//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Love of a Birthday // Story: Happy Birthday, Nyx // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 2: The Love of a Birthday A scroll is flying through the air on its wait to Canterlot, the reply from Golden Heart to Celestia about the request. It looks like to be a simple return...until a purple claw came from out of nowhere and grabbed it. On a balcony of a castle tower, Lorcan is fuming a bit, having gotten back from the universe that Twilight dreamt up. And boy, he is a bit ticked off. The dragon mumbles, "Must be a message to Celestia. I must know what she's up to so I am prepared for her at all times." Lorcan opens the scroll and reads it carefully. The villain look amused as he saw whom the scroll is from. Lorcan chuckles some more. Instead of burning it, he instead releases it, allowing the scroll to continue on its journey. Lorcan then says a few words of amusement, "So, Celestia's old friend Golden Heart is returning, huh?" The dragon took out a hilt and activates it, revealing the hilt itself to be a Beam Sword; the color is blade while the cord is black. "She must be getting desperate to try to stop me. Well, if Celestia wants to bring in a old friend, fine by me. That gives me one more pony to get rid of." Lorcan thus swiftly strikes a gargoyle, it splits into two... ------------------------------------- It's next morning in Ponyville as some ponies are preparing for Nyx's birthday. At the clubhouse, the CMC are quickly at work on making wood statues for them. "Hmm, needs more paint," Scootaloo said as she paints some orange on her own statue. "There, how is Pipsqueak's statue coming along?" Apple Bloom chips off a part of the statue that she's working on. The filly replies, "Shucks, doing along fine, Scoots. It should be done." "I hope Nyx loves this." Pipsqueak squeaks happily. "Is this going to be from all of us?" "Yew betcha, Pipsqueak, an' there's many more where 'dat came from." "Oh boy, oh boy! This is going to be great!" Sweetie squeals a bit as she looks at her own statue. "I really love my statue's mane!" "Oh, it's almost time for school." Dinky yelps as she looks at the clock nearby. "Dang nab it, yer're right, Dinky. Come on, Cutie Mark Crusaders, we gotta wash up an' finish 'dis here project later." Apple Bloom said as she and the CMC, minus the absent Nyx, heads off to get washed up and head to school on time. ----------------------------------- Rarity arrives at Fluttershy's cottage to pick up Opal. The white unicorn grins as she came in, saying in, "Good morning, Fluttershy! How are we today?" "Oh, doing fine, yes. If you're wondering about Opal, the cat is just a dear." Fluttershy giggles as she finishes feeding Opal. "Did you get your orders done?" "Yes, as well as the wonderful dress that I made for Nyx. Oh, I hope she adores it." "Well, I'm sure she would love it, Rarity. You have been an influence on her life, especially her manners and all." "Yes, for someone who used to be Nightmare Moon, she learned a lot of manners." Rarity said pleased. Fluttershy is right. When Twilight first introduced Nyx to her to help disguise the filly at first, Rarity taught matters to Nyx and the filly alicorn learnt them so well. Suddenly Rarity yelps as something shakes from a cage nearby. The white unicorn blinks as she saw it and heard some sort of growling. "Uh, Fluttershy, darling; what is inside that cage?" Rarity asks Fluttershy in concern. "Oh, well, Angel found it last night. I admit, I was a bit scared...but then upon seeing it a bit and taking care of the thing, the creature is beginning to be a bit tamed." Fluttershy explains. "Granted, it is a bit wild and bites at my hoof at times but...I think I may give him as a present for Nyx." "Wait, slow down. You're going to give something wild that you found off the ground to a little filly?" "Well...Koga used to be wild but he was tame, right? And Ben took him in, right?" "Okay, yes, that is correct...but what kind of creature are you going to be giving Nyx?" Rarity asks Fluttershy curiously as Angel took some food to the cage. The unicorn looks startled as a claw came out and took the stuff, bringing it into the cage and is heard chewing. "To be honest, I dunno...but well, Angel heard Nyx wanting a friend like her who is an outcast and a guardian angel. This is what she could be looking for." Fluttershy said. Burping noises