//------------------------------// // A Story from the Past // Story: Time Bubbles // by peppermint_twist //------------------------------// Knock Knock. The shy little butter pegasus looked up from her steaming hot cup of earl grey. All her little critter friends looked up at her insistently, urging her to open the door. Angel bunny stomped and hopped over to the entrance, pointing and trying to shout with his silent words. Fluttershy heaved a sigh as she gently stood up from the small table. She gently trotted over to the wooden door, opening it just a crack and whispering, “Hello?” What she saw made her act completely out of character. Her teal eyes widened as she opened the door fully, shouting, “DERPY!” in her soft voice. She leapt atop the poor mailmare who tried to run away, but to no prevail. Fluttershy got up, the two mares dusting themselves off. That’s when Fluttershy noticed. “Derpy?” She muttered. She looked up at the tear streaked face. “What’s wrong?” The grey mare gently opened her natural mismatched eyes. She sniffled, “I saw Flash this morning,” she muttered. Fluttershy’s eyes shrunk to pinpoints. “What happened?” “I was doing my usual rounds for delivery,” she narrated, being walked into Fluttershy’s small cottage. They both sat down on her forest green couch. “That’s when I saw the boxes.” She looked deep into Fluttershy’s eyes. “Fluttershy, Flash moved into Ponyville,” Fluttershy just sat there, mouth agape. Flash? That bundle of horse apples! To Tartarus with him! She spat in her mind. Of course, she could never say such rude words out loud. “So… is that it?” “Oh, no… I was sort of surprised that… I didn’t really see where I was going… I sort of…” She looked at Fluttershy now, again, with wavering lips. “Crashed into his mailbox,” She hung her head in shame. “Then, that’s when the real conflict happens. ‘Oh, why isn’t it our old, foalhood friend? Derpy? Ha! I can’t believe this town hired you as mailpony, I mean, look at you! You probably can’t even read the mail, what with your, uh-derp, eyes!’” Derpy imitated in a fake masculine voice. “Oh my,” Fluttershy gasped. She remembered full and well who this stallion was. The source of all their foalhood problems. She remembered the horrible taunts of, ‘Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy can hardly fly!’, ‘Rainbow Crash’, and ‘Rainplops’. None of it compared to what Derpy had received, though. She was put through mockery by all ponies, not just bullies. It must have been really horrible. The blossom haired pegasus was about to say more when she heard, “Fluttershy! Fluttershy!” Derpy turned her head quickly around, so fast that it was surprising that it didn’t snap off. A lavender unicorn appeared, head popping up from behind the hill. She was levitating a heavy looking book and galloping at full speed, mane flapping in the wind. “Oh, hello, Twilight,” Fluttershy greeted the now panting pony. “Fluttershy, we have to go! Princess Celestia just-“ She halted and slowly turned her head in jerky movements, only now realizing that the grey pegasus was present. “Fluttershy, can we talk in privacy?” “Oh, yes Twilight,” She turned to the confused Derpy. “Sorry, Derpy. Why don’t you talk about this to Raindrops?” “Yeah, yeah, okay,” She muttered, taking off into the sky. The wind was loud, but not too loud. She could hear Twilight Sparkle muttering, “Fluttershy, isn’t that the weird mailpony with messed up eyes?” Derpy shut her eyes, trying to block it all out. With hot tears streaming down her face, she recalled upon the horrible memories of her youth. *** “Sweet little kittens,” The old mare sang. She cuddled one of her little tangerine tabby cats, it yawning and stretching with each line. “Sleep tight, let me hold you right,” She continued. “I will always love you-“ A knocking sound was made at the cloudy door. Well, really a poof sound. Gray Cloud stood from the wooden rocking chair, each and every joint creaking with each effort. She sighed. Who could be here at this hour? The grey mare quietly tiphoofed over to the door, opening it just a crack. What she saw made her sigh. A tiny little bundle rested on her front doorstep. Little tufts of blonde hair poked out of the parcel, a soft breathing coming from it. Gray Cloud sighed again when she gently picked up the baby with her front hooves. They had been getting too many this week. She gently unfolded the