//------------------------------// // Looming Thunder // Story: Pony Rangers: Element Storm // by mistercokehold8 //------------------------------// When she wasn’t working in her home of Sweet Apple Acres, or in the rare moment she wasn’t working on ranger duties, Applebloom was more than happy to make her way up to Canterlot in order to help out more with the rodeo business. Today however was going to be a dirty one, as she soon discovered once she got there. The rodeo wasn’t the only feature in this part of Canterlot; it was also home to the dirt biking track that encircled the rodeo. Today Applebloom was keeping time of the cyclist and making sure their times were up to par with their sponsors and whatnot. With various other workers trotting about all she had to do was keep a hold of the clipboard and mark down when racers crossed the line for the practice race. She was so caught up in keeping an eye on the board; she failed to notice two figures coming to a stop on a hilltop located next to the track. “You ready?” The figure in crimson red racing gear asked. “Let’s do this.” The second figure in navy blue racing gear asked. As the lead racer came around the bend on the track, the two figures on their bike floored the accelerator, spinning up grass as they sped off onto the track. Applebloom looked at her stopwatch as the racers came across the line again, then she finally noticed two racers who weren’t supposed to be there. The southern mare kept quietly to herself about it until the two pulled ahead of the lead racer before finishing the race in an even tie. “Hey, have you seen those two before?” Applebloom asked one of the race organizers. “They ride like factory pros. I’ve would’ve remembered them before.” “Least they don’t race the 125’s.” The southern mare teased, before deciding to get to the bottom of this little mystery. She set her time notes down, and trotted over to the two racers as they finally killed the engines on their bikes. “Excuse me but ah don’t recall you two signing up.” “Relax Applebloom.” The blue racer said, before the pony finally removed their helmet. The pony underneath it was an all too familiar stallion to her. “Button Mash? Ah didn’t know you raced dirt bikes.” “Video games aren’t the only hobbies I have. Right bro?” Button asked the racer to his side. The pony finally removed their helmet, reveal a grey teenage pegasus stallion with a wind slicked back black mane. “The track’s a little soggy for my liking.” Rumble said. “Rumble? Ah haven’t seen you in ages.” Applebloom admitted. “Try to keep to myself mostly.” The pegasus said. The southern mare was trying to piece this puzzle together. “He called you bro, so…” “Adopted Mash into the family.” Rumble said with a not so friendly smirk. “Oh, um…that’s cool.” Applebloom decided to drop the rather personal subject matter. “Ah haven’t seen you two up here before, and ah’ve worked here for a while. Where’s your home track?” “You wouldn’t have heard of it.” “Easy Rumble.” Button said, trying to ease the tension. “And he wonders why we don’t have any friends.” The earth pony said to Applebloom, getting a smile from her. “Say Apple you look like you would be able to race. Ever consider it?” “No not really.” The southern mare admitted. “Long as you don’t get too much air any pony can ride one of these.” Rumble said, patting his bike. “He’s right, dark and brooding, but right.” Button said. “Why don’t you follow us for a few lessons?” Applebloom looked off into the distance at the clocktower so she could get the time. “Ah gonna have to make a rain check on that.” She said. “No worries, next time.” Rumble said, patting her on the shoulder. “Later then.” Button said, before the two stallions pushed their bikes into a cart for storage. Applebloom looked at the clock again, before putting her things up so she could gallop to the forest. She was running late, again. The forest where the school that Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom was located had not changed at all these last few weeks. The only difference was the school itself was gone without a trace. Despite all that, it was decided that the forest would make an ideal training spot for the bigger equipment the three would have to use as the Pony Rangers. “Hey Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom called, her voice echoing off the trees. “Scootaloo! Come on, where are you girls?” The southern mare walked for several moments but wasn’t finding any signs of recent life that was here. “Oh don’t tell me ah missed training again.” The southern mare grumbled to herself. “Come on girls!” A whooshing sound made her ears twitch, causing her to take a fighting stance because as she has learned these last few weeks anything that makes a sound means trouble. Her instincts proved correct as in multiple directions at once several flashes of light went off, leaving a squad of Patrol Putties in their place. The southern mare