Chapter 6:
It would seem that she would just have to go home too. Trotting away slowly, Derpy looked up into the sky for the patch of clouds she liked to enter Ponyville from.
“The night is still young, Derpy.” Derpy heard.
Turning to her right where she heard the voice, Trixie trotted towards her. She was holding the ticket in her hooves. Derpy gasped and quickly trotted over to her. Trixie held the ticket too high for Derpy to reach.
“Derpy can beg for the ticket, so Derpy can see Vinyl.” Trixie said grinning.
Derpy looked up at the ticket, looking a little disappointed as Trixie held it out of reach.
“Heh, Trixie is just teasing. Is Derpy sure that Vinyl is just a friend? Derpy sure did a lot today to make sure Derpy can see Vinyl again.” Trixie said
The two ponies trotted in the direction of the grand function hall as Trixie gave her the ticket, Derpy trying to think about what Trixie had suggested.
“But Trixie she is just a friend. She was really nice to me, she stood up for me and protected me.” Derpy finally said.
“Vinyl certainly does seem like a nice catch...” Trixie remarked.
Making their way to the doors of the function hall, Derpy passed by the pony bouncer, flashing her ticket. Derpy looked back at the pony who had been kind enough to walk her there. A familiar wicked grin met her face as she produced her own ticket to show the bouncer. Derpy was awestruck that the pony would have the nerve to place so much value on the ticket when she had one of her own. It was clear that Trixie had spent the whole day simply amusing herself with Derpy.
“What's that look for? Don't act like you didn't have fun with Trixie!” Trixie said.
Derpy shook her head and returned Trixie's mischievous smile with a smile of her own as they entered the club together. The hall was decorated with blue fluorescent lights as Derpy descended onto the main dance floor. To their surprise, nopony was to be seen. That is apart from the pony standing in front of a huge amplifier.
“Vinyl! You doing good?” Derpy asked,
“Brilliant Derpy! We're going to tear this place down.”
Vinyl Scratch, flaunting her usual wild blue hair and eccentric purple tints made her way towards Derpy and her friend, raising her hoof about to Derpy's eye level. Simply looking at it, Derpy tilted her head.
“You never bro hoofed a pony before?” She asked.
Trixie then picked up Derpy's fore hoof and clopped it against Vinyl’s, smiling at her.
“Kinda expected more ponies to come here, Vinyl. What’s going on with that?” Derpy asked.
“Well it's the same reason it's so silent in here Derpy, I'm still setting up. I told my bouncer only to let you in and anypony else that seemed to be with you. Speaking of which, pleased to meet you...?” Vinyl said.
Trixie scoffed at the idea that a pony hadn't heard of her before. Vinyl just looked right back at her with a blank expression.
“It's Trixie, the GREAT and POWERFUL. Anypony would think I was in deep space!” She said.
“...Heh, you fell for it. Of course I know who you are! I think I saw you in Canterlot when I was buying some hardware. Deep space huh? What I wouldn't give to get a gig in deep space, scratch some beats for some alien ponies.” Vinyl replied
Derpy meanwhile was looking at the equipment that stood by the dance floor. Pacing around to her Disc Jockey booth, Vinyl summoned Trixie over to look too.
“What we have back here, is our LCD music visualiser which will turn all our tunes into sweet background effects. These are our speakers that'll be carrying the brunt of our tunes. But then when we turn around, we have our mixer, cross fader, turntables and of course our vinyls. On the other side of this little booth is my brutal bass cannons. Like all good artillery, fully loaded to totally obliterate any poor ponies we put in front of them! It's going to rock!” Vinyl explained
Vinyl had the impression that she had lost the ponies somewhere along the tour, especially Derpy who was fiddling with a curious device off to the side of the room. As she prodded it with her hoof, it began to whirr, releasing a stream of bubbles into the air. She gasped and followed them up into the air, trying to catch them as the machine continued to unleash them.
“Trixie can hear ponies outside. Trixie wonders if Vinyl Scratch is ready for them..!” Trixie challenged.
