//------------------------------// // Chapter 33, Yet Another Road Trip // Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 9 -- Future Perfect // by shysage //------------------------------// We were all lounging around in the Commons grass in front of the Audience Hall. This included Cel (Princess Celestia), Lu (Princess Luna), and their Twins. Well, the Celestia, Luna and Twilight Twins were all in a conference or something. It was maybe mid-morning, and Princess Twilight walked over to where she felt the front of the group was, then she asked for everypony's attention. Princess Twilight started "Girls, I think..." My Twin quickly said "Princess Twilight, please...", then she started crying softly. Our amazing Princess... She walked quickly over to my Twin, hugged her, and asked softly "Summer, what is it..." "Princess, can we all play Cutie Mark tag for a little while, before you and the girls have to leave?" My Twin said this, then was crying again. Evidently, this sounded like a very good idea to everypony else. Maybe this... Maybe play could finally happen in Equestria again. I guessed it had been sorely missed, among this group especially. Princess Twilight thought a minute, and hugged my Twin tightly again. "Ok, girls, you can play Cutie Mark tag for a while, but then we will need to head to Ponyville. And remember, no magic, and no flying." Princess smiled, then added "Equestria Girls Summer, you are it first." My Twin quickly tagged me, because I was right next to her, then my Twin ran off. I tagged Shyage right away, but he quickly excused himself from the game. I knew why. I ran off too, trying to find someone I could catch. I guess, even after over three decades, everypony still remembred how to play this game. We played for over an hour, and it was a lot of fun. Everypony spent the whole time both laughing and crying. I think we all missed this. I think we all missed each other... Princess Twilight and her Twin must have expected to stay in the stands (Shysage said) with the other two Princesses, but the Filia and Fiona Twins quickly pulled both Twilight's into the game. The Twilight Twins had fun too. As they were watching, the Celestia and Luna Twins looked confused. Shysage walked over, explained the game, and they all laughed together as they watched the rest of us girls run around madly. Like last time, this was an even playing field. My sister, well both Fluttershys were probably the slowest of the bunch, but both were very capable of twisting, turning, dodging... Everypony was it a few times, and nopony held that honor for very long. It was amazing fun. ... I remembered playing Soccer together in the Equestria Girls world once, right before we all had to leave... We were having so much fun now, but we all knew... It was just hard... Still trying to catch her breath, Princess Twilight walked over to the rest of the Princesses, and then called everypony over. Our game was done. And nopony could lay down yet, we were all trying to catch our breath too. Princess Twilight tried to arrange the rest of our day for us. "Girls, I feel strongly, that I need to get back to Ponyville soon." Princess was in thought briefly. "I really think some of us should fly there. Rainbows, can you maybe accompany me on that trip? I may have to stop a few times, it has been a while..." Both Rainbow Dash Twins, said loudly and together "Woo-hoo!" I guess that was a yes. The Shyna Twins volunteered to go with the flying group as well. "Summer, I really think you and Shysage should bring the rest back on hoof. I know it is a long walk, but we all really need to get back to our homes." Princess said this slowly, but we all knew it was true. Everypony else was restarting their lives, and with their Twins too, and Ponyville is where that would happen. "Princess, that will be fine" I said quietly. I think it was assumed that the Fluttershy Twins would accompany us. Taking our Panther animal friends with the group walking, this was definitely not a secondary consideration! We would probably need their help at some point. While everypony else said their goodbyes to the Celestia and Luna Twins, my Twin and I were quickly hugging tightly, crying. I had changed us both into people, just because hugging was so much easier that way. I knew Equestria Girls Fluttershy needed to hug her sister some more, and we quickly added both Fluttershys. The four of us, as people, were hugging tightly, crying together. The Shyna Twins were soon people too, and joined us. I guess Princess Twilight noticed this. She sighed, then said "Summer, can we all do that? Well, it took a little while, but we were soon standing together, shoulder to shoulder, in a tight circle, as people. The Celestia and Luna Twins joined us, but my Shysage was on his belly in the grass next to his Twin, who was finally comfortable, and asleep. That was fine. Us girls were all crying. The Equestria Girls especially; I wondered if they didn't think they would ever be people again. And their Equestria Girls clothing, well most of the Equestria Girls clothing didn't fit well any more (mostly too big), but it didn't matter... Princess Twilight, and her five girls along with their Twins, the Filia and Fiona Twins, the Shyna Twins, the Celestia and Luna Twins, well and us Summers... All 24 of us, we cried together and hugged tightly, as people, for a while. What we did not see, was that a bunch of Canterlot's ponies had already gathered... They were watching, staring... Even though they understood it when we talked, most had never, ever seen a people before... After a while, hugging, crying, somepony in our group started what we often say, and we said it very slowly. I think we all really felt it now... "We