I think we all slept as well as we could. It is just that the six of us, Cel (Princess Celestia), her Twin (Principal Celestia), Lu (Princess Luna) and her Twin (Vice Principal Luna), and Shysage and I... We had all been up most of the night as Cel described the fall of Equestria into chaos...
Shysage said Cel must have a built-in alarm clock or something, she did not sleep in, and neither did we. This was fine, I think Equestria's two Princesses felt some urgency about getting to Canterlot today. We would all do what we could to make that happen.
The six of us hugged together for a few minutes, then Equestria's Princesses led us back out, down the hall to the Library.
Well, it was empty, there was absolutely nopony in the Library.
We made our way outside, and quickly found out why.
The first thing I heard, both Raritys crying loudly, hugging a mare that I guessed (correctly) was Sweetie Belle, Equestria pony Rarity's not so little sister. Crying as only Rarity can, she and her Twin... Well, that was fine, what family she had was alive, doing well, and back in Ponyville. Sweetie Belle's Stallion stood close, not really knowing what to do. I guessed he would learn quickly.
Well, where Sweetie Belle was... I quickly saw both Applejacks crying buckets with (probably) Apple Bloom and her stallion. Just like Rarity, Applejack's kin had returned home, having survived the decades. The return of family... This was a good day.
Scootaloo and her Stallion were crying with the Rainbow Dash Twins. I knew little about Rainbow's family, but in this Equestria, I was pretty sure the Rainbows would unofficially adopt Scoolaloo and her Stallion.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo... Well, they all had Cutie Marks now, of course, and, well, nevermind... These three were clearly grown up, and looked older than their big sisters. That didn't matter at all. These three were back home in Ponyville now, and would stay.
Once everypony saw Equestria's Princesses in the grass near the stairs... Everypony turned and bowed right where they were. Cel and Lu both had to work pretty hard to not cry. Equestria's ponies were returning. Cel had them all quickly back up.
And the newcomers gasped loudly as Rose and Alyssa ran quickly past Cel and Lu, and up to Shysage and I. Of course, we spent some time with our animal friends.
It was then that I noticed a guard, off in the distance, speaking with the Twilight Twins. Shysage said right away it was Roderick, and he would know. Shysage explained that Roderick could talk with Shining Armor in Canterlot using magic or something. Shysage said it wasn't a cell-phone, but he was pretty sure the results were the same.
For a little while more, everypony visited, hugging and crying mostly. Shysage and I, we were off a little from the rest. The Fluttershys and the Shynas brought two more Panthers over, and together, we had some animal friend time. Still, for Shysage and I, our family was all right here. Well, except for our Twins... Shysage had to hug me for a few minutes as I cried.
The Twilight Twins were now talking to the Celestia and Luna Twins. And it was after they were done, that Princess Twilight asked that everypony relax in the grass for a few minutes, as Princess Celestia needed to address everypony. I knew this was hard for her, she was fighting back tears the whole time.
"Precious Ponyville friends...
"It really has been an amazing pleasure living with you all these last days. And you all will never know how grateful Lu and I are that you worked together to rescue us from Phantasma..."
Cel and Lu both cried together briefly, then Cel kept going.
"As Equestria's Princesses, we are feeling a growing urgency to return to Canterlot, in order to assist in the, well, reviving of our pony nation. The guard has indicated that we really need to leave soon, and we won't argue, he is responsible for our safety..."
Starting to cry again, Princess Celestia said slowly "It is time for us to say goodbye, for now anyway. Until the Air Coaches are back on line, I doubt we will see many of you for quite a while, unless Equestria requires the Elements..."
That was all Cel could say. Sets of Twins, one at a time, walked over and hugged our amazing Princesses and their Twins. The Fluttershys, Shysage and I were busy hugging Princess Twilight, since we would actually accompany Cel and Lu to Canterlot.
Well, Pound Cake and his Mare were saying family goodbyes too, they were leaving for Canterlot, and would probably be there for a while. Pound Cake and his Mare would travel with us. Both Pinkie Pies were in the middle of that.
Less than half an hour later, which seemed far too soon, the Canterlot group headed off. We basically followed the train tracks away from town. Leaving was hard for all of us, for one reason or another.
