2, 6
"Changes"

One week after Nightmare Night and Derpy was already feeling a lot better.

She and Applejack trotted from The Acres towards Ponyville. After a sleepover they were on their way to the Ponyville Cinema, ready to watch a new comedy about a young blank flank left home alone during Hearth's Warming vacation. This was going to be an exciting day -- Applejack said she had invited Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to meet them.

"Can never have enough ponies when you're goin' to the movies, right? Besides, it's fun!"

The leaves had turned amber in preparation for The Running of the Leaves. While neither filly was old enough to participate yet (and Derpy would definitely be discouraged by Mommy), both looked up at their fragile appearance in wonder. In a few years they would learn in school why the leaves changed, but for now it was a mystery... as were most things in nature.

The weather had grown colder in the past weeks. Above them weather pegasi had begun shading the land with clouds. Both could see it, brightly colored dots moving around giant masses of gray.

"Someday I wanna do that!" Derpy said to Applejack, while looking up in wonder.

"You can do anything ya like, Derpy," Applejack replied, matter-of-factly. "Especially since yer a pegasus. It's practically in yer blood!"

Derpy grinned-ear-to-ear hearing that.

The pegasus wore a long scarf to stay warm, many colors to match the leaves. Applejack wore a thicker winter coat. As a pegasus, Derpy's body was more accustomed to the cold breeze, but she still didn't like it. Applejack was tough, though, really tough... but shared she wasn't comfortable either:

"Boy, howdy, it sure is nippy out here! Should've brought that nit hat Granny made me."

They walked huddled together, hoping to cut down on the breeze. It was a long walk, but in the silence both fillies really appreciated the moment together. It was just the two of them and nothing else. Even after over a year Derpy still expected some type of outside ruckus. Aside from the breeze and Applejack walking beside her, it was silent.

It wouldn't be just the two of them for very long, though. As they approached Ponyville they passed a cottage in the outskirts. Out came a long-legged yellow pegasus, a bit older than either of them, but Derpy still recognized her. The filly wore what looked like a bright blue hat (it was actually teal, but Derpy would have called it blue). She smiled weakly, but Derpy knew she was friendly.

"Fluttershy!" Derpy exclaimed. "Is that your house?"

The yellow filly gave a timid nod, huddling alongside the two in the cold. Applejack was now in the middle of the group.

"Um... glad ya could make it, Fluttershy!" Applejack said, looking back at Derpy. "Y'all ready for the movie?" The filly's eyes darted between the two.

"Uh-huh," Fluttershy replied sheepishly.

"Yup!" Derpy exclaimed.

Applejack smiled.

"Then let's get movin' before we start gettin' cold again!"

* * *

The three continued along for a while, faster than before. Derpy noticed Fluttershy's step was nearly as peppy as Applejack's, but because her legs were longer she trotted much quicker... making them all move faster.

It didn't bother Derpy, but for some reason Applejack's attention was now focused almost squarely on Fluttershy. As they entered Ponyville she kept talking to the timid filly, who only gave one-word replies, yet the farm filly kept looking back at Derpy and smiling. Every question she asked Fluttershy that she didn't answer, or said something to the effect of "but you already know this about me", Applejack just turned to Derpy and asked her instead. There was a particularly awkward question Derpy thought was funny:

"So... y'all two really like animals, don't ya?"

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow and Derpy laughed.

"Yes, I like animals," she said to Derpy. "Applejack knows that I want to care for them when I grow older. Now you do, too."

"That sounds neat!"

Fluttershy whispered something to Applejack. Derpy wasn't sure what, but the farm pony's eyes went wide and she sighed.

"You're right, Fluttershy. Maybe I am goin' about this the wrong way."

While it was weird, it didn't really matter. Derpy was used to being around ponies talking and not participating much. It was a bit like in Canterlot, but neither were yelling or being mean to each other so it was nice. Just a couple of friends heading out to see a movie. Applejack didn't ask anymore questions like she had been, but that was okay. It was a bit like it was before Fluttershy came, but both she and Applejack kept their heads down now... not even looking around or at each other anymore.

The Sugarcube Corner wasn't far from the movie theater. The farm filly glanced towards the bakery, looking almost relieved, as they approached.

