The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 2 -- Homecoming

by shysage

First published 9th of May, 2014

After a brief visit to the Equestria Girls world with her sister Fluttershy, the Portal brings Summer Rain back to Equestria... ...37 years into the future, and she finds... ...auguring loss...

Equestria ponies Fluttershy and her sister Summer Rain make a quick trip through the Portal to the Equestria Girls world to visit both of their 'Twins', Equestria Girls Fluttershy and her sister. Their visit is brief but amazing. On their return back through the Portal, the Portal places Summer 37 years into the future, and a very different Equestria awaits, the result of auguring and heart-breaking loss... Old friends join her, but still... Will everypony learn the needed lessons and be able to rebuild?

Chapter 1, Nothing Left

[This starts the second volume of The Chronicles of Summer Rain, and reading the first volume (almost done) will help this make a lot more sense. Also, if you are interested, the background music for this entire second volume is 'The Celestial Capital -- Al'Taieu'* from the 'Chains of Promethia'* expansion for Final Fantasy XI* (*=c2014 by Square Enix). The cautious optimism of this piece fits well. In addition, note that these events take place largely in Equestria. Finally, I think this account might be hard to write, so bear with me. -- Shysage]

The 35th High School Reunion for Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle's graduating class at Equestria High School was in full swing... ...and Twilight wondered why she was even here...

The first 10 years were about how good you looked...

The next 10 years were about how great your family was...

Since then, it was how much money you had, how big your yacht was, and so forth...

It would soon be about if you were even alive, Twilight thought.

Twilight wasn't sure why she came, or what she was after here. Her life was a wreck anyway.

She found what she thought was a good husband, but still, Twilight wasn't sure if she ever got all the way to his heart.

For 30 years they seemed happy enough. They had one amazing son, but he died ten years ago in a tragic car accident. Twilight began to weep at this, she thought she had grieved this through already.

Within the last six months, she had learned both that her husband was filing for divorce, and that she had cancer. All of a sudden, her whole life, the last 30 years, seemed like a complete waste.

What had she done to deserve this, she thought to herself... ...not really expecting an answer...

Still weeping, Twilight walked quickly out the double wide doors from the stale air of the Gym to the cool evening air of the Soccer field outside...

She had only been inside for 15 minutes...

Twilight cried by herself for a while, then looked up at the night sky, billions of stars twinkling brightly.

...

...

...

Twilight thought that they never changed...

...since a similar night...

...that seemed so long ago...

...in a totally different world...

...watching the same stars, it seemed...

...

...

...

Equestria...

She would never forget that place...

...or her amazing Princess and devoted 'Twin', Princess Twilight...

..and even now, she began to re-live her few visits to the most amazing place she had ever been...

...

...

...

"That place was so amaz--" Twilight began to say out loud...

...but she was interrupted as another woman ran out the same doors, sobbing...

...

...

...

Though this woman was crying, Twilight instantly recognized that unmistakable voice. It was Equestria Girls Fluttershy... ...Her face was buried in her hands as she sobbed...

Fluttershy didn't even know that Twilight was maybe 20 feet further out in the field.

Twilight walked slowly over to her old friend, gathered her into her arms, and just held her. Fluttershy didn't even look up, and just sobbed louder...

Twilight was soon crying again too...

After maybe 10 minutes, Fluttershy's crying slowed, then stopped.

Fluttershy only now looked up to see who was comforting her.

"Hi Twilight... I really missed you" she said softly, and was soon weeping again.

Twilight just held her close, weeping as well.

Both their lives were a wreck, it seemed, but they had each other now.

After a few more minutes of quiet weeping, they just relaxed in each other's presence.

...

Somehow, Twilight became aware that she and Fluttershy were not alone.

Equestria Girls Pinkie Pie was standing quietly to the side of both of them, and Twilight only saw her as she lifted her head and looked around.

It was clear that Pinkie had been crying, too, already... ...a lot...

Twilight simply reached out for her and drew her in.

Three dear friends were quickly holding each other close, trying to sooth the pain etched in each other's hearts by the last 35 years of life...

They cried for a while together, then their tears tapered off, and they just held each other a while. It was so quiet.

A few minutes later, Pinkie began weeping again. For the first time, maybe in ages, her 'Pinkie Sense' was active, and Pinkie had dearly missed this part of herself, and was really crying for joy at it's return.

"Twilight" Pinkie said softly through her tears, "The others are here too..."

Holding Pinkie's and Fluttershy's hands in each of hers, Twilight headed back into the sea of people, ignoring everyone, looking for three more precious friends.

They found Rarity at the edge of a very active Dance Floor... ...by herself. There were tears in her eyes as well.

They walked up to her, and they all just smiled at her. Then Fluttershy reached out her hand to Rarity, and she quickly joined them, crying loudly.

These friends didn't care who was watching, or what people thought. Nothing else mattered.

Rainbow Dash was sitting on a chair in the corner facing the wall. She was crying softly, and had a plastic cup of beer in her hand; she was having a hard time holding it still.

From behind, Twilight said simply "Rainbow..."

Rainbow dropped her beer on the floor, and jumped up and hugged Twilight crying loudly herself. Then Pinkie reached out her hand, and Rainbow was hanging on for dear life it seemed.

Where was Applejack...

They had to look a little to find her. She was still in the school lobby, she never even made it into the Gym before collapsing into tears in the corner. Curled up into a ball, she just sat with her back against the wall crying, not even looking up.

Five friends, from long ago, knelt down around her, and all put their hands gently on her shoulders.

Applejack stopped crying abruptly, then looked up.

"Girls, I missed you so much..." Applejack said, still choking back tears.

Everypony else felt the same way...

They were soon all standing up in a circle, there in the lobby, hugging each other tightly, and crying.

The crying was different now, and everyone knew it.

Everyone was crying tears of joy...

...having found such special friends...

...who they thought were lost...

Twilight smiled to herself and thought again "What did I ever do to deserve this..."

Still holding hands, Twilight led her precious friends back through the sea of people in the Gym, and back out to the Soccer field. They completely ignored all the funny looks they were getting, that was irrelevant.

They were quickly back into a tight circle again hugging, still fighting back tears of joy, it seemed.

Twilight said softly "I would like to work around this circle, and each of you to try to summarize where you are in your life right now. Just the short version though, I don't want to be here all night."

Everyone smiled at this last part.

Fluttershy was to Twilight's right, so Twilight said "Fluttershy, can you start?"

Well the short answer was no, she couldn't. Fluttershy immediately burst into tears, and could say nothing. Her friends just comforted her until she calmed back down again.

Rainbow was next. She was overweight and an alcoholic, and her fierce competitiveness had ruined three marriages. She had no children, and was 'flipping burgers' just to get by.

Rarity started crying, but said quickly that, after being abused for 20 years in a long string of Lesbian relationships, she had married a man she adored, who himself was recoiling out of a similar life. They lived happily for 15 years, but he died last spring from cancer, probably the result of his previous relationships.

Applejack had moved away from her Grandmother's farm to a much bigger spread. She had one son who was Autistic, and he died tragically when he was 20. Over the last five years, her husband of many years had embezzled the entire spread with the farm secretary, with whom her husband had been having an affair for years. She came home one evening, and her husband pointed to the door and said "get out". She came back to the farm here, but had no energy or motivation to start over.

Pinkie was next. She was overweight and diabetic. Her hair was straight, and she said simply "I have cancer, not much time left, nothing else left, and not much to say."

They were all standing together, hugging tightly during this process.

...

...

...

...

After a few minutes of silence, Twilight said softly "Girls, lets just go home..."

At this Fluttershy immediately burst into tears again, and yelled (for Fluttershy) through her tears "I don't want to go home... I am back living in the same apartment I lived in when I went here... I don't even think I can make rent this month..."

The rest of the girls were also beginning to tear up too. No-one had anything left to go home too...

After a minute, Twilight said softly again...

...

...

...

"Girls... I meant Equestria..."

...

...

...

"I want to go... I am going... Right now..." Twilight said again softly. "Girls, can one of you give me a reason why you can't go with me?"

It was silent...

"Rarity can you make us some dark coats?" Pinkie asked.

"Of course I will... My shop isn't much but I can do that at least." Rarity answered quietly.

"Applejack, maybe you can go help Rarity, the rest of us will go to Fluttershy's apartment, and wait for you." Twilight said softly.

Before the circle was broken, Twilight said softly "Girls, I love you all very much. I hope you know that."

Just like that dark night so long ago, six large, dark coats didn't take Rarity long to make.

They were soon back in Fluttershy's small apartment together.

It hadn't changed much.

"Ok girls, leave all your stuff here" Twilight said.

They all left their oversized purses...

Twilight and Pinkie left all their pills...

Pinkie left her Insulin pump too...

Rainbow left her 'discreet' wine cooler...

Applejack and Fluttershy had little else to leave...

They all put their coats on.

They were all soon out, and Fluttershy again locked the door behind them, although she didn't know why. Nopony wanted to come back to this place.

They crossed the street together, and headed for the Portal. When they got there, they made a harrowing discovery.

The school was being torn down, and the statue, and the base, of which the Portal wall was a part, were probably mere days, maybe hours away from being moved, or worse yet, destroyed.

A bulldozer, engine still warm, was parked right next to it.

It really was now or never, and they didn't even know that until just tonight...

Twilight directed everyone through, with maybe a minute between people, then Twilight went last.

No one stopped to look back, there was simply... ...nothing... ...left...

Most everyone fell on the other side of the Portal, but quickly got up and out of the way. After Twilight came through, and got up, she joined them all in a small circle.

Twilight was amazed that everypony was still wearing their 'Shield Necklace' as she was. 'True Friendship means putting others first'; Twilight had tried to live that way at least...

All their necklaces were battered by the years, and most saw new neck straps every several years, but still... Equestria was in their hearts.

"Girls we are home..." Twilight said, and they all started weeping. They sat close and hugged together the best they could, since they were ponies now. They wept for a while.

They all felt wonderful as ponies, and really did look a lot better, it seemed to Twilight anyway.

Then Rainbow said "I feel really good right now, but I will probably be a mess soon, and have no alcohol either. But I just want you to know that being with you all here, in this place again, makes me far happier than I thought I would ever be again... Thank you..."

Pinkie added "...well if I go into blood sugar shock, you all will know why, but I agree with Rainbow. I am honored and overjoyed to even be in this special place again with you special ladies... er, ponies."

Twilight said "Well girls we are here. Whatever we face, we will do it together, as the true friends we are."

At this point they looked around. They were in the Portal room at the Crystal Palace, only the warm, spring sun was shining on them. They looked west, and saw the top of the Crystal Spire laying on the ground... shattered... Frost covered the crystal still in the Sun's shadow.

Most of them were muddy to varying degrees. Evidently the top of the spire had been broken off for years.

After some silence, Twilight said softly "Girls, we have been gone many years I think. I do not know what shape we will find Equestria in. But as long as I am with you, it doesn't matter."

Pinkie noticed it first, and asked everypony to stop and look.

There were the tracks of a solitary pony leading away from the Portal, and out into the hall.

Twilight looked a minute, then said "Girls, I don't think we are the only ponies who have recently come back here. I only hope we can find this other pony."

They followed the other ponies' tracks as long as they could, and were soon out of the remains of the Crystal Palace, on the broad avenue that ran across the Crystal Empire. It was completely deserted...

Chapter 2, Distant Echoes

It had been maybe three weeks since the Equestria ponies had come back from the Equestria Girls world.

Everypony missed their Twin dearly. This was hard to understand until you actually spent time with your Twin. It was amazing.

After maybe two or three days downtime, everypony seemed to get back into the 'swing of things'.

The last few months had been extremely hard for all of Princess Twilight's circle. Summer Rain had been at the center of it all...

Still, Summer tried to gently put it all behind her.

Summer worked at re-establishing the life she had lived in Ponyville before her initial trip to the Equestia Girls world. Summer loved making new friends, and spent a lot of time wandering through Ponyville.

Summer also spent as much time as she could with her Princess and five dear ponies. She dropped by the Library at least once a day to see if Princess needed anything. Summer and Rainbow played together in the sky too.

Summer spent a lot of time with her sister, and Fluttershy really appreciated that.

Summer was also spending quite a bit of time at Shysage's house. They were working on her story, and both thoroughly enjoyed that. They just seemed to work together so well. Well, they enjoyed just being around each other too.

Working through some of the chapters proved difficult, but it had to be done. The details about the trip Summer and the Equestria Girls had to make back to ultimately face Sunset Shimmer were hard, especially the appalling manner Discord had killed Princess Twilight and her friends.

During that dark journey, Shysage had used his 'scope' thing to actually record some of these events. Watching them again was very disconcerting.

Even so, when they wrote the chapter about bringing Princess Twilight back from the dead, Summer was again sobbing... Summer loved Princess Twilight so much...

By Princess Celestia's decree, it all needed to be recorded. While crying together a lot, they worked on getting the account right.

Both Shysage and Summer's Twin were very concerned about Summer on the last days the Twins were all together. But it seemed to Shysage at least that Summer was doing better. He wasn't her Twin, so he really couldn't and didn't know for sure.

Chapter 35 changed all that.

Summer was abducted that night. Well, Shysage knew more. She was repeatedly raped and extensively photographed by two of the vilest men on his planet. Shysage was glad Summer was unconscious for all this. Even so, they planned to kill her when they were done.

Shysage still knew, that in her heart, Summer thought she had been ruined. She had said so herself.

Shysage told himself he should have known better that to let her help with this chapter. But they were just making good progress, and this event crept up on both of them, and was showing on the 'scope' before they knew it was coming.

As soon as Summer saw the Cake's shop, the soda... ...she got up quickly, ran to her room, lay down on her belly on the floor, and started weeping quietly.

Shysage followed her, lay down next to her and said quietly "Summer how can I help you?" He was crying too.

After a minute Summer said very quietly "Just don't ever leave me..."

Shysage replied just as quietly "Summer, I don't ever want too..."

They both lay there on their bellies on the floor for maybe ten minutes.

Shysage sighed, then said quietly "Summer I need to go save our work and turn stuff off. But I'm not going to get up until you say it's ok."

Summer said quietly and quickly "That's fine, I'm just coming with you."

Shysage got up, went into the main room, turned everything off, and it was dark in his house. Shysage lay down on his belly in the middle of the floor. As he suspected, Summer came and lay down right next to him.

Shysage didn't mind. He didn't mind at all. Trying to think through the brokenness he suspected she felt, he said simply "Summer, you are just amazing... I really mean that. I hope you know that." Then Shysage put his head down on the floor in front of him.

Summer lay her head next to his and said softly "I love you Shysage."

In a few minutes it was quiet.

Summer asked quietly "Shysage can I stay here with you tonight? I really don't want to be alone right now."

Shysage replied quietly "Summer, I feel like that's the least I can do for you... You have already been through so much... I just wish I could do more for you..."

"Shysage, you have already done a lot..." Summer replied quietly.

They slept there that night, laying on their bellies next to each other in the middle of the floor. Nothing else happened.

Summer woke first in the morning, but didn't move. She was simply amazed at how much better she felt, just from spending maybe 8 hours sleeping next to Shysage.

Shysage woke up soon too. He looked at Summer, and began to cry. Through his tears he said "Thank you for staying. I don't like... ...waking up alone... ...it just... ...hurts..."

Summer realized that maybe he needed her as much as she needed him.

After a few minutes, Shysage asked "Summer can we go flying some? I try to exercise every morning if I can. We can go together, and maybe find some Oats in the meadow for breakfast."

They were soon off. The morning air smelled so good.

Summer just shadowed Shysage. It was clear he loved to fly as much as she did. He wasn't blazing fast, but he was skilled, and enjoyed every minute in the air.

This was also the first time she actually looked at Shysage in his pony form. His coat was a little darker than hers. His mane and tail were a little darker too. Other than that they looked very similar, and Summer didn't know why she didn't realize that before. Maybe it didn't matter before.

His Cutie Mark was simply an open book. He was a Canterlot Recorder.

They soon landed, and enjoyed some Oats from the meadow. Then they just sat a few minutes next to each other and stared out across the grass.

Rainbow found them like this, and landed next to them.

"Hey you two!" Rainbow said with a smile. "I'd ask if you want to play Shadow some, but Princess Twilight sent me to find both of you. She wants to talk to you, something about a trip."

The three of them were quickly in the air heading to the Library. Both Summer and Shysage decided that a trip through the Portal was probably happening soon for them.

They were both right.

Shysage and Summer followed Rainbow in, and then bowed to Princess Twilight.

Shysage would need to get used to this. He had worked mainly with Princess Celestia, and he bowed conscientiously for her. He needed to work to rememeber the same for Princess Twilight. He knew Summer always remembered to bow to her dear Princess.

"Please arise both of you." Princess said calmly. Even so, Summer jumped up and hugged Princess Twilight briefly.

"Shysage and Summer, when it is convenient, I would like for you to spend maybe a day with the Equestria Girls, and see how they are doing. If I am not mistaken, it has been maybe three weeks, and we have heard no word. I just want to make sure everything is going well."

Shysage bowed some and said "Of course Princess."

Summer asked if Fluttershy could come.

Princess Twilight thought for a minute then said "I think that would be fine, but I want her to stay with you two at all times."

"Of course, and thank you Princess" Summer said with a smile.

"Please find out from Fluttershy if she is coming, then let me know which day you wish to go, then I will arrange for an Air Coach to pick you up in the morning."

In the middle of this conversation Fluttershy walked into the Library, looking for Summer. Summer was excited, and asked Fluttershy if she wanted to visit the Equestria Girls with she and Shysage. It would only be for a day however.

Fluttershy said that would be very nice, and they decided to go tomorrow.

"Spike, take a message..." Princess Twilight began, and the plans were set.

"Summer can you come help me with some cleaning around my cottage? I think it has been stacking up, and could use your help." Fluttershy asked.

Summer looked at Shysage, and he just smiled and nodded yes. "You are her sister Summer" he said softly. Summer hugged Princess Twilight then Shysage, and the sisters headed off for a day together.

After they were gone, Princess Twilight asked what was on her mind. "How is she doing Shysage?"

Shysage answered honestly "I am not sure. I am not her Twin, but she seems to be doing ok.

"Last night was very tough though, we accidently got into the chapter where she was abducted. I'm glad she is with Fluttershy today, I will try to get that chapter done and out of the way.

"I also think maybe time with her Twin might be good right now too.

"I just don't know. I wish I could do more..."

"Shysage" Princess Twilight said quietly "Please remember that it is only because of you that she is even alive today."

"Thank you Princess" Shysage said quietly while lowering his head. "It was the monsters that surfaced this in her. It just scares me that she may need more than I can give... I just don't know what I would do..."

Shysage did finish the three chapters that included the bulk of Summer's abduction, on that day. It was hard for him too, but it needed to be done. Still, the results of that tragic night impacted Summer for a number of days... ...and beyond... ...even now...

The next day was their trip, so there would be some time away from it anyway.

As he wrapped up his work, Summer and Fluttershy dropped by. They were having an amazing day together, and Summer wanted to spend the night at Fluttershy's.

"Summer" Shysage said with a smile "I want what's best for you, and your sister is amazing too. Just remember to be at the Library tomorrow morning for the Air Coach."

Shysage was soon laying on the floor in his empty house.

Shysage really did want what was best for Summer. That's what true friends do.

But he also wanted to be able to do more... That would have to wait he thought... Shysage didn't like that thought. He sighed.

The trip was a blur. The three of them got through the Portal ten minutes before the last bell, and just walked over to the bleachers and waited.

Just like clockwork, all seven Equestria Girls were soon there, and crowded around Summer and Fluttershy for any news. Everypony on both sides of the Portal seemed to be doing ok.

Still, Summer knew something was bugging her Twin, but that would need to wait till later.

They enjoyed dinner at the Cake's, then returned to Fluttershy's apartment, then just talked a while.

They had all spent last weekend at the Apple's farm, it was a lot of fun.

Twilight had transferred back to Equestria High too, so she was always close.

Equestria Girls Summer was trying to continue what Summer herself had started. She had seen the videos of all her talks. Still Summer had real homework now, and it was challenging.

Equestria Girls Fluttershy was just so happy to have her sister back.

Too soon, it was very late, and everypony had to leave. They all stood up and hugged, and cried together, then Summer and Fluttershy hugged everyone as they left.

As soon as it was just the two Summers, the two Fluttershy's and Shysage, the two Fluttershy's soul-linked immediately, and were quiet.

Summer didn't even wait for the link.

"Twin I'm having the same problem you are..." She began to weep softly.

"I was gang-raped maybe two months before the wreck. While I was Corn I didn't even remember. But now... I just can't get it out of my head... And it seems like it is just getting worse... I just don't know what to do..."

Equestria pony Summer just held her Twin as she cried. "I'm broken too Twin" she said softly.

They were soon crying together... ...and at the same time...

Both Fluttershy's were out of their link now, and said together "Sis we both love both of you very much. Just let us know if there is anything we can do..."

The four of them just hugged all together, and cried a while.

Shysage cared deeply about everyone in this room. But he felt so helpless... Huge needs... No resources...

It was very late. They were soon standing in front of the Portal, still crying.

Fluttershy pulled herself away, and went through...

Summer pulled herself away and went through...

Equestria Girls Summer hugged Shysage.

"I wish I could do more for both of you" Shysage said quietly.

"It will work out" Summer said quietly.

Shysage went through the Portal and was soon back in Equestria.

Shysage was used to this, he threw himself forward at the Equestria end of the Portal tunnel.

He looked around quickly, Summer wasn't there. Fluttershy was there. Princess Celestia was there.

"Did Summer come through already?" Shysage asked.

Fluttershy answered... ...by falling to the floor in tears.

"Where's my sister..." she cried.

Princess Celestia interrupted both of them and asked curtly "What is going on Shysage, where is Summer Rain?"

Shysage walked over to Princess Celestia and bowed.

He was thinking as he talked.

"Princess I saw Summer go through the Portal ahead of me.

"I know she is back in Equestria.

"The Portal must have placed her in a different time.

"Whether future or past we have no way of knowing."

Shysage stopped choking back tears at this point, and cried loudly.

He walked over to Fluttershy, and lay next to her and cried with her.

After a few minutes, Princess Celestia walked over to them both and said quietly "This will hurt no two ponies in the realm more than you two... I am so sorry... When you are ready there is an Air Coach down below to take you both home.

Then Princess Celestia left, weeping softly herself.

Shysage tried to stop crying. It mostly worked. "Fluttershy please sit up a minute." She slowly did.

"Fluttershy please... I am not your sister, but please let me be your brother and take care of you until your sister comes back. I don't want to leave you alone. You don't deserve that..." Shysage was pleading at this point.

Fluttershy just threw her front legs around Shysage's neck and sobbed. They both did.

Their Summer was gone.

Neither remembered how they made it to Flutershy's cottage, but they woke up the next morning to Princess Twilight gently asking Fluttershy of she wanted to come stay with her. It was clear Princess Twilight had been crying.

Shysage realized everypony probably knew now.

After they left, he flew unsteadily to his new house, walked in the door, and collapsed on the floor where Summer had last slept next to him.

"Summer please come back..." then he wept

Shysage had Summer's story to finish, by himself... Volume four of Princess Celestia's Commentaries...

He didn't even want to get up off the floor.

Somehow he did get up, and he did get back to work. He was a responsible pony.

But everything around him increasingly became...

...distant...

...echoes...

His nightmare had begun.

Princess Twilight, and her girls; their nightmare had begun.

Equestria's nightmare had begun.

Chapter 3, First Blush

When Summer walked through the Portal, she was thinking.

Fluttershy wanted her to spend the night again, but Summer thought she would stay at Shysage's house. She wanted to ask her sister about switching off maybe. Summer loved her sister a lot. But time with Shysage helped calm the fires the monsters had started.

Once clear of the Portal, Summer threw herself forward, and landed on her hooves. She started talking before even looking around "Sis, would it be ok..."

Summer quickly looked around... ...her sister was not there....

Summer looked down and saw she was standing in mud...

Summer felt the warmth of the sunlight on her coat, but it was still very cold...

Summer quickly looked up and saw sky... ...and heard birds chirping...

"What has happened..." Summer said out loud... "Fluttershy?"

Summer turned slowly around. The Portal was still there, but the wood trim looked very weather-worn.

Summer walked over to the balcony, and saw that the entire top spire of the Crystal Palace had been sheared off, and lay shattered on the ground across the wide avenue running West...

Those shattered pieces still in the shade of the base of the Crystal Palace glistened white with a thick coating of frost.

"Am I coming back to Equestria again for a rescue?" Summer thought to herself.

Fluttershy wasn't here... Shysage wasn't here... Tears were soon streaming down her face.

Summer felt very cold. She couldn't stay here.

Summer walked out where the door used to be and walked quickly down the hall to the first flight of stairs.

