It wasn't early when I woke up in the grass in the Commons (in Canterlot). Right away, I remembered Rose dying yesterday, and I began to cry. That seemed so harsh to me...
Shysage was next to me, already awake, and he hugged me right away, and cried some with me. I didn't need to tell him how I felt. I knew if he could, he would roll over on his side, and pull me up to his chest and neck, but we weren't alone.
Both Fluttershys were fussing over their animal friends. Still, I tried to stop crying. Alyssa got up, came over, and nudged her huge Panther nose into my pony face. I smiled at that.
"Summer, Alyssa wants us to both share her now" Shysage said quietly. Well, I couldn't not cry at that. Shysage and I petted and scratched Alyssa, together, while I cried softly. And Shysage was right, I had to move on. We had to move on.
I looked out across the Commons in the morning Sun. I was hoping for one last look at my most amazing animal friend. Well, all four dead Panthers were gone now. My guess was that the rest of the Panthers had buried them in the Commons somewhere, last night. I just sighed. Rose deserved at least that.
And it was clear Fluttershy's Panther army had eaten dinner in the middle of the night, then left. Still, the carcass of a huge bear, the grass couldn't hide that. I was pretty sure getting rid of that would be one of Shining Armor's tasks for today.
Well, hopefully they wouldn't start this project soon; our three Panther friends ran over and ate some breakfast.
For a few minutes, I just stared across the Commons, out across Equestria, as it stretched away for miles past the edge of this top shelf of Canterlot...
...and it was only then, that I noticed; the music flowing slowly through the background had changed(1). It was still flowing softly, but I really liked this tune. It was very relaxing, very calming. Maybe I really needed that. Well, Shysage was right next to me, with his head right next to mine. I really needed him!
My Sis (Equestria pony Fluttershy) and her Twin (well they are both my sisters now...) soon were laying on their bellies next to me, and the four of us rested there quietly, and stared off into the distance.
For the next hour maybe, the four of us just rested there. It was like time just stopped. I think I told Shysage a few times that I loved him. I also told both Fluttershys the same thing. Losing Rose had just reminded me that I was, I am so dependent on the ponies around me...
And the two amazing Fluttershys next to me... Equestria really needed them yesterday!
...
Happy, chatting ponies began spilling out of the Audience Hall doors. Both Shynas made a bee line for us, and the six of us were quickly hugging together, crying...
I guess the rest just followed them over, and everypony was soon spread out around us, including Cel (Princess Celestia) and Lu (Princess Luna) and their Twins (Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna).
Cel had us all lay on our bellies, right where we were. Cel then backed away from the group some. She wanted to address us, but it seemed difficult for her, for some reason. These words came slowly.
"I can't... I had no idea that Fluttershy and her animal friends would rise up and rescue Equestria like they did yesterday...
"Our Fluttershys spend so much of the time, quiet and in the background. And the rest of us often dismiss their affinity for animal friends... But yesterday..."
Cel was crying by now.
"Fluttershys, we are all alive... Equestria is alive... Because of your amazing animal friends..."
Both Fluttershys, already crying, ran up, and all three of Equestria's Princess cried a little while with them both. This was only right...
After everypony else was back laying down in the grass, Cel said this.
"Early this morning, after the Panthers left, I had Shining Armor gather the remains of the four brave Panthers who died yesterday..."
Well, I'm sorry, but I couldn't not cry at this... Shysage just hugged me tightly as I sobbed... I think this made Cel cry, and soon everypony else was crying too. I knew that Cel wasn't done though, so, maybe together, we all tried to calm down.
This was all Cel could say.
"Four brave Panther animal friends were buried this morning with a full military funeral...
"Their burial spot is along the left edge of the Commons, roughly half-way between the Circle memorial garden, and Star Dusk's memorial closer to the far end.
"As soon as we can, we will add some sort of memorial marker, explaining both the singular role of the Panther army in rescuing Equestria, as well as the amazing ponies whose special gifts made such a victory possible."
We all cried together for a while after that.