"Hi girls!" a high-pitched voice exclaimed from the door of the Corner. Derpy turned to see a flash of pink.

"Pinkie Pie!" Applejack exclaimed, watching the filly bounce from the building to the group. "Oh, am I glad to see you!"

"And I'm glad to see you, too!"

Pinkie trotted up beside Derpy, giggling while wrapping herself up in a periwinkle scarf. She was clearly excited to be with the group, and it was nice to have everypony together, so warm. Applejack smiled, Derpy could only guess because they were all in the group now.

"Hey, hey!" Pinkie exclaimed, turning to face Derpy while putting a foreleg around her. "Are you as excited as I am?"

Derpy pulled away from the pink pony, trying to smile... forcing it a bit. She hadn't spent a lot of time around Pinkie yet, outside of trips to the Sugarcube Corner and seeing her at school, but she knew from experience Pinkie wasn't exactly a quiet pony. And like quite a few ponies (especially in Canterlot), Derpy wasn't comfortable being touched by those she didn't know very well.

"Um... yeah!"

She looked back at Applejack, who was biting her lip.

"You know Pinkie Pie! She's nice."

"Oh," Pinkie giggled. "Of course I am, silly!"

Derpy looked back at the pink filly, who smiled at her infectiously. Derpy couldn't help smiling back.

Soon they found themselves on their way again, traveling quickly as a group to keep warm. Fluttershy trotted beside Applejack, Pinkie Pie beside Derpy, the two in the middle sandwiched between their company keeping warm... for the most part. The only pony truly unphased by the weather was Pinkie. Derpy figured this out quickly because after a while she started bouncing and pick up speed, unaware her three friends were really that cold at all. Her bouncing generated a cool draft, but Derpy didn't say anything... she didn't want to be rude and tell Pinkie she couldn't bounce, because she clearly enjoyed it.

Unlike Fluttershy, who was now super quiet, Pinkie Pie didn't need to be asked questions to keep her talking... there was plenty for her to talk about. She talked about the Cakes, about school, about new recipes she was just learning, her favorite color and all its variants, the rocks in Ponyville (which Derpy thought was really odd), the sky turning gray, the leaves changing color, her favorite candy, what movie they were all about to see, and that there was something called a "waxing moon" in the sky even though it was still daytime. Derpy didn't have anything to say back, she was fine listening to the pink pony prattle on and on about everything... as long as she didn't get too close while chatting, as she had no problem putting her hoof around Derpy a second time while gesticulating upward to describe the size of the first order she had filled all by herself. The touching still made Derpy a tad uncomfortable, but she didn't want to say anything... part of her said that this was something ponies just weren't supposed to do to each other, but it was even worse to say something to somepony so nice.

* * *

When they got there, they bought their own tickets and went inside, not wanting to stand around in the cold and chat.

Though she had been here for over a year, this was the first movie Derpy had seen in Ponyville. The Ponyville theater was a lot smaller than the one in Canterlot, but no less dark. This wasn't the premier of the movie, there were only few ponies towards the front, some adults and a few foals. Derpy wasn't aware of what this meant, but they had come to watch a "Family Movie" -- a movie that everypony could enjoy.

This was the first comedy of this type Derpy had ever seen. In Canterlot she saw comedies with a lot of jokes she didn't understand, with Mic and Mommy, but this was one she could relate to -- a little colt named Ratchet accidentally left home with no family at the start of Hearth's Warming vacation. This idea terrified her, even though he made a pillow fortress, ate cake and all the ice cream in the house for breakfast, being without Mommy was the worst thing Derpy could imagine. Yet seeing all the mayhem on screen made her friends laugh, and even though Derpy felt a tad upset by the premise she started laughing to. Seeing this movie with friends made the idea of being without Mommy seem less scary, until he started missing her... and the rest of his family.

Derpy wasn't crying, but she was trying hard to hold it back. It would feel funny crying in front of Applejack like that, but when she looked over and saw Fluttershy was crying and even Pinkie Pie looking sad, that made her feel better about how she really felt. Even though Applejack didn't seem particularly taken by the idea of a colt missing his family, Applejack was tough... or so Derpy thought.

