The Beginning of the End - Part 1/Gallery

==Prologue: An emergency royal summons==
Twilight Sparkle's galloping hooves S9E1.png
Twilight and Spike racing to Canterlot S9E1.png
Twilight and Spike flying to Canterlot S9E1.png
Twilight flying over her friends into Canterlot S9E1.png
Main ponies and Spike follow Twilight into Canterlot S9E1.png
Mane Six and Spike entering Canterlot S9E1.png
Twilight "urgent summons to the castle" S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "I just love a good" S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie covering her face with her tail S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "what's it about?" S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "it's a surprise party" S9E1.png
Mane Six and Spike racing through Canterlot S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "somepony turned bad?" S9E1.png
Twilight "evil creature back for revenge?!" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle fearing the worst S9E1.png
Applejack "bein' a little paranoid" S9E1.png
Twilight "send scrolls in such a hurry" S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "when you run so fast" S9E1.png
Canterlot speeding past in a blur S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie happily dizzy S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash challenges Pinkie to a race S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash speeds past Pinkie Pie S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie tumbling down the road S9E1.png
Main ponies and Spike race to the castle S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie tumbling behind her friends S9E1.png
Mane Six burst into Canterlot throne room S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie tumbling under Spike S9E1.png
Mane Six and Spike arrive to throne room S9E1.png
==Celestia and Luna announce their retirement==
Celestia and Luna address Twilight Sparkle S9E1.png
Mane Six approaching the princessess S9E1.png
Princess Luna "nothing's wrong!" S9E1.png|"That's just it. Nothing's wrong! Everything's perfect!"
Celestia and Luna perfectly happy S9E1.png|False alarm, then.
Applejack "did y'all call us down here" S9E1.png
Applejack "just to tell us that?" S9E1.png
Rarity "save your urgent summons" S9E1.png
Rarity "matters that are a bit more" S9E1.png
Rarity "...well, urgent!" S9E1.png
Celestia and Luna laughing together S9E1.png
Princess Luna "there is more to it" S9E1.png
Celestia and Luna addressing Mane Six S9E1.png
Princess Celestia "it's all thanks to you" S9E1.png
Twilight listening to Celestia's praise S9E1.png
Spike pretending to be humble S9E1.png
Rarity "oh, pshaw!" S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash "about time you noticed!" S9E1.png
Twilight bowing graciously to princesses S9E1.png
Princess Luna "less and less for us to do" S9E1.png
Princess Celestia "after much consideration" S9E1.png|"So, after much consideration..."
Celestia and Luna making a decision S9E1.png|"...my sister and I have decided..."
Princess Celestia "it is time for us..." S9E1.png|"...it is time for us..."
Princess Celestia "...to retire!" S9E1.png|"...to retire!"
Mane Six and Spike gasp in shock S9E1.png|"What!" - Everyone's reaction.
Discord appears as a news reporter S9E1.png|Looks like Discord took a job at The Daily Bugle.
Discord "I have so many questions!" S9E1.png|"Breaking news! The royal princesses retiring! I have so many questions!"
Discord "who will take over?" S9E1.png|"Who'll take over? Who will run Equestria?"
Discord interviewing the princesses S9E1.png
Discord "tall, dark, and handsome" S9E1.png|"Will it be someone tall, dark, and handsome? Or will it be the Lord of Chaos?"
Discord points at himself with several fingers S9E1.png|Please chose me....
Princess Celestia pointing at the Mane Six S9E1.png|Sorry Discord, but they will be running Equestria.
Twilight and friends in wide-eyed shock S9E1.png
Discord "go with the obvious choice" S9E1.png|"Oh, fine. Go with the obvious choice."
Twilight starting to look worried S9E1.png|Oh Celestia, why?
