The Seven Riders of Equestria

Chapters

The History of Equestria
The History of Equestria (cont.)
The History of Equestria (cont) part 3
The History of Equestria Part 4 finale
Riding to Everfree
Start of Camp

The History of Equestria

It was the day before the Everfree forest field trip. Everyone at Canterlot High school was nervous about going on the trip to the forest. They had heard many strange and mysterious stories about the Everfree. The most prominent being the existence of the Fae folk.

Sunset Shimmer sat in the back of her history class looking bored out of her mind, looking at her phone, hoping someone would post something funny to YouTube, waiting for the teacher to come to class. As she looked around the room, she saw that her friends Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity were also in the class with her. It was the first period of the day, so no one wanted to be there.

Suddenly the door to the classroom opened and someone walked in. Everyone got to their seats quickly, as Mr. Crankydoodle didn't like students lounging around, but instead were surprised that it wasn't him. Everyone stared at the front of the class as an older looking man came in.

Now, when kids say older, they usually mean late 40's to early 50's. No, this man, at least to Sunset, looked to be well in his 70's. However, he didn't stand and walk around like most would of that high age, which is rare enough nowadays as to be considered ancient, due to Tireks rule over Equis, and the fact that most people were killed by the soldiers of Tireks magic army, or the plagues he had cast upon his arrival into this world.

Principal Celestia stood next to the man. He had brown hair that was cut haphazardly, giving him a slightly younger look to his face. He had blue eyes that were a deep royal color, and they had a hint of mischievous intent in them, as if something about our hellish world was funny. He looked to be about 6'1", and had a very slim, but highly muscular build to him, as if he was an athlete or soldier. He looked kindly at everyone and smiled.

Principal Celestia then spoke up, "Hello class, today we have a new teacher, who will be taking over history for Mr. Crankydoodle. Please be kind to him, and show him our Wondercolt spirit. I know ask you to please introduce yourself to your new students."

The man stepped forward and cleared his throat, before speaking in a voice that was fairly young in tone, but sounded so much older than it really was, "Hello, I am your new History teacher. My name is Ajihad Frikai, and yes I know, it sounds like a bad word. Also, I know not all of you will be able to say Mr. Frikai, so you can all call me Mr. Had, like my first name. I would like to introduce my self more today, but we should at least get some class work done today. With that being said, Principal Celestia, I bid you adieu." He finishes with a light twirl of his hand.

At this Principal Celestia gives a slight giggle and bids the class a good day, before exiting the room, the door closing behind her.

After she left, Mr. Had turns around and writes on the board a word that none of the the students had heard before. Alagaesia. After he writes this he looks for the pointer on the bottom rail of the chalkboard, and, finding it, picks it up and taps the board on each of the syllables, enunciating each of them to sound it out for the class. "Al-uh-gay-see-uh. Know, do any of you recognize this word." he turns around, addressing the class. Nobody raises their hand and he sighs, "Well that is not unexpected, due to the new power in control over this land. Well, you might want to take note of this, as what i am going to tell you will not be in any history book you find in the library. This is because, long ago, this very realm, was named this. Alagaesia, a beautiful place to live, and it was so for a long time. Know, what I am about to tell you may sound silly, but trust me, it all really happened. In the beginning, Alagaesia was ruled, not by man, but by DRAGON.

"The dragons were not like you here about, the ones from Tireks realm, Equestria, which I hear are ferocious themselves, but are selfish, greedy and work for whoever has the scepter that makes them king. No, these dragons were strong, noble creatures that could grow to be the size of mountains, huge and powerful, they could do anything they wanted. They were intelligent, and they were unopposed by anything in Alagaesia. Then, after a time, the elves came to settle in Alagaesia. They settled in to a forest they called, Du Weldenvarden. It was a forest that grew much like the Everfree, large untamed trees, they made it their home. One day, an elven hunter, young and foolish, went out and hunted a dragon, as if it were a deer or elk, and slayed it.

