Rune Hunters

Chapters

Aqua Wisp
Fiery Rage
Terra Roar
Gale Claw
Ice Crystal

Aqua Wisp

In the night sky over Ponyville, a distant star twinkled.

It slowly grew brighter and brighter as it approached, descending from the heavens... and landing with a thunderous crash.

"Waugh!"

Apple Bloom toppled out of bed, landing on the floor with a thunk.

"Who, what, where, huh, what?" Her head darted this way and that, searching for the source of the loud noise that had woken her. After several seconds had passed, she raised a hoof to her head, having finally noticed it aching after her landing on it. "Owww..."

Slowly climbing up on all fours, she trotted over to her bedroom window and propped her forehooves up on the windowsill for a better look. A little ways out into the orchard, dust was settling around a small white object that gleamed in the moonlight.

"What in the hay is that?"

Apple Bloom glanced over her shoulder. She heard no sound from the rest of the house, save for the occasional bass-deep snore from Big Mac's room. Had she seriously been the only one woken up by the noise?

"Well, looks like it's up to me to investigate then," she whispered, making no effort to hide her excitement.

Carefully, she nudged her door open and peeked out into the hall, ears perked as she listened intently. Sure enough, no other signs of life made themselves known. Grinning, she stepped lightly as she made her way down the hall. She squatted low as she descended the stairs, crawling cat-like so as to avoid all the spots she knew would creak under her weight, and let out a quiet sigh of relief as she landed silently at the bottom.

It took all her willpower not to burst out the front door and ruin her stealth up to that point.

As energized as if she had just downed a pot of coffee, Apple Bloom raced across the grounds of Sweet Apple Acres toward the site where she had seen the object land.

"This is so cool!" she practically squealed. "Something strange and mysterious falls from the sky, and I'm gonna be the first one to check it out!" Her grin unrelenting, she skidded to a stop several feet away.

"Now hold on there," she warned herself aloud, pausing for a moment to steady her breath and her fierce heartbeat. "It might be dangerous, or it might be nothing. Take it slow, now."

Seconds later, she was already scooping the object out of the dirt with her forehooves.

"Wow, cool! It's..." She paused. "...What the heck is this thing, anyway?"

She found herself staring at a square slab of stone, almost bleached white. A black shape was visible on one side, a thick curve ending in sharp points. Curious, she placed her hoof on the strange mark... and gasped as it lit up.

Innocent one...

"Gah!" Startled, Apple Bloom dropped the slab. "Who - Who said that?"

Innocent one... The voice seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at once, as though within her own mind. Tell me your name...

"Who wants to know?" Apple Bloom challenged, ears flat against her head as she stared defiantly at the glowing symbol on the slab before her.

Your world is in danger from a power that does not belong here... warned the voice. I would beseech your aid, that together we may right that which has been set wrong...

Apple Bloom's expression softened. "Equestria's in danger? And you need help?" She swallowed. "...My help?"

Hurry... insisted the voice. Tell me your name...

"My..." Shivering, she swallowed again. "I'm... Apple Bloom."

Apple Bloom... the voice confirmed. Innocent Apple Bloom, take my Aqua Wisp... Take up the rune before you, such that I may grant you my power. The power of Stoldark, the Water Guardian...

Slowly, Apple Bloom lifted the slab in her trembling forehooves once again. She squinted as its glow intensified, washing out the orchard around her.

In an instant, the whole world had faded to white...

Apple Bloom, innocent one...

The voice echoed still.

Apple Bloom... Apple Bloom...

Yeah, that was her name, alright. How many times did she need to hear it?

"Apple Bloom? You awake, sugarcube?"

Her eyes popped open. Warm sunlight streamed in her window.

"Ain't like you to sleep in this late. Almost missed breakfast," said the familiar voice of her big sister Applejack. "You feeling alright?"

"I... I'm fine, Applejack," said Apple Bloom, rubbing her face as she sat up. "Just had a real doozy of a dream, is all..."

"Well hurry on down to the kitchen then." Applejack turned and trotted for the door. "Won't do to tackle your chores on an empty belly!"

"Uh huh," came Apple Bloom's noncommittal reply.

As her sister's hoofsteps faded down the hall, Apple Bloom spent a moment in thought. That was right, wasn't it? It had to have been a dream. It was too freaky to be real.

So how come she could still hear the echo of that strange voice in her head?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a rather insistent gurgling noise from her stomach. Whatever it was, she wouldn't be figuring it out just sitting here in bed anyway, right? Licking her lips in anticipation, she hopped out of bed and followed her sister's trail downstairs.

"Well now, there ya are! Sawed any more logs than that, and you'da cut a hole clean through the floor!"

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes as she hopped into her chair at the table and began serving herself oats and scrambled eggs on a plate. "I didn't sleep that long, Granny! Geez..."

Granny Smith chuckled to herself for a moment before taking a long swig of apple juice.

"Hope that means you're ready then," said Applejack as she scrubbed her breakfast dishes clean in the sink. "Still up for replanting all the trees we lost to that bout of blight, are you?"

"Mhmm!" Apple Bloom nodded as she chewed. "Don't you worry none. I can handle it, no problem! Right, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup."

"See, he thinks so too." Apple Bloom beamed.

Applejack smirked. "Let's hope you're still this eager once you been at it a while. Mac and I'll be in the south field if you need anything." She set the clean dishes aside to dry. "Let's get to it."

"Eeyup."

With that, the two big ponies marched out the door, bound for the orchard.

Apple Bloom scarfed down the rest of her breakfast, splashed her dishes with only barely enough water to rinse them clean, and hurried off to tackle her responsibilities for the day. The sooner she finished them, the sooner she could go spend time with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and that was all the motivation she needed. Before long, she was dragging a small wagon containing a trowel and a big bag of seeds over to one end of the orchard, where an empty patch of freshly overturned earth awaited her.

Taking the trowel in her teeth, Apple Bloom dug a small hole in the dirt, tossed a seed into it, then packed the dirt back into it before spitting the trowel back into the wagon. She then reached for something else in the wagon, only for her forehoof to grasp empty air.

"Aw, shoot!" She frowned. "Now how did I go and forget the watering can? Ugh, now I gotta go all the way back to the barn for it."

Perhaps not.

Apple Bloom tripped and fell on her face in the dirt.

Fear not, little one. I mean you no harm. The voice was eerily familiar...

"Who, what, where - ?" Apple Bloom scrambled back up onto her hooves, unsure of which way to face to properly address the voice. "Wait a minute... it's you! From that dream! S... Sto... Spoder! Stopper? Standard?"

Stoldark, corrected the voice. And I assure you, that was no dream. I require your assistance, Apple Bloom; would you hear my request?

Apple Bloom blinked. Somehow the whole situation really wasn't any less freaky under the light of day... but confirmation that it had been real the whole time caused her curiosity to spike, overtaking her wariness. This 'Stoldark' hadn't made any attempt to hurt her or her family, as far as she was aware; what could it hurt to hear them out?

"Uhh... sure?"

As I have stated, I am the Water Guardian, said Stoldark. I hail from the world of Filgaia, where my fellow Guardians and I watch over the land and maintain peace... but a powerful enemy we thought defeated long ago has resurfaced to threaten that peace. Their first act was to banish my brethren and me, flinging us across space and time to your world. I fear Filgaia will fare poorly against this ancient foe in our absence.

"Oh geez..."

Moreover, some of us may respond poorly - perhaps even violently - to the prospect of isolation in so strange and unknown a place as this. I would ask you then, noble Apple Bloom: will you assist me in rescuing my fellow Guardians for the sake of both of our worlds?

"Gosh, I..."

Apple Bloom bit her lip as indecision tore at her heart. This whole business sounded pretty dangerous... not that she was scared or anything! She did have a lot of responsibilities on her plate already, though. School, farm chores, cutie mark work with her fellow Crusaders... She wasn't hurting for ways to occupy herself, that was for sure.

On the other hoof, this was a... a something from another world, asking for her help finding its friends! She wasn't sure she really understood this business about an enemy or whatever, but she could understand being scared and lonely and wanting to go home.

She could totally make it work! She was a Cutie Mark Crusader, after all.

Apple Bloom grinned. "I'll do it!"

Then henceforth we shall be allies, until such time as my brethren and I might return to our Filgaia. Though she couldn't see a face or anything, Apple Bloom could tell Stoldark was relieved to hear her answer.

A moment of silence followed.

"So, uh..." Apple Bloom pawed idly at the dirt. "What do I do first?"

I do not sense the presence of any runes in the vicinity, said Stoldark. For now, you should endeavor to familiarize yourself with the magic of the Aqua Wisp, such that you may make use of it when the need arises.

"Magic?" Blink. "You mean... I can use magic?"

So long as you possess a rune, the powers of the Guardian within are yours to command. Gather your will and focus the power of Water to your fingertips.

"My what now?"

A pause. Your hooftips, perhaps?

"Oh, okay!"

Apple Bloom held out her forehoof, closed her eyes, and concentrated. The image of the watering can she had left behind surfaced in her mind, and she grasped onto it, picturing it turning over and dispensing its contents before her.

"Did I do it...?"

Opening her eyes one at a time, she watched in awe as a gentle stream of water poured from her hoof, soaking the ground.

"I did it! I did it! This is so cool!" Apple Bloom hopped excited circles around her handiwork. Sure, technically all three pony races had magic in some form or another - Applejack's skill at apple bucking wasn't all in the legs, as most seemed to think - but this was like she'd just sprouted a horn and picked up a spellbook! If she still held any apprehension about agreeing to help, it was completely drowned out by her newfound excitement.

Unfortunately, the sound of her hooves squishing in the mud nearly was as well.

"Wh, what?"

To her consternation, her hoof was still dispensing water, which had now drenched the ground all around as she hopped in circles. Alarmed, she shook the offending limb vigorously, but the stream of water did not abate. "Aaugh! How do I make it stop?"

The same way you made it start, came the patient reply. Focus.

Apple Bloom closed her eyes again, now imagining water turning off in as many ways as possible - tilting the watering can upright, tightening the knob on the hose, twisting the sink handle closed...

The sound of sprinkling water ceased, causing her to breathe a sigh of relief.

...Perhaps I should be a bit more direct in my instruction? asked Stoldark.

