Mystery of Everfree (Ninjago X MLP)

Chapters

I Ain't Even Asked, But Somehow I'm Here
Strange New Camp
The Fog Is Coming
Secrets of Everfree
You’re Way Too Noisy
Magical Mishap
Prologue

I Ain't Even Asked, But Somehow I'm Here

“I’m not going.” Lloyd mumbled.

“Could it really be that bad? You’re going to school next year and we’re trying to give you a head start on meeting new people!” Garmadon smiled.

“It could be that bad. What if I get put into a cabin with a bunch of gang members. Or girls…” Lloyd rolled his eyes.

“You’re too pessimistic for your own good… come on the bus is going to take off.” Garmadon handed the boy his suitcase. Lloyd stared at him for a moment and took it resentfully.

“I’m going. But I want you to know I’m doing this against my own will!” Lloyd shouted as he walked out the door. “I can live with that!” Garmadon smirked as he shouted back.

He watched as Lloyd trudged towards the bus, his head down and shoulders slumped. Garmadon couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Maybe he was pushing the boy too hard. But he knew that Lloyd needed to step out of his comfort zone if he wanted to succeed in life. As the bus pulled away, Garmadon couldn't shake the feeling of unease. What if Lloyd was right? What if something terrible happened at camp? He shook his head, trying to banish the negative thoughts. He had to trust that everything would be okay.

“Stupid summer camp.” Lloyd groaned as he boarded the bus. He walked down the isle as he looked for a place to sit, but since he was new… people normally put their suitcases next to them or said that the seat was being saved for someone else, which Lloyd didn’t care enough to fight about and say they were lying.

He made it all the way to the back, where a dark haired boy with headphones in was sitting, not paying attention to the green eyed boy staring at him.

“Is this seat taken too?” Lloyd asked. The boy didn’t respond, as he was too into his music to say anything.

Lloyd took that as a no and plopped down, sighing heavily. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his social media, wishing he was anywhere but here. He had begged his parents to let him stay home for the summer, but they insisted he go to this stupid camp. It was supposed to be fun and help him make new friends, but so far it was just boring and lonely. And he was only on the bus!

As the bus pulled away from the station, Lloyd leaned his head against the seat and watched the world go by. The scenery was beautiful, but he was too lost in his thoughts to appreciate it. He wondered what his parents were doing back home, if they missed him, if they even thought about him at all. He felt like he was missing out on all the fun while he was stuck here, surrounded by strangers.

The dark haired boy next to him finally took off his headphones and turned to look at Lloyd. "What's wrong?" he asked, noticing the sad expression on his face.

Lloyd was taken aback by the sudden question. He didn't expect anyone to care about how he was feeling. "Nothing," he muttered, looking away.

The boy didn't believe him. "Come on, you can tell me. I'm Cole, by the way."

"Lloyd," he replied reluctantly. He didn't want to open up to a stranger, but something about Cole’s friendly demeanor made him feel a little less alone.

Cole waited patiently for Lloyd to speak, and eventually he did. He told him about how he didn't want to be at this camp, how he missed his parents, and how he felt like he was wasting his summer.

Cole listened attentively and nodded understandingly. "I know how you feel," he said. "I didn't want to come here either, but my dad makes me every year. But you know what? Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. And who knows, maybe you'll make some new friends here too. Give it a chance."

Lloyd thought about what Cole said. Maybe he was right. Maybe he was being too negative and not giving this camp a fair chance. Maybe he could make the best of it and have some fun.

"Thanks," he said, smiling for the first time since he got on the bus. "You're a good listener."

Cole grinned back. "No problem. That's what friends are for, right?"

Lloyd felt a warmth in his chest at the word 'friends'. Maybe this summer won't be so bad after all.

Twilight was certain that two things could happen at camp. Either it goes terribly wrong, or extravagantly great. She was recommended by her teacher, Celestia, to go to camp as a way to pass one of her friendship lessons, a thing she was not great at. Twilight stood at the bus stop, waiting for it to pull up as she looked at the watch one more time.

“I’m sure I’m here on time! There’s no way I could have missed the bus! On my first day? No Twilight, that’s not you!” Twilight spoke to herself.

“Uh, are you okay?” A voice from behind Twilight spoke up. She turned around to see a ponytail rainbow haired girl wearing a cap looking at her like she was crazy, and after that freak out session, Twilight couldn’t blame her.

“I’m quite alright! I was just wondering where the bus is for the um…camp of summer?” Twilight grinned nervously.

The rainbow haired girl laughed and pointed towards a bus that had just pulled up to the stop. "That's the one! You’re a worrisome one aren’t you?” she smiled. "I'm Rainbow Dash, by the way. Are you going to the camp too?"

Twilight nodded, relieved that she hadn't missed the bus after all. "Yes, I am. My name is Twilight Sparkle."

Rainbow Dash grinned. "Cool name. We should sit together on the bus. It's always better to have someone to talk to."

Twilight smiled back, feeling grateful for the offer. "That sounds great, thank you."

As they boarded the bus and found seats together, Rainbow Dash chatted animatedly about her past experiences at the camp and all the fun activities they could do. Twilight found herself getting excited, despite her initial apprehension about the camp.

“If we’re lucky, we could get the same cabin.” Rainbow explained. “Who have you been with in the past? Is it just two people?” Twilight asked. “Actually, it’s normally a group of 7, or 6 if there’s not enough people. I’m normally with my other friends, summer is the only time I see them though.” Rainbow said.

“I hope I get to meet them!” Twilight smiled. “Well shoot, there’s one right there.” Rainbow looked around until she saw who she was looking for and pointed at Cole across the bus.

Twilight followed Rainbow's gaze and saw a tall, muscular boy with medium length hair and a friendly smile. "Is that one of your friends?" she asked.

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, that's Cole. He's been coming to this camp for years."

Twilight felt a little intimidated by Cole's appearance, but she tried not to let it show. "He looks really nice," she said.

"He is," Rainbow confirmed. "He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. And he's really funny too. You'll love him."

Twilight nodded.

“But he’s not part of my cabin. They separate the boys and the girls, so he’s with some other guys.” Rainbow told her. “Is he part of that cabin?” Twilight pointed at Lloyd.

“Hmm. Nope! He must be new too! Maybe you guys could become friends?” Rainbow shrugged and smiled. Twilight rolled her eyes at her new friend's antics.

The bus arrived at the campsite. “Camp Everfree” the sign said. Twilight stared at the sign with discontent. Didn’t this place used to be a cursed forest? But Rainbow said her and Cole had been coming here for years. So it had to be safe. Twilight was still unsure about the whole ordeal however.

As they got off the bus, Twilight couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The camp was located deep in the woods, and the trees surrounding them seemed to loom ominously over the campsite.

Rainbow noticed Twilight's apprehension and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Twilight. This place used to be cursed so they say, but it's safe now. And besides, we'll be here with you the whole time."

Twilight took a deep breath and tried to push her fears aside. She was here to learn about friendship, after all, and she couldn't let her doubts hold her back.

As they walked towards the cabins, Twilight took in the sights and sounds of the camp. There were kids running around, playing games and laughing, and the air smelled of pine and campfires. Twilight felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her, and she realized that she had missed out on a lot of summer camp experiences growing up.

Once they reached their cabin, Twilight was pleasantly surprised to find that it was cozy and well-maintained. It had bunk beds, a small kitchenette, and a little porch with a table and chairs.

“Guess who’s here!” Rainbow yelled out to the others. 4 girls ran to the door to meet Rainbow and Twilight. Twilight’s eyes panned across the girls as they lined up in front of her.

“Oh Rainbow! You’ve returned for summer!” Rarity hugged her friend. “And I see you’ve brought someone new along!”

Twilight waved timidly at the 4 other girls and tried to smile. She was nervous about meeting new people, but Rainbow had promised that her friends were nice.

The first girl was pink-haired and shy-looking. She introduced herself as Fluttershy and gave Twilight a sweet smile.

The second girl was tall and confident, with long purple hair. She introduced herself as Rarity and complemented Twilight on her outfit.

The third girl was a tomboy with yellow hair and an honest grin. She introduced herself as Applejack and offered to show Twilight around the camp.

The fourth girl was tall and intimidating with raven hair tied up into a pony tail. She introduced herself as Nya and gave Twilight a kind and supportive smile.

“Wait… one of you is missing!” Rainbow noticed. The girls slapped their foreheads as a blur popped behind Twilight, hanging from a bar across the ceiling. She turned around to a pink, puffy haired girl suspended upside down from the ceiling.

“What are you doing up there? And how?!" Twilight asked in amazement.

Pinkie Pie grinned and flipped herself down from the bar. "Just hanging out! Pretty simple actually!" she said with a giggle.

The other girls rolled their eyes and laughed. Pinkie Pie was always doing something crazy and unexpected, but they loved her for it.

Twilight was immediately struck by how different each of the girls was, but also how friendly and welcoming they all seemed to be.

As they all sat down to chat and catch up, Twilight felt a sense of warmth and belonging wash over her. She realized that she had made the right decision in coming to spend the summer with Rainbow and her friends. This was going to be an adventure she would never forget.

—————————————————————-

“And here we are, our humble abode!” Cole opened the door for Lloyd to walk into the cabin.

Lloyd stepped inside the cabin and looked around in amazement. It was cozy and well-furnished, with a fireplace, a kitchen, and comfortable beds.

"This is amazing, Cole!" he said with a grin.

Cole smiled back. "Glad you like it. We've got a lot of fun things planned for the week, so get ready to have some adventures!"

“But first, you gotta meet some friends of mine. Jay! Get off your game thingy!”

Lloyd’s eyes trailed towards a curly haired boy with freckles and a blue jacket, sitting on top of the bunk beds with a device in his hands.

“I’ll have you know Cole, this is a Nintendo 3DS XL, and I am playing Mario Kart 8, trying to get all 3 stars in each cup.” Jay grumbled as his eyes didn’t leave the screen. “Hello new guy or something…”

“He seems nice…” Lloyd pointed. “He can be a bit of a prick when he’s in his game. Don’t worry, at least he’s not cracking his TERRIBLE JOKES” Cole jokingly yelled out as Jay groaned and rolled his eyes.

“My jokes are not terrible Cole!” Jay paused his game and jumped off the bed, mumbling towards the kitchen as another person walked out. He was tall and had icey blue eyes and blond hair in a flattop.

“Greetings new camper, I am Zane, cabin head.” The boy reached an outstretched arm to Lloyd.

Lloyd shook Zane's hand and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Zane. I'm Lloyd."

Zane gave Lloyd a nod. "Welcome to our cabin. I hope you enjoy your stay."

The last boy walked into the main room, stretching out his arms with a jacket strung across his arm. He was sweating and grabbed a water bottle off the floor. His spiky hair gleamed in the sunlight from the window.

“New guy? Hope he’s good at soccer.” Kai dumped the bottle on his head.

Lloyd raised an eyebrow at Kai's comment. "Soccer? I'm not really that good at it."

Kai chuckled. "Don't worry about it. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Just pass the ball to me and we all got it.”

“Until Rainbow kicks your ass into next week.” Jay commented. Kai turned around to the boy with flame in his eyes. “Not like you ever help.”

