Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.

2. The mysterious Ignis Forest

Hearing the teacher's announcement, the students gladly got up and opened the bus curtains, only to receive one of the biggest disappointments of their young lives.

- Wait... This is a joke, right? I can't stay in this dump. - Rhonda began to feel fear, and for the first time, her classmates agreed with her.

- Come on Arnold, give us a positive comment. Harold joked.

- The truth is that not even I can.

- Oh come on students! What did they expect, a luxury resort?

- To be honest, yes. - Angela said even without giving credit to what her eyes saw.

- Miss Meyer, if you couldn't find a good place, my family would have gladly rented you our luxurious resort...

- Enough ladies! - The teacher in charge interrupted. - The central idea of the camp is hard teamwork, that's how you really bond. Now boys to the left cabin, girls to the right in the back. In each room you will see a sign to identify who you will share a room with and...

- Wait, wait... we don't even have a private room?

- Oh excuse me Miss Llyod, if you want your own space, I can gladly give you a camping tent.

- That's fine... I guess.

- I thought so. - The teacher smiled. - Now, load your luggage, yes ladies, yourselves and go to settle. When the bell rings we will meet in front of the central cabin, let's go!

The students took their luggage and headed for the cabins. The camp was too… rustic. There were only four large cabins, 3 that were used as bedrooms by teachers and students and one for multiple uses. In the center of the four cabins, there were some logs prepared for a fire. And in the background, a lake that looked totally abandoned. From the position of the sun, you could tell that it would soon be dark.

Helga and Phoebe said goodbye to their boyfriends and approached the girls' cabin. Nadine opened the door, which creaked a lot and saw that they were indeed divided into 3 mini rooms on the second floor. In the first there was a small room and the bathroom.

- We don't even have our own bathroom... I'm going to die.

- If you do it, do it quietly. - Helga scoffed as she dropped her heavy suitcase.

- Look Helga, we'll share a room!

- Finally some good news Pheebs!

- And with me.- Lila said sweetly.

- Well, perfection doesn't exist. - Helga teased, until a terrifying scream made them run to the bathroom.

- What's wrong, Rhonda? - Sheena asked worriedly.

- No... no electricity... no... My hair dryer!

- It's true! There are no lights, no switches. - Penny pointed to her terrified friend.

On the boys' side, things were no better.

- I'm sick of mosquitoes! I'm sweaty, I'm hungry and the worst news is that I have to share a room with Eugene... I won't even be able to sleep!

- Calm down Harold, Gerald and I will be with you, nothing will happen. - Said the blond, beginning to get tired of his partner's whining.

- 4 guys in a room... this looks like a cell, my bro.

The rooms were nothing more than a small closet, a window and two bunk beds. The boys sighed resigned to their luck, and began to put their things away and argue over the bunk beds.

- I would love to have the one above! - Said the redhead. Happily, he climbed the railing and before the last step, his foot got tangled at the last second, making him fall on his head.

- I'm okay!

- If you fall on me at night, I'll kill you Eugene. - The robust boy threatened.

- Brother, up or down?

- Up is ok, thanks.

He was barely going to answer his friend, when Gerald looked out the window... the moon was almost full, it looked totally luminous, in the midst of almost total darkness... he almost felt hypnotized, when the sound of the bell struck him. brought back to reality.

- Come on guys! It's time for the handsome cook to give us dinner!

- How long has it been?

- Not a day Harold... let's go! - Arnold mocked. - Shall we go Gerald?

- Oh yeah... let's go.

The boys quickly approached the central area, where their leaders and a huge bonfire were waiting for them.

- Well, welcome back guys! - Erika began. - Our camp has officially started, feel welcome.

- I want to eat! - Harold yelled, while everyone laughed.

- And we will, here are some sausages and soft drinks, take a wand and roast it carefully.

- That Henri is too handsome!- Nadine teased and Sheena laughed nervously, agreeing.

- Now I will play a little with the guitar, that there is no light does not mean that we will not have music.

With that, the boy earned even more feminine sighs and one or two from Eugene. Some boys listened to him, jealous of the feminine attention he began to receive, until Gerald got up and began to accompany him on the harmonica.

- That's it, babe! - His girlfriend encouraged from her seat.

For his part, the young Shortman wasted no time and in a soft and concealed movement he took his girlfriend's hand, who preferred to look towards the fire so as not to explode with joy.

- Wow boy! You're good for being a rookie! Nice to have you on my team.

- Thanks Henri! It's Johanssen magic.

- And now would you like to listen to the legend of the forest?

- Legend? That does interest me! - Said Sid settling in his seat.

- I don't think you should scare them, Henri, it's their first night here.

- Relax Connie, you can tell these guys are from the big leagues... I'll start…

A long time ago... in this forest there was a small village, it was a small fishing village, quite prosperous... There was a girl, beautiful... called Agnes Blake... She was the most sought-after girl, the smartest and they said that she put a spell on any man.

