A clutsy Pony has a crush on somepony else, but has a hard time expressing her love.
*Edit: Chapters 1-4 have been updated with the rewrites Also I changed the rating to teen due to the use of harsh langue* Derpy struggles with insecurity as she tries to figure out the best way to let Twilight know about her feelings. But things are not what they seem as She has to battle with another Pony for her crushes affection. Will Derpy succeed? Or will she be left heart broken. Only time will tell.
Thank you to The Derpy Divison for being the first person to help me out with proofreading and editing. Also if it wasn't for them the story wouldn't be in the shape its in now so a BIG thank's for help on the overhaul of it and livinthelife for helping me out with Proof reading and editing when I was in a bind editor wise. Thank you guys, both of you, sorry I haven't given you guys credit earlier
"Watch out!" Screams Rainbow Dash as a gray pegasus collides into her. "Derpy where are you off to so quickly?" Derpy getting up of the ground and shakes the dust of her coat. A little dazed and confused she takes a second before she replies. "Huh, what? Oh Sorry Rainbow Dash didn't see you there. There's a sale on muffins today at Sugarcube Corner, and I want to get there before they run out. Again." Derpy takes off again while Rainbow Dash calls out to her.
"Well, be careful!"
Derpy zooms her way through Ponyville as she nears her destination. Oh please let there still be muffins. Memories of her missing out last time filling her mind. shaking her head to rid the memoires, No, there shall be muffins!
Derpy finally makes its to Sugarcube Corner, a dinging sound rings out signaling Derpy’s entrance to the store as she trots over to get line. Once in line she soon realises that line doesn't seem to be moving so Derpy decides to plant her rump while she waits whilst doing so she takes in her surroundings. Behind the counter Pinkie Pie is a mad blur of pink racing around as she helps Mr.Cake with the sales. Ponies waited in line for their turn to trot up to the counter. Vinyl Scratch along with Octavia are standing in line in front of her.
I wonder how those two get along. Vinyl's head is bopping to whatever Dubstep beat is going on in her head phones. Off in the distance Derpy hears a child like voice complaining to somepony.
"But I still don't understand why you had to wake me up for this Twilight?" Derpy turns to look at the oncoming voice to see Spike and Twilight walk up. Her cheeks began to warm up.
Oh, why does she have to show up here!? Derpy's head darts around to see if she can hide, but if she moves she'll lose her place in line, and she wants her muffins. Dang it, ok keep calm Derpy. Just act normal.
Twilight and Spike walk closer to the line. "Because Spike all you want to do is sleep. You need to get out more often and do stuff." Spike rolls his eyes as he says to himself. "Says the pony who use to stay locked in her room studying for hours on end."
As Twilight and Spike take their place in line behind her. Derpy can feel her heart pounding in her chest. Luckily the line starts to move and Derpy can now see the counter. Her eyes grow wide when she see the Muffins on display. Twilight and Spike keep on bickering but they are washed out in Derpy's mind, for all she's focused on is getting her muffins now. The line picks up pace and pretty soon Vinyl Scratch and Octavia are next in line.
"I'll take ten muffins."
"Sorry Vinyl Scratch, I only have five left." Derpy's face fills with disappointment as she overhears the news. As her heart drops her wings follow as she sulks up to the counter.
"No muffins?" She says very pitiful as her lip trembles.
Mr. Cakes looks at Derpy than smiles, "Don't worry I had my wife pull some aside for you." Derpy's ears stand up as she smiles letting out a happy gasp, clapping her front hooves together.
"Sweet!"
Derpy rushes to the counter where her bag of long awaited muffins rested. Wasting no time she picks up the bag in her mouth, shuddering as the smell of muffins fills her nostrils, with a muffled “thanks” to the cakes before Derpy turns around only to hit a wall of soft lavender fur. The bag of muffins flies out of Derpy’s mouth as they are sent flying across the room. Both Derpy and Twilight yelp as they are both sent to the floor with Derpy on top, unaware to the pair is a baby dragon running after a bag of muffins.
Derpy’s and Twilight’s open their eyes as violet met golden. Derpy’s heart stop as she stared into the eye’s that had stole her heart and plagued her dreams there beautiful, then reality caught up with her as she leaps off of Twilight, blushing furiously taking a few steps back with a panicked expression.
Twilight shakes her head to get a clear mind. She raises a hoof to her head and shuts one eye as pain shoots through her skull, "Derpy are you okay?" Derpy looks up at Twilight with a burning face with tears swelling in her eyes. She had forgotten Twilight was here.
"I-I'm so s-sorry Twilight, I didn't mean too." Her face turns an even darker shade of red, as embarrassment washed over her.
Spike walks up with bag in hand, “Saved em for ya." He hands the bag to Derpy, who slowly takes it from him. Derpy looks at Twilight again as tears start to roll down her face. She then bolts out the door and runs off. Twilight and Spike look too each other with a look of confusion on their faces.
Spike was the first to speak up, "What was that about Twilight?"
Twilight shakes her head, "I don't know Spike. Did I do something wrong?" Spike just shrugs his shoulders. Twilight looks back at the retreating pony, "Have you noticed her acting strange lately Spike?" Spike just stares at Twilight in confusion. "Okay, more than her normal strange? Spike, Spike?" Twilight looks over at Spike, whom seems to have spotted Rarity and is no longer paying attention to her. She scoffs and trots off after Derpy. Looks like I'm going to figure this one out by myself. Lover Boy is preoccupied, again.
Thoughts race through Derpy's mind as she races home. Tears blurred her vision to the point to where it's just colored blobs. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why must I be so clumsy? Why did I have to bump into her? Anypony but her. She continues through the streets of Ponyville running by pure memory of the way home. As she nears her house she bears her head down and crashes through the Door.
"Bloody Hey!? What are ya doin Derpy? Wait, why are you crying?" Doctor Whooves looks at Derpy confused as she bursts through the door into their home. "Did they run out of muffins again?" Derpy shakes her head as she walks over to the table to set her bag of muffins down. "Well, spit it out lassie?!"
"I knocked somepony over!"
Doc stares blankly at Derpy, "Are you serious? That's what this whole ruckus is on about?" Derpy's lip quivers as she tries to tell the rest of her story to her roommate. "So why are you so upset over knocking somepony down?" Derpy looks at Doc with frustration in her eyes.
"B-but it was T-Twilight." Doc still looks confused. He brings his hoof up to his chin as he thinks.
"I still don't understand."
Derpy smacks her face, "Really?! Have you forgotten about what I told you a couple weeks ago?" Doctor Whooves lets out a roaring laugh as he places hoof on her shoulder. "Thats nothing to cry about my dear, I'm sure she knows it was an accident. No harm, no foul right? It's not like, it's not your character to be clumsy." A soft knocking comes from the front door. Both Doc and Derpy look at each other. Derpy shakes her head. Doc sighs, "Fine I'll get the door."
Twilight left Spike to ogle Rarity as she walked out of Sugarcube Corner. She couldn't understand why Derpy was acting this way lately. They were really good friends, and got along fine. The thought kept nagging at her brain and she was determined to figure out why her friend was acting this way. She actually enjoyed Derpy's company, unlike most of Ponyville who tolerated her. Derpy was so full of life and always had a smile on her face no matter how bad her day was going. Yes she was clumsy, but that was what made her unique.
The golden orbs that never faced the same way, the way her mane clung to her neck when she was working. Although she wasn’t athletic like Rainbow Dash, Derpy was firmly toned in muscle from carrying her mail satchel almost everyday. Without realising it Twilight’s cheeks turned to a deep purple as she thought about her friend.
She thought back to when they had their first encounter.
It was bright and sunny day in Ponyville. Pegasi were moving clouds around getting ready for the upcoming sprinkles in the late summer.
Birds were singing in the trees overhead while the sun broke through the canopy that cover the local farmers market. Twilight was making her way through the crowds as she picked up the various things she needed on her list for the night's dinner. She was walking away from Carrot Tops stand when Rainbow Dash landed next to Twilight.
“So Twilight I was wondering If I could borrow one of your Daring Do novels?”
“I don’t see why you can’t. Go on ahead and head to the library, Spike is there and will help you get it.”
“Not done shopping then?” Twilight shook her head. Rainbow Dash took off and Twilight resumed her shopping.
As she walked up to AppleJack's stand she was blind sided. The impact sent twilight a good ten feet. When she looked up she could see a golden crossed eyed sweaty gray pegasus, with a blonde mane that currently had dirt and twigs in it, in a mailmare outfit.
“Gosh I’m sooo sorry, I wasn’t paying attention and ran into the tree line.” Her expression was one of worry as she looked Twilight in the eyes. Unknown to both parties a spark was ignited in both of them at that moment.
“Way to go Derpy, how are you even allowed to fly?” Twilight felt a wave a anger swell up from deep within her, and she had no idea why.
“I said I was sorr-”
“Sorry doesn’t help my smashed cart an-”
“You leave her alone!” Every pony turned to look at Twilight. “Derpy was it? Come on let's go get you fixed up.”
Twilight helped Derpy pick up her stuff and trotted off towards her house. She looked over at the gray mare and noticed that there was fear in her eyes. It pained Twilight to see it.
“Please don’t be angry with me.” Derpy’s ear were pinned back against her skull and her wings fluttered with uneasiness.
“Why would I be mad? Mistakes happen. Are you ok, you landed pretty hard.”
“My fletlock hurts a little bit but other than that I’m fine. I think.” Twilight started to giggle a little bit. Derpy looked over at her with confusion all over her face.
They eventually came up to Twilights house, which also served as the town's public library. Twilight opened the door and lead Derpy inside.
“Are those muffins I smell?” Derpy’s ears perked up.
“Yes those are. Would you like one?”
MUFFINS! I mean, yes please thank you.”
She was so caught up in her thoughts that Twilight almost missed the bubble flank of Derpy rushing across the street. Twilight trotted up the street trying to see where Derpy went. But She was moving too quickly for Twilight to keep up. She spotted Apple Bloom. Maybe she knows where Derpy lives. "Apple Bloom, wait up."
Apple Bloom looked over her shoulder towards Twilight, "Hey Twilight! What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for Derpy Hooves. You don't happen to know where she lives do you?" Apple Bloom nodded with glee. She grabbed Twilight's tail and started Dragging her.
"Its this way, come on I'll show you." Apple Bloom looked back at Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo. "Go on without me girls, I'll meet you at the Clubhouse." Apple Bloom turned her attention back to Twilight. "So why you tryin to find Derpy?"
Twilight looked down at Apple Bloom. "Well, she's been acting weird around me lately. And this morning at Sugarcube Corner she accidentally bumped into me, and darted out the door before I could ask if I've done something wrong." Apple Bloom started giggling at Twilight. I don't understand how that's funny? "What are you giggling at?"
"You." Apple Bloom continued to giggle as they reached a house. It wasn't anything fancy, thatch roof and wooden exterior just like most of the houses in Ponyville. "Well this is her house. Good luck Twilight." With that Apple Bloom galloped off.
"Thanks Apple Bloom." Twilight turned and faced the door. She didn’t know why but she suddenly felt very unsure if she should be doing this. Her heart started to beat faster. Twilight felt confused and it frustrated her that she couldn’t figure out why. She could hear two ponies inside talking. She took a breath in, and exhaled slowly. Twilight raised her hoof and gently knocked on the door.
"Coming." The door opened and there stood a colt, not a mare.
"I'm sorry I was under the impression this was Derpy Hooves house."
The colt started laughing. "You got the right address Lassie, I'm Derpy's roommate. Doctor Whooves. Come in." Doc Stepped aside to allow Twilight in. When she walked in she saw a gray blur dash towards the back of the house. Whats with this pony? She made her way into the living room.
"You're more than welcome to have a seat while I go fetch Derpy." Twilight took a seat on the couch and watched as Doc walked down the hall towards what she assumed was Derpy's room. She looked around the room. Shocked to see that wasn't in total disarray from Derpy's clumsiness. That was probably because of Doctor Whooves. There was muffin decor strewn about the house, at least to what Twilight could see. But there was also a mixture of odd gadgets and Relics. She guessed this was Doctor Whooves belongings. She tried to keep to herself but couldn't help to overhear their conversation.
"You're acttin like a bloody chicken, go out there and talk to her."
"But I'll get tongue tied again."
"I'll tie yur wings if you don't do it!"
"You wouldn't Dare!"
"I would, now get out there and talk with her."
Derpy appeared in the archway glaring back over her shoulder at Doc, her golden eyes almost slits. The feathers in her wings were ruffled. She turned her head to look towards Twilight and her whole facial expression changed as she sheepishly sat on the couch next to Twilight. Her gaze remind down towards the ground after she took her seat.
"You never answered my question Derpy, are you ok?" Derpy shifted her hooves and continued to stare at the ground.
"Y-yeah I'm fine, I guess. It’s something I'm use to by now." An awkward silence followed for a few minutes. Twilight could cut through the tension in the air with a knife.
"I've been meaning to ask, have I done something to offend you Derpy?" The question seemed to take the Pegasus by surprise. She jolted her head in Twilight’s direction with wide googly eyes. Shock was written all over her face as well.
"What makes you think that?!" Her voice had a bit of shock and disbelief in it. Which in turned confused Twilight. She glanced at Derpy’s wings as they twitched a little bit. Derpy's face redden when she caught Twilight's gaze.
"Well, you've been acting weird lately. And it seems that you’ve been avoiding me. And I can’t think of anything of why you’d be acting like this." Twilight watched as Derpy's eye widened either in horror or fear, she couldn't tell which. She than noticed that Derpy began to chew at her bottom lip. Panic came across her face.
Derpy whispered softly to herself, "Has it been that noticeable?" Her eye's began to dart all over the room in a panic. Derpy's heart and mind was racing. Twilight has notice her change in actions around her. Think, think! She looked back over to Twilight, a concerned look was upon her face.
"Derpy whats wrong? Is there something I should know-"
At that moment the door smashed open, there stood Princess Luna. "Twilight, we must make hast. Equestria needs your help." Twilight jumped up with a nod and rushed out the door. Luna turned and gave Derpy a pricing look. Her eyes turned to slits as she hissed, "Back off." Luna then teleported elsewhere.
"Wha-?" Derpy sat there confused as ever. Just than Doc rushed into the room.
"What was that noise?"
"Just Princess Luna." Derpy got up off the couch and headed for the door. "I'm headed to work, see you later tonight Doc." Doc nodded his head as she grabbed her stuff and headed out.
While she made her way to work Derpy kept pondering over what the Princess had said. Back off what? It wasn't making sense, but than again Luna was a weird one, even to Derpy. Her mind kept going in circles as she tried to connect what little there was to make meaning of Princess Luna’s words. Derpy shook her head in frustration and snorted. Nothing was making any sense. The thought went to the back of her mind when she walked into the post office.
