A Derpy Princess

by Nailah

Chapter 6: The Sage

“Well, thank you again so much for saving me.” smiled Heart Stripes.

“Aww, shucks, it was nothing. I'd do that for anyone.” replied Derpy. She knew she might not ever have saved Equestria, like Twilight and her friends, but it was the little things that mattered in life. Derpy looked around at the swamp, boy it sure was mucky here.

The whole place smelled like an old wet shoe, and Derpy didn't even wear shoes. She figured it was best for them to get out of here. She looked over towards Midnight.

“Can you fly Heart Stripes back to where we were?” questioned Derpy.

“Yeah..sure. No problem.” replied Midnight. He didn't know why but this swamp reminded him of Emma. Her affnity for healing hearts, and making him smile, of course she always thought it had meant she was good with flowers, but it was so much more than that. She had a way of impacting others, and she was too naive to see it. Oh course that was one of the reasons, the two of them had been the best of friends. Midnight Star often wondered about being more than friends...but that all changed that fateful day. A day he'd never forget, not like his cutie mark would let him. Forever burned and scarred from that day, put of his star mark was enfulfed in a burned flame mark from the explosion. Midnight Star went over to pick up Heart Stripes, it was best to get out of this swamp. He did actually agree with that notion.

Derpy picked up Electric Flare carefully and lifted her into the sky. She certainly wasn't a fast flyer and there was no way, she would've been strong enough to carry two ponies. She flew Electric Flare back to where they had been walking along, before they had heard the scream. She landed her down on the ground, as she wiped her brow.

“Well that was easy.” smiled Derpy.

“Why would it be hard?” questioned Electric Flare not sure why Derpy seemed well worried.

“Well, back at home I often crash...and wreck stuff. I don't mean too of course. It just sort of happens.” replied Derpy.

“Oh? Well our Derpy isn't like that at all. I mean I never met her, but I hear she's one of the most talented alicorns out there. Even more powerful than Snow Heart herself, some say.” replied Electric Flare.

Derpy paused, she clearly remembered one of them saying, Snow Heart was the leader of this place, and if she was...that meant she was just like Celestia. There was no way Derpy was stronger than her. She couldn't help but to laugh.

“I honestly doubt even Twilight's that strong.” replied Derpy.

Electric Flare blinked. She wasn't sure who this “Twilight” was, but it seemed like she and Derpy knew each other. “Is she a friend of yours from back home?” she asked.

“Well...yeah sort of. I wouldn't say we're close friends, but we know each other.” replied Derpy.

“Well...she should know you, you darling are definetly someone worth knowing.” smiled Heart Stripes as Midnight Star landed her down beside Derpy.

Derpy blushed softly, she wasn't used to such flattery. “Aww...thanks, but I don't mind it. I'm just happy to help.”

“That's why you are so special. Sure anyone can save the world, but it takes a real pony, to truly care the way you do.” replied Heart Stripes, lifting her hoof to put it under Derpy's chin. “So don't be so bashful. Alright?”

“Oh...okay.” replied Derpy.

“Perhaps, we should get back to the whole finding you a way home thing.” spoke Midnight inturupting their conservation.

“How rude. You really travel with him? He's so...” began Heart Stripes.

“Evil?” questioned Electric Flare.

“No that isn't what I was going to say.” replied Heart Stripes. “He's just so...rude.”

“Ah, I'm sure he just is trying to help is all. In his own way.” replied Derpy.

“You don't have to stick up for me, besides I'm the bad guy remember? No one likes me.” he sighed to himself.

“Ponies can change, if you are really trying to change, ponies will see it. You just gotta give it a chance.” spoke a voice from the distance.

Suddenly Midnight Star had both a horrified look, and a look of pure shock on his face. That voice....it couldn't be...she was dead...she had died in the explosion years ago.

Suddenly, from out of the shadows stepped a female pegusus. Her yellow body was mostly covered by a cloak, but it was very easy to see her red hair with an orange streak through it, and her violet eyes. Her wings were hidden under the cloak but it was very clear to see she was a pegusus.

Midnight Star was frozen...it was like he was seeing a ghost...how could this be possible? “Emma?” he questioned. He wanted to believe it, but he had seen the explosion...how could it be her?

