June 10,1010
8:30 AM
Atlas, POV.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuJIqmha2Hk&pp=ygULbXIgYmx1ZSBza3k%3D
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Click*
After he turned off the annoying alarm, Atlas sat up and stretched his arms. He got out of bed and open the curtains. Allowing the sunlight to light up the room and blind him.
‘Today is going to be a good day.’ He thought.
After taking his time getting ready for the day, looked himself in the mirror. Today he was wearing casual clothes instead of his usual dress pants and button up shirt since today is his day off.
But that’s not the reason why he is so cheerful right now.
The reason why is because tomorrow is Celestia‘s birthday and the one-year anniversary of the meeting for the first time. After he and his siblings crashed her party when first arrived in Equestria.
Despite this, she made sure that they had a job, roof over their heads and made sure that they were fully adjusted to this magical world. A month later they became a couple and the rest was history.
Looking back on it, Atlas still can’t believe how lucky he was. She could’ve just left them on the streets to fend for themselves. But she didn’t. Her heart was too big for that to happen.
Which is why he was going to look for the perfect birthday presents for her. Not only that, Twilight and Spike is going to meet him at the mall. And if anyone knows the sun Empress better than Atlas, it was them. But before he could do all that, he needs to get himself some breakfast.
After he finished, brushing his hair he teleported to castle dining room, where Apollo was sitting all by himself, eating a pork sandwich while reading the newspaper.
He was so glued to the paper that he didn’t notice Atlas until he said. “Morning Apollo.” This startled him.
“Oh, morning Jupiter. I thought you were at the mall already.”
“And skip on the delicious meals this kitchen makes? Heck no.” He said, as he took a seat at the table. “I’m guessing that Luna is having fun decorating the Senate for the inauguration?”
“Yep, it’s the first one she’s going to see in since her banishment so you know she’s in everything. Artemis is helping her out as well.”
“They’re going to be in there for a while.” Atlas chuckled. “I bet that either Galaxia or Nebula have to go over there and drag their asses out of there to attend Celestia party.”
“Speaking of which.” Apollo said before swallowing a piece of his pork sandwich. “What are you planning to buy her?”
“I don’t know, I’m still trying to figure that out myself.”
“Believe me, I know where you’re coming from. But I’m sure you’ll be able to figure it out.”
“I hope so.”
A few moments later, Ruby Rose came out of the kitchen. “Morning Atlas, do you want something from the kitchen?”
“Can I get the same pork sandwich that Apollo is having please?”
“Before you order this, I have to warn you, this is a Kirin recipe so it’s pretty spicy.”
“Even better.” He turned to Ruby and said. “Whatever sauce you put on his, put extra on mine.”
“Sure thing. Coming right up.” She said before returning to the kitchen.
“Hey Atlas.”
“Yeah.”
“If your eyes start to water from the heat, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I won’t.”
===•••===
8:50 PM
20 minutes later.
After one, very spicy sandwich later, Atlas was now driving through the capital, listening to some tunes on half track’s radio.
Despite it still being morning rush-hour, Atlas was still making good progress. If he has to be honest, he rather deal with traffic in Canterlot than the absolute nightmare traffic could be in New York City. Then again, half the country doesn’t own a vehicle yet so he should enjoy it while last.
Finally, he arrived at the Canterlot megamall.
He drove into the underground parking lot and found a space right near the elevators.
One elevator ride later, and he was now standing in the middle of the mall’s atrium. Since today was a weekday the mall wasn’t that crowded. Making it easier for him to spot Twilight and Spike.
“Hey guys I’m here.” Atlas called out.
“Hey Atlas.” Spike greeted before giving him an high-five.
“I hope I didn’t take too long.”
“You’re just in time. We arrived a few minutes ago. Now since we’re all here I have a list of all the stores we might be able to find a present for the princess.”
“You even make a list for a shopping trip in the mall?” Atlas said.
“Of course, how else am I supposed to stay organized? Do you have any suggestions on which stores we should go?” Twilight asked.
“Not really since I don’t know what I am going to get Celestia for her birthday yet.” He said, scratching the back of his head.
“That’s ok. This place is huge so you will be able to find something for her eventually.”
“Where are we going first?” Spike ask.
“We are going to Canterlot Fashion.”
===•••===
It didn’t take them long for them to walk to the large department store. When they entered, Atlas was hit in the face by the smell of expensive perfume and fabric.
If you guys are wondering, this place is basically like a much fancier version of Macy’s.
“I’m going to check out the clothing area to see if they have anything interesting over there.” Atlas said.
“All right, if you need anything, we’re in the perfume section.” Twilight said as they parted ways.
As he walked through the store, he looked and all the stuff that was on the shelves and racks.
Luxury handbags, suits, ties, expensive looking shoes, etc.
