I do not own the picture above!

"GAH! For Celestia's sake, can't this train go any faster?!" Blaze practically shouted before stomping a hoof on his seat and twisting his mouth into scowl.

Geode whispered to Blaze with an awkward grin, "Uh, Blaze, you might wanna keep it down. Ponies are staring..."

And indeed they were. Little fillies and other young ponies were watching Blaze and Geode with wide, curious eyes. Now, they didn't know any better to realize that staring is rude, but even the eyes of grown ponies flitted over to the pair after Blaze's outburst. With a wrinkled muzzle, the red unicorn grumbled and stared out the window for bit. They passed bright green trees and hills blanketed in wildflowers, and all the while he glared at the sights outside his sunny window.

"We'll be there soon enough." Geode said, attempting to lighten the mood. "It's not like we're going all the way to Manehatten. Just lighten up!"

"Lighten up? Lighten up?! I can't just lighten up, Geode!" Blaze snapped, eyes wild and incredulous.

"Blaze quieter!"

Blaze continued in a harsh whisper, "My best friend is out there, doesn't know he's the water bearer and clueless about King Sombra and the other ponies - who are probably just as dangerous - that could attack him at any given moment. Don't tell me to lighten up."

Geode turned his head away from the enraged Blaze and stared at the green flooring of the train car. The crystal pony sighed and slumped forward a little in his seat, lazily looking around the train car to occupy his mind. Then there came a deep sigh from his travelling companion.

"Sorry... It's just, I feel so awful that Tidal is out there in possible danger. If those ponies did something to him I don't think I would be able to forgive myself for it."

"I understand. If anypony gave my kid sister trouble, I'd be upset too."

Geode flashed Blaze a reassuring smile, and Blaze returned it after a moment. For the rest of the train ride, the two were able to keep themselves from focusing on their worries. Soon they arrived in Canterlot and made their way over to Tidal Wave's house in a fast trot. Some of the pathways were a bit congested, but the two managed to get to get to their destination. Geode slowed his pace once Blaze came to a stop at a house that was simpler than much of the other homes throughout Canterlot.

The white house had a dark blue shingled roof and a dark blue door with a curling wave of water etched into it. The railing of a small terrace that protruded from the upper level of the house was the same color, and the area had been furnished with a little table that had three chairs set around it. From the ground, it could be seen that there was also a flower pot in the corner of the terrace, teeming with brightly colored flowers of blue, red, yellow, and pink.

Blaze hurriedly knocked on the door, and when there was no answer after a few seconds, he knocked again. He was about to knock a third time when the door swung open to reveal a pegasus with a curly light blue mane and blue-green eyes. The pegasus smiled and rolled his eyes at Blaze.

"I knew it was you, Blaze. Most ponies aren't impatient enough to knock on somepony's door twice. How was your trip to-" The pegasus was cut off by Blaze.

"Tidal, we gotta talk."

Tidal Wave hesitated before answering, "Okay, but first who is this crystal pony? I'm not trying to be impolite here, but-"

"Look, it's not safe out here. Can we go inside?" Blaze gave him a desperate look. "Please?"

...

Whirlwind made it to Appleloosa in good time with an exhausted Winter in tow. Though she had used her air magic to speed them along, Winter Frost was by no means an athlete and therefore out of breath by the time she landed on the ground. Her braided mane and tail had untidy pieces of hair sticking out of it here and there, while Whirlwind's mane appeared almost exactly as it normally did. Letting out a sigh, Winter then used her magic to redo her braids before they got back to the task at hoof and flew through the town in search of Blaze's friend.

"Are you sure its okay to just drop in unannounced?" Winter questioned hesitantly.

"Do you have a better idea?" Whirlwind replied.

"That's a fair point." Winter paused and bit her lip. "How will we know if it's her or not?"

While flying over the tops a large expanse of apple trees the two stopped near the back of the field, and hovered in place upon seeing a cluster of ponies. Both mares and colts were gathered around a few browning and withered trees. A yellow colt with a cowboy hat leaned forward and said something before a green mare nodded in his direction. Barely a moment later, a light green aura spread from the earth pony's hooves and touched the base of each tree. The green aura climbed the trees, circling around the trunks as it went. With every inch the aura climbed, the trees grew brighter and retained their former healthy look.

