Tenth Year (Re-Edited)

Solar woke to the sounds of his alarm clock. He slowly raised his hand and hit the top of it. He yawned as he sat on the end of his bed. He got up and stretched out his body. He walked over to his bathroom to do his business. After he had come out of the bathroom, he went over to his closet to get dressed for the day. Suddenly he felt a pair of hands around him.

"Happy birthday my son." Said his mother

"Come on mom. I was hoping this year you would let me surprise you." Said Solar

"Oh please Solar, if I let you do that. What fun would it be to be a mother." Said Celestia

"I guess mom and thanks." Said Solar

"Somepony else wants to say hi." Said Celestia

In came Spike, he was only three years old and still a just baby dragon. Solar laughed and picked up the young drake. He had learned this his mother would be taking care of him until Twilight could do it. He didn't mind since it made Spike his brother. He always kind of wanted a little brother.

"Hi Spike, man you have grown." Said Solar

He just made noises out of his mouth. Solar and Celestia just laughed

"Well, you still got a long way, little brother," he said as he gave Spike to Celestia.

"I also have another special guest." Said Celestia

"Who?" Asked Solar

"Don't say you forgot your old foal-sitter." Said a female voice

Solar looked to see Soft Bubble in the doorway. He couldn't believe that he was looking at his old foal sitter. She had left after Doctor Pulse's death. Her husband had found a job in Detrot. Solar ran forward and gave her a hug. She hugged him back.

"It's nice to see my favorite prince again, and my have you grown. Celestia told me everything that has happened so far. It sure has shown me that you have grown into quite the prince." Said Bubble

"Thanks, Bubble, at the breakfastI still can't believe your here." Said Solar

"Well, I can't miss your tenth birthday and tomorrow when you become the Prince of Equestria. I want Equestria to know who watched over you when you were young." Said Bubble

"Yeah, I still can't believe I will be an official prince tomorrow." Said Solar

"Please Solar, you have always been an official prince. Now I think we should begin this birthday with the usual breakfast." Said Celestia

"So mom, will Twilight be at breakfast." Said Solar

"Sorry my boy, but she won't. But her reason is that she is trying to find you the perfect gift. But she stated that she would be there at the party for sure. Now head along to the dining room with Spike. I want to talk with Soft Bubble for a minute, then will be there," said Celestia putting Spike down

"Alright mom, come on Spike." Said Solar

He took Spike's claw into his hand and began to walk him towards the dining room. Soft Bubble just had to let out an awe at how cute it was.

"That is so freaking adorable." Said Bubble

"Yes, it is." Said Celestia

"So who is this Twilight, Solar seems to be into her." Said Bubble

"My personal student, I guess you didn't get that letter. He and Twilight are close friends. But I think my son has a crush on her. Most of the time he is blushing around her. But I also see Twilight blushing around him. Cadance believes that they might be falling for each other. But Solar nor Twilight have asked each other out yet." Said Celestia

"Well, you can't rush love. It has to come on their time." Said Bubble

"I know, but it makes me feel sad." Said Celestia

"Why princess?" Asked Bubble

"For my son is growing up." Said Celestia

"That might be, but you have to let them grow up and leave. That's the hard part for any mother. But you should be happy also. If Solar falls in love and marries this Twilight, then you can expect grandchildren. So you will get to watch plenty more of them grow up." Said Bubble

Celestia giggled at Bubble's comments. "I guess you are right. Now I think we should get to the dining room and enjoy breakfast."

***

"I give up." Said Twilight

Twilight and Cadance were walking through the streets of Canterlot. Twilight had a nice sack full of bits. Her family had already gotten Solar a present, but Twilight wanted to give him one. She still found Solar amazing and her feelings towards him weren't changing. So she wanted to get Solar something nice to show her feelings towards him, though she was still uneasy about dating Solar. But she was still waiting on that.

"You can't give up yet Twilight." Said Cadance

"Please Cadance, we have looked through every story in Canterlot and found nothing. I mean, I want to buy something Solar can always remember me by when he looks at it." Said Twilight

"So you still have feelings for him." Said Cadance

"Yes and every time I see him, and it seems to be growing. I can't get him out of my head. He is just the perfect stallion. But I'm still not sure if he shares the same feelings that I do. So I want this present to show those feelings. Then maybe I can grow the courage to ask him out. After Canterlot has accepted him as the prince." Said Twilight.