watched as the putties quickly encircled her. “Wasn’t looking for you fellas, but ya’ll do!” Applebloom immediately ducked under the blade swings of two putties, flipping over them and connecting a missile dropkick to their chest, knocking into several other putties. Ducking under, and jumping over mores blade swings connected with an arm drag to one putty, pulling it over her shoulder and onto the ground, before dropping her knees onto its chest, bouncing off into a back flipping into a kick with enough force to send one putty crashing into a tree trunk. As more putties charged forward Applebloom knew it was a numbers game at this point, and she couldn’t defeat all of them as two putties finally managed to grab her and toss her several feet away. As she turned onto her back the dozen plus putties had their blades at her throat. Slowly the putties raised their blades, until a loud noise got their and the pony on the ground attentions. Applebloom turned back onto her stomach and looked at where the sound was coming from. It sounded awfully familiar to her. From her spot she could see a blur of Red and Blue moving in an astonishing speed. Applebloom recognized the two as her friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, already morphed up, and riding what appeared to be red and blue dirt bikes. Right before the two could pass the group of putties that surrounded her, they fired off several laser blasts, hitting all the putties and scattering them along the ground. “And a perfect strike!” Scootaloo called as the putties began chasing her and Sweetie Belle. Applebloom finally got back onto her hooves, and could only look on in amazement. “Coming through! Don’t mind us!” Sweetie said as she drifted her bike around the putties, firing several laser shots of her own and causing small fireballs around the putty patrols. “What in the world…..” Applebloom had the biggest smile on her face as Spike of all the species on Equestria patted her on the shoulder. “We were wondering when you would show up.” The drake said as they watched the two rangers have a blast against the putties. “You know I told those two not to engage the enemies until the bikes were ready.” Spike said annoyed. “Of course nopony ever listens to the dragon!” “What are they?” “Those are your Tsunami Cycles.” Spike explained as the two ducked under a laser shot. “Sorry! My bad!” Scootaloo called to the two. Sweetie Belle jumped her bike over the two and right into a group of putties, firing away as she went. “I thought you said these wouldn’t be ready for months?” Applebloom could recall Spike once showing the three the designs for these bikes, but they must’ve slipped her mind. “So did I.” “You got something for me?” Applebloom asked excitedly. “No, should I?” “You’re joking right?” “I’m being serious.” “You’re telling me the earth pony doesn’t get a cool dirt bike while those two do?” “Alright, alright. Hold your horses, pun intended.” Spike said, lifting the remote he had been carrying with him. From up the dirt path Applebloom could see a rather large metal wagon being pulled by a driverless cart. “Meet your mobile command center Applebloom.” Spike explained as the back door lowered to the ground. “And check this out.” With a push of a button a cycle matching the ones Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were driving came out on its own. “Ok, have it.” “Element Storm! Ranger Form! Ha!” Applebloom morphed as she flipped in the air, landing perfectly on the bike. “Power of Earth!” Without having any knowledge on how to drive a dirt bike, the southern mare peeled out, sending loose dirt flying in several directions as she sped off in the directions of her friends and team mates. As she saw her friends come into view Applebloom couldn’t help but pop a wheelie. “Girls, wait up!” The mare called as she finally pulled alongside her teammates. “Hey, you made it!” Scootaloo said, over the sound of the Tsunami Cycles. “These things rock!” “Putty Alert! Twelve O’clock!” Sweetie called as the group of putties attempted to block access to the dirt road. “Not gonna be a problem!” Scootaloo popped a wheelie before plowing through the putties, firing her laser as she went. As the putties regrouped Applebloom came speeding off from the left, firing her lasers as well. “Ah love the lasers!” “Right back at you!” Sweetie agreed as she fired at the group as well. Scootaloo drove on until a group of putties jumped in front of her. “Whoa! Brake!” The red ranger hit the brakes to her bike, drifting right into a putty and sending it flying in a shower of sparks. “Bye-bye! Good bike.” She said, patting the top of her cycle. “Stop on a dime…or a putty!” Applebloom said as she drifted into a another group of putties, covering the villains with dirt, before kicking of her bike to make them back up. As she managed to get air with her cycle one putty jumped up right at her, but it didn’t expect Applebloom to buck it