Hyper's Birthday
Morning in the camp. The sky is grey but spirits are high as always. As tight as the community is, everyone knows that it is HyperBlitz’s birthday. SweetHooves is preparing breakfast for him. Little does she know that her husband snuck out of the bedroom while she was in the kitchen.
HyperBlitz moves stealthily along the path adjacent to the apartments, He does not make eye contact with anyone, and dodges any greetings.
AgileArrow, a purple mare, welcomes him as he passes. “HyperBlitz! Happy birthday!”
He only glares for a second, and stomps off.
“No ‘thank you’? Okay, see you later then,” AgileArrow mutters.
Hyper travels to the west end of the camp. There is a group of colts and a filly playing. The youngest of them, GentleSketch, spots HyperBlitz.
“Uncle Hyper! I made a present for you!” He calls.
“I don’t want any presents,” Hyper snaps, and begins marching again.
A look of disappointment crosses GentleSketch’s face. Another colt asks, “Sketch, are you okay?”
“But I made a special present for him,” GentleSketch begins to cry.
HyperBlitz is finally out of the camp. He proceeds to stride into the wastelands. When at a notable distance from the camp, the Pegasus takes flight. He only hovers a few feet above the ground. He does not want anyone from the camp to see him flying.
Perching on a crag, Hyper overlooks the valley, the stream, the train tracks, Los Pegasus’ skyline to the south, a gray ocean lined in the distance, a subtle hint of night still fading on the horizon. Hyper’s bright coat stands out among the dull surroundings.
Meanwhile, in the camp, ponies are noticing the disappearance of HyperBlitz.
SweetHooves confronts one of Hyper’s companions.
“Good morning, SweetHooves,” He greets.
“Good morning, CharmingRhythm… um, have you seen HyperBlitz?”
“No, why?”
“Well, I made breakfast for him, but when I went to get him up, he wasn’t there. It doesn’t make sense because he was there when I got up,” SweetHooves explains.
CharmingRhythm remarks, “That’s strange.”
SweetHooves continues, “Even if he would have gotten up, he would have tripped or made enough noise for me to notice.”
“We can ask ponies around the camp if they have seen him,” Rhythm suggests.
“Believe me, I have been,” SweetHooves says.
“I can check the base. Maybe he went there,” Rhythm offers.
The Unicorn heads to the base. SpinningNote is on the computer in the atrium. CharmingRhythm accosts him. Flashing colors are being emitted from the screen.
“Are you playing a videogame?” Rhythm questions.
SpinningNote closes the window. “No,” He lies.
Rhythm disregards that. “Have you seen HyperBlitz?”
“Nope.”
“He hasn’t came in here anytime?”
“Nope.”
Pausing, CharmingRhythm eyes the computer monitor. “Can I check the mill cameras?”
SpinningNote’s hooves dance around the keyboard. “I don’t know if that would do any good.” A program pops up. A few windows open, loading. Then different angles of the energy mill are show. “No Hyper.”
“Mmm, thanks anyway.” Rhythm leaves the base. SpinningNote brings the videogame back up (it is a game similar to Frogger.)
When CharmingRhythm returns to the clearing, he reports, “No Hyper at the base.”
SweetHooves counters, “Well, GentleSketch says he’s seen him.”
Rhythm looks at his son. “Really? When? Where?”
GentleSketch glances around. “He was really mean. He yelled at me and said he didn’t want my present.”
“He yelled at you?” Rhythm cocks his head. GentleSketch nods. “Why would he do that? Where did he go?”
“I don’t know. He just left,” The colt responds.
“I just don’t understand why he’d act like that to him,” SweetHooves says.
“Well, even so, I believe GentleSketch,” Rhythm replies. “He wouldn’t lie. If he’s seen HyperBlitz, then somepony else must have too.”
Both SweetHooves and CharmingRythm go around the camp asking ponies.
SunSwirl: “No, sorry.”
Iridescent: “I haven’t seen him, but if you find him, let me know!”
Berry: “No, I just got up.”
