The birthday of our favorite boy dragon was approaching. I found it super funny that Spike and Twilight had their birthdays close together. He was as old as Twilight’s cutiemark.
Usually, I figure out myself what a person wants for their birthday. This year I let my instincts guide me. Spike didn’t want a book, so I wouldn’t get him just any book.
So, searching through the bookstore, I was looking for the perfect gift for Spike.
In the comic book section. Brilliant, huh?
“Raspberry?” A voice asked.
Looking towards it, I saw Twilight. She was holding a book in her magical grip, giving me a curious look. The two of us had actually been getting closer since her birthday. She had even added a small dark pink gem to the necklace I gave her. Twilight was used to my walking into the library, to seeing me around town, saying hello to me.
Just a couple days ago, Twilight asked me if I wanted to meet up for tea! For tea! I felt so British for a second, and said yeah. These ponies are making me extraverted and I can’t find myself caring!
Lilac was even making more friends! With Derpy’s daughter, Ditzy. She was so cute! It helps that I ask Amethyst Star to watch Lilac whenever I go visit Cadance.
“Yeah, Sparkle of Twilight?”
“Why are you in the comic book section?” Twilight asked, walking towards me. She was also looking at the other comics.
“What? I don’t look like a nerd?” I challenged. Twilight looked at me wide eyed. “I’m not one, those were my brothers, but it was just a bit insulting.”
Twilight laughed. She shook her head. That was actually more insulting. “Are you shopping for them?”
“For Spike.” I admitted, trying to find one he would like.
“Spike likes comic books?” Twilight said after a moment.
I shrugged. “I see the need inside of him. I grew up with two of them, and know the signs.”
Picking up one, I threw it at her. “You should give him this one. He’d like it.”
“Why do you think Spike will like Power Ponies?” Twilight asked.
“Don’t know. I just get feelings sometimes. Buy that one this, tell this one that. Tell her to turn left, not right.” I shook my head. “Oh. Wait. Haven’t told her that yet. Not looking forward to that. Vanished just before I could.” I looked at Twilight, who was still confused. “You can go which ever way you feel is right, or left. It’s your life.”
Searching again, I tried to find one for me to give Spike. “It’s the first in the series, so he can read up on the rest on his own.”
“Wow. Thanks!” Twilight cheered. “I owe you one!”
“Just admit you love me and the debt will be cleared.” I joked, adding a laughing at the end.
Twilight laughed back. “Goodbye Raspberry.”
“Bye-bye, Sparkle of Twilight.”
Once she was gone, I began diving into my insanity.
“Would he like Spiderstallion?” I asked.
“No. The lizard guy.” I argued.
“Good point.” I shook my head. “How about Superstallion?”
“Yeah, it might be a good idea.” I said, doubtful. “But what about the whole...it-ness?”
“It-ness?” I giggled.
“Yeah, it-ness.” This is what I get up to when my sister isn’t around. “It doesn’t feel right for Spike.”
“Yeah. I know. I just wanted to see your reaction.”
Rolling my eyes, I pulled up another one. “What is this one even about?”
“Do I look like I know? Dame is our go-to nerd guide.” I reminded myself.
“It’s times like these where I wish it was a family thing.” I sighed.
“Yeah. Me too.”
“Oh! That one has a dragon on it!”
“Being murdered by a knight.”
“Okay. Next?”
This went on for twenty minutes. It only ended because somepony had also come into the comic book section.
“I’m at a point of loss.” I admitted to myself. “You sure there aren’t any other books Spike might like?”
“How about a Power Ponies action figure?”
“Ohhh. That’s good. Which one?”
“Did you notice they looked like the Mane Six?”
“I did, but it was a coincidence and I was busy.”
“Get the Rarity one. He’d like that.”
“I’d bet.” I smirked, heading back to the comic book section. Then I blinked as I realized I just spent the past half hour having an argument with myself. “I need therapy.”
Don’t ask how. Don’t ask how. That way madness lies.
