//------------------------------// // Legend of Everfree (New Timeline) Part 3 // Story: Equestria Girls: The Rubicon // by Jongoji245 //------------------------------// Twilight repeatedly took off and put on her glasses before coming to the realization of the person she is seeing before her. Midnight Sparkle, here? And outside her dreams no less. With both feet on the ground, the duplicate clasped her wings against her body, giving the impression that she wore a ballroom dress. Of course, she isn't here for Rarity's fashion show. “Why are you here?” Twilight curled back in fear. “How are you here?” Midnight snickered. For a scientist, the demon wondered why Twilight is having a hard time. “You weren't willing to give in, so I escaped on my own.” Midnight points at the direction of the cave. “There is magic in there, and I'm going to get it all! But I can't do it” - She raises her hands, drawing out illusions of claws - “without you.” Twilight's eyes shrank while she heard Midnight cackle. With one swipe, the demon left claw marks on the ground. Twilight barely dodged another strike as she began to run. The setback only had Midnight lick her lips and teeth maliciously. How is it possible to literally lose herself. Back at the campsite, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had the upper hand at first against the reluctant Snips and Snails. Seeing them underperform, Trixie resorted to intervention. She levitated Applejack's lasso and wrapped up the farmer and athlete together. “You see, Trixie is the highest leveled human being.” Trixie laughs as Snips and Snails grab a hold of her defeated opponents. “Now, she declares herself as Princess of Camp Everfree! All who stand against her will-” The audience turn their attention to leaves blowing in the wind. Stepping out on thick, woody vines was the demon sent forth to annihilate the threat of magic users. "It's Gaia Ever Free!" Shouted Bon Bon as Lyra wrapped around her for safety. The crowd cowered at the sight of the plant monster. Trixie not so much, and the magician stepped forward to the front of the stage. Rarity and Fluttershy used the opportunity to untie their bound friends. “You dare disturb Trixie's coronation!?” Trixie roared, her hands glowing red. “Coronation?” The being chuckled in a distorted yet familiar voice. “That really is bad comedy.” Timber, noticing the familiarity in her voice, started backing away. “Gloriosa Daisy?” “Gloriosa Daisy!?” Exclaimed everyone else Scooby Doo style. Pinkie Pie resetted her Flash Assets, restoring her mouths as she loomed from the left side. "Freaky Deaky." Trixie took this challenge with great fury, hopping off the stage and her fists glowed red. “There can only be one queen in this forest! Draw!” The magician swung her arm, sending a wave of energy. Gloriosa raised her arms as the wave hit her, covering her in smoke. Trixie laughed at her defeated foe too soon as the fog cleared. Gloriosa sneered at Trixie as she raised her wooden nails. She dig them into the ground, channeling her earthly powers to sprout thorny vines at the edge of the clearing. Not only did she trap the campers in a thick cage, but Gloriosa sent forth vines at Trixie. The magician gave it her all, severing vine after vine before two vines shot from underneath the stage. Their tight grip and pulling strength brought her to her knees. Not willing to give, she tuned to Snips and Snails. “Don't just stand there, you fools!” the two boys looked at each other before turning to the sound of the campers screaming while they are chased by Timberwolves. One goes after Lyra and Bon Bon. It trapped them at part of the wall, baring it's teeth at them. “It was a pleasure being your friend.” Bon Bon sniffled. “Likewise.” Lyra embraced her bicolored haired friend to the point of choking. The wolf crouched down, ready to pounce. But before it could, Snips slammed his carapace on the beast, smashing it into splinters. Snails flipped him over, sliding him forward like a curdling player. The sliding shell collided with more wolves, shattering them to pieces. Trixie growled at the sight of them betraying her as the bound magician was surrounded by a thick cage. Back at the rock quarry, Gaia Everfree scoffed at Sunset's hypothesis. “Harmony? How would I not know about harmony!?” Gaia turned her head and waved her literal tree limb. “I am Gaia Everfree, the bestower of life.” She curls her fingers, raising both Sunset and Spike up a tree trunk. “I am nature, I have made this planet a paradise, a vision of biological perfection. But now, man had been contaminating that vision for centuries. And you three mongrels have made it worse by tapping in the world's natural magic! Do you what happens then!?” “I