursue this further.

"How exactly did you go about doing that?" I inquired.

Gilda blinked. "What, making sure she's not cooking up something dangerous?  That's easy.  We make a note about all the ingredients she asks for and her recipes.  She can't get anything by us, and she hasn't tried."

"I see," said I. "Well, what has she made?"

Gilda smirked. "You're not gonna believe this, but one time, she helped restock Nemean's medicine supply.  The ingredients she asked for did raise some eyebrows, but at that point, we knew she wasn't gonna try anything."

"That doesn't sound like the Gypsy Moth I know," grumbled Blaze.

Blaze's comment aside, I can't help but feel that she might have a point.  This setup definitely feels off.

"What ingredients are we talking about here?" I asked.

"Well, for one, there were the toxic truffles," said Gilda. "I honestly have no idea what those things are, but any idiot could tell you that they don't sound safe.  Still, lots of poisonous stuff is used in medicine, or so I heard.  So, we gave her a pass on that one.  Just that one time, though."

Nope, still doesn't sound right.  This must've been what Kierra was talking about when she said that they were giving her dangerous toys.  This won't be pretty, but I'm gonna have to bring this to Gilda's attention.

"I have to say, Private Gilda.  That's a pretty blatant oversight on Nemean's part," I said, pressing my hooves together.

Gilda's eyes narrowed. "You mind repeating that?"

"Perhaps I should explain," I said. "I happen to have experience with toxic truffles.  They taste like chocolate, but they're absolutely lethal.  There's no reason Nemean should give Gypsy Moth something like that.  Especially not since she used it before to try and poison a member of my team!"

"H-hey, that doesn't mean anything!" Gilda barked back. "She said she was using them for medicine, and she used 'em for medicine!  That's it, end of story!"

"Really?  Because Professor Kierra might disagree with you there," I said, pulling out the cassette tape. "According to this, she was really concerned about Gypsy Moth for a variety of reason.  One of those reasons was that you guys were giving her hazardous material to play around with."

"Still doesn't mean anything," Gilda snarled. "Maybe that egghead's just wrong.  Ever think about that?"

"Well, she clearly wasn't doing all this research for her health," growled Blaze. "She knew something was up with Gypsy Moth.  The research clearly shows that."

"And why was she researching this to begin with?" asked Pierre.

"Mare-Do-Well," I responded without missing a beat. "Our vigilante friend met her and warned her about this.  Then she found that defaced bookmark Misty Fly discovered and started putting things together."

Gilda sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Well, maybe Mare-Do-Well was wrong.  You can't prove otherwise, can you?"

Okay, this really isn't getting anywhere.  If I'm going to make Gilda budge, I have to spell out a scenario where Gypsy Moth could be the murderer.

"Alright, aright," I said. "Let me pose a hypothetical situation.  Let's say that Gypsy Moth did want to kill Kierra.  She already has access to the toxic truffles.  All she needs to do is smuggle them out in some way, right?"

"Ha!  Easier said than done," Gilda laughed. "If she tried to pull that on us, her precious privileges would've been revoked faster than you can blink."

"Tch."

I winced slightly.  Gilda's right.  Nemean wouldn't make it that easy for her.  This might be a bit harder than I thought.

"W-well, that still can be done," I said, clearing my throat.

Gilda crossed her arms. "Oh yeah?  How?"

"You just said Gypsy Moth has privileges," I said. "Couldn't she exploit those in some way?"

Gilda arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Like, I don't know, sending a package to Kierra claiming that it was something it's not?"

Gilda tilted her head. "Wait, what kind of package?"

"I, can't really think of anything off the top of my head," I said. "But Kierra mentioned getting a package from Gypsy Moth in the cassette tape."

Gilda's brow furrowed. "And, when did she say she got this package?"

"I believe it was two days ago," said Misty Fly. "Why?"

"Well, I delivered a package to her two days ago.  It was my last job at Nemean before I joined the Proud Pride."

Suddenly, my hypothetical situation doesn't sound that hypothetical anymore.

"You mean you've been here before?" said Rainbow Dash. "It kinda would've been helpful to know that, G."

"Look, Gypsy Moth's still not relevant to anything, alright?  I'm sure of that," Gilda growled defensively. "She wouldn't pull this kind of crap on me."

"How can you be so sure?" Blaze said darkly.

"Um, I talked to her for several months.  I think I know what she's like," Gilda snapped.

"No need to get snippy there, private," I said sternly. "Still, I want to know about that package."

Gilda snorted. "You just can't get it through your head, can you?"

"Just humor me for now," I said. "There might be something you're not aware of."

"I could say the same about you," Gilda retorted. "Alright, fine.  If this is what it takes to convince you that your little witch hunt is leading you in circles, I'll tell you about the package."

"Trust me, Private Gilda.  I know better than to start up witch hunts," I said.

"Sure, whatever," said Gilda.

She was trying to sound indifferent, but her body language told a different story.  Call it mare's intuition, but I can't help but think that she's worried about something.  I can't imagine about what, though.  Well, only one way to find out.  But rest assured, it won't be pretty.


***
Testimony: The Package
***


"Like I said, Gypsy Moth asked me to deliver this package to her old friend Kierra a couple of days ago," said Gilda. "Packages from the prisoners have to be cleared by the wardens, so this fell under my job description.  I didn't have to do it, but I figured it's my last day; she's a nice pony; why the heck not?  Took me forever to figure out who to deliver it to, though.  Y'know, what with her being bad with names and all."

"You okay there, G?" asked Rainbow Dash, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "You seem kinda, I dunno, uptight."

"You're uptight!" Gilda spat.

I hate to say it, but Rainbow Dash might be onto something.  The more Gilda talked, the more nervous she seemed to become.  Resorting to schoolyard taunts wasn't helping her case, either.  Now I know that something's making her uncomfortable.  Time to find out what.

"What did Gypsy Moth say this package was?" I inquired.

"Some of that home-brewed medicine I told you about," said Gilda.

"Why?  Was Kierra sick?" asked Blaze.

"Heck if I know.  She didn't look so hot when I gave her the package," said Gilda with a shrug.

"That's because of her research," I said flatly. "She really was driving herself crazy trying to figure this stuff out."

"Well, I didn't know that at the time," said Gilda defensively. "How could I have?  I don't hang with eggheads, in case you haven't noticed."

"No, we noticed," said Blaze sardonically.

"Stow it, Blaze," I growled through gritted teeth. "This is not the time."

"Okay, okay.  Sheesh," said Blaze with a pout. "You really are a hard-dock sometimes, Sis."

"Only because of ponies like you," I countered, turning back to Gilda. "Anyway, let's get back to the package.  What was the nature of this medicine?"

"I-I dunno.  Some kinda powder you mix with water," said Gilda. "That's how Gypsy Moth described it, anyway."

Oh, boy.  I think I know why Gilda's panties are in a bunch right now.  And honestly, I don't blame her.

"You're not gonna like what I'm about to say here, Private Gilda," I said.

Pierre tilted his head. "Why so ominous, Capitaine Spitfire?"

"I think she knows," I said, giving Gilda a look.  Sure enough, beads of sweat had materialized on her brow.

"L-look, I know what you're trying to say, but that's just not possible," she said. "I-it just isn't."

"Okay then.  Let me ask you this," I said, pressing my hooves together. "Do you know what Kierra was drinking when she died?"

Gilda's eyes darted every which way before she shrugged.

"It was hot cocoa," I stated plainly. "And seeing as we've been talking about toxic truffles for the past few minutes—"

"YOU CAN'T PROVE A THING!"

Gilda let out a loud roar, cutting across my train of thought.

"Whoa, hey.  Chill out, G," said Rainbow Dash, sounding rather worried. "What's your deal?"

"I didn't screw up!" Gilda bellowed. "I couldn't have!  Sh-she would never do something like this, I swear!"

I furrowed my brow. "See, I don't think you really believe that, Private Gilda," I said. "After all, we're talking about a pony who tried to sabotage our diplomatic relations and conquer our lands.  You have every right to distrust her."

"B-but she's changed!  She has to have changed!" Gilda cried. "If she's still a psycho, then, then..."

"Then you would be blamed for helping a known criminal commit murder from the safety of her jail cell," said Misty Fly, completing Gilda's thought.

"N-no!  No, that's not it!" Gilda protested.

"It's not cool to lie, G," Rainbow Dash scolded, folding her forelegs and looking Gilda in the eye. "And don't try to say you aren't lying; we can all tell that you are.  So, for your sake, just drop the act and be honest with us."

"Dash, I...  But you...  GRAAAAH~!"

A loud screech echoed all over the campus as Gilda slumped over in defeat.

"Alright, y-you got me," she murmured. "I-I knew something was up ever since the Griffon Magistrate conducted that autopsy report.  I mean, I wasn't lying about Gypsy Moth's therapy; I did think it was working.  I still do.  But, there's still something about her that rubs me the wrong way, y'know?"

"Why didn't you mention any of this, Privé Gilda?" Pierre said, staring down as her in disappointment.

Gilda threw her talons up. "What do you want me to do, man?  If I told the Griffon Magistrate that I delivered poison to the victim, I'd be on her suspect list!"

I sighed. "Look, this is really all just speculation.  You're right, we can't really prove any of it.  The only way to find out is if we go see Gypsy Moth herself."

Gilda let out a bitter scoff. "Don't even try, man.  I see the writing on the wall.  I know I'm hosed."

"G, even if it was true, we all know you're not the bad guy here," said Rainbow Dash.  She then walked over to Gilda and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Look, I'm not trying to say you're blameless.  What you did was wrong, and you have the good sense to realize that.  But if you think I'm gonna let you take the fall for someone else's crime, you've got another thing coming."

Gilda blinked. "Dash, what're you talking about?  There's no way you can convince the Griffon Magistrate to take it easy on me."

"No, she's right," said Pierre somberly. "Le Griffon Magistrat may be overzealous and eager to prove herself, but she is fair.  If she knew the full story, your punishment would not be that harsh.  But you have to tell her the truth, Privé Gilda.  It's the only way."

Gilda sighed and smirked at Rainbow Dash. "You're really getting a kick out of this, huh Dash?  Seeing me down and out like this."

"Can't say that I am," said Rainbow Dash, shaking her head. "In fact, I'm very disappointed in you."

Gilda snickered sadly. "What are you, my dad?"

"No.  Just your friend."

Gilda stopped laughing.  After a pregnant pause, she got up.

"I'm gonna go tell the Griffon Magistrate everything," she said. "You guys head on over to Nemean and get the truth out of that bitch Gypsy Moth.  And don't let her sweet-talk you, either."

"Oh, trust me.  That's not gonna happen," said Blaze firmly.

Gilda grunted and turned to Rainbow Dash. "You really are something, Dash.  I can't decide on what you are, but you are something.  Take that however you want."

Rainbow Dash smiled. "Alright, I'll take that as a compliment then."

"Yeah, you would," Gilda sniggered. "Give her what-for, Dash.  I'm counting on you."

With that, she headed off towards the library.

"Well, that happened," said Blaze. "I take it she's not going to be in the Proud Pride much longer."

"That all depends on le Griffon Magistrat's reaction," said Pierre, folding his arms and furrowing his brow. "Personally, I don't think it would be fair to let her go that easily.  I remember when my actions were far from forgivable, but I was still given a second chance."

"That's because your military structure is focused on redemption, though," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Last I checked, the Proud Pride isn't part of the military anymore."

"That may be true," Pierre mused. "However, I must admit that I see a lot of myself in Privé Gilda.  Which means I might be the one to turn her around."

I can't say I agree with that.  I understand that Gilda's case isn't black and white, but if she was under my command, I'd be more hesitant to let her stay.  Some things just aren't that easily forgotten or forgiven, especially when lives are on the line.  But, I'm not her captain.  Pierre is.  And if he wants to keep Gilda around, let him.  It's not my business.

"Well, I think we've done all we can here," I said. "Captain le Grand, you think you could take us over to Nemean?"

Pierre tapped his beak in thought. "Well, normally it's not wise to approach Nemean without prior notice, but I figure after Privé Gilda informs le Griffon Magistrat on the situation, she'll let them know you're coming.  Alright, I'll take you.  But only as far as the prison itself.  Once you get inside, you're on your own."

"Noted," I said with a nod. "Alright, Wonderbolts!  Let's fly!"

With that, we took off into the air and formed up behind Pierre as he led us away from Epiphany University.  Looking over at Blaze, I could clearly see the fierce determination in her eyes.  She must think we're getting close to the endgame.  Honestly, I'm still not that sure.  I know Gypsy Moth is involved somehow, but I can't say for sure how.  Even Kierra didn't figure that out, and she was researching this for a week.  Sure, we have evidence that she might be behind all this, but it's not the same thing as proof.  All in all, I have no idea what to expect from her.

Then again, that isn't really something that has ever matter to a Wonderbolt.  Unexpected or not, I still have to be ready for it.
> Up to Speed (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:30 PM
Lincolt Center
Performance Studio B
***


"I can't believe this.  I just can't believe this.  Can you believe this?"

Well, this is just sad.  When we got back to the Performance Studio, I was expecting Shamus to be doing actual police work.  But instead, he seems to be content with pacing around and muttering angrily to himself.  Is it wrong to say that I find the idea of a professional detective doing this more than a bit disconcerting?  I'm going to say no, because looking around, everypony else is having more or less the same reaction to this nonsense.  Even Lockdown and Mike Check were baffled by his behavior.

"He's been like that for a while now," said Mike, shaking his head. "I only managed to snap him out of it so that I could give him my statement."

Meaning he's not going to be any more pleasant to us even though he knows the truth.  Lovely.

"Um, Detective Puzzlement says that you were informed of our mission," said Fluttershy meekly.

Shamus turned to us and snorted. "Yeah, we were informed.  It's legit, too.  But this is still ridiculous, no matter how you slice it.  That Princess of Friendship must've lost her marbles if she's sending four random broads to investigate a bunch of urban legends and factoids."

Vinyl deadpanned. "Really?  That's the reaction you're going with?  How about: 'Hey, girls.  I know I had no real reason to think you were telling the truth until now, but you know what?  Turns out you were right; sorry for making myself look like a huge prick.'  You got anything like that for us?  Huh?"

Shamus's eyes narrowed. "Don't test me, toots.  Princess or no princess, I will arrest you if you give me a reason."

"And I'm sure Twilight would love to come all the way to Manehattan and deal with that herself," said Rarity sardonically.

Shamus opened his mouth to retort, but when he found that he had none, he simply let out an agitated sigh.

"Shamus, just drop it," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "We still have a job to do."

"Indeed," I concurred, clearing my throat. "You mentioned before that there was a death threat on Mr. Lockdown's person, correct?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Shamus grumbled.

"May we see it?"

Shamus reluctantly dug into his trench coat pocket and pulled out the note in question.  Deftly, I took it from his hooves and unfolded it.  It was a simple letter with no real signature or any indication of who sent it.

"'The Songbird will perish before she can sing,'" I read aloud.

"Yep, sounds like a death threat, alright," said Vinyl. "Though honestly, I never heard Sapphie referred to as a songbird before."

"It might be tied into Sweetie Belle's testimony about the assailant wanting to steal her voice," Puzzlement mused, a slight twinkle in her eye. "So, we're dealing with someone who dabbles in riddles, or at least indirect speech."

"This should be right up your alley then, Puz," Shamus snickered.

"Oh, ha ha," Puzzlement said dryly. "Must you always criticize my methods, Shamus?"

"N-now, now.  Let's not drag any personal baggage into this," said Fluttershy, trying to pacify the situation.

"Ms. Fluttershy's right; we should remain focused," I said. "Now then, Mr. Lockdown?"

Lockdown perked up. "Yes?"

"Sapphire was in possession of this letter before you, correct?"

Lockdown took a moment to clear his throat. "Actually, I managed to intercept the communique before it reached Ms. Sapphire.  After disclosing it to her, she said it might do some good for me to provide some extra protection at the concert today."

So Lockdown was here simply for Sapphire's peace of mind.  This isn't really new information.  We already know that Sapphire knows something, and that something is the reason she was attacked.  We just need to find out what that something is.

"When did you intercept this death threat, exactly?" I inquired.

"This morning, at her hotel," said Lockdown.

"And, what exactly was Sapphie doing before that?" said Vinyl.

Lockdown arched an eyebrow. "I'm afraid I don't get your meaning."

"Let me rephrase it, then," said Vinyl, folding her forelegs. "Do the words 'Tengu Dynasty' mean anything to you?"

"I already tried asking him that, Scratch," said Mike. "He has no idea what it even means."

"I'm afraid Mr. Check is correct," said Lockdown solemnly. "Ms. Sapphire has never even mentioned those words to me."

Well, there's that idea up the flume.  I suppose looking back on it, it would be rather ridiculous to think that Sapphire Shores knows anything about such things.  She actually has a genuine disinterest in international politics, at least from the times I've talked to her.  Even so, she had to have known something that would prompt someone to attack her.  But what could that be?

"Actually, let's get back to Ms. Scratch's first question," said Rarity.

Lockdown tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Well, has Ms. Sapphire been acting nervous as of late?  Before getting the death threat, I mean."

Lockdown tapped his chin in thought. "Now that you mention it, she had been a bit on-edge ever since we arrived in Manehattan," he said thoughtfully. "You wouldn't know just by talking to her, but as her bodyguard, I could tell that something was amiss."

"Now we're getting somewhere," said Puzzlement, flipping open her notepad. "When did you and Ms. Shores arrive in Manehattan?"

"I'd say about four days ago, give or take," said Lockdown with a shrug.

Rarity pursed her lips and furrowed her brow. "That seems awfully early to arrive for a performance."

"It was her idea," said Lockdown. "She said she wanted some time to take in the sights.  Ms. Sapphire has always loved it here in Manehattan."

Vinyl chuckled. "Yep, that definitely sounds like something Sapphie would do."

I agree.  Sapphire Shores is not one to let her celebrity status get in the way of the finer things in life.  That's why most ponies in the entertainment business look to her as a role model, as well they should.  However, that's neither here nor there.

"So, if Sapphire arrived a few days early to pamper herself, why did she seem on-edge?" I inquired.

Lockdown's face darkened. "I'm sorry, but I can't divulge that information.  It's strictly between me and Ms. Sapphire."

"I understand that you're dedicated to your job, Mr. Lockdown," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "Nevertheless, these matters take precedence."

Lockdown shook his head. "I gave Ms. Sapphire my word not to tell anyone about this.  If you want to know more, you need to ask her."

"Well, she's not exactly here right now," said Vinyl firmly. "So it's all on you, big guy.  You're our best chance of catching the sicko that attacked her."

A low growl emanated from Lockdown's throat, followed by a mutter of something indecipherable.

"What was that?" asked Fluttershy.

Lockdown muttered again.

"Please speak up, good sir," said Rarity.

"Centrot Park," Lockdown spat out.

Puzzlement raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"Ms. Sapphire's first stop was Centrot Park," said Lockdown in a strained tone. "After that, she was on-edge.  That's all you're getting out of me."

Shamus knitted his brow. "You sure?  'Cause we haven't been called to Centrot Park for a month now."

"Perhaps more," added Puzzlement.

Lockdown snorted. "Look, I told you; that's all I'm saying.  If you want all the details, you need to ask Ms. Sapphire."

Mike rubbed the side of his head. "Sorry, Lockdown, but something about this doesn't make sense."

"What's that?"

"Are you saying that Ms. Shores saw something bad going down in Centrot Park?  'Cause if that's what you're saying, why didn't she tell the cops?"

Lockdown growled again, this time without saying anything else.  While it appears that we're not going to get much else out of him, Mike does bring up an interesting point.  If Sapphire Shores did see something in Centrot Park like a crime being committed, there's only one reason I could think of for her not going to the police.  That reason is the same one I had for keeping (or trying to keep) my investigation a secret at the Manehattan Music Festival.  If the culprit found out she was poking her nose where it didn't belong, she'd be in grave danger.  So whatever she saw, it must've been quite horrible.  Brr~.  I shudder just thinking about it.

"Uh, are you sure you can't tell us more?" asked Fluttershy, twiddling her hooves. "I mean, it's okay if you can't, but we would be very grateful if you did."

Shamus rolled his eyes and threw up his hooves. "You gotta be kidding me.  You gotta be bucking kidding me!  The Princess of Friendship sends these four to do detective work, and one of them doesn't even know how to conduct a proper interrogation!"

"First of all, there's no need to swear," said Puzzlement, wincing at Shamus's epithet. "Second, at least she's not arresting him prematurely."

It's strange, but I actually agree with both of them on this one.  Fluttershy's methods are hardly ideal, but at least they're not reckless and completely devoid of logic.

"Listen, I wish I could tell you guys more; really, I do," Lockdown sighed. "But I gave Ms. Sapphire my word that none of this would get out.  I can't just go back on that."

"Well then, that leaves us at a bit of an impasse," said Puzzlement, furrowing her brow. "The only way around it is to talk to Ms. Shores herself, but we don't know if—"

She was interrupted by a loud blast of static coming from Shamus's trench coat.  Shamus let out an exasperated groan.

"Great, what now?" he muttered, taking out a walkie-talkie. "This is Shamus.  Over."

He then placed the walkie-talkie close to his ear so that none of us could eavesdrop.  After a pause, his eyes bugged out.

"Th-that's impossible!  Sh-she's supposed to be...  But...  But...  Ugh, fine.  I'm sending somepony down to take care of it now.  Over and bucking out."

Puzzlement winced again. "Wh-what was that all about, Shamus?"

"You're not gonna believe who's waiting downstairs in the lobby right now," said Shamus.

Something tells me that I will believe it, actually.  I've seen this play out before.

"Alright, we'll bite," said Vinyl. "Who is it?"

"Sapphire Shores.  She's outta the hospital faster than we expected."

Fluttershy and Rarity gasped.  I, however, was not astonished in the slightest.  The same thing happened at the Manehattan Music Festival.  As I mentioned before, Pan taught Sapphire a spell from his Music Code that was meant to heal her, and I highly doubt she forgot it; even after all this time.

"Did they say why she was here?" asked Puzzlement.

"I don't know; I cut 'em off before they could say anything else," Shamus sighed. "This is definitely not going in my memoirs."

Puzzlement smacked her forehead. "Shamus, we talked about this.  You can't always be in such a hurry.  At least let them say 'over' before you transmit your response."

"Again, that wouldn't be a problem if you didn't always insist on taking your damn time," Shamus snarled.

Puzzlement flinched.  When she recovered, her face darkened. "I'm warning you, Shamus.  If you swear one more time, I'm washing your mouth out with soap when we get back to the station."

"Am I the only one here who kinda wants to see that?" said Vinyl, raising her hoof.

"Yes.  Yes, you are," I said flatly.

Vinyl shrugged. "Just checking."

Ugh, Celestia help me. "Look, the important thing is Sapphire is here, right?  So we should go downstairs and get her story."

"Agreed," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "Will you be joining us, Shamus?"

"G-give me a minute," said Shamus, sounding completely exhausted. "Man, this is one crazy case, eh Puz?"

"Quite the understatement, if I do say so myself," said Puzzlement. "Well, let's not dally any longer.  If any of you wish to come with me, now's the time."

"I'll be fine up here," said Mike. "I figure I'd keep an eye on my assistant and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid again."

"I'll join you," said Lockdown, clearing his throat. "If someone is still targeting Ms. Sapphire, I need to be there to stop them."

"Fair enough," said Puzzlement with a nod. "And I take it you four will be coming as well?"

"But of course," I said.

"Right then," said Puzzlement. "We're off."

With that, we all rushed out the door.  Finally, some concrete answers.  At least I hope.  Although I will admit that I'm a bit apprehensive about this upcoming conversation.  Not only because of what Lockdown said (though goodness knows that's bad enough), but honestly, I have no clue what's going to happen once Sapphire sheds some light on the entire situation.  And while part of me doesn't want to find out, I will persevere.  Not just for her sake, but for Mare-Do-Well's sake as well.
> Double Illusion (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 1:08 PM
Mt. Kohryu
Welcoming Chamber
***


"Well, that don't look right."

Understatement of the past thirty moons, Applejack.  Indeed, the crime scene had completely changed from when we last left it.  The leaves on the floor were scattered and bloody, a folded stepladder had materialized from thin air, and most troubling of all, Dodger Dragonvest was nowhere to be seen.  Seiryu was hovering above it all and surveying the damage when we touched down.

"This is more dangerous than I had originally thought," he mused, barely acknowledging our arrival. "I do hope we're prepared."

"Prepared for what?" asked Derpy. "And what's that ladder doing there?"

Applejack arched an eyebrow. "Uh, Derpy?  That there's a stepladder."

Derpy turned to Applejack and tilted her head. "What's the difference?  They both look the same to me."

"Well, they ain't," said Applejack firmly, pointing to the stepladder. "See?  It's like two ladders stapled together."

"That doesn't sound all that different from a regular ladder to me," said Pinkie with a shrug. "You really shouldn't judge things based on narrow-minded cultural assumptions, AJ."

I let out an exasperated groan and slapped my forehead.  Disregarding the fact that I have no idea what Pinkie's babbling about, I'm just dumbfounded that we're even arguing about this in the first place.  Sometimes, it's not easy to deal with being surrounded by a bunch of weirdoes.

"Who cares what it is?" I growled. "The point is that it wasn't there before."

Pinkie nodded. "Sparkler's right, guys.  We shouldn't fight over this.  Let's just agree to disagree.  Ladder, stepladder; pah-tae-toe, ta-mah-toe."

"That's not how the sayin' goes, Pink," sighed Applejack. "But, yeah.  We've got more important things to worry about."

"Like Dragonvest," I said darkly. "It looks like he skipped out on us."

"But, how can that be, Ammy?" asked Derpy, rubbing the side of her head. "Dead people don't just get up and walk away."

"That's right, Derpy.  They don't," said Pinkie, tapping her chin and furrowing her brow. "Unless..."

Oh no.  Please don't say zombies.  Please don't say zombies.  Please don't say zombies...

"Unless what, Pinkie?" inquired Applejack.

"Unless Dodger Dragonvest was never dead to begin with!"

Oh, thank Celestia.  I'm glad to see she's taking this seriously.  As I said before, it's pretty hard to tell with Pinkie Pie.

"I have to agree with you on this one, Pinkie," I said. "Rosco and that neko samurai both mentioned the possibility just before we came back here.  Now we just have to figure out how he was able to pull that off."

"I just might have an answer for that," said Seiryu, making his way into our conversation.

"Yeah?" I said. "Well, what is it?"

"Let me ask you this first, Star Amethyst," said Seiryu. "You know how Shroud Emeralds work, yes?"

"Well, of course," I stated honestly. "When you're under the influence of its spell, you can't be perceived for a few hours unless you come into contact with mud or something."

"Correct," said Seiryu with a sage nod. "But have you ever wondered what would happen if you used a Shroud Emerald while you were under that spell?"

Okay, he's clearly going somewhere with this.  And I highly doubt that I'm gonna like it.

"I have to admit that I haven't given the possibility much thought," I said with a shrug. "I just assume that it would extend the duration of the spell."

"You're partially correct," said Seiryu. "But there is an additional effect."

"And that is?"

"When the first spell wears off, the second leaves an image of the wielder behind."

Derpy blinked. "What kinda image?"

"The image depicts the position the wielder was in when he used the Shroud Emerald a second time," said Seiryu gravely.

I took a moment to piece all this together. "So, you're saying that Dodger used the Shroud Emeralds once, walked up Mt. Kohryu, tied himself up, and then used a second set of Shroud Emeralds to leave an image of himself and fake his death?"

"That's the working theory at the moment," said Seiryu. "At least according to Lord Orph.  He had to deal with this sort of thing all the time before the Grand Shoguns banned the use to Shroud Emeralds."

"Hang on, hang on, hang on," said Applejack, raising her hoof. "That still doesn't make a lick of sense.  Wouldn't this image show that he's alive?"

"That's actually a flaw with this theory," said Seiryu with a heavy sigh. "There is a way to slow your breathing so that the image you create appears dead, but that technique is limited to the most deadly assassins in the Mewlun Mountains."

Meaning we don't know how Dodger Dragonvest came across this information.  As cutthroat as the Diamond Dogs of the underground network are, I don't think even they would find much use for something this sinister.  Except for Dodger, or course, but again, he couldn't have learned it from his fellow Diamond Dogs.  And honestly, that's just one of many question I have about this whole scenario.  Well, better start trying to answer them, then.

"When exactly did this the spell wear off, Mr. Seiryu?" I asked.

Seiryu stroked his whiskers in thought. "I'd say around fifteen minutes or so after you left.  Lord Orph sent one of his men to fetch you as soon as he noticed something was wrong."

"And where is he now?"

"He's looking into this trail of blood here," said Seiryu, pointing to the trail. "He thinks he can use it to find the false hierophant."

Somehow, I doubt that.  This trail must be hours old, at least.  Even if Dodger's paws were all cut up, he couldn't have been losing that much blood.  But hey, who am I to tell the Chief of the Samurai Guard how to do his job?

"I reckon we can already guess what the stepladder was for," said Applejack, looking over the object in question. "He obviously used it to maintain his footin' while he was stringin' himself up.  But my question is where the hay did he get it from?  I don't think there are any hardware stores 'round these parts."

Seiryu floated down to the stepladder and gave it a once-over. "Hmm.  It appears to have been forged out of Iron Diamond."

Applejack blinked. "Iron What-Now?"

"It's another type of mystical gemstone," I explained. "But, how can you tell?"

Seiryu pointed to the metallic veins that decorated the walls and ceiling of the chamber. "Those veins have traces of Iron Diamond in them.  Even at a cursory glance, I can spot the similarities between them and this device."

"Wait, I'm confuzzled again," said Derpy. "I thought Diamond Dogs treated mystical gemstones so that they could use their magic."

I shrugged. "Well, from what I understand, Fire Rubies aren't typically used as weapons, either.  I guess Iron Diamonds have more than one use, too."

"So, wait.  You're sayin' that Dodger Dragonvest found the time to sit down, forge this here stepladder, and lug it up this here mountain?" asked Applejack.

"Look, I'm not sold on this, either," I said. "Dodger doesn't have any friends here.  Hauling this thing around would slow him down and make him vulnerable to attack.  But you can't deny that it might be our best explanation."

"Which means we're missing some major clues," Pinkie chimed in.

"You got it," I said with a nod. "Now, if only we knew where to go from here..."

"Star Amethyst?"

Before I could sort out this problem, another neko samurai entered the cave and approached us.

"What news do you bring from Lord Orph?" asked Seiryu.

"He lost the mongrel's trail," said the samurai. "However, he did manyage to find anyother lead."

"Really now," I said. "Where might that be?"

"The mongrel's trail grows cold at the Valley of Secrets," said the samurai. "Lord Orph is investigating the assassin guilds for more answers."

Derpy gulped. "Wh-why would he investigate them?"

Seiryu closed his eyes and nodded thoughtfully. "The Valley of Secrets stands between Mt. Cloak and Mt. Dagger.  Those peaks are where the deadliest assassins in the Mewlun Mountains roost."

And I suppose it's not a coincidence that Dodger's been using an advanced assassin technique to give us all the runaround.  Still, I'm having trouble believing that he actually befriended an assassin out here.  You'd think that being part of the Neko Shogunate, they would kill him on sight and claim their reward from the Grand Shoguns or something.

"Did Orph say he wanted us to go there?" I inquired.

The samurai nodded.  That was all I needed.

"Right, thank you," I said with a bow. "C'mon, gang.  Let's go see this Valley of Secrets."

"Um, Ammy?  M-maybe I should just stay here," said Derpy, twiddling her hooves.

I turned to Derpy and sighed. "Mom, trust me.  I don't like the idea of waltzing into a den of killers any more than you do.  Nevertheless, we gotta do this.  I'm pretty sure those assassins don't want anything to do with us, but if it comes right down to it, I'll protect you no matter what."

Derpy paused for a moment before giving me a shy nod. "O-okay," she said. "I'll protect you too, Ammy."

"I'll protect us, too!" Pinkie cheered.

"Same here," said Applejack, adjusting her hat. "We've got nothin' to worry about as long as we have each other."

"I can certainly get behind that," I said with a smile. "Now let's go."

With that, we mounted our leaf parachutes and took off once again.  While our morale is still as high as ever, we still have a lot of unanswered questions.  But out of all of them, one sticks out in my mind more than the others.  What the heck is Dodger up to?  We're still no closer to answering that, but I know one thing for sure.  If he's breaking all of these Neko Shogunate laws to carry out this plan, it can't be anything good.


***
December 14, 1:24 PM
Mewlun Mountains
Valley of Secrets
***


After a brief flight, we came across two of the most uninviting-looking mountains I have ever seen in my life.  Both of them were as black as ash, and unlike the other mountains we've seen around here, there were no staircases carved into the ledges.  Instead, they were lined with alcoves of varying size, sticking out like footholds one would see on a rock climbing wall.  And between them both was a deep valley shrouded in a heavy fog.  As we drifted through the fog, I felt a sharp pressure in my chest.  The entire atmosphere of this place felt dark and oppressive.

When we got through the fog, the valley itself didn't look any more promising.  Even from our altitude, I could see that the place was littered with bones and skeletons.  I was hard-pressed to find a place to land where we wouldn't be stepping on someone's remains.  Ugh~.  That thought right there just made me queasy.  We shouldn't stay here any longer than we have to.

"Huh.  I spy with my little eye, something that doesn't belong."

I don't know whether I should be relieved or exasperated that Pinkie can still joke at a time like this.  That is, if she is joking.

"What're you talking about, Pinkie?" I hollered.

"That."

Pinkie pointed with her hoof, and I immediately saw what she meant.  Lying amongst the bones was a large open capsule of some sort.  I dunno, it looked like something out of some science fiction novel.  And as Pinkie said, it certainly looked out of place.  We all touched down and gathered around the odd thing.

"What do ya think it is?" asked Applejack.

"Beats me," said Derpy with a shrug.

Pinkie walked up to the capsule and peered inside. "Hmm.  Looks like whoever was in here isn't home.  Ooh, there's pretty writing in here, too."

"Pink, get outta there," said Applejack. "We don't want that door closin' on you or anythin'."

"Relax, AJ.  I'll be super careful," said Pinkie. "That's my middle name, after all.  Pinkie Careful Pie."

"Isn't your middle name Diane?" asked Derpy. "'Cause that's what it says on your letters."

Pinkie opened her mouth to respond, but found that she had nothing to say. "Huh.  Touché, my dear Derpy."

"Guys, let's try to focus here," I said, scooting over to Pinkie. "Now, where did you say this writing was?"

"Over here," said Pinkie, pointing with her hoof.

I illuminated my horn to get a better look at what Pinkie was pointing to.  For a moment, I couldn't even tell it was writing.  It looked like a bunch of squiggles and shapes.  And as strange as it sounds, I think I've seen them somewhere before.

"Hmm," I hummed, looking all around the capsule. "Pinkie, do you remember seeing anything like this?"

"Now that you mention it, didn't that kama thingie have markings, too?" Pinkie mused. "Orph said he recognized them."

That's right.  The kama had markings on it, too.  And looking at this capsule now, I'm pretty sure they're similar, if not the same.  What does this mean?

"Am I interrupting anything, Star Amethyst?"

Orph's slick voice snapped me back to the reality.  I turned to see him standing there, paws behind his back and his tail swishing from side to side.

"One of your fellas said you wanted to talk to us here," said Applejack.

"Indeed," said Oprh. "But certainly nyot in a grim place such as this.  Come, I arranged some tea for us at Mt. Cloak.  We'll speak there."

"Um, I thought this was the home of mean assassins," said Derpy, tilting her head.

Orph chuckled. "If you knyow how to conduct yourself, assassins can be quite accommodating.  Besides, a member of the guild just so happens to be a former soldier of mine who owes me quite a few favors."

"And, he's okay with this?" I asked.

"For nyow," said Orph, rubbing his eye. "I, might've nyeglected to mention that you four were outsiders.  This position is still quite precarious for me and the Nyeko Shogunyate as a whole."

Well, this is going to be awkward.  But you know what?  Screw it.  If it means getting out of this dreadful valley, I'm all for it.

"Um, we're not gonna get you into trouble, are we?" whimpered Derpy.

Orph shook his head. "Nyot at all.  Assassins cannyot kill anyone unless their contract is approved by the Guild Master and the Grand Shoguns.  I assure you, you are all perfectly safe.  Nyow, follow me."

With that, he bounded up the side of the mountain.  It sounds to me like this discussion isn't just going to be us exchanging notes.  Call it a hunch, but it probably has to do with that report he sent to the Grand Shoguns.  He still seems apprehensive about cooperating with us, but not that apprehensive.  I'm not sure what to make of that.

"Well, here's hoping the Grand Shoguns approve of us helping them out, I guess," I said with a shrug.

"And some answers," Applejack added.

"And some tea!" chirped Pinkie.

We all gave Pinkie an odd look.

"What?  He said there was gonna be tea," said Pinkie with a shrug.

I simply sighed and rolled my eyes as we made our way up the steep slopes of Mt. Cloak.  I really don't get Pinkie sometimes.  One moment she's serious; the next she's silly.  And oftentimes, you can't tell which is which.  Eh, whatever.  At least her sunny demeanor hasn't wavered that much.  Celestia knows we still need it to deal with whatever is up ahead, which might just include our old friend Dodger.
> Sensory Input (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 1:04 PM
Canterlot Castle
Dungeons
***


Before this moment, I've only been to the dungeons of Canterlot Castle once in my entire lifetime.  My big brother took me to see them when he first got into the Royal Guard.  I know that doesn't sound safe, but you have to understand that back then, I trusted my BBBFF with my life.  I still do, as a matter of fact.  The point is that even with Shining watching over me, the place gave me the creeps.  Its dank and dismal atmosphere was a sharp contrast to the beautiful and elegant halls Canterlot Castle is known for.

Seeing the dungeons several years later, that feeling has not changed.  Sure, the cells are well-kept, and the few prisoners that have been incarcerated don't look particularly uncomfortable.  Nevertheless, there's still that distinct nip in the air, and the only illumination available are the torches that line the walls.  It's not exactly a nice place to be.  Then again, why would you expect anything different from a dungeon?

"Um, Twi?  I think some of the locals are staring at us," Spike said nervously.  He certainly wasn't wrong about that; I noticed it, too.

"Just ignore 'em, Spike," said Shining. "They can't hurt you."

Funny.  He said the same thing when her first took me down here.  But this time, it feel like there's a bit more meaning to it.  It's probably due to the fact that I'm an alicorn princess who has stood up to some of the most dangerous threats Equestria has ever faced.  That's all well and good, but that doesn't change the dark nature of this place.

"Regardless, we probably shouldn't stay down here any longer than we have to," said Kibitz, wiping some sweat from his brow. "Let's just find this Pine Talon fellow and be done with it."

"Is that him over there?"