==The new protectors of Equestria==
Twilight Sparkle "you're retiring?!" S9E1.png
Spike curious "princesses can retire?" S9E1.png
Princess Luna explains to the Mane Six S9E1.png
Twilight "you want me to take your place?!" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle at stress level one S9E1.png
Celestia and Luna "mm-hmm!" S9E1.png
Luna "with the help of your friends" S9E1.png
Twilight with nervously darting eyes S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle's friends support her S9E1.png
Mane Six and Spike smile with confidence S9E1.png
Celestia "can't think of anypony more worthy" S9E1.png
Princess Celestia "we've watched you grow" S9E1.png
Celestia "you've faced task after task" S9E1.png
Princess Luna "challenge after challenge" S9E1.png
Discord "yeah, yeah, yeah, we get it" S9E1.png
Celestia has confidence in Twilight S9E1.png
Twilight "that doesn't mean that I'm" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle bites her lower lip S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle correcting herself S9E1.png
Twilight "ready to do what you do!" S9E1.png
Princess Celestia "of course you are" S9E1.png
Celestia "I realize this is a lot to take in" S9E1.png
Celestia and Luna hear Rainbow Dash S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash "makes perfect sense" S9E1.png
Twilight's friends ready to rule Equestria S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash "we get all your powers" S9E1.png
Rainbow grinning wide with excitement S9E1.png
Twilight "step into their horseshoes" S9E1.png
Applejack "we're not a bad choice" S9E1.png
Applejack "Equestria's best interests" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "that's a fair point" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle takes out quill and pad S9E1.png
Rarity "well, I'm in!" S9E1.png
Rarity "a complete wardrobe update!" S9E1.png
Rarity flicking her mane S9E1.png
Fluttershy "I'm sure we can do it!" S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie cheering next to her friends S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie puts her hoof in the center S9E1.png
Pinkie and Rarity with hooves in center S9E1.png
Applejack puts her hoof in the center S9E1.png
Ponies and Spike put hooves in the center S9E1.png
Twilight still looking very uncertain S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle taking a calming breath S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "I guess I am, too" S9E1.png
Twilight puts her hoof in the center S9E1.png
Overhead shot of Mane Six and Spike S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "a bit of an adjustment" S9E1.png
Twilight steps forward next to Spike S9E1.png
Princess Celestia "just need a few days" S9E1.png
Discord dumbfounded behind princesses S9E1.png
Twilight having a nervous laugh S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "a few days?!" S9E1.png
Ponies groaning behind Twilight Sparkle S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "but that's so soon!" S9E1.png
Twilight nervously stroking her mane S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "months if not years?!" S9E1.png
Celestia "has been a training program" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle at stress level three S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle unable to process S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "a guide or a rulebook!" S9E1.png|"Okay, but there's gotta be a guide or a rulebook!"
Discord presents 'How to Rule Equestria' S9E1.png|Don't worry Twilight, here is a copy of 'How to Rule Equestria' by D. Cord.
Discord flips through book pages S9E1.png
Twilight looks at Discord's book S9E1.png
Discord closes book in Twilight's face S9E1.png
Celestia and Luna look unamused S9E1.png
Luna holding the Friendship Journal S9E1.png
Twilight holding the Friendship Journal S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle starts to hyperventilate S9E1.png|The new level of Twilight-ing: Level 6.
Celestia "utmost confidence in you" S9E1.png|"We have the utmost confidence in you."
Luna "you have the same in yourself" S9E1.png|"And we hope you have the same in yourself."
Twilight Sparkle at stress level six S9E1.png|Congrats, princesses, you made it worse.
Twilight hyperventilates into a paper bag S9E1.png|Must...use....bigger...bag!
Discord "I'm absolutely certain she does" S9E1.png
==Twilight is "Twilight-ing" hard==
Twilight "not confident about this" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle shouting "at all!" S9E1.png
Mane Six, Spike, and Discord in throne room S9E1.png
Discord "I was being sarcastic before" S9E1.png
Discord hairspraying his goatee S9E1.png
Applejack glaring at Discord S9E1.png
Discord offended by Applejack's glare S9E1.png
Discord "this is all so predictable" S9E1.png
Discord "the part where you all tell" S9E1.png
Discord makes a rainbow in his hand S9E1.png
Discord "but she won't believe you" S9E1.png
Discord "I don't need to be here" S9E1.png
Discord vanishes from the throne room S9E1.png
Twilight at stress level eight; AJ annoyed S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "I know I said yes" S9E1.png
Twilight "they said in a few days" S9E1.png|It's a code red inside Twilight's mind: A Twilight-ing of level 8!
Applejack lifts Twilight into her throne S9E1.png
Twilight "it's all happening so fast!" S9E1.png
Twilight breathes into a paper bag again S9E1.png|Anymore Twilight-ing and that bag will eventually explode.
Twilight Sparkle "I think I need some" S9E1.png
Rarity brings Twilight a glass of water S9E1.png|Here, have some water, Twilight.
Twilight Sparkle sipping water S9E1.png
Twilight "I'll feel much better" S9E1.png
Rarity "once you make a plan?" S9E1.png
Spike holding a quill and paper S9E1.png
Spike "knew you were going to react" S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "classic Twilight-ing" S9E1.png
Twilight "you made me a verb?" S9E1.png
Twilight unsure how to feel about being a verb S9E1.png
Applejack "we just know you have a process" S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash "you get big news" S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash imitating Twilight's meltdown S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash "you pace and you chart" S9E1.png
Fluttershy patting Twilight Sparkle's hoof S9E1.png
Twilight "you're all acting so calm!" S9E1.png
Twilight "if something big happens" S9E1.png
Twilight "the princesses aren't there" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle at stress level ten S9E1.png|WARNING: Twilight-ing level has returned and is at 10. Please stabilise immediately.
Rainbow "they literally almost never help" S9E1.png|"Um, if you think about it, they literally almost never help." OHHHHH! EPIC BURN!
Mane Six and Spike in surprising thought S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "we still always win!" S9E1.png|"And we still always win!"
Pinkie "when Sombra almost took back" S9E1.png|"Like when Sombra almost took back the Crystal Empire..."
Pinkie "Chrysalis pretended to be Cadance" S9E1.png|"...or when Chrysalis pretended to be Cadance..."
