//------------------------------// // Chapter 1, Trip to Canterlot // Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 10 -- Ariel Dawn // by shysage //------------------------------// Still the middle of Winter... But on the second warmish day in a row, Shysage and I decided to try and brave a trip to Canterlot, to see Cel (Princess Celestia) and Lu (Princess Luna), and to take the last maybe 1/3 of Future Perfect and get it locked up in the Time Vault in the Canterlot Library. These pages contain stuff about the future, and nopony should ever read it here, well now. Shysage managed to just barely get those chapters printed out. The printer is a part of his 'scope' thing, which seems highly secret, I don't know. It does some really amazing things though. Shysage has never told me why it doesn't need a plug. There's no plugs here in Equestria! Anyway, he doubted his raspy old printer would ever print again. He said that is just as well. Nopony should really have a printer here in Equestria. That just wasn't fair, he said. We got up earlier anyway, and Shysage was a people briefly to help me get my coat on. With our coats on, it was barely warm enough for us to eat breakfast in the meadow to the East next to our home. But at least it wasn't so freezing cold that we ran back to the nearest fireplace, not today, anyway. It would have taken a lot longer for me to make something for us both to eat. My cooking is improving (slowly), but it still takes me a while. A trip to the meadow proved a lot faster. We looked longingly at that little hill, where we often relax. It had been too cold for us to spend much time there. Today, we probably could have, but we didn't really have time for that. Our next stop was Princess Twilight's Castle. Heading through town, we passed Dawn and Camille. Doing floral arrangements in the Winter, I don't know. Dawn had a huge basket on her back. Everything in there looked pretty dead to me, but I was sure she could and would make something amazing with it. That is her gift! I hugged them both, and managed to cry only a little. They were soon on their way to Dawn's, and we were off to the Castle. Across the grass, up the steps, into the warmth of Princess Twilight's amazing Castle. We found Princess in the Library, buried reading some book, with Filia right next to her doing the same thing. The term kindred spirits comes easily to mind. Princess and Filia, they are alike in so many ways. Shysage and I had our coats off and Shysage put them on one of the reading tables, before Princess even realized we were there. We bowed when she got up, and she had us up quickly. "I think the Canterlot Recorders may be busy in three weeks maybe, if that is ok" Princess said softly. "Princess, we can hardly wait. You and your girls are all amazing! Shysage and I are really excited..." I said this, with a fair amount of excitement; I really felt that way. It's just... Well... The future would find... I stopped where I did, and then realized that I needed to do what Pinkie Pie said, and leave the future, well, there. I just hugged Princess Twilight tightly, and wept softly. "Princess, can you ask Cel if she can send an Air Coach for us this morning? Explain that we are interested in a few hours in Canterlot, since it seems the weather is not freezing cold today." Shysage asked Princess about this. That was our plan, our hope anyway. We would leave it up to Cel though, depending on her schedule. I was kind of looking forward... Princess Twilight found Spike, and soon a message was sent off. I guess Princess really wanted to get back to her book. She tried, and sat down in front of her book again, only to have Spike burp up the answer from Princess Celestia right as Princess sat down at the table. Princess read the message out loud. "Princess Twilight, thank you for your letter. Please let the Canterlot Recorders know that tomorrow will be a better day for such a trip. Please expect an Air Coach at the Castle in the middle of the morning tomorrow. Lovingly, Princess Celestia." Princess Twilight must have known... "I'm sorry, will tomorrow work for you both?" Shysage answered for us "Yes Princess, that will be fine. We don't want to bother Cel and Lu if their day is a busy one. They are Equestria's Princess too, after all. Noting that Filia had not moved from her book, we hugged our Princess again, got our coats on, and headed outside. Princess was quickly back to her book too. ... Well ok. It was a warmish day still, so... It was maybe the middle of the morning. Once we were back outside, we realized that the warm sunlight had taken the edge off the cold, barely. We still needed our coats, but between little to no breeze and direct sunlight, we were comfortable, anyway. We wandered out to the little hill in the East meadow, and enjoyed some time together and alone there. I think we were just relaxing, enjoying our time together. We