Chapters Guardians Of Harmony: Adventures In Canterlot City
It was a hot night within the waters of Canterlot as a cruise ship passed by.
"Sweating weather," a man remarked. "We're having tonight."
Inside the captain's area, the radar was beeping. The driver noticed something strange.
"Uh, Skipper," the man asked. "What's our procedure in case of an iceberg?"
"An iceberg in Canterlot Bay," the skipper replied. "In this heat? Pal, I promise you we don't have..."
Then an iceberg appeared, heading for the boat, and crashed into the ship.
"Weather's a bit muggy," a man said as he jumped onto the ship. He wore a cryo suit.
"You are not welcome here, mister," another man said, trying to learn his name.
"I am Glacier," he replied.
"Mr. Glacier, you don't have permission—" The man approached him and was instantly frozen solid.
"Aah!" a woman screamed. "What do you want?"
"Ice," Glacier said darkly.
"I don't understand," another woman asked him.
"Think about it," Glacier pulled out a burning tip. "Think fast."
He used the burning tip on the ice sculpture, shattering it instantly. The women looked at each other in shock as the icy villain filled a bag with diamonds.
"Ice doing business," Glacier said as he froze the water and walked on it.
**At the Rainbooms Secret Hideout**
"All crime-fighting and no play make Twilight Sparkle a dull girl," Sunset joked while Twilight was on her laptop.
"Come on, Sunset, you of all people know I'm not that dull and boring," Twilight said.
"I'm just saying even heroes need a holiday once in a while," Sunset smiled. "Besides, Rarity and Applejack decided to go to the beach resort."
"Sunset," Twilight turned to her. "I like the idea, but the last time we went to the beach, Moonstone blocked out the sun, and Twister caused a sandstorm."
"Don't remind me," the fire-haired girl crossed her arms. "Which is why you and I are going to a ski resort. Think of it as a way of honing your skills. And it'll be nice to see snow for a change because this heatwave is driving me nuts."
"Let me guess, Principal Celestia made reservations, didn't she?" Twilight asked.
"More or less," Sunset replied.
"Fair enough," Twilight sighed as she headed upstairs. "Besides, maybe I should take a break from the crime-fighting."
Then the Rainboom Alarm went off, showing the news.
"The mind-boggling jewelry theft at Canterlot Harbor has left one man frozen solid, and not to mention an actual iceberg in Canterlot Bay. Little is known about the bizarre perpetrator calling himself Glacier."
"Would you look at that," Sunset sighed. "It's a sign that a winter retreat is in order."
With that, both Sunset and Twilight donned costumes and became their alter-egos, Phoenix and Cyber Witch.
**At Canterlot Bay, the CPD was already at work.**
"Will my husband be alright?" the woman asked the medic.
"He has a mild case of hypothermia, ma'am," he told her. "He'll pull through."
"No thanks to that maniac," another man said.
"So how did he do it?" an officer asked.
"Not sure, but he appears to be flash-frozen."
"He walked on water?" Detective Spitfire asked the captain.
"Froze it first," he mentioned. "Made a path of solid ice straight to the shore."
"Well, no sign of that now," Spitfire said as two officers approached. "Any luck finding our guy?"
"No luck, the trail went cold, so to speak."
"Trail wasn't that cold enough, not in this weather."
Both Twilight and Sunset overheard from their hidden location.
"Not cold enough to the naked eye," Twilight pulled out her infrared goggles. "But in infrared..."
The goggles showed Glacier's footprints.
"Glacier's trail is clear as crystal," Twilight finished.
"Looks like he headed to Delta Diamond Shop," Sunset said. "Time to put the heat on this guy."
**Meanwhile, at the DDS...**
"Mind if I help myself?" Glacier asked the frozen guard. "I didn't think so."
"The choice cuts," Glacier said as he approached the safe. "Must be in the icebox."
He froze it and then smashed it with his tip.
"Ah," he gazed at the diamonds. "The little glaciers."
As he was about to exit the shop, Twilight and Sunset arrived, kicking him from behind.
"Cyber Witch and Phoenix," Glacier greeted them. "I thought you or any other Rainbooms would arrive."
Twilight threw three Sparkle Stars at him, but he froze all of them.
"Okay," Twilight said, shocked. "Didn't see that coming."
"I've been looking forward to our little reunion," Glacier said.
"Reunion?" Both girls were dumbstruck.
Glacier unleashed an ice blast, and they dodged it.
"Exercise will only keep you warm for so long," Glacier mentioned as he froze over the jewelry shop. Both girls tried to get close, but they started to feel the cold.
"Slowing down, aren't we?" the frosty villain said. "In case you're wondering, that would be the hypothermia kicking in. We both know the symptoms. Slowed reaction time, sluggish reflexes, then come the hallucinations, lack of consciousness, then the big chill!"
He then unleashed another ice blast, which they dodged. Twilight used her Sparkle Star to make an ice pillar fall on his face, causing him to stumble. Another Sparkle Star blindsided him, allowing Sunset to fire a blast at him, knocking him down. As they approached, his mask came off slightly, revealing a familiar face.
