Vignette bid farewell to Applejack and Apple Bloom as the sisters ran to Canterlot High, waving back as they walked-or in Apple Bloom's case, ran-through the door.
With that done, Vignette got ready to walk back home... only to be stopped by a familiar face: Sunset Shimmer.
"Uh, hi, Sunset," Vignette greeted with a raised eyebrow. "Do you need something?"
"Well, I got some time before my class starts," Sunset scratched the back of her head. "And, since you're going to stay with Applejack for a while, I thought that... maybe there's something you should know. Something I never really got the chance to explain when you asked about the Elements of Harmony."
"Well, I guess I can spare a few seconds to hear you out," Vignette shrugged and rolled her eyes. "I mean, it's not like I got better things to do."
Sunset smiled, nodded, and guided Vignette to behind the school, to a place where they could talk in peace.
"Now, the story before everything happened is kind of a long one, so, I'd like to save it for another time, if you don't mind."
"That's fine by me, I'm more interested in what happened here anyway," Vignette put her arms behind her head. "Something about a she-demon terrorizing the school, I heard."
Sunset stopped on her tracks, causing Vignette to follow suit and realize what she said.
"Sorry, I-"
"No, it's okay. That's what I wanted to tell you about anyway."
Vignette turned to Sunset, who took a deep breath and explained:
"Back before the Rainbooms and I became friends, I used to act like I owned the school. I was mean, insensitive, and treated everybody like they were beneath me."
Vignette lowered her head, the statement hitting a little close to home for her.
"Then, by chance, I discovered that Princess Celestia's student-"
"Her Highness?"
"Yeah, her... she became an Alicorn Princess, which was something I always wanted to become back when I was her student," Sunset frowned. "As you can imagine, I grew extremely jealous, so I returned back to Equestria, stole her crown, which is where her Element resided, and took it back to this world."
"Going back to a home you left behind, just to steal something from your former teacher's new student," Vignette hummed. "That sounds a bit... petty."
"I didn't stop there: long story short, the crown became the prize for whoever became the queen of the Fall Formal, and when Twilight won it-"
Vignette chortled, covering her mouth to try stop her giggles while Sunset grew confused.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," Vignette snickered. "I'm just imagining Her Highness, a pony princess, going to a human ball surrounded by other humans: and it's hysterical!"
Vignette giggled a little longer before calming down. "Okay, sorry, so, you were saying?"
"Twilight was going to get her crown back, which I couldn't let come to pass. So, I stole it again, and when it seemed I was cornered... it happened."
Sunset walked to a wall and leaned against it, saying:
"I put on the crown, and my ambitions caused it to transform me into a she-demon."
Vignette frowned. "The very same one that terrorized the school..."
Sunset frowned. "I went mad with power, but a part of me was terrified, wishing that things would end soon... which they did once Princess Twilight used the Elements of Harmony to stop me."
Sunset hugged herself, her hair shadowing her eyes as she added:
"When it was all over, I was overwhelmed by fear. By pain. By regret. All I wanted was to beg for forgiveness for going as far as I did..."
Vignette fell silent, looking at Sunset sympathetically until she raised her head and smiled.
"But, after that low point, things slowly but surely began to get better for me: I gained friends, learned the true value of friendship, and though people still haven't forgotten about the she-demon thing, it doesn't sting me as much as it used to."
"Why... are you telling me this?" Vignette raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I feel sympathy for you, but why?"
"Because I want you to know that, no matter how bad or harshly you acted while corrupted by magic, it could've been worse. After all, you really think the Rainbooms didn't go through their own trials and tribulations?"
"Trials and-"
Without warning, the bell rang, prompting Sunset to silently bid farewell and run off to the entrance.
With her curiosity now piqued once more, Vignette pouted, making a mental note to ask the other Rainbooms about their magical stuff as she began to walk away from the building... only to run into another familiar face.
"Cheerilee?"
"Aren't you forgetting something," the woman narrowed her eyes. "Assistant?"
"Don't forget to line the books in alphabetical order!"
"Understood!"
This little dialogue was all Vignette and Cheerilee shared before the latter went to check the students around the library, while Vignette filled the bookshelves.
"Man, for someone with "cheer" on her name, Cheerilee's a lot more strict than I imagined," Vignette pondered out loud, but quietly. "Then again, considering who goes to this school, maybe she has a reason to be such a-"
"Vignette?"
The woman winced, nearly falling off her chair before she found her footing.
