Eyes of the Beholder

by Blees

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Derpy Hooves, Slice of Life, Zecora, Main 6, Mrs. Cake, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5495

Are Derpy's crossed eyes a permanent condition, or is there a cure? The Mane 6 work together to help her.

Derpy Hooves isn't the happiest pony. Sure, she means well, but when all your social interaction end in failure or destruction, it's hard to be happy. Luckily, she lives in Ponyville, home to the best six ponies to ever solve a problem. With their powers combined, the Mane 6 put their unique talents to work to help Derpy overcome her condition. But when her dream comes true, will she be truly happy?

Published 2013-04-22 07:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-27 14:30:37 UTC

What Can Be Done For Derpy?

"Oops! Sorry, Mrs. Cake!"

"That...that's all right, lemon drop. I'll clean that up right away."

Derpy wrenched her hoof out Mr. Cake's new pecan pie. "No, it's no trouble. I can help!"

"No!" Mrs. Cake stopped herself. "I mean, don't you have somewhere to be, sugar plum?"

Derpy's crossed eyes lit up. "You're right! Rainbow Dash asked me to help her move the clouds today! Thanks for reminding me!" She bolted straight for the door, but ran into the wall instead with a thud. Dazed, she watched as a carefully balanced shelf of jars of colored sprinkles started, one by one, falling to the floor. "Oops! Sorry, Mrs. Cake!"

"Just go! You don't want to be late!"

Derpy picked herself back up. "You're right. I'll come back to clean up later!" She carefully stepped through the door, then beat her wings and took off, leaving a cloud of dust to waft through the open front door and settle on a freshly frosted cake.

Mrs. Cake sighed and picked up a washcloth. "That poor creature. Someone should help her," she muttered as she repaired the considerable damage Derpy had caused.

In flight, Derpy's countenance fell. She was used to putting on a happy face, trying to maintain a positive attitude. However, as time wore on, it was becoming harder and harder to stay in good spirits. Her perpetually crossed eyes didn't affect her mental ability, and she knew she shouldn't always destroy her friend's hard work, but she couldn't help it. "Was it my fault I was born this way?" she wondered aloud.

"Derpy?"

"I mean, Pinkie Pie causes chaos and messes on a daily basis, and she's an integral part of the community!" continued Derpy. "What does she have that I don't? Is it her smile? No, I already smile; that can't be it."

"Derpy!"

"Maybe it's her singing. She's a really good singer. Maybe...maybe I need to learn how to sing!"

"DERPY!!!"

She stopped mid-flight and looked beside her. Hovering at her side, Rainbow Dash looked tired and annoyed. Derpy sheepishly smiled. "Were you following me?"

Dash sighed. "Yes, Derpy, I've been following you for two miles. The clouds we have to clear aren't over here. I tried to get your attention, but you seemed...distracted."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Derpy responded. "You see, I was at Sugar Cube Corner, and I broke a cake and a shelf and I think Mrs. Cake wasn't happy."

"You don't say?" asked Rainbow Dash as she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, and I guess I got lost in thought on my way to meet you. But I'm here now, so let's get started!"

"Well," Rainbow Dash said cautiously, "you were running late, so..."

Derpy's smile disappeared. "You already finished, didn't you?" She started slowly returning to the ground.

Dash followed her down. "It's not that I didn't want your help. I just have a schedule to keep. You understand, right?"

"Yeah, I understand," Derpy replied as she sniffed and wiped her eyes. "Can..can I help next week?"

The pair landed as Rainbow Dash put a hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "Sure. Be on time, OK?" And with that, she took off like a rocket, rainbow trailing behind her.

Derpy wiped her eyes again. On top of making a mess at Sugar Cube Corner and disappointing Rainbow Dash, she was two miles outside of town, lost, and too tired to fly. She had never ventured outside of town, for fear of causing a problem for somepony who didn't understand her condition like her friends in Ponyville did. Who knows what kind of trouble she could cause? And now that Dash was gone, she had no way of knowing which way was home. Left in a green field, there was no path in sight. Dejected, she lay down next to a rock. "There's no way this can get any worse."

"What could get worse?"

