Adventure at Canterlot High - Into the woods

Evening had graced Camp Everfree and everyone was building paper lanterns.

Rarity continued to paint hers, but she then noticed a marshmallow drop. "Um, Pinkie Pie…" Rarity said nervously to Pinkie, “what are you doing?"

"Putting marshmallows in my lantern!" Pinkie responded while she decorated her lantern with the soft delectable treats. "Then when we light them, mine will be beautiful and delicious!”

Sonata giggled at Pinkie's quirkiness while Aria rolled her eyes.

On an adjacent table, Tristen was the only one who didn't work on a lantern. Instead, he was doodling on his sketchbook.

“Hey dude.” Timber said as he approached him. “You're not making a lantern?”

“Nah. Crafts ain't one of my strong suit.” Tristen replied casually. “Aren't you making yours?”

“Already made mine.” Timber responded while showing his lantern, which had a cartoony picture of his face on it.

Tristen snickered upon seeing the image. “Looks like we have a modern-day Narcissus.” Tristen and Timber shared a laugh as the latter decided to sit with him.

“By the way, you never told me about that weird watch of yours.” Timber points at the Omnitrix.

Tristen, looking at the Omnitrix, remembered that he knew about his aliens by now. “Oh right.” Tristen looks at Timber. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”

Timber shrugs his shoulders. “Try me.”

Tristen, knowing Timber can be trusted, decided to tell him. “Let me ask you.” Tristen looks up at the sky. “Have you ever looked up in the stars and think to yourself "are we the only ones in the universe?”

Timber arched an eyebrow. “Not really.” Suddenly, Timber then widened his eyes. “Wait! Are you saying that… those things you've turned into…”

“Bingo.” Tristen replied with a smirk. “Well, alien hybrids to be more exact?”

Timber was more perplexed “Hybrids?” He asked. “You mean, like fusions?”

“Pretty much.” Tristen nods in response.

Timber, truly baffled by what he heard, just nods his head in an absentminded manner. “Wow.”

Tristen chuckled around. “Told you you'd have a hard time believing me.”

Timber rubbed the back of his neck. “On a different topic,” Timber flashed a teasing grin, “I hear my sister has her eyes on a… certain somebody.”

Tristen blushed madly at that. “Who told you?”

Timber laughed out in response to Tristen’s reaction. “Nobody.” Timber wiped a tear away. “You just confirmed it for me.”

Tristen looked away in embarrassment. ‘DAMMIT!’

“In all seriousness,” Timber continued with a genuine smile, “It's nice to see Gloriosa finally settling down with somebody.”

Tristen turns his attention back to Timber, surprised by what he told him. “Really?” Tristen asked. “You… you're taking this quite well.”

Timber shrugged with an arched eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be?”

“I'd thought you'd be the overprotective type.” Tristen responded. “You… you don't have a problem with that?”

“I could care who my sister dates.” Timber replied casually. “As long as she's happy, I’m happy too.”

Not too far off, Gloriosa was listening in on the conversation with a soft smile.

Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike remained alone at their table, as the latter looked back at the other groups working together.

"Hey, Twilight, why aren't you with everyone else?" Spike asked.

Twilight glanced over nervously at her friends. "Sunset said something at camp is causing the other girls to get new magic." Twilight responded before glancing over at Tristen. “And its probably also affecting Tristen’s Omnitrix.” She then leans over to Spike. "I think it's Midnight Sparkle.”

While Twilight and Spike conversed, Alex looks over at Twilight with a concerned expression.

"She's still part of me. I can feel it," Twilight continued her explanation as Alex listened in. "And I think her magic is infecting my friends and messing with the Omnitrix."

"What are we gonna do about it?" Spike asked.

"I don't know what I can do." Twilight answered honestly, evidently worried. Alex was starting to get concerned for her as well.

"Okay, everyone!" Gloriosa called out as she was with Luna and Celestia. "It's time to watch your lanterns fly!"

Everyone walked over with their decorated light sources, heading onto the wooden structure.

Once everyone made it into the dock, Celestia and Luna, who lit the lanterns with lighters they had at the ready.

"Ready?" Gloriosa inquired to the group after all of the lanterns had been lit, "And... go!"

And with that, everyone released their lanterns into the air. Pinkie tossed hers up with a bright smile, but it suddenly plopped down with thud and a splat onto the dock.

"Aw!" Pinkie whined in disappointment.

“Looks like you added too much marshmallows on it.” Adagio replied with a smirk.

Pinkie then lit up with a smile once again. "Oh, well! Now I get to eat it!" She then squatting down and taking the delectable treats off of her lantern while Adagio was surprised.

"Yep. Beautiful and delicious.”

Later that night, everyone was fast asleep in their tents. Well, all except for one.

Twilight peeked out of her tent, fully dressed and with her bags packed. After checking that the cost was clear, she and Spike snuck out of the tent.

She and Spike went into the woods, but suddenly…

“Twilight?”

Twilight froze in shock, slowly turning her head to see Alex.

“Alex?” Twilight asked in surprise. “What are you doing up?”

“I should be asking you the same thing.” Alex responded with a narrowed eyebrow. “Twilight, I know you're beating yourself about what's been happening as of late, but you can't just leave.”

Twilight was wise eyed upon hearing that. “Wha-how did…”.

“Spike kinda told me and Tristen.” Tristen points at Spike.

Twilight looked at Spike with a glare while the dog looked away sheepishly.

“Twilight!” Sunset called out before walking near them. “What are you doing out here.”

“Twilight and Spike decided to leave.” Alex responded.

“What?” Sunset asked out in disbelief. “Twilight, you can't leave.” She then grasped her left arm. All of a sudden, her eyes shot open and shined a bright white, as images and memories instantly entered her mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You don't think it was the spirit, do you?!" Pinkie inquired.

