On a nice relaxing mid-late morning, Eric was ready for his camping trip with Jasper and Smokey, his friends, and their sisters.

“Are you ready to go, sweetie?” Twilight asked.

Eric nodded, and then climbed onto her back. Twilight and Storm then took him and themselves over to the entrance of the Everfree Forest to meet up with the others. When they got there, Eric saw his friends, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo standing there, and went over to them for a hug.

“Hey, Eric! How’ve you been?!” Scootaloo asked.

“I’ve been good,” Eric said.

“Are you excited for your first camping trip, cutie-boo?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah! Let’s go!” Eric said, and he suddenly received a hug from Rarity.

“Hello, precious. Are you ready to go?” she asked. Eric nodded, and then Rarity walked over to Twilight and Storm.

“Are you sure you can take care of him?” Twilight asked.

“Of course we will,” Applejack said. “As long as our sisters behave themselves and try to support the little feller, he’ll be in good hooves.”

“Indeed, darling. We’ll make sure he has a good time on his first camping trip and that he’ll stay out of trouble,” Rarity said.

Eric then hugged his mother and father before he left.

“Eric? Now you be good for Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow and listen to Jasper and Smokey because they’re going to take good care of you during your trip,” Twilight said.

“Understood?” Storm asked.

Eric nodded, and then she gave him a kiss on the forehead.

“Climb on, precious. You can ride on my back,” Rarity said, and then she lowered herself so he can climb onto her back and then he sat himself down.

“We’ll be back in a few days, sugarcube,” Applejack said.

“So don’t you worry about a thing,” Rainbow Dash replied.

“Bye, Mommy. Bye, Daddy,” Eric said.

“Bye, sweetie,” Twilight replied, “Have fun.”

“Be safe, sport,” Storm added as they went into the Everfree Forest to find a place to set up camp.

Soon enough, they reached their intended campsite which happened to be next to a cave.

Applejack was straining and grunting as she was trying to get their tent stood up on her own, but was having trouble doing so. Apple Bloom was just patting down a picnic blanket.

“Hey, kid, get over here,” Applejack called out, her voice muffled since the rope was in her mouth. Apple Bloom then grabbed the rope to help Applejack out. It wasn’t long before the two sisters had gotten their tent standing up. Apple Bloom put the stake into the ground and Applejack hammered it into place. It was then Smokey rushed up.

“Sorry ‘bout that, AJ. I was busy collecting some firewood to cook our lunch. I could’ve helped,” Smokey said.

“No worries babe,” said Applejack, “Apple Bloom and I got this covered.” Applejack then showed that all four tents had been pitched up. Applejack and Apple Bloom’s tent was orange, Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s tent was purple, and Rainbow and Scootaloo’s tent was cyan blue. Eric’s tent was yellow and was positioned between Applejack and Rarity’s tents.

“Tents are lookin’ good,” Applejack continued, “And we made good time today. At this rate, we’ll be at Winsome Falls by tomorrow!” Apple Bloom smiled excitedly.

“We should do the annual Big-Sister-Little-Sister camping trip every weekend!” Apple Bloom suggested.

“Then is wouldn’t be annual, and if we did it every weekend, it probably wouldn’t be as special,” Applejack answered as she gave her little sister a wink.

“But the more we do it, the better we get at camping,” said Apple Bloom, “Remember the first time we came here and Rarity had that ginormous tent?”

“I was told she made Sweetie Belle pull a wagon loaded with over twenty pieces of luggage all by herself,” Eric replied as he gave a skeptical look, “And didn’t help her either.” Applejack just smiled sheepishly in reply.

“I heard that!” said Rarity, giggling to herself, “I treated Sweetie Belle to a week’s worth of spa treatments to mend her sore back along with plenty of ice cream and lots of extra sisterly love to make up for it. Besides, I’ve gotten much better at ‘roughing it’, haven’t I?” Rarity looked back to see Sweetie Belle carrying some luggage on her back. She was straining herself a bit too, but instantly recovered when Rarity spoke to her.

“Yup,” Sweetie Belle replied, “This time, you only packed three suitcases.”

“She should only be packing one and maybe place an Undetectable Extension Charm on it, like Eric did with his backpack,” Jasper remarked smugly as he looked at his own saddle bag. Applejack just gave Rarity a knowing smirk.

“I know what you’re both thinking,” said Rarity, “But I promise, I only brought the essentials.”

“Like those light thingies?” Applejack asked as she pointed up. On the trees were several paper lanterns in various colors.

“Of course,” Rarity replied, “What is life if you can’t make it beautiful?”

A short distance away in the fore-ground, Rainbow was hovering about some bushes until she found one bush filled with some sand-red berries.

“Mmmm!” said Rainbow, “These berries look good enough to eat!” Rainbow quickly scooped up a huge collection of berries in her fore-legs.

“DON’T!” Scootaloo shouted from behind the blue Pegasus as she showed Rainbow a page of her book, “According to my book, they’re extremely poisonous!”

Rainbow looked at her blankly before dropping all the berries. Scootaloo just sighed with relief. But then a leaf landed on her nose. Scootaloo gasped and backed right into a twig and it snapped as she stepped on it. Scootaloo grunted as she jumped and did a one-eighty. There before her was a huge dark cave.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!” Scootaloo screamed.

