//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Derpy Delivers a Pizza // by DouglasTrotter //------------------------------// Derpy couldn’t help smiling on her nightly visits to Canterlot, taking Dinky whenever she could. Below the serene cloud she sat on, the street lamps gently illuminated the clean streets while the moon’s tender touch reflected off the polished domes of the castle’s rooftops: nothing could take away from the sight. All of it was beyond description, beyond perfection inside the secure walls of Equestria’s capital. It took sixteen minutes to arrive at Canterlot. However, the grey pony had enough time to enjoy her surroundings. She had her favorite spot as usual; a large, single cloud that peacefully hovered above the bakery district. “Muffins…“the pony drooled, quickly wiping her mouth. Mrs. Top’s muffin bakery sat next to her husband’s tea shop. The shop’s owner put fresh trays of muffins into the display window, facing Mane Street, during the early evening hours, always on cue. Their aroma majestically intermingled with Mr. Grey’s tea shop next door. That subtle, sophisticated smell of the fresh baked muffins was unique to Canterlot. However, the mail mare snapped out of her daze, and then slapped her left hoof with her right. “No! No Derpy, you have to deliver this dessert pizza to Princess Celestia. There’s more at stake here than just the owner’s reputation. Your free week of pizzas is on the line.” The pony grumbled while she turned away from the muffin shop, flying towards the castle gate. Sadly, visiting hours for Canterlot Castle had ended two minutes ago and all guards are taught to remain vigilant in the face of adversity. A Canterlot Castle Protector must never bow to anything at anytime. For one earth stallion guard, this was his ultimate test as an innocent face greeted him. Derpy remembered the trick quite well after watching a filly unicorn use it on her big sister. The suave unicorn mare’s only response was to roll her eyes as she agreed to the little pony’s pleas to let her friends spend the night. “Miss, you will have to move along. Vi-visi…” the guard struggled to clear his throat, turning to one side to let out a quick cough. “I’m sorry. The visiting hours for Canterlot Castle are now over. You… wi-will need to leave.” The dutiful mail mare could sense the guard’s will slipping out of his control. Determination was always Derpy’s strong suit, and she quickly switched up her tactics. Closing her eyes and smiling at the guard, the mail mare sat peacefully in front of the earth stallion. “Our visiting hours are over. I am very sorry miss, but you will need to leave,” said a stern voice. The unicorn guardian’s will remained strong as he calmly, and gently, levitated the grey pony into the air, facing her the opposite direction, and sitting her down. Derpy’s determination remained strong as she quickly turned around to face the guard once more. “Miss, I am truly sorry. However, you will need to leave or you will be forcibly removed from the castle grounds.” It was futile. The mail mare saw the unicorn stallion’s strong, determined will in his eyes as he gestured with his royal blue hoof to leave. That determined attitude relented while a quick chill ran down Derpy’s back as she heard the unicorn stallion’s name as she flew to a nearby cloud. Also, understanding why her tactics didn’t work. “Shining Armor, Sir! How were you able to deal with that mare?” the earth stallion said in a surprised tone. “No worries soldier. Some ponies can be particularly tricky. My sister was notorious for her mischievous tactics as a little filly. She tried several times to con me into doing her chores with those same innocent grins, smiles and sad-eyed looks.” “Twily, you still owe me for that day I carried those heavy books home for you from the library,” the unicorn stallion murmured under a quiet breath, smirking as he finished. “The battle had been lost but not the war.” The grey pony thought to herself while taking a seat on the nearby cloud. “Canterlot’s guards are always on guard. I could fly over the wall: no, that won’t work. The boss yelled at me the last time I did that. He’ll never let me heard the end of it. I’m just glad that unicorn stallion didn’t recognize me. I didn’t ruin Shining Armor’s romantic moment with his wife. Princess Cadence…” The mail mare’s hushed voice went silent. Remembering “that” encounter, she began to blush. Though it happened a few days after the royal wedding, the event was still fresh in the grey pony’s mind. Thankfully, the light and peaceful image of the moon helped in calming her frayed nerves, allowing the dutiful equine to resume the prior train of thought. However, she remained unaware of the armored pegasus stallion below with the box secured to his back. Though the armored pegasus departed from Mr. Calzone’s restaurant a few minutes before the dutiful mail mare, it took the guard longer to reach Canterlot than normal. The stallion wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, attributing the tired state to the new pegasus colt his wife had given birth to a few weeks ago. “I’m off the clock, so it shouldn’t matter.” Derpy devilishly grinned, deciding to chance it. Paying careful attention to the patrols, the dutiful mare’s opening came. She finally did it. The mail mare was elated to be inside the Canterlot Gardens, and close to her goal. A quick yelp greeted the mail mare. “Ow, did I just hit a brick wall. “Derpy scratched her head. She reached forward with her front hooves – her eyes closed – struggling to understand what she hit. That weird texture was soft and cozy, yet had a strange firmness to it. The mail mare innocently blurted out, “I hope I didn’t knock anypony down. Though I have to say, that’s one well condition body.” “I would hope so my little pony. It is necessary to maintain my figure. Was there something urgent you needed to ask me?” a voice said in a dignified, gentle tone. A cold sense of dread overcame the grey pony as she opened her eyes. It was staring her right in the face, reflecting off of her eyes. The cutie mark of the sun had greeted the mail mare. Derpy suddenly realized that she had flown into Princess Celestia flank.