"I'm still sure any present you buy for him, will make him accept you." Said Cadance

"I know, but I still want my present to be special." Said Twilight

"Well if you want to pick the perfect present. Then how about picking something that Solar wants. Then Solar will see that you have been listening to him." Said Cadance

Twilight placed her hand on her chin and closed her eyes. She slowly thought about everything she had heard Solar talk about wanting. She needed something that he would only tell her and only her. She instantly remembered a conversation they had when they were in the library together.

"I now what he wants. We need to find a guitar store." Said Twilight

"Well I know where one is, let's get going Twilight." Said Cadance

Twilight and Cadance made their way towards the shop. Soon they found it and opened the door. They were amazed how many guitars there were. They slowly began to look through all the guitars.

"How do we ever pick the right guitar for him. There have to be hundreds of guitars here." Said Cadance

Twilight was looking through all the guitars and then found the one she knew Solar would love. It was a beautiful acoustic guitar. It had a nice glossy wood finish. It had a slender neck. But when she started to look for a price, her ears went down to the sides of her head. The guitar already had been sold. Cadance walked over to Twilight and saw the guitar. She could see it was a Finler, one of the best guitars out there. But she saw that somepony already bought it.

"It was the perfect guitar for him." Said Twilight

"Please Twilight, any of these guitars are nice for him. It doesn't matter which one you pick, as long as it is from your heart. Solar will know that you chose it from your heart when he sees it. A real gift comes from the heart, so let your heart pick for you." Said Cadance

"Thanks, Cadance." Said Twilight

They looked around the shop some more. Finally Twilight picked the guitar she knew Solar would like. It was close to the Finler she wanted. She had the underside of the neck engraved with some words she wanted Solar always to remember her by when he played. They weren't words that would confess her love, but at least show that she cared for him. They then left the store and headed towards the castle. Cadance still had to get Twilight ready for her big day with Solar

***

"Happy Birthday, Solar." Said the staff

"Thanks, everypony." Said Solar

He went around thanking everypony that attended. His mother came up and gave him a hug. She then handed him his gift.

"This is from Captain Stonewall and me. Sorry, he couldn't be here, he had family business to attend to." Said Celestia

"No worries mom, I understand." Said Solar

Solar opened the gift to see a bunch of guitar guides. Solar raised any eyebrow of why he got these when he knew he didn't have a guitar.

"I know you're confused, but you will understand later on." Said Celestia

"Well, thanks, mom," said Solar giving his mother a hug.

He then went off and thanked the Sparkles for coming. They gave him a picture, as their present. Solar was happy to see it. It was one they took when they were all together celebrating Bunny Day. He thanked them and went over to Shining Armor. He was drinking a glass of punch.

"So where's Cadance and Twilight." Said Solar

"I'm not sure, but Cadance stated that she had to get Twilight changed." Said Shining

"Changed." Said Solar

"Yeah, but how about we spar next week. I could use the practice." Said Shining

"Sure, I don't want to get rusty." Said Solar

"Yeah, but can you tell me how you created those blades." Said Shining

Solar began to tell Shining how he was able to condense the magic in his body and then transform it into a weapon. While they were talking Cadance came into the hall. She walked over to her auntie and spotted Shining talking with Solar.

"Sorry, I am a little late auntie. I had to help Twilight." Said Cadance

"Don't you think you're taking this a little far Cadance." Said Celestia

"Please Auntie, I'm doing nothing wrong. I'm just stirring two perfect lovers together. I'm not even using any of my magic on them." Said Cadance.

Soon Solar was done telling Shining everything on his ability to create his weapons. Solar then decided to spring a question on Shining.

"So when are you going to ask my cousin out." Said Solar

Shining was drinking when he heard Solar. He quickly started to have a coughing fit as he tried to catch his breath. "Please, I don't have a crush on Cadance. I mean, she's royalty, and I'm just some average pony."

"Oh please, I see how you look at her. Admit it. You like her." Said Solar

"Well, I will, if you admit that you like my sister." Said Shining

Solar began to blush at that. Shining snickered that he had won. Solar was about to bring a comeback. But he heard some voices. He looked to see what everypony was talking about and felt his face grow even more bright.

