"Alright, at the count of three: one, two, three!"
Vignette and a tan-skinned, greenhaired guy, Timber Spruce, grabbed a large log and brought it to the center of the camp, forming a perfect circle of logs around a collection of firewood right in the center.
"Okay, that should be it for now," the guy said. "Let's take a break."
Vignette nodded, and sat on one of the logs, her and Timber's boss, Gloriosa Daisy, joining them soon after with a couple sandwiches.
"Thanks a lot for coming to help us, Vignette," Gloriosa said as she handed a sandwich to the woman. "Sorry we didn't tell you about the other volunteers coming to help; they almost left you without work."
"Nah, it's fine," Vignette took a bite out of her sandwich. "After my time at the Canterlot High library, I probably would've passed out if I there were a lot of things to do."
"Still, thanks for helping out," Timber said. "Now the camp's ready for this year's campers."
"Oh yes, I'm glad that's the case!" Gloriosa sighed. "I just hope things don't go off the rails like last year."
"Speaking of going off the rails, I heard a couple rumors about why that happened last year," Vignette scratched her chin. "Something about a Gaea Everfree that strikes those who don't respect nature or something coming to ruin the camp. Do either of you know if the rumors are true?"
When she turned around, however, Timber Spruce looked at her with wide eyes, while Gloriosa Daisy looked elsewhere, visibly upset.
"W-What's wrong?" Vignette frowned. "Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Gloriosa rubbed her forehead. "I should've known the rumors would skyrocket after what happened..."
Vignette grimaced. "What are you talking about?"
Timber glanced back at Gloriosa. "Somebody needs to find out about what happened eventually, Gloriosa."
"Yeah, I know," the woman sighed. "I'm just worried she won't be able to keep it a secret."
"Oh, I can keep a secret just fine, don't worry," Vignette waved her hand. "I'm just more worried about what you're implying: is something going on?"
Timber sighed, "Let's finish our food first, and then we'll show you."
One brief snack later, Vignette followed Timber and Gloriosa deep into the woods, all while the former explained:
"Camp Everfree's always had financial issues ever since less and less people began coming to camp. And being the one who oversaw the camp, my sister grew rather stressed about everything."
Gloriosa lowered her head, visibly regretful.
"During one trek through the forest like this one, she found a peculiar waterfall."
"A peculiar waterfall?" Vignette repeated incredulously. "What was so peculiar about it?"
"You'll see soon enough."
The trio eventually reached what Vignette assumed to be the waterfall in question, but she stopped once she saw the duo walking towards it.
"Wait, you didn't tell me we we're gonna walk through a waterfall?" Vignette hugged herself. "I didn't bring a second pair of clothes?"
"Don't worry," Gloriosa said as she grabbed Vignette's hand. "You won't need them."
"W-What are you-"
Before long, Gloriosa shoved Vignette's hand into the waterfall... but despite the water clearly covering her, she didn't feel wet at all.
And once she took it out, her hand was perfectly dry.
Vignette wasted no time pondering about this and jumped inside, coming out the other end completely dry.
"Whoa, a waterfall that doesn't make you wet?" Vignette didn't take long to connect the dots. "This is a magical waterfall, isn't it?"
"It is," Gloriosa said as she and Timber entered the place. "But it's not as magical as what's inside it."
Vignette scanned her surroundings, and her jaw nearly dropped at the sight: they were around a large cavern, filled with all sorts of shiny gems and gemstones, already perfectly cut and faceted somehow.
If the dry waterfall didn't spoil it's magical nature, that would've definitely tipped her off.
"I found this cave during the trek," Gloriosa said while guiding the group to a large rock. "And in here, I found a set of geodes."
Vignette took a closer look... and saw a set of empty spaces, presumably where the geodes were once kept.
"In my desperation, I grabbed the geodes, and once I discovered they were magical," Gloriosa frowned. "I tried to use them to make the camp into an unforgettable experience, one that would convince the campers to not leave... and in doing so-"
Vignette's eyes widened. "You became Gaea Everfree..."
Gloriosa turned to Vignette, visibly worried. "It took a lot of effort to try keep the event under wraps: even after the rumors circulated, nobody knows if Gaea exists or not. If word were to get out that I became Gaea..."
Vignette took a deep breath and calmed down. "Didn't I already told you? I'm gonna keep this a secret, don't worry."
Gloriosa clutched her chest and took a deep breath. "Yeah, I became Gaea Everfree. And-"
"Wait, let me take a guess," Vignette put her hands on her hips. "The group known as the Rainbooms helped you snap out of it?"
Gloriosa blinked twice. "Yeah, how... how did you know?"
"I've met them a couple of times now," Vignette shrugged. "And it does seem to be their job to deal with this, so, it was a no brainer."
With that said, Vignette began walking back where she came from, pocketing her hands as Timber asked:
"Wait, you don't wanna look at what else is in here?"
Vignette stopped, turned around, and with a shrug said:
"Maybe another time."