The Legend of Everfree

by Perdita Finn

  “That may be true,” Principal Celestia said curtly. “But if some people had a better attitude about it, they wouldn’t have been sent to the Moonstone tent.”

  “Luckily, some people were eventually forgiven for their rash behavior.”

  The girls listened, wide-eyed, as their teachers sparred. It was easy to forget that they had once been campers just like them.

  Gloriosa Daisy cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “You all seem like a really amazing group, so I’m certain you’ll come up with something inspiring to leave behind.”

  The campers cheered.

  “Yeah, we will!” hollered Rainbow Dash.

  “Darn tootin’!” Applejack shouted.

  “We certainly will,” agreed Fluttershy.

  “Speaking of leaving things behind,” added Timber Spruce, “now’s the time when we give out tent assignments, so you can leave your heavy bags… behind.”

  Gloriosa glared at him.

  “What?” Timber Spruce protested. “That’s one of my better segues.”

  “Girls will be getting their assignments from Timber,” Gloriosa continued. “Guys, you’re with me.”

  Everyone shuffled over to get his or her cards. Each card had a matching gem on it. Each gem color was a special tent.

  “Yay!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “I’m in the Emerald tent!”

  “Me too!” Rarity smiled.

  “Same here!” Rainbow Dash fist-bumped Pinkie Pie and Rarity.

  Fluttershy looked a little disappointed when she held up her Amethyst card. None of the other girls were in her tent. She gulped. But at least DJ Pon-3 would be with her. She was always friendly—and she was sure to play great music. DJ Pon-3 gave her the thumbs-up and Fluttershy smiled.

  Sunset Shimmer was in the Sapphire tent. Twilight held up a blue card.

  “Me too!” she exclaimed, delighted. “I mean, I’m assuming I am. Technically, sapphires aren’t just blue. They can be pink, purple, yellow—”

  “But they’re mostly blue,” interrupted Timber, who overheard her. “That’s why they’re named after the Latin word saphirus. That means blue.”

  Twilight Sparkle looked at him in amazement. It wasn’t often that she met someone who was as smart as she was. “I know,” she said playfully. “But did you know that sapphires are just rubies without chromium?”

  Timber Spruce smiled, impressed. “No, but did you know that Sapphire tent is the best one?”

  “No,” Twilight Sparkle answered. “Why is that?”

  “Because you’re in it.”

  Twilight Sparkle blushed. “I bet you say that to all the campers.”

  Timber Spruce shook his head, laughing. “Not true.”

  Bulk Biceps was holding up a red card, looking confused. Timber Spruce went over to him. “You’re in the Ruby tent? That’s the worst one!” He winked at Twilight.

  “Aww man!” Bulk Biceps sighed.

  “I’m just joking, buddy,” said Timber Spruce. “Ruby tent is great. It’s like the Sapphire tent with chromium.”

  Twilight Sparkle laughed. Timber Spruce was so clever.

  Timber Spruce draped an arm over Bulk Biceps’s muscled shoulder. “The Ruby and Coral tents do look an awful lot alike to the undiscerning eye. I’d better show you where it is.”

  He glanced back at Twilight. “See you around.”

  Twilight watched him as he headed toward the tents. A second later, she realized that all her friends were grinning at her.

  “What?”

  Applejack giggled. “Nothing.”

  “That was ah-dorable,” gushed Rarity.

  Gloriosa was hurrying everyone to his or her tent to unpack. “Go get settled in! We’ll be meeting at the docks in fifteen minutes to go over some camp safety rules. Let me know if you need anything!”

  “I need something.” A hulking businessman with bad hair stepped out from behind the gazebo.

  Gloriosa rushed over to him, smiling. “Filthy Rich! So nice to see you!” She hastily pulled him away from the campers.

  “What are you doing here?” she hissed when they were out of earshot. “Camp is just getting started.”

  Filthy Rich grinned, pleased with himself. “Just taking in the scenery, Gloriosa Daisy. It’s so relaxing.”

  “Well,” spat out Gloriosa, “you can look around when camp is over. Now, if you don’t mind…” She practically pushed him into his waiting limousine.

  Filthy Rich got in angrily. “Fine,” he sneered.

