//------------------------------//
// Legend of Everfree (New Timeline) Part 2 
// Story: Equestria Girls: The Rubicon 
// by Jongoji245 
//------------------------------//

Fluttershy woke up early, putting on her camp clothes and went outside to the warm, morning sun. Rainbow Dash, wanting to get her exercises done before the big activities, joined her. The athlete didn’t take a hiking stick, jogging twenty feet ahead of Fluttershy. When she passed by a bush, a field mouse sees the caretaker, catching up to her as it scurried up her leg and sat on her shoulder.

“Oh, my.” Fluttershy smiled at the small mammal. “You want to join me on my walk?”

The mouse responded with a squeak, giving Flutters something to laugh as she gave it a piece of cheese. She continued on, finding sparrows, robins, cardinals, squirrels, even a screech owl landed on her head. She looked down to find some ferrets and rabbits nuzzling her. When she felt several hot breaths on her neck, Fluttershy turned around, finding a bear, a few deer including a buck with five rack antlers, and even a bison.

“Hey, Fluttershy, what’s the hold” - Rainbow ran back around to find Fluttershy’s faunal posse both large and small. - “Hey! Go on! Shoo!”

Rainbow’s demands didn’t make the animals move. The athlete approached Fluttershy, waving her blue hand to shoo the birds away. The sparrow nipped at her fingers, getting Rainbow to move back a few steps. A woodpecker took this further and flew after her, thrusting its beak at Rainbow’s skull. The athlete ran faster as she covered her head. The bird was still faster; even if Rainbow ponied up, she would just be mobbed. So she ran faster, and faster, and faster until she was nothing but a rainbow blur that broke the sound barrier.

A distance away, Applejack was alert at the sonic boom. Then again, a plane might have flown over them in a jiffy. Still wanting to rough it out, she walked around to see if there were any tools the camp used for gathering. She found an ax leaning by the log cabin. Tied to the was a set of instructions, some of which related to safety, but also had a note in red ink, “Only use on specially marked trees.”

AJ shuffles the tool on her shoulder as she walks into the forest, whistling the tune of  “Apples to the Core”  as she searched for one of those specially marked trees. Her eyes spotted one such tree bearing a spray painted star. Snapping her neck, she aimed the tool at the trunk and took a big swing. For a thick plant, the blade was able to cut halfway through. Raising an eyebrow, she left the tool there and reached for her head. Expecting an enlarged ear, she only touched bits of her golden locks. She pulled out the ax, wrapped her arms around the tree, and pulled with all her might, leaving only the stump. With a groan, she dropped the tree to the grass. To be able to lift a whole tree without sprouting pony ears, the possibility that she could beat her cousins fair and square seems unlikely. She bent back, popping her spine as she lifts the tree and drags it away.

In the cafeteria, Pinkie Pie happily mixed and turned cookie dough on a baking sheet. To her side was Rarity, Sunset, Twilight, and Spike as they discussed the phenomenon happening right now. 

“Imagine this,” - Sunset paced around the room - “being able to use magic without using Pony Ups. It could be either advantageous or not, but it just feels weird.”

“Quite so; I’d love to use magic without my ears enlarged.” Rarity added. They turned to the sound of rustling, looking out the window to see Applejack place the tree down and enter the cabin, covered a bit in sweat. The farmer took immediate notice of Twilight levitating her pet without the use of a physical horn.

“You lifted that entire tree by yourself?” Sunset tilted her head looking out the window.

“Eeyup.” Applejack takes her stetson off, wiping her head before putting it back on. “And let me tell y’all that’s the second weirdest thing I’ve seen today.”

Fluttershy rushed in, causing a panic as a few owls and sparrows entered the room.

“Everyone duck and cover!” Pinkie Pie put a frying pan over her head and ducked under the table. But it was for not as the birds calmed down and roosted on Fluttershy. 

“Levitation, enhanced animal communication, super strength.” Sunset counted each of their powers. “We didn’t have to be in our true element to use them.”

Applejack looked around for one particular person. “Anybody seen Rainbow Dash?”

Immediately a rainbow streaked into the room, filling the cabin with a gust of air. The streak slammed hard against the wall, revealing to them Rainbow Dash as she collapsed on the floor.

“Super speed...” Sunset added to the list.   

“It’s like being at camp has given us magical abilities!” Pinkie Pie tossed the dough into the air. “I wonder what my special ability is.”