"Might be a good idea," said Apple Bloom, shaking some of the mud from her hooves. "And maybe we oughtta try again after I'm done with my chores? I don't want Applejack to think I just goofed around all morning or nothing."

As you wish. You seem quite responsible, Apple Bloom.

"Aw, shucks." Apple Bloom's cheeks turned pink for a second. "Although, if I practice that sprinkler trick, I could probably be done faster than using the watering can..."

"Ha!"

With a sweeping gesture, Apple Bloom threw her hoof forward. A heavy stream of water erupted from it, flying through the air in an arc until it struck an apple sitting on a tree stump several yards away and sent it flying.

"Yeehaw! Bull's eye!"

Your third consecutive hit, said Stoldark. Excellent work, Apple Bloom. It brings me confidence to see you learn so much in a single afternoon.

Apple Bloom trotted across the small forest clearing hit and sat down on the now drenched tree stump, squinting in the late afternoon sun.

"I just hope Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo ain't upset that I didn't come over today on account of how important it was to practice this stuff."

Or how fun it was either, she thought to herself. While it may have just been borrowed power, the idea of having actual magic of her own was exciting in a way she could hardly describe! Was this how unicorns felt while learning magic for the first time?

"I hope we start finding your friends soon," she added. "I feel like I'm ready for anything!"

"Apple Bloom? Who are you talking to?"

"Ghk!" Apple Bloom made a strangled noise as she whirled around to find her two best friends staring at her quizzically. "Oh, uh, hi girls!"

"You okay, Apple Bloom?" asked Sweetie Belle. "Applejack says you never left the farm after you finished your chores."

"Uh." Scootaloo glanced around. "Why's the forest around here all wet? It didn't rain today."

"That's, uh..." Apple Bloom glanced this way and that in an attempt to concoct a cover story... and in seconds, her eyes lit up. "That's exactly what I was up to! I found everything all wet here and wanted to investigate, but..." She made a show of sighing. "No clues or nothing. Just a bunch of trees all wet for no reason."

"Maybe somepony had a really wild pool party back here, and finished taking the pool away just before you arrived," offered Scootaloo.

"Yeah, maybe!" Apple Bloom yawned. "Anyways, I'm beat. Sorry girls, but I think I need a nap."

Scootaloo pouted. "Aww..."

Sweetie Belle smiled. "That's okay! We'll have time tomorrow after school, right?"

"Totally," said Apple Bloom.

Sweetie's smile expanded into a grin. "Okay! Have a nice nap, Apple Bloom!"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow!" added Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom waved as the pair departed, then turned around and trotted off toward the farmhouse, frowning.

You are close to those two? asked Stoldark.

"They're my best friends in the whole wide world," said Apple Bloom.

Yet you withheld the truth from them.

Apple Bloom stared at the dirt. "I..." She paused for a deep breath. "I ain't backing down now that I said I'd help, I promise. But..."

You worry about involving those important to you, suggested the ethereal voice.

"Yeah." Apple Bloom gazed up at the sky. "I dunno how dangerous this is gonna be, and I know they'll wanna help when they find out about it... so I don't want them to find out until I got a better idea of what's going on. Getting in trouble myself is one thing, but I'd feel right awful if my friends got hurt 'cause of me, you know?"

An admirable sentiment.

"You think so?"

I do.

"You're alright, Stoldark." Apple Bloom's smile gave way for a yawn. "Whew, I wasn't lying about being tired though. A nap sounds pretty good right now."

It will do you much good to rest. Channeling the power of a Guardian is strenuous; I am impressed by your vitality.

Apple Bloom giggled. "Don't go praising me too much now, you're gonna make me blush!"

Long ago, Filgaia was inhabited by two noble races: the Humans, with their insatiable curiosity and indomitable spirit... and the Elw, who laced technology with magic, resulting in the most wondrous of creations. Under the watchful eye of the Guardians, they lived in peace and prosperity for generation after generation.

That peace was forever shattered the day the Metal Demons arrived. Having lost their home world in a terrible accident, they traveled the cosmos in search of a new one... and cared nothing for those who stood in their way. So it was that they set their sights on Filgaia, sparking the longest and bloodiest war the once tranquil world had ever known.

By banding together and summoning all their strength, the inhabitants of Filgaia did finally repel the invaders... but their victory came at a terrible cost: the once verdant landscape lay ruined by the war, fields and forests now replaced with desert and desolation.

Its peoples fared scarcely better. Their world no longer capable of sustaining their way of life, the Elw departed for a pocket dimension of their own creation, never to return. The exhausted Guardians fell to slumber, years stretching into centuries as they recovered from the conflict. The intrepid Humans elected to carry on unabated, but as the knowledge of their former allies passed first into memory and then legend, even their mighty spirits began to dwindle with the passage of time.

A thousand years it has been, and the unthinkable has come to pass: the Metal Demons have resurfaced, their goal unchanged. With no Elw or Guardians to fight alongside them, the Humans may not have the power to win a second war for Filgaia.

Staring out her bedroom window at the twinkling stars beyond, Apple Bloom clutched her pillow as the voice in her mind grew quiet.

"Gosh, that's... a real downer of a story you got there," she said at length.

I wish to offer you no illusions about the magnitude of my mission, said Stoldark. There is every chance my world will be lost at any time. Even so, I will fulfill my duty as a Guardian of Filgaia, so long as there is a Filgaia to protect.

An uncomfortable pause filled the air. Dread threatened to close in around Apple Bloom as she pondered the weight of Stoldark's words. Promising to help her new friend was all well and good, a no-brainer even... but it was hard not to feel small and insignificant when the fate of an entire world was at stake.

"Hey, so... does that mean it's my turn?"

Of course, there were few who knew the impact of small things as well as Apple Bloom did.

Stoldark seemed to hesitate. Your turn for what?

"To tell a story, silly!" Apple Bloom grinned as the answer came to her. "'Cause I got one for you about Equestria, since you told me one about your world. It's my favorite, 'cause it's got my big sister in it!"

I would be delighted to hear more about your world, Apple Bloom, said Stoldark. By all means, share your tale.

If this didn't lift the spirit's spirits, nothing would.

Apple Bloom cleared her throat. "Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land..."

Fiery Rage

Three fillies eagerly hopped their way down the front steps of the schoolhouse.

"Man, I thought class today would last forever," complained Scootaloo.

"Well, we're done now and all," said Apple Bloom, "so what do you girls wanna do?"

Sweetie Belle blinked. "Um... I dunno. Do you have any ideas, Scootaloo?"

Scootaloo shrugged. "I was excited to hang out today after we missed you yesterday," she said with a glance at Apple Bloom, "but now that we're here, I have no idea what we should do."

Apple Bloom scratched her head. "Why don't we just go hang out at the clubhouse till we think of something?"

"Sounds good to me." Scootaloo smiled. "How about you, Sweetie?"

After a few seconds with no response, Scootaloo realized her friend was no longer beside them. She stared at Apple Bloom for a moment before turning around to find Sweetie Belle several paces behind them, staring off into the distance.

"Um, girls...?" Sweetie raised a hoof and pointed. "Is... that what I think it is?"

A dark column was rising into the air from somewhere in town.

Scootaloo's eyes widened. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that looked like smoke..."

I sense a rune nearby...

Apple Bloom jumped slightly. "Huh? Are you sure?"

I believe one of my comrades has arrived, said Stoldark. You must hurry, Apple Bloom.

"I think so," said Scootaloo, unaware that her friend's inquiry wasn't directed at her. "Somepony might be in trouble. We should go see if they need help!"

"Yeah, let's go!" Apple Bloom beckoned Sweetie Belle. "Come on!"

The three fillies ran, racing through town as quickly as their short legs would carry them. Breaking through the small crowd that had formed around the commotion, the source of the smoke stood before them: a house engulfed in flames.

Sweetie's eyes shrank to pinpricks. "Oh no... that's...!"

A familiar gray mare lay sprawled on the ground nearby. A gash in her flank dripped blood, and her hide sported several large red marks, unmistakably burns. The ends of her wings were singed black. A medic pony sat hunched over her, carefully treating her wounds.

"No... please, let me go," pleaded the injured mare, struggling but failing to rise to her hooves. "My... My Dinky is still in there...!"

"Dinky!" yelled all three Crusaders simultaneously.

It is as I warned. Stoldark's voice was somehow even more serious than usual. There is a rune inside that building, and its power is responsible for this blaze. Your time has come, Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom bit her lip. If she was going to do something, she needed to do it immediately; the house likely wouldn't last much longer... and if it collapsed, it would almost certainly take Dinky Hooves with it, assuming she was still alive even now.

Without a second thought, she sprang forward and charged straight at the front door.

"APPLE BLOOM, NO!"

Ignoring the voice from the crowd that had screamed her name, Apple Bloom rushed into the burning house. Almost instantly, she began coughing; the air was thick with smoke, and the heat was unbearable.

The Aqua Wisp is at your command.

She wouldn't be getting anywhere without something to protect her. The answer came to her quickly, and she waved her forelegs in a wide circle. The sound of rushing water swirled around her, lowering the temperature rapidly. Blinking, she looked around at the thick shield of water that now surrounded her, keeping the heat at bay... and giving her a bubble of clean air to breathe as well.

Well done, praised Stoldark. There can be only one rune responsible for this; if you wish to stop the blaze from spreading, you must find it with all due haste.

"Don't gotta tell me twice!"

Unfortunately, this gave way to the next problem: she had never been in Dinky's house before. It was one thing to resist the flames, but how was she supposed to actually find the poor filly? It wasn't a very big house, sure, but she could barely see through all the smoke... and her water shield wouldn't do much if she got blindsided by a falling bookcase, or if the ceiling collapsed on her.

"Dinky? Dinky!"

Apple Bloom raced through the house as quickly as she dared, checking couches, chairs, and the floor everywhere for any sign of Dinky. Several times, she heard a hiss as her shield extinguished something along the way.

When a door stood before her, she reached up to open it, only for it to fall loose from its hinges.

"Waugh!"

She scrambled backward just in time for the burning door to land mere inches in front of her, revealing an empty bathroom.

"Rrgh - come on! DINKY!" Apple Bloom yelled with everything her lungs could muster... and got a response in the form of a faint whimper from somewhere behind her.

