Sender to Return
Redeliverable
Sender to Return
Derpy stumbled forwards, not quite sure whether she had cried out among the downpouring rain. The driving drops drizzled over her fur, which was caked with mud. The path she was on wound up the side of a mountain and into the cloud filled sky. Her wings fluttered, feeling the weather that could be controlled, changed, warped all around her. She pinned them closer to her sides.
Her eyes clenched shut with a sob.
Dear Rainbow,
I wasn’t entirely sure whether you meant what you said back then, but I do now. There were others around, and in the end, you were just as scared as I was. Your fear was just of not fitting in.
For what it’s worth, I’m sorry too.
-Still Friends, Derpy
“I need passage to the eastern reaches.”
The bartender snorted, taking a casual glance through the smoky air at the grey pegasus mare standing at the edge of the bar. Her eyes were out of synch, and she projected an air of naivety as if she wasn’t quite sure why she was here. “And why would I tell you, missy?”
She tilted her head at him. “Why would you not?”
“I have no reason to.” The bartender put one of his hooves on the bar. “You want something, you’re going to have to give something back.”
The pegasus casually lifted a hoof and slowly struck it against the bar. The bartender watched as a crack ran across the bar from the appendage, one of the glasses on the shelf underneath it shattering. He looked back up at the mare, who still seemed totally innocent, one of her eyes trained on him. “I don’t know quite what happened, but I’m willing not to stumble into some of your tables on the way out if you give me some information.”
The bartender gulped, evaluating how much damage the mare could do if she could do that if just a light press. He caved. “Alright. There’s a group on the far side near the docks…”
Dear Vinyl,
I might be able to. I’m not sure quite where I’ll be going, and I’m not sure when I’ll return.
But… I guess that’s the point of a journey, isn’t it?
I’m sorry.
-Back at you, Ditzy Doo
Derpy put one foot in front of the other as carefully as she could. The rocks under her feet wavered in and out of focus as she tried to look, but she ultimately gave up and shut them, pricking her ears.
She knew this path well - sight wasn’t exactly necessary.
Dear Pinkie,
I do remember that. The jelly bean muffins were delicious, despite their unusual consistency. I’m sorry about the ovens exploding by the way.
I’ve seen many, many, letters. I was, after all, a mailmare. Few were ever addressed to me, and even fewer came in a pink envelope. I know it isn’t the same, but you made it unique, as you always do. I’ll always thank you for that.
-Hoping for the best, Derpy
Derpy stood across from the sailor, looking at him over the empty barrel containing a set of dice. “So, let me get this straight. You want me to pay for passage… by winning at gambling?”
The sailor nodded. “Why? You got nothing to give when you lose?” He gave her a creepy grin. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem…”
Derpy shook her head. “No. I’ve got these.” A small bag landed on the table with a couple of clinks.
The sailor raised his eyebrow and opened the bag, sticking his hoof in the container and pulling out one of the contents. He blinked. “Is that…”
She nodded. “Is that enough?”
He nodded back, carefully putting the piece back. “Sure.”
Derpy gave him a smile. “Just be warned - I’m very good at this.”
Dear Dinky,
I’m sorry I left, muffin. I chose this, and I don’t regret it, but that doesn’t stop me from wishing you were here.
I didn’t take you because you because you could get hurt where I’m going, and I can’t let that happen. Don’t try to follow me, please, no matter how much you want to.
I miss you too. I’ll see your picture eventually.
I promise.
-Love, Derpy
Derpy, her eyes clenched shut, heard the howling wind roar down the nearby ravine. The rain had abated somewhat as she had ascended up the path through the cloud cover. She kept her wings as close to her barrel as she could despite the impulse to spread them.
She wasn’t far enough yet.
Dear Mayor,
I’ve been gone for a while now, haven’t I? I guess it’s been longer than I thought. I’ll be gone for quite some time, so your Tuesdays and Thursdays will have to continue on without me. I know you’ll make it through.
I wish I could come back, but I can’t. It’s been a long journey for me, and you need to remember that, even at the end, I’ll only be halfway through.
I miss you all too.
-Sincerely, Ditzy Doo
Derpy stepped off the gangplank of the ship with a careful tread, walking onto the beach. One of her eyes glanced back at the ship, which was in… mostly… the same condition as when she had entered. One set of ropes or two may have had frayed edges, and the hammock she had been in had fallen apart so many times that she had taken to sleeping on the wooden planks, but no real damage had been done.
