The Happy Birthday Hero

     The shadow belonged to a Sketch Acara in a dark mask and the large bag she carried over her shoulder, filled with gold poetry, storytelling and art gallery trophies. She halted in her tracks when she heard footsteps; after all, the Catacombs were supposed to be empty, even of its patrons, at this time. Her grasp on her loot tightened.

     Suddenly, she heard something being fired, and a gob of bright pink frosting splattered on the wall next to her, prompting her to run for the exit. However, another frosting blast caught her on the arm, causing her to drop the bag of trophies with a loud crash.

     “Ow! What the – “

     A burst of confetti and streamers sprang into cords that bound her arms and legs tightly against her body, causing her to topple onto the floor next to the trophies. The Acara glared at her trophies, down at her colourful bonds, and finally, up at the figure that stepped into view at last – a Chocolate Vandagyre in a pink and purple costume, a mask shaped like a gaudy birthday crown, and leggings and boots with patterns of lit candles and cakes. In the Vandagyre’s gauntleted wings was a strange cannon with buttons and knobs that looked more edible than deadly, but the Acara could see the remains of streamers dangling from the barrel, sparkling smoke rising between them.

     “Who in Neopia are you?” the Acara spat. “What are you even doing here?”

     “Funny, I should be asking you the same question,” the Vandagyre replied. They shrugged and blew the smoke away from the cannon barrel. “Why are you stealing trophies from the Catacombs?”

     “No one in the Catacombs appreciates my art or my writing,” was the angry response. “Not the Storyteller, or Alstaf Poogle or…or whoever chooses the artwork to be featured in the gallery. Without these trophies, there will be no winners! None!”

     “And now you really won’t be a creative contest winner.” The Vandagyre sighed and pulled out a small present-shaped communicator from their utility belt. “Defenders of Neopia - Twilight Chapter, this is the Happy Birthday Hero. I have captured the Catacombs thief. Send reinforcements.” They punched a few buttons on the communicator and added, “I have sent the coordinates of our location. The timestamp is 3:17 a.m.”

     Despite still being bound on the cold stone floor, foiled and defeated, the Sketch Acara managed a sardonic expression. “'The Happy Birthday Hero’?”

     “Yes,” the Vandagyre answered. “It’s my birthday today. You could have greeted me, at least.”

     * * *

     “Hey, it’s the Happy Birthday Hero!”

     “Oh yeah, it’s their birthday today! Happy birthday!”

     The Chocolate Vandagyre smiled and waved their arm, causing a large chocolate cake with twenty-three lit candles to magically appear on the nearest table.

     “Thanks! Keep greeting me, I need all the power I can get!”

     Everyone in the Defenders of Neopia Headquarters cheered as the Vandagyre blasted confetti and streamers into the air, multiplied balloon Petpets from their gauntlets, and left a trail of multicoloured cupcakes in their wake as they headed for Judge Hog’s office.

     “Happy birthday, Happy Birthday Hero,” the Moehog greeted them jovially, clapping them on the shoulder. “How was your early morning patrol? I heard you caught the thief in the Catacombs, then helped some lost tourists from the Lost Desert find their way back to the Neolodge, and…” Judge Hog picked up a sheaf of reports from his desk. “What’s this about saving a birthday party?”

     “I used my powers to put together a birthday party for some orphans at the orphanage on Chokato Street. Sorry, sir, I got sidetracked there but nothing else was happening on my patrol, so…”

     Judge Hog guffawed. “Nah, that’s all right. The Defenders of Neopia are friends and protectors of children everywhere, especially orphans. But you know, you didn’t have to start your patrol so early. It [i]is[/i] your birthday, so you could have set aside some time for yourself…”

     The Chocolate Vandagyre shook their head.

     “My superpowers are only active when it’s my birthday,” they answered. “It’s the one day I can be a Defender of Neopia like I always dreamed of.” They seemed to deflate as they yawned, and Judge Hog gestured for them to take a seat. “The one time I can save the day. I wish I had a way to be a Defender of Neopia all year round, then I wouldn’t have to wake up at midnight to make the most of my birthday superpowers.”

     “We’re still looking into whether we can modify your superpowers so you can at least use them more than once a year,” said Judge Hog, his brow furrowing. “Unfortunately…”

     “I figured. It’s okay,” said the Happy Birthday Hero, shrugging and smiling ruefully. “Anyway, I just stopped by HQ to gain strength and throw a party even for a while. I have to get back on patrol.”

     Judge Hog’s frown deepened. “I know you want to be a hero as much as you can on your birthday, but…remember, it’s still your birthday. Your family and friends will want to celebrate with you, and they can’t while you’re on duty.”

     “We can celebrate the day after, or at night when my shift is over.”

     “Still, even if you celebrate your birthday every year, each one is different from the last. You can’t really say your twenty-first birthday is exactly like your twentieth, or your twenty-second, or your eighteenth. Crime will always exist in Neopia, but each birthday is special.”

     The Happy Birthday Hero chuckled softly. “I didn’t know you had a sentimental side, Chief.”

     “Let’s just say I’ve had many birthdays over the years, myself,” Judge Hog replied, grinning as he ruffled the Chocolate Vandagyre’s head of whipped cream. “Why don’t you grab a cup of coffee and one of your cupcakes before you go? You’ve already had a very busy morning.”

     “Thanks.”

     “And happy birthday, again. For the road. Even if today is the day you’re a superhero, don’t forget what’s truly important. If we can’t give you the gift of being able to use your powers more often, then I’ll have a talk with the higher-ups to see what jobs we can give you when it’s not your birthday.”

     The Happy Birthday Hero’s eyes widened. “Really? You’d do that for me?”

     “Just because you only get one day with superpowers does not make you less of a hero. I’d say being able to pull yourself out of bed at midnight just to begin crime fighting a bit earlier than most superheroes should be considered a superpower.”

     “Heh, thanks, chief.”

     As the Happy Birthday Hero left, Judge Hog found himself with a little cupcake decorated with a candle in his grasp.

     * * *

     “Myriel!” The Spotted Vandagyre gasped when she saw a Chocolate Vandagyre on her doorstep. “The cake is still in the oven and we’re not expecting you or any of the guests until…well, tonight! Your father hasn’t even come back from his birthday shopping!” She kissed them and winked. “Happy birthday, honey.”

     “Thanks, Mom.” Myriel stepped into the cottage.

     “You’ve never been this early, what’s going on?”

     Myriel placed their wings behind their back and glanced away with mild embarrassment. “Um…can you wish me a happy birthday again?”

     “Oh, absolutely! Did the Defenders of Neopia give you a tough mission today?”

     “Not really, I just…felt like celebrating a bit more this time. It’s not every birthday I turn twenty-four, and…of course, all the extra greetings to power me up can’t hurt.”

     “Then, happy birthday, Myriel. Our little hero. You’ll always be our hero, on any day of the year.”

     The End.