Over the course of that day, the fog slowly cleared, and we could see across the clearing.
Princess Twilight was, I guess trapped, in the center of her girls.
And I found out later that, over hours, Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle had worked on following her dream from this morning, which had slowly walked everypony back together, herself and Princess included...
Still, time slowed to a crawl...
They had all been separated for over 30 years... Watching them stay together, there in that circle, for hours...
Shysage and I just cried...
...
There was a lot at stake in that small circle... The only ponies around for miles...
And just one pony running off in anger... That alone could have spelled defeat... But I guess they all wanted... this...
As the afternoon wore on, we could hear them all... crying...
Shysage and I cried with them...
...
And I have no idea why, but Fluttershy's girls stayed right next to us the whole time. These four cats didn't even try to leave, or go bother the Fluttershys, or run off or anything. The girls just laid on their bellies or sides next to us, and mostly napped, all afternoon.
The bleeding had stopped, but my hind legs, right above the hoof, felt terrible. I wasn't sure how I would get back to Dawn's.
Well, Shysage was with me. I knew everything would be fine. He could easily carry me if we were both people, and I knew he would do exactly that if he needed too. But he stayed by my side all day. I needed that. I needed him.
After a few hours, maybe early afternoon, Shysage and I were both laying on our bellies, right next to each other, facing the center of the clearing... facing amazing friends... watching... waiting...
...
Nine hurting Twins... Eighteen amazing ponies... working on recapturing... long lost... devotion...
Shysage and I, we said little... I think we both were silently asking true friend to help them though...
And I think we were both pretty sure... What was happening right now... This was probably one of the main reasons we had come... To help this happen...
This thought made me cry for the longest time as Shysage hugged me...
...
...
...
The Sun was down past the trees when the circle broke, and 18 precious ponies headed towards us.
Princess and her Twin led the way, right next to each other again...
I couldn't help it, I sobbed uncontrollably when I saw this...
They were clearly heading our way, Shysage and I sat up.
...
Princess came up to me and started to say
"Summer, I'm so sorry for--"
I didn't even let her finish...
It hurt like mad, but I jumped up quickly, and hugged her neck tightly and just cried...
...
"Princess Twilight, I love you so much..."
I said this a bunch. I was almost hysterical. And that was all I could say...
...
Princess and I cried together for a while, and her Twin soon joined us. I don't think we were the only ones crying though.
...
I hadn't been a part of what needed to be resolved (I didn't think), but I had felt everyponies' pain... I hurt for them.
And, in spite of what she had done to me, I really love my Princess..
And to see her 'back'... To see them all back together...
I couldn't stop crying for a while...
Well, Shysage asked me to calm down, and I worked on that.
"Princess, Summer and I should fly back to Ponyville before it gets dark" he said quietly.
It was quiet for a minute.
"Summer, we can hug more, but we are heading for the Castle. You can fly ahead and wait for us there" Princess said.
I would not question either Shysage or my Princess.
It hurt a lot, but Shysage and I were quickly in the air.
Well, at least flying didn't hurt at all.
The fog had cleared earlier. Even though it would be dusk soon, we didn't have any trouble finding our way back to Ponyville; the Castle Spire was easy to see from a long way off. We landed in the grass near to the Castle.
We quickly saw that the shield around the Castle was still White, and we didn't even try to get through.
Still, landing hurt a lot. I just laid down on my belly right where I landed.
Shysage landed and was quickly laying on his belly right next to me. He hugged me, and I cried some more... I was a mess, and I knew it. He knew it too. I was glad he was here.
It slowly got darker. I wasn't worried, not with my Stallion next to me. And it wasn't too cold either.
Fifteen minutes later, Rose and Alyssa found us, and quickly laid down in the grass next to us. Shysage and I petted our amazing animal friends as they purred. I guess they didn't like it that we had left them. My sister, well Equestria pony Fluttershy, said later that these two ran ahead as soon as everypony headed down the path, away from the clearing.