"Dinky?" Apple Bloom spun around, retracing her steps through the kitchen. "Dinky! Where are - ah!"

The filly in question practically appeared at her hooves, lying limply beside a strange stone slab. Now protected by Apple Bloom's bubble, she coughed weakly and opened her eyes just a tiny bit. "Ap... ple... bl...?"

"Hang in there, Dinky." Apple Bloom scooped her up and cradled her close. "You're gonna be just fine, I promise."

"Thank... you..." was all Dinky could manage in reply.

Slowly, Apple Bloom hoisted the barely conscious filly onto her back and turned to face the slab. Aside from the strange dark pattern resembling flickering flames on its surface, it looked just like the one she had seen in the orchard.

"Here goes nothing," she muttered, placing her hoof on its surface. At once, the rune's face lit up, and a new voice filled her head.

Hey you! What's the big idea, huh? it demanded. You wanna steal my powers too? You'll get the same thing I gave the last punk to try that!

Sheathe your wings, Moa Gault, commanded Stoldark. This one is an ally, by whose grace we might return to Filgaia.

The new voice paused for a moment, indignant tone replaced by a far more jovial one. Stoldark? You overgrown sea turtle! Good to see you!

"Hey, think you might catch up later?" Apple Bloom glanced over her shoulder at the sound of a cabinet crashing to the floor, its ceramic contents shattering on impact. "We gotta get outta here!"

Sure, sure, kid. I guess if the old coot trusts you, then I will too. Just one thing first. Ahem... There was a pause. I'm Moa Gault, the Fire Guardian. With my Fiery Rage at your side, we'll burn our enemies so hard there won't even be ashes left!

In a flash of light, the rune disappeared.

Without missing a beat, Apple Bloom spun around and took off, retracing her steps back to the front door as quickly as she could with Dinky draped over her back. Upon reaching it, however, she stopped; it would immediately blow her cover to be seen walking out surrounded by a giant bubble of water. Taking a deep breath first, she pointed her hoof at her shield, causing it to burst and splash the floor around her.

Instantly, the heat washed over her, drying her coat and causing her to gasp in surprise. Coughing as the smoke seeped into her lungs, she staggered out the door.

"Whew...!"

With a sigh of relief, Apple Bloom collapsed in the dirt in front of the house, finally out of danger. Her head spun as the adrenaline began to wear off. She could hear shouts and cries around her, and soon felt Dinky's weight being lifted from her back.

A shadow cast over her. Slowly, she raised a hoof to her head and sat up to investigate... only to cringe as the image of a furious Applejack swam into focus in front of her.

"Uh oh..."

A knock at her bedroom door woke Apple Bloom from her nap.

"Uh... c'mon in."

Applejack stepped into the room, her expression neutral. "How you feeling, sugarcube?"

Apple Bloom blinked. "I'm fine, I... think."

"Medic ponies said you weren't hurt, so I just brought you straight home," said Applejack as she sat on the edge of the bed. "You were plumb tuckered after pulling your little stunt. Gave me a chance to cool my jets, so I reckon it turned out alright."

A deep breath did little to calm Apple Bloom's heart as her brain finished waking up, reminding her of what had happened earlier.

"I know I don't gotta tell you just how dangerous it is running into a burning house like that. Might well be the last mistake you ever make." Applejack gave the filly's mane a gentle stroke. "So I gotta know what possessed you to do it anyway."

With any luck, maybe just being earnest would throw her off the trail? It wasn't like she would be all that suspicious of what was really going on without evidence, even if magical alien spirits weren't necessarily that incredible of a stretch for a pony who had seen as much as Applejack.

"I'm real sorry for making you worry," said Apple Bloom. "I just... I couldn't stand the thought of losing Dinky, even if we're only sorta friends. I had to do something!"

"There were plenty of things you coulda done that didn't put you in danger like that."

"I didn't have time to think of any."

Applejack sighed. "I'm trying with all I got not to be mad at you. I don't wanna make you feel bad for saving somepony's life. I..." She trailed off. "Will you just promise me you won't do anything that reckless again?"

Apple Bloom hesitated. She didn't like the idea of making a promise to her big sister that she wasn't actually sure she could keep; if things had gotten this intense already and she only had two runes to her name so far, she was almost certain she hadn't seen the worst this mission was going to bring her. For Equestria's sake, and Filgaia's too... she was just going to have to lie.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," she recited.

The elder sister visibly relaxed. "Thanks, little sis. That's all I wanted... I don't mean to harp on about it."

"I know." Apple Bloom crawled over and gave her sister's side an affectionate nuzzle. "You're just trying to look out for me and all. Thanks, Applejack."

Applejack gave her another mane ruffle in return. "Ready to go, then?"

"Huh?" Apple Bloom blinked. "Go where?"

"We're gonna visit the hospital," said Applejack, sitting up. "A certain somepony wanted to thank you for saving her daughter."

Apple Bloom stared at the doorway in front of her.

"Please go ahead," said the nurse, gesturing toward it. "She's expecting you."

A glance over her shoulder showed her Applejack's smile, which was all Apple Bloom needed. She trotted into the hospital room, soon finding herself looking over the mare in the nearest bed.

Derpy Hooves looked rather worse for wear. She laid on her side with the covers off; a layer of red-speckled bandaging covered her flank, and what looked like a large piece of cloth was wrapped around her barrel. The latter was wet and a funny smell wafted from it, suggesting it was soaked in some kind of burn medicine. Her singed primaries had all been plucked out, making her limp wings look smaller than normal.

At the sound of Apple Bloom's hoofsteps, her ears twitched, and she sat up slightly. "Oh...!"

"Howdy, Ms. Hooves," said Apple Bloom. "You feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," she replied, as though to brush the question away. Her eyes watered a bit as she gingerly beckoned Apple Bloom over. "Please, come here..."

Apple Bloom obeyed, propping herself up on the side of the bed with her forelegs, which Derpy quickly took in her own.

"Thank you..." Derpy blinked slowly, squeezing a tear from her eyes. "Thank you, thank you, Apple Bloom..."

Apple Bloom felt her face heat up a little, and she turned away. "Aww..."

Derpy carefully reached back and drew the curtain away from the second bed to reveal Dinky lying in it. She appeared to be sleeping peacefully, drawing in oxygen from a mask hooked up to a canister by the wall.

"You got to her before the flames did," explained Derpy as she turned back toward Apple Bloom. "She inhaled a lot of smoke, but she's gonna be okay. I think we were really lucky."

Apple Bloom's ears drooped. "If you were lucky, none of this woulda happened in the first place. Your whole house burned down."

Derpy shook her head. "We can always rebuild the house, and replace all the things we lost. The important part is that we both made it out alive... and I've got you to thank for it." She swallowed. "I have no idea how you did it, but... thank you. You saved my little Dinky's life."

Apple Bloom beamed. "Don't sweat it, Ms. Hooves. I'm just glad y'all are okay."

A tranquil silence passed between them for a few seconds.

"I guess we should probably rest," said Derpy. "Thanks for coming to visit. Will we see you again soon?"

"Aw, 'course you will." Apple Bloom gave Derpy's foreleg a quick nuzzle before hopping down from the bed. She paused at the doorway to wave goodbye before catching up with Applejack.

"They doing okay?" she asked.

Apple Bloom nodded. "Mhmm."

Applejack smirked and tilted her hat. "Then how about we get home and grab some grub?"

"Sounds good to me! I'm starving."

"Hey, Apple Bloom!"

A cheery voice calling to her caused Apple Bloom to pause halfway up the steps into the schoolhouse, instead hopping back down. Two familiar earth pony fillies - one pink and one gray - galloped up to her and stopped.

"I was hoping I'd catch you before class!" said a lightly winded Diamond Tiara.

It had been some time since she and her friends had helped to turn Diamond Tiara's attitude around, but actually talking to her on cordial terms hadn't stopped feeling weird. She had spent ages bullying them before that, so it was a more than welcome change... but for as much as she appreciated it, she still couldn't quite get used to it.

"Howdy, you two."

"We just wanted to tell you how amazing you were saving Dinky yesterday! Right, Silver Spoon?"

"Like, totally."

Apple Bloom rubbed the back of her neck. "You heard about that already, huh?"

Diamond Tiara's eyes widened. "Are you kidding? We were there!"

"...Oh, right."

Truthfully, she hadn't known that. She had been too focused on the fire when she arrived on the scene, and everything after her escape with Dinky was a bit of a blur.

"You are, like, the most heroic pony in the whole school," she continued. "How'd you do it?"

"Huh?"

"You ran straight in with nothing protecting you from the fire, and came back out without a single scratch on you," explained Silver Spoon. "You must've done something amazing in there."

"Yeah!" Diamond Tiara nodded. "We promise we'll keep it secret if you want, but we just have to know!"

As a drop of sweat rolled down Apple Bloom's neck, she found herself thankful that somehow, no one else had asked her this question yet.

"Uh..." She cleared her throat. "I... just got lucky, I guess. Wasn't all that amazing, really."

Diamond Tiara's smile faded. She glanced at Silver Spoon, who mimicked her expression. "Lucky? That's... is that all?"

Apple Bloom relaxed a bit. "Yeah! I managed to dodge all the fire, nothing fell on top of me, and I found Dinky pretty quick and all."

Whatever Diamond Tiara had been expecting, that clearly wasn't it.

"Well... well that's great!" she eventually decided, hopping onto the steps behind Apple Bloom with Silver Spoon in tow. "C'mon then, girls, we should get inside. Don't want to be late!"

Wiping sweat from her forehead, Apple Bloom followed them into the schoolhouse.

Terra Roar

"No."

You sure?

"Yeah."

C'mon, you know you want to.

"Enough!" Apple Bloom nearly yelled. "I ain't using your magic, and that's final!"

What's the matter, kid? Moa Gault's ethereal voice carried a mixture of impatience and taunting. Afraid of a little firepower?

"Maybe I am! What's wrong with that?" Apple Bloom headbutted the ball again, watching as it bounced off the wall of the barn and soared back toward her for another hit. "You burned down Dinky's house and almost killed her and her mom!"

Hey, I gotta protect my magic somehow! Just 'cause the old turtle's willing to trust the first sapient creature to come along doesn't mean I am.

Calm yourself, comrade, said Stoldark. You should be more gracious toward the child who orchestrated our reunion at such risk to her own safety.