I looked where Spike was pointing.  In a small cell just up ahead, a strange creature with a wide-brimmed hat sat cross-legged on the stone floor.  His brown cloak was torn and threadbare, and I noticed that he had a length of gauze wrapped around his left arm.  His folded wings shimmered slightly in the light of the torches, though most of the plumage appeared dull and grey.  The most noteworthy traits of the creature were his bright red face and long stick-like nose (which could've just been a mask; it's hard to tell).  His odd appearance certainly made him stand out from the rest of the prisoners in the place, so I can see why Spike would make this inference.

"Let's go find out," I said, approaching the cell.  I barely had time to clear my throat before the creature perked up and turned to us.

"Do you mind?" he grumbled apathetically. "It's rather difficult to meditate with all the racket you're making."

"Um, sorry," I said sheepishly. "I didn't mean to disturb you."

The creature sighed. "I get disturbed all the time.  Your distraction is no different.  So, are you here to change this blasted bandage already?  Because if so, I hope you brought sedatives this time.  It's never wise to treat a tengu's wounds."

It didn't take me long to connect the dots. "Are you Pine Talon?"

"Nothing gets by you, does it?" the creature scoffed. "After all, I am the only tengu in here.  Who else would I be?"

"Mind your manners!" Kibitz scolded. "You're addressing a princess of Equestria!"

"Am I?  Huh.  I wasn't aware," said Pine Talon absently.

Kibitz bristled at the comment. "Wh-what?  Th-that's preposterous!" he sputtered. "How could you not be—?"

"Kibitz, he's blind," I said curtly. "Celestia already told us that, remember?  We're probably just a collection of unfamiliar voices to him."

Kibitz blushed. "O-oh.  Right, yes.  I, must've forgotten that for a second," he said, clearing his throat.

"You wouldn't be the first," Pine Talon snickered. "So, another princess has come to visit me.  To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"First, I should probably introduce myself," I said. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I'm conducting an investigation into what happened last night at the Grand Galloping Gala."

"Oh.  That," said Pine Talon. "I suppose you want to question me as a suspect, then?"

I blinked. "Why would I want to do that?  You're the one who got attacked, aren't you?"

"If I'm to be believed, then yes," said Pine Talon with a shrug.

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying that I shouldn't trust you just because you're a tengu?" I asked. "Because that would be rather prejudiced and wrong-headed on my part."

"You wouldn't say that if you knew the tengu like I do," said Pine Talon darkly.

"Ah, but you're not a typical tengu, are you?" I retorted. "Celestia already told me your story, Pine Talon.  I have nothing to fear from you, nor do I have much reason to doubt your word."

Pine Talon paused for a moment as he placed a claw to his chin. "Hmm.  I see.  Well played, Princess Sparkle.  You are certainly as sharp as your voice would imply."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I said. "Now then, about last night..."

"Yes, yes.  Of course," said Pine Talon, tapping his wounded arm. "You're wondering about this, aren't you?"

"Precisely," I said. "Spike, be sure to get all of this down."

"One step ahead of you, Twi," said Spike, opening up his notepad.

Pine Talon nodded. "Yes, well.  As you already guessed, I received this wound last night from an unknown assailant."

"Do you know when you were attacked?" I asked.

Pine Talon shook his head. "Not exactly.  I've never been one for keeping track of time, anyway.  All I know is that it was just before Lights Out."

"For prisoners, that's usually around nine o'clock.  Unless Holy Lance changed the schedule around, which I doubt he did," Shining mused.

I frowned.  That means Pine Talon was attacked while the rest of the Royal Guard was distracted.  It almost sounds like Blueblood was only meant to be a diversion from the real goal.  By that logic, it appears that Pine Talon's death was the end goal all along.  However, something about that scenario still doesn't sound right.

"Can you tell us anything about your fight with this assailant?" I inquired.

Pine Talon's face darkened. "Whoever it was, it was trained well," he said. "Not only that, but it had access to techniques that were supposedly lost to the annals of time."

"Such as what?"

"Such as the dark magic of the Kurama Tengu."

"Wait, the who the what now?" asked Spike, looking up from his notes.

"I don't expect you to know about such things; they were from well before you ponies even knew what the Tengu Dynasty was," said Pine Talon, his tone completely deadpan. "The Kurama Tengu were one of the most deadly clans in the dynasty, led by the crafty Sojobo.  Using his silver tongue, Sojobo tricked a minstrel mage into revealing his secrets to him, and he then forged that magic into a weapon for his own dastardly purposes.  Of course, no one with that much power lasts long in the Tengu Dynasty.  For Sojobo's hubris, the entire clan was expunged with one swipe of the Wind's Mandate."

I felt a shiver run up and down my spine.  The story itself was chilling enough, but the fact that he made it sound like a mundane occurrence was just, disturbing.  I'm beginning to see why Celestia described Pine Talon as jaded, and why she described the Tengu Dynasty as the antithesis of Equestria.

"Um, did anyone survive from that incident?" I asked.

Pine Talon shrugged his shoulders. "No one knows.  But if my encounter with this assassin is any indication, I'd say at least one of them is still around."

He might be correct.  At least, that's the only reason I can think of for ponies claiming to have heard Pan's Music Code left and right during the Gala.  But that brings us to another problem.

"So, you believe that your opponent was another tengu?" I said.

"No, it couldn't have been," said Pine Talon.

Kibitz arched an eyebrow. "How do you know if you couldn't see them?"

"It was too small to be a tengu," Pine Talon answered. "I could sense it in its fighting style.  Its kicks were always aimed for my chest, and its wings flapped too often.  And most tellingly, its blows were too smooth to be fists."

My brow furrowed. "You mean like a hoof?"

Pine Talon nodded. "Exactly."

"You think it could've been Mare-Do-Well's impostor, Twilie?" asked Shining.

"That's our most likely suspect right now," I said. "Although if that's true, it just raises more questions.  After all, we still don't know anything about this impostor outside of the dark magic at her disposal."

"Well, if this impostor is indeed trying to impersonate Mare-Do-Well, she's going about it the wrong way," Pine Talon chuckled. "Instead of winning my trust and killing me when I least expect it, she opted to materialize out of nowhere and try to get the drop on me."

Oh, right.  Celestia said that Pine Talon and Mare-Do-Well were on friendly terms.  I should probably ask about that.

"You seem to know Mare-Do-Well quite well," I said. "The real one, I mean."

"I should," said Pine Talon, leaning back. "She's often come to visit me.  I have no idea why she bothered, though.  Maybe she thought I'd be a good friend to her."

"But you violated her privacy and told Celestia everything about her," I said darkly. "Good friends don't do that."

"Well, serves her right for trusting me then," said Pine Talon indifferently. "If a tengu keeps a secret, that means they're up to something.  Ergo, if I want to show Princess Celestia that I'm willing to be reformed, I shouldn't hide things."

Okay, that is somewhat reasonable.  I'm not sure if Pinkie would agree, but at least he's trying to break away from the culture he came from.

"So, how did Mare-Do-Well react when she found out?" I inquired.

"She was annoyed at first, but I explained my reasons," said Pine Talon. "I can't say for certain if she forgave me, but at least she didn't bring it up again."

"I see," said I. "Tell me, did she warn you about anything like this happening?"

"You mean what happened last night?  No," said Pine Talon. "In fact, I haven't seen her for a few weeks now.  I haven't thought anything of it, though.  She's often busy playing the hero and all that."

That much is true.  But if Mare-Do-Well didn't warn Pine Talon, then when was she made privy of the attack?  She obviously took the time to write me a note; why not warn her other friends, too?  Now that I think about it, that warning was only addressed to me.  She didn't breath a word to Spitfire, Octavia, or Sparkler about any of this.  It's actually very unlike her.  If she's in Canterlot, and I end up bumping into her, she has a lot of explaining to do.

"I think we're about done here," I said. "Just one more question."

"Yes?  What is it?" said Pine Talon.

"How bad is it?  Your wound, I mean."

Pine Talon lifted his arm. "Oh this?  Meh, I've had worse.  You should've seen her, though.  I don't know what I hit, but I managed to draw some blood myself."

Wait.  That last bit could be important.

"Mr. Talon, with your permission, I'd like to take a look around inside your cell," I said.

"Your Highness, have you gone mad?!" Kibitz sputtered. "Th-that's unheard of!"

"It's quite alright," said Pine Talon. "As long as we don't make physical contact, she'll be unharmed.  You know, reflexes and all that."

Kibitz swallowed. "Your Highness, you can't trust what he says.  He's a convicted assassin!"

"He's been pretty straight with us thus far," I said with a shrug. "Besides, he's hardly the first foe I've had to deal with.  I can take care of myself just fine."

"I still object to—"

At that point, I completely tuned Kibitz out and activated my teleportation spell.  In the blink of an eye, Spike and I were on the other side of the bars.

"Ugh.  W-warn me next time you do that," Spike said in a dazed groan.

"Sorry, Spike," I apologized. "It's good you're here, anyway.  I could use an extra hand looking for crucial evidence."

"Search away, Princess Sparkle," said Pine Talon. "As I've said, I have nothing to hide."

I simply nodded and scanned the cell from top to bottom.  Right away, I spotted a silver speck glowing on the floor.  I knelt down for a closer look.  It appeared to be a droplet of liquid.  Carefully, I lifted the droplet with my magic.

"Alright, now what can we use to store this in?" I mused.

"Twilight, look over there!"

I looked up and cast my gaze over to where Spike was pointing.  There was a barely noticeable loose stone in the wall, right behind where Pine Talon was sitting.

"Spike, you mind digging that out?" I requested. "I'm, kinda preoccupied at the moment."

"Oh, sure.  No prob, Twi," said Spike.  He then shifted the loose stone away and gasped. "Whoa."

Whoa indeed.  Resting behind the loose brick was nothing like what I expected to find.  They appeared to be a pair of ankle bracelets with long claw-like blades protruding from them.  They both were coated in the same luminescent substance the droplet was made out of.  Right then and there, something clicked in my mind.

"You didn't mention your opponent using any weapons, did you?" I asked Pine Talon.

"Why would I?  She didn't," said Pine Talon with a shrug. "Why?"

"Because I found some hidden in your cell," I said.

"Well, I didn't put them there," said Pine Talon, sounding offended. "All of my weapons were confiscated when they locked me up in here."

"I-I wasn't going to imply that was the case," I said, clearing my throat. "But even so, I think we might've found our big break in this mystery.  Spike, hang on."

I activated my teleportation spell again, and Spike and I returned to Kibitz and Shining Armor with the new evidence in tow.

"Shining, you'd better take these," I said, indicating the ankle bracelets. "And be careful with them.  We can't risk contaminating the evidence."

"Of course," said Shining, taking the weapons in his own magic.

"Okay, now we're done here," I said, bowing to Pine Talon. "Thank you for your help."

"Thank you for not suspecting me," said Pine Talon slyly. "May the winds sing of your victory, Princess Sparkle."

"Right.  Thanks," I said.  With that, we started heading out of the dungeons. "Kibitz, is the alchemy lab still here?"

"Well, of course," said Kibitz. "Um, Your Highness.  If I may be so bold, you seem a bit, excited.  Why?"

I gave Kibitz a knowing grin. "Call it mare's intuition, but this is probably the most valuable evidence we've found yet.  And we're going to use it to find out exactly who this faux Mare-Do-Well is..."
> Grains of Salt (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 14:28
Griffon Kingdom
Nemean Correctional Facility
***


Throughout history, ponies of Equestria have always seen the Griffon Kingdom as a very aggressive neighbor.  While I maintain that not all griffons are like that (at least not in modern times), I'd be a fool to dispute this fact about griffon society as a whole.  Any sociologist would claim that it has to do with the fact that they're carnivores, and while that could be seen as a valid reason, I don't think it's the only one.  After all, just like the pegasi of pre-unification times, griffons have always been known to be proud and fierce warriors.  And if the Wonderbolts are any indication, those traditional roots still run deep with the pegasi.  As such, I firmly believe the same applies to the griffons.

So you can understand why I'd have a completely nonplussed reaction when we arrived the impenetrable fortress known as Nemean Correctional Facility.  Honestly, its appearance was just what I expected it to be.  The entire place was surrounded by a black wall the size of a mountain, a moat, and an anti-air minefield.  Watch towers complete with searchlights and ballistas covered every possible exit (or at least the exits I could see).  Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to get their talons on some sort of heat-seeking radar to let them know if someone was knocking at the door.  When they say that this is the most secure prison in the land, they're not kidding.  I can't picture anyone being stupid enough to try and escape that.  Not even someone like Gypsy Moth.

"Stay where you are!"

I think my radar theory just got some validation.  We were a good ten feet from the minefield when one of watch towers set its sights on us.  We all stood at attention, shielding our eyes the best we could.  Well, all except for Rainbow Dash.  I noticed out of the corner of my eye that her face had lost all color, and with the exception of her wings flapping, she wasn't moving a muscle.

"It is alright, Mademoiselle Dash," said Pierre. "This is standard procedure."

"He's right, private," I said. "Just keep calm and let me do the talking."

In a matter of moments, a warden flew from the tower and intercepted us.  To my slight surprise, he wasn't a griffon, but a pegasus.  I say slight surprise because some ponies actually do end up moving to the Griffon Kingdom for one reason or another.  Why do you think they have hippogriffs running around?

"Identification, now," growled the warden.

"Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts," I responded without missing a beat. "The Griffon Magistrate has given me and my team permission to enter Nemean for the purposes of an investigation."

The warden paused. "Just a moment."

He flew back to the watch tower, no doubt to confirm my story.  It wasn't long before he returned.

"Your story checks out," he said. "You're here to see Gypsy Moth, correct?"

"Yes," I confirmed.

The warden nodded. "I'll need confirmation of your identities."

"Of course," I said, giving him our passports.  After a thorough check, he nodded again and turned back to the watch tower.

"It's Captain Spitfire!  Disengage the minefield and open the gates!" he ordered.

There was a distinct hum in the air, followed by a powerful rumble as the massive front gate opened before us.

"Well, this is where we part ways," said Pierre solemnly. "I have to report back to Epiphany and check in on le Griffon Magistrat.  Best of luck, Capitaine Spitfire."

"You too, Captain le Grand," I said with a salute.

Pierre saluted in turn and flew away.

"I'll take you directly to Gypsy Moth's cell," said the pegasus warden. "Please, follow me.  And stay close."

We did as he asked.  All the while, I had one eye on Blaze.  She still looked like she was ready to throw down.  As I've mentioned a few times before, I can understand why she's like this.  The last time we met Gypsy Moth, she used her magic to turn Blaze into her personal puppet and force us into a fight to the death.  That was probably one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, and I know it was the same for Blaze.  Even after all this time, I can't bring myself to forgive Gypsy Moth for what she did (honestly, would you?).  Nevertheless, it's painfully obvious that traumatic experience is interfering with Blaze's judgement.  I just hope she has the good sense to keep that to herself while we're in there.  I really don't wanna call her out on her behavior during this delicate interrogation.  That won't do anypony any favors.


***


As soon as we touched down, it was just a short walk to Gypsy Moth's prison cell.  Although to be frank, you wouldn't know that just be looking at it.  In fact, it looked more like a living room in some rich pony's manor.  She had wall-to-wall carpeting; bookshelves stuffed to the brim; a workbench littered with tools; even a hearth for a massive caldron.  The only way you could tell she was imprisoned there was a shimmering, translucent wall the separated her from us.  I've seen this before.  It's an anti-magic field; a spell utilized by security guards to prevent unicorns from using their magic.  Meaning the only place she could perform magic was from inside her cell.

As for Gypsy Moth herself, well, it appears that she aged a lot since I last saw her.  Her once silver mane had lost its luster, and her blue coat seemed a bit paler than I remember it.  Her purple shawl had been replaced with a powder blue jumpsuit, which was most likely her prison uniform.  But despite all that, the most notable feature about her remained: A pair of butterfly wings sprouting from her back.  Once upon a time, she used to call herself the Pseudo Alicorn because she made constant use of an alchemical recipe that turned gossamer and morning dew into temporary wings.  It looks to me like she didn't want to give that up.

"Gypsy Moth.  You have visitors," said the warden.

Gypsy Moth looked up from her caldron, her jade eyes staring right into mine.  Her lips curled into a thin smile.

"Thank you, warden," she said hoarsely. "You may go."

"Of course," said the warden before turning to me. "Be sure to let me know if there's any trouble, alright?  I'll be just down the hall."

"Noted," I said with a nod.  With that, the warden trotted off.

"Well, well.  It certainly has been a long time, child," said Gypsy Moth pleasantly. "How are things back in Equestria?"

"We didn't come here for small talk," Blaze growled.

"Blaze, chill," I said firmly. "I got this."

Blaze let out a sharp sigh and stood down.

"Tsk tsk tsk.  It appears some of us are unwilling to let go of the past," Gypsy Moth mused, shaking her head.

"Yeah, well.  Even the most powerful alicorn in Equestria can't just wave their hoof and make all the bad stuff go away," I said bluntly.

"This is true," said Gypsy Moth with a sigh.  She then shrugged her shoulders. "But, you'll be happy to know that I've left the life of the Tengu Empress far behind."

"Well, see, I wanted to talk to you about that," I said. "You remember the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, right?"

Gypsy Moth tilted her head. "Which one?  The original, or the one I created?"

"The second one," said Misty Fly.

"Oh, right.  Yes, of course," said Gypsy Moth with a sheepish chuckle. "Yes, I remember her quite vividly.  What about her?"

"She's in trouble," I said, giving Gypsy Moth a stern look. "Someone is impersonating her, and they've been causing some havoc.  They crashed the Grand Galloping Gala, and according to Mare-Do-Well's intel, she could be here in the Griffon Kingdom.  Would you happen to know anything about this?"

Gypsy Moth furrowed her brow and placed a hoof to her muzzle. "Tell me, child.  Are you certain that this is an impostor?"

I blinked. "What do you mean?  Of course it is."

"How do you know?" said Gypsy Moth. "A ponunculus is bound to the will of its creator.  Mare-Do-Well was obviously malfunctioning, which is why she wouldn't obey me.  As such, I'm thinking that her malfunction was fixed, and she has decided to carry out my will."

"Horse apples," Blaze snarled. "That makes no sense."

"It makes sense to me," Gypsy Moth retorted. "And since I actually created her, I think my word carries a bit of weight, don't you?"

Rainbow Dash stepped forward. "I actually agree with Lieutenant Blaze.  The real Mare-Do-Well wouldn't do that."

Gypsy Moth's wings flittered. "Hmm.  I thought I recognized you from somewhere.  Names often escape me, but I never forget a face."

Rainbow Dash smirked and puffed out her chest. "Yeah, well.  I have been known to be pretty awesome.  It's no wonder you've heard of me."

"Indeed," said Gypsy Moth, giving Rainbow Dash a wry smile. "After all, you're the one who killed the original Mare-Do-Well."

Rainbow Dash's smile disappeared in an instant. "Wh-what?"

"Oh, don't try to deny it," said Gypsy Moth, pointing an accusatory hoof at Rainbow Dash. "I was in Ponyville back when the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was famous.  You interrupted Ponyville's first celebration in her honor, and then proceeded to chase her.  She hasn't returned since that day, unless I'm mistaken.  To me, that says you killed her."

Rainbow Dash's eyes narrowed. "For your information, it's actually more complicated than that.  The original Mare-Do-Well actually happens to be a good friend of mine."

Gypsy Moth let out a small snicker. "Is she now?  Is that why she stole your spotlight and alienated you from the entire town?  Is that why you chased her off, forcing her to never return?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "You don't get it.  Mare-Do-Well wasn't trying to steal my spotlight or make me look like a fool or anything like that.  She was trying to be my role model.  She wanted to show me how a hero is supposed to act.  That's what the Wonderbolts are all about, and they're my lifelong heroes.  Why would I fault her for doing the same thing?"

Gypsy Moth paused for a moment, and then nodded. "Oh.  I see.  I *ahem* apologize for jumping to conclusions.  But getting back to the subject at hoof, my Mare-Do-Well is not the same as yours."

"I don't believe that," said Rainbow Dash, her voice full of determination. "Maybe you didn't want Mare-Do-Well to be a hero, but that's what she is.  That's what she'll always be, at least to me.  And that's why I'm gonna find this faker and make her answer for what she's done."

Wow.  I had no idea Rainbow Dash felt that way about Mare-Do-Well.  Even though she hasn't met the same pony I did, she's determined to aid her.  All because of a little demonstration put on by her friends that helped her grow into a better pony (yes, I know all about what happened in Ponyville thanks to my investigation back in January, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you guys didn't let Rainbow Dash know that I know).  Is it any wonder why I have so much respect for her?

"I have to agree with my private here, Gypsy Moth," I said. "Your theory doesn't really hold up.  Your only order to her was to kill my team.  If she's following your will, wouldn't she be trying to do that right now?"

"Well, maybe she's still on the fritz.  Who knows?" said Gypsy Moth indifferently. "She clearly wasn't functioning properly if she was able to disobey me."

"Oh, stop lying through your teeth," Blaze snarled. "You're just trying to get us to turn against her!  You know all about what's going on here; don't deny it!"

"Blaze, stand down!" I barked.

Blaze opened her mouth to protest, but was interrupted by Misty Fly raising her wing and shaking her head.  Blaze sulked and held her tongue.

"I get the feeling that your soldier doesn't like me very much, child," said Gypsy Moth, arching an eyebrow.

"After what you did?  I don't blame her," I said plainly.

Gypsy Moth let out a sad sigh. "Mmm.  Touché.  But again, that's all in the past.  I've been getting help here, and I assure you, it's been working."

"So we heard," I said. "But that brings me to another thing I wanted to ask you about."

"What's that?"

"Did you happen to send a package to Kierra a couple of days ago?"

Gypsy Moth's wings twitched ever so slightly. "Um, please remind me who that is, child.  I'm afraid my mind still isn't as sharp as it used to be."

Blaze glowered. "You know damn well who that is, you piece of—"

"Last warning, Blaze," I interrupted. "Don't make me send you back to Equestria."

A frustrated growl emerged from Blaze's throat.  She really looks like she's about to explode.  I might have to be careful here.  I don't want to prompt Gypsy Moth into saying anything that might be considered inflammatory.

"She was your partner back when you first got captured by the Tengu Dynasty," I said. "Surely, you remember that."

"Oh, her," said Gypsy Moth with a nod. "Yes, of course.  As a matter of fact, I did send her a little something a while ago.  I disremember when, exactly.  Why do you ask?"

Misty Fly sighed. "There's no way to put it delicately, Ms. Moth.  I'm afraid Professor Kierra is dead."

Gypsy Moth frowned. "Is she really?  Tsk, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's a pretty cold reaction, considering that she was your friend."

"You must pardon me, child.  Years in the Tengu Dynasty have made it, difficult for me to display empathy properly," said Gypsy Moth, clearing her throat. "We're still working on that."

"Right, sure," said Blaze, rolling her eyes.

I decided to let that one go.  Truth be told, I'm a bit skeptical myself.  I wasn't expecting her therapy to cure her overnight, but you'd think they would've made a bit more progress by now.

"Let's move on," I said. "As it turns out, Kierra was poisoned, and if you sent her a package, you might be a suspect.  Tell me truthfully, what was in that package you sent her?"

"Just some medicine," said Gypsy Moth innocently. "I made some for the entire prison, you know.  I figured I'd give her a batch as a gesture of goodwill."

"Out of curiosity, do toxic truffles happen to go into that 'medicine?'" Blaze inquired.

"They do," said Gypsy Moth. "But then again, most medicines are forged from poisons.  Every alchemist and apothecary knows that."

Hmm.  I still don't know if she's being straight with us or not.  Then again, back when I first met her, she was just as hard to read.  I'm gonna need to shift the subject a bit.

"Speaking of alchemy, I can't help but notice you have a little workshop set up in here," I said, pointing at the caldron.

Gypsy Moth smiled. "Isn't it nice?" she said sweetly. "It's all thanks to Princess Celestia's insistence that I was to be reformed.  I can make whatever I want in here, just so long as it isn't dangerous.  I'm quite thankful for it, actually.  You know how antsy ponies get when they're prevented from performing their special talents."

That is true, I suppose.  But there's still the matter of Kierra's research.

"You know, Kierra was actually pretty worried about you," I said.

Gypsy Moth tilted her head. "Oh?"

"She was in the middle of doing research when she died," I said, taking out the list of highlighted passages Pierre gave me. "She was looking into all sorts of topics, including magic, alchemy, current events, and even law."

"Fascinating, child," said Gypsy Moth, sitting down. "But, what does that have to do with me?"

"Well, let me ask you this.  Do you know anything about the Kurama Tengu?"

Gypsy Moth's wings flittered. "P-perhaps.  What about them?"

"Kierra thinks that one of them is still alive, and that he's after you," I said.

Gypsy Moth cackled. "Oh, that's a ridiculous notion," she snickered. "Nemean is just as hard to break into as it is to break out of.  And I certainly have not had any visitors of that nature."

"Kierra didn't seem to believe that," I said sternly. "Gypsy Moth, if you're in trouble, I need you to be honest with me."

"I am being honest with you, child," said Gypsy Moth simply. "Kei-Rey was just wasting her time."

Even if she honestly believes that to be true, I don't.  The Kierra I know wouldn't drive herself crazy over nothing.  I quickly glanced through her research to see if there was anything Gypsy Moth could expound upon.  It was then that I got to a small quote taken from a magic textbook.


If magic is used to create life, that same magic cannot be used to cause death.


The gears in my mind were going into overdrive.  If that's true, then what Gypsy Moth said about Mare-Do-Well going rogue can't be true.  But was she lying, or did she just not know?  Before I could ask, I saw Blaze turn to leave.

"Blaze?  Where are you going?" I asked.

Blaze turned her head, giving me a dark look. "I'm not staying here, Sis.  I don't want to hear another word out of that bitch's mouth."

Oh, no.  No no no.

"Blaze, do not do this to me now," I pleaded.

"What, you expect me to stand here, listen to every lie she spews, and just go along with it?!" Blaze spat.

"Blaze, that's not what's going on here," I said.

"Then why are you defending her, huh?!" Blaze snapped. "Why are you giving her the benefit of the doubt?!"

"I'm not!" I roared back. "Blaze, trust me.  There's no excusing what she did.  But throwing blind accusations at her isn't going to solve anything!"

"They aren't blind accusations!" Blaze barked. "We have evidence proving that she's behind everything!  And besides, didn't you hear how she just accused Rainbow Dash of murder out of the blue?!  She hasn't changed at all!"

"Blaze, we don't know that," I said in a strained tone.

Blaze pouted and folded her forelegs. "Fine.  Don't take my side.  Don't support your little sister.  She never has any good ideas.  She's never right!"

Really, Blaze?  Is that the way you wanna play?  Is that what's going on right now?!

"Well, at least I'm being rational about this, instead of letting old wounds control me!" I blurted out.

Blaze gasped in horror.  Time stood still as we stared at each other.  After a pregnant pause, she broke the silence.

"Th-that's what you think, huh?" she said with a sniffle. "You think this is all about revenge for me, is that it?"

Crap.  Th-that came out all wrong.

"Blaze, I—"

"Save it," said Blaze, turning her back to me. "J-just keep doing what you're doing.  You obviously have everything under control.  I-I'm going out to get some air.  Don't wait up."

With that, she flew off.  I bit my lip.  Dammit, Blaze.  I-I didn't think that.  The Wonderbolts don't do revenge.  Everypony on the team knows that, including you.  I-I just thought you were taking this too personally, and it was messing with your head.  That's all.  Honest.  I-I gotta make this right.

"I'm gonna go talk to her," I said.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go?" Misty Fly inquired.

I shook my head. "Thanks for the offer, Mist.  But she's my little sister, and I'm the one who hurt her.  I need this."

Misty Fly nodded. "Well, Private Dash and I are standing by if you need any help."

I simply nodded and flew off after Blaze.  As I flew, I racked my brain trying to think of a way to apologize.  Really, she's just as much at fault as I am.  I don't trust Gypsy Moth any more than she does, but that doesn't mean anything if she's telling the truth.  We need to sort this out like rational, adult ponies before we continue.  I just need to find the right words.

To my surprise, I found Blaze just outside the door leading into the complex.  She was staring at the sky, probably thinking about the same thing I was.  I took a deep breath and approached her.  Well, here goes nothing.

"Hey, Blaze?" I said, sheepishly brushing the back of my foreleg. "I, just wanted to say that—"

"Sis?"

I looked up. "Yeah?"

"What was the weather like when we got here?"

Well, that's an odd question.

"Um, it was pretty fair, I guess," I said with a shrug.

"Uh-huh.  Then, what's that?"

Blaze pointed to the sky.  I looked up, and my jaw dropped.  Floating right above us was a large thundercloud.  No, not just large.  Enormous.  It was big enough to cover the entire prison complex.  Flashes of lightning danced all around it.  Now, I realize this isn't Equestria.  The weather in the Griffon Kingdom is not regulated, so this isn't out of the ordinary per se.  But just looking at that cloud and the sheer size of it, I knew something was wrong.

"Blaze, go get Misty Fly and Rainbow Dash out here, on the double," I said. "I'll scout ahead and see what we're up against."

"Y-yeah.  Sure," said Blaze. "I-I was just thinking about getting you guys, anyway."

We exchanged a quick (and quite awkward) salute.  As Blaze rushed back inside to fetch Rainbow Dash and Misty Fly, I took off into the sky.  Ugh, buck me softly.  If it's not one thing, it's another.  This has not been a good day for me.  I just hope it doesn't get any worse.

...

Oh, who am I kidding?  It probably will.
> Confrontation: Sapphire Shores (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 12:46 PM
Lincolt Center
Main Floor
***


"Ma'am, are you sure you don't need anything?"

"Look, I told you a million times already.  I'm alright."

I could't help but get the distinct of déjà vu as we arrived on the main floor of the building.  Just as the police reported, Sapphire Shores was standing around, in her hospital gown no less.  But instead of the jovial, happy-go-lucky Sapphire Shores I've become used to, she looked positively frantic and agitated.  Oh, she did her best to hide it, but it was painfully obvious that something was bothering her.  Puzzlement was the first of us to approach her.

"Um, Ms. Shores?" she said, clearing her throat.

Sapphire looked over at Puzzlement and gave her a small smile. "No need to be so formal, officer.  Please, call me Sapphire."

Just so you know, she says that to everyone.  But this time, it felt a lot, weaker than usual.

"Uh, right," said Puzzlement, brushing the back of her head sheepishly. "Anyway, have you been cleared by the doctors?  Because if you're not well enough to be up and about, I have no choice but to escort you back to the hospital."

"Don't sweat it, officer," said Sapphire. "They cleared me.  I'm just wearing this for now, seeing as my old costume is a complete wreck."

I suppose that's as reasonable an explanation as any for why she's dressed in such an *ahem* undignified manner.  Of course, Sapphire's choice of attire is the least of my concerns at the moment.

"Ms. Sapphire, how did they c-clear you so f-fast?" Rarity sputtered. "You were in critical condition when we found you!"

Sapphire turned to Rarity and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you weren't going to make it today?"

"Don't change the subject, Ms. Sapphire," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "Ms. Rarity is right; it shouldn't be possible for you to recover so quickly from, well, what happened to you."

Sapphire chuckled. "Well, as it just so happens, I remembered a little ditty Pan taught me that heals injuries.  Normally, I wouldn't use it, but this is a special case."

Puzzlement furrowed her brow. "Ms. Melody, is this more of that Music Code you've been talking about?"

"It is," I said with a nod. "She used it when she was attacked at the Manehattan Music Festival back in April."

"Good to see you remember that, Tavi-doll," said Sapphire with a chuckle.  Her expression then became serious. "I'll be honest, though.  I don't know whether I'm relieved or terrified to see you here."

I tilted my head. "What do you mean by that?"

"Long story, and I don't think I have time to recap it here," said Sapphire bluntly. "All you need to know is that you should get out of Manehattan as soon as you can."

"Yeah, that ain't happening, Sapphie," said Vinyl, folding her forelegs. "We were all sent here by the Princess of Friendship herself for an important investigation."

"Speaking of which, we should start with that," said Puzzlement, taking out her notepad. "Ms. Sapphire, are you well enough to give us your testimony?"

"Ms. Sapphire, as your bodyguard, I feel obligated to remind you that you don't have to answer to her if you're not up to it," Lockdown chimed in.

Sapphire raised her hoof and smirked. "It's alright, Lockdown.  I think I can handle a few question without keeling over.  But there's something you should keep in mind."

"What's that?" asked Fluttershy.

Sapphire's face darkened as she dipped her voice. "I don't know how much time we have to talk.  If you want to question me about anything, be quick about it and keep it relevant, a'ight?"

Lockdown raised an eyebrow. "Ms. Sapphire, are you sure you're up for this?  You look a bit pale."

Sapphire groaned and massaged the bridge of her nose. "Lockdown, do me a big favor and just chill for a second, okay?  There's no need to worry about me."

Considering that Sapphire Shores was the pony who got attacked, I find that statement rather dubious.  In fact, every word out of her mouth has just sounded ominous and foreboding.  Something must really have her on-edge, and I have to find out what it is.

"Well, if you're well enough to talk, we shouldn't waste any time then," said Puzzlement, opening up her notepad. "Let's start with the attack itself.  Tell us everything you remember about it."

Sapphire shrugged. "That's where we're starting, huh?  Alright, I'll try to boil it down as much as I can.  But then we're moving onto some more important stuff, got it?"

Puzzlement gave Sapphire a dirty look. "I don't appreciate you telling me how to do my job, Ms. Sapphire."

"I-I'm not trying to do that," said Sapphire defensively. "I-I just want to move this along, y'know?  We're in a bit of a rush here."

Wow.  I don't think I've ever seen Sapphire Shores get this nervous about something.  Whatever's on her mind, it feels like it's much worse than what happened at the Manehattan Music Festival.  I don't know if she's just exaggerating or what, but whatever the case may be, I should be prepared for the worst-case scenario.  Well, here goes everything.


***
Testimony: The Attack
***


"I was back at the Performance Studio with Sweetie Belle, helping her get ready for her big debut," said Sapphire. "In the middle of our conversation, something just phased through the door and jumped us.  I don't know who it was; they were completely hidden in shadow for some reason.  Anyway, I fought back the best I could, but as you probably know, I'm not fighter.  The last thing I remember is shielding Sweetie Belle with my body.  After that, I woke up in the hospital."

"Y-you protected Sweetie Belle?" asked Rarity.

"I had to," said Sapphire with a shrug. "C'mon, I'm sure any of you would've done the same if you were in my horseshoes."

"I, supposed that's a good point," said Rarity sheepishly.  She then smiled. "Thank you very much for looking after my little sister, Ms. Sapphire.  You have no idea how much that means to me."

Sapphire simply smiled back.  She then became serious, knowing full well that our discussion was far from over.  There were several holes in her story, most likely due to the fact that she was summarizing.  I know she said we were in a hurry (for reasons I'm still not clear on), but I'd be remiss if I didn't press her for clarification.

"Sweetie Belle mentioned that you were helping her overcome her stage fright," I said. "Did that involve teaching her a spell out of Pan's Music Code?"

"Heh, guilty as charged," said Sapphire with a bow. "The spell was a bit of a parting gift from Pan at the end of the festival.  I guess he figured I could use it if I ever got stage fright myself."

"Have you ever had a need to use it yourself?" I inquired.

"A couple of times," said Sapphire. "And before you ask, yes, this was one of those times.  However, as you can probably guess, it wasn't nearly enough."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Puzzlement.

Sapphire sighed and shook her head. "I don't know how, but this guy knew the Code, too.  And he certainly knew a lot more spells than I did."

That must explain the melody Babs heard when she was going to check up on Sweetie Belle.  Slowly but surely, I feel like this is all starting to come together.  But we're not done yet.

"Think you can give us a description of the guy?" said Vinyl. "If we plan on catching this bastard, we need to know what to look out for."

Puzzlement flinched. "Let's try to get through this without the use of epithets, please and thank you," she begged.

"Hey, it's not my fault you're allergic to words," said Vinyl factiously.

"Vinyl, just stop," I said. "Sapphire already said we can't waste time here."

"Tavi-doll's right, Vinyl," said Sapphire gravely.

Vinyl sighed. "Alright, I'll try for you, Sapphie.  But I make no promises."

"That'll have to do," I said, turning back to Sapphire. "Anyway, Vinyl is right about one thing.  We could do with a description of your attacker."

Sapphire knitted her brow. "Well, there's not much to say.  I mean, he was big and shadowy, but that's about it.  I also remember he had this ocarina of some kind which he used to perform the Music Code.  That's about it; the rest is just fuzzy."

Wait a tick.  I think I know a way to jog Sapphire's memory.  It's certainly worth a try.

"Detective Puzzlement, do you still have that sketch Sweetie Belle drew?" I asked.

"Um, yes," said Puzzlement.

"I'd like to show it to Sapphire."

Puzzlement gave me an odd look. "Are you sure it'll help?"

"Positive," I said with a nod.

Puzzlement shrugged. "Alright then."

She then took out the crude sketch and showed it to Sapphire.  Sapphire squinted a bit.

"Uh, what's this supposed to be, Tavi-doll?" she asked.

"Your attacker," I said, adjusting my bow-tie. "We asked Sweetie Belle to draw it for us.  Now, did he look anything like this?"

Sapphire looked over the sketch with a critical eye before gasping in surprise.

"My stars, you're right!  He did look like that!" she exclaimed.

"Great, wonderful," said Vinyl, a distinct hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Now we just need to find someone who matches the kid's doodle, and we're all set."

"Not so," I said. "Sapphire already mentioned that he knew Pan's Music Code.  He probably was using a spell to mask his appearance."

"Well, he didn't exactly do a great job of that," Rarity mused. "We already know from Babs Seed that he's a bipedal creature with wings; possibly from the Tengu Dynasty Twilight mentioned."

That is an interesting point.  If he didn't want to be found out, why didn't he try to hide himself better?  As I pondered this, I saw that Sapphire's eyes were darting every which way.  Does she know why?  How could that be?

"Well, we already sussed out who the culprit is," I said. "Mostly, anyway.  But now, we need to figure something else out."

"I'm thinking the same thing," Puzzlement concurred. "Ms. Sapphire, do you have any suspects in mind for this attack?"

Sapphire gulped. "I, uh... *ahem* Er..."

Fluttershy gave Sapphire a quizzical look. "Are you okay, Ms. Sapphire?"

"Look, I don't want to seem uncooperative here," said Sapphire. "I'm really trying to help you out.  I just don't know if I can answer that question safely."

Puzzlement sighed. "Ms. Sapphire, we have police stationed all over the building.  You have nothing to worry about."

"Besides, there's no use in hiding it," I added. "Your bodyguard already told us that you received a death threat from someone."

Sapphire grimaced and turned to Lockdown. "How much did you tell them?"

"J-just about Centrot Park.  That's it," said Lockdown, clearing his throat. "I told them to get the rest of the story from you."

Sapphire nodded. "I see.  Good work, Lockdown," she said.  She then turned to me and sighed. "Tavi-doll, listen up and listen good.  You shouldn't have come to Manehattan.  I'm asking you as a friend to get out of here right now, while you still can."

