//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Introducing Fireball to (Almost) Everypony // Story: MLP FiM: A New Generation & Other Stories // by ThatBronyWithTheClipOns //------------------------------// A few hours later, Fluttershy's husband, Snowflake, came home after working all day as the gym teacher at the Ponyville Schoolhouse. The bulky pegasus was confused to see all the animals waiting outside the house, seemingly for him, with Angel at the front. "What's going on?" he asked no animal in particular. Angel hopped back into the house and came back out with Fluttershy. "Oh...um...welcome home, dear," said Fluttershy. "How was work?" "It was fine," Snowflake replied. "Hey, honey, what's with all the animals just standing outside the house?" "Well...um...you see..." Fluttershy began, but was fumbling. "Something...happened today..." Her husband merely arched an eyebrow in confusion. "You know that...egg...I've been looking after?" He simply nodded, having a decent idea of what his wife was trying to tell him. "It um...hatched..." There was a moment of awkward silence before anypony finally spoke. "So, where is the little...fella?" asked Snowflake, unsure of how to refer to this new addition to the cottage. "Yes, it's a he," said Fluttershy. "And his name is Fireball." "Fireball?" "I'll explain in a moment," said Fluttershy. "But first, I want you to meet him. He's asleep on the couch, just be quiet, he's still a bit nervous. Twilight's gone to inform the others." "Twilight was here?" he asked. "Of course, she's been examining the egg since we found it," said Fluttershy. "She was here when he hatched. She decided to go tell everypony else since she could explain things quicker than me. Plus, advanced warning to Pinkie Pie to not make a huge fuss of it all." They made their way into the house, Fluttershy motioned her husband to the couch where the newborn Fireball was sleeping. The beefy pegasus looked on in amazement at what he saw. "So, this is the little guy?" he asked rhetorically. "Yes it is," she said with a warm smile. "What is he?" "We don't know yet. Twilight's never seen him in any of her books. But, all I know is that we're all he has." Fluttershy stroked the top of Fireball's head, still smiling warmly. "Do you think he'll like me?" asked Snowflake, making Fluttershy giggle. "Of course he will, sweetie. Why would you ask that?" "I know what I look like, Flutters." "Don't worry, as long as I'm here everything will be fine." Fluttershy leaned into the sleeping Fireball and began nuzzling his nose. "Time to wake up, little one," she said softly. "Somepony's here to meet you." Fireball slowly opened his eyes, let out a little yawn. Upon seeing Fluttershy he immediately smiled. Upon seeing Snowflake, he wasn't really sure how to feel. "Don't worry," began Fluttershy. "He won't hurt you. Snowflake is one of the kindest ponies you'll ever meet. And...um...he's very special...to me." She then gave Snowflake a peck on the cheek; Fireball seemed to understand what this meant and smiled at Snowflake, which relieved him. "So, why did you name him Fireball?" "Oh...well...I'll show you..." Fluttershy went to the kitchen real quickly, brought back a carrot, and fed it to Fireball. He ate it up real fast, let out a burp, followed by some a ball of fire, leaving Fluttershy and Snowflake with soot on their face. "I see," replied Snowflake. "Is he a dragon?" "I really don't think so," said Fluttershy. "I haven't heard of any dragons looking like him." "But, he did come from an egg that was apparently really old, right?" "True...even Twilight said he could be some unknown species." Suddenly there was a rapid knock at the door. Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie pie came tumbling in at once. "They really wanted to see him," blushed Twilight. "So, where is the little feller?" asked Applejack. "How big is he?" asked Rainbow Dash. "What shade of green is he?" asked Rarity. "When do I get to throw a party!?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Can he really breathe fire!?" asked Spike. "Ok, everypony needs to stay calm," said Fluttershy. "I don't want to overwhelm him on his first day in the world." Fireball came down from the couch and slowly walked over to the group surrounding the pony he saw as his mother. "Ok, Fireball, these are all my friends," began Fluttershy. "Or at least, part of them, I didn't want to overwhelm you with every single pony I know. You've already met Twilight, this is her assistant and little brother, Spike. He hatched from an egg just like you, he's a dragon, which you may be. This is Applejack, she runs an apple farm with her family who you'll meet more of eventually. Rainbow Dash is my oldest and best friend in the whole world, we went to flight school together, she's the fastest flyer in all of Equestria. Rarity runs her own beauty shop, sewing and making all kinds of pretty clothing. And Pinkie Pie works at a bakery, making all kinds of delicious pastries, she also loves to throw parties. She may want to throw a party for you." "Well, not if it makes the little guy nervous," said Pinkie Pie. "Maybe when he's older." "So, what is he?" asked Rainbow Dash suddenly, making everypony stare at her. "What!? It's not like you all aren't wondering the same thing." "Well, yes, that is true," admitted Rarity. "We are curious as to where he came from." "I'm still trying to figure that out," said Twilight. "None of the books I have give anything reliable." "Then go to Canterlot," Pinkie Pie chimed in. "Doesn't it have all the books you could ask for?" "That is true," said Twilight. "But, I can't make a trip like that now. I have two one year old foals to look after." "Bet the little ones would love a trip to Canterlot," said Applejack. "Princess Celestia would probably know something too," said Rarity. "She's been around long enough that I'm sure she might have an idea of what Fireball is." "But...do you think other ponies will be scared of Fireball?" Fluttershy asked timidly. "Anypony says anything, I'll knock their blocks off!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Well...then...ok," said Fluttershy. "Then it settled," said Applejack. "We're goin to Canterlot." "WOOHOO! ROAD TRIP!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "We go by train," said Rainbow Dash. "TRAIN TRIP!"