Wayward Friends

by BlueBook

Rating: everyone
Tags: Derpy Hooves, Slice of Life, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash
Length: 5062

Sometimes, even the best of friends can let you down. A series of misunderstandings leads to a rift between Derpy and her friends.

Sometimes, even the best of friends can let you down.
A series of misunderstandings leads to a rift between Derpy and her friends.

Editor: OleGrayMane

Published 2014-03-05 01:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2014-03-05 01:50:01 UTC

Chapter 1

“Come on!” Rainbow Dash grumbled, crossing her hooves. “Where in the world is that silly pony?” Her wings beat furiously in the cool morning air as she circled anxiously above Ponyville. The sun's rays lit the horizon but failed to warm the impatient mare.

“She should have been here already! Everypony's got to help with the Weather Patrol once in a while. It's just once a month—how could she forget? What in Equestria is keeping her?”

~~~

Derpy Hooves lay curled in her bed, her yellow mane disheveled from a night of fitful sleep. Yesterday's work had drifted long into the night; a special rush delivery forced her to fly to Canterlot and back with only the stars to guide her. Exhaustion lay over her body like a heavy blanket. But now, the morning sun shone through the casement, across her tired face, returning her to consciousness. She opened her eyes and peered into the brightness of her room.

Oh no! She sprang from her bed. I overslept. I'm late for the Weather Patrol!

A deep rumble shook her house, and Derpy rushed downstairs and hurried out through the front door and onto the street. Without warning, streams of freezing cold water poured down, soaking her head-to-hoof.

“Hey'ya! Good morning sleepyhead.” Rainbow Dash cackled while bouncing on a tiny rain cloud hanging above Derpy's head.

Derpy shivered as the cold raindrops rolled down her back. “Dashie! That wasn't fair.”

“Come on, Derpy, enough napping. Let's get to work.” Rainbow bucked the cloud high into the sky. “These clouds won't clear themselves, ya' know!”

She reluctantly joined Rainbow Dash in the bright morning sky.

“Alright Weather Patrol—move out!” Rainbow commanded and soared off towards the outskirts of Ponyville.

“M'kay!” Derpy shook the last of the water from her mane and raced after her speedy companion.

~~~

“All righty! Our first job today is to move the rain clouds in Ponyville over Sweet Apple Acres so the trees get the water they need.” Rainbow Dash hovered over the red barn that formed the centerpiece of the Apple family's extensive property. “You got that, Derpy?”

“Yep!” she exclaimed as she circled above the barn.

“Okay, I'm going to go round up some clouds and bring them back here. When I do, we'll buck the rain out of them. Got it?” Rainbow didn't wait for an answer and started flying towards Ponyville.

“'Kay! I'll be waiting for you,” Derpy said. As Rainbow soared out of view, Derpy began to fly lazily over the dark forest adjacent to Sweet Apple Acres.

Unlike other ponies, Derpy didn't fear the Everfree Forest. There was something about the beauty of the place—the forest floor, the sound of birds, the rustle of leaves—that left her entranced. For her, it was a calm place, free from the problems of the world, where she could contemplate nothingness for as long as she desired. Circling low over the dew spotted canopy, she felt its leaves touch the tips of her hooves. She closed her eyes and reveled in their rough, wet touch.

A light breeze ruffled her feathers. Without warning, the breeze turned into a gust, slamming into her like a runaway freight train. She found herself flying sideways through the air, her wings acting as sails. The powerful gust tossed the helpless pegasus like an errant kite, blowing her towards the silo of Sweet Apple Acres.

Her muscles tightened instinctively in anticipation of the inevitable collision. Arrow-like pain shot through her back as the silo's wooden roof splintered around her. Derpy plunged into the silo's contents, landing awkwardly on her back.

She lay stunned, her body aching from the sudden impact. Slowly, she righted herself and looked skywards through the gaping hole she'd made.

