Sunny and her friends were in the Brighthouse. Waiting for their newest friend to finish her shower. Which she soon did. Misty raced down the stairs with a smile on her face. After drying herself off with a mane drier and a towel.
“What's up?” She asked them as she approached. Wondering why they were gathered up like they had a plan. Did they?
”Oh nothing concerning…” Pipp noted. “But! Are you interested in a spa day at the salon?”
“Huh?” Misty asked. Wondering about the sudden spa day. It wasn’t mentioned to her before. Did they forget to tell her? Then she replied. “I guess so? So we are all gonna have a day at the salon? Are we preparing for an event or something?”
“No… I just thought you'd like to try something new.” Pipp responded, “Jazz and Rocky are lovely ponies. If something makes you feel uncomfortable. Then just tell them!”
It took a while for Misty to respond. She never really had a spa day, but she did go to the salon before. It possibly wouldn't not be that bad. Right? It could be nice experience. She had heard of things going on in there that sounded really peaceful. Peace sounded good, just relaxing. “Well… I guess I can give it ago!” Misty exclaimed with a bit of confidence.
“Darlings!” A familiar voice called as Haven walked in cheerful. Two guards behind her carrying boxes. “I’m here for-“
”Mother!” Cheered Pipp, interrupting her. “You are here a lot earlier than I thought!”
”Your highness?” Misty wondered. “What’s the occasion?”
“Oh nothing concerning.” Zipp said before the queen could answer. “Just some royal business. That is going to take a few hours.”
Pipp interrupted her. “Yes! Boring, important royal business between us two, Hitch, because he is the sheriff and Sunny, because of… things…”
”Oh!” Misty politely responded. “So I guess I can’t help in any way?”
”No-no” Pipp responded. “just a bunch of boring paperwork. Plus planning stuff out like laws and criminals… How boring!” She made a long fake groan.
Haven grin nervously for a moment and nodded to seem like she agreed with her daughters. Despite having no idea what they were talking about. But she rolled along with it. Cloudpuff happily sitting on her back. Listening with amusement.
”Oh! Well…” Misty gave a nervous chuckle. “Certainly sounds none of my business then. So I guess I’ll be on my way. Good luck!” Misty had said with a reassuring smile before she left the building. Everyone had a sigh of relief when she left. When they were sure she was way down the hill. Both sisters looked at their mother.
”We said 9.30…” Groaned Zipp. “Not 8.30!”
“Sorry, Girls…” Haven smiled apologetically as she took one of the boxes off from one of the two guard's backs, a gift box that was wrapped in pink paper, hidden inside a bigger cardboard box. It was a relief the present was hidden from Misty. The guards seemed a little sweaty.Having had to haul heavy boxes for a flight that could range from being 2 hours to just a few minutes depending how fast you were. It was very likely she simply cruised along. It being a warm morning might have also been a bit unpleasant.
Some would think it would be cruel for Haven to make her guards carry everything. But Zoom would be the one to say it was no big deal. It wasn't all the time anyway. And not always the same guard that had to carry a burden. Once the two guards set down the boxes of party decoration and equipment, Haven pet them nicely. “Go get yourself a nice cool glass of water. It was quite the flight!”
“Thanks, your highness!” Thunder smiled.
“Soo…” Zipp looked at Sunny, “What’s the plan, exactly?” She asked. Missing out on most of it due to Sparky finding some fireworks the day before. It was a race to get them off him. Which she succeeded when he turned the fireworks into ice cream and ate them.
“Let’s wait for Alphabittle, actually. It’s best he sees the plan too, in case he wants to make any changes.” Sunny added. “It just feels right he gets to see the plans first.”
Everyone agreed. It was right for him to be the one to approve and make any changes to the design. Since this would be her first birthday, he’d had celebrated in fifteen years. Give or take a few. This was sure to be the sweetest moment they had together since their reunion. Everyone was so excited for them.
The group decided to start with the cleaning. Mopping the floor, putting stuff away. Wiping the kitchen. Stuff like that. So it’d look nice and clean and ready to be set up. Much to the guard’s disbelief, Haven decided to help, too. Humming as she mopped the floor making it nice and shiny.
After a while of cleaning. Alphabittle entered the doors.
“Alphie!” Cheered Haven as she ran over to greet him. “You’re here!”