were on our bellies right next to each other to stay warm. Our heads together, looking off into the distance. We rubbed noses like that, too. We were caught up on all of our Canterlot Recorder tasks. Up next: Quests in Friendship -- A narration of the experiences of Princess Twilight Sparkle and her dear friends in Ponyville and all over Equestria -- Collected and edited by Princess Celestia of Canterlot -- Vol. 5 We would hopefully start to see material for that in the coming weeks. Shysage and I both felt doing that together would be amazingly fun. We couldn't wait! I just sighed, thinking about that. "Whoa, girl" I thought to myself. Shysage and I, we didn't talk a lot, and I have to wonder if emotionally, we were both still coming down from our amazing trip to the future. Our transition back to our present was very difficult. Well, the Keeper apologized for that ahead of time, actually. I sighed again, and smiled. An afternoon alone with Shysage; that was something to savor. We did, together. A few hours on that hill, we talked little, but hugged a lot. At maybe noon, we snacked some together, then were quickly back next to each other on that little hill. A few more hours of Shysage hugging me. Earlier, I would have rathered we visit Cel and Lu, but, maybe... Maybe he and I really needed this time. It was wonderful. Still, at one point, Shysage said softly "Summer, I really don't like Winter, and it's too cold at the lake, but the first opportunity we get..." There were tears in his eyes as he stopped there. He didn't have to say any more. I know for a fact that taking care of me is one of Shysage's highest priorities, and it shows here, of all places. I am Shysage's princess, and when he could... Later in the afternoon, Fluttershy and Shyna found us on that hill, and quickly joined us. I was about to ask her where her amazing Panther animal friends were... Well, she only had those in the future, but... I just thought... Two weeks ago, that would have been a valid question... I managed to not ask though, and just battled crying instead as I got up and hugged my sister, well, both of them. It was too late, both Fluttershy and Shyna felt my question, and they were quickly crying too. I guess that was one aspect of the future that Fluttershy really enjoyed, huge Panther animal friends; they were bigger that she was, and she really missed them too. That just made me think of Rose... Us three girls cried together... After we calmed down, we were all on our bellies next to each other, faced away from Ponyville, staring off across the meadow. For a while, little was said. Out of the Blue, Fluttershy asked this. "Summer, since I went with you to the future, does that mean the Portal... well... Will I always have to go with you both now?" Fluttershy wasn't crying as she asked this, but... Us three girls were soon crying again. Shyna absolutely did NOT want Fluttershy to just disappear on her again. Fluttershy was just as concerned about leaving Shyna. I just wanted Rose, and I would never have... Fluttershy was why I even had Rose to fight at my side, to begin with. I think we were all a mess. We did calm down though, and Shysage worked on answering Fluttershy's question. He was clearly aware that Shyna was with us, and he answered carefully and slowly. "Fluttershy, like we have mentioned before, since you carry an Element of Harmony, Equestria has the right to call on you whenever you are needed. "Remember too, that your amazing gifts were absolutely instrumental, well, crucial, during our trip to the future. We absolutely needed you and only you there. Equestria made that happen." Shysage was clearly deep in thought at this point, and after a minute or two, he added this. "I think Princess Twilight really feels it when you are gone. And with Volume 5 on the way... I honestly think your place will be here for a while. "Besides, both Summer and I are hoping that we will stay here a while too, so we can record that together." I think this helped my sister relax. "Thank you, Shysage, that really helps." Fluttershy paused a minute, then started "I wonder if there are an--" Fluttershy wisely stopped here. I knew what she was asking. I realized too, that I wasn't the only one having problems adjusting to being back in the present. Well, it was just hard. In the future, after everything came back to life, so much around us was the same then, as here and now. When we came back, a lot was the same, but so much was different. And we couldn't even say anything. As the cold wind kicked up, we realized we couldn't stay in the meadow. Fluttershy had actually come to tell us that dinner was at the Castle tonight. That would be fun. Princess' girls really are amazing! The four of us got up and we slowly made our way there. Walking past Dawn's Floral Arrangements, there was nopony outside. It was too cold! Still, thinking less that I should have... "Dawns