Breach of Contract

by JudgementalHat

Rating: everyone
Tags: Comedy, Derpy Hooves, Crossover, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5334

Derpy Hooves has been removed from FiM and placed in show-business limbo. Fortunately, she’s not the only one in this situation. With her new friend by her side, surely they can get back on the air! Right?

It’s official. Derpy Hooves is off the air. Hasbro doesn’t want her. The good news is, she’s not the only pony er-only one in this situation. 

Ponies believe in friendship, and Derpy isn’t the kind of pony to leave her friends in the lurch. There may be obstacles in the way, but if they try… if they really truly try, they can get back on the air. Right?

Comedy is tragedy plus time. And the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Crossposted to AO3 here.

Written for the Who Crossed Over My Little Pony Contest, and placed third.

Crossover with Betty Boop.

Published 2022-04-01 23:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-04-01 23:10:00 UTC

The Hays Code

Derpy Hooves hadn't cried this hard in... a long time. She was a middle aged mother, for crying out loud. She should be able to handle disappointment better. In the grander scheme of things she hadn't lost much. Only a dream. She should scrape herself off the bench and suck it up. But instead she just wanted to cry until she couldn't cry anymore. And maybe after that she'd feel well enough to go home and tell her daughter that she failed. Or, she would have, if someone hadn't intervened.

“Goodness me! What’s the reason for a pretty pony like you to be crying outside Mr. Goldner’s office?”

Derpy slowly looked up. Then further up, until she met the eyes of the girl speaking to her. She hadn’t spent enough time outside of Equestria to get used to humans, especially not the kind that lived in Toontown. She suspected they weren't usually so gray. It was alien to a pony who came from a world where colors seemed to be brighter. But the human was smiling at her. It was the kind of smile that could melt hearts.

Her smile grew wider as she noticed the attention. She struck a pose. “Betty Boop at your service! Cartoon veteran since 1930! Don’t I just look swell for my age?”

She had a musical way of speaking, quick and chipper, as if every word was following the beat of a tune Derpy couldn’t quite hear. As a pony, she felt she could uniquely appreciate the quality, and she wondered what Lyra would say if she could hear a sample.

Derpy hesitantly held out a hoof and braced for mockery, "Derpy. Derpy Hooves."

"Nice to meetcha, Miss Derpy," Betty took the hoof without hesitation, "Whatcha lookin' at me for, sweetheart?"

"Um, most humans think my name is... funny."

"So? What kinda toon wouldn't want a name that brings smiles to people's faces?"

"I've been laughed at too much today, sorry," Derpy sniffled, "I don't feel up to making people happy when I'm not."

"Oh jam!" Betty exclaimed, slapping her forehead, "Sorry Miss Derpy, I didn't think." She shuffled her hands nervously. "Can I ask what's got you down?"

"There's this show, Friendship is Magic. I'd been doing background work for a while, I finally got a speaking part and... they didn't like me."

"Oh honey, I'm sorry," Betty winced. "They up and canceled your part, didn't they?"

Derpy nodded miserably.

"That's a crying shame Miss Derpy. I know how that feels. I lost a lotta work when cartoons went to color, but I still got it," she smiled again, bright as anything, "Maybe someday there'll be another part for me. Boop-Oop-a-Doop!"

"I'm not the only one? Other Toons have been kicked off their shows?"

"Or their shows were cancelled altogether. I'm sorry to say that it happens more than we'd like."

“But don’t you want to be back on the air?”

Betty sputtered indignantly, “Of course I do! I didn’t stop acting because I didn’t like it, I stopped because the bosses didn’t have a part for me. But I don’t think there’s anything written in my contract that’ll change it.”

"My contract..." Derpy sat bolt upright, "That's it! There's gotta be something in my contract that'll let me get back into the show!"

Betty shook her head, "I dunno Miss Derpy. Seems to me that when the bigwigs like Mr. Goldner make a decision they don't go back on it."

Derpy shook her head, “Maybe I’d give up and quit if it were just me that was hurting, but if there’s other toons who want to be stars don’t we owe it to them to try?” She puffed out her chest a little bit. “Ponies learned a long long time ago that it’s easier to face your problems with friends.”

“If you say so, Miss Derpy. I don’t think it’s the wisest idea to leave someone alone while they’re hurting, so I’ll come with. I just… don’t think it’ll work.”

“We have to try,” Derpy decided, “Don't your friends want to get on the air again too? We can ask for their help."

"My friends? They're swell guys, and they'll try their best, but contracts and legal jargon aren't their strong points."

Derpy shrugged, smile unshrunken. She was riding high on hope and possibility, "What's the worst that could happen?"

Inkwell was a strange place, monochrome in shades of grey and somehow less... solid than Ponyville. It was a world made of rotoscope, filled with jazz music and surrealism. Anything could be anything here, as long as it was funny. And for the moment, the world of a grey and yellow pony galloping down the main street as the side of the town's favorite girl. They were headed for the portal exit leading back to Toontown as quickly as their legs would carry them. Neither of them had a full idea of what had just happened, but they were in agreement on one thing. They didn't want to clean it up.

Derpy was apologizing with every breath as she ran. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to fly into that pillar and I didn't mean to knock over that fruit cart onto people and there was all that music and floating people and I just didn't know what to do! I just don't know what went wrong!"

"You're fine Miss Derpy. That's just how things are in Inkwell! People turn into ghosts all the time and they always put themselves back where they should be."

Derpy laughed, "All the Toons in this town are crazy!"

Derpy and Betty had sequestered themselves in a coffee shop outside the Inkwell portal. Drinking for talking china was unusual, even for an Inkwell resident, but the cafe did offer some advantages. For example, the ability to check for pursuit following them out of the portal. Hopefully the back room lead to a back exit.

"I'm going to give Bimbo such a telling off. He's not the smartest guy, but he knows better than to get in the middle of a 10-fruit-cart pile up. That sweater of his doesn't take stains well, yanno? And guess who clean it?"

Derpy flicked her ears in disgruntlement. "And there was that clown, the one who kept grabbing me."

"That was Koko. He's a character, but he doesn't mean any harm, not really. I'm so sorry!"

"He seemed to really like my tail, what was that about?"

Betty's face darkened in a blush. "...I'll tell ya later, how's that?"

“….the music was nice though. What was the name of that walrus?”

“Cab. He’s quite the character. He helped the Bosses Fleischer quite a bit. The music's always the best when Cab comes around.”

Derpy suddenly facehooved, "And we were so busy dancing and dodging, we didn't have anyone look at my contract!"

"We could go back, but I don't think you'll get any help with your contract from anyone in Inkwell, not even Grampy," Betty said, "Contracts aren't something we deal with all that often."

"Yeah, and we'd probably get roped into cleaning up," Derpy refocused, "I'm sorry your friends weren't able to help us, but that's no reason to give up! There's still more we can try!"

"What do you mean, Miss Derpy?"

Derpy smiled. "Now I get to introduce you to my friends."

Compared to Inkwell, Ponyville was a riot of color. Betty’s head was on a swivel and she took it all in, from the colorful shops with the strange names to the ponies flying overhead. It was brighter than Inkwell, but more solid than Toontown. And it seemed so much bigger than any toon world she’d visited before. She felt as though she could just hop onto a train and ride anywhere, and it would be just as special there. Toontown was a magical place, but something about Ponyville felt fresher. Like a renewal.

She felt the stains and wrinkles lift from her black dress. She would face the new world as a new Betty.

If she had time, maybe she would have sung. She suspected she had found kinship here, another group of musical toons. She could have sung, but her friend was trotting by her side. That was more important.

Derpy was practically bouncing, filled with confidence in her friends. "Twilight's busy, but she's a good pony. If she has any time on her hooves I'm sure she'll look over our contracts for us."

