The next day was a school day, and the Crusaders had to attend, even though they'd graduated, because they had decided to help out around town with their 'free time' in between Cutie Mark problems, and so they went with what they knew. They elected to help out new students (and their former teacher while they were at it, as she couldn't assist everypony at once.)
Taking seats at the back of the class, they retrieved their supplies from their bags as they waited for proceedings to... well, proceed. Apple Bloom scribbled something on a piece of paper and passed it to Sweetie Belle.
I have something to show you and Scootaloo later. Meet me at the usual place.
Sweetie flipped the page and scribbled something, passing it back.
Same here. We'll be there.
At that point, Cheerilee took her place at the head of the classroom.
"Alright class. You might remember that there's a big test today. You all had plenty of notice and lots of time to study."
Cheerilee passed the tests out to each student. Once they were all hoofed out, she went back to her desk, giving her pupils some space to work in peace. She also hoofed out copies (albeit harder versions) to the Crusaders, them being a part of the class as much as anypony else present, in Cheerilee's eyes. Such was the price for attendance, alas.
However, the Crusaders were more intelligent than they were just the other day, and so they made quick work of the test. In fact, they were the first to hoof their tests over to their teacher, despite the increased difficulty.
Cheerilee raised an eyebrow. "Done already? How unusual. You three used to be typicaly the next to last to finish. You do have another 20 minutes."
Apple Bloom spoke for the trio. "No need, ma'am. Feel free ta check, if'n ya don't be-lieve me. And after all, we did graduate."
"Barely." Cheerilee thought.
The three of them took their seats once more, leaving the flummoxed teacher with their papers. Picking one up at random, Cheerilee read carefully. As she read her eyes widened. Every single question was answered correctly using advanced math! And took the BEDMAS(1) routine into account as well, even going so far as to show their work!
As the school day was about to end, the Crusaders were the last to leave. Before they could do so, Cheerilee said, "Oh. Will the three of you stay behind a moment? I want tpo ask something."
Reluctantly, the trio walked back in.
Cheerilee (who was cleaning the chalkboard) said, "First, let me congratulate the three of you on your test scores.;A+."
The Crusaders exchanged a glance. "Uh... thank you." they said in unison, unsure of where their teacher was going with this.
"So tell me..." Cheerilee started before turning around, "How in the wide world of Equestria did you three manage to get to be so... so..."
"Intelligent?" Sweetie supplied, a bit sheepishly.
"YES!" Cheerilee exclaimed.
The Crusaders looked downcast. "Well, girls... Ah don' think that sur-prise is gonna wait 'til we get to th' clubhouse." Apple Bloom stated.
"Yep." Scootaloo affirmed
"Looks that way." Sweetie agreed.
Being more intelligent than before, they had a pretty good idea of what the "surprise" was going to be.
Apple Bloom addressed the teacher once more. "Miss Cheerilee... We'll tell ya, but..." she lookd around furtively. "Kin we do it out back?" she requested.
Cheerilee was puzzled, but shrugged. "I don't see why not." she said.
Going out back, Cheerilee said, "Okay. We're outside. Now what?"
Apple bloom sighed, then said, "Crusaders, form up."
Instinctively, Scootaloo went to Apple Bloom's left, Sweetie going to her right.
"Let's do somethin' that won't take up a lotta room." Bloom stated
"Agreed." Scootaloo said, nodding.
"Affirmative" Sweetie also confirmed.
As one, they exclaimed, "Equip Jumpsuit!"
Their outfits phased into existence, once again adjusting to fit their forms. (2)
"Select AWS Wild Weasel."
'AWS Wild Weasel Selected; Ready for upload.'
"Select AWS Tidal Blast."
'AWS Tidal Bast Selected; Ready for upload.'
"Select AWS Sky Knight."
'AWS Sky Knight Selected; Ready for upload.'
The Crusaders took upright stances, exchanging another glance.