"Don't scare me like that, whoever you are!"
A collection of shushes struck Vignette, including the same person who called her name: the human Twilight Sparkle.
"Oh, Twi-Fi! Fancy seeing you here," Vignette remarked as she went back to work. "I mean, it's not really fancy, since you're such a bookworm that you probably spend most of your time here, but you know what I mean."
"Vignette, we already talked about this: people only call me Sci-Twi when my counterpart's around," Twilight folded her arms. "If she's not here, you can just call me Twilight."
"Sure, if you say so, Twi-Fi," Vignette shrugged. "Anyway, do you need something? 'Cause I'm kinda busy at the moment."
"Well, when you're available, think we could talk?"
"Sure, no problem."
Twilight flashed a pair of thumbs up that Vignette didn't see, and bid farewell, leaving the woman to continue her work.
With the bookshelves done with, Vignette walked to a table where Twilight sat by, and sat next to her.
"Okay, books are dealt with, and I managed to convince Cheerilee to give me some free time to talk to you," Vignette sighed. "But I hope it's quick, 'cause she didn't give me much time."
"Okay," Twilight closed her book. "So, Sunset told me, that she told you, about what happened at the Fall Formal."
"Oh yeah, when she turned into a she-demon," Vignette hummed. "You wanna talk about that?"
"No, see, Sunset wasn't the only one who got corrupted into an evil, magical form. I was struck with such misfortune too."
"Wow," Vignette tilted her head. "Say, just to get it out of the way, have the other Rainbooms suffered transformations, too?"
"Not that I'm aware of, and I really don't wanna sound arrogant, but even if they did, they would be nothing compared to mine," Twilight twiddled her fingers. "See, I wasn't originally a student at Canterlot High. I used to go to Crystal Prep Academy."
Vignette winced in disgust, prompting a confused reaction from Twilight.
"Have you heard of it?"
"I studied there. Not for long, though, thank goodness. Anyway, you were saying?"
"Okay, so, back when I was a Crystal Prep Academy student, I felt the insane sensation of the magical blast that defeated Sunset Shimmer," Twilight scratched her head. "So, I decided to go to Canterlot High during a "friendly" competition between both schools... and wouldn't you know it, not only did I find the magic there, but I kinda... sorta... absorbed it."
Vignette blinked twice. "So, wait, not only did you get corrupted by magic, but you got corrupted while holding the magic of the Rainbooms? No wonder you said your corrupted form would be stronger: it's got all their magic combined!"
"Yeah... so, I got corrupted into Midnight Sparkle, an insane megalomaniac who wanted to see the worlds beyond this one. However, in attempting to do so, she nearly tore reality apart!" Twilight smiled. "But Sunset was quick to get to action, and absorbed her friends' remaining magic to fight Midnight."
"And you were aware of what was happening? Because from the way you're talking, it sounds like you and Midnight are two different people."
"We are, but that's besides the point. Sunset overpowered Midnight, talked to me afterwards, and helped me turn back to normal," Twilight blushed slightly. "I was so scared and feeling so hopeless, and Sunset was there to be the light to guide me out of the tunnel."
Vignette hummed, then looked at her palm. "I see... well, at least you got some help with it."
"Yeah, I'll forever be thankful to Sunset for what she did for me," Twilight shrugged. "And that's what happened. Or at least, a very abrided version of what happened."
"I see..." Vignette stood up. "Well, I should get back to work before Cheerilee gets angry. I do need to head to Camp Everfree after this, so, best not to convince her to give me extra work."
"Wait, Camp Everfree?"
"Yeah, I saw that they needed some volunteers to help at the camp, so I decided to give it a shot."
"Wha-when? How?"
Vignette glanced uneasily at Cheerilee. "I'd like to answer you, Twi-Fi, I really do, but I need to get back to work. Good talk, though."
Twilight paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Same."
And with that, Vignette went back to the bookshelves, mentally preparing herself for what would come for her later at Camp Everfree.
"Alright, at the count of three: one, two, three!"
Vignette and a tan-skinned, greenhaired guy, Timber Spruce, grabbed a large log and brought it to the center of the camp, forming a perfect circle of logs around a collection of firewood right in the center.
"Okay, that should be it for now," the guy said. "Let's take a break."
Vignette nodded, and sat on one of the logs, her and Timber's boss, Gloriosa Daisy, joining them soon after with a couple sandwiches.