While CharmingRhythm asks another pony in the gardening tent, CherryBomb joins in.
“AgileArrow said she saw him,” She adds.
“Oh,” Rhythm looks at the Earth-pony. “Where is she now?”
“Um,” Cherry looks around. “I’m not sure where she went, but I bet I can find her.”
Rhythm and SweetHooves follow the dark red mare. She calls “Aggie!”
At last CherryBomb finds the purple Unicorn. She gives her a quick kiss and goes on with business.
“They wanted to know what you know about HyperBlitz,” CherryBomb gestures to CharmingRhythm and SweetHooves.
AgileArrow’s eyes narrow on the two ponies. “Oh yeah. He was really rude today. I told him happy birthday and he didn't even say thank you then he just stormed off.”
“Why is he acting this way?” SweetHooves questions. “ Do you think he is upset with me?”
“ No, if he was upset with you, he would not take it out on other ponies,” Rhythm points out. “ Anyway, if he was upset with someone he'd come complain to me. But obviously he doesn't want to be around other ponies.”
Rhythm and SweetHooves dismiss from the two mares to progress their conversation.
“He may have gone on a walk. I know a place he goes when he needs to think and be away from ponies,” CharmingRhythm alludes.
“Then don’t you think we should let him be?” SweetHooves proposes.
“It’s his birthday, I’m not letting him do that,” Rhythm opposes.
Preparing a saddlebag, he levitates some water bottles in.
“Can I come too?” The mare asks. Rhythm is silent for a moment. “I’m his wife.”
“Okay,” Rhythm answers.
They pace out to the west, in the same path as HyperBlitz had gone earlier. They talk on and off of why their friend would leave.
“I want you to stay back when we find him. Don’t talk to him,” Rhythm orders.
“Why?” SweetHooves asks, a bit offended.
“Just… Don’t get involved. He needs only one pony to speak to him. I think I can persuade him to come back, if he’s stubborn.”
“But I can help.”
“Just let me do this. Let us talk one on one. You can stay behind and listen. If it doesn’t work out, you can come in, okay?” Rhythm finalizes.
They arrive at the base of the hill that overlooks the valley.
“You come over from the far end,” Rhythm points a mechanical hoof.
“But wait.” His horn glows. And aura tickles at SweetHooves’ feet.
“What are you doing?” She puzzles.
“I don’t want him to hear us. I’m using a noise canceling spell, but it will only last a little while after you are away from me.”
SweetHooves swiftly maneuvers up the land on the far side. Rhythm climbs the steeper wall. His magic is flaring constantly, so there is no break in his spell.
The Unicorn finds his brightly colored friend. His back to Rhythm, HyperBlitz does not notice him at first. Rhythm sneaks towards the Pegasus.
Hyper’s ears twitch. “What are you doing here, CharmingRythm?”
“How did you know it was me?”
"Because you were really quiet until you came up. I know you have noise canceling spells.”
“Hmm.”
“And you are the only one who’d come looking for me.”
CharmingRhythm comes to his side. “You know other ponies care about you. They would look for you too.”
“But you are always the one to volunteer first.”
There is silence for a few moments. Rhythm falls to his haunches. “Why are you out here?”
“I ask the same question to you,” Hyper mumbles.
“You know the answer to that.”
Hyper nods to the thought of ‘you’re right’.
“Why are you acting like this? it's not like anypony forgot your birthday.”
“No, but I wish they did,” Hyper says in a low voice.
“What? Why? What’s wrong?”
Hyper sighs.
A water bottle is levitated out of Rhythm’s saddle bag. He offers to his friend, “Water?”
Hyper accepts the water.
“What’s the problem,” Rhythm still inquires. “Why are you out here when you could be back in the camp celebrating? It’s you’re fortieth birthday.”
“That’s the problem.” Hyper snaps.
“You’re birthday is the problem?
“I’m old.”
Rhythm pauses for a moment and then cracks a smile. “That that's the problem? Are you serious? You're upset because you’re getting older? How long have you been at this?”