Derpy looked up. Most ponies would be hard to recognize under all the streamers and pinwheels, but there was no mistaking Pinkie Pie. "Oh, hi, Pinkie," Derpy sighed.

"What're you doing there on the ground? The sky's up there!" Pinkie exclaimed as she jumped skyward.

Derpy put her head back down. "It's a long, boring story."

"Well," replied Pinkie, "Boring stories are still stories, and I love stories! Tell me tell me tell me!"

Derpy raised herself to a sitting position as she explained. "Well, first I broke Mrs. Cake's pie and shelf, then I..."

"And cake!"

Derpy looked confused. "What cake?"

"Well, when you took off, a big cloud of dust blew in and got all of the frosting of a cake, so Mrs. Cake had me go out to Doctor Whooves' blue house and see if it was OK if he got a different cake because it was his cake, and he said it was OK, so I'm on my way back now," Pinkie stated very matter-of-factly.

"Oh, I see." Derpy's head fell again. "Um, why are you wearing streamers and pinwheels?"

"Twilight's magic. It's a long story, but you started yours first. What happened after you ruined the cake?"

Derpy sniffed again, holding back tears. "Well, after I broke all of Mrs. Cake's stuff, I was late to help Rainbow Dash clear the clouds, and now I'm lost, and nopony likes me!"

"By Celestia, that can't be true!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I like you, and Rainbow Dash likes you, and Mrs. Cake likes you! Whatever gave you that silly idea?"

"It's just...just...I always break stuff and I can't do anything right!" Derpy couldn't hold back the tears any longer; her crossed eyes let loose a river.

"Well, lucky for you, I'm here!" Pinkie extended a hoof. "I know that, with the power of friendship, we can help you so you won't be sad anymore!"

"R...Really?" Derpy stuttered as she let Pinkie help her to her feet. "How?"

"Oh, I dunno. Twilight usually thinks of something. She's an egghead, you know. C'mon!" With that, Pinkie lifted Derpy onto her back and bounded across the field. "I mean, how hard could it be?"

Author's Note

Even though I think visually (and had this idea first as an episode script), I am trying my best to craft it as a short story. It will have 2 chapters, maybe 3, broken up right about where a commercial break would be in the show.
Previous stories I've written have been critiqued as being too focused on dialogue. I think that's because my stories tend to be more social interactions and less action. Hopefully, Chapter 2 will have more description of action and less conversations, though I make no guarantees.
I am writing this story for a few reasons.
Firstly, I think that Derpy is the symbol of the brony community's impact on the official show. Her continuous appearance in the show is a great indicator that the team at Hasbro recognizes our involvement.
Secondly, I think that the public outcry after Season 2, Episode 14 was partially justified. The writer of the episode admitted that she didn't know about the connotation of the word "derpy," and that's fair. However, Hasbro went to a lot of effort to add her, but hasn't made a similar effort since to repair the damage done in the eyes of the fanbase.
Thirdly, if I'm going to write a "script" suitable in length to be an episode, I wanted to make sure that not only would the fans get their fan service, but the entire concept would be respectful to the established canon and the special needs community as well. I don't want to craft a story that pleases the fans, but wouldn't be caught dead shown to the public. This needs to be a story worthy of airing on The Hub.
I hope I can accomplish this feat. If anyone has suggestions, leave me messages. Once I'm done with this, I plan on reviving my previous story idea. Hint: time travel and paradoxes.

Quest for a Cure

"This could be pretty hard."

"C'mon, Twilight, don't say that. You can do anything!"

Twilight resumed pacing around the library. Pinkie and Derpy stood in the center, watching their magical friend. Derpy had been promised a solution to her clumsiness, and, according to Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle was the one to provide the answer. However, for ten minutes, Twilight had paced the well-worn path around the library while looking at books and not a single solution had been given. Impatient, Derpy stamped her hoof.

"Twilight, please! Do you even know what's wrong with me?"

Twilight stopped mid-pace and returned to Derpy and Pinkie. "Well, from what I can tell, it's your eyes. She appears to be suffering from strabismus, a rare condition in Equestria which usually afflicts wildlife, but on occassion has been known to..."

Pinkie raised a streamer-covered hoof. "Twilight? I don't understand at all."