“What?” Rainbow asked as she hovered over to the orange filly.

“I heard something, I stepped on something, and I saw that creepy cave…” Scootaloo explained, “I guess I still get a little bit scared out here, even after the last camping trip.”

“Don’t worry, kid,” said Rainbow confidently, “You’ve got a big sister this time.” Rainbow noggied her mane, making the orange filly smile.

Rainbow and Scootaloo headed back to the campsite where Rarity, Applejack, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Eric, Jasper, and Smokey were setting up all the food that had been prepared for their lunch.

“This looks amazing!” said Apple Bloom.

“This is gonna be the best Big-Sister-Slash-Little-Sister camping trip ever!” Scootaloo remarked.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Eric said.

The others began to dig in as Rarity served some punch from a canteen. Sweetie Belle was about to eat her carrot dog when a fly-der landed on it. The fly-der then looked at her and shot some webbing into her eye.

“I’ll shoo that pesky bug away for you, Swe—” Eric then stopped talking and froze as he looked up. His eyes shrunk at what he was seeing.

“Great Scott!” Jasper and Smokey shrieked. Everypony looked up. There above them was a massive swarm of fly-ders headed for them.

Within a few seconds, the entire swarm came down on the eight ponies and boy.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Everypony screamed as the fly-der swarm invaded them.

As the fly-ders continued to buzz about, the group complained as the five adults tried to shoo the fly-ders away, but it was no good. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom both squatted down low while the former covered her eyes to avoid being attacked. Scootaloo was just cringing from the swarm. In the end, despite their best efforts, all the ponies were gaining were several red bug bites on their bodies. Rainbow then flew up and tried to buck large clusters of fly-ders away, but was quickly overwhelmed as they tried to surround her. Then one fly-der landed on Scootaloo’s wing and took a bite.

“Ow!” Scootaloo yelped, “What are these things?! Aagh!” Scootaloo then ran for her life as a mini-swarm chased after her.

“Fly-ders!” Applejack called out as she jumped away from the swarm, “Everypony, run for cover! Don’t get stuck in their……web,” Applejack groaned. The fly-ders shot some web around her legs so she tripped and fell into her face. Apple Bloom ran out of the swarm, but was looking back so she ended up crashing into Applejack.

“EEEEEEEEK!” Sweetie Belle screamed, “Now what?!” Scootaloo scooted closer to them as well.

“Follow me, everypony!” said Rainbow as she appeared from a cloud of fly-ders and gestured for them to follow.

“You heard Rainbow,” Smokey shouted, “Let’s move, move, MOVE!”

Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom all rushed into the nearby cave. Applejack bounced inside since her legs were still bound by the webbing. Jasper and Smokey then spin dashed inside next. Scootaloo came to the stop when she saw where they were going.

“Aaah! Not the scary cave!” Scootaloo cried out and shivered. Rainbow quickly grabbed Scootaloo and then flew inside to catch up with the others. Inside the cave, Smokey used his magic to tear the webbing off of Applejack’s legs. Scootaloo peeked out as the fly-ders continued to swarm their campsite.

“Where did those terrible bugs come from?” Scootaloo asked, “And why did they destroy our camp?”

“Ugh,” Rainbow groaned as she, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were scratching their bites. Rarity was using a spare comb to brush her frazzled mane.

“Fly-ders are from the Luna Bay area,” Applejack answered, “Never seen ‘em this far east, thought. Probably attracted to the food. Best wait here until they’re gone.”

“Oh, apple rot!” Apple Bloom retorted, “Where are we supposed to do now?! We had games to play and marshmallows to roast at camp! In here, we got nothin’!” Apple Bloom pouted irritably.

“Mm, that’s not entirely true,” said Rarity as she hugged Sweetie Belle from behind, “We have each other.” Sweetie Belle smiled in agreement.

“That’s right!” said Applejack.

“Well said, darling,” Jasper added.

“That’s right, and if you all want to,” said Applejack, “maybe we could tell some stories to pass the time.”

“Good thinking, Applejack,” Eric said.

“You want stories?” Rainbow suggested, “I’ve got a ton of stories! Spoiler alert—they’re all about me and how awesome I am!”

Scootaloo looked rather uncomfortable. Rarity smirked. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had sheepish smiles on their faces. Applejack had annoyed looks on her face.

“Actually, I was thinkin’ more like campfire stories,” Applejack suggested.

“But we don’t even have a campfire,” Apple Bloom pointed out.

“I got this!” said Rainbow and then took off before anypony could say otherwise.

They just listened as they heard the fly-ders buzzing, and then cringed at the sound of her being attacked, and she returned and threw down a perfectly created campfire.

“Wow,” said Applejack, “That was brave.”

“Eh…heh,” said Rainbow in discomfort since her face was covered in fly-der bites, “It was no biggie.” She then coughed painfully.

“We aren’t gonna tell scary stories like our last camping trip, are we?” Scootaloo asked worriedly as Rainbow took a seat and Rarity winced at the sight of the Pegasus’s face, “It’s bad enough just being in here!”

