//------------------------------//
// Happy Birthday 
// Story: 255: The Aegis Collection 
// by AegisExemplar 
//------------------------------//

"Mommy, can I have a pony?" asked Megan again. The ponies had shown up out of the blue last year and ever since, Megan had asked her mother, Patricia, if she could have one, not understanding that the ponies were people too.

"I'm sorry, Megan, but you can't have a pony." Patricia had tried explaining to the four year old, but the logic couldn't penetrate the happy haze of childhood. Real ponies were, of course, right out of the question. Megan would have to settle for the rented version at her birthday party this afternoon. All Megan's human friends had been invited, but the few now-pony friends she had had left with their parents to Equestria.

The afternoon arrived quickly, and the attendees gathered in the backyard, hiding. Megan's father, Patricia's ex-husband Stanley, was bringing her for the surprise. Patricia could hear Stanley send Megan to put up the bags and, afterwards, come to the backyard. Stanley then rushed out and hid as well. 

When the gel capsules rained from paintball guns, the adults were briefly angry before the startled screams, but were then silenced as the changes began. Each one begun twisting and turning, taking the form of a pony.

Several minutes passed before Megan entered the backyard, then squealed happily as she ran and hugged the nearest newfoal.

"Mommy, Mommy! You didn't just get me one pony, you got me a bunch!"

Patricia, the one Megan had happened to hug, smiled silently. They'd visit the bureau tomorrow, but for today Patricia would be happy to be her daughter's little pony.