The sunlight drifted through the light cloud cover, warming her grey wings. Autumn was nearly over, and soon the cold winter would fall upon Ponyville. But even with the slight chill in the air, Ditzy Doo smiled as she worked her rounds.

The scarf around her neck was soft, and the little muffin motif sewn onto the end warmed her heart more than the woollen scarf ever could. It was a birthday present from her daughter, and it filled her with such pride. Dinky had been secreting away what little allowance Ditzy could afford her, and selflessly bought her mother a gift.

It was a simple design, stripes of deep and light brilliant amber. She had seen Rarity brimming with happiness when Ditzy had worn it on her rounds. Rarity had evidently taken the time to help Dinky create and sew on the little muffin motif.

“Oh, Darling,” Rarity had squealed with unbridled joy. “Dinky was ever so right! Those autumn colours suit you wonderfully!”

“Fanfs! Fign here,” Ditzy managed to mumble, clipboard in her teeth, blushing ever so slightly. She didn’t talk too often with Ponyville’s self-declared fashionista. Ditzy tucked the clipboard back into her saddle bag.

“Your daughter is such a delight. So quiet, so helpful. When she asked me to help her, I had expected it to be a little like” - she paused ever so slightly - “well, another Cutie Mark Crusader disaster. Sweetie Belle could learn a thing or two from her.”

“Thanks Rarity,” she smiled. Ditzy had wondered if that was really what Rarity wanted to say. Sure, she had heard around town the rumours of the Cutie Mark Crusaders; where the crusaders went, disaster would follow. Sadly, she had heard the very same things said about herself. Had that been what Rarity was thinking before she corrected herself?

Not that Ditzy could blame her, she was used to that reaction from the townsfolk. The irregular gait to her walk and flight, her eye wandering when she was tired. She knew she was a little awkward, but most people assumed that meant she was stupid. Sure, she was no Twilight Sparkle, but that didn’t mean she was stupid. She was just a little, well, accident prone. She also knew what they called her (mostly) behind her back.

Smiling and waving goodbye to Rarity, she continued on her rounds. Letters to various ponies, a pink envelope addressed to Fluttershy, and quite a few, what she expected, letters of complaint to Mayor Mare. After that, she had one letter left to deliver. It was to Granny Smith, out at Sweet Apple Acres. The return address was Appleloosa.

“Don’t worry little letter.” Ditzy smiled at the envelope. “You’re just about there, then you can rest.”

She took to the air, enjoying the flight to Sweet Apple Acres. She didn’t get a lot of flying in these days, having a unicorn for a daughter. Sometimes she missed Cloudsdale, but the scarf against her neck reminded her she wouldn’t trade her current situation for all the clouds in Las Pegasus.

She dared a loop or two, enjoying the wind in her mane. Dancing on the soft breeze, the smell of autumn around her, she could see Sweet Apple Acres in the distance. She was almost done with her rounds for the day. She could go home, play with Dinky, and cuddle by the fire. Her mind filled with wonderful thoughts, the last month spending time with her daughter.

Soon, Dinky would be going back to school. It always saddened her, but then Ditzy could at least start picking up more shifts. The holidays were always wonderful, but they were also a double edge sword. The drop in bits over those breaks was always something Ditzy had to deal with. She worried that Dinky sometimes resented her, because they couldn’t afford the simple activities her schoolmates always bragged about.

The scarf tugged lightly at her neck, reminding her that her daughter bore no such resentment.

“I love you too, my little muffin,” she smiled.

Skimming the top the tree lines, she couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the fall leaves. Like Ponyville was adorned with its own lovingly crafted scarf. Suddenly, her own scarf tugged harder at her neck. Something had taken hold, and she found herself in a terrifying spiral towards the ground. From the corner of one eye, she could see her scarf hanging, caught on the most menacing, claw–like branch of the withered tree above her.

She heard a low wail, and realised it was coming from her own mouth. The pain in her side told her she’d landed on her wing. Sobbing, she looked down at her side; seeing the blood, she let out a scream. Her breathing got faster. A tightness crushed at her chest. She tried to stand; letting out another scream, she collapsed to the ground.

Whimpering, she tried again; the pain shot through her shoulder and flank. She collapsed on her right side, her eyes wandering to the sky. As she felt darkness overcome her, she could see light yellow hooves and crimson fur galloping their way towards her. Next Chapter: Chapter 2 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 32 Minutes