//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Day At The Park Part 2 // Story: Derpy: Overcoming Trials // by vincent5000x //------------------------------// (9_6) “Because they are a rich source of nutrients that can promote better health and possibly prevent a number of serious medical problems!” Carrot Top snapped. “Yes I know that, but I was just trying to say that eating them for every meal of the day doesn't necessarily add to its value,” Dian replied calmly. “Then again, I believe I just figured out why your so… orange.” “Did you just insult me?” Carrot Top questioned, looking back towards Derpy and Minerva. “I think she just insulted me! Where I come from, those are fighting words!” Derpy and Minerva could barely contain their laughter as they clung to one another for support. “Carrot...Carrot Top!” Minerva wheezed through her laughs. “You do realize you're getting into a health argument with a “health teacher“, right?” “I’m not arguing with her,” Dian quickly replied, a small playful grin on her face. “I’m merely pointing out that her diet of mostly carrot based products isn't as healthy as she believes. Plus my father is a dietitian who taught me everything he knows.” “I don’t just eat carrots,” Carrot Top responded as she held her head high. “I eat a healthy assortment of fruits and vegetables.” “With a side of carrots,” Derpy added through her laughs. “And I thought we were… friends…” Carrot Top began to reply as her eyes drifted past Derpy. “Derpy!” a all too familiar voice yelled from behind. Derpy could already feel her anger begin to rise as she turned to look behind herself. “I need to talk to you!” Shooting Star just about shouted from a distance. “Then by all means, keep yelling at her,” Dilvent huffed as he pushed past the pegasus and up to his friends. “So what I miss?” For several moments, nopony spoke. Even Dian and Lily kept their silence as an uncomfortable feeling filled the air. “What are you doing here?” Derpy finally snapped, pulling Dinky in closer to her chest. “Well you see I…” “How did you even know we would be here?” Derpy interrupted. She tried to keep her calm so as not to startle Dinky, but she knew she wouldn't be able to hold out for long. “Well, Dilvent told me and…” “You told her where we were?!” Derpy once again interrupted, shooting a glare at the stallion. “You ate all the snacks!” Dilvent said, oblivious to Derpy’s question. “I was hoping you would have left me something,” he pouted. “I’m talking to you!” Derpy said louder than she intended. Looking down to make sure she hadn’t scared Dinky, Derpy was shocked to see her looking up at her with mild confusion. (o^o) “Why are you so angry mommy?” Dinky stared up at her mother in mild confusion. Then at the pony that had just showed up. She remembered seeing her somewhere before, but couldn't remember. “Derpy, can I please talk to you?” the pony asked, a pleading look in her eyes. “How about no!” Derpy replied in a huff. Dinky looked back at her mother and cringed slightly. She didn't like seeing her angry and began to wonder what the pony had done to get her that way. (9_6) “You're scaring my daughter,” Derpy continued, noticing Dinky twitch slightly in her grasp. “Derpy, please,” Shooting Star began to beg. “I just want to apologize to the both of you for what I did!” “There is nothing you can say or do to make up for what you did,” Derpy seethed as she stared angrily at Shooting Star. “If it were up to me, you’d be rotting in jail right now.” “Derpy, please,” Shooting Star begged once again. “I feel horrible for what I did…” “And you should!” Derpy nearly yelled. “You put the two of us in danger!” “If anypony needs us, me and Lily will be at the sandbox,” Dian nervously chuckled as she levitated her daughter onto her back and rushed off. But Derpy never noticed them leave as she kept her eye fixed on Shooting Star, making sure she wasn't out of sight for even a fraction of a moment. “Derpy, maybe you should listen to what she has to say,” Dilvent began. “I know your not happy with her but…” “I’ll handle you later!” Derpy shot back without looking. “But right now I want her to leave.” “I’ll go, but just let me apologize first,” Shooting Star tried to beg. “No!” Derpy yelled, barely noticing Dinky flinch from its intensity. “You don't even deserve the chance after everything you've done!” (o^o) “Please stop yelling mommy, you're scaring me.” Dinky pressed her face into her mother's chest. The once calm and smooth heartbeat she was accustomed to hearing was now rapid. “I don’t know what she