blankets to reveal a tiny baby pegasus. Her once wrapped wings were now free and they unfurled as she let out a cute little yawn. Her coat was extremely soft and felt just like cotton whose softness would be fit for Celestia. A large pearl necklace rested around the baby’s neck, with a note tied to it in a nice, golden ribbon that shined. Gray Cloud smiled sweetly as the baby opened its golden eyes. Its golden and unfocused eyes. They stared in opposite directions, causing the grown mare to almost drop the infant. Gray Cloud took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. Shakily, she untied the ribbon and read the note. ‘Please, this child does not want me. She needs something of which I could never give her. She needs love. She needs a happy family. Please.’ This was truly an adorable child. It deserved the best home ever. Sadly, the mare knew this could never happen. She has worked at 'Sunshine Smiles Orphanage' for decades, and she knew that little mess ups would last forever. *** “You excited?” “Totally, I mean, we’re practically adults now!” Derpy listened to this all, happiness running through her tiny, child mind. Today was the first day of flight school and everypony in the orphanage was excited with glee, even the lonely pegasus. “Foals! The carriages are here!” The Old Gray Cloud’s voice called. With a spring in her step, the young pony filed out. She climbed upon a golden carriage, plopping down on the red velvet seat. Oh, how excited was she! She poked her head over the door, waiting for somepony to join her. She waited and waited. Soon, nopony was left. This did very little to dampen the young fillies mood and she continued to beam. Within an hour, they were all at the pearly white gates of Cloudsdale Flight School. A pink object shot up into the sky and hovered before the carriages. Everypony went silent as they awaited for what was about to happen. “HELLO FLIGHT SCHOOL FRESHMEN!” a booming female voice shouted. Derpy covered her ears, they began to ring. “TODAY SHALL BE YOUR FIRST DAY AT THIS PRETIGIOUS ACADEMY. THIS WILL BE YOUR HOME FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS, SO YOU BETTER GET COMFORTABLE! NOW, WE WILL FIRST BE SORTED INTO OUR DORMS. FILLIES IN BUILDINGS A AND B AND COLTS IN THE OTHER TWO! HURRY UP, NOW! NO NEED TO WASTE TIME LOLLYGAGGING!” Derpy cringed again at the volume. Soon everypony in the year was rushed out of the carriages onto the fluffy white clouds. Then, up to each dorm. It was pure chaos; Derpy couldn’t see a single thing. Eventually, she got to see close up the sheet with all the dorm rooms. Literally. She was pushed against the wall, her face cringing as it hit hard cumulus cloud. After a few moments, she peeled away from the wall, rubbing her scraped up chin. The little filly glanced up and discovered that she would be living in the very first dorm. She stumbled into the crowded Building A, rushing in with everypony else. After much of struggling, she eventually tumbled into her assigned room, her hind legs over her stunned face and her tail wagging before her eyes. “Um, hello?” A voice called out. Derpy quickly unfolded herself and stood up straight, dusting herself off. She held a sheepish grin and blushed profusely, her nice grey turning a deep pink. “Hehe… sorry ‘bout that. Hi, I’m Derpy hooves,” she smiled, sticking a greeting hoof out. The voice had belonged to a nice jasmine coated filly with aquamarine hair. “Hiya! I’m Raindrops,” Raindrops paused and then giggled at the now identified pony. “What?” Derpy asked, a smile still plastered on her face. “Well… your making a funny face!” she blurted out, falling to the floor in a fit. “Oh…” Derpy shied away, using her hair to cover her misfortune. “I… was born with them…” “Oh my… I am really really sorry, I-“ “So, this is our dorm, huh, Fluttershy?” A scratchy voice called. Both of the awkward feeling fillies turned to see a cyan blue and butter filly standing in the doorway. The blue was rather loud, considering the way she held herself and how she barged into the room. The other seemed shy and kept hiding herself behind her long and curly blossom pink hair. “Hey,” The bold one greeted coolly, flipping her hair. “I’m Rainbowdash,” “Woah! You have a rainbow mane! That’s the coolest thing ever!” Raindrops shouted. “Hi, I’m Raindrops,” “I’m Derpy,” Derpy smiled, trying to seem friendly. “Nice,” Rainbowdash