Jay shrugged and went back to his game as Lloyd looked at Zane and Cole. “Ignore those two, they’re idiots.” Cole smiled as he sat down on the bed. “They’re gonna call us to mess hall pretty soon, so uh, you can just stay in here, or go explore outside until we call you, Kay?”

“And Kai go take a shower you smell like outdoors!”

Lloyd nodded and walked outside. As Lloyd walked outside, he took a deep breath of the fresh forest air. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping, and he felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over him.

He looked around and saw the beautiful landscape around him- the tall pine trees, and the glistening lake. It was a picture-perfect scene, and Lloyd felt grateful to be able to experience it.

“Maybe this won’t be the worst thing ever.” Lloyd put his hands in his pockets and walked along the path to the lake, closing his eyes and taking in the warm breeze. He kept walking until he bumped into something and heard a “woah!” And a thud of something hitting the ground.

Lloyd opened his eyes to see a girl brushing herself off.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Lloyd said apologetically. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

The girl smiled and shook her head. "It's okay. I wasn't paying attention either. Hi, I'm Twilight."

"Lloyd," he replied, returning the smile. "Nice to meet you."

Twilight looked up at him and noticed that he was wearing a shirt with a dragon on it. "Hey, that's a cool shirt. Are you a fan of dragons?"

Lloyd nodded. "Yeah, I love them. They're so powerful and majestic. My family has always been somewhat familiar with them.”

Twilight's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Me too! I've always been fascinated by dragons. I even have a book about them."

Lloyd's face lit up. "Really? That's awesome. We should read it together sometime."

Twilight grinned. "I would love that.”

As they walked towards the lake, they talked about their shared love of dragons and other interests. Lloyd couldn't believe how easy it was to talk to Twilight. He felt like he had known her for years.

As they reached the lake, Twilight pointed to a spot on the shore. "This looks like a good spot to read. Wanna join me?"

Lloyd smiled. "I would love to."

They sat down on the grass and pulled out Twilight's book about dragons. Together, they read and talked about their favorite parts of the book. The sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the lake.

Lloyd felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He realized that maybe this summer camp wouldn't be so bad after all.

Lloyd heard Cole call out for him, which meant it was time to meet the directors in the mess hall. He waved bye to Twilight and made his way back to the cabin where the others were waiting and smirking at him.

“First morning at camp and you’re already a lady killer.” Kai nudged him in the shoulder, which Lloyd looked confused about.

"What are you talking about?" Lloyd asked, still puzzled.

Jay grinned. "We saw you with Twilight. She's cute. You two seemed to hit it off."

Lloyd blushed, feeling embarrassed. "We were just talking about dragons. It wasn't like that."

Zane gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, Lloyd. We're just teasing you. But it's good to see that you're making friends already."

Lloyd nodded, feeling grateful for his new friends. He knew that he had only just met them, but he already felt like they were a tight-knit group.

“Shut up Jay!” Kai yelled.

Well, sort of.

Author's Note

Thank You For Reading! If you want, you can drop a like and a favorite, and I really hope you enjoyed and be on the lookout for chapter 2! If you have any feedback, or just things you wanna see in future chapters, don't be scared to ask, as I'd love to implement any of your ideas!

Strange New Camp

“Hello Campers! Welcome to Camp Everfree! I’m your camp director, Gloriosa Daisy!” A pink haired woman caught the attention of all of the people in the mess hall.

“I’m so excited to have you all here with us this summer. We have an amazing program planned for you, filled with activities and adventures that you’ll never forget. Our goal is to make sure that every camper has the time of their lives and leaves with memories that will last a lifetime.”

The kids looked around at each other with excitement in their eyes, eager to start their new camping year.

“At Camp Everfree, we believe in the power of nature and the great outdoors. Our beautiful surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for all of our activities, from hiking and canoeing to archery and rock climbing. We also have a range of arts and crafts projects, talent shows, and campfire sing-alongs for those who prefer a more creative experience. And now some words from our Co-Director, Mr. Yang!”

Yang cleared his throat. “Ahem, while there are many fun things to do here in Everfree, you must also remember safety.”

Everyone groaned.

“Yes, yes I know… rules and such are boring, but we really do not want any of you to get hurt! So only five rules you need to follow. One, do not go into the forest after 10. All campers should be in their cabins or in the main area by 9pm. Two, if you see any unusual branches near the camp, contact either me or Miss Daisy immediately. Do not follow them or try to remove them. Three, always wear appropriate gear for each activity. We have helmets, life jackets, and other safety equipment available for use. Four, be aware of your surroundings and stay on marked paths. We don't want anyone getting lost or hurt. And finally, five, respect each other and our surroundings. No bullying or harmful behavior will be tolerated.”

Yang paused and looked around at the group of campers. “Remember, safety first, fun second. Let's have a great summer here at Camp Everfree!”

“What about the secret sixth!” Brad spoke up.

“Ah yes… campers… old and new. Stay away from eye of the storm. It’s the rock formation on your map. We are planning a new camp thing there and we wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise! So now campers, off you go to your activities, your cabin leader will take you there!” Yang’s serious demeanor turned back into a smiling face.

This didn’t sit right with Lloyd. Eye of the storm? Weird branches? Those didn’t seem like normal summer camp rules. Maybe they do just have a terrain problem, and they are building something new for the camp over there….

But something in Lloyd's gut told him there was more to it than that. He decided to keep his eyes and ears open and stay alert during his time at Camp Everfree.

“Sooo, what do you guys wanna do first?” Kai’s booming voice shook Lloyd out of his thoughts. “I was thinking of going back to the cabin for a nap.” Jay spoke up, which received a flick in the head from Kai.

“Any better suggestions?” Kai asked the others with slight annoyance.

Lloyd looked around at his cabin mates, trying to gauge their interests. "How about we try out the archery range? It could be fun."

The others looked at Lloyd skeptically at first, but then Kai's face lit up. "Archery? I'm in!"

The rest of the group agreed to give it a shot and they made their way to the archery range. As they walked, Lloyd couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this place. But for now, he decided to push those thoughts aside and enjoy the activities with his new friends.

“Well, well, well. Look who decides to show up to archery as his first pick!” A blue haired girl smirked as she caught sight of Kai and the others.

“Can it Trixie! Can I go one year without running into any of my exes!” Kai yelled. “Maybe stop getting with so many people. It’d do you a favor.” Cole gave him a smartass smile. Kai rolled his eyes and picked up a bow.

“Any of you keep talking and I’ll start imagining you as the apple.”

The group laughed and began to take turns shooting at the targets. Lloyd found himself getting lost in the rhythm of pulling the bowstring back and letting the arrow fly. As he focused on his aim, he noticed a figure in the distance watching them from behind a tree. It was too far to make out who it was, but something about their presence made Lloyd feel uneasy.

He shrugged it off and continued to shoot, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his gut.

“Ooops and Kai misses again! Just like he missed his chance with me!” Trixie yelled as Kai missed the target, causing the boy to heat up with rage.

“SHUT UP TRIXIE!”

“Isn’t this relaxing Twi? Me, you, and Drama Queen over there.” AJ smiled as Rarity screamed behind them.

“Excuse me Applejack, if I don’t like birds in my hair! It took forever to get it ready for today!” Rarity yelled.

“We’re in camp Rarity. Roughing it? There’s no time to be trying to attract partners since we all know that’s what all of this is uh, for.” Applejack waved a finger up and down at Rarity’s appearance.

“Hmph! Sorryif I like to look my best at all times." Rarity huffed, adjusting her hair.

Twilight chuckled at her friends. "Okay, okay, let's focus on bird watching. Look, there's a bluebird over there!"

The group spent the morning exploring the forest and spotting different birds. As they walked, they seemed to be going off path. It wasn't until they stumbled upon a strange rock formation that things started to get interesting.

"Hey, what's that over there?" Twilight pointed to the rock formation in the distance.

The others followed his gaze and gasped. "That's Eye of the Storm! We're not supposed to go there!" Rarity exclaimed.

“Let’s just turn back around, Alright?” Applejack said. “We wouldn’t want the camp directors worried over us would we?”

The two other girls nodded and they made their way back to the campsite to do another activity.

“I wonder what’s next to do!” Applejack read through the list. “The other four are baking cookies with Pinkie.”

“I for one would really love to go to the arts and crafts section, there is so many nature designs I could put into my dresses!” Rarity spoke up.

"I think that's a great idea," Twilight said, nodding in agreement. "I heard they have some really cool projects using natural materials like leaves and flowers."

The group made their way to the arts and crafts section, excited to start their next activity. As they walked, Twilight began talking to the others, which turned her direction from in front of her and she was suddenly stopped by a strange figure and an “oof”

She looked to see Lloyd raising an eyebrow at her with the other 4 behind him.

“You and I have really got to stop bumping into each other.” Twilight smiled.

Lloyd chuckled. "Yeah, we should probably start paying attention to where we're going."

“So where are you all coming from?” Rarity asked. “Archery. Kai can’t go one second without trying to strangle Trixie, so we had to get out of there.” Cole explained while glaring at Kai.

“In my defense. She asked for it, and I gave it to her. Well, tried.” Kai rolled his eyes. “She should learn to get over the fact I dumped her! Isn’t she with Morro now anyways?”

The group exchanged awkward glances, not sure how to respond to Kai's comment. Twilight cleared her throat, trying to change the subject.

“Well, we’re on our way to arts and crafts, so uh, maybe you all would like to join us? Kai could maybe use it to um… calm down?”

Kai stared at her and shrugged. “I don’t see why not. As long as we don’t run into another ex of mine.”

“How many exes do you have?!” Twilight asked, shocked. “Let’s see… Trixie, Skylor, Sunset, Morro, Cole, Tox, Ash, Shade, Starli-“ Jay began as Kai jumped to cover his mouth.

"Okay, okay, we get it," Lloyd said, chuckling. "Let's just focus on the arts and crafts for now."

The group continued on their way to the arts and crafts section, trying to shake off the awkward tension that had settled over them. As they arrived, they were greeted by a cheerful counselor who showed them how to make friendship bracelets.

As they worked on their bracelets, the group chatted and laughed, enjoying the simple pleasure of creating something together. Twilight looked around at her friends, feeling grateful for their presence in her life. They were all so different, with their own quirks and personalities.

As they finished their bracelets and said goodbye to the counselor, Twilight felt a sense of contentment settle over her.

The group made their way through the woods, they chatted and laughed, enjoying the peacefulness of the moment. The surroundings were beautiful, with the sun shining through the trees and the birds chirping in the distance.

“The other 4 should be making their way over to us… Now.” Rarity looked around for the rest of their friends. “I’m right here silly!” Pinkie popped up behind Rarity, scaring the hell out of her. “Oh my darling, you really scared the shit out of me.” Rarity struggled to catch her breath.

“How did the cookies go?” Applejack asked. “I think they went great! Besides Pinkie randomly exploding sprinkles in our faces.” Nya rolled her eyes.

“Ahaha Classic Stuff, Classic- wait what.” Jay shook out of his thoughts and thought back to what Nya said. “Exploding Sprinkles?”

“Yep! It was so weird! One second I dumped some sprinkles in my hand…” Pinkie pulled out a can of sprinkles and dumped them in her hand.

Suddenly, the sprinkles began to pop and crackle like fireworks, shooting out in all directions. The group ducked and covered their faces, trying to avoid the flying sprinkles.