"The dragons, in their anger over one of their kind being killed, hunted and killed the elf who did it. The elves retaliated, and so began a war that changed Alagaesia. It is said that the elves created weapons specifically to kill dragons, who's magical energy was erratic and worked many wonders when channeled right. The only magic they could channel at will, is the magic of their fire. The elves and dragons slaughtered many of each other, nest and homes alike. Finally, after two centuries of fighting, a young elf, by the name of Eragon, found an egg. It was an egg unlike any he had seen before, so he assumed it had to be a dragons. He didn't know why it had been left where it had, in a large open space littered with shells. But he saw the egg, and knew that he could help the dragon inside. He also thought about the benefits of raising a dragon hatchling himself, and that maybe they could finally start to make peace with the dragons. So he took the egg home with him, and hatched and raised the dragon to adulthood. At that time they decided to stop the war, and after much debate and time, they succeeded. The pact was done with a seal, a song and dance of utter power. The spells woven into the pact seal would tie the dragons and elves together. Thus the first of the dragon riders was born.

Author's Note

And so it begins again. Until then.

Se one sverder sitja hvass!

The History of Equestria (cont.)

"Wait a second. Your telling us, that dragons not only existed in Equestria, but here as well. AND, not only that, but elves and dragons eventually got together and were, 'Dragon Riders'. That doesn't make any sense." Rainbow Dash yells out, much to the agreement and annoyance of the other student's, as they were liking the story a lot.

" Well, Rainbow Dash, yes. Know, if you will kindly not shout in the middle of the story again please. I don't always like having others interrupt me, especially when I am trying to talk." Mr. Had says, staring Rainbow down till she decided to sit down once more.

"Now, where was I?" He asks, looking at the students, asking them despite obviously remembering where he had left it off.

A student named Wallflower Blush raised her hand, and he called out, "Yes Wallflower, what is it?"

The shy student looked around at everyone staring at her, before she said, "Eragon had just helped stop the war with the dragons." she said nervously looking around, hoping they wouldn't stare much longer. She wanted to be noticed, but just not that noticed.

"Ah, yes, of course, your right Wallflower. Yes, and that was how the first dragon rider came to be. Over time, the riders and dragons became friends, and with the pact that tied the elves and dragons together, many things came to be. The dragons gained the ability to better communicate, for before then, they had used emotions and feelings, thoughts and objects, to describe or say anything, but the elves had a written language, known only as The Ancient Language. The elves were affected the most by the pact though, for before it, the elves where as mortal as you or I. But after the pact, they gained a sort of immortality, they couldn't be killed by any disease or time, but by poison and blade. As time went on, the elves used the new connection with magic, to further understand the world around them, and through magic, they became the most powerful race, beside the dragons in magical prowess.

"After a while, the first humans arrived at Alagaesia. Though the first time was a ship that landed and then left after a few days. However, the humans did arrive, and when they did, they saw the dragons and the elves, and the dwarves too, though they were not as prominent in Alagaesia as they were when the riders came to be. Over time, the humans proved themselves able to take their place in the ranks of the riders. And so the pact was changed to forever include humans to be riders.

"Now, I know you want me to tell you how they went about finding riders, so let me start by telling you about how they chose the eggs to become paired. They would have a dragon choose one of it's clutch to give to the riders, and then spells would be cast over it to help it determine who it would choose to be it's rider. Then, they had children line up, all of them about 11 to 12 years old if they were human, and 18 if they were elven, for the elves lived longer than the humans, and it gave them a better time to mature before they were chosen. Once the dragon hatched, they were trained for many years before they finally became a full fledged rider, and was given a sword. They were trained in swordplay, strategy, magic, and many other things.

"So with that aside, lets continue the history. As I said, the pact was changed to include humans, and with that came the eventual end of the original riders of old. Some time after the humans were inducted, a human boy by the name of Galbatorix, came to become a rider, and was chosen by a dragon in the method I just told you previously. After he had finished his training, and had become a rider in full, he and some friends had gone on a small patrol trip, laughing it up and having a good time. They let their guard down though, and a small band of Urgals were able to slaughter all of them but Galbatorix, who was able to kill them, but not before he lost his dragon. Now, normally, you might eventually get over the death of a family member or loved one, like some of you have. Well, to understand what I say next, you have to understand the bond a dragon and rider have. Think of it as a literal pairing of the heart and mind, with both of you being a separate entity, but connected to each others emotions and thoughts as if you were one being. Now, imagine that that other half, is suddenly cut off abruptly, with no warning, taking half of your soul with it. That is what happened to Galbatorix, and because of it, he went mad for a time.

"The group had flown over a mountain range called the Spine, which is still around today, though heavily deforested. What he had flown over effortlessly, and in minutes, on dragon back, know proved to be hard terrain, and took months to find his way through. During this time, he began to believe that, if he made it back, the council of riders might yet grant him another dragon, to replace the one he had lost to the Urgals."