remarked. She gently nudged the timid filly next to her. “Yeep!” She shrieked in surprise. The filly blushed and murmured, “I’m… Flutter… shy…” “That’s such a pretty name!” Raindrops squealed. “You know, my mum named me Raindrops when she saw-“ Two large, barrel chested mares barged in, a wet towel draped between their jaws. “Ha! Did you see the surprise on that filly’s face? Priceless!” said the taller of the two. “Did you see her rushing through the halls? Mane wet and in tangles? This was brilliant! You are so smart Cloud Rusher! To do all this during the first day? Genius!” “Of course it was! Aren’t all my ideas bloody brilliant? I mean, a dumb arse like you would never think of-“ She stopped, only just now realizing the freshmen were there, dumbfounded looks slapped across their faces. “Well what do we have here?” “A herd of puny freshmen! Are you our new playmates?” The follower snickered, a grin spreading across her face. “Oi! Look at that little grey one, eh? Seems to be a defect of some sort! Nice eyes!” The larger one laughed as the towel fell from her jaw. Derpy’s lip began to quaver and her vision became blurry. What was wrong with her? Why was she cursed this way? How come she could never be normal? Derpy blinked back the tears, taking deep breaths. No way was she going to let a bunch of bullies succeed. No. Way. “Why I oughta,” Rainbowdash spread her small wings and charged toward the duo. They both shrieked in surprise when a tiny little blue rocket launched at them. They fell over, Rainbowdash now floated above them. “Don’t you ever bully her again! Or any of my friends for that!” She hollered, her face darkening and her eyes blazing. “You don’t scare us, freshman,” The follower chuckled. “Am I right, Cloud Rusher?” Nudging her leader. “Rush?” The tough pony was now shrunken down. She didn’t seem as intimidating anymore. “Er… we’ll sure as Tatarus get in deep trouble if we hurt these…” She took a loud gulp. “Freshmen,” And with that, she quickly stood up and rushed out of the room. “Woah! Rainbowdash! That was so cool! You were like, zoom, and then bang, and then all tough! You are so cool Dash! I mean-“ Raindrops rambled. “You okay?” Rainbowdash questioned, trotting up to Derpy, Fluttershy following. “Nopony has… ever stood up for me before,” Derpy smiled, a truly warm smile. “Oh! Well,” Rainbowdash blushed, pawing the ground. “So are we all friends?” Derpy asked to the whole group, including the awkward Rainbowdash. “You know what, I’ve never had a friend before,” Fluttershy smiled. The other three’s jaws hit the floor. This was the first time that the filly actually talked. “Me neither,” Derpy smiled and hugged her new friend. Fluttershy was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered and caressed her newfound friend as well. “Count me in!” Raindrops shouted, making the embrace a group hug. “Well, I’m not one for hugs-“ A jasmine coloured hoof stuck out and grabbed the protesting cyan filly, joining her into the warm cuddle. “Sweet Celestia, you flew!” Raindrops exclaimed as the group disassembled. “Yeah, I train every day,” Rainbowdash beamed, “My dad’s been teaching me since I was two… when my mum died,” She added, a frown causing her once bright blue face to go a few shades darker. “Well, I know how you feel, my dad died a year ago,” Raindrops added, her hyper self now gone, replaced by a filly with the saddest puppy dog eyes and pout. “Yeah…” Derpy muttered awkwardly, “I don’t have parents either…” Every filly stared at her, even more colour seeping out of their once bright coats. “Well, I never tried to fly at all… my parents never have time to teach…” Fluttershy murmured, trying to give empathy. “Fluttershy,” Derpy’s eyes widened. “Are you abused at home?” “What? No, it’s just… they’re too busy,” She shied away, now feeling dumb that she would even bring up the topic. “Too busy? For their daughter? I don’t think so! Why, I’m gonna-“ Rainbowdash was cut off by Fluttershy almost in tears. “No, no! They aren’t mean or anything!” She practically cried in her muffled voice. “It’s just… well…” “Well? Come on, spill!” Rainbowdash demanded. Fluttershy whimpered. “They’re both Wonderbolts,” She said in a quick and quiet rush. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” Rainbowdash squealed. “What… what are Wonderbolts?” Derpy asked completely innocent and oblivious. She could practically hear every single jaw hit the fluffy floor. “Why,” Rainbowdash screeched hysterically, “Only the greatest flyers in all of Equestria! You better know them by the time I become one, Derpy, or we aren’t friends,” She jokingly stated. “I know you’re gonna be one Rainbowdash!” Raindrops said with full enthusiasm and confidence in her friend. “I mean, we haven’t even started lessons and you’re already an amazing flyer!” Derpy nodded, beginning to open her small saddlebag. The party realized that they had little time before the welcoming assembly, so they quickly followed suit, pulling out their large over packed suitcases. “So, how are we going to settle this?” Derpy wondered, looking at the two vacant bunk beds. “I call top!” Rainbowdash shouted zooming to one of the top, now messy, beds. “Bottom!” Raindrops and Fluttershy both shouted- though Fluttershy sort of whispered. The two quickly ran to the now occupied bottom bunks. “I guess… I have to take the top…” Derpy muttered, looking at the suddenly high top bunk that was hovering above Raindrops. Derpy quickly glanced around, noticing that there was no ladder. How was she to do this? The young filly gently opened her wings. She flapped them a little to make sure they were okay, causing a slight breeze to blow. Gulping, she reared back, leaping into the open air, flapping her wings intensely. Plop! Black is all she could see. A weird spongy like substance filled her mouth so she couldn’t breathe. Derpy gagged as she slowly got up, realizing that she had only made few inches before landing squarely with her face down pressed against the ground. “Bwahahahahhahah!” Rainbowdash laughed, rolling around on the even messier bunk. “I-I-I’m sorry!” she giggled, trying to take a few deep breaths. “Really sorry, you could’ve just asked for me to help, you know?” Rainbowdash dashed under the sore pony and plopped her down onto the top bunk. “Thanks,” she grumbled a bit sourly. As Rainbowdash flew back to the neighboring bunk, Derpy’s resting saddlebag toppled over, spilling the few contents onto the floor. “I’ll get it,” Raindrops said quickly. She rushed down and began to retrieve the small items so the filly above her didn’t have to go through the harassment of Rainbowdash’s awesomeness yet again. “Thanks,” Derpy replied to the pony with her saddlebag clenched in her teeth. “So… bubbles?” Rainbowdash wondered, hinting at the biggest item of the bag, one large bubble bottle. Derpy nodded quickly, checking to make sure everything was present. Pearls? Check. Note? Check. Muffins I snagged from the kitchen? Check. 10 bits? Check. Bubble bottle. No… NO! Derpy thought, quickly scanning the floor to see a large green jug rolling around. “Ah!” She screamed, her voice ringing around the room. Derpy lunged at the floor, the hard impact causing her golden eyes to look straight for a second. She quickly scrambled around the cloudy floor until hoof touched plastic and she was reunited with her precious object. “Er…” Rainbowdash muttered. “So, again, bubbles?” “Yeah, I had to save up allowance for a whole year to save up for this baby,” She said with honest pride. “Any good?” Raindrops wondered, suddenly completely interested in the topic. Derpy smirked at the simple question. In one fluid movement, she twisted the white top off and dipped the pink plastic wand into the sacred liquid. She rested it on her hoof and brought it close to her lips. With one swift blow, a shining butterfly was born. It floated around the room, with much consent from the audience. Fluttershy squealed when it neared her, it twirling around her head. Her once covered eyes being revealed to glowing large ones that stared in awe. It flew away, back near Derpy and with a pop! It vanished. “Do more! Do more!” Fluttershy cried in excitement, bouncing up and down. Ponies like me, was the only thought that went through Derpy’s head over and over again as the show continued. Ponies really like me! Nopony noticed seven bubbles that had appeared on the grey filly’s flank. *** What a bittersweet day this is, Derpy thought as she glanced at her sides. They were occupied by two of her best friends, Raindrops and Fluttershy, donned with royal blue caps and gowns. The gowns were extremely annoying as they didn’t have holes for your wings. “I really don’t understand why there are no wing holes!” grumbled Raindrops. Derpy could see her wings trying to open