Of all the ways her assignment to the Griffons could have gone, how it had actually concluded was about as far removed from her expectations as Twilight could have imagined. Yes, the bandit situation seemed to be resolved, as shown when dozens of aggressive-looking Griffons were being detained by the Lunar forces. And yet, wherever she and her companions went, there was this inescapable sense of failure. She should have felt happy. The problem she, Cadence and Shining were sent to aid in had been brought to a close. But, it could not be denied that she did not feel happy about it. Still, it was clear that, given their lengthy stay here, there was no longer any reason for them to remain. So, led by Cadence, the three ponies made their way away from the palace, once more heading down the main street of Griffonstone. Gone was the sense that they would be attacked around every corner, replaced instead by a feeling more foreboding, yet harder to describe.

Lunar guards stood watch at every street entrance, and the Griffons who passed them by kept their heads down, as if terrified that simply looking like they would cause trouble would get them in trouble. But, on they went, with Cadence especially seeming disappointed in how things had turned out. Shining, for his part, was angry more than anything else, though he did his best to hide it. And as for Twilight, her mind raced with a thousand different thoughts, about what this would mean for their domain. However, most importantly, she grimaced at the notion of how she was going to explain this to Princess Celestia when they got back. But, for now, she stayed silent, carrying on until their group finally reached the outskirts of the city, wherein they were met by Gabby, daughter of Grover. The female Griffon tried to smile, but it was clearly a forced one, and Cadence looked to her with sympathy.

"So...Queen Gabby now?"

Gabby nodded.

"Yes. The Griffon Lords convened and...well...it turns out that they were just as unhappy with my Father's rule as the people were."

Cadence nodded back, raising a hoof and gently placing it upon her shoulder.

"Well...I wish you all the best in your rule, your Majesty."

"Oh, I don't think you need to be quite so worried, Ambassador."

All four of them turned, and Shining in particular narrowed his eyes when he saw that it was Lightning, now approaching with a somewhat victorious look upon her face.

"After all...it's not as if she'll be alone in ensuring her people's prosperity."

Nopony said anything to her, and instead, Cadence gave the young Queen another glance, smiling warmly to her before, at last, starting to make her way beyond the borders of the city. Shining, after glowering at Lightning, soon followed, leaving only Twilight. The lavender mare took a moment to look up at Griffonstone, and her face was one of sadness as she contemplated what had occurred. Turning, she looked to the Queen herself, looking, more than anything, remorseful.

"Take care."

Gabby nodded, seeming genuinely appreciative of Twilight's words, and watched as the young unicorn finally started to head off. The new Queen kept her position, watching as the three Equestrians moved further and further from view, until, finally, they were gone altogether, having walked behind a particularly stark mountain turning. Now gone from their sight, she sighed, prompting Lightning to walk closer to her.

"Chin up, your Majesty. A crown may be a heavy burden to bear, but you carry it well. Your instincts were to protect your people, and that is exactly what you have done."

As before, the young Griffon nodded.

"Yes...I suppose there's that at least."

Lightning looked to her, her respectful expression changing to bear a slight tint of sternness to it.

But remember this..."

Gabby turned to her, uncertainty in her eyes as the pegasus finished her words.

"...consider always...whom you owe your people's safety to."

The Queen stared to her ally, her expression never betraying what she felt, and as she once more looked away, to the spot where Twilight was last seen, she gave a single nod.

"I think...I don't have much choice."