The Derpy I Know And Love Volume 2: Shooting Stars Are Not Always Lucky

Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were eating lunch at a table outside of Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow had come to have lunch with Pinkie but ran into the rest of her friends and they agreed to join her for lunch. They were sitting around laughing when they saw one of Princess Celestia’s carts fly overhead from the direction of the library. They could just make out Twilight and the kids with what looked like Shining Armor in the cart, Muffins was flying along side. They appeared to be headed to Canterlot.

“Now what in the hay do you think that’s ’bout?” asked AJ.

“Must be important for Twilight not to take time to tell us,” said Fluttershy.

“Hold on,” said Rainbow. “Let me go check something.”

Rainbow took off to the library. She was only gone a couple of minutes before streaking back.

“Spike said that Shining Armor came and told them that there was something important that happened and that they needed to leave right away.” Said Rainbow. “It wasn’t made clear what it was, but they had to leave as soon as they could collect Sparkler.”

“That sounds bad,” says Pinkie. “Do you think we should go see what’s going on?”

“Well don’t panic yet Darlings.” Said Rarity. “Let’s finish lunch and if we get no news, then we can follow.”

“Okay,” said Rainbow, not sure how she was feeling about this. Something was bugging her about the whole thing.

They finished lunch, and tried not to hurry as if nothing was going on. But the more they all thought about it, the more apprehensive they became. Pinkie was finally clearing away the dishes when AJ spoke up.

“I think there’s a train leavin’ for Canterlot in ’bout twenty minutes. Rainbow, would you mind flying over to the station and reservin’ us some seats?”

“No problem, AJ.” Said Rainbow. “I’ll reserve five seats and I’ll meet you there at the train station.”

“Please make that four seats,” said Pinkie, “Pound Cake is sick and Mrs. Cake is having to look after him. Mr. Cake is delivering some treats to the retirement home. I have to watch the store until he returns. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

All agreed, Rainbow took off in the direction of the train station. Fluttershy, AJ and Rarity trotted off in that direction in no hurry. Pinkie went back to her duties.

There was one thing about this that bothered Rainbow. It was that she realized she didn’t say goodbye to Pinkie. And though it wasn’t in her nature, for some reason she felt bad she didn’t kiss the pink pony goodbye either. She only attributed it to the fact that living with Pinkie, all the pink pony’s sappiness was starting to rub off on her.

It was about an hour later when Mr. Cake returned, Pinkie explained what had happened. Carrot Cake thanked Pinkie for staying

Pinkie ran to the back of the store, she was looking at her flying machine trying to decide if she should take the next train or if she should take the whirly-gig to Canterlot. She never flown that far before, and Pinkie was unsure when the next train would be so she made a fateful decision.

She’d reflect on this in the future and would swear that something from the ‘outside’ urged her to make this choice.

A few moments later, Pinkie was rising up in the sky on her whirly-gig and heading in the direction of Canterlot.

The train arrived and the friends got off.

“Should we wait for Pinkie Pie?” asked Fluttershy.

“No,” said Rainbow. “We don’t know how far behind she’s going to be. Let’s go to the castle, we’ll leave a notice for her here in case she doesn’t go straight to the castle.”

They agreed and trotted off in the direction of the castle.

Pinkie was pilot enough to fly her machine to and from her cloud house and perhaps around enough to keep up, most of the time, with Rainbow to the swimming-hole. But a long cross country jaunt like this, and at this altitude was new to her. She didn’t have enough experience to know what it meant when she saw a flock of geese flying, pointing head-on her direction, but were moving sideways.

At the castle, the guards had been instructed to lookout for the group and they were to be taken to the throne room.

The sight that greeted them was amusing. Luna was on the floor playing tickle games with Dawn. Dinky was sitting on Celestia’s throne, wearing Celestia’s tiara. Celestia was standing behind the throne as if in attendance to the monarch. They were in time to hear Dinky order a guard to bring her more ice cream immediately.

Celestia noticed the group enter. She turned to Dinky.

“I’m sorry Princess Cookie, may I attend to our guests?”

“Of course, Aunt Celestia,” she said.

“I’ll stay and attend to Her Highness.” Said Luna levitating her own tiara to Cookie’s head and Celestia’s tiara to Celestia. “Her Highness has yet to get her second ice cream.”

Celestia let the group to the hospital wing of castle, along the way the princess relayed all that happened.