are heard. "Well, for a guardian angel, that thing needs some manners of its own!" "Of course; I hate to keep it in a cage...but I want this animal to be a surprise for Nyx. I hope she is right." Fluttershy come over to the cage and hold out a picture of Nyx to show the animal what it's going to be a present to. The thing took the picture itself and looks at it in curiosity. Who could this be? ------------------------------- Ben came into the library; Twilight was finishing wrapping her present with Spike. The baby dragon asks curiously, "You think Nyx would love this?" "Oh I hope so. I took a while to pick this out just for her." Twilight giggles happily. She spots her love and spoke up, "How are preparations, Ben?" "The Cakes and Pinkie are on the second layer right now. Rainbow Dash just perfected her Sonic Rainboom. Rarity just got the dress, Cheerilee's class is working on the special gift project for Nyx, and the Apples are half done with the barn." Ben explains to her love. "I haven't checked up on Fluttershy just yet." "Have you informed your mother?" "No, not yet. I was planning on doing so later though." "And what will you be getting our little filly?" Twilight ask Ben while nuzzling him. "I believe I planned on making a story for her...but with the birthday coming so close, I will need special help. I am planning on making a commission to Canterlot's famous writer 'PSP'." Ben explains, making the other gasp in surprise and amazement. "PSP; Whoa, really," Spike gasps in surprise, "The most famous author of great classics like 'Better Living Science and Ponies' and 'Little Sugar Shop of Horror'?" "The same pony; I met the guy when I returned home, remember? I just need to pay his fee and it should be set. Hopefully he doesn't mind making a story about a former tyrant." "I'm sure he won't. PSP is a very understanding and kind pony. If anyone can make this story for Nyx in time, it will be him." Twilight explains. Just then she spots Nyx coming downstairs, motioning the others to be silent, "Morning, Nyx honey! How are we this morning?" "Oh, fine, mommy. Whatcha doing?" Nyx ask Twilight with a grin. "Oh, nothing much. Just library work." "Oh, nothing else like parties and such? Planning something for a little filly, hmm?" Spike looks a bit nervous. Twilight frowns as she said, "No. Not really. Nothing planned anyway. Why?" "Oh nothing," Nyx said happily as she took out a book and reads it. "I would be glad if we have another party around here, a birthday for a special somepony. If I'm having one, I would be excited and anxious. Oh, wouldn't it be neat if we have it at a friend's barn?" The others blink a bit, Koga whines as Nyx heads back upstairs. Ben said, "I think she found out. I didn't tell her and you didn't, Twilight. So that leaves..." "Spike; You told her?" Twilight ask Spike in annoyance and disbelief. "I can't help it! Those puppy dog eyes are hard to resist!" Spike protests to Twilight innocently, making the mare sigh in annoyance. "Once she used them, my defenses fell like butter. At least Pinkie Pie didn't use just cute dirty trick!" "Great...now it's going to be hard to cover up the party for my little filly now..." ------------------ Later, at Applejack's barn, Twilight arranged a meeting for her and her friends about what just happened with her. "Girls, we got a big problem." She said in concern. "Ooh, ooh! Spike spilled the beans and Nyx knows that her birthday's coming and she's suspecting a party, right?" Pinkie asks Twilight with a wild smile. "How did you know?" Twilight ask Pinkie in shock, wondering how her pink friend knew already. "I read the scriiiiipt!" Pinkie answers in a singy-songy voice while bouncing around the room happily. "Pinkie, you are SO random." Rainbow sighed. Twilight sighs in annoyance, Pinkie's weirdness amazes her at timed. The purple unicorn continues, "I'm worried." "Why? So what that Nyx knows that she's having a birthday now and is expecting a party?" Rainbow remarks with a shrug. "Not a big deal, right?" "But I want her party to be a surprise." Twilight said in frustration. "How are we supposed to get things done in time without her getting nosy and such?" "Calm down, Twilight; We can git 'dis right." Applejack assures Twilight. "All yew have 'ta do is git yer little filly out o' Ponyville fer a while so we can git things done." "Right…maybe..." Twilight said thoughtfully. "I think I can take Nyx