The Quills and Sofas Exquisite Corpseby TheRedFoxChaptersChapter One (The Red Parade)Chapter Two (TheLegendaryBillCipher)Chapter Three (SilentWhisper)Chapter Four (Zontan)Chapter Five (TheDriderPony)Chapter Six (_Moonshot)Chapter Seven (Lofty Withers)Chapter Eight (Shaslan)Epilogue (Lofty Withers)PrologueChapter Nine (Atom Smash)Chapter One (The Red Parade)Vapor Trail frowned as she stared in the mirror. She took a deep breath and ran a hoof through her mane. “Sky, what did you do this time?” She knew that Sky Stinger had crossed paths with the Las Pegasus Mafia before, but he assured her it was nothing to worry about. Vapor sighed, turning away from the mirror. The pegasus paced nervously in her room, weighing her options. On the bed sat a brown parcel, wrapped up in a red ribbon. Just deliver it, get Sky back, and we can pretend this never happened, she thought. Oh, who am I kidding? There’s no way they’d possibly let him go unharmed! I should go to the police! The pegasus collapsed onto her bed, tears welling in her eyes. She wished that Celestia would send her a sign, or give her something-- There was a banging at the door, and her ears perked up. Had Celestia heard her calls and sent her an angel? “Vapor? Are you awake?” Her ears drooped back down. Technically, it was the voice of an angel, but not the one she was hoping for. With a groan, Vapor dried her eyes and picked herself off the bed, going over to the door. As she pulled it open, a black and yellow blur shot into the room, followed by a grayish-cream pegasus who hovered in the doorway. ““Look alive, sunshine! It’s laser tag time! Let’s get this done!” cheered Midnight Strike, the black pegasus practically bouncing around the room. “Hi, Vapor,” said Angel Wings timidly. “Are you ready?” Vapor dropped her gaze to the ground. “Uh, sorry, but… something’s come up.” Midnight stopped and whipped her head around to stare at her. “What?!” Angel tried to give a confident smile. “That’s okay! If you can’t come--” “It’s not okay!” Midnight protested. “You guys never hang out with us anymore! And come on, Vapor, Las Pegasus has the best laser tag arena in all of Las Pegasus! You can’t just bail out on us now!” “Wait… where is Sky Stinger?” Angel asked quietly. “We went to his room first, but he wasn’t there.” Vapor Trail opened her mouth and closed it again, glancing at the package nervously. “He… uh… well…” Midnight grabbed her and started shaking her. “Come on! Spit it out! What, did he get kidnapped by the Mafia or something?” Angel Wings narrowed her eyes when Vapor Trail didn’t respond. “Wait… did he actually? I was kidding, you know that right?” Vapor freed herself from her friend’s grip and went over to the bed. “Look, they told me they’d let him go if I deliver this package, okay?” Angel Wings growled. “Vapor, you know that they aren’t going to do that.” A grim look fell over her face. “We should go teach them a lesson…” “Shouldn’t we like… go to the police or something?” asked Midnight. “I mean… this feels pretty serious.” Angel Wings laughed and shook her head. “It really isn’t, Midnight. The Las Pegasus Mafia is a joke. Trust me, they don’t know anything about crime.” Vapor and Midnight gaped at her, before Vapor shook it off. “Look, I’m just going to deliver this package and be done with it, okay? Grubber wants me to bring it to the Lucky Stallion Casino.” “Grubber?” Angel frowned. “I should have known that sleazebag was behind this.” “Angel, I’m seeing a side of you that kinda scares me,” Midnight muttered as she scooted closer to Vapor. Angel Wings ignored Midnight and went over to the package and poked at it. “Still, it’s better if you don’t get involved with them. What if they try to scapegoat you?” Vapor hung her head, sitting on the bed. “I just… I just don’t know what to do,” she whispered. Midnight patted her on the back. “Hey, it’s fine! We’ll get him out, right?” Angel Wings nodded reassuringly. “But we’re going to need a plan. These guys might be idiots, but they can be dangerous if we’re not careful. Now, where did you meet Grubber?” “Hotel Indigo,” Vapor answered. “But he’s got a lot of security. We’re just three mares! What are we going to do against him?” Angel Wings smiled menacingly. “I know just the pony we need to call…” Meanwhile at Hotel Indigo… --- “Where’s the money, Stinger?” Sky Stinger growled, struggling against the rope that tied him to the chair. “You’ll never find it! You know who I am? I’m a Wonderbolt! That means you’ve got the military after you--” He was cut off by a slap to the face. “Where’s the money?” “Screw you!” The air was accented with another slap. Grubber frowned as we watched through the window. “I thought you weren’t going to use violence, boss,” he said. “I said I’d avoid it if possible.” The masked pony stood still next to Grubber, staring with disdain at Sky Stinger. “They took everything from me. Not just him and his friend, but the Wonderbolts as a whole.” Grubber shrugged and picked up a piece of pie, taking a hefty bite. “You’re the boss, boss.” The masked pony nodded, narrowing their eyes. Oh, yes. It was all coming together. Chapter Two (TheLegendaryBillCipher)Midnight Strike and Vapor Trail followed Angel Wings onto an elevator and up to the third floor of the Stratocumulus Hotel. The pair shared a worried glance at their teammate’s determined smirk. When the elevator doors opened, Angel crept down the hallway, Vapor and Midnight mimicking her until they ducked behind a potted plant in the hallway. Angel motioned for them to be quiet. They watched a burly-looking unicorn stallion wearing a security vest and sunglasses—even at that time of night—talking with someone in their hotel room. Whoever it was stayed inside, out of sight, and kept the conversation quiet. The security guard nodded at the end of the conversation, then turned and headed their way once whoever he was talking to had shut the door. Vapor nearly let out a startled squeak as Angel shoved her and Midnight as tightly behind the plant as she could. They held their breaths as he walked past, seemingly not noticing them. “Good, the security’s got the night off. We’re in luck,” Angel whispered. “Security for who?” Midnight asked. “You’ll see. Come on.” They left their hiding spot and hurried over to the door. Angel nodded to her friends before knocking firmly. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” Vapor hissed. “Relax, just let me do the talking,” Angel replied. The door cracked open, and a pair of magenta eyes peered out. “Yes? Can I help you?” “Evening ma’am,” Angel said, puffing out her chest. “My name is Angel Wings, and these are my teammates Midnight Strike and Vapor Trail. We’re here on official Wonderbolts business.” The figure behind the door huffed a sigh and opened the door the rest of the way, revealing themselves to be A.K. Yearling, dressed in pajamas. “Come on in,” she said. “Just for once I wish it was a fan coming for an autograph.” Angel grinned at her friends and flittered, followed by Vapor and Midnight. Yearling shut the door behind them and led them over to the couch. Each promptly took a seat as Yearling plopped down in a chair. “So, what is this ‘official Wonderbolts business?’” she asked, reaching for a cup of tea and taking a sip. “I’m guessing it’s something you ponies want off the books.” “If at all possible,” Vapor said with a sheepish smile. Angel cleared her throat and shook her head at Vapor, then turned to Yearling. “Way off the books,” she clarified. “Fine, fine. What is it?” Yearling waved a dismissive hoof her way. “Our friend and teammate Sky Stinger was ponynapped by the Las Pegasus Mafia,” Angel explained. “They sent a package to be delivered by Vapor Trail here, but we’re hoping you can help us rescue Sky without doing their dirty work.” Yearling raised an eyebrow. “The Las Pegasus Mafia ponynapped a Wonderbolt?” she asked. She frowned with concern and set down her tea, rubbing her chin. “Yes, and we need to get him back before he gets hurt, please,” Vapor pleaded. “I smell an Ahuizotl-sized rat,” Yearling said plainly. “I’ve been keeping tabs on the Mafia since I came here on vacation, and this sounds like something outside of their normal M.O.” “Since when do you keep tabs on the Mafia?” Midnight asked. “I’m an author and adventurer. Aside from the money I make, I’ve made enough enemies in my line of work to invest in protection wards,” Yearling said. “The Mafia isn’t that elaborate. They might run a racket in one or two casinos a night and break knees for payments, but ponynapping? A high level figure like a Wonderbolt? That’s too risky.” “So… what are you saying?” Angel asked. “I’m saying if the Mafia’s behind this, there’s a bigger fish ordering them around.” She hopped out of the chair. “There’s an ulterior motive.” “So, you’ll help us?” Vapor asked hopefully, watching her walk over to her suitcase. “No.” Yearling popped it open, stowed away her glasses, and produced a pith helmet marked with arrow holes. “But Daring Do will.” She smirked at the trio as she donned it. “Thank you!” Vapor squealed, flying over and hugging Yearling tightly. “You’re welcome,” Yearling grunted with a chuckle as the others walked over. Vapor released her, smiling sheepishly. “So, what are we dealing with here?” “Their operation’s at the Hotel Indigo, heavy security from what Vapor told us,” Angel explained. Yearling turned to Vapor. “What about this package they wanted you to deliver?” “It’s supposed to go to the Lucky Stallion Casino. Grubber told me they’d let Sky go if I delivered it,” Vapor said. “Well, if they want a package, we’ll give them one.” Yearling smirked. “But first… I’m going to need a wardrobe change.” ****** “Any word from the Lucky Stallion Casino?” the masked pony asked Grubber as he entered the room. Grubber shook his head. “None boss. You think the Bolt’s a no-show?” “She’ll show. If she wants her precious teammate in one piece that is.” The masked pony smirked towards the bruised Sky Stinger, tied to a chair. “And when she does, we’ll be ready for her.” Chapter Three (SilentWhisper)The masked pony’s smile grew as he watched Sky Stinger struggle against his bonds. “Don’t worry,” the mysterious pony purred, watching the Wonderbolt groan and fight against the ropes holding him down. “You’ll be useful to them again, one way or the other.” His laughter rang throughout the room as Sky Stinger tugged harder at the ropes, but to no avail. “Yeah,” chimed in Grubber, making the pegasus shy away as much as his restraints would allow. “Let’s hope they deliver, or we’re gonna deliver you! In lots of little colt-sized Bolt bits! Right, boss?” He looked back at the masked pony, who nodded solemnly. “You know,” the masked pony said, giving a casual nod to Grubber that sent chills down Sky Stinger’s spine. “Maybe we should send a little reminder her way, so she doesn’t get cold hooves about the delivery. A few pictures, perhaps, of what would happen to her dear friend, should she fail to deliver on time.” Grubber grinned as he reached for the clippers. “Don’t worry,” he chortled, “If they show up, we’ll let you go. And if they don’t…” “We’ll see how far you can fly off the roof.” The boss turned around to grab the camera, ignoring the Wonderbolt’s gagged protests. “We’re ponies of honor, you see. We’ll let you go free, after all is said and done. We promise.” His grin stretched wider as he wheeled back towards the whimpering Sky Stinger. “No wings attached.” ****** “What’s the plan?” asked Angel Wings, trotting close behind Daring Do as they left the building. “We can’t just feed Vapor Trail to the wolves. Or, worse than wolves, really. The Las Pegasus Mafia isn’t fluffy, or sweet, or-” “Focus, Angel Wings,” snapped Midnight Strike, checking the perimeter. “Hotel Indigo isn’t going to be easy to break into. We need a plan if we’re gonna get our teammate back. One that doesn’t involve delivering that damn package to Lucky Stallion Casino.” “We’ll need more than a plan,” Daring Do said, hailing a taxi with the sort of casual discretion that only a celebrity can muster. “We’ll need backup, if we’re going to figure out who’s really behind this. It could be Ahuizotl… or worse.” Vapor Trail hesitantly raised a wing, then quickly lowered it before the swerving taxi could tear out any feathers. “What could be worse than Ahuizotl? Or having a teammate kidnapped?” Daring Do opened the rear taxi door, revealing plush seats and a nerve-wracking lack of seatbelts. She motioned them inside with a grimace. “Trust me, if we’re going to get Sky Stinger back, we’re going to meet worse creatures than Ahuizotl.” Vapor Trail gulped. “To fight them?” Daring Do shook her head, claiming the passenger seat and bracing herself against the dashboard. “Nope. To ask them for help. We’re going to need all the resources we can get, and we don’t have that much time left to get this done.” Vapor Trail whimpered, shrinking in the back seat next to Midnight Strike. “I was afraid of that.” Midnight gave her a reassuring pat as Daring Do slid the taxi driver a slip of paper. “Here,” she murmured, surveying the car as though searching for secret exits. “And hurry. Lives are at stake.” “That’s what they all say, ma’am,” grumbled the driver, pressing on the gas as his engine revved to life. ****** The sun crept lower in the sky as Daring Do led the three pegasi up the dilapidated apartment steps, waiting patiently as they stumbled over the uneven concrete. “This resource you mentioned,” muttered Midnight Strike as he rubbed a hoof that was sure to bruise come the next morning. “Couldn’t they have picked a less, I don’t know, shady place to live? Some place that doesn’t make me feel like I’ll get wing mites just by thinking about it for too long?” Vapor Trail shuddered behind him, tucking her wings closer to her sides. “It’s important for my contact to keep a low profile,” retorted Daring Do smoothly, not missing a step as she swiveled to do a 180. “She’s usually working in Canterlot, but she prefers living in areas that won’t draw too much attention to herself. Upper-crust ponies would notice somepony coming and going at odd hours, but here you’d be lucky to have someone sober enough to remember they have a neighbor at all.” “If they’re the best you’ve got, we’ll take it.” Angel Wings nodded, unsure if she was trying to convince herself or her friends. “We appreciate you and your source helping us out.” Daring Do chuckled, stopping them on the third-floor landing. “Oh, she hasn’t agreed yet. But she will, don’t worry. She’s the best source of information we’ve got, and she’ll never turn down a chance to help her friends.” “I’ll never turn down what?” grumbled a voice from inside a cracked door. “Careful, A.K. There’s a first time for everything, even with you.” Daring Do straightened her pith helmet before pushing the door open. “Yeah, well there’s no time to argue. Not right now. A Wonderbolt’s been taken hostage by the Mafia and you’ve got the most intel about obscure villains and information-gathering methods I know. So spill it, Moondancer. Are you with us or not?” The figure at the desk, barely visible in the dim light of the apartment, squinted at the ponies in the doorway. She flipped back the hood of her jacket, scowling. “I don’t know why you always insist on dragging me into your strange problems, A.K. Don’t you have books to write?” The author smirked before she flicked on a light switch, making everypony wince at the sudden brightness. It illuminated Moondancer’s current living space, though living was probably not the best way to describe it. It looked more like the death throes of a pathological hoarder. Slumped in the end of the hovel, amidst fallen stacks of paper and heaps of books, dog-eared and musty, sat Moondancer. She glared with all her might at the lightbulbs, as though she wished it would burn out and leave her in peace. Angel Wings was the first to move, determinedly sticking