To Love a Muffin

Amethyst Star sat curled up on her bed. She could hear the muffled screams and squeaking springs coming from the room next to her. Amethyst folded down her ears but she could still hear it and her sheets were starting to get stained from her tears. Eventually the sounds stopped however instead of being replaced by silence like they normally were Amethyst heard hoof steps coming from outside her door. Amethyst went to her door and opened it slightly; she saw her mom walking down the hall to the living room, then her dad following her.

"Come back here; I'm not done with you yet!" yelled Blunder Strike

"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Derpy yelled back

Blunder didn't like that so he levitated a chair from the table and smashed it over Derpy's head. She hit the floor so hard that Amethyst saw blood spurt from her mom's snout.

"Let that be a lesson to you" spat Blunder as he went back to bed

Once Blunder was safely back in his room Amethyst left hers and trotted over to her mom who was lying unmoving on the floor. Amethyst called out to her mom but she didn't respond so she started shaking her.

"Mom, mom wake up, MOM" Amethyst started to yell desperately

Derpy's eyes fluttered open and Amethyst took a step back "Mom what's wrong with your eyes?"

"What do you mean dear?" asked Derpy, still feeling light headed

Amethyst ran to the bathroom and grabbed a mirror before running back and putting in front of her mom's face "Look"

Derpy's mouth fell open in a silent scream and tears began to run down her cheeks as she saw her that each of her eyes was looking in a different direction. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't get them to focus in one direction. Amethyst was really starting to worry about her mom now; not only was there still blood running down her snout but her tears were speckled red.

"Mom I think you should go to the hospital" suggested Amethyst

"No" Derpy said firmly which surprised Amethyst

"But mom" started Amethyst

"No and that's final" said Derpy

Derpy took a few more moments before finally standing up although she had to flair her wings to steady herself. Derpy walked for a few stumbling steps before looking at the door the her bedroom, their bedroom.

"You can sleep in my bed tonight" offered Amethyst

Derpy nodded and the two of them climbed in to her bed. Soon enough they were asleep with Derpy's head being cradled by her daughter.

***
The first thing Amethyst Star noticed when she woke up was that she was crying so she quickly wiped her eyes and went to the bathroom to clean up. The second thing Amethyst noticed was that she was alone in the apartment. Amethyst searched the apartment for any clue as to where Dinky and Derpy might have been and after searching for ten minutes in their bedroom she came out to find a note on the fridge.

I had to work and Dinky had to go to school. Make sure everything is set up in the new place by this afternoon

PS I promised her we'd go out for muffins

-Derpy

Amethyst looked at the clock only to find that the clock was gone, in fact now that she thought about it everything but the couch she had been sleeping on had been moved from the apartment.

"I guess they've already moved" muttered Amethyst to herself before leaving the apartment

Amethyst stepped out into another bright sunny day in ponyville and so Amethyst set off across the village with her eyes firmly fixed on the ground immediately in front of her. She was about half way across ponyville when she was stopped for the strangest conversation she would ever have.

"Excuse me are you Twilight Sparkle?" asked a pink earth mare who had suddenly appeared in front of Amethyst from a cloud of confetti

"Uh..." said Amethyst who more than a little taken aback "No, I'm Amethyst Star"

"Shoot, Gummy told me I need to through a party for a unicorn name Twilight Sparkle; the fate of Equestria depends on it!" said the VERY strange pink earth pony in front of Amethyst

"Who, Who's Gummy?" asked Amethyst still rather flustered

"Gummy; The Dark One, Supreme Overlord of the Universe, The Supreme Being, duh" said the pink pony "My little pet toothless alligator"

"Uh..." said Amethyst with no idea what to say to that

"Do you know any Twilight Sparkles?" asked the pink pony who Amethyst decided to just call Pinkie

"Uh, yeah, I do; she lives in Canterlot" said Amethyst

"CANTERLOT!" gasped Pinkie "but Gummy said she'd be here"

Pinkie seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before she pulled a rip cord that suddenly seemed to be poking out of her mane and then she exploded in a shower of confetti.

Amethyst stood for a moment with absolutely no idea what had just happened, eventually she decided it wasn't worth thinking about and continued on her way. Eventually she reached a two story house in northern ponyville. Amethyst walked up to the door to test the key she'd gotten yesterday and it worked but before Amethyst could go inside...

"HI NEIGHBOUR!" came a call from the front yard of the next house

Amethyst turned to see a mint green unicorn mare smiling and waving at her.

"Oh no I don't live here; I bought it for my mom and sister" explained Amethyst

"We'd love to meet them sometime" said a beige earth mare who had popped up from behind the fence and, judging by the trowel in her hoof, had been gardening

"Sure they'll be here this afternoon" said Amethyst before stepping inside the house and closing the door "This town is weird"

***
Dinky and Scootaloo trotted out of the class room for lunch.

"Wow Dinky, that's heavy" said Scootaloo still shocked at what Dinky had told her

Dinky was about to say something to Scootaloo but stopped when she saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking towards them.

"What do you want Diamond" said Dinky

"I overheard you and Scootaloo talking, about your mom and dad, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry I made fun of your mom, I didn't know and... and I'm sorry, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you just tell me" said Diamond Tiara

Dinky simply sat completely still for a moment; she had no idea how to react, had Diamond Tiara just apologized?

"It's okay Diamond" managed Dinky eventually

"So, we're cool?" asked Diamond as she offered her hoof

"We're cool" replied Dinky as she bumped the outstretched hoof

Diamond Tiara smiled at Dinky (a genuine smile) before she and Silver turned and walked off. Dinky turned back to Scootaloo who seemed to be paralyzed.

"Hey Scoot, SCOOT!" yelled Dinky as she tried to shake Scootaloo back into reality

"Wow" said Scootaloo when she finally came back down to Equestria "I guess deep down even bullies have hearts"

Cheerilee stood a few meters away; pretending to be on supervising all the foals but really she had just been wary of what Diamond might have been up to. Now, having heard Diamond's apology she thought that there might finally be some peace in her classroom.

***
Derpy landed in front of the school, she was a bit early but that didn't matter. She was going to pick up Dinky and then go get their favorite snack; muffins. This afternoon was going to be full of Dinky and muffins; the two best things in the world, nothing could go wrong.

"Mom, I'm taking Dinky and you to the Dentist after muffins" said Amethyst as she came up behind Derpy

'I just don't know what went wrong' thought Derpy

"Mom, did you hear me?" asked Amethyst

"Yes; Muffins then Dentist" said Derpy

"Great" said Amethyst

The two waited for a few minutes in silence until the school bell rang and a small pale-purple filly stepped out. The moment Dinky saw her mom and sister she made a beeline for them.

Once she reached Derpy she began hopping in a circle around Derpy repeating "Muffins, muffins, muffins, muffins, muffins, muffins"

"All right you little muffin monster, that's enough" said Derpy as she pulled Dinky close to her with her wing

The three headed off to Sugarcube Corner, they passed by many ponies and stores, some of which sold muffins, but they didn't waver in the face of temptation, they stayed true to their quest; to get muffins from Sugarcube Corner. It didn't take them too long but with all the bouncing Dinky had done she had really worked up and appetite. The three ponies walked in and Dinky immediately glued herself to the display glass that shielded the muffins from her hunger. The blue earth mare with a red and pink mane at the counter giggled slightly at the filly's antics before asking Amethyst and Derpy what they would like. After some disagreement it was eventually decided that Dinky and Derpy could have two muffins each while Amethyst claimed she wasn't hungry. Derpy was about to leave the store when Amethyst called for her to stop.

"If we're going to fit in a dentist trip then we have to hurry" said Derpy

"But before we do we have to pay for the muffins" said Amethyst

Derpy looked down at her hooves and murmured "I forgot"

Once the muffins were paid for the ponies left the store and found a table at which the two pale-furred gods hungrily consumed their chosen sacrifices.

Once Dinky had finished her treats she asked "What next!"

"Now we go to the Dentist's" said Amethyst

"What's a Dentist" whined Dinky

"It's a doctor for your teeth" said Derpy

Dinky furrowed her brow and seemed to consider her options for a moment, but upon realizing she hadn't been given any she simply said "Okay"

The Doo family left their table and began heading to the dentist's office.

***
Derpy sat in the nursery and cradled her little muffin in her forelegs, rocking her back and forth as she watched her sleep. Derpy remembered the last time she'd cradled Amethyst all those years ago in the hospital bed. She'd looked into the innocent eyes of that new born filly and thought silly thoughts like; Amethyst would change things, Blunder would soften up when he saw her, thing would be better. As Derpy looked at the sleeping filly in her arms she had only one thought in her mind.

"I won't make the same mistake twice, I promise I'll never let anything bad happen to you, Dinky" Derpy whispered as she kissed the little ball of fur on the forehead "Things are going to get better, I'll make them better"

Derpy placed Dinky into her cradle gently before picking it up and walking out of the apartment. She stopped at the door and looked back in, she all she saw was an alcohol soaked dump; the perfect embodiment of her soon to be ex-husband who was unconscious on their bed. Derpy held up a box of matches, took one out and struck it before letting it fall to the floor. The apartment was consumed in flames in seconds but Derpy had already taken off, carrying Dinky and a few other things she'd needed.

She didn't look back.

***
Derpy walked up to the main desk at the Dentist's office and asked the mare sitting there if Minuette was in.

"I'm sorry Ditzy but Minuette is away on business, however we have a new dentist starting today so you can still hold your appointment" said the admin mare

"That's okay I guess" said Derpy before they all went into the Dentist's room

"Well if it isn't the mare with the fantastic eyes" said Doctor Hooves the dentist as the Doo family filed into the office

"Oh, hey, It's you" said Derpy, a little surprised by this chance meeting

"You two know each other?" asked Amethyst

"You could say we... bumped into each other the other day, although I didn't catch your name" said Doctor Hooves looking at Derpy

"Bumped into each other? you knocked me off my hooves!" said Derpy in a tone that suggested there was a second way the Doctor could interpret it

"You did seem a touch speechless the last time we met" returned Doctor Hooves

Amethyst could not believe what she was seeing; was her mom flirting with the dentist? And was the dentist flirting back?

