//------------------------------//
// Quest for a Cure 
// Story: Eyes of the Beholder 
// by Blees 
//------------------------------//

	"This could be pretty hard."

"C'mon, Twilight, don't say that.  You can do anything!"

Twilight resumed pacing around the library.  Pinkie and Derpy stood in the center, watching their magical friend.  Derpy had been promised a solution to her clumsiness, and, according to Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle was the one to provide the answer.  However, for ten minutes, Twilight had paced the well-worn path around the library while looking at books and not a single solution had been given.  Impatient, Derpy stamped her hoof.

"Twilight, please!  Do you even know what's wrong with me?"

Twilight stopped mid-pace and returned to Derpy and Pinkie.  "Well, from what I can tell, it's your eyes.  She appears to be suffering from strabismus, a rare condition in Equestria which usually afflicts wildlife, but on occassion has been known to..."

Pinkie raised a streamer-covered hoof.  "Twilight?  I don't understand at all."

Twilight sighed.  "What I'm saying is that since her eyes are always crossed, she can't always see where she's going, so she bumps into things.  It's not her fault, really."

"So you know what's wrong with me," interjected Derpy.  "Can you fix it?"

Twilight returned to her pacing path.  "I don't know.  I've consulted the books I thought could help, but there's no information on strabismus.  I'm sorry, Derpy."

Derpy turned to Pinkie.  "I thought Twilight came up with the answers."

Pinkie laughed.  "No, she usually comes up with the answers.  Let's let her study while we check with the rest of the gang.  Maybe they can help!  Is that OK, Twi?

Twilight kept pacing, oblivious to the conversation near her.  Pinkie laughed again.  "That means yes.  Let's go!"

Pinkie and Derpy left the library.  Derpy's happy spirit was being tested today, but she was still hopeful.  "So, who are we going to visit first?" she asked.

"Well, Fluttershy is really good at helping animals," said Pinkie.  "Maybe she can help you too!"

As they trotted through the market on their way to Fluttershy's cottage, Derpy couldn't help but notice that everypony was hiding from her.  None of the shops were open, all of the windows and doors were closed, and a few nervous faces could be seen peering from behind a shrub.  This reputation was exactly what she hoped to reverse, and she continued on with a renewed sense of urgency.  As they left the main town and started down the rougher trail to meet Fluttershy, Derpy started to run ahead.  She didn't want to waste anytime; if Fluttershy could help her, there was no time to waste.  She darted towards the cottage on a hill, straight into her mailbox.  Hearing the crash, Fluttershy poked her head out of her window.

"Oh my.  Are you all right, Derpy?"

Derpy picked herself back up.  "Yes, I'm fine.  I'm here to.."  Dizzy from the impact, she lost her footing and fell down.

"You got mail, Fluttershy," stated Pinkie as she trotted past Derpy.  "Also, Derpy needs help uncrossing her eyes."

Fluttershy removed herself from the window and had soon joined the pair outside.  "I see.  What can I do?"

"Well," began Pinkie Pie, "Twilight said she has stalactites, and I know you can help animals, so I thought you could help ponies, so I brought Derpy here so you could help her!  Can you help her?"

"Oh, I don't know," Fluttershy said softly.  "I mean, I've never dealt with this kind of thing before.  What if I make it worse?"  She squeaked and rushed back inside her cottage.

Derpy picked herself back up and slowly made her way to Fluttershy's door.  "Please, Fluttershy.  There's no way you can make it worse; I'm already as bad as can be."

After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open and Fluttershy's quiet voice whispered through.  "Well, if you think I can help, I guess you can come in.  But please be careful.  Angel's taking his nap."


Inside, a multitude of animals were arranged.  Angel, Fluttershy's faithful rabbit, was curled up on the sofa.  In the kitchen, sparrows and cardinals were crafting a new nest.  A deer was trying (and failing) to enter through the back window.  Under the coffee table, a mouse and a june bug shared the left-over crumbs of the communal meal.  Derpy couldn't remember the last time she had entered an area more ripe for destruction.  If she could just control herself, maybe this would be the first step to recovery.  Fluttershy motioned towards a clear space on the rug, as she took up residence on the couch next to Angel.  Derpy cleared her throat.  "Well..."

"So you see," interrupted Pinkie, "Twilight doesn't know how to fix Derpy's stalagmites, and so we thought our friends could help, so we were wondering what you can do to help.  Sooooooo...what can you do to help?"  Her eyes blinked rapidly; her wide eyes and pouted lips would make even the coldest heart melt.

Fluttershy, far from the coldest heart, was instantly moved.  "Oh, you poor dear.  Let me think."  As she pondered the dilemma, Angel yawned and blinked open her eyes.  Taking note, Fluttershy shifted her attention to her companion.  "Angel, honey, remember our little song."  In a beautiful voice, she sang:

Every bunny needs their sleep
Go to bed, and don't make a peep.
Every bunny must go to bed
Go to sleep, and rest your head.

Angel's head began to nod, and soon, he was resting comfortably again.  Pinkie gasped.  "Fluttershy, that's it!  You could sing a song to help her eyes!  Then she won't have stenography any more!"

"That sounds like a great idea!" Derpy agreed.  "Can you sing a song to help me?"

"Um, I guess so."  Fluttershy leaned forward and studied Derpy.  "OK, I know what to do."  Once again, her singing voice carried through the cottage.

Eyes apart, eyes apart
Always breaking Derpy's heart.
Eyes together, Eyes together
Heart becomes light as a feather.

Pinkie and Fluttershy were now staring intently at Derpy's eyes.  Fluttershy sighed.  "Oh, I knew it wouldn't work."

"It's OK," replied Derpy.  "Thanks for trying."  She stood up and slowly made her way to the door.

Pinkie leapt to her hooves and met Derpy at the door.  "We haven't tried everything yet.  Maybe Rarity can help."  As the pair left the cottage, Pinkie turned around.  "C'mon, Fluttershy.  It'll be fun!"

"Oh...my."