Long Night at Camp Everfree

By the time that the sun had fully set, darkness settling in over the campgrounds, all the counselors had congregated together at the campfire pit. The orange flames crackled and flowed over the rough split logs as they consumed them. The flickering light played over all the teens sitting in a circle around it, causing alternating patterns of light and dark. Their face might be illuminated for a second, only to disappear in shadow again right after.

At the moment, the counselors were all chatting comfortably and preparing smores. Pinkie Pie was custodian over a jumbo sized bag of marshmallows, ensuring that each of her friends would only take one until everyone had one. Lounging back in their foldable camp chairs, they all relished the moment to relax after a long day of work.

“It’s great to be back here, isn’t it?” Pinkie Pie said, returning to her chair once she was satisfied that the marshmallows had been distributed. She stuck her own onto a metal stick and swung is over the fire.

“Yeah, it’s nice to see the old camp again. Feels like ages since we’ve been here,” Applejack chimed in. “I can still remember the first time I came to camp, and accidentally impressed everyone because I knew more about plants than any of the counselors did,” she said with a chuckle.

“Yeah I bet that went over real well. But at least we know these campers will be getting the best counselor possible,” Gloriosa said.

“Aw shucks, thanks,” Applejack said, blushing at the compliment and trying to hide under her hat.

Rainbow Dash playfully punched Applejack in the arm and said, “These kids won’t know the awesomeness that’s gonna hit them with us on the job! It’s gonna be their best summer yet!”

“The enthusiasm is appreciated, but let’s save it for when the campers actually arrive. It’ll take all of our energy just to keep up,” Timber said.

“Yeah, slow your roll. Being awesome at sports and being awesome with kids aren’t the same thing,” Gloriosa said.

Dash reluctantly sat back down, folding her arms though her face was still set it a smirk. “Fine, but I still think it’s gonna be awesome.” She leaned forward, eyes roaming across all her friends. “I’ve already been having a ton of ideas around the camp today. Lots of memories flooding in.”

“Oh, want to share your past experiences with the camp Dashie?” Pinkie said, momentarily looking up from her marshmallow to smile at her friend.

Rainbow smiled, and shook her head. For a moment, her face was cast into darkness, hiding her features and only allowing her voice to characterize her. “Nah, I was thinking more of the movies it reminds me of. The classic slasher gore fests where everything quaint and innocent turns into a nightmare.” Her tone grew more excited even as the others drew back slightly at her words. “Drowning at the dock, sliced up in the kitchen, pinned up at the archery range, every little activity for the campers becomes a way that the counselors bite it!”

Fluttershy let out a meep, burying her face in her long pink hair.

Rainbow seemed momentarily oblivious as she continued “Some of the best gore was in those films. The arrow through the neck with blood splurting out in a fountain, axe buried in a face and bonesaw to the neck and head-”

“Eek!” Fluttershy let out, unable to take it anymore. She darted up from her chair, the sudden movement in stark contrast to her previous stillness. Face still hidden, she turned and ran off from the fire.

“Fluttershy!” Twilight called, reaching out after her. Receiving no answer, she turned and glared at Rainbow.

The girl blushed and shrank down sheepishly as the rest of her friends gave her death stares, her previous bravado forgotten. The atmosphere around the fire was one of palpable tension as they all turned to a common enemy. Though the relative quiet was soon broken.

“Now look what you’ve done! You’ve ruined the entire evening for the poor dear!” Rarity chastised.

“It’s not my fault that girls’ so skittish, I mean, this is a big girls’ campfire, there’s gotta be scary stories!”

“Rainbow Dash… Just go after her,” Twilight said.

Rainbow Dash squirmed momentarily, her hands grasping at the arms of her chair and awkwardly shifting her weight around it. The fire illuminated her once again, and the guilt on her face was apparent. She tensed for a few seconds, before going limp and sighing heavily.

“I’m sorry. You’re right, I’ll go talk to her,” she said, and stood up from her chair. With that, she walked out of the circle in silence, ignoring the looks she was still getting from the others. She knew that the awkward tension would remain as long as she did, and was quick to extricate herself. As soon as she cleared the last log bench, she took off at a light jog in the direction Fluttershy had fled. Soon the darkness swallowed her as well.

“Ouch! Dumbass!” Rainbow Dash swore as she stubbed her toe on yet another step.

In her haste, she had made the mistake of forgetting a flashlight. Now she was forced to strain her eyes against the darkness as she tried to find her way through the campground.

Fortunately, she did have a good idea where Fluttershy had gone. Whenever she was upset, she would often seek solace with her animal friends. The woodland creatures would never make her uncomfortable or anxious, and were soothing to care for. Though of course, this meant that Rainbow was now having to climb up the trail through the woods late at night without any means of illumination.

