//------------------------------// // Chapter V // Story: A Healthy Friendship // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// I stared out the window as Meadowbrook propped her head up with a hoof as we both listened to ponies talking quietly on the train. I still found it incredible that ponies could get across Equestria in a mere matter of hours instead of taking days or weeks to get around. “I just don’t know what went wrong,” we both glanced at a grey pegasus standing next to a pony in a blue jacket and matching hat. “I swear I had my pass here with me.” “No pass, no boarding.” “She’s with us,” I called out and shuddered slightly as they both looked at me. “I have enough bits, just buy her another pass.” “Okay fine,” the conductor pony sighed and accepted the bits I levitated in front of him. “You’re cleared to board.” “Thank you,” the pegasus nodded at me as she stood in front of us. “May I sit with you?” “Of course,” Meadowbrook smiled as she shifted over to let her sit down. “I’m Meadowbrook, that’s Stygian. Somnambula is currently trying to find food on this train.” “I’m Derpy,” she pointed a hoof at herself and I noticed her eyes for the first time. They were bright gold and pointed in different directions. “It’s okay to look, I know they’re a bit unusual.” “I didn’t mean to offend you,” I muttered and hastily looked away. “I’m not. I heard a lot about you,” Derpy commented as she smiled slightly. “Rockhoof has said a lot of good things about you.” “You know Rockhoof?” Meadowbrook asked curiously as Derpy nodded rapidly. “Of course! He’s my coltfriend after all,” Derpy said as she tucked her forelegs under her. “Dinky adores him and even Sparkler likes him. I didn’t entirely think a pony as unusual and well, disabled how I am would ever be loved but he proved me wrong when I accidentally crashed into him. He and Berry both ran off a crowd of tourists laughing at me.” “That sounds like him,” Meadowbrook admitted as she yawned. “I didn’t know Rockhoof had a marefriend.” “We’ve only been dating for a few months but it’s been good. He and I really got along, you know?” Derpy said as she cracked her neck. “He’s a nice stallion. Berry approves so there’s that even if I have to put up with her asking a bit more dirty questions.” “Oh,” I muttered and blushed like Derpy currently was. “I see.” “But she’s my best friend so I can tolerate it,” Derpy waved a hoof and laughed quietly. “Are you headed to Ponyville?” “Yeah. Princess Twilight offered us to come meet one of her friends. Didn’t tell us her name, strangely enough,” Meadowbrook answered as Derpy nodded. “I think I know who. She’s a nice mare. Was a bit scared of me at first due to some past drama but she’s my friend now,” Derpy fluttered her wings excitedly. “I hope to see her.” “I’m sure you will,” Meadowbrook reassured as a stallion trotted past, glancing at Derpy and snickering as we both glared. “That’s not very nice to laugh.” “Yeah, yeah whatever,” the stallion snorted and trotted away as Derpy sighed. “I’ll go sit somewhere else so you don’t get negative attention,” Derpy mumbled as I pressed my foreleg against her chest. “No stay,” I shook my head. “I’d like to talk to you more and ignore him, he’s closeminded.” “Stygian is right sugar,” Meadowbrook nodded as she stood up. “I’m going to go find Somnambula and make sure she isn’t buying all the sweets, I shall return.” I watched her leave as Derpy gently nudged me with a wing and laughed quietly. “You two look cute together,” Derpy commented as she winked at me. “I’m very happy for you.” “We’re not dating,” I muttered as Derpy raised an eyebrow. “I’m not entirely certain she would ever like me the way I do.” “I’m thirty three and a mother of two. I know the signs when a mare likes somepony,” Derpy answered as she wrapped a wing around me. “You’d be surprised Stygian.” “We will see one day,” I said as she smiled warmly at me. “You’re a very nice mare, considering you may know my past. What do you do for work?” “I try to be nice to everypony, regardless of past and I do know it, yes. Rockhoof feels poorly for treating you how he did,” Derpy admitted. “I don’t blame you for it. Only a meanie would and I am not mean unless Discord does his weird magic stuff again like he did when he first returned. I work as a mailmare. I used to have five other jobs to support my kids and house payments plus pay for damages for my clumsiness when I destroy stuff accidentally but Rockhoof moved in and insisted I only work as a mailmare since Princess Twilight pays him well for his work.” “Makes sense, I did hear he was a story teller I believe now.” “Yes. At first I said no but my daughters both sided with him and well, they’re my life,” Derpy said with a fond smile out the window. “I haven’t seen them in a week because I’ve been delivering packages all over this area. I miss home.” “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.” “I know they will. Dinky is very excitable when I’m gone for long periods of time. Berry or Lyra used to watch them for me but Rockhoof has been recently.” “Leaving for Ponyville!” The conductor pony called out and I grabbed the edge of my seat nervously. “First time on a train?” Derpy asked and I shook my head no. “Just a bit nervous in general on these things,” I