//------------------------------//
// Meet Derek 
// Story: A Tale of Two Assistants 
// by Mylittleponyfan 
//------------------------------//

The Mane 6 are sitting around the library. They have been looking for Spike, but they have stopped and decided to rest for the moment. Each one of them are looking discouraged.

"I can't believe after all the searching we did, we still couldn't find Spike," says Twilight.

"Oh, this is the worst possible thing to happen. Our little Spikey-Wikey is gone," Rarity says dramatically.

"Now don't you guys think negative like that. I'm sure Spike will come back. He'd never abandon us, especially Twilight," Applejack reassures.

Rainbow Dash smiles and flies up in the air, "Applejack's right. We just have to not give up hope!"

Fluttershy smiles as well, "I agree. I'm sure Spike will come back when he's ready."

Pinkie is looking out the window and grins, "Hey! He's coming back!" Pinkie turns to the girls and points out the window, "And he's flying on a giant dragon!"

"What?!", exclaim Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. "Yeah!", says Pinkie.

The Mane 6 run out the door and look up to see Spike flying on Derek. Their jaws drop in awe. Derek lands gently and bends down to let Spike get off.

"Spike!", the Mane 6 cheer in excitement. Everypony smothers Spike in a big bear hug. They let go and Twilight nuzzles his cheek.

"I'm so glad you're back!", Twilight says to Spike. Then she lets him go and looks him in the eyes. "But what were you thinking, running off like that? I thought you learned your lesson last time!"

"Yeah! You had us worried half to death about you!", Applejack chimes in.

"I'm sorry, everypony. I should've told you before I left," says Spike. Spike looks up with a hopeful smile and gestures to Derek. "But Twilight, I did it! I found Derek!"

Derek waves and says, "Hi, Twilight."

Twilight looks up at Derek for a few moments before gasping in realization.

"Oh, my, gosh! Derek! It really is you!" Twilight runs up to Derek and they share a heartfelt hug. They both have tears of joy in their eyes.

"It is good to see you, too, Twilight," says Derek.

Twilight looks up at Derek with a smile, "I thought I'd never see you again."

Suddenly, Derek has a regretful look on his face. "I am so sorry for runnin' away, Twilight. I thought you had replaced me. I never even considered that you did not know how I felt."

Twilight frowns a bit, "I'm sorry for that, too, Derek. I should've known you were feeling neglected." Twilight smiles, "So can you ever forgive me?"

Derek smiles as well, "Only if you forgive me." Twilight chuckles and hugs Derek once more, "Deal."

"And Derek, please meet the rest of the Mane 6!", says Spike and he points to Rainbow Dash. "This is Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash flies up to Derek and shakes his hand. "How ya doin'?" "Wonderful," says Derek.

"Fluttershy," says Spike. Being shy and a little scared, Fluttershy is hesitant to shake Derek's hand.

"Um... um..."

"Come on, do not be shy," Derek kindly smiles. Slowly, Fluttershy brings her hoof to Derek's hand and he shakes Fluttershy's hoof. "See? Not that hard."

"Pinkie Pie," says Spike. "Yeah? Oh! Okay!" Immediately, Pinkie shakes Derek's hand rapidly. "Hi!" "Whoa! That is a big handshake," Derek chuckles. "Thank you!", grins Pinkie. "Sure," says Derek.

"Rarity," says Spike. Rarity shakes Derek's hand. "Hello, darling." "Hi. You are pretty nice," says Derek. In response, Rarity smiles. Spike whispers in Derek's ear, "Yeah, but don't fall in love with her." Derek chuckles, "Whatever you say, Spike."

"And Applejack," concludes Spike. Once Derek looks at Applejack, he freezes in a love struck trance. Applejack looks back at him and smiles. She approaches Derek and shakes his hand, but he is still in a trance. "Hello...", Applejack says Derek's name in a romantic voice, "Derek." "Hello, Applejack." Applejack and Derek stare at each other briefly as love music plays. Suddenly, Spike interrupts, "Okay, Derek! That's enough! You're gettin' too outta hand!" "Oh. Sorry, Spike," says Derek. "It's fine. Just calm down," says Spike.

"Hey, Derek, do you wanna stay in town for a day or two? There's so much catching up to do! Come on! Please?", asks Twilight. Derek thinks for a few seconds and smiles at Twilight, "Well, I guess I can stay for a while longer." Derek gives a glance to Applejack. "Who knows? Maybe I will meet somepony I really like." Nopony except Spike notices when Derek winks at Applejack. Applejack blushes bright pink and smiles a bit before hiding her face with her hat. Spike looks at Applejack suspiciously. Fluttershy, who still looks a bit more shy than usual, looks up to Derek with a slightly nervous smile.

"Oh, Derek, you're going to need a place to stay during your visit," says Fluttershy. Twilight nods and says, "Maybe you could stay with me and we could finally talk personally." Derek looks in Applejack's direction for a second more before nodding to Twilight. "Oh, uh, yeah, Twilight. That sounds great."

"Well, Twilight, I gotta go. The weather doesn't control itself, ya know," says Rainbow Dash. "I think weather does, does it not?", asks Derek. "Not if I control it," says Rainbow. Derek raises an eyebrow, "I am pretty sure it does." Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes, "Yeah, sure. Well, so long!" Rainbow Dash flies off. "I also have to leave, darling. I have a couple of dress orders that need to be filled as soon as possible," says Rarity. "Yeah, I gotta go, too! Mr. and Mrs. Cake should be expecting me back at any minute!", says Pinkie. "And my animals might need some care," says Fluttershy. Applejack peeks from underneath her hat, "Oh, and I, uh, have to go and buck... apples."