“Party time, woo-hoo!” Pinkie cheered loudly, showing off the six of us patiently waiting to give Spike his birthday presents.
The library was decorated wonderfully. The confetti would probably take awhile to clean up. It was for Spike, a friend’s birthday, so I guess it doesn’t really matter. The cool thing is, this is the first birthday party I didn’t crash or host. I had been invited to it!
Spike gaped at all of us. “Are those... for me?”
Applejack trotted towards him, tossing him her gift. “You bet they are, birthday boy.”
Fluttershy went next, putting her gift on top of Applejack’s. “Happy birthday, Spike.” She cheered.
Rarity put her’s on next, Lilac after her (spoilers, she gave Spike a card she made), Then mine (a Gemstone Action Figure), and finally Rainbow’s weight set. The combined weight of it all made Spike drop everything, and get a little discombobulated.
He looked around at all the presents, apparently very confused by it.
Rainbow gave him a confused look. “Don’t you know you get presents on your birthday?”
Spike shrugged, picking himself up off the ground. “Well, actually, this is my first birthday in Ponyville... I usually just get one present... from Twilight. A book.”
“Well, actually, I didn’t get you a book this year.” Twilight said, giving him the box.
He took the box, giving Twilight a ‘I don’t believe that’ glance. He tore it open, and smiled at what he saw inside. “A comic book!”
“Okay, not a book-book.” Twilight smiled. “Raspberry thought it would be a good idea.”
I shrugged, nervously. I didn’t expect her to give me the credit. “Yeah. I did kinda help, and my present goes in line with her present.”
Rarity decided now was a good time to show of her latest creation. “Speaking of presents.” She pulled out grand pink cape, with lots of flare and stuff. It looked super fancy. “This is from my new line of taffeta capes. I’m going to make one for each of you!”
It hovered over towards all of us. We all gathered around it and gaped. It looked wonderful!
“Pretty.” I said.
“Very pretty.” Lilac complimented.
Rarity accepted the praise with dignity. “I’ve been inspired by the generosity of my little Spikey-wikey, who gave me this beautiful fire ruby.” She pointed to her necklace. “One of the kindest acts I’ve ever experienced.”
She snuggled Spike’s recently washed cheek.
Lilac poked my forehoof. “Mommy, it’s rude to eat other ponies’ jewelry, right?”
I nodded. “Don’t worry, I have some rubies at the house for you.”
“Thank you Mommy.” Lilac hugged my hoof.
I smiled, giddy. She’s been calling me that for months, and I don’t think I will ever get used to it.
The party had been going on for two hours, and I was bored as shit. Also, annoyed as shit.
“Raspberry, thank you so much for the action figure!” Spike said, hugging me. He held in his other claw the Gemstone Action Figure.
The hug surprised me, and I ended up spitting out the bit of cupcake I was eating.
“Spike. You already thanked me ten times.” I said. “And, I’m not really a hugging sort of pony.” I heard Lilac snort to my right. Apparently she thought otherwise. “Could you let go of me now?” I asked him.
Spike almost blushed. “I know I keep thanking you guys, but I’m just so grateful. I wish this party could last forever!”
*pop*
*eek!*
Side note: Lilac was at the age where a popping balloon scared her.
Pinkie spat out the thing in her mouth. “Duh! The party can’t last forever ‘cause you have to go to Sugarcube Corner, ‘cause the Cakes said they have a special surprise for you, ‘cause it's your birthday!”
Pinkie fell onto a pile of trash.
“No way!” Spike’s eyes were wide, and his smile nearly broke his face. I always loved when people smiled like that.
He dashed out of the library, towards Sugarcube Corner.
“I said the party couldn't last forever, but it doesn't need to end right now!” Pinkie called out to him.
I laughed, picking up some of the trash. I pushed it all into a trashcan. “It does kinda put a damper on the birthday party when the birthday boy isn’t here.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie agreed with me, almost sighing. “And it was just a-”
“Sapphire cupcake with a vanilla cupcake?” I said the same time as her.
