Stars flickered across the dark canopy of the night. Chrysalis' soft snores echoed through the corridor, further igniting the excitement and fear in the young alicorn's heart. Steadying herself, she stood on her hind legs and gazed out the window, silently counting down to the moment she had awaited for a year.
Maybe ten minutes passed, and a small, beautiful ball of light rose up from an unseen point, the lead of many others. Flurry Heart gazed at them in awe, lost in their beauty and majesty. Soon enough, the sky was filled with thousands of the golden lights, and she couldn't help but feel that they were meant for her. After all, they only rose on her birthday.
Time skip..
The phoenix cowered behind the dancing flames in the fireplace, not minding the searing heat. Its heart hammered under its feathers... if it lost...
"Got ya!"
The bird squawked with indignation as its owner levitated it from the flames, huffing in resignation. Flurry Heart giggled.
"Oh, Mena, you are way too predictable for your own good!" The adolescent alicorn giggled, nuzzling her pet's flaming feathers.
The phoenix shrugged.
A ring of heavily armed guards. Alarms. Yet the prize was in exposed, out in the open. Oh, this was almost too easy.
In a clean swoop, the Princess' Tiara was in his hooves.
A guard sneezed.
Ignoring his minion's hushed whispers to hurry up, he smirked and said.
"Hay fever?"
"Heh..Yup... What?"
But it was too late. The thieves were long gone, racing through the crystal roofs and dodging chimneys. They sprinted for
"Today, Mena, is a very big day!!" Flurry squealed, kicking the box lid shut behind her, eyes lit up in glee.
"I'm finally gonna do it! I'm finally gonna ask her!" the young mare sing-songed, grinning as the phoenix, perched on her shoulder blade, gave her a little peck of affection.
"Flurry! Flurry Heart! It's me!"
Eyes wide, the mare placed the phoenix in the fireplace, where Philomena took on the appearance of searing flames.
"Flurry Heart, I'm not getting any power out here!"
"Coming, Mother!"
Within moments, the changeling slime that was her wall melts away to reveal a door, which the all-powerful Changeling Queen comes through, eyes also shining with excitement.
"Dear pet, you know Mommy's bones cannot take that much stress much longer! Why does it take so long to open that inferior door?!"
"Sorry-"
"Wait! Flurry Heart, look in this mirror. What do you see?"
"Well, I-"
"I see a strong, confident, powerful mare with a beautiful mane and shiny hooves . Me. Oh, and there's you! How adorable!"
Flurry Heart grimaced at her mother's egotiscal comment. "Umm.. Okay. So, Mother, as you know, tomorrow's my birthday.."
Chrysalis internally rolled her eyes, but put on a toothy half-grimace to mask it. "Flurry, your mother is feeling a little worn down. Do you mind singing for me?"
"Oh! Of course!"
Chair, ottoman, brush. Mother in chair, mane in mother's magic, brush ready to brush. Flurry cleared her throat.
"OhHeartgleamandglowletthepowershow-" Chrysalis gasps and starts brushing her daughter's mane at a fast pace.
"GivemewhatIlostOhIpraytothepowerofFaustToreplacewhatIlost! Done!"
The changeling half-glares as she feels a slight sting and her power restored. "Flurry!"
But her daughter was babbling away.
"- tomorrow's my birthday! Tada!"
Chrysalis grimaces uncomfortably.
So what if it's your birthday? she muses.