Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 45: No Boundaries Between Us

The time: One week after Ruinous' defeat.

Preparations were complete for the largest celebration Equestria and Transforma had ever seen.  A royal coronation, a royal engagement and the final defeat of the most dire threat in the history of two kingdoms made for a lot to celebrate.  So much, in fact, the only place large enough was the footbridge connecting Equestria and Transforma.  Ponies and changelings were hurriedly putting the final touches on the gathering, rainbow colors meeting black-with-sea-green-trim in the bunting placed on the canopy over the footbridge.  Rarity smiled as she put the finishing touches on Queen Chrysalis' new regalia.

Rarity: Ya know, you REALLY needed a new crown at least, but I THINK this can work.

Q.Chrysalis: I hope so.  I haven't worn anything this bright-colored since my school days.

Spike: It still blows me away that you were friends for so long with Princess Celestia, or that once, SHE was in Twilight's position.

Q.Chrysalis: How'd'ya think SHE knew how to teach Twilight so well?

Spike: That's a good point, Your Highness.

Rarity: Man, Equinous was a thing of beauty.  I'd LOVE to have a private teaching session with him.  You and the other Master Elements are really lucky to have a teacher like him.

Q.Chrysalis: Not as lucky as we are to be his students.

Rarity: I'm sure anypony in his prescence would have a LOT to learn.

Q.Chrysalis: As far as I'm concerned, I can say the same thing about Celestia.

Spike: Really?

Q.Chrysalis: You should've been there when *Rarity magipulls a mirror over* we were fillies.  Equinous said Celestia had potential to be a great teacher.  I just had no idea that she'd teach Twilight so well.

Rarity: That's an understatement.  Well?  *shows her the mirror*  What'd'ya think?

To say Queen Chrysalis looked more regal than ever was an understatement.  Her regalia looked a lot more like Princess Celestia, black gold inlaid with sea-green jade with a huge yellow gem in the middle of the pendant.  This yellow gem was the love crystal Corinne and Princess Cadence made for Queen Chrysalis.  The changeling gasped in shock.

Q.Chrysalis: Rarity, you are amazing!  I saw the dresses you made at the wedding, THIS is..... *hugs her* You've SO out-done yourself!

Rarity: *giggle* Daw.

Q.Chrysalis: Celestia was right, you ARE amazing friends!

Spike: Just doing our job, Queenie.

All three laugh and hug up, Twilight Sparkle walking into the room.  She's in the same dress and shoes she wore at the end of "Magical Mystery Cure".  All she was missing was the crown she was given at the end of that episode.  Twilight Sparkle blinked at Queen Chrysalis.

T.Sparkle: WHOA!  Rarity, you are amazing!  You nailed this big-time!

Rarity: Oh, *blush* Twi, you're embarassing me!

Q.Chrysalis: YOU look beautiful yourself, Twilight.

T.Sparkle: Aw, thanks, Your Highness.

Q.Chrysalis: PLEASE!  After all we went through to finally send Ruinous back where he belongs, I think calling me by my name isn't out of the question.

T.Sparkle, Spike and Rarity: Really?

Q.Chrysalis: Of course!  Twilight, you went so far out of your way to help me even after what I did to your brother and foalsitter, it's not funny!  Your ascension may be impromptu, but it wouldn't be unearned.  Regardless of why you ascended, you're ready.

T.Sparkle: *bow* I'll do all I can to deserve it, too.

As the two bow to each other, Shining Armor walks up and knocks on the open door.  The two look at him.

S.Armor: We're ready.  Twiley, your coronation's up first.

T.Sparkle: OK, bro.

The ponies and dragon head out, single-file.  They ascend the stairs and head out onto the footbridge on the Canterlot side.  The rest of the Elements were there, decked out in extremely-pretty dresses emblazoned with their Element of Harmony charms.  Princess Celestia and Prince Shiftshape were in the middle, where orderly Canterlotian bricks met seemingly-haphazard Shiftopolisian cobblestones on the footbridge, each standing on each other's capitol city's side.  The audience was a mixture of ponies and changelings, further symbolizing the unity between the two lands.

P.Celestia: Ponies and changelings, we are all gathered here to mark an unprecedented combination of events: The ascension of a new princess, the engagement of two rulers and the final defeat of an ancient threat.  For years, I have mentored one very special pony, seen her through the best and worst days of her life and watched as she's made friends and acheived great deeds, including the release of my sister, Princess Luna.  Through darkness and chaos, she has stood tall through all challenges presented to her.  I am happy, proud and amazed to call her the newest princess of Equestria and the first one crowned in the new Equestria-Transforma unification.  Ponies and changelings, I give you Princess Twilight Sparkle!

Ponies and changeling cheer as Princess Twilight Sparkle walks out of the stairway and onto the footbridge, followed by two other ponies singing in chorus.  Trixie gasped at how beautiful Twilight Sparkle looked, hugging her former rival and making everypony else chuckle.  Twilight Sparkle hugs Trixie back, smiling at her.

