Birthdays are special days for children. On this day of the year, big parties are held to celebrate a child getting older. That child and their friends have fun playing party games and activities with cake and presents coming afterwards.
For Brony, however, June 2nd was a day he absolutely despises. He has never had a proper birthday party in his life. In fact, his birthday was just like any other day. Up until the divorce between his parents, Brony would get a certain number of belt beatings by his father based on how old he was turning. The rest of the day was having to listen to his parents fight. In Windcrest, Brony's mom would attempt to plan a party at the local Chuck E. Cheese's but nobody would show up. Not even Chuck E. would wish him a happy birthday! Now, Brony is spending summer break with Sandbar after he and Gallus had to leave Brony's mom's Beverly Hills mansion for safety reasons. Brony hopes that now he is in Equestria, he could finally have a proper birthday. After all, today is his 16th birthday, one of his most important milestones! If there is one celebration that needs to be absolutely perfect, it's this one!
Gallus and Sandbar were up extra early so they can plan a sweet 16 celebration for Brony.
"Sandbar, get up! I wanna talk to you about something!" Gallus announced as he woke up Sandbar.
Sandbar got up to stretch, let out a yawn, and responded with "What's up?"
"Brony's birthday is today, and since he's never had a real birthday celebration, I wanna do something special for him this year" Gallus replied.
"That's nice of you. What do you have in mind?" Sandbar asked.
"Well, we were supposed to celebrate in his mom's neighborhood but it's too dangerous to do so right now"
"Yeah. I've heard that a lot was happening over there. I was really worried about you and Brony. I'm glad you two are okay and came here. Anyways, what were you planning for Brony's birthday?"
"I was thinking about holding a big party for him at our treehouse with our other friends and professors. But we have to distract him while we get everything set up. I've spent all day yesterday flying over town looking for well-known landmarks. My idea is to have Brony complete a scavenger hunt around the town and look for these landmarks"
"Great idea, Gallus! Did you get the clues set up already?"
"Sure did!"
"Did you get permission to do this?"
"Of course!"
"Good job, buddy! Now we can get Brony's party ready! Do you know what we need?"
"I've told everyone else about this party and they're all on board. Corn and Peg will be baking a cake, Yona and Silverstream will be shopping for decorations, Ocellus and Smolder will be in charge of choosing which games we play, and we are in charge of getting party snacks. I also have a special surprise I ordered from Sugarcube Corner"
"Special surprise? What is it?"
"You'll see! Can't tell you now or it won't be a surprise anymore. We also have to make sure we get him a special gift so we have to squeeze in some time to go to the mall and get a little something"
"Sounds like you got everything planned out, my dude! No time to lose! Let's go!" Sandbar said as he and Gallus went to get ready for the party.
As soon as Gallus and Sandbar left, Brony woke up. He let out a yawn before he got out of bed. Right after he got out of bed, he found a piece of paper by his hooves. He began to read the note:
Dear Brony,
Happy Birthday! We know that your past birthdays didn't really go well for you, but that's about to change. Now that you have new friends that love and care for you, you're about to have the best day of your life! We also know that you're still fairly new to Ponyville, so that's why we have organized a scavenger hunt just for you! Find the clues to find landmarks around town on your way to your special birthday bash! Here's the clue to your first landmark: Apples Galore!
"Wow! A scavenger hunt! How fun!" Brony said to himself as he studied the note. "Apples galore, huh? Well, I think I know where that is!"
And so, Brony made his way to Sweet Apple Acres where he thinks the first clue is.
A short while later, Brony made it to Sweet Apple Acres where Appkejack was waiting for him. As he landed, he was surprised to see her.
"Oh! Good morning, Professor Applejack! Nice seeing you here!" Brony greeted.
"Happy birthday, Brony! Reckon y'saw the first clue" Applejack replied.
"Wait, you know about the scavenger hunt?" Brony asked.
"Yup. And so do the rest of yer professors. Yesterday, Gallus was flyin' around town settin' this thing up"
"So this whole thing was Gallus's idea, huh? He's such a good friend!"
"Sure is!"
Suddenly, Brony noticed the delicious smell of apple pastries coming from inside the barn.
"Mmm! Something smells tasty!" Brony remarked.
"Eeyup! Gallus requested we make our famous treats for yer party" Applejack replied.
