After making a quick pitstop home to grab a clipboard, paper and pen, I arrive at the park with a checklist for all the tools necessary for a great cookout.
“Okay, the rest should be here with the supplies any minute. In the meantime: chips: check!”
I set down the two large bags of chips and tick them off the checklist as Applejack comes with the lighter fluid, a roll of foil, and the matches in a reusable bag.
“There you are, Twilight!” Applejack happily greets. “This spot good for the oil ‘n stuff?”
“Uh huh. Lighter fluid, aluminum foil, matches: check, check and check.”
“Alright! Cookout showtime!” Pinkie Pie shouts enthusiastically, holding a bag of charcoal.
“Charcoal: check.”
“So, we’ll be dining in the wide open, then?” Rarity asks, carrying tall packages of plates and napkins. I nod.
“Plates and napkins: mega-check.”
Next, Fluttershy joins in with crates of buns, beef, soda and condiments. “You think this will be enough?” I nod again.
“Sure, Fluttershy. Put them right next to the plates. Food: check!”
“Alright!” Rainbow Dash cheers. “We got everything! I made sure I brought forks, knives and spatulas.”
“And lastly, silverware: check! We’re all set, everybody!”
As everyone is cheering, Flash Sentry’s car pulls up a ways from us.
“Anyone invite Flash?” I ask.
“Actually, looks like it’s Sunset Shimmer. Maybe she just got a ride,” Applejack points out.
As Sunset Shimmer gets out through the passenger side, she walks around the car to talk to Flash Sentry. Meanwhile, somebody else gets out the same side Sunset did.
Sunset and Flash exchange bumps to the fists before the driver’s window rolls up. Sunset then waves goodbye as Flash presumably heads home. The sports car pulling out reveals what looks like a unique student. He is dark grey in tone and has some pretty casual summer clothing. Maybe this is the one Sunset mentioned back home.
“Sunset Shimmer!”
Hearing her name, she quickly approaches me with the child following suit. The two of us give each other a high five.
“I suppose the talk with the other me went well?”
“Mhm. Hey Twilight, this is Aita. He’s the one Twilight took in after Hearth’s Warming.”
“Ah! Aita! That’s a great name!” I start. “It’s Japanese for-”
Aita joins in with a smile. “‘It was open,' commonly referring to doors.”
“So, if you’re the human counterpart to Princess Twilight, then the rest of you must be counterparts to her friends, right?”
“Mighty tight deductive skills there, how’d you reach that conclusion so fast?” Applejack asks, obviously impressed.
***
I take in a deep breath, preparing for my answer before Pinkie Pie interrupts. “You’re from an alternate world that isn’t Equestria, but isn’t your home anymore because of a horrible catastrophe, and you’re actually a kid changeling in that world AND Equestria that saw recordings of our lives back in a native-sounding homestate.”
It’s just like the original movie three years ago! Only difference now is that Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy are the ones stunned instead. I think maybe that’s because of the thought of being recorded without them knowing.
“I know, girls. The feeling is mutual,” says Sunset.
As grilling goes on, done by Applejack by the way, Twilight and I take a try at the drinks. They’re pretty much identical to the ones back in Wisconsin. It brings a thought to my mind that I never knew I had before.
“Just a thought, but back home, my old family had someone in school. Sometimes he’d stay home a day later or earlier than usual, even though it wouldn’t be a holiday that day.”
Twilight beams, getting the buns ready. “Oh. I know what you’re talking about, Aita. We usually have the day off when the superintendent heads a meeting at our school for the morning. Think of it this way: if you had to concentrate on a goal that was hard to accomplish, but imperative to happen…”
“I would need more room, peace and quiet for me to achieve that goal,” I finish. “I think I know what’s going on with that now. Superintendent’s Conference Day. Thanks for helping me with that, Twilight.”
“Alright! Who wants the first patty?” Applejack asks, putting a perfectly done beef patty on one of the buns.
I look around, seeing everyone considering the option. Nobody seems to raise their hand. I’ve seen this situation last summer, where the first burger is done and nobody wants to make Chrysalis’ behavior at Shining Armor’s wedding look good. Now I get to participate and break the ice, so I raise my hand, willing to try out the burger without guilt.
“Hm, usually somebody else would’ve raised their hand by now. Looks like that’s you, Aita. What’chall want on it?” Applejack gets the condiments ready and begins listening for me.
“Oh. I’ll start simple with cheese and ketchup, sort of ease into lunch.”
“Okay, soocherself. Ready, Rainbow?” Rainbow Dash scoots over to the left with Applejack, then puts a little ketchup and cheese on the burger and tops it off with another bun.
“Here you go, Aita,” she says.
Sunset grabs my attention before I start eating. “Aita, I think you have to see this.”
“What’s going on?” I ask, prompting Sunset to show me writing appearing on her journal.
Dear Sunset Shimmer,
I just thought I’d let you know that I’ll be busy for a while; the map is calling. Whenever I leave, I’ll be sure to lock the door so that Aita’s essentials are safe and sound.
“Aw, that’s too bad. And here was hoping to come back to Equestria with an actual- never mind; this is actually filling me up.” I interrupt myself upon realizing the burger is actually satisfying. It’s not even the usual way of love being included in the food; it actually is satisfying to eat alone. “Thank you very much for this, Applejack.”
“Aw, shucks. Nothin’ to it, Aita. Next!”
“Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!” Pinkie excitedly shouts, jumping up and down.
“Well, looks like I won’t be in any rush to bring you home, huh Aita?”
I nod at Sunset.