Once they got back inside, Eric grabbed the staff, pointed it at the princesses and reversed their petrification. Princess Cadance shook the obsidian debris off her mane, Princess Luna and Lord Emerald gasped as they saw themselves released, and Princess Celestia unfolded her wings gasping in shock, and then she smiled warmly at her pupils, “Twilight! Storm!”

“Princesses! Oh!” Twilight replied, then came over to the three alicorns for a hug. The other Mane 6 did as well and Eric hugged Cadance, as she wrapped her foreleg and wing around them. Eric then held the staff with two hands and then they all joined him for another group hug. Soon, the staff restored all of Canterlot to normal, returning the color and happiness everywhere. Afterwards, Eric smashed the staff against the floor, destroying it.

“Princess Celestia? There’s somepony who wants to talk to you, and make amends,” Eric said, pointing at Tempest Shadow.

“Princess Celestia... I’ve now come to you humbly asking for forgiveness and that whatever punishment you have for me I shall accept,” she said, kneeling towards the sun princess.

“Tempest Shadow... you may have doomed Equestria, but after seeing what Twilight has done for you, and the bravery you and Prince Eric have shown... you are hereby pardoned of any and all of your crimes,” Princess Celestia replied.

“Now it looks like we have a festival to begin,” Princess Luna said.

“Sure looks like it,” Princess Cadance added.

Later on, Twilight decided to make an announcement, “Ponies of Equestria... thank you for coming and I’d like to welcome you all to the Canterlot’s annual Friendship Festival!” The ponies cheered for her motivational speech, then Twilight continued. “Now, let’s celebrate with a little features!”

The princesses came over for their announcement as well. Princess Celestia came first, “I’d like to thank Twilight for planning this joyous occasional celebration, and we’d like to thank her for offering us our help, and it’s important to ask before things happen, and to find ways to help somepony in need, even if you don’t trust them.” Princess Cadance then made her announcement, “And now, to celebrate the fact that we're all still here in one piece, give it up for Princess Twilight and her friends!” The ponies cheered for the group of heroes.

“Let’s get this party started!” Pinkie Pie said, shooting confetti, balloons, and streamers from her party cannons. They all enjoyed the party.

Rainbow Dash and Captain Celaeno made a bro-hoof. Rarity finished up a top hat and cape for Capper.

“Ooh!” he said, as Rarity was almost done with the stitching.

“And perfection!” she said.

“I think I like it!” Capper replied.

Eric was soon reunited with his little brother as Starlight and Trixie gave Midnight to him and his parents.

“I really missed you, Midnight,” Eric said. Midnight just hugged his brother’s face.

Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash were enjoying the festival with their boyfriends, Smokey, Spiracle, and Soarin. Rarity, Starlight, and Trixie also enjoyed the festival with Spike, Sunburst, Forest, and Jasper. Eric was mingling with Spiracle, Soarin, and Forest, telling them about his adventure. They were amazed to hear it, as the changelings and dragons also enjoyed the festival.

It wasn’t long before the airship coming from Klugetown docked at Canterlot. Everyone onboard disembarked and went to the festival. It wasn’t long before Applejack’s eyes widened at the sight of two familiar ponies she never thought she’d see again.

“Ma! Pa! You’re alright!” Applejack said as she hugged her parents.

“Good to see you, Applejack,” Pear Butter replied as the three of them shed tears of joy.

“You’re all grown up,” Bright Mac said then asked, “By the way, is Big Mac here?”

“He is, so’s Sugar Belle, Granny Smith, and Grand Pear,” Applejack replied.

She then led her parents to where Big Mac, Sugar Belle, Granny Smith, and Grand Pear were.

“Ma? Pa? Is it really you?” Big Mac asked.

“Yes, son,” Bright Mac replied.

“Good to see you, ma and pa,” Big Mac said as he hugged them. The three of them shed tears of joy, along with Granny Smith and Grand Pear.

“Pear Butter? Is it really you or am I seeing things?” Grand Pear asked.

“Yes, pa. It’s really me,” Pear Butter replied.

“I’m so sorry for abandoning you all those years ago. I never should’ve left and let some feud get in the way of my family. I’ve come to regret it all in the years since I left for Vanhoover. I also apologize to you too, Bright Mac for how I acted towards you all those years ago,” Grand Pear said, “Can you both forgive me?”

“I forgive you, pa,” Pear Butter replied as she hugged her dad.

“I forgive you too, Grand Pear,” Bright Mac added as he hugged his father-in-law.

“Bright Mac! Buttercup! I thought y’all were gone for good!” Granny Smith said as she hugged her son and daughter-in-law.