Pinkie Pie "absorbed all the magic" S9E1.png|"...or when Tirek came back and absorbed all the magic..."
Pinkie "Chrysalis tried to take over" S9E1.png|"...or the other time Chrysalis tried to take over..."
Pinkie Pie "Cozy Glow and the school!" S9E1.png|"...or with Cozy Glow and the school!"
Pinkie Pie taking a deep breath S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "am I missing anything?" S9E1.png|"Am I missing anything?"
Rarity "Pony of Shadows" S9E1.png|"Pony of Shadows."
Spike "Starlight when she was evil" S9E1.png|"Starlight when she was evil."
Fluttershy "Discord when he was evil" S9E1.png|"Discord when he was evil." Discord: "Hey!"
Applejack "do Flim and Flam count?" S9E1.png|"Do Flim and Flam count?" Yes.
Close-up on Rainbow's confident grin S9E1.png
Rainbow "almost always done things" S9E1.png
Rainbow "which makes sense now" S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash "it was all just training" S9E1.png
Spike "if you think about it" S9E1.png
Spike "there hasn't been a single villain" S9E1.png|"And it worked! I mean, if you think about it, there hasn't been a single villain that we couldn't defeat."
Twilight finally calming down a little S9E1.png|Oh, really?
==A villainous gathering==
Queen Chrysalis' wooded nest S9E1.png
Chrysalis "I will defeat Twilight Sparkle" S9E1.png
Queen Chrysalis "and her friends!" S9E1.png
Queen Chrysalis laughing crazily S9E1.png|That face, the loss of her kingdom did not affect her sanity, right?
Chrysalis "and they will pay for" S9E1.png
Chrysalis "stealing my kingdom!" S9E1.png
Changeling carving in a log S9E1.png|Talking to animated objects again, huh?
Chrysalis carving another log S9E1.png
Chrysalis carves changeling in a log S9E1.png
Chrysalis vanishing in black smoke S9E1.png
Distance view of Tartarus S9E1.png
Tirek counting days of incarceration S9E1.png|"Psst, hey Tirek!
Tirek corrects Cozy Glow on his title S9E1.png|"It is Lord Tirek."
Lord Tirek "what is it now?" S9E1.png|"And what is it now?!"
Cozy Glow "I just want to make sure" S9E1.png|"I just wanted to make sure..."
Cozy Glow pointing at her sculpture S9E1.png|"...you saw my best friends rock sculpture from there."
Cozy makes a sculpture of herself and Tirek S9E1.png
Tirek rolling his eyes at Cozy Glow S9E1.png|Annoying filly.
Tirek looking at his imprisonment tally S9E1.png
Lord Tirek bored and miserable S9E1.png
Tirek vanishing in black smoke S9E1.png|What is this?
Cozy shocked by Tirek's disappearance S9E1.png
Cozy Glow vanishing in black smoke S9E1.png
Cozy Glow's rock sculpture collapses S9E1.png
Cavern deep underground S9E1.png
Magic circle being drawn in the ground S9E1.png
Magic insignia being drawn in the circle S9E1.png
Magic insignia glowing bright S9E1.png
Black crystal and smoke rise from the ground S9E1.png
Large swirl of black smoke S9E1.png
Sombra's eyes appear in the smoke S9E1.png
Lord Tirek appears in Grogar's lair S9E1.png
Cozy Glow appears in Grogar's lair S9E1.png
Tirek and Cozy Glow disoriented S9E1.png
Chrysalis appears in Grogar's lair S9E1.png
Chrysalis looks behind at Tirek and Cozy Glow S9E1.png
Chrysalis looking at Tirek and Cozy Glow S9E1.png|"Lord Tirek!"
Tirek and Cozy Glow looking at Chrysalis S9E1.png|"A changeling?"
Lord Tirek "she gets it" S9E1.png|"See? She gets it."
Cozy Glow rolls her eyes at Lord Tirek S9E1.png|Whatever.
Wide view of Grogar's lair S9E1.png
Chrysalis "restored to my rightful place!" S9E1.png
Chrysalis standing before Tirek and Cozy S9E1.png|"Why did you summon me?"
Chrysalis growling at Cozy Glow S9E1.png|"What do you want?!"
Cozy Glow yelping with fright S9E1.png
Cozy Glow afraid of Queen Chrysalis S9E1.png
Cozy Glow "we didn't bring you!" S9E1.png
Cozy Glow "I thought you freed us" S9E1.png|"I thought you freed us from Tartarus!"
Cozy Glow grins nervously at Chrysalis S9E1.png
Chrysalis shocked Tirek and Cozy were in Tartarus S9E1.png|"Tartarus?"
Chrysalis "somepony very powerful" S9E1.png|"Whoever pulled you from there must have been somepony very powerful indeed."
Tirek, Cozy, and Chrysalis hear King Sombra S9E1.png
Tirek, Cozy, and Chrysalis see swirl of smoke S9E1.png
Sombra stepping through the black smoke S9E1.png
Sombra appearing through the black smoke S9E1.png
King Sombra makes his appearance S9E1.png
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy surprised to see Sombra S9E1.png|"King Sombra! You have returned?"