"No…" Twilight murmured in shame. "It was me…" she said, trotting off.

———

"She's still part of me. I can feel it," Twilight continued her explanation as Alex listened in. "And I think her magic is infecting my friends and messing with the Omnitrix."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunset's eyes then flashed back to normal as she blinked and clenched her teeth, letting go of her pal's arm.

"Twilight, there's no Midnight Sparkle." Sunset told her afterwards, much to Twilight's surprise. "There's only you."

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Twilight asked.

"When I touched your hand," Sunset explained. “I could see things. I understand why you were leaving.” Sunset then had a look of realization. "My new magic...! This is my new magic! This is incredible!" she exclaimed.

"No, it's not!" Twilight interjected. "I'm infecting you now!" she said to the red and yellow haired girl.

"Twilight, you have to stop looking at this as a bad thing.” Sunset said reassuringly.

"Easy for you to say!” Twilight fired back. retorted with clenched fists, "Magic turned you into something beautiful. The last time I tried to use it, it turned me into a monster!”

Alex, concerned for his friend, grabs Twilight by the shoulders and has her look at him. “Twilight, that was not your fault.” Alex said reassuringly. “I will admit that I don't know what it is you're going through, but I’m willing to help.” He then looks over towards Sunset. “And I know Sunset and the others will too.”

Sunset nods in agreement. “You're right, Twilight. Last time I turned into something amazing.” Sunset admits. “But I've let magic turn me into a monster, too. So if anyone understands what you're going through, it's me.” Sunset reassured with a smile of sympathy. "I can help you, Twilight. Alex can help you. The rest of our friends can be there for you, too.”

“But not if you run away.” Alex added strongly. “I get that you're afraid you'll turn into Midnight Sparkle again.” Tristen added with a soft smile. “But when I was able to knock you back to your senses somehow, right?”

Twilight looked back at that memory.

During the Friendship Games

Midnight was showing no mercy as she kicked him across the face. “It was bad enough when you sabotaged us during the Tricross Relay!” Midnight said, still venting on Alex. “And now you're standing up against me!” Sunset, Tristen, and everyone else watched on in worry as Midnight picked Alex up by the collar. “I trusted you! I actually considered you as my friend!” Midnight declared in rage. “But I guess I was stupid to trust a selfish jerk like you!’

Tristen, despite being wracked in pain from Midnight’s assault, looked at her defiantly. “You're right.” Tristen declared. Midnight appeared to be mildly taken aback by this while everyone was surprised to hear that. “Yeah, it was a dick move on my part to sabotage you and the others,” Tristen continued, “and yeah, I probably hurt your chances in getting into Everton. But I had a good reason.”

Midnight was skeptical at that. “Oh, do you now?” Midnight scoffed. “This oughta be good.”

Alex nods his head. “Twilight, you remember the day we first met?” Alex asked, surprising Midnight. “That day, when I fended off those douchebags Dumbbell, Hoops and Score, I made sure to ward off anyone who got off their rocks by giving you a hard time.”

As Midnight listened, slowly growing less agitated as she listened to Alex's explanation. “Yes, I got into trouble a lot, but I did it for you.” Alex explained as Daydream, Tristen, and Spike have heartfelt smiles. “Learning in Crystal Prep was practically hell for you Twi. Being pushed around, knocked in the dirt, I know you were hurting during all of that.”

The Shadowbolts, and all other Crystal Prep students seemed to have guilty expressions as Alex spoke. “But what if Everton is much worse?” Alex continued his explanation while Midnight had lost all anger she had by this point. “You had me to help you in Crystal Prep. But if folks at Everton are just as bad as the people at Crystal Prep, or even more so, you won't have me there to help you through it. You won't have Cadence. You probably won't even have Spike with you.”

Alex looks down with a sorrowful sigh. “But despite how noble my reasons are, I still screwed you over!” Tristen then looks back at Midnight. “I almost had people hurt, I definitely ruined your chances of getting into Everton, and I've lost my only friend.” Alex began shedding tears now. “So yeah. In a sense, I was selfish.”

By the time Alex finished his explanation, Midnight was no longer angry. Instead, tears were forming in her eyes while her bottom lip quivered. And it seemed that Twilight was finally getting back to her senses. “Alex…”

Present Day

"I managed to do that back at the Friendship Games.” Alex said reassuringly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “And I'm sure I'll do it again if you ever do end up turning into Midnight Sparkle again.”

Twilight said nothing, but she had a genuine smile as she stared at Alex. She then let out a sigh, turning to face her Sunset.

"I'll stay.” Twilight said, earning a smile from Sunset. "But I still don't think it's a good idea for me to be near the rest of our friends right now. Not until we know why this is happening.”

“We understand, Twi.” Tristen said in agreement before gaining a serious expression. “And please, don't you ever pull a stunt like this again. Next time something is in your mind, just talk to us. Ok?”

Twilight nods before hugging Alex while Sunset smiles at the wholesome scene.

Suddenly, the trio heard rustling, making them all perk up in surprise.

"Crap!” Alex glared as he feared another one of the monsters from earlier had found them. Suddenly, an axe rose up from the underbrush, much to the shock of the girls. “MOTHER OF GOD!” Alex cried out in shock while Twilight and Sunset screamed simultaneously.

But eventually, it turned out that the blade was in the hands of Timber, who promptly screamed upon hearing the voices of the others.

“Timber Spruce?!” Alex asked in shock while calming down. “What in the actual hell, man?!”

"Timber?" Twilight asked in surprise before smiling. "I'm so glad it's just you! Wait!” Twilight looked on in perplexity. “What are you doing out here?" she asked him with an arched eyebrow.

"With an axe?" Sunset added, gesturing towards the axe.

"I was chopping down firewood…" he claimed, pulling out a cart of logs from the bushes.

