Ponyville sure has changed ever since I left... I'm talking about my leaving of the house.... The day I left I was just about twenty years old. Ditzy was all we had left.... She was all I had left... The doctor moved out seeing as we could handle ourselves fine and the gardener... well... He passed away a few months before I left.... Spider bite and he was highly allergic and we didn't even know... One bit him in his sleep and I found him still in his bed. But going back to Ponyville... It surely has changed... a lot... A gigantic castle sprouted up belonging to one of the Elements of Harmony holders. I decided to pay her a visit but... not before I checked out the old homestead. I basically had the ring here for the treasure during my last book and this is where I was busted by the Elements of Harmony but... I gotta say it felt good getting out my secret of my identity. I did have them promise they wouldn't speak of my secret. Even little miss blabber mouth. I'm talking of course of the blue one what ever her name is. Anyways it was just late in the morning when I came back here. Took a few days to navigate my way here but I made it alright. When I arrived the house was run down, the grass was out of control and climbing up the side of the house. Windows were broken, the paint was cracking and the silence was eerie. I'm wearing my disguise, straw hat, red glasses and my a red dress. I change it up when ever I go near towns just so ponies don't catch on. I actually have another home hidden half way to Canterlot from here where I keep treasures and also brandish one mean scythe. Come near my home and someone is getting scared off. or slashed. I don't mess around. As I stood here I have thoughts of all the fun times we had. But... The silence was interrupted by laughter. The laughter of a little colt and filly. I looked over and saw them running through the forest just like me and Ditzy did. I gave a smile just as they stopped seeing me. I could hear them whispering to each other to go check if it was me. Finally the little earth pony colt came over looking excited. "U-Uh... excuse me?" He said. "A-are you A.K. Yearling?"
I looked down and gave him a nod. "Why yes I am." I said. I looked up at the filly who was just looking over at us nervously. "Is that your sister over there?" I looked back down at him. He gave a nod. "Why don't you go bring her over here? I want to tell you two something about this place." He nodded again and hopped away quickly. I sat down just as he came back holding his sisters hoof. They were twins. Green manes and mint green coats.
"You see Spearmint? She is A.K. Yearling! Go on! Say hi!" Little Spearmint blushed and hesitated on speaking.
"Ah don't you worry little one. I wont bite. You two come and play here often?" The little colt nodded. "Have you ever went inside?" He shook his head.
"N-no Miss Yearling! Little miss scaredy cat here says its too dangerous!" I saw his sister tear up a bit as he gave her a little scowl.
"That's not a nice thing to say to your sister. She could end up getting really hurt and you might not be able to help her." Story of my life kid... He gave a sigh and looked to his sister.
"Sorry I said that Spearmint..."
The little filly wiped her tears away. "...I forgive you but... please don't do that again Cilantro..." She said. "Mommy wouldn't like it if you were always mean to me..." She looked at me. "Our daddy is raising us.... momma went to sleep and saw grandma n grandpa...."
I sighed and patted the ground next to me. Spearmint and Cilantro sat next to me. "....Be lucky you still have your father...." I said. "I had actually lost mine at your age... The reason I had you two come over here was so I could tell you this used to be my home...The last memory I've had with my father was him playing with me and my younger sister... The last night we saw him he was right there on his hospital bed after a heart attack." Like I'm going to scare a little filly and her brother after telling them my father died here.
"You used to live here....?" I gave a nod and stood back up. They stood up and followed me to the front door.
"I used to live here with my mother, my father, my beloved sister, an in home doctor and a gardener... He used to cook for us too. After my father passed on my mother took half of the fortune and left me and my sister alone after my sister suffered a horrible accident. With the help of the doctor I was able to help my sister heal up." I tried opening the front door but it had been locked a long time. Rusted shut. I hummed a bit. "You two stand back. This could end up coming back on us and you two getting hurt because of me will not look good." They both jumped back as I turned around. My dress was flowing as I bucked. I actually have it weighted near the flank to keep my cutie mark hidden. I only bucked it two times before the doors flew off the hinges going inside. I huffed fixing my dress turning about and looking into the dilapidated home. "Well... This is it. Casa de Yearling."
We walked inside over the broken doors and looked around. The chandelier that once hung brilliantly was on the floor shattered. One side of the stairs was busted by part of the support system above. Everything was still standing surprisingly but I had to make the tour quick. "Wow.... Everything is so big..." Cilantro said. "You actually used to live here with your sister?" I gave a nod.