did, but it sounds like she’s really sorry.” “Derpy, maybe you should calm down,” Carrot Top said as she began to rub the top of Dinky’s head. “You're scaring Dinky.” “No, she’s scared because she remembers what Shooting Star did to her!” Derpy replied. “Please make mommy stop.” Dinky looked up at Carrot Top as she felt her eyes begin to water. (9_6) “Then at least let me take Dinky over to the sandbox so you can yell at Shooting Star all you want?” Carrot Top huffed. “Fine,” Derpy snapped as she allowed Carrot Top to take Dinky from her. “We’ll just be over there if anypony needs us,” Carrot Top hesitantly said before she walked off towards the sandbox with Dinky on her back. “Derpy,” Shooting Star began again once Carrot Top was out of hearing distance. “I’m sorry for what I did to the both of you and I want to properly apologize.” Derpy remained silent as she stood up and made her way over to Shooting Star, a mixed look of anger and determination visible on her face. “I’m going to tell you one more time,” Derpy began, pushing her face close to Shooting Star’s as she bared her teeth in a scowl. “Leave!” (o^o) Even from the distance Carrot Top had brought her, Dinky heard her mother yell at the pony to leave. It scared her hearing just how angry her mother was at a pony who looked as if she just wanted to apologize. “Why does mommy have to yell like that?” Dinky could still feel her tears as Carrot Top began to nuzzle her softly. “It’s ok Dinky, Derpy’s just afraid of you getting hurt again,” Carrot Top tried to explain. “Do you mind if I ask what’s going on?” Lily’s mother asked from nearby. “I’m sorry Miss Dian, but its not my place to say,” Carrot Top replied. “But I do hope she at least calms down soon. What was Dilvent thinking bringing Shooting Star here when Derpy was with Dinky?” “He probably thought she would act calmer than this,” Dian replied calmly. “What do you mean?” Carrot Top asked. “Well, I know if I was really mad at somepony, I’d try to keep my calm if Lily were there,” Dian began, carefully wiping some of Dinky’s tears off her cheek. “Dilvent probably thought that if Dinky was there, Derpy wouldn’t react in such a… threatening manner.” “I guess that kind of makes sense,” Carrot Top sighed. Once again, Dinky felt the tears roll down her face as she tried to understand what was said. “Even though I was there, mommy was still too angry at that pony to care?” “Don’t cry Dinky,” Lily said as she made her way over to comfort her friend. “She just wants you to be safe.” “Carrot Top, could you watch Lily as well for a second?” Dian asked. “Sure, but why?” Carrot Top asked as Lily’s mother began to walk back towards the commotion. “Because somepony needs to stop this petty squabbling before a fight breaks out,” Dian replied as she continued forward. (9_6) “Derpy…” Shooting Star began for the eighth time. “I said no!” Derpy interrupted. “Why can’t you get that through your head already, I don’t want you anywhere near my daughter! If I have to tell you one more time to leave, I will find the police and have you arrested!” “Derpy, please!” Shooting Star begged, tears in her eyes. “I believe that’s enough of that!” Dian snapped as a magical force began pulling Derpy away from Shooting Star. “Miss Dian, what are you…” Derpy began before Dian interrupted her. “I’m ending a petty squabble before it escalates to a point even I wouldn’t be able to stop,” Dian responded. “I don’t know what occurred to cause such hostilities between you two, but it better end soon,” Dian continued as she kept her eyes locked onto Derpy. “But she…” Derpy tried to say before she was interrupted once again. “Save it for the school counselor,” Dian quickly told her. “Because I’m going to be talking with them later to set up an appointment to help settle this once and for all!” “And if I don’t want to?” Derpy questioned. “Then that,” Dian pointed a hoof towards the sandbox, “will continue to happen!” Looking towards the sandbox, Derpy’s heart sank. Even from the distance, Derpy could see Dinky crying as both Lily and Carrot Top tried to comfort her. “But she…” Derpy began as she looked back at Shooting Star. It was only then that she noticed the mare crying as she shook in fear. “Exactly,” Dian began as she noticed Derpy’s look of self-loathing. Turning towards Shooting Star, “Miss Star, you can go now. I’ll let you know when the appointment is with the councilor.” “Y…yes Miss Dian,” Shooting Star chirped. Shooting one quick concerned glance at Dilvent, Shooting Star turned and rushed off. “Now,” Dian continued as