are deeply devoted to each other... We are true friends, and committed to true friendship... We are... ...Equestria..." Then Princess Twilight added her part. "And I am only a Princess with you all at my side." We all just cried for a little while more... Crying herself, Cel (Princess Celestia) said "Amazing friends... As I have said before, I... Your devotion to each other, to your Princesses, to Equestria... I have never even heard of anything like this..." Well, the growing crowd of ponies heard Princess Celestia talking, and they all immediately bowed. They would have to stay that way for a little while... And honestly, we didn't expect this part... Princess Twilight had a hard time saying this... "Summer... Fluttershy... Shysage... We know the Portal brought you here, decades into your future... But... We all... ... Equestria is alive once again because of you..." We all just cried together some more... Now, I wanted to stay even more... A few minutes later, Cel asked quietly "Mom, how do we... I really need to address the ponies gathered and bowing around us..." I thought a minute. "Equestria Girls, do you remember how we did this? You just let go, which will turn you back into a pony, then just rock backwards, and sit down." It worked pretty well, only my sister fell. Still, almost in the blink of an eye, 24 people turned back into 24 ponies. Cel said to us first, and quietly "Amazing friends, please don't bow." Cel, well Princess Celestia, next walked to a point between our group and the still bowing group of ponies that had gathered to watch, then she sat down. Princess Luna and Princess Twilight joined her, seated on each side of her. Cel addressed the crowd, all still bowing. "Ponies of Equestria, you may arise, but please sit down right where you are. "After decades, I don't think anypony would have dreamed that Equestria would be able to rise up again..." Cel was having a hard time already, and had to stop and cry. That was fine, everypony else, we all cried too. After a few minutes, Cel continued. "The group of amazing ponies behind us... Their devotion... their love and committment... their amazing true friendship... their bravery... ... Equestria is alive because of them..." Well, we all cried some more. Cel kept going. "True friendship means putting others first. Let us rebuild Equestria on this profound truth." Cel only waited briefly here. "Ponies of Equestria, you are dismissed." Some still crying, the crowd got up, and slowly wandered off, and went about the affairs of their day. We kept crying, and our amazing Princesses joined us. It was maybe noon now, and, after last minute hugs, Princess Twilight, the Rainbow Dash and Shyna Twins took to the air, and headed back to Ponyville. I knew the rest of us should really leave soon, also for Ponyville. I just didn't think either my Twin's sister or myself... I was pretty sure we both just wanted to hug my Twin a while more. Plus, I was hoping for some family time with Cel and Lu, I don't know... I also felt that, in Princess Twilight's absence, her Twin, Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle, she should really be in charge. She was easy to find, mostly by herself, looking very out of sorts without her Twin, our Princess. "Twilight, can we wait an hour maybe before we leave? There are some last minute hugs..." Twilight responded right away "Aww, Summer, you don't need to ask me..." Well, I answered this right away too. "Twilight, in our Princess' absence, you are really our leader." Twilight smiled, hugged me tightly, then said quietly "We should probably leave in no later than an hour." Well, the Equestria Girls Summer and Fluttershy sisters were already hugging and crying near her Shysage. I needed to find Cel anyway, because I wanted to ask her... Shysage was already over hugging Cel and Lu, and I joined them, and my sister (Fluttershy) did too. In a little while, Princess stuff awaited, and Cel and Lu and their Twins headed for the Audience Hall. Before they left, I mentioned to Lu that it would be a good idea to let Shysage and my Twins stay in the oversized closet that became our room in the past. Cel said she would get Mildred on that right away. I hugged my amazing Twin for a while, but far too short... I told her about the room in the Audience Hall, and that made my Twin cry... She knew it would be a few days at least before her Shysage could fly again... Still, it was time to go... Leaving Canterlot this time wasn't easy at all... Twilight Sparkle called all the rest of the ponies together. I ran in and brought the Pinkie Pie Twins from the Audience Hall kitchen. I guess leaving was hard for them too... And I hugged Cel and Lu one more time, then my Twin... We all got a drink at the small pond next to the first tunnel, then we were on our way. Fluttershy mentioned that our three Panthers would no longer touch any of the carcass. I wasn't surprised, it smelled really bad. Still, Sis said we would need to give our animal friends the opportunity to eat on the way back. And I realized immediately... Once we started down that first train tunnel, away from Canterlot... The music that had been flowing through the background, well it stopped, abruptly and completely. All I could hear was the wind, the birds, and the ponies around us talking. Shysage looked at me and nodded. I guess it was the same for him. At the beginning of our walk, Twilight Sparkle, Shysage and I walked up front for a while. This included the walk to the train tunnel, then through the serpentine path the train tracks took down the side of the strange mountain that Canterlot was built on. At least it was down hill this time, Shysage said. The rest of the girls followed us, chatting happily. Both