“Yes, Midnight it's me. I know what you're thinking. I can explain everything, but you should all come with me, my teacher would surely wish to meet all of you.” explained Emma.

“Teacher? Wait...he is your teacher?” questioned Midnight.

“Yes, Midnight, the old grump is the reason I'm even here, and after a lot of begging, he's offered to teach me.” explained Emma Flower. She knew she had a lot of explaining to do, but once they got to the Sage's house, more things would become clear. She only wished she could have faced him sooner.

Derpy looked towards Midnight Star with a hopeful look. “Well...if she's alive that's better than the other option right? Let's go find this sage. Maybe he'll tell us how I can get home!” she smiled more excited then she had been, since she had gotten here. Derpy followed Emma Flower as she led the way. Of course Heart Stripes was stride with stride by Derpy's side. A chance to be close to the heroine of Equestria, and meet a sage, she was not going to simply stand by and watch.

Electric Flare followed behind Derpy, while glancing over her shoulder towards Midnight, who was still still as a statue. As much as she hated the things he had done, he did deserve for his friend to be alive. “Come on Midnight.” she gestured, offering her hoof.

Midnight Star was surprised by the gesture, and accepted her hoof, as he looked like he had seen a ghost. He didn't say anything at all but he did finally start moving after Derpy, with some encouragement from Electric Flare.

Emma Flower led the way through the forest, though what surprised Derpy was how calm she seemed to be. This whole place was a living horror film. It was dark and eerie, and the sounds of what she thought was some sort of animals, could be heard from all different directions. The grass itself hadn't been mowed in who knows how many moons, it almost went up to her neck, but she was able to see Emma ahead of her. Soon, they came to a stream of water running through their pathway, but luckily there was a bridge that led over the stream.

“Be careful, there are snakes in this stream. They're poisonous.” spoke Emma as she made her way across the bridge. Derpy then followed her across the bridge with no problems.

Heart Stripes however was not sold. “You want me to cross this rickety old bridge. It could crumble between my hooves, and then I would get my mane wet.” whimpered Heart Stripes.

“Ah come on don't be such a baby.” replied Midnight Star, speaking for the first time, as he crossed the bridge with no trouble. “I'm a stallion and I crossed it, so I don't think your ladylike hooves will break it.”

Heart Stripes didn't like this guy, rude and inpolite. How could anyone possibly even want to be friends with such a terrible person. He had yet to prove to her otherwise.

Electric Flare then walked across the bridge, of course she took her time, because you never could tell with these kinds of things. “Come on Heart Stripes, you can do it!” smiled Electric Flare encouraging her.

“I am not getting my hooves dirty. Derpy, darling, can't you simply fly me across?” she questioned towards her, batting her eyelashes at her.

“Sure?” spoke Derpy as she flew over, lifted Heart Stripes into the air, and flew her to the other side of the stream. She made her landing just fine, though she hadn't expected Heart Stripes to kiss her. Their lips met, and Derpy blinked unsure what to think or even how to feel.

“Come on you two, we have business to attend to.” spoke Midnight as he actually pulled Derpy away from Heart Stripes. “Don't like looks fool you. She's nothing but trouble.”

“Don't be too harsh on her Midnight. Everyone has their own talents, and own reasons for being here. She just likes me, that's not a bad thing right?” replied Derpy with a confused look.

“You saved her and now she's like in love with you. That's called...hero worship. Not love. There's a difference.” spoke Midnight as he followed after Emma. He knew what real love was, and his love was walking ahead of him. What was he even supposed to tell her? Maybe she already knew...it was hard for people not to know about his past. The only reason he had done such awful things, was because he had lost himself in his grief. Now he knew he had no reason to have griefed in the first place. No reason to hurt the ponies of this town, and that made him feel....like such a great pony.

Derpy looked back towards Heart Stripes who had put her nose up in the air as she walked right up to Derpy. “I don't like him, but I trust your judgement.” she spoke as she then continued to follow the others. Of course Derpy was right beside her. She just wished everyone could get along.

Electric Flare took up the rear, and unlike everyone else, she truly didn't have any reason to be here, other than Derpy asking for her help. What could she even do? She was just an earth pony. She didn't have magic, and she couldn't fly. It made her feel rather useless. She wanted to help, but she was still unsure how she could truly help Derpy, but she'd surely find some sort of answer, if this Sage was as good as she thought he was.

