After being dismissed by Queen Chrysalis, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle trotted away from the Everfree Forest and headed toward the home of Fluttershy and Toby. Their eyes returned to their orginal colored hues, but they were still under the control of Chrysalis’ magic. They approached the cottage and Applebloom knocked on the door as a sly grin crept across her and the other two fillies’ faces.
The door opened to reveal the timid yellow pegasus who gave the three a warm smile “Well, good morning girls,” she greeted them.
“Good morning Fluttershy,” they replied in unison.
Sweetie Belle asked “Where is that cutie of a little brother of ours so we can take him outside for a little bit?” They let out a light snicker.
Fluttershy looked at them a little bit curiously at their snicker, but thought it was for the surprise party for Toby. She gave them a warm smile “He is just eating some breakfast girls. Please, come in,” she stepped aside to let them come in.
Toby was eating a plate of scrambled eggs with toast and a glass of orange juice as he looked up to see his big sisters. He smiled brightly “Hi my big sisters,” he said happily as he waved a hand at them, and went back to eating at his food.
The three grinned at the small child as they trotted over to him with Sweetie Belle and Appleboom laying down beside him on each side and Scootaloo sitting on her haunches behind him. “Hello little brother,” they said in a whispered and mischievous tone. Toby swallowed shyly at their tone, but thought they were just being playful and let out a giggle.
Fluttershy trotted over and sat down on the rug across from the floor giving them all a warm smile. She looked at her son “Toby sweetie how would you like to go outside and play with your sisters today?” She gave a small blushing smile.
He finished the last bite of his breakfast and swallowed it before speaking “I would like that Momma,” he smiled happily at her and at the three fillies. He carefully stood up to gather his plate and glass “I will put my dishes in the sink Momma, and go get dressed,” he smiled warmly as he walked into the kitchen. He came back out of the kitchen and went upstairs to get dressed for the day.
Fluttershy smiled warmly at her son as he went upstairs, then turned to the CMC “So girls, do you have your presents ready to give to Toby… um… if it is okay for me to ask?”
“Ya bet Fluttershy,” Applebloom nodded with a big smile. “We have them at the Sugarcube Corner where Pinkie Pie supposed to keep watch over them,” the three fillies let out a chuckle.
Fluttershy let out a small giggle as well “Well… um… that is good. I will take my present with me when I go to Sugarcube Corner. I just hope my precious little one will like it,” she let out a soft sigh as Toby came walking back downstairs wearing his all royal blue outfit with red jacket.
He went over to hug his mom around the neck, and laid his head on her chest sighing softly. He looked up at her with a warm smile “I will be careful Momma, and I will be back soon. I love you.”
She smiled warmly down at him and wrapped a foreleg around his back giving him a kiss on his forehead “Momma loves you too sweetheart. You just have fun and I will see you soon,” she patted his back and they broke their hug.
Applebloom and the girls were giving a smirk at the two as she trotted up to lift the small child up onto her back “Well little buddy, let’s go have some fun,” she let out a chuckle along with the other two. They waved their fore hooves at Fluttershy as they trotted out of the cottage.
Fluttershy carefully followed and waved a fore hoof of her own as she watched them trot along the path. She trotted back into the cottage and trotted upstairs to her bedroom. She trotted over to her dresser and pulled out a drawer. Inside there was a small red box as Fluttershy reached in to take it out and carefully removed the top. Inside the box was a butterfly shaped pendant with a matching silver chain. She opened the locket to reveal a picture of her and Toby together on the right side of the locket, and on the left said was the inscription “My Precious Little One”.
Tears began stinging her eyes as she slowly closed the locket and gently placed it back in the box. She held the box close to chest as she let a single tear fall from her eye “Happy Birthday Toby. Happy Birthday my son,” she softly whispered to herself as she took a deep breath and held the box close to her as she hovered downstairs.
