//------------------------------//
// Meeting the cast 
// Story: Tales of Troubled Teens 
// by ActivistVictor 
//------------------------------//

Monday August 17, 7:00 AM
 
Pocket Pair was sound asleep in his bed, having a pleaseant dream, when all of the sudden his alarm clock rang signaling it was time to get up for the day. “Ugh, it’s too early,” he said groaning as he begrudgingly got up and shut off his alarm clock.  “And I was aving such a good dream too! I was i a poker tournament playing against Phil Hellmuth and just took most of his chips to gain the lead. …. I wish I could go back to sleep and finish it out, at least that dream didn’t SUCK like my life does.” However, he suddenly remembered his plan and said “but you know what, all of that is about to change! Once my plan goes into action things are gonna improve, and I will ever have to deal with being alone or ignored again.   So in any case, and I can’t believe i’m actually saying this,  but I best be getting to school as soon as possible." he said before he grabbed a t shirt which read “I’d rather be playing poker”, some shorts, and a pair of underwear, then went to the bathroom to get dressed and brush his teeth. Upon completing said tass,  he exited the bathroom and walked downstairs with the intent to quickly grab his backpack, exit his house, and begin walking to school. However, before he managed to successfully get out the door, he heard a voice behind him say "What are you doing up so early?" and he instantly cringed.

He then turned around around annoyed and said, "Hi mom.”

“Hi” she replied, “Now tell me,  why are you up at 7 in the morning?”

“Oh, well... “ Pocket Pair said, not feeling like explaining his plan, “I got up early because I have to be at school early for… something. And on that note, I should be going! Don’t want to be late after all… .” he said before attempting to leave out the door.

“Not so fast,” his mom said stopping him, “What exactly do you have to be there early for?” 

“Uh,” Pocket Pair said turning around, starting to get slightly annoyed at his delayed departure, “I have to get there early for a… club meeting of sorts I guess., ” he said before trying to turn and leave again.

“Oh, and what’s this club about Victor?” his mom said.

“Ok, first of all, I’m not Victor anymore, my name is Pocket Pair, How many times must I tell you this?” Pocket Pair replied starting to get agitated. “Secondly, I don’t remember offhand exactly which the cub is about! But what I DO know is that if I don’t leave now, i’m going to be late!” he said turning and attempting to leave again.

“Now hold it right there!,” his mom said causing his irritation to increase further, “How can you not even remember which club you’re going to?”

“I don’t know, I just don’t right now,” Pocket Pair said turning around again, “And that isn’t going to magically change itself if you keep on asking me over and over!”

“Hey, I don’t like your attitude,” his mom said.

“Well I wouldn’t have an attitude if you didn’t keep insisting I tell you when it’s clear I don’t feel like talking now because I have somewhere to be!” Pocket Pair said, beginning to raise his voice

"Hey, I'm warning you," his mom said, "Knock it off or there's gonna be trouble!"

"OH, this AGAIN!?!?" Pocket Pair said exasperated, "Threatening me with punishment when things do’t go exactly you way? I mean really, are you aware how pathetic that strategy is?”

“You now what, that’s it!” his mom said angrily, “I’m tired of you talking back to me! You’re grounded after school today.”

“Oh wow, how original! I sure didn’t see THAT coming," Pocket Pair said sarcastically.

“And the day after tomorrow too!” his mother said. “Wanna go for the rest of the week smart ass?”

Pocket Pair, realizing that this wasn’t getting anywhere, groaned before saying "no."

"Good," his mother said. "now get out of here and get to school before you do something else you'll regret."

Pocket Pair, eager to remove himself from the situation, obliged to the request and grabbed his rolling backpack, exited the house and began walking down the front walk. As he walked down the path to his house, he said “Grounding me?! What gives? I didn’t so anything wrong! In fact, if anything she did because she kept pushing my buttons when it was clear I wasn’t in the mood to talk! But of course, even though i’m right I’m the one who ends up getting punished! Real frigging fair!" he said in anger.

He then shook his head and said, "Oh well whatever,  I'm not going to let this ruin my day! After all, once I have ironed out the kinks in my plan NOTHING is going to stop me from getting what I want for once this year. All I have to do is stay positive, and I know the perfect way to get into a positive frame of mind." he said as he whipped out his phone and opened the DH Texas Poker App on  “And to commemorate my new beginning this year, I think it’s time I try a  high stake and see if I have what it takes to play against them.” he said before he entered the Macau casino and bought in for full.

…………………………………………………….