”Y-yeah. Sorry I'n a little late.” He apologised as he put down a wrapped gift on the table.“Im so excited. About today.” He started to get a bit emotional.“Never thought I'd get to celebrate her birthday again. This exact day the past few years felt so lonely…”
Everyone felt horrible for Alphabittle. They did not understand his pain. But they knew it can’t have been easy. On the day of your child’s birthday. Instead of watching her grow and a day of laughter and fun. It was a day of loneliness and grief. Fearing his daughter was dead or alive. He never got to watch her grow up.
But at least they were reunited now. With him seeing her again, as a young mare. It was unfortunate he didn't get to see her grow. But at least she was alive and safe now.
Haven put a hoof on him. “I'm sure she’s gonna love this…” She smiled at him. Feeling so happy that he was building a relationship with her. Despite her not remembering much of him. She knew he despised Opaline for what she did, that’s why no one brought it up around him.
Even tho he was a gentle giant. He was threatening at first, but once you got to know him. He was a pretty nice stallion. But Sunny and some others would not be surprised if he would have snapped Opaline’s horn off if he had the chance. For all that he did to his daughter.
“So, Alphie! What do you think?" Izzy exclaimed, bringing in a projector that projected on a big screen. Protecting the start of a video, that played a song. He watched the first minute or so of the video. That showed Misty’s progress and friends.
“She looks so sweet.” He smiled and then was alerted by Pipp.
“You think Misty will like these lights or…” Pipp lifted two pairs of led lights. One blue and the other pink. Then showed him another two lights. One green and one orange. “These?”
“Well…” Alphabittle sighed as he looked at them. Not knowing the answer. He felt it was all good, he didn't know his daughter as well as them. So why as they were asking him? “I…” he sighed. “I think its best we all leave this up to you. You guys know her much better than I do…” He felt bit ashamed. In tho in context, it made sense. But saying out loud, it sounded like something a bad father would say.
Everyone’s expressions turned from happy to hurt as they watched him. Feeling bad for him, Haven was the first to comfort him. Thunder and Zoom nearby, taking a giant chocolate fountain out one of the big cardboard boxes they carried.
“It’s not your fault…” Haven responded, giving him a comforting rub.
“Thanks… I just wish I was able to find her before Opaline…” He sighed as he thought of that disgusting alicorn. Wishing he was faster, or was whatever he needed to be to get to her on time. “I’m just glad she’s safe now with friends…”
“Don’t worry. We are gonna make this fabulous for her!” Pipp cheered with joy.
Alphabittle smiled as they all worked together to give Misty to birthday she deserved. He noticed as the chocolate fountain started to shake on the table as the two guards inserted melted chocolate. They seemed a bit concerned.
“Is it meant to do that?” Thunder asked Zoom as he reviewed the instructions. The latter using a tray to sheild herself. Feeling something was to happen. Much to Thunder’s confusion.
Only for the whole thing to explode chocolate all over them both and the table. There was less on Zoom as she had shielded herself. Poor Thunder’s front end was completely dripping with chocolate.
“No.” Answered Zoom. Hoping they could get the chocolate off their fur easily and armour pieces that was more guard uniform than actual armour.
Sunny scribbled down some stuff on a list as she put stuff on the table. Not the same one as the one the chocolate fountain was on. It was currently being repaired by Izzy and Zipp. While Hitch cleaned the surrounding area from the chocolate. Chuckling a bit as he noticed two pony shaped spaces on the wall where they were standing when it exploded.
Sunny happily hummed to herself as she placed down a tray of butterfly shaped and themed cupcakes. The second she turned around, she heard the sound of something being pushed across the ground. Like a chair or a stool. Which was exactly what it was.
“Oh?” Sunny noticed as she watched a familiar green claw reach up towards the cupcakes. “Oh Sparky, I can see you!” She teased playfully. The claw stopping in its tracks as the baby looked up with big eyes. Making a slight noise as he appeared surprised that he was caught.
His attention was diverted when he heard his name get called.
“Sparky! Have you seen a screwdriver anywhere?” Zipp called out, knowing Sparky was playing near the tools earlier. With a bunch of race cars that was gifted for him as a Wishday present.
Sparky ran over to a box of toys that belong to him that were left in the Brighthouse. Earlier they were in the way of cleaning up. He reached unto the box, where the race cars were. Happily bringing out a rocket ship and tunning over to Zipp and Izzy, raising the toy up in his claws.
