[Hi this is Shysage.
When Princess Twilight left Zecora's hut after bringing Zecora back, the music in the background immediately reverted back to the eerie tune from "Outer Ra'Kaznar*" in Vana'diel*. * c2014 by Square Enix
I again apologize for the interruption.]
Princess Twilight and her party walked quickly to the Train Station in Ponyville.
The same stallions that had already made a number of trips to the Crystal Empire station and back, were more than willing to help Shining Armor. They really had no choice, but that didn't matter. They were eager to help any way they could.
The short term plan was to head back to the Crystal Station. Shining Armor wanted his chain of command back, and would post a new, stronger guard in the Portal room.
From there, they would head to Canterlot. They would make this entire trip slowly. There would be guards both in front of and behind the train for this entire trip, in addition to a substantial Pegasus air perimeter.
In addition, a network of Pegasus guards took up positions in a direct line between the train and the last tunnel to Canterlot. If Sunset Shimmer moved, they wanted to know quickly.
Shining Armor knew that Princess Twilight and her friend's magic would alone be their only hope against Sunset Shimmer, but he wanted no ambushes or suprise attacks before everyone was ready.
The Equestria Girls were in the same car as Summer, and Princess Twilight and her girls, along with Shining Armor and Princess Cadance and Spike, were in the next car forward to try and think through a coherent strategy, accommodating both winning and losing.
Well, Spike was asleep the whole trip.
As the train left Ponyville, Summer Rain just sat, looking out the window lost in thought. There was nothing to see since it was still dusk all the time.
Fluttershy was quickly sitting next to her new best friend. Instead of saying "Hi Sis", Summer Rain just hugged Equestria Girls Fluttershy. "I'm so glad you came" Summer said with a smile.
"Summer do you know your smile is priceless to me?" Fluttershy asked quietly, an intentional reminder of the words Summer said to Fluttershy only 2 weeks ago...
"Are you scared Summer?" Fluttershy asked.
"I don't know." Summer replied. Than after a brief delay Summer added "I do hope our Princess doesn't get herself killed though."
At this comment, everypony else gathered around.
"Is Sunset Shimmer's magic very strong?" Rarity asked.
"Well Sunset Shimmer has the physical 'Elements of Harmony' that Princess Twilight and her girls would normally use as the basis for their magic. Princess Twilight was able to use her magic with you five people even without the elements, so maybe she is hoping for that.
"She also told me that the night you all helped her, the element in Princess Twilight's crown chose ultimately to work through her and not Sunset Shimmer even after Sunset Shimmer had put the crown on, so I don't know
"We will just have to wait and see how all this works out. I can see Princess Twilight trying to get the 'Elements of Harmony' back that way, but that could be very dangerous. I think we will need to be ready to quickly step in if Princess Twilight tries this and fails."
Summer was lost in thought a minute or so, then continued.
"But that isn't the real problem. We have no idea what Sunset Shimmer's own magic ability is, and if she is stronger than Princess Twilight, we could have a problem.
"Worse yet, Sunset also has the 'Alicorn Amulet' which substantially boosts her magical ability. It also carries the by-product of corrupting the wearer, which is why Zecora had hidden it. I doubt Sunset Shimmer even cares about this part though.
Summer lowered her head and spoke softly "I warned you precious people that we may die here. If it happens it will probably be as we help Princess Twilight face Sunset Shimmer."
After a minute's silence, Applejack spoke up "Well we're not leavin' until this job is done, whatever happens." and the rest quickly agreed.
"Well based on what amazing things I have already seen from you all, I'm not suprised, and thank you" Summer said. "I think winning will require us all, and we will either stand or fall together."
After a few minutes of silence, Summer added "And by the way, mentally prepare yourselves. I overheard some of the guards talking. Sunset Shimmer is huge and loud. Remember that her magic is probably the real problem though.
After another minute, Summer said "Bah, I'm just a Pegasus, what to I know about magic... ...I just hope we win..."