As she hovered down into the den Angel hopped up to her and she smiled warmly down at her pet rabbit “Angel sweetheart, Momma is going to go get ready for Toby’s surprise party, okay?” The bunny nodded as Fluttershy reached down to give a kiss on top of his head “That is Momma’s good boy. Now you are in charge while I’m gone,” she smiled at her and he saluted her with a paw. She let out a soft giggle as she turned to exit the cottage and trotted toward Sugarcube Corner.
Chrysalis who watched secretly from within the shadows of the forest had a sinister smile on her face “He is indeed a small one, but I can sense his love is vastly strong,” she thought to herself. The Diamond Dogs were standing behind her as she spoke “Soon you mutts, the child will be coming and you three better be ready,” she sighed heavily.
They responded in unison “Yes your highness,” they bowed their heads respectfully.
Chrysalis shook her head annoyed at the three as she looked intently at Ponvyille as her sinister grin grew wide.
As they approached Sugarcube Corner, Applebloom turned her head to the child on her back “Hey little buddy, how about ya close your eyes for a bit?” He nodded and closed his eyes as he hugged around her neck. The three gave each other a sly grin at each other as they slowly trotted into the bakery.
It was dark and silent as the four entered Sugarcube Corner. Applebloom rubbed at Toby’s hands around her neck, “Ah’right little brother, open your eyes,” her and the other two let out a giggle. Toby nodded and opened his eyes.
Pinkie Pie who was standing near the light switch flipped it and all of the lights came on to reveal the child’s family and friends in attendance as they all hollered “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOBY!”
Toby looked all around as he saw streamers and balloons everywhere, and saw that every pony was standing before him with warm smiles on their faces. He looked in awe at the centerpiece which was a three layered cake with chocolate frosting on one half and strawberry pink frosting on the other half. In the middle layer written in strawberry pink frosting was the word “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOBY!”
He felt tears start to sting his eyes as Applebloom let him climb off her back. He looked back up at his sisters, and turned back to every pony as he tried to hold back his tears “Thank you everyone, I love you,” he said proudly as the group trotted over to him including the CMC gave him a big warm group hug. The princesses trotted over to the group and placed their horns in the center.
“We love you Toby,” they all said altogether as they gently broke the hug leaving Toby held in the crook of his mom’s foreleg.
He looked up at her with a little giggle and sighed happily “I thought you were going to stay at home Momma,” he hugged her warmly around her neck and laid his head on her shoulder.
She smiled warmly at him and nuzzled at his cheek “Well, Momma wanted to be a part of your surprise party sweetheart, and… um… I wanted to be an extra surprise,” she let out a light giggle and gave him a kiss on the forehead. She patted at his back “C’mon sweetie, let’s see what your aunties got you for your birthday, then we can eat some cake,” she gave him a smile as the others trotted over one by one.
Rarity was the first one to give her present as Sweetie Belle trotted up next to her. She smiled warmly down at her little nephew and levitated a wrapped package that Pinkie Pie brought out and set out on the display counter. “Toby darling, your first gift is from Sweetie Belle and me. She wanted to help lend a hoof in making it for you,” she levitated the golden wrapped present with blue bow over to the child.
He smiled up at the two unicorns and very carefully unwrapped his present. After he finished unwrapping it, he looked to see it was an all-black outfit with a white t-shirt top, black wool pants, matching black wool jacket, and black sneakers with white shoelaces. He smiled widely as he looked on the back of the jacket was a gem encrusted piano.
He looked up at them as Rarity gently levitated the outfit out of his hands, and he reached up to wrap his arms around her neck first. “Thank you Auntie Rarity, I love it,” he sighed softly as he laid his head against her chest fur.
She smiled warmly down at him and wrapped a foreleg around his back “You are very welcome precious,” she reached down and kissed the top of his head as he looked up at her happily. “Although you aren’t a pony Toby does not mean that you shouldn’t have a cutie mark. That was Sweetie Belle’s idea to add the piano to your jacket,” she gave a blushing smile.
Toby gently let go of his hug around Rarity’s neck and looked up at Sweetie Belle, “Thank you my big sister,” she smiled warmly and hugged her around her neck laying his head on her shoulder.