Spike raised his paw, “Maybe being more Pinkie Pie than usual?” 

“Something at the camp must be making this happen.” - Sunset fiddled her chin - “Maybe a source of magic...”

“Or Gaia Everfree!” Pinkie spoke in a scary tone, though that only frustrated Sunset, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash.

“So what should we do?” Fluttershy shook the birds off of her before looking at Sunset.

“For now,” - Sunset crosses her arms - “just lie low.” 

“But what about the awesome things we’ll be doing?” Rainbow complained.

Sunset’s mouth gaped a little before correcting herself. “Okay, not that low. We don’t want Gloriosa and Timber to panic.”

“Here, here.” Agreed Rarity.

“Sure thing, hun.” Added Applejack.

“Mmm hmm.” Moaned Fluttershy.

“Gotcha.” Agreed Rainbow.

“Right-a-roonie!” Pinkie Pie flung her hands in the air, covering the entire table in pink sprinkles.

Of course, without even trying, the Rainbooms struggle with maintaining their non-Equestrian abilities. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie took a canoe for a few laps around the lake. Ever so the competitor, Rainbow paddled faster than Pinkie could keep up, and the boat capsized while the more muscular Bulk Biceps passed them using baby paddles. 

Sunset tried the archery range, picking up the longbow. Before she could aim, she notices Flash Sentry to her left, ready to shoot his second arrow. The rocker fidgets a while before firing at the target twenty meters ahead of them. It lands on the bottom right corner. With a huff, he picks up his third arrow.

"Hey, Flash." Sunset walks up to the troubled young man.

"Hi, Sunny." Flash prepares to fire the arrow when he felt Sunset's hand touch his arm, pulling it down.

"That dimension you went to." - Sunset tilted her head. - "What was it like?"

Flash releases his grip on the recreational weapon, closing his eyes as he recalls how that dimensions Night Dancer and Cosgrove reacted so bitterly at him. His best description was, "Would've been better if I wasn't born."

He looks to notice Sunset's bewildered expression. Flash knows the difference, a trade off of two people because of him. The leader of the Rainbooms saddened as Flash faced her.

"That visit in the dimension made me want to ask: was I really that person all the time? Am I always been a jerk to you, to Twilight, to everyone else?" Flash closes his hand, shaking as he continues. "I think I am if only I paid attention if only I wasn't so high strung."

Sunset lifts his chin, "Have you made mistakes? Yes. But we were younger and didn't know better." She looks at the sapphire classed tent. "Take it from us, she'll forgive you."

Taking a few cleansing breaths, Flash lifted the bow and arrow, landing a near perfect bullseye. "Thank you... for listening." As Sunset walks away from him, the Rocker speaks out. "I'm sorry... For what I treated you as."

Hearing the first person she loved to walk away sent a little chill. In his mishaps, Sunset knows Flash was at least trying. Taking a deep breath, she picks up the bow and arrow. So focused was her aim that she didn’t pay attention to the steaming arrow feathers touching the bowstring. Sunset made one last tug, snapping the string and sending the arrow flying back and stabbing the totem pole. Fluttershy made the most of it; to everyone’s confusion, even to fellow Eco-Kid Sandalwood, the caretaker was serving tea to squirrels, rabbits, and even a bear. She turned to her fellow campers, lifting an empty teacup.

“You want some?” She asks.

“Uhm…” - Micro Chips looked at his table mates, who had an uneasy look as he has - “No thanks, we’re fine.”

Over at the rock climbing course, Vinyl Scratch helped Applejack strap the climbing harness before turning to Rarity. The Fashionista buckled the harness as Timber grabbed the pull string.

“Alright, now to get the buckle on and we’ll be all” - Like the human immune system rejecting viruses, the strap was denied as a triad of holographic diamonds wrapped around the metal loop. - “Be…” He tried a few times more to no avail. So he wrapped the string around Rarity’s midsection. A second after Timber’s triumphant chuckle, the same triad of diamonds and two more grew to her height.  

“Oh dear.” Rarity raised her arms, but that made the crystals shoot out, shoving everyone aside and had the climbing course tilt. Applejack gripped on the stone, digging her fingertips before the inertia of object had her tear two chunks off as it slammed into the ground. Timber was dumbfounded at this discovery, watching Rarity laugh while Applejack kept her fibber face as she scooted away from the fallen object.