 

Sometime later, as he was nearing the front door of Canterlot High, Pocket Pair groaned and said “oh come on, seven deuce AGAIN! That’s literally the fifth time in the past ten hands I got that garbage hand” as he folded. “Honestly, these people keep bullying me and I know I can get em f I get a hdn, but I have to actually get something better than them to do it or it’s just going to be a losing play in the long run! I mean really, the deck has FOUR aces in it, is it seriously too be much to get just one of those once in a blue moon? ” he said to himself in frustration as he entered the school itself.

However, to his surprise, a voice behind him replied to his question. “No, I don’t think getting just one ace in your hole cards would be too much to ask,” it said,  “considering that when you're nine handed the chances of getting a one is a reasonable 15% meaning you should get one on average about every 7 hands. However, I don’t think that’s the real pressing question at hand here. Instead,  I think what really needs to be asked here is why do you have your phone out inside the school?"

"Well, I uh..." Pocket Pair said nervously.

"Because let me tell you," the voice continued cutting him off, "If you don't give me a very good reason as to why you are blatantly breaking this school's rules I will have no choice other than to send you to Principal Tirek's office immediately!"

“Uh... well I... you see... that is to say...” Pocket Pair said turning around to address the person with extreme fear of being punished. However, upon seeing who was talking to him, his fear quickly changed to rage, as the person addressing him was not a teacher or higher level faculty figure as he suspected, but just the school janitor; a tall thin man sporting a chaotic look in his eyes and with gray spiky hair and a gray goatee.“Hey, you little..." Pocket Pair said, but was cut off in his nascent tirade as the man burst into laughter at his expense.

“Oh ho ho ho you should have seen the look on your face,” the janitor laughed while slapping his knee. “You really thought you were going to get into trouble just now didn't you? Man you kids are so easy!" he said before bursting into laughter again.

“Oh Yeah, well..” Pocket Pair retorted angrily, before smiling smugly and saying “Well of course I did, because before when I saw your face, I thought you were a monster who was going to eat me like Painis Cupcake!"

“Woah now,” the janitor said stopping his laughter. “ Isn’t that hitting a little below the belt?” he said grabbing his belt and pulling his pants up high on his body.

“A LITTLE below the belt?!"Pocket Pair said smartly. “Oh please, don’t give yourself too much credit in that department now!"

“Hm,” the janitor said rubbing his chin, “You certainly are good at retorts.”

“Yeah, I am now aren’t I?” Pocket Pair said, “And on the subject of things I’m good at, I’m also good at doing your mom!”

The janitor, after thinking for a bit, looked at Pocket Pair and said,” You know what kid, I actually sort of like you. Not in a I want to kiss and make out with you sort of way, but still.  I haven't met anyone who is nearly as good at countering my verbal jabs as you as quickly as you did, and for that you’ve earned my respect, albeit not immunity from my trolling." he said reaching out his hand. “The name’s Discord, commander of chaos and advocator of anarchy. Loose cannon cop who doesn’t follow the rules and lives life on the edge. And, just between you and me," he said leaning in for a whisper, "I also play a pretty mean game of poker.”

“I'm... Pocket Pair,” Pocket Pair replied skeptically before reaching out and shaking his hand.

“Nice to meet, wait WHAT!,” Discord said in shock pulling his hand away, “Your name is Pocket Pair? As in the Pocket Pair from the game Texas Hold’em?”

“You don’t believe me...?” Pocket Pair said confused.

“Well how can I?" Discord said. "That name is ridiculous… Is that actually what's on your birth certificate, or are you trying to pull a fast one on me?"

"Oh yeah?" Pocket Pair said slightly annoyed "And I suppose with a name like Discord you have a WHOLE lot of room to go around pointing out others’ names now don’t you?"

“Hmm...touche,” Discord said. “Oh well, I guess I'll let the issue drop then," he said as he intentionally knocked Pocket Pair's phone out of his hands so it clattered on the floor.”

"Hey, what the fuck man!" Pocket Pair shouted as he bent down to inspect the phone, and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the screen wasn’t cracked.

“Oh, did I do that?,” Discord said imitating Steve Urkel.

“Uh, YES!” Pocket Pair said angrily, “That was totally your fault and you know it!”

“OH, was it now?” Discord said giddily, “Well I may have knocked it out of your hands, but that wouldn’t have been possible for me most certainly wouldn’t have been possible for me if you had been following the rules and kept your phone away!"

"Excuse me?” Pocket Pair said irritated, “so just because someone happens to have their phone out, which might I add is their property, that magically gives you a right to destroy it?”