under the restricting outfit. She had really grown out of the follower she once was and was really an independent mare now. Derpy watched her with pride. It was slightly depressing knowing that her friend had changed. “It’s really not that bad,” Fluttershy muttered in her soft voice. Well, some things don’t change. Derpy thought with a giggle. A short cyan mare landed in front of the three, followed by a large hazel griffon who looked down at the trio in disgust. “Hey guys, what’s up?” Rainbowdash greeted. “Where’s your gown?” Derpy asked, eyeing her rebellious friend. She shrugged, “Too restricting,” “Dash, why are you talking to these lame-os?” Gilda the griffon sneered. She growled at the hurt mares. What kind of friend of Rainbowdash’s is this? Derpy thought. She could tell that her friends were thinking the same. None of them had really met Gilda until today. “Gilda!” Rainbowdash snapped, “These are my friends!” “Pfft, you don’t need these guys when you have me,” She flipped pointed her beak up. “Just buzz off!” Rainbowdash playfully hollered. “Humph,” Gilda flew away with one flap of her giant eagle wings. “Fluttershy, where are your parents?” Rainbowdash wondered. She began jumping up and down in anxiety, patting her hair, and making sure there was nothing in her teeth. “Have you said good things about me in your letters?” “Rainbowdash, you don’t need to worry,” Fluttershy reassured the antsy pegasus. “Hopefully they won’t even come,” Fluttershy sighed. “Fluttershy… are those them?” Raindrops asked. “Oh no,” Fluttershy moaned, hiding behind her long pink hair. Soon, tiny dots in the distance were now full sized ponies. Both adorned the signature cobalt blue Wonderbolt flight suits. They swirled around mid-air, causing a blur of colours. Within that little tornado filled time, the couple had removed the flight suits revealing the true parents they were. The mare was very small, even smaller than Rainbowdash. She was a crisp white with stylish bubblegum pink hair; the mane was swept up so that it curled slightly. The stallion was tall and lean, a bright yellow with blazing orange hair that seemed to act like fire. It was standing tall and spiky, yet very natural looking. Both of the pegasi scanned the line of students stopping at the pony whose face was hidden behind the thick curtain of hair. “Fluttershy!” They called, waving their hooves in the air. This only caused Fluttershy to quickly hide behind a puzzled Derpy. A tiny grey colt flew up to the couple in a jagged path, notepad and pen clenched tightly in his maw. “Wonderbolts!” He cheered, wings beginning to flap even faster. Well, a little too fast. Soon, he was plummeting down, the whole crowd too slow to react, but The Wonderbolts were the fastest ponies in Equestria. Soon, two pairs of hooves were under the little colt, and he was set on the ground. “Be careful there, kiddo,” The tall stallion ruffled the colt’s mane. “Can I have your autographs?” He looked up at his two heroes with pleading eyes. Fluttershy’s parents giggled and took the pen in mouths. With quick scribbles, the colt soon had the autographs of the most famous pegasi in all of Equestria. “Mama, mama! I got their autographs!” The little colt bounced away, a huge crowd of parents now circling them. “Sweet Celestia,” Fluttershy cried, now looking at the crowd. “Students, please line up!” the mare from their first day shouted. Everypony quickly filed up. “Now, siblings, parents, teachers, we have all watched these young colts and fillies turn into these mature mares and stallions that stand before you today. These ponies have really progressed in their education and physical ability. That’s what we strive for, here at Cloudsdale Flight School. Before I start to go on and on, let’s hear from one of our valedictorians, Rainbowdash,” Hooves made contact with hooves as everypony clapped, Rainbowdash trotted up to the stage, gown fully on, hair tied up into a neat bun. Wow, she can change fast, Derpy thought, chuckling at the very different Rainbowdash. “Everypony who has attended this prestigious flight school has gone through-“ Okay, Derpy thought, rolling her eyes. This is getting ridiculous, what kind of mask is she putting on?! I don’t even know who she is anymore! She usually rolls her eyes at these kind of things, Rainbowdash, what’s wrong with you? Derpy peered at both her friends and realized that they were