Trixie: -Someday.....-

Twilight Sparkle heads to the two rulers, putting her crown on and facing the cheering throng below her.  She waved back to the ponies and changelings gathered as Princess Celestia walked up to her.

P. Celestia (whispered in Twilight Sparkle's ear): say something.

T.Sparkle: !!!  *clears throat*  At one point, I've said that the fate of Equestria didn't hinge on me making friends.  But I know now that thought..... is true.  It's not just Equestria, but also Transforma as well.  *Laughter*  Back when I was a young filly, knowledge was all I cared about.  I would always have my nose in a book, constantly gaining knowledge.  Then came the 1,000th Summer Sun Celebration after the most recent banishment of Nightmare Moon, and so began the most important and memorable education of my life.  I now know that friends like those behind me are the most important things you can have.  It's like this footbridge.  The bricks and cobblestones are your life experiences and the mortar holding them together are the friends you make as you journey through life.  And EVERYthing I went through shaped me into the pony I am today.  Princess Celestia, my family, Rainbow Dash and the other friends I made, even the foes we faced.  I am honored to say these experiences have made me stronger and better everyday, and for all that, I thank not just my friends and family, but each and every single one of you.

Twilight Sparkle's speech drew a round of applause from the audience and a group hug from the original Elements of Harmony.

P.Shiftshape: A footpath.....

P.Celestia: Nice metaphor.

The two rulers soon make their way to the front of the footbridge.

P.Shiftshape: Greetings, our loyal subjects!  *cheering*  This is indeed a monumental occassion, and not just because of Twilight's ascension.  It also marks the start of our lives together, not just as united kingdoms, but also as an engaged couple.  I have always admired Princess Celestia from afar and right after beating Ruinous, I knew she was the one for me.  *Princess Celestia blushes*  I know I already asked in front of the Elements, but..... *gets on one knee as the audience gasps* Princess Celestia, will you marry me?

P.Celestia: I will, Prince Shiftshape.

Everypony and every changeling cheers loudly, fireworks going off all over and a rainbow linking the two kingdoms as the rulers hug up, all smiles and happy tears.  After a while, Princess Celestia addresses the throng.

P.Celestia: As I have ruled over Equestria, I have seen the magic of friendship do amazing and nearly-miraculous things.  It has ended the ceaseless night, brought order to the infinite chaos and has safeguarded this country many times.  But nothing in Equestria's history, from the endless night of Nightmare Moon to the perpetual chaos of Discord to even the perceived scourge of the Changelings could have prepared us for WHY the Changelings acted as they did - the ancient evil known as Ruinous.  He arrived 2,000 years ago from South Transforma and attempted to destroy both our kingdoms by turning us against each other.  For two millenia we fought each other, weakening each other for his next assault.  Not long ago, that assault started in the form of six henchponies.  Toxion.  Fryght.  Fyb.  Styngee.  Hatetrol.  DarkSparkle.  All six stood against my little ponies and the powers of friendship and harmony, and all six fell.  Then, it was Ruinous himself.  It was a terrific struggle, neither side gaining or losing ground.  Then, the Master Elements came and tilted the balance, resulting in Ruinous himself falling before the power of harmony!

Ponies and changelings cheer and jump around a bit in delight until Princess Celestia signaled for silence.

P.Celestia: But it almost didn't happen.....

Silence grips the massive gathering.

P.Celestia: Ruinous had ponynapped the Elements of Harmony and put them in a sick, twisted maze of his magic's creation.  One by one, he hunted them down and defeated all except Twilight Sparkle.  Even me and my sister were overwhelmed by Ruinous' dark powers.  It could've spelled the end of both kingdoms..... if not for three ponies.  One, my favorite student and newest princess, Twilight *Twilight Sparkle nods* Sparkle.  The second, Princess Luna's former dark side and the Princess of Harmony, Nightmare *Nightmare Moon nods* Moon.  And the third..... The ruler of Transforma and the Element of Strength, QUEEN CHRYSALIS!

Despite the applause and a fanfare, the changeling queen didn't emerge from the stairway.  Twilight Sparkle blinked as she looked in Equestria's direction.  She got between Princess Celestia and the microphones, bowing to the crowd.

T.Sparkle: It seems the Element of Strength needs a bit herself.  *laughter*  I'll go get her.

The princesses nod to each other before Twilight Sparkle rushes off to the Equestrian side of the footbridge.  She walked about halfway down, finding Queen Chrysalis, nervous as heck.

T.Sparkle: Chrysalis?

Q.Chrysalis: Twilight?

T.Sparkle: C'mon up, it's your cue.

Q.Chrysalis: Will my own people want to see me?

T.Sparkle: Of COURSE!  You helped us save them.

Q.Chrysalis: Are you sure?

Twilight Sparkle smirks, getting beside Queen Chrysalis.

T.Sparkle: C'mon.

The two nod to each other, then ascend the stairs together.