The Fire Guardian grumbled. Fine. You're not wrong, I guess. There was a pause. But don't come crying to me when you lose a fight 'cause you were too scared to get serious.

With nothing else to say, Apple Bloom harrumphed. Her next strike carried a bit too much force behind it, causing the reflected ball to sail over her head and land in a bush a ways behind her. After taking a moment to sigh, she trotted over to retrieve it.

Toy in hoof once more, she sighed again. "Hey, Stoldark?"

Yes, Apple Bloom?

"Um..." She fidgeted, not sure how to word the question she wanted to ask. "...What do you think?"

The Water Guardian pondered for a moment. The fire bird's words carry excess venom; if we are to entrust you as our medium, we must believe in your judgment and accept your pace. However, those same words also carry a measure of wisdom - wielding the Fiery Rage may be necessary to complete our mission, and to attempt to do so with no prior experience could spell disaster.

"I figured you'd say that," said Apple Bloom. "I just... Fire's a sight rougher than water, is all. I can't go throwing it around willy-nilly or I'm liable to get in a way bigger heap of trouble than a bit of soggy forest."

Your trepidation is understandable.

"Maybe I'll give it a whirl if I think of something," she decided. "For now, I just wanna make sure Dinky and her mom get better."

Stoldark seemed to have nothing else to say. Sighing, Apple Bloom tucked the ball under her foreleg and headed back to the farmhouse.

Cheerilee smiled at the assembled class. "And who can tell me what year the peace treaty with Griffonstone was signed?"

A pale hoof rose into the air.

"Yes, Twist?"

"Theven ninety-five!" recited Twist.

"Very good," said Cheerilee. "Now, three years later - "

She stopped suddenly. Her front hooves felt carefully along the floor beneath her. Her pupils shrank.

"Everypony under your desks," she ordered. "Now."

The children scrambled to hide as Cheerilee herself took refuge beneath her own desk. Scarce seconds later, the entire building began to shake. Books toppled over on the shelves, and an undefended cup of water overturned and splashed on the floor.

A sigh of relief rang out as the tremor ceased, having dealt no meaningful damage. Cautiously, the students climbed back into their seats.

After a moment of pacing back and forth, Cheerilee turned to look over the class, speaking to herself as much as to them. "This is the third one in four days... Maybe I ought to end class early today and have a word with the Princess."

A room full of beaming foals stared back at her.

Cheerilee rolled her eyes and huffed. "Right, of course you agree," she grumbled, but quickly returned to her normal pleasant tone. "Alright, go ahead then. I'll see you all tomorrow!"

The class charged out the door, cheering.

Apple Bloom whispered as she watched her teacher trot away into town. "Got a bead on it yet?"

My senses continue to point somewhere south of the town. Stoldark emitted a sound that Apple Bloom could only guess was meant to be a sigh. I can pinpoint its origin no more precisely than that.

"Well, seems the town's like to crumble if we wait around much longer. Nothing for it but to go poking around ourselves..."

That, of course, meant finding a way to sneak off inconspicuously. South of town was the territory of the diamond dogs, and they weren't known for being terribly cordial toward ponies. She wasn't strictly allowed to wander off that way.

"Man, if it gets us out of school early, I say we should have earthquakes more often," said Scootaloo, interrupting Apple Bloom's thoughts.

Sweetie Belle frowned. "But if it keeps up, somepony could get hurt."

"...Yeah, you're right. I guess that wasn't a great thing to say." Scootaloo hopped into the air, her miniature wings buzzing hard enough to give her a second of hang time before she landed and continued walking. "We can enjoy this at least, right? We haven't had more than one in a day so far, so it should be fine."

"Don't jinx it, Scootaloo," warned Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo blew a raspberry. "C'mon, it's not like the earth itself can hear me or any - "

As if on cue, the ground all around them began to shake, rattling the leaves of nearby trees and throwing all three girls off balance to a chorus of startled yelps.

"Scooooootaaaaalooooo...!" Sweetie Belle's voice was distorted by the vibration.

"I'm sooooorryyyyy!" Scootaloo wailed.

The tremor seemed to go on forever... until it didn't, finally petering out after about a minute.

Sweetie Belle peered out from beneath her own forelegs. "...Is it over...?"

"I think so?" Scootaloo stood up and dusted herself off. "Wow, that one was a doozy. You girls okay?"

"I'm fine," said Sweetie Belle. "Apple Bloom?"

Then Apple Bloom got an idea.

She got a wonderful, perfect idea.

"I'm okay too, I - ow!" Apple Bloom stumbled as soon as she tried to put weight on her left front leg. "Ow, ow..."

"Oh no!" Sweetie rushed to her side. "Where does it hurt?"

"My - my hoof," said Apple Bloom, holding up the offending limb. "I think... I think I sprained it."

"Here, let me." Scootaloo nudged her nose under Apple Bloom's leg and lifted it onto her shoulders. "The hospital's not too far away. Think you can make it?"

"Oh, I... I dunno," Apple Bloom stammered. The plan was working perfectly - except that the hospital staff would see through her deception immediately, so she had to avoid it at any cost. "The farm's closer. I, I just need to lie down and put some ice on it, I... think?"

Apple Bloom held her breath as Scootaloo hesitated for a moment... but quickly smiled. "Okay, sounds good."

With a sigh of relief, Apple Bloom let Scootaloo lead her off in the direction of the farm.

"You sure you're gonna be alright?"

Sweetie Belle pouted as she watched Apple Bloom settle into bed. Big Mac carried an ice pack over, placing it on the filly's 'injured' hoof.

"I'll be fine!" Apple Bloom waved her other hoof dismissively. "I just gotta stay off it for a bit is all. Why, I reckon I'll be right as rain come the morning. Right, big brother?"

"Eeyup," said Big Mac.

"You girls are the best friends I could ever ask for," she added. "I know we haven't gotten to hang out much lately, but I promise I'll get better soon. I just gotta... yaaaaawn... get some rest for now."

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exchanged glances before looking back at Apple Bloom.

"Well... okay then," said Sweetie. "Sleep well, Apple Bloom."

Apple Bloom gave them another wave as her friends and her brother left the room and closed the door. Seconds later, three sets of hoofsteps creaked their way down the stairs. Taking her cue, she nudged the ice pack aside and darted to the window to peek out carefully. Big Mac stepped into the orchard and quickly disappeared, while Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo slowly marched out of sight down the road.

Turning around, she stared at the clock and watched a couple of minutes tick by. She needed to be sure the girls were out of sight to maintain her cover, but the waiting wasn't doing her nerves any favors. She exhaled and quietly shoved the window open.

"Well, now or never."

A stack of hay bales sat beneath the window, which felt a lot higher than she knew it was. A tingle ran through her hooves at the sight.

"Okay... a one, and a two, and... hup!"

Apple Bloom vaulted over the windowsill, the tingling sensation intensifying as she dangled from so high up. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her forelegs from the sill and plummeted... landing with a soft 'umph' on the hay.

"Yes!" Her cheer was quiet but jubilant.

We must make haste, warned Stoldark. We know not the size of the window we have to work with.

"Right," whispered Apple Bloom. "Let's rock!"

Staying on the outskirts of town had kept her well enough out of sight; she was pretty sure only a couple of ponies had spotted her, and only gotten a glimpse even then. With a grin fueled by adrenaline, she marched across the rocky plain south of town.

As I suspected, we are indeed getting closer, said Stoldark.

"This one can't be as bad as the last, right?" Apple Bloom scanned the area for anything suspicious. "I mean, fire's real dangerous and all, but we walk on the earth every day! Well, us earth ponies do, at least. I bet this'll be easy as making apple cobbler!"

Be confident, but be vigilant. We know not what form this challenge may take.

A rumbling sound crossed Apple Bloom's ears.

"Oh no, is it another quake?" She braced herself, only to relax a moment later. "Wait... I hear something else. Is that...?"

With a gasp, she dashed forward past a large boulder... and barely dodged out of the way of a stampede of diamond dogs.

"Pony!"

One of the dogs skidded to a stop in front of her, even as his comrades charged by in complete panic.

"What's wrong? Why's everypony running?"

The dog threw a stone tablet to the dirt in front of her.

"The pony can have it!" he barked. "We thought it would help us dig for gems! But then we found... IT!"

"It?" Apple Bloom's eyes darted up and down between the dog and the slab. "What's... it?"

"The pony can find out for herself! WAIT FOR MEEE!"

With that, the dog rejoined the retreating crowd as they charged down the path behind her and vanished amid the rocks.

She looked down at the tablet, which featured a large mark that looked vaguely like a footprint. With a shrug, she put a hoof on it, and the mark lit up.

I am Grudiev, the Earth Guardian, declared a new voice in her head. Within my Terra Roar lies the power to bend the very land itself to your will. Use it wisely.

The tablet vanished.

"Huh. That was easy," said Apple Bloom. "Dunno what all that fuss was - "

Her heart skipped a beat as the ground shook once more, albeit briefly.

"What the hay?!" She dashed in the direction of the dogs' cavern, skidding to a stop seconds later at the entrance to a wide ravine... and gasped.

A tall something stood at the mouth of the cave. No less than twice the height of the tallest diamond dog, it stood on two legs, covered head to toe in a hide that looked - and smelled, even at this distance - like something terribly diseased. Its eyes glowed yellow even in the sunlight, its teeth were jagged and coarse, and its large clawed hand was propped against the wall beside it, as though it had difficulty staying upright.

Apple Bloom's blood went cold.

She'd never even heard of a monster like this before, let alone seen one herself. Her instinct to flee immediately went to war with the fact that her legs suddenly felt like they were made of applesauce.

The majority of valor is discretion, warned Stoldark. It would be wise to retreat - we have what we came for, and this foe is clearly beyond you.

"But - " Apple Bloom swallowed a lump in her throat and shook her head. "But if I do, it might - might get into Ponyville! And if, if I try to go warn everypony, I'm... I'm liable to get grounded!"

The monster marched forward, its eyes locked onto the filly just yards away.

"B-Besides..." She shook her head again and took a deep breath. "Do I, or do I not, have three Guardians to back me up?"

There was a pause. Fight defensively, Apple Bloom. Protect yourself above all else.