probably thinking the same thing too. “-thanks to this here school, I got my cutie mark, just as many of my colleagues have. Mine was given to me for my destiny for flying, and I can never forget the moment. I was having a race with a few of my… friends. I began to race ahead, I was in the lead! That’s when I created a sonic rainboom,” This was received with gasps from the audience. “This school has helped me gain the ability to attempt and succeed at doing a legendary move. For this, I can only say-“ Ah yes, I remember that day. Fluttershy got her cutie mark at around the same time, based on what she said. That day, she fell below the cloudy surface, and touched earth for the first time. This was when the sonic rainboom struck. It scared all the animals living there and lead Flutterhshy to realizing that she was great with animals. Oh, but I shouldn’t leave Raindrops out! She is quite the amazing weather artist, me exactly the opposite. I wish I had those skills. I remember, I was sitting next to her, and the teacher was complimenting her… I think. The whole class loved her art and… it just appeared! Mine is so lame compared to all of them… bubbles? What does that do? “Thank you,” Rainbowdash bowed her head, receding back into the line. That’s when the real boredom started. Monotonously, they called up each pony, by best grades in flight school- well, really how well you flew. It really was humiliating, well, not for Rainbowdash. She was the first called up and received her award with much grace, though Derpy could tell that she was jumping with joy. Soon, there were only two ponies left without any certificate- and you, the reader could definitely guess who. “Fluttershy,” the microphone sighed. “Eep,” Fluttershy shrieked, quickly scurrying up to the podium. “Uh, thank you,” was all she murmured into the microphone, it just barely catching the whisper. “YEAH! THAT’S MY FILLY!” Fluttershy’s father hollered. “GO FLUTTERSHY!” her mother screamed. “Meep,” The butter coloured pegasus’ face turned to a rosy pink. She quickly darted away, back to her friend Derpy, the very last. “And finally,” the voice called, “… Derpy,” The tone was obviously that of disgust. The mare speaker sneered as the grey mare proudly floated to the tall, mahogany podium. “Thank you everypony! Now, I just wanted to say that my experience at this lovely school has really changed me. I have learned the powers of friendship and hate, I have powered through everything that has been thrown at me. It has really prepared me for the harshness of reality. Really, I would love to thank each and every pony-“ “And that concludes our graduation ceremony,” The mare said again in her dull voice. She walked to the podium, not even caring that Derpy was there. Everypony once standing on the stage quickly jumped off, a sad cross eyed Derpy following suit. “That was rude!” cried Rainbowdash who had ripped the restricting gown off, testing her wings. “Oh my, yes, that was quite something-“ Fluttershy’s eyes shrunk to pinpoints as she heard two extremely loud booming voices. “SWEETIE!” They cried. The two members of the Wonderbolts zoomed toward their daughter, burying her in a frenzy of warm embraces and smooches on the face. “Meep,” she whimpered. Rainbowdash and Raindrops reared back in laughter, Rainbowdash practically crying. I wonder what it’s like, Derpy thought as she looked upon the phenomenon occurring before her. To love and be loved, what is it truly like? Very suddenly, the couple turned around. “GIRLS!” They cried, smothering the trio in a group hug. “Er, hi Missus and Mister Feather,” Raindrops greeted, her voice coming out muffled. “Oh please, call us Speedway and Cloud Hopper,” Her father chuckled, breaking the hug. “Dad,” Fluttershy whined, slamming a hoof to her forehead. “I’m surprised you recognized us,” Rainbowdash smiled, though all her friends could tell she was about to burst with excitement. “Well, Fluttershy here talks about you so much in her letters! It was so easy to spot you three!” Her mother giggled, oblivious to the practically crying daughter. “OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!” Rainbowdash squealed. “You’re Wonderbolts!” “Yeah, Fluttershy told us that you were a big fan, Rainbowdash,” the small mare nodded toward her, causing the rainbow-maned pegasus to almost faint. “It’s just that I’m a huge fan-“ “There’s my girl!” A proud