Chrysalis and Lord Tirek demanding answers S9E1.png|"Why did you bring us here?"
Chrysalis and Tirek threatening King Sombra S9E1.png
==Enter the dreaded Grogar==
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy notice a silhouette S9E1.png|"He didn't."
Grogar walking across stepping stones S9E1.png
Cozy Glow watching Grogar arrive S9E1.png
Cozy Glow afraid of Grogar S9E1.png
King Sombra turning into black smoke S9E1.png
Close-up on Grogar's crystal ball S9E1.png
Grogar sitting behind his crystal ball S9E1.png|"It was I."
Grogar introducing himself S9E1.png|"You may call me... Grogar."
Tirek and Chrysalis gasp in surprise S9E1.png|Le gasp!
Queen Chrysalis "the Grogar?" S9E1.png|"The Grogar?"
Tirek "I thought that you were a legend!" S9E1.png|"I thought that you were a legend!"
King Sombra "I've heard of you" S9E1.png|"I've heard of you."
The villains approach Grogar's table S9E1.png
Grogar "you have all been brought here" S9E1.png
Grogar assembles a league of villains S9E1.png
Grogar "once and for all" S9E1.png
Grogar chuckling sinisterly S9E1.png
Exterior view of Grogar's lair S9E1.png
Interior view of Grogar's lair S9E1.png
Cozy Glow "doesn't ring any bells" S9E1.png
Grogar angrily corrects Cozy Glow S9E1.png
King Sombra, Queen Chrysalis, and Lord Tirek looking at Cozy Glow S9E1.png
Grogar "I have been away too long" S9E1.png
Grogar glaring down at Cozy Glow S9E1.png
Cozy Glow fearful of Grogar S9E1.png
Grogar "a demonstration of power" S9E1.png
Villains gathered around Grogar's table S9E1.png
Grogar touching his bell necklace S9E1.png
Grogar holding a sphere of magic S9E1.png
Grogar blowing on the magic sphere S9E1.png
Magic sphere lands in Tirek's hands S9E1.png
Lord Tirek holding a sphere of magic S9E1.png
Lord Tirek devours the sphere of magic S9E1.png|Gimme!
Lord Tirek glowing brightly S9E1.png
Lord Tirek changing form S9E1.png
Lord Tirek powers up to second form S9E1.png
Lord Tirek kissing his muscles S9E1.png|It is good to have these babies back to me.
Tirek "ancient and extremely powerful" S9E1.png
Tirek "the land that would become Equestria" S9E1.png
Tirek telling Cozy the legend of Grogar S9E1.png
Lord Tirek "emperor of all he saw" S9E1.png
Lord Tirek "when I was young" S9E1.png
Sombra "the first Emperor of Equestria" S9E1.png
King Sombra "the Father of Monsters" S9E1.png
Grogar "the foulest of creatures" S9E1.png
Grogar's crystal ball showing an image S9E1.png
Image of ponies vs. Grogar's monsters S9E1.png
Grogar's monsters attack the ponies S9E1.png
Grogar looming over Pre-Equestria S9E1.png
Image in crystal ball swallowed by darkness S9E1.png
Grogar hears Queen Chrysalis' interruption S9E1.png
Queen Chrysalis "until Gusty the Great" S9E1.png|"Until Gusty the Great rose up..."
Queen Chrysalis taunting Grogar S9E1.png|"...and banished you."
Grogar "taking my bell would defeat me!" S9E1.png
Grogar "only weakened me temporarily" S9E1.png
Cozy Glow "Tirek is really old" S9E1.png|"Tirek is really old."
Tirek offended by Cozy Glow's remark S9E1.png|"No offense, you look great."
Cozy Glow "but if he knew about you" S9E1.png|"But if he knew about you when he was younger..."
Cozy Glow "what 'temporarily' means" S9E1.png|"...we have different ideas of what 'temporarily' means."
Grogar shouts "silence!" at Cozy Glow S9E1.png|"SILENCE!"
Cozy Glow under Lord Tirek's fur S9E1.png
==Grogar proposes an alliance==
Grogar walks to top of lair pedestal S9E1.png|"I've spent millennia gathering power..."
Grogar "biding my time" S9E1.png|"...biding my time..."
Grogar "the perfect opportunity" S9E1.png|"...waiting for the perfect opportunity to seize control of Equestria!"
Grogar at the top of the pedestal S9E1.png
Grogar looks down on other villains S9E1.png|"And watching all of you."
Grogar belittling the other villains S9E1.png|"I've seen each of your humiliating defeats at the hooves of six puny ponies."
Villains offended by Grogar's words S9E1.png
Grogar "they've always bested you" S9E1.png|"Do you know why they always bested you?"
Queen Chrysalis "because they cheat!" S9E1.png|"Because they cheat!"
Lord Tirek "they are annoyingly lucky" S9E1.png|"Because they are annoyingly lucky!"
