This super special story has been done for the ever so amazing  CatTinyPaws for her 20th birthday today! I got this done over the course of the week so I could get it done for her today!

I would also love to say that she is a very talented artist and an amazing person! Please send her all the best birthday wishes on Twitter if you haven't yet!

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December 5th
Late Evening

It was a brisk, chilly sunset in December, everyone bundling up in any way they can. However a small...ish group of individuals are gathered in a forest clearing, seemingly discussing some big plans for an upcoming event. Kajex, Tempo, Lyly, Jun, Moon, and Amber have ben pulled together for this setup. Kajex, Tempo, and Lyly are small while Moon, Jun, and Amber are big.

"So uh... why'd you drag me out to the middle of the forest Moon?" Kajex squeaked awkwardly as he sat on a large rock. "First off I carried you," Moon playfully teased him as she got on her knees, "Second, I've got a plan!" "A plan?" Tempo questioned. "WE have a plan!" Lyly exclaimed, "For Cath's birthday!"

Jun has an awkward realization when she remembers Cath's birthday is the following day.

"Oh yeah..." Jun replied blankly, "I uh... half forgot that one..."

Everyone giggles at the forgetful Jun for a minute before getting back to business.

"Yeah, that's understandable," Kajex awkwardly replied, "I uh... almost did myself." "Understandable," Amber shrugged, "But what exactly do you two have planned?" "Just have a surprise party planned," Lyly smiled as she looked all round the group, "But we'll need your help on this one!"

The four newbies to the plan awkwardly stare at each other for a moment.

"Amber," Moon began, "Do you mind helping me and Lyly keep Cath busy?" "O-Oh sure," Amber replied, "I don't mind."

The remaining 3 awkwardly look at each other.

"So what're you having us do?" Tempo asked curiously. "You three need to stay here and get the decorations set up!" Lyly exclaimed, "That simple!"

Everyone nods in agreement at the idea, thinking nothing bad could happen during such a simple process.

"That sounds like it could work," Jun shrugged, "Do we at least have the decorations and stuff?" "Oh yeah, we got those!" Moon replied, "Just need somebody to pick up the cake tomorrow."

Everybody nods as they watch the sun fall beneath the horizon.

"Th-Then uh... Jun, Tempo and I will meet up here ASAP tomorrow," Kajex squeaked. "And I'll bring the cake over!" Jun finished, "So you two can get it going!"

The stage has been set and the planning has begun.

December 6th
Late Morning

Jun is currently stopping by the local bakery, just standing around while the cake comes out.

"Thanks a ton!" Jun smiled as a cake shaped like a shooting star the size of a house with the main star being yellow and the streaks being blue, pink, and green with white candles was pulled out, where she gently picks it up, "Pleasure doing business with you!"

She casually strolls through the streets, being careful to not drop the cake or trip over anything, that was until... she saw Amber and the others.

"A-Ah crap!" Jun thought, "You were too fast! I'm not in the forest yet!"

Cath is currently in her big Lucario form, awkwardly chuckling as the others crowd around her, taking up all her attention... hopefully.

"O-Oh crap, oh crap!" Amber thought as she glanced at Jun, "I told Moon we were too fast!"

Amber jumped as she saw Jun hide the cake behind a city block and crouched behind it.

"So um... what's with the trip around town?" Cath asked with an awkward chuckle. "It's your special day," Lyly smiled, "Why wouldn't w-"

Amber awkwardly shoves everybody to go a different direction to avoid Jun, luckily nobody else taking notice of her.

"Wh-What are you doing Lyly?!" Cath stuttered. "Oh it's nothing Cath!" Amber awkwardly chuckled, "Just figured we can go this way!"

Jun awkwardly rotates the cake around the building to avoid their line of sight.

"Nothing wrong with that right?" Moon awkwardly chuckled. "I-I guess so..." Cath replied. "Glad to hear!" Lyly finished.

Jun continues on her merry way, Amber glancing at Jun to give her a quick wink to signify the all clear.

"Thank you for the save Amber," Jun breathed in a HEFTY sigh of relief, "You got started WAY too fast."

