After everypony else left Twilight and the girls started to go through the book that Sweetie Belle found the spell in, to see if maybe there was a counter spell in there and that maybe she just missed it. Twilight said, "Alright girls, read over the spell Sweetie Belle cast. Perhaps there is something about it that can guide us in the right direction to write a counter spell while I look through my other books regarding animals."
They began reading over the spell over and over. Apple Bloom asked, "Do you think that if we simply change a few words and recite it to where we know what they are saying but that we don't want to that that might work?"
Scootaloo was looking over this closely and she replied, "I don't think so Apple Bloom. We might be able to alter parts of it but other parts we will probably have to start from scratch."
Sweetie Belle added, "I'm with Scootaloo on this one. I think we are going to have to put our minds to it and simply write a majority of this without simply saying the opposite of the speaking spell."
While Twilight was going through the books looking for a counter spell she couldn't help but smile a bit as the girls were discussing this. She knew that Sweetie Belle had the right idea and that if she could come up with it on her own, that she would be the one who could most effectively reverse the talking spell.
The girls continued to talk among themselves about what would be the best way to try this all while Twilight was standing on the far side of the room watching attentively. Finally some words came to Sweetie Belle. She asked, "I wonder if this would work? "The animals can talk which makes communicating with them a breeze but in some it causes them to in a panic and freeze. For this is not natural so back to normal is what they must be as this I now can see."
Scootaloo replied, "Well there is only one way to find out."
Owlowicious knew what was going on. He said, "No girls, please no. I don't want things to go back to how they used to be. I want communicating with Spike and Twilight to be easy."
Twilight interrupted, "Owlowicious, I know you like being able to talk, but it just isn't natural. Besides, Sweetie Belle needs to see if her spell really works."
Sweetie Belle's horn began to glow and she recited, "The animals can talk which makes communicating with them a breeze but in some it causes them to in a panic and freeze. For this is not natural so back to normal is what they must be as this I now can see."
The energy released from her horn headed towards Owlowicious and was absorbed into his body. Now would come the time to see if it worked. Sweetie Belle asked, "Owlowicious, did that energy feel weird going into your body?"
"Hoot." replied Owlowicious
Twilight wanted to make sure that it really did work and that he wasn't merely saying hoot to placate her. She stared deep into the owl's eyes and asked, "Owlowicious, what is your name?"
"Hoot."
Twilight could tell by the way that he said it that he could no longer speak like ponies do. She smiled at Sweetie Belle and said, "Wow Sweetie Belle, it worked! You have a lot more magical talent than I thought. You have more right now than I did at your age."
Sweetie Belle replied, "Thanks."
Twilight asked, "Well girls, shall we go and fix the other animals so everything will be back to normal."
In unison the girls replied, "Yes Twilight."
They first headed over to Sweet Apple Acres to remove the speaking spell from Winona, as it seemed to bother Applejack more than Opal talking does Rarity. They are greeted by Applejack when they get at the farm. She asked, "So, did y'all come up with a spell to fix Winona?"
Twilight replied, "Well Sweetie Belle wrote it on her own and it worked on Owlowicious. Hopefully it will work on Winona as well."
Applejack lead them to the barn where Winona was resting. Sweetie Belle said, "Winona, come here!"
Winona ran straight up to her and sat at attention. Again Sweetie Belle's horn began to glow as she recited, "The animals can talk which makes communicating with them a breeze but in some it causes them to in a panic and freeze. For this is not natural so back to normal is what they must be as this I now can see."
Like with Owlowicious, the energy entered her body and she began to bark, albeit a bit sadly. Twilight looked deep into Winona's eyes and asked her if she knew who she was. Winona started barking, jumped on her and was licking her face. Applejack saw this and said, "Thank you Twilight, Ah'm so glad to see my Winona is back to normal."
Twilight replied, "Well like I said, Sweetie Belle is the one who wrote the spell so if you are going to thank anypony, thank her."
Applejack hugged her and said, "Thank you Sweetie Belle. Y'all don't know how much this means to me."
She nodded at Applejack as they followed Twilight over to Rarity's house. Twilight was thinking that dealing with Opal would probably be the most difficult but since being able to speak, she has been very affectionate towards everypony except Rarity. When they entered Opal ran up to them and jumped up on Sweetie Belle's back, rubbing her face against the filly's and was purring. Twilight saw this and said, "Wow, she really does like you doesn't she?"
Sweetie Belle sadly replied, "Yeah she will until I cast the spell on her. Then she will hate everypony except Fluttershy."
Twilight said, "Oh it won't be that bad. She might still like you." Opal had hopped off her back and pointed her hoof down towards the cat. She continued, "Alright Sweetie Belle, let's finish this."
Opal was looking straight into her eyes. Her horn began to glow as she recited, ""The animals can talk which makes communicating with them a breeze but in some it causes them to in a panic and freeze. For this is not natural so back to normal is what they must be as this I now can see."
Her energy shot towards Opal and was absorbed into her body. Opal tried to talk but all she could get out was meowing, growling and hissing. She gave Sweetie Belle a look that could kill and swatted at her mane, causing part of it to fall out. Twilight could tell the spell worked. She said, "Well Sweetie Belle, congratulations, your spell worked." She ran over to her, hugged her and continued, "I'm so proud of you Sweetie Belle."
Sweetie Belle replied, "Thanks."
Twilight then gave them a stern look and said, "Now what to do about Twilight Time. One part of me wants to simply end it entirely, another part thinks I should cut it off for a couple months but another part of me wants to just forgive you and keep doing it as normal."
Sweetie Belle replied, "I'm sorry for looking in your books and casting that spell."
Scootaloo added, "I'm sorry for not stopping her."
Apple Bloom added, "I'm sorry for not stopping her too. I hope you can forgive us."
Twilight put her hoof up to her chin, acted like she was deep in thought but she already knew what she wanted to do. With a scowl on her face she replied, "Well girls, I have decided that........." Her scowl turned into a smile and she continued, "I have decided that Twilight Time will continue as normal. I forgive you."
The three said, "Thank you Twilight!" Sweetie Belle continued, "I know now that I should not have let my curiosity cause me to do something that I did not have permission to do. From now on I will ask permission before I do anything that may upset somepony."
Twilight replied, "Wow Sweetie Belle! That sounded like something I used to write in my letters to Princess Celestia." She headed towards the door and continued, "Same time as usual on Thursday?"
The girls replied in unison, "That sound wonderful Twilight, see you then!"
Twilight closed the door and headed home with a smile on her face. She was happy that everything had returned to normal but she felt even happier knowing that the girls had learned an important lesson in friendship. She believed that this could be a major step towards them discovering their special talent and said to herself, "One day it will happen, one day."