Ember is thinking hard about the dragon as the group trudges through a forest. "So, what is this dragon like?" she asks Hinote.

"His name is Varin, and he is world renowned for his wisdom-hino." Hinote replies.

"But he will not speak with just anyone-eiko..." Eika cautions. But before she can say more, she sees a flash of blue, gold and pink. "What was that?"

"Could Rumore have followed us here?" Glacier is just as worried.

"Their Majesties have done a little research on Rumore after we first battled her in the palace-kori." Kouri replies. "While the only spell we have seen is that lightning spell, her boast that she can counter whatever we used to attack is true for the most part-kori"

Ember swallows hard as Aiden parts some brush--was getting the magical powers all for nothing?

Hikari, meanwhile, gasps in amazement when she sees an opening in the brush. "That must be where the dragon lives!"

"You'd be correct-tane." With that, Utane leaves an emerald at the entrance to the cave. "Varin...I come before you with grave news..."

A dragon's sleek and scaly green head peeks from the cave a few seconds later. "Utane...I applaud your eagerness to come here, but do not think I am unaware of the situation concerning the dark one and the Rainbow Notes--for the forest has told me that three of them are now safe with the Heroes of Light.

"Understood, but now the Heroes seek the fourth one that you guard-tane." Utane explains.

The dragon nods. "I would not share any of the tales I tell to just anyone..."

"Not another fetch quest..." Hikari groans.

Varin chuckles at Hikari. "No, no, little one--I do not require an item of you. The forest has cried to me that the dark one is present in this area...and my task for you is for you to drive her away before she can harm you."

Ember is surprisingly calm at the request. "Well, we just received magic powers of our own, so I'd love to try them against Rumore!"

"How can you hear the forest?" Aiden is curious.

"Those creatures that are attuned to the earth can naturally hear its voice--earth dragons like myself included." Varin explains. "Other creatures and heroes can learn to do this as well if they are blessed by a creature of earth."

"Then...maybe we would be able to find Rumore easier if we could hear the trees speak." Glacier suggests.

"Varin, what do the trees say about Rumore's location right now?" Ember asks.

Varin closes his eyes and concentrates for a few seconds, making him glow green as the group sees what looks like a liquid filled with green sparkles and glowing leaves surround the area.

"So pretty...." Hikari gasps in awe as the glowing leaves fly around them.

"I wish I could do that-tane..." Utane agrees. "But pegasi are wind creatures innately, although most of us also carry a second power."

Finally, the odd liquid and the leaves around Varin fade away. "What did the forest say?" Ember asks excitedly.

Varin chuckles a little. "Patience, Cure of Fire...the trees say that you and the dark one have crossed paths on your way here, but she was moving too quickly for you to realize it."

"So THAT's what that blur Eika saw was!" Glacier cries.

"Anything else?" Ember beckons Varin to continue.

"The trees also urge that you be on your guard on your search--the dark one is hiding in one of the trees close by here, eager to capture you as you depart with the green Note." Varin continues. "You will know her location if the tree is withered and lifeless."

"Look for a wilted tree--got it!" Ember replies.

"Speaking of wilted trees, I think I see one over there!" Aiden points out an oak tree in the distance that looks scraggly and lifeless, with brown leaves ringing the location.

"Let's see you try and beat us now, Rumore!" Ember leads the charge over to the wilted tree. Sure enough, Rumore jumps down from one of the tree's branches, startling Hikari.

"Now why did you have to ruin my perfectly planned ambush?" Rumore sneers. "You weren't supposed to know I was even here!"

"Sorry to spoil your surprise." Ember confidently shoots back.

"No matter--since you're all here, I can just go ahead and destroy you right where you are." With that, Rumore begins to charge the familiar bolts of lightning...

"Oh yeah? We'll see who's getting destroyed!" Hikari snaps back before charging a ball of light. "Mystic Aurora!" The lightning and the rainbow waves of light meet each other in an explosion of electricity and color.

"How...how did you learn magic?" Rumore stammers, shocked at her target's counterattack.

"That was the surprise we had for you!" Glacier replies as the group braces themselves for battle...