//------------------------------// // Part 1: The Mare In The Alley // Story: Saving Derpy Whooves // by Junster00741 //------------------------------// It was mid afternoon, ponies were about with their business while I walked with a few bags of groceries. Some greeted me and others waved, I either waved back or smiled at their friendly like attitudes as I passed by. I was heading home to Fluttershy’s cottage because she sent me to get some food since we were running a bit low. I carried with me some simple things like carrots, apples, wheat, herbs, medicine, etc. I went to the store after work though Applejack let me go a little early since she saw how hard I was working at the fields. Luckily she wouldn’t let this affect my pay for the week so it was a win win, though it’s not like i’m struggling with money or anything. As I made my exit from Ponyville I came across some alley, from within my ears picked up on someone crying. I tried to listen in but couldn’t make out who it was but it was obvious that whoever it was were in some kind of trouble. I wondered if I should go check it out or just leave it be but then I thought what would Fluttershy and the others do. Soon enough I found myself walking in the alley, following the cries of sorrow. The crying grow louder as I continued down the path but I soon stopped and hid myself as I saw a mare with a blond mane and tail, gray coat, orange eyes that weren't properly straight and had bubbles for a cutie mark. Something was also off about her because her voice sounded different. The best I compare it to was of the mentally challenged humans back in my world but she’s not in a straitjacket, unless they don’t have that in this world but as for what she was crying over was beyond me however, I wasn’t sure how to confront her without coming as a threat. "Why doesn't anypony like me anymore? I didn't do anything wrong did I? I never meant to make everypony mad." said the gray mare angrily to nopony, “I did everything I could to make up for whatever I did wrong but even then they grew more angry. What did I do wrong?” she repeated these words over and over like a broken record, each time she repeated it she sunk deeper into her depression as I was losing my well being from it. I emerged from where I was hiding and made it so that she noticed me, “Um...Hello.” I said awkwardly as I choked up for a moment on what to say to her, “Is...Uh everything...Alright?” It’s moments like these that make me wonder how I ever survived in this world without goofing things up as badly as of right now. There was silence between but I could see the mare’s fear in her eyes, not to mention the trembling of her body. The second I took one step she jumped and fell back but quickly scurried to her knees while clearing her throat and closing her eyes for a second. When she opened them her eyes were somehow readjusted to look like everyone elses. To this day I still don’t know how she did that but every time I look back to that moment I shudder a bit from how disturbing that was. "Please don't hurt me!" she pleaded, shielding herself with her hooves and wings that I didn’t notice up until now. Her voice was also different, it wasn’t the mentally challenged voice anymore but now it was a normal everyday pony voice, "I’m sorry if I offended you!” I raised my brow at her as I took a step back this time, “Offended? Well I’ve never seen you before so what’s there nothing to be offended about,” I said as I knelt down so we could be at eye level though her wings made it hard for me to see hers, “is everything alright?” I actually wanted to ask how she changed her voice and eyes but that wasn’t important right now. “W-why are you here?” she asked nervously. “Because I heard crying and thought someone was in trouble.” I explained simply, “I obviously didn’t come here because I wanted to hurt you and more importantly, why would I hurt you?” “Because anyone who’s seen me has thrown stuff at me.” explained the grey mare, “They also call me a lot mean things...” “Are you hurt?” I asked, trying to examine her but the lighting in the alley was horrible, “Can you tell me your name?” “Why should I tell you?” she wondered looking suspicious now as she scooted back from me, “How do I know this is all a trick and you’re really just waiting for the right moment to strike!” I raised my brow as my expression showed no interest on her statement, “First of all no.” I said flat out, “Second of all, I don’t even know you nor am I mad at you. The reason why i’m here was because I heard crying and decided to check it out. I also didn’t come here to throw food at you, honestly that’s a waste because I have someone I need to get this food back to so she doesn’t go hungry.” She stopped for a moment and took a closer look at me, her guard lightened up a bit as she seemed to recognize me somehow, “Is the food for that animal caretaker who lives near the Everfree Forest, who was it again...Fluttershy?” she wondered. “You know her?” I asked, looking surprised. “Not really,” she replied as her defenses were lowered entirely now, “I used to deliver mail to her house but I mostly scared her off because I would catch her off guard. She’s a pretty shy mare for sure but very kind.” she laughed at the remark but went quiet next, “I’ve seen you with her a lot actually,” she explained next, “I don’t know when you came here but I mostly see you hanging out with her, are you two together or something?” My face