Feeling stupid, she then spread her wings, and took off, and was soon high above the Crystal Empire. She did not see any ponies there. It looked deserted. It looked... ...abandoned...

It took maybe 20 minutes to fly to Ponyville. Summer knew the way, she could do this in the dark.

But it was very cold, and the effort of flying just barely compensated for the very cold air rushing past her coat.

When she was almost to Ponyville she thought to herself

"It shouldn't be this cold. This could only happen if..."

Summer gently landed in Town Square at this point, but continued the thought

"...the Weather-works in Cloudsdale wasn't work--"

Summer looked quickly around... Ponyville looked abandoned too... Cakes... Town Hall... Mayor's office... Rarity's Boutique... All the shops and buildings in town... ...some were boarded up, all were weather-worn... ...roof work collapsed on some... ...and looked like they had been this way for years...

"Where am I?" Summer actually said out loud.

Summer noticed a lone foal eating grass in front of the Cake's shop. This foal had a coat on, and Summer wished she had one too. Her teeth were chattering.

The foal looked vaguely familiar, but it didn't matter. It was clear all her old friends were gone.

At this, Summer began to cry... Her home... her world... gone...

A voice very near called out "Camille, come here please", and a mare walked up to Summer.

"You must be very cold. Please come with me and let's get you warmed up" the mare said kindly.

Summer was very cold, she followed the mare.

"My name is Summer Dawn, and we don't get many visitors, especially when it's cold." The mare stopped here, then sighed. "We don't get many visitors at all any more actually..."

"Where is everypony?" Summer asked without thinking. She meant her friends. Then she realized they were probably long gone. Summer was crying again.

"Eschate Zumulus eats a lot of us... Even so, Ponyville... Equestria... we are in pretty bad shape..."

They were quickly to Dawn's Shop. The wording out front had been changed to "Dawn's Helping Hands", probably years ago, it was very faded...

She briefly looked at Shysage's house. It had collapsed in on itself... Summer was crying again...

Still, she followed the mare and her colt. They led Summer through where the showroom had been, into the back room. The room 'Corn' stayed in had been replaced with a large fireplace, and a nice fire warmed the back room significantly.

Summer Dawn said quickly "Let me get you a coat, you must be freezing. I have an old one that was my grandmother's, but you need it now.

She brought it to Summer, and helped her get it on. It was very warm.

A small piece of paper fell out of the coat, and landed on the floor. The writing on the paper said

Dawn Flower
Floral Arrangements
Ponyville

Summer looked at the paper, then fell to the floor crying...

Summer Dawn looked at the paper, then looked at Summer.

"You... You knew my Grandmother?" she asked.

Through her tears Summer said "She was my friend..."

For the first time, Summer Dawn carefully looked at Summer, then thought for a minute.

"No, it can't be..." Summer Dawn said... "Wh... Who are you?" she asked slowly.

Still crying, and without even looking up, Summer said her name softly "Summer Rain..."

Summer Dawn fell to the ground crying herself...

"You... You are an angel... If you only knew the impact you had on our entire family... for generations... True friendship was simply our way... ..and as Equestria wasted away before our eyes, that is how we lived... ...we helped anyone we could... ...I was even named after you..."

They both cried together for a few minutes, then Summer Dawn stopped crying abruptly, and put her head up, and said slowly

"Summer, my Grandmother said you were a 'Phantom Alicorn', and that your magical power was immense. Was that true?

Summer Rain stopped crying for a minute then said softly, but defiantly.

"If Eschate Zumulus is the one who has done this to my country... He will feel my wrath."

They both stood up together. Then Summer Dawn backed up a little, bowed deeply, then said simply "Princess Summer Rain, Phantom Alicorn from the past, how can I help you..."

Summer drew her up and gave her a big hug.

"Summer Dawn, can I just call you Dawn? You do remind me a lot of my friend. She would be so proud of you. True friendship meant a lot to her." Summer Rain said.

"Of course Princess" Dawn replied with a slight bow.

"And Dawn, as far as I know, I have not been made a Princess yet, but thank you." Summer said calmly.

"Well my grandmother said that happened soon after you left. I think Princess Celestia felt bad--

"Wait do you know where any of the rest of Equestria's leaders are? Summer asked quickly.

"Well Princess Twilight was banished. I don't know anything about the rest though. Eschate Zumulus took over anyway, so he is the leader I guess." Dawn said. Summer could sense her disappointment.

"A leader who eats his subjects. I hope I meet him...." Summer said with disgust.

"Wait Dawn, do you know anything about Princess Twilight's five friends? Summer asked again.

"I'm afraid I cant help you there..." Dawn said simply.

Summer called Camille over, then gave her a big hug. "You were probably named after your grandmother, and she was amazing. You are amazing too."

Summer next hugged Dawn, and cried on her shoulder a minute. "Dawn would be so proud of her Grand-daughter..."

Then Summer said softly "Well I need to find more out about what is going on here. Thank you Dawn for everything. I may be back later."

"Princess" Dawn said softly "You are welcome here any time you want."

There was a brief pause.

"And Princess" Dawn said slowly "Please rescue Equestria before it's too late..."

Summer thought for a minute, then said "I plan on that Dawn."

Chapter 4, Untangling the monster's Curse

Summer Rain left Dawn's, and headed off to check on her friends homes. She couldn't fly with the coat on, and it was too cold to take it off. She just walked.

The Cake's shop was in disrepair, but didn't look bad. No Pinkie though, it looked like it had been abandoned for years. Same with Rarity's shop.

Their two memorial gardens were long gone, and deeply overgrown with weeds.

Summer was soon weeping softly again as she headed out to Fluttershy's cottage.

Summer decided she had made this trip while crying too many times... Summer loved her sister...

Fluttershy's cottage looked ok, aside from being deserted. The smaller cottage that Summer used was just a pile of wood however. Summer didn't expect to find Fluttershy here, and she wasn't.

On the way to Sweet Apple Acres, Summer dropped by the Library.

It was also empty, but it also seemed to be doing ok. There were still quite a few books on the shelves.

A familiar book was on the table. It was Volume 1 of Princess Celestia's commentaries. Summer blew the dust off, then carefully slid it into one of the deep pockets of her coat.

Summer was soon on her way, walking to the farm.

Summer just didn't understand evil rulers. This 'Eschate Zumulus' had done over many years what Sunset Shimmer would have accomplished in just one generation. "What was the point of an empty kingdom?" she thought to herself.

Then she realized the truth. The entire goal of evil leaders was simply the destruction of 'good'... of culture... of civilization... of happiness and truth... Evil leaders simply didn't care how long it took. And they didn't mind that the realm was empty. They had stamped out good, and that was all they wanted. That was disgusting...

"My Equestria won't die like that while I'm around" Summer said out loud to herself.

Summer was soon walking up the slight hill to Applejack's house. It was clear she wasn't there. The farmhouse had also collapsed in on itself.

The barn was in sad shape, and in desparate need of some paint, but was still standing at least.

Summer walked into the barn through the large open door, waited for her eyes to adjust, then looked around.

Summer couldn't tell for sure, but it really looked like somepony was living here. Summer sat down a minute thinking.

In all of Ponyville, Summer had not seen any other ponies besides Dawn and Camille. If there was another pony here, this would only be the third pony she had found since coming back home.

Summer started crying... Fluttershy... Shysage... The two she really wanted... The whole realm seemed so thoroughly deserted...

Still weeping, Summer just wanted to find a place in the field to cry a while...

It was probably mid-day, she had plenty of time...

There was a gate nearby, and she headed slowly out that gate. She soon found herself in the middle of deeply rutted path. Looking down, she realized it might have been used recently. Summer sighed...

Then Summer just cried... She slowly wandered along the path, looking down at the ground, crying loudly, not really watching where she was going. She just followed the path. Tears simply fell from her face into the dirt...

The path crested a bluff, and Summer looked up, well down...

Summer saw another pony off in the distance, in the center of a small hill. This deeply rutted path led there.

Summer walked closer, and realized this pony was bowing. Walking just a little closer, Summer could not see who this pony was bowing too. It was a little eerie...

Before getting too close, Summer just stopped and sat down. She didn't want to interrupt whatever this pony was doing.

It sounded like the pony was talking, but Summer just wasn't close enough to make anything out. She just waited.

This pony was wearing a coat; it was too cold here not to. The coat was shining white, not the black that most ponies wore. Still, the edges of the coat were tattered and frayed from years of use.

Summer's eye caught something near one of the frayed corners. The shape was impossible to make out, but the color was still vivid. Yellow it looked like, fading to blue-green at the bottom...

Summer just stared at it...

This pony abruptly lay down on their belly and was crying. Every minute or so, this pony would say something, Summer just couldn't make it out.

Summer slowly and quietly moved closer along the path... Then she heard...

"Summer please come back..."

It was Shysage...

Up to this moment, Summer had never loved this Stallion as much as she did right then. And she wanted to make sure he knew it.

Summer walked slowly up to Shysage. He was crying, and so he didn't, and couldn't hear anything.

Summer then lay on her belly, right up next to him on his left side. Shysage stopped crying abruptly, raised his head maybe six inches, and froze immediately. Shysage couldn't even turn to look.

Summer put her head up over the back of his neck, and moved her mouth next to where his right ear was under the hood of his coat. Choking back tears herself, Summer then said "I came back Shysage. Thanks for waiting..."

After a brief delay, Shysage said softly "Thirty-seven years..."

Then they both burst into tears, and cried together.

Summer got up and moved, laying down on her belly to face Shysage and they just held their front hooves next to each other, lay their heads down in the grass together, and just cried... ...for over an hour...

At about the same time, their crying tapered off, and they just looked at each other. Then they rubbed noses briefly, then just looked into each other's eyes some more.

"Shysage, do you remember the time I almost did that at the end of Twins Day?" Summer asked softly.

"Yes, I saw that... I wish you had..." Shysage replied softly too.

They were both quiet, and simply put their heads together in the grass, and both sighed.

After a few minutes, Shysage said "Summer we need to eat soon. It will get colder later, and we need to be inside then. Can we go do that?" Shysage asked.

"Shysage, I'm not leaving your side" Summer replied quietly. "I have only seen three ponies since I came back home, and it seems a miracle you are one of them... ...I'm not leaving you..."

Shysage led Summer to an Oat stand down in the valley, and they both ate, staying as close together as they could.

There was also a lake nearby, and they broke some ice near the edge and drank. The water was very cold, and they couldn't drink very much at a time.

It was now getting late, and cold, the birds were no longer chirping. It would soon be dark. Shysage and Summer headed back to the barn.

Shysage usually slept in a small stall in the barn since it was protected from the wind. Instead, he led Summer in there, and said "Summer you can sleep here. It will be warmer."

Shysage turned to leave the stall, and Summer stopped at the entrance.

In less than a minute, Summer was hysterical.

"Shysage please... I don't... I can't... ...ever be... ...alone... I just... I just... ...can't..."

Summer closed her eyes tightly at this point and was sobbing...

"Shysage... I want yo-- I ne... Shysage, I can't sleep alone..."

Then she inhaled deeply and screamed loudly "SHYSAGE DON'T LEAVE ME..."

This woke Shysage up. It had been 37 years for him, but for Summer, just 72 hours ago maybe, they had spent the night simply sleeping next to each other, and this really helped Summer.

Shysage surely felt like such an idiot, and was quickly at Summer's side comforting her. "I am so sorry Summer... This was all my fault... I should not have done that to you..." Shysage was crying now too.

They were sitting, facing each other, hugging with their heads next to each other, as Shysage tried to comfort this mare for a few minutes.

"Summer when you are calmed down let me know, I have something I need to ask you." Shysage said softly.

After a few more minutes, Summer was weeping softly, but said "Ok, I think I'm ready."

"Summer please transform into your Equestria Girls form then place your hand on my shoulder" Shysage asked calmly.

They were both 'people' now, and Shysage knelt down before Summer, took her hand in his, looked into her beautiful blue eyes, and said softly "Summer Rain, most amazing mare in the universe, will you be my Mare?"

Tears of joy quickly flooded Summer's eyes... She pulled Shysage up to standing, and hopped up and down a few times then hugged Shysage tightly... "Yes... Yes... Oh Shysage, yes..."

Then she buried her face on Shysage's shoulder and just cried...

They were soon hugging tightly, both crying on the other's shoulders.

"Summer I love you so much..." Shysage said through his tears.

This made Summer just sob louder. She already knew it was true.

That one simple question... ...completely untangled the monster's curse. Summer felt it no longer. Summer was free... The monster's abuse had cursed Summer into thinking no stallion would ever want her. Shysage's simple request had showed that curse for the lie that it was. It was gone.

Summer was now free to be completely devoted to the only Stallion she ever remembered wanting... They shared so much in common... This was a dream come true...

Summer also knew that Shysage's wife in the Equestria Girls world was long gone... It seemed she had reduced their marriage to a bare promise anyway... But her Stallion had fought himself for years to keep that promise, as the true friend that he was, even though it completely emptied him...

Shysage kept his promise to the end, and Summer now knew without a doubt that she could absolutely trust him... ...forever...

They just held each other tightly for a while, weeping softly.

Summer had no 'desires' for anything more. The monsters had seen to that as well, and she had no idea how long this would last.

Shysage's body was beginning to respond though, so Shysage asked that they go back to being ponies.

Now would be a bad time for Summer to have a foal, and they were both in no hurry. This rare couple could easily and simply revel in being at each other's side. Neither was in a hurry for anything else.

They were quickly back in their pony form, and Summer slipped the first volume of Princess Celestia's commentaries out of the pocket of her coat and moved it to an out of the way spot.

As the last light of day disappeared from inside the barn, Shysage walked into the stall, lay on his side, and lifted his upper front leg. Summer quickly lay down facing him, lay her head down on his, and Shyage just wrapped his leg around Summer and pulled her close.

Their hind-quarters were apart, for the reasons mentioned above. This was simply not on either of their minds. They didn't need that, not now.

"Summer, I apologize that I did not realize this sooner, and I feel terrible that you had to scream to get my attention. But I think the Portal did the right thing in one respect. You only had to wait maybe 3 days for this." Shysage said softly.

"Summer choked back tears, then said "I really love you Shysage... I'm sorry you had to wait 37 years for me..."

"Summer" Shysage replied softly "My precious Mare... You are easily worth all that... ...and you are already erasing the pain of that wait..."

Shysage and Summer were simply at perfect peace in each other's arms, er, legs. They did not move from that spot for over an hour, and just enjoyed a feeling they had both waited for -- simply being together.

Shysage heard a noise. He was a dedicated brother, he knew exactly what and who it was immediately. "Summer, I need to get up" Shysage said quietly.

Summer had been dozing, but slowly rolled out of the way.

Shysage stood up and walked out into the large area of the barn.

Shysage carefully kicked the edge of his coat over a lone pony who was sitting, facing out the front door of the barn. Shysage sat right up next to this pony, who was very cold, teeth chattering, and softly weeping.

"Fluttershy, nothing we could be doing should prevent you from letting us warm you up..." Shysage said softly.

Fluttershy just said slowly, teeth chattering, softly weeping...

"I... I... h... h... hea... rd... m... my... sis... ss... ster..."

Shysage just sighed, then said "Fluttershy, please come with me, we need to get you warmed up."

Shysage helped Fluttershy, who was barely able to walk, into the stall. He couldn't see Summer, so he asked that she help him with her sister.

Summer was crying now too.

Fluttershy lay on her belly, and both Shysage and Summer lay on either side next to her, then used their teeth to overlap both their coats over Fluttershy. She was very cold.

Out of the biting cold wind, and between Summer and Shysage, Fluttershy warmed up quickly, and was soon sobbing next to her sister. They were all sobbing.

Shysage cried for an hour after Summer's return. Fluttershy cried even longer. It didn't matter. Summer and her beloved sister Fluttershy were back together. That's what mattered.

Thirty seven years was a long time...

Fluttershy and Summer were talking together quietly, and Shysage fell asleep. The sisters were soon asleep too.

Chapter 5, Twilight in the Rough

When Shysage woke up the next morning, Summer was right next to him, awake, just thinking.

"Good morning Stallion" she said softly when he opened his eyes.

Shysage's eyes teared up at this. "Having you as my Mare next to me in the morning... That means more to me that you will ever know..." he said softly.

"I am beginning to understand" she said softly back.

Shysage looked around quickly "Where is Fluttershy?"

"It's ok Shysage, she headed to her hut to get a coat. She told me how to get there, and we will join her soon. It will be on our way anyway." Summer said calmly.

"On our way?" Shysage asked.

"Eschate Zumulus banished Princess Twilight to Zecora's hut. That's our next stop." Summer said quietly, then began to cry. "Princess Twilight is to have no visitors on pain of death, Fluttershy said. She doesn't think my Princess will even talk to me..."

Shysage just pulled her close and hugged her for a few minutes. "I love you Summer..."

"I know Shysage, that's the only reason I'm alive right now. I love you too..."

They rubbed noses briefly, then they both got up.

"The entrance to the Everfree is past where we met yesterday. Let's head there, eat a bit, then we will be on our way." Summer said.

Summer carefully put Vol. 1 of Princess Celestia's commentaries back in one of the deep pockets of her coat, and they were soon headed through the gate and down the path.

It was impossible to walk the path side-by-side as they wanted, so they just walked together next to the path.

"Shysage, yesterday when I first saw you, what were you doing?" Summer asked quietly.

Shysage teared up, then said softly "Waiting for you to come back Summer."

"I meant before I came up to you" Summer said. "You were bowing on the ground."

Shysage paused, then said quietly "I was talking to my true friend in the heavens."

Summer was drawing a blank at this, and Shysage could tell.

Shysage tried to explain this.

"Well, I might be wrong, but in my mind, the existance of this amazing gem that we call 'true friendship' presupposes a true friend outside all of this. I was talking to him.

"It has been my experience that, in order for just about anything to last, it needs to be anchored to something outside of this world. So, in order for 'true friendship' to last, I think it has to be anchored by my continued friendship with this true friend on the outside, who never changes with time. I think that may be one of the reasons I am still committed to true friendship, I don't know."

"The day after you were abducted, after the monsters left, I kept saying softly "Summer please come back...", and then would talk to him in between. I felt pretty helpless. If I ran to get you, you would run too. All I could do was wait.

"I was pretty much doing the same thing yesterday... And I have been for years..."

After a few minutes of silence, Summer asked quietly "How do I get this true friend... I want him... I need him..."

Shysage was quiet for a minute then began very slowly, and paused in thought between each comment.

"Well I think you need to understand 'true friendship' to begin with, but I think you already do.

"I think you need to talk to him and tell him that you need him as your true friend more than even life itself. But this is what true friends do anyway.

"And I think you also need to tell him that all of your life is his. Since he is the 'True Friend' of all true friends, this also is simply a result of what 'true friendship' really is. You are just telling him you want to be his true friend too.

"Then just talk to him as your 'true friend' whenever you can, want, or need. I talk to him alot, but maybe that's because he's the only true friend I had... ...until yesterday.

"I don't always bow like that, you can talk to him anywhere, anytime. But I have had to rely on his friendship so much for so many years now, bowing seems the only way sometimes for me to communicate my deep gratitude to him."

Right where she was, Summer quickly fall to her knees, and Shysage followed.

Summer started crying, and said through her tears "True friend in the sky I need you... I want you... I freely give you everything as true friends do... I don't want to lose true friendship, ever... Please help me..."

Shysage was crying too, and finished simply with this "I have my Mare back now... Thank you for staying with me through thirty seven excruciating years..."

This done, they just lay down next to each other and cried together for a little while with their true friend in the sky.

Shysage adopted Summer's terminology on the spot. Summer asked Shysage if this mattered. He explained he was pretty sure that this true friend both knew when he was being addressed, as well as who his true friends actually were.

Summer and Shysage were soon to the Oats, and began to eat. The Sun was up past the tree-line, and the day seemed a little warmer than yesterday. It was still pretty breezy though. They kept their coats on anyway.

As they walked to the lake for a drink, Fluttershy joined them. She quickly hugged Summer, and they cried together briefly.

Shysage walked over to them, and asked Summer to transform into her Equestria Girls form, and then touch both of them, so they too would be transformed.

Soon, Summer had her hand on both Shysage's and Fluttershy's 'people' shoulders.

Shysage took each of Fluttershy's hands in each of his. He was soon crying. Through tears, he said to Fluttershy

"Sis, thirty seven years ago, I became your brother and tried to accept responsibility to care for you and to protect you until Summer returned. I wish I could have done a better job at this..."

Shysage next held both of Fluttershy's hands out to Summer. One hand at a time, Summer moved her hands to take hold of each of Fluttershy's hands, as Shysage also was holding each one. They all stayed in their Equestria Girls form.

Still crying, Shysage said quietly "Fluttershy, your sister is back." then Shysage pulled both his hands away, leaving Summer holding each of Fluttershy's hands in each of hers.

Shysage turned immediately back into a pony, and fell to the ground crying. He didn't think he had done a very good job...

Summer and her sister hugged tightly and cried together in their Equestria Girls form for a while.

Shysage later told Summer that he knew she would take better care of Fluttershy than he ever could.

A little more walking and they headed together into the Everfree.

After maybe five minutes, Fluttershy softly called out three names, and three large, jet black Panthers soon bounded quickly up to Fluttershy, purring loudly.

"She's such a purty kitty! Yes she is!" Fluttershy said this repeatedly to each one. She fussed over all three 'cats' like they were hers. They were. Each of these Panthers were substantially bigger than Fluttershy was.

"I always kept three girls with me to protect me. Boys would just get mean, so I always made them leave." Fluttershy said softly.

When Fluttershy originally told Shysage she was going to the Everfree to live, he was initially very scared for her. Shysage realized now that the Everfree really held no hazards for Fluttershy. She could befriend any animal.

"I tried to keep other ponies away from Princess Twilight too. I don't know how good a job I did though" she added quietly.

For a little less than an hour, they walked together to Princess Twilight in Zecora's hut, buried in the Everfree. There was little talking. Nopony really knew what they would find.

Following Fluttershy and her cats, they were soon at the edge of the clearing next to the hut. Fluttershy then walked back up the path some, sat her cats down, and she sat down too. Fluttershy would go no further.

"Summer, please don't stay long..." Fluttershy cautioned.

Summer went into the hut. Princess Twilight was curled up on the floor, facing the wall away from Summer. A small fire in the fireplace was keeping the room tolorably warm.

Hearing Summer enter, Princess Twilight simply put her head up, and didn't even turn around.

Summer softly said "Princess..."

Princess Twilight quickly replied "Summer I'm sorry you have to see Equestria like this... I need you to leave though, quickly."

"Princess please..." Summer said, crying.

"Summer, I'm banished... Please just go..." Princess Twilight said. She was irritated.

"Bu--" Summer started to say.

"SUMMER LEAVE" Princess Twilight shouted, and began to cry herself.

Princess Twilight had NEVER yelled at Summer before...

Summer burst into tears, dumped the book from her pocket onto the floor, and ran quickly out of the hut, down the path, and cried bitterly on Fluttershy's shoulder.

Princess Twilight got up and turned around, looking at the book. It was face down.

Shysage was next to Summer before she left and heard the entire interchange.

Princess Twilight said slowly "I'm sorry you had to leave your world to watch Equestria die like this Shysage. It all seems so hopeless."

Shysage walked up to Summer's Princess, and bowed deeply. Then he arose and said "Princess Twilight, where true friendship is, there is always hope."

Then Shysage turned and walked out of the hut to Summer.

"We need to gather Princess Twilight's girls" Summer said through her tears. Fluttershy do you know where any of the rest are?

"Pinky went home to the Rock Farm thirty five years ago maybe. That's all I know" Fluttershy said.

"Well, we will start there then" Summer said. Summer looked into her sister's eyes... "Fluttershy, Sis... Please... ...can you please come with us?"

Fluttershy began to cry. "Summer, I want my Princess back too..."

Chapter 6, Tragic Loss

Fluttershy led them across a longer path that would take them directly to Ponyville. Fluttershy knew the Everfree well.

They were all hoping to be able to take the Train to Dodge City, but nopony had any idea if it was even running any more. Summer said she doubted it, by the looks of Ponyville.

It was late afternoon by the time they got close to town. It was beginning to cool off now, and Summer didnt think they should even bother with the Train tonight.

Walking around behind the Library, they headed towards Town Square.

Still a good distance off, and without warning, Fluttershy stopped walking and immediately burst into tears and was sobbing uncontrollably.

All she could say was "My Twin..."

Galloping up out of nowhere, Equestria Girls Fluttershy ran quickly up to her Twin -- both were sobbing now -- then sat down in front of her, and they immediately Soul-Linked. They kept sobbing...

Summer quickly said "That could only mean..."

Five other ponies, with dark coats on, were approaching, walking quickly. The minute they saw Summer, they all burst into tears at the same time, and ran quickly to her side... They were all quickly crying together.

