The outskirts of Ponyville were quiet as the pegasus ponies landed, and the normally happy, cheerful town beyond was silent as well. Lily, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie hopped off of their friends, and Star Catcher smiled at them.
"Thanks for the ride," Lily Lightly said with a giggle, her horn glowing.
"No problem," Coconut Grove said. "You're our friends, and friends help each other."
"Good luck with helping your friends, Pinkie Pie," Island Delight said, smiling.
The pink pony smiled back. "Thanks! You two have a good journey back!"
The two pegasus ponies nodded and turned to fly away, but Star Catcher stopped them. "Wait a moment," she said, and flew to hug them both. Thistle Whistle followed suit, and in the end, Coconut Grove and Island Delight flew off only after receiving a hug from everyone.
"That helped my nerves," Thistle Whistle said, punctuating her statement with a confident whistle. "So where do we go?"
Pinkie Pie stepped forward. "When I was running away, Cheerilee said that they'd lock the ponies up in Sweetberry's Sweet Shoppe. That's near the Cotton Candy Café!"
"Then what are we waiting for," Rarity asked, bouncing a little. "Let's go!"
"Wait, Rarity. There's a problem."
Rarity paused. "Yeah?"
Pinkie Pie frowned. "They're inside the Sweet Shoppe. I think they said they were going to eat all the ice cream there! And since it's locked, we won't have a way to get in!"
"Oh no! N-not the ice cream," Thistle Whistle cried. "I love ice cream!"
"I'm sure they can make more, Thistle," Star Catcher said. "But we do have a problem…"
"Maybe my magic wand can unlock the door," Rarity said, taking it out and making a small rainbow appear.
"Or Star Catcher and I could try to open the windows," Thistle Whistle added with a whistle.
"That could work, but then they'd know we were coming. And there isn't much room inside the shop to move around—if we didn't do something quickly, we'd be frozen too," Pinkie Pie said.
"Maybe…No, I'm not sure if that would work," Lily Lightly sighed.
Pinkie Pie perked up. "What is it, Lily?"
"Well," the purple unicorn began, "I was thinking that if we can't get in, maybe they could come out! But I'm not sure how."
Pinkie Pie smiled. "That's a good idea! I think it can work, too."
Lily blushed. "Thanks!"
"So what do we do, Pinkie Pie," Thistle Whistle asked.
The pink pony smiled and gestured for them to come closer. When they did, she spoke in a hushed tone.
"Here's the plan. I remember that Cheerilee said they'd wait for word from the others. If we can make a fake note from the other Forgotten Ones, I'm sure that will get them to come out!"
She frowned. "I feel bad about tricking them, though."
"Well, maybe we could make something else, then," Lily Lightly said. "It's Cheerilee's birthday, after all!"
At that Pinkie Pie's eyes lit up. "You're right, Lily! Now I have an even better plan!"
"Is it fun," Rarity asked.
"And not too scary," Thistle Whistle added.
"Is it something we can all help with," Star Catcher finished, curious.
Pinkie Pie nodded and initiated a Pinkie Squink, motioning for the others to watch. "Now here's what we're going to do…"
###
The ponies had gathered materials from other houses and shops, as Pinkie Pie had directed, and the plan neared completion. All that remained now was to lure Whimsey Weatherbe and Cheerilee out—and Pinkie Pie stood forward, ready to do just that.
"Good luck," the others whispered, and she gave them her pinkest smile. Clearing her throat, Pinkie Pie stepped towards the Sweet Shoppe.
"It sure is a good thing I escaped," Pinkie Pie said loudly, aiming her voice towards the Sweet Shoppe. "Now I can rescue my friends from Cheerilee and Whimsey!"
She waited.
"I said, it's a good thing I—"
At that the door burst open, and Cheerilee and Whimsey strode out. They looked angry—and a bit larger than the last time Pinkie Pie had seen them.
"I ate too much ice cream," Cheerilee moaned, brushing her mane out of her eyes.
"You're tellin' me," Whimsey groaned. "I ate so much I might explode!"
Pinkie Pie frowned. They didn't seem well, and while the plan called for them to simply see her and chase her to where the others were, her instinct to help overrode her own idea.
"Hi there," Pinkie Pie said, walking up to them. "Are you two feeling okay?"
Upon seeing her, they seemed much better.
"It's the escapee," Cheerilee gasped. "Quick, Whimsey! Freeze her!"
"Uh, sure thing," Whimsey said. Inhaling, she expelled air at Pinkie Pie—but instead of an icy blast, it was a warm draft that pushed her back slightly, causing her to sweat.
"Wow," Pinkie Pie gasped. "That sure was warm. I bet something like that could help Breezie Blossom!"
"Whimsey! That was your heat breath, not cold," Cheerilee said, annoyed.
"I-I know, but…Oh, I was just so cold after all that ice cream," the dragon said with a flick of her hair.