"Um, what are Urgals?" Asked Ditzy Doo, raising her hand.

"Hmm, oh yes, Urgals came across the sea following the humans, but were not brought into the riders for their berserk nature and temper. Urgals looked kind of like orcs or ogres in video games, with rams horns, and usually stood above six feet in height, with the exception being Kull, who stood over eight. The hierarchy of the Urgals was based largely on fighting, with the strongest one with the most kills earning the right to lead and best choices of mates in their tribes. Fighting an Urgal in a wrestling match was impossible, due to how strong the Urgals were from fighting to be noticed in mating season. The only human I ever heard of who was able to best an Urgal in a wrestling match, witch these matches were to the death or concede, was able to make the Urgal concede, as he didn't want to kill him, though it's only cause he still needed the Urgal as a soldier. The mans name, was Roran Stronghammer."

"Hold up. Roran Stronghammer. That's my seventh great grandpa, at least, according to Granny Smith it is." says Applejack, getting stared at in aw by everyone in the class, including the teacher. "Really. Well, that is quite interesting." he says to nobody in particular.

"Well, lets continue the lesson, shall we!"

Author's Note

Sorry for the multiple chapters of history. It is necessary to the story though, as it helps you figure out how Alagaesia turned into Equis. I will try to speed it up though, so we can get to the main story faster. I might shorten the history lesson a little to include the fall of the riders, the return of the new riders, including some of the events from the books, then finish up with what happened after Nasuada became Queen, and how that eventually lead the name to be changed to Equis. Then I will also tell how Tirek came to power.

The History of Equestria (cont) part 3

Mr. Had looked up at the clock atop the door, and saw the time was getting towards the end of the class period. Smiling a little, he thought up a few words and cast a spell on the school. It was a small spell. Barely noticeable to anyone who wasn't in the school that could use any form of magic. However, after the spell had been cast, Sunsets body shot bolt upright. Her eyes went wide as she felt the magic take hold of the world, and she could feel the energy was giving off. She tried to read the energy of the spell to figure out what it might be doing, and was able to read it enough that it was a simple slow time spell. It seemed to slow time down to just about a quarter of the speed. She was scared of where this energy was coming from, and quickly tried to see if she could find the source. After a few moments, she finally was able to track it down to be coming from her new teacher, when she opened her eyes to look at him, she found him to be looking solely at her with a smirk on his face, as if he knew she had caught what he had done. He quickly winked at Sunset, before placing his pointer finger over his lips.

As he did, she noticed that his right hand, which was still resting on the table palm down, was just barely giving off a faint glow. She blinked, and the glow wasn't their, but the spell was still going. Elsewhere in the school, a girl with pink hair done up in a poofy mess, suddenly started to have what to most people who hadn't met her, would have been a small seizure. To the rest of the class though, They just dismissed it as Pinkie being Pinkie, and quickly went back to studying for the quiz that was going to happen after break. The girl in question, Pinkie Pie, was sure that someone had just used a time manipulation spell on the school, or at least one room of the school. Being unable to leave her class however, she was unable to go and investigate the anomaly, and so had to grit her teeth as she waited for her first period to end.

Back in the history classroom, noone had noticed the sudden slowdown of the world around them, or the look the teacher had given Sunset Shimmer. Mr. Had then continued on with his story.

"I might have to shorten the story for you boy's and girls, as it is getting close to the end of class. However, I believe I will be able to finish up the story before the bell. Know, as I had said before, when Galbatorix got back to the council, he begged them to give him another dragon, and in short, they denied it. He grew bitter and angry, and decided to steal himself a new dragon. With the help of another young rider, Morzan, he sneaked in under cover of night, and succeeded in obtaining a hatchling. The two escaped the other riders, and Galbatorix grew the dragon with magical enhancements, aging it faster than it should have, making it an abomination upon dragon kind. The dragon, Shruikan, was then a child in an adult body, and with the dragon broken mentally, and the riders connection perversely made, he proceeded to recruit twelve more riders into his pose. They became the thirteen riders of the Forsworn. They and their dragons Wiped out almost all other riders, save for Galbatorix, an elf named Oromis, his dragon Glaedr, and a dragon less rider named Brom. Brom himself slew most of the Forsworn, and planned assassinations against for the other Forsworn. When the three riders where left, the world only new of one, Galbatorix, for the other two could not fight him as they were, and went into hiding. During the course of the war, Brom created a rebel group called the Varden. After the war, they went into hiding with the dwarves, underneath the giant mountain range known as the Beor mountains, at the time. for the next few centuries, the only egg that was known to exist outside of Galbatorix's control, was ferried back and forth between the Varden and the elves, who lay deep in the forest of Du Weldenvarden.