"Kid, you do realize who you’re talking to right?," Discord said smugly, "I love love LOVE chaos, and what better representation of chaos is there than destroyed electronics?"

"UGh, whatever," Pocket Pair said rolling his eyes, before turning away and trying to walk to class.

Discord however, caught up to him before he could do so, put his arm on Pocket Pair’s shoulder,  and said "so whatcha playing anyways huh? Candy crush, dice with buddies, my little pony friendship is magic the online RPG?"

"I’m playing poker," Pocket Pair said pushing him off his shoulder, "And to play a good game of poker, I need to be able to concentrate on everything that’s going on in the game! So if you don’t mind…”

"Oh ho, I most certainly don’t mind…” Discord said obnoxiously, “But I think she might not share my opinion on the matter” he said as he pointed to a nearby teacher. “Now what was hear name again? “ he said feigning contemplation. “Ah yes, Ms. Harshwhinney! Living proof that people's names can be used to describe their personality in some cases. Maybe you should show your phone to her, I’m sure she’d LOVE to see it out when it’s not supposed to be!” Discord said walking towards her.

"Wait, you’re not going to tell her are you?" Pocket Pair said frantically.

 

“Oh, I might, and I might not.” Discord said smugly, “With my love for chos, I’m not even sure myself yet… but do you want to take that chance?”

 

“Um… not really…” Pocket Pair replied. 

 

“Well then, perhaps you might want to put the phone away then. Hmmm.” Discord said smiling and getting obnoxiously close to Pocket Pair’s face. 

"Ok, ok, fine, I'll put the frigging phone away," he said before he moved his fingers to back out of the poker app he was playing. However, after seeing he had been dealt pocket kings, he said “AFTER this hand that is! This is a golden opportunity and I’m NOT passing it!"

Discord, rolling his eyes, said "Oh ok fine, but i’m going to watch over your shoulder and use my superior knowledge of the game to point out every mistake you make in this hand." he said before he looked over his shoulder as Pocket Pair acted. Once he had flat called, Discord  pointed at the phone and said, “You just made a major mess up kid.  Look at how many limpers are there before you! YOu should have raised those kings big to scare them away so they don’t beat them!”

 

“Oh, is that so? “ Pocket Pair said smugly, and Discord, looking at the screen, saw the next player raise ridiculously huge. "Well I can’t trap a donkey if I raise big and reveal my hand’s strength early now can I?" Pocket Pair said.

“Hm, I stand corrected," Discord said as he saw Pocket Pair back raise all in and get snapped by his opponent's nine deuce.

"Come on, no trips… OH HELL YES!!!" Pocket Pair said as he flopped four of a kind. "And that’s all she wrote!"

"Uh, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but...," Discord said pointing to the phone, and Pocket Pair, looking back and quickly becoming horrified, saw his opponent had gotten an even better straight flush with the last two cards, and won his entire stack. Before said opponent left the table with his cheaply won money, he made sure to use the default reply thanks! Like a classless jerk who felt he deserved to win there.

"I GOT SUCKED OUT ON AGAIN! ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS!" Pocket Pair said losing his temper and throwing his phone down. "He called a raise with nine fucking deuce!? Ine frigging deuce! Like legit who does that!?  Idiot from northern Europe!"

"Hey hey hey," Discord said, "As much as I find it humorous that you just referenced Phil Hellmuth with that idiot from northern Europe line do you really think this reaction is justified?"

“OF YEAH, AND  WHO THE HELL ASKED YOU ANYWAYS!!!?” Pocket Pair snapped at Discord, before his eyes widened and he said, “uhhh, about that...”

Discord, looking at him in shock, said “ok, I think you’ve played enough poker for one day,” before he took his phone and exited the app for him.

"Yeah, you might be right," Pocket Pair said dejectedly.

"Well, I’m ALWAYS right but that’s beside the point." Discord said, before he looked at the cloc.  “well in any case Pocket Pair, it’s time for me to go. I have business to attend to and can’t stick around and mess with I mean chat with you all day. But if you ever want someone to play poker with, my office is just down the hall. See you later friend!" before he stood up straight, turned around, and walked away.

Pocket Pair, watching him round a corner, said “What the hell is his deal? And where does he get off calling us friends? I literally just met him, and friends are people you have known a long time and hang out with, not… whatever that just was. OH well, enough worrying about him, I have a very important plan I need to give my attention to.”

However, he was caught by surprise when a British accent responded, “Oh really, and just what plan is this mate?”