Sweetie smiled warmly and rubbed at his back with a foreleg “You are welcome my little brother. Happy Birthday cutie,” she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek as they broke the hug.
Pinkie Pie happily bounced up next holding a turquoise hued rock in her fore hoof. She leaned down to playfully nuzzle at the child’s nose “Happy Birthday my little wittle cutie wutie of a nephew,” she gave him a beaming smile causing him to giggle happily. “For your present from me, I decided to give you a rock that I have kept from the rock farm I worked on with my family before I moved here to Ponyville.”
Toby looked up curiously “A rock farm Auntie Pinkie?”
She nodded vigorously “Yep, it wasn’t fun working on the rock farm, but that is where I discovered my cutie mark, and where I experienced my first party,” she giggled happily at the memory. “Anyways, my father told me that I could bring anything from the farm with me to Ponyville so I would never forget where I came from. So I chose this one,” she held up the rock and turned it in a circle for him to look at.
Toby smiled in wonder “It is very pretty Auntie Pinkie.”
She nodded “Yes it is, but it isn’t any ordinary rock cutie wutie Toby,” she giggled. She rubbed at the top of his head ruffling his hair a bit “You see my little wittle nephew, this rock can help store your most precious of memories so you never lose them,” she gave him a warm smile and reached her fore hoof holding the rock toward him.
He carefully took the rock into both of his hands cupping it. He looked at it in wonder and covered it gently as he looked up at Pinkie, “Thank you Auntie Pie. I promise I will take real good care of it and never lose it,” he gave her a big smiled.
She scooped him help in her forelegs into a big warm hug as she rubbed at his back “Aw… I know you will silly willy,” she pulled him back and nuzzled at his cheek. She carefully set him down and bounced off to start cutting at the cake.
The Apple Family trotted up next with Applejack presenting the first present of theirs. She reached up with a fore hoof and rubbed at his head “Happy Birthday sugarcube. For one of our presents, we all pitched in baking with Granny Smith,” she turned to Big Mac who had a nice sized pie held in his fore hoof to show it to the child.
“Eeyup,” he nodded. “Ya see big guy, all the love of the Apples went into this special pie just for ya. Ah hope ya enjoy it Toby,” he reached out his fore hoof to the child.
Toby smiled happily and carefully took the pie in both hands “Thank you Papa Big Mac, Auntie Applejack, Granny Smith, and big sister Applebloom. I love apple pie, and I know I will love this one,” he smiled at the four happily as he carefully walked over to place the pie next to his other presents.
Applebloom trotted over behind the display case to get her present for Toby. She came back carrying a box on her back and trotted up to the child placing it down in front of him “this one is from me little buddy,” she sat on her haunches and gave the child a bright smile.
Toby gave her a smile back as he carefully lifted the top off the box and inside was a brown Stetson hat the same as Applejack’s, but a little smaller. He smiled brightly as he reached in, picked it up, and put it on. He looked up at the Apples “Oh, I love it Applebloom. I look like Auntie Applejack in this hat,” he giggled as the others let out a chuckle. He walked up to them as they all gave him a big warm hug.
Applebloom rubbed at his arm, “And not only that buddy, but look,” she gave a warm smile as she turned around. She had her tail laid over her flank as she carefully uncovered it. There was a symbol of a sewing machine with three red apples surrounding it “Ah got my cutie mark!”
Toby smile and clapped his hands “Congratulations big sister Applebloom, I am proud of you,” he reached up and hugged around her neck as she reached up and patted his back.
“Thank ya little buddy,” she let out a chuckle and nuzzle at his cheek before breaking the hug.
Silver Spoon was the next to trot up and gave Toby a kiss on his cheek causing him to blush, “That is the first part of my present sweetie pie.” She reached over to her saddlebags to open up a flap and pulled out a silver colored ticket. She reached out her fore hoof to him “This is a ticket for a date little guy here at Sugarcube Corner,” she gave him a blushing smile as he carefully took it in his hand.
Pinkie hopped in place as she got finished cutting the cake “And it is free my little wittle nephew. When you and Silver Spoon are ready for your date, I would be very happy to serve you,” she smiled excitedly.
