Beatrix Belladonna entered the pages of the Necronomicon. With the aid of the Smooze, she would explore the endless riches of its contents, a whole universe locked within the dark tome. With her came Trixie, Fuschia, and Lavender. A labyrinth stretched before the party, some portions of the stairs turned upside-down, like they had stepped into some surreal dream.

Every day there were new sights to see. A number of evil spirits hid within, but with the Smooze's help they slowly tracked them down, absorbing the creatures into the symbiotic pair. With the loss of each monster the grimoire's power weaken. It would never be depleted completely, not even if they hunted down every last devil, but at least they could diminish its influence to near-nothingness. She posed with her mother in a mischievous manner. “Father and sister would be so proud!”

“Indeed, my little apprentice. Trixie has raised you well!” They laughed as one. “There's something missing, though.”

Fuschia and Lavender looked at each other. “You don't mean...?!”

“Oh yeah,” replied mother-and-daughter at the same time. With a twirl of their index finger they opened a portal in midair, stepping through it and heading to the skeletal remains of Starlight's old nameless town. It had been rebuilt a number of times after Equestria fell...only to be wiped out again by the Smooze. The pair stood within the whistling ghost town.

They figured she'd resettle here. Glimmer had momentarily returned mare Trixie and Sunburst back to where she'd stolen them from in the past, using a spell to forcibly remove their memories of what had happened after she'd pulled them from the timeline, and hoped that the timeline would work itself out despite the paradoxes. After that she returned to the only home she knew to quietly live out her life. She couldn't bear to see her friends anymore, not after all the horrific acts she'd been responsible for.

The group made a quiet approach in fear she'd teleport away if their presence was made known. Tumbleweeds rolled past buildings which had fallen into disrepair. Minutes passed while they made their way further in. Eventually she was spotted in the distance, Glimmer's back turned and wings folded down while she carried a basket filled to overflow with fruits, vegetables, and nuts she'd scavenged the area outside for. She folded back her ears at their arrival, slowly turning around to face them.

“You shouldn't have come here,” said Starlight whose eyes were baggy. “This is my penance.”

“Nonsense.” Trixie strolled up to her. “How can one ever hope to heal without friends?”

“I...don't deserve friends. Sometimes I think I should just end it all...but that would be running away.” She dropped the wicker basket when Trixie embraced her neck, the contents rolling down the dusty streets. “D-don't-”

“Trixie loves you. She'll always love you. No matter how many times you mess up!” Glimmer shook in her warm grasp until she couldn't hold it in anymore, breaking into choking sobs as she buried her face in Trixie's breast. “You're so adorable.”

Beatrix planted hands on her shapely hips. “Why don't you come with us? There's nothing for you here. But thanks to the Smooze we can work a spell that lets us freely travel in and out of the Necronomicon! There's a whole universe inside! One we'd love to have you help us explore!” She nodded back at Lavender and Fuschia who wore pointy hats like them.

“It's the book's fault,” continued Belladonna as she paced around her. “It targeted you. It could've happened to anypony. You simply had the misfortune of being the most suitable host. Come on! It'll be loads of fun! Don't you want that?”

“I...” Glimmer thought it over with a hard swallow. “Why not? You're right. Punishing myself here won't make a difference. But maybe there I can make a difference?” She managed a smile. “Thanks. All of you. You could use another mage, I'm sure.”

Fuschia and Lavender giggled, only to receive a swat on their bottoms from Trixie. With one long, last look at her old town, Starlight followed her companions into a portal opened before them. They walked through and reappeared back in the twisty-turvy maze which seemed to stretch beyond infinity. They could potentially explore it forever. The realms within were twisted into all sorts of bizarre configurations, ones which thousands of supernatural creatures would attempt to hide inside.

With help from the Smooze, Belladonna was able to walk upside-down on an overturned set of stairs, her heels clicking. She spotted a creature he'd told her was a Shoggoth squirming down a staircase. “You ready, Smoozey?”

(Of course,) he answered in her head. (I will follow you anywhere.)

Starlight bowed so that Trixie could ride on her back, and spread her wings. “Let's get to work, girls!” She took flight and sailed as her horn lit with a spell, Fuschia and Lavender hopping in attempt to keep up with them.

Later they would explore even more surreal dreamscapes, like something out of rather abstract paintings, figuring the contents of whatever warlock created this grimoire allowed all his madness to spill freely into its pages. It would often shift to reconfigure itself, like it was a living puzzle to be deconstructed. Within it they didn't need to worry about eating or drinking, but the need to sleep still occasionally came upon them, which usually left Belladonna to watch over them.

