celestial

ニ十八

Last edited » October 1, 2023
Author's Note »
Referenced Movie(s) » Legend of Everfree (2016)
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Everyone quickly agreed to help build the new dock and judging from how much progress was made today, the project would only extend into tomorrow. You all were working from the same blueprint, which a girl named Watermelody drew. It featured everyone's suggestions, but your favorite one was the lanterns that Dash insisted be put on the dock pilings for visibility at night.

"All right, now," Principal Celestia started, holding a clipboard. "You all have made a lot of progress, but it's going to be getting dark soon. We can pick this up tomorrow between our other camp activities."

Gloriosa stepped in, "Everyone, get cleaned up, and we'll gather by the fire pit at eight to share s'mores and scary stories!" Pinkie Pie was especially ecstatic about the marshmallow dessert.

You all gathered around the campfire but the eerie mood that being in the middle of the woods at night possessed was killed by Rarity and her fashion 'horror story.' Even someone as jumpy as Dash was fighting back laughter.

However, Timber quickly resurrected the nature of spooky stories and told the 'Legend of Gaea Everfree.' You snickered when Dash's hand found yours as Timber recommended hugging someone because "that's how scary it is."

"Many years ago, my great-grandparents came to this forest. Seeing its beauty, they decided that it would be the perfect place for a camp. But once they started building, strange things started to happen!"

"One pitch black night, when the wind was howling, a tree branch crashed through the roof of their cabin! They screamed and ran outside, only to see the giant creature rising from the earth!"

"She had wild hair like the roots of a tree. Her mouth had jagged rock teeth and her eyes were pools of black tar. But her aura shimmered like diamonds. Anywhere she went, she left a trail of gem dust in her wake."

"Trembling, my great-grandparents asked who she was and what she wanted. In a deep and hollow voice, she told them that her name was Gaea Everfree: an ancient spirit who held domain over the forest, and that my great-grandparents were trespassing on her land."

"They begged her to let them stay and build their camp, to share this wonderful place with others. Gaea Everfree finally agreed but warned them that they would not be able to keep it forever. Someday, she will return and reclaim the forest as her own."

"So if you see a trail of gem dust, you'll know that it is..." Timber paused before making claws with his hands.

"Gaea Everfree!" Several screams were shrieked but they did not derive from Timber's finale. Instead, behind him were floating, green eyes, but you recognized the shape and color.

Gloriosa cheerily spoke, "Hey, guys! Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Sunset's expression faltered, unconvinced. "Then why'd you come out of the bushes?"

"I... took the scenic route, because the forest is beautiful at night." She was clearly lying.

"...But no one else should do it without a guide, m'kay?"

Gloriosa walked to the fire pit. "All right, everybody, time to head to your tents." You got up with Dash and her friends.

"Are you taking morning or night showers?" she inquired.

You snickered. "Look at you still trying to get a peak."

"I'm not!"

"Then why?"

"I just wanna know!" You could feel Dash's burning face from where you stood, so you gave her a break.

"Morning."

"Same."

Not for long, though. "You probably just changed that so you can see me in a dainty towel~"

"I didn't! I wanna start my day clean!" You laughed but looked forward when Spike began talking. Fluttershy was still holding him in a tight, but now suffocating, hug.

"Oh, sorry Spike!" She loosened her arms but didn't necessarily let him go. "I guess that story got to me..."

Applejack snort. "Why? It can't be real."

"I mean..." Dash started, "I wouldn't be surprised... Gaea Everfree could be some creature that got booted from Equestria and ended up here- like the Sirens!"

you didn't find the sirens scary, though   —Applejack shared your apathy and shrugged as she looked back forward. "That story sounded more like something Timber was making up to scare us." Pinkie Pie nod. Her repetitive arm movement indicated she was still eating roasted marshmallows.

"...At least I hope it was. Last thing I want is to have camp ruined by some power-crazed magical creature."

Rarity groaned, agreeing as she was still plucking dirt off of her outfit. "We've had to deal with more than our fair share of those. At the Fall Formal, our musical showcase, the Friendship Games-" She quickly remembered Twilight's presence.

"Oh, I mean, y'know, everything always turned out alright, of course!" She awkwardly chuckled.

Twilight dryly hummed, turning to her right to cut through the trees, "I'm kinda tired. I'll... take the shorter 'scenic' route."

it wasn't short and scenic, just scenic. wonder if she knows where she's going   —Sunset Shimmer followed her with her eyes, to which you noticed them soften in empathy.

She looked back at everyone. "Maybe lay off bringing up what happened at the Friendship Games? I think she's still pretty sensitive about it."

Pinkie Pie spoke for everyone, "Our lips are sealed!"

"Y'know-" You looked at Dash- "You still haven't apologized to Twilight. You weren't as bad as Sunset but she's still scared of you."

Your eyes widened, astonished that she was implying that you had something to apologize for. "私?"
- Watashi → Me?

She smiled, "Anata wa."

aw, look at you learning, but still   —You smiled, "I'm not apologizing for anything. I did nothing wrong."

"She can't make eye contact with you, [Nickname]. One day she needed to ask you a question but texted Sunset instead. She was barely any help because it was that English class she doesn't take."

"I did what I had to do to protect my girlfriend, and I'm not apologizing for that. And even if she is scared of me, an apology won't fix the first impression I gave her, and I'm okay with that. I am glad she's scared of me."

Dash sighed. "She needs closure."

"What she needs is-"

"[Your name]." Sunset was listening.

You gasped, "I- Wha- Okay, whatever."

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