However, the town began to notice that she was doing somewhat suspicious things... So after a trial, they decided to burn her as a witch. Those present say that she swore revenge... since then, every 100 years, a young lady with an honest but wounded heart disappears…

- Henri! How many times do I have to tell him not to scare your classmates? You did the same thing last summer. - Miss Meyer suddenly appeared, scaring everyone present.

- Don't worry, Meyer, they are older, they weren't scared, were they?

- My mommy! I want my mommy! - The boy with the unibrow threw himself into Patty's arms, while everyone mocked.

- Do not listen guys, the legend is just that, a legend. .- Connie reassured them with a sweet smile. - Now, everyone take a flashlight from this box and go to sleep, because tomorrow we will start quite early.

The guys went to sleep.. Some People, like Harold, were a little nervous because of all the sounds of the forest creatures, but the night passed without any problem.

The boys were woken up very early by their troop leaders, around 6 am. In the girls' cabin, a big war started between Angela and Rhonda for the first turn in the bathroom, a fight that Patty ended up winning and nobody said anything against it.

The boys, for their part, entered almost like zombies and showered as soon as they could. Once everyone was ready, they gathered in the central courtyard.

- I hope you were able to sleep without problems. - the teacher greeted them seriously.

- Yes, everything is fine... but when do we have breakfast?

- Mr. Berman, right? I love that you ask! Erika, why don't you explain it?

- With pleasure! Well campers, from here the really hard work begins... here nobody will do things for us, we will be the ones who will fight!

- Does that mean that we should look for food in the forest and in the lake? - Asked Stinky scared.

- Is that how it works! Each troop works as a team and distributes tasks, isn't it great? - The leader of the yellow team said with joy, but she did not get any positive response. - Just go with your leader and that's it.

Little by little the troops gathered and Henri and his team began to organize themselves.

- So, Brainy, Sid and Angela, go get some berries, here's a berry guide, Rhonda and Penny, milk the cows, Gerald and Helga, right? I heard on the bus that you cook, prepare something with the flour I brought, let's go! And before anyone complains... no help no food, now go!

- What a presumptuous guy, huh?

- I don't know where he got the idea that I know how to cook. - Said the confused brunette, as they entered the kitchen.

- I think he was referring to me, and... What are you looking at so closely?

- It's a little blue stone... it's... beautiful...

- And since when do you wear jewelry, huh?

- Not for me... it would look nice on Phoebe... I think I could make her a nice necklace.

The boy cleaned it up and put it in his pocket, determined to make his gift later.

- And you and Arnold already know how you will celebrate your first year together?

- I don't think he remembers it...

- Oh Helga, please! Of course he remembers it, he only talks about that and how difficult it is... hey wait a minute, I almost told you everything!

- Female psychology Geraldo, never doubt its power. - The blonde smiled as she mixed what she had to make some pancakes.

For their part, the red team had decided to have some grilled fish for breakfast, and fishing wasn't easy at all. As he was about to catch the first one, Arnold almost slipped off the rock he was standing on, until a hand helped him up.

- Are you okay Arnold? - Asked his leader.

- Yes Connie, thank you very much.

The boy looked back, the teacher had been watching him from the bushes and walked away.

- How weird...

- Miss Meyer?...yes, I know...I hardly know her but she is...kind of intimidating. Voila, I caught one!

- Oh! You are good!

- I used to fish with my dad when I had weekends off, he works a lot... Well, I'll wait for you at the grill.

The young Shortman smiled happily at the thought of eating something, until a certain strange feeling invaded him when he looked at the trees where the teacher had been.

…

The first day was finally over, the teens were exhausted, they had never worked so hard, but they had managed to gather all the supplies they would use for the week.

Everyone gathered once more at the campfire to enjoy dinner.

- Hi beautiful! How was your day?

- Hey Arnold... well... I fell into the lake, my wrist hurts and I smell like fish... imagine! And what have I told you about cheesy nicknames in public, eh?

- Oh as if the others didn't already know. - Arnold mocked his girlfriend, took her by the hand and rested his head on her shoulder while admiring the beauty of the campfire. Phoebe looked at them with emotion, proud that people were finally getting to know that special side of Helga that until recently, only she knew about.

- Hello baby! I didn't leave you much time with the lovebirds, did I?

- I was totally the third wheel. - She mocked. - Where were you?

- Overcoming the fish gutting trance... and knitting this for you.

The girl with Asian features was impressed with the beautiful woven bracelet, with a beautiful blue stone in the center, that her boyfriend placed on her.

- Gerald... it's beautiful! Where did you get it?

- Out there... the best for my girl.

They both shared a hug, until bedtime came for the youngsters.