"Yep... She and I were really close and we used to play around this place for years, even into our teen years...." We sat down before the shattered chandelier. "It was mostly in the entry way we would always play tag, we would race, we would even play ball in here but I accidentally kicked the ball and nailed part of the chandelier a bit. Mother forbid us from ever playing ball in here again. Its a wonder why she always let us play dress up in her room before she left." Fun fact the dress I'm wearing is actually my mothers that's altered to fit me and to hide my cutie mark and wings without any tell. It works well. I stood up again as the kids gave an intrigued 'ooh'. I smiled and started for the stairs that weren't broken. "Mind the glass children. I don't wanna have to patch any cuts. I don't know if there are any bandages around here..." We went up stairs. Little Spearmint whimpered a bit because of the house settling giving loud creaks. Reminded me of Ditzy. A lot. You wanna know what I hear just as we reach the top of the stairs.
"I gotcha Spearmint... Just... Hold my hoof?" I look back and see Spearmint take Cilantro's hoof.
"That's how you should always be with your sister. You don't know how long you'll be able to see her. My sister actually lives in Ponyville somewhere and I'm actually wanting to find her here. When I started my book series she and I got into a fight over who would get the fortune and use it wisely and..... Well every year I give her quite a bit of money from my books just to apologize but I never get a letter from her at all." That is actually true. I fought with Ditzy before I left for my first book but I made deals with her. She kept the family name secret, she keeps the fortune. Who knows how she spent it. We approached my old room and I opened up the door. The beds were still there. A hole in the roof and debris on the bed but... hanging off the foot of Ditzy's bed was Mr. Bunbun. He was covered in dust and dirt. I went in and picked him up. "...this little guy brings back memories..." I looked down at Cilantro and Spearmint. "This used to be my old room... I used to share this room with my sister. Sometimes when she was scared or sad I'd push my bed close and hug her. Do you two share a room together?"
They both nodded. "Daddy has us sharing a room with a bunk bed." Spearmint said. "I always have to go in my daddy's room when I'm scared and it's mostly Cilantro's fault!"
Cilantro looked over at his sister. "Me? Why's it my fault?!" He snapped.
"You're always putting bugs in my bed! You know I hate bugs! They're all creepy crawlies!"
Speaking of creepy crawlies... huge fear in coming via strand of web right in front of my face. Yep... Eight legged demon also known as a spider. I let out a scream and dropped Mr. Bunbun just freaking out. Cilantro and Spearmint just ran away as I started to buck wildly realizing the spider was coming from my hat. Then the unthinkable happened. My secret was revealed as I threw off the dress and the hat tossing my glasses aside and I start stomping on my mothers dress, my hat and Mr. Bunbun all in one go. My wings just puffed out and that's when I realized my mistakes by hearing both children give a gasp. I looked at myself. My tail, cutie mark and wings all revealed. I looked to Cilantro and Spearmint both with mouths gaping shocked. "...Please you two... please stay quiet about this!" I said. "This secret is my biggest one and if anyone found out my book series would be over... you two have to promise me you can keep this secret!"
They both looked to each other in deep thought. I could tell what they were thinking. Are we gonna lose our favorite book series or keep this huge secret? They looked back to me. "We super duper sibling promise!" They said. I... I couldn't help but tear up smiling.
"...Thank you... " I replied laying down onto my trampled and broken clothing trying to calm myself down. My mothers dress was ripped, my hat was stomped into disrepair but Mr. Bunbun was still okay. Not one rip or hoofprint on him. As I looked at him I saw a faded red color under the bed. A closer look revealed it was the old dart gun. I reached under the bed still shaking and pulled the old plastic scoped toy out. I blew dust off of it and cocked it. No resistance. It still worked as if it were fresh from the box. I looked over at the children. "Cilantro... Spearmint... Come over here please." They both approached me slowly still a bit scared by my freak out. "Here... You two can have these... For Cilantro you get my dart gun. Spearmint you can have my little stuffed companion here... I've had him since I was little and he kept me and my sister happy even after I gave him to her." They both took the plastic and stuffed toys. "If I were you I'd get those washed but... Do you know a mare named Rarity...?"
Spearmint nodded. "I know her!" She said. "She's my friends sister!"
"Can you please get her? Just tell her its a tailoring emergency and lead her here if you can..." She nodded and gave Mr. Bunbun to her brother before running out. He sat with me just keeping me company.