Up ahead in the nearby distance, Derpy could see what looked like an old run down shack. Not quite as nice as a cottage, but it seemed halfway decent from what she could see of it. Though as she got closer she saw that it was completely covered in moss, and it was on a little aisle, surrounded by mucky water, with snakes hissing in it. Then there was an old grey unicorn rocking on a chair. He looked towards them as they approached.

“Who goes there! I swear Flower if you bring back one more dead animal, I'll skin that hide of yours.” he spoke angry.

“No, Sunny, these here are my friends, fellow ponies.” spoke Emma as she went up to him.

Sunny glanced from one pony to another, seeming to study them intensely. “Hmm...” he mumbled. “Get off of my lawn!” he shouted towards Derpy as she had accidentally ended up stepping on one of his plants.

“Whoops...sorry sir I didn't mean to.” explained Derpy.

Though as Sunny stood up, to get a better look of her, he looked like he had seen a ghost. “Derpy? But how can this be...” he spoke as he walked down the rikty stairs towards the alicorn Princess. “Hmm..you look like her.” he mumbled to himself as he inspected her, but something was off. “You are from a different realm. I knew it! I knew you weren't the Derpy I know.” he muttered.

“Do you understand anything he is saying?” questioned Heart Stripes towards Emma Flower.

“He's...well a bit odd...but he has good meaning in him. I don't always understand him, but he's a very wise teacher. If not for him, I'd still be dead.” replied Emma.

“You mean he...” began Midnight.

“Yes, I saved her from dying, after you assumed the worst. She ran away weakened from the explosion, for fear of you seeing her in such a state. I found her in the forest, and saved her life, in exchange for her staying as a pupil. After all I have to have some pony to leave my vast knowledge too.” spoke Sunny with a pfft.

“Thank you.” spoke Midnight as he bowed before him. “Thank you....”

“Whatever. Now I'm guessing you want to go back to wence where you came?” he questioned.

“Yes, I would like too.” replied Derpy honestly, though she couldn't help but notice how Heart Stripes seemed sad at her response.

“You are leaving us already? I hardly even knew her. Oh and I never did get to give you a proper kiss either.”

“Um...that's okay...” replied Derpy with a faint blush. She looked towards Sunny, he could help her, she just knew it. Now all she had to know was what she had to do, in order to get back to where she was.

“Well, first things first, you're going to need some help. Seems like you may have already gotten yourself quite the little group here, but take Emma with you. Her skills with healing will come in handy this I am sure of.” spoke Sunny as he took a breath of air, before he continued speaking. “Furthermore, for you to return to your world, I need three things. I need a bark of the elder tree within the deadly valleys, I need a golden flower from atop a volcano, and lastly, I need oil from the Sands of Sebria. You won't have an easy time of getting any of these, but once I have them, I will cast a spell that will allow the storm that sent you here, to show up and sent you flying back home. Any questions?” he questioned towards her.

“Um...a bark...a flower and oil. Gotcha, no worries, I can do this!” smiled Derpy.

“Doesn't that all sounds a bit dangerous dear?” questioned Heart Stripes.

“Yeah, it does, but my daughter is back at home waiting for me. I can't let her down.” explained Derpy.

“Oh...a daughter...does that mean?” questioned Heart Stripes.

“It's a long story, but we're just friends.” explained Derpy. She knew what a lot of people thought about her and Dr.Hooves but really, there wasn't anything serious between them, but she was glad to have his support with rising Dinky, besides he wasn't the father. She honestly didn't remember the father with how long ago it had been.

“Oh I see, so then you are available?” questioned Heart Stripes.

“Um...I guess so?” replied Derpy.

“Oh how wonderful.” replied Heart Stripes embracing her.

“You know Derpy, the sooner we get a move on, the sooner you can get home.” explained Midnight Star.

“Yes, I know Midnight Star. Could you excuse us?” asked Derpy.

Midnight Star just mumbled and went over to where Emma Flower was, he had a lot to check up with. And a confession to make.