“Oh Sparky! That’s a rocket ship!” Hitch exclaimed as Izzy giggled. Zipp, however smirked as Sparky blew a small ball of fire on it. Making it transform into the screwdriver she was looking for. She knew it was the screwdriver, as she knew Sparky did not have a purple and grey rocket ship with him earlier. “Oh…”
“Thanks Sparky!” Zipp thanked as she grabbed the screwdriver from the little dragon. It was a nice improvement from a year ago. Where he’d turn something into something else and ignore anyone telling him to turn it back. Until Hitch got involved. But now, he was more willing to as told. About 50% of the time if it related to transform something back to normal. But still an improvement.
Izzy counted each stool and cushion she laid down for everyone to use when sitting and watching the video. She made sure there was enough. Making sure each one was soft and comfortable.
“Perfect!”
Alphabittle also helped around. With putting up streamers and making the drinks. He was so excited. Hoping Izzy would love this a lot. He put down some of his own snacks her made on the table. Cookies that Misty loved as a filly. He kept the recipe for all these years.
It was his first attempt at making his own cookie recipe at the time. So he wrote down the ingredients as he went, making his own just for the fun of it. When they were done, they weren't much. They were not special in any way. Until Misty tried them herself. According to her, they were the best cookies ever!
He never had the heart to throw out the recipe after all those years. He knew Misty was alive, even when many ponies told him to let her go. He just knew he’d see her again and that she was not dead. Even if almost the whole village believed she was. They believed she was killed by sone predator. Or a pegasus or an earth pony…
He looked at Misty’s friends grateful. The gratitude could not be expressed with words. Who knew an earth pony shouting a forbidden word in your tearoom would eventually lead to magic and your own daughter being revealed as alive? It was a miracle. Like a long awaited wish coming true.
Everything was just completed. Who two guards had almost no trace of chocolate on them left after the incident. Izzy made such a comfy spot. Lights of Misty’s favourite colours were around where appropriate. Streamers hung and dropped in places. Pictures of butterflies glittered on the walls.
Everyone was relieved. Until a teal pony came running in after violently opening the doors. Stopping in her tracks, turning around and politely closing them after her. Then dashing to Pipp, screaming who was just about to take a picture of the room.
“Jazz!?” Exclaimed Pipp before she shook her.
”She took a lot quicker to pick her dress than i thought!” Jazz exclaimed. “She is already on her way!”
”Already!?” Exclaimed Zipp.Relieved that they took quicker to set up thanks to the help of Thunder, Zoom, Haven and Alphabittle. “Hiding places, everypony!”
Jazz was not invited and only ran over because her phone was drained. She decided to quickly duck behind a table with a bunch of gifts on it. She placed a small box of her own onto the table. She was planning to give it to Pipp, but forgot. Oh well, she was here now.
”Guys!” Rocky exclaimed soon after as he ran into the door as everyone started hiding. “Misty is on her way-“ Then he noticed Jazz. Thanks to her bottom half behind seen behind the tablecloth on the table, she was behind. “Oh… Jazz? How’d you beat me here?” He wondered as he hid behind the couch. Excited for the party.
When a familiar face opened the front door. Wearing a lovely light pink and light blue dress. With a sparkly hem. It was simple, nothing too fancy, but still pretty. She had a flower crown on along with a butterfly hairclip in her mane. Her horn and hooves also had glittery polish on them. Giving them a shine
“Surprise!” Everyone shouted. Making her jump back in shock at the sudden surprise. She looked around at all the smiling faces and decorations. There was an event! But what kind? Her answer was soon given to her by a huge banner. ‘Happy Birthday Misty’ it said. She was confused on this.
“Happy birthday, Misty!” Izzy exclaimed. Jumping over with a huge smile.
“Happy birthday!” Alphabittle ran over, giving her a huge hug.
“Birthday?” Asked Misty. Staring in confusion as she looked at everyone. She then gasped as she remembered Izzy, Sunny, Pipp and Sparky’s birthdays she had been part of. They were the centre of attention on those days. Because it was a special day to them. When asked, she simply did not know. How’d they find out. But now it was her turn. Even tho she was nervous, and a bit scared. She still smiled in glee. “I- I have a birthday!?” She exclaimed. Forgetting she even had one in the first place, thanks to Opaline. “I can’t belive it! I actually have one!?”
Despite the gifts not being opened till later. Sparky ran up to her, giving her a hug and passing up his gift. He seemed so happy as he lifted a sheet of paper in his claws.
“F-for me?” Questioned Misty as she held the drawing in her hooves.