Twilight sighed. "What I'm saying is that since her eyes are always crossed, she can't always see where she's going, so she bumps into things. It's not her fault, really."

"So you know what's wrong with me," interjected Derpy. "Can you fix it?"

Twilight returned to her pacing path. "I don't know. I've consulted the books I thought could help, but there's no information on strabismus. I'm sorry, Derpy."

Derpy turned to Pinkie. "I thought Twilight came up with the answers."

Pinkie laughed. "No, she usually comes up with the answers. Let's let her study while we check with the rest of the gang. Maybe they can help! Is that OK, Twi?

Twilight kept pacing, oblivious to the conversation near her. Pinkie laughed again. "That means yes. Let's go!"

Pinkie and Derpy left the library. Derpy's happy spirit was being tested today, but she was still hopeful. "So, who are we going to visit first?" she asked.

"Well, Fluttershy is really good at helping animals," said Pinkie. "Maybe she can help you too!"

As they trotted through the market on their way to Fluttershy's cottage, Derpy couldn't help but notice that everypony was hiding from her. None of the shops were open, all of the windows and doors were closed, and a few nervous faces could be seen peering from behind a shrub. This reputation was exactly what she hoped to reverse, and she continued on with a renewed sense of urgency. As they left the main town and started down the rougher trail to meet Fluttershy, Derpy started to run ahead. She didn't want to waste anytime; if Fluttershy could help her, there was no time to waste. She darted towards the cottage on a hill, straight into her mailbox. Hearing the crash, Fluttershy poked her head out of her window.

"Oh my. Are you all right, Derpy?"

Derpy picked herself back up. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm here to.." Dizzy from the impact, she lost her footing and fell down.

"You got mail, Fluttershy," stated Pinkie as she trotted past Derpy. "Also, Derpy needs help uncrossing her eyes."

Fluttershy removed herself from the window and had soon joined the pair outside. "I see. What can I do?"

"Well," began Pinkie Pie, "Twilight said she has stalactites, and I know you can help animals, so I thought you could help ponies, so I brought Derpy here so you could help her! Can you help her?"

"Oh, I don't know," Fluttershy said softly. "I mean, I've never dealt with this kind of thing before. What if I make it worse?" She squeaked and rushed back inside her cottage.

Derpy picked herself back up and slowly made her way to Fluttershy's door. "Please, Fluttershy. There's no way you can make it worse; I'm already as bad as can be."

After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open and Fluttershy's quiet voice whispered through. "Well, if you think I can help, I guess you can come in. But please be careful. Angel's taking his nap."

Inside, a multitude of animals were arranged. Angel, Fluttershy's faithful rabbit, was curled up on the sofa. In the kitchen, sparrows and cardinals were crafting a new nest. A deer was trying (and failing) to enter through the back window. Under the coffee table, a mouse and a june bug shared the left-over crumbs of the communal meal. Derpy couldn't remember the last time she had entered an area more ripe for destruction. If she could just control herself, maybe this would be the first step to recovery. Fluttershy motioned towards a clear space on the rug, as she took up residence on the couch next to Angel. Derpy cleared her throat. "Well..."

"So you see," interrupted Pinkie, "Twilight doesn't know how to fix Derpy's stalagmites, and so we thought our friends could help, so we were wondering what you can do to help. Sooooooo...what can you do to help?" Her eyes blinked rapidly; her wide eyes and pouted lips would make even the coldest heart melt.

Fluttershy, far from the coldest heart, was instantly moved. "Oh, you poor dear. Let me think." As she pondered the dilemma, Angel yawned and blinked open her eyes. Taking note, Fluttershy shifted her attention to her companion. "Angel, honey, remember our little song." In a beautiful voice, she sang:

Every bunny needs their sleep

Go to bed, and don't make a peep.

Every bunny must go to bed

Go to sleep, and rest your head.

Angel's head began to nod, and soon, he was resting comfortably again. Pinkie gasped. "Fluttershy, that's it! You could sing a song to help her eyes! Then she won't have stenography any more!"

"That sounds like a great idea!" Derpy agreed. "Can you sing a song to help me?"

"Um, I guess so." Fluttershy leaned forward and studied Derpy. "OK, I know what to do." Once again, her singing voice carried through the cottage.