There was an enormous tree in the center of Ponyville, green and resplendent and... occupied? There was a door attached to the front, a few windows carved into the sides, even a balcony hanging off a branch. A library in a tree.

Something purple flickered through the window before the door opened. A unicorn, and one who clearly recognized her companion.

"Derpy! Oh and you brought a Toon! Come in, come in, welcome to the Ponyville Library," Twilight dipped her head, "I'm Twilight Sparkle."

"Nice ta meetcha, Twilight," Betty squeaked.

"Twilight," Derpy said, "Do you have some time to look over my contract for Friendship is Magic? You're the best researcher I know."

"Whatever you need me for!" Twilight beamed, "I've got loads of time this afternoon since the library is closed for filming."

Derpy rubbed the back of her head. Betty laid a supportive hand on her shoulder and gave her an encouraging look.

"I got a speaking part for Friendship is Magic, and-"

"I heard," Twilight said gently, "The censors can be... picky. I'm sorry, Derpy."

"I just want to know if there's any way I can get back on the show, even just in the background."

"And you want me to go over your contract with a fine toothed curry comb," Twilight reasoned, "Derpy? Are you looking for a loophole?"

"I guess. I'm sorry for bothering you, it's just-"

"Nah, I like loopholes. They're like riddles in legalese," Twilight said "Actually, you might be onto something Derpy. If I check the wording of somepony else's contract inside and out, I can use that knowledge to look at my contract. Ooh, or even my friend's contracts."

"They're having problems with Hasbro?" Derpy asked, "I thought Mr. Goldner was going easy on the stars of the show."

"Applejack isn't 'marketable' apparently," Twilight's horn sparked in anger. "She could use the extra funds, what with outsourcing some of her work on the Acres so she could act with us."

Betty tilted her head. "That's a real shame Miss Twilight. Maybe I could give her some tips. I gotta a lot of experience with marketing, yanno."

"I heard. You've got quite the reputation, Miss Boop."

"Aw shucks. I just do what I love, Boop-Oop-A-Doop!"

Twilight happily bobbed her head along with Betty's musical trill. "Anyway, I was saying that I could really use some insider knowledge of the Hollywood Toon industry. I want to help my friends with-"

Twilight trailed off, eyes were fixed on part of Derpy's contract. She didn't react, not to Derpy calling her name, nor to Betty's finger snaps, or even an experimental poke. Instead she seemed to come out of it on her own, twitching slowly before she looked up again. The expression on Twilight's face could be described in multiple ways. "Dawning Realization", perhaps. "Duck and Cover", sometimes.

Twilight drew in a deep breath, horn sparking erratically. “Omigosh, I need to talk to Applejack, NOW!”

They ducked just in time.

Derpy and Betty slowly peeked out the front door of the library, heads forming a near-perfect stack. The purple and magenta streak heading for Sweet Apple Acres showed no sign of slowing down and certainly wasn’t going to turn around for them. By mutual decision they carefully stepped out the library doors and hung up an Out to Lunch sign.

Derpy shrugged helplessly. “She’s a good pony. It’s just that sometimes she gets wrapped up in the details.”

“It’s awful sweet she wants to help her friend, but what are we supposed to do about your contract?”

“I’ve got some ideas. There are a few business ponies in town, they should have experience with contract-”

A prismatic flash was their only warning.

"Business ponies?! Why would you trust something as awesome as your contracts with sompony boring?"

Rainbow Dash appeared like a comet, dropping in from her perch on a cloud, then flying in a rapid circle around the group before pulling to a hover in front of Derpy, who jolted backwards in shock. Betty meanwhile had collapsed, sneezing helplessly. Rainbow hadn't adjusted her flight path for someone her size, and so her tail had grazed Betty's nose in passing.

"Do you have something to add, Dash?"

"Yeah! You two are missing the obvious! The Wonderbolts do shows all across Equestria, plus they're working with Mr. Goldner for appearances on our show. You should show your contract to Spitfire!"

Derpy froze,"Um, Dash," she waved a hoof at the pegasus, trying to catch her attention.