A nearby lightning strike jolted them all, and Summer said "we need to get inside."

Summer and Shysage gently pulled the Fluttershy Twins apart, and they all rushed into the showroom of Dawn's shop. It was soon pouring outside.

The Fluttershy Twins immediately re-established the Soul-Link, and were crying together again.

Summer and her friends were immediately crying together too in the middle of the room. They cried for a while.

After everypony calmed down, Dawn came into the room, and bowed deeply to her Princess. Summer just pulled her up and hugged her tightly.

With the warmth from the fireplace from the back room, flowing through the open door to what used to be the showroom, it was fairly warm inside, even though pouring cold rain outside.

At this point, all of the Equestria Girls took their coats off, and Summer and Shysage did too. Well the Fluttershy Twins didn't until later.

Summer worked around the room, and introduced everypony to Dawn. This included introducing Shysage as her Stallion.

Dawn was crying herself at all of this. "My grandmother talked a lot about all of you special ponies. I never dreamed..."

Summer just hugged her.

After calming down some, Dawn said "Summer let me see what I can find to feed you and your friends" then she headed into the back.

It was quiet for a minute, then Shysage said "Just so you all understand what happened, the Portal sent Summer 37 years into the future. It has only been maybe three weeks for Summer since your 'Spring Break' visit to Equestria. It has been 37 years for the rest of us.

Equestria Girls Twilight just said "Wow..." The rest said the same thing silently.

Summer looked slowly around the room, then said honestly "Thirty seven years? Ladies you all look amazing..."

Equestria Girls Rainbow Dash said quickly "Well I feel amazing... I was sure I would be going into Alcohol withdrawal by now... I promise, I won't ever drink again!"

Equestria Girls Pinkie Pie added "Ya, I don't know why, but my blood sugar seems to have leveled out. And the pain I had from my cancer -- I haven't felt that at all.

"Me either" Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle added.

Shysage was crying... Summer didn't know why, and just stayed near him. Shysage tried to speak.

"Ladies please listen. The Portal removed all of your 'pre-existent medical conditions', so all the physical issues you had when you entered the Portal are now gone.

"Not only that, but since you have all come through the Portal from your world to Equestria, while you are here, you will..

...no longer age."

Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle did the math first, and yelled "We can START OVER!!!!" and immediately burst into tears.

Shysage simply said "Yes..."

All of the Equestria Girls were crying now...

After 35 years of disaster in their own world... In their wildest dreams, they never thought they would get a second chance... ...and here of all places...

Summer didn't know this. "Shysage, really?" Her blue eyes got very big.

Shysage moved and sat down in front of his Mare and hugged her tight. "Summer, neither of us will age any more here."

Summer was quickly sobbing on his shoulder... This was simply too good to be true... ...a long time... ...with her Stallion...

Equestria Girls Twilight waited until Summer had calmed down, then Twilight asked, really for all of them. "Will our Twins no longer age as well Shysage?"

Shysage did not have a Twin, but from the outside he knew it was unlike anything else. He anticipated the response he got. He said simply "Yes... Physically, they all look the same as they did thirty seven years ago."

Well Fluttershy was right there...

The Equestria Girls were all sobbing deeply...

After everypony calmed down, again, Shysage moved back to Summer's side and sat down.

Twilight Sparkle next asked "Shysage, do you know anything about the rest of our Twins?"

The Fluttershy Twins heard this question, and stopped the Soul Link immediately.

Shysage replied quietly "Princess Twilight was banished, and Summer wanted to find all her girls, starting tomorrow if the weather lets us. Having you all here will make a huge difference too I think -- Princess Twilight deeply loves you too."

After a brief pause, both Fluttershy Twins walked up and sat down in front of Summer, facing her. Everypony else in the room was immediately quiet. The Equestria Girls had talked about this on the way, they knew this. It would not be easy for their friend. The Fluttershy Twins were not going to wait for Summer to ask.

Equestria Girls Fluttershy spoke softly.

"Summer, your Twin lived an amazing life. She found an amazing husband, had a wonderful family, and never ceased bringing love and friendship wherever she went. In a lot of ways her life accomplished a lot more than the rest of us maybe. And she always was a true friend."

"Was..." This was all Summer could say... She was already sobbing...

Equestria Girls Fluttershy finished.

"Summer, your Twin was killed by a drunk driver... She was on the way to pick her youngest daughter up from band practice at the High School..."

Then both Fluttershys said together "We're so sorry Sis..." and they both cried on her shoulders...

Crashing Thunder outside... Shysage's Mare would need him a lot tonight. Summer knew Shysage would take care of her... He always did.

After crying with the Fluttershys maybe half an hour, Summer wanted just Shysage, and just alone.

Dawn quickly sensed that some sort of extremely bad news was communicated, and she offered Shyage and Summer the use of she and Camille's room, for which Shysage thanked her.

Dawn mentioned to the rest of the group that she did have a few Oat pies, but that they could wait until the morning to eat, and everypony assured her that was fine, and sincerely thanked her for her hospitality. It was still pouring outside.

They could have talked more together, but the pain of the loss of a Twin was almost unimaginable. They decided to just try to get some sleep.

Summer cried in Shysage's arms, in her Equestria Girls form, for much of the night. Summer was thankful that Shysage could even be there to hold her. Summer didn't even want to think about trying to cope with this tragic loss on her own.

In the middle of the night, Summer switched them both back to their pony form. Summer was just weeping softly.

Shysage had been weeping softly the whole time.

"Shysage, I don't know what I'd ever do without you..." Summer said softly through her tears.

"Well, I don't ever want to find out" Shysage replied honestly.

After a few minutes, Shysage said "Summer you tell me how you want to sleep tonight."

Summer thought for a minute. "I want to be as close to you as I can, but I don't want to cause any problems."

"Summer I love you, and I will do what I need to, just let me know." Shysage said quietly.

"Let's just sleep next to each other on our bellies like we did the other night at your house" Summer said calmly. Well, it was the 'other night' for Summer.

They both rolled over on their bellies, and Shysage got as close to his Mare as he could like this. Then Shysage put his head down in the straw between Summer's forelegs, and Summer put her head right next to his.

They were both soon fast asleep.

When Shysage awoke the next morning, he was on his side, and Summer was asleep between his front legs, with her head just below his, and with her back and wings tucked up against his chest.

Shysage didn't move. Well, he reached around her chest just a little with his front leg, and pulled her close. She sighed audibly in her sleep.

Shysage's breathing didn't shift, but tears were quickly streaming sideways across his face, dripping into the straw below.

After a little while, Summer woke up.

Shysage just said softly "I love you."

Summer could tell right away, and quickly rolled away from him so she could see his face. "Shysage, you were crying... Did I do something wrong?"

Shysage sat up and quickly said, eyes still wet... "Summer you are amazing... You are easily one in ten thousand... I could look a thousand years, and still not find a mare like you... The 'putting others first' of true friendship simply and quietly permeates everything you do...

"You selected a position for us both that you knew would allow me to actually sleep. After that, you gently moved me and slept where you wanted to be... I don't know how you did that without waking me, but that's where you wanted to be, and that's all that matters to me...

"Summer, I don't deserve you... ...but I deeply love you..."

They just rubbed noses a little while.

Then Summer said softly "Let's go find Pinkie."

Chapter 7, Bad News, Good News

Everypony else was already up when Shysage and Summer rejoined the group. Shysage thanked Dawn again for the use of their room, but nopony said anything more about last night.

It was sunny today, but still chilly outside. Coats were again necessary.

Summer said again though "Ladies you all do look amazing. Really."

They just blushed.

Summer began "Ok, today's plan is to head to Dodge City, then the Rock Farm to look for Pinkie. That's the last place we know where she was."

Shysage mentioned here too "Summer, I have a book I wrote that explains some about what happened here in Equestria after you left. It ends when the big bear took over. I would really--"

Dawn was still in the room and spoke up timidly, but forcefully at this point. "I need to warn you all. Eschate Zumulus has repeatedly made it clear that speaking... uhm... good words, will quickly bring both his presence and his wrath. You are all important to me, and I just wanted to warn you.

"I doubt this will be a problem when Summer is around, but if she is not, please be very careful what you say."

Summer thought for a minute then said "Thank you for that Dawn. Ladies, if I am not present, please be very careful what you say. If I am there, well, I don't care, the sooner I meet him the better. He has ruined my Equestria.

"Shysage wants to go back to the farm to get his book. It won't take long, and I plan to go with him. You can all come, or you can stay here and wait. If you want, you can head to the Train Station and see if the train is even available."

They talked, and the result was that all the Equestria Girls would go with Dawn and Camille to the Train Station. This would include Equestria Girls Fluttershy. Equestria pony Fluttershy would go with Summer and Shysage, and let them know if her Twin saw trouble.

They were all soon on their way.

By the time Summer, Shysage and Fluttershy arrived at the Train Station with Shysage's book, the Train was ready and waiting.

Dawn explained to Summer what the train stallions had told her.

They didn't run often. Very few ponies were left that even wanted to go anywhere. They were way out of practice for this. The trip would be slow as a result.

Also, if Eschate Zumulus stopped them, the train stallions would run away, and they would be on their own. This had actually happened a few times before.

Dawn guessed this was not a problem with Summer around but said nothing to the train stallions.

Dawn and Camille then went back to their house, and the train left the station.

They were soon on their way to Dodge City, slowly.

Shysage gave Summer the book, and showed her where to start. He also asked Summer to read it. Writing this was extremely painful for him.

Shysage had written this all out by hand, using a special clip thing he made, that allowed him to use a quill with his hoof. It was messy, and errors were simply lined out. But again, he was not real happy when he wrote this.

Summer also noticed that some of the pages were stained with what looked like tears. She really wanted to stop and hug Shysage when she found pages like this, but there were too many.

Summer was sitting, near the front of the train car they were in, facing the back of the car, and Shysage was lying on his belly next to her on one side. Summer put one of her front legs around his neck and hugged him when she could. Shysage wept softly often as she read. It was a nightmare for him...

Equestria pony Fluttershy was lying on her belly on the other side of Summer, with her Twin next to her. Fluttershy was soon weeping softly too. She remembered.

Summer just read what Shysage had written. The Equestria Girls just listened.

--

"Summer's disappearance significantly cooled the use of the Portal.

"Shysage was given the painful duty to go back by himself, and let the Equestria Girls know what had happened. That whole trip was a nightmare for him. He cried with Equestria Girls Summer for a while, then came back.

"The Equestria Girls would only visit one more time, during their 'Summer Break', for only seven days, and it was just painful.

"Equestria Girls Summer came to Equestria with everypony else, but she was a constant reminder of the inconsolable loss of something extremely precious. And she was understandably miserable the whole time. Her Twin was gone.

"With this, the Equestria Girls simply faded into the past."

The Equestria Girls were all weeping quietly at this point. They remembered this.

--

"Equestria for the most part simply picked up and moved on.

"Princess Celestia did 'officially' make Equestria pony Summer Rain a Princess, but this made little difference, she was not here.

"The affairs of the realm seemed to go well, and Equestria did enjoy a time of peace and prosperity.

--

"Princess Twilight and her inner circle seemed to be doing well for a while also. Shysage did volume five of Princess Celestia's commentaries, and it seemed to compare favorably with the earlier four.

"The following year was a difficult one for Princess Twilight and her girls. So difficult in fact, that Princess Celestia decided to cancel the commentaries project. Everything just kept going wrong, friendship wasn't magic any more, and nopony knew why.

"Applejack moved out past Dodge City to a much bigger spread. Even so, she said repeatedly that, should she be needed, she would jump on a train and be in Ponyville quickly. She never even visited after that.

"Pinkie returned to the Rock Farm at about the same time. Nopony every found out why, and several visits from Princess Twilight and the girls failed to make any difference, or surface any causes. It was just a mystery.

"Soon after, Fluttershy left one day, headed into the Everfree, and was not heard from again.

"A year later would find Rarity in Manehatten, and Rainbow in the Wonderbolts.

"Princess Twilight was still a Princess, and was involved a lot in the affairs of Equestria, but just seemed painfully at a loss without her girls. She loved them, and they were gone.

"She tried visiting them all, but it just seemed too painful. As a group they had lost the communion they once enjoyed. This was just heartbreaking.

--

"Three years later, Eschate Zumulus walked into Equestria with his daughter Phantasma...

"...And nopony was minding the store."

Shysage had actually crossed this out, but Summer read it anyway.

"Eschate Zumulus was a huge Black bear over four stories tall. He had large black wings, glowing red eyes, and a huge mouth full of sharp teeth. He could cast very powerful magic as well.

"His daughter was a smaller white Polar bear. She couldn't fly, but could cast the same magic.

"Eschate Zumulus and Phantasma walked to Canterlot, eating ponies on the way, and then confronted Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

"Shysage was actually in audience with the Princesses when they came, and quickly left Canterlot when he saw how it would work out.

"The Princesses tried to reason with him, then tried to oppose his magic, but quickly failed.

"Eschate Zumulus used his magic to physically graft both Princesses into Phantasma's body, where they were kept alive, but quickly became zombies from the emotional stress of defeat.

"Eschate Zumulus took over as ruler as Equestria.

"Sensing this change, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, along with the entire population of the Crystal Empire, simply vanished, abandoning their city. Nopony knew where they went.

"In a fit of rage, Eschate Zumulus broke the top off of the Crystal Palace, shattering it on the ground, where it is to this day.

"Eschate Zumulus then flew around the entire realm announcing both that he had taken over, and that 'good words' were not to be spoken in his realm. He ate many that defied this.

"When he arrived in Ponyville, Eschate Zumulus simply banished Princess Twilight to Zecora's hut, with no visitors allowed on pain of death. Then he ate Zecora.

"In truth, were Princess Twilight and the Elements of Harmony joined to both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna's magic, they probably could have defeated them both.

"Eschate Zumulus had already taken over, before some of Princess Twilight's girls even knew about it however.

"There is no point in continuing this narrative."

--

"Summer that's the end, please stop there" Shysage said softly. She did.

All the Equestria Girls were weeping.

Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle was at least honest, and said through her tears "I wish I could say things went better on the other side of the Portal, but I cannot..."

For the next hour, everypony just sat silently. What had happened was just a terrible tragedy.

After stopping at the Dodge City station, Summer asked the train stallions how much time they had before their return trip.

"Ma'am we are really out of shape, take your time. Maybe an hour or two." they said, still out of breath.

With Equestria Girls Pinkie Pie leading the way, they were quickly standing on the porch of the Pie family house.

A mare named Sadie Pie met them, and quickly realized who they were after.

She sighed, then said "Pinkie walks far across the farm every day, and just sits there until sundown. Then she comes back, eats, then goes to bed. None of us can remember her ever doing anything else.

"Princess Twilight and many other ponies have tried many times to bring her out of it... I doubt that you will be ab--"

At this Equestria Girls Pinkie began to cry uncontrollable, and bolted off across the field.

Summer was quickly in the air following, and easily caught up, only to find the Pinkie Twins hugging, crying, and Soul-Linking.

Summer realized that Equestria Girls Pinkie was probably the only one who could have pulled Pinkie out. They desparately needed each other. All the Twins did.

The others soon caught up with them. They left the Pinkie Twins alone for a little while. Then, as before, Shysage and Summer carefully pulled the Pinkies apart, and said "we need to get back to the train now Pinkies."

Even so, both Pinkie's hair was curly again, and they were smiling, and everypony else was crying at this.

It just seemed to Summer that every added Twin made this group a little stronger.

When they got back to the Pie house, seven or eight other Pies quickly spilled out crying.

Equestria pony Pinkie Pie hugged everypony and said "My friends need me, I may be back."

They were soon heading back to the Train Station. The train stallions said maybe 30 more minutes, so they just got in and got comfortable.

After about 10 minutes, the Pinkies said together "Applejack incoming" then smiled.

Pinkie Sense -- this is why Pinkie had to be next.

Equestria Girls Applejack fell to the floor of the train car weeping.

Summer was quickly outside and in the air.

Equestria pony Applejack was running in fast from further west. She was soon in the car, Soul-Linked with her Twin, next to the Pinkie Twins who were also again linked.

In twenty more minutes, the train was on it's way. That was close.

Summer said softly to Equestria Girls Rainbow and Rarity "Girls, we will look until we find your Twins..." They just cried.

Equestria Girls Twilight was weeping too... She wanted her Princess back... They all did...

Chapter 8, Hushed Whispers

Once the train was moving, everypony just settled in for the trip back to Ponyville. The Twins Soul-Linked and were quiet, except for Equestria Girls Twilight, Rainbow and Rarity. They were quiet, but wept softly at various points. They didn't have their Twins yet...

There was nothing anypony could do about this. Summer Rain understood exactly how they felt.

Summer was sitting up front next to Shysage; both were facing forward. The Fluttershy Twins were near them, and were Soul-Linked and quiet.

"Shysage" Summer said quietly. "I noticed that there was more writing in your book, but that it was all scribbled out or something."

Shysage had no intention of keeping anything from his Mare. He replied softly "Summer it is a more detailed explanation about why Princess Twilight's inner circle... ...uhm... ...may have had trouble."

"Can I read it?" Summer asked quietly.

Shysage sighed, then paused in thought. Then he worked on putting together an answer. He spoke more quietly, almost whispering.

"I scribbled it out because I felt at times, it simply wasn't my place to make these observations, even though I think it explains what may have happened. I wrote this over 30 years ago after all. So you will need to read them in that light.

"Also, since it does involve your sister, you can't read on unless you promise to NOT take any action yourself on any of what you read. I think there will be a time and a place for that, but you are probably too close to your sister to have a hand in that.

"And by the way, you are the only pony I would ever let read this.

"At any rate, I feel you need to agree to all this before continuing."

Summer thought a minute. She almost decided not to, but then said softly "Ok..." Summer wanted to understand her Stallion.

Summer began to read what Shysage wrote, maybe 30 or more years ago.

Shysage started out by saying that he was no 'prude', and that he valued intimacy as much as anypony. Summer smiled inside at this. She had no desires now, but hoped she would some day...

Shysage felt that it was intimacy that had caused Princess Twilight's circle to fall apart.

The main problem Shysage saw was this.

He felt there was a certain percentage of the 'population' (Shysage felt this was true for both worlds he had experienced) that responded in this way. Shysage guessed this percentage at between 10% and 30%, but he really didn't know exactly.

For this small group of ponies, there was a threshold of intimacy, which, when it was crossed, it was emotionally impossible for these ponies to "go back to being friends".

In other words, for these ponies, once that threshold was crossed, they either needed that level of intimacy to be sustained, as in a permament relationship, or they would simply be shattered. They could not back off from that without serious emotional pain.

Summer stopped here and thought. Then she asked quietly "Shysage, there's two statements here totally blocked out. What do they say?"

Shysage carefully bent over and whispered into Summer's ears.

"Intimacy without unity is abuse."
"True friends don't do that."

Summer thought for a minute more. Then she noted that Shysage gave a few examples showing where this was true.

As Shysage wrote this over 30 years ago, Shysage's first example was forced rape. He was referred to what the monsters had done to Summer. She clearly saw there was no unity there... And it was horrible abuse.

Summer guessed his next example was from his own past experience. It was of a wife who consistently trampled what her husband treasured, then came at him for some "favors". Summer figured out what he meant, and agreed this was terrible.

Shysage included two high school kids on a date, and one of them just seizing the opportunity to take what they wanted. Even during her brief time in the Equestria Girls world, Summer understood this to be all too common. The stories the girls told...

The last one was scary. Close friends who found themselves too close, and one just took from the other, for whatever reason.

Shysage wanted to be fair, he knew he didn't want to come across as trying to tell ponies what to do.

But the existance of the 10-30% that would be shattered, were that threshold of intimacy to be crossed, should cast a whole new light on close friendships, and how they were conducted.

Where full, open and honest unity was not present, intimacy past a certain point ran the very real possibility of shattering somepony. True friends just don't, or shouldn't do that.

The nature of the use of the 'Elements of Harmony' required all six ponies be involved. As a result were this scenario to play out with only one of Princess Twilight's girls, Equestria would be very vulnerable.

Shysage felt this or something similar had actually happened. For whatever reason, in the space of maybe a month, three ponies were gone.

Summer went to turn the page at this point, and Shysage looked into her blue eyes, and said softly "Can we look at this later?"

She would not turn down this request. The book was soon back in his pocket.

Summer realized that her Stallion had asked her to stop before any mention of her sister. Summer so very much appreciated that, and she softly told him so.

The train ride up the slow grade to Ponyville proved a little more challenging for the train stallions, and they pulled into the Train Station in the late afternoon.

Everypony went and thanked the very much 'out of breath' train stallions; they had saved them a lot of time.

They headed to Dawn's Shop.

Equestria Girls Rarity suddenly began wailing loudly, and bolted off, surely for her Twin.

The rest of the group simply headed for Rarity's Boutique, or what was left of it. They found both Raritys Soul-Linked, still wailing, right in front of it. They just left them there for now.

Equestria Girls Rainbow Dash was now weeping softly. She wanted her Twin too...

Summer walked over and hugged her tightly, and just cried with her a few minutes.

Both Pinkies said at once "Maybe we can try a Sonic Rainboom?"

Rainbow was sure she was too 'out of shape' for this, it took a lot of speed.

After some thought, Summer decided that adding magic to the Rainboom would surely bring Eschate Zumulus, and Summer didn't think fighting him in the dark was a good idea.

The Pinkies did say 'try' however.

"Rainbow give it a try maybe" Summer suggested.

Rainbow sighed... "Well at least I can try I guess."

It had been decades for Rainbow, and it was starting to get very cold, but Equestria Girls Rainbow took her coat off, and headed into the sky. She headed west straight out of Ponyville.

She flew very high, then came down quickly. It looked like she might do it. At the bottom though, she could not pull up near fast enough, and no Sonic Rainboom resulted.

Rainbow returned to the group in tears, and was sobbing as they helped her get her coat back on. "I'm so sorry... I just couldn't do it..."

Without warning, Equestria pony Rainbow Dash flew quickly but gently into her Twin, knocking them both over, but causing no injury. They just Soul-Linked on the spot. They left the Rainbows linked a little while too.

It was getting colder now, and Summer and Shysage carefully pulled any still linked Twins apart and they all headed to Dawn's, and were quickly inside.

Dawn had been expecting them, it was very comfortable inside. She had also made a bunch of Oat Pies, and everyone enjoyed them.

Summer just hugged Dawn, and thanked her with tears in her eyes... Being able to stay here was such a big help...

Summer introduced the Equestria ponies to Dawn, and she was quickly crying again. She never dreamed she would see the ponies that her Grand-mother had talked so much about.

Still, Summer said softly "Tomorrow morning, we go get our Princess, and Twilight's Twin. Twilight Sparkle was crying... They were all crying... They all wanted their Princess back.

Dawn offered Shysage and Summer the use of her room again, but Summer politely declined. "Shysage and I want to be with our friends tonight Dawn, I really appreciate it though."

After a few minute's silence, Summer said to them all "Girls, I know that for me, it has only been maybe four days since we were last together, but still... I want you all to know that I love each of you very much-- " Summer could go no further, she was crying.

They were all crying...

Princess Twilight avoided the book that Summer had dropped on the ground.

She didn't move it or even touch it for a while. She knew what it was from the title on the spine. She had avoided this book for many years, and had specifically left it behind in the Library.

The next evening, for the first time since she could rememeber, she finally opened the book, right where it was, and began reading... She hadn't read very far...

Princess Twilight began to sniffle quietly, and brushed away a few tears as she lay down on the floor, and slid the book away from her. But it was no use, she was soon crying, quietly but bitterly, hoping nopony would hear.

Chapter 9, Eschate Zumulus

The group was up early, this was an important day. Everypony deeply wanted Princess Twilight back...

They left early, not even eating anything. They thanked Dawn and were on their way. Even so, Summer told Dawn they expected to be back later with their Princess.

The Fluttershy's led the way through the Everfree, the same path they had come out on the other day. They stopped briefly as Fluttershy called her cats and then BOTH Fluttershys fussed over all three of them for a few minutes.

They were quickly again on the way to Zecora's hut, to Princess Twilight. They would be there soon.

Princess Twilight had been up all night crying. What good was living when you couldn't have any visitors.

That morning, Princess Twilight realized that this specific punishment was exactly Eschate Zumulus' doom for the remaining Princess of Equestria.

Life held nothing any longer. She had nothing left. A thousand years of doom was still doom.

She walked out of Zecora's hut, and headed for a place soon to be called Dethwell, a small clearing deeper into the Everfree Forest. It wasn't very far.

Twilight walked to the middle of the clearing, and stood there motionless, thinking. She realized that if she carried through, there would be no turning back.

She just felt so emptied... ...so... ...doomed...

She didn't scream these words, she just shouted them.