Hyper doesn’t find it funny
“C’mon dude, you’re being ridiculous.”
“No I’m not,” Hyper insists. “I feel like my life is being wasted.”
“What do you mean?” Rhythm requests. There is no response. He places a hoof on his friend’s shoulder. “Hyper, talk to me. Just tell me how you feel. Why do you feel this way?”
Hyper takes a drink of water. He breathes. “It’s just, when we were younger, we got to make music. Now that things have changed, it’s like that doesn’t matter. It’s the same constant cycle in the camp.”
“You know we’ve been working on music on the side.”
“Even so, it’s not enough. We don’t tour, we don’t play concerts enough. We’re not inspiring ponies. Nobody even cares about music anymore. I can’t do what I love. The older I get, the less I’ll be able to do what I want.”
“That’s not true, not if you take care of yourself, which you have been doing very well.”
“I’m forty now. Another decade of my life. And it’s going to end someday.”
“Hyper-” Rhythm attempts to interrupt.
“The world’s gone to shit and I can’t do a thing about it,”
“But we-”
“I’m not ever going to leave a mark in this world. My life’s going to waste. Even if I try to make a difference, nopony will notice because I’m old. I’m becoming a waste of space.”
“HyperBlitz, please stop thinking that way. I understand you don’t like getting older, you’re not alone. I’m thirty-nine now, we’re all aging too. But you can’t stop time, it only goes forward.
“And you’ve always been one to act young. Dude, I’ve seen you do it. You can’t let your physical age define how you feel. You have to admit you’re getting older, and that’s okay.
“You can’t think that you haven’t made a mark in this world. You have friends, a family. You have music that almost anypony can pick up and relate to. You’ve inspired me!
“We’re all working our butts off to change this world, a little bit at a time. I’ve seen your determination to change this world.
“The past is the past, you know. Not everything's going to be easy. The important thing is to work out the tough times with the ones who care about you. And they… they don’t care how old you are, that doesn’t matter.
“Listen, you either get on with life, or sit on your ass and mope.”
Hyper glances at his friend. “You’ve always been the one to get me back on track.”
Rhythm expresses, “Anyway, I’m not letting you sit on your ass. You wouldn’t be able to get your gift.”
“You… didn’t have to get me anything.”
“No, it’s not like a little toy or a gift just for the thought. It’s something you need.”
“What do I need?” Hyper questions.
“You’ll have to come back to the camp to find out.” Rhythm stands up. His friend mimics.
“Don’t forget your water bottle, no littering.”
Hyper rolls his eyes and picks up the bottle.
“What is it I need?” He contends.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise,” Rhythm concludes.
SweetHooves meets with them as they descend down the hill.
“See, I told you I could get him on my own,” Rhythm boasts.
“SweetHooves?” Hyper is confounded by his wife’s appearance. “You came to? Were you listening?”
“Um, yes. He said I could,” She references CharmingRhythm. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m… fine. I just sometimes… when I start thinking a certain way, I continue to think like that.” Hyper looks at the ground. “I know I was rude to sneak off like that. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” SweetHooves says. “You just need to let me know if you are leaving.”
“I’m sorry, I just, didn’t want to…”
“You don’t have to keep being sorry. I know you are, and I forgive you,” The tan mare comforts. “And I don’t care how old you get, I’ll always love you.”
“Oh, SweetHooves…” Hyper wraps his wing around her as they walk.
The trio returns to the camp. They are greeted with warm welcomes. Many ponies ask if HyperBlitz is okay rather than telling him happy birthday.
Stopping in the clearing, CharmingRhythm announces, “I will be back.” The stallion advises his friends to gather in the clearing.
An orange colt runs to Hyper and hugs him. “Happy birthday Daddy!”
“Thank you, JumpingJolt.”
“Why didn’t you come have breakfast earlier?” JumpingJolt wonders.
Hyper thinks. “I… I guess I didn’t feel like it. But I probably should have. I’m really hungry now.”
SweetHooves chimes in, “Well, I hope you are at least still up for a birthday brunch.”