"After an ambush set up by a shade, or human possessed by the spirits of the dead, one of the farriers, close to dying, tried to teleport the egg to the Varden. However, due to outside interference, the egg appeared in the middle of a small clearing before a simple farmboy. This young mans name was Eragon, and he would change the world with the dragon that hatched for him. After the dragon hatched, time obviously had to pass. The boy, not knowing dragon, the bond they now shared, raised the dragon himself, in a little town called Carvahall, which was nestled close to the edge of the Spine. The dragon grew up in the Spine, and when she was old enough, she reached out with her mind, through the bond with him to find out more. At first, Eragon was scared of the dragon, as now it was more than just a creature, it was a living thing. He went to his town storyteller, a man by the name of Brom. With his knowledge, the boy learned of the names of many a great dragon that had lived during the time of the first riders. He knew he needed to name his dragon, and telling her the many names he had learned, she chose the name Saphira. Saphira was a Royal Blue dragon, with a lighter blue on the scales of her underbelly. Her wings were like any dragons, like leather.

"As time went by, Eragon's brother Roran, yes that Roran, had to leave the village, for he planned to wed. After he left, tragedy befell. Eragon's stepfather, Garrow, was killed by two beings known as the Raz'ac. With revenge on his mind, Eragon left Carvahall, accompanied by Brom. They chased the Raz'ac across most of Alagaesia. They went to Teirm, a city by the sea, to track them down using shipping records. It was successful, and they then went to the city of Dras Leona. There, they indeed did find the Raz'ac, but the Raz'ac knew, and they ambushed them, and in the skirmish, Brom was injured gravely. They were saved by a stranger from nowhere, and escaped the Raz'ac. As they fled, Brom eventually succumbed to his wounds, and perished. His tomb still stands to this day, you just have to know where to find it. After Brom died, Eragon and the stranger, who revealed himself to be a man named Murtagh, eventually had to escape the Empire, as Galbatorix's kingdom was known, to reach the Varden. During this time, Eragon began having visions of an elven lady, calling to him to save her from her prison. She was the one who had teleported Saphira's egg, and had been captured afterwards by the shade Durza. Eventually, Eragon was able to save the elf from prison.

"They then continued their journey to the Varden, though the elf was in a coma for the entirety of the journey, due to the torture and poisons that the shade had used on her, in his interrogations. They eventually make it to the Varden hideout, though they are trailed by a pack of Kull during most of it. Upon reaching them, the leader of the Varden, a man named Ajihad at the time, new that a fight was coming, and the Varden and their dwarven benefactors readied for the battle they knew was coming. I will skip ahead at this point to the battle, and say that it was the bloodiest thing you could ever imagine, despite the fact that the only humans on the battlefield was members of the Varden. During a particular point in the battle, called later the Battle of Farthen Dur, Eragon got wind of banging coming from below in the middle of Farthen Dur, a great dwarven city. Eragon, the now healed elf named Arya, and Saphira flew to defend, but Saphira's armor had been hacked at by an Urgal with an ax. Arya stayed behind to help Saphira, and Eragon left to find out what was happening.

"He did find out what happened, as when he reached the bottom of the great staircase that came down from the dragon hotel area, as it was a resting place for the dragons, the floor exploded and Durza came out of the hole. He and Eragon fought, and during the battle, Eragon at one point was finally able to get a hold on the shades thoughts, for not only are riders able to speak with their dragons, but with proper training, they could speak to anything in a telepathic manner, which I know is hard to believe, but just go with it for now. At the point when he grasped Durzas mind, Eragon saw what had happened to create Durza. And as he was struggling to make sense of what he was seeing, Durza struck Eragon across the back, leaving a devastating wound, that noone could heal. Bloodied and dazed, he looked up, and saw that the giant ruby that had been the floor of the estuary, had been shattered. On Saphira's back rode Arya, and finally, Saphira was breathing fire. Seeing this, Eragon was filled with energy for one last push, and with the word Brisingr on his lips, his sword was lit aflame as he drove it straight into the shades heart, ending it and the Battle of Farthen Dur."

