Chapter 3

"Ditzy," a voice whispered. The mare stirred in her sleep next to her daughter. "Diiiitzy," it called again. Slowly, golden eyes fluttered open and Ditzy raised her head in the moonlight. Gently, she got out of bed so as not to wake Dinky. "Ditzy," Ditzy's ears stood tall as she listened to the ghostly, yet familiar voice.

"Hello," she whispered looking around the bedroom.

"The window," the voice gently called. Ditzy looked at the window, questioning whether or not to do as the voice says.

"Who'z there?" Ditzy asked with a whisper. For some reason beyond her comprehension, Ditzy moved towards the window. As she neared it, Ditzy saw a golden light begin to glow outside.

"Ditzy…my love," the voice whispered once more. Ditzy froze at that nickname. Of all the ponies she knew, only one ever called her that. Leaning over to peer out the window, Ditzy's eyes began to tear up at what she saw. Bathed in the golden light, with large white wings flared majestically, was her husband. "Hello, Ditzy," he said in his always gentle voice.

"ZWEET TREAT," Ditzy called quickly sitting up in bed. It took her a moment to gather her bearings and realize what just happened.

"Mommy?" a little voice called. Ditzy turned to see her daughter rubbing her still half closed eyes. The little filly rolled under the covers to face her mother, but Ditzy rubbed Dinky's shoulder. "Why are you awake?" she asked with a yawn. Seeing her daughter, it finally clicked that it was all a dream.

"Mommy had a dream about your vather, Muvvin," Ditzy said to the little unicorn. The little one could see some sadness in her mother's eyes. Dinky tried to get up and hug Ditzy, but her mother stopped her and tucked the filly back into bed. "Mommy will tell you about it later. Back to zleep, you have zchool in the morning." Dinky nodded as Ditzy leaned down to kiss her daughter on the forehead. Ditzy watched as Dinky closed her eyes and was soon back asleep. Once the tiny pony was asleep, Ditzy carefully got off her bed and reached underneath it. Quietly, she pulled out of large blue box and opened it up. With the shine of the full moon coming in the window, Ditzy didn't need to turn on any lights. The first item she saw brought back a lot of heartache to the blonde Pegasus. Ditzy sat on her haunches as she looked at it. It was a newspaper from a year ago, and the headline read:

BELOVED BAKERY BURNS IN BLAZE!

Proprietor Dies in Fire

Ditzy cried quietly reading the headline and seeing the photo of the charred remains of Sweat Treat's bakery. It shook in her hooves as all of her emotions came flooding back. When she put the paper down, Ditzy flashed back to the few memories she had from running up to the site. The shock was so severe; the blonde only remembered bits and pieces of what happened.

Ditzy was on her afternoon rounds, when she saw smoke coming from the middle of town. Like many of the villagers, Ditzy ran towards the pillar. She dared not fly because on her side, in a carry pouch, was an infant Dinky Doo. Even the hard galloping of her mother could not stir the sleep determined baby. As Ditzy ran through the streets, she got a feeling in the pit of her stomach. The pillar of smoke was leading her along a very familiar route. Turning a final corner, Ditzy's wall eyes widen in absolute horror. The building on fire was her husband's bakery. Her memories were foggy, but somehow, Ditzy found herself at the front of the crowd, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"NO, ZWEET TREAT!" she screamed. Suddenly, she was held back by Sheriff Hard Time. Ditzy's memory blurred again. The next thing she remembered was lying on the ground, crying. The firefighters had finally managed to get the blaze out and were sifting through the charred remains. One of the deputies mentioned to the aged sheriff something about a body. At that point, Dinky had woken up and began crying, as if a sign. Ditzy's forgot her own sadness and held her baby in her fore hooves. A gentle lullaby and rocking did nothing to sooth the infant. It was as if both their hearts were broken. The so young baby no longer had a father, and poor Ditzy was now heartbroken. So soon into her marriage, and she was now a widow.

Ditzy shook her head, trying to forget the memories. But as they do, one memory led to another. She remembered dressing in black at the funeral, which the whole town attended. The casket had been closed the whole time to hide what the flames did to the unicorn. At the funeral, a new couple had approached Ditzy to buy what was left of the bakery. She agreed and a few months later, Ditzy cut the ribbon, opening Sugar Cube Corner. Standing next to her were the new owners, Cup and Carrot Cake and their apprentice, Pinkie Pie. Ditzy took the money from the sale and put into a trust fund for Dinky. Ditzy's train of thought of what happened since the funeral continued. Her parent's offered to move to Ponyville, First Class and Daisy babysat Dinky whenever needed. Ditzy even turned down a date with Big Macintosh when Applejack tried to fix them up.

