Apple Bloom moved quickly for an earth pony, and Gilda and Scootaloo soon found themselves asking her to slow down. The snowsuits kept them warm, but there were no holes for their wings, so the three of them were stuck on the ground until they made it out of Equestria. “How much farther to the border?” Gilda demanded, panting almost as heavily as Scootaloo.

“Just over that ridge,” Apple Bloom answered, gesturing at a hill a short distance away. If she looked hard enough, Scootaloo could see blue sky and sunlight on the other side. “You sure you’re all right? We can rest if we need to.”

Gilda shook her head with a glare. “The sooner we’re out of this wasteland, the better.”

The trio carefully made their way up the steep ridge. Gilda’s talons kept her from slipping, and Apple Bloom was used to walking on ice, but Scootaloo found herself struggling even more to keep up. “Here, let me help you,” Apple Bloom said, offering the orange pegasus a hoof. Scootaloo gratefully accepted it.

“Come on, Scoots,” Gilda called from the top of the ridge. “You gotta see this.” With Apple Bloom’s help, Scootaloo reached the ridge and got her first view of Zebrica. She’d heard about its jungles and swamps, but seeing them firsthoof was a new experience entirely. Brightly-colored birds flew above and through the tangled treetops, and she saw a town half-hidden in the trees and vines.

“That’s New Appleloosa,” Apple Bloom explained, smiling at her companions’ wide-eyed wonder. “I came here with my cousin Braeburn after Nightmare Moon destroyed Old Appleloosa.”

“I didn’t know there were any pony settlements in Zebrica,” Scootaloo said as the three descended the ridge. The air grew warmer the closer they got to the jungle, and Scootaloo started to feel uncomfortable in her snowsuit.

“This is the only one,” Apple Bloom replied. “The zebras don’t have very many towns, and they didn’t like that we ponies were building one, but they agreed to let us keep it if we didn’t expand too far.”

“How can they live without towns?” Gilda asked, removing her hood as sweat trickled down her face. “Also, can we take these off now?”

“We should wait ‘til we get to New Appleloosa,” Apple Bloom answered, removing her own hood as well. “There’s some nasty bugs in the jungle, and the suit will keep them from bitin’ you ‘til we get you some anti-bug potions.”

The transition from Equestria to Zebrica was even more noticeable than the one from griffon territory. The air was thick and humid, and Scootaloo was soon gasping for breath. “To answer your other question, zebras are mostly nomadic,” Apple Bloom continued as though nothing had changed. “A few, like Zecora, stay put and offer food and shelter to travelers, but most of them don’t stay in one place for more than a few months.”

“I… see,” Scootaloo gasped. Apple Bloom turned to see her companions panting, their eyes wider than usual.

“All right, let’s get those off,” Apple Bloom said with a sigh and a roll of her eyes. “You two are gonna have a lot of adjustin’ to do.” She carefully unzipped her companions’ snowsuits and put them on her back over her saddlebags. “Better?”

“Much,” Gilda replied, stretching her wings. “See you at the town.” Gilda leapt into the air and soon disappeared above the thick canopy.

“She’s not very patient, is she?” Apple Bloom asked. Scootaloo shook her head. “Well, at least we can catch up on old times,” Apple Bloom said as the two pressed forward through the jungle. “What have you been up to?”

“Fighting, mostly,” Scootaloo answered as several birds flitted past, twittering at each other. “I was with the Equestrian Uprising until General Dash died, and I’ve been living in the Griffon’s Nest ever since.”

“I heard about that uprising,” Apple Bloom said. “Rainbow Dash was a real hero, wasn’t she?”

Scootaloo nodded. “It’s too bad Shadow Strike had to give away our plan.”

“You keep mentioning her,” Apple Bloom said with a frown. “What did she do?”

“She told Nightmare Moon our plans,” Scootaloo replied. “At least, that’s what Gilda tells me. If it wasn’t for Shadow Strike, Nightmare Moon would have died five years ago.”

“Really?” Apple Bloom’s frown deepened. “How’d you find that out?”

“Gilda saw her spying on us before the attack,” Scootaloo explained.

“Maybe she was tryin’ to warn you.”

“Then why’d she steal your poison?” Scootaloo asked.

“Look, all I’m sayin’ is there might be more goin’ on than you know about,” Apple Bloom said as she pushed a couple branches out of her way. “Maybe there’s more to this Shadow Strike than meets the eye.”

“Maybe,” Scootaloo muttered.

“Hey.” Apple Bloom stopped and flashed her a smile. “At least we’re together again. Just like old times, right?”

Scootaloo managed to return her grin. “Right.”

An angry, familiar voice echoed through the jungle, causing both ponies to stop and listen. “Hey! What’s the big idea? Let me go!”

Apple Bloom glanced at Scootaloo and rolled her eyes. “Sounds like Gilda’s already got herself in trouble,” she said with a sigh.

The two pushed their way through the last bit of jungle and found several ponies holding the griffon down in the square. A small crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle. “What’s your business in New Appleloosa?” demanded a yellow stallion with an orange mane, a brown vest, a brown Stetson, and a fierce glare.

“Tell your goons to get off me, and maybe I’ll answer,” Gilda growled.

“Gonna play tough, huh?” the stallion said with narrowed eyes. “Take her to the jail. Maybe that will loosen her tongue!”

“Braeburn, stop!” Apple Bloom shouted, running towards the crowd. Scootaloo was right behind her. “She’s with me!”

“Apple Bloom?” The yellow stallion turned to face the yellow mare. “You know this griffon? And who’s this pegasus?”

“She’s Gilda, and she’s Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom explained, pointing at the griffon and pegasus. “They’re from the Griffon’s Nest.”

“You know this punk?” Gilda asked.

“He’s my cousin.”

“Hmmph.” Gilda resumed glaring at Braeburn.

“You’re sure they’re from the Nest?” Braeburn asked. “You’re sure they’re not…?”

“I’m sure,” Apple Bloom replied. “I found them freezing to death in Equestria. We can trust them.”

Braeburn motioned at the ponies pinning Gilda to the ground, who quickly backed away. Gilda jumped to her feet with a snarl to make sure nopony tried to hold her down again. “Sorry for the confusion,” Braeburn said. “You never know who might be coming to visit.”

“Whatever,” Gilda grumbled, brushing the dust from her feathers.

Braeburn cleared his throat and turned to Apple Bloom. “How was your trip?” he asked. “Looks like you got a lot of herbs.”

“Sure did,” Apple Bloom replied. “Do you know if Zecora’s home? I want to deliver these as soon as possible.”

“I haven’t seen her in town,” Braeburn said. “Guess I’ll let you three get on with what you need to do, then.”

“Really?” Apple Bloom said as Braeburn began walking away. “You’re not gonna do the thing?”

Braeburn stopped and sighed. Then he turned around, put on a big smile, reared up on his hind legs, and shouted, “Welcome to New Aaaaaaappleloosa!”