"What the heck?" Kai exclaimed, his eyes wide in surprise.

As the sprinkles finally settled down, the group looked at each other in shock. What had just happened? Was this some kind of strange magic?

"Maybe we should report this to the camp counselors," Twilight suggested, her voice serious. "Something strange is happening here, and it's not safe."

The others nodded in agreement, and they made their way to the main office to report the strange incident.

“Magic Powers? Here? At Camp Everfree?” Gloriosa faced the teens with a raised eyebrow. “This is the safest camp in the world! Sure it used to be cursed or something like that, but it’s fine!”

"But something strange is definitely happening," Twilight insisted, her voice firm. "We've seen exploding sprinkles. There has to be something going on."

Gloriosa sighed, her expression softening. "I understand your concerns, but we've had no reports of any unusual activity. I promise you, this camp is perfectly safe."

The group exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do next. They knew that something was going on at Camp Everfree, but they had no proof to back up their claims.

“If Pinkie needs some rest, I am sure I can get her some hot towels and some time in the Sauna! Remember, I’ve got this! If she’s okay, then you all can make your way to the campfire with Co-Director Yang!” Gloriosa continued with a exaggerated smile that left the teens uneasy.

As they walked out, Gloriosa caught their attention again.

“Remember! Stay away from the eye of the storm. You wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise, would you? If you see any more weird activity, like you claim, our park ranger Ray is here on Thursdays and Fridays. Please report such things to him. Have fun!”

The group exchanged uneasy glances as they made their way towards the campfire. Gloriosa's words had left them even more worried than before. What was so important about this "eye of the storm" ? And what was the surprise she didn't want them to spoil?

“Something is not right about that woman this year.” Cole pointed out. “I mean, why is she so strict about the eye of the storm, whatever it is, this year? And why are we just now getting cool powers?” Rainbow put a hand to her chin.

“Woah woah woah, there is nothing cool about what’s happening to Pinkie. For all I know, it could be connected to what they don’t want us to know.” Lloyd reasoned. “Let’s just try to enjoy camp, and worry about silly stuff later, alright?”

Zane nodded in agreement. "Right now, we should focus on keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. We need to stay safe and protect each other."

As they arrived at the campfire, they saw Co-Director Yang waiting for them with a warm smile. "Welcome, welcome! I'm so glad you could all make it," he said, gesturing for them to sit down around the fire. "We're about to start our spooky stories. It's always a highlight of the week here at Camp Everfree."

The group settled in, watching as a green haired boy flashed a light across Yang’s face. He went from a smiling face to a cold demeanor as he began to speak.

“Have you ever heard of the Storm King Overlord?” Yang began.

The group leaned in, eager to hear what Yang had to say. They had a feeling that this story was going to be more than just a spooky tale.

Yang continued, his voice low and ominous. "Legend has it that the Storm King Overlord was a powerful nature spirt who could control the weather. He was feared and respected by all who knew him, for his power was unmatched. But one day, he grew greedy, and decided that he wanted more. He wanted to control not just the weather, but everything in the world."

The group shivered, imagining the power-hungry ruler and the chaos he must have caused. But Yang wasn't done yet.

"Legend has it that the Storm King Overlord was eventually defeated by a group of brave warriors, who rose up against him and overthrew his reign of terror. The battle took place in this very camp they say… And so his spirit roams on, waiting for his chance to return to power…”

The group exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to make of this story. Was it just a legend, or was there more to it?

“And STRIKE!” The boy who was holding the flashlight let out a yell that startled all of the campers causing Yang to let out a laugh.

“Thank you Timber, you always make it end with a bang.” Yang nodded towards the boy. “I wanted to try a new story this year, and I hope you all can sleep tonight, if you make it back to your cabins without being snatched up without the storm.”

The group laughed nervously, feeling a sense of relief that the story was just a tale. But at the same time, they couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to it than just a spooky story.

As they made their way back to their cabins, the group stayed alert, watching their surroundings carefully. They knew that they couldn't let their guard down, not even for a moment.

As they entered their separate cabins, the group tried to relax and unwind.

“I hate this. I can’t sleep.” Jay muttered. “What if the Storm King is real!”

Kai threw a pillow at his face.

“Shut up Jay. Some of us are trying to sleep!” Kai yelled. “You can't even sleep! Can you?” Jay stuck his tongue out. “I would be able to if someone wasn’t crying for their mommy!”

“Both of you be quiet.” Cole spoke up. “That was just a story. We’re fine, right Lloyd? Lloyd?” Cole looked over to the new kid.

“This is my first year of summer camp, and that is the scariest thing I’ve heard of! What happened to bullies and mean girls and other stuff!” Lloyd put his head in his hands.

“Someone’s watched a bit too much Disney… And plus, there’s a bully right here! You just haven’t met the mean girl.” Jay pointed at Kai and chuckled.

“Mean girl?” Lloyd raised an eyebrow.

************

“Sunset Shimmer. Meanest girl at camp, nobody knows what her problem is.” Rainbow told Twilight. “You just, watch out for her and you’re good.”

“Is there some type of camp hierarchy or something?” Twilight asked.

“Obviously Darling. There’s Trixie and Morro as camp Queen and King, Sunset as their like, enforcer or something, and Ash and Chamile and other bitches as their grovelers or something, and then there's the rest of us," Rarity replied, her tone laced with annoyance. "It's like a twisted version of high school."

Twilight frowned, feeling a sense of unease. She had heard rumors about the camp hierarchy, but she didn't realize just how deep it went.

"We need to stick together and stay strong," Twilight said, her voice firm. "We can't let them intimidate us or bully us. We need to stand up for ourselves and for each other."

The group looked at each other.

“Yeah um, news flash Sparkle, nobody stands up to them. We just y’know, mind our business.” Nya explained. “I see…” Twilight frowned. “Don’t worry Twilight, we’ve survived every camp season just by ignoring them!” Fluttershy smiled.

Twilight nodded, understanding their point of view, but she couldn't help but feel frustrated. She knew that they couldn't just ignore the camp hierarchy and hope for the best. They needed to take action.

Author's Note

Chapter 2! A cover for this is coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that! Thanks for reading!

The Fog Is Coming

"We can't just ignore them forever," Twilight said as the 12 teens sat at a bench. "We need to find a way to stand up to them, to take back control of our camp experience."

The group looked at Twilight, surprised by her sudden determination. They had never seen her like this before, and it was clear that she was not going to back down.

"Okay, Twilight. What do you suggest we do?" Cole asked, his tone serious.

Twilight thought for a moment before speaking. "We need to gather more information about Trixie, Morro, and Sunset. We need to find out what makes them tick, what their weaknesses are. Once we know that, we can come up with a plan to take them down."

“Well, one of us has been with Trixie, Morro, and Sunset. I know a little something about all three.” Kai smirked.

The group turned to Kai, surprised by his confession. "What do you mean?" Twilight asked, intrigued.

Kai hesitated for a moment before continuing. "They're not as tough as they seem. Trixie is all talk, and Morro is easily intimidated if you know how to push his buttons, And Sunset, well, she's just too arrogant for her own good. If you can get under her skin, she'll crumble like a house of cards."

The group nodded, taking in Kai's words. "Okay, so we have a starting point. Let's start gathering more information and come up with a plan," Twilight said, her determination growing.

“Yoooo, dweebs!” Everyone except Lloyd and Twilight groaned as they recognized the voice. They turned around to see a black haired guy walking towards them with paper in his hands.

“What do you need, Morro.” Kai gritted out his teeth. “Sheesh Kai, is that any way to treat your old friend? You wouldn’t want to break our little agreement, would you?” Morro smirked as Kai looked away.

“Anyways, we’re having a party in my cabin at the end of the week. Just gonna do some fun stuff, you know, getting drunk, spin the bottle, average teenager things.” Morro explained.

“Do the camp counselors know about this?” Lloyd raised an eyebrow. Morro let out a loud laugh. “Do they know? Get a load of this guy!” He slapped Lloyd’s back in the process, getting an annoyed look out of the boy.

“Of course they don’t know. That’s the fun of it.” Morro whispered, as to which Sunset appeared behind him.

“And if any of you tell, we’ll make sure to make your lives so miserable here, you’ll be begging to not come back. You understand?”

The group nodded swiftly and looked at each other nervously. “I definitely want to see you there, you’re too pretty to miss it.” Morro leaned over and kissed Twilight’s hand, causing her to cringe in response.

“Make sure you show up, cause if you don’t… I wouldn’t want to come get you, would I?” Morro laughed as him and Sunset walked off to go bother some kid across the pathway.

“Wooo, my first party and I’m being forced to go.” Lloyd cheered sarcastically. “This is the first year he’s done this. Awww why did you have to show up this year!” Kai faced Twilight.

Twilight's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?”

“It’s because he’s trying to make out with you, Twi. A party is his cover up because Trixie and Morro can never stay loyal to each other for more than 2 seconds” Cole rolled his eyes.

Twilight's eyes widened in shock at Cole’s words. She had no idea that Morro had any interest in her, and the thought made her feel uneasy.

"I didn't realize that Morro had any intentions towards me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kai sighed and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on you. We won't let anything happen to you."

“Party’s still a week away, but trying to pull any fast ones is like playing with fire,” Rainbow reasoned. “I suggest we just try to enjoy camp till after the party.”

“Agreed, getting into trouble on the second day of camp would have too much wear and tear on my wardrobe.” Rarity flicked her hand. “I for one would love to go on a canoe ride.”

The teens looked among themselves, and decided that a canoe ride was actually a pretty nice idea, as long as nobody fell off into the water below.

The group made their way to the lake, where canoes were waiting for them. Twilight and Rainbow Dash paired up, as did Lloyd and Zane. Cole paired up with Rarity, and Nya paired up with Pinkie, with AJ and Fluttershy in another. Kai and Jay were left to share a canoe, but they didn't mind. As long as they didn’t try to kill each other along the way.

As they paddled out onto the peaceful water, they couldn't help but feel grateful for the moment of calm amidst the chaos.

"This is nice," Zane said, breaking the silence.

"Sure is," Lloyd agreed.

Cole worked at the paddles for his and Rarity’s boat as she sat in the back, taking in the sun.

“You sure the sun isn’t gonna melt the makeup off of you?” Cole asked with a smirk, which Rarity scoffed and playfully hit him in the back. “You talk too much for your own good cake boy.”

"You seem to be taking this whole camp thing in stride," Cole said, rolling his eyes.

Rarity smiled. "Of course, darling. I'm always up for an adventure. Besides, I'm quite used to roughing it in the great outdoors."

Cole chuckled. "Really? I wouldn't have guessed that about you."

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Oh, do tell. What do you think I'm like?"

Cole smirked. "Well, let's just say you strike me as more of a high-maintenance type."

Rarity playfully swatted him on the arm. "Oh, hush. I'll have you know that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

Cole grinned. "I'm sure you are. But hey, if you ever need someone to help you pitch a tent or start a fire, just let me know." He was certain she was lying, as back at home there was always stuff he was coming over to help with, but he decided to play along just for the hell of it.

Rarity laughed. "I'll keep that in mind, darling."

As they paddled through the lake, Kai couldn't help but notice that Jay's paddling was a bit slower than his own. "You're paddling too slow, Jay," he groaned, wanting to get to their destination faster.