Despite his upper middle-class upbringing, Atlas didn’t go to these fancy stores often. It wasn’t his style, even though he wears a suit and tie almost every day of the week since arriving in Equestria.
But he knew that a store like this would have something that Celestia would like.
After he arrived in the clothes section and spent a few minutes of browsing, he saw something that caught his eye.
On a nearby rack was a sparkly blue and white dress that would look great on Celestia.
He walked over to it and looked at its tag.
It was her size.
‘Perfect.’ He thought.
He draped the dress over his right arm and continue to browse for more potential fines.
===•••===
20 minutes later.
9:10 AM
Twilight was at the checkout counter, waiting for the cashier to scan a few items on the counter, when Spike came over to her.
“Hey Twi, I need your opinion on something. Do you think Celestia would like flats or these high heels?” In his right hand, were a pair of beige colored flats, in his left, or a pair of gold colored high heels.
“Mmm, I think she already has a pair of gold high heels, so go with the flats.” Twilight suggested.
“Flats, it is.” Spike said before walking away to pay for the shoes.
After Twilight finish paying for her stuff, Atlas spotted her and walked over to her.
“Hey Twilight, you already checked out?” Atlas asks.
“Yep, I got some makeup and perfume. What did you get?”
“I bought this nice blue and white dress and a red two-piece swimsuit. It cost me 250 bits for them both but it was worth it.”
A few moments later, Spike came back from the shoe department with a shopping bag in his right hand.
“You’re back quick.” Twilight said.
“Yeah, check out counter in the shoe area wasn’t that busy so I was in and out.”
“So where are we going next?” Atlas ask.
Twilight called the list from her pocket and scanned the paper. “Fitness world.”
“That’s a pretty long walk. Are you sure you want to do that now?” Atlas said.
“I’m sure. I was planning we would take some time to look at other shops while we make our way over there.”
“Ok lead the way, bookworm.”
===•••===
15 minutes later.
9:25 AM
Third floor.
As Spike, Twilight and Atlas made their way through the mall, they looked around to see which store they should go to next.
Atlas was glad that they were taking their time instead of going to one store to another as quickly as possible. He even discovered some new stores that opened recently that he will definitely come back to in the near future.
“Atlas.” Spike said, snapping the human out of his thoughts.
“Yes?”
“Should we go into that store next?” He asked has he pointed to a nearby technology shop.
“Nah, Celestia already has enough tech as it is. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has some for Philomena to play with.”
“Ok, how about we go and get a gift from the botanical garden?” The dragon suggested.
“Aren’t we going there later today?”
“Right, I almost forgot.”
Then he spotted a store that definitely had something any mare might want.
“Now that store might have something Celestia will love. Let’s go inside.”
Atlas looked at the store Spike was talking about, and his face immediately became red as a ripe tomato.
The store in question sold lingerie.
“Nope, no no no no. Anywhere but there.”
“Why not?”
Atlas let out an awkward laugh. “Because you are too young to go in there.”
“Oh come on I can’t be that bad. Besides, I won’t tell anyone, I pinky promise.”
Instead of accepting the promise, Atlas leaned over the dragon, and said.
“Now listen to me my brother in Christ. If I allow you to go in there, not only would you be scarred for life. But your entire family, the royal sisters, and your friends in Ponyville, will come after me and I don’t want a group of powerful ponies coming after my ass.”
“Don’t worry, Atlas. I’ll make sure to put flowers on your casket.” Spike said before he tried to make a run for it but was unsuccessful when he was caught in the human’s magic. “Dammit.”
“You’re not getting me killed than easily.”
“Fine, I won’t go in there, happy?”
“Happy.” He said as he started to walk with Spike in his magical grasp.
“Can you put me down now?”
“Nope, I am not doing that until I find Twilight.”
This spike sighed, excepting his fate.
Two minutes later, Atlas found Twilight in the bookstore.
‘Of course she’s in there.’ He thought.
===•••===
10:10 AM
After he finish shopping in Fitness world and bought, fingerless gloves and a new headband.
Atlas was now in a nearby culinary store to pass the time while he waits for Spike and Twilight.
As he walked through the small store he noticed a dessert cookbook that was on sale.
Curious, he picked it up and began flipping through the pages. Every single dish in the book made his mouth water.
He entered that store, just waste some time and left a brand new cookbook.
===•••===
The botanical garden.
10:50 AM
The botanical gardens, the most peaceful place in the mall. Great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Canterlot and the mall itself.
Atlas was sitting on a bench nearby the waterfall in the center of the gardens. He was listening to sound of the rushing water while resting his aching feet.
He was done. After walking around the mall for two hours, he was finally got all the stuff Celestia could want. New clothes, new fitness wear, and a brand-new cookbook, and last, but not least, seeds for her to plant in her garden.
What more can a mare want?
And now Twilight has thrown out her shopping list and replace it with a list of fun things for them to do.
