“So we’re all agreed this has got to be perfect, right?” Ocellus asked
“Of course it’s going to be perfect, Ocellus.” Ember said “Who knows those two better than us?”
“Touche.” Ocellus shrugged and levitated over a clipboard. “Well, according to Professor Pie, birthday parties need certain things in order to be considered fun.”
“Can’t we just ask Tempest?” Ember glanced at the unicorn, who let out a laugh.
“As if I had time to celebrate a specific day of the year while I was on the run. I was lucky if I could just remember what day of the week it was.” Tempest told her.
“Bringing me back to my point.” Ocellus tapped a quill against the clipboard. “A good birthday party should have cake, presents, decorations, and above all, friends and loved ones.”
“Okay, so we have the last one.” Ember said. “What about everything else?”
“Presents should be easy.” Metamorphosis said, laying near Ocellus. “And the chefs would likely be happy to make a cake for them. Besides, let’s just say Phalange owes me a favor…”
“Yeah, because you screamed at him for what he said about Pharynx until he said he’d do anything you asked.” Ocellus muttered just loud enough for both girls to hear, and they stared at Metamorphosis with confused and impressed looks.
“Anyway… the decorations?” Metamorphosis asked, cheeks a bit red.
“I can probably get some from Pinkie’s party planning cave.” Tempest replied. “As soon as I figure out where the entrance is, it’s surprisingly well-guarded for something she built.”
“Wait, if she has the party dates for everyone, I wonder why she hasn’t learned it’s nearly Pharynx and Thorax’s birthday.” Ocellus wondered
“Probably because she’s not their close friend. She’s friends with everyone in Ponyville, that’s why she knows their birthdays. Not just because she’s Pinkie Pie.” Tempest reasoned. “Still, fair point. I can probably get her to grab some stuff out of her cave for me… as long as I make her promise not to try and help.”
“Why’s that?” Metamorphosis asked.
“Uh, well, let’s just say Professor Pie’s party tastes are… um…” Ocellus trailed off.
“Thorax might enjoy them, or at least elements of her parties, but Pharynx would be miserable the whole time.” Tempest supplied
“Ah. Understood.” Metamorphosis said. He wanted both his sons to be happy on their birthday, not have one upset and the other entertained.
“Anyway, I better go do that now before I have to do a patrol around the Friendship School. Just because it’s empty for the summer doesn’t make it less of a target.” Tempest said, standing up.
“And I told Thorax I’d spend some time with him before I have to go back to the Dragonlands. See you two later.” Ember said, picking up her scepter and heading out of the library with Tempest.
“I’m going to go check on Pharynx, okay?” Metamorphosis told Ocellus.
“Alright! I’ll get started on the presents and find an ideal location for the party.” Ocellus said cheerfully
“Alright Ocellus.” Metamorphosis chuckled, it was clear to see Ocellus was enjoying herself as she skipped out of the library. Metamorphosis stood up and walked out as well, heading for Pharynx’s room.
“Hey dad.” Pharynx said as he entered.
“Hello son.” Metamorphosis sat down by him. “Earlier, you didn’t seem very eager to celebrate your birthday.”
“Well, yeah, obviously. It just seems kind of egotistical, you know?” Pharynx shrugged. “Like, hey, I survived another year, give me presents.”
“Pharynx, it’s about celebrating a life.” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “Your life.”
Pharynx blushed. “I… guess so… but still…”
“I promise Pharynx, this party isn’t just going to be for your brother. There will be plenty of things that you enjoy as well.” Metamorphosis said, and Pharynx’s ears pricked.
“Like sparring?”
“I’m sure Ember and Tempest would be more than happy to spar with you.” Metamorphosis replied, and he smiled, then blushed.
“A-And, uh… dresses?”
Metamorphosis giggled and nuzzled him, smiling at the remembrance of the recent discovery that Pharynx liked wearing dresses. “Of course my Dark Warrior.”
Pharynx smiled softly, hugging him. “Alright dad… I guess a party won’t be too bad.”
Metamorphosis smiled at him, giving him a nuzzle. Pharynx huffed but didn’t pull away. Metamorphosis continued smiling, knowing it would be fun, no matter what Pharynx’s pessimistic side told him.
---------------------------------------------------
“You two ready?” Ocellus asked happily, and Metamorphosis nodded, Apex jumping around nearby. The girls were getting Thorax and Pharynx from the Hive.
The party was being held in the woods outside the Hive, so that Thorax and Pharynx wouldn’t walk in on them while they were setting up. Despite it being eleven at night and far past either Ocellus or Apex’s bedtime, Metamorphosis had allowed them to stay up.
“Gran’pa Mety, I see them!” Apex said, dashing over.
“Come on Apex!” Ocellus said, she and Apex rushing over to the table of presents and the cake.
Metamorphosis chuckled and stood in the middle of the clearing, as Tempest and Ember walked up, Pharynx and Thorax behind them.
“Yay!” Thorax exclaimed as he saw the decorations, which were streamers of cyan and lime green, the color coordinated wrapping on the presents, and the balloons. He rushed over and scooped up Apex, unintentionally keeping him from taking a swipe at the cake.
“Well Pharynx?” Metamorphosis glanced at him.
“Temp and Em already promised a sparring session. I thought we could make a show out of it, last creature standing wins.” Pharynx said, and Ember and Tempest grinned at him, which he returned.
“Heh, alright.” Metamorphosis smiled and nuzzled his son. “I’m sure you’ll win.”
“Oh, we’ll see.” Ember said, punching Pharynx in the side. “Ready?”
“Born.” he responded with a grin.
Metamorphosis chuckled and trotted over to Thorax, Ocellus, and Apex to watch. Ocellus was eating a cookie from the plate on the table, smiling.
Soon, it was nearing midnight. Apex had dozed off after Pharynx, Ember, and Tempest’s sparring match. Pharynx had won, and all three were sporting light bruises and a couple cuts. Ocellus and Metamorphosis led the three over to the cake, waking Apex so he could see.
The cake itself was chocolate, which Metamorphosis knew was both brother’s favorite flavor. The icing was white, but bore an image of the new Changeling Kingdom Flag, along with diamond designs, three on each side, in the colors of the brother’s chitin and carapace. Violet, red, and cyan, then purple, lime green, and orange.
“Heh, ready, boys?” Metamorphosis asked as Ember used her fire to light the candles, making Apex giggle. The brothers smiled and nodded.
“It’s eleven fifty-eight, ready?” Ocellus asked.
“No singing.” Pharynx warned, and Metamorphosis chuckled.
“Alright, alright.” Metamorphosis said as Ocellus began counting down.
“And in five… four… three…” Ocellus counted down, as the others watched the brothers in anticipation. “Two…”
Thorax and Pharynx then blew out the candles at the same time, just as Ocellus was about to say one.
“It worked!” Thorax exclaimed, and Pharynx rolled his eyes, though he allowed his brother to hug him.
“Heh, happy birthday my sons.” Metamorphosis said, hugging them.
“Thanks dad.” Thorax said, smiling and hugging back. Pharynx joined in after a moment, and Metamorphosis smiled, holding his sons tight. It was clearly a perfect birthday for the two.