//------------------------------// // Chapter 22, The Pathway Home, Part 2 // Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 2 -- Homecoming // by shysage //------------------------------// 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.