"Justice..."

"Peace..."

"Goodness..."

...

...

She then said quietly...

"Honesty..."

"Laughter..."

"Generosity..."

"Loyalty..."

"Kindness..."

...

...

"Friendship..."

...

...

And she could say no more. Princess Twilight began to cry...

...

...

Princess Twilight remembered a day so far ago, that she read about again just the night before...

She was trying to face a terrible monster... Alone...

She remembered the pure joy at the approach of her five amazing friends...

And she just then realized what she wanted...

Princess Twilight wanted all her girls back...

...

...

...

Then she suddenly felt the most amazing presence... Her Twin... Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle was very close.... She wanted her Twin... She needed her Twin...

...

...

...

...But it was too late...

...

...

...

Eschate Zumulus flew in and landed with a crash right in front of Princess Twilight. At four stories high, he had to look down substantially to even see Princess Twilight...

He growled loudly "Who would dare to use the banished words in my realm..."

...

...

Out of the forest, very close, at that exact instant, Twilight Sparkle and both Pinkie's screamed "PRINCESS TWILIGHT..."

...

...

Princess Twilight turned to run towards the voice and screamed "SUMMER..."

Eschate Zumulus simply batted Princess Twilight 30 feet to the side with one of his huge paws, gouging Princess Twilight's side deeply.

Summer Rain, already in Phantom Alicorn form, flew into the clearing, only to watch Princess Twilight simply crumple over on the ground.

Eschate Zumulus decided he was hungry, and lumbered over to eat this little pony.

Another form landed quickly in his path.

The Phantom Alicorn simply held out her right arm, held her fingers straight up and made a pushing motion with her palm.

Eschate Zumulus tumbled backwards wildly, head over heels, for 150 feet. He got up and began to roar.

Summer ran up to him and did it again.

Eschate Zumulus again tumbled backwards again another 150 feet.

Summer would not give Eschate Zumulus another chance to touch her precious Princess.

Eschate Zumulus quickly stood up this time, and started casting some spell.

Summer waved the back of her right hand at him, back-handing the full height of his body, knocking him over backwards to the ground. This interrupted his casting.

Summer then made a gesture with her left hand, and quickly coated him with ice, locking him solid.

Summer next coated him with fire, and his fur was soon burning all over. Eschate Zumulus roared out in pain.

Summer formed her right hand into a cup shape, and quickly motioned a tight bowl shaped shield down over Eschate Zumulus, crushing his great girth tightly to the ground.

Next she lifted the edge and threw in another fire-ball.

The monster's flesh and bones were burning wildly.

Summer threw in another.

Eschate Zumulus couldn't scream, and couldn't move.

Summer was angry now, this was taking way too long, she had to see to her Princess.

Four more Fireballs were rapidly added under the shield, each separated by maybe 20 seconds.

The seventh Fire-ball that she threw in quickly went out. Eschate Zumulus was no more.

Summer formed her right hand into a fist, and punched Eschate Zumulus' remains some 20 feet into the ground. Summer then threw a fire-ball into the pit, and ran to her Princess.

The cuts in Princess Twilight's side were deep, and bleeding fiercely. Rarity had used her magic to cut strips from her over-coat, and they were all taking turns trying to hold them over the three long gashes.

Everypony was crying profusely, Princess Twilight was soaked with their tears.

Summer was quickly bending over her sobbing... "Princess, we heard your cry, we are all here..." Summer said through her tears... It was all she could think of...

Princess Twilight lifted her head and said feebly "Oh girls..." Her voice was higher that usual, she was in a lot of pain... She tried to continue...

I realized that it was all of you I really wanted... I just realized it to la--"

After a brief pause, she started to cry and said "I'm so sorry..." and she dropped her head into the grass and was silent.

They were all weeping over her now, and Summer just joined them...

"Princess, please don't leave us..." Summer said over and over through her tears... Summer's tears were dripping rapidly onto Princess Twilight, quickly rolling into one of the cuts in her side...

...

...

...

The twelfth tear...

...

...

....

From the twelfth true friend...

...

...

...

Friendship is magic...

...

...

...

Twelve ponies watched in amazement...

...

...

...

In half a minute, the cuts on Princess Twilight's side rapidly healed, and were soon gone, and they simply pulled the blood stained rags away...

Another half minute, their Princess opened her eyes again and said simply "Oh girls..."

Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle was not waiting. She pushed in, quickly lay her head down next to Princess Twilight's head, and started the Soul-Link, and rapidly and lovingly brought their Princess back to them.

And everypony started sobbing deeply with joy.

After a few minutes, both Twilights were sitting facing each other, head to head, hugging, weeping softly, surrounded by the familiar purple aura.

Summer realized they would be a while, they had been apart for decades, and both carried a lot of pain as a result.

Almost as one, the rest of the twins did the same -- sat down, head to head, hugged, and Soul-Linked.

For that while, Summer just wept on Shysage's shoulder... Her precious Princess was alive...

Author's Notes:

This chapter was excruciating to record...

Chapter 10, Coming Clean

After maybe an hour, it seemed like all the Twins had come out of their Soul-Link at about the same time.

Shysage walked up to the group and sat down.

"Ladies please form up in a circle, sitting next to your Twins" Shysage asked quietly.

This was soon done. They were in pony form, but were sitting in a tight circle.

Shysage turned around facing away from them and walked a few steps further away then sat down. "Summer please come sit next to me" he said simply.

Summer was quickly at his side, she just wasn't sure what he was doing yet.

"Ladies, I think there may be some old, very serious wounds in this circle. If they are not dealt with, I fear we may have to do this all again in the future." Shysage said this quietly. He said nothing more.

Summer knew now.

Before long Rainbow Dash was weeping on Pinkie Pie's shoulder saying over and over again "I'm so sorry Pinkie..." Pinkie was weeping quietly too.

"Wait..." Summer thought to herself. "Both Rainbows were crying... ..and both Pinkies were weeping... ...that could only mean... ..the same thing happened in both worlds..." Summer was stunned...

After about 15 minutes, both Pinkies, at the same time, gently eased the Rainbows away a little, looked into their eyes, and said simply "I forgive you Rainbow, and I love you very much."

It was quiet for a minute.

Then both Rarity's were crying on Applejack's neck, wailing loudly "I'm so sorry Applejack..." The Applejack Twins were crying now too.

They cried for a while. Then, as before, both Applejacks looked into both Rarity's eyes, and said simply and quietly "Rarity, I forgive you... and I love you very much."

After a brief pause, Rarity quickly said again "Fluttershy, of all ponies... I'm so sorry...

Both Rarity's wailed on both Fluttershy's shoulders... Both Fluttershys were crying too...

Summer simply could not handle this, and fell to the gound weeping herself.

Shysage just lay down on his belly next to her, and she buried her head between his front legs and wept...

Both Rarity's cried for a while... A lot of damage had been done...

"I forgive you Rarity, and I love you very much." both Fluttershy's said after a while.

It was quiet for a few minutes.

Shysage just waited.

Princess Twilight, well both Twilights burst into tears... "Fluttershy, I'm so sorry..."

The Fluttershys were weeping again too, maybe louder...

Summer was weeping uncontrollably...

Her Princess...

Summer came back after maybe four days, to find that her Princess and another dear friend had wounded her sister. Maybe it was what Shysage thought, maybe it was something else. It didn't matter. Something happened...

Summer was beside herself...

Summer knew she was no saint. She had done her share of messing around with stallions. And she probably would have done more with Shysage if he wasn't so careful. That wasn't the issue.

Her sister had been deeply hurt, by two ponies Summer trusted. That hurt... ...deeply...

After a while, and as best as they could, the Fluttershy Twins said, still crying, to the Twilights, together, "I forgive you, and I love you a lot."

Summer was almost hysterical...

Everypony was weeping now too...

Summer's sister and her Twin lay down next to Summer and cried with her. Applejacks and Pinkies quickly joined them, and the rest after.

They cried with Summer for a while. Summer's crying was unchanged...

Princess Twilight got up and returned where the circle was, and Twilight Sparkle joined her.

"Girls please come back, and stand next to your Twin" Princess said simply.

"Please leave a gap in the circle for Summer" she said next.

Princess Twilight then said simply this.

"Summer even though this was over thirty years ago, it doesn't matter. I think these wounds and the actions that caused them have been haunting us all for years."

Princess Twilight started to cry...

"Summer have failed you...

"We have failed each other...

"We have failed Equestria...

"Such a steep price... We are so sorry...

...

Princess just cried for a little while here.

...

Talking was difficult for Princess Twilight at this point, but she tried to continue.

"Summer, please... ...give us a second chance...

"Please forgive us...

"Please join us here in this circle..."

...

Shysage helped Summer up and she was soon sitting in the circle, between both Fluttershys, still crying... Summer's sister quickly put her foreleg around Summer's neck, and hugged her tight.

Summer knew she needed to put her leg around Equestria Girls Fluttershy's neck, to complete the circle... She just couldn't bring herself to do it...

Princess Twilight was crying... "Summer, please..." Princess said this a few times while crying...

After maybe a minute, her sister said softly to Summer "Please, Sis..."

And at this, she did.

The rest of the Twins were trying to initiate the Soul-Link with this entire group, and Summer resisted at first.

Summer finally relaxed, and they all fell together into each other's loving presence...

And Summer found... ...devotion...

Everypony else in the circle reached rapidly into Summer's shattered soul and brought healing as best they could.

Then they did the same for Fluttershys, Applejacks and Pinkies...

From the outside, Summer doubted she could ever trust any of these ponies, ever again...

From the inside, Summer quickly saw that there was just no possibility left... ...for harm, anger, back-stabbing, hurting... That was all gone... ...they were different now... Just devotion was left... Devotion to each other, and devotion to their Princess, just like Summer had...

Summer just cried...

For over an hour, twelve loving souls just held Summer as she cried. In the calm peace of the Soul-Link, they all held each other really, and cried together...

Summer deeply loved them all, and they loved her back...

Summer then broke the link, and, still sobbing said "Girls, I love you all so much..."

They all just gathered around Summer and cried with her, with each other for a while.

Summer then pulled herself away, and said softly "Princess Twilight..." and walked up to face her.

Not even waiting for an answer; Princess Twilight didn't know what to say; Summer bowed to her knees before her Princess.

Without moving, and still crying, Summer said quietly and softly "I forgive you Princess, and I will still love you and serve you until I die..."

Before long, all the other ponies, and Shysage had joined her, bowing and softly weeping before Princess...

Their precious Princess...

Princess Twilight just cried...

Summer jumped up and hugged her tightly, still crying... They all wept together for a while more...

Then Princess Twilight said softly "Precious girls, I never thought I would even see any of you again...

...Can we please start over?"

And they all cried together some more...

Chapter 11, The Path Home

Dethwell was Eschate Zumulus' grave.

True communion was restored to Princess Twilight's inner circle.

Everypony was just so happy... Being able to start over was truly a dream come true for all of them.

They almost lost their Princess, again, but true friendship worked a miracle, again, it seemed.

Before they started back, Summer asked that they all stand in a circle. It didn't need to be tight, but it was.

Summer just closed her eyes, and said softly "Thank you true friend in the sky... We are all back together, and our Princess is safe. I think we will need your help to start over though." Then Summer stopped.

Almost imediately, both Rarity's said at the same time "True friend, I just want to thank you for the girls in this circle... I doubt I could ever find such true frien--" Raritys were weeping, and could say no more.

It was quiet a little while longer, and Summer just said "Girls, lets go rebuild Ponyville."

Both Fluttershys and three huge, purring Panthers led the way through the Everfree as six sets of Twins walked slowly back to Ponyville. Everypony mostly talked with their Twins, there was still a lot of catching up to do.

Summer and Shysage were at the back.

On the way, Princess Twilight stopped briefly in Zecora's hut to pick up a few things, and the few books she had.

Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle cried on Princess' shoulders for a while, realizing that her Twin, Princess Twilight had spent her last 33 years banished here...

Princess used her magic, and gently picked up Vol. 1 of Princess Celestia's commentaries, and asked Summer to open the flap of her coat pocket. "Can you carry this for me Summer?" Princess asked, then used her magic to slip the book down inside the pocket of Summer's coat.

Summer just cried, and Princess Twilight hugged her.

That day, Princess Twilight walked away from Zecora's hut, from Echate Zumulus' 'doom' for her, and never returned...

Friendship is Magic...

The Fluttershys led the group on the same path back that they took two days ago, approaching Ponyville from behind the Library.

Princess Twilight said they needed to go to Town Square first, so they all did.

Princess Twilight then had Summer transform into her Equestria Girls form, then had her gather all the Twins, one at a time, into a circle, standing up as people, holding hands.

This left Shysage out, but that was ok. Summer guessed this was something for Princess Twilight's inner circle. She didn't think she belonged here either, but they need her for the 'people' form.

In an empty town, sound travels far, and the noise of 14 ponies, happy and talking, filled the vacant streets. Dawn and Camille were quickly standing next to Shysage, weeping softly too. Dawn was watching dim history unfold again before her very eyes...

Princess Twilight then said softly "Girls please repeat after me.

"We are deeply devoted to each other..."

The girls all repeated this.

"We are true friends, and committed to true friendship..."

The girls all repeated this too, some were weeping quietly.

"We are... ...Equestria..."

The girls all repeated this, and were all crying now.

Princess Twilight then said softly "Girls, we are going to start each day, right here, saying that...

Then she said, softly "I love you all very much, I hope you know that..."

It was late afternoon now, and this large group of ponies headed to Dawn's for the evening.

Well, the Fluttershys walked their cats back to the edge of the Everfree, and then sent them to Flutershy's hut for the night, then rejoined the group.

Dawn again spread Oat pies around, and everypony enjoyed them. Dawn didn't mind being busy doing this again.

When it was dark, Princess Twilight asked that she be able to talk some. Everypony just stopped where they were, faced her and listened.

"I think I owe you all another apology, and this entire nightmare has taught me a valuable lesson.

"When I was facing Nightmare Moon, and Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie came running, I realized I needed you. What I was, we all were together that day.

"I think that, as time passed, and I was made Princess, I forgot that those characteristics that made me a 'Princess', I only received from, and could have, with you precious ponies around me.

"I will never forget the emptiness I felt the first year you all were go--"

Princess Twilight stopped here and wept bitterly for a few minutes.

Summer guessed this part was even worse than Princess' 'doom'...

Pulling herself together, Princess Twilight said softly "Precious girls... I only am what I am, when each of you is here at my side. I desparately need each and every one of you. And it doesn't matter which side of the Portal you are on... I am so glad you are all 'home', back here with me... ...I can only be your Princess with each of you close by."

Princess, then everypony was soon crying for a little while.

Equestria Girls Twilight spoke up at this point, really to clarify their situation for everypony

"Precious Equestria ponies... The Equestria Girls all know this, but when we came through the Portal a few days ago, we all knew it would be the last time we did.

"All of our lives there were a wreck, and a nightmare, and each of us simply had nothing left in that world, and at least three of us would have been dead in months, maybe weeks.

"Besides, they were in the process of tearing down the school, and the Portal is either moved or destroyed by now.

"We all came here for good. We have no-where else to go.

"Starting over here with you special ponies is our wildest dream come true. The Portal will separate us no more."

Everypony hugged their Twin, and cried some more at this.

Shysage just held Summer, hoping Princess Twilight didn't ask.

Princess Twilight began again, immediately establishing a much more somber tone.

"Summer, this is mainly for you, but this will affect all of us.

"Eschate Zumulus is dead, but Phantasma is not. If you don't know, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have been grafted into Phantasma's body. We probably cannot kill Phantasma without also killing... ...Princess Celestia and Princess Luna..."

Princess was crying again, and through her tears she said "Summer I know of no way of avoiding the fact that you will need to accept this painful duty...

"It will probably come down to you either killing Phantasma along with our two Princesses, or plunging Equestria back into death... There is only one right path, the hardest one...

"I think we should throw every effort into rebuilding Ponyville, and beyond, but I consider it just a matter of time before Phantasma comes here...

"Summer that will be a hard day for you..."

Summer was crying... This would be terrible...

Princess Twilight's 'official business' was done, and everypony just sat around together talking. It was soon late, and dark outside.

Summer found Dawn, and asked for the use of she and Camille's room for the night again, and Dawn agreed with a smile. "Anything for you Princess" she said.

Summer and Shysage were soon on their bellies next to each other in Dawn's room. Summer had no 'plans', she just felt she needed to be next to her Stallion, alone.

She did have a question though, she just wasn't sure quite how to ask it.

After a few minutes silence, Summer asked quietly "Shysage, I honestly don't know how much of the pain we saw today was a result of the Intimacy issue you surfaced. But I am really concerned. How are we going to navigate that issue? I don't want us to mess that up too..."

Summer knew her voice was betraying how concerned about this she really was. She was soon weeping softly.

Shysage noticed immediately. He rolled over on his side, and Summer quickly climbed in between his two front legs, and he hugged her close.

Shysage then spoke softly.

"I think we should talk to Princess Twilight about marrying us soon.

"But Summer you are amazingly beautiful in either form, I doubt I will have much problem responding to you.

"Even so, in my bed, your pleasure will ALWAYS be my first pursuit. Always. Don't even try to argue, that is just how it will be. And I will NEVER 'take' from you.

"You have no desires now, and that means I will simply wait until you are ready."

Shysage sighed at this point, then continued "Besides, we should not do anything that would risk a foal at this point anyway, at least not until after Phantasma is dead."

By the time Shysage was done saying all this, Summer was crying tears of joy. "Applying 'putting others first' to even this... Shysage, I really don't deserve you..." she wept.

"Nor I you, my precious Mare, but here we are. I love you." Shysage replied.

"I love you too" Summer said through tears.

They were soon fast asleep. Nothing else happened. Nothing else needed to happen.

Chapter 12, The First Week

First Day

The next day, which was the first day of the rebuilding of Ponyville, a few very important tasks took place. But this was all AFTER the 'Twins Ceremony' that Princess Twilight indicated they would do every morning.

Princess Twilight's 'inner circle', the six sets of Twins, gathered 'first thing' in a circle at Town Square, and repeated together, the same words as yesterday.

Princess Twilight had all the girls stay in their pony form, and they simply sat in a circle, and said this together.

"We are deeply devoted to each other..."

"We are true friends, and committed to true friendship..."

"We are... ...Equestria..."

Then Princess Twilight added this part as a reminder for herself.

"And I am only a Princess with you all at my side."

This would be the final form of their words together at the start of every day. This Twins Ceremony always happened. Period.

Summer just stood next to Shysage, but that was ok. Summer had no 'Element of Harmony' and so was not a part of this special circle, but that was fine with Summer. She dearly loved them all anyway.

The day would hold two official tasks. The first would be the fixing up and 'weathering in' of the Library, so Princess Twilight could move back in. Everypony started in on that after their morning ceremony.

Still, at noon, Shysage and Summer would be married by Princess Twilight. Shysage made sure that Summer didn't know about this, even though everypony else did.

Well 'everypony else' was just Dawn, Camille, and the six Twins. Ponyville was still empty.

At about noon, Princess Twilight walked back over to Town Square, and that was the signal, and everypony else gathered there. Summer was there too, and still had no clue what was going on.

Summer was quickly a crying wreck. The ceremony was simple and fairly brief. There were no rings either. Still, both recited the vows. Nopony had any question that these two would follow each other beyond the ends of Equestria if necessary. They already had.

When the ceremony was over, the Rainbow Twins had a surprise of their own, and quickly did a double reverse Sonic Rainboom, centered right above where 'Summer's Tree' used to be.

Princess Twilight tried to stop them, because she didn't want Phantasma coming just yet, but it was too late, the Rainboom echoed loudly, and spread rapidly, radially outward, and had quickly traveled to the edges of Equestria.

Evidently Phantasma just ignored it, probably because it contained no hint of magic. It would still be some time before she moved.

However, the rest of Equestria knew in their VERY SOUL, immediately and exactly what this meant; Princess Twilight and her girls were back in action, probably back at 'home' in Ponyville. And Eschate Zumulus was probably dead.

After being married, Shysage and Summer were hugging, and crying together for a while. When they stopped, they noticed everypony else had already left; they had simply gone back to work since there was so much to do.

Princess Twilight and her Twin were back in their warm Library by the end of the day. It only seemed fitting that the first building repaired in Ponyville was the one their Princess lived in. They all loved their Princess.

That first day held one other task.

Princess Twilight insisted that Shysage again start recording what was going on in the realm, starting with the events of the past maybe five days, that saw Princess Twilight's circle restored, and the realm re-born. Summer would be his assistant.

And Princess specifically said this: "Record everything."

Summer knew that meant the good as well as the bad, but that was Shysage's job as a Canterlot Recorder.

After being married, and hugging a while, Shysage and Summer carefully crawled through the wreckage of Shysage's home next to Dawns.

Shysage amazingly found his 'clip' thing, and some nice quills, along with a substantial supply of paper, buried under the cover of his 'scope'. This cover evidently protected these items through maybe 33 years of weather. Sadly, the 'scope' was a rusted, corroded hulk.

The Rainbows flew over the meadows, and rustled up some red berries, and Shysage quickly made some ink, and they were ready to begin.

That night would find Summer and Shysage sitting in the Library with all six Equestria Girls (and their Twins who just listened), as they told their story from their night at the Class Reunion, and what happened after.

Everypony was utterly amazed and deeply awed at the simple beauty of the process of these six ladies, with 'Equestria in their Hearts', finding each other, and ultimately, finding Equestria again.

Everypony was crying at the end of the session.

And at the end of the evening, Shysage had Chapter 1 complete.

The Twilight Twins and the Applejack Twins and the Fluttershy Twins stayed at the Library that night. The rest stayed at Dawns.

The second day started with the Twin's Ceremony. That meeting was a given, and happened every morning, starting whenever all 12 were finally to Town Square.

No further mention will be made about this, Princess Twilight simply insisted that it happen every morning.

After some discussion, it was decided that Fluttershy's Cottage would be their next project, and that the Fluttershys and the Pinkies would stay there for now.

The main reason for this was that Fluttershy wanted her cats back; she didn't like leaving them alone, or being away from them. Everypony understood, and by the end of the day, the Pinkies and the Fluttershys, along with three huge Panthers, were comfortable in Fluttershy's Cottage.

Well the cats stayed outside mostly, but they were always close.

Nopony worried about the Fluttershy's safety, only a fool would even try anything...

Something else amazing happened that afternoon. Six very tired train stallions arrived wheezing and gasping at the Train Station with maybe twenty more ponies.

Dawn and her foal were waiting for them, and Dawn's Helping Hands was full of visitors that night. This was Dawn's calling, and she and Camille were so happy to be helping again.

Summer and Shysage stayed with the Fluttershys from this point on for a while, and Rainbows and Raritys moved to the Library with the Applejacks and the Twilights.

This first group of new ponies included three very special ponies, the Cakes, actually grand-children of the Cakes that Summer knew. They could still make amazing goodies.

It was a no-brainer that the Cake's Shop would be next for repair, and the Pinkies would get their up stairs room back.

Even so, the new ponies threw heart and soul into helping with the rebuilding effort, and this made everything go faster. Some had brought a few tools as well, and this was a big help.

At this point, since new material was still scarce, they all just pulled wood and such from already collapsed buildings to fix those building that were salvagable.

As the rebuilding progressed, collapsed buildings slowly disappeared, gutted for whatever material they could supply, as the rest of the town looked better each passing day.

That second day, Shysage and Summer completed chapter 2, which recounted the difficult melt-down that happened in Ponyville and Equestria after Summer disappeared.

Summer and Shysage cried a lot as they put this together. Summer missed all this, but Shysage lived this nightmare.

Third Day

After the Twins Ceremony, everypony worked hard at fixing up the Cakes' shop. The building had weathered 35 years amazingly well, and it didn't need much structural work. The roof was still in good shape, and that had probably spared the rest of the building from the scars of time.

In the afternoon, the train stallions pulled in, wheezing and gasping a little less, with another load of new ponies. Dawns was packed but they did the best they could.

A bunch of the new ponies decided to rebuild Shysage's house as extra room for Dawns.

Shysage agreed to this, but also asked that he and Summer be allowed to move back in there at some point. That was fine with everypony.

It would take two days to rebuild his collapsed house, but having overflow would help Dawn a lot.

This group of ponies also included a very important pony -- a Paint Smith. All the buildings in Ponyville desparately needed a new coat of paint. This pony knew how to make paint out of naturally occurring plants and such. Two other ponies volunteered to help him, and before long the three of them had a few large vats of different colored paints.

Some other pony knew how to make very good buckets out of bark, and brushes too, and before long, Ponyville was looking very nice.

At the end of the day, Pinkie was back at 'home' above the Cakes. The Cakes indicated it would be a few days before some goodies were available, but everypony was fine with that.