Eyes apart, eyes apart

Always breaking Derpy's heart.

Eyes together, Eyes together

Heart becomes light as a feather.

Pinkie and Fluttershy were now staring intently at Derpy's eyes. Fluttershy sighed. "Oh, I knew it wouldn't work."

"It's OK," replied Derpy. "Thanks for trying." She stood up and slowly made her way to the door.

Pinkie leapt to her hooves and met Derpy at the door. "We haven't tried everything yet. Maybe Rarity can help." As the pair left the cottage, Pinkie turned around. "C'mon, Fluttershy. It'll be fun!"

"Oh...my."

Author's Note

All right, on to part 2. Apparently, Pinkie Pie's set-up line at the end of chapter 1 was super ominous. I'd better live up to expectations.

Also, strabismus is the actual human condition that causes your eyes to be unable to focus on a single object. Everything Pinkie calls it is just me slowly running out of long words that start with S.

The original plan was to keep the story short. Guess that's not going to happen. Oh well.

Family Matters

Still aware of the closed doors and windows, Derpy's mood was quickly turning from cheery to sour. "Pinkie," she mumbled, "maybe we should just go home."

Pinkie Pie stopped mid-bounce. "What?!"

"I mean, I don't think we'll find any help for me." She sank to the ground. "Twilight and Fluttershy couldn't help me. What makes you think that Rarity can help?"

"Help with what?"

As luck would have it, Rarity was just rounding the corner as Derpy spoke. Pinkie's eyes widened. "Eeeeee! Rarity, come over here!"

The graceful mare approached the pair, setting down the parcel she was carrying. "Yes, dear, what is it? Did you need help eating fudge again, because after the last time..."

"No, silly!" Pinkie motioned towards her sullen friend, whose drooping head looked resigned to failure. "Derpy needs a cure for her scaramouche, and Twilight can't find anything in her books, and Fluttershy tried singing but that didn't work, so now we're trying to find people to help her! Can you help her?" Her pleading eyes accompanied a few heavy breaths; telling this story in one breath was becoming difficult.

Rarity stood for a moment, deep in thought. Suddenly, her face lit up, and her horn sparked as she lifted Derpy's chin. "Oh, darling, you should have come to me sooner. What we need to do is focus attention away from your eyes. Then you can look fabulous!"

"But...but..." Derpy stammered, but it was too late. Rarity had already opened her parcel, revealing new beauty products. Before an argument could be raised, the helpless pony was subjected to eye shadow, eye liner, blush, lipstick, and a quick mane styling. In a flash, the transformation was complete. Rarity took a few steps back to admire her own work. "Well, dear, what do you think?"

Pinkie scratched her chin. "I dunno. How is that supposed to help her see straight?"

"I beg pardon?"

"Yeah, we don't need help making her pretty; she's already pretty." She shook her head. "We're looking for a way to fix her scantron."

Rarity gasped. "I...I'm sorry. Derpy, darling, I didn't know. I thought that..."

Derpy shuddered, then burst into tears. As the makeup streamed down her face, she ran. She ran away from Pinkie and Rarity. She ran away from the townsfolk that locked their doors. She ran away from everyone with fake promises to help her. She ran home, to the only people that accepted her. As she passed Carrot Top's garden, she slowed from a gallop to a walk, and once she reached her front door, she could only manage to knock on the door once before collapsing on the porch. After a moment, Dinky opened the door; at the sight of her mom lying on the porch, her face covered in black streaks, she screamed. "Mom! Ms. Carrot Top, come quick!"

From the adjacent house, Carrot Top came bolting out the door and over the fence to assist Dinky. "What is it, Dinky?"

"I don't know." She was trying to push Derpy inside, but she was too small. "I heard a knock at the door, and I found her outside." She looked up at her neighbor. "Do you know what's wrong?"

"It looks like she's been crying. I hope no one was making fun of her in town. Dinky, go get a washcloth. I'll get her inside."

Working together, the pair soon had Derpy inside and the makeup cleaned off her face. They sat with her while she regained her strength, both physically and emotionally. After what seemed like an eternity, she lifted her head. "Oh, hi, Carrot Top. Is everything OK?"