"What the—" Sunset gasped. "Lenny Buck? But how?"
Realizing they had dropped their guard, he knocked Twilight to the ground and froze Sunset's body.
"If you're asking how I'm still alive," he finished Sunset's thought. "You were the one who iced me."
"I've had a recent makeover since you and I crossed paths."
**(Five months ago)**
I was just Lenny Buck, a typical bank robber. But I hit the big time—diamonds! The biggest score of my former life.
The icy hand of fate led me to that cryonics lab. I was electrocuted at the same instant the blood froze in my veins. Was I still among the living? Presumably, the experts will determine that, but I made it easy for them. My body had mutated—neither living nor dead. I was a walking cryonic miracle, but some might consider me a monster.
It didn't take much to motivate an expert in the field to build this cold suit so I wouldn't melt.
**(Back in the Present)**
"Thank you for creating me, Phoenix," Glacier armed the burning tip. "And goodbye."
"Police!" Two officers burst into the room. "Freeze!"
"As you wish," Glacier said, freezing the cops before making his escape. "Until we meet again, ladies."
Glacier broke the window and skated away. Sunset used her Flame Blast to break free of the ice, then collapsed on the ground just as Twilight came around and saw her girlfriend down.
"Don't worry," Twilight said, levitating her to her car. "I got you."
Twilight took her home, laid her on the couch, and went to the lab.
"Alright, let's get to work," Twilight started creating something.
Hours later, Sunset woke up and saw Twilight nowhere to be found.
"Twilight?" Sunset called out, then headed down to the lair.
"Ah," Twilight saw her. "I see that you've regained your fire."
"Glacier took over Canterlot Park," Sunset mentioned. "And the police have been sidelined."
"Of course," Twilight said. "That's why I made weatherproof armor for when we transform so that Glacier won't freeze us again."
"Nice," Sunset said as the Rainboom Alarm went off again.
"Come on, Twi," Sunset said. "Let's melt his unbreakable ice."
The girls donned their costumes and headed to the heart of Canterlot Park.
They landed their vehicles at the center of the now-frozen park.
"It was all too easy," both turned around and saw Glacier in his new sitting place. "The diamonds, the police, challenges for a common criminal. It's clear now that I'm destined for more than this. After all, Phoenix, you made me more than human."
"Sorry, Lenny, but let's not flip the script," Sunset glared at him. "You and I both know that you did this to yourself."
"And we're here to bring on the thaw," Twilight chimed in.
"Go on, then," Glacier urged them. "Bring it!"
Both Sunset and Twilight dodged his ice blast. Twilight threw a Dyna-Sparkle Star at him, which exploded, causing him to stumble. Glacier got back up and froze three more Sparkle Stars that Twilight threw.
"Nice look," Glacier commented on their new outfits. "But I won't need to see either of you when you are buried!"
Glacier did a cold snap and froze the entire park. Sunset came from above and delivered a swinging kick to his face, followed by a swift kick to his ribs. Glacier grabbed Sunset and threw her into a wall of ice. Twilight used magic to throw Glacier to the other side.
"You two are finished," Glacier threatened, "finished!"
Both of them unleashed a massive blast of ice and fire from Twilight's latest gadget, the Heatseeker.
"I'm the king of the mountain, the new emperor of Canterlot! So get used to the weather."
"Not a chance, Glacier," Twilight shot back. "This is my mountain!"
"Cold always triumphs over heat!"
Glacier's ice blast zeroed out Twilight's Heatseeker.
"You're going to need more than a heat gun to handle me," Glacier realized as Sunset approached from behind.
"How about me? Because I've got the heat," Sunset asked sarcastically, then unleashed her Volcano Flare.
"Ahhh!" Glacier was impacted by the blast, knocking him out cold and sending him over the park walls into the hands of the Canterlot PD.
"Looks like this guy just melted," Spitfire joked as the officers handcuffed the icy criminal, bringing Glacier's campaign of never-ending winter to an end.
Guardians Of Harmony: Adventures In Canterlot City
Late at night in Canterlot, Rainbow Dash was soaring through the skies of the great city. Her destination was Manga Tower, where she intended to bust a break-in.
"Sheesh," Rainbow said, looking at the hole in the wall. "Looks like the glass got seared, just like at Kibble Research Lab."
She entered the building and saw all the tech inside burned to a crisp. She walked to the end of the room and saw a man. Rainbow picked up a rock and threw it at him, grabbing his attention. She quickly took cover as the man turned around.
"Working late?" Rainbow asked.
"Midnight shift," the man replied. "Like you, Tornado."
The man fired a laser at Rainbow, who avoided it, then grabbed him and threw him out of the building. Rainbow landed on the building while the man recovered mid-air, a jetpack on his back.
"Well, you're full of surprises," Rainbow remarked, shocked.