out of the air without taking her hooves out the handlebars. “Nopony messes with mah bike!” As she landed the bike on the ground the three rangers managed to regroup. “As fun as this is the putties are getting on my nerves.” Sweetie said. “Really? Cause I’m just warming up!” Scootaloo said. “Too bad they had to be putties.” Applebloom said as the multiple putties regrouped into one massive group. “Not for long!” The three then peeled out right at the group of putties, all three firing their laser shots, causing the putties to finally collapse on the ground in defeat. After dealing with the putties the three ponies finally managed to return to the mobile command center where Spike was waiting for the three to return the not quite finished bikes. Making sure nopony was around to watch them; the three climbed off their bikes and lifted their morphers. “Power down!” They commanded, which allowed them to de-morph to their normal selves. “Well, I see you three had fun.” Spike commented as he climbed out of the cart. “I tell you Spike these bikes work pretty good.” Scootaloo said happily. “Just so you three know, you were pretty lucky.” Spike said as she examined all three bikes up close. “They still need some fine tuning.” Applebloom dusted herself off as Spike tossed her a disc of some sorts. “These are backups Applebloom. Twilight figured you would be the best to hold on to them.” “Ok, ah will.” “Don’t lose them.” Spike said seriously as he began loading the cycles back up. “So Applebloom….where were you?” Scootaloo finally brought up. “Oh, ah was helping out at the rodeo in Canterlot. It was track day up there and ah ran into some old friends, guess ah sorta lost track of time. Going to meet back up with them later.” “Yeah whatever. Just remember what’s important here, ok?” Scootaloo said seriously, something she rarely was. “Don’t worry. Ah haven’t lost the plot completely.” Applebloom said as she turned to exit the forest. The three were so caught up in their heroic moment of the day that they failed to notice they were being watched. The two figures from Nightmare Moon’s vessel were watching them once more. “We’ve seen enough. Let’s go.” The first one ordered. “Let me guess…..your goal to capture the rangers Tsunami Cycle has failed?” Nightmare Moon said to Iron Will, not being surprised at all by the recent failure. For the past weeks it’s as if she had almost grown use to the failure her followers were giving her. The minotaur could only look at the ground as his partners Gilda and Trixie looked on amused. “It wasn’t my fault your majesty….the putties failed.” “Iron Will you are beginning to sound like a bad book.” The alicorn of the night noted dully. “Take a break, have a cider or something. Let us see what some fresh blood can do.” On cue the sound of thunder and lightning filled the ship as the two figures appeared in kneel position before rising to their hooves. “Step forward…..Thunder Rangers.” “Thunder Rangers?” Will asked confused as the two figures stepped into the light. They were both nearly identical to the Element Rangers down below with only a few minor differences. The crimson red ranger’s helmet was in the style of the Rhinoceros Beatle, while the navy blue ranger was styled after a Stag Beatle. Both had gold shoulder gauntlets on their front shoulders, and a deep red staff hung over their shoulders as well. “Our plan to infiltrate the rangers is on schedule Nightmare Moon.” The red ranger said, their voice still being altered, even though the alicorn knew very well who it was behind the visor. “I do not care much for schedules, for I am more interested in results.” “Don’t rush us. We know what we’re doing.” Trixie and Gilda were impressed. Nopony else would dare talk back to Nightmare Moon. “How dare you speak to her majesty that way!” Iron Will on the other hoof was offended in their bluntness. “Bow and show some respect.” “Listen, while you’re out there getting that cider bring me a non-fat one-sugar cappuccino.” The blue ranger taunted, getting right up to Will. “Why you….” The minotaur grabbed the pony by the shoulders, the red crimson ranger pulling out his staff while the blue one stood calmly. “Enough of this foolishness!” Nightmare Moon ordered. The alicorn left her throne and looked Iron Will right in the eyes. “How many times must I tell you? There is no I in team. Rangers, go. Do what you have to, but remember, I will not wait forever.” Down below in Ponyville, much to the horror of the various residents the ground began to shake wildly. While ponies began to panic, little did they know this was no earthquake. Somewhere under the ground the newest monster from the villains in space was hard at work digging its way and causing the massive quakes. “I don’t dig working with others, but this is fun!” The large mole like monster cackled to itself. “Especially when it comes to a power lunch!” The monster then struck a large underground cable, sending