Trixie Secretary Extraordinaire: A Wonderful Lifeby zalla661ChaptersA New Beginning: Back to ones RootsRoutineI could have Been yoursEscalationHard as a RockPreparing for the CandidacyA New Beginning: Back to ones RootsTrixie lay on the couch inside her mothers trailer as it rolled along down the dirt road heading west towards Rockyshore. Turnover sat beside Mary and Platinum, having a casual conversation about politics. Maud busied herself with watching the road from one of the side windows. Though everypony by now knew exactly what she was looking out for. She watched as rocks passed taking note of every type she could find. This game had kept her entertained for hours, and would continue to for many to come. Misty slept beside her daughter on the floor. The older mare was curled up like a cat on a pile of soft cushions. She slept soundly beside her daughter who was curled up beside her like a kitten with her tail wrapped around her. Mary and Turnover soon got on the conversation of their cutie marks and how they shaped them into who they were this day. It was quite the tale for the both of them. While they talked Platinum worked her way over to Maud, sitting beside her. "Hey." the unicorn casually greeted. "Hey." Maud replied, not taking her eyes off the road. The two sat in silence, Platinum scratched her arms nervously and Maud continued to watch the road. The silver unicorn looked over Maud's shoulder resting her head on it and watched the scenery go by. She was so fixated on it she that she never saw the grey mare smile. What she did see was a wall of violet as Maud playfully flicked her mane into her mates face. The silver unicorn let out a high pitched squeal before tumbling over to the floor. With a dull thud the unicorn hit the floor leaving her with prone and sore. She glared up at Maud who kept her neutral expression, but Platinum knew better. She was smiling inside. "Not funny." she huffed, standing up to rub her sore back. Walking to the unicorn, Maud gently led her to a soft pillow and pushed her down on it. With tender care Maud used her hooves and gently rubbed the mares back making her moan in satisfaction. "Oh, Maud..." Platinum sighed letting her tongue roll out. "Why can't I stay mad at you?" Maud smiled at her lovers words. "Because you love me and have a large heart." Trixie snickered on the couch covering her face with her signature hat pressing it closer to her sleeping mothers body. Platinum glared at the blue mare puffing her cheeks. "Oh, shut it Trixie!" she scolded her mate who snickered in return. Plaitnum then turned to Maud, giving her a pathetic look. "Maudie... Trixie is being mean to meeee." she whined. Trixie flinched under her cover. She slowly lifted her hat to see Maud's eyes inches from her. She used her magic to slowly lower the hat down and cover her eyes hoping Maud would let this slip. Then the hat, as if it had a will of its own, lifted from Trixie's head. Maud's intense gaze fell on Trixie making her feel small and insignificant. Trixie could see into the end through those eyes. The intense darkness within. Though plain and simple as they were, Trixie knew the dark thoughts that lurked behind them. A devious sinister prankster who would exploit any weakness on anypony she knew, and destroy them. And Trixie was the target. A bead of sweat worked its way over Trixie's brow as she did her best to sink into the couch. She began breathing heavily and wriggled around the couch. This awoke her mother, misty. The mare yawned loudly and stretched like a cat, popping her bones and limbering herself up. Once awake and aware, she noticed Trixie cowering into the couch under Maud's watchful eye. "Morning, Miss Pie." Misty greeted her walking away, ignoring her daughters attempt to reach for her. "Having a good morning?" "We are about to." the grey mare replied, never taking her eyes off Trixie. Misty casually walked past her without giving her a glance. "Please make sure you don't break anything." She then stopped, craning her neck back with a devious look. "Aaaannd, Trixie is ticklish on her tummy." she finished walking away to sit with Mary and Turnover. "MOM!" She heard her daughter cry out to her. She grinned as Trixie's laughter and promises of her doom that would follow. Platinum could be heard occasionally laughing too. Misty walked over to the table where Mary and Turnover were in the final stages of their chess grudge match. She took a seat next to Mary a the table, Turnover placed her rook over the board giving a proud look at Mary. The former politician smiled kindly back sliding her queen one square left and said, "Checkmate." Turnover gawked at the chessboard. She began scanning over it to see if it truly was a checkmate. Mary chuckled at the mares reaction. Misty shook her head blushing at her mates behavior. "I'm sorry, Mary, but my lovely Turnover is a very, veerryy, veeerrryy, sore loser." "AM NOT!" Turnover yelled indignantly. Misty sighed, rolling her eyes. "Yes you are, dear." Turnover blushed looking angrily down at the chess board intently. She was scanning for any way to get out of her loss by any mean possible. After examining the board over twenty times Turnover finally admitted defeat. This annoyed Misty greatly but she knew it was just her competitive nature. Her daughter was the exact same way. It befuddled her that her daughter and lover could be so similar yet they let those similarities drive them apart. To her it was a true mystery. "She's much like her." Mary stated. "Hmm? What do you mean?" Misty looked at the mare beside her. "You mean Turnover is like?-" she trailed off waiting for Mary to elaborate. Mary nodded over her shoulder towards Trixie, who managed to pin Maud down with Platinum's help. The mares were all smiling and laughing as they each tried to out tickle the others. For the first time in a ling time, Maud laughed. It was a sight to see that filled Mary's heart with happiness and joy. "I mean Trixie is like Turnover. And actually, Applejack is so much like the both of them." Misty sighed relaxing her shoulders. "Those two, Trixie and Applejack, they are a hooful I tell you." The two older mares gave knowing looks at each other before turning their attention back to the tan mare between them. They sandwiched her between themselves, careful not to crush her. Then they each wrapped an arm around her neck making Mary's cheeks heat up from the intimate contact. She felt like a child in a motherly embrace. It was a wonderful feeling, and she hoped that one day Trixie could appreciate it when she was hugged by her mother. She enjoyed the feeling. I wish my mom and dad had shown me this much tenderly love. She thought. She then at that moment promised herself she wold do everything in her power to love the three mares in her herd s they could feel like this forever. But the moment didn't last long. "MARY!" "MARY!" "Mary..." Three voices called to her from behind. She tensed up while Misty and Turnover separated from her leaving her exposed. She felt cold. She turned around to meet two angry faces of Trixie, Platinum, and then... Maud. She laughed nervously, waving at them. "Hi girls. What's up?" "Are you cheating on Trixie with her mother and stepmother?!" Trixie asked in mock anger. Mary looked away innocently whistling. "Nooooo." "Get her!" Platinum yelled, charging her tan mate giggling like a filly. She leapt onto Mary locking her lips with hers, leaving Trixie gawking at them and Maud simply staring. Not wasting a moment longer, Trixie grabbed hold of Maud's waist and pulled her into a kiss of her own surprising Maud. Maud felt a surge go through her body as all the days of sexual tension washed away in this moment of passion. Mary and Platinum broke apart first looking up at their herd mates, crawling up to them the pulled the other two mares down and forced their way into a four way lip locked kiss. It was awkward at first for them but they all lightened up to it as they progressed. Pulling apart the four mares looked around at one another each had a smile on their face. Moments later they all huddled together and began wrestling on the floor. The four mares laughed as they playfully entertained themselves leaving Misty and Turnover to themselves. The two mares retreated to the top of the cart and sat where the driver would normally be if the cart was drawn. Misty cuddled closer to Turnover, wrapping her arms around the mares neck, as she pulled her lover close kissing her cheek. They both sat in silence. The laughing died down in the cart about ten minutes later, as they watched the scenery before them. Not long after the laughing died down the sun had begun to set and they decided to setup camp for the night. Misty and Turnover allowed the herdmates to have the privacy of the cart. While they themselves setup a tent outside the cart next to a small fire. Everypony slept soundly that night and by the end of the next day they will have reached their destination, Rockyshores. RoutineIt was early in the morning at Rockyshores. The Pie Family farm was just getting the first signs of Celestia's sunlight over the horizon. Inside a small quaint home in the middle of a large rock farm, lay the Pie family. In one room there was Igneous and Cloudy quartz, father and mother of the four Pie sisters Limestone, Marble, Pinkie, and Maud. Across from their room was the room of Limestone and Marble Pie who shared their room. Next to theirs was Maud's room and beside that one was Pinkie Pie's old room, untouched since she left. The house was small with the bedrooms on the second floor and a living room and kitchen on the first. It was a simple house with few decorations and only a small amount of pictures. The kitchen was the largest part having to double as the dinning area with a large table with six chairs around it. A single book shelf stood beside it and behind the table was the kitchen. At this hour just before sunrise, Cloudy Quartz would be up making breakfast for everypony. The second to wake was usually Limestone followed by her father Igneous. The two would greet each other with a morning hug and then proceed to tidy themselves up for the morning followed by morning chores. The last to wake was always Marble Pie. The youngest sister to the Pies, she is a very quiet mare more so than Maud and twice as timid compared to Fluttershy. Marble slowly stirred from her slumber and awoke in a groggy state. She felt horrible today, as she had been for several weeks now since her family began fighting among themselves. Slowly she got out of her bed and like a mechanical zombie she droned through her morning routine. She brushed her mane and her coat taking over an hour to do. By the time she finished breakfast was ready. Her family patiently waited for her to take her seat before they ate. Her older sister Limestone Pie grumbled to herself while they ate. She hated how long her sister took to do things in the morning. She couldn't understand what took her so long to get ready. Ever since Maud and Trixie left she had become distant. She worked just enough to earn her share and went to bed almost instantly every night for the last several weeks. Limestone loved her little sister, but she couldn't help but be angered by her lack of motivation. So much so that she scolded her almost daily. It drove her mad. Not only were they short on hooves to help with the Annual Gem Harvest, now her sister was acting up. And with it only days away there was no way they'd be able to get the gems needed to participate this year. It would devastate their pockets for years if they didn't get enough gems this year. This harvest will either make or break them. And Limestone knew who to blame for this travesty. "Trixie." she hissed as she sipped her morning soup. All her hate was focused on the blue unicorn. She wanted to skin her alive if only to make her regret leaving them when they needed her the most. That and she never forgave the unicorn for her transgressions on her father and sisters. When they finished Marble slowly followed her family outside to begin their days work. While Igneous and Cloudy Quartz met up with teams of hired ponies to go to two different mines, Limestone took another team to a open quarry to begin mining. This left Marble Pie alone to go mine inside a rich gem mine by herself. She trudged through the mine with her pick and gear on her back. She sighed to herself with a low posture, like that of a pony wallowing in misery and self pity. Marble eventually reached the mine-shafts threshold. It had a minecart with a cheaply made rail beneath it. She tied a harness around her neck and slowly pulled the cart behind her. She traveled deep down into the shaft until she reached the end of one tunnel the cart could reach. She pulled off her harness and began mindlessly she began pecking away at a rich vein of gems not bothering to check the supports first. She thought long and hard as she dug deeper int into the mine. Chunk after chunk of ore and gems alike she was finding large deposits in this particular vein. She was so engrossed in what she was doing that she didn't realize she dug right through on of the caves natural supports. Suddenly the support gave away. Before she had any time to react a large chunk of rock and gems fell towards her. She had only enough time to look up and scream before the rocks fell upon her. But before they could crush her, two energy beams collided with the ball of doom destroying it completely. A large chunk managed to hit her in the head effectively knocking her out. Marble hit the ground hard, she could feel a warm ooze running down her head. Wiping at at with her hoof, she inspected her hoof to see it was dark red. Her vision became blurry almost immediately and the last thing she remembered was seeing a pony of azure blue with a violet outline calling to her. "Hang on Marble," the pony said. "I'll get you home." She then felt a familiar warmth engulf her. She realized the sensation was someponies magic lifting her weightlessly off the ground. She felt herself being placed on someponies back. Several voices overlapped her hearing ass he was taken out of the mine shaft. The last thing she saw was the faint glow of the sun and a mare with silver hair before she fell unconscious on the ponies back. "Trixie." I could have Been yoursInside the Pie Family house hold Marble rested on her bed. Her head was heavily bandaged from the rocks that had fallen on her from the cave in. She awoke to a painful throbbing in her temple. She rubbed the spot tenderly, hoping to alleviate some of the discomfort. She felt ashamed of herself. Once again she messed up because she let her feelings get in the way of her logic. "Mmmhmmm." she hummed to herself pitifully, sitting upright. Her vision was blurry and all she could see was a faint out line of ponies around her. She focused on a tan colored outline, which was the largest of them asking, "Father?" The pony, whoever it was, suddenly jumped flailing about. "Everypony! She's awake!" a feminine voice yelled from the figure. The others stirred as the tan one leaned over her, pushing her back down to the comfy pillows beneath her. "Stay down young one. You're head got hit pretty hard." The stress on Marbles head alleviated when she leaned back into the soft pillow. Several ponies gathered around her. One was dark grey which stood silently in place while a lighter grey one bobbed over and started talking to the two. At first Marble thought it was her father, again, but realized it was a mares voice. "Is she alright? Her father's getting worried." she asked. "She'll be fine." the grey figure said back. "She's my sister after all." Marble eyed the figure with strained eyes. "M-maud?" All the figures stopped talking and faced down at her. The grey one moved forward, leaning close to her pressing it's nose against her cheek. A hoof gently ran across her ears. Marble reached for it and held onto it. Slowly her vision cleared as time passed and she could now make out face as the sight of her oldest sister became crystal clear to her. She smiled at her grey sister, happy to see her again. She could feel tears falling from her eyes, turning to try and hide them under her free arms. "It's alright Marble. I'm here." Maud replied nuzzling her sister's nose. Marble giggled as the cold sensation of her sisters nose touched hers. The sisterly bond they had was strong. Beside her Platinum watched with a knowing look, while Mary watched on with envy. Mary never had any siblings and now she wished she had some growing up. She was always stiff and focused on her studies that she missed much of her childhood growing up. She quickly discarded the thought. Had things been different there's no telling if she would have ended up with Trixie and the others. And she wouldn't have it any other way. She simply watched as the two mares had their intimate moment, Platinum stood beside her leaning into her side. Suddenly the door burst open as a sea of ponies came in. Igneous his wife Cloudy Quartz, and of course Limestone. The old stallion had a stern look upon his muzzle as did the rest of the family, gazing hard on the young mare in bed. Marble shied away from their gazes doing her best to hide behind her mane. Before anypony could get a word in, Limestone was up on her sister with great fury in her voice, "What were you thinking gong the mine by yourself?! You know better than that!" "I'm sorry, I just-" "Just nothing!" Limestone cut her off. "You were very lucky Maud was there to save you! Had she not..." Limestone paused to try and calm herself, taking a deep breath before continuing. "We thought we lost you there for a minute, you dum dum." Limestone said with a hint of a smile. She then turned to hug her older sister. After the brief hug Limestone glanced towards the other two ponies in the room, Platinum and Mary. Noticing them too, Ingenious and Cloudy approached them from the doorway. The two outsiders glanced at each other. Mary seemed happy while Platinum was nervously shaking. Wrapping her tail around the younger mares, Mary nudged her mate letting her know everything would be alright. Platinum smiled nudging her back as