Epilogue

Nopony could remember the last time two meetings between the world powers had been called so quickly in succession, but it was happening right now. In Ponyville, Thrall, Starswirl, and Thunderbolt were already present and waiting for Sombra and Discord to arrive. Thunderbolt looked wary, Starswirl slightly amused. Thrall looked furious, but his bad mood was nothing compared to Sombra's when he entered the meeting room.

"Where is he?!!" Sombra snarled as he trotted in. "Where is that miserable pile of wretched pony droppings?! I want Discord in here now so I can rip his buck tooth right out of his stupid head!"

"While we're waiting for Discord to arrive," rumbled Thrall, throwing a look of pure loathing in Starswirl's direction, "perhaps our unicorn friend would be willing to tell us how he intends to explain away what transpired in Changeling territory earlier this week? I lost several dozen of my swarm to your fireworks, wizard."

"Your Changelings left their territory," spoke up Thunderbolt. "They attacked us, and we were merely defending ourselves." Thrall snorted and looked away, but Sombra was not going to be cut off so easily.

"Enough!" he roared. "Shut up, both of you! I demand we first discuss how to punish Discord's treachery! Now WHERE IS HE?!"

"Discord cannot be here today," said a voice. It was Tinkertoy. He walked in calmly and took his seat. "I am here on his behalf."

"No you don't!" shouted Sombra. "Discord doesn't get off that easy! Is he going to hide from me? Is he a coward?" As Sombra became more agitated, magic began to leak out his horn. As it hit the ground, large, dark crystals shot up, towering over the seated ponies.

"Calm yourself, Sombra," said Tinkertoy. "Discord did as you requested. He rounded up the unicorns and took them where they could not be a threat to you. If you wish to be angry with somepony, I suggest you be angry with those who moved the unicorns back, namely Starswirl, Thunderbolt, and their alicorn allies."

"Starswirl wouldn't have been able to save them if you had killed them like I wanted," growled Sombra. "Now unicorns are running all over Equestria again! If you don't round them up, then give me back the Elements of Harmony!"

"Sorry, but I require them for the time being," answered Tinkertoy. "If you wish to take them back by force, then by all means, attempt an invasion. It will be a welcome distraction from the daily drudgery of life to crush you and your Crystal Empire, won't it Thrall?" Sombra looked over at Thrall, and could see the hunger in his eyes at the thought of feasting on the crystal territory.

"So," Sombra said quietly, "that's it then? Starswirl and Thunderbolt protecting the unicorns, and Tinkertoy and Thrall looking for an excuse to take my kingdom from me?" He slowly backed out the door. "You'll all be sorry," Sombra hissed. "From this day forward, the Crystal Empires borders are closed! Nopony will be allowed in or out!" With those last words, Sombra turned and left, slamming the door behind him. After he was gone, the crystals he had created collapsed into dust.

"We pushed him to hard," said Tinkertoy sadly. "I had really hoped he would have been rash enough to attack."

"A pity," agreed Thrall. He turned to Starswirl. "I have had quite enough of this. We are getting nowhere." Thrall turned and strode out the door, muttering to himself. Tinkertoy, with a final smug glance thrown in Starswirl's direction, followed.

After they had left, Starswirl turned to Thunderbolt. "Well," he said, "that certainly could have gone worse."

"Could have gone a lot better, too," said Thunderbolt. "Sombra's getting unstable. I worry for the citizens of the Crystal Empire."

"So do I. I'm going to head back to Canterlot and start Celestia and Luna's training."

"Training?"

"That's right. They'll need to be trained if they're going to rule over Equestria one day."

"Oh, of cour- wait rule over Equestria?!" Thunderbolt stared in shock as Starswirl turned and walked out. "Starswirl, have you lost your mind? Starswirl, get back here!"

To Be Continued In Book 2

Author's Note

And that's my story! Book 1 anyway. I hope you all enjoyed, and don't worry, I'll be working on Book 2 as soon as possible.