Applejack awoke early the next morning with her sister Applebloom, which was usually a part of their every day routine. All around Ponyville, the remaining Element bearers began to do the same.

However, in the Golden Oaks Library, A young princess and Librarian ran about with a new checklist.

Book,

Tent,

Sleeping bag,

Water canteen,

Bug spray,

Food,

She toiled for what seemed like hours in her mind, but when she looked up, she saw she still had another two hours to get herself and Spike ready.

By the time the clock ticked 8, Twilight, and Spike both found themselves on their way to Sweet Apple acres.

Unbeknownst to her, a Cerulean Pegasus was flying slowly(remarkable for this pony), admiring the mare who trotted ahead of her. Her thoughts buzzing around whether or not she should confess her feelings today.

“Uhm… Rainbow Dash? You okay?” came a gentle, and demure voice to her right.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m fine Flutters. Just… thinking.” she smiled.

“About Twilight? She’s your crush huh?”

“How did you… never mind. AJ told me the other day I was being pretty obvious… except to Twi.”

With a sigh, Fluttershy patted Rainbow on the back. “Since we’re going camping, why not let it out while we’re there?”

“I was just thinking about that…”

“Hey y’all! Flutters! Ya made it!” Applejack called.

“Yeah… I got Raindrops to keep an eye on my critter friends.” she explained with a gentle blush.

“Great. Now we just need to wait for Rarity, Pinkie, Sweetie, Scoot, and Logan.” Twilight chided excitedly.

“YO!” came a male voice between a pair of nearby apple trees. Everypony present looked to where the voice came. Looking at the space between the trees, they saw what looked like a small tent, hanging between the two trees. Then, slowly, a human body began to emerge from the hanging tent.

“How long have ya been there?” Applejack asked

With a sly grin, Logan answered “’bout the past 4 hours. Since you woke up.”

“Ya’ll have been up since before dawn?” Applebloom asked excitedly.

“Yup.” he said simply as he began to take his hammock down, and stuffed in his bag.

Twilight then began to clap her hooves together excitedly. “Oh this is so exciting! I’ve been dying to finally use this book since forever!” she yelped as she levitated ‘Camping for Dummies’

“Is that a ‘how to’ book on camping?” Logan asked warily.

“Yep. She got that book last week. Been dying to put it to use since.” Spike explained.

Before Twilight could even think, Logan snatched the book from Twilight’s magical grasp. “NO! You just do not bring a how to camp book. Camping is something you wing. This is just a mere guideline. I’ll hold on to this, and let you experience camping the way it should be. By winging it.”

“You WHAT?! OH NO YOU DON’T!” she shouted angerly.

Before hooves could be thrown or magic be cast, Rainbow and Applejack threw themselves between the two.

“That’s enough you two. Logan, return the book before Twilight does somethin’ ya both regret. Albeit I do agree with ya.” Applejack chided.

With a sigh, Logan handed the book back over. “Fine. But keep an open mind Twilight.”

With a light scowl, Twi gave him a nod. Just then, Rarity, Pinkie and the remaining CMC’s arrived.

Elsewhere, Princess Luna received an urgent letter regarding a patient in Ponyville Hospital. The guards pulling her chariot flew as fast as their wings could beat, and within the hour, had arrived at the hospitals ICU ward.

“OH! Princess! Thank the sun an moon you came!” cried the sandstone Pegasus.

“Miss Do. May I ask pray tell what happened to you? I have heard tales of your adventures, but I haven’t heard of one going this badly.” Luna chided.

“Princess please. We have urgent news.” came a third, almost calm but demonic voice.

Startled, she turned towards the gold Unicorn stallion. “Who are you?”

“My name is Crystal Clear. I brought Miss Do here from the hooves of Chrysalis.” he said.

“I see. What is it you must say?” she asked, patiently but sternly.

“That Equestria is under threat. I’ve overheard dark plans. Plans of evil. Something about… ugh. It’s hazy. I was heavily tortured. The Cutie mark on my left flank has been branded off. I’ve been skinned, all of my feathers plucked off, my hooves have mostly healed by now. The pain from it all… hours of it… I don’t remember anymore.” she explained with down ears, signifying depression.

