In the shade of a large oak, Winter Frost, Whirlwind, Geode, and Blaze all gathered around each other to discuss their possible connection to the Elements of Wilderness. Of course, this was after they introduced themselves. Ponyville's park wasn't very populated, so they didn't have to lower their voices unless somepony passed by. The four of them sat on a brightly colored checkered blanket with the book Winter borrowed from Twilight Sparkle closed to its front cover with the silver unicorn.

"So, I'm the bearer of the fire element?" Blaze questioned, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, well, I'm pretty sure. Your cutie mark relates directly to fire, and with what I've been studying about cutie marks, magic, and the elements so far, I would say it's only logical." Said Winter.

"I'm the element of earth." Geode proclaimed with a small, but bright smile. "Whirlwind is the element of air and Winter is the element of ice."

"All of us are bearers, and we think there's some sort of reason why we're needed." Winter explained.

"But we don't know why." Whirlwind added.

"We think there's something going on in Equestria. Something bad that could be happening." Said Geode, his smile fading.

Winter nodded, "We're hoping it's not that... but I can't see any other reason for a power like the elements."

They continued to go back and forth for a while. Each of them trading questions, possible answers, and speculations. After this, Winter opened the book with her magic, and read through the book, turning its yellowing pages with her medium blue colored magic. She read aloud details about when they were said to have been discovered, what the six elements were and their last know location. Everypony glanced around at each other after hearing about the Tree of Harmony.

"Tree of Harmony? What's that?" Geode wondered aloud.

Winter produced a scroll of parchment from within the pages of the book, "I think it's what was on this parchment."

She looked it over, and discovered notes written off to the side. She read aloud that it was in fact the mentioned Tree of Harmony and that it was located in the Everfree Forest. It was at this that Winter bit her lip at the mention of the dangerous forest, but she proceeded to talk about the matters at hoof. With everything that had been happening recently, she was way beyond her comfort zone. But did comfort really matter when lives could be at stake?

And so everypony continued talking about the Tree of Harmony. They knew that eventually they would all have to make a trip out there once they found the last two bearers, so it was decided that they would each pack a saddle bag of necessities and at least one of them would pack first aid. Luckily the scroll had a description that gave them a general idea of where the tree could be, so they wouldn't just be wandering around aimlessly.

Though everypony knew they would have to bring this up again when they found the last two bearers, they still made it a point to clarify what they could. By the time they had covered the most important details, even Winter felt like her head was spinning. Back when she had first started learning about the Elements of Wilderness, she felt as if she wasn't making any progress and just running in place. But now everything felt as if she was galloping full speed ahead faster than Whirlwind could fly.

"Has anypony seen anything suspicious lately?" Winter asked the group. "Something that could give us an idea of what we're up against?"

There was a pause in which Whirlwind and Geode both shook their heads. Blaze however shifted in place before he spoke up.

"I did run into some trouble back in Canterlot." Blaze admitted with a sigh.

"What kind of trouble?" Whirlwind asked.

"I was in a back alley, taking a short cut home when I was attacked."

Winter's irises widened upon hearing this, "By who? What happened?"

"They shot out an attack that covered me in black crystals that I couldn't break with my magic. It wasn't until my best friend came and found me that we were able to team up and destroy them... We barely got away from the three ponies that attacked us."

"Do you know what they looked like?"

"I didn't see any of their faces, just somepony's muzzle and eyes. Their muzzle was grey I think... oh and they had bright red eyes!"

Geode suddenly jumped into the conversation with an unusually dark tone, "No, Blaze please tell me you're joking!"

"Why would I lie? For Celestia's sake, I could've died!"

"There's only one pony I know that matches that description, and he terrorized my people for far too long." Said Geode, standing up from where he previously sat to look at everypony with a serious gaze. "And his name was King Sombra."

 "So this is who we're up against?!" Winter panicked, her posture drawn in and vulnerable.

"Wait, Blaze you said there were two others?" Whirlwind perused.

"Well, yeah, but I didn't see their faces!" Then Blaze drew in a breath and leaned in towards the others before continuing. "This might sound a bit far-fetched-"

"Far-fetched? We just met, are talking about magical elements, and evil king who is supposed to be gone. I think we've passed far-fetched at this point." Said Whirlwind as she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, well I think two of my friends could be the last two bearers. My best friend Tidal Wave has mastered just about any form of magic involving water and my friend, Flora Blossom, has a garden more beautiful than the Canterlot royal garden, thanks to her magic."

"And it relates to their cutie mark?" Winter asked.

"Perfectly."

"Then they must be bearers!" Whirlwind concluded, gaining a nod from the others. "So, now we just have to get to them."

"And I'd suggest we do that fast. I was attacked, so they could be in trouble too." Blaze reasoned.

"You're right." Winter nodded. "Let's split up. Whirlwind and I can find one of them while you and Geode get the other. All we need are directions."

"Geode and I can get my friend Tidal. My train will be leaving soon anyway. Flora is off visiting family and friends in Appleoosa." Said Blaze. "I think she told me in a letter that she's helping Braeburn with his apple trees."

With that the four hurriedly packed up the blanket and the reference guide in Winter's saddle bags. In the eyes of the four ponies, shock and fear registered in their brightly colored pupils. The two colts rushed to the train stations, leaving nothing but their hoofprints behind in the dirt while Winter Frost and Whirlwind took to the skies. As she flew Whirlwind focused on creating an air current to speed the two of them along.

"I hope we can explain to his friend what's going on." Said Winter.

Whirlwind flapped her wings harder and replied, "Let's just hope she's safe first."

AN: I've made it to 1,500 plus reads?! This is so awesome! This book is also starting to get ranked now, which is beyond exciting for me. :D

If you enjoyed the chapter please vote and comment! It actually impacts the ranking system. Anyone have any thoughts or predictions perhaps? See you in my next update! -TheSecretAlicorn

I own the picture above! ^