I was trying to calm down; I really missed Rose. And it was only yesterday... I had made pretty good progress, and was just resting in the grass with my head next to Shysage's head. At least what Rose did would be remembered... I had to stop there.
"Shysage, why does life seem so tenuous?" I asked him this question very softly after I had managed to stop crying. I didn't expect an answer, and Shysage just hugged me tightly. That was his answer. Nopony knew. But, honestly, having him close...
Everypony else was just relaxing in the grass, enjoying the warmth of the Sun, and talking. Well, I couldn't help but notice... Everypony else was with their Twin...
I just sighed... I tried not to start crying again.
...
A minute later, I burst into tears, and was quickly sobbing. I mean I was really crying hard...
Shysage started crying too, but could at least say this much:
"Cel, Summer and my Twins will be here shortly..."
My Twin...
Everypony got up, and we could see them now, as they both flew up.
And since everypony else had their Twin, they all backed away, as my amazing Twin and Shysage's Twin landed near us.
I was really almost hysterical as I hugged my Twin... We cried buckets, together, at the same time, in the same way...
After a few minutes, I think my Twin (Equestria Girls Summer Rain) read my mind. Still crying profusely, she said quietly "Twin, we shouldn't, can't Soul-Link. I'll explain later..."
I didn't think much of it. That was fine, I was just... Hugging my Twin... We both cried together a while longer...
And everypony else was hugging their Twin now too, also crying... Well, except the Shysage Twins. Both Shysages were crying a little, but not hugging. That seemed strange to me.
...
After my Twin and I cried together maybe ten minutes, Shysage, well my Shysage (Equestria Girls Shysage, my amazing Stallion) said quietly to us Summers (talking to me mostly)
"Summer, my Twin is mayor of Manehattan, and he has some official business to take care of with Equestria's Princesses. Maybe we should let them do that."
It was hard, but I let go of my Twin. Still crying, my Shysage was immediately at my side, and both our Twins walked up to Equestria's Princesses and bowed.
Of course, Cel got them quickly up, and asked cheerfully
"Mayor of Manehattan and his amazing Mare. How can Equestria help you today?"
Shysage's Twin would talk, and, with everypony else around, he was clearly uncomfortable. He spoke very slowly, and stumbled over his words occasionally.
"Princess, we have a pony in jail, and we need your direction about how to handle his... situation...
"He attacked... He seriously hurt another pony, and the guards stopped him, and put him in jail."
My Twin was crying at this point, but so was my Shysage, and I wasn't sure why. His Twin, Manehattan's mayor, continued talking.
"Once we had locked him up in jail, he said we needed to release him right away, because... well..."
My Stallion had the most disgusted look on his face...
And his mayor Twin was clearly searching for words, then quickly said this.
"He said he did what he did because of an act of conscience, or something like that... And that we needed to let him go..."
Lu (Princess Luna) let out a deep sigh...
Cel (Princess Celestia) jumped in right away.
"Mayor of Manehattan, you may stop, I have heard enough. Please wait here a minute."
Cel walked off, and found the closest guard and said "I need Shining Armor here as soon as possible."
Cel walked back over, next to Princess Luna and Princess Twilight. And we didn't have to wait very long for Shining Armor; he quickly ran up in less than two minutes.
Cel said quickly "Shining Armor, the mayor of Manehattan tells me that there is a stallion in jail who thinks he should be acquitted of his crime and released."
Cel didn't stop talking, but Shining Armor nodded here. He probably already knew about this. That was Shining Armor's job.
Cel kept going. She spoke officially, forcefully...
"Please take plenty of guards with you, and bring this stallion to Canterlot. I want him in my jail at your earliest convenience."
Shining Armor said simply "Yes, Princess."
Cel, looked off across the Commons, as if in thought, then she added "And, Shining Armor, bring the pony he attacked, as well."
Shining Armor didn't answer, but Shysage's Twin, the mayor of Manehattan did...
"...uhm, Princess, that won't be necessary..."
My Twin burst into tears after he said this, and so I did too...
The mayor said quietly... "...it was me..."