“You may not remember. But I do. Almost a year ago, a strange bipedal creature was spotted not far from a changeling nest. Within 12 weeks he turned into a unicorn stallion. But a great darkness fills his heart and mind. Once he discovered the power of magic, he grew ever darker. Then he and Chrysalis began to plot. Plot the end of Equestria. They plan on starting by attacking the nearest town. In this case, Ponyville. Afterwards, changelings are to be sent all over Equestia as sleeper agents. Manehattan, Bayston, Canterlot. All will be under attack.” he explained, looking out the window at the carefree village. “The details may have changed due to my defection, so nothing is certain. What is certain is your nation is under threat.”

“When will this happen?” Luna urged. “And how do you know so much?”

Crystal’s answer came in the form of a flash of green magic temporarily revealing his true form.

The changeling sensed Luna’s darkening mood towards him and bowed. “Please believe me when I say this is only the truth. The changeling invasion a few years ago? I urged Chrysalis to instead negotiate. Come to peaceful terms. She refused. May I continue?”

“Please do.” The dark Alicorn hissed.

“Then I had heard something about a resurrection. The subject being a dark Unicorn who ruled an empire millennia ago. Sombra, I believe his name was. They intend on using him as an ally to get at the Crystal Empire. Another major target. However, this stallion has plans of his own. Where Chrysalis just wants to feed us, this stallion is power hungry. Bent on becoming more powerful than any pony in existence. He found a tome, in a temple Miss Do here was exploring, and attracted the attention of Ahiuzhotl. Their newest ally. When this attack will happen, I do not know. But I can say it is imminent. And there is nothing we can do to stop it.”

Luna paced in the room, carefully digesting what she had just heard. “Miss Do, I’m going to take you, and you ‘friend’ here to the Canterlot Palace medical wing, where you both can tell my sister, and our niece what you know. The details will be sent to Princess Twilight via Dragonfire.”

“Princess Twilight?” Daring inquired curiously.

“I have a feeling you will meet her yourself pretty soon.”

Back out on the trails leading to Winsome Falls, Logan walked, carefully listening to the sounds of wind rustling the trees, of the Cutie Mark Crusaders laughing, and of the six mares in front of him gossiping.

“Whew, I need to get out and exercise more.” Twilight panted.

With a chuckle, Logan looked back and offered her a drink from his spare canteen. “Cant hurt.”

“Yeah. Hey Logan, I was wondering…” she began as she took a sip.

“Go for it.”

“Why did you bring your AK with you? And I assume any other weapons?” she asked cautiously.

“Paranoia. Prior to The War, I never left the house without a knife at least. Once it started, nobody went anywhere without a weapon of ANY kind. Death began to linger more and more behind every blade of grass. Those who chose to run, more often than not died. Everyone else began to fight, tooth and nail, too the death.” he explained simply.

“Did it seriously get that bad? Your world I mean?” Asked the rainbow colored Pegasus.

“Rainbow, the things I’ve seen and done, make the stuff you guys have done look like a bad day at kindergarten.” he said coldly.

“Whoa…” was all she could say.

“Surely you had stuff that helped keep your spirits up while in those dark times.” Fluttershy chided.

“There your right. Depending on your goals, or where you stood in life, there was plenty of music to keep us strong. Some of it I’ve memorized because of how many times I’ve heard it.” a small smile slowly creeping onto Logan’s face.

“Mind singing us one dear?” Rarity asked, who was soon followed by the remainder of the group wanting to hear a song or two from him.

Chuckling, he agreed, and pulled out a small rectangular device. “Want me to sing with it so you could understand it?”

“Please?” came the hyper bubblegum mare from nowhere.

“Only if you get out of my face please. That’s just creepy.”

“Sorry.”

Sliding his thumb across the small device, music began to play. It began with electric guitar, followed by the quick, rhythmic beat of drums.

“Some people live, That selfish desire,

Some choose to shout when they speak,

And they’ll be the start.