Derpy's mind wander more than usual today. She just couldn't get Twilight out of her head. Her beautiful sapphire blue mane with the pink and purple highlights. Her big deep violet eyes that went on forever. How she seemed to be oblivious to anything unless it smacked her in the face, really really hard. She could feel her face turn red at just the thought. How could anypony not like her? She was so kind and willing to help others. And she never seemed to mind her clumsy self. Unlike others who were scared to be around Derpy in case something happened. Which in turn cause her to not have many friends. She shook the thought form her mind and continued with her day.
The moon began to rise as Derpy's work day came to an end, she had only a few more letters to deliver. Luckily they were on the way home so it wouldn't take too long. As she finished up her last delivery she spotted Twilight walking home with Spike. Why don't you go down there and say hi/or something? What harm would that do. Derpy corrected her course and flew down to meet up with Twilight and Spike. As she flew down she could feel her heart jump a little bit at the anticipation of talking to Twilight.
She neared the ground and went to land until one of her back hooves caught the ground and sent her into a face plant. Derpy tumbled forward sending her mail bag and hat flying in different directions. Both Spike and Twilight jumped at the sudden thud behind them. I can never do anything right. Derpy picked herself up off the ground and started to gather up her things until a purple glow wrapped around her mail bag and hat. Derpy looked up to see Twilight's horn aglow.
"Haven't you had enough crashing for one day?" Twilight giggled at her own comment. Derpy could feel her face blushing, but it wasn't just from embarrassment. She thought Twilight's giggle was cute.
"So-ah, h-how was the rest of your day Twilight?" Twilight began to levitate Derpy's things back on to her as she answered her question
"Weird actually. After Luna barged into your house, I ran off to Canterlot only to be informed that nothing was out of the ordinary today." She paused to think. "Luna kind of avoided the subject and kept insisting that I stayed and accompany her to dinner. Which I ended up doing, it's not like a Princess asks you to dinner very often."
Derpy's ears dropped at the last sentence. "Oh, w-well I was going to ask if you wanted to come over for dinner so I could apologize for this morning. But never mind." Derpy turned to walk away until Twilight stopped her.
"I'm free tomorrow night." Derpy's ears and wings shot up with excitement as Derpy rushed forward to hug Twilight. after a few seconds her actions sank in and she stumbled backwards and feel on her rump. She quickly got up, and awkwardly scratched her neck.
"Okay, so," Cough, "Guess I'll see you tomorrow night than." Derpy turned to walk away. One step at a time. I guess I really can do this.
Derpy rushed home with glee after hearing Twilight's answer. She flew with the speed and precision that would rival Rainbow Dash. A golden streak following a gray blur through Ponyville. Alarmed cries could be heard as Derpy made her way home. When she got home she rushed through the door and tackled Doctor Whooves to the ground hugging him and giggling with joy.
"She said yes. SHE SAID YES! Oh Celestia she said yes!" The gray pegasus was buzzing with excitement.
"Who said yes to what? Yur not makin sense." Doc was looking confused at Derpy.
"Twilight, she’s coming to dinner tomorrow." Derpy let out a loud gasp. "She's coming to dinner." She darted into the kitchen and flung open all the cupboards and the refrigerator. Stuff went flying here and there. Finally Derpy popped her head up with a pen in mouth, and notepad in hoof. Fiercely writing with her mouth. Seeming contempt with whatever she wrote down. She bolted for the door. Until Doc step in her way. She dug her hooves into the ground but had too much momentum and crashed into him. After a few seconds they both picked themselves up off the ground.
"You do know the market is closed right now right?" Derpy gave him a confused look. "It's night time."
"Oh, yeah." Derpy calmed down a little. "Guess I got carried away." She walked over to her mailbag and set the note inside so she wouldn't forget it tomorrow. "Well, I'm off to bed Doc. Good night."
"Night Derpy." She made her way down the small hallway and entered her room. She plopped down and settled in for the night.
Her mind went adrift at the possible scenarios that could happen tomorrow. But one thing was for certain to Derpy. She was going to tell Twilight just how she felt about that mare. With that as her last conscious thought she slipped into sleep with a smile on her face.
Twilight was feeling great that Derpy had asked her over for dinner. But why did she feel this happy? It's just dinner with a friend, that's all. Right? At least she hadn't insulted Derpy. She still had a hard time understanding why the gray pegasus has been acting strange. Maybe that's why she invited her to dinner. The conundrum racked in her brain, but she'd get her answer soon enough.
She turned her head to look at the bookshelf that was carved into the giant oak that she called home. She pulled a book off one of the shelves with her magic and trotted over to her couch and sat down. She opened the book and began to read. Normally reading came with ease to Twilight. It relaxed her mind and put her to ease allowing her to think with a clear head. Tonight on the other hand, she was having trouble focusing on the book before her. She found herself staring blankly at the page. Blurred in her eyes as if she was trying to see thru the book. This went off and on for twenty minutes until it came to her attention that her focus was elsewhere deep down in her sub conscience.
She sighed as she closed the book and set it down. No point in trying to read with a wondering mind. Instead she turned her focus to the events of the day to try and find the meaning behind it. She thought back to the morning when Derpy ran into her. An odd sensation erupted from her stomach as she thought about Derpy. But she didn't mind it any attention. Twilight picked up a glass of water with her magic.
Her thoughts turned to when Princess Luna had called her away, when it seemed that Derpy was going to tell her something important. That was another pony who concerned her. Luna had become, possessive of Twilight lately. If anypony got too close to her while in Luna's presents she'd lose it. What is with everypony acting out of character around me lately? It's like they all have crus-. She cut that thought off with an audible gasp of shock as the glass she had been holding fell to the ground with a crash.
It was all so clear to her now. How could I be so dumb?! She chastised herself with a groan. Spike glanced up at her.“Um, Twilight, are you ok?” Twilight looked over at Spike as her spilled out sideways.
“Yeah, just realised how much of an idiot I am when it comes to the real world.”
She look back at how painfully obvious it was. Derpy's blushed covered face came into to Twilight's thoughts, along with the reddening of her own cheeks.
“Spike, make sure you go to bed at a decent time, I got some things to take care of.” Before Spike could even ask a question Twilight teleported out of the living room.
Twilight walked up the stairs leading to the door at the Carousel Boutique. She got to the door and lifted her hoof and knock on the door. From behind the door she could hear Rarity complaining about if somepony knew what time of the night it was.
“Twilight darling do you know the hour?” Rarity had answered the door in a robe and a sleeping mask on her head.
“I know Rarity, but I need help with something.” Twilight nervously shifted her weight on her hooves waiting for her to answer. Rarity’s eyes widen when she took in Twilight’s body language.
“Oh. Oh yes yes, come in.” Rarity lead Twilight in to the boutique. She closed the door behind her and started to head for the stairs. “Just take a seat I’ll be right back.” With that said she troted off up the stairs.
Twilight walked into the room and took a seat on the sofa. After a few moments of sitting there in silence Rarity walked into the room, robe and sleeping mask nowhere to be seen.
“Did you really have to put makeup on?”
“Do you really have to ask when we both know the answer to that?” Rarity eyeballed Twilight for a moment.
“No I guess not.” Twilight looked down at her hoofs for a few minutes before continuing.
“So what is it I can help you with dear?”
“Well I think I have a crush on a special somepony. And I’ve been invited to dinner tomorrow night, or later today. Anyway I have no idea what to do. I’ve spent all my time with my snoot stuck in a book that I have no clue what to do.” Twilight looked at Rarity with pleading eyes. Rarity started to squeal in delight after hearing the news.
“This is so wonderful Twilight! It’s about time you found yourself a colt.” Twilight shook her head at Rarity and looked sheepishly at the floor. Rarity gasped loudly and cover her mouth with one of her hoofs.
“Oh my, I did not know you were into mares Twilight.”
“Neither did I until a few hours ago.”
“Well does this special mare like you back?”
“I-I think so, but not 100 percent sure.” Rarity started to giggle again.
“Darling you have nothing to fear, all you have to do is be yourself. If this mare in question does like you, it means that they like you for who you are. Even with all of your, um-.”
“Hard headedness, or the fact i’m always reading or doing research on something?” Twilight looked at Rarity with a blunt expression.
“Well yes there is that, but I was going to say your unique personality. So may I ask who invited who to dinner?”
“She did, right after she got off work. Spike and I were walking home and she...ran into us.”
“Twilight, dear if she has the guts to ask you to dinner in front of Spike, she either just wanted a friend over for dinner, or she really likes you. im guessing it was the later seeing how you didn’t mention if Spike was invited.”
“No, he wasn’t invited. But what's the protocol to these? Do I bring something with me, do I get her a gift? I’m just so lost.” Rarity sat and thought for a moment.
“Well it isn’t very proper to show up empty hooved. I’d think a lovely wine would be appropriate to bring with you. But I would hold off on the gift idea for now. Later on down the road, if things get that far, you could bring a gift. But for now I’d say wine is the way to go.”
“Um, what kind of wine should I bring.” Rarity’s jaw dropped and her eyes went wide.
“Twilight don’t tell me you’ve never had wine!” Twilight's ears pinned to the back of her head.
“I haven’t had any alcoholic drink ever.”
“We are fixing that right now.” Rarity got up and trotted towards the kitchen. Twilight could hear the clanking of glass together as Rarity mumbled to herself shifting through her cupboard looking for something. Rarity came back into the room with a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses following her in a light blue aurora.
It had been a few hours after Rarity brought out the bottle of red wine. They had gone through that bottle and then Rarity brought out a bottle of bourbon. A decision they would both regret in the morning. Twilight still couldn’t get over the burning bitter taste of the bourbon.
“Pony’s actually want to drink this shit?”
“Twilight!”
“What? I jus don’t get it. It’s bitter and it burns.” Twilight was now seeing two Rarity’s and couldn’t keep her balance if her life depended on it. Her mind was muddled and her thoughts weren’t clear. She found herself having a hard time keeping a coherent thought. But somehow they managed to keep a conversation going.
“Yous still haven’t told me who your speci, special somepony is Twi.” Rarity started giggling for no reason.
“Oh, I haven’t? It’s Derpy. Oooo I have the greatest idea of ideas. Les go sneak into her house and say hi!” Twilight stumbled to her hooves and staggered towards the door. “Were going on an Adventura!”
“Twilight, no we couldn’t do that. Twilight, Twilight? Oh drat.” Twilight had already made her way out the door and was stumbling her way to Derpy’s house. Rarity followed suit not knowing what to do in her intoxicated state.
Derpy’s nose cringed in her sleep when something strong and bitter wafted into her nostrils. She could hear two different voices but she couldn’t make out who it was.
“Shhhh, we’re not suppsed to be here.”
“Oh calm down. It’s not like we’re going to steal sumthin. Well maybe this cute pony, but that’s it.”
Derpy’s ear twitched. Did she really just hear somepony call her cute, or was she still dreaming.
“ok ok ok, shhhhh. We are going to kidnap cute pony.” Derpy’s curiosity was up. So she decided to open her eyes to see who it was. The first thing she saw was two violet eyes staring back at her. She than looked to her right and saw another pair of eyes, but this set was pale blue. The stench of alcohol was in the air.
“Twilight, what are you doing here? And have you been drinking?”
“Uh-oh abort cute pony is awake I repeat cute pony is awake. Quick out the window.” Twilight went to move forward but she just fell flat on her face and passed out. Rarity stood there in frozen shock.
“How much has she had?” Derpy gave Rarity an accusing stare.
“Alright already, I might have given her a bit too much for her first time. But to be all fair I’m just as drunk so if we’re moving her to the couch les hurry up before I pass out too.”
“No she can have my bed tonight, you’ll get the couch. I’ll just crash with Doc tonight.” Derpy helped Rarity get Twilight onto the bed. After that she led her into the living room so she could sleep on the couch. Derpy turned away and went back down the hallway and made her way into Doc’s room. He was up, as usual.
“So whos our lovely drunken guests?”
“Rarity and Twilight. Rarity’s on the couch, Twilight passed out in my room so we put her on my bed and I was gunna crash with you. Seeing how you never sleep.” Derpy crawled onto Doc’s bed and pulled the covers over her. She called me Cute pony.
Twilight’s head pounded with a sharp pain through her temple. Her mouth was dry and her throat was raspy. She slowly looked around trying to figure out where she was. The room was bare for the most part. Just a sitting chair in the corner, a bed and a nightstand. On the night stand was a lamp and a picture of a little filly. The picture it self looked odd, the filly wasn’t centered. It almost looked like the picture had been cut. It was the only picture in the room. It felt sad and Twilight couldn’t understand why. Derpy walked in and was being too chirpy, and loud this morning. The light shining through the window was killing her eyes. Why do pony’s drink this shit?
“Uhhh, my head. OW it hurts to talk.” Twilight rubbed her head with her hooves.
“Well thats what ya get for drinking so heavily.” Twilight looked up at Derpy with groggy eyes as the marching band in her brain kept playing.
“Where’s Rarity? Did she wander in here with me?”
“Rarity is still asleep on the couch. But I suspect she won't be for long, if that look in Doc’s eyes has anything to do with whatever is brewing in his mind.” Derpy started to giggle.
“I'm sorry about all this Derpy. Really I am.” Derpy paused within her task and turned to look Twilight in the eyes.
“Why are you sorry? This may sound weird but I’m kind of glad you had a drunken escapade that ended up in my house. Besides Doc, you’re my only other friend Twilight. It’s nice to have a little unexpected things happen from time to time.” Twilight shifted her gaze to the picture on the nightstand.
“Who’s the filly in the picture.”
“Oh thats me when I was younger. It was Pa’s favorite...” Derpy’s eyes had an empty expression in them while the gray mare looked off into the distance as she stopped speaking mid sentence. “Anyway, I’m making waffles and pancakes. Hope you like em. Bathrooms just down the hall on your left. Feel free to take a shower.”
Off in the distance Twilight could hear a scream.
“AHH! Ohh, you ruffenant! Didn’t you know it isn’t proper to wake a lady like that!” Well Rarity was now up. Twilight rolled her way off of Derpy’s bed. Every joint in her body felt stiff and sore. What did I do last night? She pushed open the door and turned left to head for the bathroom. A nice hot shower sounded nice right now. Derpy poked her head around the corner.
“Oh and don’t worry about Spike, he’s over at Applejacks.”
“Thank you Derpy.” Twilight entered the bathroom and started up the shower. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her mane was a mess, her eyes were bloodshot. She looked like how she felt, like shit. The mirror started to fog up from the heat of the water.