a majority of Ponyville into darkness. “Thanks Thunder Rangers!” “Did you find what’s going on Spike?” Twilight asked as she, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stood over the dragon’s shoulder as he typed away on the monitor. “I don’t know, it’s some kind of subterranean disturbance. Whatever it is, it can’t be good.” Due to the backup generators Element Ops had it was one of the few rooms left in Ponyville that had power. Before the ponies could plan their next room they could feel another quake starting up, causing the room to shake violently and scattering dust everywhere. “Everypony hang on!” Scootaloo said as the quake finally dissipated. “Ok, ok it stopped.” “The seismographs are picking up some serious activity.” Spike said as a live camera feed pointed to a dust disturbance on the edge of town. “And there’s your reason why.” The drake said as the mole monster finally popped up from underground. “That is one massive mole.” Sweetie noted. At that moment Applebloom came galloping full speed down the stairs. “Sorry gals! Ah got caught up at the rodeo!” “Better late than never.” Spike said. “He’s right outside Ponyville!” Twilight said, pinpointing its location. “We’re on it.” Scootaloo said as she and her friends lined up. “Ready?” “Ready!” “Element Storm! Ranger Form! Ha!” The three shouted, activating their morphing sequence of them being caught in the center of a vortex with their ranger outfit forming over the before the visors on their helmets snapped to a close. “Power of Air!” “Power of Earth!” “Power of Water!” “What a day…it’s a thankless job leveling a village!” The mole monster cackled to itself before being blasted by several laser shots, causing sparks to erupt off it. “Hey mole head!” The monster turned and found the three Element Storm Rangers aiming their signature weapons right at it. “Hey! We don’t dig what you’ve been up to!” Scootaloo shouted. “Oh yeah? Well I’m guessing by the spandex it’s your job to stop me! Catch me if you can!” Twirling in its spot the mole monster disappeared underground, cackling evilly as it went. “Where’d he go?” Sweetie asked alarmed. “Wanna take a guess?” Scootaloo asked as the three armed themselves more. “Oh no, it could be anywhere!” Applebloom said as the rangers circled around, as so not to be caught off guard. The ground beneath them shook as the mole monster jumped out of the ground, twirling as it did. “Going up!” As it twirled it was easily able to strike all three rangers, causing sparks to explode off them. “Going down!” Before the three could retaliate it dove right back into the ground. “Alright then, dig this dirt boy! Element Dirt Dive!” Applebloom leaped into the air in a corkscrew formation before diving into the ground after the mole. Above ground Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle could only watch as two dust trails quickly approached one another. “Applebloom!” “Be careful!” The two trails finally collided as Applebloom came flying out in a shower of sparks, flipping end over end until she finally landed flat on her back. “Now that’s just playing dirty.” The southern pony groaned as her friends quickly helped her back onto her hooves. A few feet in front of the a column of dust rose from the ground as the mole monster appeared before them once more. “Terramole in the house! Watch and learn rangers; I’m gonna trash your village from the inside out!” Terramole twirled in place once more before disappearing into the ground, leaving a large hole in its wake. “Hey wait! Get back here!” Scootaloo shouted down into the hole. “He got away.” “But he’ll be back.” Sugar Cube Corner was a very popular place for ponies to gather up and meet with friends to discuss how their day or how life was going. Even though she figured it would be a long shot, but Applebloom figured here would be a good place to try to bring her two new friends into her group of current friends. She was seated at the table in the far back chatting away with Rumble and Button Mash happily as she saw Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle trot in the door. “Hey gals, you finally made it.” The southern mare said happily to her two best friends. “Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle ah think you remember Rumble and Button Mash?” Button and Sweetie locked eyes, a small blush forming between them as Scootaloo bumped hooves with Rumble. “How’s it going?” “Pretty good.” The teenage stallion responded. “Applebloom’s told us a lot about you two.” “But not everything.” Button said, patting the spot next to him, which Sweetie happily took. Scootaloo looked over to her southern friend and motioned with her head. “Hey uh, Applebloom got a minute?” The two mares quietly trotted to the other side of the room, Sweetie happily hanging back with the two stallions. “What’s on yer mind?” “You were supposed to be back at Element Ops.” Scootaloo said quietly. “Yeah, ah-ah know. I just