//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12, Pulling Together 
// Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain 
// by shysage 
//------------------------------//

The group hug dissolved after a bit, and everyone was again just sitting together on the grass, and soon chatting.  Summer Rain just sat back and listened.  She was asked the occasional question, or would throw in a word here or there.  It sounded like they were catching up, and this was a good thing.

In Equestria, Summer would block out hours to just think through what was going on.  At least this early on, in this task, that probably wasn't going to happen.  But she took a few minutes for some mental evaluations at this point.

Fluttershy, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie were all painfully like their counterparts in Equestria.  Hmm, Summer realized that observation was from her perspective.  Summer deeply cared for them all.  Already.

At this point they all still got along.  They all remembered Princess Twilight fondly, it seems, and were still glad they could help her.  And they all really appreciated that Princess Twilight was still thinking about them.  They had also evidently accepted Summer as the Princess' substitute, at least for now.

And Summer had managed to communicate Princess' Twilights concern without running them off, and this was good.  But again, this was from Summer's perspective.

"Summer what are you doing" Rainbow asked out of the blue.

Summer sighed, as it grew instantly quiet.  She tried to explain.

"Princess Twilight asked me to come in her place.

"Our leaders basically gave me the two tasks that Pinkie mentioned earlier, to try to help you precious people enjoy the true friendship that your counterparts in Equestria enjoy, and to also see if there are any other links between our worlds.  I take that very seriously, and I am just thinking through how everything is going.

"It's sort of a mental inventory, to help me stay on track.  You girls are amazing, and I know I will enjoy every minute we are together, and that is a part of why I am here.  I just need to stay focused on why I am here though.  I want to do what my Princess asked.

"Oh, one more thing.  I also realized that I already care deeply about each and every one of you, and I doubt that will go away any time soon."

Summer paused here because she couldn't go on.  She finally was able to say "Does that make any sense?"

Rarity spoke up and said "Dear, I don't think Princess Twilight could have picked a better substitute."

It was quiet for a minute then Applejack spoke up.  "Summer, you are staying with Fluttershy right?"

Summer quickly replied "Yes, and I plan on keeping it that way if it's ok with the rest of you.  I don't want to hurt anypo... anyone's' feelings, but I think Fluttershy needs me there."

"That's easily understandable" Rarity said.

Rainbow said "Ya, that's probably best, and we can call or text Fluttershy's cell if we need anything.

Fluttershy was very timid, but spoke up at this point "Thank you all for understanding."





"A significant detail before we are done here" Summer said.

"I want to be your friend, but I also think I will also need your help too.  I will attend school tomorrow with Fluttershy, and I have absolutely no idea what needs that may present.  I suspect I will need a lot of help not making a total fool out of myself.

"I have only been here for three days, and I can't help the fact that I'm Fluttershy's sister.  I have no idea how this will all work out tomorrow, but I know I can't do this alone.

Rarity spoke up quickly "Well I do suggest a trip to my boutique.  I think I can work out some clothes that may better suit Summer Rain."

Fluttershy spoke up quickly "Oh thank you Rarity that would be so helpful; I don't think my clothes fit Summer very well."

"Well as long as you both approve, that's fine with me" Summer replied.  "This is a new area for me, and I know I need both of your input."

"Summer we will do what we can to cover for you tomorrow" Applejack said, and everyone else agreed.





They were all soon at Rarity's boutique.

Of course, Rarity knew exactly what Summer Rain should wear, but toned it down just a little at Fluttershy's request.  Even so, most of the group were taken aback when Rarity was done.  Summer Rain now looked almost exactly like they remembered.

Summer laughed as she asked Rarity to put her hair in a 'Pony Tail' just to try to blunt the resemblance, at least for now.  It didn't make much difference.  It was eerie.

Rarity gave Summer a few outfits to wear.  Rarity asked Summer if she needed a Backpack, and Summer grinned and said "Ill show you mine when I can, and tell you the story too."





After a minutes silence, Rainbow Dash said "I'm hungry"

Pinkie Pie said "Me too!"

And with this, they headed to the Cake's place for some food.  The group spent about an hour there and enjoyed dinner, and except for a few random stares, things went ok.

Then they went to Fluttershy's house and ate some Ice Cream, squeezing onto both the couch and cot as they ate.

They all just chatted, and were also careful to explain things to Summer if she got this blank look on her face.

At one point, Summer Rain found a pause in everyone's conversation and said slowly and quietly "Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and of course Fluttershy (who was seated next to Summer), I just gotta say this again.  We have been together for less than a day, but I want you to know that each of you are amazing, and I will cherish every moment we spend together."

There was a brief moments silence, then Summer said out of the blue "I just wish Princess Twilight could see you all here."

"Well, we could just take a picture" Applejack quickly said.  "But I'm not sure how we could get it there."

Summer Rain thought for a minute.  "Can you put a picture on a piece of paper for me?"

"Easy peasy" Pinkie Pie said.  "I'll show you how to take a picture with my cell, then I'll go back to the Cakes' and print it out on my compy."

Pinky showed Summer how to use her 'cell thing' and Princess Twilight's five friends huddled close for a group picture.  There really wasn't room for much else in Fluttershy's small apartment.  After a few attempts, the picture was taken.

Pinkie and Rainbow headed out to get the print and the rest remained behind, and simply chatted.  They were soon back with a huge picture of the group.

Fluttershy had some 'felt tipped markers', and so they drew a heart shape with the words 'we miss you Princess Twilight' on the back, and they all signed their names using their favorite color.

Summer grabbed the black one, and had Fluttershy write 'Sis I miss you' in small letters along the bottom.

Fluttershy didn't need to ask why, she knew.

As they were admiring their handiwork, Applejack asked "Summer, how are you going to get this to the Princess?"

Summer just smiled and said "I don't know if it will work, but I have an idea anyway.  I will let you know."





Well, it was getting late, and everyone had school tomorrow.

Everyone hugged everyone else, and then they were on their way home.  Applejack walked Rarity home, and Rainbow walked Pinkie to the Cakes'.

A little while after everyone had left, Summer said "Fluttershy will you lead me to the School for a few minutes?"

"It is late, but if you come we should be fine, so sure Sis, but why?" Fluttershy asked.

"I want to keep the entrance to the Portal as much of a secret as possible." Summer said.

"Well I already know where it is, and if the others remember Princess Twilight leaving, they will too."  Fluttershy said.

"Hmm, good point, but I think we should keep our activity around the portal to a minimum anyway."  Summer said.

"Besides, from what I know, the Portal should not even be active, but I want to try... I want to try to send this picture through the Portal, but I doubt I can just put the picture on the wall there."

After a minute of thinking, Fluttershy said "I have an idea."

She took the picture, and after making a few folds in it, she said "This is a paper airplane, we can try to fly it into the Portal."

Summer Rain just shrugged at the foreign object that resulted and said "Ok I guess."

They locked the house and headed to the front of the School.

Summer's heart sank as she pressed against the Portal and found herself pressing against a solid wall.

Fluttershy did not give up at this.  She stood in front of the Portal, held the object in her hand, and skillfully threw it straight at the Portal.  After a slight flash, it was gone.

Summer said "Thanks for not giving up Sis."

"I don't know, I just really really really wanted Princess Twilight to get that" Fluttershy said with a shrug.

The two sisters turned, and walked back to the Apartment.  They were both soon back in their apartment, and quickly in their beds.

"I'm scared about tomorrow Sis" Summer confided.

"I know Summer, it could be scary for all of us.  But at least we will be together" Fluttershy said softly.