grew red with the question, “Um...N-no...Just close friends that’s all.” “Really, I could’ve sworn I at least saw you ki-” “Um let’s not get too into...” I said embarrassedly as my face turned as a red as a tomato now, “SO, are you new around here?” I asked quickly changing the subject. The grey mare studied my face for a moment before showing a little smirk, "No, I've lived here for a while.” she said going along with my question, “My name is Derpy Hooves, what’s your name?." Derpy, what an odd name, I thought to myself before responding, “I go by Cerulean, Cerulean Protect and I certainly did not do what you were about to say to Fluttershy.” “But don’t you live with her?” Derpy wondered curiously. “What are you, a stalker?!” I argued as I tried to control my temper, “Do you just follow everyone around or something?!” “I’m a mail pony,” Derpy replied mischiefly, “and I can say without a doubt that I’ve seen you and Fluttershy ki-” “WE’RE JUST FRIENDS!” I blurted out suddenly, “WE MAY HAVE KISSED BUT THAT WAS ONCE ALRIGHT!” I quickly slammed my mouth shut as I realized what I just said, soon after my face redder than the color red itself. I was so red my face somehow turned purple! Derpy nearly burst into laughter at the color of my face but held it in, “I think some pony has a crush.” she said childishly as she made kissing gestures to me. I groaned with regret before hiding my face behind my wings, “SO, can you tell me WHAT’S WRONG?” I asked as kindly as I could while grinding my teeth against each other. Derpy laughed at my adorableness but looked away when I asked my question, “It’s a pretty long story, are you sure want to hear it?” she said as she began to back away from me, “I don’t want to waste your time and you have someone you need to deliver the food to anyway...” “If I wasn’t interested in your problem I wouldn’t have come here.” I said in a firm tone as I folded my wings back to show her my kind purple expression, “Why don’t you come with me and we’ll talk at Fluttershy’s, that ok with you?” Derpy looked surprised at my offer but her hesitation was still present as she tried to scoot back some more but she was against a wall now. I could see the panic in her eyes so I took another step back to let her breath. Once she settled she gave my offer some thought, there was still hesitation but as she looked at the area she was in and back to my purple face, which was now returning to it’s blue color, she nodded and came to my side. “There’s nopony Fluttershy wouldn’t like.” I said as my wings unfolded for take off, “Whenever you’re ready.” Derpy watched me with awe as my wings seemed to have captured her attention, “W-wow...” she said quietly as she studied them, “I didn’t notice how amazing your wings are, I thought only alicorns could have such large wings!” I only rolled my eyes and smiled, “Well...I guess i’m a rare kind.” I said with a wink. Derpy only giggled but just as she readied her wings and looked up to the sky her wings folded back instantly, “W-wait...” she said as fear re-entered her body, “Can we go in a cloud, I think it’ll be safer but it’ll take us a little longer...” “Wait why?” I said, turning to her with a puzzled look. “I can’t be seen in public.” said Derpy, “Plus, I don’t want to you get to hurt if ponies see you with me...” My expression didn’t change but I nodded in agreement, “Alright, we’ll do it your way.” I said quietly as I tried not to sound too suspicious about it. I grabbed my bags and together we flew to the closest cloud we could find, there we stayed put until Derpy felt safe enough to start moving. We didn’t move for almost an hour if my timing was correct but once we started moving I was nearly asleep. We went with the pace of the clouds but tried to blend in with them as best we could though the only problem we were having was that the clouds were heading in the opposite direction we were going. Some time passed and we were making good progress but we had a long way to go if we were to make it to Fluttershy’s. We didn’t say a word since Derpy was worried that it would give away our position. By the time we made it to Fluttershy’s cottage the sun was setting and Fluttershy was waiting outside. She seemed a little concerned but luckily her pet bunny Angel who was sitting by her was keeping her distracted. When she noticed a cloud decending from above she seemed rather confused as to why this was happening but as she walked over to investigate I came out suddenly and gave her a mild fright. "Oh it's you.” she said as she catched her breath, “What kept you so long and why did you bring a cloud with you?” she wondered. Before I explained myself I gave her the groceries and stepped out, "Well it’s sorta a long story but to make it short, I made a new friend today but we have a problem now." "New friend and problem, what’s going on?" Fluttershy asked. I nodded to the first one and shrugged at the second before walking back to the cloud, I poked my head inside to motion Derpy to come out. "Are you sure?" said Derpy nervously. I nodded my head, "Yeah i’m sure." I stuck my hoof out to help her get out of the cloud. She came out slowly but quickly hid behind me the moment she saw Fluttershy. Strange how I remembered Fluttershy doing this back in my world when she would get spooked by a butterfly or cricket though being the worlds shyest pony she had to live up to her title. At first Fluttershy didn’t recognize Derpy but when her eyes brightened