She looked back up at the screen and took a breath, allowing the tears to flow. It felt good to let this happen in front of her friends. Soon Derpy's tears were replaced with joy as his family came home during the night while he was asleep, dreaming of them all. While they missed out on their expensive Canterlot vacation and all their plans, that was okay... they had each other, and Derpy knew from her own time spent in Canterlot that having a friend like Applejack and seeing Mommy regularly (even if she spent a lot of time with Dinky) was really special, and more important than treats or toys. The pegasus saw Applejack smiling at the end, along with herself, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. With Hearth's Warming not far off, this was just what they each needed to get them feeling especially good about what they each had.

* * *

Walking away from the theater, it didn't feel as cold as it did earlier. Everypony was excited, talking about what they had just seen. Both Derpy and Fluttershy spoke the least, but that was okay... they liked to listen to Pinkie Pie and Applejack, as both had a lot to say about what they had just seen.

"Remember that bit where Ratchet tried to jump into th' giant snow drift from the roof o' his house like his mama warned him not to? I was expectin' that to hurt, not to see a cute lil hat poking' above, then the colt havin' to beat his way back to his house, pretendin' it was giant snow monsters standing in his way."

"Oh yeah! And then that part where he tried to make hot coco, but ended up accidentally using his Dad's super-duper strong dehydrated coffee? I did that once with Mr. Cake's pseudo-espresso and let me tell you, you really do go loco in the koko like that, bouncing so high you could hit the ceiling, for hours and hours!"

Fluttershy giggled.

"That was pretty funny."

Derpy laughed at all the memories she had just made, not saying anything. She didn't feel like she needed to. Applejack smiled again at all her friends, laughing.

This was the first experience Derpy had like this, together with ponies around her age. School was similar, but nowhere near as fun, even at recess. There were no rules here, but no pony was bad... nothing to pay attention to except each other, and no homework. This was pure, unadulterated fun.

Before Derpy knew it, however, it was coming to a close.

Pinkie Pie departed from the group first, but not before giving the girls a big group hug. Derpy didn't realize until way after that she didn't mind being hugged this time for some reason. Something had changed, if only a little. The pink filly bounced back to the bakery where she stayed -- a warm building where the Cakes waited for her, to hear all about her time with the fillies.

"That was a lot of fun!" Pinkie exclaimed, opening the door. "We should do it again some time!"

"We will before the year is out!" Applejack declared. "Pinkie promise!"

"Great!" Pinkie Pie disappeared inside the building again.

Their number was down to three.

Fewer ponies meant less to distract them from the cold and that meant they would all be feeling the weather soon enough, which they did. It was still cold out, cold as it felt earlier, and much more quiet now... so quiet Derpy could hear their individual hoof steps. However, Fluttershy continued to trot at the same peppy pace as before, and Applejack kept up. Derpy had no problem moving quickly, as long as it wasn't too quickly.

Something had changed however. Applejack remained quiet and so did Fluttershy, but Derpy looked over at them and saw they both were smiling. They were all enjoying the walk home, just as Derpy and Applejack had in the beginning, the only difference being there were three ponies now and it was just starting to get dark.

The breeze wafted over them, each shrinking under its nip. Finally, the group left Ponyville and soon they approached Fluttershy's cottage, where they stopped. The filly broke away from the group.

"Thanks for inviting me, AJ," she said. "It was a lot of fun."

"Yer welcome, Fluttershy," said the farm filly. "We'll do it again, real soon. Promise."

"I'd like that." She glanced over at Derpy. "Um, it was very nice getting to spend some time with you."

Fluttershy then turned towards her cottage and trotted up to it, opening the door to see a few animal friends visible from the road and (Derpy could only guess) parents waiting inside. Unfortunately, Derpy never would go inside Fluttershy's cottage. The yellow filly was much too quiet, but Fluttershy would definitely be around for future get-togethers, and once for Derpy's birthday party, and she would someday meet her parents. The two never really clicked, but that was okay. Not everypony could be friends, but most would at least want to get along nicely. Fluttershy had become an acquaintance.

* * *

It was just Derpy and Applejack... and the wind. They were on the long trot back to the Acres, a few apple trees not far in the distance. The walk would take at least ten minutes. Both were tuckered out by the ups and downs of their day, not to mention the cold, but neither was cranky.