Jay rolled his eyes. "Well, you're going too fast, Kai. We need to pace ourselves."

Kai scoffed. "Pace ourselves? We're in a race, Jay. We need to win."

Jay shook his head. "It's not a race, Kai. We're just trying to enjoy the scenery."

“Enjoy not being able to get my sister.” Kai smirked. Jay glared. “Someone’s got jokes today huh? And I’m normally the one with jokes! Dating half the camp and still not the girl you actually want!”

“Oh that does it!” Kai lunged for Jay and tried to force his face into the water below. “Help! He’s attacking an unarmed man!” Jay screamed. “I’m trying to wash your mouth out!” Kai laughed.

Twilight chuckled at their bickering while Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Can you guys stop trying to kill each other for two seconds and just enjoy the ride?" she said, exasperated.

Kai let go of Jay and they both grumbled but eventually fell into a comfortable rhythm, their paddles moving in sync. As they paddled further out, they were suddenly surrounded by a thick fog. They couldn't see anything beyond a few feet in front of them, and they started to feel uneasy.

“Uh guys? I think it might be a good idea to turn around.” Lloyd called out. “Ya think? I can barely see where I’m going!” Rainbow yelled.

“Zane, help me out here!” Lloyd cried out. “I do not know how to assist you, but I can provide light.” Zane pressed a button on his head, and two blue lights shone from his eyes.

“What the- HOW DID YOU DO THAT?” Lloyd stared, shocked.

Zane simply shrugged. “It is one of my many abilities as a nindroid. Did I not mention that to you earlier?”

Lloyd shook his head frantically, and then looked back at the others with a “did you guys know this?” And received a couple of nods.

“Hey Zane! Think you use those lights to guide us out of this fog?” Kai asked hopefully.

Zane nodded and they all followed the blue lights, paddling carefully to avoid running into anything. As they navigated through the fog, they started to hear strange noises - whispers and rustling - but they couldn't see where they were coming from.

“Guys, I don't like this.” Jay's voice was shaky.

“Just keep following Zane's lights, we'll be okay.” Twilight tried to reassure him.

“What if it’s the Storm King?” Fluttershy whimpered. “Don’t worry Fluttershy… it’s just a myth, right yall?” Applejack asked. “Honestly AJ, I’m not too sure myself anymore.” Kai responded shakily.

“Zane’s light isn’t doing enough! We need something brighter,” Lloyd said. “Where would we find something like that? A branch? We have no lighter!” Twilight responded. “Whatever it is, you need to hurry and find it before we all get lost!” Rarity screamed.

“I got it!” Kai put his hand into the air. He then looked down to see everyone looking up at his hand, gasping in awe. “What are you all staring at?”

Jay pointed to his hand, which Kai looked up at to see a bright flame surrounding it, and the crazy part was, it didn’t hurt!

“Woah, how did you do that?” Rainbow asked, amazed.

“I don’t know, I just...felt it,” Kai said, still in shock himself.

“Just hurry up and use that flame to guide us out of here,” Zane urged.

Kai nodded and held his hand in front of the canoe, using the flame to light their way through the thick fog. They paddled as fast as they could, trying to get back to the main sight.

Finally, they saw land in the distance.

As they paddled away from the fog, they could all breathe a sigh of relief. They had made it out alive, thanks to Kai’s unexpected ability.

“That was insane,” Twilight said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, but we’re all safe now. That’s what matters,” Jay said, smiling.

“So… explosive sprinkles and fire powers? That’s… random?” Lloyd pinched the bridge of his nose. “And it’s not like Gloriosa will believe us, even if she sees it right in her very eyes!”

“Yeah, we’ll just have to hope that we don’t have to explain it to her,” Rainbow said.

“Speaking of Gloriosa, we should probably head back to camp and let her know we’re okay,” Twilight suggested.

They all nodded in agreement and started paddling back towards camp, the sun setting behind them. As they approached the shore, they could see Gloriosa waiting for them, looking relieved.

“Thank goodness you’re all okay!” Gloriosa exclaimed as they stepped out of the canoe.

“We had a bit of a scare in the fog, but we made it out,” Kai said, pointing back to the water.

Gloriosa’s eyes widened in surprise. “I...I got this! I’ll have that fog cleared out faster than you can say fog!” She hopped onto a canoe herself and paddled out into the distance, leaving the 12 teens dumbfounded.

“She’s weird… and not funny weird like me… just weird weird,” Pinkie whispered to Jay, who nodded heavily in agreement.

As they waited for Gloriosa to return, the teens sat around the campfire, enjoying the warmth of the flames.

“So...what do we do now?” Fluttershy asked, looking around at her friends.

“I really hope this is all some weird cgi where they’re filming a movie.” Jay sighed. Kai lit his hand on fire and threw a fireball at the campfire, spewing flames everywhere as Rarity and Jay backed up and yelled in surprise.

“Can you stop doing that!? I just designed this and I’d hate to see it burned off!” Rarity rolled her eyes. Kai and Cole looked at each other and snickered as Rainbow caught onto their implication.

“You two are disgusting!” She threw a marshmallow bag at Kai’s face as Cole ducked to dodge it.

“Don’t you three have siblings who go here?” Zane looked at Rarity, Rainbow and Applejack. The girls nodded and Rainbow sighed. “I’d never forgive myself if something happened to Scoots, you know, her growth was stunted at a young age, so I try my best to keep her motivated.”

Rarity nodded in agreement. “And Sweetie Belle is here as well. I can’t imagine what would happen if something happened to her,” she said, looking worried.

“Same goes for my little sister, Apple Bloom,” Applejack added, a determined look on her face. “We need to make sure everyone stays safe.”

“My dad shows up on Thursday. We can report all of this to him, and maybe he can finally give us whatever the hell is happening around here.” Kai explained.

“But then we still have that party, which is most likely gonna suck” Lloyd added. “We’ll deal with that when it comes around. For now, let’s go join everyone else at lunch.” Cole said as everyone stood up and made their way to the mess hall.

Camp Everfree was a strange place, and the random powers were even stranger…

Secrets of Everfree

Kai kicked a rock down the dirt path of Camp Everfree. He wanted to show everyone his cool new powers, but words from his friends were to keep it on the down-low, until they could somehow figure out what was going on.

Lloyd and Twilight had gone to the camp library to look at past records, Jay and Zane had gone back out to the water to look for Gloriosa, and the others had gone to enjoy themselves doing other random things, leaving Kai lost in his thoughts.

It was strange. He never thought about the camp rules until this year. Don’t touch branches in the ground? Don’t go out of the main area past 10? I guess there were animals out there they had to avoid… and for the branches well, who wants to get a splinter?

“You gonna kick that rock all day or you wanna do something?” Kai turned around to a strange voice in which a girl with purple and blue hair was standing behind him.

“Ohh, toothpaste!” Kai laughed. This was Starlight Glimmer, or what everyone deemed her at camp, Toothpaste, due to the nature of her hair. She was Trixie’s best friend, yet not as mean and uptight as her. If anything she was a little oblivious to the whole camp hierarchy thing.

“So, Toothpaste. What’s up?” Kai asked, grinning.

“Not much, just wandering around. You seem a little lost in thought,” Starlight said, looking at him curiously.

“Yeah, just thinking about all the weird stuff that’s been happening,” Kai said, kicking the rock again.

“Weird stuff?” Starlight raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you haven’t heard? Y’know how Gloriosa’s been gone for like, a day?” Kai started. Starlight nodded. “Well, there was some weird fog yesterday, I’m not really supposed to be telling you this, but honestly I want someone else to know besides us.” He finished.

“Where did it come from? It’s too sunny out for fog.” Starlight asked.

“I’m not sure, we were just on a canoe ride. Then it came! We got back, and then Gloriosa just went after it and disappeared!” Kai said, looking around to make sure no one was listening in on their conversation.

“That’s strange. Do you think it has something to do with the whole eye of the storm thing?” Starlight asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“I don’t know, but it’s definitely possible. We need to find out what’s going on,” Kai said, feeling a sense of urgency.

Starlight nodded. “Let’s investigate. We can’t just sit around and wait for something to happen.”

The two of them set off into the woods, determined to find out what was behind the strange fog and Gloriosa’s disappearance. They knew it was risky, but they couldn’t just ignore the strange occurrences happening around them.

“Found anything yet?” Twilight looked over to the blonde, who was looking through a book with his head down.

“Well, did you know the previous mayor of Canterlot City tried to pass a law that would require everyone to eat cheese before bed? Cause I…know that… now.” Lloyd groaned.

“I don’t understand, there has to be something here about the past everfree! Where else would people get the idea that it’s cursed!” Twilight said, frustrated.

“If it is the past of the camp you seek, you won’t find it there…” An old woman’s voice echoed across the library. The two teenagers turned around to face the woman. She was sitting at her desk, sipping tea.

Lloyd raised an eyebrow. “And you are?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, do Garmadons not have manners anymore? Does your father ever mention me?” She shook her head.

“Uh…” Lloyd racked through his memories. She was the librarian, that was obvious, but where else had he seen her before.

“Oh! I got it! You’re the one who delivers those teas to Uncle Wu! What was your name again? Mistakè!”

The old woman chuckled. “Yes, that’s right. I am Mistakè. And it’s good to see that you know your family history, young Lloyd.”

Twilight looked at Lloyd with surprise. “Your family knows Mistakè? How come I’ve never heard of her before?”

Lloyd shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s some secret family thing.”

Mistakè laughed. “I should have a talk with the mayor I see, since she doesn't know how to mention old friends. But enough about that. You two are looking for information on the cursed Everfree, correct?”

Twilight and Lloyd nodded eagerly.

“Well, I may have something that could help you,” Mistakè said, reaching under her desk and pulling out a dusty old tome. “This is a book of ancient legends and myths.. It may have some information on the past forest.”

Twilight took the book from her and carefully opened it. The pages were yellowed and frail, but the text inside was still legible. She began to read aloud, her voice filling the library.

As she read, the story of the cursed Everfree began to unfold. The two teenagers listened intently, hanging on every word.

“There are four nature spirits. Storm, Life, Water, and Earth. Apparently the Storm King took Everfree from the Life Spirit, and she gave powers to 12 different champions in order to take it back, or trap him.” Twilight explained.

“But it said that Earth and Water were absorbed by him! What made him turn against the others?” Lloyd looked towards Mistakè.

“I wouldn’t know. Some say his heart was turned to night by something that came out of the darkness.”

Twilight and Lloyd exchanged worried glances. They knew that they had to find out what had turned the Storm King against the other nature spirits, and what had caused him to become so powerful.

“Do you know anything else about the nature spirits?” Twilight asked Mistakè.

Mistakè nodded. “Yes, I do. The Life Spirit is said to still be among us, waiting for her brother to return. She built this forest and all its life from the ground up.”

“And what about the champions?” Lloyd asked.

“The champions were chosen by the Life Spirit to help her take back Everfree from the Storm King. Each of them was given a special power, such as the ability to control fire or the power to levitate objects. Together, they were able to defeat the Storm King and restore peace to the forest; they have long ago died though.” Mistakè explained.

“Thank you, Mistakè,” Twilight said, closing the book. “We’ll be sure to come back if we need any more information.”

