Chapter 22: Summer of Choice

Junior Year has ended for Aaron, Smolder and their friends. Aaron and Smolder had just arrived home from school. They were given the day off because of the last day of school.

"Well, one more year to go in High School," Aaron said.

"Yeah," Smolder said. She then thought of something. "Why do most humans want to go to college?" Marissa then came down into the living room, carrying Jessica.

"Usually, we all went to college to start a fantastic and high paying career," Marissa said. "You should consider applying for college, Smolder. After all, you are a fantastic designer. Maybe you can work at one of my company's design locations. After all, I've seen your designs in fashion, and they're really impressive."

"Oh," Smolder said. "Why thank you."

"If you go to college, you might be able to run one of my design locations after graduating," Marissa said.

Smolder then started thinking about that. She then saw Aaron pulling out his laptop and started typing on it. Smolder walked over to it and sat next to him.

"Whatcha doing?" Smolder asked.

"I'm gonna start on college applications," Aaron said.

"If you decide to go to college, Smolder, you should get started on applying yourself soon," Marissa said. "I can help you if you want."

Smolder then thought about it. She then started thinking about it.

One Saturday, Smolder was walking back and forth in front of the couch where Ocellus, Silverstream, Yona and Megan were sitting. Well, Yona wasn't on the couch.

"And Aaron's considering going to college as well," Smolder said. "But... I'm not sure if I want to."

"Smolder, you seem happy with Aaron," Ocellus said.

"Yeah," Megan said. "You to are two peas in a pod as a great couple. Ah think you two should stick together, even in college."

"Yona think that friend Smolder should consider going to college," Yona said. "Whatever that is. Yaks don't have college in Yakyakistan."

"A lot of places in Equestria don't have college," Ocellus said.

"Well, it's your choice, Smolder," Silverstream said. "I would consider attending college to help Aaron pay the bills."

"And trust me, it's better to have a good paying job to pay the bills than a low paying job," Ocellus said.

"Well, perhaps I should," Smolder said. "But I'm gonna need more time to think about it."

"Take yer time," Megan said. "Ah'm gonna head on out." She then headed for the door. Smolder then sighed again.

In Aaron's room, Aaron finished off his college application. He then sent it off.

"And... done," Aaron said. He then got up and headed downstairs. He saw Marissa changing the diapers of both Tony and Jessica. "Hey, Aunt Marissa."

"Hey, Aaron," Marissa said. "You done with applications?"

"Yeah," Aaron said. "Just another year of High School and it'll be off to college. I better see how Smolder's doing."

"I'm sorry, Aaron," Marissa said. "But Smolder went back to Equestria for the day."

"What?" Aaron asked. "Why?"

"She said something about talking to Princess Twilight about something," Marissa said.

In Canterlot Castle, Twilight was having a conversation with Smolder. Spike was standing at Twilight's right side.

"So, you're thinking about your future after High School, huh?" Twilight asked. "I hear you. There are a lot of ponies who still don't know what to do with their lives."

"Yeah," Spike said. "Look how long it took Rainbow Dash to finally get into the Wonderbolts."

"Yeah, I can understand that," Smolder said. "She had talked about it non-stop since the school first opened."

"That sounds like her," Twilight said. "So, is Aaron planning on going to college?"

"Yeah," Smolder said. "But, I'm not so sure that I want to either."

"Why not?" Twilight asked. "After all, you do enjoy making dresses. And Spike did tell me you looked amazing in the dress you designed. You'd make a good clothing designer on Earth. I bet even Aaron's aunt will agree."

"Yeah, she does," Smolder said. "But I'm not sure I'd want to attend."

"Well, it's your choice," Twilight said. "I'm sure you'll make the right choice. Just follow your heart." Smolder continued thinking about it. Then she started giving a small smile. Then the doors behind her opened and in came Gallus.

"Princess Twilight," Gallus said.

"What is it, Gallus?" Twilight asked.

"Your new pupil has arrived," Gallus said, stepping aside. Then a young unicorn, who was just as big as Ocellus in her debut, came in behind Gallus. This young unicorn had a pink coat, a faint orange mane with yellow streaks tied into a ponytail, orange eyes and a Cutie Mark of the top of the sun over water that wasn't seen, but the reflection of the sun was.

