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// The Chapter with Character Introductions 
// Story: My Little Pony: The Next Generation 
// by MedicHorse 
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My Little Pony: The Next Generation


The One Wherein Characters are Introduced

The last day of school. For students, it is a day to imagine all the possibilities of summer. For parents, the last day before their kids run wild all day every day. Being mid-May, it was exactly the kind of warm spring day that Ponyville is famous for. With the sound long-awaited to some and dreaded by others, all of Ponyville’s school aged population flooded out of the schoolhouse. 
As everypony went their separate ways, seven ponies (although pony was a stretch for two) walked together down the street towards Sugarcube Corner. They were each obviously different, but any passerby could tell that they had been together a long time. Leading, as always, was Starburst, her proud demeanor ruling the path they walked. Behind her were Prism Bolt and Cotton Candy, already planning the summer’s pranks and other general shenanigans. The third row was made up of Golden Delicious and Anthea. While he would never admit it to her, he took pride in being the blind young pony’s escort, protector and confidant. 
Bringing up the rear was the most curios sight in Equestria. A pair of pony-dragon hybrid siblings, Turquoise Blitz and Crystal Clarity walked tall and proud. They always wound up in the back, mainly because T never spoke while the group was deciding where to go, and Claire was almost always by his side. While she always wore the same mask of sophistication and seriousness, she had a soft spot for her younger brother. They weren’t the most social of ponies, as T was very reserved and most everypony thought Claire was kind of a jerk. While she admits to having her moments, she couldn’t imagine her life without these dear friends.
“So,” said Candy, “Who’s down for a party tonight? I’ll even get Mom to make those awesome triple-chocolate cupcakes!”
“You had me at party,” stated Bolt bluntly. “What kind of crazy pony would turn down Pinkie Pie’s world famous cupcakes?”
“This kind,” Claire suddenly interjected, as she never really liked chocolate. “But I will make every attempt to attend your little get-together, assuming Mother and Father approve.”	
“Please, we all know Missus Rarity is gonna wax all poetical bout how parties are nothing but trouble, then Mister Spike is gonna say you can go, the Missus Rarity is gonna say ‘fine’ and try to get you all prettified.”
“Yep,” stated T, having more than enough experience to verify the likelihood of this scenario.
“Regardless,” Claire countered with a roll of her eyes, “just because our parents aren’t as laid-back as Missus Applejack and Mister Caramel, I still find it courteous to ask.”
“First off,” started Gold, “I always ask. And second, you know they hate that ‘Mister and Missus’ junk. They like to be treated as friends, not teachers.”
“Your parents are quite friendly,” Annie said in her trademark near whisper. “At least you can get a straight answer out of them, instead of an endless string of ‘gosh, I don’t know.’”
“Yeah, but Miss Fluttershy always lightens up when Prince Charming here shows up to bodyguard you,” joked Bolt, eliciting a stern look and a slight blush from the colt in question.
“Speaking of Price Charming,” began Candy, “When does Soarin get back from his tour?”
“Mom says he’ll be back next week, and they’re gonna teach me how to do a Sonic Rainboom!” Bolt nearly jumped up as he ecstatically made his remark.
“Only if you don’t break your nose this time,” Star finally piped up.
“Hey,” defended Bolt, “Just cause Princess Sparkle and Prince Sentry don’t want you being cool doesn’t mean we have to be boring.”
“My parents value hard work and tenacity, not lounging on a cloud until your parents report you missing,” Star shot back, as Bolt shrank back and giggled nervously.
“Hey, we’re here,” said Candy excitedly as she noticed a certain stallion standing in line. “Daddy!”
“Wha-” he started, but was cut off as he was almost choked by a flying hug from his daughter. Just like her mom he thought as he giggled to himself. “Hello dear. Hello, children,” he said as he noticed his daughter was not alone.
“Hello Mister Pierce,” they said in unison.
“Please, call me Pokey. As I have said a hundred times before,” he mumbled, and pushed away from Candy. “So what brings you kids to Sugarcube Corner?” he asked.
“We’re gonna have an after school snack, then get ready for our school’s-out party,” said Candy. “By the way, is Mom around?”
“She’s working right now, trying to keep this line under control. Also, how nice of you to ask permission to throw a party,” he said sarcastically, raising an eyebrow as he finished.
“Glad you think so,” she giggled and ran into the store. “Mom! I need three dozen triple chocolate cupcakes and the store tonight at six.”
“That didn’t sound like a question,” noted Pinkie Pie with a stern tone.
“Please?” Candy pleaded with the biggest eyes she could muster.
“Fine,” said the pink mare, “now get back here and help me with this rush.”
“Ok!” Candy said with a smile, waving to her friends. “See you at six!”
“Well, I guess it’s time to collect parental approval,” said Claire, not wishing to stand in the long line before them. The other ponies nodded in agreement and headed their separate ways

