//------------------------------// // Dinky's Origins part 5 A Promise For a Final Meeting Kept // Story: Within The Nightmare: Side Stories from the Living Nightmare universe // by Autum Breeze //------------------------------// Part 5 A Promise For a Final Meeting Kept “It was good seeing you again, Derpy,” the princess said as the five of them, Derpy, The Doctor, Light Wing, herself and the foal, stood outside the TARDIS. “Good luck raising your daughter. I know you’ll do a wonderful job.” It had been a few weeks since Derpy's rescue. The rehabilitation of the unicorns was well underway and the descendants of the Golden Chalice family had been sent down to Equestria to be judged by Celestia and Luna on behalf of the current ruler, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Now, however, it was time to say goodbye. Derpy smiled, nodding. “Thank you, princess,” she said, looking down at the foal sleeping against her as she held it with a foreleg. “I’ll do my best.” The Princess chuckled. "Trust me, I know you will." “And you too, your highness,” The Doctor bowed, then frowned. “Though, are you sure you don’t want me around. I know you’ve explained how you have spells that can do similar, but that base was bigger on the inside and it didn’t feel like magic was behind that. That was Time Lord technology.” The princess nodded. “I am sure, Doctor. I have lived for around five hundred years. I am certain I need not worry about it.” "Alright,” he said uncertainly, turning to go inside. “But, Doctor,” she continued, causing him to pause, “whilst I know I am forbidden to tell you exactly what is going to happen, I can warn you of this. The drums are not what drive her now.” The Doctor glanced back, an eyebrow raised. “What do you mean?” he asked slowly. The princess shook her head. “I cannot tell you more than that. But, please, be wary, Doctor.” The Doctor was silent for a few moments, before he nodded. “Come along, Miss Hooves. I’ve still that visit I promised you.” Derpy nodded and, after giving one last smile to the princess followed him inside. ___________________________________________________________ Derpy stepped outside the TARDIS, carrying Dinky and looked around. They were in a hospital. Cloudsdale hospital. “Doctor, remain inside the TARDIS,” she said, glancing back at him. “Non-pegasi can’t walk on clouds.” “Taken care of,” he grinned, stepping out wearing something on his hooves. “Wore these back when I was visiting my niece on the cloud banks of Castalera 9. Lovely place. Never could get a good starfish there, though. Here,” he placed much smaller version of the things he was wearing over Dinky’s tiny hooves. “Now, as long as she wears these she won’t fall either.” Derpy nodded. “Okay.” With that they walked down the cloud-made hall, The Doctor marveling in everything he saw in the cloud-made structure, until they stopped in front of a door with the letters JH9 on the front. Derpy hesitated for a moment, before she pushed open the door and they walked in. Lying in the cloud bed in the middle of the room, hook up to several medical devices was a Pegasus mare with a light-purple coat and red mane. Her mane was missing in chunks and her face was lined. Derpy gulped, tears welling in her eyes. The mare stirred, slowly opening her eyes. When fell on The Doctor and his Cutie Mark, she gave a weak smile. “Doctor,” she croaked. “You kept your promise after all.” “Ay?” he asked, glancing at Derpy, who was looking at him with equal confusion. The mare then turned her eyes to Derpy, her smile becoming warmer. “My little Derpy. Is that really you?” Derpy gasped, then, her lips trembling, nodded. “Uh-huh. Hi... Mommy.” Derpy’s mom nodded, then looked to The Doctor. “Thank you, Doctor. I’m glad I get to see my daughter as a big filly.” She looked to Derpy, lifted a hoof and brushed her cheek as tears ran down Derpy’s face. “Sorry I wasn’t there for you, sweetie. Mommy fought as hard as possible, but I lost this battle in the end. Just know that I always loved you and always will, no matter if death tries to separate us.” Derpy sniffled, then held her forelegs out. “M-Mom... th-this is m-my daughter, D-Dinky Doo. Y-you’re a grandma.” The mare looked at the sleeping unicorn in Derpy’s grasp and her smile seemed to warm even more. “You’ll be a wonderful mother, my little Derpy.” Derpy sniffled again, then nodded, her eyes brimming with tears as more fell. “You were too, Mom. I love you.” “And I you, my daughter,” she nodded, before laid back against her pillow and closed her eyes. “I love... you... too...” A loud beeping rang out, seeming to echo through the hospital. ___________________________________________________________ The TARDIS appeared on the edge of Ponyville and from its doors stepped Derpy, carrying her foal. She glanced back at the stallion smiling sadly at her from within. He nodded, before the doors closed and the blue box faded away from sight. Derpy took a deep breath, then headed towards her father's house. Her life was set. She was a mother now and she had to make sure Dinky had the best foalhood she could provide.