"I'm Scorch," he said. "Get it? Because I bring the heat."
Just as he was about to fire, three magenta stars came out of nowhere, throwing his aim off. Twilight stood right next to Rainbow as a liquid-like substance dripped out of Scorch's blasters.
"Mm-mm-mm," Scorch said, looking at them and aiming. "You'll regret that one."
He glanced at his fuel gauge, which was empty. "Next time," he said as he flew away.
**At the Rainbooms Secret Lair**
"Thanks for having my back," Rainbow thanked Twilight.
"No problem. I guess that's our arsonist," Twilight responded.
"Yep," Rainbow confirmed. "What's his deal?"
"Not sure. Why is he targeting computers?" Twilight wondered. "But he has a jetpack and laser tech like nothing I've ever seen..."
She noticed her hairpin was burned. "Scorch, huh?" Twilight said coldly. "I'm calling it a night. Trevor and I have to meet up with Mayor Tomlin tomorrow."
**Later in the morning, at City Hall**
Twilight and Trevor were at City Hall, looking at a photo.
"Ha-ha," Tomlin spoke up. "Don't let the photograph fool you. I may be holding that, but Trevor's dad caught it."
"Dad always did subscribe to charity," Trevor mentioned. "Mayor Tomlin."
"Trevor, Twilight, it's been too long," Tomlin said, shaking their hands. "But unfortunately, I didn't call you two here for a social visit."
"Talon Labs business?" Trevor asked.
"I am not going to sugarcoat this," Tomlin pointed out. "As both of you know, the city's about to award the contract to rebuild and expand the children's daycare."
"Yeah, to Talon Labs," Twilight said.
"The council is leaning toward JackalCorp," Tomlin said.
"What?!" Both Twilight and Trevor gasped.
"Talon Labs and the foundation have supported the daycare from the beginning," Trevor explained. "My dad, Dean Candance, and Twilight's parents founded it."
"And when does JackalCorp do public service?" Twilight added. "They have a history of allegations, investigations, and resignations. Too many 'actions' for my taste."
"Guys," Tomlin spoke up. "The council isn't concerned with JackalCorp's reputation. They're leery of yours."
"How?" Trevor asked.
"Public image," Tomlin pointed out. "Let's just say it doesn't inspire much confidence. Look, your dad, Twilight's parents, and sister-in-law are close friends of mine. But, Trevor, you got the passion, but they see you as a..."
"A party boy," Trevor said. "Mayor Tomlin, let us make the case for the Talon Foundation. Give us a chance to convince them. Please."
"The voting for the contract starts tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp," Tomlin said. "And wear a tie."
"We'll be here and at the top of our game," Trevor said.
**At Trevor's house**
"8 in the morning sounds bright and early," Rarity said, stunned. "Maybe it's the best idea to get a good night's rest."
"No, not until I have gathered enough ammo regarding JackalCorp's questionable business practices," Trevor said, gathering information. "This is the company that produced dangerous weapons to take you and the others down, yet they don't see the big picture. The daycare was Dad's cause, not to mention, Twilight's family had great memories. I need to be sure that both of us can sway the council's vote."
Then the alarm went off.
"Police alert," Trevor looked at it. "The security system of a law firm has been tripped."
"On the 64th floor," Rarity wondered.
"Scorch," Trevor said, then his phone buzzed.
"Message from Twilight," Trevor looked at it.
(I got word from Detective Spitfire that Scorch is at it again. Rainbow and I will handle it.)
**With Twilight and Rainbow**
"One thing's for sure," Twilight said, examining the window. "It's Scorch's work alright. But a law firm doesn't fit the profile."
"The only question now is, where is he?" Rainbow asked. A bright flash appeared, and Scorch was right in front of them.
"What do we have here," he said. "Two Rainbooms with wings."
"Time for you to flicker out," Twilight said, firing a blast of magic at him. Scorch dodged it, and she and Rainbow took to the skies, following him.
"Ready to play some chicken?" Scorch taunted.
Twilight threw a couple of bombs at him.
"Oh, no," he said as they went off. "Tear gas? I'll give you something to cry about."
He then fired lasers at them, which they quickly avoided.
"Horseapples!" Twilight remembered something. "I have to get up early for the meeting with the grand council. Can you handle this?"
"Sure, I have him flying in circles," Rainbow said as Twilight flew away.
"Alright, Scorch, where are you?" Rainbow called.
"Right above you," Scorch said, hovering over her. He fired a laser beam, sending her crashing into a building. "So long, slowpoke."
**Hours after the Meeting**
"So, how did it go?" Fluttershy asked.
"It went bad," Trevor sighed in defeat. "They already cast their vote."
"I already failed twice," Twilight felt guilty. "As a hero and myself. I tried to do everything and failed to accomplish anything."
"It's not your fault," Sunset reassured her. "You two are trying to take a position that means a lot to parents."
"And what happened to Rainbow?" Trevor asked. Rainbow came in, banged up.
"My word," Rarity gasped. "What happened?"
