//------------------------------// // Chapter 22, A Different World // Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 10 -- Ariel Dawn // by shysage //------------------------------// That same amazing tune continued to drift calmly through the background(1). Twin time music... It was maybe noon when the Principal sisters (Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna) came through the Portal, one at a time. We were on the edge of the carpet and so were safely out of the way. Still, we got quickly up and moved away, relocating on the Library floor nearby. Cel and Lu (Princess Celestia and Princess Luna) were quickly hugging their Twins from the Equestia Girls world. But we were all still calming down from the last 24 hours maybe. Cel haltingly introduced their Foal-sitter Ari to the Principal Sisters, then said she would explain later. Cel tried to keep going... "Dad... About our mother... You need..." That was all Cel could say. Lu finished for her sister. "Dad, you need to write that story. There is so much about our mother we really want to remember..." Then Lu cried with Cel briefly. After a group hug with Ari, Shysage and I, the Celestia and Luna Twins headed out of the Library, no doubt to waiting Air Coaches, and were gone. Still, I suspected that a trip to the Equestria Girls world might be in the works for tonight. I think... Well, I was starting to feel very tired about now... Princess Twilight asked that everypony pay attention briefly. She mentioned it was around lunch time, and everypony could head out and see what they needed to do. Still, eveypony needed to come back to the Castle tonight for dinner, then a brief visit to the Equestria Girls world. This last part made everypony very excited. Twin time is always amazing. I felt that way too. It had been three years for me, and I had really missed my Twin... Rarity, Filia and Fiona helped everypony with their coats, and most were soon out the door. I guess I really felt the need to hug my sis... Fluttershy was waiting I think, and hugging her again felt so amazing... We cried softly for a while together like that. I really missed her. It was only towards the end of those maybe twenty minutes... Shyna and Ari were talking together in old pony about a mile a minute. Some serious, some laughing... Fluttershy realized it too, and so she and I stopped hugging, sat next to each other, facing Ari and Shyna. They kept talking for a few more minutes, then realized that we were watching them. They stopped. I didn't wait for them to say anything. Ari would have trouble saying anything, and Shyna... "Shyna, tell Ari she and you are already family." Shyna told her by jumping up and hugging Ari tightly. I think she said the old pony word for family to Ari, and they both hugged and wept softly together. My amazing sister... "Summer, I know that it was hard... But I think it was worth it..." Fluttershy and I were hugging, crying... Princess Twilight was off somewhere, but Filia and Fiona were still in the Library, sitting down at one of the tables over some magic books. Shyna spoke quietly to Ari in old pony, and led her over to Filia and Fiona. Shyna introduced Ari to them both. Shyna mentioned Ari only knew old pony, but that she could translate for her. The four of them were soon talking, laughing together... I had to stop and think at that. Working through a little math, I think our Ariel was near my age. But I think, when we left, in a lot of ways, our Ari just stopped, well, I don't know... In some ways, emotionally, maybe she was still 2 or 3 in pony years... Anyway, it was clear that she fit right in with Shyna, Filia and Fiona. That was very good. Our Ari had been through so much. Maybe now, she could calm down and finish growing up. Sis was right next to me still. "Three years, Fluttershy... I missed you so much..." We hugged some more... Before too long, the girls (Shyna, Ari, Filia and Fiona) decided they were going for a walk. Shysage and I both hugged our Ari tightly. Ari smiled and carefully said "family" in modern equestrian. I think that was her way of saying she thought she would be fine. Well, here in our present, the biting cold was probably the only real hazard. And our Ari had taken care of herself for years in the Past after we left. And, with Shyna, Filia and Fiona... Besides, up until today, the only peers, the only real friends Ari knew was Queen Annie. Filia and Fiona took care of coats, giving mine to Ari, and they were on their way, talking together for as long as we could hear them. Shysage was already resting on the rug in front of the Portal. Fluttershy said she needed to head to the Cottage for a while. I sighed right away, and told her I wanted to go, but I was falling asleep. Sis and I hugged, then she left, and I snuggled up next to my Stallion. We were both exhausted, and were soon asleep. "Wake up, sleepy heads." It was Princess Twilight, and hours later. I didn't want to wake up. I could easily have slept hours more. Shysage was already awake. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he felt the same way. But a little sleep was better than none. And my Sis was on my other side, resting. After Shysage and I got up, Sis and I hugged some more. Tearing up just a little, she said her Cottage felt empty so she came back to the Castle to at least be near us. I think we both shed a few tears after that. I really... It felt so amazing to be back around my Sis... our friends... our Princess Twilight... A few minutes later Ari and the rest of the girls came back into the Library, still talking non-stop. Shysage and I, we hugged our daughter tightly for a minute or two, then the girls headed off to get some food. Princess' other girls were arriving too, and we just joined everypony as we walked to the dining area and had some yummy dinner. I don't think I said much during dinner. I just felt so spent. Still, I smiled each time I caught sight of our Ari... We were soon back out in the Library. It was early evening, and we were all waiting expectantly for the trip, through the Portal, to the Equestria Girls world. I guess I did hope that the Portal didn't have other plans and ship Shysage and I off somewhere else. Amazing ponies were scattered around the Library chatting happily. I had really missed that sound... Ari, Shyna, Filia and Fiona were sitting together still talking almost non-stop. Shysage was watching, or rather listening. I soon realized why. Evidently, our Ari was remembering a lot of her modern equestrian just by being around it. "Good girl" Shysage said quietly. Fluttershy was right next to me, and I just leaned on her shoulder. I wanted to cry, but just rested there instead. Fluttershy and I didn't really need to talk. Sis especially was feeling what she needed to. That was fine. I didn't feel like talking much anyway. But I did talk to true friend briefly about our Ari. She had seen Shysage and I both as people, although that was years ago now for her. Still, the Equestria Girls world was such a different world... And her people body would be so different. I remembered my spider fingers thought from my first time there... I just hoped she would make the transition ok. When it was close to time to head through the Portal, Princess Twilight came up and asked us if we wanted to go first, so we could take Ari through and make sure she did ok. Shysage called Ari over, and asked her, using strictly modern equestrian. Ari asked Shyna about a word, then said basically that Shyna, Filia and Fiona had told her some of what to expect. Ari wanted to stay with us, especially at first. Still, Shyna, Filia and Fiona would go through first, and be waiting there for Ari so they could help her. Then Shysage and I would go through, followed by the rest of Princess' girls. Princess Twilight would go through the Portal last. I guess I also hoped that the Portal didn't have other plans for our precious Princess Twilight, and ship her off somwhere else either! Princess sent Shyna, Filia and Fiona through first. Then Shysage and I walked Ari over, and she went hesitantly through the Portal next. Shysage and I changed to people, waited about half a minute, then holding hands, he and I went into the Portal. We were soon in the Equestria Girls world. It was drizzling and freezing cold. Still, Shyna, Filia and Fiona were standing, group hugging with our Ari. Shysage and I both gasped; our Ari was absolutely beautiful as a people too. Her skin color was just like mine, and her hair, very light brown like Shysage's, flowed smoothly down her shoulders. This was her first time through, and the Portal had given Ari amazing clothes. Shysage and I still had our stylish Equestria Girls clothes on, but after three years, they were clearly showing some wear. But our Ariel... Our daughter was beautiful... She was standing there, holding her fingers out, looking down at them in amazement. Once Shysage and I came through the Portal, we carefully herded the girls up the stairs and into the Canterlot High School lobby, to get out of the cold rain. Once inside, Filia and Fiona started crying, followed by Shyna soon after. I right away realized from the Twin Link that my Twin (Equestria Girls Summer Rain) was crying as well. And I could tell by what I was seeing of her view that she and her sister Fluttershy were running down the walkway towards the school. I was quickly hugging my Twin again... It would have felt amazing, but she was crying buckets, so I was too. Our Ari seemed totally confused, and was standing over next to Shysage, who was hugging his daughter close. After a few minutes, other Twins had joined us, and more ponies had come through the Portal. We were all huddled in the warmth of the Lobby. Just about everypony was crying... My Twin pulled me off to the side, then tried to tell me what had happened, why everypony was crying. Shysage and Ari followed, and Ari seemed amazed at another people that looked exactly like her mom... Through tears, my Twin tried to explain... "Oh, Summer, its just... horrible... "Remember that sweet, sweet girl that joined us recently? I introduced her to you last time... Her name was Ann..." My Twin stopped and cried, then continued... "Its so horrible... Shes dead now... Last night... Its just...." I remembered Ann... and she really was so... sweet... Wait... Red-head with... pale tint to her ski-- I was quickly crying again... My Twin tried to continue... "I... She went with another friend to some event at another high school last night... I guess... They didn't like the pony on her Letterman jacket. Some of the Cougars gave her a hard time... Well, they were drinking