That night also found Summer and Shysage completing Chapter 3, which covered Summer's first experiences thirty seven years into the future. Arriving at a deserted Ponyville was very difficult for Summer.

Fourth Day

Rarity's was next, and took shape rapidly. All of Rarity's basic resources had survived intact, since her roof also held up.

Both Raritys used their magic to first make new 'Shield Necklaces' for Summer, Shysage and the six Twins.

TF
MPOF

Everypony put them on immediately when they received them, and then cried...

Well, Summer have hers to Dawn, and she just cried too...

Then Shysage gave his to Summer.

Even so, a number of the townsponies asked for some too, but they would have to wait.

The Rainbows moved in with the Raritys, and stayed for a while too.

Another load of new ponies arrived in the afternoon, and other new buildings began to spring up or be repaired in Ponyville.

That night, Summer and Shysage finished Chapter 4, the day Summer found Shysage, and became his Mare.

Shysage asked if they could not include his idiot move at the start, but Summer reminded him that he needed to record exactly what happened. Shysage still felt bad about it though.

Summer was re-united with her sister Fluttershy at the end of that day too.

It was a good day.

Fifth Day

This day was devoted to Sweet Apple Acres.

Princess Twilight was now acting mayor, and specifically asked that all other building projects cease while the farm house, barn and near-by fences were rebuilt.

The farm supplied a lot of the raw materials used for making food and goodies, and so occupied an important part in their food supply.

Even so, at the end of the day, the farm house looked great, and the barn was back in good shape.

The Applejacks would take care of the rest.

The new load of ponies from the train that day included a 'sweet' surprise for Applejack.

Apple Bloom's grand-daughter and her family, five all together, tearfully ran up to Applejack, and after crying with their grand-mother's legend sister, were invited to move in on the spot. They did.

Still there were two Applejacks now, and they had trouble telling them apart.

Everypony knew though, that with seven of the Apple family at the farm, good food couldn't be far behind.

Equestria Girls Applejack actually found an old recipe book hidden in a corner cupboard in the kitchen, that managed to survive 35 years. The Apples had a bunch of good recipes to start with.

Princess Twilight had somepony repaint the 'Dawn's Helping Hands' sign on Dawn's shop. It looked very nice.

Next, Princess Twilight also had somepony make a new sign to post at the Train Station. This sign noted:

-- Phantasma is still in Canterlot, STAY AWAY

-- Head to Dawn's Helping Hands if you need a place to stay

-- Be nice to each other or leave

No further mention will be made of the work of the Canterlot Recorder. Whether the past or the present, they were both busy.

Days 6, 7

More ponies kept coming, and not just on the train. Ponyville was growing rapidly.

A bunch of new ponies helped expand Dawn's Helping Hands, and so by the end of the sixth day, Shysage's house was empty, cleaned and ready for Shysage and Summer to move in on the seventh day.

On the sixth day, Princess Twilight called all the Twins to the library for the morning.

Summer and Shysage were asked to come too.

They read a few chapters out of Volume One of Princess Celestia's commentaries, and then talked together about each chapter.

Princess Twilight explained that her goal was to keep the past vividly in the present, so as to avoid previous mistakes.

This leisurely process took all morning, and was an amazing time.

After that, Princess asked the Twins to simply spend time together in the fields, and just take a break.

Everypony had been working hard, they deserved a little relaxation.

The work of rebuilding Ponyville continued around them, but the next two days would be dedicated to relaxing and remembering, for Princess Twilight and her circle. This evidently now included Summer and Shysage, and neither minded.

Well Shysage had to come to record stuff, and Summer wanted to come. It was fine.

The seventh day was supposed to be a calm day too, but everypony took time to help Shysage and Summer move their writing stuff from Fluttershys back into Shysage's house. It didn't take long.

Summer wasn't sure what to do with 'her room', she had no intention of leaving Shysage's side at night any more.

Shysage just made it 'their room' and that was that.

In the late afternoon of that seventh day, Princess Twilight helped Summer find a new 'Summer's Tree', and they all gathered there, and just sat quietly for a while.

They were all soon in a circle, hugging tightly and crying softly.

A little later, Summer's sister started the Numbers game with Summer, and they all played that together until the Sun set.

It had been a good day.

It had been a good week, Ponyville was coming back to life.

Still no Phantasma yet, this was very good.

That night, for the first time in a week, Shysage and his Mare spent the evening and night together in their own house, and by themselves. They slept in 'their room'.

Shysage lay on his side, and then asked Summer to climb in under his front legs, with her back and wings up against his chest, and her head below his. Then he reached his leg around her and pulled her close.

This was 'solace' for Summer, and she really appreciated it.

She so loved her Stallion.

They slept that way that night.

Chapter 13, First Month

By the end of the first month of rebuilding, Ponyville had more ponies than Summer ever remembered.

They were mostly new ponies though, and Summer loved wandering around town and making new friends, and talking about true friendship when it seemed appropriate.

Summer also realized something. When she came back to Equestria a little over a month ago, Ponyville was deserted, and so Summer thought the whole realm was that way too.

Eschate Zumulus and Phantasma had eaten a lot of ponies.

Even so, it seemed that many of the ponies in Equestria simply migrated away from the two bears, from the center of the realm, and the population around the outskirts of Equestria was probably pretty high.

Ponies are very rugged, and only need grass, water, and shelter to survive.

The Sonic Rainboom signalled the death of Eschate Zumulus at least, and ponies rapidly streamed back into all of Equestria. This was good, except that Summer knew this would simply get Phantasma's attention before too long.

The Cakes' shop again rapidly became the main gathering place in Ponyville, and always had plenty of goodies.

Also, by the end of this month, the Apple's farm was also producing an increasing amount of both apples and other yummy foods.

Another amazing happened towards the end of that first month. It was late Spring anyway, and so the weather would switch back and forth between cool and comfortable.

The last few days of the fourth week, the coats went away. The Weather-works in Cloudsdale were back on line. And with this, the Rainbow Dash Twins resumed their usual job of controlling the weather in Ponyville.

It is doubtful that the food supply lines for Cloudsdale had yet been restored.

Summer suspected that maybe 20 brave Pegasi were living on the ground below the city, and taking turns going up and running things. Their labors were welcomed all around Equestria.

The third week would also find a new stallion in town named Desert Spring. He was also a Pegasus, from the dry meadow beyond Dodge City. His Cutie Mark was a shiny blue desert stream on a light tan, circular background. His coat was brown, and his mane was dark red.

The first day he arrived, he just sat on the grass outside of the Cake's for most of the day. He would talk to ponies that talked to him, but otherwise said very little. He was content to sit, relax, and watch in peace.

That night, Shysage heard some of the 'rabble' saying some pretty stupid things about him.

Ponyville had gotten both the bad with the good it seemed.

They must have ignored Princess Twilight's sign.

The next day, when Desert Spring showed up, Shysage joined him, and sat next to him for most of that day. They talked some, but otherwise just sat quietly. Summer soon joined Shysage, and Summer's sister Fluttershy soon joined Summer.

The four of them did talk some together, but also sat together enjoying the peacefulness of their now bustling town.

The dumb rumors stopped.

The third day, it was just Desert Spring and Fluttershy. Just like before, they talked some, but mostly just sat quietly, for the bulk of the day, drinking in what was happening around them.

Summer knew her sister too well, and realized that by now, Desert Spring and Fluttershy were probably communicating without even talking. This presupposed that Desert Spring was almost as sensitive as her sister. He was.

Summer later found out that the Fluttershys had talked the first day Desert Spring met Fluttershy, and Equestria Girls Fluttershy assured her Twin that she was in no shape for anything like that yet.

Summer smiled that her sister would be so considerate as to offer her Twin an opportunity first. Summer loved her sister.

The fourth day found Desert Spring and the two Fluttershy Twins at Fluttershy's Cottage, surrounded by animals.

The animals all loved Desert Spring, and he loved them too, especially the three Panthers. Fluttershy's three 'girls' loved to lay next to this new stallion while he scratched their ears. It didn't matter that they were almost twice as big as he was.

Desert Spring and Summer's sister Fluttershy were married by Princess Twilight at the end of this month, and Summer wept the whole time.

Still, Princess Twilight talked to both Fluttershy and Desert Spring together, to make sure they realized that the 'inner circle' had to be guarded as a priority. The morning ceremony was and always would be a 'given', and they all needed to agree to that first.

This was fine, there was not a 'pushy' bone in Desert Spring's body. And it was clear to everypony that Desert Spring was simply incapable of hurting anypony else, especially his new Mare.

The first month found Summer and Shysage even more delighted with simply being together. That seemed to still be all they needed.

Shysage had quite a bit of work to do, and this gave Summer plenty of time to wander around Ponyville and make friends (mostly mares), Summer loved that.

Still, they spent evenings, nights, and mornings together. It was heaven.

Summer still had no desires, and so the 'physical' side of their relationship was pretty low key. Shysage was adamant that Summer's enjoyment come first. He would wait for that privilege.

Summer knew her Stallion was also one in ten thousand, and she loved him deeply.

Besides, until Phantasma was dead, nothing that would risk a foal was even considered. They both realized they didn't really need that though.

Shysage still had plenty of ways to show his Mare she was special, and she surely felt that.

At the end of the first month, it was clear that Shysage needed to talk to Summer. She didn't know what, but she knew. Summer also guessed it wouldn't be an easy discussion.

They walked off into the woods around Ponyville one evening. Sufficiently away from town, Shysage asked that Summer change them both into their Equestria Girls form.

Shysage leaned against a tree, and hugged Summer tightly to him.

"Summer we need to talk about Princess Celestia" Shysage said quietly.

Shysage called this correctly, Summer began to cry immediately, and simply hugged Shysage tightly.

Summer was shaking.

Shysage was quickly weeping himself.

"Summer, I know that you realize this, but it will come down to either both Princesses dying or the rest of the realm dying.

"Summer you need to be ready to kill Princess Celestia and Princess Luna along with Phantasma... You really have no choice...

"And Summer... Both Princesses would be upset if you tried to save them. You know this is true..."

Summer didn't answer. She just cried for the next hour on Shysage's shoulder as he held her and cried with her.

Being a Phantom Alicorn wasn't easy...

Still, her Stallion made it a little easier...

Chapter 14, Second Month

Towards then end of the second month, it was summer.

It just looked to everypony, well those that could remember anyway, that Ponyville was almost 'back to normal'.

It was mostly new faces, and a lot of new buildings, but still...

Besides, with two Pinkies around, Ponyville couldn't be happier.

Two Unicorn stallions rolled into town this month, Beau and Big Gent.

Nopony could figure out the significance of the names, they looked identical and were very handsome.

They were both trained as rug-weavers. Problem was that in Eschate Zumulus' kingdom, there was no yarn to weave with. They both loved their trade, but couldn't practice it.

These brothers heard life was springing up in Ponyville, and headed west from Manehatten to find out.

They narrowly missed getting eaten by Phantasma as they passed through Canterlot. Nopony told them she was still alive.

Townsponies in Ponyville quickly directed them to Rarity's Boutique.

The Gent brothers thought they were in heaven when they found out Rarity had a bunch of yarn.

Both Raritys quickly volunteered to give them some. Both Raritys would have probably given them all of it had they asked, they were both very taken by these two dashing gents.

The Gent brothers set up shop in the building next to the Boutique, which they had to repair first. Some other ponies from the town helped them too.

The Gent brothers and the Raritys both appreciated the amazing artistic talent of each other.

However, it soon became clear that there was more going on. Without even fighting, or even knowing what the other was thinking, couples quickly formed.

Both Raritys found their dashing stallions it seemed.

They soon approached Princess Twilight, together, and asked to be married.

Before even considering this, Princess Twilight called a special meeting of all the Twins, and just the Twins.

Summer and Shysage were only there to record the results.

"Girls, how are we going to deal with the fact that we won't age, but any Stallions we take will?" Princess Twilight asked.

Fluttershy started crying immediately "Oh please don't tell anypony... I think that would crush Desert Spring... He loves me so much, and I just couldn't bare to hurt him at all..."

Fluttershy's sister and nine other dear friends quickly surrounded Fluttershy and comforted her.

"Ok, so this is the plan" Princess Twilight said. "Nopony is to know that we will no longer age. If anypony is asked specifically about this, then ladies you need to come talk to me."

The two Rarity Twins were married a week later in a double ceremony in the newly rebuilt Town Hall.

It took the Rarity Twins almost that whole week to get 'everything right' with the decorations and such, and they both wailed the whole time during the maybe 45 minute ceremony.

Princess Twilight married them and that was that.

The new couples simply built a door between their two shops. Equestria Girls Rarity and Beau Gent lived in the Rug Wing, and Equestria pony Rarity and Big Gent lived in the Fabric wing. They all four worked together, and everypony got along great.

And they made some really amazing stuff.

They all worked on a rug for Princess Twilight that included a picture of both Princess Twilight and her Twin -- it was very nice. It was prominently displayed at the bottom of the stairs in the Library.

This second month also included a day when the Applejacks missed the daily morning ceremony.

Princess Twilight suspected nothing amiss, and they proceeded without them.

They missed the next day too however.

Princess Twilight said simply "Girls, lets go."

Nopony asked where, they were headed out to Applejacks.

As they all walked up the hill to the barn, both Applejacks met them, in tears.

Equestria pony Applejack said "Princess, I'm sorry... We have a bunch of apples ready to harvest, and not enought time in the day to do it... We have been working dawn to dusk... We just don't know what to do..."

Princess Twilight hugged her friend tightly, then said "Applejack, just ask. We are all here for you."

They did the Twins Ceremony right then and there, then they all helped the Apples harvest a bumper crop of apples.

Friendship was magic again.

Another amazing thing happened right at the end of this second month.

The Rainbows were out doing their job, and they saw them coming, and quickly got out of their way.

Still, the Rainbows rounded everypony up, and they headed out to where Summer's Tree used to be, so they could watch.

It was the Dragon Migration.

They watched for maybe half an hour, then all of a sudden, a fairly large dragon flew quickly, and fairly low overhead. A bunch of the ponies screamed.

This dragon was maybe 25 feet long, and landed with a crash near them.

Ponies were screaming as the dragon walked slowly towards them.

Well, Summer and her sister weren't screaming.

Summer laughed, then said "Oh Spike, stop scaring everypony."

Spike honestly didn't know who everypony was, but that voice helped him out. He was soon crying with Princess Twilight.

Fluttershy just knew, and Summer remembered what Spike looked like in the Portal room... ...maybe six months ago for her...

Spike's voice was a little lower, but otherwise he was the same Spike in a substantially larger dragon body.

Even though Spike was bigger, his presence brought Princess Twilight amazingly back to a much younger time. Her "Phillie" side was coming out, and Summer cried at this.

Spike took Princess Twilight for a fairly long ride, well long enough to concern everypony. She came back laughing, she had a great time.

Just for old time sake, she magically made a letter appear, sealed it, and threw it into the air.

Spike gave a 'whoosh' of fire, and it was gone.

Everypony was instantly quiet.

Equestria Girls Rarity had been a Unicorn since birth too.

"Princess Twilight" Rarity said quietly, "Where did that letter go?"

Princess Twilight answered without thinking "Probably on the ground near Princess Celestia, I don't know."

"Was there magic in that letter Princess?" Rarity asked. She knew the answer though.

Princess Twilight's eyes got very big, and she said simply "Oh no..."

Chapter 15, A Day like Any Other

The third month everypony simply stopped keeping track of the rebuilding effort. Things were just going well, and life in Ponyville really did again 'shimmer and shine'. Princess Twilight said so, and that was sufficient.

Shysage and his Mare woke up in 'their room' as usual. Summer still relished sleeping between Shysage's front legs up against his chest and neck, and that was enough for him. He got used to it. They both did. Shysage used one of his legs, and pulled Summer close.

Summer needed that at night, and Shysage probably needed that in the morning. Summer still had no desires however, but that seemed to make little difference to these two.

Summer just relaxed in his hug for a while, then rolled to face him and they rubbed noses.

"Lets go fly and eat" Summer said.

It was a beautiful morning, and the Rainbow Twins were already out clearing the sky.

Shysage and his Mare ate and drank, then just flew lazily over Ponyville together, waiting for the Rainbow's to finish their chores.

Suddenly, Summer looked down and said "Bah, rabble again..."

The three worst ones were teasing a lone Pegasus mare.

Shysage and Summer quickly landed next to the poor mare. She could barely walk, limping heavily, and couldn't talk either.

"I need--" was all she could say.

Summer realized it first, and just about shouted "It's Princess Luna Shysage!"

Shysage was instantly furious with the three who had been teasing her, and demanded they lay down on the spot. They did. Summer had never seen Shysage this angry.

That was soon forgotten, Princess Luna was in very bad shape.

Summer realized that Phantasma probably just cut Princess Luna free, and let her fall to the ground, which probably broke her leg in the process. Then Phantasma sent Princess Luna to Ponyville.

"Summer get Princess Twilight and the girls, I'll stay here" Shysage said quickly. Then he continued softly "Princess Luna, relax, we will take care of you. Princess Twilight is on her way."

Princess Luna just collapsed on the ground.

Shysage now noticed the big, ugly scabs, still bleeding some, across her back where she used to be connected to Phantasma.

Princess Twilight and a bunch of the Twins ran quickly up.

"Princess she is probably hungry and needs water. She also is limping badly." Shysage said.

"Girls, lets get her to Raritys" Princess Twilight said.

Then Princess looked at Summer and said softly "I think the day has arrived. You need to be ready."

All these ponies gently walked Princess Luna to Rarity's Boutique. It wasn't far.

Shysage worked on splinting Princess Luna's hurt leg while the Rarity Twins worked at cleaning her up.

Princess Luna was soon drinking, and ate some too.

As soon as she could, she gasped "Phantasma is coming..."

Then she said quickly "Please don't kill my sister..." and she burst into tears.

Summer burst into tears too... This would not be easy.

By now everypony was there, and Princess Twilight spoke quietly to the Rainbow Twins.

Rainbows it would be helpful if we knew how close Phantasma was. But if you get too close, she will probably kill you. You must keep a safe distance.

They were soon off, and Summer and Shysage headed north of town to the meadow outside of Ponyville, and just waited.

All the rest of the Twins soon joined them, along with Princess Luna, She refused to stay behind, and was still limping badly.

The Rainbow Twins soon returned, Phantasma wasn't far, maybe 20 or 30 minutes and she would be here.

The Rainbow Twins added "Princess Twilight, she is saying your name over and over..."

Princess Twilight thought a minute then said to Summer softly "Lets wait and see if she can be reasoned with. Maybe we can find a way out."

Princess Twilight had learned this from Princess Celestia herself, who seemed to always reserve the use of force as a last resort.

Even so, Summer changed into her Equestrtia Girls form so she could more quickly use her magic if it was needed.

Another 20 minutes, and Phantasma was in view, lumbering towards Ponyville. She wasn't as big as Eschate Zumulus, but was still almost three stories tall.

When Phantasma saw the group of ponies, she headed towards them.

Phantasma walked slowly towards Princess Twilight, who was standing next to the Phantom Alicorn.

At maybe 50 feet away, Phantasma stopped, and growled "Princess Twilight"

Princess Twilight said calmly "What do you want?"

Phantasma roared loudly, then growled "You have used magic in my father's realm. You must die."

Phantasma immediately began casting some magic spell...

Princess Twilight screamed...

Summer quickly spun up her Cutie Mark, and gently batted Phantasma, probably just barely enough to stop her casting.

It was clear that Summer was trying to avoid hurting Princess Celestia.

Phantasma just growled, then started casting again...

Princess Twilight started screaming "SUMMER KILL HER!!!"

Summer batted Phantasma again, a little harder, which stopped her cast, and then used the flat palm of her hand to motion a flat shield down over Phantasma, crushing her whole body tightly to the ground.

Everypony could now see Princess Celestia's almost lifeless body hanging from Phantasma's side...

Princess Twilight moved, and was cowering behind Summer and began screaming again and again "SUMMER KILL HER OR WE WILL ALL DIE!!!"

Princess Luna had hobbled up to Summer, and was now hanging on her leg, also screaming, over and over again, "PLEASE DON'T KILL MY SISTER!!!"

Everypony else was screaming now too...

Phantasma had started casting some magic spell again...

Summer Rain, the Phantom Alicorn...

...herself screamed "NOOOOOOO...."

...then pressed Phantasma nine feet into the ground...

...crushing her entire body...

...killing her instantly...

Chapter 16, Warning

Shysage closed all his work, and shut his 'scope' off too.

"I've been doin' this all wrong..." he was thinking to himself.

Suddenly, Summer, sleeping in her room, screamed

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo..."

It was loud and long.

Shysage grabbed the candle next to him, and ran quickly to her side. He first checked to make sure her Cutie Mark wasn't active. A Phantom Alicorn having a nightmare would not be pretty.

Summer screamed again

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo..."

Shysage lay on his belly behind Summer, and put his front leg around her neck and hugged her.

Dawn ran quickly in too at this point. They were neightbors.

"Shysage what's wrong?" Dawn said, she was scared.

"I don't know" Shysage said.

Summer screamed again

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo..."

Shysage put his head right down next to Summer's head and said "Summer, I'm right here."

Summer's eyes blinked open suddenly at this, and she began to sob...

Summer was soon using her front legs to try and pull Shysage closer to her even though he was behind her. She was terrified, and breathing heavily as she cried.

Shysage moved to lay down on his belly facing her, and Summer quickly flipped over onto her belly, wrapped both her front legs around Shysage's neck, and simply clung tightly, with her head next to Shysage's as she cried.

After a few minutes, Shysage said "Dawn I think she just had a bad dream... She should be ok soo--"

"No Shysage, it was a warning..." Summer sobbed.

"Shysage, we need to get this writt--... We need to write this down... Shysage please..." Summer was pleading...

"Summer, as soon as you calm down, we can do that." Shysage said honestly.

Five minutes later, she was just weeping softly, and followed Shysage as he turned the compy back on, and started a new file.

This was Summer's Dream, they wouldn't be using the 'scope'.

They were both soon in Equestria Girls form, sitting together as 'people' on the bench Shysage had made for them, specifically for this.

Shysage could type a lot faster with fingers.

Dawn felt it was safe to leave, and said "Shysage, let me know if I can help at all."

"Thanks Dawn, I really appreciate your concern, I think we are ok for now." Shysage said as she headed out the door.

Summer cried quietly on Shysage's shoulder for a few minutes, then said she was ready to get started.

Summer mentioned that the first three sections were still vividly in her mind, even though happening earliest in her dream, because near the end of the dream, she and Shysage had written these parts down together. She said he would understand later.

Summer asked that they do at least these three sections before doing anything else.

Summer started with what was the first section of her dream, the Equestria Girls at their thirty fifth High School reunion.

Summer's recollection of this first section was incredibly vivid, and Shysage was absolutely amazed at the quiet grandeur of this night. That is, until they arrived in a shattered Equestria.

Still, Shysage typed quickly, and after maybe two hours, and maybe three passes through, Summer felt good about the first section. It really was beauty in the midst of tragedy.

Shysage opened a new file, and Summer started talking about the next part of her dream, which described Summer never making it back though the Portal, and both Shysage and Fluttershy increasingly failing to cope with Summer being gone.

Shysage could feel the pain and heartache in this section, and tears often formed in his eyes.

He also could easily see himself offering to take care of Summer's sister Fluttershy in Summer's absence.

There was no escaping the place the monster's curse played in the beginning of this section; this was a very real concern Shysage and others had even now.

This section only covered maybe a month or less, and ended with the present simply fading away. It was awful.

After maybe an hour and a half, and three passes through, Summer said it was good.

Shysage told Summer this section made him want to cry. He honestly told Summer he had become very attached to her, and this... this would be excruciating for him were this to happen.

They stopped a little while, and just cried together.

The next section was probably the hardest for Summer to recount. Not because she couldn't remember; her retention of this section was very good. It was hard because she came 'home', and her 'home' was all but deserted.

Ponyville was an abandoned ghost-town, and the rest of Equestria seemed the same as well.

Plus, Summer realized she was decades into the future, and it seemed like all her friends were gone.

Still, she found Dawn's grand-daughter, and was amazed to see Dawn's legacy at work in her descendants.

Summer found out about the big bear too, but Summer seemed eager to face him. She was a Phantom Alicorn.

A few passes through, and Summer was happy with it.

The Sun was peeking up now, and Shysage and Summer were both falling asleep. They decided to take a nap.

They got up from the bench, and Shysage turned everything off. Then Summer changed them back into pony form.

Shysage walked into the middle of the main room, lay down on his belly, and Summer lay next to him. They were both soon asleep.

When Shysage awoke in a few hours, he was on his side, and Summer was asleep between his front legs, with her head just below his, and with her back and wings tucked up against his chest.

Shysage didn't move. Well, he reached around her chest just a little with his front leg, and pulled her close. She sighed audibly and contentedly in her sleep.