Guarding the flame of those deep in fire,

Seeking out those with a voice,

One for tomorrow!

They say we’ve lost our minds

We’ve just gained control.”

Much to Logan’s surprise, Rainbow and Twilight both began to sing with him.

“Search Endlessly

Fight till we’re free!

Fly past the edge of the sea

No bended knee,

No mockery!

Somehow we still carry on!

Silence your fear, we’ve got to move higher,

Unlock the stars in the sky

Guarding us all.

Battle the will of those who conspire

Take back the passion to live,

Vanish the sorrow!

Destroy their perfect crime,

Watch the power fold!

Search Endlessly

Fight till we’re free!

Fly past the edge of the sea

No bended knee,

No mockery!

Somehow we still carry on!

The group of ponies, dragon(and one human) began to watch as Rainbow began to do an air guitar impression as the music continued through a solo

Search Endlessly

Fight till we’re free!

Fly past the edge of the sea

No bended knee,

No mockery!

Somehow we still carry on!

CARRY ON!”

“Whew whey, Ah’ll say that song was a might… interestin’.” Applejack inquired. “Cant say Ah’ve ever heard a song like that before.”

“Indeed darling.”

“That was super cool! Is there a teeny tiny DJ in that thing?!” Pinkie asked hyperly

“Where can I get one!?” Scootaloo asked.

“This was just a music player from my world. As you already know my world, technologically was more advanced than you are. I also got… country, classical, a bunch of others.” he explained. “Sorry Scoots. Cant get ya one of these.”

“Aw.”

“Do you have any romantic songs on that thing dear?”

With a chuckle, Logan flipped through. “I wont sing along to this one though.”

The sounds of drums emanated from the device. Soon followed by a woman’s deep singing voice.

“They came for him one winters night.

Arrested, he was bound.

They said there’d been a robbery, his pistol had been found.

They marched him to the station house,

He waited for the dawn.

And as they led him to the dock,

He knew that he’d been wronged.

‘You stand accused of robbery’

He heard the bailiff say.

He knew without an alibi,

Tomorrow’s light would mourn his freedom.

Over the hills, and far away,

For ten long years, he’ll count the days.

Over the mountains and the seas,

A prisoners life for him there’ll be.

Rainbow consistently kept up the air guitar motions as the song continued to play, Pinkie joining in doing air keyboards.

He knew that it would cost him dear

But what he dare not say

Where he had been that fateful night

A secret it must say.

He had to fight the tears of rage

His heart beat like a drum

For with the wife of his best friend,

He spent his final night of freedom.

Over the hills and far away,

He swears he will return one day,

Far from the mountains and the seas,

Back in her arms he swears he’ll be

Over the hills and far away!

Over the hills,

Over the hills and,

Over the hills and far away!

Twilight chuckled playfully at Rainbow and Pinkie constantly playing their air instruments.

Each night within his prison cell,

He looks out through the bars

He reads the letters that she wrote,

One day he’ll know the taste of freedom.

Over the hills and far away,

She prays he will return one day

As sure as the rivers reach the seas

Back in his arms is where she’ll be.

Over the hills and far away,

He swears he will return one day

Far from the mountains and the seas!

Back in her arms is where he’ll be,

Over the hills and far away!

She prays he will return one day,

As sure as the rivers reach the seas

Back in his arms is where she’ll be”

The song faded away as it ended.

“Wow, that was such a pretty song. But… what did it mean?” Sweetie Belle asked, cocking her head to the side.

“It’s about a man who has done wrong, and has to face the punishment of his crime. So he’s stuck in a prison, far from home, and the someone he loves.” he explained.

Rarity couldn’t help but get somewhat misty eyed at the song.

“What kind of country songs ya got on that there doohickey?” Applebloom asked.

“The sad kind.” He said simply. “Some courageous, but still sad. I’ll play two more songs. That work for everypony?”

All ten gave nods of consent.

“Alright. So, first country.

The song began with a gentle country mans voice.

