Sunny, Shaggy, Scooby, Paradise and Sparky all panted, having escaped Morgan’s Keep just before it was destroyed by the roots of the rapidly growing Together Tree.
They had finally done it.
Opaline Arcana was gone... for good this time.
When they finally got hold of their surroundings and stood up, they looked to see a crowd of roaring people cheering for their victory, and while the four of them, Sparky included, were happy to see everyone else so happy, there was one question that needed to be answered.
Where were their friends?
“SUNNY!!!”
The apricot alicorn was immediately caught offguard when Izzy barreled into her, giving her a hug as the Mystery Incorporated crew reunited once again, Sparky was ruined with Hitch and Misty was once again hugging her mother... something she was so scared that she might never get to do again.
After a moment of reconciliation, Pipp turned toward the three. “Sunny, I can’t believe you and Shag and Scooby went to go face Opaline alone like that! Seriously brave.”
“That’s the thing… we weren’t alone,” Sunny said. “Right, guys?”
“Yeah! It was like you guys were with us the whole time,” Shaggy said, “while you were singing!”
“And your hope and courage helped us defeat Opaline!” Scooby nodded. “Thanks, guys.”
“No… we should be thanking you,” Misty said, “for getting Mom back!”
“By the way,” said Sunny to Paradise, “I thought you were under her spell! How did you break through?”
“Come on, Sunny. Did you really have doubts?” Paradise said with a chuckle. “It was Sparky here who broke the spell and saved me. Seems like he transformed her spell into one of his own.”
“Well, no matter how it was done,” Royal said, “all of Camelot and Norville o’er Morgania owes you an immense debt of gratitude. So much so that I have a royal decree to make.”
“Really?” Zipp asked. “What’s that?”
“Tonight… we are going to PARTY!!”
XXXXXXXX
That night, there was a party in the middle of the castle, and loud music played over the speakers as everyone danced, talked, played and had an amazing time.
Fred and Daphne watched the events from the balcony, happy smiles on their faces. “Not a bad way to spend our vacation,” Daphne said out loud. “Wouldn’t you say so, Sir Fred?”
“Not bad at all, Sir Daphne,” Fred bowed to her before they went down to join the party. At the same time, Sunny and Shaggy were currently with Winston and Royal, chatting about everything they had gone through. “So, was any of it real, Mr. Pilkingstonshire?” Shaggy asked. “Our budding bromance? The sandwiches? Any of it?”
“I’m an actor, Shaggy,” Winston said, putting a hand on Shaggy’s shoulder, “but there are some things you just can't fake. One of those things is a love of sandwiches.”
This caused Shaggy to frown temporarily. “Watch the sandwich scene in Citizen Kane,” Winston urged. “You'll see what I mean.”
“Huh?” Sunny said, confused. “Friendship is another one, Sunny,” Royal smiled tenderly as she wrapped a wing around her friend. “You kids aren’t so bad… for septics,” Winston said, earning more confusion. “Uh, septic tanks-- yanks. I've got a wonderful beach house in the UK. You must come sometime... and stay in a hotel nearby.”
At the same time, Paradise was talking with her daughter, Zipp, Hitch, Scooby, Izzy and Pipp, sighing. “I just hope Alphabittle can forgive me for everything I’ve done. I hurt him so badly when I took Misty away from him.”
“He misses you a lot, Mom,” said Misty. “And now that we have the last cutie mark crystal, which turns out, Aspen had in his room the entire time, we can get back to Equestria and turn this into a reunion for the ages!”
“I do hope you’re right…” Paradise nodded. “I hate to ruin his new friendship with Queen Haven. I do hope she likes me…”
“She can’t wait to meet you,” Pipp smiled. “Trust me on that.”
Meanwhile, Velma had Merlin and were talking to him about this whole experience. “I’m still not sure how you pulled it off,” Velma said, still befuddled. “The blasts of cold air, fireballs, flying... it all felt so real.”
“Magic is real, Velma. You just have to look deep within to find it,” Merlin smiled, and this caused Velma to roll her eyes. “Okay, I get it. A magician never tells how he did the trick.”
“Now, young apprentice, I gotta run,” Merlin said. “Remember the lessons I've taught you, hmm? Once you suss out magic, there's nothing you can't get up to.”
“Sure. Thank you, ‘Merlin’,” Velma bid farewell. “It’s been… surreal.”
As Merlin strolled away, the mayor then took the chance to approach. “Where is your friend going? He's going to miss the fireworks show.”
Velma turned to him, confused. “My friend? You mean Merlin? Isn't he… one of the townspeople?”
“No. Never seen them before in my life. We thought they were with you,” the mayor admitted. “They’re not with us,” Velma said. “And if they’re not with any of you, then…”
Just then, a thought hit Velma dead on as she turned around. “No… it can’t be!”
They saw a frog where Merlin was, and it winked and breathed a little bit of fire before it leapt off. That’s when Daphne took the chance to approach. “Told you reality was a simulation.”
“Scooby-Dooby-Doooooooooo!!!” Scooby howled in triumph, giggling, just as the portal to Equestria began to open. “Well, that’s our cue, everypony,” Sunny said. “Ready to head home, Paradise?”
“I sure am,” Paradise nodded and turned to everyone else. “Thank you all so much for all you’ve done.”
“See you guys soon!” Misty waved to their friends and gave them hugs before the ponies left through the portal, another Unity Quest completed.
XXXXXXXX
Even though time had paused in Equestria, Queen Haven and Alphabittle eagerly awaited the group to return, and when they did, Queen Haven flew to her daughters in relief. “My angels, you’re back!” she said, hugging them. “How was the quest?”
“It’s a long story,” Zipp said, “but we can go into details later. Right now… there’s someone we want you to meet.”
Everypony moved aside to let Paradise through, and Alphabittle gasped upon seeing her. “Paradise…?”
“Alphabittle, I…” Paradise tried to keep her tears from flowing. “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done…”
But, Alphabittle just wrapped her in a huge hug, trying to keep his own tears contained. “How can I be mad at you because you were manipulated? I’ve missed you so much…”
“I-I have too…”
“Paradise, I am Queen Haven of Zephyr Heights,” Queen Haven introduced. “I’ve been awaiting the pleasure to meet you face to face.”
“So have I, your majesty,” Paradise smiled. “It feels so good to be home again.”
“And just wait!” Zipp said, taking the final cutie mark crystal over to the tree. “Here comes the moment of truth!”
She stuck the final crystal in its slot, causing the Together Tree to glow and send a rainbow beam of light into the sky and toward the other Together Trees, forming an aurora of protection over the land, so no force of evil could get in.
Paradise smiled and hugged her daughter close. “It’s even more beautiful than I ever imagined.”
“So… what do you say, Mom?” Misty asked. “Can we take you on a tour of Equestria?”
Paradise smiled and nodded. “There’s nothing I’d like more. I'm home with my family after all... what more could I ever want?”