Sunset Shimmer was leaning against the statue outside of Canterlot High, looking at the latest message that Princess Twilight had sent her from Equestria. Ever since the Friendship Games last term, she had been using the book just to communicate with her, rather than to call her for help or advice.
Dear Sunset.
How are you doing over in the other world? How's that other me doing at CHS? Did you do any cool research into more on that world? Here in Equestria, things have been rather quiet. Apart from the expected birth of my new niece or nephew, there's really been nothing of interest for me or my friends. All we do nowadays is meet at Sugarcube Corner for a few snacks here and there. That's all.
But anyway, I've heard that Spring Break is just around the corner for your school. I know, it's something to be really excited over. When I was a little filly at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, I would squeal in delight when Spring Break was announced. It was finally the time for me to catch up on playing with Shining Armour and my parents after all the hard work I'd put in.
Anyway, have fun, Sunset. I'm sure that you and your friends deserve it after everything you've had to face in that world.
Your friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle.
P.S. If you just want to talk, my book's always open.
Sunset's smile widened as she closed the book and slipped it into her backpack. Hearing the bell ring, she walked into the school for her next period.
Students charged out of the school during the final ring of the bell. All of them had their bags slung over their shoulders and were rushing to get home as soon as possible. It was now the end of the term, and now they had a whole two weeks to spend however they wanted, be it with parents, by themselves, or with their friends.
"Hoo-whee! I'm so excited for this, girls!" Applejack beamed as she and the girls casually walked out of CHS and walked towards the city. "It's the perfect time fer me to get started on getting a ticket for Harvest Fest!"
"Yeah!" Rainbow fist-pumped. "This Spring Break's gonna be awesome! Especially with the Final Epoch World Championships coming to Canterlot!"
"And I have just enough time to get started, and possibly even finish my latest collection of dresses." Rarity pulled out a book and opened it up to the page with a blue bookmark. "With all of the free time we have before coming back to CHS, I should at the very least have the first set ready by the weekend."
"Sounds like you all have plans, huh?" Sunset shrugged and slumped into her shoulders. "As for me, I'm not sure what I want to do or where I want to do..."
"Lighten up, silly." Pinkie Pie patted Sunset on the back. "Everyone starts Spring Break confused during their first time, but you eventually roll with it as the years go by."
"Oh! This is your first Spring Break, isn't it, Sunset?" Fluttershy raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I'm just not used to all of the customs of this other world yet." Sunset craned her neck skyward. "I have managed to handle the seasonal holidays for the most part, but when you get these things that just happen out of the blue, then I'm pretty much lost."
"I think I know how you feel, Sunset." Twilight adjusted her glasses. "Since you came from Equestria, I assume you're quite bored of living a small life like this, right?"
"Yeah. That's exactly it, Twilight," Sunset replied. "And to be frank, I think I've grown more accustomed to when our world gets attacked. Think about it. The Dazzlings and Cinch. They gave some life into my dull and repetitive cycle of weeks at CHS. They pushed the world to the breaking point with their dark ambitions and powers, and it made things a bit more exciting, if not world-threatening."
"Are you saying that you like and want the world to be in danger?" This time, it was Rainbow's turn to cock an eyebrow.
"N-no! Not in that way, Rainbow Dash!" Sunset frantically shook her hands. "It's just that, don't you all think that there's something more to being a student at CHS, being gifted with Equestrian Magic, and being the protectors of peace?"
"What's going to happen when we all graduate, look for jobs, and eventually forget about each other?" Twilight asked, getting the whole group to stop walking completely. "We all move on eventually, and our friendships do break after time."
There was a long silence after that sentence. All of the girls were now deep in thought. They hadn't planned for the future at all, and now Sunset and Twilight were reminding them that their time together was coming to an end, and that there would be no way to stop it. Their emotions were mixed, but they finally hung their heads.
"I guess I never thought of it that way before," Rarity said.
"Me neither," chorused the rest of the girls before they stood back up.
"We don't have much time left, so we've gotta make sure that our last moments together are ones to remember." Sunset readjusted the straps on her backpack. "Aside from what you all have planned, does anyone have any ideas for what we could do together as a group?"
"Well, I've been thinking of getting out of this city for a while now." Rainbow Dash kicked the ground. "It's just that I spend every Spring Break here, and apart from the Final Epoch World Championships, I've really wanted to be more adventurous. Kinda like Daring Do in a way."
