//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13: Happy Birthday, Dusk 
// Story: A Sparkle's Little Dusk II: The Shining Path 
// by Mister E-Nonymous 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 13: Happy Birthday, Dusk






Twilight and her friends, along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Nyx, were in a dark room lit up by a single candle. Twilight was having a meeting with them.

"Alright, Twi," Rainbow said. "What did you want to talk to us about?"

"I want to make this a surprise," said Twilight. "When Dusk was human, he had a tough life. Anyway, tomorrow is his birthday."

"His birthday?!" Pinkie shouted excitedly, but then her mouth was covered by Applejack and Rarity.

"Yeah," said Twilight. "But we have to keep this a secret from Dusk. But not to make it seem that we're ignoring him." She then looked back at Pinkie. "Not like when we were planning Pinkie's surprise party."

"Good call," said Applejack. "To keep it much better than that, Ah suggest that we keep him occupied and not alone."

"Nyx and I will keep Dusk busy while all of you set up the party at the library," said Twilight. "Pinkie Pie, Rarity, you two set up the decorations. Applejack, you bake some delicacies. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, you two carefully bring in the birthday cake from Sugarcube Corner. Ask for the Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake with Chocolate Chips."

Twilight's friends nodded. Then Apple Bloom asked, "What do ya want us ta do, Twi?"

"You three will go around Ponyville, inviting all of the good classmates in your class," Twilight explained. "Leave out any bullies from the class."

"No Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon," said Sweetie Belle. "That's going to be no problem."

"As long as they don't try to force their way in," said Scootaloo.

"Better get some security for the party just in case there are some uninvited guests trying to sneak in," Nyx added.

"Good call, Nyx," Twilight said. "Now, we better get things ready."

Just then, the lights came on, revealing that all of them were in the basement of the Golden Oaks Library. All of them looked upstairs and saw Spike in some white pajamas with a matching night cap.

"What's going on down there?" Spike asked. "It's 10:30 at night."

"Hoowee... is it that late already?!" Applejack asked. "We should get these young fillies to bed."

"Good thing Scootaloo's aunts are out of town," said Rainbow Dash. "I'm taking care of Scootaloo until they get back." Scootaloo got on Rainbow's back, and then all but Twilight, Spike and Nyx left. The three of them then went up to the room they shared. They all headed for bed, and then they would get started for Dusk's surprise party.





The next morning, Dusk woke up from his bed. He stretched his forelegs and his wings. He looked around his room, and smiled. Ever since he was reborn, Twilight agreed to celebrate his birthday on the day he was born a human. And today was his birthday.

He ran out of the bedroom and headed downstairs. Hopefully for him, his new family would set up something special for him. But when he went downstairs, there weren't any decorations set up.

"Huh," said Dusk. "Maybe I'll check the kitchen." He then walked into the kitchen, but there wasn't anything there set up for his birthday either. "Nothing?" He then slouched down and sat on his rear. "Did... did they... forget...?"

Dusk was about to shed some tears, but a voice came to his attention. The voice of Twilight. "Dusk! Are you down there?!" Dusk walked back into the main room of the Library, and looked up the stairs, and he saw Twilight, Spike and Nyx coming down. "There you are, Dusk. You in the mood for eating out?"

"Oh... sure..." Dusk said, starting to perk up.

"You three go on ahead," Spike said, waving a claw. "I'm just going to stay here and wait for some important packages." Twilight then used her wing to turn Dusk towards the door, giving Spike the opportunity to wink at Twilight, who replied with a wink as well.

"Okay, Spike," said Twilight. "Those new library record books aren't going to show up if nopony is at the door. Let's go, you two." Twilight, Dusk and Nyx then headed out.

Spike looked out the window to see the three alicorns going around the corner of another building. As soon as they were out of sight, Spike went into the kitchen, and headed for the door. He opened the door and said, "The coast is clear." Then Pinkie, Rarity, Velvet and Night Light walked in with decorations, party supplies and a couple gifts.

"Alright," said Rarity. "Twilight is going to keep Dusk busy all day, so they won't be back until 5 o'clock in the afternoon."

"I'm sure that Twilight and Nyx will keep Dusk occupied until the time comes," said Velvet. "She is very good at schedules."

"Let's get this party started!" Pinkie shouted before stuffing all the decorations into her party cannon. She then fired it and had the wall decorations set up.

"Well, at least you made enough space for me to do some decorating of my own," said Rarity. "I'll be setting up the tables for the snacks and the gifts for Dusk."

"I knew you'd appreciate that," said Pinkie.





Twilight had taken Dusk and Nyx towards a restaurant for some pancakes. They left right before Dusk saw the Crusaders handing out invitations to ponies in the same class as Dusk.

