//------------------------------//
// Chapter 21, More Friends 
// Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 5 -- Faded Memories 
// by shysage 
//------------------------------//

Shysage and his Mare woke up just like they went to sleep, and Shysage pulled his Mare close.  Her soft sigh was all he needed to hear.

After a few minutes, they got up, and rubbed noses a few minutes.

Then they both headed for their Twins.

They had just gotten within 'Twin Link' range, when they both heard Equestria Girls Summer Rain say softly to Equestria Pony Shysage "Just being here with you...  This is like heaven for me..."

Shysage's Mare heard this, then fell to the ground crying...  She felt that way too...  Shysage just hugged her tightly for a little while.

Well, Equestria Girls Summer heard her Twin crying, and she was soon crying too...

Both Shysages thought that this might be a complicated day.  Neither complained though.

Soon, everypony calmed down, and Shysage and his mare joined both of their Twins.

First thing, Equestria Girls Summer hugged Equestria Girls Shysage, and was soon crying on his shoulders...  She kept saying "Thank you...   Thank you..."

Equestria Girls Shysage gently moved her legs over to his Twin, and let her cry there.  Shysage appreciated the sentiment, but on Equestria pony Shysage's shoulders was where she belonged.

In a little while, they wandered until they found some Oats and ate some.  Then they walked to the river, and had a drink.

Equestria Girls Shysage asked quietly "Twin, are you a very strong flyer?  I think Canterlot is our next stop"

Twin replied "Well, I won't brag, but I have tried to stay in shape.  I think I will be fine.  We can stop for a breather if we need to."

Equestria Girls Shysage said back quickly "Well, get used to it, the rest of us love to fly."

Equestria pony Shysage smiled, then asked his Twin "Did I ever say I didn't love flying?"

Everypony laughed.

Then they all took to the air and headed for Canterlot.

They did stop once for a 'breather', then were back on their way.





A little before noon, Equestria Girls Shysage led them to a meadow part way up the 'stepped muntain' that was maybe two miles from Canterlot.

Then he said "You two stay here for now.  Summer and I will run an errand, then come back for you."

Shysage and his Mare flew quickly off.  It didn't look like their Twins minded in the slightest.  Shysage and his Mare both remembered that feeling.

A little while after the 'Twin Link' ceased, Summer asked "Shysage, why did we leave them there?"

Shysage was a little apologetic "I don't want to overwhelm my Twin, I don't know.  Cel and Lu are very busy, and I don't want to just drag him in.  Besides, I feel funny that even we may be 'barging in' on their day..."

"Well, I think it would have been fine, though.  Your Twin needs to meet everypony sooner or later" Summer said softly.

Shysage sighed.  "You are probably right..."

Still, they were soon at the large doors leading to the Audience Hall in Canterlot.

They were quickly inside, and told one of the officials they wanted to see the Princess.  He took their names, then walked up to the bottom of the steps to the raised platform and waited.

Princess Celestia was involved in a discussion with two distinguished looking stallions.  After a few minutes, their business was concluded, and they descended the stairs, and walked past Summer and Shysage and out the doors.

Princess Celestia walked quickly past the official, dismissing him on the way, then up to mom and dad, and quickly hugged both tightly.  Lu joined them too, and for a few minutes, they all hugged together, right there.

After ten minutes maybe, Cel looked around, then said "Where is mom's Twin?"

Shysage sighed, then said quietly "With my Twin..."

Both Cal and Lu gasped, then broke into a huge smile.

"So mom's Twin is fine once again..." Lu said with a smile.

Summer (mom) hugged dad tightly, then said "Yes, she is."

"Well, where are they?" Cel said excitedly "Show them in!"

Shysage sighed again, then said "Well, we left them in a meadow nearby.  We didn't want to--"

"Dad!" Cel said loudly, with a hint of dismay.

"Sister" Lu said softly.  "Remember, dad is new to this."

Cel said "Ah yes, of course."

Lu said quietly "Dad, Twins are family.  We want to see them."  Then Lu smiled at dad.

