My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season II

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 17: Birthday Bashing

One night, Twilight came to the royal palace to deliver a friendship report, and to get a special present she had kept there by permission of their majesties. When Goldwin asked why, and Twilight explained that she on her way to Fluttershy’s birthday party and the present was from her and their majesties for Fluttershy, “What’s a… birthday?” Goldwin asked.

Twilight was shocked at first, but remembered Goldwin had lots to learn about the world, and explained everything about birthdays and birthday parties. “It’s to celebrate the day you were born on.” she said, and she explained of all the many things that came with celebrations. Goldwin began to feel that birthdays were very special.

“Oh, they are.” Twilight said “Everyone has a birthday.” and then she left to head for the party, leaving Goldwin on his own. Except now that he knew more about birthdays, he began to feel a little sad, especially to what Twilight had said to him. Everyone had a birthday except him! After all, he wasn’t born, he was brought to life when Abra Kadabra gave him his magic mask that changed him from a statue into a pony. “I wonder if that counts.” he thought

Suddenly that made him realize maybe it was that very day, when Abra came. Maybe that was his birthday. The only problem was Goldwin couldn’t remember when that day was. “I guess that’s it then.” he said to himself “I guess I’ll never have a birthday, a birthday party or a birthday cake. I won’t be able to celebrate with my friends. I’ll never truly have a day I can call my own.”

With that, he had fallen into another one of his cases of the lonely blues.

Fluttershy’s birthday party was fabulous. There was cake, other treats, songs, dances, and games for everyone. Pinkie Pie couldn’t stop going wild and crazy with joy due to her love for parties. Fluttershy received a lot of presents; among them was a special book from Twilight, a special plaque their majesties for her bravery in past battles. Rainbow gave a sonic rainboom to go along with Dyno and Myte’s fireworks. Rhymey even wrote his mare-friend a poem which turned into a song, and Fluttershy almost burst into tears of happiness after hearing it. “Thank you all so much.” she cried “This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

The next day, Lightning and Krysta had returned from the royal palace after capturing another changeling and delivering it to the prison-caverns in person. “How’s everything at the palace?” asked Twilight.

“Well, everything’s fine. Oh, and Cadance and Shining Armor say hi.” replied Lightning. “But, Goldwin…”

“What? What’s wrong with Goldwin?” asked Spike.

Krysta explained that while at the palace, she and Lightning noticed that Goldwin was looking pretty down hearted. “He said he was okay, but, goodness me, I’ve seen happier faces in frowning contests.”

Twilight suddenly remembered, “He did look a little sad when I saw last saw him. It was just before I left to go to Fluttershy’s birthday party. Goldwin asked me about birthdays and--” she suddenly realized “Oh, no! I was in such a hurry, I told Goldwin how fun birthdays are and that everyone has one.”

“Oh, boy, everyone but him of course.” said Spike. “He’s not like us after all.”

Indeed Goldwin was upset. He had been sitting in a corner of the royal library, all by himself with no one else around. He was singing a soft and sad song about how much he really wanted to have a birthday of his own, and not feel so different from the others.

Twilight felt really guilty for upsetting Goldwin. “Maybe there’s something we can do for Goldwin to cheer him up?” Lightning suggested “…Like when we threw that circus for him.”

The others began to agree, and Twilight suddenly remembered, “Spike, my calenderer book.”

Spike dashed off and came back with the book, and Twilight flipped through the pages until she found the day some time ago when Goldwin first came to life. The day after tomorrow would mark four months since Goldwin first came to life. “I say we do it…” Twilight said “We’ll give Goldwin a special party to celebrate when he came to life, and do the same every year.”

The door burst open wide and Pinkie Pie poked her head through. “Party?!” she squealed “Did someone say “party?” Then she zipped away and came back with balloons, wearing her party hat and blowing her noise maker blowing confetti everywhere.

The others brushed the confetti off them and then ran off to get the others. Twilight organized everyone their assignments. Lightning was to get permission from their majesties to have the party at the palace, since Goldwin couldn’t leave there after all.

Artie, Rarity and Starla would help with decorations.

Buddy Rose, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie would be in charge of food and catering.

The rest were all to come up with entertainment to do at the party.

With all their assignments done, everyone set off to work, all of them were thinking that this was going to be the greatest party ever, but no one was thinking of it more than Twilight. She wanted to make certain that every last thing was perfect. “This is Goldwin’s very first birthday celebration.” she kept reminding Spike. “Okay…I guess.” Spike said.

Everyone worked and worked right through to the night, and the next morning they all jumped straight back to work. Lightning was first to report that their majesties granted their request, and Goldwin didn’t know of what was happening. “Good, I need your help now.” said Twilight as she slammed a whole bunch lists into his arms. “I need you to come with me and take stock on how things are going.”

Krysta and Lightning gazed at each other with confused looked. Spike tapped Lightning’s leg “Better do as she says. She’s in one of her little frantic-panics again.”