out her hoof for Moondancer. “Nice to meet you, Miss,” she said, trying not to breathe through her nose. “I’m Angel Wings, my friend has been kidnapped, and we need your information to figure out who’s really behind all this. I’m sorry we caught you on a-” she hesitated, searching for the right words. “A, uh, a bad time, but we’ve been told to deliver a package or our friend is gonna die. Please,” she added. “Will you help us?” Moondancer blinked owlishly up at her before straightening her glasses and holding up a surprisingly clean hoof, meeting Angel Wing’s. Her lips curled up into a weary smile. “When you say it like that… sure. Fine. Just tell me what you need to know, and what you’ll need to get them back.” Chapter Four (Zontan)“Well then,” Moondancer said slowly, leaning back in her chair. “That does sound like you’re in a lot of trouble.” Daring Do rolled her eyes. “No kidding,” she snapped. “Can you help us or not?” Moondancer scowled. “Fine, then. Yeah, I can help you. You want to know who took your friend, well, there’s only two ponies in this city with enough power to think they can kidnap a Wonderbolt and get away with it.” She rummaged through her desk, and pulled out an image - a blurry picture of a light blue pony with a purple mane, too obscured by shadows to make out clear features or a cutie mark. “First one’s Abacus Cinch. She’s a mean piece of work. Brilliant and ruthless. She’s involved in everything from money laundering to tax evasion to corporate espionage. She wouldn’t have done the kidnapping herself, but a cryptic ransom demand? That sounds like something she’d do. Any crime with enough money behind it, she’s probably involved.” Angel Wings picked up the picture. “Where can we find her, then?” “I’m getting to that,” Moondancer grumbled. “Besides, do you really think you can just walk right up to her and ask her where your friend is?” Sheepishly, Angel Wings put the picture down and took a step back. Moondancer pulled out another picture. This one wasn’t a photo, just a sketch of a pony wearing an elaborate masquerade mask. “I don’t even know much about this one. He goes by ‘The Smiling Mask’ but he’s definitely not friendly. He’s got a whole posse of fanatics that keep smart ponies in their homes on nights like this. Kidnapping is right up his alley, but most of his victims don’t come home in one piece. He’s a thug, but he’s ambitious and charismatic, and his followers love him. You don’t want to cross him unless you’re really sure you’ve got him outnumbered.” Daring tapped her hoof. “So how does this help us?” “I was getting to that,” Moondancer replied, unrattled by the adventurer’s impatience. “Your mysterious kidnapper wants you to deliver a package to the Lucky Stallion Casino, right?” Daring nodded. “Well, I happen to know that the Lucky Stallion is a front. If you know the right hoofshakes and passcodes, there’s a whole secret cavern hollowed out of the cloud it’s built into. Both of these two have a presence there. If you want to learn who’s behind this, that’s the place to look.” She shrugged. “I can tell you the codes you’ll need to sneak in, but the rest is up to you.” She looked to Daring, and then gestured to Angel Wings, Vapor Trail, and Midnight Strike. “It’s gonna have to be one of them that does it, though. You’d be recognized in a heartbeat.” Daring hmphed. “And what do you suggest I do, then, if you’re so smart?” Moondancer smiled. “Deliver the package. You’ll be right where they expect you to be, and they’ll never suspect you’re infiltrating their own hideout. Maybe they’ll even return Sky Stinger to you, though that’s a bit of a longshot. But it’ll keep them off their guard.” Daring rolled her eyes. “Sure, right up until they learn we don’t actually have what they asked for, and kill us all.” “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time everyone around you is trying to kill you,” Moondancer quipped. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” ****** “This sucks,” Daring grumbled. “I can’t believe I’m the freaking decoy.” Vapor Trail exchanged a glance with the other Wonderbolts. “Well, we don’t have to do what she suggested,” she suggested delicately. “We could find some other way…” Daring shook her head. “No, she’s right,” she huffed. “It’s the best plan we have. I’m just mad that she’s right.” “Well, you did say she was the best,” Midnight Strike added. “It was your idea to talk to her, so it’s kinda like it’s your plan too, right?” Daring chuckled. “Sure, if you want to call it that.” She straightened her shoulders, and took a slow breath, centering herself. “Alright. C’mon then. We’ve got a lot to prep before tomorrow.” ****** “That should do nicely,” the masked pony sounded almost gleeful as he held up the bag of wing clippings, before looking down at Sky, who was still bound to the table, tears slipping down his cheeks. “Take him away,” he said imperiously to Grubber, before turning to leave the room. “I need to go remind Daring just what is at stake here.” Sky barely reacted as he was dragged from the table, numbly shuffling as best he could with his limbs chained together. The laughter of the masked pony echoed off the walls, and even after he was no longer in sight Sky could still hear it in his head, mocking him. He barely noticed as he was shoved into a cell and the door slammed behind him. Instead he collapsed onto the dirty straw bed, and looked up through the tiny window, through which only gray light filtered in. “Please show up,” he whispered softly. “Please. Don’t leave me down here.” Soon, he had dropped into a fitful, nightmare-plagued sleep. Chapter Five (TheDriderPony)The Lucky Stallion had seen better days. Though Daring Do didn’t consider herself anything of an aficionado when it came to casinos, she certainly knew what ruins looked like. The cloud walls were old and fraying, splitting off into countless tiny threads of cloudstuff at the edges. What paint still remained was faded and flaking, and several of the lighted letters in its sign had died, reducing the establishment to “The Luc y Sta l on”. Still, business was apparently good. Young ponies lined up around the block to try their luck and fake IDs against the pair of sentinel-like bouncers who guarded the door, and the noise from inside sounded like a full house already. She wondered just how many of them knew what kind of shady businesses operated out of the backrooms and secret caverns. How close they partied to Equestria’s hub for gang meet-ups, black marketeers, and two-bit wannabe-villains. Was Sky Stinger there, even now? Silenced, restrained, terrified? Could he hear the sound of dozens of ponies laughing and drinking only a room or two away, ignorant of the plight of a purloined Wonderbolt? No. No way they’d keep him on grounds. Even if this was their true hideout and not just a semi-truced dropoff location, holding a captive so close to so many other criminal elements was amateurishly risky. Names ran through her head as another clearly underaged mare was turned away from the door. Abacus Cinch. The Smiling Mask. A white-collar kingpin and an enigmatic cult leader. Which one of them was behind it? Neither was above kidnapping, if Moondancer’s information was to be believed, but Sky’s fate and the fate of his rescue hung delicately on the hoof of whoever held him. Cinch was a businessmare, and often a middlemare at that. She’d take the ransom (either for herself or for her employer) and that’d be the end of it. But The Smiling Mask, he was a wildcard. Taking care of him and keeping Sky in one piece was a challenge she wondered if her rag-tag group of operatives could manage. Daring Do shook herself out of her depressive thoughts before they could start to spiral. The mission. She just needed to focus on that and deal with things as they came. She tapped the communicator in her ear, careful to disguise the motion as a mere brush of her mane. “This is Decoy One, doing a final check. Is everypony in position?” “Infiltrator One, ready,” came Angel Wing’s reply, her subvocalization almost drowned out by the chattering of the mares in line with her. “I’m ready with the package,” Vapor Trail confirmed. Her normally quavering voice was firm and focused. “So long as nopony tries to check its weight, we should be set.” “Overwatch, I’m- hold on.” Daring Do didn’t know exactly where Midnight Strike was, but that was also part of the plan. Better to let the batpony adjust to the situation as needed with her unique skillset. A noise like skittering claws came down the line for a moment, followed by a slight grunt. “Small issue, but I took care of it. I’m ready.” “Everypony memorized the passphrases?” her question returned a small chorus of affirmatives. “Good.” Daring swallowed a lump of nerves. This wasn’t like one of her normal adventures. She wasn’t risking meeting a villain out in some desolate jungle, she was headed right into their den. Today, the consequences of failure would be quick and irrecoverable. A weighty thought, and that on top of the fact that her role was so far outside her comfort zone. But it was what the mission required. It was her only chance to save Sky Stinger. “Alright.” She straightened her skirt and adjusted her wig. “Let’s start the operation.” ****** Deep in his cell, Sky awoke from a restless sleep to a bucket of cold water being hashed across his coat. He jumped up with a start, but his heavy bindings were quick to remind him of their presence. From outside the bars, a toothy maw grinned. “Up and attem’, flyboy!” Grubber’s cheerful tone was like cheap artificial sugar; sickly sweet and cloying and unabashedly disingenuous. “We’re moving and Boss says he wants you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for tonight.” “T-Tonight?” Sky rasped. His tongue probed at the brackish water dripping down his mane. It was like sweet nectar. “That’s right, tonight!” Somehow, his tone managed to sink to a new level of saturated saccharinity, the kind of voice reserved for particularly slow children. “Tonight’s when it all comes together. When we’re gonna find out if your girlfriend is dumb enough to put her money where her mouth is, or stupid enough to try and pull a fast one. Either way,” he paused to loose a harsh and barking laugh, “It don’t look good for you!” Chapter Six (_Moonshot)Chapter Six (_Moonshot) “Excuse me!” Daring Do pressed a firm hoof against one of the bouncer’s withers. “Do you think you could let me inside?” Slowly, the bouncer turned his head downward. With a stone-faced glare, he sized up her khaki fur, cherry red mane, and garish skirt. “Miss, you’ll have to wait at the back of the line.” Daring protruded her lower lip like a needy child. “But I’m Daring Do, can’t you see? You’ve gotta let me in! I should have, like, VIP access or something!” She hid a smile as the bouncer rolled his eyes. “Miss,” he droned. “Not with that mane you ain’t. You look barely of age, even. The Lucky Stallion ain’t for mares your—” Daring leaned forward and shifted her weight onto the bouncer, catching him off guard. “Okayyy,” she whined. “You got me. But my brother is in there, and I need to send him a message.” She fluffed her wig. “Can I go inside, just for a moment, pretty please?” She felt herself being lifted and placed on the ground a foot back. “Hooves off,” the other bouncer growled. “We have a line to attend to. Now—” “Just one quick, second, pleeease?” Daring pounced forward again, straining toward the open door as the bouncers held her back. As they struggled, she shouted, “I just need to tell him about the dolphins.” That was Angel Wing’s keyword to go. She slipped past the distracted guards as Daring flashed her a smile. “Nice work, Decoy One,” she whispered over the communicator, and disappeared inside. “But actually calling yourself ‘Daring Do?’ If they believed you, we’d be toast!” Daring ignored her. “Fine,” she pouted, and let herself get pushed away by the bouncers. Sprinting around a corner and removing her disguise, she tapped her com twice. “That’s step one. How’s it looking inside, Infiltrator One?” Angel Wing coughed, waving away the smoke. “About half a step above a crackhouse.” Energetic music thumped in the background, drunken partygoers swaying to the rhythm. “Nothing immediately out of the ordinary, though.” “Okay. Overwatch, visuals.” There was the sound of muffled static. “I don’t… wait a minute. I see Sky Stinger. And… what in Celestia. Grubber?” “What.” Daring’s stomach twisted. “Tempest’s former lackey? I thought Cinch was the middlemare.” Her brows furrowed. “Wait. Overwatch, Sky isn’t restrained at all? No chains, no magic?” “None whatsoever,” replied Midnight Strike. “Could be a trap. Keep your eyes peeled, Angel.” Daring scratched her face. “Never mind that for now. Overwatch, keep track of them. Infiltrator One, proceed as normal.” “Yes ma’am.” Angel Wing scanned the establishment. Pushing her way past woozy couples, she swiped a lit candle off a table. She carefully cupped its glass jar in her wing and made her way back to the front. She took a deep breath and stumbled outside in a mock drunken stupor. “Excuuuse meee, sirsh,” she singsonged to the bouncers. “I’m j-j-just… stepping out for a breath of fresh air. I’ll beback inaminute!” “Candle stays indoors,” a bouncer said. Angel blew a raspberry. “B-b-but it’s sooo dark. Can’t a mare get some s-safety?” The bouncer sharply exhaled and turned back toward the crowded line. Angel briskly walked over to Vapor Trail’s hiding spot. “Package, quick.” Vapor nodded, silently withdrawing a seemingly identical candle from her bag and swapping it with Angel’s. “Stay safe, okay?” “Our friend’s been foalnapped. I’ll stay as safe as I can under those circumstances.” Nevertheless, Angel nodded and gave Vapor a reassuring smile before turning back toward the Lucky Stallion. As Angel drew near, she resumed her tipsy walk. “Hi boys,” she slurred. “Just gonna—” “Hold it.” “Excush meee?” She stared at the bouncers indignantly. One gestured toward the candle. “Let me see that.” Shit, shit, shit. Angel eyed the entrance, then the candle. “This ol’ thing? Just a flame in a glass prism.” From their outposts, both Daring Do and Vapor Trail held their breaths. That was the keyword for potential danger. “C’mon,” whispered Vapor. “Please...” Angel could only watch helplessly as the bouncer’s hoof drew closer and closer to the candle, as if in slow motion. “Hey! You’re not welcome here; we banned you last week!” Both the bouncer and Angel snapped their heads toward the sound. A scarred stallion, adorned with gold chains and gruesome tattoos, was grappling with the other bouncer. The first bouncer shot Angel a look. “Whatever. You can go.” He sprinted over to his compeer. As Angel strode back into the bar, she heard sighs of relief over the com. “Decoy One, continue as planned?” “Hold on a sec. Overwatch, update?” More static. “Look to your left, Infiltrator One.” Angel did, and caught a cerulean and sea green blur disappear around the corner. “Sky!” “And Grubber right beside him,” Midnight added. “You’re right,” said Angel. “Could be a trap, but I’m going anyway.” She frowned. “I’m this close. Not letting this chance get away, but I’ll be careful.” Slowly, she began heading left. As she got to the corner, she peeked around. The area in front of her was poorly lit, and the air smelled much cleaner. There were also far fewer ponies, although the ones that milled around wore hardened scowls. If Moondancer’s information was correct, this was where the gangs, black marketeers, and two-bits did their business. And there in the middle was Sky Stinger and Grubber. Both were looking away. Angel’s breath caught in her lungs. “A-am I missing something?” Midnight’s voice came crackling over the com. “Hold on. Daring, I’m sending you magic scans of the area to analyze. Anypony with a familiar residue? Any traps?” Angel waited what seemed like forever. “Literally