She turned around a walked into the shower, water poured over her face causing her mane to cling to her neck. Twilight let the warm water run all over her body, washing away every sore spot and ache she felt. The lavender mare let her mind wonder as she tried to relax. Her thoughts twisted and turned in her mind. Shifting from her lonely life, to the gray mare she now how an interest in. But no matter how hard she tried her mind always came back to the lone picture sitting on Derpy’s nightstand. Why didn’t she have any other family pictures. Come to think about it, it’s the only picture I’ve seen in this house. Derpy seemed hurt when the subject of the picture was brought up. Twilight shook her head. If Derpy wanted to talk about she would’ve said something.
“I can’t believe you goosed me to wake me up.” Rarity gave Doc an icy glare.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help meself. It was jus beggen for a good goosen.”Doc couldn’t help but to snicker at the alabaster mare trying her damndest to make him feel guilty with the glare he was getting from her.
“Well I shall get you back for that, mark my words. Most Colts would've gotten a hoof to the face”
“Ah but I’m not a colt lassie.” Rarity snorted.
“Well by your actions you could’ve fooled me.” CLANG!
“Ohh, what the hey! Will you two stop acting acting like schoolyard fillys. I’m trying to cook breakfast here.”
“Ya know, that cooks better when it's on the burner.”
“Doc I swear to Celestia and Luna I will throw this saucepan at you.” Derpy waved the saucepan in her hoof at doc to emphasise her threat.
“Why do ya have to act that way? I was jus tryin to help. Lord knows we don’t need ya setting fire to the house again.” Without warning Derpy sent the saucepan flying in Docs direction. It smashed along the side of his face and tossed him out of his chair. Rarity fell over laughing just as Twilight came around the corner.
“What did I just walk into here?”
“Me keeping a promise. Rarity now that Twilight's done you’re more then welcome to use the shower.” Derpy turned back around and resumed cooking as Twilight took a seat at the dining room table.
“Thank you darling, I will take you up on that offer, and Doc. Be a dear and keep your snout and self out of the bathroom. I can’t be held responsible for your bodily harm.” Rarity troted off toward the back of the house.
“Derpy you wouldn’t happen to have coffee would you?” Twilight’s head was still pounding but she no longer felt as sore as she did when she first woke up.
“Yuppers I do, how do you take it?”
“A little bit of cream with some sugar please. So Doc, how did you meet Derpy?” Derpy set down a cup of coffee with some cream and a container of sugar then wandered back into the kitchen.
“I’ve known her most of me life. But I was traveling around equestria a few years ago when I got a letter from her. Long story short I showed up here in Ponyville and moved in with her after she had a falling out with her, er um last roommate.”
Derpy was putting Twilight's coffee down on the table and turning back around to head into the kitchen. She wasn’t really paying attention to their conversation but her ears perked up at the mention of Derpy sending a letter to Doc. Don’t open your mouth stupid. She doesn’t need to know about that. Panic set in as she tried to motion to Doc to shut up.
“....falling out with her, er um last roommate.” Doc gave Derpy a sheepish smile. Derpy just shook her head at him.
“Twilight? Darling would you come here please?”
“Coming Rarity.” Twilight got up a headed off to the bathroom. When Twilight was out of sight Derpy rushed over to Doc and slapped him in the back of his head.
“What the HELL were you thinking?!? She doesn’t need to know about my mother you knucklehead! Anypony doesn’t need to know for that matter.”
“OW! I wasn’t going to tell her. But if you want to get close to her that question is bound to come up. I bet she already asked about the only picture you have in your room already didn’t she?” Derpy didn’t answer. The gray mare just stared into her friend's eyes. “That's what I thought Lassie.”
Derpy snorted and turned away. Her face was heating up from anger as her wings fluttered. She looked back and shot daggers at Doc. “Foods ready y’all.”
“Thanks for the food Derpy. And again, sorry about last night.”
“How many time do I need to tell you to stop apologizing about last night? It was my pleasure. What time should I expect you tonight?”
“Is six o’clock okay?”
“Yuppers, see you at six.” Twilight turned and walked away as Derpy shut the door behind her. She turned around to face Doc with a beaming smile on her face.
“And yer were worried that she didn’t like ya.” Derpy glanced at Doc and rolled her lopsided eyes.
“We still don’t know that Doc.”
“Like hay we don’t! She came over to yer house when she was drunk off her plot. And what was she saying? Ah yes I remember, and I quote ‘We are going to kidnap cute pony.’ If you ask me that's enough proof.”
Derpy snorted as she picked up her saddlebags and headed for the door.
“Well, you can keep theorising. I’m heading to the market. See you in a few hours.”
Derpy made her way out the door and headed in the direction of the market. She had a bright and cheerful smile on her face as usual, but it seemed to be even brighter this morning. Derpy was feeling good about herself today. She had company other than Doc coming over tonight for dinner. She definitely had an interesting evening last night.
Even though she wouldn’t admit it to him, she agreed with what Doc had to say after Twilight left this morning. Things were looking up. It had been a while since Derpy had dated last. She was nervous about tonight, hopefully she didn’t break something. Although if you asked Derpy, tonight wasn’t a date. It was just a get together with a friend to apologize for a mishap that happened the other day. Right?
She neared her destination and started humming a tune as she made her way through the crowds. It wasn’t uncommon for ponies to stare at her, but that didn’t mean it still didn’t hurt. But Derpy was determined to not let it ruin her awsome day. As the carefree mare approached one of the stands she felt a hoof tap her shoulder.
“Derpy dear, can I have a moment with you please?” Derpy turned around to find that it was Rarity who had tapped her.
“Yuppers, what's up Rarity?”
“It’s about Twilight. You see she has no idea what she’s doing, and she might do something, well, stupid. So try not to be too hard on her please.” Derpy gave Rarity a blank stare and cocked her head to the side.
“Ummm okay? I wasn’t planning on it, but thanks for the heads up. It can’t be any worse than something I might do.” Rarity started to nervously laugh at the statement.
“Oh darling, you have no idea. Anywho, just wanted to give you a heads up. Good luck tonight!” Rarity trotted off into the crowd and left Derpy standing there puzzled. That was weird. The gray mare shook her head and continued with her shopping.
A tall dark blue Alicorn was pacing back and forth in her room mumbling to herself. The door to her room opened and in walked her sister. She walked up to her smaller sibling with a concerned look on her face.
“Lulu what is going on?”
“I just don’t understand the world anymore. Nothing makes any sense!” Luna kicked her bed in frustration causing it to slide to the other side of the room and knock some things off the wall.
“Come on let us take a walk through the gardens.” Luna looked up at Celestia.
“How is that going to help me?” Celestia walked up to her sister a wrapped one of her wings around the dark blue mare.
“Just humor me, Lulu.” The two made it to the balcony and jumped off. Each glided down to the gardens below.
“I guess I’ve been overlooking things when it comes to you.” Luna looked up a Celestia in confusion.
“I don’t get your meaning Tia.”
“Well, I thought you were adjusting to your new life fairly well. I mean yes, a lot has changed over the thousand years you were away. But you seemed all right.”
“Tia, this isn’t your fault. Yes, I am adjusting well. But I do from time to time find myself having difficulty understanding some of today’s customs. I’m just happy I have finally gotten down today's speech.”
“Well, what is troubling your mind then?”
“You’re going to laugh at me.” Celestia nudged her sister gently in the neck.
“There is a time and place for playful banter, but it is not now.”
“Well, I’m having trouble getting this mare’s attention. She is oblivious to anything I try to do.”
“If the rumors I hear are true, you need to tone down the protective side of you. You might be scaring her.”
“But I don’t understand. I thought ponies liked to know you can protect them.” Luna’s face contorted. “Blast these new ideals.”
“Lulu, in a sense this is still true, but you can get carried away sometimes.” Luna gasped in shock with one of her hooves over her mouth.
“I do not!” Celestia gave her sister a blank stare.
“Liar you just did it. Always overly dramatic.” Luna scoffed at her sister.
“Well, I only learned from the best.”
“Oh did you? I wonder who this mischievous pony is.” Celestia playfully looked left to right before erupting into laughter with her sister. “Look Lulu, all you need to do is tell this mare how you feel. It’s that simple.”
“Spike are you ok with staying with Applejack again tonight? Because I can canc-” Spike was pushing Twilight out the door.
“I’m fine! Go have your date. Celestia knows you need to socialize more.”
“That’s not fair, Spike. I do socialize.” Spike rolled his eyes at Twilight.
“Your friend’s don't count. You don't have dates with them. Go have fun. I’ll be fine.” Spike started walking in the direction of Applejack’s house. Twilight turned around and headed into town. As she walked, she felt a funny feeling in her stomach. It caught her off guard as this was a feeling she had never felt before.
As she walked through town she came upon a store that had a sign hanging out front with a wine bottle and whiskey jug on it. She pushed open the door and walked inside. Berry Punch greeted her.
“And how may I help you today Miss Sparkle?”
“I have a dinner date tonight and I’ve been told it's customary to bring something along.”
“Hmm, a nice wine would be what you want. Can I make a recommendation?”
“Yes please, I have no idea what to get.” Twilight nervously smiled at Berry Punch.
“Alright, I’ll be right back.” Berry walked through a pair of curtains hanging behind the counter. A moment later she reappeared with a bottle held in between her teeth.
“This will knock him off his feet.” Twilight turned a shade of dark purple.
“It’s actually a mare.” She shuffled her front hooves in place. Berry cracked a grin.
“Don’t worry, I prefer the mares myself as well. That’ll be five bits.” Twilight pulled out the bits and set the bottle in her saddlebags.
“Thank you.” Twilight turned around and walked out the door as she head for Derpy's house. After a few minutes of walking Twilight had reached Derpy’s house. Here goes nothing.
Twilight walked up to the door and knocked. Derpy answered the door. She had her mane pulled back and held in place by a bow. Twilight's cheeks turned a dark shade of purple.
“Hiya Twilight, come on in.” Derpy stepped aside to let Twilight in.
“I picked this up on the way here. I hope you like it.” Twilight pulled the wine bottle out of her saddlebag with her magic.
“Oooooo, happy juice! Thanks Twilight.” Derpy grabbed the bottle with her mouth and bounced happily back into the kitchen. With a loud pop, Derpy uncorked the bottle and started to pour it into some wine glasses.
“Don’t worry about me tonight lassie, I’m heading out. I’ll probably be out until morning.” Derpy stuck her head around the corner.
“But I bought enough food to make for three. What am I supposed to do?”
“Still make it, I have confidence you two will eat it all. I mean you are cooking it Derpy.” Derpy gave doc the stink eye for a few seconds before replying.
“This is true. All right, just be careful out there.”
“I will, lassie. Have fun.” Doc tipped his hat and walked out the door. Derpy mumbled something to herself.
“Anyway, do you want a glass Twilight?”
“Yes, please.” Twilight walked into the kitchen and picked up her glass.
“What should we toast to?” Twilight stood there looking into Derpy’s golden googly eyes and without realising it spoke.
“To having dinner with a beautiful mare.” Twilight froze and her eyes went wide. Derpy started to choke on her wine and nearly dropped her glass. “Derpy, are you alright?” Derpy nodded her head.
“...Twilight, did you mean that?” Twilight’s cheeks went deep purple, and she shuffled her front hooves around. She sheepishly looked to the ground.
“Well, I didn’t mean to say that aloud, but that doesn’t mean it is any less true. Oh wait, don’t tell me I misread the situation!? Oh no no no no no, stupid pony stupid pony!”
“Twilight.” Twilight started to pace the floor while shaking her head.
“How could I be so stupid to thi-” Derpy walked up to Twilight and cut her off with a gentle kiss on the lips. After a few moments they parted their lips. Derpy looked into Twilight's deep violet eyes.
A soft smile came across Derpy’s face as her wings fluttered at her sides. “I’ve felt this way for awhile now, but I was always too scared to say something to you.”
“Derpy....” Twilight was in shock, unable to do anything. Her jaw hung open slightly as she stood there, flabbergasted. The weird sensation in Twilight’s stomach came back.
“Dinner's almost ready, wanna help set the table?”
“Er, yeah, I can do that.” Twilight's horn flared up, and a purple glow wrapped around the dishes and silverware. She gently placed them upon the table followed by the wine bottle and glasses.
Twilight walked into the kitchen just as Derpy was stirring the pasta sauce.
“So, what's on the menu?”
“Spaghetti and Daisy salad!”
“Oh, that does sound good. I think I might need a refill over here.” Twilight sheepishly smiles at Derpy as she waves her glass in the air within her magic.
“Oh, no problemo Twilight!” Derpy grabbed the bottle and made her way over to Twilight. Derpy swayed her plot back and forth to music that was only in her head while she wore a smile that would put a euphoric person to shame.
“So, how long till dinner’s ready?”
“Well..” Derpy paused to pour Twilight and herself a drink, “it could be done now. Honestly, it's just simmering now. Do you want thick or thin sauce?” Derpy glanced over at the lavender mare with wide googly eyes.
“I'm good either way. Just curious, that's all.” Derpy’s wings flapped in the air as her eyes lit up.
“Good, cause I am a-starving! Lets eat. Hey, do you mind if I put some music on?”
“Not at all.” Derpy excitedly clopped her front hooves together.
“Awesome, I just got Octavia’s new album. It’s pretty good.” Derpy walked over to the radio and put in a record. After a few seconds soft orchestral music started to play. As Derpy turned around she caught Twilight moving all the food over to the table. “Hey, I’m the hostess that’s my job.”
“Sorry, just trying to be helpful.” Twilight folded her ears to the back of her skull.
“Relax, I’m being playful.” Derpy gave Twilight a bright smile.
“So, how’s work going?” Twilight asked.
“Pretty good, I haven’t lost or broken anything in almost a month! But Vinyl’s starting to get on my nerves. Apparently, she ordered this new sound board and she thinks I’ve lost it and won't tell her. When in reality, it’s down at the post office and she’s just too damn lazy to go get it.” Twilight stuffed a bite of salad into her mouth as Derpy finished.
“Well, have you told her it’s at the post office?”
“Ye-, er wait.” Derpy’s wings drooped along with her ears. “No, I haven’t.”
“Well there ya go, next time you see her – work or not – let her know.” Twilight picked up her glass of wine in her magic and took a big gulp.
“Hey, you wanna dance?” Derpy looked over at Twilight with hope in her eyes. Twilight’s face turned to a deep shade of purple.
“Uhh, I don’t dance. I-it’s, uh, how do I put this? Not, uh... OK it’s embarrassing. I don’t know how.”
“Aww, come on. It’ll be fun. How bad can it be?”
“Bad.” Twilight sheepishly looked over at Derpy. “Lets just say it’s not pretty.”