I think Roderick intended to lead us by a good distance, just to make sure the way ahead was safe. Our Panther animal friends clearly had other plans. They froliced and played in the tall grass, even far up ahead, as us ponies walked together next to the tracks.
Fluttershy suggested that Roderick officially meet these amazing four Panther friends. We asked him, and he answered "Just a moment". Shysage said Roderick was asking Shining Armor about this. Shining Armor clearly agreed with Fluttershy. And it was also clear Roderick was not comfortable, but he did it anyway. Well, we wanted to make sure the Panthers left him alone, which they did the rest of the trip. They probably would have anyway.
Still, it was clear that, for the most part, the Panthers would lead the way. I guess that was ok.
For much of today's trip, the guard went first, but usually following four playing Panthers. Cel and Lu and their Twins were next, and basically talked the whole time. It sounded like a crash course on Princess stuff. But Shysage and I cried realizing that, with the Principal sisters... Well, our girls would probably not be alone, ever again.
Pound Cake and his Mare followed the Princesses. We offered for them to walk with us, but they were not too comfortable around our Panther friends. And it looked like Pound Cake's Mare was having a hard time with leaving their family. I really felt for her...
Both Fluttershys, Shysage and I brought up the rear. Rose and Alyssa, well all four Panthers, one or two at a time, would frequently run all the way back to us, get some attention, then run back up front and play some more. Our Panther animal friends clearly enjoyed the trip, and could probably run all day.
For a while, I had a lot of fun talking with both Fluttershys. I really feel like I have two Sis's now... I love them both so much. We talked about a lot of stuff. It was clear though, that things got strangely quiet whenever Shysage and my future came up, meaning the time between our present, and right now, some 35 years later. I guess that was something we couldn't talk about.
...
Maybe mid-morning, Pound Cake's Mare screamed. A lone Cougar had been watching us from the brush along the train track clearing, and decided that the group with two ponies was his best bet, rather than any of the other groups.
Everypony up ahead all stopped right away and looked. The Cougar was growling, and walking slowly towards Pound Cake's Mare, who was absolutely frozen with fear.
Nopony really had time to do anything, as four Black streaks converged on that Cougar. One of the Panthers jumped clear over Roderick, before Roderick even knew what to do. I think Roderick was getting ready to say something, but it didn't matter.
The Cougar turned quickly and ran, rather than have four much larger Panthers land right where he stood. Our four animal friends streaked quickly into the under-brush after the Cougar. Like last time, there were sounds of a brief fight some distance away, then it was quiet.
Everypony in front of us, well, their mouths were draped open in amazement. This included Roderick.
My sister Fluttershy smiled, then said quietly "I think our girls are eating some lunch. They will catch up with us in a little while."
We resumed walking.
Cel asked both Fluttershys to join them up front for a bit. I think Equestria's Princesses wanted to know more about our amazing animal friends, and they all talked for a while. I think our trips to the Past came up some, too.
Pound Cake and his Mare joined Shysage and I in the back, and I hugged the Mare briefly, then explained our amazing animal friends had really been a big help to us on a number of occasions. I talked about most of those incedents. Talking about rescuing Cel and Lu just made me cry again.
Our animal friends, well Rose and Alyssa, ran up to Shysage and I after a while, and Pound Cake again walked up forward some with his Mare.
Filicia and Dawn ran ahead to the Fluttershys and walked behind them briefly. Both Fluttershys moved to the ends of the Princess group, then quickly had a Panther on their outside. Shysage said he wished he had a camera. Well I think I know... Equestria's Princesses, flanked by Panther guards... It would have made an amazing picture!
Still, before too much longer, both Fluttershys (and their cats) came back to us as the Celestia and Luna Twins again talked Princess stuff.
After the Panthers ate lunch, they didn't feel like running and jumping, and just walked with us for a while. So Roderick got to go first! Of course we fussed over our animal friends some while we walked. We appreciated them protecting us.
And it was while the girls were back with us, that I noticed one or two of them would occasionally let out the strangest, high pitched, well, whine, I don't know.