Toby giggled and looked up at Silver Spoon. He carefully held the ticket in his hand and hugged Silver Spoon around her neck “Thank you Silver Spoon. I would like to go on a date with you,” he looked over at his mom “If that is okay with you Momma,” she gave him a warm smile and nodded.
Silver Spoon wrapped her foreleg around him and smiled warmly down at him “Then it’s a date sweetie pie,” she let out a giggle and gave him another kiss on the cheek.
Rainbow Dash trotted up next and carefully took his cowboy hat off so she can rub at his head. She placed it back on “Alright little buddy, are you ready for the most awesome birthday present ever?” He giggled and nodded up at her. She smirked down at him as she reached head toward one of her wings and pulled out a ticket of her own “This kiddo is a ticket to the next Wonderbolt show. I gave Scoots one, so you will be joining her to watch your cool Auntie Rainbow perform,” she smiled proudly.
He smiled up at her and carefully placed the ticket next to Silver Spoon’s ticket and all his other presents. He walked up to her and hugged her “Thank you Auntie Rainbow. I can’t wait to see the Wonderbolts and you perform,” he smiled up at her as she wrapped a wing around him.
She rubbed up and down his back “Don’t worry little buddy, I promise to give you and Scoots a great show,” she smirked proudly as they broke the hug.
Scootaloo flapped her wings happily as she trotted behind the display case to retrieve her present. She brought out a scooter just like hers except was all black with red wheels with a red helmet. She rode on it up to the child “This little buddy is from me. I got it from the same place I got mine, but I decided to paint it for you, because I know you love black and red together,” she smiled warmly down at him as she pushed it gently toward him.
He carefully took it by the handlebars and looked it over. He smiled brightly up at Scootaloo “Thank you big sister Scootaloo. I never had a scooter before,” he let out a giggle.
She let out a chuckle of her own as she patted at his shoulder “Well, if you would like to Toby after we finish with your birthday party, I can take you outside and teach you how to ride it. How does that sound?”
He nodded excitedly “Oh yes Scootaloo, that would be fun,” he carefully laid the scooter up against the display case with his other presents. He then gave her a hug as she wrapped a wing around him and nuzzled at his cheek. She gave him a soft smirk as they broke the hug.
Twilight trotted up along with Spike who had Toby’s gift held carefully in his claws. She smiled down warmly at the child “Happy Birthday dear. This is from both me and Spike,” she used her magic to levitate the powder blue wrapped present over to Toby.
He smiled up happily as he carefully unwrapped the present. It was a book, the first of the “Daring Do” series. He looked at it curiously, but with a smile “Oh, this looks like a fun book Auntie Twilight and Uncle Spike.”
Spike nodded and nodded “I promise you buddy, it is a fun book to read. Rainbow has read the entire series, but is reading them all over again,” he let out a chuckle as Rainbow nodded in agreement. “After you get finished with that first book, you can always come by and read the others too, okay little guy?” He smiled warmly at the child and rubbed his head gently.
“Thank you Uncle Spike and Auntie Twilight,” he carefully placed the book over with his other presents as he gave her a warm hug around her neck.
Twilight smiled warmly down at him and wrapped a wing around him nuzzling at the top of his head “You are welcome sweetheart, Happy Birthday my little nephew,” she let out a giggle as she rubbed at his back with her wing.
The last two to trot up to the child was his mom and Diamond Tiara. He smiled brightly up at Fluttershy as she laid a wing over his small form. She leaned her head down to give him a kiss on the forehead.
“Sweetheart, this present is from both me and Diamond Tiara,” she used her free wing to carefully bring out the small red box and reached it toward him.
He gently took the box into his hands and carefully removed the top to reveal the silver locket. He saw that he could open it and carefully opened it. Tears started to well up in his eyes as he looked at the picture of him and Fluttershy together on the day she adopted him, and the inscription. He looked up at the two as he wrapped his arms tightly around Fluttershy’s neck and laid his head against her soft chest fur.