Twilight stayed in her tent to examine the rock she had found just yesterday. She took off a piece of ruby and placed it under the microscope. The fossilize arrangement seems off for ruby or quartz, so she ground it into powder and poured it into a test tube. Some of the dust particles stayed in the air, making her cough as they invaded her body. She examined the reddened water before adding one sample of chlorine, acid, and salts. The results didn’t turn out as she expected. Her face began to pinch as her violet skin became darker and her iris and pupils shrank while she applied additional pressure to the cup, making it crack.

“Twilight?” Twilight crushed the cup before snapping out of her frustration. She turned around, finding Sunset inside the tent. The fire-haired teen noticed a few shards of glass stuck in her hand and hastily took out her medical kit. Useful as they are, their diminishing supply of Zap Apples probably wouldn’t make the trip, but they could be useful right about now. Delicately prying the glass from the skin, she wrapped Twilight’s hand in gauze before noticing the black and red rock. “What kind of rock is that? Ruby?”

“That’s what I am trying to find out.” Twilight picks up the rock. “I have yet to prove it, but I think this is what is activating our powers without having to Pony Up.”

Sunset rubbed her chin, “There is something Gloriosa is hiding from us, and Timber mentioned a rock quarry we aren’t supposed to go.” 

As they tried to piece together the clues, their thoughts were joined by the sound of barking followed by a low churning noise that got louder as the tent fabric blew rapidly in the strong wind. They looked outside to see a black helicopter landing on a grass patch, calming the tempest as the propellers halted. The temporary populace both visitor and staff gathered around while the pilot hopped off the vehicle and ran to the other side. Stepping out was a middle-aged man in a white suit and beige pants. He gave the pilot a large tip before stepping towards the crowd.

“Good Afternoon, Applejack.” He greeted.

Applejack tipped her stetson. “Good Afternoon, Mr. Rich.” 

To the friends and relatives of the Apples, it’s no secret that their affiliation with the Rich family goes way back. When the Civil War ended, the apple farms that provided food to both Union and Confederate troops began to wane as the former took hold of the United States. Come globalization in the eighteen eighties, Plush Rich took an interest in the farms and offered royalties for international distribution of their produce. And so the international company Barnyard Bargains was formed. Over time, this cooperation formed a deep bond generation after generation. The only bent chain link to this were the grudges between each immediate family’s youngest child, Apple Bloom, and Diamond Tiara. In the recent months, this has since been ironed out from growing respect. Now the multimillionaire has come home after being away in business for three years.

“Filthy Rich!” Gloriosa wrapped her hand around the business man’s arm. “So nice to see you.” She tried to push him back into the helicopter. “What are you doing here?!”

“Just taking in the scenery, Gloriosa Daisy.” Filthy straightens his cuffs. “After being away for so long, it’s so relaxing to be back.”

“Well, you can explore when camp is over! So if you don’t mind...” Filthy and Gloriosa glared at each other, the former pulled out his watch and tapped the number six.   

“Fine.” He enters the vehicle, creating the tempest once more as the helicopter took off and flew towards home.

“What was that about?” Asked Rainbow Dash, getting Gloriosa out of her angered state.

“Mr. Rich is, uh, an alumni here at the camp.” Gloriosa turned to her fellow camper. “He likes to check on his stomping grounds now and again. Now, enough of those things, go out and have fun!”

As the manager walked away, the Rainbooms gathered around at the suspicion.

“Something between Gloriosa and Mr. Rich ain’t right. And I’ve known him since I was a toddler.” Applejack turned to Rarity.

“Quite so, maybe there was a grudge between their families unlike yours, Applejack.” Rarity’s face was shoved with papers.

“Maybe these can help?” Pinkie gave a big smile.

“How’d you get those?” Rainbow watched Pinkie Pie drew in a deep breath before the former shook her arms. “No, wait, I don’t want to-”

“Because I’m Pinkie!” She spoke in a Batman style voice, wearing matching clothes for the role. Seeing the others not as impressed or laughing, she became her usual self, inflating her hair once more. They took the papers to the cafeteria, huddling around the sink as they looked at each paper.

“Late payment, late payment, final notice.” Applejack looked at the other Rainbooms. “This camp’s even more broke than a bottle of whiskey.”

“If they don't make this last payment, this will be this camp's last year.” Fluttershy's comment had the Rainbooms murmur to each other. While they will enjoy this one year, it wouldn't be fair for their younger friends and relatives not having to go to Everfree.