Derpy looked towards Heart Stripes, with a serious look on her face. “I really appriciate that you like me, Heart, but I can't say I feel the same. I don't want to hurt you, or lead you into a false thing...I hope you aren't upset with me.” explained Derpy to her.

Heart Stripes couldn't believe what she was hearing. Heartbroken, she ran away in tears, without saying another word. Derpy sighed to herself, why did she have a feeling that was going to happen? Man...now she felt like a royal jerk. Some princess she was turning out to be. She looked towards Electric Flare.

“What am I going to do now?” she questioned towards her. She felt so lost and so alone. She felt Electric Flare put a hoof onto her shoulder, and just held her, and let Derpy cry.

“There, there...it'll all work out. We'll get you home, just wait and see.” smiled Electric Flare, petting her over her blonde mane and running her hoof down her hair, trying to soothe her.

Derpy felt horrible, she hadn't wanted to hurt anyone. All she wanted was to go home and for things to be normal again, but it was very clear by what the Sage Sunny told her, she still had a long journey ahead of her before she would be able to go home. And who even knew if his spell would work, there were no guartnees and she was feeling pretty lost right about that. She kept thinking that if Twilight was here, or heck any of her friends, they'd know what to do. But she wasn't any of them, she was Derpy...and she had no clue where to even start.

“Perhaps you should start with an appology.” suggested Electric Flare. She knew that Derpy might not love Heart Stripes, but it was best to go about it a different way then she had.

“You're right Flare. I'm sorry.” began Derpy as she stood up. She wasn't about to let herself feel defeated. She would find Heart Stripes and make up for her actions. Or at least try too. She only hoped that Heart Stripes would be able to forgive her. She walked up towards her, as she was huddled under a nearby tree, sobbing, mascara all over her hooves.

“Heart Stripes?” she questioned towards her.

“What do you want?” she questioned.

“I want to appoligize. I never meant to hurt your feelings, and seeing how I made you feel, made me feel horrible.” explained Derpy as she sat down beside Heart Stripes.

“I forgive you...but that doesn't change how I feel.” explained Heart Stripes. “I care for you Derpy, and I want to help you, but I can't help you if you don't want me too.”

“Of course I want your help.” smiled Derpy. “I need all the help I can get, and a creative pony like you, is more than helpful.” explained Derpy.

“Are you sure I won't be too much of a burden?” questioned Heart Stripes.

“No. None of you are burdens. You are all friends, and you are all worth having. When I return to Ponyville, I promise to tell my daughter all about my adventures, and all about the amazing ponies I met on the way.” replied Derpy as she embraced Heart Stripes. Heart Stripes returned the embrace, but she just held around Derpy. She did desire Derpy, but she had to get Derpy to feel for her, she wasn't sure how to do that, but she wasn't about to give up. She loved her, and she would do anything for her.

The two mares held each other for quite some time, not even caring when the sun set up in the night sky, as the moon was full, and they could hear howls in the distance, even then, Derpy didn't let go of her, and Heart Stripes wouldn't let go of Derpy. The two were in this together, and whatever dangers were ahead of them, they'd face them together.

Comments

[Viper Pit]

oh please let heart strips follow derpy to her world

[DavisSentoV5]

Emma's alive!? Well slap a donkey & call me Bertha, I didn't see that coming at all & neither did Midnight, that poor s.o.b. went evil & crazy for nothing!

Also....

“Sure?” spoke Derpy as she flew over, lifted Heart Stripes into the air, and flew her to the other side of the stream. She made her landing just fine, though she hadn't expected Heart Stripes to kiss her. Their lips met, and Derpy blinked unsure what to think or even how to feel.

I called it! Heart has feelings for our little Derpy! A shame that Derpy doesn't have the same feels for her, but its understandable since she needs to focus on getting home, however I must still ship them together!

[Nailah]

8720013
Mwhahaha. Oh and if you check out my new blog, you'll see an awesome ms paint reference for our little lovely lady Heart Stripes xD.

[DavisSentoV5]

8720062
Already did, she's glorious

[Nailah]

8720066
Thanks! Obviously she's my worlds version of Rarity, but I'm still working on a more detailed back story for her.

[DavisSentoV5]

8720123
Yeah I kinda figured that out when she refused to cross that bridge.