After the intense confrontation against Callidus had finally come to an end, Twilight and the rest of her friends stayed in Klugetown for a few more days, helping the citizens to rebuild the town after all the damaged that had been caused. The rest of their time was spend befriending and getting along with the creatures that lived there. During their stay, Twilight, Celestia and Luna had also helped Capper with his new role as the leader of Klugetown, teaching the charismatic cat everything they knew. The process took some trail and error, but luckily Capper was getting the hang of it a lot faster than the princesses had anticipated. While that was happening, Tempest, Grubber and the storm guards slowly became accepted again by everyone in Klugetown. Their past actions slowly became forgotten. Tempest also suggested that Grubber and the Storm guards should stay in Klugetown as their new protectors. Much to their relief, everyone in Klugetown happily accepted the offer, knowing that it was the storm guards who helped them save Klugetown from Callidus.
''You really mean it?!'' Grubber asked Tempest with a look of amazement.
Tempest nodded to the little hedgehog, ''It's thanks to you that we're all still alive, I think that's enough proof to show that you are ready to protect this town.''
A gitty smile appeared on Grubber's face. He jumped high up in the air multiple times, shouting happily before he started singing to himself.
🎶''Aw yeah! You go, Grubber! You rock, and you're awesome! Uh huh, oh yeah! You rule!''🎶
Tempest playfully rolled her eyes at Grubber's excitement.
Soon it was finally for Twilight and the her friends time to go home again. Tempest decided to stay in Klugetown for a little longer, letting Twilight and her friends know that she'll meet them again at Mount Aris for the Hippogriff Celebration tomorrow. Captain Celaeno and the other pirates said their goodbyes to everyone and left Klugetown to continue on with their adventures. They took off with a new airship given to them by Capper. After they had left, Celestia, Luna, Twilight and the rest of her friends began to make their long journey back home. Capper and the rest of Klugetown waved them goodbye, knowing that their actions for Klugetown won't be forgotten for years to come.
The sun rose slowly after a long flight above Equestria and beyond. The light from the sun revealed a tall, pointy mountain in the distance with a long flight of stairs going from the bottom to the top. At last, they had arrived at Mount Aris. Celestia, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Luna flew towards the mountain while the rest traveled via multiple golden carriages, all of which were being pulled by royal pegasus guards. Tempest and Grubber traveled with them on their own small air boat that they had borrowed from Klugetown.
''Finally,'' Grubber said before munching on his cupcake, ''If it weren't for these delicious cupcakes, this flight would've bored me to tears.''
''I know how you feel, Groper.'' Rainbow Dash replied.
''Grubber!'' Grubber said back in an irritated manner, ''My name is GRUBBER, rainbow pony!''
''Alright alright, chillax.'' Rainbow Dash said.
''Don't worry, Grubber,'' Applejack said, ''Rainbow Dash has a knack for mispronouncing names the first time she meets anypony.''
''I do not!'' Rainbow Dash replied, sounding annoyed.
''Oh, really?'' Rarity said, ''Did you forget that one time when you called me Rawrity?''
''Or when you used to call me Fluttershee....'' Fluttershy said before letting out a soft giggle.
''That one was from when we were just fillies!'' Rainbow Dash replied in a bashful manner.
''....Um, not that I minded it.'' Fluttershy said with a little blush.
Rainbow Dash sighed and rolled her eyes, ''Alright, maybe I have done it a few times.''
The three alicorns were the first to land on Mount Aris. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and the golden carriages followed soon after and landed on the mountain in front of the gate. Tempest parked the air boat closed to the stone stairs of the mountain and stepped out along with Grubber.
''How wonderful it is to finally see all of those beautifully stunning hippogriff decorations.'' Rarity said, admiring the multiple ribbons and streamers that covered the bars of the tall gate.
''I'm just happy I'm finally able to come back here again without the fate of the world being at stake.'' Tempest commented.
They were soon greeted by a group of hippogriff guards, who had been waiting for them in front of the tall gate. One of them had light blue feathers and was wearing familair looking golden armor.
''Welcome to Mount Aris, your highnesses.'' Sky Beak said while bowing to the three alicorns, ''The celebration is about to commence. Me and the other guards will lead you and your friends inside.''
The other hippogriff guards grabbed hold of the bars from each side of the gate and started pushing. Twilight and the others followed Sky Beak into the kingdom once the gap of the gate was wide enough for everyone to enter.
For the first time ever, everyone got a good look at the decorations for the Hippogriff Hreedom Celebration. It was unlike anything that they had ever seen. Long lines of pretty paper lanterns on strings hung above them, each of which were glowing in a different color. Party strings and seashells covered almost every home they walked past.
