The first thing Twilight felt was the massive disruption in Equestria's magical field. Being an alicorn, she was much more in tune with the ambient magic in the air than unicorns were. She could sense when other ponies were using magic in her general vicinity. However, this was on a level she'd never seen before. Like dozens upon dozens of teleportation spells being combined into one. Part of her suspected exactly what was going on, but she didn't dare to hope she was right. She swallowed, releasing a small whimper of fear. Thankfully, none of her friends heard it.
That whimper turned into an elated shout of joy as she saw the figures coming over the hill. The Wonderbolts came first, naturally, soaring above the grass and punching holes in the cover of black clouds, allowing drops of sunlight to poke through. Then came the other pegasi, followed by unicorns and the earth ponies. Twilight Velvet and Night Light, Sunburst, Moondancer, Braeburn, Lyra and Bon-Bon, Derpy, Vinyl Scratch and Octavia, Bulk Biceps, Dr. Whooves, Zecora, the entire families of Pinkie Pie and Applejack, Fluttershy's parents, Rainbow Dash's parents, Rarity's parents, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Daring Do, Cheese Sandwich, all of Starlight's old village, Chancellor Neighsay, and the Pillars of Old Equestria. Everypony gave Twilight's group a reassuring smile as one, before directing their gaze to Grogar.
"Impossible..." the ram muttered.
But it wasn't just ponies. Alongside them came every sapient race in Equestria. The griffons, led by the ever grouchy Grandpa Gruff. The changelings, Thorax and Pharynx at the front, staring down Chrysalis. The yaks, headed by Prince Rutherford, angrily stomping their hooves. The hippogriffs, with Queen Novo and Princess Skystar, soaring alongside the Wonderbolts. The dragons, following the gleam of Ember's bloodstone scepter. The kirin, their eyes tinged with the telltale blue and red fire of their nirik state, led by Rain Shine and Autumn Blaze. Captain Celaeno's pirate crew, along with Capper, Grubber, and several Storm Guards who'd reformed. Among them all, Sandbar's friend group stood, with a representative of nearly every tribe. Every creature that was capable of fighting for Equestria's future was there, ready to do so. There were even some non-sapient beings there, mainly from Fluttershy's animal sanctuary.
If Twilight had been a more spontaneous pony, she would've been jumping up and down and screaming for joy, like Pinkie Pie was currently doing. Instead, she merely watched with the widest smile she'd ever had on her face, feeling the tears just beginning to form in her eyes. The others looked just as surprised as she did, with Rarity and Applejack shaking their heads, as though they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Rainbow Dash was chuckling to herself, like she'd known this was going to happen (though Twilight was pretty sure she hadn't). Fluttershy just let the floodgates open, crying with sheer joy.
Celestia and Luna had the same knowing smiles on their faces, but looking into their eyes, Twilight could see the truth. They had been ready to die for their little ponies, along with every other creature that had become part of Equestria. They hadn't expected every creature to arrive just in time, and their joy was visible in the depths of their eyes. The same expressions were one Cadence and Shining Armor's faces. Trixie looked like she was going to collapse out of sheer relief at the fact that she wasn't going to die, not that Twilight blamed her. Starlight, being far more composed, placed a comforting hoof on her best friend's withers.
"So..." the Storm King began, finally breaking the silence, "what was that about everyone being too filled with despair to fight back?"
"This...this can't be," Grogar stuttered. From his tone of voice, it was clear that he was trying to convince himself. "Why...why haven't they given up? Why are they still—"
"Grogar," came Star Swirl's magically amplified voice, "you have threatened the peace and happiness that is the right of all living creatures. For this, you must be punished. Surrender now, and we shall be merciful. If you continue this cruel campaign of destruction, you will suffer the consequences."
Grogar sputtered a few incomprehensible words, causing his five allies to stare at him in surprise. Finally, he shook his head quickly, then glared back at the massive armada that had assembled to oppose him.
"I'd rather die a thousand deaths than give in to the likes of you," he snarled back. His horns began to glow with golden light.
"Er, Master Grogar?" Cozy Glow whispered. "Are you sure that's a good idea—"
"You will fight them," Grogar spat, "or you will die by my hooves."
The five villains all swallowed nervously. When victory had been all but assured, they were perfectly willing to go along with Grogar's plan, but now the scales were tipping. It was clear to Twilight that they were having second thoughts. Unfortunately for them, they'd long since passed the point of no return. They all charged their respective powers, taking aim at the multi-species army before them. The Knights of Tambelon raised their weapons as well.
Twilight and the others shared a quick look, with some unspoken words passing between them. They all scurried back over the hill, joining together with the massive crowd behind them.
"Thanks for coming, every creature," said Twilight, looking over the group. She turned to Star Swirl and the other Pillars. "Seriously, we were doomed before you got here. Were you the ones that rounded up everyone?"
"Not us," admitted Star Swirl. "We were planning to send you a message asking how we could help, but before we could, they contacted us." He pointed over to Sandbar's group and the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Applejack raised her eyebrows at that revelation. "Apple Bloom? You three helped gather all these creatures?"
"Yep!" replied the filly. "We all got together and we realized Grogar's plan was based on breaking the will of every creature in Equestria, but that you guys were still fighting, and if they could all come together, we'd have a better chance."
"So Yona and friends go around and gather the tribes!" chimed in the yak. "Yaks strong and best at smashing, but yaks and ponies and all creatures together stronger and better at smashing!"
"And with the Tree of Harmony and the Elements gone, we figured you guys needed all the help you could get anyway," said Gallus.
"Well, you were right," said Rainbow Dash. "Now, hopefully, we won't all die horrible deaths at the hooves of Grogar!"
"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity snapped, annoyed at her friend's antics.
"It doesn't matter," said Fluttershy. "All that matters is that they're here now."
"Kind of a shame we're in the middle of a war zone," said Pinkie. "Otherwise, I'd throw the biggest party ever right about now!"
Twilight smiled, before she turned to face Grogar once again. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" she asked. "There's still time—"
Grogar cut her off, not with words, but by actually spitting on the ground in front of him. Twilight sighed to herself.
"Then so be it."
Everyone charged.