to visit mom and dad, as well as Shining and Cadance to spend the night. Maybe I could inform the princess of the party myself. She is Ben's adopted mother which in turn makes her Nyx's grandmother." "Grandma Celly," Rarity giggles a bit, "I can never get over that cute nickname Nyx gave for her." "Stupid question, Twilight," Rainbow said puzzled. "July 18th is Nyx's birthday...but if I remember right, you were abducted in the early spring/late winter." "I know that...but it was July at the time." Twilight explains. "After the incident with Discord, the princesses decided to adopt Earth's calendar days as of our own so that early spring/late winter is now March." "That somehow makes sense." Applejack commented. "I am just worried that my gift for Nyx won't be ruined." Fluttershy said in concern. "Why, what did you get her?" Twilight ask Fluttershy puzzled. "Well...it's a bit complicated...Angel found it last night, I took care of it and have to put it in a cage." Fluttershy explains meekly. "Is doing so cruel? I don't want to but I don't want to ruin Nyx's present by letting her know." "It's all right, Fluttershy." Twilight said, "I'm sure it must be something exotic and has to be tamed." "Oh, I'm sure it will be by the time this story is over." Pinkie explains happily, much to her friends' confusion. That pink pony confuses them a lot. --------------- In her home, Rainbow came in to check up on her e-mails on her computer, saying, "Okay, computer, it's been a long time since I checked e-mails on you; Time to see if I got any ideas for Nyx." Rainbow brings up her e-mails, seeing this. To all ponies, Prepare yourselves, the Dragon Age will return! You all will fall to the might of my Dragon Army once the Elements of Harmony are mine and your Magic user is dead! Tadaka shall be avenged! -L Rainbow looks in annoyance as she snaps, "Oh horse crap! If I get any more junk mail about this subject, I am going to shoot bricks! DELETED," Everytime, the Pegasi pony gets this nonsense about 'Dragon Armies' or 'Tadaka'. The pony does the usual deleted tactic. DELETED! "Okay, ponies, you better got something better for Nyx." Rainbow said as she brings up the next e-mail. Hey there, Rainbow Dash! I heard that you're going to have a birthday party for Nyx soon. How about I suggest two gifts to give her for you? 1. Make your Sonic Rainboom 2. An autographed Dasheresque sunglasses! I know that she can love them. Sincerely, Just Sonic Rainbow smiles as she said, "Just...good ideas. I am already working on a Sonic Rainboom...but I think I got a spare pair of sunglasses in this place." Rainbow quickly search her home, looking for a pair of sunglasses, the right size for Nyx while at the same time the same style Rainbow herself used in the Dasheresque films. "Here we go!" Rainbow exclaims as she pulls out a pair of sunglasses, just the right size for Nyx. "Now I need is a pen and I am going to autograph these babies." -------------- Fluttershy in her cottage came to the cottage and peeks in. The Pegasi is wondering how this thing came to Equestria...and if it's the right one for Nyx. "Uh, excuse me...you okay in there?" Fluttershy ask the newcomer meekly. The mysterious creature inside the cage looked towards her. "I'm so sorry for the cage...but I want you to be a surprise for my honorary niece." Fluttershy explains. "Her name is Nyx, heard of her? You saw her picture." The creature pauses a bit then Fluttershy said, "I promise in 2 days, I will let you out and you can meet Nyx. Oh, I hope you love her. She is the most sweetest little filly you will ever meet." The newcomer didn't say a word. Fluttershy begins to ask, "Uh...can you talk? I mean, animals around here can't but..." The newcomer then speaks, "Yes...me can talk...a little..." Hearing this got Fluttershy to gasp a bit in surprise. "Oh my gosh! Next to Spike, I have never seen a talking..." Fluttershy giggles a bit. "Wow, you can talk?" "Still baby...learning..." The newcomer explains. "What is...little Nyx...like?" "Like I said but I am adding to what I said, Nyx is a sweet and kind filly, and she's very special." Fluttershy explained. "Ah...am I special? Back home, I was the runt of the clan...my kind treats me different because of my size and my opinions." The newcomer said sadly. "What kind of filly would want someone like me...if she saw whom I am?" "Awww, don't be like that." Fluttershy said to the creature