Cozy Glow "I'm just a kid" S9E1.png|"I'm just a kid, so..."
Grogar "it is because" S9E1.png
Grogar "they work together" S9E1.png|"It is because they work together."
Grogar addressing his fellow villains S9E1.png
Grogar "we shall use their own strategy" S9E1.png|"But we shall use their own strategy to defeat them."
Grogar with a wicked smile S9E1.png
Chrysalis "what are you suggesting?" S9E1.png|"What are you suggesting?"
Grogar "I suggest nothing" S9E1.png|"I suggest nothing."
Grogar "I demand that you join me" S9E1.png|"I demand that you join me."
Grogar "Equestria will be ours!" S9E1.png|"And Equestria will be ours!"
King Sombra "I don't do 'ours'" S9E1.png|"I don't do 'ours'."
King Sombra "I only do mine!" S9E1.png|"I only do mine!"
King Sombra challenging Grogar S9E1.png|"I will retake the Crystal Empire on my own!"
King Sombra "I will destroy any pony" S9E1.png|"And I will destroy anypony who gets in my way!"
Grogar grins at Sombra's overconfidence S9E1.png
Grogar "try to take back your kingdom" S9E1.png
Grogar "I shall send you there myself" S9E1.png
Grogar "if you prevail, you may keep it" S9E1.png
Grogar "but when you fail" S9E1.png
Grogar "you will submit to me!" S9E1.png
King Sombra "and if I refuse this deal?" S9E1.png
Grogar "return you to the darkness" S9E1.png
King Sombra accepts Grogar's terms S9E1.png
King Sombra "this is a waste of time" S9E1.png
King Sombra acting pompous S9E1.png
Grogar getting very annoyed S9E1.png|So annoying.
Grogar using his magic bells S9E1.png|Get out of here.
King Sombra continues to act arrogant S9E1.png
Sombra gets transported by Grogar's magic S9E1.png
Grogar leaving the rest of the villains S9E1.png
Tirek and Chrysalis raise eyebrows at each other S9E1.png
Cozy Glow "sounds an awful lot like" S9E1.png|"Well, working together sounds an awful lot like make friends."
Cozy Glow "you two are in luck" S9E1.png|"You two are in luck..."
Cozy Glow "I know all about that!" S9E1.png|"...because I know all about that!"
Cozy Glow sitting on Tirek's shoulder S9E1.png
Lord Tirek flicks Cozy Glow off his shoulder S9E1.png|Get off of me.
==Meltdown in Twilight Sparkle's office==
Exterior view of School of Friendship S9E1.png
Starlight knocks on Twilight's office door S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer enters Twilight's office S9E1.png
Starlight "I didn't think anypony would" S9E1.png
Starlight gets a faceful of parchment S9E1.png
Starlight flinching in minor pain S9E1.png
Twilight writing multiple long checklists S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "not enough time!" S9E1.png
Spike "she's spiraling!" S9E1.png
Spike "my-plan-needs-a-plan stage" S9E1.png
Spike "total Twilight meltdown!" S9E1.png
Starlight watches Twilight have a meltdown S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer winking at Spike S9E1.png
Starlight confidently approaches Twilight's desk S9E1.png
Starlight greets Twilight during her breakdown S9E1.png
Twilight "eliminate redundant lists" S9E1.png
Twilight doesn't notice Starlight in front of her S9E1.png
Twilight checking off more checklists S9E1.png
Starlight yells to get Twilight's attention S9E1.png
Twilight startled by Starlight's yelling S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle happy to see Starlight S9E1.png
Twilight looking back at her checklists S9E1.png
Twilight looking for "talk to Starlight" S9E1.png
Twilight frantically searches her lists S9E1.png
Starlight "you are 'Twilight-ing' hard" S9E1.png
Twilight "you say Twilight-ing, too?" S9E1.png
Twilight upset "well, excuse me!" S9E1.png
Twilight "first time I've ever been asked" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "run a whole kingdom!" S9E1.png
Starlight trying to keep Twilight calm S9E1.png
Starlight "what did you want to talk to me about?" S9E1.png
Twilight finds the list she was looking for S9E1.png
Twilight reading a long written speech S9E1.png
Twilight still reading speech to Starlight S9E1.png
Twilight crazy "so what do you think?" S9E1.png
Twilight grinning crazily at Starlight S9E1.png
Starlight reels back in utter shock S9E1.png
Starlight "take care of the castle" S9E1.png
Starlight starting to get stressed S9E1.png
Starlight stressed in front of Twi and Spike S9E1.png
Starlight having a dramatic breakdown S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer "I'm not ready!" S9E1.png
Starlight "remember what happened" S9E1.png
Starlight "last time you left me in charge" S9E1.png
Starlight falls over onto the floor S9E1.png
Starlight "now you want me to do it" S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer "permanently?!" S9E1.png
Starlight "don't do the right things" S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer starts to hyperventilate S9E1.png|Now she's Twilight-ing! No wait, she's Starlight-ing!