"What? Do you want to thank me for my awesome idea?"

"It's just... Betty can't fly. I don't think we can go to Cloudsdale."

"Oh," Dash frowned, "Well why didn't you mention that in the first place?"

"I must admire the monochrome look, Betty. Beauty comes in simplicity, after all," Rarity sighed, "sometimes I think too many ponies focus on the possibilities of color, and the end result is simply garish. But simple black allows the true character of the garment to come through."

Rarity held up a strip of measuring tape with an inquisitive look in her eyes.

"Now, I don't mean to pry, but just how is that dress held up? I understand human females have some anatomical difficulties, and I assume there is some form of structure underneath. You must let me have a look, I could revolutionize my spring line with that technology."

Betty squeaked a bit, cheeks darkening.

"Um, Rarity? My contract?"

"Oh yes, eventually, but first you must let me take your measurements, I have this wonderful idea-"

"Fluttershy? It's me, Derpy, the pony who delivers your mail. And a friend. We were wondering if we could take a look at your contract for Friendship is Magic. We've been having some troubles getting into show business and-

....

"Fluttershy? Are you okay?"

"Eep!"

"Hi Derpy! Oh, you're new! And a Toon! And human! Do we call you a Toonman, or do you prefer to go by something else? Welcome to Ponyville! Can I look at your contract? Sure! I can look at it through a monocle, or a spy glass, or a periscope, or an itty bitty magnifying glass. Wow, that's a lot of fine print! Are you trying to get onto the show again? I'm sure we could find a spot for your friend, she'd look nice in a monster costume. Your contract? No, I can't help you, sorry. My agent takes care of the boring stuff for me. Sorry I couldn't help. Be sure to keep your friend around Derpy, she needs a party! I'll get started on that now! Bye!"

“I know produce and show business aren’t the same, but the ponies at Sweet Apple Acres do a lot of contract work. They could at least help us start.”

“What a good idea!” Betty squeaked, then tapped her chin thoughtfully, “D’ya think Miss Twilight will be done helping Applejack with her contract before we get there?”

“….maybe we’ll try the business ponies. Actually, there’s one in town now!”

“We’re awful grateful that you could spare the time to help us, Mr. Rich,” chirped Betty. She seemed happy as a clam in the Rich's lavish dining room, even if the furniture was severely underscale. She admired her reflection in the silver vase in the middle of the table as Mr. Rich nosed open Derpy's contract and began to read.

“We know you’re a busy pony,” Derpy added with an encouraging smile, "and we really appreciate any help you can give us."

"Of course, of course." Mr. Rich said, "I'll always do what I can to help the ponies of this town. I just don't know if I'll be much help. I specialized in analyzing a different kind of contract after all. Still, I'll see what I can-"

"Daddy? Who are you talking to? Who are these people?" The voice was young, petulant, and firmly attached to the scowling pink earth pony who was very unamused to find strangers in her dining room, talking to her father.

"Diamond," Mr. Rich warned, "We have guests. Would you like me to make introductions?"

"Of course I know Derpy. She's the," the filly suddenly stuttered, clearly self-censoring, "...mailmare for most of town," Diamond then focused on Betty, "but I don't know who the other one is. It looks weird without any color, and it's too tall for our house."

Mr. Rich looked unamused. "Her name is Betty, and she and Derpy are here to have me look at their contracts,"

"Betty? What's a Betty? What kind of name is that supposed to be?"

Mr. Rich's face hardened, "Diamond Dazzle Tiara! I understand being confused and asking questions, but I raised you better than to be rude about it. Now apologize to Betty."

"Fine," Diamond's tone changed to exaggerated sympathy, "I'm sorry for insulting you. Betty."

"I don't mind, little filly. I guess someone like me must look awful strange to you."

“Whatever,” the filly groaned, flicking her tail dismissively as she walked up the stairs to her room. The crowd around the dining room table waited with bated breath until they heard her door slam.