“Spike!” snapped Twilight “Have you finished organizing those books I gave you for the party?”

Spike chuckled nervously, “I’ll, uh--” he quickly dashed back to work when Twilight gave him a stern look. Twilight had an idea for a perfect gift for Goldwin, and it required she sort through every single book the library, but she had Spike do it for her as she didn’t have time.

“Come on, Lightning. We’ve got work to do.” Twilight said as she headed out the door and pulled him along “Whoa!”

Krysta had to ask Spike, “Um… exactly how are things going to turn out?”

Spike sighed and answered “Just wait and see.”

Meanwhile, at the palace, Goldwin was trying to study but his heart just didn’t seem to be at it. He was still a little depressed over not knowing when his birthday was. It was hard to pay attention to his books, so he decided to just put them all away and catch up later.

As he put his books away in the library, he began to daydream of what it would be like to have a birthday of his own, and if he could leave the palace. He didn’t mind if the party was big or small, just knowing he had a birthday, and was surrounded by those he cared about and who loved him was fine enough for him.

He could see it all now, all his friends, a party, a cake with candles. He felt so happy, he felt like tipping his mask to everyone… which he did, and changed back into a gold statute while still standing in front of the bookcases.

Celestia came along with a big stack of books she wanted to put on the shelves. “Excuse me, Goldwin.” she said nicely, but of course Goldwin couldn’t hear her, or move, and she saw why. “Oh, silly Goldwin…” she giggled. She her powers to levitate the mask back on Goldwin’s face and said the magic words…

“Powers of life, now begin
awaken the magic from within!”

…and Goldwin changed back. “Oh! Your majesty…” he said “Oh, I remember. I was imagining being friendly to everyone and tipped my mask to them.”

“I see…” Celestia said “Well, how about being friendly and lending me a hand with these books?”

“Yes, ma’am…” Goldwin said reaching to tip his mask again. “Goldwin..!” Celestia quickly said and Goldwin smirked “Only kidding.”

While at Rarity’s shop, Artie was busy painting the big “Happy Birthday Goldwin” banner in big red letters on a big white sheet of cloth, while Rarity and Starla were making special decorations with whatever bits and pieces Rarity had, including fabrics.

The girls weren’t getting too far as Rarity kept getting new ideas for new clothing designs every second and made sure to note them in her journal. “Rarity!” snapped Starla. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help it if I have taste in upcoming fashion senses.” Rarity said. Starla rolled her eyes.

Artie was just about finished his banner. “What do you think, girls?” he asked.

“It looks pretty good.” Starla said.

“Pretty good…? Pretty good?!” said Rarity “My dear, Starla. The admiration I have for such a divine work of art dances in my eyes and my mind. It’s far from “pretty good.”

Starla and Artie blinked once, then shrugged and got back to work.

Twilight and Lightning came in. “Everything okay here?” Twilight asked, but she suddenly gasped at Artie’s banner. “What… is…THAT?!” she asked loudly. Artie blinked once and then looked back and forth at the banner, then Twilight. “Something wrong with it?” he asked.

“Yes, something is wrong!” snapped Twilight. “This is Goldwin’s birthday. The banner should be red with gold letters.”

Artie tried to protest, but Twilight insisted he start again. Artie sighed as a drop of paint fell onto his face. “And what’s this?” she snapped at the girls, “What kind of decorations are these?” All of Starla and Rarity’s decorations seemed too simple, too ordinary and all were done in pink and blue fabrics. Twilight recommended, or rather demanded, that they start again, “And this time, use sparkling fabrics with jewels encrusted in them.”

“What?!” said Starla. She was about to protest but Rarity sort of agreed with Twilight. After all, the party would be held at the palace. She was, however, concerned of how much time was left in which to do it all. Lightning checked those things off the list, but he didn’t feel the same as Twilight did. He felt the decorations were nice. “Um, Twilight…” he tried to protest, but Twilight dragged him along saying “Not now. We’ve got work to do.”

“Hey, hey, watch the wings!” groaned Lightning.

It was the same story everywhere. Twilight wasn’t very pleased with what she found…!

At the Cake’s bakery, she found only simple treats were made, and Pinkie Pie, again, was sampling them, even though it was at Applejack’s request to see if they tasted good. She also didn’t approve of the berries Buddy Rose had brought from his garden to decorate some of the cakes, saying they were decent at best, but not shining which were classified the best.

The entertainment didn’t meet her standards either. Rhymey wrote a poem for Goldwin. Fluttershy was training her animal friends to do acrobatics, and others were all doing just simple things. What really got on Twilight’s nerves was that no one else had thought of any presents to give Goldwin.

By this time, everyone was getting fed up with Twilight’s bossiness and all decided to head off to lunch. “You can’t!” snapped Twilight “We’re already three hours behind schedule, and the party’s tonight.” But all the others had already walked off. Twilight couldn’t believe this.

“Can you blame them?” Lightning asked “I think I’m going to go join them. You’ve got some serious thinking to do, Princess!” He dropped his clipboard and headed off to catch up with the others.

