When the duo finally made their way back to Ponyville everyone was there waiting. The poor filly was slung across the other two's backs, alive but lifeless at the same time. The crowd of ponies all made way for the young team. Setting her down in the center of the area the other ponies had made, Fluttershy began to speak, quietly as usual. The crowd was quiet enough to hear her.
"We found her in the Everfree... She was found between the roots of the big tree... She's alive as far as I know, but she hasn't moved, spoken or opened her eyes..," guiltily she added, "We don't know what happened to cause this," She paused and looked around, "But she should get medical attention." Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy knew what had happened. All too well. They drew their conclusion as they were returning back to Ponyville. Poor R.D couldn't handle the guilt that was pushed upon her in the time given. She was a nervous wreck. She never kept up with her mane and tail ever since that day. The leaves and twigs were still caught in her hair. Some medic ponies came and took Derpy away to the Equestria Hospital. Silence followed the group along with a loud weep that seemed to have come from Derpy's parents. Soon, word came around of her diagnosis.
(Many years back)
(Let us assume Derpy Hooves has no imperfection, meaning her eye is not crossed. This is the story of how it came to be.)
Three young pegusi fillies are in a field playing and flying around. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Derpy are all the same age playing the same child pony games. Fluttershy, preferred staying put firmly on the ground while Rainbow Dash and Derpy were out embracing their new ability.
"Come on, Fluttershy!" Derpy exclaimed from the air, "It's fine up here!" Derpy began doing back flips in mid air.
"O-Oh.. No thank you... I like it much better here..." Fluttershy hooved at the ground she was looking at happily .
"Oh come on, Fluttershy, you're no fun. Hey Derpy, I'll race you!"
"Okay Rainbow Dash, you're on!" RD and Derpy lined up at a cloud.
"First one around the big tree in the Everfree and back wins. Fluttershy, count us off."
"O-okay.. 1.. 2.. 3.. Go..!" Shyly Fluttershy ducked as she watched the two zip off.
Derpy was much ahead of R.D. leaving her in the dust. She looked behind her and laughed a little as she[size=18][/size] returned her glance to the front of her and realized what was coming. Before her was a large tree. Before she could dodge it, a branch caught her back hoof and sent her spinning into another branch that caught her dead center between her eyes. She then hit the tree in front of her between her front shoulder and neck. The fell straight from the tree, down to the ground. Soon after, the forest whirled with air of the swift Rainbow Dash. Blinking only a few times, Derpy saw nothing but leaves shimmering in the sunlight, and a short shadowy glimpse of a pegasus flying above her before her eyes closed and her breathing short.
Rainbow Dash returned to the cloud and began to boast.
"Did you see that?! I was going so fast!"
"So where's Derpy, Rainbow?.."
"Hm. Maybe she just can't accept her loss and left." R.D made her way down to the ground and began to walk back to Ponyville alongside the shy filly.
"What if she's hurt?"
"Nah, I doubt it. She's a pretty good flyer. I'm sure she's just back at her place."
The two ponies made their way back home. Two days later the ponies woke up to find search ponies going door to door asking questions. Fluttershy was questioned, and was asked to help them in the search. She met up with R.D. and explained what had happened. Derpy had not returned home after all. Under pressure, she and Fluttershy pulled away from the search group to take matters into their own hooves. Rainbow Dash couldn't take the pressure. She began to gallop into the Everfree without direction, calling Derpy's name repeatedly. Coming out from where she ran into she saw Fluttershy talking to some little woodland creatures. R.D's mane and tail were covered with twigs and leaves, her hooves were muddy and her eyes were wide with fear and guilt. She seemed to be shaking in misery. Fluttershy finished her conversation with the animals and thus followed them into the large forest. Soon after, returning back with Derpy slung poorly on her back. She lay her down on her back and tried to figure out what had happened. Rainbow began to feel relieved when Fluttershy told her that she was still alive. R.D tried to keep from busting under the guilt of what had happened. Together, they decided they had to carry her back to Ponyville.