Derpy's Going to be a Mommy!

It was a super bright and sunny day in Ponyville, and Derpy Hooves' esotropic golden-yellow eyes darted with unease as she trotted down the colorful streets. Her mind was normally filled with thoughts of muffins and the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration. But today, something totally unexpected had thrown her for a loop.

Derpy stopped abruptly in front of Twilight Sparkle's library, her wings twitching nervously. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door with a hoof. "Twilight! Twilight! Are you home?"

Twilight, who was inside organizing her books, heard Derpy's familiar voice and smiled. "Come on in, Derpy!"

Derpy pushed the door open clumsily, almost stumbling inside. "Um, hi, Twilight."

Twilight noticed Derpy's flustered state right away. "What's up, Derpy? You seem a little... um, extra Derpy today."

Derpy shuffled her hooves on the floor. "Well, you see, I... I took this test thingy, and it showed something weird."

Twilight raised an eyebrow curiously. "What kind of test?"

Derpy hesitated, then pulled out a small piece of paper from her saddlebag. "Well, uhhh….I was going to the doctor’s, since the postal service said I had to get something called a yearly ‘mystical’, so they took some of my blood and then made me use this other test, they called it some sort of test with lots of letters... uh, like a pCG test."

Twilight blinked, trying to figure out what Derpy was getting at. "Oh, do you mean a pregnancy test as part of your yearly physical?"

Derpy nodded enthusiastically, her eyes wide with worry. "Yes! And it says positive, but I don't get it. What does that mean? How can that be? I don’t feel very positive right now…"

Twilight took the test results from Derpy and examined it closely. "Well, Derpy, this test usually means... well, you might be having a foal."

Derpy tilted her head, her ears flopping a bit. "A foal? Like, a little pony?"

Twilight nodded, trying to simplify her explanation. "Exactly! It means there might be a little pony growing inside you."

Derpy gasped, her wings fluttering with surprise. "Oh my gosh! But how did that happen? I didn't plan for this!"

Twilight chuckled softly. "Sometimes these things happen, Derpy. Even if you didn't plan for it."

Derpy paced back and forth, clearly overwhelmed. "But what do I do now, Twilight? I'm not ready to be a mommy!"

Twilight reassured her gently. "It's okay to feel scared, Derpy. We'll figure everything out together. We can go see Nurse Redheart, and she'll help us understand what's going on."

Derpy nodded slowly, still processing everything. "Okay, Twilight. But what about the daddy? Shouldn't he know too?"

Twilight hesitated, considering how to explain. "Well, um, yes, it's important to talk to the stallion involved."

Derpy looked worried. "Oh no, do I have to find him and tell him? I’m not even sure who he is…"

Twilight nodded sympathetically. "It would be a good idea to talk to him, yes."

Derpy sighed heavily. "This is all so confusing, Twilight. I just wanted to deliver my mail and eat muffins today..."

Twilight hugged Derpy gently. "I know it's a lot to take in, Derpy. But you're not alone. Ponyville is here for you, and we'll help you through this."

Derpy sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye. "Thanks, Twilight. I think I'll go get a muffin, I….I really need one now.”

Not wanting to feel like she was overwhelming Derpy with too much info too quickly, she let the gray filly get her dessert.

==========☼==========

After leaving Twilight's library, Derpy wandered aimlessly through Ponyville, her mind swirling with confusion and worry. She passed by Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie was busy baking, and waved half-heartedly when Pinkie waved with a big smile.

As Derpy continued down the street, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard a familiar voice call out, "Howdy there, Derpy! What's got you looking so perplexed?"

Derpy looked up to see Applejack trotting towards her with a concerned expression. "Oh, hi Applejack. Um, I'm just... well, something weird happened."

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Weird? What's goin' on?"

Derpy shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the right words. "Well, I... I took this test, and it showed something about... um, having a foal?"

Applejack's eyes widened in surprise. "A foal? You mean like, you're gonna be a mom?"

Derpy nodded slowly, her wings drooping. "Yeah, but I don't understand how it happened. And I'm worried because I don't remember who the daddy is."

Applejack frowned slightly, thinking. "Hmm, well, do you know anythin’ about him? Maybe we can figure it out."

Derpy shook her head sadly. "No, he was just a random pony I met. I didn't even get his name or anything."

Applejack sighed sympathetically. "Well, that does make things a bit tricky. But don't you worry, Derpy. We'll figure this out together. Maybe somepony saw somethin' or knows who he might be."

