Derpy awoke with a small yawn, stretching her limbs as she carefully left her bed, taking care not to wake up her little filly Dinky. She lazily walked up to a small kitten-filled calendar and cooed at the picture for the month of February. Her eyes worked around the calendar before they hit today: Hearts and Hooves Day. Derpy cheered silently and flapped her wings with enjoyment as she tiptoed out of her filly's room.
Little did she know, that Dinky was not asleep.
+++++
Dinky jumped out of her bed as if Hearth's Warming Eve had come early; today, however, her happiness was not as important. She stealthily placed some pillows under her blanket and left the room. She entered the hallway and saw her mother dancing a bit as she pulled out a brown paper bag from the cabinets happily. She carefully emptied the contents of the bag on the table in front of her, blocking Dinky's view of the mysterious object. Curiously, she slowly leaned to the right and saw a large muffin with a single, unlit candle poked into the center.
"Happy Birthday to me!" she jumped happily before beginning to munch on the treat happily.
Dinky simply smiled as she crouched through the hallway and out the door, a certain grey Pegasus unable to notice due to her delicious present from Sugarcube Corner.
Which was exactly where Dinky was headed.
+++++
Once at the bakery, she was greeted by a happy pink party pony who was waiting patiently for her 'client'. Dinky quickly darted in and waited for Pinkie Pie, who was looking left and right for anyone who might ruin their plan. Once satisfied, she snickered, flipped the 'OPEN' sign backwards and closed the door. Once inside, Pinkie led Dinky to her basement, where the crucial part of the plan lay.
Dinky gasped ecstatically as Pinkie admired her work.
It was perfect.
+++++
Derpy frowned a bit as she stuck her head into the brown bag, hoping another muffin had been awaiting her. Instead, was a small note, which she pulled out carefully. It was a sticky note, that simply said:
Meet me at Sugarcube Corner.
See you there,
Pinkie Pie
Derpy read the note carefully before setting the bag and note down. She walked over to the fridge and retrieved a small sticky note, grabbing a pencil from a drawer and writing her goodbyes.
I've been invited to Sugarcube Corner for something. Hopefully muffins. There is a sandwich with seasoned hay fries just like you like them in the fridge, and I have some coloring books and toys in the living room just in case you get bored. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come see me. I'll be back as soon as I can.
I'll bring you back some cookies,
Mommy
Happy with the note, she walked over to the room where Dinky was sleeping. She smiled at her precious filly, sleeping soundly as she placed the note on the door.
"I love you." she whispered before closing the door slowly.
She walked over to the door and put on her saddle bags, making sure not to leave her wallet behind, and exited, curiosity growing inside of her as she walked over.
+++++
"I think that's everything!" Pinkie whispered happily. "Twilight." Pinkie nudged the unicorn in question. Twilight simply nodded, and left the building.
Pinkie and Dinky both sat patiently in the shop, their smiles growing wider as they awaited for their purple friend to return.
+++++
Derpy hummed softly as she admired the beautiful view of Ponyville, seeing the streets and cafes busy with Hearts and Hooves Day couples walking about. It was nice outside.
+++++
"Psst, Pinkie. When's Twilight coming back?" Rainbow Dash asked impatiently.
Pinkie walked over to the light switch near the door and flipped it off, engulfing the shop in darkness.
"Soon."
+++++
Derpy pondered over what Pinkie had wanted her to do at Sugarcube Corner as she started noticing a few ponies whispering to each other as they gave Derpy quick glances. They began leaving and clearing out at the sight of the mare, their smiling faces flashing as they walked away.
Derpy was used to it. It wasn't her fault her eyes weren't under 'normal' circumstances; it was something she couldn't change, and she had hated it. She hated when others would point out her flaws, as if they were perfect in every way possible. But hey, she had gotten used to it.
But that didn't mean it hurt any less than it did.
+++++
A small clank was heard as the silhouette of Twilight stood in the doorway.
"Good! Twilight, get in here! Hurry!" Pinkie motioned.
Twilight looked back before darting inside, standing by the others in the dark shop.
+++++
Derpy frowned the whole way there, seeing the once alive city streets devoid of any life, apart from the occasional small critter every once and while. Once she got close, she noticed the darkness of the shop before her, seeing Pinkie Pie quickly exit the building and block the door behind her.
"Why are the lights out?" Derpy cocked her head in confusion.
Pinkie waved her hoof dismissively as she spoke.
"Just a power outage. Been having it the entire day." she explained, throwing in a slightly nervous smile as a slight knock was heard inside.
"Oh. Well, I guess I'll come back another time-"
"NO!" Pinkie cleared her throat. "I mean, no. I still have the super secret order inside for you."
Derpy tried poking her head around Pinkie's shoulders to see inside, being blocked every time.
"Uh, well ok." she smiled slightly.
Pinkie creaked the small door open, following Derpy inside.
Derpy squinted, barely making out the counter before her.
"I-I can't well, SEE anything."
"Oh, yeah! Silly me, let me fix that." Derpy saw Pinkie walk over to the light switch.
"Wait, but I thought you said- *CLICK* SURPRISE!!!"
Derpy jumped and fell back, her heart racing.
Multicolored balloons fell as confetti fluttered to the floor, a large, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' sign hanging over her head. An orange mare wearing a stetson lent her a hoof and picked her up.
"Mighty sorry 'bout the jump. Didn't think it'd scare ya' like that." she slurred, smiling as her soft, emerald eyes shimmered.
Before her hooves was Dinky, who was smiling wildly.
"Did I surprise you? Huh? Did I? Did I?"
"Yeah, you nearly surprised me to death." Derpy snickered.
"Me and Pinkie 've been planning this for MONTHS. We even got the whole town into it!" she grinned.
Derpy looked around.
"Sure doesn't look like the whole town."
Pinkie snickered and pointed outside. "Outside, silly!"
She turned around and opened the door, being greeted with a crowd of ponies, all cheering, holding up banners and wishing her a happy birthday. Even the princesses had been part of the crowd.
Derpy could do nothing but stare at all the ponies cheering for her. For her, Derpy, the simple mail-mare of Ponyville.
Dinky nudged her and handed a small present to her.
Derpy opened it up slowly, pulling out the ribbon and seeing the present inside.
It was simply a small muffin, with words written in frosting.
I love you, Mommy!
Forever yours,
Dinky
Derpy shed a tear as she quickly grabbed her daughter, hugging her tightly. She gave one quick look at the still cheering crowd as she cried happily.
"I love you too, Dinky." she sniffed.
The End.
