//------------------------------//
// Ice Crystal 
// Story: Rune Hunters 
// by Cold Bolt 
//------------------------------//

"This is so cool!"

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

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

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

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

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

Apple Bloom was only vaguely following the conversation.

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

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

"You okay there?"

"Huh?"

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

"Yeah, sure," said Apple Bloom. 

Sweetie tilted her head.

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

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

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

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

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

"How do you figure?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

The colors, however...

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Code names?" Apple Bloom echoed.

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

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

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

Sweetie shrugged. "I guess that works."

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

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

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

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

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

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





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

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

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

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

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

"Yoo-hoo!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apple Bloom glanced at Diamond, who nodded.

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

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

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

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

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

The two mares stared, jaws slack.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Weird?" prompted Apple Bloom. 

"Reckless?" suggested Sweetie Belle. 

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

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

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

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





"We have a problem."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Then I'll go!"

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

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

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

Apple Bloom continued staring at the ceiling for a moment.

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

Scootaloo saluted. "Affirmative!"





As it turned out, Sweetie Belle was right.

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

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

I'm sensing something to the -

"Whoa!"

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

Ah, my apologies... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What are you doing up here?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

An awkward pause passed between them.

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

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

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

Celestia simply tilted her head and stared.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





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

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

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

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

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

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

"Outta how many?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stared.

"Eheheh... okay, maybe not."