Silent Dawn

by Blueelectric


Ch.12:Camp Everfree(The Arrival)

The students of Canterlot High is on a bus, going to Camp Everfree, chaperone by Principal Celestia and Vice Principle Luna. The students chatted very excitedly as the camping trip awaits them. The group of ten friends sat in seats near each other. Twilight, who was nicknamed Sci-Twi was sitting beside Sunset Shimmer, was fast asleep.

Aria and Silent was sitting together in a seat across from them, with Silent sitting by the window. While most students wear a shirt with the logo and shorts, Silent wears a light light blue long sleeve shirt and some blue jeans pants. Aria understands, as she knows her friend still wants to hide her scars from other students. Twilight had asked her if she was burning up before she went to sleep, which she shook her head, rubbing her arms uncomfortably.

Aria glared at the other students with a grumpy look, which soon faded into a soft smile as her purple eyes landed on the girl beside her. While she acts grouchy towards other students, somehow she never acts that way towards Silent. The mute had girl always lifted her spirits up.

She put her softly put her hand on her friend's. Silent was looking out the window, with a peaceful smile on her face. Aria was all giddy seeing it. Silent torn her gaze from the window to look at the purple siren questionably.

Aria smiled as she gaze into her friend's blue eyes. "Are you excited?" she asked. Silent opened her writing notebook. She jolt something down, and showed it to her. "Kind of. I'm also nervous, I've never been camping before." Aria smiled, understanding. "I guess that makes two of us. But don't worry, I'm here with you."

Silent smiled appreciably and laid her head on Aria's shoulder. Aria blushed and leaned down to lay her head on Silent's own. The two of them were about to fall asleep, when they heard a scream of fright coming from Twilight. "Stop!" They both shot up and glanced over at the girl across them.

Spike the dog shook Twilight awake. "Twilight, wake up!" he shouted. Pinkie Pie in the seat in front her next of Twilight giggled. "We can't stop, silly! We're not there yet!" Sunset beside of her patted her shoulder with concern. "Hey, Are you alright?"

Twilight took a deep breath. "Heh." She chuckled. "I'm fine." Adagio, who was sitting in the seat behind them raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? You had woken up with a loud scream of fright." The purple girl smiled at the former leader of the sirens. "I'm sure, Adagio. Just caught in a bad dream, that's all."

The pink bundle of energy was still smiling like a maniac, oblivious to what was going on. "We are going to have so much fun!" She squealed in glee. "We're gonna roast marshmallows and eat marshmallows and sleep on marshmallow pillows!"

Sonata, who is now dating Pinkie had caught up with her pink girlfriend's excitement. "Will there be taco pillows as well?" Pinkie smiled at the ditsy siren. "I can get you one if you want, Sony." Sonata smiled with glee and kissed the girl on the cheek.

Rainbow just shook her head. "Yeah, probably not gonna do that." She commented. Pinkie just grinned. "Maybe you're not!'" She said matter of factually as she grabbed a large bag of multi-colored marshmallows out of nowhere and hugged it. She made a 'squee' sound.

Soon the they driving were out of the city and into the first sign of forestry. "Attention, students, we're almost there." announced the principle from the first seat. "But before we arrive, we just wanted to say how proud we are of you raising money for our class field trip."

Vice Principle Luna in the seat across from her added as she waved around the forest, "When we were your age, we made some of our favorite memories in these woods,'' Aria almost laugh at out of context praising. Luna continued as she smiled at the students. "and I'm sure you will too."

Aria gazed over at her best friend and whispered. "My sisters and I are much older then them." Silent gazed at her over thousand year old friend with amazement. "Now, who's excited for Camp Everfree?!" Asked Celestia excitedly. almost all the students cheered.

Aria shuttered at the name. Silent glanced at her friend with concern. "In Equestria, we have a forest with that name." She explained quietly. "It's not like this Everfree. In Equestria we have pegasi make the weather, but in that forest the weather is out of control. There are also dangerous creatures reside in that place."

Silent shuddered with discomfort. "But there's not anything like that in this world. Sure, there's been us sirens, Sunset and now Twilight. But things like that doesn't happen naturally here." She gave her friend a side hug. "Besides this is camping, nothing can possibly go wrong in thing like this. So don't worry about it."

The bus then went through a sign that said "Camp Everfree." And pulled into a stop next to a log cabin. The students followed the principles in single file out of the bus. The student's look around the camp.

The camp side is surrounded in large beautiful evergreen trees and at it's center; a large sparkly lake with a boat dock. The camp is covered in large white tents, each with a certain gemstone at the front. Couple feet away from the cabin is a large wooden stage.

"Isn't Camp Everfree just beautiful?" Asked Fluttershy in awe. "I can't wait to go on a nature walk!" Spike wagged his tail in agreement. "I definitely wanna go on one of those." The animal lover smiled at him. "You wanna see all of the adorable woodland creatures too?"