voice howled. A periwinkle stallion trotted over to Rainbowdash, ruffling the identically coloured mane. “How’s my valedictorian?” He cooed, his golden eyes gushing with pride. “Dad!” Rainbowdash giggled. “Er- I mean,” she straightened herself out and muttered, “I mean, what’s up?” Raindrops and Fluttershy giggled at this little correction. What’s there to be embarrassed about? At least you have a father, Derpy thought, stone faced. “Raindrops?” A wavering voice called. “Mom?” The receiver called. Soon, a stout, cream coloured unicorn mare was atop of her daughter, smothering her in kisses. “I’m so proud of you!” She cried into her own aquamarine mane. No pony is proud of me, Derpy thought bitterly, a frown forming. “Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry you got cut off,” Fluttershy’s mother cried, hugging the grey mare yet again. “That must have hurt so much!” “No worries Miss- er- Cloud Hopper. It’s fine,” Derpy reassured with a smile. “Well, you took it really well! Honestly, between you and me, I don’t think you and Fluttershy should’ve been at the very end. Did you see that fat colt in the beginning? He was panting when he got up to the podium!” He shout-whispered followed by a hearty laugh. “Speedy!” Cloud Hopper teased, though she began to giggle herself. Derpy really enjoyed hanging out with Fluttershy’s parents. It almost made her feel like she had a pair. Just hearing them laugh made her happy, it was enough to sustain her mood for a while. Derpy glanced upon her giggling friends, knowing, no, wishing that this could last forever. *** Derpy let the remaining tears flow out, comfortable with her five best friends. They all sat at the usual round pastel coloured table in their favorite bakery Sugar Cube Corner. “Here you are, dearies,” Mrs. Cake, a plump, shining blue mare trotted over with a tray full of cupcakes with pink frosting that matched her unique hair style. She set it down before the six. “Derpy, it’s okay, here, have a muffin, on the house,” Mrs. Cake took off the banana nut muffin that was sitting on the tray. She knew that Derpy would need it. “Thanks Mrs. Cake,” She said through puffy eyes. Mrs. Cake nodded as she trotted away, leaving the party to their thoughts. “Sweet Celestia, I remember Flash well,” Raindrops snorted. “I would have smacked him in the head!” Vinyl yelled, her magenta glasses glinting with the fire burning in her eyes. “How-how dare he!” Her white horn glowed the same blue of her hair as she flared up. “Now Vinyl, calm down,” Octavia reassured, placing a soft gray hoof on her significant other’s back. Octavia embraced the raging pony, calming her down. Her neat jet black hair fell across her companion’s shoulders. “Derpy, we gotta figure out a way for you to face these problems,” Lyra continued, levitating the delicious cupcake up in her golden aura and stuffing it into her open maw. The pink frosting smeared into her aquamarine. “Maybe count to ten?” Bonbon suggested, though she already knew from past experience that that didn’t help at all. “Oh,” Lyra giggled through a mouth full of cupcake, “we know how well that has worked in the past,” Lyra guffawed, falling out of her chair and rolling around on the floor. “Why, I oughta,” Bonbon began to turn red. “Oh, come on, we gotta be talking about Derpy here, we don’t need to know about your love life,” Vinyl teased. “LOVE LIFE?!” The duo screamed in unison. “Shush! We are in a public area!” Octavia scolded, glaring at the three ponies. “Hehe,” Derpy giggled, watching all her friends, “HAHAHAHA!” She fell beside her unicorn friend, rolling around on the floor. She nearly choked on her delicious muffin. Now I know what friendship is like, Derpy thought as Raindrops helped her friend back to the chair. She gazed at her five friends, happiness clear in her eyes. “Thanks guys,” “Whatever for darling?” Octavia wondered, her violet eyes full of confusion. “For being my friends,” She said with much warmth. “Aw!” Raindrops squealed. She strangled her friend in a vice grip, the rest following suit. “That is so sweet-“ “DERPY!” A nasally male voice hollered. A cream coloured lanky stallion rushed through the door. He had poufy coffee coloured hair that bounced around. A navy blue cap was resting atop which matched a collared shirt that he adorned. ‘SPEEDY SERVICE’ was sewed upon it. His brown eyes were bursting with flames which matched