Derpy looked uncertain. "But what if he's mad at me for not knowing? I don't want anypony to be mad."

Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "Now, Derpy, listen here. It's always best to be honest about these things. The truth might surprise ya, but it's better than worrying about what might happen. That's the element of honesty talkin'."

Derpy nodded slowly, taking Applejack's words to heart. "I mean…I don’t even know what to say. I’m not so good with words…but I guess you’re right."

Applejack smiled warmly. "That's the spirit! Now, let's see if anypony in town knows anythin'. Maybe Rarity or Fluttershy might've seen somethin'."

They walked through Ponyville, stopping at various places and asking around. They spoke to Rarity at the Carousel Boutique, who listened intently but couldn't recall seeing anypony with Derpy recently.

“So sorry, darling, but I just don’t remember seeing anything of the sort.”

Moving on, they went to see Fluttershy at her cottage surrounded by her animal friends, though she was equally unsure.

As they continued their search, they bumped into Rainbow Dash, who was practicing her latest flying tricks near the town square. Rainbow Dash glanced at Derpy and Applejack curiously. "Hey guys, what's up?"

Applejack took the lead. "Derpy here's got somethin' on her mind, Rainbow. She's lookin' for a certain somepony, but we're not sure who."

Derpy shuffled nervously. "Um, yeah, I... I need to find the daddy, but I don't remember who he is."

Rainbow Dash scratched her head. "Whoa, a ‘daddy’? Are you pregnant or something?”

“Yeah…” Derpy responded, looking down at the ground bashfully.

“Hmm, well congratulations, first of all, but in terms of finding him without any more info…well, that's gonna be a tough one. Maybe you should ask around more. Somepony might've seen him."

Derpy looked hopeful but still worried. "But what if he's mad at me for not remembering?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Eh, if he's a decent pony, he won't be mad. And if he is, well, he's not worth your worry."

Derpy nodded slowly, feeling a bit more reassured. "Thanks, Rainbow. I'll keep asking around."

As they walked away, Applejack turned to Derpy with a comforting smile. "See? Everypony's willin' to help out. We'll find him, don't you worry."

Derpy nodded gratefully. "Yeah, you're right, Applejack. Thanks for being so nice."

Their next stop was at the town square, where they found Pinkie Pie organizing a surprise party for no apparent reason. Pinkie bounced over to them with her usual exuberance. "Hey hey HEY! What brings you guys here? Need help with something super-duper fun?"

Applejack chuckled. "Not this time, sugarcube. Derpy here needs some help findin' somepony she met recently."

Pinkie Pie gasped dramatically. "Ooh, a mystery pony! I love mysteries! Tell me everything, Derpy!"

Derpy blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Um, well, I met this pony, but I don't know who he is. Now I’m gonna have a foal, and, uh, now I... I need to find him."

Pinkie Pie nodded seriously, though her mane bounced with excitement. "I get it, I get it. You need to find the daddy pony! Hmm, did you see him at Sugarcube Corner?"

Derpy shook her head. "No, I don't think so."

Pinkie Pie tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, maybe he's a secret agent pony who only comes out at night! Or maybe he's a ninja pony who's really good at hiding! Ooh, the possibilities!"

Applejack chortled a bit. "Pinkie, what in the Sam Hill…I don't think he's a secret agent or a ninja. We just need to know if anypony saw them together."

Pinkie Pie pouted slightly. "Oh, right. Well, I didn't see any mysterious pony with Derpy. But don't worry! We'll find him!"

Derpy smiled weakly. "Thanks, Pinkie. I hope so."

As they left the town square, Derpy couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by everything. Applejack walked beside her, offering support. "Don't you worry, Derpy. We'll keep askin' around. Somepony's bound to know somethin'."

Just then, they heard a commotion up ahead. Turning the corner, they saw a group of ponies gathered around, murmuring and pointing at something. Curious, Derpy and Applejack approached to see what was going on.

In the center of the group was Spike, the baby dragon, holding up a flyer and speaking excitedly. "Attention, everypony! Have you seen this pony? Derpy Hooves is looking for the father of her soon-to-be foal, and we need your help to find him!"

Derpy's eyes widened in surprise and embarrassment as ponies started murmuring and whispering. Applejack stepped forward, trying to calm the situation. "Now hold on, everypony. We're just tryin' to help Derpy out here. If anypony has seen her with somepony recently, I reckon you best speak up."