"So who's first" asked the Doctor

"I think Dinky should go first" said Amethyst

Everyone agreed and so Dinky hopped on to the chair and Doctor Hooves began his work. Amethyst was surprised at how well he could use the tools being an earth pony.

"So, I still haven't got that name" said the Doctor as he worked

"I'm Dinky Doo!" cheered Dinky from her seat

"I'm Derpy Doo although most ponies just call me Ditzy and this is my other daughter Amethyst Star" introduced Derpy

"Nice to finally meet you" said Doctor Hooves

The rest of Dinky's turn passed quickly with light jokes and small talk and when Dinky was finished the Doctor proclaimed

"A healthy set of chompers hidden by all that plaque, just make sure you brush after your muffins" said Doctor Hooves with a wink

Dinky hopped down and bounced onto a seat next to Amethyst. Derpy slid off her chair and got up on the dentist chair.

"So I've gathered that you haven't been in ponyville for a while Amethyst, how have you been finding it?" asked Doctor Hooves

"It's been weird, earlier I had a very strange encounter with a pink mare that went on about some toothless alligator" said Amethyst

The Doctor froze 'They're here' he thought in the back of his mind

"Hey Doctor, I've been meaning to ask Minuette, but I guess you'll do, what does a time turner have to do with dentistry?" asked Derpy

"Oh um... I'm not entirely sure" the Doctor said a bit thrown by the whole conversation

After the Doctor had regained his composure and returned to his work the rest of Derpy's turn passed with small jokes awkward eye contact and no small amount of blushing between Derpy and the Doctor.

Eventually the Doo family departed the dentist's office and made their way to their new home, but not before Derpy had secured another... more personal appointment with the Doctor for tea and muffins another day.

***
The three Doo's arrived at their new home as Celestia's light was just starting to disappear bellow the horizon.

"DITZY!" squealed Bon Bon as she noticed who her new neighbors were

"Hey Bon Bon, I knew that there was something familiar about this address" said Derpy as she saw Bon Bon and Lyra stepping out of their home to great their new neighbors

"How could I have not recognized little Amy" said Bon Bon as she looked over at Amethyst

"Naughty Bon Bon" Derpy pretended to scold

"Well I am glad that you are my, our new neighbor now you can help me with my mail" said Bon Bon

"Yeah I suppose Lyra has other things she'd like to like besides stamps" said Derpy, very glad that Amethyst had taken Dinky inside "Like her own ever-lasting bon bon"

Bon Bon's beige face very quickly turned a vibrant shade of red as Lyra burst in to a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Derpy said goodbye and trotted off into her new house leaving Bon Bon to deal with the giggle fit once known as Lyra Heartstrings. Once Derpy was inside she found Amethyst glaring at her with pursed lips and a very sleepy Dinky.

"Dinky, why don't you go up to your room? You can sleep in your very own bed!" said Derpy

"I want to sleep with you" said Dinky determinedly

"Okay muffin, now go upstairs" said Derpy still being glared at by Amethyst

"Night mom" said Dinky as she went upstairs

"What is it Amy?" asked Derpy once Dinky was safely away

"What's wrong with you?" spat Amethyst

"What in Equestria are you talking about!" said and outraged Derpy

"Flirting with that dentist, didn't you learn you're lesson with dad" said Amethyst

"What the lesson that I can never be happy!" yelled Derpy "WHAT RIGHT DO YOU TO TELL ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE!"

"I just don't want to see you ruin Dinky's life with another abusive drunk" said Amethyst

"Oh yeah you seemed so concerned when you decided to just pack up and move to Canterlot after she was born!" Derpy yelled back

"YOU COULD HAVE COME WITH ME!" Amethyst yelled

"AND JUST LEAVE ALL THE FRIENDS THAT HAD BEEN HELPING THROUGH EVERYTHING, thanks for the support guys but I got a better offer" said Derpy "I dealt with him and I can take care of Dinky!"

"That's not what you said in my office in Canterlot" spat Amethyst

Derpy was about to yell something back when her snout put a thought in her head. She left the living room and went to the kitchen while Amethyst followed her. Once Derpy got to the kitchen her worst fears were confirmed; on the counter was an empty bottle of Apple Jack Daniels.

"You've been drinking" Derpy said to Amethyst "You're just like your father"

Amethyst smacked Derpy across the face "HOW DARE YOU SAY I'M LIKE THAT MONSTER"

"Get out" growled Derpy

"I PAID FOR THIS HOUSE, I AM NOT LEAVING" screamed Amethyst

"GET OUT" Derpy screamed back, flaring her wings

Amethyst stood her ground for a moment before turning and leaving the house. Derpy stayed still for a few moments to calm down before switching off the lights and going up stairs. She went door to door looking for her room and, on the third try, found the room with the largest bed that was already occupied by a sleeping ball of pale-purple fuzz. Derpy clambered onto the bed and pulled Dinky close to herself.

"I'll never let anything bad happen to you" Derpy whispered to Dinky as sleep began to claim her "I promise"