Spooky Stories

Timber described the dark forest his great-grandparents had discovered. The trees grew close. Animals scurried through the shadows. The lake was deep and still. He told them how his great-grandparents knew that this was the perfect place for the nature camp they dreamed about. They set about building it: the mess hall, the docks, the fire pit where they were all sitting.

Timber’s voice dropped very low, as if he was sharing a dangerous secret. “But once they started building, strange things started to happen.”

A gust of wind blew through the trees. Fluttershy shivered.

“One pitch-black night, when the wind was howling,” Timber continued, “a tree branch crashed through the roof of their cabin! They screamed and ran outside, only to see a giant creature rising from the earth!”

The campers leaned close. They were enthralled.

“Her skin was made of dirt,” said Timber. “She had wild hair like the roots of a tree. Her mouth had jagged rock teeth, and her eyes were pools of black tar. But her aura shimmered like diamonds. Anywhere she went, she left a trail of gem dust in her wake.” He paused dramatically for a moment.

Some of the campers looked up at the trees around them. Could one of them be the creature?

“Trembling, my great-grandparents asked who she was and what she wanted. In a deep and hollow voice, she told them that her name was Gaea Everfree, an ancient spirit who held domain over the forest, and that my great-grandparents were trespassing on her land. They begged her to let them stay and build their camp, to share this wonderful place with others. Gaea Everfree finally agreed, telling them that she would leave the forest and allow them to build their camp, which they offered to name in her honor. But before she left, she warned them that they would not be able to keep it forever. Someday she would return and use all of the forces of nature to reclaim the forest as her own.”

Timber told the campers of how Gaea hovered above the ground, summoning the winds, making waves swell on the lake, and sending bolts of lightning across the sky. As she disappeared, she left behind a glittering trail of jewel-like dust.

Fluttershy gulped. Spike nuzzled closer to her. Even Rainbow Dash’s heart was beating faster.

“She kept her word,” said Timber. “Until now!”

Rarity gasped.

“Strange things keep happening all over camp. And who knows? It could be the wind howling—or it could be the scream of a spirit. But if you see a trail of gem dust, you’ll know that it is the return of Gaea Everfree.”

No one moved. Everyone was spooked. A nearby bush began to rustle. Fluttershy screamed!

Gloriosa emerged from between some scraggly bushes, dusting leaves out of her hair. “Hey, guys! Sorry! Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Sunset Shimmer frowned. “Then why’d you come out of the bushes?”

“I took the scenic route because the forest is beautiful at night. But no one else should do it without a guide. Okay?” Her smile disappeared and she looked unexpectedly stern. “All right, everybody, time to head to your tents.”

Snips bumbled over to where Gloriosa stood. “Do you have extra toothbrushes? I forgot mine.”

“Sure do,” chirped Gloriosa. “I’ll get one for you.”

Snails hung close to Snips. “I’m scared of the dark. Do you have flashlights?”

“Of course! I’ve got this.” Gloriosa was ready for everything.

Fluttershy was staring into the fire, frozen with fear.

“Fluttershy, Fluttershy!” Spike barked. “Let’s go.”

“Sorry, Spike,” she said. “I guess that story got to me.”

Applejack shrugged. “Why? It can’t be real.”

But Rainbow Dash wasn’t so sure. “I dunno; Gaea Everfree could be some creature that got booted from Equestria and ended up in this world. That’s what happened with the Sirens.”

The Sirens were a devious trio who came from the world of pony magic to Canterlot High to make trouble, until Sunset Shimmer saved the day.

But Applejack didn’t think Gaea Everfree was anything to worry about. “Sounded more like something Timber was makin’ up just to scare us.” An owl hooted again. “Least I hope it was. Last thing I want is to have camp ruined by some power-crazed magical creature.”

“Here, here,” agreed Rarity. “We’ve had to deal with more than our fair share of those. At the Fall Formal, our musical showcase, the Friendship Games…”

Twilight felt uncomfortable. She’d made all the problems at the Friendship Games by experimenting with magic and turning into Midnight Sparkle.

Rarity noticed she was embarrassed. “I mean, everything turned out all right, of course,” she backtracked.

“I’m kind of tired,” announced Twilight. “I’m gonna turn in.”

Spike hopped off Fluttershy’s lap and headed over toward the Sapphire tent with Twilight.

When they were gone, Sunset Shimmer scolded Rarity. “Maybe lay off bringing up what happened at the Friendship Games? I think she’s still pretty sensitive about it.”

Pinkie Pie poked her finger into a toasted marshmallow and spread the sticky sweet goo across her mouth. “Our lips are sealed,” she mumbled.

Then she stuck out her tongue and licked off all the marshmallow. Delish!