“Oh my gosh!” said Rainbow Dash. “How did Twilight take all this?”

“When she saw Shooting Star kiss Muffins, she basically had a break down.”

“How bad, Your Highness?” asked Rarity.

“That’s to be seen. She’s with Muffins now and we hope she’ll be able to comfort her. But you know Twilight, she can be a little excitable.”

“And Fluttershy can be a little insecure,” said AJ.

Despite the mood there was a couple chuckles, even from the princess and Fluttershy.

They arrived at the room. Celestia opened the door slowly. Muffins was still holding Twilight, rocking her gently. She looked up at her friends and smiled.

“I think the incident has been avoided,” Said Muffins.

“Is she okay?” asked Rainbow.

“I’m fine” said Twilight, her eyes still closed. “It’s amazing the healing power of a good mare.”

“I can vouch for that.” Said AJ putting her foreleg over Rarity and giving her a little hug.

Behind them the door had opened, Sparkler and Shooting Star had entered the room.

Twilight sat up and kissed Muffins.

“Now that was a kiss I can enjoy,” said Muffins looking into Twilight’s eyes.

There was a pained look in Shooting’s eyes as he caught Muffins and Twilight kissing and sitting on the bed embracing each other. It was the first time he really saw Twilight. She wasn’t what he’d been expecting from her description and his quick glance at her before she went screaming out of the room. She was a smallish mare, just out of adolescence and into adulthood. He was having trouble seeing her as the most talented and most powerful Unicorn in Equestria.

It was hard not to think ‘I could take her!’ But he was wise enough to know that Unicorn magic has nothing to do with size or age. If she’s Celestia’s apprentice, and had taken Muffins’ heart, there must be something to her.

“I’m sorry I upset you Ms Twilight,” said Shooting, “imagine yourself in my place. I hope we can be friends in the end. Sparkler told me that you’ve studied my work, I’m honored.”

Twilight was cautious.

“It was required reading at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I did enjoy how you were able to expand on some things Star Swirl the Bearded had left unanswered.”

“My wife was honored when she found out that she’d be protecting and help raise our children,” finished Muffins.

Sparkler felt the forced politeness was getting hard to maintain.

“Mom, Daddy needs a place to stay, I told him there shouldn’t be any problem for him to stay at the house here in Canterlot.” Said Sparkler.

“Shouldn’t be a problem, it’s his house as well,” answered Muffins.

“I’m going to stay with him for a while, to help him get adjusted, would you mind letting my clients know I’ll be unavailable for a while?” asked Sparkler.

“Of course Honey,” said Muffins, “we’d feel better if you could help your father. Please let us know if we can be of any help. We’ll be heading back to Ponyville in the morning.”

“Twilight,” said the princess, “you look well enough to leave this room, your usual suite is open, you and your wife are welcome to stay the night. But I think it’ll be a problem getting Cookie and Dawn from my sister. She’s not the stern and aloof pony she tries to act. I’ll bring them by when Luna goes on duty. There’re plenty of suites open for your friends.”

To tell the truth it was a little unsettling to hear the princess give the royal treatment to this mixed bag of ponies. But then he remembered Sparkler said these were the wielders of the Elements of Harmony.

“Your Highness,” said Rainbow. “Has any of the guards seen Pinkie Pie?”

“I’m don’t know My Dear,” said the princess, “I’ll have the guard check.”

Princess Celestia left the room.

“I don’t feel right about this.” Said Rainbow, “if you don’t mind I’ll go back to Ponyville. It’s not like Pinkie to be this late.”

Several minutes later the princess returned;

“There’s been no news of her. Perhaps you all should return to Ponyville after all.” There was a strange look in the princess’ eyes. “I’ll have a cart ready for you all.”

Twilight understood when her teacher knew something but had reason not to say it.

“Would it be alright for Cookie to stay with me tonight?” asked Sparkler. “I’ll watch her and will get her home tomorrow. She does need to meet and understand about her father.”

“That’d be no problem,” said Muffins.

“And if there’re any needs, you know your grandparents aren’t far off.” Said Twilight with an unsure look in her eyes.

Luna walked in with the children.

“I understand you’re leaving,” she said. “Thank you for letting me watch after my nieces. Don’t make me wait long before I get to again.”

“Thank you Luna,” said Twilight, levitating Dawn to Muffins.