Whirlwind and Winter's jaws dropped as the now rejuvenated trees began to bear apples that grew into bright red apples in a matter of seconds. The other ponies began whooping and hollering, some even standing momentarily on their back hooves with such joy. All except the light green mare began bucking at the trees to gather the flawless apples that hung from their branches.

"Um, I'm pretty sure we'll know." Said Whirlwind as she descended from the air and made her way over to the light green earth pony.

"U-um... Excuse me?" Winter stuttered meekly, trying to gain her attention.

After a moment, the mare turned to face Winter. She was what ponies called a "natural beauty." She had kind, dark green eyes with long eyelashes and her mane was short and pink. A light purple flower rested in her mane just under her ear. Five freckles dotted her face on each side.

The mare brushed her bangs out of her eyes before speaking in a breathy voice that had a slight southern air to it, "Yes, is there something I can help you two with?"

"Are you Flora Blossom by any chance?"

"Yes..." The mare trailed off looking at Winter's wings and horn. "Who is wondering, if I may ask?"

Winter forced herself to respond to the new face with confidence, "I'm Winter Frost. This is my best friend Whirlwind. We know your friend Blaze."

"We've come to warn you that you could be in danger." Said Whirlwind.

"Danger?!" Flora Blossom shrieked.

The two ponies pulled her away from the others and Winter began explaining how they knew Blaze. She nodded and told them he had sent a letter about the Princess Twilight's study. They explained that there were others with elemental powers like her - two of them being themselves - and in hushed voices said that Equestria was in danger. They furthered their explanation by telling her about the Elements of Wilderness, how they played a part in these objects, and finally that they soon would set out to retrieve them. Flora Blossom voiced that it was a lot of pressure, and seemed very unsure of everything, but Winter and Whirlwind were able coax her into at least coming to Ponyville and meeting up with the others.

They then made their way out of the orchard, hoping to grab Flora Blossom's things and catch the next train before it left the station. But before they could make it onto the dirt pathway six ponies blocked their path, asking them to help them harvest apples since they looked like "strong mares." Whirlwind refused and told them they had somewhere to be. When they insisted again, Flora Blossom politely told them they couldn't afford to miss their train. Then the ponies exchanged glances and shared firm nods before green tint glinted across each of their eyes.

"Looks like we'll have to steal the love from you three the hard way." Said a buff older colt before he licked his lips.

A mare cackled beside him, "After we get our meal Tirek can have you!"

"Tirek?!" The three ponies cried in unison.

"As in the centaur who stole the magic, flight, and strength from everypony a while back?!" Flora Blossom voiced incredulously.

Whirlwind stood protectively in front of Winter and glared at the six ponies in front of them, "Yep, that's the one."

Winter gasped and lit her with magic, "They're changelings! No other creature feeds off of somepony's love!"

The six changeling's - still in pony form - hissed at the three mares. A few circled around the trio and got behind them, to which they responded by bunching close together. Their eyes flitted from each of the changelings, watching their every move. With the closest group of ponies in the orchard behind them, it was likely that nopony else was going to figure out what was happening.

Each changeling then shed their false identities and revealed their true selves. The three in front of them lunged at mares, and with incredible speed Whirlwind flapped her wings, sending a powerful gust of wind in their direction. The wind kicked up dirt while the changelings were sent tumbling to the ground. Flora Blossom stared in shock at Whirlwinds power. Such abilities could only be backed up by magic! She and Tidal Wave were no longer the only non-unicorns with this ability!

"A little help would be appreciated!" Whirlwind called to Flora Blossom and Winter.

"But I don't want to hurt anypony!" The green earth pony replied.

In the blink of an eye, a changeling tackled Flora Blossom to the ground, and she yelped in fear, pushing against its chest in an attempt to free herself from the creature. At this Winter snapped into reality and shot a beam of ice magic at the changeling. The frigid magic hit the changeling and encased it in sparkling ice, allowing her to knock it onto the ground. Almost forgetting her timid nature, Winter helped Flora Blossom up and charged her magic again, her horn surging with power.

"That's it Winter! Come on Flora, lets show these things we mean business!" Whirlwind encouraged, narrowing her eyes at their attackers. "They're not taking us out so easily!"

AN: Howdy everypony! So... *grins* What did you think of the chapter? The action isn't over yet! Hope y'all don't mind the chapter is a bit longer than usual.

Vote, comment, and most importantly, enjoy!

Also I know it's late at night (it kinda is where I am), but I realized I hadn't uploaded. And sorry for the upload then re-upload I forgot something lol.