Mistakè smiled. “Of course, my dear. And be careful out there. Do not let the directors catch onto you, as this is a dangerous place.”

Twilight and Lloyd nodded, and with one last glance at the old librarian, they left the library.

“Gloriosa! Are you out there!” Jay yelled into the distance. He turned around to Zane. “We’ve been out here for an hour. No fog, no Gloriosa. I wonder if Lloyd and Twilight have more luck than us.”

Zane nodded. "It's possible. But we can't give up yet. Gloriosa is out there somewhere, and we have to find her."

Just then, a rushing sound caught their attention. They turned around to see a figure emerging from the water. It was Gloriosa Daisy.

"Jay, Zane, what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see them.

“Well, we were looking for you… but it looks like you found us.” Jay chuckled nervously.

Gloriosa smiled. "I was out here searching for a rare type of seaweed. It has healing properties that could be useful in my work at the camp. But I'm glad to see you both. Did you find anything interesting?"

Jay shook his head. “Well, I was about to ask what you were doing in the water, and what happened to the fog, but it seems like you’ve already answered."

Zane added, "We were about to head back to the camp, but then we saw you. It's good to know you're okay."

Gloriosa nodded. "I appreciate your concern. But we should head back to the camp together. I don’t want anyone else looking for us, and the fog was just a little weather mishap, remember!”

“You’ve got this…” Jay and Zane groaned.

Gloriosa chuckled. "Don't worry, guys. We'll get back to the camp in no time. And who knows, maybe we'll come across something interesting on the way."

As they walked, Gloriosa pointed out different plants and animals that were native to the area. Jay and Zane listened intently, fascinated by her knowledge.

Suddenly, they heard a loud roar coming from the distance. Gloriosa stopped in her tracks and listened carefully.

"That sounds like a bear," she said, her voice filled with concern.

Jay and Zane exchanged worried glances. They had heard stories of bears in the area, but they had never encountered one before.

"What should we do?" Zane asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Gloriosa took a deep breath and said, "We need to stay calm and slowly back away. We don't want to provoke it."

The trio slowly started to back away, keeping their eyes on the direction of the roar. As they walked, the sound grew louder and louder.

Suddenly, a massive grizzly bear appeared in front of them, standing on its hind legs and roaring loudly.

Jay and Zane froze in fear. They had never seen such a massive bear before.

But then, something unexpected happened. The bear suddenly dropped back onto all fours and started to walk towards Gloriosa, growling warmly while nuzzling her.

Gloriosa breathed a sigh of relief. "This is Curtis the bear, he’s a very great friend of mine.” She scratched his chin and the bear smiled. Gloriosa then sent him off back into the woods. “We should probably get back to camp as quickly as possible."

Jay and Zane nodded, still in shock from the encounter. As they made their way back, they couldn't help but feel grateful to have Gloriosa with them. Someone was a real nature whisperer.

As they walked, Gloriosa explained to Jay and Zane how she had met Curtis the bear years ago when he was just a cub. She had saved him from a hunter and nursed him back to health.

Jay and Zane were amazed by Gloriosa's bond with the bear. They had never seen anything like it before.

Finally, they arrived back at the camp, where they were greeted by their fellow campers.

"Are you guys okay?" Rainbow asked.

Jay and Zane nodded and told them about their encounter with the grizzly bear and how Gloriosa had saved them.

“So you did find her!” Lloyd yelled as he and Twilight ran to the others. He tapped the pink haired woman before she could walk away and she turned to him.

“Yes?”

“What do you know about the storm king?” Lloyd asked with seriousness in his eyes. “The Storm King? That old camp tale? There’s nothing to it besides a story my parents made up!” Gloriosa laughed nervously.

“Then what is this about?” Twilight reached into her bag. But when she pulled her hand out, nothing was there!

“What the- I just had it!” Twilight frantically searched through her bag, but nothing relating to the book was there.

Gloriosa sighed. “I get that you are all still frightened by yesterday’s events, but I promise you everything is fine here. Maybe you all should get some rest, okay?”

The group nodded and made their way back to their cabins.

“This is stupid.” Lloyd paced around the room. “Get some rest? What does she think we are, crazy?!”

“Most likely. Twilight’s performance earlier did not help our case very much.” Zane pointed out. “Yes thank you Zane, very helpful.” Lloyd rolled his eyes.

“I am glad to be of assistance.” Zane smiled, only to get a pillow thrown at his face. “He was being sarcastic, Zane, go to sleep.” Jay shook his head.

“Has anyone seen Kai? He’s been gone since we all split up.” Cole walked In through the backdoor, looking worried. “I have not seen Kai either now that I think about it,” Zane claimed.

“Guys! Guys!” Kai and Starlight burst through the door. The four other boys looked up to the screaming duo.

“We saw a branch… and Uhm… Kai touched it, and well…” Starlight pointed outside the door. The others looked out to see lightning striking one part of the forest.

“It just started shooting lightning from the sky! A random storm! I don’t know how it happened!” Kai waved his hands around.

All the other campers ran outside to look at the sight. The wind blew strongly towards the camp, and the cloud began to move towards the area.

“What’s going on!?” Rarity asked as the girls ran over to them. “This dimwit touched something he wasn’t supposed to!” Cole hit Kai on the back of the head.

“I think we have other things to deal with!” Lloyd pointed at the sky, which the storm cloud had come closer to the camp, striking at the campers below it which sent the area into a panic.

Yang ran up behind the teens. “What’s going on here! I know it had something to do with you all.”

“I just touched a branch! What type of branch sets off a storm!” Kai cried out.

Jay pulled out his phone and began typing frantically. “I’m trying to search for any information on this type of phenomenon. Maybe there’s a way to stop it. Shit! No power!”

“Watch your mouth young man.” Yang corrected.

The storm grew stronger and lightning struck closer to the campers, causing them to scatter and take cover. The group huddled together, trying to figure out what to do.

“Hey guys, is it just me or is it… coming towards us?” Kai noticed. “Oooh! Maybe it’s coming to give us a present!” Pinkie smiled. Lightning struck at Cole and Kai’s feet, who both jumped back in terror. “Or not.”

“What’s the chance for surviving lightning?” Cole asked. “Like uh, barely!” Applejack responded. “Maybe since we’re huddled together it won’t hurt as much!” Starlight claimed.

The cloud charged up and shot lightning at the teens again, and they all braced for impact, but nothing came.

They all opened their eyes to see a shining giant diamond around them, which deflected the blast back at the cloud and caused it to explode, clearing up the sky.

“What just happened…” Nya asked. They all stepped away to see who was spawning the diamond, and the user was revealed to be Rarity, as it seemed to follow her around.

“My! This is such an extravagant power! I do wonder if I can make dresses with this?” Rarity exclaimed, admiring the diamond that still surrounded them.

“Really? That’s where your mind goes in all of this? Dresses?” Applejack facepalmed.

“Rarity, how did you do that?” Lloyd asked, amazed.

“I have no idea! It just happened when the lightning was about to strike us,” Rarity replied, still in shock.

“Well, whatever it was, it saved our lives,” said Jay, relieved.

The group slowly made their way back to the cabin, still in awe of what had just happened. As they sat together, trying to process the events of the day, they couldn’t help but wonder what other powers they might possess.

“Who knows what other surprises this camp has in store for us,” Zane said with a smile.

“Let’s try not setting off traps again though, Kai.” Jay told off the Spiky haired boy, who just rolled his eyes.

In the girls cabin, Rarity was still showing off her newfound power which definitely wasn’t a secret, since everyone in the camp saw her use it.

“Finally, I don’t need to share the mirror!” She put the diamond in front of her face. “My hair has not enjoyed this camp experience.”

“I’m glad this one is more relaxing than mine…” Pinkie sighed, floating around on another diamond Rarity had spawned.

Nya smiled and looked at the two of them. “We all have our own unique experiences here,” she said, “and that’s what makes it so special.”

“Yeah, who knows what other surprises we’ll discover,” added Applejack.

“The surprise about why Cole and Rarity aren’t a thing yet, despite the fact that he literally helps her with everything back in town and has babysat her sister.” Rainbow smirked.

The group laughed as red painted across Rarity’s face and she rolled her eyes. They were relaxed, happy to be safe and together. They may not have been prepared for the unexpected events that had transpired, but they had each other, and that was all that mattered.

You’re Way Too Noisy

Lloyd slowly opened his eyes to hear rummaging coming from the bathroom. Who the hell could be making this much noise at 7 in the morning?

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, making his way to the bathroom to give the culprit a very annoyed speech about shutting the hell up when people are still trying to sleep. Lloyd burst open the door, causing the boy in front of the mirror to jump up in shock.

“Jay? You’re the one making all this noise this early?” Lloyd raised an eyebrow as he recognized the scream and the hair.

Jay nervously chuckled, trying to recover from the fright. "Uh, yeah. Sorry about that. I was just getting ready for work," he explained, holding up his suit jacket.

Lloyd rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Just try to keep it down a bit next time, okay? I don't want to be woken up by your job drama or whatever else you have going on, you’re lucky it’s me and not Kai," he grumbled, clearly annoyed. Lloyd then realized what he said.

“Wait… work in the middle of camp?! Alright what is this actually about Jay?” Lloyd sighed. Jay scratched his head and looked away.

"Actually, I was going to ask Nya out today," he admitted, looking nervous.

Lloyd stared at him for a while and then his eyes lowered.

“Good luck with that.” He began to walk off until he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. “Wait! Lloyd, I need your help.”

“My help?”

Jay nodded eagerly. "Yeah, you're always so calm and collected. I need some advice on how to ask Nya out," he explained, looking hopeful.

“You think I know girls?!” Lloyd threw his hands up in the air. “The first girlfriend I had was not the best.”

“What. Okay look, I know maybe you’re not the best person, but I can’t ask Kai cause he’ll kill me before he helps, Cole doesn’t know a thing about women, and Zane is well… Zane.” Jay explained.

Lloyd still wasn’t buying it and facepalmed. “Why don’t you ask a girl then Jay? Preferably someone who’s up as early as you.”

“I didn’t think of that.” Jay chuckled nervously.

Lloyd’s eyes widened at Jay’s confession. He woke him up, kept him up, and didn’t even try any other options?

“You’re not mad right?” Jay smiled.

“No. I’m not mad.”

“That’s gre-”

“I’m furious.”

“Excuse-”

“GET OUT!” Lloyd kicked Jay out of the cabin and shut the door behind him, leaving Jay outside in the early morning.

“You can come back when you’re done with your girl problems! I’m gonna try and go back to sleep.” Lloyd yelled through the window and trudged back to bed. He’d apologize later, when he was well rest and not in a bad mood.

Jay was stuck. Lloyd kicked him out the cabin, and there seemed to be nobody in sight, until he saw exactly who he needed. His pink haired, party planner extraordinaire best friend. She was the only one energetic enough to be up this early, and probably the only one Jay had enough courage to tell.

“Pinkie!” Jay called over to her. The girl caught the sound of his voice and skipped over to his location.

“What’s up, Jay?” Pinkie asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“I need your help. I’m trying to ask Nya out, but I have no idea how to do it,” Jay admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed.

As Pinkie listened to Jay's request for help, her heart sank a little. She had been harboring feelings for Jay for some time now, but he seemed oblivious to her hints and advances. And now, he was asking for her help to ask out another girl.