And after yet another minute of silence, Summer said "Yes, Fluttershy, I think I'm scared."
Summer noticed fresh Oat hay at the front of the car, and said "Girls, maybe eat some of that hay, but only take what you need. We may find water on the way but I doubt it."
The Equestria Girls were soon taking turns getting some food, and Summer ate a little when everypony else was done.
The train was just pulling away from the Crystal Station bound for Canterlot and was moving slowly. This would take a while.
"Let's get some sleep too, while we can maybe." She said when everypony was done eating.
They were all soon fast asleep. Summer and the Equestria Girls had been up for a while, and were exhausted.
Summer Rain awoke many hours later to Princess Twilight quietly calling her name.
Summer raised her head, yawned, and said softly "Yes Princess?"
Princess just quietly said "look", and pointed behind Summer.
Summer turned to look. All five sets of Twins were sleeping next to each other. She wished she had Pinkie Pie's camera thing.
Princess Twilight next said "Can you come up to the front of the car? I think we should talk briefly."
Summer was quickly sitting next to Princess Twilight facing the front of the car. They spoke softly to avoid waking everypony else.
"Princess, do you know how you want to handle this battle?" Summer asked.
"Well, I think the Equestria ponies and I are going out first, to see if we can get our 'Elements of Harmony' back" Princess Twilight said.
"I was afraid of that" Summer said honestly, then added "But I understand."
"Well Summer, elements or no, this will not be a fair fight. The Alicorn Amulet is extremely powerful. Between us, I seriously have my doubts."
All five sets of Twins were now sitting directly behind their Princess and Summer, and heard most of this discussion.
Both Applejacks spoke up quickly. Princess, we are not backing down. The Rainbow's added "We are with you to the end Princess, one way or another."
Princess Twilight teared up and said "I know... I could not ask for better friends. Whatever happens, we will see this through together.
After silence, Summer spoke up. "But we're not losing."
"I hope you are right" Princess Twilight said softly.
After a few minutes thinking, Summer asked "Twins, have you all traded necklaces? If you haven't then please do so now.
The Twins looked around at each other. Rarity said "we all have already Summer."
Summer said "Ok, well no more trading please. We may nee--"
"Summer" Princess Twilight interrupted softly.
Summer put her head down and said "Yes Princess?"
"Can we please trade necklaces?" Twilight said simply.
"Of course" Summer said, choking back tears.
Princess Twilight used her magic to quickly trade their necklaces.
Summer just hugged her Princess briefly when she was done.
Princess Twilight next said quietly "Everypony, please find a spot and sit quietly with your Twin. I honestly don't know if this will be your last chance together or not."
Summer was sitting next to Princess Twilight, and quickly put one of her front legs around her Princess' neck and hugged her the rest of the way to Canterlot. The Twins did the same.
When the train pulled to a stop, that's exactly the way Shining Armor found them all when it was time to get them off the train.
The train pulled to a stop at the distant end of the last tunnel outside Canterlot. The guards then helped the pulling stallions move the pulling rig to the other end of the train.
The plan was that, should Princess Twilight and her friends fall to Sunset Shimmer, Pegasus guards would immediately notify Shining Armor, and the train would head quickly away from Canterlot. Spike didn't like it, but he would stay with Shining Armor and Princess Cadance.
The Canterlot Station was a mile down the tracks, and half that distance would be inside the tunnel. The commons area was a few hundred yards past that.
Shining Armor correctly pointed out that any air presence or other guards would alert Sunset Shimmer of their approach.
Princess Twilight and her girls would walk from here to the Commons... ...to Sunset Shimmer... Alone...
Both Shining Armor and Princess Cadance hugged Princess Twilight, and wished her luck.
Princess Twilight said quietly "Thanks, but we will probably need more than that."
Then Princess Twilight and eleven other true friends headed to Canterlot, to confront Sunset Shimmer.