And the Winner is...

I´m always there.

I was there that day, the day of the Iron Pony contest, cheering along the other ponies, sometimes for Rainbow Dash, sometimes for Applejack; but my eyes were fixed on one particular mare, one I had watched over, cared for and held close to my heart for years. I saw the rose falling down and I knew what it meant.

After the competition was over, I approached Fluttershy.

“What a lovely little detail!” I say and when she looked confused I pointed at the rose.

“Oh yes it´s...lovely.” she hide her face inside her soft and cloudy mane.

“And I'll like to assume you know what this means, right darling?” I asked.

“It doesn´t means anything, it was...just part of the act, that´s all. I just catch it by accident, that's the true.” she lied.

“Please, don't try to fool me. I have noticed how close you two are.”

“Well, she is one of my closest friends. In fact, she was the first friend I made here in Ponyville. Derp- oh sorry Ditzy! She doesn't like the other name!”

I laughed. “Why? I found it pretty adorable and I bet she wouldn't mind hearing it from you, darling!”

“I´m not so sure...”

I watched her walk away and I smiled, her lies so obvious.

Tomorrow I´ll be there too.

*****

The race was over. Derpy was in the floor, exhausted and frustrated. Fluttershy gently approached her and extended a hoof to help her up.

“You did good.” she said almost in a murmur.

“I did not! I ended up sixth! Sixth! Right behind that Midnight Twinkle one!” I overheard that and laughed as she pointed at the purple unicorn.

“Her name is Twilight Sparkle.” Fluttershy said but Derpy was too mad to notice.

“I failed, again. I thought that if I could win this race maybe, just maybe, I could stop being a laughing stock....but I failed.”

Again, so soft that it was almost like the wind whispering, Fluttershy spoke. “You are not laughing stock, Derpy...” Derpy Hooves turned her mismatched golden eyes and saw a single rose placed in front of her. “You are a winner today.”

Too distracted by the sudden appearance of Princess Celestia few ponies noticed that nuzzle that turned into a soft kiss.

I did.

I turned away, smiling. I have left her in good hooves. She would be happy, even if I´m not here for her. My best friend, my dearest assistant, my Derpy Hooves.

I walked away, not sure when I would return. Such is the curse of a pony with a hourglass Cutie Mark. But I´ll be always be there for her.

I´m always there.