The History of Equestria Part 4 finale

"What was so special about the ruby, that it deserved mention?" Bulks Biceps said this as he was leaning forward with rapt attention, as was the rest of the class.

"Well, the ruby was carved into a most beautiful rose blossom, so with it's destruction, the dwarven race was shook from it's loss. They didn't move a single piece of it for the next three days. Eragon, after the battle, was mentally breaking down in a small coma, due to severe exhaustion, and the memories of Durza were breaking him. He was saved by a being calling itself Togira Ilkonoka in the ancient language, or The Cripple who is Whole in English.

"after he was saved, he woke up, and his back caused him pain if he stretched to much or strained himself to hard. I am sorry class I am going to have to give you the abridged version, as we are running out of time for class, so in short, Saphira fixed the rose, Eragon got revenge on the Raz'ac, Roran finally got an answer for his fathers death, Murtagh was forced to serve Galbatorix, who then killed the dwarven king Hrothgar, and slew Eragon's teacher, the previously mentioned Oromis, and his dragon Glaedr. The Varden eventually marched upon the Empire, the captured many cities, Roran married the girl of his dreams, a woman named Katrina, and Eragon found out that their was a stash of eggs hidden from Galbatorix on the island of Doru Araeba.

"He also found out that Murtagh was his half brother, but only after they thought that he was also the son of Morzan, alongside Murtagh. His father was eventually reveled to him to be Brom, as Brom had fallen in love with Morzan's wife, a woman named Selena. Murtagh took his fathers sword from Eragon, Zar'oc, as the blade was rightfully his. Eragon made a new blade that was cooler, and named it Brisingr, after the spell that had saved his life so many times. Arya eventually killed herself a shade, and took up the mantle of Princess of the elves, and shadeslayer, as shades are super hard to kill. After the Battle of Farthen Dur, Ajihad died, and his daughter, Nasuada, took his place as leader of the Varden. Now, before you ask me Rainbow Dash, no. I am not the same Ajihad. The events I am speaking of happened thousands of years ago.

"Eventually, Eragon, the Varden, the Urgals, the Werecats, the dwarves, and the elves made it to the city of Uru'baen, the capitol city of the Empire. Their, Eragon fought with Galbatorix, and during the battle, finally managed to kill Galbatorix. Later, Nasuada became Queen, and then, Eragon left Alagaesia, never to return. He left everything behind. Arya, the princess he had fallen in love with, but rebuffed him,for she put her people above herself. His brother Roran, he gave him the gold to build a grand hall on the mountains of the Spine. His adopted brother from the dwarves, the king after Hrothgar died, Orik Trifksson, he left everything behind. He sailed beyond the Hadarac Dessert, which is the dessert that Los Pegasus and other city are built in. And this is where we get to new history.

"After Eragon left, he built a new dragon riders school, so that the new riders, that consisted of all races after Eragon once more changed the pact of the dragons, and after a time years passed. The people, during the cleanup of Galbatorix's storeroom, found an odd stone monolith, but thought nothing of it, as it was just a block of stone. They soon forgot about it. More time passed, and Nasuada finally had a child, though noone knew who the father was."

"You know, I remember my grandfather once talking about my eighth great grandmother at one point. He said that her name was Nasuada, and that she had become Queen of someplace. Do you think it could be the same place." Rarity chimes in, making the class slightly peeved at her for interrupting, though interested in what she said. Mr. Had shrugged his shoulders, saying "It is highly possible, though nowadays it is almost impossible to trace your lineage. However, I will try to make some headway on it if you would like, Miss Rarity."

"If you could please, darling. Oh, oops, sorry about that." she says sheepishly, feeling like an idiot for calling a teacher darling. Mr. Had chuckles to himself, stating" It's perfectly fine, Rarity. Don't worry about calling me that. You can speak to me however you want my dear. That goes for the rest of you class, not just Miss Rarity here."

"Now back to the story. After a long time, someone else became elected Queen after Nasuada retired her crown. The new king, while still a very kind person like Nasuada, was looked upon with more distrust than Nasuada, as Galbatorix still left a black mark on everyone's heart. His rule was semi-long, but he was just. However, and through no fault of this king, the people saw a queen as a better idea for their monarchy. So as time went by, they chose queen after queen, up until about 250 years ago, when the monolith gave of a bright flash, and through it, came Tirek. Before this time, the Urgals had grown tired of the hatred that still persisted, even after Eragon had tried to help them, and had left to sail back across the sea, to their old homeland.