Jun waits a moment longer before continuing, this time tiptoeing through the city to avoid making any sounds to draw Cath's attention. Grabbing a knife, plates, and something to light the candles with before joining the others

Meanwhile...

Kajex and Tempo are currently at the clearing they were at the evening prior, Tempo currently filling the pink, blue, and green balloons with helium as Kajex hangs up the matching streamers across the trees as he clamors around.

"God this is a lot of balloons," Tempo sighed as he wiped some sweat off his forehead, "Hopefully we don't run out of helium." "Aaaaalmost got it..." Kajex sweated in the distance.

Tempo has already gotten about 2 dozen balloons all prepped and currently has them tied up to the helium canister for safe keeping.

"Hey Kajex?" Tempo asked with a yawn, "Mind if we swap real qui-"

Tempo only heard the sounds of rustling leaves mid-sentence, almost jumping.

"I uh... could use a hand here," Kajex awkwardly chuckled, "Pl-Please Tempo?"

Tempo awkwardly turned around to see Kajex dangling from between two trees tangled in streamers like he got caught in a hunter's trap.

"Okay HOW did you even do that?!" Tempo panicked as he rushed over. "I-I tried to get all three colors across, but as I tried to move onto the next tree, I slipped and got tangled!" Kajex stuttered in shock.

Tempo grabs the streamer rolls and tries to avoid tearing them as he untangles Kajex.

"You'd better be careful!" Tempo squeaked as he made a slight tear, "These are all the streamers we have!" "I-I know!" Kajex replied, "My bad!"

Tempo quickly untangles the poor Lucario and pulls him away from the streamers.

"Okay, now can you handle the balloons and I'll handle the streamers!" Tempo stated. "O-Okay," Kajex squeaked shyly.

They swapped positions for MANY different reasons.

Early Afternoon...

With the group keeping Cath busy, everything is going smoothly, especially after Amber's diversion. Right now they're in a more restaurant filled area for a quick bite to eat after a little gift shopping.

"Alright, I'm paying!" Lyly exclaimed as she rummaged for a wallet. "A-Are you sure?" Cath shakily replied, "With what you've already done for me I'd be more than to p-" "Don't you fret about that Cath!" Moon exclaimed, "Your day, you get to live through without a hitch!"

Moon had set Lyly down on the ground so she could head inside a nearby pizza place to grab some food.

"Okay, we got a few hours left," Amber thought, "Just grabbing us some pizza before we give them another hour."

She glanced outside to see everyone else huddling in the streets to sit down, her turn at the counter, her wallet all ready.

"H-Hello," Amber smiled, can I get two pepperoni pizzas to go? One macro and one small?" "Right away!" the cashier said with a smile.

Lyly's eyes widened as she saw the price came to be around $110.42, her heart skipping beats.

"O-Oh boy," Lyly squeaked as she pulled out the cash, "Next time, I'll uh... take up Cath's offer to at least help..."

She takes her receipt with a shaky look in her eyes, knowing she probably just blew through every scrap of her savings on lunch for her good friends.

"Hopefully the others have a little extra luck," she thought as she headed back outside, awkwardly smiling at the group.

"So how much did it cost?" Moon asked as she looked down at Amber. "I-I uh..." Lyly stuttered as she looked up, "Can I get a liiittle help at least?"

They looked down at her in confusion.

Meanwhile...

Jun had finally joined up with Tempo and Kajex to lend them a hand with the decorating. Tempo is hanging up the balloons , Kajex is filling in the remainder, and Jun is hanging lanterns all over the place so that they're all set for such a lovely evening.

"I'm gonna be honest, this is kind of fun!" Kajex exclaimed. "Honestly same," Jun smiled, "Feels oddly relaxing once you get in the groove." "It can be pretty fun," Tempo finished.

Kajex's hands were going numb with how many balloons he was ting up, but knew Tempo didn't trust him anywhere NEAR the trees after that morning, but willing to try anyways.

"Hey uh Tempo?" Kajex awkwardly asked as he paused the balloon production, "Mind if we swap? My hands are KILLING me."

Tempo lets out a soft sigh as he ties up one more balloon, clearly a bit drained from all the work they've already done today.

"Yeah you can," Tempo sighed. "Thanks a bunch!" Kajex exclaimed as he took his last balloon over, "We'll blaze through this now!"