Fluttershys and our three Panther friends came last. It was clear that Equestria Girls Fluttershy was having a hard time leaving her sister. I didn't say anything, but at least these Equestria Girls sisters would probably meet again in the near future. The Pinkie Pie Twins were crying softly too. I guessed leaving Pound Cake and his Mare, this just wasn't fun. I was pretty sure these friends likewise, would probably be able to get together again in the not too distant future. ... Twilight Sparkle and I talked a lot. We really did not have the chance until now. It was very nice. Before we even got going, she and I both hugged tightly, and cried together briefly. I knew she felt bad being away from her Twin. I felt the same way, and she knew it. And I guess she appreciated our help too, I don't know. I never wanted... Shysage and I, we help whenever we can, and we never expect or look for any recognition. That's just part of being true friends. Still, Twilight made it clear, she really appreciated us, especially early on. "Twilight, how are you doing?" I asked quietly at that point. Twilight thought a minute. "Well, a lot better now. It was terribly hard, at first. And it did seem like we jumped through an amazing door, and then spent the next three days in a cyclone..." "Twilight, you followed your dream" I said with a smile. "And that put everything back together." Twilight teared up, but said quietly "Well, I can't claim any credit for the dream, but... I love everypony around us so much..." Twilight did cry softly at this point. She is so much like our Princess... "Aww, Twilight, I'd hug you, but we really shouldn't stop" I said quietly. "Shaking tears off, Twilight answered "I know, Summer, you are so caring... Still, that afternoon we came together... It played out so much like a dream, so, I don't know... like I really was dreaming it..." "Twilight, I think Equestria was in charge... And not just you... Shysage, Fluttershy and I, we just tried to walk through what Equestria had already set up" I said quietly, also trying to not cry. Fluttershy, Shysage and I, we honestly felt that way... I mean, we didn't wake up one day and say "I think the future needs us, let's go..." I actually said this out loud, and Twilight just laughed. "You would have if you knew you should, Summer!" Twilight smiled as she said this. Well, I was having trouble smiling, and I guess Twilight realized right away. "Aww, Summer, what is it..." Well, I did start crying at this point, but I tried to explain. "Twilight, we came from maybe 35 years ago to help with this, and that is fine with us. We just don't know..." Well, I cried pretty hard for a little while, and had to stop talking. Shysage explained it better than I could, but it was hard for him too... "Twilight, we are absolutely scared to death about getting whisked back into our present... It would be very easy to ruin what we have helped rebuild here; even the slightest wrong word in the past could easily unravel everything we have worked hard to regain these last few weeks. And we dearly love everypony around us, and honestly feel everypony is so much better off now..." Shysage was clearly choking back tears, but he paused a minute, then finished with this. "And the prospect of having to live through the dissolution of the relationships of all our dear friends... unable to say or do anything about it..." We didn't stop walking, but we cried together for a while... It was clear Twilight understood what we faced... "Can you three stay here in the future maybe?" Twilight asked quietly after a few minutes of silence. Shysage's crying had trailed mostly off, and he answered. "I don't know... We probably won't know until it happens, whatever it is... As it is, Summer, Fluttershy and I were talking together with Shyna, and we just disappeared, leaving Shyna there alone. That may happen again... We just don't know..." Between quiet tears, I added this "And I think the main reasons we were brought here have been fulfilled... We helped bring everypony back together, and we killed two monsters. Well, the Filias and Fionas killed the first one, and we helped Fluttershy's animal friends kill the last one. Still, I am not sure if there is anything else for us to do here. Like Shysage said, we just don't know..." Our amazing Princess' Twin... Twilight quietly said this. "Well, I think you are right, it does seem like Equestria has been calling the shots. And I think wherever you both go, you will have each other; I think we all realize that. Still, I understand the... just not knowing..." Shysage and I, we heard the first part, looked at each other, and smiled. Twilight was right. It was quiet for a few minutes, but I decided to change the subject. "Twilight, how is our Princess doing? You probably know better than most... And we all really love our precious Princess Twilight." Twilight didn't have to think long. "Summer, she is doing a lot better. I just can't imagine spending 30+ years locked up there..." Twilight said this last part quietly "Maybe... Well, my last six months were excruciating too..." Twilight cried briefly, stopped, mustered a smile, then said "Our Princess just needs time, and she will be fine. Well, maybe we all do." I just sighed, then said this. "Twilight, I am so glad you Equestria Girls are here for good. Shysage and I felt so torn by that Portal, but now..." Twilight answered quickly "Summer, I so agree with you... And all of us Equestria Girls really are starting over, and in Equestria, no less. Surrounded by Twins, it will be so amazing..." Well, we all knew it would be... In the middle of the afternoon, both Shyna Twins landed near us, and of course, did the Pegasus mare Curtsy once on the