Chapters "Come on Derpy!" A voice rang out, waking the mare from her slumber.
Derpy sat up to the sight of her mother by the door. It was Saturday, June 1st and the very day she was waiting for. She was going to go out on her own for the second time of her life. Usually, her mother would be with her when she's out. Her mother would watch over her so she doesn't get into any trouble, and today she was free to go out on her own.
"Come on Derpy, it's time for breakfast" Her mother smiled as she left the room.
Derpy's ears perked up as a familiar smell found its way to her muzzle. She got out of bed and followed her mother towards the kitchen. She spotted a plate of muffins on the table and smiled with joy as she begun to stuff her mouth with the fluffy bread-like pastry.
"Fanksh muhhm" Derpy gave a goofy smile, her mouth still full of muffins.
Her mother giggled, "Swallow your food before you talk ok?"
Derpy nodded and wiped her mouth with a fetlock before speaking. "Okay, can I go see Rainbow Dash now?"
"Sure, just be careful ok?" Derpy's mother was happy that she would be with friends and not completely alone. Knowing her daughter's nature, she was afraid to leave her alone for more than an hour or so.
"Behave Derpy, listen to Twilight when she tells you something ok?" Her mother said as Derpy grabbed her saddle bag and headed out the door.
Derpy couldn't help but smile in excitement as she began her trip to Rainbow Dash's house. She was going to the Grand Galloping Galla with her friends. Derpy found herself in Ponyville passing by Sugar Cube Corner. She couldn't help but notice all the pastry's showcased in the window, and made her way in. She gazed upon every delicious, frosted pastry ranging from the different types of cakes to the smallest pieces of candy.
"Heeelllloooooooooo!!" Derpy didn't have the time to process the voice before a pink bouncy mare had appeared before her very eyes.
Just as fast as she appeared, the pink pony left Derpy's sight catching her in a ring of confusion. Derpy then caught Pinkie in her gaze on her second rounding. She watched as Pinkie bounced around her in sheer excitement, rambling on about how much fun the Galla was going to be this year. Finally, Pinkie stopped and galloped behind the counter and pulled out a basket overstuffed with goods.
"Here Derpy, can you bring this to the station? I have LOADS of things I wanna bring! So I don't want these getting caught under everything!" Derpy nodded her head and without protest, found herself back outside with Pinkie closing the door.
Derpy didn't give it much thought and began her walk to Dash's place.On her way, she began humming to herself and often look around to see what everypony was up to. As she made a second glance around town, a beautiful butterfly made it's way past her and caught her attention. Derpy always loved butterflies, and unintentionally began to follow it. She came to a full stop and watched as it landed on a small dandelion . Hesitating, Derpy began to make her way towards the blue and white butterfly.
Startled, the butterfly flew off, Derpy looked around and found herself in the middle of Ponyville's Park. She watched as ponies played with their pet and found herself wanting a pet of her own, which her mother wouldn't let her have. She didn't care much though. All she really wanted was to have fun with her friends while they were visiting Canterlot.
Derpy had begun to slowly lower haunches to sit, however, was stopped by a feeling of something falling. More likely sliding off her back. She forget she was even carrying the basket of goods Pinkie had given her earlier. And being a pegasus, she could hold the basket between her wings. Though after she spotted the butterfly, her mind followed it's path and lead her to where she is now.
She stood up, remembering where she was supposed to be heading. Derpy carefully let the basket slide off her back, grabbed the handle in her mouth, and made her ascend towards Cloudsdale. As she made it, she was greeted by Rainbow Dash who was about take a flight to her house.
"Oh hey Derpy!" Rainbow Dash trotted towards Derpy who was hovering over her.
"Hey Rainbow Dash!" The basket began to plummet and within seconds, found its way in Dash's hooves.
"Whoa there Derpy, what's in the basket?" Dash took a waft of the scent protruding from the basket. Her ears perked up and mouth opened wide as drool began to flood her mouth. "You brought this for me? Wow Derpy, I knew I was awesome but giving me a gift basket isn't needed, but thanks!"