Apple Bloom waited until the creature was at arm's length, its foul smell strong enough to make her dizzy as it raised a hand into the air. Dust scattered as the monster struck the ground, its target bolting past it and whirling around. Before it could reorient itself, Apple Bloom shot a bolt of water from her hoof, striking it in the small of its back.

The monster flinched slightly, but showed no sign of injury. It simply turned around with heavy footsteps and continued its march toward her.

Stoldark spoke quickly. This will take a different approach. Tread lightly and keep your distance. Do not let it corner you.

Apple Bloom glanced around. There were only two exits to the ravine: the cave entrance, and the path she took to get there. A few boulders littered the outside edge, but taking cover might get her trapped.

The monster reared its head back and roared, causing her to flinch. As it did, a cloud of green vapor emerged from its snout and washed over her. She coughed and staggered, suddenly overcome with nausea.

"Blech?! What - ugh...!" Opening her mouth to speak only made it worse as the monster bore down on her, reaching simply to pluck her off the ground.

Holding her breath, she slammed her front hooves into the dirt. A chunk of stone rose from it, a sharp spike that struck the monster's wrist, halting its advance.

Before it could recover, Apple Bloom galloped out of reach. An unpleasant wet noise sounded from behind her as it rescued its arm from the obstacle.

"Okay..." she muttered. "You... You want serious? Let's do serious."

As the monster resumed its march toward her once more, Apple Bloom took a deep breath and held it. She watched as dark ichor dribbled from the wound in its arm, once more raised to grab her.

Her lips parted, and she exhaled. Like a living flamethrower, a stream of blazing heat blew from her mouth and engulfed the outstretched arm. With a roar of pain, the monster recoiled.

Hey, you're a natural! said the jovial voice of Moa Gault. Guess I shouldn't have doubted you, kid.

"You like that? Well there's - " She sniffed. "Oh ponyfeathers."

The roar had brought with it more of the monster's rotten breath. Eyes tearing, Apple Bloom scrambled to escape while it was occupied with its injury, though the stench was starting to make her dizzy... and the longer the battle went on, the worse it would get.

"Gotta - " She coughed, her insides churning. "Gotta finish this quick...!" The haze covering their battlefield continued to thicken, reminding her all too vividly of the smoke from Dinky's house. At this rate, she wouldn't -

Apple Bloom stopped in her tracks.

With a wave of her hoof, a familiar bubble enveloped her. At once, she began panting greedily, relief washing over her as her stomach began to settle from the clean air filling her lungs.

Excellent work.

"I got this," she told herself. "Ha! I got this! Time to HRK"

Her renewed confidence wasn't to last.

With one final startled gasp of her fresh air, Apple Bloom struggled against the grip of the monster's uninjured arm, her bubble having burst thanks to its sharp claws. She kicked and squirmed fruitlessly, panic rising as it raised her to eye level and stared at her.

The air began to burn in her lungs.

The monster opened wide, its jaw stretching disturbingly far, and brought the filly ever closer.

Eyes clenched tight, Apple Bloom released the burning air, a tongue of flame erupting from her mouth and pouring straight down the monster's throat. It trembled from the scorching pain, its grip gradually loosening until its prey slipped from its grasp and fell to the ground.

"Oof!"

She staggered away as the monster roared again, the sound now raspy and weak. It no longer made a move to pursue her, instead falling to its knees and clutching its throat.

"It's coming from over here!"

Apple Bloom's ears perked up as she recognized Rainbow Dash's voice. Reinforcements! She spun to face the ravine entrance, but stopped cold. If Dash was here, the others almost certainly were too, which included - !

She bolted for the nearest rock, diving behind it for cover just as six equine figures burst onto the scene.

"What is that?" demanded Rarity, making a retching noise as the haze met her nose.

"I'm on it!" Rainbow flew in tight circles, a cyclone quickly drawing the haze out of the ravine and dispelling it into the air high above. Apple Bloom struggled not to noisily gasp for air again.

"What the heck is THAT?" screeched the startled voice of Pinkie Pie, pointing an accusatory hoof at the monster now staggering back to its feet.

"I - I don't know..." Twilight shook her head. "I've never seen or heard of anything like it...!"

"It's injured," said Fluttershy, only barely loud enough for Apple Bloom to hear. "Somepony got here before we did, and it looks like they hurt it badly."

"Whatever it is, it ain't friendly," said Applejack. "Looks like it's fixing to fight some more!"

"Then let's put a stop to it before it can deal any more damage," said Twilight. "Ready, girls?"

Five voices called out in unison. "Ready!"

As a bold light began to envelop them, Apple Bloom blinked - and finally noticed the sparkling gemstones each one wore. The Elements of Harmony shone as a brilliant rainbow shot forth from Twilight's tiara, striking the monster dead-on.

Apple Bloom shielded her eyes with a hoof as the light of Harmony reduced the monster to sludge.

Well done, Apple Bloom. There was a different quality to Stoldark's ethereal voice this time - was it pride? You bought enough time for reinforcements to arrive and end the fight long before it had a chance to threaten the town. You may well have saved lives today.

Apple Bloom shuddered as she let out a long sigh of relief.

From her hiding place, she watched as Twilight approached the monster's remains at a cautious hover, prodding here and there with her magic. Satisfied it wasn't going to spring back to life on her, she produced a small test tube and used it to scoop up a little dribble of the sludge, sealing it tightly with a cork. Sample obtained, she peered at it carefully. "Look around carefully, girls. See if you can find any other clues."

"I found one, I found one!" Pinkie hopped up and down excitedly.

"Well, don't just stand there," said Rainbow to the bouncing pony, "show us!"

Pinkie plucked something off the ground with her mouth and turned toward the others, revealing the object to be... a scrap of pink fabric.

Apple Bloom's pupils shrank. Her hoof went immediately to the ribbon on her head, only to find a portion of it missing; it had been torn off during the fight.

Applejack gasped and began shivering. "That - that looks like Apple Bloom's! What in tarnation is it doing out here...?"

"Oh posh, Applejack!" Rarity waved a forehoof. "Apple Bloom is back at the farm! Sweetie Belle told me all about how the poor dear hurt her hoof in the last quake, and they had to help her into bed. Why, if you went back there now, I bet you'd find her safe and sound right where they left her!"

"Yeah... yeah, you're - you're right. Maybe I'll just - " The sound of galloping hooves caused Applejack to spin around. "Apple Bloom?!"

But all she saw was dust.

Apple Bloom barreled down the path.

She was exhausted from fighting. Her head, her hooves, her everything ached, and yet she kept running. If Applejack caught her out of bed, it was all over.

After an agonizingly long run back, the farmhouse finally came into view. A quick glance around showed that Big Mac was still off doing chores, giving her a clear shot at it - but she couldn't just waltz in if Granny Smith was around. She would have to get back in the way she got out.

Running around to the side with her bedroom window, she skidded to a stop. There would be no stacking the hay bales high enough to reach it, but luckily, she had an alternative. Backing up several paces, Apple Bloom took off running, aimed at the window high above. This would take some timing, and if she messed up...

With a mighty lunge, Apple Bloom leaped into the air, throwing her foreleg ahead of her. A burst of water rose from the ground just beneath her, sending her flailing several extra yards into the air.

"Waaaaaaugh!"

She sailed through the open window and tumbled to a halt against the leg of her bed.

"Oof!"

Wasting no time, she yanked the remains of her ribbon out of her mane, shoving them under her pillow to hide the evidence. A quick dash to the closet, and a fresh ribbon was perched in its place. With a grunt, she climbed up onto the bed and carefully tucked herself in, making sure to place the ice pack - now half-melted - over the hoof she had pretended to sprain.

"Definitely... harder... than apple cobbler..."

A few minutes passed.

"Apple Bloom?" Applejack shoved the door open a bit harder than she needed to, wincing as it slammed against the wall. "You in here, Apple Bloom?"

There was no response, as the filly in question was out like a light.

Sighing in relief, Applejack closed the distance and gave her slumbering sister a gentle pat on the head. "Sorry I doubted you, sis. You made a promise, and I oughtta have more faith in it. Sleep tight, sugarcube."

Her smile returned, Applejack backed out of the bedroom and quietly closed the door.

Gale Claw

"Psst! Over here!"

"Geez, there you two are."

"So what did you think?"

"Well... I really didn't wanna believe it, but you were right. She totally faked hurting her hoof."

"I told you! I told them, didn't I, Silver Spoon?"

"Yeah, but... why? She's our best friend! Why would she hide this from us - and what's she even hiding in the first place?"

"Maybe it's something she's ashamed of?"

"I dunno about that. We did a ton of really embarrassing stuff back when we were trying to earn our cutie marks..."

"Oh no... what if it's something dangerous, and she's trying to protect us?"

"Or she doesn't want to worry you."

"Maybe both!"

"But what do we do?"

"Well that's easy. We tail her!"

"Say what?"

"The next time she tries to ditch you guys, we follow her and see what's what. Who knows - if it is something dangerous, she might need our help!"

"That's a good point..."

"I don't like it, but we gotta do something. I'm in."

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

"Then it's decided. Stay frosty, girls! Hehe~"

"...What's so funny?"

"I always wanted to say that..."

Apple Bloom yawned. Even with a full day and a half separating her from the fight with the monster, she was still tired and stiff, more than she had ever been from an entire day of chores. She did her best to hide this fact, of course - she couldn't have her friends getting too suspicious - but she couldn't help the occasional stumble or wince as the trio marched off to class.

As long as no more incidents cropped up for another day or so, she would be fine, right? She just needed to rest a little longer. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the cool morning breeze blowing over her coat.

"Huh, that's weird."

It was Scootaloo who broke the relative quiet.

Apple Bloom quirked an eyebrow. "What is?"

"This breeze." Scootaloo gestured with a forehoof. "It's blowing the wrong way."

"Huh?" Sweetie Belle glanced up at the sky. "How can you tell?"

"I was talking to Rainbow Dash about the weather yesterday 'cause I've been wanting to get better at reading it," said Scootaloo. "She said there'd be a low pressure thingy moving over Canterlot today, which means the wind should be sort of... circling around it? Anyway, it's supposed to be coming from the west, but look at the trees - it's blowing in from the south instead!"

Apple Bloom suppressed a sigh. A feeling of dread washed over her as she realized she probably knew the real source of the strange breeze.

Sweetie Belle blinked. "So... She messed up, then?"

Scootaloo scoffed. "Rainbow Dash is never wrong about the weather! I bet something weird is going on. You know, like those totally-out-of-nowhere earthquakes the other day that just suddenly stopped!"

"Or the fire at Dinky's house?" asked Sweetie.

"Yeah, exactly!"

Apple Bloom bit her lip. "I mean, how d'you know they got anything in common?"

"Well, I guess I don't," said Scootaloo. "But you gotta admit, it's still weird for stuff like this to be happening all at once, right?"

Apple Bloom stared off into space.

Indeed. A Guardian - and something else - await.

Apple Bloom nodded, turning to the girls to find them giving her looks of concern. "Uh... y'all go on ahead, I'll catch up."

"Really? Wait, is - " A touch from Scootaloo's hoof stopped Sweetie from continuing. "Um, okay, we'll see you in a bit then."

She waited until they were out of sight before marching off through the trees.

Following the breeze took Apple Bloom through fields and over hills she didn't recognize; she somehow had never wandered in this particular direction before. Combined with the tailwind, that thought put a little extra spring in her step, urging her forward as the wind picked up.

A few minutes later, she stopped at the crest of a particularly large and steep hill surrounded by trees. She gasped as the wind rapidly died down, as though in response to her presence.

"About time you showed up."

Apple Bloom gasped, her focus snapping to the source of the voice.

A stallion marched out from behind one of the larger trees, approaching slowly. A quick glance showed him to be an earth pony with an emerald mane and tail and a coat the color of rust. He approached slowly, his lips curled into a smirk.

"So you're the one who's been collecting runes," he declared. "Fengalon here could sense you guys."

Fengalon, the Wind Guardian. I presumed as much, said Stoldark. He wields the Gale Claw, then...

"Fengalon. So you found one, too..." Apple Bloom cleared her throat. "Who're you? And - and what d'you want?"

The stallion quirked an eyebrow, frowning. "Kind of rude to ask that before introducing yourself, don't you think? But sure - the name's Zed." He waved his hoof with a flourish, causing the breeze to ruffle his mane. "And I'm here for the same reason you are. Think you can guess?"

"You... want to rescue the Guardians?"

"Bingo!" Zed pointed his hoof at her. "Picture it. Rescuing spirits from another world, saving Equestria from their wild magic..." He marched toward her slowly, stopping just a few paces away. "That's the kind of fame and prestige I could get used to, you know? And I mean, the cool powers are a pretty sweet bonus in the meantime, too."

Apple Bloom blinked. Was he suggesting what she thought he was suggesting? Sure, his motives sounded a little sketchy, but she wasn't about to look a gift - well, turn away a potential ally, at any rate. It wasn't that she wanted to fight alone; she just didn't want to worry her friends, or have to worry about them herself. Neither of these things would be the case here.

"So..." She stood as tall as she could, looking him in the eye. "Are you saying... you wanna join forces? You wanna save Equestria together?"

For a moment, Zed looked surprised.

Then his smirk returned as he began to snicker.

"Snrk... pfft! Hahahaha!" Zed stumbled as he began laughing uproariously. "Seriously? You think after all that, I'm here to help you?"

That was not the reaction she was expecting.

Apple Bloom's ears folded back as she began glancing around frantically. "Well, uh... reckon I did, right up until you started laughing, and..." She paused, her ears twitching. With a nervous chuckle, she looked over her shoulder. "Oh, hey, I think I hear the school bell! Heheh... I'd better skedaddle or I'll be late for - "

"You're not going anywhere, shrimp!"

The wind whipped up again, causing Apple Bloom to shield her face with a foreleg.

Zed stomped toward her. "You've got two choices. One, you willingly fork over all the runes you've collected - and don't think you can pull a fast one on me, 'cause we can sense them, same as you! Two... well, let's just say you'll be giving them up either way, and I recommend you take the option that doesn't involve me having to beat up a little filly, 'cause neither of us wants that."

Apple Bloom gulped. This was why he had lured her so far from town - he was almost certainly faster on his hooves than her even setting her fatigue aside, making it unlikely she would be able to simply escape. He didn't give the impression of one likely to be talked down, either... but she had to try something; she was in no condition for another serious fight.

"Tick tock!" he snapped.

Nothing else for it, then.

Apple Bloom raised her forehooves and slammed them into the dirt, sending a burst of water out of the ground that struck Zed squarely in the face, knocking him off-balance.

"Glrblrbl!"

Wiping drops from his face, he caught sight of the filly dashing away down the hill.

"No you don't!" With a wave of his hoof, he summoned a strong gust.

"Waugh!" Caught in the gale, Apple Bloom tumbled head over hooves back up the hill, stopping only as she collided with a pair of forelegs.

A snarling face stared down at her, raising a hoof to strike. "You asked for this, kid! I - oof!"

He stumbled backward, clutching his gut as a flat chunk of dirt rose beneath him and slammed into his stomach.

Scrambling to stand up, Apple Bloom stared him down. Fleeing was a no-go; she had already confirmed that... but she wasn't about to give up. She couldn't let him ruin everything she had worked so hard for.

"My name's Apple Bloom!" She winced at the ache in her lungs as she yelled. "And I wanna save Equestria too! We're on the same side - we should be working together!"

Zed regained his breath. "See, this is why you never send a filly to do a stallion's job. You really think you can talk your way out of this?"

Apple Bloom sighed. There weren't many times she genuinely hated being right, but this was definitely one of them.

The wind whipped up again, this time swirling around her. Before she could bolt out of the way, it lifted her just far enough off the ground to start spinning her along with it. "Whoooaaaohhh...!"

Flailing uselessly, she watched as a pony-shaped blur grew larger with each rotation. She took a deep breath -

"Whoa, geez!" Zed skidded to a stop and shielded his face with a foreleg as flames poured from the filly's muzzle, creating a vortex of heat he couldn't hope to breach. He stomped the ground with a grunt, dissipating the whirling wind.

Apple Bloom landed. "Uph..."

The whole world spun. Dizzy and exhausted, she struggled to stand back up until a hoof hooked under her fetlock and lifted her the rest of the way.

"Oh, thank you kindly," said Apple Bloom.

Before she could realize what was wrong, Zed used his grip on her hoof to throw her to the side. "This is your own fault, you know," he snapped. "I gave you an out, and you threw it away. Maybe after this you'll learn to stop being a stupid punk kid and actually listen when adults are talking."

She struggled to stand yet again, but a dark red hoof shoved her over, pressing hard on her ribs. "Oooooow..."

"Now then," said Zed, "time to take what's mine."

Holding her down with his other foreleg, he began to pull his hoof back... and as he did, a white stone slab began to materialize out of Apple Bloom's chest.

Whoa whoa whoa! What's he doing? demanded Moa Gault. Not cool, not cool!

"AAUGH...!" Pain wracked her aching body as the Fiery Rage was forcibly ripped from her. It subsided a second later as the rune landed in the grass nearby.

Zed sneered. "One down, two to - "

"Get your grubby hooves off her, creep!"

Zed raised his head. "What - oof!" A petite orange body slammed into him, knocking him off balance and releasing his grip on Apple Bloom. Two more, one white and one pink, immediately leaped on him and held him down, soon joined by the first.

A gray face framed by neatly braided hair hovered in Apple Bloom's blurry vision.

Silver Spoon held out a hoof. "Apple Bloom! Are you, like, okay? What's going on? What - what did he do to you?"

Apple Bloom took it, letting herself be pulled upright. "Hold - hold him," she gasped, staggering forward.

Zed flailed under the combined efforts of Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara restraining him. "Get off me, you little brats!"

They wouldn't be keeping him there for long.

Slowly, Apple Bloom marched forward and placed a hoof on Zed's forehead. Concentrating, a rune began to materialize, dragged out slowly through his face. Its surface bore a mark resembling a long set of claws.

"Ow ow ow!" Zed fumed. "You punk! I had you!"

The rune fell unceremoniously to the grass.

With a snarl, he finally threw the fillies off and stood up - but took a step back as the five of them stared him down.

"I'm not done with you yet, Apple Bloom. You just got lucky, that's all! Next time, it'll be different." With that, he spun around and charged off into the woods.

"Whew! Glad that's over with," said Scootaloo, wiping sweat from her brow and turning to face her friends. "Apple Bloom, are you gonna tell us - ?"

But Apple Bloom's exhaustion had finally finished catching up with her. She slumped against Silver Spoon, out like a light.

A hoof gently stroked Apple Bloom's mane.

With a groan, her eyes fluttered, squinting as they were met with bright sunlight.

"Hey, you're awake!"

Her eyes slowly brought Sweetie Belle's face into focus. She lifted her head slightly to look around; they were still on the hill. "How... how long...?"

"Um, about half an hour," said Sweetie.

Apple Bloom's mind drifted over the morning's events as it slowly climbed its way back to consciousness. This Zed character was likely going to be a major thorn in her side; she didn't know who he was or what he was capable of. Well, excepting that he had somehow figured out how to rob her of runes she had collected... but in doing so, he'd inadvertently taught her that she could do the same to -

"...!"

She bolted upright, scanning the ground nearby. The two runes were nowhere to be found. "Wait, wh... where's - ?"

She felt a tap on her shoulder.

Sweetie Belle turned her head away, took a breath, and blew a small burst of flame into the air.

Apple Bloom paled.

"We got most of the story from these two while you were out," Sweetie Belle explained. "Apple Bloom... why didn't you tell us about any of this?"

Apple Bloom bit her lip. "I... I didn't want you girls worrying on account of me. And, and I didn't wanna put you in danger. You don't wanna know what I had to fight last time..."

Sweetie sighed. "Yeah, well, you're not exactly Equestria's greatest liar. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara knew as soon as they asked you about the fire before."

A soft sob split the air.

"Um..." Sweetie tilted her head. "Apple Bloom...?"

"I'm awful sorry..." Apple Bloom wiped her teary eyes on her fetlock. "I messed up... I, I just thought... I didn't..."

"It's okay," said Sweetie, reaching out to give Apple Bloom a hug. "We're just glad you're safe now."

Apple Bloom let her friend hold her for a moment before returning the gesture... but as she did, a thought struck her. "Wait, so - where are the others?"