“I agree with Scootaloo,” Eric added.

“Don’t worry, Scootaloo, and Eric,” said Applejack so they could get back on track and divert attention away from Rainbow, “I was gonna tell you mine and Apple Bloom’s favorite legend.”

“Ooh! You mean Rockhoof?” Apple Bloom asked, dancing on her hooves and stood on her hind legs, “I love that one! He was so strong, and when he—”

“Apple Bloom, shh!” Sweetie Belle scolded, “We haven’t heard it yet!” Apple Bloom squatted down from being shouted at, but then recovered.

“Oh, okay,” Apple Bloom replied sheepishly and then said giddily, “But it’s so good! Heh.”

“This is a great chance for the rest of us to learn about him,” Eric pointed out.

“Rockhoof was known far and wide for his incredible strength. But he didn’t start out that way. Rockhoof was a tiny little fella, the son of a farmer.” Applejack said.

“Just like us!” Apple Bloom shouted. Applejack shot her little sister a glare. Apple Bloom just chuckled sheepishly and cowered back.

“They lived in a village that sat at the foot of a gigantic volcano.” Applejack began. It was then the scene changed to show a small village on a peninsula and the volcano was in the background. As some flute music was played, two ponies wearing armor were duking it out with their spears.

“And the village was protected by an elite group of guard ponies, called the Mighty Helm,” Applejack narrated. It was then one of the ponies knocked the spear of the second away. Then the two ponies laughed and shared a hug with each other. Another pony threw an axe at a nearby target that was painted onto a tree stump. It was also a perfect bullseye. It was then a small pale blue stallion with an orange mane and tail that were tied at the ends, wearing a brown vest with brown leg bands appeared.

“Young Rockhoof wanted nothing more than to be part of the Mighty Helm,” Applejack continued as the young stallion tried with all his might to take the axe off the tree stump target, but he couldn’t get it bulge. He tried so hard that he lost his grip and went flying backwards toward the other Mighty Helm ponies. They all laughed at him.

“But he was told that he was too scrawny and weak to protect the village,” Applejack continued as young Rockhoof looked so sad and discouraged that he began to cry. Then one stallion gave him a shovel, noggied his head, and made the young stallion fall on his face. Then they all walked off.

“But Rookhoof wouldn’t take no for an answer…” Applejack continued as Rockhoof looked at his reflection in the metal part of the shovel, put a determined look on his face, adjusted his headband, and got to work digging some holes by a collection of the village outhouses.

“Then, one fateful day…” Rockhoof was digging a hole when the ground started to rumble violently. He peeked up from his hole just in time to see the volcano explode.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…” Rockhoof…squealed like a fangirl?!

“…EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

It turned out that Apple Bloom was the one who was squealing like a fangirl.

“This is my favorite part!” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

“What happened next?!” Rainbow, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Eric all asked excitedly with big smiles and anime eyes. While Rarity, Jasper, and Smokey stayed silent, they couldn’t help but give their own big smiles. Applejack just smirked.

“The molten lava poured down the side of the volcano…” Applejack continued as the scene went back to the village, where stream of yellow colored lava started oozing out of the top of the volcano. The Mighty Helm ponies began talking quickly with each other before running off. They started running amok before they reached a dock where a ship was located.

“…and try as they might,” Applejack narrated as the Mighty Helm ponies stood at the docks with the villagers, “the Mighty Helm couldn’t figure out a way to save the village! They had to evacuate. But the village ponies didn’t wanna leave their homes. They spent their entire lives there. They had nowhere else to go!” The villagers all shook their heads to emphasize they didn’t want to leave. The Might Helm then boarded the boat and sailed off, leaving the villagers behind. Rockhoof had seen everything.

“Then Rockhoof decided to do something crazy,” said Applejack as the young stallion got a determined look on his face and rushed off, “He started diggin’ a trench!”

“Wait a minute,” said Sweetie Belle as the scene went back to their campfire, “All by himself?”

“It’d be impossible for one pony to dig a trench fast enough to stop the lava,” Rainbow added, “I mean, even I couldn’t do that.”

Apple Bloom placed her fore-hooves over her mouth as she gave a loud fangirling squee.

“Good thing Rockhoof didn’t believe in the word ‘impossible’,” said Applejack as the scene returned to the village where Rockhoof was busy digging his trench and the lava was getting closer and closer to his location.

“He continued to work, knowin’ the odds were against him, but determined to push through it,” Applejack narrated. One of the Mighty Helm ponies were trying to convince the villagers to leave when they looked to see Rockhoof hard at work. The other villagers looked back as well.

“Then, somethin’ magical happened,” Applejack said. As Rockhoof was digging, a large glow appeared at the top of the shovel. The magic spiraled upward until it reached Rockhoof and then…

Rockhoof doubled in size and stature, making him stronger and more muscular in appearance. Rockhoof looked at himself in surprise.

“Rockhoof visibly got stronger, but the lava was getting closer,” Applejack said.