"Sure, I can help you," Pinkie said, trying to hide her disappointment. "But, have you considered that Nya might not be interested in guys?"

"What do you mean?" Jay asked, confused.

"I mean, Nya might be y’know," Pinkie explained gently.

Jay scoffed. "What? No way. Nya has never mentioned anything like that."

"Well, that doesn't mean she isn't," Pinkie said, feeling a little frustrated that Jay wasn't listening to her.

"Look, Pinkie, I appreciate your concern, but I really like Nya and I want to give it a shot," Jay said firmly.

Pinkie sighed, knowing there was nothing she could do to change Jay's mind. "Okay, let's focus on how you're going to ask her out then."

As Pinkie started to give Jay advice on how to ask Nya out, she couldn't help but feel a little hurt. She knew she shouldn't have gotten her hopes up, but she couldn't help it.

Pinkie thought for a moment before answering. "Well, Nya loves water, so maybe you could take her to the lake"

Jay nodded, liking the idea. "That's a great suggestion. I'll plan it for tonight!”

Pinkie smiled, happy to see Jay taking her advice. "Great! And make sure to bring her favorite snacks and drinks too."

Jay grinned. "Thanks, Pinkie. I couldn't have done this without your help."

Pinkie nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. "No problem, Jay. Just make sure you're honest with Nya and don't lead her on if she's not interested."

Jay frowned, not liking the implication. "Of course I won't lead her on. I genuinely like her."

Pinkie nodded, not wanting to argue. "Okay, let's get to planning then."

Pinkie lead Jay to the camp kitchen, where she began pulling items out of the cabinets and throwing them onto the counter.

“What are you doing?” Jay raised an eyebrow. “You can’t have a date without a cake!” Pinkie explained brightly.

Jay chuckled at Pinkie's enthusiasm. "Alright, let's bake a cake then. What kind do you think Nya would like?"

Pinkie thought for a moment before answering. "Well, she loves chocolate, so maybe a chocolate cake?"

Jay nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me. Let's get started."

As they started preparing the ingredients for the cake, Jay and Pinkie's hands brushed against each other. They both blushed but tried to play it cool.

"Oops, sorry about that," Jay said, trying to hide his nervousness.

"It's okay," Pinkie replied, feeling her heart race. She couldn't help but notice how warm Jay's hand felt against hers.

As they continued to work together, their hands touched again. This time, Pinkie didn't pull away. Instead, she put her hand on top of Jay's, guiding him as they mixed the ingredients.

Jay looked at Pinkie, a smile on his face. "Thanks for your help, Pinkie. I couldn't have done this without you."

Pinkie smiled back, feeling a rush of happiness. "No problem, Jay. It was fun baking with you."

They continued to work together, laughing and joking as they made the cake. Pinkie couldn't help but feel a little sad that this was just a friendly gesture and not a romantic one. But she pushed those feelings aside and focused on enjoying the moment with her friend.

As they put the cake in the oven, Jay looked at Pinkie. "You know, Pinkie, you're an amazing friend. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Pinkie felt her heart swell with warmth. "You're an amazing friend too, Jay. And I'm always here for you, no matter what."

They shared a warm smile before getting back to the rest of the preparations.

After a couple of hours of baking and planning, Jay and Pinkie had everything ready for Jay’s gesture. They packed a basket full of Nya's favorite snacks, a blanket, and of course, the chocolate cake.

Pinkie couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She hoped everything would go well for Jay and Nya, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something might go wrong.

Jay noticed Pinkie's nerves and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Pinkie. Everything will be fine."

Jay ran off to find Nya, it was a perfect time as the sun was beginning to set. And that’s when it hit him that he hadn’t seen the others all day since Lloyd kicked him out.

It was fine though, not like they have to show up in every “chapter” of his life. (See what I did there?)

Nya had to be somewhere, but where could she be? It was unlikely they had already gone back to their cabin.

Jay started to walk around the campsite, hoping to find any sign of Nya. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

As he was about to give up, he heard a faint sound of water splashing. He followed the sound and found Nya sitting by the lake, her feet in the water.

"Nya!" Jay called out, feeling relieved that he had found her.

Nya turned around and smiled when she saw Jay. "Hey, Jay. What brings you here?"

"I wanted to take you on a little something," Jay said, holding up the basket of snacks and the chocolate cake.

Nya's attention looked to him. "That sounds lovely."

Jay felt a rush of happiness. Maybe Pinkie was right, and this could actually work out.

As they sat by the lake, eating snacks and talking, Jay couldn't help but feel grateful for Pinkie's help. He wouldn't have been able to plan this without her. He made a mental note to thank her later.

The sunset was beautiful, and Jay and Nya both watched it in silence. As the sun went down, Jay reached for Nya's hand. She didn't pull away.

Jay decided this was the perfect time to pop the question.

“Nya… I've, uh, liked you for some time, and I was wondering if…” Jay began.

“Yes?” Nya looked at him, confused.

“Would you want to be my girlfriend?” Jay asked with hope in his eyes.

Nya's eyes widened, and she looked at Jay, surprised. She had never expected this to happen, but she had to be honest with him.

"Jay, I'm flattered, but I'm not into guys," Nya said gently, taking Jay's hand in hers.

Jay's heart sank, and he felt embarrassed. He had misread the signals, and he felt stupid for even trying. But he knew that he had to respect Nya's decision.

"I understand," Jay said, feeling disappointed. "I'm sorry for making things awkward."

Nya smiled at him, understanding. "It's okay, Jay. I appreciate your honesty, and I hope we can still be friends."

The girl got up and walked off, not wanting to make it more awkward and left Jay to sit at the lake with his thoughts.

“Didn’t go too well huh?” Pinkie sat down on the grass next to him. “Yeah… but actually, I’m not that sad about it.”

Pinkie raised an eyebrow.

“What? What do you mean? You were worried about the whole thing all day? She’s the girl of your dreams!” Pinkie yelled.

“Second girl of my dreams.” Jay chuckled as he looked down into the water.

“Huh? Who’s the first? I don’t understand!” Pinkie asked with curiosity.

“I’m sitting right next to her.” Jay smiled.

The girl’s eyes widened at Jay’s confession.

“I've had feelings for you for a long time, but I was too scared to say anything. I was really going for Nya cause I didn't want to risk our friendship. We've been friends since like, first grade.” Jay sighed.

Pinkie felt her heart skip a beat. "Jay, I had no idea. I... I don't know what to say."

Jay looked at her, and put a finger up. "Please don't say anything if you don't feel the same way. I don't want to make things weird between us."

Pinkie took a deep breath and looked at him, her eyes shining with emotion. "Jay, I... I feel the same way. I've had feelings for you too, but I didn't want to mess things up either.”

Jay felt a rush of happiness and relief. "Really?"

Pinkie nodded, smiling. "Really. I'm so glad you told me."

They sat there for a while, looking at each other with new understanding. Jay felt like he was seeing Pinkie in a whole new light, and he couldn't believe how lucky he was.

“So do we like, tell the others?” Jay asked. “Nah…” She grabbed his hand into her own. “Let them figure it out, it’s more fun that way.”

Jay nodded and smiled as she leaned her head into his shoulder, feeling something electrical surge through his body. He wondered if it was that he had just got special powers as well.

But that wasn’t important to him right now.

Lloyd stood from the distance of the lake, nodding his head.

“Told ya to ask a girl.” He chuckled.

Magical Mishap

Author's Note

Stuff really starts to get crazy here! I’m sorry I hadn’t updated in a while, I was focusing on finishing up Ninjago Rocks, but now you can finally see how the party goes!

Magical Mishap

Saturday. The Day of Morro’s party. The same party the Main 12 were sworn to secrecy about unless they wanted a fist to face from Sunset Shimmer. And nobody really wanted that. I mean, it was just a party, how bad could it go?

“Very bad. Like probably the worst if we’re being honest.” Cole stated. “They’ve definitely got something planned, I just don’t wanna know what it is, and that it doesn’t affect us.” Lloyd added.

“Well, aren’t there other people going? Why don’t we ask them? They probably know more than us.” Twilight suggested.

“That’s… actually a good idea.” Kai admitted. “But who would we ask?”

Pinkie, who was stuffing her mouth with cookies, immediately slammed the table and raised her hand while trying to quickly finish her cookie.

“I know! Sunset has another ex besides Kai! I think his name was Flash or something…”

“Flash Sentry?” Rarity chimed in, raising an eyebrow. “Yes, I’ve heard of him. I believe he’s friends with Morro. Perhaps we can ask him for some information.”

The Main 12 all agreed that it was a good plan and decided to track down Flash Sentry before the party. They split up and searched the campsite, eventually finding him at the archery site shooting bows.

“Excuse me, Flash?” Twilight approached him, smiling politely. “We were wondering if you could help us with something.”

Flash turned around and raised an eyebrow curiously. “Sure, what do you need?”

“We were invited to Morro’s party tonight, but we’re not really sure what to expect. We were wondering if you had any information that could help us prepare?” Twilight explained.

Flash’s expression turned serious. “Look, I don’t know what Morro has planned, but I do know that it’s not going to be good. He’s been acting strange lately, and I’ve heard rumors that he’s planning something big.”

“I see, thank you for your help.” Twilight nodded. “Y’know, if you’re worried about going alone, I could go with you.” Flash smiled.

“I um- er- uh…” Twilight stuttered, not sure how to respond to the sudden approach. She was not used to getting asked to go with things to people, unless it was Celestia.

“I’ll- get back to you on that! Not that I’m saying no or anything, you seem like a really nice person, I just didn’t expect that, y-you know!” Twilight kept trying to explain herself as Flash stared at her with a smirk.

“It’s alright, you can think about it before it starts, besides I didn’t get your name!” Flash chuckled. “It’s Twilight… Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight scratched her head.

“Well, Miss Sparkle, I hope you accept my offer, and that we cross paths again soon.” Flash smiled. Twilight nodded and ran off to where her friends were at, which she was surprised to see Lloyd and Rarity already near her.

“Well, looks like you found him, what did he say?” Lloyd asked. “He doesn’t exactly know what Morro’s doing, but it’s something big.” Twilight explained.

Rarity then threw that conversation out the window. “Never mind that darling, if my ears heard correctly, Flash pretty much asked you out to the party!”

“He did? But he was just asking to go with me, as protection or something!” Twilight explained. “Protection, smection, that’s just his chivalrous way of flirting.” Rarity rolled her eyes. Twilight blushed, Flash seemed way out of her league, and he was into her?

Makes no sense.

“Anywho, I’m going to go get ready for this party!” Rarity began to walk off. “Rarity, it’s a bad party!” Lloyd yelled out. “Just because it’s bad doesn’t mean I have to look the same!” She yelled back as Lloyd shook his head.

“Looks like it’s just us.” Twilight smiled. “Yeah, so Flash is your type?” Lloyd asked. “Huh? What do you mean?” Twilight asked. “I mean, you seem interested, not that I can blame you, seems like the popular, sporty, cool guy type.” Lloyd shrugged.

“Alright, what’s up, why are you so interested?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Nothing, nothing! I was just wondering.” Lloyd put his hands up in defense. “Well, if it’s anything to you, my type is more of a quiet, but headstrong and intelligent type,” Twilight admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Lloyd grinned. “Ah, so you’re into the mysterious and brooding type.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Not necessarily brooding, just...someone who can challenge me intellectually.”