My Shysage burst into tears at this point...
And actually looking at my Twin's Shysage... I could see two broad hoof prints on his shoulder, now starting to bleed again. And I could also see other bruises, also starting to bleed...
Well, it was clear this stallion had beat up the mayor (my Stallion's Twin) pretty bad. The Shysage Twins couldn't hug because he was in a lot of pain, and a hug would hurt a lot... My Shysage knew all this about his Twin...
And my mind raced quickly back to when this had happened to my Shysage... How could his Twin even fly?
And my Twin told me later, by the time they got near Canterlot, her Shysage was a bloody mess, and she had carefully licked everything clean, right before they flew up to speak to Princess Celestia.
My Stallion's twin groaned, said "Princess, I'm sorry", then laid down on the ground. I guess he couldn't even stand up any more.
Cel clearly was NOT happy. Still, she again addressed Shining Armor politely.
"Shining Armor, please take some extra guards to leave in Manehattan, but I want this stallion back here as soon as you can."
Shining Armor said "Yes Princess", and was quickly off, barking out some orders as he ran.
And my Twin later confirmed, that she and her Shysage coming to Canterlot right away, like they had, this was Shining Armor's suggestion.
...
One pony was still crying loud and hard at this point, and I really wanted to scold myself...
I immediately turned into a people, and grabbed one of my Twin's front hooves, turning my Twin, Equestria Girls Summer Rain into a people too.
Equestria Girls Fluttershy, still crying buckets, ran quickly over, jumped up as a pony on her sister, and almost knocked her sister over. I grabbed one of her hooves with my other hand, changing her quickly into a people, too...
I motioned my Sis over, and the four of us, both Fluttershys and both Summers, as people; we cried together...
I... Twice now, after everypony thought Equestria Girls Summer Rain had died... This was the second time Equestria had given Equestria Girls Fluttershy her sister back... The Equestria Girls sisters hugged tightly and cried together for a while. I guess we all did...
After maybe an hour, us sisters and Twins calmed down.
Shysage, well my Shysage was already on his belly next to his Twin. They had talked some, but my Shysage vividly remembered how he felt, and was basically just being there for his Twin. Nopony could take his pain away. That would take some time.
Still, my Twin's Shysage, the mayor of Manehattan; it would be a while before he could move from where he was. Well, us Summers were not going to move away from our Stallions any time soon. And the Fluttershys were not about to wander away from the Summers. And the Shynas weren't about to leave us either. The eight of us, plus three animal friends, we ended up relaxing together in the grass, right there.
Well, it was too late for a trip to Ponyville anyway, so Princess Twilight told everypony else to relax in the grass for the afternoon. The Twilight Twins checked with the Celestia and Luna Twins, and dinner and sleeping in the Audience Hall again was not a problem.
Still, the Celestia and Luna Twins clearly had Princess stuff to attend too, and headed back into the Audience Hall. Princess Twilight and her Twin came back and relaxed in the afternoon Sun with the rest of us.
My Twin and I, together, wandered around and hugged everypony. It had been decades for my Twin... It wasn't too long before we were back in the grass next to our Shysages. My Twin and I... We are so alike...
...
At that point, my Twin noticed both our three Panther friends, as well as the huge animal carcass in the grass some distance away. She asked about the carcass. Of course I answered by crying, and couldn't stop. Shysage couldn't explain it either.
Well, everypony elected Princess Twilight to explain yesterday's events for Shysage and my Twins. Princess did a nice job, even though most everypony had to stop and cry at times. I am sure Shysage and my Twins tried to listen, but I cried a lot, and so my Twin did too.
I think they understood, though. And I realized that there would likely be plenty of time for them to catch up on all the other details.
And Princess Twilight assured everypony that a full record would soon be available, covering the amazing 'coming back to life' of Equestria. Of course, this made me realize that Shysage and I were WAY behind on our Canterlot Recording for our time here. That was scary... It was like, at any minute, we might get taken back...