"Zweet Treat," Ditzy whispered. "Thiz iz the virzt time you've vizited me in my dreamz zinze you died. Are you trying to tell me zomething?"

Before Ditzy knew it, Princess Celestia's sun was rising into the morning sky, and she was still sitting in front of the newspaper. Dinky began to stir as the tweeting birds sang in the morning warmth. Ditzy carefully put the paper back in the box and slid it under the bed. She tried to leap into bed to meet her waking daughter, but didn't jump far enough. Ditzy's front half landed on the bed and her lower half fell short. She bounced back and landed on the floor with a thud. Ditzy's eyes were spinning fast until they focused on Dinky, hanging over the bed with a sour look on her face.

"Mommy," she said sternly. "Like you always tell me, that's what happens when you jump on the bed." Dinky then smiled and jumped into her mother's hooves. The two giggled a little before getting up and heading to the kitchen. The two enjoyed a simple breakfast of toast and jam before Ditzy prepared Dinky's lunch. After it was ready, Dinky used her magic to levitate it into her saddlebag. The little unicorn could not stop smiling at the fact she was finally using magic. Once the lunch and school books were tucked away, Ditzy put the bags on her daughter and the two went downstairs to the lobby of the post office. There, Dinky saw First Class preparing the bundles of letters for Ditzy.

"Hi, Uncle First Class," Dinky said brightly.

"Well, Good Morning, Dinky," the stallion said turning to the filly.

"Look what I can do," Dinky cried using her magic. First Class watched as a light purple aura surrounded the letters and they floated above the desk.

"Very good, Dinky," First Class said with pride. Stretching his neck out, First Class grabbed the letters and placed them in Ditzy's satchel. "Dinky, go wait outside for Mommy," First Class said. Dinky nodded her head and ran to the door. First Class's smile faded as he picked up a small box. "Ditzy…we have a special delivery today." The pegasus arched her brows and looked down at the floor.

"Iz it…" Ditzy began worried.

"Yes, a package for Top Shelf," First Class said. The two stood in silence for a moment before the tan stallion broke it. "I know how you feel about delivering to him, but…"

"Pleaze, Virzt Clazz," Ditzy begged. "I don't want to go anywhere near Top Zhelve'z houze. He waz juzt zo cruel to me my virzt day. Can I take it to the Canterlot ovvize and have one ov them deliver it?" Ditzy begged on the inside that her boss would say "yes."

"The Canterlot office is short staffed, Ditzy," he replied. The blond looked down, worried she'd have to see that brute again. First Class scratched his head trying to think of a solution. He didn't want to send his employee, and friend, into a situation she didn't want to be in. Finally, an idea came to him and he smiled at the worried lady in front of him. "I have an idea, Ditzy," he said. Ditzy looked up from the floor with a worried look on her face. "Make the delivery, but just put it at Top Shelf's door and leave. You won't have to even see him." Ditzy thought about it for a moment.

"I could do that, Virzt Clazz," she said.

"Just get in and out, Ditzy," the tan earth pony said. The pegasus nodded and took the package from her boss and stuffed it in her bag. "Ditzy, you truly are one of a kind." The blond smiled at the compliment. "And I promise, no more deliveries to Top Shelf. We'll send them to the Canterlot office from down on. They can take them to that upstart, short staffed or not." Ditzy smiled and hugged her boss. Together, the two readied themselves for the day and made for the door. Upon opening it, they saw Dinky Doo with her eyes crossed, sitting on the ground. Her eyes were crossed because she was staring at a butterfly that had landed on her nose. The two watched as Dinky gently raise her hoof to her nose and the butterfly fluttered to her hoof.

"We'll play later, butterfly," she said gently. "Mommy is taking me to school now." The insect seemed to nod and flew off into the sky. Dinky looked at her mother and "uncle" smiling.

"You are just too cute, Dinky," First Class said giving the filly a hug. The little one giggled in the stallions hooves and soon wiggled free to go by her mother. The three ponies parted company and Ditzy and Dinky were on the way to the schoolhouse. As they went, they passed several of Dinky's classmates being escorted to school, Diamond Tiara, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Featherweight and several other giggling youngsters. The two continued walking until they were at the school. Ditzy walked in with her daughter and into the classroom. Ditzy greeted Cherilee and delivered the school's mail to the teacher. The two quickly exchanged pleasantries and Ditzy turned to her daughter. With a gentle kiss on the forehead, Ditzy said "goodbye" to her daughter. The blond left her daughter in the care of her teacher and exited the school. Once outside, Ditzy took to the sky to make her rounds.