"Scorch," Rainbow said, clenching her fist as she sat down on the couch. "He pulled a fast one, and I ended up crashing into an abandoned building. Nothing left but my pride in pieces."
Just then, the news came on.
Police are investigating a string of arsons plaguing Canterlot. The latest is a law firm which has many of Canterlot's industrial clients. The firm has major bankruptcy cases.
"Well, it seems our fiery friend has been busy," Pinkie said, then gasped. "Wait a minute, those companies were arson victims too."
Pinkie looked up the most recent news. "Mercury Telecom declares bankruptcy after arson! That's it!"
"What's it?" Applejack asked.
"Think, everybody," Pinkie urged. "Who'd profit from these companies being out of business?"
"JackalCorp," Applejack replied. "That's who."
"Of course, now I get it," Twilight realized. "It was staring me in the face the entire time. Scorch doesn't commit arson. He commits corporate sabotage, and he's working for Henry Jackal."
"Makes sense," Rarity thought about it. "But why fund a child daycare?"
"Nothing like a little good PR to keep the nosy public distracted from dirty business," Sunset added.
"The only question now is how do we stop both of them," Fluttershy asked. Trevor and Tyler entered.
"We're going to fight with fire," Tyler said, showing them a couple of jetpacks. "These bad boys are going to even the playing field."
"And I think I have a way to draw out our pyromaniac friend," Trevor said confidently.
The news came on again.
Trevor and Tyler Sanders stepped into the spotlight again, this time with breaking news at Talon Labs, the newscaster for the Canterlot Weekly was speaking.
"Due to the board being concerned about our competition," Tyler said. "We can't go into full detail yet, but in the next few days, Talon Labs will unveil a prototype that makes us the premier tech company in Canterlot."
"In fact, it would set the tech world on fire," Trevor added.
Reporter: Any concerns about competition from JackalCorp?
"Let's just say I wouldn't want to be them right now," Trevor mentioned as Scorch watched the TV. The phone started to ring.
Scorch answered the phone. "Yeah, I'm watching it," he spoke to the person on the phone. "No problem. My usual rate. I understand. Like the others, Talon Labs will go down in flames."
...
It was nighttime in the city, and Scorch made it to Talon Labs. He blasted right at the wall, made a circle, and went inside, unaware that Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were quietly following him.
"Hello there," Rarity said as the three stepped into the light, standing face to face with the villain.
Scorch laughed a bit.
"I see you survived your early crack-up."
"Game's over, we know about JackalCorp," Rarity sternly said.
"What?" Scorch asked. "Is that like a rock band or somethin'?"
"For someone who gets his kicks scorching tech companies," Applejack sternly said. "I find it hard to believe you've never heard of them."
Scorch fired his flamethrower at them, but Rarity fired a small diamond shard at him, throwing his aim off.
"Give it up," Rainbow said. "Your goose is cooked."
"Says who?" Scorch said, then rocketed out of there. "No one touches me in the sky."
The girls pressed a button on their chests and activated their jetpacks.
"What?" Scorch was surprised.
"This time, we brought the heat," Rainbow said with a smirk.
In a brief moment, Rainbow and Applejack punched him, then got out of there. Scorch fired lasers at the three, but they all avoided them swiftly.
"Handles nice," he said. "But does it have horsepower?" He used the afterburner.
As they were chasing, a man saw them up in the air.
"I'm moving to Abyssinia," the man said.
The three Rainbooms pursued Scorch through the city. Applejack armed her rope and lassoed his legs, trying to pull him, which allowed Rarity to go from behind and ice his jetpack, causing him to fall onto the top of a building. Then Rainbow came to ground level.
"Last chance, Scorch. Stand down," Rainbow said.
He fired his lasers again, but they didn't work.
"Your tank's on empty," Rainbow pointed out. "It's just you and me."
Scorch ran towards her, hoping to land a hit, but Rainbow sidestepped and punched his ribs.
"No one touches me..." Scorch said, holding himself together.
"In the sky?" Rainbow asked, pointing up, then down. "Not anymore."
He yelled and ran right at her. Rainbow kicked him in the face, causing him to lose his balance. He regained it and threw multiple punches at her, but they proved futile due to her speed. Scorch lunged a kick at Rainbow, who caught his foot and spun it, causing him to fall to the ground.
"Face the facts," Rainbow said as Scorch saw all seven Rainbooms approaching, his mask starting to crack. "You've been burned."
Moments later, most of the CPD, along with Detective Spitfire, arrived at JackalCorp and saw Scorch all tied up and unmasked.
"JackalCorp employee of the month," Spitfire said, knowing the Rainbooms had handled it.
**At City Hall**
"Well, based on recent facts that have come to light," Tomlin said, reading the newspaper that JackalCorp was behind the arsons. "I suggest that the council recast their vote on the daycare as well as any contracts currently held by JackalCorp."
Most of the council had guilty faces, having voted for someone willing to eliminate the competition by sabotage.