“Oh,… hi Ralph,” Pocket Pair said turning towards the source of the voice and seeing the Brit of modest height, red spiky hair, and white skin.

“Hi yourself my lad,” Ralph said, “Now tell me, what is this master plan you just mentioned? Does it have anything to do with what you texted me about last night?”

“Umm...,” Pocket Pair said nervously, before saying, “Wait, so you DID get my message?”

 

“Um… yeah,” Ralph said, “you say that as if it’s surprising.”

 

“Well, it’s just I didn’t get a response so I thought…” Pocket Pair said, before Ralph cut him off.

“Oh come on,” Ralph said, “Don’t tell me you thought I was ignoring you again!”

 

“Well, you do have a habit of not replying to my text messages all that often so…” Pocket Pair said. 

 

“Oh chill out will ya wanker,” Ralph said getting annoyed, “For one thing when I got your message it was so late I figured there was no need to respond since you’d just be asleep. Secondly, I knew I would just see you at lunch which was only a few hours away, so why would I reply when I could just talk in person."

“Hmmm” Pocket Pair said dejected, “Maybe, ” before muttering “It’s not like that explains all the other times though…”

“Good, I’m glad you see I’m right like always.” Ralph said, “But regardless, what exactly is it you need advice on?”

“Umm,” Pocket Pair said, “I’ll tell you at lunch.”

“What, why?" Ralph said, “We’re both here now aren’t we, what’s preventing you from saying?”

“Well, Applejack isn’t here now, and I’d rather wait until you both are…” Pocket Pair said, before Ralph cut him off.

“Ugh, that’s it?” Ralph said irritated, “Come on, Applejack is good and hot and all but you don’t need her around to say things. After all, just having me is MORE than good enough.”

“For something this important, I’m afraid I have to disagree.” Pocket Pair said. “I need you both to hear at once because for one, I’m not totally sure I can explain it more than once the same way. And second, I want to make sure everyone hears what everyone has to say so any advice you give to me is as accurate as possible.”

“Hm, I suppose that makes sense… maybe” Ralph said, before looking at the clock and saying “Well in any case, I probably should be off to class. It is across the building and with Ms. Harshwhinney, and heaven forbid I should underestimate the journey and be late to her class.” He then turned and walked away, but before he left he turned back and said ”See you at lunch.”

“See you at lunch,” Pocket Pair said back as he watched Ralph round the corner out of view. Pocket Pair then turned around and began walking down the hallway in the direction of his first class.

Ralph meanwhile, had just rounded the corner out of Pocket Pair's sight when he saw a familiar girl approaching him. She had blonde hair, freckles on her cheeks, and orange skin, and she was wearing  a pair of shoes with apples on them, a denim skirt fastened by a belt with an apple buckle on it, and a button up shirt which which was green around her chest, and white elsewhere. In addition, topping it all off, she wore a trademark  brown Stetson hat on her head. "Ralph, there you are, " she said with a distinctive southern drawl, "ah'v been lookin all over for ya."

“Oh really Applejack?” Ralph said to her, “And why is that pray tell? Have you finally seen how handsome I am and come to ask me out??”

“Ha ha ha, very funny,” Applejack said sarcastically while rolling her eyes at him. She then said “seriously Ralph, it’s about P Pair.”

“Huh,” Ralph said, “And just what’s with the interest in him? Isn’t the Ralphinator good enough for you lass?”

“Ugh,” Applejack groaned,” Please Ralph, this is serious. He sent me a strange text message at like 4:20 this morning and ah want to talk to him about it.”

“Strange how?” Ralph asked.

“Well, he said he needed to talk to me about something today at lunch, and when I pursued the matter he said he just needed advice,” Applejack said.

 

“And this is worth talking to him because…?” Ralph said.

 

“Because ah know him, and ah’m pretty sure that either something’s bothering him, or the advice is for some potential problem he’s’ having.

 

“Applejack, I think you’re getting worked up over nothing,” Ralph said, “I literally just talked to him and he seemed just fine to me.”

"Well that’s just it, ah don’t think ah ...” Applejack said, before her eyes widened in realization. “Wait, ya said you were just talkin’ to him?”

 

“Uh, yeah.” Ralph said.

 

“Well where did he go, we need to make sure he’s ok.” Applejack said.

 

“Woah woah WOAH, Not so fast cowgirl,” Ralph said, “What’s all this about WE? If I go after him I’m going to be late to my first class, and Ms. Harshwhinney will almost certainly give me a tardy for it knowing how strict she is. So if I am going to go with you there had better be a VERY good reason why you need to check up on him right now!”

