Well, I get to write at least one chapter for this volume. Shysage did the chapters he had to, and I think they came out well. Still, he thinks ponies like my writing better, I don't know. Princess Twilight's chapters came out amazing though. Princess really seems to enjoy Canterlot Recording. And that complicated magic! I love our Princess...
I think I missed the action for most of this story, as I just waited in that dim orange mist for Shysage. Of course writing this made Shysage cry. He said I was wasting away down there, and he felt really bad for me when he found me. I helped him do his chapters though, and it broke my heart. That was a scary, tortuous two weeks for my stallion, and we cried as I helped him with his chapters. Well, he did find me, and we amazingly found water, and not too far from the gates of Hades, no less. Then we just waited together. Like Shysage wrote, just being together, and coherent enough to realize it, that was enough for us. We just hugged and cried...
The trip from the gates, back to the land of the living, Shysage said with a chuckle; that was very strange to me. Shysage said that we basically retraced the same path he had taken from the Portal, to Dark Melvain's Bastion, then straight down. Well, we went up to the Bastion, out and high into the air, along the dark ridge, then back to Ponyville. I was glad Shysage was with me; it was night and dark. Shysage could talk to me, and that kept me from getting too freaked out. At first, we really couldn't see where we were, so we had no idea where we were going. Shysage said it was fine, so I relaxed. Later on, a full moon was up, and Shysage recognized the area around Canterlot under moonlight, and he just kept me posted as we made our way back to Ponyville. But we travelled up, through miles of rocks, to get to the surface! And we didn't get hurt! How does that even work? Shysage just said that Princess Twilight's magic is extremely powerful. We both realized that Dark Melvain was absolutely wrong; one of our true friends actually WAS the powerful Unicorn that pulled his spell off. We didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that. Like I said, we love our Princess. And reading the chapters she did... Oh... my... goodness...
My Twin and I did cry buckets together when she came through the Portal. I felt so bad for her. I think this is the third time she has had to endure me being dead or maybe dead, or missing... It really hurt her a lot each time. She was SOOO glad I was ok. I think she was not too pleased with her Shysage that their little Ariel came to Equestria, at first anyway. The Portal seemed to take very good care of that 6 month old baby, setting her gently down on four shakey pony legs here. And since her Shysage is actually from Equestria, well, I was not surprised he wanted his daughter here when she could be. There were no hard feelings; everything worked out fine anyway. And, seeing the three of them, as a pony family, laying calmly together...
When everything seemed to calm down for everypony, it was early morning in Equestria. Our Equestria Girls Twins all agreed it was late at night in the Equestria Girls world. Well, I guess that was our next destination, after we all got some sleep. Princess posted Spike on guard duty, closed the Library doors, and we all tried to get some rest. I don't think my Twin got much rest though. Their Ariel wasn't ready to sleep just yet. This was the first time she was a pony! My Twin (little Ariel's mom) told me later that Ariel wasn't sleeping through the night yet anyway. Sometimes moms just don't get good sleep. I remember those days when our Ariel was younger. Well, Ariel did finally sleep for a few hours. But it took our Ariel laying next to her. With her Twin next to her, little Ariel calmed down, and her mom was able to get some glorious sleep, she said later.
We slept most of the day in Equestria. Well, Princess Twilight evidently had Princess stuff to attend to. I guess sometimes Princesses don't get sleep either. Late in the day, Twins began to wake up and visit quietly as others were still asleep. Well, Shysage and I slept a long time. I think we were the last ones to wake up. Spike said it was dark outside when we headed into the dining area for some dinner. Or was it breakfast? I don't know.
Spike headed off to bed when we started going through the Portal to the Equestria Girls world. And I counted; there were 14 sets of Twins, so 28 of us now. That took a while. Twins generally went through one after the other. And we did have some discussion about how to best handle getting this six month old pony foal through the Portal. Coming this way did not prove difficult. But as Shysage has pointed out before, human babies aren't really built to handle even a two foot drop. A bunch of ponies went through first. Then, as people, they all laid down on their backs next to the Portal wall. Little Ariel's mom went through earlier to supervise (watch), then we coaxed little Ariel through. I guess it all worked fine. My Twin was holding her six month old Ariel, as a baby now, when Shysage and I came through. Well, actually, the Fluttershy and Shyna Twins volunteered to go ahead of our Ariel, and help her with her footing after she came through. This would only be her second time in the Equestria Girls world. Our Ariel came back up to speed quickly.