A minute later, Summer woke up with a start, and tried briefly to roll out from under Shysage's front legs. Shysage just pulled her back.

Summer said quickly and almost apologetically "Shysage I'm sorry... Maybe I shoul-- I just needed to--"

Shysage stopped her "Summer, relax" then he hugged her close again.

After a few minutes, Shysage asked softly "Is this were you want to be Summer?"

Summer began to weep, then she explained through her tears.

"Shysage, in my dream we were married... This erased the problem that the monsters started... ...And I've never been so happy...

"But when I woke up, it was back... ...worse maybe... I'm sorry... I cant help--"

Summer just cried a minute, then said very quietly "This is the only place I've found where it doesn't hurt... Next to you... Right here..."

Shysage hugged her again, and she relaxed.

After a few minutes, Shysage said softly "Summer whenever you need this, just let me know.

Summer just wept softly. "Thank you Shysage... For caring..."

Shysage just hugged her again.

They got up a few minutes later.

"We need to run to Princess Twilight's before we start into this again." Shysage said. Then he added "Are you hungry?"

They both flew for a little while, it was amazing. Summer felt a lot better afterwards. Still, she remembered actually looking at Shysage in her dream, at his coat, mane and tail. She looked again, they still looked very similar. It was a little uncanny.

After flying some, they enjoyed some Oats together.

Next they flew to the Library. They found that it was a burnt stump, they had both forgotten again. They both still cried every time they forgot and came here; so much had happened in this small tree-house.

They were quickly to the Castle. Summer realized that it wasn't very far from 'Summer's tree'.

After a little hunting in this larger building they managed to find Princess Twilight. She was in her much larger Library.

Summer and Shysage both bowed, and Princess quickly brought them up, and Summer hugged her Princess briefly.

"What brings you two here, and... ...hmm... ...looking a little haggard too, is everything ok?" Princess Twilight asked.

"Princess, Summer had a very vivid dream last night, and I wanted to ask Princess Celestia if it would be ok to halt the other projects to get the dream recorded." Shysage explained. "Maybe can you have Spike ask her for us?"

Princess Twilight thought for a minute, probably something along the lines of the Phantom Alicorn having a vivid dream.

"Hmmm..." Princess said. "Summer did the dream have to do with Equestria?" she asked.

Summer nodded yes.

"Summer, did the dream have to do with me and the girls?" Princess asked again.

Summer's eyes teared up at this, and Princess Twilight quickly hugged her tightly for a minute.

"Shysage take the time you need, and I will let Princess Celestia know." Princess Twilight said calmly. "I think I want to see this dream too."

They headed back to Shysage's house, they were quickly back in 'people' form, sitting on the bench, and Shysage turned the compy back on, and opened another file.

Before starting, Summer began weeping softly, and said slowly "Shysage, you asked me to marry you in this part... I've never been so happy... Please be patient with me, I will probably have to stop and cry a lot...

Shysage just gave her a hug. Then he said "I don't think we are in a huge hurry..."

Well, they both cried a lot. Recording this section went very slowly.

Shysage agreed he was an idiot too.

Shysage said he would gladly propose if he could, but from Summer's comments in the dream, it was clear she understood why he couldn't.

They both just cried together a while here.

Shysage also wept openly when Fluttershy arrived. Shysage understood how close these two girls were, er, are.

Overall, as difficult as this section was, at the end of it, the two ponies Summer wanted and needed were back by her side.

And Shysage agreed that Summer's conclusion about the purpose of evil leaders was spot on. If good was trampled, they were happy, regardless of what else happened.

Over the next few days, and really not sleeping as much as they should have maybe, the record of 'Summer's Dream' came together.

When they got to the return train trip back to Ponyville, and their hushed discussion about the role intimacy may have played, two things happened.

First, Shysage had no idea how Summer knew conclusions he had drawn years ago; in some cases she had even used his exact wording. Whether or not this was a primary issue, then or now, this topic reflected a concern Shysage carried, but rarely had opportunity to voice.

He and Summer had certainly never talked about this. Shysage was mystified.

Second, Shysage and Summer again made a trip back to Princess Twilight. Shysage mentioned that some of the contents of Summer's Dream included some rather personal content, and...

Well before he even finished explaining, Princess Twilight said simply "Record everything."

He guessed she would say that, Shysage was a Canterlot Recorder after all, and that was just the way it was done. Shysage just wanted to make sure.

Even so, Shysage realized that this would limit the audience for this record to just the seven sets of Twins, along with Equestria's Princesses.

The part about the big bear was next, and so Shysage and Summer took a break here.

It was late afternoon, and so Summer and Shysage walked over to Summer's Tree, it wasn't far.

They just sat there a while gazing off into the distance.

Fluttershy soon walked up and hugged her sister, and they all sat quietly there and watched the Sun set.

It was very calm, very peaceful. The two most important ponies in Summer's life were right by her side. She hugged them both close.

After it was dark, Summer quietly asked Shysage if she could spend the night at Fluttershy's. 'Sis time' was always wonderful for these girls.

Shysage knew this, and quickly said it was fine. They could resume their work tomorrow.

They flew off, and Shysage flew to his house. He didn't like that it was empty, but he knew Fluttershy was good for Summer. Besides, he knew his focus needed to be on what was best for Summer, and so it was ok.

Shysage pulled in the first file of her dream, and started going through them again. Summer's Dream was very vivid, and they were only maybe half-way done.

Shysage came across the "true friend in the sky" part, and was again mystified. This was Shysage. That's exactly what he was doing while waiting for Summer to run back the day after her abduction. How could Summer know that?

Anyway, after correcting a few typos, Shysage saved his work, and turned the compy off.

Then he lay down in the middle of the floor, and was soon fast asleep.

When Shysage woke up in the morning, Summer was next to him. He smiled, and said "Good morning, amazing mare."

Summer spoke her mind. "Shysage you said --" Shysage just rolled onto his side, and Summer climbed into her 'safe spot', then sighed as he pulled her close. That's all she needed.

Half an hour later maybe, and they were eating Oats together, and were soon doing some fun morning flying. Shysage was shadowing Summer, and he had to ask her to slow down a few times. She was faster than he was. But they both loved flying.

Soon, Rainbow Dash joined them, and the three of them just enjoyed flying around Ponyville for a while. It was amazing and very relaxing.

"Summer, we really need to get back to work" Shysage said softly.

"Aww work..." Rainbow said dismayed. Still, she thanked them for the fun, then flew off.

Summer and Shysage were soon sitting at the compy again working on Summer's Dream.

The big bear was next. Shysage cried when Princess Twilight's hide was deeply gashed... This was just not supposed to happen. Still, she lived, but writing about this was hard.

And Shysage knew that most monsters in Equestria would not feel a fight against the Phantom Alicorn was fair. It didn't matter. The Phantom Alicorn existed to oppose evil, and that's the way it was.

The next section involved communion being restored to Princess Twilight's circle as old wounds were healed, regardless of the cause. This whole process made Shysage cry, restoration was always amazing, and the use of the 'Elements of Harmony' really demanded complete unity.

Even so, Shysage mentioned that he didn't think that extending the Soul-Link beyond a pony and her Twin was even possible. This ultimately didn't matter, it happened in Summer's Dream, so they recorded it.

Princess Twilight being able to walk away from her 'doom' was very moving for Shysage.

Summer mentioned with a smile, that Shysage seemed to be increasingly attached to Summer's Princess.

Shysage just smiled and agreed with her.

The 'Twins Ceremony' was very interesting, and seemed like a good idea. Shysage felt that it would also be easy for such a thing to become stale if ponies let it. It really depended on the ponies involved.

Summer and Shysage's wedding just made Shysage cry. He stopped and hugged Summer tightly, well they both did, for a few minutes.

Still, his and Summer's discussion in her dream about Shysage putting her pleasure ahead of his was also on target, and they had surely never discussed this.

As Summer mentioned in her dream, that was Shysage just applying 'putting others first' into all areas, so Shysage could see how Summer may have arrived at that conclusion.

Sometimes dreams are just hard to explain.

The rest of the dream recorded the rebuilding of Ponyville, and was amazing. An empty Ponyville was a frightening thought.

Fluttershy's courtship especially also made Shysage cry. It was done right, and with the right stallion, he was a good match for Summer's sister.

Shysage knew first hand that it was so easy for sensitive ponies to suffer terrible abuse from ponies/people who weren't nearly as sensitive, and so simply didn't care.

It took maybe five days total, but they got 'Summer's Dream' written down, well typed in, and even made a second pass through to fix any problems they found.

Shysage used the capability of part of his 'scope' thing to print the pages out. It didn't look great, but it was readable.

They didn't even bother having it bound, not yet. Since this work would have a very limited audience, there was no reason for a more polished work anyway.

It was late now, so they both collapsed on the floor next to each other, and were quickly fast asleep.

They both were evidently exhausted, they slept halfway through the morning.

When Shysage woke up, Summer was awake facing him. She looked like she slept terrible.

Shysage just rolled onto his side, and Summer was soon up against him, and began weeping.

"I had a dream about the monsters Shysage... It really hurt..."

Shysage just pulled her close, waited a minute, then asked "Is this helping?"

Summer had calmed down, then said simply "More than you will ever know."

"Summer, don't wait next time. If this helps you, don't wait to ask." Shysage said softly.

Summer just sighed contentedly.

Shysage did too.

In maybe thirty minutes, Summer felt better, and they both got up, and headed out the door for Oats and flying.

Maybe an hour later, they came back to the house, and got Shysage's printed copy of 'Summer's Dream'. It was just a pile of papers, well with page numbers.

While working on the dream, a bound copy of the first volume of Summer's Chronicles had also arrived. They didn't stop to read it because together, they wrote most of it. Besides, reading it again made them cry.

Shysage slipped both 'books' into his shoulder bag, and Summer and Shysage headed to Princess Twilight's Castle.

Chapter 17, Princess Twilight and the 'Bond of Knowing'

Shysage was not the kind of pony that went around constantly watching other ponies' Cutie Marks.

However, during his time in Equestria as a Canterlot Recorder, Shysage had developed a pretty good awareness for the types of situations that might precede or accompany radical or tumultous change.

This happened today. Right now.

Princess Twilight and her girls were in the much larger library of her new Castle. They were all working together to help Princess get a new shipment of books onto the mostly empty shelves, in just the right place. Organization was important to this Princess.

Summer and Shysage had just arrived, delivering both the first volume of 'The Chronicles of Summer Rain', as well as the printed pages for a book containing the careful record of 'Summer's Dream'.

They both bowed, then Summer hugged Princess Twilight, then her sister.

Princess Twilight used her magic to take both items out of Shysage's shoulder bag, and lay them on the table. Princess moved the Chronicles to the side, she had been there for most of what was included. She did not feel the need to look at it just now.

Princess used her magic and picked up the stack of pages that was 'Summer's Dream', and noted that the front page included a specific caution, this work was not to be widely circulated. Just the (now) 9 sets of Twins were the only ones who could read it.

Princess Twilight next looked at the table of contents, selected a chapter, then read for a few minutes.

Then she calmly folded the pages together, put them back on the table, then said "Girls, 'Summer's Dream' is here on the table in case any of you want to read it through. I think it should stay here however. And be careful, it is not bound yet."

Princess Twilight then grabbed a few more new books from a box, and was using her magic to carefully place each one on the shelf where she wanted them.

Applejack walked over to the table, opened 'Summer's Dream' up to a random spot somewhere in the middle, and then began to read.

Within half a minute, Applejack was hysterical. She was sobbing loudly, and wouldn't, couldn't stop.

Shysage knew this could be an identifying moment, and watched Princess Twilight.

Right where she was, Princess Twilight, sideways to Shysage, and facing a shelf full of books, simply looked up, then stared off into the distance briefly.

Then her Cutie Mark changed over the course of maybe 10 seconds. The five smaller stars shifted so they were all over the points of the big star, and a sixth star was added above the now vacent spot above one point of the big star.

It had happened... Princess Twilight knew...

It wasn't obvious immediately, but over the course of the next two days, Princess Twilight pursued a specific course that could only come from a deep connection with the very realm of Equestria. Princess Twilight knew what to do. She knew exactly what to do. The coming days would prove this.

Shysage had worked mostly with Princess Celestia until recently. He could count on Princess Celestia generally knowing what was best for the realm. She just knew.

Shysage was also fairly sure that Princess Luna possessed a connection somewhat similar to the Twins 'Soul-Link', but with the entire realm of Equestria.

Twilight had been made a Princess, and began working through a process of becoming one, even though for the most part it had been a hit or miss proposition. She tried, learned, and grew.

But that all changed today. Right now.

It was difficult to say whether the realm of Equestria reached out and claimed Princess Twilight for this honor, or whether Princess Twilight finally reached far enough into the realm to get plugged in. Either way, it didn't matter, the result would be the same...

That very moment, signified by the subtle change of her Cutie Mark, Princess Twilight became heir to the

'Bond of Knowing'.

She was now indissolubly linked to the needs of Equestria. She just knew.

Princess Twilight's transition into 'Princess-ness' was now complete.

The events that occurred over the next two days would simply show the completeness of this bond.

Princess Twilight quickly set the last book where it belonged

Then she said calmly "Girls can you please come help me with Applejack?"

Then Princess walked over, and used her magic to pick the pages of 'Summer's Dream' up, and carefully slid them back into Shysage's shoulder bag, saying "Shysage take these and keep them for now. You will need them tomorrow."

Princess Twilight gently hugged Applejack a minute, then backed off a little and looked her in the eye, then said quietly "You had the same dream didn't you? It was from your prespective and not Summer's, but it was the same dream. You had forgotten the details until just now, right?"

Applejack immediately calmed down, and nodded yes.

Princess Twilight asked one of the guards to find Spike for her, and to tell Spike she needed him.

The stage would soon be set.

Princess Twilight became Shysage's Princess on the spot.

Chapter 18, Setting Up

"Spike, send a letter to Princess Celestia. I want an Air Coach at my Castle as soon as possible, and two more at the Crystal Palace for the Equestria Girls." Princess Twilight said calmly.

"Shysage, Summer, I need you to go through the Portal and get all of the Equestria Girls. Tell them it is not an emergency, but we need all of them here."

The rest of Twilight's girls became VERY excited at this, they would see their Twin's soon. They had not seen them in over three weeks, and their last parting had been very difficult.

Princess Twilight was excited too. She loved her Twin. They all did.

Still Princess said softly "Girls I know we are all anxious to see our Twins, and we will probably all stay here tonight, and spend some time together. Tomorrow will be a very important day however, and we will need to be able to focus. Just prepare yourselves for that."

In maybe forty minutes, Summer and Shysage were walking down the main hall at Equestria High. It was early afternoon, so Summer led them both to Principal Celestia's office.

Summer knocked, and Principal Celestia asked them in. Summer and the Principal hugged briefly.

"Principal, Princess Twilight wants the Equestria girls all in Equestria" Summer said quietly. "It is not an emergency, she just needs them all to come."

Principal Celestia immediately got up, walked over to a big box, moved something on it, then picked up a 'Mic' thing and began taking. Her voice reverberated down the halls.

"I apologize for the interruption students, but would Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy and Summer Rain please come to my office. Thank you."

It surely didn't escape the notice of the rest of the students that these girls weren't just 'any students' that got called in by the Principal.

These girls were quickly walking arm in arm as they joined each other in the halls. They were all smiling broadly, anticipating what they would find.

They were soon all inside Principal Celestia's office. Everypony cried, and hugged Summer. They were so glad to see a piece of Equestria again. Equestria was in their hearts.

The seven Twins were soon crying with tears of joy at the news, Princess Twilight needed them to come. They would be with their Twins, and in Equestria very soon. It was Thursday anyway, so nopony even hesitated at this amazing request.

They would soon be 'home'...

Principal Celestia had them leave all their 'stuff' in her office, and the seven Twins headed to the Portal, and walked through every 30 seconds maybe. They were all weeping softly...

Summer and Shysage went last.

Everypony was familiar with this, and most were able to throw themselves forward at the Equestria end. Fluttershy and Twilight still fell, but were quickly helped up and out of the way by the others.

Everypony was still weeping... They loved this place... They loved their Twins...

Princess Cadance met everypony in the Portal room, and walked them down to three Air Coaches waiting outside.

Summer, her Twin and Shysage were in one of the coaches.

Rather than wait for Summer to even ask, Shysage said quietly "Summer, I know you love your Twin, and I know she is amazing too. While she is around, please enjoy your time together, and don't worry about me. I have plenty I can do."

Summer began to cry again, and put her head down on Shysage's shoulder. "I don't deserve you" she said softly.

Shysage slowly lifted his shoulder, which raised Summer's head, and he rubbed her nose briefly with his. It was a bold move, but he didn't regret it.

Summer got the point and smiled at him.

Later that afternoon, all seven Twins were soon sitting on the grass in front of Princess Twilight's new Castle, hugging their Twins, head to head, weeping. They all fell into the Soul-Link at about the same time.

It was heaven for each of them, and most wept softly. This was just perfect peace alongside an almost carbon copy of themselves, no harm, pain or evil could come.

Shysage didn't have a Twin, but from what Summer had told him, it was unlike anything else.

Summer and Shysage had both worked together to carefully document this amazing gem, especially in chapter 41 of the first volume of Summer's Chronicles. Summer said words really couldn't adequately describe it.

Even so, Shysage didn't think he wanted to be in the middle of a slumber party with these fourteen girls, even though he had come to love them all dearly.

Shysage walked back to his house, and started working on volume 4 of Princess Celestia's commentaries. It was almost done, it had been a good year for Princess Twilight and True Friendship. It was still magic.

Shysage went to sleep early for once.

When Shysage woke up the next morning, both Summers were sleeping, next to each other, and facing him. They both looked like it had been a rough night.

Shysage knew from talking to Summer that her Twin had a similar run-in with Rape, and was trying to fight the same demons. That also surfaced early in Summer's dream too. The specifics were not important, they were both plagued with the same lies.

Shysage was again disgusted that men could cause such hideous damage, then laugh and walk away. The culture in the Equestria Girls world just turned a blind eye towards this mounting pain. That was disgusting too.

Shysage knew there was a far more serious problem there, true 'Lady-ness' was being erased on his home planet... Shysage stopped himself here. Still he didn't like his home planet. In so many ways, it was simply rushing head-long towards the precipice...

But two amazing mares, shattered with one of the 'poisons' of Shysage's world were right before him. Shysage put his head back down, and tried to think of some way he could help both Summers. The monster's curse was so strong...

Before he had gotten much thought in, the Summer Twins woke up, and still looked haggard and drained, even when they were awake...

Shysage asked that they sit up, and managed to hug them both without falling over backwards. He was quickly crying, he cared about both of these mares.

He said simply "I wish I could convey to you both how absolutely priceless each of you are... It breaks my heart to see the monster's lies torture you both so..."

Shysage stopped here because he was crying, and couldn't talk any more. They cried with him for a little while, then they all headed back to the Castle.

Shysage doubted what he said did much good... ...he had to try though... True friends...

Princess Twilight said Shysage would need his printed text of 'Summer's Dream', and so he slipped his shoulder bag on before leaving.

When Shysage and the two Summers arrived at the Castle, everypony was getting ready to leave.

Somepony asked where they were going, and Princess Twilight said simply "Deathwell".

Shysage was amazed at this, but said nothing. He didn't even know if such a place existed.

They all walked out to Applejack's Farm first, then from there they headed into the Everfree, to Zecora's hut.

Princess Twilight went in and hugged her friend, and they chatted briefly. Zecora would come and watch from the background.

They headed further into the Everfree, and sure enough, they were soon standing in a clearing, just like the one described in 'Summer's Dream'.

Shysage had never even been here before.

Soon after, two Air Coaches landed near them. The Luna Twins and Celestia Twins were now present as well, but were probably here just to observe like Zecora. The five of them found a place near the pathway in, and sat down at the edge of the clearing.

The Air Coaches quickly left.

The stage was set.

Chapter 19, Coming Clean, Part 2

Princess Twilight explained that the first order of business was that Shysage would read the entire text of 'Summer's Dream'.

For this, the Twins all sat in a circle, with Shysage between the two Summers and the two Fluttershys. They were close enough to Zecora and the Celestia and Luna Twins so that they too could all easily hear everything.

In fact, Princess Twilight wanted everypony to hear. With the exception of Princess Cadance, the rest of the rulers of Equestria were present. Princess Twilight took this all very seriously.

Shysage just read chapters 1 through 15 -- 'Summer's Dream', as best as he could. Group responses recorded here are general only; there were a lot more details, and it was just hard to cover individual responses.

There were a lot of details in this dream -- Summer's recollection of it was very vivid.

All the Equestria Girls wept openly as Shysage read chapter 1. They could easily see this happening, and really did feel separated by the Portal. While they didn't want to see their lives a wreck, they looked forward to the day when the Portal would separate them no longer.

Shysage had difficulty reading chapter 2, and Fluttershy cried too.

Summer, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna cried a lot during chapter 3. Coming home to a gutted Equestria was hard for Summer, but the Princesses grieved at the state of their realm portrayed in Summer's dream. It was a frightening picture to them. They did not want to see this happen.

Equestria pony Summer put her leg around Shysage's neck, then they both cried as Shysage tried to read chapter 4.

Chapter 5 included a lot. Both Fluttershys smiled and said they wanted Panthers like that, but at the end, Princess Twilight was having trouble with the prospect of being banished to Zecora's hut without Zecora.

The rejoining with the Equestria Girl Twins in the first part of chapter 6 made everypony cry. They kept crying though, the prospect of losing a Twin was terrible.

Through the end of chapter 6, the Summer Twins just held each other and cried. This was a terrible night for Summer in her dream. But at least it was only a dream...

The more detailed look at the chain of events that lead to the fall of Equestria recorded in chapter 7, again drew tears from the Princesses present. They all were clearly taking this scenario seriously.

It was dead quiet when Shysage read chapter 8, especially the parts discussing the role intimacy may have played in Equestria's unraveling in Summer's dream.

Still, each of the Princesses knew that, in Summer's Dream, Shysage had correctly surfaced the nature of the 'Elements of Harmony', and the dangers that any fractures in Twilight's circle would quickly present.

Everypony present either knew or realized that guarding the use of the 'Elements of Harmony' had to be a priority.

The chapter including the fight with Eschate Zumulus (9), brought tears from Princess Twilight and all her girls, well and Shysage too. Nopony wanted to see their Princess hurt like that. It was just tough.

No mention was made about Summer defeating Eschate Zumulus. Everypony was pretty sure the Phantom Alicorn could easily do that again.

The chapter about re-establishing communion, and finding complete devotion among Princess Twilight's circle (10), left Princess Twilight sobbing. She almost had Shysage read it again, but finally decided to say simply this "If we can't maintain our communion and devotion, we might as well stop now. We will talk about this more later."

Chapter 11 covered the trip back to Ponyville after the defeat of Eschate Zumulus. Responses focused mainly on discussion at Dawn's that evening. Princess Twilight was deeply moved by the lesson she mentioned in Summer's Dream.

Chapters 12-14 covered the rebirth of Ponyville, and everypony was just amazed at the vividness of Summer's recollection of this process. Summer's sister and the Rarity Twins teared up briefly that the mention of their weddings.

Chapter 15 covered the final confrontation with Phantasma, and formed the end of 'Summer's Dream'. The group felt for Summer, but most didn't think this would happen.

Right where everypony sat, Princess Twilight next addressed everypony, crying... "There was a lot here, but the main thing I see is that our communion, our mutual devotion must be cherished and guarded above all, or we may as well just quit now...

"Summer's dream clearly portrayed the extent to which Equestria and the thousands of ponies in it, specifically and absolutely DEPENDS on us maintaining that bond, our communion with and devotion towards each other.

"Shysage back out, and girls circle up as twins, and join hoof to hoof. We are going to try to group link, and will wait until everything is clear so we can do this.

"I am dead serious, this has to be done, and will probably be something we do occasionally in the future as well."

Shysage was dumb-founded at this. He didn't even think a group link was possible, and he had told Summer so. If this worked, it would just amaze this Canterlot Recorder. But maybe... ...maybe Princess Twilight 'just knew'... Shysage backed off and watched.

Princess Twilight assumed a much softer tone and next said quietly "Girls, don't be ashamed or bashful, we are all in this together. We all need this from each other."

"I will start by admitting to a growing pride at what I have become..." Princess Twilight was crying again. "Girls, it's not me... Just like the dream, I am only what your presence makes me. It's you... your presence, that makes me the Princess I am... ...I'm so sorry..."

It was silent briefly.

Both Rainbows spoke softly next. "Fluttershy for years, I've always consider you a wimp, but honestly realize that your sensitivity is an amazing gift. I'm sorry." At this point, both Rainbows each hugged their respective Fluttershy, and wept briefly, then both Fluttershys said "It's ok Rainbow, I love you."