"Thanks a lot for coming to help us, Vignette," Gloriosa said as she handed a sandwich to the woman. "Sorry we didn't tell you about the other volunteers coming to help; they almost left you without work."
"Nah, it's fine," Vignette took a bite out of her sandwich. "After my time at the Canterlot High library, I probably would've passed out if I there were a lot of things to do."
"Still, thanks for helping out," Timber said. "Now the camp's ready for this year's campers."
"Oh yes, I'm glad that's the case!" Gloriosa sighed. "I just hope things don't go off the rails like last year."
"Speaking of going off the rails, I heard a couple rumors about why that happened last year," Vignette scratched her chin. "Something about a Gaea Everfree that strikes those who don't respect nature or something coming to ruin the camp. Do either of you know if the rumors are true?"
When she turned around, however, Timber Spruce looked at her with wide eyes, while Gloriosa Daisy looked elsewhere, visibly upset.
"W-What's wrong?" Vignette frowned. "Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Gloriosa rubbed her forehead. "I should've known the rumors would skyrocket after what happened..."
Vignette grimaced. "What are you talking about?"
Timber glanced back at Gloriosa. "Somebody needs to find out about what happened eventually, Gloriosa."
"Yeah, I know," the woman sighed. "I'm just worried she won't be able to keep it a secret."
"Oh, I can keep a secret just fine, don't worry," Vignette waved her hand. "I'm just more worried about what you're implying: is something going on?"
Timber sighed, "Let's finish our food first, and then we'll show you."
One brief snack later, Vignette followed Timber and Gloriosa deep into the woods, all while the former explained:
"Camp Everfree's always had financial issues ever since less and less people began coming to camp. And being the one who oversaw the camp, my sister grew rather stressed about everything."
Gloriosa lowered her head, visibly regretful.
"During one trek through the forest like this one, she found a peculiar waterfall."
"A peculiar waterfall?" Vignette repeated incredulously. "What was so peculiar about it?"
"You'll see soon enough."
The trio eventually reached what Vignette assumed to be the waterfall in question, but she stopped once she saw the duo walking towards it.
"Wait, you didn't tell me we we're gonna walk through a waterfall?" Vignette hugged herself. "I didn't bring a second pair of clothes?"
"Don't worry," Gloriosa said as she grabbed Vignette's hand. "You won't need them."
"W-What are you-"
Before long, Gloriosa shoved Vignette's hand into the waterfall... but despite the water clearly covering her, she didn't feel wet at all.
And once she took it out, her hand was perfectly dry.
Vignette wasted no time pondering about this and jumped inside, coming out the other end completely dry.
"Whoa, a waterfall that doesn't make you wet?" Vignette didn't take long to connect the dots. "This is a magical waterfall, isn't it?"
"It is," Gloriosa said as she and Timber entered the place. "But it's not as magical as what's inside it."
Vignette scanned her surroundings, and her jaw nearly dropped at the sight: they were around a large cavern, filled with all sorts of shiny gems and gemstones, already perfectly cut and faceted somehow.
If the dry waterfall didn't spoil it's magical nature, that would've definitely tipped her off.
"I found this cave during the trek," Gloriosa said while guiding the group to a large rock. "And in here, I found a set of geodes."
Vignette took a closer look... and saw a set of empty spaces, presumably where the geodes were once kept.
"In my desperation, I grabbed the geodes, and once I discovered they were magical," Gloriosa frowned. "I tried to use them to make the camp into an unforgettable experience, one that would convince the campers to not leave... and in doing so-"
Vignette's eyes widened. "You became Gaea Everfree..."
Gloriosa turned to Vignette, visibly worried. "It took a lot of effort to try keep the event under wraps: even after the rumors circulated, nobody knows if Gaea exists or not. If word were to get out that I became Gaea..."
Vignette took a deep breath and calmed down. "Didn't I already told you? I'm gonna keep this a secret, don't worry."
Gloriosa clutched her chest and took a deep breath. "Yeah, I became Gaea Everfree. And-"
"Wait, let me take a guess," Vignette put her hands on her hips. "The group known as the Rainbooms helped you snap out of it?"
Gloriosa blinked twice. "Yeah, how... how did you know?"
"I've met them a couple of times now," Vignette shrugged. "And it does seem to be their job to deal with this, so, it was a no brainer."
With that said, Vignette began walking back where she came from, pocketing her hands as Timber asked:
"Wait, you don't wanna look at what else is in here?"
Vignette stopped, turned around, and with a shrug said: