A Derpy Princess

by Nailah

Chapter 9: A puzzling situation

Midnight Star knew that Derpy wanted to go home, and honestly he couldn't blame her. The fastest way of doing that was for him to take the lead, while she enjoyed some one on one time with that...other mare. He huffed a bit as he continued onwards futher into the town. He outright ignored the calls of the vendors, that tried to get him to stop and look at their wares. Midnight Star knew he had a lot to make up for, he didn't want to seem like Derpy had given him a second chance, and waste it. He was going to change, no matter how hard it might seem. He could be a good stallion, and a good pony to better their lives. He couldn't help looking over towards Emma Flower. The love of his life, and his best friend. He was glad to have her back in his life once more. He was so distracted by looking at her, that he walked right into a vendor's cart.

“Ouch.” he muttered as he looked up to see a unicorn of yellow mane and tail, and a brown coat.

“Might I suggest you take a moment's breath to gaze upon my stand? I assure you, all my goods are home grown, and properly cared for. You won't find better quality fruits in all of Astiaria.” spoke the mare.

“Fine...I'll look.” replied Midnight, as he glanced over the many varieties of fruit on her stand. He couldn't help but to take in the aroma of the many different flavors, and he couldn't deny a small part of him was curious. He took a few bits out of his coin pouch.

“I'll take a few of those for the road.” he pointed to a basket of apples.

“Alrightly! Coming right up. Thank you so much for your purchase.” smiled the eager mare.

“Yeah...sure.” replied Midnight Star, offering an apple to Emma Flower.

“Oh thank you, but you should give Holly one as well, I'm certain we aren't the only ones hungry for a nice juicy apple.”

“Oh, thank you Emma, but you don't need to worry about me. If you'd like I could simply take the envelope and continue with finding Twinkle Star.”

“I respect you know her better than us, but it's best we stick together. Never know what might happen in unfamiliar territory.” spoke Midnight Star. He was mostly concerned about Emma, but he had to show he was willing to at least learn to be around other ponies again, without the thoughts of his past, clouding his judgment.

“Yes, of course. Your right, I'm sorry I shouldn't have even suggested that in the first place.” replied Holly Leaf, as she brushed her forehoof against the ground, a bit nervously, her head tilted down. She was just excited at the prospects of meeting her pen pal, she hadn't even considered this town might be dangerous. For all she knew, every pony here could be waiting to ambush them.

“You know if you folks, need a helping hoof to show you the way, I was just about to go on break.” spoke the mare from the cart.

Midnight Star couldn't help but be a bit suspicious at the sudden offer, but the mare seemed friendly enough. Would Derpy turn down a chance to better know the area? Probably not.

“I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have some pony that knows this town better than us. What's your name?” questioned Midnight Star, gazing over her as she stepped out from her stand. She was a simple earth pony. The mark on her flank was a simple basket of fruit. It was easier to see how her mane framed her green eyes so well. Midnight Star found himself starring, he quickly snapped himself out of those thoughts. He was happy with Emma Flower, and he wasn't the Midnight of the past, though he felt he still had a lot to prove.

“Call me Berry Delight, it's a honor to meet the lot of you. We don't get a lot of folks that travel out this way.” spoke Berry Delight in a soft gentle and understanding tone.

“It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Berry. I'm Emma, and this here is Midnight. Oh and this one here is Holly, but she's a bit shy.”

“I'm not that shy that I can't introduce myself. Hello there Berry, as Emma stated, my name is Holly Leaf, it's a pleasure to meet you.” she held her forehoof up, offering an handshake of friendship.

Berry Delight lifted her own forehoof up to connect with Holly's, and shook her hoof eagerly. “It's always nice to meet more fellow pony folk. Now, you say you were looking for some pony?”

“Yes, we were. Do you know of Twinkle Star?” questioned Midnight Star, his gaze indicated he was still uneasy about trusting a stranger.

“Twinkle Star....Hmm. Oh! Yeah, I can't really say I know her, but I reckon I know where she lives. I can take you there if you like. Her house sticks out like a sore hoof!” replied Berry Delight, with a slight chuckle.

Midnight Star simply nodded, and began to follow this strange earth pony. Was it too much of him to think it was odd for some random pony to suddenly offer help? The town itself seemed to be friendly, most of the ponies from the other stands would wave towards their fellow vendor. Midnight Star knew they had a task at hoof, and he wasn't about to let Derpy down. After all, if not for her, he might never had found Emma again, he owed her that much. Midnight Star wasn't sure how he could help Derpy get back to this other world she was from, but in a way, he kind of wanted her to stay a bit longer. He knew that was a bit greedy of him, but Derpy was a good friend, and he couldn't deny once this was all over he'd miss her odd charms. However, he certainly wouldn't miss dealing with Heart Stripes.