"So..." Applejack said, shivering a bit under the cold breeze. "Now that it's all over, what did y'all think? You had fun, right?"

Derpy nodded rapidly.

"Uh-huh!"

"Pretty good movie." Applejack smiled. "Nice fillies, too. Glad I invited 'em."

Again, Derpy nodded.

The farm filly paused for a moment, looking up into the clouds. She let out a sigh.

"Ah was kinda hoping you'd hit it off with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy said I might be tryin' a bit too hard, and well... she might be right. I dunno."

Derpy looked off in the distance at the bright leaves. Applejack looked over and laughed.

"Ya know Big Mac and me go to off camp this summer, right? Can't remember if I told you."

"You did. Sounds fun!"

"Oh, well... it is pretty fun." The farm filly thought for a moment. "Look, it ain't like I'm not always gunna be around or nothin'." She glanced down at her flank. "Cutie Mark proves that. I'm an apple farmer, and I pretty much love Ponyville and everypony in it, but..." Applejack got Derpy's attention as the trees off in the distance came even closer. They looked at each other. "Ya know Big Mac's goin' to be a Camp Counselor this year, right?"

Derpy's face lit up.

"That's neat!"

"It is. He's gunna be sixteen. A 'responsible, young stallion,' Granny says. Knows how to swim should anypony need help, and he knows how to keep track of all the campers and even track 'em if he has to. May not seem like it, but he's shaping up to be mighty fine leader! At least that's what Granny tells me... Ah think so, too."

Derpy smiled at the thought of Camp Counselor Big Mac... He was a nice-looking young stallion, after all. Adding the uniform to that would make it even better.

"Ya see, we, uh... every two years we go off to camp as kinda a reward for all the hard work we do here on the farm. Also, well... when we come back we're given some additional chores to get used to before school starts. I've mostly been tending to the animals, with occasional bucking here and there, and also fixing meals, but when Ah come back ma list of chores for the day is gunna increase a lil bit to include a lot more apple bucking."

Derpy shook her head.

"So? That doesn't sound so bad... chores are fun!"

"Most ones I'm doing now are, especially the ones you can help with, but... this means I'm gonna be a lil busier on the farm in general. When Big Mac hit twelve, it was the same deal. Then again, Granny Smith retired from bucking that same year so maybe it'll be different. Don't know why I'm thinking about this..." She blushed. "Y'all must think Ah'm bein' pretty silly."

Derpy smiled. They were now maybe twenty feet from the start of the Acres.

"Couldn't you just talk to Granny Smith? Make sure everything's gunna be okay?"

Applejack looked into the sky and laughed.

"Makes sense, but... Apples jus' don't do that. We're happy to take on more work, and Ah know I'm gunna be. Ah don't wanna say 'Hey, Granny... Am I gunna be too busy to play now?' 'cause of course she'd say no... but Ah know I'd feel a mite foolish for askin' and she'd be a bit disappointed. Might sound like I don't wantto help on the farm." She looked directly at Derpy and smiled. "Ah just want you to have a lot of friends, Derpy... okay? I really like you and Ah know other ponies are gunna like you, too, if you give 'em a chance. Ya just have ta try a bit harder, okay?"

Derpy stopped dead in her tracks. She couldn't say why, but talking about this was starting to make her feel kind of funny, almost angry... at Applejack and in general. Her tummy was in knots, her shoulders ended almost up by her ears.

Applejack could see the change in her face and bit her lip, waiting for the pegasus to say something. Anything. Derpy just stared at her, looking both angry and sad. After a while the farm filly spoke up:

"Um, you alright, Sugarcube?" Derpy didn't know how to answer. Applejack put a hoof to the back of her neck and chuckled. "Heh, well... Look, I ain't sayin' you don't know how to make friends of your own, now. What I mean to say is-"

"Do you need help?" Derpy finally asked, cutting the filly off. She approached a withered-looking apple tree and turned her back to it. "All I need to do is kick, right?"

As Derpy reared Applejack's eyes went wide.

"Now, hold on a sec, Derpy! If you don't know what you're doin', you could get real hurt doing th-"

Derpy heard her. Derpy understood her, but Derpy still kicked as hard as she could. A loud rustling sound filled the air.