“Somepony help me!” she pleaded.

~~~

A cloud of dust formed at Applejack's hooves as she rushed out of her house, looking for the noise that shattered the morning calm.

“What the hay is goin' on 'round here?” she shouted to nopony in particular. She surveyed the farm, searching for the source of the noise. Her eye gravitated to the mangled wreckage of what had been the silo's roof.

“What a mess!” she moaned, gazing at the gaping hole in the silo's roof. “This is gonna take days to repair! What the hay happened?”

“Oh, hey, AJ.” Derpy sheepishly stuck her head out of the hole in the silo. “What's up?”

“Derpy…” Applejack gritted her teeth. “Why are y'all up in my silo?”

“I simply don't know,” Derpy moaned. “There I was flying along over the forest when—bam!—out of nowhere a big wind pushed me into your silo. It's all very mysterious.”

“Yeah—real likely story ya got there,” Applejack muttered, her face flushed with anger. “Now listen here, Miss Ditzy Do!” She glared furiously at the errant mare. “Y'all have done some serious damage, so I expect a much better explanation out of you.”

“B-b-but Applejack, I'm telling you, that's what really happened,” she cried.

“Oh for cryin' out loud. Would ya' quit with the lyin' already!” Applejack shook with fury. “Both me and you know ya'll do this kind of thing all the time.”

“B-b-but…” Derpy whimpered and her eyes filled with tears.

“But nothin', little missy!” Applejack responded sharply. “I don't wanna' hear another word out of you.”

~~~

Rainbow Dash pushed the last of the heavy, moisture filled clouds over the parched orchard. Her task completed, she looked about for her assistant, but spied only Applejack standing below.

“Hey AJ! What's up?” she called as she landed next to her.

“Yer friend here is what's up, or should I say through, my silo!” Applejack barked.

“Ohmygosh I am soooo sorry!” Rainbow stared aghast at the shattered roofline as Derpy waved down to her. “I swear, I just left her alone for, like, five minutes.”

“Ya shoulda known this would happen if ya left her by herself,” Applejack snapped. “Rainbow Dash, why can't y'all be more responsible? Didn't it ever occur to you that leaving Derpy here all by her lonesome was a bad idea?”

“Well excuse me for not owning a crystal ball, Miss Know-it-all!” Rainbow put her hooves on her hips. “It's not like I can be everywhere at once!”

“Well, ain't that special, the master dodges responsibility just like her pupil.” Applejack glared at her. “Fine. If that's how it's gonna be, then you're not welcome on my farm. Leave—now!”

“Fine!” Rainbow petulantly crossed her forelegs. “Come on, Derpy,” she shouted to her despondent friend peering down at them. “We're leaving. We've got work to do—elsewhere!”

“M'kay.” Derpy sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes.

~~~

Rainbow Dash broke up a bank of cotton-white clouds and wiped the sweat from her brow. Despite the mishap this morning, she reflected, the Weather Patrol is quite going well today. With Derpy's help, we'll be done way ahead of schedule.

Rainbow gave the last cloud a swift kick, sending it spinning towards the horizon. She placed her hooves on her hips and surveyed her work with pride. Y'know, she thought, I should go and see if Derpy needs help with clearing up the clouds over Ponyville.

~~~

Wooden stalls of merchants filled the streets where rowdy crowds bustled, looking to buy, sell, or trade all manner of items. Loud haggling, punctuated by the clink of coins, formed the sweet melody of commerce. It was market day in Ponyville.

Rainbow flew high above the crowd, scanning the sky for her partner. A peal of thunder sounded above the din in the streets below. She shot towards the noise's source, her wings beating frantically. A flash of lighting lit up the sky above Sugarcube Corner. Bursting through the clouds, she spotted a black cloud with a figure perched atop it. Pinkie Pie and many yelling ponies crowded the street beneath it.

Pinkie sat in a puddle, her curly mane sopping wet and hanging flat. Above her, Derpy bounced gleefully, stomping out the last drops of rain from a cloud.

“Derpy!” Rainbow Dash gasped. “What do you think you're doing?”

“Well,” Derpy began to explain. “Pinkie was having this parade, and she was—”

“Oh no you don't!” Rainbow bellowed. “Not twice in one day! How dare you! How dare you betray my trust and use your job to pick on my friend!”

