> Daring Do & The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well: Canterlot Crisis
>  by Canon Fodder
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: The Exchange
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manehatten Industrial Park, 2:46 am, September 19th

Through the non-stop assault of the thunderstorm, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well leaped from rooftop to rooftop across the water-drenched city of Manehatten. Never did she stop for rest except for a brief moment after she'd land on another building. But even then she knew time was of the essence and couldn't let down now. A fight with two stallions she had gotten herself into beforehoof had depleted much of her time and she still had many rooftops to cover. Although for a moment, Mare-Do-Well slowed herself to glance ahead and see her destination in the distance. Squinting her eyes she could just barely make out the words on the billboard through the heavy rain. Decisively, she fastened her violet, wide-brimmed hat on her head and leapt to the next rooftop. Steadily approaching the abandoned warehouse of a former hay-processing company.

Closer and closer, Mare-Do-Well could now plainly see the warehouse was much taller than the roofs she had just been over. She was baffled at the fact that she never noticed it before, but she concluded that the thunderstorm had interfered with her vision. She was now adjacent to the massive storage facility with one thought in mind. "How the hay do I get up there?"

She looked around the left face of the building but couldn't find anything to get her any higher. It was way too high for a mere unicorn to jump. Then suddenly lightning flashed, briefly illuminating the outside wall of the warehouse. To her surprise and relief it revealed a ladder scaling up the side of the brick structure. Quickly she capitalized on her luck and raced up the steps. But her excitement almost got the better of her as one of her hooves slipped on the last step. Mare-Do-Well clung onto the edge of the roof for dear life. With desperation she blindly maneuvered her back legs, looking for the steps of the slippery ladder.

Meanwhile the raindrops continued to sting her back like pin needles and roaring thunder momentarily deafened her every time it clapped. This made her search for the ladder steps a thousand times more difficult. She could feel herself slowly slipping from the edge. Mare-Do-Well winced, struggling to stay on the rooftop. Then with one last effort she felt the side of the ladder with her back leg and slid it around until she finally found a step. Carefully she leaped from the edge to the ladder and finished her dramatic ascent.

She reached over the edge then slowly pulled her back hooves over then rolled over on her side, panting and swallowing hard. But her greatly needed break was interrupted by the illumination of a nearby light. Mare-Do-Well turned her head and slid over on her belly to find a sky roof window overlooking a meeting of several ponies divided into two factions. One with stallions in business suits and the other wearing uniforms from an ocean vessel. The warehouse was nearly empty except for a few crates and supplies stacked in random piles amongst the massive room.

Mare-Do-Well quickly flicked her cape over the other side of her flank and rummaged through her saddlebag for a modified stethoscope. Suddenly her hat lifted from her head revealing her horn. She used her telekinesis to lay down her signature headpiece then placed the two ends of the listening device in her ears. She rubbed a spot on the window dry with her hoof then placed the circular base on it. Slowly she began cranking a knob on the back of it to adjust the sound, then listened in on the conversation.

The first to speak up was a blue earth pony who appeared to lead the group of navy ponies on account of his slightly larger physique than that of a normal stallion. He wore a white crew cut mane and spoke with a common Manehatten city accent. "Were you followed?" He asked firmly, twitching his ears.

The head of the suited group stepped ahead with a gray turtle neck sweater underneath his black tailored jacket, a  rose in his lapel matching his red coat and golden mid-length mane. Mare-Do-Well took notice of his cocky composure and superiority, assisted by a smug grin and sly eyes as he held his horn up high. Finally he spoke and revealed a regal accent of those from Trottingham. "Rusty Anchor you know us better than that. Of course we did. There's nopony in sight. Better question is, do you have our package?"

Anchor turned his head and nodded to one his crew members then returned to the conversation as the addressed pony ran off. "I think you'll be pleased with your result. It took quite a lot to smuggle it into the kingdom. It's the best Moscowlt has to offer."

The regal stallion chuckled as his grin transformed into a smirk. "Let's get down to brass tax then shall we? I am prepared to offer you five million."

Almost on instant Rusty Anchor shook his head laughing as if a joke was told. "You've got to be out of your mind!" he shouted. Meanwhile the pony sent out had returned pushing a flatbed trolley carrying a large crate. Anchor slapped his hoof on it when it arrived. "twelve million."

"Six," his negotiator returned immediately. His smirk had disappeared.

"Twelve."

"Seven."

"Twelve."

"Seven point five."

"Listen," Rusty Anchor said waving his hoof dismissively. "I can't go any lower than what I want. Do you know how hard it is to haggle with those soviets? Not to mention the time and effort it took to get this thing here."

The business ponies' leader rubbed his fetlock down his face and sighed. "Bloody Yanks," he muttered under his breath. "Fine...I'll go as high as ten million bits. Cold hard cash."

Rusty was getting impatient. "C'mon Union Jack, you're killing me here! We're talking about a measly two million bit difference."

"Oh You're the one to talk!" Jack exclaimed. Suddenly a magical field glowed around his horn followed by the rising of a black briefcase behind him, also surrounded by the magic glow. He lowered it to the ground then released it from his telekinetic grip. "Why can't you simply come down to ten instead of me going up to twelve?"

Then Anchor rubbed his fetlock under his chin, pondering. He wanted twelve but Union only wanted to pay ten. "How about we go halfway and say eleven?" He proposed, extending out his hoof. 

Union Jack stood staring at his hoof for a long twenty seconds before making up his mind. He looked at the crate, back at the briefcase, then again at the crate, and finally stopping at the briefcase. He looked Rusty Anchor in the eyes and the left side of his lips curved as he shook the offered hoof. "I've got you there, wise guy." He opened up the briefcase with his telekinesis and began counting the money after he pointed his hoof at the crate for his ponies to take over.

The satisfied Rusty stood beside him and counted the bits that Union had counted to assure there were no shortcomings. When they had reached the desired eleven million they shook hooves once more. "You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Anchor but I'm positive Number One will appreciate your hard wor--"

Suddenly the sky window broke followed by a small metal ball that exploded with smoke when it hit the warehouse floor, instantaneously blinding the seven ponies startled by the assault. Union Jack and Rusty Anchor hit the floor covering their heads with their hooves. They could hear the primal roars and groans follow the sounds of multiple kicks and smacks. Then one by one the two group leaders heard thuds slightly shutter the ground. They both had counted five thuds, and it all happened so quickly that they looked up to find much of the room still secluded in smoke. But among the gray thickness stood a silhouette with a shining blue crest of an 'M' glaring off it's chest.

As the gas cleared, the image became clearer and clearer to the criminals' eyes. They began to rise slowly and continued to stare into the glow of the creature's eyes. Union Jack stood behind Rusty as he growled in anger. "Show yourself!" he shouted, stomping his hoof. His eyes in a psychotic state.

At last the smoke began to vanish and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well stepped forward with a proud smile. "Hope you don't mind me dropping in?"

The hot-tempered Anchor shot forward and tried to jump the persistent, masked pony but was cleverly avoided as she simply sidestepped his brutish jump. Mare-Do-Well jumped on his back and tried to choke the stallion out. But his strength showed itself as he bucked her off his back with ease and picked up a nearby lead pipe in his teeth as she fell. Mare-Do-Well tucked and rolled to safety, coming up only to have the enraged stallion swing at her with the pipe. She dodged three violent swings until she had the opening to counter with a swift uppercut.

Rusty coiled back against the wall and dropped the pipe. He used his fetlock to wipe away the blood from the corner of his lips then noticed Union Jack was escaping out the door, pushing the trolley with him. Then he was abruptly brought back into focus as the purple cloaked mare jumped him and began unloading jabs. One by one those hits rang true and Anchor felt himself fading. But with another sudden burst of energy he lifted the determined hero and propelled her back. Like a cat, she landed on her hooves and prepared for another assault. But Rusty Anchor only began to laugh through his blood and bruises. Mare-Do-Well raised a brow. "What's so funny?"

He began to circle her, slowly making his way to his eleven million. "Looks like you're too late. Union Jack's got away!"

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well laughed back him when she saw that his money was gone. Anchor didn't catch on until he had circled his way around and discovered the briefcase was truly gone. "That damn con-artist! He's got my money!" he hollered loudly. He suddenly disregarded his first prey and set out to mark another one as he ran out of the warehouse distraught.

Mare-Do-Well followed him and they were soon out amidst the cold, windy shower of rain that handicapped their vision. But despite the cooperation of the elements, they both spotted Union Jack's stagecoach escaping in the distance. With some quick thinking,  Anchor led his temporary ally to a nearby wagon. The stallion hurriedly placed the harness around himself while Mare-Do-Well climbed aboard. Then without a moment to lose, Rusty Anchor took off like a bat out of Tartarus. "You ain't getting away with my eleven million you shyster!"

Up ahead, Union Jack looked back and took notice of his two pursuer's gaining on him. With a crack of the ropes he roared down at his four stallions pulling not only him and the coach, but the heavy cargo as well. "If we get caught, it's your asses! Now move!" Jack demanded. Out of fear the stallions obeyed and pushed themselves to gallop harder. 

However, their efforts were soon put to shame as Rusty Anchor sped up to meet them. This gave the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well a chance to jump. "Get me up a little further!" she shouted, positioning herself on the wagon.

"Will do!" the angry stallion replied. Then he pulled up side to side with the stagecoach and locked eyes with Union Jack. But that stare didn't last long as Mare-Do-Well leaped from the wagon and stretched out her forehooves to grab on to the edge of the carriage.

The evasive Jack growled and began scaling across the stagecoach through the violent thunderstorm, clenching his teeth through the rain as he inched closer and closer toward the struggling Mare-Do-Well. She was about to pull the rest of her body over the edge when she received a blow to the head, knocking her back down and hanging by only one hoof. She quickly shook the stars away and began her ascent once again.

Meanwhile, Union Jack could only stand there and snicker as he watched her foolish attempts to climb aboard the stagecoach a second time. When Mare-Do-Well was close to accomplishing her goal again, Union kicked her off for the second time. "I say! Would you get your bloody hooves off my stagecoach!"

Shaking her head once more, Mare-Do-Well carefully reached into her saddlebag with her free hoof and retrieved a small vial of liquid. Without delay she popped open the cork and held the substance in her mouth. Then again, she tried climbing the side of the runaway carrier, coming closer to exhaustion. Mare-Do-Well poked her head up over the edge a third time and attempted to fling her entire body over the side. That's when Union Jack made his approach and readied to knock her off again. But to his utter shock, Mare-Do-Well leaned up and blew the chemical into his eyes. With a painful scream he coiled back and fell into the open compartment of the coach where his massive package lay next to him.

At last the hooded mare pulled herself to safety and gave herself just a few seconds to breath before she jumped down into the stagecoach to meet her adversary. Jack slowly got to his hooves recovering from the pain, but surprisingly retaliated right away with a jab, clipping Mare-Do-Well in the jaw.

Like a wall she absorbed the shot, and grappled with the evasive stallion. The two tried to get their shots in amongst the crowded space, with the large crate taking most of it up. Then Union Jack managed to break free and jump up, grabbing the crate with a hoof and edge of the coach with the other. He propelled his back hooves forward, knocking Mare-Do-Well hard against the rear of the vehicle. This gave him enough time to look up, and his devious smile returned when he could see his airship faintly in the distance. He turned back around and found the mare laying motionless on the ground. He laughed maniacally and climbed back into his driver's seat satisfied with the result.

Mare-Do-Well was stunned. She moaned and rubbed her hoof over the new bump that had recently appeared on her head . It stung the high heavens but she couldn't let that stop now. Equestria was counting on her to prevent the menace from obtaining whatever was in that package. With another painful groan she pulled herself up and carefully crept towards the oblivious Union Jack who was simply concentrating on making it to the open field where his airship stood solemnly through the lightning flashes.

Suddenly the storm gave her an idea. She got ready to make a jump but waited silently for her signal. Then with the clap of the roaring thunder she leapt onto the crate, the sound of her hooves muted by the thundering of the storm. Union kept looking on, not taking his eyes off the road. They were almost there when Mare-Do-Well attacked him from behind, holding him in a choke hold. She flexed his body back, making him pull the reigns harder, causing the ponies up front to look back at the commotion.

Once they noticed their leader was in peril they began going left to right, swaying the coach all about trying to shake Mare-Do-Well off. But it wasn't enough. Finally Union Jack stretched his hooves back and tried to push her away. But her grip was  locked in. He looked around the fray desperately for an escape. The sweat began to pour from his forehead and his face was showing strain. Mare-Do-Well smiled victoriously. Then suddenly an epiphany struck the villain as his eyes went wide and he curved another grin through the rain and perspiration.

A magical glow illuminated his horn and then another around the rose in his lapel. He levitated the flower in front of his attacker's face. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was puzzled with his attempts. But before she could contemplate the situation a strange gas shot from the anthers and went straight into the face of Mare-Do-Well. Sending the uncomfortable substance up through her nostrils, she immediately cringed away from Union Jack.

The red stallion took a breath of relief then jumped back on the crate and mounted the hooded mare, choking her back. Mare-Do-Well quickly gained her composure back and the two began rolling back and forth on the big package, each trying to get the advantage. When Mare-Do-Well was on top, she threw punches. When Jack was on top, he continued a downward choke. Again and again the two ponies fought tirelessly rolling back and forth. But the chain would be broken by a swift buck from Mare-Do-Well, giving her a sturdy hold on top of the struggling and dazed stallion. Then through the loud atmosphere of the storm, she made her words clear and shouted over the thunder. "Who are you working for and what is inside this crate!"

Union Jack winced from the pain and looked at her with cold eyes. He was about to respond when something caught his eyes up ahead. Then he looked back at Mare-Do-Well with a cocky smirk, soon turning into laughter. "I'm sorry my dear! But this is the turning point of your mission!"

A look of worry came about Mare-Do-Well when Union Jack said that. She never knew what it meant until she was jerked to the side from the stagecoach taking a sharp turn around a corner. She fell off the crate and onto the edge of the coach once again. She desperately tried to make it back up but Jack was already there waiting for her, showing off a smug stare down at his defeated enemy. "I don't know who you are or what you are trying to pull...But it is over." With that, Union Jack kicked the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well off the edge and sent her tumbling into the streets of Manehatten while he and his allies darted off for the airship just up ahead.

Mare-Do-Well rolled to a stop moments later, holding her left shoulder in agony. After the grueling sharp pain had passed she stood up and discovered her hat several meters away from where she had rolled to. Upon picking it up, she could notice something shining from the corner of her eye. She turned around and discovered some sort of cufflink that had fallen off of somepony. But taking a closer look at the item, Mare-Do-Well noticed that the cufflink had an image on it as well as initials below that image. It was something that Mare-Do-Well hadn't anticipated and looked back up at the fleeing stagecoach with a suspicious glare. "H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E..."

To be continued 

   



     

 

  



 

     
> Chapter 2: Stratusfear
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

University of Canterlot, 3:28 pm, September 22nd

"So class," Daring addressed excitedly, holding a meter stick in her mouth. "Remember that the ancient Karithians not only worshiped their divine gift, they fought over it as well."

Professor Do walked gracefully towards the chalk board and pointed the meter stick at the drawing of an egg-shaped relic. "An ironic fate I must add. The Daylight Stone symbolized purity and brotherhood among the civilization of Karith. But it had sparked a civil war, bringing out the thugs and inner evil of the desert folk."

A midst the fun she was having delivering her speech, Daring failed to notice the abundance of sleepy or otherwise completely zoned out atmosphere of her students. Some stared aimlessly about the room, some stared at the beautiful sunny sky they were missing out on. But of course there were half a dozen ponies drooling on their desks fast asleep who had fell victim to the over enthusiastic mare's historical lecture. They couldn't wait for the bell to ring. But it was the longest sixty minutes they had ever had to endure. "Only two more minutes," most of them thought.

As Daring went on she seen her classroom door open out of the corner of her eye. It was the Dean. Even though she followed his motion with her eyes, she kept on tune with her speech. "...And so the Emperor sought the only valid solution, to hide the relic inside the pyramids on the outskirts of the kingdom," The Dean finally stopped against the back wall of the classroom, watching her with a grin on his face. "aaaannd it wasn't just any pyramid, it was one of five tombs that housed the remains of the most honored of the Emperor's ancestors. So through an underground tunnel, he fled the kingdom with the Daylight Stone and ran off with his assistants to the pyramids."

Meanwhile the Dean heard the slight snores of a nearby student and nudged him awake then gave Daring an approving nod. The Prof herself giggled through her lecture then decided to clue up to find out what her superior wanted. "For centuries the ponies and camels of Karith, mostly criminals and self-proclaimed masterminds that were known to be 'impure' of heart, tried to scavenge this ancient relic in order to exploit it's diamond exterior, shielding the divinity of the gold yolk inside it. All this was going against what the Daylight Stone stood for. In fact it was said that only those righteous and pure of heart could unmask the mysteries of the pyramids of Karith. And to this day it is still lost, still hidden, still...a mystery."

Right on the end of her lesson rang the bell. Signalling the end of her day's lesson plan and liberating her students from a life-sucking story and muggy classroom. Daring removed her glasses and sat down while she watched the ponies flood for the door. "Remember guys, we are having a quiz on Karith next class so study, study, study. That's means you too, sleepy head." The room was soon empty except for Do and the Dean who approached her desk with the grin still glued to his face. "Good afternoon, Sir! What can I do for you?" She asked happily, still giddy over her story.

The Dean chuckled loudly and padded Daring on the back. "You sure know how to put those kids to sleep, Miss Do." Daring didn't find his statement very amusing and sat staring for his real reason. He stopped laughing when he noticed she never took kindly to the joke. Then he cleared his throat and tried to recover from the awkward moment. "Right. This letter came for you in the University's mailbox this morning." He hoofed her the letter and Daring read the address to find out it was from Princess Celestia herself. "Wow! Princess Celestia? What could she want with me?" Her wings fluttered with curiosity.   

The Dean frowned and shrugged. "Don't know. Open it."

That she did and when she had retrieved the letter, Daring Do unfolded it and placed her glasses back on to read what was written;

Dear Professor Do
You are more than likely wondering why I am contacting you. Well I would have addressed you personally but since I am on very important business in Ponyville, I have to make this letter very brief. This afternoon my nephew, Prince Blueblood will be paying a visit to the University. He has approached me to find him a proper tour guide for he wishes to attend next fall and I could think of nopony better than you, Daring Do. So with my best regards, I hope you and the Prince will have a splendid time.
Sincerely, Princess Celestia 

She looked up from the letter bewildered and rubbed her hoof through her grayscale mane. "Wow...Prince Blueblood taking responsibility for his own life?" She huffed and giggled. "I guess there really is a first time for everything. Do we know what time he'll be arriving?"

Looking at his watch, the Dean pondered and tucked his ears back trying to remember. "Now I think the secretary told me he'd be arriving around four."

"Excellent," she clopped. Daring stood up from her chair and trotted over to her coat rack near the door that held her saddlebag and personal explorer's hat that had it's own history lesson from the marks and scuffs it had. She threw the saddlebags on with ease but took caution with her helmet and dusted it off before placing it on her head. "I'll be in the staff room if anypony needs me."

The Dean was watching her she cleaned off her hat and laughed. "You really care for that helmet of your's don't you?"

"This hat's been with me since my first expedition!" she exclaimed. She took it off again and began inspecting it's damage. "A good luck charm so to speak. It completes me like an old friend." She smiled down at her friend proudly and kissed it then returned it on top of her head. She walked out the door followed by the Dean.

University of Canterlot, 4:02 pm, September 22nd

As Daring waited outside for the Prince in the nippy autumn weather, she thought of what he could possibly be interested in taking. Then another question referring to the Prince popped into her head. "Why didn't he think of going to the School For Gifted Unicorns?" She asked herself with a fetlock under her chin. Although her wonders were soon blown away with a chilling gust of the seasonal wind. Then it had occurred to her that today was the first day of autumn. She smiled to the fact and nodded. "It's going to be a chilly one."

Suddenly by the sound of a majestic bullhorn, Daring Do and others who had been trotting around the campus took notice of the royal stagecoach pulling through the gates. She quickly checked her mane and brushed off her clothes and coat. Then as the coach came to a halt, she stood in front of the door and watched it open as Blueblood and his personal assistant stepped out. Daring Do shook hooves with his escort then bowed to the Prince himself. "Good afternoon, Prince Blueblood. How was the ride through Canterlot?" She asked, hoping for a positive remark.

The Prince gazed around the campus at what he referred to as 'common folk' and sighed at the large brick structure that stood before him. "Well it's not exactly up to my standards but I guess it will have to do, and the ride was fine. Miss?" Daring could just tell this was going to be one long afternoon but she didn't let her regrets show through her painted smile.

"My name is Professor Daring Do. Director of the archaeology division at the University!" she exclaimed proudly raising her brow.

As he flicked his mane back he seemed to ignore her introduction and he and his assistant began trotting ahead. "Let us get going shall we?" The Prince asked in a monotone. His nose almost reaching Cloudsdale. 

"Of course," she laughed uneasily. She ran ahead to lead them toward the set of double doors proceeding into the school and held them open for the Prince and his assistant. After shutting the doors when three ponies made it inside, Daring presented the room proudly with her hoof. "This is school lobby. As you can see around the walls we have had many artists graduate from here that showed how talented they really were. What say you, Prince Blueblood? I think it adds a nice bit livelihood to the room." She hoped her enthusiasm would brighten his mood about the University. But she could tell the look in his snobby eyes were without care.

Daring went on without waiting for an answer and brought them around the room. "To your left is the office. If you need anything at all from here the secretaries will be more than glad to help you...Then right here obviously is a very short hallway. The two doors at the end are simply restrooms, nothing special. Left door is colts, right door is fillies. Now we'll move on and I'll introduce you to some of the classrooms." 

She looked back at the Prince and found him checking his coat for dirt. She knew Blueblood wasn't interested in the place since he first came through the campus gates. She turned back around and let her ears sink as she muttered something under her breath. When they had arrived at their next destination she knocked on the door and turned the handle. They entered classroom and once again held the door open. "This is one of our Geography classrooms. Represented by the abundance of flags and maps about the room." She brushed her fetlock on her chest with a dashing grin. "I spent some of my time here in my school days."

The rotten spoiled brat of a Prince huffed. "Geography? Why I wouldn't be caught dead studying a rock or a tree. Let's get going. There's nothing for me here." He said strutting out the door.

The assistant followed and Do was left letting out a stressful groan when the Prince was out of listening range. "This colt is going to be the end of me..."

University of Canterlot, 5:14 pm, September 22nd

The tour was nearly complete and to Daring's greatly wanted relief, they had arrived at their final stop. Giving up on her positivity she let the end of her hoof droop as she raised it to show the Dean's office door. "Aaand this is the door to the school's Dean, or Headmaster. Which ever you prefer. As long as you're on his good side, you'll have no trouble making friends with him." She knocked on the door and they waited until they heard the approaching clops of hooves reach the other side of the door. It opened and Daring greeted him with a welcoming smile. "Good afternoon Dean White Collar. We've finished the tour...Thank Celestia."

With a brief bow, White Collar trotted over and greeted the Prince. "Ah We are so pleased to have you consider us, Prince Blueblood." Daring Do rolled her eyes. "I hope Professor Do has been of assistance to you."

Blueblood took the statement in and began examining Daring with his eyes. Head to hoof. He eventually nodded and suddenly changed his mood a midst more company. "Why yes. She has made this tour such a splendid time for me. I think I've made up my mind about where I want to be--"

"Ah ah," the Dean interrupted. "I want to hear all about at dinner." He shut his office door then lead the three ponies down the hall. "Come come. I have taken the liberty of having our chefs prepare a wonderful meal."

"Excellent," the two-faced Prince expressed happily. "I am simply famished!"

Daring was disgusted with the Princess's nephew. "I can't believe that colt!" she whispered loudly. Daring stomped off and trailed behind the three stallions to the staff room dining hall downstairs.

University of Canterlot, 5:35 pm, September 22nd

A milk wagon pulled into the gates of the University by a single stallion, soon being stopped by a campus security guard. "Where's the usual milkcolt?" He asked.

"Excuse me?" The milk stallion returned. He was an aquatic green pegasus with a pine-green mane and bright yellow eyes, wearing a blue cap, long white coat and blue striped apron over it. 

The guard rolled his eyes. "Where's the regular stallion?" He asked again this time with a more demanding tone.

The milk stallion nodded and chuckled. "Resigned. I'm the new guy. Name's--" He was cut off by the imposing guard.

"Release yourself from the reigns please. Standard procedure, let's go." Without talking back the stallion complied with his orders and took off the harness. He stepped to the side of the wagon as the guard padded him down from his all the way down to his flank which possessed the cutie-mark of a dark puffy cloud with chain lightning exploding from beneath it.

"Hey watch it, mate!" he laughed as the guard brushed him down. 

Then he was lead back to his reigns and told to move on. "Kitchen entrance around the back."

Meanwhile Daring Do, White Collar, Blueblood and his escort sat at a long dinner table adorn with four bowls of salad, carefully placed silver cutlery, sparkling vintage wine, and crystal wine glasses. Daring was shocked that Collar would go to such lengths just for a Prince like him. "So Prince Blueblood, Sir. Have you made your decision on which of our many fine programs you'd like to take part in yet?" White asked, chewing on a fork full of the salad appetizer.

The royal snob looked at him with admiration and smiled back after levitating a handkerchief from the table to wipe the corners of his lips. "Well though I was particularly impressed with your English department, I found Political Science natural for one such as myself." He turned to his assistant expecting approval. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course, your royalness, Sir." Said the escort, bowing out of humility.

Daring was on the far end of the long table mumbling to herself as the Prince pleased Collar's state of mind. She did love her friend, the Dean, but it was insulting to see such a proud leader humiliate himself to a stallion far less worthy of being called 'Royalty'. "Blueblood doesn't give a damn about this school," she thought. "Just another selfish, naive, self-seeking Canterlot snob..."

"Political Science is a marvelous choice." The Dean replied showing satisfactory. "Our University has raised some of the best in our government today. Even some of those who weren't from this kingdom. You'll be taught in such things as the art of negotiation, debating, pin-pointing key issues, and mostly importantly giving the people what they want. That is the number one rule."

But suddenly his ears twitched and he thought about something before bringing it up. "Although one question alludes me. Why have you chosen here, and not the Princess' School For Gifted Unicorns? Being her Majesty's nephew, I'm sure you would have had an easier pick of the courses. Not to mention a much shorter distance to travel." Do looked up with interest in the question. For how picky he was throughout the tour, she couldn't wait to hear what he had to say.

The Prince took a sip of his beverage then turned to answer his question with a defensive tone. "I am not deaf, Mr. White Collar. I know I have been a subject of ridicule because of my connections and I intend to prove everypony wrong. You're right, being of the royal family I have pretty much every benefit in the entire kingdom. That is why I am taking my responsibilities here. I no longer want to be dependent on my aunt nor anypony else in the royal family. I must do this on my own."

Surprisingly, Daring felt sympathy for the young Prince. It must be awful having to go around and have others insult your integrity and lifestyle simply because of one's family. But her sympathy was limited knowing that Blueblood would have to forget one thing if he wanted to leave his past behind...his ego.

Back outside, the milkcolt parked his wagon next to the kitchen entrance and unfastened the harness once more. He trotted around the back of his cart and retrieved a plastic carrier with three bottles of milk in the slots. He knocked on the door and was greeted by a blue unicorn wearing a white apron. "Ah Yes wonderful. I'm very busy so please come in and lay the milk on the counter. Thank you." The cook sounded like he had his hooves full.

The puzzled milk carrier did so and laid the milk down while he watched the cook preparing some sort of soup. The cook looked back briefly and nodded. "Thank you!"

He tipped his hat and began trotting towards the exit. The cook continued to work on. A slick side smirk curved from the corner of the deliverer's lips and he flung himself around with a rope he retrieved from the pocket in his apron. He acted quickly and attacked the cook, wrapping the rope around his neck. 

"So Prince Blueblood?" Daring inquired before sipping from the crystal glass. "Does this mean you'll be taking up a dorm room here as well?"

Blueblood answered the question between an arrogant laugh. "Oh I don't think so. I do have my principles, Professor Do."

"I figured that. But at least he's trying, I guess." She thought. Then Daring noticed the Dean looking attentively at his watch. "Anything the matter, Sir?"

He nodded with a disappointed frown. "Well it has been almost half an hour and Antoine hasn't even come out with the main course yet. Daring could you run down the hall and find out what is taking that no-good chef of our's so long?"

She finished off what was left in her glass then rose up from her seat. "Sure thing. Please excuse me, Prince Blueblood." She briefly bowed then left the room as Blueblood flicked her away with a hoof.

Do shut the door behind her then breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh Thank Celestia!" she whispered loudly. She raced away from the door to get as far away from the pompous ass as possible. 

Moments later, Daring approached the double doors to the kitchen just down the hall. She proceeded to open them up but found that it was locked. "Strange. Antoine is always in here." She tried fiddling with the knobs but they weren't budging. Her ears twitched and her eyes widened. Something didn't feel right. "Antoine?" She called inside as she knocked.

There was no answer. She tried again. "Antoine are you in there?" When there was still no response did Daring make up her mind to charge down the doors. She trotted across to the other side of the hallway and stomped a hoof. "One, two, three!"

On three she bolted and as she burst through the doors, she heard the thick cacophony crack of a mop handle wedged in the handles of the doors acting as a lock. Do looked around the room worriedly. It wasn't like Antoine to be so secretive. She heard commotion coming from the back door. Then she walked around the corner to find the milkcolt disposing of Antoine's limp body in a deep freezer. The aquatic colored pegasus looked up on instinct and immediately charged at the startled mare.

Daring gasped and leaped out of the way, causing him to tumble into a shelf of pots and pans. As the utensils fell on the staggering pony, Daring Do galloped over to an intercom on the wall and slammed her hoof on the call button. "Come in, base! This is Da--" She was cut off in an instant as the assailant managed to break free of the raining debris and assault her from behind. Do struggled while her hat fell off a midst the chaos. He had his hooves around her stomach, trying to squeeze the life out of her. But the experienced Do laughed in the face of danger and knocked her head back and bashed it into the schnoz of her attacker.

He let go. This allowed Daring a shot in the gut them knocked him across the face. The milk stallion drew back and leaned against a counter, grabbing onto a serrated bread knife in his teeth. Daring went to further pummel the assailant but winced back in surprise as he swung around with the blade targeting the adventuress. He pressed on and wrapped his hooves around her once more and leaned his head in to slice her neck. But Daring pushed her forehooves against the pressure, just barely holding on. He leaned her against the hot stove and also tried shoving her head towards a pot of scolding soup while still wielding the sharp increment.

Daring Do found herself between a rock and hard place. Further and further she could feel the steam of the boiling soup reach her mane while the blade drew closer to her jugular. She was desperate and her hooves began quivering from the pressure of him trying to drive his head in for the kill. Daring looked away for a fraction of a second and smiled when she saw it. As swiftly as possible she held the pegasi's head back with a single hoof and quickly reached over the counter and scooped up some flour in her fetlock, then threw it into the eyes of the attacker.

He dropped the knife and brought up his forehooves to cover his eyes by reflex. Daring used the opportunity to use her backhooves and shoved the pony across the kitchen against a sink. This time Daring would tackle but the attacker came off the powder with ease and threw Daring aside against the edge of the sink gut first. She let out a grunt but sprang her backhooves against the stallion once again, sending him back on the hot stove. He accidentally burned his leg and grabbed onto the pot of soup with both hooves, flinging it at the mare.

She turned around and ducked the onslaught of piping hot pellets with cat-like reflexes. He came at her again, but this time Daring was ready and grabbed onto his hoof as he came down for a chop. She retaliated with a hard kick to the gut which sent him on his flank. He countered again with an uppercut and Daring coiled back and fell into a large crate of potatoes, dazed. She shook off the stars and gained her composure to fight back but looked up only to have an iron skillet smack her in the head, knocking Daring Do out cold.

The assailant dropped the pan and took a deep long breath of relief. He still panted as he rested, and looking around he could see the damage done to the room. Without a moment to lose he walked over to the intercom and pressed on the call button. But this time he impersonated Antoine's voice with near perfection. "Hello? This is Antoine. We have dangerous gas leaks in the main building. Some personnel overcome. Evacuate immediately and send for emergency medical services..."

"Chef Antoine I read you loud and clear," said the voice on the receiving end. "Sending for help now."

Then moments later, an echoing siren was heard over the entire campus and a voice came over the loudspeakers. "Control to all stations. Code 10. Evacuate the main building, this is not a drill! Emergency! Emergency!"

With everything going as the sinister stallion wanted, he picked up the milk carrier in his teeth and made way to the halls. Before he entered, he took a good look down both sides to assure nopony was coming. When he discovered the coast was clear he moved on. He trotted down the way Daring had come, looking side to side each time he passed a door with a window.  

Suddenly a door opened just ahead of him, the pegasus sidled against the wall, waiting. To his regrets it was two security guards. But he smiled cleverly and placed the milk down then picked one bottle up, throwing it at the guards. The milk was not all it seemed to be as it exploded with an overwhelming force next to the guards, propelling them back into whatever room they exited. The milk stallion quickly picked the basket back up and began moving faster down the hall.  

Meanwhile everypony outside the building heard the explosion and a couple windows shattered. But worried for the Prince's well being were the royal guards who were pulling the stage coach. The four of them removed their harnesses as fast as possible and galloped into the building whilst being called to come back from a school official. "You can't go in there! Come back this instant!"

The assailant approached the dining room door then was forced to hide again as the four burly white stallions made their way into the school. "Hey you! Get out here!" one of them shouted. He pressed against the wall again and picked up another bottle of 'milk' and tossed it. It hit the wall and exploded like the one before. Every one of those guard were up against the opposite wall then bounced off, smacking the ground with shocking thuds. The pegasus stood at the door and placed the last explosive in his apron pocket. 

He opened the door and waiting for him was the Dean who gave him a good shot in the mouth. He was knocked back outside into the hallway. White Collar undid his tie and followed him to continue unloading on the stallion. Shot after shot connected as his spit and even a couple teeth flew everywhere. The assailant kept staggering around until he tripped and fell back. White Collar stared down at him. "What's that? You're going to have to speak up, Son. I'm an old colt you know!" the Dean exclaimed proudly.

The pegasus looked up and shook himself into focus then seen the Dean in front of him. He reached into his pocket and searched around. Eventually he grasped the handle of something in his fetlock. He pulled it out with lightning speed and flung the kitchen knife at White Collar as hard as he could. The Dean gripped into a look of surprise and attempted to jump out of the way...but it was too fast. The knife dialed in and pierced the stallion's side. He let out a painful scream and fell rubbing his hoof over the wound as he felt himself getting colder.

He disregarded the Dean's pain and made his way into the dining room. He shut the door and locked it, then stared at the terrified Prince Blueblood and his quivering assistant. The assailant trotted over and revealed a syringe from his pocket. "Get up!"

"Don't kill me!" Blueblood cried shielding his eyes from the fearful scene.

"I said get up!" the pegasus grabbed a hold of them and stood them up against the wall. He held the needle in his wing and had it pointed at the assistant. "Now listen to me or else I'll make it the worse twenty seconds of your life. Move!"

He nudged them to the door and kept them glued to each others' side. They trotted out the door and Blueblood winced at the twitching body of the Dean. "This is horrid! Don't kill me!"

They were led into the evacuated lobby and waited by the window. For what, they didn't know. Except for the pegasus renegade who kept his eyes on the front gates. Then moments later, the three noticed an ambulance wagon being pulled through. Blueblood raised a brow. "Who's that for?"

The assailant smacked the Prince on the back of the head. "You comrade." He fell unconsciously onto the shoulder of his assistant who had the needle pointed at him again. "Help him or I kill you both!"

Then he emptied the remainder of his apron pocket. Retrieving a stethoscope and throwing the last bomb towards the school office. Glass flew everywhere as the windows shattered on the outside of the school. Ponies ran frantic, trying to get away from the radius of the explosions. Meanwhile the assailant threw his apron and hat aside then placed the stethoscope around his neck. Giving him the appearance of a doctor. With that he got behind the Prince's personal escort and budged him. "Move..."

They went out the front door, soon being followed by worried teachers as they seen the Prince being escorted out unconscious. This time the 'Doctor' changed his voice to make him sound more professional and trustworthy. "Now calm down everypony. The Prince is merely experiencing some trauma from the emergency. There is nothing to fear. Please back away and let me do my job. He needs his air." They arrived at the ambulance and paramedics were standing by and took over, leading the woozy Blueblood to lay down on a stretcher. His assistant was still held captive with the needle concealed underneath the pegasi's wing so he could not fink on the criminal unless he would give his life. He had the urge to but was too afraid as he watched the Prince be loaded into the ambulance. Then he felt the tip of the syringe back away as the pegasus moved away from him and jumped into the back of the ambulance. He gave him a wink then shut the door, driving off with the Prince.

The mortified assistant slowly turned away and galloped to find security and tell them what had just occured. Was the Prince heading to a hospital, or had he just been kidnapped?   

To be continued 

 










 


 

 
> Chapter 3: Occupational Rivals
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Cemetery, 8:01pm, September 26th

Daring Do was released from the hospital. She had been diagnosed with a mild concussion days earlier but was now cleared to go free. She still had the bandages around her head and mild bruises over her body which were mostly covered over by her windbreaker and under her helmet. But she never cared about how badly she was beaten up, for it wasn't anything new to the adventuress. All she had on her mind was letting the assailant get the best of her and kidnapping the Prince. Do felt like a failure. "How could I let all of this happen?" She thought, letting her ears sink back as she trotted through the windy cemetery with the sun just beginning to settle behind the horizon overlooking the entire kingdom of Equestia. She gazed at it for the longest time and admired the beauty. It was the first natural thing she had seen in the past four days.

With the sun beginning to scorch her eyes, she looked away and let them fall on a sight just at the end of a walkway. A new grave. Daring took a deep breath and started walking towards it. But as she slowly approached the tombstone, she passed the ones along the same row and noticed each of them with the exact same time of death 'September 22nd'. Six ponies had passed away, including the one she was about sit across from on an old frail bench. She took off her saddlebags and laid them aside, then achingly lowered herself onto the bench. Daring reached down for one of her bags and opened it up to retrieve a bouquet of white roses. But before she could lay them down, the adventuress began to collect tears in her eyes and let her head fall into her hooves as she broke down in front of the grave reading 'Here lies Dr. White Collar. University Headmaster, Son, Father, Husband, Mentor...and Friend. Beloved husband of October Sky. February 24th, 2296 - September 22nd, 2352'.

To Daring, the Dean was like a father. He had been there for since her first day at the University. They shared laughs, cries, conversations, views, and even arguments but they still managed to find the best in one another. She cried her heart out before she could muster the strength to say something. "I never meant for this to happen. You know I tried my best." Daring Do wiped away some of her tears and looked at the flowers. "I-I-I picked these up for you about an hour ago. I'm sorry I missed the funeral yesterday but the stupid hospital wouldn't let me out until today."

Daring stood up and took a few steps to the lay down the white roses then fell back into her seat and snuffed. "I stopped in to see your wife after I left the hospital. I wanted to see how she was doing before  I made my way down here. She says she misses you. Well, we all do. But...I guess there's nothing we can do about that now." She reached into the other pocket of her saddlebag and pulled out a handkerchief, then blew her nose into it, wiping her tears away with a corner. "I remember my first day at the University. Just another filly fresh out of high school." She chuckled weakly.

She blew her nose again and smiled through her tears. "I must say my first impression of you wasn't a good one. I figured you were just another stuck-up University Stiff but you weren't. You welcomed everypony with open hooves. You never showed stress, even in front of the Prince you showed no signs of being intimidated whatsoever. It still boggles me how you've managed to do it." Then she went back to her bag once more and took out an envelope to lay beside his grave. "A few of us from the staff decided to each write a farewell letter to you. They're all in that envelope there so whenever you're ready you can read what's inside." 

Daring's heart pounded and she tried to swallow the thick lump in her throat. "You were more than a teacher to me, Mr. White Collar..." Her voice cracked and Do continued sobbing. "You were a dear friend, and I'm sorry for letting you and everypony down."

Her breaths convulsed through her cries and she couldn't think of anything else to say. Her usual peppy, lively and outgoing personality had been crushed by grief, sorrowful feelings. She finally let her head droop down and allowed the tears to trickle onto the stone slab walkway. 

Soon she picked herself up and readied to leave. Daring was too hurt to stay. "I'm sorry, I just can't do this right now. I'll be back, I promise." Then she threw her saddlebags over her flank and paced quickly away from Collar's tombstone, still crying. Her overwhelming guilt made her unable to stay there any longer.

She had galloped all the way to the gates until she blindly ran into something that had the sturdiness of a wall. Daring rubbed her head and looked up, standing there were two of Celestia's royal guards staring down at her. One of them offered to help her up. "Are you Daring Do?" The other asked strongly.

Do nodded slowly and took the guards hoof. She rubbed her hoof over her nose, trying not to let the guards see her tears. "Why yes, I am. The one and only!" she announced gleefully, cleverly hiding her grief.

The guard reached into his saddlebag and passed Daring a letter. "Princess Celestia has requested that you come to the palace at once. She and the Captain of the Royal Guard wish to meet with you." They stepped aside to reveal their chariot behind them. "Her Majesty has even offered her personal carriage as transportation."

"Really?" Daring was left in astonishment. First a recommendation as a tour guide and now a meeting with her and the Captain of the Royal Guard. She was puzzled and somewhat nervous. "But why me?"

"Everything will be revealed at the meeting, Miss Do." He answered positively. They began to lead her to the gilded carrier. "Please get in." 

Unknown Location (Canterlot), 8:16pm, September 26th

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well opened her cybernetic doors to her room, then closed them behind when she crossed through. She looked around the dark room and took off her hat, then threw it over a nearby hat rack. She approached her a desk with some perplexing software on it and opened her saddlebag to lay a folder down. She moved on and made her way to another door. 

The mare walked through and entered a small, dimly red lit room with various photos clipped to a hanging line. She shut the door and placed her bags down. Standing in front of a photo, Mare-Do-Well took off her hood momentarily to examine it. She lit a magical aura around her horn and levitated the photo down and took a closer inspection of what appeared to be a rooftop shot looking down at a griffon, three suited stallions and the cunning Union Jack just getting off of an airship in Canterlot.

She pondered and let her haunches drop to the floor to concentrate. She wondered who the griffon was. He looked middle-aged and wore a pair of glasses. His suit was hard to pick out from the quality of the photo but Mare-Do-Well guessed it was some sort of occupational specialty. He also had a baton tucked underneath his ruffled wing. But the unicorn shrugged and clipped the photo back up on the line.

She lowered the hood over her face again and stepped into the other room where this time she made sure to turn on the lights, revealing her entire lair. A wall of gadgets, a high powered computer, tonnes of digital equipment for deciphering audio files, translating texts, etc. Her floor was carpet but the walls and ceiling were all chrome. 

Mare-Do-Well illuminated her horn and aimed her magic down at a remote on the desk that sat in the center of the large lair. She levitated it to herself and still held it in the magical bind as she pressed a button with her hoof. This caused a section of her wall to rotate, uncovering a large screen. She pressed another button and the screen projected a green line which Mare-Do-Well began talking to. "Computer, have you finished the DNA testing on that cufflink I found?"

The green line on the screen flickered as the machine replied to her question. "Affirmative," it said. The computer's voice was monotone and had no fluency in it's words. "I've made my conclusion, and the identity of this Equine is known as Union Jack." The mare continued to stare at the screen as a photo of Union popped up.

"That's great, Computer." She said sternly. "I already know his name. What can you tell me about him?" She pressed another button and full screened the image.

The computer took a minute to process the question on creating loud noises from the motherboard. "Union Jack. Birthplace: Trottingham. Age: 32. Tribe: Unicorn. Criminal Record: None. Occupation: Business (Company President)."

The answers confused the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well and she put a fetlock to her chin to think. "Hmmm No criminal record? A president? Quite interesting, Computer." Realization hit Mare-Do-Well. She laid the remote back down on her desk and lowered her flank into the rotating chair behind it. She reached down to open one of the desk drawers and hauled out a stack of paper and a fresh quill. "Now we're getting somewhere! Who's president is he?" She demanded as she laid the paper down and gripped the quill in her magic, ready to write.

As the computer browsed it's files for answers, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well took down of what she already knew. "Let's see. Trottingham...Likes roses, 32 years old, red coat, gold mane, never arrested aaaaand a president. You got that file booted up?" She asked impatiently.

"Affirmative," it stated. The machine projected images of two different buildings but with the same massive logo on the front. The background showed a large rainbow while the foreground of the logo depicted a white shield. It was similar to a coat of arms with four sectors. A tornado, a snowflake, a lightning bolt, and the sun. Each side of the shield had a pegasus posed symmetrically. "Union Jack is the president of the company known as Spectrum Inc. This company was started recently, five years ago. Their primary task involved transmitting information from one branch to the other."

Mare-Do-Well held the paper still as her quill went mad writing down every little detail. "Uh Huh, good. Where are these two branches located and what kind of information are we talking about?"

"The ground branch is located in the industrial end of Canterlot. Spectrum is a company where 80% of its staff is made up of geographic analysts, who act as their agents. These agents are distributed all across Equestria where ever the weather pegasi are present. These ponies study the geographical conditions of a specific vicinity and file reports back to their headquarters in Canterlot which are soon mailed to their Cloudsdale branch. These reports may contain various bits of data such as drought conditions, soil tests, air pressure, pollution, wind speeds, topography, population of ponies, and anything else that could be applicable to the weather. After an agent's information has been read and processed up in Cloudsdale, it is summarized on a requisition form with numerous other reports filed by agents in other communities. This entire reading and summarizing process is done by those agents who are stationed at the headquarters until their next assignment. But the entity that controls and signs the forms is the Head GISA Agent, which stands for Geographic Information System Analyst Agent. He or she is hoofpicked by president Union Jack and is responsible for delivering the requisition form to the Weather Factory. From there, the weather pegasi process the suitable weather that will fit the conditions of the areas they will be covering. The Weather Factory accounts for 60% of Spectrum's profit, while 40% comes from the government to pay their operating expenses. As a means to gather secondary funds however, the company also manufactures weather equipment such as barometers, windsocks, rain gauges, anemometers, and weather balloons just to name a few...Has this answered your question, Mare-Do-Well?"

She nodded slowly while she finished taking the notes. "In full detail, yes. So we got a station here in Canterlot and an HQ up in Cloudsdale? Sounds good. But since I can't fly, I guess I'll just have to investigate the Canterlot branch for now." She stretched her forehooves behind her head and leaned back comfortably. But then she figured something she hadn't noticed until just then. "A weather based company...and H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E? We really are getting somewhere."

Canterlot Castle, 9:00pm, September 26th

As Daring Do walked through the castle, she couldn't help notice the heightened amount of security since the attack. Guards doubled around every corner, every hallway, and even on the stairwells. She was being escorted by the two guards that she had met with at the cemetery. They lead her to a large set of double doors being protected by not the usual two but four spear guards to ensure safety at it's highest. The standing guards allowed Daring to pass after they done a quick check over of her. "Standard procedure," said the guard. "We cannot risk anymore safety to the royal family."

They opened the doors and Daring walked through. When the doors shut behind her, she gazed ahead and saw the Princess's silhouette standing in front of the fireplace at the end of the long dinner table. She also notice another, more regular sized pony next to her. "Come in, my child." She said with a welcoming voice. "We have much to discuss."

"It truly is an honor, your Majesty." The adventuress greeted as she traveled down to the other end of the table. She bowed in front of the Princess then reached over the table to shake hooves with the Captain. "I'm Daring Do."

He was white unicorn with a deep blue mane and lighter streaks among it. His cutie mark adorned a dark blue shield with a pink-purple six-pointed star in the middle and three light blue stars above it. "Pleasure to meet you! I'm Shining Armor. Your Majesty, shall we begin?"

"Of course." Celestia nodded, allowing her subject to sit down before she did. She illuminated her horn and gripped a cup of tea in it's magical field, levitating it up to her lips for a sip. Then her eyes shifted over to Daring Do who appeared to sit normally, but underneath the table, her hooves were quaking. "First of all, I'd like to send my sincerest condolences to the families of Professor White Collar and the other victims...I can't believe it. Six lost, two in critical condition, and my nephew, kidnapped."

Daring's head sank into shame. "It is quite a mess. I'm sorry for letting this happen, Princess."

"You have done nothing, my child." Celestia assured strongly. "Nopony knew what was going to happen that day."

She shook her head in protest. "You don't understand, Princess Celestia. I was responsible for protecting the Prince inside that school. It was my personal duty and I failed to accomplish it...Let's just say it struck my pride."

Shining Armor was listening from across the table and he knocked on the table, dismissing her situation. "Miss Do--"

Daring Do cut him off. "You can call me Daring."

He grinned and continued. "Alright, Daring. After the kidnapping, Prince Blueblood's personal assistant gave us a description of what the criminal looked like, and we have the identity."

"Really?" Do inquired, utterly impressed. "That was fast! Who is he?"

Armor lifted his placemat and slid the document over to Daring who snatched it immediately. She flicked it open and there was the photo of the same aquamarine pegasus that kidnapped the Prince. Although the expression on her face was somewhat confused on why the outlined border of the photo said 'Property of the Royal Guard'. She looked up at Shining Armor. "He was a member of the Guard?"

Shining Armor bobbed his head and proceeded to explain. "This pegasi's name is Nimble Stratus. A Cloudsdale local, born to fight. When he was just a colt, his parents had enrolled him in martial arts classes. He took to it very quickly, climbing to the top of the ranks. Then as the years went by and he got more and more comfortable with fighting, Stratus eventually earned his black belt and began part taking in national competitions. But to his surprise, he never got his fame like he had hoped for. Although he did manage to win a small hoof-full."

"Interesting...So I'm guessing that he moved onto the Royal Guard shortly after?" Daring asked.

The Captain nodded again. "Yup. Since he couldn't wow the ponies at martial arts, he figured he'd sign up for the Guard. In fact, me and him enlisted on the same day. Eight years ago, we were Privates in training. I gotta say it took me some time to adjust to the constant hours of training but Nimble did it like it was nothing. He was absolutely astonishing to watch run the obstacle course. The other trainee's were even making bets with the Drill Sergeant on how fast he could complete it. He sure was a great athlete. I gotta say even I was jealous of him. Obviously he was promoted later on and was awarded his armor and Royal Guard duties. He was given position as a tower watch. That didn't go over to well with him but from what I seen he just accepted it."

Daring stared at the photograph for a long time, scanning the face of the pony that took the Dean from them. Nimble even had on a sly grin that made her scowl. Then something caught her eye on the next page when she turned over. "Wait, it says here that he was discharged on a dishonorable misconduct and arrested for conspiracy?"

"Correct," Armor answered with disgust. "About five months into his job, Stratus and his partner decided to pull off some sort of a robbery he'd been planning three months prior. You see, the tower he watching was the vault of the Royal Family. Holding many ancient documents and declarations that were centuries old, but that wasn't what Nimble and his accomplice was going for. The vault also contained the Equestrian tax bits. Billions upon billions stored in a well kept vault. Very few were acknowledged to run it. Only the Princess and about three other ponies that were hoofpicked by her were allowed admittance. It was pretty much one of the highest honors. But anyway, he had been watching these ponies go in and out every Friday afternoon to make deposits, and according to witnesses, Stratus had planned to incapacitate his fellow guards and assault the ponies when they opened the vault."

"Well how far did he get with it?" She asked laughing. "I mean that's an amateur if I ever saw one. He can't even make a good criminal!"

Shining Armor laughed as well. "Good one. Turns out his whole plan was foiled even before it began. Turns out his partner was having second thoughts about the operation and turned himself in before he could do so. So after the Captain of the Royal Guard at the time was brought in along with Princess Celestia here..."

Celestia raised her hoof to finish the rest. "Knowing he had no where to run, he confessed and then out of anger, struck his fellow guard who had finked on him. From there, I expelled him from the Royal Guard and ordered him to be brought to be court-martialed...But to our surprise, he disappeared the night before his trial." She levitated her cup once more and finished off what was left in her cup. "Finally we may be able to find some closure. We have a lead."

