Ponyville. A nice quaint town under the shadow of Canterlot where families live happily, where the elderly last out the rest of their days in peace, and where children play with no care in the world. Two young pegasi laid on a cloud awaiting their morning shift. They were enjoying a time of intimacy, since it had become rare. The two lean forward for a kiss when suddenly a blur of blue, pink, and several other random colors flew past them causing their cloud to spin wildly. The two pegasi leapt off their cloud to gain their composure .
"Watch where you're flying, you brat!" The stallion warned.
Too bad for him the young pegasus didn't bother acknowledging his shouts and flew away. Young Windy Belle, first born to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, giggled playfully as she made loops in the air and broke through a cloud with a whoop. As she flew she noticed a lavender and pink dot on the hill. Knowing well this wasn't any ordinary dot, Windy perched herself on a nearby tree.
She held back a giggle and stopped herself noticing the lavender pony's ear flicked once. Windy Belle waited a moment longer then rose her haunches, mimicking how a cat would prepare for a pounce. Instead another idea came to mind and it was too good to pass up. She leapt off the branch and used her wings to softly land on the grass behind the unicorn. She snuck behind, raising her front hooves up. She poked both sides of the unicorn’s flanks and yelled, "BOOGA-BOOGA!"
The unicorn shrieked and turned, firing off a bolt of magic that sent poor Windy Belle into the trunk of the tree. Seeing the culprit giggling however sent the little unicorn into a blushing fit.
"Windy Belle! Seriously?" She cried out glaring at her as Windy Belle fell onto her side, slamming her hoof on the ground and laughing.
"That was the best jump scare ever!" Windy Belle cried between laughs pointing at her. "You're too easy to mess with Star." She rubbed her chest with a wince. "That hurt a lot. Worth it though."
Starchaser, daughter to Pinkie Pie and Princess Twilight, snorted. "Serves you right scaring me like that."
"Oh come on, you've got to admit that was pretty funny."
"Not funny to me," Starchaser scolded. "One day your jokes will hurt you back."
Windy Belle rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I hear that all the time from my parents and nothings happened yet."
Star returned to her book with a snort. Windy Belle crawled up next to her. "Hmm...my Starchaser senses are tingling." Star rolled her eyes with a light smile. Windy wrapped her wing around her dear friend, who blushed by the contact. "Something is wrong."
"I'm fine."
"No you’re not," Windy argued with worry. "Come on Star you can tell me, your bestest-best friend in the world." Starchaser smiled turning to her to see Windy's exaggerated frown. Star pushed her away causing her to fall to her side.
"You goob." Star smiled.
"See I'm the only one that can make you smile. You just never admit it." Windy said smugly fluttering her wings.
Star stuck her tongue at her, then put her book back. "Have you suddenly forgotten who my mother is?"
Windy Belle rolled her eyes snickering. "Well I'm the second pony that can make you smile." She sighed sitting up again. "Come on, spit it out Star. What's the matter?"
Star thought for a moment and sighed. She crossed her hooves and laid her head on top of them. "Today is my birthday."
"Yeah I remember." Windy said smiling. "Happy B-Day Star."
Starchaser looked to her then smiled. "You're the only one that said that all day."
Windy blinked once with a frown. "Really?"
"Yeah," Star answered turning away watching a ladybug crawl up a stem of grass. "Every year both of my mothers would wish me a happy birthday and we would have a birthday breakfast of every fruit and chip pancakes. But nothing happened. They were acting like today was any ordinary day."
Windy rubbed her chin with her forearm thinking. "Huh, that's odd. Aunt Twilight never misses a special day. And Aunt Pinkie never misses a chance to party! That is weird."
Star sniffed wiping her eyes. "They never did anything like this."
Windy patted Star's back. "I'm sure there must be something going on that's taking up their time."
"But they would have told me!" Star argued with sniffles. "They would have said, ‘Oh Star dear, there is something important we must do today. We'll celebrate your birthday later tonight. Oh and a happy birthday pumpkin.’” Star turned towards the crystal castle and sighed. “Maybe Mother had an important princess duty and can’t delay it. And Mama went with her.”