“But she wanted it to rain, so I—”

“And now you lie to me about it!”

“But Dashie—” Pinkie began nervously, staring up at her friend.

“It's okay Pinkie, I've got this,” she yelled down, and then turned to Derpy. “Derpy, that's it! You're off the Weather Patrol. FOREVER! Just—just go home. And don't let me see you picking on my friends ever again!”

Derpy's lips quivered. She folded her foreleg over her face and flew off.

“I'm really sorry about that, Pinkie,” Rainbow said. “I promise she'll never bother you again.”

“B-b-but, Dashie—”

“No need for thanks, Pinkie,” Rainbow once more interrupted. “Can't talk anyway—I gotta get this cloud out of Ponyville—too dangerous to leave around. Gotta dash!” She flew off, taking the dark cloud with her.

“But Dashie.” Pinkie yelled into the sky as the pegasus disappeared into the distance. “I asked Derpy to cool us off—she was helping.” She plopped down and groaned. “Why doesn't anypony ever listen?”

~~~

It had been a long and busy day for Rarity, but market days always were. There were simply too many things to buy, and her latest creation demanded just the right touch.

Ah, another successful shopping trip concluded, she thought as she stuffed the last roll of ornate fabric into her overloaded saddlebags. I only wish Twilight hadn't had prior engagements. Otherwise, I could have had Spikey-wikey carry all these heavy things for me.

She started to make her way home, threading her way through the roiling crowd packing the street. As she turned the corner towards the boutique, her hoof trod not on the hard road, but on the soft hair of somepony's tail.

“OW!” she heard from a pony hiding in the shadows.

“Oh, dear me, I'm terribly sorry! I didn't see you there!” Rarity found herself face to face with a disheveled mare. “Derpy, my goodness, what has happened to you, darling? You look simply dreadful!”

“I'm sorry for getting in your way, Miss Rarity.” Derpy sniffled.

“Oh, come now, you weren't getting in my way. Why, if anything, I'm the one who wasn't watching where I was going.” She looked at Derpy's crestfallen face and smiled sympathetically. “Now, what's got you down in the dumps?”

“Oh, well, uh, I'm having a dreadful day. Everything I've done today has gone wrong. I tried helping Rainbow Dash with the weather and Pinky with her parade, but—I messed up and got yelled at.” Derpy put her head in her hooves. “I can't do anything right!”

“Hmm…” Rarity tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Well, darling, how would you like to help me with my bags? I could use some assistance.”

“Really?” Derpy wiped her eyes. “You'd really let clumsy old me help you?”

“Why of course, dear.” Rarity smiled soothingly. “Why wouldn't I?”

“Well… alright then. I mean, if you really want me too.”

“Splendid.” Rarity gently placed her bags on Derpy's back using her magic. The pegasus's legs wobbled under the heavy load. “Come, darling, let's go.”

~~~

“Well, here we are,” Rarity exclaimed. “The Carousel Boutique—home sweet home.”

Finally! Derpy thought.

“See dear, that didn't turn into a disaster, now did it?” Rarity took her bags off Derpy's back. “You did a splendid job of helping me.”

“You mean that?”

“Certainly,” Rarity reassured her. “Just because some things haven't gone well today, doesn’t mean everything will. Now that things are better, you can start fresh and have a wonderful day.”

“Gee, thanks Miss Rarity. I will!” Derpy threw her forelegs around Rarity's neck and hugged her tightly.

“You're—welcome?” Rarity blushed.

“Well, see'ya later!” Derpy called as she happily flew off.