  Gloriosa realized that some of the campers were watching her. She plastered a smile back into her voice. “Filthy Rich is an alumnus of the camp. He likes to check on his old stomping grounds every now and then,” she explained. “But enough about him! Find your tents and put away your things! We’ve got the best week of camp ever to begin!”

  She clapped her hands, and the last campers headed to their tents. Only after everyone was gone did she stop smiling.

  Gloriosa Daisy was not happy. She was not happy at all.

  Magic Gets Off the Ground

  The sun sparkled on the lake and a light breeze blew through the trees. Each of the tents looked like a jewel on the edge of the forest. Campers were heading into their assigned tents and getting unpacked.

  Rarity was sorting through the many different outfits she’d brought. “I’m all for learning safety rules, but I do hope I can get started on my designs for the camp fashion show sooner rather than later.”

  Applejack looked longingly toward the docks and canoes. “I still can’t believe you talked Gloriosa into having a fashion show. We’re in the middle of the woods for cryin’ out loud. We’re supposed to be roughin’ it.”

  Rarity chose to disregard what Applejack had just said to her. “It’s clear from Gloriosa’s own wardrobe that she appreciates a well-put-together look. Even if we are in the middle of the woods.”

  “Fair enough.” Applejack sighed. “Just as long as you don’t put me in one of your fancy-pants outfits.”

  Rarity bit her lip, trying not to smile.

  Applejack looked defeated. “You’re gonna, aren’t you?”

  “Don’t worry, darling,” Rarity reassured her. “It will absolutely speak to your personal sense of style.” Her eyes narrowed as she studied Applejack’s outfit. “Only much, much more fashion forward.”

  “If you say so,” Applejack agreed reluctantly.

  Over in the Sapphire tent, Sunset Shimmer had unpacked and was trying to figure out why she was feeling so uneasy. “That was weird back there, right? With that Filthy Rich guy?” she asked Twilight Sparkle.

  “Hmm?” Twilight Sparkle was distracted. She wasn’t really listening; she was thinking about Timber Spruce. “I guess so.”

  “You care which bed you get?” Sunset Shimmer asked her.

  Twilight shook her head, and Sunset Shimmer tossed her sleeping bag onto a cot. Twilight Sparkle unrolled her sleeping bag on the cot right next to it. Spike whirled around in circles on the cot, trying to get comfortable.

  “One, two, three,” Spike counted as he twirled. He might be able to talk, but he was still a dog. He plopped down, his head on his paws, and looked at the girls. “I have no idea why I do that, either.”

  Sunset Shimmer smiled at him, but she couldn’t stop thinking about their arrival at camp. Something was off, but what was it? “I just have this feeling that Gloriosa is hiding something,” she said to Twilight. She noticed the faraway look in Twilight’s eyes. “Her brother is pretty cute, though.”

  Twilight blushed. “He’s okay.”

  “Now look who’s trying to hide something!” Sunset Shimmer laughed.

  “I’m not!” protested Twilight.

  Sunset Shimmer smiled at her friend. “I’m just messing with you.” But something else was worrying Sunset Shimmer. “You okay? You seemed a little freaked-out on the bus earlier.”

  “Probably had another one of her nightmares,” Spike yipped.

  Twilight glared at Spike. “I
’m fine.”

  Sunset Shimmer was tucking her backpack under her cot and didn’t notice a tube of sunscreen fall out and roll across the floor. She was listening to Twilight. She could tell she was upset but pretending not to be.

  “I mean, what do I even have to complain about?” Twilight was saying. “Ever since I transferred here, everyone from Canterlot High has been really nice and accepting.” She took a big breath. “Especially considering what happened at the Friendship Games.”

  “That wasn’t your fault,” Sunset Shimmer reminded her. “Principal Cinch is the one who encouraged you to try and use all that magic to win the games for Crystal Prep. You weren’t ready to have that kind of power.”

  Twilight Sparkle did not look relieved.

  “But it’s over now,” continued Sunset Shimmer. “And if there is any group that’s gonna forgive you for something that happened in the past, trust me, it’s this one.”

  After all, Sunset Shimmer had once turned into an all-powerful she-demon and stolen a magic crown and everything. But everyone makes mistakes, and she had learned from hers. She had learned about friendship.