"Trevor, your dad would be proud if he were here today," Tomlin said.
"Thank you, Mayor Tomlin," Trevor thanked him. "I like to think there's more to me than a good-looking tie."
Guardians Of Harmony: Adventures In Canterlot City
It was a fine day at the Equestria Fair, where everyone was having a good time playing games and enjoying the attractions. Rainbow Dash excitedly led Applejack and Sunset Shimmer to the newest ride at the fair.
"Come on, guys," Rainbow Dash urged.
"Why are you so excited, Rainbow?" Sunset asked.
"Because they've got an amazing new ride—the Furious Flyer Train," Rainbow said happily. "I saw them testing it earlier. It was so fast; it's going to feel like flying."
"It seems you're not the only one who wants to ride it," Sunset joked, noticing the long line of people.
"Everyone, the Furious Flyer Train is... gone!?" a voice announced, surprising the crowd.
"It can't be gone; trains don't just disappear into thin air!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"True, but the track is a closed circle. How could it get off and keep going?" Applejack wondered.
"AHHH! LEAPING LAB!" someone shouted as a mobile lab came out of nowhere and rolled away.
"What in tarnation was that all about?" Applejack asked, still in shock.
"Yeah, it looks like Melvin's Lab, but it's all over the place. Maybe he's behind it," Sunset suggested.
"Good idea. Besides, that slimy toad is always up to no good with his wacky inventions."
Then Sunset's phone rang.
"It's a message from Twilight," Sunset said, looking at her phone.
(If you're reading this message, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and I have started looking for the train.)
"Come on, we better help the others."
With that, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Sunset transformed into their crystal guardian forms and began their search for the missing train.
Meanwhile, Sci-Twi, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy were in hot pursuit as they found the train and the person driving it.
"MELVIN!?" Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy shouted.
"Well, hello, Rainbooms!" Melvin greeted them.
"Applejack and the others just saw you driving your lab," Rarity said.
"That wasn't me. No one was driving my lab. The blasted thing short-circuited and took off. Good thing I've got this super-fast train to catch it, eh?"
"But where did these train tracks come from?" Fluttershy asked.
"Easy, thanks to my invention—the Tracker Whacker. It makes tracks anywhere."
"Wow! That's kinda cool!" Twilight mentioned.
"And what's even cooler is the other one at the back picks the tracks up again."
"Why do you need this train? Let us help you get your lab back!"
"HA! Like I'm giving up this train once I get my lab! No way! With the tools from the lab, I can make this train even faster. Making me the fastest villain in the world! Huh?" Melvin looked at his screen. "A-ha! There you are, my lab. Love to stick and chat, but I've got a lab to catch. Mua-ha-ha-ha!"
"Why that big meanie!" Pinkie said angrily as Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Sunset caught up with the girls.
"Hey, guys. Sorry for the delay," Rainbow said. "We had to make sure that people stayed clear of Melvin's lab."
"Speaking of that, where is that slimy varmint?" Applejack asked.
"Well, Melvin stole it so he could catch his lab. Now we have to stop him before he makes the train even more dangerous and puts people in danger," Pinkie Pie said, eating a cupcake.
"On it!" Rainbow used her speed to catch up with Melvin.
"Oh, for the love—" Applejack sighed. "Why does she always run off beforehand?"
"Allow me." Twilight used her magic to teleport herself and the others to Rainbow and Melvin's location.
Meanwhile, Melvin was closing in on his lab.
"Ha-ha! I've almost caught up with you, naughty lab!" Melvin looked left and right for the Mane 7. "And no sight of those pony girls. It doesn't even matter if they catch up to me!"
"That's what you think, Melvin!" Rainbow was on top of the train. "Let's do this!"
As Rainbow Dash made a jump to the front of the train, a strong draft blew her off. She was caught by Rarity before crashing into a tree branch.
"Thanks! I was almost bird feed!"
"No need for hasty actions, Rainbow. We'll get there and stop him," Rarity reassured her.
"Ooh, I got an idea! Let's sneak up on him really slowly!" Pinkie suggested.
"Why be slow? Let's just go!" Rainbow urged as she fell off the train, causing Melvin to gasp.
"Huh? Those pony girls couldn't be on my train, could they?" Melvin thought to himself. "Better make sure they're not!"
Melvin shook the train, hoping to shake off the Mane 7. They held on for dear life.
"Sorry, guys!" Rainbow Dash flew back to the gang. "Looks like Melvin found out we're on the train."
"It's OK. New plan—we all go after Melvin at once," Sunset said. "He can't stop all seven of us!"
"Right!" the Mane 6 cheered happily.
"Okay! On three! One... Two..."
"Come on, guys!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she jumped ahead.
"Wait! Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy shrieked.
As Rainbow jumped on the passenger car, a blinking monitor screen grabbed Melvin's attention. He pressed a button to activate a robot arm that captured her. She tried to escape, but it held her tightly.