Daring Do shook her head. She didn't understand. "Already?"

Armor cut back in. "Yeah. A few nights ago, our headquarters in Manehatten had a visit from a very unexpected guest. Are you familiar with the name, Rusty Anchor?"

"Rusty Anchor?" She repeated slowly. "The notorious international smuggler pony? I heard the Royal Guard has been trying to find him for years. In fact I remember myself once coming into contact with him. I was in search of a rare artifact at the time and he had been chasing me for part of it...Did he have a white mane, blue coat and very muscular?"

"The same," Shining grinned. "We don't know how, but he was found tied up outside the front gates of the HQ. They brought him in for questioning and it turns out he had made a big deal before he was caught. We may not have been able to find him all these years but we were keeping track of the funds being subtracted from his various bank accounts. Apparently he spent six million bits on a single package before he was caught. The highest amount he had ever spent. He couldn't reveal the syndicate he was working for but we did manage to get a couple names out of him."

Finally, Daring had come to the conclusion that she wasn't there for questioning. She was there another reason. "Your Majesty, why have you summoned me?"

"Daring," she answered sternly. "We need your help. I have called upon you to find out what exactly is going on."

"But why me?" She asked again, puzzled even more than when she arrived. "I'm more experienced around archaeology myself. Not law and order."

The Captain's turquoise eyes lit up with confidence. "Because you are no stranger to danger, Miss Do. Also I think you'll consider helping us when you find out who one of the two suspects are."

Daring sat back in her chair then gave him a nod. "Go on."

"Our first suspect's name is Union Jack. A unicorn from Trottingham. But according to our records, he has never done or committed to anything that would jeopardize his credibility."

"I've never heard of the name."

Shining counted on that response and huffed. "Well maybe you've heard of this one...Are you familiar with the griffon known as Giovanni D'Angelo?" 

Suddenly the adventuress felt like everything around froze in time. She slowly leaned forward and rested her hoof on the table, raising her brow with a noticeably wide grin. "Giovanni? As in the archaeologist, Giovanni?"

"The very same."

Do gave the Captain a slight chuckle then showcased her infamous smile that always went over so well with her adversaries over the years, including him. "Yeah I know him, and he knows me. When it comes to our professions, he's my nemesis. If not, THE nemesis. I last encountered him on my third previous expedition, in search of the lost scrolls of Ariladus. He put up a good chase but that bird brain had too much of an ego to tussle with me. He's always hated me since then. I actually can't wait to see him again...It's been too long. What's he planning this time?" Her smile grew wider when she pictured the griffon's disgruntlement in her head. It forced her to laugh.

At last Shining Armor rose from his seat and walked around to the chuckling mare. "We're not a hundred percent sure but if we get any where with Union Jack, Giovanni should fall right into place." He stood beside her with his head up high and offered his hoof. Daring halted her amusement and stared at him. Then when she knew what it meant, the pegasus stood up and shook with the Captain. He grinned back proudly. "Welcome aboard."

"I'm honored to be aboard." She thanked. "It'll feel good to save Equestria once again."

Then Princess Celestia took her stance and walked up to Daring. With her horn, she tilted her head and placed it on her right shoulder, then her left. "Good luck, my little pony. Your act of courage will not go unnoticed, I assure you."

"I won't let you down, Princess." She declared. "I never back down with the smell of adventure in the air."

To be continued



  



 


 






 
> Chapter 4: Every Rose Has Its Thorns
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Spectrum Incorporated: Canterlot Headquarters, 11:43 am, September 27th

Daring felt her blood pumping as she walked through the bright lobby of the Spectrum headquarters. Even though nopony knew she was working as an informant for the Royal Guard, she herself always had a thing for adventure and adrenaline. But it was her responsibility not to give away anything that could blow her cover. She had chosen to wear her olive-green pocketed shirt she had worn on so many occasions. Then to complete the look Daring had on her aged pith-helmet. It may had been through a life time bumps and bruises, but Daring still felt pride adorning it.

Trotting up to the front desk of the lobby, Daring noticed almost every pony she passed was a stallion. Being a pegasus herself, she knew working with weather was normally half and half of mares and stallions. But she shrugged it off when she concluded that this was one of the few weather career opportunities unicorns and earth ponies could participate in. "I guess there were just more stallions interested in the job." She thought.

She rang the bell on the counter when she arrived. Then one of the two secretaries greeted the archaeologist with a curious eyebrow raised. "Good morning, welcome to Spectrum Incorporated. How can I help you?"

"Good morning," she smiled back. "I'm looking to talk business and I was hoping to speak with Mr. Jack."

The secretary glanced up at the clock and shook her head. "I'm terribly sorry, but Union will be taking his lunch break momentarily and he doesn't like to be interrupted at this time. Can I reschedule you for another time? Maybe I could set you up with our vice president?"

Daring sighed. "No, that's fine. I'll just wait for Mr. Jack, then. Are you sure there's no way I can speak with him now?"

"I'm sure." She said, shaking her head again. "But I can schedule you for a meeting tomorrow, perhaps?"

"Nonsense!" shouted an echoing voice. Daring Do turned around and took immediate notice of the red coated unicorn approaching her. His suit looked tailored and he wore a rose in his lapel. But standing out to Daring beyond his gold mane and charming exterior, was an eye patch wrapped over his left eye. The two shook hooves and the stallion followed it up with a humble laugh. "Good morning, Miss. I am Union Jack, president of this up and coming company. Did I hear you right? You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes!" Do smiled. "I am here conducting a study for the University of Canterlot. I am Professor Daring Do, filling in for our usual school journalist. We're doing a segment in our school newspaper on the weather in Equestria and we thought this would be a good starting point."

Union nodded enthusiastically with an eager smile that Daring questioned over the suspicious eye patch. "But of course! If there's anything I take no greater pleasure in doing, it's helping out a school."

"Excellent." She beamed. "Then let us get started shall we?"

"Come this way, my dear." Union offered. He lead Daring down one of the many branching corridors.

"Well this was easy." Daring thought. Not even two minutes into her investigation and she had already made contact with her first suspect. As they walked, Daring tried to make petty conversation with the dashing unicorn. "So, your accent. Manechester?"

"Trottingham." He replied. "Lived there until I was about nineteen, then came here to Canterlot with a scholarship to attend Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns."

"You must've been quite the egghead." Daring joked, sporting a grin.

Union Jack laughed back with his own grin. "If you're implying that I was one of the bookworms and brainiacs then yes. Graduated with honors at that! Hard work and study pay off in time."

"I suppose you're right, Mr. Jack." She chuckled. "How long have you been working with Spectrum?"

He pondered for a moment before answering, bringing a fetlock to his chin. "Now that's a good question, my dear. I mean I know I've been here since we've began but I was actually working with the owners months before we were established. So I say a good six years." 

"Well I guess the pay must be good."

He glanced back at her with an eyebrow raised proudly. "Does six figures a year sound good? But I am not an egocentric pony as one may think. I donate thousands to charities all over Equestria, because I know the value of hard work and having to help somepony else on the side."

Daring was impressed with his generosity, suddenly having doubts about Shining Armor's suspicious. "This pony is charming, sweet, considerate, no wonder why his record was clean." She thought. But putting personal feelings aside, she finally questioned his eye patch. "Not to be rude, but do you mind me asking how you got that eye patch?"

"Not at all." He replied, coming to a stop in front of a set of double doors. Union Jack looked at her, assuring that she got full perspective of the accessory. "Occupational hazard. Happened while I was doing some field work. But getting back on the subject at hoof, welcome to our cubicles."

Union Jack flung the doors open and lead Daring inside to the maze-like atmosphere of the office room. The cubicles themselves were just barely short enough to look over and again, most of the employees were stallions. Jack went along and guided her through the room, and Daring began taking down notes, holding the notebook on her wing and using her mouth to write with the quill. "Each scientist here at Spectrum gets their own cubicle to conduct their research. But formally, we refer to them as agents, not scientists. They work eight to five, every weekday. And when they're not out in the field, they're here, analyzing their reports for me to stamp and sign."

"Quite interesting." Daring acknowledged, slipping the words through her teeth as she held the quill. "And what do your actually agents do out in the field?"

"An excellent question, Miss Do. Our league of highly trained scholars are sent all over Equestria to test the condition of the land, so to speak. The geographic analysts test the richness of the soil, humidity, inspect population size, measure average climate temperature, drought conditions, study the overall landscape, and pretty much any other viable information we can use in the reports. What are the reports for, you may ask? Well, after the agent has written their summary and sent the document to me, I read the report, stamp the Spectrum logo in the top corner, sign off my name on the bottom, and then pass along the dossier to our primary headquarters in Cloudsdale."

"Cloudsdale? What happens up there?" The acquisitive pegasus asked.

"Each and every one of these reports goes through a team of reviewers then is finalized and approved by our head GISA Agent. Then he or she is responsible for delivering the documents to the Weather Factory where the chief factory supervisor is informed by the report to deliver what ever specified weather suggestion is determined on the report for the area of subject. But in shorter terms of all this mumbo-jumbo, reports are conducted, they are signed and reviewed, then they are sent as requisition forms to the Weather Factory. And if I may, Spectrum has been quite successful and has improved the functions of the weather in Equestria for the last five years." 

Daring Do nodded through the entire tour of the office, making it seem like she was taking notes for the school. But really, she was taking note of Union's character and the company itself. Something told her inside that the population size of the agents seemed a little large for something like this. But she looked up from her paper and noticed they had left the room and entered into a much, much louder and larger room. "Where are we now?" She asked, shouting through the abundance of machinery at work.

"This is our manufacturing department!" he answered. He took Daring down the assembly line and stopped at a conveyor belt where ponies stood inspecting the product for imperfections. "We have our machines programmed and run by our tech ponies in the upper level of this room. Down here, however, we have our stallions looking for any signs of mistakes, misprints or any malfeasance."

The puzzled mare picked one of the funny dials and placed it in her hoof. "What is this?"

"It is a barometer, my dear! If you look across the room you can see we have several different weather components that any family in Equestria can purchase and use with ease. But of course we do carry and pack instructions with all of our products. It may not bring as many funds into the business as our main tasks do, but they have gained popularity among those who are not as educated in the weather. Makes it easier for ponies to understand meteorology...How is that report of your's coming?"

"It coming along great!" Daring smiled. "I think the students will really love it."

Union Jack chuckled. "That's wonderful. It's comforting to know that the kids today are so in tune with the real world." 

Now Daring Do was convinced he wasn't hiding anything. "This guy has been nothing but courteous and kind ever since I got here." She thought. "Maybe I'll stick along just a little bit longer. But I don't see what's wrong with him."

Spectrum Incorporated: Canterlot Headquarters, 12:12 pm, September 27th

Later, lost in her thoughts, the adventuress discovered she was now trotting down a hallway. Jack had lead her out of the nuisance of deafening machinery and into the upper levels of the building where she found herself in the silent atmosphere of the corridors with nothing more than the sound of the air exchange. "So now where're we going?" Daring questioned.

The red unicorn held his answer until they had arrived at the door stationed at the end of the lengthy walk. "This is my office. In there I some very useful information for your little research paper." He opened the door and allowed her to walk through before closing it himself.

The room was magnificent. A blue carpet with white walls and ruby drapes to contrast the floor. There was a bookshelf and a desk, both made of oak with what looked like a vinyl finish coated over their surface. Daring was astonished, it was the best of the best of offices. On either side of the wall where the door stood, were two portraits of the princesses, Celestia and Luna. Then turning around to the wall behind the desk, Daring found the large Spectrum logo carved in the wall with fine detail. "Wow This room is just..."

"Amazing?" He inquired, flaunting a side smirk.

The adventuress huffed. "No. Expensive!"

Union Jack laughed at her sentiment. "Yes, yes, it did cost quite a few bites but who says a pony can't have it all?"

"Obviously not you." She grinned widely. 

The charming Union made his way over to the bookshelf and illuminated his horn to levitate a green hardcover textbook from the top shelf. He made his way over to his desk and sat the book down in front of him. He lowered himself in the seat then used his magic to swivel the chair in front of his desk towards Daring. "Please, Miss Do. Do take a seat."

She rolled her eyes. "Like I haven't heard that one before." But she complied. Daring tucked her quill in the notebook, the notebook in her wing, then sat down in the chair, turning to face Union who had began looking through the heavy book. Looking around his desk, she could conclude that Union Jack was no average worker. He was loaded rich. The edge of his desk was lined with gold and a wine chalice next to him was made of real crystal. There was the state of the art computer system at his side. To Daring, it looked like it was the top of the line. But what really threw her off was his insane fascination with roses. They were everywhere in his office. Some were in a vase on the corner of the desk, another vase in the corner of the room on a white pedestal, the last vase adjacent to the room door and finally the last flower in his lapel. "Hey if you don't mind me asking, what's with all the roses?" The archaeologist asked in amazement.

He looked up from his book with a keen smirk. "Oh You mean all these? Well my mother was a florist and I wasn't allowed in her shop very often when I was just a colt. But every night when she got home from work, she always gave me one red rose." He lit the magical aura around his horn and embraced another around one of the roses in the vase on the desk. He brought it to his nose and wafted it, sighing with satisfaction. "They're wonderful. The petals, ever so delicately placed perfectly around the next. The thorns, sharp they may be, may act as a threat but placed there to protect the everlasting beauty from being harmed by other forces of nature. Then the aroma, so sweet, so soothing, so sensuous. I absolutely love roses."

"You should have been a poet. That was beautiful to hear." She remarked smiling. It occurred to her that such a kind-hearted stallion had nothing to hide. She stood, knowing that she could wipe the possibility of him being involved with the kidnapping away from her mind. "Well Mr. Jack, I think I've seen enough. I do thank you for your generous tour, but I really must get back to the University. I hope you'll consider visiting the school. We'd love to have you come speak to the students."

Union stood up as well and returned the rose to the vase. He trotted around his desk to take Daring's hoof and kiss it. Another bit of that Trottingham charm. "You're quite welcome, my dear. But before you should go, would you care to have a drink? I have all the fine wines from all over Equestria. I insist that you have one glass with me."

She pondered it for a moment. She knew she shouldn't mix work with pleasure but what could possibly go wrong? Daring was confident that this stallion was no bad news. "Well if you're offering, I don't see why not."

"Sit down, please." Union held her seat out for her then walked over to the wine cabinet perched on his wall. He reached in the very back, probably in search for the most aged. After blowing the dust off of his selected bottle, Jack wrapped one wine glass in a magical bind from the top of the cabinet and carried the bottle over to the oak desk in his teeth. As he lowered the glass in front of Daring, he held the bottle with his hooves and pulled the cork off using his teeth which reacted with a vibrant pop. He levitated the opened wine above and poured the cherry colored bubbly to the brim of her glass. He did the same with his chalice.

Finally he sat back down and placed the bottle on the desk to the side and raised his chalice with his magic. "Here's to education and adventure!"

"I'll drink to that!" the adventuress agreed happily, draining the contents of the glass and slamming it on the desk. Although she felt slightly embarrassed when she found Union Jack had only taken a sip. She blushed and smiled sheepishly but the unicorn simply laughed.

"You're quite the excitable one, Miss Do. That's something Giovanni failed to tell me about you." He said, returning the grail to it's spot on the table.

Daring Do grinned with a sense of pride. "Well I don't like to brag but archaeology ain't all dust and bones-" 

Then it struck her and Daring stared back at the stallion whom once wore a welcoming smile, now bore a cunning one. "What...did you just say? Did you say, Giovanni?"

He never said anything, only continued to stare her down. His sole eye suddenly looked cold and ruthless, but that wasn't the only thing getting cold. Daring was feeling strange. She checked her forehead and discovered that she had developed a break of sweat. As the seconds rolled on, her breathing was getting heavier and whatever had happened had hit her so fast. Then her eyes fell on the empty glass before her. Feared for what it really was, Daring took to a quick flight across the desk and grabbed Union Jack by his collar. "What did you do?!"

But her words were still met with the constant curve of the unicorns lips. Then suddenly she felt her vision becoming blurred and time getting slower. Her wing power slowed and the sandstone pegasus collapsed on the desk, soon rolling over and further falling onto the floor. The last image she seen was the office door opening, and an aquatic-green blur crossing it's threshold.


Several hours later...


When the pegasus woke, she discovered that she was sitting up, yet sluggishly leaning over her chair. Her neck and back were killing her. The uncomfortable position Daring Do was in had kinked her neck. It was almost as if she had fallen twenty feet and she proceeded in cracking her joints in several places before taking in her surroundings. She looked to her left and seen Celestia's sun taking it's last couple hours over the western horizon, it was gleaming upon her sandstone coat and warmed her cold hooves. Her fixation on her Majesty's golden star was suddenly broke as she heard something flat plop onto the surface of the oak desk in front of her. It was her notebook, and Union Jack sitting behind it still sporting a grin. He sighed. "Bloody yank...Why good evening, Miss Daring Do. I hope you're not disgruntled for what I done."

Daring groaned and rolled her eyes. "Oh Of course not. It only put me at risk for partial nerve damage. On top of which I was put into this awkward position that my back and neck totally agree on."

"I'm afraid sarcasm won't get you very far." He snickered. "What you must understand is that we have to interrogate you."

"We?" She answered skeptically.

She heard hoofsteps from behind. Then Daring craned her to see a green pegasus walk up and stand next to Union Jack. As she studied his appearance, it became clear to her. It was the same green pegasus that took the life of the Dean. Her heart turned to stone and she locked eyes with the brute. "Nimble Stratus, I presume?"

"A funny turn of events isn't it? There I was just sitting in my desk when I get a message on my computer from my head of security informing me that Daring Do was spotted nearing the facility. After all, you were the only survivor from the raid. And knowing of your tenacious lifestyle, it was only a matter of time before you'd come after me and my administration. So I met you at the front desk and snagged you right into my hooves."

It was fascinating her that she could have been so foolish as to believe his convincing exterior. It wasn't like her to be so weak but the stallion just seemed so innocent. In her thoughts, she regrettably admitted she was wrong. "I guess every rose has it's thorns."

"Call it what you want, my dear." he replied. Stratus remained silent and allowed Jack to continue. He lit his horn a red glow and brought the notebook to him with his telekinesis. "Now back to the matter at hoof. Your little weather report here has a few interesting points in it. It's quite descriptive too. But I'm afraid I cannot let you file this report."

He tossed the book from his grip and the burly pegasus caught it with a hoof. Union acknowledged him. "Destroy it, No. 9."

"Number 9?" The adventuress repeated.

Union Jack disregarded her inquiring tone. "Who are you working for? The Royal Guard?"

The adventuress sat back and remained silent, refusing to answer the question. Union Jack nodded his head at Stratus. The aggressive stallion walked over to Daring and struck the mare across the face. Her head cocked to the side and she shot a resentful glare back at him. Union inquired further. "Speak up darling, I can't hear you. I'll ask again, who are you working for?"

Again, Daring kept to herself which triggered the unicorn to chuckle. "You wish to test me?" Nimble smacked her a second time, although this reaction met with a side smirk from the mare. "I shall not ask you a fourth time, who do you work for?"

This time it was Daring Do's turn to laugh. She shook her head. "You're wasting your time, Jack. The Royal Guard knows that I am here and if I don't report, they'll retaliate."

"So it is the Royal Guard," he smiled. He went on. "But not without reason, Miss Do. First they will send somepony to investigate, then they'll ask to speak with me. But if I open my doors and let them take notes, they will see no reason to arrest me. That is what you've come to do, aren't I correct? That is exactly why you have come and you were taken in by my innocence. These are the benefits of having a clean record and good reputation. You can manipulate the world at the tips of your hooves, and if anypony should try to talk, I have the finances to assure that they do not." 

"Not necessarily, Union. Also, what do you do if they don't accept the bribe?" Daring returned. Her tone becoming more hostile.

The red stallion pointed at Nimble Stratus. "Then we do it the hard way, just like the Prince did!"

Daring's eyes open wide. "So you've killed him!" she exclaimed.

"Oh Don't be so melodramatic, my dear. We are simply holding him in cold storage. That was the original plan but No. 1 sought that extortion was a more rewarding factor."

"Extortion? Blackmail." For the first time, the adventuress felt sorry for the Prince. Kidnapped by thugs and held for ransom in exchange for his life. "How much?"

Her answer was found not by Union Jack or even Stratus, but instead the gruff stern voice of foreign dialect. "Five-hundred million bits will suffice..."

Daring turned her head toward the voice behind her but she didn't have to see the figure without already recognizing his accent. The owner of the voice came into view. He was a griffon. No doubt middle-aged and wearing glasses and a blue beret that matched his sapphire ascot tucked neatly inside his tan-colored pocketed coat that draped down his back and fell loosely at his rear. He stood proudly next to the desk and stared down his old nemesis. Daring took a heavy breath then acknowledged his name. "Dr. Giovanni D'Angelo..."

"Professor Daring Do," he grinned. "How long has it been? Two? Three years?"

"Eleven months." She returned with a suddenly perky grin of her own. "Our eyes met at the Archaeologist Convention in Coltorado. But I didn't want to rain on your parade that I was a much better archaeologist, so I stayed clear out of the way. I figured I'd give you a break just one time."

Her words were quickly followed by a thin baton being drawn from Giovanni's wing. He held it at her chin and huffed. "I see you haven't lost fine mental edge of yours. But don't get any foolish notions, we both know who the real archaeologist is."

"You really don't want me to answer that, do you?" Daring chuckled, almost feeling the compelled to insult the griffon any further.

D'Angelo pulled his baton away and merely snapped his claws, signalling Nimble to deliver another shot, this time driving the air out of her as he shot her a blow to the stomach. Her grin was wiped clean from her face, Daring heaved and tried to catch her breath. "And I see you are still getting others to do your dirty work." She replied hoarsely.

"Well being in second command of a dominating organization has it's benefits." He answered, parading around the office and staring out into the west where the sun was setting.

She scoffed at him. "I find it hard to believe that Spectrum is a dominating organization. It's nothing more than a third party to the weather factories in Cloudsdale."

Giovanni turned around slowly, perplexed over her statement. "Spectrum? No. 4 have you told her yet?"

"I was just about to get to it, No. 2." Union answered.

Now Daring was completely lost. She had no idea why she was being restrained, no idea what they wanted the 500 million bit for, no clue to where the Prince was, and now in wonder of what syndicate these three were a part of. "Would somepony care to tell me what I'm missing out on? What do these numbers mean?"

Union Jack turned to Daring and answered her question in a serious tone. "They are ranks, Daring Do."

"Ranks?"

He nodded. "Yes, ranks. You see, we three are specialized superiors of a much higher authority...An authority that we believe extends higher than the Royal Guard-"

The adventuress expressed a humorous laughed which caught the rose-coated unicorn off guard. "Something funny?"

"Yeah. You make it sound like you're part of a mafia or something."

Union returned her laugh with a brief chuckle of his own. "That's a cute assumption but I am being quite truthful. What the Royal Guard doesn't take care of, we do"

"So you're telling me you're anarchists?"

"Not exactly anarchy specifically, my dear. But it is part of our job description. We represent the four cornerstones of effective power. Metaphorically we consider ourselves an administration that carries itself through the winds, circling around the land like a progressive storm that will eventually succeed in it's goal of smothering the land in a total overcast of domination."

"Sort of like a hurricane." Daring Do replied.

Union smiled at her answer, them being the exact words he was expecting to hear. "Correct, Miss Do. A hurricane. That is the precise answer, for we represent the Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism, and Extortion...H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E."

Daring was impressed with what progress they had made but found it a little far-fetched. "Cool. How long did it take to come up a name like that?"

Giovanni the griffon was getting annoyed with her attitude. "You laugh now but in a matter of days, the face of Canterlot will be changed forever. Do you have any idea how foolish you sound in this position?"

"Do you have any idea how ridiculous your entire scheme is?" She snapped back. "Princess Celestia won't come anywhere near to five-hundred million. And even if they do pay the ransom, it only takes one measly mistake for somepony to blow the whistle. Do you honestly think everypony in this hierarchy of your's is going to keep their mouths shut? Extortion of this caliber will only lead to more criminals wanting a bigger slice of the pie. Eventually your empire will crumble and implode on top of itself."

Daring's words only brought on a keen smirk from the griffon, indicating that he wasn't buying her warning. "That is why we have included 'Nationalism' in our name. You see in short-term, it is the extreme devotion of one's belief or nation. In this case it is a belief. We believe in control. We believe in the extermination of corruption. We believe in fate and destiny, which ever term you prefer. And finally, we believe in an ordered society. With this tool that is 'Nationalism', I and many of the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. agents have been able to recruit unrecognized visionaries, lost ponies, struggling business owners, and even griffons in the same situation."

"Ah I see," Daring nodded affirmatively, retorting with another sarcastic tone. "You mean the scum, scoundrels, and slime-bags of society."

Giovanni scoffed at her sentiment. "It's a shame you won't live long enough to see the genesis of our new era. A new time has come-"

His passionate statement was abruptly interrupted by a burst of laughter the adventuress failed to hold back. "Would you listen to yourself, Giovanni? You think you are some sort of philosopher but in reality, you're nothing more than I am; an archaeologist. So why don't you just drop the act and talk serious?"

The feathers on D'Angelo's back were standing on end. He had had enough. The half-lion half-bird creature lurched forward and wrapped one of his talons around the mare's neck, on the verge of choking the helpless archaeologist to death. "What is it about me that compels you take me as a joke? I did not spend twelve years of my life studying just to be talked down to a second-rate, no class, obnoxious, sorry excuse for an archaeologist. What makes you so much better than me?" He released his grip and shoved her back at her seat before turning to the burly pegasus next to him. "Stand aside..."

"Not enough air for your ego?" Daring Do said, agitating her adversary to no end. 

Nimble Stratus went back to his place next to Union as Giovanni began to circle his nemesis. He pretty much gave off a radiant aura of pure resentment towards Daring Do. But despite his fighting feeling to put an end to the mare, he swallowed his anger and looked at her with passive eyes. "I will only ask you this one time, so please take some thought into choosing your words for once...Being the head of Nationalism, I have the duty of recruitment and it just so happens that there will be an opening very soon. I am offering you a seat in H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. . For once we could work side by side. I can let everything that has happened between us go, if and only if you take this offer."

At this point, Daring let her head hang over her seat. She thought of all the times she was stuck in this kind of predicament. An airhead shooting his mouth off, strapped to a seat, tortured for information, and still working her never back down attitude. She sighed and lifted her head, facing back at the griffon. Of course she had to refuse. "Are you joking? D'Angelo, you know me better than anypony and you know for a fact you'd be the last I'd ever join...I wouldn't let myself succumb to such a disgraceful group so you're just going to have to deal with it."

The psychotic griffon gripped the hilt of his baton and placed his other talon around it's small shaft, pulling away from himself and slowly unsheathing a small blade from the detaching hilt. "Then we have nothing more to discuss. Good evening, Daring D-"

With tremendous force, the massive window shattered inward and the propelled everything in the shock wave's path the opposing way. Union Jack and Daring were shoved down in their chairs while the standing Stratus and Giovanni hit the wall like rag dolls. Smoke filled the now devastated room, and several small fires had started. All four, ponies and griffon, were shaken from the blast and coughed up the dust along with any other uninviting molecular objects. Shards of glass, dozens of papers, books that flew off the bookcase, and many roses now littered the filthy carpet. The majestic office had been demolished in a matter of seconds. 

The livid Union Jack was the first to react, wiping the dirt from his remaining eye and scanning the room for an intruder. "Dammit! My blooming office! Show your bloody self! You ever hear of a door, you gormless wench?"

The unicorn stood, quickly recognizing the shadow in the smoke that formed into the figure of a mare wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a cape draping down it's body. It's eyes and iconic crest illuminated through the smoke. The unicorn cringed. "No...Not again."

"Union, Union, Union," it said in a humored tone, revealing the voice of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. "We really do have to stop meeting like this."

But before he could retort, Mare-Do-Well shot through the smoke and met the well-groomed stallion with a leaping kick, knocking him back against the wall. Knowing her time was limited, she scampered over the dazed Daring and lifted her right-side up again. Mare-Do-Well slapped the adventuress and shook by the shoulders lightly enough to knock the stars away. "We don't have much time. Can you fight?"

Her vision was blurry and her total state of mind hadn't yet returned to the sandstone pegasus. "W-w-what?"

"Can you fight!" she yelled. This time sending an auditory shock through Daring's head.

"Yes, yes, I can!" Daring scowled. Before she knew it, the archaeologist was freed as the ropes drooped to the legs of the chair. She got to her hooves and shook the remaining stars away before acknowledging her savior. "Thank you, who ever you are."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well cracked a wide grin and took her stance before Union, Giovanni, and Nimble Stratus who were beginning to stir. "You can thank me when we're out of here."

All three of the anarchists eventually made it back into a standing position after a long struggle to get up. The explosion had knocked the living daylights out of them and they were still very groggy. The vindictive unicorn came into focus again and pointed out the caped crusader. "Get her! She's the mare that tried to intercept the package in Manehatten!"

Then in a simultaneous motion they began moving towards the mares. Without hesitation, Mare-Do-Well made her move, diving for Jack while Daring Do was still puzzled with entire affair. Just a minute ago she was tied to a chair, about to be killed. Now, she was in the fight of her life, something of which that hadn't happened since her last journey. But that thought didn't stop her. The adventuress sported a grin of her own and took flight, spreading her forehooves out and spearing into the guts of D'Angelo and the brawny pegasus mercenary.

The angered unicorn caught Mare-Do-Well, both landing on the floor. It was round two. They went back and forth exchanging blows but Union's faulty eye put him at a disadvantage. They rolled over several times before the stallion launched her off with his back legs.

Meanwhile Daring was having complete control despite her handicap. If one tried to get up, she'd kick him back down and vice versa. But the cycle never lasted long. Nimble broke the chain and kicked the back of her legs as he was down, forcing her on her haunches. She expected an attack from Giovanni but was surprised to discover him fleeing the office from the corner of her view, distracting her long enough for the other pegasus to take her from behind, restraining her in a full nelson. He stood solid and expressed his excessive strength, lifting her above his shoulders in the painful lock.

The agile Mare-Do-Well landed on her hooves, just noticing that her newly acquired ally was in trouble. It only took her a second to project her next move when she seen Union Jack charging at her. In one swift motion she leaped into the air and double jumped off the head of Union. Travelling through the air with one of her backhooves forward, she connected with Nimble's right shoulder, breaking his grip on Daring and knocking him back down.

Lighting the magical aura around his horn, the rose-red unicorn grasped a large shard of broke glass and ran towards Daring Do. She looked back at the sound of galloping hooves and caught herself in a grapple with Union who had returned to the fight trying to shove the shank into her neck, but Daring made an effort to push his head away, weakening the push on his magic.

The anonymous hero stepped towards a seemingly unconscious Nimble Stratus but was met with his backhoof kicking her in the jaw. Then with martial art expertise, he sprang up and continued his onslaught with a falling dropkick which Mare-Do-Well was struck by when she tried to get back up. Dazed and confused, she wasn't all there to counter when Stratus lifted her up from the ground and locked her in a tight bear hug.

Daring Do however, was still trapped in her grapple frenzy with Union Jack. But pushing each other back and forth became tiresome to the archaeologist and she shook things up with a kick to his lower torso, forcibly driving some of the air out of the cocky unicorn. Then Daring finished her combo with a fast uppercut. This once again gave her the advantage as she pinned the stallion to the surface of his desk, trying to paralyze his now flailing hooves in which he was attempting to strike the mare in anyway. Little did Do know that he had dropped the glass and lit a new magical bind around the rose in his lapel. With her anticipation riding low, Union Jack held the rose in her face and used his telekinesis to pinch the middle of the flower, activating its anthers to spray a nerve gas up through the nose and into the eyes of Daring. Almost instantaneously, she repelled and fell to the floor clenching her face in distraught. With the tables turned once more, Jack threw her a devious side smirk.

As hard as she could, Mare-Do-Well smacked her into Stratus' back but the muscular pegasus endured her shots like wall. And the harder she hit, the tighter his hug became. She could feel her ribs compress and her back cracked, forcing her to let out a painful yelp. She had to do something now. Using much of her strength she pushed her upper body away, creating a small enough gap between them for her to take a shot. She clobbered him five times but they never even made him blink, even his pine mane appeared to be absorbing the jabs. Her time was thinning as her breaths were getting more rapid by the second. But then suddenly something very clear struck the mind of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. In fact she was momentarily dumbfounded by it. Her backhooves were free to move as they pleased, and Nimble was a stallion after all. With a hoarse tone, she apologize in advance. "I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this. It goes against everything I believe in honorable combat, but..."

The green pegasus looked puzzled, not knowing what she meant. With a winded up kick, she drove her left backhoof between the stallion's legs, striking an unbelievably high amount of pain that spiked his strength and allowed Mare-Do-Well the opening for escape. She slithered away from his clutches as he held his forehooves very close to his lower body, grovelling in agony. Feeling nothing but the up most sorrow for the suffering stallion, she gladly did him a favor. Lifting the hat from her head, she lit her horn and lifted the opened bottle of wine from the table. She turned away from him to sip it. "Mmmm. A Manehatten classic. Le plaisir d'orange: Numéro Cinq. Maybe I'm wrong. Who ever drinks a fine wine like this can't be all bad." She smirked, spinning around and smashing the bottle over Stratus' head, knocking him out cold. 

She replaced her violet wide-brimmed hat over her horn and turned around to face Union Jack on the other side of the room, who held Daring by the neck, the end of his rose positioned over her jugular, a hardly visible spike protruding from it. "Don't come any closer! Who do you think you are and why do you keep barging in on affairs that are none of your concern?" 

"You're right there." She admitted. "This really shouldn't be a problem of mine but when the Royal Guard is too idiotic to listen to reason, I take matters into my own hooves. And to answer the 'who are you' question, it's very simple. But I don't think you'll be around long enough to find out."

"What are you babbling about?" He inquired, merely being answered by the mare below him, striking him with another fierce jab as he was distracted. He dropped the rose and Daring Do finished the job, whipping the dizzy stallion to her partner who returned the gesture with a final buck, giving him a short amount of air time before he landed before the desk and smacked the back of his head off it, ruining the desk's perfectly vinyl finish.

Finally able to catch her breath, Daring fell against the wall, sliding down to rest while she watched her mysterious liberator dump out almost every piece of paper within the desk drawers and filing cabinet in the corner of the room. "You're not tired?" She asked. But when she received no answer, Daring examined her head and noticed that a certain something was missing. Worried, she stood up and started scavenging the tattered room. "Where's my helmet?"

Oddly enough, Mare-Do-Well had an answer to that as she uncovered it from underneath an abundance of papers. "Here." She said, tossing it over. Falling silent again, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was visibly becoming discouraged. She ripped through the files as fast as she could, knowing that security would no doubt arrive. "It's gotta be here. It's the only logical answer."

"Would you answer my questions and tell me what you are doing?" The adventuress asked, wiping off her pith-helmet and returning it on top of her head. "I'd like to be filled in on a little bit of information if that's not too much to ask for."

Suddenly the hooded mare's ears twitched. She brought her head up from the ocean of documents and listened carefully. There was galloping coming from the hallway just outside the door. Wasting no time, Mare-Do-Well fetched one of the random folders and quickly hid it in her hat before nudging Daring Do towards the window. "Come on. There's more of them coming."

The pegasus mare was frustrated with Mare-Do-Well's secretive plan, now wondering to Celestia of all the ponies that could've rescued her, why did it have to be the oddest and most mysterious one of them all. "Watch it! What are you doing? You can't fly, you got none of these." She emphasized her sentiment with the flap of her wings. But the caped crusader simply laughed it off and stood at the edge of the window, facing the outside on her haunches. She spread out her forehooves like a bird would span it's wings just before it dove. Do stared at her in disbelief, shaking her head. "You're not..."

"If you want to get out of here alive, I suggest you follow me." And with that she leaned forward and nose dived from the seven-story building.

In shock, Daring rushed to the edge, expecting the worse until she seen something that a pony would never expect. Mare-Do-Well's cape detached itself and two artificial violet wings burst open from underneath it, spreading out and allowing the hooded mare to glide her way to safety. "Down this way!" somepony shouted. But it wasn't no pony. Daring Do recognized Giovanni's deep voice. With no time to lose she dove out the window as well, catching up and gliding along side the mysterious one as she readied her hooves for landing. Daring landed with ease but being that her ally was using pony-made wings, they couldn't exactly tuck themselves in for easy descent.

Mare-Do-Well used the length of the lot in front of the Spectrum building as a runway, coming ever so close to the gate until she finally got her hooves at a controlling motion. Still unable to stop though, she turned away from the fence so she would not injure herself. After finally coming to a halt, she detached the wings from her back and gestured her hoof to the front gate at Daring. "Hurry up! My coach is just down the road!"

The adventuress galloped as fast as she could. She went to follow the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well who had already went around the gate. Daring took a glance at the window billowing smoke and couldn't help but smile. Once again she had cheated death, defeated her foes, and laughed in the face of adversity. "Another day, another dun- I mean...Office? No that don't work-"

"Hey! Are you coming or not?" Mare-Do-Well shouted up ahead.

The archaeologist complied, taking a quick pace in her hooves. When she rounded the corner of Spectrum's brick fencing, Do was relieved to see a stagecoach but became puzzled when she approached it and seen no ponies at the front. "Hey how are we going to get out of here whe-"

The door to the carrier flew open and Mare-Do-Well pulled her inside. Without giving her a chance to retort, she shut the door and rushed to the front of the vehicle, plopping down in the swiveling armchair in front of an entire control board which bewildered Daring beyond belief. The mare sat at the high-tech desk flicking multiple switches and flicking on four other monitors that appeared to be cameras outside the coach itself. Then there was one final monitor in the center that she turned on, revealing the green line that voiced her computer system. Daring tried to take in her amazing surroundings and sat at the very back of the coach where it was just a normal, low-tech, plush seat stagecoach. All she could hear was the numerous beeps and blips coming from the confusing machinery that Mare-Do-Well continued to fiddle with. Eventually she began talking to it. "Computer, take me home!"

The computer replied. "Processing 'home'...Processing complete. Speed verification?" At this point Daring gave up trying to fight it. There was something about this mare that she had to know. The over dramatic entrance, experienced combat, spy-like instincts, surprising gadgets, and now this state-of-the-art stagecoach that only a very rich Equestrian could afford.

"Speed six, Computer! Get us out of here!" Mare-Do-Well ordered. After a few more beeps and a deep humming and rumbling coming from the front of the computer's hard drive, the carrier jolted forward and Daring almost fell out of her seat as they accelerated at a fast rate. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well looked at the rear-view monitor and watched the Spectrum building get smaller and smaller. They had escaped and could finally take a breather. 

The sides were switched. Mare-Do-Well insisted on resting but and it was now Daring who decided to become the persistent one. "Can you tell me what just happened? Who are you? What were you doing here? Who do you work for? And more importantly, where are you taking me?"

"Relax," the anonymous mare said, dismissively waving a hoof. "All your questions will be answered soon enough."

Daring Do sighed while rolling her eyes. "Well can you at least introduce yourself?"

The mare turned around in her chair and removed her violet hat, placing it on the rack next to the door, then continued around to face her unanticipated guest of honor. "Gladly. First I'll tell you that I wasn't lying when I said I step in when the Guard doesn't listen to reason. I'm a watcher over this entire land. I monitor the kingdom to put it in shorter terms. I try to ensure the safety of everypony in this city as well for the rest of Equestria. I will not reveal my real name to you but you can refer to me as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well which I have been known as to others who have witnessed me."

"So you're a superhero? That's a little foalish isn't it? I think you've been reading too many comic books" Daring mused, cracking a witty side grin.

The hooded mare chuckled with her. "I wouldn't call myself a superhero exactly. That's something that foals would say. No, I like to consider myself a crusader, a bodyguard for Equestria, a-"

"A vigilante?" Daring interrupted.

"No, a guardian." Mare-Do-Well returned swiftly. "Vigilante makes my line of work sound harsh. Guardian suits it more positively, don't you think?"

The adventuress merely shrugged, stretching out on the long comfy seat as she shut her eyes. "Call it whatever you want. I'll just stick to archaeology."

"You call this, archaeology? Just sit back and enjoy the ride, Daring Do." Mare-Do-Well laughed, turning back to her computer. "We'll discuss what needs to be discussed at my place."

Daring nodded, yawning with her forehooves folded behind her head. At least they were out of there. She didn't know this Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was, but she did save her life and she had to trust her...for now. But then something Mare-Do-Well said made her open her eyes, and she sat back up for a second to acknowledge it. "How did you know my name?"

That cracked yet another amused laugh from the hooded mare. "I know quite a lot about you as of late. Where you were born, your age, your occupation, and even your closest friends and enemies. But don't let that creep you out. It's all for the investigation. When I heard you were the only survivor following the Prince Blueblood kidnapping, I just had to learn more about you...Like I said, I monitor the entire kingdom."

To be continued



 

 



     


     





  



  

 


















  









  

 
> Chapter 5: The Mysterious Life of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well / Expense of Failure
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot City Streets, 9:01pm, September 27th

It had been a long drive from one side of Canterlot to the other, but the normally excitable Daring hadn't complained about it. She felt overwhelmingly relieved to relax after such a striking event. She rubbed a hoof across her forehead, still drying the beads of sweat that hadn't stopped for the past hour. The adrenaline and curiosity still ran through the archaeologist's mind. But with all the questions she had, Mare-Do-Well intended on remaining silent throughout the entire trip. Being an archaeologist however, she was relatively patient when it came to waiting for details, but when she knew the information was right there in front of her, she tended to lose that patience a midst the anxiety. Daring was practically on the edge of her seat and couldn't wait to discuss their stories. One of which being how and why the mysterious mare knew her.

She sat up in her seat and stretched, getting up from a peaceful rest. Then Daring Do stood up and stretched her legs, trotting over to where the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was fiddling with her computer. She leaned her head over the mare's shoulder and inquired about the interesting piece of machinery. "So just what do all of these flicks, buttons and switches do?"

"You don't need to worry about it." She chuckled. "Sometimes I have trouble remembering them myself. It's not as complicated as you may think. Like these five switches on the wall turn on my monitors, the main knobs on my dashboard control my audio input and output to communicate with my computer. Then there are the rest that perform miscellaneous tasks such as manual control, lighting, listening to music, air conditioning...But I won't go into detail with that one. My A/C's been overheating the system as of late. If only I could find time to fix it all."

Daring found this all very interesting. She hadn't seen a stagecoach like this ever before. If not for all the advanced equipment, it would just be another run-of-the-mill stagecoach. If she thought Union Jack's office was expensive, then this wasn't very far off. She guessed that Mare-Do-Well was probably some top agent hired by the Royal Guard, but that thought contradicted to what the hooded crusader said a short while back. Just who was this Mysterious Mare-Do-Well? Her attire was the spitting image a foal could see in his or her favorite comic book, and she had this witty personality that Do found she could relate herself to. It was almost as if Daring Do was looking at herself in a different light.

"What did they want from you, anyway?" Mare-Do-Well asked suddenly.

The question caught Daring off guard, she was too enticed with her curiosity to understand the query. "What?"

"I said, what did they want from you?"

"Oh," Do muttered, making her way back to her seat. "They wanted to know who I was working for and why I was there. You see I was sent there by the Royal Guard to collect some information on Spectrum and their president, Union Jack."

"Hmmm, fascinating." Said Mare-Do-Well. "But why would the Guard select you when they have many more, and if I may, highly trained soldiers to choose from?"

Daring merely shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure but I think it has something to with me knowing this griffon friend of mine." She paused for a moment, chuckling through her thoughts. "I'm talking about Dr. Giovanni D'Angelo. He has the official doctorate in archaeology, but I think that feather head would've done better in politics."

Mare-Do-Well cracked a smile at her. "Something funny I'm missing out on?"

"Just some old memories me and him have had over the years. He never did like me, and in all honesty I don't like him either. But I do enjoy pushing his buttons." Daring reflected.

With that response, the mare up front broke into another hearty laugh. "And looks like those buttons you were pushing almost got you killed! But you got guts, kid. I'll give you that. You shouldn't be so reckless with your life."

"So I've been told...Time, and time again." Daring sighed, staring out the window at Luna's florescent and spectacular moon. She took in it's divinity, it's beauty and domineering aura of blue that lit up the autumn night sky and the rest of Canterlot City with it. Suddenly she felt more relaxed than ever before. It was funny. Do was reminded of her lonely nights out on various expeditions. Whether it was a jungle, a desert, a tundra or even a desolate mountain cave, the adventuress always found the moon to be a reward in it's own right. After an entire day of challenging endeavors, Daring Do found no greater pleasure than staring into the night sky. The trillions of twinkling stars, the seldom yet breathtaking comets, the wind flowing through her greyscale mane, and of course the moon itself. Absolute harmony. She didn't know why, but it was as if the moon was the only thing in the world that brought Daring the sole shard of solace in her life. If there was anytime she needed this moment, it was now. The death of her friend, kidnapping of the Prince, reuniting with her arch-nemesis, and now a criminal organization that has chaos, atrocity, nationalism and extortion written all over it. Quite literally.

"So why was this Giovanni so important to the Royal Guard?" Mare-Do-Well inquired further. Again, it caught the archaeologist off-guard and dragged her back into conversation.

She drew her eyes away from the window and brought a fetlock to her chin, trying to think of a reason why. Eventually she couldn't. "I really don't know. But he claims to be second in command of this silly little group called the Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism and Extortion." Daring chuckled. "I really do wonder how long it took D'Angelo to come up with that one."

She dragged on her laugh for several seconds until she realized the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well wasn't laughing with her. In fact she seen the mare's expression shift from witty to worried. It was puzzling. "Anything the matter?" Daring asked.

"...So it is H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.," Mare-Do-Well said quietly, turning around in her chair and ignoring the pegasi's query. With another flick of a switch, the mare activated her computer. "Bring up file: Cufflink."

"Affirmative, Mare-Do-Well." It replied.

Daring stood and strolled up front once more, trying to figure out her hostess' new motive. "Mare-Do-Well, what's going on? Was it something I said?"

The hooded mare nodded, still watching the central monitor. "As a matter of fact, yes it was. H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., a group that I feared to be behind all this."

"Well what's so bad about them?" Do shrugged. "I've never heard of the group."

Before her elaboration, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well stood up and remembered the folder she stored in her hat right before their escape. As she lifted the hat off the rack, she began. "87 years ago, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. was founded by a stallion from Manehatten known as High Roller, a notorious criminal and head of the Manehatten Mustangs, one of the biggest crime organizations ever to arise. Well at least until H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. was formed. For years, the Mustangs controlled much of the various casinos and hotels in Manehatten. It seemed like they were unstoppable. If another gang tried to step in, Roller and his thugs would stomp them out. If somepony betrayed him, he'd slit their throats. He was nopony to fool around with. Of course there was an origin of his dominance. The Great Manehatten Bank Heist. I'm sure you've heard of that."

"Well, duh." Daring retorted. Then it was like a light bulb had clicked on. She remembered who the criminal was. "Everypony was taught about that. Yeah, High Roller and his gang made away with over 100 million bits without a trace of evidence."

"Correct!" Mare-Do-Well nodded, returning to her seat and laying the stolen document across the control board. "The overnight bank robbery that left many businesses forever damaged. Forcing hundreds of economic plummets all over the city, allowing High Roller to buy out the failing major companies and become an unstoppable monopoly up until his death."

The archaeologist rubbed a hoof through her mane wondering. "Then why did he start this group when, first of all, he already lead a powerful syndicate, and second, already had control of the entire business world of Manehatten?"

"Because he was just that power hungry." Mare-Do-Well simply said. "When you give a megalomaniac like High Roller the power to purchase anything he wants, it's only natural that he'll want to keep building his empire...Thus, the creation of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.. Roller was well into his later sixties when he sought no suitable individual successor to take on his economic empire after he was gone, and it wasn't until he suffered a heart attack that he decided to make it the top priority on his bucket list to leave his mark on the world as The crime leader. So he devised a plan. One that would shock the entire Kingdom of Equestria. High Roller sold off all but one of his businesses in Manehatten, leaving him with a sole casino and more money than what he started with. Some called it the fall of an empire at the time. But others, including me, believed it was the rise of a threat that would engulf the entire country into anarchy."

Daring Do was taking mental notes on the mare's stance. Her hooves were shivering and she could notice beads of sweat collecting through her mask. It was the first time the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well showed any sort of intimidation since they first encountered one another. "Is this syndicate really that bad?"

"Undeniably." The hooded mare assured. "Using his millions, High Roller employed assassins, henchmen, various criminals of all sorts, and lastly, corrupt business executives that thought exactly like he did. Then along with that casino as a legitimate facade, Roller was the master mind of an entire league of cretins, thieves, and terrorists. But this wasn't enough. High Roller wanted to make this a super syndicate, which he referred to it as. Selecting from a vast amount of criminals, he had chosen twelve ponies, including himself, to run it together. A board of directors, sort of. But it wasn't exactly a board of directors. The twelve were given numerical positions, No. 1 to No. 12. Obviously High Roller named himself Number 1, indicating that he was in control of the operations surrounding the business, in and outside the law. Then eventually they had to come up with a name for their group. A title that demonstrated the four cornerstones of the criminal minds. After a vote of hooves, the league of super villains were titled the Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism and Extortion. In short terms, they would simply refer to each other as Hurricane Agents...I guess the reason behind why I am worried about this group is because the last thing we need is a repeat of the Baltimare Balti-Scare."

The name alone gave Daring a chill down her spine that crept through every nerve, and her magenta eyes lit up with wonder as to what spectacle could've happened in Baltimare. She was amazed with how much she had missed out on in terms of Equestrian history. Despite having knowledge of dozens of other cultures and their history, Daring felt kind of silly not knowing the moments in her own culture's history. Without waiting for her to ask, Mare-Do-Well continued to elaborate. "Anyways if you don't know, the Baltimare Balti-Scare was lead by Hurricane Agent No. 3, Foul Play. His intentions? To let the entire land know that they were present. Taking claim for their actions, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. assaulted the City Hall, ultimately killing 39 ponies and 2 griffons. But that was only the icing on the cake. Hurricane Agents went on and terrorized every settlement they stepped hoof on. It was almost perfect that they were abbreviated, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., because it was exactly like it's natural disaster counterpart. A wide wave of crime washing over the entire kingdom. Ponies being assassinated left, right and center. Buildings being threatened and attacked. Robberies, petty muggings, high valued heists, every sort of crime imaginable. High Roller was trying to intimidate everypony, and it was working. Except for one more city which proved to be a challenge...Canterlot, Equestria's capital city and home of the Royal Guard. Like I mentioned earlier, he wanted to leave his mark on a global scale, and Canterlot is just where he would initiate it. So after a long meeting with the big 12, it was decided that they would assassinate the Captain of the Royal Guard, then destroy Canterlot Castle. Like Balti-Scare, this operation was also given a specific code name...Canterlot Crisis."

"I'm glad to see that they failed." Daring smirked, trying to raise Mare-Do-Well's spirits, but it failed to impress. "...They did fail, right?"

To Do's relief, she promptly nodded. "Yes. Thankfully they were tipped off and the Royal Guard were informed of High Roller's Manehatten headquarters. Over the next few decades, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. remained dormant. High Roller passed away and the remaining agents dispersed. They reunited now and again but after the Guard raided the casino, the criminals' financial dependence was shot, and they were never heard of again...until today."

"But are you absolutely positive it's really them? I mean Giovanni has talked a lot of smack over the years and he coulda just been putting on a show to scare me. He's always tried to do that but it never worked." Daring grinned.

Mare-Do-Well sighed, returning her focus on the central monitor. "I'm afraid my speculations are correct, Daring Do. Look at this."

Depicted on the screen was the image of a pony's gold cufflink. It was monogrammed with the inscribed swirls of a hurricane, and a small diamond as it's eye. Then Mare-Do-Well zoomed in further and discovered the number '4', written behind the face of the diamond. "I am very certain of myself, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. and its agents are back. I found this in Manehatten a little over a week ago. I had intercepted Union Jack and a few others, including Rusty Anchor, world famous smuggler of illegal goods."

