Twilight, her friends and the rest of the Champions all stood before Queen Hippolyta, Wonder Woman, Angela and the rest of the Amazons.
With Circe banished to the Isle of Silence, all her magic had completely vanished from the island.
"My fellow Amazons," Queen Hippolyta declared, "we are gathered here today to celebrate a momentous occasion, to give thanks to my daughter Diana, her allies and their friends, the Champions."
A chorus of cheers erupted from the assembled crowd.
"And now," Queen Hippolyta continued, once the cheering had died down, "to show our gratitude, we present these gifts."
She gestured and some golden laurel wreaths were brought out.
"I would also like to recognise the Champions as fellow Amazons and sisters in arms," Queen Hippolyta finished.
Again, a chorus of cheers erupted from the crowd as Twilight and the others approached the queen to receive their gifts.
"Thank you, your majesty," Twilight said, "it is an honour to be counted among your people."
"On the contrary," Queen Hippolyta smiled, "it is I who should be thanking you, if not for your arrival then Circe would have surely managed to take the island and the rest of Man's world."
"Your majesty," Twilight responded, "I hate to correct you, but we're not the only ones you should be thanking."
"Who else?" Queen Hippolyta asked.
"Loki, your highness," Applejack answered.
"Loki of Asgard?" Queen Hippolyta exclaimed, "Loki, the trickster and god of mischief?"
"The very same," Loki said, bowing as he revealed himself in front of the assembled Amazons.
The crowd gasp, not able to believe that Loki, of all people, had been the one to save them along with the Champions and Wonder Woman.
"Is this true, son of Odin?" Queen Hippolyta queried, "did you risk your life to save my home and sisters?"
"Indeed, your highness," Loki answered, "these mortals have shown me the value and the power that friendship has."
Queen Hippolyta stared daggers at Loki, not quite willing to believe Loki's words.
"He speaks the truth, mother," Wonder Woman said, "Loki risked his life many times to aid us in our defeat of Circe."
"If you do not believe my words," Loki said, "then believe the word of your daughter, she is the spirit of truth, after all."
Queen Hippolyta was about answer, but was interrupted as a loud boom was heard, followed by a bright flash of rainbow light.
After the light had dissipated, a figure appeared, it was Lady Sif, a fearsome Asgardian warrior, an ally of Thor and the Warriors Three.
"Loki Odinson!" she cried, "your father wishes to see you, regarding the recent theft of the Casket of Ancient Winters from his vault."
"Whoops," Loki smiled, "I guess someone notice it was missing."
He turned to Queen Hippolyta, "I guess that's my cue to leave," he sighed.
Loki turned to face Twilight and the rest of the Champions, "thank you," he said, "for letting me experience the magic of friendship."
He turned back to Sif, "I'm ready," he stated.
"Don't even try any of your tricks on me," Sif retorted.
"No tricks this time," Loki replied, sincerely, "I'm ready to face my father."
"Before you go," Wonder Woman interceded, "tell Odin of all the good that Loki has done here today, surely Heimdall has been watching the events of Midgard unfold."
"I will be sure to ask him," Sif answered, "once Odin and Thor return to Asgard, Loki's punishment will be decided."
"I will accept whatever punishment father deems worthy," Loki said.
"Very well," Sif nodded, "at any rate, we must be going."
With that, Sif took Loki's hand and there was another loud boom, a flash and the two Asgardians disappeared.
Later, at the end of the day and back in Canterlot city.
Twilight flopped into her bed, completely exhausted and glad to be back home after everything she, her friends and their allies had gone through, she just wanted to fall asleep.
All in all, Twilight felt that her idea of extra combat training was a success.
She was about to fall asleep, when she noticed something on her bedside table.
It was an envelope with a strange seal on it, she knew it hadn't been there when she entered her room.
Her curiosity having peaked, Twilight opened the envelop, exposing its contents.
Inside the envelop was an invitation, it read:
Twilight Sparkle, the rest of the Champions and the heroes of the world
you are cordially invited to participate in the multiversal Contest of Champions
Details will be provided upon your acceptance.
Congratulations!
Twilight put the envelop down, not fully understanding if what she had read was real or not.
But she was far too tired to think about it now, the next day however, she would call everyone together and show them what she had been given.
To be continued.....in the Contest of Champions