Thunderspite

The next day, Applejack sent Thunderspite to the market alone to buy a few odds and ends they needed around the farm. As it happened, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash were also in the market, sampling the wares of the merchant caravan that had come to town.

As she turned from the fabric cart, Pinkie Pie spotted Thunderspite coming out of the blacksmith’s shop on the other side of the market.

“Look everyone, it’s Thunderspite!” she said, pointing and bouncing

“Well, we should go say hello!” said Rarity. As they all started trotting towards him, however, they saw Thunderspite freeze in mid-step, staring intently at something across the market.

“What’s he doing? Asked Rainbow Dash, cocking her head to one side.

“There!” said Fluttershy, pointing across the market. Following his gaze, they saw two pegasus Royal Guards, each bearing messenger bags, who had apparently just come from the mayor’s office. Both guards were staring back at Thunderspite with equal intensity, talking quietly amongst themselves.

After a moment, they saw Thunderspite turn and start walking the other direction. The two guards exchanged a look and walked around the corner of the mayor’s building.

“What was that all that was about?” asked Pinkie Pie, who had stopped bouncing.

“Dunno. Let’s find out,” said Rainbow Dash, and started galloping across the square. The others followed.

“Oh dear...do you really think we should be...oh dear,” after a moment's hesitation, Fluttershy reluctantly fell in behind the others.

The ponies rounded the other corner of the mayor’s building opposite where the guards disappeared. Sneaking around quietly, they could overhear their hushed voices.

“You’re sure it was him?” one of them was saying.

“I’m positive. That was definitely Thunderspite,” said the other.

“What do you think he’s doing in Ponyville?”

“I don’t know. But we have to tell the Princess right away. We’ll have to move fast if we want to catch him.” And with that, the two guards went back around the building and took flight.

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were all dumbstruck.

“Oh my gosh!” said Pinkie Pie, her eyes wide.

“Oh my!” Rarity covered her mouth with a hoof. “They almost make it sound like Thunderspite is a... is a...”

“Fugitive?” Rainbow Dash finished.

“Oh dear. A...” Fluttershy gulped. “Fugitive?”

“Well, now hold on...” Rarity said. “We don’t know for sure that Thunderspite is an outlaw.”

“Oh come on Rarity!” Rainbow Dash crossed her arms “You heard the guards. Why else would the Royal Guard be looking for him?

“Well maybe... hmm.” Rarity was at a loss for an explanation. “I suppose you’re right.”

“What do we do?” Fluttershy asked.

“We have to tell Applejack right away,” said Rainbow Dash. “Come on!”