The Children of the Mane Six

Cherry Pop, a pinkish-red earth pony with a light-yellow mane and turquoise eyes, was sitting at a small desk in the classroom working on her assignment. But she couldn’t focus. She was thinking of a certain stallion on the other side of the classroom. His name was Illusion Splash. Tomorrow was his birthday, and Cherry knew she could throw one heck of a party for him. She smiled at the idea and finished up her work. After class was over, she met up with her sister, Chocolate Dip. Chocolate Dip was a brown earth pony with the same color mane as her sister and blue eyes. Chocolate waved to Cherry as she came over. The two walked out of the school together and were soon on the sidewalk to their home.

“Hey, Chocolate! I have an amazing idea for tomorrow! I know you, mom, and dad would totally love it!” Cherry said excitedly. Chocolate giggled, which of course caused a confused look from Cherry.

“I suppose it’s just a coincidence that Illusion’s birthday is tomorrow, huh?” Chocolate said, giving her sister a teasing look. Cherry blushed a deep red, which wasn’t very noticeable on her light red coat.

“How do you know I like him?” Cherry said, making Chocolate giggle again.

“Well, it is pretty obvious, Cherry. Whenever he shows off his tricks at school, you are always the first one to want to watch him. Not to mention that you blush every time you look at him. Pretty obvious!” Chocolate responded, making Cherry give her a look. “Now, what were you going to do that you think I would like so much?”

“I’ll tell you, mom, and dad at the same time! It would be a surprise till then!” Cherry gleefully responded to her sister. The two eventually reached their home, Sugarcube Corner. Their parents, Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich, were standing outside, waiting for their children to come home. The two party ponies waved at their children as they came up to the front step. A huge smile was plastered on Cherry Pop’s face.

“I have something superbly dupery awesome to tell you when we get inside!” Cherry exclaimed, making Pinkie Pie grow a smile.

“Ooh! Did you get your cutie mark?!” Pinkie asked excitedly. Cherry Pop just shook her head.

“No, mom. It’s not my cutie mark,” Cherry exclaimed to her mother. Pinkie thought again.

“Did you discover a new flavor of ice cream? What about cake? Did you share your sister’s amazing chocolate with the school?” Pinkie asked.

“I share my chocolate with all my friends already. And no, if anypony was going to hand out my chocolate to the whole school, it would be me,” Chocolate replied, looking at her cutie mark, which was a bowl with chocolate.

“No mom, it’s not any of those ideas,” Cherry responded. Once the four stepped inside the door, Cherry exclaimed what she was thinking.

“I am going to host my first party tomorrow!” She said. Pinkie and Cheese got huge smiles on their faces.

“That is going to be one great party! We will defiantly help you. We are, of course, the super-duper party ponies!” Cheese Sandwich responded, looking back to Pinkie. Pinkie laughed and suddenly got a stricter look on her face. She walked over to Cherry and looked her straight in the eye.

“The main rule of parties is to make sure everyone is having fun. They are not all fun and games. Parties are serious work! You have to Pinkie Promise: cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye; that you will try to make this party the best party EVER for the guests!” Pinkie explained to her daughter. She then got a smile on her face.

“Who is the party for, anyway?” Pinkie asked. Cheese Sandwich nodded his head and Chocolate gave a teasing look. Cherry then found herself blushing. She never thought it would be hard to tell her parents about Illusion.

“The party is for one of my classmate’s birthday that is tomorrow. His name… is Illusion Splash,” Cherry responded. Pinkie got a confused expression on her face.

“Is he your friend? I’ve never heard about him!” Pinkie asked, obviously very curious.

“Well, he doesn’t know me too well…”

“But are you friends?”

“I don’t think so…”

“I think I know what that means!” Pinkie concluded. Cherry looked at her mother, confused.

“You like him, don’t you?” Pinkie responded, giving Cherry a teasing look.

“Um… maybe?” Cherry responded. Pinkie got another smile on her face.

“Don’t you worry, Cherry! Cheese and I will help you to make this an amazing party for the stallion you love!” Pinkie responded.

“I’m not in love with him!” Cherry replied harshly, making Pinkie Pie giggle.

“Oh well. This is still going to be one amazing party!” Pinkie responded as she made her way into the kitchen to make dinner.

“If you’re going to host an amazing party, you should start planning!” Cheese recommended to his daughter. Cherry nodded and quickly dashed up to her room.

As dinner was being placed on the table, Cherry came bounding down the stairs with a list in her hoofs. She sat down at the table, looking over the piece of paper over and over again.

“What-ya have, there?” Pinkie asked her daughter. Cherry grew a small smile.

“This is my list of what activities are going to be in the party!” Cherry explained. She handed it over to Pinkie Pie.

