“Happy Birthday, Violet Rose!”
That night, everypony and every creature in Ponyville, even Celestia and Luna, were having the time of their life at Violet’s Congratulations on Saving Equestria Party/20th Birthday Extravaganza. The town was decorated in all shades of purple (Violet’s favorite color), there were all of Violet’s favorite sweets, there were presents of all shapes and sizes, and even the Applewood Vampires were playing a concert just for her.
“And now, to celebrate the fact that we're all still here in one piece, let’s give it up for the birthday filly herself, Violet Rose, and her friends!” Guitar Shred announced through the microphone.
Everypony cheered for Violet, who was standing with her grandparents; she blushed before she was ushered on stage to make a speech. She stood at the microphone and cleared her throat.
“Hello, everypony.” She began. “You know, a little while ago, I left my grandparents’ house in Seaward Shoals to find a place of my own. I wandered Equestria for a long time, then I found this place. I thought it was just like any other town I visited… boy was I wrong. I ran into the Princess of Friendship herself, and I was pretty flustered. I met her again, about three days ago. She wanted me to socialize and make friends, which is something I really didn’t care about. But now, I can honestly say… ‘I wouldn’t be standing her if it weren’t for the ponies and creatures who tried their hardest to protect me, even if I didn’t appreciate it at the time.’ You know, I’m still blown away by everything that just happened; I met a princess, I sailed on an airship, I left Equestria, I was kidnapped by pirates, I found out I possessed a magic nopony here has ever heard of, I defeated a bad guy, I nearly died, and… I found my parents. And none of that would’ve been possible without the support of my family… and my new friends. Tonight, I pretty much consider myself the luckiest pony in all of Equestria. Thank you, friends. Thank you, family. Thank you, everypony!”
Everypony cheered; Violet smiled and trotted off the stage, back to her friends and grandparents.
“Oh, Violet! I am so proud of you, sweetheart!” Grandpa exclaimed as tears fell from his eyes.
“Are you crying again, Grandpa?” Violet asked jokingly.
“Of course not! It's liquid pride. Totally different thing.” The old stallion replied with a laugh.
“You know, for a pony who never studied magic before… you did really well.” Starlight commented.
“Indeed.” Princess Celestia’s voice said as she and Princess Luna stepped forward. “I'm glad to see you've reached your full magical potential, Violet Rose.”
“You truly do have a special gift.” Princess Luna added.
“Thank you, Princesses.” Violet said, bowing her head.
In the corner of her eye, Violet noticed Jackpot Spade sitting near the entrance of the Everfree Forest and looking up at the sky. She galloped up to him, wondering what was wrong.
“Everything okay?” She asked.
“I’m fine, just getting some air.” Spade replied, patting a spot of grass with his hoof; Violet promptly sat down next to him. He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
Violet giggled. “You apologized to me and practically everypony else like a hundred times already. We all forgive you; even the Princesses have pardoned you.”
“I know, I know… but still.” Spade went on. “It happened. I allowed myself to be led astray; Torment twisted me and corrupted me… because I let him. I thought he could return to me what I lost, but he took everything away from me. I was just a pawn in his demented game, I am so ashamed.”
“Don’t be.” Violet put a comforting hoof on the Pegasus’s shoulder. “We all make mistakes and have moments of weakness; you and I are no different. I spent pretty much all of my time alone; now Princess Twilight has offered me a place at her School of Friendship, where I could learn all about the subject. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, and I know I'll probably make a bunch more. But I learn from them. I think that's what growing up is. Have you learned from your experiences?”
“…I have. And you know something, love? That’s still one thing that never changes around here. The party… I was never into these sorts of gatherings.”
“I understand. I was never one for parties either, but Princess Twilight and her friends are helping me come out of my shell and be more social. After all, this party is in my honor.”
“You did say it was your birthday.”
They laughed until a third voice chimed in.
“Mind if I join you?” Snow Diamond asked; she was holding three plates each with a piece of cake on it.
“Not at all.” Spade said as his wife sat down next to him.
“So what are you two talking about?” Snow asked, offering her husband and daughter a slice of cake.
“Nothing much.” Violet said as she took a bite of cake.
“…I need to make amends.” Spade suddenly said.
“What do you mean, Jack?” Snow asked.
“I need to travel Equestria and apologize to everypony I have wronged. It’s the least I can do; I owe them that.”