I don't know how these things work out. It was Saturday, and around 9 in the morning in the Equestria Girls world. Well, even I knew what that meant -- bleacher girls time! It was fall and cold, so we met in the gym. There were bleachers in there, so that worked out fine. We had done this before. Still, bleacher girls... I so treasure that time... I guess we all do -- everypony, and I mean everypony -- even the Celestia and Luna Twins -- we all just dove right in. Our Ariel stayed right next to me at first, but she was soon off solo, hugging, crying, loving, helping. She moved around a lot... and gave... That made me cry... We met new friends, got re-acquainted with old friends, hugged and cried with hurting girls... We tried together to help other girls make sense and have some peace in the lives they live here. It really is a lot more difficult than life in Equestria. Well, I don't know. True friendship is still just as much the answer there as here. My Twin's 6 month old Ariel got passed around, but she wasn't the only baby there. Dawn Flower (Well, the one that lives here) brought her Camille, and this amazing little girl wandered around from lap to lap as well. And I think there was another baby too, I just didn't make it that far. Four amazing hours, watching true friendship help po-- people cope and even overcome... True friendship means putting others first. I cried a lot. Well, the guys were across the way, with both Shysages, doing the same thing. Well, guys are different, but even then, it was true friendship that was making the difference. And I guess the presence of everypony's Twin didn't seem to bother anyone. Maybe there was twice the love and concern to give... Bleacher girls time went way late as a result. At around 1:30 in the afternoon, most everypony started to wander off. That part was just hard. I cried a lot then. I don't get to do this very often. Them leaving, that was very difficult for me.
It was drizzling very lightly as we walked together, the short distance from the CHS gym to the Cake's diner. I am not sure how, but Mr. and Mrs. Cake closed the diner, and served us lunch. It was very good. Well, Shysage and I each got our own burger this time. Shysage was hungry, and he also felt my body needed all that. Well, I didn't mind! I have no idea who paid for everypony though. And, for a while, we just relaxed and talked together over soda. I didn't worry about anything. I was pretty sure that the events of the rest of this day were already charted out! Well, after lunch, my Twin's Shysage hugged a bunch of us, then he left for work. Maybe he wouldn't get much sleep tonight either. Well, my Twin asked about our Ariel helping her with her little Ariel for the rest of the day. Our Ariel jumped at that chance. Still, I carefully explained to our Ariel that she absolutely had to stay with my Twin at all times. I suppose I should not have worried; this world really scares our Ariel. Still, a chance for our Ariel to be with her Twin, even if she is only 6 months old... And I was sure our Ariel would be a big help to my Twin!
While I wept softly on my sister Fluttershy's shoulder, Shysage left with the Principal and Vice-Principal. They came quickly back and pulled into the parking lot with two of those big white vans. There should be plenty of room to take us... Well, I didn't know where, and that didn't really matter. I guess Shysage would drive one of them, so I would be in that one. Well, I guessed then that my Twin, both Ariels, both Fluttershys, both Shynas, we would all end up in the same van. Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna were very organized about this whole trip. None of us wanted to accidentally get left behind! From the Cake's diner, after most everypony used the restroom, we all carefully climbed into the vans. This took a while, and checks and double checks were made to make sure we were all accounted for. Then we were off to... Well, I didn't know where at first. Shysage told me while we were on the way. It was a place called a mall. I'm from Equestria, but I quickly noted that every single one of the Equestria Girls got very excited about this!
While we were in the van, we were all given matching hats. They were pointy shaped, but very pretty; bright red with fluffy white around the bottom, and a fluffy white ball on the top. In bright gold, all the hats had the letters "PDL" on them -- that surely stood for Ponies from a Different Land. I just cried as I put my hat on. Well, we all put them on right away. Shysage looked lovingly at me and said that hat looked amazing on me. He said christmas was still a few weeks off, but the colors... I think driving was difficut for him all of a sudden.
The Luna Twins were in our van, and Vice-Pincipal Luna quietly but sternly gave us two rules. First, she insisted we all keep the PDL hats on at all times. This would make it easier to see those that were in our group, and so easier for the Celestia and Luna Twins to keep track of everypony. Second, the Equestria Ponies absolutely HAD to stay with their Equestria Girls Twins -- no matter what! Well, I think all of us ponies felt that was safest anyway.