she looked back at Derpy. “You are going to go apologize to your daughter for scaring her and we are going to continue the rest of today as if that little incident never happened, understand?” “Yes, Miss Dian,” Derpy sighed as she began to walk towards the sandbox. But just as she was passing Dilvent, she stopped. “Don’t think I’ll forget what you did Dilvent,” she snapped as she shot him a glare. Dilvent merely shrunk back into his jacket as a mixed look crossed his face. (o^o) Dinky watched with tears still in her eyes as her mother slowly made her way over towards the sandbox, frowning as she stared at the ground. “You're not angry anymore, are you mommy?” Dinky put on a hopeful smile as Derpy stood in front of her. “I’m sorry muffin, I didn’t mean to scare you like that,” Derpy apologized as she softly nuzzled the side of Dinky’s face. “I was just so mad at her that I didn't know I was the one that was scaring you. Can you ever forgive me?” “Its ok mommy, I know you just want me to be safe.” Dinky wrapped her hooves around Derpy’s neck as she hugged her mother tightly, happy that she wasn't yelling anymore. (9_6) “So,” Carrot Top began, “now that that very awkward encounter with Shooting Star is over, can we actually do something?” “How about we make sandcastles!” Lily chirped as her mother and Minerva arrived. “That sounds like fun,” Derpy said, looking back towards the bags. Only Dilvent stayed by the bags, whether it was because he wanted to keep an eye on them or was to ashamed, Derpy didn't really care at the moment. "He was just trying to help in his own weird kind of way," Minerva said as she caught Derpy’s attention. Derpy shook her head. “I don’t care what he was trying to do. He knows how much I hate her and not only led her to me, but did it when Dinky was there.” “I know I may have over reacted back there, but it doesn't excuse the fact that he betrayed my trust.” Derpy continued to watch Dilvent sulk, dreading the fact that she had to go over there to get Dinky’s bucket and shovel. “I’ll be right back,” Derpy mumbled as she walked back towards the bags. Dilvent continued to sit where he was, quietly mumbling to himself, as Derpy reached into her bags and pulled out a small plastic bucket and shovel. “You don’t have to sulk over here you know,” Derpy said as she paused in front of the stallion for a moment. “Put the bags into the wagon and pull it over to the sandbox.” “Right!” Dilvent snapped a little too loudly as he began putting everything into the red wagon. Within moments, he was rushing towards the sandbox with Derpy not that far behind. “So you forgave him?” Minerva asked as the two of them walked up. “No,” Derpy replied with a blank expression. “But this is better then having him sulk out in the open.” “I wasn't sulking… I was…” Dilvent began only to lose himself in his quiet mumbles. “How about we forget everything that just happened and enjoy the rest of today?” Carrot Top asked as she took the bucket and shovel from Derpy. “I like that idea!” Dilvent blurted out with a look of hopefulness. For several moments, Derpy watched as Dilvent continued to shift from worry to hopefulness and then back again several times. “For now…” Derpy grumbled, taking a seat next to Dinky, “and Carrot Top, give back that pail and shovel.” “But I’m not done with the irrigation system yet,” Carrot Top whined as she sat by several small mounds of sand formed in parallel lines. “You can't actually expect to grow something in a sandbox?” Dian questioned from her position next to Lily. “No, but this is a great chance to teach Dinky what auntie Carrot does back home,” Carrot Top chimed with a smile. “Auntie Carrot...?” Derpy began as she looked at her friend with a blank expression. “It’s only right,” Carrot Top said with a smile while she flattened out her sand mounds. “Every pony needs a aunt and or uncle who spoils them silly with candy, toys, and the occasional foal-napping to amusement parks.” “Carrot Top,” Derpy began, a smile slowly forming on her face. “If I ever find out you took Dinky anywhere without my permission, your flank isn't the only place the police are going to find carrots.” For several seconds, nopony spoke as the only sound came from the two playing foals. “Tartarus hath no fury like a mothers scorn,” Minerva forcefully chuckled, breaking the silence. (o^o) “But I’m… not tired… yet.” Dinky let out a small yawn as her mother set her gently in the wagon, snuggling up in the soft blanket that it held. Only after three hours of constant fun, did Dinky finally feel exhaustion