"I should be asking you that question!" her neighbor replied, her voice a mixture of worry and anger. "Who was teasing you this time? Did they put that garbage on your face?"

"No...not this time." Derpy's head sank again. "I was looking for a cure, but no one could help me."

"A cure?" Dinky sat in front of her mother. "A cure for what? I didn't think anything was wrong."

"There...there isn't, I guess. I just..." Her voice trailed away as she fell asleep, exhausted from her emotional ordeal. Dinky turned again to Carrot Top for answers. "What did she mean, a cure?"

Carrot Top sighed. "I think she meant her eyes. C'mon, let's leave her alone for a while."

"But there's nothing wrong with her eyes!" Dinky exclaimed as they ascended the stairs. "That's the way her eyes are supposed to be, right?"

"We know that, honey. But I don't think she does."

Derpy stayed in the living room for the rest of the day and through the night. Not once did she wake, not even when the nightmares came. Images flashed into her mind, terrible images of Ponyville turning on her, banishing her forever. She also saw her friends trying to help. She saw Twilight with her books; she saw Pinkie's friendly smile and Fluttershy's singing. But every time she saw her friends try to help, it was always overtaken by the thought that they couldn't help her, that she was stuck like this.

Derpy awoke to the sun streaming in through her front window. She didn't feel rested; her dreams had seen to that. "Dinky?" she called out. "Are you home?"

The rapid hoof-steps on the boards upstairs was the answer she needed, as her daughter came rocketing down the stairs and wrapped herself in a hug around her mother's front legs. "Mom, you're awake! I'm so glad you're OK!"

"Yes, I'm fine. I just had an...interesting day yesterday." She sighed. "I think it's all better now."

Dinky hopped up on a chair, now at eye level with Derpy. "What did you do? I thought you were coming home right after work."

"Well, it all started when..."

"Hold on, sister. I got this."

The pair whipped their heads around to see Pinkie Pie standing in their doorway. "Pinkie? What are you doing..."

Pinkie bounced over to Dinky. "You see, Derpy needed help curing her sauerkraut, and Twilight couldn't find an answer in her books, and Fluttershy's singing didn't work, and Rarity got totally confused on what she was doing in and..." She took in a huge, noisy breath. "And then she got super sad because we couldn't help her, but then Twilight told me that she found the answer last night, so we decided to come here to tell her the good news, and now we're here!"

"Thank you, Pinkie. I think." Twilight entered behind Pinkie. "Derpy, I think I can help you now."

Author's Note

I'm glad I still remember what I was going to write in these next parts, because 6 months off can do terrible things to your memory.

Anywho, this got way sadder than I was expecting. I hope that doesn't throw anyone off.

I'm going to say it now: Part 4 will be done on Thursday, and Part 5, which should be the last part, will be sometime next week (the next day I have off from work).

Magical Medicine

After yesterday's ordeal, Derpy was hesitant. No one had been able to help her yesterday; what made today any different. "I dunno, Twilight. I thought you said there wasn't anything in your books."

"Well, that was before I talked to Zecora." She began rummaging in her saddle bags as she talked. "You see, she reopened my eyes to the possibility of repurposing a different spell for an entirely different end. For example, if you use a transmogrification spell for..."

As Twilight continued explaining in her own verbose way, Derpy turned to her daughter. "She seems...confident. Maybe she can help me."

"But Mom, what do you need help with?" Dinky cocked her head.

Derpy tussled the filly's mane. "You'll see." She turned to Twilight. "I'm ready to try."

"...but, of course, that only works on Tuesdays, because...oh, you want to begin?" Twilight planted her feet. "This spell uses the same energies as a cure for the common cold, but redirected towards your eyes. Stand still."

"Uh, sure. Now what?"

"I'm not sure." Twilight's eyes glowed white as a majestic purple beam shot from her horn towards the mare's face. Neither pony wavered, and the beam stayed steady. Dinky watched in silence. She was in awe, but also terrified. After exactly 21 seconds, the magic light faded. Panting, Twilight hung her head. "Did...did it work?"

"I don't know. The mirror's upstairs." Derpy began to walk to the stairs, but stopped as she reached them. "I...I think it did!"