Derpy jumped up and walks over to Twilight. She grabbed her by her leg and pulled her out of her chair.
“Welp, it's never too late to learn! Now, stand on your rear legs and put your front hooves on my shoulders.” Twilight got up on her rear legs and placed her front hooves on Derpy. “OK, now I’m going to be leading, so I’ll place one of my hooves on the small of your back. The other will hold one of your hooves. Keep the other hoof placed on my shoulder.”
“Are you sure about this? I mean, what if I break something?” Derpy chuckled at Twilight.
“Come on, you’re talking to the most klutzy pony in Ponyville if not Equestria. You’ll be fine. If anything, I’ll be the one breaking something. Now just follow my lead.” Derpy took a step back and started to sway with Twilight. She was moving slowly so Twilight could keep up. The two moved in time with the music. After a few minutes Derpy introduced a few turns into their dance.
“Wow, this isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” Derpy smiled at Twilight.
“See, I told you it wouldn’t be.”
Derpy smiled softly at Twilight as they held each other close.
“I’ve never noticed how beautiful your eyes are Twi.” Twilight blushed and looked away towards the floor.
“....thanks Derpy.”
Luna walked up to Ponyville's Library that also doubled as Twilight's home. Remain calm and casual. Just state your intentions. How hard could it be? Luna scoffed at herself. She lifted one of her hooves and knocked on the door. She waited for a few seconds and nothing happened. So she knocked again. Still nothing. Maybe she’s not home. Luna went to take off but saw Rarity walking in the distance and flew down to greet her.
“Rarity, can I ask you something?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Do you know where Twilight is?”
“She’s out on a dinner date right now.”
“Oh, can I ask who she is with?”
“Derpy Hooves. They really are adorable together.”
“Ah, well thank you Rarity.” Luna unfurled her wings and took off with one powerful swing.
“Derpy, I am really sorry.”
Derpy slowly picked herself up off the ground and started to rub her fetlock. Her googly eyes locked with Twilight’s and butterflies started dancing in her stomach.
“It’s not your fault Twilight. Things happen, and besides I have five more Muffin Lamps. I tend to buy in bulk because I break stuff so often.”
“But I ruined our evening.” Derpy started to laugh.
“No you didn’t, we now have a funny story to tell later on. And we’re making memories.” Derpy started to pick up the broken lamp but a purple aura engulfed all the broken pieces and silently glided them over to the trash bin. “Now, who wants cake?”
“What, no muffins?” Twilight chuckled at her own joke.
“No, I have those as well, but I thought you might want something else.”
“You are so adorable.”
“S-shut up, I am not.” Derpy turned three shades of red
Twilight slowly walked up to Derpy, nudged her snout with her own, and did something she thought she would never have the guts to do. She softly kissed Derpy. The two remained embraced for quite some time sharing a passionate kiss.
Luna sat upon a roof across the way from Derpy's house, peering into the front window. She watched as Derpy and Twilight danced and ran into a table knocking something over.
Could I be too late? Have I waited too long?
She continued to watch as Twilight walked up to Derpy and kissed her. A dark manic voice lingered in the back of Luna’s mind whispering to her.
“There is still time, drive a wedge between them and win her heart.”
Luna sat alone in her room with nothing but her thoughts. She stared at the ceiling, tracing the constellations that had been placed for her enjoyment. She let out a long sigh wishing she could look at the real ones, but she’d have to wait for nightfall. A soft knock at her door pulled her from her mind.
“I wish to be alone.”
“That bad, Lulu?” Luna looked up to her older sister.
“Someone else has won her heart.” Celestia looked at Luna with sorrowful eyes.
“Well these things tend to happen, and all you can do is either sit and wait for her or move on and try to find somepony else.”
“At this moment, I don’t know what I’ll do. Just give me some time, Tia. Please.”
“Well, when you are ready to talk Lulu, all you need to do is ask.” Celestia gave her little sister a warm smile and turned to leave.
“Tia, I-uh.” Luna paused and pondered if she should tell her sister that she heard that voice again. But there was no hate in her heart. “Never mind. I’ll see you at dinner?”
“Yes, until then.” Celestia exited the room leaving Luna alone again. She returned her gaze to the ceiling and started to think once again.
‘We shall see about that.’ What does she mean by that? It made no sense to Luna; how could she manifest again with no hatred in her heart toward anypony. Luna shook her head to rid her mind of such troubling thoughts. Glancing at her open window, Luna let out a long sigh.
“Well, it is a beautiful day, why waste it dwelling in here.” With an unfolding of her wings and a powerful downwards stroke, she took to the air and out of her bedroom window.
Twilight was awakened by somepony knocking at her door. She lifted her head and winced when the sunlight hit her eyes. Although Twilight didn’t have much to drink the night before, she was still exhausted and wanted nothing more than to lie in bed all day.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
“Blast it.” Twilight let out an audible groan, “Coming.” Twilight yawned as she tried to wake herself up while making her way down the stairs to the front door of the giant oak tree she called home. As she made her way closer to the door, Twilight noticed that it was Rarity. What is she doing here? Twilight unlocked the bolt and opened the door.
“Good Moooorning!” Rarity almost sang the two words. “So, was last night a smashing success?”
“Uh, it was ok? I guess.” Rarity walked in and turned to Twilight with a disappointed face.
“OK? It was ok? I hardly believe that is the case. Here it is almost eleven o’clock, and you weren't even out of bed yet. I think a certain somepony had an amazing night.” Twilight scoffed at Rarity before answering her.
“Alright fine. I had a pretty amazing time with her last night.” Twilight ended her sentence with fillyish giddiness.
“So?” Twilight looked at Rarity with uncertainty.
“So what?”
“Oh, come on tell me about it Twilight. Give me the gossip.” Rarity’s eyes grew wide in anticipation.
“Well, she did get me to dance at one point, but that ended up with us breaking one of her lamps.” Rarity squealed with glee. “And I might have, uh, also kissed her.”
“Oh Twilight, so is it official? Are you two a couple now?”
“I don’t know, we haven’t really talked about that. I mean come on Rarity, it’s only been one date.”
“Don’t be so modest Twilight. You can be a couple after one date.”
“Well, I’m only going to take things one date at a time. And we’ll figure things out together.”
“Does that mean you guys already have a second date planned?” Twilight paused and rubbed her hoof on her chin.
“Not yet, but I do have something in mind.”
Derpy paced back and forth in the living room glancing up at the clock every five seconds. She wore a worried expression as she looked at the clock. Oh, where could he be? It’s not like him to be out this long. It was pushing two in the afternoon and Doc still hadn’t come home yet, which was a cause for concern to Derpy. He never took this long on anything.
She wandered into the kitchen when her timer went off. She opened the oven door and pulled out a sheet of Lemon Surprise muffins. It was the fifth sheet she had baked today. It wasn’t unlike her to bake every now and then, but she tend to get carried away was she was nervous or worried. As she was setting them on to the counter, the front door opened.
“And just where have you been mister!? You left at six last night, and here it is almost two in the afternoon.” Doc stopped in his tracks, and the angry mare rounded the corner into the living room, her wings fluffed up in agitation.
“Well, I’ve had an interesting night, what can I say, lass?” Derpy impatiently tapped her front hoof.
“You went to the bar last night didn’t you?”
“Er, no I did no-” Doc was cut off from a death glare from Derpy. “OK, yes I went to the Pub, but I swear I only had two drinks. Besides, that's not the cause of my interesting night.” Derpy scoffed at Doc.
“Well, you could've told me you would be out most of the day as well. You know I worry. I’m the only family you’ve got left, damnit.” Doc looked down in defeat.
“I know lassie, Uncle would be proud. Yer Mum too.”
“Don’t EVER bring her up in this household AGAIN! You know she’s as good as dead to me after the stunt she pulled.” Derpy’s eyes burned with rage after the mention of her mother. Shaking her head she walk toward the door. “I need to cool off and go for a walk.”
Derpy pushed past Doc and walked out the door, slamming it as she went. Doc looked at the door and sighed.
“Well, at least she baked muffins.” Derpy opened the front door and stuck her head in.
“Don’t even think about eating my muffins.” She slowly retracted her head while glaring at Doc the whole time. With an audible click, she shut the door. Derpy turned around and stood there staring up into the afternoon sky. Without any particular destination in mind, Derpy started to walk.
Her hooves carried her into town as she lost herself deep in thought. She paid no attention to the dirty looks she was getting from random ponies. She looked up and noticed she was walking by the town hall, her ears spilled out sideways as the memory of her smashing the roof came to mind. She shook her head and continued on. After a few more minutes of walking she found herself in front of the Ponyville Library.
“I wonder if Twilight’s in.” As she approached the door she could hear Twilight and Rarity talking about something. Her ears perked up when she thought she heard her name. She lifted one of her hooves and knocked on the door.
“Coming.” Derpy waited and wondered if this was a good idea. Twilight opened the door. Her eyes grew wide with glee when she noticed it was Derpy. “Oh, hey Derpy! Come on in.”
“You sure I won't be a bother?” Rarity poked her head around a bookcase.
“Oh don’t worry darling, I was just leaving anyway. I have to go get Sweetie Belle and pick up some fabrics for my new designer line.” She paused and looked over to Twilight. “I’ll be by tomorrow to drop off Sweetie Belle’s books.”
Rarity gathered up the books within her magic and made her way out the door. Once Rarity had left Twilight turned to Derpy to see that she had a hardened expression on her face.
“Is everything okay Derpy?”
“Yeah, I guess. Just, Doc got me irritated, that’s all.”
“Oh? It doesn’t have anything to do with Rarity does it?” Derpy gave Twilight a confused look.
“What do you mean by that?”
“He didn’t tell you did he?”
“Well, to be honest I didn’t really give him a chance too.” Derpy sighed as she sat down on the couch.
“And why is that?” Twilight paused before adding, “If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine”
“Well,” Derpy looked at the ground before turning her gaze to meet Twilight’s eyes. “He’s much more than a really close friend. He’s... he’s my cousin, from my father's side of the family. And quite frankly, he’s the only family I’ve got left according to me.”
Twilight gave Derpy a puzzled look.
“What do you mean by that?”
“My father died a few years ago, and my mother.... She, uh.” Tears started to swell up in Derpy's eyes out of frustration and anger. Twilight reached over and placed one of her hooves over Derpy’s.
“You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to.” Derpy glanced up at Twilight as she received a warm smile from the lavender mare.
Derpy struggled in her mind, fighting the urge to keep her past skeletons bundled up in her closet and the want, no the need to spill her pent up anger to a willing ear. With a sudden ferocity that startled Twilight, Derpy let the damn burst.
“THAT BITCH DESECRATED MY FATHER’S DYING WISH! She called me a pathetic waste of her time. She said my father was a fool for keeping me. She ripped the locket off my neck and threw it in the fire. It had my father's ashes in it.
“His dying wish was to have his baby girl given a locket that held his ashes so he could always be with her. But my whore of a mother destroyed it.” Derpy shuddered with every sob, tears streaming down her now stained gray cheeks.
Twilight sat in shock and looked at the grief stricken mare. Or was it anger? Twilight no longer knew which it was. All she knew was the mare who had her affection was in pain.
Twilight shifted her body and pulled the crying mare into her embrace. Derpy turned into her embrace and continued to cry on her partner’s shoulder.
A plan quickly formed in Twilight's mind to right this wrong. Sure, some ponies may not like what she was planning to do, but at this point Twilight no longer cared. All she wanted to do was stop her friend’s, no, her Derpy’s pain.
The moon shone bright in the crystal clear night sky. Luna shifted her wings and banked left to come down for a landing; she flared her feathers out to catch the updraft as she softly touched down next to a lake. She turned and looked up at the moon.
“It truly is a beautiful night.”
“Yes it is, isn’t it. My dear Luna. The perfect night.” Luna looked around to see if there was another nearby, but she was all alone. Her eyes grew in fear.
“No.”
“Yes. What troubles you my dear?”
“You have no right to call me that, and besides, I will not fall prey to you again.” Luna heard manic laughter in her mind.
“You naive child, you’ve lived for so long, but still you know nothing. I am forever stuck with you.”
“T-that's not possible; there is no hate in my heart.”
“True, but there is jealousy. And that’ll do just fine.”
Luna shook her head from side to side, fighting the agony and pain she was flooded with. She gritted her teeth groaning as a battle took place within her mind. She fell to her knees, still fighting the powerful being. Luna’s eyes shot open to reveal twin slitted pupils.
A scream echoed throughout the night.
“Derpy, just stay here for the night. I’ll go talk to Doc, and I’ll be back in the morning.” Twilight gave Derpy a quick peck on the cheek before turning around to walk out the door. “Oh, and you can sleep in my room. Its up the stairs straight ahead.”
Derpy wiped away the few straggling tears she had trickling down her cheek and nodded her head to Twilight. She darted forward and wrapped her hooves around Twilight's neck as she pulled her in for a kiss.
“Thank you, Twi.” She released her grasp on Twilight. Twilight turned around and walked out the door. Once outside, she headed towards Derpy's house.
A short walk later, Twilight approached Derpy’s house. She reached up and knocked on the door.
Doc answered it.
“Oh, hi Lassie. Er, Derpy's not here.”
“I know, I’m actually looking for you.”
“Oh?” Doc raised an eyebrow. “What for?”
“Well, I need help finding Derpy’s mom. You don’t happen to know where she is do you?” Doc stood there for a moment before nodding his head.
“Well how close is she?”
“She lives in Canterlot.” Twilight smirked at Doc.
“Looks like we’ve got a train to catch.” Twilight turned around and started to walk away from the house before looking over her shoulder at the stallion who still stood in the doorway. “Don’t make me drag you along.”
Doc quickly scampered out of the house and trotted after Twilight to catch up with her. Doc was silent the whole walk to the Ponyville Train Station, which bugged Twilight, but she couldn’t pinpoint why it did.
“Why did you let this happen?” Twilight startled Doc pulling him from whatever day dream he was having.
“I don’t kno-” Twilight reeled her head around to face Doc with flames burning in her lavender eyes.
“Don’t play that bullshit card with me!”
“I don’t know when it happened! I was in Manehatten at the time. All I know is that me Uncle died and me Aunt threw a shit fit at wee Derpy. They got into a fight and Derpy moved to Ponyville. That’s all I know.” Twilight sighed and rubbed the bridge of her snout.
“Do you at least know anything about a pendant?”
“Yes, I do. It was me Uncle’s mum’s. It was supposed to go to Derpy, but Auntie said that wee Derpy chucked it into the fire place and walked off. Which always sounded odd to me.”
“According to Derpy, her mother ripped the pendant off of her neck and threw it in the fire. It had her dad’s ashes in it.”
