"Now make a wish and blow out the candles!" Pinkie Pie screeched.

The seven-layer cake sitting in front of Cherry Blossom and Screwball had thirty candles, fifteen for each of them. The party was held at Screwball and Cherry Blossom's this year, and a good thing too, because there were many guests and much space was needed. Three energetic, poofy-haired fillies hovered over the birthday girls. One was blue, one a deep magenta and the third a light red.

"Quick, quick!" the blue one urged.

"Blow them out!" cried the magenta one.

"Yeah, so we can dig in!" the red one clapped.

"Blueberry, Raspberry, Cherry!" Pinkie Pie shouted, ushering the girls back into their seats. "Calm yourselves!"

Screwball looked to her twin cousin. "You ready?"

Cherry Blossom nodded. "On three."

"One..." they counted together, "two...three!"

They inhaled simultaneously and extinguished the tiny flames while Fluttershy snapped a picture. There were cheers from every pony and a cry from a baby.

"That yours or mine?" Discord asked Applejack.

"I got this one!" Spike declared, rushing to a purple baby carriage. He took a baby bottle out of his bag and fed it to the infant. "Here you go, little fella! There's a good little Applespike!"

It turned out that it was possible for ponies to have a dragon for a child. At a glance, the foal looked normal: an orange earth pony with green hair, until you saw his green reptilian eyes and scaly orange tail.

But, what really caught Applespike's eye, was Zanabelle, one of the new members of the draconequus family. She looked just like her twin cousin, Zany, his new best friend. Her pink mane, those red lollipop eyes, that grey with red lace dress…

The young colt let out a burp, coughing up green fire. Spike only smiled.

"That's my special boy!" Applejack sighed.

Discord put his hands around the birthday girls' shoulders. "So, what did you gals wish for?"

"I wished that Cherry's wish would come true," Screwball said.

"Aw, thanks, Screwy!" Cherry Blossom sniffed.

"In that case," the draconequus said, "what'd you wish for, Miss Blossom?"

The alicorn blushed. "Uh...I wished for… two million cupcakes for every pony!"

Lightning Dash's jaws dropped. ''Wait, what?!''

Discord chuckled and snapped up Two million cupcake to flood the place. They raised the babies, so they wouldn't suffocate. "Here you are, but I think you should have the cake first."

"Cake, cake, cake!" the Pie triplets chanted, pounding their hooves on the table.

"Girls!" Pinkie said firmly. "That's not very polite. You know the birthday girls get the first bite of the cake! It's one of the major rules of birthday parties!"

The foals scrambled into a line as Discord cut the chocolate-frosted chocolate cake.

"Uh, how many calories does this have?" asked a white unicorn filly with an elegantly coiffed blue mane. "I'm on a diet."

"Oh please," Winter groaned, rolling her eyes.

"Don't be such a party pooper, Gemstone!" Rarity laughed, patting her daughter's head. "There's nothing wrong with a little cake. Besides, you're too young to be dieting."

Gemstone was Winter's age at nine and was the daughter of Rarity and Spike. Screwball had not wanted her to come because she was so fussy, but she had rarely seen Aunt Rarity since her marriage and wherever she went, Gemstone went.

"Here you go, girls," Discord said, handing Cherry Blossom and Screwball each a slice of cake.

The latter gasped as the plate floated out of her hands and over to a high chair. There sat a gray foal with a lock of pink hair and swirly red eyes. He clapped his hooves as the cake landed in front of him.

"Zany!" Fluttershy exclaimed, swiping the dessert out of his reach. "You shouldn't be eating cake! Besides, this belongs to your sister!"

"Oh, let it go, honey," Discord chuckled. "He's only five months old and his diet already consists of chocolate."

"That's no excuse for him to steal from his own sister!"

"That's okay, Mom," Screwball assured her as she took back her cake.