It was silent briefly again.

Both Applejacks spoke next. "Rarity, I have silently resented your insistance on Fashion... But I just shouldn't. Your eye for beauty is amazing, and I love you for it." Both Raritys quickly ran over and hugged their respective Applejacks.

The Group Link sprang to life at this point. This was all it took...

The seven Twins all fell into each other's loving presence. The group link brought them all together. It was amazing. They loved each other from the inside now too... ...and they all found... ...Devotion... ...Devotion to each other, and devotion to their Princess...

Shysage was amazed too... But then realized, Princess Twilight just knew... Shysage also noted that they were able to do this in their pony form. Shysage knew that was important.

They stayed linked, and enjoyed communion with each other for maybe ten minutes.

Princess Twilight then broke the link, then had the Summer Twins back out. Princess Twilight asked that they re-establish the link, and it worked as before.

Five minutes later, Princess Twilight broke the link again.

Princess Twilight was ready.

Chapter 20, Eschate Zumulus, Part 2

Princess Twilight next asked Shysage for the page that included the words she said in the dream that actually brought Eschate Zumulus down to her.

Shysage pulled it out and gave it to her.

Princess Twilight then walked into the center of the clearing. This was the place Princess Twilight was, according to Summer's dream.

Please girls, stay back until I call you.

According to the dream, Princess Twilight had said 9 words, and these words called Eschate Zumulus.

As Shysage looked on in amazement, Princess Twilight slowly began to read those same words, but in the reverse order. She said them all loudly. Not screaming, just loud.

"Friendship"

Princess Twilight slowly read the next five. These were the 'Elements of Harmony' of Princess Twilights girls.

"Kindness..."

"Loyalty..."

"Generosity..."

"Laughter..."

"Honesty..."

Shysage realized what she was doing. This wasn't 'incantation' at all, Princess Twilight was just trying to goad one of the enemies of Equestria to appear...

"Goodness"

Princess Twilight was taunting Eschate Zumulus...

Princess Twilight was daring him to show his face...

"Peace"

Princess Twilight was saying all the words she knew he hated, to draw him forth to battle...

Princess Twilight was issuing a challenge...

"Justice"

...

...

...

It worked...

A dense fog immediately engulfed the entire clearing...

"Girls come, twin up, hoof to hoof. We need the group link now." Princess Twilight said calmly.

"Summers, get on whatever side Phantasma is on, and keep her out of action until we are done."

A loud, hair-raising, piercing scream rang out, lasting for over a minute.

The Elements of Harmony that had embedded themselves into the Equestria ponies' Cutie Marks after Sunset Shimmer's defeat, sensed the approach of enemies of Equestria, and quickly rose back out, and simply hovered, slowly rotating, maybe a few inches above the heads of each of the six Equestria ponies.

Each crystal then quickly duplicated, and the second one floated over the correct Equestria Girl's heads as well. There were now 12 crystals. Each of the Equestria Girls had their own 'Element of Harmony' crystal now too.

Once the Group Link was active, a faint, light, 12 pointed star blinked in, with the points of the star touching the bottom of each crystal.

Eschate Zumulus and Phantasma slowly began to rise out of the ground, in outline form first.

Phantasma was on the left, and the Phantom Alicorn quickly moved to face her. Equestria Girls Summer simply kept her hand in her Twin's back. Equestria Girls Summer's Cutie Mark was actually spinning now too. The Phantom Alicorn felt this added boost.

Once the monster's feet were maybe 20 feet off the ground, they both materialized fully in, then fell to the ground with a crash.

Both growled fiercely.

Next, Eschate Zumulus roared "NO! YOU WON'T!!!"

Princess Twilight calmly answered "Yes, we will."

Both Eschate Zumulus and Phantasma started casting in unison.

The Phantom Alicorn body slapped the full height of both of them, knocking them both over backwards, and stopping their casting.

The Phantom Alicorn next coated both of them with ice, locking them solid. Summer knew the ice would soon melt.

The Phantom Alicorn next motioned a small cup shaped shield down over Phantasma, crushing her brutally to the ground. She couldn't move, she probably couldn't even breath.

Princess Twilight was talking to her Twin. "Ok Twilight, let's cast a simple spell that creates a loud acoustic 'Pop' sound. Use the link for the details if you need to, let's go." Princess Twilight said softly.

Eschate Zumulus was back up now.

Both Twilights cast together.

With this, a magical conduit, the exact shape and diameter of the star linking the "Element of Harmony' crystal bases, snaked up, then across, and ended directly in front of Eschate Zumulus.

He growled at it then started casting hinself.

The 'loud pop' sound was greatly amplified by the magical conduit...

...and Eschate Zumulus simply exploded backwards away from the end of the conduit...

The explosion ripped his body into thousands of tiny pieces... ...bone... ...hair... ...skin... ...tissue... ...teeth... ...blood...

Pieces of Eschate Zumulus' body exploded over maybe 3 square miles of the Everfree, and the area nearby was drenched in blood.

"Ok Twilight, lets cast a simple spell that makes a bright flash of light. Again, use the link if you need to" Princess Twilight again said softly.

They both cast together.

Once this cast was complete, it looked like a billion fire-flies shot out of the end of the conduit, and raced away.

It wasn't fire-flies, it was just fire...

A billion tiny tongues of fire raced madly away from the conduit. Each small fire homed in on a specific piece of Eschate Zumulus's body... A bit of hair here... A chunk of bone here... A drop of blood...

Each of these billions of small fires found their piece of the monster and rapidly consumed it.

For maybe thirty seconds, those three square miles of the Everfree looked to be ablaze...

When each fire had consumed their piece of Eschate Zumulus, they simply went out, causing no other damage to the Everfree.

After maybe thirty more seconds, the fire was gone, and the forest looked like nothing had ever happened.

Eschate Zumulus was... ...gone...

"Ok Summers, kill Phantasma please" Princess Twilight said calmly.

Summer did what she did in her dream. The Phantom Alicorn added Fire-balls under the shield, and rapidly burnt Phantasma to death. The seventh fireball thrown under the shield simply went out, and Phantasma was dead.

Summer again punched a 20 foot hole in the ground with Phantasma's remains at the bottom, and threw a fire-ball in to finish it off.

Dethwell...

Princess Twilight next broke the group link, then said calmly "Ladies you are all amazing, I couldn't have done it without each of you. Take a break and link up, you have all earned it. Take your time, we are in no rush."

Chapter 21, Untangling the monster's Curse, Part 2

After the defeat of Eschate Zumulus and Phantasma, the now 9 Twins simply Soul-Linked, and were mostly quiet. Zecora left, and returned to her hut.

...

Shysage walked slowly over to the far side of the clearing, away from everypony else, faced the forest, and sat down.

...

It didn't take long...

...

He was soon laying on the ground, curled up in a ball, sobbing...

His amazing friend Summer was broke... Her Twin was broke...

It was just getting worse...

The monsters were winning...

Shysage cared deeply about both amazing mares. But he felt so helpless... Huge needs... No resources...

...

Shysage had no idea how long he cried... It didn't matter...

...

Both Twilights walked over... Shysage didn't even know until Princess spoke.

"Shysage don't move, what's wrong?"

Shysage was sobbing and couldn't stop, but managed to try and make a little sense. Even so, he didn't even pick his head up, his tail was still covering it.

"The monster's lies... ...ruining both Summers..."

That's about all he could say, and began sobbing again...

It was silent again, both Twilight's had walked off.

...

Shysage kept crying...

...

After a little while, Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle walked over... weeping softly herself...

"Shysage, please come join us" was all she said, and she walked back.

...

Shysage picked his head up, and worked on calming down, wiping tears away from his face with his leg...

He got up, then slowly walked towards the group.

They were waiting...

Shysage realized they wanted him in the Group Link.

Shysage sighed.

Shysage had no secrets to hide... Just far too much pain inside...

...

The gap was between the two Summers, and Shysage hugged Equestria pony Summer and cried on her shoulder a minute. She just cried with him...

...

Then, hoof to hoof, they started the Group Link...

...

Shysage immediately relaxed, it was amazing, and very peaceful...

...

Shysage was soon choking back tears... The pain he saw in his own soul absolutely appalled him...

For years he had drank down rage and abuse, from those who should have loved him... As the true friend that he was, he quietly served them while completely emptying himself... Shysage had no idea the wreckage this had left inside...

He saw it now... He felt utterly humiliated... Simply cast off...

Shysage just sat there, eyes closed, head slightly up, and didn't make a sound. Even so, tears were streaming down his face.

...

Equestria pony Summer saw something far different...

She was soon sobbing herself... Shysage loved her deeply... She saw it from the inside now... She didn't just hear it, or feel it... She knew it now... She easily saw the monster's lies for what they were, and they were quickly gone... That's all it took... Summer was free...

...

Equestria Girls Summer also watched this process, in her Twin, and herself saw the monster's lies for what they were... If another man could love her Twin, her exact duplicate, just like this, and treasure her the way Shysage treasured Summer...

The monster's lies quickly faded away from Equestria Girl Summer's soul as well, she was free too...

...

Before bringing Shysage over, Princess Twilight had asked the girls to try not to overwhelm Shysage. This was a very personal meeting after all, and Princess Twilight explained this was mainly for the two Summer's benefit. They both needed to see inside this stallion.

The girls largely respected this, and simply and silently supported the link that allowed their two friends to see, to know what they needed...

...

The two Fluttershys simply could not look away from such pain... They had to at least try to help... They were Fluttershys after all, and quickly saw what they had both guessed, Shysage was too...

Still, nopony could touch Shysage's pain. But in the calmness of the link, they both just calmly stood with him. That's all they could do, but Shysage felt he wasn't alone, and that surely helped.

...

Equestria pony Summer was the only one who ventured further into Shysage's soul, and even so, she didn't stay long, she had already found his amazing devotion...

She found out why Shysage was crying silently now, and saw the ocean of pain his family had left behind.

Summer also found a far different wound inside Shysage's soul, also very large... It was from the night the monsters had taken her... Summer didn't know what it was, but decided she needed to ask Shysage at some point.

...

The task of this special link was complete as Equestria pony Summer KNEW that both she and her Twin were liberated from the blatant lies of their own unworthiness -- which was the monster's curse...

Summer and her Twin were free...

Summer then broke the link.

Most of the Twins all wandered off a little, then Soul-Linked again and were quiet.

...

Shysage didn't move, and was still crying silently, eyes closed.

Summer's sister Fluttershy walked up and hugged him, and he opened his eyes.

She said softly "We could not help with your pain at all, but we both realize we could easily do the same thing. We will never marry a stallion who does not fully understand us."

Then the Fluttershys walked some distance away, and Soul-Linked and were silent.

...

Shysage closed his eyes again. Tears again formed, and flowed down his face...

A different pony hugged Shysage, and he know it was Equestria pony Summer right away. She was crying too... They just cried together for a little while, hugging tightly.

Shysage forced himself to stop crying, and said softly "Summer spend time with your Twin while you can. I'll be ok, and we can talk later."

Summer hugged Shysage tightly again, then she and her Twin were soon Soul-Linked and were quiet.

"At least they are both free now" Shysage thought to himself. Shysage lay down, put his head down, and was soon weeping softly again. This meant a lot to him.

Chapter 22, The Pathway Home, Part 2

Dethwell was Phantasma's grave. Eschate Zumulus was simply gone.

True communion was restored to Princess Twilight's inner circle. It didn't take much, no deep secrets or dark confessions.

Even so, everypony would now be carefully guarding this gem. All Equestria depended on it.

That 'Summer's Dream' had a hand in that, was reason for celebration. It really had been a warning.

Both Summers had been liberated from the monster's curse too.

Everypony was just so happy...

After being Soul-Linked for over an hour, the Twins all came out at about the same time, it seemed.

Shysage got up and walked over to Princess Celestia and bowed.

"Please arise Canterlot Recorder, do you have some news for me?" Princess Celestia asked with a smile.

Shysage began "Princess, I think a number of amazing things have happened here today..."

Princess Celestia quickly replied "Oh, you mean the 'Bond of Knowing'?"

Shysage sighed, then thought that it was hard to impress a Princess when she already 'just knew'...

"Princess Twilight, please come here" Princess Celestia said, then added "Everypony else please gather around as well."

Once this was done, Princess Celestia nodded to Shysage then said "Canterlot Recorder, please..."

Shysage began.

"A number of amazing events took place this morning, that have never before been recorded in Equestria's history.

"Nopony has ever actually witnessed the arrival of evil beings into our realm, let alone actually challenged them to come forward as Princess Twilight did today. While it is likely each arrival is different, this is still an amazing occurrance.

"In addition, never before has Equestria's forces been present and ready at the exact time evil beings actually arrived in the realm. In this case, most of Equestria's leadership was present and waiting, and the monsters were quickly destroyed. This has never happened before.

"As well, we really need to congratulate the Equestria Girls. There are now 12 'Elements of Harmony' and not just six. These crystals have now also chosen the six Equestria Girls Twins, as they too reflect the exact same characteristics that led to the original crystals to chose the original Equestria ponies. This is amazing.

"I guess I also need to point out that the magical amplification of the Conduit based on the 12 'Elements of Harmony' crystals, added to the 'Group Link', is unlike any magical power yet seen in Equestria. Simple spells resulted in amazing power.

Shysage stopped there, and would let Princess Celestia say the rest.

Shysage then turned, and bowed to Princess Twilight, and everypony else followed except the other Princesses. Summer and her Twin were already right next to Shysage, and quickly bowed too.

Princess Celestia smiled, then spoke.

"Princess Twilight, the Canterlot Recorder has also indicated to me that you have recently become heir to the 'Bond of Knowing', and with this, your 'Princess Training' is complete.

"I think you will find your Cutie Mark has adjusted slightly to reflect this momentous change."

Princess Twilight replied softly "I know Princess, thanks."

Princess Celestia nodded approvingly, then said "Congratulations Princess."

Princess Twilight said quickly but softly "Please arise everypony. I am mindful that each of you have contributed substantially to what I have become. Thank you everypony."

Still fairly close around all the Princesses, Equestria pony Applejack began to weep, and said softly "Can I ask a question?"

Princess Twilight hugged her, then said "Of course Applejack."

Still weeping softly, Applejack asked "Princess, in my dream, Shysage said we would no longer age here. Was that just part of the dream?

Shysage thought very quickly here. First, he realized that pieces of 'Summer's Dream' would probably keep surfacing in these ponies minds for weeks. It was starting already. Applejack's dream was just the same dream, but from Applejack's perspective.

Shysage also tried to remember... The original discussion between Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight that included this, was covered in chapter 10 of Summer's chronicles. Shysage didn't think Summer helped with this chapter, it was still too early. Still, she may have read it.

Princess Twilight looked at Princess Celestia, and she just nodded with a smile.

Princess Twilight then said "Equestria Ponies please gather round. I think I want to be hugging you all when I say this." These six ponies were all soon hugging tightly.

Princess Twilight spoke softly, and was quickly weeping herself.

"Anypony who passes through the Portal from the Equestria Girls world to ours...

...will no longer age here."

All seven Twins began weeping softly now too, but listened to what Princess was saying.

"After we defeated Sunset Shimmer, all of our 'Elements of Harmony' crystals simply embedded themselves into our Cutie Marks. Remember that I wanted to watch carefully for how this played out on that dark night.

"The last time you were all with your Twins, Equestria leadership decided to allow you all to go to the Equestria Girls world for part of a day. This was the reason. Since the 'Elements of Harmony' were embedded into each of you, Equestria needed you all to live a long time. You all will no longer age.

"Be warned however, this does not mean you can't die. Discord killed us after all. But the natural aging process has halted for you, my dear friends."

The Equestria ponies were now crying.

Princess continued.

"Equestria Girls, you are included in this too. While you are here, you too will no longer age. We certainly don't want to force this, you all have valuable work to do in your world. But after you feel you are done in your world, we will be glad to welcome you home..."

Princess could not say any more, and was crying. Everypony was.

Equestria pony Summer was crying too, and had quickly worked this out. She and her Twin were still next to Shysage.

Summer looked at Shysage, and her look said everything.

Shysage just hugged her tightly...

The group now slowly made their way through the Everfree again, heading back to Applejack's farm.

Princess Twilight stopped briefly at Zecora's hut, and hugged Zecora, glad that 'Summer's Dream' was just a dream, and her friend was fine.

They were soon out to the field next to the entrance to the Everfree, and two Air Coaches were waiting for the Celestia and Luna Twins. Everypony hugged them all, and they were soon gone.

Princess Twilight, along with the rest of the seven Twins and Shysage, slowly wandered back to town, ultimately to the Castle.

Their path took them past the burned out stump of Princess Twilight's old Library, and Princess fell to the grass crying next to it.

Evidently Shysage and Summer weren't the only ones who felt that way.

Even so, Summer had an idea, and backed away from Princess a few steps, and fell to the ground and bowed. The rest soon followed, and everypony was bowing behind Princess Twilight while she cried in the grass.

Summer said softly "Princess..."

Princess Twilight got up and turned around, and was quickly crying again. "Oh girls..." she said.

Princess Twilight paused briefly in thought, then said this.

"Girls, I was crying before, because so much has happened in this small tree-house. But seeing you all here, just reminded me that all of you -- you precious ponies -- that is what happened here.

"The amazing times we had here, were with you, not because of a small tree-house.

"Girls, please come with me."

Princess Twilight led everypony quickly to her new Castle, and had everypony gather in a tight circle in the grass out front.

"Shysage, I need the page from 'Summer's Dream' with the final form of their Twins Ceremony." Princess said.

Shysage found it quickly and gave it to Princess.

"Girls let's say this together please." Princess Twilight said softly.

"We are deeply devoted to each other..."

"We are true friends, and committed to true friendship..."

"We are... ...Equestria..."

"And I am only a Princess with you all at my side."

Everypony was weeping softly after this.

Princess Twilight added "I doubt we will do this every day. But often I think, when we are all together, this is a good reminder.

"And girls, it doesnt matter to me where I live. Being around you precious ponies -- that is what matters to me."

Shysage didn't want to mention names, but somepony started the Numbers game soon after this. Shysage quickly recognized a game with no rules, and jumped in, literally.

After maybe twenty minutes, Shysage carefully wandered off, back to his house. Then he turned on his 'scope' thing. He was a Canterlot Recorder after all.

The rest of the Twins played until sundown, then spent the night as Twins together in the Castle with their Princess.

It looked like amazing fun, well, for a bunch of girls...

They had all earned this though, the entire day was amazimg too.

Chapter 23, Twins, Part 5

A little after Sun-up, Shysage woke up the next morning. He had gone to bed early.

He smiled as he realized that Summer was tucked up under his front legs again. He quickly reached his front leg around her and pulled her up close.

Summer sighed in her sleep.

Shysage was a little concerned however, wondering if she may have been still broke or something. He didn't think so, but he just didn't know.

But he didn't mind her being near him.

Half an hour later Summer woke up, didn't even move, and sighed again.

"Summer are you ok? Shysage asked. His voice betrayed some concern.

"Shysage, you said if I wanted..." Summer said softly.

"Well, yes..." Shysage responded.

Summer explained "From my dream, I remembered that mornings are hard for you. I don't need this anymore, but I think you do. This is for you. Anyway, I would be lying if I said I didn't appreciate this still."

Even before Summer was done explaining, tears were rolling sideways down Shysage's face.

"You are amazing..." was all he could say.

"Well you are too..." Summer replied.

"Let's relax a few more minutes, then I need to head back to the Castle. I think the next two days are Twins days, then on the third morning, which is supposed to be Monday, the Equestria Girls will head back." Summer explained.

A few minutes later, Summer rolled out, they rubbed noses a little, then Shysage walked Summer to the Castle.

"Thank your Twin for letting you join me this morning" Shysage said softly, trying not to cry.

Summer just hugged him tightly, then headed into the Castle.

Shysage walked back to his house, and turned the 'scope' on so he could keep track of what the day held for the Twins.

It was still early, and some of the Twins were still asleep. Summer and her Twin were just sitting and talking together. They both looked a LOT better.

He also anticipated his next task. Shysage expected Princess Celestia to ask him to put together 'Summer's Dream' along with the events of the last few days, as the next volume of Summer's chronicles.

He didn't know how he would be directed to handle some of the sensitive stuff, but Princess Celestia would tell him that if it mattered.

Shysage liked trying to stay 'ahead of the curve', so he started in on this.

He could have worked on wrapping up Volume 4 of Princess Celestia's commentaries on what Princess Twilight and her girls had learned about Friendship over the last year.

It had been a good year, the content was very good. The commentaries probably only needed one more pass before being sent to the printers.

He chose Summer's Dream instead because he wanted to try to work on a good first pass while it was all fresh in his memory.

When everypony was awake, Princess Twilight had them come to her large Dining Room, and they ate breakfast together. Evidently this part of the Castle was just now coming 'on-line'. The food was very good.

After they ate, Princess Twilight explained the order of the next few days.

The next two days were 'week-end' in the Equestria Girls world. These days would be mostly down-time and relaxing for the Twins. Princess wanted them all to have time to just be together, and wander around in the meadow together.

Princess Twilight had already arranged a special gift that the Rarity Twins would work on in the morning. When this was ready, Princess would gather all the Twins.

As a special treat, the Celestia and Luna Twins would be joining the group tonight. This meant all nine Twins would be together.

The Equestria Girls would need to get used to seeing their Principal and Vice-Principal in Equestria. Nopony minded.

Princess Twilight made a special point of telling the Summer Twins that Princess Celestia needed to meet with Summer and Shysage a little while at some point this evening as well.

Shysage saw this part and just smiled.

After two Twins days, on Monday morning for the Equestria Girls, they would head back through Portal to their responsibilities. School would be in session, and the Equestria Girls would then pick up their stuff from Principal Celestia's office.

"Still" Princess said, "Two days for Twins is awesome."

Then Princess just smiled and said "Well, get going!" and everypony wandered into the meadow around the Castle. Both Twilights did too.

Summer's Tree wasn't far, so the Summer Twins headed there. As she had in the past, both Summer's sat next to Rainbow's memorial garden. They Soul-Linked some, but also spent a while just gazing off across the meadow.

This was very relaxing, especially for Equestria Girls Summer Rain. Finding such a peaceful setting usually meant a trip far away in the Equestria Girls world. Equestria Girls Applejack's farm worked well for this too.

Equestria Girls Summer's parents had given Summer a new Mustang, and she could drive to calmer spots now if she wanted to. She and her sister actually did this on occasion. It just took time, and they still had to be careful...

...But it was nothing like this... here... with her Twin...

At about mid-day, both Raritys came back to the Castle with a sack for Princess Twilight, and she had the Rainbow Twins gather everypony to the grass in front of the Castle.

Everypony anxiously gathered around, it was clear Princess had something to give out.

Equestria pony Summer had her Twin stay back maybe twenty feet from the rest of the group with her, to wait and see. Neither of them had an 'Element of Harmony', and they didn't want to presume.

They didn't consider themselves part of the 'main six', and that was fine. They both loved them all anyway.

Princess Twilight had the Rarity Twins make new 'Shield Necklaces' for everypony. This happened in Summer's dream too, but it didn't matter.

One side of the necklace used the extact same design that Equestria pony Rarity had designed while Summer was in the Equestria Girls world the first time.

"TF
MPOF"

True Friendship means putting others first.

They used the same colors as well. The letters were White with Gold edging, and the background was wavy Purple and Lavender.

The other side said

"Princess
Twilight's
Special
Treasure"

The background for this side was wavy White and Gold. The letters were Lavender with bright Purple edging.

They looked... ...absolutely... ...amazing...

When Equestria pony Summer saw what was written on the other side, she immediately began choking back tears... They were beautiful, and Summer really loved her Princess, but that wasn't the reason...

Summer really wanted one... ..because Summer desparately WANTED to mean this to her beloved Princess, but she didn't want to coerce this amazing gift in any way... ...Summer would not... ...could not dare presume that this is what she meant to her Princess, and THAT was the important part for Summer.

Summer had no 'Element of Harmony', and had only been in this circle for maybe six months now...

Summer's emotions were exploding inside... She knew she would not be able to hold them back, so she ran back to 'her tree', and fell to the ground crying... She really couldn't help it... She didn't know what else to do...

Her Twin understood completely, and just sat next to her, weeping quietly.

Summer 'just knew' that her sister had quickly felt this, and she was crying now too... This is not what she wanted to happen...

Summer was quickly sobbing... She couldn't help it...

...

Summer thought she heard her Twin ask quietly "Why are you crying?"

Without even thinking, Summer answered honestly "Because I love my Princess...", and then Summer just sobbed harder.

...

It was Princess Twilight that asked that question...

Princess just lay down on her belly next to Summer and said softly "I love you too Summer..."

They just hugged and cried together for a little while.