For Rarity, another thought came to mind as she pulled out a designer blueprint. “Not entirely. I propose my fashion show be a fundraiser, and invite every corporation in the Centennial state to give us a kind donation.”

The group murmured again, this time in a more positive look. They were given the chance to do a Camp Gift; preserving the camp will be the greatest gift for years to come.

“I am hoping for something more awesome, like a pair of-” Rainbow Dash gets shouldered by Sunset and Applejack - “but a fashion show sounds rad.”

“As long as I don't wear any fancy costumes.” Applejack noticed the fashionista sucking in her lips. “You're gonna, aren't you?”

Rarity, then the other Rainbooms chuckled at the idea of the farmer wearing snazzy outfits against her will. So they walked out of the workshop, talked to their principals and camp managers about the issue at hand. While the two sisters had a worried look, they did raise a few questionable brows.

“While we find the acquisition of these records criminal,” The two principals, Sunset, Twilight, Rainbow, AJ, and Rarity turned to Pinkie Pie, guilty as charged “we will do what we can to invite as many of them as we can. In the meantime, you have a fashion show to prepare.”

Without a second thought, the Rainbooms gathered Rarity's equipment and carried it over to the workshop. Allowing them to choose what style they want, the fashionista was hard at work in making the dresses. Some were mere draperies; Rainbow Dash wore a gown with zigzags of bright colors with a similar scarf around her neck. Pinkie Pie had a similar design, but with more subtle pinks, blues, and yellows. Fluttershy had a pink top over an otherwise grass green blouse with butterfly patches here and there. Applejack has the most simple design: A red sweater with a fan out the back and daisy duke shorts. In her thoughts, the farmer found it much better than her “Apple Jewel” dress. Rarity’s dress appeared more fluffy, with multiple layers around the shoulders and gown. Fitting her appeal for diamonds, the dress was thinly crusted with small gems. Like Applejack, Twilight's dress was simple, a light violet vest over a white shirt and a yellow and blue striped skirt. Sunset's design had multiple sun patches laid out in a large robe over a yellow dress; when tied up and seen from a distance, it resembled a kimono.Without a second warning, the Rainbooms gathered Rarity’s belongings and went to the workshop. Already an expert on the size and proportion, Rarity went to work right away. Her 

“Looks like we got ourselves a show!” Rainbow raised her hand. “Up high!”

One by one, they slapped Rainbow Dash’ hand before giving a good laugh. When they got outside, it was already nighttime, and everyone else has gone to sleep. The sleep soon got to them as they waved good night and entered their assigned tents. At the forest edge, a light-blue foot lands on the grass. In the shadows, her eyes glowed red.
While Sunset slept like a log so far, Twilight was not so fortunate. In her dreamscape, she saw herself in the midst of a battle they can't win. The Crusaders are done for, the Maximals slain, and the Rainbooms scattered to the winds. Even the Predacons have lost as Cogsworth collapsed on the ground, screaming at the loss of his arms. The scream ceased as a blast of light seared his flesh and bones. Midnight Sparkle laughed triumphantly at her victory.

“What have you done!?” Twilight screamed, getting the raven-winged demons attention.

“What I should have done instead of cowering in some minivan!” Midnight grabbed her kinder duplicate, ascending as high as the moon. She raised her fist, aiming it at Twilight's head. “I have one last person to rid of before my next conquest. A pity, we could have made a great team.”

Midnight cackled as she dug her fist into Twilight's skull, hearing her scream as streaks of light stretched around her body. In a few moments, Twilight shattered like glass, scattering around the dream. Midnight started to tear up, but that never stopped her from continuing her laugh.

Twilight woke up early, the impact of the dream all too fresh. She put on a pair of socks and hiking boots and walked to the wooden table. She laid her head on her arms, sniffling before burying her head and wept. The sun rose slowly, this time, giving the former Crystal Prep student some comfort as the light shined between the trees and gave the night sky a pink color.

“Twilight?” Spike, noticing his master not in their tent when he woke up, snuck out and found her sitting at the wooden table. Calling out her name didn’t get her to move, so he hopped on the bench and started pawing her. “Another one of your nightmares?”

“It’s more than that.” Twilight lifted her head and upper body, finally turning to her dog. “This magic is affecting my friends, what if it spreads to everyone else who don’t know how to control it? What if it’s too much for us?”