They then headed out towards the bowling alley. They did some bowling. It was fun for Dusk. Twilight and Nyx decided to let Dusk win the game they were playing, so they wouldn't make Dusk feel bad for losing on his birthday. But as soon as they were about to leave the bowling alley, Twilight saw Applejack outside, pulling a cart full of apple sweets. Twilight then tried to distract Dusk by getting some lunch there.

As soon as they finished, they decided to spend the rest of the day in the park. They had a lot of fun. Twilight did a lot of things she didn't do that much with Dusk and Nyx that she didn't do when she was a filly. Playing hide and seek, playing on the playground equipment, and even some cloud watching. Of course, Twilight had to put a stop to it when she spotted Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash carrying a birthday cake through the sky.

"Well, I guess it's time we head on to the grocery store," Twilight said.

"Good thinking, Twilight," Nyx said. "We're getting low on essential items at home." She then whispered into Twilight's ear. "I'm serious about that. We need more cereal, milk, and other stuff."

"Thanks for the heads up, Nyx," Twilight said. "Let's go." Then the three of them headed towards the market area.

Meanwhile, up in the sky, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy saw the three alicorns walking away from the park. Then both of them sighed in relief.

"That was close," said Rainbow Dash.

"Yes," Fluttershy replied. "We better get this cake to the party." They then flew the cake, quickly yet carefully, towards the Golden Oaks Library.





It was about 4:59 PM, and everypony that was invited was there. Some ponies were parents of some of the fillies and colts. There was even the other three princesses and Shining Armor.

Spike was looking out the window for Twilight, Dusk and Nyx. But then he went wide eyed and shouted, "They're coming! They're coming!"

"Places, everypony!" Pinkie shouted before shutting off the lights.

Outside, Twilight, Dusk and Nyx walked towards the library door. Twilight stopped and said, "Dusk, why don't you go on inside and relax. I'll get dinner started soon."

"Okay, Mom," Dusk said. He then headed for the door. He was hoping that today, he would get some presents or a cake, but he didn't get any of that. But then, he opened the door and saw that it was dark. He looked around and called out, "Spike? Are you here?"

Then the lights came on and everypony there called out, "SURPRISE!!!!!"

That made Dusk jump back a little, seeing that all of his friends and their families were there. He looked back at the door and saw Twilight, Nyx, and some royal guards standing at the door. Twilight closed the door after she and Nyx walked in.

"You... you set all this up... for me?" Dusk asked.

"Of course," Twilight said. "We did all of those things just to have the party setup."

"That's right!" said Pinkie. "We started this party late last night when you were sleeping. Now, let's get this party started."

There was then a banging on the door. Twilight opened the door and saw Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Spoiled Rich at the door.

"Spoiled Rich?" Twilight asked. "What brings you here?"

"It appears that my Diamond Tiara and her friend, Silver Spoon, did not receive any invitations to this party for your son," said Spoiled Rich. "We demand to be let in."

Apple Bloom then walked up and said, "Actually, we didn't invite them on purpose. They're the school bullies. They have been nothin' but mean ta everypony in class."

"You don't get to talk, blank flank!" Diamond Tiara snapped at Apple Bloom. "Now, we must be here at this party!"

"You have no right to talk to anypony like that," said Twilight. "You're not invited, so you're not getting in."

"I will not let my daughter be talked to that way!" Spoiled Rich snapped. "And don't you think..." She was cut off when the door was slammed shut. She then growled and the three of them walked away, angry.





Later that night, all of the guests went home. Twilight took Dusk up to his room and she put all the toys he got into the toy box. She then kissed Dusk on the head.

"Did you enjoy today, Dusk?" Twilight asked.

"I did, Mom," Dusk said, happily. "Thank you for setting this up."

"You deserve it, Dusk," Twilight said. "Not after what you've been through in your previous life."

Dusk smiled and snuggled into his bed. Twilight used her magic to tuck Dusk into his bed. She then turned off the lights, and headed out of the room. She then walked into the room she, Spike and Nyx slept in. Spike and Nyx were already asleep in their beds. She then went up to her bed. She looked out the window and looked out on the town. She then got herself covered up, and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, outside, from behind the corner of a building, Spoiled Rich was looking at the library. She then turned towards a bunch of ponies, but their shadows were seen.

"I thought I told you to get rid of Nightmare Moon!" Spoiled Rich shouted. "You know how much the boss wants her gone. Do you know what he will do to us if we don't pull this off? He'll send us all to Tartarus." She then sighed and said, "We'll come up with a new plan. We can't afford to mess up our plans again."

The shadows nodded, and then they headed off somewhere. Spoiled Rich followed. This might not end well for a later time.