It was supposed to be a drawing of her sitting on a swing, in a big meadow. With birds and a bright blue elephant with purple polka-dots for some reason. She smiled as she thought it looked like she was jumping from the swing, about to ninja kick the elephant in the face. She then noticed five ponies, presumably the royal sisters, Sunny, Hitch and Izzy. Sitting on top of the Marestream, cheering her on.
Maybe it was supposed to be her ninja-kicking the elephant.
Alphabittle was a bit quiet as she passed her a cookie.
“You may not remember. But… I wanted to share them with you.” He said with a smile.
Misty thanked him and looked at the dark brown cookie. It would look burnt at first glance bit it was not. There was also little red bits of cherry spotted around in it. It was simple, but it smelt like a lovely cookie and cherry smell. There was chocolate blobbed on the top in the middle instead of icing.
Izzy jumped around on a pogo stick, dancing. “I’m naming them cherry ripe cookies. Like the cherry ripe chocolate bar and no one can stop me!”
Everyone looked at her with confusion briefly. Misty took a bite from the cookie and gasped in amazement. It felt so familiar and loved.
“This is amazing!” She cried out. Hugging him with love. “I-I really like the taste. What kind of cookies are these?”
“Well. It is a recipe that I made years and years ago. It has no name. Why don’t you give it one?”
“Oh? Okay.” Misty started to think as a result. “Cherry-Choc Crumbles!”
“What a great name!”
“I love that name for a cookie!” Haven complimented.
“So… What do I do exactly?”
“Have fun!” Exclaimed Izzy.
“Well, it depends. What would you like to do first?” Sunny asked.“Izzy made a video. There are games and snacks for everyone… Usually, the presents and cake happens last, but if you’d like…”
Misty took a moment to think. This first birthday party was already sweet. The spa day, the dress Jazz and Rocky had for her, like a gift. They said it themselves, but she didn't know why till now. The spa day must have been a gift and a distraction for the surprise party. She knew something was happening.
What she also adored was how special they made it. It was her first birthday party in fifteen years. Of course it was going to be special. But she was grateful they didn't invite too many and only those she was close with. Besides Thunder and Zoom, which was understandable due to the queen being here. Also, Rocky and Jazz, who she didn’t mind joining either.
“I think we should start some games, then the video, then presents then cake with everyone helping themselves to the snacks, whenever!”
“Great plan, Misty!” Exclaimed Hitch.
“Thunder!” Zoom shouted as her partner helping himself already to the chocolate fountain.
“Aww, but it’s so irresistible!”
“Misty did way whenever…” Izzy defended Thunder with a smile as she dunked a whole carrot into the chocolate fountain and took it out. Unusual but harmless.
“Fine…” Zoom said. Dunking in a banana.
Misty looked at a list of party games. She gasped as she saw one that she liked. “Ooh! I like the sound of musical statues!’
“Musical statues?” Asked Rocky.
“I used to love that game!” Squealed Sunny.
“Me too!” Pipp added.
“Ugh… That’s a foal’s game…”groaned Zoom, clearly not wanting to play a game meant for foals. Mostly everyone else disagreed.
“Happy birthday, Zoom.” Zipp responded with sarcasm then looked at Misty. “That’s a great choice, Misty!” She exclaimed. Not being a huge fan of the game but complimenting her anyway.
“Where you stop dancing when the music stop. If you don’t stop, you are out!” Haven smiled, “I like the sound of this!”
When the group played the game. Much to everyone's surprise, it was Zipp who had won.
“How?” Asked Pipp, “You hardly dance”
“Suppose that’s what happen when you don’t do full on spins and twirls!” Smirked Zipp.
When the video played. Misty watched with awe. It showed so many special moments when she was young and happily. Before she vanished. Then when she was making friends and finally becoming free and her own pony. Misty watched with a huge smile, greatful what everypony had done for her.
She was glad she was cared for now. Out of such an abusive place no one should have ever been in. She was now free and happy now. With her friends. When the video ended, she had the biggest smile she had on her face in weeks.
“Thank you so much, everypony…” She said thanking every pony who had came to her party and helped her at some point. She was so glad. Feeling safe with them all.
Alphabittle put a hoof around Misty. “I’m so glad to have you back Misty. I am so glad i was able to celebrate your birthday again… See you and hear you after all these years…”
Misty smiled up at him. Feeling happy for him, finally no longer feeling grief and lonely on this day every year. The two embraced in a sweet hug. It was like a dream was coming true right after another one had for Alphabittle. Finally celebrating his duaghter’s birthday and holding her in his hooves.
After all this time.