“I’m sorry again about my daughter, Miss Hooves, Miss Betty,” Filthy Rich said, “She’s been so excited to get a part in the show,” he lowered his voice into a stage whisper, “she’s method acting.”

Derpy’s smile wavered a little bit on her face. Diamond would never test her bullying chops against an adult, even an adult with a clear difference, but Derpy knew about her behavior all too well. After all, she had a daughter about Diamond’s age. And Mr. Rich never seemed to see it. She opened her mouth…

Would you believe him, if he told you Dinky was a bully?

… and glanced at Mr. Rich’s smiling face.

“Right. Method acting.”

It was a long walk to Canterlot from Ponyville. They could have taken the train but Betty wanted to see the sights. Stretch her legs. Derpy had agreed, and they took the walk. There may have been a traveling song, see-sawing through the styles, but that's neither here nor there. They were in Canterlot, the capitol of Equestria, the home of many great business ponies. And hopefully they'd be more specialized in their knowledge than Mr. Rich. For this task Derpy needed a pony who knew the entertainment industry inside and out. But perhaps she should have found one less... eccentric.

Something to consider as one is being held at hornpoint by a pair of disgruntled assistants until their boss could flounce over to deal with them. Betty had ducked behind a curtain, but Derpy was out in the open. And she didn't need to see Photo Finish's eyes to know the fashion photographer was displeased with her.

"You have disturbed my imaginings. I hope for your sake, little pony, that you have presented Photo Finish with something worthwhile."

Derpy gulped. "Um... I have this contract I wanted you to look at." She held out the contract hopefully and just as quickly withdrew it. Photo Finish had stomped down exactly where her contract had been resting.

"Listen, cross-eyed pony. I am very busy. I do not have time to look at every contract pre-"

Photo Finish cut off, staring intently at the back wall behind Derpy, exactly where Betty was hiding!

Derpy wheeled, and there was Betty's grey-toned head, poking out from between the curtains. She seemed to notice the attention and quickly withdrew it, only for Photo Finish to call out to her. "Come out, come out intruder biped. Show yourself to Photo Finish!"

Betty sheepishly poked her head back out, then slooowly leaned the rest of the way out. One hand came up to the top of her dress. Derpy suspected she was vividly remembering her encounter with Rarity.

Behind her glasses, Photo Finish's eyes began to sparkle. By her standards she was practically prancing around Betty. "Your form! It is strange to pony eyes, but also an inspiration! Yes! I have found my next star! What is your name, strange being?"

"Um- Betty Boop at your service? Boop-Oop-A-Doop?"

"Let me know if you are available to pose for me, Miss Boop! I must photograph you!"

Betty knew just what to do in the presence of a fan, even if Derpy was jumping up and down in the background making 'don't do it' gestures. "Of course Miss Finish. I'd be happy to pose for you, anytime."

Derpy facehooved.

"In that case, I must photograph you now!"

Photo Finish was suddenly holding a very large camera, as assistants peered from alcoves and curtains, their own cameras in tow. Oh my, and that was a very large flash attachment. Betty began to wonder if she hadn't made a mistake.

"Wait! Miss Finish, can't I have a moment-"

Derpy covered here eyes just in time. The flash from Photo's camera alone was near blinding. Then her assistants raised theirs and the world went white.

Betty still had a bit of a squint, but she assured Derpy her eyes would be better with time. Or possibly when it would be funny. Sometimes it was hard to tell with Toons.

There had been little discussion of contracts with Photo Finish, even after the photography was over. It was hard to discuss something you were too dazed to read, after all.

Betty seemed fairly content, despite her visual difficulties. Derpy, on the other hoof was beginning to unwind. Her eyes were more crossed than usual as she paced back and forth.

"There has to be somepony we can talk to. Somepony."

"Miss Derpy?" Betty interjected.

"-Sapphire Shores? No I doubt she handles her own contracts."

"Miss Derpy."

"-Suri Polomare? No, too stuck up. Photo Finish was enough of that."

"Miss Derpy!"