Pinkie Pie let out a little whistle, ''These hippogriffs sure have good taste when it comes to party decorations.''
''And it seems somegriff must've taken some inspiration from you, Pinkie.'' Twilight said while looking at a couple of balloons with strings tied to some of the newly grown trees.
Applejack laughed, ''Ah think I can already guess who.'' She said while looking at Skystar's seashell necklace around Pinkie's neck.
Tempest and Grubber looked around at many of the hippogriffs, expecting to get suspicious looks from most of them. Some did eventually take notice of the two. However, none of the hippogriffes seemed to look shocked or even surprised at their arrival. In fact, most of them greeted the little hedgehog and purple unicorn with warm smiles.
After many minutes of taking in the sights of the celebration, Twilight and her friends saw Queen Novo herself stepping out of a house. A big smile appeared on the tall hippogriff's face the moment she layed eyes on the ponies. As Queen Novo walked over to them, Twilight was the first to notice that a certain small golden crown was missing from her head.
''Queen Novo,'' Twilight said as her eyebrow raised up, ''Where's your....''
Queen Novo giggled before Twilight finished her sentence, ''You can just call me Novo from now on.''
''So wait. Does that mean....'' Rarity said, to which Novo simply nodded with a little smile.
''She should be here very soon,'' Novo reassured her, ''Now, follow me.''
Novo led Twilight and her friends to a large group of hippogriffs. They had all gathered together in front of a rock shaped like a tree trunk that stood close to the cave of the mountain. From the looks on their faces, they seemed to be eagerly waiting for someone to come out. Novo, Twilight and her friends walked through the crowd of hippogriffs until they stood in the front row. After a minute of waiting, a group of hippogriff guards came out of the cave and formed lines on each side. They played on their trumpets as a small hippogriff wearing Novo's crown walked out of the cave. Twilight Sparkle and her friends recognized the small hippogriff almost immediately. The sound of the trumpets stopped as soon as Skystar stepped onto the rock, making her visible to everyone in the crowd.
''Welcome, everyone,'' Skystar said, trying to talk in a regal sounding voice, ''To the Hippogriff Freedom Celebration!''
Everygriff started cheering in unison. Pinkie suddenly pulled a party cannon from her mane out of excitement. Before Twilight could stop her, the pink party pony fired tons of confetti out of the cannon and into the air. Twilight looked back at Novo, expecting an unpleasant reaction from the tall hippogriff after the confetti fell all over her body. But instead, an infectious laughter came out of the tall hippogriff's mouth, one that Twilight didn't even know she could pull off. Skystar smiled as she saw the excitement unfold right in front of her. It almost brought a tear to her eye.
''And I would like to dedicate this day not just to our new-found freedom,'' Skystar continued, ''But also to a group of very special friends. Had it not been for them, we would still be hiding under water from the Storm King's evil reign. They're kindness, bravery and courage shall forever be remembered here on Mount Aris. Sky Beak, unveil the banner!''
Sky Beak saluted his new queen and flew up to the banner that hung above Skystar. He used his spear to cut the small ribbon that was keeping the banner folded up in half. The banner unveiled and revealed the faces of Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Grubber, Tempest and the rest of their friends painted on it. There was a text under the banner that said: 'To our new friends and heroes of Mount Aris!'.
''Let's give Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her amazing friends the most fun and amazing celebration anygriff has ever seen!'' Skystar said out loud.
Even louder cheering than before erupted throughout the mountain. Other hippogriffs showed up out of the cave, all of whom were carrying saxophones with them. Together they started to play a jazzy tune, which was followed by even more hippogriffs appearing out of the cave. They wore festive looking outfits and started dancing to the music. The other hippogriffs in the crowd immediately joined it.
As the hippogriffs were dancing, Skystar stepped off the rock and headed over to Twilight and her friends.
''You were right, Twilight,'' Skystar said to the purple alicorn with a smile, ''So far, being a princess isn't nearly as hard once you give it a chance. I have a feeling everything's gonna be just fine.''
''From what I just saw, I know it will.'' Twilight replied with a small wink.
''That's the spirit!'' Pinkie Pie said to Skystar before firing more confetti from her party cannon.
''Alright, everypony and hippogriff!'' Rainbow Dash said out loud to get the attention of the other hippogriffs, ''Who's ready to get their party on?!''
''I certainly am!'' Pinkie Pie shouted as she magically pulled a whole bunch of music equipment out of her mane.
Every hipprogriff stared at Pinkie Pie with widened eyes.
''What?'' Pinkie Pie replied with a surprised look.