They had reached the train station, Doc went to find a spot to sit down while Twilight purchased a pair of round trip tickets to Canterlot. Doc set his plot down and rubbed his chin. I always wondered why she had little to nothing of his. Her mum wouldn’t let her have anything. Well that changes today! Doc looked up as Twilight approached him.
“We’re going to have to be forceful about this. She won't let anything go willingly.”
“That’s fine by me.”
The train pulled into the Canterlot Train Station. Both Twilight and Doc waited impatiently for the doors to open.
“She lives in the Diamond District.” The doors to the car opened up, and Doc and Twilight bolted out, galloping at full speed for the Diamond District.
“There it is, that house right there.” Twilight was shocked to see that Derpy came from a well-off family. She never acted like an uptight snob from Canterlot.
“You sure this is her house?” Doc nodded. As he went to go knock on the door, Twilight’s horn ignited and the front door flew off it’s hinges. “WHERE IS IT!?” Twilight barged into the house, scaring Doc at the same time. This was not the same pony that he had talked to this morning. He made a mental note not to piss off this unicorn.
A cream-colored pegasus mare came around the corner to find out what the commotion was all about. A purple aura wrapped around her neck as she was pinned up against the wall. Twilight slammed her hoof into the wall next to the mare’s head.
“Are you Derpy’s mother?!” The cream-colored mare spat into Twilight's eye before speaking up.
“What does that retarded cunt want this time?” Twilight pulled her closer before slamming her back into the wall.
“She didn’t send me. You pissed off the wrong Unicorn! DOC!” After a few moment of waiting, Doc stuck his head around the door frame. “How much longer?”
“Err, a few minutes, I still have a few things to grab.” Twilight turned her gaze back to Derpy’s mom while a sinister smile came across her face.
“Perfect.” Twilight picked up the mare before slamming her into the ground. She started to walk toward what she guessed was a sitting room, dragging Derpy’s Mom on the floor. Making sure that she ran her into everything she could. She picked her up off of the ground and placed her into a chair, putting magical restraints on her.
“What is your problem with her? She’s your own daughter!”
“She’s a disgrace to the family name. Broken eyes, the balance of a foal. The mind of a filly. She’s been nothing but a retard and a burden to me.” Twilight extended her right front leg and smacked Derpy's Mom across the face with her hoof. While conjuring up a magical gag, Twilight fixed her mane and took a few deep breaths
“That ‘retard’ is my lover, you bitch. Now, this is what's going to happen. I’m taking what belongs to her. Anything that belongs to her. And you are not going to say anything about it. If you do I’ll be forced to come back here.”
“magfdfhjahw.”
“What was that?”
“magfdfhjahw!”
“I’m guessing you're saying ‘And do what?’ Well, for starters I’m not going to be as nice as I’m being right now. And after I kick your plot, I'm going to go run to my teacher – oh, did I tell you that my teacher is Princess Celestia? Oh, how could I let that slip my mind? Anywho, I'm going to have you banned from having any type of contact with Derpy, and if you fail to comply then I guess it's the jail for you.”
Doc sheepishly walked into the room where Twilight and Derpy’s mom were.
“Er, T-twilight, I’m ready to go. Are yer done in here?”
“Almost. I’ll be out in a few.” With a cheerful smile, Twilight turned her attention back to the mare in the chair. “Where was I? Oh yes,” Twilight leaned down ‘till she was nose to nose with Derpy’s Mom. “If I have to come back, I won’t guarantee that you’ll want to live when I’m through with you.” Twilight’s face lit up into another smile. “Have a nice day.” Twilight backed up and turned to leave. As she exited the house, she dropped all of the magical restraints.
“You okay Twilight?”
“I am now, let's go.”
Luna found herself floating in an eternal abyss. Everywhere she looked was nothing but empty space that stretched as far as she could see. This place seemed oddly familiar to her, and she didn’t like the feeling she was getting. Her eyes grew in horror as the realisation came over her.
“LET ME OUT! YOU DEMONIC WHORE!” A manic laugh echoed in the abyss.
“Well, well, well. It didn’t take you long at all to figure it out this time my sweet misfit.” Luna bared her teeth and snarled.
“Don’t you dare call me that!”
“Oh? And what position are you in to tell me what I can and can’t do? Just sit back and enjoy what I have in store for that pathetic mailmare and your precious Twilight.”
“You have no power, there is no hate in my heart.” The manic laugh echoed again.
“You are a fool if you think that to be true. Deep-down, locked away is hatred toward the gray one. Anger that she has something you want. You have lost your backbone, so I will do what you will not. I’m going to make Twilight MINE! And she will be my slave and help me bring eternal night to this forsaken planet.”
A single tear rolled down Luna’s cheek, but it was not from sadness. Sister forgive me.
A dark mist crept its way into Twilight’s room where Derpy was sleeping, engulfing everything but the bed. A dark figure loomed in the new-formed darkness by Derpy’s side. Two slitted, light-blue eyes stared with intensity towards the gray mare. Detestation burned in the narrowed slits, as rage filled the figure.
"You have taken what is ours. Stolen what we have sought after. We will have our way with Twilight Sparkle, without your meddling." Soon, the Darkness covered the room, but only for an instant. The Darkness slowly receded, followed by a menacing laugh. Derpy was no longer on Twilight’s bed. In fact, Derpy was nowhere to be found at all. It had gone silent in the room, nothing seemed out of place except for one whisper.
The sun was just starting to rise in the sky as the train pulled into Ponyville Station, and Twilight helped Doc unload all of Derpy’s belongings. Twilight looked over at Doc, who was still shaken up from seeing her lose it.
“Hey, sorry about what happened back there. I kinda went a little overboard.”
“No, it’s fine. In all honesty, she had it coming. Karma was itching to bite her in the plot.” Doc grabbed the last bit of luggage and placed it onto the cart they had rented. “ So....are ye coming back with me to the house or are ye going to head home?”
“Neither, I'm going to get the pendant restored and give it to Derpy as a present. But I guess I could come help you unload it all.” Doc hitched himself to the cart and the both of them started to walk through Ponyville.
They both walked in silence, each one reflecting over events in their own way. Doc was just happy that this trip was almost over, but Twilight silently chastised herself for losing her cool. It had been a while since she had gotten that angry. It made her uncomfortable knowing that she possessed powerful magic, and that at any moment she could let loose and wipe out half of a town. It was something the she talked to Celestia about often while she was in school.
Not many knew that Twilight herself had demons she battled everyday. It was a big part of the reason she shut herself away from the public and kept to her books. Well, until she moved to Ponyville.
She looked up at the morning sky and cursed her natural-born talent. There were days when she wished she was just an Earth pony or pegasus; the burden of being a unicorn was just too much at times.
They neared the Jeweler's Shop, and Twilight motioned Doc to stop.
“I’ll be right back. I just want to drop this off then we’ll be on our way.” Twilight pushed open the door and entered the shop.
“Why, good morning Miss Sparkle. What can I do for ya?”
“I was hoping you could restore this pendant for a dear friend of mine. Her mother threw it into a fire, and she hasn’t seen it since. I want to surprise her with it.” Twilight handed the pendant over to the jeweler.
“Hmmm, this wouldn’t belong to The Hooves’ would it?”
“Yes, actually it does. How’d you know?” A soft smile of appreciation came across the stallion’s face.
“My grandfather made this for Derpy’s grandmother. It was a wedding present. Sadly, I can not return the metal to its original finish. It’s been burned too badly, but I can repair it.”
“Anything you can do would be appreciated. Um, how long can I expect this to be, and what will be the cost?” The stallion rubbed his chin while he thought about it.
“Well, you could pick it up tomorrow morning, noon at the latest. And because it's for Derpy, I’ll just charge you ten bits. My grandpa wouldn’t be happy if I charged full price for her. One last thing, you don’t happen to have any of her father's ashes with you, do you?” Twilight's jaw dropped in shock.
“H-h-how?” Twilight shook her head. “Um I don’t know, Let me go ask Doc.” Twilight stuck her head out the door and asked Doc if he had grabbed Derpy’s father's ashes. After a confused look and a nod of his head, he handed her the urn. Twilight took the urn from Doc’s grasp and returned inside the shop.
“You see Miss Sparkle, I was the one who altered it to allow for the placement of ashes. It was Derpy’s father's dying wish.” Twilight put the urn on the counter. The stallion reached in and removed some of the ashes, placing them into another jar. “Thank you, but like I said you can pick it up tomorrow.” Twilight took her leave and exited the shop.
“You ready Doc?”
“Yes, Lassie.” The two continued their walk back to Derpy’s house. As they walked, Twilight found herself thinking about her big brother, Shining Armor. It had been a while since she had last seen him. Maybe I should take a trip to go see him, and I’ll ask Derpy if she wants to tag along.
“So Doc, was Derpy’s mother the reason for the lack of family photos – or family anything in her house?”
“From what I know, yes, but part of the blame lies with Derpy as well. That mare can be as hard headed as an Earth pony when she wants to be. The only thing those two share in common.” Doc chuckled at his own bad joke. “Don’t get me wrong, Derpy wanted to have the things that were her father's, but she was too stubborn to confront her mother about what was rightfully hers and what not. So her house has lain barren.”
Twilight stared ahead, looking at nothing in particular, “...that’s so sad.”
“That is, until a love-fueled, pissed-off unicorn came along.” Doc shot Twilight a goofy smile, hoping to bring the mood up. But either Twilight didn’t hear him or just downright ignored him; he couldn’t tell.
“Who says I’m in love with her?” Twilight cocked an eyebrow at Doc.
“Seriously, Lassie? Hmmm, let’s see, you went to a different city just to retrieve someone’s belongings – forcefully I might add – all because her twat of a mother wouldn’t let her have it. And you called her yer lover.” Twilight’s cheeks burned as they turned a deep shade of purple. Looking again off into the distance, a soft smile came across her face.
“Now when I think back to when we first met I guess something has always been there; I was just too naive to see it. I’d do anything for that mare.” The pair of ponies got to the front door of the house. Doc unhitched himself, and they began to carry the items they retrieved into the house.
Twilight pulled a picture out of the cart. It showed a young filly Derpy and an older stallion.
“Was this Derpy’s father?” Doc glanced at the picture and nodded. Twilight walked into the house and headed for Derpy’s room. As she made her way through the door, the picture of a lone Derpy was still sitting on her nightstand. Looking at the picture, pain and anger tore at Twilight’s heart, but she pushed the feelings out of her mind. She took it and replaced it with the picture of Derpy and her father.
Not knowing if Derpy wanted to keep it or not, Twilight pondered where she was going to place the photo. With nothing else coming to mind, Twilight opened one of the drawers to the nightstand and placed the picture within.
Looking up at the clock, Twilight decided she needed to get back home. Spike would be getting up soon, and she didn’t want him freaking out that she wasn’t there. She turned around and walked out of Derpy’s room.
“Hey Doc, I need to be headed home. Thank you for doing this. And sorry again for losing it.”
“Don’t worry, Lassie, all is well.” Twilight was about to walk out of the house until Doc stopped her. “Oh and tell Derpy she needs to hurry up and get to work; she’s late enough as it is.” Twilight gave Doc a puzzled look.
“How do you know she hasn’t gone to work yet?”
“Well, her mail bag and hat are still here. And it’s not like her to miss work unless she’s really sick, but even then it's a big argument to get her to stay home.”
“Ok, I’ll let her know.” Twilight turned and left.
A short walk later, Twilight found herself in front of the Oak Library.
“Spike, Derpy, I’m home.” Spike met Twilight near the doorway.
“Why are you calling Derpy’s name? She's not here.”
“What do you mean she’s not here? She stayed the night.”
“Uhh, no she didn’t. She wasn’t here when I got home last night.”
“What were you doing out so late? Wait, what do you mean she wasn’t here when you got home?!” Twilight pushed past Spike and bolted upstairs to her room. When she opened her door, a foul odor assaulted her nostrils, and she gagged, nearly puking.
“W-why does it smell of dark magic?!” Twilight’s heart rate started to pick up and steadily rose. Her vision began to blur as she started to pace back in forth in the doorway. “This doesn’t make any sense. No unicorn has the strength to use dark magic these days. Necromancy sure, but this is-, this isn’t that.”
Panic set in her eyes, followed by anger. She moved with the ferocity and force she displayed earlier, but to no direction. She started to wheeze as she turned to face the stairs again.
“Um, Twilight?”
Twilight pushed past Spike again to rush down the stairs, and she frantically pulled books off the shelves. Flipping through them like a mad mare, Twilight could feel her heart jumping out of her chest, while her breathing became ragged and heavy. Her head spun every which way as she tried to gain her bearings. It hurt to think as her brain tried to cram 20,000 things in at once.
“Twilight!” Twilight could no longer hear Spike screaming at her to stop and calm down. Her mind could only process one thing before everything went black.
Twilight laid in blackness feeling sore in every inch of her body, each limb feeling like they weighed several tons each. A picture of her right leg moving came into mind, but the limb was stubborn and didn’t move. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like lead and refused to move. She tried to recall what happened, but nothing came to mind. Every time she tried to think, a sharp pain ran through her brain. Twilight tried to move her body again, but it once again refused her. Slowly, two voices made their way to Twilight's ears. Although she couldn’t tell who they were, she could make out what they were saying. One sounded childish and slightly hysterical, while the other was feminine and had the tone of somepony who was wise from living a long life.
“I didn’t know who else to turn to; I’m sorry for pulling you from your duties.”
“Think nothing of it Spike. I’m glad you sent for me.”
Spike? Why was that name familiar to her.
“So, what happened to Twilight to bring this on?”
“Well, before she started to babble incoherently she said something about dark magic. After that, there was nothing intelligible. Mostly grunt and groans. Apparently Derpy had stayed the night, and she wasn’t anywhere to be found.”
Derpy, D-derpy, Derpy? It all rushed back to Twilight. DERPY! She’s been kidnaped, I must find Derpy! Twilight forced her eye’s open, ignoring the tremendous amount of pain it took to move her eyes. Twilight gritted her teeth as she forced her body to move. Groans of pain escaped her mouth while she slowly, wobbling, rolled over to get her legs underneath her.
“Looks like somepony is finally coming to.” Twilight let out another cry of pain as she shuffled her hooves to stand up. “Try not to move so suddenly. You don’t want to get l-”
Twilight tilted her head up only to be met with a wave of nausea and a spinning room, crashing back down to the ground with a grunt.
“Lightheaded.”
“D-D-Derpy, must find Derpy.”
“Twilight, please come over here and sit down. We have more problems on our hooves beside your missing marefriend.”