Kajex quickly clamored around the trees with his Lucario physique lending a hand, but Jun couldn't help but to feel worried about the drowsy Arcanine.

"You know you can take a nap right?" Jun asked completely concerned, "You look exhausted." "I-I'm fine," Tempo replied as he got back to the balloons, "I can finish up the last couple balloons before passing out." "If you say so," Jun replied.

Tempo then slowly got back to inflating the last dozen or so balloons, his eyes wandering around as time went on.

"So sleepy," he thought on repeat in his head, "I woke up way too early today."

He slowly got to work, watching as Kajex hangs up the balloons with a bright smile, humming to himself without a care in the world.

"J-Just a bit more," he thought as he began to doze off, "Just... a bit... more..."

He then dozed off where he stood, Jun and Kajex not noticing. He had a balloon being filled up as well when he ook a snooze.

"We're almost all set," Kajex said to himself. "Can't wait!" Jun smiled, "How're you holding up Temp-"

The balloon popper RIGHT in Tempo's ears, quickly pulling him back to reality, having Kajex fall and Jun completely dazed.

"A-ACK!!!" Tempo panicked. "WHAT WAS THAT???!!!" Kajex said as he got back up. "I toooold you to take a nap," Jun told Tempo.

Tempo quickly shut the valve and took off the useless rubber, 100% awake now.

"I-It's nothing!" Tempo panicked, "I-It just means one or two less balloons, heheh..." "Just DON'T pass out like that again!" Kajex panicked, "I almost lost control of my body with that!"

Everyone calmed down as Tempo got back to work at full throttle.

"Next time, listen to my advice," Jun sighed. "I-I'll try," thought Tempo.

Late Afternoon

Time is running short as the bigger group continues their stroll, just another 20 minutes or so before the big surprise after getting surprised with Amber's bill for lunch. They're nearing the edge of town.

"Th-Thanks guys," Cath smiled, "This day has been great." "Aw don't mention it!" Lyly replied with a smile, "You deserve to have an amazing day!" "Even if I lost all my savings," Amber thought.

This closing moment on their trip was quite relaxing, but Moon was starting to feel a little dizzy.

"Y-Yeah," Moon said, "No doubt about that!" "You okay?" Cath asked concerned, "You look like you'll pass out any second." "O-Oh it's nothing," Moon said as her throat felt extra parched, "I think I forgot my water bottle at home, heheh..."

And EVERYBODY knows what that means.

"Y-You haven't had a SINGLE drop of water today?!" everybody else panicked. "H-Hey come on!" Moon blushed, "I'll be fiiiiine. I'll just go to the forest and drink from the river or something and drink from there!"

They are all CLEARLY not convinced, but Cath is confused as to why she mentioned the forest of all places.

"U-Um quick question," Cath said, "Why the forest of all places to go to?"

Everyone's hearts skip a few beats, realizing that Moon's water deprived brain may have given away a piece of the surprise.

"O-Oh um no reason!" Moon panicked, "J-Just thinking about ending our stroll there! Nothing wrong with a quick trek in the woods!"

Cath was starting to think SOMETHING was up with her reaction, but chooses to not dwell on it.

"If you say so," Cath awkwardly replied. "Trust me Cath, we're fine," Amber smiled as she hopped onto Cath's shoulder.

Cath and Lyly went on ahead as Amber kept Moon back for a second.

"She's onto us!" Amber whispered. "S-Sorry!" Moon whispered back, "I don't think clearly when I don't drink water!"

After a slight scolding, they continue onwards, following the birthday star.

Early Evening

The sun began to make the sky glow a beautiful orange like the day prior, the sun began to fall as the stars slowly made their name known in the skies. The group was slowly guiding Cath to her destination.

"Okay, where are we ging now?" Cath asked as the air turned brisk. "Juuuust wait a bit longer," Amber smiled, "You'll see."

On the other end of the spectrum, Jun was hiding in the forest as to not give away their position. Kajex and Tempo are getting ready to light some lanterns.

"I can hear them coming," Kajex whispered to Tempo, "Ready?" "Ready," Tempo replied.

They both lit a lantern simultaneously, quickly catching Cath's attention.