Rockhoof dug at high speed with the lava flowing directly behind him. As he reached the sea, Rockhoof quickly finished his trench and jumped out of the way just as the lava streamed into the sea, hissing as it collided with the cool sea water below. The other villagers were amazed and began to cheer for Rockhoof. The Mighty Helms Ponies just stared in shock and amazement as they made their way into the foreground. Rockhoof grabbed his shovel and super jumped over the trench to the crowd, posed, and smiled. As the Mighty Helm came over, Rockhoof gave two of the ponies some bone-crushing hugs.

“Through his extradentary determination and sheer force o’ will, Rockhoof more than earned his place in the Mighty Helm,” Applejack finished narrating. Rockhoof and the other Might Helms ponies all laughed as the villagers cheered and raised their fore-legs into the air.

Back at the campfire, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Eric all cheered as well. Rainbow had a big smile on her face. Rarity, Applejack, Jasper, and Smokey just smiled naturally.

“Good story, Applejack!” said Rainbow, “Even if it wasn’t about me.”

“I love that story, no matter how many times I hear it,” Apple Bloom replied.

“Why don’t we see if it’s safe to head back to camp?” Rarity suggested.

“Uh, everypony?” said Sweetie Belle as she peeked out from the edge of the cave, “There is no camp to go back to.” All the tents, their food, and the picnic blanket were covered in fly-der webs and the swarm was still buzzing around. The others all gasped in shock and horror.

“Accio sleeping bags!” Eric incanted. He managed to summon the sleeping bags into the cave towards them.

“I’ve got some marshmallows in my backpack, along with some graham crackers and chocolate, as well as some trail mix and some roasting sticks,” Eric said.

“All our hard work is ruined!” Sweetie Belle groaned and walked back to their campfire looking very upset. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Eric looked upset as well. The five adult ponies just gave them sympathetic looks.

“There, there, Sweetie Belle,” said Rarity as she tried to comfort her little sister, “Not to worry.”

“How?” Sweetie Belle asked, “Our camp was so pretty, and this cave is so…not.”

“Oh, no-no-no-no-no, not true,” said Rarity, “There’s beauty in everything. Even these blah rocks aren’t really blah. If you look closely, you can see flecks of gold in them. And the way the firelight dances on the cave wall, shadow and light? Ooh, it’s so gorgeous!” Rarity said, rubbing the cave wall a bit to show that the rocks had flecks of gold in them. Then she used her fore-legs to make some shadow puppets, creating a ballerina resembling Twilight.

The others smiled, except for Sweetie Belle, who still looked rather upset. Rarity then got another idea.

“Sweetie Belle, have I ever told you about my favorite legend?” Rarity asked her younger sister.

“No, I didn’t know you had one,” Sweetie Belle replied.

“Her name…was Mistmane,” said Rarity.

“Mistmane? Isn’t she the old wrinkly sorceress with the flower?” Rainbow asked.

“You don’t want to be mocking Mistmane in front of my Grandma Kimono, Rainbow,” Eric said, “She’s also her favorite legend, since she is originally from Neighgasaki.”

“Yeeees,” Rarity replied slowly, trying not to take offense to Rainbow’s blunt remarks, “But, did you know she used to be the most beautiful unicorn in all the land?”

“No,” said Rainbow flatly.

“Beautiful like you are, Rarity,” Jasper remarked.

“Thanks, Jasper. You’re so sweet,” Rarity replied.

“So what happened to her?!” the three fillies and boy asked.

“Well, Mistmane was a very promising young sorceress,” Rarity began narrating. The scene then changed and some Asian-style music began to play as an imperial village came into view. There just outside of the village was a lavender unicorn mare with a curved horn. She had a teal mane and tail that constantly flowed. She was also wearing a cyan blue shirt.

“She was as talented as she was beautiful and kind,” Rarity narrated, “Everypony loved her and missed her when she was sent to the finest magic school.” The other imperial unicorns all smiled and waved her goodbye, except for one unicorn with orange fur and a magenta mane tied in a geisha updo. She glared jealously at Mistmane and stomped off bitterly.

At the imperial magic school, Mistmane was busy working on a potion when a messenger arrived to give her a scroll. Mistmane used her magic to open and read it.

“While she was gone, she was delighted to find out that her best friend, Sable Spirit, was crowned empress. She couldn’t wait to return home once she finished her studies,” Rarity continued. Mistmane smiled and wasted no time packing up and heading back home.

“But once she arrived, she was devastated by what she saw,” Rarity narrated as Mistmane entered the main gates of her village. She found the whole place looking very worn down. The grass had deteriorated as well and several weeds were poking out. The local villagers looked sad and miserable. Mistmane then walked up to a nearby stallion.

“What happened here?” Mistmane asked sadly.

“The Empress happened,” the villager replied bluntly and bitterly, “She makes everypony work day and night on her palace. We don’t have time to take care of anything else.”

“But that can’t be,” Mistmane said in disbelief, “I know her! She would never do this.”

“But there was no denying what was in front of her,” Rarity said as Mistmane saw an imperial colt running off with a flower in his possession. Then a red magic glow snatched it away and brought it over to a chariot where a masked figure was sitting inside. The chariot rushed off as the colt tried to pursue, but he was quickly left in the dust and forced to walk off in defeat.