“Hello, I’m Chris Kristofferson. On November 8th, 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on Operation Hump, in Warzone D in Vietnam, were ambushed by over twelve hundred V.C. Forty eight American soldiers lost their lives. Severely wounded, and riskin’ his own life, Lawrence Joel, a medic, was the first livin black man since the Spanish-American war to receive the Untied States Medal of Honor, for savin so many lives in the midst of battle that day. Our friend Niles Harris, retired 25 years, United States Army, the guy who gave ‘Big Kenny’ his top hat, was one of the wounded who lived. This song is his story. Caught in the action of kill or be killed. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his brother.”

Piano, Acoustic guitar, and violin began to sound louder and louder. Everypony listened closely.

“Said goodbye to his momma, as he left South Dakota,

To fight for the Red, White and Blue.

He was 19 and green, with a new M16,

Just doin what he had to do.

He was dropped in the jungle

Where the choppers would rumble,

With the smell of napalm in the air.

Then the sergeant said ‘look up ahead’

Like a dark evil cloud, 1200 came down

On a hill then 29 more.

They fought for their lives,

But most of them died

In the 173rd Airborne!

On the 8th of November,

The angels were crying as they carried his brothers away.

With the fire rainin down and the hell all around

There were few men left standin that day.

Saw the eagle fly, through a clear blue sky, 1965,

The 8th of November.

Now he’s 58, and his ponytails braid,

But the battle still plays in his head.

He limps when he walks,

But is strong when he talks

About the shrapnel they left in his leg.

He puts on a grey suit,

Over his airborne tattoo

And he ties it on one time a year.

And remembers the fallen,

As he orders a tall one,

And swallows it down with his tears!

On the 8th of November,

The angels were crying as they carried his brothers away.

With the fire rainin down and the hell all around

There were few men left standin that day.

Saw the eagle fly, through a clear blue sky, 1965,

The 8th of November.

Saw the eagle fly, through a clear blue sky, 1965,

On the 8th of November,

The angels were crying as they carried his brothers away.

With the fire rainin down and the hell all around

There were few men left standin that day.

Saw the eagle fly, through a clear blue sky, 1965,

The 8th of November.

On the 8th of November,

The angels were crying as they carried his brothers away.

With the fire rainin down and the hell all around

There were few men left standin that day.

Saw the eagle fly, through a clear blue sky, 1965,

The 8th of November.

The 8th of November(the 8th of November!)

Said goodbye to his momma, as he left South Dakota,

To fight for the Red, White, and Blue.

He was 19 and green, with a new M16,

Just doin what he had to do…”

Everypony was silent, and still. Fluttershy was quietly crying, right by Applejack, and Sweetie Belle. Rarity, Twilight, and Applebloom all had tears tugging at her eyes. Scootaloo, & Rainbow Dash both looked at each other trying to process the lyrics

Having experienced what the song had described to a ‘T’, Logan quickly began to scan for another, happier song.

“W-Well Everypony, we’re at our first Camp sight. Why don’t ya play one more song while we get set up?” Applejack asked trying to put on a smile.

“If it’s okay with everypony else, I’ve already divided us up into sleeping arrangements.” with a subtle wink to Rarity, she continued. “Rarity and Applejack, split a tent, as do Pinkie and Fluttershy. CMC’s, and Spike, you all get a tent, Logan brought your own so your good, leaving Rainbow and I to share a tent.”

Rainbow could help but mentally do flips and dance in the air. ‘I’m going to be sharing a tent with Twilight! Just the two of us!’ she screamed in her head. ‘but wait… if I tell her tonight… wont she… she might not want to sleep in my tent…’

Her thoughts were halted as she felt Logan grab her by the back ankle and pull her back down to earth.

Everypony nodded in consent to Twilights idea of organization, and began to set up camp for the night.

“Hey Logan, weren’t you going to show us one more song?” Spike asked.

Quickly scanning through his music player, he looked carefully for a song, both up beat, and inspiring. “hmmm… how about something more to Pinkie’s taste… dern. Got nothing…. Hmm… haven’t heard these girls in a while.” he said as he selected a song.