Twilight trying to calm Starlight down S9E1.png
Twilight levitating Starlight Glimmer S9E1.png
Twilight "every challenge you've ever faced" S9E1.png
Twilight has complete faith in Starlight S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "you've got this" S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer smirking at Twilight S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer "and so do you" S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer "see what I did there?" S9E1.png
Starlight "everything you need to hear" S9E1.png
Twilight laughs sarcastically at Starlight S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "nice try" S9E1.png
Twilight "running a school and running a country" S9E1.png
Twilight "two very different things" S9E1.png
Twilight goes back to her long checklists S9E1.png
Twilight "the new ruler of Equestria!" S9E1.png
Twilight starts to hyperventilate again S9E1.png
Twilight hyperventilates in her office chair S9E1.png
Spike giving Twilight a paper bag S9E1.png
Spike "it was a valiant effort" S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer face-hoofs S9E1.png
==Sombra lays siege to the Empire==
Black clouds approach the Crystal Empire S9E1.png|The darkness approaches....
Crystal Ponies fleeing from Sombra's smoke S9E1.png
Crystal Ponies flee from black crystals S9E1.png
Crystal Ponies fleeing indoors S9E1.png
Crystal Pony filly trips over black crystal S9E1.png
Crystal Pony filly lying on the ground S9E1.png
Crystal Pony filly looks up at Sombra S9E1.png
Sombra grins evilly at Crystal Pony filly S9E1.png|Did you miss me, you pathetic crystals?
Crystal Pony filly afraid of Sombra S9E1.png
Crystal Ponies glare defiantly at Sombra S9E1.png
Sombra using his hypnotizing gaze S9E1.png|You are all mine now, like old times.
Crystal Ponies under Sombra's magic S9E1.png
Sombra mind-controls some Crystal Ponies S9E1.png
Royal guard's spear flies past Sombra's head S9E1.png
Sombra looking back at royal guards S9E1.png
Pegasus guards charging at King Sombra S9E1.png
Sombra annoyed by royal guard resistance S9E1.png
More Pegasus guards charge at Sombra S9E1.png
Sombra channeling his dark magic S9E1.png
Sombra's magic blows the guards away S9E1.png
King Sombra with black swirl in his hoof S9E1.png
Sombra creates a mind-control helmet S9E1.png
Royal guard looking disoriented S9E1.png
Royal guard looking up with terror S9E1.png
Sombra helmet lands on guard's head S9E1.png
Royal guard controlled by Sombra helmet S9E1.png
King Sombra marches toward the palace S9E1.png
Sombra and his forces approach the palace S9E1.png
Shining Armor and guards burst into throne room S9E1.png
Shining Armor "Sombra's breached the castle!" S9E1.png
Princess Cadance writing a letter to Twilight S9E1.png
Princess Cadance rolls letter into a scroll S9E1.png
Cadance magically transmits the letter S9E1.png
Princess Cadance "do you have Flurry Heart?" S9E1.png
Shining Armor "I thought you had her" S9E1.png
Cadance and Shining Armor filled with dread S9E1.png|Oh NO!
Door leading into Flurry Heart's nursery S9E1.png
King Sombra in Flurry Heart's nursery S9E1.png|Put her down, King Sombra.
King Sombra captures Baby Flurry Heart S9E1.png|"Mama!"
Cadance and Shining Armor horrified S9E1.png|OUR BABY!
Cadance about to attack King Sombra S9E1.png|Lemme at him! I'll DESTROY him!
Cadance and Shining Armor with angry glares S9E1.png|Tartarus hath no fury like a mother with a threatened child. Shining Armor: It's not worth it, Cadance
Cadance "you won't get away with this!" S9E1.png
King Sombra "but I already have" S9E1.png
King Sombra boops Flurry Heart's nose S9E1.png|Don't touch me, you creep
Flurry Heart tries to bite Sombra's hoof S9E1.png|Flurry Heart tries to be brutal.
Sombra laughing with Flurry in his hooves S9E1.png|Well, she gets an A for effort at least....
Crystal Heart dampened by Sombra's magic S9E1.png
Sombra seizes control of the Crystal Empire S9E1.png
Shining Armor and Cadance in chains S9E1.png
Sombra tells Shining and Cadance to kneel S9E1.png|If you sink so low as to chain and muzzle a BABY for neighing out loud, Sombra, you truly are as heartless (no pun intended) as the black spikes you create.
Cadance and Shining Armor kneel to Sombra S9E1.png
King Sombra "long live the king" S9E1.png|"Long live the king."You already know what reference this is.