Sweetie pointed over her shoulder at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, chattering animatedly just out of earshot. "Those two are working on a way to explain where we've been all morning, because um... class kind of started already, and Miss Cheerilee is probably wondering where we are."

"Right..." Apple Bloom gulped. "What about Scootaloo?"

"She's, uh..." Sweetie glanced aside.

Scootaloo took a deep breath and raised her hoof. The wind picked up, swirling around her in a tight vortex; without missing a beat, she hopped into the air and began buzzing her tiny wings. The combined efforts held her in midair for several seconds, until - with a yelp - she began spinning along with the wind, losing her lift and crashing back to the ground.

Apple Bloom blinked. "Uh huh."

"You know we're gonna help you now, right?" said Sweetie.

"Don't have much of a choice now, do I?"

Sweetie smirked. "Not really."

Apple Bloom frowned. "I feel like a real dummy."

She winced as an alabaster hoof bopped her on the head, albeit not hard enough to hurt.

"Hey!"

"That's what you get for being a dummy," said Sweetie with a giggle. "Now you don't have to worry about it."

Apple Bloom sighed. A soft smile graced her lips. "You girls really are the best friends I could ask for."

Sweetie Belle's eyebrow raised at the suspiciously familiar phrase.

"C'mon, I ain't hiding nothing this time!" said Apple Bloom, scowling. "I promise! You already found me out, remember?"

Their conversation was soon interrupted by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon approaching with mischievous grins on their faces.

"Hey, Apple Bloom! Glad you're feeling better," said Silver.

Apple Bloom rubbed her head. "Not sure about that, actually..."

"Hey!" Diamond waved at Scootaloo. "You'll want to hear this too!"

Scootaloo stood up slowly and dusted herself off. "Man, I swear I almost had it that time..." Nevertheless, she trotted over to join the group.

Sweetie nodded. "Okay, you two. What's the scoop?"

Diamond and Silver exchanged grins before turning back to the others... and declaring in unison:

"The Rune Hunters!"

Silence reigned as three pairs of eyes stared back incredulously.

Apple Bloom blinked. "Uh."

"That's your new superhero team name!" said Diamond. "You're going to need costumes to help hide your identities, but a cool name is just as important! That way, you can go rescue the rest of the Guardians without getting in trouble!"

"Wait a minute!" Apple Bloom scowled. "I only just woke up. We haven't decided on all that yet! Well... not officially or anything."

"Yeah, maybe," said Silver, twirling her braid around her fetlock. "But it's what you were gonna end up doing anyway, right?"

Sweetie gave the precious duo a deadpan look. "You were supposed to be working on a cover story so we don't get in trouble for being late to school."

"Um..." Diamond rubbed the back of her head. "Oops?"

"Don't worry about it," said Scootaloo. "We'll figure something out along the way."

With that, the five of them stood up and trotted off in the direction of the schoolhouse.

"I guess now that you mention it, costumes would be a great idea," Sweetie admitted. Her eyes lit up. "Hey, I could get Rarity to design them for us! We - " She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes crossing slightly. "...Wait, maybe not..."

"We totally have fabric and sewing supplies at the family store," said Diamond. "Daddy lets me take just about anything as long as I ask nicely. I'll tell him it's for a super secret project, and we can sneak it all over to your clubhouse."

"And if anypony asks, we can just tell them it's for important Crusader business," said Scootaloo.

"So... you said all this was for us," Sweetie began, gesturing at herself and her fellow Crusaders. "But not you two?"

Diamond shook her head. "Oh Celestia, no! We don't want to fight - we just want to sit on the sidelines and take partial credit. Right, Silver Spoon?"

Silver nodded. "We only ever pushed you around when we knew we could get away with it. We'd be, like, just awful in a fair fight."

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "At least they're honest about it..."

Minutes passed as the school finally came into view.

Sweetie turned to Apple Bloom. "You've been pretty quiet. Everything okay?"

Apple Bloom sighed. "Mostly just tired... but I wanted to say I'm sorry again for keeping this from y'all."

Sweetie gave her a quick sidelong hug. "Well, get the mushy stuff out of the way now, 'cause soon we'll have work to do."

They marched up the steps... and immediately halted in their tracks as they ran into the glaring figure of Miss Cheerilee.

"On second thought - " Sweetie Belle gulped. " - if you've got any more apologies, now might be the time to use them..."

Ice Crystal

"This is so cool!"

Five fillies sat in the clubhouse behind Sweet Apple Acres, sheets of fabric and various sewing supplies strewn about the floor between them as they worked.

"We know, Diamond Tiara," said Scootaloo, not taking her eyes off her careful cutting job. "This is like, the tenth time you said it."

"Pfff." Diamond rolled her eyes as her pen left a carefully measured mark on the fabric. "But come on, tell me I'm wrong! This is actual superhero stuff. Like something out of a comic book!"

"I still feel like we're supposed to tell our big sisters about all this, though," said Sweetie Belle, horn glowing as she deftly stitched together the main body of one outfit. "But if we did that, they'd decide it was too dangerous, take over the whole thing, and send us off to play. Like we've never done dangerous stuff before!"

Silver Spoon nodded. "That would be, like, mega lame."

Apple Bloom was only vaguely following the conversation.

Finding Stoldark that night felt like a call to action, a chance to prove herself. It was dangerous, sure, but it was hard not to be excited - especially now that her friends were here to help! She was still worried for them, of course, but she had quickly realized it was a bigger relief overall to have their support.

Still, though... with how crazy things had been so far, it was hard to guess what they would be up against next. What were the rest of the Guardians like? Were there more monsters like the one from the diamond dog caves, or more ponies like Zed who would try to stop them?

"You okay there?"

"Huh?"

Sweetie Belle blinked at Apple Bloom, who had been standing silently for several minutes, pondering as she modeled the half-stitched costume.

"Yeah, sure," said Apple Bloom.

Sweetie tilted her head.

"For real! I promise," said Apple Bloom. "I'm just wondering if we'll really be ready the next time a Guardian pops up and starts doing something weird."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much," said Diamond. "I don't think you're giving you girls enough credit. You figured out how to handle those powers like it was nothing!"

"That is pretty convenient, now that you mention it." Scootaloo hesitated. "Almost too convenient..."

"Don't jinx it," warned Apple Bloom.

"I dunno about that," said Silver Spoon. "It makes enough sense to me."

"How do you figure?"

Silver smiled. "You three did, like, fifty million things back when you were still a bunch of blank flanks looking for your special talents. You got really good at picking up new skills quickly, without even knowing you were doing it!"

Sweetie glanced at her fellow Crusaders. "Actually, that... makes a lot of sense, now that you mention it."

A comfortable silence soon settled over the clubhouse as they continued their work.

Just as Celestia's sun had begun its descent into evening, Sweetie Belle levitated up three completed costumes. They weren't especially elaborate, each consisting of no more than a tunic and a butterfly mask.

"Well, try them on already," said a clearly impatient Diamond Tiara.

The Crusaders quickly donned their costumes. The tunics fit surprisingly well, and were more than long enough to completely cover their cutie marks.

The colors, however...

Sweetie pulled a face. Her gaze went first to Scootaloo, then Apple Bloom, and lastly down at herself. "Forest green, dirt brown, candy apple red... why do they have to be these awful clashing colors, again?"

"You're complaining about the colors?" Scootaloo quirked an eyebrow. "What are you, Rarity?"

Sweetie blew at her own bangs. "You try playing little sister to Ponyville's biggest fashionista without picking up a few things."

"Duh, they're supposed to look bad," said Diamond, as though this was the most obvious thing in the world. "You'll be harder to recognize this way than if we picked colors that looked good on you."

Scootaloo stared at her back, buzzing her wings for a few seconds to ensure her wing slits had been stitched properly. "Are you sure that's enough to keep ponies from recognizing us?"

"We'll have to do a test run to be sure," said Silver, gently easing the ribbon out of Apple Bloom's mane and setting it aside. "But you need your code names first!"

"Code names?" Apple Bloom echoed.

Diamond nodded. "We totally have you covered. Scootaloo, you're a pegasus - plus you took the wind powers that weirdo had, so we'll call you Wind Blade!"

"Wind Blade?" echoed Scootaloo, wings buzzing some more. She smiled, brimming with confidence. "I can be Wind Blade."

"Sweetie Belle is Fire Bolt, because of the fire breath and her red costume," explained Silver.

Sweetie shrugged. "I guess that works."

"And Apple Bloom?" Diamond grinned. "You're an earth pony, strong as a stone - so you're Earth Spike!"

"Earth Spike..." Apple Bloom glanced away. "That's okay with you and all, right? It sorta works better than Water..."

I am far less concerned with vanity than the success of our mission. Whatever moniker you choose is fine with me.

For the first time that afternoon, a smile crept onto Apple Bloom's face. "Earth Spike it is, then."

Silver clapped her forehooves and stood up. "Great! Let's head to the park - there should be plenty of ponies there to help us test your disguises."

One chorus of approving nods later, the quintet set off.

Apple Bloom was no stranger to wearing silly costumes; she and her friends had worn more than their fair share for a wide variety of performances over the years, but this felt... different. Normally, the purpose of the costume was to attract attention and show off their talents, but these were meant to do the exact opposite.

Not to mention how badly those performances always went. How could this possibly work? They were terrible actresses!

"There!" Diamond Tiara pointed through the foliage at a pair of ponies sitting under a tree for a secluded late afternoon picnic. "Those two should do."

"Are you sure?" Apple Bloom glanced at her disguised allies for a moment. "What do we do if it doesn't work? Won't it make things harder later on if - "

She looked back at the space where Diamond Tiara had been standing a second ago, only to find it empty.

"Yoo-hoo!"

Diamond waved at the pair, smiling as she trotted over.

"Hey DT," greeted the first, a mint green unicorn.

"Where's that friend of yours?" asked the pale earth pony beside her. "I almost never see you two apart."

"Hey, Lyra! Hi, Bonbon!" Diamond grinned. "Silver Spoon's talking to some really cool new friends we just made. Here, lemme introduce you!" She spun around with a flourish and waved at the bush. "C'mon out, girls!"