really does need a p--" I stopped right there... "Sis..." Fluttershy quickly said. I just sighed. "When am I..." I thought to myself. Fluttershy said quietly "We all just need some time..." I thought to myself again "Yeah... about 35 years..." I just sighed again. ... Dinner was good, and laughing, crying, hugging with Princess Twilight and her girls... Being with our special friends; it's always a good time. And we all decided to spend the night together in the Library. Shysage hugged me briefly, then told me to enjoy our slumber party together. Then he headed off to the Canterlot Recorder's home. I appreciated him doing that, letting all us girls spend a night together. Part of me was sad though. I just sighed. Time at the lake... That would have to wait, I guess. It had been... I don't like Winter... Us girls stayed up late and just enjoyed our time together. When it was very late, Princess Twilight asked what part of my dream was the most important for each of us. I just cried; I don't think Princess wanted me to answer. Everypony else did, though. I understood the value of the question, but I think it was hard for all of us, in a good way, if that was possible. We were all asleep together on the floor in the Library soon after that. Waking up the next morning, next to my sister, and surrounded by Princess Twilight's girls. We were all laughing and talking together. It was a lot of fun. We kept that going through breakfast. It was still a little on the early side as we all hugged a bunch, said what we often say together, got our coats on, and headed out of the Castle to jump into our days. Princess Twilight evidently had a busy Princess schedule for the day. It was cold outside; I suspected today would be colder than the last two days. Still no Air Coach outside the Castle yet, so I hugged Fluttershy and Shyna, then walked quickly home, as they headed for the Cottage. I found Shysage sleeping on that amazing rug with my Cutie Mark on it, in front of a low fire. He woke up as soon as I was on my belly right next to him. He smiled, and we rubbed noses for a little while. "How did you... Last night..." I knew I was having trouble asking him how he did while I was at the Castle for the slumber party. He realized right away, and answered honestly "Better now." While rubbing noses some more, I said quietly "Shysage, last night with Princess and her girls was a lot of fun, but I really missed you." This was not just words, I really felt that way. A few tears fell after I said that. Shysage didn't need an explanation. "I know, amazing Mare. I missed you too. Times you are away just make me realize even more how much you mean to me." Well, I couldn't not cry after this, but I guess Shysage cried too. Shysage hugged me tightly, and we cried together for a little while. Shysage hugging me, our heads next to each other... We stayed like that facing the warmth of the fire for quite a while, over an hour easily. Neither of us wanted to move, and the fire was doing ok. And it wasn't like either of us were excited or anything. We both just desperately need each other, and to be together like that... I guess if contentment needed a picture, that would be my suggestion. We might have stayed like that for a long time. Filia burst through the door, and ran straight for the fire to try to warm herself back up. She apologized, of course, then told us that the Air Coach was here. Once Filia was warm again, we took turns hugging her, then she ran out the door, and bolted off to the warmth of the Castle. Shysage and I looked at each other. This trip would not be fun. Shysage turned into a people long enough to find his shoulder sack. He carefully placed the printed pages for the final chapters of Future Perfect inside, then he helped me get my coat on. He was back to a pony, then slipped his shoulder sack on, then his coat. He said later he was hoping his coat would prevent all those pages from blowing out of the sack, out of the Air Coach. That much worked, at least. We walked quickly to the Castle. On the way inside, Shysage yelled we would be out shortly. We bowed to, then hugged Princess Twilight, and then were soon back outside climbing into the Air Coach. In short, the trip was dreadful. It was very cold. And the Air Coaches have a lot of open space. Shysage explained once this is intended to help reduce the weight of the Air Coach to allow for more passengers. Shysage remarked today that we were riding in a Jeep with no doors. I don't even know what that means. I did realize that there were plenty of ways that the cold air could blast past us. Ordinarily we ignore that, but today... I am sure Shysage broke a lot of rules, but part way to Canterlot, he kicked off his harness, and moved and sat in front of me, in order to block the bulk of the wind blowing past me. I really appreciated that, and just hoped my Stallion wouldn't freeze to death in the