The delicious aroma made Brony very hungry and his stomach growled. Blushing in embarrassment, he asked Applejack if he could have a small piece.
"Sorry, sugarcube, but that's for the party. But, you can have an apple to hold you over" Applejack replied as she handed an apple to her hungry student.
"Mmm! You really do have the best apples!" Brony complimented as he ate the apple.
"Why thank you, Brony! Y'know, we apples work very hard to make these apples the absolute best!" Applejack replied.
Brony gulped down the apple. "And it shows! Thanks, Professor Applejack!"
"Any time, sugarcube! Hey, Gallus told me to give you this. It's the next clue!" Applejack said as she gave Brony a note containing the next clue for the scavenger hunt.
"Oh boy! Wonder what it is!" Brony said before reading the next clue.
Great job on finding the first clue! Your next clue is where everypony in town gets their clothes.
"I know! That must be Professor Rarity's boutique! See y'later, Applejack!" Brony said as he left for the Carousel Boutique.
Once he arrived at Carousel Boutique, he saw Rarity standing outside.
"Morning, Miss Rarity! I take it that Gallus told you about the hunt too, right?" Brony greeted.
"Sure did! And that was very thoughtful for him to plan this out" Rarity replied.
"Yeah. He's such a good friend!"
"Come inside, darling! I have a special surprise for you" Rarity requested as she and Brony went inside the boutique.
"You know, Brony, the Festival of the Two Sisters is coming up soon and you certainly must attend" Rarity explained.
"Festival of the Two Sisters? That's a celebration of Celestia and Luna, right? I'd love to go!" Brony replied.
"You are correct! It used to be called the Summer Sun Celebration, but when Twilight became the new Princess of Equestria, she changed the name and now we celebrate the two sisters once a year. I really want you to go since all your friends have planned to attend and it will also give you an opportunity to learn more about Equestrian culture"
"Quick question: do I get extra credit?"
"No, Brony! You don't get extra credit because it doesn't take place during the school year"
Brony giggled. "Just kidding!"
"Anyways, I have designed a special outfit just for you that you can wear during the celebration" Rarity announced, revealing Brony's outfit, which was a white button-up shirt with a sun patch on its pocket.
"It's beautiful! Thank you, Professor Rarity!" Brony complimented.
"I'm glad you like it, Brony! And inside your pocket is your next clue. Take a look!" Rarity replied as she reached into the shirt pocket and took out the next clue.
Come to the mall and you'll find the queen of all do-gooders.
"It says I gotta meet someone at the mall. Thank you for the outfit, Miss Rarity! See you at the party!" Brony said as he made his way to the mall.
Once Brony went inside the mall, he took another glance at the note so that he can know who he is expected to meet.
"The queen of all do-gooders...that must be Captain Thunderhoof" Brony said to himself as he walked around the mall in search of Captain Thunderhoof.
A short while later, he saw Captain Thunderhoof posters and standing in front of them was Captain Thunderhoof herself, with Corn and Peg joining her.
"Happy birthday, do-gooder!" Captain Thunderhoof cheered.
"Wow! What a surprise! Thank you, Captain Thunderhoof!" Brony replied.
"Happy birthday, Brony!" Corn and Peg cheered.
"Aww, thanks, you two!" Brony said as he hugged the two foals. "I love the cosplay!"
"Thanks! Say, we have a special surprise for you!" Peg replied.
"Another surprise?" Brony replied, overwhelmed with excitement.
"Check it out! A special Captain Thunderhoof friendship ring just like the ones Peg and I have!" Corn said as he presented the ring to Brony.
"Wow! And it fits like a glove! I love it! Thanks, Corn and Peg! And thank you, Captain Thunderhoof!" Brony cheered.
"Anytime, Brony! A friend of Corn and Peg is a friend if mine!" Captain Thunderhoof replied.
"Hey, Brony. Before you leave, we have something Gallus wants us to give you" Corn added.
"Must be the next clue. Let's see" Brony said as he took the note.
This is where we spend our time learning about friendship.
"That's easy! The School of Friendship is the next landmark! Thanks again for the friendship ring, Corn and Peg! See you at the party!" Brony said as he made his way to the School of Friendship.
Once he arrived at the School of Friendship, he saw his headmare, Starlight Glimmer, waiting for him.
"Howdy, Starlight!" Brony greeted.
"Hi, Brony! Happy birthday!" Starlight replied.