Her latest bit of pain was the third since she’d started up the steps.

“You should’ve kept your stupid mouth shut, and you wouldn’t be here. It’s also you own fault you forgot to bring something to see with. Dumbshit.” She huffed and continued on, ignoring her steadily rising anger at herself in favor of finding Fluttershy. She had finally reached the top of the incline, and was glad to have her feet back on level ground.

Among the ghostly trees, the larger shapes of the science and nature cabins could be made out. There was a faint light leaking out from behind the latter, painting Rainbow’s destination clear. However, as she approached the cabin, she paused. Shutting her eyes, she took a deep breath in.

“This isn’t about you. This is about Fluttershy. Being pissed isn’t going to help anything.”

She kept her eyes shut for a few moments longer, allowing herself to breath slowly and rhythmically until some of the tension had left her system. Her heart was still beating a bit faster than normal though as she rounded the corner to look for her friend.

Fluttershy was sitting at the bench, a small lantern in front of her giving off the light that leaked around the cabin, and a chubby guinea pig was cradled in her lap. She was gently stroking the rodent, and crooning to it in soft tones. She looked up from her animal friend however when she heard Dash round the corner. Her eyes were a bit red, but no tears had yet appeared in them. Upon seeing who had come to see her, she bit her lip and drew in a breath. She looked at Dash very intently, but said nothing.

“Hi,” Dash began somewhat lamely.

“Hi, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy said.

Rainbow wrung her hands nervously, before hesitantly sticking one out and pointing to the spot beside Fluttershy. “Can we talk?”

“Okay.”

Rainbow dropped her hands and sighed. “Right, right. That’s why I’m here.” She tore her eyes from the ground and looked directly at Fluttershy. Magenta found teal, one set filled with guilt the other with reserved judgement.

“I’m sorry. I went too far, and should have been paying attention to how you were feeling. I should always be aware of how others are reacting to my actions, especially my friends. I’m sorry that I made you feel uncomfortable.” Rainbow gave a guilty smile, dearly hoping her friend might forgive her.

Fluttershy’s face remained passive for almost a full minute, eyes lidded in contemplation and one hand calmly stroking the guinea pig’s back. Finally, the motion came to a stop and she spoke once again.

“It’s okay, Rainbow Dash. Come.” Fluttershy gestured to the spot besides her.

Rainbow quickly took her up on the offer, darting over and brushing pine needles off the seat.

“I don’t want to stop you from talking about the things you love, but do keep in mind I’m very sensitive,” Fluttershy said, “Can you tone down the extremeness a teensy little bit?”

“You can count on it,” Rainbow Dash assured her. “I’ll be like an after dark special, keep my naughty bits away from those who don’t want to hear them.”

Fluttershy let out a giggle at her friends joke, nor was she the only one. Both girls quickly turned to look behind them at the sound of laughter quietly emanating from the woods.

From behind a tree and beneath a bush peeked a pair of heads, blonde and pink.

“Howdy there. Just came to make sure Rainbow followed through on her word,” Applejack said, waving gently.

“Yeah, we just wanted to make sure you both worked things out okay,” Pinkie agreed, her poofy hair covered in leaves and twigs from her hiding spot.

Rainbow grinned sarcastically and crossed her arms, “Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Yeah yeah, we’re sorry, too, y’know. And the important thing is you worked it out on your own, without knowing we were here,” Applejack said as she began to make her way out from the foliage. “And besides, there’s still other reasons we followed you two.” At this, she smiled wickedly, and grasped Rainbow’s hand, entwining their fingers together.

Rainbow recognized that look in AJ’s eyes, and grinned in kind. No words were needed as the pair dashed away, only belatedly waving back at their other friends.

Pinkie and Fluttershy were left behind, staring intently at the couple as they disappeared into the darkness once again, Fluttershy’s cheeks glowing red from embarrassment.

Seeing this, Pinkie sought to reassure her meek friend. “Let them have their fun! Everyone’s allowed to! And there’s plenty of other ways we can enjoy ourselves.” She settled down next to Fluttershy, wrapping an arm around the girl’s shoulder.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash and Applejack had reached the councilor’s cabins. Rainbow yanked open the door to their shared cabin, and hurriedly shut it as soon as her partner was through.

“Now I can give you a reward for bein’ a good girl and apologizing to Fluttershy,” Applejack said, standing right next to Rainbow’s bunk.

Rainbow plopped down on her bunk, eyes roaming over the farm girl as she replied. “Oh yeah. There’s still one more horror trope I’m dying to play out.”