“At this hour?” Alex asked with suspicion. “

"We needed more for tomorrow night's campfire.” Timber responded with a shrug. "And if I didn't take care of it tonight, it would be one more thing Gloriosa would add to her list."

Alex arched an eyebrow at that claim. “Uh… I guess that makes sense.”

"What about you guys?" Timber asked the trio. "Why are you hanging out in the woods in the middle of the night?"

“Had to pee and I kinda got lost.” Alex replied casually while earning a look of disgust from Sunset and Twilight.

"Come on. I'll walk you guys back." Timber said, smiling cheekily. "I'll protect you from… Gaea Everfree!" He then glanced towards Alex. “Also, you do know we have latrines.”

“Yeah.” Alex replied with a nod. “But given that the outhouse is like a good ten feet away from mine and Tristen’s tent, and how close I was to springing’ a leak, I'd rather piss on a nearby tree.”

“Ew! Tristen!” Twilight reprimanded with a grossed-out expression.

“Did not need to hear that.” Sunset said, just as disgusted at Twilight. She suddenly gasped quietly upon noticing sparkling dust falling out of Timber’s pocket. ‘I think we just found our 'Gaea Everfree'.’

Later that morning, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow, Adagio, and Aria, were working on the dock.

As Rainbow loaded the next set of boards, she glanced over at Rarity, who was busy sitting upon a beach chair stitching an indigo poncho together. "Uh, you gonna give us a hand here, Rarity?"

"Oh, I'd love to, but I really need to get the stitching on this poncho done before it's going to make it into the camp fashion show.” Rarity replied. "Though at the pace you two are moving, I don't know that the runway will ever be finished."

"The dock is our gift to the camp!” Applejack corrected while rolling her eyes. “And it's gonna get finished”

"That's if Skittles over there would hurry up and bring me more wood." Aria responded nonchalantly.

“Adagio, perhaps you've forgotten something?” Adagio said to Aria, gesturing to Rainbow. “Super seed? Remember?

“Yeah! I can't go any faster!" Rainbow added "I don't want to end up in the woods again."

"Can't Tristen help us out?” Pinkie asked. “He can get this done faster than we can!”

“Maybe! But that thing that attacked him a few days ago is still down there.” Aria responded while pointing at the lake.

“But it hasn't shown itself ever since.” Rainbow added with a puzzled look. "I still don't know what that thing even was.”

“Me neither.” Fluttershy agreed.

“But it hasn't shown itself again, right?” Pinkie responded.

“What if it's waiting for the right time?” Adagio theorized.

Applejack then sighs deeply, wiping the sweat off of her forehead. "I know I said we should try to forget all about this new magic business, but I can't!” Applejack confessed while holding her hammer. "What if I hammer the board into splinters?"

“I’m sure you'll find a way to hone your new skills.” Adagio said, trying to ease her friends’ worries. “It took me, Aria, and Sonata time to practice out singing.”

“Yeah, but singing is easy to master.” Applejack replied. “We're talkin’ super strength, super speed, diamond shields, even explosive sprinkles for Pete’s sake!”

“I know it's scary now but just give it some time.” Adagio said comfortingly. “After all, I'm sure you'll actually get used to them. They're maybe some hiccups now and then, but I'm sure you girls will get the hang of your new powers.” Adagio walks over to Applejack and placed a hand on her head. “It just takes time.”

Applejack and the other girls were surprised upon hearing such sagely advice coming from Adagio.

“I guess you're right, Adagio.” Applejack said, smiling softly. "Thanks guys.” Applejack said before looking done on the board she was hammering. “Aw, shoot! We're all out of nails!"

"Oh, here you go!" Pinkie cried out, holding a small box of them in her right hand.

"Pinkie, no!" The others shrieked out, but it was too late as she tossed the container of sharp objects towards them. On instinct, Applejack immediately jumped away and ducked while Rarity created three diamond shields in the process to act as her barrier, all the while accidentally knocking Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash over. In a panic, Adagio rushed over and grabbed the nail box. But to everyone’s surprise, the nails didn't explode.

“Thank Celestia.” Adagio sighed out in relief while Applejack glared over at Pinkie.

"What? Ohhh, did you think the nails would explode like the sprinkles?" Lonnie guessed. "Wow! Glad that didn't happen, huh?"

“Thankfully.” Aria said with a sigh of relief.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, girls," Rarity apologized sincerely as she helped Rainbow and Fluttershy back onto their feet. "I didn't mean to. I don't know how to control this…"

"It's okay." Rainbow reassured.

"Oh, none of us know how. " Fluttershy added.

“Wow." Aria walks towards them. “You guys are really shaken up from your new powers, aren't you?”

“You think?” Rainbow asked.

"Which is why we shouldn't pretend this isn't happening."

They look over to see Sunset and Alex all reach them.

"Do you have them now, too?" Rainbow asked.

"It started last night.” Sunset admitted. “When I touch people, it's like I can feel what they're feeling and see their memories."

“You mean like telepathy?” Aria asked in surprise.

“More like memory reading.” Adagio pondered. “And this happened last night?”

“Yep.” Alex nodded.

"Oooh, fancy!" Pinkie exclaimed as she instantly zipped up to Sunset. "Try me, try me!" She then grabs Sunset's hand and placed it upon her head, causing her eyes to suddenly shine a bright white.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Pinkie's mins, she was happily skipping along a path with several bizarre creatures walking around her, all of them were colorful as an upbeat tune was playing in the background from a radio being held by a walking star with sunglasses.

"Ooh, taffy!" Pinkie said, yanking off of an appendage from one of the creatures' appendages and chomping down on it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pinkie released Sunset, the latter blinking as she was apparently freaked out.

"That explained so much," Sunset said bluntly.

“What's you see?” Alex asked.

