After the castle had crumbled, the red demon had been swallowed by the sea and the other unicorns had galloped into the distance, five figures were still on the beach.
"So..." Lir and Amalthea said in unison, awkwardly. Amalthea motioned for him to go first.
"So what now?"
"I... I suppose that i'll return to my forest, now that my mission is complete and the Red Bull is no more. Will you not come with me, Lir? At least part of the way?"
"i'd love to, believe me. But this is my-" Lir started.
"Kingdom?" Amalthea finished, "A mere pile of rubble and a forest full of bandits? What kingdom is that?"
"it isn't so bad." Lir said.
Molly interrupted this time. "No! It's worse! Even if you intended to rebuild, you'd have a hell of a time recruiting builders, farmers -finding food, for that matter!"
Lir sighed. "i... kind of have nowhere else to go, guys."
The fifth figure spoke up. "Aye, it be a bugger of a conundrum, don't it?" The cat said.
"How did YOU get out?" Schmendrick queried.
"I could feel the direction the wind was a'blowin, so i made me escape."
"That's... not the answer i was looking for." Schmendrick said in a deadpan tone.
"I know." the cat replied simply.
Schmendrick frowned at that, but knew he'd get no further answers.
Suddenly, a bright sphere of light appeared a short distance away. The lot of them shieled their eyes and backed up a few steps, just to be safe.
"Avast!" the cat exclaimed. "It be a powerful magic! Brace yersselves, mates!"
When the light dissipated, in its place was a tall, white equine with wings, a horn and regalia. Such energy and life exuded from the newcomer that all present feli the impulse to bow, which they gave in to.
The newcomer spoke with a gentle voice. "Rise. I am Celestia, co-ruler of the land of Equestria. A sudden spike in the magical volume in this world drew my attention. I have seen all of you from afar and have found you all worthy of a hero's welcome. Especially you two." she indicated Lir and Amalthea. Her smile widened. I would be honoured if you would come with me; start a new life. Your love would be able to flourish, as it should, and you may make a new home in a land of peace. Well, compared to your world, at least."
The group shared glances before Amalthea stepped forward.
"Your highness, i believe i speak for us all in accepting your kind offer."
Celestia clapped her hooves together excitedly. "Excellent! A portal will be prepared shortly." then her eyes widened briefly. "Ah! Silly me. I'd almost forgotten." she leveled her gaze at Amalthea. "You've done a great thing for your kind, and thus i shall grant you a boon." With a flick of her horn, a spark of light went to Amalthea, floating at eye level for a split-second before entering her chest.
"What was-" Amalthea said, before a vortex of energy sprang up around her. The vortex became spherical in shape as it increased in intensity.
"What's going on?! What's happening!?" Amalthea exclaimed, clearly panic-stricken.
Suddenly, Lir leapt into the sphere of energy.
"Lir! You don't have-" the frightened mare started.
"No! I do. Whatever this is, we'll face it together." Lir said, hugging his 'beloved'.
Schmendrick and Molly shared a glance and nodded. As Schmendrick ran forward, Molly picked up the cat before dashing forward.
"Avast! Unhand me, ye witch!" the cat protested, but was ultimately helpless.
The quintet were enveloped by the magic, the world turning white around them.