Realization struck the archaeologist. She turned back to the mare and threw her an impressive smile. "So it was you who captured him?"

"You are correct again." She smiled back. "After I loss Jack, I had some unfinished business to take care of. But I did leave that rose-obsessed freak with a touching parting gift. That eye patch he wears? Yeah, I gave him that."

The two shared a lengthy laugh before Mare-Do-Well soon noticed that the coach was starting to slow itself. She glanced up at one of the camera monitors that shot at the front of a cave. "Where the hay are we?" Daring Do asked looking out the window. "We're way outside of Canterlot."

"Not that far." Her new acquaintance chuckled. "Maybe about a mile or two, this is actually my home. Don't ask because I know what you're gonna ask. Just watch."

Daring sat on the couch as she watched themselves stroll into the dank cave. Then she heard a humming noise coming from the outside and stuck her head out the window to examine it. The opening to the cave was closing behind them and a sole light switched on up ahead of them. She turned her head toward the light and discovered what appeared to be an elevator. Eventually the coach rolled to a stop and the adventuress stepped away from the window to find Mare-Do-Well switching her computer off and picking up the document in her teeth. She swiveled around and used her magic to lift her wide-brimmed hat from the rack and placed it in her hooves. After spitting the folder back in, she placed it on her head and stood up to open the door.

After leaving the stagecoach they headed towards the dimly lit elevator. Mare-Do-Well trotted up to it like normal but like the archaeologist she was, Daring trailed off, examining the metamorphic rock and limestone deposits in the walls. "These walls have been blasted. This cave must be the remains of some sort of mine."

"You're partially right." Mare-Do-Well laughed in a clever manner. "These walls were blasted but it was actually meant to be an opening for a new train tunnel until it was shut down twenty years ago. Come, we have much to discuss."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well pressed a button to a console on the wall, causing the elevator doors to slide open. They stepped inside and began descending as soon as the doors were closed again. They traveled downward quite a long ways, it was nearly a minute before they halted. The doors slid open again and Mare-Do-Well was the first to walk across the threshold. She flicked a switch on the wall and the entire room illuminated brightly, broadcasting the view of a luxurious suite. Emerald carpet extending the full range of the room, white metallic walls, multiple luminaires fixated across the ceiling that brightened every aspect of the room. 

The sitting area was decorated with two plush, black couches with the same comfortable fabric used in the stagecoach. The coffee table, bookcase, and two desks in the room were made of chestnut wood and it looked like they were made to sustain the dank, moist air of the cave. In one corner was a high classy kitchen like any other and there were three more doors that branched off to other rooms. The two desks held an assorted amount of different technology that one would use to solve crimes. The first desk, among the furniture of the sitting area, had equipment used to transcribe audio files, analyze bacteria with a microscope, test the acidity of a substance using litmus paper, and other scientific means to crack a case. But the second desk was a little more downplayed. It looked like any other regular desk, four drawers, intricate in the legs and a large white swiveling chair to match the walls. The only puzzling thing about the desk was the numerous buttons installed on the right side of its surface. 

Mare-Do-Well walked over and pressed the button furthest up and it activated a large side of her wall to rotate, revealing her widescreen computer monitor. Daring Do was positive this mare was loaded rich. Not even Fancy Pants himself could afford the assets Mare-Do-Well owned. "A gadget-armed suit, state-of-the-art stagecoach, a retractable cave door, and now this 5 star extravaganza built down a mile? Just how- I don't- Would you just tell me who you are?"

"I cannot reveal my true identity." She said hastily, sitting down in her white chair. Daring jumped at her sudden retort and walked over to see what she was doing. Mare-Do-Well spun around in her seat and looked at her guest, pointing at the two  doors to her right. "See those doors over there? The first one is my bedroom, the second is the washroom. Feel free to tidy yourself up. I have a washer and dryer in there too so you can wash out that smelly shirt of yours."

The adventuress lifted a hoof and took a sniff of herself, she was right. "It's not too bad but it's not too great either. I suppose I could use a nice bath. When I get out, are we finally going to talk? I'd like to find some clarity in this all."

"I promise, we will discuss everything that needs to be discussed in the morning." She said, returning to her new work. "It's been a long day Daring, and don't try to argue with me because I know your mind is agreeing with me."

She went to say something back but again, Daring knew the shadowing mare was right. She simply sighed and began walking to the second door. "Well alright, but no backing out the next time. I want to find out what is going on."

"You have my word. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Unknown Location, 1:13am, September 28th

Union Jack sat anxiously in the hallway along the row of chairs, twiddling his hooves periodically and rubbing the thick bump on the back of his head every now and again. He had replaced his old suit. The red, blonde maned unicorn was now adorned in a white linen suit with a black neck tie. As strange as it was, he found that it brought out his eye patch. But one style that never changed was the red rose laying in his lapel. He gained full physical composure of himself once again. If only he could say the same for his state of mind. He was dreading the thought of entering the room just ahead of him. He had been given his orders, but failed to heed them. Now he was a nervous wreck, swindling his hindhooves below his seat, trying to think of a scapegoat. 

There were two other ponies sitting next him, but not nearly as worried. More or less they were going in to conduct business. They looked at Union and found his cowering amusing. The quivering unicorn turned to their snickering, his sole ruby eye lighting up like wildfire. "What's so funny? Bloody yanks!"

"No. 4." Somepony addressed. Union Jack swung his head back to the now opened door. "He'll be seeing you now."

The terrified unicorn swallowed the hard lump in his throat and rose from his chair. Before entering, he straightened his tie and slicked back his well groomed mane. Then for good measure he threw the two other ponies a smug look and walked across the threshold to the next room. The pony who had called on him was commonly known to his colleagues as No. 6. He was a tall, slender earth pony with a fuzzy grey coat and a short black mane. He seemed like he always wore a smile to boast his solitary gold tooth that shone with his slick, violet eyes. 

When the door shut behind him, he was met with an unwelcoming atmosphere and felt nauseous. Then against his will, his hooves began to shiver once more. He slowly paced down the shyly illuminated room, drawing closer and closer to the empty chair just up ahead. The seat was set in front of a desk, along with two other chairs that were occupied by Giovanni D'Angelo and Nimble Stratus. The vacant seat was reserved for Union. No. 6 pushed him to quicken his pace, forcing Jack to stumble over his own hooves once or twice. After what seemed like minutes, he finally made it to the leathery arm chair, although waited to be called upon to sit. He threw his two other colleagues a friendly grin then looked back, the sly earth pony was standing directly behind him as if he were about to pummel the petrified red coated unicorn. At last he looked forward, staring at the rear of another leathery arm chair. Although this one appeared to be highly more defiant than the others.

The desk itself was as wide as anything, it's surface decorated with twelve folders, many pieces of parchment stacked in one corner, a quill laid inside an inkwell to the side for one's convenience, one pitcher of water, a glass, a white fedora hat, and lastly two envelopes that looked like they had been thrown carelessly in the center of the desk. The dense silence was broken with Union clearing his throat, then greeting his superior. "Good evening, No. 1..."

"Good evening," the voice behind the desk started, keeping his chair turned to the back wall. "You may sit down."

No. 4 bowed humbly then lowered his flank into the chair, resting his forehooves on the arm rests. "Thank you, Sir."

"I heard about your little mishap this evening...Quite unfortunate." No. 1 said with disappointment in his tone.

"Yes, it was a r-rather embarrassing incident." Union chuckled nervously.

Suddenly the pitcher on the desk lifted with a magical aura around it, pouring its contents into the glass adjacent to it. Then as the jug was put back down, the glass of water drifted around to the front of the chair, soon being followed by the satisfying sigh of somepony's thirst being quenched. "What happened, No. 4?"

Union's ears perked fearfully, and he tugged on his collar nervously. "S-s-sorry, Sir?"

"I said, what happened?" No. 1 repeated, this time with a slightly harsher tone in his query.

The fur on the blonde unicorn's back was standing on end. He was beginning to stutter and spiraling out of his mind. He knew what his fault was, but couldn't bring himself to say it directly. "A s-s-simple misjudgment of the situation at h-hoof, No. 1. A slip of the mind, if you will-"

The humored No. 1 intervened in his pointless explanation. "Tisk tisk tisk. Petty excuses and mindless misjudgments will not suffice, Union. This, Daring Do and her friend have gotten away with one of our files. One of which that can jeopardize our entire operation. Unfortunately we won't know what that file was until we've gone through all the paperwork that was tossed all about the office."

The defensive unicorn shook his head and pointed to the griffon on his left. "But No. 1, if Giovanni had k-killed the mare,  rather delay the time for her accomplice to storm the headquarters, we wouldn't be having this discussion."

"How dare you try to pin this fault of your's on me?" D'Angelo retorted almost immediately, his feathers ruffling. "You could have poisoned the wine with something a little more potent than a simple tranquilizer."

Union Jack turned to him throwing a reluctant frown. "If you had any common sense, you'd have dealt with that Daring Do in a matter of seconds rather than take a walk down memory lane. Maybe you should leave interrogation to us younger agents."

No. 2 went to rise from his seat but was stopped by the breaking voice of No. 1. "That does not justify the potential loss of our credibility, No. 4. After that close encounter a week back, you had been given strict orders to eliminate any mare that seemed suspicious. You were the one in charge of this entire charade. I have spoken to No. 2 and No. 9 but the majority of the blame lies with you. If Spectrum is compromised, then the Hierarchy is compromised."

"I-I-I know, No. 1. I ap-p-pologize."

The shadowy leader sighed. "You've disappointed me, No. 4. I sought for you to be so much better. But apparently I was wrong about you. No. 6? Show Union Jack our latest prototype."

The tall stallion side smirked, articulating his gold tooth as he reached around his back, wrapping his hoof around the handle of a lightweight, two-foot long, pneumatic spear gun, with a steel spear already loaded into the stock. No. 6 showcased its design. "This tool will soon be made the standard issue to every Spectrum security guard in and around Cloudsdale. This spear gun's slick, and lighter design compared to it's aquatic counterpart, has been made to fit the aerodynamics of pegasi during flight whether he is in combat or not. The trigger mechanism as you can see, is large enough to be able to secure one hoof in the ring, allowing for comfortable firing capabilities. Then we come to the spear itself. I think this goes without saying but it is incredibly sharp which can and will pierce the armor of ANY Royal Guard issued attire. Not only that, but these spears have been modified with small fins to again, maintain aerodynamics. The spears also come in blunt for more damage and every operative will be issued a small quiver which will hold an additional ten spears. Finally, there is the firing of the weapon itself which is operated by the pulling of trigger, and in turn will activate the gun's pneumatic, air tight tank, guaranteed to fire the spear off at fatal speeds."

His violet eyes gleamed in the dim lighting as he turned to Union. "Any questions?"

No. 4 studied the spear gun's long and definitely sharp increment. Then he looked up, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "No, you've covered all of my concerns, thank you." The nervous pony tensed up in his seat, unable to relax without thinking about the spear gun. Then just as he turned back around to face No. 1, he something cold graze over his back. Union didn't even have to turn around to know that No. 6 was holding a pleasure filled grin, rubbing the tip of the spear up and down his spine.

"No. 9, lock the door please." No. 1 ordered.

The green pegasus complied. He rose from his seat and walked across the room. Seconds later, Union heard the solemn 'click' behind him, then began to hear his own heartbeat. He swallowed another painful lump and painted a smile across his face. "So, No. 1. Where do we go from here? I can guarantee this won't happen again."

Union's smile washed away when his boss began to chuckle deviously. "No. 4 you are correct. This won't happen again. You see, here at H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., when one of our operatives, and especially elite agents like you fail to follow direct orders from me or No. 2, consequences must follow. We are only away by a matter of days from carrying out our mission and the Hierarchy cannot afford any decline in performances at this point. We do not tolerate lack of ability this late in the game. Therefore the expense of failure must be paid."

He felt his heart turn over as the tip of the spear dug into his suit, tearing the linen from it's stitches. He clenched his heart and a single tear collected in his good eye. Everything was slowing down and he begged for this scene to end quickly, painlessly. Further and further the spear dug, soon forcing him out of the chair and grovelling on the floor with his forehooves over his head. "Please, No. 1! Please! I beg of you, give me one more chance!"

D'Angelo even felt himself becoming a little uneasy, watching his once proud fellow agent become so defenseless and weak. No. 6 on the other hoof was almost laughing, his eyes filled with amusement as he continued to pressure the gun to the unicorn's back. No. 1 gripped the fedora in a magical bind and placed it on his head and finally swiveled around to face his quivering colleague. The dim lighting that shone over the fedora had cast a shadow over No. 1's face, shielding his identity. He leaned over slightly and laid the empty glass back on the table then slouched back in his chair, shaking his head. "So much potential, too. If only he had the mind that went with it. You could have had everything...No. 6?"

"What is it, No. 1?" He answered patiently, keeping his eyes on Jack and his hoof on the trigger.

"You're terminated." No. 1 returned simply, suddenly striking the cocky earth pony to look up at his boss with a baffled frown. But before he could inquire about the statement, he heard a quick, pressurized pop, then cringed in agony whilst a spear was forcibly shot into his back, shouting a painful yelp before smacking the ground, dead. The spear gun fell from Union's back and landed on the ground, firing off to the side. No. 4 skipped a heartbeat. He was almost certain that he was dead. 

Stratus soon stepped back into the light, wielding a second spear gun in his teeth. No. 1 acknowledged him. "Get him out before he bleeds all over the carpet." Nimble nodded, spiting the firearm out and dragging the limp body of No. 6 out of the room. As soon as the door closed again, Union Jack felt it was alright to sit up again. Although his hooves still quaked and his heartbeat still rung in his ears. The boss shifted his view back to the shaken unicorn. "He failed to keep his loyalty when we discovered he was taking money out of our accounts. You are different, No. 4. I have entrusted you with everything that has had to do with Spectrum for the last six years, and you have not touched a cent. Therefore, you have succeeded in keeping your loyalty intact. That, and that alone is why I am sparing your life."

The frazzled Union Jack was finally able to breath after hearing that. "Oh Thank you. A thousand thank yous, No. 1. I assure you this infraction will not happen again."

"I hope not, No. 4. You are quite a valuable Hurricane Agent. You're my Head of Extortion and it's about time you proved yourself. But you must first eliminate your ego or else this infraction, as you called it, will happen again, and if it does, I can guarantee the next time there will be no excuses." Finally the shadowed figure slid the two letters to the edge of the desk towards Giovanni.

No. 2 leaned forward and took a hold of the two envelopes in his talon. "What are these, No. 1?"

"They are personal letters to her Majesty, No. 2." He answered. "One is our ransom for Blueblood's return, and the other is Daring's report on Spectrum, slightly tweaked of course. After Celestia has received them, Spectrum will be out of the spotlight, and our demands will be made."

The puzzled griffon raised a brow, asking the obvious question. "But if I send these off at the same time, won't it seem suspicious?"

No. 1 shook his head. "Not at all. The Royal family receives dozens of letters each day. I am certain this will be a simple coincidence to them."

"If you say so, No. 1." Giovanni concluded, placing the envelopes in his coat pocket. "What happens from here?"

The secretive leader laughed cunningly. "I'm glad you asked that, No. 2. You see, thanks to No. 4's mistakes, I have been forced to push our schedules ahead by 24 hours. Originally I had planned to give the Royal family two days to reply to the ransom but now I have cut that down to one day. If I remember correctly, the castle courier delivers the mail around 8 a.m. every morning so from there until the next morning they will have to decide. I have enclosed the ransom letter with a spell of which the Princess can use to reply."

No. 1 rubbed his chin with a fetlock, grazing it back and forth. "Now, what to do about those two mares? Have you found out who the masked one was?"

Having finally regained his confidence to stand, Union Jack spoke up and nodded. "We have. After the ambush, I had my secretary do some reading up on her appearance and it turns out that this pony is known as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. A sort of, superhero among ponies all over Equestria. She is seldom spotted in the spotlight because of her, if I may, mysterious ways of popping in and out of any predicament. With her highly technical armada of gadgets she has at disposal, she has stomped out many criminals over the years and if she is as dangerous as she is to be said, then we must deal with her and her new ally as quickly as possible. Also it turns out that she was the one who put Rusty Anchor behind bars." 

"She's definitely a dangerous parasite." Giovanni sighed, glancing to Union's covered eye. "Wasn't she the one that gave you that injury?"

The hot fire in his eye sparked again which also spread a look of disgust across the unicorn's face. "Bloody yank. I used to have the most charming eyes. Now I'm stuck with this repulsive accessory." Then he lit a red aura around his horn, doing the same to the rose in his lapel and bringing it to his nose. "If I ever get her insight again, it will be the final confrontation between her and I."

"Let us get back on track, No. 4. I am very tired and have so much left to do." No. 1 swiveled around in his chair again and started using his magic to pour himself another glass of water. "No. 2 I want those letters delivered as soon as this discussion is over. Then I wish for you to meet me back at the rendezvous tomorrow afternoon."

He laid the pitcher of water back down and used his magic to once again to levitate the glass of water into his hooves. "And as for you, Union Jack. I want you in Cloudsdale immediately. I want you to ensure that Phase 3 is coming along smoothly. We can't afford anymore delays. Take No. 9 with you. When Phase 3 is complete, No. 7 and No. 12 will be arriving to put Phase 4 under way. I want you and No. 9 to go with them to finish the job and wait on my call for the final Phase. If possible, eliminate Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, and any other liability for that matter. We are so very close to completion, and I won't tolerate any more of your foolishness, No. 4. You understand the penalty of your second slip. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear, No. 1" Union bowed humbly.

After another satisfying sigh, the emptied glass returned to it's place on the desk. Then No. 1 flicked his hoof to the side, signalling the end of the meeting. "You two may leave. If there are others outside, tell them to speak with me in the morning. I have waited a long time for this moment. Six grueling years, and now it's all up to Celestia. If they choose not too comply with our demands, we will proceed with Phase 5 and follow out with the dream of my predecessor...a Canterlot Crisis.

To be continued







   

 



 



   











  

   



    

     

 

     






   



   



  



 





 



     
> Chapter 6: In Search of Answers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mare-Do-Well's Underground Hideout, 5:30 am, September 28th

Daring Do slung her hoof over the snooze button of the alarm clock, trying to disregard its rude ringing. It had been one long day in the hours before, and it took quite a toll on the adventuress. She felt as if she had to force herself out of bed and search for food, or that's what she was used to. It felt like another expedition. Daring was laying in a queen sized bed, her entire body wrapped in its polyester sheet and toasty comforter. She wasn't about to ruin such a relaxing moment due to some alarm. She simply laid there, sighing in everlasting relief, taking in every moment like a day at the spa. Her greyscale mane was frazzled and tossed all around her head, her tail less so. But when she finally decided to sit up, her mane drooped down and suspended carelessly through the air. It's not as if she ever cared how it looked, because it always fell back into place, so she never bothered to groom it, other than washing it out in the shower.

She gazed around the bedroom of her new acquaintance. It wasn't like the rest of her lavished lair. It was actually quite normal. High class, yet still normal. Nothing seemed to stand out other than the annoying ringing of the clock that had gone every ten minutes since five. It was pretty average sized too, except the bed itself of course. Perhaps no bigger than the inside of her stagecoach was a good scale to compare it to. There was actually wallpaper and the entire room was lit by nothing more than a sole incandescent light bulb rather than the rest of the den with its shining white walls and classy lighting system. Daring found it fascinating. She felt like she was home. It certainly contrasted the rest of her assets.

But then it was like a light bulb of her own went off in her head. She was reminded of her secretive job title; a guardian, fighter of crime, defender of law and order. It must be quite the experience, and nerve-wracking at times. Maybe this normalized room was Mare-Do-Well's own way of finding her solace. A break from the wild cases and action-packed world of her's. Just like Daring's world of adventure, with dangers almost always lurking around every corner, she found the moon to be her guiding light to psychological and sometimes emotional security. She sat there, contemplating their lives for several minutes before concluding in her thoughts that maybe the two weren't that different after all. But it must be merely a coincidence, Daring rethought.

With that in mind, she disregarded the moment of comparison and fell back into the sea of warmth underneath the blankets, letting out a sigh of absolute comfort and smiling happily...But it was short lived. As soon as she closed her eyes, the irritating blare of the alarm clock rang in her ear for the fourth time. After she leaned over the nightstand and smacked the snooze button again, she heard a voice coming from the other room. "That's the fourth time!" Then a humble laugh on the end. "I'm usually up by the second alarm."

The archaeologist rolled her eyes to Mare-Do-Well's teasing. Reluctantly, she flicked her messy mane out of her eyes and glanced at the actual clock part of the clock. It was 5:40 in the morning, and she was still in bed. Getting up at this time should be normal to her. She did have to be at the University an hour before the students after all. But the events of yesterday and her previous injuries had fatigued her body to no end. But she gritted her teeth and forcibly removed her limp body from the warm sheets. Before leaving the room, she reached to the bath robe hung on one of the bed's corner posts. She wrapped the soft fabric around her then studied the console built into the wall until she found the button that opened the door. When it slid open, she crossed into the main room of the lair and found Mare-Do-Well still glued to her massive computer. "You're still up?" She asked in amazement. "Didn't you sleep?"

"Oh I slept." The mare assured, being sure to sip her steaming cup of tea carefully. "I went to bed about an hour after you drifted off. Those couches over there are ones that you'll never regret sleeping on if you have to give up your bed for the night. Also since I'm so used to that alarm in there, I got up when I heard it going off the first time. Loud isn't it?"

Daring agreed with a slow nod as she rubbed her right eye. "Oh You got that right. Did you have to pick the most obnoxious ringing though?"

The caped crusader laughed back. "Well it works! Anyways I took your shirt out of the dryer this morning and hung it up in the washroom. Go get yourself ready and we'll get down to business."

"Will do." She yawned, shuffling her way to the washroom as she shut the door behind her.

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well swiveled back around in her chair and continued her research. Up on the computer screen was the documents she had scavenged from the brief raid of Union Jack's office. It had truly come in handy. In a way, she had to thank Daring. If she hadn't helped in that fight, she might have not escaped with the document, let alone her very life. Maybe it was time to take on a partner. For years the mare had gone it alone, sort of. Her computer had saved her life once or twice. But a computer could not fight off three baddies like she and Do did.

But the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well knew she was mixing professionalism with emotions. It was only a matter of chance that Daring was there. She knew she was better off alone, for she had been going alone all her life. Why should anything change now? She asked herself this for a few minutes, and couldn't think of a viable answer. To find the answer, she had to gaze up at her computer screen. H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., her biggest challenge yet. This wasn't just one or two criminals, this was a criminal organization; a syndicate, an army, a team of conspirators that had to be dealt with quickly. Their plot was still cloudy to understand or to even predict, but hopefully they would find their answers soon enough.

The washroom door opened, Daring stepped through with her mane back to normal and her olive-green shirt replaced the robe. The last thing she needed was her pith-helmet. She scanned the room but soon remembered she left it at the foot of the bed. She stepped into the bedroom quickly and retrieved her friend, placing it carefully on her head. At last she was ready to take on the world...again. She found Mare-Do-Well sitting on one of the plush sofas in the corner of her large room. The adventuress took advantage of the situation and plopped down into the other, melting into it comforting fabric. "Now I see what you mean. So can we talk now?"

"Yup," she nodded. "What do you want to know?"

That question alone struck Daring, it was such a vague query. There were dozens of things she wanted to ask the enigmatic mare. But she decided to start off with the most interesting. "Who are you?"

The hooded mare sighed, shaking her head at that question. "I already told you, I can't reveal my identity. It may compromise others that I have worked with. My enemies are still out there, trying to find me. And if they know who I communicate with, they'll likely go through them to get to me. Who knows, they could be listening to me right now. Next question."

"Ok, I understand. But it must be quite a lonely life, don't it?" This question didn't churn well with the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. Obviously it was a lonely job, but that didn't need to be discussed.

Daring didn't have to see her face to tell that was the wrong question to be asking, for she knew herself, her expeditions weren't that socially tuned neither. She decided to ask something more on subject. "How about Giovanni? Can you tell me anything about what he's been up to? I mean what has archaeology got to do with all this?" 

"It don't." She said simply. "But he must be financing them in some sort of way. You don't rise to second in command just on transferable skills alone."

The adventuress agreed on that fact. But she could see the griffon weaseling into a position like that. "He's quite a talker, I'll give him that, and yes he is very rich. When he wasn't chasing me around, he was able to scavenge a good few artifacts. He turned those artifacts into profits. That's what eats me up about D'Angelo, he don't care about the thrill of adventure. He doesn't see the fascinating details that could have been thousands, even millions of years old. To him, the money behind it was all that mattered. Mare-Do-Well, I'm happy teaching archaeology at the University. I simply get giddy over the entire concept. All my expeditions I've conducted over the years were mostly for the adrenaline rush. It makes me feel so alive, and to see Giovanni turn it into some sort of get-rich-quick scheme really hurts my pride. That's not true archaeology...Oh I'm sorry, kinda went off track."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well replied a jubilant laugh. "It's alright. That's completely understandable. I can see where your resentment arises for him, but still, we'll have to look for some more clues before we can find out why and how he was given the No. 2 position of the Hurricane agents."

She was right, the past never really explained anything other than Daring's reasons for hating the obnoxious griffon. Then Daring decided to poke her curiosity at somepony else. "What about Union Jack? That's a pony I just can't figure out."

"If you're referring to his two-faced persona then I'm in the dark just as much as you are." Mare-Do-Well remarked. "But funny as it may seem, I think it's better explained by his enthusiasm over roses."

The archaeologist didn't understand, and she cocked a brow. This compelled the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well to further enlighten her theory. "Don't you get it? Roses are beautiful in nature. They seem peaceful and carefree. Something that is too much of a sin to endanger. But if you look just below the enticing petals, reality kicks in. Their thorns. Thorns that can pierce the skin and demonstrate the deceptive power roses have. It's sort vague but that's Union Jack, in a nutshell. On the outside, he's a polite, charming, honest, and a considerate stallion from Trottingham. Giving back to the community with his thousands in donations. Keeping a clean reputation as a generous and virtuous pony. Never committed a crime nor expressed any sort of corruption. But if we look closer, dig deeper and investigate, he is vindictive. He is using his good reputation as a mask, lurking in the shadows of his fake personality to turn the tables his way, and nopony suspects a thing. That's how he can work for H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., it's the most logical explanation."

"Oh Yeah, I remember him saying something about that." Daring said in the moment of an epiphany.

"Let me ask you something." Mare-Do-Well said suddenly. "What do you get out of this? I know there's something about this mission that goes beyond Giovanni D'Angelo. I can see it in your eyes. There's another reason."

Daring contemplated her question, staring not at the mask, but the sincere pony behind that mask. She may not know what it looked like, physically. But psychologically, she could see concern and veracity. Eventually the question was answered with a simple nod and a sigh. "Yeah. Yeah, there is. I don't really like to talk about it but you've answered the big questions I wanted to know, so it's only right that you know my side."

The brightness in Daring's magenta eyes was more than enough to convince the masked mare that it was a touchy subject. "Daring, it's fine. You don't have to tell me. I just wanted know if there was another reason. I can see that there is-"

"No, no." Daring cut in. "I need to get this off my chest."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well didn't say anything in response. She understood her need to vent and sat patiently, ready to listen to every word. The adventuress took a long inhale before she elaborated. Then with the heavy exhale, she began. "When Nimble Stratus kidnapped Prince Blueblood, he left several ponies dead in his path of destruction. One of those ponies being a dear friend of mine. Somepony I looked up to like a father, and he knew that. Dean White Collar was one pony that I could go to with any problem, and walk away with a smile. It wasn't just about what he said, but it was how he said it. Everypony at the University loved to see him, hear him talk. He was so full of enthusiasm. He was the one who came to me when he needed a pony to lecture student on archaeology. He was the one that scored me my first expedition for the Sapphire Statue. He was the one that never dealt with stress. Even in the presence of royalty, he still stood proud and was simply himself. He was the one...He was the one I'll never have the chance to say 'I love you' to."

Tears had flooded into her eyes during her speech. It was the first time she had really let herself go since she visited his grave. Again she was beginning to choke up, soon turning into sorrowful weeping as she allowed her head to eventually fall into her forehooves. She didn't have to say anymore. Her touching speech evoked the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well to join her on the other sofa, wrapping a hoof around her neck which was promptly returned by Daring's own embrace. She was no where near of being a called a friend, but during the event of something like the loss of a loved one, offering support to another pony was simply the humane thing to do.

After a long hug, Daring broke free and smiled gratefully at the hooded mare. "I'm sorry." Mare-Do-Well whispered softly. 

"I'll be fine." Daring replied, drying her eyes with her fetlock and trying to regain her sense of normal pride after she realized what she just done. "Thank you. Sorry, I'm normally not this sappy. Just so much that has happened."

She didn't return her thanks with a welcoming reply, but simply gave her a pad on the back and stood, making her way back to her desk. "When you're ready, come look. This you gotta see."

After she finished wiping the last of the tears away, the archaeologist rose from the couch and trudged her way beside the mare typing away. She watched the screen as Mare-Do-Well flicked through several photos and dozens of scanned paper documents. "The file I stole last night was exactly the one I was looking for, we can now find what H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. is hiding."

Daring was astonished, yet somewhat skeptical. "That's extraordinary! But how did you know where to find it? I mean there was papers flying everywhere."

"I didn't." She replied simply.

The sandstone pegasus cocked a brow. "Then how did you-"

"Dumb luck." Mare-Do-Well smirked. "Let's investigate, shall we?"

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well got up and offered Daring Do her chair. The adventuress accepted and sat down while Mare-Do-Well reach into one of desk drawers. She picked up an extendable pointer with her magic and walked over to the large computer monitor. "Computer, bring up Slide 1."

The first image to show up was the schematics for the most unusual flying apparatus Do had ever seen. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well however, was well aware of an Earth pony's invention and extended the pointer to the diagonal drawing of the machine. "Now I will try to keep this brief. This is a device only unicorns can use. It is called a gyrocopter, or autogyro if you prefer. It was invented about seventy years ago and is rarely ever used anymore, especially around here. This device, as you can see, has two propellers. The main one on top, and the other situated in the rear of the vehicle to not only propel the machine, but control direction with assistance from its tail which is controlled by the steering device up front. Tilting the stick forward will start a descent, pulling back will cause an increase in altitude instead. Hauling left or right, I think you get the idea there, and the rest of the controls are only things that a flight instructor could tell you because I've never encountered one of these before. The only other thing I can tell you is that it's powered by magic. Magic activates the propellers, which activates the controls, which activates movement, which allows the wingless to fly."

"What do you think this Hierarchy is planning with them?" Daring inquired.

Mare-Do-Well shook her head. "It's hard to say, but if anything, it's more likely to control their airspace in Cloudsdale over Spectrum. Computer, Slide 2 please."

The next set of schematics depicted a weapon. A weapon normally made for underwater use, except with it's modifications, it appeared to fit more outside of the water. "Anypony in water sports is familiar with this tool. This is a spear gun. But not just any spear gun. It is far different from its aquatic sister. No, this is made for killing another pony, not sport. From what it looks like, it's made with this light-weight aluminum and this small tank back here must mean the weapon is fired through highly compressed gas. Slide 3."

At her command, the computer brought up the blue prints for the gun's spear. "Ah Yes, then we come to this. To an average pony, this would appear to be just like any other spear. But, look closely. There are very small gaps along the shaft, and there are fins here normally used in archery. Don't you get it? This is the ammunition to the spear gun. But if my hypothesis is correct, these three are used together, by a pilot."

"Are you positive?" Daring asked, seeming very doubtful that such a thing could fly.

"Almost 100%!" she exclaimed. "The spear gun and spears themselves are aerodynamic, so it makes logical sense that Hurricane's pegasi could be flying with a gun and their own wings while the unicorns use their magic to power the gyrocopters, and have the spear guns next to them...and if their No.1 wasn't informed last night, then he or she is definitely filled in on the details now."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean they are after us. We have yet to investigate Spectrum's Cloudsdale HQ, and looking at these last three sets of schematics, it's no mystery that they will be keeping their eyes peeled. But let's move on. Slide 4, computer."

While the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well elaborated on her research, all that appeared clear to Daring Do was that this was no longer just about Giovanni. It was also about stopping him and this secret society of baddies that became more and more dangerous to the mare by the minute. But why was Giovanni, an archaeologist like her, involved in all this? Let alone being second in command of the group. It stimulated her intense desire to know. It just didn't make sense to the pegasus. When she was tuned back in to her ally's lecture, she was circling with her pointer, around a rose. A rose that had a beautiful exterior, but had mechanical innards. "Recognize this?"

Daring nodded. "Yeah, it's a rose. A red one like Jack likes to carry around. I have a feeling it not all it seems to be?"

Mare-Do-Well chuckled to her curious tone. "He shot you with that gas too, did he? Well yours and my suspicion turn out to be true. This is no ordinary rose. Looks like it was manufactured personally for Union Jack. With the squeeze of its mid-stem, it will shoot out a mild tranquilizer in gas form. Its repulsive aroma and stinging to the eyes can disable any adversary for several to thirty seconds, depending on the range of the attack. I'll say personally, and I think you'll agree, it is quite painful. But there's one thing about the rose that, thankfully, never came into contact with us."

"And what is that?"

Mare-Do-Well slid the end of the pointer towards the bottom of the stem, and protruding from its rear was a small spike that Daring hadn't notice until just then. The caped crusader tapped the pointer over it. "I read the dossier last night and found that this tiny prick is indeed poison-tipped."

"Really? With what?"

"Cyanide." Mare-Do-Well answered frankly. "But the blade is not visible until the gas has already been sprayed. Turns out squeezing the stem activates the spike as well, so Union can finish off his victims. Final Slide."

The last slide was brought up with a lengthy sigh, exhaled from the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. Suddenly there was chills going down Daring's back. She felt hesitant and worried. She couldn't explain it but something just wasn't right about the hooded mare's reaction to the new image up on screen. "Mare-Do-Well? What's the matter?"

"This is it." She said simply, and without emotion. "This is what I've seen in my nightmares for the last week."

The archaeologist didn't see it at first, but she studied the large, round, metallic figure. It was constructed with solutions of different chemicals, powders, and lengths of wire compacted into its shell. The digital display, built-in console, it was soon clear that these factors were beginning to sound like an explosive. But she was thinking naive. This was indeed, a bomb. "I-I-I-It can't be." Daring retorted in denial.

Mare-Do-Well clarified her doubts. "It is. This appears to be some sort of derivative from a bunker buster, but there's been so many modifications, it's hard to tell what kind of damage it could do. At least we can predict the minimum, I guess."

"What's a 'bunker buster'?" Daring regretfully asked.

"A bunker buster was a type of bomb invented by the Germanes, about a century ago. As its name practically explains, it was used to blow out bunkers in time of war. Thankfully, the Pony-Griffon wars was nearing its end and these never had to be used numerous times. But not long after the technology had spread, the Soviet ponies to the East got a hold of this bomb and improved it to some degree."

Just the schematics on the screen was enough to make the hairs on Daring's fur stand. "Improved?"

Mare-Do-Well nodded. "Yup. Now it can demolish an entire camp if it the holder wishes. I'm afraid to say this, but I think this was the package I attempted to intercept a while back. It has to be, Rusty Anchor said 'it was the best Moscolt had to offer'...Wait a second."

Out of the blue, it was like a big flashing light went off in the mare's head. Immediately, she dropped the pointer from her magical bind and took into a gallop at Daring who coiled back in her chair. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well grabbed Daring Do by the shoulders and hauled her in close. "Did you go through the proper channels of becoming a member of the Royal Guard, even if it is only temporary?"

"W-W-What? What are you--Well of course!" the archaeologists exclaimed matter-of-factly. "The training was a little rushed, but other than that, I had to pass a short written exam, sign papers, and take an oath."

Mare-Do-Well released her and began pacing around her room, giddy over her new plan. "Excellent! Then that must mean you have all-access pass to this investigation, correct?"

Daring lowered her eyelids and nodded once, wondering just what the mysterious one was thinking. "Yeah...Where are you going with this?"

With a keen smirk, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well threw the adventuress a brilliant glare. "Hehe, It's not exactly where I'm going with this...It's where we are going with this. Come on, we're taking a little trip to Manehatten!"

To be continued

















     
> Chapter 7: In Search of Answers Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spectrum's Head Office, Cloudsdale Headquarters, 11:54 am, September 28th

Unlike Canterlot, Union's Cloudsdale office was quite the change, aside from the bunches of roses still decorating the room. The room was only big enough to accommodate three ponies comfortably. Union behind the desk and a couple others in the two chairs in front of it. Next to his desk was a filing cabinet and several books on business on a small bookshelf in the corner of the work space. It wasn't where the unicorn was used to.

He found working in Cloudsdale to be very annoying. Being the breed that he was, he found it tedious to perform a spell to prevent himself from falling through the clouds of the sky city. Even then, Jack needed assistance travelling from cloud block to cloud block. But despite the drawbacks, he was still the president of Spectrum, and in full command of Phase 3. Living with his current situation was something he simply had accept, or else he would most certainly meet a most different kind of situation.

The door opened to the office and in came Union being followed by his secretary, holding the clipboard in her wing and using her teeth to guide the quill while the Trottingham local rambled on. "Miss Dewpoint, I want you to get a hold of our accountant and have him write up this month's financial statements, and remind him to double check the numbers. Next, I need you to get through to the Weather Factories and tell them we'll be filing our forms in a little later due to a certain mishap involving disorganization of important documents. Then, I want you to key that form I dropped on your desk and make it out to Fancy Pants. Also, if you come across any misspellings in my draft, please correct them. Finally, you can get me my coffee thank you very much. Three cream, one sugar. Did you get all that?"

"Mmmhmm!" she muffled, taking down every last detail of her boss's orders. She spit the quill onto the clipboard and pointed at the desk. "Oh, and before I forget, somepony stopped by this morning and asked me to drop that dossier off on your desk. He said it was of the up-most importance."

No. 4 made his way around the desk and sat down in his chair to rip off the top of the envelope with his teeth. The unicorn used his magic to dump the letter into his hooves. Then from the inside pocket of his grey blazer, Union withdrew a pair of reading glasses and put them on to read the small print. As he skimmed down through the letter, he muttered words every now and again to keep his pace. "It's from the Equestrian Government Service Association. Looks like our permit has been granted."

His secretary tilted her head confused. "Permit for what, Mr. Jack?"

Forgetting that she was there, the charming unicorn expressed a petty laugh. "I'm afraid that information is available to executives only, Miss Dewpoint. That'll be all. Be sure to close the door entirely, on your way out. I'll need absolute silence to get through this week's reports."

"Yes, Sir!"

Shortly after leaving the room, Union jumped into a hasty motion and opened one of the drawers to his desk. He pulled out a length of parchment and dipped the dry quill on his desk into its inkwell and began writing, shifting his eyes back and forth between the opened letter and his own.

Number 1

I am pleased to report that your permit to examine the mountainside has been approved. I received the letter of confirmation this morning and knowing that you have been waiting over a year for this, I figured you'd want to be notified at once. I have enclosed the approval letter and will also inform you that I have arrived in Cloudsdale. Also, the second phase of the operation has been a success and following the completion of this letter, Phase 3 will be underway.

No. 4

After signing his numerical status, Union rolled up the scroll and tucked the government letter inside. With focus and concentration, Jack held the letter above his horn with his magic and enchanted it with a magical spark, causing it to burst and dissolve into sparkling embers cascading throughout the room. And very soon, it was gone. Using his spell, the unicorn had sent the message to his superior with a sly grin on his face. "Now...Back to work."

Union Jack placed his glasses on the desk then got up to open the filing cabinet. Out of the top drawer, he flicked through an array of folders until he came across the desired document. It was enclosed around a red folder which stood out among the rest which were white. He clenched it in his teeth and sat back down. In a matter of seconds, he dispersed every piece of paper inside and unfolded a set of schematics, spreading all of the folder's contents around the desk. No. 4 put his glasses back on to read the small font in the heavily detailed print of the main dossier.

He scanned the parchment, underlining several times with his quill when he passed something that stood out to him. When he had finally finished, he read the note to himself aloud, assuring himself that he did not miss anything vital to his mission. "It is by order of Number 1 that Phase 3 of Canterlot Crisis be supervised and totally controlled by Union Jack, No. 4 with Nimble Stratus being second in command if need be. All Cloudsdale operatives are to report to them of any and all issues created. Be aware that the package has been received as of September 25th and is to be handled with the greatest of care. The purpose of this phase is to assemble the project using the strict guidelines provided then wait on Hurricane agents No. 7 and 12 to carry out Phase 4 (Delivery of the project). Anypony seen not taking this objective seriously will be killed for security reasons, so think before acting. As a side-note to security, however, be on the look out for two mares: One clad in purple, rogue attire. The other, a brown pegasus equipped with a pith-helmet. Orders are to eliminate the threats at ANY cost...Any cost whatsoever."  

Manehatten City Penitentiary, 1:12 pm, September 28th

What a long morning, and the day was only half over. Just hours ago, they were just outside of Canterlot. Now, they were in the heart of Manehatten. A city that never slept, the home of corruption and opportunity. A land where anypony could make it big, or hit rock bottom. A city where a risk-taker like Daring could consider a decent place to live. But that was the least of her concerns. All morning, she and Mare-Do-Well had discussed their plan of attack. They had some information to run on but not enough to take the bull by the horns. A lot of the answers were still in the dark.

Among their discussion however, Daring suggested they simply inform the Guard of Union's plans, but Mare-Do-Well answered back almost certainly that a drastic measure like that could put the entire city at risk. Who knows whether this bomb or not was ready. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well told the adventuress that a crisis such as this would have to be approached delicately, yet quickly. Besides, the caped crusader sought the Royal Guard to be too thick headed to listen to reason. Her and Daring's well planned strategy would surely be replaced by a hostile assault on Spectrum. An assault of which could trigger H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.'s anger. Until they knew whether this bomb was a go or not, they had to be cautious.

To shed some more light on the matter, Mare-Do-Well decided to pay a visit to an old friend of her's. She figured it was the only pony they could rely on at this point. But though she would of liked to accompany her ally inside the prison, Mare-Do-Well didn't have the clearance to enter unlike Daring did. So instead she remained in her stagecoach while the archaeologist played the interrogator.

Daring was no longer wearing her usual attire. This time she was concealed underneath a long brown trench coat, with a small messenger bag slung over her neck. She walked through the halls of the jailhouse with two guards following close behind her. At times she would have to wait for them to unlock certain doors for her. There was even one door that lead into a massive cell block with imprisoned stallions harassing the young mare with unwanted complements and suggestive expressions that Daring simply returned with a nervous smile. But deep down, she couldn't blame them. It must of been years since they seen the light of day, or a mare for that matter.

Shortly after leaving the large crowd of criminals, it suddenly hit her. "Did I just show sympathy to a criminal?" She pondered.

The entire penitentiary was giving her the creeps. All of the low-life scum eyeballing her with nothing short of evil intentions. But luckily she didn't have to walk through another cell block. Instead the next doorway lead into the Maximum Security Department. The sector of the building stationed for the most wanted. Each of these prisoners had an individual cell, monitored by the mandatory four guards that came with the prisoner. It was a limited life, but it wasn't like each of them didn't deserved it.

Nearly all of the convicted felons were murderers, pointed out by the short synopsis clipped to each passing door. Despite being accompanied by the guards and knowing that guards were stationed to each criminal, Daring Do still felt a little uneasy being among a group of killers and she had a cold shiver because of it. But when she looked ahead of herself and seen that they were soon going to exit another hallway, that weight lifted.

The next destination was her last. At the end of this hall was the interrogation room, where Daring was to meet with possibly her next big lead. One of the guards galloped up ahead and took a key from his saddlebag, unlocking the door. He opened the door for the mare and other two guards to walk through, but Daring turned around and held back one of them. "I think one is fine. Thank you though."

"If you say so, lady. We'll be right here. Hey Stretch, if the bum starts giving you any lip, let us know. We'll straighten the creep out."

Stretch was one of the guards, and a tall one at that. Decked in the usual standard golden armor, it looked like his suit was readjusted more than once or twice. But he certainly was a sight for sore eyes around this sort of place.

The two ponies continued on ahead and the door shut behind them soon after. The lighting in the room was pretty dull. Like any other interrogation room, it was dank. The walls were concrete and the props given were nothing more than a table, two chairs and sole light bulb fixated overhead, and another source of lighting provided by a narrow barred window. Wide enough to see through but too short for somepony to gaze the stars during the night if he or she wished to. It was the perfect room to match a criminal's mind. Cold, dark, barred shut, and reluctantly to the good guys, built strong.

Finally Daring took notice of the stallion sitting in one of the chairs. It looked like he had been waiting a while, tapping his hoof on the ground impatiently as he puffed on the cigar in his mouth, his solid eyes staring up at the adventuress. He said nothing as she removed her long coat, giving it to the guard to hang on the door. 

When she turned around, Daring finally locked eyes with the seemingly amused Rusty Anchor. A criminal, imprisoned after living the life of a fugitive, and a very rich pony. But all the bits he had couldn't help him now. The most wanted smuggler in the world was behind bars at last. But despite his possible lifelong sentence on the horizon, he wore his grin proudly, flexed his muscles, and chewed the tobacco from the cigar between his teeth as if he were kicking back in some tavern.

His blue coat and inmate uniform was stained with mud. And by the looks of his crusty mane, it looked like he was just pulled from the rock pile. It was almost like he was enjoying it all. Daring's eyebrow raised, wondering just why he appeared to be comfortable. Finally she pulled out her chair and sat across from the brute, pulling his file out of the bag and opening it in front of him. She glanced through the briefing and read it aloud to him. "Rusty Anchor...No. 30073-288. Detained for over an alleged 2000 accounts of illegal smuggling in the last eighteen years. You were discovered and arrested in the early morning hours of the 19th of this month. You had a hearing just two days ago and your official trial begins in November of next year. Hmm, I'm impressed, you've pleaded guilty. Also, it says here that-"

"Listen, Daring Do, why don't you cut the formal nonsense and tell me what you want?" Anchor asked abruptly, snickering in his thick city accent.

Then it struck her mind that she had encountered this stallion before. Though it was only once, it seemed that Ol' Rusty really never forgot a face, like his peers had said. Especially one that left such an impression. "So you do remember me."

He winked. "I never forget a face. Daring Do, infamous raider of lost relics, reckless trespasser of the tombs, and profound disturber of the dead."

"I'm just an archaeologist, why can't you low-lives get that through your head?" She retorted, showing a bit of teeth. "If anything, you and all the other adversaries I've faced over the years fit that description. Everything I collect is donated. I do it for adventure and the adrenaline rush. The way it should be."

With careless wave of his hoof, Rusty disregarded the subject. "Whatever. So what brings the Great Daring Do to Manehatten Penitentiary?"

The adventuress rolled her eyes and reached in her messenger bag to retrieve a notebook and quill. "Let's try to keep this visit short, shall we? I need some information and you're the only one I that can help me. So-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. You need help from me?" Anchor interrupted again, almost spitting the cigar out of his mouth. "What about?"

She sighed. "The Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism, and Extortion. Sound familiar?"

"Hey I already told these Royal Guard knuckleheads that I ain't openin' up to anypony. Especially you, Daring Do."

"Watch it, Anchor." Stretch warned from the door.

"This is a totally secure room." Daring assured. "Anything said will be strictly confidential between you and me. With what info we were able to use only got us so far, and we need more to continue. You're the only pony who can help us expose these Hurricane agents."

With an uninterested yawn, Rusty took a long puff of his smoke and blew it in the face of the archaeologist which brought on a look of repulsion. "Do you have any idea what they'd do to me if they found out? I'd probably end up the rest of my life singing soprano if you know what I mean. And if not that, dead."

"If you help us out, I can assure that the Guard will make it their top priority to protect you."

"You'll have to do better than that." He returned with a chuckle. "I wasn't born yesterday, y'know. What's really in it for me?"

Daring sighed. She knew getting this stallion to budge wasn't coming along easily. "The greater good of Equestria, that's what you're getting."

"Pfft! Greater good? This coming from the Royal Guard who's had a tag on my head for the past twenty years? No dice, lady. I ain't talkin'!"

"Rusty, please. Could you show a little compassion?"

"Not unless the price is right."

"You're not making this easy on me."

"I was supposed to?"

"The information you're keeping from us could mean the difference between life and death."

"Like I care! In this dog-eat-dog world, it's survival of the fittest. Physically and economically."

"It doesn't mean anything to you that over a million ponies could be innocently killed?"

"If I didn't care for the last eighteen years, what makes you think I care now? Just cause I'm barred up here with you and that flathoof up there?"

Daring had had enough of this stupid bickering. It was obviously getting no where with this guy's ego. Finally she stood up and slammed her hooves on the table. "Listen here, you walking smoke stack! I did not travel all this way from Canterlot just to have you puff in my face and suck your teeth at me. Now, I want answers and I want them this instant!"

Just as quickly as the argument had started, it was silenced just as fast. Anchor sat there with his cigar hanging limply between his lips, and Daring Do, breathing deeply and staring the criminal down with her magenta eyes hotter than the flames of Tartarus themselves. "Now I'll ask you again...What do you know about H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.?"

She was able to regain her composure and ask in a much calmer state. But that didn't subdue the stallion's stubbornness. He simply kicked back in his seat again and puffed away on his smoke. "I told you. When the price is right."

"Fine." She sighed, letting her hooves droop and her body slide back into her seat. "What do you think is a reasonable compromise? And before you even consider it, amnesty is out of the question."

A wide grin suddenly spread over the lips of the jailbird. He took one more intake of the cigar then laid it in the ashtray to idol. Leaning back in his seat, Rusty began to twiddle his forehooves. "I don't want much. Nothing special at all. I'm willing to serve my sentence, just so long as I can live it in my own, standard jail cell. None of this "maximum security" horseshit. I want to be transferred to a regular prison."

The adventuress thought about it. Could she trust a criminal? Especially one that has had eighteen years of experience in the art of deceit and lies. He could simply be luring her into his possible escape plan. That is, if he had even thought of one yet. What harm could it do? Even so, the Royal Guard wasn't about to let this one get away in particular. Besides, ponies say the Manehatten Penitentiary has the highest success rate among the security of inmates. What could go wrong? After that moment to think about, she turned around in her seat to face the guard. "Is it possible to arrange that?"

Stretch was startled by the query. "Oh, Well uhh. I don't see why not. It shouldn't be that difficult to smooth it over with the warden."

"Well it looks like we have a deal then." She smirked, swinging back to Rusty who seemed very pleased with the agreement. "Now, can we?"

With a celebratory drag, he set the cigar between his teeth and nodded. "You got it. Ask away, but you're sure I'll be safe?"

Daring nodded back and smiled. "You have my word, nothing will leave this room." Being able to finally start the interview, Daring grasped the quill in her teeth and prepared to take notes. "How long have you been involved with this group?"

"Hmm, Not very long." He answered, scratching his head. "I've worked with them for a year. They paid me in cash for the most part. Up until the last time when there was a little financial disagreement..."

His paused was met with gritted teeth. Daring quickly noted the word cashand printed a question mark next to it. "Disagreement you say?"

His eyes said it all. He was betrayed, conned, taken for granted. As his view glazed over at Daring, he took another deep inhale from the cigar which was getting shorter by the minute. "I wasn't involved with this group formally. They simply hired me to smuggle a package across several countries. After I nearly risk hoof and tail trying to get them this package, I'm ripped-off for eleven million bits that should have been mine!"

"How did it all start?" She asked, racing his answers with the quill.

Following another whistle of smoke from his nose, he scoffed. "A dirty, double-crossin', suit-wearin' shyster! That's how! If I ever get that Union Jack within my reach, I swear I'll wring his little-"

"Union Jack?" The adventuress cut in hastily. "Now we're getting somewhere! What happened between you and him?"

Knowing it was going to be a long story, the muscular Rusty took a long puff then laid the cigar in the ashtray. He sat back and became interested with the ceiling light all of a sudden. "I say it was the first weekend of July when I first got the telegram asking to meet him in Dodge Junction. Damn that was a long trip. You know how long it takes to go from one side of Equestria to the other? Anyway, we met in some cheap tavern with smoke clouding up every corner of the saloon. Me and my sidekick sat down at the Bar and waited until this green pegasus walked up and tapped me on the shoulder. He had a pretty good figure, too. His mane was about mid-length, I suppose. An average looking stallion except he was just as fit as me, perhaps even stronger. He never talked very much, though. Heck, he never said a thing that entire night!"

