In the social hall, preparations for the party were just about finished. After all the decorations were up, everyone helped with the refreshments. Kari and April made the punch while Raph and Matt set out the candies, chips, veggies, and dip while making sure Mikey, Davis, and the Digimon did not sneak any. Rarity was instructing Love Shine on where to set the plates and silverware. Sunset, Gamer, and Tai helped set up the DJ booth. Using the Cafeteria window, Sora, Mimi, And Pinkie were able to get the cake on the snack table with help from Palmon’s vines and Twilight’s levitation. It was a three layercake on top of a pan cake decorated in red, white, and black frosting with a big star labeled S,H, and B on the top.
“Wow! That’s one big cake.” Shini awed.
“Yep! Should be enough for everyone to have a slice.” Pinkie grinned before smacking Veemon’s hand away from touching it.
"Aw!" The Digimon groaned.
“It’s perfect, Pinkie.” Complimented Serenity. “and I’m sure Shine Boy would agree.”
“Good afternoon, everyone.” Everyone turned to see Father Mel entering the social hall.
“Afternoon, Father.” Love Shine greeted. “Everyone, this is our friend, Father Mel. He’s supported Shine Boy from the start.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Father.” Leo shook his hand.
“Same to you. Any friend of Shine Boy is a friend of mine. No matter how different they are.”
The priest smiled. “Well, I came to drop off my card before I have to head back and prepare for my services. Enjoy yourselves.” After dropping off his card with the other gifts, Father Mel left the social hall.
Moments after he left, another portal appeared. Emerging from the portal was Donnie with a couple of their friends, including the hero duo Static and Gear, a humanoid gecko with swords named Chet, and some friends from Canterlot. Amethyst Majesty, a friend of Shine Boy who had a crush on Rarity, Wildcard, a writer from Canterlot, and Jeb Sketch, a fellow artist.
“Here we are.” Donnie said.
“Check it out, Verge. We’re in another dimension!” Gear grinned giddily.
“Thanks for inviting us.” Static greeted as he shook Gamer’s hand.
“Nice to meet you too. The Turtles told us all about you guys. And I know Shine Boy will love to meet you.”
Sunset then noticed the gecko. “You must be Chet. Princess Twilight wrote to me about you.”
Chet took a bow. “That is correct. My full name is Chetcheki Chan Gecko. I am from the tropical islands beyond the land of the Hippogriffs. I have heard about you ninjas from the students at the school of friendship.”
“You attend the school?” asked Casey.
“Yep. I arrived a little after you all went home. Princess Twilight told me I would get along with you guys. So where can I set the card I brought signed by my friends from Equestria?”
“Bring your gifts over here.” Joe led everyone to the gift table where they set their gifts for Shine Boy. As the newcomers introduced themselves, no one noticed a figure crawl from a window and placed a card on the gift table. As the figure crawled back out, April looked back and headed towards the window while Leo and Karai followed. The three looked out the window to find the figure on the roof was their friend, Carmen Sandiego, who smiled and waved before making her leave. The three smiled before returning to the others.
------
Meanwhile, back at the town square, Shine Boy was nearly completely stone.
Gotta….concentrate, he thought before he was completely a stone statue. He could only watch helplessly as The Chaos Mage walked up to him and prepared to blast him. Then, suddenly-
BAM!
The mage was knocked off his feet before he could harm Shine Boy. As he regained his composure, he heard a familiar voice.
“You think you can turn my brother into a statue and beat him just by smashing him?” he looked to see it was Night Shine, who stood there, cracking his knuckles. “That’s a coward’s way out.”
“Funny. I NEVER ASKED FOR YOUR APPROVAL!” The Chaos Mage hollered as he prepared to battle.
Night Shine responded by pulling out his hatchets and the two began to fight each other. The Chaos Mage used his magic to fire lightning at Night Shine, who either dodged it or used his hatchets to deflect it. As the two fought, no one noticed Shine Boy beginning to glow. Slowly but surely, his stone prison broke off and fell off like gravel, allowing him to move again.
“Don’t think I’ll get this dust taste outta my mouth.” Shine Boy spat.
Chaos Mage then noticed Shine Boy was free. “Impossible! How?”
“I concentrated my Shine power to reverse the spell. But it took longer than I hoped. You would’ve smashed me if it wasn’t for my brother arriving.”
“No matter! This time you will BOTH be stone!” The Chaos Mage pulled out his jar of elixir.
“Oh no you don’t!” Shine Boy pulled out a Shine-a-rang and threw it quickly. Thankfully, it knocked the jar out of the Chaos Mage’s hand.
“MY ELIXIR!” The mage cried as the jar broke, spilling the stuff on the street.
“SHINE POWER!” Shine Boy then fired a beam of light at the villain. Night Shine fired dark energy from his hand to help against the mage. After an intense struggle, The Chaos Mage disappeared into a twister.
“you may have claimed victory on your birthday, Boy, but next time you will FALL!” his voice echoed as the twister flew away.
Shine Boy turned to Night Shine. “Thanks for the help, Luke. Now I know you obviously did it because of our rivalry, but just know I owe you my life.”
“Well, you’re half right. I also wanted to give you this.” He held out a birthday card which Shine Boy accepted.
“Thanks.”
“Well, I gotta go. Stuff to do.” Night Shine turned to leave. “Oh. And happy birthday.”
Shine Boy waved his brother goodbye as he left. He then looked at his phone.
“it’s almost four o’clock. I better start thinking about heading over there.” Pulling out his grappling gun, he headed to where he parked the Shine Pickup.
------
“There you go. enjoy.”