I'd be lying if I said that wasn't the least bit tempting.  However, before I could respond, Vinyl had already stepped forward.

"We knew the risks coming here, Sapphie," she said boldly. "Whatever happens, we can take it.  Heck, you should know I'm not gonna let anyone mess with Tavi and get away with it."

Sapphire shook her head. "It's not that easy, Vinyl.  Sweetie Belle and I are lucky to be alive.  This guy means business."

"That didn't stop Octy back at the Manehattan Music Festival," said Vinyl, giving me a playful nudge. "Right, Octy?"

Thank you for putting me on the spot, Vinyl.  That was most appreciated.

"Listen, I'm not going to mince words.  I am deathly afraid of whoever did this to you," I said. "But that's why I can't let him get away.  I got into this mess, and I'm seeing it through to the end."

Sapphire let out a deep sigh and nodded. "If that's the way you feel about it, then I suppose my hooves are tied," she relented. "Alright, I'll tell you about what went down at Centrot Park.  But after I say my piece, you're hopping on the next train back to Canterlot, okay?  Trust me, this'll be enough to satisfy Princess Twilight."

Wouldn't the require knowing what sort of information Princess Twilight is after?  I'm really getting worried right now.

"Let's just get this over with," I said.

"Couldn't agree more, Tavi-doll," said Sapphire somberly.


***
Testimony: What Went Down
***


"It happened a few days ago, when I first got to Manehattan," said Sapphire. "I was just strolling through Centrot Park, minding my own business.  Suddenly, I heard some sort of fight going on down the path.  Curious, I went to check it out.  Get this: It was your masked friend from the Manehattan Music Festival.  She was fighting some other guys, but I didn't get a good look at 'em.  I tried to get away, but one of them spotted me.  That goon was the same guy who came after me today.  And that's why I've been so on-edge."

I-I think I need a moment to take all this in.  I mean, wow.  That's rather, intense.  Well, at the very least, we have a definite connection to Mare-Do-Well now.  However, that doesn't explain what this has to do with me.

"Now, you're sure it was Mare-Do-Well you saw," I said.

Sapphire deadpanned. "She's the only pony I know of who would dress up like a superhero.  I think I'd be able to recognize her."

"Alright, alright," I said. "But, what were these goons doing in Centrot Park in the first place?"

"You expect me to know?" said Sapphire indignantly. "I'm not holding out on you, Tavi-doll.  That's really all I know."

"Hang on, hang on," said Vinyl. "The ransom note said that the songbird would die before it got a chance to sing.  Are you saying that punk was aiming to kill you?"

"I thought that would be pretty obvious, Vinyl," said Sapphire. "Like I said, I'm lucky to be alive."

"Wait, I think I understand," said Rarity, tapping her chin. "We must've barged in before the culprit could deliver a finishing blow."

"It would make sense, seeing as she indicated that there was some sort of struggle," Puzzlement mused.

Sapphire snickered. "Well, if that's the case, then I owe you guys one for twisting Lockdown's leg like that."

Lockdown blushed. "I-I honestly had no idea someone got past me, Ms. Sapphire.  Had I known, I would've been—"

"It's alright, Lockdown.  You're hardly to blame for this," said Sapphire, cutting across him. "We've got more important stuff to worry about."

Indeed we do.  I think I understand what's going on here, at least on some level.  Better tie up all the loose end before we leave.

"Let me see if I've got this correct," I said, adjusting my bow-tie. "You stumbled upon Mare-Do-Well having a scrap with some thugs, one of them caught you, and then they tried to kill you."

"That pretty much sums it up," said Sapphire.

"I'm afraid not, Sapphire," I said. "Because we still haven't answered one question."

"And that is?"

"Why would this fellow want to kill you?"

Sapphire blanched. "Wh-what do you mean, Tavi-doll?  I thought you already knew!"

"Well, you thought wrong," I said. "Detective Puzzlement."

"Yes?"

"In the situation Sapphire just described for us, would there be any reason to kill her?"

Puzzlement's brow furrowed. "I suppose if they're known criminals, they'd kill her to keep their crimes secret."

"Yes, but why would they wait four days to do it?" I said.

Puzzlement immediately saw what I was getting at. "Th-they wouldn't."

"Precisely," I said. "Which is why I think these thugs are no mere thugs.  They have an entire plan, and they couldn't risk Sapphire Shores mucking it up!"

"Ah!"

Puzzlement recoiled, her monocle flying off her face as she did so.

"Um, really?" said Fluttershy. "What makes you say that, Ms. Octavia?"

"Remember the map Babs found?" I said. "It was hard to decipher, but it clearly indicated that some forethought had been put into this caper."

"Yes, but we don't know what it's a map of, darling," said Rarity.

Hmm.  That's very true. "Well then, let's take another look at it."

I pulled out the map and carefully observed it from every angle.  To be honest, the writing was still gibberish, but given what we knew, it started to look a bit more familiar.

"Here, let me see that," said Puzzlement, taking the map from my hooves.  It didn't take long for her to find something. "Wait, I recognize this.  This is a map of Centrot Park!  Meaning this piece fits with Sapphire Shores's testimony!"

"Really?  How can you tell?" Vinyl asked.

Puzzlement smirked. "Trust me, I've been there enough times to know what it looks like," she said. "Nevertheless, we're still missing a few key pieces to this puzzle."

"Look, I told you everything I know," said Sapphire wearily. "Now a bargain's a bargain, Tavi-doll.  Take what you've got and skedaddle."

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Sapphire.  We can't do that in good conscience.  Someone has something big planned, and it obviously involved Mare-Do-Well.  It won't be easy, but we need to get to the bottom of this and..."

Suddenly, I heard a faint tune being played on some kind of flute.  It was hard to make out, but from what I could hear, it sounded rather ghastly and sinister.  The tune gradually got louder and louder, and I could sense that the air somehow was thicker than before.

"Um, is anypony else noticing this, or is it just me?" asked Vinyl.

"I-it's not you," said Fluttershy as she began to hyperventilate. "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness."

Sapphire heaved a great sigh. "It's too late now.  Tavi-doll, I-I'm sorry about all this."

Okay, now this is really starting to freak me out.

"S-sorry?  Wh-what're you sorry for?" I stammered as panic started to set in. "Sapphire, what's going on?  What's this all about?!  This is— oof!"

Uhhhhhh...
> Confrontation: Orph (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 1:31 PM
Mewlun Mountains
Mt. Cloak
***


I'll be honest, I was expecting to be yelled at as soon as we arrived in the small alcove Orph had scampered up to.  We already know the Neko Shogunate has a poor view of outsiders, which is why Orph didn't mention it to our host.  But when we entered the alcove, it turns out he wasn't even home.  At least, he wasn't outside.

"Think we should wait for our host to let us in?" asked Applejack.

"That would be the right thing to do, yes," I said with a sigh. "I just hope we're not getting anyone into trouble."

"Do nyot fret, Star Amethyst.  You have done nyothing wrong."

Orph emerged from the shadows and motioned us to follow him inside.  With a collective shrug, we complied.  Taking a look around, I only have this to say.  For an alcove built into a mountain, this is a pretty fancy pad.  Once again, I'm reminded of those old Neighponese movies with the sliding paper wall, the stylized paper lanterns, and the bamboo carpeting.  There was a table set up in middle of the room where five small cups and a pot of tea stood.

"Please, make yourselves at home," said Orph. "Though if you could, leave any footwear outside."

Applejack shrugged. "No need for that, partner.  Strictly speaking, we don't normally wear clothes."

Says the pony who's never without her stetson.  Yeah, that's one of the weird things about Applejack.  She has never struck me as a pony who cared about her appearance, with the obvious exception of that hat.  I've never bothered to ask her why that is; I've resigned to the fact that the majority of ponies in Ponyville have weird quirks a long time ago.  But, I digress.

"Are you sure it's okay for us to do this?" asked Derpy, her eyes darting every which way. "What about your assassin friend?"

"He was called away on urgent businyess," said Orph. "The assassin's guild is always busy.  But I did promise him that I'd look after his home while he was gone, so it should be fine.  Please, help yourselves."

We all sat around the small table and poured ourselves some tea.  Taking a whiff of the stuff, I knew I had smelled it before.  It was actually very similar to the incense we came across in Kohryu's cave.  That struck me as a bit odd.  I know incense and tea share some ingredients, but they're not interchangeable, are they?

"Um, what is this?" I asked.

"Delish fern tea.  It's a bit of a delicacy in the Mewlun Mountains," said Orph, his tail swishing from side to side.

"Ooh, ooh!  I've heard of this stuff!" Pinkie chirped. "Zecora says that delish ferns grow wild in the Everfree Forest!  They're really tasty!"

To emphasize her point, Pinkie quaffed her tea in one huge gulp.  I'm, pretty sure you're not supposed to do that with tea.  With a shrug, I took a sip myself.  I winced a bit as it singed my tongue, and as it travelled down my throat, I could just feel my sinuses clearing up.

"Woof.  B-bit hot," I said, blowing on it.

"We nyekos prefer hot food and drink," said Orph, lapping up his own tea with his tongue. "I apologize if this is a problem."

"N-not at all," I said, recovering a bit. "Pinkie, how did you gulp this stuff down so fast?"

"It's allll in the cat tongue," said Pinkie with a wink. "I read somewhere that cats retract their tongues into their mouths so they can eat hot things, and you know what they say.  When in Mustangia, do as the mustangs do!"

Ask a silly question, get a silly answer.  Oh well.  We didn't come here to research the bizarre anomaly that is Pinkie Pie.

"So, you wanted to discuss something with us, Mr. Orph?" I asked.

Orph straightened up and nodded. "I'll give you the good nyews first.  I've sent my report to the Grand Shoguns."

"Well, what did they say?" inquired Applejack.

Orph rubbed his eye. "Although they are just as confused as I am, they've decided to give you equines the benyefit of the doubt.  As long as you respect the laws of our land, we will consider you to be our allies."

"Yippie!" Pinkie cheered. "We're all friends now!  Do you know what this calls for?!"

"Not now, Pink," Applejack scolded.

Pinkie blinked. "What?  I wasn't gonna say we should have it right this second.  We still have to find Mare-Do-Well's identity thief and Dodger Dragonvest."

"Um, what is she talking about?" asked Orph.

"Pinkie Pie likes to throw parities," I explained. "She usually does that when she's happy."

"Ah," said Orph, although he didn't sound like he completely understood (not that I blame him).  He then cleared his throat. "Anyway, Pie Pinkie is right.  There is still the matter of this mongrel you refer to as Dragonvest Dodger.  I've already taken the liberty of putting the entire samurai guard on high alert, so finding him should nyot be a problem."

"Yeah, about that," said Derpy, knitting her brow. "Mr. Seiryu said you had a theory behind his actions."

"It's a work in progress, but he is correct," said Orph.

"Well, how about you share this here theory with us, then?" said Applejack. "Maybe we can help ya fill in the blanks."

"That is precisely why I called you here," said Orph, taking another lap of his tea. "While the Grand Shoguns have approved of our alliance, the Nyeko Shogunyate as a whole is nyot entirely prepared for this paradigm shift.  Here in Mt. Cloak, we can speak without fear of prying eyes causing civil unrest."

I suppose there's some good logic to that.  After all, these nekos have been living in self-imposed isolation for who knows how long.  They aren't going to just accept something like this overnight.

"Fair enough," I said with a shrug, blowing on my tea a bit. "So, what's your take on all this?"

Orph's face darkened. "I won't mince words, Star Amethyst.  This Dragonvest Dodger mongrel may very well be the most dangerous rogue the Nyeko Shogunyate has contended with in many a moon."

I did a double take.  I always knew Dodger was nasty, but without Kohryu at his beck and call, he's a cat without its claws (uh, no pun intended).  He shouldn't have the means to pose a threat to the entire Neko Shogunate.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Derpy whimpered, nervously sipping her tea.

"Exactly what I said, Hooves Derpy," said Orph, his tail swishing back and forth. "Here, allow me to explain..."


***
Argument: Orph's Theory
***


"The Great Kohryu has already informed me about this mongrel you call Dragonvest Dodger," said Orph. "He was described as a lunyatic with a great understanding of magic; mystical gemstones in particular.  And nyow, he has snyuck past our borders and faked his own death, in Kohryu's sacred home nyo less.  This blatant disregard for our laws is a message, Star Amethyst, and that message is quite clear.  He has something evil planned for the Nyeko Shogunyate.  What that something is, however, I can't be sure."

Hmm.  I can see why Orph called this theory a work in progress.  I don't exactly disagree with what he's saying, but it's missing some key components.  I need to clarify a few things here.

"Seiryu told us that you followed his blood trail all the way here," I said. "Do you think he's around here now?"

Orph furrowed his brow. "It's hard for me to say.  A knyown fugitive like him would nyot survive long in this area, seeing as this is the central hub of the assassin's guild.  However, the trail does indeed stop here.  Well, what I could find of it, anyway.  Most of it has been lost."

"But it still stopped here, right?" said Pinkie. "That means he's been here."

"Nyo, that doesn't make sense," said Orph, shaking his head. "He's a wanted fugitive.  Why would he venture into a den of assassins unless he had a death wish?"

"We wondered the same thing when we found him in the Mewlun Mountains in the first place," I said with a shrug. "You said it yourself.  The Grand Shoguns have forbidden Diamond Dogs from crossing into their territory.  If Dodger was going to survive here, he had to have a plan."

"On that, we can agree, Star Amethyst," said Orph gravely. "I will say this about that mongrel.  He was trained well in the art of covert assassinyation.  He manyaged to fool us all with that stunt he pulled in Kohryu's sacred home."

"That he did," I sighed, sipping my tea. "Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around that.  There's no way he could've learned that, in, Equestria..."

I trailed off as the wheels in my head began turning.  This was something that's been bothering me ever since Seiryu brought it up.  Dodger clearly didn't have knowledge of those techniques before, so why now?  If his blood trail leads here, then I might have an answer.

"Was there more you wished to say, Star Amethyst?" asked Orph, raising an eyebrow.

I took a moment to collect myself and nodded. "Y-yeah.  I think I might've figured out where Dodger learned this stuff."

Orph tilted his head. "You have?  How?"

"You said that the blood trail led right here to the assassin's guild, right?" I stated, brushing the underside of my nose. "And Seiryu already told us that the technique he used to fake his death was a complicated assassination technique.  Therefore, the only place Dodger could've learned this stuff is from an assassin!"

"N-NYA~!"

Orph let out a shrill meow as his tail stiffened and bristled.  When he recovered, he gave me a dirty look.

"This is a very hazardous accusation you're making, Star Amethyst.  I hope you realize that," he said darkly.

"Sorry, but it's the only way this makes sense," I said with a shrug. "Diamond Dogs know how to use Shroud Emeralds, that much is true.  But they don't use them the same way assassins in the Mewlun Mountains did back when they were legal.  And I highly doubt Kohryu told him about it.  Even while under that curse, he was still a pacifist through and through.  Dodger had to dupe him into thinking that his intentions weren't violent."

Orph snorted. "Your theory is still implausible.  He couldn't have learned those techniques here.  The Guild Master would nyever allow it, let alone the Grand Shoguns.  Unless..."

He trailed off, opting instead to lap at his tea.

"Unless what?" said Applejack, raising an eyebrow.

"N-nyothing.  It's nyone of your concern," said Orph.

Huh.  I've been hearing that a lot lately.  And to be frank, I'm kinda getting sick of it.

"I thought you said the Grand Shoguns told you that we were gonna help each other," said Derpy, tilting her head.

"Th-that's doesn't mean I'm at liberty to tell you everything," Orph said in a strained tone.

Wait.  Back at the Meditation Chamber, Orph mentioned something about the tengu.  At first, he dismissed it as an offhand comment, but I have to wonder if that's true.

"I think we've got a general idea of what you're referring to, Mr. Orph," I said, brushing the underside of my nose. "You think the tengu are involved, don't you?"

Orph's eyes went wide. "Don't you dare bring up those savages again!" he snapped.

"I think I have to," I said. "You might not know this, but Equestria had to deal with those guys, too.  It was a long time ago, but they might be involved in this Mare-Do-Well investigation we're conducting now.  And I hate to say it, but it might very well be connected to Dodger Dragonvest as well."

"I-impossible," said Orph. "How can you be so sure?"

"Mare-Do-Well helped free Kohryu from his curse," I said. "I understand the connection is rather tenuous, but it's still there.  The fact that Dodger is using Shroud Emeralds just like last time confirms this as well."

A low growl emerged from Orph's throat. "It's still impossible.  The Tengu Dynyasty fell ages ago.  They couldn't have come back."

Ugh, dammit.  Orph seems hesitant to relent on this point.  But if Mare-Do-Well is here, the tengu have to be involved too, don't they?  So how can I convince him of that?  Nnngh, I can't think of anything!

"Wait, does the Tengu Dynasty have to be around for tengu to be involved?" asked Derpy, rubbing the side of her head. "I mean, it looks to me like you've dealt with them before."

Orph didn't confirm or deny this statement.  He's definitely hiding something.  But what?  What about the tengu makes him so uptight?  I understand that quite a few things make him uptight, like Shroud Emeralds and illegal weapons, but that's 'cause he's the captain of the guard.  It's kinda his job to be uptight about...

Wait.  That's it!

"Mr. Orph, I have one last question," I said.

"What is it?"

"Do tengu use kusarigamas?"

Orph's tail stiffened and bristled. "Wh-what?"

"Remember when we found the kamas back in Kohryu's cave?" I said. "You mentioned that kusarigamas were outlawed after they were proven to be a hazard to eastern dragons.  If that's the case, whoever used those weapons clearly wasn't a neko.  And since the assassins play by the same rules, it wasn't them, either.  So, I'll ask again.  Do tengu use kusarigamas?  Because if they do, that's probably where Dodger learned those assassination techniques!"

"I-I...  Grr...  NYA~!"

Orph shrieked as every tuft of fur on his body stood up on end.  I do believe that answers that question.

"P-perhaps you have a point, Star Amethyst," he said. "B-but you must understand.  This is very, very classified information.  Nyo one is supposed to knyow about it outside of the highest-ranking nyekos in the Shogunyate."

That explains the secrecy, but I'm afraid I'm kinda lost here.

"I don't think we're following you here," said Pinkie, sharing my sentiments. "What are you talking about?"

Orph licked his paw and began fixing his fur. "There is a deadly criminyal in the Mewlun Mountains who goes by the nyame of Sojobo.  I thought he had disappeared over a week ago, and that he was forever out of my fur.  Apparently, I was wrong."

"Hold on, slow down there," said Applejack, raising her hoof. "What in tarnation does that have to do with the tengu?"

"Everything," said Orph darkly. "Star Amethyst, hear me well.  What I'm about to say should nyot leave this room.  At least, nyot until you are safely back in your home country.  If the Grand Shoguns find out that I told you about Sojobo, they'll have my head.  Is that understood?"

Well, it begs the question of how we're going to get back home, seeing as our ride was incinerated.  But as far as this mystery is concerned, sure.  I can abide by that.

"You have my word, Mr. Orph," I said solemnly.

"Mine, too," said Depry.

"Mum's the word, partner," Applejack agreed.

Pinkie said nothing, but instead launched into some sort of, bizarre pantomime.  No, I don't get it either.

"Uh, Pink?  Is that a yes?" said Applejack.

"Well, duh!" said Pinkie as she went through the pantomime again. "Why do you think I zipped my mouth closed, then locked it with a key, then dug a hole, then buried the key, then built a house on top of the hole where I buried the key, then moved into the house on top of the hole?"

Because you're you.  That's the only explanation I can come up with for that insanity.  Y'know, a simple "yes" would've sufficed.

"You equines are so strange," said Orph, rubbing his eye.

Tell me about it, was what I wanted to say.  I would've said it too, if Pinkie and Derpy weren't sitting in the same room.

"Well, anyway, I thank you for your discretion," said Orph, clearing his throat. "Nyow, about Sojobo..."


***
Testimony: About Sojobo
***


"Sojobo is the highest-profile criminyal in the Nyeko Shogunyate right nyow, nyot counting Dragonvest Dodger," said Orph. "He is a tengu who migrated from his homeland after his entire clan was supposedly wiped out.  He joined the assassin's guild, but only because he thought it would allow him to kill with impunyity.  His skill in the arcane arts and the art of assassinyation is astounding, and he's been a thorn in my side up until over a week ago when he suddenly disappeared.  If he's involved, the Nyeko Shogunyate is probably in more trouble than I imagined."

"Wait, if he joined this here guild just to disobey the laws of the lands, why isn't he in jail already?" asked Applejack.

"It isn't for lack of trying, I assure you," Orph snarled. "Do you knyow how many men I've lost to that monster?  Nyot even the Guild Master has been able to touch him."

Yikes.  This guy really sounds like bad news.  Nevertheless, his connection to our mess is still tenuous.  Time to clarify a few things.

"You said he was skilled with magic," I said. "What kind of magic are we talking about here?"

"I'm still trying to figure that out," Orph growled. "I knyow he has access to mystical gemstones and wind magic from his homeland.  There have also been reports of him using music as a weapon, but details on that are sketchy."

Derpy blinked. "Huh.  I don't know why, but that sounds familiar."

"Ooh, ooh!  I know why!" said Pinkie, flailing her hoof in the air like an eager school filly waiting to be called on.

Orph tilted his head. "You do?"

"Yep!  Twilight told us about it last night!" said Pinkie. "Remember, Sparkler?  Pan's Music Code?"

Oh, right.  Octavia and Spitfire mentioned that, didn't they?  And it might've been what Derpy heard before she was knocked out and thrown through the window.  But that couldn't have been Sojobo, could it?  It was clearly Mare-Do-Well.  Or her impostor; I still can't decide which.  Even so, I should make a note of that.

"I knyow nyot of this Music Code you speak of, but I suppose it's as reasonyable an explanyation as any," said Orph, knitting his brow.

"Let's move on to something else," I said. "How well do you know Sojobo's character?  Would he teach Dodger this stuff?"

"I honyestly don't see why," said Orph bitterly. "The tengu are knyown for their paranyoia and distrust of others.  They don't form alliances unless it is in their best interest, and even then, such alliances are quite fragile.  He wouldn't have helped that mongrel unless he got something in return."

Meaning Dodger must've had something big to give him.  I can't even begin to imagine what that might be.  Unless...

"Mr. Orph, do you know about that capsule we found in the Valley of Secrets?" I asked.

Orph shrugged his shoulders. "I'm aware of it, yes.  It's technyically the property of the assassin's guild, so I don't knyow what's in it.  Why?"

"Well, it's empty now," I said, brushing the underside of my nose.

"It's what?!"

Orph's fur poofed out all over again.  He clearly wasn't expecting that.

"It's the truth," said Applejack. "Whatever was in there ain't there no more.  Maybe that's what Dodger used to bribe that Sojobo fella."

"I-I don't understand," said Orph. "What in that capsule could possibly be of use to him?"

"I'm afraid we can't answer that," I admitted. "But, we did look inside, and we found writing in it.  That writing is very similar to the markings we found on the kama.  Therefore, it has to belong to the Tengu Dynasty, and as such, it has some value to him!"

"NYA~!"

Orph screeched as his tail stiffened and bristled.

"Hang on, does that mean that Dragonvest meanie got the Shroud Emeralds and the ladder from this bird guy?" asked Derpy.

"That's the way I see it," I said with a nod.

"Th-this is serious," said Orph, clutching the hilt of his katana. "We nyeed to find Dragonvest and Sojobo, immediately!  If we don't stop them, who knyows what'll happen?!"

"You'll get no argument from me, partner," said Applejack, adjusting her hat. "But where exactly do we start lookin'?"

"Lord Orph!"

Before Orph could answer, a lanky neko wearing samurai armor and a mask burst in.

"You've returned," said Orph as his tail swung back and forth like a metronome. "Listen, I can explain this..."

"Whatever it is, it's trivial compared to what's happening nyow," said the masked neko. "Come outside.  You should see this."

Without a word, Orph complied.  We all did the same.  Looking off into the mountains, I could see another trail of smoke.

"I-It's coming from Mt. Kohryu!" Orph exclaimed.

"That's nyot all," said the masked neko. "I've seen enyough of these to recognyize this.  It's a smoke signyal."

"A-A smoke signyal?" parroted Orph. "What does it say?"

"It repeats the same message over and over again," said the masked neko, furrowing is brow. "However, I don't knyow what it means."

"Well, what is this message?!"

"'I'm calling you out, Momma's Girl.'"

Every muscle in my body tightened as soon as those words left his lips.  I don't know whether to be terrified or furious right now.

"Th-that message is referring to me," I murmured.

"I-it is?" asked Applejack. "How do ya know, sugarcube?"

"There's only one person I can think of who'd call me Momma's Girl," I said darkly. "And he's waiting for us at Mt. Kohryu."

Derpy frowned. "Ammy, are you gonna be okay?"

I sighed. "Not until we clean up this mess," I said. "Mr. Orph, we'll scout ahead.  You do what you gotta do."

Before Orph could protest, I mounted my leaf parachute and took off.

"Ammy, wait up!" Derpy called out, flying behind me.  I could hear Applejack and Pinkie Pie were quick to follow suit as well.  Good.  I'd hate to go into this alone.  Dodger's plan might not involve the Neko Shogunate, or even Mare-Do-Well for that matter.  But after destroying my only way home and calling me out like this, I'm pretty sure it involves me.  I don't know why he'd go to such great lengths just for petty revenge, but that doesn't really matter at this point, now does it?

I don't know what our chances are right now.  I mean, my mom's pretty tough, Applejack and Pinkie are famous for saving Equestria multiple times, and I'm pretty sure I could hold my own.  But Dodger has some new tricks up his sleeve, and he probably won't be holding back.  This really is gonna be anyone's fight.  But I know one thing for certain.  Whatever happens once we get down there, it's not gonna be pretty...
> Scientific Magic (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 1:37 PM
Canterlot Castle
Alchemy Laboratory
***


Just as Kibitz said, the alchemy laboratory was right where I remembered it to be from my days in Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.  And boy, was it great seeing it again.  Just walking through this room really takes me back.  Workbenches holding beakers and test tubes of all shapes and sizes; cabinets chock full of ingredients and recipe books; the cast-iron caldrons set up at the end of each table.  Even the very smell of the place was enough to trigger a nostalgia trip.

"Uh, Twi?  You okay there?" said Spike, snapping me back to reality.

"Huh what?  Oh, sorry," I apologized sheepishly. "I'm just, a bit excited about this part.  It's been a long time since I've been down here."

"Yeah, about that," said Shining, furrowing his brow. "You said we were going to use this place to figure out the identity of Mare-Do-Well's impostor, right?  How are we going to do that?"

I smiled as I set up a workbench. "It's quite simple, Shining.  We're going to conduct a full forensic analysis of the evidence we found in Pine Talon's cell."

"Using alchemy?" said Kibitz, arching an eyebrow.

I gave Kibitz a puzzled look in return. "Why so skeptical?  It's perfectly logical to use supernatural tools to uncover supernatural evidence."

"And would you classify a drop of unidentified liquid and a pair of strap-on claws 'supernatural?'" asked Kibitz.

Ah.  I see why he's getting confused.  I don't blame him; it's an easy mistake to make.

"Well, not per se," I said, carefully placing the first droplet of liquid we found into a vial. "But see, that's the beauty of alchemy.  Because of its overly-complex nature, ponies consider it to be both a form of magic and a form of science.  And since we are dealing with possible ponunculi, what better way to analyze this evidence than a technique that is essentially the best of both worlds?"

Kibitz blinked. "I, suppose you have a point, Your Highness," he said, clearing his throat. "Still, perhaps somepony else should—"

"Up bup bup!  Don't even try," Spike interrupted, wagging an admonishing finger at Kibitz. "Twi conducts experiments like this all the time.  She knows what she's doing.  Besides, I've lived with her long enough to know that she loves this stuff."

He certainly isn't wrong there.  But really, the enjoyment of my work is secondary to our end goal.

"Spike's right, Kibitz.  I can handle this," I said, taking one of the recipe books from the shelves. "Now, we're going to need a multi-purpose solvent, a microscope, bunsen burners, and Classification Vapor.  Kibitz, check if we have that stuff.  If we don't have the solvent or the vapor, we're going to have to create them from scratch.  Shining, you'll be helping me with that part."

Shining shrugged. "I honestly don't know nearly as much about this stuff as you do, Twilie.  But, I'll do my best."

"What about me, Twi?" asked Spike.

I carefully picked up the strap-on claws with a pair of tongs and gave them to Spike, along with a sponge and a flask. "Your job is to make sure the liquid on the claws goes into this flask without getting contaminated.  It might be a bit tricky, but considering how tidy you usually are, I think this is well within your area of expertise."

Spike gave me a wide grin and nodded. "You can count on me, Twi!"

"I know I can," I said, nodding back. "Alright, ponies!  Let's get to work!"


***


I mentioned before that alchemy is a very complicated and difficult form of magic.  As such, I normally wouldn't trust anypony (not even my friends) to help me with this unless they really knew what they were doing or wish to pursue it themselves.  Starswirl the Bearded said it like this: You never want to go into alchemy blind; otherwise, it'll make you go blind.  And this coming from one of the leading pioneers of alchemy back during the Pre-Classical Era!  Yes, it really is that complex.

Luckily, that wasn't a factor in this case.  We had Classification Vapor in stock, and although we were missing the solvent, it was a rather simple recipe which we had all the ingredients for.  I just had to keep reminding Shining to watch the caldron to make sure our concoction wasn't bubbling too much.  When that happens, it's usually a sign that the whole thing is going to explode in your face.  You'd be surprised how many alchemical recipes come with that warning.

When all was said and done, we had everything we needed.  A microscope with slides, the Classification Vapor complete with a flowchart, the liquid samples (one from the ground; the other from the claws), bunsen burners, and the solvent.  Now, here's where the real fun starts.  Well, for me, anyway.

I set up a sequence of tubes and faucets, with each faucet leading to a vial containing a trace amount of Classification Vapor.  I then took the flask Spike prepared, added the solvent, and heated it up.  The liquid shot up through the tubes and spiraled every which way, all over the lab.  If the solvent did its job, then the liquid would separate into its components and filter into each vial to await identification (hence the Classification Vapor; a common tool amongst teachers to instruct students on ingredients).

Sure enough, liquids of all different colors and consistencies arrived at each faucet.  Carefully, Spike, Kibitz, Shining, and I systematically went to each one and poured the liquids into the vials.  In hindsight, I probably set up more vials than we needed, but I always think it's better to be over prepared than under prepared.

"Alright, this is good," I said, levitating the flowchart up to my face. "Now, let's see what we've got here.  Spike, I need you to make a note of every component we find here."

"Sure thing, Twi," said Spike, opening a new page in his notepad.

I moved to the first vial and turned the bunsen burner on.  The contents of the vial quickly changed from translucent to a sickly yellow.

"This one is sulfur," I stated, looking at the flowchart.

"Sulfur," Spike repeated, jotting it down.

I did the same with each vial that contained a component.  Purple, magnesium.  Amber, oxygen.  Green, carbon.  Umber, potassium.  Red, mercury.  In some spots, multiple elements were detected (light greenish-blue, salt), indicating that the solvent wasn't all that potent.  But in this case, it didn't need to be.  With every component I was able to identify, my hypothesis was holding more and more water.

"That's all of them," I said. "Spike, repeat the list for me."

Spike read down the list. "Uh, let's see.  Sulfur, magnesium, oxygen, carbon, potassium, mercury, salt, clay loam, unicorn magic, and down feathers."

Hmm.  That sounds about right.  Just to double-check, I cracked open a recipe book and looked up the recipe for a ponunculus.  Indeed, the ingredients listed either were, or at least contained, every item Spike mentioned.

"I thought so," I said triumphantly.

"You found something, Twilie?" asked Shining Armor.

"Yep," I said. "I can now say without any shred of doubt that the liquid we found in Pine Talon's cell is none other than ponunculus blood."

Shining nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, that was gonna be my guess, too.  Pine Talon did say he managed to draw blood from his enemy when he was attacked."

"But it doesn't explain these weird things," said Spike, holding up the strap-on claws.

"That's why we're moving into Phase Two of our analysis," I said. "Kibitz, the microscope, please."

Kibitz brought the microscope over as I prepared a slide with the drop of blood that wasn't from the claws.  Ever so carefully, I placed it underneath the lens and adjusted the focus so I could see the specimen properly.

"Good," I said. "Spike, the solvent.  Just an eyedropper's worth, though."

Spike complied.  Daintily, I placed a drop of it onto the slide and watched it work.  Sure enough, the specimen divided itself into its base components.  But when it finished dividing, something was wrong.  There were two more items in there than the ponunculus recipe called for.  One was a compound I couldn't identify off the top of my head, but the other I recognized right away.

"Orichalcum?" I gasped. "B-but that can't be right.  It's impossible."

"Uh, ori-what-now?" asked Spike.

Okay, to be fair, I didn't expect him to know that one.  I give Spike a lot of books to read (which he never does, but I digress), but alchemical spell books are not on that list for obvious reasons.

"Orichalcum.  It's a mystical metal from the far east," I explained. "It's often used as a substitute for mythril."

Spike shrugged. "Okay, so?"

I opened up the recipe book back to the ponunculus recipe. "Look here.  The recipe calls for one of three ingredients depending on what kind of ponunculus you're creating.  Iron for an Earth Pony, feathers for a pegasus, and mythril for a unicorn."

"Yeah, still not following you here, Twi," said Spike, scratching his head.

I took a deep breath. "Spike, this ponunculus blood sample contains traces of two of those ingredients, possibly all three, and it really shouldn't."

"Wait, possibly all three?" asked Shining. "You mean you don't know?"

"Not yet," I said, shaking my head. "Hold on, I'll double-check."

I quickly turned back to the microscope and focused on the unidentifiable compound.  Slowly, I increased the magnification is steady increments, partially to make sure it was in focus and partially to stall.  If this turned out to be the third ingredient (which I still don't know how that's possible), then—

With one last click, the compound was recognizable.  Right then and there, I felt every muscle in my body tighten as I recoiled in disbelief.

"No.  Th-this isn't right," I muttered. "I-it can't be right."

"What's not right, Twilie?" asked Shining, his voice reflecting concern.

I took a moment to use Cadence's breathing technique before responding. "There's one more component in that sample.  I-it's Iron Diamond."

Spike furrowed his brow. "Iron Diamond, huh?  Can't say I've had those before.  Although if they're anything like regular diamonds, I might want to check in with my dentist before trying one."

"Spike, this is serious," I said, trying my hardest to regulate my voice level as I gripped Spike's shoulders. "This ingredient was obviously used to replace the iron necessary to make an Earth Pony ponunculus.  Do you know what that means?!"

"Th-that all three ingredients are in the sample?" said Spike.

"Yes!" I exclaimed. "But that's physically impossible!  There's no way a ponunculus blood sample could contain traits of all three pony tribes!"

"Yet this one does," Kibitz mused. "Your Highness, out of curiosity, what would happen if somepony were to try something like this?"

I shuddered. "I mentioned before that a ponunculus's core cannot contain that much power," I said darkly. "Hypothetically speaking, if one were to try and create a ponunculus that had traits of two or all three races, the core would have to work that much harder to keep its body alive.  This in turn would cause a chain reaction that eventually shatters the core, releasing all the magic it had built up in an explosion powerful enough to decimate an entire city."

Kibitz's spectacles fell to the floor as he recoiled. "Y-your Highness!  A-are you sure about this?!"

"It's only a theory," I said. "Nopony has ever been crazy enough to try it, thank Celestia.  But we can't take that risk."

"Indeed, we cannot."

A soft voice came from the front door.  Immediately, I looked up to see who it was.  To my surprise, there was no one there.  Just a note lying in the middle of the floor.

"Who do you think that was?" asked Shining.

"Beast me," Spike said with a shrug.

I trotted over to the note and picked it up.  After a quick scan, my eyes went wide.


Princess Twilight Sparkle:

I'm hot on her trail.  If you want to find the impostor, journey into the crystal mines.

~Mare-Do-Well


"You okay, Twi?" Spike inquired.

With a sigh, I showed everypony the note.  Their reactions were more or less the same as mine.

"Mare-Do-Well and her impostor are in Canterlot," I said. "I'm guessing she wants us to find her."

"Your Highness, I highly advise against this," said Kibitz, wiping sweat from his brow. "Wh-what if it's a trap?"

That's actually a very good question, but I already had an answer.

"The real Mare-Do-Well wouldn't lure me into a trap," I said. "And if it's the impostor, well, I'll be ready for her; even if her existence is highly questionable and unstable.  Either way, I have to go after them."

I quickly scooped up Spike and placed him on my back. "Spike, you're with me on this one.  Shining, Kibitz.  I'm counting on you two to inform Celestia and Luna so that they can prepare for the trial."

"You got it, Twilie," said Shining with a salute.

Kibitz sulked. "I still object to this," he muttered.

"I'm well aware, Kibitz," I said solemnly. "But Mare-Do-Well is my friend, ergo helping her falls under my duties as the Princess of Friendship.  This is something I have to do."

Kibitz paused for a moment, and then nodded. "Well, when you put it that way, I suppose I have no reason to object.  Celestia-speed, Princess Twilight."

Wow.  I really should've thought of that earlier.  Ah well, you know what they say.  Hindsight is twenty/twenty and all that.  With a quick exchange of farewells, I prepared my teleportation spell.  Just before the spell was cast, I had one thought on my mind:

Hang on, Mare-Do-Well.  We're on our way.
> Blindsided by Rage (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 14:41
Griffon Kingdom Airspace
***


Getting a closer look at the behemoth of a cloud, I'm starting to get a big sense of déjà vu from the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  When Gypsy Moth was trying to conquer Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom, she made consistent use of explosive thunderclouds.  And when she attacked the Wonderbolts and the Proud Pride at Ghastly Gorge, she conjured up a cloud roughly the size of this one I'm looking at right now.  After everything we've discovered, I'm pretty sure this is not a coincidence.  I also know that I can't in good conscience just leave this thing in the sky to do who knows what.

"Yeesh.  And I thought Everfree clouds looked dangerous."

I turned to see that Blaze had arrived with Misty Fly and Rainbow Dash.  They all stood at attention, but I could see the disbelief and concern on their faces.

"I'm pretty sure the skies were clear when we got here," said Misty Fly. "Spitfire, what are your orders?"

I knitted my brow. "That's a tough one, Mist.  We don't know exactly what we're dealing with here.  It would take a lot of wing power to bust a cloud this size, and that's only if it were a normal cloud."

"Well, if it's not a normal cloud, that's all the more reason for us to bust it, yeah?" said Rainbow Dash.

"I can't say I disagree with you there, private," I concurred.

"So, what're we waiting for?  Let's go bust it!"

"Private, that's really not a good—"

But Rainbow Dash had already flown into the cloud.  I slapped my forehead and groaned.  See, this is why Rainbow Dash isn't a Wonderbolt yet.  I know she's just trying to do her duty, but she should really recognize the importance of planning and forethought.  Sure, Wonderbolts often aren't given that luxury, especially not in the middle of tight maneuvers or situations where lives are at stake.  I totally get that.  Nevertheless, this kind of impulsiveness doesn't apply to everything we do.  In fact, it sometimes could get you into serious trouble.