too, and afterwards... Ann tried to leave, but they... They weren't very nice... They made her fall, and she hit her head on a pipe or something... She's dead... We're all just in shock... My Twin cried in my arms a while, and I cried too. My Twin softly said over and over "Oh, Ann...", and I said it with her... Well, I usually said "Oh Annie..." not that it mattered. And we said once, and together "She was such a sweet girl... And we all loved her as our own... Why would anyone want to kill her? She must have just been at the wrong place at the wrong time..." My Twin and I cried together for a while... Suddenly though, my Twin's whole emotions, well, shifted, and dramatically... She pulled us over into a corner, and almost whispered. She stayed crying, but was clearly smiling as she cried... She didn't stay whispering for very long. "Summer, did you hear the news?" I smiled back at her. But I guess my Twin had just noticed. Twin stopped abruptly... "Wait... Summer, who is this nice lady standing next to Shysage?" I kept smiling while I cried, and quickly replied "Oh, Summer, tell me your news!" My Twin, Equestria Girls Summer, she was quickly bouncing up and down on the tile floor there in the lobby as we held hands. I tried to bounce with her. Bubbling over with excitement, she tried to say quietly... "Oh, Summer... "Shysage... Shysage and I... We are SO excited! "We are going to have a baby! "Finally! "That is so AMAZING! "We are going to have a little baby girl, and she is going to be absolutely beautiful! "And we are going to name her Ariel Dawn... I absolutely love the name Ariel, and Dawn is your most amazing neighbor who recued me from the green eyes, and gave me back to my family here... "Shysage and I, we are both SOOO excited!" My Twin got this far, and could no longer talk. We hugged tightly and cried with joy together. Twin was only whispering at the beginning... Everypony else in the Lobby could not avoid hearing the rest, and erupted in the loudest applause, cheering wildly... Both Pinkie Pies, together, called for a party on the spot. This really was good news! After a few minutes, it quieted down, and my Twin soon calmed down, and stopped crying. But I could not stop... I kept hugging my Twin tightly... "Summer..." Twin said softly, looking at our Ari... Through tears, and having trouble even breathing... "Twin, this is... Shysage and my... daughter... Ariel... Dawn..." As everypony else gasped, then erupted again in loud applause and cheers, my Twin and I just cried together for a while... Annie's Equestria Girls world Twin was dead... Our Ariel's Twin was on the way... I felt so overwhelmed... Us Summers cried together for a while, in the same way, at the same time, as my Twin pulled Ari into our hug... All of a sudden, Twin popped her head up and said "Oh, my goodness, its bleacher girls time!" Evidently it was saturday, and winter, so Bleacher Girls time started at 10 a.m.; everypony came to the high school gym. This sea of ponies with Equestria in our hearts, we all headed there. Bleacher time lasted four amazing hours. I had really missed this too! I hadn't thought this far ahead, but I was so glad our Ariel could be a part of this. Ari was remembering a lot of modern equestrian just by hearing it. She stayed next to Equestria pony Shyna in case she had to ask. She did fine. In fact, she blended right in, and reached her heart out to hurting girls. Crying and laughing and hugging... And Shysage joined his Twin with a bunch of guys on the bleachers on the other side of the gym... ... Our precious daughter was back in our present with us... She was sharing true friendship with bleachers full of needy girls... Well our whole family was doing that now... What more could I ask... ... We stayed crying as the bleacher girls (and guys) headed off into the afternoon. It was cold but the rain had stopped. Still, big hugs from true friends, it took a while before it was just us ponies from a different land left there in the high school gym. There was going to be a party though, at the Cake's Diner. Well, we would eat lunch first. and I was hungry! But staying with this group... And with two Pinkie Pies at the helm... I knew it would be amazing! (Well, it was.) My Shysage and his Twin hugged briefly, then my Twin and her Shysage hugged tightly, then he headed off to work at the church. Tomorrow was their big day, and he spent most of Saturday getting everything ready. Twin explained she would be there helping him (and enjoying every minute) except this afternoon was Twin time and a party too. Then she hugged me again. And I still had not explained we had been gone three years! Being with all of our amazing friends... I cried softly most of the afternoon. I made it a point to try and hug everypony. It took a while. Shysage and I split a hamburger, and he quietly suggested we not say anything about what was in that yummy sandwich. Ari spent most of the afternoon with the Filia, Fiona and Shyna Twins. She didn't ask about her Twin, but Shysage said she probably already figured that out. Still, late in the afternoon, my Twin, Equestria Girls Summer Rain, held both Ari's hands, and looked at her lovingly, then gave her a big hug. "Ari, your Twin should be born soon" my Twin said, then they cried together for a few minutes. Still, our Ari