“Sable Spirit took everything that was beautiful away from anypony else!” Rarity said, “And Mistmane was sure there had to be some explanation.” Mistmane saw the whole scene unfold. Then with a determined look on her face, she rushed toward the palace.

“I’d assume there was, too,” said Sweetie Belle as the scene returned to the campfire, “If somepony told me either one of you two’d gone evil…”

“Yeah, I’d never believe it,” said Scootaloo.

“I dunno,” said Apple Bloom smugly, “I’ve seen the way you two get when you miss breakfast.” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo gave her stern glares.

“Heh…just kiddin’, but I’d want answers too,” Apple Bloom admitted.

“So did Mistmane,” said Rarity as she got the story back on track, using her fore-hooves to do a shadow puppet of Mistmane walking, “She went to confront her friend.”

The scene then changed to the imperial palace as Mistmane sternly walked down the imperial courtyard. She wasted no time walking right up the empress’s throne.

“Sable, is that you?” Mistmane asked the pony sitting on the throne who wore black robes and a black veil over her face.

“Don’t tell me you don’t recognize your old friend,” Sable said smugly.

“I don’t,” Mistmane replied honestly, “My friend would never work our families and friends to the bone for something as silly as a palace.”

“Silly?” Sable snorted and boasted, “My palace is a beacon of beauty! Anypony who passes will be in awe of its majesty!”

“What good is a pretty place if it just hides the misery of its ponies?” Mistmane asked.

“Beauty is everything,” Sable replied, “You taught me that.”

“What?!” Mistmane asked, feeling taken aback by that remark.

“You were always the pretty one,” Sable said spitefully as she walked off her throne and circled around Mistmane, “You got to go the best magic school. Everypony missed you. Everypony loved you! I admit I was jealous, so I tried to perform a spell that would make me beautiful. You can see how that went!” Mistmane gasped as Sable removed her black veil. The failed spell had turned made the young adult Sable look like an elderly pony, with a white mane and wrinkles to boot!

“I found if I couldn’t have beauty, I would take it,” Sable said, “I wasn’t chosen to be empress, you know. I took it! Just like I’m going to take everything else.”

“I can’t let you do that,” Mistmane replied firmly.

“Let me?” Sable retorted with a laugh. She then cast a spell to contain Mistmane inside a collection of black vines. Mistmane used her magic to destroy the vines and then leaned forward, ready for battle. Sable then made a red dragon appear from her horn. Mistmane then created a blue dragon to fight back, which lunged for Sable’s dragon. The two dragons continued to battle each other. But one could tell Mistmane clearly had the upper hoof. Sable was grunting and growling as she used her magic to control her dragon, showing she was relying on her anger and resentment to give her strength. Mistmane has her eyes closed and was calm, focusing her magic so her attacks were more precise and was able to block Sable’s attacks with ease. Eventually, Mistmane’s dragon curled around the red dragon and destroyed it. She then fired a magic blast at Sable, who jumped out of the way just in time. Sable smirked smugly until she realized Mistmane was one step ahead of her. Some vines sprouted out of the soil, grabbing Sable and imprisoning her inside of a giant cocoon. The guard ponies stared and then cheered at Mistmane’s victory, but Mistmane was anything but pleased.

“Everypony thought Sable Spirit was defeated, and that was that,” Rarity narrated, “But Mistmane knew there was more she could do to help.” Mistmane then saw a lone pink flower. She took it outside and planted it. Then cast a spell over it.

“Beauty isn’t everything,” said Rarity, “But Mistmane knew that it does have the power to make ponies smile.” As the surrounding land was restored, Mistmane appearance became old and wrinkly, even her shirt was worn and tattered. She had drained her youthful beauty to restore the village to its former glory.

“She made a huge sacrifice to bring that smile back to her friends’ and family’s faces,” said Rarity, “including Sable Spirit’s.” Sable gasped when she saw that she was not only freed, but no longer old and wrinkly. Mistmane stood before her with a warm smile on her face. Sable gasped when she saw her friend’s now elderly appearance.

“You did this for me?” Sable croaked, “Even after I was so cruel?” Mistmane gave Sable a hug, bring Sable to tears as she returned the gesture.

“Sable was so touched that she vowed to be more like her friend in the ways that mattered,” said Rarity, “From then on, she ruled with kindness and compassion.” Later, Sable sat on her throne with warm smile on her face as several ponies stood before her. The little imperial colt stepped forward as Sable gave him a flower crown to wear, which made him smile. Sable smiled back and the other ponies cheered. Mistmane quietly watched everything in the background before slipping away unnoticed.

“Even though she gave away her physical beauty,” said Rarity, “She dedicated her life to spreading beauty all over Equestria. Any time you go out of your way to brighten somepony’s day by doing something like giving them flowers, you’re following in the hoofsteps of Mistmane.” As Rarity concluded her story, two farmers were standing before a lifeless tree. Mistmane appeared and used her magic to revive the tree so it was healthy and strong again. The farmers were most impressed until they were shocked to see a trail of beautiful flowers on the ground. Apparently, Mistmane was creating them as she walked off into the sunset.

Back in the cave, Rarity made a shadow puppet of Mistmane walking off into the background. She then looked at Sweetie Belle, who was smiling at her.