Holly Leaf couldn't believe she was finally going to get a chance to meet her pen pony. On one hoof, she was excited with joy, but on the other she was a nervous wreck. She couldn't help taking breaths trying to calm her nerves as they trotted more and more into the town. There were so many things to see and do here, maybe she'd have to come back and visit someday.

“Well, we're here. This is where Twinkle Star lives. I don't even know if she'll answer the door, she is a quiet type. Usually keeps to herself.” spoke Berry Delight, going up and knocking on the door. She back up a bit, and awaited an answer. She pursed her lips, knowing the chances of her actually answering weren't very high. She tended to keep to herself, and whenever Berry tried to strike up a conservation, it was always a simple nod of yes or no, and moving on.

Tap Tap Tap. Some pony was knocking on her door. Ugh! She didn't have time for this, She had important things to do. There was something strange going on in their world, and no other pony seemed to know anything about it! However, she wasn't just any pony. She had dedicated her life to studying magic, and how it could be used to better their world. However, she kept her distance from the townsfolk. They were friendly, sure but they'd never understand her reasearch, let alone her. Taking a deep breath, she debated on simply not answering. They would go away if she just didn't come to the door. However, the tap tap tap, got louder, seeming a bit more frustrated, and she heard the familiar voice of one of the vendors calling out her name.

“Twinkle Star? Are you there?” called Berry Delight, scratching the back of her head, turning back towards Midnight and the others. “I reckon she's not home, ya'll. I'm sorry but I have no idea where she might be.”

“Well, we might as well head back to the spa then, and meet up with Derpy and Heart Stripes. No sense staying here.” replied Midnight Star, with a slight sigh.

Holly Leaf paused and looked to the odd tree that must be where her pen pony lives. She really wanted to see her, but she knew she needed to stay with the others, so she turned on her hooves and followed them back to the spa.

“Well, I do hope you folks have a good time here in Sebria. Feel free to drop by any time. I could certainly use the business, and if you could tell folks about me, I'd really appreciate it.” spoke Berry Delight, returning to her stand. Her eyes darted from side to side, almost considering something crazy, but she had lived in Sebria all her life, and she highly doubted they would want someone like her traveling with them. She could be rather set in her ways.

“Thank you Berry, for you help. We really appreciate it, and we'll be sure to tell lots of ponies about you.” smiled Emma softly. She knew Midnight was already trotting back towards the spa.

Midnight Star knew Derpy wasn't going to like the fact they were coming back empty hoofed, but there wasn't really a whole lot he could do about it. Perhaps they'd have better luck with the volcano. He couldn't help glancing over his shoulder at Emma, he knew he might be a bit overprotective, but she meant the world, to him, and without her life just seemed empty. Suddenly, he almost felt this twinge of guilt, about the things he had said to Heart Stripes. If she really did love Derpy, the way he did Emma.....

“Darling, you mustn't push yourself so! Your mane is all frazzled. Just try and relax and enjoy yourself.” spoke Heart Stripes, cucumbers over her eyes, laying on a massage table, a towel around her own mane, while the ponies tended to her aches. Oh how many aches she had from all that walking! However, she'd walk to hell and back, if it meant she got to stay by Derpy's side. That mare, simply didn't know how amazing she was, and oh joy, did she have so much to show the poor mare. She couldn't believe she had never been to a spa before!

Derpy laid on the table beside heart stripes, cucumbers over her eyes, a towel around her blonde locks. Relax. It was such a simple word. She let out a heavy sigh.

“It's hard, honestly. All of you are are counting on me, and I feel like I won't lie up to your expectations. Back home, all I had to worry about was delivering mail, but now I'm apparently a Princess....I'm just so confused, but I'm trying to process it all.” replied Derpy honestly. She could feel the hooves of the spa pony against her back, and couldn't deny it was helping her be a bit less tense, but these fears were still in the back of her mind. She knew she had to push past them. After all, if this was a land just like Equestria, then the power of her friends would give her strength to endure any struggles she might have. She was glad to have Heart Stripes here with her. Glad to have met her, but deep in her mind, she knew eventually, she'd have to say goodbye. A slight twinge of guilt, and sadness ripped through her. A slight teardrop running down her face, sniffling a bit. To think she would find such a wonderful mare, that she might not ever see again.

“Oh, Derpy you are just so adorable. We all have fears, I hate mud, but we have to push past such fears to become the pony we know we can be. You are a Princess, and you know I will always be here for you. Don't ever be afraid to lean on me a little. I promise I'll catch you when you fall.” smiled Heart Stripes softly.