...
...
...
I guess...
I guess neither Equestria, nor my amazing friends were done with me being a Princess... Their Princess...
Well, with them all back, I guess I could do this again.
That was what I really wanted, after all... I wanted them... I really wanted them... This made me cry again.
And to think that, after over 30 years...
They wanted me...
I cried a lot at that too...
...
After our devotion as a group was restored, we all had our Elements of Harmony slowly above our heads, those of us that had them, anyway.
And from that point on, I realized that Equestria had re-connected with me or something. That made me cry a lot too...
It was clear that Equestria was really hurting. I felt that. I really felt that...
Equestria had actually been reaching out to my Twin for months, I guess, even though she was on the other side of the Portal. That was just... I mean, I remembered a lot of Summer's Dream in the decades that I was banished alone. And I realized that a lot of her dream was just fairy tale stuff. Still... My Twin coming here... Through the Portal... With everypony... At exactly the right time, 3 days ago... That was just amazing...
...
Still, the first thing I had to do was apologize to Summer. I knew I had hurt her very badly, and not just her legs. I was angry about what I had lost, for decades. She bore the brunt of that anger, since I first saw her. That was so wrong...
Before we started walking over to them, I noticed those four huge Black felines. It looked like they were just lounging around Summer and Shysage, but still.
The Fluttershy Twins felt my fear immediately, and said quietly, together "Princess, they are our animal friends."
After she, well they said that, I remembered our conversation from the distant past... This was a part of Summer's Dream, and Fluttershy was very interested in friends like this... Well, I guess she had them now.
I didn't worry about them at all, after that. And I learned later that these four Panthers had been a huge help.
...
During our time together all that day with the girls, I realized that I had not seen Summer even get up at all since she took care of Eschate Zumulus. I was not surprised. I was mad, and I kicked her pretty hard. She was a people when I did this, and her people body is slight, I think my Twin said.
I probably hurt her pretty bad.
And I felt really bad, too.
I walked over to apologize, and she did not let me get very far with that. Even though I knew it hurt her a lot, she jumped quickly up, then she pretty much fell apart as she hugged me. That was so like Summer, she was so quick to forgive...
All Summer could do was cry. I hugged her tightly the whole time. I really love her a lot...
Well, I cried too. Hugging and crying with such an amazing friend... And I don't know why, but I was able to cry out a lot of pain from the last 30 years, crying with Summer. I needed that. But as soon as I realized this was happening, I motioned my Twin over, and she joined us, and we cried together. I think my Twin and I both needed that.
Still, Summer never ceases to amaze me. "Summer, you are an angel..." I said this a few times as we cried together. Equestria Girls Fluttershy's mom says that a lot about Summer. I think she is right.
We cried together for a while, and soon, everypony else was crying too, Twins together. But I think crying actually felt good to all of us now, it wasn't because we were hurting any more...
After a while, our crying did slow some, and Shysage suggested he and Summer fly to Ponyville. I realized this would hurt Summer the least, and there was some light left. They were soon on their way.
Well, the rest of us needed to get back to the Castle.
We all knew the way, and the growing darkness didn't stop us. The Filia and Fiona Twins gave us all plenty of light as we headed down the path away from the clearing.
I thought at one point that I saw some sort of Black apparition or something streak by in the shadows. It was a Panther animal friend.
...
Our first stop was Zecora's Hut. I needed two very important things from there. The rest didn't matter. Zecora was long gone.
I went inside alone, and told everypony else I wouldn't be long. Well, my Twin came in with me, and she cried the whole time. We actually spent a few minutes inside together, hugging, crying...
I really love my Twin...
I used my magic to pick up my crown from a dusty shelf, and I put it back on.
Then I used my magic to pick up Volume 3 of Princess Celestia's commentaries. It was a very special book. It was the book that wouldn't die. I needed to give it back to Summer.
Twilight and I headed out the door of that hut...
To freedom...
I really can't describe how that felt...
I cried...
...