Besides, we all dearly loved our Twins, and being together with Twins is always an amazing treat. Well, that night was basically Twin time. I guess that explained the music in the background(1). And I was actually thinking about this as we drove. Having a Twin, being with your Twin is absolutely amazing... My Twin, Equestria Girls Summer Rain, being with her... It is so absolutely peaceful; your Twin is a carbon copy of yourself. A Twin could never, EVER do you wrong, or do anything that upsets you, offends you, or anything else like that. And your Twin always seems to effortless understand you, and know everything about you, and so deeply love you anyway! It is just perfect peace in the presence of full acceptance, with a complete absense of fear or worry about being hurt or anything bad like that... Maybe perfect harmony is a way to put it. I love Shysage, and I am positive he would never do anything to hurt me. I love my Twin too, and that is so vastly different, but I absolutely know that my Twin never COULD do anything to hurt me. It would be like my Twin hurting herself -- she couldn't do that! And I don't know... My very first minute in Equestria, and I found my sister Fluttershy's Equestria Girls Twin; it was just like I found my sister again! I was already hurting deeply about leaving my own sister, but after travelling to this strange, new world, scared to death at what I would find... Equestria Girls Fluttershy... My sister's Equestria Girls Twin was just like her... Well, the amazingness of us Twins, its just hard to explain... And... I had to get up and cry with both Fluttershys for a few minutes...
The closer to this mall thing we got, the more excited everypony became, epecially the Equestria Girls. Shysage said like kids in a candy store, everypony was chattering loudly as we climbed out of the van. Checks and double-checks again to make sure everypony was accounted for. And as we all got out of the vans and walked (carefully) into the mall, wow... A huge hall or walkway area that went on forever, lined on both sides with huge store after huge store... Everything seemed so big to me... Eye-catching decorations, and cheery music; well, everything seemed so joyful to me, even if a good number of the people we passed wore frowns... I don't know...
Ok, well I'm from Equestria. As long as my Shysage is right next to me, I really don't need much else. But... wow... so much stuff! At first, Shysage and I just wandered around, trying to see what our amazing friends were up to. Well, right away, I heard Equestria Girls Applejack say to her Twin that she was going to get them some new duds, and they headed quickly off. Rainbow took a similar approach, and led her Twin off to the soccer store, she called it. We passed both Rarity Twins a number of times that evening. And, of course, the Fiona Twins went with the Rarity Twins everywhere. But Equestria pony Rarity, the Rarity from Equestria, she had the most amazed look on her face the whole time. She sews every fashion item, but here... More fashion items than she had ever seen in her whole life! I was sure that fashion in Equestria was in for some marvelous, amazing new ideas, just from this trip alone! Of course both Pinkie Pies headed off to what Pinkie called the party store, talking and laughing... We would occasionally hear loud noises, or familiar tunes; I guess it was them.
I wondered what my Sis and her Twin were doing. Well, the Shyna Twins were with them too. Such quiet souls; this mall, every store seemed pretty busy and loud. Both Fluttershys and both Shynas actually found us not too long after we arrived. The Fluttershys had this nice new pin stuck to their blouse. It looked exactly like their little bunny, Angel. But both were also carrying a stuffed animal, Shysage called it. They obviously weren't real, and were pretty big, about the size of a large cat. But I looked a little more closely. Each looked amazingly like the jet black panthers that... from the future... I gasped when I realized that. Both Fluttershys teared up right away, when they FELT that I had made the connection. I think that was an important part of... well, both Fluttershys loved those animal friends. Well, I did too... Rose... We hugged and cried together softly for a few minutes. Still, I guess Equestria Girls Fluttershy had her eyes on both items, and wanted to give them to her Twin when she could. Well, they both had them now.
And, partway through the evening, I heard a strange sound. It wasn't loud. It was Shysage's cell-phone, well the loaner cell. He pulled it out of his pocket, did a few things with his fingers, and... he teared up! He didn't cry, but... He moved the front of the cell thing so I could see... It was a picture of our Ariel... with the exact same long and flowing dress that I was wearing! Wow, our daughter looked so beautiful... I did cry as Shysage hugged me. We love our daughter...
I heard that the Twilight and Filia Twins spent the evening together as well. Most of the time they helped the Celestia and Luna Twins keep tabs on everypony else. But I hear there were a few book stores to peruse as well.
