Author's Note

In The Middle Of The Woods? Seriously?

PART 1: XXI - And Another Brand New Problem?

"Well. This is... not what I was expecting."

"Noah, what's there not to expect?"

"Kid, these woods look spectacular. Where I come from, the woods only look pretty if it's for some dumb commercial about the environment."

Noah and Sunset, the Black Five, the Rainbooms, and everyone else on the bus had stepped off to breathe in the fresh air of Everfree. As Noah aforementioned, he and his friends were taken aback while the Equestrians paid it no mind. Well, most of them.

"Well, I for one cannot believe just how beautiful it all is. It may be a common part of our home, but it's still delightful. I can't wait until we have our first nature walk,” Fluttershy spoke.

"I definitely wanna go on one of those. All of those squirrels in the trees, it'll be like puppy paradise!" Spike responded, which slightly creeped out the Black Five.

They were more than aware Spike could talk, but it'd take longer than a month to get used to a dog speaking English. Perhaps even years.

Not that he'd be around that long...

"Ah'm just lookin' forward to roughin' it!" Applejack replied, pulling her bag up and over her shoulder. "Ah'm gonna make my own shelter, forage for food-"

"Uh, you do know they're providing us with food and tents, right AJ?" Rainbow Dash asked, poking her head out from inside the bus.

Applejack brought her hands to her hips, "Yep! Still gonna forage though."

"Good for you, Old Town Road," Noah replied as he pulled the tab of one of his sodas he brought from home. Applejack crossed her arms.

"Y'know, CJ told me and showed me that song."

"You must be excited."

"That video is all about cowboys riding horses."

"What's your point?"

"Ah'm a farmer, not a cowboy! Ah'm not even a cowgirl!"

"...And?"

Applejack threw her hands up in the air and walked away Irritated as always by Noah's antics. She was beginning to understand why Principal Celestia abhorred dealing with him.

Sunset approached him, eyes locked onto Applejack. "She's gonna break one of your arms one day. You know that, right?"

Noah waved her off, "Oh, she'll be fine. She's got Rarity, and apparently CJ now too."

Noah wasn't lying either. Ever since that day when Rarity lost her temper and unleashed a fury of anger upon CJ, she, him, and Applejack had all gotten much closer. Not that the others knew of what happened that day, of course.

Noah felt his left foot begin to chill and he lifted it to his knee to inspect it. "Oh, dang it. I knew it rained last night, but I didn't think we'd be hit by a friggin' hurricane. What in the world, bruh."

As Noah complained, Equis had been hit with somewhat of a thunderstorm. It didn't cause any power outages or any trees to fall, blocking the road. But it did leave many twigs and leaves scattered all across the ground.

Sunset rolled her eyes at Noah's lack of awareness as to when they left his house, the porch and driveway were covered in twigs and leaves. Although, it probably had to do with the fact that she snuck into his house and threw him in the shower. Giving him a sense of absolute confusion. How that was possible considering Sunset was built like a stick, Noah would never know.

She wiped the bottom of his shoe with her forefinger and rubbed the substance between her thumb. As clear as day, was a wet sludge of mud. She was somewhat fascinated as it seemed there was more water apparent than dirt. She wiped it off on Noah's pants, and he narrowed his eyebrows.

"You son of a bitch."

"Ah, that's a bad word, Noah!"

"Go to hell, Kid."

Looking back at the bottom of his shoe, Noah had a thought run through his head. "Remind me to do your hair later, okay?"

Sunset raised an eyebrow, "Do my hair? I-I don't, what do you-"

"Just remind me, Kid," Noah replied as he set his foot back down and left to help Rarity with her ridiculous abundance of luggage. All the while, Sunset stared at the back of his head, highly perplexed.

"Noah, darling!" Rarity called out as she dragged out her third rolling suitcase down the bus' stairs. "I require your assistance! A lady shouldn't have to carry so much luggage all by herself! I might break a nail."

Noah folded his arms as he approached her, "Well, a lady also wouldn't think to bring a hundred pounds worth of luggage. Pretty sure they don't need all this crap."

"Well, other ladies aren't as thoughtful and sophisticated as I am. They never know what they might need out in the so-called, "great outdoors."

Noah chuckled as he lifted one of her bags that appeared awfully familiar, "Ah yes, because every lady needs her nuclear football when fishing at lakes."

Rarity tilted her head, "A nuclear... what?"

"Nevermind it, Donna Karen. I'll help."

"You must stop referring to me as other fashion designers."

"Why? Am I wrong-"

"Got the last heavy one, Rarity," a voice coming off the bus spoke, and Noah's entire mood and face shifted in the blink of an eye. Off the bus came one of his former rivals. Not as significant as Sunset was, but oh, were they ever a splinter in his side.