Do didn't have to acknowledge anything to know that the description fit Nimble Stratus to a tee. She suddenly remembered how hard it was to fight with the brute and was reminded of the slight bump to her head, still present from the encounter. "So this pony brought me over to meet with this guy, Jack. He seemed smooth. Flowin' blonde mane, flashy suit and a nice looking rose. He introduced himself along with a couple other executive stiffs. He told me about their plan, the hierarchy, and of course, the package and how much I was getting for the job. After that night, I spent the next nine months transporting a near six-hundred pound crate from Moscolt across multiple borders and a damn ocean, just to end up in a Manehatten warehouse where that deceitful Union Jack takes the package and makes way with my rightfully own eleven mill in his briefcase. I mean all of it happened so fast. The negotiating was going good until this masked mare swooped down from the roof window and crashed the entire deal. Little did I know while all Tartarus was breaking loose, Jack was sneaking out the backdoor. Well, I wasn't about to let months of hard work fall down the drain. So me and this mare, who apparently was after the same guy, chased this bum down in his stagecoach. I galloped as hard as I could, giving the girl enough space to make it to the next coach. After that, all I could see was hooves flying and voices hollering..."

Although Daring was aware of the entire scenario that happened that night, she still had act as if she didn't know. After all, Rusty Anchor may have not opened up to her if he knew she was indeed working for the mysterious mare. She completed her next paragraph of notes and noticed that the blue stallion had stopped talking. He looked away from her and began staring blankly into space, uttering curses underneath his breath. The sandstone pegasus was perplexed over his sudden silence. "Why'd you stop?"

"Because that's when she turned me in." Ol' Rusty answered angrily. He looked the mare in the eyes and Daring could see the hate radiating off him. "The bitch knocked me out and tied me up outside the Royal Guard Headquarters. Nine days later, here I am! Eleven million bits short and wearing this ugly orange jumpsuit!"

"Can we stay on topic, please? What was in the package?"

At last he took the last drag of the smoke and doubted it in the ashtray while he stood. "This package was nothing like I ever smuggled before..."

Rusty began pacing around the room, studying the ground. "In the past, I've done away with jewels, drugs, animals, immigrants, wine, everything you could put your hoof on, except this."

"Well?" Daring asked, stretching the word curiously. "Go on."

The criminal stopped at the window, taking a deep breath before turning back around. "Are you familiar with parasprites, Daring?"

The word rang in her mind and brought her eyes to widen. "Parasprites? But what would Union Jack want with parasprites?"

Rusty Anchor shook his head and leaned back against the wall. "No clue, all I know is that the crate contained vials of parasprite spores. Your guess is as good as mine."

But one thing didn't make sense to the mare. If the package was indeed parasprite spores, then what was the meaning of the explosive depicted in Mare-Do-Well's research? She decided to poke at her interest further more. "Was there anything else you wanted to add on?"

He wondered his mind for a moment and tried to think of anything else he was missing, but eventually shrugged. "Nope, that's all from what I was given. Although, there is one thing you should know about the leadership of these agents you call them."

"That would help a lot." She answered matter-of-factly, taking a moment to quickly skim through her notes. "What's that?"

"Well let's just say, if you thought Union Jack was corrupt, then you haven't met with their leader."

The mare looked up at him with an intriguing stare. "You've met him...or her?"

"He is a stallion. A stallion with the power and money to kill anypony he wishes, even me. The chairman behind H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., the boss, the administrator, the-"

"Number 1?" She impeded.

Rusty nodded. "Exactly. I'd take great caution if I were you. I don't know what they plan to use the parasprites for, but I can tell you that Prince Blueblood is--" He paused.

Again, the archaeologist lit up with eagerness. "Yes! What were you going to say about the Prince? ...Hello? ...Anchor?"

Suddenly Rusty Anchor was petrified. He appeared stiff, and his facial expression had gone faint. Stretch walked over to him with concern. "Hey, Anchor. The lady's talking to ya."

Daring and the guard were puzzled. Stretch tapped him on the shoulder then out of nowhere, he fell forward and collapsed to the floor, an arrow lodged in his upper back. They gasped and rushed to the body. But the injury was too deep, Rusty Anchor was dead. As Stretch checked him over, Daring disregarded and took her immediate interests to the window. She raised a hoof to her forehead and gazed into the alleyway, where she could she a black hooded figure galloping away. Without further delay, she tossed the notebook in her bag and flung it over her shoulder before leaping the table and bursting out the door, leaving the remaining guards in utter confusion.

Meanwhile, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well had remained inside the stagecoach, conducting further research on their mission. She found the dossier she was reading to be very fascinating. Ever since she first laid eyes on it, Mare-Do-Well found the works of the gyrocopter interesting. She had been reading since they left Canterlot and she figured in her mind that she could fly one. It didn't look very hard. Besides, with the blueprints, she could eventually develop her own flying machine. But she wasn't given enough time to contemplate. Daring swung the door open and jumped in, almost yelling at the startled mare. "Start the engine, quick!"

The masked mare almost hit the roof. But without asking, she did just that. Mare-Do-Well nearly smashed the button on her console and the stagecoach took off with a jolt. Daring fell back onto the couch and pointed to left. "Turn left!"

With a flick of a switch, a steering wheel lifted from the dashboard, allowing the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well to take control of the vehicle. Now being able to catch her breath, she shot the excited pegasus a very disturbed frown. "And just WHAT was the meaning of that entrance!"

"Anchor is dead!" she called back a midst commotion of the runaway wagon. "Somepony shot him with an arrow while his back was against a window."

"Did you see who shot it?"

Daring shook her head disappointed. "Not exactly, but I did see him or her trying to escape...Take a right, now!"

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well gazed up at her side-view camera and tilted her head. "But that leads into an alley!"

"Yes! That's where I seen him escape to!"

With an annoyed sigh, Mare-Do-Well gave the wheel a sharp turn and the stagecoach corralled into the alleyway, smashing trash cans, dumpsters, and stray pieces of furniture, anything that stood in the coach's way. Soon, they broke out into another street, littered with frightened ponies. They galloped from the rampaging wagon and took refuge in the nearest cover. Daring poked her head out of the window and looked all around the cluttered mess of frazzled ponies. But even that couldn't stop her from noticing the long black cape slithering its way down another alley.

"Down that way!" Daring screamed, pointing her hoof in the assailant's direction.

Mare-Do-Well evaded the fleeing citizens of Manehatten and steered the coach into another alley. Again, smashing any and all obstacles. "The insurance company is never going to believe this." Mare-Do-Well facehooved.

Meanwhile, the adventuress kept her eye on the cloaked foe. "Come back here!"

"Hey Daring, not for nothing but...What the HAY is going on here? What did you find out about the bomb?"

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was ignored. All Daring concerned herself with was getting on her apparel. Within fifteen seconds, she had on her olive-green shirt and the pith-helmet, ready for the worse. Mare-Do-Well was annoyed. "This must be how she felt when we first met." She said to herself.

Up ahead, Daring could see the end of the alley. But instead of breaking into another street, it lead to the backdoor of a building. To her expectations, the door was opened. "He must've went inside, come on!"

The stagecoach didn't even come to a stop before Daring was gone. She leaped out of the window and performed a tuck'n'roll to soften the impact. Mare-Do-Well however, slammed on the breaks and followed her hyped-up friend through the door of the large building. "Wait up!"

With the adrenaline rushing and her instincts on the edge, Daring galloped down the narrow halls of the facility and quickly came to a tall tower of stairs. Mare-Do-Well just barely managed to keep up, she still had no clue who they were chasing. 

The excited archaeologist gazed up a few floors and noticed the black cape flickering through the air and spaces between the stairs. "He's up here! Come on, Mare-Do-Well!"

"I'm coming!" she painted heavily. Then suddenly she realized something. "Can't you just fly up there?"

The mare almost stumbled, dumbfounded. "I forgot I had these." With a slightly embarrassed laugh, the pegasus took flight and shot up past the numerous floors of the building which would have taken quite a while to climb. Mare-Do-Well however, took into a gallop to aid her friend with the assailant.

Not long after she took off, Daring caught up with the hooded figure and tackled him between floors. They rolled and flipped over one another, sharing a few blows before the adventuress was shot with a magical fire spell. Do stumbled back, shielding her face from being singed by the embers while the revealed unicorn continued his escape. But she swiftly overcame her hesitance and tripped the assassin once more. This time she made more of an effort by attacking him from behind. She rode his back, trying to lock his neck in a vice grip. Desperate to get away, he thrashed back and forth, smashing his back against each wall, with Daring in between them.

Expressing a yelp of pain, he flipped the pegasus off his back, retaliating with his own neck lock. But Daring made use of her free hooves and elbowed him three times in the stomach. She uppercut him, knocking him against the wall then began choking him. "Who are you!" she yelled, trying to restrain him.

But her efforts would deem useless, the stallion had more than enough leverage to push her away and smack her across the face. He kicked her in the gut then shoved her away again, causing her to lose balance and stumble down a flight of stairs. She landed with a loud thump and knocked the wind out of herself. When she looked up, the assassin had his loaded crossbow pointed right at her. The unicorn cocked a smirk before resting his hoof against the trigger, he had her trapped. But just as he went to fire, a beam of stinging light struck his hoof, forcing him to let go with a painful holler. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well had caught up and as she leaped from one floor to the next. She reached to the inside of her cloak and flung three throwing knifes at the villain but he had already made his escape, he was fleeing to the top floor then practically smashed the door open and bounded out on the roof.

"Need a hoof?" Mare-Do-Well winked.

For a moment, Daring simply sat there, bewildered that she just could have been skewered. She rubbed her heart. "Am I dead?"

With a sigh of annoyance, the hooded mare reached down and hauled the archaeologist to her hooves. "You've got a lot of explaining to do. Come on, he's getting away."

The girls soon followed suit, chasing Rusty's assassin to a dead end. They stepped outside into the powerful gales of the eastern city, tracking the small trail of blood to a quaking unicorn on the edge of the high-story building. He grasped onto a pole, turning around to face his foes with his back against the edge. Daring spread her wings to balance herself while the wind made Mare-Do-Well's cape flourish with the breeze. They nodded to each other then slowly took their steps toward the henchmen of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.. The masked guardian spoke up. "You're trapped! No where to run, and if I were you, I wouldn't even consider trying to jump. You're liable to break a bone or two from this high up."

The force of the wind blew his hood down, showing the deep orange coat of a defeated unicorn. "Just who do you girls think you are?" He retorted with a snarl. "Can't a guy perform a job without being harassed by a couple of cops?"

She chuckled with a smirk. "We're not cops."

"We're just a couple of everyday ponies trying to make a difference, one slime bag at a time." The adventuress remarked.

"Who are you two?" He demanded to know, gripping on for his life while the wind continued to freeze one side of his face.

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well loved that question, it always gave her a chance to stroke her ego. She lit an aura of magic around her horn and slowly unsheathed another dagger from her cloak, revealing it to the assailant. "Don't worry, you'll get the point soon enough."

"Wait!" he hollered. "I'm warning you, you'll be sorry if you try to kill me..."

The mares shared a brief laugh then Daring rolled her eyes at him. "We'll take that chance. Say hello to Rusty for us."

Suddenly from the corner of his lips came small curve. "I warned you...STRIKE!"

Mare-Do-Well lunged in for the attack but was surprisingly apprehended by the hoof of a large stallion, clubbing her over the head with a chop. Daring turned her head to the sudden incident, leaping across the rooftop to deal with the sneaky pony. But his size would be too much for the persistent pegasus, being caught in mid-flight and battered in the skull for her failed assault.

The black-clad unicorn stepped down from the ledge and trot up to his assistant, with Daring hanging loosely over the muscular pony's shoulder while the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well lay unconscious at his hooves. He flicked the limp mare off of him and watched her land next to her ally. He grunted with satisfaction and waited on his superior's next call. The unicorn smiled deviously at the defenseless heroes then looked up at the tall brute. "Excellent, Hercules. Take them to him. He'll want to see this."

To be continued



   







 

 


 

> Chapter 8: Eye of the Hurricane
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unknown Location, 6:26 pm, September 28th

What a strange turn of events. There they were, about to snag the name of the pony behind all this, then the complete implosion of their plan. Foiled. They had anticipated every reasonably possible contingency...except an assassination, of course. They believed in the Guard's capability, their high status of perfect defense, but they were wrong. Rusty Anchor was eliminated right then and there, wiped from existence, as well as their chance of ever finding out where and what H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. was up to. The only information given was the mentioning of parasprites. What were they planning?

Daring Do awoke with a crippling headache. It felt like she'd been hit by a runaway stagecoach. She rubbed a hoof down her neck and cracked her joints in various places of her body before taking in her surroundings. She blinked faintly twice, then opened wide when she learned she had been lying in a bed all this time. A surprisingly soft bed at that. She kept peering across the room and noticed the control panel next to her on the nightstand. Curious, the adventuress slid her hoof over a switch and it illuminated the room. It was like somepony picked her up, and dropped her off at one of the finest hotel suites in Equestria. The bedroom was lavishing.

There were couches, coffee tables, a billiards table, kitchen, dining table, walk-in closet, the works! All of it surrounded by the brightening array of decor up on the walls and around. There were portraits of famous ponies, and landscapes on every aspect of the room. There were flower pots, statues, centerpieces. Just where was Daring Do? She pondered this with bewilderment painted to her face, but that only lasted so long until she realized the other pony bundled under the sheets. The half-asleep mare pulled the sheets over, and there was the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, fast asleep but still in her attire. But wouldn't they have stripped the mare to find out who she was? It was at this point Daring didn't know anything that was going on anymore. Where was she, how did she get there, and why was she there?

She reached over and gave her slumbering friend a couple slight nudges. "Mare-Do-Well. Hey, it's Daring. Wake up."

"..."

When her response was met with a brush-off and the sheets being pulled back over her body, Daring made more of an effort, aggressively shoving the mare off of the bed. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well landed with a thump, inevitably waking her up. She opened her eyes and found herself on the floor. She was too confused to be hurt from the fall. Her only reaction was a yawn. Carefully she climbed back into the bed and sat up next to her ally who was just as perplexed. "Where are we?"

Daring shrugged. "No clue. All I can remember is being knocked out on top of that building."

Then it clicked in, and Mare-Do-Well caressed the lump on the side of her skull. "Oh Yeah, that. Would you look at this room! Who checked us into the Mareion while we were out?"

"That's just what I was thinking." Do giggled. "All jokes aside, we should probably get up and try to find a way out of this place."

The shadowy mare agreed and lifted herself out of the bed. "I guess you're right. You have any idea how long we've been sitting here?"

Daring shook her head. "Notta clue. I think it's been a while though. By the way, those thugs back there that caught us, I found it strange how they didn't try to unmask you."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well sported a clever grin. "That is the security of my outfit. This suit specially designed to only be taken off with my magic. It was expensive. I had to order it in from Los Pegasus."

"Nifty, but come on, let's look for a way out of here."

Mare-Do-Well nodded. "Agreed."

After a brief stretch, the girls began scanning the room for an exit. They tried simply opening the three doors that were there but one was the closet, another was the washroom, and the third was completely locked from the outside. They figured that was the door they had to open, but there appeared to be no possible way of fiddling with the system. Mare-Do-Well even tried using one of her lock-picking gadgets to break it open but no dice, this door wasn't budging. 

So they tried grazing the room for some sort of hidden switch. There had to be a way out. Unless this was their kidnapper's idea of a prison. It certainly wasn't what the girls were used to. In the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well's case, she had been tied to chairs, thrown in cells, locked in gas chambers, and even submerged in water. When it came to Daring's similar scenarios, she found herself strapped to ancient torture racks, nearly burned at the stake, tossed into a snake pit. And the most ironic fact the girls realized, they were easily able to escape such fates. But this, they couldn't find their way out of a five-star bedroom.

Just when they were about to give up, they were startled by an ominous voice being broadcast throughout the room, but turns out it was just a few loudspeakers. The voice was of a stallion's, a stallion who sounded very full of himself. "I'm detecting quite a bit of motion from this room. I assume that you, my pets, have awaken from your slumber..."

Daring swung her head around, trying to find the origin of the anonymous speaker. "Okay, this is getting a little creepy. Who are you?" She yelled.

"All will be revealed soon, Daring Do." It laughed, snickering as it stretched out the archaeologist's name. "I suppose you're both wondering how to escape this room? Do you like it? I designed the room myself. I don't consider myself to be sinister. I'm more of a modest pony that will even treat my prisoners with the best of care."

"Would you just shut up and tell us how to get out of here!" Mare-Do-Well exclaimed impatiently. 

"Well, well, well, aren't we touchy to the nerves. If you haven't realized by now, this room can only be opened from the other side. Allow me to open it for you, my dears..."

Suddenly the door slid open, just like the voice told them. The two girls threw a worried glance at each other, unsure of the obstacles that could be ahead of them. "You sure about this?" Daring whispered.

"I was going to ask you the same thing." Her partner mused.

The voice jumped back in with a humored chuckle. "I assure you ladies, you have nothing to fear...but fear itself."

It cackled louder, making the mares feel even more on edge, but they knew simply standing there wasn't going to solve anything. They had to move on. With a deep breath, Daring took the first steps, crossing the threshold into a hallway, soon followed by the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well who looked around the brightly lit corridor. To their anticipation, the voice addressed them again. "That's it, please be so kind as to follow the lighted path to your destination."

Daring raised a brow. "What lighted path?" Her dumbfounded query just to be answered by the masked mare, poking her on the shoulder then pointing at the ground in front of them. "Oh...That lighted path."

They walked to one end of the hall then looked to the right where the small lights embedded in the floor began to trail. It went on for quite a while but it was simple enough. Nopony jumped out at them or tried to attack. Even the ominous owner of the voice remained quiet as the girls trot on the path. From the strange events, they could only guess that they were going to meet the owner very soon. It made perfect sense.

"Where do you think we're going?" Daring asked suddenly.

Unaware that she had done so, Mare-Do-Well was now ahead of the pegasus. She looked back at her then eyeballed her surroundings. "I'm not entirely sure. Your guess is as good as mine, but according to what I learned from experience, this path is bringing us to whoever owns that voice. Does it sound familiar to you?"

"Not really." She sighed with a shrug. "But all these guys sound the same. They all act the same too. They talk and act with their ego. It's just natural to them."

"You're right, there." The hooded one laughed. "Hey look up ahead, we're here."

Daring shot a glance forward and it was true. After several minutes of walking, the girls were stopped in front of a set of double doors. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well and Daring stood side by side, being sure to walk in together. The adventuress nodded, Mare-Do-Well nodded back. Using her magic, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well gripped the knobs and turned, pushing simultaneously and both of them crossed into the dimly lit office of the pony sitting at the desk at the end of the room. But he wasn't the only one. Daring Do scowled at the sight of her nemesis, Giovanni D'Angelo, sitting across from the shadowed pony in another chair, the two sharing an interesting game of chess.

With a smile curving up his lips, the griffon stood and acknowledged the guests. "We meet again, Daring Do, and I see you've brought your friend as well. Welcome."

"Shove it, D'Angelo." Daring slurred. "What's going on here?"

The griffon fixed the beret on his head and sat back down with his hindlegs crossed. He never answered the question, but the pony in front of him wearing a fedora hat didn't mind answering. "Daring Do...and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. Two ladies that have caused me so much trouble, yet so much amusement."

"Believe me, wait until it's my turn to be amused." Mare-Do-Well remarked.

The anonymous stallion decided to disregard the chess match and turned his head to something off in the shadows of the room. Moments later, another pony stepped into the light, brightening the orange coat of a pony the girls encountered just hours ago. It looked like he had cleaned himself up, now wearing a slicked-back mane and a white necktie to replace the previous dusty cloak. He approached the side of the desk where a contract was slid in front of him, alongside an inkwell with a quill slouching over its edge. With a glow from his horn, he levitated the quill over the bottom line of the parchment and scribbled his name. Then followed by a humble laugh, the pony with the fedora stood and shook hooves with what looked like his new associate. "You've passed the test, welcome aboard...Number 6."

"Thank you, No. 1. I'm sure this won't be the last time we shake hooves." He grinned.

No. 1 returned his gesture with a subtle laugh. "With results you and Hercules have brought me, how can I doubt it? That'll be all."

The newly accepted agent bowed. "Thank you again, No. 1. You will not regret this decision."

As he walked past the mares to leave, No. 6 threw them a cocky smirk, being returned with a vengeful glare from the adventuress. When the door reopened, two guards trot through and blocked the girls' only possible escape. With the mare finally where he wanted them, the boss sat back down and sipped from his water on the desk. "You'll have to forgive Freelance and Hercules. Sometimes they can be quite aggressive to get their way. But whatever gets the job finished is fine with me."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was getting fed up with this stallion's poor attempts to stall for time. The scare tactics were mundane and cliche, something the masked mare couldn't stand. "Let's cut to the chase, shall we? Number 1...I've waited a long time to finally meet you. You and your little two-bit organization have caused enough trouble as it is. Just what are you up to?"

"Yeah!" exclaimed Daring. "And another thing, where is Prince Blueblood?"

No. 1 replied with a skeptical glare. "Blueblood? That royal flush? Well that shall remain my little secret for quite some time. But enough of this dawdling small talk. Allow me to introduce myself. When my predecessor passed on, this organization laid dormant for decades. High Roller scouted for years to find a suitable successor, but his failure to do so was accounted by the fact that his successor hadn't been born yet. And now, in a new era, here I am...The eye of the hurricane."

Using his magic, No. 1 brightened the lights to illuminate every aspect of the room, including himself. The girls were finally met with the revealed form of their adversary. A night-blue unicorn with sky-like sapphire eyes, wearing a grey turtleneck sweater underneath a black blazer, and a black fedora covering his short dark mane to match it. His cutie-mark depicted a sum of bits next to a stack of paper, giving the impression that this crime lord was formerly some sort of accountant. With a smug expression already on his face, he emphasized it with a devious grin. "My name is Shyster Stockholder, Head agent of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. and its Chaos division. Under normal circumstances, I would have rather for you ladies to be killed. But when the opportunity occurred for me to meet the two ponies that have managed to damage my organization and perhaps even my pride, I couldn't resist. I had to meet with you two. Such resilience, such integrity...such stupidity. Did you two have any idea what you were up against?"

Daring huffed. "We knew exactly what to expect, but I believe it is you who does not know what you are up against."

"Enlighten me." He scoffed back.

"Because if you kill me, I won't be able to report back to the Royal Guard. In that case, they'll retaliate and your entire operation will fail so why don't you just give up now."

D'Angelo and Stockholder brushed off Daring's statement with an unimpressive laugh. "You're a very funny girl, Daring Do. I'll give you that, but I'm afraid there will be no others. Besides, from what Union has told me, you used that same pathetic excuse back in Canterlot. You see, you left a little document behind in No. 4's office. A certain report that you needed to file to the Guard. Well not to worry, because I had the courtesy to file that report for you...slightly tweeked of course."

For once, the adventuress couldn't bounce back with her usual witty response. But the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well wasn't about to hold back. "Slightly tweeked? You've only said one thing and already I can tell you're dishonest, deceitful, manipulative, and desperate."

"Desperate?" He repeated, laughing at her. "They must have knocked you in the head quite hard. If you haven't realized, I am in control of one of the most powerful crime syndicates, not only in Equestria, but possibly the entire world. When we've achieved success in our mission, every other kingdom will shake with fear."

They sounded serious, but Daring knew when somepony's ego was talking. "Don't make me laugh! H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. fell once and it will fall again. We know that package contained parasprite spores, now just what do you plan on doing with them?"

That question caught the crime lord by surprise and brought his fit of amusement to an immediate standstill. "So, you girls have been around. Well I see no reason not to tell you. But please, sit down."

The archaeologist and Mare-Do-Well had no intent to, but not two seconds after he requested it, Stockholder's thugs grabbed them from behind, sitting them down in the two other armchairs next to Giovanni. After the girls were sought, Shyster reached underneath his desk flicked a concealed switch. Suddenly the girls were trapped, steel braces protruded from the arms and legs of the chair and locked over their hooves. "Now we can begin." No. 1 smiled.

"You're sick." Daring scowled, almost looking ill at the corrupt unicorn.

"Three of my agents have already made the mistake of letting you two escape." He replied matter-of-factly. "I will not allow that to happen a second time."

At that moment Giovanni sighed and calmly fixed his ascot while Shyster poured himself another glass of water. While they seemed distracted for the moment, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well attempted to break the locks with her magic but as soon as her horn was lit, a thin, razor sharp blade was brought to her neck from Giovanni's baton. He ruffled his feathers and snickered. "Do not believe in magic, my dear. There is nothing you can do to escape."

"Just where are we anyway?" She asked back.

The griffon withdrew the sharp epee and sheathed it again. He rose from his seat and walked over to the large window covered by blinds. He bent one of the shades down and peeked at the clouds around them, the sun was soon beginning its descent. "We're about several thousand feet, travelling southwest just outside of Fillydelphia on the Spectrum airship, Zephyrus."

"No. 2, open those blinds." Stockholder ordered. "Let Professor Do and Miss Mare-Do-Well see the daylight one last time."

D'Angelo cackled arrogantly as he walked over to console next to the window and pressed the button.

Then the shutters flew up and further brightened the office. Daring took notice that they were indeed, among the clouds. "That explains the popping." She said before turning to Shyster. "The parasprites, Stockholder."

"I was just getting to that. You remember that horrific outbreak of parasprites in Ponyville and Fillydelphia four years ago? Well I have devised a plan that will no doubt, give me the power to turn the tables of the kingdom's food supply where ever I want them to go. This outbreak, although the damage was minimal to one farm just outside of Ponyville, Fillydelphia took a tragic and substantial toll. Farming families were devastated by the crop-devouring insects, costing millions of bits in property damage and of course, crippling the year's harvest. It caused an economic meltdown in the east. Now imagine that again, except on a much wider scale. Thousands upon thousands of spores escaping into the world, multiplying at an exponential rate of great financial chaos. Famine will spread from one end of the kingdom to the other, eventually radiating overseas and infecting yet another kingdom in the path of the swarm. It will be the swarm of the century. Not even Princess Celestia will be able to control the creatures. Equestria's economy will fumble and ultimately crash, leading to civil war among communities, and everlasting chaos so long as the parasprites thrive...Unless my demands are met, I will proceed with the mission and eradicate all species of fruit and herbaceous produce all over the globe. There's not a thing you can do to stop me. Already, Phase 3 is underway and soon the distribution of my crisis will begin in Canterlot."

The masked mare sighed. "Thus, Canterlot Crisis."

"Exactly." He grinned.

"Then what is the meaning of kidnapping the Prince?" Daring wondered.

"And the bomb I seen in the schematics?" Added Mare-Do-Well.

Shyster simply shook his head and looked up at D'Angelo. "I told you it would puzzle them. Ladies, over the years, many masterminds like myself have foolishly fallen due to lack of preparation. They run on one plan and waste their resources trying to pursue that plan. Then when it is foiled, that pony, griffon, or whoever it may be, fails and is soon compromised by his or her adversary...Unlike them, I have prepared a contingency plan."

Staring down at the chess game, Shyster lit his horn and held a pawn in front of the girls. "Take this pawn for example. Right now, Blueblood is my distraction to the Royal Guard. As we are speaking, hundreds of oblivious soldiers are working tirelessly trying to locate the beloved Prince."

Next he lifted the bishops, knights and rooks from the game. "Unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi guards all about are letting their defense lower."

With a pawn in front of him, the bishops, knights and rooks to his left, he levitated the king and queen to the right. "Let this king represent Equestria. H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. is like the queen, we can move in any direction and will often be the main target to the opposing player. But if the king's defenses are out of the way of the opposing queen, like the bishops, knights and rooks on my left..."

Finally he allowed all the pieces but the queen and king fall to the ground and he shot a spell of electricity from his horn at the king piece, frying it black then it slamming the queen through its top, exploding the small wooden sculpture into smoky ashes and the queen landed on the surface of the desk, standing above the rest. "Then it traps, and strikes the king. Much like the game of chess, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. will take advantage of this diversion and not only hold the Prince captive, we will make it believable by holding a ransom for his return. But let's be serious, we will not be needing such a hefty reward of 500 million. It is simply a facade for Spectrum to operate our main plan behind the eyes of the law, and with the respectable Union Jack as the president, there are no flaws. It was a fact that while the Prince was being kidnapped, the captain of the Royal Guard called in every operative within distance of Cloudsdale, allowing Union to slide the package through the Guard and continue on to Cloudsdale Headquarters without further interruption. So as you can see, thanks to that one slip in defense, we have managed to smuggle the spores of one of the most proliferate creatures in the world. Now that I've got you two trapped, this operation is now completely impregnable."

"And just what do you want for this little scheme of your's?" Daring questioned. It picked at her brain. For something this detailed, it had to be something interesting.

That query however, was answered with a petty laugh of egotism. He leaned back and sipped at his water, obviously trying to build the suspense. After a thirst-quenching sigh, Shyster turned his head to the window and took in the view of the outside world. It was a picture worth a thousand words. The breath-taking autumn sun beamed across the northern cornfields and apple orchards of Equestria, polishing the rich lands of aging apple trees with all shades of fiery red, stretching to the end of the sky where a majestic range of mountains towered in the far north, barricading the kingdom's plains from the vicious wintry gales behind it. It was beautiful, and the look on Stockholder's face showed it. With his eyes bubbling with envy, he looked back at the girls and pointed to the north. "Them. I want the Crystal Mountains. For two reasons of course. The development of Spectrum's northern research facility, and ownership to one of the finest crystal mines in the world. Imagine it, gems of all kinds. I'm talking rubies, emeralds, amethysts, diamonds, you name it! Within a year, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. could be operating a multi-million bit business. We'll make a fortune. Exporting the greatest rocks to high-end retailers from all over the world! To places like Canterlot, Manehatten, Los Pegasus, and international cities like Manechester, Roam, Maredrid, Rio de Janeighro. The possibilities are endless."

It seemed like a viable exchange for the threat they were flaunting, but the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well thought of a potential drawback. "You're plan is interesting, but you've overlooked one fact. Let's say you get your ransom. Won't there be a problem in your credibility when distributing these valuables? After all, when the foreign companies learn that this mine is run by an insane pony who threatened his homeland with an army of parasprites in an extortion plot, do you really think they'll trust you?"

"That problem has already been solved." He rebutted with pompous smirk. "When I go to put forth my demands, not only will the Crystal Mountains be on the table, but the pardon for every criminal act made by H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., therefore rendering the possibility of slander void. To cease further anarchy, the Guard will more than likely keep the return of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. a secret. So there I am not particularly worried about that."

For once the hooded hero could hardly find flaws in his plan. He really had thought ahead to every aspect and assured that nothing would jeopardize their mission. At that moment, the unicorn felt like accepting defeat. Nothing she was saying could shake the villain. Daring however, still wasn't satisfied. "Alright, you've elaborated on the parasprites and the kidnapping, but what's the deal around that bomb we seen?"

"Don't you two get tired of playing twenty questions?" He sighed. "It is my backup plan. Should this plot backfire, I have a reserve."

"And what is that?"

Stockholder broke another devious smile from side of his lips. "You bore me, Daring Do. I don't see the reason why you wish to know all of this while you only have minutes to live."

"Oh So you are going to kill us?" The archaeologist replied, the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. leader sensing sarcasm in her tone. "That's good to hear, you were starting to bore me as well."

Her statements were met with nothing more than Shyster's sinister chuckle. "You're attempting to anger me, but I see no reason to lose a nerve when you two are in such a pathetic position." 

Daring didn't feel the least bit intimidated, she still had one trick up her sleeve. The adventuress worked well under pressure. A skill that one is required to have when venturing through countless temples and dungeons while having to put up with egotistical narcissists of villains. She decided to have a little fun with Mr. Shyster Stockholder. "You're not exactly familiar with my line of work, are you?"

"As a matter of fact, I do." He answered as he continued to gaze across the glittering mountains in the distance. "Professor Daring Do, relic hunter. Born into a family native of Cloudsdale, but moved to Canterlot City just months after your birth for your father's career. Unfortunately for you however, your parents met a tragic end while you were still very young and you were forced to raise yourself. You decided to follow in your father's hoofsteps, therefore you began your studies in archaeology. With such determination, you were the youngest mare to graduate your high school at 16 after jumping two grades due to your level of intelligence. Some years later, you graduated from the University of Canterlot with honors and a master's degree in archaeology. At such a young age of 24, you took no wait in going on your first few expeditions. Of course making your first big snag with the Sapphire Statue, then onward to the Griffon's Goblet, and so on, and so on. When you're not adventuring, you spend your time lecturing students at the same university where you achieved that master's. There is nothing you can me of which I don't already know."

Mare-Do-Well had no clue what was going on. All she had to go on was Daring's seemingly elated mood. She figured the pegasus had some sort of idea, some escape plan, but the odds looked slim. Her gadgets were useless without her hooves and with Giovanni ready slit her throat, magic was also out of the question. She was intrigued to wonder why the mare next to her was suddenly upbeat. "I guess when it's time to go, you gotta go out with a bang." She thought wearily.

"Oh Yawn, so you know my back story. That doesn't mean you know me." Daring pointed out. Then she turned to the griffon staring right back at her. "Right? You never did tell me how you got involved in all this, Giovanni. What's in it for you?"

"Oh Not much." The middle-aged griffon shrugged, gripping the baton tucked in his wing and slowly approaching his long time rival. "You see, Daring Do. All my life I have worshiped archaeology and the value behind lost treasures of the world. After thirty years in my career, I have been to every corner of this globe, reluctantly with you close behind me. But even after all that, I still have one dream to complete. I'm sure even you, my archaeological adversary, have a long sought dream you wish to uncover one day."

That much, was true. Daring acknowledged it with a simple nod. "Well, yes. Don't we all?" 

Giovanni grinned back at her agreement and sat on the corner of Stockholder's desk with the baton now resting vertically on the floor with his talons cupped firmly on top of it. "My position here with H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. is not permanent. I was offered the job for an investment of fifteen million Gryphonian larks, which is approximately twenty million Equestrian bits. After my work here is done, No. 1 has agreed to reimburse me with a gross revenue of 75 million. Following which, I will resign from the hierarchy to carry out my final expedition of my illustrious career. A crusade for a relic that has been hidden for centuries. Hence, the last crusade. Many have attempted the treacherous descent into its labyrinth, but all have failed. But I, I have studied its history all my life. So before I retire, I will travel to the distant desert lands of Karith, and finally uncover the lost Daylight Stone. It is believed to be among the five most valued artifacts in the world and I shall find it. Not to sell or donate to some museum, but to have it atop my pedestal, defining me as the greatest archaeologist in the world! And now with death staring you in the face, you are no longer a factor in my life."

Daring Do was nearly sick to her stomach to hear that. Not only going against the legends of the Daylight Stone, but keeping it for personal gain. An act of which according to Daring, was the worst crime of all in archaeology. With a sudden pent-up rage flooding her heart, she barked at her nemesis. "You...SELFISH son of a bitch! It belongs in a museum! It's griffons and ponies like you that give archaeology a bad name. How dare you, you of all archaeologists dare to attempt something you will never achieve? If you've studied it all your life, then you know that it is said that only the pure of heart will be able to find the lost relic, and you really think you are pure? Giovanni, you are the definition of every word that defines a conceited megalomaniac. I knew you were a cold-hearted fiend, but I never thought you would go as far as to break the honor of archaeology."

"I expected an answer like that. You see, you and I are very much alike. Archaeology is our religion, yet we have both fallen from the pure faith. Our methods have not differed as much as you pretend. I am but a shadowy reflection of you. It would take only a nudge to make you like me. To push you out of the light. It does not matter what you think anymore." Giovanni laughed, letting the thought of his nemesis' fate sink into reality. "Although I will be honest, I never thought I'd finally see you dead."

The griffon turned to his superior and nodded, then as the griffon archaeologist moved off to the side, Stockholder rose from his seat and walked over to one of his guards. He gestured his eyes at the stallion's back and his bodyguard got the signal. The large pony reached behind himself and hoofed over the loaded spear gun from its scabbard. The psychotic blue unicorn held it in one hoof and caressed the spear with the other while his eyes slowly shifted over at the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well like a lunatic. Finally he approached her, levitating the gun in a magical bind. He turned the empty chair that D'Angelo previously occupied and faced it toward the girls. Then he sat, his hindhooves crossed and the spear gun resting on his thigh with a hoof wrapped around the trigger. He tilted it at the violet-clad mare first. "My primary orders were to have you killed, how it was to be done was the killer's business. As for me, I will make it to be a very unpleasant experience. You've caused me a great deal of stress of which I cannot accept any longer. If the first spear doesn't kill you, the second one may, but if not the third, then definitely the fourth. I guess what I'm trying to say is, checkmate."

"Wait!" Daring shouted suddenly, startling Shyster to aim the gun at her on instinct. He noticed the girl had begun to shiver and the cracking in her voice was appealing to hear. "Is there anyway you can let us survive?"

No. 1 gave a callous smile and shook his head. "Not a chance-"

"Then what about me, at least." She interjected suddenly, bringing on a very surprised reaction from the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well who's neck almost snapped at the response. Do let out a fearful sigh and a small stream of tears rolled down her brown cheeks. "Please, I'll do anything. I'll take D'Angelo's offer. Let me join you guys, just don't kill me, please."

"You laughed in my face and threw the offer out the window. Why suddenly the change of heart?" Giovanni inquired, not believing the tears the mare was making. "Stop crying! Don't listen to her, No. 1."

The sulking archaeologist whimpered further. "Because I know there is no escape from here. We're are in the middle of the sky with the four of you surrounding us. I have braces holding me down. How in the hoof am I going to escape? I'll do anything! Let me prove it."

If there was anything Shyster loved the most, it was groveling, and the smirk plastered on his face brandished it. He was almost laughing. No. 2 seen him, watching the mare break down in front of him. He would have liked to join in the amusement as well but the Gryphonian knew what his superior was thinking about. "You're not buying this sob story, are you?"

Shyster Stockholder raised his hoof and dismissed his question. "Don't get your feathers in a ruffle, No. 2. This could be interesting."

"But No. 1-"

"Quiet, Giovanni! I'm no idiot. If she can prove to us she's H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. material, then we may able to spare her. A mare is just what we need." Shyster lifted from the armchair returned to the swiveling one behind his desk instead. He gestured the spear gun at his bodyguard and tossed it back over. "Like I said, I'm no idiot. My guard will have the spear gun directly aimed at your back so if you make any sudden moves against one of us, you will gravely regret it. Now let us begin."

When No. 1 was back in his seat he deactivated the braces around Daring's hooves with his magic. As the mare slowly got up from her position, she eyed the stallions around her. She was almost shocked that they allowed her to live, but she wasn't out of the woods yet. Silently she took a couple hoofsteps to stand in front of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well who now bore a disgusted scowl of being betrayed. But before the mare could even gather up any words to say about it, Daring winded up and struck Mare-Do-Well across the face, sending the emotional feeling of a knife, wrenching into her back. "You've got me as far as you could, but a thousand to one sounds a heck of a lot better than two to a thousand." Daring speculated.

Shyster watch on from his chair while D'Angelo's claws were on his baton, in disbelief and ready to unsheath his blade when ready. He wasn't convinced with the single hit, but as soon as that thought came to mind, the backstabbing mare struck the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well a second time. The masked mare was feeling hopeless. The look in Daring's eyes, the demonic smile curving up her lips and the aggression she felt in the attacks. The archaeologist she grew to trust had turned against her. With hardly enough effort to even want to acknowledge her, Mare-Do-Well leered at Do with new resentment and a boiling anger flooding from her tone. "Well I hope you enjoy the rest of your life you ungrateful mule! You'll see how far working with these brutes will get you. Go ahead and kill me! After all, I'll die happy knowing that you'll all be burned in the end."

"Canterlot Crisis will not fail, Miss Mare-Do-Well." Stockholder promised. "In a little over twelve hours, Princess Celestia will be given the ultimatum. If she accepts, the Prince will be returned and the parasprite distributor will be turned over. But if she declines, then the world will witness the greatest famine of the millennium and the economy will crumble and depreciate for the next hundred years."

Daring smiled down at the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, holding her by the shoulders then patting her on the cheek. "I'm sorry, but in this world, it's survival of the fittest..."

Suddenly the pegasus flapped out her left wing, clipping the spear gun and knocking it into the air. Immediately using what little time she had, Daring stabilized her forehooves on the arms of Mare-Do-Well's chair and bucked the now unarmed guard, knocking him hard into the other. They fell to the ground but were quick to get to their hooves. Unbeknownst to the adventuress, Giovanni readied himself to pounce with the baton but the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well struck first with her magic, blasting the griffon with a fireball. She now knew why Daring had done what she done.

The shocked Shyster leaped back against the wall and hid behind his chair. "Kill them! Get off your flanks and kill them!"

The bucked bodyguard tried to spear down the freed Daring, but his excessive mass made him too slow against the agile pegasus diving out of the way. She tucked and rolled to dodge the assault, arming herself with the dropped spear gun as she rolled over. With quick intuition and dexterity when she came up, she aimed down the firearm and shot at the stallion that dove at her. The speeding bolt zipped through the air and pierced the stallion's chest, propelling him back like he was hit by a bull and smashed him through the window as he screamed to his impending death.

The gales of the wind came in, sending papers flying off Stockholder's desk all around the room as if it were a cyclone. D'Angelo was recovering from Mare-Do-Well's attack when he realized he had a chance to kill the still tied-down pony. He got ready to charge at her as he was getting up with the blade protruding outward, but was quickly thwarted by his nemesis. Daring Do broke into a quick gallop then slid across the floor with her hindhooves tripping No. 2 as they collided. Giovanni let go of the blade and sent it through the air, coming ever so close to stabbing the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well as it stuck in the chair next to her neck. "Daring, a little help here!"

After a brief struggle on the ground, Do unloaded three shots on Giovanni's beak. But he was quick to shake away the stars and used his natural griffon strength to shove the smaller attacker off him. He stumbled to his paws and talons, wiping a trickle of blood from his beak. Daring took flight, tackling Giovanni again but this time the griffon evaded and instead, Daring hit the wall opposite to the shattered window, fumbling to the ground shortly after. 

She rubbed her hoof on her forehead then suddenly felt somepony take a hold of her mane and tail. Unable to react quickly enough, the remaining bodyguard took her up and swung the dazed pegasus around, releasing her into a bookcase. The impact was shattering as Daring let out an aching yelp as her body struck the ebony frame. Meanwhile Mare-Do-Well tried to hold back Giovanni with an elemental spell, bending the wind and aiming a strong super gale at the griffon, keeping him at bay against the wall. The masked mare couldn't help but laugh. "What a suitable punishment for a windbag!"

The livid D'Angelo couldn't move, he was completely pinned against the wall. Through the powerful force, he shouted at the spellcaster. "You cannot hold that magic forever! When I'm free, I will paint the walls with your blood!"

Before the sandstone pegasus realized it, she was being picked up again. This time the thug swung her at the wall again, bouncing off it like a ball. The wicked thud her body made as she fell to the floor gave her the awkward feeling that she might have broken something, but she had to drive that thought out of her mind. The bulky steed was coming towards her yet again. This time, the mare made use of her speed and lifted her hindleg into a kick as the stallion went to grab her again. It caught him by surprise, whipping across his head and caused him to stumble back. 

The adventuress was free again but only to notice the guard shaking off the kick and charging into a gallop. With a split second to react, Daring looked around and took a hold of a decorative sword off the wall in her teeth. Suddenly the stallion braked his hooves and staggered back as she swung, just grazing his snout. Daring went to impale him and the guard sidestepped, but his large physique would be his downfall when the energetic pegasus spun herself around and caught him in the back with a wide slash, killing the stallion as her attack reached the spine.

The adrenaline was running wild inside Daring. She can't remember the last time she had such a rush. It was what she lived for and what she would die for. But for the moment she had to put that thought to the side, the brawl wasn't over yet. Having to take matters into his own hooves, Shyster Stockholder stepped out from behind his chair and concentrated on the deceptive pegasus, unleashing a powerful yellow glowing ball of electricity through the air. Not expecting the attack, Daring tripped over her own hooves and fell to get out of the way of the mystical projectile. But before she could get over the threat of the first one, another thunder ball was already coming her way. With a quick jumping leap, Daring evaded it, and another, and another until the adventuress was hoof to hoof with the mastermind. 

By the second, Giovanni D'Angelo could feel Mare-Do-Well's magic fading weaker. In another minute, he anticipated the spell to fail and he would be free to take care of unfinished business. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well herself knew this to be true. She was sweating a river and a migraine was beginning to settle in. She was not used to using battle spells such as fire and wind, but she did know some of it, but that didn't change the question, how long could she really keep it up?

Daring Do at last met with No. 1, throwing a haymaker at the psychopath, but the blue unicorn leaned out of the way of the strike and caught a hold of her hoof, twisted it then counteracted with a headbutt. He shoved the persistent pegasus over his desk and sent her tumbling down yet again. Very quickly he wrapped his hoof around the handle of his water jug that spilled over and broke it on his desk, shattering the base into jagged shanks. He leaped over the desk and landed on Daring, trying to cut the mare's neck. She reacted on instinct and pushed his hoof away with her own. But Stockholder pressed on and Do struggled, closer and closer the broken glass was being drawn to her jugular until she eventually began distancing the makeshift glass weapon. With both her forehooves against his one, the mare slowly pushed it away, their hooves shaking with tension. When the opportunity was open, Daring struck back with her own headbutt then as his head cocked back, the window was open her to get her legs in under him, she launched the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. leader away with her hindhooves.

Shyster landed inches away from the edge of the window, his fedora blowing out the window as he flew through the air. He spent little time on the ground and got to his hooves right away before the archaeologist mare could get the better hoof of him. But when he seen her still trying to collect herself, he looked off to the side where the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well still sat, slaving against her mind's will to keep the spell alive, along with Giovanni's hidden blade protruding from the chair. On the spur of the moment, he ran over to take care of the exhausted unicorn once and for all but he was immediately tackled down, rolling across the ground until he and his attacker hit the wall several seconds after. Reluctantly to the mad unicorn it was Daring yet again. She pinned him and his forehooves down and then began to beat down on the defenseless head of Stockholder, a wicked smack being heard from each hit. After such a horrendous beat down, Shyster was battered and bleeding from his snout.

At last the adventuress could think. Getting to her hooves, she rushed over to Shyster's desk and scanned the surface for a way to unlock Mare-Do-Well's braces. But the hooded hero herself wasn't feeling so hot. The world around her was getting blurry, and she repeatedly bobbed her head in an attempt to keep it concentrated on D'Angelo, but the duration and difficulty of the spell had taken its toll and her horn's glow darkened until the magical sparks spit from the tip and disappeared into nothing as they hit the floor. The elemental wind spell ultimately ended and before the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well could utter to Daring for help, her head flopped forward and she passed out.

Noticing a sudden change in the atmosphere around her when the violent winds returned, Daring Do looked up from the search and found Mare-Do-Well unconscious from the unicorn condition of magical exhaustion and aggravation. "Mare-Do-Well!"

Afraid for her ally's life, Daring promptly slid everything off the desk's surface and examined every corner, face, and leg of it until she discovered the switch underneath it. The braces retracted and tucked back into the chair and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was liberated at last. The archaeologist galloped over to tend to her friend but was surprisingly yanked from behind when she reached her. The pegasus recognized the touch of ridged claws then abruptly remembered that Giovanni was no longer restrained by Mare-Do-Well's magic. The enraged griffon forcefully turned her around and gripped the smaller archaeologist by the shoulders before smacking her across the face. He was a wreck. The intense wind had blown his beret off his head, his glasses were chipped by Daring's previous attacks, and the dried blood stained his beak. Hot air fumed from his nose and his heart pounded with anger. "You've been making a mockery of my professionalism for the past eight years I've known you. One time I actually believed you were a decent mare. But such unorthodox methods, such aggressiveness, and such a wild persona. You have been interfering in my affairs since the day we met, but I'm afraid you have interfered with my plans for the last time, Miss Do."

He struck the mare again and shoved her backward, only to be caught and wrapped in a full nelson by the recovered Shyster Stockholder. "Shifty, aren't we? No. 2, your sword!"

"Of course, No. 1." Giovanni walked next to the unresponsive Mare-Do-Well and hauled the blade out of the chair, then held it threateningly in front of Do who was thrashing about to loosen No. 1's grip. The griffon boasted a domineering laugh at her as he spun the baton's hidden epee around in his claws. "After I've finished with you, your little friend is next."

D'Angelo went to swing the sword but Daring wouldn't give in. With assistance from her wings, she jumped vertically, flapping rapidly and as hard as she could. Just in time, she dodged the fatal blow, and unable to stop in time, Giovanni slashed through and sliced Shyster's chest, tearing his suit and leaving a wide red line in its wake followed by an agonizing scream of pain. Undoubtedly he released his grip, falling to ground and clutching his chest while Daring escaped near-death yet again. She flipped through the air and landed next to the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well sporting her famous smile. This wasn't her first time getting out of a jam.

Fed up with her resilience, Giovanni lashed out and lunged forward, screaming a Gryphonian battle cry as he dove to impale the helpless masked mare with the blade. But thinking quickly, Daring reached down and tipped her chair backward. The limp mare flopped backward to the floor along with the chair, but it saved her skin as the crazed griffon pierced the seat's bottom quick as an arrow. Giovanni wasted no time, he sliced the sword through the fabric and swung at the adventuress. She ducked, returning his gesture with a flying uppercut. His head cocked back but he wasn't out. Giovanni swatted the pegasus back then thrust forward again, this time nipping the mare's left hindleg as she tried to avoid the assault in mid-flight. She landed with a buckle in her leg but got right back into the fight. Jumping into a fast gallop, she drove her head into the griffon's stomach, knocking the wind out and sent him back staggering but not enough to fall. He knelt to the floor momentarily to catch his breath. Griffons may have been known for strength but Giovanni was still in his late fifties, and his nemesis knew this. While the window of opportunity was open, Daring Do snapped her head up and sent her pith-helmet into the air. In one fluid motion, she turned her head and caught the brim of the hard hat in her teeth then whipped it, letting it jet across the room. It traveled through the air with a faint but deadly whistle, striking the boastful griffon hard in his skull, cracking his neck to the side and sending his large body to the ground completely with a deep thud.

This was it, possibly their one and only chance before Giovanni or Stockholder could recover, who was still grovelling in anguish as the blood poured onto the carpet from the gash left in his torso. Daring sought for an escape plan and for a second, figured there was no way to do it until her eyes fell on the broken window. Desperate to get out of this predicament, the adventuress retrieved her helmet swiftly and ran over to lift the still passed out Mare-Do-Well. In a haste, she managed to get enough leverage to raise the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well up on her back. "C'mon..Mare...Do-Well. We're getting out of this rat's nest."

Then with a couple deep breaths, Daring took one look at the window and leaped, spreading her wings and crossed the threshold to depart from the deadly confrontation. And as she felt the wind on her face and let it flow through her wild greyscale mane, she had a feeling in her heart. A feeling that made her smile proudly. She felt this enigmatic inner sensation numerous times over the years, but not since the death of Dean White Collar did she really feel it again. Her determination, her courage, the unexplainable Daring Do attitude to never back down had returned to its full potential.

Holding the perseverance in her veins once again, she gazed on and made a turn, going into the direction westward. The battle may have been over but the war against H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. wasn't anywhere close to being the same. At least they gained ground in the mission. Daring contemplated the amount of time the mare on her back could be out for. Sometimes the magic migraines could last only hours, or they could last days before a unicorn would regain the energy to conjure spells, even the basic ones. It all depended on what the pony was used to. But Do let her worries go free, they were free of Stockholder's clutches and could continue towards their goal, saving Equestria, and possibly even the world.