the stallion walked up to them and gave a polite bow. "Welcome to thy home, Mary." Igneous greeted the tan mare. Mary bowed to him slightly. "It's good to see you too old friend." She then approached Cloudy Quartz to hug her. The old mares bear hugged one another laughing together. "It's good to see you too, Cloudy." "Yes, tis been a dogs age since we last met." Cloudy replied with a giggle. "How hath thine old hindquarters been? Busy running the town amok I presume?" "Har, har." Mary deadpanned, slouching over. "Didn't know you developed a sense of humor." Everypony laughed. After calming down, Cloudy went to hug her oldest daughter. Maud kissed her mothers cheek rubbing her nose in her mane. Over the last few days both Mary and Platinum found this to be one of many ways Maud shows her affections towards others. Mary walked over to inspect Marble's head, but the timid young mare turned away from Mary hiding herself. This made Maud upset, though she made no sign of it. Separating from her mother, Maud walked beside her sisters bed, planting herself on the floor beside her. "Marble?" "Mmhmm?" she asked not looking up at her sister. "You know it's rude to not look at somepony who's trying to help you." Maud chided her sister. "Sorry." Marble replied softly. "It's fine." Maud replied. She wrapped her arms around Marble nuzzling her affectionately. After a few moments Maud let her go and went to go stand by her mates to introduce them, "Mom, dad, this is Platinum. She's one of my herd mates." "Hello." everypony greeted her. "I'm Igneous Rock. Welcome to our farm, miss." "And thou shall know me as Cloudy Quartz." the older mare bowed with a slight frown on her face. "We're so happy to have met somepony who had opened our daughters heart. Ever since that, harpy, showed up things were never the same." "Mother..." Maud said in a warning tone. "I should let you knw-" "Yeah! That dumb bitch Trixie came in here and tried to ruin our family!" Limestone chimed in. "That mare was nothing but trouble! Did you know she actually brought an ursa minor to a small town and fled after she boasted about slaying one? The nerve!" While Maud and her father both had irritated looks, Mary and Platinum looked confused at the scene. Having been there they wondered how this misunderstanding came to be. Deciding to clear things up with her old friends, Mary took a stand for Trixie calling on Limestone's accusations. "Now, miss Pie, Trixie had nothing to do with the ursa attacking the town. It was the fault of two, um." "Overly enthusiastic colts who were fans of hers." Platinum added. "Thanks." Mary thanked her mate, tugging at her tail. "But Trixie had nothing to do with it. Simple as that." Limestone rolled her eyes. "Yeah and I'm sure the newspapers lied about it too?" "Trixie would never purposely endanger the lives of others." Platinum snapped back sternly. "Oh, I'm sure." Limestone replied in a dark cold tone. "Hey! You don't know anything! Were you there?" Platinum said as her voice rose a few decibels. Mary tugged on her tail making her stop her rant. "Platinum, that's enough." "But, she-" "Is entitled to her opinion. Even if it is wrong." Mary said the last part looking directly at Limestone. She then turned to Igneous. "Igneous, you trust my word right?" "Course ah do, Mary." the stallion replied, placing a hoof over his chest. "Thou are the most honest mare, who went into office, I've ever met." This however didn't seem to satisfy Limestone or Cloudy Quartz. Even Marble looked skeptically at the thought of Trixie being completely innocent. Before anypony could get another word in the doors burst open again, with a loud poof of smoke. A voice echoed in a loud obnoxious tone, signaling its presence. "Fear not! For I the Great and Powerful Trixie have returned!" it proclaimed. Everypony stood in shock by Trixie's sudden appearance. Limestone was the first to recover. With a feral growl she lunged forward uppercutting Trixie in the jaw. This sent the unicorn spiraling out the door and into the wall of the hall. Following her strike Limestone followed with lightning speed and pinned Trixie to the wall with her hoof. Trixie rubbed her now sore chin and looked into a pair of murderous eyes and an angry hoof shaking inches from her face ready to strike at a moments notice. "He-hey, Limey. How's it going?" Trixie asked the mare weakly. What she got back was an even more angry scowl. "Thought I told you to never come back!" the light grey mare yelled at the unicorn. "Get off her!" Platinum ran out pushing Cloudy Quartz to the side and full body tackled Limestone to the side. The two rolled down the hall throwing punch after punch at one another. Mary gasped and Maud quickly ran out with Igneous, while Cloudy Quartz tended to Marble. Maud pulled Limestone off Trixie while Igneous helped Trixie placing his arm around her protectively. Maud held onto her sister, who was struggling against her grip. "Let me go! Maud!" "Let it go, Limestone." "Easy for you to say!" Maud carried the mare into the room and tossed her inside. An indignant protest was made, but Maud ignored it and closed the door before a word got out. She turned to her father, who bore a stunned expression. "I'm sorry father." Maud lowered her head. "Limestone can be very passionate about everything." "AM NOT!" Maud kicked the door and a loud EEP! was heard, followed by a loud thud. "Sorry about that, Igneous." Mary apologized. "It's fine, old friend." he turned to see Trixie. "And it's good to see you again, Miss Lulamoon." "You too, sir." Trixie replied rubbing Platinum's head like a cat. Everypony looked at Maud expectantly. "Everypony, this is my other mate, Trixie." she turned to say something else, but Mary puled her off to the side. "Don't tell them we're together." Mary whispered in her ear. "Why not?" "Just don't please." Mary pleaded nodding towards Maud's parents. "Very well. If that is what you wish." Maud said, in a hurt tone. Moment's later the door flew open and Limestone stormed back inside. She shoved her nose into Trixie's. "What are you doing here anyway?" "Trixie came here to help with the gem harvest, like she promised." Trixie said bluntly in a cold tone. "Why? Did you miss Trixie?" Trixie added with a mock sly tone. Not responding to the mares antics, Limestone stormed off down the hall leaving Trixie, Maud, Igneous, Mary, and Platinum alone in the hallway. Trixie nervously scratched her arm looking back and forth between her mates and Igneous. Everypony seemed to bask in the awkward silence. Finally unable to bare it any longer, Mary coughed into her hoof gaining everyponies attention. "Ahem, well, this has been... something." she said looking down the hall. "Why don't we all take a walk over the fields Igneous. For old times sake?" The stallion smiled nodding in silence, leading the way with all the mares in tow. He walked them through the south and north fields explaining the intricacies of rock farming, which fascinated Mary to no end. Maud and Trixie already knew about it and found it to be a good refresher to what they knew. About half way through the north field, Maud left Trixie to distract her father while she spoke to Mary in private. Walking up beside her, Maud pressed her side against the tan fur and wrapping her tail around Mary's. "Mary?" "What's is it love?" Mary asked. Maud thought for a moment wondering how to ask what she was thinking. Blunt conversation was her way but she wanted to be sensitive to Mary. Throwing caution to the wind she decided to pull a Trixie and be blunt. "How do you know my father, and why didn't you want me to tell him we're herd mates?" she asked. The look on the older mares face said it all. Despite her silence Maud could tell something was bothering her. She didn't even have to pry to get the answer from her like she thought, for Mary took a deep breath and said, "I knew him from our younger days." Mary looked up ahead. "Maud I want you to know what I feel for you is completely real. I love you and the others and nothing will change that. Do you believe me?" Maud didn't even need to think of the answer. She simply looked Mary in the eyes and gave her a quick kiss to her lips and said, "I believe you. I also trust you as do Platinum, and Trixie. We all do." Mary sighed in relief, leaning into Maud's neck rubbing her nose against the soft fur. She was scared. Scared the truth might drive a wedge not only between the herd, but Maud and her family as well. From the short time she knew Maud, Mary knew better than to keep this a secret for long. After all, it was bound to come up eventually. Better now than later. she thought sadly. "Do you remember when we talked a while ago about your family, briefly?" Mary asked Maud, walking up beside her. Maud nodded. "Well, I actually almost married your father." she looked away, missing Maud's shocked expression, forcing her to stop dead in place. "..." "..." "......" "......" "...... You almost married my father?!" "..." This is awkward. Mary thought, as the awkward silence carried on. "..." Maud continued to stare at her with a bewildered look which was unsettling for her to say the least. Mary had rarely seen Maud show any emotion but when she did it tended to be extreme. "......" "......" "...... You almost married my father?" Maud repeated looking up at the stallion in question. Mary quickly grabbed hold of Maud pinning her mouth closed. Scanning the area to see if anypony heard she focused on Igneous, Trixie, and Platinum walking on like they hadn't heard a thing. She sighed releasing Maud's mug. "I need you to keep this to yourself Maud." she repeated to her grey mate. Maud glanced back and forth between Mary and her father never losing her bewildered expression. It was odd still, but Mary was slowly getting use to Maud having actual expressions on her features. Extreme as they maybe it was a change Mary was happy to see. Before long Maud managed to calm herself and continued to walk along the path with Mary at her side. She said nothing for good while, until they reached their destination. They stood over a large ravine that had a large walkway carved out of the sides. The path zigzagged downwards until it reached the bottom of the pony made ravine. Trixie and Platinum looked over the side. Trixie then grinned nudging the silver unicorn beside her, nearly making her fall, but caught her with her magic. Truth was she was nowhere near close to falling but Trixie decided to play it safe. Platinum whoever was not amused. She glared at her mate, and Trixie did her best to look innocent. "That was mean, Trixie." Maud said walking up and wrapping her arms around Platinum. Platinum stuck her tongue out at her. "Yeah, you suck Trixie!" She then took her face and buried it in Maud's grey fur. Mary and Igneous watched from afar and laughed at the sight of Trixie pleading with them to allow her to snuggle with them, but they turned their backs on her making her pout. Suddenly the three mares waved at them and they waved back. Maud then led the two unicorns down the path and into one of the mines. Igneous sighed, giving his friend a smile. "She hath warmed up a bit me thinks." "Trixie?" she asked him, not taking her eyes off the path the mares took. "Indeed. She hath grown into a fine mare." Igneous declared. "My daughter is blessed to have a friend such as her." "Even if she's in a herd of mares?" This made him sag his shoulders a bit. "Me thinks it isn't the best to have thy oldest daughter frolic with only the mares." He inhaled, the air rushed into his lungs puffing his chest out. "But if she doth not care for a stallion then who am I to tell her no? She's her own mare and should be allowed to go free. As I doth with Pinkie before her." "You truly raised a group of wonderful children, Igneous." she said in a melancholic tone. "What's wrong, Mary?" "I've, I often wondered what life would have been like if..." "If we ended up together?" he finished. A brief silence to followed. After which Mary shied away from her friend. She turned to look down at the mares running around, Trixie was showing Platinum the caves chatting up a storm, while Maud followed close. She felt guilty. Guilty for having fallen in love not only with the mare his daughter loved, but her as well. Not to mention there was the age gap, while not as much as one would think. In truth she was only twelve years older than Maud. Having kept in contact with Igneous over the years, she heard of the birth of all their children. Maud was the first, though she never asked the name in the letters. At the time she had begun her political career and had little time to write back to her friend. Now, she wish she'd known. Now she wished she knew who Maud was before she met her. She felt so confused. While in truth she could have easily been Maud's mother, she often wondered what it would have been like had she married Igneous. The children they would have had. Would they have had Maud? She wondered. She wanted to tell him about her being part of the same herd Maud was in, that and she was the designated alpha. But, would he approve? She was indeed old enough to be Maud's mother, but then again, Maud was born when Cloudy was in her late teens, the other three were triplets. But they were his and hers. That left Mary in a very awkward position. She felt conflicted on telling them about her relationship with Maud and the others, but feared the repercussions. With how volatile the family already was there was no telling what would happen if they found out she was dating Maud, let alone Trixie as well. As they watched the young mares run around, now chasing each other, Mary decided it was in the best interest of her herd to keep their relationship to themselves. A sound from a bell rang catching everyponies attention. Trixie's ears perked up and homed in on the sound. After the third ring, her head was up and staring in the direction the ringing came from. Licking her lips Trixie pulled on Platinum's tail making her nearly fall over from being overzealous in tugging it. While they ran up the zigzagged stone carved path, Trixie was squealing with excitement for supper, while Maud and Platinum walked side by side casually up the ravine. Mary grinned as her blue unicorn mate called out at the two 'slow pokes' clearing making her wait longer than she needed. Mary and Igneous chuckled at this childish mannerism of Trixie's. "She may hath grown but she hath not changed a bit has she?" he asked his friend. "More than you think, Igneous." Mary said pushing his shoulder. He chuckled shoving her back playfully. They went on for a god few seconds before the trio reached them and Trixie was literally hopping in place. "Mary! Hurry up! It's supper time and Trixie's starving!" Mary giggled in her hoof at Trixie's childish mannerism. Don't ever change, Trixie. She thought to herself. "I know, come on let's get back to the trailer and get supper ready." As they turned to leave, Igneous stepped forward to intercept them. "Art thou going to stay for supper this evening?" he asked them. "Twold be nice to have old friends to dine with us once again." he offered. Mary looked to her herdmates, who seemed fond of the idea. Sh then turned to him saying, "We'd love to, but Trixie, needs to tell her mother that we're going to eat out at a friends place. Right Trixie?" she asked mockingly at the unicorn in question. "Why does Trixie have too?! Trixie's starving!" she whined. "And Trixie will get no supper if she doth pout like a foal." Igneous said earning a nod from the others. Trixie stared at them slack jawed. "This is a conspiracy! A conspiracy Trixie says!" she cried out stomping the ground. "This is about the time Trixie snuck into the kitchen and ate the cake wasn't it?" Igneous laughed hard nearly losing his hat, he slid it back in place saying, "Now Trixie, we doth know you have a kind heart. You'll get su- wait..." he paused as the words registered in his mind. "That cake, Maud said she ate it! It was you?!" "Oh, look at the time!" She said ignoring the stallion. "Trixie needs to get home and tell momshe'seattingoutnowbye!" The mustard colored stallion yelled out out, shaking his hoof at the mare as she used her smoke bomb spell and fled. Mary and Platinum laughed at the scene while Maud walked beside her father wrapping and arm around him, calming him down. "Now father," she said in a motherly tone to him, "You need to take it easy. She'll be back and you can yell at her all you want until she get sick of it and mutes you." He scoffed annoyed. "Well, she should know better than to lie. Lies always come back to get you later." That comment made Mary cringe slightly, before he continued to say, "but it wouldn't be Trixie. Would thou say so dearest daughter?" Maud looked over at the fleeing sight of Trixie as she rounded a corner, disappearing from sight. "Yes father. It wouldn't be her without some sort of drama." "Agreed." Mary and Platinum chimed in. As they walked towards home, Igneous tuned to Maud with a stern look. "Doth not think this is over Maud. Thou are in for an earful once we get back." "Yes, father." she replied smiling back to him, earning a smile back. She then pressed her muzzle against his neck saying, "I love you father." He smiled pressing back. "I doth love you to, Maud." EscalationLater that night, everypony was in the Pie household enjoying a most delicious dinner. The long table held all present comfortably. Igneous sat at the head of the table with his family, with the exception of Maud, to his right and to his left was Trixie, Platinum, and Maud, with Mary at the other end of the table facing Igneous. In the center of the table was the food, rock stew and some of Maud's Fire Heart Carrot soup. Trixie smiled taking a huge sniff of air to absorb the delectable aroma of the carrot and stone soups. The food smelled great but was overshadowed by the tense feeling in the atmosphere of the table. Trixie sat between Maud and Platinum looking happily over at Marble, and waved to her. The shy mare hid behind her mane, waving back with a blush. Limestone gave her the stink eye, while Cloudy Quartz simply stared at Trixie hatefully. It was very