I guess something powered that little filly to rush because not even about fifteen minutes I see a familiar purple mane and white coat rush through the door with an olive green dress. Didn't expect it but... It was just nice to see a familiar face with a thing to fix me. "Miss Yearling I apologize for being late." She said seeing the little colt at my side. "A little filly you sent is resting at my home." I smiled and stood up.
"No need to censor yourself Rarity... They both know my secret and they both promised to keep it." She gave me the dress and I quickly threw it on. It fit loosely on me but hid my wings away. I went over and picked up my glasses finding a lens cracked. "...I'm surprised you found this place."
"Are you kidding me? Darling I come here for inspiration! I glance in the windows and see if I can spot something that I could use to work off of and when I remembered this was your home so I created an adventurers night out! I had to create some for Rainbow Dash to try on to see how it looked while she was wearing a dark skintight suit that hid every aspect of her and I must say I'm glad I did. It looked really nice. I could possibly make a veil to cover your mane color... but what to use...?" To cut this short I had her take the toys and help Cilantro around and we raided what was left of my mothers closet and I found my father's old camo bucket hat. I remember before he got sick he and I did a lot of stuff out in the forest that had a lot to do with hide and seek. Anyways... after I had completed my outfit Rarity took little Cilantro back to her home and he and his sister both had thanked me for the gifts and the tour and little Spearmint actually started to cry when I said I had to leave them for the Princesses castle. I had to stop and think there and... I knew I wouldn't be doing an adventure for a while so I told her I would try and visit often and when I did I would do so with the Princess. Rarity had me do a thing called a 'Pinkie Promise' that basically forces me to keep it even though I already do keep promises. After that I had Rarity escort me to Princess Twilight's castle. I pretended I was a random mare that was taken advantage of by a guard. I rubbed dirt on my dress, splashed water on it, but I couldn't actually tear it. Reinforced materials.
Once we were inside a guard had to escort me and Rarity to Princess Twilight in her throne room. This castle was... actually nice... I was a tad envious of her but she and I were friends. "Princess!" The guard said bowing in respect to her while I stayed at Rarity's side with alligator tears or what ever. "This mare here was attacked by a guard she claims!"
Princess Twilight, a purple alicorn mare with a darker purple mane with a darker purple and pink streak through it, took one look at me and hopped up from her throne. "Back to your post!" She said. "I'll take it from here and see if I can get a description!" The guard nodded and hurried off. The princess waited until the hoof steps stopped before approaching me. "Good to see you Daring. I take it your adventures are doing well?"
I wiped my tears away and took my hat and glasses off having Rarity hold them. "My adventures were well... I've just been resting and thinking of something I can do before my next adventure so I figured I would visit Ponyville..." I said.
"Oh so you wanted to visit me?" I shook my head.
"Not really but... I would like your help to see if somepony is still around I would want to visit. Blonde mane, wall-eyed, grey Pegasus with bubbles for a cutie mark?" The princess thought for a moment.
"...Derpy Hooves? Why are you looking for her?" She asked.
"Ah... Well... At least she kept the name going... I was afraid she'd forget." I looked at her. She looked confused and... I thought she would be... "Twilight... This is another secret I've kept from many... even bigger than my identity which now eight ponies know. I uh... I have a sister. Who you call 'Derpy Hooves' is actually Ditzy Do... We were raised just outside of town."
Rarity gasped. "My word you're related to her?!" She asked shocked. "I thought she was an only child! It's never occurred to me you two have similarities in your mane! You know some ponies in town insult her for screwing things up!"
Princess Twilight shot me a little nervous smile. "Please don't be mad but... I've accidentally bowled her over when I was practicing a spell that turned me into a ball and uh... Rainbow Dash pushed me..." She said. Rainbow Dash... That was the blue blabbermouth who I really hope is keeping her mouth welded shut about my secret.
I gave a smile. "No worries... She always bounces right back up..." I said. "...You two think you can show me where she lives? I'd like to surprise her." I got a smile from the princess and her friend.