“DJPON3 is always ready to lay some beats down! Now put that bubble machine off would you? It might take a while to loosen these ponies up enough until their on your awesome wavelength Derpy.” She said.
Trotting over to her booth, Vinyl fiddled with her vinyl collection to find something to put on. In mere minutes, the ponies had began to trot onto the dance floor. They were dressed in zany and brightly coloured clothes, some even wearing the stripy socks that are a craze in Manehatten at the moment. Some of the ponies carried glow sticks in their teeth or wore them around their neck. Vinyl let the hall fill out a bit before she tapped her mic and put it on.
“Good evening mares and gentlecolts! You've arrived at DJPON3's dubstep drop zone! Are you ready to be consumed by the power of music?!” Vinyl yelled over the mic.
As the last of the ponies entered the hall, they cheered back at Vinyl in anticipation. Vinyl placed the record onto her turntable, placing the needle upon it and fading it in. Some lax and melodic electronic music started to play, the ponies on the dance floor swaying and trotting in place. Trixie had walked over to the middle of the dance floor and had began move rhythmically to the beat. Derpy on the other hand was looking more nervous, looking up at Vinyl, unsure of what to do with herself. Vinyl called her over and she jumped up on top of her booth. Turning the mic off for a moment to talk to her.
“This is probably your first time right?” Vinyl asked.
“...Yeah. I don't know how to dance.” She replied.
Letting out a familiar cackle, Vinyl moved her hoof across the dance floor, indicating the ponies before her. Some were simply jumping up and down, and others simply looked like they were going to fall down.
“Does it look like ANY of these ponies know how to dance? Here, I'm about to drop some bass through my girls here, watch me knock them over like bowling pins!” Vinyl said.
The track filling the dance floor began to build in pitch and it started to buckle and distort. Just as it reached it's peak, Vinyl activated her bass cannons and they thumped out sounds so low and loud that it seemed to cause the floor to shake. Then Vinyl used her hoof on her turntable in combination with the mixer to distort the bass savagely. Keeping her hooves busy in her booth, Vinyl played with the melody of the track and the thump of the bass to match the rhythm flawlessly. Derpy watched in amazement as her friend controlled the music, Vinyl enjoying her awe struck expression. The other ponies were lapping the music right up, stomping the dance floor hard in time with the track. As Derpy looked upon her friend in the booth, she could tell she was totally lost in her creative flow, her hooves working the intricate panel instinctively. The music got louder and deeper as it went into a second drop, Derpy leaping up as the bass hit her. After she was over the initial shock she couldn't help but giggle as Vinyl had the track screech and stutter, making all kinds of indescribable noises over it.
“Looks like your starting to feel it! This Derpy, is doing it is what I mean when I say, filthy!” Vinyl yelled from behind her booth.
As the night went on, Vinyl continued to place dubstep records on for all the ponies, adding her personal touch to each one. After a while, Vinyl pointed Derpy towards her bubble machine, which she put on. There was a whoop of excitement as the bubbles began to flow out of it, the other ponies bouncing up and down playfully as if they were fillies. When they were between tracks, Vinyl asked Derpy over again.
“I think it'd be a cool idea if we made you a special mix for the next track! All I need you to do, is say your name, something you like and I dunno a dedication or something.”Vinyl said.
Derpy thought for a moment. She'd love to be a piece of music for everyone to dance to, but she could feel the huge pressure of having to follow Vinyl. Derpy moved closer to the mic Vinyl was holding and spoke into it.
“Uhhh... My name is Derpy Hooves... I like hugs and muffins and nice ponies... And mummy” She said.
To Derpy's surprise, the mic didn't seem to transmit her voice through the speakers. Instead, it seemed to record onto Vinyl’s other turntable.
“Listen up everypony, the Derpy Hooves has kindly offered to sing for us!” Vinyl said.
Derpy didn't remember actually saying she was going to sing, and was growing increasingly nervous as Vinyl began to build a beat from scratch. After a few reps of the beat, just as Derpy was about to come in, she heard her own voice over the speakers.
“Muffin...Derpy muffin... Nice ponies... My name is mummy!” The recording said.
Derpy listened in horror as Vinyl played around with the recordings, mixing them about, messing with the pitch and making her skip like a broken record.