clear, to everypony present, that Trixie was not welcome here. Despite her cheery demeanor Mary and her herdmates could tell Trixie was forcing her smiles on top of a few nervous ticks that made it obvious she was nervous. Occasionally Trixie was caught slipping into her third pony persona, which was the strongest indicator. Mary could tell she was scared, mostly of Limestone. From what little interactions she had with the mare and how she acted around the unicorn, it was easy to tell she hated Trixie. Trixie's very presence seemed to put the grey earth pony on edge. Talking made her scorn murderously at her, and talking to Marble or Igneous made Limestone look like she would outright murder Trixie. Thankfully the look of murderous intent was just that, a look and nothing more. It made Mary and even Platinum uneasy. So much so, that they sat close to Trixie to protect her if anything happened. This was not the family Mary heard about from Maud and Trixie. Maud kept her usual stoic expression, but occasionally her tail would flick around. A clear indicator she was paying attention to something. It made the small herd feel better just knowing she was watching out for them. While this was happening, Igneous distributed the food in equal shares to each, starting with his guests then his family and left himself for last. Once he finished distributing food everypony took a moment to pray in silence. Platinum sat there imitating them, not wanting to offend them. She didn't want to leave a bad first impression on the family and by extension Maud, due to bad mannerism. She knew Trixie and the Pie family had a bad history, everyone there knew, so she did her best to be well behaved. Her parents taught her even if you don't believe in others ways it is proper of a lady to show respect to other ponies ways within reason. Prayer at the dinning table was one such thing. Once prayers were done, everypony dug in. The stone soup was tasty to Mary, if a bit plain. Maud and Trixie seemed to love it, while Platinum struggled to keep it down tuning green after her first bite, literally. Igneous saw this and with a hearty chuckle saying, "Do not be discouraged fair lady. Tis hard on the stomach at first for most visitors." Cloudy Quartz nodded in agreement, not taking her glaring eyes off Trixie, but occasionally her gaze wandered to her husband. Platinum looked embarrassed by her conduct. "I'm sorry." she said fiddling with her bowl. "I didn't mean to be rude." "Father wasn't implying anything Platinum." Maud interjected. "He simply meant it was fine if you didn't like the soup." Mary nodded in agreement. "It is an acquired taste." Igneous chuckled. "Tis not what you said when thou first tried our food, Mary." he said. Cloudy Quartz tried hard not to snicker, but found it impossible to do so. Covering her mouth she huddled over her bowl while Mary scoffed in annoyance. Shortly after Igneous joined in making Mary give a shocked expression, which confused all the younger ponies present. "You shut it, Igneous!" Mary threatened him, which only made him and his wife laugh harder. Blushing Mary turned away from them sticking her nose up with a 'harrumph'. All the younger ponies watched the older ponies with confused looks. Mary hid under her mane finishing her soup. When she finished she stormed off to the kitchen with Cloudy Quartz following her with her own bowl in her mouth, Igneous followed close behind. Mary and cloudy Quartz returned moments later to gather up all the dirty dishes leaving everypony else at the table. Trixie scooted closer to Platinum and wrapped her tail around hers. The silver pony happily accepted the gesture kissing her cheek. Maud felt left out and scooted closer sandwiching the silver pony between them. Marble blushed looking away from the loving scene, hiding behind her mane, but gave the slightest peek to see. It was a loving tender sight. Limestone however was looking rather livid. She slowly began breathing herd and faster as though she were hyperventilating. She then punched the table before jumping from her seat and stormed off leaving everypony else dumbstruck. Trixie looked over at Marble, who shrugged shaking her head. She then turned to Maud asking, "What was that about?" "You honestly don't know?" Maud replied bluntly. "Noooo. Why? Should I?" "Trixie, do you know why she and mother are angry with you in the first place?" Platinum asked wondering what was going on. "I think I might, but this was hardly Trixie's fault! That paper-" "That paper changed our family in ways you'll never understand Trixie." A light voice said from across the table. Looking at the source revealed it to be from Marble, who had come out from hiding behind her mane, but only slightly. The shy pony go tout of her seat and walked over to them taking a seat next to them so they could hear. "That day when mom and my sister found you with father in the barn, changed how we see each other." she said sadly. Her older sister let go of her mates, and hugged her. Marble's eyes teared up and she rubbed her nose against she soft grey fur. She rested her head on her sisters shoulder and continued her explanation. "When that happened, mom and dad began fighting. After you left, father confronted mother and said she had been unreasonable towards you after that whole thing." She sniffed hard wiping her tears away. "Mother was so furious she threatened to divorce father." "What?! Why?!" Trixie bellowed. The news shook Trixie to her core. Never did she think such a thing possible. Igneous and Cloudy Quartz were practically joined at the hip. How could she threaten to divorce him over something so stupid as a paper? It burned her to hear such a thing. Before she could voice her thoughts, Maud continued where Marble left off. "Trixie, it was hard after you left. Your sudden departure only solidified mother, and Limestones, belief that you and father had an affair going on and after you were caught jumped ship." Maud said with Marble nodding. "Its as she said, mother was furious at dad. It was the worst weeks of my life." the timid pony said. "Limestone and Maud fought too." "That was Limestone's fault not yours." Maud said. "But-" "No Marble." the older earth pony said patting her sisters head gently. "She's always had a temper and you know it. She just hid it well." "But we got along so well..." The blue unicorn choked. "It wasn't his fault, perhaps... it was my fault?" "It wasn't your fault Trixie." Marble said turning to hug her. "It was a tough transition but we pulled through. Just give it time." "Time is something we don't have Marble, the Annual Gem harvest Festival is around the corner and if mother and father are fighting there's no telling what will happen to us." Maud said, with her ears folded down. But then Marble gave her and odd look. "I guess you didn't know then?" "Know what?" Maud asked. "Did something happen?" Trixie asked looking concerned. "Cloudy and Igneous didn't divorce while she was away did they?" "Oh, no Trixie. It's nothing like that." Marble replied. "Limestone bought out the farm from dad." Trixie looked stunned by what she had heard. Never had she thought Limestone would buy out her fathers farm from him. Never. She shook her head and flexed her ears leaning closer to Maud, as if she were hard of hearing. "So, your father is not the owner anymore?" Trixie asked Maud. The grey earth pony shook her head back and forth gently swaying her mane. "No. Shortly after you left Limestone went to talk to father and he practically gave it to her." Marble explained. "She was upset-" "Big surprise there." Trixie commented, but that made Marble harden her expression. "Trixie, Limestone is not always mad and you know very well it's not her fault." Maud interjected to Trixie's comment in an angered tone. Both Trixie and Platinum seemed taken aback by her sudden anger, while Marble seemed unfazed. However slight it was, seeing Maud angry weighed heavily on their hearts. Maud sighed getting off her seat and walked behind them hugging them both. She wrapped her arms around their necks and pulled them close, her eyes tearing up as she did. Both unicorns looked concerned at one another before awkwardly returning the hug. Platinum nuzzle the arm as did Trixie. They always felt safe around Maud no matter what happened. Meanwhile Mary watched from the kitchen listening in on their conversation. She joined up with igneous and Cloudy who were busy cleaning the dishes. "You let Limestone have the farm? How come?" she asked turning to sit back at the table with her old friends. Igneous looked concerned while his wife look away. "Ye know, she hath a knack for the land here. Doth thou know'th that she is the best worker and leader we ever had?" "Well, yes but, I always thought Maud would get the farm." Mary inquired. "But why did you give it to Limestone?" Both Igneous and Cloudy Quartz looked uncomfortably at her question. Rubbing his neck, the mustard colored earth pony grabbed his wife's hoof and looked almost pleadingly to her. She shook her head indicating to him that whatever he wanted to say was not to be said. He turned to his friend saying, "Tis a private matter, Mary. I apologize." "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you had your reasons." Mary replied looking out at her herd mates. She wanted so badly to join them in the lovely show of affection, but fear of her friends backlash kept her in place. Fear that Maud would suffer backlash as well. She didn't want to put the Pie family through anymore than they were going through already. It was only for a short while, she kept reminding herself. Just until the election is over that's all. She thought That thought did little to calm her nerves as she watched her mates kiss. She almost leapt forward but instead tried to pass it as a cough leaning forward into her hoof and coughed into it. Suddenly Trixie's ears perked up and she jumped off her seat saying, "Hey Maud. Let's go see Holders Boulder! I wanna show it to Platinum and tell her all about it!" Maud seemed to smile while Platinum looked at the two ponies with a most curious look. "Come on!" Trixie said grabbing both of them and herding them out of the house. Mary, Igneous, and Cloudy all smiled watching the young ponies leave to go see Holders Bolder which was just outside of the house. Trixie seemed to be telling them a fascinating tale of sorts, for she was standing on her hind legs making broad gestures as if telling the tale of fantasy and wonder. No doubt a very fabricated tale, but a fun one none the less. Mary thought. But all the while Mary felt her heart aching and longing to be out there with them, but how could she after everything that happened between her Igneous and Cloudy? Or to be more specific what happened between her and Cloudy years ago. "How I miss the simplicity of those days." she said in a melancholic tone heading towards the living room to watch the younger herd members from the warm couch. Igneous and Cloudy watched with concern as Mary walked slowly sitting herself on the couch. She glanced out seeing the three ponies walk over to the massive stone outside at the edge of a large ravine. It's bottom partially buried under the dirt about a foot or so. Hard as a RockOutside the house at Holders Boulder, Limestone was busying herself with cleaning the massive rock that was shaped like an egg. She spent the last several minutes meticulously polishing the rough boulder. All the while she spit curses and vulgarities at Trixie. She was very upset at the mare. She wouldn't say she outright hate the unicorn, but she defiantly didn't like her being here. She thought about her father and how her mother was always watching his every move. All of this distrust between them and all the tension, all because of Trixie. To make matters worse that same mare was now with her sister. She fumed at the thought of her sister falling for some vile temptress. "Stupid pony. Stupid... Trixie." she grumbled. "Why did she have to come to our farm and ruin our family?" "Limestone proud owner of the family farm reduced to this..." she continued to grumble polishing the boulder. She looked into the spot she had been rubbing and realized she had polished it too well. A clear reflection of herself showed on a now smooth and clean spot on the boulder. Staring at the disgruntled image of herself, her eyes began twitching, and she left out a growl before smashing her face into the boulder. Then she heard a noise. Her ear twitched turning towards the sound of inbound hooves and voices. She quickly jumped behind Holders Boulder to hide. Peeking around it she saw Trixie leading Platinum and Maud over to towards her. Ducking back she listened in trying to make out what Trixie was saying. "-and that was how the Pie Family farm came to be!" Trixie finished, in her usual flair. Trixie had just finished telling the tale of Holders Boulder and Platinum seemed very interested in it. Maud seemed to be listening and nodding to everything Trixie was saying. The three stood just a hoofs reach from the boulder, watching it. Platinum seemed to be taking in the sight of the massive boulder. She wondered how something like this could be so important to build a farm around it. Hearing the story of it made little sense but it was something from long ago so she didn't question it. Along the way Trixie and Maud explained many of the Pie Family traditions that came from Holders Boulder. It was a fascinating little family. Thinking about the family Platinum wondered about how each of them grew into the ponies they were today. Which brought her thoughts towards Limestone. The brash and forthcoming of them all, she thought of Limestone as the overzealous type. Granted, Cloudy Quartz was not high on her list of ponies she liked very much either, but Limestone was rude and obnoxious. That alone made her wonder. Turning to Trixie the silver pony asked, "Why is that mare, Limestone, so mean to you Trixie?" "Trixie is unsure. She thinks maybe Limestone is angry about what happened between me and her father. That gabby Gums article ruined the balance and order of this farm." Trixie said bitterly. Platinum looked thoughtfully up to the sky. "Yeah I heard about Gabby Gums. A group of fillies if I recall from Ponyville Elementary under the pen name Gabby Gums. Made lots of ponies upset they did." Maud nodded with Trixie knowingly. Mary had told them about gabby Gums but Platinum wasn't present during that conversation. Limestone perked her ear listening to the conversation as it went on. She was keenly interested to hear what there was to say about the article in question. Perhaps some insight might reveal to her whether Trixie really was on her father as she and her mother thought. Maud was the first to break the silence. "I heard the girls got in a lot of trouble for everything they did as gabby Gums." "Who was Gabby Gums anyway?" Platinum asked both mares looking between them both. "It was the Crusaders." Trixie replied, sitting next to the boulder but careful not to touch it. "So wait, you mean those sweet fillies Scootaloo, Sweeite Belle, and Applebloom were responsible?" Platinum asked in shock. "Yes, them." Trixie replied. The blue mare scratched the surface of Holders Boulder which made Limestone's eye twitch angrily. "Mary told me those girls were properly punished for what they did. Thus, I myself took no action against them." Trixie said looking down. Maud and Platinum stood by her side trying to comfort their mate nuzzling her sides. Trixie returned the gesture by pulling them closer to her and nestled herself between them, but she felt a small bit of guilt. She wanted Mary to be there with them but for whatever reason Maud had told her as well as Platinum to give her some space. Platinum saw that the unicorn looked a bit down and asked, 'what was the matter?' Trixie didn't reply, but instead she looked back at the house with a depressed look. Maud and Platinum looked worried. They knew what was wrong with her, they knew she wanted Mary to be with them and the separation was putting her on edge. Add that to the Pie Family being torn and Trixie considered the direct cause made the blue unicorn feel very out of place. She missed having Mary with them at times like this. To Trixie it felt like a part of them was gone without her and she made it painfully obvious. "I just wish Mary was here with us." Trixie sighed leaning into Platinum. "I do too Trixie, but Mary needs some space right now." the silver unicorn said looking to Maud who nodded in confirmation. "It's true, little moon, she told me herself not to mention it to my parents that she was part of our herd too." Maud said, which earned a series of odd looks from her unicorn mates. From behind the massive boulder, Limestone's ears perked up honing in on her sisters words. Platinum was the first to respond asking, "What do you mean?" By now Trixie had made the connection based off what she was told when she first met Mary at her office over a week ago. "Trixie may know about this. Maud?" The grey mare looked to her blue mate. "Do you know how Mary knows your mother and father by chance?" she asked. Maud replied with a nod of her head. Platinum and Limestone both listened intently to what was said next. "She almost married my father." Platinum and the hiding mare nearly toppled over hearing this news. The silvery unicorn gasped looking to Trixie then back at Maud unable to say anything. Trixie replied asking, "So you do know?" "Mmhmm." Was Maud's response. "Well, that would explain why she's been so distant as of late. Mary must not want to put more pressure on the Pie Family, your family by telling them she's apart of our herd, especially with me. So instead she's letting us be the herd and she seems to take the role of a chaperon." Trixie reasoned. "I don't think that's the case Trixie." Maud declared walking over to Holders Boulder touching the polished spot on it. "I think she's afraid of breaking my family apart. She's not afraid of telling the truth because she's ashamed. She fears breaking her friends apart. " "But surely they would understand, right, Maudie?" Platinum asked in an almost pleading voice. "I