When Princess was done, my Twin and I cried together a while. I was just so glad to see her, to hug her... I guess you need to have a Twin like this to really understand... My Twin and her sister cried together a while that afternoon, too.
Equestria Girls Fluttershy introduced her sister and the mayor of Manehattan to our three amazing animal friends. Alyssa made sure I didn't cry too much. Shysage and my Twins, they both freely accepted these animal friends. I don't know... Maybe it's a family thing...
...And our family stayed together as the rest of the girls had a nice dinner inside the Audience Hall. The Shyna, Fluttershy and Summer Twins, we wandered in the grass nearby and had some dinner.
My Shysage turned into a people. Surely getting some stares, he went into the Audience Hall, and came back with a bowl of fresh water, and another bowl of yummie but very nutritious dinner. His Twin ate well. Shysage turned back into a people, and took the bowls back, and got a refill on some water.
Our Panther animal friends snacked on left-overs again. That was proving to be pretty handy...
As the Sun headed for the horizon off in the West, all three Princess Twins came out and spent some time with us. Evidently everypony else was spread around in the Audience Hall, Twin Linking, visiting together, or both. Well, both Pinkie Pies were probably in the kitchen... Anyway, this was fine.
Still, I think I cried a lot, hugging everypony around me... Princesses, girls, sisters, Twin... So many family ties...
Princess Twilight also mentioned we should really try to head back to Ponyville tomorrow. I guess that was ok... At least I got to spend some time with my Twin, anyway. I shouldn't complain.
Before it got too late, the Princess Twins walked back to the Audience Hall, and joined everypony else inside.
Shysage and I both knew that Shysage's beat up Twin would probably not sleep at all tonite. There was not really much we could do about this. I also think having us near was comforting to him.
Well my Twin was laying on her belly next to her hurting Stallion, and her sister (Equestria Girls Fluttershy) was quickly next to her. The two of them hugged and cried together a lot that night. I guess we really weren't sure when my Twin and her sister would be back together again.
I flopped down in the grass facing my Twin, and my sister Fluttershy and my Shysage ended up on either side of me. The Shyna Twins ended up next to the Fluttershy Twins. This worked out really nice; we were all facing our Twins.
Our three animal friends were spread around us, and were quickly asleep.
Us girls talked together until very late. Still, it was clear that any talk about Shysage and my 'present future' was just not going to happen. I don't know, that was just scary.
Equestria pony Shysage didn't sleep at all, and moaned, and moved around quite a bit during the night. He was in a lot of pain, and just could not find a comfortable position. His amazing Mare (my Twin!) stayed awake as well. And my Shysage and I both remembered that. We didn't sleep either. I think the Fluttershys and the Shynas slept though.
Ok, so maybe my Twin and I must have fallen asleep in the early morning hours.
Us six girls awoke the next morning, to what sounded like another pony yelling. It didn't sound close, but it was loud.
I immediately located Shysage, well both Shysages, sitting next to each other some distance away from us. I guessed they had probably been talking, and moved away some because they didn't want to wake the rest of us up.
And some distance beyond them, all three of our animal friends were sitting in a line, looking off across the Commons, well, towards some of the buildings in Canterlot. I remembered Shysage telling me the other day that only monsters triggered that response from them. Still, both Shysages were looking at the cats, waiting, watching quietly.
The yelling was slowly getting closer and louder.
My Twin and I got up and quickly walked over and sat next to our Shysages. At the exact same time, we both leaned up against our amazing Stallions, and sighed deeply, the same way, at exactly the same time.
Fluttershys and Shynas joined us, and all eight of us were sitting in a long line, with the Shysage Twins in the middle. We were some distance behind our three animal friends, who were also sitting in a line.
Well, the yelling wasn't us, but it was clear that the yelling is what had the attention of our three animal friends. That was the direction they were facing. Well, now, we all were.
Between two buildings, a bunch of ponies came into view, and one of them was doing the yelling.
It was Shining Armor and six other guards accompanying another pony. The other pony, a stallion my Shysage said, was the one yelling, and we could now make sense of some of what he was yelling.