"Well, at least she's eager," said Misty Fly with a shrug. "Shall we go in after her?"

"Like we have much choice," I sighed. "If nothing else, we can fully assess what we're dealing with and come up with a strategy.  Maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times, and be sure to report anything unusual."

"Understood, Spitfire," said Misty Fly.

Blaze said nothing, but instead nodded and gave me a look.  Something tells me she's still upset with me.  While I understand why, I seriously don't need this right now.  I just hope she understands that, too.

"Right," I said. "C'mon, let's fly."

With that, we all flew headfirst into the dark, ominous cloud.


***


I've flown through many thunderclouds before.  It's actually part of the obstacle course we have back at the Academy.  It's good training to deal with gale-force winds, heavy rain, and other aerial hazards.  But this cloud was a whole different thing entirely.  For one thing, the atmosphere was alive with electricity.  I could actually feel the hairs on my body stand up on end as I flew around.  In fact, every tuft of cloud I came across appeared to be incredibly volatile, pulsating like mad in an attempt to hold the lightning back.  Oddly enough, though, I found that there was a distinct lack of moisture in the air.  My goggles weren't fogging up, and my wings felt just as light as ever.  You probably know this, but that should never happen if you're flying through any cloud.

Then there's the smell.  Normally, thunderclouds generate a faint odor thanks to the lightning cooking the atmosphere.  This smell, however, was something a lot more sinister.  For one, it somehow made me disoriented.  I have no idea where I'm going, which direction is which, or even if my wingponies are still behind me.  Not only that, but with each breath I took, I felt this tight burning sensation in my chest.  It was as if someone put a firecracker inside of me, and it was just getting ready to explode.  Th-this is wrong.  This whole place feels wrong.

Just then, something flew right past me.  My breath caught in my throat as I stopped to see who it was.  The figure then looped around to face me, revealing herself to be Blaze.  I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Phew.  D-don't scare me like that, Blaze," I said. "I-it looks like we kinda lost each other back there.  Th-this really isn't like anything we've tackled before, huh?"

Blaze said nothing.  Instead, she seemed content to give me a cold glare.  I sighed.

"Blaze, I get it.  You're mad at me.  I know," I said. "However, we need to keep focused here, and I could really use your—"

In the blink of an eye, Blaze closed the distance between us and decked me in the face.  I spun out and sputtered.  Never in a million moons would I have ever seen that coming.

"Whoa, hey!" I exclaimed. "What's your malfunction?!"

Blaze responded with another charge, this time slashing at me with her wing.  I-I don't get it.  Is she really going to make a big deal over this?  Th-that's just ridiculous!  Especially for a Wonderbolt!  The burning sensation in my chest began to intensify as I felt my patience wearing thin.

"Blaze, this is not funny!" I screamed. "Stop it, right now!  That's an order!"

My command fell on deaf ears.  Blaze charged yet again and tackled me into a headlock.  As I struggled against her grip, my chest felt tighter and tighter; hotter and hotter.  Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, my whole body ignited.  I grabbed Blaze by her forelegs and threw her off of me with all my might.

"Okay, Blaze!  I am just about done with your crap!" I bellowed as Blaze corrected her course. "You've been acting like a petulant child for this entire mission, and it's really starting to piss me off!  I think it's high time I gave you a bit of an attitude adjustment!"

I flew into a sharp dive, pulling my foreleg back for a powerful haymaker.  Blaze slipped out of the way and countered with a punch of her own.  I quickly recovered from the strike and retaliated with another punch.  From there, we just went at it.  Back and forth, blow for blow, we fought.  We clocked each other in the face; slashed at each other with our wings; rammed our skulls against each other.  No matter what I did, she wouldn't let up on the assault.  Which suited me just fine.  I wasn't planning on stopping, either.

After a while, Blaze rushed in and clamped her hooves around my throat.  Thinking quickly, I scooped up her flight goggles in my hoof and stretched them as far back as I could.  With a snap, they flew back right into Blaze's face.  She let go of me and yelped in pain, but for some reason, it didn't quite sound like her.  Not that it matters.  I'm still gonna give her what-for!

"Had enough?!" I barked. "'Cause I'm just getting started here!"

Blaze rubbed her eyes and looked at me.  I expected her to charge, but when it didn't happen, I got annoyed.

"You really think you're gonna fake me out like that?!" I yelled. "Think again, Blaze!"

I zoomed right towards her and punched her in the gut.  I was about to strike her again when she started flying away.

"Hey, get back here!" I shouted, giving chase. "I'm not done with you yet!"

Despite the disorienting nature of the cloud, I stayed on Blaze's dock for as long as I could.  Suddenly, she turned herself around and swooped below me.  I was about to follow suit when she just burst from the clouds and tackled me.  Thinking she was gonna try and strangle me again, I reached for her goggles.

But then, the unexpected happen.  Instead of grabbing my throat, she wrapped her forelegs around me and squeezed.  I flinched, expecting the hold to get tighter, but it didn't.  She just held me gently, and her hoof glided along my back.  My anger slowly began to dissolve as confusion set in.  What the heck is she doing?  I thought she was throwing a temper tantrum.  Wh-what's all this about?  Sheesh, I think I'm starting to get dizzy just from the sheer amount of whiplash.

Then, I heard a voice whisper in my ear.  It was faint at first, but soon enough, I heard it as clear as a bell.

"Spitfire, please.  Come back to me.  Wake up."

That, was not Blaze's voice.  As soon as that thought registered in my brain, I was beset by an odd migraine.  I scrunched my eyes shut and shook myself.  When I opened them again, Blaze was nowhere to be seen.  Instead of her fiery orange mane, I saw a silky whitish-blue mane brushing against my cheek.  For a long time, I-I couldn't think of anything to say.  I mean, what could I say?  Finally, one simple word escaped my lips.

"Mist?"

There was a gasp.  After an incredibly awkward pause, I was released.  I then saw that it was indeed Misty Fly flying in front of me, blushing profusely and dusting herself off.

"I, um, *ahem* do apologize for that, Spitfire," she said, appearing quite flustered. "I-I just couldn't think of any other way to snap you out of it."

I blinked. "Snap me out of it?  Mist, what're you talking about?"

Misty Fly sighed. "Spitfire, there's something very wrong about this cloud.  I-I got separated from you, and when I found you again, you were being attacked by this monster."

Okay, now I'm even more confused. "Mist, I didn't see any monster.  All I saw was Blaze throwing the biggest temper tantrum she ever had."

"I-I know," Misty Fly murmured. "After my vision recovered from the flight goggles, the monster vanished.  I just saw you flying at me in a blind rage.  Spitfire, I-I think there's something in this cloud that's messing with our heads."

It sounded like the very thought was making her choke.  Honestly, I feel a bit sick, too.  Wh-what the heck was I thinking?  Was I thinking?  Horse apples, I-I don't know anymore.  All I remember is Blaze making me angry, and then...

Oh crap.  Blaze!

"We need to go," I said. "Blaze and Rainbow Dash are still in here.  A-are you gonna be alright?"

Misty Fly let out a deep, meditative sigh before answering. "I can still fly.  You just gave me a few bruises; nothing serious.  Besides, I don't think I'd be able to find my way out of here, even if I wasn't up for it.  This place is like a maze."

That is a good point.  It almost feels like whoever made this cloud wanted to trap us here.  But if that's true, it just raises a whole bunch of questions.  And I don't think we have time to answer them right now.

"Alright then," I said. "Just stay close to me and try to keep a cool head.  If one of those lightning bolts block your path, tell me to stop, and I'll wait for you to catch up.  Got it?"

Misty Fly nodded. "Understood, Spitfire.  I'm your wing."

We then flew deeper into the cloud.  As I took better stock of my surroundings, I noticed that the clouds were starting to pulsate more, and the lightning strikes were getting more frequent.  Instinctively, I picked up the pace.  If this means what I think it means, then we don't have much time left.


***


"You're not getting away from me that easily, you faker!  I'm taking you down!"

"I won't let you hurt me or my sister again, you dock-hole!  This ends here!"

When we found Blaze and Rainbow Dash, my heart sank like a stone.  The two of them were duking it out as lightning danced all around them.  I'm starting to think Misty Fly's right.  Something in this cloud is making us turn on each other.  Ugh~.  I feel unclean just thinking that.

"We gotta snap them out of it," I said. "Mist, you take Blaze.  I'll try and reach Rainbow Dash."

Misty Fly tilted her head. "Didn't you say you were planning on talking to Blaze?"

"Not like this," I sighed, shaking my head. "She's probably incredibly angry at whatever she's fighting, just like we were.  If I tried to talk to her now, it would just make things worse."

Misty Fly paused for a moment, and then nodded. "I understand, Spitfire.  Though, a word of advice."

"Yes?"

"Try your best not to hurt her.  I think that's what's expected of us."

Ah.  That would explain the hug.  Still, I might want to try something else with Rainbow Dash.  Even though this tactic clearly works, hugging someone in a combat situation just feels, awkward.  In fact, I think I'm just gonna keep that little incident between Misty Fly and myself (and you guys, of course.  But if any of you mention it to the press, I'm probably gonna deny it.  Just FYI).

"Noted," I said with a nod. "Alright, let's do this."

We flew right into the middle of the fray just as Blaze and Rainbow Dash charged at one another.  I blocked Rainbow Dash's charge with my hooves, flapping my wings like crazy in order to counteract her momentum.

"Errgh~!  I'm not gonna let you get away with this!" Rainbow Dash snarled.

"Private, it's me!" I hollered back. "Open your eyes!"

Rainbow Dash broke the standoff, causing me to slip forward.  While I was off-balance, she rammed me right in the stomach with her head.  Before I could recover, she grabbed my foreleg and began to twist it.

"You can't fool me, impostor!" Rainbow Dash proclaimed. "You're not the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well!  You never will be!"

"Rainbow Dash li— *augh* listen to me!" I grunted, struggling against the pain. "The impostor isn't *mmph* here!  It's all in your head!"

"I already told you!  Your tricks don't work on me!" Rainbow Dash roared.  She then headbutted me right between the eyes.  I stumbled back and got my bearings just in time to block another incoming punch.  Th-this isn't getting anywhere.  She won't listen.

"Private, I-I really don't want to hurt you," I said desperately. "Please, please don't make me."

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "You really think you're hot stuff, huh?  You think you can ruin Mare-Do-Well for everypony by impersonating her?  It won't work!  'Cause Mare-Do-Well will always be there to remind me about controlling my ego, and you will not take that away!  Not as long as I have anything to say about it!"

Dammit all.  If this keeps up, I'm not going to have the strength to keep myself airborne, let alone defend myself against Rainbow Dash's attacks.  Th-this really doesn't look good.  C'mon, think!  There has to be some way to reach her.

Just then, I noticed several thunderbolts being released in quick succession.  It appeared to be some sort of chain reaction, leading right up to Rainbow Dash.  In the time I took to figure this out, the last bolt in the chain was right over her head.

"Private, look out!"

My body moved on its own without a second thought.  In one quick motion, I tackled Rainbow Dash out of the way.  The bolt missed her entirely, but it ended up singeing my tail.  I winced a bit as we recovered.

"Heh, looks like the tables have turned," I chuckled. "Usually, you're the one saving me."

Rainbow Dash blinked. "W-wait, what?  Wh-why did you save me?  That faker would never— ugh!"

Rainbow Dash flinched and gripped her head in pain.  When she recovered, she started at me in confusion.

"Ma'am?  What're you doing here?" she asked. "Where's that fake Mare-Do-Well?"

I smiled. "Good to have you back with us, private."

Before Rainbow Dash could ask anything else, the air buzzed with electricity, and the cloud grew brighter and brighter.  I've seen this before, back in January.  It's our cue to blow this popsicle stand.  Mainly because said popsicle stand is about to blow.

"Listen, we'll explain once we're out of here," I said, turing my head. "Mist!  How's Blaze?!"

"She'll be alright!" Misty Fly hollered back. "We should probably get out of here!"

"My thoughts exactly!" I said. "Alright, Wonderbolts!  We're gonna be using Bellerophon's Spear!  Once you're in position, don't wait for my mark!  Let's go, go, go!"

With that, we all dived straight down through the cloud.  As we descended, we all spun around each other like four ponies dancing in the sky.  This in turn created a vortex of wind that bore through the cloud like a drill burrowing into the earth.  Through this dizzying maneuver, I could see the light of day break through.

A few seconds after we got out, I could hear an immense explosion echo behind me.  Luckily, it was at an altitude that wouldn't cause that much damage to anything.  Still, I'm pretty sure all of Nemean noticed that, judging by all the spotlights moving every which way trying to see if anyone was stupid enough to take advantage of the commotion.  We all pulled out of our maneuver and took a moment to catch our breaths.

"Everypony *pant* okay?" I asked breathlessly.

"Nnngh.  D-define 'okay,'" mumbled Blaze. "S-seriously, what was that?"

I furrowed my brow. "I'm not entirely sure, Blaze.  All I know is that whoever set that up wanted us to kill each other in there."

Rainbow Dash gasped. "Wh-what?!"

I sighed. "Misty Fly figured out that something in the cloud was causing us to hallucinate, and those hallucinations were making us fight one another."

Blaze trembled and bit her lip. "Th-that's low.  That's low, even for her," she snarled. "J-just wait until I get my hooves on her.  I'll—"

"Blaze, we discussed this," Misty Fly scolded. "Spitfire's right; you can't let the past control you.  We all know you're stronger than that."

Blaze slumped her shoulders, and her lip quivered. "I-I'm sorry.  I-I didn't mean to act out back there.  I-I just had this feeling that she was gonna try and hurt us again, and I didn't want that to happen.  I tried to ignore it at first, but when the evidence started adding up, I-I just convinced myself that it was her."

She then took off her flight goggles and revealed her swollen pupils.  Man, she really must be broken up about this.  Well, only one thing for it.  I heaved a great sigh and stretched out my forelegs.

"C'mon, Blaze.  Bring it in," I said.

Blaze blinked. "Huh?"

"Bring it in," I repeated, beckoning her with my hooves.

Blaze's cheeks turned a rosy pink. "Y-you mean here?  In front of the private?"

"Should that matter?" I said with a shrug. "C'mon, bring it in.  That's an order."

After a pause, Blaze flew into my waiting forelegs and tackled me into a big hug.  I felt her tears drip onto my wings as I patted her on the back.

"It's alright, Blaze.  I understand," I cooed. "And I'm sorry I snapped at you like that.  That was wrong of me.  I shouldn't have lost control."

"D-don't apologize, Sis," Blaze hiccuped. "I-I'm the one who couldn't control myself.  I-I was just trying to help, but all I did was make you mad.  I-I shouldn't be a—"

I stopped her mid-sentence and looked her straight in the eye.

"Don't you dare finish that thought, Blaze," I said sternly. "Believe me, I get it.  You let our history with Gypsy Moth get the better of you.  I'm not gonna kick you out of the Wonderbolts just for that.  Being the best doesn't mean you're perfect.  After all, we're only ponies at the end of the day.  Just learn from this, correct your course, and keep flying.  That's all anypony can ask of you."

Blaze sniffled and nodded. "Y-you're right, Sis.  Th-thanks."

"No problem," I said, letting her go.  I then turned to Rainbow Dash, who was just staring at me with her mouth hanging wide open.  Somehow, I expected that.

"Hey, you still with us, private?" I asked.

Rainbow Dash shook herself. "U-uh, yes ma'am!" she said with a hasty salute.

I snickered. "Is it really that strange to see the captain of the Wonderbolts act like a total sap, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow Dash brushed the back of her head sheepishly. "I-I don't think I can answer that question, ma'am."

I chuckled again. "Private, let me tell you a little something about myself," I said, staring off into the distance. "I love my team.  To me, they aren't just a bunch of ponies under my command; they're my family.  And whenever I hurt them, i-it just tears me up inside."

"Wow.  I-I never knew that about you, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash. "But, why're you telling me this?"

I turned back to Rainbow Dash and gave her a serious look. "I'm not gonna mince words, private.  What happened in that cloud makes me sick to my stomach.  What's more, this is the second time I've been forced to fight my own team, and it was just as painful back then as it is now."

"Do you think Gypsy Moth is behind it?" inquired Misty Fly.

My brow furrowed. "That's a tough call, Mist.  Blaze is right; the evidence is against her.  As I recall, the defaced bookmark was highlighting an alchemical recipe called Rage Powder, and that sounds very much like what we just went through.  Not to mention that there are still a few other inconstancies in her story.  Either someone's trying really hard to frame her, or she's lying through her teeth.  Either way, she's involved in this mess."

"See?  Told ya," said Blaze with a slight snicker.

"Don't celebrate just yet, Blaze," I said. "After all, even if she is lying, that doesn't make her the mastermind."

Blaze tilted her head. "What do you mean, Sis?"

"Think about it," I said. "Does it really sound plausible for her to bide her time for eleven months in order to cook up this elaborate plan with a false Mare-Do-Well?  'Cause to me, that seems highly unlikely."

"But then, how is she involved?" asked Rainbow Dash.

I sighed. "I think only she has the answer to that, private."

Just then, one of the wardens flew up to us.

"Have you four seen anyone trying to escape?" he asked.

"Not to my knowledge," I said.

The warden nodded. "Good, good.  Now, do you four know anything about what happened to that storm cloud?"

"We have some rough ideas, but nothing concrete," I said. "Are we still allowed to visit Gypsy Moth?"

"In a bit," said the warden. "We're still double-checking the cells to make sure nobody got any bright ideas.  We should be giving the all-clear pretty soon, though."

"Good," I said, pressing my hooves together. "Because before we head back to Equestria, I'd like a chance for us to finish our little chat.  Turns out she might have a lot to answer for..."
> Fear and Fortune (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14
Time: Unknown
Location: Unknown
***


Mmm.  Nnngh~.  My aching head.  Wh-what just happened?  Where am I?  How long was I out?  And, why can't I move?

As soon as my eyes regained focus, I got an answer to that last question.  And that answer woke me right up.  Turns out that there's this bloody chain wrapped around my entire torso.  Not only that, but I noticed that I was tied to a large tree out on a grassy knoll somewhere.  But, I was just in Lincolt Center not a moment ago.  I-I must've been abducted!  I tried to scream for help, but a gag around my mouth prevented me from doing so.  Wh-what the bleeding hay is going on?!

"I see that you're awake."

A husky voice made itself known as a large shadow blotted out my view of the sun.  I looked up to see who it was, and my heart froze.  Towering over me was a creature the likes of which I have never seen before.  He was a large bipedal bird with raven black wings, a white tunic, piercing green eyes, and a long, stick-like nose (or, was it part of a blue mask?  I really couldn't tell).  He wore some sort of belt that looked like a chain, and he had a conch shell hanging from his neck like a hunting horn.  I-is this one of those tengu things Spitfire mentioned?  I-I thought she said they didn't take prisoners.  Why am I still alive?  Um, not that I'm complaining, mind you.

"You might be wondering why I have allowed you to live," said the creature, as if reading my mind. "Well, I see no reason to tell you.  After all, what kind of hunter explains himself to his prey?"

Wait, did he just imply that he's been hunting me?  And why did he sound so casual about it?  Bloody nora, I've been kidnapped by a madman!

"To be honest, I don't see what's all that special about you," the creature mused, grabbing my face with his talon. "You carry no battle scars; no weapons; absolutely nothing that would pose a threat to anything sentient.  Then again, a lot of you equines are like that, aren't you?  It almost makes me wonder why you all haven't been slaughtered yet."

I winced in revulsion.  Th-that just might be one of the most barbaric things I've ever—

Okay, now he has a blade at my throat.  He has a blade at my throat!  Why does he have a blade at my throat?!  What did I do?!

"No.  Sudden.  Movements," the creature snarled. "Your time will come soon enough.  But if you don't show some patience, you'll just make it worse."

So, just because I flinched, he thought I was trying to escape?  Th-that's completely mental!  Could he honestly be any more of a psychopath?!

"Hmm.  Usually when I let my prey live for this long, they're trying to kill me," said the creature, pressing the hook-shaped blade against my skin. "Know that whatever you're planning, it won't work.  I am Sojobo, the Kurama Tengu who escaped the execution of his clan.  I have outwitted death; what chance do you have?"

I guess that answers that question.  He honestly believes that after chaining me to a tree, I somehow have this ingenious plan to escape and do him in.  Here in reality, though, I'm sweating bullets and trying desperately not to piss myself.  I-I'm afraid to even blink.

Suddenly, there was a sinister chill in the air that caused me to shiver.  I thought for sure that Sojobo would kill me right then and there, but instead, he withdrew.

"I'll be back for you," he said, taking the conch shell from around his neck. "Remember what I told you.  If you make any sudden movements, my song will be the last thing you ever hear."

He then turned his back to me and began playing a tune on the conch shell (which I suppose would make it an ocarina).  The melody was very eerie and disjointed, as if he were just playing notes at random.  As he continued to play, sparkling smoke emerged from the shell and slowly enshrouded us in a thick mist.  That has to be some form of Pan's Music Code, meaning he's most likely the one behind the attack on Sapphire Shores.  Wait, if that's true, was Sapphire trying to protect me from this very scenario?  Is this why she said I shouldn't have come to Manehattan?  I-I just have so many questions, but I sure won't get any answers unless I find a way out of here.

But, what am I supposed to do?  I-I can't fight him.  Even if I wasn't chained to this bloody tree, he has that sickle and Pan's Music Code.  What do I have?  Nothing.  Not even my cello.  I-I wish Vinyl were here.  I wish anypony was here.  I-I don't want to die like this.  I-I'm so scared.  I...

Ms. Sapphire says that all I have to do is remember this song, and whenever I sing it, I feel like I can take on anything.

Sweetie Belle's testimony suddenly popped into my head.  I also remembered that Sapphire said she used it herself in her battle with this ruffian.  So, maybe I can use it here?  I mean, if nothing else, it would clear my head a little.  And it seems he's too preoccupied with his own song to notice me, at least for the time being.  I guess it couldn't hurt to try.  It's not like I've got any other options right now.  Hmm, let's see.  How did it go?  Ah, yes.


"Hm-hm-hm hm hm hm, hm hm hm,
Hm-hm-hm hm hm hm, hm hm hm..."


As I breathed out the melody through my gag, I felt something stirring within my heart.  The sensation spread throughout my entire body.  As the sensation increased, my fear melted away.  Who cares if I'm tied to a tree?  Who cares if that bloody wanker has some sharp farming implement?  That doesn't give him the right to do this to me!  With Celestia as my witness, I will not die here!  Not today!

With a sudden burst of strength, I broke through the chains that held me.  Sojobo seemed to notice, as he quickly spun around and tossed his sickle at me.  Oddly enough, it was attached to the chain around his waist.  I dodged as quickly as I could, but my reflexes clearly weren't as great as his.  The blade managed to slice off my gag and scrape my cheek.  As I recovered my breath, Sojobo yanked the chain and tripped me with his sickle.

"So, you know the secret behind music as well," he said, swinging the chain around like a cowpony swinging a lasso. "I knew it was a mistake to keep you alive for this long."

"Then why do it?" I said with a snort, struggling to get to my feet.

Sojobo scoffed. "I still find no need to explain myself to my prey.  You're going to die, anyway.  You and all of those comrades you brought with you."

"I am not your prey!" I roared. "Neither are any of my friends!"

"That's what they all say," said Sojobo with a snicker. "And they all meet the same fate!"

With that, he threw his sickle at me again.  This time, I was ready.  I parried the attack, grabbed the chain in my teeth, and yanked it with all my might.  Sojobo flew forward, only to catch himself with his wings.  Shazbot, I forgot about that.

"Clever," said Sojobo, hovering over me. "But you forget that I outwitted death.  Therefore, you have no chance!"

He then took his ocarina and played another series of disjointed notes.  Suddenly, I felt something slicing up my face.  I couldn't see what it was, but my word, did it hurt!  With a yelp, I let go of the chain and fell to the ground.  I-I'm starting to think that trying to take him on by myself was a bad decision on my part.  Time for Plan B: Find the others.

I rolled onto my stomach just in time to dodge the sickle crashing down on me and broke into a full gallop.  As I ran, I heard the chaotic melody of Sojobo's ocarina playing behind me.  What's he up to now?  I thought for certain he'd be giving chase.  Is that what the spell's for?  Nngh, I can't dwell on these things.  I need my friends.

After running for a time, I recognized where I was.  This was Centrot Park.  He somehow knocked me out and dragged me all the way here without anypony noticing.  Well, they certainly were noticing now.  It's very hard to miss a frantic pony running away from a psychopathic bird creature.  If he is still behind me; I'm honestly too busy fleeing for my life to—

"Gah!"

In my haste, I tripped and fell over something.  At first, I thought it was a root, but then I remembered that I was on the pavement.  I looked up and gasped in horror.  Sojobo's sickle was looming over me, swaying back and forth like a cobra ready to strike.  It lunged itself at me, missing me by a hair as I quickly shuffled back.  Phew, that was too close.  I need to be more careful.

I ran past the sickle and continued to find my way back to Coltlumbus Circle.  All the while, I could hear the chain rattle against the pavement as the sickle slithered after me.  Sweet Celestia, how long is that thing?!  Was this the spell Sojobo used?

Before I could ponder this any further, the sickle swiped my hind leg and caused me to fall over.  Before I could get up again, the full weight of a foot pressed against my back.  Bollocks.  H-he got me.

"I hope you realize what you've done," said Sojobo. "Now all of these equines will probably want to avenge your death when I'm done with you.  I may just have to kill everyone in this country, just to make sure none of you equines become a blasted nuisance."

Wait, that's why he kept me alive?  He was planning to use me as bait so that he could kill everypony that cared about me before finishing me off?  That's what I'm getting from this; I don't really know how you could interpret those insane ramblings any other way!  As if he wasn't demented enough already!

"My patience has long since run thin with you," Sojobo growled, placing the sickle around my neck. "This is why you don't anger your executioner.  I'm now going to make sure your death is nice and sl—"

"Hey, dock-hole!"

My ears perked up.  I know that voice from anywhere.  And sure enough, there was Vinyl Scratch, running right for us as her horn pulsed with magic.  Sojobo began playing another spell on his ocarina.  Oh no.  It's too late to warn her!  I-I can't watch!

*Tw-EET*

"Wub-a-dub-dub, motherbucker!"

Although my hooves were clamped firmly over my eyes, I could hear a most intense sound.  The breeze itself seemed to sing Sojobo's disjointed melody, only to be overshadowed by a pounding synthetic bass.  The two struggled against each other like a pair of wild animals fighting for dominance.  Finally, the bass won out, and the pressure against my back was gone.

When I opened my eyes, Vinyl was standing over me.  Her shades were cracked, and her coat was covered in scuff marks.  She smiled at me and reached out her hoof.

"C'mon, Octy.  Up and at 'em," she said.

I accepted her hoof and let her pull me up.  As I dusted myself off, I saw that Sojobo was still a bit dazed from, well, whatever Vinyl did (I'm guessing it was some kind of sound-amplifying spell, seeing as sound manipulation is her special talent).  Not only that, Rarity, Fluttershy, Shamus, and Puzzlement were there as well.

"Alright, buster.  We've got you surrounded," Shamus growled. "Put your appendages where we can see 'em."

Sojobo shook himself and snorted. "You will all die!"

He swung his chain once again, this time aiming for Shamus.  But before it could reach him, the sickle became cloaked in a blue aura and was yanked away by Rarity.

"Honestly, where did you get this horrid thing?" she said, looking over the weapon. "It's just so, tacky.  Ick~.  I wouldn't be caught dead with this ugly atrocity wrapped around my waist."

Sojobo snarled. "The perhaps you'd like it embedded in your skull!"

He began to play his ocarina again, but before he could finish the spell, Rarity threw the sickle right into the open end of the instrument.  The very force of the attack cause Sojobo to stumble back, dropping the ocarina to the ground.

"For the record, those tunes are rather ghastly, too," Rarity huffed. "Maybe that will teach you to hurt my little sister."

Sojobo flew up into the sky and growled. "You may have taken away my weapons, but by the will of the winds, I will see you all dead!  Starting with you!"

He then swooped towards me, pounding his fist into the ground.  I leapt out of the way and reared up on my hind legs.  Before I could lower myself, he threw another punch and hit me across the jaw.  I staggered back, trying to keep my balance.  Before he could land another blow, I sang the confidence spell again.


"Hm-hm-hm hm hm hm, hm hm hm,
Hm-hm-hm hm hm hm, hm hm hm..."


With a surge of adrenaline, I blocked the incoming punch and countered with my own.  With a screech of rage, Sojobo flew at me again.  We exchanged blows back and forth, although to be honest, I didn't know I could move like this!  This is no mere confidence spell; I think it's actually giving me the strength to fight back!  Why Pan taught this spell to Sapphire, I'll never know.  But by golly, am I ever glad he did.

After a brief brawl, Puzzlement picked up the chain still connected to Sojobo's waist and pulled with all her might.  With a breathless yelp, Sojobo flew backwards and landed flat on his back.  Before he could get up, Shamus and Puzzlement flipped him over and placed cuffs around his wrists.

"You're under arrest," said Shamus proudly. "Puz, book 'im."

Puzzlement took out her notepad and adjusted her monocle. "One count of breaking and entering, two counts of disturbing the peace, four counts of assault/attempted murder, two of which were against minors, one count of illegal possession of a weapon without a license, and one count of resisting arrest.  That's enough to lock you away for a long time."

Sojobo sniggered. "That's your punishment?  Placing me in a cage?  You've never dealt with a tengu before, have you?  Taking one prisoner is practically a death—"

"Oh, shut up!"

With very little provocation, Vinyl charged in and started beating up Sojobo.

"This one's for Octy!" she screamed as she punched him over and over again. "This one's for Sapphie!  This one's for Sweetie Belle!  This one's for Mare-Do-Well!  This one's, um, because I just want to punch you!"

"Vinyl, enough!" I said, pulling her off of Sojobo. "We got him.  There's no need to hurt him anymore."

Vinyl paused for a moment before heaving a deep sigh. "S-sorry, Tavi.  I-I just needed to let off some steam.  You really gave me a scare when you disappeared."

I arched an eyebrow. "Oh, I gave you a scare?  How do you bloody think I felt?"

Vinyl winced. "T-terrified," she murmured.

Disregarding that she's correct, that straightforwardness is not something I'd expect from Vinyl. "What?"

Vinyl breathed another sigh. "Octy, I'm not trying to belittle your feelings here.  What you had to go through is something I wouldn't wish on anypony.  But, that's what made me so scared."  She then took off her shades, revealing that her eyes were swollen with tears. "You're one of the most important ponies in my life, Tavi.  I-I don't wanna lose you."

This isn't exactly news to me, but seeing Vinyl be this open with her feelings, well, it never gets easy.  I'm just so used to her being bombastic and insane that seeing her like this just, breaks my heart.

"Oh, Vinyl.  Don't cry," I said softly, pulling her into a hug. "It's alright now.  I'm not going anywhere."

"Not if I have anything to say about it, you're not," said Vinyl with a sad chuckle.  She then returned my embrace. "I love you, Octy."

"And I you, Marshmallow," I cooed.  Yes, I do have a pet name for Vinyl.  Try not to look too deeply into it.  Or if you do, don't mention it to the tabloids.  Remember, this is the kind of thing I'd like to keep off the record.

"Um, I hate to break this up, but unless I'm mistaken, you were investigating Mare-Do-Well, yes?" said Puzzlement.

Ugh, bugger me.  So much for keeping this off the record.  I just hope no tabloid writers saw that.  As you probably gathered, I just hate giving them ammunition.

"Uh, that's right," I said, releasing Vinyl and dusting myself off.

"Well, if that's the case, maybe you four should sit in on this guy's interrogation," said Puzzlement. "If his story fits in with Ms. Sapphire's, you're gonna want to know that."

"Are you sure we won't get you in trouble?" Fluttershy inquired meekly.

Shamus sighed. "It's normally against police procedure, but seeing as you gals are with the princess, our hooves are tied."

"Then, what're we waiting for?" said Vinyl, clearing her throat. "Let's get cracking!"

With that, Shamus and Puzzlement led Sojobo away while the rest of us brought up the rear.

"I have to say, Ms. Octavia.  That was all pretty, intense," said Fluttershy.

"That's putting it mildly," said Rarity. "I wasn't sure what that rapscallion was going to do after he started attacking you, but you really seemed to hold your own."

"Yeah, no kidding," Vinyl agreed. "I didn't know you could move like that, Tavi."

"Neither did I, frankly," I said with a sigh. "Still, I hope I never have to do anything like that again."

I braced myself for Vinyl to make some witty comment about how I shouldn't be ashamed of this.  Instead, she walked up closer to me and nuzzled my cheek.

"You and me both, Tavi," she whispered. "You and me both."
> Tripping Over Guilt (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 1:44 PM
Mewlun Mountains
Mt. Kohryu
***


We arrived at the source of the smoke signal about halfway up the mountain.  As we got closer, I could see a fiery glow generating the smoke at the desired intervals.  And of course, the one sending the signal was none other than Dodger Dragonvest, alive and well.  He seemed to notice us as well, as a burst of flame shot right at my leaf parachute.  Before it got completely incinerated, I dropped down and landed on my hooves.  I heard two distinct thuds on either side as Pinkie and Applejack landed behind me.

"Momma's Girl.  It's been too long," Dodger said with a sneer, fiddling with the Fire Ruby in his paw as he stepped towards us. "How'd you like my little disappearing act?  Quite impressive, wasn't it?"

"Save it," I growled, pawing the ground. "What're you after this time, Dragonvest?"

Dodger snickered. "You mean you haven't figured it out by now?  C'mon, Momma's Girl.  I thought you were smarter than that."

He then rotated the Fire Ruby in his paw and shot a blast of flame right at me.  Before I could move, Derpy came in out of nowhere and tackled me out of the way.  She winced as the fireball singed her wings.

"You ruined everything," Dodger continued, reaching into his pocket and taking out another mystical gemstone. "I was about to go down in history as the greatest revolutionary that has ever graced the underground network.  I was this close to toppling that bastard Sykes Silvervest.  I had a great thing going for me that would've solidified my place in history.  And what did you do?  You took it all away from me because apparently, you don't know your place."

I let out an angry snort as I picked myself up. "So, that's what all this is about?  Revenge?"

"Bingo."

Dodger rolled the new gemstone in his paw and launched what appeared to be a sparkling cannonball at us.  We quickly scattered as the projectile slammed into the ground, chipping the stairway as it bounced into the valley below.

"Since you thought taking everything away from me was a good idea, I'm gonna take everything away from you, Momma's Girl," Dodger snarled, taking out yet another mystical gemstone. "I already took care of your only ticket home, so don't even think about running away.  You've got nowhere to go."

Applejack's eyes narrowed. "So you're the varmint that destroyed our airship."

"Bingo again," said Dodger with a toothy grin. "Don't you see, Momma's Girl?  I created this whole charade just for you.  You should feel flattered."

"What I feel is sick," I spat, glaring at Dodger with all that hate I could muster. "You've really gone off the deep end this time."

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," said Pinkie, knitting her brow. "If you wanted Sparkler all this time, what does that have to do with Mare-Do-Well and her identity thief?"

That's actually a really good question.  When you get right down to it, Dodger can't be the one behind this whole Mare-Do-Well mess.  Our investigation is just one piece of the puzzle here.  However, Dodger didn't feel like giving any answers.

"You really think I'm stupid enough to tell you that?" he scoffed. "You all might be about to die, but you're gonna die without knowing a damn thing!"

He slammed the gemstone in his paw into the ground.  From the impact, several vines sprang up and lunged for us.  Applejack managed to catch one of them in her teeth while Pinkie bounced around and caused them to get all tangled.  Before they could undo themselves, I sliced them up with my gem-cutting spell.  Dodger snorted.

"Well, this really isn't fair, now is it?" he said, taking out two more gemstones from his pocket from his pocket. "I mean, there's one of me and four of you."

"That's a lie," Applejack growled, spitting out the vine in her mouth. "We know you're in cahoots with that Sojobo varmint.  He's probably waitin' to pounce on us right now."

Dodger snickered and wagged an admonishing finger at us. "Nice try, but I'm still not saying anything.  Now, what's say we even this playing field?"

He then tossed the two gemstones high into the air, one after the other.  They collided and exploded into a shower of icicles.  Applejack swerved and swayed around them like barrels at a rodeo, Derpy flew about with the randomness of a hummingbird, and Pinkie Pie bounced around like a madpony, her tail twitching the entire time.  I myself opted to stick with my gem-cutting spell to carve a path.  Trust me, I'm not nearly as athletic as those other ponies.

Just as we were through the icicle storm, Dodger threw something at our feet.  From there, more vines sprouted out of the ground and held our ankles fast.  I deadpanned.

"Really?" I said, illuminating my horn. "You really think these are gonna stop us?"

Dodger snickered and pointed upward. "Look up, Momma's Girl."

Oh, no.  H-he can't mean what I think he means.  He wouldn't.

"Ammy, help!"

Sunnova bitch, he would.  Against my better judgement, I turned my attention to the sky.  Sure enough, Derpy was frantically trying to get away from a whole mess of large, thick vines.  She fended them off the best she could, but there were just too many of them.  Finally, they snagged each of her legs and both of her wings.

"Hang on, Mom!" I hollered, preparing my spell once again.

"Not so fast, Momma's Girl!" Dodger proclaimed.

A burst of ice flew into the air and hit Derpy square in the back.  As she moaned in pain, her wings completely froze over.  Dammit.  I can't cut her down from that height if she can't fly.  Dodger really thought this through.

The vines carried Derpy down to their master, who gripped her by the throat.

"If I see any of you move, I snap her neck like a twig," said Dodger, taking out yet another mystical gemstone.

Derpy squirmed and writhed in Dodger's grip. "L-let me go, you big meanie!" she rasped.

Dodger sneered. "I see no reason to do that," he said. "In fact, you know what I'm gonna do?  I'm going to freeze the rest of you and shatter you into a million pieces."

I gasped in horror.  I-I couldn't let that happen to her.

"P-put her down, Dodger!" I yelled, causing my voice to crack. "I-I'm the one you want!"

Dodger snickered again. "You don't get it, do you, Momma's Girl?  When I said I'd take everything away from you, I meant it.  Oh, and just FYI, the only reason I'm hurting this cross-eyed goof is because of you.  So when you think about it, anything I do to her is automatically gonna be your fault."

No.  No, not again.  Th-this is exactly what caused my so much pain last time.  Derpy's throat and my heart might as well be connected, because Dodger has a death grip on both.  A spiraling dizziness overtook me as Dodger used the gemstone to slowly freeze Derpy's body, inch by inch.  I could see tears seep out of the corner of Derpy's eyes.  Th-this is too much.  I-I can't take it.  I can't!

"STOP~!"