hate not having Mary around." "I do too, but we must respect her wishes." Maud said pulling both unicorns close to her chest. She looked over at the fading light from the sun and said, "We should return to the house now." All three mares got up to leave, but Trixie lingered behind. Seeing the unicorn behind Trixie's mates looked back at her and she waved to them. "I'll catch up in a minute, jut need to clear my thoughts." "Alright, little moon. See you back home.'' Maud called to her. "See you in a while Trixie! Don't stay out too late!" Platinum called back, waving to her. Trixie waved to them as they left heading back into the house. Trixie's ear flicked twice at the sound of rocks shuffling and turned to see Limestone standing beside Holders Boulder. The two mares glared at one another in absolute silence. Finally after nearly five minutes Limestone broke the silence. "Hey family destroyer." "Hello to you too, salty lemon." Trixie sniped back. The taunted succeeded in provoking the white maned mare. Flaring her nostrils Limestone smashed her from hooves into the ground like a foal throwing a tantrum. "Don't call me that!" "Oh, soooo sorry, but Trixie was trying to make nice but you just had to ruin it by attacking me back at home-" "NO! Don't you dare say it is your home! IT WAS NEVER YOUR HOME!" "So, what? Trixie is now outcast forever from your household?" The unicorn asked. Limestone grinned at what Trixie said. "Actually yes, you are." She said with a sneer. This made Trixie feel uncomfortable. Fidgeting a bit Trixie tried to steel herself and prepare for whatever Limestone threw at her. Whether it was physical of verbal, she had to be ready for anything. After her fight with Applejack, Trixie, had trained to become more physically adept in turn increasing her magical abilities. While Limestone was more of a physical kind of pony, she was sure the earth pony would use verbiage instead of muscle in this case. And she was right. The earth pony mare flicked her bangs to the side and sauntered up to her to greet her. "Hey Trixie." Limestone said in a snarky tone. "How's life been?" "Limestone, please. Can't you get over this whole thing so we can both move on?" "After what I heard that is not happening." Trixie could see where this was going. "What do you want, Citrus?" Limestone snapped at that particular nickname. "DON'T CALL ME THAT! God's above I hate you so much right now, Trixie!" Trixie rolled her eyes at the mare. "Oh, please Limestone. What are you so bent out of shape for?" Limestone growled and charged Trixie, who dodged to the side with ease. As Limestone passed Trixie nudged her from behind making her topple over her own hooves and faceplant in the ground. Getting up and shaking herself off Limestone readied herself for another charge. It was painfully obvious to Trixie what she was going to do, she actually felt sorry for her, but despite being able to read her motions reading the mares emotions was a difficult task. Even Maud admitted to having trouble with it sometimes. Trixie persisted though. The last week had not been kind to her but that didn't mean she'd give up. Not after everything she'd been through. "Limestone talk to me. What is wrong with you?! Why do you hate me? The article with your father?" "You're damn right it is!" she yelled at Trixie, charging her once more. The blue unicorn dodged by leaping to the right like she took a large side step. This easily evaded the charging earth pony. Limestone was absolutely livid by this point to where she resembled a rabid bull rather than a pony. At least this was the case in Trixie's mind. "Lime, please. Trixie's sorry for ruining your family, but it wasn't her fault!" The union tried reasoning with the grey mare. Limestone gave the only response she could at the time. "BULL!" She charged her again. Trixie easily sidestepped as the earth pony ran past her. What she didn't see was Limestone digging her hoof into the ground to pick up a rock. The rock was flung into Trixie face, dazing her. Limestone then charged full force at Trixie again but was met by a magical barrier that forced her back, leaving Trixie no worse for wear. Trixie stood in place with a calm neutral expression, while Limestone growled in frustration. Calmly Trixie looked at her and slowly lifted a hoof in a surrender motion. Limestone was taken aback by this and eyed her opponent cautiously. "What are you doing?" she asked sternly. Trixie shook her head. "I don't want to fight you Limestone." The earth pony responded by digging at the ground like a bull, readying another charge. "Sure you don't cause we all know you can't fight to save your life! Or is that only against giant cosmic bears?" Limestone sniped at Trixie. "That was a low blow even for you." Trixie replied coldly. "Much has changed since we last met Limestone. You would do best not to challenge me." Limestone ignored the mares warning and charged full force at her. Before Trixie was able to respond to the attack Limestone was hit by a magical beam across the cheek sending her flying into Holders Boulder. Shaking, Limestone stood unstably on her hooves and saw a brown unicorn mare off to the side with a cerulean blue earth pony beside her. The unicorn lowered her posture circling around Limestone while the earth pony ran over to Trixie. "Mom!" "Trixie! My sweet baby girl are you alright?" Misty cried tackle hugging her daughter. "Mom I'm fine!" Trixie yelled to her mother. Backing away from her, Trixie ran over to Limestone and tried to reach for her but was shoved off to the side. Limestone stumbled past her heading back towards the house leaving the three mares behind. Before she was out of ear shot Trixie was sure she heard the mare curse her under her breath. Turnover walked over to Trixie wrapping an arm around her, gently guiding her to follow. "Come on Trixie. Let's go back to the trailer." Turnover guided Trixie along the road back to the trailer on the other end of the farm; while, Misty followed close behind keeping some distance after having her daughter yell at her. She was just happy her little Trixie was safe. The three ponies walked all the way to the opposite side of Rockyshores where Misty's trailer awaited them. There they entered and all three sat at the large table that was moved to the center. While there Misty made some tea and put come biscuits on the table for all of them to share. Choosing to give her daughter some distance the blue mare retreated back to her brown unicorn mate and sat beside her. After sometime when nopony said a word Turnover broke the silence by asking Trixie, "So, what was that fight all about?" Trixie sighed taking along sip of her tea, holding the cup in her hooves rather than her magic she looked down at the brown liquid. Then after about ten seconds she said, "It is quite the tale. It all started with a one time trip I had planned that required a short stop in Ponyville..." *Later that night* Trixie sat in her mother's trailer alone with Turnover. The older mare was siting on the couch while Trixie sat by the table resting on one of her favorite pillows. It was a nice red velvet with soft feathers to fill it. It had nice golden laces and rimming with a picture of her fathers cutie mark. She adored the pillow. Though it was very old it was now a treasure to her. All these years her mother kept it and until recently was stored away for safe keeping. Now it was Trixie's and the young mare was more than thrilled to take it as her own. It made her comfortable knowing that her father would be remembered after he was long gone. Trixie rubbed her nose into the pillow which had the ever so slightest scent of her father on it while Turnover simply watched. After a minute the apple pony said, "Your mother always spoke of him you know." This caught Trixie by surprise. "She did? Umm. How often did she talk about him?" Turnover chuckled covering her mouth delicately with a large hoof. "She spoke about him often enough. Honestly," the older mare looked around as if to see if anypony was listening. "I think your mother always had it hard for him. You know what I mean?" "EWW! That's my mother you sicko!" Trixie squeaked throwing another pillow at Turnover. The mare let the over stuffed pillow hit her face enticing a laugh from her, which made Trixie puff her cheeks. "You just like embarrassing Trixie don't you?" "Yeah, it's so easy to do." Another pillow hit her face. As this pillow fell it revealed an unamused mare who now glared at Trixie. Her horn lit up and both pillows Trixie threw floated up to which the blue unicorn let out a squeak trying to turn tail and run. Tripping over her pillow the first pillow assaulted her backside and she yelped jumping from her spot as the other flew into the back of her head making her fall again. Now in full blown laughter, still laying on the couch, Turnover wiped away a tear in her eye as Trixie got up looking very upset. "Aw come on Trix, don't be like that." the brown mare said to the younger mare who turned her nose up from her. The large brown unicorn walked over to the blue one and sat beside her. Trixie turned away from her pretending to be upset. The older mare playfully nudged her making Trixie giggle. The two continued to nudge each other several times before stopping due to sore shoulders and arms. They sat together not saying a word. The silence was all they needed at the time. It was a wordless transaction where they seemed to know they just want ed to comfort of knowing the other was there. It was strange that not a few days ago Trixie hated this mare and in turn she hated her, now they were close. Perhaps not too close but they had a mutual respect for one another. It probably helped that they both loved Misty. "How's the head, Trix?" "Fine until Trixie looked at you." "Ouch, harsh much?" Turnover said in mock hurt gripping her chest. "I'm not sure my old heart can take much more of it!" The azure unicorn rolled her eyes with a light chuckle. "Trixie is sure your heart will hold." "And why's that?" "Because Trixie is sooooo adorable that she has stopped the hearts of many! Thus you being around Trixie for as long as you have should be fine." the showmare boasted. "Hah! Whatever you little shit!" Turnover barked with laughter. Turnover then grabbed Trixie from around the neck and playfully rubbed her mane. The younger mare retaliated by biting playfully back on the brown mares ear and tugging it. The two laughed as they rolled around the trailer playing and chasing each other. Soon afterwards Trixie tackled the older mare down and laid on her. Too exhausted from the rough housing Turnover simply laid in place as Trixie curled up into a ball on her back and nestled herself in place. "Oh no! You are not using me as a bed!" "But Trixie is tired!" The mare whined like a child in a high pitched voice. "Trixie demands you give her beauty sleep!" "Not on my old back you aren't!" The mare said standing up and lifting the blue mare off with her magic. "You can sleep in a bed like a proper foal." "Trixie's no foal, old lady!" "Aww, does somepony need a nap?" she cooed at the smaller unicorn. "Stop treating Trixie like a child!" "I'll stop treating you like a child when you start acting like a grown mare." "..." "..." "......" "......" "... touche." Setting Trixie down, Turnover set herself up on the pile of pillows that formed during their pillow fight which came after their version of tag. It was just like regular tag but with magic stun beams. The two played for an hour until a soft cough caught their attention. They both turned to see Misty frowning at them both tapping her hoof on the ground irritably. The two looked around at the mess they made and shied away from the mare into a corner. Misty walked over to the corner and glowered at them. "What do you two have to say for yourselves? Hmmm?" Neither mare wanted to answer feeling ashamed for their childish display. But soon enough the mares stern glare broke Turnover and she threw herself at her mates hooves saying, "It was Trixie's fault she started it!" "Hey! That's a boldface lie you mule!" "Trixie Lulamoon you are in my house you watch that mouth of yours." Misty scolded then turned to her mate. "As for you. You know I hate it when I come home to a huge mess. You know better." Misty then turned to face her daughter who tried sneaking away but was caught by her tail. "And just where do you think your're going young lady?" "Uh, Trixie was just going for a walk?" she said trying to sound convincing. "Ugh. I swear you two are so alike." Misty said with a facehoof. "Guess it can't be helped. I'm just glad you two are finally getting along." Turnover grinned pulling Trixie into a bear-hug. "Yeah, we've bonded a little." The azure mare laughed and hugged the brown unicorn back. "Yeah. Turnover may not be as great and powerful as I-" "Nor as arrogant or inflated." "Ahem- as Trixie was saying she's a wonderful mare. Trixie can see why you chose her." That stung Misty in a very bad way. Her eyes welled up with tears before turning away but was griped by a set of blue hooves. "It's fine mom. We agreed it was best to leave dad to rest, but I'm just saying I see why you love her so much. She is a wonderful mare mother. Loyal and true to you." Misty and her mate looked at the younger mare like she'd just grown a second head. The brown unicorn pinched her mates cheek making her yelp and slap her back. "Yup not a dream." she said rubbing her cheek. "Really Turnover?" "Hey I never thought the brat would compliment me like that." Misty frowned, but then Turnover got a sly look on her face. "She is awfully cute though." Misty gasped at the comment while Trixie rolled her eyes saying, "Oh please Turnover, you're way too old for Trixie." Misty tapped her chin. "But sweetie aren't you dating two older mares?" Trixie was going to answer but then thought about it. True Mary was older than all of them but she wasn't that old. Maud was second oldest of their herd with Platinum and Trixie being very close. She then wondered how old Mary really was. She was around the same age as Igneous and Cloudy Quartz that was for sure, but just how much f an age gap was there? The fact was she had no Idea how old her older mate was nor when her birthday was either. She only knew Maud's and that was it. I really suck at remembering important stuff. Trixie thought. She glanced outside through the window and saw it was very late by now. The moon was high in the sky and there was no sign of anypony outside. With a yawn she realized she'd been up all day and slowly dragged her hooves over to a small bed her mother left for her and climbed in it. Misty and Turnover followed suit going to their bed at the end of the trailer. After a quick round of good nights, the three ponies fell asleep for the night. Before anypony was deep asleep Trixie moved from her bed and wandered over to her mother's bed and climbed on top of it and nestled beside Turnover. The larger unicorn looked over to see Trixie curled up beside her like a cat and resting her head on her back. She smiled at the cute sight and shifted her body and wrapped her arms around Trixie holding her close. Thus all was well in the trailer and the three mares fell into a deep sleep undisturbed until dawn. *Earlier shortly after their encounter* Limestone limped home. Her head was sore and her neck felt stiff. She was angry and very tired. Somehow the conflict left her feeling drained and empty inside. All she wanted to do was get home and vent her rage on her pillow. That pillow had seen through many sleepless nights. Entering the house she was greeted by her family but chose to ignore them. On the couch Maud and Platinum sat with Mary across from them in her fathers chair. The grey mare glared at the tan mare, nopony sat in her fathers chair except her mother. It enraged her to see this stranger come into their home and do what she wanted as if she ran the place. Just like Trixie. She thought hatefully. She sat by the fireplace warming up by the open flames inside hearing her parents say goodnight to the others as they retreated to their room for the night. Winter was coming and it was getting colder by the day. Natural weather was common her unlike most of Equestria. Limestone liked it though, not the cold, but she liked the natural changing weather. It felt right to her. As she warmed up she heard a voice belonging to Mary from the other room approaching. "Listen girls I was thinking about staying here in Rockyshores and running for mayor here." Mary opened up with to them. Both Maud and Platinum listened to their mate. "I want to start fresh here but I fear that, Trixie's past relations might hinder my campaign." Limestone quickly hid around the corner as they past by into the living room and Limestone circled around to hide in the kitchen and eavesdrop on them. Platinum was first to speak. "Mary, that's not fair! We shouldn't be ashamed of loving Trixie!" "I know that, love, but we just need to do it for a little while. Listen my campaign starts in two days. All we need to do is-" "No Mary." Maud interjected. "We can't. It's not fair to hide our relationship under a rock and bury it." "Maud, Platinum please be reasonable. Do you know how much trouble it is for a married mare to run, much less a mare in a herd? Especially in a town as old fashioned as this?" Mary tried reasoning. Both of her mates looked to one another and nodded knowingly to one another. "We'll make it work." the replied in unison. They all huddled together by the fire, Mary in the center with Maud and Platinum flanking her. The two younger mares wrapped around her as if to protect her from the cold and nuzzled her cheek and chin. The tan mare sighed kissing them back on their snoots. Limestone watched as they three shared this moment of love and affection. She was amazed that it was all true. Her parents friend was part of a herd with Trixie. This was what they were talking about. Mary was going to run for the upcoming Rockshore Elections. "This is going to be interesting for sure." Limestone said slinking back up to her room. Being sure to close the door Limestone Reached under her bed and pulled out a small locked case. Taking a key from her mane she gently slid the piece of metal into the lock and turned it. With a gentle click the lock released and Limestone opened the case revealing a single plush doll inside. It was a chubby little thing, blue with white a white mane and tail with a very familiar hat and cloak on it that Limestone had come to know very well. "Trixie." she said sadly clutching the doll to her chest. "Stupid mare. Why'd you have to come back?" Limestone then threw the doll across the room charging at it as it fell limp on the ground. Looming over the plush toy she growled at it menacingly, it tiny beady eyes staring back at her. She couldn't stand how cute it was. *I really hate you.