In the Eye of Derpy

by MrUser

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Science Fiction, Other, Derpy Hooves
Length: 6583

Derpy Hooves, an seemingly innocent pony, has been a mailmare all her life but what ponies don't know might shock them - especially when they find the truth about her 'lazy' eye.

In the past, believe it or not, Derpy Hooves used to have a proper eyes until something happened which made it unusable. She visits a Pegasus to get her eye fixed by using a prototype. Strange events happen after that check-up. There is only a few ponies around Ponyville that knows what is to happen.

3rd instalment of the Pony Per Book series.

Tagged Sci-Fi for Use of Technology
Tagged Slice of Life for obvious reasons.

As always, enjoy reading!

-Mr User

Published 2018-02-17 05:00:12 UTC
Last updated 2018-08-02 08:07:57 UTC

The Check-Up

I had arrived at the doctor's place and I sat at the waiting room, curiously wandering my gaze. I was here to get my eye fixed from playing with Dinky, my young mare. She wanted me to cross my eyes for a laugh and when I did, I had to face a consequence - losing control over an eye.

As I waited patiently for my turn, I looked at ponies who walked passed with happy faces, cured illnesses and some with casts still with a smile. A peculiar sight for a pony in a cast to be fine and dandy but that didn't matter. What mattered at the time was that I was the next patient after that last one passed.

"Mrs. Hooves?" The doctor called out, searching for me with a clipboard in his hoof.

I immediately stood from my stool and raise my hoof. He gestured for me to come in. I had asked his name since I had only met him that one day and he responded with, "Doctor Doctor."

I had blinked a couple of times from his name, confused if his parents hated him or I heard a different pronunciation. But nonetheless, he was a doctor.

While staring at all the medical posters, I laid on the operation-table and awaited for my tasks.

"Please block your non-affected eye and read the letters shown on the wall." He pointed at the poster full of varied sizes of letters whilst still staring at his clipboard.

I covered my left eye and stared at the poster... or what I assumed to be the poster. I had began to say random letters whilst gazing at the 'Shapes Poster'. After I was finished, my doctor had a worried expression on his face. I felt bad afterwards for not completing the test with flying colours.

As I was about to hold my head down, my doctor put a hoof under my chin and encouraged me to do another test. He had me read a simple text on a piece of paper. After the test was complete, I only had five out of twenty-seven correct. With some words, I had only guessed from the difficulty of seeing through a blurry eye. Before, I thought that my right eye was only affected from the little gag with my foal. It was then revealed to me what had happened to cause this.

"Did you run into any dust along the way here? It was scheduled to be a windy day by the pegasi. I'm sure you would have known." My doctor asked with concern.

"Uh," I thought, "Um, yes, I did. But wasn't from the wind - it was from some ponies rushing passed me leaving me in a miniature dust storm. I had used my lazy eye to try and find my way out but I guess my eye became affected once the dust subsided." I explained in embarrassment.

My doctor checked his clipboard one last time until I received my diagnosis.

"I'm sorry but you have a severe case of Damaged Lazy Eye, a rare problem in our society. Luckily, inventors have created this prototype which consists of an eye with magical properties to simulate a proper eyeball." He pulled out the explained object from a drawer next to him.

"Oh, thank you, Doctor!" I exclaimed as he raised a hoof to silence me.

"I just have to do a little operation first before your eye will be the same again." He slid out a table full of doctor utensils.

The pointed tips were as though already puncturing my heart as they threatened me with a sharp glare. My face grew uncomfortable and I had turned my muzzle away from the terrorising tools. It wasn't an impolite swing but a slight turn which had reflected my anxious behaviour.

I knew what had to be done.

"Ok." I replied hesistantly.

"Lay on the table, please, then I will commence the operation." He patted the table softly, luring me gradually.

Finally, I had gained my courage to lay down and breathe steadily. The doctor had taken a needle and pinned it through my skin, letting the liquid seep through which slowly lead me to a comforting rest.