“Wow! This looks like it will be fun! I think your special stallion will love it!” Pinkie responded. Cherry just rolled her eyes. She knew she would receive a lot of teasing from her mother. After dinner finished, Cheese and Pinkie helped Cherry get things set up for the party. Chocolate Dip was making her one of a kind chocolate. She was making sure that there would be enough chocolate to fit in the chocolate fountain. The four ponies worked until bedtime. When they were finished, Cherry took a second to admire her work. She knew Illusion would love it. She then climbed the stairs and got into bed. She was soon sound asleep, dreaming about the party that would come the next day.

When the sun rose, Cherry got up, packed her bag, and grabbed the invitation. She then exited the door with Chocolate.

“So… are you nervous about asking Illusion?” Chocolate asked her sister.

“Well, maybe a little nervous. Do you think I should have invited some of his other friends? I only invited him, not anypony else,” Cherry responded, hoping to receive encouraging words from her sister.

“I think it will be fine with just him, even though it may be a little awkward. But if you did invite his other friends, you won’t be able to talk to him nearly as much,” Chocolate responded. Cherry nodded her head in agreement as they approached the school building.

When they were in the classroom, they saw many ponies wishing Illusion a happy birthday. Cherry suddenly got very nervous. She knew she had to give him the invitation. Her family put a lot of work into the party, and she didn’t want to let them down. Cherry walked through the crowd of ponies and up to Illusion.

“Um… hi, Illusion…” Cherry greeted with shyness in her voice.

“Hi Cherry! Is that for me?” Illusion responded while pointing at the invitation. Cherry quickly nodded and gave it to him.

“Alright, everypony! Back to your seats! We need to start class!” Cheerilee remarked. Cherry sat down next to Chocolate and started unpacking her saddlebag. As class started, she wondered if Illusion would want to come. She then remembered making the invitation last night. It wasn’t a formal invitation. It was a coupon for delicious treats at Sugarcube Corner; only good today. She made sure to make it as much of a surprise as possible.

As the final bell rang, Illusion came up to Cherry’s desk.

“Thanks for the coupon, Cherry. Sugarcube Corner always makes the best treats!”

Cherry blushed as she responded. “No problem, Illusion! And happy birthday!” Illusion smiled in her direction and walked out of the classroom. Cherry then made sure she rushed home. She knew she would have to get to Sugarcube Corner before he does.

Cherry bolted through the door and found her parents waiting. Chocolate came in shortly after.

“Did he say if he wanted to come for “treats” or not?” Cheese asked his daughter.

“Yes, he thanked me. Well, I’m pretty sure he’s coming,” Cherry responded.

“Alright, everypony! Let’s make this party a blast!” Pinkie remarked. Everypony agreed as they took turns keeping a watch out for Illusion. An hour passed before Cherry suddenly got really happy.

“Everypony! Illusion’s coming!” Cherry exclaimed. Chocolate, Pinkie, and Cheese got in their hiding places as Cherry stood by the door. Soon, the door was opened as Illusion stood in the doorway. He looked around confused.

“Hey Cherry, why are the lights off?” He asked. Before he could say another word, three ponies jumped out of hiding.

“SURPRISE!!” The three shouted. Illusion jumped. He then was given a cupcake by Pinkie Pie.

“Happy birthday! I’m guessing your name is Illusion Splash. I’m Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie greeted.

“And I’m Cheese Sandwich!” Cheese chimed in. Illusion was very confused.

“You threw me a party?” Illusion asked.

“Well, it was Cherry’s idea, but we helped with the process!” Pinkie responded. Illusion looked back at Cherry and smiled.

“Thanks, Cherry. This is awesome!”

“No problem, Illusion!” Cherry responded, slightly blushing. The rest of the party was a blast for the five. They played great party games and stuffed their faces into cake and

chocolate. After four hours of partying, it was time for Illusion to go home.

“Thanks for the party! That was a blast!” Illusion said, looking directly into Cherry Pop’s turquoise eyes. He then ran up to hug her; almost not aware of what he was doing. Cherry returned the hug to the stallion that she adored. They pulled apart and waved goodbye.

“See you in school, Cherry!” He said as he walked away. Chocolate nudged her sister in the shoulder and gave her a teasing look. Cherry just rolled her eyes as Chocolate walked up the stairs to get ready for bed.

“That was a great party! But you need to get to bed, Cherry!” Cheese told his daughter. Cherry nodded and bounded up the stairs.

After the kids were asleep, Cheese and Pinkie had cupcakes outside. While they were eating, they saw a bird with the head of a frog pass by. Pinkie Pie started to laugh.

“That looks hilarious! Discord must have created that chaotic little creature!” Pinkie remarked, still laughing. Cheese Sandwich started laughing as well. The bird then flew around Ponyville, and Pinkie watched it fly away. She then thought about Fluttershy and her life with Discord. She always wondered what her lifestyle was like. Pinkie finished her cupcake and went inside. When she stepped through the door, she started laughing uncontrollably again. She couldn’t stop thinking about that strange bird.