//------------------------------// // Pony Rangers: Derpy is Sick // Story: Let's just call it... "Huh?" // by Lance Skyes //------------------------------// Nightmare Moon was standing at her lunar base waiting for her green ranger to come, but Derpy never came. “What is that mare doing that’s so important she put it in front of her weekly report?” At Cloudsdale, Derpy is in bed, sick. “Curse you, Fluttershy and your cold! When I get my hooves on you and your ra-ra-RA-CHOO!!! Darn sneeze.” Suddenly, Derpy heard the last voice she wanted to hear. “Derpy, can I come in?” It was Rainbow Dash. “Great,” said Derpy, “the last mare I wanted to see. What do you want with me, red ranger?” “I just brought you some soup,” said Dash. “Just because you’re evil doesn’t mean I can’t extend a little ranger love.” “That doesn’t mean I’ll accept it.” Dash walked over to Derpy and handed her the soup. “Just eat the soup. You’ll be back on your hooves in no time.” “Fine,” said Derpy eating the soup, “but don’t think I won’t still try to destroy you and your ranger pals.” “How stupid do you think I am? Of course I don’t think that.” “Then...” Derpy looked up in confusion, “why are you here?” Dash sat down next to Derpy. “Because I want to talk to you about something. About how being rangers changed both of our lives. You, for example, you used to be...” “Derp?” “Yes. Now look at you. You’re the perfect killing machine second only to your Dragonzord.” “And you,” said Derpy, “you used to not care much about what was going on around you unless it affected you or your friends. Now here you are saving all of Equestria.” The two let out a content sigh. After a short pause, Derpy suddenly spoke. “Why are you really here? It obviously wasn’t to remember our old lives.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Derpy, you aren’t evil. You know it. I know it. Nightmare Moon knows it. Everypony who knows you knows that you aren’t evil. You may not know it, but deep inside, you’re fighting Nightmare Moon’s hold on you. Don’t even try to deny it.” “But... the power of thunder-” “Is no match for the power of friendship if you would just give it a try. Now, eat your soup, get your rest, and get better quickly.” Dash got up to leave. “I want to see you out there fighting. But if you can manage it, I would like to see you fighting Nightmare Moon instead of us. Think about our little conversation.” Rainbow Dash walked out. “That mare’s stubborn,” she said while outside, “she might come around... or we may have to kill her. Hopefully not, but...” Rainbow Dash trailed off and flew away. “Hmm...” Derpy was still inside thinking about the conversation. “Am I really fighting Nightmare Moon myself without me knowing? But... I can’t be...” Derpy laid in bed at ate her soup quietly for the rest of the afternoon.