//------------------------------//
// ...Has a Silver Lining! 
// Story: A Silver Lining for Derpy 
// by Teyeson Bee 
//------------------------------//

	In a small apartment room, not three blocks from the high school, an alarm clock went off. The time on it read 7:00 am as it beeped annoyingly. A tired hand reached over and turned it off as the owner of the hand sat up. Derpy rubbed her eyes, yawned, and stared into open space with a lively look on her face. A look that said, "Time for a new day!" After a nice, hot shower and a blueberry muffin breakfast, Derpy stood in front of the bathroom mirror, brushing her teeth, and humming a happy little jingle. After she finished, she opened the cabinet to put away the paste, and she saw something out of the corner of her eye. A familiar object. A bottle of pills her mother used to take. Derpy took the bottle and looked at it intently. She waited for a negative thought to come up, but nothing did. "Guess I don't need these anymore," Derpy happily thought as she threw the contents away. She then grabbed her bag and flew off for the school.

As she landed on the sidewalk, she happily started towards the doors, when from behind her, a familiar voice called out, "Hello there Derp-face." Derpy took a deep breath as she turned to see Rain Storm, looking cockier than ever before, standing with her groupies to her side.

"Hi Rain," Derpy greeted casually.

"I'm SO sorry to hear about your boyfriend," Rain said, although Derpy could tell that she didn't sound the least bit sorry. In fact, she sounded like she was happy. "He was a nice guy. Gave you hope, didn't he?"

"Yeah," Derpy replied, "but he'll always be with me!"

"Yeah yeah sure," Rain said with an annoyed wave of her hand. "In the meantime, while you fantasize about your now 'non-existent' boyfriend, I think I'll just push you back into reality. Where were we before?"

"RIGHT HERE!" a voice shouted out. 

Derpy and Rain looked up just in time to see Rainbow Dash land right between the two. People passing by stopped and looked to see what was going on.

"Scram Rainbow Trash," Rain scowled. "This doesn't have to do with you."

"Actually, it does!" Rainbow replied with a growl. "It's ALWAYS been about me! I was just too stupid to do anything about it, but now, I know it's YOU who needs a check back into reality!" As she told Rain off, others gathered around the three pegasus-girls and watched with anticipation. "You have been putting Derpy down for as long as I can remember, and quite frankly, I've had enough! It's bad enough that you do it without any remorse, but to do it while making fun of Silver's death? That's where I draw the line! You think you're SO awesome because you're richer than anyone in school? Well, you're not!"

Before Rain could retort, Blossomforth moved from the crowd to Rainbow's side. "Yeah! You build yourself up so much, but you think you're so cool for bringing others down because they're different. Derpy's more of a person than you'll EVER be!"

"That's right!" Thunderlane chimed in, pushing his way to join Blossom. "If you really get a thrill about putting people down and making them feel like crap, then YOU need help!"

At that point, Fluttershy worked her way to the front as well. This surprised everyone, seeing how Fluttershy was known to be quite bashful in front of crowds, but nevertheless, she stood there with here head held high and said, "Derpy deserves way more respect! She and Silver have helped so many feel good about themselves! What have YOU ever done? You're not worthy of your good looks!" As Fluttershy finished, the crowd of students surrounding them started applauding and calling Rain out. Rain looked from side to side and noticed that her groupies had sunk back into the crowd, too embarrassed to be seen with her. 

After what seemed like a minute of applause, all Rain could say was, "Out of my way, losers!" And in a huff, she was gone. As the crowd finished applauding for the defeat of Rain Storm, everyone looked to Derpy, who was wearing a big smile.

"Thanks guys," Derpy said softly.

"No. Thank YOU, Derpy," Blossom said. "You and Silver helped us realized that NOONE deserves to be alone, no matter how different they are."

"You gave us hope," Fluttershy said. "You made us feel so good about being ourselves, while all Rain did was bring us down."