Flash Sentry.

He carried the suitcase in front of his face and carefully placed it near the rest of Rarity's baggage solely from memory. As he set it down and looked back up, he was met with the glaring eyes of the outsider.

His own face and mood changed in an instant, "Hello Noah."

"Flash."

The two had a sort of western standoff a bit apart from each other. Noah stared deep into the blue irises of the guitarist while Flash stared far into the brown orifices of the outsider.

Rarity brought her hands to her hips, "Oh, enough you two! Your ridiculous rivalry is nothing but history now. So stop having a, "love at first sight," moment and continue to assist me, thank you very much."

Noah waved her off as he dropped the satchel-suitcase in his hands and headed for the bus, "Yeah yeah, I hear you. Don't blow your top off. Either of them."

Flash rolled his eyes, "What he said," and followed behind.

He and Noah's relationship had changed quite a bit since the Battle of the Bands. As Noah helped the Rainbooms, including Princess Twilight, Flash had decided to make peace with the outsider as thanks. Noah, after having the back of his head slapped by Sunset, accepted.

They didn't become friends or even acquaintances after that, but it was much better than them constantly being at each other's throats whenever they entered one another's vision.

As they stepped onto the bus, Applejack approached her, "What about you, Rarity? Ya gonna forage with me and CJ too?"

Rarity leaned on her luggage, "I'm just after some R&R. The past year has all been a bit too much for my tastes."

"I'll say!" Pinkie Pie began, dropping her suitcase nearby. "We fought three evil sirens who tried to take over the world through manipulation, one ridiculously competitive school, and two literal magic demons!"

Pinkie Pie shrank as she laid her eyes on both Sunset and Twilight. Sunset appeared unfazed while Twilight appeared bummed out. Nobody liked being called out for past mistakes, after all.

Pinkie Pie smiled nervously, "Eh, heh heh, no offense..."

Sunset smiled, "None taken," and laid a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "You'll get used to it." Punching her upper arm playfully.

"Yep," CJ replied. "Our stupid-ass school has seen more action in half a year than most will see in their entire lives. Makes you wonder what the hell is coming next."

Manex crossed his arms as he came up beside him, "Nigga, I'm really not looking forward to any more bullshit this year has to throw at us. It's May for Christ's sake. Let's just get it over with and be done already."

"You say that like it'll be easy, negro," Jain replied. Bringing his own suitcase off the bus. "If we've gone from saving the world to saving the entire goddamn galaxy, God knows what's next at this point."

"If we have to save the entire universe, I'm punching a nigga in the fuckin' face."

From inside the bus, Noah and Flash shoved one of Rarity's larger suitcases out the window and onto the ground. Barely missing the dirt track underneath the bus. Noah smiled while Rarity prepared to explode.

"Yeah, let's see how that works out for you."

"We weren't lured over here by another demon, right Noah?"

"Once again Jain, the voice came from a loudspeaker. It's not the Devil's fault they sounded like a horse from down below."

The Black Five, the Rainbooms, and every other camper assembled at the center of the camp. Called to by who they could only assume to be one of the counselors at the camp. Their voice throwing Jain off as slightly odd.

Noah turned his head a bit to the right, "So, what do you think, Kid? Is this gonna be a change of pace or another attack on our way of life?"

"Nigga, the fuck?"

"Huh?!"

Noah faced his right completely and instead of being met with Sunset's face, he was met with Manex's. Completely and utterly confused. Even disgusted.

Noah stammered, "I-I, where the heck is Sunset?! Why are you here?!"

"I've been here, motherfucker. And your bacon-haired fuck toy is talking to Twilight!"

Ignoring Manex's insult about Sunset, Noah peeked over Manex’s shoulder to his right. Sure enough, Sunset was a bit distanced from her friends and was talking to Twilight independently.

Something about their faces made Noah feel... off. Twilight's face held something red upon it and she was practically glowing with modest gaiety while Sunset's face was filled with confidence and humor. Somewhat similar to his own attitude.

"That's... odd."

"Hi everyone, welcome to Camp Everfree!"

Noah's thoughts were thrown out the window as he turned his attention to the wooden gazebo in front of a rather large staff building. Upon the gazebo were two figures. A brother and sister perhaps?

The sister had lengthy dark-hibiscus hair with a single bang braided to her left, and a lovely crown of sunflowers wrapped around her head. Her skin was the color of raspberry wine, and her eyes were a beautiful shade of jade.

She wore a puffy, yellow, short-sleeved shirt with green surrounding her collar and a mint belt just below her stomach. One her legs were cerulean khaki shorts and beautiful laced brown laced dress shoes with sunflowers at her ankles facing forward.

