“How can I help you?” questioned the mysterious mare as she returned with enough tea for all the ponies that just happened to stumble into her cozy little home.
Derpy paused, what should she say? She couldn't say what she was actually thinking, because she might think she was crazy. She decided quickly to ask if she knew anything about the three items they were looking for and if she minded if they took a bark of her tree. It would be awfully rude to just take it without asking first.
“Well...do you know anything about a tree branch, a flower, and a oil?” questioned Derpy.
The mysterious mare tilted her head towards Derpy, as she sipped slightly at her tea, sitting on her wooden chair.
“I don't know what would be so special about any of those things. Who told you you needed to get such...common items?” questioned the mare.
“A crazy old sage.” spoke Midnight Star whom had been mostly silent since they arrived here. He couldn't help worrying about Emma Flower even now, but he knew he might have overstepped with the sand worm thing. He sighed slightly, irritated at himself. He knew he had a long way to truly becoming the pony he wanted to be, and helping Derpy get home.
“Sunny?” questioned the mare her wings extending, a smile rising across her muzzle and chuckling. She carefully set her cup down, putting her hoof over her muzzle.
“Oh...dear me. I'm certain Sunny has a reason for asking you to get these things. He's always been a mystery, but he helped me find a cure for one of my animals. Though he still likes to scared strangers away from here, thinking I might be in danger. He means well though.” she spoke softly. “Oh...heavens, I haven't even introduced myself yet, my name is Holly Leaf it's nice to meet all of you.”
“My name is Derpy, my friends here are Heart Stripes.” Derpy then felt a hoof over her lips.
“No worries dear, I believe we can introduce ourselves. As my dearest Derpy stated, I'm Heart Stripes. Though I must say your little home could use a bit of...glamour to it.”
“My name is Midnight Star.” he rolled his eyes as he looked at Heart Stripes, did that mare ever think of anything besides looks? He still didn't understand why Derpy wanted her tagging along on this adventure. She was just a waste of space in his mind.
“My name is Emma Flower, it's a pleasure to meet you Holly.” smiled Emma Flower softly. “Wait a minute which pet of your was sick?” she asked suddenly remembering something her teacher had told her.
“Oh...well you see Steve is my sandworm, and he had a really bad case of the worms. Which is both funny and disheartening at the same time. Oh I'm just so glad the elder's herbs helped him be more like himself. I really should get him to stop scaring ponies off my doorstop though. I hope he didn't cause you any trouble.”
“Trouble? That thing tried to eat us. I think you should really consider putting the poor dear down.” replied Heart Stripes with a huff.
“Oh dear...why would he do that?” questioned Holly Leaf.
“How the heck would I know? He's your creature. I mean pet.” replied Midnight.
“Now, I'm sure he just thought you were all strangers, and he wouldn't want anything bad to happen to me. Really, Steve's a good worm. He'd never eat a pony.” replied Holly softly.
Derpy decided to introduce Electric Flare, whom had remained relatively quiet since they arrived at the little cottage under the base of the tree. “This here is Electric Flare, she doesn't say much, but she has a lot of strength within.” smiled Derpy, giving her a light pat on the back.
“Thanks, Derpy.” replied Electric Flare softly.
“Alright, now I still don't understand why Sunny would tell you to get three random items. It just doesn't make sense at all. However, I might know some pony that might be able to piece together the puzzle. She lives down in Sebria, it's a port town near the ocean. Oh and the crabs and starfish are so adorable!” spoke Holly, flapping her wings a bit, and almost flying out of her chair. “Oh dear me, sorry I'm losing track.”
“Does this mare have a name? What does she look like?” questioned Midnight Star. He was all for finding out what these items had to do with anything quite frankly. He still thought the sage was crazy.
“Oh! Right. Yes, her name is Twinkle Star, she lives in Sebria, she occasionally sends me her research on critters. It's been really helpful, but I don't know much about her, we haven't had a chance to meet pony to pony. She seems really sweet though. I'm sure she might know something about all of this. She just seems to have a knack for knowing things, other ponies don't know.” replied Holly Leaf softly, tilting her head up and down, assuring the party that she was treating as guests, that this was probably their best course of action, to find this mysterious mare she spoke of.
“Hmm...Sebria. That's quite a few weeks of travel.” spoke Midnight Star, with a gentle brush under his hoof. “Perhaps we best tackle that volcano first, I know where it is.”
“If this pony has answers, I think we should go there first obviously. Besides, a town means they might have a spa!” spoke Heart stripes.