* she growled at it stomping her hoof against the head. Over and over again she stomped the doll until one of its eyes fell out. Some of the stuffing had come out from a tear in the doll side and Limestone panting staring wide eyed at it. Taking a moment to regain control of herself she picked up the doll and stared at it for a good minute. She then reached under her bed and pulled out a small sewing kit she kept under. She pulled out a needle some thread and collected the bead eyes and stuffing. once all was set she began the meticulous trials of repairing the doll. An hour later she finished and admired her handiwork. With a kind smile she kissed the doll on the head saying, "I'm sorry, I got mad." and replaced the doll gently back in the lock container. After quickly locking it up she put the sewing kit and needle away and hid both under her bed for safe keeping. Afterwards she went to bed and decided to have a long talk with Trixie tomorrow. She had somethings that needed to be said to her and her alone. Preparing for the CandidacyMary was up early the next morning. She was ready to tackle the day and prepare herself for the upcoming election, but first she needed to see Trixie. Walking along the dirt path she came upon Misty's wagon within minutes of setting off on her journey. In truth the wagon was only on the other side of the Pie Family Farm but it wasn't the important thing at the moment. The tan mare skipped along with great vigor and came to a halt just within arms reach of the door. She lifted her hoof up and knocked twice humming to herself. "Do you believe in maaaggic?" she sang to herself. "Hmm hm hm hmmm heart." She then knocked twice again. This time the door opened to reveal a very tired looking azure unicorn in a white robe. Her silvery hair was a tangled mess and she had bags under her eyes with a coffee levitating close by from her horns magical glow. Taking a sip of her coffee the mare rubbed her eyes looking at the tan mare. "Morning Mary." she said. "Good morning Trixie!" the older mare beamed jumping forward to hug her mate. "I was worried when you didn't come to bed last night." "I had some things to take care of." the unicorn said. "You seem to be in good spirits this morning." "Oh Trixie you know me!" the mare smiled kissing her. Trixie blushed moving to the side and allowed Mary to enter. She then closed the door and lead her mate to the table where Turnover was glowering at Misty who was sipping her morning brew not bothering to look at her brown mate. "What's with them?" Mary whispered to Trixie. "They seem, off?" Trixie sighed placing her cup on the table before entering the kitchen. "Mother got mad at us for rough housing and made us sleep on the floor." she pouted. "Yep." Turnover grunted with a pop. Misty grumbled at them both, making Mary tilted her head with curiosity. "Well, if you two hadn't broken everything in my home you wouldn't have been punished. You're lucky I didn't kick you both out." The former mayor of Ponyville looked around to see in fact several things were missing, from the very expensive vase she saw to the ornate dishware reduced in numbers, she could easily tell something went on and clearly tempers were high. To lighten the mood Mary tried to steer away from the route this conversation was heading and opted to say what she came for. "Trixie, I actually wanted to talk to you about something." The azure unicorn looked at her. "Yes love?" "As you know I'm running for in the upcoming election and was wondering if you'd help me?" she asked knowing Trixie would be all too happy to help. "Oh Mary of course Trixie would be delighted to help you." the unicorn replied with a smile. "Excellent!" the tan mare said clapping her hooves. "I have this list ready for you to start at you earliest convenience. We only have one more day after this to prepare and we need to get sponsorship quickly!" "Actually Trixie has that covered." the blue mare said proudly. "You do?" "Mmmhmm!" Misty and Turnover got alarmed looks at the young mare. Misty then approached her daughter and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Trixie, sweetie? What did you-" "Don't worry mom! Trixie has it covered! She'd been thinking about this for a few days now and the preparations are done!" Trixie beamed hopping in place. Mary sighed shaking her head. She was able to manage a small crack of a smile before she walked to the door. Taking a hold of the knob she opened it and called back to Trixie, "I need to meet you at the town hall in an hour, OK love?" Trixie waved to to her but got a stern look from her mother and quickly ran to the door to open it for her mate. She gave Mary an awkward smile followed by a quick kiss on her lips. Trixie tried to pull away but Mary's hooves grabbed hold of her and held her in place. The quick peck turned into a full blow passionate kiss. While the two younger mares made love at their front door Misty and Turnover looked away trying not to make it obvious they were uncomfortable. Finally letting her mate go, Mary pressed her cheek against Trixie's, rubbing against her soft fur. The two mares purred like kittens as they affectionately rubbed one another before breaking away. Mary looked deep into Trixie's eyes and a spark was felt in their hearts. The earth pony walked down the steps leaving Trixie at the door in a love high state and waved to her with a sultry look on her face that made Trixie blush. The unicorn quickly closed the door leaving Mary outside laughing to herself. "Oh Trixie, you're a real goof." she gasped. "I guess I'll leave it to her. I wonder who she got to sponsor me?" Mary pondered it only briefly until she came to the conclusion that she trusted Trixie one hundred percent. She would trust her judgement. After all Trixie hadn't let her down so far, so was there any reason to doubt? *One Hour Later* Trixie walked down a long dirt path heading into the town of Rockyshores. Today it was full of hustling ponies running around setting up for tomorrows upcoming election at which time the first candidates would be announced. Trixie was wearing her neck tie and carried her clipboard with her in her magical grasp as she made her way to the Court House. She was in a giddy mood. She felt like this was her calling. Being here with her lover ready to make the performance of a life time. She knew this was going to be a big deal for Mary and she took the time to read up on the upcoming election long ago. She wasn't sure what rules there were in Rockyshores Electoral but she was sure with her basic knowledge she'd have a good foundation to start Mary's campaign. They had one major advantage. According to the papers Trixie received from Mary most of the other candidates were not from here and thus didn't have many connections to Rockyshores. That however was no reason to get cocky. Trixie knew very well that the tides could change at any point. She had to be ready for anything so she could advise Mary ahead of time. She had too. This was her first big break and it was her duty to support her mate through this. In her mind anything short of Mary winning to become mayor was unacceptable. As she walked down the streets she had gone from looking determined to having a serious demeanor. "I won't let you down Mary. I promise." she said walking up to the Town Hall. A voice from behind her startled her making her yelp. "I know you won't fail me." "Mary!" Trixie yelped rushing towards her mate hugging her. Mary laughed hugging her unicorn mate back kissing her cheek. "It's good to see you Trixie." "Yes Mary. It feels like forever since we last saw each other." "That was literally a day ago." "And Trixie hated it!" The two laughed kissing once more before parting. Mary adjusted her neck tie and then did Trixie's making her frown. "Mary, Trixie can dress herself thank you." "Aw, is my little Trixie too embarrassed by this tender moment?" Mary joked mockingly to the unicorn. "Ugh, Mary please be serious." Trixie scolded the mare enticing a laugh from her. "Alright, alright Trixie. You win. Come on let's go." Mary said walking into the Town Hall with the unicorn at her heels. All around there were ponies of all ages gathered around, from younger foals to older ponies, and even several griffons and a zebra. The main hall was a large circular room where everyone was gathered in formal dress ware from simple collared ties to full dress and suits. Mary smiled feeling right at home among all these ponies, even Trixie seemed to be in good spirits. Walking over to the end of the hall Trixie and Mary came up to a large desk where a young looking earth pony stallion sat. He was a simple looking pony, broad shoulders brown fur and a light grey, girly, style mane. He smiled at the two mares who approached him and leaned forward on his desk which was littered with stacks of papers. "Hello you two! What can I do for you today?" "hello sir," Mary said bowing to him. "I'm Mary Goldmane. I'm here to run for the Candidacy Run." "Oh, why yes of course you are!" the stallion replied rather flamboyantly, waving his hoof. "What's your party?" "I'm not affiliated currently." Mary replied. "Very well, I'll just put N/A for now in case you change your mind." he scratched a few notes down. "Now, who's your sponsor?" This time Mary looked over to Trixie who happily walked up with a smug grin. She placed a hoof on the table and said loud and proudly, "We are being sponsored by the Apple Family, the Pie Conglomerate, and the Noble House of Lulamoon." Everyone in the room went dead silent as all head turned to face Trixie who had made the bold claim. Mary looked around to see all were watching them, and it suddenly made her feel uneasy. "Good lord." Mary said facehooving.
A New Beginning: Back to ones RootsTrixie lay on the couch inside her mothers trailer as it rolled along down the dirt road heading west towards Rockyshore. Turnover sat beside Mary and Platinum, having a casual conversation about politics. Maud busied herself with watching the road from one of the side windows. Though everypony by now knew exactly what she was looking out for. She watched as rocks passed taking note of every type she could find. This game had kept her entertained for hours, and would continue to for many to come. Misty slept beside her daughter on the floor. The older mare was curled up like a cat on a pile of soft cushions. She slept soundly beside her daughter who was curled up beside her like a kitten with her tail wrapped around her. Mary and Turnover soon got on the conversation of their cutie marks and how they shaped them into who they were this day. It was quite the tale for the both of them. While they talked Platinum worked her way over to Maud, sitting beside her. "Hey." the unicorn casually greeted. "Hey." Maud replied, not taking her eyes off the road. The two sat in silence, Platinum scratched her arms nervously and Maud continued to watch the road. The silver unicorn looked over Maud's shoulder resting her head on it and watched the scenery go by. She was so fixated on it she that she never saw the grey mare smile. What she did see was a wall of violet as Maud playfully flicked her mane into her mates face. The silver unicorn let out a high pitched squeal before tumbling over to the floor. With a dull thud the unicorn hit the floor leaving her with prone and sore. She glared up at Maud who kept her neutral expression, but Platinum knew better. She was smiling inside. "Not funny." she huffed, standing up to rub her sore back. Walking to the unicorn, Maud gently led her to a soft pillow and pushed her down on it. With tender care Maud used her hooves and gently rubbed the mares back making her moan in satisfaction. "Oh, Maud..." Platinum sighed letting her tongue roll out. "Why can't I stay mad at you?" Maud smiled at her lovers words. "Because you love me and have a large heart." Trixie snickered on the couch covering her face with her signature hat pressing it closer to her sleeping mothers body. Platinum glared at the blue mare puffing her cheeks. "Oh, shut it Trixie!" she scolded her mate who snickered in return. Plaitnum then turned to Maud, giving her a pathetic look. "Maudie... Trixie is being mean to meeee." she whined. Trixie flinched under her cover. She slowly lifted her hat to see Maud's eyes inches from her. She used her magic to slowly lower the hat down and cover her eyes hoping Maud would let this slip. Then the hat, as if it had a will of its own, lifted from Trixie's head. Maud's intense gaze fell on Trixie making her feel small and insignificant. Trixie could see into the end through those eyes. The intense darkness within. Though plain and simple as they were, Trixie knew the dark thoughts that lurked behind them. A devious sinister prankster who would exploit any weakness on anypony she knew, and destroy them. And Trixie was the target. A bead of sweat worked its way over Trixie's brow as she did her best to sink into the couch. She began breathing heavily and wriggled around the couch. This awoke her mother, misty. The mare yawned loudly and stretched like a cat, popping her bones and limbering herself up. Once awake and aware, she noticed Trixie cowering into the couch under Maud's watchful eye. "Morning, Miss Pie." Misty greeted her walking away, ignoring her daughters attempt to reach for her. "Having a good morning?" "We are about to." the grey mare replied, never taking her eyes off Trixie. Misty casually walked past her without giving her a glance. "Please make sure you don't break anything." She then stopped, craning her neck back with a devious look. "Aaaannd, Trixie is ticklish on her tummy." she finished walking away to sit with Mary and Turnover. "MOM!" She heard her daughter cry out to her. She grinned as Trixie's laughter and promises of her doom that would follow. Platinum could be heard occasionally laughing too. Misty walked over to the table where Mary and Turnover were in the final stages of their chess grudge match. She took a seat next to Mary a the table, Turnover placed her rook over the board giving a proud look at Mary. The former politician smiled kindly back sliding her queen one square left and said, "Checkmate." Turnover gawked at the chessboard. She began scanning over it to see if it truly was a checkmate. Mary chuckled at the mares reaction. Misty shook her head blushing at her mates behavior. "I'm sorry, Mary, but my lovely Turnover is a very, veerryy, veeerrryy, sore loser." "AM NOT!" Turnover yelled indignantly. Misty sighed, rolling her eyes. "Yes you are, dear." Turnover blushed looking angrily down at the chess board intently. She was scanning for any way to get out of her loss by any mean possible. After examining the board over twenty times Turnover finally admitted defeat. This annoyed Misty greatly but she knew it was just her competitive nature. Her daughter was the exact same way. It befuddled her that her daughter and lover could be so similar yet they let those similarities drive them apart. To her it was a true mystery. "She's much like her." Mary stated. "Hmm? What do you mean?" Misty looked at the mare beside her. "You mean Turnover is like?-" she trailed off waiting for Mary to elaborate. Mary nodded over her shoulder towards Trixie, who managed to pin Maud down with Platinum's help. The mares were all smiling and laughing as they each tried to out tickle the others. For the first time in a ling time, Maud laughed. It was a sight to see that filled Mary's heart with happiness and joy. "I mean Trixie is like Turnover. And actually, Applejack is so much like the both of them." Misty sighed relaxing her shoulders. "Those two, Trixie and Applejack, they are a hooful I tell you." The two older mares gave knowing looks at each other before turning their attention back to the tan mare between them. They sandwiched her between themselves, careful not to crush her. Then they each wrapped an arm around her neck making Mary's cheeks heat up from the intimate contact. She felt like a child in a motherly embrace. It was a wonderful feeling, and she hoped that one day Trixie could appreciate it when she was hugged by her mother. She enjoyed the feeling. I wish my mom and dad had shown me this much tenderly love. She thought. She then at that moment promised herself she wold do everything in her power to love the three mares in her herd s they could feel like this forever. But the moment didn't last long. "MARY!" "MARY!" "Mary..." Three voices called to her from behind. She tensed up while Misty and Turnover separated from her leaving her exposed. She felt cold. She turned around to meet two angry faces of Trixie, Platinum, and then... Maud. She laughed nervously, waving at them. "Hi girls. What's up?" "Are you cheating on Trixie with her mother and stepmother?!" Trixie asked in mock anger. Mary looked away innocently whistling. "Nooooo." "Get her!" Platinum yelled, charging her tan mate giggling like a filly. She leapt onto Mary locking her lips with hers, leaving Trixie gawking at them and Maud simply staring. Not wasting a moment longer, Trixie grabbed hold of Maud's waist and pulled her into a kiss of her own surprising Maud. Maud felt a surge go through her body as all the days of sexual tension washed away in this moment of passion. Mary and Platinum broke apart first looking up at their herd mates, crawling up to them the pulled the other two mares down and forced their way into a four way lip locked kiss. It was awkward at first for them but they all lightened up to it as they progressed. Pulling apart the four mares looked around at one another each had a smile on their face. Moments later they all huddled together and began wrestling on the floor. The four mares laughed as they playfully entertained themselves leaving Misty and Turnover to themselves. The two mares retreated to the top of the cart and sat where the driver would normally be if the cart was drawn. Misty cuddled closer to Turnover, wrapping her arms around the mares neck, as she pulled her lover close kissing her cheek. They both sat in silence. The laughing died down in the cart about ten minutes later, as they watched the scenery before them. Not long after the laughing died down the sun had begun to set and they decided to setup camp for the night. Misty and Turnover allowed the herdmates to have the privacy of the cart. While they themselves setup a tent outside the cart next to a small fire. Everypony slept soundly that night and by the end of the next day they will have reached their destination, Rockyshores.