“D-D-D-Derpy Hooves. Hooves. Hooves. Nice pony likes hugs.” The recording said.
Vinyl made her voice match the beat she was making and made it seem like she was singing using the pitch. However she hadn't noticed it's effect on Derpy, who was getting very embarrassed She cut the track and looked concernedly at her friend. As the two ponies met each other gaze, the track died down, revealing what was the sound of a room full of laughing ponies. Tears filled Derpy's eyes as she began to flee the hall.
“Derpy, come back!” Trixie shouted.
“...Derpy! Their not laughing at you, but with you!” She yelled after her.
However Derpy wasn't laughing, and was in fact fleeing straight out the door. Jumping straight over her booth, Vinyl galloped out of the gig after Derpy, Trixie following right behind her. Derpy had flown into the air, flying blindly as tears filled her eyes. Trixie and Vinyl tried desperately to keep up as they saw her fly over the dangerous Everfree forest. Completely unable to see, Derpy found herself connecting with a solid object, a humongous griffin as it flew back to its nest. She was so small compared to it, the giant beast barely even felt it. Whacking into it's side, she lost control completely, helplessly trying to slow her rapid descent with her wings. She tumbled in the air and hit the ground, hard, a sickening snap reverberating around the clearing. Derpy screamed out in pain as she convulsed on the ground. Both wings had snapped on impact with the ground, sending startling jolts of pain up her spine. Now on her side, she was crying uncontrollably, lying in the clearing amongst the moonlit grass.
“Why...? Why am I different....” She sobbed to no one
Her useless wings hanging pitifully as she painfully sat up, she could see a pond a few feet from her. She trotted slowly and painfully towards it, looking into it and seeing herself reflected in it. Her eyes seemed to be looking at two completely opposing directions as usual. She wiped away her tears from them, the last few drops falling into the pool, making little ripples. As the ripples cleared, she noticed the reflection of what was a full moon. She knew a mare that had felt alone for a long long time, much like she did for most of her life. Desperately, Derpy got onto her little knees and gazed up at the actual moon as she could see it in the sky. She held her fore hooves together, trying to talk through the sickening pain in her back.
“Princess Luna, Goddess Luna... How do you do it? How do you cope with feeling alone...” She sobbed.
Looking back into the pool she sighed, drying her eyes completely with her hooves. The night sky somehow seemed to flow and dance in the reflection, a pair of eyes forming within the galaxies. In fear, she turned around to see that the dark mare, wearing the night sky itself in her mane, loomed over her.
“That's it, little pony, the look of absolute terror in your eyes as you cower before us... Don't pretend you are any different to those who fear Nightmare Moon.” Luna spoke.
Derpy was a little afraid, but she shook her head, bowing lower towards Luna. She bent down as low as she could, to kiss Princess Luna’s hooves. Princess Luna noticed the blood trickling all over her subjects spine and wings, shattered bone piercing her tender flesh. With the slight glow of the horn of the alicorn, the wings fell numb, their bones instantly repairing themselves by the power of the Goddess. Derpy gasped as she felt it, her wings now able to move again.
“Thank you, thank you so much, Princess...” she said, still kissing.
“So you would have us believe that there is still a pony who loves us? You claim that you bow to me out of love and adoration and not because I could break every bone in your body in a second with my horn?” Luna asked.
Derpy stopped for a moment and looked up at the huge alicorn. She would believe readily that the magic this winged legend was capable of that and far worse.
“No, Princess. I know you wouldn't do that. I know you're just Luna and the dumb stories about you are all just from mean ponies.” Derpy said.
“Yes... We felt that you were different. We knew that you knew what it felt like to have a pony judge you based on stories and how they look.”
Derpy flapped her newly repaired wings as every ounce of the shattering pain had disappeared. She stood upright before the Princess with an empathetic smile.
“...But there are a lot of nice ponies too. Ponies that see past what you look like. Ponies that like me better than I like me sometimes. Sometimes I can't see the good in me, like right now I mean...” Derpy said.
“Come now, child, what is it that is on your mind.” Luna said.