Applejack's jaw dropped. Derpy had no training. She knew it. She was also the wrong type of pony for apple bucking, and did not have the best coordination by any stretch, yet she bucked the tree perfectly... and pretty hard, too.

Leaves drifted down around the pegasus. She smiled triumphantly, feeling satisfied with herself. For some reason doing that felt really good. Derpy didn't realize it yet but she could've benefited greatly from time spent with a bucking bag... years later would she be taken out of cloud gathering for being a bit too eager to make it storm, because that also felt really good.

Applejack opened her mouth, Derpy could only guess to say something, when down came a loud cracking sound, then everything went black.

* * *

This new place Derpy found herself in felt a lot like sleep, just colder. Heavier. Black. She drifted further into it, which she found herself doing off and on, and everything would've gone quiet if it wasn't for the ache. This was the type of cold that makes a pony's bones hurt.

"Careful," said a Southern voice. "It's tangled up in her scarf."

"Ee-yup."

Derpy opened her eyes, or at least tried to. She couldn't see anything, save a sliver of light. Thump, thump, thump... Her head throbbed as she came to. She knew her left cheek was pressed up against the cold, hard dirt from the taste of soil and rocks. She knew her neck was torqued to the left and downward. When she tried to straighten out she felt a heavy and abrasive mass pinning her torso. Her spine. She could move, though, and that was a good sign... not that she'd know how close she came to breaking her own neck. There was a sound, almost like sawing, and rustling, causing the pegasus to let out a cry in both pain and fear... having no idea where she was or what was going on around her.

"Derpy?" Applejack said, a hopeful sound in her voice. "Are you awake?"

"Uh-huh," Derpy quaked. "Applejack? ...what's going on? I'm really hurt. W- where are you?"

Derpy heard a second pony approaching. From the sound of the more labored, raspy breaths she knew it was Granny Smith. "A branch came down on ya hard, child," the elder pony said, matter-of-factly. "Try not ta move and we'll get it off ya soon as we can."

The pegasus didn't say anything, but she could tell Granny Smith knew she understood her. Maybe it was because her breathing slowed down a little. She felt a reassuring tap on her exposed flank.

Derpy did her best to sit still as the three ponies tried their best to get the branch off her... not that she could move without considerable discomfort. Waiting for this to be over with, however, was the worst.

Between the cold and the fear, and the cramped space, Derpy wanted to scream. Her shoulder was contorted awkwardly, she couldn't move her head... but she had enough presence of mind to realize that screaming, while it might feel good, would make her want to move. She was becoming too scared, however, to just sit there keeping it all in. After being awake for seven minutes listening to the sawing, growing closer and faster, a thought occurred to her:

What if they cut into me?

Little did she know they were far enough away to keep that from happening, but it felt like it was coming from right on top of her as it reverberated through the entire branch.

By now Derpy would normally be crying and her body would be tense in some way, but she quickly realized she was too restricted for that. Instead as Big Mac sawed through the tree branch right above her, the pegasus reacted by trying to imagine she was somewhere else... somewhere quiet and safe, but the sound was too loud. With no way to react that didn't hurt in some way, Derpy shut her eyes, winced... then lost control of her bladder. She was so scared. Everypony noticed as the pool formed in the mud and steam rose. Big Mac took a step back to make sure he wouldn't slip, but no pony said anything, except for Granny Smith:

"It's alright, child. We're almost there."

A different type of tension now replaced Derpy's initial fear. This was a low weep, mournful... frightened. The sawing got even faster, higher, adding to her anxiety.

"It's okay," said Applejack. "You're gonna be right back up in a minute. Promise!"

A snapping sound filled the air and, as it did, the distribution of weight changed. Suddenly the weight was removed from Derpy's back legs and she saw more than a sliver of light now. Out of the corner of her eye she saw all three ponies pulling the branch away. Then slowly, very slowly, as the weight was taken from her she felt the scarf around her neck tighten.

"Careful, Big Mac," Granny Smith said, placing both hooves on Derpy's shoulders. "Don't wanna strangle her, now." The older mare got down on Derpy's level, giving her a warm smile. "Just follow ma hooves, child... I'll get ya unraveled."

Sure enough, Granny Smith encouraged Derpy's head one way, then the other. When she moved as encouraged the scarf became looser. Back and forth they went, until Granny Smith was holding the end of her scarf and Big Mac was finally pulling away the branch.