Late in the evening, we gathered at a specific part of the mall. All the Equestria Girls knew where that spot was, and since they all had those cell phones; we just followed the Fluttershys and Shynas. We settled down for an hour of visiting with some nice ice cream. It was really good. But, seeing all these Twins... And my Twin mentioned that our Ariel took care of their Ariel while she bought a bunch of baby clothes. I guess such shopping trips are not easy for my Twin unless Shysage is along to help, which can't happen often. At one point, Shysage hugged our Ariel and told her that he was very proud of his beautiful daughter. I quickly joined that hug as we cried softly together. Like I said, I love our Ariel Dawn. Well, my Twin joined us, as she bounced her Ariel as best as she could, then the Fluttershys, the Shynas... Soon, all of us Ponies from a Different Land, all us Twins, we were all hugging and crying together... Ice cream dripping... Still, the love and devotion in this circle... The amazing results of simple, true friendship... I don't want it to ever end...
Too soon, it seemed, everypony was climbing back into the vans for the trip back to CHS. Again, we checked carefully to make sure everypony was accounted for. The Pinkie Pie Twins came running back, last, laughing together. We were soon on our way back. Carefully arranging this, all of the Equestria ponies spent that night with their Equestria Girls Twin. Of course, Equestria Girls Filia and Fiona, their mom was overjoyed to be able to meet her twin daughter's Twins. She had met them before, and just marvelled at the love and devotion that these four red-heads shared. She said it seemed to her like it was from a different world. Maybe it was! Both Fluttershys and both Shynas squeezed into Equestria Girls Fluttershy's tiny apartment. Of course, both Pinkie Pies had quiet fun in Pinkie's apartment above the Cake's diner, thanks to the internet and some mp3, Shysage added. The Rainbow Dash and Applejack Twins spent the night out at the farm courtesy of Big Mac's pickup. They wanted to ride in the back. No thank you... Both Raritys worked on fashion projects together until the wee hours, then sacked out in the Boutique. The Twilight, Luna and Celestia Twins stayed at the Principal and Vice-Principal's home, and also stayed up until very late talking. After everypony was safely at their designated homes for the night, those of us that were left got out at the Cake's diner. The diner was closed, we were in the parking lot still. Principal and Vice Principal headed off with the two vans, their Twins, and both Twilights.
And my Twin started to ask if our Ariel Dawn could come to their house and help with her Ariel tonight. My Twin had not even finished the question, and our Ariel said "Oh, mom, please..." That was fine. Twins need time to bond anyway. And our Ariel really was a big help with her little 6 month old Twin! From the Cake's, they walked the short distance to she and Fluttershy's parent's home where little Ariel and her family were staying. I was also sure that my Twin's mom would... just be amazed at our Ariel. Her grand-daughter would look just like our Ariel some day! Well, I really love Summer and Fluttershy's Equestria Girls mom. Thinking that just reminded me that I have come to really treasure so many here on this side of the Portal... I started crying, and Shysage was quickly hugging me as I cried on his shoulder.
After a few minutes, my crying slowed. I looked up, and quickly noticed that Shysage and I, we were the only ones left. We were standing all by ourselves in the darkened parking lot of the Cake's diner. I looked up at Shysage -- his eyes told me everything I needed to know. Tonight, we would be together and alone. It didn't matter too much where. With my Stallion next to me... We headed to Shysage's cubical; it isn't far from CHS, which is just down the street from the Cake's. Honestly, I would be perfectly content to spend the night at his cubical. I just wanted him.
But, after he gently moved his scope thing into the trunk, we were quickly on our way, somewhere, rolling smoothly down the road in big blue, Shysage's car. Of course, I was sitting right next to him! We ended up at what Shysage called a hotel, and we were soon in the biggest, most amazing bedroom I have ever seen. I laughed when I saw the bed; we would only need a small part of it! Like I said, Shysage's cubical would be fine. But, I guess somepony wanted to give Shysage and I this amazing gift. I was quickly weeping softly. Such amazing friends on this side of the Portal... It was very bright in our room, and Shysage turned most of the lights off first thing. It wasn't dark, but the soft light... As long as I could find my Shysage.