Derpy sighed slightly, while both of them had valid points, she was getting frustrated at them constantly arguing. She shook her head, and stood up on all hooves.
“While I understand you are worried about the distance, I have to agree with Heart Stripes, it would be wise to go to Sebria and see what we can learn from this Twinkle Star, she might be able to lead us in the right direction, or tell me how I can get home.” spoke Derpy.
“Fine.” replied Midnight Star softly. He wasn't about to argue with Derpy, she was basically their leader, and was willing to give a pony like him a second chance.
Derpy took a moment to compose herself, letting out a heavy sigh as she looked towards Holly Leaf.
“I thank you for aiding us, but we really should be moving on, I really want to get this done so I can return to where I came from.” spoke Derpy honestly. She worried about her daughter, and wondered how much time had passed since she had been here. She had no clue. It only felt like a few days had passed here, but who knew how long it had been back in her world.
“Oh but you just got here, you really should stay at least until morning. We wouldn't want you getting lost in the dark.” spoke Holly Leaf, concerned for their safety.
“I'm sure one night won't be that bad. Alright, do you mind us all staying though? I wouldn't want to get in your mane.” spoke Derpy honestly. After all, there were quite the little group of them.
“Oh it's no trouble. I don't mind at all. Please make yourselves comfortable.” smiled Holly Leaf as she went to check on her animals, while the rest of the group stayed within the living room. Midnight and Emma Flower sat together on a love seat, Electric Flare on a wooden chair, Derpy was standing up on the carpet, and Heart Stripes was seated in a soft lush chair. Heart Stripes stood up and walked over to Derpy, and whispered into her ear.
“Perhaps, now would be a good time to come up with a strategy darling? I sincerely doubt you want another incident to occur while on our travels.” questioned Heart.
“Oh course not. I don't want any of you getting hurt because of me. After all...if you got hurt because of me, I'd not sure I'd forgive myself. I'm supposed to be the leader, but I've never been in charge of any pony before, I really don't know what I'm doing, and I'm worried...” replied Derpy honestly. She knew she could tell Heart how she felt, she knew she'd understand if she truly cared for her, as she had stated.
Heart Stripes lifted her chin with her forehoof, so that Derpy's eyes were gazing directly into her soft green hues.
“You're doing just fine, honey. Without you, we'd all might have been a feast for that worm creature. I know Holly says it's not dangerous, but honestly I wouldn't trust that thing as far as I could throw it. And believe me that's not very far.” chuckled Heart Stripes, making a bit of fun to try to lighten the weight on Derpy's chest. She could only imagine what she must be going through, thinking she was burdening them. Heart truly hoped it wasn't the other way around. She hoped she could prove her worth along their journey together, to show Derpy that she wasn't just simply saying she loved her, she truly did feel for her. She didn't know much of this other world of hers, but if she had a chance to follow Derpy, she would without a second's thought.
“You're right, I'm probably just overthinking this whole thing. All we need to do is get these items and then the elder will be able to cast his magic spell to send me home.” replied Derpy softly. She nuzzled her cheek after Heart's putting a forehoof around her holding her close.
“That's the spirit!” smiled Heart Stripes, she enjoyed the closeness of Derpy, but let go and let out a slight cough. “Ahem...now then a strategy on how to survival creatures and other such things that might attack us on our journey?” she suggested. She wasn't one that liked the thought of fighting, but for Derpy, she'd take her chances against even the might of an Ursa Major.
“I'm really not good at making plans. Best we can do is stick together and act more like a team, then just a random bunch of ponies that happen to be traveling together.” replied Derpy.
Heart Stripes took her forehoof and bumped it against Derpy's muzzle. “Oh dear, you are anything but a random pony. You're a Princess for Snow Heart's sake!” she just shook her head. Derpy was so naive it was just too adorable for words.
Derpy wanted to say something, but decided to let Heart Stripes win this one as she smiled back at her. “None of you are just random ponies, you are all my friends.”
“Oh! I'm so glad to hear that Derpy. Now shall we get some rest for the night?” questioned Heart Stirpes as she sat back down on her chair, and patted the chair beside her.
Derpy hopped up onto the chair beside her, and couldn't help thinking just maybe she could do this. Yeah, she was just thinking too much on what if's and not the fact she had saved a bunch of ponies from being eaten. Maybe she really was a Princess in this world. This was definitely a story she was going to tell Dinky when she finally got back home. Even if she had no idea when that would be. She found herself starting to relax in Holly's Leaf's home and began drifting off to sleep.