up she gave a most cheerful greeting, “Oh my Celestia it’s been so long since I’ve last saw you Derpy Hooves!” she said happily, “ I haven’t seen you in so long how have you been?” We waited for a response but Derpy kept quiet and avoided eye contact. Fluttershy looked to me awkwardly as she wondered what was wrong before realizing she must be the problem but for what? I told her what I knew but even then it left us on wondering what was going on, "What do you think we should do?” wondered Fluttershy as she tried to examine Derpy but the grey mare hid herself well from her eyes. "I’m not sure,” I said hesitantly, “but she could be in a real trouble right now,” I said as I comforted Derpy, “though it’s obvious that we have to help her.” Fluttershy nodded in agreement, "I think that’s a good idea," she said before pausing, “but wait, what if it’s dangerous, are you sure want to help her?” I nodded back to her, “Why else did I bring her here? If I didn’t want to help her I would’ve been back hours ago.” “Yes but,” Fluttershy leaned in and whispered, “what if this is one of Celestia’s tests?” I paused for a moment, I never took into consideration that this might’ve been planned out but what if it's not? I can’t just leave send her back to where I found her. If I did I could never forgive myself and who knows what Derpy would think of me. What would the others think too, Fluttershy would understand but the others might not agree with my decision. I took in a deep breath and sighed to relax myself, “...Regardless this a test or not,” I said quietly, “I know you and the others would still help her either way.” Fluttershy was quiet as she began to smile proudly at me, “We should get her inside and I’ll make us something to eat, how do sandwiches sound?” she asked. I smiled back at her, “That sounds great, I haven’t eaten all day and i’m starving.” I looked over to Derpy and nudged her gently, “You up for sandwiches?” I asked. Derpy looked at me with uncertain eyes, it was clear to see she didn’t want to offend Fluttershy so she nodded and followed us inside. There we took her into kitchen where we had her sit on a chair while Fluttershy and I made the sandwiches. We tried to get Derpy to talk but the most we got out of her was a giggle when I would make a witty remark but when Fluttershy tried to talk to her Derpy just avoided all possible contact. Once food was finished we sat and ate yet Derpy wasn’t touching her food. “You do know we can’t finish all these sandwiches by ourselves,” I said to Derpy, “well I could possibly if I tried but we did make some for you.” Derpy looked only to me and shrugged, “Maybe...I’m not hungry.” she said quietly. “Would you like some water then?” said Fluttershy as she went to get a cup. “S-sure...” said Derpy, “Thank you.” Fluttershy fished out a cup from the cupboard and walked over to the sink to pour some water, "So what made you think I hated you?" she asked as she filled the cup up. Derpy was watching Fluttershy when she asked, "Well...Everypony has been calling me names and they all yell at me. They said I could never be loved anymore and that no one is my friend.” Fluttershy returned with the cup and hoofed it to Derpy, “I don’t understand what I did,” she said taking a big gulp, “I never meant to make everyone mad at me. Really i’m a gentle pony at heart, I could never bring myself to hurt anyone but I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m between leaving Ponyville or sticking around to see if this passes by.” she finished her cup and sighed heavily, “You can guess which one i’m going with...” "Why are they doing this to you? You've done nothing wrong so why are they doing this?" I asked. Derpy shrugged, "At first they all liked to hang out with me but as time went on they all started calling me names and other things. They called me stupid and retarded and that I should just leave Ponyville." She started to cry, Fluttershy tried to comfort her but the moment she touched her Derpy jumped and fell off her seat. Seeing her like made me angry. I know how she feels, i’ve been through this before many times and- I paused and shook my head, “...No I can’t think about my past now.” I said to myself. I walked over to Derpy and helped her up, “Tomorrow we’ll go see our friends and ask them for help, for now let’s get some rest alright?” Derpy was ashamed at her behavior but nodded, “I guess I should get going then.” she said, making her way to the door but was stopped by me. “No.” I said with a gentle smile forming, “You’re spending the night here, I’m not going to let you walk out there and get hurt again. It’s better if you stay here tonight.” Derpy was no doubt against my offer, “What if they find out i’m here?” she questioned. “Then we’ll protect you.” said Fluttershy as she came to Derpy’s side and smiled, “We know the risk but it’s worth it for a friend.” “F-friend?” repeated Derpy with teary eyes, “You consider me a friend?” Fluttershy simply laughed, “I never said I hated you now did I?” Derpy was overwhelmed with emotion as tears came rushing down her face, Fluttershy and I only held her until she stopped. We didn’t know how long it would take but it didn’t matter, moments like these you don’t care how long time would take. As long as you’re helping a friend out, you got all the time you need for them. It’s funny when I look back at this because it was the first time in who knows how long that Derpy was smiling again under her tears.