Well, Summer smiled at Shysage too...

"Well, we can fly there, it isn't far.  But first, I think we need to have a brief discussion" Shysage said quietly.

Princess Celestia led them all up to the top of the steps, then they all sat down on the raised platform in the Audience Hall where Princess business is normally conducted.

Shysage sighed again.  "Cel, I...  I had Shining Armor take Princess Cadance through the Portal, in order for him to be able to rescue his Mare from the spells.  They don't know yet that they will not age though."

Cel thought for a minute, then answered quietly "Well, this is probably ok.  The Crystal Empire will probably benefit from long-lived leaders.  I appreciate this information however."

Shysage continued "Getting in 'Twin Link' range of my Twin in Manehatten actually knocked the memory spell off of me in the first place, allowing me to work on rescuing you and mom..."

Summer, Cel and Lu all gasped at this.

Shysage just continued "But it was clear that mom's Twin needed him.  Still, my Twin will probably end up through the Portal at some point too..."

Cel was thinking for a minute.

Lu said quietly "Mom, your Twin's inner turmoil was a result of her involvement in PonyRos' takeover, correct?"

Summer answered honestly "Mostly, yes."

Lu then added "Well, we can't hardly fault dad for trying to help her then."

Cel then spoke "Well, dad I see where you are going with this, though.  While we need to be careful, I don't think any of this creates a problem short-term, anyway.  But thanks for letting us know."

It was quiet for a minute, then Lu said "Dad, I want to meet your Twin."

The four of them quickly walked out the door, and were soon in the air, as Shysage led them to the meadow where he and mom's Twins were.





As soon as the Twin Link was active again, Equestria Girls Summer said quickly to Equestria pony Shysage "Did anyone tell you that our Twins know Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?"

Equestria pony Shysage immediately got this really worried look on his face, then said "No, why?"

Equestria Girls Summer smiled, and said "Because they are on their way here...

Within minutes, the four of them had landed near Equestria pony Shysage and Equestria Girls Summer.

Equestria pony Shysage was shaking, as he bowed before the two Princesses, rulers of Equestria that he had never even seen before.  Equestria Girls Summer bowed too.

Princess Celestia spoke softly, please arise, both of you."  Then she added "Meeting dad's Twin is such an honor", then she actually hugged a very stunned Equestria pony Shysage.

Princess Luna clearly realized that Equestria pony Shysage was scared.  She walked over and hugged dad first (Equestria Girls Shysage), then said "Twin, you can relax.  You are family now."

Then Lu hugged dad's Twin too.

Princess Celestia next addressed Equestria Girls Summer Rain "Are feeling better, Summer?"

Equestria Girls Summer answered quickly "A lot better, thank you, Princess."

Princess Celestia next said "A large group of special ponies in Ponyville will be overjoyed to learn that.  Evidently they are all really concerned about you."

Equestria pony Summer just had to add at this point "Cel, Lu you need to know that, as things slowly were becoming unbearable for my Twin, all that time, dad was leading us to his Twin..."

Both Summers teared up at this.

Princess Celestia smiled, then she and Lu hugged mom and dad together a few minutes.

Princess Celestia then addressed the group at this point "Mom, dad, we all need to fly back to Canterlot, then we must quickly send you four in Air Coaches to Ponyville.  I think you will find everypony waiting there for word on mom's Twin."





At dusk, two Air Coaches landed next to Princess Twilight's Castle, and six more sets of Twins spilled out the Castle doors, and enveloped Equestria Girls Summer and Equestria pony Shysage in hug after hug.

Euqestria pony Shysage saw another Princess, and bowed immediately.  Well, everypony else did too, except for Princess' Twin.  She got everypony up quickly, then hugged a very startled Equestria pony Shysage.

Everypony was crying with joy too.  All had heard how difficult a time their friend was having.

At one point, Equestria pony Shysage asked Equestria Girls Summer "Where did you manage to find all these amazing friends?"

Equestria Girls Summer was already crying, and said simply "They all found me..."