"It's all over now," she said, as Derpy Hooves looked at her three rescuers. Big Mac wore a smile along with a flannel coat. Granny Smith was bundled up, too, whereas Applejack was filthy, head to hoof. The farm filly smiled warmly through all the grime. The pegasus would've cocked her head if her neck wasn't so stiff.

"Ah ran to get Big Mac," Applejack said, with a shy smile. "Kinda slipped in the mud on ma way. It don't matter now... ya alright?"

Derpy nodded.

"You'll both be gettin' a bath, plain and simple," said Granny Smith. "Afterwards, all three of ya get hot chocolate." She turned to Big Mac. "Get inside, you. Wash-up first... Derpy'll be alright now."

Big Mac let out a sigh, smiled weakly, then turned around and began to saunter off, without a good-bye or even his saw.

Even after all that, Derpy didn't feel right with him just walking off like that.

"Hey Big Mac!" she called out, coughing as she was still recovering.

He turned around slowly.

"Ee-yup?"

"Um..." the pegasus suddenly felt very shy as she realized all pony's eyes were on her. "Thanks!"

He smiled, this time quite warmly. Derpy smiled back. Picking up the saw blade he'd almost forgotten, he turned around again, but not before saying:

"Ee-yup."

* * *

By now it was dark outside.

The room was warm, dimly lit and filled with steam. Two fillies sat in over a foot of water and suds, each on opposite ends of a big bathtub. Both were clean and calm now, though very tired. Derpy had seen how dirty she was in the mirror before... head to hoof, far worse than Applejack. She was still a bit sore, yet otherwise okay. Much like some of her nastier experiences in Canterlot, now that it was over with it was very much out of her mind. Both would sleep well tonight. Applejack relaxed while Derpy played on her own side.

The pegaus tried to make an igloo out of bubbles. She focused on shaping it perfectly, but it quickly collapsed under its own weight as she added the finishing touches. For an igloo to be an igloo it required a hole so ponies could get in and out, but that didn't leave enough suds for it to keep its shape.

Applejack chuckled, looking over at Derpy's collapsing building.

"Here," she said, scooping up some bubbles and compressing them into the shape of a brick. She parted her hooves through the top, forming it into a triangle with a bit of overhang. "There. It's a barn... doesn't really look like one, but it is."

Derpy laughed.

"Maybe it just needs a couple windows and a door." She gently poked them in, misshaping the barn slightly. "See?"

"Oh..." Applejack splashed playfully, eradicating her bubble barn and covering Derpy in suds. "You're too... gosh darn agreeable!" The farm filly stuck her tongue out, then sighed. "Derpy, what in the hay am I gunna do with you?"

"Um..." Derpy smiled. "I dunno."

Applejack grinned, leaning back in the tub.

"I'm glad you're okay," she said, closing her eyes and going back to relaxing with her hooves behind her head. "Bubbly thing like you... I'd hate to see ya hurt."

Derpy blinked.

"What'd ya mean, Applejack?"

The farm filly looked over, scowling a bit at the pegasus. Derpy knew that meant she was annoyed.

"I mean that the stupid tree branch could've done irreparable things to ya. That means damage ya probably wouldn't walk away from."

"I know that, silly." Derpy splashed back at her friend. "I mean, what'd ya mean by bubbly?"

Applejack sat up. She shook her head, grinning at the pegasus.

"Means you're nice, fun-lovin'... always smiling and happy. Ya never make trouble for no pony, and anything bad happens it just rolls off your shoulders like it was nothin'. Everything's so brand new and special to you, nothin' ever bores ya. I- I kinda admire you for that, Derpy. Its-" Applejack bit her hoof. "It's one of the reasons I like ya so much. Yer just so kinda... neat."

Derpy's eyes shined in the faint light.

"Really?"

"Ee-yup. Honest truth! Wish Ah could be half as easy goin' as you."

Derpy smiled. She seemed to glow as she agreed with what Applejack had to say, but Applejack didn't see herself as Derpy saw her and the pegasus knew that could be a problem:

"Applejack, you- ... well, you're strong, funny, and always there for everypony. You never, ever complain, and always have something nice to say. Nothing bothers you either. Applejack you're the easiest going pony I know. Really!"