had an amazing time... And in the middle of the party, both Raritys walked up to us with two stacks of boxes. They had realized Shysage and my clothes were showing signs of wear, and, of course, that simply wouldn't do! Twin pulled me into the ladies room, and helped me change. In place of a skirt and a blouse, Rare had picked out this long, flowing dress. It was the most elegant mixing of the white, yellow and royal blue that are my colors. Well, it looked amazing! And I got comfortable new black ladies' shoes too. I didn't have the heart to tell both Raritys where the other shoes went... And this outfit was topped off with a brand new, beautiful white sweatshirt, hooded with a zipper front, Twin said. But it had what Twin called embroidery, I think, delicate sewing that matched the colors of the dress. It was amazing. After putting everything on, I ran out and hugged with both Rare's for a little while. This was an amazing gift. And I didn't even know I needed it! Then I hugged my Twin when she came out with the exact same dress on! I gasped, she looked so beautiful. Wait... I had the same... I ran over to Shysage, and cried on his shoulders as he hugged me tightly. "My beautiful Mare..." he said a few times. And, at one point, we were with both Pinkie Pies, thanking them for their amazing foresight at difficult times. After crying and hugging a little while, Equestria Girls Pinkie pulled out her cell thing, fidgetted with it some, then showed us both a picture. It was that shiny red car they had given to her parents. You would never know that Shysage had given them that old car, so they could fix it up. Well, the Pie kids know their way around cars! Well, I saw a pretty car, but Shysage noticed the change right away. "Side-pipes" he said quietly and smiled. I had no clue what that meant, even after he pointed them out on the picture on Pinkie's cell thing. With difficulty, Equestria Girls Pinkie Pie explained. "The two Mustangs we had... Both had pipes like that. They were just part of the way those cars looked... Well, they sounded awesome too..." Pinkie stopped, and tried unsuccessfully to not cry, but added "Dad had those put on less than two weeks after we gave him..." Shysage and I hugged and cried with both Pinkie Pie's for a little while. Shysage's old car... It became such a meaningful, loving gift... Well, later I quietly asked Shysage about a ride in his other Mustang. He said something about the carburator, whatever that is. Maybe some day... We hugged with the Applejack Twins too. I asked Equestria pony Applejack if they had any more dead trees in their orchards that they wanted removed. Both Applejacks laughed heartily, and said, together "Sure! Any time you want, just come and help yourself!" I promised we would. And I guess Equestria pony Rainbow Dash had not yet realized... Both Summers and both Fluttershys, we were talking with the Rainbow Dash Twins. My sister (Equestria pony Fluttershy) said quietly "Rainbow, I think you might have a new Pegasus to coach." Rainbow thought a minute, then said "Wait... Ari?" We all just nodded. "YES!" both Rainbow Dash Twins said at the same time. Twin and I spent a few minutes hugging both Twilight Twins. It was just hard, Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle was crying most of the time. She is sort of the unofficial leader of Princess' girls here in the Equestria Girls world, and even the bleacher girls... Well, she was having a hard time with Ann. It was just a tragedy... The four of us cried together, hugging tightly for a little while. I think I might have said "Oh Annie..." a time or two... Well, that was a tragedy too... Early evening, the Principal sisters walked into the Cake's, and of course we all took turns hugging them. They hugged our Ari for a little while, crying. I guess, they knew why, now. Too soon, it was time for the Equestria ponies to return home. We walked quickly back to the High School Lobby, and said our goodbyes in there. It was too cold to stand next to the Portal and do that. I hugged my Twin for a while, and really wished I could have had more time with her. But, I think all of us Equestria ponies felt that way. Just like when we came, Filia, Fiona and Shyna went through first, then our Ari went. Ari told us she fell on the Equestria side, after turning back into a pony. About that thick rug... We told her later that part would just take practice. Shysage and I went through the Portal next, and together. We were soon back in Equestria. The rest of the ponies came through the Portal into Equestria after us. Princess Twilight came through last. I started to cry, and ran over and hugged her. "Princess, I hope the Portal doesn't take you off somewhere else..." I think we were all crying anyway. Leaving our Twins is just hard... Well, it was a cold day, maybe mid-morning in Equestria. Rather than bother with the Canterlot Recorder's house, Fluttershy, Shyna, Ari, Shysage and I walked quickly to Fluttershy's Cottage. Shysage turned into a people and stoked the fire some. Us girls were already on our bellies facing the fire, and enjoying the growing warmth. Shysage changed back into a pony, and took his spot next to me. Ari was on my other side, then Fluttershy then Shyna, not that any of that mattered now. We were all family... We were all soon asleep.