"As much as I already have plans, I wouldn't mind going camping again." Applejack leaned by a wall and tipped her hat over her head. "It's truly how I like to live. Sitting around a fire, roasting marshmellows, singing songs, telling stories, the whole nine yards."
"Hang on a second." Rainbow Dash said. "Camping. Adventure. Friends by our side..."
"Camp Everfree!" Twilight and her friends cheered out together before pulling each other into a big hug.
"What's a Camp Everfree?" Sunset asked, elicting a string of gasps from the whole group.
"You don't know what Camp Everfree is, Sunset?!" Pinkie Pie's hair burst out and became much frizzier. "Only the bestest, most memorable, and most super fun-tacular camping spot in the history of forever?!"
"Well, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I still don't know everything about this world, placewise or traditions." Sunset shrugged. "You girls are gonna have to fill me in on this whole thing."
"Camp Everfree's one of the oldest camping sites in the whole country, Sunset." Applejack wrapped her arm around Sunset's shoulders and stretched her other one out for emphasis. "Lush forests for adventures, clean water for rafting, and plenty of wood for campfires."
"As kids, we had lots of fun playing in the forest, singing songs at the camp, and doing all those arts and crafts activities," Rarity said. "It truly felt like a home away from home."
"Every year, we would go back to the camp at some point." Pinkie sighed and picked up a branch. "Whether we were little toddlers, elementary schoolers, or even teens, we would always find some way to make the money to go back to Camp Everfree."
"Even I have to admit that it was pretty fun." Fluttershy put her hand in front of her mouth and chuckled. "Especially when Rainbow Dash had to cuddle up with me when we were told a scary story."
"I wasn't scared!" Rainbow shot back. "We were just kids back then, Fluttershy. We thought differently when we were young. That's all."
"In any case, Camp Everfree seems to be a perfect place to visit this time of year." Rarity tipped her hand. "The sunlight was forecast for the whole of our time off, and there's no rain forecast during the evening as well."
"And as luck would have it, we've got just enough money to go again this year too!" Pinkie pulled out everyone's wallets and spilled the money out. "Twenty-five dollars for everyone over the age of sixteen. Add the seven of us, and we've just got the one-hundred and seventy-five bucks to pay for it!"
"Pinkie Pie!" Rarity scrambled down to pick up her money and wallet. "I appreciate the high-spirits, but in future, could you please refrain from doing that ever again?!"
"Oops. Sorry, Rarity." Pinkie Pie picked up everyone else's money, counted it out, and handed it back to them with their respective walles.
"You all make this Camp Everfree place sound so nice, but I don't really think that you should go out of your way just for me." Sunset put her funds away. "In recent months, you've been treating me like I still need support."
"Well we're not going to let you feel abandoned, Sunset," said Rainbow Dash. "You've been through a lot of hassle in Equestria, and after the Fall Formal, you did kinda paint yourself a bad image..." She rubbed the back of her head.
"But I've moved on from there, and even saved this school twice from the forces of evil. If it wasn't for me, The Dazzlings would still have trapped you and the rest of CHS's students under their spell.
"Not to mention what Principal Cinch made me do back at the Friendship Games." Twilight took a small step forward. "If Sunset hadn't saved me, I would've badly hurt you, the Shadowbolts, and everyone else on this planet..."
"Even so, we can't take the risk of you feeling left out, neglected, or abandoned, Sunset." Applejack shook her head, getting the other girls to murmur in agreement.
"I appreciate that you're all looking out for me, but I think after all that I've done to redeem myself, I can pretty much manage on my own this Spring Break," Sunset said.
"Aww, come on, Sunset. It'll be super-duper fun with you at Camp Everfree too!" Pinkie Pie jumped on the spot. "We can make cupcakes, create little totem poles, and maybe even find treasure there!"
"And besides, if you decide to stay behind, you'll just feel lonely again, won't you?" Applejack added.
"Well, when you put it like that, I guess I can't really say no, now can I?" Sunset chuckled and put her hands behind her back. "So why not? I'd be interested to see what makes this Camp Everfree so special to you."
The rest of the girls all cheered and pulled Sunset into a group hug.
"We're going to Camp Everfree!" The Rainbooms all said together.