"It's okay. Just get her this time," Cheerilee said.
Hearing that, Pinkie Pie stepped back, and when an icy bolt came, she started to run towards the Ponyville Park—where her friends awaited them.
"She's getting away! Quick, hop on my back," Whimsey said. Cheerilee hopped on, and the two of them took to the skies. From high above, they could see Pinkie Pie easily. Whimsey blew more ice at Pinkie Pie, but the earth pony ran faster, ahead of it.
"Once upon a time there was a little pony that stopped running because it was hopeless," Cheerilee called down. Pinkie Pie felt herself slowing down, but the urge to help her friends—as well as the Forgotten Ones—pushed her on.
If I can reach the park, she thought, it'll be all right.
Whimsey Weatherbe and Cheerilee continued the chase until they saw her reach what looked like a large park. It had a funhouse shaped like a giant birthday present, as well as a podium in the very center. Balloons decorated every corner of the structure.
"Is this where she's hiding," Whimsey asked.
Glancing down, she saw Pinkie Pie running into the funhouse.
"Guess so," Cheerilee shrugged. "Can you follow her in?"
"That's what these wings are for," Whimsey said with a grin, spiraling down to the funhouse. Cheerilee got off her back, and both of them went inside, cautious.
Inside, it was dark. The walls were a hot pink, and on the other side of the funhouse was a slide.
Suddenly they heard a giggle and saw a pink, glowing light. Lily Lightly ducked around a corner just ahead of them.
"Who was that," Whimsey whispered.
"Not sure. Let's check it out," Cheerilee said back.
They approached the source of the light, but stopped at the sound of gentle laughter and the tittering of butterflies. Looking up, they saw Star Catcher zoom away from them, closely followed by her butterfly friends. Whimsey blew ice at them, but by the time it reached the spot where they were, they were gone.
"There's more of them," Cheerilee realized.
Then came a happy whistle. "Sure are," Thistle Whistle said. "Pinkie Pie helped us!"
"Awright, no more Miss Nice Dragon," Whimsey said, flying up to snatch at Thistle Whistle. Thistle Whistle flew out of the way and out the door.
"How many are there," Cheerilee groaned.
"Just one more," called Rarity, sliding down the slide ahead of them. "You already know about Pinkie Pie."
Frustrated, Cheerilee and Whimsey followed Rarity down the slide. Rarity turned a corner, towards the square, and they followed—and stopped in their tracks.
There, on the podium, was Pinkie Pie—with a sign that read "Happy Birthday, Cheerilee!" Next to her were two presents, one big and one small.
"W…what is this," Cheerilee asked.
"The best part of any birthday! The surprise party," Pinkie Pie said. "But first, let me introduce you to my friends!"
The other ponies ran out from the funhouse, and they all smiled at the pony and dragon.
"I'm Rarity," Rarity said. "Life for me is all about having fun!"
Star Catcher swooped down, followed by her butterfly friends. "My name is Star Catcher, and these butterflies are some of my closest friends."
Lily Lightly stepped forward with a wave. "I'm Lily Lightly. It was my horn you saw glowing," she said, laughing a bit to demonstrate. "Sorry if I scared you!"
Thistle Whistle flew in from behind them with a proud whistle. "My name's Thistle Whistle! I live on Butterfly Island!"
Cheerilee gasped. "Butterfly Island? A-and there's unicorns too! Then Starsong, Toola Roola, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle must have failed…"
She frowned. "Well, we won't fail! Once upon a time there were five ponies who stood still and didn't move as Whimsey Weatherbe froze them solid!"
The ponies halted.
Whimsey inhaled deeply, and blew a cold, icy breath that froze Rarity, Star Catcher, Lily, and Thistle Whistle where they stood. She was just about to freeze Pinkie Pie when the pony spoke.
"Wait! Don't you want to hear about your presents?"
Whimsey held her breath to the point where she turned blue.
"What presents," asked Cheerilee.
Pinkie Pie gestured to the presents behind her.
"For your birthday, of course! Whimsey can get one too, even though it's technically not her birthday."
"Wow. That sounds…really nice. But what's the catch," Cheerilee asked, a look of suspicion crossing her face.
Pinkie Pie smiled. "It's simple. All you have to do is let my friends in the Sweet Shoppe go and promise not to hurt us afterward. Then, we'll give you your presents!"
"P-please think about it," Thistle Whistle said, her teeth chattering.
"Yeah, please do," Whimsey said. "Oh, I just love presents! The Master never gave you anything for your birthday!"
Cheerilee thought, glancing from the ponies to the presents and back again.
"…Well... "
"Yes?"
The red pony smiled. "Okay! Whimsey, please unfreeze them, and we'll all head to the Sweet Shoppe!"