Well, that was a bit embarrassing, Rarity mused. Nevertheless, mission accomplished.

~~~

Twilight and Fluttershy galloped along the road with manes and tails fluttering, speeding towards Ponyville. They zig-zagged through the crowds in the streets, racing towards the town's center, dust flying from their hooves.

“Twilight,” Fluttershy panted, “could we please slow down? I can't keep up.”

“We're almost to the square. You can make it, Fluttershy!”

They reached the town square where the ancient stone fountain had stood ever since the first years of the town's existence. No one knew exactly why it was there, only that this spot was where everypony made important announcements. Twilight hopped on to the fountain’s low lip and surveyed the group forming around them. Fluttershy rested against the cool marble wall. Twilight took a deep breath and began to speak.

“Listen up, everypony!” she declared. “I have something important to tell you.”

“What is going on? Is something wrong?” voices from the assembly muttered to each other.

“Princess Luna is going to visit Ponyville—” she paused and caught her breath, “—today!”

Gasps came from the crowd of ponies.

“And I just found out.” Twilight held her head high. “So we don't have much time to prepare for her arrival. Thankfully, I made a list for just such an emergency, and as long as everypony does their job and nothing goes wrong, we will be fine!”

Twilight unfurled a long roll of parchment. She cleared her throat and started to call out names and tasks.

~~~

Thanks to Twilight's list, the town bustled with ponies preparing for Luna's arrival. Fluttershy sighed and looked up at the unicorn double checking her list. At least now, Twilight's frenzied panic had subsided to frenetic activity. Fluttershy hated to interrupt her, and her ears drooped as she gathered courage to speak.

“Um, Twilight?” she whispered. “I think perhaps you may have made a mistake.”

“Fluttershy? I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. What did you say?” Twilight turned to her friend.

“Oh, it's—nothing,” Fluttershy mumbled to the ground.

“If something's wrong, you have to tell me, okay?” Twilight laid her scroll aside and sat on her haunches.

“Well, remember when you were assigning jobs?” Fluttershy bit her lip. “I think you might have made a mistake having Derpy work with Applejack and Rainbow on the flower arrangements.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Well, they seemed annoyed when you announced they'd be working with her,” Fluttershy said. “And Derpy, well, she seemed nervous. I think something might be wrong.”

“Oh Fluttershy, I'm sure it'll be fine.” Twilight stood and returned her focus to the list. “Applejack and Rainbow are responsible ponies and they get along well with Derpy.”

Fluttershy prodded the ground with her hoof.

“Anyways, what's the worst that could happen?” Twilight said. “They're only arranging flowers.”

~~~

“Hey, Dash”—Derpy grabbed an armful of yellow carnations and hovered over the table set up in the plaza—“let me do something.”

“No!” Rainbow shot her an icy stare. “Just leave them alone. AJ and I have this covered.”

“It's not fair,” Derpy lamented. She dropped the flowers into a heap on the ground. “Both of you did the vases and water. I want to help with something.”

“Later, Derpy.” Rainbow sighed and put her hoof to her head.

“Pretty please?” Derpy's lip quivered. “Let me do something.”

Applejack glared from across the table. “Listen Derpy, why don't ya run along and play somewhere else? Quit pesterin' me and Rainbow.”

“C'mon, AJ. Miss Twilight told me to help you.”

“Yeah, well, ya see… You've caused enough trouble for one day, missy. We don't need anymore of your kind of 'help'.”

“Yeah, that's right,” Rainbow snarled. “We totally don't need the help of a traitor like you! And one more thing. Don't call Applejack 'AJ'! Only my friends are allowed to call her that!”

“B-b-but I thought I was your friend,” Derpy whimpered.

“Well you're not anymore! Now, get of here, you, you—ditzy-do!”

Derpy bolted from the plaza, her vision blurred by tears. She headed towards a place where she knew nopony would follow her, a place where nopony could hurt her, a place where she could be alone.

~~~

Luna walked down the overgrown path that wound its way through the Everfree Forest towards Ponyville. It had been too long since she had visited this place. Here she and her sister built their first castle, now little more than a forgotten ruin, a heap of toppled, mossy stones in an overgrown forest. She paused and sighed.

Long forgotten where the early days of their reign together, when night and day first brought harmony to Equestria. The land had changed greatly in the last one thousand years, and where once the land had been barren, acres of crops now grew. Where small towns stood, there were now great cities.