As I had a nap, I felt something soft touch my forelegs but I didn't pay attention to them until they began to shake them, seemingly wanting something. Slowly, I opened up my eyes to reveal my doctor staring into me with a worried expression.

"What's wrong?" I asked, about to rub my eyes.

He ceased one of my hooves before he said, "No, don't touch your affected eye. I need to test you before it is fully functioning."

"Um, okay." I replied, holding my right hoof down while I wiped the other.

For the first test, he had told me to blink with both eyes at the same time and I did so with flying colours. For the second, he asked me to read off of the 'letter chart' and I succeeded once again. Finally, he told me to stare at a light.

I squinted slightly at the bright beam as its power blinded me, causing me to blink a couple of times.

"Huh, never seen that before." He clicked his tongue.

"See what, doctor?" I inquired.

"Your iris doesn't seem to want to co-operate with my light, not a problem but... your eye seems to be drifting off to the side - another affect," He wrote on his clipboard, "Would you like to be a test subject for this eyeball?"

"If it gets my eye fixed, okay." I smiled at him as he comfortably lead me outside.

"And if there is anything weird with your eye, don't hesitate to come back," He patted my shoulder, "You're the mailmare, right?"

I politely nodded as he handed me a letter, "Give it to their child if they're not home."

Along the way to my workplace, I had talked to some of my friends about my eyeball. Some thought it was pretty peculiar but most had told me that it looked fine. I didn't really say much during those conversations - just a smile and nod.

Once I arrived, I unhooked my saddlebag from the door and I laid them down next to my chair. I had taken a look at my 'Incoming Pile' and there was an overflowing mountain of letters from various ponies. I sat on my chair and began to organise them by addresses and ponies' names. In every organised stack, I had wrapped them in a red band to secure them. Before I knew it, I was complete and I carefully stacked them in my saddlebag. I had also pulled out a letter my doctor gave me and it had only showed the names of the recipients - Baron Flight and Belle Flight.

I held it in my hoof as I asked a couple of wandering ponies about these new residents. None had known about their appearance of where they resided in the town, so I decided to tend to other letters that I was familiar with.

I had seventy-seven letters to hand in, not much for me to handle. The Mash residence had three, the Cakes obtained eight, the Apples retrieved twelve and the princess received forty-three. All that was left was for the mayor and one for the Flight residence.

This gave me the idea to ask the mayor about these new ponies.

I had arrived at Mayor Mare's place and I found her deep in her folders, desperate to find something. There were names, folders and papers scattered on the floor as if bandits had ravaged through any loot. I was about to ask what this was all about until the mayor pulled her head out and greeted me with an embarrassed expression.

"I'm sorry for you to see me like this," The mayor apologised, chuckling like a filly, "But here." She held out a document which had the name of Bright Flight.

"Why did you give me this?" I asked, clueless towards this action.

"Lyra Heartstrings came in and asked me to find that pony's name to give it to you. When I saw you nearing the town hall, I, uh, quickened my pace... which is why the place is a mess."

"Oh," I looked around once more at the devastating battleground, "But I didn't come here for this document. I needed to give you a few letters and to ask a question about one."

"Well that's strange. Hand me those letters and we'll talk about the one you've been questioning." She held out her hoof as I searched through my saddlebag.

I handed ten letters to her and I held the mysterious one in my hoof. She placed her letters on her desk and ambled over to me, examining the letter. A simple, white envelope with names of unknown ponies - at least to me it was.

"I'm quite sure these are the parents of Bright Flight, and if I'm correct, their house is near the school, just a few blocks down and there should be a moving-chariot outside." Mayor explained as I took note of their location.

"Thank you, Mayor Mare. I'll head there now." As I was about to exit, she held my shoulder.

"Take this with you," She handed me Bright's documents, "Lyra told me about spies around Ponyville, she says that they're after this document and for you to keep it safe." She whispered cautiously, casually peering around for any eavesdroppers.