"The dwarves still stood, but the new king after Orik, had a certain dislike of humans, and had slowly been withdrawing his people from across the empire. Both took their respective riders with them. After Tirek emerged from the stone monolith, chaos ensued, and before the world new it, he had staked his claim on all of Alagaesia, naming it Equis. After this, the dwarves pulled out, including their dragons. They closed off their mountain entrances and disappeared into the Beors. Tirek then slaughtered the new riders, elven and human alike, and they were no match for him. As you know, Tirek can "eat" other peoples magical energy. When he got here, he had already gained to much power. The strongest of spells the riders knew did little to nothing against him.

"And so they fell. After that, everything that has happened, can be found in your history books." As he says this, Sunset Shimmer feels the magical energy suddenly lift, and as it does the bell rings, signaling the end of class.

"Okay everyone, good story. Remember, tomorrow is the trip into the Everfree, to hopefully have a peaceful weakened field trip. Remember to bring your identification papers, as I would hate to start this trip on a very sour note. Have a great rest of your day. Sunset Shimmer, can you stay for a moment please. I would like to talk to you for a second." Sunset reluctantly holding back to talk to Mr. Had. After Everyone had left, he finally said "I hope you wont tell Principal Celestia about what i did back there, with the time spell."

"How could you tell that I had discovered you? You were looking right at me when I looked up."she says, looking at the teacher in front of her with a questioning gaze.

"Let's just say I have my ways. Now head along to your next class. I hope this will stay between us right." He says looking after Sunset as she heads to the door. She turns around and looks at him, before nodding her head and leaving. Mr. Had then turns to his new class, which had come in while they had been talking, and said, "I am your new Teacher. My name is on the board, but I doubt any of you can pronounce that, through no fault of your own, being it is hard to say. Saying that, please call me Mr. Had, which is part of my first name. Let me tell you a story.

"In the beginning, there was dragons."

Author's Note

This is the final part of the history of Equestria. It had to be long to get most of the story behind everything, and to also help people who had never read the Inheritance Cycle, a way to understand most of what happened, and to get some of the references to past events, ones that happen in the books. With this, the next chapter will be the ride to the Everfree Forest.

Se one sverder sitja hvass!

Riding to Everfree

It was early morning in the city of Ponyville, around 6 a.m.. A large group of kids where standing out front of Canterlot High school, with a large pile of bags sitting off to the side. Principal Celestia was in the group, along with Vice-Principal Luna, and Mr. Had, who was currently talking with a small group of students, seven in total, about the history lesson the day before. Principal Celestia turned from her sister checking her watch, before turning to get the students attention.

"Students, if I could please have your attention please. I know we all don't like being here this early, and I thank you for getting up to do so. The bus will be here in thirty minutes, so I ask that you check and see if you have brought you identification papers. We really don't need any body to...not, be able to go to Camp Everfree, because of some missing papers. So please check before the bus gets here, and we wont have any problems."

Everyone at her request, checked their pockets to make sure they had the correct papers. Ever since Tirek had arrived, he had made everyone have to get identification if they wanted to go anywhere, especially out of their designated towns, or to another town or city. His soldiers, people who would kill given the slightest provocation, like missing papers. Only one person was missing their papers, and Celestia said to quickly go home and grab them, before the bus came. The kid made it back, pulling in right behind the bus. As he got out of his car and ran over, Sunset gave him a light elbow to the ribs.

"Flash Sentry, you are very lucky you got reminded to check for your papers." Sunset said with a light chuckle, grabbing her bag and taking it to the bus to load. flash just shrugged and picked up his bag, also going to load it on the bus. After that every thing went quite quickly. Everybody loaded their bags, got on, and the bus announcements were made. After that, they where on the road. After Twenty minutes, they reached the checkpoint, and everyone nervously shuffled off the bus. This was it, the moment of truth, would someone not pass the checkpoint, or would everyone get out ok. Further down the checkpoint, someone cried out.

"NONONONONO, I HAD THEM. I DID. PLEASE NO, NONONO!!" the person cried out struggling as he pleaded with the soldiers of Tirek. They just kicked him, before a shot rang out, and the mans cries were cut off. None of the students needed to turn around to know what had happened. If you didn't have your papers, you where killed. End of story. You could still go to prison, but most of the crimes now where solved by killing the accused.