"Why didn't I listen to the others?" Rainbow wondered to herself. "Melvin's almost caught up with his lab, and it's because I rushed."
Then her friends appeared.
"Rainbow?!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Are you all right?" Twilight asked.
"I'm okay," Rainbow said with remorse. "But I'm so sorry. Every time you guys had a plan, I rushed ahead without you, and it didn't work."
"It's okay," Rarity reassured her. "You were just really excited about the train."
"I'll take care of this robot arm," Applejack said as she ripped the arm off with her strength, freeing Rainbow.
"Thanks, AJ," Rainbow thanked her. "But now I've got a plan!"
Then the train horn went off as Melvin turned around.
"I know you're in there," Melvin smiled. "But not for long!"
Melvin shook the train even harder.
"Quick! What's your plan?" Sunset asked Rainbow.
"We're going to stop this train for good," Rainbow responded. "And we're going to do it together. Twilight, you grab some branches and pass them to me. Rarity, you and Applejack get close enough to the Tracker Whacker. Then I'll fly the branches to you, Applejack, and you can use them to jam it and stop the tracks. Without tracks, this train won't ever catch Melvin's lab."
"I like it!" Pinkie said happily. "Let's do this!"
Melvin gasped as his lab came into range.
"Okay, my Tracker Whacker, more tracks! More tracks!" Melvin's Tracker Whacker made more tracks.
Twilight levitated some branches from the ground. She gave the signal, and Rarity and Applejack moved into position on opposite sides of the Tracker Whacker. Twilight passed the branches to Rainbow, who then flew up and passed the tracks to Applejack, who caught them.
"Nice one, RD!" Applejack praised her, catching Melvin's attention.
"What!?" he exclaimed. "Stop it, you fools!"
"Too late for that, geek. AJ, Rarity, do it," Rainbow said.
Applejack stuck the branches into the Tracker Whacker while Rarity used her gems to block it.
"NO!" Melvin screamed as the Tracker Whacker started to go on the fritz. The train shook violently. But the girls held on to the side of the train.
"Whoa!" Fluttershy used her spirit form, showing an astral image of a gecko, allowing her to stick to it.
"Hang on to me, everyone!" she urged the others.
Sunset, Twilight, Rainbow, Rarity, and Pinkie grabbed hold and yelled in unison. The train turned a corner, and Applejack saw her chance, warning the others to get off.
"I got this!" Applejack stopped the train in its tracks.
Melvin got off and started to groan. "Huh?"
"*Giggles* See, Melvin. We told you we could catch your lab," Pinkie said as the lab came to a complete halt.
"My lovely lab! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Melvin said happily as he kissed his lab. "I might have lost my train, but I'll always have you, my lovely lab!"
"Now, let's get this train back home," Twilight said.
"Everyone is going to be so happy!" Pinkie said happily.
"I'll get you next time!" Melvin shouted as he rolled away in his lab.
"My word!" Rarity exclaimed. "He didn't even say 'Thanks for helping!'"
"Don't worry, Rarity. We managed to get the train back. Besides, I don't think this is the last time we'll see him," Sunset reminded her.
And so, the Mane 7 were able to get the train back on track and stop the mad scientist.
Guardians Of Harmony: Adventures In Canterlot City
It was your average day in Canterlot City. Rainbow Dash was having fun with Trevor, Scootaloo, and Twilight Sparkle.
"This isn't remotely anatomically correct," Twilight said, playing Operation badly.
"That's not the point, Twilight," Rainbow said as she ran over to play ping-pong with Scootaloo.
"Then what is the point?" Twilight asked.
"To have fun," Rainbow smirked.
"And to test your magic to harness speed and mind by multitasking," Trevor added, making a move in chess.
Rainbow did a smash shot and pressed the button on the timer. "I'm waiting for you, Trevor."
**Meanwhile, in the Outskirts of Canterlot...**
An armored truck was rolling, and a black-dressed man covered waited.
"182 seconds, gentlemen," a man said over comms.
A man on a motorcycle made a move on the truck. A cop saw him in the rearview mirror.
"Heads up!" the cop alerted his partner. "I think we got something."
A truck driving backward fired a hatch at the armored vehicle and pulled it up.
"2-11, 2-11," the cop said on his walkie-talkie. "We're being robbed!"
It came to a complete halt, and the two were on the ground. One was about to shoot him.
"Hey, cool it," a man said while holding liquid nitrogen. "158 seconds to go."
He used it to freeze the door.
**Back with Rainbow...**
"Checkmate," Trevor said as Rainbow's bishop went down.
"Wait, checkmate?" Rainbow sped over and was surprised.
"Checkmate. I guess we still have a few things to learn," Trevor said with a smirk.
"Armed robbery at 4th Street," Scootaloo said, looking at her phone.
"For the record, I crushed it in Operation and ping-pong," Rainbow said as she transformed into her Crystal Form and left Trevor's lab.
**Meanwhile...**
The man with the liquid nitrogen rammed right through the door. Rainbow came, leaving a rainbow trail behind her, and kicked all the bad guys, causing one of them to lose his mask.
"What the hay is that!?" a person asked.
"Don't know, but I'm not sticking around to find out," another man said.
The four guys left, and Rainbow helped the officers.
"Thanks, you are a real-life saver," the officer said.
"No problem," Rainbow smiled. "Come on, let's get you to a hospital."
**In a hidden bunker...**
"There have been some rumors the last few weeks," a man said. "A rainbow blur tearing through the streets and adding more robot with freaking lasers and bird-human hybrids."
"Could be an army project?" another man asked.
"When I was a kid, my grandad used to take me and my little sis to this diner, Motorcar," the man said as he looked on his screen. "The food was bad, but the view was good, right across from the Canterlot City Precinct."
"I still go there, listen to response times. There are at least 30 banks around here, each of them within a minute of police response. That's the advantage of hitting a moving target."
"As soon as the armored car called 911, we had exactly 182 seconds before any cop could arrive on the scene. No one could be fast enough to stop us. And you lost it. You know the rules, we don't shoot cops or guards unless it's a worst-case scenario. We don't need the heat."
"The heat?" the man asked. "Then what on earth is it, Tucker?"
"Right. Screw this, screw you, I'm out," only for Tucker to knock him cold.
"Well, if you're out, you're out," Tucker sighed. "The blur is a man. Meaning we have to step it up."
**Hours later...**
"You want state of the art, I bring you state of the art," a businessman said, showing Stan Tucker hi-tech weapons.
"What's this?" Stan said, examining a gun with an orange outlook.
"Never judge a book by its cover, they say," the businessman chuckled. "Fires highly concentrated combusted liquid fuel that ignites on contact with air."
"I don't want to heat things up. I need to slow things down," Tucker said, looking over to see a light blue gun.
"That's the one, then," the man said. "You were drawn right to it. Stolen from Jackal Labs, this one emits some sort of substance. Not sure what it is, as a white flame, but not hot, but cold."
"Glasses made from the same tech," Tucker saw a pair of glasses with the gun. "What are they for?"
"The glare. You'll see," the businessman said.
"Does anyone else know about you taking this?" Tucker asked.
"Only the two of us," the man said.
"Nope, just me," Tucker turned around and froze him solid.
Tucker went to the Canterlot Museum and gazed upon the Mandarina diamond.
"You said to call if there was anything curious," the curator of the museum called in Detective Spitfire. "This guy went through the tour twice. Who the heck does that?"
Both of them looked down at him, and then Tucker made for the exit.
"This is Detective Spitfire," she said on her walkie-talkie. "I got eyes on Stan Tucker. Requesting immediate backup."
She caught up with him at the Rosemary Theater.
"Tucker!" Spitfire called out as she was running towards him.
He put on the glasses, readied the gun, and fired at the road, causing the car to slide at her. She avoided it, and Tucker went in.
Spitfire tried to find him, but he was right behind her and fired. Rainbow Dash saved her by taking the blast.
"Dash, are you okay?" Spitfire asked in concern.
"Sweet Celestia!" Rainbow said, feeling the cold on her stomach. "It burns."
Tucker aimed at Rainbow and fired. "Time for a test run! Let's see how fast you are."
Tucker fired at random people, and Rainbow saved them all. But all the running while being somewhat frozen strained her breathing. Tucker saw a man and fired at him. Rainbow tried to save him, but the blast hit before she could do anything.
"Hey!" Rainbow asked the man. "Are you okay?"
"I think I'll be okay," the person said, making her relieved. Then Spitfire approached her.
"I'll take it from here, Dash," Spitfire reassured her. "Better get that checked out."
**Back at Trevor's lab...**
Rainbow was being treated by Twilight.
"Are you feeling okay?" asked Scootaloo.
"I'm okay," Rainbow said as her stomach pulled in a bit. "It's still numb."
"It's presenting itself like third-degree frostbite," Twilight said, looking at her vitals.
"But doesn't she have hyper-healing?" Pinkie asked.
"It's been slowed," Twilight responded. "If you weren't in your crystal form, the damage would be permanent."
"In other words?" Rarity asked.
"You're lucky to be alive," Applejack said, glaring at her. "Did this Tucker have some Equestrian Magic?"
"No," Rainbow sadly said. "He didn't have any magic or any powers in general."
"What?" Everyone gasped.
"The dude had some kind of gun. It froze things and slowed me down enough in time that I wasn't able to save someone."
"I just looked at the criminal records," Sunset said. "He dropped out of Canterlot High. So how did he build a handheld hi-tech snow blaster?"
"Jackal Labs built the Cryo Blaster," Trevor said.
"Why would the most high-tech place of all build something like that?" Twilight asked him.
"Because Henry Jackal," Trevor said sternly. "Unlike the rest of us who have gotten used to the Rainbooms by now, there were some people who lived in fear after Demon Sunset, The Sirens, Midnight, Melvin, Black Falcon, Moonstone, and traces of Magic in our world," Trevor explained. "And people like him built those weapons so not only the average person could stop them, but you and everyone else."