It wasn't until much later, she felt two hooves shaking her awake. Derpy slowly opened her eyes to find Heart Stripes in front of her, and the rest of her group waiting for her.
“Huh? Oh...I must have fallen asleep. Is it morning already?” questioned Derpy towards the lot of them.
“Yeah, actually it's past noon already. We figured you didn't want to spend yet another night here, when we could be making progress in finding those items.” spoke Midnight Star.
“Yeah...I must've been tired. Well did any of you thank Holly for allowing us to stay?” questioned Derpy, preparing herself for yet another long trek. She heard from Holly that Sebria was at least a three day's trip from her house, and then they had to find this Twinkle Star. Though the only clue she had was her name, she had no clue what this mare looked like, just that she might know a bit more about the sage, and possibly she might even know a way for her to get home. Derpy couldn't help but get a bit excited at the prospect of meeting some pony that just might be able to help her, because she wasn't quite sure how three items would get her home.
“Of course we did. We wouldn't be so unkind as to not thank her for allowing us to stay now would we?” questioned Heart Stripes.
Derpy blinked and smiled slightly, as she led the way out of Holly Leaf's home, but before she left entirely she had yet to speak to Holly about taking a branch from her tree.
“Excuse me, Holly do you have a minute?” questioned Derpy, after the others went to wait outside for her.
“Oh! Oh course, how can I help you Derpy?” questioned Holly Leaf softly.
“Do you mind if I take a branch of your tree? I mean it is your home...” replied Derpy, rubbing her hoof behind her head, nervously.
“Oh sure, I don't mind it at all. Actually...I was wondering.” began Holly Leaf a bit nervously, fiddling her hooves against her mane, tilting her gaze from side to side. “Do you think it would be too much trouble for me to tag along?”
Derpy paused, and blinked at the request. She wanted to come along, but didn't she have animals to take care of? She wasn't sure how long their journey would be and when she'd be able to return home again.
“What about your animals?” questioned Derpy. She didn't mind her coming along, even if that meant she would have yet another pony to keep safe, she didn't outright want to tell her no either.
“Oh don't worry about that, Angel will take care of them while I'm gone. I really want to meet Twinkle Star. We've been pony pen pals for so long, that a chance to actually meet her would just be...nice.” she smiled bashfully.
“Well, I don't mind you coming along, just know it may be dangerous out there, and I might not be able to protect you.” spoke Derpy, expressing a concern for her fellow pony. She might not always be there to bail them out, but she would do her best to make sure nothing bad happened.
She seemed to understand, and the two of them went to join with the others. Derpy knew it would be awhile until they reached the port town of Sebria. It was near a large body of water. She also knew she had to get the oil from the volcano. She took a branch from Holly's tree, and put it into her bag. Then she walked up to Heart Stripes, smiling at her.
“Seems like I have another helper for our quest.”
“Oh? The more help the merrier! And more pleasant then some.” muttered Heart Stripes under her breath.
Derpy just shook her head and gestured for the group of them to follow her. Derpy surveyed the area ahead, it still looked like a giant desert. It seemed to her that Holly's tree was the only thing out here besides that crazy sand worm. She took a deep breath as she made her first hoof steps forward. She couldn't see anything in the immediate distance, and she knew the travel would require them to take breaks, but Derpy was determined to go as far as she could without rest. After all, she had ponies waiting for her back home, her daughter Dinky, she inspired her to never give up or give in to doubt.
Derpy felt the rough sands beneath her hooves, it felt extremely dry, and the sun was drenching down on them. She could feel the beads of sweat dripping down her mane, onto her cheeks and steadily falling toe the ground. She panted slightly, sticking her tongue out, and almost choking on a cloud of dust in the air. She knew it would be awhile until they finally got out of the desert. Luckily, Holly Leaf had provided them with a few canteens of water. Five of them total. She wasn't sure if it would last very long, considering how hot it was now, but she had to stay strong for the others. She was the leader after all.
Derpy had a lot on her mind, but she tried not letting it consume her. She knew she had to focus on the task at hoof. They had to find this Twinkle Star, and see if she knew anything about the items she was supposed to get. Derpy couldn't make sense of it herself, seemed like three ordinary items. A tree branch, oil, and a flower. How the heck did that make a spell that would take her home?
“Oh, Derpy....how much longer do we have to travel?” questioned Heart Stripes, doing her best not to pant like a dog. The humidity of this place was just beyond ridiculous, and quite frankly, she was really hoping the port town of Sebria had a spa. Or at least an inn to rest her hooves under a roof instead of under the stars.