“You don't wanna know." Sunset responded. l before getting back to the topic at hand. “Girls, we can't just brush these powers aside because it doesn't seem like the ideal time to get them." Sunset advised, walking off to the end of the dock, "What if it turns out that they could actually make things better?"

♪So you have magic
And it's not that great
But when it found you
You know it was fate♪

Sunset went up to each of her friends in a a reassuring manner, much to their surprise as they blinked.

♪And it might seem scary now
But it can be wonderful, too
So how about we embrace the magic
And make the magic part of you?♪

Moments later, Alex and the girls were hard at work building the dock with the other students.

Having a handful of sprinkles in her hands, Pinkie dropped them onto a few wooden boards, separating them evenly before they glowed a bright pink and exploded, creating holes in them.

Rainbow dashes out at her with a hammer in her hands. In almost an instant, she grabbed each of the boards and sped around. Sonata and Pinkie both took a paintbrush and made a quick swipe at it. Once she stopped, it revealed a newly-built bench that was painted beautifully, making both girls smile as they high-fived.

♪You take a little dash of magic
And you let it ignite
Mix things up a little bit,
And it might start to go right…
In just five seconds flat,
How the story has changed
All 'cause now you've embraced the magic,
And it just got better in every way!♪

Some campers seemed upset as the handsaw they were using was ineffective for cutting the boards up. Tristen, wanting to help, transformed into Saw Horse before trotting towards them. And with a swing of using his blade arms, he managed to chop the board cleanly, much to the shock of the others.

Perched on a nearby tree, Willow was watching the campers work with a look of amazement.

♪I say embrace the magic
No more holding back, just let it out
If you can take the magic
And learn a little more what it can do
Once the magic is part of you♪

Flash, Bulk, and Sandalwood helped to put up one of the dock's gateway posts together. Sandalwood pushed it up, while Flash pulled on a rope it was attached from the platform.

They smiled upon completing their work but were suddenly in shock open upon seeing Applejack leisurely trotting over, chowing down on an apple while hoisting an entire pole over her shoulder with ease.

♪What's standing in your way
That you can't move today
You've got the strength in you
To make your dreams come true
No need to shield yourself
From the magic that can help
Protect from any harm that might come♪

While working on one of the food boxes alongside Adagio, Rarity widened her eyes in surprise as she saw Muffins about to fall into the lake from the sailboat she was upon.

On instinct, she stood and swung out her right hand, sending a diamond-shaped energy disk skipping across the water like a stone, having it catch her before she could hit the water. A black tentacle then grabs Muffins before gently placing her back on the boat. She and the other girl that accompanied her lol over to see Tristen as Slender Bender was the one who helped out.

♪So you have magic
And it's not that great
But when it found you
You know it was fate
So if you listen close
You might make a new friend
And together we can make it♪

Fluttershy was by herself, somewhat disheartened, sitting upon a log as she looked out at her friends while holding a string of flowers in her hands. Sunset then came over and sat beside her, placing her hand around her shoulder before nuzzling her head against hers, making her smile as she let go.

A red bird flew down onto the Flutteshy's shoulder, chirping into her ear before she nodded with a smile. The bird takes the decoration Fluttershy made flew up onto the wood carved sign that hung before the dock.

♪I say embrace the magic
No more holding back, just let it out
If you can take the magic
And learn a little more what it can do
Once the magic is part of you
Once the magic is part of you
Once the magic is part of you
Once the magic is part of you♪

After gathering with her friends and as they finished setting up the food boxes and lanterns on the dock, Sunset and the others all walked to the end of it with wide smiles, letting the wind rush through their hair before taking a look back at what they had completed.

"Okay, that was pretty awesome!" Rainbow stated with pride.

“Now that's what I call a dock!” Alex added with a smirk.

"Please, please, please can we do a run-through for the fashion show on it right this minute?" Rarity pleaded.

"Thought you weren't finished with the stitchin' on yer poncho." Aria replied.

Upon hearing her remark, the fashionista immediately reached over and grabbed the article of clothing, taking the needle and making another stitch. "I am now."

“Get started without me.” Sunset replied. “I've gotta go find Twilight. Seeing what we've been able to do here might make her embrace the new magic, too!”

Tristen, knowing that Sunset accidentally gave Twilight away, cuts in. “Uh… not that she has any.” Tristen looks over at Sunset. “How about I join you, Sunny?”

Tristen and Sunset then both took off, but then stopped near the edifice upon hearing something inside the building.

“I just wish you didn't tell them that ridiculous story!” Gloriosa's voice declared from within.

Curious, Sunset and Tristen snaked over to the door of the edifice.

“Ah, this is all too much for you!” Timber shot back. “You have to let it go!”

“I knew it!” Sunset murmured. “He wants her to get rid of the camp!”

“Wait! What?” Tristen asked in surprise. “Why?”

“Willow, back me up here!” Gloriosa spoke.

“Willow?” Sunset asked, sharing a perplexed look with Tristen.

“Gloriosa, I think you just need to just sit down and think for a second!” Another voice, which was Willow, spoke.

“Are you kidding me?!” Gloriosa shot back angrily. “I cannot believe what I'm hearing!”

“If you will please just-”

All of a sudden, the door was swiftly swung open by the director, hitting Tristen directly in the face.

“GAH!” Tristen gasped out in slight pain while holding his nose, making Gloriosa glanced over to him in shock. “Mother of God!”

“Oh my goodness!” Gloriosa gasped out in concern as she rushed over to him. “I'm so sorry. Are you ok?”

“I'm fine, I'm fine.” Tristen dismissed with a soft chuckle. “I've taken worse.”

“Are you sure?” Gloriosa asked as Timber peaked through the door.

Timber suddenly widened his eyes as he saw a trickle of blood near Tristen’s nose. “Oh man! Your nose is bleeding!”

“Relax, it's not the first time my nose got bloodied up.” Tristen said as he pinched his nose and held his head up. “I can tough it out.”