For a moment she looked back and took a look of the gigantic airship behind them, it could definitely hold a small army and it bore the Spectrum company logo on its front. Along the sides of the ship showed its name, Zephyrus. Daring pondered what sort of strange name it was until she had a recollection of a book she read on ancient mythologies. The name Zephyrus stuck out to her. She knew it was somehow related to the wind, but she couldn't put her hoof on the topic exactly.

Eventually she put the issue to rest and looked onward to their next destination. The place where they would have to put an end to the parasprite pandemonium before it could begin. Daring made sure she had the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well in a comfortable position then quickened her pace, the sun was going to set in a matter of a couple hours and she recalled hearing the blackmail would be issued in the early hours of tomorrow morning. There was nothing worth waiting for now, they had to stop it. The adventuress was flying at full tilt with one thought on her mind, if Canterlot Crisis was prevented once, it could be prevented again. She was getting that rush in her blood one more time, as she and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well flew on to the origin and capital of Equestrian industrialization, Cloudsdale.


Shortly after...
    

Giovanni awoke from unconsciousness rubbing a lump on his temple. He concluded that the mare fought well, but it still did not justify her actions. She was a threat to the mission at hand and had to be dealt with quickly. The griffon cracked a couple joints while getting up and he looked around the destroyed room. The girls again, had left an office in pieces. The decorative portraits that hanged on the walls were disturbed. Either a couple were crooked or a few had been knocked down. The window was shattered indefinitely and glass littered the floor.

He lurked around searching for the scabbard half of his baton but instead heard the click of something falling into place. The griffon stood still and slowly turned his body with no sudden motion. He soon learned that the beaten, bruised, and sliced-up Shyster Stockholder was threatening his second in command with the reloaded spear gun pointed right at his head. Giovanni started to back away from his boss but Shyster insisted on following him. Eventually he had the nerve to ask. "No. 1, what are you doing?"

"They got away." He answered simply, his blue eyes radiating with maddened fury. "You failed me, No. 2."

The griffon's eyes flew open. "You're blaming me for this implosion? If I recall, it was you who let Daring Do free." D'Angelo countered.

But the statement went in one ear and out the other. Stockholder could care less. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't pull this trigger."

No. 1's ego wouldn't let him confess to his mistake, but that didn't mean the griffon had no hope in talking his way out. Giovanni knew of one strength he had to benefit the safety of the mission. "Admit it, you let your ego take over the conversation. I tried to warn you but you shouted me down. Now you are trying to pin the blame on me for something I did not start."

Shyster couldn't escape it, D'Angelo was right. But the mastermind still felt the griffon was responsible for something. "I'll take fault for letting it start but you were still in full control of the escalation before they escaped. That Mare-Do-Well was defenseless and you still couldn't kill her. Now I want a reason and I want it now!"

As the spear gun drew closer to his body, No. 2 was prompted to give his reason with a startling jump. "Because I'm the only one that knows the mentality of Daring Do! I've known her for almost ten years and I can read the pegasus like a book. If we encounter them again, you must let me handle the situation or else something like this previous event will happen again. I've had the mare in my grasp several times over the years and she has still managed to escape, but I've learned to take my ego out of the equation. This is no ordinary mercenary. She will sacrifice everything and anything to get what she wants. She has this aura about her that drives her to do what other mares wouldn't dream of doing, but Daring Do accomplishes them. Now before kill me, think to yourself, can you afford to take that chance after so much preparation?"

The gun remained at pointblank for almost a third of a minute before Stockholder decided to let his second in command survive. Again, he was right. Shyster knew nothing of the pegasus and her ways. With a longing sigh, he tossed the gun aside and trot through the mess of the room to get to his desk. He briefly lit his horn to roll the swiveling chair towards him then flopped down in it. Retrieving a handkerchief from his inner pocket of the torn blazer he began to wipe his face of the dirt built on his coat. When he was finished Shyster threw it on the cleared desk and looked around, chairs were overturned, one of his bodyguards was laying dead on the floor, and the floor itself of a covered with debris and papers, and at last there was the condition of himself and Giovanni. He placed his hoof on one arm of his seat and let his head lean on it, closing his eyes and letting out a disappointed sigh. "I hope you weren't making that up just to spare your life, D'Angelo. Canterlot Crisis begins in as little as twelve hours and I did not spend the last few years planning and waiting just to have this crumble beneath my hooves now. For your sake, your word better be true. I want these two mares stopped."

Despite the current dilemma, Daring's nemesis crowed and let a sly grin form across his face. "Believe me No. 1, there is nothing she can possess which I cannot take away, including her life."

To be continued








> Chapter 9: Countdown to Crisis
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cloudsdale Airspace (About 15 miles outside of city), 12:12 am, September 29th

Since the 22nd, the world of Daring Do has been forever altered. The pegasus came to terms that there would never be another Dean quite like White Collar. At first she accepted the mission to exact vengeance, but hours earlier, she found out about the validity of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.'s plans. She then realized that this went much farther than her own intentions. The world was on her shoulders yet again. It wasn't unusual to the adventuress, she had succeeded in such an act of heroism many times, but never quite like this. Ahuizotl had been her arch-rival for many years but Giovanni always lurked in the shadows close behind. Ahuizotl's plans were simple, world domination. That same old dream. The dark magic he got involved in. The prophecies he sought to fulfill. All of them foiled by Daring Do. But Giovanni D'Angelo was far different. He was more clever, and realistic. Ahuizotl ran on thoughtless aspirations. The griffon however, spent months trying to perfect his plots, connecting every dot, scanning the hieroglyphics, trying to find the most plausible way to pull the trigger on his plan. Giovanni was one of a kind, just like her. The more she thought about it, he was the opposite of her, the anti-Daring.

Now instead of stopping a dangerous tyrant on the brink of meddling among the dark magic and booby-traps of a dreary and desolate dungeon, she was running a mission for the Royal Guard to stop her nemesis and the shadowy Shyster Stockholder from unleashing their armada of parasprites into the world. An extortion plot well worth thinking about. The Crystal Mountains were one thing, but amnesty on top of it all? The adventuress couldn't wrap her head around it. How could a dormant criminal organization make such a large leap back into the thick of things, and so quickly at that? Just a little over a week ago, the young mare was happily preaching lectures on archaeology at the university. It was funny how the world could be thrown into chaos in a matter of days.

As her wings beat strongly through the high atmospheric winds, Daring looked above her to search for the moon, but she did not find it in its full spectrum. Cirrus clouds cluttered the sky and darkened the moon, hiding it from the danger up ahead. Daring Do figured even Luna herself could sense the hazards. Though it was dark, and hardly anypony would be able to be seen in such darkness, the pegasus felt on edge.

Cloudsdale was still off in the distance but the bright midnight lights could be seen from her position. Fifteen miles wasn't very far, but while carrying a full grown mare, it might as well have been thirty miles. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well hadn't moved a muscle the entire trip, aside from the occasional groan from a stinging headache. Daring started to fear that her ally's handicap may have been too far gone for her to recover in time. The Spectrum headquarters were sure to be packed with security and being on top-game would be essential. Failure was not an option. Even though it would be probable for Celestia to give in to H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.'s demands, it would kill Daring's pride to let Stockholder get away with it after so much effort.

To her best interests, Daring attempted to wake the slumbering unicorn on her back. The pegasus swayed back and forth in a pendulum motion as she flew, rocking Mare-Do-Well's head side to side. When that didn't work, Do began arching up and down, but again, the masked mare simply bobbed her head gently and merely increased the volume of her snoring. "That mare sure likes her sleep." Whispered Daring.

Rolling her eyes, she thought of another idea for a third time to knock her awake. An idea that brought a humored school-filly smile. Being a tad more drastic, the sandstone pegasus suddenly made a sharp shot upward, breaching some higher clouds above then flipping backward, allowing the drowsy Mare-Do-Well to fall, sending her into a high-speed tumble. At first it discouraged Daring when she still did not wake through a unexpected skydiving act, but her spirits were quickly lifted after they broke through the fourth layer of clouds. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well began to stir. For a moment she squinted her eyes open, just to close them up again. But not even a second later, her lids flew up and she found herself hurdling towards the ground at an alarming rate. With fearfulness in her tone, the violet-clad mare screamed, hoping this was all a dream.

"Somepony help me! Is anypony there?! Help me! Merciful Celestia, somepony save me!"

Daring was milking this to the full. Unbeknownst to the terrified unicorn, the archaeologist following her down was hysterical. She hadn't witnessed something so hilarious in a long time. She was almost crying she was laughing that hard. When the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well allowed herself a moment to breath, she paused for a split second to hear the enjoyment of Daring Do just above her. Suddenly the entire scenario changed. Deathly fear turned into a harsh resentment. "Daring?!...Pick me up!" she hollered, flailing her hooves desperately.

"It was the only thing that was going to wake you up." The adventuress replied, still laughing. "Don't tell you're afraid of heights?"

"Well I don't have the pleasure of living with my head in the clouds, now help me!" Demanded her accomplice, getting more and more antsy as they broke through another cloud layer.

To rule out the possibility of her passing out again, Daring decided to end her amusement and swiftly swung in to catch the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. She clung onto Daring, latching on like a leech to her back. The archaeologist looped around to regain their lost altitude then remarked a past event with a skeptical chuckle. "What happened to that nifty set of wings you made pop out of your cape? Don't you carry spares?"

The hooded hero panted heavily before building the words to answer her query. She had been given rude awakenings numerous times but that was overdoing it. "Oh Shut up. Do you know how long it takes to construct a pair of those? Just getting the parts for it was a murder to locate. What was with that little stunt anyway?"

"Forget that." Daring countered. "Shouldn't somepony like you be carrying some sort of medication when you force yourself into a magical migraine?"

"As a matter of fact, I do...In my stagecoach which is probably five hundred miles from here---Wait a sec, where are we? We escaped?"

The epiphany struck her at last. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was impressed yet puzzled all of a sudden. As bleak as the entire situation was, it was miracle they got out when they did. "We're on our way to Spectrum's Cloudsdale complex." The adventuress answered. "Luckily I was able to catch us a ride on a stagecoach I seen passing over a field. It was a bumpy ride but it saved us plenty of flying time until we got near Cloudsdale. You don't know how heavy you actually are. You've been out a good few hours too. Are you sure you're up for this?"

Mare-Do-Well responded to the question with an appreciative chuckle for her partner's concern. "Don't worry about it. I've had migraines before. Some caused by magic, most caused by stress. You learn to deal with it and shake it off in this profession. Although I can't remember much, except what happened before that ordeal." She rubbed her left cheek over with a fetlock. "Did you have to hit so hard?"

"Believe me, if I didn't make it absolutely convincing, there was no way we were gonna get the chance I got us." Daring grinned. "I pulled that stunt on Giovanni a few years back. I was hoping he'd forgotten about it. Gladly that airhead Shyster disregarded him."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was left dumbfounded by the archaeologist. At first she found it hard to believe archaeology could have such thrilling encounters but Daring Do seemed to live as many as she did herself. "You sure got spunk, Daring. You're definitely more than I expected in a partner."

"I'll be honest with you," Daring said in between a laugh. "you're a lot more than I expected."

The unicorn mare had to laugh at that, because it wasn't anywhere near to being false. They both surprised each other. Whether it was in terms of character or just their past experiences, they found their teamwork compatible despite the current situation at hoof. On the run from Shyster Stockholder and his hundreds of thugs.

Mare-Do-Well smiled, then turned her away from Daring to take a curious glimpse at the bright spectacle to the west, the blustering and busy city of Cloudsdale. "It must be past midnight and that city is still awake?" She inquired.

Daring easily nodded at that question. "Oh Yeah, Cloudsdale is one of those cities that never sleeps. Everypony there is engaged in their work from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. That's why ponies often call it the homeland of modern industrialization. A strong work ethic makes for long days of work. Working an twelve or even eighteen hour a day schedule is not uncommon there."

"Which makes it the perfect place for H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. to operate under the radar." Mare-Do-Well interjected.

"Exactly." The adventuress cited. "For anypony else it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The difference between us and everypony else however, we know where to go. Spectrum Incorporated. The great weather factory contributor with that slime, Union Jack directing it."

Suddenly a scowl formed on the masked mare's face at the mentioning of the red unicorn. "I can't wait to get my hooves on that cyclops. He's slippery but he'll have no where to run in a city of clouds."

"But remember, Mare-Do-Well, Union isn't the only criminal in there." The adventuress warned.

"Yeah, I know. Do you think Blueblood could be held up there?"

The sandstone pegasus had to think about that one for a moment. Her ally raised a good point. With entire Royal Guard working on the case, it would be silly to be holding him anywhere in the vicinity of Canterlot. Cloudsdale and Ponyville were next closest communities. Could either of those places be holding the Prince? Daring couldn't be sure because her report to Guard was foiled by Stockholder, taking Spectrum out of the spotlight so Princess Celestia would have no plausible reason to suspect Union Jack or any employee of the company. It seemed to make sense to Daring that he could be held captive in their headquarters. But then Daring realized that she and Mare-Do-Well were doing exactly what H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. wanted them to do. Forget about the other threats to the kingdom's welfare and focus on the kidnapped Prince Blueblood, No. 1's pawn. "Mare-Do-Well we'll have to make rescuing Blueblood our second priority. Whatever they're doing with those parasprite spores has to be stopped first. Can you imagine the devastation if those things were released into the world?"

Reluctantly, the hooded hero nodded and exhaled a worried sigh. "Unfortunately I do. I was visiting Fillydelphia at the time and the damage to the farms were catastrophic. Fields of corn shredded, apple orchards bit to the bark, and the wheat fields were nothing but patches of desert near the end of it. Whatever the cost, we cannot let this plan come to fruition..."

Then out of no where, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well felt lightheaded and for a solitary moment her vision faded. It wasn't hard to guess that it was after effect provoked by the untreated migraine. "Damn, my head hurts."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well brought a hoof to her head, slightly swaying about while Daring attempted to keep her on balance. The archaeologist was beginning to feel some vexation about her partner. Of course she said she would be fine, her pride wouldn't let her succumb to the truth behind that mask of hers. She was still very groggy and it definitely showed. "I really don't think you should get into any fights from here on in. I here those magical migraines can cause strokes and even aneurysms. I'm not going to let you-"

"Daring I'm fine!" Mare-Do-Well shouted back, perhaps louder than she intended to. She found Daring's concern unneeded and was annoyed by her sentiment. "I'm a little dizzy but otherwise fine. Just a little banged up from those smacks you gave me."

She was being as stubborn as a mule. But Daring Do couldn't complain too much. She was the same way. The difference however, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was a unicorn, and she was a pegasus. A pegasus knew how to perform an emergency landing if his or her wing broke in mid-flight. They never had to use magic and risk a head injury. With a swallowed, and heavy heart, Daring shook her head and sighed. "Sorry if I may have left a bruise. It was the last thing I'd want to have to do to a friend. But some sacrifices have to be made sometimes."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well went to retort again but was halted by a certain six-letter word that made her next sentence bring up solid in her throat like a brick wall. Up to this point they've been known to each other as simply partners. To her, 'friend' was a strong word. Her past has had trouble with the meaning. The mare found it difficult to trust anypony, especially one she has had barely a week to know. But despite their time together, the girls have learned so much about one another. Their history, their professions, their enemies, so much has been revealed. Could she return the gesture? Assuming they succeeded, Mare-Do-Well had to wonder if they would ever cross paths again. One an archaeologist, the other, a vigilante. In many ways they were similar, but in the end, they were both very different. "I appreciate your mutual affection for me, Daring, but I'm afraid our relationship can go no further than partners. It takes time and knowledge of one another to become. You know a lot about me and I know a lot of about you, but I assure you that there is much more than you think, that you don't know about me."

Spectrum Incorporated, Cloudsdale Headquarters, 12:31 am, September 29th

"Gentlecolts! In exactly three hours and twenty-nine minutes, the final stages of Canterlot Crisis will be upon us. Although we are doing exceptionally well for time, let me assure you all that no time is to be wasted! In the last twelve hours, I've witnessed no fissures in the plans whatsoever. It appears that everything has gone according to schedule. When Phase 3 is completed, No. 7 and No. 12 will be arriving to carry out Phase 4 along with our head of the Atrocity division, Nimble Stratus, No. 9. Now your given dossier may have read that I was to be travelling to Canterlot as well. But, due to a certain letter I received this morning, I will be taking a different route to inspect some property that Spectrum has just recently purchased. Soon, my comrades, soon the princess of the daylight will be given the ransom. And by the looks of our accomplishments, it appears the Crystal Mountains will soon belong to the Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism, and Extortion!"

As a volcano of uproars and cheers blasted up through the rafters of Spectrum's mass production room, Union Jack triumphantly raised his hoof into the air to inspire his other operatives of the Hierarchy. Then one by one, each and every pony joined in the salute and some in the crowd began chanting the syndicate's name. No. 4 was quite proud of his work. Literally only hours remained and there were still no deviations. The slick unicorn crossed every 'T' and dotted every 'I', and the last length of the project was at hoof. "Behold, my chaps, the Parasprite Distributor!"

Sitting in the very center of the room with everypony crowded around it, was a device the size of two oxen. Its overall shape was cylindrical and it bore a dozen glass chambers positioned around the perimeter. The top-face of the bulky creation was installed with what looked like a timer and several other miscellaneous features. It did not look like a machine made to be brought around. Shortly after its unveiling, it took five stallions to lift the device onto a flatbed and haul it off the floor. When it was brought to the side, Union whistled from the high-level balcony to holler one last announcement. "Splendid work! I want all you scientists down there to run a few more tests before we package it up. And I want you five over there to get it secured in the crate when we do. But lastly, all of you remember to be on high alert from this point in the game. We can't risk drawing any outside attention to pedestrians, Cloudsdale security forces, and especially not her Majesty's Royal Guard. That is all."

With that, the unicorn flicked his blond mane out of his single eye and exited through the door behind him. When he shut it to enter into a corridor, he found his secretary on the other side, the bright-teal pegasus who was eager to hear about his speech. "Well, Sir? Is it finished?"

Union had a look of contentment plastered to his face. After this, he was sure of himself that No. 1 would reward him for his efforts. He gave the mare's question a concise sinister laugh before he went on to answer. "Miss Dewpoint, we're so close to Canterlot Crisis. The machine is built, now comes the final tests. Come along, my dear. I need to get to my office."

The two walked off and made way throughout the corridors while the boastful Union trot with his chin held high. "For years I've been wearing a mask, a mask that has deceived thousands. And those thousands adore me, they adore my personality, charm, generosity, and humility. Oh Little do they know that their entire world is about to change forever, and there is not a pony in Equestria that stop us now." The presence of his eye-patch reminded him of a certain unicorn. "Not even the persistent Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. Bloody yank. I'm sure Cloudsdale is a height even she will not attempt to reach."

"The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, Sir?" Dewpoint had never heard of the name. She raised a brow very inquisitively.

Union knew he could get in trouble for giving classified information to a low-level operative, but he deemed her no threat on account that she knew the consequences. That, and he found the young pegasus mare quite attractive. "The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well is an anonymous crusader we know absolutely nothing about. I've run into her twice and twice she has had the upper hoof on me. She is strictly distinctive in appearance. A unicorn mare, draped in what seems to be a specialized uniform. A full-body lavender suit with a violet cape and matching wide-brimmed hat. She has cloth wrapped around her hooves to soften her steps during espionage, and all completed by her signature crest. An 'M' etched into a black medal she wears to clip on her cape. No one has ever seen her face, apparently. Not even her accomplice, university professor and infamous relic hunter, Daring Do. The two are quite slippery and attempting an impossible task. Canterlot Crisis' progress is too far gone to stop. Even if they were to come now, this entire facility is filled to the brink with armed guard. Nopony and I mean even Discord himself would find it difficult to find his way in here."

She may have not heard of Mare-Do-Well, but the hearing of the name, Daring Do, made Miss Dewpoint jump. "Wait a minute, did you say Daring Do?"

Then Union stopped in his tracks with a puzzled deadpan look on his face. "You know her?"

"Doesn't everypony?" She remarked. "She was one of the most famous pegasi around. She started from almost nothing to get to where she is today! A world renowned archaeologist who is undeniably, unquestionably, unstoppable...Or that's what most ponies say anyway. Is she really involved in all this?"

The unicorn sighed through his nose and continued his pace. "I'm afraid so. Another bloody yank. We unintentionally kill one Dean and now she feels she must satisfy her own personal vendetta. Little does she know, she will be walking into her own death. I've had quite enough with the two of them. Let's talk no more of those two. The tension is higher than it already needs to be."

When they walked through the next door, Jack and Dewpoint found themselves in the waiting room outside his office. The two went to break off but Union stuck out his hoof to take his secretary aside. With a sweep, he took a hold of her hoof in his fetlock and kissed it, taking the young pegasus mare by surprise. "For the sake of changing the topic of conversation, my dear, we seldom get the chance to simply relax and chat. Would you care to take a moment's rest in my office? You've been working so hard all day.

Suddenly her face was flustered red by foalish embarrassment. It was a quick switch of mood from the conversation they'd just had. She couldn't figure why he was so quickly taking interest in her, but she couldn't argue the fact, she found him attractive as well. Although the flattery was so abrupt, Dewpoint couldn't find the answer. "Mr. Jack, I don't know. I still got items to be keyed, I have a dental appointment in the morning, I don't know where I'll have the time to do it all-" Her excuse was cut short by the glowing red rose levitated at her nose. She could see this unicorn was being very out front with his flirtatious gestures. She couldn't even call it 'hitting on', Union Jack was literally working the charm...and it was working. She took the rose in her fetlock and breathed in its aroma. "I suppose one drink couldn't hurt."

His single, working eye had an alluring fixation on the mare and he drew closer to her. "What is that enticing fragrance you're wearing? It's absolutely divine."

"Oh Union." Dewpoint sighed, falling even more seduced to Union's appealing nature.

The two locked eyes, slowly leaning into each other's head, slightly turning. Then as they went to kiss, Miss Dewpoint put her hooves in between them and pushed away. "This isn't right. We're co-workers, Mr. Jack. I mean just a second ago, we were a midst a discussion about the project, and now so suddenly you expect me to lower my own standards to satisfy your filthy need-"

Without a sign of it coming, the unicorn wrapped his hooves around her and forced a kiss on her. The secretary tried to push him away again but this time he had too good a grip on the young pegasus. Harder and harder she tried to fight it, but the more she struggled, the tighter his hooves became. She eventually gave in to the unexpected lip lock and tried to relax her body. Union soon broke away and held her. "Don't try to evade your feelings, Miss Dewpoint. I'm simply trying to unwind after a long day. I suggest you should do the same."

At this point his secretary couldn't find the words to counter his argument. He was right, she couldn't escape it. She was falling for a pony she barely even knew outside of her profession. With nothing to say, she merely nodded in agreement and let the actions speak for themselves. Union Jack went to work his charm for another kiss. "Now that's a good girl..."

But his romancing would be broken off by a sudden knock on the office door. A disappointed Union groaned and fixed his tie as he released Dewpoint from his grip. "There's always bloody something..." The knocking continued. "Keep your horseshoes on, I'm coming!"

He looked at the mare next to him and found her even redder in the face than before. He examined her and noticed her hooves quivering beneath her. This probably wasn't the best place to conduct such business. "Perhaps we should continue our debriefing in my office."

Miss Dewpoint nodded at once and rushed to her desk as Union walked in the opposite direction to reach the lobby door. He turned the knob and was abruptly hauled out by a security guard who had haste in his eyes and sweat on his forehead. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Jack took a good look at his night guard and stepped back. "You look a fright. What's the matter?"

"No. 4 we have a problem." He said anxiously, trying to collect his words as quickly he could.

"Well I could guess that, tell me what happened! Are the parasprites stable?"

The sweaty stallion nodded fast as if his head was about to come loose. "Yes Sir, they're fine. Please listen. We just received a telegraph from our Eastern outpost. This isn't confirmed but I thought I should bring this to your attention. They reported that two ponies were spotted flying over about twenty miles outside of Cloudsdale. Well I can't say both of them were flying because they also reported one of them was riding on the back of a pegasus. I don't like to worry you, No. 4, but if my feeling is the same as your's, then we better act quickly."

The face on the Hurricane agent was frozen with fear. He was brought back to the night in Shyster's office. The night he thought his life was over. The laugh of No. 1's dominating tone, the tears in his own eyes, the spear gun driving into his skull. Then when he imagined the trigger being pulled, Union Jack saw a vision of Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, escaping into a light. The premonition was frightening and he shook his head back into reality to address the warning with a prompt nod. "I don't believe it, they just don't give up! Alright, pass the message along to No. 9, he's down in the breaker room. Give him my orders to send out the Alpha squad to patrol in the east. If they see them, kill em. We cannot, for any reason, let them arrive. I'm not letting this get buggered up. I've worked too damn hard to keep this thing in-line. Do you understand me? If they see them, kill them. I'll inform the guards here to keep on full alert. Go!"

"Yes, No. 4!" The guard saluted, breaking into a gallop down the hall.

Then Union Jack was left with another emotionless pout. He had just finished talking about them, now they were coming. He lit his horn to reach into his inner jacket pocket with his telekinesis, retrieving a second rose to lay in his lapel. He looked down the direction where the guard took off, sighing slowly as he felt his inner hatred boil. The countdown was on, and the horseshoes were off. "Let the mayhem begin."

To be continued





> Chapter 10: First Contact
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cloudsdale Airspace (About 5 miles outside of city), 1:08 am, September 29th

The wind was getting stronger, and the girls were steadily approaching the bustling city of Cloudsdale. The stench of factory work was present for miles. Just another half hour and they would arrive just outside of the complex. The massive Spectrum Incorporated facility was on the very edge of the city, stationed on its own cloud and baring its coat of arms-like logo highlighted on the back face of the building. Though it was small to the eye and five miles away, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well recognized the logo from her research. "That's it. That's their headquarters."

"Not very far, now." Said Daring through a long yawn.

Mare-Do-Well sported a cheeky smirk. "Are you getting tired? We're just getting to the good part."

The archaeologist wiped her eyes and chuckled back at her. "Just been a long day. Getting into that factory will get my blood pumping again. A good fight always wakes me up."

Her ally joined in the laughter, although still feeling the after effect of the magical migraine as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well  felt the throbbing in her head pound constantly. But the mare shook the stars away and tried to concentrate on the mission. She needed to be on the top of her game in order to thrive, and they were far too close to the end to implode. There was nothing left to do, or to contemplate. All that Mare-Do-Well could do is count the minutes away while Daring did the same as her wings flapped on, flying to their final destination. It was strange, she was no longer alone. For once, the masked mare had a partner to face it all. Up till this point in her life, work was nothing short of strictly business. But now she felt a solemn duty to assure the safety of Daring. Though she was experienced in combat, it wasn't her fight in the first place, her vengeance for White Collar wouldn't bring him back.

When Daring soon pushed the thought of sleep out of her mind, it filled with another curious notion. "Hey, Mare-Do-Well?"

"Yes?"

"That factory looks sort of big, how are we going to navigate in a huge place like that?"

"You're an archaeologist!" Mare-Do-Well pointed out teasingly. "You've traveled through the largest temples, most perplexing puzzles and dangerous dungeons. Are you telling me you can't find your way around a simple Cloudsdale factory?"

Daring Do rolled her eyes at the insulting query. "Hey, I've deciphered ancient hieroglyphics to escape those temples, and each puzzle was the product of time, effort, and logic. As for dangerous dungeons, I never set hoof into one of those places without the proper research and essentials. I didn't study eight years for nothing. Now answer me this, do you see historical writings anywhere near Cloudsdale? Do you need a U of C degree in ancient languages and mathematics to solve a basic workplace directory? And do expect those dangerous industrial buildings to be riddled to the rafters with booby-traps? Don't banter me on my field of work, I could walk circles around you in my profession."

"Take it easy, Daring!" the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well interjected amusingly. "I didn't mean to insult your work. You must love it to feel so passionate."

"Well yes, I do." She chuckled back, trying to cool down from her brief fit. "I can't describe it anymore than I already have. It's just the work we're born to do. It's what my father lived for and it's what I live for...I tried being a weather pony once, like my mom. Although, I didn't like it at all. Just day-in and day-out of constant kicking and flying. Don't get me wrong, I love to spread my wings but having to work on a schedule all my life just wouldn't cut it. Archaeology gives me a lease to do it my own way. Make my own risks without consequence...Well maybe a little bit of consequence, but the fact of the matter is, and bottom line, I'd give up my wings for the job."

The strong emotion Daring had for her life was overwhelming to the secretive unicorn. She hadn't witnessed a pony so devoted to ones occupation. "Well I'm glad you're so enthusiastic, but in light of your ecstasy, it's been picking at my brain to find out where and when you and No. 2 met."

Daring's ears perked and it brought a cunning smile to the archaeologist's lips immediately after. "Giovanni? Wow, it's been a long time. It's going on nearly ten years. I met him at an archaeological dig in the San Palomino Desert. There was actually a point and time I found him to be a decent archaeologist. My crew and his crew worked rather cooperatively. We conversed regularly, discussing our goals, our lives and normal trivial topics. I could almost consider him a friend. He was completely different from what he is now. We talked, we joked, we laughed, and we even went to his tent for drinks after the long days of digging. You see, up until that assignment, I had never come into contact with another archaeologist, so I was happy to make his acquaintance. After two weeks of digging and getting to know one another, he eventually offered a partnership between the two of us. Fortunately my job at the University of Canterlot kept me from falling into such a dirty deal."

"What were you digging for in the first place?" Mare-Do-Well asked suddenly, although showing great interest in the story.

"Oh Yeah. Six months prior to the dig, I received a letter from somepony named Santiago Palomino, a descendant of the famous Saint himself, St. Rio Hernandez Palomino. According to history, Saint Rio was a land rights activist for the buffalo herds, south of Los Pegasus. He spent years fighting for the buffaloes' claim to their stampeding grounds versus industrial bigwigs from the city just north. It was believed that before his death, he left behind his personal belongings to be distributed among his loved ones. To protect his possessions, he hid them in a chest, underground, somewhere in the desert we know today as the San Palomino. But somehow, his will was 'misplaced', with the location of the treasure gone with it. So it remained a mystery for decades until his great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandson sent me the request to find it, along with some information he dug up himself. Santiago gave me scriptures, maps, and even a diary authenticated to be the Saint's own. He wanted the treasure to bring some clarity into his family's history. So I spent my days teaching, and my nights deciphering the clues, and finally pinpointed to a local meditation ground once used by the abandoned village where he was raised. I believed I had enough evidence to conduct a dig so decided to make it a class assessment exam as well. But little did I know, Giovanni had the same interest in the search in the San Palomino."

Daring let out a short sigh, and a look of disappointment began to spread over her complexion that the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well couldn't see while she was on the pegasi's back, but she definitely heard the exhale. "Something wrong?" She asked.

"One night, I was working later than usual. I was in my tent, going over my notes and given research. It was going on three weeks and I soon had to have the students back for their finals and I was getting desperate. But just when I was ready throw in the towel and call it another night, I found a helpful quote in a diary entry where Saint Rio wrote that he liked to meditate near a round, red, almost volcanic-like rock where he could watch the sun rise and set. I couldn't believe I overlooked such an obvious hint and I leaped out of my chair and took the journal to show D'Angelo, but when I made my way through the cold of the desert night, I overheard chatter right before I walked through the tent door. I thought he was sleeping, he was usually the first one asleep and it puzzled me to learn why he was still up, and just who he was talking to. So I couldn't help myself but to eavesdrop on the conversation, and I'm glad I did. I peeked in the door and seen the griffon sitting at his desk with two glasses of wine. One for him, and one for his guest, a pony who Giovanni kept referring to as Mr. Palomino. I knew it couldn't be Santiago because I met with him before the dig, so at the time I could only hazard to guess that he was a relative. For the first couple minutes, it started off as a normal conversation, but then I learned, they were scheming something terrible..."


~~~~~


San Palomino Desert, Giovanni's Tent, 11:34 pm, Nine years earlier...

"I hope you know what you're doing, amigo. A lot of money is riding on this."

The griffon laughed and took off his beret before sipping on his wine. "There's no reason to worry yourself, Mr. Palomino. As soon as we find the treasure, I will initiate the plan to intercept it before your cousin can."

"What about that other archaeologist you're working with? Daring Do?"

"Amateur." He replied simply. "A young fool who I believe hardly knows anything. She may teach the course, but without that textbook of her's, I'm sure she wouldn't get far. She had her chance to work with me, but foolishly declined."

The hispanic stallion was doubtful, raising his eyebrow at the cocky Giovanni. "Don't underestimate her, Gringo. News does not travel fast down south, but I heard she was the one who made the discovery of the Sapphire Statue a couple years ago. She fought tooth and hoof to get that statuette. I don't want that same determination to ruin my chances of getting my hooves on that chest before Santiago can."

"Senor Carlos, I give you my word that you will have it. A Gryphonian's word is his honor. Professor Do and I will remain in Appleloosa to authenticate the treasure while we send our crews home ahead of time. Then the next day, me and her will board the eight o'clock evening train to Ponyville. Unfortunately for the Professor, a violent train robbery will ensue. Bandits will storm the cabins and kill four passengers, one of which will include Daring Do. Next they will proceed to hold me and a train conductor hostage. Then they will demand that I give them San Palomino's chest in exchange for the Conductor's life. Out of the goodness of my heart, I shall relinquish the precious valuables and they will make away while a small candlelight vigil will be held for the four victims of the robbery, and I will be praised by the Conductor as a hero and escape the scenario flawlessly. Of course, I will want my pay for this little operation."

Carlos Palomino nodded his head continuously with a pleasing grin, clapping his hooves. "Mi buen amigo. Good work. I made a wise decision trusting you. How does five million bits sound?" The stallion reached into his windbreaker jacket and held out a slip of paper, a check for the extensive lump-sum just offered.

At first he hesitated, but then Giovanni grabbed the check with one talon while he shook the hoof of Carlos with the other. "Sounds like a deal, Mr. Palomino."


~~~~~


"After that, Giovanni went on to explain the plan in further detail. I knew I had to think about this carefully, and it absolutely shocked me to learn about his deviant nature. He was deceiving me from the very beginning. If I had known he was working with Carlos Palomino, a Dodge City gangster, I probably would have sent for some backup. Any who, the two eventually grew intoxicated by the wine and I went back to my tent, then thought about my own murder going to bed. The next morning I woke up to Giovanni whistling at my door. I'm guessing Carlos must have taken off because he wasn't anywhere to be found when I got up."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was certainly fascinated by the entire story. It seemed to take her mind completely away from her headache. "Interesting. So what did you do about this plan of his?"

"Well I did what he exactly wanted me to do, go along with it. I explained to him my discovery in Rio's diary and announced that everypony start looking for a volcanic-like rock that was red and round. At first it didn't give any results and after about two hours, I was about to give up on that theory. Until finally one of my students galloped over to me and practically shoved me and Giovanni to the spot. The Saint's supposed meditating area was overlooking a cliff with a dead tree behind him...and the red, very worn rock in front of it. On a whim, the three of us took our spades and started digging. We weren't even digging for two minutes until we struck something wooden. Two weeks, six days, and eleven hours of nonstop excavating finally paid off. The three of us lifted the earthy chest onto the leveled ground and we broke its rusty lock, flew the lid open and just gazed at the gleaming treasures within. Time had done nothing to damage the beauty. Twelve bars of gold, each inscribed with a name which was supposedly to be the names of the loved ones to be mentioned in Rio's will. Among other things, there were land permits, his sainthood medallion, a silver buffalo emblem, and several scrolls written by San Palomino himself. Priceless artifacts to later be stolen by Giovanni and his thugs. Not on my watch."


~~~~~


The Friendship Express, Appleloosa, 8:11 pm, Nine years earlier

"At last, we've departed from this scorching desert. Well Professor, we're finally heading back to Canterlot City. You must be quite relieved to have at last found Palomino's lost treasure."

Daring shut the door to their train cabin and hung up the pith-helmet just above her seat before she sat across from her associate with a glazed expression. "Oh You bet! Saint Palomino can finally rest knowing that his life treasures will be returned to the Palomino family. In fact I just finished getting the chest secured in cargo. All those wavers to sign, it's only gold and paper for ponies' sake."

"I've been there too, Miss Do." He laughed. "But that's the price you pay for the best security. Besides, we've worked unbelievably hard on this assignment, I think securing the valuables is the best choice for us...I'd still like to offer you one more chance to join me, Professor. We'd make quite the duo. Two brilliant archaeologists. One a veteran, one an up and comer."

With a sleepy yet assuring set of magenta eyes, Daring shook her head in gratitude. "I'm sorry, Doctor. I'm one of those ponies who works alone. My parents died when I was little, so I've gotten used to the lack of company. All I need is the love of my students to keep me happy, but thanks for the offer."

In his mind, D'Angelo anticipated that response. "As you wish, Daring Do. But the offer is on the table if you ever change your mind. I'll say that I'm highly impressed. I was skeptical when I first met you, and I'm glad to see I was wrong."

"I was sure wrong." She muttered underneath her breath.

Giovanni reached for his messenger bag and hauled out a book to pass the time. Meanwhile, all Daring could think about was the griffon's sadistic plot to kill her and three other innocent ponies. Her plan to get out of the mess was still in the dark, but for the sake of stalling for time and making small talk, the adventuress gestured to the novel. "What book are you reading?"

"Oh, nothing special." He sighed with his eyes fixed on the text. "Just an old war novel. I find them heavily detailed but they are a psychological thriller that tells how the tolls of war can affect the innocent mind. It's my preferred genre when I'm taking these train rides."

The opposing archaeologist didn't agree. She shook her head with a petty smirk. "That's not exactly my kind of story. Call it cliche if you wish but I like to read about action and adventure. Psychology and the mentally conflicted can be interesting but I like the plain action thrillers. I don't get much time to read like I did when I was studying at the University, but I can squeeze in one story from time to time."

"I figured you'd would read more, considering you're a professor and all." D'Angelo laughed.

The griffon's statement made the sandstone pegasus chuckle as well. "Dusty old textbooks are hardly worth calling a good read. Don't get me wrong, I do like reading them, but the literature isn't colorful enough. The relics I read about aren't expressed the way I make them in my lectures. Just once, I wish the board of education would let me write their next textbook."

"I have." Giovanni admitted with a proud tone. "For my home country in the mountains of Gryphonia. But that was about ten years ago. I'm sure the students are using something else at this point. I prefer to simply do what I do best, archaeology. During my long career, I have traveled all across the world to make my mark. My legacy. My history. It's what all us archaeologists must fulfill. Not because we want to, but because we need to. Our honor needs it. We want to make groundbreaking discoveries that shake the Earth with amazement. Each of us has that certain dream, a personal legend. It's what we strive for, the dream. Daring Do, though we may never cross paths ever again after this, always remember, hope can fade, but when you have a dream, the hope will never die, because dreams never die unless the hope is not there. You see, it's a paradox. No matter who you are or what you do, we all have a dream that keeps hope alive, and hope does just the same to the dream."

It took a moment, but his perplexing analogy somehow hit Daring Do to be true. Although that didn't change the future, she could see the deceit in his stone eyes. "I never thought about it like that...Let me show you something."

Giovanni decided to lay his book down while Daring went to retrieve something from her own bag. Her hoof seemed to have to stuck into the very bottom for her to find it. When she pulled out the item, Giovanni set his eyes on the dusty, rotten, and nearly destroyed condition of another book. And by looking at how the rumpled, stained pages lay in between their dark blue faded covers, he guessed it was used quite a lot. "What is that?"

Daring took another moment to examine the book. She held it in her fetlock like a piece of jewelry. It was that important to her. She looked up at D'Angelo for brief second before glancing back down at her book with a reminiscing grin. "I always carry this whenever I head out in the field. It's my journal from my first expedition. My sixty day scavenge for the Sapphire Statue. There have been times throughout my life where I felt like giving up, but then I take a glance from this journal, read a chapter, and remind myself of the hardships I had to overcome in that forsaken jungle. Then it brings me back into reality, a reality that screams at me to live by one motto, never back down."

Without request, Daring proceeded to open the pages of the aged and withered diary, skimming through the various entries until she stuck her hoof on entry number 60. The adventuress cleared her throat and read aloud. "Ahem...I feel like I hit the end of the line. Ahuizotl and my other predators are beginning to close in on me. I've been able to outlast them by two months. I have to ask myself, how much longer can I keep this up? Great Celestia, these mosquitoes are endless! Buzz, buzz, buzzing is all I can hear. I'm going insane. The hot, moist atmosphere of this jungle is starting to make my broken wing pain. The last bit of food I'm going on is a bit of dried bread, and a few berries I picked from the jungle. I've held off on eating on account that they may be poisonous. I think the bread should do just fine until I have to resort to them. Sigh...Listen to me complain, Journal. Here I am, Daring Do! The youngest mare from my high school graduating class and most outstanding scholar at the University of Canterlot. I'm not going to let myself succumb to insanity. I've come too far and wasted too much of my time here to go home empty-hoofed. If Ahuizotl wants me and the Sapphire Statuette, he'll have to come get it, from me. Smell that? That's the smell of adventure. I might be losing this fight, but I'm not dead. Suddenly I'm reminded of an old proverb my father told me: Hold on, hold fast, keep going, and never back down...I hear chatter. It must be those damn felines again. They know where I am, this is it. I have to move on. I see a hill just through the next opening, maybe I can lose them down there. Ah, there's a cliff! With a vine suspending between it and the other side of that cliff. What do I got to lose? Celestia be with me, and if the worse should come to pass, let it be a quick one."

Following the read excerpt, Daring slowly shut the book and caressed its tattered edges. Then she let out a long sigh before placing it on top of her opened bag. While the memories of her past splashed her face with troubling yet exciting times, Giovanni clapped briefly for her excellence and fascinating life. "That was very moving, Professor Do, but I'm afraid I am missing where this entry comes into play at this very moment."

It was time to get to the bottom of things. Daring looked up at the griffon and stared at him in a dark glare. "This journal has taught me so much about life and myself. Obviously you can see I survived that jungle. It wasn't easy." Then the adventuress lunged forward and latched onto his shoulders. Her voice became louder, seriousness being pounded out with every word. "That expedition taught me about patience, vigilance, and knowing when your own death may be near. I had to work my way out of those unavoidable situations. And like every obstacle Ahuizotl threw at me, I kept coming back. I'm no stranger to life on the edge, so why should now be any different?"

"What is your point, Professor?" D'Angelo asked with sudden hostility in his voice.

"My point?" Daring Do released her grip slowly, leaving the griffon disturbed by the incident. Reaching underneath her shirt, the adventuress gripped the hilt of something concealed inside a scabbard. Then with a quick whip of her hooves, Daring unsheathed a 12-inch survival knife, threatening Giovanni with its razor sharp point in his direction. "This is my point!"

Giovanni was surprised, to say the least. His face was emotionless at first. Then as the mare sat there with the same scowl painted against him, he wanted to know the reason behind holding him at knife point. He made sure to keep his limbs still, breathing carefully and not making any sudden moves. "What is the meaning of this?" He inquired peering.

Daring laughed through her nose and figured it was time to get to uncover the truth. "I'm not naive as all you other archaeologists may think. I may be young, but I come from the same blood of another archaeologist who could teach you a thing or two about honesty and integrity."

The griffon simply sighed and rolled his eyes. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"You and Carlos Palomino!" Daring shouted in retort. "Scheming to steal the treasure and murder me in the process. I never expected to be working with such an ingrate. On the other hoof, I should have anticipated this from someone native to Gryphonia. A place where corrupted business and politics thrive. An archaeologist not worthy of the dirt he's standing on."

The jig was up, and Giovanni D'Angelo knew it. With the validity of his true self revealed, he returned her glare with an egotistical one of his own, his deep and gruff Gryphonian dialect sounding with arrogance. "At last, you finally caught on. I was beginning to think you'd never guess."

"Wipe that smug look off your face." She wrenched. "Did you really think you'd get away with this?"

"I gave you the chance to work with me and you declined! Besides, you've put yourself in harm's way already. In the eyes of the law, I've committed no crime. All you've got to go on is your word and your word alone. So killing me will achieve nothing but a cold prison cell to spend in for the rest of your days. And even if do arrest me, you still don't have any witnesses. I will swear under oath that I didn't commit any fraudulent act whatsoever and any court will believe me so long as you have no other witnesses. So Miss Do, take your best shot. What have you got against me?"

"And just how do you plan getting out of this mess?" Daring asked, sporting a sneaky grin. She was no where near intimidated. "Because I've alerted the Conductor and before this train set off, he called in the sheriff and fifteen of his deputies disguised as plain passengers. That unfortunate incident you have planned out for me won't happen. The bad guys I've encountered in the last couple of years have almost given me sixth sense of this sort of thing. I know you're playing me for a fool. It's pathetic, really."

He couldn't believe it. How could he let such an oblivious mare get the best of him? That's all that was going through Giovanni's mind. What would happen now? Carlos already gave him the check. "You're bluffing."

"Try me."

To Daring's surprise, the griffon started to laugh, shaking his head at her. "Do you have any idea who I am? I'm Dr. Giovanni D'Angelo. World famous archaeologist from the mountain land of Gryphonia. Griffons and ponies like yourself pay to have me find lost relics. I am a very powerful griffon and if you kill me, my associates will find you and cut you up into little pieces then feed you to the fishes. You'd be digging yourself into an early grave,"

"I live with one hoof in the coffin, D'Angelo. Death is just a common hazard in my life." She stated with the knife still pointing down the half-lion half-bird. "You're going to stop tha-"

The talk was done. With one swift movement, Giovanni swatted the hunting knife out of her hooves and shoved the mare against the opposite wall. Knowing his plan was foiled indefinitely, the griffon decided to ditch the train, but not without a fight. Quickly he searched his bag and whipped out his long baton while Daring was dizzy from the impact. He went to strike with it but her instincts topped the griffon's intentions and she rolled out of the way and onto the train floor. With a barbaric growl, Daring latched onto the griffon's back leg and bit down, sending a sharp pain up through his nerves. He snapped his leg back to force the release, then picked up the comparably smaller opponent with ease, slamming her against the wall and holding her there. Giovanni aggressively slapped her and knocked her to the ground in another groggy daze. 

As fast as the fight escalated, it was over in matter of seconds. Panting heavily, the griffon wiped a bead of sweat from his feathery brow and scurried around the ground to find his baton. When he retrieved it, he slipped it between the pit of his foreleg then stood up on top his seat to open the overhead compartment of the their train cabin. He reached in and pulled down a brown suitcase. He stepped down then walked over to the cabin's window and the size of it. Then with a winding motion, D'Angelo cranked his foreleg with the suitcase in his talon then thrashed it forward to break the glass, shattering the window and cascading the shards all of the carpeted floor. The wind blasted in and roared loudly, nearly deafening the griffon. He stumbled over the glass and stuck his head out the window to study the outside. He was sure no one would see him escape. With that in mind, he gripped the suitcase, stuffed his beret inside his jacket and lifted one hind-leg over the ledge of the window before shouting back at the beaten pegasus mare. "Count your blessings, Miss Do! I can assure you the next time we meet, I will not be so lenient!"

Her muscles ached, her head throbbed, and her lip was bleeding, but that didn't stop her from hearing the obnoxious and deep laughter of the nefarious Giovanni. If it was one thing she didn't like, it was letting the baddie get the last laugh. So as the griffon went to spread his wings, Daring caught the gleaming shine of the fallen survival knife and reached over to the corner of the room and held it in her teeth. The adventuress wasted no time. She jumped to her hooves and violently lashed her head forward, releasing the knife and sending it across the cabin like an arrow. An arrow that pierced Giovanni as he exited, slashing through his right wing and exerted a screaming holler from the villainous archaeologist as he could no longer gain flight.

Unfortunately for Daring's feathery enemy, he was too far out the window to stop himself from tumbling to the desert ground with the train rocketing over 50 mph. The adventuress never seen it, but she heard the griffon's cries while she could imagine the pain of his downfall. When the confrontation was officially over, Daring let herself droop into her seat, stretching over it to extend her tired limbs. Although she couldn't know he was gone for sure, she closed her eyes and grinned, she had won this fight...


~~~~~


"And that's it." Daring stated plainly. "That was my first contact with Giovanni D'Angelo. The only griffon I know that can transform into a snake within seconds. We did manage to get the treasure to Santiago, and luckily we were able to track down his cousin along with the evidence that he was in on the scam with Giovanni."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was beyond captivated by the thrilling story, it was a classic tale of deception and lies being overthrown by the goodness and purity. Even though it was ended by a fluke of luck that the knife struck the griffon the way Daring told it. "Remarkable story, Daring. I haven't heard a good one like that in a long time. Perhaps I don't read enough. So I'm guessing you did encounter him a few more times than you or especially him intended to?"

"Ohhhh Yeah." She nodded extensively, chuckling at the same time. "Right up until this mission, I confronted him on several different occasions. He got a few hits in on me, but I took away the use of his right wing with that knife."

"Really?"

Daring nodded again. "Yup! Struck some part of his wing that gave him nerve damage and he hasn't been able to use it since. All he can do with it is keep it tucked in. These days, he normally uses it to conceal that baton of his, damn being whipped with that thing smarts."

"...Not as bad as this wind smarts." Mare-Do-Well replied. The shivering mare leaned down to wrap her hooves around Do's belly while the cold atmospheric September gales pierced their bodies like icy needles. "Daring, it's freezing, how much longer is it going to be?"

The adventuress peeked her head up and found themselves drawing closer to the sky city, but not as close as they'd like to be. "Maybe another three miles?" She sighed.

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well sighed as well, sitting up to stretch and crack her joints in a few places. "Well I hope we get there soon, I've been knocked out all day and my body's getting a little too used to the R&R." 

"Well I don't know about you, but I could use some sleep." Daring humorously argued. "I've been flapping these wings for the last few hours and I'm getting exhausted."

"Well you haven't flown that far."

That retort invoked a choleric glare that the archaeologist shot back at her. "You're aren't exactly the lightest mare in Equestria, you know! I could have been to Cloudsdale and back to Canterlot in half the time it's taking us to get there if you weren't on my back."

"Oh Please, I'm not that heavy."

A roll of the eyes was all that was received by that remark. It was comments like that that made Daring wish the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was still unconscious. Although all and all, in the adventuress' mind, she enjoyed the company of another pony to venture with. There were seldom times her expeditions involved two or more ponies. Not being used to it, she figured that was why she was acting so repugnant towards the mare whenever Mare-Do-Well would strike a nerve. She felt sort of bad when she snapped back at her about archaeology, but she had a feeling Mare-Do-Well understood her passion for the job and had shrugged it off, because that's what friends do. She didn't want to admit it, but the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well knew they were friends. Daring knew it for sure, but it would take some more opening of the mind before the mare accompanying her would accept it.

"You hear that?" The masked mare asked suddenly, sitting up on her hindquarters and twitching her left ear.

Daring listened in, but could hear nothing except the brush of the wind. "Nope, I've been flying for so long, I've sort of tuned everything out except the wind and you. What does it sound like?"

An unknown whooshing sound continued to bewilder the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. It was strange and it gradually became louder and louder as the seconds rolled on. "I don't know.....It's getting louder, can't you hear it?"

The adventuress cupped her ear a second time, and this attempt was met with a different result, the whooshing was definitely audible, but now the girls could hear a slight and constant whipping to it. "Yeah now I can! Where is that coming from?"

With her curiosity at an all time high, Mare-Do-Well began to look around, gazing in every direction with her hoof over her forehead to shield her eyes from the bright moon. "Well I don't see anything to the north...How bizarre. Let's see if anypony's is behi-"

The abrupt cut-off of her sentence wasn't noticed by the archaeologist until several seconds later. "...Mare-Do-Well? Anything wrong?"

She waited for a response but the masked mare remained silent, beginning to worry that her partner may have experienced another migraine. Hastily, the archaeologist craned her neck to check on the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, but was confused when she found her staring in the 6 o'clock direction. "Hey, Mare-Do-Well. What's the matter?"

"Daring." She finally spoke with seriousness shrouding in her voice. "...Get ready."

"Ready for what?"