"We should've defended you a long time ago," Thunderlane continued. "We were just worried about ruining our own reputations, but now we realize that a reputation means nothing if you don't show kindness. Silver taught me that."

"He taught ALL of us that," Rainbow added as the others nodded. "Could you ever forgive us Derpy?"

"Of course I can," Derpy replied with a big smile. The others smiled back as the group got into a big group hug. 

Suddenly, someone in the crowed shouted, "LET'S HEAR IT FOR DERPY!"

At that moment, an enormous applause broke out as everyone looked to Derpy and cheered. Derpy blushed greatly, and soon felt herself being lifted up by her new close friends, who started chanting, "Derpy! Derpy! Derpy!" Soon, the whole crowd was chanting it as they jumped and cheered, clapping as loud as they could. Derpy couldn't help but start to laugh, as tears of joy started to fill her eyes. Silver was right. She really DID have the gift to change others for the good! If the crowd of new friends around her proved anything, it was that Derpy was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with. Just like Silver was a shining ray of hope and happiness for her, she would be a shining ray to all others who she met and would meet in the future.





Things were never the same for Derpy. She went through the rest of high school with more happiness and quirkiness than she did her entire life. Rain never did bother her, or anyone else, again. She just would stare with what seemed to be a combination of jealousy and sorrow at Derpy who was always laughing and joking with others. The old Derpy had completely disintegrated, and the new lovable Derpy had been born anew, walking down the halls and greeting everyone with a smile. Even the clumsiness didn't bother Derpy anymore. Whenever she would trip, no one laughed at her. Their first reaction was to make sure that she was alright, and when she started laughing, everyone started laughing, but WITH her. And she would always finish with her new catchphrase, "I just don't know what went wrong." As the year winded down, the student awards were handed out, and, to Derpy's surprise, she won TWO awards. The first was the "Most Likely to Brighten Your Day" award, and the second was "Student of the Year" award. The applause was deafening as Derpy walked up on stage to claim them, only to surprise everyone with asking if the name on the "Most Likely to Brighten Your Day" award was changed to Silver Lining. Derpy wouldn't have been there if it weren't for him, and she made a promise to share the award, so it seemed only fair that HE get the award that he deserved.

Before the students knew it, graduation had come! Students, one by one, would come up and get their diplomas, and Derpy was no exception. And even though she wasn't implied to, Derpy was asked to give a little speech, telling what she went through and to encourage others. Derpy happily obliged. She told about where she got her start, how she fell into depression, and meeting Silver. She told of his encouraging attitude and how it helped her fight her own struggles. She said that even though he was dead, he would always be with her, and encouraged everyone to live life counting it as joy and looking for the bright side. She then concluded the speech by doing something no one had ever thought she would do. 

She forgave Rain.

It took everyone by surprise. When she first said Rain's name, everyone thought that she would lash out at her for all that she did, and even though it seemed to start out that way, with Derpy bringing up all she did to her, she happily concluded with, "I forgive you." Not only that, she also thanked Rain, because she wouldn't have been so close to Silver without her. Rain sat there, absolutely stunned, knowing that she didn't deserved any thanks or forgiveness. It did something to her. After the ceremony, Rain confronted Derpy and SINCERELY and FINALLY apologized for all she put Derpy through. She held out a hand to shake, but Derpy had other ideas. She flung her arms around Rain and hugged her tight. Everyone looked on in amazement as Rain hugged her back and started to cry. Rain moved to Manehattan after that day, and while the two never talked again, they left on a pretty good note, and that's all that mattered.

As for Derpy, she was able to get a good job after school. She had read in the paper of a post office needing a mail carrier for Ponyville. It was close to home, and the job required contact with people, so how could she NOT take it? Derpy became the official mail carrier of Ponyville, and delivered a smile and compliment with every package and letter. Everyone who Derpy delivered for absolutely adored her and her bubbly attitude. She became such a hit, that Derpy was promoted to head carrier. She even came up with a name and logo for her delivery service; Derpy Mare Mail! Derpy enjoyed the job to the fullest, and met so many new faces and friends. One particular visit was specifically memorable to Derpy.

