As one would expect of somepony who had just been through a dangerous situation, Twilight was still taking her time in settling down. But, at the very least, she had somewhere safe to do it. Having escaped the griffon bandits, both she and her friends had, quite fortunately, managed to make it back to Appleoosa. They were shaken, as was everypony else right now, but they were still doing okay. Right now, the young unicorn was standing in the entrance of the town hall, looking in to the many buffalo who were still being cared for. And there, on the other side of the room, was Little Strongheart. She was still bruised, but had otherwise managed to escape serious injury, and was, at this very moment, being smothered by her Father, Chief Thunderhooves. Twilight couldn't help but smile at the sight of that massive buffalo hugging his daughter, and as she watched them, she sighed.

"So...back together."

Briefly, she turned, and not a moment too soon, for it was at this moment that she caught sight of Applejack and Braeburn, who were walking towards her.

"That were a mighty fine thing ya did fer em, Miss Twilight," the stallion remarked, tipping his hat.

A small blush crept onto Twilight's cheeks.

"Don't give me all the thanks. If it wasn't for the help of Applejack and Pinkie, I doubt I'd have been able to do much."

Applejack let out a hearty laugh to that.

"Heck, girl! Ya don't give yerself enough credit! Ya got Strongheart outta there, an' all o' us too!"

Twilight nodded, turning around to look at the still-recovering buffalo within the hall.

"I just wish we could have done something for them before this mess started."

The two Apples nodded solemnly to that, silently sharing her thoughts on that matter. But, before anypony had a chance to say anything else on the matter, they all turned in unison to find that Pinkie Pie was trotting up to greet them. Her hair had calmed down since their little plan in the cave, and was right back to its normal straight appearance. As she drew nearer, she seemed to bear a satisfied look upon her face.

"I'm glad the Princess was able to send some troops over on such short notice."

Twilight nodded in agreement, looking past her friend to see, as said, that there were indeed a few of the Royal Guards patrolling the town, with some being sent out beyond Appleoosa's borders towards the mountain ranges. However, mere moments after looking to them, Twilight's ears dropped somewhat.

"It's just a shame those bandits got away like they did."

Pinkie sighed.

"Yeah. But, I guess we should have seen it coming. Once they knew Equestrians were aware of their raids, it was only a matter of time before they'd have to get out of there."

Applejack frowned over the memory of those they had faced.

"Ah tell ya, those bandits deserve heck for doin all that nastiness to these poor folk!"

She looked straight at Twilight.

"Ah hope Princess Celestia gives that King o' theirs a right talkin to!"

Here, Twilight frowned back, shaking her head.

"Unfortunately...that might not be possible."

Immediately, all eyes were upon her, looking to her with clear confusion. Raising a hoof, Twilight rubbed her temples, showing obvious annoyance over something, which she soon started to explain.

"After I sent word to the Princess...it wasn't long before she sent a response."

She looked back to the town hall as she continued.

"While it was in her power to send troops to secure the area...it's...not going to be possible to pursue the matter further with the griffons' government."

Applejack took on a look of indignity.

"What?! Why?!"

Twilight sighed.

"Well, according to the illustrious King, Grover the Twelfth, this was a rogue group. Griffons operating without his knowledge."

She turned back to her friends and narrowed her eyes.

"He's already publically condemned these raids...but aside from that...there's little he's going to do to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Applejack, showing outright frustration with this knowledge, took off her hat and slammed it down into the ground.

"Darn it!"

Twilight nodded at that sentiment.

"From what I keep hearing, that king can barely ever control his people. So this..."

She gestured to the nearby buffalo.

"...might well just be the start of our problems with them."

Of course, hearing something like that caused no small measure of concern for those in attendance. But, after a brief bout of silence, it was Breaburn's role to break it, clearing his throat and getting the attention of the three mares.

"Well, even so, y'all did yer best helpin these folks, an' us. If nothin else, those bandits won' be comin round here anytime soon."

To that, Twilight offered a small smile.

"I suppose that's definitely something to be happy about."

That, at the very least, was something that was able to cheer the group up, if only a little bit. However, it wasn't long before the four of them were soon joined by another. To their surprise, it was Little Strongheart, who cleared her throat to gain their attention.

"Um...pardon me?"

They turned to look at her, with Twilight smiling in a friendly way to her.

"How are you feeling?"

She laughed a little bit.

"Better than I was, thank you. And..."

She looked away briefly, before looking Twilight straight in the eye.

"...I never got the chance to thank you...for saving me."

While taken aback, Twilight soon let out a little chuckle.

"Oh...don't mention it. I was just...glad to help."

The young buffalo gave her an appreciative look, and one to all the others there, before turning around and heading back to re-join her Father, who was waiting for her within the hall. Twilight watched her go, but her attention was soon drawn to Pinkie, after the latter tapped her on the shoulder.

"Not to spoil the mood or anything, but...do you think your brother might be a bit miffed when we get back and he learns that you went into danger again?"

Twilight considered that, then looked over her shoulder, seeing Strongheart once more reunited with her Father, embracing him warmly. And when she saw this, she regained her smile.

"Maybe...But I'm not."