A timid voice spoke up from the crowd, it was an otherwise quiet pony with a mint-color coat. "Um, I think I saw Derpy talking to a stallion at the market last week..." Soon the crowd had turned to look at the voice, recognizing Lyra Heartstrings.

Derpy perked up, her heart racing. "Yes, that's right! At the market! Do you remember what he looked like?"

Lyra hesitated, trying to recall. "Um, he was a brown stallion with a blonde mane. Kinda tall?"

Derpy frowned, trying to picture him. "Hmm, that doesn't sound like anypony I know..."

Applejack nodded thoughtfully. "Well, it's a start. Thanks for speakin' up, everypony. Let's keep lookin'!"

The crowd dispersed, leaving Derpy and Applejack standing there with Spike. Spike grinned at them. "See, Derpy? Everypony's helping out! We'll find him in no time."

Derpy nodded slowly, feeling a bit more hopeful. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Spike."

As they continued their search through Ponyville, asking at the market and various shops, Derpy's mind raced with thoughts. What if they never found him? What would happen then? She glanced at Applejack, who was steadfast by her side.

To help crack the case, Applejack wanted to get some help from her family, so she took Derpy over to Sweet Apple Acres. Crossing the property line of the Apple farm, Applejack saw a familiar red stallion.

"Big Mac!" Applejack called out. "We need your help with somethin'."

Big Macintosh turned towards them, his trademark stoic expression softened with concern when he saw Derpy's troubled face. "Eeyup, what can Ah do for ya?"

Derpy took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Um, Big Mac, I... I need to find a stallion I met recently. But I don't know who he is, and I'm worried he'll be mad at me."

Big Macintosh furrowed his brow, thinking. "Well now, that's a tough one. Do ya know anythin' about him?"

Derpy shook her head sadly. "No, he was just a random pony I talked to for like 5 seconds. I didn't get his name or anything."

Applejack stepped in, placing a reassuring hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "We're tryin' to piece it all together, Big Mac. Any ideas?"

Big Macintosh scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, well, did anypony see ya talkin' to him? Maybe somepony saw somethin'."

Derpy perked up a bit. "Yeah, somepony said they saw me talking to a brown stallion with a blonde mane at the market."

Big Macintosh nodded slowly. "Well, that narrows it down a bit. Let's think... did ya notice anythin' else about him?"

Derpy thought hard, trying to remember. "Um, he was tall? And... uh, he had a nice smile?"

Applejack chuckled softly. "I reckon like you noticed the important things, Derpy."

Derpy blushed slightly. "Yeah, well... I just want to find him and... and figure everything out."

Big Macintosh nodded sympathetically. "Eeyup, Ah understand. We'll keep askin' around, see if anypony else knows somethin'."

As they walked back towards Ponyville, Derpy felt a sense of relief knowing that she had friends like Applejack and Big Macintosh to help her. Back in town, they continued their search, asking ponies and checking places where Derpy might have been. The hours passed, and the moon rose high in the sky, casting its silvery light over Ponyville.

Finally, just as they were about to give up for the night, they spotted him. A tall, brown stallion with a blonde mane, talking to a group of ponies outside the town hall. Derpy's heart skipped a beat as she recognized him.

"Applejack, there he is!" Derpy exclaimed, pointing excitedly with her gray hoof.

Applejack grinned. "Well, let's go talk to him then!"

They approached the stallion nervously, who turned towards them with a curious expression and a distinct Jersey accent. "Can I help youse?"

Derpy took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "Um, hi. I... I think we talked at the market recently?"

The stallion blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly as recognition dawned on his face. "Oh! Yea, Derpy, right? Yea, we did talk. Is everything okay?"

Derpy nodded, feeling relieved. "Yeah, um, well, you see... I found out something… unexpected."

Applejack stepped forward, offering her support. "Derpy here found out she's gonna have a foal. And, uh, well, she wanted to find you and let ya know."

The stallion's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh... oh wow. That’s quite the curveball. Um, I didn't know..."

Derpy fidgeted nervously. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't remember your name, and I was scared you'd be mad."

The stallion shook his head, smiling gently. "No, no, I'm not mad at all. I... I appreciate that youse went through all dis trouble in telling me."

Derpy smiled gratefully, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. "Thank you for being so nice about it."

The stallion nodded, glancing at Applejack and Big Macintosh. "And thank youse for helping her find me. I... I want to do the right thing."

Applejack grinned. "That's mighty kind of ya. Derpy here's lucky to have such a good pony by her side."

