//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 - Happy Birthday // Story: Mirror // by TheLuckyCosmos //------------------------------// "Brother, are you sure this is such a good idea?" "Do you not trust me?" "No, I do... It's just that..." "Just what? Spit it out!" "It's just that I don't think a curse is the way to inflict vengeance, the the poor bastard rot in peace." "NO! He doesn't deserve peace, he deserves to be punished for all eternity!" *** "Wow Pinkie, theesh cupcakesh are shuper yummy!", Twilight could barely speak as her mouth was full of the pink mares confectionery creation. "Thanks! I found this super secret recipe in one of Mrs. Cakes' recipe books", Pinkie grinned as she brought over another plate full of delicious treats, "I know your birthday is coming up soon and wanted to make something extra special!" "Well I think these cupcakes will be a highlight of the party, isn't that right Spike?", Twilight asked looking towards the other side of the table where a very sick looking dragon sat slouching in his chair. "Ooooh... I think I had too many cupcakes...", Spike groaned. Twilight couldn't help but giggle at the little guy, "Oh Spike, didn't you learn your lesson from eating entire barrels of ice cream?" Spike hiccuped and nearly lost the contents of his stomach when he said, "Yeah but I didn't think that rule applied to everything". "Well alright, let's get you home so you can get some rest. Thanks again for the cupcakes Pinkie!", Twilight said as she picked Spike up with her magic and placed him firmly on her back. "Wait! Twilight! YOU FORGOT YOUR CUPCAKES!", Pinkie yelled but Twilight was just out of earshot, even for Pinkies unusual vocal capabilities. The pink mare darted her eyes around Sugarcube Corner before consuming the entire tray of half a dozen cupcakes in one huge mouthful. *** "Oooh i'm so excited Spike! I can't wait for all of our friends to get here, this is going to be the best birthday party ever!", Twilight said with glee. Spike, on the other hand, was having trouble staying awake. It had been a week since they visited Sugarcube Corner and everything was fine until last nights slumber turned out to have no slumber at all. He didn't know why, but it felt like something would force him to wake up when he finally did fall asleep accompanied by a strange whispering. However he didn't bother to tell Twilight, he figured it was probably just Luna playing a little prank on him. Though he had a hard time believing Luna was the prankster type, especially since she of all ponies knows how important sleep is. "Spike, were you listening to me?", Twilight asked which made the dragon jolt out of his stupor. "Huh, what?", the dragon was barely able to keep his eyes open at this point. "Did you get any sleep last night? Your eyes are saggy, you're drooling all over the place and to top it all off you're not even listening to what i'm saying", the Alicorn was concerned for the little drake. "Oh yeah, i'll get my quill and... take the chicken for a walk and...", was all Spike had to say before he fell fast asleep. Twilight smiled and floated him up to her bedroom, carefully placing him under the covers and tucking him in. There you go little guy, maybe you'll be able to sleep in here. Twilight walked out of her room and was about to head back downstairs but stopped when she heard something coming from Spike's room. Unsure what it could be, she cautiously poked her head in to see if she could find the source of this noise. Suddenly, the noise stopped and Twilight was surprised to see a majestic mirror standing proudly against the closet door. Twilight was unsure why Spike had such a mirror in the first place, until she saw a piece of parchment hanging on the side of it's wooden frame. To: Twilight From: Spike Happy Birthday! Twilight had a huge smile on her face, thankful that Spike would get her such a thoughtful and elegant gift. She noted how intricate the designs were on the mahogany frame, and how the mirror itself looked like it had never seen the light of day with how crystal clear it was. She was observing her gift intently when there was a distant knocking from downstairs. "Oh, that must be the party guests!", Twilight said as she picked up the mirror effortlessly with her magic and brought it downstairs. Twilight set the mirror in the main hallway near the staircase and went to greet her friends at the front door. She barely had time to touch the door handle before a flash of pink tackled the stunned Alicorn to the hard crystal floor. "Haaaaaaappy Birthdaaaaaaay!", said Pinkie Pie as she strapped a chromatic party hat on Twilight's head while blowing a party favor in celebration. Twilight giggled and pushed the party mare off to the side. "Thanks Pinkie, I see you came prepared...", Twilight gestured to the overflowing saddlebags somehow still strapped to Pinkie. "Yes indeedie! Iv'e got balloons, party favors, streamers, oooh a poster for pin the tail on Twilight, some confetti, some...", Pinkie Pie continued listing off every single party supply she brought. Twilight would have been standing there for hours, but thankfully another familiar voice captured her attention. "Hey egghead, don't just leave us standing here at your front door!", Rainbow Dash said with a joking tone. Twilight was pleased to see the rest of her friends, and she ran over and hugged them with a big smile on her face. "Oh i'm so glad you guys could make it!", Twilight said releasing her grip. "We wouldn't miss it fer nothin' Sugarcube", Applejack said. "Oh darling, Applejack's right you know. We only get to celebrate something this special once a year!", Rarity said as she walked past Twilight with her gift floating beside her. "Happy birthday Twilight", came the soft voice of Fluttershy as she handed her present over to Twilight. "Well since we're all here I think it's as good a time as any to start!", Twilight said as she motioned for the others to follow her. "...some silly string, and finally a party cannon", Pinkie said as she looked up to find she was all alone. She looked down the hall and saw the rest of her friends walking into the library, and she yelled, "Hey! Wait for me!" "So why are we having your party in the library Twilight?", Rainbow dash asked with confusion. "Because we're going to have a reading session silly, and it'll be easier to pick out a book you want to read this way!", Twilight grinned and Rainbow Dash let out a grunt. "Shoot Twi, I forgot to bring mah gift for ya'll, ah'ma head home and grab it. I won't be gone long!", Applejack said as she turned to head on out. Applejack was about to leave when she heard a voice whispering behind her. She looked around and saw no pony there, except a fancy looking mirror. Curious, she walked over and admired the well-crafted piece of furniture. However, to her surprise there was no reflection at all, but instead it was covered with some sort of fog which Applejack found quite odd. "Now why would Twilight have a mirror that didn't even have a reflection?", Applejack mumbled. A world where everything is perfect for you, don't be shy look a little bit closer and you'll finally see, let's have fun for a day or maybe two, are you ready? Then come with me... "Say what now?", but before Applejack could question any further the fog started to part, and it revealed grandest apple farm she has ever seen. Apple trees as far as the eye can see, filled with the reddest of apples. Applejack shook her head and said, "Well that thar is mighty fine and all but, I best be goin' if ah wanna be back in time for cake". But the mirror had other plans, for in it's 'perfect world' it displayed the parents of the farm pony. They waved to Applejack and her father reached a hoof out to try and get her to join them. "M-mom? D-dad?, Applejack was nearly in tears when her feelings got the best of her. She extended her hoof out to meet that of her fathers and proceeded to walk into the mirror. Just as the last of the mare was consumed, the mirror let out a menacing laugh and returned back into being a normal looking piece of furniture. One down, five to go...