“All the other ponies have a special talent. All I can do is derp around and weird everyone out. What do bubbles have to do with any of this?” She said.
Luna sits by Derpy's side, raising her hoof, to point at the pool they sat by. As she pointed at it a thousand multicoloured bubbles slowly erupted from it, frothing over the edges of the pool. One of the bubbles approached Luna and she caught it with her enchanted hoof, simply sitting between the two ponies as Derpy gazed into it.
“A bubble, Derpy. You like them don't you?” She asked.
“Yeah I do, but that isn't a talent! I love muffins too, that means just as little.” She said.
“And why do you love muffins?” Luna asked.
“I love muffins because they are squishy and they taste good...” Derpy said.
“Very good, now what about bubbles exactly?” She asked.
“...I don't know. I don't know what a bubble is, but I know it makes me excited. They make me happy, but I don't know why.” Derpy answered.
“Then it seems to me you have more in common than you think. I could tell you what a bubble is and why it's properties stimulate you, but if you gave that description to a pony who had never saw bubbles, would it justify it?” Luna asked
“...No, they'd have to see it for themselves... I don't have to understand it. Ponies don't have to understand me. And if I explained myself to them, it wouldn't help.” Derpy said.
“I think you're beginning to see. One does not need to understand something to be touched by it. Your cutie mark is a stream of bubbles. You, like the bubbles are a wonder of nature, a truly special pony, that you may only appreciate if you don't try to understand it. If you need to explain a bubble to someone, they will never understand, just like you. What we are talking about, is the essence of all magic. Your special talent can't be understood, only because it is the most special of all. Stop worrying about it and live your life, because what makes you special has been with you since you were a filly. Your friends don't understand you, but they don't need to any more than they need to understand bubbles. They love you deeply, they care for you and they appreciate you and that is all that matters.” Luna explained.
Derpy was quiet for a moment as she tried to keep up with the philosophical ponies words.
“I'm just Derpy Hooves... You either get me or you don't... My special talent, is being special.” She said.
Luna smiled at the young pony as she finally got what she was trying to say.
“How did you get so smart Princess? I could never have worked that out...” Derpy said.
“You did work it out, child. I just agreed with you...Oh and a millennium on the moon gives you time to contemplate such things. Even if for a moment you felt like you would be better off alone, it couldn't be farther from the truth. Be proud, Derpy Hooves, you're radiance is potent enough to rehabilitate this stubborn Goddess...” Luna said.
“Your sister really misses you.” Derpy said.
Luna then lowered her horn to Derpy and used its power carry her onto her vast dark back. Derpy leaned forward, holding some of Luna's mane, startled that she was riding one of the rulers of Equestria.
“And we're going to go and see her...I miss her too...Right after we see your friends.”
Luna's horn glowed as she looked around the Everfree forest, amongst the thousands of trees and the calls of the animals that lived in it. With a small squat, the Goddess flattened the earth beneath her causing a shock wave that devastated the nearby trees as she sprung straight into the sky at an impossible height. Hanging on tightly to the Princesses mane, it seemed to stabilise her and keep her on her mount as she crashed through the air, landing softly on the ground. Sure enough, she landed just short of two grumbling ponies trudging up a weedy hill.
“Trixie can't believe she's risking her life for a mere assistant in the Everfree forest!” Trixie said
“You can't fool me with that! She's a lot more to you than that, otherwise, why would you be here?Looks like somepony is learning about friendship... Or is it love?” Vinyl teased.
Trixie gave a mortified look to Vinyl, who just laughed playfully, that is until she saw derpy at the top of the hill on top of Luna.
“D-Derpy... Do you realise your riding on top of... Our Goddess?” Vinyl asked.
Princess Luna then reared back onto her back hooves with her fore hooves in the air.
“Why are you not bowing before the GREAT and POWERFUL Princess Luna!?” Luna joked.
The ponies all giggle amongst themselves, even Trixie managing a bit of a titter as the Princess did her best impression of her. The Princess brought the other ponies onto her back, the three of them sharing an affectionate hug.