"H-Huh?" Cath stuttered.

Then came another two, then another two, and another two until the perimeter of the clearing was lit, revealing the shooting star in the center.

"Happy birthday Cath!" Kajex and Tempo both exclaimed as the clamored to either side of the cake. "Awww," Cath smiled, "You guys are-"

Jun popped out from behind the trees with a bright smile.

"I can't forget to say happy birthday to you too!" Jun exclaimed. "Y-You guys actually-" Cath stuttered. "No doubt about it!" Lyly smiled, "All of this has been in the works since this morning! You almost caught Jun with your cake!"

Cath's eyes couldn't help but to glow up like stars, how such a group managed to put together.

"We had to keep you busy for as long as possible!" Amber smiled, "Since we all know Kajex is a klutz." "H-Hey come on!" Kajex pouted, "Not funny!" "But it is though," Moon teased him. "Not when he gets tangled in the streamers," Tempo sighed.

They couldn't help but to laugh at whatever happened while they were out.

"A-Anyways!" Kajex stammered, You ready for cake after such a long day?" "Heheh, you can tell Kajex had barely eaten breakfast," Lyly smiled.

Kajex flared up like he was one of the lanterns as everyone took a seat around the cake, the smalls right next to it. Jun lighting the candles.

"I can't wait to take a bite out of this!" Lyly squealed with joy.

They then sang the typical Happy Birthday song, the stars now twinkling above the brightest of all.

"Make a wish!" everybody exclaimed.

Cath quickly blew out her candles in a single breath, everyone clapping with joy as Moon reached over to cut the cake.

"And the birthday star gets her piece first!" Moon exclaimed as she cut out a chunk of the star, revealing it was a chocolate cake.

Cath happily got her piece off of her plate but uh... got Lyly, Tempo, and Kajex stuck on the plate. She then began sliding the piece down her throat.

"H-Hey Cath!" Tempo stammered, "You got a bunch of us caught in the mix!"

The tinies clung to the edges of her maw as she chewed on the chocolatey cake, trying not to slide inside.

"Ahhh! Cath!" Jun exclaimed, "You got EVERBODY in your maw again!" "Hm?" she said as she took notice of Tempo.

Amber plucked everyone out just in time before Cath swallowed, her blush immense as she looked down at the near vore victims.

"Heheh..." Cath blushed, "S-Sorry. I got a bit excited." "You're fine!" Lyly smiled back, "We all make mistakes like that." "I-I mean I try not to," Kajex blushed.

Moon gave Kajex a big ol' bonk on the head.

"C'mon and just enjoy the night!" Moon exclaimed, "We've got plenty of cake and fun to have!" "Yeah," Tempo smiled with a tail wag, "Can't forget that!"

Moon cut out Amber's and Jun's pieces of the star with a smile as she passed them around.

"All good in my books!" Amber smiled, "We all had at least one hiccup today!" "Heheh, I guess we all did," Jun continued, "It'll happen."

Moon cuts out one piece of the streak for Kajex, Tempo, and Lyly to share since they're so small.

"It's just um... some made bigger mistakes than others?" Kajex squeaked. "Yeah," Tempo chuckled, "I should've slept a bit more. Woke up at like 5:30." "Moon takes the cake for nearly spoiling the surprise!" Lyly exclaimed, "No doubt about that!"

Moon nearly messed up her cut for her piece at the reminder.

"I just forgot my bottle for once!" she exclaimed.

Cath couldn't help but to glow a little at such cute banter in the group.

"You guys are just the best!" Cath smiled with a tail wag, "Thanks for everything!" "It's no trouble at all," Tempo smiled. "Can't help it when you're so amazing!" Jun continued.

Her glow only glew brighter.

"That's what friends are for," Moon eagerly said. "Promise!" Amber smiled.

It got brighter and brighter, already shining like the star she is,

"Hehe, definitely," Kajex chuckled. "And we'll happily do it again!" Lyly finished.

Cath wrapped everyone up in a hug when she couldn't contain it anymore.

"You're gonna give me inflated ego at this rate!" Cath exclaimed at the top of her lungs.

And so, the night continued on, the stars filled with glee as they all let all the troubles melt away with the frigid night air...