Another Morning in Ponyville
The sound of blue birds chirping accompanied the rising sun, which set its warm rays of light on the grey pegasus’s face. Derpy awoke, embracing the morning with the same cheer she met every day with, stretching all four of her legs and wings.
"Time to deliver the mail again." She said to herself. She did this every morning before breakfast. It was more than just her job, it was her life. She loved to go about, interacting with the ponies of Ponyville and seeing her friends as she made her routes. Everypony was happy to see her, excited that they were getting mail.
All incoming mail was drooped of in a large box outside her door, where she would collect and sort it before flying out into town. Derpy went outside to collect the day's mail from the box. She lifted the lid, and found it only contained one letter today. This wasn't uncommon, mail took a while to reach Ponyville, and often, it came in as a trickle. She grabbed the letter with her hoof and brought it inside.
"Now, where am I going to deliver this today?" She asked herself, reading the address. What she read puzzled her. The letter was from Canterlot, but it was only addressed to Ponyville, there was no name or address number, and the hoof writing was scribbled and barely legible.
"What am I going to do now? I don't know who to give this to?" Not delivering a letter was out of the question for the committed mail mare. She stared at it again, but there was no mistake, the letter only had the town's name scribbled on it. A feeling of frustration came upon her, this wasn't fair.
Then she got an idea. She wasn't the brightest of ponies, but she could solve problems when she needed to.
"Maybe I should read it," she thought, "it may have somepony's name on the inside. It occurred to her that this may be an invasion of privacy, but there were not many options she could think of. "Maybe if I just read the first part..."
Derpy opened the envelope, trying to keep it as intact as possible. She pulled the letter out and unfolded it on the kitchen table. The words were just as scribbled as the address, written as though the writer had to make a great effort just to write each word. On the top right, a date was placed, May 6th, which placed the letter back more than six months ago. That surprised Derpy, mail never arrived that late. She began reading the first line.
*To my dearest daughter, I am so sorry...
Derpy didn't want to read the whole letter, but the first line hadn't given her any clues.
...it's been so long since I left Ponyville. Back then, you were just a small filly. Your mother and I loved you so very much. It was a hard decision leaving you, but Equestria needed me. I still remember how hard you cried when I said goodbye, if you must know, I was crying too. My time serving in the royal guard was dedicated to you. I wanted to protect Equestria, but especially my family. Unfortunately, I found my skills pulled me away from any contact. I know you must feel as if I left you behind, but not a day went by that I didn't think of you or your mother.
I am writing you now, against the will of my superiors. I have to hide it, because they feel what I am about to say will hurt you too much. However, I feel you must know the truth. A few days ago, there was an attack on Canterlot. Your father took charge of defending the city from the attacking creatures, leading his fellow guards from the front. It was during the battle that I became mortally wounded. I have been hospitalized, but I'm told I have a very slim chance. Every day, I'm in incredible pain, not just physically, but in my heart as well, for I feel I will not make it. It's been so long since I held you or saw your face, and now, I may never do so again. The doctors will be placing me in a coma soon, in an attempt to save my life. I simply ask, if you get this letter, to visit me, and be by my side. Even if I am unconscious, at least I'll spend my last few hours with you. You were my world, the reason I fought, I will always love you, in this life and the next. Goodbye my dear Scootaloo. *
By the time Derpy had finished reading the last line, the table was soaked in tears. Derpy's heart was heavy with the sadness the letter contained. It was a strange, new feeling to her, one that she could not handle. She broke down into a sob, burying her face into her hooves, while images of Scootaloo, happily playing with her friends circled through her mind. She wanted to destroy the letter, so that the young filly would never know the kind of sadness she felt.
But then there was her father, how he wanted Scootaloo to know how much he really loved her. It was important to him that his daughter got his letter. Derpy didn't know what to do, for the first time, she wished she had never woken up. Ultimately, it was her job to deliver the mail, no matter what, she decided. It would just take her a while longer to calm down.
* * *
Derpy knew that all the fillies and colts of Ponyvill would be in school, since it was still morning. She headed to the school house with the one letter in her bag, walking slowly instead of flying.
"Hi Derpy!" Her friend Rainbow Dash yelled to her, passing by. Derpy said nothing and continued on. "Hey, what's wrong?" Dash asked.
"Nothing, Dash," she replied, softly, "just leave me alone for now."
"Um, ok...see ya around..." Rainbow Dash took off.
The school house was getting close, and Derpy started to regret her decision. Maybe Scootaloo wouldn't read it till she got home? She didn't want to break down and cry again, especially in the middle of the school house. The door was open, and she could hear Miss Cheerilee happily instructing her students. Derpy's legs shook as she walked inside. "Ec...excuse me, Miss...Miss Cheerilee..." she was about to cry, "I have a...delivery for Scootaloo...."
"Really?!" Scootaloo cried, happily, "what is it?!"
Internally crushed by Scootaloo enthusiasm, Derpy reached into her bag to pull out the letter...
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but I'm looking for someone I was told I could find here..." Everypony turned around to see who had just spoke. In the doorway was an armored stallion, a guard, with his helmet removed. He had a few visible scares, and his right ear was half missing. It took him one look at the foals in the schoolhouse to recognize a familiar face...
"Scootaloo..." he fell to his knees.
Scootaloo was in shock for a moment, but the memory of her father’s face came flooding back, and she ran to embrace him. "Daddy!!!"
Derpy didn't know what to do. Overcome by emotion and relief, she broke down and tiered up along with everypony in the classroom as Scootaloo embraced her father. The letter remained tucked away in her bag.
Author's Note
Proof read by Marshall LeFleur