When Zany and Zanabelle had arrived, Screwball and Cherry Blossom had been worried that this meant they were no longer special, but after spending time with their new baby brother and baby sister, they became the best of siblings. Zany and Zanabelle were just as crazy as they were; only he and she were little and had less control over their powers. It had surprised everyone that he looked like his parents when the case had not been for his sister. Then again, nothing made sense with this family.

The other guests included Rainbow Dash, Soarin and their three kids, Pinkie Pie's husband Cheese Sandwich, Apple Blossom and her parents, Cinnamon Stick and Cinnamon Roll, and of course, Dinky's mother.

"I wish Twilight was here," Pinkie said as she chomped down on her cake. "She's missing out on the fun!"

"You know she's busy with preparations for the Grand Galloping Gala next week," Rarity reminded her.

Thunder Dash groaned. "Dad, do we have to go?"

"What's wrong with the Gala?" Soarin asked. "I thought you kids liked seeing us perform."

"But it's so..." Lightning shivered, "girly!"

"It's not as lame as it used to be," Rainbow assured her. "Aunt Scootaloo's going to be there with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders."

Winter gasped in delight. She loved Scootaloo like she was her real aunt.

"Awesome! Is she going to do any of her cool scooter tricks?"

Rainbow laughed. "We'll see."

"I can't wait to see Apple Bloom," Applejack sighed. "I haven't seen her or the others since Hearth's Warming Eve."

"They sure have been busy," Rarity said. "I mean they're performing at the biggest event in all of Canterlot! Not to mention they only just returned from their tour in Saddle Arabia."

Sometime after they had graduated from school, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had formed a band. Even though they had received their cutie marks long ago, the name the Cutie Mark Crusaders had stuck. Sweetie Belle was the lead singer, Scootaloo the main dancer and Apple Bloom the costume and set designer, though she still performed onstage with the others. Fortunately, Scootaloo's singing had improved since the talent show fiasco. They soon became famous all over Equestria and were greatly missed by their families and friends.

"Princess Flurry Heart will be there too," Fluttershy pointed out. "And you all like her, don't you?"

"I guess so," Screwball mumbled. "But you still want me to wear a dress?"

"Don't be rude, honey. Rarity's making the dress for you."

''I love dresses!'' Cherry Blossom chimed. ''Can you make me a baby blue one please aunt Rarity? It could go so well with my eyes and mane!'

''But of course, Darling.'' Rarity replied.

"That reminds me!" Rarity exclaimed. "You two have to open your presents!"

Cherry Blossom squealed and raced towards the mountain of gifts.

It was tradition that after the double birthday party, the girls would sleepover. They especially loved Screwball and Cherry Blossom's home because of all the fun rooms.

"Girls, time for bed!" Fluttershy called.

The teenagers groaned.

"Mom, we're fifteen!" Screwball insisted. "Can't we play bowl one more game?"

"Sorry, girls," the pegasus said, ushering them to Screwball's room, "but Rarity wants you all at the shop in the morning to try on your gowns."

The teenagers groaned in response. Cherry Blossom looked at them with sad eyes, but then became very stern and turned to her aunt defensively.

''No, Aunt Fluttershy.'' Cherry Blossom stomped her hoof.

''What?!'' The yellow pegasus said.

''No!'' Cherry Blossom said.

Fluttershy gave a look meaning she was getting close to her Stare. ''How dare you. How dare you! To bed, Now!''

The rest of the teenagers ducked under the covers. Cherry Blossom looked at them and back at her aunt. But she kept her composure.

''Fine!'' She snapped. ''If you don't leave us alone, then you left me no choice!''

Fluttershy gasped as Cherry Blossom opened her eyes, shooting an ominous glare at the pegasus. she squealed in fright as she did so.

''I'm sorry! I- I didn't mean to spoil your fun!'' Fluttershy tried to cover her eyes with her hooves.

''Get. Out.'' Cherry blossom gritted in her teeth.

''Ok! Ok!' I'll leave!'' Fluttershy whimpered as she slowly closed the doors. ''Have fun, girls.''

"Guess what I heard about Faith Carton!" Lightning Dash whispered once Fluttershy had shut the door.