"Yeah!" He exclaimed. "Specifically squirrels. So I can chase 'em" He started to bark. The others opened the compartments on the side of the bus to get their bags.

Aria pulled out Silent's and gave it to the girl beside her. The creamy brown girl took it appreciably as Aria grabbed hers. They passed Pinkie as she was agreeing with something. "I'll say! We fought three evil sirens who try to hypnotized the school with their singing, one ridiculously competitive rival school and two demon friends!"

Aria just ignored her before she said "no offence!" and turn to Silent who was watching the peaceful scenery around them with a blissful smile. She tapped on her shoulder to get her attention. "Do you want to go down to the lake?" She asked her. Silent was looking uncertain, so she added, "I can show you how to skip rocks..." Silent smiled and grabbed her hand making her blush.

"Okay!" She laughed as Silent dragged her towards the water. When they arrived at the lake shore, Aria picked up a pebble and threw it at the lake making it skip five times. She turned to Silent with a proud look. "How's that?" Silent grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

Silent grab a pebble and tried to do what her friend did, but it didn't skip. Silent had a disappointed look on her face. Aria smiled with encouragement. "It's okay if you didn't get it in the first try."

She picked up a smooth rock that's a size of a tennis ball. "First you need to find a smooth flat rock," She walk towards Silent and hand it to her. "Specifically, the size of a tennis ball." She held her arm with one hand and grabbed her hand with the other.

"Then you grip it with your thumb and your middle finger. Then firmly hook it with your index finger." Silent nodded and did what she said. Aria gazed at her with encouragement as she added, "And then, toss it."

Silent nodded and tossed the rock across the lake. It skipped once. Aria smiled, approvingly and pat her shoulder. "Now you're getting it."

They skip rocks for a few minutes when they heard a cheery female voice on the P.A. "Hey, everyone! If you could start heading to the courtyard, that would be rad! It's time to start the best week of camp ever!"

Aria changed looks with Silent and followed the other students. They soon walked up towards the stage at a gazebo . They were in the back of the crowd. On the stage was a young pale yellow colored woman with maroon wavy hair. Next to the woman was a green hair man, who seems the same age as the woman. The woman was holding a microphone.

"Hi, everyone!" Greeted the woman. "Welcome to Camp Everfree! I'm Gloriosa Daisy, your camp director! Think of me as your friendly camp and nature guide." She pointed to the guy beside of her. "And this is my brother, Timber Spruce!."

Timber grabbed the mic from his sister. "Think of me as that awesome guy..." he added as he tossed the mic around. "Who should always be invited to fun things." He gave the mic back to Gloriosa. The yellow skinned girl continued to speak. "We aim to please," She continued. "So before we hand out our tent assignments, we'd like to hear from all of you. You're free to do anything you like here."

"Uh, except hike near the rock quarry. That's off limits." Timber warned. Gloriosa chuckled nervously. "Y-Yes," She stammered nervously. "But otherwise, your options are wide open. So what activities will make this the very best week of your lives?"

Rainbow Dash's hand shot up instantly. "Ooh! Rock climbing!" She shouted.

Gloriosa smiled. "Done!"

"Archery!"

"Of course!"

"Tether ball!"

"Naturally!"

Sunset stopped Rainbow before she she suggested more things. "Rainbow, I know you're excited, but maybe give somebody else a chance to make a suggestion." She stated. "Arts and crafts!" Blurted Bulk Biceps. The muscular guy look around awkwardly. "My mom needs new pot holders." He explained. "I'll supply the looms. Offered Gloriosa.

"Cookie decorating!" Shouted Pinkie Pie. "Ooh, I do make a mean sugar cookie." The camp director commented as she put her finger to her lips. "Early morning nature walks?" Asked Fluttershy. "With walking sticks for everybody!" Gloriosa added.

Adagio raised her hand. "Swimming?" Gloriosa smiled. "Of course! I'll bring extra towels." "Ooh! Me!" Cried Rarity. Others look towards her. "Oh, uh... a fashion show! Where I design the most fabulous camp looks inspired by today's hottest trends and have them modeled by my classmates in a gorgeous outdoor settings!"

Gloriosa smiled. "A camp tradition!" Timber looked confused. "We had literally never done that. " he interjected. Gloriosa ignored her brother as she continued. "I'll be taking requests the rest of the time your here, so if there is anything you'd like to do, anything at all, just ask.

"What about a camp gift," Offered Principal Celestia. She and her sister were sitting on a picnic table, a little off from the group of students. That was my favorite camp tradition."

"The camp gift! Of course!" Abruptly agreed Gloriosa. "Really?" Whispered Timber. "Yes, really!" Gloriosa whisperd back. "Well, I just thought-" objected her brother. Gloriosa snapped at him. "Then you thought wrong!"

"Anyone picking up on a little tension from Gloriosa and her brother?" Observed Sunset. Twilight and Pinkie shared glances. "Ehhh..." They answered nervously. "A little." Agreed Pinkie. "Well, they are siblings." Reminded Adagio. Sonata nodded. "Adagio, Aria, and I act like that sometimes too."