"We would be glad to escort you to Derpy's- I mean... Ditzy's home. Just... give me a moment to inform the guard it was a hoax and that I'm letting you off with a warning." I gave a nod and Princess Twilight flashed away leaving me with Rarity. I was half way between excited and nervous as hell. Excited because I get to see my sister again and nervous because.... I'm afraid she wont remember who I am... Just before we went anywhere I cleaned my dress off so I could look a little bit presentable. Not long after that I was out with the princess while her friend went back home to see if her sister and Spearmint and Cilantro were doing alright. Spoiler alert they were having the best day ever! I'm still keeping my promise to them about coming back to visit them after being an impact in their relationship. Anyways... We stopped outside of Ditzy's home. She had a quaint little two story home sitting atop a small hill. It was amazing she never got off the ground... but of course what am I saying? "Well... Here we are Daring... The home of Ditzy 'Derpy Hooves' Do. I... I didn't know you had a sister. I didn't even know this was your sister until your visit to the castle... I'm pretty sure my friends will be treating her way differently once they find out..." She glanced over at me. "That is if I may tell them..." I sighed just looking up at the home.
"You can tell them but... You'll be the only one to see the Do sisters up close and personal." She looked at me a bit surprised. "...Yep. You heard me right. You'll be the only one to see me and Ditzy together under our real identities. So you in?" She nodded and opened the gate for me as we entered the gated yard walking up the cobblestone path. I teared up feeling like that path was the longest I've walked and for good reason. As we came to the door Princess Twilight rested a wing on my back giving me an encouraging smile. I took a deep breath and knocked wiping my eyes away. It felt like an eternity just waiting there for somepony to answer the door but... the moment of truth came but a minute after.
There standing in the door was Ditzy... Her blonde mane shown more brilliantly than the smile she sported. There were two ponies behind her. A dark greyish blueish unicorn filly with a blonde mane and a brown coated earth pony stallion with a dark brown mane spiked up and a sand timer for a cutie mark. The little filly didn't have hers yet but... Well.... "Hiya Princess!" Ditzy said bowing in respect to Twilight. "What brings you here?"
Twilight gave a smile. "Well... my little friend brought me here." She said taking her wings off my back. I take my hat off and Ditzy's expression turns from smiling to shocked and excited.
"Daring...? Is that you?"
I sniffled giving a nod before giving her a hug. I just broke down crying onto Ditzy's shoulder as the princess moved us inside and closed the door. "...D-ditzy... I missed you so much..." I said. "...it's so good to see you... I see you started a family in my absence..." I looked at the stallion and the filly who both looked a bit happy, the stallion more than the filly. Wanna know why?
The stallion stepped forward looking a bit nervous as the filly followed. "...Well... I know you don't recognize me Daring but I can pick your face out of a crowd without a snag." He said. I gave him a confused look as I broke the hug with my sister.
Ditzy went to his side and kissed him and I could swear she had told him my true identity but... that wasn't the case. "Daring it's the doctor!" She said. "Him gotsa new body!" I gave an even more confused look.
"Well... You remember when I told you about Ahuizotl all those years ago? I've basically been by his side for many many years before I met your family and... well... Since my body regenerates every fifty years or so Ditzy and I have actually started a life together.... Sure she helps me with being a parent but I help her manage all the funds you send us from your books and a lot have gone to this little miracle right here." He picked the filly up letting me get a good look at her.
"Daring this is my daughter Dinky! We adopted her just a year ago and I told her all about you... in this house we are part of the Do family but outside we's Whooves! I'm Derpy and he's still The Doctor!" Yeah.... That's the doctor that has taken care of us all those years... He never told us his name because that same witch or what ever cursed him as well as Ahuizotl. The way The Doctor's curse goes is he lives forever but has to generate a new body. I guess he never told us his name because if he did go and regenerate we wouldn't believe who he was. I'm actually really happy about seeing them both again... I looked to the princess and she was in tears having an entire family reunion be right before her eyes.
I broke away from my sister, my niece and the doctor and approached her. "...Princess Twilight...." I said bowing in respect to her. "...Thank you for sharing this momentous occasion with us... I will send you a map leading to my home... drop by anytime with your friends no notice needed... If you guys are willing to put in the work I can show you guys one more surprise as well." Yet all that was another story. Twilight and I hugged before she departed. I am now currently sleeping in Ditzy's guest bedroom. I told her about the toys I found at the house and she was fine with me giving Mr. Bunbun and the toy rifle away to those kids who I had kindly invited over for a little slumber party with my niece Dinky. They've instantly become friends. Ditzy and I are sharing the bed while the doctor is watching over Dinky, Spearmint and Cilantro. I'm actually thinking of going to Princess Twilight tomorrow to see if she can help Ahuizotl visit Ditzy and not having anyone freak out by the sight of him. This isn't the end but... a new beginning for us. Yes my books will go on but I just want to get a bond with my niece going and that could take a while... I'm sure Ahuizotl can wait for another adventure. He waited for me to heal so why not this?