“That… sounds good.”
Hyper’s friends come to the clearing. They are group together, like a click.
“So do you know what this special surprise present is?” Hyper challenges.
“We do, but you know we can’t tell you!” BlazingFlair claims with a smile.
The crowd is waiting, conversing and laughing.
“It seems so strange that everypony is here for me,” Hyper thinks aloud.
“Why?” SweetHooves muses. “We do this every time there is a birthday. And I know you can’t be unfamiliar with being the center of attention.”
A rust colored stallion jumps in. “Yeah! Today is your day! We may as well throw a big party. I can make a light show tonight and play dance music and everything! Too bad I don’t have any cake to throw in your face.”
They all are amused by ElectricTone’s enthusiasm.
CharmingRhythm reenters the clearing, his magic holding a large box. Behind him is another Unicorn, the technician and physicist, SparkWire.
“Do you think it’s too early for me to be opening a present?” HyperBlitz cautions.
“Nah, I already teased you about it, so I better let you have it,” Rhythm retorts.
Hyper eyes his gift. “That’s a pretty big box. Are you sure I really need it?”
“Oh, definitely.”
Sitting down, Hyper scans the box. The ribbon on it are the colors that represent his best friend. The box opens like a suitcase. Hyper silently awes over the content.
He pivots his head to Rhythm. “A new wing?”
“I told you it’s something you need.”
SparkWire speaks up. “CharmingRhythm came to me with a proposal to make a better wing for you.”
Rhythm includes, “SweetHooves was in on it too, because she know how much your wing has been bothering you.”
The mechanical wing is a pearly white. An energy crystal sits inside the wheel-like base. Blue flames are painted onto the feathers.
“And the flames?” Hyper says.
“I wanted it to be unique,” Rhythm explains. “So I painted it. It has flames just like you.”
“You… painted it.” Hyper stands up and hugs CharmingRhythm. “Thank you.”
Rhythm whispers. “Hey, they also helped pay for it to be made.”
Hyper looks to his four other friends. He steps over and joins into a group hug.
“Thank you guys for everything. For caring about me, supporting me. Today is also the anniversary of when I met you. I can’t image my life without any of you guys. You all mean more to me than a wing ever could.”
“Yeah, but the wing’s pretty cool too,” BlazingFlair points out.
Hyper glimpses at the wing his friend painted. “Yeah. It’s great!”
“Aw, don’t get teary eyed on us,” Rhythm teases.
Hyper rubs his eye. “Sorry. It’s just you guys have always cared about me. This wing really symbolizes that. It’s crazy we’ve been together this long, even after all the change in Equestria.”
“It’s been-what- seventeen years now?” Rhythm reminisces. “And you know we aren’t stopping here. We’re gonna keep going, years after this, with whatever life throws in our faces.”
Hyper nods, a tear running down his cheek.
“Need a tissue?” SpinningNote jokes.
Hyper smiles and wipes his face with a red hoof.
“Uncle Hyper?” A small voice requests. HyperBitz turns to see GentleSketch. “Do you still not want your present?”
Hyper leans down to the colt. “GentleSketch, I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. That wasn’t very nice.”
“So can I give you your present?”
“Of course,” Hyper chuckles.
GentleSketch hands over a drawing he made for Hyper.
“Thank you.” The stallions hugs the little Unicorn. “Why don’t you put in the house so it doesn’t get all dirty.”
SweetHooves now stands next to her husband. She kisses him and says, “Even if you are old, I still think you are handsome.”
“Yeah right. I’m getting ugly,” Hyper taunts himself.
“No, you are not,” SweetHooves defends.
Hyper rolls his eyes and glances around.
“So when am I going to have my new wing attached?”
Rhythm replies, “Well, SparkWire says it may require surgery to get it working right… so, we’ll wait until another day.”
HyperBlitz nods.
“So are you going to have brunch with me?” SweetHooves invites.”
“Yeah, I will.”
“Yeah!” JumpingJolt hollers in light of that. He darts towards their apartment. Hyper follows him and his wife.