"Sure." I shoved the contents inside my saddlebag along with the letter.

I ambled out of the town hall, alert for any 'spies'. I checked my belongings as I scoffed at the idea of 'spies around Ponyville'. With that, I followed the direction of the Flights' house, watching foals from Cheerilee's Schoolhouse bounce down the path. I even saw my bundle of joy hop down with a couple of young fillies.

I took a right at that moment and I saw a few foals down the road, presumably, one of them was Bright Flight. I flipped out the documents, glancing at his image. He had a blue coat, dark brown eyes accompanied with glasses and a forest-and-fern green mane which contrasted with his coat.

Something strange had occurred when I was studying the documents. I heard faint clicking and mechanical sounds around me. I had swung my head behind me and the noises stopped. I stared at the documents again and the sounds came back which sent me paranoid.

I hid the documents back in my saddlebag and I tracked Bright. At the time, he was close to his house as I could see a moving-chariot drop off some boxes. During the walk, I had been cautious about who was around me having remembered the talk about spies.

Fortunately, I heard no sounds nor that anyone was staring at me weirdly. I had arrived at the Flight residence, witnessing Bright all alone, moving boxes in his abode.

"Hello," I politely introduced myself, "I'm Ditzy, the mailmare of Ponyville. You can call me 'Derpy'."

"Oh, hi," He turned towards me in surprise, resting the box on the dirt, "What brings you here?"

I scavenged through my saddlebags and handed the letter to Bright, happily taking it from my hoof.

"Who's it from?" He exclaimed with excitement.

"Doctor." I blankly said.

"Doctor?" He repeated with a confused look, "Doctor who?"

"Um, I don't know. He just said to call him, 'Doctor'."

"Oh, That's odd, isn't it?" Bright looked at me as he tore the letter open, placing the residue on a box.

Out of nowhere, I heard indistinct voices, turning into an argument. I had thought that some ponies had strolled past but no one was in sight. Paranoia took over as the voices never ended. No attention was brought to me until I was actively darting my view from place to place.

"Hey," Bright noticed, "Are you alright? What's happening?"

"So you're not hearing those voices?" I stared at him with a worried look.

He stayed silent, blinking a few times before my 'fixed' eye locked its gaze at him while my other was wandering about, frightening him slightly.

Bright asked in a shaky voice, "Are you sure your doctor's name is 'Doctor'?"

"I'm sure as I could be." I stood proudly.

"What was he, a Pegasus?" He asked as though he had already knew the answer.

I nodded, causing the young colt to create a surprised but shocked look, "Why? Is that bad?"

"Is that bad?" He repeated loudly, "You just had an operation from an infamous serial killer - 'Doc Tore'. We have to remove that eye before he finds out I'm here."

Suddenly, a painful screech emitted through my eye, forcefully shutting down which left me with one eye once again. I had even found a message which seemed highly suspicious.

WARNING: SHUTDOWN

Author's Note

The long awaited chapter of Derpy / Ditzy is now here and I hope I did good. However, I think I failed this story since my skill degraded from the time I took with school in the way. But it's another story, have a read of it and tell me what you think about it.

(I will change most of the things about this story soon. I feel like I really did horrible on this)

-Mr User

The Check-Up (Rewrite)

Author's Note

I hope you guys enjoy reading this rewrite of the original chapter. I will keep the original chapter there for a comparison of how I have gone with a rewrite since this is my first. I don't think I've added anything new besides of some suggestions you lovely people wrote to me, and I appreciate every comment you people posted. It really does help me a lot.
-Mr.User

The Check-Up (Rewrite)

A ding echoed throughout the place as I made myself comfortable in a small, decorated room. Health posters were lined against the wall while plain curtains draped on either end of the room. Ponies were seated with a similar condition while some shivered in their seats despite it being Summer and others waiting impatiently despite being called patients. (Terrible pun, I know) The chair I laid on was comfy with short magazines featuring Photo Finish and some other questionable topics about Mayor Mare's mane being pink. It sounded preposterous, so I never believed what magazines told me.