"I can't take another step... Ouch, that hurts, stop! This is terrible... I've been up all night... No, I want to go home... Guards? You stallions are useless... My legs hurt... I need to eat..."
We all realized that, with Shining Armor there, this group was probably heading for the Audience Hall. We weren't far from the main entrance.
...
Once the group was near, all three of our animal friends lurched up and ran quickly forward, and, as pony guards backed away, all three Panthers confronted this yelling pony. Well, his yelling stopped right away. And our Panther animal friends were ready to pounce, facing him, down on their front legs, growling loudly. Each Panther was bigger than he was. He was scared to death.
My Shysage gasped as soon as he saw this stallion up close.
My Shysage's Twin asked quietly "You too?"
My Shysage simply nodded, without looking away. This was the same stallion who had done the same thing to my Shysage... He was clearly much older now, but still...
Shining Armor ordered his men to stay away. Heading into the Audience Hall, he yelled to Shysage, well one of them, or both, I don't know...
"Shysage, just hold him there until I bring Equestria's Princesses."
Shining Armor quickly disappeared into the Audience Hall.
The yelling pony was speechless, motionless and clearly very afraid...
My Shysage said quietly to Fluttershy "Fluttershy, we need the girls to stay there, but not attack him just yet."
Fluttershy sang out something, and all three Panthers simply sat down right where they were, but kept their steely glare on the pony, and continued growling loudly.
Well, as far as I was concerned, Equestria's Princesses could take their time...
...
Fifteen minutes later, Equestria's three Princesses, along with their Twins, walked calmly out of the Audience Hall doors, and followed Shining Armor over to the yelling stallion; well, he was speechless at the moment.
The cats didn't move, as Equestria's Princesses walked up behind them. Princess Celestial spoke first, without even turning away from this yelling stallion.
"Mayor of Manehattan, is this the stallion who assaulted you?"
"Yes, Princess" my Twin's Shysage said quietly.
Shining Armor quickly added this "Princess, a number of the guards in Manehattan confirmed this as well."
It was quiet for a minute, then my Shysage quietly said this.
"Cel, this is the same stallion that kicked me across the lobby of the Library, in case that matters."
The yelling stallion only now looked over at the rest of us. Well, his gaze shot over quickly to my Stallion. He yelled loudly again "YOU !!!"
Our Panther animal friends quickly asserted themselves, got up, got back down on their front legs, ready to pounce, and growled loudly. They were not going to put up with that, anyway. There would be no more yelling.
It was quiet for a few minutes. I honestly think Cel was letting our Panther animal friends re-assert their presence in this yelling stallion's mind. After that time, Cel addressed the prisoner, calmly.
"Stallion, you have viciously assaulted both of these stallions. What do you think we should do about that?"
Timidly at first, but then increasingly bold, the prisoner answered.
"Well, you really... Princess, you need to release me. In both cases, what I did was an act of conscience. And just like before, you have no choice. You have to let me go."
This yelling stallion was almost bragging at the end of these words.
It was quiet for a few minutes. The Panthers stayed growling.
It was clear though, that Cel was angry, and needed some time to try and calm down.
"Stallion, are you aware that your actions cast Equestria into anarchy? I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, that first time, and you just used that..."
Cel had to stop here. She was again angry.
The yelling stallion closed his eyes and said smugly "That is none of my concern. Princess, a law is a law. Now get these vicious beasts away from me... I have a long walk home..." He said this last part almost sneering...
Cel couldn't talk, she was furious. Princess Luna broke the news.
"Stallion, according to Equestria's own law, since Equestria has been vacated, these ruling Princesses have decreed Martial Law, and our words and directives specifically supercede ALL of Equestria's previous laws. And it will stay that way until a Council of Princesses convenes..."
Princess Luna let this sink in some, and Shining Armor specifically walked up and faced this stallion next to Equestria's Princesses.
Princess Luna then said this.
"We could ask these Panthers to eat you, for what you have done, and you would have absolutely no legal recourse..."
The yelling stallion's eyes grew very big at this point. "You wouldn't..."