ran into these two and we started talking like before….and ah guess ah lost track of time.” “Twilight’s not happy, she’s doing that thing with her books again.” “Oh great….” Applebloom knew she was in for it now. “Okay, okay come on girls. Hey guys ah gotta go.” Applebloom grabbed Sweetie Belle and dragged her out the door, much to hers and Button’s annoyance. “Yeah, I’ll see you later Sweetie.” Scootaloo was right behind her friends till she realized she forgot something back at Sugar Cube Corner, but she didn’t even get through the door when she heard Rumble and Button’s voices. “I tell you bro, Sweetie is fine.” “Yeah, but I don’t get why she hangs out with two goofs like Applebloom and Scootaloo?” “I don’t know. Maybe she likes doing charity work.” Rumble cracked a smile and chuckled at his brothers humor. At the door the pegasus mare was not liking what she was hearing one bit. “98……….99………..100.” Twilight counted as Applebloom finally collapsed with a large pile of books on her back. Her punishment for being late were push up’s, with about her body weight in books on her back for good measure. Spike looked on with a smirk as the unicorn removed the books with her magic. “Maybe now you’ll learn the importance of punctuality.” “Or at least really firm legs.” Sweetie joked. As she panted for air Applebloom noticed Scootaloo finally trotting down the stairs into Element Ops. “Applebloom, can I talk to you for a second?” The earth pony mare pulled herself back onto her hooves and trotted over to her friend. “Ok, look ah’m sorry…” “Hey, uh, how well do you know Rumble and Button Mash?” “What do you mean? We’ve known them since school.” “Yeah, but how well do you REALLY know them? I mean they just come out of nowhere and suddenly they’re your best friends?” Scootaloo asked skeptically. “Scootaloo, it’s a rodeo thing ok? Ah mean you got your scooter buddies that you hang with and ah have no problem with them do I? And we don’t say a word.” Applebloom smiled before turning to the door. Scootaloo on the other hoof was not amused. “At least I know what’s important here.” The southern mare stopped in her tracks, and turned back to her friend. “Run that by me again?” She wasn’t laughing anymore. “Look, ever since you’ve been hanging out with those guys your priorities are messed up!” “That’s crazy talk.” Applebloom said. “Sweetie, back me up here.” Instead of her friend backing her up like she expected, Sweetie could only look at the ground. “Oh come on! Listen you two, ah’ll admit ah haven’t been focused as of late-“ “This is not your little rodeo we’re talking about.” Scootaloo said, cutting her off. “We’re talking about the end of the world here! Millions of lives are on our shoulders, do you even get that?” Applebloom didn’t take her eyes off of Scootaloo’s. “Twilight a little help here?” “I’m sorry Applebloom, but you can only help yourself. With your actions, not your words.” The elder unicorn said calmly, not wanting to take sides in this little argument. Applebloom was beginning to see that no one was gonna take her side here. “You know what? Ah don’t need to listen to this!” The southern mare stormed out of Element Ops, leaving her two best friends with conflicted emotions. The southern mare had not only decided to go back up to Canterlot for her rodeo job, she had finally decided to take Rumble and Button Mash up on their offer to help her learn how to ride one of the many dirt bikes around the track. She figured it would also make for great practice with the Tsunami Cycles. With the fresh mud and dirt flying up behind her as she drifted around the final corner of the track, getting a healthy amount of air as she sped off past the finish line. Out of the corner of her eye she found Rumble and Button Mash in their riding gear. “Woo! Ah finally made it that time!” The southern mare greeted as she yanked her helmet off. “You sure you never ridden before? You looked like a natural out there.” Button complimented. “Keep that up and you’ll be ready for the 250’s in no time. Remember this moment.” Rumble said, for once having a friendly face on. “You know, it’s been cool to be around you guys. I mean it’s hard to find ponies willing to get down and dirty like me. Actually be into what you’re into you know?” “I hear that.” Rumble said, bumping hooves with the southern mare. As Button reached out to do the same, much to the threes surprise the ground beneath them began to shake violently. As the three struggled to stay upright Applebloom saw a dust trail zip right by them under their hooves before the shaking finally knocked the three over. “What was that?” Button groaned. “I don’t know, talk about weird huh?” Applebloom said, maybe a little too quickly. The two brothers glanced at each other, but to the mares horror the morpher on her wrist began beeping loudly. “Hey freaky watch.” Rumble said, yanking Applebloom’s hoof out to look at the morpher. “Does it have a compass on