Sombra's glowing eyes surrounded by black S9E1.png
==Twilight rallies the troops==
Twilight Sparkle pacing in the throne room S9E1.png
Rest of Mane Six burst into the throne room S9E1.png
Twilight gathers her friends together S9E1.png
Discord pops in between the ponies S9E1.png
Discord knocks over Twilight's friends S9E1.png
Discord "if you're gonna be the ruler" S9E1.png
Discord "work on your penmanship" S9E1.png
Discord reading Twilight's message S9E1.png
Discord "taking over the Crystal Empire" S9E1.png
Twilight "that's exactly what it says!" S9E1.png
Rarity "dispelled him into the ether!" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle overcome with worry S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "it's up to us" S9E1.png
Twilight "save the Empire and my family!" S9E1.png
Fluttershy "tell Celestia and Luna" S9E1.png
Discord's face drops to his midsection S9E1.png
Discord "one of us should probably" S9E1.png
Discord squishes ponies' cheeks together S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle with determined face S9E1.png
Twilight "we'll need to handle things" S9E1.png
Rarity, AJ, and Star surprised by Twilight S9E1.png
Twilight and friends look up at Discord S9E1.png
Discord impressed by Twilight's decision S9E1.png
Discord "you finally have the confidence" S9E1.png
Discord makes vision of Twilight the tyrant S9E1.png
Discord "the princesses believe you can" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle pondering Discord's words S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle uncertain "maybe" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "unless you consider" S9E1.png
Twilight grins pleadingly at Discord S9E1.png
Discord's friends grin pleadingly at him S9E1.png
Discord adamantly refuses to help S9E1.png
Discord shaking Twilight's hoof S9E1.png|It's all up to you now.
Discord gives Twilight a graduation cap S9E1.png|But, please take this cap....
Discord gives Twilight a trophy S9E1.png|....and this trophy....
Discord gives Twilight a giant check S9E1.png|...and finally this check.
Twilight annoyed by Discord's antics S9E1.png
Discord leaves via dimensional curtain S9E1.png
Ponies stunned by Discord's way of leaving S9E1.png
==The Mane Six's secret weapon==
Applejack "all well and good" S9E1.png
Applejack "last time we defeated Sombra" S9E1.png
Rarity, AJ, and Starlight looking worried S9E1.png
Spike "what if he has it already?" S9E1.png
Spike "how are we gonna stop him?" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle thinking to herself S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle in deep thought S9E1.png
Twilight looking at the Cutie Map S9E1.png
Close-up on Twilight's cutie mark S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle has an idea S9E1.png
Twilight "with the Elements of Harmony!" S9E1.png
Twilight "we can defeat anypony!" S9E1.png
Discord pulls back the dimensional curtain S9E1.png
Discord bathing in another dimension S9E1.png
Discord "handling things on your own" S9E1.png
Twilight "my family is in danger" S9E1.png
Twilight "I'm not taking any chances" S9E1.png
Rainbow Dash "she's got a point" S9E1.png
Discord "ugh, fine" S9E1.png
Discord closing the dimension curtain S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "what's his problem?" S9E1.png
Twilight asks Starlight to take care of the school S9E1.png
Starlight Glimmer "I've got you covered" S9E1.png
Starlight holding School of Friendship guidebook S9E1.png
Mane Six and Spike in front of Tree of Harmony S9E1.png
Twilight stands before the Tree of Harmony S9E1.png
Elements of Harmony floating out of the tree S9E1.png|Thank goodness, Elements of Harmony!
RD, Rarity, and AJ are given their Elements S9E1.png
Fluttershy and Pinkie are given their Elements S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle is given her Element S9E1.png
Twilight wearing the Element of Magic S9E1.png
Mane Six gallop away from Tree of Harmony S9E1.png
==The cavalry has arrived!==
Sombra's magic coils around a grapevine S9E1.png
King Sombra eating grapes S9E1.png
Sombra takes over the Empire throne room S9E1.png
Crystal cage blasted by Flurry's magic S9E1.png
Cadance, Shining, and Flurry captured S9E1.png
King Sombra "it's cute that you think" S9E1.png
Sombra taunting Cadance, Shining, and Flurry S9E1.png
Princess Cadance pointing at the Mane Six S9E1.png
Mane Six arrive to save the day S9E1.png
Mane Six charging into battle S9E1.png
Mane Six charging at King Sombra S9E1.png
King Sombra laughs with amusement S9E1.png
King Sombra "how can I be surprised" S9E1.png
King Sombra "your greatest fear" S9E1.png
King Sombra using his fear magic S9E1.png
Mane Six caught in Sombra's magic S9E1.png
Mane Six overwhelmed by dark magic S9E1.png
Twilight trying to resist Sombra's magic S9E1.png
Twilight under the effect of dark magic S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle inside her mind S9E1.png
Twilight's friends and family enslaved S9E1.png
Twilight's friends under Sombra's control S9E1.png
Twilight looking at enslaved Pinkie Pie S9E1.png
Eyes in the void filled with dark magic S9E1.png
Enslaved Celestia and Luna appear S9E1.png
Princess Celestia "how disappointing" S9E1.png
Princess Luna "you let it be destroyed!" S9E1.png