Windy shrugged. “Maybe, but that doesn’t mean they forgot.” Windy said softly. “My mom once had to leave on a very important Wonderbolt mission and was gone for three weeks, she missed my birthday too. When she got back she got me and Harmony tickets to see one of her shows, and it was a blast. We also celebrated my late birthday that day too.” Star turned away thinking. Windy’s ears fell back with worry. “Even if it was late we still got to celebrate it. So I’m sure Aunt Twilight and Aunt Pinkie have a huge surprise for you for another time.”
Star looked up at her. “You think?”
“Sure!” Windy said jumping up to her hooves. “You know what? I feel the need for some sugar. Want to go to Sugar Cube Corner to get a birthday cupcake?” She urged nudging the unicorn with her hoof.
Star licked her lips. “Nah you go on ahead without me. I’d rather sit here and read.”
Windy turned away to grind her teeth in annoyance. She sighed then turned back to her. “Oh come on Star, call it a birthday present from your bestest-best friend in the world!” When Star was grabbing her book Windy leaned forward into her ear. “We'll get your favorite,” She teased.
Star dropped her book blinking her eyes, a curl of pink hair popped up from her combed mane.
“Strawberry-Raspberry Surprise?” Star asked in a whisper as Windy smirked.
“The very same.”
Star shook her head and used her hoof to fix the annoying curl back into her mane. She attempted to show the most mature composure, which wasn't successful, and nodded. “Alright you made a good offer and I accept. Thank you.”
“Yes!” Windy cheered. “Alright, let’s go!” She called trotting ahead. Star smiled as she put her book away once more and followed behind.
Star looked around to notice the ponies were minding their own business. Some smiled and wave to her in greeting. She waved back politely, but it the fact Windy Belle was with her that made the day brighter.
When they approached Sugar Cube Corner Star stopped to notice something odd.
“Um...Windy Belle?” She called.
Windy stopped her advance to the door and turned to her. “Yeah? Something wrong?”
“Um why does it look like the shop is closed? Isn't Sugar Cube Corner open...all the time?”
Windy blinked then turned to the window then back at Star. “Maybe they’re lights are off …. We should go check it out, come on!” Windy urged opening the door. “Use your magic and we can find the lanterns.”
Star sighed rolling her eyes. “Fine.” She concentrated to produce a light orb and walked past Windy into the dark shop. Windy smirked as she followed Star into the shop and shut the door behind her.
“Wow, it’s really dark in here.” Star said in surprise. “Be careful, don’t trip over-“
Suddenly the lights turned on and ponies leapt from their hiding places and screamed, “SURPRISE!”
Star needless to say wasn't prepared. She shrieked running behind Windy and hid under her colorful tail. After a moment of cheering Star peeked out from her hiding place and looked around. Windy started laughing with a hoof pointing behind her.
“No that was the best jump scare ever!” She cried out laughing as several others were laughing too.
Star's blush was heavy as she beat her hooves against Windy's back, calling her names that neither truly understood.
“Happy Birthday Sweetie.” Star stopped and turned to see her mother Twilight trot over to her. Star blushed for being caught in such a behavior.
Windy giggled as she trotted over to her mothers. Star watched as Rainbow Dash held up her hoof and Windy Belle bumped hooves.
“I- I don’t …” Star's confused head slowly processed the situation. “You really remember?”
Twilight blinked her ears folded back, her wings fluttered uncomfortably. “Starchaser...Pinkie and I will never forget your birthday.”
“But why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well,” Twilight began with a soft smile. “We wanted to give you a surprise party. And we had to act normal since you know Pinkie,” Twilight said with a smile turning to the side. “She doesn’t keep party secrets well.”
Star blinked and noticed Pinkie skipping along with a plate of cupcakes balanced on her head, passing them around to the party guests. She turned back to Windy Belle and they shared a knowing grin.
“You were a part of it?” Star asked walking over to her. Windy jumped as her sister, Harmony, climbed up her back giggling.
“Happy Birthday Star!” Harmony said softly with a blush.