Without a second thought, I grabbed Dodger's paw with my magic.  As he tried to wrench control away from me, the gemstone he was using was flung into the air and landed back in his pocket.  Suddenly, several beams of light burst from the pocket.  Dodger blanched.

"No!  What have you done?!" he boomed.

Without waiting for an answer, he dropped Derpy to the ground, took off his vest, and threw it off the mountain.  To my surprise, the vest exploded in a blast of energy.  As Pinkie and Applejack ran to help Derpy, Dodger turned savagely towards me.

"What were you thinking, you crazy cunt?!" he barked. "You could've killed us all!"

Okay, how was I supposed to know that would happen?!  Furthermore, he was going to kill my mom!  Did he really think I was just gonna stand there and do nothing?!  I wanted to scream so bad, but I just stood my ground in silence.  I don't have to justify myself to him.

Suddenly, I saw a sinister twinkle in Dodger's eyes as his lips curled into a wry smile.

"Oh.  I see how it is," he said, advancing towards me. "You really hate me that much, don't you, Momma's Girl?"

I don't like the way he's saying that.  I maintained my glare the best I could, even though I was instinctively backing away.

"What's the matter?  Cat got your tongue?" Dodger sniggered. "C'mon, admit it.  You were trying to kill me with that attack, weren't you?"

That caught me off-guard.  I opened my mouth to protest, but Dodger cut me off.

"Don't try to deny it, Momma's Girl," he said. "We all saw your true colors.  You're willing to betray Kohryu's sacred word and risk everyone else's life just to see me dead."

I shook my head.  Th-that isn't true.  That isn't true at all.  H-he's just saying that to mess with me.

"Hey, hey.  No need to feel ashamed of it," said Dodger mockingly. "I can totally relate.  I would love nothing more than to have your head mounted on my wall.  In the end, we're not so different, you and I."

Horse apples!  Wh-where does he get off comparing himself to me?!

"Y-you don't know what you're talking about," I growled. "I-I'm nothing like you."

"Really?  Because I think your actions speak for themselves," said Dodger, staring at me with hungry eyes. "You want to kill me, Momma's Girl.  And you're willing to sacrifice your precious mother to do so."

Each lie he spat at me hurt worse than the last.  I-I know I shouldn't be letting him get to me like this, but the weight of my actions are really starting to sink in now.  I-I almost killed Derpy back there.  J-just the thought of that is causing tears to well up in my eyes.  I-I didn't mean to.  I-it was an accident.  I-I panicked.  I-I-I...

"What's wrong, Momma's Girl?  No snide retort this time?" said Dodger, cracking his knuckles. "The truth hurts, doesn't it?  Well, don't you worry.  I'll put you out of your misery soon enou—"

"Stop hurting my daughter!"

A grey blur suddenly darted in out of nowhere and clocked Dodger in the face.  I could only stare in silence as Derpy landed in front of me and spread her wings.

"If there's one thing I can't stand in this world, it's a bully," she proclaimed. "Now back off, or I'll make you sorry."

Dodger wasn't the least bit intimidated. "Are you really willing to defend her after she nearly blew us all the kingdom come just to get rid of me?  Boy, you're naïve."

Derpy shook her head. "Ammy is not like that, and you know it," she said darkly. "You're just saying that mean stuff to make her feel bad.  Well, I'm not gonna stand for it, mister."

"Actions speak louder than words," said Dodger simply. "We all saw what she did, and we all know why she did it."

"You don't know a thing about Ammy," said Derpy. "She made a mistake, but that doesn't make her a bad pony.  She's a smart mare with a big heart, and I love her to bits.  And nothing you say will change that."

Dodger shrugged. "Fine.  Ignore the truth all you want.  It won't matter in the end once you're all de—"

"Yee-ha~!"

I perked up as a loud whoop from Applejack echoed from behind Dodger.  Before Dodger could turn around, a makeshift lasso made out of the vines he summoned was flung around his body.

"You wouldn't know the truth if it bit ya in the behind!" Applejack exclaimed.

Dodger snorted and tried to pull against his restraints.  Applejack yanked back just as hard, and the two were at a standstill.

"Nngh!  Pink, little help?" Applejack grunted.

"Okey-dokey-lokey!" Pinkie chirped.  She grabbed hold of the vine and helped Applejack rein Dodger in.  Dodger flew back, and there was a giant dust cloud as the three of them struggled against one another.  When the dust cleared, Dodger was all tied up, complete with a bow.

"Nicely done, Pink," said Applejack, wiping some sweat from her brow.

"Thanks!" said Pinkie. "I think the bow adds a nice touch.  What do you think, Sparkler?"

I simply averted my gaze and flattened my ears.  I-I know this sounds silly, but I still feel awful about what I did.  Derpy turned to me and gave me a concerned look.

"Ammy, does it hurt?" she asked, placing a hoof on my heart. "Do you need a hug?"

All I could do was nod.  Derpy threw her forelegs around me and held me tight, squeezing my tears out.

"There there.  It's okay, Ammy," she cooed, stroking my mane. "You shouldn't let what that meanie says get to you."

"Derpy's right, sugarcube," Applejack chimed in. "Believe you me, I've done my fair share of stupid things just for the sake of my own family.  You've got nothin' to be ashamed about."

"Besides, you're still our head detective, and this mystery is far from solved," Pinkie added. "And as your Faithful Assistants, we're sticking by you no matter what."

I paused for a moment to let their kind words sink in.  Finally, I found my voice.

"I-I'm sorry, Mom," I sobbed. "I-I wasn't thinking.  D-Dodger was hurting you, and that hurt me, and I just snapped, and—"

"I know, I know," said Derpy. "It's alright.  We forgive you."  She then looked me in the eye (well, the best she could). "You're a good pony, Ammy, and I will always love you.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

I smiled and dried my eyes. "Thanks, Mom," I said. "I-I'm really sorry about acting like such a basket case."

"Nonsense!  We all need a pick-me-up every once in a while," said Pinkie, giving me a pat on the back. "You did good, Sparkler."

I nodded and took a moment to collect myself.  We then walked over to Dodger, who snickered.

"So, what now?" he said. "Are you gonna send me back to Sykes?  Let the cat people kill me?  Or maybe you'll take me to your prissy pony princess."

I stared back at him for a while, reflecting on what Pinkie said.  She's right, of course.  This case is far from closed.  Dodger might not be the mastermind, but he definitely knows something.  And it could very well be related to Mare-Do-Well.  But I don't think he's going to tell us anything willingly.  Luckily, I have a plan.

"Actually, I think the best thing to do is to take you to see your old master," I said.

Dodger blinked. "Huh?  You mean Sykes, right?"

"No.  I mean Kohryu."

Dodger blinked again. "You're kidding, right?  That guy isn't gonna lay a claw on me!"

"Nyot likely, but we will."

Just then, the mountain was swarming with neko samurai.  Orph himself had his katana pointed at Dodger's neck.

"Sorry, partner.  Show's over," said Applejack. "Besides, didn't Kohryu say that you couldn't kill anyone in his sacred home?"

"Perhaps," said Orph, his tail swishing from side to side. "But this mongrel has broken several of our sacred laws.  He must be taken before the Grand Shoguns and tried for his crimes."

"But what about Mr. Rosco and Mr. Desoto?" asked Derpy. "They want him, too."

"Not to mention that he still has to answer for the crimes he committed back in July," added Applejack.

"All of that is true," I said. "Which is why I think we should bring him to Kohryu and let him decide."

Dodger laughed. "Oh, c'mon, Momma's Girl.  We all know he's gonna let me live, and that's not gonna make anyone happy."

"We don't know that," I said with a shrug. "Besides, you're familiar with Kohryu's mental prowess.  You're gonna tie up all the loose ends in this mess, and you won't even have to say a word."

Dodger just shook his head. "You really are a pansy, Momma's Girl."

I smirked. "A pansy I may be, Dodger Dragonvest.  But at least I'm not you."

That shut him up for good.  I guess he knew all along that he was lying just to get under my skin.  Derpy's right; he really is nothing but a bully.  But for the record, I still don't wish death on him.  Of course, you guys already knew that.

We started our trek up Mt. Kohryu with the neko samurai holding the lasso.  As we walked, Derpy trotted up to me and draped a wing over my shoulder.

"I don't think you're a pansy, Ammy," she said.

I chuckled. "I know, Mom.  I just wanted to shut him up."  I then nuzzled her cheek. "Thanks for standing up for me back there.  I really appreciate it."

Derpy grinned from ear to ear. "Of course, Ammy.  After all, that's what mothers are for."
> Two for Two (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 2:51 PM
Canterlot
Crystal Mines
***


In hindsight, maybe teleporting here wasn't such a good idea.  As soon as I opened my eyes, I found myself surrounded in a heavy shroud of darkness.  Quickly, I cast an illumination spell, and sure enough, all of the crystals lining the walls lit up and sparkled.  However, I had no way of knowing exactly where we were or which way to go.

"Uh, Twi?  Is this the right place?" Spike asked nervously as he slid off of my back.

"It should be," I said. "These mines were used by overly-ambitious unicorns back when Canterlot was first founded, but they were abandoned long ago.  If Mare-Do-Well is in Canterlot, there's no other place she could mean."

"I-I guess," said Spike, scratching his head. "But how do you know about it?"

"Remember what happened when I confronted Queen Chrysalis during the rehearsal of Shining and Cadence's wedding?" I said.

"Um, kinda."

"After that happened, Chrysalis sent me here to get me out of the way.  This is also where she was keeping Cadence."

"Ah, okay.  That makes sense," said Spike with a nod. "So, what?  You know your way around here, then?"

"I know how to get back to the surface, yes," I said, looking around. "But that'll have to wait until after we find Mare-Do-Well and her impostor."

"Yeah, I've actually been wondering about that," said Spike. "How are we gonna be able to tell the real one from the fake?"

That's actually a very good question.  Fortunately, however, I believe I have an answer.

"Well, if you'll recall, we found two different blood samples in Pine Talon's cell," I said, knitting my brow. "One sample only contained the ingredients of a pegasus ponunculus; the other had traits of all three pony tribes."

"I thought you said that didn't make sense," said Spike, raising an eyebrow.

"It doesn't.  But we can't just ignore the evidence, either," I said. "Anyway, if that's the case, then we simply need to compare their physical structure.  The pegasus is the real Mare-Do-Well; the alicorn is the impostor."

Spike folded his arms and nodded. "Okay, yeah.  That makes sense," he said. "Geeze, when you think about it, our impostor isn't really good at her job, is she?"

"Not necessarily, Spike," I said, tapping my muzzle thoughtfully. "Mare-Do-Well's costume comes with a hat, which is the perfect way to hide a unicorn horn.  Plus, we know that she has access to the musical magic of the Kurama Tengu.  Since she doesn't need her horn to perform magic, she doesn't run the risk of revealing her true identity."

"So, let me get this straight," said Spike. "We just stumble upon them duking it out, take off their hats, and if one of them has a horn, we beat her up."

"There was probably a more eloquent way of putting that, Spike," I said sheepishly. "But yes, that is the basic idea."

"Alright, cool.  Next question.  How do we find them?"

I clicked my tongue and took in a sharp breath through my teeth. "Um, yeah.  That's, gonna be the tricky part.  Even if we had a map of this place, we have no idea where either of them are, or even if they're together."

"Well, if Mare-Do-Well took the time to give you that note, she might not even be here yet," said Spike with a shrug. "Maybe we should just wait on her."

I furrowed my brow.  It's true that Mare-Do-Well couldn't have gotten here ahead of me if she left me that note back at the castle.  However, we didn't exactly establish a meeting place, so it would probably take her a while to find us.  And honestly, I don't like the idea of sitting around and doing nothing.

Wait a minute.  That brings up another interesting point.

"Hang on, Spike.  I think you might be onto something," I said. "If Mare-Do-Well knew that her doppelgänger was here, why did she take the time to tell me instead of pursuing her?"

Spike shrugged again. "Beast me.  I mean, you know her better than I do."

"Yes, and I know that she wouldn't do something like that," I said frankly. "In fact, all of her actions thus far have been highly out of the ordinary.  That is, if they even are her actions."

Spike tilted his head. "What do you mean by that, Twi?"

"Kibitz might not be wrong about this being a trap," I explained. "Granted, it's not exactly a good trap.  I can just teleport us out of here whenever I want, and even if I couldn't for some reason, I remember the way back to the surface.  Nevertheless, that doesn't change the fact that we're dealing with somepony disguised as a friend.  It just makes sense for her to take advantage of that and try to trip us up."

Spike's eyes widened. "Wait, if that's true, then how do we know that first note we got at the Gala wasn't from the impostor, too?"

"That's just it, Spike.  We don't," I said, utilizing Cadence's breathing technique. "And trust me, I don't like the implications of that any more than you do.  But it won't help to get paranoid.  If anything, that just might be what the culprit wants to happen."

"So, what're we gonna do then?" asked Spike.

"Only one pony has the answers to all of this, and that pony is Mare-Do-Well," I said firmly. "Which means we're gonna go find her.  We should try at the entrance.  C'mon."

"Alright, alright," said Spike, hopping back onto my back. "Just, let me brace myself before you teleport again, okay?"

I shook my head. "No.  We're hoofing it this time.  I don't want to run the risk of zooming right past her.  And that means I need you to keep on the lookout, got it?"

Spike nodded. "Got it, Twi.  Okay, let's go!  Um, you did  say that you knew which way to go, right?"

I quickly surveyed the crystal formation around us.  Hmm.  Nothing really sticks out to me about this cavern.  It might not even be part of the route Cadence and I took to get back.  But then, I noticed the faint glow of lanterns somewhere off in the distance.  That could be an indication that there are mine cart tracks down that way.  And if that's the case, we should be on the right track (er, no pun intended).

"It should be this way," I said, pointing with my hoof. "Hold on tight, Spike!"

With that, I broke into a gallop and headed towards the lanterns.


***


It took a while, but it turns out my hypothesis was correct.  The lanterns did lead to a network of mine cart tracks.  And wouldn't you know it?  There was also a mine cart parked there and waiting to be used.  Using my magic, I levitated Spike into the cart and pushed it.  To my surprise, it didn't take that much effort to get the mine cart moving.  I guess with everypony making a big deal about my wings, it's easy to forget that alicorns also have the strength of Earth Ponies.  That and I never was all that physically active.  I wouldn't exactly call myself out of shape, but I do prefer to use my brains rather than my brawn.

I climbed into the mine cart with Spike and kept my horn illuminated.  As soon as I was situated, Spike climbed up my back and peeked his head over my shoulder.  While he kept his eyes peeled for Mare-Do-Well or anything else suspicious, I focused on the track ahead.  While I'm not all that familiar with these rails, I do remember the spiraling track Cadence and I took back during my brother's wedding.  If I can somehow find that particular track, we'll be that much closer to the entrance.  Honestly, though, that's easier said than done.

We rode the mine cart deeper and deeper into the winding catacombs.  Whenever we got to a switcher, I made sure to go in a direction that at least looked somewhat familiar.  I'll be the first to admit that this wasn't an ideal method, as a good chunk of the tunnels all looked the same.  Nevertheless, it's important to persevere in these situations, and at least we weren't leaving things entirely to chance.  Although I still have to wonder how big this place really is.  These tunnels seem to go on forever.  It's like a maze.  Heck, I'm actually starting to lose track of the time we've spent down here.

"Twi!  Look over there!"

I perked up and used my magic to apply the breaks on the mine cart.  I then turned my head to where Spike was pointing.  Sure enough, the telltale silhouette of Mare-Do-Well was being reflected off the lanterns that lined the caverns.  Before I could call out to her, she disappeared into the shadows.

"Good call, Spike!" I said, adjusting the switcher ahead. "C'mon, let's keep moving!"

With a burst of magic, I propelled the cart forward.  We turned sharply onto the switched track, only to find another labyrinth waiting for us.  I'm beginning to see why this place was abandoned.  It's too easy to get lost down here, thus you wouldn't be able to put any gems you find to good use.  This time, however, we had a better guide than educated guesses.  At every switcher, we could hear peculiar sounds echoing from one of the tunnels.  It was a bit faint, but from what I could tell, most of the sounds did involve some sort of eerie melody.  I can only presume that Mare-Do-Well and her impostor have met, and the impostor is using the dark magic of the Kurama Tengu.  We followed the sounds the best we can, making turn after turn after turn.

Finally, after one last turn, we were sent into a large dive.  At the end of the dive, the mine cart rammed into a buffer, and we were thrown clear.  Thinking quickly, I used my wings to glide through the air while Spike grabbed my leg and held on for dear life.  I couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia.  The exact same thing happened to me and Cadence back when we were trapped in the mines.

When we landed, we were treated to a disconcerting sight.  Mare-Do-Well stood over another pony with her wings outstretched.  The pony in question was like nothing I had ever seen before.  She had no Cutie Mark, no mane, and no tail.  In fact, I'm not even sure if she had any hair on her body at all, aside from a pair of inexplicable eyelashes.  Her whitish-grey skin was smooth and solid, with the exception of a few cracks and bruises.  It was like staring at a vandalized statue.  Only her wings appeared to be natural, although several of the feathers were incredibly molted and damaged.  She was also hiding something underneath her hooves.  Something glowing.

"Ah, Princess Twilight.  It's good to see you," said Mare-Do-Well, turning to me.

"Likewise, I suppose," I said, mainly because I couldn't think of anything else to say.  I then turned my attention to the quivering mass that was the abnormal pony. "Um, who's this?"

"Why, my impostor, of course," said Mare-Do-Well. "I just managed to apprehend her.  She won't be a threat to anypony anymore."

I took another look at the abnormal pony.  With only a cursory glance, I could tell that her head was completely bald.  She had no horn to speak of.  I turned back to Mare-Do-Well and narrowed my eyes.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" I inquired.

Mare-Do-Well tilted her head. "Why, Princess Twilight.  I'm appalled," she said, appearing to be offended. "Don't you trust me?"

"I want to," I said earnestly. "Which is why I'm asking you to take off your hat."

Mare-Do-Well continued giving me an curious look. "My hat?  Why?"

"If you want me to trust you, you should have no problem doing that," I said. "Unless, of course, you have something to hide under there."

Mare-Do-Well sighed. "Fine, fine.  I suppose you're right to be skeptical.  Though I'm not entirely clear why you think this is an appropriate test."

With that, she took off her wide-brimmed hat is a swift, fluid motion.  My eyes nearly popped out of my skull.  She didn't have a horn, either.  B-but that doesn't make sense!  The impostor is supposed to be an alicorn!  Why do neither of them have horns?!  And furthermore, what do we do now?!  There's no way to tell them apart!  Well, except for the fact that one is wearing her costume and the other is naked, but that could mean anything!

"Are you alright, Princess Twilight?" asked Mare-Do-Well. "You seem a bit, shaken."

I took a moment to use Cadence's breathing technique again and collect myself.

"Sorry," I said. "I-it's nothing."  I turned my attention back to the naked ponunculus. "So, this is the impostor, huh?"

"I advise you to stay away from her," said Mare-Do-Well sternly. "There's no telling what a cornered beast might do."

"I can handle myself, thank you," I said.  Spike and I approached the ponunculus, and I cleared my throat.  Slowly, the ponunculus looked up and stared at me with baby blue eyes.  Silver streaks decorated her retina, and it took me a second to realize that they were bloodshot.  Hmm.  This is quite curious indeed.

"She doesn't seem all that threatening to me," said Spike with a shrug.

"Apparences can be deceiving, young dragon," Mare-Do-Well stated coldly. "If you so much as let her, she will try to destroy you."

I looked at Mare-Do-Well and arched an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say you made sure she wouldn't be a threat to anypony?"

"And she won't be," said Mare-Do-Well simply. "Just so long as we don't give her a chance to backstab us."

"So, what?  We just leave her here?" I asked.

"That would be the best course of action, yes," said Mare-Do-Well.

That didn't sound right to me. "I had no idea you were so cold," I stated plainly.

"Trust me, Princess Twilight.  If you knew what this pony was capable of, and if you had to endure what I have endured, you'd feel the same way," said Mare-Do-Well.

That would require knowing what she had to endure.  And even then, I'm not sure if she's right.  I turned to the other ponunculus.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" I asked.

The ponunculus said nothing.  She didn't even so much as shake her head or scoff at my question.  She just stared at me like a lost puppy dog.

"I, guess we can take that as a 'no,'" said Spike. "So, what now, Twi?"

"There's only one sensible thing to do," I said. "She must stand trial for her crimes against Equestria."

Mare-Do-Well gave me a quizzical look. "Are you sure you want to do that, Princess Twilight?" she inquired.

"I'm sure," I said without hesitation. "It's the only way we're going to tie up all the loose ends in this mystery."

Mare-Do-Well shrugged. "Well, if you say so.  But don't say I didn't warn you."

Huh.  I was sure she was gonna fight me on this, but apparently not.  Is it because she respects my decision, or does she have something else planned?  Honestly, both possibilities are valid.  It's not like my brother's wedding when I knew Chrysalis was up to no good.  I really have no idea what's going on in Mare-Do-Well's head right now, or even if it really is her.  But that's all the more reason we have to bring this to court and find the truth.

"Alright, you.  Get up," I said to the ponunculus.

The ponunculus complied, staggering a bit as she got to her feet.  I noticed that the glowing object she was hiding was her ponunculus core.  When I got a good look at it, I cringed.  This is probably the most badly damaged ponunculus core I've ever seen.  Cracks littered the vial, and at least half of the luminescent liquid was gone.  Not only did she take a beating, but she lost a lot of blood.

"Yeesh," I said. "Mare-Do-Well, what did you do to her?"

Mare-Do-Well obscured her eyes with her hat. "I, apologize for that.  I just lost control in our fight, that's all."

I sighed. "Well, try not to make a habit out of it."

"It, wasn't my intention," said Mare-Do-Well sadly. "Again, I apologize."

"Alright," I said. "Spike, brace yourself.  I'm gonna teleport us back to the castle."

"You sure you can do that from here?" asked Spike.

Hmm.  Now that he mentions it, that's actually a good point.  I might be able to handle longer distances now that I'm an alicorn, but we don't know how deep we are in these catacombs.  We'd better play it safe and just teleport to the entrance of the mines.

"Alright, I'll shorten the teleportation distance," I said. "But as soon as we get to the surface, we're going straight to Canterlot Castle."

"You got it," said Spike, leaping onto my back.

I took one last look at the two ponunculi before me as I prepared my spell.  The damaged one hasn't said a word since we found her.  What could that mean?  Actually, that's just one of many questions I have right now.  And if I'm going to get any answers, I need to have one or both of them take the stand.  Even if Mare-Do-Well is who she claims to be, that shouldn't exempt her from explaining herself.  Especially since all of the other investigations are apparently wild goose chases.

Well, whatever the case may be, we're getting close to the endgame here.  And no matter what the impostor has up her sleeve, nothing will deter me from finding the truth.
> Confrontation: Gypsy Moth (S)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 15:04
Griffon Kingdom
Nemean Correctional Facility
***


As soon as the all-clear was given, the warden led us back to Gypsy Moth's cell.  Oddly enough, she didn't seem all the perturbed by anything that had just transpired.  She was just sitting down and reading a book.  The warden cleared his throat, causing her to look up.

"Ah, you're back," she said, putting her book down on her workbench. "I take it you sorted everything out with your soldier?"

"You could say that," I said with a shrug. "Now then, let's get back to business, shall we?"

"Of course, of course," said Gypsy Moth, turning to the warden. "Guard, if you'd be so kind as to leave us."

"Actually, I want him to stick around this time," I said.

Gypsy Moth's wings twitched. "Oh?  Why's that?"

"I think you know why."

"Well, assume that I don't and explain it to me."

Before I could say anything else, Blaze stepped forward.

"There was a giant storm cloud outside a few minutes ago," she stated coldly. "When we went to investigate it, something inside of it messed with our brains.  Once we snapped out of it, we barely made it out of there before the whole thing exploded.  You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?"

Gypsy Moth frowned. "I thought you said you sorted things out with your soldier, child."

"I did," I said, pressing my hooves together. "And you know what?  She's absolutely right.  That's exactly what just happened to us.  Or did you not notice the entire place going into lockdown?"

"Oh, so that's what this is about," said Gypsy Moth with a nod. "I thought something was amiss.  But, what does this have to do with me, pray tell?"

"I know for a fact that exploding clouds happen to be a specialty of yours," I answered. "And I'm pretty sure whoever set that cloud up was targeting us.  One way or another, you know something about it, and I want to know what that something is."

Gypsy Moth tilted her head. "I think the answer to that is obvious, child.  I'm actually surprised you didn't figure it out yourself."

"Well, assume that I didn't and explain it to me," I said with a smirk.

Gypsy Moth clicked her tongue. "Hmm.  Touché," she conceded. "Alright, let me refresh your memory.  Remember when I said that there was no impostor, and that Mare-Do-Well is the culprit?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, just put two and two together.  She's the one who created the cloud."

"What?!  No way!"

Rainbow Dash snorted angrily and glared at Gypsy Moth.

"You can't expect us to believe that," she snarled. "Mare-Do-Well would never do that."

"You forget that I'm the one who created her," Gypsy Moth countered. "I think I'd know my creation better than somepony who has never met her before."

"No, Private Dash is correct," said Misty Fly, knitting her brow. "Assuming that what you're saying it true, you're essentially claiming that your own creation just tried to frame you for attempting to murder us.  If you're the one who created her, what sense does that make?"

"Isn't it obvious?" said Gypsy Moth with a shrug. "She's malfunctioning.  Of course her actions don't make sense."

She seems to be sticking to that story, but I dunno.  It's starting to sound like a cop-out to prevent us from prying.  Well, she's not getting rid of us that easily.

"I'm afraid you'll have to be a bit more specific, Gypsy Moth," I said plainly. "We don't know these things like you do."

Gypsy Moth sighed. "I'm disappointed in you, child.  I really thought you were smarter than this.  But, if you want an explanation, who am I to deny you?"

I'm pretty sure that was a shot, but I decided to ignore it for now.  I've noticed that she has this nasty habit of trying to bait us.  Maybe it's intentional; maybe it's not.  But whatever the case may be, I need to make sure that none of us rise to the bait.  I am not having a repeat of what happened with Blaze.


***
Argument: The Malfunctioning Mare-Do-Well
***


"A ponunculus is bound to its creator, and thus must follow any orders given to the letter," said Gypsy Moth. "As you might recall, I ordered Mare-Do-Well to destroy the Wonderbolts.  Not only did she defy me, but she actually helped you foil my plans.  Ergo, it's quite apparent to me that she's not functioning properly, and probably never was.  I don't know the exact nature of this malfunction, though.  It could very well be something no alchemist has ever come across before.  All you need to know is that she's incredibly dangerous."

Well, gee.  That explains, absolutely nothing.  She doesn't even have any form of evidence to back up her position.  On the other hoof, I have something that proves this is all a bunch of horse apples.  But I'm not ready to call her out on it just yet.  Not until I figure out if this is a lie or just a misunderstanding.

"You really think this is a malfunction?" I inquired.

"There's nothing else it could be," Gypsy Moth replied.

"But aren't you some kind of master alchemist?  Such mistakes shouldn't happen to you."

Gypsy Moth chuckled. "I'm flattered, child.  But alas, I am not perfect.  Mistakes like this are bound to happen, even to the best of us."

"Then why didn't you correct it?" asked Misty Fly. "If you make a mistake, you should take responsibility for it."

"That would require knowing what you did wrong," Gypsy Moth retorted with a sly smile. "And I'm sorry to say that I haven't an inkling of what happened that caused Mare-Do-Well to act this way."

"Not even basing her on a treasured heroine?" said Rainbow Dash, arching an eyebrow.

Gypsy Moth pouted. "Will you kindly get off that?  I may have used this 'role model' of yours as a template, but I have complete control over what she thinks and feels."

"Apparently, you don't," said Blaze with a cocky smirk. "If you did, she wouldn't have acted against you, would she?"

Gypsy Moth cleared her throat. "L-let me rephrase that: I'm supposed to have complete control over what she thinks and feels.  She never should've betrayed me.  Look, I really don't have an answer for this.  I'm just as clueless as you are."

I smirked and pressed my hooves together. "Are you really, Gypsy Moth?"

Gypsy Moth blinked. "O-of course I am.  Why wouldn't I be?"

"Answer me this.  What would you say if I told you that I know why Mare-Do-Well defied you?"

"I'd say that's impossible, child.  If an alchemist of my talent doesn't know, how could you?"

"Simple.  With a little help from an old friend."

I pulled out the notecards the Proud Pride made. "I mentioned this before, but Kierra was doing quite a bit of research when she died.  And a good chunk of that research pertains to magic."

"I still don't see what you're getting at, child," said Gypsy Moth indifferently.

"I have a quote here from a magic textbook," I said. "It's actually a very basic principle that ties into all disciplines of magic; up to and including alchemy.  Do you know what that principle is?"

"I haven't the faintest idea."

"It is, and I quote: 'If magic is used to create life, that same magic cannot be used to cause death.'"

"Ah!"

Gypsy Moth recoiled, her wings flapping furiously to help her maintain balance.

"I-inconcivable," she panted. "You're bluffing.  Y-you don't even know what that means."

"Doesn't change the fact that you do," I said smugly. "In fact, let me take a shot in the dark here.  A ponunculus is an artificial life form created by an alchemist.  The alchemist is essentially using magic to create new life.  Therefore, by this principle, a ponunculus should be unable to commit murder!"

"F-further proving my point that Mare-Do-Well is malfunctioning," Gypsy Moth sputtered, sweat trickling down her face.

"Ah, but you're forgetting that you gave her an order to kill the Wonderbolts," I said. "And since she was physically incapable of following that order, she suffered a mental shutdown to cope with the contradiction.  But that shutdown didn't erase her memory.  Her instincts told her that you had to be stopped, and that's why she came to me in the first place."

"And here I thought you were smart," Blaze snickered. "I mean, how could you forget this basic principle of magic?  Unless you gave Mare-Do-Well that order knowing full well she couldn't do it, in which case, you're even dumber."

"Sh-shut up!"

Gypsy Moth tried to charge through the anti-magic forcefield, but it quickly held her back.  The shimmering field conformed itself to her face as she gnashed her teeth at Blaze.  After a pause, she moved back into her cell and cleared her throat.

"I-I do apologize for that," she said. "I have no idea what came over me."

"Really?  'Cause to me, it looked like I hit a nerve," said Blaze teasingly.

"Don't you start," Gypsy Moth snarled.

"No, she's right," I said. "You wouldn't have even bothered to create Mare-Do-Well if you knew that it wouldn't work.  So why did you?"

"I-it was supposed to work," Gypsy Moth spat. "I-I thought I could circumvent that silly rule by basing her on a pony without any scruples.  I mean, nopony would actually save all those lives without some sort of hidden agenda."

As a pony dedicated to saving lives myself, that's a slap to the face.  And I knew I wasn't the only one who thought that.  I turned to Rainbow Dash, ready to rein her in before she lashed out.  But to my surprise, she was laughing.

"Wow.  Lieutenant Blaze is right.  You really are dumb," she sniggered.

Gypsy Moth's eyes went wide. "How dare you!  Retract yourself this instant, murderer!" she demanded.

"First of all, I've never killed anypony in my entire life, and I plan to keep it that way," said Rainbow Dash, composing herself. "Second, didn't it ever occur to you that a pony who saves lives has a little something called, oh, I don't know, a conscience?  You just blindly used Mare-Do-Well's template without fact-checking, didn't you?  That's why she dedicated herself to being a hero, not because of some stupid malfunction that you made up!"

"Y-you imbecile!" Gypsy Moth roared. "I-I just told you that her personality is under my control!"

"How are we supposed to believe that?" asked Misty Fly. "Since we got here, your entire testimony has been peppered with incendiary off-hoof comments.  You could just be lying to get Private Dash riled up."

Gypsy Moth blanched. "H-how did you...?  How could you...?  Why...?  GAH~!"

Looks like she has no rebuttal to that.  I think we're beginning to see Gypsy Moth's true colors.

"I-It's not what you think," she said nervously. "I-I didn't want to talk about my, mistakes, so I dodged the issue."

"You consider Mare-Do-Well a mistake, then?" I said.

Gypsy Moth sighed. "I, may have cut a few corners in her creation, yes.  I-I thought it would be enough to bypass that life magic rule, but apparently not."

Heh.  How ironic.  She half-assed the creation of Mare-Do-Well so that she could get an assassin, and she ended up giving her free will instead.  I'm sure any magician worth their salt would call that a groundbreaking success, not a failure.

"Anyway, that still doesn't matter," said Gypsy Moth. "I've changed my ways."

"Sure you did.  And I'm the queen of Prance," said Blaze, rolling her eyes.

"I'm being serious," Gypsy Moth huffed. "Even if there is this impostor running around, they have nothing to do with me.  I didn't make that cloud, nor did I kill Kraie or Arreik or whatever her name was."

"And I'm sure you have a good reason for us to believe you?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

Gypsy Moth snorted. "Use your head, child.  I'm powerless in here.  There's no way I could've been involved in any of this."

"I'd honestly like to believe you, Gypsy Moth," I said. "But right now, you're not giving me much of a reason to."

"Stubborn until the end, I see," Gypsy Moth sighed. "Fine, fine.  I'll indulge you.  But be forewarned; my patience has its limits."

"So does mine," I retorted, folding my forelegs.  Truth be told, I'm starting to side with Blaze here.  Gypsy Moth might say that she's changed, but she doesn't quite seem to act like it.  She's trying to cover something up, but on my honor as a Wonderbolt, I'm not gonna let her.


***
Argument: I'm Still Innocent
***


"Nemean Correctional Facility is the most high-security prison in the Griffon Kingdom," said Gypsy Moth. "I'd be a fool to try and commit any sort of crime from here.  This anti-magic field prevents me from using my magic outside of this cell, and if I so much as tried to escape, I would be caught instantly.  Kei-Rak's blood cannot be on my hooves, and that cloud you faced could not have been created by me."

Hmm.  I have enough evidence from Gilda to prove that she could conceivably be responsible for Kierra's murder, but she's probably going to dismiss that as circumstantial.  As for the cloud, well, I guess she could've used the chimney from her hearth, but I have no way to prove that, either.  For all intents and purposes, her argument's rather solid.  Damn.  What am I missing here?

"So, you think this impostor might be trying to frame you, then?" I inquired.

"Could be.  Who knows?" Gypsy Moth said with a shrug.

"But see, that makes you involved," I said. "The impostor knew we would be going after you, and they created that exploding cloud using Rage Powder to make it look like you did it."

"Well, thank you for telling me this, child," said Gypsy Moth coyly. "I honestly didn't know that before.  And if I did, you have no way to prove it."

"Tch!"

Crap.  She's right.  How would she be able to know about being framed from the confines of her cell?  Dammit, I can't back down.  That's not how the Wonderbolts roll.  Still, this is tough.  There has to be some weak point in her argument, but what is it?

"Hang on, hang on," said Blaze, raising her hoof.

Gypsy Moth deadpanned. "Oh, great.  You again," she muttered. "Child, I wish you'd keep your soldier on a shorter leash.  Her bias towards me is not helping you any."

Blaze snorted and looked at me. "C'mon, Sis.  I-it's not like that.  I-I really think I'm onto something.  Just, give me a chance.  Please."

I paused to think for a moment.  Even after our talk, it's still possible that she's not thinking straight.  But on the other hoof, she might end up being right.  Finally, I smiled.

"I think at times like this, it's best for a captain to defer to her wingpony," I said. "Go ahead, Blaze.  But this better be good."

Blaze smiled back. "You won't be disappointed, Sis," she said.  She then turned to Gypsy Moth. "I think we mentioned before that Kierra was concerned about your well-being."

"Yes, what about it?" said Gypsy Moth.

"Tell me, would you happen to know anything about the Kurama Tengu?"

Gypsy Moth's wings flittered. "I-I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Clan of tengu; used dark music magic.  None of this is ringing any bells?"

"N-no.  Should it?"

"In a word, yes," said Blaze. "Because according to Kierra's audio journal, she heard some sort of sound on the night that she died.  The sound was some kind of music.  She was worried that one of the Kurama Tengu was still around, and he was forcing you to relapse."

"Th-that doesn't mean anything," snapped Gypsy Moth. "I-it wouldn't have done him any good."

"Then how about that package you had Gilda send to Professor Kierra, huh?" said Rainbow Dash. "Or better yet, how about that chimney you've got in your cell?  We already know you have access to toxic truffles and other dangerous ingredients, and nothing's stopping you from using them."

"B-but that doesn't mean I would," said Gypsy Moth. "I-I've changed, really!  J-just believe me and leave me alone!"

Wait a minute.  I see what Blaze is getting at!  That really puts a whole new spin on things.

"You know what, Gypsy Moth?  I just figured out what you are," I said.

Gypsy Moth tilted her head. "Wh-what I am?"

"Yeah," I said, walking right up to her cell and staring her in the eye. "You're nothing but a coward."

Gypsy Moth did a double take. "Wh-what do you mean, child?"

"Simply that," I said frankly. "You're afraid of everyone around you, and you think everyone should feel the same way.  The only problem is the world doesn't work like that.  It can't work like that."

"I-I don't understand," said Gypsy Moth. "Wh-where are you going with this?"

"In a sense, what you're saying is true," I said. "You wouldn't commit these crimes of your own free will.  But what if someone put a knife to your back and forced you to do all this?  What then?"

Gypsy Moth's face lost all color. "N-no.  I-I can't say any more.  Y-you're not supposed to know.  You're not even supposed to be alive right now!"

"I do believe that qualifies as a confession," said Misty Fly. "You did set up that explosive cloud with the Rage Powder."

"Eep!"

Gypsy Moth recoiled, flapping her wings furiously to keep herself from falling over.

"You do realize this is in strict violation of the rules, Gypsy Moth," the warden snarled. "The Griffon Magistrate will hear of this."

"Tell her then!  It doesn't matter now!" Gypsy Moth shrieked. "I failed!  She's going to kill me!"

"Who's going to kill you?" asked Misty Fly.

"Nightmare-Do-Vile!"

We all blinked in confusion.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa.  Back up," said Rainbow Dash. "Who's Nightmare-Do-Vile?  And what kind of lame name is that?"

"Sh-she's another ponunculus I created back when I was the Tengu Empress," Gypsy Moth explained. "She was supposed to track down Mare-Do-Well and fix her programming so that she'd obey me.  I-I used dark magic to circumvent the life magic rule, but in doing so, I-I made her too powerful.  As such, I put her in stasis, discarded her, and proceeded with my plan to take out the Wonderbolts and sabotage the alliance between Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom."

Huh.  I was wondering why Kierra marked a passage on dark magic's effect on the psyche.  It looks like she had her doubts about Gypsy Moth's therapy having effect.  I mean, I know I'm not all that magic-savvy, but from what I hear, dark magic can really mess with a pony's head.  That's supposedly what happened to King Sombra back in the day, so I guess it's not unreasonable to think that the same happened to Gypsy Moth.

"Wait, hang on," said Blaze. "If you put her in stasis, what's she doing running around?"