But as he sat there by himself, Atlas felt like he was missing something. Something that can definitely knock his marefriend’s socks off.
He doesn’t know why he was feeling this way.
It could be that he was nervous about the party tomorrow. Or it could be another reason.
Whatever it was, he knew this feeling wasn’t going to leave him anytime soon.
“Hey Atlas.” Spike called as he walked towards the human.
“Hey Spike, what’s up?”
“Twilight and I found a new cactus exhibit. Do you want to see it?”
“Sure.”
After he picked up his bags in his magic, Atlas followed Spike to the exhibit on the other side of the gardens.
===•••===
The aquarium.
11:20 AM
Twilight and Atlas were now in the aquarium section of the mall, looking at the large tank filled with all kinds of sea creatures.
Spike was not with them, since he was in another part of the aquarium. More than likely he’s in the aquarium tunnel.
“Twilight, can I ask you something?” He asked.
“Sure, what is it?”
“Have you ever try to get something for a friend or an significant other and feel like what you got for them wasn’t enough?”
“Yeah, why do you ask?” Twilight inquired.
“Because I feel like all the things I got her is not enough. And I am thinking there is one more thing somewhere in the mall that is going to surprise her. I don’t know what it is, but I think I’ll find it if I walk around the mall for a little bit.”
“You know not every gift has to be from a store you know. There is a millions ways of showing some pony that you care about them. All that matters is that it comes from the heart.”
“Mmm, I haven’t thought of it like that. Since when you knew so much about that?” Atlas ask.
“It’s because of all the friends I made over the years and the relationship with your brother helped too.”
Atlas thought of the words Twilight had just said as he watched an otter give his partner a fish.
Then, he had an idea.
“That’s it. Twilight, you’re a genius.”
“Aww, thank you.” Twilight blushed.
“I need to get back to the castle. I’ll see you and Spike later.”
“I’ll see you at the party.” Twilight waved before Atlas teleported away.
===•••===
Canterlot Castle.
After he teleported into his bedroom, he hides all the gifts he bought in his closet and teleported to the library.
He then walked up the stairs to the third floor, and made his way to the nonfiction section.
He browse the shelves until he found the book he was looking for.
“Found it.” He said before grabbing a book name ‘How to manipulate clouds for dummies.’
He put the book down on the nearby table and began to read. “For any pony that is not a member of the pegasus tribe but wants to shape clouds to whatever he or she desires. This is a book for you. Step one, depending on where you are, you should take a blimp, a hot air balloon, or levitate yourself to a height of 6,500 to 10,000 feet in the air.”
After a few moments of staring at the page, Atlas realize what he was getting himself into.
“Goddamnit.” he said quietly.
===•••===
The very next day.
June 11 1010 A.G
5 PM
The big day has finally arrived, Celestia’s 1,501 birthday.
For the entire day, Celestia, friends and family celebrated with her. They played games, ate a lot of sweets, and most importantly she opened all the gifts that they gave her. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that this was the first birthday in a millennia that her parents were there to celebrate with her.
It was a fun day for her.
After the festivities died down, Atlas walked over to the solar monarch and ask. “So did you enjoy your birthday party?”
“Yes I did. I think this one is the best one yet.” She responded.
“I’m glad to hear that because there is one more surprise left.”
“Oh.” The intrigued Alicorn said. “Where is this surprise?”
“I can’t tell you that. The only way you will find out is when you put on this blindfold and allow me to lead you to it.”
“All right, fine.” Celestia allowed him to tie the bandanna around her eyes.
He teleported himself and Celestia to where the surprise was.
“Ok, you can take off the blindfold now.”
She did just that. And her eyes widen. “Oh my sun.”
They were now standing on a large cloud with rainbow colors on the edge and a fountain made of clouds just a few feet away from them. In the middle was a gazebo made out of cloud with a table with two chairs underneath it.
The best part was the beautiful view of the city of Canterlot down below.
“You did all of this for me?” Celestia said in shock.
“Yeah, I did. I thought it would be nice to have dinner among the clouds. Do you like it?”
“Like it, I love it. None of my previous colt friends did this for me. This must’ve been difficult for you to do this, especially with your fear of heights.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” Atlas chuckle.
That was a lie.
“OK I’ll take your word for it. Thank you for this, i’ll make sure to make it up to you one day.” Celestia said as she gave Atlas a tight hug.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I want to.”
After they ended the hug, the couple made their way to the table and took their seats.
After that, Atlas summon two silver platters. “The first thing we’re having tonight is shrimp Alfredo I made myself.” He said before lifting the covers.
“Looks delicious.” She complemented.
“Do you want some wine?”
“Yes please.”
After he poured two glasses of wine, Atlas lifted up one of them, and said. “Happy birthday Celestia.”
“Happy one anniversary of arriving in Equestria, Atlas.” She said before both their glasses clinked together.
After that, they enjoyed their Alfredo and their evening together.