''It's alright, y'all! We don't know how she does it either!'' Applejack said to the confused looking hippogriffs. They shrugged it off and continued dancing.
Novo looked at the party going on in front of her. A little smile formed on her beak while a small tear rolled down her cheek. Her head turned over to Skystar.
''I knew you had it in you, sweetheart.'' Novo said to herself as a second tear rolled down the other cheek.
Skystar couldn't help but smile as she watched everyone having a good time. It was the best day of her life. Despite all the doubts she remembered having before, everything turned out better than she could've ever imagined. This was a celebration she would never forget for the rest of her life.
The party lasted all day before it finally ended. The sun was almost down, which was a sign for Twilight and her friends that it was time to go home. Together they all walked out of the Hippogriff Kingdom and to the edge of the mountain, where the royal guards were waiting for them. All of them were ready to pull the golden carriages into the sky.
''That was....The Best. Party. EVER!!'' Pinkie said out loud.
''Honestly, Pinkie Pie. You've said that about EVERY single party you've ever been to.'' Rarity commented.
''Did ya forget who you're talking to, Rarity?'' Applejack asked with a playful smirk.
Rarity rolled her eyes, ''Point taken.''
Rarity and Applejack both laughed at each other along with their friends. Spike and every pony without wings stepped onto one of the golden carriages. Twilight looked over to Tempest and Grubber, both of whom were staring at the sunset.
''What are you two going to do now, Tempest?'' Twilight asked as she approached her and Grubber.
''Traveling around Equestria, I suppose.'' Tempest answered while still looking at the sunset disappearing more and more behind a mountain.
''Why not just come back to Canterlot?'' Twilight asked, ''I'm sure we can find a place for you there.''
''I don't know....'' Tempest replied, ''I think I need to be away from that place for a few days after everything I've been through there.''
''Is that why you wanted to stay in Klugetown yesterday?'' Twilight asked.
Tempest nodded, ''But don't worry. I'll come back once I feel ready. That's a promise.''
''A Pinkie Promise?!'' Pinkie asked Tempest, who had suddenly appeared right next to her.
Tempest raised her eyebrow at the pink pony, ''Um, sure.''
''Okidoki Loki!'' Pinkie Pie responded with a big grin on her face. She hopped back onto her golden carriage next to Applejack.
''What's a 'Pinkie Promise'?'' Tempest asked Applejack.
''Oh, it's nothin' special. Just make sure you keep that promise,'' Applejack said with a nervous smile, ''Seriously. You do NOT wanna break a Pinkie Promise.''
''Oookay then....'' Tempest said, not sure how she was supposed to respond to that.
''But there will be lots of cake when we return, right?!'' Grubber asked eagerly while licking his lips.
''Plenty!'' Pinkie Pie answered with a little wink.
Twilight gave Tempest a little smile, ''I understand. But just so you know, me and my friends will happily await your return when the time comes.''
''....Thank you.'' Tempest replied, smiling back before giving Twilight a hug.
''Well, I guess it's finally time for you to head home, huh?'' Novo said as she, Skystar and the other hippogriffs showed up.
''That's right, your high- I mean Novo,'' Twilight said to the tall hippogriff, ''But we hope to see you all again soon.''
''I hope so too.'' Novo replied as she bowed before the purple alicorn.
''Just remember, You and your friends are always welcome here on Mount Aris, Princess Twilight Sparkle.'' Queen Skystar said, talking in a regal tone while bowing to her as well.
Twilight giggled, ''Just because you're a queen now doesn't mean you always have to talk so regally, you know.''
''I know that,'' Skystar said with a playful smile, ''But it's just really fun to do.''
''Thou hast a very good point, Queen Skystar.'' Princess Luna said, also speaking in the same regal tone.
Princess Celestia and the others couldn't help but laugh after hearing Luna talk in that manner again.
''Now then, I think it's time for us to go,'' Celestia said, ''The sun will be down soon.''
''Goodbye, Queen Skystar.'' Pinkie Pie said while waving with a warm smile on her face.
Skystar smiled back with a small tear in her eye, ''Goodbye, Pinkie.''
Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Celestia and Luna flew off into the sunset. The golden carriages containing Spike, Grubber and the rest of the wingless ponies got carried up into the air thanks to the royal guards. Most of them looked back at the Hippogriffs one more time and waved them goodbye as they left the mountain. The hippogriffs waved back and watched the ponies fly away towards the sunset. Most of them were smiling while others got a little teary eyed. Skystar and Novo saw the ponies and carriages slowly disappearing into the sunset. They didn't know where or when they would meet again. But no matter what, the memories of everything the ponies had done for them would never be forgotten.