gently. "It's what on the inside that counts. A long time ago, Nyx was Nightmare Moon...she only did the evil things that the evil alicorn was because that's what she thought that she should be like others wanted her to. But the truth is, Nyx is already loved as herself, no longer wanting to go after old desires that were never hers in the first place." "So...basically the idea is that me shouldn't be what others wanted me to be...but to be whom I want to be?" The gift for Nyx asks curiously. "That's right. You should be whoever you want to be. A friend, a protector...anything nice," Fluttershy said kindly. Nyx's present thought about what the caring Pegasus pony said for a moment. "Yeah...maybe," The present said thoughtfully. -------------- Ben has gotten all the info about Nyx from the cult abducting Twilight to when she became Twilight's adopted daughter permanently. Now he needs to make a message to PSP himself. Twilight has already left, taking Nyx with her to Canterlot so the stallion got the privacy needed for this task. "Spike, come in. I need your help." Ben calls out to Spike. "What's up, Ben?" Spike asked as he entered the room where Ben is. "I need you to send a message and info to PSP." Ben said seriously. "Can you send anything to anyone other than mom?" "Well, Twilight and I have been practicing a bit...but in the likely event that I can't, better send something to your adopted mother." Spike suggested. "Right, good point. Right, take an extra letter." Ben said to Spike who got out the quill pen and paper, "'To my mother. I need you to send this to PSP ASAP. It's very informant.'" Spike nods as he finish it, then got more paper out to send to PSP. Ben then continues, "'To the author PSP, we have never met before, but you know me. I am Ben Mare, the adopted son of Princess Celestia, the colt-friend of Twilight Sparkle and the former Demon Pony. I send you this message asking for a commission. You see, my adopted daughter Nyx's, whom you know as Nightmare Moon once, birthday is coming up. I request that you make a book based on that part of her life so I can give it to her as a birthday present. Twilight and I will pay you for your services and we will give you credit if you wish to publish the book for your next work. Be sure to respond at your convenience. Ben Mare.'" Ben pauses then ask Spike, "Did you get and understand all that, Spike?" "I think so." Spike said with a nod. "Really; repeat what I said back to me." Ben insists to Spike to make sure that the dragon heard and written the message right. Spike cleared his throat as he read the paper, "'To the author PSP, we have never met before, but you know me. I am Ben Mare, the adopted son of Princess Celestia, the colt-friend of Twilight Sparkle and the former Demon Pony. I send you this message asking for a commission. You see, my adopted daughter Nyx's, whom you know as Nightmare Moon once, birthday is coming up. I request that you make a book based on that part of her life so I can give it to her as a birthday present. Twilight and I will pay you for your services and we will give you credit if you wish to publish the book for your next work. Be sure to respond at your convenience; Ben Mare.'" "Good. Now send it to mom. She will know what to do from there." Ben said with a grin. "Right," Spike nodded before he rolled up the paper, and then he blew fire on it, sending the message to Celestia, who'd be sure to send it to PSP. -------------- "Good to see you again, Twilight," Mrs. Sparkle giggles as she nuzzles Twilight as well as Nyx. The house has since been rebuilt after the Party Cannon Disaster, "And to you too, little Nyx." "Hi, Granny Sparkle." Nyx giggles while nuzzling her grandmother on Twilight's side. "Good news. I think I'm going to be have a special day." "Is that so?" "My daughter has some idea of a special day." Twilight said while giving a wink to her parents who get the idea. "Listen, Nyx, I have to visit your other grandma...about something. Be right back." Twilight gallops out of the house quickly. Nyx giggles while saying, "I gotta get a birthday!" "Well, happy birthday, Nyx." Mr. Sparkle said with a smile. "Tell me, what do you wish for your birthday?" "Oh...something I made on a wishing star. Can't tell you, otherwise it wouldn't come true." --------------------- Twilight gallops through the streets quickly, heading to Castle Canterlot. She greets the guards who