Celestia and Luna transform before Twilight S9E1.png
Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon appear S9E1.png
Twilight succumbing to her deepest fears S9E1.png
Twilight under King Sombra's influence S9E1.png
Sombra looking up at the Mane Six S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle's element activating S9E1.png
Twilight freed from Sombra's control S9E1.png
Rarity and AJ freed from Sombra's control S9E1.png
RD, Pinkie, and Fluttershy freed from Sombra's control S9E1.png
Mane Six harnessing the Elements of Harmony S9E1.png
Twilight "needed to face them long enough" S9E1.png
King Sombra surprised at Twilight's words S9E1.png
Spike burning King Sombra's crystals S9E1.png
Cadance bursts through the crystal cage S9E1.png
Cadance grabbing the Crystal Heart S9E1.png
Cadance escapes with the Crystal Heart S9E1.png
Flurry's magic blasting near King Sombra S9E1.png
Sombra growling at Shining and Flurry S9E1.png
Flurry Heart blasts at Sombra's guards S9E1.png
Cadance returns Crystal Heart to its pillar S9E1.png
Princess Cadance reactivates the Crystal Heart S9E1.png
Crystal Heart pulsing with energy S9E1.png
Crystal Heart radiating energy outward S9E1.png
Crystal Ponies enslaved by King Sombra S9E1.png
Crystal Heart's magic washes over the Empire S9E1.png
Crystal Ponies returning to normal S9E1.png
Crystal magic pushes back Sombra's power S9E1.png
Crystal Empire back to normal S9E1.png
Royal guards enslaved by King Sombra S9E1.png
Crystal Heart magic washes over the guards S9E1.png
Crystal Ponies freed from Sombra's control S9E1.png
Shining Armor and ponies glare at Sombra S9E1.png
==A cakewalk of a magical battle==
Sombra "you may have won the battle" S9E1.png
King Sombra "I shall win the war!" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle glaring at King Sombra S9E1.png
Mane Six channeling the Elements S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle blasting a rainbow laser S9E1.png
King Sombra sees the incoming rainbow S9E1.png
King Sombra engulfed by harmony magic S9E1.png
King Sombra getting vaporized S9E1.png|Mr. Stark, I don't feel so good. (If you know, you know.)
Sombra reduced to a smoldering black spot S9E1.png
Spike, Shining Armor, and Flurry cheering S9E1.png
Mane Six landing back on the floor S9E1.png
Mane Six win the battle against Sombra S9E1.png
Rainbow "wiped the castle with that guy!" S9E1.png
Flurry Heart and Spike hugging Twilight S9E1.png
Rarity and Applejack smile at Twilight S9E1.png
Princess Cadance returns ready to fight S9E1.png|Where's that so-and-so Sombra?! I'll pound him for threatening my baby!
Cadance notices the battle is over S9E1.png|...Oh. It's already over?
Princess Cadance calming down S9E1.png
Twilight reunited with her family S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle in family group hug S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "that was fun!" S9E1.png
AJ surprised by how easy the battle was S9E1.png
Rarity "that was a cakewalk" S9E1.png
Pinkie pops up between Rarity and Applejack S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie "mmm, cakewalk..." S9E1.png
Pinkie Pie dancing with cake on her hooves S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle proud of her friends S9E1.png
Spike glad that Twilight is feeling better S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "I still don't feel like" S9E1.png
Twilight "one hundred percent ready" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "will I ever?" S9E1.png
Applejack with hoof under Twilight's chin S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "I have you guys" S9E1.png
Twilight looking up at her Element crown S9E1.png
Twilight surrounded by friends and family S9E1.png
Twilight's friends surround her with love S9E1.png
Twilight in the middle of a group hug S9E1.png
==Aftermath / The destruction of harmony==
Element of loyalty returned to the tree S9E1.png
Element of laughter returned to the tree S9E1.png
Element of magic returned to the tree S9E1.png
Twilight returns Elements to Tree of Harmony S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "Equestria is safe" S9E1.png|"Once again, Equestria is safe." Or, really?
Mane Six leaving the Tree of Harmony's cave S9E1.png
Black crystal appears in cave ceiling S9E1.png|What?
Black smoke filling the Tree's cave S9E1.png|No, this can't be happening..
King Sombra still looms S9E1.png|How is he still alive?
Sombra's essence appears above Tree S9E1.png
Mane Six feeling the ground shake S9E1.png
Twilight and AJ have a bad feeling S9E1.png
Applejack "what's goin' on?" S9E1.png
Twilight Sparkle "I don't know!" S9E1.png
Black crystal breaks part of the tree S9E1.png|No, the tree!!!
Crystal breaks tree's laughter branch S9E1.png
Crystal breaks tree's kindness branch S9E1.png
The Tree of Harmony is destroyed S9E1.png|R.I.P. Tree of Harmony (11/23/13 - 04/06/19)
Elements of Harmony fly through the air S9E1.png
Elements of Harmony shatter to pieces S9E1.png|R.I.P. Elements of Harmony (10/22/10 - 04/06/19)
Mane Six looking utterly horrified S9E1.png|We can't believe it, our most powerful weapon....destroyed.....
King Sombra appears before the Mane Six S9E1.png|YOU MONSTER!
King Sombra laughs in sadistic triumph S9E1.png|How are you gonna defeat me now, ponies?