The Great Gryphon Adventure

Gilda and Jacob stood with the rest in the throne room in Canterlot. The fires from the previous war against the Nightmares had all but disappeared. The troops sent by the Confederacy to liberate Equestria were now being used to assist in rebuilding. With the help of Melkos at her side Celestia had been able to revert the death brought on to both Equestria and Anagonia. Whatever lives were lost were swiftly brought back to the land of the living. To keep them from noticing the humans in her realm, Melkos had disguised the Anagonians as local races. It was the best way to help with the drawback of memory loss to those lost before.

Melkos stood beside Celestia in the form of an alicorn. True to his nature it was more demonic than anything. His eyes crimson red and his coat black as the abyss. His celestial cloak hiding his true form steamed from his body in the form of mist. To those around who couldn't remember, Melkos was something to be feared. But thanks to Celestia's encouragement he had been mostly welcomed, especially by Princess Luna who took a deep interest in him.

According to the rules the humans among the Champions were in the form of local races just like their Confederate counterparts. To Gilda's pleasure, Jacob was in the form of a griffon, the two side by side. Kromulus was in the form of a zebra, which was also a pleasure to Zecora's sight as they, too, were side by side. Rainbow Dash was in the middle; Celestia's eyes fixed on her for a few brief moments with a gentle smile. Then she looked to all around.

"My faithful servants," she began, "today marks a new day in the history of Equestria. With the help of Lord Unchanos and his servants we have turned the tide against the invasion marked by the reappearance of the remnants of Nightmare Moon. The remnant took the name of Normgok, believing himself to be entitled to Armageddon." She looked down at the Champions. "Before us are the five who showed this would-be god how wrong he was. Let us celebrate and give honor to these Champions of Balance!"

Hooves met the marble floor in an echo of applause. Melkos and Luna, whom stood beside the Dark Lord, was among them. All eyes were on the Champions as Kromulus stood forward. The stomping applause of hooves subsided.

"My fellow brothers and sisters, I am thankful to have helped save your land. But let us not forget those whom fought bravely, those warriors of my land and yours. Let us acknowledge those among the Elements of Harmony, those brave ponies who first defeated Nightmare Moon." He walked forward, turning around to look at his companions. "Now, as we remember them, let us acknowledge these new heroes. We, the Champions of Order, who finally put an end to Nightmare Moon once known as Normgok once and for all!"

The stomping of hooves arouse again. This time, shouts of praise arouse. Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity where among those cheering not only for Rainbow Dash, but for these new heroes of two lands.

• • •

The royal party had subsided and Melkos and Celestia had retreated to Celestia's private chambers. Here Melkos took his true form, having no further desire to be out in the open in Equestria. Celestia smiled at her new friend from another dimension, another world so similar yet far from her own. She gave a slight chuckle, a blush appearing on her cheek.

"To think that we would have sired such a monster," she said jokingly.

Melkos smirked. "I doubt the seed of a communion between us would birth such a being." He chuckled. "Though I would be a fool to say I wouldn't dare attempt such a feat."

For a few moments Celestia looked at Melkos. Their eyes locking. She grinned and so did he. Then they both laughed. A light, friendly and hearty laugh. They came together, gently hugging, then parted.

"You have much to teach Luna," Celestia said. "I think such a bond would interfere with that."

Melkos nodded. "Pity it is true."

Slowly he turned towards the wall. As he walked towards it he disappeared, gone back to his realm. Celestia was left by herself, slowly lowering her head with a sigh. She had literally felt and known everything Melkos had ever known. Melkos the same. Their bond as allies was close, but as friends closer. They had shared in that last battle together so much that the thought of conception seemed like an obvious conclusion.

"Pity indeed," she whispered.

• • •

Jacob and Gilda were both sitting at the spot they first met. Instead of burns on the ground, flowers had grown. They lay back against the very rock that had blocked their path the first time.

"So I guess we'll be seeing a lot more of each other?" asked Gilda. Jacob was still in his griffon form, looking at the sky and nodding.

"I guess so," he said. Then he looked at Gilda, "I'm sorry it didn't work out between you two."

Gilda's eyes lowered. Rainbow Dash had been a great friend, but in their moment of unity as the Champion of Balance they understood each other more perfectly. It was never possible. Rainbow Dash had her eyes on someone else and if anything their love for one another was simply a 'fling' of feeling. They would forever be close friends, but lovers they would not be. She looked back at Jacob.

"Yea," she said, "but you know all about that."

Jacob smirked. "That I do."

Jacob then leaned onto Gilda. The two shared a look before kissing deeply.

• • •

Kromulus was walking beside Zecora down a path far from the Everfree Forest. They had heard of another land fraught with danger and adventure. Their time of unity had caused the two to become better understanding of their roles in the universe. It was only natural that they would quest to better understand this connection. Zecora looked to Kromulus. His form was still a zebra, but she could tell by looking at him that it was only a shell of what he truly was.

"What do you think we'll find there?" she asked finally.

Kromulus looked at her. "Adventure," he said simply.

The two smiled, continuing on their journey.

• • •

Regus Maxim smiled as he sat across from Oscar Vladinchi. The two were deep in talks about everything that transpired since Oscar's death. His promise kept concerning the affair, Oscar had decided to stay further to discuss how Anagonia could recover from the events surrounding the Nightmare Invasion. It then turned into a more personal affair, the two simply enjoying each others' company.

Vice-President Jason Paladin had taken over the reigns in Kromulus' absence as President. The excuse was made that the President was busy on personal business and was still directing affairs from afar. Kromulus would make several video appearances shown on live television to prove this was true. No more questions were asked and life was slowly returning to normal.

For the military, they had gained a new weapon to wage war. With the threat of interdimensional invasion quite possible in the future Anagonian scientists had created a portal bridging Equestria and Anagonia. Through it and with the guidance of Oscar, they would open further portals to other worlds to meet vastly different civilizations. This all was kept secret from the people, the military monitoring closely the recovery of Equestria.

Unbeknown to most, it had no intention of leaving such a critical foothold.

• • •

Rainbow Dash had relayed the events of her epic adventure to her friends. Naturally Twilight was eager to chronicle everything, as if it hadn't been already by Celestia herself. Her friends were surrounding her, dogging her with questions in Twilight's library home. She sighed happily to herself. Through these events she had not only gained new friends and a new purpose, but appreciated more the friendship she had with her fellow Elements of Harmony.

"You know I love you guys, right?" she asked causing the rest to pause.

For a moment she didn't know if she said something wrong. Then all at once Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight and even Spike joined in on a group hug. She closed her eyes, complete content at that moment.

"A'course we know, suga'cube!" Applejack said.

Then they all shared a laugh. For now, everything was back to normal.