“I think she’s my favorite legend too,” said Sweetie Belle. She and Rarity then shared a sisterly nuzzle with each other.

“Her will to make such a big sacrifice is why she’s my Grandma Kimono’s favorite legend as well,” Eric added.

Just then, the campfire was put out by some webbing.

“Great Scott!” Jasper and Smokey exclaimed.

The others looked up and saw the fly-ders buzzing toward them. Scootaloo screamed and covered her eyes fearfully.

“Ugh! These Fly-ders won’t quit!” Rainbow complained as Rarity and Sweetie Belle held each other, “What do they want from us now?”

“Well, like it or not, we’re food, too,” said Applejack.

“And I’ve got the bites to prove it,” said Sweetie Belle as she lifted her fore-leg to show a few bites.

“What are we gonna do?!” Scootaloo asked in a panicked tone, “They’re almost here!”

Rainbow winced and then got an idea. She flew up to the ceiling of the cave and gave it a good buck, causing the rocks to crash down between them and the Fly-ders. Rainbow landed with satisfied smile on her face until she saw Applejack glaring at her.

“What?!” Rainbow asked cluelessly, “Now those bugs can’t get in!”

“And we can’t get out!” Scootaloo cried out, scratching the rocks and started to hyperventilate. Rarity and Applejack just gave the orange Pegasus some sympathetic looks. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle winced.

“Let’s all just stay calm. Let me re-light this fire,” Applejack said.

“Allow me,” Eric replied, pointing his wand, “Incendio.”

Everypony smiled in relief as the campfire was instantly relit.

“We just have to wait until the swarm moves on,” said Rarity as she and Sweetie Belle took a seat near the fire, “Then we’ll think of a way out.”

“How long will that be?!” Scootaloo asked worriedly, “Don’t bears live in caves?!” Scootaloo then moaned, hugged her hind legs, and began to panic. Rarity and Sweetie Belle gave Scootaloo some concerned looks.

“B-b-b-bats live in caves. I hope we don’t see any here,” Eric replied.

“Whoa-whoa-whoa, Scootaloo,” said Rainbow, “You’re focusing on the wrong things.”

“You have a plan?!” Scootaloo asked hopefully as she got into her older sister’s face. Then bit her lower lip nervously.

“Close,” Rainbow replied, “I have a story.” Scootaloo gave the cyan Pegasus an “are you kidding me?!” look.

“Lemme guess—it’s about you?” Applejack asked annoyingly.

“Practically, it’s about my favorite legend, Flash Magnus!” Rainbow replied posing with her wings opened.

“Hold on. Wasn’t he the pony who took on the dragons?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Dragons?!” Scootaloo shouted as she sat and trembled, “Big, scary, mean ones or like Spike?”

“Oh, these were definitely the big, scary, and mean kind!” said Rainbow. Scootaloo gave a panicked sigh as she buried her face into her fore-legs and was looking more frightened than ever. Rainbow looked to see Rarity and Applejack giving her glares, Eric, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom gave her sad and worried looks. Rainbow then went back to the still shivering Scootaloo.

“But not too scary,” said Rainbow as she walked up to the fire, “You can sit closer to me if you want.” Scootaloo quickly zipped over and went back to cowering beside Rainbow. Rainbow gave her a gentle smile and put a wing over her for protection.

“A long time ago, before the Wonderbolts were even founded…” Rainbow began narrating. The scene then changed to show a mustard colored Pegasus stallion with a red mane and tail wearing Roman style military attire and helmet flying in the sky with two other Pegasi in uniform, “Flash Magnus was a lowly cadet in the Royal Legion.” As some heroic music was playing, Magnus gave his fellow comrades some high-fives with his wings as they caught up with their commander.

“And the Legion needed to fly over the Dragon Lands to get to their comrades on the other side,” Rainbow Dash narrated, “But as they got closer to the dragons…” Magnus began to cough as some smoke appeared in their way. Then two very large dragons appeared.

“…the dragons attacked!” said Rainbow as the two dragons roared loudly at the Legion.

Back at the campfire, poor Scootaloo was so frightened that she was holding onto Rainbow’s head and her lips, giving the cyan Pegasus a funny looking face.

“You said this wasn’t too scary,” Scootaloo whined as she shivered on top of Rainbow’s head.

“Scootaloo,” said Rainbow in a very muffled voice, “if you just hang in there—”

“What?” Scootaloo asked as Rainbow pulled the filly off her face and put her down on the ground.

“I said if you just hang in there,” said Rainbow firmly, “I promise you’ll like the ending.” Scootaloo just kept shivering.

“So, like I was saying,” Rainbow continued, changing the subject, “Flash Magnus and the Royal Legion tried to get past the dragons…” The scene changed to the smokey sky where a green and dark blue dragon appeared and breathed fire at the Legion, “…but the dragons wouldn’t let them!”

“Everypony, retreat!” Commander Ironhead shouted. They split up to avoid a giant dragon tail swipe, separating Magnus from the other ponies.