The others smiled warmly at the sight keeping silent as Fluttershy felt tears of her own start to form. She leaned her head down to kiss the top of his head “Happy Birthday my precious little one, my precious son,” she rubbed at his back with her wing.
He sniffled a bit as he looked up at her with a tearful smile “I love you Momma, thank you,” she gave him a kiss on his forehead.
“Momma loves you too sweetie,” she rubbed at his back some more with her wing before they gently broke the hug.
He smiled up at Diamond Tiara “Thank you Diamond Tiara, it is very pretty,” he carefully wrapped his around her neck and laid his head on her shoulder.
She rubbed at his back with a fore leg and nuzzles at his cheek “You are welcome little guy. Happy Birthday Toby,” she gave him a warm smile. He put the locket around his neck and smiled down at it proudly.
Toby looked all around at his family and friends “Thank you all so much for a wonderful birthday,” he gave them all a tearful smile and sniffled. He looked to see the princesses and carefully walked up to them “Thank you Auntie Celestia and Auntie Luna for coming,” he smiled up at them happily.
“Of course our dear nephew,” they replied together as they lowered their heads to touch his shoulders with their horns showering him with a warm aura of white and royal blue.
Pinkie hopped excitedly “Time to blow out the candles little wittle Toby,” she beamed with excitement as the others laughed at her giddiness. Toby smiled and walked over to the cake.
Pinkie lifted him up from behind to blow out the candles, and he blew out all seven. She lowered him down and smiled brightly “What did you wish for cutie wutie, huh, huh?” She hopped in placed.
He giggled and shook his head “I didn’t wish for anything Auntie Pinkie, because my wish already came true,” he looked up at her and around at every pony. “I have a new family who loves and cares for me, I have wonderful friends, and I have a wonderful home,” he smiled happily at them all. He looked at his presents “I love all of these presents too, but the best present I have is all of you. I love you all,” he said proudly.
They all da’wwed at the child and said altogether “We all love you too Toby, Happy Birthday!” They all came together in a big group hug.
After the hug was broken Pinkie Pie hopped around “Woohoo! Time for cake,” she beamed with excitement as she hopped over to the cake and started putting slices onto plates. The group laughed at her excitement as they all got some cake to enjoy.
During the party, the three fillies heard the voice of Chrysalis within their minds “It is time, bring the small one to me,” they nodded at each other as mischievous grins grew on their faces.
Scootaloo trotted up to the child “Hey buddy, are you ready to go practice riding your scooter?” She gave him a smirk and patted him on the back.
He looked up at her and nodded “Yes I am big sister Scootaloo,” he smiled happily as he went over to Fluttershy and hugged her around her neck “I will be home soon Momma, I love you,” he sighed softly.
She wrapped a foreleg around him and kissed the top of his head “Momma loves you too sweetheart. You have fun riding your scooter, and I will take your other presents home with me, okay?” He nodded as they broke the hug.
He looked at the rest of his family and friends “Thank you all for the great birthday presents. I love them all, and I love you,” he smiled brightly as he went to go get his scooter.
“We love you too Toby, Happy Birthday!” They said in unison as they waved a foreleg at the four as they left. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara decided to stay at Sugarcube Corner to help clean up.
While outside Scootaloo was helping Toby onto his scooter. She checked to make sure his helmet was on nice and snugged. “Okay buddy, all you have to do is kick off with your left hoof, and the scooter will roll, okay?” She gave him a soft smirk and placed a fore hoof on the front of the handlebars and one on the back of the scooter.
He nodded “Okay Scootaloo, I’ll try,” he gave a soft smile as he placed his left foot on the ground as the pegasus filly carefully let go of the scooter. Toby took a deep breath before kicking off. He the scooter rolled some, but was wobbly. It was difficult for the child to hold his balance some, but Applebloom and Sweet Belle caught him on both sides so he wouldn’t fall.
“Are ya ah’right little buddy?” Applebloom asked worriedly.
He let out a deep sigh, but giggled lightly “Yes, I am okay big sister Applebloom,” he shrugged and looked up at Scootaloo who came trotting up behind him. “I guess I need more practice, right big sister Scootaloo?”