###
In the Shoppe, the ponies were still in the icy cage—and the room had gotten even colder with Cheerilee and Whimsey's absence. Some were still trying to free themselves, while others were asleep. Other ponies were talking, fighting the cold as best they could.
"I wish, I wish, I wish it was as warm as it is outside," Skywishes shivered.
They all started at the sound of footsteps and the rattle of the door being opened.
"Do you suppose it's Pinkie Pie, darlings?" Rainbow Dash said, eyes hopeful.
"I certainly hope so," Wysteria said, nuzzling against Sunny Daze for warmth. "M-my mane is freezing!"
"And my scales are frozen," Spike moaned.
"Even my socks aren't helping," cried Minty.
The doors opened, and the ponies' faces fell—it was Whimsey Weatherbe and Cheerilee.
"Oh no," they cried in unison.
"Aw, relax," Whimsey said. "We're letting ya go!"
In the next instant, she blew out a warm breath that melted the cage.
"We're free," the ponies cried, hugging one another. "Thank you, Whimsey!"
The dragon blushed. "N-no one's thanked me since…well…"
Spike stepped forward. "If I may ask, Miss Whimsey, why the sudden change of heart?"
"Come outside and you'll see," Cheerilee said, waving them out.
Curious, the ponies followed the two out and into the warm summer sun—and they saw Pinkie Pie there, along with Rarity, Lily Lightly, Star Catcher, Thistle Whistle, and the butterflies.
In her hooves, Pinkie Pie held out the presents.
"Thank you so much for keeping your promise. And to keep my promise, and as a token of friendship—or, well, whatever you'd like to call it—these presents are for the two of you."
Whimsey took the large one and opened it, gasping with delight. She pulled out a large pair of floppy blue socks. "Oh my gosh! It's a pair of funny little hats! They're perfect!"
Pinkie Pie smiled. "They're actually two big socks. But you can wear them as hats if you want!"
"I hope those aren't my socks," Minty said. Then she brightened. "But even if they are I'll knit new ones!"
Rarity grinned. "Now for your present, Cheerilee. This is from all of us!"
Pinkie Pie's face fell slightly. "I only wish the Breezies could have helped out…"
Wysteria patted her on the shoulder. "It's alright. You know they would if they were able!"
Cheerilee opened it and gasped. In the box was a small, shining charm bracelet. The charms were miniature books—something that, as a storyteller, Pinkie Pie guessed she would like.
She held it to the light and placed it carefully around her hoof, tears forming in her eyes.
"A charm bracelet…Wow…"
"Happy birthday, Cheerilee," the ponies cheered.
"T…thank you…"
Pinkie Pie smiled. "Oh, and please don't worry that your Master would be angry at you! You can tell him that it's our fault that you didn't capture us."
Cheerilee nodded, her smile fading slightly. "I guess it kind of is, huh? I just…never thought you'd still be so nice to us!"
"It's okay, Cheerilee. There's room in my heart for everyone—and from what I've seen in my life, that applies to every pony here today," Star Catcher said with a warm smile.
"I know the Breezies would love you too," Rarity said. "They warmed up to me really fast!"
"I think for now, though, you should head on home," Pinkie Pie said. "It's a long journey to Willy-Nilly Mountain, and everyone there must be waiting for you!"
"You know where I live," Whimsey gasped.
"Uh huh. And, well…you did promise not to hurt us," Pinkie Pie reminded them.
Cheerilee and Whimsey nodded. "O-okay. We'll go home…But before we do…Thank you again."
Cheerilee hopped on Whimsey's back and they flew off together.
As soon as they started off, the ponies hugged Pinkie Pie. "Thank you so much for helping us," Razzaroo cried.
'yeah! I thought we were goners for sure," Sunny Daze crowed.
Pinkie Pie blushed. "Thanks! But the credits should be shared among my friends. We all worked together to free you, and earlier we freed Unicornia and Butterfly Island! We couldn't help Breezie Blossom just yet, but I'm sure we can given enough time."
"And if we work together, anything's possible," Minty said.
"Look, there they go," called Star Catcher, watching Cheerilee and Whimsey fly outside of town.
The rest of the ponies watched them go, happy that the danger had passed without much incident—but some of them looked troubled.
"Do you think they'll come back," Wysteria asked, worried.
"They might. And if they do, we should be ready for it," Pinkie Pie said.
"Lily and I will head back to Unicornia. We'll be sure to tell you if anyone or anything shows up," rarity said.
"Thistle Whistle and I will do likewise," Star Catcher said.
"We will too, then," Pinkie Pie said. "We'll all be on alert!"
"I agree," said Spike. "But we should especially beware of their Master. He is, after all, most likely the evil force from the legend."
"And they're headed where he is now," Rainbow Dash said with a worried sigh. "Do you think they'll be alright, darlings?"
Pinkie Pie stared as the pony and dragon flew into the distance, beyond sight. "I hope so, Rainbow Dash. I really hope so."