RoutineIt was early in the morning at Rockyshores. The Pie Family farm was just getting the first signs of Celestia's sunlight over the horizon. Inside a small quaint home in the middle of a large rock farm, lay the Pie family. In one room there was Igneous and Cloudy quartz, father and mother of the four Pie sisters Limestone, Marble, Pinkie, and Maud. Across from their room was the room of Limestone and Marble Pie who shared their room. Next to theirs was Maud's room and beside that one was Pinkie Pie's old room, untouched since she left. The house was small with the bedrooms on the second floor and a living room and kitchen on the first. It was a simple house with few decorations and only a small amount of pictures. The kitchen was the largest part having to double as the dinning area with a large table with six chairs around it. A single book shelf stood beside it and behind the table was the kitchen. At this hour just before sunrise, Cloudy Quartz would be up making breakfast for everypony. The second to wake was usually Limestone followed by her father Igneous. The two would greet each other with a morning hug and then proceed to tidy themselves up for the morning followed by morning chores. The last to wake was always Marble Pie. The youngest sister to the Pies, she is a very quiet mare more so than Maud and twice as timid compared to Fluttershy. Marble slowly stirred from her slumber and awoke in a groggy state. She felt horrible today, as she had been for several weeks now since her family began fighting among themselves. Slowly she got out of her bed and like a mechanical zombie she droned through her morning routine. She brushed her mane and her coat taking over an hour to do. By the time she finished breakfast was ready. Her family patiently waited for her to take her seat before they ate. Her older sister Limestone Pie grumbled to herself while they ate. She hated how long her sister took to do things in the morning. She couldn't understand what took her so long to get ready. Ever since Maud and Trixie left she had become distant. She worked just enough to earn her share and went to bed almost instantly every night for the last several weeks. Limestone loved her little sister, but she couldn't help but be angered by her lack of motivation. So much so that she scolded her almost daily. It drove her mad. Not only were they short on hooves to help with the Annual Gem Harvest, now her sister was acting up. And with it only days away there was no way they'd be able to get the gems needed to participate this year. It would devastate their pockets for years if they didn't get enough gems this year. This harvest will either make or break them. And Limestone knew who to blame for this travesty. "Trixie." she hissed as she sipped her morning soup. All her hate was focused on the blue unicorn. She wanted to skin her alive if only to make her regret leaving them when they needed her the most. That and she never forgave the unicorn for her transgressions on her father and sisters. When they finished Marble slowly followed her family outside to begin their days work. While Igneous and Cloudy Quartz met up with teams of hired ponies to go to two different mines, Limestone took another team to a open quarry to begin mining. This left Marble Pie alone to go mine inside a rich gem mine by herself. She trudged through the mine with her pick and gear on her back. She sighed to herself with a low posture, like that of a pony wallowing in misery and self pity. Marble eventually reached the mine-shafts threshold. It had a minecart with a cheaply made rail beneath it. She tied a harness around her neck and slowly pulled the cart behind her. She traveled deep down into the shaft until she reached the end of one tunnel the cart could reach. She pulled off her harness and began mindlessly she began pecking away at a rich vein of gems not bothering to check the supports first. She thought long and hard as she dug deeper int into the mine. Chunk after chunk of ore and gems alike she was finding large deposits in this particular vein. She was so engrossed in what she was doing that she didn't realize she dug right through on of the caves natural supports. Suddenly the support gave away. Before she had any time to react a large chunk of rock and gems fell towards her. She had only enough time to look up and scream before the rocks fell upon her. But before they could crush her, two energy beams collided with the ball of doom destroying it completely. A large chunk managed to hit her in the head effectively knocking her out. Marble hit the ground hard, she could feel a warm ooze running down her head. Wiping at at with her hoof, she inspected her hoof to see it was dark red. Her vision became blurry almost immediately and the last thing she remembered was seeing a pony of azure blue with a violet outline calling to her. "Hang on Marble," the pony said. "I'll get you home." She then felt a familiar warmth engulf her. She realized the sensation was someponies magic lifting her weightlessly off the ground. She felt herself being placed on someponies back. Several voices overlapped her hearing ass he was taken out of the mine shaft. The last thing she saw was the faint glow of the sun and a mare with silver hair before she fell unconscious on the ponies back. "Trixie."
I could have Been yoursInside the Pie Family house hold Marble rested on her bed. Her head was heavily bandaged from the rocks that had fallen on her from the cave in. She awoke to a painful throbbing in her temple. She rubbed the spot tenderly, hoping to alleviate some of the discomfort. She felt ashamed of herself. Once again she messed up because she let her feelings get in the way of her logic. "Mmmhmmm." she hummed to herself pitifully, sitting upright. Her vision was blurry and all she could see was a faint out line of ponies around her. She focused on a tan colored outline, which was the largest of them asking, "Father?" The pony, whoever it was, suddenly jumped flailing about. "Everypony! She's awake!" a feminine voice yelled from the figure. The others stirred as the tan one leaned over her, pushing her back down to the comfy pillows beneath her. "Stay down young one. You're head got hit pretty hard." The stress on Marbles head alleviated when she leaned back into the soft pillow. Several ponies gathered around her. One was dark grey which stood silently in place while a lighter grey one bobbed over and started talking to the two. At first Marble thought it was her father, again, but realized it was a mares voice. "Is she alright? Her father's getting worried." she asked. "She'll be fine." the grey figure said back. "She's my sister after all." Marble eyed the figure with strained eyes. "M-maud?" All the figures stopped talking and faced down at her. The grey one moved forward, leaning close to her pressing it's nose against her cheek. A hoof gently ran across her ears. Marble reached for it and held onto it. Slowly her vision cleared as time passed and she could now make out face as the sight of her oldest sister became crystal clear to her. She smiled at her grey sister, happy to see her again. She could feel tears falling from her eyes, turning to try and hide them under her free arms. "It's alright Marble. I'm here." Maud replied nuzzling her sister's nose. Marble giggled as the cold sensation of her sisters nose touched hers. The sisterly bond they had was strong. Beside her Platinum watched with a knowing look, while Mary watched on with envy. Mary never had any siblings and now she wished she had some growing up. She was always stiff and focused on her studies that she missed much of her childhood growing up. She quickly discarded the thought. Had things been different there's no telling if she would have ended up with Trixie and the others. And she wouldn't have it any other way. She simply watched as the two mares had their intimate moment, Platinum stood beside her leaning into her side. Suddenly the door burst open as a sea of ponies came in. Igneous his wife Cloudy Quartz, and of course Limestone. The old stallion had a stern look upon his muzzle as did the rest of the family, gazing hard on the young mare in bed. Marble shied away from their gazes doing her best to hide behind her mane. Before anypony could get a word in, Limestone was up on her sister with great fury in her voice, "What were you thinking gong the mine by yourself?! You know better than that!" "I'm sorry, I just-" "Just nothing!" Limestone cut her off. "You were very lucky Maud was there to save you! Had she not..." Limestone paused to try and calm herself, taking a deep breath before continuing. "We thought we lost you there for a minute, you dum dum." Limestone said with a hint of a smile. She then turned to hug her older sister. After the brief hug Limestone glanced towards the other two ponies in the room, Platinum and Mary. Noticing them too, Ingenious and Cloudy approached them from the doorway. The two outsiders glanced at each other. Mary seemed happy while Platinum was nervously shaking. Wrapping her tail around the younger mares, Mary nudged her mate letting her know everything would be alright. Platinum smiled nudging her back as the stallion walked up to them and gave a polite bow. "Welcome to thy home, Mary." Igneous greeted the tan mare. Mary bowed to him slightly. "It's good to see you too old friend." She then approached Cloudy Quartz to hug her. The old mares bear hugged one another laughing together. "It's good to see you too, Cloudy." "Yes, tis been a dogs age since we last met." Cloudy replied with a giggle. "How hath thine old hindquarters been? Busy running the town amok I presume?" "Har, har." Mary deadpanned, slouching over. "Didn't know you developed a sense of humor." Everypony laughed. After calming down, Cloudy went to hug her oldest daughter. Maud kissed her mothers cheek rubbing her nose in her mane. Over the last few days both Mary and Platinum found this to be one of many ways Maud shows her affections towards others. Mary walked over to inspect Marble's head, but the timid young mare turned away from Mary hiding herself. This made Maud upset, though she made no sign of it. Separating from her mother, Maud walked beside her sisters bed, planting herself on the floor beside her. "Marble?" "Mmhmm?" she asked not looking up at her sister. "You know it's rude to not look at somepony who's trying to help you." Maud chided her sister. "Sorry." Marble replied softly. "It's fine." Maud replied. She wrapped her arms around Marble nuzzling her affectionately. After a few moments Maud let her go and went to go stand by her mates to introduce them, "Mom, dad, this is Platinum. She's one of my herd mates." "Hello." everypony greeted her. "I'm Igneous Rock. Welcome to our farm, miss." "And thou shall know me as Cloudy Quartz." the older mare bowed with a slight frown on her face. "We're so happy to have met somepony who had opened our daughters heart. Ever since that, harpy, showed up things were never the same." "Mother..." Maud said in a warning tone. "I should let you knw-" "Yeah! That dumb bitch Trixie came in here and tried to ruin our family!" Limestone chimed in. "That mare was nothing but trouble! Did you know she actually brought an ursa minor to a small town and fled after she boasted about slaying one? The nerve!" While Maud and her father both had irritated looks, Mary and Platinum looked confused at the scene. Having been there they wondered how this misunderstanding came to be. Deciding to clear things up with her old friends, Mary took a stand for Trixie calling on Limestone's accusations. "Now, miss Pie, Trixie had nothing to do with the ursa attacking the town. It was the fault of two, um." "Overly enthusiastic colts who were fans of hers." Platinum added. "Thanks." Mary thanked her mate, tugging at her tail. "But Trixie had nothing to do with it. Simple as that." Limestone rolled her eyes. "Yeah and I'm sure the newspapers lied about it too?" "Trixie would never purposely endanger the lives of others." Platinum snapped back sternly. "Oh, I'm sure." Limestone replied in a dark cold tone. "Hey! You don't know anything! Were you there?" Platinum said as her voice rose a few decibels. Mary tugged on her tail making her stop her rant. "Platinum, that's enough." "But, she-" "Is entitled to her opinion. Even if it is wrong." Mary said the last part looking directly at Limestone. She then turned to Igneous. "Igneous, you trust my word right?" "Course ah do, Mary." the stallion replied, placing a hoof over his chest. "Thou are the most honest mare, who went into office, I've ever met." This however didn't seem to satisfy Limestone or Cloudy Quartz. Even Marble looked skeptically at the thought of Trixie being completely innocent. Before anypony could get another word in the doors burst open again, with a loud poof of smoke. A voice echoed in a loud obnoxious tone, signaling its presence. "Fear not! For I the Great and Powerful Trixie have returned!" it proclaimed. Everypony stood in shock by Trixie's sudden appearance. Limestone was the first to recover. With a feral growl she lunged forward uppercutting Trixie in the jaw. This sent the unicorn spiraling out the door and into the wall of the hall. Following her strike Limestone followed with lightning speed and pinned Trixie to the wall with her hoof. Trixie rubbed her now sore chin and looked into a pair of murderous eyes and an angry hoof shaking inches from her face ready to strike at a moments notice. "He-hey, Limey. How's it going?" Trixie asked the mare weakly. What she got back was an even more angry scowl. "Thought I told you to never come back!" the light grey mare yelled at the unicorn. "Get off her!" Platinum ran out pushing Cloudy Quartz to the side and full body tackled Limestone to the side. The two rolled down the hall throwing punch after punch at one another. Mary gasped and Maud quickly ran out with Igneous, while Cloudy Quartz tended to Marble. Maud pulled Limestone off Trixie while Igneous helped Trixie placing his arm around her protectively. Maud held onto her sister, who was struggling against her grip. "Let me go! Maud!" "Let it go, Limestone." "Easy for you to say!" Maud carried the mare into the room and tossed her inside. An indignant protest was made, but Maud ignored it and closed the door before a word got out. She turned to her father, who bore a stunned expression. "I'm sorry father." Maud lowered her head. "Limestone can be very passionate about everything." "AM NOT!" Maud kicked the door and a loud EEP! was heard, followed by a loud thud. "Sorry about that, Igneous." Mary apologized. "It's fine, old friend." he turned to see Trixie. "And it's good to see you again, Miss Lulamoon." "You too, sir." Trixie replied rubbing Platinum's head like a cat. Everypony looked at Maud expectantly. "Everypony, this is my other mate, Trixie." she turned to say something else, but Mary puled her off to the side. "Don't tell them we're together." Mary whispered in her ear. "Why not?" "Just don't please." Mary pleaded nodding towards Maud's parents. "Very well. If that is what you wish." Maud said, in a hurt tone. Moment's later the door flew open and Limestone stormed back inside. She shoved her nose into Trixie's. "What are you doing here anyway?" "Trixie came here to help with the gem harvest, like she promised." Trixie said bluntly in a cold tone. "Why? Did you miss Trixie?" Trixie added with a mock sly tone. Not responding to the mares antics, Limestone stormed off down the hall leaving Trixie, Maud, Igneous, Mary, and Platinum alone in the hallway. Trixie nervously scratched her arm looking back and forth between her mates and Igneous. Everypony seemed to bask in the awkward silence. Finally unable to bare it any longer, Mary coughed into her hoof gaining everyponies attention. "Ahem, well, this has been... something." she said looking down the hall. "Why don't we all take a walk over the fields Igneous. For old times sake?" The stallion smiled nodding in silence, leading the way with all the mares in tow. He walked them through the south and north fields explaining the intricacies of rock farming, which fascinated Mary to no end. Maud and Trixie already knew about it and found it to be a good refresher to what they knew. About half way through the north field, Maud left Trixie to distract her father while she spoke to Mary in private. Walking up beside her, Maud pressed her side against the tan fur and wrapping her tail around Mary's. "Mary?" "What's is it love?" Mary asked. Maud thought for a moment wondering how to ask what she was thinking. Blunt conversation was her way but she wanted to be sensitive to Mary. Throwing caution to the wind she decided to pull a Trixie and be blunt. "How do you know my father, and why didn't you want me to tell him we're herd mates?" she asked. The look on the older mares face said it all. Despite her silence Maud could tell something was bothering her. She didn't even have to pry to get the answer from her like she thought, for Mary took a deep breath and said, "I knew him from our younger days." Mary looked up ahead. "Maud