“It’s kinda funny how I’ve already found someone like that.”

Lloyd turned around. “I see, well, I wish you luck in whoever it is.” He began to walk off until Twilight grabbed his arm. “Where are you going? We don’t get a lot of one on one unless it’s trying to research camp stuff.”

“Hm, I guess you’re right. Well, Miss Sparkle, what do you want to do?”

Twilight thought for a moment before an idea struck her. “How about we go on a hike? The scenery here is beautiful, and it would give us a chance to talk more.”

Lloyd smiled. “That sounds like a great idea. Lead the way.”

The two of them set off on a hiking trail, enjoying the peacefulness of nature around them. As they walked, they talked about everything from their favorite books to their dreams for the future. Twilight revealed more about herself, as the Mayor of Canterlot City, was actually her adoptive mother, and Lloyd revealed that his dad was actually her good friend.

Twilight couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort and ease around Lloyd. He was someone she could truly be herself with, and she appreciated that more than anything.

As they reached the end of the trail, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. Twilight turned to Lloyd with a smile.

“Thank you for coming on this hike with me. It was really nice to just...be in the moment and enjoy the scenery.”

Lloyd grinned. “Anytime, Twilight. I had a great time too.”

“You think one of us will get powers next?” Twilight asked as they sat down on the trail. “Maybe, but that’s not what I’m worried about right now.” Lloyd smiled. “I like the moment we have here now, just me and you.”

Twilight blushed at this statement. She then looked at her hand for a moment and began to reach forward. Placing it on top of Lloyd’s.

“You’re a really great friend.”

“Yeah… you too.”

The two of them sat there in silence for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the sunset and the peacefulness of the forest around them. Twilight couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. She was happy to be here, with Lloyd, in this moment.

As they made their way back to camp, Twilight couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between them. She had never really thought of Lloyd in that way before, but now she couldn't deny the way her heart fluttered whenever he was near.

But for now, she was content to just enjoy their friendship and see where it led.

“Uh Rarity, does it hafta be this long?” Applejack looked at the dress Rarity was trying to fit on her with distaste.

Rarity looked at Applejack with a stern expression. "Of course it has to be long! It's the latest fashion trend, and I won't have you looking outdated at the party tonight."

Applejack sighed. "I guess you're right. But can we at least make it a little more...practical? I don't want to be tripping over this thing all night."

Rarity thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I suppose we can make some adjustments. But we mustn't sacrifice style for practicality, darling. It's all about finding the perfect balance."

As Rarity continued to work on the dress, Applejack couldn't help but feel grateful for her friend's fashion expertise. She may not always understand the latest trends, but she trusted Rarity to make her look her best.

“What about the rest of you girls, do I need to make other adjustments to yours as well?” Rarity asked.

“Nope! This goes really well for me! And I can still run in it! You did a really great job on this Rarity!” Rainbow complemented.

“I agree with Rainbow, I’ve never seen a wave design on a dress so beautiful, even if I’m not the biggest fan of dresses.” Nya grinned.

“Oh you two are flattering! I take much pride in my work.” Rarity put a hand to her chest.

Fluttershy stepped forward, twirling in her dress. "I love mine too, Rarity. It's so soft and flowy, and the flower details are just perfect."

Rarity wiped a tear from her eye. “You girls are so nice… Now, where’s Twilight? She needs to come out the bathroom so I can see how well I did on that canvas.”

As on cue to her words, Twilight stepped out the bathroom, wearing the new dress and looking sparkly and shiny as the girls gasped at her radiant appearance. It was a floor-length gown made of a soft, flowing fabric in shades of lavender and lilac. The bodice is fitted and adorned with delicate beading and sequins,The skirt is full and flowing, with layers of tulle and chiffon creating a dreamy, ethereal effect. Twilight’s hair was tied into a ponytail with a star shape as the tie.

Rarity walked up to Twilight, examining the dress from every angle. "My dear, you look positively stunning. The dress fits you like a glove, and the colors complement your complexion perfectly."

Twilight smiled nervously. "Thank you, Rarity. It's just...a little different from what I'm used to wearing."

Rarity put a reassuring hand on Twilight's shoulder. "I know it's not your usual style, but trust me, darling. You look amazing. And besides, it's good to switch things up once in a while."

Twilight nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I just need to get used to it, that's all."

As the girls continued to admire Twilight's new look, Rarity couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. She had not only created a beautiful dress, but had also helped her friend step out of her comfort zone and try something new.

In the boys' cabin, Lloyd was the first to emerge from the bathroom, with a white dress shirt. He adjusted his collar and turned to the others. "Alright, guys, Who's next?"

Jay stepped forward, smoothing down his shirt nervously. "I am. Can someone help me with this tie?"

Zane stepped forward, his robotic fingers nimble as he showed Jay how to tie his tie properly.

Meanwhile, Cole was struggling to find the right shoes to wear. "I don't know, these just don't feel right," he muttered to himself.

Kai overheard him and smiled. "Why don't you try these?" He held out a pair of sleek, black dress shoes that he had brought with him.

Cole looked skeptical, but decided to give them a try. As he slipped them on, he felt a sense of confidence and power wash over him. "Thanks, Kai. I think these might just do the trick."

“We're really getting ready for a party we might have to kick some ass at?” Kai looked around at the others. “Hey, Rarity’s words, not mine.” Cole shrugged.

“You’re tying up your hair?” Kai noticed. “Am I not allowed to, Smith?” Cole grinned. Kai rolled his eyes. "I'm just saying, you're usually the one who's all about the long hair and no-nonsense look."

Cole chuckled. "Hey, I can clean up nice too, you know. Besides, I figured a little change of pace wouldn't hurt."

Zane, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up. "I think it's important to be adaptable in any situation. We never know what might be required of us, so it's best to be prepared for anything."

“Cole’s just trying to look good for his girlfriend. He isn’t fooling anyone!” Jay laughed. “Not my girlfriend.” Cole rolled his eyes. “The way you two look at each other says otherwise.” Jay smirked as Cole turned around and began to give chase.

“Woahhh! I was just kidding!” Jay yelled.

Kai chuckled at the exchange. “Get him Cole!” Kai cheered on the chase.

Lloyd shook his head. “As much as I’d like to see this go out, we gotta leave in like 5 minutes.”

Cole and Jay eventually called a truce, and the boys continued to get ready for the party. It was just one party, what could go so wrong?

The Main 12 arrived at Morro’s cabin. His father sent tons of money to the camp, so of course he got such a big and extravagant cabin. Most people didn’t think it was fair, but most people wouldn’t say it too his face.

Lights were shining through the window, and they could hear music blasting from behind the door.

“Cole.”

“Rarity.”

They both looked at each other and smiled. “You look great.” Cole scratched his head. “I could say the same for you. I really like your hair tied up.” Rarity blushed slightly. "Thank you, Rarity. I was hoping it would make an impression." He chuckled.

“Hey.” Lloyd looked beside him at Twilight. “Hi.” She responded. “You look, ahem very nice.” Lloyd complimented. “You too, heh.” Twilight looked to the side. What was that??

They walked up to the door of Morro's cabin and knocked. The door swung open to reveal Morro himself, dressed in a sharp suit and grinning from ear to ear. "Welcome, welcome! Come on in, the party's just getting started!"

As the Main 12 stepped into the cabin, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The place was decked out with all kinds of fancy decorations, and there was food and drinks aplenty. They could see familiar faces from other cabins mingling about, and they knew that this was going to be a night to remember.

“Remember, keep your eyes out, we don’t-” Lloyd started.

“Lloyd Garmadon?!” A voice yelled his name from across the room as the boy froze in place. He could recognize that voice from anywhere, but it couldn’t be! Why would she be here?

“Lloyd! It is you!” A girl ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him. The boy could not move, he was too frozen in shock. All that could come out of his mouth was… “Harumi?”

The girl pulled away and put a hand on her hip. “You don’t sound too excited to see me.”

Lloyd shook his head, his mind racing. "No, no, it's not that. I'm just...surprised to see you, that's all. I didn't know you were coming to camp."

Harumi smiled. "Well, my parents thought it would be good for me to get away for a while. And when I heard that you were going to be here...well, I couldn't resist. Since it’s the first week, they let me join!”

Lloyd felt a mix of emotions swirling inside him. She was just moving on like nothing happened to them in the past. It made him angry. How could she just come up here like she hadn’t broke his heart a year ago? Did she think he was over it!

“Who’s this?” Twilight appeared behind him, pointing at the white haired girl in front of them.

“Didn’t your parents tell you it’s rude to point?” Harumi scoffed.

Lloyd stepped in before things could escalate. "This is Harumi, an old friend of mine. Harumi, this is Twilight, my friend from camp."

Twilight smiled and extended a hand. "Nice to meet you, Harumi."

Harumi shook Twilight's hand, but there was a hint of tension in the air. Lloyd could tell that Harumi was not pleased with the interruption, and he knew that he would have to keep a close eye on things if he wanted to prevent any further conflict.

“I really don’t want to be here.” Kai sighed as he drunk more of his punch.

“Why is that? I mean besides the fact that it’s totally lame.” Rainbow asked. “I’m forced to be here cause of that stupid thing that happened.” Kai rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah… that thing. About when they-” Rainbow was cut off. “Yeah… that thing.”

“Y’know how Cole said they only invited us for Twilight? I’m scared they’re gonna try to do the same with her.” Kai admitted. “It all starts out fine. They’re friendly and such, but then the drinking comes and you don’t know what’s happening, then one second you’re in the closet and the next-” Kai quickly took a swig of his drink before he could finsh, calming himself down.

“Im sorry to dump that out on you. I know you’ve heard the story a bunch already.” Kai apologized. “No. I don’t care how many times I have to hear it, I’ll hear it as many times as I have to until you can heal.” Rainbow responded sternly.

Kai smiled at her. “You’re a great friend Rainbow. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Beat me in soccer for once short stuff?” Rainbow smirked. Kai rolled his eyes and walked off. “I'm gonna grab a cookie!”

Rainbow laughed at his tantrum and then looked to the ground as Kai’s words repeated in her head.

“You’re a great friend Rainbow.”

“Friend.” Rainbow whispered. “All the people you’ve dated, and that’s still what I’ll only be seen as.”

Rainbow shook her head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. She knew that Kai valued their friendship, and that was all that mattered. But as she looked around the crowded cabin, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness. All around her, she saw couples and groups of friends laughing and having a good time, and she couldn't help but feel like an outsider.

As she reached for another cup, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Twilight standing there, a concerned look on her face.

"Are you okay, Rainbow?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired, I guess."

Twilight nodded, but Rainbow could tell that she wasn't convinced. She knew that Twilight had a knack for sensing when something was wrong, and she didn't want to burden her with her own problems.

But as Twilight led her to a quieter corner of the cabin and sat down next to her, Rainbow couldn't help but feel grateful for her friend's concern.

"Listen, Rainbow," Twilight said. "I know we haven't known each other for long, but you can always talk to me. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Rainbow felt a lump form in her throat. She had never had someone say something like that to her before, and it made her feel both vulnerable and safe at the same time.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I...I appreciate it more than you know."

