The Ending of the End - 4 Parter

Twilight Sparkle took a deep breath and stepped forth onto the royal balcony of Canterlot Castle. Her coronation gown flowed behind her, themed in blue and white hues.

The air was still and silent. Composing herself, Twilight cleared her throat.

“My fellow ponies, friends… creatures of Equestria and beyond, this coronation is a day I never imagined. Standing here, I can’t help but reflect on how much has changed since the day I first moved to Ponyville. Back then, I thought that magic was the greatest power there is. But I was wrong. The greatest magic of all… is friendship.”

She smiled warmly.

“Friendship isn’t just a bond between individuals. It’s the foundation of Equestria itself. It’s what brought us all together, what gave us the strength to stand against countless adversities, and what continues to unite us, even as things change.”

Twilight looked toward the horizon.

“Equestria has faced many trials, and no doubt there will be more ahead as we work to spread friendship and harmony. But I stand here today, not just as your princess, but as a part of something greater. Together, I believe that we’re stronger than any challenge.”

She stood on her hind legs and rested both hooves on the balcony railing to give herself more height.

“With hope in our hearts and the magic of friendship as our guide, there's nothing we can’t achieve!”

Twilight paused, and a single set of applause rang out behind her. She looked down at the dozens of empty chairs on the lawn below her before turning away to face Spike.

“What’d you think? Did I overdo it? I totally overdid it!” Twilight fretted, pacing around nervously.

Spike smiled. “It was perfect. You’re gonna do great at the coronation tomorrow!”

“Maybe we should do another practice run, just to be safe…” Twilight suggested.

Spike flew over to Twilight and sighed. “Aw, come on, Twilight! You’re not still freakin’ out about the princesses retiring and passing on all their responsibilities to you and your friends, are you?”

Twilight stopped pacing and looked at Spike uneasily. “No… yes? I don’t know. It’s just such a big change, bigger than anything I’ve done before… but we’ve all faced so much and come out okay.” She smiled reflectively. “I think that as long as we’re together, we’ll be up to the challenge of keeping Equestria safe and happy. Which reminds me…”

Twilight presented Spike a golden medallion with a star carved into it.

“Royal advisor?” Spike asked, reading the medal's inscription. “Who’re you gonna pick?”

Twilight chuckled, forgetting her nerves. “You, silly! You've been at my side for every step of this journey. Knowing I had you to count on gave me the strength I needed to grow and succeed. I wouldn't be here without you.”

“Thanks, Twilight. You know I'll always be your right-hoof dragon. Besides, who else is gonna watch you practice your speech nine times?” Spike ribbed.

Twilight rolled her eyes and tilted her head thoughtfully. “Maybe we could use a little break.”

The throne room of Canterlot Castle had undergone extensive remodeling. Where imagery of the sun and moon had once dominated everything, now purple stars themed the room. Banners and tapestries had changed to reflect the incoming new ruler of Equestria. Most of the old stained glass windows remained, as they were harder to replace, apart from the two circular ones behind the central dais that had depicted the sun and the moon. One now shone with the crystalline image of the Tree of Harmony and its Elements. The other had the six Element-bearers with Twilight in the center, each pony surrounded by the symbols of their Elements.

As Twilight (sans her gown) and Spike entered the chamber, an earth pony and unicorn with orange vests grunted as they struggled to haul in Twilight’s new throne. Celestia and Luna’s thrones sat to the side, already moved from their place.

“Can’t you lift it with magic?” the earth pony grumbled. “Lazy unicorns.”

“Magic doesn’t mean you can’t help,” the unicorn retorted. “Or are you better at moving dirt, earth pony?”

The two set down the throne and glared at each other, not seeming to notice Twilight and Spike approach.

“Is everything okay?” Twilight asked, looking between them.

The stallions glanced at her in shock before dropping into bows.

“Very sorry, princess. We’ll be on our way,” the unicorn muttered.

The two movers quickly placed Twilight’s throne in the center of the dais and pushed Celestia and Luna’s thrones out of a side door, closing it behind them.

“That was weird,” Twilight noted.

Spike shrugged. “Pre-coronation nerves?”

“They’re not the only ones,” Twilight said. “I still can’t really believe it myself. It feels like just yesterday I was in Ponyville writing letters to Princess Celestia about friendship.”

Spike looked up at the throne thoughtfully. “Who would’ve guessed all those moons ago you’d be sitting up there someday?”

Twilight chuckled. “If somepony had told me back then that we’d save Equestria a dozen times with our friends, I’d have said they were nuts!”

“And remember what you said when you got sent to Ponyville in the first place?” Spike joked. He imitated Twilight’s serious voice, “‘The fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends.’”

Twilight and Spike both shared a laugh.

“Fortunately, that wasn’t so, and you learned the true magic of friendship, Twilight.” Princess Celestia strode into the throne room and walked up to them.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed joyfully, eager to see her mentor.

Celestia smiled and fondly placed a hoof on Twilight’s chin. The elder princess sang softly:

“You’ve come so far… since those lonely days.”

Twilight took a few steps and turned to face the throne.

“This change is overwhelming in so many ways…”

Celestia walked over and stood beside her.

“Yet every test, every challenge has made you wiser. With friendship as your guide…”

“We’ve done so much, but am I ready? I can’t decide…”

“On your journey, you’ve always kept your faith. With your friends you’ll prevail-“

“But what if I falter, or fail?” Twilight interrupted, looking downcast. Celestia continued softly:

“When you were young and friendship new, I was uncertain, but then you rose and gained your purpose, and I knew…”

“What did you know?”

“I knew the time was coming. Think back to all you’ve learned, the wings you’ve earned…”

“The friendships we’ve spread…”

“The school you led!” Spike chimed in.

“Each step you took along this path that brought you here, and now the time draws near…”

“No more fear…”

“To see what’s clear…”

Celestia hugged Twilight affectionately. “When I sent you to Ponyville, I had high hopes. And when you became Princess of Friendship, I knew that one day, Equestria would be in your hooves. This was always your destiny, Twilight.”

Twilight hugged her back and smiled.

“And there is nopony more capable and worthy to take our place,” Princess Luna added, entering the room and standing opposite Twilight. She paused for a moment and asked, “But is that what you want, Twilight?”

Twilight stepped back, caught off guard, and repeated unsurely, “What I want?”

She glanced at Celestia, who had an unreadable expression as she waited for Twilight’s answer. Twilight breathed out and looked at Luna with determination. “Of course. It’s what I’ve been studying and preparing for my whole life. Like you both said, everything my friends and I have faced was training for this.”

Luna shifted uncomfortably. “Yes… we did say that.”

“Sister, there are still many preparations to attend to for the coronation,” Celestia said. “Perhaps we should let Twilight get settled in the royal suite?”

“The royal suite! Oh boy, I’ve always wanted to see what the high life is like!” Spike exclaimed enthusiastically.

Luna looked at Twilight and raised her hoof to say something, but Celestia cut her off with a glance.

“Of course,” Luna muttered.

The two sisters walked away, leaving Twilight and Spike alone again.

“You think the royal suite has a hot tub?” Spike wondered. “I’d totally dig a hot tub.”

Twilight smiled indulgently. “Let’s find out, Spike.”