The receptionist rung a bell and asked for the next pony to amble through the doors, noticing me sitting quietly while reading, "Excuse me, but what's your name, hon?"

My focus blurred and faced to where the sound took me, finding her eyes locked with mine... well, one of them, "Derpy Hooves, but I'm also known as Muffin or Ditzy."

Her magic levitated a piece of parchment with some ink and quills, "Okay," I shifted over to the desk where she worked, "Is it your first time here?"

I shook my head, "Nope, I've met Dr. Ailment plenty of times. We've even made good friends outside of our workspaces."

"Oh, I'm sorry, but unfortunately she's sick. Would you like to schedule a time with her or have our new doctor perform on you?" She said politely, readying her quill.

I asked for her to have the new doctor, writing away with her quill, "He'll be with you shortly," She stared at the list, "Only three more ponies to go and you're with him."

I gave her my thanks and went to find my seat again, waiting until my turn came. As I sat, I thought about who this new doctor would be like. I wasn't quite sure if he would be experienced, considering he was a new doctor in Ponyville. I've only known about seven but they all worked in the Ponyville Hospital, not in the Ponyville Infirmary. Maybe he previously worked in another city and moved here. I really had no clue.

I stared at the clock just above me, adjusting myself to see the time properly - it was nine past ten, recess for my little pony, Dinky.

The signalling bell rung once more, as the receptionist called out my name, "He will see you now, Derpy. Good luck!" She said enthusiastically as I pushed the double doors.

I cantered inside, expecting a doctor but was fooled by his clothing. He looked like a scientist. The doors shut behind me as I ambled in, "Hello, Derpy Hooves, I'm Dr. Doctor. Pleased to meet you," We shook hooves as he allowed for me to sit, "Now, tell me, what is the current problem?"

"I think you can quite clearly see it, Doctor," I pointed at my eye, noting of its laziness, "What could have caused this, Doctor?"

Clicking his tongue, he viewed his clipboard, noting everything he could possibly see. The constant blinking and specks of dirt on my coat lead to believe a valid reason, "Seeing how it is scheduled to be a windy day, today, I imagine you were caught in a gust of dirt?" I nodded my head, only saying that I happened one time, "Okay, this caused your eye to stop functioning, but don't you worry, we'll get that fixed pronto."

Before I could reveal my thanks, he suggested for me to lie on the operation table. Doing so, the feeling of the smooth chair held me to stay forever. My wings splayed out for better comfort as I gazed to my side, noticing more posters behind him as well as utensils on a nearby desk. Exchanging a breath, he scrambled through his drawers while I examined his name properly.

Now, why would he be named Dr. Doctor? Did his parents hate him or something? Oh, but I guess that logic would apply to me as well. Oh well, I guess names are names. I shouldn't judge immediately next time. He could be the nicest stallion around town!

"Could you please announce the shapes on the poster behind me? Please keep your affected eye open when reading. I will run a few tests until I come up with a solution." He asked as I hopped from my back.

I struggled in my speech, "Umm...Triangle? Let's see... Circle? Followed by... An eight?"

Doctor flinched at my guess as he himself looked at the posters my eye was facing, "Quite sorry, Derpy, but you seem to be looking at the numbers chart. The shapes are right next to that."

I blushed furiously and gave my thanks until I readied myself to read out the shapes... I didn't do well in that either. After he ran all the tests; by shining a light in my eyes and more chart reading, he flicked through a large book with the title Problems, Problems and More Problems - a book used for medication, maths and literacy questions. It seemed as though the authors wanted the book like that.