Rainbow Dash was about to open the basket. However, was stopped. "They aren't for you Dash, I'm sorry. I went to Pinkie's and she gave me the basket and told me to bring to the station for her."
Dash smiled and gave the basket back to Derpy, who was now standing in front of her. "No problem, we'll take it to the station and I'll make sure it gets there safe!" Derpy took the basket in her mouth again. The two went into a flutter as they began to make their way towards the Ponyville Train Station.
The trip was short due to Dash being competitive with speed. Derpy had no problems flying fast but couldn't quite keep up with Dash, who had made it to the station a few minutes before she did. The two exchanged smiles and caught their breath. Applejack was just now arriving followed by Rarity, then Twilight who was caught up in checking a list of things she wanted to bring.
Spike was tagging along with her to make sure she had everything on her list. "Ok Twilight, I think that's everything. You've check that list three times already and you've marked off all the items you wanted to bring."
"Check" Twilight finished checking her list a fourth time, then noticed Rainbow Dash and Derpy. "Don't worry Derpy, you'll love it in Canterlot. Meeting the Princess, and getting to dance at the Grand Galloping Galla will be loads of fun!"
Hearing this made Derpy smile, nearly dropping the basket. Just as she does, Pinkie arrives with a wagon full of party supplies. Pinkie notices Derpy still has the basket and trots towards her.
"Hey Derpy, can I have my basket back?" Derpy released the basket from her teeth's grip, dropping it in Pinkie's hooves and watches as she trots over and places the basket in the very back of the wagon.
"Oh um.. e-excuse me.."
Rainbow Dash's ears perk up as she turns and sees Fluttershy standing behind her. "I'm sorry for blocking your path Fluttershy, how long have you been standing there?"
"For about a minute or so, I don't mind really. I just got practically got here" Fluttershy made her way past Rainbow Dash and Derpy, finding her spot next to Twilight and Rarity. Everypony exchanged looks and Applejack was the first to break the sudden silence.
"Ah know we all're excited for the Grand Gallopin' Galla in Canterlot, but this is Derpy's first time outside of Ponyville. So let's show her a good time" Everypony nods in agreement. "One more thing, when is the train supposed to be comin' Twi?"
Twilight perked her ears at the sound of a horn a few miles down the track, "It should be here in just a minute".
Everypony grabbed their luggage and lined up side by side. Derpy was just as eager if not more than the others. She had never been to Canterlot, let alone the Grand Galloping Galla. As the train pulled up, they each gathered onto the train one by one and found their seats to sit and relax in. Rainbow Dash wanted to be a chaperone for Derpy, so she found a seat for the two them.
As they took their seat, Rainbow Dash had remembered her gift for Derpy.
"Close your eyes Derpy, I got a surprise for you" Dash turns towards Derpy to ensure her eyes were closed. After she sees her eyes closed, Rainbow Dash pulls out a specially made medallion for Derpy out of her saddlebags and puts it on her. The medallion was hand a hand made Muffin in a bubble .
"Ok Derpy, you can open your eyes now." Derpy's eyes open and she begins to examine the new gift around her neck. She was never really given a gift this precious before. Her eyes watered as she gave Rainbow Dash a close and appreciative hug.
"I hope you like the necklace Depry, it's to keep you happy".
Derpy was quite happy she was with her friends, especially because she was on her way to Canterlot for the first time. However, what threw her over the top of happiness was when Dash gave her the muffin necklace. She loved it to death! While examining and cherishing her new gift, the train conductor peeps into their caboose and lets everypony know they were about to start heading towards Canterlot.
"Yay Canterlot! Woohoo!!"
Everypony turned to see Derpy, who was now trotting around the caboose. Rainbow Dash stretched her hoof in Derpy's path, causing her to stop. Derpy, in return, smiled bigger than she thought she ever could and gave Dash the biggest hug she had ever given anypony. "Thanks so much Rainbow Dash! I love the new necklace, and I want to thank everypony for letting me go on this trip!"