Derpy looked ahead into the distance, her face started to seem scrunched up, as she tried to swallow a gulp of air, as she nervously rubbed her forehoof against her mane.
“Um...Heart we haven't even gone a full mile yet.” spoke Derpy honestly. There was no sense in lying to her. It would take time to get to the town, and they'd likely be spending many of the next few nights under the gaze of the stars. Derpy couldn't deny, the night they had spent at Holly's had certainly restored a bit of her own energy, but even she wasn't sure how long she could keep trotting without taking a break.
Midnight Star and Emma Flower had decided to fly above Derpy for awhile until they decided to rest their wings and walk by hoof. Neither of them seemed to complain, as Derpy couldn't help but glance back occasionally to make sure they were still following and not getting too far behind.
Electric Flare and Holly Leaf were also walking together. Holly was explaining to Electric Flare more about animals, and the proper way of taking care of them. Electric Flare just seemed to blink and nod to it all. Derpy knew they were all counting on her. Each pony, she was responsible for them all, making sure nothing bad happened. She was honestly a bit relieved there wasn't any ongoing threat like there had been before. She worried she wouldn't be strong enough, or quick enough to save them. She knew Heart Stripes had given her a bit of confidence, but yet she was still uncertain. She was just a mail mare, not a Princess. How was she expected to do any of the things she knew Twilight was capable of? She knew she wasn't Twilight, and she could never even come close to the things that Twilight was capable of, but Derpy in her own way was always going the extra mile to make sure every package was on time. She liked to bring smiles to ponies faces when she delivered packages. Derpy took a deep breath, lifting her head, feeling a lot better about things, she could do this. She just had to treat it just like another delivery. Protecting ponies in the same way she made sure no pony's package got damaged on her trip. The desert felt like it went on forever, but eventually after quite some time of traveling, Derpy could finally make out the outlines of a town in the distance. Derpy couldn't help but smile, and grab Heart Stripes, and lifting her up into the air.
“Look! It's Sebria. We're almost there.” she giggled as she hovered in the air. She couldn't wait to hear Heart's reaction.
“Oh my gosh! Hurry Derpy to the spa!” replied Heart Stripes.
Derpy chuckled, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Golly, this mare really was like another verison of Rarity. That just made her think this world might have a Twilight too....Wait... Derpy had a sudden realization.
“Twinkle Star...” she spoke thinking out loud.
“Yes? What about her?” questioned Holly Leaf walking up beside Derpy now.
Derpy was at a lost for words...could it be? Could she possibly be this world's Twilight? She had to know! Without saying anything to Holly Leaf, Derpy flew towards Sebria, with Heart still on her back.
“Woah, Derpy, not so fast.” replied Heart, grasping her forehooves around Derpy's neck.
Derpy didn't slow down, as she then made a landing at the entrance of the town. She could see cottages all about, boats, and even a few ships docked at the port. She could see ponies walking to and from the town. She saw vendors lined up on each side of the street, each one wore some kind of turban on their head. She then noticed something in the crowd that caught her eye. It wasn't Twinkle Star, like she had hoped, but it was a spa.
“Heart Stripes, they have a spa.” she smiled softly towards her. Of course as soon as Heart heard that, she grabbed Derpy, and was now dashing towards the spa, not caring if she had to push a few ponies aside in her way.
Midnight Star couldn't help but sigh as he arrived in the town with the others, looking towards Holly Leaf.
“Do you know where Twinkle Star lives?”
“Um...I have her address. 456 Oak Lane, Sebria.” replied Holly Leaf, as she picked up the most recent letter that Twinkle Star had sent her.
“Alright, while those two are off....bonding at the spa, we need to find this pony and get to the bottom of this.”
“Shouldn't we wait for Derpy?” questioned Emma softly. After all she was the one leading them on this journey, it didn't feel right to just go off without her.
“She wants to get home doesn't she? Then we should do what we can to help her, besides I think she's going to be busy for awhile.” spoke Midnight with a heavy sigh. He knew how Heart Stripes felt, they'd likely be at that spa for hours at this rate. He really wasn't fond of that mare, but Derpy seemed to think she was useful, so for now he was tolerating her, but he really disliked that pony. Midnight Star wanted to help Derpy get home, and in order to do that, they needed to find Twinkle Star. They had her address, so all they had to do was figure out which cottage was hers. Midnight Star glanced once more to the spa, and Derpy, seeing the two mares enter. Without another word, whether Holly followed or not, he took the envelope and began making hoofsteps further into the town, glancing at the address posted on the side of the mailboxes.