It was just another sunny day as she carried her bag to the next house. As she arrived at the residence, she noticed that there was a lot of techno-based wires connected around the house. Though a little skeptical at first, Derpy just shrugged it off and happily knocked on the door. It took about two minutes before a tall man opened the door. He was quite a skinny man, but had a rather handsome face. He had brown hair and was wearing a matching brown coat with a picture of an hourglass on the side pocket. When he spoke, Derpy noticed a hint of a British accent in his voice.

"Hello?" answered the man.

"Howdy sir!" Derpy replied happily as she pulled out a rectangle box wrapped in brown paper. "I have a package for you!"

"Oh brilliant," the man said excitedly as he took the package. "This must be the part I've been looking for my Tardi-er...for my...project. Thank you very much." The man then reached in his pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill, handing it to Derpy.

"No thanks," Derpy declined happily. "I don't really accept tips. Your smile is enough for me!" Derpy waved good-bye and started to walk back, but was quickly thrown off balance by a trash can she ran into. The man quickly ran out and helped her up.

"Goodness me!" he said. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Derpy said as she stood up. "Sometimes, I just don't know what went wrong."

"Well as long as you're alri-" The man stopped and looked at Derpy with his mouth still open from mid-sentence. 

"What's wrong?" Derpy asked.

"You...have...the most beautiful eyes!" the man softly exclaimed.

Derpy felt herself blush as she smiled. "Oh..well...thank you..." she said with an embarrassed giggle. "I like your...coat!"

"Thank you very much," the man said, still looking at Derpy's eyes. The two stood there for a second, before Derpy snapped into reality and reached out a hand. 

"I'm Derpy by the way."

"The name's Whooves," replied the man as he shook her hand with a smile. "Dr. Whooves." Derpy smiled as the two continued to shake each other's hand. She didn't fully realize it yet, but she had a feeling that this one was quite...special!





And that's the story of the lovable mailgirl Derpy! We now cut back to the present as Derpy finished her last delivery to Sugarcube Corner.

"Thanks Derpy!" Pinkie Pie shouted out the window. "Hey! You coming to the party tonight?"

"Got other plans!" Derpy shouted back. "I'm going out to dinner with Whooves!"

"Have fun!" Pinkie shouted as she pulled her head back in. Derpy smiled as she turned and started back home. As she flew, she hummed a catch little tune and looked up to enjoy the sky. The weather was nice, a few clouds here and there, but still nice. As Derpy continued to fly, she couldn't help but notice that the sun was being blocked out by an average-sized cloud. She stopped to look as the cloud slowly made its way south. And then, as the cloud moved a little more, the sun peeked out on the top and a brilliant light traced around the outside of the cloud, making the light look...silver. Derpy smiled softly as she felt a tear form in the corner of her eye. He was still looking out for her. All these years, and he was still smiling down on her.

Derpy couldn't help but think of all that she had been through in her life. Some would say it was too much for a normal person to handle. People would sometimes ask Derpy that if she could go back in time, would she stop herself from experiencing such depression. Though Derpy had considered it a few times, she would ultimately say no. Sure there were times of depression in her life, like any life, but it was from that depression that a greater Derpy was born. Through trials and turmoil, Derpy was happy of how she turned out, and she wouldn't change that for anything. She had so much to be thankful for, and so many happy thoughts that have filled her head and heart. Sure she still had sad times and grumpy times and grieving times, but she remembered to count it all as joy, and look to a brighter side, and she never forgot that she was never alone.

As the years went by, Derpy never lost sight of that. She never let anything drag her down. Because of what she went through, she remained positive and bubbly with what she did. She knew that there would be more bad times to come her way, but she was ready to face those dark clouds.




For every dark cloud has a Silver Lining.




THE END