nothing,” Daring eventually piped up. “There’s no way that’s right.” “Maybe he’s being transported?” Vapor suggested. “I don’t know why Grubber is here, but I don’t think he’s exactly the most competent.” “So there we have it,” said Midnight. “We found the weak link in the chain. Let’s grab Sky and get out of here. I’m sure Vapor wants her best friend back.” “Got it!” In a matter of seconds, Angel crossed the room, and reached for Sky Stinger. “Wait no!” cried Daring. “Something’s wrong!” It was too late. As Angel tapped Sky’s shoulder, he whipped his head around, his face contorting in shock. “A-Angel? N-no, get out of here, it’s a trap—” Whoomph. Angel turned her head to the left at the sound of somepony landing on the floor. Her face met with a very familiar black hoof. Shaking the pain away, she stared at her friend in disbelief. “Midnight Strike?” “Sorry,” the batpony growled. “Business is business.” Then she wound her hoof again and socked Angel in the jaw. Angel growled in rage. “Why, you—” Leaping into the air, she collapsed on Midnight, ignoring the ponies scrambling around them. She threw a punch of her own, which Midnight blocked. With a powerful buck, Midnight kicked her away, but she bounced back, slamming a hoof into Midnight’s gut. As Midnight cut an arc with her wings, reflexes kicked in, and Angel leaned backward. She threw another punch, which was met by Midnight’s own. As they fought, for every hit that Angel connected, she would receive two. Wheezing wildly, she abandoned all pretense, screaming into the com. “Shit, I can’t win! I’m getting out of here!” “The package!” Daring shouted. “Screw the package!” Angel gave the dropped candle one last glance before turning tail and sprinting for the exit. If there was one thing she had Midnight beat in, it was speed. She briefly turned her head with tears in her eyes. Midnight hadn’t bothered chasing after her. “I’ll come back for you, Sky!” she called. “I promise.” Sky Stinger, eyes wide, could only nod before Angel disappeared around the corner and out of view. As he entered a winding, dark alleyway, bound in chains again, Sky Stinger shot Midnight Strike a withering glare. Midnight avoided it, instead looking straight ahead at Grubber, who was singing a jaunty tune to himself. Finally, they reached the end. Midnight slowly bent down and bowed to the shadows. “We’ve arrived, sir.” A pony stepped out, and Sky swore the air grew chillier. The Smiling Mask. The kingpin and cult leader that he’d been warned about. The look on his face could be described as nothing less than smug satisfaction. “Well done, my friends,” he slowly crooned, his voice dripping like the guts of crushed insects. “I’d like a status update, hm?” “We did all you asked, boss,” proclaimed Grubber, sticking out his chest. “The plan worked perfect, just like you said.” “Mmm.” The Smiling Mask peered cloyingly at the cast before him. “I don’t see any… new prisoners among our midsts, though.” “T-that’s true,” said Midnight, “but I accomplished two more things. First, I marked Ang—one of them with magic to broadcast their location to us at all times. Second, I took this from them. I’m not sure what it is, but I believe it is of great value, somehow.” She withdrew the candle and screwed open the false top. Inside was a gleaming ruby, radiating light even in the dead of night. She quickly handed it to the Smiling Mask. He stroked it slowly, letting out a laugh as thick as honey. “Well done. With this, we shall accelerate to victory in no time.” Daring Do, Angel Wing, and Vapor Trail sat around a crackling campfire. An unforgiving wind blustered, sending them into bouts of shivering. In the distance, crickets chirped against the deafening silence. “I… I can’t believe it,” Vapor Trail said after a while. “We were so close, and yet…” She burst into tears, falling into Angel’s hug. “Midnight,” muttered Daring. “Midnight, Midnight, Midnight…” She cleared her throat, causing Angel and Vapor to look up. “I—we lost a dear friend today. And… and I’m hurt, too.” She quieted as an owl hooted nearby. “But Sky Stinger is still out there, and I’m not giving up until he’s safe. Our—our mission remains the same.” “You’re right,” said Angel. “There’s still hope.” Vapor sniffed. Wiping her tears away, she asked, “Did Midnight ever know what the package really was?” “No,” replied Daring. “And that’s where there’s still hope. Angel, that was some quick thinking. You got Midnight to think that it meant something to us.” She took a deep breath. “It’s a tracking device. We’ll be able to find them much faster, now.” She gazed into the fire as Angel and Vapor looked on in rapt focus. “Today, we came closer to Sky than ever. Let’s remember that feeling, girls. And let’s get that job done.” Chapter Seven (Lofty Withers)“What do you mean you’re leaving?!” Vapor Trail rolled over, covering her ear with a leg. Too early to leave. Can’t help Sky Stinger if we’re falling asleep. “You can’t just abandon us!” Midnight Strike didn’t abandon us. He betrayed us. “We need you, Daring Do!” Daring? That’s not—Vapor Trail bolted upright. “Angel Wings! No! What are you doing?” Angel turned, one hoof still raised to strike while the other held Daring by the shirt. “She’s betraying us, just like Midnight Strike did. I heard her talking on the radio when I awoke. Then she started packing her things.” Vapor glanced at Daring and saw the resignation on her face. “Why?” Angel yanked Daring around, tossing her to the ground between them and pointing a hoof. “They said something about teaching us a lesson. I couldn’t make it out.” Vapor stood and walked to Daring. Looking down, she asked, “Is this true?” “I’m sorry,” said Daring. “I can’t help you any more.” She turned to glare at Angel. “I work alone.” “Does that mean you’re going to rescue Sky Stinger without us?” “It means we’re done.” Standing slowly, she walked to Angel, turning her face to provide a clean shot. “Go ahead. Take a shot. It won’t change anything.” Angel vibrated with fury. The moment passed, and she turned away. Then swung back around. Vapor was quicker, launching herself at Angel, knocking her down and pinning her to the ground. “Angel, no!” “You’re just going to let her fly off?” “She doesn’t matter. Sky matters. He still needs us.” Vapor held her gaze on Angel until Angel looked away, the tension draining from her body. “Whatever.” Daring offered them each a hoof up, but Vapor brushed it away. “I’m sorry, but it’s time for me to go. Good luck.” Turning away, Daring grabbed her things, then looked back one last time. “Remember your training.” Vapor watched until she was nothing but a speck in the sky, fighting to hold back the tears. “Come on,” said Angel. “Let’s get the tracker and find where they’ve taken Sky.” Vapor nodded, not willing to trust her voice. She grabbed the lodestone by the band that held it, slipping around her neck. Her sleeping mat and blanket were quickly rolled, folded, and packed back into the hidden cache. Wolfing down two granola bars, she pulled out a picture of her first day at the academy with Sky Stinger. I’m coming for you, she promised. Less than ten minutes after waking, Vapor stood beside Angel, ready to depart as the desert sun slowly lifted above the horizon. She glanced one more time in the direction Daring had flown. “Hey. We don’t need her. We’re Wonderbolts.” Not yet, she didn’t say, instead lifting the lodestone pendant so it dangled freely. Ever so slightly, it pointed back towards Las Pegasus. Leaping, they lifted into the air, catching the growing thermals to soar as they drifted into the city. Drawn by the lodestone, they surveyed the city in ever tighter circles. Vapor finally pointed towards a warehouse in the industrial district. They banked away, travelling back out to the edge of the city before turning around, shedding height and gaining velocity as they barreled back towards the warehouse, just above the tops of the offices and warehouses. As they cleared the near side of the building before their target, they flared their wings, slamming to a stop and dropping to the roof. Trotting to the far side, they crouched behind the lip of the building. Angel took out a pair of miniature binoculars, peering through them and into the row of windows along the side of the warehouse. “I see two of the hedgehogs. No sign of Sky. Or Midnight.” “I see them. Look. There’s Grubber. I think he’s got the tracker.” Angel swung her binoculars around. “Confirmed. That glow makes it stand out like a storm cloud in a clear sky. What do we do now?” Vapor bit her lip, thinking. “If we go in without knowing where Sky is, they might move him before we find him. Let’s surveil the place for a while. Maybe they’ll move him while we watch.” The hours ticked by. As they watched, they traded the binoculars periodically, until the sun beat down from the noon sky and Vapor could tell which hedgehog would win the current hand of rummy just from their tells. Angel shifted to face vapor. “This is going nowhere. Maybe we should get the Wonderbolts.” “I can’t risk that.” “We can’t risk not doing that. We’ve been betrayed, abandoned, and hit an impasse.” “Grubber is moving.” Angel shifted back. “Let me see.” She reached over, taking the binoculars. Stepping outside the warehouse, Grubber waited, checking his watch, until a pegasus swooped down, carrying several brown paper bags, exchanging them for cash. “What do you think is in the bags?” asked Vapor. “Lunch. That pegasus has a name tag from Quislings.” “The sub joint? Maybe they’ll feed Sky and we can see where they’re keeping him”. As the delivery pony took off, Grubber turned right towards them. “Flank,” said Angel as they dropped below the lip. “Did he make us?” “Hey, girls,” called Grubber. “Care to join us for some lunch? It’s on me.” “He made us.” “What do we do?” Vapor lifted her eyes above the lip. Grubber stared right up at her. He smiled, lifting the bags. “Guaranteed fresh, or your money back!” Vapor ducked back down, sharing a look with Angel. “Still have those smoke bombs?” Angel touched a pocket on her jumpsuit and nodded. “That’s our escape plan. Let’s go see what he has to say.” Standing, Vapor pushed off the edge of the building, dropping to the ground with just enough forward momentum that she landed across the street, right in front of Grubber, with Angel landing just behind her. “Thank you for the invitation. We’d be delighted to lunch with you, wouldn’t we, Angel.” “Oh. Yeah. Definitely.” Grubber smiled. “Well come on in, then. Mind getting the door?” He led them through the warehouse to the table where they’d been playing cards. “Guys? Make room for the ladies?” The giant hedgehogs glanced at the Wonderbolt Trainees, at each other. One stood and moved around the rectangular table to sit beside the other. Leaning closer to Vapor, Grubber whispered, “You’ll have to pardon them. They’re real friendly, but also real shy.” He swept his hands towards the table. “Have a seat.” Angel took her seat, but Vapor lingered to ask, “Where’s Sky?” “Please. Lunch before business. I insist. In fact, it’s even in my contract.” He pulled out wrapped sandwiches, glanced at the markings, and distributed them around the table. Vapor unwrapped then stared at hers. “How did you know I liked burnt avocado?” She glanced at Angel’s. “Or Angel and banana peppers?” Grubber held out a finger in pause as he chewed and swallowed. “It’s my job to know. And I’m good at my job. Ya know?” Again with that smile. Vapor wanted to wipe it off his face. “So what’s it like? Being a ‘bolt?” “Oh, we’re not bolts. Just candidates,” said Angel, earning a glare from Vapor. Dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand, Grubber rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. Apart from the minor formality of some ceremonies, you two are basically ‘bolts.” Melancholy overtook Vapor. “Not after this week.” “Come on. You girls did great. If I know show business—and I do—it makes me a lot of money—you’ll have Wonderbolt pins on those jumpsuits in no time. Unless… unless you wanted to work for me?” Angel nearly choked on her sandwich. “The Wonderbolts aren’t just show business, Grubber,” said Vapor, slamming a hoof on the table. “We protect Equestria. From enemies foreign and domestic.” Lifting his hands, he leaned away. “Hey, peace. Look at me. I’m a terrible host. I just said lunch before business, and here I am ruining it. I’m sorry.” “Apology accepted,” said Angel, still chewing. She swallowed. “You have anything to drink around here?” Aghast, Grubber slapped his head. “Oh my Storm King. Where are my manners? Of course. Crumpet, would you get these ladies something to drink.” The stoic hedgehog stood, easily twice their height. He waited. Grubber leaned in. “What’ll it be? Water? Juice? Hard cider?” “Water.” “Cider.” Vapor turned to glare at Angel, who rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll take a water too.” “Crumpet?” asked Angel of Grubber as Crumpet walked off. Grubber waved it off. “It’s just a nickname. So. Being in the Wonderbolts? What’s it like?” “Grueling,” said Angel between bites. “We train like, twenty-five hours a day.” “Twenty-five, you say?” Angel bobbed her head. “I swear they manage to squeeze in an extra hour for training every day.” Vapor stared, blinking. “You really feel that way?” “Well yeah,” said Angel, still chewing. “But it’s all worth it to be near friends like you and Sky.” “And Midnight,” whispered Vapor. Silence befell the warehouse. Crumpet returned, setting out the drinks and retaking his seat. “I’m not hungry,” said Angel, setting down and pushing away her half-eaten sandwich. Crumpet looked around in confusion. “No, Crumpet,” said Grubber. “It’s nothing you did. I’m the one who convinced Midnight to betray his friends. You can blame me.” “Speaking of,” said Vapor, glancing at the door to the small office in the corner of the warehouse, “where is he? “He’s in a safe place. Along with Sky. My boss has plans for him.” “Your boss?” “Smiling Mask. She and the boys went on a trip.” “Where?” “Not yet,” said Grubber, pointing to Vapor’s uneaten Sandwich. Not looking, she scooped it up, raising it and taking a bite while she continued to glare at Grubber, chewing angrily. Swallowing, the intensity of her glare deepened. “Alright, sheesh. I’ll get down to it.” He reached down and pulled up two bags, dropping them on the table with the clink of coins as they spilled out. “Two hundred bits each. Walk away. Forget any of this happened.” Angel reached a hoof towards her bag, but Vapor slapped it away. “We want our friend back.” “Don’t you mean friends?” “I said exactly what I meant to.” Nodding his head, Grubber snapped towards Crumpet. “Didn’t think so.” Crumpet reached behind himself, grabbing two much larger, sturdier bags. They weighed so much that, when he dropped them on the table, the whole thing shook, making Angel and Vapor jump. “Two thousand bits each. You want your friend back? Join me. That’s your signing bonus. You could make a lot more money with me than in the Wonderbolts.” Angel whistled. “That’s a lot of bits, Vapor.” “You can’t buy our loyalty, Grubber. You have to earn it. And you never will.” Grubber clapped his hands together. “Excellent! There’s just one last thing, then.” Reaching inside his vest, he pulled out two tickets, tossing them out on the table. “Smiling Mask’s plans will be revealed at the Gala, ladies. That’s where you’ll find your friends, too.” Vapor picked up her ticket, flipping it around as she examined it. “It’s just a ticket. Not a snake.” Vapor turned her attention back to Grubber. “Why are you doing this?” “It’s just another job. Now, if either of you blabs about the Gala, I will not be held responsible for what happens.” He tapped his nose. “Mum’s the word, and all that.” Vapor stood, walking towards the exit. “Hey, don’t you want your sandwich?” Vapor flipped him the primary. Grabbing her sandwich, Angel hesitated, staring at the bits spilling out on the table. “Come on, Angel.” With a sigh, she flew after Vapor, taking another bite as she did. Grubber turned to Crumpet. “That went well. What do you think?” Crumpet shrugged. “Don’t give me that. They’ll be fine.” He turned, catching a last glimpse as they exited the building. “They passed.” ——— “I’m sorry,” said the mask, removing her namesake. Her hair poofed out. “I didn’t expect him to take the money.” Rainbow closed the case holding the Wonerbolt pins and sighed. She’d only need three of them now. “It’s not your fault, Pinkie. None of us expected Midnight to turn. This prank was a stupid idea.” “So, he’s out of the ‘bolts for good?” Rainbow nodded, pain covering her face. “Yeah. Failed the final test. He can keep the bits, but he’ll never be a Wonderbolt. You can’t just carry on after betraying your friends like that. I gotta break the news to him. Also need to tell Sky he’s not actually a prisoner.” “Maybe I could cheer him up with a party?” “Yeah, no. ‘Congratulations on betraying your friends, here’s your party hat?’ I don’t think that’ll go over too well. I just need to talk to him.” She called across the room, “Hey, Cinch!” A moment later, Cinch’s head appeared in the door. “Yes, boss?” “Could you bring in Sky to see me?” “Right away, sir.” She ducked back out. “If there’s a silver lining in all this,” said Pinkie, “it’s that Grubber’s theater troupe has done really well. I totally believed they were an organized crime gang.” Rainbow snickered. “That’s because they are.” “Wait, what?” Cinch burst back into the room. “He’s missing! They’re missing!” Rainbow bolted out of her seat. “What?” Pinkie donned her mask, becoming, once more, the dread villain Smiling Mask. “Well, Dashie. It looks like, once more, the game is afoot.” Chapter Eight (Shaslan)The week passed swiftly, and the night of the Gala arrived all too soon. In a seedy hotel on the very outskirts of Canterlot, a young pegasus paced nervously back and forth. Vapour Trail completed her seventh anxious lap of the room in as many minutes and darted once more to the window to peer out from behind the curtain. There was still no sign of anypony approaching the hotel’s front door. Vapour Trail sighed in exasperation and threw herself backwards onto the bed. What was taking so long? Hoofsteps in the corridor outside made her jerk upright, and she dashed across to the door and wrenched it open. “Angel Wings!” she scolded. “What on Equus took you so long? I was back here over an hour ago!” Angel Wings rolled her eyes and dumped two garment bags onto the bed. “Well excuse me if securing two designer gowns sleek enough to fit in with elite ponies and literal princesses was harder than finding some smoke bombs.” Vapour Trail was already halfway into her dress, the bag it came in trampled on the floor. “Shut up and get dressed, Angel. We haven’t got much time. We need to be there early if we’re going to scope out the location and figure out how to corner Grubber.” Angel muttered something dark and shrugged her own dress on over her head. Vapour Trail secured her smoke bombs under the voluminous skirt of her purple gown and tossed some to Angel Wings, who followed suit. “I hope that lowlife Midnight is there too,” Vapour said darkly, as they left the little hotel behind them. “I can’t wait to give that traitor the hoof sandwich he’s been waiting for.” —————————— Rainbow Dash sat on her bed in her loaned rooms in the guest wing of Canterlot Castle, wringing her hooves and watching Pinkie Pie paint her fur stark white. “They’ll be here, right?” Rainbow asked, running her hooves nervously through her mane. “Grubber has to come. It’s in the plan. He said he’d stick to the plan.” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Yeah, but he also said he’d do what we told him and that we were in charge. But then he didn’t do what we told him, and stole all that money! So I guess I wouldn’t be too too shocked if he didn’t come to the Gala.” Rainbow Dash moaned aloud. “No, no, Pinkie, he has to come! He still has Sky Stinger! And Vapour Trail and Angel Wings are still missing. How am I meant to tell Spitfire I lost over twenty thousand bits of Wonderbolts’ money and three of our best cadets?” “Don’t forget Midnight Strike!” Pinkie chirped brightly. “So technically you lost twenty thousand bits, three cadets, and one cadet that you forced to turn to,” she lowered her voice, widened her eyes and waved her hooves in the air in imitation of a ghost, “The dark side!” “Gah!” Rainbow turned away from her in disgust. “Not helping, Pinkie!” Pinkie chortled as she dabbed the last bit of white powder onto her muzzle and secured a white mask over the top. The mask showed a pony’s face twisted into a hideous imitation of mirth, its grin like that of a skull. Pinkie vanished, to be replaced by the notorious villain that had graced the front page of every Equestrian newspaper for months. “Well,” that horrifying visage said brightly, “If Grubber does come, I promise you that Smiling Mask will have a few things to say to him!" —————————— Vapour Trail and Angel Wings arrived just in time to blend with the throngs of well-dressed ponies descending on the castle, and tried to appear as though they were mingling. Mostly this consisted of wandering through various rooms, forcing a fake laugh here and there at remarks that had not been addressed to them, and furiously scanning the crowds for any sign of Grubber or Midnight Strike. They had spent nearly an hour at this unrewarding pastime when Angel Wings suddenly elbowed Vapour hard enough in the ribs to bruise her. “Ow!” hissed Vapour Trail. “What was that for?” “Shut up and look!” whispered Angel. Vapour Trail followed Angel’s pointing hoof towards the doorway, where a squat grey form could just be seen, flanked by a dark-furred pegasus. Vapour’s eyes narrowed. “It’s Midnight.” Angel flipped a wing towards the hulking shape on Grubber’s other side. “And Crumpet, apparently.” Sure enough, the vast bulk of the enormous hedgehog was there, squeezed improbably into a very small suit. Crumpet looked deeply uncomfortable, and kept tugging at the collar of his suit. But Grubber and Midnight appeared totally in their element, strolling casually through the crowds of ponies and nodding confidently at everyone they passed. “This way,” Angel murmured to Vapour, trying to slip behind a group of stallions loudly discussing the best brands of cider, but when she glanced back to make sure her friend was following, Vapour was gone. Angel Wings sighed. It was going to be one of those missions. “You traitorous snake!” Vapour Trail yelled, hurtling through the air towards Midnight Strike, drawing the eyes of every creature in the room. Grubber yelped and vanished, and Angel Wings was forced to gallop after Vapour Trail, who was now fighting noisily on the floor with Midnight. “You no-good sellout!” she cried, battering at his head with her hooves. “One sniff of a bit of cash and you abandon us all!” “Ow—!” yelped Midnight. “Get off, Vapour! It’s not like that—” Vapour Trail scoffed and slapped him again. “Oh yeah? Then what is it like?” Midnight finally managed to get his hooves underneath Vapour’s barrel and kicked her bodily away from him. “I’m not just a cog in the machine anymore! Not just a soldier in their army.” He scrambled to his hooves and advanced towards her. “I’m a freedom fighter now. Grubber’s showing me how to make a real difference!” Vapour Trail leapt back to her feet. “A difference to your own pockets, you mean!” Midnight Strike deflected her incoming blow with his wing. “Well, so what if I make a little more money than I would have done with the bolts? I’m still fighting for a real cause!” “Ugh! You’re lying to yourself!” Vapour Trail leapt for his throat. Midnight stumbled backwards, and Angel Wings dealt him a stinging blow to the back of his head. He spun to face her, and his ears went back on seeing that he was outnumbered. “Where is Sky Stinger?” Angel demanded. “What have you done with him?” Midnight Strike snarled, an ugly expression on his handsome face, and then there was a flash of steel and he had a knife in his hoof. Angel reeled backwards, unable to reconcile this knife-wielding stranger with the Midnight she had trained beside for months. “What are you doing, Midnight?” Midnight Strike spat on the ground at her feet, earning another shocked gasp from one of the Canterlot gentle colts behind him. “I reckon trimming a few of your pretty white feathers would convince Grubber and Smiling Mask of my loyalty — don’t you think, Angel?” He lunged for her with the knife, and Angel let out a shrill squeal of panic and hurled all of her smoke bombs directly at his face. They detonated with a dull boom, and the room was instantly flooded with thick, cloying black smoke. Ponies cried out in fear and began to flee. In no time at all there was a full fledged stampede, and Angel lost track of Midnight and Vapour in the chaos as she was borne away. When at last the smoke cleared, she was in the palace gardens. Princess Celestia was before her, trying to calm the shaking party-goers. “Please, everypony! Calm down! The renegades are gone now, I am sure of it.” Then one of the high society ponies spotted the empty hollows in the Princess’ peytral and crown, and began to scream anew. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. “The crown jewels! They’ve been stolen!” —————————— Rainbow Dash blinked and sat up, rubbing with one hoof at her aching head where an elderly gentlemare had panicked and trampled her. She squinted up at the dispersing smoke, and her eyes narrowed as she saw Midnight Strike flying away, Grubber on board, and two shining pink gems in his grip. Her eyes narrowed. “No way I’m letting you get away with more of Equestria’s gold, you no-good little hedgehog. You shoulda just stuck to the plan.” Then in a blur of rainbow contrail, she was gone. Pinkie, hiding behind a bush so that her mask wouldn’t scare the assembled ponies even more out of their wits, spotted Crumpet, his suit ripped and torn from the melee. “Hey, Crumpet!” she yelled, her voice cutting through the air. “You never replied to my party invitation!” She paused a moment to think of his other, less heinous crimes. “And you took all of Rainbow Dash’s students! Get back here!” —————————— Vapour Trail finally located the shaken Angel Wings, just in time to see Smiling Mask gallop out from a nearby bush. They stared at each other, eyes wide and tore after her. Working together just like they had in practice, they took her from behind and tripped her, sending her crashing face-first into the ground. “Ugh…” Smiling Mask groaned and looked up at them, her mask cracked and splintered enough to reveal the face beneath. Vapour Trail’s breath rushed out of her. She would know that pink fur anywhere. Pinkie Pie. How could one of the Elements be behind the mask of Equestria’s most infamous crime boss? “Just you wait until I tell Commander Rainbow Dash what a low-down bad guy you are!” Vapour Trail screamed, tears running freely down her face. “And she’ll tell Princess Twilight — and they’ll blast you to stone!” “Hold on—” Pinkie Pie’s hooves were up in the air, but Vapour Trail was in no mood to listen. “You’re evil, and you tricked every pony into thinking you were good! You’re a monster! I — I grew up listening to stories about you, about the Elements! But you lied to everypony in Equestria! You monster!” “Vapour Trail, wait—” Angel Wings tried to hold her back, but Vapour Trail shoved her friend away as though she weighed nothing at all. Angel Wing went sprawling backwards, and then Midnight Strike’s knife was in Vapour’s hoof, and she was advancing on the false Element of Laughter, the fallen angel, this Lucifer who had bought all of Vapour’s ideals and the trust she had placed in Equestria’s heroes crashing to the ground. Pinkie Pie’s pupils contracted to pinpricks of terror when she saw the light glinting off the blade in Vapour’s grip, and her ears flattened. “Uh, I — I — I—” she whispered, but for once, she finally seemed at a loss for words. Vapour Trail leaned over her, one forehoof holding the villain to the ground, one gripping the knife tight in her frog, and stared into the eyes of the pony who had once been a symbol of everything she rejected. “How could you do this?” she whispered. A single tear slipped down Pinkie Pie’s frozen cheek. Vapour Trail didn’t wait to hear the answer. She didn’t need to. She bought the knife slashing down towards those big blue eyes — — But it never connected. She stopped. Vapour Trail wanted nothing more than to put an end to Smiling Mask, the killer who had been responsible for so much terror and loss, but here, at the moment when she had a chance to do so — she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t end the life of another pony. No matter how evil they were. Not even Smiling Mask. Epilogue (Lofty Withers)“And then the boat sank.” Twilight sucked noisily on the dregs of her Mai Tai before setting it aside. Adjusting her sun visor, she reclined her chair. “Pinkie, that makes no sense.” She gestured at a passing beachboy, taking another drink from his tray. ”Rarity, tell her that makes no sense.” “Perhaps you’re simply confusing it with that time with the cucumbers and the bunyip.” “Hmm…” Pinkie bit her lip, cocking her head as she thought. A smile exploded onto her face as she bounced up and out of her seat. “You’re right, and you just reminded me. I lost the game! Be right back. Gotta go clear my mind.” She pronked towards the diving board. Twilight sat up, yelling after her. “Wait! You didn’t say what happened next.” “Maybe I’ll tell you later,” she called back, bouncing off the board and into the pool. “I lost the game,” said Rainbow, nonchalant. “Me too,” added Fluttershy. Twilight turned to them. “What game?” “You’ll be happier not knowing, darling. Believe me.” Twilight stared at them a moment before conceding, muttering under her breath as she leaned back. “I’m glad you’re letting it go, darling. Sometimes, letting go and moving on is really the best thing to do.” fin PrologueVapor Trail grabbed Grubber’s shirt, pulling him closer. “If you’ve harmed a hair on his body, I will end you.” “Relax,” said Grubber, waving off his guards. “Sky Stinger is perfectly safe, but he’ll only stay that way if you can deliver the bits by tomorrow.” He pushed away her hoof and straightened his shirt. “Alternatively, I’ve got a little job you could do for me.” Chapter Nine (Atom Smash)For a moment the entire hall was silent, every pair of eyes in the room glued to the blade, none so more than Pinkie’s as the blade hovered an inch above her left pupil. She was going cross eyed just to look at it. So it came to everypony’s surprise that she was the first to recover. Letting out a breath Pinkie moved her eyes from the blade and looked past it, up and meeting Vapour Trail’s own. “Thank you.” The pink pony whispered, and when she saw that her words did little to appease the irate pegasus threatening to make her world monocular she added: “This isn’t what it looks like, okay.” Vapour couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Really? After all you have done you are trying that line!?” She spat down at Smiling Mask. The worst monster and most revered hero of her foalhood revealed to be the same pony. It would take a lot more than a few simple lies and excuses for her to stay her blade. So why hadn’t she thrust down already? Surely Equestria would be a better place without this monster, wouldn’t it? Seeing as the pony above her was losing the initiative Pinkie started to relax a bit. She also remembered that she had stashed eye-patches all over Equestria in case of emergency, so if Vapour stabbed her it wouldn’t be that bad. Sure it’d hurt, but only for a while, and then she’d look cool, like a pirate. “Look, let me explain…” She began.