permit her entry. Twilight rushes through the castle until she arrives at Celestia's study. Celestia herself was reading some scrolls and doing some inspections when Twilight came into the study. The alicorn grins as she said, "Ah, Twilight, my faithful student and my niece-in-law. I didn't suspect you to be visiting." "I know, but I have to come to Canterlot, it's urgent to not just me but Nyx." Twilgiht explains as she trots up to her teacher. "Nyx's birthday is coming up." "Oh, yes, of course, I started to suspect something when Ben send me a note asking me to send a message to PSP. Only when you brought that up did my suspicions were confirmed. Tell me, did you get everything ready?" "Well, we are decorating the barn right now, Pinkie and the Cakes are making the birthday cake, some of my friends got their gifts for Nyx already or making them, you know what Ben s doing...as for me? Well...I will be honest, I got her something, I hope Nyx likes it." Celestia smiles, nuzzling Twilight while saying, "I'm sure whatever you got for Nyx, she will enjoy it as she does you as a mother. "Thank you, Princess. I'm positively sure of it now." Twilight said with a smile. "Listen, are you going to attend the party? I know you're busy and all as well as your past with my daughter, but Nyx would appreciate it if you, as her grandmother, would do so." "I will see what I can do. I won't promise anything. Perhaps I can get Luna to do something special once nighttime comes. As her half-sister and once a part of Nyx, she should give your daughter something special." "Oh, I hope it's something wonderful." Just then, a knock came at the door. Celestia looks puzzled as she ask, "Well, who can that be?" Celestia goes to the door and opens it as Twilight watches. The two ponies saw outside a male brown alicorn with green/red mane and green/light brown tail with a gold heart cutie mark, wearing a golden plated chest armor, gold bracelets with green jewels and silver anklets with green jewels. "Golden Heart," Celestia gasp in surprise upon seeing an old friend. "Is that you? I thought your letter said..." "Yes, but I fear that someone has intercept it before letting the message go on the way here...so I came earlier than expected." Golden Heart said sternly then spots Twilight, bowing to her. "Twilight Sparkle, we meet at last." -------------- In a part of Canterlot is a mansion owned by a very special pony author of books and stories known throughout Equestria. The author is in his study, having a discussion with his partner in crime/writing. PSP is a tan pony with a short black mane, a short black tail, and green eyes. He has a quill in a S cutie mark symbol on his behind. "I'm telling ya, PSP, writing is getting slow for us." The other pony said. Now this other guy, Bat Groom, is a white coated pony with a long black mane, as a long black tail and red eyes that appears to be crossed eye like Derpy; What's interesting about him is that the stallion has bat wings. "I mean, haven't you thought up any ideas?" "Not yet, Bat." PSP said with a groan as he sat at his desk. "I hope inspiration or some help arrive soon. My readers need something classic and interesting, but nothing comes up." "Oh you find something soon or we're going to go broke here." PSP sighs a bit, he needs an idea or some idea, but what? Suddenly the two stallions yelps as a cloud of smoke appear. They blink as a scroll along with some paper lands onto PSP's table. Someone must've send them a message, but who? "So who would be sending us anything?" Bat asks PSP who takes the stuff and reads them carefully, then in interest, "PSP?" "I believe my writer's block is finally over. Do you know of Ben Mare?" PSP ask his partner with a grin. "Adopted son of Princess Celestia who is dating her faithful student Twilight Sparkle? What about him?" "Well, Ben Mare is sending me a commission, he wishes me to make a storybook based on a certain part of life of his daughter...Nyx." Bat gasps in surprise and alarm, "You mean...the former Nightmare Moon? He wants us to write a book about her?" "For her birthday...and I think I got the idea needed for our big hit! Of course, the birthday is in 2 days so this must be done." PSP explains to Bat eagerly "If this commission is done, we can ask for permission to use the book to sell to the public." "But it's impossible to do a book in 2 days!" "Well, we better get to work then, won't we?"