“You sure?” Sunset asked in concern.

“I'm not five, guys.” Tristen said dismissively with a wave. “I just need some paper towels pulled up my nose and I'll be good to go.”

Timber peeks his head through the window. “Well, alright.” Timber said before handing two paper towels sheets to Tristen. “But if you're still bleeding, I'm taking you to the infirmary.”

“Sure thing.” Tristen replied as he stuffed the paper towels up his nose. And with that, Gloriosa and Timber walked off.

Once Gloriosa and Timber were gone, Sunset and Tristen jumped down from the porch. And moments later, Sunset had accidentally bumped into Flash.

"Sunset? Tristen?" Flash asked in surprise. "What were you guys doing behind that door?"

“Uh… we were just looking for Twilight.” Tristen replied with a smile while coming up with his alibi.

Flash then noticed Tristen’s banged up nose. “Whoa. What happened to you?”

“Oh, just tripped on a rock.” Tristen replied with a chuckle.

Flash was a little skeptical, but thankfully he bought the lie. "Hey, listen." Flash said, looking towards Tristen. “You think you can give us a minute, dude?”

Tristen was perplexed, but then he looked between him and Sunset, a knowing smile forming in his face. “Oooh. Sure thing my guy.” Tristen winks at Flash before walking off.

"I'm glad I ran into you." Flash admitted while Tristen hid near the edifice to listen in.

"I really wanted to thank you," Flash said to Sunset, much to her confusion as she arched an eyebrow,

"For what?" Sunset asked.

"For the tough love." Flash answered with a chuckle. "Telling me I should get over Twilight. I needed to hear that,"

Tristen was surprised by hearing that, but he had a genuine smile.

"Sure, no problem. " Sunset said before looking around, much to the confusion of Flash.

"Is… something wrong?" Flash asked.

"What? No…" Sunset asked while still searching. "Why?"

"Come on, Sunset. We used to date.” Flash replied in exasperation. "I know when something's bothering you.”

Sunset sighed, realizing that she needed to tell him before he could get any more suspicious. "Okay, here's the deal." Sunset replied. "My friend really likes someone, but I don't think that someone is who she thinks they are. I don't wanna upset my friend by telling her what I think, because I also want to protect her, because if what I think is happening is really happening, then she deserves to know. You know?"

Flash was just utterly confused by what Sunset had told him. "Nnnno…" Flash responded while rubbing the back of his neck, "But what I do know is that your friend is lucky to have someone like you to look out for them.”

Tristen smiled even wider upon hearing such genuine words coming from Flash while
Sunset pivots her foot out of embarrassment.

"Really?" Sunset responded

"Yeah. You know, you've changed a lot since we went out." Flash admitted. "You're so much... nicer…"

"Thanks," Sunset replied bashfully. "I'm glad you noticed."

Tristen crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, nodding in agreement with Flash. “Yeah.” Tristen said to himself. “She has come a long way.”

He then heard a rustling sound and looked ahead into the woods where he saw a silhouette darting through the trees. “What the hell?” He then noticed Timber was heading towards the woods.

"Uh, look," Flash began. "Maybe you and me, we could start over as... friends."

Sunset looks ahead to see Tristen pointing at a direction. And her attention shifts to see Timber walking into the woods.

"Uh, uh, sounds great." Sunset replied before patting him on the shoulder as she passed him by. “Gotta go!"

"Cool, yeah!" Flash shouted back excitedly as he watched her go. "I want to start over later, too!" With Sunset gone, he kicked a rock aside out of frustration. Muffins then approached and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.

(Meanwhile)

Meanwhile, Timber was carefully navigating through the woods, looking around to make sure no one was following him before jogging off into the depths of the trees.

But little did he know, a pair of violet eyes appeared in the darkness before Nightshade emerged from shadows while Sunset emerged from behind a nearby tree.

“Well, somebody is in a hurry.” Nightshade said in skepticism.

They both followed after Timber while staying hidden.

“Cortana!” Nightshade said, tapping a finger onto the Omnitrix symbol on his chest. “Can you get a reading on his location?”

“On it.” Cortana responded as Nightshade and Sunset continued to follow.

But the further they got, the Omnitrix began to beep more profusely as it rapidly changed from green to purple again.

“Oh, son of a bitch!” Nightshade groaned in annoyance. “Now you're doing this, you piece of crap?” In a purple flash, Nightshade changed Carbon Copy. Seconds later, he changed to Sunstone, then to Wild Card, and then shifted to Spyder.

“Dammit!” Spyder hissed out in anger. “I swear, sometimes I think whatever higher power is out there is just screwing with me!”

Sunset picks Spyder up and puts him on her shoulder before continuing her trek.

All of a sudden, the ground began to shake, making Sunset gasp while Spyder held on to avoid falling.

Sunset looks over and pushed a few pines aside to see the Timber walk into the cave, followed by seeing an ominous pink light emanating from it.

“That don't look good.” Tristen said.

"He's definitely up to something." Sunset realized before pulling out her phone. The Omnitrix symbol flashing purple once again. In response, he jumps off of Sunset's shoulder before changing into Thunderclap.

“I've got to get this freaking thing fixed when we get back!” Thunderclap muttered out in frustration.

(Meanwhile)

Back at the Sapphire Tent, Twilight was sitting cross-legged upon her bed, reading a book as Spike was resting beside her.

The then heard her phone ringing caught, making her break her attention from her book. Curious, she grabs the phone while Spike looked at her.

"It's Sunset.” Twilight looks to her canine companion. "She says to meet her by the rock quarry."

"I thought we weren't supposed to hike out that far…" Spike responded, arching an eyebrow out of confusion.

"She says it's important." Twilight replied before getting up.

getting off the bed with them and standing up.

Sunset and Tristen, the latter was back to human form, were waiting for Twilight while Tristen was puzzled about something.