Chapter One (The Red Parade)Vapor Trail frowned as she stared in the mirror. She took a deep breath and ran a hoof through her mane. “Sky, what did you do this time?” She knew that Sky Stinger had crossed paths with the Las Pegasus Mafia before, but he assured her it was nothing to worry about. Vapor sighed, turning away from the mirror. The pegasus paced nervously in her room, weighing her options. On the bed sat a brown parcel, wrapped up in a red ribbon. Just deliver it, get Sky back, and we can pretend this never happened, she thought. Oh, who am I kidding? There’s no way they’d possibly let him go unharmed! I should go to the police! The pegasus collapsed onto her bed, tears welling in her eyes. She wished that Celestia would send her a sign, or give her something-- There was a banging at the door, and her ears perked up. Had Celestia heard her calls and sent her an angel? “Vapor? Are you awake?” Her ears drooped back down. Technically, it was the voice of an angel, but not the one she was hoping for. With a groan, Vapor dried her eyes and picked herself off the bed, going over to the door. As she pulled it open, a black and yellow blur shot into the room, followed by a grayish-cream pegasus who hovered in the doorway. ““Look alive, sunshine! It’s laser tag time! Let’s get this done!” cheered Midnight Strike, the black pegasus practically bouncing around the room. “Hi, Vapor,” said Angel Wings timidly. “Are you ready?” Vapor dropped her gaze to the ground. “Uh, sorry, but… something’s come up.” Midnight stopped and whipped her head around to stare at her. “What?!” Angel tried to give a confident smile. “That’s okay! If you can’t come--” “It’s not okay!” Midnight protested. “You guys never hang out with us anymore! And come on, Vapor, Las Pegasus has the best laser tag arena in all of Las Pegasus! You can’t just bail out on us now!” “Wait… where is Sky Stinger?” Angel asked quietly. “We went to his room first, but he wasn’t there.” Vapor Trail opened her mouth and closed it again, glancing at the package nervously. “He… uh… well…” Midnight grabbed her and started shaking her. “Come on! Spit it out! What, did he get kidnapped by the Mafia or something?” Angel Wings narrowed her eyes when Vapor Trail didn’t respond. “Wait… did he actually? I was kidding, you know that right?” Vapor freed herself from her friend’s grip and went over to the bed. “Look, they told me they’d let him go if I deliver this package, okay?” Angel Wings growled. “Vapor, you know that they aren’t going to do that.” A grim look fell over her face. “We should go teach them a lesson…” “Shouldn’t we like… go to the police or something?” asked Midnight. “I mean… this feels pretty serious.” Angel Wings laughed and shook her head. “It really isn’t, Midnight. The Las Pegasus Mafia is a joke. Trust me, they don’t know anything about crime.” Vapor and Midnight gaped at her, before Vapor shook it off. “Look, I’m just going to deliver this package and be done with it, okay? Grubber wants me to bring it to the Lucky Stallion Casino.” “Grubber?” Angel frowned. “I should have known that sleazebag was behind this.” “Angel, I’m seeing a side of you that kinda scares me,” Midnight muttered as she scooted closer to Vapor. Angel Wings ignored Midnight and went over to the package and poked at it. “Still, it’s better if you don’t get involved with them. What if they try to scapegoat you?” Vapor hung her head, sitting on the bed. “I just… I just don’t know what to do,” she whispered. Midnight patted her on the back. “Hey, it’s fine! We’ll get him out, right?” Angel Wings nodded reassuringly. “But we’re going to need a plan. These guys might be idiots, but they can be dangerous if we’re not careful. Now, where did you meet Grubber?” “Hotel Indigo,” Vapor answered. “But he’s got a lot of security. We’re just three mares! What are we going to do against him?” Angel Wings smiled menacingly. “I know just the pony we need to call…” Meanwhile at Hotel Indigo… --- “Where’s the money, Stinger?” Sky Stinger growled, struggling against the rope that tied him to the chair. “You’ll never find it! You know who I am? I’m a Wonderbolt! That means you’ve got the military after you--” He was cut off by a slap to the face. “Where’s the money?” “Screw you!” The air was accented with another slap. Grubber frowned as we watched through the window. “I thought you weren’t going to use violence, boss,” he said. “I said I’d avoid it if possible.” The masked pony stood still next to Grubber, staring with disdain at Sky Stinger. “They took everything from me. Not just him and his friend, but the Wonderbolts as a whole.” Grubber shrugged and picked up a piece of pie, taking a hefty bite. “You’re the boss, boss.” The masked pony nodded, narrowing their eyes. Oh, yes. It was all coming together.
Chapter Two (TheLegendaryBillCipher)Midnight Strike and Vapor Trail followed Angel Wings onto an elevator and up to the third floor of the Stratocumulus Hotel. The pair shared a worried glance at their teammate’s determined smirk. When the elevator doors opened, Angel crept down the hallway, Vapor and Midnight mimicking her until they ducked behind a potted plant in the hallway. Angel motioned for them to be quiet. They watched a burly-looking unicorn stallion wearing a security vest and sunglasses—even at that time of night—talking with someone in their hotel room. Whoever it was stayed inside, out of sight, and kept the conversation quiet. The security guard nodded at the end of the conversation, then turned and headed their way once whoever he was talking to had shut the door. Vapor nearly let out a startled squeak as Angel shoved her and Midnight as tightly behind the plant as she could. They held their breaths as he walked past, seemingly not noticing them. “Good, the security’s got the night off. We’re in luck,” Angel whispered. “Security for who?” Midnight asked. “You’ll see. Come on.” They left their hiding spot and hurried over to the door. Angel nodded to her friends before knocking firmly. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” Vapor hissed. “Relax, just let me do the talking,” Angel replied. The door cracked open, and a pair of magenta eyes peered out. “Yes? Can I help you?” “Evening ma’am,” Angel said, puffing out her chest. “My name is Angel Wings, and these are my teammates Midnight Strike and Vapor Trail. We’re here on official Wonderbolts business.” The figure behind the door huffed a sigh and opened the door the rest of the way, revealing themselves to be A.K. Yearling, dressed in pajamas. “Come on in,” she said. “Just for once I wish it was a fan coming for an autograph.” Angel grinned at her friends and flittered, followed by Vapor and Midnight. Yearling shut the door behind them and led them over to the couch. Each promptly took a seat as Yearling plopped down in a chair. “So, what is this ‘official Wonderbolts business?’” she asked, reaching for a cup of tea and taking a sip. “I’m guessing it’s something you ponies want off the books.” “If at all possible,” Vapor said with a sheepish smile. Angel cleared her throat and shook her head at Vapor, then turned to Yearling. “Way off the books,” she clarified. “Fine, fine. What is it?” Yearling waved a dismissive hoof her way. “Our friend and teammate Sky Stinger was ponynapped by the Las Pegasus Mafia,” Angel explained. “They sent a package to be delivered by Vapor Trail here, but we’re hoping you can help us rescue Sky without doing their dirty work.” Yearling raised an eyebrow. “The Las Pegasus Mafia ponynapped a Wonderbolt?” she asked. She frowned with concern and set down her tea, rubbing her chin. “Yes, and we need to get him back before he gets hurt, please,” Vapor pleaded. “I smell an Ahuizotl-sized rat,” Yearling said plainly. “I’ve been keeping tabs on the Mafia since I came here on vacation, and this sounds like something outside of their normal M.O.” “Since when do you keep tabs on the Mafia?” Midnight asked. “I’m an author and adventurer. Aside from the money I make, I’ve made enough enemies in my line of work to invest in protection wards,” Yearling said. “The Mafia isn’t that elaborate. They might run a racket in one or two casinos a night and break knees for payments, but ponynapping? A high level figure like a Wonderbolt? That’s too risky.” “So… what are you saying?” Angel asked. “I’m saying if the Mafia’s behind this, there’s a bigger fish ordering them around.” She hopped out of the chair. “There’s an ulterior motive.” “So, you’ll help us?” Vapor asked hopefully, watching her walk over to her suitcase. “No.” Yearling popped it open, stowed away her glasses, and produced a pith helmet marked with arrow holes. “But Daring Do will.” She smirked at the trio as she donned it. “Thank you!” Vapor squealed, flying over and hugging Yearling tightly. “You’re welcome,” Yearling grunted with a chuckle as the others walked over. Vapor released her, smiling sheepishly. “So, what are we dealing with here?” “Their operation’s at the Hotel Indigo, heavy security from what Vapor told us,” Angel explained. Yearling turned to Vapor. “What about this package they wanted you to deliver?” “It’s supposed to go to the Lucky Stallion Casino. Grubber told me they’d let Sky go if I delivered it,” Vapor said. “Well, if they want a package, we’ll give them one.” Yearling smirked. “But first… I’m going to need a wardrobe change.” ****** “Any word from the Lucky Stallion Casino?” the masked pony asked Grubber as he entered the room. Grubber shook his head. “None boss. You think the Bolt’s a no-show?” “She’ll show. If she wants her precious teammate in one piece that is.” The masked pony smirked towards the bruised Sky Stinger, tied to a chair. “And when she does, we’ll be ready for her.”
Chapter Three (SilentWhisper)The masked pony’s smile grew as he watched Sky Stinger struggle against his bonds. “Don’t worry,” the mysterious pony purred, watching the Wonderbolt groan and fight against the ropes holding him down. “You’ll be useful to them again, one way or the other.” His laughter rang throughout the room as Sky Stinger tugged harder at the ropes, but to no avail. “Yeah,” chimed in Grubber, making the pegasus shy away as much as his restraints would allow. “Let’s hope they deliver, or we’re gonna deliver you! In lots of little colt-sized Bolt bits! Right, boss?” He looked back at the masked pony, who nodded solemnly. “You know,” the masked pony said, giving a casual nod to Grubber that sent chills down Sky Stinger’s spine. “Maybe we should send a little reminder her way, so she doesn’t get cold hooves about the delivery. A few pictures, perhaps, of what would happen to her dear friend, should she fail to deliver on time.” Grubber grinned as he reached for the clippers. “Don’t worry,” he chortled, “If they show up, we’ll let you go. And if they don’t…” “We’ll see how far you can fly off the roof.” The boss turned around to grab the camera, ignoring the Wonderbolt’s gagged protests. “We’re ponies of honor, you see. We’ll let you go free, after all is said and done. We promise.” His grin stretched wider as he wheeled back towards the whimpering Sky Stinger. “No wings attached.” ****** “What’s the plan?” asked Angel Wings, trotting close behind Daring Do as they left the building. “We can’t just feed Vapor Trail to the wolves. Or, worse than wolves, really. The Las Pegasus Mafia isn’t fluffy, or sweet, or-” “Focus, Angel Wings,” snapped Midnight Strike, checking the perimeter. “Hotel Indigo isn’t going to be easy to break into. We need a plan if we’re gonna get our teammate back. One that doesn’t involve delivering that damn package to Lucky Stallion Casino.” “We’ll need more than a plan,” Daring Do said, hailing a taxi with the sort of casual discretion that only a celebrity can muster. “We’ll need backup, if we’re going to figure out who’s really behind this. It could be Ahuizotl… or worse.” Vapor Trail hesitantly raised a wing, then quickly lowered it before the swerving taxi could tear out any feathers. “What could be worse than Ahuizotl? Or having a teammate kidnapped?” Daring Do opened the rear taxi door, revealing plush seats and a nerve-wracking lack of seatbelts. She motioned them inside with a grimace. “Trust me, if we’re going to get Sky Stinger back, we’re going to meet worse creatures than Ahuizotl.” Vapor Trail gulped. “To fight them?” Daring Do shook her head, claiming the passenger seat and bracing herself against the dashboard. “Nope. To ask them for help. We’re going to need all the resources we can get, and we don’t have that much time left to get this done.” Vapor Trail whimpered, shrinking in the back seat next to Midnight Strike. “I was afraid of that.” Midnight gave her a reassuring pat as Daring Do slid the taxi driver a slip of paper. “Here,” she murmured, surveying the car as though searching for secret exits. “And hurry. Lives are at stake.” “That’s what they all say, ma’am,” grumbled the driver, pressing on the gas as his engine revved to life. ****** The sun crept lower in the sky as Daring Do led the three pegasi up the dilapidated apartment steps, waiting patiently as they stumbled over the uneven concrete. “This resource you mentioned,” muttered Midnight Strike as he rubbed a hoof that was sure to bruise come the next morning. “Couldn’t they have picked a less, I don’t know, shady place to live? Some place that doesn’t make me feel like I’ll get wing mites just by thinking about it for too long?” Vapor Trail shuddered behind him, tucking her wings closer to her sides. “It’s important for my contact to keep a low profile,” retorted Daring Do smoothly, not missing a step as she swiveled to do a 180. “She’s usually working in Canterlot, but she prefers living in areas that won’t draw too much attention to herself. Upper-crust ponies would notice somepony coming and going at odd hours, but here you’d be lucky to have someone sober enough to remember they have a neighbor at all.” “If they’re the best you’ve got, we’ll take it.” Angel Wings nodded, unsure if she was trying to convince herself or her friends. “We appreciate you and your source helping us out.” Daring Do chuckled, stopping them on the third-floor landing. “Oh, she hasn’t agreed yet. But she will, don’t worry. She’s the best source of information we’ve got, and she’ll never turn down a chance to help her friends.” “I’ll never turn down what?” grumbled a voice from inside a cracked door. “Careful, A.K. There’s a first time for everything, even with you.” Daring Do straightened her pith helmet before pushing the door open. “Yeah, well there’s no time to argue. Not right now. A Wonderbolt’s been taken hostage by the Mafia and you’ve got the most intel about obscure villains and information-gathering methods I know. So spill it, Moondancer. Are you with us or not?” The figure at the desk, barely visible in the dim light of the apartment, squinted at the ponies in the doorway. She flipped back the hood of her jacket, scowling. “I don’t know why you always insist on dragging me into your strange problems, A.K. Don’t you have books to write?” The author smirked before she flicked on a light switch, making everypony wince at the sudden brightness. It illuminated Moondancer’s current living space, though living was probably not the best way to describe it. It looked more like the death throes of a pathological hoarder. Slumped in the end of the hovel, amidst fallen stacks of paper and heaps of books, dog-eared and musty, sat Moondancer. She glared with all her might at the lightbulbs, as though she wished it would burn out and leave her in peace. Angel Wings was the first to move, determinedly sticking out her hoof for Moondancer. “Nice to meet you, Miss,” she said, trying not to breathe through her nose. “I’m Angel Wings, my friend has been kidnapped, and we need your information to figure out who’s really behind all this. I’m sorry we caught you on a-” she hesitated, searching for the right words. “A, uh, a bad time, but we’ve been told to deliver a package or our friend is gonna die. Please,” she added. “Will you help us?” Moondancer blinked owlishly up at her before straightening her glasses and holding up a surprisingly clean hoof, meeting Angel Wing’s. Her lips curled up into a weary smile. “When you say it like that… sure. Fine. Just tell me what you need to know, and what you’ll need to get them back.”
