//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Derpy Delivers a Pizza // by DouglasTrotter //------------------------------// Derpy Delivers a Pizza The dim light from the rose colored lamps, hanging close to the ceiling, gently illuminated the restaurant. Freshly made pizza could be smelled by everypony with Mr. Calzone’s Pizza Perfection establishment packed as usual. Customers patiently waited for their takeout near the pearl white counter in the lobby. The delivery pony slowly tapped his hoof on the ceramic tile floor, awaiting the orders to deliver. His only saving grace from the noisy lobby was the music coming from the compact player securely tucked into his saddlebag. Derpy sat on the red sofa near the counter, patiently awaiting her order. Thoughts of kicking up her hooves on the couch at home, and relaxing with Dinky at her side after a long day were great. Today had been a rather long one. Hard being an appropriate word. One delivery stuck in mare’s mind, having brought a rather large box to the Ponyville library. The thing weighed a ton, turning out to be a new, specialized mannequin for making dresses. The mail mare didn’t even have to look at her delivery book to know the item had been delivered to the wrong address. Lugging that thing across Ponyville to the correct recipient was a nightmare in the making. Thankfully, the Ponyville librarian, introducing herself as Twilight Sparkle, had no objections in taking the dress form to her hopeful fashionista friend at Carousel Boutique. That seemed like the perfect break the mail mare needed, the large parcel being the last of her deliveries for the day. “Always busy, I knew I should have ordered ahead,” the pony mumbled to herself in a frustrated tone. She kept promising herself to learn how to cook, and make dinner before she left the house. But it always ended in some disaster. “Next time, next time I WILL pre-make dinner before leaving the house… though Dinky said I shouldn’t try to cook anymore. Stupid aluminum foil, it should have handled the blow torch. I just wanted to melt the cheese a little for my Daisy cucumber sub!” The hands on the clock slowly moved forward. Only ten minutes had gone by since the mail mare arrived at Mr. Calzone’s and placed her order, though it seemed like it was taking forever. Derpy found herself in a usual daze with the image of that perfect pizza entering her mind. A beautiful triple cheese, deep dish pizza with extra marinara sauce, topped with celery seed for added flavor. That perfect, wondrous sixteen inch pizza and its sublime texture, all for eight bits – “beautiful” is the only word the mail mare could use to describe it. She closed her eyes, continuing to imagine the sight of that pizza and its perfection. Sitting on the couch in her home, eating it with Dinky as both of them watched their favorite program would be a good way to say goodbye to not so good day. “Miss… umm, miss? You’re salivating,” said the royal guard in a polite, yet firm tone. Sitting next to the gray pony, he sheepishly grinned at her, guessing the mare was thinking about her order. Derpy opened her eyes, wiping the drool from her mouth. She smiled at the Canterlot Castle protector, quickly replying, “Sorry. I am just so hungry. I can’t wait to get my order.” A quick sound of the counter’s bell interrupted the two before they could continue their conversation. Both listened carefully as the earth pony behind the counter announced the new orders that were done. “Order UP! Number fifteen. Number sixteen. Here ya go!” the pony said in a loud, clear voice. Derpy slowly stretched out her wings while the royal guard shifted his head from side to side, popping the crick in his neck. Both were eager to get their orders, but approached the counter in a polite manner. “It’s on the house as usual. Make sure to give my regards to Princess Celestia.” The cashier smiled at the armored pegasus. The pegasus stallion gave a gentle nod to the gray pony and attendant behind the counter before grabbing the box. Mr. Calzone’s door chime rang, but was easily drowned out by the noise of the lobby as the royal guard swiftly left for Canterlot Castle. “Just one nibble, just one tiny little itsy-bitsy nibble shouldn’t hurt. I mean… I need my strength to get home after all. “Derpy giggled to herself. The mail mare opened the cardboard box’s white lid, and then squinted at the object inside, believing she made a mistake. But it was impossible. That sweet smell could never be mistaken. It was one of Mr. Calzone’s premium dessert pizzas. A combination white chocolate and dark chocolate, topped with a drizzling of strawberry glaze. “I didn’t ask for dessert!” the mail mare quickly shouted, the earth pony’s face growing cold as she heard those words. She turned to the gray pony with her hoof hovering over the register, just about to put the gray pony’s payment inside. Mr. Calzone’s perfect record was in jeopardy. Princess Celestia always had prompt deliveries. The swinging door to the kitchen opened as the owner stepped out upon hearing the mail mare’s words. From behind the counter, the earth pony maintained her cold stare at the dessert pizza on the counter. The earth stallion owner spotted the order still there. “Hey! You’re a mail pony right? You make deliveries?” the pony said in a deep, low voice, eyeing Derpy’s saddlebag. “I’ll give a week of free pizzas and your current order on the house if you deliver this to Princess Celestia, ASAP!” Without hesitation, the mail mare faithfully recited her oath of delivery, dashed out the door, and flew into the sky. The promise of free pizzas for a week couldn’t be passed up, nor should it. However, Derpy quickly returned to the restaurant, giving Mr. Calzone an awkward grin before firmly securing the box on her back and flying off once more. The owner placed his hoof over his face, shifting his head from side to side. “What have I done? I should have just apologized to Princess Celestia, could have avoided problems if I gave her two desserts next time.”