After about an hour, the kids were finally allowed back onto the bus, and were waved on through the checkpoint. The ride from then on was somber, as everyone was remembering the person who was executed. That is, until Mr. Had started to sing a small song,

We'll be lost by time or be part of history,and he sang verse after verse till the end. After that, he started again, and soon students were joining in. Eventually, the bus was filled with the singing students, and everyone's mood had lifted, thoughts of the man far behind them. Principal Celestia leaned over to Mr. Had and whispered "Thank you, they needed that."

"It was no problem, and I don't like when people are not at least feeling happy." He whispers back. Celestia thanks him again before sitting back in her seat, enjoying the song coming from her students. The bus ride from then on is much more jovial and happy. Seven girls sitting near the rear of the bus are talking to each other. One of them, Twilight Sparkle, has her pet dog Spike in her lap, petting him as she leans against the window, staring at the country side as it rolls past. It is still very beautiful, despite Tirek coming through the portal from a land he calls "Equestria." The world has now known about Equestria for the last 250 years, and not once has any help come from the other side of the portal. This is said to be because Tirek had already taken over back in his home world. Nobody really knew for certain, and nobody dared to ask, lest they piss him off.

Sunset Shimmer is talking to the rest of her friends, known by the rest of the school as the Main 7, about what had happened yesterday in history. "Hey, did any of you notice that time was slower in history class yesterday," she asked Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, who had been with her.

"No, but time did seem to go a lot slower than it usually does in school. Though that was probably because of that riveting tale that Mr. Had told us." Rarity said, thinking back on yesterday.

"Yeah, that was weird. It felt like forever that he was talking, but the bell didn't ring. Though, if you didn't notice, I had been sitting still for the entire story." Rainbow say, putting in her two cents on the class yesterday.

"Yea, I did notice that RD. You usually are never still. Was the story all that great in your opinion, cause ah'm jus wonderin how much is true." retorts Applejack to the rest of the girls.

"Well, to answer Sunsets question, I did feel some weird things going on in the school yesterday. But sadly, I am not at liberty to say. Being a fourth wall breaker, I have a limit on what I can tell others." Pinkie speaks up. "However author, we do need to get to camp, so let's say it plays out just like the beginning of the movie till we get to camp."

All the other girls just wonder what Pinkie means by that, but eventually just agree that Pinkie is Pinkie, and the ride to Camp Everfree is as it is in the movie.

Start of Camp

The bus finally pulled under a large sign that read Camp Everfree and rolled to a stop. As everyone started to get off the bus and look around, the camp announcement speakers squealed, and everyone covered their ears.

"Sorry about that. If everyone could start heading to the courtyard, we can start of the best week of Camp Everfree ever!" A cheerful voice came over. Everyone made their way over to the main gazebo in the courtyard, waiting for the counselors to begin their speech.

"Hi everyone, welcome to Camp Everfree! I'm Gloriosa Daisy. Think of me as your friendly camp and nature guide. I am also the camp Director. This here is my brother, Timber Spruce!" Gloriosa speaks with an overly cheerful demeanor. Sunset is the only one who seems to notice that it seems just a little fake, or so it seems. Someone else has noticed as well.

"Think of me as the fun counselor that you bring to the cool events. You know, the cool guy." Timber says, taking the mike from his sister and doing some fancy flips and twirls with it before handing it back.

"Well, you campers are allowed to do most everything around here. We do recommend that you don't that you don't hike far away from the camp though." Gloriosa says, before being interrupted by her brother, who says.

"And also don't hike by the rock quarry. That is off limits to." He finishes.

"Well yes the rock quarry is off limits, but otherwise you are able to do whatever you want. Come on, give some suggestions." Gloriosa instructs to the students, who then start to raise their hands, shouting out different things that they feel like doing their.

After a few moments, Principal Celestia, who has forgone her usual business suit for a more outdoors approach, raises er hand before speaking.

"I remember that my favorite part of coming here as a child was the Camp Gift. Every year, the campers would build or donate something for the next year, to be displayed for all. We gave the sundial you see." Celestia gestured to the stone sundial, which she was sitting on.

"Yes, though some of us didn't see the appeal, as you can't use a sundial at night." Vice-principal Luna said with distaste, showing off the fact that she was much more of a night owl.

"Yes, well I do see your point, but now it's time for tent assignments. Girls go with Timberspruce, and boys will get your tent assignments from me.