do,” Sunset picks up Spike, petting him in a smug manner “there are twenty six magic bearers in this state alone, now made twenty seven thanks to you. What if Gloriosa renounces her servitude from you?” Back at the campsite, the Rainbooms joined the fight, smashing several more Timberwolves like plastic models. “Man are these things fragile!” Rainbow Dash used her super speed to ram the beasts to the thorny prison, shattering them into pieces. Pinkie Pie, ever full of surprises, used her party cannon to shoot sweets and confetti. “They just keep coming!” Applejack kept getting scratches as she tossed, punched, and slammed the Timberwolves against hard surfaces. “Just keep smashing them, sugar cube!” Amidst the chaos, Rarity calmed herself. She spreaded her arms, generating several layers of diamonds that slowly began to expand into a dome. The wooden beasts began gnawing on the diamonds, shattering their teeth for their reward. The campers cheered at their victory, Gloriosa not at all, but she did curl a smile. “What does it matter anyway? You were only beating bushes.” Gloriosa retracted her “tentacles” back in her ribs and sat down. Being partially infused with plant material, she can go for miles without food and draw moisture from the ground. All she needed to do is wait. Trixie continued to fight the vines, stopping when she saw Celestia and Luna approaching her, arms crossed. They know Trixie wasn't in the right mind. But like Roma Candle and the Predacons, it doesn't change what she did. “We will discuss your punishment when we get back.” Celestia turned around and walked away, leaving Luna to watch over Trixie. Flash slammed Timber against the workshop door, looking furious. He's no Sunset, Applejack, or Cosgrove, but that won't stop him from getting some answers. “All right, what's going on!?” Flash points at Gloriosa while the Rainbooms approached the two men. “Your sister is another She Demon, no offense, and both Sunset and Twilight are in danger.” “Yeah, spill the beans!” “Pinkie, Flash!” Applejack moved them aside. “Just tell us-” “Where are-!?” Pinkie's stopped her Batman impression, backing away from the glaring Applejack. “Tell us everything, from the start.” Seeing Applejack cross her arms and Rainbow Dash keeping Flash from unleashing his fury, Timber had no choice. “It all started, long before you.” In a Silent Movie era style, badly colorized one would add, we are taken back to a more simpler time, when the world was more “feral.” Where Camp Everfree is today, there was once a settlement. “When the settlers first arrived here, we have done what we could to survive.” The men used their axes to cut down tree after tree a day, used guns to hunt for meat and furs. The women tended to the fields, their methods making crops at the cost of eliminating the original plant life. Watching from the forest edge, Gaia Everfree, or at least a manifestation of herself watched in horror as her centuries of work is demolished. “What we didn't know, Gaia wouldn't handle this.” Gaia’s fear changes to rage, and the following evening, turned to vengeance. Vines snared a few men, pulling them apart into pieces. Women and children were either clubbed by brambles or hunted by the Timberwolves. All that remained was a lone house, and two senior aged people curiously resembling Timber Spruce and Gloriosa Daisy. They made a break for the forest, only to find two Timberwolves jump out and corner them. Emerging as well was Gaia, towering and looking down at them with her glowing eyes. “The survivors begged to be spared, offering their services in return.” Seeing her vengeance slowly taking a toll, the creature's rage turned to sympathy. She stretches her hand, giving each of their fingers a prick. “She accepted. In time, the settlement was fixed, and later became the camp.” Back in the present, the Rainbooms, sans Rarity, and Flash had looks of disbelief. This was once a settlement? Having been there for so long, it should be a national landmark. “But, uhm.” Fluttershy broke the silence. “What happened to the two people she spared?” Timber kept his silence for a while before pointing to himself. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Rainbow crossed her arms Ultraman style. “Back up! You and Gloriosa are actually old people!?” “Two hundred and forteen years to be exact.” Timber saying that so casual had them surprised, though they would've expected that much given the Dazzlings being older several times over. They turned around, seeing the tainted Gloriosa still waiting. "Why does this always happen to us?" Fluttershy pouted as she sat next to a canoe. For once, she had hoped to have a pleasant vacation from all the things she and her friends had participated. They turned to most of their other classmates in a panic. The exceptions being Sandal Wood calming himself as he tapped his bongos slowly, giving Rarity comfort as she upheld her spell. The others being Snips and Snails; with no Zap Apples available to them, they can't change back, but at least they can serve a purpose again. Applejack stood at the gazebo and whistled. “Alright ya’ll, listen up!” Everyone turned to Applejack as the other Rainbooms, Flash, and Timber joined her. “Now, we understand the situation. Rarity can only hold for so much before she gives. We need your help building the fort.” As everyone muttered amongst themselves, Timber raised a brow. “And what will that do?” “Helps us do like what we always do:” Rainbow stretched her arm, keeping her hand pronated. “save the day!” One by one, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy placed their hands on Rainbows. They looked at Snips and Snails, inviting them to place their beastly palms on theirs as well. They looked at Timber Spruce; despite the trouble they are in, they still believe Timber and Gloriosa are victims in this and they need to make this right. The centuries old camp manager smiled as he joined in, raised their hands and let out a whooping sound. Applejack brought Bulk Biceps, Snips, and Snails along, telling them her ideas for material for the fort. Pinkie Pie used Watermelody and Principal Celestia to provide “ammo” for her party cannons. Fluttershy used her abilities to call forth dozens of small animals. Rainbow Dash and Timber Spruce knelt next to Trixie's prison with a few glass jars next to them, the tops covered in latex. Timber held one such jar, snatched Trixie's hand and dug her nails into the jar. Soon, the jar was filled with a red smoke before being replaced. “I have something to ask you.” Timber prepares the next jar. “How do you guys know about magic?” Rainbow finished one of her jaws before turning to Timber Spruce. “It's kind of what we do.” Exhausted from playing cat and mouse, Twilight placed herself behind a large tree. Hearing the grass crunch and the trees blasted one by one, she held her breath as the footsteps got louder and louder. When the noises are no more, Twilight sighed with relief. Too soon, as the tree was sliced in two. Beholding the beautiful fiend known as Midnight Sparkle, Twilight stepped back slowly as her darker counterpart balled up her fists. “You can't keep fighting me, Twilight.” Midnight lands on the ground, folding her wings against her body. “One way or another, I will win! And all your so called friends will be no more.” Hearing her laugh, Twilight curled back and started to cry while Midnight continued her advances. Why is this happening to her? Why is she seeing her even though she was forgiven all these months ago? She stopped crying and stood up, ready to accept her fate. With one last chuckle, Midnight reached out, ready to take her vessel. Twilight… Felt nothing. She looked up, seeing Midnight growing more angry as she failed to physically grip Twilight's shoulder. “Why… can't… I… touch you!?” Midnight growls as she swung her hand at Twilight's physical body. As she continued her assault, Twilight’s sorrow became amusement as she pondered. Perhaps the magic from the red stones are wearing off? Maybe, she is far away from the cave. Then again, something occured to her as she looked down at her bitten leg. Timberwolves, no matter how animalistic they are, are still plants, moss, and fungi. And the latter are famous for being hallucinogenic. “Because you're not real.” Midnight stopped her advances, noticing the sudden confidence in Twilight as she stood erect. “You are just an apparition, a shadow outside me looking in. You may have impacted my life greatly, but you are no more than a pane of dark glass. Midnight's furiousity became fear; she wanted to fly away, she sent several blasts of magic at her. But still Twilight advanced, spreading her arms. “I may have had a miserable life at Crystal Prep, but at Canterlot High, nothing, not even the Crusaders trying to frame me didn't keep me from feeling happy.” - Twilight wraps her arms around Midnight Sparkle, who twisted around trying to free herself. “This is not your life, it's mine.” She tightened her embrace, the feeling of admitting her troubles stirred magic within her. For the first time since she helped defeat Roma Candle, Twilight Ponied Up, gaining ears, a longer ponytail, and a horn. She opens her eyes, now glowing a pure white. As the magic enveloped them both, Midnight could do no more than scream her last scream. Back at the caverns, Gaia continued her argument with Sunset. “When I have rid the world of humanity, the harmony of nature will be restored.” "Your