...And everypony else was in the clearing outside the hut; they bowed immediately to me when we came out...
Maybe we all never expected to see me, Princess Twilight, with her crown on again...
We all hugged and cried together a little while after that...
...
The walk through the Everfree Forest, back to the edge of the orchards didn't seem to take long, even though it was pretty dark by now. The Filias and Fionas gave us light, and spread out among all of us. I had to fight back tears the whole way, though.
...
Then walking through overgrown orchards... Both Applejacks were already sizing up their chores... laughing...
And EVERYPONY insisted that I stop at the lake and eat some Oats. I really had let my body dwindle, and my friends were just concerned.
Well, I was very hungry anyway. I ate a lot!
I think the rest snacked some, there in the dim light from four Unicorn lanterns.
It had been a long day.
...
The walk from the farm back to the Castle was very strange. It really looked like it always had, even at night.
Well, we walked straight to the Castle. We weren't in a hurry, but that was our destination. Well, it isn't that far, and so it only took 20 minutes maybe.
We all walked together. Being together again felt amazing...
...
Summer and Shysage were resting together in the grass near the Castle, and I asked Summer where she wanted her book.
Summer started crying right away...
A few minutes later, she explained where it had come from.
I knew what I needed to do.
...
Summer mentioned that Dawn and Camille had already seen everypony else. I just took my Twin, Twilight Sparkle for this special trip.
Summer also mentioned that her amazing neighbor Dawn was very old, and probably would not be able to get up.
I could also tell that Summer really wanted to come. I felt pretty bad, but Summer assured me she would go visit with Dawn in a day or two.
...
The walk to Dawn's was pretty quick. It took a little longer than it should because it was hard to not notice how run down Ponyville looked.
The two of us were soon knocking at Dawn's door.
Camille and her daughter bowed immediately, and wept softly. I quickly had them up, and walked slowly in, and over to Dawn (the elder, Summer said, I think).
Camille also had my Twin put the book back on the table next to the door.
I laid down next to Summer's amazing friend, and hugged her briefly as she cried. I doubt she ever thought she would see me again. Camille and her daughter joined us.
I told them about their amazing book, and the fact that it had put the fire out in my fireplace when I tried to burn it. I wasn't proud of what I had tried to do. But still, I explained that their book was a very special book.
Dawn the elder smiled, and said quietly "I already knew that. It is about our amazing Princess..."
We all cried a little while after that. I was still adjusting to everything that had happened that day, after all. And Dawn clearly had more faith in me than even I did, and after all these years.
Twilight and I got up to leave, and I think we both quickly noticed the Shield Necklace next to the door. I was pretty sure it was the one Summer was wearing the first time she came to see me.
I managed to not cry until we were a good distance away from Dawn's, then my Twin Twilight and I hugged and cried pretty hard for a little while.
We both knew... We had to make more of those...
We walked back to the Castle, and it really was pretty late by now, and dark.
I could barely tell that everypony else was laying in the grass, in the dark, talking quietly together.
Well, I didn't even hesitate, but I walked straight for the Castle. It was my Castle.
Shysage started to say something about the shield, but stopped as I walked right through it.
And as soon as I walked up the steps, it seemed like the Castle just came to life, all by itself.
The outside lights came on... The inside lights came on too, I could tell. Everypony was squinting; the lights on the Castle walls are pretty bright. They are magic or something, and operate all by themselves. We could easily see everypony in the grass now.
I could tell that the faint Purple magic shield was still in place, and of course, everypony still had their Element of Harmony out still. Equestria was in distress, after all.
...
I warned everypony that there may be some bad memories inside this Castle, but that we needed to look forward, and move on from here. Then I asked everypony to gather in the Library.
The Portal was gone, but the rug was still there. I didn't think we needed the Portal any more, anyway. My Twin had already told me none of her group had any interest in ever returning to the Equestria Girls world.
Shysage and Summer turned into people, and Shysage easily caried his Mare up the stairs, into the Castle, into the Library. They were soon resting together, back as ponies, on that nice rug.