“I just don't get it though.” Tristen said in confusion. “Gloriosa and Timber run this place, right?” Tristen asked. “So why would he want to get rid of the camp? Especially considering his great-grandfolks made this place.”

“I'm not sure.” Sunset replied with a shrug. “But I'm sure we'll find out.”

“Find out what?”

The two look over to see Twilight and Spike approach.

"Come on!" Sunset beckoned quietly, Twilight and Spike as they followed Sunset and Tristen into the underbrush of the forest.

They then arrived at the quarry, peeking out from behind the trees as they saw the somewhat ominous glow emanating from the cave.

"What's going on down there?" Twilight asked in perplexity.

"I think it's Gaea Everfree." Sunset responded. "Or rather, someone who wants us to think she's back."

Tristen was suddenly enveloped in a purple flash again, instantly turning into Slender Bender.

“Oh come on!” Slender Bender groaned out.

In yet another purple flash, Slender Bender changed into Deus-X-Machina. Not wanting to waste any time, they headed into the cavern. Once inside, they were absolutely awe-inspired upon seeing the interior.

"Whoa..." Sunset muttered out in awe.

"This place is beautiful," Twilight commented while glancing around.

Deus-X-Machina was enveloped in another purple flash, changing into Saw Horse.

“This is really getting on my freaking nerves!” Saw Horse groaned out before he shifted into Sunstone in another purple flash.

"There's… Equestrian magic here…" Sunset pointed out as she, Sunstone, and Twilight stopped before the large, white stalagmite before them. "I can... I can feel it…"

“Wait. I thought Timber was just faking there was a magical nature creature.” Spike chimed in. “Are you saying it's real?”

“She is, actually.”

The gang froze in shock as Willow appeared from behind the stalagmite.

“The hell?!” Sunstone muttered.

“Wait! You're Gaea Everfree?” Sunset asked in confusion. “But… you don't look like what Timber described.”

“I'm not, actually.” Willow replied. “I'm one of her two children.” Willow bowed. “Willow, at your service.”

“Children?!” Twilight asked, truly baffled. “So, you're the one behind all of this?”

Willow shakes her head. “No. Actually-”

"It's all me!”

The gang perked up and glance over to see Gloriosa coming out from the shadows of the cavern.

“Gloriosa?!” Sunstone asked in disbelief before he changed back to Tristen. “Hold up! I'm confused here!”

"But... Timber…" Sunset uttered, just as confused as Tristen. "I was sure he was the one trying to make it seem like Gaea Everfree was back. It was you who was trying to scare everyone away?"

"I would never try to scare anyone away from Camp Everfree." Gloriosa responded, sounding like she was in hypnotized as she walked past Sunset and Twilight.

Tristen was still trying to wrap his head around what he was seeing. “What… what is going on here?”

Willow looks at Sunset. “Sunset Shimmer, was it?” Willow grabs her by the hand. “If you wish to know…” Willow drags Sunset to Gloriosa, then grabs Gloriosa’s hand and made them touch each other.

As soon as that happened, Sunset’s eyes flashed bright white before peering into Gloriosa’s memories.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My, oh, my, You fell behind on your payments, Gloriosa." Filthy Rich said with a smug grin. "I own the land now."

"Please!" Gloriosa begged. "My great grandparents founded this place. It's been in our family for generations! You have to let the camp stay!"

"Instead of turning it into a spa resort that will line my pockets with more money than this camp ever could?" Filthy Rich inquired. "I don't think so.”

"Please! "I-I-I-I just need a little more time!" Gloriosa begged as she was on the verge of tears.

Filthy Rich, despite not wanting to, decided to oblige to Gloriosa’s request. "Fine. I'll give you 'til the end of the month."

And with that, Filthy Rich walked away in a huff while Gloriosa broke down into tears.

———

“What troubles you, dear friend?”

Gloriosa looks up to see Willow and Leshy standing before her, both having worried looks.

"What'll I do?" Gloriosa asked, wiping her tears away. “I don't want to lose this place! I just don't!”

Willow sat down near Gloriosa, rubbing her back to soother her. “I'm sure will think of something.”

“Oh, I hope so.” Gloriosa replied. But in the reflection viewed on the water’s surface, she spotted something streak by like a shooting star. "Huh?"

She looks upwards to see a sparkling beam of pink light zoom overhead. And Willow and Leshy both saw this as well

“What do you suppose-?” Leshy asks in perplexity but is cut off when Gloriosa after it.

“Gloriosa?” Willow asked as she and Leshy followed her.

(Later)

Gloriosa, Leshy, and Willow arrived at a nearby mountainside, the latter of the three looked back to see if anyone else was around before jumping out and making her way towards the fissure between the large boulders.

“Gloriosa, wait!” Willow called out as she and Leshy followed her. “Gloriosa!”

Gloriosa tried to squeeze her way in, but Leshy was able to help out as he used his magic to move the rocks slightly.

Once she, Leshy, and Willow entered, they were amazed by at the scenery before her,

“Holy mother Terra.” Willow muttered out, truly in awe by seeing the crystalline beauty.

Gloriosa walked towards the crystalized stalagmite before her, which was shining in blue and green lights momentarily as she walked up to it. Leshy too seemed to be drawn to the stalagmite.

Leshy and Gloriosa saw that upon the structure were seven small gemstones in red, violet, blue, yellow, orange, pink, and white.

Out of curiosity, Gloriosa placed her hand upon them.

Willow was feeling a bit unsettled the closer Gloriosa got to the stones. “Gloriosa, wait!”

Suddenly, an unknown energy surged in Gloriosa’s arm, making her gasp out In shock as she tried to to pry her arm free.

“Gloriosa!” Willow cried out in concern as manage to pull herself free, falling backwards as a result

As Gloriosa was about to land, some brambles grew beneath her and catch her to break the fall.

