From below them a red flare spiraled up into the air, taking to the sky in front of them and burning brightly against the backdrop of the pale blue sky.
Wind Rider grunted, squinting and making out the forms of two ponies far below them. “Great. Let’s see what the locals want.”
Daring nodded, and the pair dived down towards the earth. Two earth ponies in matching hats and dusters were waiting for them. “Howdy, howdy!” called the lead pony. “What brings you two ‘round these parts?”
“We’re with the Second Division, out of Cloudsdale,” Wind Rider declared. “On the hunt for a rogue suspect.”
The lead pony nodded. “Second Division, huh?” she asked. “Yeah, I’ve heard of you. Apple Fritter, Appleoosan Rangers.”
“Have you seen this pony?” Daring ventured, fetching a wanted poster from her bags.
Apple Fritter took the poster, rubbing her chin. “Not recently, you folks are the only pegai I’ve seen in… must’ve been years now.”
“This is a matter of Equestrian Security,” Wind Rider huffed. “Any little piece of information could be crucial in our search.”
“Maybe you guys could keep an eye out?” suggested Daring. “Let us know if you hear anything?”
Apple Fritter nodded and tipped her hat at them. “Can do, no promises though. The south is a mighty large place.”
Wind Rider sniffed indifferently. “If you Rangers are as good as you say you are, I’m certain you’ll come up with something. Don’t bother trying to find us, we’ll come to you.”
With that, Wind Rider shot up into the sky again. Daring rolled her eyes silently and followed, leaving the two Rangers behind.
Apple Fritter watched them take off, rubbing her chin suspiciously. “Hm. Whaddya think about all this, Clyde?”
Clyde sighed, shifting a sprig of wheat in his mouth. “Don’t trust ‘em.”
“I feel ya there. Darned peagsi, can’t trust ‘em one bit.” She kicked at the dust in frustration.
“Reckon that’s our lot in life,” Clyde replied.
“Reckon so. Let’s go find Brae.”