ground. Twilight Sparkle asked that all the Equestria Girls join her up front for a little while, which left the Equestria ponies gathered around us behind them. Nopony thought anything amiss with this. Twilight had brought most of the girls around her to Equestria to begin with, and this was probably the first chance she had to talk with just them. Still, what happened next was just wierd. I heard Twilight ask, at about the same time I did... "Girls, how are you all do--" Twilight Sparkle and I both got this far, and the amazing girls surrounding each of us just burst into tears. Twins were crying, the same way, at the same time... But split into two groups, it was just strange. And we had to stop for a while, realizing a lot of hugging had to happen just then. Twins had spent a lot of time hugging each other, but these girls; they needed to hug their amazing friends, having re-discovered their devotion. Twilight and I both realized that this was also probably their first opportunity for that; for the Equestria Girls to cry together, and for the Equestria ponies to do the same thing. Shysage realized the girl time nature of this, and called the Panthers away as ponies cried together and hugged. I knew Twilight would feel this, since her Twin wasn't here either. We both had the same idea, I guess. We walked towards the middle, and I hugged her a while, and we cried together. After maybe a half an hour, we resumed our journey, all in one group. Most were still trying to not cry. Half an hour later, everypony was chatting happily... ...That is, until a bunch of ponies in the front screamed. Another Cougar... While most girls ran towards the Panthers in the back, the Filia Twins quickly had the Cougar asleep. Twilight Sparkle mentioned that Princess had been having them work on this Sleep spell. Well, it worked, the Cougar was asleep, standing up... ...That is, until three hungry Panthers landed on one asleep Cougar. The four of them ran into the forest, then it was quiet. Our Panther friends would rejoin us after lunch. We resumed our journey, still following the tracks, as we headed to Ponyville. Surrounded with so many amazing ponies, we were all quickly chatting happily again. I loved everypony around me right now. But I was also terrified... These amazing ponies had lived through a future Shysage and I could only guess at. What little we had heard, here and there, was just plain scary... I didn't want to know honestly, and was scared to death it might come up. Well, it didn't. As dusk neared, the Shyna Twins thought we were still maybe an hour away from Ponyville. Both Shynas were going to fly back to Ponyville to let Princess Twilight know where we were. I guess this was one of the reasons that the Shyna Twins had flown all the way back to us. I was pretty sure the other reason was that both of these Pegasus mares love to fly. The Rainbow Dash Twins love to fly too; we thought they may have had things to do. Maybe fifteen minutes later, the Shyna Twins came back, accompanied by Princess Twilight and the Rainbow Dash Twins. Our Princess landed unsteadily, but even flying this far was amazing since she had not been in the air at all for a long time. Princess and her Twin were quickly hugging, crying... This made the rest of the Twins do the same thing. I just hugged Shysage and cried softly. I love my Twin, but I need my Stallion... As everypony took a break from walking, Shysage and I sat together, facing away from everypony else, and we looked out quietly across the darkening forest as the Sun set. I just cried softly as he hugged me. "Shysage, how long do you think..." This was all I could say. "Oh, Summer..." This was all Shysage could say. Nopony really knew... how much longer we would be here... how we would go back... if we would go back... Princess had us all resume our journey. Evidently, dinner was waiting for us at the Castle. Shysage and I, we walked together and alone, some distance behind everypony else. We quickly changed back into people, and walked while hugging. We both love doing that. I think we both needed it right now. We didn't talk a lot, but we didn't even need to. And we both agreed that from here on out, it would just be scary. While everypony else would increasingly bond with the most amazing friends in the universe, Shysage and I... Well, and Fluttershy too... We could have to leave in the blink of an eye... We both doubted that we would be taken at different times, or to different places. The three of us, we would probably be sent back together, well if... But, like Twilight Sparkle said... just not knowing... I guess Shysage... He stopped us both, and I was quickly hugging him tightly, clinging to him maybe. In my Stallion's amazing arms... He said softly "Summer, just like those times we went back to the Past... We are here right now, and we need to just carefully be true friends, and help any way we can. But we need to let go of our future. Equestria... True friend... I think we are in good hands." I just sighed, he was right, of course. For a few minutes, neither of us moved. I can't even begin to describe how amazing it felt just to rest in my Stallion's embrace. I don't know what I would do without him... After a few minutes, we started walking again. We could not see anypony else, even far ahead. We just kept walking, hugging... Alyssa was still with us, and so we weren't too worried. And we could see the spire of Princess' Castle now, blazing brightly with magical light, out across the night. Shysage and I, we walked slowly, hugging, towards Ponyville. Here in the future, or back in our present, it would look the same. And walking with my Stallion like this, that would feel the same too. I guess everything was ok.