Through her tears, Summer said "I'm sorry Princess, I didn't mean to mess everything up..." then she kept crying.

Princess just said "Oh Summer..."

They just cried together in the grass for a little while longer.

Then Princess got up, headed over to the rest, and came back.

"Summer, please sit up" Princess said softly.

Summer did, but she was still trying not to cry.

Princess Twilight said softly "Summer, this is yours", and slipped the Shield Necklace down over Summer's neck with her magic.

Summer just wrapped both her front legs around Princess Twilight's neck and just cried some more...

Through her tears, Summer kept saying "Princess Twilight, I love you so much..." Summer couldn't help it, that's exactly how she felt. Summer and her Princess just cried together for a little while.

Summer then pulled her legs away, and tried to calm down. "I'm sorry Princess..." she said still sniffling.

Princess Twilight looked around briefly, then backed up maybe 4 steps, then sat down.

"Girls please come here and sit with us" Princess said softly.

Princess Twilight began to speak.

"Girls, six months ago, we welcomed Summer Rain into our circle... Right here at this spot...

"And you all know what she has done for each of us in that short period of time."

Princess Twilight's voice became much softer at this point.

"Besides, if it wasn't for Summer, I probably wouldn't have the Equestria Girls here... And my precious Equestria ponies and I would all be dead... All of Equestria would be dead..."

Princess Twilight started to cry, but then shook her head, and shook that off. Next she said with her normal voice

"Girls I want the Summer Twins always to be apart of my 'inner circle'. I don't want them to be left out any more, just because they dont have an 'Element of Harmony'. That just doesn't seem fair.

"By my decree, the Summer Twins are a part of us now, fully and completely. Please treat them that way from now on... ...And maybe give them both a hug now, I think they might need that."

Well, everypony was already crying anyway, and Princess Twilight appeared to make official how everypony felt.

It took a while, but everypony got to cry with both Summers, one at a time. And yes, Summer's Twin got a necklace too.

Even so, everypony already had their new 'Shield Necklaces' on, and nopony thought they would come off any time soon. They really were very beautiful.

Summer had no intention of giving her's away either. It just meant too much to her.

Shysage had actually watched the handing out of the Shield Necklaces, and what had unfolded from that.

He was quickly crying like Summer. Evidently he really had become pretty attached to Summer's Princess Twilight too.

The afternoon saw the Twins wandering all over Ponyville, mostly in the meadows around town. They had until dusk to just wander and be together. It was heaven...

The Summers and the Fluttershys spent a lot of time together that afternoon. Sisters, and Twins, it was an amazing combination.

Later that afternoon, the Summers and Fluttershys ran across the Rarity Twins, and Summer asked about having them make a necklace for Shysage too.

Still, Summer didn't want to presume, and so she and the Raritys were bouncing around some ideas for what to put in the place of Princess Twilight's words on the new side.

Princess Twilight and her Twin walked silently up, and listened briefly. Then she said softly "Rarity make Shysage's the same as everypony else's." Then Princess walked off, and that was that.

Summer loved her Princess, and Shysage did too.

About an hour before Dusk, Air Coaches brought the Celestia and Luna Twins to Princess Twilight's new Castle. They would be spending the night, so the Air Coaches left.

The Rainbows were close, so Princess Twilight asked them to find the Summer's and Shysage, and have them come to the Castle.

Shysage saw this, hit a few buttons on the 'scope', and headed for the Castle.

The Summers and Rainbows flew up just as Shysage got there.

Princess Celestia asked that her Twin, both Summers and Shysage accompany her out to the North of the Castle. Princess Celestia asked Princess Twilight that they not be disturbed.

Princess Celestia sat down, and her Twin sat next to her. At this point, both Summers and Shysage bowed to Princess Celestia, and she quickly raised all three back up.

She addressed Shysage first.

"Canterlot Recorder, I know you have been busy. Volume four of the commentaries is almost finished, correct?"

"Yes Princess" Shysage answered.

Princess Celestia continued.

"Well I wanted to give you a break, you have been very busy lately. However, I think we really should commit 'Summer's Dream' and the following events to writing, probably as Volume Two of Summer's Chronicles.

"And I think the sooner we do this, the better, so that details don't get forgotten. Perhaps Summer can assist you with this to speed things up, I don't know.

"And I think you should just include everything from the dream as you read yesterday, it should be fine. It was just a dream after all. Well, it was more than that, but that's ok.

"I think after this task is done, you will probably be given some time off task for a while.

"And just so you know, I really appreciate all you have done to help me with these tasks. I shudder to think about having to do all this myself. Equestria thanks you."

"You are welcome Princess" Shysage said with a slight bow of his head.

"And Summer Rain, the Phantom Alicorn..." Princess Celestia started.

"I was amazed to watch your capabilities at work yesterday. I want you to know that you are a valuable asset to Equestria's defense, and we do have a vested interest in your safety.

"I want to repeat that while you are in the Equestria Girls world, you are still to remain with Shysage, and I hope that is ok."

"I will Princess" Equestria pony Summer said softly. "That place scares me."

Summer's Twin just hugged her at this point.

Princess Celestia paused briefly, then sighed at this point.

"Summer, I really don't quiet know what to do with you, and I don't say that lightly. You were the only Equestria pony present to rescue Equestria when Sunset Shimmer took over, and we have never really officially recognized that.

"Well, the Day of Remembrance and the first Chronicles will help, but still... It just doesn't seem we have found a fitting way to reward the only Equestria pony between Equestria and oblivion. I just don't know what to do about that.

"In addition, I have often purposed to make you a Princess, but everytime I get ready to do that, I decide not too. I just don't quite know yet how to fit you into the ruling hierarchy of Equestria."

"I love my Princess..." Summer said softly.

"Yes Summer, you truly do. We could only hope for more ponies so committed to their rulers.

"Still, you might prepare yourself mentally. Whether Princess or some other function, it seems only a matter of time before we find out how you best serve the realm.

"I think that, for now, you will be the Canterlot Recorder's Assistant, and he will appreciate that.

"We both will Princess, Thank you" Summer said quietly.

"Well, I think that is all for now. Equestria appreciates you both." Princess Celestia concluded.

Summer spoke up timidly at this point "Princess Celestia, can I give you a hug?"

Princess Celestia quickly said "Of course, Summer"

Summer transformed into her Equestria Girls form because it was easier for her to reach Princess Celestia's neck this way. Then she hugged Princess Celestia's neck tightly with her arms.

"That... felt... strange, but thank you Summer" Princess Celestia said softly.

Summer was quickly back to being a pony.

Their 'audience' done, the five of them walked back to the others.

Shysage hugged Equestria Girls Summer, then rubbed his new 'assistant's' nose with his.

Shysage then headed to his house. They did not need him at the Castle, and he could use his 'scope' to get a general idea what was going on.

Shysage thought of inviting Spike over to his house for the evening... 18 girls... But he didn't know Spike very well.

Shysage just went home.

Chapter 24, Twins, Part 6

Instead of working on anything that night, Shysage set his 'scope' up for record, centered on Summer, and headed into the meadow East of town.

Shysage was soon sitting quietly in the meadow, on a slight hill, just letting his mind unwind. He looked across the meadow to the East, as the Sun went down behind him.

He did end up thinking quite a bit about Summer, she never ceased to amaze him. Shysage honestly admitted that he probably needed her more than he realized.

Then he wandered back to his house. He checked in on all the Twins, it was later and most were asleep.

He couldn't find the Luna Twins however.

Shysage played with his 'scope' a little, to back the view out.

Evidently Princess Twilight's new Castle had a nice porch on the roof. It was the perfect spot for Princess Luna to watch over the night.

Of course, her Twin was there too, and they were both smiling, sitting next to each other, surveying the realm at night, both fully in their 'element'. That's what Twins do together.

Shysage didn't even try to do any more work that night. It was dark out, so he was soon asleep.

Shysage slept well, and awoke a while before Sunrise.

Maybe ten minutes later, Summer came quietly in.

Shysage's first thought was to pretend he was asleep, but he quickly vetoed the thought of even trying to trick this Mare.

He said softly "Hi Summer."

Summer sounded concerned and said "It's a little early, is everything ok?"

Shysage rolled onto his side, and Summer was soon up against his chest and neck.

"Everything is fine now" he said softly... Still he was near tears. He needed this more than he realized.

After a few minutes of silence, and a contented sigh or two, Summer asked "Shysage can we talk about something now?"

"Yes, but were you going to stay here?" Shysage answered quietly. He really wasn't sure what to expect, or what Summer had in mind.

Summer just put her upper front leg over Shysage's. She had no intention of moving.

"The other day when we were group-linked with you, I found a lot of pain inside of you, that looked like it was from when I was taken by the monsters..." Summer said this much then stopped.

Shysage sighed, then said quietly "I take it you saw all the rest then too... I was really appalled by how much wreckage I saw... In a lot of ways I feel really shattered inside. I think maybe that is why mornings are so hard for me. I'm sorry..."

Summer replied just as quietly "Shysage, that's why I'm here... I really care about you..."

Shysage just sighed, then pulled Summer close.

Summer wasn't letting this go though. "Shysage, I want to know why you carry so much pain from the night I was abducted."

Shysage immediately started crying. It wasn't loud, but it was clear he was hurting. "Summer, are you sure?" he asked through his tears...

Summer again squeezed her front leg against his, and said "Yes..."

Summer knew it was hard for him, and she knew he was crying most of the time, but he worked on explaining one of the worst nights in his life.

"Summer, I was in Cloudsdale when I saw you taken.

"While tracking you, I had to get my 'scope' to my car in the Equestria Girls world, and then actually set out after you, after them.

"It was very nerve-wracking, I had to stay in range or I would lose the video feed. I think I broke a bunch of laws that night, and it was a miracle I didn't crash.

"At about midnight, the monsters stopped at their destination, and I was fortunately close.

"The real nightmare began at that point...

"Your Equestria Girls body is amazingly beautiful, and I really didn't want to see what wasn't 'mine' to see. I didn't have that choice that night.

"They raped you repeatedly because they were vile, but also took many pictures of your amazing body, surely to sell on-line.

"I felt literally like I was being ripped in half. To watch those hideously vile monsters handle your amazingness... It made me nauseous, I threw up a bunch that night... It was awful..."

Shysage tried to curl into a small ball at this point...

"For almost 6 hours, I had to watch this... I was so disgusted... So appalled... I wanted to just turn the 'scope' off and walk away..."

Shysage was crying loudly at this point, but he said simply

"...but if I did, you would die... ...I just couldn't let go of the hope of rescuing you... ...I swallowed everything... ...just so maybe 6 hours later, I could have a chance at rescuing you... ...and as it was, I think I was probably only barely able to do that..."

Shysage stopped crying here, and said very quietly "They broke me too..."

Shysage stopped saying anything and just cried...

Summer cried with him... She guessed that this night must have been excruciating for him...

They both cried together for fifteen minutes maybe. Then Shysage's crying scaled back to quiet weeping, and he just pulled Summer close again.

Summer said very quietly "Shysage you do realize that if you hadn't rescued me, Equestria would be dead..."

"I know..." he quietly replied...

But this next question was what Summer was really after. "Shysage, what will make that pain go away?" and Summer was weeping softly now too. This was her goal, easing this pain in Shysage if she could.

Shysage sighed and was quiet for a minute. He got ready to say something, then stopped. He really didn't want to answer...

He tried again... "I..." and then stopped again...

"Shysage, it's ok, I really want to know" Summer said quietly.

Shysage sighed again, then said very quietly, clearly on the verge of tears... "Well, this is only a guess... And I'm hoping I actually get this amazing privilege... The first time I help you feel, inside, the way you deserve to feel, that pain will probably dissolve."

They both just wept quietly together for a few minutes...

...

They both knew this would have to wait. It seemed that time was on their side however. They could wait. They would wait.

But Summer knew now though. That's what she wanted...

Shysage pulled Summer close, and Summer wrapped both of her front legs around Shysage's front leg.

"Summer" Shysage said softly.

"Yes?" Summer answered.

"Thank you for asking... It really helps to know that I'm not having to carry all this pain around by myself. Just knowing that you care means a lot to me..."

Summer lifted her head up next to Shysage's then nibbled his ear. "I love you Shysage..."

"I love you too Summer..." Shysage answered.

A little while later, Summer rolled out, and they rubbed noses briefly.

"Shysage let's go flying some maybe. I think breakfast is at the Castle for me, but let's fly together for a little while." Summer suggested.

Shysage replied quietly "Mare, for you, anything", and they were soon flying around Ponyville, watching the Sun rise from in the air.

Shysage then flew Summer to the Castle, and they hugged.

Summer went inside, and rejoined her Twin.

Shysage headed back to the house, and turned the 'scope' back on.

Another amazing Twins day would soon start.

Breakfast was at the Castle again, and Princess Celestia and her Twin joined everypony else.

Shysage suspected that the Luna Twins were sleeping. They probably stayed up most of the night, and probably also enjoyed every minute together.

After the meal was done, Princess Celestia addressed everypony, and talked briefly about how valuable they all were to Equestria.

Princess Celestia again congratulated the six Equestria Girls that they too also had their own 'Element of Harmony' crystals. This was an absolutely amazing development.

Princess Celestia specifically mentioned her amazement over the magical amplification of the 'Elements of Harmony' coupled with the group link. The resulting magic was very powerful, easily more powerful than any magic Equestria has ever seen.

Princess Celestia quickly added that this capability needed to be kept a closely guarded secret however.

Even so, Princess Celestia added further that it was the presence of the Equestria Girls, here in Equestria, and the 'Soul Link' that they uncovered while trying to share their Twin's pain, that actually paved the way for this discovery. Princess Celestia thanked the Equestria Girls again for this, and in general for their role in rescuing Equestria.

Well, Equestria pony Summer started crying softly at this point. She felt bad for interrupting Princess Celestia, but that just made everything worse.

Even so, Equestria pony Summer got up, hugged Equestria Girls Fluttershy who was next to her, and cried on her shoulder.

Equestria Girls Summer quickly explained for her Twin "My sister started the Soul Link trying to help Summer's sister..." Then she started crying too.

The Summer and Fluttershy Twins cried together briefly, then Summer pulled herself away.

"I'm sorry Princess..." Summer said quietly, as she dropped her head down, and they all sat back down.

Princess Celestia said very softly "Summer Rain, you were in the center of that tempest, from start to finish. You are allowed to cry... And I think everypony in this room truly understands how much you and your sister mean to each other.

It wasn't loud, but both sets of sisters moved to sit next to each other, and hugged tightly, weeping softly...

Princess Celestia concluded her comments by saying that she was looking forward to working with everypony present for many years to come. However, she reminded everypony present that this knowledge also needed to be kept within this circle alone.

Principal Celestia also took the opportunity to address mainly the Equestria Girls.

Evidently, these seven girls were having a substantial impact on the student body of the High School.

With tears in her eyes, the Principal indicated that the students at her school were very 'needy' in a lot of ways. The Equestria Girls knew that their world was a very unfriendly place, and getting harsher by the day.

The outreach of simple friendship, started by Equestria pony Summer, and enthusiastically continued by all the Equestria Girls, was making a HUGE difference, especially among the girls in the school.

And the Principal was simply amazed that Equestria Girls Summer Rain picked up exactly where her Twin left off. The Students simply had no idea.

The counselling office was also handling a deluge of Rape cases, as many girls were now coming forward, encouraged by Summer's confession.

Local Law Enforcement was getting involved trying to deal with as many cases as they could. The men responsible were mostly outside the student body, and seeing justice done was good for everyone.

It was also clear to Principal Celestia that the energy behind a lot of what she was seeing at her school, was rooted in Equestria.

The Principal could not thank everypony enough.

Soon after the Celestia Twins were done addressing everypony, two Air Coaches arrived at the Castle. Everypony hugged the Celestia and Luna Twins, and they were soon gone.

For the next few hours, everypony just wandered the meadows around the Castle with their Twin. As the day before, the Summer and Fluttershy Twins stayed together.

It soon turned up that Equestria pony Fluttershy was really taken with the idea of having a Panther as an animal friend. The Summers and Fluttershys were all discussing this together, when the two Twilight Twins wandered over.

Princess Twilight said that she would do some research to see if anypony knew if there were Panthers around. It probably would be in the Everfree if they were.

Summer felt a song being born in her heart at this point.

Princess Twilight went back to the Castle for a few minutes to check on a book.

Summer and her Twin, together, lovingly brought the song to life.

Fluttershy and her Twin just cried softly during this process.

Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle wrote the words for the Summers.

Princess Twilight, seeing and hearing through her Twin, fell to the floor in her Library and just sobbed...

~~~~~~~

My Princess (Twilight)

I told you once, I meant it then, and mean it now for sure
I took that leap because you sent, your motives only pure
I stand in awe, your will to work, so many wonders found
I simply fell before your plan, amazed...

[Chorus:]
I'll die for you or live for you, my Princess simply tell me
It matters not how hard the task, devotion to you drives me
Come loving arms, or grievous harm, no cost is too great for me
Your smile is my prize... And the joy in your eyes...

I'll come... ..whenever you would need me

A dream from what I did not know, but still your joy I sought
A fiend of death did lay you low, and so for you I fought
You pulled the past into the now, the tyrant you did slay
I simply fell before your plan, amazed...

[Chorus:]
I'll die for you or live for you, my Princess simply tell me
It matters not how hard the task, devotion to you drives me
Come loving arms, or grievous harm, no cost is too great for me
Your smile is my prize... And the joy in your eyes...

I'll come... ..whenever you would need me

I heard you call...
No task to small...
No cost so great...
Your will my fate...
Princess Twilight at your feet humbly I would bow...

[Chorus]

[Chorus]

~~~~~~~

Princess Twilight was soon out and the Twilight, Summer and Fluttershy just cried a while, hugging tightly in their Equestria Girls form...

Summer loved her Princess...

Later in the afternoon, the Rainbow Twins asked if anyone was interested in playing Town Square. There was a lot of interest, so Princess Twilight gathered everypony back at the Castle.

Princess Twilight explained again that the goal of the game was to make it to Town Square undetected by anypony else. No flying or magic were allowed.

They would play this as Twins, and both Twins had to escape detection.

After some discussion, it was decided that the Twins would all spread themselves around Ponyville, and then Princess Twilight would use the same 'acoustic pop' spell she used against Eschate Zumulus. It would simply make a loud noise, and that would be the signal for the teams to get going.

The setup took a while, but it was a lot of fun. They managed to get four runs in before the Sun headed towards the tree-line. Nopony really kept track who won, they just all enjoyed the game.

Heading back to the Castle, they found three Air Coaches waiting. Evidently Princess Celestia wanted them all at the Crystal Palace tonight. Still, it would take two trips.

The first set was the Twilight Twins and Equestria pony Fluttershy in the first Coach, and Equestria Girls Fluttershy and the two Summers in the second Coach. The two Applejacks were in the third Coach. They were quickly on their way.

The second trip picked up the Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash Twins.

Once all were there, the Twins ate with Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, it was very nice, and good too.

They spent the rest of the evening playing a game called 'Sharades' which the Equestria Girls were familiar with.

This game involved acting out hints to help the rest guess some phrase or object.

The Twins had amazing fun with this, and played this the rest of the evening.

It was interesting to note that the Twilight Twins were by far the best at this.

The Summer and Fluttershy Twins had the hardest time. Any sort of pretense came very difficult to these four sensitive ponies.

Still, later than anyone planned, they were all next to their Twins, sleeping soundly.

No mention had been made about Shysage, and he didn't know if he would be needed or not. His plan was to get up early and fly to the Crystal Palace, and just land on the balcony in the Portal room.

He wanted to be there if he was needed.

In other words, he didn't want Equestria pony Summer going through the Portal without him.

Shysage himself was soon fast asleep, wishing he had an 'alarm clock' still...

Chapter 25, Change of Plans

Shysage did actually wake up early. He was quickly in the air, heading towards the Crystal Palace.

Shysage wasn't flying as fast as he could go, he knew it was still pretty early, and he didn't need to be in a hurry. Still, he paced himself, and was flying steadily. He loved flying.

The air was starting to warm up already, and felt, and smelled wonderful.

Maybe half-way there, Shysage just knew... He felt the most amazing presence... Summer was shadowing him, as she had done a number of times. Oh how he wished he could "Soul-Link" more with this Mare.

Shysage dove quickly to the ground, into an open field, then landed.

Summer quickly landed in front of him, they were both now sitting, facing each other.

Summer and Shysage rubbed noses a little while.

Shysage then put his head next to Summer's and hugged her. They were both soon weeping softly.

Shysage simply did not understand how just being around this amazing Mare could make him feel so completely at ease.

Summer stood up, and changed into her Equestria Girls form, then held out her hand. Shysage extended his front leg, and was himself changed into his Equestria Girls form as Summer took his leg in her hand. Shysage then stood up.

They strangely both still had their wings, even without Summer's Cutie Mark being active. Shysage suspected some of this was just learned abilities. It didn't really matter, Shysage didn't mind.

They could both fly together as people now, that was amazing. They both loved to fly... ...and loved to fly together...

They were quickly in the air and flew the rest of the way to the balcony of the Portal room like this, holding hands, flying, as people.

They landed on the Balcony, changed back to ponies, then just sat next to each other, looking out over the Crystal Empire together, as the morning Sun rose higher in the sky behind them, well behind the Crystal Palace.

Summer thought back to the view she had in her dream, out this same balcony, at her first arrival in the 'gutted' future. It was cold, and the top of the spire was shattered on the ground, and there was frost on the crystal still in the shade.

Summer shivered violently at this point, and Shysage felt it.

"Summer are you ok?" Shysage asked, just a little concerned. He put one of his front legs around Summer's neck and hugged her.

Even so, Shysage realized these were the first words they had spoken together all morning.

"I was just remembering coming here, and looking out this balcony at the beginning of my dream... It was awful..." Summer said softly.

Shysage sighed, then added "...but we were married too..."

There was a brief pause.

Summer answered simply and quietly "I'm waiting Stallion..."

Shysage replied, also quietly "I know, I am too Mare..."

They sat together quietly for a little while.

"Shysage, it's breakfast time, I need to join my Twin" Summer said. "I'll be back when I can."

"That's ok, I can wait here." Shysage said.

Summer was soon gone.

Shysage just relaxed looking out across the city. There was plenty of movement down below, but still, it was very peaceful.

Maybe an hour later, seven happy Twins began heading through the big doors leading to this room.

Shysage really didn't know what to do, or if he was even supposed to be here.

To be polite, he turned around, but otherwise just sat there on the balcony. The Summer Twins and the Fluttershy Twins soon joined him, and at least he didn't feel too out of place.

"Oh Shysage good, you are here" Princess Twilight said as she and her Twin entered the room. "I think we are all going through the Portal, but just for a little while. Still, I will feel more comfortable with you along."

"Ok listen everypony" Princess Twilight continued. "We are all going to the Equestria Girls world, but we will say our good-bye's next to the Portal, and then the Equestria ponies will come back. Please do not wander off, stay with the group.

"Ok, Equestria Girls please all go through first, and help the Equestria Ponies so none fall. Remember about a minute between ponies."

Fifteen minutes later, Summer then Shysage went through the Portal, and were back in the Equestria Girls world.

There was a little crying, but everypony hugged their Twin for maybe ten minutes.

Equestria pony Summer and her Twin walked up to the Twilight Twins, and they both turned to face her.

Very timidly, Equestria pony Summer said quietly "Princess, can I ask the true friend in the sky to watch over the Equestria Girls? It is really scary here..." Summer teared up at this point, she was just very concerned.

Princess Twilight hugged Summer then said "I don't see why not. I think our precious Equestria Girls need all the help they can get."

"Girls, circle up a minute and hold hands please" Princess Twilight said simply.

When this was done, Summer said quietly "True friend in the sky, please watch over our dear Equestria Girls... There is a lot of danger here, and we just want to see them kept safe."

Summer stopped here. Still, she was weeping softly. She really cared about all these girls...

Summer just said quietly "Thank you everypony for putting up with me..."

A bunch came up and hugged her for that. She loved them all...

After maybe ten more minutes of hugging and a little more crying, the Equestria ponies began the return trip through the Portal.

After her sister went through the Portal, Summer hugged Equestia Girls Fluttershy and cried briefly. She had two sisters now and she loved both of them.

Next, Summer hugged her Twin tightly, and they cried softly for a little while. Still, it was clear both Summers were doing a lot better.

Just Princess Twilight was left, but Summer and her Twin finished hugging, and Summer took Shysage's hand, and led them both through the Portal, and they were soon gone.

They expected Princess Twilight to follow them.

Princess Twilight did come through the Portal last.

Summer and Shysage were not there.

Summer Rain and Shysage did not make it back to the Portal room that day...

And it wasn't a dream either...

...

The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 3 -- Follow the Equestrium