Off in the distance, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well could spot several pegasi along with three of the strangest flying machines she'd ever seen. But it only took her a mere few seconds to recognize the vehicle from Spectrum's schematics, three unicorns were in control of their own blue and white-striped, fully operational gyrocopter. As for the pegasi, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well noticed each of them wielding a grayish increment. She could only hazard to guess that the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. thugs, including the pilots of the gyrocopters, were armed with spear guns. "Our biggest fight yet. Those are Spectrum gyrocopters, and they brought friends with them."

Do's eyes flew open. As fast as she could, the adventuress curved her angle of flight and turned around to learn that her partner was telling no lies. "They're coming this way?"

"Yes! We must have been seen flying over." Mare-Do-Well suggested. "Union knows we're coming, so those ponies are coming to kill us."

At first it seemed that way, but then all of a sudden, Daring could hear the sound of the Princess Celestia's voice. Her Majesty had put every ounce of faith into her, and she was positive she'd praise the same for Mare-Do-Well too. After all, they had cheated death time and time again. Just a few hours ago, faith helped them to break out of the devious capture of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.'s shadowy leader, Shyster Stockholder. No, Daring wasn't prepared to give up yet. It was time to stop Canterlot Crisis, and this fight, was definitely to be the first of many. Looking on with her blood beginning to heat up, Daring Do took a deep breath and reassured her ally. "Don't worry, we're going to kill them first. Like my father said, hold on, hold fast, keep going, and never back down."

To be continued












> Chapter 11: The Mid-Flight Fight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cloudsdale Airspace (About 3 miles outside of city), 1:23 am, September 29th

"Okay, do you have a plan exactly?" The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well hollered, hanging on for dear life as Daring darted towards the gang of eight H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. thugs.

"Are you good at skydiving?" Daring shouted, ignoring her ally's query to ask her own.

The question seemed totally bizarre to the unicorn and she almost wanted to hit the pegasus on the back of the head when she said it. "Not in the strictest definition! What are you planning?"

"Okay, never mind the skydiving! It's a long shot but it's our only shot!" the adventuress exclaimed as they drew closer and closer to Union's security squad. "Listen carefully: you know plain and simple that you're not going to keep up with any pegasi, so I'll handle them. I see only five up ahead so it shouldn't be that difficult. I'll leave it to you to get aboard one of those gyrocopters; we could make use of one and get to Cloudsdale faster, because we should probably try to make it there before it gets any later than it already is. Now I'm going to fly by relatively fast, giving you just a split second to leap across on one, then I'll tackle one of the pegasus guards and attempt to take his spear gun...You got all that?"

It wasn't too complicated, but a plan of attack such as that was much more easily said than done. Although could they do anything else? Mare-Do-Well knew that Daring fought well, even when outnumbered. To her it was just another day at the office. Despite their lack of numbers, the hooded hero had faith in their teamwork. She took a deep breath and nodded proudly before she fastened her wide-brimmed hat. "You bet, let's do this!"

Daring knew this sort of scenario all too well. Her adrenaline ran wild, ready to take on anything Union Jack could throw at her. Sporting her famous smile and feeling the tenacity grow inside her; she also fastened her helmet and broke for a higher altitude. Mare-Do-Well held on, and Daring climbed higher into the heavens as if she was trying to reach for the moon. Within twenty seconds, they were already over two hundred feet from where they originally were, and it only perplexed the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. henchmen as they looked on, watching the mares from below.

"That must be them!" one pegasi guard shouted.

Another guard reached to his back and pulled a spear from the quiver strapped to his uniform. He slipped it into the barrel of the spear gun and cocked the lever on the side of the weapon to arm it. The lever fell into place and the spear locked airtight into the barrel, ready to fire. The operative smirked, and pointed to the girls. "Alpha Team! Load’em' up! Move’em' out!"

The four other pegasi complied, each taking a spear and loading their weapon. Each of them, including the unicorns flying the gyros was dressed in a black and white-striped jacket, and a black hardhat. On the back of every jacket was a crest, an emblem that bore a yellow 'H' in its center while it was shrouded by swirling lines protruding from it. The lines came in many pale shades of blue, allowing all the other characteristics of the crest to form the symbolic hurricane insignia. 

Meanwhile, Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well were finally reaching their apex, coming to the peak of their ascent and suspending in the air for but a few seconds. At that moment, everything fell silent. Everything they learned, all the bad guys they've encountered, it had come down to this point. Getting past those brutes was the last barrier keeping them from Union Jack and the parasprites. This fight would prove to be the beginning of the end. As their moment of suspension came to an end and Daring's wings froze, she started a slight glide, a meek descent from the sky. Little by little, their speed would gradually increase, their angle would curve downward, but not with any sort of quickness or haste whatsoever. It was Daring and Mare-Do-Well's last moment of solace before they'd be fighting, not only for their own lives, but for Princess Celestia and the rest of Equestria. Eventually they could hear the quiet hush of the wind again; whistling past their ears and almost singing a delightful tune that only gales could make, and it would be the one thing that soothed the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well's spirit. The sound of the dancing winds allowed the masked mare to find tranquility one last time.  

As their final dive would take them to the Hierarchy's henchmen, the adventuress lifted her head up high to a gaze at the moon one last time. Staring into its divine aura of beauty and grace, Daring knew no matter what the situation, Princess Luna would be watching over; even after everything, the archaeologist still found the moon to be her one lifeline to peace. The innocent lives crushed, the chaos created by Stockholder, and the entire world stability was all riding on them defeating Union Jack and putting an end to the parasprites. 

Finally their glide began to pick up speed, accelerating into a steady pace, then their angle steepened, and the pace turned into a cruise, now getting faster and faster with each second. Their angle dipped again and they went fast…Faster...Faster! Rocket fast! Bullet fast! As fast as gravity would let them drop! Daring aimed down her prey and acquired her target. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well peered ahead, and she cracked her knees to prepare for the leap of faith. Meanwhile, the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. guards took aim with the spear guns, ready to make their mark. Then on their leader’s command, the five pegasi fired off their shots. However, the distance was too far and their target was fast, allowing Daring to easily avoid all five spears.

Daring zipped past the first gyrocopter, feeling a big weight lift from her shoulders as Mare-Do-Well swallowed down the anxiety in her throat and jumped from the pegasus, extending her hooves out as far she possibly could, then just barely scraping the edge of the gyrocopter's right-wheel. She managed to coil her foreleg around it and clung on for her life. The pilot was dumbfounded and felt her substantial amount of weight pull down the front. The masked mare struggled to climb the cold and slippery leg of the flying machine while the sound of loud rotary propellers roared in her ears from above.

The two other gyrocopter pilots took immediate action, loading their respective weapons and firing at the masked mare. Struggling to stay on was one thing, but the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well had to use what little magic she could muster up, casting two lightning-fast spells at the two projectiles to deflect them away. When that attempt had failed, one pilot flew underneath the mare; forcing her to pull herself against the bottom of the aircraft to unsure she wasn’t shredded into bits. Then while that pilot had to make the turn around, the other pilot had loaded another spear, firing at will. Mare-Do-Well pulled up again, evading her third arrow. “You’ll have to try harder than that!” she shouted at them. Then without warning, she saw a white streak pass her line of sight. From above, the pilot of the gyrocopter she currently suspended from had shot at her, almost harpooning right through her skull. At her position, it forced the pilot to stand, craning over the side of the cockpit to fire a shot; this finally gave the hero the opening she so desperately needed. With a glow of magic, Mare-Do-Well tugged on the collar of the pilot reloading his spear gun; this took him by surprise and caused him to stumble, falling out of the cockpit, thus falling off the gyrocopter altogether. Luckily, Mare-Do-Well was able to catch his dropped spear gun in her magic before the ditched pilot fearfully screamed to his untimely death. The other pilots responded by firing off two more shots, coming nowhere close to hitting Mare-Do-Well as her newly acquired aircraft suddenly dipped down due to the lack of magic operating it. She took the advantage and scaled the metal contraption to climb into the cockpit, conjuring her magic as quickly as possible to regain altitude.   

Meanwhile, the leading sentinel of the security squad kept directing his team to fire, shooting at the blur which flew circles around his team before making a sudden curve in direction and spearing into the guts of one guard. The tackle caused the stallion to inadvertently fire from his spear gun, launching a spear into the chest of one of his comrades. The fatal shot caused the dying guard to cough up blood before letting out an anguished gasp. Daring tumbled through the air, tussling with the tackled guard and both falling into a humongous dark cloud just below and quickly disappearing through the vapor. 

The leader could do nothing but look on as he watched one of his team member’s lifeless body fall before his eyes. Then he cursed at the remaining two and pointed urgently at the cloud below. "She took him down into that cumulonimbus! Two of you follow them and I will remain here and follow Night Shade and Escapade to hunt down that Mare-Do-Wit, or whatever her name is. Go!"

"Yes, Sir!" his comrades saluted. The five of them broke off, two heading into the rain cloud and the three remainder of Alpha Team to pursue their hijacked gyrocopter. 

Among the darkness and moistness of the dank rain cloud, Daring and the attacked guard flipped over and under each other, throwing lefts and rights. The guard lost his spear gun sometime during the plunge, reverting to alternative tactics. At first the stronger stallion had the upper hoof, but then Daring used her slick agility to her advantage, performing mid-air sidesteps and counter-striking his jabs. Desperate to get the mare off his back, he clapped his hooves together to reveal a hidden blade protruding from his right horseshoe. He stabbed forward, and not expecting the knife; it took her by surprise and tore through a part of her shirt, leaving a thin red line upon her coat. 

When the baddie sliced through the fabric, he thought he had killed her, but the adventuress replied back with a clear shot to the jaw and quickly grabbed a hold of his right forehoof. She and the guard struggled back and forth, fighting to shove the sharp increment into each other’s throats. But just when the archaeologist thought she had it dialed in, her opponent changed the game, twisting around and suddenly appearing from behind as he now held the dagger at her neck, pulling back. However, Daring mustered all the power she could to keep the blade away. She knew she couldn’t last forever; she had to figure a way out of this, and fast. With every second she could feel her hoof weaken and the sharp blade draw closer to her; it wouldn't be long until she gave. The guard laughed maniacally. "You're not getting away this time, Daring Do!"

With desperation setting in, the seemingly helpless mare gave one more push, pressing against his own force, trying with all her might to break his hold. But to her dismay, she was simply beating herself out; this stallion was not about to let her go. What would Mare-Do-Well do?, she thought; her face showing strain while her last bit of strength was about to collapse. Then suddenly it was like a light bulb switched on in her head. Daring flailed her neck and thrashed about, trying to get her angle right. Then with forcefulness, she lifted her hind leg up and kicked back as hard as she could, driving between the stallion's legs. He released his grip within seconds, writhing in pain and shouting from the top of his lungs. The archaeologist acted quickly, elbowing her opposition in his nose, leaving him dazed enough to take his hoof and stab him in the stomach with his own weapon. His beating wings froze almost instantaneously, his breathing halted, and his eyes were filled with shock. Then moments later, he dropped down and landed lifeless on the cloud floor. Daring waited until he was completely motionless then took a deep breath and sighed of relief. She closed her eyes, and then opened them again. Now that she had a chance to stop and rest, she looked around. It was nearly as dark as the Everfree Forest was itself, yet nothing could be heard, just the drips of collecting rain water and Daring Do’s own beating heart. It was relieving for that one moment.

To her regret, the solace was soon over. Through the thickness of the cloud, Daring brought a hoof to her ear and heard the muffled sounds of another voice. "I think I heard something over here. This way!"

"Seriously?" Daring groaned, her tone filled with annoyance. "I swear, Union Jack has messed with the wrong pegasus."

From far above, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well thought quickly on what she could do; Alpha’s Commander and two gyrocopters were following close behind. She decided she had to come up with some sort of way to either lose them completely or devise a plan to eliminate her predators, and with a mostly clear sky the latter seemed more logical. Even though the gyrocopter took little magic to operate, Mare-Do-Well was still not at full capacity; however, she made an effort to get away from the dangerous criminals. But despite the chase, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well felt an adrenaline rush like she'd never had before. Just being able to fly on her own made her feel reinvigorated, it was an amazing experience. It didn't have a natural feel like a pegasus would, but it still impressed the mare to no end. 

As she went to make a loop around to keep in the vicinity of Daring's location, she felt something prod her hind leg. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well took a swift glance on the floor of the cockpit and right next to her was the previous pilot's quiver to his spear gun. She then knew that it was the only way she was going to have a chance of getting away in one piece, but she would have to have the right angle. Hauling the control stick to the side, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well rotated and faced the incoming H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. slime. As quick as she could, the masked mare fastened her obtained spear gun in her hooves and levitated one of the bolts into the barrel. Then with a quick pull of the lever, it was locked and loaded.

The gyrocopters in front of her were beginning to close in, drawing nearer and nearer while her heart felt like it beat faster than the propellers spun. She tried to concentrate. Killing one of the pilots was mandatory; the size of the cockpit only gave her enough room to evade one spear, not two. With that in mind, she lifted the gun's attached scope to eye-level and took aim at the left-bound pilot. Daring had made it look easy when she shot it back aboard Shyster’s airship, but Mare-Do-Well herself was finding difficulty in keeping her hooves still. She couldn't let doubt cloud her thoughts. She shook her head clean, but the risk of missing her target was impossible to get out of her mind. "Keep it together, girl," she told herself, "take it easy..." Finally she took a deep inhale and held herself steady, watching her predators come in for the kill. It was like waiting to get hit by a speeding train. 

Meanwhile the other pilots were taking aim with their spear guns, as well as maintaining a wicked speed of flight. With the pilot on her right seeming to draw in first, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well made a split second decision and changed her target, getting only just one chance to make her mark. At last, she fired, and the long spear burst from the barrel of the gun and whistled across the sky. Time slowed, and the unicorn mare could only watch. At first it did not look like a clean hit and it appeared as if it was going to pass the opposing gyrocopter, but then it began to curve, its fins steering its path. Her shed of hope was beginning to ring true but dropped dead when she heard the sound of metal on metal as he zipped past. Mare-Do-Well cursed under her breath when she realized she had missed. Suddenly she took a slight glance to the left and felt the sharp pain spike her left hind leg as the second pilot flew past moments later. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well screamed while the painful sensation cascaded throughout her nerves. Her breaths were reduced to quickened whimpers as she tried to build the courage to look down. However, with her enemies still on her tail, she decided to escape across the sky once more before doing so. She pushed the throttle forward and the gyro dipped forward as well, trying to gain speed while the other pilots had to make the U-turn. When the machine was flying at a good pace again, she took a deep breath and examined her leg. The spear had managed to pierce through the thin metal of the cockpit, stabbing in far enough to give the mare an ugly gash in her lower thigh. She quickly used her magic to pull the spear out of the metal. Then she looked at the injury again, noticing that it never struck bone; and she still had feeling below the wound so she assumed nothing was broken, but the pain was surely present and blood was soaking through her suit and running down past her knees. Judging by the severity, she determined if the fight didn't end in time, she would most certainly die from loss of blood.

Up ahead, the Commander was in sight of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, smirking deviously as he went to load a spear into his gun. “I got you now, you little pest.”

Mare-Do-Well noticed the pegasus guard holding his place, readying his aim. Despite her injury, she grinned and fastened her hat, putting both hooves on the control stick. “So you wanna play games? I’m down!” she hollered.

Alpha’s leader watched her gain speed, but remained steady and fired off a shot at her. He quickly reloaded, firing again, coming within a smaller radius of hitting his target. Less than a hundred feet away, he was only given enough time to load one more time. He carefully aimed, held his breath and shot; it looked like it was going to hit. However, Mare-Do-Well ducked her head in time before it picked her off. Eventually the gyrocopter became too close for the Commander to evade it. His eyes widened and he made an attempt to flee before getting clipped side-on and the wind knocked out of him as he tumbled mid-air then spiralled onto a nearby cloud. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well peeked back to watch her enemy’s body toss all about and feathers fly in a disarray, laughing at what she accomplished. But soon she turned back around, knowing that she still had to lose two more H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. operatives. The fight was far from over.  

Meanwhile, Daring Do had her own hooves full. She had remained still for the majority of the time, waiting for the two other guards to fly past. The voices were getting louder by the minute, and sounding more frustrated at that. The adventuress silenced her breathing and tried to stay still while keeping her wings flapping. Timing was of the essence and key in the element of surprise. Daring had to lay low and wait until she saw one of the two remaining pegasus guards go pass. The darkness of the cloud made the mare appear invisible and he kept on going, giving Daring one shot. Very slowly, she kept the pace of her wings to a dull flutter and crept up on the guard. "Be with me, Princess..." With a winding swing of her leg, Daring gave the creep a vicious roundhouse kick to the back of the head. He immediately fumbled his flight and crashed against the cloud wall, breaking through to another segment of the cumulonimbus. The archaeologist was about to climb through his body-shaped crevice when she was met with a surprising retaliation. On the other side of the hole, the guard grabbed Do by the hoof and dragged her through. When she forcefully crossed the threshold, the guard whipped the mare with a kick to her stomach and shoved her back. Daring recovered quickly and used agility to her advantage. The sentry tried tackling the mare, but Daring sidestepped his attempts, showing up the guard with her speed and kicking at him whenever she had the chance. The adventuress had learned to fight her way out of many situations over the years, no matter how big the enemy; she always found a way to avoid being beaten to death.

But to her dismay, the darkness would be her greatest downfall in this fight. Unbeknownst to Daring, and even her attacker, the other H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. operative had finally arrived, restraining Daring Do from behind by surprise and locking her forehooves behind her back. She immediately struggled and wiggled every which way she could in order to escape. But this stallion's strength was again too much for a mere mare to handle. "Let me go, you creep!"

"Shoot her..." Her restrainer ordered, using every ounce of his power to hold her back while his partner tried to catch his breath. "Shoot her!" he barked again, growing impatient.

Daring tried to kick her enemy in his groin like she had done to her first attacker, but she failed to make her mark as her opponent seemed to be protecting himself. Soon enough the other guard regained his composure and reached for his back to retrieve the spear gun. But to his regret it was gone, lost during his and Daring's combat. So he instead clapped his hooves and Daring watched on as this guard also had a blade contraption in his shoe, charging at Daring with a feral battle cry. With a matter of life and death on her shoulders, Daring's body kicked into overdrive, giving her a sudden burst of strength to overpower her captor. She gave her restrainer a swift elbow to the head then tossed him to the side with a hip throw, able to fly up from the knife just in time. While in the perfect position, Daring drove her hind leg across the temple of the charging stallion diving for her, snapping his head farther than one's head should probably go and knocking him out with a sickening crack.

With another enemy compromised, Daring was down to one more guard, staring at her with a crazed expression of fury ready to explode. Both ponies were breathing hard; the length of the battle was taking a toll on their bodies. The rain cloud had Daring's coat drenched in a mix of both dew and perspiration. She felt the cool particles of water hit her back as she flapped her wings, relieved they were not only keeping her airborne and agile, but preventing a heat stroke from the oppressive atmosphere. Finally the guard addressed the persistent pegasus: "You're much more than the report said you were." He said in an irritated tone.

"Why, thank you," Daring smirked widely, "I aim to please."

Ignoring that quell of annoyance, the stallion launched forward and dove for the adventuress, but being put back to a one on one battle gave her the upper hoof again. She swiftly side-swerved the guard and caught him in the back with a kick. He absorbed the shot with the grunt, spinning back around with a backhoof, but Daring ducked. He went to kick her but she caught his leg then delivered a head-butt. The adrenaline-pumped archaeologist laughed at him. “Is that all you’ve got? Jeez, you henchmen are all the same, slow and predictable.”

The guard was taken aback, shaking the stars from around his head. He knew the adventuress was urging him to come at her again, but he had had enough. The guard reached behind himself and unsheathed his gun, with a spear already locked in place. He took aim, wrenching his hoof around the trigger. “Try this on for size, you runt!” 

Then with only a second to think, Daring contemplated the situation and let her wings stop. The split-second decision would pay off as the adventuress dropped from the guard’s line of fire, allowing the spear to instead graze off her pith-helmet, coming ever so close to the jaws of defeat. She disappeared into the darkness below, puzzling the guard. 

“Where the hay did she go?” Acting quickly, the sole guard reached into his cylindrical satchel and hauled out another spear. He loaded it into the barrel, racked the action lever, and then it was ready to fire once more. He was vigilant, turning around frantically, waiting for signs of her returning. He concentrated on the cloud floor below, but he could only see his fallen comrades amidst the darkness. Nearly thirty seconds had gone by before he considered she might have fled. “Come out, come out, wherever you-“

“SURPRISE!” somepony shouted as a dark blur shot like lightning from the side, catching its prey off guard, forcefully driving its hindhoof into his skull as hard as she could. Daring Do had ultimately vanquished her enemy’s consciousness in an instant. The guard went head over heels, tumbling over and over again, hitting the wall and then falling to the ground of the nimbus. Having finally a good moment to think, Daring considered what possible danger her ally could be in and had a sudden idea come to mind. In a flash, the pegasus mare flew down and took the guard’s spear gun and quiver. Then it reminded her that her oldest friend had taken a spear for her; the pith-helmet, which now bore a new scar across its top. She took it in her hooves and scanned it over. Seeming relatively fine, she kissed it and perched it proudly atop her head.

Meanwhile, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was still being pursued by the two H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. pilots. She learned earlier that the spear she fired only connected into the side of the first aircraft. In combination with her injuries, her adrenaline was shot and she was beginning to feel her head throb from her previous state of magical exhaustion. She needed to secure a way to escape, and quickly. The hooded heroine gazed over and across the vast rain cloud, Daring was still nowhere to be seen. She began to think that maybe the guards may have seized or killed her, but after everything they’ve been through, it would seem illogical for such an avid adventuress to die by three amateur criminals. Suddenly her mind was driven to another concern when another shot of pain cascaded from her left leg, bringing her eyes to her still bleeding wound. The stench of her blood was beginning to travel through her nostrils, emitting a nauseous urge. However, she immediately threw the idea of vomiting out of her head when she remembered the predicament. I have to focus, she thought, we’re so close! We have to beat these guys.

As Mare-Do-Well pulled the control stick to the side, the gyrocopter started another loop around, giving her a moment to think. “I need to lose these guys, now! But I can’t get close enough without getting shot, and in my state, there’s no way I can maintain both a protective shield and this damn aircraft…However, I can alternate between the two...Hmm…It’s worth a shot.” Coming around 180 degrees, the mare was face to face yet again with the two pilots who were flying at a pace faster than before. She contemplated only one chance for her plan to work. Mare-Do-Well locked eyes with the pilot to her right, giving him a focused glare. She took a deep breath, finding the faith in herself, and then she pushed forward. The gyrocopter dipped forward again, picking up speed. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well had her sights set on the right-bound pilot, contemplating her next move. 

As that pilot began putting the pieces together, he couldn’t help but laugh maniacally. “Hey Night Shade, check this out! This broad wants to play a game of chicken. Let’s see how far she’s willing to go!” Then Escapade threw his own stick forward to accelerate, accepting the challenge with a mad glint in his eye.

Then as they were drawing closer and closer; accelerating faster and faster, the friction of the wind was starting to press against the mare’s form, almost immobilizing her. She took one more glance at her leg; she prayed she would have the strength to combat these guards. It’s all or nothing now…

Finally as the moment of truth drew nigh, Escapade’s crazed expression slowly dissipated as he realized she wasn’t pulling away. There was not enough for either of them to escape, the crash was inevitable. Night Shade could only watch as both his ally and enemy were about to collide. But at the last two seconds before impact, the masked mare burst into a flash of white light, disappearing mere moments prior to impact.

The witnessing pilot called after his partner: “Escapade, pull out! Quick!” 

It was useless. The doomed pilot pulled his controls to the side in vain, but the flying, inoperative gyro was too fast and heavy, slamming into the propellers of the other with a thunderous boom, snapping the rotary blades clean off. Escapade could nothing but watch on as his aircraft was destroyed, rolling over and over before his panic took hold when the gyrocopter no longer responded to his magic. Within seconds, he lost ability to maintain altitude, and plunged to the ground in a hollering panic. This left the remaining pilot, Night Shade, with one thought in mind; where was the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well? He spun the gyro around, searching for the mare, but a dreaded feeling took hold once the unicorn pilot realized the spell she casted. ”…That was teleportation.” He muttered.

Then just as his epiphany came to him, the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. thug received a revolving kick from the side, connecting to his jaw. His head cocked to the side, incapacitating him and thus ending his control over the gyrocopter. However, it did not falter. Instead, the magic was picked up by the wide-smirking mare clinging to the side of the machine. “Not tonight.”

With victory at last, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well allowed herself a moment to breathe. She took a look the unconscious stallion and wondered what she could do. She couldn’t simply throw him over the edge. She put a hoof to her chin to think then noticed another cloud floating beneath them. An idea came to mind and hurriedly, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well focused her horn on the unconscious guard; a string of sparkles emanated from the tip and wrapped around the stallion. They coiled round and round, tightly knit until they eventually fused into his body. After that, Mare-Do-Well took his spear gun and the quiver strapped to his back and tossed the limp body his from the seat, allowing him to fall onto the soft cloud. The spell she had casted could allow a non-pegasi pony to remain on a cloud without falling through. Since the cloud was so small, the weight and mass of the stallion slowly forced it to descend. Mare-Do-Well could only guess that he would eventually make to the ground, safe and unharmed. So she climbed in and took control of the flight. She took a look around, remembering there was still one more member involved in the attack, their squad leader. However, the remaining stallion was nowhere to be found. She could guess that he either fled or dove into the cumulonimbus below to scout out Daring. Then Mare-Do Well remembered: she hadn’t seen Daring since they split up to fight. She headed back towards the cumulonimbus cloud she saw Daring dive into. 

Concerned for her partner, she hovered over the surface of the thick black cloud and called out to her. “Daring! Daring Do! Can you hear me?...Daring…”

After about a minute waiting for something to happen, Mare-Do-Well began to think the worst. Perhaps Union’s thugs were able to kill her; maybe it was the Commander who finished her off. She suddenly recalled the kind words Daring spoke to her before the escalation, the sincerity in her voice when she referred to friendship. She was at a loss of hope, taking her hat off in respect. “She’s really gone…I don’t believe it. I did it again; I’ve dragged another pony into my own mess and killed her. And to think, I thought she was the one doing me a favor…I’ll certainly miss you…Friend.” The heroine allowed a moment of silence over the loss of her partner. She shut her eyes and lowered her head to grieve. 

“…Well it’s certainly not the best eulogy I’ve ever heard, but I guess it should suffice.”

The outburst made Mare-Do-Well jump, almost forcing her to cough up a lung and nearly sending the gyro out of control. When she regained herself, Mare-Do-Well turned the gyrocopter around and sure enough, there was a sandstone pegasus with a maliciously playful smile gleaming from her face. She could almost see the red cheeks show through Mare-Do-Well’s veil. “DARING!” she angrily exclaimed. “I thought you were dead!”

Daring Do struggled to stifle a laugh. “And I thought we weren’t friends, either! You sure fooled me.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well slammed her wide-brimmed hat back on her head. She pressed a hoof to her chest, feeling her heart racing. “Why’d you sneak up on me like that?” She asked.

Her question was met with a careless shrug. “I thought it’d be kind of funny. I find it loosens the tension after a fight. Don’t you agree?”

Mare-Do-Well could have snapped the mare’s neck right there. “I…Well…You…Daring…Don’t do that ever again. Did you lose them?”

“Who?”

“The guards.”

“Oh, them! Yeah, they’re long gone now.” Daring said, winking at her. “How about you? You alright?”

Her partner nodded. “For the most part, I’m fine, but one of them managed to shoot me in the leg…Look.”

Daring flew in closer to examine the wound. She prodded at it and looked it over. She could tell by the dried blood caked to her lower leg that she received the spear a while ago, not to mention it was still bleeding from the origin. Daring shook her head, now speaking with a much more serious tone of voice, obviously concerned with what could arise from the severe gash. “Ooooh, that’s not good. When we land when better take care of that. Is there anything we can use to stop the bleeding? The best thing we can do now is apply pressure to the wound and halt some of the bleeding...Oh, I know!”

Without asking, Daring Do took a piece of Mare-Do-Well’s cape in her teeth and pulled, tearing off a length of the fabric. “Hey, watch it!” Mare-Do-Well scolded.

“Oh, calm down, I only took off a tiny piece.” The pegasus answered in a muffle, the fabric still between her teeth. After she spit it out, Daring wrapped the piece of her cape around her thigh and tied it down tight, turning it into a makeshift tourniquet. “There we go! How’s that?”

Despite her pained expression, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well nodded. “Yeah, I think I’ll manage. C’mon, with this machine we should make it in no time. Also, I see you have some new equipment to add to your arsenal.”

At first Daring was somewhat boggled by the statement, then she took a glance behind her and discovered she was still carrying the sheathed spear gun and small supply of ammunition. “Yes! It wasn’t easy getting this spear gun, but it’ll certainly come in handy. The quiver still has like, seven spears. But that’s beside the point; we have a weapon other than magic and our fighting experience. Now, enough chit chat, we have a nation to save. Fly on, friend.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well went to say something but immediately stammered in light of the archaeologist’s last word. She chewed on it for a moment before letting a smile grow across her face. Then with a proud salute, she tipped her hat. “Right!”

However, as they were taking off for the city of clouds once again, Daring suddenly recalled an interesting statement Mare-Do-Well made. “I almost forgot, what did you say about another pony getting dragged into your work?”

Her friend let the gyro come to a stop. She turned her head and stared at her for a few moments, then silently looked back ahead. The sudden burst of enthusiasm was zapped from her body, just like that. “That’s nothing you need to concern yourself with, Daring Do. It was a long time ago. Let’s just worry about the here and now.”

“If you say so,” Daring replied, cocking a brow at the mare. The surprising response brought on a concerned frown from the adventuress; she’d come to know that this new friend of hers could be very inscrutable at times.

Meanwhile, as the girls finally continued along their way, a head that peeped up from the cloud behind them. It was the Commander, hiding away and astonished by the outcome of him and his stallions’ efforts. He grimaced in fear, knowing he had to return to the base with the bad news. “How in Tartarus did those two manage to take out the entire Alpha Team? They’re more dangerous than I anticipated. I have to get back and warn No. 4.”

To be continued

> Chapter 12: The Coming Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Castle, 10:45 pm, September 28th

It had been a relatively quiet night through the stunning city of Canterlot; the stars were shining in the sky, the moon was perched at its apex, and the cool wistful breeze whistled throughout the vast city. Ponies at this time were going to bed, resting up for another busy day ahead of them. Right now, couples were sitting next to their fireplaces, warming up amidst the cold autumn and chilly nights. It was a night like any other…However, Canterlot Castle remained awake. Within the throne room of the majestic palace, a meeting was about to take place. Perched upon their respective thrones were Princesses Celestia and Luna. They awaited the arrival of the Captain of the Royal Guard and his predecessor. The entire castle had been under tight surveillance since the kidnapping of the Princesses’ nephew, Prince Blueblood; but to Her Majesty’s credit, Celestia seemed surprisingly more relaxed than Luna took her for. The Princess of the Night envied her sister’s state of mind. Time was running thin and Luna couldn’t stifle the tapping of her hoof against the floor.

Princess Celestia could sense her nervousness but kept her eyes on the doors. “Be patient, little sister. The captain and the colonel will be here soon.”

“But it’s been over an hour!” she pointed out, “It can’t possibly take that long to dispatch guards around the city.”

“Shining Armor doesn’t want to take any chances,” Celestia returned quickly, turning her head to look at Luna, “he needs to map out the most needed places to guard; like Canterlot’s banks, government service buildings, and the palace.”

Just then, the two alicorns looked up to find the throne room doors creaking open. Two guards walked in side-by-side to hold the doors for two other ponies that entered just as formally. When they crossed the threshold, the preceding guards took their exit and shut the heavy doors again; a loud thud echoing throughout the near-empty room. The two ponies were well known to their fields: The first one was the distinguished Shining Armor, uniformed in his suit of purple and gold armor, and the blue unicorn stallion behind him was far older, sporting a short white beard below a dark mustache, and dressed in a black beret and suit garnished with war medals and ribbons. After both of them bowed before the Princesses, Shining Armor removed his helmet. “We have finished securing Canterlot to our best extent, Your Majesty.”

Princess Celestia smiled down at him. “Well done, Shining Armor. This meeting will not take long. I simply want to touch base on the situation, and then we’ll continue in the morning…Early morning,” then she turned her focus to the other stallion, “Also, I am pleased to have you aboard on this as well, Colonel Quartermane.”

The Royal Guard veteran returned her praise with appealing side-smirk, revealing a heavy Highlander accent. “The pleasure’s all mine, Your Majesty. I was honored to offer my services for the Princesses and country. However, I am a bit baffled why you summoned me.”

“That question will be answered soon,” she chuckled.

“Sister, can we begin the meeting?” Luna asked, “Captain Armor and Colonel Quartermane are here, so let’s not waste any more time…”

Celestia nodded, “Very well.”

Luna then stepped away from her throne, walking next to her sister’s throne and using her magic to levitate an envelope that lay on the hoof rest. The Princess of the Night climbed down the few steps to show it to the two stallions. “Shining Armor, I assume you have informed the Colonel of the predicament?” She asked in a stern tone.

“I have, Princess Luna.”

The Princess took the letter within the envelope and unfolded it. She scanned over it thoroughly and sighed. “I haven’t been back long enough to remember this group, but I’ve read of them…Let me read the letter over.” Princess Luna cleared her throat then began pace the room:

“My dearest Princess Celestia, I have waited a long time to finally address you. It has been roughly a week since the tragic kidnapping of the Prince of Nobles. I am aware that the Royal Guard has worked tirelessly to locate him. Let me assure you, however, that he is indeed fine and well, under the imprisonment of my syndicate and I. What syndicate, you may ask? Well, it has been quite a while since Baltimare, but I doubt you will have difficulty recalling the Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism, and Extortion. It has been many decades since H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. was last active. I am the stallion that High Roller failed to find before his death. Yes, there was a periodical flare from time to time but the Hierarchy has remained largely dormant. Well, the hibernation has ended. WE HAVE RETURNED. It’s funny how you never suspected us to be behind this in the first place, seeing how no other group of masterminds could conjure such an ingenious scheme. However, let me assure you this is only the beginning. To verify this is a legitimate and credible claim, I have enclosed two very convincing items: one that will show you the validity of my current claim, and one that is but a taste of the Chaos yet to come…Now, if you wish to have the Prince returned to you in one-piece, we demand a hefty lump-sum of 500 million bits by eight o‘clock in the coming morning. After that, we will hoof over Prince Blueblood within seven days after receiving the cleared payment. Do not get any clever ideas; nopony but I, shall know the hour or day the Prince will be returned. I make good on my promises, so please do not hesitate on my order. Like I said, this is only the beginning of many confrontations you and I shall have. I have enchanted this letter with a spell that will return this letter to me when it is set ablaze. Until next time, Princess Celestia, farewell. 

With love, 

No. 1”

Princess Luna stopped in her tracks as she finished the last words of the letter, and then levitated the two enclosed items from the envelope. “A no doubt boastful, yet dangerous threat. This ‘No. 1’, as he calls himself, has enclosed a photo of my nephew looking rather depressed and ragged within a prison cell. And telling by his cutie-mark, we can certainly conclude it is him. However, that is not the only thing that concerns us at the moment,” then the Princess called upon her older sister, “my sister, I will let you take it from here.”

Princess Celestia nodded then took a hold of the items in her own magical bond, holding the other unexplained item in front of the two stallions. It appeared to be some sort of microscopic slide with a small petrified green specimen contained inside the glass. “You’re Majesty, what is this?” asked Shining Armor.

“That’s a parasprite spore,” Quartermane answered for him, nodding at the familiar creature, “I haven’t set eyes on one of them since I was in charge of the Guard.”

“Correct,” Celestia pointed out. She levitated it towards her to examine it further, scanning over it with concern, “A few years ago, a swarm of these creatures was let loose from the Everfree Forest, hitting Fillydelphia hard. It was one of the worst agricultural disasters Equestria had witnessed in decades.”

Shining Armor seemed very puzzled over the strange insects, but the Colonel from was following the story very easily. “I read a report on them a while back when I was visiting my homeland in Glascolt. Scientists confirmed that they have one of the most acidic digestive systems known to ponykind; not to mention their rate of reproducing which is bizarre to say the least. They’re asexual beings, and strangely enough, the more they seem to consume, the faster their rate of reproduction accelerates. Within minutes, one parasprite could multiply into hundreds given enough crops to devour. Apparently their bodies produce other spores when food is digested, mixing with chemicals in their body and allowing the spores to advance in growth. This causes them to regurgitate quite often, resulting in the spawn of another parasprite very rapidly, then the cycle loops again. Not many of these sorts of infestations have been able to occur thanks to their place on the food chain and some vaccines some cities use in their crops. But in albeit rare cases…Like Fillydelphia, a scattered swarm is possible when they have broken beyond the boundaries of their habitat. Princess Celestia, did that slide arrive with that letter?”

Regretfully, the Princess nodded. “I’m afraid so. I don’t know what it means to send us this, but we must stay vigilant nonetheless. That is where you come in, Colonel Quartermane. I understand you know quite a lot about H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.. In fact I believe your father was the commander in-charge of the raid that lead to the Hierarchy’s defeat the first time.”

“That is correct,” the Colonel answered proudly, “I’ve read dozens of articles and studied of their files that were recovered from the raid. I guess you could say that I have become an expert on crime syndicate such as these. Albeit it none of the others come close to being as sinister as this. H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. is the slime of society; a league of extraordinary criminals, if you will. I assure you, Princess Celestia, I shall use every bit of knowledge I have about this organization to help defeat once again…My father would be proud.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Colonel. Welcome back to the Guard,” she smiled. Then everypony fell silent for a moment while they waited on the Princess of the daylight to speak again. She was contemplating the situation, closing her eyes. Not only was ransom on her mind, but now there was another emergency racing through her mind: The parasprites. She witnessed the aftermath of the infestation, recalling the memories of the tattered state of the eastern fields of Equestria were left in, and the amount of magic it took out of her simply to collect them all and blast them into oblivion; tens of thousands of the small, yet destructive insects nearly shrouding the endangered city in darkness. Then Celestia thought ahead of what a bigger swarm of them could accomplish, foreseeing the future of her kingdom if the fiends were released again. When she opened her eyes again, she addressed the Captain of the Royal Guard: “Shining Armor, didn’t you tell me earlier you had some news to deliver as well?”

The white Unicorn nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. A document was lying on my desk this morning. It seems our suspicions about the third-party weather company, Spectrum Inc., were wrong. It was Daring Do’s report; apparently, she found nothing out of the ordinary. I was about to have one of the scouts locate her for a debriefing, but she left a postscript saying she had left on another expedition shortly after.”

“There was no indication on where she was going?” Celestia asked with a confused tone and cocked brow.

“But here’s the really suspicious part,” the Captain continued, “I made contact with the border patrols and the Equestrian Aviation Bureau, and none of them have reported Daring Do leaving the kingdom by road, boat, train, or even by airship. She must still be in Equestria. I find it unlikely to think she’d sneak out of the kingdom undetected. Besides, the University of Canterlot and the museum she donates all her artifacts to have heard nothing on an expedition, and they’ve told me she always informs them when she’s leaving on something like that. Something is up.”

“You don’t think H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. might have captured her, do you?” The Colonel asked.

Shining Armor shrugged. “It’s possible, but I can’t know for sure. What do you think, Princess Luna?”

They looked up at the stern Princess who had returned to her throne, and found her giving Celestia somewhat of a scolding gaze. Princess Luna began to shake her head. “This is what comes of hiring inexperienced ponies, Princess Celestia. This Daring Do is nothing more than an archaeologist and university professor. What does she know about Royal Guard business?”

Her younger sister raised a good argument, but the Sun Princess was quick to defend herself. “Luna, I recommended Daring Do be hired because H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. wouldn’t expect a university professor of foul play. From what I’ve read about her, her reputation as a relic hunter is not just simply archaeology; she has been known to come out a few fights in the heat of it. She knows how to take care of herself and has a connection with one of our leading suspects, Giovanni D’Angelo.”

“And you seem to forget that she also had a connection with Mr. White Collar, the former Dean of U.o.C. who was killed during the kidnapping of Prince Blueblood,” Luna quickly retorted, “Sister, hasn’t it occurred to you that Daring Do may be acting out on emotion rather than rationality? Revenge of this caliber can only lead to more tragedy.”

Princess Celestia shook her head. “I’m sure Daring Do is hurt over White Collar’s passing, but she knows her priorities. Trust me, little sister, I would not have chosen her if I had a reasonable doubt.”

Luna was about to say something again but Colonel Quartermane put his hooves up to draw their attention. “Excuse me, Princesses! If I could interrupt here, I believe we should stick to the point rather than stray off into a blame game here.”

“Colonel Quartermane’s right,” Shining Armor agreed, “what are we going to do about the ransom?”

The two sisters shared a brief glance at each other before Princess Celestia replied with a deep sigh. “Princess Luna and I have yet to make our decision on that. As worried as I am about my nephew, I’m afraid H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.’s resurrection is far more concerning. But be that as it may, I will still forward a counter-offer to their leader to buy us some more time.”

“In the meantime, what should we do?” Shining Armor asked eagerly, standing at attention.

“I’d like for you to reacquaint the Colonel with the duties of being on the Royal Guard,” Celestia ordered, “In the morning, the four of us will meet again.”

Both Shining Armor and Colonel Quartermane stood and saluted. “Yes, Your Highness!”

After that, they turned around and trotted down the long carpet of the throne room until eventually left out through the tall doors, leaving a puzzled Princess Luna to ask one question: “So, how do you know their leader will allow for more time?”

Before she answered, Princess Celestia stood up from her throne and walked to the window. She stared deeply into the night sky, pondering over the events of the past week. A week ago it was nothing more than a kidnapping. Now, she was confronted with a newer threat, a deadlier threat. Finally she turned to face Luna. “I don’t know…But there isn’t another option at the moment. I will not allow them to scare us into their extortion plot so easily; that will only make thing worse. Intimidating Canterlot was what the predecessor, High Roller set out to do before he passed away, and I have a feeling that’s what the new No. 1 is trying to accomplish now. Take the parasprites for example; if we let them get the better of us, who knows what they’ll be motivated to plan with them.” With that being said, Princess Celestia levitated the letter in front of her. There was a quill and inkwell sitting on a table next to the thrones. With another glow of magic, she grabbed a hold of the quill and turned the parchment over to write on the back, “I have my doubts this will work, but it will let No. 1 know we are willing to negotiate if he allows more time.”

“And if he declines?” Luna asked in a stern tone.

Princess Celestia paused her writing and thought about that scenario. Then she took a deep breath and finished the letter. After she signed it, the Princess tossed the letter into the air and flashed a bolt of lightning from her horn, striking the letter and engulfing in a flame as it slowly disintegrated from top to bottom while tiny gold sparks fell to the floor, indicating that the spell was working. When the last of the parchment dwindled away, Princess Celestia turned to her sister. “Then we must decide between the futures of Equestria, and the Prince of Nobles.”

Spectrum Incorporated: Cloudsdale Headquarters, 2:05 am, September 29th

Cloudsdale, the bustling city of Equestria’s weather production. Despite the late hour, there were still many pegasus ponies roaming the clouds, likely going to or from work. Nonetheless, it was an ideal place to live for a pegasus: lots of ponies to meet, many sights to see like the infamous Cloudisium, and not to mention its booming economy. Almost every family had a successful breadwinner. Some ponies could call it a utopia, while others could call it a little slice of Tartarus. Work was still work and not everypony enjoyed it. However, whether a pony was there for the city life or well-paid work, satisfaction was a guarantee.

However, there was brewing trouble in this paradise. On the far-side of the floating was its industrial metropolis, an accumulation of clouds built into a busy mess of factories, with the iconic Weather Factory being the granddaddy of them all. But it was inside the walls of Spectrum Incorporated where tension was building.

Within his office, the sinister Union Jack was going out of his mind, too anxious to properly entertain his secretary, Dewpoint. The two of them sat across from each other; Union at his desk chair and Dewpoint sitting opposite of him with two wine glasses and a tall green bottle placed on the desktop. The secretary was trying to get his attention by clearing her throat but the red Unicorn found himself concentrating on his window. Finally, Dewpoint knocked on the wood of the desk, catching No. 4’s attention at last. “Union, what’s going on? You haven’t been the same since you visited No.1. You keep drifting out of conversation and stare out into the sky.”

Union Jack briefly glanced once more out the window then sighed as he used his magic to pour himself more of the wine. “I apologize, my dear. It seems the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well and Daring Do are having trouble accepting death.” The ravishing stallion stood up from his seat and walked about his office, levitating his glass of wine periodically to sip, “They somehow managed to escape from No. 1’s clutches and were on their way here. The thing is, No. 9 dispatched Alpha Team nearly an hour ago and we have yet to hear word on an update. I’d like to assume our enemies were taken care of but these bloody yanks are unpredictable…I’m impressed, yet utterly annoyed.”

A look of worry came over the secretary. “But we’re almost there! Surely just two mares can’t cause that much trouble for us. This facility is packed with armed guards, not to mention with our head of Atrocity, No. 9, is here overseeing things.”

The regal stallion thought on her words, sipping his drink as he nodded. “Stratus had performed some excellent work in training the guards. However, Miss Dewpoint, my anxiousness is not about whether we can defeat them, it is about what will happen to me if we can’t…”

“Then what we going to do?” Dewpoint asked, standing up.

Union looked down and noticed he had already depleted the contents of the wine glass. He trotted back over to his desk and sat down, putting the still chilling glass to his head to think. “Well…There’s nothing we can do, not until word is back about Alpha Team.”

“Well, in the meantime, is there anything I can do?”

“Yes, there is,” Jack answered, “No. 9 should be doing quality control down on the factory floor. Go down there and let him know I’d like to see him in my office.”

“Of course, Mr. Jack. Right away!” she complied, straightening her hair and blouse before leaving the office.

Meanwhile, just outside the Spectrum compound, Daring Do was waiting down the street of the entrance, hiding behind the corner of another building. The sandstone Pegasus was somewhat fatigued from the previous fight, feeling a few of her muscles ache as she moved them, and her wings were a couple of them. The long journey from the East and battle on top of it had exhausted her wings to no end. She was relieved to finally be resting them, but that solace was not going to last long. Daring poked her head out from around the corner and began inspecting a way of entry into the factory. The adventuress knew there were no need for fences in Cloudsdale since anypony there could simply fly over it, but didn’t mean getting into the vicinity was going to be easy. She scanned her eyes around and found a couple guards trotting along the edge of the roof, armed with spear guns and periodically peering down below. The building itself only had a few windows, a few of which were easy enough to climb in…For a pegasus, and Do knew that the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was going to have difficulty in that department. Then her sights fell onto the front doors, with two guards holding it. They too were also armed, dressed in the black and white-striped jackets and black hardhat.

“Hey, did I miss anything?” Somepony whispered.

Daring looked behind and found the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well sneaking up next to her. The adventuress rolled her eyes. “You certainly took long enough,” then the mare noticed something else about her unicorn friend. She flashed a second glance at her, “Wait a minute…How exactly are you walking on clouds?”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well chuckled and tapped on her horn a couple times. “Cloud-walking spell. Something all unicorns should know.”

“Fair enough,” Daring nodded, “but that doesn’t explain why you took so long.”

“I couldn’t land the gyrocopter anywhere near the facility,” Mare-Do-Well argued, “It could raise some unneeded attention. Now did you find a way in?”

Daring looked back ahead and tried to find her answer, but any one of them would seem just as difficult as the next. “There’s a few ways inside, but I don’t know which one is easier…Take a look,” Daring Do allowed her friend to sidle next to her as she pointed between the roof, the windows, and the front door, “It’s not uncommon for all of the factories in this city of have a ventilation system, so we could hypothetically climb in through the roof, but there are some guards up there so we’d have to take them out…Then I see a few windows lined across the building. I’m sure I’d be able to sneak-in easily but it’s too high for an earth-pony or unicorn to climb up to. Unless you wanted me to go in and cause a diversion so you could get in.”

The hooded heroine immediately shook her head to the latter plan. “Too risky. Union Jack is likely very aware of our visit, so he’ll be expecting us, and I bet that why there are so many guards on duty…Is there another way?”

The adventuress nodded. “Yeah, yeah. Here’s our third option: the front door approach. I see only two ponies, but it’s quiet out here. It will only take one outburst to alert the other guards on the roof.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well thought on Daring’s proposals, stroking her chin with her fetlock. “Hmm, well I’ll tell you that the first plan won’t work either. I mean, if I can’t reach a window, what the hay makes you think I can reach the roof?”

“You’re like a super-cool professional vigilante!” the adventuress retorted, “don’t you have nifty gadgets to get you up there?”

The masked mare promptly nodded. “Why yes, I do…Too bad I haven’t seen them since Manehatten before we were unwillingly taken to Stockholder’s airship.”

A sheepish grin came over Daring as she nervously laughed off the stupid question. “Oh…Yeah, that…”

“Daring, the front doors seem to be our only way in. If I had access to my computer I’d be able to scope out the perfect access point, but right now we have to use instinct. Who knows? We could be walking right into another trap set by Union Jack, but we have no other options,” the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well took a deep breath, trying to plan out the best way to approach their infiltration, “…Now my leg has been pinching and my head has been ringing non-stop, but I think I have enough strength in my hooves and magic in my power to make it in there, but I’ll need your help. Are you ready to step into the dragon’s den?”

With no hesitation, Daring Do fastened her hat as a brave smile spread from cheek to cheek. “I’ve encountered thousands of venomous insects and snakes, trekked the darkest dungeons, and fought many villains to get where I am today; I’m sure I can handle the Trottingham Cyclops.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well smiled back and patted the ambitious pegasus on the back. “Glad to hear it. Let’s do this and go home, alright? I’m getting a little airsick…You still got your spear gun?”

“Sure do,” Daring answered, unsheathing the gun from the scabbard.

Mare-Do-Well nodded then looked back at the front door guards. “Excellent. Alright, I’ll leave it to you to shoot one of them down. When you go to fire, alert me so I’ll be able to make my move and compromise the other one.”

The adventuress breathed deeply and gave the mare one more nod. “Got it…” Daring reached into the quiver and extracted one of the deadly-sharp spears. She loaded the blunt end into the barrel until it was firmly in place. Daring pulled up on the action lever and locked the spear to fire, and then she brought the spear gun up and aligned her sights with the guard facing her left. She snuggled her hoof around the trigger and glanced at the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well who was watching her. “I have the one on the left, our left. You take out the right-bound guard. I’ll countdown from three, got it?”

“Yup!” her ally confirmed, wielding her own spear gun, “You sure you can shoot him from over here? It’s a good fifty feet you have to clear.”

“I took some crossbow training while I was on an expedition in Saddle Arabia,” the archaeologist smirked, “I was a natural. I picked up a lot of funny little skills like that in my field. I didn’t think it would actually come in handy until now.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well chuckled, “Fancy that.”

Finally, Daring Do was ready to act and returned her focus on the crosshairs of spear gun’s scope. She fixed her aim and licked her lips, then began the countdown: “Three…Two…One…” 

Then the trigger was pulled, and the spear launched from the barrel at a rapid speed. Simultaneously, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well lit a spark from her horn and almost instantly she was gone at the same time the spear left Daring’s barrel. The two guards jerked their heads toward the sound of conjuring magic, but one of them would only see a speeding projectile pierce right into his chest while the other was blinded by a flash of light appearing in front of him. The light was gone as quick as it arrived, and the guard could only utter a single gasp before being smashed in the skull with the butt-end of the masked mare’s spear gun. Meanwhile his partner muttered an agonizing groan before he perished and collapsed on his side; his eyes froze open in shock. When the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well could confirm both guards were down, she saluted to Daring that the job was done.

The archaeologist sighed of relief as she rested the gun on the ground then wiped the sweat from her brow. Thank Celestia I didn’t miss… Soon the mare sheathed the gun and fluttered carefully toward the front door where the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was seen undressing the guard she hit, which caused nothing but confusion for Daring. “What are you doing?”

Mare-Do-Well briefly glanced at the puzzled adventuress as she continued to remove the limp stallion from the uniform, soon tossing his hardhat her. “This one’s about your size…Put this on.”