“You know the ponies in my gig... They were just enjoying themselves...I thought you were too. I'm sorry.” Vinyl said.
“Trixie is sorry she called you derp-eyed all day and made you rub her hooves.... As fun as it was.” Trixie said.
“Don't worry guys... I know Vinyl you were just trying to have fun with me and I shouldn't have reacted like that. Trixie...I don't feel bad about my eyes or quirkiness any more. And I kinda like girly stuff like that sometimes.” Derpy replied.
As the three ponies traded stories in the moonlit night, the Goddess it all belonged to carried them across the sky to her and her sisters home in Canterlot.
“Trixie hates how it is so late, and nopony gets to see her greatness as she rides on Princess Luna herself!” Trixie said.
“Trixie can put a hoof in it before we do it for her.” Luna answered with a raised brow.
As the Ponies approached the castle gates, the same two guards from Derpy's first visit were back at their posts. Vinyl looked down at the pair and gave them a wicked grin, as they both looked decidedly rattled by the sight before them. Every guard moved out of Luna's way without a word as she returned to her sister. Pushing open the door to Celestia's break room, the surprised Princess met Luna's eyes. The three ponies jumped off Luna's back as she approached her sister and held her close to her, embracing her lovingly. The two Princesses back together again, the three ponies enjoyed the sight of them nuzzling each other from the floor as they bowed to them. Eventually both alicorn turned to the mortal ponies and Luna spoke up.
“This little pony, sister...Was the one that made us realise that we had to come back to see you. Derpy Hooves has made it possible for us to try friendship once again.” Luna said.
“You may all rise. Derpy Hooves, come and stand with me...” Celestia commanded.
With Trixie and Vinyl remaining behind, Derpy got back onto her hooves, gazing upon the profound beauty of the pure white and black Alicorn, infinitely humbled in their majesty.
“I thank you, little pony with all of my heart for giving me the chance to make amends with my beautiful sister. For your efforts, you will be featured on the front page of the Equestrian magazine, as Ponyville's new mail mare. I will submit an interview to the press, proclaiming that you are one of my most special and trusted mares in all Equestria. My ponies were all created with free will, so I cannot stop the mean ponies, but this column will make them think twice! Also, Trixie and Vinyl Scratch, you will receive a special gig in my royal function hall for supporting Derpy.” Celestia said.
The three ponies trotted in place in applause and excitement as the Princess gave each pony their own respective feather in their cap. Kisses were given gratefully to each princess on their hooves as the two sisters smiled proudly down at them.
“Thanks for helping me understand myself better, I feel much more confident!” Derpy said.
“Thanks for the spot in your castle, your majesty...” Vinyl said.
“...Trixie has learnt at least a little humility, if nothing else.” Trixie added.
“Yes, Trixie, it's a more valuable asset in a mares character than you will ever know I'm sure. But we are all different, and we love you too the way you are.” Luna replied.
“Now ponies, I will arrange for a ride for you back home. I'm sure your mother Derpy will be quite concerned about you by now. You'll have quite a story for her wont you?” She said, with a soft laugh.
Derpy nodded, a final bow dismissing themselves from the castle as the two princesses clearly had a lot to discuss. Having been granted wonderful rewards by the Princesses, Derpy, Vinyl and Trixie left the Princesses gratefully. They were escorted by royal guards to the castle entrance, where Celestia's carriage awaited them, drawn by two brilliant white regal Pegasi, whose job it was to escort the Princess. Ascending into the carriage, the ponies sat on the seat with each in the others arms. The pegasus ponies then began to move the carriage, gathering speed to take flight.
“Well Derpy, this is it I guess. I've had a rocking time with you kid. I really hope we bump into each other sometime.” Vinyl said
“Trixie is very grateful for the gig Trixie received thanks to Derpy. Trixie may not be able to get you as Trixie's assistant, but Trixie hopes to see you at Trixie's show.” Trixie added.
“Don't worry, I'll be around, whenever there is mail to be posted. Or muffins.” Derpy answered.
Now that Derpy was to be featured in the Equestrian magazine with an article featuring the princess, she knew that she would be cemented in the worlds hearts for the foreseeable future.