Doctor seemed to be searching for something for the cure. He slammed his drawer shut and rummaged through the adjacent one. I began to worry and contemplated whether I should have asked to help, but after that thought, a bulb flashed in his mind as he dashed across the room. He threw out a file and analysed it, staring back at me with a look of uncertainty. He took a glance at the file once again until he revealed a small cardboard box which laid on the counter next to him.

"Okay," He said breathily, "Would you please sign here and here?"

I asked, "Why? Is there something you need to have my consent with?"

"Precisely," He tore out the object from the box, "For you see, this is the device that will save your vision!" He exclaimed proudly.

He cupped a spherical, white object with a small iris on the centre. There were no other features that dwelled with the sphere but it looked identical to an authentic eye, "This is a device that will presumably repair your eyesight by replacing your affected eye with a synthetic one! Unfortunately, this has not been tested in the field but I assure you that everything will be fine. Now, if you could just sign the document, I'd be glad to give it to you."

I stopped in my tracks, deciding on what to do. I thought about what I was getting myself into but slowly drifted away into the positives. The doctor just stared into me while I juggled my choices, thinking of flaws and advantages of receiving a new eye.

...What would Dinky think? ...Dangerous?... That's just silly, no one would hate me... Can I fund it?... There a catch? My thoughts came like bolts of striking lightning, imagining about all the possibilities until finding my solution - one I regretted.

I nodded my head in approval as Doctor levitated the quill over to me while my wing did the work. It was done. A wave of uncertainty sent a chill down my body, waiting for whatever that was going to happen. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

Doctor motioned for me to lay down back on the operation table. I felt a flowing current of pleasure reassure me as I felt encumbered. A small tinking noise had echoed in the room but I didn't mind. If any danger had come for me now, I wouldn't care at all.

A tiny pinch made me flinch slightly until I was in a calm, collective state. My eyes began to droop, then shut.

I grunted. My head began to ache and my mind was deaf. I could hear the scratching of paper until my senses started to clear. A dipping noise was followed by more scratching.

"Ah, I see you are awake now," An itch began to irritate until Doctor held my hoof down, "No, no, no. Please do not touch the eye. That will only be a short side effect."

I trusted him and the irritations left my eye with a smile that painted my face, "Thank you, Doctor!" I gripped his hooves firmly as I shook them vigorously, "How much do I owe you?"

I held back my impending horror of the price until a surprise had come, "It's free! You did sign to be a special pony for our cases, didn't you? You can read the fine print again if you want to."

Shaking my head from the request, I tried desperately to move my new eye. I was unsure whether or not it was working so I asked, telling me it's all fine and in working order. I threw my hooves around him as I thanked him. Personally, I never knew we had the technology to produce such an advanced piece but regardless, I was grateful.

Soon, my eye came into play as I was clearly receiving straight marks for the next examination. Sometimes, my eye would drift off during the exams but the doctor repeated that it was just a mere side effect, and it should not be overlooked upon. So I trusted him.

Glad to be in a somewhat normal state again, I thanked him for all his work. He asked me for a favour. Knowing that I was the iconic (still gets me flustered every time) mailmare, he hovered a letter over to me, addressed to the Flight Family. Raising a brow, I wondered who these new names were. The letter contained the recipients' names and their address but I was unfamiliar with the odd street name. I shrugged it off and nodded to the doctor, accepting his request. I was the mailmare after all, didn't want to ruin my career.

Exiting the doctor's room, feeling joyous, I noted a couple more ponies sitting patiently. A stallion buried his muzzle in a newspaper, dictating about Cheerilee's Schoolhouse Brainwashing Students?. Even I wouldn't believe that for a millisecond. That's just preposterous - like how Applejack would most likely put it. Looking at his steady stature, he carried a black coat while an unnatural, brown coat covered him, wings protruding out of its sides. His sharp ears flashed out of his fedora while he examined the newspaper. I noticed a golden badge, gleaming off, reading: Facility Inspector.

His appearance looked quite unique for a 'Facility Inspector'. I've never even heard of such an occupation.