“You want me to disguise myself as a guard?” Her partner asked as she caught the hat, “I thought you said splitting up would be too risky?”

“That is very true,” the hooded heroine replied, “but if you’re disguised as one of the guards, it should give us an advantage. While I’ll be looking for that snake, Union, you can search out the heart of the operations.”

Finally, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well tossed over the jumpsuit and horseshoes, allowing Daring to start slipping into the uniform, pulling it over her flank and up her torso. The adventuress couldn’t help but notice the opening gap for her tail was bigger than needed and the area around the stomach was somewhat baggy. “Hmm, the jumpsuit feels sort of loose. You sure this will work?”

“You’ll be fine, just don’t lose character,” Mare-Do-Well assured.

When the jumpsuit was on, she hauled the zipper all the way up to insure her olive shirt wasn’t showing. Then she fitted her hooves into the horseshoes and had an epiphany. She quirked an eyebrow then clapped her forehooves together. To her expectance and mild amusement, a sharp blade protruded from the right shoe. A cunning grin came over as she clapped again to retract the blade, and then removed her pith-helmet to slip on the hardhat, which worried the archaeologist. “What about my hat?”

Mare-Do-Well stared at her for a moment before shaking her head and shrugging. “What about your hat?”

“I’m not abandoning my hat.”

With a heavy sigh, the masked mare snatched the pith-helmet from Daring’s clutches and quickly scanned it over. Then she threw the pegasus a glowering look. “What is it about you and this hat?”

Daring was quick to swipe it back, “It was my father’s. After he died, I made a vow to always wear it when I was out in the field, so it’s like Dad’s always by my side. This helmet has history like you wouldn’t believe! Each mark and dent tells a different tale…In all my years of archaeology, not one artifact, scroll, statuette or precious gem has come even close to being more valuable to me than my helmet.”

“I understand, but you can’t just go in there with it,” her ally explained, “it’ll blow your cover in seconds!”

Both Daring and Mare-Do-Well put a hoof to their chins to think, and then the masked mare had a thought. She glanced down at the helmet and took a moment to contemplate. Soon she extended out her hoof to the adventuress. “I got an idea…Lemme see that pith-helmet of yours…”

“…Sure?” The pegasus accepted, but not without hesitance.

She watched as the unicorn lifted up her hat to reveal her glowing horn. She concentrated on Daring’s helmet and shot a small beam of magic down on it. At first the beam seemed to do nothing as it disappeared, but then Daring Do put on a look of horror as she stared at the hat suddenly shrinking…Smaller…And smaller…And even smaller until it was no bigger than the size of her hoof. The adventuress’ first impulse was to slap the mare; however, she was interrupted by her friend.

“Now, don’t be alarmed,” the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well said calmly, “the spell I casted can be reversed by adding a little bit of water to the subject.”

Do’s wide-eyed stare gradually narrowed as the masked mare finished her explanation. Then she took the shrunken helmet back in her hooves and quickly hid it in one of the pockets on the jumpsuit. After she patted the pocket gently, she glanced back at Mare-Do-Well and grinned. “Much better.”

The masked mare went to say something else but then suddenly paused on a strange feeling in her body. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well began to stutter on gibberish. “My hea-fenen-wid oockin. Nos…Whoa…” 

Daring didn’t know what was going on. Then the episode of bizarre confusion took a worse turn as Mare-Do-Well’s vision went black. She swayed and bobbed, then fell against the brick structure of the building to catch herself. Daring rushed to her aid. “Mare-Do-Well! What’s going on?”

Daring went to hold her friend the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well waved her hoof at her dismissively, using the other hoof to lean on while she rested her head against the building. “I’ll be alright…Damn it, this headache is getting worse and worse.”

“It’s your magical exhaustion again,” Daring pointed out, “You have to be careful with the amount of magic you’re conjuring at this point. I don’t even know how you managed to stay conscious during that brawl we endured.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well took her head from the wall and nodded in agreement. “You’re right, even basic teleportation and a shrink spell is beginning to cause strain. I’ll have to go easy on my magic…Let’s get going.”

Daring nodded then opened the door just enough to peek inside. She darted her eyes back and forth and was pleased yet somewhat suspicious to find the lobby was empty. Then she opened the door all the way and the two mares stepped inside. The adventuress took notice that the lobby of this Spectrum headquarters was much like Canterlot’s with a bright and spacious setting. The girls caught focus of a map of the building being displayed as a directory with key points and legend to guide visitors. With haste while staying vigilant, Daring and Mare-Do-Well scurried to the map in the centre of the room. 

“Well, this should prove to be of some use.” The hooded hero mused.

Daring Do put her hoof to the directory, brushing her hoof over a series of hallways and various rooms until her eyes fell upon a large production room. “It’s likely that the parasprites are being worked on here. This means that it’s probably where most of the security is stationed…” Then she continued to scan the map until her hoof stopped on a suspicious array of rooms simply marked as Personnel Offices, “And if I had to make any other guesses, I’d say Union Jack’s office is located around here.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well nodded along with her theories. “So which path do you want to take?”

“Well, considering I fit the part, I should probably make my way towards the factory floor to make sense of these plans Union has for them,” Do answered.

“I agree, and then I guess that leaves me with rose-boy,” the masked mare returned, fastening her hat, “Alright…It looks like if I take the stairs on the left, over there, it should lead me up to a corridor that has a fork in the road at the end of it. Hmm, looks like they both branch into office areas. I’ll just have to check both if necessary.”

Her ally promptly nodded. “The way to the factory floor doesn’t look far away from here. But I hope we’re not too late.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well glanced over at the staircase. “Then we better get to it.”

As she turned to take her leave, Mare-Do-Well was suddenly stopped by a hoof on her shoulder. She turned back around to find the archaeologist she befriended smiling at her. “Good luck, Mysterious Mare-Do-Well…Before we do this, I just want to say no matter what has happened or will happen, it has been a privilege to work alongside of you this past week.”

“Likewise,” Mare-Do-Well smiled back, “looks like we’ve made quite the pair: a shadowy vigilante and a highly unorthodox archaeologist, who would have thought? H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. is going down!”

Finally the two shared their last acknowledgement with a hoof-bump before going separate ways. The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well climbed the staircase in search of Union, and the disguised Daring Do started in the other direction, walking down a hallway in search of the extortion weapon. Neither of them knew what to expect along the way, but both Daring and Mare-Do-Well had to remain aware and keep their eyes peeled. Any fault at this point could jeopardize not only their lives, but their kingdom’s salvation. 

Royal Guard Barracks, 2:20 am, September 29th

Late nights at the barracks was no strange occurrence to Captain Shining Armor, but lately it has become nothing but torture to the stressed leader. On top of having to conduct a full-scale investigation into the whereabouts of Prince Blueblood, locate Daring Do, and protect all corners of the city, he now had to add extortion to the mix. His paperwork had nearly doubled in the last week, aggravating the stallion to further headaches. He sat at his desk, rubbing his temples over and over again. He began to wonder what his younger sister would do in his situation. When not faced with a test or deadline, Twilight always had a collective mindset, able to think her way out of anything, with a little magic on the side of course. However, Shining knew no amount of magic was going to fix his problems. The pressure was beginning to get to him, and he wasn’t sure how much more he would be able to take.

Meanwhile, off to the side on a nearby couch, the colonel drifted in and out of his naps, periodically stirring to rub his nose or cough. Shining Armor glanced at him then looked up at a clock; it had been over an hour since Quartermane had fallen asleep. He wanted somepony to talk to, but did not want to directly awaken the older pony. Just when he thought the colonel was about to wake up, another heavy snore would shoot down the captain’s hopes. Suddenly he had an idea and looked around his desk until his eyes fell upon his iron stapler. He quirked his eyebrow then whistled as he reached for a piece of parchment then nonchalantly brushed the office tool off the desk with his fetlock, letting it fall to the ground with a loud thud.

Almost on instant did the colonel jump up in surprise, fluttering his eyes as he tried to adjust to the light. When his vision had fixed itself, he let out a heavy yawn and saw Shining Armor retrieving his stapler off the floor. The two stared at each other for a few moments before the elder stallion bore another side-smirk as he put the pieces together. “My daughters had an act for pulling stunts like that when they were foals. You know, if you wanted to talk, all you had to do was ask.”

Knowing he was easily read, Shining folded his ears back and returned with a sheepish grin. “Heh, guess I wasn’t subtle enough…”

Quartermane laughed. “Oh it’s fine! Sorry about falling asleep on you, old boy. I’ve been retired for five years, and I’m not used to these nightshifts anymore.”

“Well, I’m glad to see you’ve taken your coming out of retirement so well,” Armor replied with a chuckle of his own.

“Retirement is just the beginning of the end of life,” the Highlander explained, “I’m not ready to die just yet when my kingdom needs me. Besides, you young guns could use some wisdom from an older stallion.”

The witty statement received a scoff from Shining Armor. “Well, I’m sorry to say no amount of wisdom is going to find us Daring Do or wiggle out of this ransom.”

Quartermane raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “I beg to differ. I read the briefing; Daring Do was last seen in Manehatten, correct?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, doesn’t seem suspicious that her disappearance occurred just minutes later after Rusty Anchor was assassinated?”

“Well yes, but I don’t think she was involved in the plan,” the Captain argued, “one guard reported seeing the mare bolt off to catch the culprit.”

Colonel Quartermane shook his head. “Could have been a cover-up for them make their escape. I mean, both Do and the assassin were never seen again after that…And by the looks of the records, Daring Do has not left the kingdom despite her writing to the Guard to say that she had so. The story doesn’t make sense. For all we know, she was the one that gave H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. the green light when the Prince was on his way to the University. Let’s face it: Daring Do has sold her soul to the slime of ponykind.”

Shining Armor sighed heavily as he let the colonel’s argument cement in his head. Although his theory made sense, Armor couldn’t comprehend the possibility Daring Do would betray her kingdom. She was so devoted to finding D’Angelo and putting a stop to the Hierarchy. But being the captain of the Royal Guard, he had to push his personal views on a pony aside and think logically. With Rusty Anchor gone and Daring’s whereabouts unknown, the Guard would be unable to learn more about H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.; the trails was going cold, and fast. 

Suddenly there was a knocking at the door, catching the attention of the two stallions. Shining Armor called out. “It’s open!”

The door opened to reveal a brown unicorn guard with a saddlebag. He shut the door behind him and then saluted to his superior. “Captain Armor, Sir, I have something urgent to report.”

“As you were, Soldier,” he waved down, “what is it?”

The guard walked over to Shining Armor’s desk and unbuttoned his saddlebag. Using his magic, he levitated a large brownish envelope from it and laid it in front of Armor. “This arrived at the front gate about ten minutes ago. The anonymous courier didn’t say much except that the document is to be personally delivered to you as soon as possible, Sir. We casted a couple spells to make sure it was not laced with any sort of chemicals. It’s clean.”

Shining Armor threw the Colonel a brief glance and then looked down at the envelope. “There’s no return address,” he noticed, opening the envelope with his magic. The Captain removed the letter from its container and then took the time to read it over.

As Shining Armor read on, the guard and Colonel Quartermane noticed the demeanor of the Captain gradually shift into deep concern. “Oh No…”

Quartermane rose from his seat and went to the Captain’s side in a concerned state. “What is it, old boy?”

Finally, when Shining Armor had finished reading, he took a moment to levitate a cup of coffee from his desk to his lips to sip and then set it back down. After that, he cleared his throat and took the letter in his hooves to read it aloud.

“Dear Captain Armor; we have chosen to reject Princess Celestia’s requisition to extend our deadline in the Prince Blueblood ransom. Understand that this is no petty threat; this is an ultimatum that is to be taken very seriously. Do you take us for fools? 500 million bits is to be transferred to us or we shall be forced to take action. Look at it this way: You pay us our demand and the Prince is returned, whole…Or, you pay us nothing and the Prince is returned, in pieces. The choices are very simple, Captain. Please inform the Princesses as the deadline looms. Also you may be puzzled as to why we have chosen to contact you and not the Princess. Well, as we are no doubt aware that you will inform the Princess at once, we also must inform you of something. We are no fools. It was no trouble to notice the heightened security around Canterlot. Let us assure you that no matter how many soldiers you dispatch, we shall succeed. Our shadows have allowed us to work behind the eyes of your Guard. If you think a few more guards here and there at a bank or street corner will protect you, think again. A spell has been casted upon this letter once again that shall return it to us when it is burned…Remember, we are not a force to be underestimated, I assure you of that!

Yours truly,

No. 1”

The Captain took his eyes up from the paper and looked to the Colonel for answer. But, even Quartermane was at a loss for words. The two stared intently before Shining Armor shifted his focus to the guard awaiting his next order. He glanced down at the letter, taking a deep breath before standing up. “Colonel, I think you and I should break this news to the Princesses at once.”

“Right,” the Colonel nodded. 

“Is there anything I can do for you, Sir?” Asked the guard.

Shining Armor thought on it for a moment before recalling what he and the Colonel were discussing before the new situation presented itself. Although he didn’t like the idea of it, it made logical sense. “Yes, there is something...” The Captain paused, trying to collect the words in his head. “I need you to relay a message to the other barracks across the kingdom, through the telegraph.”

“Right away, Sir!” he saluted. “What should I tell them?”

Again, Shining Armor turned to the Colonel in order to collect his words; however, they did not come to him without a heavy heart. “…Tell them I am issuing a nationwide warrant for the arrest of U.o.C. professor, Daring Do. If she is captured, she is to be brought back to Canterlot for questioning at once.”

To be continued

> Chapter 13: Incognito
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spectrum Incorporated: Cloudsdale Headquarters, 2:47 am, September 29th

Trekking through the heart of operations in H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. was not expected to be an easy task, and without her magic Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was at even more of a disadvantage. With magic exhausted,  her ability to proceed would be left to her quick-thinking strategies and pure physical capabilities. She knew for a fact she didn’t need her horn to accomplish missions, but just being able to use magic gave the unicorn a bit of mental security. However, the use of magic was the least of her concerns. As she quietly sneaked down the hallways of the factory, she would frequently find herself creeping into the nearest open room or dark corner to evade passing guards. The corridors themselves weren’t fully illuminated by the ambient lighting due to the lack of regular business, allowing only enough light for the late-working ponies to see where he or she was going during a night shift. The dimmed lighting gave the masked mare a useful blending into the shadows with her dark violet attire. However she knew it would take more than a camouflage to achieve her objectives. Sooner or later she would have to confront Union Jack and find out how the parasprites are going to be distributed.

Eventually, her long and stealthy infiltration brought her to what looked to be the expected fork in the road she remembered from the directory map, but there was no distinct indication from what Mare-Do-Well could see that would lead her towards the right direction. There were no signs, no special lighting or décor whatsoever that seemed to fair any path more convincing than the other; It was simply either the left or right corridor. She decided to take a chance on the left path, when suddenly the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well heard heavy panting from behind her. She thought quickly and took shelter behind a nearby rickety desk that seemed to be on its way out, poking her head over just enough to find out who it was. To her surprise, it turned out to be the Alpha Team Commander. However, the once proud and domineering demeanor was now replaced by a frightened, panicking one. She watched him gallop down the hall, passing her and galloping down the path on the right…

Meanwhile, Daring Do’s adventure was going far differently. The further she made progress through the factory, the busier it became with guards all around, and soon there was never an instance where she was alone. Thankfully the guard uniform she was dressed in was doing its job: Disguising her. Every now and again she would receive a side-glance from another guard, but nothing more. The bottom-floor sector of the building had little to no offices whatsoever, save for the offices of the factory chief, but all in all it was pretty much regular factory business. She eventually found herself in a small plaza filled with dozens of other guards walking around, conversing, eating, drinking coffee, and even sleeping. “This must be acting as some sort of break room,” the pegasus mare muttered to herself.

As she walked around, she tried to search for another map or sign to point her in the right direction. But her search was brought to halt by the hoof of another guard blocking her. She looked up and saw the hard eyes of a burly stallion staring down at her. The expressionless face he wore gave Daring a cold sweat. She swallowed a lump in her throat as her eyes fell upon his strong physique. He was a turquoise pegasus with a short black mane and tail. His uniform was just the same as the others except for his gold crest that gleamed off his helmet. Finally after a chilling stare-down, the stallion burst out with a heavy laugh. “Don’t think you can fool me for a second there, Squirt!” he exclaimed.

“Whatever do you mean, Sir?” The adventuress asked in a nervous and deeper undertone, trying to keep uncover and her head low.

The large stallion then began to walk around the undercover mare, “You can’t fool me; I’m Commander Jet Stream of Beta Team! I don’t know why you’re trying to hide it.”

Daring swallowed another heavy lump, feeling a slight quiver in her hooves, “H-H-Hide what, Sir?”

“…Your uniform is all wrong!” he answered, slapping the pegasus hard on the back, “What idiot sized you up and put you in that?”

While she tried to collect the words to reply, she was suddenly pushed and fell on her flank, skidding across while the Beta Team Commander moved her with ease. “C’mon,” he insisted, “I’ll take you down the hall to the guards’ storage. Take whatever suit that fits you and toss that one aside.”

Daring breathed a heavy sigh of relief then picked herself up, walking side by side with the bigger guard. “Uhh… Sounds good… Thanks.”

The burly Jet Stream led Daring Do out of the guards’ plaza and down the hall to a door labelled: Dressing Room: Spectrum Security Personnel Only. Before she entered, the stallion turned her around. “Be quick, President Jack is going to be addressing everypony on the factory floor at three.”

The archaeologist paused with a sly grin on her face before she saluted to the Commander. “Yes, Sir!”

When she walked into the dressing room, she was sure to close the door behind her. The room contained two sinks, three changing stalls, and was lined wall to wall with suits of guard attire; hats, jumpsuits, boots and even the modified horseshoes. She began to browse through the many suits and came across one that looked about her size. Daring took it off the hanger and proceeded to the nearest changing stall. When she had entered it and closed the door, she unzipped her current attire and began to shuffle out of it. Before she tossed the suit aside, Daring shoved her hoof into one of the pockets and retrieved her shrunken helmet and slid it into her new uniform. Just then, the adventuress heard the sound of hoofsteps outside the stall. Then she heard the room door open as two ponies trotted through, carrying a conversation. Daring removed her helmet and pressed her ear against the stall door to listen in.

“What a night! I can’t wait ‘til we’re all out of here,” one pony yawned.

The other pony laughed, “I know what you mean. Union’s got us overworked, I think.”

Then Daring heard the sound of rushing water from one of the sinks, followed by a sigh of relief. “Ah, that’s better…Your turn, Iron.”

The pony named, Iron, sipped the water, also letting out a satisfied breath after he shut off the sink. “Hey, what are you doing? We have to get back out there!”

“I’m just taking a break, Iron. Relax!” Iron’s friend replied.

“No. 4’s gonna be down here in just a little while, Buck, and if he catches you in here-“

“He isn’t going to; he’s probably off frisking that secretary of his,” Buck interjected, “He’ll probably be about fifteen minutes late like he always is.”

“I don’t know. He’s been pretty on edge lately. He had Nimble Stratus dispatch Alpha Team.”

“Really? What for?” asked Buck.

Iron breathed an annoyed sigh. “Didn’t you hear Commander Jet Stream out there earlier? Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well were spotted just outside the city. Everypony is supposed to stay on high alert. Those parasprites are the top priority. The scientists are finishing the last bit of testing now and then it’ll be packed and Phase 4 will be underway… Just as soon as No. 7 and No. 12 get here anyway.”

“Just how do they expect to get that machine into Canterlot, anyway? Security’s gone sky-high since what happened at the University of Canterlot.”

“A little birdy told me Stratus, No. 7 and No. 12 are going to be hiding at this place called Feldspar Valley. No. 4 and No. 1 recently purchased a bit of land there. It’s behind Canterlot Mountain where they used to run the crystal mines until it was shut down about fifty years ago. It’s going to be used for Spectrum to conduct a long-term research project on, but when nopony is looking, it’ll be our base of operations just like the other Spectrum HQs.”

Hmmm, Feldspar Valley… Do thought to herself. I remember doing some research there when I did my degree…Shyster must be looking to get a few of those gems in the caves.

“Excellent!” Buck sarcastically praised. “That didn’t answer the how they’re smuggling it into Canterlot.”

“That’s the thing; No. 1 will have to wait until security levels drop before he makes the next move.”

“Splendid,” came a sarcastic response, “Another waiting game.”

“Buck, this is huge. One false step and the Hierarchy could be exposed. I mean, No. 4’s got the best of the best working on those parasprites right now. If even one of those glass tubes were cracked; that’ll spell disaster for the whole lot of us.”

“What happens if they set the parasprites loose too early?”

“I’m not sure,” Iron sighed, “I think I recalled seeing something about an abort feature in the blueprints but I could be wrong.”

Daring’s eyes suddenly lit up in excitement. Of course! There has to be a way to avert it if there’s a problem with the design. It makes all the sense in the world! I gotta find a way to deactivate it…

“Well, come on, Buck,” Iron insisted, “We have to go.”

“Alright, alright, quit kicking me, I’m getting up,” the vexed Buck answered, “I can’t wait to get some sleep…”

Finally, after the two guards returned to duty, Daring Do finished fitting herself into the more suitable uniform. She slowly poked her head out from the changing stall to assure everypony was gone before she re-emerged. Then she allowed herself to venture her thoughts while she explored the room. If I can find a way to that factory floor, I’ll be able to have access to that distributor…But there will be too many guards around for me to even attempt to deactivate that thing. Hmm…Unless I can sneak aboard that ship that’s coming to pick it up…

Daring Do left the change room shortly after and found herself once again heading into the open plaza. This time, however, everypony’s attention was brought to the middle of the room where a brown pegasus stallion with a black vest, yellow hardhat, and a badge was making an announcement. He spoke with a loud, commanding voice, and the title on his badge read: Factory Chief. “ALRIGHT! Listen up! Your ten-minute breaks are over! President Union Jack will be coming down momentarily and he wants to see that parasprite distributor sealed and packed. Needless to say, he also wants to see his security forces at their best! Some of you may be aware that H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. enemies, Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well have been spotted near the premises. Whatever happens, we cannot draw any outdoor attention. I received word not too long ago that the ‘Spectrum Notus’ will be docking in forty minutes with No. 7 and No. 12. So get off your asses and get back to your stations!”

“Yes, Sir!” everypony saluted, catching the undercover archaeologist off guard.

All at once, the abundance of security guards began to spread throughout the room, heading in the direction of their posts. This left Daring with the difficult task of keeping her eye on the Chief without losing him in the crowd. With no space to spread her wings, she stood up on the edge of her hooves and tried to catch a glimpse of where he was heading. She made an effort to push her way through the strong current of ponies, eventually making her way out of the busy plaza and into a wide corridor where she, the Factory Chief, and many other guards were following. This must be the way to the factory. I got’em now…

Upstairs, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was keeping her distance from the distressed Alpha Team Commander while she continued to follow him to what she could guess to be Union’s office, or at least Stratus. She gracefully stalked through the shadows, her steps silenced by the cloth around her hooves. She seemed undetectable and the Commander never turned back once. Then, finally, Mare-Do-Well saw a door up ahead with a translucent window that bore the words: U. Jack – Public Office in bold black letters.

The Commander increased his pace, trotting through the door and into where he found Union’s secretary sorting paperwork at her desk. “Miss Dewpoint, is No. 4 in his office?” he asked in a tone.

The mare shot up in fright before nodding. “Yes he is, Commander.”

“Good,” he said as he quickly approached the door before him.

“You can’t go in there!” Dewpoint intercepted, blocking his path with her hoof. “He and No. 9 are in a meeting. Just a take seat over there-“

“I don’t have time for this foolishness!” the Commander vented as he shoved the small form of the mare out of his way, storming into the office, “No. 4!”

The Commander could definitely tell the tensions were high. As he entered the office, Stratus jumped up from his seat into a prepared fighting stance while Union forced his chair back against the wall. However, when the two executives recognized the stallion in front of them, Stratus settled back into his seat and Union took a deep breath and fixed his eye patch before he scolded the Commander, “What is the meaning of this, Commander Mistral?”

Mistral shut the door behind him then approached his superiors, “I apologize for the intrusion, No. 4. I have returned from a battle.”

“…Ah, excellent!” the red unicorn suddenly beamed. He began to levitate a bottle from his desk. “You have defeated the two miscreants at last!”

The Commander didn’t want to answer that question, but he knew hesitance would only expose his fears of failure. “On the contrary, No. 4,” he spoke despondently, “I must inform you that Alpha Teams’ efforts to stop Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was… Less than satisfactory.”

Union’s movement of the liquor bottle seized almost instantly, as did his sole eye in a wide stare of disbelief. The magical glow around the wine disappeared and it was returned to its spot on the desk shortly after; however, the mad glint in Jack’s eye remained, striking an unpleasant feeling in Commander Mistral’s gut. No. 4 was prepared to toast the ending of their problem, but had learned that it had escalated instead. In his mind, Union recollected the horrific vision of his bleak future if he failed No. 1 a second time. At last, he slowly rested his elbows on his desk as he cupped his forehooves together and held them over his mouth as he tried to collect his thoughts on the next move.

Alpha’s Commander threw Stratus a puzzled glance over Union’s silence. After what seemed like minutes, Mistral spoke up, “No. 4? What are we going to do?”

“Less than satisfactory, Commander?” Union repeated, ignoring Mistral’s query. “You mean to say you’ve failed, correct?”

Commander Mistral regretfully nodded in embarrassment, “Yes, No. 4.”

Then Union Jack locked eyes with the nervous pony. “It doesn’t matter how you sugar-coat it, Commander.  The fact of the matter is you’ve failed! You’ve failed, dammit!”

The air in the room suddenly felt colder, or at least to the Commander. Union’s glare was haunting and fearful. “…I have reason to believe Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well may be on their way.”

“May be on their way, Commander?” Union mocked, waving his hoof at Stratus, “What kind of morons are you training, No. 9?”

Nimble sighed, glaring up at Mistral in disappointment. The Commander took a step back nervously from his angered superiors, suddenly feeling his heart thumping within and a bead of sweat drip down the side of his face. “I apologize…I guess the two mares were a little more than I expected.”

Union Jack was urged to retort to his excuse, but instead calmly reached into one of his desk drawers and rummaged through the filing until he pulled out a folder and began to search through its many pages of detailed notes.  Finally, Jack came across one that caused him to look up at Commander Mistral with a smug grin. “This is a message that was distributed earlier today that I instructed everypony to listen well on. I was especially serious on this part right here…And I quote: ’Those of the Hierarchy who may come into contact with either Daring Do and/or the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well must use extreme vigilance. The two are to be considered armed and extremely dangerous, and are advised to be dealt with extreme force.’ You understand you have violated No. 1’s orders?”

“…I understand and take complete responsibility for the fault. But, what are we going to do?” the Commander asked again.

At first the Hurricane Agent was stolid, simply shaking his head and using his magic to put back the folder and its contents into the drawer. After that, Union relaxed himself with another drink of the same wine he shared with Dewpoint; however, instead of pouring into the glass, he sipped from the bottle itself, his hooves noticeably shaking as he did so.

Nimble Stratus could easily tell what was on No. 4’s mind after hearing that sort of news. He recalled the psychological torture induced on his colleague, the sweat pouring from his brow. He knew his next penalty would not be shown mercy, and the especially long drink and quivering hooves revealed his inner turmoil. Eventually he knocked on Union’s desk to catch his attention, “Ahem…”

Union Jack opened his eye to the Head of Atrocity, lowering the bottle slowly from his lips until he put it back on the desk with a hollow thud. Then, he sat back in his chair and let the alcohol settle in his stomach, feeling the dry sting in his throat cascade down his body and melt his senses. If that was to be his final relaxing moment, he wanted to milk it down to every last drop. He looked back and forth between Mistral and Nimble, grinning furtively. At last he let out a sigh, patting his belly. “…Now that’s a vintage wine.”

Peeved by Union’s dawdling, Commander Mistral pushed further, “What are we going to do, Sir? They’ll be here soon, if they already haven’t arrived.”

“Shut up, you bloody yank!” he demanded in a sudden switch of demeanor, raising his hoof at him. Then Union looked back at the green pegasus on his right and shrugged, “I suppose we should sound for a Lockdown alert until the ‘Spectrum Notus’ docks.”

Nimble Stratus promptly nodded and the two rose from their seats as Commander Mistral continued to lock eyes with Union. He stood at attention and took a deep breath. “Is there anything I can do?”

As No. 4 fixed his suit and tie, he levitated a rose from a vase on his desk and placed it in his lapel, rearranging its petals neatly to fit his liking. After he pushed-in his chair, the stallion walked around his desk and stopped in front of the Commander, shaking his head as he placed his hooves on Mistral’s shoulders. “Commander Mistral, I’m afraid in light of Alpha Team’s unfortunate disbandment, I will be relieving you of your duties.”

Feeling puzzled, the pegasus cocked an eyebrow at his boss. “Does that mean I’m fired?”

“You got it!” Jack chuckled. “But I’m not heartless…Here’s your severance pay.”

“Severence pay?” he repeated slowly. Then before he could say anything else, Mistral could only widen his eyes in shock as a burst of gas shot out at his face, sending an immediate pain up his nose as he coiled back, uttering a surprised shout while he covered his face. 

Union took little hesitance; he wrapped the rose in another telekinetic aura and removed it from his lapel with its wicked stinger exposed beneath the stem. Then in one swift movement he clutched the head of Mistral and held him close to his body as he could feel him trying to struggle away, muffling inaudible disparity while he feared for his life. Union Jack levitated the spike to his eyes to gaze at its sheen silver glow before he drove it into the neck flailing Commander. The unicorn continued to grasp onto Mistral while he felt every bit of life force begin to drain off. The cyanide was working and the tension was getting weaker and weaker. 

Union’s face showed no emotion during the execution, totally stone-faced, yet from Nimble’s perspective, he could feel the presence of a sociopath radiate from the usually suave social pony. He looked into No. 4’s cold eyes and could tell he was wishing for it to be Daring or the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well he was holding right now.

As for Commander Mistral, he could feel himself beginning to let go, the power in his limbs were ceasing, he grew colder, and in his dying breath Union Jack pushed him away, allowing his near-lifeless body to fall to the floor. He used every last of his strength to look his superior in the face one more time.

“I didn’t want to kill you, but…” Union took the moment to extract the poisonous rose with his magic, “Failure in this business is only punishable by death, Mistral…No. 1’s orders.” At last the eyes of Commander Mistral rolled up, and white foam spurted from the side of his lips as he finally perished. Jack levitated another rose into his lapel from the same vase and then turned to face Stratus and then started for the door, “Come, we must get to the factory floor at once.”

Stratus complied and took one more glance at the lifeless body of Mistral before following along. The two of them left the office and shut the door, crossing the threshold into the waiting room of Union’s office where they spotted Miss Dewpoint still at her desk.

“Where’s the Commander?” she asked, waiting for another pony to follow.

Nonchalantly, Union Jack fixed his tie and brushed down his suit before approaching his secretary, “I’m afraid I had to set him free and release him from his contract. Poor bugger said the job was toxic to his health.”

“…Okay?” the mare replied.

But, before she could say anything else, Union Jack turned away and walked over to the door with Stratus as he explained the situation, “It also seems that our predicament with the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well and Daring Do is more serious than I thought.”

“Really?”

He nodded, “Yes. Listen here, No. 9 and I are heading down to the factory floor. I want you to stay here and lock the door behind us. If you see anything out of the ordinary, report to me immediately.”

After Union and Nimble left, Dewpoint remained still in her seat, a deadpan expression glued to her face as she placed her hooves on her desk. “They’re gone now.” Carefully, she pushed her chair away from her desk, allowing the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well to appear from beneath the desk, pointing a spear gun at the secretary as she stood up.

“Good,” the masked mare said as she hurried across the room to lock the door Union exited through, “Better lock this door then. Wouldn’t want me or Daring to find this place,” she mused.

The threatened Dewpoint rolled her eyes. “Alright, I didn’t blow your cover so will you stop pointing that thing at me?”

“Soon,” she answered back. Mare-Do-Well approached the other mare and prompted her to get up with a gesture with the spear gun. Dewpoint let out a heavy sigh, walking in front of the mare as they trotted closer to Union’s private office. 

“Seriously, how much longer are you going to keep this gun to my head?” Dewpoint complained. Not a moment later, the secretary received a clean chop to the head from the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, knocking her out instantly.

“Floozy secretary,” Mare-Do-Well scoffed, returning the spear gun to its holster. She stepped aside and pulled on the door handle. Mare-Do-Well opened the door slightly ajar as she scanned the room through the crack. Everything seemed normal; a desk, some filing cabinets, bookshelf, and décor. But the normality left as soon as her eyes fell upon the back end of a pony lying on the floor. To quell her curiosity, she opened the door all the way to discover the body of the Commander. After she shut the door, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well cautiously neared the seemingly lifeless stallion. Knowing H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., she expected some sort of trap. However, when the masked mare put her hoof to the Commanders neck, her concern disappeared when there was no sign of a pulse. She continued to examine him and found the white foam dripping from the corner of his mouth, “Cyanide.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well stood up; her curiosity growing further as she looked over Union’s desk. There were a few pieces of paperwork, two wine glasses, a vase of roses and one empty wine bottle. Mare-Do-Well could only guess Union Jack’s nervousness was getting the better of him. But, what really harnessed her interest were the roses. Carefully, Mare-Do-Well approached one of them lying on the desk. With her hoof, she pressed down on the flower at mid-stem and as she expected, there was a cloud of gas shooting from the anthers followed by a thin needle exposing from beneath it. The masked mare was taken aback by the toxic mist, “Union’s cyanide-laced roses…Now there’s a scent to die for!” she mused.

The hooded heroine set the ‘rose’ down on the desk; she remembered time was of the essence. She quickly scanned through the papers left astray on top the desk but it seemed to be irrelevant to H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. business. Then she looked behind her and saw of a couple filing cabinets she first noticed when entering the room. Mare-Do-Well pulled open one of the drawers, flicking through dividers and other files that seemed to be nothing more than archival weather data and reports filled out by other Spectrum agents. Again, she could find nothing on the Hierarchy. Then she shifted her focus to Union’s desk. She had only seen what was left on top of it, she never checked any of his drawers. With that thought, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well made her way over and pulled out the chair from behind Jack’s desk and sat down. There were three drawers; the first two containing various office utensils and manuals while the third drawer on the bottom held another array of folders. She bent down to begin another search but stopped for a moment to take notice of something; in a sea of brown document folders, there was a sole red one tucked away in the back. It prodded her curiosity and Mare-Do-Well bit down and grabbed it. Then as she shut the drawer, she spit it out on the desk and looked at its label that read: ‘CONFIDENTIAL’. She slowly turned it open, and what she saw put a keen smile spread across her face. Paydirt

To be continued

> Chapter 14: In the Heat of the Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spectrum Incorporated: Cloudsdale Headquarters, 3:09 am, September 29th

Time was running out, tensions were at an all-time high, the fate of Equestria’s future was left hanging in the balance, and Daring Do managed to finally locate the heart of operations. After an hour of careful, high-risk infiltration, the archaeologist found herself on the factory floor of a humungous production room, with numerous assembly lines, conveyer belts, bulky and complicated weather machinery. However, none of those pieces of equipment were more noticeable than the complex design of the Parasprite Distributor everypony was gazing at. A dozen cylindrical glass canisters were docked around the base of their larger brother which hummed deeply as H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. scientists were inspecting the engine and taking notes on their respective clipboards. Daring could only guess she would find the abortion option somewhere on that panel.

The inconspicuous mare nonchalantly made her way over to the interesting device and sneaked around the scientists, trying to catch a glimpse of what they were writing down in their notes. One scientist even left the room, leaving his clipboard behind atop the distributor. Whistling a care-free tune, Daring Do past, swiped it, tucking it out of sight. When she knew it was clear, Daring trotted over to behind one of the clunky pieces of factory machines and ducked under a conveyer belt. There, she took out the clipboard and ran through the scientists’ examination. 

From what she could gather, the controls could only be accessed by a passcode…Which didn’t seem to be anywhere in the notes, much to Daring’s disappointment. Then as she read on, she learned about the nature of the machine, what it did and how it incubated the spores as it developed them. There were a set of blueprints behind the pages of detailed notes in the clipboard, outlaying the design of not only the innards and the exterior of the distributor, but its glass chambers as well. Each one inhabited parasprite spores and were programmed to be heated to a certain degree, and have their cap lift open from the main console…But the bottom portion, on the other hoof, served a different purpose. In the blueprints, there were two ducts stationed on the bottom of each chamber. One was an air exchanger; the other, was labelled the ‘Emergency Pesticide Ventilation Unit’. “Bingo,” the mare whispered to herself.  At last, she had found a way to shut the project down; but just as she went to scavenge through the notes some more, Daring heard a familiar, pompous voice shout from above.

“Ahem, attention everypony!” Union Jack announced powerfully as he and Stratus strolled into the factory.

Better get up before I’m spotted down here, Daring thought to herself. After tucking the clipboard back beneath her wing, the undercover pegasus cautiously reappeared from underneath the conveyer belt. Luckily for her, most of the ponies were preoccupied by Union’s appearance. The look on his face was serious, as serious as she’d ever seen him. Daring watched him approach the distributor as the busy roar of ponies at work gradually lowered to dull whispers as the Spectrum President exchanged words with the scientists; and off to the side was Nimble Stratus, the very pony that took the life of Daring’s friend, White Collar.

After he had finished going over a brief inspection, the charming unicorn turned to the crowd and grinned. “Well, it appears after many rigorous tests, the distributor is cleared for activation. However, that is the least of my concerns at the moment. It has come to my attention that the efforts of Commander Mistral and Alpha Team were futile in disposing of Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.”

A pleased looking Daring chuckled quietly to herself as the room grew louder with the crowd of ponies expressing shock and concern over the situation.

“Therefore!” he shouted over the crowd, drawing them in again, “No. 9 and I have ordered a lockdown, effective immediately! Until the Spectrum Notus docks, nopony gets in, nopony gets out…You!”

Daring jumped, Union Jack practically threw his hoof in her direction. She thought then for sure that her cover was blown. But to her relief, he was addressing the stallion next to her. He saluted to his superior and then flew over the other guards and scientists to land in front of him. “Yes, Sir?”

“You know where the Outer Communications office is located, right?” Union asked him.

The guard nodded, “I do, Sir.”

“You can operate a telegraph and understand Horse code, correct?”

“Of course, sir,” he confirmed. 

Union Jack nodded back, “Excellent. Then I want you to make your way over there and relay a message to No. 7 and No. 12. Inform them of the lockdown and warn them to proceed with extreme caution. The lockdown will be lifted after they dock. If a problem arises, let them know that Beta Team will be on standby. Can you handle that?”

Again, the eager guard threw his hoof up in a salute, “You got it!”

When the minion departed, Union quickly scanned the crowd and then walked over to a muscular-looking turquoise stallion that Daring recognized from a while ago. “Commander Jet Stream!” Jack addressed, “You heard what I said. I want you and the rest of Beta Team ready. You will escort No. 7 and No. 12 here after they arrive. As for now, however, I estimate that my message will not reach them for about ten to fifteen minutes. So in the meantime, I trust you and Beta Team can handle the locking of all doors leading to the outside?”

“Of course, No. 4,” the Commander assured confidently, “I’ll get on it right away.”

Union patted the pegasus on his shoulder and then began to walk back towards the center of the room where the Parasprite Distributor sat, “Now, let me make this perfectly clear. If any of you see anything suspicious, report it at once. I will be monitoring this project from here on in, so any and all suspicious activity will come to me…Is that understood?”

“Yes, No. 4!” everypony answered.

Daring watched on as everypony dispersed from the factory, leaving about twenty guards in the room. Then one of the factory hands was waiting at the side of the door, holding his hoof to a lever. As soon as they were out of sight, the pony threw the switch, sounding an alarm as a large metal slab began to lower from the top of the threshold, sealing off the factory floor from entry. Across the large room was another door where there was a second pony waiting at the side of it, and as soon as the first gate was shut, he flicked his lever and down came another slab to close the factory…Daring looked all around…She was trapped with no way out except for a sole door at the top of the room where a balcony was stationed. But that too was soon locked off as she watched a pegasus fly up and lock the door with a key.

“Hey! You!” somepony shouted.

The archaeologist tuned back into the sound of somepony calling after her. She spun around and there was the Factory Chief giving her a busy glare. “This isn’t the time to be standing around…Walk around and patrol like you’re being paid to!”

Without another word, the supervisor left and Daring Do shrugged and started making her way around the hectic factory. As she walked, she decided to take another look at the notes tucked beneath her wings. She skimmed through the bulk of writing until she came across a segment on the pesticide feature she discovered. It read that the pesticides could only be triggered if something called a PS-X Canister was inserted. If only she had that item in her hooves right now, she’d take action right this minute. But when she continued reading, the notes told her that the canister could only be inserted if the Abortion Hatch was open which could only be unlocked from the main console. And after she read that…the notes ended. Daring’s eyes went wide as she flicked through the pages in vain, “No, no, no, that can-NOT be the end of it. How do I even navigate through the main console?” she asked herself.

“Hey, can you give me a hoof?” somepony asked.

The archaeologist swiftly tore out the most useful pages of the notes and stuffed them in her uniform and discarded the clipboard to the side. She looked up…And then down to see a mechanic examining some sort of major contraption, “Yes I can!”

The mechanic was down on the ground, half of his body exposed through an open panel in the machine of which he was working on. “There should be an oil can in my toolbox, could ya give it to me?” he asked, his voice muffled from the inside.

Daring looked to the side and saw the item in question. She gave the oil can to the stallion and a few moments later he emerged from the hull of the machine’s dashboard and closed the panel door. He put all of the tools he had strewn about back in his toolbox and then wiped himself down with a rag, nodding to the adventuress, “Thanks.”

“No problem!” she replied, turning her head back at the device, “What is this thing anyway?”  

“Hehe, this here is the Cloud Cannon 3000!” he proclaimed proudly, “This baby is the latest technology in weather control, generating up to and over two hundred clouds an hour!”

“Interesting,” Daring replied as she studied the titan of a machine. Essentially it appeared to be a massive drum bolted down with two large pipes extending up through the ceiling and supposedly acting as the exit for the clouds to the outside; and of course, there was the dashboard set down at the base where the mechanic was operating on its innards.

“I just finished working on it. Can you do me one more favor? I’ve been running without a break since I came on. I don’t give a damn what that airhead Union Jack says, I need a break. Just find the Factory Chief and give him a message.” Just then, the mechanic led Daring to the dashboard and pointed to a dial, “When you go to turn on the machine, for the sake of Celestia, make sure that the two lights on either side of the dial are green before activating it, not red.”

“What happens if they’re red?” she asked curiously.

He pointed to the left of the dial, “See this switch over here? It says: ‘Ventilation and Cap Control’. This allows the system to breathe when it’s operating and it opens the end of the barrel for the clouds to pass through. The only reason we’ll close it is to prevent interference with other uninvited particles or chemicals travelling through the air to get stuck into the shaft, possibly causing undetected acid rain clouds. However, they must be opened when in use or else the built-up clouds and unprocessed steam will have nowhere to escape and what we’ll have is one massive pressure cooker of a steam bomb waiting for us.”

“I see…”Daring said, dragging the words slowly as she churned an idea around in her head, “I’ll certainly be sure to tell him,” she confirmed with a smirk. Then the mechanic acknowledged her with a nod and left shortly after. As the archaeologist watched him leave, she thought about what he had said, and at that moment a keen smile spread across Daring’s face. She gave a quick glance around to make sure nopony was looking at her, and then she focused back at the dashboard. The two light indicators the mechanic mentioned were currently red, meaning the hatches were closed. Then she studied the dial; the needle was set to off, and following levels that ranged from low to high power. Daring also took notice of a gauge that measured the water level and found the capacity was a little less than a quarter full which should produce enough steam and pressure to cause some damage if the machine were to malfunction. So with that in mind, the adventuress threw the dial into high and then walked away like nothing happened. 

Spectrum Incorporated: Cloudsdale HQ Docking Pad, 3:30 am, September 29th

Atop the roof of the Spectrum complex, the long awaited arrival of the Spectrum Notus was coming to a close. Waiting patiently below the airship was Commander Jet Stream as he ordered a few of his ponies to catch mooring ropes as they were lowered. The Spectrum Notus was nowhere near as massive as its flagship brother, Spectrum Zephyrus, perhaps only large enough to hold around thirty of forty ponies. It was a white and black aircraft with ‘Notus’ written along its side and the Spectrum emblem printed on the face of the balloon. As the ship hummed loudly as it came in for a landing, Jet continued to look on as a pegasus pony exited the small zeppelin. He was a tan stallion with a brown crew-cut mane and he was dressed in a windbreaker jacket and sunglasses, despite it being the middle of the night.  

The pegasus fluttered to a landing and trotted up to the Commander, shaking his hoof, “Jet…”

The Commander smiled at him, patting his back, “No. 12…”

“So, you’ve been expecting us?” the Hurricane agent mused with a smirk.

Stream scoffed with a shake of his head, “You could say that. How was the flight?” he asked back.

“Fair,” No. 12 answered quickly, “If we act fast, with any luck we could be in Canterlot by day break.”

Commander Jet Stream nodded in agreement then took a moment to look up at the Spectrum Notus which was now descending as the mooring ropes were secured to the building. He, No. 12 and the rest of Beta Team moved aside as the airship started to touchdown. While it was landing, the ship was rotated so its rear was exposed. From behind, its large cargo door opened up and a ramp lowered down. There was another pony standing in the doorway, this one wearing the same windbreaker jacket, except in black. He was white unicorn with his dark-green mane kept in a ponytail.

Finally the Spectrum Notus touch ground and the stallion stepped off the ship and onto the roof where he met up with his colleagues, also shaking hooves with the Commander, “Morning, Commander,” he greeted hastily, sounding rushed and peeved, “We got the telegraph…You mind telling me what’s going on here? How is it that Union Jack allowed those two to get so close to the project? We’re too close for this nonsense!”

“No. 7 I assure you, I’ll explain everything on the way down to the factory,” he replied confidently, “Come along, we better make this quick. Don’t worry my team’s staying with the ship to make sure there are no stowaways.”

Back down below, Union Jack continued to oversee the last steps of the phase, conversing with the scientists as the adventuress watched from across the room where she noticed three maintenance ponies gallop over pushing a trolley with an open crate on top of it. It wouldn’t be long until they were ready to transport it, but Daring wasn’t about to let that happen. She continued on nonchalantly, patrolling the area and remaining a good distance from the cycloptic unicorn. Eventually her focus turned to the green pegasus trotting around and being followed by two other guards; the deadly Nimble Stratus, looking just as stone-cold as ever. Daring wanted nothing more than to lay her hooves into him but it still wasn’t the time. Suddenly she wondered what Mare-Do-Well was up to. Was she safe? What did she find? Did she find anything? With a lockdown in place, Daring had no clue whether her friend was trapped or not. Then, as if the adventuress didn’t have enough to worry about, she suddenly remembered Mare-Do-Well was magically impotent and the thought of such made the undercover Daring Do even more nervous. She decided to take a couple deep breaths to relax, this was the last place she needed to have a breakdown. 

“Are all the chambers set at the right temperature?” Union asked the scientist as he circled the distributor with a curious eye, scanning for imperfections, “Also we must assure there will be no damage on delivery; the last thing we needed is one of these to be cracked.”

The scientist pony looked about 70-years old and was following him levitating a clipboard and while he shifted his eyes back and forth between the machine and paper, he wrote notes with his quill. Momentarily he broke pace to look up at his boss, “No. 4 all chambers have been adjusted to the proper degree and they’re constructed out of a super-glass so I can almost guarantee, with a 1% margin of error that we have no worries about the parasprites being harmed or escaping through any fissures in the chamber.”

“Excellent, then I guess it’s all ready to go.” Union then looked around to find the maintenance ponies waiting patiently with the empty crate, “Alright, start loading her in…But you bloody yanks can all kiss your ass good-bye if you damage that machine. Get to it.”

“Yes, No. 4!” they saluted.

Just then, there was a loud click that sounded like a latch opening and Union Jack looked across the factory to discover one of the metal slab doors retracting to signal the arrival of Jet Stream accompanying No. 7 and No. 12. The relieved Union Jack wiped the stress sweat from his forehead and brushed his blond mane with his hoof to hide his troubled nerves. When they met halfway, Jack shook hooves with the stallion with his mane in a ponytail, “Ah! At last! No. 7, glad you and No. 12 could make it.”

A stern and impatient No. 7 exhaled through his nose, “No. 4, No. 9, we heard you’re having a little trouble keeping out the unwanted pests. I think we should cut the small talk and make haste. As foolishly brave as that archaeologist and vigilante are, it’s unpredictable when they’ll strike.”

He paused for a moment, but then Union nodded and offered to lead the way, “Certainly, come and let me show you the fruits of our labor.”

No. 7 and 12 followed. Nimble was about to join the entourage as well until Commander Jet Stream halted him, “No. 9, can I take you aside for a minute?”

“Hmm?” Stratus uttered with a curious look on his face.

The muscular Jet put his hoof around No. 9 and turned him away from Union and the other agents so he could speak to Stratus quietly, “While we were making our way down, I was stopped by one of the security guards and got word that two guards were found outside the front doors on the ground. One of them was impaled with a spear and the other hasn’t come to yet…he was stripped of his uniform.”

Nimble looked up at the Commander in alarm. Jet nodded and continued on, “I bet you any money that one of those runts is disguised as one of the guards. In fact, I was probably talking to one of them; I met a guard tonight that I never recognized before…”

Stratus looked expressionless, he pushed Stream’s hoof away from him and began trotting around the factory floor, slowly scanning the faces of ponies he passed.

“…You’re welcome!” the Commander hollered back. Then he turned to rejoin Union and mumbled, “Ungrateful silent stiff…”

No. 9 stalked and slithered through the room like a snake ready to strike its prey. He knew many of the guards; what they looked like, sounded like, and even how they acted. If he could make one guess, he knew which pony was hidden in disguise. He examined the likes of a dozen guards before he had almost circled the entire factory…Until he spotted a suspicious, ‘oddly’ shaped stallion peeking at the distributor from behind one of the many weather machines. By the looks of the tail and color of the wings, he had found his imposter.

Daring was watching the arrival of No. 7 and No. 12 from afar, trying to listen in on what they were saying. Suddenly, she was yanked from behind and before she knew it, Nimble Stratus had his foreleg around her neck. Daring attempted to struggle her way out but Stratus continued to apply and chuckled for he knew he had her subdued in a tight grip. Knowingly beaten and exposed, Daring Do laughed hoarsely and smirked. “Stratus…What took you so long?”

A couple of other guards saw the commotion and rushed over to assist No. 9.

Meanwhile, Union Jack was proudly showcasing his scientists’ creation to his fellow agents when he felt a prodding on his shoulder. He ignored it for the time being but became weary when it happened again, “-and as you can see, it’s all a matter of inputting the passcode-…” He turned around quickly to find Stratus, two guards…and the mare they were holding, “No. 9 what is the meaning of…this…Professor Do!” he exclaimed in shock.

“This is Daring Do?” No. 12 pointed at her.

Then out of the blue, everything stopped. Everypony in the factory shifted their attention to the mention of the name of the archaeologist. Even the mechanic she shared a conversation with seemed boggled. All eyes were on her, the room was silent; for several seconds, nopony heard anything but the dull hum of the air exchangers until Daring laughed at them, “What? Haven’t seen an actual mare in a while?”

“Hmph, the one and only Daring Do!” Union announced to the crowd, “I was wondering when you were going join us, my dear.”

The adventuress lifted her brow. “Oh I wouldn’t miss this world, Union Jack. You know me, I live for the moment.”

“For once you are right. You live…for the moment,” he mused laughingly.

Daring rolled her eyes and sighed, “Alright enough smack talk; you got me, now tell me what’s in it for you?”

“What’s in it for me?” Union was puzzled by the question, but understood when he saw her staring at the stallions loading in Stockholder’s doomsday device, “Oh you must be talking about the distributor. Well not much, just a hefty, sizable amount of a paycheck and a numerical promotion to No. 2 when D’Angelo steps down after our mission is complete.”