Twilight turned red with anger and then stormed off.

Goldwin was feeling a little better, but was still thinking how nice it would be to have his own birthday and other amazing things to do at a party. Grand Ruler passed by “Something on your mind, Goldwin?” he asked.

“Oh, just wondering.” Goldwin said “What kind of things do you do at parties?”

Grand Ruler tried his best to explain. “It all depends on the kind of party you attend.” He said “But one of my favorite things to do at a fun party is dance.”

“Dance…” said Goldwin “I think I’d really love that.”

“I’m sure you would.” Grand Ruler said, and then he walked off leaving Goldwin by himself. That’s when Goldwin began to hear music, and he got that urge to kick up his feet and he began to dance, flip, twirl, and even leap over the potted plants and railings fences, and do some mid-air moves, all across the empty throne room.

Twilight was still in a bad mood, what with her friends just deserting her and the party plans supposedly ruined. It was well past midday, and the party would be at sundown at the palace in New Canterlot. At this rate, there was no time to do anything. “Goldwin is going to be so disappointed.” Twilight said.

“How do you know that for sure?” asked Spike.

“Spike’s got a point, Twilight.” added Krysta “You seem to be more obsessed with these party plans and how much you want them to be perfect, that you’ve been ignoring the most important thing.”

Twilight still didn’t believe that. “Goldwin is my friend.” she said “He really wants his own birthday, and--”

“And what exactly?” asked Spike. “Twilight, that’s all Goldwin really wants-- is a birthday. Well that and he wants a chance to be able to leave the palace, but he can’t.”

Twilight blinked in sudden realization. All this time she had forgotten that Goldwin couldn’t leave the palace, which made most things to give as a gift pretty much useless for him. “And what about the others…?” Krysta said “They were only doing their best, even if it is for a party at the palace, and all you ever did was call them out for each and every thing they did.”

Twilight felt ashamed, and more ashamed when she realized that she had let her bossiness take over, again. “I saw this coming from ten miles away.” Spike said, but Krysta gave him a look telling him that wasn’t helping.

Twilight drooped over the table. “What am I going to do?”

“You can start by saying you’re sorry.” said a voice. Twilight looked up and saw Lightning and the rest of the gang standing there staring at her, and one by one, each of the others added sentiments about the party and Goldwin, and Twilight’s concern but poor behaviour.

In the end, Twilight did apologize to everyone. The others forgave her, and they all set back to work with their party plans, using whatever they had, and this time Twilight was more understanding.

Then, that night…

Goldwin walked into the throne room. “Gee. It’s all dark in here.” he said I guess everyone’s gone to bed, or gone out to do their night duties and forgotten about me.”

Suddenly, the whole room lit up, and all the ponies, even the royal ones, and Abra, leapt out yelling, “SURPRISE!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOLDWIN!!”

Goldwin could hardly believe his eyes. The whole throne room was lovely decorated. Several tables with plenty of refreshments were set up and one by one all his friends came up to offer him a personal happy birthday with hand-shakes or hugs. Celestia even gave Goldwin a small peck on the cheek.

Goldwin never felt so happy before, “But I don’t think today is my birthday. I don’t remember when it is, but I know it’s not today.”

“Goldwin, you’re our friend.” said Twilight “The day we met you was very special, so we thought, we’d celebrate today, and do this every year just for you?”

Goldwin felt touched and felt really lucky to have such loving friends.

“Well, one thing’s for sure.” Goldwin said “I’ll remember this day forever. Today is my first birthday.” Everyone chuckled, and then it was time to party!

Just like at Fluttershy’s party, there were games, songs, dances. Abra even put on a magic show for all of them. Goldwin even enjoyed the gifts some of the others brought him or had for him…

Rarity found some time to make Goldwin lovely red cape. It really looked good on him and went nice with his gold armor and shiny skin.

Rhymey recited his poem to Goldwin, and Fluttershy’s animal friends did their performance for Goldwin.

Twilight’s gift to Goldwin was a special magical book she had made. She found many copies of study-books she had and magically blended it all together into one magical book, and she called it “Goldwin’s Book of Knowledge.” Though it was small, it was like having a whole library contained inside that one book. This way he wouldn’t have to search endlessly in the library.

Easily, Starla gave him the best gift he could ever have-- a telescope of his very own. Now he could gaze out further into the world and see more of it so that someday he’d be able to walk among it and see more.

“You’re all so wonderful.” Goldwin said “I was feeling so lonely and left out before, but now… well…”

He just had to sing it as he felt so happy, and as he sang, he bowed to the ladies, and exchanged hand-shakes with the men, and leapt up high twirling in midflight…

Everyone cheered and applauded, and a toast was in order… to friends, to birthdays, “And… to learning a good lesson.” Twilight said “About thinking about what others may want instead of just what you want.” Basically she was just giving a friendship report, but everyone cheered and drank their lemonade to that.

It really was a night for Goldwin to remember.

(Promo)