Twilight raises an eyebrow at Applejack before smiling. "Well, I guess this is goodbye for now, girls!" Derek looks at Applejack and says, "Yeah. I hope to see you all again real soon."  Applejack giggles a bit before clearing her throat to try to hide her feelings for Derek. Spike raises an eyebrow at Applejack. The Mane 6 say their goodbyes and leave. Spike notices Derek watching Applejack from behind as she walks past him. "Wow!", says Derek. Applejack hears Derek and giggles quietly to herself.

Spike walks towards Twilight and whispers to her, "Hey, Twilight? Did you notice anything... weird about Applejack and Derek?" Twilight thinks for a few seconds and whispers back, "Well, Applejack was kind of acting strange after they shook hands. She almost seemed nervous. And Derek was looking at her almost constantly." Spike hesitates and asks, "Do you think maybe...?" Twilight is confused for a second before raising her eyebrows in realization, "Oh. Oh! Uh, I don't know if they're... like that, Spike. I mean, they just met. It's not like it was love at first sight or anything."

Twilight walks away towards Derek. Spike seems to be thinking deeply and says, "Hmm. Somethin's goin' on between those two. I just know it."

Back at the Golden Oak Library, Twilight and Derek are approaching the entrance.

"Well, Derek, here we are at the Golden Oak Library. Me and Spike live here now," says Twilight.

"Hmm. Neat place," compliments Derek.

"Thanks."

"You are welcome."

"Well, let's go in." Twilight begins to walk in when Derek stops her. "Uh, Twilight?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I might be a bit too big to go in. Would you mind doing something about it?"

"Oh, sure." Twilight uses her magic to make Derek a bit smaller, but still big enough to fit. "There. Now we can go in." "Right behind ya!"

Twilight and Derek walk in. She says, "So Derek, how were things going when you were hibernating?"

"Meh, it was okay. Though there were these teenage dragons who were mean to me. One of them was named Garble, I think. But that was the only problem," says Derek.

"Ah, I remember those dragons. I believe they were the same ones who bullied Spike," says Twilight.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah."

"That is too bad. So how are you?"

"Good. Good. Just earlier today, I was organizing some books when Spike came up to me and showed me a picture of you when you were little. He asked me about it, so I told him the story and I said that even though I wanted you back, it was your choice. Then I went back to work and Spike went to get you," says Twilight.

"Hmm. But now, everything is fine since I am here!", Derek grins. "Oh, yes," says Twilight and she hugs Derek, who hugs her back.

"So how's about you show me around Ponyville and we meet everypony in town?", Derek suggests.

"Of course. Come on." Twilight and Derek walk out of the Golden Oak Library.

Later, Twilight and Derek are walking in Ponyville, having already met everypony. "Well, Twilight, I had a fun time meetin' everypony in town!", says Derek. "Yeah. It was pretty cool, huh?", replies Twilight. "You bet!", agrees Derek. Twilight remembers something, "Oh! I just remembered! Have you met the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" "Who?", asks Derek. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders. Three fillies named Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo." "Oh. No, I have not met them yet. But I would love to!", says Derek. "All right!", says Twilight. Then she and Derek notice the Cutie Mark Crusaders laughing and playing ball on an open field. "Looks like fun! Let us go see 'em!", says Derek. Excited, he pulls Twilight by the hoof while running over to the field. "Whoa!", says Twilight.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders are hitting a ball back and forth, giggling. Scootaloo hits the ball to Apple Bloom. "Catch, Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom hits the ball back to Scootaloo.

Just then, Twilight and Derek arrive. Apple Bloom's eyes widen when she sees Derek. She says, "Wow! Another dragon!" Scootaloo looks away from the ball in curiosity, "Dragon? Where?" Just then, the ball hits Scootaloo upside the head. "Ow!" The ball bounces and lands at Derek's feet. Derek picks up the ball and chuckles a little.

"Hey, are you okay?", asks Derek. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo look towards Derek in awe.

"Oh, my gosh!", says Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo grins and flutters her wings in excitement, "A dragon? Awesome!" Twilight laughs in amusement at the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She points to each one of them as she introduces them to Derek, "Derek, these are the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. Girls, this is Derek. He's an old friend of mine."

Derek smiles and waves, "Hey there." Apple Bloom walks up to Derek with a friendly smile. "Mr. Derek, would you like to play catch with us?"

Derek grins, "Sure. I would love to. And please, just call me Derek." "Okay," Apple Bloom smiles.

Twilight smiles and watches happily as Derek joins in the Cutie Mark Crusaders' game and has fun. "Here, Derek! Catch!", Sweetie Belle calls out to him. She hits the ball to Derek, who hits it with his tail. "Heads up, Scootaloo!", calls Derek. Scootaloo hits the ball to Apple Bloom. They hit the ball back and forth. "This is sweet to see you guys are getting along," says Twilight.

A little while later, the sun is going down slowly. "Well, girls, as much as we'd love to stay, the sun should be setting in a while," says Twilight.

"Awww!", the Crusaders complain.

"Mr. De-- I mean, Derek, would you like to come play with us tomorrow?", asks Sweetie Belle.

"Yeah! And you could even come see our clubhouse! It's near Sweet Apple Acres!", says Scootaloo.

Derek grins and says, "Sounds fun! I will be sure to come over tomorrow! See ya then!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders wave as Twilight and Derek start on their way back to the Golden Oak Library.

"Bye, Derek! See ya tomorrow!", says Apple Bloom. Derek waves back and turns to Twilight.

"Those three are really nice."

"They really are," Twilight agrees.

"Yeah. Me and them, we are so awesome," says Derek. Twilight chuckles and they walk the rest of the way in peace.