Chapter Four (Zontan)“Well then,” Moondancer said slowly, leaning back in her chair. “That does sound like you’re in a lot of trouble.” Daring Do rolled her eyes. “No kidding,” she snapped. “Can you help us or not?” Moondancer scowled. “Fine, then. Yeah, I can help you. You want to know who took your friend, well, there’s only two ponies in this city with enough power to think they can kidnap a Wonderbolt and get away with it.” She rummaged through her desk, and pulled out an image - a blurry picture of a light blue pony with a purple mane, too obscured by shadows to make out clear features or a cutie mark. “First one’s Abacus Cinch. She’s a mean piece of work. Brilliant and ruthless. She’s involved in everything from money laundering to tax evasion to corporate espionage. She wouldn’t have done the kidnapping herself, but a cryptic ransom demand? That sounds like something she’d do. Any crime with enough money behind it, she’s probably involved.” Angel Wings picked up the picture. “Where can we find her, then?” “I’m getting to that,” Moondancer grumbled. “Besides, do you really think you can just walk right up to her and ask her where your friend is?” Sheepishly, Angel Wings put the picture down and took a step back. Moondancer pulled out another picture. This one wasn’t a photo, just a sketch of a pony wearing an elaborate masquerade mask. “I don’t even know much about this one. He goes by ‘The Smiling Mask’ but he’s definitely not friendly. He’s got a whole posse of fanatics that keep smart ponies in their homes on nights like this. Kidnapping is right up his alley, but most of his victims don’t come home in one piece. He’s a thug, but he’s ambitious and charismatic, and his followers love him. You don’t want to cross him unless you’re really sure you’ve got him outnumbered.” Daring tapped her hoof. “So how does this help us?” “I was getting to that,” Moondancer replied, unrattled by the adventurer’s impatience. “Your mysterious kidnapper wants you to deliver a package to the Lucky Stallion Casino, right?” Daring nodded. “Well, I happen to know that the Lucky Stallion is a front. If you know the right hoofshakes and passcodes, there’s a whole secret cavern hollowed out of the cloud it’s built into. Both of these two have a presence there. If you want to learn who’s behind this, that’s the place to look.” She shrugged. “I can tell you the codes you’ll need to sneak in, but the rest is up to you.” She looked to Daring, and then gestured to Angel Wings, Vapor Trail, and Midnight Strike. “It’s gonna have to be one of them that does it, though. You’d be recognized in a heartbeat.” Daring hmphed. “And what do you suggest I do, then, if you’re so smart?” Moondancer smiled. “Deliver the package. You’ll be right where they expect you to be, and they’ll never suspect you’re infiltrating their own hideout. Maybe they’ll even return Sky Stinger to you, though that’s a bit of a longshot. But it’ll keep them off their guard.” Daring rolled her eyes. “Sure, right up until they learn we don’t actually have what they asked for, and kill us all.” “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time everyone around you is trying to kill you,” Moondancer quipped. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” ****** “This sucks,” Daring grumbled. “I can’t believe I’m the freaking decoy.” Vapor Trail exchanged a glance with the other Wonderbolts. “Well, we don’t have to do what she suggested,” she suggested delicately. “We could find some other way…” Daring shook her head. “No, she’s right,” she huffed. “It’s the best plan we have. I’m just mad that she’s right.” “Well, you did say she was the best,” Midnight Strike added. “It was your idea to talk to her, so it’s kinda like it’s your plan too, right?” Daring chuckled. “Sure, if you want to call it that.” She straightened her shoulders, and took a slow breath, centering herself. “Alright. C’mon then. We’ve got a lot to prep before tomorrow.” ****** “That should do nicely,” the masked pony sounded almost gleeful as he held up the bag of wing clippings, before looking down at Sky, who was still bound to the table, tears slipping down his cheeks. “Take him away,” he said imperiously to Grubber, before turning to leave the room. “I need to go remind Daring just what is at stake here.” Sky barely reacted as he was dragged from the table, numbly shuffling as best he could with his limbs chained together. The laughter of the masked pony echoed off the walls, and even after he was no longer in sight Sky could still hear it in his head, mocking him. He barely noticed as he was shoved into a cell and the door slammed behind him. Instead he collapsed onto the dirty straw bed, and looked up through the tiny window, through which only gray light filtered in. “Please show up,” he whispered softly. “Please. Don’t leave me down here.” Soon, he had dropped into a fitful, nightmare-plagued sleep.
Chapter Five (TheDriderPony)The Lucky Stallion had seen better days. Though Daring Do didn’t consider herself anything of an aficionado when it came to casinos, she certainly knew what ruins looked like. The cloud walls were old and fraying, splitting off into countless tiny threads of cloudstuff at the edges. What paint still remained was faded and flaking, and several of the lighted letters in its sign had died, reducing the establishment to “The Luc y Sta l on”. Still, business was apparently good. Young ponies lined up around the block to try their luck and fake IDs against the pair of sentinel-like bouncers who guarded the door, and the noise from inside sounded like a full house already. She wondered just how many of them knew what kind of shady businesses operated out of the backrooms and secret caverns. How close they partied to Equestria’s hub for gang meet-ups, black marketeers, and two-bit wannabe-villains. Was Sky Stinger there, even now? Silenced, restrained, terrified? Could he hear the sound of dozens of ponies laughing and drinking only a room or two away, ignorant of the plight of a purloined Wonderbolt? No. No way they’d keep him on grounds. Even if this was their true hideout and not just a semi-truced dropoff location, holding a captive so close to so many other criminal elements was amateurishly risky. Names ran through her head as another clearly underaged mare was turned away from the door. Abacus Cinch. The Smiling Mask. A white-collar kingpin and an enigmatic cult leader. Which one of them was behind it? Neither was above kidnapping, if Moondancer’s information was to be believed, but Sky’s fate and the fate of his rescue hung delicately on the hoof of whoever held him. Cinch was a businessmare, and often a middlemare at that. She’d take the ransom (either for herself or for her employer) and that’d be the end of it. But The Smiling Mask, he was a wildcard. Taking care of him and keeping Sky in one piece was a challenge she wondered if her rag-tag group of operatives could manage. Daring Do shook herself out of her depressive thoughts before they could start to spiral. The mission. She just needed to focus on that and deal with things as they came. She tapped the communicator in her ear, careful to disguise the motion as a mere brush of her mane. “This is Decoy One, doing a final check. Is everypony in position?” “Infiltrator One, ready,” came Angel Wing’s reply, her subvocalization almost drowned out by the chattering of the mares in line with her. “I’m ready with the package,” Vapor Trail confirmed. Her normally quavering voice was firm and focused. “So long as nopony tries to check its weight, we should be set.” “Overwatch, I’m- hold on.” Daring Do didn’t know exactly where Midnight Strike was, but that was also part of the plan. Better to let the batpony adjust to the situation as needed with her unique skillset. A noise like skittering claws came down the line for a moment, followed by a slight grunt. “Small issue, but I took care of it. I’m ready.” “Everypony memorized the passphrases?” her question returned a small chorus of affirmatives. “Good.” Daring swallowed a lump of nerves. This wasn’t like one of her normal adventures. She wasn’t risking meeting a villain out in some desolate jungle, she was headed right into their den. Today, the consequences of failure would be quick and irrecoverable. A weighty thought, and that on top of the fact that her role was so far outside her comfort zone. But it was what the mission required. It was her only chance to save Sky Stinger. “Alright.” She straightened her skirt and adjusted her wig. “Let’s start the operation.” ****** Deep in his cell, Sky awoke from a restless sleep to a bucket of cold water being hashed across his coat. He jumped up with a start, but his heavy bindings were quick to remind him of their presence. From outside the bars, a toothy maw grinned. “Up and attem’, flyboy!” Grubber’s cheerful tone was like cheap artificial sugar; sickly sweet and cloying and unabashedly disingenuous. “We’re moving and Boss says he wants you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for tonight.” “T-Tonight?” Sky rasped. His tongue probed at the brackish water dripping down his mane. It was like sweet nectar. “That’s right, tonight!” Somehow, his tone managed to sink to a new level of saturated saccharinity, the kind of voice reserved for particularly slow children. “Tonight’s when it all comes together. When we’re gonna find out if your girlfriend is dumb enough to put her money where her mouth is, or stupid enough to try and pull a fast one. Either way,” he paused to loose a harsh and barking laugh, “It don’t look good for you!”
Chapter Six (_Moonshot)Chapter Six (_Moonshot) “Excuse me!” Daring Do pressed a firm hoof against one of the bouncer’s withers. “Do you think you could let me inside?” Slowly, the bouncer turned his head downward. With a stone-faced glare, he sized up her khaki fur, cherry red mane, and garish skirt. “Miss, you’ll have to wait at the back of the line.” Daring protruded her lower lip like a needy child. “But I’m Daring Do, can’t you see? You’ve gotta let me in! I should have, like, VIP access or something!” She hid a smile as the bouncer rolled his eyes. “Miss,” he droned. “Not with that mane you ain’t. You look barely of age, even. The Lucky Stallion ain’t for mares your—” Daring leaned forward and shifted her weight onto the bouncer, catching him off guard. “Okayyy,” she whined. “You got me. But my brother is in there, and I need to send him a message.” She fluffed her wig. “Can I go inside, just for a moment, pretty please?” She felt herself being lifted and placed on the ground a foot back. “Hooves off,” the other bouncer growled. “We have a line to attend to. Now—” “Just one quick, second, pleeease?” Daring pounced forward again, straining toward the open door as the bouncers held her back. As they struggled, she shouted, “I just need to tell him about the dolphins.” That was Angel Wing’s keyword to go. She slipped past the distracted guards as Daring flashed her a smile. “Nice work, Decoy One,” she whispered over the communicator, and disappeared inside. “But actually calling yourself ‘Daring Do?’ If they believed you, we’d be toast!” Daring ignored her. “Fine,” she pouted, and let herself get pushed away by the bouncers. Sprinting around a corner and removing her disguise, she tapped her com twice. “That’s step one. How’s it looking inside, Infiltrator One?” Angel Wing coughed, waving away the smoke. “About half a step above a crackhouse.” Energetic music thumped in the background, drunken partygoers swaying to the rhythm. “Nothing immediately out of the ordinary, though.” “Okay. Overwatch, visuals.” There was the sound of muffled static. “I don’t… wait a minute. I see Sky Stinger. And… what in Celestia. Grubber?” “What.” Daring’s stomach twisted. “Tempest’s former lackey? I thought Cinch was the middlemare.” Her brows furrowed. “Wait. Overwatch, Sky isn’t restrained at all? No chains, no magic?” “None whatsoever,” replied Midnight Strike. “Could be a trap. Keep your eyes peeled, Angel.” Daring scratched her face. “Never mind that for now. Overwatch, keep track of them. Infiltrator One, proceed as normal.” “Yes ma’am.” Angel Wing scanned the establishment. Pushing her way past woozy couples, she swiped a lit candle off a table. She carefully cupped its glass jar in her wing and made her way back to the front. She took a deep breath and stumbled outside in a mock drunken stupor. “Excuuuse meee, sirsh,” she singsonged to the bouncers. “I’m j-j-just… stepping out for a breath of fresh air. I’ll beback inaminute!” “Candle stays indoors,” a bouncer said. Angel blew a raspberry. “B-b-but it’s sooo dark. Can’t a mare get some s-safety?” The bouncer sharply exhaled and turned back toward the crowded line. Angel briskly walked over to Vapor Trail’s hiding spot. “Package, quick.” Vapor nodded, silently withdrawing a seemingly identical candle from her bag and swapping it with Angel’s. “Stay safe, okay?” “Our friend’s been foalnapped. I’ll stay as safe as I can under those circumstances.” Nevertheless, Angel nodded and gave Vapor a reassuring smile before turning back toward the Lucky Stallion. As Angel drew near, she resumed her tipsy walk. “Hi boys,” she slurred. “Just gonna—” “Hold it.” “Excush meee?” She stared at the bouncers indignantly. One gestured toward the candle. “Let me see that.” Shit, shit, shit. Angel eyed the entrance, then the candle. “This ol’ thing? Just a flame in a glass prism.” From their outposts, both Daring Do and Vapor Trail held their breaths. That was the keyword for potential danger. “C’mon,” whispered Vapor. “Please...” Angel could only watch helplessly as the bouncer’s hoof drew closer and closer to the candle, as if in slow motion. “Hey! You’re not welcome here; we banned you last week!” Both the bouncer and Angel snapped their heads toward the sound. A scarred stallion, adorned with gold chains and gruesome tattoos, was grappling with the other bouncer. The first bouncer shot Angel a look. “Whatever. You can go.” He sprinted over to his compeer. As Angel strode back into the bar, she heard sighs of relief over the com. “Decoy One, continue as planned?” “Hold on a sec. Overwatch, update?” More static. “Look to your left, Infiltrator One.” Angel did, and caught a cerulean and sea green blur disappear around the corner. “Sky!” “And Grubber right beside him,” Midnight added. “You’re right,” said Angel. “Could be a trap, but I’m going anyway.” She frowned. “I’m this close. Not letting this chance get away, but I’ll be careful.” Slowly, she began heading left. As she got to the corner, she peeked around. The area in front of her was poorly lit, and the air smelled much cleaner. There were also far fewer ponies, although the ones that milled around wore hardened scowls. If Moondancer’s information was correct, this was where the gangs, black marketeers, and two-bits did their business. And there in the middle was Sky Stinger and Grubber. Both were looking away. Angel’s breath caught in her lungs. “A-am I missing something?” Midnight’s voice came crackling over the com. “Hold on. Daring, I’m sending you magic scans of the area to analyze. Anypony with a familiar residue? Any traps?” Angel waited what seemed like forever. “Literally nothing,” Daring eventually piped up. “There’s no way that’s right.” “Maybe he’s being transported?” Vapor suggested. “I don’t know why Grubber is here, but I don’t think he’s exactly the most competent.” “So there we have it,” said Midnight. “We found the weak link in the chain. Let’s grab Sky and get out of here. I’m sure Vapor wants her best friend back.” “Got it!” In a matter of seconds, Angel crossed the room, and reached for Sky Stinger. “Wait no!” cried Daring. “Something’s wrong!” It was too late. As Angel tapped Sky’s shoulder, he whipped his head around, his face contorting in shock. “A-Angel? N-no, get out of here, it’s a trap—” Whoomph. Angel turned her head to the left at the sound of somepony landing on the floor. Her face met with a very familiar black hoof. Shaking the pain away, she stared at her friend in disbelief. “Midnight Strike?” “Sorry,” the batpony growled. “Business is business.” Then she wound her hoof again and socked Angel in the jaw. Angel growled in rage. “Why, you—” Leaping into the air, she collapsed on Midnight, ignoring the ponies scrambling around them. She threw a punch of her own, which Midnight blocked. With a powerful buck, Midnight kicked her away, but she bounced back, slamming a hoof into Midnight’s gut. As Midnight cut an arc with her wings, reflexes kicked in, and Angel leaned backward. She threw another punch, which was met by Midnight’s own. As they fought, for every hit that Angel connected, she would receive two. Wheezing wildly, she abandoned all pretense, screaming into the com. “Shit, I can’t win! I’m getting out of here!” “The package!” Daring shouted. “Screw the package!” Angel gave the dropped candle one last glance before turning tail and sprinting for the exit. If there was one thing she had Midnight beat in, it was speed. She briefly turned her head with tears in her eyes. Midnight hadn’t bothered chasing after her. “I’ll come back for you, Sky!” she called. “I promise.” Sky Stinger, eyes wide, could only nod before Angel disappeared around the corner and out of view. As he entered a winding, dark alleyway, bound in chains again, Sky Stinger shot Midnight Strike a withering glare. Midnight avoided it, instead looking straight ahead at Grubber, who was singing a jaunty tune to himself. Finally, they reached the end. Midnight slowly bent down and bowed to the shadows. “We’ve arrived, sir.” A pony stepped out, and Sky swore the air grew chillier. The Smiling Mask. The kingpin and cult leader that he’d been warned about. The look on his face could be described as nothing less than smug satisfaction. “Well done, my friends,” he slowly crooned, his voice dripping like the guts of crushed insects. “I’d like a status update, hm?” “We did all you asked, boss,” proclaimed Grubber, sticking out his chest. “The plan worked perfect, just like you said.” “Mmm.” The Smiling Mask peered cloyingly at the cast before him. “I don’t see any… new prisoners among our midsts, though.” “T-that’s true,” said Midnight, “but I accomplished two more things. First, I marked Ang—one of them with magic to broadcast their location to us at all times. Second, I took this from them. I’m not sure what it is, but I believe it is of great value, somehow.” She withdrew the candle and screwed open the false top. Inside was a gleaming ruby, radiating light even in the dead of night. She quickly handed it to the Smiling Mask. He stroked it slowly, letting out a laugh as thick as honey. “Well done. With this, we shall accelerate to victory in no time.” Daring Do, Angel Wing, and Vapor Trail sat around a crackling campfire. An unforgiving wind blustered, sending them into bouts of shivering. In the distance, crickets chirped against the deafening silence. “I… I can’t believe it,” Vapor Trail said after a while. “We were so close, and yet…” She burst into tears, falling into Angel’s hug. “Midnight,” muttered Daring. “Midnight, Midnight, Midnight…” She cleared her throat, causing Angel and Vapor to look up. “I—we lost a dear friend today. And… and I’m hurt, too.” She quieted as an owl hooted nearby. “But Sky Stinger is still out there, and I’m not giving up until he’s safe. Our—our mission remains the same.” “You’re right,” said Angel. “There’s still hope.” Vapor sniffed. Wiping her tears away, she asked, “Did Midnight ever know what the package really was?” “No,” replied Daring. “And that’s where there’s still hope. Angel, that was some quick thinking. You got Midnight to think that it meant something to us.” She took a deep breath. “It’s a tracking device. We’ll be able to find them much faster, now.” She gazed into the fire as Angel and Vapor looked on in rapt focus. “Today, we came closer to Sky than ever. Let’s remember that feeling, girls. And let’s get that job done.”