"I-I don't know.  I really don't," said Gypsy Moth.  She then gave me a crooked smile. "But it doesn't matter now.  You might've gotten this information out of me, but it'll do you no good.  Nightmare-Do-Vile has already won."

I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"She had it allll figured out, child," said Gypsy Moth, stifling a laugh. "She's done more on her own than I could've done with the entire Tengu Dynasty.  And even though I failed to dispose of you, that's just a minor setback for her."

I blinked. "Still not following you here."

"Don't you see, child?  You played right into her hooves.  All of you did.  And you know what else?"

"What?"

"You're dead!"

Gypsy Moth tossed her head back and began laughing maniacally.

"You're dead!  All of you are dead!" she cackled. "These are dead ponies I'm looking at right now!  There will be nothing left once Nightmare-Do-Vile is through with you!"

"So, you're saying this entire investigation was just a trap?" Blaze growled.

"Yes!  And my word, did you fall for it!" Gypsy Moth howled.

I know I should feel like an idiot now, but honestly, I don't think our trip here was an entire waste of time.  Even if Kierra's murder was just used as bait, she was still murdered.  And finding her murderer was just as important as finding the fake Mare-Do-Well (or, Nightmare-Do-Vile, whatever.  Geeze, Gypsy Moth is not only bad at remembering names; she's also not very good at creating them).

"Well, I think we're done here," I said. "Warden, be sure to tell the Griffon Magistrate about all of this.  Don't glance over any details.  I want to make sure Gypsy Moth gets what she deserves."

"Don't worry, Captain Spitfire.  She will," said the warden with a nod.

I nodded back and turned to Gypsy Moth. "Just so you know, I'm not afraid of this Nightmare-Do-Vile you created.  She might've been able to trick us, but she's not getting away with it.  I managed to take you down, and I'm gonna do the same with Mare-Do-Well's impostor.  Wonderbolt's honor."

"Famous last words," Gypsy Moth laughed. "You know not what you're dealing with.  But you will, child.  You will~!"

I sighed.  Part of me wants to feel bad for her, but I can't bring myself to do it.  I have no sympathy for cowards.  She could've stood up to her creation and told her to piss off, but no.  She just did what she was told.  It's the same thing that happened when she became the Tengu Empress.  Instead of changing the Tengu Dynasty for the better, she just became a tyrant to protect herself from her paranoid subjects.  She disgusts me.

"Goodbye, Gypsy Moth," I said, turning my back to her. "This will be the last time we ever see each other."

"Indeed, it will be!" Gypsy Moth hollered. "Happy dying, Captain!  Eh-hahahahahahah~!"

Her sinister laugh echoed throughout the halls of Nemean as my team and I left.

"I-I can't believe this," Rainbow Dash muttered. "W-we were duped.  All of us were duped."

"Don't be discouraged, Private Dash," said Misty Fly sagely. "None of us saw this coming.  And even so, we need to just keep flying.  Isn't that right, Spitfire?"

"Couldn't agree more, Mist," I said. "Oh, and Blaze?"

"Yeah, Sis?"

I gave her a broad smile. "That was some smart thinking back there.  I'm very proud of you."

"Told ya I wouldn't disappoint you," said Blaze, smiling back. "Th-thanks for giving me a chance."

"I wouldn't be a good captain if I didn't," I said with a wink.  I then sobered up. "Alright, Wonderbolts.  We're heading back to Canterlot, double time.  We need to get this information to Princess Twilight ASAP."

"But what about the missing evidence and stuff?" asked Blaze. "We still don't know where the tape recorder went."

"I think we can chalk that up to our impostor," I said. "Remember, she used Pan's Music Code back at the Gala.  That means she was probably the song Kierra heard before she tried to write that letter to the Griffon Magistrate.  We can also thank her for defacing the bookmark, since investigating Kierra's murder was part of her plan."

"I suppose that's as good an explanation as any," said Misty Fly. "Though I doubt the Griffon Magistrate will find any evidence to that effect."

I shrugged. "As long as Gypsy Moth has that defeatist attitude, I think it's safe to say that she's gonna tell her everything, anyway," I said. "Now then, I'm pretty sure we passed a border checkpoint on the way from Epiphany University.  We can use that to get back to Equestria, and from there, we keeping flying until we get to Canterlot.  Understood?"

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

"Good.  Then let's fly!"

With that, we all took off into the air and flew as fast as our wings could carry us.  Well, that's one mystery solved.  I still can't believe the whole thing was just a ruse.  But, it does raise an important question.  What does this Nightmare-Do-Vile want with the Wonderbolts?  Gypsy Moth said she was programmed to "fix" Mare-Do-Well, so why set up this elaborate trap to kill us?  And while I'm at it, what about the other investigations?  Were they traps, too?  Brrr~.  That's not a pleasant thought.

"You alright, ma'am?"

I turned to Rainbow Dash. "Fine, private.  Just a little worried."

Rainbow Dash grinned. "Don't sweat it, ma'am.  I know my friends.  They're tough ponies.  If we got out of our mess, I'm sure they did, too."

I snickered despite myself.  I'm actually inclined to agree, if only because I know that Vinyl and Octavia wouldn't take this kind of crap lying down.  I can't really speak for everypony on this mission, though.  Man, I really hope they're okay, wherever they are...
> In-Stare-igation (O)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 2:12 PM
Manehattan Police Department
17th Precinct
***


The ride to the police station was thankfully without incident, besides some minor traffic issues.  You cannot imagine how relived I am to say that.  Solely based on Sojobo's rhetoric and bravado, I was certain that he had a plan to break out of his restraints and attack us.  Luckily, that didn't seem to be the case.  Then again, perhaps he was still recovering from Vinyl's brutal assault.  That tends to happen to ponies that really make Vinyl mad.  It doesn't happen that often, but when it does, well, you already saw how she reacted to my kidnapping.  I still want to know what the big idea behind that was.

"Tavi-doll~!"

My musings were interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to me.  As soon as I got out of the police carriage, Sapphire Shores and Lockdown ran up to greet me.  When they got close, I could see that Sapphire's eyes were all red and puffy.

"Oh, Tavi-doll.  Y-you don't know how happy I am to see that you're still kicking," she said, dabbing her face with a handkerchief. "I thought for sure that...  Well, never mind what I thought."

"Yep, she's alright, thanks to you," said Vinyl, placing a foreleg around my shoulder.

I tilted my head at Vinyl. "What do you mean?"

"After you disappeared, Ms. Sapphire expounded on her story," Puzzlement explained. "Apparently, your hunch was correct.  There was a whole plan being set in motion, and you were the target.  What's more, I deduced that the map of Centrot Park had some significance to the culprit's plan; otherwise he wouldn't have hidden it in the ventilation system.  From there, it was just a matter of following the sound of his ocarina once he started blasting it every chance he got."

I suppose that makes sense.  Of course, had I not experimented with Pan's Music Code like I did, they probably wouldn't have heard him at all until it was too late.  Well, no use dwelling on a tragedy that didn't happen.

"I see," I said with a nod. "But, I'm confused about something.  What are you doing here, Sapphire?"

"While your friends went off to look for you, Detective Puzzlement sent me here so that I could give them the full story," said Sapphire, rubbing the back of her head. "I'll admit, I was kinda holding out on you, Tavi-doll.  But I figured as long as you knew the important stuff, you'd leave Manehattan before that birdbrained dock-hole tried to punch your ticket."

"Well, you can't win 'em all, Sapphie," said Vinyl with a shrug. "The important thing is we caught the motherbucker, and Tavi's safe and sound."

"That's a happy ending I can get behind," said Sapphire with a chuckle.

"Indeed," Rarity concurred. "So, what are your plans now, Ms. Sapphire?  That uncouth scoundrel ruined your concert, and I don't think Lincolt Center is going to let you reschedule.  From what I understand, you need to make these kinds of reservations months in advance."

Sapphire smiled. "Don't worry 'bout it, Rarity.  You know what they say: The show must go on.  You're right that we won't be able to book Lincolt Center again on such short notice, but the Ponytones and I will be performing in Manehattan.  That, I promise you."

"Awesome," said Vinyl with a wide grin. "And I promise you that Octy and I will be there to see it."

"I'm counting on it," said Sapphire with a wink. "Well, we'd better get going.  Good luck with the rest of your investigation, Tavi-doll.  Oh, and give Princess Twilight my regards, yeah?"

"I'll be sure to do so," I said with a bow. "I'm glad you're alright, Sapphire."

"Same to you and more of it, Tavi-doll," said Sapphire. "C'mon, Lockdown.  Let's shake a leg."

Lockdown nodded, and with that, the two headed to the curb in order to hail a cab.

"Do you think she'll be alright?" asked Fluttershy.

"Of course," I said with a smirk. "Sapphire Shores has always been a tough pony.  Besides, she has that confidence spell to help her."

"Hey, Puz!  Tell those girls we ain't got all day here!"

I turned my head to see that Shamus was standing at the top of the stoop leading to the police station.  He and several other policemen had Sojobo restrained, and he was tapping his foot impatiently.

"That's our cue," Puzzlement sighed. "Honestly, Shamus's impatience really tries my patience sometimes."

"Um, actually, we were kind of holding things up," Fluttershy said meekly.

"I suppose," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "Well, best not keep him waiting any longer.  Let's see if we can get the culprit's testimony to match up with Ms. Sapphire's."

With that, we followed Shamus inside and marched straight to Criminal Affairs.  I felt a certain uneasiness as we made our way through the busy offices and past the prying eyes.  Although I'm relieved that things turned out for the better, I know for certain that this isn't over yet.  We still need to find out what happened with Mare-Do-Well, and Sojobo here is our best lead.  But considering the nation he hails from, I believe that getting answers out of him will not be easy.


***


We gathered around the other side of a large one-way window that peered into a dark and desolate room.  Sojobo sat in a chair, his talons, feet, and wings bound and restrained.  A bright light flashed on, revealing Shamus and Puzzlement.  Puzzlement took out a tape recorder and turned it on.

"Right then, let's get this over with," said Puzzlement. "Interrogation starting at, 2:30 PM.  Please state your name, sir."

Sojobo said nothing, but instead gave Puzzlement and Shamus a cold glare.

"Hey, my partner asked you something," Shamus growled. "I think you oughta listen to her."

"You do not realize your folly for bringing me here," Sojobo snarled back. "Mark my words, everyone in this building will die."

"Idle threats don't scare me, pal," said Shamus firmly.

"Once I escape, I'll show you how idle those threats really are," Sojobo retorted.

"That's assuming that you will escape, which we will not allow to happen," said Puzzlement in a matter-of-fact tone.

Sojobo scoffed and remained silent.  Shamus's face darkened.

"Listen up, buddy.  You've got a lot to answer for," he said, leaning in close to Sojobo. "We already know you're the one who kidnapped Ms. Melody and tried to kill her.  Everypony in Centrot Park can attest to that.  Now, we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way.  What's it gonna be?"

Sojobo responded by spitting in Shamus's face.  Shamus recoiled and sputtered.

"This is a waste of time," Sojobo stated coldly. "If you want me to talk, you'll have to cut out my tongue first."

Puzzlement blinked. "But if we did that, you wouldn't be able to talk."

"Precisely."

Wow.  I'd say he's as stubborn as a mule (no offense to any mules out there), but I don't think even mules would go that far.  Shamus and Puzzlement were equally disturbed by his bold declaration.  After a pause, Puzzlement cleared her throat.

"Um, excuse me for a moment," she said, marching out of the room and making a beeline for us.

"You're giving up already?" said Vinyl, raising an eyebrow. "I thought it would take longer than that."

"So did I," said Puzzlement, looking in through the window. "But I feel that if we try anything else, it'll only get the same result.  He can't be intimidated; he can't be reasoned with.  As it stands, we're out of options."

"Not quite, darling," said Rarity. "After all, we have an ace in the hole."

I gave Rarity an odd look. "We do?"

"Well, of course," said Rarity, nudging Fluttershy with her elbow. "Isn't that right, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy twiddled her hooves. "I-I don't know, Rarity.  I mean, it's not like I have much control over it.  And whenever I try to force it out, it either doesn't work or something bad happens."

Puzzlement rubbed the side of her head. "I'm afraid I'm a bit out of the loop, girls.  What are you talking about?"

"I wish I knew," I said, equally curious.

"Ditto," Vinyl concurred. "Last time I checked, Fluttershy wasn't a good interrogator."

"Ah, but that's because you haven't seen her cut loose," said Rarity with a knowing smirk.

"B-but I don't feel like 'cutting loose,'" Fluttershy murmured, hiding her face with her bangs. "Th-that bird thing is scary."

"I assure you, Ms. Fluttershy.  He's no threat to anypony as of this moment," said Puzzlement. "Especially not with Shamus being in the same room."

It was then that we heard a snicker coming from the interrogation room.  We all looked through the window to see that it was coming from Sojobo.

"You know, it's only a matter of time," he said. "No prison can hold a tengu.  I'll find a way out of here and do you in as slowly as possible.  And once I'm free, I will not stop until this entire land is bathed in crimson.  Nothing sentient will escape my wrath."

Fluttershy gasped.  When I turned to see if she was alright, her demeanor changed.  Her brow was crinkled, and a subtle inferno burned in her eyes.

"Let me in there," she said darkly.

Puzzlement flinched at Fluttershy's change in attitude. "A-are you sure?"

"Positive," said Fluttershy with a nod.

Puzzlement paused for a moment, and then shrugged. "Alright.  I hope you know what you're doing."

She then opened the door, and Fluttershy flew inside.  Shamus raised an eyebrow.

"Hang on, hang on," he said. "What're you doing in here?"

"I'm going to settle this," Fluttershy stated plainly.  Sojobo snickered again.

"Are you really?" he said between scoffs. "Because I watched you and your comrades running around trying to figure things out.  You spent the entire time cowering in the corner like a scared rabbit.  You're no threat to me."

"Think again, buster," Fluttershy snapped. "You think just because you have a scary weapon and fancy magic, you suddenly have control over who lives and who dies?"

Sojobo's eyes glistened. "That's exactly what I think, equine.  What are you going to do about it?"

"This."

Suddenly, Fluttershy's eyes became wide and intense.  There was almost a sort of hypnotic quality to them.  Sojobo laughed.

"Now I know this is a joke!" he chortled. "Th-there's no way that it isn't!  You honestly believe that—?"

He stopped mid-sentence, staring back at Fluttershy.  As he looked into her disapproving eyes, his whole body began to shake.

"Wh-what kind of magic is this?!" he stammered. "S-stop it!"

"Why did you hurt Ms. Sapphire and Sweetie Belle?" asked Fluttershy.

"Th-the songbird?  Sh-she was...  Nngh...  She was suppose to be b-bait."

Sojobo grunted and growled, as if his testimony was actually causing him pain.  Shamus's jaw dropped to the floor.  Vinyl took off her shades and rubbed her eyes in disbelief.  As for me, well, I-I have no words for what I'm looking at right now.  All I can say is that I did not see this coming.

"Bait for what?" said Fluttershy.

"Th-the one you call Octavia," Sojobo said in a strained tone.  He tried desperately to look away, but for whatever reason, he couldn't do it.

"Why did you try to kill Ms. Octavia?" Fluttershy inquired, maintaining her glare.

"I-it was all part of a plan t-to destroy Mare-Do-Well," Sojobo stuttered. "W-we lured her to the park because we knew she often operated there.  W-we ambushed her, but the songbird caught us.  I-I would've killed her if she didn't tell me not to."

"Who's 'we?'"

"I-I cannot reveal their names.  Sh-she'll kill me if I do."

Fluttershy's gaze intensified, causing Sojobo to squirm.

"I-I can tell you what she was planning, though!" he said. "Sh-she wants to destroy Mare-Do-Well.  T-to do so, she has set traps across the land."

"And this was one of those traps?" asked Fluttershy.

"Y-yes!  A-and so were the others!  E-even if I failed, the rest are surely dead by now!"

Fluttershy got right in Sojobo's face. "That is not true," she said, her voice filled with intensity. "My friends are a lot stronger than I am.  They'll find a way out of your little traps, and they will save Mare-Do-Well.  You got that, mister?"

"Y-yes, of course!" Sojobo stammered.

"Good," said Fluttershy, flying back a ways. "Is there anything else you want to add?"

Sojobo's eyes darted every which way. "I-I slept with my kusarigama until I was fourteen years of age.  I call him Mr. Hooky."

A low growl emerged from Fluttershy's throat as she narrowed her eyes.  At that moment, Shamus coughed loudly and stepped in front of her.

"L-listen, buddy.  My friend here is pretty impatient," he said. "She needs to get this info back to the Princess of Friendship as soon as possible, you see.  So, if you want her to stop, you just tell her what she wants to hear, yeah?"

Sojobo hemmed and hawed for a while, sweat trickling down his face.  Puzzlement looked on in disbelief.

"Wow.  I never thought I'd see the day where Shamus would be playing the Good Cop," she muttered.

Rarity shrugged. "Everything's relative, darling."

Just then, Sojobo let out a pained yell.

"Alright, alright!  I-I'll tell you everything!" he said. "W-we were interrogating Mare-Do-Well about her comrades.  Sh-she wanted to know who they were.  The songbird tried to take the fall for the one you call Octavia, but when she did, Mare-Do-Well told the truth.  After that, she brought her to a place you call Canterlot while I set up my trap for Octavia.  Th-that's all I know.  N-now please stop staring at me!"

Fluttershy closed one eye and looked at Sojobo intently. "Now, you're going to be a good bird person and not kill anybody anymore, right?"

"I-I promise, I promise!  J-just lift the curse!"

Fluttershy's eyes returned to normal. "Good.  I'm glad to hear that," she said sweetly. "Thanks for sharing this information with us."

With a bow, she flew out of the interrogation room.  There was a pregnant pause which was broken by Vinyl.

"I, uh, pff, wow," she said. "I mean, wow.  Sheesh, remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Oh, don't worry, Ms. Scratch.  I never use my Stare on ponies that don't deserve it," said Fluttershy, blushing slightly. "At least, I try not to.  Again, I don't control when it happens; it just happens."

"Usually when she gets mad," added Rarity. "Which in all honesty is not an easy feat."

Huh.  I guess Sojobo's threat to kill all of Equestria was enough to raise Fluttershy's ire.  It seems we lucked out on that front.

"Alright, I think we can take it from here," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "His testimony fits in with Ms. Sapphire's story perfectly.  Thank you girls for your help."

"Don't mention it, Detective Puzzlement," I said. "Honestly, I'm just glad we all managed to get out of it alive.  Although I can't say I'm all that thrilled about our entire investigation being a ruse to kill me."

"I don't think anypony is thrilled about that, Octy," said Vinyl with a snort. "Not to mention whoever that prick's working for also set her sights on Spitshine and that Sparkler pony."

Oh dear, that's right.  The others are probably walking into their traps as we speak, if they haven't already.  I got out of this by the skin of my teeth; I shudder to think of what the others are going through.  I mean, Spitfire's a Wonderbolt; she can probably handle things.  But everypony else, I-I just don't know.

"Are you alright, Ms. Octavia?" asked Rarity. "Something seems to be troubling you."

"I-it's nothing," I said, clearing my throat.

Vinyl smiled. "Translation: She's being a worrywart."

"Vinyl~," I sputtered, my cheeks feeling warm.

"Hey, it's true," Vinyl said with a shrug. "And it's totally okay, Octy.  You have a very good reason to be worried.  This is some pretty scary stuff.  But worrying about it isn't gonna change things.  We just have to cross our hooves and hope for the best."

"I think they'll be okay," said Fluttershy. "I believe in my friends, and if we got out of that mean bird's trap, then they can get out of their traps, too."

"Agreed," said Rarity. "Although I have to wonder if this accomplice Sojobo kept bringing up was the impostor we've been tracking down all this time."

I'm honestly thinking the same thing.  And if that's the case, Princess Twilight is in for a rude awakening.  We need to get her this information, and fast.

"Detective Puzzlement, when does the next train depart for Canterlot?" I asked.

Puzzlement looked up at a clock on the wall. "If you hurry, you can probably make the two forty-nine.  Barring that, the three twenty-two's your best bet.  We'll send a communique to Canterlot to let them know you're on your way."

"Thank you ever so much," I said with a bow. "Alright, everypony.  Let's get a move-on.  Time is of the essence."

With that, we galloped out of the percent as fast as our hooves (and wings, in Fluttershy's case) could carry us.  We didn't even bother to stop and flag down a taxi; there wouldn't be any time.  Honestly, even after everything is said and done, I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around all this.  This doppelgänger doesn't merely want to ruin Mare-Do-Well's reputation.  She's trying to kill some of her closest friends.  But, why?  What does she stand to gain from this?  And furthermore, I can't stop thinking about the others.  Are there more assassins like Sojobo out there, waiting to strike their prey when they least expect it?  D-does that mean one of them is going to try to kill the Princess of Friendship herself?!  Nngh, i-it's just too much to bear.

I know, I know.  I'm just being a worrywart.  But, I can't help it.  It's part of who I am.  And you know what?  In a very odd way, I'm kinda proud of being a worrywart.  If nothing else, it means I'm able to stay on my toes no matter what life throws my way.  Living with Vinyl, that trait is a bit of a godsend.  Still, I'm not sure I'm prepared for what's to come, whatever it may be...
> Stop Outwitting Yourself (A)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 2:29 PM
Mt. Kohryu
Mediation Chamber
***


When we got to the top of the mountain, Seiryu was already there waiting for us.  Once he saw that we had Dodger in custody, he wasted no time escorting us to the Meditation Chamber.  Just like before, the weird itching in my brain returned as we approached Kohryu's inner sanctum.  This time, however, I was more or less prepared for it, so I wasn't as overwhelmed when Kohryu emerged to greet us.  The samurai guard knelt before his presence, forcing Dodger to do the same.

"O great Kohryu.  These equines have successfully captured the culprit behind your recent woes," said Orph.

Kohryu looked down at Dodger and stroked his chin. "Hmm.  So they have," he mused. "By the by, my meditation was being disrupted by this awful din outside.  Do any of you know what that was?"

"Th-that was kinda our fault," said Derpy sheepishly, hanging her head in shame. "See, we had to fight him on your mountain.  We know you don't like fighting, but we really couldn't help it.  We're super sorry."

"Super-duper-ooper sorry," Pinkie chimed in, casting her eyes downward.

Kohryu smiled. "It's quite alright, equines.  Self-defense is rarely something to be sorry for," he said sagely.

"Puh.  Self-defense my ass," Dodger snarled. "They came running to me when I called 'em out.  They need to be punished just as much as I do."

Wow, Dodger really thought of everything, didn't he?  On the off-chance that we actually beat him, he had a plan to get us in trouble with Kohryu.  Applejack, however, was having none of it.

"Refresh my memory, varmint.  Who was it that called us out to this here mountain in the first place, huh?" she growled. "And don't say we could've just ignored you."

"Well, it's true," said Dodger with a shrug. "All I did was fake my death so that Momma's Girl would come after me.  You didn't have to play right into my paws, but you did anyway."

"That's a lie, and you know it," I said bluntly. "If I didn't take the bait, you would've done something even more drastic to get my attention.  Ignoring you was the worst thing I could've done."

"No, that would be trying to kill us all by setting off all of my mystical gemstones at once," said Dodger with a sneer.

My eye twitched.  Man, he really knows how to push my buttons, doesn't he?  I swear, if Kohryu wasn't floating in front of us right now, I wouldn't hesitate to give him a black eye.

"You're still on that?" said Pinkie, placing her hooves on her hips. "We weren't born yesterday, y'know.  We all know that was just an accident.  And we're not gonna hate Sparkler just because you tell us to.  So nyah~!"

She concluded her declaration by sticking out her tongue at Dodger, and Derpy did the same.  Applejack and I groaned.  I appreciate the sentiment and all, but there was probably a more mature way of telling him off.

"Hmm.  Very curious," said Kohryu, stroking his whiskers. "Lord Orph, is this dispute why you have decided to bring Dodger here?"

"Actually, it was Star Amethyst's idea," said Orph. "She believes that this mongrel holds some key information to her Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, but he is nyot willing to talk."

"I see," said Kohryu with a nod. "But, what does she expect me to do about that?"

"Well, you did mention before that all minds are linked in the Meditation Chamber," I said. "So, I was thinking that—"

"Say no more, Star Amethyst," said Kohryu, raising his claw. "I understand your request, but I'm not sure if I can grant it.  I can't simply look into someone else's mind without asking first.  It would be rather inconsiderate."

"But don't you need to know what happened so that we know what we're gonna do with Dodger Dragonvest?" asked Pinkie.

Kohryu furrowed his brow and stroked his chin. "An interesting point, Pie Pinkie.  I must say, a balanced interpretation of events would most certainly be preferred.  Nevertheless, I'm not exactly comfortable with forcing others to open their minds to me.  It goes against my teachings, you see.  A carrot may point in a certain direction, but you're not obligated to walk in that direction.  Wait, no.  Something tells me I didn't say that right..."

No, but I understand what he's trying to say.  At this point, I'm starting to wonder if his proverbs really are that weird and it's not just him being senile.

"Heh, tough break, Momma's Girl," Dodger gloated. "Looks like Kohryu can't help you, after all.  Not that your little plan would've worked, anyway."

Kohryu perked up. "What was that?"

"I was your hierophant, remember?" said Dodger. "I know your tricks, and I know how to get around them.  Your powers won't be able to get anything out of me."

Kohryu's crimson eyes narrowed and glowed. "Is that a fact?  You really think you can outsmart me?"

Dodger snickered. "It wouldn't be that hard, you senile old worm."

"How dare you mock the Great Kohryu, mongrel!" Orph snapped, drawing his katana. "I will—"

"Peace, Lord Orph.  There's no need for that," Kohryu interrupted. "In fact, I say we put Dodger's hubris to the test.  If he can keep his mind closed within my Meditation Chamber, then I will concede his point."

I, guess that's one way to convince Kohryu to help us.  I probably wouldn't have gone that route, but that's because I'm not an egotistical maniac with my head shoved up my own rump.

"Great Kohryu, are you sure this is wise?" Orph inquired as he sheathed his katana. "There is nyo reason for you to lower yourself to this mongrel's level."

"I'm not.  I'm simply humbling the haughty," said Kohryu plainly. "Come, Star Amethyst.  We should get started."

With that, he floated into the Meditation Chamber.  Cautiously, we all followed.  Honestly, I don't know what Dodger's trying to do here.  Kohryu might have a lot of patience, but he's still a huge dragon with powerful magic.  Under no circumstances should you try to piss someone like that off.  I think Dodger still has some tricks up his sleeve.  Then again, Kohryu probably does, too.  Why else would he indulge Dodger like this?

The doors behind us closed with a deafening boom, leaving us in blackness.

"Now, all of you close your eyes and open your minds," Kohryu instructed. "Let the mental ocean bathe your body in the knowledge you seek."

We all did as he asked.  For a while, the only sounds I heard was our breathing.  Even Pinkie was silent, and that's not something she does all that much.  Suddenly, the black void around me was replaced with a white one, and Dodger's sleazy voice echoed in my brain.  It had this to say:


***


You think you're so clever, don't you, Momma's Girl?  You really think you've got me?  Think again.  Sure, you know most of the facts.  I escaped from Silvervest's clutches and made my way out here, knowing that there were some sweet mystical gemstones to pilfer.  It's not just Shroud Emeralds; this place had everything I needed to keep me armed and ready for my revenge against you.  Of course, there was the minor problem of those stupid cats wanting me dead, but they never found me.  Not as long as I had my Shroud Emeralds handy.  I figured once I got enough of those, I'd be able to come back and tear you a new one.  But then, I settled for luring you all the way out here, faking my own death, and destroying your ride home.  That way, you could not escape me.

But that's all I'm saying, Momma's Girl.  I'm not telling you any more than that.  I refuse to think about anything that might help you.  Like how I ran into that crazy bird guy Sojobo ten days ago in the Valley of Secrets?  That's not on my mind right now.  I'm not thinking about our battle, or his weird music magic, or his ridiculous chain weapon, whatever it's called.  Poke and prod my mind all you want; you'll never find out about the capsule we accidentally activated with our magic during our fight.  I'm not gonna even consider thinking about the Mare-Do-Well look-alike who popped out of it, or how I mistook her for that nosy little friend of yours.

I'm just gonna push all of that out of my mind just to spite you, Momma's Girl.  You won't know about how that look-alike stopped our fighting when she noticed my mistake.  Nor will you figure out how we told her about what we knew about that goody-two-horseshoes friend of yours and how she stopped my claim to fame and the revival of some stupid Tengu Dynasty.  As we speak, I'm not thinking about how the faker made a deal with me and Sojobo to give us what we wanted most if we helped her take down Mare-Do-Well.  I will not show you her elaborate plan to lure all of Mare-Do-Well's little friends to their deaths, which you fell for.  Nope.  I'm just picturing you crying like a wittle baby because you almost killed your pwecious wittle momma.  Choke on that, Momma's Girl!  Choke on it until you—

...

Wait, y-you actually heard all that?  Th-that's impossible!  I-I was deliberately not thinking about it!  I-I— asdfhgljkafhutih!


***


With that last bit of gibberish, Dodger's voice cut out.  I-I can't believe this.  Everything we were doing was just part of some big trap to get me killed, and I fell for it; hook, line, and sinker.  No, not just me.  All of us.  Everypony that the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well has allied herself with has been targeted by this madmare impersonating her, and we all played right into her hooves.  I-I feel like such an idiot.

"In order to hide something, you must be aware of its existence.  That is why you cannot swim against the sea of mental power, Dragonvest Dodger.  And this is the price you pay for your hubris and lies."

Kohryu's words snapped me out of my self-pity.  I looked up to see Dodger bathed in Kohryu's radiant glow.  He was lying on his back with a completely blank expression on his face.

"I-is he gonna be okay?" asked Pinkie.

"He should recover in a day or two," said Kohryu, knitting his brow. "His mind was simply overloaded from trying to resist me.  In truth, I'm actually more concerned about you four."

I sighed as a fresh batch of tears welled up in my eyes. "We shouldn't have come here.  W-we all risked our necks out here for, pretty much nothing.  I-I'm so stupid.  I-I should've been more careful.  Had I figured this out sooner, I would've— hhngh!"

I was interrupted by Pinkie Pie giving me a big hug.

"You're not stupid, Sparkler," she scolded. "None of us knew what was going on 'til now.  And this wasn't a waste of time.  We stopped Dodger's evil plan, and we're gonna stop that identity thief, too."

"She's right, Ammy," Derpy added, patting me on the back. "We all do dumb things, but that doesn't make us dumb.  It just means we have to try harder."

Heh.  Y'know, coming from a pony like Derpy, that's actually very profound.  Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised.  This is pretty much her philosophy on life.

"Sparkler, we're all pretty upset about bein' bamboozled," said Applejack.  Even in the darkness, I could see the intensity in her bright green eyes. "But that's all the more reason why we can't just sit here mopin'.  We need to let Twilight know about this, pronto."

"Right, yeah," I said, drying my eyes once again. "But, how are we going to get back?  Our airship was totaled."

"Do not worry, Star Amethyst," said Kohryu with a bow. "I would be more than happy to fly you all back to your home myself."

"Uh, thanks for the offer, but we really couldn't ask you to do that for us," I said sheepishly. "I mean, after helping us with Dodger, I think that's more than enough."

Kohryu shook his head. "When you wish to do good, it is never enough.  Unless you're unwittingly doing wrong.  Hmm, no.  That doesn't sound right—"

"I get the picture, though," I said, holding up my hoof. "Speaking of Dodger, what're we gonna do with him?"

"I figure it best to return him to his pack," said Kohryu. "Despite what the Grand Shoguns might believe, he cannot atone for his sins whilst dead."

"You really believe there's any hope for this varmint?" asked Applejack, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

Kohryu shrugged. "I'll admit, it's a bit optimistic for me to think this, but I'd rather be optimistic and right than pessimistic and wrong."

"Makes sense to me," Pinkie chirped.

After staying silent for a time, Orph nodded. "I will inform the Grand Shoguns of your decision, o Great Kohryu," he said, turning to me. "As for you, Star Amethyst, I must say this has been quite an experience.  The Nyeko Shogunyate will nyot forget you nyor what you have done for us."

I blushed slightly. "Well, I didn't really do much besides falling into a trap and nearly getting myself killed."

Orph chuckled. "You sell yourself short, Star Amethyst.  By helping us catch this mongrel and correct the injustice he had inflicted on Kohryu's home, you have earned our respect."

"Does that mean we're friends now?" Pinkie asked hopefully.

Orph folded his arms and flicked his tail. "The Grand Shoguns will have to meditate on this, but as far as I can tell, an alliance with you equines is nyot entirely out of the question.  Just, be a bit patient before you throw this, party of yours.  Things like this take time, after all."

"Okey-dokey-lokey," said Pinkie with a nod. "But when we finally become friends, I'm throwing you guys the best party you ever had!  Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"

"Right then," said Orph, clearing his throat. "Fare well, Star Amethyst.  May fortune smile upon you."

"Thanks.  I think we could really use that right now," I said with a bow. "You take care of yourself, too."

"I shall, Star Amethyst," said Orph, returning my bow.

"Alright, I think that's enough lollygaggin'," said Applejack, adjusting her stetson. "Let's hightail it back to Canterlot and tell Twilight what we found out."

Kohryu frowned. "I'm afraid I've never been to that particular city, Applejack."

"Don't worry!" said Derpy, puffing out her chest. "I can lead you there!"

"NO!" Applejack, Pinkie, and I screamed in unison.

Derpy blinked in confusion. "What?  What did I say?"

I sighed. "Mom, I know you mean well, but let's not kid ourselves.  You don't have a great sense of direction, and we don't have the time to get lost."

Derpy folded her forelegs. "My sense of direction's not that bad, Ammy.  Keep in mind, it's my job to fly all over Equestria and give everypony their mail.  I think I can handle this."

Just from her tone of voice, I could tell that she wasn't gonna back down on this.  She is so stubborn sometimes.  Man, I hope I don't regret this.

"Alright, Mom.  But we're counting on you," I said.

Derpy nodded. "I know, Ammy.  I won't let you down."

"Then I do believe we're all settled," said Kohryu, rising into the air. "Let us make haste for Canterlot!"

With that, there was a bright flash of light.  When my eyes recovered, I was amazed to see what we were all floating around Kohryu's body, dangling thousands of feet in the air with only his magic keeping us from falling.  The comatose Dodger was with us as well.

"Whoa nelly," Applejack gasped, trying desperately not to look down.

"Wee~!  This is fun!" Pinkie giggled.

I myself didn't have any words.  I mean, there are no words.  This is simply incredible.  I didn't even feel anything when Kohryu started flying off after Derpy.  Man, between this, the airship, and those leaf parachutes, I've discovered that flying's really not that bad.  I should give that hot air balloon a shot once we get back to Ponyville.

I quickly shook myself.  No, I shouldn't let myself be awestruck.  There's still a lot of work to be done.  We may have avoided the fake Mare-Do-Well's trap, but she's still out there.  And she's been playing all of us for saps.  Well, I'm not gonna stand for it, and I doubt anypony else will, either.  Part of me is kinda worried about the other investigations, but considering that most of those teams consist of ponies who have saved Equestria more times than I can count, I think it's safe to say that they'll find a way out of their messes just like we found a way out of ours.  I just hope we can warn Princess Twilight about all this before it's too late...
> Confrontation: Mare-Do-Well? (T)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 4:45 PM
Canterlot Castle
Front Gate
***


Wow, we really spent a lot of time in the crystal mines.  When we made it back to the surface, I could already see the sun just beginning to set over the horizon.  As fast as we could, all four of us made our way back to the castle, with the injured ponunculus struggling to keep up.  We arrived to see Shining Armor, Kibitz, and Holy Lance standing on the drawbridge, waiting for us with a small regiment of the Royal Guard.

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright," Kibitz sighed in relief. "You were gone for so long; we were wondering what happened to you."

"Sorry," I apologized. "Let's just say that crystal mine is very difficult to navigate.  But, we managed to find Mare-Do-Well and her impostor."

"How do you do?" Mare-Do-Well said with a bow.

The injured ponunculus said nothing.

"So, I guess all that's left is to try the impostor for her crimes, right?" said Shining. "Celestia and Luna have got the court set up and everything."

"Well, there's still one thing I need to clarify before we start," I said, knitting my brow. "Kibitz, have any of the other investigation teams returned while I was gone?"

"I'm afraid not, Your Highness," said Kibitz, shaking his head.

Mare-Do-Well obscured her eyes with her hat. "Princess Twilight, you aren't seriously suggesting that we wait on them, are you?  Every second we waste is another second my doppelgänger has a chance to strike back.  We need to finish this, now."

I took another look at the injured ponunculus.  Mare-Do-Well is clearly seeing something I'm not, because this pony doesn't look like she's in any condition to do, well, anything.  This is especially strange, since it was Mare-Do-Well herself who beat her within an inch of her life.

"Mare-Do-Well, are you sure about this?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you'd want your friends to sit in on this trial."

"Normally, I would," said Mare-Do-Well. "But this is a special circumstance, Princess Twilight.  You haven't fought this beast; you don't know what she's capable of."

Spike deadpanned. "We know that she has access to the dark magic of the Kurama Tengu, and she's apparently an alicorn even though she doesn't have a horn and it's not physically possible for an alicorn ponunculus to exist.  What else are we missing here?"

"Plenty," Mare-Do-Well said darkly.

I sighed. "She's right, Spike.  Even though we know a lot about this impostor, we don't know enough."

"Exactly," said Mare-Do-Well with a nod. "Which is why we should start this trial straight away."

Part of me still wants to wait for my friends, but I don't think Mare-Do-Well is in the mood to argue.  Besides, she does kinda have a point.  The other teams are pretty far away from Canterlot.  Who knows when they'll be back?

"Alright, we'll get started," I conceded. "Guards, restrain the suspect."

"At once, Your Highness," said Holy Lance with a salute. "Men, you heard the Princess."

The Royal Guards obliged, flanking the injured ponunculus and keeping a sharp eye on her as we went inside.

"Oh, one more things," said Kibitz, dipping his voice. "Raven wanted me to give you this.  It's from the Manehattan Police Department."

He took out a small scroll.  I accepted the document and unfurled it.  It was a simple communique stating that Octavia's group was going to try and make the next train bound for Canterlot.  I almost decided to show this to Mare-Do-Well and ask her to reconsider starting the trial without them, but I had a sneaking suspicions that she wouldn't be so easily persuaded.  She seems very determined to settle this matter as soon as possible.  I'm still not entirely sure why she's being so impatient, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.  Once I get her on that stand, she will explain herself, whether she wants to or not.


***
December 14, 4:50 PM
Canterlot Castle
Royal Court
***


When you become a princess, one of the first things you learn is about the inner workings of the Royal Court.  This is where ponies usually go when grievances become so heated that they require Celestia or Luna to intervene and bestow their wisdom.  It's also Canterlot's criminal court, but the crime rate in Canterlot is quite low, so that aspect rarely comes into play.  Although I don't serve on the court myself, I had to learn all this because one of the duties of a princess is to be a mediator.  After all, that's why I was chosen this year to settle any disputes at the Trader's Exchange, and why Cadence was chosen for the role the year before that.

