Stud Poker's first visit to Ponyville
by BramtheBrony
Chapters
1. Preparing to Go
Stud Poker looked at his checklist one more time. He wanted to make sure he had everything he needed for his trip. He lived in Fillydelphia, but he was visiting Ponyville that afternoon to look for some things that Fillydelphia didn’t have. Stud Poker looked at his list of things to look for;
- Apples from the nearby Sweet Apple Acres orchard (the only place in that area of Equestria to get fresh apples)
- Ponyville’s Carousel Boutique (His sister wanted a dress for her birthday, and he wanted to see what the prices there were.)
- The Library (to see if Ponyville’s library had a book Stud Poker wanted but wasn’t at Fillydelphia’s library)
He looked forward to the last thing on this list, but dreaded it too. He loved to read, but the Ponyville librarian was none other than perhaps the most powerful unicorn in Equestria; Twilight Sparkle. It was said of her that, excluding the royal family, she had more magic in her than all other unicorns in Equestria put together.
Stud Poker, like Twilight Sparkle, was a unicorn; but he didn’t have a tenth of her power. There was only one magical thing he could do besides the telekinesis that most unicorns can do; card tricks. These card tricks, however, truly were magical; he could do real magic with a truly magic deck of cards. Cards! Stud Poker made sure he had a deck packed. This brought his attention back to making sure he had everything. However, while he did, he still kept thinking about how his card tricks could hold a candle to Twilight’s power, who had done things like levitate ponies as a filly, and not too long ago captured the whole town in a “want it, need it” spell. And, as if her magic wasn’t enough, she was also the most faithful student of none other than the ruler of Equestria herself; Princess Celestia! And on top of that, Twilight’s brother was married to one of the Princess’ nieces! “But there’s no point in worrying about all that now,” Stud Poker told himself. “Right now I need to make sure I have everything.” The dress design his sister had in mind, a map of Ponyville and the surrounding area, his list of things to get, deck of cards, everything was packed. He looked at his watch; 12:15. His train left at one. Now that he had everything, he had lunch and went to the train station and got on board.
2. A Very Warm Welcome
The Trip to Ponyville went without a hitch and Stud Poker got off the train and looked at his list of things to get in Ponyville. He had just decided to go to Sweet Apple Acres first, when out of nowhere came a pink and very cheerful pink pony!
“Hi!” she said excitedly, “I’m Pinkie Pie! But, you can call me Pinkie! What’s your name?” “Stud Poker,” replied Stud Poker.” “Can I call you Stud?” asked Pinkie, still very cheerful. “If you must.” “You must be new to Ponyville!” “Indeed; I’m visiting for the day.” Then Pinkie grabbed a pink wagon out of nowhere and pushed a button on the side. The wagon opened and revealed what appeared to be a few large red & white pipes, trumpets, and a small oven. Music started to play immediately, and Pinkie danced around and sang:
Welcome welcome welcome
A fine welcome to you
Welcome welcome welcome
I say how do you do?
Welcome welcome welcome
I say hip hip hurray
Welcome welcome welcome
to Ponyville today
And just when the song ended, a cake popped out of the oven, and confetti shot out of the pipes. For a moment, Stud could only gape wide eyed at the grinning Pinkie Pie. “Well!” he said at last. “Do you usually greet newcomers with such grand enthusiasm?” “Oh, no!” replied Pinkie, still as exuberant as ever, and giggling a little. “Usually I put the cake in the confetti cannons and the confetti in the oven!” “Accidently or on purpose?” asked Stud. “Oh, accidentally of course!” “That must be rather messy,” remarked Stud, “Not to mention leave a bad first impression.” Despite the negativity of this statement, Stud couldn’t help but smile. Despite having just met Pinkie Pie he liked her, and her happy-go-lucky way of life; she hadn’t stopped smiling this entire time. “Say,” he said, “do you know where Sweet Apple Acres is?” “Of course!” replied Pinkie. “My best friend Applejack lives there! You go that way, or I can escort you!” “No thanks,” replied Stud. He liked Pinkie, but he wanted a break from her for now. “Oke Doke Lokie!” said Pinkie. “Say hi to Applejack for me; see you around Stud!” “See you, Pinkie!” And the two parted company, Pinkie still as cheerful as she had been when Stud first saw her, and Stud feeling a little happier himself. He hoped everyone in Ponyville was as welcoming to newcomers as he set off towards Sweet Apple Acres.
3.Sweet Apple Acres
When Stud Poker got to Sweet Apple Acres he found an orange earth pony wearing a cowboy (or, cowgirl) hat running about the orchard picking apples by kicking them and sending them into buckets below. Stud marveled at how all the apples managed to land in the buckets. Then the earth pony noticed Stud.
“Howdy,” she said. “What can I do you for?” “I wish to buy some apples,” replied Stud. “Well, usually we do our apple selling in town. You must be new here; I ain’t seen you ‘round before.” “Yes, I’m new,” said Stud, blushing. (If he hadn’t been so embarrassed by this mistake he would have corrected the pony’s grammar.) “I’m from Fillydelphia. I came to Fillydelphia to buy fresh apples, among other things.” “Well, you’ve come to the right place!” smiled the pony. “And don’t feel bad about the mix-up; could happen to anypony! Besides, it lets you see the farm.” “Thanks,” said Stud. He felt a little better. He felt at ease enough to dare to ask, “Are you Applejack?” “I sure as sugar am!” replied Applejack. “Your friend Pinkie Pie says hi,” said Stud. “I met her when I first came to town.” “Got the Pinkie welcome treatment, did you?” Applejack asked with a chuckle. “Yes.” “Tell me your name, and I’ll give you my welcome treatment.” “I’m Stud Poker.” “Howdy doo, Stud? A pleasure makin’ your acquaintance!” Applejack said, giving Stud a hearty hoofshake.
Stud Poker then bought a bushel of apples and went onto his nest stop; Carousel Boutique.