Chapter Seven (Lofty Withers)“What do you mean you’re leaving?!” Vapor Trail rolled over, covering her ear with a leg. Too early to leave. Can’t help Sky Stinger if we’re falling asleep. “You can’t just abandon us!” Midnight Strike didn’t abandon us. He betrayed us. “We need you, Daring Do!” Daring? That’s not—Vapor Trail bolted upright. “Angel Wings! No! What are you doing?” Angel turned, one hoof still raised to strike while the other held Daring by the shirt. “She’s betraying us, just like Midnight Strike did. I heard her talking on the radio when I awoke. Then she started packing her things.” Vapor glanced at Daring and saw the resignation on her face. “Why?” Angel yanked Daring around, tossing her to the ground between them and pointing a hoof. “They said something about teaching us a lesson. I couldn’t make it out.” Vapor stood and walked to Daring. Looking down, she asked, “Is this true?” “I’m sorry,” said Daring. “I can’t help you any more.” She turned to glare at Angel. “I work alone.” “Does that mean you’re going to rescue Sky Stinger without us?” “It means we’re done.” Standing slowly, she walked to Angel, turning her face to provide a clean shot. “Go ahead. Take a shot. It won’t change anything.” Angel vibrated with fury. The moment passed, and she turned away. Then swung back around. Vapor was quicker, launching herself at Angel, knocking her down and pinning her to the ground. “Angel, no!” “You’re just going to let her fly off?” “She doesn’t matter. Sky matters. He still needs us.” Vapor held her gaze on Angel until Angel looked away, the tension draining from her body. “Whatever.” Daring offered them each a hoof up, but Vapor brushed it away. “I’m sorry, but it’s time for me to go. Good luck.” Turning away, Daring grabbed her things, then looked back one last time. “Remember your training.” Vapor watched until she was nothing but a speck in the sky, fighting to hold back the tears. “Come on,” said Angel. “Let’s get the tracker and find where they’ve taken Sky.” Vapor nodded, not willing to trust her voice. She grabbed the lodestone by the band that held it, slipping around her neck. Her sleeping mat and blanket were quickly rolled, folded, and packed back into the hidden cache. Wolfing down two granola bars, she pulled out a picture of her first day at the academy with Sky Stinger. I’m coming for you, she promised. Less than ten minutes after waking, Vapor stood beside Angel, ready to depart as the desert sun slowly lifted above the horizon. She glanced one more time in the direction Daring had flown. “Hey. We don’t need her. We’re Wonderbolts.” Not yet, she didn’t say, instead lifting the lodestone pendant so it dangled freely. Ever so slightly, it pointed back towards Las Pegasus. Leaping, they lifted into the air, catching the growing thermals to soar as they drifted into the city. Drawn by the lodestone, they surveyed the city in ever tighter circles. Vapor finally pointed towards a warehouse in the industrial district. They banked away, travelling back out to the edge of the city before turning around, shedding height and gaining velocity as they barreled back towards the warehouse, just above the tops of the offices and warehouses. As they cleared the near side of the building before their target, they flared their wings, slamming to a stop and dropping to the roof. Trotting to the far side, they crouched behind the lip of the building. Angel took out a pair of miniature binoculars, peering through them and into the row of windows along the side of the warehouse. “I see two of the hedgehogs. No sign of Sky. Or Midnight.” “I see them. Look. There’s Grubber. I think he’s got the tracker.” Angel swung her binoculars around. “Confirmed. That glow makes it stand out like a storm cloud in a clear sky. What do we do now?” Vapor bit her lip, thinking. “If we go in without knowing where Sky is, they might move him before we find him. Let’s surveil the place for a while. Maybe they’ll move him while we watch.” The hours ticked by. As they watched, they traded the binoculars periodically, until the sun beat down from the noon sky and Vapor could tell which hedgehog would win the current hand of rummy just from their tells. Angel shifted to face vapor. “This is going nowhere. Maybe we should get the Wonderbolts.” “I can’t risk that.” “We can’t risk not doing that. We’ve been betrayed, abandoned, and hit an impasse.” “Grubber is moving.” Angel shifted back. “Let me see.” She reached over, taking the binoculars. Stepping outside the warehouse, Grubber waited, checking his watch, until a pegasus swooped down, carrying several brown paper bags, exchanging them for cash. “What do you think is in the bags?” asked Vapor. “Lunch. That pegasus has a name tag from Quislings.” “The sub joint? Maybe they’ll feed Sky and we can see where they’re keeping him”. As the delivery pony took off, Grubber turned right towards them. “Flank,” said Angel as they dropped below the lip. “Did he make us?” “Hey, girls,” called Grubber. “Care to join us for some lunch? It’s on me.” “He made us.” “What do we do?” Vapor lifted her eyes above the lip. Grubber stared right up at her. He smiled, lifting the bags. “Guaranteed fresh, or your money back!” Vapor ducked back down, sharing a look with Angel. “Still have those smoke bombs?” Angel touched a pocket on her jumpsuit and nodded. “That’s our escape plan. Let’s go see what he has to say.” Standing, Vapor pushed off the edge of the building, dropping to the ground with just enough forward momentum that she landed across the street, right in front of Grubber, with Angel landing just behind her. “Thank you for the invitation. We’d be delighted to lunch with you, wouldn’t we, Angel.” “Oh. Yeah. Definitely.” Grubber smiled. “Well come on in, then. Mind getting the door?” He led them through the warehouse to the table where they’d been playing cards. “Guys? Make room for the ladies?” The giant hedgehogs glanced at the Wonderbolt Trainees, at each other. One stood and moved around the rectangular table to sit beside the other. Leaning closer to Vapor, Grubber whispered, “You’ll have to pardon them. They’re real friendly, but also real shy.” He swept his hands towards the table. “Have a seat.” Angel took her seat, but Vapor lingered to ask, “Where’s Sky?” “Please. Lunch before business. I insist. In fact, it’s even in my contract.” He pulled out wrapped sandwiches, glanced at the markings, and distributed them around the table. Vapor unwrapped then stared at hers. “How did you know I liked burnt avocado?” She glanced at Angel’s. “Or Angel and banana peppers?” Grubber held out a finger in pause as he chewed and swallowed. “It’s my job to know. And I’m good at my job. Ya know?” Again with that smile. Vapor wanted to wipe it off his face. “So what’s it like? Being a ‘bolt?” “Oh, we’re not bolts. Just candidates,” said Angel, earning a glare from Vapor. Dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand, Grubber rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. Apart from the minor formality of some ceremonies, you two are basically ‘bolts.” Melancholy overtook Vapor. “Not after this week.” “Come on. You girls did great. If I know show business—and I do—it makes me a lot of money—you’ll have Wonderbolt pins on those jumpsuits in no time. Unless… unless you wanted to work for me?” Angel nearly choked on her sandwich. “The Wonderbolts aren’t just show business, Grubber,” said Vapor, slamming a hoof on the table. “We protect Equestria. From enemies foreign and domestic.” Lifting his hands, he leaned away. “Hey, peace. Look at me. I’m a terrible host. I just said lunch before business, and here I am ruining it. I’m sorry.” “Apology accepted,” said Angel, still chewing. She swallowed. “You have anything to drink around here?” Aghast, Grubber slapped his head. “Oh my Storm King. Where are my manners? Of course. Crumpet, would you get these ladies something to drink.” The stoic hedgehog stood, easily twice their height. He waited. Grubber leaned in. “What’ll it be? Water? Juice? Hard cider?” “Water.” “Cider.” Vapor turned to glare at Angel, who rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll take a water too.” “Crumpet?” asked Angel of Grubber as Crumpet walked off. Grubber waved it off. “It’s just a nickname. So. Being in the Wonderbolts? What’s it like?” “Grueling,” said Angel between bites. “We train like, twenty-five hours a day.” “Twenty-five, you say?” Angel bobbed her head. “I swear they manage to squeeze in an extra hour for training every day.” Vapor stared, blinking. “You really feel that way?” “Well yeah,” said Angel, still chewing. “But it’s all worth it to be near friends like you and Sky.” “And Midnight,” whispered Vapor. Silence befell the warehouse. Crumpet returned, setting out the drinks and retaking his seat. “I’m not hungry,” said Angel, setting down and pushing away her half-eaten sandwich. Crumpet looked around in confusion. “No, Crumpet,” said Grubber. “It’s nothing you did. I’m the one who convinced Midnight to betray his friends. You can blame me.” “Speaking of,” said Vapor, glancing at the door to the small office in the corner of the warehouse, “where is he? “He’s in a safe place. Along with Sky. My boss has plans for him.” “Your boss?” “Smiling Mask. She and the boys went on a trip.” “Where?” “Not yet,” said Grubber, pointing to Vapor’s uneaten Sandwich. Not looking, she scooped it up, raising it and taking a bite while she continued to glare at Grubber, chewing angrily. Swallowing, the intensity of her glare deepened. “Alright, sheesh. I’ll get down to it.” He reached down and pulled up two bags, dropping them on the table with the clink of coins as they spilled out. “Two hundred bits each. Walk away. Forget any of this happened.” Angel reached a hoof towards her bag, but Vapor slapped it away. “We want our friend back.” “Don’t you mean friends?” “I said exactly what I meant to.” Nodding his head, Grubber snapped towards Crumpet. “Didn’t think so.” Crumpet reached behind himself, grabbing two much larger, sturdier bags. They weighed so much that, when he dropped them on the table, the whole thing shook, making Angel and Vapor jump. “Two thousand bits each. You want your friend back? Join me. That’s your signing bonus. You could make a lot more money with me than in the Wonderbolts.” Angel whistled. “That’s a lot of bits, Vapor.” “You can’t buy our loyalty, Grubber. You have to earn it. And you never will.” Grubber clapped his hands together. “Excellent! There’s just one last thing, then.” Reaching inside his vest, he pulled out two tickets, tossing them out on the table. “Smiling Mask’s plans will be revealed at the Gala, ladies. That’s where you’ll find your friends, too.” Vapor picked up her ticket, flipping it around as she examined it. “It’s just a ticket. Not a snake.” Vapor turned her attention back to Grubber. “Why are you doing this?” “It’s just another job. Now, if either of you blabs about the Gala, I will not be held responsible for what happens.” He tapped his nose. “Mum’s the word, and all that.” Vapor stood, walking towards the exit. “Hey, don’t you want your sandwich?” Vapor flipped him the primary. Grabbing her sandwich, Angel hesitated, staring at the bits spilling out on the table. “Come on, Angel.” With a sigh, she flew after Vapor, taking another bite as she did. Grubber turned to Crumpet. “That went well. What do you think?” Crumpet shrugged. “Don’t give me that. They’ll be fine.” He turned, catching a last glimpse as they exited the building. “They passed.” ——— “I’m sorry,” said the mask, removing her namesake. Her hair poofed out. “I didn’t expect him to take the money.” Rainbow closed the case holding the Wonerbolt pins and sighed. She’d only need three of them now. “It’s not your fault, Pinkie. None of us expected Midnight to turn. This prank was a stupid idea.” “So, he’s out of the ‘bolts for good?” Rainbow nodded, pain covering her face. “Yeah. Failed the final test. He can keep the bits, but he’ll never be a Wonderbolt. You can’t just carry on after betraying your friends like that. I gotta break the news to him. Also need to tell Sky he’s not actually a prisoner.” “Maybe I could cheer him up with a party?” “Yeah, no. ‘Congratulations on betraying your friends, here’s your party hat?’ I don’t think that’ll go over too well. I just need to talk to him.” She called across the room, “Hey, Cinch!” A moment later, Cinch’s head appeared in the door. “Yes, boss?” “Could you bring in Sky to see me?” “Right away, sir.” She ducked back out. “If there’s a silver lining in all this,” said Pinkie, “it’s that Grubber’s theater troupe has done really well. I totally believed they were an organized crime gang.” Rainbow snickered. “That’s because they are.” “Wait, what?” Cinch burst back into the room. “He’s missing! They’re missing!” Rainbow bolted out of her seat. “What?” Pinkie donned her mask, becoming, once more, the dread villain Smiling Mask. “Well, Dashie. It looks like, once more, the game is afoot.”