As I thought senselessly, the detective glared into my soul, jolting a spark into my mind as I flinched. I altered my gaze and slowly pushed my way out the swinging doors. The sun's shimmer made a pleasant contrast as it shone across the town. Surprisingly, my eye reacted perfectly. It was like nothing ever happened at all.

Intaking the fresh air, I stumbled to my workplace close to the infirmary. It was going to be a busy day at Mail Mares since I didn't get there during my usual time but I didn't worry. I still fluttered there as fast as I could. I know they needed my help.

As I made my way to Mare Mares, every pony who came up to me for a small chat did not notice my new eye. In my head, it must have been great at imitating an eye but it soon entered my mind that maybe none of the ponies didn't care. Shaking my head at the thought, I stared down watching my shadow follow me endlessly. Suddenly, I bumped unknowingly into a pony, hearing a distinct crack.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Bon Bon," I said as Bon Bon scratched her head with a painful look, "Did I hurt you badly?"

"Ah, don't worry much, Derpy. I was just making my way to Lyra. You know how much I love giving her presents."

That made me feel worse. Regardless, I decided to walk with her on the way to my workplace. I was feeling lonely and so it would have been a great opportunity to talk with a nice friend. But this was when things started to become... odd.

As we trotted on the grainy dirt, we rambled on about the newest trends and how the older ones were, in our opinion, much better. We chuckled a bit, remembering those trends in action with a couple of colts in Canterlot but soon returned to a more serious state when Bon Bon noticed something strange with me.

"Huh, don't think I've seen that before?" I raised a brow, "Your eye, it's drifting off."

"Oh! It's actually a new edition to me, I guess. It's a prototype by this new doctor in town. Heard of the Ponyville Infirmary?" Bon Bon nodded, telling me that she had only heard of the one doctor, "Well, there's this new one. His name's Doctor... Doctor. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to be said but he seems really nice."

"I don't know, Derpy. Receiving a prototype is pretty risky. Are you sure?" I nodded assertively as we arrived at Bon Bon's assumed stop, "Well, see you soon, Derpy. Nice catching up with you." I returned the gesture by giving a warm embrace as she left for a small space in between the buildings, darting her gaze... I wasn't sure if that was my eyes playing with me or if that was what really happened.

As I was making my way down the town, I finally arrived at Mail Mares, breathing steadily at the sight. It still baffled me that the establishment was so successful after the inclusion of Regional Delivery. I didn't think the popularity would rise at all. Either way, I pushed the door open and was greeted by two ponies working. Waving back, I stole a glance over the 'incoming' pile but to my surprise, it was empty. Asking my co-workers if there had been anything done, they nodded, directing me to my station where neat but tall piles stood the letters.

"Thank you, girls." I praised as I made my way to the piles of letters.

Resting my rump on my post, I hadn't realised that the place changed slightly. Obviously, most things about the place didn't change one bit like the walls and curtained windows. They added some decorations like new posters and dangling lights other than those ceiling lights I bought. The lights shone wildly but provided a warm sensation on my light coat. The posters were just the things to add a bit of life into the establishment. I'm surprised no one thought that the place was dull.

"What's for lunch, girls?" A mare asked, looking down at her papers.

"I'm not quite sure today, any ideas, Derpy?" Another questioned as she sorted some boxes in a carriage.

"I'm good with a muffin, but I know you would like a few apples from the orchard and some tea and... let's see..." I continued, attempting to choose a meal she would like.

"Maybe something sweet from Sugar Cube Corner would be nice. That good with you, Derpy?" I nodded, continuing on with my work.

I stared at the pile of letters, wondering how to organise them. I viewed the majority of the letters, some being issued to Princess Twilight Sparkle and the second most being sent to Mayor Mare. I counted. Four... Twenty... Forty-one for the Princess and twenty-one for the Mayor. Strapping them in their own category, I searched through the rest of the pile as I found letters for the Apple Family and Sugar Cube Corner - probably some orders and the perfect time to grab our food.