The day was bright and shiny, and so were Ditzy's rounds. She enjoyed seeing all of her friends and briefly talking with them. Some chatted more and some chatted less. Rarity spoke of a dress for Dinky for her next birthday, which appealed to the mother. Pinkie Pie and the Cakes tried to pry some of Sweet Treat's old recipes from Ditzy, but she politely declined. Fluttershy invited Ditzy in for tea, but Ditzy couldn't accept because she was on duty. The blond did take a rain check. Bon Bon and Lyra talked briefly with their favorite mail mare, however, Big Macintosh was less vocal with the blond. Twilight Sparkle told Ditzy about her next lesson with Dinky, but was cut short by a letter from Princess Celestia. Apparently, Twilight had some magical scrolls in the library that the Goddess of the Sun needed. The day continued on and soon it was 1:00. Ditzy quickly stopped for her lunch break and ordered some roasted oats and lemonade. Once lunch was finished, Ditzy noted there was only one piece of mail left, the package for Top Shelf. Ditzy sighed deeply and took off towards the skyline of the city on the mountain. She wasn't looking forward to this delivery, and hoped First Class's idea worked.

Ditzy landed in Canterlot by quarter after three. She looked at the street sign and noted she was on Mane Street. It was a short walk to Bridle Avenue and Ditzy soon found herself closing in on the house where she was humiliated a couple years ago. She cantered up to the property and her heart sank at what she saw. Top Shelf was out on his front lawn, lounging under an umbrella. The memories came flooding back and the cruel words echoed in her ears. The black stallion was laying on a lounge, drinking from a bottle and reading a racing form.

"Oh no," Ditzy thought to herself. "What am I going to do? I don't want to even look at that voalish jerk." Ditzy tried to think of a way to avoid him and it hit her. She would fly high enough so he couldn't see her and fly down behind him. Nodding at the plan, Ditzy grabbed the package in her fore hooves and took off. Once high enough, she flew over the umbrella and slowly descended behind the distracted stallion. Gently, gently, gently she fluttered down to the porch. Looking at Top Shelf, Ditzy saw him taking a large swig from his bottle. Using her wings to lighten the steps of her hind hooves, Ditzy sauntered up to the door. Carefully she avoided the pillars on opposite sides of the door and placed the package at the door.

"WONDERFUL!" Top Shelf yelled. Ditzy turned to see the over privileged pony throw an empty bottle over his head. "20,000 bits…for the rarest and finest rum…" he slurred. "Soooooooo worth it." He returned to his racing form and didn't notice Ditzy at all. The pegasus quietly let out a breath of relief. Ready to leave, Ditzy turned to take of and collided with a pillar. She cried out in pain and Top Shelf turned around.

"WHO IS THERE?" he cried drunk. "I'LL NOT…HAVE ANYPONY…on MY property…" Top Shelf shook his head to focus his eyes, and he recognized the pony rubbing her head in pain. "WELL…well…WEEEEEELL. It's been a while Derpy Hooves…and still not delivering my mail on time." Ditzy shook off the pain and started to walk towards the street, trying to ignore the drunkard. For some reason, Top Shelf followed her, trying not to stumble. "Don't go Derpy, I missed you…and those eyes. Those silly willy eyes…when did your flanks get so shapely?" Ditzy brow furrowed at his words, but she continued on walking away. "Awww…stay, baby. Not like anypony else will give you a look," he said before smacking Ditzy's rump with his hoof. Ditzy stopped dead in her tracks with a look of sheer shock. "Stick around and I'll…buck those eyes straight." Slowly, Ditzy turned around to face Top Shelf, and the stallion got a lustful smile on his face. "Got something…for me?" he asked in slurred whisper. Ditzy smiled at him, and slapped her hoof across his cheek.

"YOU ARE BY VAR THE MOZT OBNOXIOUS, VOALIZH, AND DIZGUZTING PONY I HAVE EVER MET!" she said with venom in her tongue. Top Shelf brought his hoof to his cheek and stood in disbelief of what just happened. " I will have you know that I waz married to a wondervul ztallion who waz my world. You could never come cloze to him. And vor your invormation, I only made two deliveriez to you and they were on time." Ditzy held her head high to put the final nail in the coffin. "And vinally, it makes my zkin crawl at the thought of touching you." As Ditzy lowered her head to look the awful pony in the eye…

TWACK!

"Told you I'd buck those eyes straight…Derpy!"