History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS9E1TheBeginningOfTheEndPart1

* CurbStompBattle: Sombra is easily vanquished using the Elements of Harmony, with Pinkie Pie and Applejack even noting how easiy it was to defeat him. However, this turns out to have been a ruse on Sombra's part in order to trick the Mane Six into revealing the location of the Tree of Harmony.

* TheBadGuyWins: King Sombra destroyed The Tree of Harmony, which also had the Elements Of Harmony on it, meaning they were destroyed in the process as well.

* TheBadGuyWins: King Sombra destroyed The Tree of Harmony, which also had the Elements Of Harmony on it, meaning they were destroyed in the process as well.

* TheBadGuyWins: King Sombra destroyed The Tree of Harmony, which also had the Elements Of Harmony on it, meaning they were destroyed in the process as well.

* HypnotizeTheCaptive: Sombra briefly entrances Twilight but she finds the courage to break out of it.

* MythologyGag: Grogar is a villain from the original G1 television series, and similarly there, he is a blue ram/goat-like creature with large spiraling horns. He hasn't been seen since his 1987 defeat at Megan William's hands in ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyAndFriends Ponyland's Dream Valley]]''. This Grogar mentions how some thought his power was in the bells he wore around his neck, which directly references how G1's Grogar was able to use magic. It is interesting to note that while G4 Grogar is a necromancer, G1 Grogar was only rumored to have been so.

* YourWorstNightmare: During the fight at the Crystal Empire, King Sombra uses a spell that forces the Mane Six to see their worst fears. We only see Twilight's worst fear, where all of her friends and family are under Sombra's control and then Celestia and Luna appear to tell Twilight that they are disappointed in her right before transforming into their evil alter-egos, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon.

* AdultFear: When King Sombra invades the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor and Cadance discover that neither of them have Flurry Heart. They quickly run to their daughters' bedroom, only to see her in King Sombra's grasp. King Sombra [[IHaveYourWife exploits this]] to force the royal couple into surrendering without a fight.

-->'''Discord:''' I dont't need to be here for this.

* HypnotizeThePrincess: Sombra briefly entrances Twilight but she finds the courage to break out of it.

* RealityEnsues: As vile as Cozy Glow is, she's still just a filly. She is clearly intimidated by Chrysalis, and even more so when Grogar makes his presence known.

* InformedAttribute: Princess Luna claims "Equestria is currently enjoying its longest period of harmony in recent years." This presumably refers to the events of the series, which has seen Equestria endangered, often by evils last seen over 1000 years ago, an average of at twice a season, more counting the ExpandedUniverse. One must question how Equestria is still standing, much less well off, if ''[[TheWorldIsAlwaysDoomed this]]'' is considered peaceful.

** Grogar being the only villain present to understand the value of teamwork and the power of friendship, we'll find out why in the last few episodes.

* GlowingEyes: Twilight and her friends get these when the Elements free them from Sombra’s MindControl.

* XanatosGambit: Grogar lets Sombra leave because he'll benefit no matter what happens. Sombra succeeds in his solo effort? ”Grogar” can simply dispose of Sombra. Sombra loses? He has to submit to Grogar's command. Sombra gets himself killed again? Grogar has the perfect example for why the remaining villains had better do as he says.

* XanatosGambit: Grogar lets Sombra leave because he'll benefit no matter what happens. Sombra succeeds in his solo effort? Grogar's real targets suffer a nasty blow, while someone substantially less powerful than him can be dealt with later. Sombra loses? He has to submit to Grogar's command. Sombra gets himself killed again? Grogar has the perfect example for why the remaining villains had better do as he says.

->''Long live the king.''
-->--'''King Sombra'''

--->'''Discord:''' I dont't need to be here for this.

** Upper Crust is seen in the beginning of the episode when the Mane Six and Spike run past her.

* InformedAttribute: Princess Luna claims "Equestria is currently enjoying its longest period of harmony in recent years." This presumably refers to the events of the series, which has seen Equestria endangered, often by evils last seen over 1000 years ago, an average of at twice a season, more counting the ExpandedUniverse. One must question how Equestria is still standing, much less well off, if ''[[TheWorldIsAwaysDoomed this]]'' is considered peaceful.

* VisualPun: Rarity saying it was a cakewalk spurs Pinkie Pie into doing a moonwalk with cakes on her hind hooves.

* InformedAttribute: Princess Luna claims "Equestria is currently enjoying its longest period of harmony in recent years." This presumably refers to the events of the series, which has seen Equestria endangered, often by evils last seen over 1000 years ago, an average of at twice a season, more counting the ExpandedUniverse. One must question how Equestria is still standing, much less well off, if this is considered peaceful.