The trio glanced at one another. With a grin, Scootaloo trotted out first, followed by a visibly concerned Apple Bloom and an impassive Sweetie Belle. Silver Spoon brought up the rear, checking over her shoulder to ensure that no one else was nearby.

"Wow!" Lyra's eyebrows shot up. "You must be new - I'd definitely remember costumes like that. What are they for?"

"They're superheroes, duh," said Diamond as she waved her hoof. "Meet the Rune Hunters!"

Apple Bloom bristled, lowering her head and whispering. "Don't you think you're taking this a mite too far?"

Diamond rolled her eyes and whispered back. "I have it under control. Just relax and follow my lead!"

Bonbon blinked. "Aren't you a little short for superheroes?"

"Pff. So what?" said Scootaloo. "We're tougher than we look!"

"Scoo - uh... Wind, take it easy," said Sweetie.

"So you're Wind, huh?" asked Lyra.

"Her full name is Wind Blade!" Diamond nodded. "And these two are Earth Spike and Fire Bolt."

"Earth, Wind, and Fire?" echoed Bonbon, tilting her head slightly. "So are you three a dancing troupe or something then? It is September and all..."

Silver gave Apple Bloom a tap on the shoulder. "They don't look too impressed. I think it's time we show them your powers."

"Oh, you have powers?" Lyra smiled, levitating her drink and taking a sip. "That, I'd like to see."

Apple Bloom glanced at Diamond, who nodded.

"Alrighty then," she said at length. "Stand back, everypony."

Apple Bloom reared up on her hind legs and stomped the ground. An earthen spire rose beneath her, carrying her several feet into the air.

"Wh - " Lyra spat her drink. "Since when can earth ponies do stuff like that?!" After a moment of staring, she shot a suspicious glance at Bonbon.

"And that's not all," said Diamond, pointing at the other two. "Take it away, girls!"

Sweetie took a deep breath and tilted her head back, breathing a plume of flame into the air. Scootaloo buzzed her wings; a small cyclone stirred the flames, causing them to swirl upward as they dissipated.

The two mares stared, jaws slack.

Diamond leaned on Apple Bloom's spire. "So, we'll need - "

She lost her balance and toppled over as it abruptly sank back into the ground.

Apple Bloom winced. "Oops... sorry."

Diamond stood back up and brushed herself off. "So, we'll need you two to keep this a secret, of course. Think you can handle that?"

"Yeah," said Lyra, still visibly stunned. "Yeah, totally."

Bonbon quirked an eyebrow. "But why are you telling us, then?"

"Because we need your help with something," Diamond continued. "Silver Spoon?"

Silver produced a sheet of paper, featuring a drawing of a stallion's head... complete with a green mane and rust-colored fur.

"This is Zed, nemesis of the Rune Hunters," said Diamond. "They're on an important mission to protect Equestria, and this pony wants to stop them and take their powers for himself. Keep an eye out for him - if you see him up to something, make sure you tell us as soon as possible."

After a pause, Bonbon nodded. "Yeah, sure! We can do that."

Diamond nodded. "Excellent. We appreciate your cooperation~"

The two chattered excitedly as the gaggle of fillies marched off.

Once they were out of earshot, Scootaloo broke the silence. "That... was..."

"Weird?" prompted Apple Bloom.

"Reckless?" suggested Sweetie Belle.

"Awesome!" Scootaloo grinned. "Not only do our disguises work, but we also have ponies looking out for that creep for us!"

"See?" Diamond smirked. "Told you I had it under control."

Apple Bloom's first instinct was to be suspicious of their success for a variety of reasons... but she hesitated. Flim and Flam had proven more than once that the ponies of Ponyville were a pretty easy mark, all things considered. Was she worrying too much?

She shrugged as they headed back to hide the costumes. Maybe it wouldn't be a problem after all.

"We have a problem."

Saturday morning usually saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders in their clubhouse, gearing up to do whatever it was they'd be up to that day. This time, Sweetie Belle slapped a newspaper on the floor between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, showing off a headline that proclaimed "Bizarre Blizzard Baffles Canterlot!"

"A blizzard?" Scootaloo blinked, glancing between the newspaper and the window. "Winter isn't scheduled for another couple months at least!"

"The headline exaggerates, but only a little," said Sweetie. "It actually is snowing up there, and there aren't any clouds - so nopony can tell where it's coming from."

"That is pretty bizarre," Apple Bloom agreed. "So it's gotta be a Guardian, you reckon?"

Sweetie nodded. "Sounds like it to me. So what do we do? We've gotta get over to Canterlot somehow - maybe Diamond Tiara can get us train tickets?"

"I feel like that'll look a mite suspicious..." Apple Bloom sat back and stared at the ceiling, thinking.

"Then I'll go!"

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stared first at the orange hoof that just struck the newspaper, then at the pony attached to it.

Scootaloo crossed her forelegs and smirked. "You two make sure ponies don't see you hanging out without me. As long as I find the rune and get back on the train before I'm late for dinner, my aunts won't notice!"

Sweetie tapped her chin. "That sounds solid in theory... Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom continued staring at the ceiling for a moment.

"Let's do it," she said suddenly. "Sweetie Belle, you and I are gonna stay out here so no one asks us where she went; I'll grab lunch for us from the farmhouse later. Scootaloo, grab your costume and go find Diamond Tiara - you only got till the last train before dinner, so make it count."

Scootaloo saluted. "Affirmative!"

As it turned out, Sweetie Belle was right.

Though she could see it well enough from a distance on approach to the city, "Wind Blade" stood in the doorway for a moment, gawking at the big flakes of snow falling onto the train platform. This prompted the passenger behind her to nudge her impatiently; with a sheepish grin, she hopped out the door.

It didn't look like the unusual weather was doing much to slow the hustle and bustle of the city - or at least, she couldn't tell that it was. The ground was still warm enough to melt the snow and prevent it from piling up, meaning everything was less snow-covered and more just soggy.

I'm sensing something to the -

"Whoa!"

Wind Blade stumbled, not expecting the sudden voice in her head.

Ah, my apologies...

"It's okay, Fengalon," said Wind. "Just wasn't expecting you to pop up suddenly, that's all. Think you know where it is?"

Somewhere off to the north, past those taller buildings you see there, Fengalon replied.

It was Wind's immediate impulse to put her powers to use and just take off flying right then and there, but she thought better of it; while a flying filly wasn't strange by any stretch, the amount of wind she had to stir up to do it would attract a bit more attention than seemed wise. Plus, there were weather crews flitting about, and she didn't want to get in their way.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Fengalon's senses weren't quite as sharp as she had been led to believe. The next hour at least was spent on a city-wide game of hot-and-cold, where she found herself doing things like crossing the same street multiple times to help pin down where exactly the nearby rune was hiding.

Eventually, she came to a stop at the foot of a very tall tower.

It's almost directly above us now. I'm sure of it.

Wind Blade grinned. "Great! Okay, here goes!"

With a mighty leap, she took to the air and buzzed her wings. A roiling gust of wind erupted beneath her, scattering snow all around as it lifted her higher and higher, abating only as she crested the railing of the highest balcony and landed.

"Yes!" She pumped her hoof. "Oh man, these powers are the best!"

"What are you doing up here?"

The question was asked with all curiosity and no malice, but it still caused Wind to flinch and whirl around.

"P, p, puh, prin...?!"

Princess Celestia fixed the costumed filly before her with a look of equal parts confusion and amusement. "Did you get up here all by yourself?

Wind blinked. "Um... ye, yeah! I mean, sort of?"

"I see," said Celestia, chuckling to herself and shaking her head. "I suppose that means I ought to have a word with King's Shield later. Security at the palace hasn't been the same since he replaced Shining Armor."

"Uh... heheh. Yeah, I guess so," agreed Wind, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof.

An awkward pause passed between them.

"So," said Celestia, "what business might a masked filly have up here on my balcony?"

Startled as she was by the unexpected encounter, Wind glanced around nervously as she spoke. "It's... actually kind of a long story, but - oh!"

She dashed over to a stone slab propped up against the wall, partially hidden from view simply by the shape of the balcony, and lifted it over her head with a grin. "Gotcha!"

Celestia simply tilted her head and stared.

Setting the rune down in front of her, Wind placed a hoof on its surface, and smiled as a new voice filled her head.

Oh... so you found me then, it said, sounding oddly somber. I'm glad... I didn't cause you too much trouble, did I...?

"S'all good," said Wind. "It worked, didn't it?"

I suppose it did, the voice agreed. I'm Aru Sulato, the Ice Guardian... I hope my Ice Crystal will be of some use to you...

The rune vanished. A second later, the snow stopped falling.

"You seem to know a bit about that tablet there." Celestia leveled her gaze at Wind Blade. "I think I'd like to hear that 'long story' of yours now, if you don't mind."

"Oh! Um." Wind swallowed. "Okay, so here's the thing..."

"So y'all just gave her the whole spiel?"

Apple Bloom quirked an eyebrow at Scootaloo, glancing out the window of the clubhouse as though expecting the princess herself to be there watching them.

"I told her about the Rune Hunters - but not that it was us!" Scootaloo fiddled with her tunic as she slipped it off. "I know the Guardians aren't trying to hurt us - not most of the time, at least - but they're still dangerous, so I thought she would want to know what's up."

"Not to mention," added Sweetie Belle, "even when the Guardians themselves aren't mean, they might get picked up by ponies who are."

Apple Bloom took a deep breath. "Right, yeah."

Sweetie nodded. "Besides, we got another rune today. We're up to five now!"

"Outta how many?"

Sweetie Belle bit her lip. She had no answer, as they didn't actually know.

Apple Bloom sighed. "Sorry, girls. I oughtta quit being such a downer - I'm just nervous is all. You did good today, Scoots."

Scootaloo grinned. "So what kind of powers do you think the next one will have? Like, what if there's an Explosion Guardian?"

"Or a Frog Guardian," suggested Sweetie Belle. "It lets you jump really high in the air and gives you a big stretchy tongue!"

Apple Bloom tapped her chin. "What about one that turns you invisible? That would come in handy."

"Okay, I got a good one!" Scootaloo sat back, holding her forelegs wide and waving them up and down. "One that lets you sprout extra legs, and you can grow eyes and ears and stuff on those legs, so you can see and hear in every direction at once and creep ponies out at the same time!"

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stared.

"Eheheh... okay, maybe not."