//------------------------------//
// The Pinkie Pie Treatment 
// Story: The Sixth Element 
// by Lets Do This 
//------------------------------//

Like a wounded soldier returning after a serious rout, Derpy sadly turned the final corner into the street in front of Sugarcube Corner.

"SURPRISE!"

A sudden cannon blast filled the air with confetti and streamers. There were balloons tied to anything that didn't try to run away. There were tables with cake and cookies and a punch bowl, plus a record player and a stack of records. And there were dozens of ponies gathered around, wearing party hats and welcoming smiles.

Dinky came running up. "Mommy! Mommy! The Pinkie Pony got everybody together to throw a party, just for us!"

"Absolutely!" It was the radioactively pink filly, standing right beside Dinky and babbling at a rate just short of White Hot Sugar Rush. "I saw you earlier, and I was like Woahhhh, and I was like Woahhhh because I didn't know you, and if I didn't know you, you must be even newer in town than I was, and I've only been here a week, and I was all like, Pinkie, you're gonna need to bring your A-game on this one, because here's your very first chance to throw a Welcome-Someone-New-To-Ponyville Party, and you don't want to mess it up!"

She turned to the assembled crowd. "So everyone! Say hello to Derpy and Dinky! And let's all PAR-TAY!"

The assembled ponies cheered, and the crowded around Dinky and Derpy, shaking hooves and hugging them and smiling, while Pinkie ran around getting the music started and everything else taken care of.

Still a little stunned by the cannon blast, Derpy found herself speaking with all the other ponies she'd met on her travels around Ponyville that day.

The red stallion was there, accompanied by an orange-hued mare wearing a Stetson and a warm smile. "I'm Applejack," she said. "And this here's my brother Big Mac. Sorry we didn't get a chance to jaw earlier, and I'm powerful sorry 'bout Winowna. She's been missin' me something fierce, but now I'm back she's calmed right down. I hear you're looking for work! We can certainly use the help in sortin' apples for sale -- you come on by the Farm tomorrow, and we'll see what we can do fur ya!"

Standing beside her was the blue pegasus filly, her forelegs crossed, wearing a pair of dark glasses and a smug expression.

Applejack nudged her and gave her a fierce look.

"Eh... sorry about earlier! Name's Rainbow Dash. Didn't mean to be rude. I was just really focused on perfecting my moves, and didn't think about what I was sayin'. You're welcome to share the skies with me! Anytime!"

Rainbow glared up at Applejack. "That enough?"

Applejack gave Derpy a measuring look. "Yeah, I think so. Fur now!"

"Mmm... excuse me..." It was the yellow pegasus, speaking so quietly Derpy had to lean close to hear her. "I'm Fluttershy. I'm very sorry for the way the critters treated you. I thought I'd taught them better than that. And I'm very glad to finally know your name, Derpy!"

"And I'm Rarity, dahling," said the white pony with the purple mane. "I did come to my senses after you left, and I realize what happened was totally Opalescence's fault. I'm so sorry if you left thinking I blamed you! I'd still love to work with you, if you're available! Want to come by tomorrow, and we can try to put the Boutique back in order?"

Numbly, Derpy nodded. "I'd love to help! Still haven't found a room though."

"Hey! About that," said Mr. Davenport, coming over to them. "Turns out that couple I mentioned, their kid wound up as the personal protégé of Princess Celestia herself! Huh, some ponies have all the luck! So the second honeymoon's off while they figure out what's what, and that means the room's available, whenever you want it!"

"Mommy!" Dinky cried. "It's all turned out all right!"

"Yes, Dinky," Derpy replied, and hugged her. "I think it has!"

"Would anyone like a muffin?" said Mrs. Cake, pushing a trolley with a tray full of them on it. "Derpy, my dear? A muffin?"

"Dunno. Never had 'em."

"Mrs. Cake's muffins are the best!" Applejack said. "'Specially the apple chunk variety! Not that Ah'm biased in any way, ya hear!"

Derpy shrugged, and picked up one of the kind Applejack had pointed at. She bit into it.

And somehow, the happiness she felt, right at that very moment, was in every single bite of the treat. She rapidly finished it off, tears in her eyes.

Maybe wishes on the Mare in the Moon do come true, she thought.