Queen Chrysalis came out, shaking a bit with her eyes shut.  Twilight Sparkle noticed this and nuzzled her side.

T.Sparkle: Chrysalis, look.  *She points out at the audience, Queen Chrysalis looking out and slowly opening her eyes* They love you.

Ponies and changelings bow before the Changeling Queen.  Queen Chrysalis murrs as she saw the audience pay her as much reverence as they did Princess Celestia.  The sun goddess smiles at her top student as the duo make their way to the microphones.

Q.Chrysalis: My people, *sigh* for the longest time, I had considered Equestria an enemy, a ripe feeding ground for us to siphon all emotion and leave it barren and desolate.  Then, Nightmare Moon went upside my head with that..... *looks at Nightmare Moon*  What do you call that, other than powerful?  *Laughter*  *chuckle*  Once I was rendered powerless by Nightmare Moon's attack, I started seeing and feeling how powerful that friendship really was.  The brightest light on that was none other than Twilight Sparkle.  After what I did at the wedding, I thought a friend would be the last thing I deserved.  And of all ponies, I'd've thought Twilight Sparkle would've been the last pony to give me ANY affection or friendship whatsoever.  *looks to Princess Celestia*  I guess that's why she's at the head of the class, eh, Celestia?  *Both rulers and Twilight Sparkle laugh*  Her willingness to forgive me and make me her friend - even with the memory she has of me - is the main thing Equinous taught us as fillies.  It was a lesson I had long forgot, due to Ruinous' corruption. And it's a lesson that, because of friends like *magipulls Twilight Sparkle to her* you, that I will never forget again.

Everyone cheered as the two nuzzled up, murring and smiling.  The other Elements of Harmony applauded as Twilight Sparkle and Queen Chrysalis smiled at each other.  Shining Armor smiled at his former foe.

S.Armor: -Good going, Twiley.  You helped her forgive herself.-

Virtuna murrs at the changeling queen, Queen Chrysalis smiling at her.  Then the two rulers did something they haven't done since they were fillies: They, together, raised the sun!  Pony and changeling alike cheered and gasped in awe at the display.  Trixie smiled, seeing the majestic sight, then gasped as she looked to her left.  Coming up the Equestrian staircase were the former henchponies of Ruinous, now purified and about the size of Shining Armor and all blank flanks.  But they weren't alone: They were joined by a huge alicorn stallion about as tall as Corinne.  White all over with a straight horn, dragon wings and no cutie marks, he nonetheless made for quite an impressive sight.  Nopony knew what to think as they watched the group assemble.  Fluttershy blinked as she looked at the male earth pony.

Fluttershy: Toxion?!

Discord: What the.....?

T.Sparkle: Who, Flutter..... Oh, my!

P.Celestia: Are they.....?

Q.Chrysalis: Yeah.

Trixie: Those are the ponies who used to be Ruinous and his henchponies!

N.Moon: The Elements of Harmony must be stronger than I thought!

P.Luna: Especially since there were 11 of them.

Both night ponies laughed as Virtuna galloped up to the newcomers.

Virtuna: Heya, guys!  Welcome to our kingdom!

Voices of shock started swelling from the throng below as all seven ponies - including the alicorn - started crying!

Virtuna: Why the tears, guys?  This is supposed to be HAPPY times.

"Fryght": We..... we don't deserve.....

Q.Chrysalis: Now WHY in the wide worlds of Equestria and Transforma do you say that?!

"Hatetrol": We did such... awful things.

"Toxion": I poisoned half the forest!

"Fryght": I sent the population screaming with fear!

"Ruinous": I EVEN KILLED HALF OF YOU!  WHY are you so nice to us?!

P.Celestia: It's because we enjoy making new friends, and since you all seem to be nicer thanks to the Elements of Harmony.....

P.Pie: Princess, with all due respect, *Princess Celestia looks at her* this is really MY department.

Princess Celestia nods at Pinkie Pie.  The party pony smirks and builds power.

P.Pie: PARTY TIME!

The alicorn that used to be Ruinous takes a half-step back at the attack call.  Despite this, this was not a malicious attack.  A full party appeared all around the footbridge, cakes, presents and games all over the place.  After her setup finishes, Pinkie Pie tumbles to the footbridge, making a perfect landing right in front of the rulers!

P.Pie: Because it's what we do.

The former enemies smile a bit, then they join the festivities.  Then, Queen Chrysalis heard a massive whoosh!  The changeling gasps as she notices the Heart of Equestria over BOTH castles!

P.Celestia: Oh, my!

R.Dash: Whoa!

P.Shiftshape: That's.....

T.Sparkle: Wow.....

P.Luna: We ARE one.

Princess Celestia and Queen Chrysalis smile as they watch the Heart of Equestria send its warming waves all over both kingdoms.  The Elements of Harmony stand side-by-side, old and new friends looking upon their new friends.

THE END

Virtuna: Thanks for playing!!!