(opt:btm11a)
Well, I really love my Stallion. But he spent most of that night crying... I guess the last two weeks were just torture for him, and he could only now try to deal with that. He and I hugged tightly and cried softly and together for hours. He was really hurting. And I was just so over-joyed that I could help him through that. And I guess we were both so glad it wasn't worse... I was pretty sure losing my Cutie Mark didn't remove my powers, but I couldn't act quickly enough to stop Dark Melvain's duplicate spell. I was pretty weak by then. But my amazing Stallion easily picked me out of that crowd... We did finally stop crying, and we slept some. That room was nice, but really, as long as I was next to Shysage... The cell phone woke us up the next morning. It was a text, which Shysage read, then put the cell phone back down. It was a little early yet, and we just snuggled together for a while. I love my Stallion. I think I say that a lot. After showering, getting dressed, and grabbing a bite to eat in the lobby, we were on our way.
Shysage was driving, and I just melted next to him. I noted that I didn't ever want to have to drive! I would probably kill myself or somepony else. We pulled into the parking lot at the church where Shysage's Twin works. A bunch wanted to meet there, but I guess Principal and Vice-Principal stressed to everypony this was strictly up to the individual Twins, and both had to agree. I think we were all more concerned about being together though. We filled up a bunch of the rows in the back, and the speaker said something funny about identical twins day. Well, looking around at us ponies from a different land; all us Twins basically dressed the same, and we looked identical, so yes! And us Summer and Shysage Twins... Big Ariel was between us, with little Ariel asleep in her arms. Then my Twin and her Shysage on one side, and me then my Shysage on the other. I wanted to cry... And at one point, Shysage leaned over and whispered "They believe in true friendship here..." Well, that was all I needed to hear! It was really a very nice time. And surrounded by ponies from a different land... We all visited together in another big room for a while after the meeting. Soon enough, it was just us Twins. I tried to hug everypony, and I think I cried a lot.
I guess this was planned, I don't know. Shysage's Twin asked that we all follow him. We were soon out the door, and on our way to some garden in the back of the grounds. Shysage and I went last. Shysage was very quiet, and I wasn't sure why. Most everypony gasped, and it took me... I had to work my way through to see what everypony was looking at. It... was... my... statue... Standing up now, surrounded by pretty flowers... My Stallion managed to find me, and we cried together. Shysage's Twin explained that this statue seemed tossed into one of the flower beds here. They found it and, well, from there, Shysage found me... in Equestria... It was anchored upright now, and the church was interested in keeping it, well after surgically removing the Unicorn horn. Still, this was a piece of our lives. It was really me; the likeness was uncanny...
And everypony else was soon weeping softly as we walked back to CHS, to the front lobby. This clearly meant it was time for us Equestria ponies to go back through the Portal to Equestria. Of course, we appreciated the visit, but we had to leave soon. It was just hard. For the longest time, everypony was just hugging everypony, crying. I tried to hug as many of the Equestria Girls as I could. I treasure each of them so much... And my Twin... We cried buckets again for a while. The rest of the Twins did the same, I think. As us Summers cried and hugged, our Ariel held my Twin's baby Ariel. And, I don't know... Both Ariels were weeping softly together. Shysage even said; he had never seen a people baby cry softly like that. They are either quiet (usually asleep) or crying loudly. But this... It was like they both felt... Well, they are Twins...
It was time to leave... One at a time, ponies from a different land walked through the Portal to Equestria.
Our Ariel went through, then Shysage and I went through the Portal together, and last.
Judging by the lights in the Castle, it was night-time in Equestria. We were all crying anyway, so all us girls just hugged and cried together for a while. I love every single pony in this room so much... And at one point, we did all stop and bow to our Princesses. They quickly had us back up, and we all cried together some more. Maybe an hour later, we were all sleeping, spread around the floor on the Library. Most wept softly until sleep took over. We all loved our Twins and Equestria Girls friends so much...
Well, a few hours later, neither Shysage nor I could sleep, so we got quietly up, and headed to the Canterlot Recorder's house. We left Ariel asleep with Fluttershy and Shyna, and that would work out fine. It was very still and not too cool outside as we walked. The moon was high and full. It was very beautiful.
"Shysage, I don't want this to ever end..." I said quietly, then was quickly crying... Everypony around me... Shysage... Princess Twilight and all her girls... Cel and Lu... Our amazing Equestria Girls Twins... Our amazing neighbor Dawn and her daughter Camille... My sister Fluttershy... Even our daughter Ariel... Then I sighed... And true friendship...
A life so full of such amazing treasures...
Shysage got a small fire going, and we were soon asleep together on the rug in front of the fireplace...