Derpy really wanted to believe her, but she felt unsure about it all. Could she really do this? What if....

Before she had time to blink, she felt a familiar hoof clutching to her own. “Wash away those fears, darling. Just stay with me a bit longer.” replied Heart Stripes.

Derpy pursed her lips. So, she did know....At least that was one fear out of the way. Heart Stripes reminded her so much of Rarity from her own world. She was sure the two would've gotten along.

She closed her hues, and took a deep steady breath, feeling the pat pat pat of the spa pony.

“Alright, you are finished. How do you feel now?” asked the spa pony, colar of a icy blue, with a pink mane and tail, a white towel like shawl wrapped around her mane to keep it back out of the way of her green hues.

Derpy bite her lip, as she paused and reflected on how she felt. At first, she had been confused, but now with Heart Stripes and the others, it reassured her that she wasn't in this alone. In a way, they gave her the strength she needed to see things through.

“I feel very relaxed, thank you.” replied Derpy, she felt a tug at her tail. She let out a slight yip, before being pulled along. She blinked looking to the hot tub bubbling, then turning to look at the culprit. None other than Heart Stripes, she let out a huff, giving her an inquisitive look.

“I thought the massage was over? Shouldn't we meet up with the others?” questioned Derpy, concerned. She knew they couldn't dwell here too long. After all, she needed to find those items to get home. She still didn't understand what the items meant, but how was she supposed to understand a crazy old sage?

Heart Stripes smiled ever so gently, chuckling, her hooves caressing the sides of Derpy's cheeks.

“Derpy, you can't possibly expect me not to take advantage of a nice hot soak now can you?”

“Um...no oh course not.” replied Derpy pausing, biting her lip. She didn't want to hurt Heart Stripes, but she just wasn't sure how she felt about all of this. It was all happening so fast. How was she supposed to process it all? She felt Heart nudging her into the water.

Slowly, but surely she put her back hoof into it, to test the temperature of the water. It was a nice piping hot, but not so much so it would burn or hurt her. She eased into the water steadily, up to her neck, before letting out a “ah” of relief.

Heart Stripes slid down into the hot tub beside her, not too close. She didn't want to push things after all. She was certain, Derpy would see just how much of a connection the two had. She couldn't deny she was jealous of Midnight and Emma, they had found love, something she had wanted since she was a little filly. It all came back to her in a flash, how she remembered her own mother shoving her to the side, to be with a man, leaving her on her own. Those first few years had been horrible, but she had managed through it all, knowing that someday she'd find someone that actually cared about her. She couldn't help hoping that pony would be the very Princess she was sitting besides, but who was she kidding? Derpy had a life of her own, a daughter she had to go home too. She couldn't keep her from such things.

Derpy tilted her head back, her shoulders resting against the wall of the hot tub, feeling how the bubbles streamed a jet of water against her back. She closed her hues, trying to simply enjoy herself. It wasn't easy, but eventually she eased into letting out a deep sigh of relief.

“See? What did I tell you Derpy. A good massage and a hot soak are a girl's best friends.”

“Yeah... I just hope the others don't mind waiting just a bit longer.' replied Derpy, closing her eyes fully, and wiggling her hips a bit to let the water hit against her upper back, while keeping her head just above the water. She could find the items in a bit. Right now she was going to enjoy herself.

Heart Stripes was glad she had dragged Derpy here, she might not even realize it, but she was stressing herself out. They were a team, it wasn't just her here after all. Ever since Derpy had saved her, she swore she'd do all she could to help Derpy get home, even if that meant saying goodbye. She couldn't help looking at her, pursing her lip, and whispering to the sky.

“For Snow Heart's sake, please please let me be able to go with her. I love her." spoke Heart Stripes. It wasn't impossible right? She didn't want to spend the rest of her life knowing the one pony she had loved, was one she couldn't truly be with. She wasn't sure she'd ever recover from such a thing. For now, she closed her eyes, and relaxed against the jets of the spa's water as it hit against her aches and joints.

Author's Note:

Hello, every pony. Sorry for the wait, life has been rather hectic lately! I do hope you enjoy the peace right now, because I have plans. *rubs hands together evilly* But for now, I must go work on Chapter 2 of Bonds more. Thank you all for reading this, it's your support that keeps me hoof writing these chapters.

Comments

[Viper Pit]

I do hope heartstripes is able to go with her love

[DavisSentoV5]

It lives & we finally meet this world's AJ! That moment at the end with Heart was very emotional, I do hope her prayer gets answer, when this is all over.