Pinkie gasped. “Totally! How did you know?!”
“I made LIlac one when she turned three.” I blinked, keeping a look of shock from my face.
Sometimes, when I go places, memories from their past just hop on up. I could start crying about a phantom memory, and have no idea why. Sorta like how Amy cried even though she didn’t remember Rory. I knew I was crying, but I didn’t know why. Not. Wait. It’s not at all like that, but think of it that way if it helps you.
I knew Lilac was given this type of cupcake for her third birthday. I knew Raspberry spent two weeks trying to gather enough sapphires and enough ingredients to make it just right. I knew Lilac liked it, and that Raspberry spent the next three weeks making all other sorts of gem based cupcakes.
I just didn’t remember doing it.
“It was good!” Lilac cheered. “Cause then Mommy made me emerald cupcakes, topaz cupcakes, amethyst cupcakes, ruby cupcakes!” She started drooling. “Those are my favorite.”
I laughed. She was so cute!
“Wow! We could use those!” Pinkie said, delighted.
“How? Only Lilac and Spike would eat them?” I asked.
“Well, it you two have dragons, then who knows how many other unicorns have dragons!” Pinkie said.
Oh. She had a good point.
“Actually Pinkie, no.” Twilight said, stepping forward. “Only Raspberry and I have dragons.”
Applejack came up. “How can you ya be sure of that?”
“At Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, you have to hatch a dragon egg.” Twilight said. “For most students, they hatch it and move on. The egg gets sent to the Dragon Lands. For me, my magic went haywire and caused Spike to grow at an increased rate. It gave us a sort of attachment to each other.” She looked over at me. “And from what Princess Celestia told me, the same thing happened with Raspberry.”
“I hatched Lilac, and couldn’t let her go.” I smiled, wrapping a forehoof around her. Lilac giggled, curling herself into the hug. “So, like Sparkle of Twilight said, only she and I have dragons. If anypony else has them, we don’t know about it.”
That comment made Lilac frown, then smile. She hugged me hoof tightly, and buried her nose into it.
It was weird, Spike and Lilac being the only Equestrian dragons. It’s kinda sad, in a weird way. At least she had me.
At least I had her.
“Mommy?”
“Yeah Princess?”
“I had a nightmare.”
I frowned, scooting over on my bed. I had expected this after Spike’s party. “Come on over, sweetheart.”
Lilac walked into my room, climbing into the bed. I used my magic to tuck her in tighter, even though she was snuggled into my side. I didn’t ask what it was about, I didn’t tell her to get over it, and I didn’t tell her I would never leave her.
I just hugged her back, gently brushing her head fins.
Darcy was everything dark about me. She liked killing, but never did it to someone innocent. She harmed the guilty. She had a lot of sex, with a lot of guys, and killing most of them at the end. It was because most of the guys she had sex with were pigs. She did whatever she wanted, no matter the consequences, unless I told what he consequences would actually cost her.
All of my personalities, all over the TV screen, had an aspect of my personality that was enhanced. Some were extra kind, some were extra proud, osme were extra sad, or angry. The same for those made-up people, the ones given to me so I could help the Story.
Lilac was everything good about me. She liked helping ponies, she smiled, she cared more for others than herself, she didn’t like bullies, and she didn’t like lying. I could see bits of myself in her eyes, of me when I was young and happy. All the way back when I was her age. It was...hopeful. It gave me hope.
“For one so small, you seem so strong.” I sang to her, brushing her head fins still. “My arms will hold you keep you safe and warm.”
Lilac curled tighter onto me.
“This bond between us can’t be broken. I will be here, don’t you cry.” I kept singing.
“‘Cause you’ll be in my heart.” Lilac sang. My eyes widened, looking down at her. “Yes, you’ll be in my heart.” Her voice was weak, still scared of her nightmare.
The two of us began to sing together. “From this day on, now and forever more.”