begin to take hold. “Play…” Dinky lifted her head and watched her mother put her bags back on. “Go to sleep muffin, you had a long day,” Derpy softly said, giving Dinky a quick nuzzle. “Bye Dinky,” Lily called from her mothers back with a yawn. “See you Monday.” “Bye Lily…” Dinky laid her head back down and fell into a deep sleep. (9_6) “Isnt that adorable,” Minerva cooed, looking down at Dinky as she fell asleep. “Yeah,” Derpy said with a smile. “Well,” Dian began, drawing everyponies attention. “Excluding that little outburst, today has actually been very nice.” “Outburst is putting it lightly,” Carrot Top grumbled. “Can we go now? I want to get this ice cream out of my mane.” “Hey, I said I was sorry,” Dilvent happily chuckled. But as Derpy shot him a glare, he quickly fell silent and stared at the ground. “Anyways,” Dian began once again. “I’ll get with the counselor tomorrow and have her set up something so you and Shooting Star can settle this little spat of yours, okay?” “Hurray…” Derpy grumbled as she turned to leave. “Bye,” all the others called as Derpy began to walk down the semi busy street. Once she was two blocks away, the sound of rapidly approaching hoof beats caught her attention. “Derpy!” Dilvent called as he quickly rushed up next to her. “Could you please not yell, Dinky is napping,” Derpy scolded. “Oh, sorry,” Dilvent quickly replied. “Look, I just wanted to…” “What, find out my schedule for tomorrow?” Derpy interrupted. She could feel her anger building up once again and didn't want to have another outburst. “Wait, I was just…” Dilvent tried to start again as Derpy picked up her pace. “I said we’d handle that some other time,” Derpy interrupted again. “I understand you were just doing… whatever it is you do, but I’m still mad at you right now.” “Okay,” Dilvent stuttered, stopping in his tracks. Derpy didn't bother stopping as she continued down the street. Within minutes, she was back home, laying Dinky softly in her own bed. “So how was your day?” A gruff voice asked from the doorway of Derpy’s room. “It had a rough start, but it got better and Dinky had a great day,” Derpy replied, walking out of the room to let Dinky sleep a little longer. “Rough start?” Mr. Hooves questioned as he followed his daughter to the kitchen. “Shooting Star showed up, and well, you can guess what happened,” Derpy grumbled as she looked through the cupboards. “I can arrest her if you want,” Derpy’s father replied with a chuckle. “Did she come within twenty feet of Dinky, or did she physically do anything?” Derpy felt a sudden urge to say yes, a growing desire to finally get Shooting Star arrested and put in jail. But as she thought, she decided that it would be a lie. “No, she kept her distance and didn't touch anypony.” “Than what did she want?” Derpy’s father asked as he snatched a box of crackers from Derpy’s hooves. “To apologize!” Derpy snapped as she took the box back and put it away. “And you can guess how that went.” “Well, putting in the factors that you're my daughter, a reasonable mare, and I raised you right… you forgave her and spent the afternoon catching up.” “...no” Derpy grumbled, her head sinking low. “I ended up yelling at her and not only scaring Dinky, but put both of them in tears.” “Oh… well, that’s problematic,” Derpy’s father replied with a frown. “Miss Dian ended up separating us and said that she’s going to set something up with the school counselor,” Derpy continued, groaning as she took a seat at the table. “Smart move by her,” Derpy’s father said with a slightly concerned tone. “What do you mean?” Derpy asked, a tone of worry in her voice. “By the looks of it, this whole thing between you and Shooting Star could be a problem,” Derpy’s father began. “I've seen things like this turn violent and if you make any mistakes before Dinky’s fully adopted… there’s a chance that they would take Dinky out of your care.” “Oh… I didn't think of that,” Derpy said as her ears dropped. “So, should I forgive her?” “I’m not saying that,” Derpy’s father replied with a blank expression. “But it would help. But then again, I'll let the school counselor help with that. Its what they're trained to do and it probably won't be put on any records.” “I guess…” Derpy grumbled, already dreading that meeting. “Good, now how about I get started on dinner then?” Derpy’s father asked with a genuine smile. “Okay,” Derpy said as she made her way out of the room. But just as she was about to leave, her father asked one last question. “How did Shooting Star know where to find you in the first place?”