Dealing with Derps and Dinos

“Hurry up!” Rainbow Dash, the sky blue Pegasus pony cried out as she zipped from cloud to cloud, bucking them into vapor. A slow, languid voice cheerily called out in reply. “

You got it Dashie!” Derpy, the klutzy grey Pegasus said.

It was Thursday, which meant that Rainbow was tasked with ensuring that the sky was absolutely clear. “Not a wisp is to be left wisped” she recalled the Mayor of Ponyville instructing her (as Thursdays were, apparently, her favorite days). More importantly, however, Thursdays were the day’s Rainbow would visit her good friend, Twilight Sparkle, in the town’s central library.

Rainbow Dash’s chest heaved heavily as she swatted away the last of the cottony billows. Derpy, however, had only made a small dent in her corner of the heavens. Rainbow shouted out an exasperated sigh as she frantically swung her legs around in an attempt to rid the vast expanse of the white puffs. Derpy smiled at Rainbow.

“Thanks for asking me to hang out with you today Rain—“

“Yeah, yeah” Dash interrupted rudely as she slapped the last cloud out of existence. “Aaaaaand, we’re done. See you later Derpy”!

Rainbow sped off towards the library, leaving the derpy eyed Pegasus alone with naught more than her thoughts, the silence, and a confused frown on her face.

She had really wanted to spend more time with the rainbow maned pony, as they had not found any time to bond recently. Derpy suspected that Dash had some ill will towards her but quickly dismissed the idea. Rainbow loved all of her friends.

A grin shot across her face as a brilliant thought formed itself in her head. The Wonderbolts would be performing in Canterlot that afternoon and Derpy knew that Dash absolutely adored the Wonderbolts. Tickets would be cheap, if she talked to the right pony. It was a genius idea, but she would have to act quickly.

Derpy took off towards the town, happy as a school filly.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Twilight, Ponyville’s faithful librarian (and, quite possibly, the most magically gifted unicorn for miles) danced giddily on her hooves as Rainbow crashed through the front door of the library.

A beige safari hat sat atop Twilight’s head, just behind her horn, and a pair of binoculars dangled from a woven strap around her neck. She wore a tan jacket that’s pockets were filled to the brim with notebooks and quills as well as ink and other note taking apparatuses.

The unicorn had been studying the history of large, reptilian creatures from the pre-equestrian period of the planet’s history (sparked by the unknown origins of Spike’s particular breed of dragon) and felt that it was finally time to attempt to observe some of the creatures that she had been fawning over for the past three months.

Twilight had nearly perfected a chrono-manipulation spell and the eager, young unicorn was anxious to try it out. Spike, the humble baby dragon (and Twilight’s number one assistant for several years running) rushed down the stairs of the large oak library, garbed in clothes very similar to Twilight’s in both color and functionality.

“I’m all ready to go!” the young dragon said.

“I’m sorry Spike” Twilight spoke, a regretful tone pervading her voice. “I’ve only been studying this chrono-displacement spell for a few weeks now. I’m afraid that if I try to take any more than two passengers then I may wind up hurt”.

Spike’s chin sunk into his chest as his head drooped low. He turned back towards his room, dragging his binoculars behind him.

“Okay Twilight.” he sighed. ‘I understand”.

Twilight reached a hoof out to him. “Sorry Spike. Maybe another time”.

The door closed behind him as Spike stepped slowly into his room.

Rainbow wrapped her hoof around Twilight’s shoulder, anxious to get started.

“So are we gonna go or what?” Dash exclaimed, a determined look resting itself on her face.

“In a minute” Twilight said, pushing the Rainbow maned Pegasus off of her. “There are some things I have to go over first”.

Dash crossed her forehooves with a sigh as her flanks ungraciously crashed into the floor.

“First off,” Twilight began. “This is a very dangerous spell. If you don’t follow my instructions, the both of us could wind up injured, or worse. Secondly, I’ll be casting a protection spell before we arrive in order to preserve the integrity of the time period. We’re going strictly as observers, nothing more. Thirdly, It will be crucial to document any and all findings to create a proper hypothesis of…”.

Dash was nodding off. Twilight was a spectacular lecturer, but as with all great lectures comes a great nap.

“And I think that covers it!” the lavender librarian exclaimed, jolting Dash from her brief slumber. “Do you have any questions” Twilight asked.

The Pegasus leapt to her hooves.

“Nah, I just want to get out there and see some—what were they called again?”

“Sauros Equestrianos” Twilight boasted confidently, placing a solitary dignified hoof on her chest.

“Whatever” Rainbow remarked, killing Twilight’s flair. “I just wanna see some big lizards”.

“They’re not just lizards” Twilight corrected. “These creatures were massive in both stature and magnificence. Studying them may give me, er, us a better understanding of life before modern equestrian life forms arrived”.

“Yeah, yeah” Dash said cheekily. “Let’s just get going”.

Disappointed, Twilight gave a huff before bracing herself. “Don’t move an inch” the unicorn instructed.

Dash stood absolutely still, a steely resolute mien forming itself between her cheeks.

Soon, the two were wrapped in a violet, moderately opaque bubble. It shone and shimmered, despite the lack of sunlight in the room. It was the separation spell, the one that would separate them from the outside world of the past.

Twilight’s horn began to glow brightly as loose papers and parchments fluttered around the room. At that moment, a window burst open, sending glass shards and wood paneling across the room as Derpy fell through and landed at Rainbow’s feet. She wielded two tickets to the Wonderbolts show in her hooves.

“Look what I found” Derpy sang cheerily. Dash was visibly upset.

“Derpy what are you doing here”!

The space around the three bowed into a singularity for a brief moment before returning to its original dimensions with a barely audible “POP”. Ponyville’s library was empty.