She hung her head. Equestria was grand, but this new land was her sister's alone. What place was there for her? Time's current had washed away the bonds between Luna and her subjects. The friendly faces that had once lit her days were gone.

Is all I have left the lonely darkness? She trudged through the shadows, forcing her way through the vines that obscured the path.

The path opened to a moss carpeted clearing where a young pegasus sat under the remains of a splintered tree. Luna approached, stepping over the rotting logs littering the clearing's floor.

“Peace, dear child.” Luna's voice was clear and calm. “Why are you here?”

“I-I… I don't want to talk about it.” Derpy sobbed.

“Fear not, you can tell me anything.” Luna sat and folded a wing over her. “Come, tell your Princess what is the matter.”

Derpy slouched and stared at the ground.

“Come now, how can I make it better if you don't tell me what's wrong? Was there an argument?”

“Yes… well, no. I mean… kinda.”

“Did somepony say something mean to you?”

Derpy nodded vigorously.

“About what, dear?”

Derpy opened her mouth and then closed it. She took a deep breath and spoke.

“Everypony is really mean to me. They don't appreciate anything I do, and they don't care if they hurt my feelings. They all think I'm stupid, 'cause I get in lots of accidents and stuff. But I'm not!”

Luna leaned closer to the sobbing pegasus.

“They call me mean names, like 'ditsy do'. And if I try to explain what went wrong, they never listen. They called me a liar! They said we aren't friends anymore.” Derpy buried her face in Luna's side.

“Hush now, it's all right,” she whispered as Derpy let out a whimper. Luna stared off into the forest. “Once, I was young like you, and I too, felt ignored and unloved. But since then, I have learned may things. I have learned that, even though some ponies may act cruelly towards us and say thing that hurt us deeply, we are never unloved.

“And”—she smiled—“running away never helps.”

“It doesn't?” Derpy looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes.

“No, it doesn't.” Luna looked down at her. “No matter how fast or far you fly, your problems will always catch up with you.” She cleared her throat. “Now, did you try telling somepony what was wrong before you ran way?”

“N-n-no,” Derpy sniffled.

“I see. The next time when we're upset, dear, tell somepony about your problems instead of running away. Now, is there somepony you could talk to about your troubles?”

“Well, maybe Fluttershy or Miss Twilight…”

“Ah yes, Miss Twilight. Yes, she and Fluttershy are good choices. If you ever have problems again, talk to them, they will help you. As for now, I will make sure everything turns out right, Miss…?”

“Derpy. My name's Derpy Hooves.” She wrapped her forelegs around Luna's neck. “Thanks for your help, Miss Princess Luna.”

“Luna will suffice, my dear.” She rose and walked towards the center of the clearing, her mane billowing in the cool air. “But now, it's time to go home.” She gazed into the darkening sky. “It's a lovely night for flying, wouldn't you agree?”

~~~

“Hiya, Twilight!” Pinkie bounced through the crowd filling the town hall, ending up at last next to her friend. She stared over her shoulder and stated the obvious. “What'cha doin? Workin' on a list? Can I help?”

“Oh, hey Pinkie.” Twilight attempted to focus on her work. “What's up? How's the banquet coming?”

“Well, pretty good. Finished most of it an hour ago, except for the cake, but it's being frosted right now. Mr. and Mrs. Cake gave me the rest of the night off, so I can hang out with my friends. Speaking of which, can I ask you something?”

“Not right now, I'm kinda busy.” Twilight triple checked the list of preparations.

“But, it's sort of a really, really, super-duper important question.”

“Fine, Pinkie.” Twilight sighed. “What is it?”

“Have you seen Derpy Hooves? She's been having a bad day, and I was gonna swing by and cheer her up, but I've been so busy at Sugar Cube Corner tonight I haven't had a chance till just now. Since you are in charge of everything, with the big list and all, can you tell me where she is?” A smile spread across Pinkie's face.

“She should be around here somewhere…” Twilight scanned the ponies assembled in the hall. “Hey, everypony, could I have your attention for a moment please? Has anyone seen Derpy Hooves?”

A silence fell over the crowd. “Who was she working with?” a voice from the back asked.

“Applejack and Rainbow Dash,” Twilight replied.

Pinkie gasped and put her hooves over her mouth.

“What's wrong?” Twilight asked frantically.

“Well, remember when I told you Derpy was having a bad day? AJ and Dashie are kind of the reason why she was having a bad day.”

Twilight groaned and put her hoof to her forehead. “Pinkie—tell me everything you know.”