Twilight looked up at the blurry mare in front of her. After a few moments of straining her eyes, a tall, swan-like pony came into view. The tall pony had a pair of angelic wings and a tall horn jutting out of her head. Princess Celestia? The ethereal mane that constantly flowed with a breeze which couldn’t be felt wrapped around a maternal face, with two magenta eyes staring back into Twilight's violet orbs.
“Wha-what are you talking about? Wait, why is Princess Celestia here?”
“Well, after you passed out I sorta freaked out and sent Princess Celestia a letter. I didn’t know what to do. You just fell over and stopped responding.” Tears started to fill the little dragon's eyes. Twilight walked over to Spike and pulled him into a hug.
“Spike, you did the right thing. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Spiked looked up into Twilight’s eyes.
“But I’m not ashamed, I was scared. You’re the closest thing I have to a mother, and I-I, I thought I lost you.” The weight of Spikes words crashed into Twilight like a big wave breaking onto the beach.
Not once had Twilight looked at their relationship that way. As she thought about it, she only saw him as a helper, but it was true. She was the cause of Spike’s egg hatching, and it was her that had to take care of him while he grew up. She looked down onto the tiny dragon, her vision becoming blurry once again.
How much was I blind too? How far did I shove my nose into books that I blocked all of these feelings out? Twilight hugged Spike tighter as she felt the first few tears finally spill over her eyelids and fall onto her cheeks.
As Twilight hugged Spike her mind churned, and the more she started to doubt herself. Did she really deserve Spike’s loyalty? And for that matter, did she really deserve Derpy? Her closed attitude as a filly was starting to haunt her. What else did she miss out on during her younger years.
NO! I will not give into self pity and wallow in despair. I need to focus and find a way to get Derpy back. Twilight's train of thought shifted back to the task at hand. Twilight turned her head and looked up to the swan-like Alicorn that was her mentor.
“Princess Celestia, what can you tell me about Dark magic?”
“Well to begin with, it can only be conjured by powerful sorcerers like Star Swirled The Bearded or King Sombra. But no pony today can harness that level of power, not even you Twilight. Maybe in time, but not right now. Why do you ask?”
Twilight sat and pondered the princess’ question. Why did I ask? UGH! What happened before I blacked out! As Twilight struggled to recall what had happened, Spike spoke up.
“Um, Twilight. You mentioned something about your room smelling like Dark Magic.” Celestia’s eyes widened.
“How do you know what Dark Magic smells like?”
“When we faced Night...mare.......Moon,” Twilight stopped mid sentence as her eyes filled with horror, “oh no.”
“Twilight how do you know what Dark Magic smells like?!”
“When we faced Nightmare Moon I smelled something foul every time she would cast a spell. It was bugging me so I looked into it. Turns out Nightmare Moon uses Dark Magic.” Celestia collapsed upon the floor. Shaking her head slowly from side to side.
“No, it can’t be. You defeated Nightmare Moon.”
“That's what I tho-” There was a knock at the door. Annoyed, Twilight went to go answer it.
As she opened the door, there stood Trixie.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie has-” Twilight cut her off.
“Not now Trixie.” Twilight shut the door on Trixies face. Muffled through the door Trixie protested Twilight’s reaction.
“But Trixie know’s where Luna went! UGH!” Twilight stopped in her tracks and ran back to the door, swinging it open to find a pouty faced Trixie sitting on her plot with her front legs crossed in front of her. “Oh now you’ll listennn AHHH!”
Twilight dragged Trixie into her home with her magic and slammed the door shut locking it behind her.
Derpy found herself waking up in an unfamiliar place; all around her was nothing but a white plain. It stung at the eyes to look around at the bright abyss. Derpy was confused; she couldn’t tell if she was awake or still dreaming. The ashen pegasus called out, but nopony answered back. Her head swiveled around taking in the scene that spilled out before her. A faint sob reached her ears and they perked up, rotating around to try to pinpoint the source of the sound.
Derpy lifted her plot off the ground and walked toward the sound of somepony sobbing. The walk felt like it was taking forever, but the sound was getting louder so Derpy trekked on. In the distance, Derpy could start to make out what looked like a dark blue Pegasus bent over herself, sobbing heavily. As she got closer, Derpy thought she heard the mare say something in between the sobs.
“I-I’m s-sorry, I’m so sorry.” Derpy walked up and hesitantly reached her hoof out to place it on the mare’s shoulder.
“Excuse me miss?” The dark blue mare slowly turned her head and peered up into Derpy's walleyed amber orbs that struggled to focus at the pony in front of her. Princess Luna?!
“Derpy, please forgive me. This is all my fault.” Derpy cocked her head to the side confused at the Princess’ words.
“Princess Luna, what are you talking about?” Princess Luna brought both of her hooves to her face and covered her eyes as another powerful sob shook her body.
“Everything’s all my fault. From a mistake that I made a thousand of years ago which still haunts me and hurts pony’s I love to this day. It’s all my fault!”
“I still don’t follow.” Princess Luna locked eyes with Derpy once more; they were nothing but seas of pain and anguish.
“Nightmare’s back.” Derpy’s wings fluttered at her side with the mention of the name, but she was befuddled as to how that could be.
“I still don’t follow. You’re sitting right in front of me, how can Nightmare Moon be back if you're still, well, you?”
“Derpy, look around. Does this look like Ponyville? Let alone Equestria?” Derpy looked around her as Luna had asked. All she could see was an endless sea of white nothing.
“Well, no. Come to think of it, where are we? Last I remember, I was asleep in Twilight’s bed while she took off somewhere.” Where did that adorable unicorn go anyway?
“We are nowhere and everywhere. The Nexus between the Dream Realm and what you would call the Reality Realm. Trapped here by Nightmare Moon. All because of me.” Derpy sat down next to the saddened Princess and wrapped a leg around her shoulder.
“Do you blame yourself for everything that goes wrong? I mean, I understand you tried to bring eternal night to Equestria once upon a time. But all ponies make mistakes. Look at me. I cause problems all the time with my clumsiness. You’ve just got to brush it off and keep on trotting.”
Luna reached up and wiped away a tear that was rolling down her cheek as she turned to face Derpy. A soft smile came across Luna’s face as Derpy’s words sank in.
“I appreciate your kind words, but you don’t understand. I did do this. I let myself fall for somepony. And my jealousy of another who won said pony’s affections before me, even the tiniest bit of it, has given Nightmare just what she needs to manifest again and wreak havoc on all of Ponykind.”
Derpy sat there thinking, trying to gather the meaning of Luna’s words. Ok, but what does this have to do with me?She glanced over to Luna, whose cheeks turned dark blue as she averted her gaze as to not meet Derpy’s. Derpy looked down to stare at the floor, if there was one. She could swear she felt like she was on a cloud. She raised her hoof and scratched the back of her neck.
“Ok, I can’t make a connection. What does this have to do with me?”
“Twilight.” Derpy raised an eyebrow. Twilight? What does that mean. Then it struck her. It had to be it, it would explain why she hissed for her to back off that one day.
“You have a crush on Twilight? Wait, so does that mean you’re jealous of me? But why?
“You have something that I want. I don’t hate you, quite the opposite actually. I envy you, you did something that still baffles me. Blasted new world ideals and customs! But there was a tiny bit of jealousy.”
“Ok, but why did Nightmare kidnap me?”
“She’s going to use your body as bait to lure in Twilight.”
“Trixie slow down! Start again, slowly this time.” Twilight was getting impatient with Trixie, this was the fourth time they’ve gone over this, but Trixie was talking too fast.
“UGH! Trixie was in Canterlot trying to find something to eat, well, we’ll just skip that part. Trixie ran into Luna upon a roof. We were having a woe is us moment. Anyway, Luna and Trixie talked for awhile. Luna made Trixie feel better about Trixie’s plight in life. But Luna voiced a concern that something from her past has resurfaced and is now haunting her. She mentioned something about the Sisters’ old Castle in the Everfree Forest. Then she took off before Trixie could inquire more.”
Celestia was still laying on the floor in shock. I knew I should've made more of a point to talk with her. This is all my fault. We need help this time, but who can I call upon?
“Ok, so why did you come to Ponyville then?”
Trixie tapped her front hooves together as she sheepishly looked to the ground.
“Trixie may have a small crush on Luna.” Twilight rolled her eyes at Trixie, her patience was growing thin.
“I can’t hear you.”
“Trixie may have a small crush on the Princess! And Trixie was wondering if you could help us with our predicament.”
Twilight’s right eye twitched, causing her right ear to follow suit.
“Sweet Celestia, you’re joking right?! Derpy is missing, so is Luna, and you want me to play match maker?! Are you stupid!”
Trixie visibly winced at Twilight's outburst while nervously looking left to right.
“Well, Trixie understands that now is a bad time, but, maybe at some point in the future?” Trixie gave Twilight a nervous smile.Twilight walked up to Trixie muzzle to muzzle and looked her in the eyes, anger filling the violet eyes, prodding Trixie in the chest with her hoof to emphasize her point.
“You are going to come help us bring back Derpy and Luna. And then, maybe I’ll help you.”
“I have explained that we are sitting in the Nexus, correct?” Derpy nodded her head. “Well, only our minds are here, not our physical bodies. Right now, your body is nothing but an empty shell lying limp wherever Nightmare has dropped you off.”
Derpy’s wings fluffed out as her amber eyes turned into pinpricks.
“Wait, does that mean I’m dead!?” Luna shook her head and chuckled softly at Derpy.
“No Derpy, it does not mean you are dead. You and your body are alive, but your mind and soul are here, instead of in your body.”
Derpy gave one last look around before she laid down in defeat. The ashen mare let out a long sigh as she scratched at the ground with her hoof.
“I hope Twilight’s ok, but knowing her, she’s losing her marbles right now.”
Luna snorted at Derpy’s comment.
“Just be happy you are not the one she is going to be mad at. She has been known to combust into a living flame from time to time when she gets too mad.”
Derpy’s head shot up and quickly glanced over to where Luna was sitting.
“W-what?!” Derpy shifted uncomfortably in place as her wings started to slightly flutter. “How do you know that?”
“Oh, she had mentioned it in one of her letters to my sister, who in turned shared the information with me. I found it quite humorous, but Celestia did not. In fact, it worries her.” Luna looked down at her front hooves with a grim look on her face. “In reality, I can understand why Celestia would be worried. Twilight possesses an unfathomable amount of magic at a very high level for a normal unicorn. When one thinks of it, it is quite scary.”
Derpy only managed to meekly to get out “Oh that’s, that's lovely.”
Derpy had heard that Twilight was a gifted unicorn, but she didn't know it was to that extent. Note to self, don’t anger her. No wonder Celestia took her under her wing as her own personal student.
“So uhh, do I need to know anything else about Twilight?”
Luna scratched her chin while she looked up and pondered Derpy's question. Then with a serious look on her face she turned her attention back to Derpy.
“Don’t mess with her books.” Luna held her serious expression for a few more second before bursting into laughter, while rolling on the ground like a little foal. Derpy watched as the Princess let the laughter take over her body. It seemed that Luna hadn’t been able to let loose in a while. Her face was overcome with joy. “No, but in all seriousness, it takes a lot to anger Twilight to that point. So you should be good.”
Derpy laid her head down between her front legs and let out a long sigh.
“I miss her. I don’t want to be here anymore.” Tears began to swell in Derpy's eyes.
Luna crawled over to Derpy, pulled her close, and covered her with one of her wings. To a pegasus, this was the most intimate thing one could do to console a hurting pony.
“I know, I know. But all we can do is wait, pray, and hope our friends can get us out of this. But at least we have each other, right? I know I like the company. Last time it was lonely.” Luna looked down at Derpy with kindness in her cyan eyes. Derpy looked up and met her gaze for a brief moment before burying her face into the alicorn’s side and letting the dam burst with rivers of tears trailing down her face.
“I WANNA GO HOME!”
“WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG!?” Twilight snorted and stomped her hoof while glaring at the Princess and Trixie.
“Twilight, I understand your impatience, but we need to go into this cool-headed. We need to have a plan.”
Twilight walked up to the taller alicorn and looked her in the eyes. The pits of Tartarus burned in her eyes causing Princess Celestia to cringe back in fear.
“I. Am. The. Plan.”
“Trixie agrees with the -”
“Can it, Trixie! We go now!” Twilight turned around and started to head for the door until Celestia interrupted her.
“TWILIGHT SPARKLE, YOU’LL DO NO SUCH THING!” Twilight stood frozen in her tracks. She had never heard the Princess use her Canterlot Voice. Her ears pinned to the back of her skull. She knew she had messed up. Twilight meekly turned her head around to face her teacher.
Celestia met Twilight’s eyes with intensity before relaxing her gaze.
“Look Twilight, I know you’re scared and want to go get Derpy. But we need to do this with a calm level head. It’ll do us no good to go barging in there. It is Nightmare Moon we’re talking about. I think we need to call your friends over. It looks like we are going to need the Elements of Harmony.”
“Trixie has an idea.” Both Twilight and Celestia turned their heads and looked at Trixie, who just stood there with a slight fearful look in her eyes. Twilight was the first to speak up.
“Well? What is it?”
“Well, we might be able to talk our way out of this. Nightmare Moon is just an entity taking over Luna's body right? Well that must mean that Luna is still somewhere within her mind. We might be able to get Luna’s attention and pull her back out.”
Celestia rubbed her chin.
“Hmmm, yes, that just might work. But Nightmare won't give her up that easily. We’ll need to distract her. But with what?”
“Trixie, you’re strong enough to know how to cast a telepathy spell, correct?” asked Twilight.
“Uhh, Trixie is unsure. Trixie has never done something like that in her Magic show. Besides, Trixie has had doubts of her abilities ever since........”
Twilight cocked her head to the side, trying to gather meaning of Trixie’s words.
“Ever since what?”
“The...um, Ursa incident....” Trixie turned her head and tried to hide behind her mane like Fluttershy is known to do. Except Trixie’s mane wasn’t long or thick enough to fully conceal her face. Her bright cherry-red cheeks showed through her Silver hair like orange on a field of black.
Twilight walked up to the embarrassed mare and put a hoof around her shoulder. After giving her a warm smile, she pulled Trixie in close and began to speak.
“Trixie, do you forget that you were always second in our class? That means you are strong and powerful. You need to stop putting yourself down and stop doubting your abilities. Trust me, you can do it.”
Trixie’s jaw dropped. Never had she known that Twilight remembered her, let alone acknowledged her power as a unicorn. Trixie’s face burned even more, but this time it was because she was ashamed. All this time she hated Twilight, despised her for her natural talent.
“Twilight...you have no idea how much that means to me....”