"How can...can you tell?"

The elated mare dashed back to Twilight. "Because I can see the stairs clearly!" She turned to Dinky. "Honey, can you believe it? I can see!"

"That's nice, Mom, but I thought..."

"I'm gonna go get a muffin!" Without so much as a goodbye, Derpy had blasted out through the front door, completely missing the door frame. Inside, Twilight was recovering her strength, a smile on her face. "Well, I'm just glad I could help?"

"What do you mean, help?" Dinky stamped her tiny hoof indignantly. "You made her eyes all wrong!"

"I don't understand. She said she wanted her eyes fixed. Is that not correct?"

"No! She wants people to like her! And now I don't like her, and I don't like you!" She ran upstairs to her room, as mad as can be. Twilight stood in shocked silence.

"C'mon, let's go see what kinda fun is happening in town!"

"Pinkie? I didn't realize you were still here"

Pinkie laughed. "Just because the writer doesn't give me lines doesn't mean I left. Last one to Town Square is a Blank Flank!" She took off like a rocket, with Twilight following at a more reasonable pace. After all, she wanted to see her own handiwork, but she wanted to get there in one piece.

Meanwhile in Ponyville, Derpy touched down outside Sugar Cube Corner without so much as a puff of dust. The door was closed and the window shuttered, unsurprisingly. She knocked on the door and waited patiently. The mail slot opened and a pair of eyes gazed upon their potential customer.

"I'm sorry, sweet roll, but...by Celestia, what happened to your eyes?"

"Twilight fixed them," Derpy beamed. "I'm cured. Here, watch." As easily as can be, Derpy showcased her ability to walk 10 paces without tripping.

"Well, it does look like you are...reformed. And I shouldn't turn away a customer. C'mon in, dumpling." Cautiously, Mrs. Cake opened the door, and, to Mrs. Cake's surprise, Derpy entered the shop without running into a single thing.

"Can I have a muffin?"

"Um...I suppose so. What flavor would you like, gumdrop?" Slowly, Mrs. Cake was trading her expression of shock to one of relief.

"I like all your muffins, Mrs. Cake. Surprise me."

"I guess it's only fair to return the favor." She perused her shelves, then reached for a wooden box on a high shelf. "Here, this is a special muffin, created with zap apples and a special ingredient: some of the last supply of Discord's chocolate rain. I call it...the Zap Zonday."

"Wow, thanks!" Derpy set her bits on the counter. "So, what's the damage?"

"Not today, sprinkle," Mrs. Cake said, tears begin to form. "This is in celebration of your recovery."

"All right! Well, I gotta jet. Rainbow Dash needs help with the clouds, and I think I finally ready to help! Bye!" She once more passed through the doorway without incident, and rose high into the sky towards the cloud line. Mrs. Cake stood in the entrance, watching the mare fly away. As she watched, Pinkie came rocketing by, but retraced her steps back to Sugar Cube Corner.

"Hey, Mrs. Cake! Have you see Derpy?"

"Have I ever! She came into my shop, and she didn't make a mess! It's a miracle!"

"OK. Bye!" She took off once more. Soon after, Twilight trotted through town, also stopping at Sugar Cube Corner.

"Mrs. Cake, did Derpy come by for her muffin?"

"That she did, fritter. She seemed so happy."

Twilight shook her head. "I only hope that when she returns home, Dinky will be as happy."

Coming Home Again

"I can't tell yah how much help yah were today, Derpy."

She blushed. "It was nothing, Applejack."

"Nonsense, sugarcube. Ah thought it would take all day tah clean up after our family reunion, but not only did yah get it done in an afternoon, yah didn't break any of mah good dishes!"

"You've got Twilight to thank for that. Anyway, I'm home. Cya, Applejack!"

Applejack waved as she trotted away. "Bye, Derpy! Come over for lunch sometime!"

Beaming with satisfaction, Derpy sauntered into the kitchen. "Dinky, I'm home. I've had the most amazing day today. I helped Rainbow Dash move the clouds without causing a single thunderstorm, then I went to..."

She stopped herself short. Where was Dinky? It was after school, so she should be home. In fact, she always came running down the stairs to greet her. Confused, Derpy started up the stairs. "Honey? Are you home?"