version of harmony is nothing more than slavery.” - Sunset puts Spike down - “How can you have harmony without free will?" Gaia leaned down at the red head. "How can you have harmony amidst the chaos of disagreeing minds?" "Because true harmony only prevails when all voices are heard.” Sunset points her finger at the creature. “You only want to stifle them." "Your way only leads to chaos,” Gaia creates several wooden duplicates of Sunset herself, who all cross their arms - “or are these the voices of harmony?" “We are more than just another species.” Sunset clutches her body. “We're part of one big family.” Gaia hearing that had her raise a speculative brow. “Are families perfect? No. But we make up for it by all the good deeds we do against all the bad ones.” Sunset waves her arm at the mouth of the cave. “Wiping us out, you will be no better.” The more she thought of the humans words, Gaia's angered face softened. With a wave of her arm, the Timberwolves became lifeless, collapsing into pieces by decaying corpses. She folded her arms agaist her body, and sank below the shrine. Aside from the wind, the only sounds were that of Sunset and Spike's gentle breathing. “Go now. Save your family, and prove to me that humanity is worth surviving.” Gaia's voice echoed the cavern. “But know this: I am not the Earth itself, merely the Bringer of Life. One day, he'll awaken. That day, the world will die.” Sunset grabbed Spike and made her way out of the cave. Having rested a bit from helping Twilight escape, she was able to run farther towards the camp. And the girl and dog arrived in the nick of time too. The remaining threat, an enchanted Gloriosa Daisy, had waited enough, and ordered her timberwolves to attack the shield. Even in a meditation state, Rarity stressed herself too much. She gave in, putting a stop to her spell. Applejack and Fluttershy gave Rarity a grateful smile as the rows of diamonds faded away. The last diamond faded away, revealing the sneering face of Gloriosa Daisy. “Ouch Time.” Mutters Pinkie Pie as they all see the Timberwolves advancing. Rainbow Dash and Timber Spruce loaded the canisters in the party cannons, covering their ears as Pinkie gave the orders. The canisters landed on the ground with a loud pop and explosion, sending the beasts to the scrap bin. Seeing the most powerful weapon in their arsenal scarring the earth she is sent to protect, Gloriosa summoned a bunch of tentacles and smashed the party cannons. Without any weapons to use the rest of the ammo, most of the other campers panicked while the Rainbooms, Snips and Snails brought themselves to the front lines. “It’s been quite a joy while it lasted.” Rarity chuckled dryly as the remaining Timberwolves began their final advance. Sunset prepared her fire magic when she saw Timber running towards his sister. “Stop!” Timber bridged himself between his vegetative sister and our heroes. “Gloriosa, you don’t have to do this. We can still save the camp! We’ll find a way!” Gloriosa lowered her arms, stopping the vines and brambles from continuing their assault. Her glowing eyes returned to their natural forest green, looking down at her only flesh and blood for centuries. “I must…” - Gloriosa’s eyes glowed once more, reanimating the foliage - “For the will of Gaia!” She suddenly felt a burning pain on her arm. She turned a furious eye to see Sunset Shimmer, her hands surrounded in flames. “Sunset!” Shouted the other Rainbooms at the sight of two of their missing friends. “Where have you been!?” Rainbow Dash asked “Where's Twilight!?” Before Sunset could answer, Gloriosa attacked swiflty, binding the Rainbooms, Snips, and Snails in tight bonds. So tight in fact that Applejack's enhanced strength and Sunset's fire abilities are breaking them so easily. The enchanted human tightened her grip on them as she leaned towards Fluttershy. “Is that fear I sense, child?” Gloriosa murmered as she heard the caretaker's frightened squeaks. “Yes, that is part of nature. Let it in, let it consume you. Feel it. Yes, feel it. Feel the fear.” Fluttershy let out one last scream before a blast of light severed the plant vine. Gloriosa screamed, her pain releasing her prisoners. “Leave my friends alone!” Every camper, magical or no, turned to the one who announced her presence. Twilight Sparkle has returned, and all the more impressive. Her form resembled that of Midnight Sparkle, but her skin is the same tone as her original form, and her dress has more shades of blue. She doesn't have a fiery visor like her corrupted, and her horn is physical and straight instead of made of blue light and crooked. She stepped between Gloriosa and her friends, standing tall like a queen. “You dare challenge me!?” Gloriosa