“Thanks, Gregg.” Love Shine thanked as he, Tai, Mikey, Keno, and Agumon took about twenty pizza boxes.
As they set the pizzas down at the buffet table, they looked around at the completed docrations. Also, a couple more guests arrived, including some personal friends of Shine Boy. They were mingling with the Ninjas, Rainbooms and Digidestined. Serenity then came out wearing a magenta dress with a purple sweater.
“How do I look?” she asked Rarity and Fluttershy.
“Simply devine!” Rarity awed.
“Shine Boy will love it!” Fluttershy added.
Just then, Biyomon and Hawkmon both flew in.
“Shine Boy’s coming!” Biyomon chirped.
“He’s about two blocks away!” Hawkmon added.
“Good work, you two.” Serenity complimented then turned to everyone. “Okay, everyone. You all know the drill. You all hide while I greet Shine Boy then after Leo turns the lights back on, we all yell, Surprise. Agreed?” everyone agreed. “Okay. Let’s get in position!” Serenity hurried up to the door as everyone ran into hiding as Leo turned out the lights.
The Shine Pickup pulled up in the parking lot just as Serenity came outside to wait while acting nonchalant. After The pickup parked, the door opened and Shine Boy emerged, stretching.
“Now there’s a sight of true beauty.” Shine Boy smiled as Serenity blushed in awe.
“Happy birthday, Tony.” Serenity wrapped her arms around her hero, giving him a birthday kiss. Shine Boy returned the hug the two stayed that way awhile before breaking.
Shine Boy noticed she had a gift bag. “Got me a little something? Didn’t have to.”
“Well, I did. But it can wait. Right now, you must be exhausted.”
“Well I could use a little rest and a good meal.” Shine Boy admitted as he opened the door before noticing something off. “Has the door been unlocked the whole time?”
“Well I have been setting up.”
“Well, that’s true.” Shine Boy agreed. But as the two entered the social hall, he began to hear thumping. “Father Mel? Is that you? Sorry if we caught you at a bad time.” With no answer,
Shine Boy whispered to Serenity. “I think we have a third wheel.”
“Really?” Serenity asked, pretending not to know.
Then, a spooky voice called out, “Shiiiiiiiiiiiine Booooooooooy!”
Serenity pretended to be scared by hugging Shine Boy’s arm. “What do you think it is?”
“Not sure. But it might be something coming to haunt me.”
Then suddenly, the lights came on as everyone came out of their hiding places.
“SURPRISE!”
“Happy Birthday, Shine Boy!” Love Shine declared.
Shine Boy was definitely surprised. “I. I. You all. What a surprise. It is good to see you all! I-I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything, buddy.” Davis patted Shine Boy’s shoulder.
“Let’s get this party STARTED!” Pinkie cheered.
“Pinkie, don’t ever change.” Shine Boy smiled while trying to contain his tears of joy.
Everyone all helped themselves to the pizzas and snacks while they played party games. Everyone couldn’t stop laughing as they played with a balloon tossing it around. At pinning the tail on the pony, Mikey pinned the tail Raph’s shell, resulting in Raph smacking him. Veemon had a similar result, only he pinned the tail on Davis’ leg. They then threw wooden kunai daggers at balloons. Static showed off a little by using his powers to make his kunai bounce a bit before popping a balloon, only to be schooled by Karai, who did it with her eyes closed. Then they all played a dancing game similar to musical chairs. Everyone had a great time.
As things died down, it was time for cake. Sora and Mimi walked up with the birthday cake with a couple candles on it already lit. Shine looked in awe at the big cake. “Never ever change, Pinkie.” Everyone laughed at Shine Boy’s joke as Pinkie begins to sing.
Everyone applauded to Pinkie’s song.
“Now blow out the candles and make a wish.” Fluttershy said.
“Yeah better do it before Smokey drenches the cake.” Keno pointed to Smokey the Bear, who was ready with a bucket of water.
“Sorry. Force of habit.”
“No worries. I know my wish.” Shine Boy took a deep breath and blew out all the candles.
After Leo used his katana to cut the cake, everyone enjoyed it with ice cream. As they did,
Shine Boy told them about his battle with the Chaos Mage. Everyone was shocked and amazed.
“Gee, being turned to stone. Sounds scary.” Yolei gasped.
“Yeah. That would’ve put a damper on the party.” Mikey added.
“No kidding.” Davis agreed.
“Well, thankfully my Shine power got me out. But I’m really grateful Luke came and bought me time.”
“Weren’t you scared?” Cody asked.
“would be lying if I said no, Cody. But if there’s one thing life taught me, it’s that true courage isn’t about not being scared. It’s about doing the right thing despite being scared.”
“I tried to invite Luke, but he didn’t feel like partying.” Pinkie pouted.
“That’s Luke for ya. He never sticks around for happy endings.” Gamer stated.
Shine Boy smiled. “Funny. Because it’s his fault we have one.”
Everyone chuckled.
“Well it saves us on returning your presents.” Laughed Tai.
“Speaking of which, Think it’s time to open them?” Chet suggested.
“Sounds like a plan. Work off this sugar rush.” Shine Boy nodded.
After opening his gifts, which he enjoyed every one of them very much, the DJ played slow music and people paired with each other to dance. Shine Boy danced with Serenity and the two leaned on each other. Then, Shine Boy whispered to Serenity.
“Thank you for everything. This is one of my best birthdays ever.”
“Seeing you happy makes me happy.” Serenity pecked her hero on the cheek.
As they danced, Shine Boy looked around at his friends. Having so many friends is the best gift ever, he thought as he remembered his birthday wish- to continue to be blessed with great friends.
The End