his grinding teeth. “Oh no,” Derpy moaned, covering her face. “LOOK. UP. AT. ME.” He growled, glaring daggers into the whimpering mare. Slowly, she gazed up. “WHERE WERE YOU?!” he screamed, causing Derpy to shrink back in fear. “I COME BACK FROM BREAK AND FIND OUT THAT NOPONY GOT THEIR MAIL! WHAT. HAPPENED?” “I… sort of bumped into somepony…” She muttered, acting like a filly being scolded by her father. “I promise, it won’t happen again!” “Derpy,” The stallion sighed, his normal form resurfacing. “I’m afraid I… am going to have to let you go,” “What?” Derpy whispered, tears welling up. “But you said I’m your best mailpony!” She screamed in a rush. “Fastest mailpony is what I said. I mean, you are one of the only pegasi that deliver… Your eyes might be the main problem. You should go have them fixed,” “Now wait just a minute!” Vinyl slammed a hoof down onto the table, surprising everypony present in the bakery. She stormed up to Derpy’s boss. “You’re no worse than a bully!” She screamed. “Pfft,” The mailpony began to walk away, then turned his head and shouted, “Stop living in your little fairy world, Miss Scratch. You need to face reality at some point. Derpy, hope you can find a job. I’m sure your friends will be a lot of help,” He trotted away, out of the bakery. Everypony shifted awkwardly as they glanced at Derpy. Help? How am I supposed to get a job, tell me that boss. I’m not musically talented like Vinyl, Octavia or Lyra, I’m not good at making weather like Raindrops, and I cannot make baked goods. What am I supposed to do now, boss? Tell me! Derpy sighed as she gobbled down the rest of her fluffy muffin. “See you guys… later…” She ran out of the bakery, trying to escape the feelings of pity that would be thrown at her. *** Tears streamed down her eyes as she stared at her stupid reflection in the pond. This was all to Derpy, her favorite spot. It was located just out of Ponyville for easy access. A perfect spot to think, it was the only way Derpy could escape from reality. She pulled out her bubble bottle from her nearly empty saddlebag. The mare gently twisted the cap off and in one swift movement had the wand poised and ready for the first creation. In six quick dip and blows, she soon had six silhouettes, one for each of her five friends and herself. This brightened her mood a bit as they floated around, Bubble Lyra bumping into Bubble Bonbon, Bubble Octavia and Vinyl floating with each other, and Bubble Raindrops bouncing about. Sadly, within a few seconds, Bubble Derpy was gone with a pop! This is when Derpy really began to sob. She wailed realizing this must be fate. I knew it, my friends don’t even like me! I bet they all just feel sorry for me and try to include me. No one likes me, heck, my mother didn’t even want me. Boss doesn’t want me either! Flash was right, I can’t believe this town made me a mailpony. I can’t believe the orphanage took me in. Or flight school. Or the landlord of the house, Derpy thought, staring into her ugly reflection. She stomped into it with great fury. Why was she cursed with this life? Maybe disappearing would make everything better. It would ease the pain. Derpy began to slowly, yet without hesitation, walk into the pond. Soon all the pain will be gone, she reassured herself. The grey mare continued into the water until her head was below. She allowed herself to open her eyes, one last time, and take in the final scene to her demise. Soon, everypony will be happy, gently shutting her eyes, she smiled and relaxed. Soon, all the hurt will- BOOM! Derpy shot open her eyes and took in a deep breath, though she forgot where she was at the moment. Soon, liquid was filling up her lungs. Using her wings to push her up, she broke the surface, sputtering and coughing up tons of water. She glanced around quickly, trying to find the source as her breaths drew quicker. A large cobalt blue box was resting on the damp earth. Derpy quickly jumped out of the water, shaking off the wet like a dog. The box was tall and slim, quite rectangular. What seemed like doors stood on all sides. There was strange script printed atop of each door, definitely not Equestrian. Derpy walked around the strange object multiple times. Is it mail? She wondered. Suddenly, one of the doors opened on the other side of the ‘mail’. Derpy quickly ran to the side, smoke emitting from the open doorway. A voice called out to her…