They dared not cross back to Equestria often in fear some monster could slip through and wreak havoc. The Necronomicon was housed back in the Crystal Empire's newly built vault, locked under the most powerful magic seals Flurry Heart could craft. No more remnants of the cult had been spotted, but the survivors were on alert, just in case anypony fell to temptation.

Tree Hugger and her surviving animals returned to Canterlot Garden which was more overgrown than ever. Like all the heroes of Shining's force she'd been offered a place in the newly restored Crystal Empire, and while she volunteered to come help out or at least visit on occasion, she preferred to simply retire back to nature. She sat on a broken fountain and listened to the chirp of birds. “Hey there.” She waved a forehoof. “I knew you'd make it, babes. How's life been treating you?”

“Not bad,” said Pinkie Pie who hopped up next to her and scattered a bunch of butterflies. “Oh, sorry about that!”

“It's all good. No harm done.” She looked to Rarity. “What about you? How're you managing?”

“All is well as can be. It is nice to get some fresh air,” said Rarity who still wore the fire ruby. “I'll always miss Spike...both of them. But I've made peace with what I've lost.” She wore a spider-web like black veil in mourning over those lost.

“We've been working our buns off to help Flurry Heart rebuild her country! Thankfully, the dragons and griffins have rushed to help in return for her aid further down the line!” Pinkie wagged her fluffy tail. “Oh, and we discovered a batch of changeling eggs under the ruins of the cult's camp, too! Looks like that's another race that'll survive another generation, at least!”

“They'll thrive. Nature finds a way,” said Hugs. “Drop by any time, okay? Don't be a stranger.”

“We will. Oh, and there is one more thing...” With a trembling hoof Rarity lifted the veil, showing her once scarred face, which had now healed up, and even her lost eye had returned. “Perhaps it was due to the Crystal Heart? A final gift from Sunset Shimmer.” Like the rest of her crystalline body, she sparkled in the sunlight which poured over them.

“Groovy, babe. The diamonds aren't just for your butt now.” She shot her a crooked smile.

Pinkie pulled them into a hug and smiled wide enough to show all her teeth. “Yeah, I didn't think she could get more beautiful!”

“You flatter me. But thank you.” She placed a basket with food she'd brought down. “Picnic, anypony?”

They shared a quiet meal while the sun started to dip, and the stars and moon came out, reminiscing about old times. Knowing that their loved ones peacefully awaited them in the afterlife filled them with comfort. But they all wanted to continue doing their part to rebuild Equestria in their own ways. A civilization on the verge of dying was being reborn by the day.

In order to draw tourists to the developing ruins of the Crystal Empire, Octavia, Vinyl Scratch, and Lyra put on another show. With their new crystal forms they proved more popular than ever. All sorts of creatures came from far-and-wide, tickets selling out almost instantly, as the session wore on well into the night and spilled into the morning. They had trained relentlessly over a short period of time in order to harmonize their varied musical styles, but thankfully Lyra caught on rather quickly.

When the event finally died down, a number of ponies lay passed out in the open, some from having drunken too much. Workers came by to clean up scattered bottles, popcorn, and other trash, as snowflakes drifted from overhead.

In the back of the stage the performers returned to a dressing room. Lyra stretched wide. “I'm pooped! At least we earned a lot of bits for the Empire! I feel a little bad though, after all that's happened ponies are really struggling!”

“The profits will be funneled back into helping the people,” reminded Octavia who toweled her sweaty forehead. “Everypony will win...eventually. Flurry Heart is hoping a number of tourists will wish to stay and become permanent citizens.”

“This is the most bustling civilization left in Equestria,” noted Vinyl who tossed her shades aside and plopped onto a chair. “Only the dragons and griffins somewhat rival us. Oh, and the donkeys have built up quite a place, too! They're real survivors!”

“A new hive has also been formed by the hatched changelings,” said Octavia. “They'll replenish their numbers someday.”

Lyra wagged her tail. “So what now? Do we hit the road and do a tour?”

“Look at you taking charge!” Vinyl elbowed her with a laugh. “Maybe. I'd like to think Flurry Heart has it all under control here, but she's still a little immature, know what I mean? Sure, her heart's in the right place, but I figure we should stick nearby for a while, just in case she needs us. Can't say I agree with her choice for advisors, either.” She shook her head.

Tavi undid her bow tie. “Yes, well, it's a learning experience. We were all there, once. Except we didn't have a whole Empire dependent on us. Poor Flurry barely has a moment's rest. I hope it won't wear her down over time.”