I think everypony else moved, and just spread out around them. Well, both Fluttershys and both Shynas were family, and they moved right away to join them. I think everypony else just followed. I agree with Summer; we really are like a big family now.
...
Ok, so we were laying on our bellies, gathered together on the floor in the Library.
It had been decades since we had been together. I should give a nice speech, right?
Realizing everything above, and all that we had been through today, I burst into tears, put my head down, and just cried...
We all did...
No speech... We just cried together, devoted again, back in our Castle... We cried for a while...
...
I needed to tell these precious ponies the story of my Crown. I had actually tried to throw it deep into the forest a number of times. It always came right back.
We all cried some more...
I also told them about the book that I tried to burn, yesterday, I think. I told them it put the fire out in my fireplace...
We all cried some more...
...
Still, I did have some plans for the next few days, and I let everypony know.
Equestria pony Fluttershy had mentioned to me about Shysage and Summer running out of paper for recording.
Tomorrow would be dedicated to getting the Canterlot Recorders caught up. I knew that there was a lot to be done, and one day might not be enough. Still, I wanted to make that a priority.
And I had plenty of paper here, and would task some helpful ponies with finding some berries for ink. And I knew a bunch of amazing Unicorns who would be delighted to help with the writing. This would be far faster than Shysage's clip thing. In the dim and distant past, this had always turned out to be such an amazing experience for everypony.
I wanted this all... everything, written down. And we would do all this together.
Working hard not to cry, I explained that my other goal was to allow Summer's legs to heal.
Just as soon as we could, I wanted more than one magical double reverse Sonic Rainboom, which required the Phantom Alicorn. I smiled at both Rainbows and asked that they practice up for that, starting tomorrow. I didn't think these special Pegasi would have any problems working towards that.
Still, Summer started weeping softly right away, She said quietly and very slowly "...But that... ...will bring... ...Phantasma..." I think only Shysage caught, and understood the significance of this... Well, he was fighting back tears too.
I walked slowly over to Summer, and laid on my belly right next to her, and hugged her tightly.
"Summer, we need the rest of Equestria's Princesses back as soon as possible...
"And I can feel Equestria's pain, and the sooner we start putting Equestria back together, the better..."
Summer just cried, and I knew why. And I don't think many of the others remembered this...
Summer's Dream, really a nightmare at this point, had ended as she killed both Phantasma and Princess Celestia, in order to be able to preserve the rest of us around her, to be able to rescue Equestria. It really was try to rescue our Princess, or be able to rescue Equestria.
That was a terrible choice for Summer to have to make. And this was all before the Portal sent Summer and Shysage to the distant past, where they quickly rescued our two Princesses from certain death, and then invested two years in their lives. There was a lot more at stake now. Cel and Lu were family.
I knew Summer was scared. And I knew this part was happening far sooner than she had anticipated.
"Summer, Equestria will work it out." I said this a number of times as she cried. I kept hugging her tightly. After a little while, Summer calmed down. I think Shysage helped with that.
I returned to my Twin, and said quietly that we should all get some sleep. Equestria was a mess, and we had a lot of work to do together.
I think most of us were soon asleep.
...
...
...
I was so glad Shysage was right next to me. Having to face Phantasma so soon... Cel and Lu... I just couldn't...
Shysage hugged me a while, and I tried to relax.
Shysage said simply this.
"Summer, I think Princess Twilight has recovered the Bond of Knowing with Equestria. I think we can trust Equestria to work everything out when the time comes, even if it is soon."
Shysage and I both sighed at the same time.
Both Fluttershys and both Shynas were very close.
I heard Equestria pony Shyna say something that I don't think they had said in decades...
"I love my family..."
I'm sure we all did.
...
Still, I put my head down in front of me, and tried not to worry.
Shysage put his head down right next to mine...
"I love you, Summer" he whispered softly.
I just melted...
We were soon asleep.