//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1- Welcome to Camp 
// Story: Legends of Everfree: Friendship Makes Magic 
// by ImNoPony 
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It has been several hours. Several long hours of driving of the coach going down the road, leaving the city limits and going into the countryside. It was a calming journey (if a little boring) that everybody just sits back and relaxes. Some students were playing a few video games and try to text while they still have reception. A few of them did try to chat amongst themselves, but the long trip drained any sort of conversation that they may have. In the end, almost everybody fell asleep and rest on the bus seats.

But then, as even Discord started to feel his eyelids becoming heavy, they finally reach their destination. As soon as they enter the depth of the forest, Discord ring a bell that he had installed over his head and loudly declare:

"Wakey-Wakey Kiddies! We're finally here!"

The loud and annoying chime soon pull everyone up from the depths of sleep. They stretch their arms and legs and get rid off any stiffness they have in their bodies. Once they fully awake and look outside their windows, they saw tall trees and lush nature as far as the eye can see. Tiny squirrels and bunnies scurry away at the sight of the bus but Fluttershy still notice them and she was ecstatic to see them.

However, they soon leave the somewhat dense trees and enter to a large clearing. And in this clearing, the students saw finally could see Camp Everfree. The main mess hall, a large totem pole, a gazebo, a wide open lake, and an array of outdoor activities the includes rock climbing and archery. When Twilight, Sunset, and the others saw all of this, the couldn't wait to get off the bus.

Once Discord finally parked the bus at the appropriate spot, he finally declares: "Ok boys and girls! Get off the bus and embrace the wild wilderness that befalls you!"

And just like that, everybody was getting off of their seats and making their way off of the bus. Once they were outside, they all take in the fresh clean air stretch away whatever stiffness that they may still have. Rainbow Dash, after jumping off the bus:

"Finally! Any longer in there and I would fear my limbs would fall off!"

"I know, right?" Pinkie responded, appearing right next to RD.

While Discord became grumpy over the remark, Fluttershy gets off the bus and breaths in the fresh air. "But still, can you all smell the beauty of Camp Everfree? The sun shining in the sky, the wind blowing through our hair, the tiny birds landing on our..."

But Rainbow interjects: "Yeah-yeah-yeah. "The beauty of nature" and all that. Just be careful that you don't block the passage for everybody else who's getting off the bus."

Fluttershy looks back and realizes that she really was everybody up as she could see Rarity waiting patiently in the doorway. "Sorry" she apologizes while moving out of the way.

"That's OK dearie" Rarity replied. "We all have our moments."

No long afterward, all the students were finally off the bus and standing on fresh grass. They all were standing around and chatting, waiting for the teachers to open up the coach's trunk so they could get their stuff. But while they were waiting, the campsite's P.A system turned on and a peppy feminine voice speaks through it.

"Hey Everyone and Welcome to Camp Everfree! Once all of you get your stuff, come by the courtyard so we can start your best week of camp, EVER!"

And with that, the teachers finally open the storage compartment that has all their bags and stuff. Seeing all their belongings right before them, they all began collecting their stuff and head towards the location that the P.A system specified. It wasn't too much of a hassle. There was a few bag tossing around but everybody manages to find their stuff in the end.

But then there was a small issue. As Twilight was reaching out her hand towards her bag, she accidentally touches hands with somebody else besides her. But when she turned to apologize...

"Flash!"

"Twilight!"

Both teens jump back, surprised to see the other. Twilight's and Flash's faces both turn red as they both were experiencing a large amount of shyness, awkwardness, and embarrassment.

"Hey Flash...What are you doing here?"

"Well um......... Oh! I'm getting my bag of course! I mean, what else would I be doing?"

"Oh of course, of course! How silly of me. Just let me grab my bag and I'll be out of your way."

"What! I'm not in your wayNo! You're not in my way but... Just let me..."

Both then made an awkward attempt to grab their bags. From afar, Twilight's friends was witnessing her being next to Flash and had smirks on their faces. They had always paired the two of them in their minds and they were thinking that the camping trip might be a good way to get them closer together. However, as they were watching them...

"Ouch! Hey, Watch It!"

"Sorry! Hey, don't grab over there! Just- Ouch!"

"Oh! Now I'm Sorry!"

Both Flash and Twilight was tripping over each other and was making an embarrassing display of mistakes. Twilight's friends could sense that something's wrong as they know that they aren't this awkward around each other. Eventually, Spike had enough of it and he barks:

"Ok! That is enough!"

Spike then squeeze through between their legs, cause Flash and Twilight to step away. He then jumps into the storage compartment and tosses the both of them their bags. Both teens had an ashamed look on their faces as a dog just did their work for them.

"Um... Thanks, Spike" Twilight nervously complimented.

Once Spike jumps out and walks towards the others, Twilight and Flash had one more moment to laugh awkwardly to each other before making their separate ways. Twilight return back to her friends and they all began making her way towards the courtyard. They all could see the troubled look that was on her face and all of them were concerned.