As soon we entered the room, I was immediately greeted by the buzzing sound of mumbling and cross-conversation.  Ponies sat at either side of the central aisle leading up to a large podium where Celestia and Luna stood.  Raven was there as well, her hooves hovering over the keys of a typewriter.  I even managed to spot Photo Finish and Coco Pommel in the audience as I walked up to the front and took a seat.  When all of us were situated, Celestia rapped her gavel against the podium, and the cross-conversation died down.

"This court will come to order," she stated. "As you are all aware, today's subject is regarding to unfortunate disruption of the Grand Galloping Gala that occurred last night.  Twilight Sparkle, would you care to expound on this matter?"

"I would, Celestia," I said, standing up and clearing my throat. "Fillies and gentlecolts in the court today, I am happy to say that we have caught the culprit being the attack on the Gala.  She stands here accused of disturbing the peace, assault, and the attempted regicide of Princess Celestia's nephew, Prince Blueblood.  However, there is one problem in this matter."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "What problem might that be?"

I gestured to Mare-Do-Well and the damaged ponunculus. "One of these ponies is the culprit; a pony who was impersonating a vigilante hero known as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.  The other pony is Mare-Do-Well herself.  But as of right now, I cannot say with full certainty which is which."

There was a collective gasp from the audience, followed by confused murmurs.  The murmurs were silenced by Celestia's gavel.

"Order.  I will have order," she proclaimed. "Twilight, this puts us all in a rather difficult position; I hope you realize that."

"I understand completely, Celestia," I said with a bow. "Nevertheless, I plan to discover the truth before this day is through."

"As do we all, Twilight Sparkle," said Luna, furrowing her brow. "How do you suggest we proceed?"

"Let's start off by getting all of our facts straight," I said. "There are a lot of missing pieces in this mystery, and I think the best pony to fill in the blanks is the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well herself."

Celestia gave me a quizzical look. "But you just said you don't know which one is the real Mare-Do-Well."

"And I stand by that," I said, turning to the costumed pony in question. "However, this pony here claims that she's the real one, while the other is a fake.  I ask that she takes the stand and provides her testimony."

"Hold it," Mare-Do-Well interjected, raising a hoof. "Why me and not her?"

I turned to Mare-Do-Well and shrugged. "Two reasons.  For one, your counterpart appears to have lost her tongue.  She hasn't said a word since we found her.  I feel it would be much harder to get her to talk than you.  Secondly, a lot of your actions haven't been adding up.  You need to explain yourself to these ponies if we're going to believe that you're the real Mare-Do-Well."

Mare-Do-Well lowered the brim of her hat over her eyes. "You're making a mistake, Princess Twilight.  I'm not the one you should be interrogating.  Don't you trust me?"

I sighed. "I want to trust you, Mare-Do-Well.  But you're not exactly making it easy right now."

Mare-Do-Well paused for a moment, and then nodded. "Very well.  I shall abide by your wishes, Your Highness," she relented begrudgingly.

"Then it shall be so," said Celestia with a bang of her gavel. "The one who claims to be the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well will take the stand."

Alright, this is it.  We're finally gonna get some answers to this whole mess.  But that's no reason to get complacent.  I still have no idea what's going through Mare-Do-Well's head right now.  Whatever it is, she seems reluctant to share it, claiming that I should trust her just on the basis of us being friends.  Well, I'm afraid friendship doesn't work like that.  If she wants me to trust her, she's gonna have to earn that trust.


***


"Witness, please state your name and occupation for the record," said Princess Luna.

"I am the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well," Mare-Do-Well stated without missing a beat. "I am a vigilante by trade.  I protect ponies who are in peril."

Celestia nodded thoughtfully. "Ms. Mare-Do-Well, are you aware of the events that occurred yesterday evening at the Grand Galloping Gala?"

"I am," said Mare-Do-Well.

"Then please, give us your interpretation of events."

"I hear and obey," Mare-Do-Well said with a bow.

Hmm.  She really doesn't sound like she wants to be up there right now.  I remember Photo Finish using the same passive-aggressive tone when I asked about her photos.  Nevertheless, her behavior is not enough to go on.  If I was in her horseshoes, I probably would be pretty stressed out, too.  We're just going to have to see where her testimony leads us.


***
Testimony: At the Gala
***


"I first got word of the impostor's activities yesterday evening at around eight o'clock," said Mare-Do-Well. "There was no time to warn anyone, so instead, I took action.  Alas, I arrived too late.  Prince Blueblood had already been assaulted, and the whole castle was in pandemonium.  However, I managed to find the impostor during the confusion.  She was in the dungeons.  Figuring that she'd do me in, she gloated about her evil scheme to disgrace me all across Equestria and beyond.  Before I could stop her, she disappeared into a wisp of smoke.  From there, I knew I had to warn somepony.  I gave Princess Twilight my message, and the rest is history."

Well, this isn't a great start.  Most of Mare-Do-Well's testimony is incredibly vague, and I don't know why.  If she wanted this trial to be over and done with, why isn't she giving all of the details she can?  All she's doing right now is delaying the inevitable.

"Twilight, are you satisfied with Ms. Mare-Do-Well's testimony?" asked Celestia.

"Not in the slightest," I answered.

"Then please approach so that you may question the witness."

With a nod, I got up from my seat and stepped forward. "Ms. Mare-Do-Well, you claim that you heard about this attack at eight o'clock last night, correct?"

"Indeed."

"Well, how did you hear about it, then?"

Mare-Do-Well shrugged her shoulders. "Simple.  She told me herself."

I blinked. "She, told you."

"Yes.  What about that is so hard to believe?" inquired Mare-Do-Well. "She was egging me on, prompting me to go to the Gala so that I might get arrested in her stead."

"Hang on, time out," said Spike, gesturing with his claws. "Wouldn't it have been easier for you to not go to the Gala?"

"Not while ponies were in danger," Mare-Do-Well countered.

Yeah, that's a good point.  Mare-Do-Well isn't a pony who sits on her laurels when ponies need saving.  Even so, there's more of this story that simply doesn't add up.

"You claim that you found your impostor in the dungeons," I said. "Tell me, what was she doing down there?"

"Waiting for me," said Mare-Do-Well. "At least, that's what she said.  There might be a greater context I'm missing.  One that she most likely can fill."

I turned to the damaged ponunculus, expecting some sort of response.  But once again, she remained silent and cast her eyes downward.

"We'll get to her later," I said, clearing my throat. "Right now, let's continue with you.  Because there's one more thing I don't get."

"And that is?"

"Your message," I said, displaying the note in question. "Do you know how I received this?"

Mare-Do-Well tilted her head. "I'm not sure how that's relevant."

"Oh, it's relevant, alright," I said, tapping my forehead smartly. "Because this note was found on Derpy Hooves's person—"

"What's so odd about that?" interrupted Mare-Do-Well.

"...after her body was thrown through a window."

Mare-Do-Well flinched ever so slightly. "H-her body was what?"

"Just as I said," I stated plainly. "Right before the Royal Guard informed me about your impostor, Derpy came crashing in through the window with your note taped to her body.  Now, you wouldn't do something like that, would you?"

Mare-Do-Well lowered her hat over her eyes. "N-no, of course not.  I-I'm insulted you would even suggest such a thing."

"Well, that's what happened," I said with a shrug. "What's more, pretty much everypony in this room can attest to that.  So, do you have an explanation, Mare-Do-Well?"

"I-I...  Ah!"

Mare-Do-Well flinched again.  Something about this line of questioning is clearly bothering her.

"I-I honestly have no answers, Princess Twilight," she said in a pained tone. "I-it was probably her.  She was trying to ruin my reputation, after all."

Of course, she was pointing an accusatory hoof at the other ponunculus while saying that.  However, I knew it couldn't be that simple.

"You know what, Mare-Do-Well?  You're right," I said. "It could've been your impostor.  After all, we've heard from multiple sources that she's been using a variation of Pan's Music Code to subdue her targets.  We heard it from Prince Blueblood, Captain Spitfire, and yes, even from Derpy Hooves.  They all claimed to hear some sort of eerie melody before a form of dark magic was cast.  But there's still one problem with your theory."

"And that is?"

"If Derpy got this note after succumbing to this dark magic, how do we know that it's genuine?"

Mare-Do-Well adjusted her hat, and I spotted a distinct gleam in her eye. "Well, that's easy," she stated calmly. "My impostor is sitting in the court right now, isn't she?  That should be enough proof that the note is genuine."

"Well, it's not," I said firmly. "In fact, it just raises more questions."

"Such as?"

"You mentioned in your note that the impostor was in one of four locations.  Couldn't you have narrowed it down at all?"

"Not right then and there," said Mare-Do-Well with a shrug. "That's all she told me when we fought each other in the dungeons."

"So, you just expected me to travel all across the country by myself?  Why didn't you inform any of your other friends, like Captain Spitfire, or Ms. Octavia, or Sparkler?"

Mare-Do-Well shrugged again. "I didn't need to.  You already gave them the message.  I saw you do so in the throne room last night, from the shadows, of course.  I couldn't risk revealing myself on the chance that one of you might have mistaken me for the impostor."

"And so you just remained in Canterlot to search for her here."

"Precisely."

Okay, this isn't helping.  With every question Mare-Do-Well answers, a whole new batch crop up.  For instance, she shouldn't have felt the need to hide from us last night.  I would've taken precautions just in case she was lying, but I wouldn't automatically accuse her of anything without proof.  Even when she gives context to her actions, they still don't make sense.

However, that doesn't automatically mean that she's the doppelgänger, either.  It's obvious that this mare is more than just some con artist.  Something about her is making Mare-Do-Well uneasy, and that could be why she's acting so unnaturally.  I think it's time we changed the subject.

"Celestia, I have no further questions regarding the Gala," I stated.

"Ah, good," said Mare-Do-Well, getting up from her seat in the witness box. "I'll just—"

"Not so fast, Mare-Do-Well," I interrupted, raising my hoof. "You still have to answer one more question."

Mare-Do-Well tilted her head. "And what might that be?"

"This impostor.  What is she to you?"

Mare-Do-Well stared blankly at me. "Pardon?"

"I can't speak for anypony else, but it's obvious to me that you're not acting like yourself," I said. "If you are who you claim to be, then you must have a reason for this behavior.  I believe that reason could very well be the impostor herself."

Mare-Do-Well shrugged. "Well, why don't you ask her then?"

"Because I'm worried about you," I said earnestly. "Mare-Do-Well, if something's bothering you, I want you to tell me.  We're friends, after all."

Mare-Do-Well folded her forelegs. "If we're friends, why must you insist on interrogating me?"

"Do you want me to trust you, yes or no?" I asked bluntly.

"Well, yes.  But—"

"Then you should have no issue with answering my questions."

"Tch."

Mare-Do-Well clicked her tongue and flinched.  Methinks I hit a nerve with that one.  And just for the record, I wasn't trying to.

"Alright, Princess Twilight.  We'll play this your way," Mare-Do-Well conceded. "But I don't expect you to understand what I went through to catch this villain without experiencing it firsthoof.  If you have questions about my testimony, please make sure they're relevant, okay?"

"I believe that goes without saying," I said with a nod. "Celestia?"

"Mmm?  Oh, of course," said Celestia, banging her gavel. "Witness, please answer Twilight's questions."

"I shall," said Mare-Do-Well with a bow.


***
Testimony: The Doppelgänger
***


"This impostor is perhaps the most evil pony I have ever had to contend with," said Mare-Do-Well. "She has a mind like a steel trap, and she knows exactly how to anger me and turn my friends into foes.  She managed to convince Pine Talon to join her cause, after all.  They staged a brawl to throw you off the scent, you see.  Not only this, but she vowed that everypony I ever cared about would die.  That is why I'm behaving this way."

Again, that's very vague.  But this time around, something's different.  And that's just what I need to uncover the truth.

"I take it you're not satisfied with this testimony, Twilight Sparkle," said Luna.

"Absolutely not," I said, shaking my head.

"Then you may approach."

I walked over to Mare-Do-Well again. "You make the accusation that Pine Talon was in on this whole conspiracy, is that right?"

"Of course," said Mare-Do-Well.

"Well, I have to wonder about that," I said. "See, I was under the impression that you and Pine Talon were friends."

"Were friends, Princess Twilight," Mare-Do-Well clarified. "We aren't anymore."

"Okay then, how exactly did your impostor trick him, hmm?"

"She said that I was the fake Mare-Do-Well, and so he turned on me."

"Uh-huh," I said with a nod. "And how did you find out about this?"

"I asked him."

Really?  That's not how I remember it.

"Are you sure about that?" I inquired.

"Of course I am," Mare-Do-Well replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because Pine Talon himself says he hasn't spoken with you in weeks."

Mare-Do-Well scoffed. "And you believe him."

"Well, yes," I said simply. "Because there's one thing about Pine Talon that you should be privy to."

"Oh?  What's that, then?"

"He doesn't like hiding things."

Mare-Do-Well did a double take. "He doesn't what?"

"Don't you remember?" I said, tapping my forehead smartly. "You and Pine Talon had a bit of a disagreement when he revealed your true nature to Princess Celestia.  He told her because he didn't want to give off the impression that he was up to something."

Mare-Do-Well lowered her hat over her eyes. "W-well, that was before my impostor tricked him."

"Ah, but if he really was your friend, you'd try to get him to believe you, wouldn't you?"

"Th-there was no convincing him."

"How do you know?"

"I-I just...  Gah!"

Mare-Do-Well flinched, the the audience began talking amongst themselves.  Celestia banged her gavel repeatedly.

"Order, order," she proclaimed. "Ms. Mare-Do-Well, Twilight's correct.  You shouldn't give up on your friends so easily."

"You don't understand," said Mare-Do-Well. "My impostor and I sound exactly alike.  He's blind, so he wouldn't be able to tell us apart."

"He may be blind, but he's not an idiot," I said. "It sounds to me like you didn't actually talk to him at all."

"B-but it's true," Mare-Do-Well insisted. "He staged that battle with my impostor at her behest."

"About that," I said, knitting my brow. "According to Pine Talon himself, he didn't know who he was up against.  All he knew was that he was fighting a pony who was experienced in the dark magic of the Kurama Tengu.  It was only after I connected the dots for him that he found out it was somepony posing as you."

Mare-Do-Well shrugged her shoulders. "So?"

"So, he had no idea that he was involved in this little scheme at all," I stated. "And before you say he was lying, there's something I want to show you.  Shining, the weapon, if you please."

Shining Armor obliged, taking out the strap-on claws and setting them on a table before the podium.

"These strap-on claws were found in Pine Talon's cell," I explained. "When I questioned him about them, he claimed that they didn't belong to him."

"Well, of course not," said Mare-Do-Well. "They were used by the impostor to slice up his arm, and then they were stored there to make him look like the mastermind."

"That's not true, and you know it," I said, tapping my forehead smartly. "Or did you not see the forensic test I performed in the alchemy laboratory?  The claws were coated in blood, this is true.  But it wasn't Pine Talon's blood."

"Then, whose was it?"

"Yours."

"Wh-what?!"

Mare-Do-Well recoiled violently from my logic, and the audience was sent into an uproar.  Not even Celestia's gavel could be heard over the din, so Luna had to intervene.

"ORDER IN THE COURT!" she commanded in her Royal Canterlot voice.

That shut everypony up right away.  Celestia took a moment to bat her ear and clean it out.

"Th-thank you, Luna," she said, clearing her throat. "Now then, what's all this about, Twilight?"

"These claws were coated in ponunculus blood," I said. "After running a test on them, I found that the blood sample was specifically that of a pegasus ponunculus.  And as you know, Mare-Do-Well fits that description quite well."

"Th-that doesn't prove anything!" Mare-Do-Well sputtered. "My impostor is a pegasus, too!"

"That's what I thought as well," I said. "But there was another drop of ponunculus blood in Pine Talon's cell.  One that wasn't on the strap-on claws.  When I analyzed this sample, I found something astounding."

"And that is?"

"The second sample contains traits of all three ponies tribes.  Your impostor is not a pegasus; she's an alicorn!"

"I-impossible!" Mare-Do-Well screamed. "She has no horn!"

"You're right, of course.  She doesn't," I said. "And to be honest, I have no explanation for that.  However, this evidence cannot be ignored.  Ergo, there's only one thing to do now."

"Wh-what's that?"

I pointed a hoof at Mare-Do-Well. "Mare-Do-Well, are you willing to submit to a blood test?  It's the only way as of this very moment to tell if you are who you claim to be."

Mare-Do-Well's wings stood up on end, and her entire body trembled. "A-a blood test?  I-I—"

As she hemmed and hawed, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that a pony of the Royal Guard was whispering something to Raven.  She in turn whispered to Celestia, who nodded quietly before tapping her gavel.

"As much as I wish to see how this plays out, I am calling for a ten minute recess," she proclaimed.

I arched an eyebrow. "Why's that, Celestia?"

"We just got word from the front gate.  The other investigation teams have returned."

Huh.  Better late than never, I guess.

"Then I have no objections," I said with a bow. "I'll go—"

"All of them?"

An eerily familiar voice spoke up from behind.  I turned around to see the damaged ponunculus looking up at Celestia with pleading eyes.  Celestia gave her a puzzled look.

"Well, yes," she said. "At least, that's what we heard."

"And, none of them are dead?"

"Not to my knowledge.  The group from Manehattan is still missing, but that's because they're still in transit.  If I remember my timetables correctly, their train should be arriving right about now."

The ponunculus bit her hoof as tears welled up in her eyes.  I-I honestly don't know what to make of this.  Mare-Do-Well wouldn't behave this way; she's not usually that open with her emotions.  And besides, she has no reason to believe that the others were going to die.  Or, does she?  Furthermore, this reaction is not something the impostor would have, either.  Unless they were really, really pathetic, but that's highly unlikely.  As I was trying to wrap my mind around all this, I heard a voice from behind.

"Hmph.  Unexpected."

I turned around again.  Mare-Do-Well was sitting in the witness box, her forelegs folded and her brow furrowed.  I do believe I'm starting to get a good picture of what's going on here.

"Unexpected?" I parroted, arching an eyebrow. "What's so 'unexpected' about this, Mare-Do-Well?"

"I was referring to something else," said Mare-Do-Well stiffly.

I crossed my forelegs. "Okay, what?"

Mare-Do-Well looked away. "It's none of your business."

"I'm making it my business," I retorted. "You've been acting very sketchy ever since I found you in the mines.  You wanted to leave a wounded pony to die, and when I refused, you didn't want to wait for your friends to show up to the trial.  Not only this, but when they do finally show up, you claim that it's 'unexpected.'"

"Princess Twilight, please.  There's no need for—"

"But that's not all," I continued, not allowing Mare-Do-Well to interrupt me. "If your testimony is to be believed, you're actually afraid of your friends.  You keep talking about how you want me to trust you, but what about trusting me?  Or Spitfire, or Pine Talon, or anypony else?  But no.  Instead, you just spout off answers that sound plausible so that I'd get off your back."

"Wh-what are you getting at?"

I flew up into the air and pointed an accusatory hoof. "You're not really Mare-Do-Well, are you?"

Mare-Do-Well's hat covered her eyes completely, and the room suddenly felt colder.  She then looked up at me, and instead of blue, her eyes were glowing bright red.

"This isn't over," she stated coldly.

She then sang a bunch of jumble notes which summoned a black smokescreen.  The entire room was coughing and gagging, myself included.  When the smoke cleared, the pony who claimed to be Mare-Do-Well was gone.

"GUARDS!  THE FOUL DEMON IS LOOSE IN THE CASTLE!" Luna bellowed. "FIND HER, POSTHASTE!  SEARCH EVERYWHERE!"

While Holy Lance and the other guards scrambled to follow Luna's orders, I made my way back to the injured ponunculus.  Sorry, the real Mare-Do-Well.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Mare-Do-Well sniffed. "I-I'm sorry, Princess Twilight.  I-I just, I just..."

"Hey, easy there," I said, holding out my hoof. "C'mon, let's go meet the others.  You can tell us all about what's going on."

Mare-Do-Well took a few shallow breaths before drying her eyes. "O-okay.  Th-thank you, Princess Twilight."

She then accept my hoof, and I helped her stand up.  As I was slinging her foreleg over my shoulder, Celestia and Luna approached us.

"Luna and I will try to maintain order here in the castle," said Celestia. "We'll join you if we can.  Something tells me this impostor is more than just that."

"Yeah, we kinda figured that out a while ago," said Spike, scratching his head. "Still, I don't get it.  What was she trying to accomplish by having you convict the wrong mare, Twi?"

"I'm sure Mare-Do-Well here knows," I said, turning to her. "And I expect you to tell me everything."

"O-of course," said Mare-Do-Well with a solemn nod.

With that, I proceeded to carry her out of the courtroom, with Spike and Shining not far behind.  Truth be told, I wasn't afraid of being wrong.  Even if the others didn't return when they did, I still could've forced both ponunculi to take the blood test, and that would've revealed the impostor for sure.  But at the same time, there are a lot of unanswered questions.  And given that the news of her friends being alive was enough to move the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well to tears, I'm not sure if I'm going to like the answers...
> Turnabout Friendship (M)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 5:17 PM
Canterlot Castle
Front Gate
Twilight's POV
***


As we walked through the halls of the castle, I could see that word traveled fast about Mare-Do-Well's impostor being on the loose.  Guardsponies were galloping left and right, searching for the culprit or escorting civilians to safe haven.  I even spotted some of the Wonderbolts helping out in the effort, as well as Celestia and Luna.  Thankfully, nopony crashed into us during the confusion.

As soon as we stepped outside, Mare-Do-Well wrenched herself out of my grip and broke into a run.  When I saw what she was running towards, I decided not to stop her.  Just as the report stated, two of the three investigation teams were waiting outside.  Before I could greet them myself, Mare-Do-Well threw her forelegs around Sparkler and hugged her.

"Ms. Sparkler.  I-I'm so glad you're okay," Mare-Do-Well whimpered.

Sparkler opened her mouth to respond, but Mare-Do-Well had already released her and flew up to Spitfire, giving her the same treatment.

"And you, Ms. Spitfire.  I-I never should've doubted you for a second," Mare-Do-Well continued.

Spitfire stared blankly at Mare-Do-Well. "D-do I know you?"

Okay, this is getting awkward fast.  I was about to interject, but the familiar clip-clopping of hooves interrupted me.  Looking up, I saw that it was Octavia's group running up from the train station.  Well, looks like the gang's all here.

"S-sorry we're *gasp* late," Octavia said breathlessly. "W-we just got off the train, and— oopha!"

Before Octavia could finish her thought, Mare-Do-Well dived down and tackled her into yet another hug.

"And you're safe as well, Ms. Melody.  Y-you have no idea how happy that makes me," Mare-Do-Well sobbed.

"Yay, hug party!" Pinkie cheered, wrapping her own forelegs around Mare-Do-Well and Octavia.  She then perked up. "Wait, what are we hugging about again?"

"I, think I should explain," I said, clearing my throat. "Girls, this here is the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well."

There was a pregnant pause as everypony stared at me and Mare-Do-Well in stunned silence.  Sparkler was the first to speak.

"Uh, I can't help but feel like we're missing something important here," she said, rubbing the side of her head.

"Agreed, darling," Rarity concurred, giving Mare-Do-Well a once-over. "I mean, if this is supposed to be Mare-Do-Well, where's her magnificent costume?"

"The impostor has it," I sighed. "Listen, everypony.  We have a lot of ground to cover and not much time to cover it.  Did you guys managed to find anything?"

Rainbow Dash's face darkened. "Long story short, the whole thing was a setup.  Somepony lured us out to those locations just so that they could try and kill us."

My jaw dropped.  I-I have no words for how horrible this is.  No wonder Mare-Do-Well is acting so emotional right now.

"And, this happened to all of you?" I asked.

"'Fraid so, sugarcube," said Applejack, obscuring her eyes with her stetson.

"It was, scary," Fluttershy mumbled.

I looked over at Mare-Do-Well. "Do you know what all this is about?"

Mare-Do-Well nodded and sniffled. "Y-yes.  Th-the whole thing was a plan set in motion by Nightmare-Do-Vile."

Spike blinked. "Wait, who?"

"She was another ponunculus created by Gypsy Moth," Spitfire explained. "She was supposed to go find Mare-Do-Well and 'fix' her so that she wouldn't disobey her master.  She was created using dark magic, but as a consequence, she was too powerful.  So, she was locked in stasis and dumped off somewhere."

"And I think I know where," said Sparkler, brushing the underside of her nose. "Ten days ago, Dodger Dragonvest and some punk named Sojobo fought each other in the Mewlun Mountains.  They accidentally opened this capsule which contained a Mare-Do-Well look-alike.  That must've been Nightmare-Do-Vile."

Blaze furrowed her brow. "I'm just guessing here, but I think that once she was freed, she payed a visit to Kierra and her former mistress Gypsy Moth in order to set her trap in the Griffon Kingdom.  She messed with Kierra's head and coerced Gypsy Moth into committing murder."

"That's not all she did," said Octavia darkly. "Four days ago, she lured Mare-Do-Well to Centrot Park and ambushed her.  Sapphire Shores caught her in the act, but she was spotted.  That in turn made her the bait they used in the trap meant for me."

"And let's not forget about that meanie Dodger Dragonvest," Derpy huffed. "He broke a lot of the cat people's laws and destroyed our airship just so that he could get revenge against Ammy.  He said that's what the fake Mare-Do-Well promised him if he helped her."

I nodded thoughtfully. "Mare-Do-Well, is all this true?"

Mare-Do-Well hung her head and sighed. "It is.  I honestly didn't know where Nightmare-Do-Vile and her cronies came from, but I do know this.  Her whole plan was for me to renounce friendship."

Vinyl winced. "Yeesh.  Now that's Grade A evil."

"You're telling me," said Pinkie, shivering all over. "I'm getting the shudders just thinking about it.  Brrr~."

"Wait, I don't get it," said Shining Armor, knitting his brow. "How was her plan designed to make you renounce friendship?"

"By using the friendships I made during my time as a hero to destroy you all," said Mare-Do-Well, biting her lip. "A-at least, that's how she put it."

"And she kept you imprisoned in the crystal mines?" I inquired.

Mare-Do-Well shook her head as more tears welled up in her eyes. "I-It was agony.  She told me that all of you were as good as dead, and it was because of friendship."

"And you believed her?" asked Spitfire, raising an eyebrow.

Mare-Do-Well shook her head again. "I-I had no choice.  It was either that or she'd batter my core and drain more of my blood."

Oh my goodness.  Th-that's just...  I-I don't know.  I'm really at a loss for words right now, and judging by the look on everypony else's faces, I'm not the only one.  I mean, poor Mare-Do-Well.  Nopony should have to go through something like that; least of all her.

"S-so, when we found you, you weren't speaking because you had lost all hope?" I asked.

Mare-Do-Well nodded. "I'm sorry, Princess Twilight.  I-I should've been stronger."

"Nopony is invincible, Ms. Mare-Do-Well," said an unfamiliar Wonderbolt. "In fact, I believe even the most disciplined of ponies would have trouble enduring what you had to endure."

"Commander Misty Fly's right," said Rainbow Dash, pounding her hooves and cracking her neck. "And that's why we're gonna find this Nightmare-Do-Vile jerk and make her pay!"

No sooner had that declaration left Rainbow Dash's lips than an eerie melody echoed all around us.  Before anypony could react, there was a burst of black, starry smoke right in front of us.  From the smoke, Nightmare-Do-Vile stepped forward.

"Well well well.  Speak of the she-demon, and she doth appear," Vinyl spat bitterly.

Nightmare-Do-Vile paid her no mind.  Instead, she walked over to Mare-Do-Well, who was staring back at her.

"It appears my demonstration was, ineffective," Nightmare-Do-Vile mused. "I'll have to resort to more drastic means in order to repair you, defect."

"That's not gonna happen, you identity thief!" Pinkie proclaimed. "We're gonna stop you!"

Nightmare-Do-Vile tilted her head. "Is that right?  You all wish to obstruct me?"

"Every last one of us," I said firmly, spreading my wings. "We won't let you hurt Mare-Do-Well anymore."

Nightmare-Do-Vile's eyes changed from blue to red as she tossed back her cape, reveling her own ponunculus core.  It was a lot more ornate than Mare-Do-Well's, and the liquid inside was pitch black.  There also appeared to be some sort of ceramic hand enveloping the core.  The hand had three digits, two of which were wrapped around the vial.

"I advise against this foolishness," she said darkly. "Step aside or be eradicated."

"Um, are those our only choices?" asked Blaze. "'Cause I think we're gonna go with option three.  Kicking your flank!"

Nightmare-Do-Vile snorted. "Then you leave me no choice but to show you my full power.  Disengaging alicorn limiters now."

As soon as she said this, one of the digits wrapped around her core slowly retreated.  It didn't take me long to connect the dots.  This is why Nightmare-Do-Vile doesn't have a horn!  That ceramic hand must be a device meant to suppress her other traits!  But if she's removing them...

"Nightmare-Do-Vile, wait!" I exclaimed. "Y-you can't do that!"

"And why not?" asked Nightmare-Do-Vile.

"Because your core won't be able to handle the magic of all three pony tribes at once!" I cried. "You'd be turning yourself into a ticking time bomb!  You'll kill us all!"

Nightmare-Do-Vile shrugged her shoulders. "I fail to see how that's my problem."

I-I couldn't believe my ears. "Wh-what?!"

"My directive is clear," Nightmare-Do-Vile stated. "The defect must be repaired.  All obstructions will be eradicated."

With that, the ceramic hand let go of the core completely and dropped to the ground, shattering into a million pieces.  Dark light burst from the core, enveloping Nightmare-Do-Vile in a shroud of energy.  Through it, I could see her muscle structure getting bulkier and a unicorn horn growing out of her forehead.

"We gotta stop her!" Rainbow Dash yelled, flying towards Nightmare-Do-Vile.  I quickly grabbed her tail with my magic.

"It's too late, Rainbow Dash!" I hollered. "Her core is already generating a great amount of energy to fuel her transformation!  If we attack her now, we could risk setting it off!"

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" Fluttershy panted. "Wh-what do we do?!"

Suddenly, Mare-Do-Well drew herself to full height and spread her wings. "I'll handle this."

I did a double take. "You?  What do you mean?  You're in no condition to—"

"I'm the one she wants," said Mare-Do-Well, cutting across me. "I can lead her to a place where she won't hurt anypony else."

There was a collective gasp.

"Wh-what are you suggesting?" Octavia whimpered.

Mare-Do-Well heaved a great sigh. "I think you all figured it out."

Sparkler shook her head. "Oh, no.  No way, buster.  Do you realize what we had to go through just to save your flank?!  You can't just throw all that away!"

"I never asked you to save me!" Mare-Do-Well snapped. "I'm supposed to be a hero.  This is something I have to do."

Spitfire crossed her forelegs and scowled. "General Firefly once said that there's a fine line between being a martyr and being a fool, Mare-Do-Well.  You just sailed right over that line.  We can find a way to stop her without getting anyone else killed!  There's no need for you to sacrifice yourself!"

"In case you didn't realize, we don't have time to argue!" Mare-Do-Well barked back. "I'm doing this!"

Indeed, she was right.  As soon as she said that, Nightmare-Do-Vile's transformation was complete.  Bolts of dark magic danced around her body, and her core pulsed in a steady rhythm.  Before she could make a move, Mare-Do-Well sprang into the air.

"C'mon, you monster!" she bellowed. "Come and get me!"

With that, she flew off with Nightmare-Do-Vile in hot pursuit.  Th-this is wrong.  Mare-Do-Well is trying to save us, knowing full well that she might end up dead or worse.  I know this is part of her personality, but I can't just let her go.  She's my friend, and I'm going to help her.

"Shining, let the Royal Guard know that Nightmare-Do-Vile is outside!" I ordered. "Captain Spitfire, I want the Wonderbolts running some interference for us!  The rest of you, be ready for anything and everything!"

Without waiting for any acknowledgements, I took off into the sky and flew after Nightmare-Do-Vile and Mare-Do-Well.


***


It didn't take me long to catch up to them.  Then again, they were hard to miss.  Nightmare-Do-Vile was launching beam after beam of dark magic from her horn while Mare-Do-Well tried her best to dodge every shot.  Even from my vantage point, I could see that Mare-Do-Well wasn't going to last long.  She was struggling to fly straight, and Nightmare-Do-Vile's attacks were just too persistent.  I knew what I had to do.

In the blink of an eye, I teleported myself right in between the two ponunculi and put up a miniature forcefield.  The field shimmered and shuddered as a black beam slammed into it.  After a few seconds, the beam was deflected, and I deactivated my shield.

"Wh-what are you doing?!" Mare-Do-Well hollered from behind me.

I turned around and smiled. "I'm saving my friend," I replied.

Mare-Do-Well appeared to be all flustered. "B-but that's not right!  I-I'm supposed to save you!"

"Look, we don't have time to argue," I said flatly.

Mare-Do-Well opened her mouth to reply, but instead cast her eyes downward.  I then turned back to Nightmare-Do-Vile, who was leering at me.

"Get out of my way," she commanded.

"We're not playing your game anymore, Nightmare-Do-Vile," I said. "If you want Mare-Do-Well, you'll have to go through all of us."

Nightmare-Do-Vile sighed. "How foolish.  All of you are willing to throw your lives away for this one defect?"

"You're one to talk!" I retorted. "You caused havoc across three nations, endangered all of our lives, and for what?  Just to break the spirit of one mare?  What sense does that make?!"

Nightmare-Do-Vile's glare intensified. "I cannot disobey my directive.  The defect will be repaired."

"Stop calling her that," I growled through gritted teeth. "She is not a defect."

"Then why must she use your precious friendship as a crutch?" Nightmare-Do-Vile countered. "Why is it that no matter what, she always ends up being rescued by those she's trying to protect?"

A sinister chill went up my spine.  I've seen this play out before.  She's still trying to mess with Mare-Do-Well's head and break her spirit.  And the downside is, it seemed to be working.  I looked back at Mare-Do-Well, and she was hanging her head in shame.  I-I think I get it now.  And I know just how to fix this.

"If you think that's what's going on, then you have no idea how the magic of friendship truly works," I proclaimed, looking Nightmare-Do-Vile right in the eye. "Mare-Do-Well can stand on her own just fine.  We just stand with her.  And she stands with us.  Isn't that right, Mare-Do-Well?"

Before Mare-Do-Well could answer, Nightmare-Do-Vile growled, her horn pulsing with energy.

"I tire of this pointless banter," she snarled. "You will all be eradicated!"

In a burst of energy, several things happened at once.  The sky became full of black clouds that crackled with electricity.  I saw shadowy apparitions slam into the ground, as well as golems made out of gemstones springing from the earth.  Each of these threats converged on one of Mare-Do-Well's friends; the clouds went after Spitfire, the shadows surrounded Octavia, and the golems marched towards Sparkler.  Looking back up, I saw Mare-Do-Well's head whipping around every which way.  It didn't take me long to figure out that this was just another mind game.  I flew up to Mare-Do-Well and gripped her shoulders.

"Mare-Do-Well, listen to me," I said firmly. "She's trying to trip you up again.  You can't play into her hooves anymore."

Mare-Do-Well's lip quivered. "B-but what am I supposed to do?  I-I can't save them all at once."

"You don't have to," I said calmly. "All you have to do is keep your eyes on me."

Mare-Do-Well blinked. "B-but what about—?"

"Don't worry about them.  They'll be okay," I assured her. "You have to have faith in them and in me, Mare-Do-Well.  Now, do as I ask.  Keep your eyes on me and don't look away no matter what.  Okay?"

Mare-Do-Well paused for a moment, and then nodded. "O-okay.  I'll trust you."

"Good," I said, patting her on the back. "Now, let's finish this."

I turned around just as Nightmare-Do-Vile finished casting her spells.  Already, I could see the energy in her core pulsating like a strobe light, desperately trying to keep all the energy inside.  I don't know how long we have, but hopefully, I can come up with a plan before it's too late.  I'm usually good at that.  Once Nightmare-Do-Vile recovered from the spells, she charged at me.  I responded by doing the same, preparing a spell of my own.


***
Spitfire's POV
***


"Hey, Sis!  Bogeys sighted at twelve o'clock!"

Right away, I saw what Blaze was referring to.  That motherbucker Nightmare-Do-Vile had summoned a whole bunch of explosive clouds, and they were heading right for us.  So much for running interference for Princess Twilight.

"Mist, how long until those things reach the castle?!" I called out.

"By their current speed, I'm going to say approximately sixty seconds!" Misty Fly responded.

"Heh, that suits me just fine!  I'll only need ten!" Rainbow Dash boasted.

"Belay that, private!  Those are not ordinary clouds!" I yelled. "We have to take them out without touching them!  Wonderbolts, attack formation Fairweather Theta!"

"Um, Ms. Spitfire?  I-I don't know that one!" Fluttershy cried.

"Me, neither!" Derpy added.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rainbow Dash smirk. "Don't worry, you guys!  Just follow my lead!"

I smiled to myself.  That's one of Rainbow Dash's greatest qualities.  She's always ready to take charge when the situation calls for it.

"That's the spirit, private!" I hollered. "Alright, Wonderbolts!  Let's fly!"

We charged for the exploding clouds before breaking off into wing trios, with Fluttershy and Derpy Hooves serving and Rainbow Dash's wingponies.  Each of us took a section of cloud and circled around it as fast as we could, creating several miniature cyclones.  The gale force winds did their jobs and broke up the clouds into smaller and smaller fragments until they were nothing but residual magic.  As soon as one cluster was eliminated, we moved on to the next one.

"Let's keep it tight, you two!" I yelled, straining my voice over the wind. "We're gonna show this Nightmare-Do-Vile what happens when you mess with the Wonderbolts!"

"Oorah!" Blaze cheered.

"I'm your wing all the way, Spitfire!" Misty Fly responded.

From there, we continued flying from cluster to cluster, dismantling any and all exploding clouds in our way.  Though the waves seemed endless, we couldn't back down.  After all, we're the Wonderbolts.  We don't give up without giving it our all.


***
Octavia's POV
***


Well, this is just ducky.  I promised myself I'd never have to use that blasted confidence spell again, but here we are.  Then again, terrified is an appropriate reaction to a bunch of shadow creatures after your blood.  I don't think running away is going to do much good, either.  It didn't exactly help me last time.  Okay, here goes everything.


"Hm-hm-hm hm hm hm, hm hm hm,
Hm-hm-hm hm hm hm, hm hm hm..."


As I hummed the tune to myself, I felt the familiar burst of adrenaline course through my veins.  When I opened my eyes, one of the shadows was upon me, drawing back an appendage and ready to strike.  I responded with a punch.  Much to my surprise, I hit something solid.  The shadow stumbled back and charged again.  I tried my best to keep pace with the thing, and for the most part, I was able to keep up.  But then, the others started to surround me from all sides.  Blows came at me from every direction, and I of course couldn't block them all.  But as long as I still draw breath, I won't let my fear consume me.  Still, I don't know how long I can keep this—

"Yee-ha~!"