Fluttershy said they were saying hi to any Panthers that might be off in the woods. They didn't come, of course, but after Sis told me that, I began to notice an occasional response, just the same, but from a long distance away.
In the middle of the day, Roderick had us stop at a lake near the tracks. He wanted us to drink and eat. He also cautioned us about wandering off. He wanted us to all stay near him. We didn't argue.
And while we ate, the girls found a shady tree nearby, and licked themselves clean, then napped. Rose's legs looked a lot better. The cuts were almost gone.
We resumed our trip. The girls didn't want to come just yet, and Fluttershy said it would be ok, they would join us in a little while.
Pound Cake and his Mare joined us at the back, and together, they told us about their life after Equestria fell. Well, it wasn't easy. Pound Cake said it was a miracle, not only that he found an amazing Mare (she blushed), but that she was good at cooking too! They were a nice family, and hoped to finally be able to have some foals now.
I just sighed, and leaned up against Shysage...
...
Roderick abruptly shouted "Stop", and we guessed he was talking to us, so we stopped.
A Black bear, standing on his hind legs, was walking slowly towards Roderick, growling. He wasn't big, but he was probably hungry, and Roderick was a pony, after all.
I don't think Roderick knew what to do.
"Everypony stand back" he said forcefully, but just stood there, as if trying to decide how to best deal with this bear. We guessed Roderick felt he could hurt the bear, but he doubted he could kill it, not by himself.
Roderick didn't have to decide.
Our four Panther friends had just run up, heard the bear, and streaked forward, jumping over ponies in the process.
Our girls just ate, and so weren't hungry. But they were quickly in front of the bear, growling loudly.
The bear must have decided that the odds were too great now, because, he got down on all four, turned around, and crashed quickly back into the under-brush, kept running, and was soon gone.
Our Panther friends ran to the edge of the clearing after him, then just sat there, facing the forest, while we all walked past. Then they joined us again, and we fussed with them some more. These four Panthers are just animals, but still... I think they understood they were protecting us.
We soon started the ascent towards Canterlot. The train tracks sort of loop around up to the tunnel on the top level. I won't lie, it was a tough climb, and it took a while. I think I told Shysage more than once that it would have been much easier to fly.
Shysage said it was maybe dinner time when we started through the last tunnel, the one that went directly to the top deck of Canterlot. I had been through here a number of times; there were just bad memories... Well, this time I was looking forward to the small pond to the right at the Canterlot end; I was thirsty...
I think we all had the same idea... ...except Cel and Lu... I think they were expecting what happened next.
As we neared the Canterlot end of the tunnel, it was clear some sort of honor guard (Shysage's words) was waiting for Equestria's Princesses. Shining Armor and maybe 20 other guards, fully uniformed, were bowing in sort of a semi-circle around the end of the tunnel. Roderick had already moved next to Shining Armor and bowed himself.
When we had walked to within maybe 20 feet of them, Cel and Lu stopped. Equestria's Princesses were standing tall, heads slightly up, but now weeping softly.
We didn't know... The rest of us bowed too. Our Panther friends laid on their bellies and just waited.
Princess Celestia spoke slowly.
"The Princesses of Equestria have arrived in Canterlot. The kingdom of Equestria is officially alive and active once again..."
Both Cel and Lu hugged and cried together briefly, then Cel continued.
"According to section EGC:18.5.34, and due to Equestria being vacated for a period exceeding 10 days, the Equestria Governing Code is hereby fully re-enacted. Additionally, as provided for in this same section, Martial Law is hereby declared by the ruling Princesses, whose word, directives and testimony supercedes the EGC in it's entirety, until a Council of Princesses can be convened to ratify the EGC and restore normal rule to Equestria."
It was quiet for a minute, then Shining Armor spoke up.
"As commander in chief of Equestria's Guard Corps, I, Shining Armor, along with these loyal guards, report for active duty to Equestria's ruling Princesses, and sware full and complete allegiance, on all matters, at any cost, to the kingdom of Equestria. We are here at your service."
Princess Luna answered with this.
"Shining Armor, your service to Equestria has been fully received. You are fully authorized to return to your duties, and remain available to enforce the current form of the EGC, and to further carry out any of the ruling Princesses' directives."