They heard the voice once more, sounding a bit concerned. 'Are you certain of this course of action?'
Apple Bloom said, "Ah don't see as we've got much choice."
The voice sighed. 'Confirmed. Awaiting command.'
Suddenly, a voice shouted, "TIMBER WOOOOOLVES!!!!"
The three fillies dropped back to all fours, startled out of their stance. dashing over to the paved path, they saw ponies running in their direction, and a group of eight of the ligneous lupines a short way off (though there were more than that further along).
Apple bloom took on a determined expression. "C'mon, girls. If'n yer like me, ya took on these powers fer sit'ations jes like this too! Change of plan!"
Once again taking on their upright stances, they chose new armaments.
"Select AWS FireForce!"
'AWS FireForce selected. Ready for upload.'
"Select AWS Fathom Fan, adapt for earthbound combat if possible."
'Altering design.... complete. AWS Fathom Fan Shallow Mode ready for upload.'
"Select AWS Strato-Strike. Adjust for AG combat!"
'Altering design... complete. AWS Aero Sault Bomber Mode ready for upload.'
"Ya ready for this, Crusaders?" Apple bloom asked, though she was pretty sure she knew the forthcoming answer
"As if I'd ever miss this!" Scootaloo exclaimed excitedly.
"I'm not getting left behind if you're putting yourselves in harm's way."
Cheerilee dashed over, worried. "Girls? What are you doing"
Apple Bloom spoke for the three of them. "What we were chosen to do!"
"POWER EXTREME!"
"POWER EXTREME!"
"POWER EXTREME!"
The various pieces of their armour appeared before them, attaching to them in their various places..
'AWS upload complete. Good hunting.'
"Alright! Let's do this!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
The trio said in unison, "CUTIE MARK CENTURIONS! YAY!"
Scootaloo took to the air and Sweetie Belle sped forward. Apple Bloom, having opted for heavier firepower, simply ran instead
Cheerilee looked on, dumbfounded. "Well... This explains a lot."
Being very careful with her targeting, Apple Bloom fired, blasting a large chunk of one wolf off, sending one of its ears flying. Apple Bloom stared, wide eyed. Schooling her expression, she deadpanned, "Voice."
'Yes, operative Apple Bloom?'
"Why wuz Ah not informed of the fact that these thangs had LASERS when y'uploaded the schematics?"
'If you had been, would you have done what was necessary?'
"... Fair point Back to it." she said, blasting apart the already slightly wounded target before going for the next..
Scootaloo was using her AG armaments, not caring that they were lasers or bombs. Already she'd taken down two of her targets and was going for a third. "YAAAAHOOOOOO!" she shouted, the adrenaline thrumming through her veins.
Sweetie was blasting away at the wooden canids with prejudice. "Attack our home, will you?"
At length, the remaining wolves were sent running back into the Everfree Forest from whence they came.
Apple bloom said, "From now on, know that this town is under the protection of..."
With a high-hoof, the trio exclaimed, "THE CUTIE MARK CENTURIONS!"
As one, they then said, "Power down." returning to their normal forms.
Nearby were the usual heroes, staring wide eyed at the three adolescent fillies.
Rainbow Dash was the first to speak up. "That. Was. AWESOME! Where'd you get powers like that?!"
Twilight re-composed herself. "Where indeed."
The trio looked between themselves a bit uncomfortably, knowing that they had another explanation session to go through. And this time there'd be no shortcuts.
(Elsewhere)
In an unknown location, two shadowed figures witnessed the failure of their experiment, one more irritated than the other.
"For having lost the battle, master, you seem to be awfully jovial about it."
"I never intended to win the battle. If they had lost, that would have been fine. Disappointing, but fine. I, however, intend to chip at their walls until they shatter. And the waiting will make it all the sweeter."
Looking at the three young ponies on screen, the second figure spoke again. "And there are three new subjects to test. What say we find out what their potential is, hmm?"