Violet paused before saying, “It’s your choice… but I was sort of hoping you’d stay. As the Princess of Friendship told me, more friends are definitely merrier. And besides… I don’t want to lose you again, dad.”
Violet wrapped her arms around Spade in a hug; he quickly hugged her back.
“I don’t want to lose you either, love. I don’t want to lose either of you, never again.” Spade said before Snow Diamond joined in on the hug.
“That’s never going to happen.” Snow Diamond said; the hug broke. “You know, Violet? I always knew you were destined for great things, especially with the Blue Flower.”
“But… but I still have to learn how to control it.” Violet said, looking at her horn solemnly. “It’s still really unpredictable and pretty much anything can happen.”
“You know, your horn is very powerful… just like the pony it belongs to.” Spade said, giving his daughter a kiss on the forehead. “So I know for a fact that if you believe, you can control the Blue Flower.”
“Thanks, dad.” Violet said.
“And… have you always wanted to show Equestria what you can really do?”
“Not really.”
“Well, if you do… I think now would be a good time.”
Violet slowly stood up and looked at the sky, then back at her parents who nodded their heads at her. She smiled, closed her eyes, turned her head back to the sky, and ignited her magic. Magical fireworks of all colors graced the night sky, lighting up the faces of every pony and every creature down below. Spade and Snow went up to their daughter and affectionately nuzzled her.
“That’s my girl.” Spade commented.
“Nice touch, Violet!” Pinkie Pie said.
“Thanks, Pinkie. Tempest taught me that one.” Violet replied as she and her family went back to the party.
Sea Sponge and Star Fish were running around on stage and acting silly for the audience.
“Look, I’m Peggy the Pirate!” Sea Sponge said as he tried to walk on nothing but peg legs; he ended up falling flat on his face.
“I’m Blindbeard the Pirate!” Star Fish joked with eye patches over both of his eyes; he quickly lost his balance and fell right on top of Sea Sponge.
Everypony laughed at the two stallions got up took a bow. Guitar Shred ushered the ponies off the stage and said into the microphone,
“Thanks for the comedy act, fellows. Now for one extra treat tonight. We're going to hear a song from a good friend of mine. Mares and gentlecolts, let’s give it up foe Captain Jackpot Spade!”
“ME?!” Spade cried out in shock.
“Yeah, come on Captain!” Typhon said.
“We wanna hear you!” Echidna added.
“Play for us, Captain!” Gallus chimed in.
“Yaks wanna hear pirate pony!” Yona grinned.
“Come on, Captain Spade! Captain Spade!” Babél started as she gestured everypony to follow.
“Captain Spade! Captain Spade! Captain Spade!” Everypony chanted.
Spade was very shy, but Snow Diamond used her magic and teleported her husband onto the stage in front of everypony. The Pegasus looked out towards the enormous audience and felt his knees buckling beneath him; he had never sung in front of a crowd this big before and he had n idea what to do. Then he noticed his wife and daughter standing in the front row, giving him assuring smiles. Spade reluctantly grabbed a guitar and started to play. Everypony watched in awe; they had no idea he could play guitar. The Vampires followed suit and reluctantly, the Pegasus began to sing.
“I, I wish you could swim” He sang.
“Like the dolphins
Like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes just for one day”
The audience watched Spade in awe and they started to cheer louder for him.
“I, I will be King” He went on.
“And you, you will be Queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes just for one day
We can be us just for one day”
Snow and Violet looked at each other before they were levitated on to the stage by Princess Twilight, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight Glimmer. A wide grin spread across Spade’s face as he continued singing. Soon he was lost in a world of his own where nothing but he, Snow Diamond, and Violet Rose existed.
“I, I can remember”
The two unicorns sang backup with the Vampires, “I remember”
“Standing by the wall”
“By the wall”
“And the spells, shot above our heads”
“Over our heads”
“And we kissed, as though nothing could fall”
“Nothing could fall”
“And the shame, was on the other side
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes just for one day”
“We can be heroes” Spade and Snow sang.
Spade then pulled Violet over to the microphone
“We can be heroes” The three of them sang.
“We can be heroes
We can be heroes”
“Just for one day” Spade finished.
“Thank you, Ponyville!” The Applewood Vampires screamed.
Everypony in the audience roared and cheered for her, Spade, Snow, and the Vampires. The young mare grinned as balloons and confetti of all colors of the rainbow showered down on her and her parents from the sky. She hugged her parents tight and they showered her with kisses; this was no dream. This was truly the best night of Violet’s life. Who could ever ask for more?