The three ponies stood outside the town hall, the stallion nodded slowly in response to Derpy's revelation. "I appreciate you telling me, Derpy. This is... a lot to process. I think I need some time to think things through."

Derpy nodded nervously, her wings twitching. "O-okay. I understand."

With a nod and a gentle smile, the stallion turned and trotted away, disappearing into the late evening. Derpy watched him go, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "He'll come around, Derpy. Just give him some time."

Derpy nodded slowly, her mind racing with thoughts. "I hope so, Applejack. I just... I don't know what to do next."

Applejack sighed softly. "Well, let's head back to Twilight's. Maybe she and the others can help us figure things out."

Together, they walked back to Twilight Sparkle's library, where they found Twilight deep in thought, pacing back and forth. As they entered, Twilight looked up with concern. "Derpy, Applejack, what happened? Did you find him?"

Applejack bobbed her head solemnly. "Yeah, we found him alright, but he needed some time to think. He ran off, Twilight."

Twilight frowned, her worry deepening. "Oh no... Do you think he'll come back?"

Derpy shrugged uncertainly. "I-I don't know. He said he needed time to ‘process’ everything."

Twilight sighed heavily. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, let's figure out how we can support you, Derpy."

Applejack nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we're all here for ya, sugarcube."

Twilight looked around Applejack and gestured for her to come closer. Pulling her aside, she said to her in a hushed voice: "I think we should call a meeting. The girls need to know what's going on and how we can help Derpy. For now, let’s let Derpy go home, she doesn’t need to get any more stressed than she already is."

“Agreed!”

Soon, the rest of the Mane Six arrived at Twilight's library. Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash gathered around, their faces reflecting concern as Twilight explained the situation.

"So, Derpy found out she's expecting a foal," Twilight began, "but the stallion she met ran off after learning the news. Derpy's feeling uncertain about what to do next, and we need to support her through this."

Rarity gasped softly. "Oh dear, how unexpected! But of course, we must assist Derpy in any way we can."

Fluttershy nodded gently. "Yes, poor Derpy must be feeling so confused and worried. We need to make sure she has everything she needs, as long as everypony’s okay with that…."

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. "Ooh, ooh! Maybe we can throw a baby shower! Everypony loves baby showers!"

Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Slow down, Pinkie. Let's focus on helping Derpy first."

Twilight nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. Derpy is... well, she's very naïve and might not fully understand what it takes to care for a foal. We need to make sure she's prepared."

Applejack spoke up. "I agree. Derpy's a great pony, but consarn it, she's gonna need some help figurin' things out. We gotta be there for her."

With a plan in mind, Twilight sent Spike to find Derpy and bring her back to the library. Soon, Derpy arrived, looking uncertain but grateful for the support of her friends.

"Um, hi everypony," Derpy greeted timidly.

Twilight smiled warmly. "Hi, Derpy. Please, come in and have a seat. We want to talk to you about... everything."

Derpy nodded and took a seat, fidgeting nervously with her hooves. "Okay, Twilight."

Twilight took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Derpy, having a foal is a big responsibility. There are a lot of things to consider, like... um, taking care of the foal's needs."

Derpy frowned slightly, trying to follow along. "Taking care of... needs?"

Rainbow Dash jumped in, trying to help simplify things. "Yeah, Derpy, like feeding the foal, making sure it's healthy and happy."

Derpy nodded slowly. "Oh, okay. Like feeding muffins?"

Pinkie Pie giggled. "Well, maybe not just muffins, Derpy. Foals need lots of different foods to grow big and strong!"

Fluttershy spoke softly. "And they need love and attention too, Derpy. You'll be the most important pony in your foal's life."

Derpy's eyes widened with realization. "I-I…I will?"

Twilight nodded. "Yes, you will. And we're here to help you every step of the way."

Rarity chimed in with enthusiasm. "Absolutely, darling! We can assist with preparing a nursery, selecting baby clothes, and all the delightful details!"

Derpy blinked, her mind overwhelmed by the sudden flood of information. "Oh... um, okay. But what if I don't know what to do?"

Applejack placed a comforting hoof on Derpy's back. "That's why we're here, Derpy. We'll teach ya everything ya need to know. An’ by Celestia, we’ll make right sure you get it all down pat!"

Twilight nodded in agreement. "And we'll make sure you have the support you need, whether it's from us or Nurse Redheart or anypony else in Ponyville."

Derpy smiled gratefully, feeling a bit more reassured. "Thanks, everypony. I'm glad I have…well, at least somepony looking out for me."