Well, it was clear that Cel was still going to try to talk some sense into this stallion. The use of force was only to be a last resort for this Princess... Mostly calm, she tried again.
"Stallion, on two occasions, you have deliberately caused great pain and suffering to other ponies. Does that not matter to you? Would you like the same thing to happen to you?"
The yelling stallion forgot about the Panthers, and didn't even bat an eye. He snorted loudly, and said this.
"They both deserved it. And, well, Princess, to be honest, I only care about one of us, and it isn't you."
It was again quiet for a few minutes as Cel fought again to control her own anger. Then she replied.
"Sir, that approach would work fine -- if you lived by yourself on some island somewhere...
"But this is Equestria, and we all need to live and work together. And if you can't bring yourself to do that, to live peaceably with the rest of us, perhaps you should leave Equestria.
"In reality, you are just a big bully, and I think you will find Equestria's leadership has every intention of protecting the rest of the ponies in Equestria from your bullying."
Well, Cel was done with this yelling stallion. She turned her head away from him, closed her eyes, and spoke forcefully, and officially.
"Shining Armor, show this stallion to the jail, and lock him up. He is to have no visitors whatsoever, and no food for the next week. And warn him sternly that if we see ANY evidence of him using his magic, we will break his Unicorn horn."
The yelling stallion was aghast, and said "You wouldn't dare!"
Cel ignored this, and continued.
"Fluttershy, please bring your Panthers to escort this stallion to the jail, so that he remains cooperative."
Cel quickly concluded with this.
"Shining Armor, you have your orders. Carry them out."
At Shining Armor's direction, the guards quickly formed a ring around the prisoner. Shining Armor told them to follow him as he walked towards and around the Audience Hall, on the way to the jail cells.
Evidently cooperation was still an issue... Jumping between two guards, this yelling stallion bolted off across the commons, laughing, away from everypony else... Shining Armor quickly told the guards to stop, as they got ready to run after the prisoner. Good call...
Three Black streaks launched quickly across the grass, and only a few seconds later, the yelling stallion... Well, he had stopped laughing. He was on his back, with a few extra scratches, and a huge Panther paw on his chest, and a good collection of very sharp fangs mere inches away from his nose. The Panthers were angry now too, and being pretty vocal about it.
Well, for over a minute, nopony moved. The yelling stallion had earned a time-out with our Panther animal friends. That's what he got.
After that minute, Cel said forcefully "You, sir, are also a common criminal. You need to learn some respect for the laws that protect you and everypony else in this kingdom, instead of just using the laws when convenient, and ignoring them the rest of the time."
Turning to Shining Armor, Cel said calmly "Shining Armor, when the cats withdraw, put this stallion to sleep, and PUT him in his jail cell. He can wake up when he is ready."
Cel turned to the Fluttershy Twins and smiled.
Equestria Girls Fluttershy was learning fast, and with the same melodious voice, had the Panthers sitting calmly around the yelling stallion, who was too scared to even move just yet.
Shining Armor quickly had him asleep, and one of the other Unicorn guards carried him.
Still, both Fluttershys, Shysage and I, and three huge Black Panthers, we helped escort the prisoner to the jail. We waited outside, for Shining Armor to come back out, just to make sure everything went ok.
"I wish we could have brought your Panthers to Manehattan... The trip back here was a nightmare..." Shining Armor said quietly to Shysage.
"Well, we would have come..." my Shysage replied.
Shining Armor sighed, then answered "I know, and thanks... We just didn't know it would be such a pain..."
Shining Armor was quickly off about his duties.
We walked the Panther friends back to the Commons grass, and they were quickly into the left-overs again, even though the carcass smelled pretty bad...
Equestria's Princesses, well everypony was out in the grass, all just talking together in the morning Sun
As soon as I was sure Cel could hear it...
"I know it would be wrong, but I really wanted to slap him hard..."
Cel smiled. "I know mom, I think we all did... And maybe he needs that, I don't know..."
Shysage added quietly "Our Panthers got it right, he's a monster..."