Prince Grudge, or rather, King Grudge now, stepped up to his new throne. It wasn't as shiny as his last, but the old palace had been devastated by the collapse of magic before his time. He sank down onto it and looked out over those assembled, a few cats looking at him hopefully.

"We are the proud survivors of Kludgetown." He slapped the armrest of his throne with a balled fist. "And we will rise again."

The cats below cheered. They weren't many, but they would be enough.

"We are going to be a nation of merchants." He waved a paw through the air. "We are going to trade, we're going to make deals, and those hoity toity ponies will respect us." He cleared his throat. "But first, we will take what they give, and thank them. As insufferable as they are, they are being good neighbors." His ears went flat. "And I'm not about to reject that for us."

They looked less pleased about that, but they understood.

"I'll take visitors," Grudge declared, leaning back in his seat, but keeping himself balanced.

***

Comforting slid in from the front door into a pounce on Toots. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

Toots grunted at the sudden weight on his chest that drove the wind out of his lungs. "That was unnecessary."

She giggled and kissed his cheek, getting up. "You don't want to be greeted by your best friend?"

"Always do." He smooched either of her cheeks. "I missed having you around. You left just in time for some excitement, but I get the idea that was your plan." He rolled his eyes. "You're way too clever, Comforting."

Comforting went wide eyed in surprise, but quickly grinned. "You're right, I did. But you can't blame me, it's fun to watch! And I'm not involved." She darted into the kitchen, grabbing a peach. "Besides, you all learned some valuable lessons, which you would not have if I just clapped and the cats were banished. Other than, maybe, call Comforting to fix any problem."

Toots huffed and walked in, flopping into a chair. "I was terrified for Misty, and she was the one that talked Grudge into giving up." He took the peach she offered, taking a bite. "She's real hero material, but she is hanging out with Sunny and the girls. The whole lot of them are pretty good at coming together when things get dicey and making it work out alright."

Comforting nodded, finishing off her own peach. "I was real worried for her too." She tossed her pit into the trash. "But, she came out alright, didn't she?" She smiled brightly. "No more cats attacking, but there is still more left to happen." She wriggled her fingers at Toots. "Also, it wasn't just her. All the ponies came together, It was amazing. Pegasi and unicorns coming in to clear the city. It was like a storybook, but real."

Toots nodded, slowly. "Yeah, it sure was. I've never had to fight for anything before. Wasn't really fond of the experience." He rubbed behind his head awkwardly. "Are you mad I mostly hid away from the fighting?"

She blinked, "No, not mad. Fighting's not for everypony. Even I try to avoid it when I can. Sometimes you just need to, and that's okay. You did your part, and I appreciate it." She grabbed him up into a hug. "I wouldn't want to see you hurt anyway. You're pretty adorable as you are right now." She squeezed and wiggled him around.

Toots sighed contentedly. "That's what I needed today. A good cuddle." He laughed and returned her hug. "And maybe a good nap."

"Wish granted." She nuzzled in against him with a happy giggle. "But do you have work today?"

Toots shook his head. "I already told the shop I couldn't make it. I made a lot of excuses, but they bought it, and I can go in tomorrow. I just wanted you."

"How daring!" Laughing, she carried him off towards their bedroom. "Daring ponies get snuggles, sleep, and whatever else we think up, hm?"

***

Misty hummed happily, carrying a tray of drinks, along with a bowl for Sparky, down to the beach to join her friends. The pegasus and unicorn guards were chatting with each other nearby, making sure no creatures disturbed the royal outing. "That's new." She sank to her haunches, eyes on Queen Haven. "When did you get a unicorn guard?"

"When I saw how good they were in a fight to have around." She waved one unicorn closer. "By themselves, largely useless, but as support for more 'front line' shall we say combatants? Amazing!" She smiled brightly at Misty. "But how are you?"

Misty sat beside the princess, offering her a drink, and passed around the rest to her friends. "Better. I was actually able to sleep last night without waking up."

Sunny laughed tensely. "That was a real hectic thing, but it had a happy ending." She accepted her drink to sip from. "A drink I didn't make, always a nice change of pace."

"You make great drinks!" Zipp laughed. "But it is nice to take a break, I bet."

Hitch sat up, hooves on Sparky's sides. "They knew what I'd do to them, so they took me out first. Dirty tactics, but effective, I have to admit."

Zipp's eyes were rolling. "That was pretty incredible, though." She shook her head, sipping from her drink. "One of the few times I got to see the guards really doing what we train them for." She looked at Pipp, "And you put on such a good show! Singing like that and all. I wish I could sing, but you know how that goes."

Pipp smiled at her sister. "There's room enough for one singing princess," she sang out, snapping a picture of herself and Zipp. "We all did our part. Totes happy right now. Thanks." She took the drink just then. "Oo, got one of my fave flaves. You know me, girl!" She sipped at it with a happy little wiggle. "Mm, perfect for a hot beach day." She held up a hoof to shield her face from the sun.

Zipp nodded, grinning. "Yeah, we did. And we also helped those cats. Kind of amazing, if you ask me."

Izzy bobbed her head as she took her soda. "Now we're working with them, talk about a turnaround! And they love unicycling, so they're alright in my book. Funny thing, they said it was nostalgic."