What caught his eye were the odd, tiny, and awfully colorful jewels hanging around her neck by a brown choker. Something about their faint glow gave Noah an eerie feeling. He'd just arrived in camp and was already suspicious of someone becoming problematic.

"Grand."

The brother, at least that's what Noah assumed he was, wore a sacramento beanie with a light turquoise outlining. His hair was a forest green and reminded Noah of Flash Sentry when his hair grew out last year.

His skin was a sandy brown and his eyes were the same as his assumed sister. He wore a perfectly red shirt with white outlines and a picture of the camp in the center of his chest.

On his wrists were two perfectly brown wristbands with a single dot of yellow in the center of it. On his legs were fern colored khaki shorts and on his feet were perfectly brown hiking boots with jade shoelaces, and normal white socks underneath.

"I'm Gloriosa Daisy," the assumed sister continued. "Your camp director. But you can think of me as your friendly camper guide. And this is my brother, Timber Spruce!"

The brother took the microphone playfully, "Think of me as that cool guy. Who should always be invited to fun things."

Noah sighed and mumbled, "Great. More happy-go-lucky, ignorant, morons. Just what I needed."

Gloriosa took the microphone back, "We aim to please, so before we hand out our tent assignments, we'd like to hear from all of you! You're free to do whatever you like here!"

"Except hike near the rock quarries," the brother added. "That's off-limits."

Gloriosa rolled her eyes, "Yes, but otherwise, you're options are wide open! So what activities do you have in mind that'll make this the very best week of your lives?"

"Oh! Rock Climbing?" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Done!"

"Archery!"

"Of course!"

"Tetherball!"

"Naturally!"

The call-outs ceased as Applejack flicked the back of Rainbow Dash's head. Giving other students a chance.

"Arts and crafts!"

"Undoubtedly!"

"Cookie decorating!"

"Ooh, I do make a mean sugar cookie."

"Early morning nature walks?"

"With walking sticks for everyone!"

"Oh! U-Uh, me! U—h, fashion show!" Rarity obviously asked. "Where I design the most fabulous camp looks inspired by today's hottest trends, and have them modeled by my classmates in a gorgeous setting!"

"Screw that, can we go hunting!?"

"Goddamnit, Manex!"

CJ and Jain covered Manex's mouth with their hands as everyone gawked and gaped at his question. Of all the things requested and asked, it seemed hunting was the last thing Gloriosa expected to hear.

Noah shut his eyes and rubbed his temples as he silently scolded his friend. "For God's sake Manex, we are black guys. Not southerners, or hunters, or whatever the hell they're properly designated. Now the counselors are gonna keep tabs on us, you idiot!"

He wasn't wrong either, as he opened one eye towards the gazebo and saw the brother and sister whispering about the four of them. Along with Celestia and Luna's unforgiving glare to their right.

"Well, disregarding the previous question, what about the camp gift?" Celestia asked, eyes still staring the Super Element and his crew down with a blazing passion.

"The camp gift, of course!" Gloriosa agreed.

Although, before she answered, she seemed to be bickering with her brother about something. Something about it threw Noah off. Of all the places he'd been to, this is one of the last places he'd think arguments could occur. Especially between counselors. Albeit, they are siblings.

"Every year," She resumed, "Campers work together to create something useful. A gift for future campers. Working towards this common goal is key to forming the strong bonds that'll last well beyond your time here at camp!"

As Gloriosa covered the microphone with her hand, Noah found them arguing even more. It strangely reminded him of his home back in America. When his seventh grade choir teachers were arguing during class and nearly divorced. It was adorable to the principal, concerning to the students, and hilarious to him. Some students believed he just wanted to watch the world burn during those weeks.

Gloriosa continued, "This gazebo was a gift from last year's group, and the totem pole, and the sundial, all from groups of the past!

"You all seem like, uh, really amazing group! So I'm certain you'll come up with something inspiring to leave behind!"

As the class cheered, like they always do for things less than cheer-worthy, Noah turned back to his right hoping to find Sunset beside him. Manex still stood in her place. He peeked over his shoulder, and sure enough, his bacon-haired best friend slash lover wasn't by his side. She still stood next to Twilight... Giggling...

"Speaking of leaving things behind," Timber began, "Now's the time when we give out tent assignments. So you can leave your heavy bags behind."

Gloriosa stepped down the gazebo stairs, "Girls will be receiving their assignments from Timber. Guys, you're with me!"

Noah cursed under his breath, "Godamn... Dang it..."

As Gloriosa stepped to the left and her brother to the right, Noah turned to his right expecting to see Sunset at least approaching him about the news. Instead, she was next to Twilight waiting to receive her assignment.

"She didn't even... What?"