“Mom, I’m going to a party tonight!” called Bolt, unsure exactly where his mother was in their large cloud home.
“Ok, but don’t let things get too exciting. You know how those Pinkie parties get,” Rainbow Dash called from the kitchen, remembering her own shenanigans with the pink party pony.
“Candy’s throwing it,” he corrected.
“Same warning. It runs in their blood.” She said, as she saw first-hand the filly’s appetite for crazy when she first got her cutie mark.
“Noted. Now I’m gonna try and look good in case there’s any cute fillies there,” he said with quite a bit of confidence.
“Wow,” Rainbow said with a shrug and a giggle, “you’re so much like your father it’s almost unsettling.”
“You’re the one who fell for him,” Bolt added playfully.
“Touché,” his mother replied.

“Hey Ma, Pa, is it alright if I go to a party tonight?” Gold asked, knowing the response he would receive.
“You know the drill,” Caramel said as he had many times before, “at least three barrels and a shower.”
“Yes, sir!” Gold chirped and ran off towards the orchard.
“Wow,” Applejack breathed, “already done with junior year. Seems like only yesterday he was my cute little baby colt.”
“It doesn’t help that you still treat him like one,” Caramel snickered. “Don’t you think it’s about time we give him some room?”
“Well, excuse me for loving the hay out of my son,” she shot back, “but I still think he’s the second best looking stallion around, and I’m a little scared that he’s gonna have marefriends soon.”
“Probably,” the stallion said, getting up, “and I’ll bet he’ll have pick of the litter.”

“Hi sweetie. How was school?” Flash asked as Starburst walked into their home.
“Fine,” she replied. “Is it alright if I attend a get-together with my friends from school?”
“Well, I need details first. When, where, yadda, yadda.”
“It will be at Sugarcube Corner at six P.M. this evening,” she said with a pleading undertone hidden well by her mannerisms.
“You know I can’t say no to a Sugarcube Corner party. Have fun. I’ll let your mom know as soon as she pulls her muzzle out of that book or she’ll get worried sick.”
“Fair enough,” she replied, as her mother’s propensity to miss things while reading then worry about them was well known, “and thank you.”

“Mother, Father, I would like to attend a party tonight at Sugarcube Corner. Your input is desired,” said Claire with a voice strongly reminiscent of her mother.
“Why ever would you want to do that?” Rarity questioned. “Parties are the basis for a multitude of silly mistakes and irresponsible actions. I simply will not allow any daughter of mine to gallivant the town with those ruffians, regardless of their parent’s opinion.”
“I’ll allow it,” Spike said quietly but definitively.
“But,” Rarity started, but stopped when she noticed the unwavering smile on her husband’s face. “Fine,” she finally huffed out, “but I won’t allow you to go out without looking fabulous, and THAT is non-negotiable,” she finished as she shot a glance at Spike who smiled and walked away.
“Déjà vu,” T began, as he got off the couch he was lounging on to head upstairs and prepare for the night ahead.

“Mom, I want to go to Sugarcube Corner with my friends tonight. Is that ok with you?” Annie asked timidly, already guessing what her adoptive mother would say.
“Gosh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said, earning an eye roll from her daughter. “You know I don’t like it when you go out.”
“Golden Delicious will be there.” Annie added, as this was her go to statement when her mother was unsure.
“Oh, well, as long as you have somepony responsible looking after you, I guess it’s alright,” Fluttershy said, still feeling protective but more relaxed, as Golden Delicious was one of the few ponies she trusted with her dear Anthea.