"Every year, campers work together to create something useful," Gloriosa continued out loud. "A gift for future campers. Working towards this common goal is key to form strong bonds that will last well beyond your time here at camp!" With a hush voice, she made a point to Timber. Out loud; "This gazebo was a gift from last year's group."

She pointed to a large totem pole and a sundial. "Oh, oh, oh! And the totem pole and the sundial were also made by campers!". "The sundial was our year's gift!" Explained Celestia with enthusiasm. Luna coughed. "Even though "some people." Thought it was impractical, since the sundial can't be used at night." She pointed out to her sister.

Gloriosa chuckled nervously. "You all seem like a-a really amazing group." She praised. "So I'm certain you'll come up with something inspiring to leave behind." The crowd besides Silent cheered loudly. Gloriosa gazed around the students and stopped at Silent with interest.

"Thinking of stuff left behind, now's the time when we give out tent assignments so you can leave your heavy bags behind." Said Timber. They both hopped off with bags of cards. "Uh, girls will be getting their assignments from Timber. Guys your with me." Announced Gloriosa. She gave one last curious glance towards Silent before giving the boys their tent cards.

"Oh, boy!" Cheered Pinkie as she reached in the bag to pull out her card. "Hmm... Yay! I'm in the Emerald Tent!" Rarity pulled out hers. "Ooh, me, too!"

Fluttershy got the Amethyst Tent with Vinyl Scratch and Applejack and Rainbow Dash got the Aquamarine. Adagio and Sonata is sharing the Topaz Tent.

Aria and Silent both reached in the bag and to there surprise and excitement; both got the Opal Tent. They both smiled at each other and hugged.

Sunset Shimmer pulled out hers. "Sapphire." She commented. Twilight walk up to show hers. "Me too!" She added. "I mean, I'm assuming I am. Heh-heh." She chuckled. "Technically, sapphires aren't just blue. Heh-heh. They can be pink, purple, yellow..."

Timber walk over and interrupted her. "Yeah, but they're mostly blue. That's why they're name after the Latin word sapphirus." He leaned close and whispered to her. "That means "blue." Twilight giggled. "I know. But do you know that sapphires are just rubies without chromium?"

"No." He answered. "But did you know that Sapphire Tent is the best one?" Twilight looked st him curiously. "No. Why's that?"

"Because you're in it." Timber explained as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Oh, I bet you say that to all the campers." Twilight remarked.

"Not true." Timber objected. He turn his attention to Bulk Biceps. "You're in the Ruby Tent?" He mocked. "Ha! That's the worst one!"

"Aw, man!" Groaned Bulk. Timber chuckled. "I'm just joking buddy." He comfort him with a wink. "Ruby Tent is great. It's like a sapphire but with chromium." Twilight giggled with amusement.

"But the Ruby and Coral Tents do look an awful lot alike to the undiscreting eye. I better show you where it is." Timber turn to Twilight and added. "See ya, around." He waved as they both stared at each other.

Sunset and Rainbow were giggling when he left. "What?" Asked Twilight, obliviously. "Heh, nothin'." Answered Applejack. "Ooh! That was adorable." Swooned Rarity.

They heard Gloriosa blowed a whistle. "Okay, everyone go settle in." She directed. "We'll be meeting at the docks in fifteen minutes to go over camp safety rules. Let me know if you need anything!"


"I need somthin'." Announced an arriving voice. Everyone turn around to discover that a rich buisnessman had showed up in a black limousine. He has pale brown skin and darker brown hair and wearing a black tux with a pin of bag of money.

"Filthy Rich!" Gloriosa greeted nervously. "It's so nice to meet you." She then growled at him. "What are you doing here?! Camp is just getting started!"

"Just taking in the scenery, Gloriosa Daisy. It's soo.. hmm... relaxin'." He said with a smirk. "Well, you can look around when camp is over. Now if you don't mind..." she demonstrated pointedly. Getting the point, the buisnessman huffed. "Fine." He hopped back into the vehicle and stared back at Gloriosa as it drove off.

She return her attention back to the campers. "Filthy Rich is, uh, an alumni of the camp," the director explained. "He likes to check up on his old stomping grounds every now and then. Enough about him. Find your tents and put away your things. We got the best week of camp ever to begin!"
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Aria and Silent had find their tent right away and starting to put away their things. "So, what do you think so far?" Silent smiled and nodded. "I don't like that Filthy Rich guy. I think he is up to something." Aria commented. Silent nodded her head with agreement.

She walk over to Silent's bed and sat beside her. She stared at her in conspiracy. "How about we sneak to the water and swim." Silent had a look of uncertainty in her expression. Aria leaned over to tuck a stray hair behind Silent's ear. "Trust me. Swimming in the day is nice and all, it gets magical at night."

Silent eyes light up and she nodded in agreement.