"Noah, move your black ass!" Jain ordered as he tugged at his friend's hoodie. "We gotta go get these dumbass assignments because apparently, we can't just go fishing or... or... what else do people do besides roast marshmallows on camping trips?" Noah sighed as he turned away from Sunset and Twilight.

"Fuck if I know..."

Noah threw his duffel bag onto the bed in the tent as he leaned on the dresser nearby."What the hell was that?"

He took a seat on the bed, "I mean, maybe I'm overreacting. I am, aren't I? She's just talking with her friend. And that friend happens to be the one who punched me through the floor... No! That was just her evil demon spirit thingy! I... Besides! Who's to say she's a lesbian?! Sure, Lyra and Bon Bon are lesbian, and Vinyl and Octavia are lesbian, and... Rarity and Applejack are probably lesbian and... Princess Twilight said she was lesbian and... Sunset once said she was lesbian and... uh... uh-"

"Are you seriously talking to yourself?"

Noah returned to Earth as he listened to a voice from the entrance interrupt his ramblings that probably weren't normal considering his pupils constricted with each statement. As he identified the voice, his jaw dropped.

It was Flash Sentry.

"Oh, for the love of God, come on!"

"What? You think you have it bad?!"

"The last thing I need right now is to sleep in the same tent as my girlfriend's ex-boyfriend!"

"What makes you think I wanna sleep in the same tent as my ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend!?"

"Probably to annoy me with the fact that you touched her butt first!"

"You touched her butt?"

"Yes! Matter of fact, I fucked her butt!"

"Oh, ew!"

"That's right! I whipped out my negro-whampus and got to work!"

"Stop it, that's disgusting!"

"I said, 'Oh yeah! I'mma make it do what it do!'"

"Would you quit it?! I'm not here to annoy you or any other pitiful crap like that! I just want to enjoy this trip with my friends, and go back home! If anything, you're annoying me right now!"

"Oh, go stuff a turkey."

"...What type of stuff?"

Noah stared Flash down with a raised eyebrow, and Flash stared back. Despite everything, they've been through. Every experience they've ever had with each other, every stupid thing they've ever done... they smirked.

"...Heh..."

"Heh heh."

"Hah hah hah."

"Hah hah hah hah!"

The simple chuckles soon erupted into contagious childish laughter that anyone could expect from high school boys like Noah and Flash. But them laughing together? That's a magnificent sight to behold.

"Hah, okay, b-but seriously, heh heh, w-why were you talking to yourself?"

Noah scratched the back of his head, "Well, r-regardless if we just became friends or w-whatever in a matter of seconds, has Sunset ever... N-Nevermind."

"No, no, tell me."

"Maybe some other time. Right now, I think I'll go ask Principal Celestia more about this camp. It might be my past experiences talking but, something feels... off. Just a little."

Flash approached his bed and dropped his stuff, "Alright, you do that. But before you go, what exactly did Principal Celestia do that paid off you saving us all?"

As Noah reached the tent's exit and opened both flaps widely, he turned back around to face Flash. He then looked to his left and right, making sure nobody was nearby. As the coast was clear, Noah took his left hand and pointed down below, and Flash's face exploded with hilarity that was comparable to a nuclear warhead.

Noah stepped out of the tent completely and turned to his left. Remembering the flash of Celestia's hair somewhere in that direction. He spotted her helping some students get settled near the diamond tent and began towards her.

As he reached the tent, Noah poked her shoulder, "Uh, Principal Celestia, I was wondering. Were the counselors always-"

"Listen Rictorshine," Celestia interrupted as she whipped around and poked at Noah's chest repeatedly with her forefinger. "This camp is a major part of my life and is an important part of my nostalgic childhood. I will not tolerate you and your group of friends to ruin or mess it up with your actions, your attitude, and particularly your words.

"I've given you a medal for saving the planet, and I've given you something I regret entirely for saving the galaxy. Unless whatever happens here means the end of the universe, I don't want you meddling around and wrecking this trip. It's just one week. One. Week. It's all I ask.

"Do I make myself clear, Rictorshine?"

Noah sweat, "Uh... yeah?"

"Spectacular. Now, what is it you have to ask of me?"

"Um..."

Noah could never lie that at that moment, he was genuinely frightened of Celestia. The solemnity in her voice, her stance of unfaltering prominence, and the stringent look upon her face. It also didn't help considering that when Celestia stood tall and straight, she was nearly two feet taller than him. Her nickname was no joke.

Noah rubbed the side of his shoulder, "Uh... I-I was just wondering if... Um... N-Nevermind."

Celestia nodded and returned to the tent she was assisting while Noah was left standing outside. Taken off guard entirely. He turned about and sought for his friends. They could effortlessly take his mind off what just occurred. Along with what he was truly wondering about.