Gloriosa noticed the brambles and sighed out in relief. “Thanks guys.”

Willow and Leshy were a bit confused in response. “For what?” Willow asked.

“For catching me.” Gloriosa replied with a shrug. “What do you think?”

Willow and Leshy, still perplexed, looked at each other before looking back at Gloriosa. “That… was not us child.”

Gloriosa was confused, then she looked in her left extremity to see that she had pulled out the later five of the crystals, staring at them in wonder as they floated above her hand.

Leshy eyed the crystals that Gloriosa held, and he too was in awe of them. “I sense… a form of magic from them.” Leshy muttered as he approached, examining the crystals closet. “Truly curious. This magic… it's unlike any I've ever seen.”

Willow too examined the crystals, not as curious as her brother and Gloriosa were. She looked at the two remaining crystals, concerned that there may be something off about them.

———

Gloriosa, Leshy, and Willow confronted Timber to show him their discovery.

"You don't know what those things are!" Timber argued as Gloriosa fashioned the crystals she had found into a necklace.

"But I know what they can do!" Gloriosa countered as her right hand emits a greenish glow. "I've been practicing!"

As soon as she said that various vines began growing rapidly from the plants hanging on the ceiling, grabbing her laptop and pencil cup off of the desk and hoisting them up slightly. "I can control their power now!" Gloriosa continued.

“Gloriosa, I'm not so sure about this.” Willow said, truly concerned for her friend. “What if the magic in those crystals overwhelms you?”

“I'm sure she's got a grasp over it.” Leshy responded, placing a hand on Gloriosa’s shoulder.

“What?!” Timber asked in disbelief. “You're saying you're ok with this?!”

“If things do go awry, I'll handle it.” Leshy replied dismissively. “I've faced skilled sorcerers in the past.”

“Brother, this isn't any magic we've encountered before!” Willow declared while gesturing to the crystals around Gloriosa neck.

"You don't know that for sure, Leshy!" Timber shouted back at her defiantly, waving her off as he was about to leave.

"This is our camp!” Gloriosa pointed out, getting Timber’s attention. "And it's being taken away! If this has to be our last week here, I'm going to use whatever it takes to make it count!" Gloriosa declared fiercelt as the vines grew more twisted as a byproduct in her anger.

———

Gloriosa was watching Muffins and Sandalwood stuck out on the lakeside in one of the sailboats, stuck in the water without wind.

Wanting to help, Gloriosa extends her left hand forward while it grows a bright green. Moments later, a pair of brambles then emerged from the water behind the vessel and smacked the stern of the vessel. This caused the sailboat to zoom across the lake.

However, the sailboat was sent crashing into dock, making Gloriosa since as she had accidentally made it worse.

She however felt a hand on her shoulder, making her look up to see Leshy. The nature elemental smiling softly at her

“Fret not, dear friend.” Leshy said encouragingly. “You'll get used to your newfound power.”

Gloriosa smiled softly in response.

———

At another time, Trixie and Microchips were walking through the forest with fishing poles in their hands but stopped in shock to discover that the river water had suddenly dried up.

Gloriosa, noticing their reactions while hiding behind trees, glanced over towards the mountainside and sees that several boulders were blocking the water's path.

She extended her right arm, which again had the green glow, causing brambles to rise up from the ground and knocked the giant rocks away. This sent the two stones tumbling towards the ravine while causing the ground to shake as a result.

Trixie and Microchips gasped in response to the quaking before they noticed the water rushing through.

Leshy walked beside Gloriosa, patting her back in a congratulatory manner. Meanwhile, Willow was perched on a branch and wasn't as enthused as her brother was. If anything, she was concerned as she glanced at Gloriosa.

———

The next day, Gloriosa was arguing with Timber while Leshy and Willow watched.

"You were using magic all over the place!" Timber declared angrily. "I had to tell them something to cover for you!"

“And you chose to demonize our mother?!” Leshy snapped back angrily. “As if your defiance wasn't already bad enough!”

"What did you want me to do?!" Timber replied.

"I just wish you didn't tell them that ridiculous story!" Gloriosa declared out of rage.

"Ah, this is all too much for you!" Timber pointed out. "You have to let it go!"

“At least Leshy believes I can do it!” Gloriosa said while gesturing to the aforementioned forest elemental.

“He's just as clueless to those rocks as you are Gloriosa!” Timber argued.

“And you're saying you know their secrets, boy?!” Leshy asked rhetorically.

Gloriosa glanced towards Willow. “Willow, back me up here!”

Willow, looking away with trepidation, twiddles her thumbs nervously. “Gloriosa, I think you just need to just sit down and think for a second!” Another voice, which was Willow, spoke.

Gloriosa was flabbergasted while Leshy was enraged.

“Are you kidding me?!” Gloriosa shot back in betrayal. “I cannot believe what I'm hearing!”

“If you will please just-” Willow said, but Leshy gets in front of her.

“Our sanctuary is on the verge of being claimed by that greedy vermin, and we have the necessary means of preventing it!” Leshy protested.

“Leshy, those stones are only going to be her downfall!” Willow said, trying to get her brother to see reason. “You have not seen what they are truly capable of!”

“I could care less!” Leshy barked back. “I am not going to stand by and watch the one thing to remember our mother, Old Spice, and Dove by go away!” Leshy conjured his sword and aimed it at her and Timber. “Whether you are with us or not, Gloriosa and I will do everything in our power to ensure Camp Everfree stays! Those who oppose us will be dealt with! Harshly!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunset gasped out in disbelief as Sunset released herself from Willow’s hold.

"Timber wasn't talking about letting go of the camp…" Sunset muttered out in realization, “He was talking about you letting go of the magical gemstones! All those things you were doing to make this week the best week ever…" As Sunset explained, Gloriosa backed up nervously towards the white stalagmite.