“Cookie Honey,” said Muffins. “Would you mind staying with Sparkler? She’ll take good care of you, and you need to get to know your father.”

Dinky looked concerned, but she trusted Twilight, Sparkler and her mother.

“I’ll stay mommy.” Said the little filly, trying to be brave.

“We’ll see you tomorrow Sweetie,” said Twilight.

Muffins and Twilight gave her a kiss.

Shooting Star, Sparkler and Dinky left. They walked away from the castle, after a ways Shooting Star turned to Sparkler.

“I’ve a bit of business to take care of, I’ll meet you at home.”

Shooting then turned and trotted off toward the business section of Canterlot.

There was a cart waiting outside of the castle to take Twilight and party back to Ponyville.

“I’ll fly ahead,” said Rainbow. “I’ll see you there.”

“I’ll go with you,” said Fluttershy, “I’ll try not to hold you back.”

Rainbow nodded, then the two Pegasi took to the sky.

The rest of the party were airborne in no time. They could see their friends ahead moving away a good clip.

About ten minutes into the flight, Twilight saw the glint of metal in the light of the setting sun. The shape and color were all too familiar.

“Oh dear Celestia no!” Said the purple pony.

“What is it Darling?” replied her wife.

Twilight pointed at the ground.

“Is... Is that Pinkie’s whirly-gig?” asked AJ.

“I don’t know.” Said Twilight worried. “Rarity, would you take Dawn.”

“Of course,” said the white pony, levitating the foal in her saddle bag carrier from Muffins to her own back. “Be careful.”

“Have them take you straight to Ponyville Hospital and send a flying ambulance.”

Both Muffins and Twilight jumped over the side. Muffins spread her wings and Twilight vanished. There was a purple flash on the ground moments later. AJ and Rarity couldn’t tell what’s gong on. They were out of sight in no time.

Twilight appeared right by the mangled whirly-gig. A large rock was nearby with half of Pinkie’s helmet broken in two, laying by. There was a trail of broken weeds that stretched about twenty feet. At the end of the trail lay a motionless Pinkie Pie. Twilight could see blood oozing from Pinkie’s ears and muzzle. There was also a considerable amount on the ground seeping out from behind her head. Twilight ran to her having to fight the urge to pick her up. She knew you don’t move an accident victim for fear of making the injuries worse. At that moment, Muffins came flying up.

“Oh no,” said Muffins. “Is she alive?”

“I don’t know, I haven’t had a chance to check her.”

Twilight walked up and knelt by the motionless pony, Muffins by her side as Twilight put an ear to Pinkie’s chest.

“There’s a heart beat, and she’s breathing, but barely.”

Pinkie groaned and barely opened her eyes. She only saw shadows, but she could make out Muffins outline.

“Don’t try to move Pinkie,” said Twilight.

“I knew you’d come for me Dashie, I knew I loved you for a reason.” Pinkie closed her eyes and breathed ever so slowly.

“Honey,” said Twilight to Muffins, tears in her eyes. “You need to get in the air so they can find us.”

Muffins nodded and shot up into the sky.

Twilight started a small fire to fight off the chill of the evening. Then she lay next to the pink pony to try to share body heat. Pinkie was cold, and Twilight had a bad feeling about all this. She could see Muffins circling overhead.

It felt like it took forever for the ambulance to get there.

Rainbow and Fluttershy flew to Sugarcube Corner only to find out Pinkie had left only about a hour after everypony else had left. This didn’t bode well for Rainbow. She and Fluttershy flew to Rainbow’s cloud house. Pinkie wasn’t there either. They went outside to check around when they noticed that Celestia’s cart was headed not to the library but it landed at the Hospital.

“No,” said Rainbow under her breath, then took off like a shot toward the hospital. Fluttershy was hard pressed to keep up.

Rainbow landed by the cart, only AJ, Rarity and Dawn were onboard. Rarity saw Rainbow, the white Unicorn looked upset. AJ rushed into the hospital.

“What’s going on? Where’s Twilight and Muffins? Has anypony seen Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow was panicked.

“Rainbow Darling,” said Rarity trying to sound calm. “We think Pinkie may’ve crashed. Twilight and Muffins are checking it out, we’re sending an ambulance, just in case.”

“NO!” screamed Rainbow.

At that moment an air ambulance pulled by four medic Pegasi rushed overhead. Rainbow took off after them.