She was proud of herself…
...even as the gangplank cracked down the middle as she stepped onto the sandy beach.
Doctor,
We did, didn’t we? I’ll always remember them, even if you don’t. You don’t quite know everything about me, even as I don’t know everything about you.
I have to leave, and I’ll be back eventually. There’s a reason you found me out there all those years ago. You never asked, and I never answered, but it wasn’t for nothing. There was a purpose to the madness, after all.
I’ll see you again. I promise.
-Derpy
Derpy gulped as she gazed over a wide abyss, the only path across a rickety rope bridge that looked as if it could snap at any moment. Looking over the edge, her eye drifted down to view the rocky bottom of the chasm.
Her hoof delicately stepped onto the wooden structure, and it creaked under her weight. She pulled the hoof back. Turning around, she positioned herself a bit farther away and looked down at the bridge and pawed a hoof at the ground snorting.
Then, she tensed her back legs…
...and leapt.
Dear Fluttershy,
I never was very good at it, but if you want me there, I’ll make the attempt. The journey is long, and the trials are hard, but I’ll try to make it back. I’ve been on long journeys before, but none that took time away from others, and I’m sorry for that, despite its necessity.
You made great teammates, and I would love to be a part of that again. And Rainbow is your friend - don’t be afraid to ask her.
I’m sorry I had to leave.
-I miss you too, Derpy
The mountain stood, a large intimidating monolith cutting its way up out of the jungle and into the thick clouds above. At its base, a small grey mare took in its eminence, gazing up with one eye. She shivered, even as the air around her was sweltering.
Her hoof stepped forwards onto the gravel path.
Dear Zippy,
It’s been quite a long time. I guess I just didn’t expect it to be so hard on you, or Post. I don’t know how long I’ll be, and in the end it could be much longer than I expect.
I made my choice when I left, and I can’t come back until I’m done. I know that you need me, but I need to do something before I come back.
I’m sorry.
-Sincerely, Derpy
Derpy’s front hooves slammed against the middle of the bridge, and she galloped forwards, her back hooves thumping forcefully against the wooden planks. Behind her the cliff shattered, and the backside of the bridge fell into the rift. She pushed off again and flew through the air before landing on the far side, her hooves scrambling at the ground even as it cracked beneath her. Breathing heavily, she looked back at the, now wider, gap.
She shook her head and turned back to the path. Banishing all traces of subtlety, she raced up the mountain side, her hooves leaving bubbling cracks behind her.
Dear Carrot,
I’ve been gone for so long…
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
I’ve been feeling so closed, so shut off. It had been building, and I ignored it. That was my mistake. I should have left so long ago, and come back sooner. Instead, I just left it alone, hoping it would go away. I knew inside it wouldn’t. After all, it hadn’t before.
But by then I had to leave.
In the end, it didn’t really matter. I would have had to go anyway, but I would have had more time. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand. There was no time… and I was afraid. Scared that you would tell me not to. And in that regard, I am very, very sorry.
I love you too. So, so, much. I just wish that I could come back sooner - and I will come back. It might take me years, but I will see you again.
I can’t come home. And for that, I am eternally sorry.
Tell Hooves that he should keep Dinky close. She’ll need someone in the coming storm.
I’m sorry I can’t offer more.
-Love, Ditzy Doo
Derpy stood at the summit, her mane waving in the wind, staring over the cloud layer all around her. Her wings snapped out, and she felt the sky, the water particles and air currents flowing over her.
Her wings quivered.
Beneath her, she could feel the huge storm, the giant rock that was the mountain, and the life that was the jungle.
She took a deep inhale.
Her hooves gripped the top of the mountain closer as her wings bent back and she crouched, her face pointing upwards into the sunlit sky.
Her eyelids fluttered closed.
Her wings flapped down, and she shot away from the summit. Beneath her hooves the mountain cracked, and the storm rose up to meet her in a great rushing of wind. The air pressure dropped, raised, and lowered again.
Around her, the storm raged and nature closed in, the base harmony of the world pulsing around her. She smiled, and her eyes aligned.
The sphere of nature, the initial harmony, exploded outwards with a discharge of renewal.
Alone in the cold, she smiled, all while holding back a sob.