"What? What'd you here? What'd you here?!" Apple Blossom asked, sitting up from her sleeping bag.

Lightning gestured for them to move closer. "Her dad told him to find a job, but the only job she was able to get was at..." she paused to snicker, "a rock farm!"

The five mares burst out laughing, but then got quiet when they heard Fluttershy's voice:

"Girls, you better not be talking!"

''Auntie!'' Cherry Blossom called. ''Don't make me use the stare on you again!"

Fluttershy squealed frightened as she quickly flew to her room. She listened with her super hearing as her aunt flew to her room. "Coast is clear."

"How did Faith Carton get on a rock farm?" Dinky inquired. "Her dad is the biggest businessman in town!"

"Apparently, no pony liked her personality," Lightning smirked. "I don't blame them."

"There is justice in the world," Screwball giggled. "My only regret is that I wasn't responsible for it."

Cherry Blossom giggled.

"I can't wait for the Grand Galloping Gala," Apple Blossom sighed. "I'll bet it's going to be magical!"

This was Apple Blossom's first Gala. Children were not often invited, but because their mothers were bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and Lightning's parents both Wonderbolts, Screwball and Lightning had gone a couple times before and Screwball never went to a party without Dinky. But this year, because Apple Bloom was performing, all members of the Apple family had been invited, which meant it was going to be quite crowded.

"It's kind of dull," Screwball said flatly. "Well, until Daddy and I shake it up a bit!"

''Screwy!''' Cherry Blossom warned. ''remember what auntie said.''

Her cousin waved her hoof. ''Oh, hollygosh! I'm sure she won't mind a few minor pranks.''

"Don't forget the Wonderbolts!" Lightning exclaimed. "You can never get bored watching my parents do their tricks!"

"And the food is great!" Dinky piped. "Plus, with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, this should be the best Grand Galloping Gala ever!"

"I hope so," Apple Blossom said. "I want this night to be the best night ever!"

"How so?" Lightning asked slyly. "Are you going to ask my brother to dance?"

The yellow pony blushed. "What?!"

"Come on, Blossom," Screwball said, rolling her eyes. "We all know you and Thunder have been digging on each other since the day you met!"

"I... I don't know what you're..."

"Don't even try lying to me. I'll know if you are."

"You should ask him to be your date!" Dinky suggested. "You two would look cute together!"

"I... I don't think he'd..."

"I think he would," Lightning said.

Apple Blossom blinked up at her. "You do?"

"I'm his sister. There's nothing about Thunder that I don't know."

''besides,'' Cherry Blossom flipped her mane '' He finds you attractive.''

"Oh but...I don't think I'll be able to..."

"We'll help you," Screwball assured her. "What are friends for?"

The mares went quiet as a low cackle echoed throughout the room and lightning flashed.

"If you don't go to sleep right now, you won't have any friends!"

Lightning, Dinky and Apple Blossom shrieked while Screwball simply rolled her eyes.

"Dad, that's not funny!"

"Don't make me get the balloons!"

'No, uncle!''

''What did you say?!'' the voice said.

''No! Don't make ME get the cement!'' Cherry Blossom called.

''Oh no! not the cement! Anything but the cement!'' the voice cried.

''If you don't want the cement, then get out of our room!''

They heard a scream as it disappeared.

''We better go to bed, before they send my dad after me.'' Cherry Blossom said.

''Agreed.'' The rest said.

"Pssst," Dinky whispered, nudging her friend. "Screwball, are you asleep?"

Screwball groaned and sat up in bed. "Not anymore."

"I have to tell you something, and you have to Pinkie Promise to keep it a secret."

"Is it about what you wished for today?"

"How did you know?"

"Dinky, I can tell when you're lying."

"Right. You still have to Pinkie Promise."

Screwball wearily made the gesture. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Dinky looked down at their sleeping friends on the floor and leaned toward Screwball. "I wished that Cinnamon Stick would dance with me at the Gala."