answered and inhaled. “I’ll be here the whole way, don’t worry. And I presume Meadowbrook will too,” Derpy winked at me as I nodded. “Just breath slowly.” “Okay.” I will admit, that wasn’t as bad as usual was. Derpy was a nice pony to talk to and the other two were helpful as well. I partially wished Cattail came with but somepony had to run the clinic he said. I sat next to Meadowbrook, Somnambula and Spike in front of a mirror, awkwardly avoiding making eye contact with Starswirl, Mistmane and the other two Pillars. Starlight, Twilight and a blue unicorn sat talking in a corner. “Derpy seemed happily to see Rockhoof,” Somnambula commented as I nodded. I thought Pinkie moved fast, but she didn’t hold a candle to an excited Derpy. She had managed to hug all three ponies at the same time, which was a bit surprisingly considering how big Rockhoof is. “And her daughters.” “Yeah she can be that way,” Spike admitted as the mirror started glowing and my jaw dropped as we all stared in stunned silence. An amber unicorn shot out of the mirror and slammed onto her stomach. “Urgh my head,” the mare groaned as she stood up and rubbed her head with a wing as my eyes widened. “Starlight, Twilight! Hey girls!” The two hugged as we all gave each other confused looks. I didn’t know there was a sixth alicorn in Equestria. “Hey Sunset,” Starlight grinned as they separated and Sunset examined us all. “Congrats, you’ve found a way to make the mirror work!” Starswirl exclaimed and froze as Sunset gave him a fiery look that made even Flash and Rockhoof stepped back. “I am-” “I know who you are,” Sunset cut him off coldly. “I heard all about you and the others from Starlight. I don’t like you but I will be respectful. Can I at least hit him?” “Trixie agrees!” “No hitting anypony,” Twilight said as she joined Starlight. “Please?” “Fine,” Sunset sighed and five more ponies shot out of the mirror. “Oh yeah, the others are coming. Not the Rainbooms but the Shadowbolts. Sugarcoat blackmailed me with banana bread which I’m expecting when we get back.” “Of course,” a light blue grey unicorn grumbled as she laid next to a green earth pony. “Why are we naked?” A earth pony screamed. “Because ponies don’t wear clothes Sunny Flare,” Sunset grumbled. “I see.” Sunset turned and gave me a warm smile as she stepped closer to me. “It’s an honor to finally meet you sir,” Sunset said as she knelt in front of me. “My name is Sunset Shimmer.” “M-me?” I stammered as she nodded. “Why?” “I’ve always been a fan of you forever, even back when I was Celestia’s number one pupil. You always impressed me with your intelligence,” Sunset said as she stood back up. “I don’t know what to say,” I said as Starlight smiled at me. I was a bit fond of her, especially when I found out she defended me. “You’re a princess?” “I suppose but I turned down immortality like Twilight did. Tomorrow, I want to get breakfast with you. I have so many questions,” Sunset grinned as she bounced on her hooves. “Oh, this is Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare. They’re my friends and they are not going to tell the others they came with or I’ll be killed.” “And that’d be such a pity” Sour grumbled as the unicorn took a shaky step. “We won’t say a word.” “They found out when Fluttershy told them and caught up after the others left. Figured might as well. The others surprisingly didn’t ask,” Sunset shrugged as she yawned. “Hey Spike, hey Trixie.” “Hi.” “Hello.” I suppose for first meetings, this wasn’t as chaotic as they normally used to be for us. “Come, I’ll show you all your rooms,” Twilight coughed into a hoof. “All of you.” “I call dibs on sharing a room Sunset!” Indigo called out as Lemon glared at her. “No, I do.” “Neither of you do,” Sunset commented with a smirk. “Lemon Hearts is coming over hopefully and I’m looking for some alone adult time.” “Who?” “My girlfriend,” Sunset said dismissively as Sunny’s eyes widened. “You’re so spilling the tea! I wanna know everything!” Sunny exclaimed as Sunset rolled her eyes before smiling back at me. “Just don’t tell our Rarity, she don’t know I’m dating someone yet,” Sunset answered as I examined the mirror. "Hell, none of the other girls don't know yet so please keep it between us till I'm ready." “What’s that world like? What happens when you cross over? What-” I started as Sunset placed a hoof over my mouth. “I’ll answer all your questions over dinner tonight, don’t worry. Now I suggest we catch up with Twilight before she comes and thinks I’m fighting Starswirl.” I gave a sheepish nod as Meadowbrook laughed quietly before nudging me. “Do you mind if we bunk together tonight?” Meadowbrook asked as the other Pillars watched curiously. I had been nice when I walked in and said hi as usual but that was about as far as it went. “Sure.” Starlight, Sunset and Trixie looked at each other before smirking at me. “We are so talking later,” Starlight commented as she hid her smile behind a hoof. “Okay?” I had an idea of what the conversation was going to be, based of what Derpy said earlier. If a complete stranger knew, these three most definitely did too.I just hoped it wouldn’t get out to the other Pillars. But I have bad luck so it probably will. I suppose time will tell. If all else fails, I can attempt to bribe them.