Spike looked at the dawning sun, collecting his thoughts as his dog mind could. He looked back to Twilight, seeing a growing determination. “So what will you do now?”

“I’m going to find the source of the problem and end it.” Twilight rose up and slapped a fist into her hand. “You found the stone before, can you show me where?”

Spike rubbed his snout before sniffing the air. “If you give me the stone, I can help you find it.”

“Got you covered.” Twilight and Spike looked back, finding Sunset Shimmer, also in her PJs, holding the black and red rock. “And you're not going alone.”

As much as she wouldn’t want to risk bringing another friend along, Twilight realized she wouldn’t have much of a choice. Even with her new abilities, that wouldn’t qualify her to be combat ready. Besides, if there is anyone with as much knowledge in sorcery, it’s Sunset.”

“I’ll get the others-”

“No!” A moment before the outburst settled, finding no one waking up, and Twilight continued. “You see, they’ll only slow us down.”

Sunset’s no Applejack, but that’s not to say she knows something is fishy. And months worth of fighting powerful creatures is proof of that. “I don’t know…”

“Just a peek?” Twilight began to frown, though the thought did appeal to Sunsets nature more as she lifted a tracker.

“Anything goes wrong…” Sunset shook the tracker in a toying manner, raising Twilight’s hopes as the former placed the rock on the table in front of Spike. It didn’t take long for him to gather a smell and began to run towards the dirt trail.

At a distance, Gloriosa and Timber Spruce watched the three campers disobey camp rules. Though they couldn’t help but notice the oddity from just seven Seniors and a dog. The sky became blue once more as everyone woke up from their slumber. 

“They’re gone!!” Rarity’s outburst echoed the forest. The Rainbooms kept silent as the Fashionista paced around the campsite. “We have a dress fitting today, and with them leaving is the WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!”

Rarity laid her hand on her face before fainting on the grass. Back home, she would have a fainting couch. That wasn’t the case, and the fainted fashion designer only got her clothes dirtied.

“Why would they go off on their own?” Rainbow Dash crossed her arms, remembering everything that happened to those going alone.

“Maybe they went to find Trixie?” Fluttershy looked at the forest as a sparrow landed on her shoulder.

“We can’t do a fashion show without them!” Rarity continued to whine as she swerved her backside on the moist grass. “I’ll never show off my dresses and we’ll never save Camp Everfree!”

The waterworks continued to fire out, and Applejack would have no more of this. “Look, sugar cube. Frettin’ about two people ain’t changing anything.”

Rarity took a deep breath, wiped the wet mascara from her eyes and stood up. “You’re right. The fashion show must go on.” When she turned around, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack tried to keep their laughter at the grass stains on Rarity’s backside. “You two!” - Rarity’s prospective replacements, Lyra and Bon Bon, turned to the Rainbooms. - “How would you like to contribute to our Camp Gift? I have a couple dresses that suit you.”

“Us?” Lyra placed her finger on her cheek.

“In a fashion show?” Bon Bon and Lyra eyed each other before they turned to each other and shouted. “O. M. Goodness!”

Inside the cafeteria, Octavia, out of all people, was conversing with Snips and Snails as they ate like pigs.

“So you two don't know where Trixie is?” Octavia's question merely had them shake their heads before continuing to eat. With a disgusted hiss, the cello player rose up from her chair. “And you are her whipping boys.”

Hearing the phrase “whipping boys” got them to stop eating. As they watched Octavia leave. Snips put down his fork and rubbed a napkin over his fingers.

“She thinks we're somebody to mess with.” Snips balled up the napkin and lob it onto the tray.

Snails, remembering the conversation they had while being mutates guarding the Ground Bridge, took what Octavia said to heart. Snips noticed this as well as he uses his beefy fingers to grab a cup of Mountain Dew.

“You're looking kinda down, Snails.”

“You know, Snips.” Snails turned to his closest friend. “I’m sick of being a whipping boy. When Trixie gets out of the picture, maybe we should step up, eh. Carve out our own, uh, stake. ”

“Yeah, yeah!” Snips turned his overweight body to his slender friend. “Start our own Crusaders or Maximals! How hard can it be?”

Snips prepared to take another sip when his eyes spotted an oddity on the glass. He turned around; it was none other than the Great and Powerful Trixie. Or more likely, Great and Demented Trixie; the magician’s pajamas were torn at the leggings and shirt, her hair ruffled and her blue skin having scratches. And she had an expression to match despite not looking directly at them.