  Rainbow Dash poked her head into the tent. “You guys coming or what?”

  “Be right there,” answered Sunset Shimmer. “I just want to put on some sunscreen.”

  But where was it?

  “I could have sworn I packed it,” Sunset Shimmer muttered.

  Twilight spotted it across the floor. “Found it,” she said, pointing.

  It was as if a beam of invisible magical energy had flowed out of her finger to the tube of sunscreen. It was floating up off the floor and zooming toward Twilight. What was happening? A hairbrush was levitating. A jar of vitamins. One of the cots. Sunset’s eyes were wide in amazement. Spike was frozen in wonder. Twilight Sparkle felt scared.

  Out of the blue, all the floating objects dropped.

  “Did you do that?” Sunset Shimmer asked Twilight.

  “I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t mean to.”

  But Sunset Shimmer was excited. “How is this possible? I mean, if you were a Unicorn in Equestria, sure, but…” Her voice trailed off. This was a whole new aspect to Equestria magic she’d never imagined.

  “I can’t believe this,” Twilight fretted, upset. “It’s terrible!” She was so scared of turning back into Midnight Sparkle—and destroying her brand-new friendships, forever.

  “It’s amazing,” disagreed Sunset Shimmer. “This is great! I mean, we’ve all ponyed up before, gotten the whole ears and wings and tails thing, shot magical rainbow lasers, but nothing like this has ever happened. How did you do it?”

  Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe I didn’t. Maybe it’s her.”

  “What?” Sunset Shimmer’s brow furrowed. “Her? Who?”

  “Nothing,” announced Twilight. “Never mind. Can we just not talk about it? And could you please not bring up this whole levitating thing to the others?”

  “Why not?”

  “You heard Applejack,” Twilight reminded her. “This is supposed to be a place where everyone can get away from magic. I don’t want them to know I brought some crazy new kind with me.”

  “If you really don’t want me to, I won’t say anything,” agreed Sunset Shimmer reluctantly.

  “I really don’t.”

  Sunset Shimmer thoughtfully watched her friend head out of the tent to join the others. “This isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” she said to herself. She looked at her sunscreen. She went over to it and placed her hands a few inches above it. She scrunched up her face, trying to will the magic to come from inside her. Nothing.

  Spike was watching. “I think you’re just gonna have to pick it up.”

  Spike was right. Disappointed, Sunset grabbed the sunscreen. But she didn’t let go of her questions. No, there were mysterious things going on at Everfree, and she was determined to get to the bottom of them.

  Down at the Docks

  Hurrying to catch up with Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer bumped right into Gloriosa.

  “I can’t believe he would just show up like that,” the camp director was saying.

  “What did you say?” questioned Sunset Shimmer.

  Gloriosa looked genuinely confused. “I didn’t say anything.” She smiled brightly. “Just here to make sure everyone is headed over to the docks. Did you need something?”

  “Nope,” said Sunset Shimmer. But she was studying Gloriosa and Gloriosa knew it.

  “Because if there is anything I can do to make this week the best week ever, you just let me know,” Gloriosa enthused with forced sweetness. “I’ve got this.”

  “Thanks,” answered Sunset Shimmer matter-of-factly. “I’m good.”

  When Gloriosa was out of earshot, Sunset Shimmer whispered to Spike, “People that chipper make me nervous.”

  As if on cue, Pinkie Pie bounced over to join them. “This is gonna be sooooooooo much fun!” she exclaimed.

  Sunset Shimmer smiled helplessly. “I guess not all people.” No one could resist Pinkie Pie’s cheerful enthusiasm. No one.

  They headed down to the lake to join the other girls. Rarity was stretched out on the dock, admiring the view. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It looks like a diamond shining in the sun!”

  “Totally!” agreed Pinkie Pie, sitting down beside her. “We’re talking about the lake, right?”

  Fluttershy was in heaven. “It is lovely out here. The fresh air. The cool breeze. The birds that land on your finger.”

  The girls watched in amazement as a bluebird fluttered over to sit on the tip of Fluttershy’s finger and chirp to her.

  “I think that only happens to you,” noted Rainbow Dash.

