Ascending Across Time
Chapter Nine
After a few long nights, Rarity was finally able to revitalize the line she was set to debut during Fashion Week. As punishment for such brutish and snotty behavior, Rarity locked Sweetie Belle in her room so that she could think about what she did. She felt embarrassed during the whole ordeal, worrying heavily that the Berkshires might back out of the proposal for Sweetie Belle to marry Daniel, but was genuinely surprised when that situation never arose. Chester noted Sweetie Belle's lack of honor and respect for her family, hinting at Rarity that he could set things right with Sweetie Belle once the preparations and the arrangement were complete.
Finishing the stitching on the last dress, Rarity hung it up on the rack and proceeded out of the shop with it, pushing her entire line to the venue that was holding the main event. She closed the door behind her and locked it up, leaving a note on the door for customers that the shop would be closed for the next few hours.
Inside the closed shop, Sweetie Belle sulked in her room. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were present with her, trying to cheer her up, but it was no good as Sweetie Belle was still fuming over Rarity's reluctance to give her away to the Berkshires, even after all they've seen Daniel do.
"Everything's going to be okay, Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom said, stroking her hair in a friendly manner, "Ah promise. Hugo's gonna make a full recovery, Ah'm sure of it."
"Yeah," agreed Scootaloo, "Hugo will make a speedy recovery. He's a soldier, after all." She fiddled with her thumbs for a second, "I just wish that I could've beaten Daniel up for him."
"I just don't understand why Rarity wants me to go through with this," Sweetie Belle protested, "like, do I not exist? Do I not get to make my own decisions?"
Before the girls could answer their ailing friend, a knock came at the door to the room. Rising from the edge of the bed, Apple Bloom opened the door and revealed to the others Twilight and Starlight. Inviting them inside, Apple Bloom retook her position and wondered what brought the two women to their room.
"We can see how…distraught you are, Sweetie Belle," Starlight began, carefully choosing her words.
"Yeah," sighed Sweetie Belle, "Rarity's just getting a bit too much on my nerves lately."
"We can see that," agreed Starlight. "It's very blatant and unlike her at all."
"But," smiled Twilight, "we do have some news that might be good for all of you, not just Sweetie Belle."
Scootaloo beamed happily, "Oooooh, I just love surprises! What is it, Twilight?"
"Well," continued Twilight, "you all know just how hard we've been working on that portal, trying to get ourselves home, right?"
"Of course," Apple Bloom chuckled, "it's been priori'y number one since we got here."
"Please tell me that you two have good news about that," Sweetie Belle hoped. She clutched her hands together and looked at Twilight, locking eye contact with her the entire time.
Twilight smiled and glanced towards Starlight briefly before focusing on Sweetie Belle once more. She decided to hold off the information for a little while longer before relinquishing it to the girls. Sitting down next to Sweetie Belle on the bed, Twilight rested a hand on her leg.
"We understand how poor of a decision Daniel is for you, Sweetie Belle," admitted Twilight. "Honestly, how she came about finding him and making him a choice for you is beyond me. What I do know and do recognize is that you are your person and pony, Sweetie Belle, and as such, you should be the one who makes your own mistakes and learns from them, not Rarity. I do get that she is simply looking out for you, but this, to me, just doesn't seem so. I support you, Sweetie Belle, with all of the defiances and retaliation you've shown to Rarity and the Berkshires. You are doing what you feel is best and, as your friend, I support you fully."
"Thanks, Twilight," smiled Sweetie Belle, "and it's such a relief to hear one of you guys saying that. I get that a lot from these two, but you see how far our voices carry compared to yours."
"Nevertheless," Twilight continued, "you're still growing up and, no matter what, you'll always be the younger sister and Rarity will probably always view you that way. It may evolve, but it's a relatively slow process. Still, that's not why we're here."
"The surprise!" Scootaloo giggled, "Please, please, please, please tell us what it is! I'm dying to know!"
"Me too," Apple Bloom added, "come on, Twilight. Tell us!"
"That portal we've been working on for the last few years," Twilight said, "it's finally done!"
Sweetie Belle beamed delightfully, "Y-You're serious about this? Don't play around with us, Twilight! It's done? For real?"
Twilight nodded, "Starlight and I finished it a little while ago with that scientist that's been coming around here these past few weeks. We did one final test on it and it was able to withstand itself long enough for us to go back through. We can finally go back to Equestria after all these years! Isn't that exciting?"
Sweetie Belle nodded excitedly, as did Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The thought of finally being able to return to their world was wonderful and welcoming. It provided an excellent ray of hope and, to Sweetie Belle, an instant way of refusing to even think about Daniel any longer.
"It's charging up its power right now," Starlight advised, "but when it's ready, we'll be able to finally go home."