"-there has to be something..."

"DERPY!"

"Yes? I'm sorry Betty, I didn't mean to ignore you, I just..." Derpy swallowed, "got lost in my thoughts."

Betty looked curious. "Miss Derpy? We went on all those adventures and I never did ask: Why do you want to be on the show so much anyway?"

Derpy froze, every muscle tense. She seemed ready to spring, to run away, to fly. Instead the pegasus slowly deflated. Her eyes slid closed as she slumped over, head hanging. If anything, she looked more dejected than she was outside of Mr. Goldner's office. "I just-" Derpy sniffled, "didn't want to lose. Again."

"Again?"

"Flying... in Equestria it's a sport. When I was younger, I flew a lot. And I could fly! I did a lot of competitions when I was younger and I outflew a lot of ponies, good fliers who went on to do great things."

"It sure sounds like you were on the way to stardom. What happened?"

Derpy winced, "My eye went lazy."

Betty covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh Derpy. I thought that was just how you were drawn."

"I could see perfectly. Then I couldn't. And I was dizzy all the time and I kept getting disoriented, and I couldn't tell which eye to focus on-" Derpy took a deep breath, "Betty, you've seen me fly. There's a reason I took the balloon up with you, and it's because I don't want to wreck somepony's house. I wreck... a lot of things. I barely have a job as a mailmare, and I only trust myself with it because I could do it trotting if I had to. In case I get worse. I tried to get my eye fixed, I tried so hard. And at least I'm not so dizzy anymore. But I still can't see right," Derpy sighed, "I will never be a Wonderbolt, or even a reserve or a stunt flyer. Friendship is Magic was my chance. I tried. I tried so hard, and people liked me!" she sniffled, "or at least they liked me until I was center-stage."

Betty sighed, "I heard about that. It's not your fault Miss Derpy. Sometimes the critics don't understand us. I think they forget that we don't have a choice in how we're drawn. I was big in the '30s, but then this law came around, the Hayes Code."

Derpy froze. "Moral guardians?" she asked quietly. Betty nodded.

"They let me work, after the Code," Betty said, "and maybe they'll let you work again. But Derpy, do you really want that?"

"What do you mean?"

“I wasn’t allowed to dress like me or act like myself anymore. And they said I couldn’t work with Bimbo anymore, that our relationship was inappropriate," Betty's lip began to quiver, "And even after I changed everything about myself for the censors, the audience didn’t love me anymore. They missed the old me.”

"Oh Betty. I didn't know, I swear-"

"I know. Just think about it, okay?"

"I just.... wanted another chance" Derpy swallowed, "But I wasn't being fair to you. I'm sorry Betty. I guess even a cross-eyed pony can get tunnel vision sometimes." Derpy slumped, tears already welling. She could cry here for a little while, and still take the train back to Ponyville in time to put Dinky to bed. It was what she should have done in the first place. The first tears began to drip... and she felt a hand begin to ruffle through her mane.

“I’m not going to leave you, Miss Derpy. I said I don’t like to leave people when they’re hurting and I meant it! If you wanna try to get back on the air, then I’ll help you, best I can!”

She still cried. The emotions had been building for a very long time and crying was a release of that pressure. But eventually the tears stopped. The petting didn't, until Derpy pulled her head from under Betty's hand and turned to face the Toon. Her friend.

Derpy sniffled a little bit, trying to clear her throat. “In that case, there’s one more pony I want you to meet.”

“A friend of yours?”

“Sort of, from a long time back. But we’ll need to go to Twilight’s first. Have you ever had a cloudwalking spell cast on you?”

For an old Wonderbolt, Aileron lived modestly in a little cloud house on the outskirts of Cloudsdale. It was the return address on so many letters she had gotten and never replied to. She hoped he would listen. She just needed somepony to give her a chance.