I want you to know what I feel for you is completely real. I love you and the others and nothing will change that. Do you believe me?" Maud didn't even need to think of the answer. She simply looked Mary in the eyes and gave her a quick kiss to her lips and said, "I believe you. I also trust you as do Platinum, and Trixie. We all do." Mary sighed in relief, leaning into Maud's neck rubbing her nose against the soft fur. She was scared. Scared the truth might drive a wedge not only between the herd, but Maud and her family as well. From the short time she knew Maud, Mary knew better than to keep this a secret for long. After all, it was bound to come up eventually. Better now than later. she thought sadly. "Do you remember when we talked a while ago about your family, briefly?" Mary asked Maud, walking up beside her. Maud nodded. "Well, I actually almost married your father." she looked away, missing Maud's shocked expression, forcing her to stop dead in place. "..." "..." "......" "......" "...... You almost married my father?!" "..." This is awkward. Mary thought, as the awkward silence carried on. "..." Maud continued to stare at her with a bewildered look which was unsettling for her to say the least. Mary had rarely seen Maud show any emotion but when she did it tended to be extreme. "......" "......" "...... You almost married my father?" Maud repeated looking up at the stallion in question. Mary quickly grabbed hold of Maud pinning her mouth closed. Scanning the area to see if anypony heard she focused on Igneous, Trixie, and Platinum walking on like they hadn't heard a thing. She sighed releasing Maud's mug. "I need you to keep this to yourself Maud." she repeated to her grey mate. Maud glanced back and forth between Mary and her father never losing her bewildered expression. It was odd still, but Mary was slowly getting use to Maud having actual expressions on her features. Extreme as they maybe it was a change Mary was happy to see. Before long Maud managed to calm herself and continued to walk along the path with Mary at her side. She said nothing for good while, until they reached their destination. They stood over a large ravine that had a large walkway carved out of the sides. The path zigzagged downwards until it reached the bottom of the pony made ravine. Trixie and Platinum looked over the side. Trixie then grinned nudging the silver unicorn beside her, nearly making her fall, but caught her with her magic. Truth was she was nowhere near close to falling but Trixie decided to play it safe. Platinum whoever was not amused. She glared at her mate, and Trixie did her best to look innocent. "That was mean, Trixie." Maud said walking up and wrapping her arms around Platinum. Platinum stuck her tongue out at her. "Yeah, you suck Trixie!" She then took her face and buried it in Maud's grey fur. Mary and Igneous watched from afar and laughed at the sight of Trixie pleading with them to allow her to snuggle with them, but they turned their backs on her making her pout. Suddenly the three mares waved at them and they waved back. Maud then led the two unicorns down the path and into one of the mines. Igneous sighed, giving his friend a smile. "She hath warmed up a bit me thinks." "Trixie?" she asked him, not taking her eyes off the path the mares took. "Indeed. She hath grown into a fine mare." Igneous declared. "My daughter is blessed to have a friend such as her." "Even if she's in a herd of mares?" This made him sag his shoulders a bit. "Me thinks it isn't the best to have thy oldest daughter frolic with only the mares." He inhaled, the air rushed into his lungs puffing his chest out. "But if she doth not care for a stallion then who am I to tell her no? She's her own mare and should be allowed to go free. As I doth with Pinkie before her." "You truly raised a group of wonderful children, Igneous." she said in a melancholic tone. "What's wrong, Mary?" "I've, I often wondered what life would have been like if..." "If we ended up together?" he finished. A brief silence to followed. After which Mary shied away from her friend. She turned to look down at the mares running around, Trixie was showing Platinum the caves chatting up a storm, while Maud followed close. She felt guilty. Guilty for having fallen in love not only with the mare his daughter loved, but her as well. Not to mention there was the age gap, while not as much as one would think. In truth she was only twelve years older than Maud. Having kept in contact with Igneous over the years, she heard of the birth of all their children. Maud was the first, though she never asked the name in the letters. At the time she had begun her political career and had little time to write back to her friend. Now, she wish she'd known. Now she wished she knew who Maud was before she met her. She felt so confused. While in truth she could have easily been Maud's mother, she often wondered what it would have been like had she married Igneous. The children they would have had. Would they have had Maud? She wondered. She wanted to tell him about her being part of the same herd Maud was in, that and she was the designated alpha. But, would he approve? She was indeed old enough to be Maud's mother, but then again, Maud was born when Cloudy was in her late teens, the other three were triplets. But they were his and hers. That left Mary in a very awkward position. She felt conflicted on telling them about her relationship with Maud and the others, but feared the repercussions. With how volatile the family already was there was no telling what would happen if they found out she was dating Maud, let alone Trixie as well. As they watched the young mares run around, now chasing each other, Mary decided it was in the best interest of her herd to keep their relationship to themselves. A sound from a bell rang catching everyponies attention. Trixie's ears perked up and homed in on the sound. After the third ring, her head was up and staring in the direction the ringing came from. Licking her lips Trixie pulled on Platinum's tail making her nearly fall over from being overzealous in tugging it. While they ran up the zigzagged stone carved path, Trixie was squealing with excitement for supper, while Maud and Platinum walked side by side casually up the ravine. Mary grinned as her blue unicorn mate called out at the two 'slow pokes' clearing making her wait longer than she needed. Mary and Igneous chuckled at this childish mannerism of Trixie's. "She may hath grown but she hath not changed a bit has she?" he asked his friend. "More than you think, Igneous." Mary said pushing his shoulder. He chuckled shoving her back playfully. They went on for a god few seconds before the trio reached them and Trixie was literally hopping in place. "Mary! Hurry up! It's supper time and Trixie's starving!" Mary giggled in her hoof at Trixie's childish mannerism. Don't ever change, Trixie. She thought to herself. "I know, come on let's get back to the trailer and get supper ready." As they turned to leave, Igneous stepped forward to intercept them. "Art thou going to stay for supper this evening?" he asked them. "Twold be nice to have old friends to dine with us once again." he offered. Mary looked to her herdmates, who seemed fond of the idea. Sh then turned to him saying, "We'd love to, but Trixie, needs to tell her mother that we're going to eat out at a friends place. Right Trixie?" she asked mockingly at the unicorn in question. "Why does Trixie have too?! Trixie's starving!" she whined. "And Trixie will get no supper if she doth pout like a foal." Igneous said earning a nod from the others. Trixie stared at them slack jawed. "This is a conspiracy! A conspiracy Trixie says!" she cried out stomping the ground. "This is about the time Trixie snuck into the kitchen and ate the cake wasn't it?" Igneous laughed hard nearly losing his hat, he slid it back in place saying, "Now Trixie, we doth know you have a kind heart. You'll get su- wait..." he paused as the words registered in his mind. "That cake, Maud said she ate it! It was you?!" "Oh, look at the time!" She said ignoring the stallion. "Trixie needs to get home and tell momshe'seattingoutnowbye!" The mustard colored stallion yelled out out, shaking his hoof at the mare as she used her smoke bomb spell and fled. Mary and Platinum laughed at the scene while Maud walked beside her father wrapping and arm around him, calming him down. "Now father," she said in a motherly tone to him, "You need to take it easy. She'll be back and you can yell at her all you want until she get sick of it and mutes you." He scoffed annoyed. "Well, she should know better than to lie. Lies always come back to get you later." That comment made Mary cringe slightly, before he continued to say, "but it wouldn't be Trixie. Would thou say so dearest daughter?" Maud looked over at the fleeing sight of Trixie as she rounded a corner, disappearing from sight. "Yes father. It wouldn't be her without some sort of drama." "Agreed." Mary and Platinum chimed in. As they walked towards home, Igneous tuned to Maud with a stern look. "Doth not think this is over Maud. Thou are in for an earful once we get back." "Yes, father." she replied smiling back to him, earning a smile back. She then pressed her muzzle against his neck saying, "I love you father." He smiled pressing back. "I doth love you to, Maud."
EscalationLater that night, everypony was in the Pie household enjoying a most delicious dinner. The long table held all present comfortably. Igneous sat at the head of the table with his family, with the exception of Maud, to his right and to his left was Trixie, Platinum, and Maud, with Mary at the other end of the table facing Igneous. In the center of the table was the food, rock stew and some of Maud's Fire Heart Carrot soup. Trixie smiled taking a huge sniff of air to absorb the delectable aroma of the carrot and stone soups. The food smelled great but was overshadowed by the tense feeling in the atmosphere of the table. Trixie sat between Maud and Platinum looking happily over at Marble, and waved to her. The shy mare hid behind her mane, waving back with a blush. Limestone gave her the stink eye, while Cloudy Quartz simply stared at Trixie hatefully. It was very clear, to everypony present, that Trixie was not welcome here. Despite her cheery demeanor Mary and her herdmates could tell Trixie was forcing her smiles on top of a few nervous ticks that made it obvious she was nervous. Occasionally Trixie was caught slipping into her third pony persona, which was the strongest indicator. Mary could tell she was scared, mostly of Limestone. From what little interactions she had with the mare and how she acted around the unicorn, it was easy to tell she hated Trixie. Trixie's very presence seemed to put the grey earth pony on edge. Talking made her scorn murderously at her, and talking to Marble or Igneous made Limestone look like she would outright murder Trixie. Thankfully the look of murderous intent was just that, a look and nothing more. It made Mary and even Platinum uneasy. So much so, that they sat close to Trixie to protect her if anything happened. This was not the family Mary heard about from Maud and Trixie. Maud kept her usual stoic expression, but occasionally her tail would flick around. A clear indicator she was paying attention to something. It made the small herd feel better just knowing she was watching out for them. While this was happening, Igneous distributed the food in equal shares to each, starting with his guests then his family and left himself for last. Once he finished distributing food everypony took a moment to pray in silence. Platinum sat there imitating them, not wanting to offend them. She didn't want to leave a bad first impression on the family and by extension Maud, due to bad mannerism. She knew Trixie and the Pie family had a bad history, everyone there knew, so she did her best to be well behaved. Her parents taught her even if you don't believe in others ways it is proper of a lady to show respect to other ponies ways within reason. Prayer at the dinning table was one such thing. Once prayers were done, everypony dug in. The stone soup was tasty to Mary, if a bit plain. Maud and Trixie seemed to love it, while Platinum struggled to keep it down tuning green after her first bite, literally. Igneous saw this and with a hearty chuckle saying, "Do not be discouraged fair lady. Tis hard on the stomach at first for most visitors." Cloudy Quartz nodded in agreement, not taking her glaring eyes off Trixie, but occasionally her gaze wandered to her husband. Platinum looked embarrassed by her conduct. "I'm sorry." she said fiddling with her bowl. "I didn't mean to be rude." "Father wasn't implying anything Platinum." Maud interjected. "He simply meant it was fine if you didn't like the soup." Mary nodded in agreement. "It is an acquired taste." Igneous chuckled. "Tis not what you said when thou first tried our food, Mary." he said. Cloudy Quartz tried hard not to snicker, but found it impossible to do so. Covering her mouth she huddled over her bowl while Mary scoffed in annoyance. Shortly after Igneous joined in making Mary give a shocked expression, which confused all the younger ponies present. "You shut it, Igneous!" Mary threatened him, which only made him and his wife laugh harder. Blushing Mary turned away from them sticking her nose up with a 'harrumph'. All the younger ponies watched the older ponies with confused looks. Mary hid under her mane finishing her soup. When she finished she stormed off to the kitchen with Cloudy Quartz following her with her own bowl in her mouth, Igneous followed close behind. Mary and cloudy Quartz returned moments later to gather up all the dirty dishes leaving everypony else at the table. Trixie scooted closer to Platinum and wrapped her tail around hers. The silver pony happily accepted the gesture kissing her cheek. Maud felt left out and scooted closer sandwiching the silver pony between them. Marble blushed looking away from the loving scene, hiding behind her mane, but gave the slightest peek to see. It was a loving tender sight. Limestone however was looking rather livid. She slowly began breathing herd and faster as though she were hyperventilating. She then punched the table before jumping from her seat and stormed off leaving everypony else dumbstruck. Trixie looked over at Marble, who shrugged shaking her head. She then turned to Maud asking, "What was that about?" "You honestly don't know?" Maud replied bluntly. "Noooo. Why? Should I?" "Trixie, do you know why she and mother are angry with you in the first place?" Platinum asked wondering what was going on. "I think I might, but this was hardly Trixie's fault! That paper-" "That paper changed our family in ways you'll never understand Trixie." A light voice said from across the table. Looking at the source revealed it to be from Marble, who had come out from hiding behind her mane, but only slightly. The shy pony go tout of her seat and walked over to them taking a seat next to them so they could hear. "That day when mom and my sister found you with father in the barn, changed how we see each other." she said sadly. Her older sister let go of her mates, and hugged her. Marble's eyes teared up and she rubbed her nose against she soft grey fur. She rested her head on her sisters shoulder and continued her explanation. "When that happened, mom and dad began fighting. After you left, father confronted mother and said she had been unreasonable towards you after that whole thing." She sniffed hard wiping her tears away. "Mother was so furious she threatened to divorce father." "What?! Why?!" Trixie bellowed. The news shook Trixie to her core. Never did she think such a thing possible. Igneous and Cloudy Quartz were practically joined at the hip. How could she threaten to divorce him over something so stupid as a paper? It burned her to hear such a thing. Before she could voice her thoughts, Maud continued where Marble left off. "Trixie, it was hard after you left. Your sudden departure only solidified mother, and Limestones, belief that you and father had an affair going on and after you were caught jumped ship." Maud said with Marble nodding. "Its as she said, mother was furious at dad. It was the worst weeks of my life." the timid pony said. "Limestone and Maud fought too." "That was Limestone's fault not yours." Maud said. "But-" "No Marble." the older earth pony said patting her sisters head gently. "She's always had a temper and you know it. She just hid it well." "But we got along so well..." The blue unicorn choked. "It wasn't his fault, perhaps... it was my fault?" "It wasn't your fault Trixie." Marble said turning to hug her. "It was a tough transition but we pulled through. Just give it time." "Time is something we don't have Marble, the Annual Gem harvest Festival is around the corner and if mother and father are fighting there's no telling what will happen to us." Maud said, with her ears folded down. But then Marble gave her and odd look. "I guess you didn't know then?" "Know what?" Maud asked. "Did something happen?" Trixie asked looking concerned. "Cloudy and Igneous didn't divorce while she was away did they?" "Oh, no Trixie. It's nothing like that." Marble replied. "Limestone bought out the farm from dad." Trixie looked stunned by what she had heard. Never had she thought Limestone would buy out her fathers farm from him. Never. She shook her head and flexed her ears leaning closer to Maud, as if she were hard of hearing. "So, your father is not the owner anymore?" Trixie asked Maud. The grey earth pony shook her head back and forth gently swaying her mane. "No. Shortly after you left Limestone went to talk to father and he practically gave it to her." Marble explained. "She was upset-" "Big surprise there." Trixie commented, but that made Marble harden her expression. "Trixie, Limestone is not always mad and you know very well it's not her fault." Maud interjected to Trixie's comment in an angered tone. Both Trixie and Platinum seemed taken aback by her sudden anger, while Marble seemed unfazed. However slight it was, seeing Maud angry weighed