The earth pony scoffed. "I was wondering when you were going to tell me."

"You mean you know?"

"I'm your best friend, Dink. I've seen the way you look at him."

The unicorn blushed. "I'll bet you haven't seen Cinnamon Stick look at me the same way."

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Well...I'm not exactly...normal..."

''Besides, '' Cherry Blossom said.'' Normal, is a thing for boys.''

"Dinky, his dad is the famous Caramel seedling. Do you really think he cares about normal? I'm going to give you the same advice I gave Apple Blossom: go for it, girl! What have you got to lose?"

Dinky sighed. "Maybe you're right, but you can't tell any pony, especially not Cinnamon Stick!"

''I promise.'' Cherry Blossom said.

"I won't. But you'd better."

"So now that I've told you my secret, can you tell me yours?"

Screwball's smile faded. "What secret?"

''What?!WWWWWWWWWWWHAT?!''

"I don't know." The unicorn looked toward the open window. "Maybe why you left chocolate bars at your window?"

Panicking, Screwball made the evidence vanish from sight. "What chocolate bar?"

Cherry Blossom made her evidence disappear and made an innocent whistle.

Dinky rolled her mismatched eyes. "Really? How stupid do you think I am?"

"You're not..." She sighed in defeat. "Fine. But you have to Pinkie Promise now."

''Not a word, to any pony.'' Cherry Blossom warned. ''ever.''

Once that was done, Screwball and Cherry Blossom whispered as low as they could. "You remember a few years ago, when you thought we had a special some pony?" Dinky nodded. "Well...you weren't entirely wrong."

''Yeah, he was dreamy Back then.'' Cherry blossom sighed.

The unicorn gasped. "Why didn't you tell me?! I'm your friend!"

"Says the mare who didn't confide in me about her crush!"

''MmhMM.''

"Fair point. Who is it?"

"That, I can't tell you. It's nothing personal, Dinky. It's just that if my dad found out, I'd be in big trouble, so the fewer ponies who know, the better. Anyway, he loves chocolate, so I leave some out for him in case he comes by."

''Yeah.'' Cherry Blossom said.

"He visits you in your sleep?! Talk about a stalker!"

"It's the only way he can see me these days. His mother's...very controlling. I haven't actually seen him in a while, but if I wake up and the chocolate is gone, I know he's been here."

''Yeah. She kept us apart for a while, until we first met. She tends to get a little…. Overheated.'' Cherry Blossom explained.

Dinky stared with her mouth open in wonder. "Have you...kissed?"

Screwball glanced down. "No. It wasn't anything like that, but...at one point I kind of...you know."

"Oh. So, I guess we'd better go to sleep then."

"Huh?"

"Well, if your special some ponies do come tonight, I don't think they would want us to see them."

Screwball smiled. "There's not an ounce of stupidity in you, Dinky."

The three friends slid back under the covers and closed their eyes. Before Screwball and Cherry Blossom drifted to sleep, s wondered what Mothball and Screwdriver were doing. They had not seen them since their twelfth birthday and they had been coming less and less, but they never forgot her birthday. Whatever their mother was doing to them, she was keeping them on a tight leash. they had only met the queen once, so Screwball and Cherry Blossom could only imagine what she was putting the princes through.

Queen Chrysalis circled her sons as they sat upright on the throne. "Now, what have we learnt about love?"

"It is weakness for the victim, but strength for us," Prince Mothball and Prince Screwdriver said with indifference.

"What are the Equestrians?"

"The enemy."

"And what is your duty?"

" We must find food for the hive, drain the enemy of their power, and take our rightful place as rulers of the changelings."

"And what must you do to anyone who tries to stop you?"

"We must dispose of them."

Chrysalis chuckled darkly. "You are ready."

"Mother, may we go hunting now? we are quite famished."

"Very well. Go, my sons. Make Mummy proud!"