Smiling, Applejack turned her head and blushed. It was a bit awkward to hear (on top of that a bit awkwardly phrased), but all true... for the most part.

"Aw, shucks, Derpy... that's just what I gotta do. Ah don't think about it none. Comes natural to you, I guess."

"Well..." Derpy grinned. "Those're some of the reasons you're my friend. You're special to me because you're so nice to everypony!"

Derpy saw Applejack blushing brighter, pulling her forelegs in against her body while leaning back. The farm pony then relaxed her hind legs, allowing them to open a bit under the warm water. If they only knew what that meant in grown-up body language they would've thought it quite inappropriate, but they were just fillies... unaware.

"Wow, Derpy... Ah don't rightly know what to say, 'cept those reasons are why you're special to me. Hope you never lose 'em."

"I won't Applejack. Promise!"

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. It came sudden enough that it caused both ponies to jump. The sound pulled Derpy's focus away from the bath tub. A deep voice spoke:

"Granny says she'll have coco for all of us ready in a few minutes. Heh, Ah know it's cold, but she says it's time to come out."

Hearing this the pegasus turned to the door, pulling her forelegs to the side of the tub. She glanced back at Applejack.

"Maybe just a minute more?" the farm filly asked, loud enough to he heard by her big brother. "It's so relaxin' in here."

Big Mac didn't answer. He was already gone.

The farm filly leaned forward slowly, forelegs open. Given all the nice things they'd just said about each other, it made sense that she might want a hug (which she did), but... warm coco was a lot better than cold. Derpy pulled herself up from the water and stepped outside.

As Derpy dripped dry on the tiles Applejack sighed, noting the tub felt a bit empty without her friend. From just looking at her, however, she noticed something different and worth mentioning. Bubbles popped on Derpy's body, particularly on her flanks, but a few remained. They were emblazoned there, permanently... still white from the filly having just received them.

"Derpy!" Applejack exclaimed, tapping the side of the tub. "Look at your flanks. Ya ain't gonna believe it!"

Confused the pegasus looked down and saw what Applejack saw. As she rubbed her eyes a smile grew on her face, much larger than any she'd had all day. Completely silent except for a small squeal, Derpy jumped for joy seeing all the bubbles on her side, almost slipping on the wet floor. She caught herself on the edge of the tub, smiling at her friend who had just helped her discover her true talent.

"Applejack, if you hadn't called me bubbly, I-"

"Derpy, I called you bubbly 'cause ya are!" the farm filly said, with a smile. "The magic was always inside of you, you just had to be able to put it into words." Applejack looked back at the filly's flanks. "That's one heck of a Cutie Mark!"

Derpy looked down at it again and smiled as Applejack rose from the tub, shaking off the water and pulling the plug.

It was all true. This was something about Derpy that would never, ever change. It was a part of who she was. This was reason enough to celebrate.

Soon they'd have coco. Derpy would show her Cutie Mark off to both Granny Smith and Big Mac. They would be quite happy for her, and then the two fillies would go to separate rooms, where they both would fall asleep... eventually. Each had a reason to be awake, after all, but for now... Applejack stepped out of the tub and hugged Derpy Hooves tightly, snuggling her head against the pegasus's shoulder. She really liked her and was happy for her... this was great. They kept each other warm as the sultry temperature gradually faded from the room.

Author's Note

The idea of the film they go to see is "loosely" based on Home Alone, but not the premise. I think it's a fun film to reference in MLP fan fiction as it has a lot that would draw ponies to it -- a child, home alone on Christmas, family and togetherness. The second half about arming the house with booby traps and shooting Joe Pesci pony in the family jewels with a BB gun might be best if left out... as that's not really about friendship

The whole tree branch idea has a point, though knowing Derpy survives as she's present in the future kind of negates kind of any tension. I hoped to make it more about Derpy being scared and how quickly she is able to let bad things go.

This chapter went on, and on, and on, and probably spent the most time of any in the editing phase. If anybody thinks it went on too long, has too much in it/lost steam, or has any suggestions as to how it could've been done more smoothly, please feel free to shoot 'em my way. In a PM if best.

Hope you guys are enjoying this story as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you. Peace!