It was more than a song. It was promise, to her. She was one of two dragons in Equestria. Her nightmare was either about the Spike attack, or if she was ever in his place. She’d probably get torn apart by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon tomorrow. If my daughter came home tomorrow in tears, I was gonna have words with Filthy Rich and Silver Lining.
I was promising her that no matter what she did, no matter what was going on, no matter what, she would be my daughter. I will love Lilac until my dying breath.
From her singing back, I knew she was saying the same promise.
“You’ll be in my heart, no matter what they say. You’ll be here in my heart, always.”
“OY!” I groaned, shaking out all of the imaginary kinks in my body. “Ten-thousand years will give ya such a crick in the neck! Whoa! Does it feel good to be outta there!” Lifting my tail I pointe din at Luna/Aladdin. “Hi, where ya from?” She gaped. “What's your name?”
“Luna.” She answered.
I raised a brow. “For the sake of the story?”
She rolled her eyes. I could see the joy in them. SHe had as much fun with these things as much as I did. “Aladdin.”
“Hello, Aladdin.” I shook her hoof similar to how Applejack did when she met Twilight. “Nice to have you on the show. Can we call you ‘Al?’ Or maybe just ‘Din?’ Or how bout ‘Laddi?’” I changed the dream so I was wearing a Scottish wear. It was funny, if the look on Luna’s face was anything. “No. That sounds like ‘Here, boy! C’mon, Laddi!’”
I came back as a dog dressed in plaid.
Luna giggled. “I must have hit my head harder than I thought.”
“Do you smoke? Mind if I do?” I turned myself into a puff of smoke, having to stop myself from laughing. Celestia Abu screeched. “Oh, sorry Cheetah--hope I didn’t singe the fur!” I then noticed Carpet, or Rarity Carpet. “Hey, Rugman! Haven’t seen you in a few millennia! Slap me some tassel!”
Rarity Carpet flew up to me, her purple tassels hoofbumps me. “Yo! Yeah!” Then, I noticed the severe difference in height between luna and I. “Say, you’re a lot smaller than my last master.” I looked at my stomach. “Either that or I’m gettin’ bigger.” A mirror appeared next to me, I stood at my side, a large beer belly coming out in the reflection. “Look at me from the side-do I look different to you?”
Carpet Rarity shrugged. Celestia Abu rolled her pink eyes.
Luna’s eyes widened. “Wait a minute! I’m-your master?”
I set off fireworks. “That's right! He can be taught! What would you wish of me, the ever impressive, the long contained, often imitated, but never duplicated-” Fifteen copies of me repeated the word. “Genie...of the...lamp!” I yelled.
Luna Aladdin and Celestia Abu raised their brows at me.
I ignored their doubt filled looks. “Right here direct from the lamp, right here for your enjoyment wish fulfillment. Thank you!”
“Whoa! Wish fulfillment?” Luna gaped.
I held up three hooves, using the dream magic to keep me floating. “Three wishes to be exact.” I shrunk my self down, whispering to her. “And ix-nay on the wishing for more wishes. That’s it-three. Uno, dos, tres. No substitutions, exchanges or refunds.” I made myself giant again.
Luna shook her head, leaning over to Celestia Abu. “Now I know I’m dreaming.”
“Master, I don’t think you quite realize what you’ve got here! So why don’t you just ruminate, whilst I illuminate the possibilities.” I said.
Luna groaned. “Nay. Please tell me this isn’t another one of your songs.”
I answered in the form of a song. “Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves, Scheherazade had a thousand tales. But Master you in luck ‘cause up your sleeves you got a brand of magic never fails!”
Luna looked around, trying make sense of the song and dance. She almost started to laugh.
“You got some power in your corner now! Some heavy ammunition in your camp! You got some punch, pizzazz, yahoo and how? See all you gotta do is rub that lamp!” I sang loudly. “And I’ll say, Mister Aladdin, sir, what will your pleasure be? Let me take your order, jot it down. You ain’t never had a friend like me!”
The Night Princess smiled. “Oh, I am very much aware.”