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

CHAPTER FOUR

More Bad News

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,  Bubbles was flying along side.  They appeared to be headed to Canterlot.

”Now what in the hay do you think that is about?” asked A.J.

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

“Hold on,” said Rainbow. “Let me 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 was not 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 is going on?”

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

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

They finished lunch, they 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 A.J. spoke up.

“I think there is a train leaving for Canterlot in about twenty minutes.  Rainbow, would you mind flying over to the station and reserving us some seats?”

“No problem, A.J.  But I will fly ahead and I would really appreciate it if Fluttershy would fly with me.” Said Rainbow, Fluttershy nodded.  “Then I will reserve three seats and I will meet you there at the train station in Canterlot.”

“Please make that two 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 will get there as soon as I can.”

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

The only thing that was out of the way for Rainbow was that she realized that she did not say good bye to Pinkie.  And though it was not in her nature, for some reason she felt bad that she did not kiss the pink pony good bye,  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, then Pinkie ran to the back of the store, a few moments later, Pinkie was rising up in the sky on her whirly-gig and heading in the direction of Canterlot.

Rainbow and Fluttershy landed at the train station.  Rainbow wanted to go on to the castle but Fluttershy reminded her that they had promised to meet their friends there.  They were only about an hour behind and as usual Rainbow was impatient.  But the train arrived and A.J. and Rarity got off.

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

“No,” said Rainbow.  “We don’t know how far behind she is going to be.  Let’s go to the castle, we will leave a notice for her here in case she does not 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 did not 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 were instructed to lookout for the group and they were 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 am sorry Princess Muffin, may I attend to our guests?”

“Of course,” she said.

“I will stay and attend to her highness.” Said Luna levitating her own tiara to Dinky’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 Bubbles, she basically had a break down.”

“How bad, your highness?” asked Rarity.

“That is to be seen, she is with Bubbles now and we hope that she will be able to comfort her.  But you know Twilight, she can be a little excitable.”

“And Fluttershy can be a little insecure.”  Said A.J.

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

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

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

“Is she ok?” asked Rainbow.

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

“I can vouch for that.” Said A.J. giving Rarity a little hug.

Twilight sat up and kissed Bubbles.

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

The door behind them had opened, there behind them were Sparkler and Shooting Star.

There was a pained look in Shooting’s eyes as he caught the end of Bubbles and Twilight kissing and sitting on the bed embracing each other.  It was the first time he really saw Twilight.  She was not what he had been imagining from her description.  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 is Celestia’s apprentice, and had taken Bubble’s heart, there must be something to her.

“I am 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 have studied my work.  I am honored.”

Twilight was cautious.

“I was required to read your work 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 would be protecting and help raise our children.”  Finished Bubbles.

Sparkler felt the forced politeness was getting hard to maintain.

“Mom, Daddy needs a place to stay, I told him that there would be no problem for him to stay at the house here in Canterlot.” Said Sparkler.

“Should be no problem, it is his house as well.” Answered Bubbles.

“I am going to stay with him for a while, to help him get adjusted, would you mind letting my clients know I will be unavailable for a while?”  Asked Sparkler.

“Of course honey,” said Bubbles, “we would feel better if you could help your father.  Please let us know if we can be of any help.  We will be heading back to Ponyville in the morning.”

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

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 that Sparkler said that these were the wielders of the Elements of Harmony.

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

“No my dear,”  said the princess, “I will have the guard check.”

Princess Celestia left the room.

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

The princess returned;

“There has been no news of her.  Perhaps you should return to Ponyville after all.”  There was a strange look in the princess’ eyes.  “I 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 Muffin to stay with me tonight?” asked Sparkler.  “I will watch her and will get her home tomorrow.  She does need to meet and understand about her father.”

“That would be no problem,” said Bubbles.

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

Luna walked in with the children.

“I understand you are 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 Bubbles.

“Muffin, honey,” said Bubbles. “Would you mind staying with Sparkler?  She will 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 will stay, mommy.” Said the little filly, trying to be brave.

“We will see you tomorrow, sweetie,” said Twilight.

Bubbles 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 have a bit of business to take care of, I will 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 will fly ahead,” said Rainbow.  “I will see you there.”

“I will go with you,” said Fluttershy, “I will 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 twenty minutes into the flight, Twilight saw the glint of metal in the light of the setting sun.  The shape and color were 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 A.J.

“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 to her own back.  “Be careful.”

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

With that both Bubbles and Twilight jumped over the side.  Bubbles spread her wings and Twilight vanished.  There was a purple flash on the ground moments later.  A.J. and Rarity could not tell what was gong on.  They were out of sight in no time.

Twilight appeared right by the mangled whirly-gig.   There was a large rock nearby with half of Pinkie’s helmet 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 that you don’t move an accident victim for fear of making the injuries worse.  At that moment, Bubbles came flying up.

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

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

Twilight walked up to the motionless pony,  Bubbles by her side.  Twilight put an ear to Pinkie’s chest.

“There is a heart beat, and she is breathing.  But barely.”

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

“I knew you would 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 Bubbles. “You need to get in the air so they can find us.”

Bubbles nodded and took to 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.

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

Rainbow and Fluttershy flew to Sugarcube Corner only to find out that Pinkie had left only about a hour after everypony else had left.  This did not bode well for Rainbow.  She and Fluttershy flew to Rainbow’s cloud house.  Pinkie was not 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.

“Good Celestia 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 A.J. Rarity and Dawn were onboard.  Rarity saw Rainbow she looked upset.  A.J. rushed into the hospital.

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

“Rainbow Darling,” said Rarity trying to sound calm.  “We think Pinkie may have crashed.  Twilight and Bubbles are checking it out, we are sending a 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.