“Flash Magnus and a few other cadets were separated from the battalion,” Rainbow continued, “He managed to get away, but the dragons captured his friends and took them back to their lair!” The two ponies screamed as the two large dragons carried them inside of a cave. Magnus glared with determination and tried to go after them, but he was quickly intercepted by Commander Ironhead and pulled down to the ground where the rest of the now battered battalion was hiding inside of a trench, cowering fearfully.

“Commander! We need to save our captured comrades!” said Magnus.

“I appreciate your loyalty, Flash Magnus,” Commander Ironhead replied, “But getting past those dragons is going to be impossible. Nothing will work.” He quickly turned away.

“The commander was right,” said Apple Bloom as the scene returned to the campfire, “You can’t outfight dragons.”

“But you can out-think them,” said Rainbow as Scootaloo cringed.

Back in the story, Magnus got an idea.

“Commander Ironhead,” said Flash Magus, “I’m pretty sure I can outfly the dragons. If I can lure them into chasing me, you can all sneak into the lair and retrieve our friends before they get back.”

“Are you really willing to take that chance, soldier?” Commander Ironhead asked sternly.

“I am, sir,” Magnus said bravely and saluted with a wing.

“It’s a very brave thing you’re doing,” Commander Ironhead replied, “You’ll need all the help you can get.” He then presented Flash with a bronze shield.

“Is this…Netitus, the fireproof shield?!” Magnus asked in amazement.

“It had protected Legion heroes for generations,” Commander Ironhead told him, “And today, I can’t think of a worthier flank for Netitus to protect.” He then gave Magnus the shield and beat his chest.

“Good luck, soldier,” said Commander Ironhead. The other soldiers gave Magnus some salutes as he flew off toward the mouth of the large cave. Once inside, Magnus breathed deeply.

“Hey!” Magnus shouted loudly, “Come and get me, fire-breath! If you can!” He then clanked the shield with a fore-hoof, “Hey, hey! Come and get me! Hey, I’m over here!” Suddenly, two large yellow eyes appeared from the darkness and then a mouth opened to show a huge ball of yellow. Magnus quickly raised Netitus to block the flames. While Netitus protected him, the top of his helmet got burnt.

“While Flash Magnus bravely flow for his life,” Rainbow narrated as Magnus lured the dragons away from the cave, “Commander Ironhead was able to get his soldiers back.” The commander than guided the rest of the troops into the cave.

“Flash Magnus flew like the wind, faster than the dragons!” Rainbow continued as Magnus soared above the clouds as the two dragons continued to shoot fire at him. He also used his shield to block and evade the oncoming fire as well. Then both dragons shot fire at Magnus simultaneously.

“But he knew he couldn’t do this forever,” said Rainbow, “Luckily, he had a plan.” Magnus looked down below and saw that Commander Ironhead and the other troops had rescued his friends. He then gestured for other Pegasi to gather up all the surrounding thunder clouds and bundle them together into one giant electric storm. Once they were done, Commander Ironhead wiped his brow and then whistled for the other troops to follow him. Magnus kept dodging and evading the fireballs.

“He led the dragons straight into a storm that the Legion had planted!” said Rainbow as Magnus and the two dragons entered the storm. Then…

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

“One taste of the lightning, and the dragons retreated,” said Rainbow as the two dragons, now looking slightly fried, flew away in disgrace. Commander Ironhead and his troops looked worried since Magnus hadn’t come out of the storm yet. Just as they feared the worst, Magnus came out and coughed, looking battered and fried.

“Flash Magnus’ plan worked!” said Rainbow as the troops cheered or their fellow soldier. Commander Ironhead then hovered up to Magnus with a stern look on his face. Magnus went to hand the commander the shield, but Commander Ironhead pushed it back and saluted, making it clear that Magnus could keep Netitus. Magnus smiled in reply.

Back at the campfire, Rainbow also smiled smugly.

“Wow!” said Scootaloo, “I did like that ending.” Rainbow pulled the orange filly into her fore-legs and gave her a playful toss.

“Told ya!” said Rainbow, “He always inspired me to be my brave and awesome self.”

“Mm-hmm!” said Apple Bloom as the others nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, I guess he kinda reminds me of you,” said Applejack.

“Tch! You guess?” Rainbow retorted indignantly, “Come on, I’m just like him!”

This was making everypony else laugh. Applejack then paused for a moment and realized something.

“Hey, do you hear that?” Applejack asked the group.

“Uh, I don’t hear anythin’,” said Apple Bloom.

“Exactly!” said Applejack, “Those gosh-darn Fly-ders are gone! We can get out!”

Applejack went to try and dig through the rocks. Smokey heard rumbling and helped his girlfriend get out of the way.

“Or not,” Rarity replied.

“We’re gonna have to see if we can get out the other way.” Applejack said.

The group looked further down the back part of the cave.

“You mean go further into the dark, spooky cave?!” Scootaloo said fearfully and shivered. Rainbow knelt before the orange filly.

“Scootaloo, just remember the story,” Rainbow told her, “Gotta be brave like me and Flash Magnus, okay?”

Rainbow gave her a caring hug and then tucked Scootaloo under a wing to help her feel safe.

“Wait. Maybe I can blast those rocks away, then I can retrieve our gear,” Eric suggested.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Eric,” Sweetie Belle said.