"Is everything ok dearie?" Rarity asks her.

But Twilight calmly replies: "Yeah, everything's fine. Let's just head to the courtyard and get our sleeping arrangements."

Rarity and the others could still tell that something is up. However, they will respect Twilight's privacy and are happy to wait for when she's ready to talk about it. So all they could do now is to follow everyone else and meet their camp counselors.



Once everybody had gotten their stuff, all the students had gone to the camp's courtyard. There, they saw a pair counselors 
(who look surprisingly young to actually be camp counselors) standing on the gazebo. One of them was a charming young lady with a tiara of flowers on her head and the other is a rather handsome dude with green hair and a beanie hat. For the more susceptible campers, they already started developing weird romantic feelings for the pair. But for the more mature campers, they seem like a friendly enough pair of instructors that they will trust them with their safety.

"Why, hello there everybody!" greeted the female counselor. "I'm Gloriosa Daisy and I'm your camp director!"

"And I'm Timber Spruce, her twin brother" the male counselor introduced.

Gloriosa then explains: "Just think of me as the nice one who has all the fun stuff in store for you all!"

But then Timber quickly quips: "And just consider me as the cool one who gets invited to the cool stuff." Both Timber and Gloriosa than gave a rather competitive glare towards the other, almost like that they try to upstage the other.

"*Pft* Try hards" Rainbow silently remarked.

Once the two finish glaring at the other, Gloriosa finally went down to business. "Well anyway, before we assign tents and find out who our tent buddies are, we would like to hear from all of you. Here as Camp Everfree, we take a "restriction free" approach to things. Whatever you say, as long as it's fun and safe to do, we can do it."

When Gloriosa said that, all the CHS students instantly became intrigued. Once they heard that they can suggest anything that they want, all of their head run wild with ideas. And Gloriosa's open examples didn't help matters.

"Sailing on the lake, stories around the campfire, hiking in the woods..."

But then Timber Spruce interrupts her to say "E-Except for going near the rock quarry! That place is currently off-limits. Isn't it Glori'?"

"Well um... Yes! Thanks for reminding me Timber!"

At first, nobody seems to bat an eye to this. They all just thought it was a reasonable restriction that all of them could follow. However, Starlight Glimmer then raises her hand and asks: "Um! Why aren't we allowed to go near the rock quarry?"

Both Gloriosa and Timber instantly froze to the question. It almost seems like they never expected to be asked that. However, Timber then cross his arms, look towards his sisters and says: "Hey sis, remind me what that reason again?"

Gloriosa, after taking a moment to stammer, finally replies: "Well ugh... It's currently being renovated and making it safe for campers to. So for now, please stay away from there for your safety."

Starlight found the response as a legitimate reason and was happy with her answer that she got.

"So anyway, does anybody have any other questions? Maybe any suggestions perhaps?"

One by one, the students eagerly shout out their ideas and wants like there was no tomorrow.

"Rock Climbing!" Rainbow Shouted

"Settled!"

"Scavenger Hunt!?" shouted by one of the male campers.

"Already got the list made!"

Fluttershy calmly suggests: "Early morning nature walks?"

And Gloriosa cheerily replies: "I'll supply the walking sticks!"

Pinkie then shouts: "Baking Cookies!"

But Glori' then responded by saying: "Ooh I don't know? I do make a mean sugar cookie."

Pinkie then squinted her eyes and silently replies: "You're on."

And then, seizing her opportunity, Rarity shot up her arms and shouted: "Oh! Oh! Oh! What about a Fashion Show!?" Rarity then notices the weird look from all of her friends. "What? I can't get what I want?"

And Gloriosa replies: "Don't worry. A fashion show is a Camp Everfree tradition!"

But then Timber secretly whisper in her ear: "What? But we never have done a fashion show bef..."

However, Gloriosa then interrupts and whisper back at him: "Don't worry. I got this."

But then, as everyone was getting excited for the fun events ahead of them, Sunset Shimmer suddenly remembered one of her issues. While nobody else was shouting out their ideas, Sunset raise her hand and softly call out: "Gloriosa?"

Hearing her name being called, Glori' turn to Sunset and asks: "Got another suggestion?"

However, Sunset's explains: "Actually, I've got a question rather than a suggestion." Sunset's friends then notice the somber tone that was in her voice and could quickly tell that something is worrying her.

Glori' replies: "Um... ok then. What's your question?"

After a deep breath, Sunset asks: "Um... Why is this place called "Camp Everfree?"

Gloriosa and Sunset's friends were somewhat surprised. They were half expecting a somewhat serious question like if animals will enter the camp at night. Gloriosa then answers: "Why that's simple. It's because we're named after the forest of course!"

However, her answer didn't calm Sunset down and in fact made her more worried. "The... Forest!?"

"Yes! The Everfree Forest!"

Sunset's eyes widened.

Worried, Twilight got up beside her and softly calls out: "Sunset?"



Moments later, there was frantic shouting by the bus.

"LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!LETMEGO!"