~~~

Applejack and Rainbow Dash traveled the dimly lit road. With everypony off preparing for the princess' arrival, the streets were unusually peaceful for the early evening hour. But they weren't entirely alone, for a dark figure trailed them, darting in and out of the shadows, following their every move.

“Hey, AJ,” Rainbow said cautiously, “shouldn't we, I d'know, check on Derpy or something?”

“Naw, that mare's more trouble than she's worth. Y'all don't worry. I'm sure she'll be just fine.”

“Yeah, but, you don't think we were too hard on her, do you?” Rainbow asked.

“Look, she got what she deserved. If that mare didn't want no trouble, she wouldn't go 'round makin' so much of it,” Applejack replied. “Now, lets git' crackin', and go help everypony finish up, 'fore the princess gets here.”

“'Wanna make it a race?” Rainbow hovered, pulsing with excitement.

“Alrighty then. On your mark, git' set—”

The shadow trailing them sprang forward, throwing itself into the middle of the road. A pair of violet eyes glared out of the gloom.

“And just where do you think you're going?” Twilight snarled.

“Uh, hey—Twilight. What's up?” Applejack stammered.

“What's up? What's up! Oh, I think you know what's up!”

“Nothing's up, Twilight.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Relax.”

“Relax? How can I relax when Derpy is missing?”

“She's missin'?” Applejack glanced at Rainbow Dash. The pegasus landed and fidgeted.

“Yes, and the last time anypony saw her, she was with you two,” Twilight snapped. “I'd like to know where she is.”

“That little trouble maker flew off hours ago, cryin' big old crocodile tears.” Applejack stood ram-rod straight and scowled. “I told her ta' leave us busy ponies alone, 'cause she just keeps on gitin' under hoof and causin' trouble.”

“Yeah, that's right.” Rainbow tossed her mane to the side and crossed her forelegs.

“I mean, just this morning, she busted up my silo. Even worse, she lied about it afterwords. Kept on claimin' it was an accident, that it was the wind or somthin'. She's been a big old pest all day long, so I told her to go and wreak havoc somewhere else for a change.”

“Applejack, how could you!” Twilight stamped her hoof. “You know better. What evidence do you have that Derpy lied? Did it ever even occur to you she might have been telling the truth? What if it was an accident? How do you think she felt about being called a liar?”

“Oh.” Applejack said in a small voice. “Well, uh, when ya' put it that way, I guess I messed up, didn't I?”

“Yes.” Twilight said. “Yes, you did.”

Rainbow began to hover and back away. Twilight's magic grabbed her tail and held her in place.

“And you, Rainbow! What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Who, me? I didn't do anything.”

“Funny, that's not what I've heard,” Twilight said. “Do you even know what you've done to poor Derpy?”

“Poor! That bully?” Rainbow snorted and raised her head. “She literally rained on our friends' parade. She picked on Pinkie this afternoon.”

“No, she didn't,” Twilight said. “Pinkie told me what happened. She asked Derpy to rain on her, to help cool off everypony. She tried to explain, but you were so busy yelling, she couldn't get a word in edgewise.”

“Yeah, well—what was I s'posed ta think? It looked like Pinky needed help, so… so I helped her.” Rainbow crossed her forelegs over her chest. “Not like that's wrong or anything, right?”

“It is if you do it at the expense of another friend,” Twilight said. “You can't jump to conclusions. You've got to find out what's really going on before you accuse ponies of doing something. Otherwise, you just end up hurting the feelings of everypony involved.”

“Yeah, well, I was just trying to—ya'know… maybe I should have… well…”

“Your intentions were good, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “But you acted rashly and hurt Derpy's feelings. She looks up to you as a leader. How do you think she sees you now?”