The 7 girls made their way to Timberspruce, and each drew from a pouch he held out. Pinkie and Rarity where first to pick, getting the emerald tent. Applejack went next, with a few going after her and Rainbow finally grabbing a card.

"Ah got aquamarine. Who else?" Rainbow quickly ran up to the farm girl and showed her the card she got ,which was also aquamarine.

Fluttershy finally got to pick a card and she got amethyst, a girl named Vinyl Scratch waving her over, showing she had the tent as well.

In the end, Sunset and Twilight got to pick their tent card, and they got sapphire. Twilight went off on a small lecture on how sapphires are not only blue, but other colors like pink, purple, and yellow. Timber heard this, and came over to talk to the two high school students.

"Yeah, but primarily they are blue. It is the most common color they are found as, with the others showing up less frequently, despite how they grow now since magic came to the land. Damn, wish Tirik had never shown up in this world, then we wouldn't have to worry about anything like they do in Equestria. Well, the other Equestria."

"SHHHH. Keep your voice down about stuff like that. You don't know who is watching for Tirik. And besides, yes they mostly come in blue, but the other colors still come up quite enough."

"True, but since they were more commonly blue, they were named after the Ancient language of the word sapphirus.
That means blue." He whispered. to which Twilight smiled and whispered back.

"I know. But did you know that sapphires are just rubies without chromium?"

"No, actually I've never heard that. But, I do know that sapphire is the best tent in the camp, and not just cause your in it."

"Really, why is it the best?" Twilight asked, wanting to know, her hunger for the unknown coming up.

"Because it is the oldest tent that has had the least amount of repairs over the years. All the other tents we have to replace the canvas tops every few months, but Sapphire tent keeps on trucking for a year, before we feel the need to change out the canvas. We never figured out why, but it might have to do with the root that makes up most of the tents floor."

"Why do you think the floor has to do with keeping the tent good?" Sunset asked, finally deciding to get in on the conversation. She was listening the whole time, but eventually when the love interest died down for actual story, she decided to actually come and hear what was being said.

"Well, a long time ago, this entire clearing was covered in roots, and when my grand parents came here, they saw the beauty, and so decided to share it with everyone. But they needed to cut the roots out to do so. So my grandfather started to remove the large roots that twisted around this camp, and each time he removed the wood, and set it aside to be used, he thought he could here distant wailing. He never could find where it came from, so he never gave it much thought. But then, one night, he started to hear the wailing. It was coming from the woods, and getting closer and closer to the house that my grandfather had built, using the roots and trees he had cleared out. He rushed out side with my grandmother beside him, and what awaited them was the spirit of the Menoa Tree, Gaea Everfree."

"Wait, what is the Menoa Tree? I have never heard of a tree named that." Twilight asked. A new voice answered her.

"The Menoa tree is the lifeblood of this forest, an ancient tree from back when this forest was named something other than Everfree. When this forest was named Du Weldenvarden. The tree was massive. The trunk was as thick as a hundred small trees, roots reached out for acres around it, each as thick as the base of the pine trees of the Spines Whitetail woods."

The new speaker was Mr. Had, and everyone looked at him in surprise. nobody had seen him coming, and they didn't even know he had heard them. Before they can say anything about what he said, Rarity, Rainbow, and Applejack come over to see what is going on. As they get to the small group, Gloriosa blows a whistle and calls the attention of the campers.

"Alright everyone, why don't you go get settled in. We will be meeting later down by the docks to go over camp safety guidelines. If anyone needs anything, don't hesitate to ask." It was at this time everyone saw a stretch limo pull up and a man stepped out of the back.

The man had a hooked nose that looked mashed to his face, and bushy eyebrows that gave him the look of a greedy thief. His face was flat and he wore a blue suit with a red tie and brown wingtip shoes. A golden buckle could be seen on his belt. Everyone in the camp immediately disliked him, Mr. Had more so for reasons that nobody understood.

"I need something." The mans voice was a deep nasally voice that sounded stuck up and high society at the same time. Gloriosa walked over to the man and grabbed him by the arm, leading him away from everyone while saying.

"Filthy Rich,how are you. You need to leave. This is the first day of camp. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, just looking around. Lord Tirik want's my company to start breaking ground soon, and I wanted to 'take in the scenery' if you catch my drift. I'll leave you alone, but if you don't pay soon, we will buy this place out." And with that, Filthy Rich got back in the limo, and left.