She nodded but patting his back “It’s okay little brother, you will get the hang of it,” she smirked and rubbed the top of his helmet. “Hey, let’s go for a little ride and I will ride on it and you can steer it, okay?” He nodded. She carefully climbed up onto the scooter with her right hind leg on the back of the scooter and gently placed her fore hooves over the child’s hands and handlebar.
She smiled warmly down at him “Okay buddy, hold on,” she kicked off the ground with her left hind leg and the scooter started to glide on the ground. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom giggled and smiled at the two as they galloped behind them. However, Toby was unaware where his big sisters were taking him.
As they were approaching the entrance to the Everfree Forest, Scootaloo came to a slow stop and smirked down at the child mischievously. Toby began shaking against Scootaloo when he saw where they were.
He swallowed nervously and looked up at the three “Big sisters, how come are we here at this scary forest? I don’t like…. Gah,” Toby gasped as he felt a magical aura grab him and lifted him off the scooter.
The laughter of evil could be heard coming from the forest as a voice yelled “Now you mutts,” suddenly the Diamond Dogs jumped out with some rope and a sack.
Toby looked at the three and whimpered some in the magical grip “Wait, you are those three mean doggies that me and Auntie Rarity met when we went gem hunting,” he spoke timidly as he felt the aura squeeze at him causing him to gasp and whimper.
Rover chuckled and grinned evilly “Neh… that is right you little runt. Now it is payback time,” Spot and Fido quickly tied the child up with his arms at his sides, a simple white cloth over his eyes, and a simple white cloth in his mouth to silence him. The three chuckled as Rover placed the sack under him, and the green aura lowered him into it. Rover tossed it over his shoulder and he could feel the helpless little colt wriggle inside.
Slowly Queen Chrysalis stepped out from behind the tree she was hiding behind “Good job you mutts,” she turned her attention to the three fillies standing there staring up at her. “As for you three, your job is done,” she waved a fore hoof and the CMC collapsed on the ground.
They shook their heads as Applebloom spoke first “Uh… what happened?” As they slowly stood up and rubbed at their heads with a forehoof.
Chrysalis chuckled evilly and looked down at them “Now, you three little ones listen to me,” they jumped as they heard her voice and looked up shaking. “Tell Princess Celestia and her loyal ponies if they come looking for us, then I shall hurt this small one more than I have planned to,” she let out a cackle as she turned to the Diamond Dogs. “Let’s go,” she levitated the sack over and up onto her back.
The CMC looked to see the sack was wriggling “TOBY!” They screamed as they saw the changeling queen hover in the air and fly off. The Diamond Dogs stuck their tongues out and burrowed underground quickly to follow her.
“No, no, no, this can’t be happening,” Sweetie Belle said panting heavily. “Our little brother foal napped, by that evil and ugly mare,” she kicked the ground angrily and felt tears start to sting her eyes.
Scootaloo pounded her fore hooves together “That’s it, I am going after them. I am not going to let them hurt my little brother,” she stood back on her hind legs and was about to shoot up in the air to fly off, but felt her tail being held down. She turned to see Applebloom holding it with a fore hoof while trying to console Sweetie Belle “Let me go Applebloom, I got to go save Toby,” she growled.
Applebloom frowned and nodded lowering her head “Ah know Scootaloo, but we are just fillies, and she is a full grown mare,” she let out a deep sigh. “Ah say we go tell Fluttershy, my sister, and the others. They will know what to do,” she looked at the other two who reluctantly nodded in agreement.
“You’re right Applebloom, let’s go to the others,” Scootaloo said as she went over to get Toby’s scooter and helmet. She thought to herself “Don’t worry buddy, we’ll save you. Just try to be brave Toby,” she gave a sad smile as the three galloped toward Fluttershy’s cottage.
Their hearts were pounding with the fear of what Queen Chrysalis would do to their little brother, and with guilt over what they have just done. Frowns formed on each of their faces as they galloped.
They said in unison in a soft tone “Be safe little brother, we’ll save you.”