Apple Bloom said she had some things to take care of in town before they went to Zecora’s hut, so Scootaloo and Gilda let Braeburn give them a tour while they waited. The buildings were made almost entirely of wood, unlike the stone ones Scootaloo remembered from Ponyville, except for a large clock tower, which was made of brick. Most of the ponies wore outfits like Braeburn’s, and a lot of them seemed surprised to see a griffon in their midst.

Braeburn first took them to the hospital, where the nurses gave them several foul-smelling and fouler-tasting potions. “What are these for again?” Scootaloo asked, trying not to gag as she sniffed the brownish sludge in one of the cups in front of her.

“They keep the bugs from biting,” the nurse replied.

“That doesn’t sound too bad to me,” Gilda grumbled, leaning as far back as possible from her potions.

“Well, if you don’t mind spending three months in bed with a burning fever, uncontrolled vomiting, and a horrible itchy rash,” the nurse said. Gilda eyed the potions for a moment longer before choking them down as fast as she could.

They stored their armor and bags in New Appleloosa’s small hotel before continuing with the tour. “Over there’s where we grow our food,” Braeburn said, gesturing towards the largest building in town. “It took us a while, but we finally figured out how to grow all the food we need in the limited space we have. Combined with what we gather from the jungle, nopony ever goes hungry.”

“You don’t have any farms?” Scootaloo asked.

“We tried farming at first, but the zebras wouldn’t have it,” Braeburn answered. “Besides, it’s a lot of work clearing the ground, and a lot of it is too swampy for good farming anyway.”

“Seems like a lot of extra work,” Gilda said, glaring at a group of ponies shooting her strange looks.

“Maybe, but it’s worth it to keep the zebras happy,” Braeburn replied with a smile. “There’s nothing worse than makin’ your host mad.”

“Making a griffon mad is a close second,” Gilda growled. “Why are they staring at me?”

“Well, we don’t get a lot of griffons down here,” Braeburn answered with a laugh. “Actually, we don’t get any griffons down here. You’re the first I’ve ever seen ‘round these parts. Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll warm up to you once they know why you’re here. We’re all willin’ to do whatever it takes to take Nightmare Moon down.”

“I wouldn’t get your hopes up,” Gilda said.

“You just leave it to us,” Braeburn answered. “Once the potion is ready, we’ll be taking back our homeland. Nightmare Moon’s days are numbered.”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked.

“Sheriff!” Scootaloo turned to see a young stallion galloping towards them. “Sheriff Braeburn! She’s coming!” The ponies nearby stopped what they were doing and watched.

Braeburn’s smile disappeared. “Where is she, deputy?”

“She just entered town, sir,” the stallion gasped. The ponies around them started murmuring quietly amongst themselves.

“Everypony, stay calm,” Braeburn said. “Continue about your business. We’ll handle this.”

“Would you mind explaining what’s going on?” Gilda asked.

“I’ll explain as we walk,” Braeburn replied as he trotted down the street. Scootaloo and Gilda followed. “There’s a strange mare who started coming into town a few months ago. She never stays long, and she rarely speaks to anypony except to buy apples.”

“What does she look like?” Scootaloo asked.

“She has a white coat, and her mane and tail are pink and purple,” Braeburn answered, lowering his voice a little. “She always wears a black cape and hood, so we’ve never gotten a good look at her face or cutie mark.”

“So what’s the big deal?” Gilda asked.

“Spies,” Braeburn said. “We get our share of travelers, but this one’s been hangin’ around too long to be just another nomad. We think she might be workin’ for Nightmare Moon.”

Scootaloo and Gilda glanced at each other. They said nothing, but each knew what the other was thinking. “I think I’ll get a look at her from above,” Gilda said. “Maybe I’ll see some resemblance.”

“Resemblance?” Braeburn repeated. The griffon opened her wings and rose into the air, leaving him alone with Scootaloo before he could ask more. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” Braeburn said with a sigh.

“Focus,” Scootaloo said, letting her military training take over. “We need to get to the bottom of this. Where does she buy apples?”

“Right.” Braeburn shook his head vigorously. “This way.”

The two made their way to the apple stand, and sure enough, a black-hooded pony was talking with the owner in hushed tones. The strange mare lifted a few bits out of her saddlebag with magic and gave them to the owner. “Well, we know she’s a unicorn,” Scootaloo muttered. “Have you ever talked to her?” Braeburn shook his head.

“Will that be all?” the owner asked with a shaky voice, tapping the side of his stand as the mare filled her saddlebags with apples. The mare nodded and started to walk away.

“Hey! Wait!” Scootaloo called, bounding after the mare. The mare glanced her way before taking off at a full gallop. “Come back! I just want to talk to you!” The mare paid her no mind, and soon she disappeared into the jungle. “Well, that went well,” Scootaloo huffed.

“Good job, Scoots,” Gilda said with a glare as she landed beside the orange pegasus. “You scared her off.”

“It wasn’t my fault,” Scootaloo shot back.

“She’s not usually that skittish,” Braeburn said with a furrowed brow. “I mean, she’ll run away if we’re insistent, but she usually just ignores us.”

“Whatever,” Gilda said. “Come on, let’s go follow her.”

“But what about Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo asked. “She was going to take us to see Zecora.”

“Zecora will have to wait,” Gilda replied. “We need to figure out who this mare is and why she’s being so secretive. If we hurry, we can catch her.”

Scootaloo wanted to argue, but she could tell Gilda wasn’t going to change her mind. “Tell Apple Bloom we’ll be back,” she told Braeburn.

“Wait! It’s not safe!” Braeburn called, but Gilda was already gone, and Scootaloo didn’t stop running after her. The sheriff was about to follow when a familiar voice stopped him.

“Hey, Braeburn, have you seen Scootaloo and Gilda?” Apple Bloom had changed out of her snowsuit and was looking around for her companions.

“They just ran into the jungle,” Braeburn answered with a sigh. “I think they think that strange mare is the spy.”

“And you don’t?” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and put a hoof against her forehead. “Let me guess. Gilda’s idea?”

“Eeyup.”

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but smile. “You sound just like Big Mac when you say that,” she said. “I’ll get these herbs to Zecora, and then I’ll go lookin’ for them. They took their potions, right?” Braeburn nodded. “Good. At least they won’t get swamp fever.”

“You sure you can handle it?” Braeburn asked with a frown. “You just got back from Equestria, after all. I could have some of my deputies go after them.”

“You know the zebras won’t like that, Braeburn,” Apple Bloom replied. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve faced harder challenges before.”

“If you say so,” Braeburn said. Apple Bloom turned and began trotting towards the jungle. “I like that hat,” Braeburn called after her. “You look just like your sister when you wear it.”

Apple Bloom gave him another smile. “Thanks.” Then she picked up her pace and disappeared amid the trees.