“Uh… Hey... Great and Powerful Trixie…” Snails looked at Snips uneasily before looking at his boss.

“Uh… Coincidentally,” - Snips turned the chair around - “we were discussing our new partnerships, a fifty-one/forty-nine split, leaning your way of course.”

The two boys felt more uneasy as Trixie continued to look straight as she walked forward. 

“Trixie isn’t looking for partners.” She answers, wrapping her arms around their necks. “She is looking for whipping boys.”

The magician’s fingers cracked as she balled up her hands. Snips and Snails’ faces drew water beads as the fists illuminated in red energy. Trixie, able to use magic? But how isn’t a matter to them as they must decide quickly or be pulverized?

“We can work with that.” Answered Snips, Snails agreeing likewise as she rapidly shook his head.

For the past few hours, Twilight and Sunset searched long and hard for the rock quarry. Spike's scent did lead them to where their sample fell, but that's as close as they come go finding the quarry. The two girls looked at the map, not that it matters given the childish design.

“Strange that the quarry isn't on the map.” Says Sunset as she marks their current location with a sharpie. 

Spike began to growl when they turned to a few rustling bushes. They dove inside another hedge, Twilight keeping Spike from giving them away as held his mouth closed. Gloriosa emerged from her bushes, took a look around, and walked to her right. Keeping a distance of fifteen paces, the three interlopers followed the camp manager. At the break of the forest, they duck down and peeked from behind the bushes. The cave began to glow, as does their rock sample.

They enter the cave, taking in the splendor of the red gemstones that gripped the walls. As they went deeper, Twilight began to twitch and collapsed on the ground.

“Twilight!” Spike trotted over, placing his paw on Twilight's hand as she tried to get up.

“I'm fine, Spike.” Twilight looked at her pet, drawing an encouraging smile that had him lick her cheek. Sunset lifted her up, providing support as they continued down the tunnel. They reach the chamber, finding Gloriosa kneeling on the center pedestal in water logged, gemstone encrusted chamber.

“Please, I need your help.” Gloriosa spread her arms across. “If I can't make the payment, this time, Filthy Rich will tear down the camp and raid the chamber.”

The cavern rumbled as tree roots emerged from the water, wrapping and binding each other into a wireframe of branches. At the top, the roots formed a green-yellow face.

“Gaia Everfree?” Twilight, Sunset, and Spike muttered to each other.

The massive wooden figure leaned down, looking at Gloriosa with her black and yellow eyes.

“Then let him come.” She spoke through her splintered teeth in a menacing tone.

Everyone walked over to the dock, watching the Rainbooms perform a rehearsal for the big night. As Rarity promised, Lyra and Bon Bon got new fashion outfits to help participate. Like Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, Bon Bon wore a hoodie with blue and pink zigzagging stripes. Lyra wore a violet vest with blue and red zigzags. Each of them strutted across the stage, showing off the goods. When Applejack went on stage, Sandalwood and Microchips couldn't help but whistle, making her blush.

“If only Caramel was here…” AJ thought to herself as she walked to the other side.

In front of all her classmates, Fluttershy cowered at the thought of going on stage. Sure going on stage for the Battle of the Bands and being the second archer in the Friendship Games are two things she could overcome, but fashion as a profession is new to her.

“Come on, Fluttershy!” Rainbow began pushing her, picking up dirt in her shoes as they dug into the grass. “Just walk the walk!”

Seeing Fluttershy add more resistance by pushing against the stage with her arms made Rarity huffed her frustration before walking behind the stage.

“Fluttershy, sweetness. If we do not convince our financiers, this camp will be closed down.” Rarity shows the caretaker a baby rabbit sleeping in her cupped hands. “Which means they’ll ruin this one’s little home.”

The sight of such an innocent animal losing its home fueled Fluttershy’s determination. She stood erect, sucked up her courage and climbed up the stairs. She walks to the middle of the stage, turns to the audience, and waves her hand slowly. The audience remained silent, making Fluttershy nervous before she shuffles off the stage.

“You did good, sugar cube.” Applejack patted Fluttershy on the back.

When Bon Bon arrived on stage, a light purple cloud seeped from under the stadium like a rock concert stage. The audience cooed in wonder as a black figure rose from underneath. But such a sudden appearance did raise brows from the Rainbooms.

“Ooh, I didn’t know we had that in the budget!” Pinkie Pie cooed, leaning forward on the stadium.

