The Beginning of the End: Part 2

The Beginning of the End: Part 2
Generation 4 | Season 9 | Episode 2
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Original Airdate	April 6, 2019
Writer(s)	Joanna Lewis
	Kristine Songco
Director(s)	Denny Lu
	Mike Myhre
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The Beginning of the End: Part 1	Uprooted

The Beginning of the End: Part 2 is the second episode of season 9 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

Synopsis

As Twilight and the rest of the Mane Six struggle to come to terms with the destruction of the Tree and Elements of Harmony, King Sombra sets his sights on conquering all of Equestria.

Plot

King Sombra is gloating at Twilight and her friends over the destruction of the Tree of Harmony. Twilight dejectedly attempts to piece the elements back together as her friends attempt to use strength to win. Sombra retaliates by encasing them in black crystals, which Twilight cannot penetrate with her magic. He then sets about overtaking Ponyville first, and then all of Equestria. He is going to demonstrate how easy it would be to control the ponies now that the elements are shattered, but he decides it isn't worth it and the ponies can't escape their crystalline prison. The ponies are all incredibly dejected, even Pinkie Pie can't find a joke to crack. They look over confused to see Twilight trying to dig out, despite her not having a plan. The ponies all gradually pitch in, and they dig their way out and head into town.

They arrive in town to see that their loved ones are hyponotized and are heading to Canterlot to take over the city. As they mourn not being able to free their friends and family, Pinkie Pie notices that the Everfree Forest is growing out of control now that the Tree is no longer keeping it under control, so they all grab some tools and start protecting their home.

In Canterlot, the army of Ponyville ponies and Sombra have arrived. Once he reaches the now empty throne room, he believes the Princesses have fled and that he has succeeded.

Meanwhile, Twilight and crew have been at it for hours trying to prevent the Forest from overgrowing. They are growing frustrated as their efforts prove less and less fruitful, until they see Celestia and Luna arrive to assist in preventing the growth. Starswirl the Bearded appears and says that he felt the Tree breaking, and says that he can help contain the forest while Twilight goes to defeat Sombra.

Twilight transports her friends outside of Canterlot castle and are faced with a hyponotised army of everyone they know. They are hesitant to hurt their friends, but begin to defend themselves until they are overwhelmed by the sheer number of ponies. Twilight transports them into the castle despite their want to de-trance their friends. Discord comes in and Twilight convinces him to pitch in just as they are about to be overtaken by guards. While he helps, he insists that he was fully believing in Twilight defeating Sombra on her own.

They storm into the throne room and Discord defends them easily from Sombra's blasts as he continues to insist that Twilight could have done this on her own. He is hit by a blast directed at Fluttershy and falls to the ground. The ponies cry over him and he reveals that he no longer can use his magic. He gives a speech about how the power to defeat Sombra is within each of the ponies, and this inspires Twilight to push forward. Once they have approached Sombra, they take each others hooves and channel the elements within them to destroy Sombra once again and restore everything back to its rightful condition.

Later, in Canterlot castle, the ponies are nursing Discord back to health. As Twilight confesses that she should have asked for help earlier, Celestia reassures her that she is fully able to lead, but that Celestia and Luna are no longer retiring. Discord, enraged, reveals that he feigned being hurt to inspire Twilight and give her confidence. Celestia assures him that Twilight will be ruler of Equestria at some point, but not now. Luna confesses that it was fun getting to help fight for once. Twilight states that she feels more confident in her abilities, and that she will rely on her friends when she becomes ruler.

Back in Grogar's cavern, Cozy Glow is attempting to make Tirek and Chrysalis friends, but Chrysalis becomes upset when she is told to say something nice about ponies. Grogar comes in and informs them of Sombra's defeat, and uses it as a warning to those who do not wish to work with him. Grogar laughs as the rest of the villains agree to work with him into the credits.

Trivia

• This marks the destruction of the Tree of Harmony as well as the Elements of Harmony
• This is the third instance of Twilight Sparkle's hair flowing like the Princesses, when she was channeling the elements within her and her friends.