Little by little the moon turned reddish... the clouds moved quickly because of the unusual icy summer breeze.

- Leave me alone! - The young Pataki managed to yell as she ran deep into the forest, the figure that was stalking her from the bushes laughed at her fear, even seemed to enjoy it.

- Run... as soon as you can... but it will be useless... There is no turning back!... she is lost...

- Helga! Helga ! - An annoying voice woke up the upset girl.

- What? Where I am?

- In the camp and you just made me lose my last fifteen minutes of sleep with your screams!

- What! But I don't even share a room with you princess!

- Yes, but your screams were heard everywhere, now with your permission, I'll go see if Phoebe has already vacated the shower, although her shift has just begun.

- In fact, she already left the cabin. - Nadine commented, surprised. - I saw her leave about half an hour ago.

- Where did she go? - Asked her best friend thoughtfully, as she struggled to try to remember her dream.

Without any of them mentioning the subject again, each one began to get ready, until the bells called them to the garden.

- I hope everyone has rested, because we will start with a relay race before preparing breakfast... Leaders, organize the shifts! - Indicated the teacher and each troop met to plan.

- Well guys, who of you is the fastest? - Henri asked his team.

- Listen bucko. - Helga took command. - Brainy has to start, then the princesses and then Gerald and I, we are the fastest, we have to finish.

- Brilliant girl! You really know your team, let's do just that! - Her leader said very impressed.

All teams took their lanes to prepare to go out, one behind the other, as was discussed by each team.

- Excellent students, on your marks, set, go!

After the teacher's shout, all the teams began to run, the first to face each other were Patty, Brainy and Eugene, the girl coming out as the winner. After a resounding fall, the redhead passed the baton to Lorenzo, who faced Harold and Sid.

- I can't... carry on without me... - Said the boy with the unibrow trying to catch his breath. Stinky helped him to his feet and took his place, competing against Rhonda and Sheena. Rhonda quickly took the lead.

- Let no one say again that Rhonda Llyod is not in good condition. - The girl smirked and made way for her replacement Angela, who began to run even faster than her, surprising everyone present and winning over Lila and Nadine.

- Here you have friend, do not lose our advantage. - Angela said with an air of superiority, making fun of her previous partner.

Her best friend didn't say anything, concentrating on the road and trying to beat Curly and Jim. Surprising everyone, Curly began to run like a gazelle.

- Nobody will take me alive... nobody! - The bespectacled boy yelled before giving the baton to his confused foreign partner and disappearing into the woods.

- What... did he saying?

- Run Rudy!

His team yelled at him, making movements so that he understood what they were saying. Helga looked at how she had a great advantage over the German and Carl, she smiled pleased, Curly had given them some advantage.

- No compassion for the football head, eh!

- Don't worry sis, I didn't plan to do it!

Gerald sneered and took his place, seconds later Arnold started his run and Phoebe looked at them with a small smile on her face.

- What's wrong Phoebe... run! We're going to lose!- Harold complained.

- Oh, believe me we won't.

After a strange smile, the girl tied her shoelaces and began to run so fast that she surprised everyone in her path, quickly winning the race.

- Since... Since is Phoebe an athlete? - Asked the stunned blonde, his best friend only managed to raise his shoulders in response.

- Excellent job Miss Heyerdahl, it will be a pleasure to have you on the track team at the beginning of the semester. The yellow team wins the first match.

After the teacher's announcement, the boys came to receive their first pennant won. Phoebe stepped forward and greeted them proudly.

- Now get ready, we have breakfast before the next survival classes. To the dining room! - Erika said gladly and walked with the majority, leaving the blonde, her boyfriend, the brunette and the winner alone in the central courtyard.

- Pheebs, criminal! I didn't know you could run like that... normally sports aren't your thing.

- Oh calm friend, it was nothing, I was just training a little for this day, you know, we are about to start a stage and I wanted to be something like... a new me.

- Wow, you were hiding it well, eh! Well, you will be of great help to us in baseball, let's go eat, a horse could eat me.

Arnold and Helga took their hands and began to walk with the others.

- Incredible babe, simply incredible.

Gerald was about to take her hand, when she stopped him.

- It will be better for us to go, we do not want to be reprimanded.

- Rebuke?

Gerald looked at his girlfriend strangely, she had never resisted holding his hand since the fourth grade.

- I must calm down... they are just my ideas.

- This afternoon, the local Hillwood police confirmed the transfer of Alphonse Perrier du von Scheck, better known as "Scheck", to the maximum security cell in the country.

A soft icy breeze came through the cabin window, making the teacher's skin stand on end, turning her attention from the radio to the outside.

He quickly got up and looked out, observing that the moon was almost full.

- As I imagined... it's just a matter of waiting...

Meyer said before turning off the lights.

THE END

Well, well, things will get darker starting now... Try to guess what will happen!