it?” “Yeah it has a lot of cool stuff on it, but ah’ll have to show you later ah gotta go!” “Whoa whoa whoa.” Rumble stopped her in her tracks. “How come you always have to bail on us?” “If you wanna ride like a pro, you have to practice like one.” Button said, standing on the opposite side of the mare. “Now, let’s see if we could shave a few seconds off your time.” “Guys, ah would love to but ah really have to go.” Applebloom said apologetically before galloping off over the hill. She hadn’t even noticed that she left her pack behind. Button Mash however did. “Well well….” The stallion lifted the pack over to his brother, both with wide smirks on their faces. At Element Ops the two remaining rangers were able to pinpoint Terramole’s location to the rock foundation plant a few miles outside of Ponyville. Scootaloo and Sweetie knew they couldn’t wait for Applebloom to show up, so they had to leave without her. The two had a problem once they arrived at their location however. Terramole was nowhere to be seen. “Where is he?” Sweetie asked as she and Scootaloo had their Element Blades out. She wouldn’t have to wait long as Terramole popped out of the ground directly behind her, and pulled her down til only the top half of her body was sticking out. “Scootaloo!” “Let her go!” The red ranger aimed her sword until Terramole yanked her up to her waist in the ground as well. Then the monster lifted the pegasus mare up, beginning to spin her in the air until he tossed the ranger onto the ground. “This guy’s tough.” “Where’s Applebloom?” Sweetie asked as Terramole leaped out of the ground. “That airhead? Her ranger days are over!” “She’s not an airhead.” Scootaloo argued. “Even if she was, only we can call her that.” Little did the three know that just above them the ranger in question was galloping as fast as she could. “Ah can’t believe ah got caught in traffic! Ah hope ah’m not too late!” As the southern pony got to the edge of the hill she was on she could only watch as Terramole was smashing her friends into each other, sparks flying off them each time they collided. Then for good measure the mole monster blasted the two with a beam of energy, knocking the two Element Storm to the ground. “Hold on girls!” Applebloom called down as she summoned her Lion Hammer. “Back off mole boy!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked up in relief as the yellow Element Storm ranger dove off the rock hill with her hammer out, but as she swung for the mole it retreated back into the ground. “You can’t hide forever.” Applebloom said, testing the ground for the right spot. Then she began smacking the ground with her hammer. At Element Ops Spike and Twilight watched on as the ranger smacked the ground harder. “Applebloom cut that way too close.” The drake noted. “I was sure she wasn’t gonna show this time.” "Then observe Spike. Her actions will show her dedication.” Twilight said calmly. Applebloom finally found the spot she was looking for. “How’s this for a big bang?” With all her might she brought her hammer colliding into the ground, shaking it with enough force to finally bring Terramole flailing to the surface as it crash landed onto its back. “You girls thinking what ah’m thinking?” Applebloom asked her friends. “Sonic Fin!” “Hawk Blaster!” The three rangers combined their three signature weapons, and aimed it at Terramole, this time Applebloom being the one behind the trigger. “Storm Striker! Fire!” Applebloom aimed the large gun into the air, and launched a yellow sphere that grew in massive size, before bringing it crashing down onto the mole that had been terrorizing Ponyville, forcing Terramole to explode into a fireball. “Thanks for playing!” Up above Nightmare Moon and her forces watched on as Terramole had been defeated. Growling, the alicorn of the night turned and glared at her followers. “Make a mole you said, it will dig Ponyville out from under the rangers you said.” She spat at Trixie and Gilda, before turning and launching another bolt of energy at the ground where Terramole one stood. The remains of Terramole glowed brightly until the rangers could only watch as the monster they just defeated grew to massive heights. “Can you guess who the mole is now?” It taunted. “Spike! You know the drill!” Applebloom said into her communicator. Spike slammed his fist on the large button to launch the Element Zords. The Zords were moved from their underground hanger and out into the world via the holographic portals. The Hawk Zord flew out from its location from under Cloudsdale, the Dolphin Zord emerged from its disguise as an Equestria Cruise ship, and finally the Lion Zord left its spot from a carnival where it was disguised as a roller coaster and Ferris Wheel. “Let’s go for it gals! Element Zords!” Applebloom said to her friends, before the three once more took to the air, landing perfectly into the cockpits of their respective zords. “Megazord Formation!” Once more