“Twi…” Rainbow hung her head.“I'm sorry.”

“I know, Rainbow,” she said. “But you don't need to apologize to me. You need to apologize to Derpy—once we find her.”

~~~

Twilight paced back and forth in front of the small group gathered near the forest. The disheveled, and failed, search party was hardly an ideal welcoming committee. But it would have to do, for the hour of the princess's arrival had come, and there was still no sign of Derpy.

Oh, Blessed Sisters! Twilight bit her lip and wiped drops of sweat from her brow. This is a disaster.

“Fluttershy?” she whispered.

“Yes?”

“How mad do you think Luna's going to be? Dungeon mad or banishment mad?”

Before she could answer, Luna landed, her voice booming out from behind them.

“Hail, Twilight Sparkle! I have arrived!”

“G-g-good evening, Princess.” Twilight bowed deeply. “I regret to inform you—”

“Pray, what is the matter?”

“Princess Luna, I'm so, so sorry.” Twilight's voice wavered. “I have failed you. One of our friends is missing, and the town's been busy looking for her, so we haven't had time to finish preparing for your visit.”

“Hmm. Would this friend of yours be a gray pegasus, perhaps?”

“Why, yes—”

“Who is known as Derpy Hooves?”

Twilight eyes widened and her mouth hung agape.

“Yes! But how did you—”

“I am a princess”—she smiled impishly—“and a princess must know these things.”

Twilight stared at her, befuddled.

“I found your friend while I walked through the forest,” Luna continued. “We flew back to her home, and she now sleeps peacefully in her bed.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” Twilight exclaimed. “We where so worried.”

“My dear Twilight,” Luna chortled, “as my sister often says, you worry far too much. But all is now well. Come, we have much to discuss about this and other matters.”

~~~

“Ho, nelly,” Applejack fretted, “this ain't gonna be easy.”

“Doing the right thing isn't always easy, AJ,” Twilight said. “Spike, take a letter.” The little dragon stood attentively over the writing desk with quill in hand.

“Dear Miss Derpy Hooves…” Applejack's voice faltered. “Today, we learned an important lesson. Even if you're mad at somepony, it still don't give y'all the right to hurt their feelings.”

“Also, you should always listen to other ponies and let them tell their side of the story,” Rainbow Dash continued. “Don't just take your anger out on them because you're the one having a bad day. We didn't realize that—and we're sorry.”

“And,” Twilight prodded, “aren't you forgetting something?”

“Oh, yeah.” Rainbow hung her head. “We're, uh, really sorry for the way we treated you. Real friends would have never done the things we did to you. We hope you can forgive us.”

“We just want you to know you've always been a good friend to us,” Applejack added, “even when we weren't always the best of friends to you. And we hope we'll always stay friends, despite what we've done.”

“Your friends, Applejack and Rainbow Dash.” Spike concluded the letter with a flourish.

~~~

Time crawled for Derpy. It seemed to take a little longer each day to deliver the mail to Ponyville. Now, her fondest desire was to go home, curl up, and fall asleep. But there was still one letter left to deliver. She inspected the pink, flower covered envelope in her hooves.

This letter must be really special, Derpy mused as she soared over the town. Such a fancy envelope and from Miss Twilight, too. She never sends anything through the regular mail. Derpy giggled and put her hoof to her mouth. I wonder if it's for her special somepony.

The letter's destination loomed ahead, a humble house on Ponyville's main street. Derpy landed and walked to the front door. Wait a minute. She cocked her head and stared at the house's address.

What am I doing here? Silly me, this is my house. I was so busy admiring Miss Twilight's letter, I forgot to deliver it.

Derpy brought the letter close to her face. Now, who are you for, Mr. Letter? She squinted to read the neatly written address. She tilted her head, first to the left and then to the right. That's odd. This letter has my address on it. But no matter how she looked at the letter, the address on it was still hers.

Well, she concluded, this is the right address. That means this pretty letter must be for me.

~FIN~