Daring Do and the temple of Earth

   When I was looking for the library that morning, everypony I came across moved out of the way. I assumed that it was just because I was new in town, but then I saw a young pegasus orphan being pushed around for no good reason. It dawned on me that my kind was not welcome here. The ponies that pushed her around didn't have cutiemarks, but she did. I leaned my ear towards them to hear what they were saying. " Why don't you just get out of here freak!". One gray earth pony said before pushing her.

"Just because you have a cutiemark doesn't make you special!". Another said also pushing her in another direction. This manner continued for several seconds.

"Stop." The one voice rang out clearly above all others. All other voices hushed. The group then parted to reveal a large brown pony, also without his mark. He was older than the others and seemed to be the superior of this gang. The pegasus stood there, trembling fearing what was going to happen next. When he came up to her, he started to pet her like a brother would when his sister got hurt. She seemed to relax and a spark of hope shined in here eyes. The filly then hugged him, and he hugged her back.  Boo's rang out across the area and the group seemed to be disgusted. SMACK! The pegasus was thrown across the ring and landed on the ground. The leader snickered, alone at first before the others did. Her weak legs trembled as she tried to stand. I could see now that she was starving. Her entire rib cage was showing through. One of her hooves was twisted at an awkward angle, broken on purpose. I couldn't watch this fight any longer.

"STOP!" I shouted flying towards the filly. " Why are you doing this to her, she didn't do anything to you!". I trembled in rage, I almost attack them. One threw a pebble at me. Then the other rocks joined. I was being pelted by rocks. It rained down on me like a hail storm. Flapping my wings, I picked up the filly, and flew straight to the train station.

                There was lone female pegasus that stood with her suitcase by her side. " Excuse me miss, but can you take this filly with you, and then to the nearest hospital?" I asked placing the filly in front of her.

"Y-yes, of course," The pegasus stammered,"What happened to her?". I could never hear her because I already took off.

There was a small breeze in my face, causing my mane to flap. A stray hair blew across my face, before it quickly got blown back again. Where it that library... I checked almost everywhere. My eyes scanned across the town, seeing all the ponies. Squinting my eyes to get a better a look at the ponies, it then dawned on me. They are all earth ponies, no a single pegasus or unicorn in sight. I looked over to my left and then I saw it, the library! Of course, out of all places, it was right across the school. Ugh, why did I miss it so many times? I crept down to the library. On the front steps, I landed. I put my wings against my sides, hoping none of the other ponies notice Upon opening the door I shouted,"Excuse me but can you find 'The Art of Crystals', I really need it."

           "Sure I'll get it for you, my Name if Miss Pages, so just give a holler if you need something else" The Librarian picked up the book I asked for and skimmed through it. The book was so old. 100 years ago, it would have looked like a leather book, bound by the strongest twine, pages were whiter then snow and ink was one of the finest there was. But now the leather was crumbling and the twine now slowly rotting. The ink words painted across the page were now fading from old age. The paper has yellowed over the years and some of the pages were starting to come undone.  "Are you sure you want that one?" The librarian asked. She seemed happy to help, a small, yellow pony with a light gray mane that was in a messy bun. Her cutiemark was an open book with the pages flipping. "It's Old Equestrian so it is going to be hard to read". I stepped forward and took the book from her magical aurora.

"I assure you, Miss Pages, that Old Equestrian is one of the many languages I have learned." I put the ancient book in my pouch and then tied it closed. Then patting it to make sure that it was secure.

"The Art of Crystals is one of our oldest books here, but I can tell you are a careful pony. I should warn you that Pegasi are not welcome in this place," Leather Pages warned. "Even unicorns are ostracized from society". A dark look came across the unicorn's face. This was probably a touchy subject for her. "I would be surprised if you could find some place to stay. Bad place to be a pegasus or unicorn, especially after dark." I dipped my head in acknowledgement, knowing of this earlier today. That poor pegasus filly, I sure hope she is okay. Ma-

                  The sound of a door slamming awoken me from my thoughts, I glanced over to see who disrupted them. It was a yellow pegasus mare with a gray mane. She was wearing a pith helmet and a tan shirt. Her cutiemark was a compass, probably an adventurer. "Hey, do you have 'The Art of Crystals', I need it for research," The mare asked.

"Sorry, but this young lady is already taken it." the librarian stated, pointing her hoof towards me. The mare turned to me, a look of pleading came across her face. No, please don't tell me she going to the puppy eyes. Please don't do the puppy eyes. I silently pleaded. Oh man, she is doing the puppy eyes. Can't. Resist. Too. Sad. "Please, stop, I can't take it anymore," I cried, defeated, my hooves up in the air like I was about to be arrested.

"What do you need it for?". The mare seemed like she was going to protest at this, but she came clean and told me.

"I need it because I am excavating a lost temple, and it speaks of a crown made of pure gold with crystals that give special powers," She said, now pawing at the ground, waiting for my answer. "My name is Crystal Light, so crystals are my special talent," I said, nervous at first.

"R-really, forget that stupid book, you are coming with me," She the proceeded to gradually drag me out the door.

"No! I don't wanna go!," I whined, desperately scraping at the ground with my hoofs. The librarian, just stood there, giggling at me. "Do something, use your unicorn magic stuff," I whined desperately. But that mare was persistent, she dragged me all the way to the train station.

"Crystal, meet your team! You better start learning their names because you are going to be here for a while," She said,"Oh! By the way, my name is Daring, Daring Do". She stuck out a hoof for me to shake. I shook it Darings hoof, before looking at the others,  an earth pony and a unicorn.

                The earth pony looked like she was had an obsession with tea. Her cutiemark had to do with tea, she even had a headband with an actual tea cup that she could drink from. The unicorn was a light gray pony with a dull red mane, her cutie mark were a bunch of weapons, so I assume that she is good with a weapon. She looks at me and smiles warmly, she held out her hoof for me to shake it. "My name is Silver Slash, and the tea crazed pony is called Tea Cup". Tea Cup looks up for the first time like she has noticed me for the first time.

"Do you like tea? I like tea, my favorite is a all of them," The tea crazed pony came up to me.

"Uhh... I do like tea an-,"

"Oh oh, what's your favorite kind of tea, mine is a-,"

"Crystal tea, it is a special kind of tea made only in the Crystal Empire... and my house," I said, looking at her," I have some leaves on me right now, so I can brew it for you,"

"Sure, that you be-,"

The train whistle roared, blowing steam."ALLL ABOARD!" the pony cried. We quickly got our stuff and leaped on the already moving train. I was the last one to jump in after helping Tea Cup on.