Assessing my load, I shoved half the letters in, mostly for the residents and the town's suppliers. I wasn't too careless through. I had enough respect to ensure that everything had no wreckage. Glad for my effort, I waved to the girls and headed out, leaving my station briefly before rushing back to grab my cap. It was a 'symbol' of our organisation so-to-speak. Finally, ready to go, I flew out the door, swinging it a few times before I made haste for the nearest ponies in Ponyville.

As always, it was simple to slot some mail through their door or in their mailbox and dash towards the next closest house that craved my attention. There would always be that one stallion or mare that would have no bothers checking their mail and it would pile - this pony was the one, leaving their mailbox full so I stacked their extras above the box. I attempted to knock on their door to inform them about this problem but it seemed that no one was home so I never really bothered about it ever since.

I reached the Mash's residence where a sickly Button Mash stood at the door, looking dim but with a slight appetite for games. His expression soon transformed from gloomy to surprised when he focussed on my eyes... at least one that he claimed te twitched and dart all over the place. He seemed to be threatened by this motion but he asked whether if it was my special talent but his mother stepped in and sent him into the house. Apologising for his rudeness, I merely insisted that it was an innocent question; he was a young colt after all, probably didn't have the care to think about fillies yet. Moving on, I reached for their letters and had a glance at one of their senders, one being initialled S.I-S.D/R. It was a strange combination of letters but it was probably Button Mash's secret admirer. Saying my goodbyes to the small family, I continued on my amazing adventure to deliver mail until the end of the day.

There were only four letters left for the residents, one of them stumped me with their address since it seemed so alien to me: Stableton Avenue, 14. I had no clue where this was. Wrong town? I ended with a solution that construction workers must have built another street. Leaving the problem for later, I bounced towards other places I was familiar with, hastily slotting them through flawlessly... and now with the problem that I wanted to leave last. Sighing, I shuffled in my saddlebags and still needed to deliver some orders to Sweet Apple Acres and Sugar Cube Corner, glancing at a few names like Filthy Rich, Spoiled Rich and Diamond Tiara. That seemed convenient.

Resting my wings, I ambled my way to Sugar Cube Corner, finding spots of brown covering my hooves but that didn't stress me too much. Hearing the regular ringing, I pushed the bright door and Pinkie already blasted a party cannon, directly into the door as she shouted something that I had no chance in hearing from the constant blaring in my ears. I hoped I haven't gone deaf and thankfully, I figured out what Pinkie Pie had offered me.

"You can still hear me, right, Derpy?" I nodded, giving her a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness, anyway, since you're our millionth customer, you get," Pinkie grunted behind the counter as she heaved up a three-layered cake, "This cake I personally baked myself." She grinned, enough to be contagious.

"Thank you, Pinkie, really. I'll invite my co-workers here and we'll have lunch. That good with you?" I enquired as Pinkie nodded rapidly as though she wasn't being held by anything, "That's well appreciated, now, I need to give you some letters regarding this establishment. I believe some are for you and the Cakes."

"You plop them around here. I'll get to them soon. Now, I just need to... store this." Pinkie gazed at the overpowering size as I neatly placed the bundle of letters near the counter.

Waving, I headed out and began to feel a strange motion in my replaced eye. It seemed to be malfunctioning but it soon returned to normal when I tapped my head slightly. Blinking rapidly, I returned to a more familiar state, breathing normally and looking through what I had left to give out. It was only the Apples' and finally, the Flights'.

I decided to take a peek at Cheerilee's Schoolhouse as I trotted by, feeling my saddlebags delay on my back. I smiled at the sight of my foal, I have always been so proud of her. As I passed, I hoped that the other children felt that way about their parents as well. Realising that your guardians have done so much just to nurture you should be rewarding, even if they give you a loving hug and nothing else.