"Thank you!"
"Of course! I take it you're on a scavenger hunt?"
"Yes I am! So far, this is the best birthday I've ever had! This scavenger hunt is do much fun! And look, I got this really cool friendship ring from Corn and Peg!"
"That is such a cool ring! You're so lucky to have such great friends! In fact, I think you already know this, but Gallus was the one who organized this hunt and the party. He's such a good student and I even gave him the title of Outstanding Friendship Student last semester. At the end of each semester, I choose a student who I think deserves this title, and I think for this past semester, you deserve the title for showing excellent work ethic and doing good deeds around the school. I would also like to announce that because of how well your academics were last semester, you have been accepted into the school's honors program! Congratulations, Brony!" Starlight explained before giving the Outstanding Friendship Student plaque to Brony.
"Wow! Outstanding Friendship Student? That is a true honor! Thank you so much, Headmare Starlight!" Brony cheered as he hugged Starlight.
"You might wanna look on the back of the plaque. The final clue is taped on it" Starlight said as Brony read the final clue.
Congratulations on successfully completing the scavenger hunt. Now, it's time to party! Meet us in our treehouse.
"But I don't know where the treehouse is" Brony said.
"Don't worry. I know where it is. Follow me!" Starlight replied as she led Brony to the treehouse.
"Here's the treehouse!" Starlight said as the two arrived.
"It's beautiful!" Brony said as he walked inside.
"SURPRISE! Happy birthday, Brony!" everyone cheered.
"Wow! Thanks, everyone! You put so much thought and effort into this party!" Brony said.
"We put so much thought and effort into the party because we love you, Brony! And it's about time you have an actual birthday celebration!" Gallus replied.
"Thank you, Gallus! I totally appreciate it!" Brony replied, smiling at Gallus.
"Hey, Gallus, what was that special surprise you've been talking about?" Sandbar asked as he walked up to Gallus.
"Oh, Brony, that reminds me. There's another surprise waiting for you outside. I think you'll like it!" Gallus told Brony.
Once outside, the crowd, including Brony, was shocked at what Gallus's surprise was: a milkshake that was about 80 feet tall!
"That's the biggest milkshake I have ever seen!" Brony remarked.
"Yep! I know how much you love milkshakes and this one's all yours!" Gallus replied.
"Really? Do you really think I can drink this whole shake by myself?"
"Go for it, Brony! After all, it's your special day!"
Brony hesitantly walked up to the milkshake and began taking a big sip.
"Sheesh, Gallus! How much did this cost you?" Sandbar asked.
"A big favor for Pinkie Pie. I had to sort about millions of mini M&Ms by color. It was hard work but it was totally worth it" Gallus replied.
Once Brony was finished with his milkshake, which took him a while, he felt discomfort as his stomach was digesting a huge amount of milkshake. Not too long afterwards, a humongous, humid, loud, deep belch escaped from his wavy, rotating mouth for about ten to fifteen seconds. Embarrassed, Brony's face turned hot pink as he covered his mouth.
"Excuse me! That was a really big milkshake! But it sure was delicious!" he said, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
"Now, let's go back inside and get this party started!" Gallus announced, prompting everyone to cheer as they headed back inside.
After the party, Brony was sitting at a table, holding his swollen belly.
"Did you have fun, birthday boy?" Gallus asked.
"Sure did! But now, I feel so full, I feel like I'm gonna burst!" Brony replied shortly before letting out a loud belch.
"Woah, sorry about that! Hope that didn't smell too bad!" Brony said as he smiled sheepishly.
"Eh, no problem. I've kinda expected that from you. Say, are you gonna go to the Festival of the Two Sisters with all of us?"
"Sure am! I've even got an outfit I'm gonna wear. Miss Rarity made it for me"
"Really? Y'know, I'm not a clothes kind of griffon, but even I have to admit that Miss Rarity makes excellent clothes!"
"Sure does! That outfit looked beautiful!"
"Well, we should probably start cleaning up and making our way back to Sandbar's. I'm beat!"
Brony let out a yawn. "Me too! It's tiring work being the birthday boy! It's all worth it because now I can say that I have finally had an actual birthday celebration. Thanks for doing this for me, Gallus! You're such a good friend!"
"You're very welcome, Brony! I'm glad we're friends!"
Brony and Gallus hugged before they began helping their friends clean up.