Twilight and the others couldn't help but smile. They all knew Derpy was pretty cute just the way she was, but when she went out of her way to make others smile it was just too adorable. Twilight made her way towards Derpy and put her forehoof around. "It's truly our pleasure to have you come with us Derpy".
Pinkie Pie enters with a basket of pastries. though, nopony noticed that she had even left. "Come on everypony, I brought snacks for us to share!"
Pinkie sets the basket on a nearby table and begins sorting the pastries. She set out plates and had put two muffins on each plate, followed by two cupcakes and a slice of cake. Just as Pinkie was finishing up with the snacks, Applejack decides to pull out something of her own.
"Ah brought us some apple cider if anypony wants some" Applejack reaches into her saddle bag and pulls out two boxes, each filled with six bottles of cider and sets it on the table next to the basket.
Dash was the first to reach for the cider. She grabbed a bottle in her mouth, then placed it in between her forehooves for a better grip as she began to open the bottle using her mouth. Applejack knew Dash loved her cider so she figured she would need two boxes. Dash was already about to finish up with her first bottle while the others were grabbing their plates and bottles of their own. However, Derpy was quite impressed how Dash guzzled the bottle within seconds.
Applejack was the last to grab a plate and bottle of cider. As she went to grab a bottle her hoof met with another causing her to jump away in shock. "What in tarnation?"
"Oh I'm sorry Aj, were you reaching for the cider too?" Rainbow Dash smiled and grabbed the bottle.
Applejack gave Dash an angered look and snatched the bottle from her, beginning to open it herself and tease the unamused Dash as she gulps the cider down to the last drop. "Gaaahhhh! Rainbow, you had a bottle already. This one was mine haha".
Rainbow Dash laid on the floor and pouted, moving her forehooves so Aj couldn't see her face. Applejack sat down and waved a hoof in the air, "Oh quit fakin' yah big baby".
Rainbow Dash got up and chuckled, "Fine, you got me Aj, you know how much I love your cider. I just wanted another bottle".
Applejack chuckled herself and gave Rainbow Dash a jokish look, "Well your still a lil' big baby Rainbow".
Derpy laughed at Applejacks remark to Dash being a big baby over a bottle of cider. She found amusement with the whole little debut anyway but didn't really say much, and just let the two go at it. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both began to laugh and then looked at Derpy, who was just sitting there with a small smile on her face. Rainbow Dash looked at the box nearly full of bottles of cider and picked one out, handing it to Derpy.
Derpy smiled and grabbed the bottle between her forehooves and opened it with her mouth. "Thank you Rainbow" she said before she took her first sip. The first time she ever got to taste Applejack's cider was the day the Flim Flam brothers tried take over Sweet Apple Acres. As delicious the Flim Flam brother's cider was, they didn't know how to make it the way the Apple Family did. They made their cider with love and care for everypony to enjoy, and that was the cider she loved.
Rainbow Dash noticed there were still two more plates of snacks on the table and grabbed one, passing Derpy as she went to an empty table. She passed Derpy once more, grabbed the last plate, and brought it to the same table. "Derpy, I grabbed one for you if your hungry."
Derpy smiled and trotted to the table and began to stuff her face. Rainbow Dash watched as Depry devoured the candy first, and then the cake. She left the best for last and went to take bite of her muffin. Just as she did, the train had made a sharp turn, causing both plates to slide towards the edge of the table. Rainbow Dash managed to catch hers, but Derpy was a little too busy trying to bite into her muffle before she even realized it was moving away from her.
Derpy opened her eyes to a table with no plate on it. She looked over and saw her muffin was now on the floor and covered her mouth in surprise. Her eyes filled with tears. "I really wanted that muffin..."
Rainbow Dash didn't want to see her close friend cry over her favorite food. Besides, she wasn't very fond of muffins the way Derpy was, so she had no problem handing hers over. "Here you go Derpy, I'm not really that hungry. So here, take mine."
"Wow Rainbow, I didn't think you were that nice!"
Rainbow Dash turned around, finding Twilight who was at a table by herself. Twilight was reading and happened to look up to find Derpy almost in tears over her muffin. She had watched Rainbow Dash from across the caboose. Dash rubbed the back of her head with her hoof, "Well, I'm not really that hungry anyway. So it wasn't that big of a deal."