“Hi, ma,” Bright Mac replied.

“We were held captive by the crime lord Verko, he kept us as slaves for all these years. But we’re safe now, thanks to Apple Bloom, Eric Sparkle, and their friends,” Pear Butter added.

“Thank you, Eric and Apple Bloom for bringing our parents back safely,” Applejack said.

“No problem, Applejack,” Eric replied.

Apple Bloom, Eric, and their friends told Pear Butter and Bright Mac all about their adventures and everything else they’ve been through. They were amazed and also concerned to hear about everything that happened since they’ve been gone. Bright Mac and Pear Butter also got to meet Sugar Belle as she told them how she and Big Mac met.

“Way to go, son,” Bright Mac said.

Starlight was also reunited with her long lost mom as she told her everything that she’s been through. Aurora was sad to hear that she went down the dark path a while back, but glad she found her way back to the light.

“I’ve really missed you, mom. Dad will be overjoyed to see you again after so many years,” Starlight said.

“It’ll be good to finally go home once this festival is over,” Aurora replied.

“Well, that's one thing that never changes around here. The party,” Tempest said. She was surprised about how well the festival was set up.

“Well, I hope you'll stay. More friends are definitely merrier,” Twilight replied, as Eric nodded in agreement, as he sat on Starlight’s back eating an apple fritter, two pink and white frosted chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles, some freshly peeled baby carrots and freshly cut apple slices, and a mug of apple cider from Applejack.

“If you want too, that is,” Starlight said.

“Yeah, totally,” Trixie added.

“But, um... my horn,” Tempest replied, with a sigh.

“You know, your horn is pretty powerful, just like the pony it belongs to,” Twilight said.

“But the thing is, it doesn’t matter what it looks like on the outside, but on inside that counts,” Eric added, “If you still want your horn restored, maybe you could ask Discord and he’ll do it.”

“Eric has a point,” Starlight said.

“I did tell you I wanted to show everypony in Equestria what I could do, right? Well, what do you think of this?” Tempest replied.

She then charged up her horn and made some fireworks for the festival. Twilight and Storm shared a kiss under the fireworks, as did Eric and Sweetie Belle.

“Nice touch, Tempest!” Pinkie said.

“Actually, that's not my real name,” Tempest replied.

“Oooh! What is it?!” Pinkie asked excitedly. Tempest then whispered into Pinkie’s ear quietly, “It's "Fizzlepop Berrytwist".”

“Okay! That is the most awesome name ever!“ Pinkie said with a gasp.

“Hey! That’s my mojo!” Rainbow replied.

The Mane 7, Starlight, Trixie, Sunburst, Tempest, Princess Skystar, Spike and Eric laughed together, until Queen Novo appeared, along with other hippogriffs beside her.

“Mom!” Princess Skystar exclaimed with gasp and ran up to her.

She then hugged her mother as Queen Novo hugged her daughter back. “I am so proud of you, honey. Your father would’ve been proud too,” Queen Novo said, as she laughed.

“Well, it was actually the ponies, and this little one right here,” Princess Skystar said, mentioning Eric next to her. Queen Novo lowered herself down to his level with a warm motherly smile on her beak.

“Eric Sparkle, I can’t thank you or your family enough for saving us from The Storm King. You are a hero to us.” Queen Novo gave Eric a kiss on his cheek before pulling him into a warm hug.

Eric just smiled and rested his head on her chest while hearing her heartbeat, until she lowered her head onto his shoulder. Soon enough, Eric rejoined his friends and family.

“You see, Mom? One small thing can make a difference, but it was the magic of friendship that saved us all,” Princess Skystar said.

Queen Novo nodded, until she saw Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance walk over. “You must be Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Lord Emerald,” Queen Novo said.

“You are Queen Novo of the hippogriffs?” Princess Celestia asked as she nodded.

“Yes, I am,” Queen Novo said.

“I’m Thorax, king of the changelings,” Thorax greeted Novo.

“And I’m Ember, lord of the dragons,” Ember introduced herself.

“Good to meet you both,” Queen Novo replied.

Spike cleared his throat as he had a microphone in his hand, “Fillies and gentlecolts, get ready for a little...” A trumpet fanfare was played, and then a drumroll. “Songbird Serenade!” The crowd cheered as she walked up to sing her song.

“Hey, Twilight, Storm? Why don’t you tell us about your big adventure?” Cadance asked.

Twilight and Storm then told them everything while Eric enjoyed Songbird Serenade’s song. A colt named Tender Taps was swooned by her performance.

Author's Note

Eric Sparkle will return.