I contemplated on the dirt path all the way to the orchard and I found Applejack bucking some trees. I assumed Big Mac was just inside or on the other side of the farm. Either way, I ambled up to Applejack in hope of a nice conversation or a location to where I would place their mail. As I approached, I noticed a small grin enter her muzzle as she waved gleefully even with a dishevelled appearance.

"I reckon we've got orders, don't we, Ditzy?" Applejack enquired as I nodded in response.

"I'm afraid so. It must be really hard work here on the farm." I felt the same feeling enter my eye as it drove me into discomfort.

Applejack's speech slowed, "Uh, yeah. It's... hard here," She paused, "If ya don't mind me askin', what's goin' on with yer eye?"

I was hoping she would say that before a silence began, "It's something new they gave me in the Ponyville Infirmary. It's only a short side effect; it's only happened a few times today."

"Alrighty then, well, I guess I'll grab them letters," Applejack gnawed the bundle and tossed a sack of bits in my open saddlebag, "For yer work." I appreciated the kind gesture as I hovered off towards the town.

Before I left, I checked with Applejack where this new street was and she merely aimed down the path and said for me to turn right at some buildings. I trusted her, being the Element of Honesty she is, I proceeded down the road, expecting a few structures.

I stumbled at the outskirts of Ponyville and realised that there was a set of buildings I've never seen at all. Surprisingly, I've never received any packages or mail that needed delivery there.

There's a first that comes with everything, right? I thought as I cantered over to the buildings.

I observed each scaffold, some close to being fully built and most that haven't seem to begin just yet. There was a line of buildings that were already complete and they seemed to not belong in Ponyville at all. Out of curiosity, I ceased my step and I focussed on one carefully as I waiting for my mechanical eye to move wildly. Thankfully, nothing happened at all but that made me think of a couple of things like if the eye had any sort of battery or it was controlled by magic. I never really knew the properties of magic so I bothered none of it.

There was a house that shone in front of every other one for it had boxes upon boxes that covered the front wall. I stared at the mailbox, noticeably unique that the ones I have seen around Ponyville. Analysing, its structure was sturdy and stylish. The white, arranged walls were beyond last generations' architecture. The builders had really outdone themselves this time around.

"Are you lost or something?" I yelped from the mere question, turning to see who had frightened me.

It was a small, blue colt. A Pegasus whose wings were larger than any young colts I knew. Black glasses in between dark eyes with a matching, dishevelled mane stood there patiently. The sun had gone low and a colt was out of school - classes must have ended.

I stammered, "Uh, I, um, I'm... yes. I'm lost."

Asking if I was the mailmare, according to the outfit and saddlebags, I nodded in confirmation. As he introduced himself, I wondered about all the taped boxes outside his home.

"That's just for decoration, Miss." Bright replied, obviously messing around as he chuckled, "In all seriousness, these are just some boxes that arrived today. There's still a whole heap that will come tomorrow. Now, seeing how you're the mailmare; do you have any mail for us?"

His speech was so forward, especially for a colt his age. Stunned, I managed to hand out the letter as his eyes lit up in excitement. He faced the details and his brow furrowed. Regardless, he stripped off the opening and peered inside, casually skimming through the information.

I smiled in content as his actions reminded me of Ditzy whenever she would get a small toy for her birthday. It was a sight I loved to see every day. There was a small disturbance though when I kept facing Bright. Static seemed to appear in my eye and faint murmuring echoed in my ear. I panicked, darting everywhere to assure myself that it was the ambient noises around me and not my eye. There was no one there.

"Hey, what's happening to your eye?" Bright tilted his head in concern, noticing my eye unaligned with my proper organic.

I heard a frenzy of voices go off in my brain until some words were recognisable, Abort, abort! He knows we're here! Shutdown the camera! Stableton Avenue 14, Ponyville - that's where he is! Doc Tore, you're compromised!

Those were the last words I heard as static overcame my mind and darkness took over.