"Welcome, Luster Dawn," Princess Twilight said. She then looked towards Smolder. "You go home, Smolder while I talk with my student. Just think about what I said, okay?" Smolder sighed and nodded. "Gallus, can you escort Smolder to her home?"

"With honor, Princess," Gallus said. He then walked beside Smolder as the two of them were leaving the castle. "So, what's up?"

"Well, we just have one more year of High School, and Aaron is considering going to college," Smolder said. "But, I'm having second thoughts about it myself."

"Hey, before we met, I had nothing," Gallus said. "No home, no family, stealing things to survive. But you and the others helped me out. Now, I'm a member of the Canterlot Royal Guard. I worked my tail off to get up here. So, maybe you should consider doing college yourself. That way, you two will have a bright future. For Sparky's sake of course."

Smolder then smiled at that. She then sighed and said, "Well, I should continue thinking about it at home." Eventually, Smolder and Gallus made it to Gallus's apartment. He escorted Smolder to the portal back to Earth and she went through. Gallus then headed out of his apartment and went back to work.

Back on Earth at the main part of the house, Aaron, Smolder, Marissa, Liam, Tony and Jessica were all having dinner. They were having lasagna, which was cooked by Smolder.

"This is really good, Smolder," Aaron said.

"Thanks," Smolder said. "Thanks to a little help from your grandpa and Guy Fieri."

"Well, this one is really good, Smolder," Liam said. "What brand of sausage did you use?"

"Johnsonville," Smolder said. "They really give it a lot of flavor."

"Well, it's amazing," Marissa said as she was feeding some lasagna to Tony. "Even Tony and Jessica love it."

"Well, have you made a decision of what you want to do after High School?" Liam asked. "College or not?"

"Still deciding," Smolder said. She then sighed. She then took another bite out of the lasagna she made. "I still don't know what to choose."

"Well, I hope you make the right one," Marissa said. "The choice is up to you." Smolder nodded and finished up her plate. After she finished, she took her empty plate to the kitchen sink and then went to her part of the house. Smolder walked to her room and went over to the computer desk that was on one side of her room. She then booted it up and then she went to open Google Chrome. She looked at the screen and thought of everything she heard from her friends and Princess Twilight.

"I would consider attending college to help Aaron pay the bills," came Silverstream's voice.

"Just follow your heart," came Twilight's voice.

"For Sparky's sake," came Gallus's voice.

Smolder then breathed out and started typing on the computer to search up the website for applying for college.

Somewhere in another location, in an underground base, a giant machine was being assembled and fused with a giant creature. That giant creature was Ragnarok. All that remained of him was his head (minus his left eye), his left arm, his spine and his tail.

"How is the process going?" came a man's voice from the shadows.

"Are you sure this is going to work, sir?" a scientist asked. "We're merging technology with a creature from another dimension to fight other creatures from that same dimension. Are you sure that he'll be under our control?"

"We'll make sure of it," the first man said, coming out of the shadows. That man was the general that was fired by President Biden after ignoring his orders. "No one makes a fool out of General Quentin T Crest." He then turned around and saw pictures of Aaron, the Young 6, the Mane 6 and Spike, all hit with sharp objects, such as darts, axes, daggers, and there were even bullet holes in some of the pictures. "And you, jade dragon, will be my first victim." He then grabbed a six-shooter and aimed it at Aaron's picture and fired at it. But he missed Aaron's picture completely. He then sighed. "I'm outta practice."

Back on Earth, in Smolder's bedroom, Smolder was asleep at her computer desk, the keyboard pushed up to the stand where the computer screen was. Smolder had her right cheek on the desk. Then Marissa came into the room and saw the dragoness asleep.

Marissa also saw on the screen that Smolder had worked on college applications and that they were sent out. Marissa smiled at that and then she picked Smolder up and carefully moved her to the bed. Then covered her up.

"You made the right choice, Smolder," Marissa said. She then walked out of the room and turned out the light. Smolder then smiled in her sleep.

Author's Note

Uh oh. Looks like the general from the first story still has a grudge against the Equestrians. And trying to revive Ragnarok? That's gonna be a huge issue in the future. Hopefully Aaron and Smolder will make it to their High School Graduation. See you all next time.