Twilight smiled, "Well that was still nice of you Rainbow." She went back to reading one of the several novels she decided to bring on the trip.
Rainbow Dash chuckled and turned back to finish her food. As she did, Derpy was already half way done with the muffin she was given a moment ago. Rainbow Dash started with the candy and finished with the cake. Savoring the flavors of the cake as they passed her lips and down her throat. Pinkie Pie always made the best snacks, but whenever they were all going somewhere she would go out of her way to make them extra special. Pinkie even made the most plain snacks look spectacular and delicious.
Once Rainbow Dash finished with her plate, she noticed Derpy was just sitting there quietly. She got up and went to the other side of the table, sitting next to Derpy. "Hey Derpy, whats up?"
Derpy lowered head, trying to hide her face from Rainbow Dash. "N-nothing, just not used to being this far from home... my mother never really let me outside, let alone out of Ponyville..."
Rainbow Dash embraced Derpy in a reassuring and close hug. "It's ok Derpy, your with friends and I know its hard not being able to come out all the time. If it'll help, me and my friends will visit you more often ok?"
Derpy lifted her head and smiled. "Promise? I get lonely when I'm home alone."
Smiling back at her, Rainbow Dash got up and nudged Derpy on the shoulder. "I promise!" She said as she grabbed the two empty plates and headed towards the trash can.
Applejack was walking past the table, carrying an unopened box full of cider bottles when she noticed Derpy sitting alone. She looked around the caboose for Dash and spotted her by the trash can. "Hey Derpy, you thirsty? I got this last box of cider if you want some."
Derpy nodded her head and looked at Dash. She was still by the trash can, however, was stopped by Pinkie Pie before she could make her way back to the table. Derpy looked back at Applejack, who was opening the box of cider and placed a bottle on the table in front of Derpy and then one for Rainbow Dash, who was now making her way back to the table.
"Well, Pinkie said it should be another hour or so until we reach Canterlot" Dash said as she sat down.
Derpy opened her bottle and began drinking. Applejack grabbed a bottle for herself and pointed out the bottle for Dash. Both of them opened their bottles. The three friends looked at each other, Derpy held hers in the middle. The other two did the same, bringing their bottles together. All three of them cheered "To Canterlot!" before downing their drinks.
After finishing their drinks, Rainbow Dash was the first to get up. "Well, I'm gonna go take a nap. Wake me when we get there."
Applejack agreed. Both Derpy and her watched as Rainbow Dash made her way to the sleeping cabins. Everypony was pretty tired after the long day of packing, and were either sleeping at the tables, in the sleeping cabins, or just as wide awake as Pinkie is. Pinkie was really excited, as was Derpy.
Pinkie Pie was sitting at her table and singing to herself. She was singing Giggle At The Ghosties when Derpy walked up to her. "Oh hi Derpy, whats up?"
Derpy smiled and looked at Pinkie, tilting her head to the side a little. She never heard Pinkie sing before and thought her voice was quite beautiful. Pinkie Pie smiled back at Derpy and began to sing her song Smile. Pinkie watched as Derpy's smile grew even bigger. She got up and began to sing a little louder, getting an applause from the pleased mare.
Twilight trotted over to the two, "Sorry Pinkie, but you gotta be quite. Some ponies are trying to get some rest before we get to Canterlot."
A door behind Pinkie's table sings open and a pony with a striped cap walks in. "Only 10 minutes till we arrive at Canterlot!" The pony said before closing the door.
Twilight stood there for a minute or two. She was confused on how fast time had flew by, and there were only 10 minutes left till they get to Canterlot. "Well, I guess it's time to start waking everypony."
Rainbow Dash sluggishly sat up. She could hear somepony saying her name in a whispered town beside her. Her eyes focused on a yellow figure. It was Fluttershy, she had been calling Rainbow Dash's name for a good minute or so trying to get her up. The train was only five minutes away from Canterlot. Twilight and the others needed help calming Derpy down. Her excitement had peaked again and she was causing some trouble as she kept zipping around in the main caboose.