Zipp leaned in. "Nostalgic? But you only came up with it, um, recently, right?"

Izzy nodded. "Yeah! I have no idea why they think they've done it before. Maybe they have more wizards, who knows?"

Sunny shrugged, equally lost. "If they like what you make, that's fantastic. Let's get those cats on their paws so we can be happy neighbors." She drank, smiling around at the others. "We may not be related, but this feels like a family beach day. You can't tell me I'm wrong on that, because it feels right."

Hitch threw an arm over Sunny's shoulders. "We've been a family for a while, Suns. I've been harassing you since you were a little filly. Now, we've got a bigger one. It's great." He leaned closer. "You should adopt Sparky, and you'll have an actual family. If you want."

Sparky sat up, looking between them both with some confusion.

"Just kidding." Hitch placed a hoof on Sparky's snout, rubbing gently. " I already have you, and I'm not letting go. Not until you don't need me anymore, anyway."

Sparky didn't know what he was talking about, but cooed anyway.

Queen Haven nodded, sipping from a fruity drink with an umbrella and straw. "This is a lovely way to spend a day after all that. But! The business of a queen rarely waits. Also, I see Alpha waving for me." She rose to her hooves with a chuckle. "Seems I have a meeting sooner than expected. Goodbye, everypony, and thank you again for handling all of that."

Sunny waved after her, the queen walking over to Alphabittle. The two walked off, close to each other. "Aw, nice to see those two getting along."

Izzy turned and bounced up and down. "Oh yeah, Misty's dad and the queen! I saw them earlier. They seemed happy. Happy's good, and I'm glad they have each other." She seemed to be reasoning it out as she said it, nodding along with each beat. "What do you think of it, Misty?"

Misty shrugged. "Not my business who my dad spends time with, though he did seem happier when he was with her." She gave a tiny sigh. "It's weird when mom comes up, though. But he deserves to be happy." She rubbed behind her head. "And I feel weird because I don't really remember who she was."

Zipp smiled and draped a wing over Misty's back. "It's alright. He seems to really enjoy being with Haven, and that's great." She chuckled. "He does deserve to be happy, and we all deserve to be on the beach without any worries." All the ponies there tapped their drink against each others with a round of cheers, and Zipp finished with, "Here's to making friends!"

Sparky looked up at them with wonder and confusion, his head turning at each voice that spoke, his eyes wide, his mind awhirl with questions. One day, he hoped he could understand. For the moment, he cooed and reached for their place of union, as if he could be part.

Zipp smiled and pulled him closer, the group moving in to form a hug around the little dragon. Sparky's tail wagged rapidly, his eyes closing with happiness, a soft sound coming from deep within his chest. Even if he didn't understand what the larger creatures were doing, that they loved him was never in question.

Hitch leaned close and rubbed noses with the dragon. "Love you, Sparky. Even when you're setting things on fire." Sparky cooed softly, nuzzling into him. "We'll have to work on that, won't we?"

***

Amber flipped the sign in the window from closed to open. "Finally!" She trotted away from it with a pleased grin. "We're open for business again!"

The shelves had been repaired, with a variety of books and other goods available for browsing. The windows had been replaced, and the carpet restored. There were new couches to lounge on or read. The whole library was a library once more.

The first ponies of the day trotted inside with smiles. They spread apart, seeking books or other fun things to browse. Some stayed to read in those comfy couches. A few gathered around a table with some board games for them to play.

Amber shared a nod with her fellow librarians. They had work to do, but looked pleased to be doing it.

***

Allura's ears were flat against her skull, her tail lashing with frustration. "I hate this." She turned an ear and it bounced against her rabbit companion. "You don't like the heat either. We need to get away from here." She sank miserably to the cave floor, kept at least mildly chilly with her frosty abilities. "But it feels like a world away."

Twitch nodded in agreement. He walked over to the cave mouth, looking out at the sandy beach and the ocean. The sand reflected light right back at them. Waves lazily crashed against the beach. He retreated from the opening, hopping to Allura's side and nuzzled at her neck.

"Don't run away again." She curled in place, pleased enough to have her companion back. "Tell me before you go somewhere."

Twitch nodded again, hopping away to seek out a meal, his eyes falling upon a berry bush growing just outside the mouth of the cave. He plucked them down, returning to her with several clutched between his hands with an excited jibber.

Allura inclined her considerable head. "Are they any good?" She sampled one despite her concerns. "Not bad, but you only brough enough for a taste, Twitch. I'm a big cat." She licked his head. "I do appreciate the thought, however. Go grab me some more, will you? Or whatever else is tasty out there."

Twitch took off with an excited bounce. He climbed trees and dug up roots. He harvested fruits and berries, and even a few flowers that looked edible to him. Soon, he had a huge mixed salad of things in front of Allura that he waved for with an almost 'ta da' of a sound.

She regarded the food with interest. She used a claw to pick at a few of the bits, sampling them with a series of small, curious sounds. "You're a very capable hunter," she finally admitted, reaching out to rub his ears. "Good to have you back."

Author's Note

That deserved a ramping down episode, I think?

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