the Lion Zord shifted until it formed the legs, chest piece and the left arm, while the Dolphin Zord clipped into place as the right arm before finally the Hawk Zord shifted as well, clipping into place as the head. “Element Storm Megazord: Online!” “Time to lay the groundwork!” Terramole taunted as its massive body took to the air, diving into the ground and out of the rangers line of sight. As the three searched for the beast it popped up behind them, striking the Megazord in the back and shaking the drivers inside. Turning to strike back all that resulted was Terramole getting in several more punches before disappearing into the ground once more. “He’s too fast!” Sweetie reported. “Ah got an idea. Lightning Megazord, engage!” The Megazord then began losing parts of its armor into the frame work of the giant robot until it was now a lot for bendable and movable. The downside was it would only last for sixty seconds. Before the three could make their first move Terramole popped out of the ground once more behind them. “Looking for me?” Using its strength it tossed the Lightning Megazord to the ground. The quicker zord pounced back onto its feet and took to the air for a drop kick, but Terramole simply hid in the ground once more, and once more appearing behind the Megazord, and pulling it into the ground up to its waist. “Again with the digging thing?!” Scootaloo complained. “It’s a mole Scootaloo, it’s what they do.” Spike reported over the communicator. “Now power down, I got something for you three that might help.” The Megazord quickly dug out of the ground, and once back on its own two feet it quickly regrew its armor, returning to its default stage. “Downloading Power Sphere Four!” Spike reported, slamming his hand on the button once more. “Ah read you Spike!” Applebloom said as the disc quickly formed in front of her on her dash board. “Got it. Let’s see if we can hit a jackpot. Inserting power disc now!” The yellow ranger slid the disc into the power slot as the handle opened. “Lock, and drop!” The center emblem opened, allowing a yellow sphere to shoot out until it split into two halves, forming what appeared to be a Ram head on a handle. “Ram Hammer!” The three rangers reported as the zord took hold of the new power up. Terramole did not like the look of the hammer. “It’s time for me to hit the dirt!” The mole took to the air and vanished into the ground below once more, and out of the rangers line of sight. “Think again chump!” Applebloom said, bring the Megazord to strike the ground with the hammer with all its might. The ground shook as Terramole came flying out of the ground and crashing once more onto its back. “Hammer time!” The Megazord proceeded to strike Terramole several times with the hammer, each time bringing a shower of sparks, until it charged once last attack. Extending the handle of the hammer, Terramole could only scream as the glowing hammer head was brought crashing down on top of it, causing it to explode into a massive fireball. “We did it!” Scootaloo celebrated. “Thanks to you Applebloom!” “Aw shucks. No worries girls.” The yellow ranger said bashfully from her cockpit. Several hours would pass before Applebloom was able to report back to the rodeo. After much debating on it, she had made the decision to switch over to working on her dirt bike riding, finding it to be too much fun to pass up. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle cheered her on loudly as she finished her final practice lap, drifting around the corner and accidentally covering her friends with dirt and mud. “Yeah thanks for the shower.” Sweetie said annoyed as her friend pulled to a stop. “Whoops, sorry there girls.” Applebloom said, yanking off her helmet to get some fresh air. “So what did you gals think?” “You looked faster out there.” Scootaloo said honestly. “Hey, where’s Button Mash and Rumble? I figured they be here for you.” “Ah don’t know. Ah guess they have better things to do than hang out with a goof like me huh?” Scootaloo had finally told her friend what she had overheard the two stallions say back at Sugarcube Corner, and she took it a little hard. “Hey…..some of the stuff I said before, I didn’t mean you weren’t committed.” Scootaloo said apologetically. Applebloom put on a friendly smirk. “Ah know.” “Applebloom you’re a great ranger.” Sweetie commented. “You might be a goof from time to time, but you’re a great ranger.” “We’re all a little goofy here and there aren’t we?” Applebloom asked as Scootaloo slugged her on the shoulder softly. “So you two get geared up. If we’re gonna be riding these Tsunami Cycles we better be ready for it!” Her two friends began laughing fondly as they made their way over to the changing booth. Little did they know they were being watched, from only mere feet away. “Have fun while you can.” The Navy Thunder Ranger said threateningly. “You have no idea what’s coming your way.” The Crimson Thunder Ranger taunted.