"How long does that take?" Apple Bloom wondered.
"To be on the safe side," answered Starlight, "about a few hours. We'll sleep on it tonight and see how it's working tomorrow."
"So enjoy your last night here, girls," smiled Twilight, rising from the bed and beginning to exit the room with Starlight, "because tomorrow, Equestria will be calling."
As Twilight and Starlight exited the room, the crusaders became ecstatic and restless. Now knowing that they were so close to home, they could hardly sleep for the night, waiting impatiently for the morning to arrive.
By the next morning, the girls woke up bright and early to check on the portal. Louis was there as well, explaining what went wrong during the first few times that Starlight and Twilight had done before. He had taken plenty of notes to improve the issues of the portal to see why success hadn't happened during the first few tests. After explaining it easily to the girls, he looked at the young women, who were still trying to process the information.
"I know it is complicated to understand," Louis told them, "but you will figure it one day."
Within a few moments, the others started to come down the stairs and glanced towards the portal. With the power flowing smoothly through it, the light in the middle of the portal shone brightly, nearly lighting the entire room on its own. Rainbow Dash clapped her hands together and began to feel a bit giddy, as did Applejack. Pinkie Pie bounced up and down happily, excited to finally return to Equestria and see her friends after such a long time away from them. Twilight and Starlight both were excited as well, eager to return to the castle and resume lessons about friendship.
The only person who was feeling uncertain was Rarity, who was rubbing the side of her arm slowly. Starlight noticed this and was about to bring it up for the others, but opted against it, shaking her head just slightly and gazing back at the portal. Louis smirked and faced each of the women in the room.
"Now," Louis spoke, "Is everybody ready to go to this Equestria place?"
Sweetie Belle bit her lip when a few eyes fell on her. She glanced towards Rarity briefly and saw that she was uncertain in returning, bringing it up with her herself.
"Y-You doing okay, Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked kindly.
Rarity shrugged a little bit, "I'm not so certain returning is the right choice right now."
"What makes you say that?" Starlight wondered.
"Think about the customers and friends we made here," Rarity stated, "what would they do without reasonable fashion if we were to leave?"
Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow and chuckled dismissively, "Rare, that's gotta be one of the most unusual reasons for wanting to stay."
"Well," Rarity quickly responded, "there's no need to be so hasty about it?"
"Hasty?" Applejack smirked, "Rare, Ah di'n't think Ah needed to r'mind you of it, but we ain't from here."
"Your point being?" Rarity asked, crossing her arms in the process.
"My poin-? Rarity!"
Rainbow Dash held an arm out in front of Applejack to calm her down slightly, "AJ's right, Rarity. We aren't from here and you can tell that just from our names."
"Be that as it may," Rarity continued, "I have to uphold the civility and fabulosity that I've given these people. They might not be so fashionable if we were to leave."
Rainbow Dash sighed frustratingly, "Oh for Celestia's - look, Rarity, we just don't belong here and we only came here because it was an accident, nothing more. Getting home is the logical choice here."
"Not to mention," added Twilight, "think about the friends and families we all have back in Equestria or even the defense for it. We've been gone for a while."
"And?"
Twilight raised an eyebrow, "And Equestria has been left defenseless with our absence. We are the only ones who can use the Elements of Harmony's magic within us. Without us, who knows if Equestria is even still the same."
"Precisely why we should stay here," Rarity persisted, pointing at Sweetie Belle in the process, "even she has a wedding to get ready for. The Berkshires are expecting Sweetie Belle to be their new daughter-in-law and we shan't disappoint them."
"So you'd turn your back on all the friends you made back home to satisfy the people you barely even know here?" Starlight challenged, "Is that it?"
"Doesn't sound very generous of you, Rarity," Scootaloo pointed out.
"Besides," added Twilight, moving Sweetie Belle carefully behind her, "we know how poor of a decision Daniel is for Sweetie Belle. He doesn't acceptably treat her. Even if we were to stay here, he isn't a suitable choice for her. More importantly, she should be the one who decides who's right for her, nopony else!"
Rarity felt offended, "Don't try to talk to me about raising Sweetie Belle like that. You don't have any younger siblings to take care of the back home, so you can't possibly know what that's like and how daunting it can be."
"You're right, Rarity," agreed Twilight, sarcastically, "I don't. I don't know that because I was the younger sibling. And while Spike isn't necessarily the same in that aspect, I know how tiring it is taking care of somepony younger than you, acting like a mother towards them. It's hard, yes, but you have to understand that raising somepony and giving them a little space to grow and make their own mistakes is all part of parenting and life. Let them make the mistakes we made and show them there's another way of doing things. Don't force your desires on them, even if you try to convince them that it's in their best intentions."
