Even before he got out of bed, Dawn Shine knew it was going to be a very special day. It was his seventeenth birthday, and there was only one gift that would satisfy him. Nothing, not even Fluttershy, could shake him of his cheerful mood, as he was sure he would finally earn his cutie mark today. He was dreadfully tired of being a misfit. A pony that passed his foalhood without earning his cutie mark? Unheard of! Well, he was absolutely certain today would be the day he stopped hearing all those comments from other ponies as he walked through town.
Dawn hopped out of bed and quickly descended the flight of stairs that led from the top floor of the small cottage he shared with Fluttershy, the mare who had looked past his bare flank, and instead saw him for the broken, sad pony that he was two years ago. He couldn't wait to see what she had planned for his birthday today! Would she take him out Sweet Apple Acres to let him try applebucking? Or maybe she would try to take him over to Twilight's home to see if she had a spell that allowed pegasi to use magic? As the possibilities raced through his mind, he hadn't noticed that Fluttershy was not home.
"Hey, Fluttershy!" Dawn said, his voice ringing throughout the empty cottage.After a few minutes of no response, he began to grow paranoid with fear. 'Oh no... I'm all alone! What if she left because I'm too much of a burden?! What if she doesn't ever come back?! What if... Oh no... What if she left because my parents are coming to take me away?! What am I going t-' His thoughts were interrupted when the door to the cottage flew open, revealing a rather disgruntled looking Fluttershy.
"Oh, there you are Fluttershy! I was worried that you left, and weren't coming back! Hehe... Now that I think about it, that was kind of paranoid of me..." Dawn said with an embarrassed look on his face. "What's wrong?" The question seemed to catch the mare off guard, as she shook her head and put a warm, motherly smile on her face. "Oh, nothing is wrong, Shine. You don't need to worry about me." Fluttershy cooed, obviously not even convincing herself. "What are you doing up so early in the morning?" Dawn, looking confused, peered at the clock and made note of the time: 6:45 AM.
"Oh! Well, you know... It's kind of a special day for me, being my seventeenth birthday and all. And, I was wondering, do you have anything planned for today?!" Dawn exclaimed. "I mean like, what are you going to do to help me get my cutie mark this year!? Are you going take me to Sweet Apple Acres to try applebucking? Are you going to take me to Twilight's library to see if she has a spell that'll allow me to do magic? Or maybe... Well, that's all I could think of. But are we going to do either of those?!" Fluttershy said nothing in response, but only let out a slight giggle, which only served to make Dawn a bit irritated.
"I'm sorry Shine, but I don't think we can do either of those. You see, not even Twilight's magic is enough to make a pony other than a unicorn able to do magic, and it isn't even applebucking season. But don't worry, I'll make it up to you. Now I need you to go do something for me, that is, if you aren't busy or anything..." Fluttershy said. "I need you to go pick up a package from Sugarcube Corner for me. There's something very special in there, and I have a feeling you'll really enjoy it."
"Okay..." Dawn sighed. "Just stop calling me 'Shine', you know I hate that. Well, I guess I'd better get going to pick up that package. I'll see you later Fluttershy!" And with that, Dawn started to run off to get the package, only to be halted by Fluttershy. "Now Shi- I mean, Dawn, I need you to promise me something. Promise me that you won't open the package until you get back home. I'd hate for the surprise to be ruined before you even got to the best part of your day!" "Fine..." Dawn huffed. "But can I go now?" "Now, now, don't give me that attitude young man!" said Fluttershy, getting ready to initiate her trademarked look, "The Stare." Not wanting to end up like the last pony that faced "The Stare," Dawn quickly replaced his grimace with a cheerful smile and nodded his way of the cottage. "Phew, that was close one..."
And with that, Dawn Shine ran off to Sugarcube corner, completely unwaware of what would soon happen...