//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Settling In // Story: Star Wars: The Dark Side of Everfree // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// After Twilight woke up from a nightmare, she gazed out the window on her side of the bus. She then looked back at Sunset. “Hey, Sunset?” she whispered. Sunset looked up at Twilight. “Where is Charming Thunder seated?” “Back of the bus by himself,” Sunset said. “Why? Something wrong?” “Just wanted to check on him.” Sunset looked back at Charming Thunder who was sound asleep in the back of the bus then looked back at Twilight. “He has been through a lot, you know? It’s like he feels that he wants to be alone or something.” “Probably couldn’t get his past out of his mind. At least Peter is with us as well. Not just for taking photos.” Sunset blushed and rubbed the back of her head. Since the students of Canterlot High found out that he was Spider-Man, she has been dating him after the events of the Friendship Games. She then shook her head at the thought.  “It would probably be best that you wait to talk to him until we get to camp.” Twilight nodded and sat back down before the bus arrived at their destination. At the camping grounds, the bus was being unloaded with bags while the students went for them. "Isn't Camp Everfree just beautiful?" Fluttershy asked. "I can't wait until we have our first nature walk." "I definitely wanna go on one of those," Spike said. "You wanna see all the adorable woodland creatures, too?" "Yeah! Specifically squirrels. More specifically, so I can chase 'em!" Spike barked and panted for joy. "I'm just lookin' forward to roughin' it.," Applejack said. "I'm gonna make my own shelter, forage for food..." "Uh, you know they provide us with food and tents, right?" Rainbow said. "Yup! Still gonna forage though." "I'm just after some R&R," Rarity said with a sigh. "The past year has all been a bit too much for my tastes." “I'll say!” Pinkie added. "We fought three evil sirens who tried to hypnotize everybody with their singing, one ridiculously competitive rival school, two demon friends, and an emerald elf on a glider!” Good thing Charming Thunder wasn’t out to hear the last part. “Uh, no offense.” “None taken,” Sunset said. She leaned towards Twilight. “You’ll get used to it.” “Yep,” Applejack said. “Canterlot High has become a regular magic magnet. Gonna be nice gettin' away to a place where we don't have to worry about that kinda stuff.” Flash arrived holding Twilight’s backpack. “Here you go, Twilight,” Flash said. “Thanks," Twilight said. “It's...Flash, right?” “Yup, that's me! And you're you. And we don't know each other very well.” “Right. I guess I'll... see you around.” “You know how there's that girl who looks just like you when she's here but lives in another dimension and she's a pony princess?” Sunset asked. “Uh-huh,” Twilight said. “Flash kinda had a....thing for her.” Twilight then noticed Charming Thunder step out of the bus with a yawn. He had his backpack in his hand. She rushed on over to him. “Hey, Charming.” “Huh?” Charming Thunder said before noticing Twilight. “Oh, hey.” “Hey, you okay?” “Yeah. Just needed some sleep during the ride. Why?” “Well, you haven’t--” P.A feedback was heard as students covered their ears from how loud it was. “Hey, everyone!" a female said from the P.A. "If you could start heading to the courtyard, that would be rad! It's time to start the best week of camp ever!” “You were saying?” Charming Thunder asked. “Maybe after we settled in,” Twilight reassured. Spike barked as everyone gathered at the camp courtyard to see a girl holding a mic and a man standing next to her. “Hi, everyone!” the girl greeted. “Welcome to Camp Everfree! I'm Gloriosa Daisy, your camp director! Think of me as your friendly camp and nature guide. And this is my brother, Timber Spruce!” Timber grabbed the mic and did tricks with it. “Think of me as that awesome guy...who should always be invited to fun things.” “We aim to please, so before we hand out our tent assignments, we'd like to hear from all of you. You're free to do whatever you like here.” “Uh, except hike near the rock quarry. That's off-limits." Timber turned to look at Twilight as Gloriosa continued. Charming Thunder looked at Twilight then back as he listened. “Y-Yes, but otherwise, your options are wide open. So what activities will make this the very best week of your lives ever?” “Rock climbing!” Rainbow said. “Done!” “Archery!” “Of course!” “Tetherball!” “Naturally!” “Rainbow, I know you're excited, but maybe give somebody else a chance to make a suggestion,” Sunset said as Charming Thunder rolled his eyes with a smile. “Arts and crafts!” Bulk said. “My mom....needs new pot holders.” I’ll supply the looms!” Gloriosa said. “Cookie decorating!” Pinkie said. “Ooh, I do make a mean sugar cookie.” “Early morning nature walks?” Fluttershy asked. “With walking sticks for everyone!” “Something I would want to do myself,” Charming Thunder said to himself. “A fashion show!” Rarity said. “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 setting!” “A camp tradition!” Gloriosa said. Timber and Gloriosa then started talking which Peter got concerned about. He didn’t make out what they were saying since he was standing next to Sunset. “What about the camp gift?” Celestia asked. “That was my favorite Camp Everfree tradition.” “The camp gift! Of course!” The two talked again which made Charming Thunder concerned as well. “Every year, campers work together to create something useful. A gift for future campers. Working toward this common goal is key to forming the strong bonds that will last well beyond your time here at camp! Which is why it's so important. This gazebo was a gift from last year's group. Oh, oh, oh, and the totem pole and the sundial were also made by campers!” “The sundial was our year's gift!” “Even though 'some people' thought it was a little impractical, since the sundial can't be used at night,” Luna said. “You all seem like a-a really amazing group,” Gloriosa said. “So I'm certain you'll come up with something inspiring to leave behind.” The campers cheered. “Speaking of leaving things behind, now's the time when we give out tent assignments so you can leave your heavy bags behind,” Timber said. “Uh, girls will be getting their assignments from Timber. Guys, you're with me.” Charming Thunder and Peter went up to Gloriosa as they grabbed a card one by one. Charming Thunder was next and grabbed a card with a picture of an aquamarine stone as Peter got the same one. Charming Thunder heard Twilight talking to Timber and shook his head with a sigh. Peter then came up to pat his back. “Looks like we’re in the same tent, Charming,” Peter said. “Hooray for the hero of Canterlot High and the city, I suppose,” Charming Thunder said. “Are you sure that you wanted to come along? I mean, you are supposed to be a crime fighter as well.” “I’m sure that there are others out there that can handle them. I need a long break anyways.” Charming Thunder and Peter walk to their assigned tent as the other students settle down. Inside the aquamarine tent, Charming Thunder was unpacking his bag until he took out a deactivated robot designed for exploring. He placed it on the table along with the tools needed to work on it. He turned to see Peter took out a photo of himself with his aunt and uncle. “Are you ever gonna to tell any of our friends about your uncle?” he asked. “You only told me so far. Why not Sunset?” “I will when I get the chance,” Peter said as Charming Thunder went back to examining his robot. Peter noticed it. “You decided to finish up with making the little guy?” “Yeah. Since I learned how to make robots with my mom, I always wanted to make this little guy.” “Not to change the subject or anything, but what’s going on with you and Twilight?” Charming Thunder stopped packing for a moment and then sighed. “I did appreciate the fact that she gave me the cure, but I am afraid of what might happen if it happens again. She’s not the only one with a dark past, you know?” Charming Thunder then shook his head. “Maybe we should stop talking about it for now.”