Twilight had come in wearing a long flowing dress. It was colored lavender like her coat. It showed off the very beauty that she had. She also had a pair of white heels under her dress. She started to make her way to Solar. Shining patted Solar on the shoulder and went over to Cadance. He pointed to his sister. Cadance just shrugged and watched. Twilight finally made her way to Solar.

"Nice to see you again, Prince Solar Flare," said Twilight with a curtsy.

She's simply perfect. That dress brings out so much of her natural beauty. She has to be the most beautiful, actually only beautiful filly I know. I can't believe how beautiful she is. Soon Twilight got back to normal, and Solar looked into her eyes. He was trying to hold back his blushing face.

"Twilight...you...look...simply...beautiful in that dress. I feel kind of underdressed for my party." Said Solar

Twilight started to blush as she heard him call her beautiful. "Well, I decided to go all out for my prince's tenth birthday."

Solar looked to see the band starting to get ready. He bowed to her and gave her his hand. "Twilight I would be honored if you would allow me this dance."

She started to blush even more. She was happy her lavender fur hid most of it. She easily took Solar's hand. "I would love that."

The two made their way to the dance floor and got ready for the dance. The ponies in attendance just watched. When they were ready, the music began to play. They then began to sway back and forth to the music.

"Oh Solar, a slow song." Said Twilight

"Only the best for the best filly around." Said Solar

Twilight started to blush even more. She easily let the music flow over her body as they danced to it. She just loved being in her crushes arms, dancing with him.

The crowd owed and awed at the two of them. Celestia looked over to her cousin. "Nice work Cadance. That is simply beautiful."

"Thank you, auntie, I try." Said Cadance.

Soon she looked to see Shining crying. "You crying Shining."

"No, I'm just shedding liquid pride. My sister is growing up," he said as he continued to cry liquid pride.

Cadance just shrugged as she brought him into a hug. They continued to watch Solar and Twilight dance.

"Sorry, I'm not much of a formal dancer." Said Twilight

"No worries, just follow my footsteps. If you fail, I'll be there to catch you," said Solar with a smile on his face.

"Oh, Solar," she said as she laid her head on his chest.

Solar's face went crimson as he felt Twilight's face touch his chest. The crowd then let out an awe for them. I can't believe this is happening to me. I have to be dreaming. Oh please don't let this be a dream! The filly of my eyes is dancing with me. I have to say a dream come true. Nothing could make this day better. Nothing at all.

The two just swayed back and forth in the middle until the music began to come to and end. Then as the song came to an end, Twilight brought her head off Solar's chest. They each took their respective bows. Twilight then took Solar's hand and ran off. Celestia watched as the two moved off. She felt a single tear escape her eye.

My son is becoming a stallion.

***

The two soon reached the balcony that overlooked Canterlot. Twilight let go of Solar's hand and began to concentrate her magic. Solar then saw as a large present appeared before him.

"Happy birthday Solar. A gift from me to you." She said

"Thanks, Twilight." Said Solar

He began to unwrap his gift and found that it was a large guitar case. He unzipped it and opened it to find a Quart acoustic guitar. It had a light tan body with a dark brown neck. He held the gift in his hands and looked it over. He then saw the engraving on the neck. It read, 'Always remember to play from your heart. Your friend Twilight'. He then looked up to Twilight

"I wanted to get you the Finler guitar, but somepony bought it before me. So I picked this one out. If you don't like it...." She stopped as Solar brought her into a warm loving, hug.

"I could never return this Twilight. You went out of your way to get this gift for me. I love it." He said

"I'm so happy for you Solar." Said Twilight

The two broke the hug and looked out over Canterlot. Twilight gently rested her head on his shoulder and Solar put his arm around her. They looked at the star-filled night sky. The light of the moon was illuminating them both. Twilight closed her eyes as she let Solar's embrace take her. Solar looked down at Twilight. He looked at her and swallowed the lump in his throat. He gently brought his lips down and kissed her on her cheek. Twilight and Solar quickly blushed, but Twilight smiled. She happily returned the kiss with one of her own on his cheek him. He smiled as they held each other tight in the moonlight.

"Happy birthday, Solar." Said Twilight

"Thank you, Twilight, for everything." Said Solar