“Never was part of the budget in the first place.” Rarity rebutted, looking at her checklist at the list of events.

The robed figure raised her blue arm out of the cloak, turned, and fired a red beam at Rainbow Dash. Good news is, she got her wings back, bad news, the left one is bigger, and the Athlete began flying out of control.

“Now, see here-!” Rarity given a blast of magic, turning her once blue, diamond studded dress into one that brown, green, and orange with hot pink trims, but mostly brown as the Fashionista lamented. “You beast! This shade of brown should only be used for accents!”

“All right, I had enough!” Applejack storms onto the stage. “Just who do ya think you are?”

The figure grabbed the hood of her cloak and pulled it back, revealing the blue head and blue-white hair of the Great and Powerful…

“Trixie?!” The Rainbooms exclaimed, Rainbow Dash colliding with the ground.

The magician drew her arms back, revealing a complementing brown, Renaissance Style tunic with thick, forest green boots. Her eyes glowed red as she stared down her classmates. 

“Where were you?!” Trixie turned to Vice Principal Luna standing up. “We’ve been looking for you since you disappeared.” Before she could go any further, Luna found herself cuffed to her chair.

“Trixie has gone places,” - She closes her fist, emanating red energy between her curled fingers - “learned a few tricks. And she can’t wait to show them all.”

“But why?” Fluttershy peeked her head up.

“Why?!” Trixie exclaimed, scaring Fluttershy even further. “Because Trixie is sick of playing the loser, sick of playing a whipping girl! What has she done to deserve it when Trixie deserves to be in the limelight?!”

Pinkie Pie dug into her hair, pulling out a long list. “Well, you did use a horse whip on Dapplewood when he didn't want to go through a hoop of fire. You gave Princess Twilight a bad name when she first came here. You tried to-”

With a wave of her arm, Trixie brought over an Animate CC timeline, delved into the Pinkie Pie flash puppet assets, and deleted her mouths. Mute on one angle, Pinkie turned her head, revealing another mouth to speak from, only to be removed again. Pinkie screamed through her shut mouth in protest.

“Minor setbacks,” Trixie assumes a battle stance, calling in her power. “now I shall challenge Sunset Shimmer to a battle! The winner will lead the Rainbooms, the Maximals, and the Crusaders, and the loser will be banished from Colorado forever!”

“Well, you have no luck here, deary!” Rarity spoke in a sarcastic tone. “Sunset, Twilight, and Spike have been gone for quite a while.”

“Then Trixie declares herself leader!” She begins to cackle, not paying attention to Applejack grabbing her stetson and screwing it in place at a downward angle.

“Wrong, sugar cube.” Trixie stopped her laughter and turned to the cowgirl. “'Cause I'm taking charge for now.”

“What!?” Rainbow Dash complained as she continued to struggle with two different wing sizes. “But I’m the lead-”

“Rainbow!” Applejack stood tall, not looking back as she spoke through her teeth. “Shut your mouth.”

Trixie was not at all amused. “Trixie considers you inferior.” Hearing that made the Rainbooms furrow their brow. With a satisfied smile, the magician turns her head to the left. “But if Sunset has a champion, then the Great and Powerful Trixie shall send her own! Snips! Snails! Come forward!”

The two village idiots walked on stage, tapping their fingers as they waited for their orders. Trixie sent forth her magic, surrounding them in a red aura. Rarity, Fluttershy, and a few other campers shielded their eyes as a flash of light startled them. When it faded, the aura revealed two large, monstrous silhouettes that spun forward and slammed on the ground. The Rainbooms gasped at the sight of Snips and Snails stretching the large bodies and looking at their new, yet familiar beastly forms.

“Yay! We're a wolf and snapping turtle again!” Snips shot his beady eyes open before looking at his spatulate turtle claws in confusion. “Wait…”

The audience screamed at the sight of the two beasts. Timber leaned back in both shock and awe.

“What is going on!?” He exclaims.

Flash, a veteran to these things, turned to Timber with a smug grin. “Haven't you heard? Magic's the real thing.”

Rainbow wrapped her larger wing around her shoulders, joining her country friend as she assumed a battle stance. Snips and Snails, not wanting to get their asses handed to them, cringed before receiving a good blast of magic on their backsides.

“Take them!” Trixie orders as her hands glowed red.