Cel and Lu hugged and cried, as Shining Armor and his men got up and returned to their posts. I guess this ceremony was done. Still, it was amazing to be able to watch this...
...
...And Cel and Lu stayed crying, as Mildred ran quickly up, crying loudly herself. Among the three of them, I don't think there was much hope of this ever happening. The master of details cried with Equestria's Princesses for a while.
After they were done crying, Cel introduced Pound Cake and his Mare, and Mildred led these two amazed temporary cooks to the Audience Hall, where we were sure they would see the biggest kitchen they had ever seen in their lives...
Our Panther friends laid on their bellies while Cel and Lu cried for a while with Shysage and I... Even here in the future, Cel and Lu... They were our girls...
Cel suggested that we wander over to the meadow near the Library, "the back meadow" she called it. We mentioned we had been there before, so that was fine. Equestria pony Fluttershy mentioned quietly that we would still need to work out food for our Panther friends. Cel hugged Fluttershy tightly, and they cried together for a while too.
Cel and Lu and their Twins headed to the Audience Hall. I am sure the next hour or so would be emotionally difficult for our girls. Being able to shepherd Equestria again...
Both Fluttershys, Shysage and I, along with our four Panther friends, we just followed them. There were quite a few ponies in Canterlot now. Most ponies we passed stopped and stared at these four Black Panthers that were bigger than they were!
Us four ponies, along with our animal friends, we ended up relaxing in the Commons grass. It was clear a lot of work had already been done here. There was no trace of the carnage we saw last time. There was a lot of visible dirt though.
We hadn't been there very long when the Shyna Twins landed nearby, Pegasus mare curtsy and all. We hugged and cried with them briefly, and they fussed with our animal friends with us a little while too. They said they had to meet with Shining Armor, then return to Ponyville before it got dark. I guess Princess Twilight was anxious for some news!
After meeting with Shining Armor briefly in the Library, the Shyna Twins came back and we all hugged and cried some more. I had them both promise to hug Princess Twilight for all of us! As we tried not to cry, the Shyna Twins took off for a super-fast run back to Ponyville.
At that point, it was still light some, and we moved to the meadow near the Library. It wasn't far from the Commons either. There were buildings most of the way around this meadow, but it was a big meadow where we could eat, drink, and our animal friends could still feel relaxed. That was rather important.
The rest of this strange mountain rose precipitously up, at the far edge of this meadow. I remembered Shysage and I sleeping here with Cel and Lu once, almost fourteen hundred years ago now, when they were just Cel and Lu... At that time, these two girls were feeling quite grown up, and so they let Shysage and I sleep together and by ourselves under our own tree. Still, our girls weren't far, and we told them repeatedly to not leave their tree!
I just sighed, and tried not to cry. Shysage and I, we wouldn't trade any of our lives for anything, but I think he agreed with me that the Portal moving us around in time... Sometimes that left us feeling so torn... so... mushed...
We didn't know when our animal friends would be hungry again, but Fluttershy said we may have to take them down into the forest below town so they could eat. That would be tomorrow's problem.
Honestly, I think us three girls were also hoping for a trip to Manehattan. I knew Shysage would pull that off, if he could.
Before it was totally dark, Cel, Lu and their Twins came and hugged us some, and cried some more with us. Well, it didn't help that Shysage said softly "Welcome back Princess Celestia and Princess Luna" Both girls cried on his shoulders. Well Shysage pulled me in and the four of us cried together, and that included Shysage, too.
I think the plan was that we would spend the night here in this field. It was summer here anyway, and this was fine. Fluttershy said quietly that taking the Panthers inside anywhere, this was just not a good idea. And the four of us had no intention of leaving them. Equestria's Princesses understood.
A little before dark, Shining Armor brought four other guards over, and commanded them to meet our Panther friends. One of the guards was scared to death, but the other three seemed to enjoy the process. After that, they formed a very wide perimeter around us, and Shining Armor asked us to try to keep the Panthers near us. The guards were to keep other ponies away.
Well, it was dark, and today included a long walk... We were all tired. I snuggled up next to Shysage, and we were quickly asleep.