“Nah, she's tougher than she looks. Just like you two softies.” The DJ chortled and pulled them into an embrace.

“Aw...I love you two,” said Lyra who kissed her cheek and then Tavi's.

The musicians shared the same bed, made love, and talked about old times. However their main focus was on the future. Equestria was being rebuilt and they did their own small but notable part to speed its recovery. While there would always be dangers across the land there was little need for something like Shining's force now. It was how he would've wanted it.

From her perch Flurry Heart could overlook the Crystal Empire. Buildings were constantly being constructed below, surrounded by crystal columns. It had taken over a couple years for her homeland to reach its current state and there was always more to be done. She concentrated to finish raising the morning sun, small beads of sweat falling down her brow. She became a hair better at this ritual all the time, and smiled sadly at the brand of Celestia forever burned onto the sun.

Clops echoed when she returned from the balcony to her pristine throne room. Her advisors Diamond Tiara and Blueblood bowed to her. Someponies doubted their worthiness, but they had been nothing but loyal and helpful ever since she'd taken power. She smiled at them with her wings spread. A crystal guard said, “It's time for your appointment, your majesty.”

“Let her in.” The double doors were opened by the stallions and across the carpet trotted Cherry Jubilee. She appeared more radiant than ever, sunlight streaming in from stained glass above that depicted Shining Armor and Cadance, making her gem-like body fill with a rainbow of colors. “Welcome, Miss Jubilee! What may I do for you?” Her guest started to bow but she stopped her with a raised forehoof. “No need for silly formalities here! We're all friends!”

Cherry smiled. “Thank you.” While the Queen's methods were considered quite unorthodox, her cheery, almost casual demeanor had won her quite a bit of support. And whenever somepony needed to put the heels in her advisors were there to pick up the slack. “I would like to request more funding for my operation. A number of former slaves desperately need help.”

“Granted. You can make the budget stretch to accommodate her, can't you, Diamond Tiara?”

“Yeah.... It will be a little dicey but there are still some corners we can cut,” said Tiara who looked through her notes. She lacked Silver Spoon's natural talents in that direction but had incidentally picked up a lot from her. Of course she too was still learning all the time. “Maybe we should hold some of those ancient games the crystal ponies used to play?”

“It would be rather costly,” noted Princess Blueblood who raised a forehoof to her breast. “Yet we would multiply our coffers several fold, at least. Not to mention boost morale. I would strongly consider it, my Queen.”

“Done! Oh, and Cherry Jubilee...” Flurry wrapped her plume about the trio in an almost conspiratorial manner as she drew them all close and whispered, “You shouldn't blame yourself forever. I think it's great you're helping all those lost and broken mares, but do it out of love, not out of guilt.” Gently she wiped a tear from Cherry's cheek who sniffled and nodded.

“We'll take care of things here,” offered Tiara. “Why don't you take a day off? At least until the sun needs to set.”

“Indeed! I want to further show you how capable we truly are!” Blueblood posed in a dramatic fashion and cast back her blonde mane with a swish. “Many ponies may doubt us, but we'll shut them all up eventually!”

“I reckon you deserve it,” said Jubilee. “Few ponies work harder than you!”

Flurry Heart tittered. “It would appear I'm outnumbered! Well then, take care of yourselves.” She cast open the curtains to her balcony, strolled to the edge, and with a cheerful cry took flight. The wind whipped by as she sailed over her homeland. She loved it dearly, but it was also her responsibility, which meant she could rarely be as carefree as she'd like.

Snow trailed past her. A smile split her face. The Crystal Heart now swelled in her bosom, now an heirloom she hoped to one day pass to her son or daughter, once she settled down. But she tried not to think that far ahead. One step at a time! She recalled all her companions on the journey, aware they would always be watching over her from above.

She was tempted to sneak away, and join Beatrix Belladonna on one of her little adventures inside the Necronomicon, but thought better of it. Best to leave it alone, she supposed, no matter how much she missed their foalhood mischief. The burden of leadership could be rather lonesome at times, but Diamond Tiara and Princess Blueblood at least helped with that!

She explored all of the city she could in the short hours allotted to her. Then she returned home, lowered the sun, and raised the moon. The symbol of Luna starkly visible on its pale surface when she closed out yet another peaceful day.

Author's Notes:

Another tale finished! Wow, never expected it to go on even longer than its prequel, but I hope you enjoyed it, and that it came to a satisfactory conclusion! Thank you to everyone who read it this far/liked/commented/etc.!