Chapter Eight (Shaslan)The week passed swiftly, and the night of the Gala arrived all too soon. In a seedy hotel on the very outskirts of Canterlot, a young pegasus paced nervously back and forth. Vapour Trail completed her seventh anxious lap of the room in as many minutes and darted once more to the window to peer out from behind the curtain. There was still no sign of anypony approaching the hotel’s front door. Vapour Trail sighed in exasperation and threw herself backwards onto the bed. What was taking so long? Hoofsteps in the corridor outside made her jerk upright, and she dashed across to the door and wrenched it open. “Angel Wings!” she scolded. “What on Equus took you so long? I was back here over an hour ago!” Angel Wings rolled her eyes and dumped two garment bags onto the bed. “Well excuse me if securing two designer gowns sleek enough to fit in with elite ponies and literal princesses was harder than finding some smoke bombs.” Vapour Trail was already halfway into her dress, the bag it came in trampled on the floor. “Shut up and get dressed, Angel. We haven’t got much time. We need to be there early if we’re going to scope out the location and figure out how to corner Grubber.” Angel muttered something dark and shrugged her own dress on over her head. Vapour Trail secured her smoke bombs under the voluminous skirt of her purple gown and tossed some to Angel Wings, who followed suit. “I hope that lowlife Midnight is there too,” Vapour said darkly, as they left the little hotel behind them. “I can’t wait to give that traitor the hoof sandwich he’s been waiting for.” —————————— Rainbow Dash sat on her bed in her loaned rooms in the guest wing of Canterlot Castle, wringing her hooves and watching Pinkie Pie paint her fur stark white. “They’ll be here, right?” Rainbow asked, running her hooves nervously through her mane. “Grubber has to come. It’s in the plan. He said he’d stick to the plan.” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Yeah, but he also said he’d do what we told him and that we were in charge. But then he didn’t do what we told him, and stole all that money! So I guess I wouldn’t be too too shocked if he didn’t come to the Gala.” Rainbow Dash moaned aloud. “No, no, Pinkie, he has to come! He still has Sky Stinger! And Vapour Trail and Angel Wings are still missing. How am I meant to tell Spitfire I lost over twenty thousand bits of Wonderbolts’ money and three of our best cadets?” “Don’t forget Midnight Strike!” Pinkie chirped brightly. “So technically you lost twenty thousand bits, three cadets, and one cadet that you forced to turn to,” she lowered her voice, widened her eyes and waved her hooves in the air in imitation of a ghost, “The dark side!” “Gah!” Rainbow turned away from her in disgust. “Not helping, Pinkie!” Pinkie chortled as she dabbed the last bit of white powder onto her muzzle and secured a white mask over the top. The mask showed a pony’s face twisted into a hideous imitation of mirth, its grin like that of a skull. Pinkie vanished, to be replaced by the notorious villain that had graced the front page of every Equestrian newspaper for months. “Well,” that horrifying visage said brightly, “If Grubber does come, I promise you that Smiling Mask will have a few things to say to him!" —————————— Vapour Trail and Angel Wings arrived just in time to blend with the throngs of well-dressed ponies descending on the castle, and tried to appear as though they were mingling. Mostly this consisted of wandering through various rooms, forcing a fake laugh here and there at remarks that had not been addressed to them, and furiously scanning the crowds for any sign of Grubber or Midnight Strike. They had spent nearly an hour at this unrewarding pastime when Angel Wings suddenly elbowed Vapour hard enough in the ribs to bruise her. “Ow!” hissed Vapour Trail. “What was that for?” “Shut up and look!” whispered Angel. Vapour Trail followed Angel’s pointing hoof towards the doorway, where a squat grey form could just be seen, flanked by a dark-furred pegasus. Vapour’s eyes narrowed. “It’s Midnight.” Angel flipped a wing towards the hulking shape on Grubber’s other side. “And Crumpet, apparently.” Sure enough, the vast bulk of the enormous hedgehog was there, squeezed improbably into a very small suit. Crumpet looked deeply uncomfortable, and kept tugging at the collar of his suit. But Grubber and Midnight appeared totally in their element, strolling casually through the crowds of ponies and nodding confidently at everyone they passed. “This way,” Angel murmured to Vapour, trying to slip behind a group of stallions loudly discussing the best brands of cider, but when she glanced back to make sure her friend was following, Vapour was gone. Angel Wings sighed. It was going to be one of those missions. “You traitorous snake!” Vapour Trail yelled, hurtling through the air towards Midnight Strike, drawing the eyes of every creature in the room. Grubber yelped and vanished, and Angel Wings was forced to gallop after Vapour Trail, who was now fighting noisily on the floor with Midnight. “You no-good sellout!” she cried, battering at his head with her hooves. “One sniff of a bit of cash and you abandon us all!” “Ow—!” yelped Midnight. “Get off, Vapour! It’s not like that—” Vapour Trail scoffed and slapped him again. “Oh yeah? Then what is it like?” Midnight finally managed to get his hooves underneath Vapour’s barrel and kicked her bodily away from him. “I’m not just a cog in the machine anymore! Not just a soldier in their army.” He scrambled to his hooves and advanced towards her. “I’m a freedom fighter now. Grubber’s showing me how to make a real difference!” Vapour Trail leapt back to her feet. “A difference to your own pockets, you mean!” Midnight Strike deflected her incoming blow with his wing. “Well, so what if I make a little more money than I would have done with the bolts? I’m still fighting for a real cause!” “Ugh! You’re lying to yourself!” Vapour Trail leapt for his throat. Midnight stumbled backwards, and Angel Wings dealt him a stinging blow to the back of his head. He spun to face her, and his ears went back on seeing that he was outnumbered. “Where is Sky Stinger?” Angel demanded. “What have you done with him?” Midnight Strike snarled, an ugly expression on his handsome face, and then there was a flash of steel and he had a knife in his hoof. Angel reeled backwards, unable to reconcile this knife-wielding stranger with the Midnight she had trained beside for months. “What are you doing, Midnight?” Midnight Strike spat on the ground at her feet, earning another shocked gasp from one of the Canterlot gentle colts behind him. “I reckon trimming a few of your pretty white feathers would convince Grubber and Smiling Mask of my loyalty — don’t you think, Angel?” He lunged for her with the knife, and Angel let out a shrill squeal of panic and hurled all of her smoke bombs directly at his face. They detonated with a dull boom, and the room was instantly flooded with thick, cloying black smoke. Ponies cried out in fear and began to flee. In no time at all there was a full fledged stampede, and Angel lost track of Midnight and Vapour in the chaos as she was borne away. When at last the smoke cleared, she was in the palace gardens. Princess Celestia was before her, trying to calm the shaking party-goers. “Please, everypony! Calm down! The renegades are gone now, I am sure of it.” Then one of the high society ponies spotted the empty hollows in the Princess’ peytral and crown, and began to scream anew. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. “The crown jewels! They’ve been stolen!” —————————— Rainbow Dash blinked and sat up, rubbing with one hoof at her aching head where an elderly gentlemare had panicked and trampled her. She squinted up at the dispersing smoke, and her eyes narrowed as she saw Midnight Strike flying away, Grubber on board, and two shining pink gems in his grip. Her eyes narrowed. “No way I’m letting you get away with more of Equestria’s gold, you no-good little hedgehog. You shoulda just stuck to the plan.” Then in a blur of rainbow contrail, she was gone. Pinkie, hiding behind a bush so that her mask wouldn’t scare the assembled ponies even more out of their wits, spotted Crumpet, his suit ripped and torn from the melee. “Hey, Crumpet!” she yelled, her voice cutting through the air. “You never replied to my party invitation!” She paused a moment to think of his other, less heinous crimes. “And you took all of Rainbow Dash’s students! Get back here!” —————————— Vapour Trail finally located the shaken Angel Wings, just in time to see Smiling Mask gallop out from a nearby bush. They stared at each other, eyes wide and tore after her. Working together just like they had in practice, they took her from behind and tripped her, sending her crashing face-first into the ground. “Ugh…” Smiling Mask groaned and looked up at them, her mask cracked and splintered enough to reveal the face beneath. Vapour Trail’s breath rushed out of her. She would know that pink fur anywhere. Pinkie Pie. How could one of the Elements be behind the mask of Equestria’s most infamous crime boss? “Just you wait until I tell Commander Rainbow Dash what a low-down bad guy you are!” Vapour Trail screamed, tears running freely down her face. “And she’ll tell Princess Twilight — and they’ll blast you to stone!” “Hold on—” Pinkie Pie’s hooves were up in the air, but Vapour Trail was in no mood to listen. “You’re evil, and you tricked every pony into thinking you were good! You’re a monster! I — I grew up listening to stories about you, about the Elements! But you lied to everypony in Equestria! You monster!” “Vapour Trail, wait—” Angel Wings tried to hold her back, but Vapour Trail shoved her friend away as though she weighed nothing at all. Angel Wing went sprawling backwards, and then Midnight Strike’s knife was in Vapour’s hoof, and she was advancing on the false Element of Laughter, the fallen angel, this Lucifer who had bought all of Vapour’s ideals and the trust she had placed in Equestria’s heroes crashing to the ground. Pinkie Pie’s pupils contracted to pinpricks of terror when she saw the light glinting off the blade in Vapour’s grip, and her ears flattened. “Uh, I — I — I—” she whispered, but for once, she finally seemed at a loss for words. Vapour Trail leaned over her, one forehoof holding the villain to the ground, one gripping the knife tight in her frog, and stared into the eyes of the pony who had once been a symbol of everything she rejected. “How could you do this?” she whispered. A single tear slipped down Pinkie Pie’s frozen cheek. Vapour Trail didn’t wait to hear the answer. She didn’t need to. She bought the knife slashing down towards those big blue eyes — — But it never connected. She stopped. Vapour Trail wanted nothing more than to put an end to Smiling Mask, the killer who had been responsible for so much terror and loss, but here, at the moment when she had a chance to do so — she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t end the life of another pony. No matter how evil they were. Not even Smiling Mask.
Epilogue (Lofty Withers)“And then the boat sank.” Twilight sucked noisily on the dregs of her Mai Tai before setting it aside. Adjusting her sun visor, she reclined her chair. “Pinkie, that makes no sense.” She gestured at a passing beachboy, taking another drink from his tray. ”Rarity, tell her that makes no sense.” “Perhaps you’re simply confusing it with that time with the cucumbers and the bunyip.” “Hmm…” Pinkie bit her lip, cocking her head as she thought. A smile exploded onto her face as she bounced up and out of her seat. “You’re right, and you just reminded me. I lost the game! Be right back. Gotta go clear my mind.” She pronked towards the diving board. Twilight sat up, yelling after her. “Wait! You didn’t say what happened next.” “Maybe I’ll tell you later,” she called back, bouncing off the board and into the pool. “I lost the game,” said Rainbow, nonchalant. “Me too,” added Fluttershy. Twilight turned to them. “What game?” “You’ll be happier not knowing, darling. Believe me.” Twilight stared at them a moment before conceding, muttering under her breath as she leaned back. “I’m glad you’re letting it go, darling. Sometimes, letting go and moving on is really the best thing to do.” fin
PrologueVapor Trail grabbed Grubber’s shirt, pulling him closer. “If you’ve harmed a hair on his body, I will end you.” “Relax,” said Grubber, waving off his guards. “Sky Stinger is perfectly safe, but he’ll only stay that way if you can deliver the bits by tomorrow.” He pushed away her hoof and straightened his shirt. “Alternatively, I’ve got a little job you could do for me.”
Chapter Nine (Atom Smash)For a moment the entire hall was silent, every pair of eyes in the room glued to the blade, none so more than Pinkie’s as the blade hovered an inch above her left pupil. She was going cross eyed just to look at it. So it came to everypony’s surprise that she was the first to recover. Letting out a breath Pinkie moved her eyes from the blade and looked past it, up and meeting Vapour Trail’s own. “Thank you.” The pink pony whispered, and when she saw that her words did little to appease the irate pegasus threatening to make her world monocular she added: “This isn’t what it looks like, okay.” Vapour couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Really? After all you have done you are trying that line!?” She spat down at Smiling Mask. The worst monster and most revered hero of her foalhood revealed to be the same pony. It would take a lot more than a few simple lies and excuses for her to stay her blade. So why hadn’t she thrust down already? Surely Equestria would be a better place without this monster, wouldn’t it? Seeing as the pony above her was losing the initiative Pinkie started to relax a bit. She also remembered that she had stashed eye-patches all over Equestria in case of emergency, so if Vapour stabbed her it wouldn’t be that bad. Sure it’d hurt, but only for a while, and then she’d look cool, like a pirate. “Look, let me explain…” She began.