combined her Timberwolves both present and destroyed, forming a larger beast roaring at the challenger. “I do not challenge you, for that isn’t my nature.” Twilight unfurls her massive wings, now the same color as her skin and swan like. “I ask that you do not harm my friends. Because it isn't my will.” As Twilight began her speech, the Rainbooms began to glow, an event that reminded them of the last moments of the Friendship Games. They all got their Pony ears, horns (in Rarity and Sunset's case), wings (Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy), and ponytails. They each held their hands, forming a heartshape as they surrounded Twilight Sparkle. “Nature has a balance. And that balance must be contained. Not just the balance between nature and technology. But the balance between companionship and hatred.” Opening her glowing, white eyes, the Rainbooms unleashed a rainbow, surrounding Gloriosa and giving a shine to the woods. The light fades and the Rainbooms land on the ground. The magic taking a lot out of her, Twilight's spectacular form gave away, trembling as the rest of her friends catch her before she could fall. Spike hopped into her arms, giving his owner a good licking on the cheek. Timber Spruce approached his sister, now purged of her enchanted form, barely supporting herself with her arms. “Look!” Shouted Octavia as she pointed at the forest edge. An apparition of Gaia Everfree rose up from the bushes. Her expression isn't angry, but sympathetic. “I release you from my servitude.” Timber and Gaia teared up at the sound of their freedom. “Go now, live your lives in peace, and preserve the world for generations to come.” As Gaia left the forest clearing, the Rainbooms cheered in delight when they found Celestia walking towards them. “I believe you still have a fundraiser to run.” Celestia chuckled. The girls looked at each other, now with a determined look on their faces as they gave themselves a high five. With a little help from everyone, the camp grounds are restored enough to be presentable to their guests. Paying their donations, they sat down and watched the fashion show. Rarity showed off her dress, before standing at the side, announcing her friends arrival. After watching Lyra and Bon Bon on stage, then came Applejack and Rainbow Dash, then Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Rarity adjusted Sunset and Twilight's dresses to include wireframe wings strapped to their backs. The dresses became a money shot when they glowed at specific places in their body. Seeing the spectacle himself, Mr. Rich drew a smirk as he made his contribution. Whether his heart is as gold as the money vault he has back home, or if only to collect the funds anyway, either way putting that final big check in the box, the camp was saved. With only three days left before they returned home, the activity for the day was spent with the guests roaming the territory. The Rainbooms spent their time in the sapphire tent, discussing what just happened as they looked at the red and black rock. “So it's the rock quarry that has given us all these superpowers?” Asked Rarity as she rocked the rock back and forth. Sunset held the rock, examining it up close once again. “With what we saw with Twilight, we can still Pony Up at least. Come to think, the color of the ruby does remind me of the pendants the Dazzlings wore before they were destroyed.” “Technically some sort of magical steroid.” - Twilight tapped her head - “Part of the reason why I had nightmares while we are here.” “So we could use it for the Maximals and Crusaders, maybe they could” “What? Oh no, no, no, no, no, no!” Rarity interrupted Rainbow Dash’s idea. “I do not want Sweetie Belle becoming a savage like Trixie.” While acknowledging that request, Sunset couldn’t help but eyeball the outside world. “Where is Trixie?” Applejack crossed her arms and looked outside the tent. A distance away, Trixie was expelling her magic as she blasted rock after rock. Snips and Snails, still in their monster forms due to lack of zap apples, kept their distance from the laboring magician. “Just doing some hard time.” “Come on, everybody!” Pinkie Pie began to walk out of the tent. “We got three whole days to explore, forage, and make merry!” While the other’s left the sapphire tent, Twilight stayed behind, looking at her reflection. “Are you coming, Twilight?” Spike asked. “Yeah, I’ll be right over.” Twilight answers. Spike wagged his tail before trotting away. The scientist looked at the mirror again, expecting something to happen at the last minute. She furrows her brow as she turns her body towards the entrance. “Never again.” She douses the lamp and exits, joining her friends the remaining triad of days.