It started with drums, followed by various strings and brass wind instruments, followed by a near heavenly voice. Instantly catching Sweetie Belle’s ear.

“Sometimes it is life we hear

Calling from somewhere,

Sometimes it is loud and clear,

Sometimes it is so softly there

Much to the surprise of everypony, Sweetie Belle joined in. Easily matching pitch and tone.

Sometimes it is in the sea,

Sometimes in the sky

Sometimes it’s in you and me,

And sometimes it’s a cry

How can you hide?

I am calling you!

Right from the very start,

Your wounded heart was calling to.

Open your eyes,

You will find the answer when you answer to

The call.

Pretty soon, Everypony, dragon, and human began to sing.

Sometimes it is in desire,

Or in the love we fear,

When the call keeps calling us

Till the fear all disappears.

When we have no doubts to doubt

The call is in us all.

When we have no voice to sing,

Then the call is calling strong.

Open your heart,

I am calling you!

Right from the very start,

Your wounded heart was calling too.

Open your arms.

You will find the answer when you answer to

The call.

Open your heart,

I am calling you!

Right from the very start,

Your wounded heart was calling to

Open your arms.

You will find the answer when you answer to the,

Open your heart(your heart)

You will find the answer when you answer to

The call!”

“Holy Guacamole Sweetie Belle. That was great singing! Maybe you should try to get a singing cutie mark next time.” Spike praised.

Rarity beamed excitedly. “Sweetie, darling, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you sing like that. That was wonderful!”

Sweetie couldn’t help but blush at the praise.

Looking up, everypony saw it was getting late. “Well ya’ll, guess we’d better get a fire lit. Applebloom, would ya mind finding some fire wood?” Applejack asked.

“Sure sis.” she answered as she, and the other fillies ran off.

Logan watched carefully as Applejack began to set up a bow drill. With a nod of disapproval, he stepped forward.

“Mind if I start this one?” he asked plainly holding up a small tin can, with what appeared to be cannon fuse sticking out of the bottom.

“Ah don’t see why not… what’s in that can though? Some kinda explosive?” Applejack chided cautiously.

“Yes and no. when put under extreme pressure, it can be explosive, but not in this meager little can its not.” he chuckled.

“Wait, a weapon you didn’t bother to demonstrate yesterday? I wanna see!” Twilight and Rainbow almost shouted making their way to the fire pit.

“This was used more as a tool than a weapon… ya know? Sabotage? Breaking and entering? That sort o thing.” he explained waving his hand as the Crusaders arrived, each carrying a load of fire wood.

Logan smiled as he stacked the wood carefully into the shape of a small teepee, and continued to add more. Making two more stick teepees, each a bit larger than the last, and all centered around the small tin can.

“Now, Twilight I’m sure your going to love this. Inside that canister are two kinds of powders. Iron Oxide, and powdered Aluminum. Do you know what you get when you mix those two in the right ratios?” he asked quizzically.

With an audible and excited gasp, Twilight beamed. “A science experiment!” her mood suddenly dropped as she had no clue what those chemicals created when mixed. “And to be honest. I don’t know.”

Pinkie suddenly gasped. “Twilight! You don’t know what two chemicals make!? Your supposed to be the super smart one of us all!”

“Easy. I didn’t know when I first heard of it. It’s called ‘Thermite’. when ignited, it produces an exothermic reaction reaching in excess of 1200 (centigrade). I can melt my way through a steel door with enough of this stuff. Now pay attention as the tin can will now melt into a puddle of molten metal.” with an almost twisted smile, he pulled out a small metal lighter, and lit the fuse.

Everypony backed away a few steps as the fuse retreated into the canister. Really quickly however, the can began to smoke, and suddenly burst into flames, igniting the wood sticks placed around it. Sparks flew energetically as the can slowly melted into a golden colored goo, only to slowly harden and turn black as the fire show came to its inevitable end.

“A science demonstration, and a camp fire.” Logan smiled.

The group ate, told jokes and stories, and much to Scoot’s appreciation, the Crusaders(Spike included), were sent to bed before the scary stories could be told.