 

“You want a reason, ah’ll give ya one, “ Applejack said.  “The last time he said he needed advice was that time he got in a war against youtube trolls who were posting disgustin’ comments on tribute videos. After awhile of him fighting em and takin’ down some of their accounts, a bunch of them started making death threats to him in response, and it made him so stressed he stayed up all night unable to get to sleep for weeks. And considerin’ that he just texted me in the middle of the night last night we gotta make sure he isn’t in a similar situation again”

 

“Ok, seriously? Ugh, THAT’S what you want me to be tardy over now?” Ralph asked. 

“Um, yeah!” Applejack replied.

“Ok, first of all it’s not necessary because I highly doubt he’s in anywhere near as bad a spot as that now.” Ralph said, “ I mean heck, when I talked to him he seemed completely fine and even left smiling.”

 

“Phew, well that’s a relief,” Applejack said. 

 

“Second,” Ralph continued ignoring her,  “even if he were in a spot like that, why should I inconveiniance myself to get him out of trouble! The way i see it it’s a learning experience that will teach him to stop being an asshole who picks fights unnecessarily and then expects everyone to bail him out!”

 

“Ralph,” Applejack said shocked, “That’s a pretty darn rude thing to say about our friend!.”

 

“Hey, it’s just the honest truth!” Ralph said defensively, “I would think YOU of all people would know how important honesty is… ‘honest applejack’ “

 

“Ah never said honesty wasn’t important, and ah agree he could use to not be so hot headed sometimes” Applejack replied, “But there’s a difference between being honest and being outright rude like you just were. That strategy aint gonna solve nuthin, and especially when we’re talkin about  P Pair! Plus since when has being combative like that with someone who has a problem solved anything anyways?”

 

 

“Since always!” Ralph replied. 

 

“Oh yeahm” Applejack said, “what if he was addicted to drugs, ya’ll gonna go to him and say he’s a loser and expect him to feel compelled to try and quit afterwards? That’d just make everything worse”

"... How is that even relevant to this matter, Pocket Pair isn’t on drugs,” Ralph said, before muttering “unless of course you count his huge ego as being a drug in which case he’s a huge junkie!”

 

“Ya know what ah mean Ralph,” Applejack said.

 

“No I don’t,” Ralph said, before adding, “But regardless, I’m pretty sure that he’s not in trouble this time. And even if he is by some off chance, I’m certain it’s nothing so extreme that it cannot wait until lunch and would jutify me being late on the first day of class. So with that clarified, I need to be off to my class Applejack! I’ll see you at lunch.” he said before he began walking away.

Applejack, shaking her head mild frustration, said “See ya at lunch Ralph. And don’t ya wait fer me to show to start eatin today ya hear. Ah’m gonna be late on account of ah gotta stock the vending machines around school with fizzy apple cider once the class before lunch lets out.”

“Heh, alrght. More food for me then,” Ralph said, “And it’s a good thing I’ll have more too, considering I’ll have a tall drink of water named Applejack sitting with me at lunch today." he concluded before he turned and kept walking away.

 

“Ugh," Applejack said rolling her eyes, before she too turned and walked away.

 

Meanwhile, at the front office of the school,   a Grey skinned blonde haired student with noticible crossed eyes was sitting in a chair with several trays of muffins on her lap when a pink skinned purple haired teacher came into the room.

The teacher, looking at her, said “are you Derpy Hooves, the transfer student?”

“Uh, yes…” Derpy replied nervously.

“I’m miss Cheerilee, and you’re in my first class today.” the teacher replied. “So please come with me and I’ll help make sure you make it on time!”

 

“Ok, I guess.” Derpy said shyly, “ I just hope this class isn’t mean to me like they were at my old school…”

 

“Oh I can assure you they won’t be.” Cheerilee said  “In fact, we actually have the winner of the last 3 fall formals and spring flings in that class as well, and considering she’s so well liked I’m sure she’ll help to make sure you fit in with the rest of the class.”

 

“Oh, that’s good,” Derpy said excitedly, “What’s her name?”

 

“Sunset Shimmer,” Miss Cheerilee said.

 

“Oh goodie, I can’t wait to meet her,” Derpy said.

 

“Is that so? Well then let’s get to class,” Cheerilee said leaving the room.

 

“Ok,” Derpy said, as she picked up her tray of muffins and followed Cheerilee out of the front office and into the hall.

 

PS

 

Here’s the video that line “idiot from northern europe is from” it’s worth checking out, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-9VWVzj98s