Rarity glanced towards the ground and thought long about Twilight's words. Deep down, she knew she wasn't being completely fair towards Sweetie Belle and had lost base as to why they were stranded here in the first place.
As for Twilight, she turned around and rested an arm on Sweetie Belle's shoulders. She smiled at her and asked if she was ready to return home once more.
"I, I think so," Sweetie Belle hesitatingly answered.
What Sweetie Belle didn't understand was that, by revamping the portal, it would mean leaving Hugo behind. While she was trying to get to know him, Sweetie Belle remembered how Hugo admitted to her about not having any living family members remaining for him. She even remembered how he had agreed to live in Equestria with her and leave everything he had here behind. Before she got any closer to the portal, she started to have second thoughts.
"I-I don't know," she admitted, traces of doubt and fear sounding in her voice, "what about Hugo? He told me that his parents were killed by the Germans when he was young and that he doesn't have anyone here."
Starlight, Louis, and Twilight all looked at each other with concern. Louis was surprised to learn that his old classmate was here in Paris after all these years and, after learning about what had happened to him regarding the scuffle with Daniel Berkshire, he started to grow even more concerned about his safety here with the tyrant.
"I will go see him at the hospital during my break," Louis offered, giving Sweetie Belle a warm and friendly smile.
Twilight was taken aghast, blinking her eyes as well, "Wait...you know Hugo?"
Louis nodded, "Oui. He was an old classmate and friend of mine. Quiet boy with a heart of gold and respect towards everyone and everything, including nature. He played piano at one of the concerts the school had. He's a very talented musician."
"Th-that's him!" Sweetie Belle beamed. She took Louis' hands and held them in hers, "Please tell him that he can find me in the place we talked about together when he gets out of the hospital; tell it exactly like that."
"I'll try my best," promised Louis, nodding and shaking Sweetie Belle's hands. He then looked at the portal, "Which will probably mean that this thing will get another use fairly soon."
"Probably," smiled Sweetie Belle. She turned to face the portal once more, exhaling air at a slow and soothing pace, "Okay, I think I'm ready to go now."
"Me too!" Rainbow Dash shouted, "I can't wait to fly once more!" She quickly ran through the portal, being transported back to Equestria.
Applejack chuckled, "That darn girl can't wait for anythin'. Anywho, mah turn to go back home. Git along, little pony!" She followed Rainbow Dash through the portal, being transported back to Equestria.
Pinkie Pie giggled and bounced happily in place, rushing towards the portal, "Wait for me, you guys!" She disappeared through the portal laughing as she was chasing Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
"Um, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Louis," Fluttershy said quietly, "thank you for all of your help. It is appreciated."
"My pleasure, Mademoiselle," smiled Louis, watching as Fluttershy walked through the portal and back to Equestria.
"Oh," Starlight fussed, "I just can't wait any longer for my magic to come back to me!" She rushed through the portal, excited to finally use her unicorn magic once more.
"Scooter," Scootaloo called, "I'm coming home!" She rushed through the portal shortly after Starlight, disappearing quickly.
"And Ah can't wait to see the old clubhouse again," Apple Bloom smirked, walking towards the portal. She turned to Sweetie Belle and nodded, "See you on the other side." She disappeared through the portal upon completing her sentence.
Twilight looked down towards Sweetie Belle and encouraged her to go through next. She smiled at the young lady and told her that she'll be right behind her. Sweetie Belle nodded, then went through the portal and back home.
Before going through the portal, Twilight took another look at Rarity. She approached her calmly and rested a hand on Rarity's shoulder. Rarity noticed the kind gesture and looked up to meet Twilight's eyes. She wanted to explain herself, but just couldn't find the strength to mutter anything.
"I know you mean well, Rarity," Twilight said to her, "and I know that she's your sister. I know you try your hardest and I'm certain Sweetie Belle appreciates it." She took her hand off Rarity's shoulder and approached the portal, "But I'm more than certain that she'll appreciate and love you more if you come home."
Disappearing through the portal, Twilight went back to Equestria, leaving Rarity alone with Louis. Louis approached the portal himself and checked to see the power consumption, letting Rarity know that she needed to make a decision, and fast. Rarity bit her lip and clenched her fist before staring at the portal once more and kicking up some dirt.
"It's gonna shut off soon," Louis warned, "it might not be able to be used for a bit afterward. I suggest you make your decision now, miss."
Rarity tightened her fist and shook her head, looking away from the portal briefly, "It must be done. It simply must."
Turning away from the portal, Rarity walked back a few feet while the power started to wane in and out a bit. She rushed towards the portal with all her might and, before the power died down completely, ran through and teleported back home to Equestria.
Louis smiled and nodded approvingly, "Good choice, indeed." He began to perform maintenance on the portal, working hard to get it going once more for Hugo.