  Near the rickety old dock was a boathouse with canoes lined up along the wall. There were a few docked sailboats on the beach. Gloriosa, along with the Canterlot High teachers, was helping the campers into life jackets.

  “Remember what I said,” announced Gloriosa. “Proper water safety attire at all times. Lake activities are available every day until sunset, so if you want to canoe, sail, windsurf, or swim, just let me know.”

  Twilight put on a life jacket and grabbed a paddle. Applejack was already sitting in a canoe in the water, ready to go with her life jacket buckled.

  Fluttershy was tearing apart a piece of bread she had in her pocket and feeding it to some ducks who’d paddled over. Fish swam to the surface, opening and closing their mouths hungrily.

  “Aren’t they the cutest?” A charmed Fluttershy gushed.

  Twilight was headed out to the end of the dock to meet up with Applejack when her foot went through a rotted board. She almost fell right into the water—but a strong pair of arms reached out to grab her. It was Timber Spruce.

  “Whoa! I know I’m charming you, but you don’t have to fall for me,” he joked.

  Twilight stammered out a nervous thank-you in response.

  On the shore, Flash Sentry watched the whole rescue operation unhappily. “Guess I can’t get too jealous, right?” he said to Sunset Shimmer, who was standing nearby. “After all, she isn’t my Twilight.” He looked upset. “Not that the other Twilight was mine. But we were… you know.”

  Sunset Shimmer nodded. “Yeah. I get it. But your Twilight is a princess in Equestria. Hate to break it to you, but that’s where she’s gonna spend most of her time.”

  “So you’re saying I just need to get over her?” asked Flash.

  “Kinda,” Sunset Shimmer admitted with a nod. “Yeah.”

  “Ouch.” Flash winced as if the news hurt him. “You’re not pulling any punches.”

  “Not really my style. Sorry.”

  The adults were out on the dock examining the hole in the boards with concern.

  “This is a safety hazard,” said Vice Principal Luna. “I suggest we close down the dock for the remainder of camp.”

  Campers groaned. Did that mean no diving? That wouldn’t be any fun.

  Gloriosa was very quick to notice the
disappointment. “I’m sure it won’t have to be for the remainder of camp. Just needs to be patched up a bit. I’ve got this!”

  Applejack had her own ideas. “Or maybe we do.” She gathered her friends. “If you ask me, this whole dock needs to go. Buildin’ a new one could be our camp gift. Sure, it benefits us, but a nice, new dock would benefit the future campers, too.”

  Timber Spruce wasn’t so sure. “I dunno. It’s an awful lot of work. I wouldn’t want you guys to miss out on doing other fun camp stuff because you’re so busy building a dock for future campers.”

  Rainbow Dash nodded confidently. “I hear what you’re saying, Timber, but we’re Canterlot Wondercolts. We’ve got a reputation to uphold, and there is no way we are gonna leave this place without contributing the most awesome camp gift ever. I’m with Applejack. Building a new dock is definitely it.” She turned to the others. “What do you guys think?”

  A resounding cheer was the answer.

  Gloriosa was pleased, too. “Looks like it’s settled, then.”

  The only one who was still unhappy was Timber Spruce. “Looks like it.”

  Sunset Shimmer noticed his reaction—and it just didn’t make sense. What was up with those two? Why did they always seem to fight about some hidden secret? What was it?

  “That’s some tension,” she muttered to herself.

  No one else seemed to notice, however. The other kids were already busy with plans for the new dock. They were clustered together at a picnic table, bouncing ideas off one another. One girl, a talented artist, was busily sketching.

  Twilight studied the drawing. “We can reinforce the foundation,” she suggested.

  Applejack agreed enthusiastically. “Make it nice and sturdy,”.

  “And we can add a wood-carved sign that says Camp Everfree.” Sunset Shimmer could see it in her imagination.

  Fluttershy clapped her hands. “And little boxes of food so you can feed the ducks and fishies.”

  “We’ll add lanterns so you can see at night,” said Rainbow Dash.

  Vice Principal Luna was pleased. “Great ideas,” she said to Principal Celestia.

  The artist held up a picture of the new dock—with lanterns, fish-food dispensers, and a carved sign. It looked great. Now all they had to do was build it!