Twilight smiled, and placed a hand on Rainbow's shoulder. "Anytime, Rainbow. That's what friends are for."

Rainbow felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew that she could always count on Twilight, no matter what. And as she looked around the crowded cabin once more, she knew that she wasn't alone after all. She had her friends, both old and new, and that was all that mattered.

“So what’s up with you and Garmadon?” Rainbow smirked. Twilight froze at the statement. “Oh, nothing, nothing! We just, you know, had a hike and stuff earlier.”

Rainbow raised a suggestive eyebrow.

“As friends, as friends!” Twilight quickly corrected.

Rainbow chuckled. "Relax, I was just teasing. But if you guys ever do become a thing, I better be the first to know."

Twilight blushed, but couldn't help but smile at the thought.

But for now, she was content just being friends with him. She knew that there was plenty of time for romance later on, and she was in no rush to jump into anything.

She looked at the boy from afar, but what she saw was not what she really wanted. Harumi had her arms wrapped around the boy again, and while he didn’t look comfortable about it, she still couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy from it.

She then felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Hey, you didn’t come back to me about bringing you here.” Flash smiled behind her. “Oh! Sorry Flash, I’ve just been… very distracted.” Twilight apologized.

“It’s alright. I just wanna know if you wanna dance with me before they pop out the rest of the party stuff.” Flash scratched his neck nervously. Twilight looked over at Lloyd and sighed, and then turned back to Flash.

“I’d love to.”

Flash grinned and took her hand, leading her to the dance floor. As they swayed to the music, Twilight felt a sense of calm wash over her. She was grateful for Flash's company, and for the distraction he provided from her own worries.

As the song ended, Flash leaned in and whispered in her ear. "You know, I've been wanting to do this all night." And with that, he leaned in and kissed her.

Twilight was taken aback at first, but then she found herself melting into the kiss. It felt natural and easy, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness wash over her.

As they pulled away, Twilight looked up at Flash and smiled. "Thank you," she whispered.

Flash grinned. "For what?"

"For making me forget about everything else for a little while," Twilight replied.

“That is not where I saw that going.” Cole admitted to Jay. “Me neither. I was more of a Lloydlight person.” Jay nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Twilight and Flash continued to enjoy each other's company throughout the rest of the party. They danced, talked, and laughed together, and Twilight couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected bond she had formed with Flash.

Lloyd for one, was not doing as well.

“Harumi! I don’t wanna dance.” Lloyd yelled. “Aw come on! Just one!” Harumi pleaded. As Lloyd was about to say yes, Morro spoke over the megaphone.

“Everyone please join us in the outdoor hot tub for truth or dare!”

Truth or dare? Wasn’t it spin the bottle? Whatever. As long as he didn’t have to kiss anyone, anything was better.

All the party goers made their way to the hotub, removing their clothes to reveal swimsuits underneath and all got into the pool.

Morro rose from the middle of the water.

“Hello everyone, welcome to truth or dare.” He said with an evil grin on his face. None of the Main 12 liked where this was going.

Lloyd felt a sense of dread wash over him as Morro began to explain the rules of the game. He knew that Morro had a mischievous streak, and he had a feeling that things were about to get out of hand.

As the game began, Lloyd watched as his friends were forced to do increasingly embarrassing and ridiculous dares. He couldn't help but feel grateful when it was his turn for a truth question instead.

But as the questions became more personal and probing, Lloyd began to feel uncomfortable. He didn't like the feeling of being put on the spot, and he didn't want to reveal too much about himself.

Finally, it was Harumi's turn to ask him a question. She grinned wickedly, and Lloyd knew that he was in trouble.

"Truth or dare, Lloyd?"

Lloyd hesitated for a moment, but then he decided to go for it. "Truth."

Harumi leaned in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Do you have a crush on anyone here?"

Lloyd felt his face turn red, and he knew that he couldn't lie, but he did.. "No," he said sternly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Really now? Well then, Trixie, you have the stage.” Harumi smirked.

“Thank you Harumi. Now, Twilight, Truth or dare?” The girl stared intensely at Twilight. “Truth.” Twilight said confidently. You always chose truth so you could just lie!

“Is it true you enjoyed your kiss with Flash?”

Twilight felt a sense of panic wash over her as all eyes turned to her. She knew that her kiss with Flash had been unexpected, but she wasn't sure how to answer Trixie's question.

For a moment, Twilight hesitated. She didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to hurt Lloyd's feelings.

Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke. "I... I don't know what to say," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was a moment of stunned silence, and then Lloyd spoke up. "It's okay, Twilight. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I think we’re done here anyways.” He stood up and walked from the pool.

“Well, it looks like all the fun is over! Party’s over yall! Now get out.” Morro announced to the other campers. People chatted and mumbled about the events that had just gone down. It was only the first week!

Twilight decided to follow Lloyd and try to talk to him. But as she approached him, Lloyd turned and faced her, his expression cold.

"Friends don’t lie to each other, you know," Lloyd said coldly. .

Twilight was taken aback by his words. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"You know exactly what I mean," Lloyd spat. "I thought sporty popular boys weren’t your type?”

Twilight glared at him. “So that’s what this is about. I mean it’s not like you were pushing Harumi off of you?! I can like who I want and I don’t have to tell you who I prefer!”

Twilight glared at Lloyd, feeling a sense of anger wash over her. She couldn't believe that he was acting like this.

"What's your problem, Lloyd?" she spat. "I can like whoever I want, and I don't have to justify it to you."

Lloyd's expression hardened. "You're right, you don't have to justify it to me. But I thought we were friends, Twilight. Friends don't keep secrets from each other."

“What about your secret girlfriend!” Twilight yelled. “She is not my girlfriend!” Lloyd pointed in her face. “You sure don’t seem to prove it!” Twilight yelled back.

“Okay! Not doing this anymore.” Lloyd put his hands up and began to walk off. “Don’t walk away just because you’re losing.” Twilight spat. “Who said I’m losing?” Lloyd glared.

“Is everything alright here?” Flash stepped in between them. They both looked at him and sighed. “We’re fine.”

“Alright. Well, Twilight, I hope I’ll see you tomorrow.” Flash bowed to her. “You’re so stupid Flash!” She laughed. She then looked off into the distance to see Lloyd walking off out the building.

She wanted to yell for him. But she couldn’t.

Lloyd sat outside the building and put his head in his legs until he heard rummaging beside him. He looked up to see what was going on, and was surprised to see a red and yellow haired girl sitting next to him.

“Woah! Sunset Shimmer! Don’t like, do something!” Lloyd yelled. Sunset shook her head and sighed. “I really wish people would stop doing that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not a mean person. I’m just stuck with those guys. I wanted to tell you so bad that this was a ruse to make you and Twilight fight and bring Harumi back into your life.” Sunset explained.

“Wow those guys are evil.” Lloyd nodded in agreement. "I can't believe they would do something like that. And to think that I almost fell for it."

Sunset smiled sympathetically. "I know how it feels. I used to be like them, you know. But I realized that being mean and manipulative wasn't worth it. I hope they'll realize the same thing someday."

Lloyd nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over him. He was glad that he had someone to talk to about all of this, someone who understood what he was going through.

"Thanks, Sunset. I really appreciate it," he said, his voice softening.

Sunset smiled warmly. "Anytime, Lloyd. Just remember, you're not alone. We're all in this together."

The girl walked off and Lloyd decided it was time to make his way back to his cabin as well. Even if Twilight was into Flash, he didn’t have to be such a jerk about it.

Twilight sighed on her bed as the other girls tried to comfort her.

“Oh Darling, we all have our, ahem, boo-boos,” Rarity said, patting Twilight's back. "But you have to remember that you're a strong and capable young lady. You'll get through this."

Applejack nodded in agreement. "And don't forget that you have us, Twilight. We'll always be here to support you."

Twilight smiled weakly, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Plus, boys are overrated anyways! Who needs them!” Nya said, with the other girls giving sounds of agreement.

“I bet that whole thing was a plot by that nasty Morro to get you two to fight!” Rarity scoffed. “And the nerve of that Ex of Lloyd’s.”

“But why us?” Twilight looked up. “I don’t get it.”

“There’s a lot of things we don’t get here, but we just keep moving forward with them.” Rainbow playfully hit the girl in the shoulder. Twilight nodded.

“I need some water.” She raised her hand to grab the glass, but then the most surprising thing happened. It began to float!

“What the! Am I doing that?!”

The other girls looked at Twilight in surprise as the glass continued to float in the air.

"Twilight, you're using your magic!" Fluttershy exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.

Twilight looked at her hand in amazement, watching as the glass followed her movements. "I don't know how I'm doing it," she said in awe.

Rarity smiled. "It's okay, Twilight. You're just tapping into your powers. It happens sometimes when we're stressed or emotional."

Twilight nodded, feeling a sense of wonder wash over her. She had always known that she had a special connection to magical things, as per Celestia’s words, but not like this!

As the girls watched in awe, Twilight continued to experiment with her newfound power, moving objects around the room with ease. For a moment, all of their worries and concerns were forgotten as they marveled at the wonder of magic.

“Despite the magical mishap this day has been, I’m glad I can always count on you girls.” Twilight smiled as they all pulled her into a group hug.

“Tomorrow’s a new day Lloyd.” Kai spoke to the boy in the bunk underneath him. “Sure is. And the next day will be the second week of camp.” Lloyd agreed.

“You think we’ll ever find out what’s going on here?” Kai asked. “Maybe, but I’m not worried about that at the moment. There’s another thing I need to fix first.” Lloyd turned in his bed to the window and looked at the stars.

“And I will.”

Prologue

“It’s not gonna hold him for much longer.” A voice said in the darkness.

“But we can’t close on such short notice! Acronix already told us the spray would keep him here!” A much deeper voice responded. The other voice looked at him and sighed. “I don’t want to get those kids involved in this. It’s too early. I should just take care of it myself.”

The person began to walk off until a hand grabbed hers. ‘I know they are not ready, which is why we need to call them here. But they won’t activate if they aren’t all here.”

“I’m not putting him in danger, or her. Knowing who their guardians are!” She yelled. “They would understand!” He yelled back.

Suddenly, the ground crackled under them as they stepped away from the strange area. “He’s feeding off our argument… like he’s been doing to every camper from the past year.”

The woman thought for a while.

“Fine. Send the letters, we’re gonna have to make sure no drama happens this year, but also have them on hold. If he breaks free, the world is doomed. Not just Everfree.”

The man nodded in agreement. "I will send the letters tonight. We will make sure that the kids are prepared for whatever comes their way."

The woman looked at him with concern. "Do you really think they're ready for this? They're just kids."

The man sighed. "I know it's a lot to ask of them, but we don't have a choice. We need their help to stop him."

The woman nodded, knowing that he was right. They had no choice but to call upon the kids, even if it meant putting them in danger.

As they walked back to their cabin, the woman couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. She knew that they were about to enter a battle that they were not fully prepared for. But she also knew that they
were the world’s only hope, even if it meant their teenage summer would be interrupted.

Author's Note

Thank you for checking this out! Chapter 1 is on the next page, so I didn’t have to leave you all waiting. If you would like, please drop a like and a comment, really encourages me to update and I would love to interact with you all!