There was a whoop from above as Applejack came rushing in, kicking one of the shadows right in its, um, area (yes, these things don't seem to have any defined shape, and yet they're still solid.  You figure that one out; I'm too busy trying to stay alive to bother).  What's more, Pinkie Pie was right by her side, armed with some sort of cannon.

"Don't worry, Octavia!  We've got your back!" Pinkie yelled. "Apples stick together, after all!"

That, caught me off-guard for a moment. "Wait, but I'm not an Apple," I said.

"Well, genealogically speaking, you're right!" Pinkie called out, firing a blast of confetti from her cannon and causing several shadows to scatter. "But I know Fiddlesticks is your sister, and she's also an honorary Apple!  That means you're also technically an Apple, kinda sorta!"

"Ms. Pie, are you sure this is an appropriate conversation to be having right now?!" I shouted, struggling against another shadow.

"Don't mind her none!  She's just bein' Pinkie Pie!" Applejack hollered, smashing another shadow with her hind hooves.

Sheesh, and I thought Vinyl was mental.  Well, no use dwelling on it.  I still have my hooves full here.  No matter how many shadows I punch out of existence, it feels like two more are always ready to take their place.  Part of me wants to run away, I'll admit that much.  But I've come this far for Mare-Do-Well, and by Celestia, I am not planning on dying today!


***
Amethyst's POV
***


"Hoo, ha!  Hot potato, hot potato!"

That was more or less my reaction when those gem statues started launching fireballs at me.  And I do mean at me.  As in me specifically.  Yeah, even though there were plenty of other ponies down here, all they're interested in is killing the jeweler's apprentice.  I just get all the luck, don't I?

"Sparkler, darling!  Over here!"

I looked up to see Rarity standing with Vinyl Scratch and the Royal Guard.  I sprinted right to their side, and Prince Shining Armor summoned a forcefield behind me.  The gem statues continued pelting the shield with fireballs, not letting up in the slightest.

"Well, this sucks," Vinyl muttered. "I knew I shouldn't have left my Bass Cannon at home."

"What we need is enough magic power to blast through those guys," said Prince Shining Armor. "Do any of your three know any attacking spells?"

Vinyl shrugged. "'Fraid not."

Rarity sighed. "Fighting's not usually my thing; I'm more into fashion.  But that doesn't mean we can't improvise."

Something about that last sentence sparked a memory from our time in the Mewlun Mountains.  I smiled.

"You know what?  I'm with you on this one, Rarity," I said. "We can take these clowns."

"They don't seem to be *mmph* letting up on the assault, though," Prince Shining Armor grunted as he struggled to maintain the spell. "We need an opening.  Holy Lance!"

"Yes, Your Highness?" asked one of the guards.

"You got any ideas?"

Holy Lance squinted at the gem statues. "They seem to be lined up one in front of the other.  If we can somehow topple their structure, they should be disoriented."

"Okay, that's cool," said Vinyl with a nod. "Next question.  How do we do that?"

Holy Lance clicked his tongue. "Um, yes.  Th-that would be the tricky part.  We'll need some sort of spell that can—"

He was interrupted by a low growl.  We all turned to see that it was coming from Spike's stomach.  Rarity and I deadpanned as he blushed.

"S-sorry," Spike said sheepishly. "I-It's just that it's getting close to dinner, and..."

Rarity smacked her forehead. "Spiky-poo, how can you possibly think of food at a time like this?!"

Wait a minute.  Hungry dragon, plus gem statues, equals...  Bingo!

"Actually, that might not be a bad thing, Rarity," I said. "In fact, I think Spike is just the dragon to save the day!"

"I am?" asked Spike, his cheeks getting redder. "I-I dunno..."

"Hold on, I think Sparkler's onto something!" said Rarity, her expression brightening. "Spike, how would you like to have dinner right now?"

"Um, I'd love to," said Spike. "But, don't we have to— whoa!"

Rarity scooped up Spike with her magic and cradled him in her hooves.  She then drew him back and narrowed her eyes.

"Well, there's dinner, Spike!" she proclaimed. "Bon appétit!"

With that, she tossed Spike right into the gem statues.  Prince Shining Armor blinked.

"I'm getting the weirdest sense of déjà vu right now," he said.

"I'm getting an idea for my next rock opera," said Vinyl.

I'm getting palpitations, 'cause even though this was my idea, I'm not sure if it's gonna work.  But sure enough, in a matter of seconds, one of the statues toppled over, causing the others to fall like dominos.  Through all the reflected surfaces, I could see Spike munching away at one of the statues' legs.  Heh, all according to plan.

"There's our opening, men!" Holy Lance barked, his horn radiating with magic. "Give them all you got and don't hold back!"

"Right then!" Rarity shouted. "Mind your eyes!"

"And your ears!" Vinyl added.

With that, we all launched our spell of choice at the statues.  Holy Lance caused bolts of energy to rain from the sky, while Rarity's horn sparkled like a disco ball, disorienting the statues and throwing their aim off.  Vinyl Scratch let loose a deafening bass beat that caused the statues to crumble while Prince Shining Armor blasted the group that was surrounding Spike.  As for me, well, I did what I do best.  With a few quick swipes of my horn, an entire row of statues were transformed into a bunch of shimmering jewels.  Not exactly a conventional method of warfare, but hey.  I remember someone once telling me that even the most benign objects can be used as weapons.

"There's still more of them!" Holy Lance roared. "Keep firing!  For Canterlot!"

Nopony needed to be told twice.  I don't know how long they expect me to keep this up, though.  I hope Princess Twilight stops that dock-hole Nightmare-Do-Vile soon...


***
Twilight's POV
***


I figured the best thing to do was to trap Nightmare-Do-Vile in a forcefield.  That way, when her core finally detonated, the explosion would be contained by my magic.  It's certainly doable.  Even though she's an alicorn ponunculus, she's not as powerful as an actual alicorn like myself.  I can tell just from deflecting her magical attacks that they don't have as much power behind them.  So, I should be able to hold her, no problem.

Well, okay, one problem.  She's too fast.  Whenever I tried to catch her in my forcefield, she kept dissolving into smoke and teleporting behind me.  Of course, I wasn't easy to hit, either.  Every spell she threw at me, whether it was from her horn or the magic of the Kurama Tengu, I managed to block with a spell of my own.  Back and forth, spell after spell, we fought.  All the while, her core kept pulsing away, building up more and more energy.  I knew the clock was ticking, but she didn't seem to care.  She just wanted me out of the way so that she could hurt Mare-Do-Well unencumbered.  Of course, I wasn't going to let that happen anytime soon.

Then, after dodging my spell for the twelfth time (by my count), she appeared right in front of me.  Before I could ready a spell, she punched me across the jaw.  I staggered in midair, trying to get my bearings.  But Nightmare-Do-Vile was not giving me a chance to breathe.  She continued to flail her legs at me.  I tried to protect myself the best I could, but I could tell I was out of my league.  Hoof-to-hoof combat has never been a forte of mine, and even though I'm a better flyer now, I don't know the first thing about fighting in midair.  Not even my enhanced Earth Pony strength could prepare me for this onslaught.

Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, Nightmare-Do-Vile vanished again.  I was surrounded by sparkling black smoke, and I had no indication of where she was.  I kept my guard up, waiting for her to strike at a moment's notice.  She might've gotten the better of me with that direct attack, but I'm not going down that easily.

"This is where it ends," Nightmare-Do-Vile's voice echoed all around me. "Now, you will die, Princess of Friendsh—"

"Get away from my friend!"

I heard something swoop past my ear, followed by a thud.  I spun around and gasped.  Mare-Do-Well had barreled in out of nowhere, and she was striking Nightmare-Do-Vile from above.  The strike was enough to break the necklace holding Nightmare-Do-Vile's core, which dropped like a stone.  That was just what I needed.

With a sharp dive, I flew towards the falling core as fast as I could.  Once in range, I fired my forcefield spell.  This time, it hit.  The core was successfully encapsulated in an impenetrable magenta aura.  And just in time, too.  I could see part of the vial break as magical energy forced itself out of its crystal prison.  A split second later, there was a yelp of pain.

"This will not end here!" Nightmare-Do-Vile barked. "I-I will repair you, defect!"

I looked up to see Nightmare-Do-Vile writhing in agony while Mare-Do-Well stared back at her.

"I may be in need of repair, but not the kind you're thinking of," Mare-Do-Well stated. "In fact, you're nothing compared to Princess Twilight."

"Incorrect," Nightmare-Do-Vile grunted. "I-I would've eradicated her had it not been for you!"

"Well, good thing I was there to stop you, then," said Mare-Do-Well with a shrug.

Nightmare-Do-Vile howled, and another burst of energy started seeping through her core.

"M-must repair defect!" she stammered, her tone becoming more and more strained. "M-must repair defect!"

She fired a blast of magic from her horn, and it missed Mare-Do-Well by a mile.

"I was wrong to allow myself to be broken by you," Mare-Do-Well said sternly. "I should've had faith in my friends.  I should've believed in them no matter how much you hurt me.  Because at the end of the day, you're nothing but a heartless machine with outdated instructions.  And it's time for you to go."

Nightmare-Do-Vile roared something incoherent and flew at Mare-Do-Well with full force.  Mare-Do-Well pressed against her hooves with all her might, using every ounce of strength she had to maintain the standoff.

"Repair defect!  Repair defect!" Nightmare-Do-Vile chanted over and over again. "Must obey directive!  Repair defe—"

All of a sudden, I felt a tremendous pressure in my horn.  Turning away from the fight, I saw the cause.  Nightmare-Do-Vile's core had detonated, and all of the trapped energy was pressing against my forcefield, trying to break free.  Her screams of unbridled agony rang in my ears as I concentrated on keeping the forcefield intact.  Sweat poured down my face, both out of exertion and fear.  Hairline fractures decorated the forcefield as the explosion of magical energy persisted.  Th-this might've been a bit more powerful than I thought.  I-I don't know if I can hold it.

"Cannot, continue.  Mission, faaaaaaaillllled..."

With those final words from Nightmare-Do-Vile, the explosion dissipated.  I breathed a sigh of relief and turned around.  Nightmare-Do-Vile's body went limp in Mare-Do-Well's hooves, her red eyes faded to a dull grey, and I could see her horn disintegrating bit by bit.  Very soon, all that was left of Nightmare-Do-Vile was dust scattered in the wind or filling the now-empty costume.  I flew over to Mare-Do-Well.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

Mare-Do-Well sighed. "Tired," she said. "I-I could use a nap."

I chuckled. "C'mon, let's get you patched up."

I placed her foreleg over my shoulder, and together, we flew down to meet the others.

"Hoo-wee~!  Glad that's over!" said Applejack, wiping some sweat from her brow.

"Agreed," Octavia panted.  She then looked at Mare-Do-Well and smiled. "I-I see you decided to stay with us."

Mare-Do-Well let out a self-mocking snicker. "Well, it's because my friend managed to talk me out of it."

"That's the Princess of Friendship for ya," said Sparkler with a wide grin. "I'm glad you're okay."

"We all are, Mare-Do-Well," said Spitfire with a salute. "This world needs more ponies like you."

Mare-Do-Well sniffled. "Th-thank you all.  For everything," she said.

"You're welcome," I said, leading her inside. "Hey, how about I have the chef prepare a big feast for us?  My treat."

"That sounds super fun!" Pinkie chirped. "We can call it a We Saved Mare-Do-Well From Her Identity Thief party!"

"That's, a bit of a mouthful, Pinkie," said Rainbow Dash.

Derpy tilted her head. "Well, we did save Mare-Do-Well from her faker.  I think it's a good name."

"Alright, everypony.  Let's settle down here," said Fluttershy. "It doesn't really matter what it's called, does it?  Let's just have fun."

"I'm all for that!" said Vinyl.

With that, we all made our way into the castle.  Although the mystery was solved, I'll bet we still have a lot of stories to tell.  And now that everything is said and done, I kinda want to hear them.  But right after that, I'll have to work on fixing Mare-Do-Well's core.  She's not going to be able to do any more heroism in her condition, even if she ended up saving me.

Oh, right.  Almost forgot.

"Hey, Mare-Do-Well?" I said.

Mare-Do-Well looked up. "Yes?" she asked wearily.

"Thank you," I said. "For saving me back there."

Mare-Do-Well smiled. "No need to thank me, Princess Twilight.  It's just what I was meant to do."
> Epilogue: Heroes' Reprieve (M)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 15, 14:45
Griffon Kingdom
Sword & Crown Cemetery
Spitfire's POV
***


There's an old urban legend about pegasi that dates back to pre-unification times.  The legend is simply this: We always make it rain at funerals.  This is not true in the slightest, but I do know where the legend comes from.  It came from a military tradition started by Commander Hurricane when his father passed away.  While he was being led to his final resting place, Hurricane had his soldier set up twenty one thunderclouds overhead.  Each thundercloud was fired one at a time in succession, with the final one being fired just as Commander Hurricane's father was put to rest.  This tradition became recognized as the Twenty-One Thunderbolt Salute, and it's a military tradition that's still observed to this day.  Hence the urban legend of pegasi always making it rain at funerals.

Why am I talking about this?  No reason, really.  It's just something that always comes to mind whenever I have to attend a funeral.  Misty Fly thinks that it's a defense mechanism for me so that I don't feel as much pain.  I can't say she's entirely wrong.  Funerals and me don't mix all that well, but sometimes, it's my obligation to show up.  Kierra's funeral is one of those times.

I landed just outside the front entrance with Blaze and Misty Fly by my side.  All of us were decked out in our dress uniforms, and Blaze and I even wore our Crosses of Unity; medals bestowed upon us by Ambassador Honor Bound for our service during the Ghastly Gorge Gauntlet.  Pierre le Grand and Drake were waiting for us, both dressed in black.  We all exchanged salutes.

"I'm glad you received my invitation, Capitaine Spitfire," said Pierre. "I was worried you wouldn't show, due to your own investigation."

"Don't worry about that.  That's been taken care of," I said. "Besides, Kierra probably would've wanted me to attend."

"Indeed, she would have," said Pierre with a solemn nod. "Come, the service is about to begin."

He beckoned us forward, and we followed him into the cemetery.  Headstones of varying shapes and sizes decorated either side of that path, and I shuddered.  Looking at those things always makes me uneasy.  I'm a pegasus; I belong in the sky.  But, well, pegasi have yet to find a way to bury somepony in a cloud, so when we pass on, we're cursed to remain grounded for the rest of eternity.  It's not exactly a comforting thought.

"So, what happened to Gypsy Moth?" asked Blaze.

Pierre let out a heavy sigh. "Thanks to your efforts, le Griffon Magistrat has stripped her of her privileges and sentenced her to solitary confinement until further notice.  However, this oversight has dealt a severe blow to the reputation of Nemean.  The wardens are redoubling their efforts to make sure nothing like that happens again."

"Good to know," I said with a nod. "And, what about your new recruit?"

"Privé Gilda has been sent back to Nemean to perform community service for the next few moons," said Pierre, heaving another sigh. "As such, the Proud Pride's debut in Equestria will have to be postponed."

I shrugged. "I suppose it's only fair.  Even though Private Gilda didn't know what she was doing, a crime's still a crime.  Still, I'm sorry that you guys didn't get your time to shine."

Pierre chuckled sadly. "It's alright, Capitaine Spitfire.  These things cannot be helped."

Drake nodded in agreement.

"I guess not," I said. "Anyway, I hope the Griffon Magistrate isn't thinking of tracking down Nightmare-Do-Vile anytime soon."

Pierre raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"She's, kinda dead," said Blaze sheepishly. "Did it to herself, really.  It's a bit of a long story."

"Ah," said Pierre, tapping his beak thoughtfully. "I'll be sure to let le Griffon Magistrat know of this development."

"Please do," I said.  From there, we continued walking until we reached a whole group of griffons sitting before a sealed casket and a freshly-dug grave.  We all took our seats in reserved areas for the Proud Pride and the Wonderbolts.  As we sat down, the skies began to grow dark overhead.

"There's only one thing I don't understand," said Misty Fly, furrowing her brow.

I tilted my head. "What's that, Mist?"

"Professor Kierra's audio journal seems a bit contradictory, now that I think about it," said Misty Fly, dipping her voice so as not to interrupt the service. "She seemed to bounce back and forth between being suspicious of Gypsy Moth and being concerned for her well-being."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, I think that speaks for itself.  Gypsy Moth and Kierra were friends, but at the same time, Kierra knew what Gypsy Moth was capable of."

"Then, why did she accept a package from her?" Misty Fly inquired. "Didn't she think that she was up to no good?"

"Maybe deep down, she wanted to trust her," I whispered. "It's just like what happened between Rainbow Dash and Gilda.  Even when it was revealed the Gilda was an accessory to the murder, Rainbow Dash didn't give up on her."

Misty Fly shook her head. "It's not the same, Spitfire.  Professor Kierra voiced her concerns about Gypsy Moth quite clearly.  She was afraid of her, yet at the same time afraid for her.  I-I really don't understand."

Well, when she puts it like that, neither do I.

"I don't know what to tell you, Mist," I said. "I guess it's just one of those things we're not meant to know."

"You know what I think?"

Misty Fly and I turned our heads to Blaze. "What's that, Blaze?" Misty Fly asked.

"I think Kierra herself didn't know what to think," said Blaze, her eyes fixated on the service. "She must've been debating with herself up until the very end, just like we were."  She then sighed. "Well, like most of us were."

I gave Blaze a concerned look. "You still feel bad about letting the past get to you, huh?"

"Kinda," Blaze confessed, twiddling her hooves. "I dunno, I-I just thought I had to prevent what happened last time from happening again.  You were there, Sis; you understand."

I smiled and draped a wing over Blaze's shoulder. "Of course I do, Blaze.  But you know what?  Gypsy Moth is actually more afraid of you than you are of her.  She's nothing but a paranoid coward who makes her pain everypony else's problem.  But thanks to us, she won't be able to do that anymore.  We stopped her, once and for all."

Blaze let out a sad chuckle as she leaned against my shoulder. "Yeah.  You're right, Sis."

Just then, a low rumble was heard in the sky above, and I felt the first few droplets of rain bounce off of my muzzle and wings.

"Look, Spitfire.  It's the Twenty-One Thunderbolt Salute," said Misty Fly.

I breathed out a small laugh.  I knew she said that to take the edge off of the funeral service.  She knows me so well.  That's what I really love about my team.  No matter what happens, I can always count on them to be there for me.  And of course, the opposite is true as well.


***
December 15, 12:15 PM
Manehattan
Centrot Park
Octavia's POV
***



"Bum bum bum-ba-da-da-bum
Bum bum bum-ba-da-ah..."


Right from the first few bars, I could recognize why the Ponytones were such a sensation in Ponyville.  These four ponies just harmonize together so well, and the melody is quite catchy.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to get it out of my head anytime soon.

"This is the life, huh Octy?" said Vinyl. "Just sitting here, laying out on the grass, and listening to the Ponytones.  And we didn't even have to buy tickets!"

"Well, Sapphire Shores did have to organize this concert at the last minute, Vinyl," I said. "I'm actually surprised they managed to amass an audience at all."

"Pfft, what're you talking about?" said Vinyl, gesturing her hooves all around the field we were sitting in. "I'll bet plenty of ponies are getting in on this awesomeness just by walking past the gazebo."

I suppose she has a point there, but it didn't change the fact that she and I were one of the few ponies who actually showed up specifically for the concert.  Which is a shame, really.  Most of the ponies who made reservations at the Bent Trumpet for the original showing are truly missing out on something wonderful.

"Hey, Melody!  Fancy meeting you here."

I turned my head to see Mike Check walking up to us with Babs Seed at his heels.

"Hello, Mr. Check," I said. "You came to see the show?"

Mike shrugged. "Why else would I be here?  It's not like Sapphire needs anypony backstage."

"'Sides, no way was I gonna miss out on Sweetie Belle's singin'," Babs added. "Man, she's so good, she might end up gettin' her Cutie Mark!"

I'd comment about how getting a Cutie Mark isn't that simple, but I decided to hold my tongue.  After all, who am I to shatter a child's fantasies?

"Oh, by the way, you might be interested in this," said Mike, pulling out a newspaper article. "Apparently, that Sojobo guy you caught is an international criminal.  Some other nation called the Neko Shogunate has been wanting to catch him for years."

This isn't exactly news to me.  After we defeated Nightmare-Do-Vile, all of us shared our stories with each other over dinner.  Vinyl snickered.

"You hear that, Tavi?  You're an international hero now!" she said.

"Sure looks like it," Mike said with a laugh. "Boy, Melody.  You really are something.  First the Manehattan Music Festival, now this."

I blushed. "I'm quite flattered, really.  But if it's all the same with the rest of the world, I hope I never have to do anything like that ever again."

"Hey, I hear ya," said Mike with a nod. "Well, we'd better let you enjoy the music.  Catch you later."

"Yeah, laters," said Babs, blowing back her combover.

With that, the two of them walked off.  As they did, I could hear another voice join the chorus.  I looked up, and my eyes went wide.  Sapphire Shores had joined the Ponytones on the stage, and she and Sweetie Belle were launching into a call-and-response style duet.


"Everypony sayin' you should learn to express your voice,"
"But if talk doesn't seem like it's the answer, luckily you have a choice..."


I looked down for a moment to see Cookie Crumbles and Magnum turn to me.  Cookie had a large smile on her face and tears in her eyes.

"That's my daughter up there," she whispered.

I smiled back. "You and your husband should be very proud," I said earnestly. "Not only is she a talented young filly, but she's very brave, too."

"Th-thank you for your kind words, Ms. Melody," said Magnum, brushing a tear from his eyes.

I simply nodded and turned my attention back to the wonderful performance.  Seeing them happily performing right now, you wouldn't realize that they were part of a dastardly plot to assassinate me just the day before.  Maybe it's the confidence spell at work, or perhaps they're just able to look past that now that everything is alright.  Either way, I'm very happy for them.

Just then, I felt a hoof brush my back.

"You're pretty brave too, Octy," Vinyl cooed. "Even if you're a bit of a worrywart sometimes."

I chuckled and pulled Vinyl in close to me. "Thanks, Marshmallow," I said. "You really can be a sweetheart when you want to be, y'know?"

Vinyl sniggered. "Don't get used to it, Octy," she said as the first part of the performance reached its conclusion.


"Got the music in you!"



***
December 15, 11:14 AM
Ponyville
Golden Harvest's House
Amethyst's POV
***


"Carrot Top!  Dinky!  We're ho—"

"They're back, they're back!"

No sooner had Derpy and I had walked through the door than my little sister, Dinky Doo, came bounding in to greet us.  I gotta tell you, seeing her cute smile as she gave us both a hug and a kiss just made my day.  Dinky always has a habit of doing that.

"Aw~.  We missed you too, Muffin," Derpy cooed, cradling Dinky in her forelegs.

"We sure did," I said, closing the door behind us with my magic.  When I looked up, I saw Carrot Top was there as well.  Unlike Dinky, however, she did not look happy.

"Where were you two?" she asked, tapping her foot. "Dinky and I were worried sick when you didn't come back from the Gala."

I let out a nervous chuckle and shrugged. "Sorry, Carrot Top.  Things just kinda got out of hand at the Gala.  It's a long story."

"Uh-huh," said Carrot Top, raising an eyebrow. "And are you two planning to tell us this story?"

Derpy blinked. "Of course we are, Carrot Top.  Why wouldn't we?"

"Not right now, though," I sighed. "I can't speak for Mom, but I'm pretty drained.  I think I'm gonna go upstairs and take a nap."

Dinky's expression drooped. "Aw.  But I want to hear the story."

Derpy smiled and mussed up Dinky's mane. "Don't worry, Muffin.  Ammy and I are just a bit tired.  We'll tell you all about it over dinner, okay?"

Dinky nodded. "Okay, Mama."

Just then, there was a knock at the door.  I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you expecting anypony, Carrot Top?" I asked.

"No, just you two," said Carrot Top, equally perplexed. "I'd better go see who it is."

"Here, let me," I said, turning back towards the door.  I opened it up with my magic, and to my surprise, Rosco was standing right at the doorstep.  This probably goes without saying, but I did not see that coming.

"Ah, we've got the right address.  Good," said Rosco, clearing his throat. "I'll try to make this quick, Ms. Star.  It's come to the Top Dog's attention that you and your motley crew were responsible for apprehending Dodger and bringing him back to us.  As such, he thinks it's only fair that you get the reward.  Desoto."

As if on cue, Desoto walked in with a disgruntled look on his face.  He was carrying four brown sacks that rustled as he walked.  Without so much as a word, he tossed two of the sacks at my feet.

"That's for you and your mother," said Rosco. "There should be twelve hundred and fifty gems in each; I counted them myself.  So, think you could direct us to those other two ponies?"

"Oh, you mean Applejack and Pinkie Pie?" said Derpy. "Well, Pinkie lives at Sugarcube Corner, which is right in the center of town; you can't miss it.  Applejack lives farther west, out on Sweet Apple Acres."

"Much obliged," Rosco said with a bow. "Well, you ponies have a nice day.  Let's go, Desoto."

"I still can't believe we're even doing this," Desoto griped. "I mean, we shouldn't owe these ponies anything!"

"Hey, you heard the Top Dog," Rosco snarled. "A bounty's a bounty, and we have to pay up.  Now stop your bellyaching and let's get a move-on.  I don't wanna be here any longer than I have to."

Desoto let out a low growl, but ended up complying as the two moved off.  I honestly don't know why they hate me so much after everything I did for their boss, but at this point, I'm just gonna let it go.  I'm obviously never going to get into their good graces for whatever reason.  With a shrug, I opened up my sack and took a peek inside.  Just as Rosco said, it was overflowing with gemstones of varying shapes and colors.

"Ooh, wow.  Pretty~," said Derpy, looking into her own sack with awe. "This is gonna buy me a lot of muffins!"

Carrot Top arched an eyebrow. "Is there something you two want to tell me?"

"Again, long story," I said.

Dinky smiled widely. "I bet you and Mama did something really nice to get those gems.  When you do nice things for others, nice things happen to you in return."

Ah, a classic nugget of wisdom from the Zen of Dinky.  The Circle of Niceness.  I don't know why, but it's good to hear some philosophy that isn't pointlessly confusing; no offense to Kohryu or anything.

"So, what're you gonna do with your share, Ammy?" asked Derpy.

I shrugged. "I dunno.  Maybe I'll buy some hot air balloon driving lessons so that I can learn how to work that thing."

Dinky gave me a quizzical look. "I didn't know you liked flying, Amethyst."

I chuckled and patted Dinky on the head. "Neither did I, Dink."

"Let me guess, another part of this story of yours?" said Carrot Top, maintaing her bemused glare.

I sighed. "Carrot Top, I understand you're mad at us.  But I promise, it'll all make sense once we explain it."

Carrot Top let out a sigh of her own. "Alright, fine.  I suppose I should give you two a break for now."  She then smiled. "But just so you know, I'm really glad you're both okay."

"So are we, Carrot Top," I said. "So are we."


***
December 15, 9:13 AM
Canterlot Castle
Infirmary Wing
Twilight's POV
***


Right after dinner, I went straight to the alchemy lab to create some medicine for Mare-Do-Well.  What I didn't know was that making this medicine was going to take me all night.  Not only did I have to create the salve that would mend her core, but I also had to make an entire liter of ponunculus blood from scratch to mix in with the salve so that it would replace the blood Mare-Do-Well had lost.  So, yeah.  I really had my work cut out for me on this one.  Luckily, my friends were all there to help out however they could.  But even with their assistance, it wasn't until after breakfast the next day that the medicine was finally ready for use.

We all entered the infirmary as quietly as possible, making our way over to Mare-Do-Well sleeping in her bed.  Her end table was overflowing with flowers from everypony who took part in the investigation.  There was even a freshly baked muffin from Derpy Hooves and cupcakes from Pinkie.  I, probably should've told them that ponunculi don't eat, but it's the thought that counts.

"Good morning, Mare-Do-Well," I said as softly as I could. "How are you feeling?"

Mare-Do-Well slowly opened her eyes and stretched herself out. "Mmm~.  Still tired," she yawned.

"Well, I've got something that'll take care of that," I said, levitating the medicine before her. "Now, let me see your core."

Mare-Do-Well obliged. "Heh, feels like old times, doesn't it?"

"Yes and no," I said. "Okay, now this is gonna sting.  Brace yourself."

Ever so carefully, I poured the entire contents of the beaker into Mare-Do-Well's core.  She moaned and squirmed as the medicine did its job, patching up the cracks and replenishing her blood.  After a few seconds, the core was whole again, and the luminescent liquid inside was just as bright as ever.

"There we go.  Good as new," I said. "Of course, you might want to take it easy for a few days, just to be on the safe side."

Mare-Do-Well nodded weakly. "I suppose that's for the best."

"Oh, and we have something else for you," said Rarity, taking out Mare-Do-Well's costume. "Nightmare-Do-Vile's little transformation damaged your costume quite severally, so I took it upon myself to fix it.  No charge, of course."

Mare-Do-Well chuckled. "It's just as well.  I don't have any money."  She then sighed. "Thank you all for doing this for me.  I, really appreciate it."

"It's no trouble at all, Ms. Mare-Do-Well," said Fluttershy sweetly. "We're always happy to help."

Mare-Do-Well nodded, and then cast her eyes downward. "Listen, I want to apologize for my behavior.  You know, when I was trying to sacrifice myself."

"We understand, Mare-Do-Well," I said.

Mare-Do-Well shook her head. "I don't think you do, Princess Twilight.  See, it wasn't just Nightmare-Do-Vile's blows that caused me pain.  It was the fact that all of you ponies were in danger, and I couldn't do anything about it.  I-it was the most horrible thing in the world for me.  So when I had a chance to prove myself, I just took it."

Spike scratched his head. "What do you mean by 'prove yourself?'" he asked.

Mare-Do-Well heaved a great sigh. "I'm a hero.  It's my duty to protect ponies who are in peril.  But if I can't do that, then what am I?  Nothing but a mask placed over an empty shell."

Rainbow Dash flew right into Mare-Do-Well's face. "Whoa whoa whoa.  That's not true," she scolded. "You didn't have to prove yourself to anypony.  We all know you're a hero.  Besides, we managed to kick major flank on our own.  There's no shame in letting somepony else have the spotlight.  In fact, you're the one who taught me that.  Well, the original you, anyway."

Mare-Do-Well massaged the bridge of her nose with her hoof. "It isn't a matter of spotlights, Ms. Dash.  I never cared about that.  It's a matter of my purpose.  I'm a ponunculus without a master.  With only the original Mare-Do-Well's template to guide me, being a hero is all I know how to do.  Without that, I just feel, directionless."

Applejack smirked. "Sugarcube, everypony feels like that every now and then.  That's why you've got friends to point ya in the right direction."

Mare-Do-Well flattened her ears and knitted her brow. "Yes, about that..."

"You're worried about what Nightmare-Do-Vile said, aren't you?" I guessed.

Mare-Do-Well nodded. "She almost succeeded, you realize.  She used the bonds I have forged with the ponies I care about the most to lead them into harm's way.  Princess Twilight, you probably know better than I do.  How do you reconcile this?"

On the surface, it does seem like a tough question.  There's no denying that Nightmare-Do-Vile had us fooled for the majority of the investigation.  However, when you get right down to it, it's really not that hard.

"Well, honestly, I think Nightmare-Do-Vile's demonstration was doomed from the get-go," I said with a shrug.

Spike blinked. "Really?  'Cause I thought she really had us going for a while."

"That's right, she did," I said, tapping my forehead smartly. "But let's look at the facts.  Nightmare-Do-Vile was trying to get Mare-Do-Well to renounce friendship by showing that it could lead to destruction and pain.  To do this, she posed as Mare-Do-Well and sent me a plea for help.  Ideally, I would try to help my friend, and while everypony else was killed by the assassins Nightmare-Do-Vile recruited, I'd end up punishing the wrong mare."

"But, wait.  Didn't the exact opposite of that happen?" Pinkie inquired.

"Correct, Pinkie," I said with a nod.  I then began pacing back and forth. "Nightmare-Do-Vile's demonstration fails on two levels.  First off, while our friendship with Mare-Do-Well was a motivating factor in our investigation, it wasn't the only one.  We were also motivated by a sense of justice; something that Mare-Do-Well thrives on.  Somepony was causing havoc and hurting others, and we felt it was our job to stop her."

Mare-Do-Well tapped her muzzle thoughtfully. "I think I'm with you so far, Princess Twilight.  What is this other level?"

I turned to Mare-Do-Well and gave her a warm smile. "Simply this.  Even if it was friendship that led us into those traps, it was also friendship that got us out of them.  Think about it.  The Wonderbolts saved each other from the exploding cloud, Sapphire Shores and Octavia's concern for one another kept foiling Sojobo's plans, Applejack and Pinkie Pie stood by Sparkler's side and against Dodger Dragonvest's hurtful lies, and it was your display of emotion for your friends that revealed who the impostor was.  Without the magic of friendship, none of us would've pulled through."

There was a brief pause as Mare-Do-Well allowed my words to sink in.  When they did, I could see her eyes sparkle.

"I understand now," she said, nodding contemplatively. "When you get right down to it, Nightmare-Do-Vile's demonstration didn't prove anything at all."

"Well, it did prove one thing," said Rarity, wrinkling her nose. "It proved how twisted and demented her mind was to think of such a plan in the first place."

"Actually, I wouldn't go that far, Rarity," I said, furrowing my brow. "I remember the entire time we fought her, she didn't display much in the way of emotion until her core started to break.  She didn't even enjoy the mind games she played on Mare-Do-Well.  In the end, she was nothing but a machine following the orders of her mistress."

Rainbow Dash snorted. "If that's the case, it's kinda ironic that the pony who gave her those orders ended up being a pawn in the entire scheme."

"Indeed," Mare-Do-Well concurred. "Then again, I'm not that surprised.  Gypsy Moth did put Nightmare-Do-Vile into stasis for a reason, after all."

We all nodded in agreement.  After another pause, Mare-Do-Well slowly got out of bed.

"W-wait a minute," said Fluttershy. "Where are you going?"

"Relax, relax.  I'm not planning on taking off just yet," said Mare-Do-Well as she started putting on her costume. "I just figure that since I've recovered some of my strength, this would be a good time to visit an old friend."

I knew right away whom she was referring to. "You mean Pine Talon?"

Mare-Do-Well snickered. "Right you are, Princess Twilight.  I've learned a lot about friendship from you today, so I think it's best to share it with him.  He could use that knowledge to convince Princess Celestia that he's ready to be reformed."

I smiled. "That's very noble of you, Mare-Do-Well.  I'm sure he'll appreciate that."

"Right," said Mare-Do-Well, placing her hat atop her head. "Well, I'd best be off.  Thank you all again for everything you've done."

"Aw, shucks.  'Tweren't nothin', sugarcube," said Applejack with a tip of her stetson.

"Remember what Twilight said about taking it easy, though," said Fluttershy nervously. "We wouldn't want you to get hurt again."

Mare-Do-Well chuckled. "Don't worry about me, Ms. Fluttershy.  I don't plan on leaving Canterlot until I'm ready to fulfill my purpose once again."

"That's probably for the best, darling," said Rarity. "And do take care of that costume."

"And keep being awesome," Rainbow Dash added.

"Ooh!  And tell your birdie friend we said hello!" Pinkie chimed in.

Mare-Do-Well nodded and tipped her hat. "I shall keep all that in mind.  And of course, I'll know who to go to when I'm in need of repair."

"About that," I said. "I should probably mention that Golden Oak Library is gone.  I have a castle now.  It's pretty hard to miss."

"Um, noted," said Mare-Do-Well. "Well, I'd best be off.  Fare well, my friends."

With that, she tossed up her cape and walked out the door.  Huh.  I do believe this is the first time I've actually seen her leave a room.  Usually, she just vanishes when I'm not looking.  I'm guessing it's either because she's not at full strength, or the fact that she's starting to shed her "mysterious" persona.  If it's the latter, well, good for her.

"There really isn't that much difference between her and a real pony, is there?"

I turned around to see Celestia, Luna, and Kibitz standing before us.  All of my friends bowed, and I had to tell myself not to do the same.

"Well, physically, there are a few differences," I said. "But when you look past the surface, I think you might be right, Celestia."

"Just some food for thought," said Celestia with a shrug. "Also, Kibitz has something to say before you head back to Ponyville."

Kibitz stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Y-your Highness, I-I just wish to say that I understand why you decided to lead this investigation now.  As such, I apologize if I gave you a hard time."

I chuckled. "Don't worry about it.  Just remember that there are times when a princess should be allowed to get her hooves dirty."

"Yes, quite," said Kibitz. "Um, would you and your friends care for anything before you go?"

"I think we're fine, thank you," I said. "C'mon, everypony.  Let's try and make the next train for Ponyville."

"Right behind ya," said Applejack.  With a final farewell to the Royal Pony Sisters, we headed off.

"Hooph~.  I don't mind telling you that this entire ordeal has left me absolutely frazzled," said Rarity. "I'm heading to the spa as soon as we get home."

"Actually, that doesn't sound like a bad idea," said Fluttershy. "Although I'll probably want to check on my animals first.  I haven't seen them in so long.  I hope they're okay."

"Well, I'd love to join you two, but I'm gonna be pretty busy!" Pinkie chirped. "I need to plan a party for those neko guys once they become our friends!"

I raised an eyebrow. "You, do realize that political negotiations like that don't happen overnight, right?"

Pinkie shrugged. "Yeah, so?  Doesn't mean I can't be prepared for when it does happen."

I, guess not.  Then again, there really is no use arguing against Pinkie Pie's logic.  Believe me, I tried.

"Y'know, I might actually drop by the spa, too," said Applejack, cracking her neck. "I'm still pretty sore from walkin' up and down all those mountains."

"I'll join you guys as well," I said. "I could really use something to take the edge off."

We then all stared at Rainbow Dash.  After a pause, she sighed in exasperation.

"Ah, the heck with it.  Guess I'm in, too," she relented. "Just, promise me nopony's gonna touch my hooves, a'ight?"

Rarity chuckled. "It's a deal, darling."

We all then shared a laugh as we left the castle.  After everything was said and done, it really felt like everything was right in the world.  All's well that ends well, I guess.  Then again, I always get this feeling every time I end up saving the day.  I've come to expect it by now.

And with that, our story draws to a close.  On behalf of Captain Spitfire, Octavia Melody, Amethyst "Sparkler" Star, and myself, I thank you for sticking around to listen to our tale.  I'm glad Mare-Do-Well managed to learn a valuable lesson about friendship from this adventure, and I hope you got something out of it, too.  Now, if you'll excuse me, my friends and I have a train to catch.  I'll leave you with this lesson.  No matter how far you fall, you can always count on your friends to catch you.

"Next train to Ponyville!  Allllll aboard~!"

Whoop!  That's us!  Gotta run, seeya!


***
Marehunter
~
End