//------------------------------//
// The Trek 
// Story: The Horizons Above 
// by daspacepony 
//------------------------------//

Ponies often say ‘The sky’s the limit’. But that is selling themselves a little short, or rather, a whole lot. There is always someplace else further, and further, and further, and further still. A new place to explore every time, and it is not all just dark empty space. Sometimes, we just need that bit of crazy inside, to start thinking beyond, and step out into the unknown in order to learn more about ourselves...

It was a 3 hour trek from the Canterlot School to Winsome Falls, and the entire school gathered in the courtyard before heading out. The camp instructors were of that specific stereotype again, what with their fit, muscular build all, not to mention the whistles hanging around their necks that made them kinda look like sport coaches. Plus they were Earth ponies, which kinda explains everything. 

Kosmos observed his classmates standing around him on the school courtyard, all talking about things that did not really resonate with him. All the talk about video games and following of music bands and artists were just not Kosmos cup of tea. However, this made Kosmos a very lonely colt. Often during recess, he was usually alone. No pony was interested in the stars above as much as he did. Surely he has had the occasional short talk with a few of his schoolmates, but nothing that would be considered a “close friend conversation”. But he didn’t care, he was already used to being alone for the longest time, and he preferred to be. Not before long, the trek was about to start.

Has Celestia made the sun a lot brighter that day? Because the heat was almost unbearable and Kosmos was already feeling beat down a quarter way through the trek. So much for the camp instructors emphasising that “Your safety is of utmost importance yadda yadda-” as Kosmos could really feel himself turned inside out. He saw some fellow school ponies taking their water bottles out of their camp bag and just dousing the water onto themselves. Kosmos was not to sure about that. I mean, it could help, but he would rather save it for drinking instead. 

You know what, screw it. He took his water bottle out and doused some of the water onto his head. The other ponies turned to look at Kosmos, with a little smirkish chuckle, and he kinda heard someone whispered something about him. Kosmos got a little worried about that. He did not like awkward moments and people talking behind his back. He tried to pretend that didn’t happen, but he couldn’t. That awkward moment felt like it could cling onto his mind like the Smooze. Ugh.

He tried to distract himself by looking at the nature that surrounded him, it might not be as astounding or magnificent as the nature that is in the night sky, but it was still something to keep him distracted. They had trotted about 2 miles from Canterlot so the climate was slightly different. The forest around the ponies were dense but not as dense as the Everfree Forest. You could actually see Ponyville in the distance through some of the trees.

It took them a long while, but they finally made it to Winsome Falls. It was an amazing sight to behold. The bright and vibrant rainbow-coloured falls were unique to this part of town and among the few places in Equestria to have this wonderful geographical feature. Trees were no longer as dense as before and the ground was covered in a bed lush green grass. “Mom was right...” Kosmos mumbled to himself.

Soon enough, with the help of the camp instructors, tents were planted, firewood were gathered, snacks were eaten, and all was ready for the night to come soon. And especially little Kosmos, who had been waiting for the night to greet him once again.