"Every time you used magic to do them," Sunset continued, "you caused another problem somewhere else! Timber was... covering for you!" she realized as she looked at Willow. “And you were aware of this?”

Willow nodded her head. “Yes. I should have intervened sooner.” Willow looks over at Gloriosa. “Gloriosa, those crystals are proving too much for you. You have to return them.”

Gloriosa was stunned after hearing what Willow had said to her. “But… Willow, this is your home! Our home!” Gloriosa protested with a look of betrayal.

"Gloriosa, Timber wasn't wrong," Twilight chimed in as she walked up to Sunset’s side. "Maybe you should stop using magic. Too much of it can be dangerous if you can't control it.”

Tristen walked over to Gloriosa, looking at her in the eye with a serious expression. “Gloriosa, I know you don't want to lose this place. Hell, I don't want to see this place go as well.”

Gloriosa smiled in reply. “Tristen, maybe you can help me out with-” She stops herself as she sees Tristen extend his hand towards her.

“Gloriosa, give me those stones.” Tristen said, taking Gloriosa by surprise.

“W-What…?” Gloriosa asked. “But-”

“I've seen this go down before.” Tristen looked towards Sunset and Twilight. “It happened to Sunset, it happened to Twilight,” he then looks back at Gloriosa, “And I'm worried that the same is going to happen to you too. Just give me the stones, and we can talk this out.”

Gloriosa was truly devastated by what she had heard. “But… I- No!” Gloriosa denied, her eyes narrowed at him. “No, I will not! I'm not going to lose this place!”

“Gloriosa, there's another way we can keep this place around!” Tristen shot back, hoping to make Gloriosa see reason.

“No, there isn't!” Gloriosa protested. "And here I thought I could talk you into helping me!”

“What?” Tristen asked.

“I know about that watch of yours!” Gloriosa pointed at the Omnitrix. “I know about those things you turn into!”

Sunset and Twilight gasped in shock. “You know?!”

“I hoped that I could convince you, Tristen!” Gloriosa said with tears streaming down her face. “But I guess my hopes were just too high! I'm saving this camp, regardless of what you think!” Gloriosa began to reach for the remaining gems.

“Gloriosa, no!” Tristen called out.

Luckily, Willow managed to snatch the two gems before Gloriosa could get them.

“Willow!” Gloriosa glared at Willow. “Give them to me!”

“I'm afraid I can't do that!” Willow defied. “This madness has gone on long enough!”

Suddenly, a bunch of vines restrains Willow's writs while another one wraps around her neck, making her drop the stones in the process. Tristen was about to grab them, but Leshy appeared and kicked him away. Gloriosa grabbed at the two stones the final, and she sparked with green energy.

"No!" Willow cried out as the red and violet gemstones float over her hand before having them gather with others she already has.

Moments later, she was enveloped in green flash of light as an aura shaped like vines appeared behind her. Brambles began to grow up her body, transforming her clothes into a somewhat greenish floral dress with pointed feet, leaf-like ornaments, arms that appeared to be made out of wood, wild unkempt blue hair with a decorated with a hair band covered in thorns, and eyes had black sclerae with green pupils.

“Oh crap!” Tristen murmured in shock upon seeing Gloriosa’s new form

Willow was horrified by what had happened to Gloriosa. Leshy though, he had a triumphantly smirk as he genuflects before Gloriosa. “At last.” Leshy spoke with a smirk. “Camp Everfree's perseverance is assured.”

Tristen, growling angrily, broke free from the brambles as he transformed into the first alien that appeared on his roster. Unfortunately, though, the alien he went with was none other than…

“Spyder?!” Spyder asked with a groan. “Oh my GOD! This piece of crap does not want to work with me, does it!”

Gloriosa chuckled at the sight of the tiny arachnoid. “My, aren't you just the cutest?” Gloriosa said tauntingly. “To bad I have to squish you!” Before Spyder could blink, he was instantly stomped by Gloriosa. Willow gasped in horror while Sunset covered her mouth in shock.

But before Gloriosa could gloat, a mass of darkness appeared beneath her foot, taking her by surprise. And moments later, the, the dark mass slithered away before rising up as Nightshade. And in a green flash, Nightshade changed to Thunderclap.

“I guess I'll have to give you some shock therapy to snap you out of it." Thunderclap’s hands sparked with yellow electricity.

Leshy got back up, glaring hatefully towards Thunderclap. “Don't! You! DARE!” He then ran to Thunderclap, swinging his sword at the thunderous tank.

Thunderclap was sent crashing against the cavern wall, groaning in pain as he reverted back to human form. Leshy then extends his hand forward, making a bramble appear and wrap around Tristen’s neck. Tristen choked out as he clutched at the bramble, struggling to break free.

“Tristen!” Sunset and Twilight were about to help, but Gloriosa trapped them in brambles. Willow was about to help, but Leshy levitates a nearby to rock and tossed it at her, knocking her out in the process.

Tristen tried to free himself from the bramble that was choking him, but he ultimately fell limp and collapsed.

Twilight gasped out in horror as Sunset felt her heart sink. “Tristen?” Sunset asked but got no response. “Tristen?!” Again, Tristen said nothing.

Twilight’s eyes welled up in tears, knowing that she had lost a friend. “No! NO!” Twilight broke down while Sunset held onto her, the latter crying as well.

"So sorry girls,” Gloriosa said with a smirk as she and Leshy made their exit. “But I feel like we're not on the same page…”

Once Gloriosa and Leshy made it outside, Gloriosa turned around and lit her hands up in a greenish aura. As this happened, a bunch of brambles emerged from the ground and pushed some large boulders in front of the entrance towards each other, sealing it off.

“And now,” Leshy said with a smirk. “We deal with the rest.”

Gloriosa nods in agreement as she and Leshy set off to put their plan into action.