She approached the door to Dinky's room. "Is everything alright?" Inside, Dinky was sitting on her bed, facing away from the door. "Dinky, talk to me. What's going on?"

"What's going on?" Dinky replied angrily. "What's going on is that you changed!"

"I know, and it's working out great. Don't you think so?"

Dinky turned around, giving her mother a cold stare. "You let everyone else tell you who to be. They made you believe that something was wrong, but they're wrong!"

"I...But.." Derpy was taken aback. "Dinky, this is what I wanted."

"What you wanted is for ponies to like you." She turned away from her mom again. "But this isn't the way to do it."

"But I don't know another way." Derpy joined her daughter on the bed. "Honey, this is the only way I know how."

"That's a lie! Carrot Top likes you. She likes you because you're friendly and you let her help you."

Derpy wrapped a leg around her daughter's shoulder. "Come here, Dinky. Not everypony is like Carrot Top. Not everyone likes to help me."

Dinky looked up at her mom. "Do you give them a chance? Do you let them see you for who you are?"

"I've been showing them my clumsy self. That's why I have to fix my eyes."

"You don't have to change for people to like you. They'll like you just the way you are. You just have to let them meet the real you."

The pair sat on the bed, Dinky being consoled and Derpy deep in thought. After a moment, Derpy rose from the bed. "Come with me, Dinky."

"Huh? Where are we going, mom?"

"You'll see. Trust me."

Dinky hesitantly followed her mother downstairs and out into town. They walked together in silence. As they passed by the shops, Dinky noticed that the previously shuttered windows and doors were now open and inviting. Some ponies were even waving hello, but Derpy was uncharacteristically serious, and did not wave back. Through the town square, they eventually arrived at the library. "Mom, what are we doing here?"

"This is where this all started. I'd like you to see something."

She knocked on the door. Twilight opened the door with a smile. "Oh, Derpy, I'm glad you're here. Please, come in!" Twilight ran over to her desk and levitated a quill and paper. "Now, I just have a brief survey about the side effects of the spell. First, how many elephants..."

"Twilight, we have to talk."

"Um...OK." She set the paper and quill down. "Is it about Dinky here?"

"No, it's about me." Derpy stepped up to Twilight, but Dinky stayed in the doorway, intimidated by Twilight's attitude. "Can...can you undo the spell?"

Dinky and Twilight both gasped. Twilight was the first to respond. "Really? I thought this is what you wanted."

"It was. At least, it was before." She motioned to Dinky to join her. "But Dinky here showed me that there are other ways to be happy, and I don't have to change to make people like me."

"Oh, mom!" Dinky ran into the library and wrapped herself around her mom's legs. "I knew you'd understand!"

"Well," stated Twilight, "A counterspell should be simple enough. Is there anything else you want to do while you're able to see straight?"

She thought for a moment. "Two things. Firstly, let's go outside. I don't want to smash into your doorframe on the way out."

Twilight chuckled. "That makes sense. What's the second thing?"

"Do you think I could write a letter to Celestia about the magic of friendship?"

"I think so. Spike!"

Derpy shook her head. "No, I want to write the letter. I still remember how to write, being the post pony and all, but it's been so long since I've been able to see the paper well enough."

"All right," said Twilight with a smile. "I'll be outside when you're done. Just seal it and Spike will send it off. And Derpy?"

"Yes?"

"I'm proud to be your friend."

As Twilight walked outside, Derpy turned her attention to the paper in front of her.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I've had trouble making friends. I thought I had to change to get ponies to like me. And it worked for a while, but in the end, I learned that you don't have to change to make friends. All you need to do is be yourself.

It doesn't matter if your eyes are crossed, or if you're a blank flank, or if you live in the Everfree Forest. Everypony can have friends. It just took me this long to realize it. Now I understand what the magic of friendship truly is.

Your humbe, cross-eyed subject,

Ditzy "Derpy Hooves" Doo

Author's Note

And so ends my first fiction. It ends with a letter to Celestia because the entire thing should be playing out like an episode of the show. I hope you like my take on Derpy's story.

Look for my next story to get updated. It'll be much longer.