“Hmm, very good,” she added, “And how much is he paying you?”

“Who, No.1? Why does that matter to you?” Union asked.

“We’ll double it,” Daring answered confidently.

The pompous and jeering Union Jack burst out laughing, prompting the other Hurricane agents to also crack a smile, “We? Who is ‘We’? You and the government that abandoned you? Besides, I have pledged my loyalty to the Hierarchy. Canterlot Crisis will go ahead as planned.”

A look of fright and despondence came over the archaeologist, “So, you’re actually going through with this chaotic ransom of yours?”

He looked at her in a gaze as if she suddenly sprouted a second head. “Chaotic ransom? Why whatever do you mean Miss Do? Yes, even though we do work for an organization that promotes the very thing you speak of, chaos, in the end we all want peace, isn’t that right my fellow Hurricane agents?” The three other Numbers nodded in agreement. 

“And what if you fail? Say this parasprite pandemic is set loose; does your great leader have a plan for that as well?” she interrogated.

Union smirked and held his nose in the air, “We executives have been piecing this operation for over five years. We have prepared for every natural contingency, win or lose.”

“Natural contingency?” a puzzled Daring repeated, “What in the hay does that mean?”

Her question prompted a long stare from the extortionist, “Well needless to say, interference from a lone vigilante and archaeologist aren’t exactly natural events. When did you decide to get yourself involved in the first place? What was your motive in your attempt to derail us?”

Daring Do shot a loathing glare at No. 9, “That stallion took the life of a close friend that I considered family…I’ve sworn to make him pay and considering what I’ve learned since then, me and Mare-Do-Well WILL derail you, Stockholder and the rest of this thoughtless colt cult.”

“What we are doing is not thoughtless, you damn bloody yank!” a furious Union shouted, shoving his hoof in her face, “We have thought long and hard on our plan and it is the only way for us to achieve power and control, even if it means plunging the economy and normal life as we know it into darkness. United we will stand, and together the H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. shall storm the country. You cannot stop us now. What Equestria is about to witness, Professor, is not so much ecological and financial warfare, but the launch of a new world order.”

“And can you fathom the thought that for the rest of your natural born lives, you will potentially be at fault for endless suffering and the mass loss of innocent lives?” Daring asked, turning to Stratus next, “Casualties upon casualties? Is this mission all worth a paycheck? Shyster Stockholder has got you all brainwashed!”

“Enough!” Union snapped, slapping Do across the face and then holding her chin up with his hoof, “I think about that every bloody day of my life, but in the end, it is what we must do to control the pendulum that guides our fate.”

“We’ve loaded the distributor into the crate, No. 4,” one of the maintenance ponies called, “Phase 4 is ready at your command.”

The vexed unicorn withdrew his hoof from her and walked over to the Commander, taking the spear gun from the holster on his back and pointing at the heart of Daring Do. He stared at her with cold eyes and wrapped his hoof snug around the trigger, “As by order of No. 1, you and your accomplice are to be killed on sight. Enough of my time has been wasted on you. I’ll be sure to give regards to your other half.”

“Just remember, Union Jack,” Daring muttered, “the Good will always triumph over the Evil…”

“We’re not evil, Professor…We’re revolutionists,” he corrected proudly. “Farewell, Daring D-“

In the heat of confrontation, the Cloud Cannon 3000 suddenly exploded from the side, sending a plume of smoke and steam throughout the factory. The explosion brought nearly everypony to the ground, including the guards who restrained Daring, allowing her scurry away. Meanwhile there was a cascade of debris that flew all around the room, killing a dozen guards in its path. Shortly following the blast, the lack of water running through the machine began to overheat the system, starting a fire that began to slowly engulf the cloud making machine. A couple of the frightened maintenance ponies immediately lifted the lever to reopen the factory gates to prevent mass suffocation. The smell of burning plastics and metal wafted through the air. Union Jack and the other Hurricane agents quickly rose to their hooves and they noticed that Daring had gotten loose again.

Amidst the chaos of smoke and fleeing ponies, Union Jack was swift to scope out the monochromatic mane of a flying brown pegasus. He called to Stratus and pointed in her direction, “She’s down there! Get her!”

“What about the Parasprite Distributor?” No. 12 pointed out, “We have to get that to the ship, and fast!”

“Right, you and No. 7 get Phase 4 underway,” Union ordered, turning to the Commander, “Jet Stream, you go with them.”

The angered No. 7 shook his head, “This means we’ll have to lift the lockdown from the building!”

“Only from within the facility,” Union was quick to correct, “There are still guards surrounding each exit and patrolling every window.” 

“And what are you going to do?” No. 7 asked harshly.

Union gave No. 7 a stern look and started to approach him, “Excuse me? I have to stay and try to regain control of this bloody factory! Now move it, all of you!”

Everypony complied with Union’s orders, however before No. 7 broke away from his fellow agent, he cracked a cocky smile. “This part of the mission may be completed, but let me assure you Mr. Head of Extortion, No. 1 will be hearing about Daring Do’s latest escape.”

As No. 7 walked away chuckling, Union Jack paused on his words. Suddenly the flash of another fearful glimpse of death plagued his mind. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Union had fallen victim to his own mercy rule which aided the dynamic duo once again. However, dealing with No. 1 would have to wait as another burst of flames exploded from the clearly unrepairable Cloud Cannon 3000 which frightened many of the maintenance and security ponies trying to fight it. After shaking his head at the sight, Jack rushed inside the Factory Chief’s office and returned with a megaphone. “Alright you bloody yanks, put that fire out at once!”

Stratus wasted no time galloping into action. He saw the streak of the mare’s tail just before she dashed into the hall. The green pegasus took flight, propelling himself over the dozens of ponies to reach the door. He glided to the floor and performed a sharp turn into Daring’s direction.

Moments later, Daring Do heard the sound of galloping behind her, and sure enough she was being pursued by Nimble Stratus. She broke into a sprint to lose the stallion, flapping her wings to lend herself a boost. She let a wide adrenaline-fueled grin shine across her face, she knew the explosion was going to be big but she never anticipated to throw everypony into a panic like that. 

Behind her, the Hurricane agent took deep breaths and pushed himself to gallop faster, coming closer to the adventuress.

As Daring Do galloped down the corridors, she took a brief glance back to find Nimble Stratus hot on her tail. The pegasus was athletic as they came and speed alone was not going to do the trick. If she didn’t shake up the game, Stratus was going to catch her. “Is that all you got, Nimble?” In a split-second decision, the adventuress made an immediate right, corralling into another corridor, throwing the stallion slightly off as he almost skidded trying to catch the sharp turn. Daring noticed this and swiftly made another turn into another adjacent hallway, and again Stratus was forced into another unanticipated swerve. Her heart was racing, her mane was soaked with sweat and adrenaline ran wild throughout the mare’s body, cascading like the sunlight piercing through the cloud barrier. This tactic allowed the adventuress to gain a wider gap, however she knew the Hurricane agent would eventually catch on.

As the chase rolled on, the two had ran through hallways, lobbies, and stairwells with a few attempts of other security interceptions here and there, but while she could shake off the normal guards, Stratus was impossible to lose, almost as if the stallion was a robotic being homed in on taking her out.

Eventually after several minutes of non-stop galloping, Stratus tried to take in his surroundings. The corridor they were galloping through now was much narrower than the previous ones. He knew for a fact they were far from the factory at this point, but then it suddenly hit him and he knew exactly where they were heading. 

Coming to the end of the next hall, Daring noticed she only had one option as the corridor lead to the left, but when she made the turn the archaeologist found herself running towards a lone door at the end. As she ran past a sign hanging above the ceiling, she caught a glimpse of the words ‘Boiler Room’. A U-Turn was out of the question, she was going through that door and the only thing she could hope for was a way out. With that in mind, Daring burst through the door and found exactly what the sign offered. 

There was a dimly-lit, steep, metal stairwell that followed into a large open basement of the Spectrum building. The boiler room was dark, humid and had an endless maze of pipes all connected to their respective drums and breaking off into the floors above. There were pressure gauges, steam-powered engines, electrical panels, but…no other way out. Daring found herself cornered at last. She turned around to see a very satisfied Stratus laughing his way down the stairs.

He stopped at the bottom and took in the sight of his prey: sweating, poised to strike, and as dangerous as a caged tiger. Nimble gave her an insolent gaze, sizing her up. At last he smiled at her and prepared a fighting stance, gesturing with his hoof to come at him.

Daring Do smiled back at him. “So this is how it all ends between me and you?”

The silent steed nodded with confidence.

“White Collar was a very good friend of mine, Nimble,” she iterated sincerely, “You could have done a lot with the Royal Guard but instead, like many talented ponies before, you throw your lives away to be reincarnated as rats…Let’s end this.”

Meanwhile, every maintenance pony in the Spectrum Headquarters was frantically rushing to the aide of the factory with fire extinguishers gripped between teeth and hardhats equipped to fight the blaze. The scientists had fled and a furious Union Jack was calling orders left right and centre. Even the headstrong Factory Chief was in a panic; nearly the entire populous of the room was on edge but the Head of Extortion remained the calmest despite the situation. 

He was angry, but still able to keep his train of thought, “We almost have it contained, hurry up!” he ordered in an aggressive tone, “You two, join the search for that runt! …Don’t just stand there you fool, help the others put out that blaze! …I want all of you bloody guards to find that mare and get RID of her once and for all! Don’t take any mercy, just dispatch the target!”

“Number…4!” one guard huffed as he approached him.

Jack shot his focus to the guard as he lowered the bullhorn from his mouth, “What is it?” he asked in a hasty tone.

The fatigued guard was panting and looked as if her had galloped five miles, “I…just…ran from…Outer Communications…The stallion you sent down earlier just received an important telegraph. You might want to read this, Sir…”

Union quirked an eyebrow as he is given a lengthy piece of paper. He glanced over the message and read it aloud: “Calling any station, emergency message from Equestrian Royal Guard…Captain Shining Armor issuing warrant for the arrest of Daring Do.” Suddenly the unicorn’s eye widened with shock and a smile began to form across his lips as he read on, “Described as greenish-brown pegasus mare, magenta eyes, carelessly kept greyscale mane, compass rose as cutie-mark, archaeologist. Report any and all suspicious sightings to the Royal Guard or local law enforcement immediately...Guard, I want you to return to Outer Communications and have a distress signal sent to the Cloudsdale Royal Guard HQ at once.”

“…Sir?” the puzzled guard looked at him, “I thought we didn’t want to draw outside attention, especially the Royal Guard?”

At first Union didn’t reply, yet he simply continued to stare at the message with a wide and rather manic grin as he reread it. When he had finished a second time, he turned to the guard and gave him a tap on the shoulder, “Don’t you get it, you moron? Shining Armor wants Daring Do arrested! She could burn this bloody facility down for all I care because it’ll be on her head! It’ll get her out of our hair at last! Besides, I’ve done my part for Phase 3; the rest is on No. 7 and 12’s shoulders. Now, get to it!”

The guard was hesitant by the unexpected new elation by his superior, but soon thought nothing of it and saluted to his leader with a returned smile, “Yes, Sir!”

After the guard had left, Union retreated to his thoughts. Betrayed by your own government and now on the run from the Guard. Well you have met with a terrible fate haven’t you, my dear?”

To be continued…

> Chapter 15: Cloudy With a Chance of Death
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spectrum Incorporated: Cloudsdale HQ Boiler Room, 4:02 am, September 29th

With a feral shout, Daring Do leaped into action, charging at Nimble Stratus to spear him down. The readied stallion took the shot but held his ground and slid but a few feet from where he stood. Daring broke away and threw punch, but Stratus dodged it, shoving her away. Then in retaliation Stratus tossed himself into the air and spun around, landing a spinning kick on the mare. Daring Do was knocked against one of the boilers but shook off the stars as quickly as she could. “Is that all you got?” she mused, wiping a smudge of dirt from her lips.

Nimble laughed then galloped after her, but Daring was quick to take flight, forcing the off-guard Nimble to stumble into the boiler. He managed to catch himself, but before he knew it, Daring came down on the back of his head with a kick, knocking him into the metal boiler again. This time the stallion was notably dazed and it gave the adventuress the chance to strike back. Stratus cringed furiously, soon to recover as he forced himself up and dared for Daring to come at him again. She did just so, but this time the Hurricane agent caught her leg in mid-air, swung her around and sent the mare crashing to the ground. Daring got back up and the two went hoof-to-hoof, throwing jabs and swinging legs. Daring was able to land the majority of them, but Nimble managed to make-up his punches in strength, hitting harder.

He’s stronger than I thought!, Daring thought to herself. Eventually Daring changed up the game and ducked down, throwing Stratus off which allowed her to leap up with a powerful uppercut. A tooth flew from his mouth as Nimble was knocked on his flank. The adventuress went to kick again but Stratus managed to trip her up and Daring fell chest-first onto the floor. Stratus made haste and immediately mounted her, wrapped his hooves around her neck and began to apply pressure to a vicious chokehold. Daring gasped and scratched at his hooves to break the hold but the lock was tight; Nimble had her. However, Daring wiggled her head down and took a large bite of the stallion’s flesh, forcing him to loosen his grip and giving Do the will to break free as she got her hooves underneath his and pushed away. Daring turned on her back and drove her hoof into the side of Stratus’ head as he tried to get up, sending him back on the ground. Both pegasi were already exhausted from the flaring start, but both knew it was far from over just yet.

Nimble stood but he was sent crashing again as Daring delivered another blow to the head, sending him tumbling down into toolbox laying on the ground. Tools spilt all over the floor while the dizzy pegasus tried to regain his sense of perception, then his eyes locked onto a lead pipe that was rolled to him. Nimble looked up and saw the adventuress readying herself for another assault. A sly grin spread across his mug before he picked the pipe up with his mouth.

When he was up, Daring glanced at the pipe he was holding and chuckled, “So that’s how you wanna play, is it?”

Stratus made his move and broke into another gallop, this time winding a swing of the pipe, and then as he closed in on his target the stallion swung with full force, however the evasive Daring Do side-stepped the attempted hit and Nimble found himself on the other side of the boiler room. He wasted no time; Nimble engaged in combat once again, this time stopping in front of the archaeologist as he tried to land a hit. He swung, and swung, and swung again, forcing Daring to backup further and further until she felt a cold, sturdy, metal obstruction press-up against her flank. 

Thinking he had the adventuress cornered, No. 9 charged another swing with the lead pipe, but his attack was foiled again after the mare took flight and he instead hit a large water pipe she was standing against. The impact of the wall cracked another tooth out of place as Stratus spit the pipe out, shooting a furious glare up at the pegasus, showcasing a set of blood-stained teeth. Feeling annoyed and enraged, the baddie flew after her, tackling Do.

The two were wrapped-up again, this time mid-flight. Stratus held Daring up against a wall and Daring began laying shot after shot after shot into his back, striking as hard as she could before she got the life squeezed out of her.

While he still had her pinned to the wall, Nimble slid his hooves behind her hind legs and then used his strength to pull Daring and himself from the wall. Then in one swift move, he lifted the adventuress up and then swung her down back-first onto the cement floor, landing on her with all his weight.

Daring Do seized to move, letting out an agonizing gasp while the wind was knocked out of her. She felt every bone in her body strain when the broader Stratus crushed her.

Knowing he had gained a new advantage, Nimble Stratus rolled off of the mare and took a moment to breathe and then quickly got to his hooves before she could. However to his amusement, Daring remained on the ground, panting heavily, trying to get her lungs pumping again. After a malevolent jolt of laugher, the stallion began to stalk around Do like a wolf circling a wounded deer. He watched her wrap her hooves around her ribs, still feeling the pulsing pain of the slam. Then when she tried to roll on her stomach, Stratus drove his hoof into her side, knocking the mare on her back again as she let out a whimper. He scoffed at her pain then scanned the room until he came across the lead pipe he dropped. 

Daring was still trying to get to her hooves, feeling every muscle in her body thrive in pain. When she had gotten to her stomach again, this time Nimble stepped on her back, keeping her down with his hoof as used his other to spread out her right wing.

Daring felt her wing being pinned. She made an effort to wiggle away but she was too weak and too late…The next thing she heard and felt was an incredible crack followed by an unspeakable burst of pain, letting out a horrible shriek as the lead pipe bashed into the base of Daring’s right wing, breaking it. Tears started to flood her eyes; she felt helpless at that point; unable to move, in agony, whimpering.

The cold-hearted Stratus had no remorse and stepped back to further enjoy Daring’s torture, circling her again with the pipe still in his mouth, aiming for another place to strike.

Meanwhile the adventuress lay on the floor, trying to think as fast as she could. She knew she had to get back into the fight, wing or no wing. She decided to look around the floor frantically, squinting at something shining in the darkness of the boiler room floor. Curiously, Daring Do used as much power as she could to scurry over to it across the floor but she was but a hoof’s length away from it before Nimble Stratus was on top of her again. Once more she felt his whole weight on her and then she saw the lead pipe cross her eyes and then pull up across her neck. Nimble pulled as hard as he could, choking and contorting the neck of the mare. In an effort to give herself a fighting chance, she managed to get one hoof between her and the pipe and pushed down as hard as she could, using her entire weight to save herself while reaching out for the foreign object just barely out of reach.

Stratus was confident, assured he would break either her foreleg or neck. Whichever came first, both would assure victory. 

Daring, however, was not so much confident as she was desperate. She stretched her hoof, reaching for what looked like a handle, but Nimble continued to apply pressure, forcing her hoof back. Soon the adventuress beginning to feel weaker, her limbs were loosening and the pressure of the pipe got stronger. Perhaps there was no way out of this, perhaps this was the end. For a moment, Daring closed her eyes and concentrated. Of all the temples, castles and jungles I’ve encountered over the years, this is how I die? she thought to herself. Then with one more deep breath, one more big thrust forward, she gave herself one last burst of life. “Not…Without…A FIGHT!” she exclaimed hoarsely. Using everything she had, Daring Do pushed on and utilized her last chance to reach out. 

Nimble’s hooves were shaking, holding nothing back on the mare, but it was not enough, and finally Daring scooped the object closer and wrapped her hoof around its handle and swung it up at the stallion’s face.  

Then miraculously the next sound she heard was the painful holler of Stratus as he dropped the pipe from her neck and covered his face as he stumbled off the mare, falling back. Without hesitance, Daring raced to her hooves and swallowed the pain in her broken wing. She now wielded a saw with the serrated edge lined with blood. Then her attention was drawn back to Stratus as he lifted himself off the ground, now bearing a long slash up the side of his face. Daring held the saw close to her like a sword, initiating a readied stance for another attack from Nimble.

He watched the mare carefully, continuing to circle her yet again and looking for an open target.

The adventuress began to do the same, both of them now stalking around each other and unable to anticipate their next move. To the reluctance of Daring, Stratus retrieved the lead pipe as he stepped over it and now giving both ponies a weapon to work with…

Suddenly Stratus made the first move, coming out with a swing of the pipe, and then Daring Do deflected it off the saw; both instruments met with a clash as his pipe grazed off it. Daring followed the attempted slash with a punch to the muzzle, striking Nimble successfully. The archaeologist swung the saw again, prompting Stratus to step back from its radius. He retaliated with a thrust of his weapon, intending to impale the pipe through her chest, however, Do sidestepped as well and instead slashed his leg.

The athletic pegasus buckled when he felt his flesh being cut, yelling with his teeth clenched, managing to keep the lead pipe in his mouth despite the pain. He rubbed his hoof over the wound, watching and feeling the warm fresh blood stain his coat. Furiously he rushed at the mare and swung violently.

Daring used what agility she had left to clumsily dodge each swing. Nimble was coming at her swinging the blunt object like a pendulum and each shot was aimed for her head. So the adventuress continued to back away, further and further until she backed into a thin pipe coming up from the ground…She cracked a small smirk, held the saw against the thin pipe and slit it.

The sliced pipe burst open and the next thing Stratus knew, he dropped the lead pipe as a high-pressured burst of steam shot at his face, scorching him. He quickly withdrew from the hot gas but did not have time to register the two brown hooves punting him square in the chest when he turned away. The surprising buck sent the stallion through the air and on his back.

Daring Do jumped on top of the torso of the downed Nimble, beginning to lay shot after shot after shot on his head, trying to end this confrontation but the resilient bronco shielded himself with his hooves, absorbing each painful blow. 

Then as Daring grew more tired with each hit, Nimble spread out his forelegs and caught Daring’s hooves. He wrapped his hooves around hers and then brought himself up to deliver a fierce headbutt. The adventuress was forced up and she stumble off of the stallion, but that was all he needed. With his hooves below her, Nimble Stratus winded his back legs and launched them into Daring’s stomach, throwing her once again across the room, this time landing against the wall and some sort of metal box on the wall. The mare screamed out as the impact was absorbed by her broken wing. Daring cradled herself on the floor, leaning pitifully against the wall as she caressed her wing. From above she could see the silhouette of Stratus rising to his hooves. 

Very slowly he trotted around the room, stalking-like. Eventually he made his way over to the busted steam pipe, which continued to hiss and pop as the steam vented out like a geyser. He knelt down to retrieve the lead pipe yet again. Then he returned to his spot in front of Daring Do who was painfully trying to make it to her hooves while she grabbed at the wall. When she had finally got up, Nimble walked up and swung the pipe into her side, knocking her back down with a tortured holler as she returned to the floor in tears. Stratus stepped back and laughed at her, basking in his certain victory.

Daring was at a loss; she could do little to nothing as she shuttered through the pain, breathing rapidly. She looked above to reach for the wall again, and then her eyes caught something. When she was knocked into the wall, Do had managed to open a panel door on the metal box and exposed a breaker. She stared at the electrical box with interest and then shot a taunting glare at Stratus. “So…This is how it ends,” Daring said, trying to ascend from the floor once more. “You think you’ve won?”

Nimble simply watched in sick pleasure, chuckling at the mare’s excruciating efforts to pick herself up.

“Come on, hot shot,” she teased, halfway up, “Finish me off…While you have the chance. I’m not the type to give up so easily you know.”

Nimble continued to laugh with a condescending manner. Then with a step back, he raised his weapon and wound it up.

Daring pressured him on: “Come on! Give me another one, Stratus; give it your all this time…Make it count…” At last she had forced herself to her hooves, standing wobbly and exhausted.

Stratus made sure to eye her down, assuring there were no weapons at her side or near her at all. Then with a deep breath, he charged the strongest swing he could and then galloped at the mare, poised to put an end to the archaeologist once and for all.

Daring could feel time slow to a crawl. In the last moments of the impending swing, Daring Do had not the strength to dive, but instead allowed herself to fall to the side, feeling the gust of wind as she stared at the pipe whistling past her eyes.  

As the vindictive Stratus finished skull-bashing swing, he did not catch sight of the breaker before it was too late. With one misplay, Daring fell away from the vicious swing and the lead pipe smashed through the electrical breaker. Sparks exploded from the panel and the doomed Nimble Stratus could do nothing as he felt the power of thousands upon thousands of volts course through his body all at once, immobilizing his ability to pull away. Sparks continued to shoot out, the breaker sizzled and zapped, and the lights flickered sporadically. He shouted to the top of his lungs in agony, the current taking its toll on the stallion.

Daring desperately crawled away on her stomach and took rest, sitting against the adjacent wall, clutching her broken wing and watching Stratus fry to death.

Eventually the rancid odor of burnt flesh began to fill the room, the electrical breaker took all it could handle and exploded, sending a plume of smoke, the lead pipe, and the body of Nimble Stratus across the boiler room. Without a flinch or verbal response, he hit the concrete wall back first with a smack, and then dropped to the floor with his head drooping underneath his shoulders.

The adventuress was taken aback by the shocking turnout, grimacing at the twitching stallion. With a pained effort, she stood on her hooves using leverage from the wall. Her face contorted and a whimper escaped from her when she let her wing droop under her belly again. After she limped over to Stratus, she knelt down and put her hoof to the side of his neck…There was no pulse. Nimble Stratus was gone. Daring shed a tear knowing her ties to revenge could finally be laid to rest. She backed away and sat on the stairs, staring at the deceased killer. She cupped her hooves and took a moment before looking up again. She realized her mission wasn’t over, and she couldn’t allow herself to get soft this deep into the game. So with a heavy sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from her brow and looked ahead, smiling upward. “You can rest at last, old friend…” Then slowly, the battered pegasus rose from her hindquarters and again hugged the wall for support. With Stratus dead, Daring had one more pony to deal with.
-----
On the floors above, the malevolent Union Jack and his crew continued to fight the fire that was finally under control. His nerves were since calmed after learning of the Royal Guard’s order for the arrest Daring Do, so much so that he hadn’t stopped grinning. “Good work, mates!” he shouted over the megaphone, “It’s just about dead!”

“Sir!” somepony shouted.

Union lowered the megaphone from his mouth and turned to find one of the guards approaching him. “What is it?” he asked.

“No. 7, No. 12 and Beta Team are en route to Canterlot as we speak;” he answered back, “No. 1 is waiting on their arrival.”

Union laughed. “Excellent! Now we will be ready when the Guard arrives on scene.”

The security stallion paused for moment. “Guard, Sir? The Royal Guard?”

“Precisely.”

“Sir I don’t follow you,” he stated in utter confusion, “I thought we were trying to avoid the Royal Guard?”

“Moments ago I was informed that Captain Shining Armor warranted an arrest for our friend Daring Do and broadcasted it all over the kingdom.” Union promptly returned. “The persistent little pest will have nowhere to run. If we can’t kill her, the Royal Guard will incarcerate her.”

Then all of a sudden, the two were sidetracked by harsh electrical surge. The lights began to flicker and the hum of the machinery started to die, then immediately roared back to life again. Everypony in the factory was surely aware of it as they looked all about, trying to find the source of the problem. The electrical trip continued on for another several seconds until everything went black. The immediate reaction from the crowd was confusion and panic, however the now head-strong Union Jack spoke into his megaphone: “Everypony remain calm, the back-up generator will kick-in momentarily…”

And just a few seconds after he said those words did the lights and machinery come to life once more. Jack returned to face his security guard when his eyes caught glimpse of the pony standing high on the railing of the overhead balcony. “Where in the world!” he shouted astonished. As the heads turned and the gasps were voiced, Union Jack could begin to feel his blood boil again as he gazed up at the ominous sight of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well looking down on him and his Hurricane brethren. 

Immediately the security guards armed their spear guns and took aim. Union halted the guards with his hoof when he heard the cocking of the weapons, “Hold your fire! So the final rat shows herself. How fitting!”

“Oh Jacky,” the masked mare teased, “After everything we’ve been through, I couldn’t resist watching you squirm one last time.”

Very cynically, Union laughed. “The jokes on you I’m afraid…Give my regards to Miss Do when you meet with her in the afterlife.” On that note, Union raised the megaphone to his mouth and pointed to the mare, “Exterminate her!”

Seconds later, nearly twenty guards fired their weapons and Mare-Do-Well took action. In one big leap, the hooded heroine dove for the rafters, dodging a barrage of spears as they whipped past her body. She managed to swing up on one of the beams but not without feeling the throbbing pain of her injured leg. However her adrenaline helped her power through as she continued to jump beam to beam while the guards continuously reloaded and fired. Meanwhile the maintenance ponies began to flee the factory in fear they would be skewered by a raining spear.

“Come on, she can’t evade them forever!” Jack shouted over the bullhorn.

Amongst the heavy fire, a few of the pegasi guards flew up into the rafters to try and slow down the masked mare, but she was more than ready for them; very quickly, she reached behind and whipped out her own spear gun against the guards. They flinched on the sight of the gun and made a move to fly back but Mare-Do-Well already shot, piercing through one of their colleagues and sent him tumbling to the ground. She kept moving, trying to sidestep as many spears as she could, not realizing that several had gone through her cape. Mare-Do-Well knew she would be cornered soon and had to think of another plan. In a haste to save her hide, she glanced over as much as she could of the factory, seeing if any of the machinery could assist her. Luckily her swift brainstorming gave her an idea when her eyes crossed over a massive cold storage unit for snow; hundreds of billions of snowflakes chilling inside a gigantic glass container with an operating module at its base. As fast as she could, Mare-Do-Well scaled across the ceiling until she made a leap for the demolished Cloud Cannon 3000; sliding down its shaft and reloaded another spear in a hurry. She then looked ahead of her, seeing the ground draw closer, and then when she was ready, Mare-Do-Well jumped, tucked, and then rolled into position, coming up with her spear gun wrapped around her hoof. She took a quick aim, steadied her hoof and then squeezed the trigger, firing off another spear.

Union watched from afar as it travelled through the air, but not in the direction of him or his guards…Instead her acquired target was the cold storage unit.

As planned, the spear drove itself through the dashboard of the machine, causing a series of sparks to erupt from it before exploding. The blast drew the attention of every guard in the room, and the sound of cracking glass that followed sent a chilling pinch in the pit of everypony’s stomach. They looked up, watching the cracks channel their way up the container, getting louder and louder. 

A single bead of sweat rolled down Jack’s face. He stared wide-eyed at the glass as the continued cracking ascended to the top of the machine, invoking him to immediately call into his megaphone: “EVERYPONY STAND BA-“

Interrupting with one big thunderous crack, the glass casing gave way, bursting like a balloon and sending an indoor avalanche of glass and snow in its wake. All the guards tried to get out of the way, however the snow cascaded throughout the room and blinded nearly every pony in sight. Union too was caught in the abrupt, unnatural blizzard, ducking down and shielding himself from the blowing snow and glass. As quickly as it happened, the snow began to settle, but just when things couldn’t get any worse, the lights went black again, throwing everyone into an even bigger panic.

“She’s shut off the lights!” somepony hollered.

There was short break of silence until the sound of continuous thuds, grunts, and smacks echoed across the darkness. Union Jack dropped his megaphone and lit his horn immediately, frantically turning his head every which way he could, looking for the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, but all he could see was half of his armada incapacitated on the factory floor. Every time he’d turn his head toward the sound of brawling, he’d only catch the glimpse of another stallion falling. “Show yourself at once, Mysterious Mare-Do-Well!”

On cue, the lights switched back on, and the masked mare was found standing next to the factory breaker box, smiling intently. Jack found himself surrounded by a mess of littered bodies and a snow-covered floor. His mane was frazzled by the freezing onslaught and the crazed look on Union’s face was redder than his own coat. 

“So…Have you had enough?” she asked playfully. “Or should I continue to torture you further?”

“Why can’t you just be a good little filly and die?” he murmured to himself. Nonchalantly, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well began to stroll towards the Hurricane executive until she froze in place when the corporate goon reached down and picked-up one of the spear guns that had been dropped. No. 4 aimed the loaded weapon at her head, “Don’t…bloody…move…” He said softly with a mad glint in his eye.

Mare-Do-Well began to chuckle, “It’s time to face the music, Union Jack. You and I have both had our sights set on each other since our first encounter back in Manehatten.”

“What’s your point?” he pressed.

The masked mare stared him down, “Put the gun down, put up your hooves.”

Union suddenly cracked a smirk, “A fight to the death? The two of us? First of all let me assure you that I do indeed have the nerve…Second, where do you get off making such a challenge? Do you have any idea how absurd your position is? Even if you can defeat me, my superiors will hunt you down and cut you into little pieces while you’re still breathing. Besides, I have the power to shoot you down right now.”

“If they can catch me,” she retorted.

“Your hubris is amusing me,” he chuckled.

“You don’t believe me?” she boastfully returned pointing to all of the downed guards, “Look at what I just caused! Trust me, I have ‘friends’ like you all over the country who have tried and are still trying to put me out. Though I must admit the Hierarchy has been the closest to succeeding. However, I still come back because the fact of the matter is, from the day I chose to be a vigilante I promised to risk everything in the world to protect my beloved Princess, the ponies she leads, and the nation she rules over from any and all meanings of darkness, even if it meant sacrificing my own blood. I would take the fall for any friend. So if I have to drill through every single damn guard you throw at me just to get to you, I’ll do it, even if I die in the process, or you can have me all to yourself.”

For a minute, Union Jack just stared at her in a thoughtful gaze, chewing on each word she had said, deciding between the two.

“…Well?”

No. 4 exhaled, cracking a clever smile, “You’ve caused me great aggravation. Ranging from destroying my office, jeopardizing our operation, killing my employees and most painfully of all…My pride. You’ve damaged my pride, and nothing would pleasure me more than to put an end to your retched life.” He looked around at all the damage his corporation has taken. All the blood that’s been shed and the trouble he’s been put through by his adversaries. Then with one hefty chuckle, Union brush his hoof through his hair, shook his head and smiled. “My dear, you are very irritating.”

Moments later, Union Jack pulled the trigger, firing the spear at Mare-Do-Well. He intended to end the author of his agony but the crime fighter anticipated the projectile and ducked, just missing it as she heard the spear crack against the wall behind her. She stood back up and glared, “Really?”

The sinister Jack dropped the spear gun off to the side and laughed. “I like to keep business as simple as possible. I don’t like complications.”

“Terrorism is no business,” she stated sternly.

Union scoffed and then started to unbutton his suit. “I guess if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Although the sheer opportunity to squeeze the very life force out of your body does make me a happy stallion.”

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well chuckled, “Next, I’ll make you a dead one.” 

“That’s one thing I WILL miss about you; your cunning resilience,” he added, rolling up his cuffs. “It’s a shame we couldn’t convince you to see the light.”

“I won’t allow myself to be blinded by your so-called ‘light’,” Mare-Do-Well assured confidently, “It’s amazing how you’ve managed to brainwash all these criminals to do your bidding. Be honest, what’s in this for you and your other executive friends?”

“…Ascension,” the Hurricane agent replied after chewing on the question. His manic gaze then fell back on the mare, “Believe it or not, Canterlot Crisis extends far beyond than what you perceive. This isn’t about the Crystal Mountains or a petty ransom. This is about the first step in a revolutionary movement. This parasprite pandemic is just the calm before the storm. Our agenda is to assure the take over of this kingdom, one way or another. We are just gathering objectives, taking territory to fuel our efforts. After all you can’t topple a tower without first taking the many precautions and preparations. This demolition of Equestrian society had been planned to the last detail, and No. 1 will lead us, with the rest of the Hurricane elites right behind him…Now enough of this talk, let’s finish what we’ve started shall we?”

Preparing for the fight, the masked mare stood her ground, her knees buckled and ready to pounce. “On behalf of the Kingdom of Equestria and its fair citizens, I condemn you, Union Jack.”

The unimpressed Hurricane agent scoffed at her retort then began to loosen his tie, “Bloody yank…”

To be continued…

> Chapter 16: Union Goes on Strike
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spectrum Incorporated: Cloudsdale HQ Factory, 4:19 am, September 29th

Like a charging bull, Union Jack pounced at the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, spearing her to the ground as they engaged in combat. The two rolled around, shaking each other vigorously as one attempted to gain advantage over the other. Eventually Union was able to stay on top of the masked mare and laid two hits in on her before she slipped between his legs. As she rose to her hooves, the mare elbowed the other unicorn in the back of the head, knocking him down. Mare-Do-Well went to drive a kick into the side of the stallion but Union swiftly rolled out of harm's way and sprang to his hooves.

The two began to circle like boxers, eyeing one another down and preparing to strike. Mare-Do-Well's magical exhaustion and Union's patched eye put them both at a particular disadvantage but both remained vigilant. Mare-Do-Well swung a punch and Union dodged. She followed up with roundhouse kick and Union ducked in which he followed-up with an uppercut, knocking the mare back as she stumbled against a piece of machinery. Union Jack attempted to crush the head of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well between his hooves and the metal structure. The dazed unicorn mare shielded her face just in time, blocking his hooves with hers. Both of them pushed on each other for a moment until Mare-Do-Well broke out and kicked Union in the stomach. Taking advantage of the situation, she drove his head against the machine then kicked him again, this time bringing him to the floor. The masked mare tried to catch her breath but her hooves were swept from underneath and she fell to her flank. 

Union had recovered, this time sporting a small gash upon his forehead. He wiped blood from his head and a look of unfathomable anger came over him. He clobbered her in the head, then the furious unicorn spit at her. "Do you know the price I pay to keep this face perfect!" he vented. With that he kicked her in the gut and started to look around the factory until he noticed a glass panel in the wall containing an axe. He smiled deviously as he began to make his way over. "You know, isn't it rather fitting we end off this way? I suppose that's the way it has to be. I mean nopony else, not even Shyster Stockholder could kill you, so I guess it comes down to me. A bloody yank you are, a bloody bloody BLOODY yank..." Union broke the glass with his hoof and removed the fire axe with his teeth.

The fallen mare saw this and picked herself up quickly, ready for another attack, "Go ahead...Make my day..."

With a spring, Union reared up and broke into a gallop, preparing to strike. He ran; acquiring his target, taking aim, cocking his head back as he drew close, then he swung around trying to impale the mare but fell short as she ducked under by a hair. The mad stallion took no time and immediately followed with a swing down, slicing through the cape of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well as she once again evaded harms' way. 

The mare rolled, knowing she had to get up before Union got lucky. Swiftly, she got to her hooves and backed away from another swing of the axe, flinching at its whistling sound. Before he could charge another swing, Mare-Do-Well grabbed a hold of the axe, struggling with Union to take possession, "What...Happened to the purity...Of unarmed...Combat?"

"Honor means nothing to me," Union stated amid the struggle, "No. 1 will be pleased either way."

Mare-Do-Well switched her game and kicked at the legs of Union, attempting to throw off the stallion, however he retaliated by bunting the mare in the head with the blunt end of the axe, bashing her away. Mare-Do-Well shook the stars from her head just before Union could wind another swing. Thinking on her hooves, she ran back at the stallion and jumped, landing a surprising attack on him with a kicking back-flip, smacking a hoof to the jaw. Jack's head cocked back and the axe flew from his mouth. Without giving him a chance to recover, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well continued her onslaught with a jab to the face, a chop to the chest and then a swift kick to the side that brought him to his flank. The stallion was beaten dizzy, unable to register his surroundings for the moment. This allowed the masked mare to take a strong advantage. When Union groggily locked eyes with the mare, she tauntingly waved good-bye to him then followed-up on the gesture with another agile roundhouse kick. This time the strike connected with a thunderous crack as a tooth ejected from Union's mouth as his head snapped to the side, unraveling his eye-patch at the same time. The bloodied Union Jack didn't even make a noise as he dropped to the floor, eyes shut and bleeding profusely from his wounded mouth. 

Finally Mare-Do-Well ceased to stand as she could take a break. Assuming Jack was beaten, she sat down and rested her head and back against what seemed to be the base to the demolished cloud maker as the soothing temperature of the overheated machinery felt heavenly on her muscles. After a short rest, she began to look around and saw a door on the other side of the factory where she discovered a short staircase that led to the factory chief's office which accompanied a large window overseeing the entire factory next to it. Curious, the mare made her way into the office. Meanwhile her leg had begun to ache again, reminding herself that she had kicked Union with her injured leg from the speargun shot earlier. It seemed the adrenaline forced the pain of her mind for a moment, but it was surely present now. 

The office was significantly messier compared to Union's. The papers that were strewn about the desk seemed to all pertain to the Parasprite Distributor, a majority of which were blueprints on its construction. But sticking out among the chaos was a yellow dossier titled Project Manual. At first, most of the information she skimmed through seemed unimportant, but then upon closer examination she came across a section titled Emergency Deactivation. She marked where the section began and ended and then proceeded to rip the pages out of the manual then stuffed them underneath her hat for later. She then glanced at a small metal cabinet hanging on the wall. Unfortunately it was locked, however that failed to stop her as Mare-Do-Well used what little magic she could to work the tumblers inside the lock. After it fell from the cabinet door, she opened it up to find, to her surprise, several different sizable bottles of drugs and narcotics, two of which seemed to be out of country given the fact the labels were written in languages the mare could not decipher. She knew not of what Hurricane's intentions were with such dangerous chemicals, but the most noticeable bottle was a sole, larger black and yellow striped canister that simply read PS-X Eradicator and nothing else. The top of the can had a long cone-like nozzle with ruts in it that allowed for the ability to screw into something...but what? She pondered for a few moments before she had a thought. The masked mare retrieved the notes she had just put into her hat quickly ran through them until she put her hoof on a diagram of the same canister. Without hesitating she snatched the can out of the cabinet and threw it into her wide-brimmed hat along with the notes on the distributor. 

Hanging above the desk was a layout of the entire facility that highlighted the factory as the current location of anypony looking at it. She made a mental imaging of what route she’d have to take to lead towards the closest exit, but the whereabouts of her partner-in-action was unknown and the only rendezvous point she could think of was the gyrocopter they landed in. Looking out of the window, she could see one of the closed gates she had to open in order to escape. However that seemed to be the least of her worries as something felt out of place as she continued to stare out of the office window; it didn't feel right. All of a sudden it was almost as if there was something missing in the factory. It took her a second to figure it out but then it hit her...Union’s body was no longer on the ground. Suddenly her ears perked to the sound of fast hooves, and on a judgment call the mare leaped out of the way of a heavy axe penetrating the wooden desk like a hot knife through butter, and a crazed Union Jack wielding it.

"You won't make it out of here alive!" he announced as he let go of the axe stuck in the unrepairable desk.

Mare-Do-Well got to her hooves and the first thing she noticed was his now exposed, damaged eye. She grimaced, it’s appearance was completely white and disfigured. 

Union replied to the off-putting stare: "This is the momento you left me when we first met, Ms. Mare-Do-Well. A late allergic reaction from my rose has cost me my sight in that eye...Thanks to you."

"And I'm supposed to feel sorry for you?" she retorted smirking.

"Oh no, no, no," he chuckled, lighting an aura of magic around his horn, "You're supposed to DIE!"

The masked mare had but a moment to react before she saw one of those same roses launch from his lapel and head straight towards her neck with the poison-laced tip set to kill. She managed to roll out of the way, but Union thrust it at her again, prompting her to spear the stallion in an attempt to drop it from his magical grasp. The two collided and both of them crashed through the office window and tumbled to the factory floor outside. Both landed with a painful grunt with glass still falling from above, accompanied by a red rose. 

The height of the fall left both ponies struggling to get to their hooves, with both suffering from lacerations due to the glass. Mare-Do-Well's leg was hurting more than ever with a throbbing pain coming from the origin of the wound. Upon a quick look, she found out she had cut it open and it was bleeding through the tourniquet. However it was the least of her concerns as her eyes came across sight of the rose. She made a dive for it immediately however it was already caught in the clairvoyant grip of Union's horn once again. 

Jack levitated it in front of him as he continued to stare down at the mare trying to gain her ground. He smiled pompously, "I thought every filly liked the smell and look of a fine rose. Sure they have thorns, but sometimes the aroma can be…Quite intoxicating.”

The exhausted Mare-Do-Well finally stood up and scowled at the stallion, "What's your point?" she asked.

Another sinister grin came over the corporate extortionist. Without saying another word levitated the rose between him and the heroine. The toxic tip was poised to strike her. Then finally Union’s eyes widened as he used his magic to thrust the rose forward, only to be caught in a telekinetic struggle as Mare-Do-Well used her own magic to catch attempt to resist the push. 

But initiating that strength of magic prompted a horrendous, agonizing pain in her head. Unable to stifle the pain, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well hollered relentlessly, using all her might not to break her spell.

"My point is..." Union paused to laugh, "you've hardly used any magic, and I'd like to know why. A little exhausted are we?"

The maniacal Union Jack burst out laughing, practically tasting the victory soon to come and enjoying every last bit of her pain. "Suffering from a little migraine hmm!" he toyed.

The crippling headache was overwhelming, and Mare-Do-Well could already feel her grip begin to weaken, but she pushed, letting out another scream as she could do nothing but hope for a miracle. "Just remember, Union!" she yelled with a painful and beaten tone, "This doesn't end with me...There will be others."

"Your luck has run out, Mysterious Mare-Do-Well!" he boasted, "And as for the others, if you’re the best chance Equestria’s had, then I welcome their feeble attempts."

As time went on, Mare-Do-Well let out another vile scream, finally succumbing to the idea of her defeat, unable to hold off Union's push any longer with her resistance failing. The venomous weapon slowly inched closer to the defenseless mare. Her magic was failing and the magical exhaustion significantly tired her out as she was backed against a wall, still wincing in tremendous agony.

Union Jack held his nose up high, finding incredible pleasure out of the suffering mare, "Take one more look at greatness, Ms. Mare-Do-Well. If you think this big plan is where it ends, you are dead wrong! After we successfully complete our mission, Hurricane will establish a new world order. We hold the key to this land and we shall brandish the name of the Hierarchy all across the kingdom of Equestria. All will fear us and anypony that opposes us will be destroyed. We'll go down in the history books as the most vicious syndicate to have ever EXISTED! And in the end everypony will know us, fear us, and OBEY US!”

"Oh would you just SHADDUP already!" came a familiar voice.

The new voice immediately got the attention of Union. He went to look up at the newcomer but instead caught glimpse of a silver projectile rocket across the room and bury its sharp head into the hind leg of the stallion. The pain was instantaneous and radiated throughout his body like a clash of chain-lightning, forcing every muscle in his body to momentarily freeze as he cringed and screamed...And then seconds later, he felt a cold sensation strike the side of his neck. He put his hoof to it and felt the soft petals of a red rose. The spontaneous bolt had startled him, stopping his magic and allowing the masked mare to seal his fate unexpectedly. He looked back at Mare-Do-Well to find her panting heavily, but no longer in pain but instead with a satisfied grin across her face. Shortly after shaking his head at her in silence he fell on his stomach, holding himself up with his front hooves. Several seconds later he began to cough violently as the poison worked fast. His eyes caught sight of brownish hooves trot towards him with an olive shirt and a pith-helmet shadowing the face of an archaeologist who was just as pleased. “No,” Union uttered painfully, “After all my progress…”

Daring Do knelled down and spoke to him sternly: "Where is the Prince, Union? Where is Prince Blueblood!"

Despite his determined fate, the stallion looked up at her and spit at her question, and through his suffering he forced a smirk. "I would rather perish than assist the likes of you, Professor Do...But remember this..." With great effort, Union grabbed the shirt of Daring and hauled her in closer, "There are many of us. The hurricane of damnation is far larger than anything you can possibly imagine. Killing me won’t solve your problem, and in time my brethren will rise to the challenge and take this kingdom into a new era of leadership, and I can assure that you and your little friend shall meet a fate far worse than mere death, you bloody-“

“Yank?” she assumed.

“…Bitch,” the pitiful Union corrected with a cringed frown of hatred.” ...Evil has many faces and holds no boundaries, Daring Do...Remember that...Remember that...Evil...has many...faces..."

With that Daring Do watched the eyes of the stallion shut and his grip abruptly loosen as he fell to the ground at last. Union Jack was no more...

“…Thanks,” said the appreciative Mare-Do-Well.

“No problem, partner,” Daring returned, quickly rushing to her friend’s aid. She removed the hat and felt the hot, sweltering forehead of the unicorn, “You’re burning up; we have to get you to a hospital.”

The mare shook her head, “No hospitals. We have to get back to my HQ to regroup.”

“Well we have to do something, you’re bleeding to death!” the adventuress retorted, growing more worried of her condition.

Mare-Do-Well pointed to the office of the factory chief, “Up there…I saw a cabinet with some drugs in it. There’s got to be something in there to hold off the migraine long enough for me to fly us out of here.”

The puzzled Daring glanced at the office and then back at the masked mare with a quirked eyebrow, “Do I look like a doctor to you?”

“Just help me up walk me up there!”, Mare-Do-Well snapped back, rubbing her temples.”

“Okay, okay!” Daring jumped, rolling her eyes as she started to assist the injured mare. 

Spectrum Zephyrus, 7:29 am, September 29th

As the sun began to rise farther above the horizon, the crisp autumn wind brushed frivolously throughout the city of Canterlot. The sky was clear save for a few roaming clouds, but unbeknownst to the public, a dark shadow was beginning to cast over the kingdom.

In the skies above, the Spectrum flagship: Zephyrus, hummed over the outskirts of the city. Inside it, an eager Shyster Stockholder viewed the morning sky from his desk, grinning proudly as he lavished in the thoughts of his grand scheme. Soon the land he coveted to claim would come closer to his hooves.

Giovanni D'Angelo was reading quietly to himself from across the room, periodically poking his head up from his book to check his watch. "The princesses have thirty more minutes to answer." He pointed out.

Stockholder reached across the desk and picked up his fedora, placing it on his head as he chuckled and glanced over. "I already know their answer."

"How can you be so sure?" D'Angelo replied.

No.1 fixed his sights back on the morning view. "Celestia tried to call the bluff of Hurricane once before," he said. "My predecessor, High Roller was ruthless when it came to extortion. Decades ago, before the initial Canterlot Crisis operation, Roller sent his henchmen to kidnap several high-ranking government officials, including the Vice-captain of the Royal Guard. They had gathered intel from a stallion on the inside, obtaining all the necessary information for their capture. For their release, Roller ordered Princess Celestia to hoofover the same 500 million bits that we ask for today. The fool tried to test us by refusing to pay-up...And in that very same week, seven severed heads were delivered to the families, and the seven beheaded corpses were sent to Canterlot Castle. If she wishes for history to stay history, they will pay us our money."

No. 2 took a moment to digest his boss's story, then grinned back. "And yet, this is all a preliminary plot leading up to an even bigger payout."

"Precisely!" Stockholder remarked.

Moments later the two were interrupted by the flash of a white spark, then a rolled scroll falling before Shyster, landing on his desk. He stood, beginning to laugh maniacally.

"They're early," Giovanni said as he walked over.

Shyster grasped the scroll in his hooves, glancing at D'Angelo with a premature victorious smile as he started to unravel the scroll. But just as he was about to read the first words, the two were abruptly startled by banging on the door. Stockholder sighed and lowered the scroll as he let D'Angelo answer it.

The griffon reached out and pulled the handle, allowing one of the guards to cross the threshold.

"What is it?" Stockholder asked hastily, "I haven't the time for interruptions."

The guard bowed in apologies and hoofed over a clipboard to his superior. "Forgive me, Sir, but I think this warrants an interruption." He said with an informative tone. "First and foremost, No. 7 and 12 will be arriving in Canterlot in approximately fifteen minutes, with operative Jet Stream and his Beta Team accompanying them.”

A puzzled Stockholder glanced up. “Jet Stream and Beta Team? I had ordered No. 9 to accompany them.”

“…That’s the other news, Sir,” the guard gravely followed, “a major situation transpired at the Cloudsdale Headquarters.”

A look of worry and disbelief came over the villain. “Well? What happened!”

“From the transmission we received from the Notus, we never got much.” He firmly stated. “But there’s been substantial damage done to the facility. No. 12 can tell you more when he’s landed, he wants both of you to meet him at the landing zon-“

“Get out of my way!” No. 1 barked as he shoved the clipboard back at the guard, pushing him aside.

The infuriated unicorn stormed out of his office with D’Angelo close behind. The two marched down the corridor and toward the rear of the airship, travelling down flights of stairs shortly after to reach the hangar of Stockholder’s personal gyrocopter. The gyrocopter was far superior to its common blue and white-striped counterpart. The cockpit seated two bodies instead of one and featured a glass windshield to protect the pilot from the elements. Its propellers were larger to accommodate the added weight and its body was painted black with the Spectrum logo adorning the front and sides. And to complete upon its superiority, two wings protruded from each respective side and were both equipped with state-of-the-art speargun turrets. No. 1 and 2 entered the vehicle, preparing to take off.

Meanwhile, guards boarded three other gyrocopters behind them in order to accompany the Hurricane leaders.

Shyster removed his fedora in favor of the machine’s communication headset. He flicked various switches to activate the complicated machine and then roared the engine and propellers to life with a spark of his magic. Then he flicked on an intercom switch and addressed a guard standing beside the airship’s hangar doors: “Open the gate!”

The guard saluted and pulled on a lever to activate the hydraulic mechanism, allowing the doors to open and the morning wind to infiltrate the ship’s hull.

Stockholder, D’Angelo and company then took off, flying their gyrocopters out of the Zephyrus and out into the skies above the Canterlot Mountain. After taking a moment to check their conditions, the four machines were put on a course for the Canterlot Spectrum HQ, with Zephyrus’ sister airship, Notus, now visible and drawing closer to the city.

To be continued...