process. I think the Air Coach stallions were very cold too. We landed fairly close to the Audience Hall, and the six of us, Shysage and I, and four huge Pegasi; we were quickly in the Audience Hall trying to get warm again. Mildred found us immediately, and didn't even need an explanation, and let us stay in our coats until we were ready to take them off. Shysage said he would ordinarly try to warm me up, but he guessed he was probably colder than I was. It took over half an hour for Shysage and I to thaw out, Shysage said. Still, it beat walking or flying today. It was just hard. I guess Mildred either knew one of the reasons we were here, or else she just has the ability to sense... She said Shysage and I should keep our coats on for now. We didn't mind. Being warm felt amazing. Our Princess girls were done doing Princess stuff by around noon, and we hugged them briefly; as well as we could with coats on. Both realized what we brought, and the vault in the Canterlot Library was our next destination. The four of us walked out the big Audience Hall doors, and almost ran to the Library. It was warm in there too; I am not sure how, but it didn't matter. We followed Cel and Lu through the Library to the restricted wing, and into a small room buried in the back. I had never been here, but neither had Shysage. The only thing in this room was a box thing; it looked to me like it was made out of the White marble that also covered the Audience Hall. A bunch of wierd gizmos poked out the top. And it had a round window thing that swirled with all sorts of colors. Well, it looked magical anyway. And there was a small shelf below the swirling thing. That's where Cel put the printed pages for Future Perfect. Lu asked "Dad, how long into the future should we set this?" Shysage thought a minute. "I think 37 years to be safe." Cel and Lu cast some magic together, and obviously did something, and the entire stack of pages simply vanished. That was it. They were gone. Well, Shysage still had the words in a hidden folder on his compy, whatever that means. Maybe that box thing in the Library put them in a hidden folder there too, I don't know. We walked quickly back to the Audience hall. ... Cel and Lu led us up the steps, down the hall into Princess quarters. Cel immeditately broke down and cried. She said nothing, she was just crying. Lu said quietly "Oh, sister..." then she hugged her sister and cried with her. Shysage and I, well, the four of us cried together. It wasn't gut-wrenching... And I don't think it was Princess pain; Shyasage and I, we knew how that sounded. But my mother's heart just knew... Something was bothering our girl. I was also pretty sure that Lu knew what it was. The four of us cried together for an hour maybe. I was glad we could do that. Mildred came in, and apologized. The weather was getting colder as the day progressed. Our return to Ponyville should be soon. Well, it was. And leaving our girls like that was very hard. Shysage and I, we could only ask true friend... The return trip was a repeat of our trip earlier. The wind was colder, but we were evidently going in the direction of the wind, so everything evened out, Shysage said. He still sat in front of me. Once we landed, Shysage and I quickly ran to the warmth of the Castle. The Air Coach immediately took to the air to return to Canterlot. A winter storm was on its way through Equestria. With our coats still on, Shysage and I laid on our bellies on the rug in front of the Portal and worked on thawing out again. We didn't have a lot to tell Princess Twilight, except that flying in an Air Coach in the Winter was not fun. Well, we told her that the rest of Future Perfect was safely in the vault. And we told her about the storm coming, but she already just knew about that! Princess had us eat dinner with she, Filia and Fiona. It was very nice, and we ate quite a bit. But it was starting to get dark, and freezing cold when we pretty much ran to the Canterlot Recorder's house. Well, we stopped at Dawn's, and let her know about the approaching storm. Shysage turned into a people, helped me get my coat off, then brought in a bunch of firewood from the shed out back. We suspected that we would need it tonight! We were soon on our bellies on our rug, right next to each other, facing the fire. After today, warm felt amazing. I was deep in thought, and worked on putting some words to a question. I didn't even need to ask. "I don't know, Summer. But something is really bothering Cel" Shysage said quietly. Shysage had tears in his eyes. I said what we both felt. "I don't like it when evil monsters bother our girls, and I guess I am here to help them if need be. But when something is bothering her, something inside... I feel so powerless..." We both guessed that being a Princess wasn't easy. Shysage and I, we talked to true friend some together, then hugged and cried ourselves to sleep.