**Back with Tucker...**
"We're going back tonight," Tucker said.
"Back where?"
"To the museum."
"That diamond isn't stealing itself."
"Supergun freeze your brain, Tucker? That place is crawling with cops and the blur."
"The gun will stop the blur," Tucker said. "It not only hurt her, I know her weakness. We're going, unless you want out."
Both of them drew their guns and pointed them at him from behind.
"We both get out, alive."
"So, thought ahead and made a plan." Tucker smiled at them. "Least you learn something from me."
"Are you dense? This blur is out there. Canterlot City is not your playground anymore." Both of them left the bunker.
"Sure it is," Tucker said confidently.
**Moments after he arrived at the museum...**
Tucker blasted the door.
"Freeze!" The guard pointed his gun at him.
"You want to end up like that door?" Tucker asked.
The guard shook his head and walked by to the Mandarina Diamond.
"Hello there," Tucker said, looking at the dazzling diamond.
**Back at the lab...**
"Guys, I figured out a way to track down Frostbite!" Tyler said as he walked into the lab.
"Are we going to call him that?" Applejack asked.
"I kinda like it," Pinkie said.
"Ignoring that," Rarity refocused the conversation. "How?"
"The Cryo Blaster is powered by an engine unit, a microcomputer that regulates air-to-fuel
ratios so the sub-cooled fluid in the chambers doesn't overflow—"
"Explode," Twilight chimed in.
"Right," Tyler said as he walked to the monitors. "This E.C.U. was receiving updates wirelessly from my tablet. If I boost the signal using the city's network and send a false update, we'll get a pingback and then—"
"Locate Tucker," Fluttershy asked. "And how long will it take?"
"First, I have to hack into the network," Tyler answered. "About 20, 30 minutes at best."
"I can do it in less than one," Twilight said. "When it comes to hacking, I'm the fastest girl out there."
She cracked her knuckles and winced a little. "Okay, that was cooler in my head. And we're in."
"That quick?" Rarity was shocked.
"All right, I sent the updates," Tyler activated the locator. "We're connected."
"Network is triangulating the location," Twilight said.
"We got him," Sunset said. "He's heading west on Nelson and toward the train station."
"Why would he go to the train station?" Rarity asked.
"If he's leaving, it appears that Mr. Tucker has already gotten what he came for," Trevor said.
"The diamond," Spike exclaimed.
"When we put our minds together, nothing can stop us!" Applejack said cheerfully. "Let's get this guy."
"I understand you want to help, but I don't want to put you or anyone else in danger because of me!" Rainbow Dash stopped her. "I need to handle this. If I need your help, I'll call you guys."
**Rainbow caught up with Tucker on the train...**
"There's nowhere to run," Rainbow said, staring down at him.
"I didn't see you before," Tucker said. "Do your parents know it's past bedtime?"
"If you wanted to get away, you should have taken something faster than a train."
"Only if I wanted to get away," Tucker smirked. "I've seen your weakness at the armored car and then at the theater. While you save the people, I save myself."
He froze the wheels of the train, causing it to lose control.
"Good luck with that," Tucker said as he jumped out of the train.
"Focus, Rainbow," Rainbow took a deep breath. "Get the people off the train first, then deal with Tucker."
Rainbow managed to get all the people off the train, but the train derailed, causing her to fall on her back. Tucker fired, causing Rainbow to feel the chill.
"You're fast, kid!" Tucker said, walking toward her and aiming the gun. "But not fast enough."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for what?" Rainbow asked.
"You forced me to step up my game," Tucker said, aiming the gun at her. "Not only with the gun but how I think about the job. It's been educational."
A red magic blast came out of nowhere and caught Tucker by surprise. He turned and saw Sunset and the others.
"Hold it right there, brute," Rarity said, summoning a gem shield.
"There's an old saying," Twilight said as she and the others armed themselves with their magic. "You mess with one, you mess with all of us!"
"You know, I was wondering who you were talking to," Tucker said.
"Hey, unless you want a permanent sunburn," Sunset said. "I'd back up if I were you."
"You're shaking," Tucker called her bluff. "You've never blasted anyone before."
"There's a first time for everything, Frostbite," Twilight backed her up.
Knowing that Tucker couldn't beat all seven, he took his aim off Rainbow.
"You win, kid," Tucker said as he started to walk away. "I'll see you around."
"Hey, leave the diamond," Rarity said, hoping he would return it.
"Don't push your luck, kid," Tucker said as he left the group.
**Hours later with Trevor and Tyler...**
"Anything on finding him?" Trevor asked.
"Nothing," Tyler said. "He somehow disconnected the signal."
"Not to worry, guys," Rainbow reassured them. "We'll find him again. Only next time, he faces all of us."
"And don't forget about that Jackal guy," Applejack chimed in. "That toad has it coming for making something like that."