The two beasts turned back to Rainbow Dash and Applejack, stretching out their arms and spreading their claws. But the Element of Honesty could tell the uncertainty in their faces. At the edge of the stage, despite having no mouth, Pinkie Pie did the alternative solution to talking: texting.

The silence is disturbed when both Twilight and Sunset's phone beeped out the chiptunes to “I Got the Music in Me.” Though unable to move her neck, Gaia noticed this right away and snagged the two humans and dog in thick vines and brought them before her. Spike tucked his tail between his legs as they looked at the glaring eyes of the creature.

“Who dares enter my lair!?” Gaia booming voice echoed the cave, adding a shred of fear to them.

“Those are a few of my guests.” Gaia looked down at Gloriosa as she raised her pointer finger. “ Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and…”

“Spike.” Hearing the dog talk, Gaia drew him closer.

“How is this beast capable of talking?” The plant being raised a brow as she inspects the small dog.

“Well, the long story actually” - Twilight and Sunset began shushing him, though their mouths were sealed by a vine or two - “I was given a zap while chasing a horned rabbit. I know, it does scare some, but they'll get used to it.”

Gaia turned her attention to Sunset and Twilight. “If this beast has been infected with magic, then it will spread. Humanity will become more powerful than it already is.” The being combines her brambles, making them spear like. “We must strike, now!”

“No Gaia!” Gloriosa interrupted, adding more fuel to Gaia’s anger. “There are innocent people at the camp!”

“Innocent…” As Gaia collected her thoughts, Sunset concentrated her powers, feeling a burning sensation at her shoulder blades. “When has humanity ever been innocent?”

Sunset's concentration had her sprout a pair of fiery wings, slicing through the thick vines. She then cast her spells to free Twilight and Spike. Gaia's howl echoed the caverns as her shaken body made dried tree bark and sticks fall. Piece by piece, they combine, forming a wolf-like creature. The beast pounced at them, separating Sunset from Twilight and Spike. Fierce the beast is, it proved as fragile as a child's toy when Sunset unleashed her firestorm, sending the makeshift wolf to cinders.

“Twilight, go!” Sunset waved her arm at the mouth of the cave. “Warn the others!”

Without a second thought, Twilight grabbed Spike and raced to the wall. Not having the physical strength as the others, Twilight struggled to get herself, let alone a dog as well, to climb. And Timberwolves, like their animal counterparts, hunt in packs. One took interest in the scientist and chomped down at her ankle. Spike scraped his way to the top, looking down at the sight of his master being hunted. He growled and jumped down, taking a deep breath before releasing green fire. The wooden animal yelped in terror as its "fur" became singed.

Twilight, helpless to save Spike and Sunset, carried out the initiative to warn the others. As the other two were outnumbered, Gaia surrounded Gloriosa in a cage of thick tree branches.

“For your incompetence, you will lead my attack.” Gaia pierced Gloriosa’s skin with needles, sending small doses of magic into the camp managers veins. Her skin became dark and hardened, and her hair becoming moss, the perfect form for an emissary to a plant being.

“Yes…” Gloriosa opened her rose red eyes. “I understand my purpose now.”

Raising her arms in the air, Gloriosa shot vines from her wrists. In one great swing, she reached the mouth of the cave. Sprouting roots from her ribs, Gloriosa began her trek back to Camp Everfree. Sunset would've stopped her, had she and spike haven't been surrounded by Timberwolves.

“Now, mortals.” Spike and Sunset looked up at the colossal plant that is Gaia Everfree. “For centuries I have fought the beast known as man. And now, I end the threat.”

Amongst the wooden beasts ready to sink their teeth into their flesh, Sunset had to think of something and fast. Something. What has she learned from all those years? What does she have to offer? 

“What if humanity isn’t the reason you hate them?” Sunset stood straight as Gaia leaned down to her and Spike. 

“What if there is something we have that you don't?”

“And what is that?” Gloriosa raised a brow, signaling the wolves to ready themselves for the feast.

“Harmony…”

Twilight ran as far as her legs could carry her. Not the athletic person, she stopped and leaned on a tree trunk to catch her breath. Her ears picking up a series of stabbing sounds, she hid behind the trunk and peeked. Gloriosa continued her journey, generating thorns in her path. Twilight hid behind the trunk once more. No Sunset or Spike, she needed to reach the camp before Gloriosa did.

“It's what they would have wanted.” Twilight took a deep breath but gagged when she turned around to a horrifying sight.

“Miss me?”