Derpy still lay beneath the Princess’s grasp under her wing. She sniffled here and there. But for the most part, her crying fit was over. Still, her heart felt heavy and ached with sadness.
“Luna, why are you being so nice to me?”
“What kind of Princess – no, friend – would I be if I did not comfort you in a time of need or heartache? Besides, it is my fault that you are even here in the first place.”
“You, you consider me as a friend?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You are a nice mare.”
“That’s not what everypony else thinks. They all hate me for my clumsiness.” Derpy squeezed her eyes shut as her vision began to blur. “It’s not my fault! It’s my eyes. It’s all because of my eyes! Nopony stops to think that, that maybe I can’t see straight or don’t have any depth perception. Seriously, I can only really see out of one eye at a time.” Derpy’s eyes shot open to reveal they had turned to pinpricks, with nothing but pent up anger filling her gaze. “Do you know how jarring it is to suddenly have your vision shift from one side of your head to the other?! BUT NO! ALL THEY SEE IS A CLUTZY PONY WHO CAN’T FLY AND ALWAYS BREAKS THINGS!” Derpy slammed her hoof into the ground as her wings aggressively flared out. “NEVER! THEY NEVER TRY TO GET TO KNOW THE REAL ME!” Derpy’s breathing became sporadic and heavy.
Derpy fell silent for a few moments. Luna was befuddled. She was unsure whether she should speak up or just remain quiet. After a long period of silence Derpy finally spoke up again, but is was a hushed whisper.
“Only Twilight has ever taken the time to try and get to know me. My own mother despised me. I....sorry for the outburst.”
“No need to apologize, I know how you feel all too well.”
We’re one in the same. Different reason, but the same feelings. Both of us are outcasts to society, and it’s a right damn shame. Why?! Why did I allow hate and jealousy into my heart!? Derpy doesn’t deserve any of this. She only wanted acceptance and love, just like any other pony. Just like another I know. And I messed it up. I don’t know how, yet. But even if it kills me, Derpy Hooves will see Twilight again!
Luna sat weeping silently on the inside, while she desperately tried to think up a plan to save Derpy from this horrid fate. A single tear fell from Luna’s left eye.
“So does everyone understand their position in the plan?” Twilight looked back and forth between Celestia and Trixie. Both nodded in turn at Twilight. Twilight was about to speak again, but Celestia opened her mouth first.
“Twilight, I still feel uneasy about this. Are you sure this will work?”
“No, but it’s the best chance we’ve got, and that’s good enough for me.”
“I will not stand for that answer! We need to be 100 percent sure about this. You haven’t seen the full power of Nightmare Moon. I have. I just can’t stand to see you get hurt.”
Twilight walked up to the taller Alicorn and rubbed her face into her swan like neck before looking up into her eyes.
“You have always treated me well, taught me well. I know you see me as your own foal, but you have to let go every once in awhile. You taught me that. Please, just trust me this one time. Let me show you it was not all for nothing. Just be ready to pull me back when it’s time.”
Celestia looked down at Twilight, her eyes starting to become glossy as Twilight’s words settled into her mind. You’ll never know how proud you have just made me. You’ve learned and grown so much in the short time you’ve been in Ponyville. Celestia nodded her head.
“You’re right Twilight. I’m sorry I even doubted you. I’m still antsy over this whole situation, so if nopony else has anything else to say...” Celestia paused and looked at both Twilight and Trixie. Seeing no objections in their faces, she continued. “Let’s go get my sister and Derpy back, and put all of this behind us.”
Spike had stayed quiet for so long that all three ponies had forgotten that the tiny dragon was even there. When he finally opened his mouth, he could visibly see each pony jump at the sound of his high pitched voice.
“Umm, what am I gonna do, Twilight?”
“Err, uh. I haven’t thought of that yet. I guess we can drop you off at Derpy's and have Doc watch you. Will you be ok with that Spike?”
Spike stood there for a moment, his claws scratching the back of his head. He seemed unsure about the idea.
“Can I go to Rarity's instead?” The tiny dragon looked up at Twilight and pleaded with his eyes.
Twilight stood there gazing back at the baby dragon. After a moment, she walked over to a stack of parchment and with the flare of her horn, picked up a quill and began to write.
Rarity,
Something has come up and I need to you watch Spike for me. I should be back within a day to pick him up. However, if I fail to return within two days I would hope you’d take care of him for me. Enclosed in the envelope Spike has is a note that explains everything. Only open it if I don’t return. I’ll explain everything when I get back.
Signed,
Twilight Sparkle
Twilight finished writing the second letter and placed it in an envelope and gave it to Spike.
“Alright, just make sure you give these to her when you arrive at her door.” Twilight paused for a moment before she brought Spike in close for a tearful hug. “No matter what happens today remember, I always have and always will love you.” Twilight placed a kiss on Spike's cheek, which caught Spike off guard. Twilight never did that.
“Twilight, are you going to be ok?”
“Yes, Spike. I’ll be fine.” No, Spike. I don’t know if I will. But you don’t need to know that. I love you too much to break your heart. Twilight wiped a tear from her eye and hugged Spike one last time. “Alright, run off to Rarity’s. And be safe.”
Spike gripped the letters tight to his chest as he turned to walk away. He couldn’t figure out why, but he felt there was more to Twilight’s words than there seemed to be. Did he sense, dread? He shook his head to clear it of the horrid thoughts before exiting the Library and heading to Rarity’s.
As soon as Spike shut the door, Twilight dropped to her knees. Rivers of tears flowed down her now stained dark lavender cheeks. Her body shook violently as she sobbed. The situation had slammed her in the face with reality, and it did so painfully and brutally. Her heart was torn in two. One side wanted to rush after Spike and hold him close forever, but the other side wanted, no, needed to go save Derpy.
She laid on the floor, a puddled mess, hugging her stomach tightly to stop the horrible pain in her gut. Twilight was scared. She wouldn’t admit it to anypony, but she was. She had no idea how this was going to pan out, but she had to try. Still, it nagged at the back of her mind.
What if I don’t come home? Ever again?
Twilight looked up at Celestia who wore a pained expression. It relit the fire in Twilight’s soul and pulled her back to the task at hand. She slowly got back on all her hoofs, steadied herself, and looked at Trixie and her teacher.
“Let's go get Derpy and Luna back.”
“Come on out of your hiding place, you coward!” Luna sat alone screaming into the abyss. Trying to call out her tormentor.
“Well, well, well my dear. Looks who's grown a backbone. And what can I do you for you, my misfit?”
Fire lit in Luna’s eyes. Rage filled her body, but she still had to keep a level head. She sat in silence waiting for her flare-up to calm down. She would be damned if she would let Nightmare win with her head games this time.
“I want to barter.”
“And what do you have that I could possibly want?”
“But first my terms.” Dark mist slowly crept around Luna. It slowly took form of a tall pony. Nightmare Moon’s face appeared next to Luna’s from behind.
With a snap of her jaw she manically said, “I’ll bite!” Luna didn’t move muscle. She sat still and slowly turned her head to face Nightmare Moon.
“Release Derpy, no harm must come to her. I’m the one you want not her.”
“Oh, my poor misinformed misfit. You see, I don’t want her. I need her. With her I get Twilight, and she holds the true power. So again, what could you possibly give me to outweigh that?”
“My soul.”
Nightmare Moon let out a ear percing unsettling laugh. “Oh you still are naive! I don’t need your soul. I’M DEVOURING IT! Each day I eat a little of you from the inside. You forget, I am you, and you are me!”
“You must be truly mad if you think that is true! You are nothing but a dark entity that invaded my mind. You are NOTHING BUT A PARASITE!”
Nightmare Moon started to slowly circle the sitting Luna.
“Invaded? You let me in. You called out, and cried for me. You invited me in. And your mistake was allowing me in. I’ll never leave you. Think about it my dear, who was the jealousy crazed mare who cried out to me in the first place? All those years ago.
“You’re twisted in the mind and neurotic to the bone if you believe that, Nightmare! I was young and impressionable then. I am not the same mare I was over a thousand years ago.”
Nightmare Moon stood behind Luna and let out a manic laugh.
“You are more naive and pathetic than I had thought if that is your line of thinking. You’re a waste of an Alicorn, and of the power you hold as well. No matter, the one I want is on her way. And there is nothing you can do to stop it.”
Nightmare Moon slowly shifted back into mist form and floated away. “I’d get comfortable if I were you. This is going to be a long, lonely, miserable life for you. And poor Derpy.”
Fire relit inside Luna’s eyes. Rage filled her to the brim as she lashed out towards the moving mist.
“IF THOU SHOULDST LAY A SINGLE HOOF ON THAT MARE, I WILL RIP THY HEAD FROM THINE SHOULDERS, THOU HARLOT!”
“Do try it my dear, it’ll be funny to watch.”
As the dark mist drifted into nothingness, Derpy slowly walked up to Luna who was laying on the ground in defeat. At first Derpy just laid down next to her in silence, unsure of how or what to say to her. But it was Luna who broke the silence first.
“You heard all of that, didn’t you?”
“Luna, you’ve done all that you can. If it comes to my death, so be it. But I want you to know that I don’t blame you for any of this. If this had been a few months ago, I may not have been so willing to welcome death with open hoofs. But, even though it was brief, I had Twilight. And the knowledge that she’s not giving up warms my heart.”
Luna looked at Derpy with confusion. “How can you be so calm and positive in a time like this?”
Derpy looked up into the abyss, but to any who were looking, it was clear Derpy saw something else. “For the first time in my life, not one but two mares accept me for who I am. And that brings me great joy and happiness. I consider you a friend now Luna, and Twilight is my lover. Yes, it’s sad I won't be able to spend my final days with her. But I’d rather die beside a friend than be alone.”
Luna sat in silence for a moment before she spoke up again. “I believe I can agree with that. I will say it is much nicer to have company this time around. And if our fates end here, I can live with that.” Luna paused and looked over to Derpy. “You're right, I’d rather die beside a friend than alone. But I still have one regret. There is a mare who pushed her way into my heart, and it wasn’t too long ago either. But I regret that she does not know any of this.”
“I’m sure you’ll find a way before our final demise, Luna. Do you forget? You are the Princess of the Night, and the Holder of Dreams. You’ll figure something out if it means that much to you.”
Luna was dumbfounded. Why haven’t I thought of this earlier? Of course, I can still speak to ponies in their dreams. Maybe, if Nightmare hasn’t gained full control yet... Luna Jumped up and grabbed Derpy in a crushing hug. a flurry of kisses landed on her cheek.
“Luna, Luna! I need to breathe here!” Derpy struggled to get out of the death grip the Alicorn Princess had her in.
“HA! Thank you Derpy. All hope is not yet lost! There might be a fighting chance still.”
Nightmare Moon paced back and forth in the old Throne room of the ruined castle. Derpy’s lifeless body laid off in the distance by one of the old thrones. Nightmare Moon was arguing with herself.
“This isn’t good. Luna is starting to fight back.”
“Why do you worry, your mind games are working, she was sulking in defeat when we left.”
“I know this, but that bitch Derpy is lifting her spirit even as we speak. I speak? I no longer know. For madness has driven me to the brink of insanity. Luna by herself I can mange. But not this one they call Twilight Sparkle. She is powerful, far too powerful.”
“So kill her you fool. The cards are in your favor, move the pawns you have gathered for the reasons you have gathered them. Make her kneel and beg for her life. And while you're at it, take out the one they call Celestia as well. She’ll prove a thorn in our side later in life.”
“Yes. Yes. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, I see it now. You are brilliant! Soon Equestria will be mine, and Twilight Sparkle. WILL. BE. NO. MORE!”
“Um, Trixie doesn’t think she can go in......there.” Trixie stood trembling in front of the dark and expansive Everfree Forest. Frozen in place where she stood in fear. Twilight glanced back at the pale blue mare in slight annoyance.
“Trixie, it’s a long enough walk to the old castle as it is. We don’t need you making it any longer. It’s just the woods there's nothing to fear.”
“Oh right, other than the Timber Wolves, and Nightmare Moon. Oh and the Ursa Major. Yes nothing to fear at all.”
Twilight stood there staring Trixie down. Her right ear twitched as she was trying to keep calm and not go off on there mare.
“I understand that Trixie. But I need you in order for this plan to succeed. No please for the love of Star Swirl get it together!” Twilight huffed as she turned her head back forward and resumed walking into the gaping mouth of Everfree.
Princess Celestia walked up next to Trixie. “Twilight’s right Trixie, yes, she could have been nicer about it. But she is right. I understand you’re scared, but also remember two of the most powerful Ponies are here with you. Beside I believe you underestimate yourself.”
Trixie stood there looking up at the tall Alicorn, her gaze shifting from her to the mouth of the forest. She kicked at the dirt a few times before she took a hesitant step. Celestia extended one of her wings and wrapped it around the frightened mare to comfort her as they walked into Everfree.
“I still don’t know about this.”
Celestia looked down at Trixie and smiled softly at her. “I know, baby steps Trixie.”
Rainbow Dash flew through the skies of the Wonderbolts training grounds. She banked and turned into the formation and joined the rest of the wonderbolts as they practiced their routine. “Hey, Rainbow. I need you to do me a favor for me.”
Rainbow Dash turned her head to look at the pony talking to her only to come muzzle to muzzle to Luna standing in front of her. Slowly everything shifted into a different scene and both of them were standing in front of each other. Rainbow Dash glanced around only to find an endless void of nothing.
“Ummm, where are we?” Rainbow Dash looked around again trying to figure out what had happened.
“I brought you to a blank plain within your mind.” Rainbow opened her mouth to protest what she thought was an insult. But Luna cut her off. “Listen I don’t have much time. Derpy and I have been kidnapped by Nightmare Moon. Twilight is walking straight into her trap, and I fear, no I know her intentions do not bode well for Twilight. Derpy is alive and fine. But I need you to warn Twilight. Go to the Everfree Forest, that is where you shall find her.”
Luna reached over and smacked Rainbow Dash on the forehead, which in turn knocked Rainbow Dash out. The last thing Rainbow Dash could hear was Wake Up.
Rainbow Dash springed to life in a flurry of wings and feathers as she jolted awake. Causing herself to roll off of the cloud she had been napping on and plummet towards the ground. Disgruntled from being awoken so suddenly it took her a few moment before it clicked that she was free falling, although it didn’t take her long. She landed on the ground before she bolted back towards the sky causing a rainboom in her wake as she sped off to the dark forest that lingered on the horizon.
The scenery was blurring past her as she left a rainbow colored streamline in her wake. It didn't take long before she reached the edge of the forest. Her magenta eyes frantically searching the landscape below her trying to spot Twilight. I hope I’m not too late. She pitched her wings to the right to lower her altitude so she could see through the foliage a bit better. After a few minutes of searching around she spotted the white flank of Celestia and tucked her wings in and dive bombed down.