"Come on Rainbow, it's time to get up now. Please? We uhm.. we reeeaalllyy need your help with Derpy... uhm.. Dash?" Fluttershy was nearly biting her hooves due to the commotion in the other cart.
A loud crash rang out, drawing both Rainbow Dash's and Fluttershy's attention. Rainbow Dash could sleep through Fluttershy, but that crash was too much. The two went into the next caboose to everypony in a small crowd by the tables.
"Is she ok?"
"I don't know darling, I'll fetch Rainbow. Maybe she can get her to calm down."
"I don't know you guys, she seems kinda funny to me. Shaky-shaky hehe!"
Rainbow Dash trotted over to the small crowd and began giggling at what she had seen. Derpy was curled up and cuddling with a muffin. However, she was shaking quite erratically which wiped off whatever smile Dash on her face.
Dash sat on her haunches beside Derpy and placed a hoof on her side, "Derpy, you ok?"
Pinkie turned to a table behind her and reached for her basket of goods, took out a cupcake, and offered it to Derpy. Surprised, Dash quickly smacked the pastry from Pinkie's hoof, receiving a gasp as the cupcake hit the wall.
"Awww come on Dashie, that would have been her third cupcake in a row." Pinkie said as she began scooping the remains of the cupcake off the wall.
Rainbow couldn't help but facehoof, "Pinkie, she can't have that much sweats. She gets really hyper and it becomes hard to keep her calm".
Wrapping Derpy in an embracing hug, Dash began to pet Derpy's mane. Pinkie apologized and sat on her haunches by the two pegasi. Everypony didn't even notice that the train had already stopped and it was only a matter of time before the conductor was going to be in their cart.
As hyper as she was, Rainbow Dash had gotten Derpy to calm down quite quickly. This gave them time to get their belongings, and catch up with Twilight and the others. Everypony had to meet up with Celestia, however, they had something else in mind.
Twilight figured, because it was Derpy's first time at Canterlot, a tour around capital would be a good idea. Rarity wanted to check out what fashions shops they had around, and Fluttershy wanted to go the Gala's garden to hang out with animals.
Twilight turned to the others, stopping them before they all went their separate ways. "Let's meet outside of the Gala by sundown".
The others agreed and began their journeys around Canterlot. Rainbow Dash decided to tag along with the duo as they went on their tour.
Twilight began pointing out different places, ranging from small flower shops, the most popular restaurants. "This is Canterlot's finest diner, and over here is the Museum of the History of Equestria!"
"Look out below!"
The group of three quickly found themselves entwined. Dash was the first to get up, realizing what happened. She turned to Spitfire who was laying on the ground unconscious.
"We've gotta do something and fast!" Dash quickly and carefully lifted Spitfire over her shoulders.
Panic ran through her body as she looked to Twilight for any suggestions. Her favorite Wonderbolt was on her back and unresponsive, however, that was quite the crash. She didn't really give Twilight time to answer before she flew off, trying to balance the unconscious mare.
"I hope she'll be ok" Derpy turned to Twilight with a hint of worry. Twilight couldn't agree more. The two made their way towards the Canterlot Clinic to meet up with Rainbow Dash. As they arrived, Rainbow Dash was standing outside.
The doctor had caught Rainbow Dash's attention as Twilight and Derpy arrived.
"How is she doc? Is she gonna be ok?" She asked.
"She'll be fine, it's just a minor concussion. She'll be up and in the air in no time." The doctor turned to head back in, however, stopped as he noticed there were two new ponies. "Can I help you two?"
Twilight and Derpy looked at each other. Twilight waved a hoof in the air, "No, no. We're just here for our friend here. And to know if Spitfire will be ok."
The doctor gestured towards Dash, "She'll tell you what I told her, I don't exactly like repeating myself."
Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight as the doctor made his way into the building. "Come on, we should continue our tour for Derpy. Spitfire will be fine, so we shouldn't worry. I'll check up on her later."