Once the hive was out of sight, Mothball and Screwdriver let out a relieved sigh. They thought they would never get out of there! They had not fibbed about being hungry, but the main reason they said it was, so they could see Screwball and Cherry Blossom. It was their birthday and this time, they were going to let them see them. After going six months without visiting them, they were more desperate than ever!

They were over the Everfree Forest when a thought occurred to them. What if they were to accidentally feed on them, especially when their stomach was this empty? It was best to fill up first, so they changed their course toward Ponyville.

Since it was so late at night, few ponies were out and about. Mothball and Screwdriver ducked inside an alley as their eyes followed a grey pegasus. They had much improved in their mind reading and took the form of the first stallion that appeared in the mare's mind. Sometimes, they could make out the pony's name, but all they could figure out about this one was that they were a doctor.

The minute the pegasus saw them, her eyes went wide, and Mothball and Screwdriver noticed that only one eye was directed at them.

"Doctor?" she uttered.

"Yes, Miss..." Mothball and Screwdriver said in a peculiar accent as he searched for the mare's name. "Hooves?"

They screeched as the mare tackled him in a hug and they both fell over. She squeezed so hard, the princes were going to burst, but his stomach was filling quickly, so they did not complain. That is, until the mare stood up and slapped them in the face.

"You've got a lot of nerve walking in here!" she cried. "Sixteen years and you don't even bother to call?!"

Mothball and Screwdriver raised an eyebrow. "I'm...sorry?"

"Sorry doesn't make up for the sixteen years you missed out on! Do you know how hard it was not to tell any pony who Dinky's father was?!"

"I'm really...Dinky?"

The mare glanced down at her hooves. "She's...your daughter."

Mothball and Screwdriver blinked. "You're...Dinky's mother?"

"Of course, I'm her mother! Weren't you listening? I mean how many mares have you...?"

The princes panicked. They swore they would not feed off Screwball, Cherry Blossom or their friends. Did mothers of friends count? Their stomach was nearly full, so it was about time they left anyway.

"Darling," he purred, standing up. "I can't stay for long."

"Oh," Derpy said. "Do you have to battle the Daleks or something?"

"The what?" He then recalled his mother's lesson to roll with anything. "Err, yes. But don't worry." He stepped forth and ran his hoof under the mare's chin, causing her to giggle. "I will return soon."

Derpy narrowed her eyes and slapped his hoof away. "That's what you said last time and sixteen years later, you show up out of the blue! You didn't even come to your daughter's birth!"

Mothball cast a spell on her, turning her disproportionate eyes green.

"I apologize, darling," he whispered. "But I really must be going. Now, you are to head home, get some rest and forget any of this ever happened. Understand?"

Derpy nodded absent-mindedly and began her journey home. Mothball and Screwdriver sighed and returned to the alley to remove their disguise. They despised toying with ponies' emotions, but it was their only method of survival. That poor mare had thought she was talking to her child's father, whom she had not seen for years! She had been on the verge of tears all because of them. If Screwball and Cherry Blossom knew what they had become...

Screwball! Cherry Blossom! They nearly forgot! They were about to take off when a vase of roses caught their eye. They were sure the owner would not miss two flowers.

The flight to the chaotic castle seemed to take no time at all. Before he knew it, he was at Screwball and Cherry Blossom's bedroom window. As usual, bars of chocolate were sitting there, but that was not the first thing they noticed. They stared at the young mares' face as they slept peacefully. They looked even prettier than last they saw them. How they longed for them to open their eyes, so they could stare into infinity.

They stiffened as they heard a snore that had not come from Screwball or Cherry Blossom. They looked closer to see the unicorn friend sleeping beside them. They glanced down at the floor and finally noticed two other mares in the room.

The traditional sleepover had completely slipped their mind! There was no way they were going to let them see them now. The others might wake up!

They sighed sadly as they took the bars of chocolate, replacing it with the rose.

Screwdriver smiled. ''Happy Birthday, Cherry,''

"Happy Birthday, Screwball," Mothball whispered.

They stole one more glance at them before returning to the hive.

QUick lesson: Zanabelle is pronounced Zane-a-bell