“I don’t remember it being this far into the forest. Celestia are you sure we are going in the right direction?” Twilight was looking back at her mentor waiting for her answer. She was almost positive that they had gotten lost.
Celestia raised her head up and scanned their surroundings. Her right ear twitched and she side stepped to the right as a pale blue blur smashed into and tackled Twilight to the ground. Celestia started to chuckle.
Fire lite in Twilight’s eyes, on any other day this wouldn’t bother her; as it was a normal occurrence with Rainbow Dash. But her patients had but stretched too thin over the past 24 hours. “What the hell Rai-.” Rainbow Dash stuffed her hoof into Twilight's mouth.
“I know you’re in a hurry to get the the sisters abandoned castle, but you’re walking into a trap.” The fire succeeded from Twilight’s eyes and was replaced by confusion.
“How did you know? Wait, how do you know?” Twilight's face twisted into a horrified sneer as the words came out of her mouth. Celestia started to laugh and shake her head.
“Because, my dear sister isn’t rolling over in defeat just yet. Let me take a while guess Rainbow Dash. My sister came to you in your dream and told you to inform us didn’t she?” Rainbow Dash nodded her head. “What did she tell you, exactly what she said no paraphrasing.”
“Derpy and Luna have been kidnapped by Nightmare Moon. Twilight is walking straight into her trap, and Luna fears her intentions do not bode well for Twilight. Oh and Derpy is alive and fine.” Twilight rushed her friend and began to bombard her with questions.
“Derpy's ok?! Define ok? Is she hurt at all, anything broken. TELL ME WHAT HAS THAT PARASITIC BITCH DONE TO HER!”
“Twi, twi. Twilight! I don’t know. That is all Luna had time to tell me.” The fire had returned in Twilight's eyes, causing Rainbow Dash to feel like she was looking into the gates of Tartarus.
Twilight looked down for a moment, then resumed her gaze with Rainbow Dash, the fire was still there but a mischievous look had crept in as well. “Rainbow, you didn’t happen to be able to see the castle while you were looking for us did you?”
“Yeah I did, we’re not to far from it now. Why, you guys lost?” Rainbow Dash threw head back. “Bah hahahahahaha. I can’t believe you guys got lost.” She finished wiping the tears away from her eyes and looked back at Twilight who now had a smirk on her face. “Uhh, Twilight, you’re starting to scare me.”
Twilight looked to her friend with annoyance. “Quite! Now look, I think I just might have crazy plan.” Twilight looked at Celestia, and Rainbow Dash, each in turn. Celestia had a horrid look on her face, and Rainbow Dash just looked lost. “ I have a plan, but, you’re going to have to just go with it and pray I’m right.”
Celestia stepped forward towards Twilight’s direction. “Have just one question. How-”
Twilight just cut her off, to Celestia’s annoyance. “Just trust me.”
“JUST ONE DAMN QUESTION TWILIGHT!” Celestia bellowed out her Canterlot Voice. She shook her mane and let out a sigh. “How sure are you about the success of your plan?”
“99.96 percent your highness.” Twilight fidgeted under her mentor’s stare. Celestia let a slow smile crawl across her face before speaking. “Well? What are we waiting for then?”
Twilight's jaw dropped as she stared at her mentor in shock. She cocked her head to the side, as a question ran threw her mind. Twilight paused for a moment before deciding on keeping her mouth shut. Celestia looked back at Twilight and smirked.
“SO what are we waiting for my little pony’s? If I remember correctly we have souls to save.” And with that Celestia held her head up high as she continued her venter into the forest toward what she once called home, so many years ago. As the swan like Alicorn pasted Trixie, she turned and looked at Twilight. Far in the back of her violet eyes a small ember glistened, like the northern star on a clear night. But something far more sinister lurked in the depths of those eyes. What is that mare planning? And why does even the thought of what it might be scare me?
All three of them resumed their walked and followed after Celestia. But Trixie was still fixated on what was gnawing at the back of her mind. Why did Twilight all of a sudden make her feel, uneasy. Like the cold grip of death was at her doorstep. Something in Twilight's demeanor had changed in the past couple of minutes. She had heard stories of just how powerful Twi-. Trixie’s eye shot wide open. THAT’S IT! Twilight is charging up her back up mana. Tapping into her excess magic, and prepping it. Never had Trixie felt so much power, not even when the Major incident happened had Twilight shown this much raw energy. Trixie couldn’t figure out what was worse. Not knowing what was making her feel uneasy, or knowing that Twilight was charging up getting ready for a battle. The thought made Trixie shrink back into the abyss of her mind. She no longer felt so sure to be along on this adventure.
Yes, our time is coming to rule this realm. Our power grows, but, so does our enemies. Time grows short. We must prepare.
The outline of the Sisters castle was looming in the distance, barely visible through the mist that shrouded the place.
“What is it with the fog, always with the fog in this Forest.” Rainbow Dash was complaining to herself, and had been for the past hour. Twilight was trying her best to ignore her pegasus friend. But today found many limits for Twilight; and her patience was one of them. Tixie had been quite, which was a welcome for once. But if the look on her face gave any indication of what might be going on in that mare's head, it troubled Twilight. The only one who seemed to be content with anything, was Princess Celestia. Who had been humming to herself a cheerful tune amongst the mostly silent and morbid others.
Twilight was still gathering up mana for the upcoming battle, and was dreading it’s release; it was going to be a painful one,and possibly a deadly one. And for this fact alone, frightened her. She went over and over in her head how she could be powerful enough to fight Nightmare moon, but remain in control. Sadly, no matter how many times Twilight went over it in her head, no matter how many different angles she looked at it. She kept coming to one conclusion. She wasn’t. She was going to have to just let lose a lot of magic, while going on a rampage and pray no one but the intended target was hurt.
Twilight glanced up to the sky. Only to be met with a dense thick layer of fog the loomed over her. However, for a brief moment the fog parted and slowly beams from the moon shone down onto Twilight. She couldn’t quite place why the beams of light shining through the thick fog was catching her attention so much. The more she thought about it, the more that view of the moon felt familiar in some weird way. Then it finally clicked. It reminded her of the second encounter she ever had with Derpy.
A week had gone by since the Gray mailmare had plowed into her at the market. Twilight and Derpy didn’t really talk to each other, but Twilight did keep tabs on her. It sickened Twilight to no end how that poor mare was being treated. Yes she was always mixing things up, misplacing them, and breaking them. But it was genuine mistakes and Derpy always replaced what she could. It actually surprised and shocked Twilight that she still managed to keep up with rent and other life expenses at the rate she was replacing things. But that would also explain why she always saw the mare working multiple shifts at the Post. Plus the side job she had at the printers.
The moon was high in the sky. Twilight was sitting by the window, reading a book in the fullmoon light. The beams of light flowed in through the window and highlighted the particles that was floating in the air. A timid knock at the door brought Twilight back to the present. With a soft sigh, that was partly out of irritation, she gently closed her book and got up to answer the door. The handle to the door started to glow as Twilight reached out with her magic and turned the knob.
Twilight pulled the door open with mild annoyance, trying to figure out who would be bothering her this late into Luna’s night. Behind the door stood a visibly shaken and nervous gray mare. Derpy hesitantly scratched the back of her head as she awkwardly stood in Twilight’s door way.
“Um, I know it’s k-kinda late, but I was h-hoping you could help me with something.” Derpy opened her mouth to say something else but Twilight beat her to it. Twilight watched as the mare stumbled over her words, and how she was shaking while talking to Twilight. All annoyance that Twilight had, went out the window in that moment. She knew it wasn’t because of pity. But she felt sorry for her, and the Princess did tell her to make friends.
“Sure, come on in and take a seat. Do you prefer tea, or coffee at this hour?” Derpy focussed both of her eyes on Twilight and gave her a dumbfounded look. After straining her eyes for a few seconds her right eye lazily floated back into it’s unnatural position.
“What?” Derpy sat on her hunches unsure if this was a joke. Twilight stepped outside and pushed Derpy into her house and closed the door behind her.
“Tea or coffee, well before you answer that, is this going to be a quick question, or an all nighter? Oooo tell me what subject we are looking for, I’ll pull all the books I have on it. SPIKE! Get the coffee going we are in for all nighter!” Twilight rushed around the tree grabbing things here and there placing them around her desk. Meanwhile Derpy sat on the couch unsure of what was going on. Derpy watched Twilight prance around with foalish joy as she gathered her things.
Twilight suddenly stopped in her tracks and rushed over to the crying mare on her couch.
“Derpy, what's wrong? Did I say something to upset you?” Derpy just looked up to the Unicorn and shook her head.
“No, just. Happy? Surprised I guess. No pony likes to help me.” Twilight took a moment to quell the anger festering inside as she sat down next her. She stared at the floor thinking of what to say next, then a thought came to mind. With a smile she turned to the gray mare and opened her mouth.
“Now, before I get too ahead of myself, what do you need help with?” Derpy gave a sheepish look to Twilight.
“Uhh, how to build a fruit cart?” Derpy quickly looked away, shutting her eyes tight and bracing herself for the on coming laughter. But all she heard was Twilight get up off the couch and walk to the book shelves pull a few of them off, then some books being put back.
“Do you know basic woodworking? Hmm I’ll grab that one anyway.” Twilight went back to rummaging through the libraries collection pulling out things here and there. When she was satisfied with her collection of books she returned to Derpy and opened one up. She paused and looked at her stack. “Wait here, I need to go look for one more thing.” Twilight got up once again and went to the corner and pulled out a box full of scrolls. While Twilight was looking through the box, Derpy grabbed one of the books and started to paw through it.
Though it was true she need to rebuild a cart she had smashed this morning, this wasn’t what she had come her to ask. But her shame and shyness forced her to panic and ask for this instead. The real question was still gnawing at her brain. But she couldn't bring herself to ask a Pony she had just met such a personal question. Why am I wasting her time with this rubbish. Rubbish? Ugh I’m spending too much time with Doc. Twilight had returned and pulled Derpy from her thoughts.
“Ah here we go, schematics for a fruit cart. Now where to start.” Derpy’s ears sagged and she bowed her head. With a reluctant sigh Derpy made up her mind to tell Twilight the truth.
“Twilight, I uh, need to confess to something. I’m actually not here for help on building a cart. Even though I do need to do that. I was hoping I could get some things off my chest. Doc’s out of town and you are the only other pony who showed me any kindness.” Derpy sat beside Twilight, silently chastising herself. Twilight sat in silence for a moment, before just simply raising a hoof and resting it on Derpy's shoulder, causing the gary mare to nervously shift her wings.
“In that case, I’ll go put on tea. Hang tight, ok?” Twilight got up walked toward the kitchen, after a few moments she walked back with two tea cups floating in tow. “Here you go. So what is it that is bothering you?”
Derpy grabbed the tea cup out of Twilight's magic, and stared off into nothing. She wasn’t sure how to go about what was troubling her. On one hoof she need to get the pent up emotions off her chest before she randomly broke down, but on the other hoof she knew that this short of thing wasn’t normal.
“I, I had a falling out with a,” Derpy paused, “w-with a family member. A harsh fall out. I just don’t know what I did wrong. I-I mean looking back I guess it sorta makes sense of why they had acted the way they always did, but I still don’t understand what I did.” Derpy glanced down as her ears folded back against her head, her wings wrapped tighter around her midsection the more she thought the harsh word that were slung at her during the argument. Twilight looked at the timid Pegasus, patiently waiting for her to continue. They both sat in silence for a few moments before Derpy spoke up again. “I-I just don’t get it. I-I always thought I was loved. P, p-papa loved me, why couldn’t she?” Derpy’s golden eyes began to fill up with tears, before they flooded over her eyelids and ran in streams down her matted cheeks. Her whole body began to shake as she sobbed heavily into her own front hoofs. Twilight reached over a gently placed a friendly hoof on Derpy’s shoulder. The gray mare slightly flinched at first, which sent a sting through Twilight's heart. But after a quick glaze over in Twilight's direction, Derpy leaned over into Twilight, who in turn embraced Derpy fully.
Twilight said nothing while Derpy wept. Not because she was at a lost for words. But because she knew this wasn’t the time for comforting words. So she sat there holding the weeping mare, hoping that this was enough to comfort her friend.
After about ten minutes Derpy had stopped shuddering, and within two she had stopped crying altogether. Twilight glanced down as she opened her mouth to talk, but Derpy was sound asleep. Rather than waking her sleeping friend she slowly withdrew from her grasp and left her on the couch to sleep. Twilight walked up to a little niche that was in her hallway and pulled down a blanket and a pillow; which she returned to to couch with.
After tucking Derpy in, Twilight blew out the final candle and went upstairs to bed herself.
Twilight was pulled from her memory as Princess Celestia tapped her on her shoulder. She looked up at her mentor to notice her pointing at something in the distance. Twilight followed her hoof, and strained her eyes to see the looming building in the distance through the dense fog. As they four ponies neared it.
An ancient ruin rose up out of the fog on the other side of a ravine that was connected by an old rope bridge. The ruins them self seemed to be in more disrepair then the last time they had visited the old castle. The high stone walls had moss growing and vines weaving its way in and out of the stone blocks, threatening to bring down the wall at any moment with a hostile nature take over. The castle itself seemed to be beckoning them to their fate. It seemed alive with the way the broken arc way’s jutted out of the almost solid walls, wanting to crush any who dared to walk beneath them. Twilight turned to Celestia.
The Princess had a stern look on her face, but her eyes told a different story. Hurt, sadness, empathy, and rage all seemed to swirl in her eye upon looking at what she onced called home. Her mind was a mading storm of emotional conflict. But the one thing that stood out was the fire that was burning in her heart. For too long had Nightmare Moon plagued her with nothing but heartbreak and sorrow. Both then and now it was her sister, but she had crossed the line one too many times. The one mistake that Nightmare Moon had failed to realise. Was Twilight. Celestia knew the power she held. And she would not hold back her finest Student. This would be the hardest test that Twilight has yet to face. And she pitied the Being that pissed her off.
The fires of Tartarus now burned within her eyes, all the years of wrought solitude from her sister and raw emotion was about to explode in a fiery rage. Celestia looked down at Twilight and only uttered a few words.
Also I changed the rating to teen due to the use of harsh langue* Derpy struggles with insecurity as she tries to figure out the best way to let Twilight know about her feelings. But things are not what they seem as She has to battle with another Pony for her crushes affection. Will Derpy succeed? Or will she be left heart broken. Only time will tell.
Also if it wasn't for them the story wouldn't be in the shape its in now so a BIG thank's for help on the overhaul of it and 