“You don’t want to cause another cave-in,” Apple Bloom added.

“Stand back, everypony,” Eric replied, pointing his wand out, “Reducto!”

Eric managed to blast the rocks away. He then went to grab everypony else’s gear and got the fly-der webs off the tents, then packed them up, along with the other gear. Afterwards, he went to rejoin the others.

“I got our gear, let’s head deeper into the cave. Hopefully, there won’t be any bats,” Eric said.

“If you managed to unblock the entrance, why go the other way?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I think this cave might be a shortcut. Sometimes that’s true with caves like this, since I’ve seen a few movies,” Eric whispered.

Rarity, Jasper, and Smokey lit their horns as Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Eric followed behind them. Applejack followed behind the two fillies and boy, with Rainbow and Scootaloo at the back of the group. Rainbow continued to keep Scootaloo under her wing.

“I hear water!” Apple Bloom said.

“And if there’s flowing water, then…” Rarity began.

“…it might lead to the way out!” Applejack finished.

“Let’s a-go!” Jasper and Smokey called out as they all rushed ahead. They soon reached the end of the path and found a flowing steam before them.

“Whoa!” the three fillies and boy exclaimed.

“Are you gonna be okay? I know you hate getting that perfect mane of yours wet?” Jasper asked. Rarity blinked then smirked.

“Answer this question as quickly as you can…” Rarity replied.

“Yes, you’re pretty with a wet mane,” Jasper answered, “I just wish you’d go a straight day with it,” Rarity chuckled.

“Then, for you, I’ll manage,” said Rarity and then spoke to the rest of the group, “Okay, on three. One, two—”

“Three!” said Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Eric as they jumped into the water. Applejack, Rarity, Jasper, and Smokey exchanged smirks with each other before jumping into the water as well. As the five ponies started to float down the stream. Rainbow jumped into the water reclining on her back as Scootaloo sat on her midsection for a ride.

It wasn’t long before the seven ponies came out of the other exit, through what appeared to be a waterfall.

“Woo-hoo!” Apple Bloom cheered.

“Yeah-ha-ha!” Sweetie Belle cheered.

“Yee-haw!” Eric, Jasper, and Smokey shouted excitedly as Applejack and Rarity cheered as well before splashed into calm water below. Rainbow used her wings to keep herself and Scootaloo, who she was holding with her fore-legs, in the air above the pond. She knew Scootaloo didn’t want to experience going down a waterfall again. Then gently set her on the shore as the rest of the ponies came out of the water. Eric, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle were the first to shake themselves dry.

“Huh,” said Applejack as she looked around the area, “Well, what do you know? We found ourselves a shortcut to Winsome Falls!” Besides the lake they had surfaced from, the area was surrounded by large trees with pink flowers in them, lush grass, and clouds spewing down rainbow to the ground.

“Wow!” said Eric since this was his first time seeing the place.

“It’s never looked so beautiful,” Scootaloo added with a sigh.

“Yeah. Beautiful like you are, Sweetie Belle,” Eric said turning to his girlfriend.

“You say the sweetest things, Eric,” Sweetie Belle replied as the two nuzzled each other.

“Well, almost,” said Rarity as she finished re-curling her mane. She then used her magic to grab some pink flowers and made flower crowns for each of the three fillies, and even Eric. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Eric exchange smiles with each other.

“We sure are sorry that our camping trip wasn’t what we hoped it would be,” said Applejack to the three fillies.

“Are you kidding?” Apple Bloom replied, “This trip is awesome!”

“It is?” said Rarity as she and Rainbow shared surprised looks with each other.

“We got to hear legendary stories and go on an adventure,” Sweetie Belle replied.

“And learn about the ponies in those stories,” Eric added.

“Wait, you three wanna stay?” Applejack asked in surprise.

“Of course we do!” Cutie Mark Crusaders said together and gave the adults smiles.

“We could turn those trees into a nice, little shelter!” said Sweetie Belle.

“We can get you some big logs and branches to help build it!” Apple Bloom added.

“And I bet we could find some more berries!” Scootaloo replied, “Come on! I can’t wait to see what happens next year!”

“Let’sa go!” Jasper and Smokey called out as Rainbow flew ahead with Applejack and Rarity following them. By the time the sun began to set, Eric and the eight ponies built their very own shelter. Thanks to Scootaloo and Eric’s guidebooks, the group was able to enjoy a fresh natural salad for their meal and then they got out the bag of marshmallows from Eric’s backpack to roast, as well as for making s’mores. Since it had been a busy day, the three fillies and boy were already fast asleep in their sleeping bags just a couple of hours after the sun had set. Rarity tucked them in and Rainbow had just put out the first their campfire when Rarity and Applejack yawned.

“Time to hit the hay so we can get up bright and early for hiking,” Applejack said.

“I could use some shut eye,” Rarity added in a tired tone, “It’s certainly been an exciting day.”

“You can say that again,” Rainbow replied, yawning.

The girls, along with Jasper and Smokey wasted no time grabbing a blanket and pillow, then found a spot on the floor next to their sleeping sisters, plus Eric to get comfortable.

Next Chapter: Chapter 6: Daring Done? Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 42 Minutes