“Thanks Harmony.” She smiled and turned back to catch Windy winking.
“Well duh, I’m the only one that can get you to do anything fun.”
Star frowned. “I can do fun things.”
“Oh yeah name one?” Windy taunted. She felt a light bump in the back of the head and turned to see Fluttershy giving her a look. “I mean,” Windy corrected as Harmony giggled.
Pinkie wrapped her arms around Star and hugged her tight. “Oh my little baby is turning ten!”
Star blushed but smiled all the same. Except when Pinkie's bone-crushing hug came into effect, her face went blue.
“Pinkie!” Twilight said worriedly catching her partner’s eye.
“Oh alright,” Pinkie conceded placing Star back on the ground and nuzzled her cheek. “Happy Birthday pumpkin.”
“Thanks Mama,” Star whispered.
“Who wants some cake?” Pinkie called in a sing-song voice.
“I do, I do!” Star cheered jumping up and down. Star blinked and turned to see Harmony and her other friend Apple Syrup, daughter of Applejack and Rarity, jumping up and down with her cheering for sweets.
~~~~Later That Afternoon~~~~
Everypony went home while close family and friends stayed a bit longer. The adults talked while the children played or took a nap in Harmony’s case.
“Remember the look on Star’s face when we surprised her?” The young dragon Agate, son to Spike, said laughing with Apple Syrup and Windy.
“Hey Star?” Syrup asked turning to Star to see her eating a slice of cake. "Did you like the scarf I made? Ma' said that the scarf was the best I’ve done so far.”
Star looked down at the purple scarf around her neck and nodded. “I love it Syrup, thank you.” Apple Syrup blushed at the praise.
“So?” Windy started. Star turned to face her and found Harmony sleeping on the pegasi's back. “Feeling better?”
Star nodded laying down next to her. “Yeah, thanks for making it better.”
“What are you talking about?” Windy asked smirking. “All I did was lead you here.”
Star smiled. “Still, you made me smile when I was down. And for that I thank you.”
Windy yawned stretching her wings out. She laid her wing over Star's back and hugged her tight. “What are friends for?” Star blushed and leaned into her side.
Agate looked up to see Twilight walk over. Twilight smiled rubbing her hoof over Agate’s head as she walked past him. Taking a moment to notice Windy, Starchaser and Harmony snuggled together, she left the room with a warm smile. She saw Apple Syrup and Agate walking over to get comfortable with their friends just as she entered the lounging area where Twilight's closest friends sat around.
Pinkie looked up at her confused. “I didn’t hear any exciting celebration.” She said worriedly. The others looked up as Twilight stood before them with a smile on her face.
Rarity sat up. “Oh dear, Star didn't like it, did she?”
Twilight chuckled. “Oh no, I didn’t tell her yet.”
“What’s up?” Rainbow asked with her interest peaked.
Twilight waved her hoof for her friends to look out the door into the room. The children slept together, each creating a unique snore.
“Aw so adorable!” Rarity cooed as Applejack nodded in agreement. Rainbow looked to Fluttershy to see her smiling happily. Spike crossed his arms across his chest beaming as well. Pinkie turned to Twilight with worry.
“What about the surprise?” She asked. Twilight nuzzled Pinkie’s cheek before walking off.
“We’ll tell her another time.” She said trotting away to the kitchen. “Let her enjoy the rest of her birthday with her friends.”
"What sort of 'surprise' do you keep from your kid so they can have a good day?" Applejack asked curiously.
Pinkie turned to her. "Twilight got Starchaser signed up to join Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns."
Rarity blinked. "I am curious, why wasn't Starchaser in the school already?"
"Twilight wanted Star to have a childhood and have friends." Pinkie said softly. "She said she didn't want Star to be the way she was when she was growing up."
Fluttershy smiled. "Aw that's sweet." She said softly as Rainbow nodded in agreement.
Pinkie smiled softly and turned back to see the children deep in sleep with smiles of content on their faces. She watched until she noticed Star nuzzling Windy Belle’s cheek with a smile on her face. Pinkie sighed and closed the door behind her leaving the children to sleep in peace.