Derpy knocked and waited. It didn't take long before hooves were heard on the other side of the door, it slid open, and-

"Derpy Hooves! As I live and breathe, I haven't seen you in years!" the pale green pegasus was smiling. He had aged. Derpy suspected he could no longer teach young flyers, no longer even pretend to keep up. But he looked at her and his eyes grew bright, and he looked twenty years younger and her mentor again.

"Aileron. It's been... a while."

Sternly, "You didn't write."

"I didn't think you'd want anything to do with me, since I-" Derpy hesitated, "since I stopped flying competitively."

"An illness or injury is a perfectly understandable reason to leave the contest circuit," his tone was formal at first, but then softened, "but I was very sorry to see you go, Miss Hooves. I felt that you had great potential."

"Yeah," Derpy said, "I'm sorry about never answering your letters, by the way. You were... a great mentor. If things had been different, if the surgery had worked-"

"Yes, I heard about that. As I recall you stopped writing me shortly after the surgery failed."

"I just... didn't see the point."

"Of course there was a point!" Aileron snapped, "My role as a mentor was to see my students succeed. If that success comes outside the realm of flight, so be it. Miss Hooves, I remember all my mentees, yourself included." Aileron softened, his tone becoming more joking, "I don't remember your guest ever flying with me, however. Is there a reason you've brought her to me?"

"Can we come in? It's a bit of a long story."

"Miss Hooves, I'll let you know that fame is far more than glitter and glamour-"

"I know. And Betty talked to me, about how hard it can be. But I still want to try," Derpy said, then hesitated, "Do you think I'm wrong?"

"The first rule of stardom, Miss Hooves," Aileron lectured, "Is to be decisive. Give me your contract. I'll see what I can do."

Aileron spend a long time pouring over the contract. Magnifying glasses were pulled out, lights were brightened, Betty was ordered not to overshadow. And then he began to read. He squinted, occasionally snorted. Sometimes Betty pointed out lines to him and sometimes he pointed out lines to her. This went on for a very long time. Derpy shifted from hoof to hoof. She hardly dared to hope, but maybe-

"Wait... there is something here." Aileron pointed with his hoof at a very specific line of text in Derpy's contract. Betty leaned down to look. Then she and Aileron shared a look. They were very different in shape. Expressions could become hard to read cross-species. But for a second, there seemed to be a magical moment of perfect understanding.

"Derpy, d'ya think there's an audience out there for you?"

"There must be some reason you keep reaching higher," Aileron chimed in.

"'Cause there is another way to be in the spotlight. It's how I got by, after the Hayes Code shut me down. Let me keep my audience, even if I couldn't perform for them."

"It's the retirement plan of many a Wonderbolt, myself included."

"And it's something Mr. Goldner didn't account for in his contract."

Derpy stared up at her friends in confusion, and the faintest glimmer of hope. "What do you mean?"

Aileron smiled at his protégé. "Miss Hooves, what do you know about merchandizing?"

Some months later, there was a much happier meeting in the cafeteria of the Hasbro building. Derpy and Betty had met with a hug. There had been greetings, how-have-you-beens, updates about each respective family. But that was all just set dressing for what they had came for. The item at the center of the table.

It was a simply vinyl toy of a pegasus with crossed eyes and a bubble cutie mark. The fur color was off, the mane was a clear copy from another mold, and the cutie marks were just a little bit off-center.

And both Derpy and Betty looked at it like it had come from the sky itself.

"Congrats Miss Derpy! Your first figurine, that's a real big moment for a toon! How does it feel?"

"It's... good. I guess there is an audience out there for me. Enough to get a trial run made, and if they sell well-"

"-then you're in business!" Betty chirped, "Oh Derpy, I knew ya could do it! And you get to keep the first one, right?"

Derpy nodded, staring at the cheap little toy.

"You gotta special place in mind for it?"

Derpy had made it to the Wonderbolt Academy. She had a successful career at the post office. She had a mentor who remembered her. She had a best friend who was a pony, and a best friend who was a Toon. And now she had an audience. She had a wonderful life and there was a filly at home who had idolized her before anyone else.

"Yeah," she smiled "I think I do."