heavily on their hearts. Maud sighed getting off her seat and walked behind them hugging them both. She wrapped her arms around their necks and pulled them close, her eyes tearing up as she did. Both unicorns looked concerned at one another before awkwardly returning the hug. Platinum nuzzle the arm as did Trixie. They always felt safe around Maud no matter what happened. Meanwhile Mary watched from the kitchen listening in on their conversation. She joined up with igneous and Cloudy who were busy cleaning the dishes. "You let Limestone have the farm? How come?" she asked turning to sit back at the table with her old friends. Igneous looked concerned while his wife look away. "Ye know, she hath a knack for the land here. Doth thou know'th that she is the best worker and leader we ever had?" "Well, yes but, I always thought Maud would get the farm." Mary inquired. "But why did you give it to Limestone?" Both Igneous and Cloudy Quartz looked uncomfortably at her question. Rubbing his neck, the mustard colored earth pony grabbed his wife's hoof and looked almost pleadingly to her. She shook her head indicating to him that whatever he wanted to say was not to be said. He turned to his friend saying, "Tis a private matter, Mary. I apologize." "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you had your reasons." Mary replied looking out at her herd mates. She wanted so badly to join them in the lovely show of affection, but fear of her friends backlash kept her in place. Fear that Maud would suffer backlash as well. She didn't want to put the Pie family through anymore than they were going through already. It was only for a short while, she kept reminding herself. Just until the election is over that's all. She thought That thought did little to calm her nerves as she watched her mates kiss. She almost leapt forward but instead tried to pass it as a cough leaning forward into her hoof and coughed into it. Suddenly Trixie's ears perked up and she jumped off her seat saying, "Hey Maud. Let's go see Holders Boulder! I wanna show it to Platinum and tell her all about it!" Maud seemed to smile while Platinum looked at the two ponies with a most curious look. "Come on!" Trixie said grabbing both of them and herding them out of the house. Mary, Igneous, and Cloudy all smiled watching the young ponies leave to go see Holders Bolder which was just outside of the house. Trixie seemed to be telling them a fascinating tale of sorts, for she was standing on her hind legs making broad gestures as if telling the tale of fantasy and wonder. No doubt a very fabricated tale, but a fun one none the less. Mary thought. But all the while Mary felt her heart aching and longing to be out there with them, but how could she after everything that happened between her Igneous and Cloudy? Or to be more specific what happened between her and Cloudy years ago. "How I miss the simplicity of those days." she said in a melancholic tone heading towards the living room to watch the younger herd members from the warm couch. Igneous and Cloudy watched with concern as Mary walked slowly sitting herself on the couch. She glanced out seeing the three ponies walk over to the massive stone outside at the edge of a large ravine. It's bottom partially buried under the dirt about a foot or so.
Hard as a RockOutside the house at Holders Boulder, Limestone was busying herself with cleaning the massive rock that was shaped like an egg. She spent the last several minutes meticulously polishing the rough boulder. All the while she spit curses and vulgarities at Trixie. She was very upset at the mare. She wouldn't say she outright hate the unicorn, but she defiantly didn't like her being here. She thought about her father and how her mother was always watching his every move. All of this distrust between them and all the tension, all because of Trixie. To make matters worse that same mare was now with her sister. She fumed at the thought of her sister falling for some vile temptress. "Stupid pony. Stupid... Trixie." she grumbled. "Why did she have to come to our farm and ruin our family?" "Limestone proud owner of the family farm reduced to this..." she continued to grumble polishing the boulder. She looked into the spot she had been rubbing and realized she had polished it too well. A clear reflection of herself showed on a now smooth and clean spot on the boulder. Staring at the disgruntled image of herself, her eyes began twitching, and she left out a growl before smashing her face into the boulder. Then she heard a noise. Her ear twitched turning towards the sound of inbound hooves and voices. She quickly jumped behind Holders Boulder to hide. Peeking around it she saw Trixie leading Platinum and Maud over to towards her. Ducking back she listened in trying to make out what Trixie was saying. "-and that was how the Pie Family farm came to be!" Trixie finished, in her usual flair. Trixie had just finished telling the tale of Holders Boulder and Platinum seemed very interested in it. Maud seemed to be listening and nodding to everything Trixie was saying. The three stood just a hoofs reach from the boulder, watching it. Platinum seemed to be taking in the sight of the massive boulder. She wondered how something like this could be so important to build a farm around it. Hearing the story of it made little sense but it was something from long ago so she didn't question it. Along the way Trixie and Maud explained many of the Pie Family traditions that came from Holders Boulder. It was a fascinating little family. Thinking about the family Platinum wondered about how each of them grew into the ponies they were today. Which brought her thoughts towards Limestone. The brash and forthcoming of them all, she thought of Limestone as the overzealous type. Granted, Cloudy Quartz was not high on her list of ponies she liked very much either, but Limestone was rude and obnoxious. That alone made her wonder. Turning to Trixie the silver pony asked, "Why is that mare, Limestone, so mean to you Trixie?" "Trixie is unsure. She thinks maybe Limestone is angry about what happened between me and her father. That gabby Gums article ruined the balance and order of this farm." Trixie said bitterly. Platinum looked thoughtfully up to the sky. "Yeah I heard about Gabby Gums. A group of fillies if I recall from Ponyville Elementary under the pen name Gabby Gums. Made lots of ponies upset they did." Maud nodded with Trixie knowingly. Mary had told them about gabby Gums but Platinum wasn't present during that conversation. Limestone perked her ear listening to the conversation as it went on. She was keenly interested to hear what there was to say about the article in question. Perhaps some insight might reveal to her whether Trixie really was on her father as she and her mother thought. Maud was the first to break the silence. "I heard the girls got in a lot of trouble for everything they did as gabby Gums." "Who was Gabby Gums anyway?" Platinum asked both mares looking between them both. "It was the Crusaders." Trixie replied, sitting next to the boulder but careful not to touch it. "So wait, you mean those sweet fillies Scootaloo, Sweeite Belle, and Applebloom were responsible?" Platinum asked in shock. "Yes, them." Trixie replied. The blue mare scratched the surface of Holders Boulder which made Limestone's eye twitch angrily. "Mary told me those girls were properly punished for what they did. Thus, I myself took no action against them." Trixie said looking down. Maud and Platinum stood by her side trying to comfort their mate nuzzling her sides. Trixie returned the gesture by pulling them closer to her and nestled herself between them, but she felt a small bit of guilt. She wanted Mary to be there with them but for whatever reason Maud had told her as well as Platinum to give her some space. Platinum saw that the unicorn looked a bit down and asked, 'what was the matter?' Trixie didn't reply, but instead she looked back at the house with a depressed look. Maud and Platinum looked worried. They knew what was wrong with her, they knew she wanted Mary to be with them and the separation was putting her on edge. Add that to the Pie Family being torn and Trixie considered the direct cause made the blue unicorn feel very out of place. She missed having Mary with them at times like this. To Trixie it felt like a part of them was gone without her and she made it painfully obvious. "I just wish Mary was here with us." Trixie sighed leaning into Platinum. "I do too Trixie, but Mary needs some space right now." the silver unicorn said looking to Maud who nodded in confirmation. "It's true, little moon, she told me herself not to mention it to my parents that she was part of our herd too." Maud said, which earned a series of odd looks from her unicorn mates. From behind the massive boulder, Limestone's ears perked up honing in on her sisters words. Platinum was the first to respond asking, "What do you mean?" By now Trixie had made the connection based off what she was told when she first met Mary at her office over a week ago. "Trixie may know about this. Maud?" The grey mare looked to her blue mate. "Do you know how Mary knows your mother and father by chance?" she asked. Maud replied with a nod of her head. Platinum and Limestone both listened intently to what was said next. "She almost married my father." Platinum and the hiding mare nearly toppled over hearing this news. The silvery unicorn gasped looking to Trixie then back at Maud unable to say anything. Trixie replied asking, "So you do know?" "Mmhmm." Was Maud's response. "Well, that would explain why she's been so distant as of late. Mary must not want to put more pressure on the Pie Family, your family by telling them she's apart of our herd, especially with me. So instead she's letting us be the herd and she seems to take the role of a chaperon." Trixie reasoned. "I don't think that's the case Trixie." Maud declared walking over to Holders Boulder touching the polished spot on it. "I think she's afraid of breaking my family apart. She's not afraid of telling the truth because she's ashamed. She fears breaking her friends apart. " "But surely they would understand, right, Maudie?" Platinum asked in an almost pleading voice. "I hate not having Mary around." "I do too, but we must respect her wishes." Maud said pulling both unicorns close to her chest. She looked over at the fading light from the sun and said, "We should return to the house now." All three mares got up to leave, but Trixie lingered behind. Seeing the unicorn behind Trixie's mates looked back at her and she waved to them. "I'll catch up in a minute, jut need to clear my thoughts." "Alright, little moon. See you back home.'' Maud called to her. "See you in a while Trixie! Don't stay out too late!" Platinum called back, waving to her. Trixie waved to them as they left heading back into the house. Trixie's ear flicked twice at the sound of rocks shuffling and turned to see Limestone standing beside Holders Boulder. The two mares glared at one another in absolute silence. Finally after nearly five minutes Limestone broke the silence. "Hey family destroyer." "Hello to you too, salty lemon." Trixie sniped back. The taunted succeeded in provoking the white maned mare. Flaring her nostrils Limestone smashed her from hooves into the ground like a foal throwing a tantrum. "Don't call me that!" "Oh, soooo sorry, but Trixie was trying to make nice but you just had to ruin it by attacking me back at home-" "NO! Don't you dare say it is your home! IT WAS NEVER YOUR HOME!" "So, what? Trixie is now outcast forever from your household?" The unicorn asked. Limestone grinned at what Trixie said. "Actually yes, you are." She said with a sneer. This made Trixie feel uncomfortable. Fidgeting a bit Trixie tried to steel herself and prepare for whatever Limestone threw at her. Whether it was physical of verbal, she had to be ready for anything. After her fight with Applejack, Trixie, had trained to become more physically adept in turn increasing her magical abilities. While Limestone was more of a physical kind of pony, she was sure the earth pony would use verbiage instead of muscle in this case. And she was right. The earth pony mare flicked her bangs to the side and sauntered up to her to greet her. "Hey Trixie." Limestone said in a snarky tone. "How's life been?" "Limestone, please. Can't you get over this whole thing so we can both move on?" "After what I heard that is not happening." Trixie could see where this was going. "What do you want, Citrus?" Limestone snapped at that particular nickname. "DON'T CALL ME THAT! God's above I hate you so much right now, Trixie!" Trixie rolled her eyes at the mare. "Oh, please Limestone. What are you so bent out of shape for?" Limestone growled and charged Trixie, who dodged to the side with ease. As Limestone passed Trixie nudged her from behind making her topple over her own hooves and faceplant in the ground. Getting up and shaking herself off Limestone readied herself for another charge. It was painfully obvious to Trixie what she was going to do, she actually felt sorry for her, but despite being able to read her motions reading the mares emotions was a difficult task. Even Maud admitted to having trouble with it sometimes. Trixie persisted though. The last week had not been kind to her but that didn't mean she'd give up. Not after everything she'd been through. "Limestone talk to me. What is wrong with you?! Why do you hate me? The article with your father?" "You're damn right it is!" she yelled at Trixie, charging her once more. The blue unicorn dodged by leaping to the right like she took a large side step. This easily evaded the charging earth pony. Limestone was absolutely livid by this point to where she resembled a rabid bull rather than a pony. At least this was the case in Trixie's mind. "Lime, please. Trixie's sorry for ruining your family, but it wasn't her fault!" The union tried reasoning with the grey mare. Limestone gave the only response she could at the time. "BULL!" She charged her again. Trixie easily sidestepped as the earth pony ran past her. What she didn't see was Limestone digging her hoof into the ground to pick up a rock. The rock was flung into Trixie face, dazing her. Limestone then charged full force at Trixie again but was met by a magical barrier that forced her back, leaving Trixie no worse for wear. Trixie stood in place with a calm neutral expression, while Limestone growled in frustration. Calmly Trixie looked at her and slowly lifted a hoof in a surrender motion. Limestone was taken aback by this and eyed her opponent cautiously. "What are you doing?" she asked sternly. Trixie shook her head. "I don't want to fight you Limestone." The earth pony responded by digging at the ground like a bull, readying another charge. "Sure you don't cause we all know you can't fight to save your life! Or is that only against giant cosmic bears?" Limestone sniped at Trixie. "That was a low blow even for you." Trixie replied coldly. "Much has changed since we last met Limestone. You would do best not to challenge me." Limestone ignored the mares warning and charged full force at her. Before Trixie was able to respond to the attack Limestone was hit by a magical beam across the cheek sending her flying into Holders Boulder. Shaking, Limestone stood unstably on her hooves and saw a brown unicorn mare off to the side with a cerulean blue earth pony beside her. The unicorn lowered her posture circling around Limestone while the earth pony ran over to Trixie. "Mom!" "Trixie! My sweet baby girl are you alright?" Misty cried tackle hugging her daughter. "Mom I'm fine!" Trixie yelled to her mother. Backing away from her, Trixie ran over to Limestone and tried to reach for her but was shoved off to the side. Limestone stumbled past her heading back towards the house leaving the three mares behind. Before she was out of ear shot Trixie was sure she heard the mare curse her under her breath. Turnover walked over to Trixie wrapping an arm around her, gently guiding her to follow. "Come on Trixie. Let's go back to the trailer." Turnover guided Trixie along the road back to the trailer on the other end of the farm; while, Misty followed close behind keeping some distance after having her daughter yell at her. She was just happy her little Trixie was safe. The three ponies walked all the way to the opposite side of Rockyshores where Misty's trailer awaited them. There they entered and all three sat at the large table that was moved to the center. While there Misty made some tea and put come biscuits on the table for all of them to share. Choosing to give her daughter some distance the blue mare retreated back to her brown unicorn mate and sat beside her. After sometime when nopony said a word Turnover broke the silence by asking Trixie, "So, what was that fight all about?" Trixie sighed taking along sip of her tea, holding the cup in her hooves rather than her magic she looked down at the brown liquid. Then after about ten seconds she said, "It is quite the tale. It all started with a one time trip I had planned that required a short stop in Ponyville..." *Later that night* Trixie sat in her mother's trailer alone with Turnover. The older mare was siting on the couch while Trixie sat by the table resting on one of her favorite pillows. It was a nice red velvet with soft feathers to fill it. It had nice golden laces and rimming with a picture of her fathers cutie mark. She adored the pillow. Though it was very old it was now a treasure to her. All these years her mother kept it and until recently was stored away for safe keeping. Now it was Trixie's and the young mare was more than thrilled to take it as her own. It made her comfortable knowing that her father would be remembered after he was long gone. Trixie rubbed her nose into the pillow which had the ever so slightest scent of her father on it while Turnover simply watched. After a minute the apple pony said, "Your mother always spoke of him you know." This caught Trixie by surprise. "She did? Umm. How often did she talk about him?" Turnover chuckled covering her mouth delicately with a large hoof. "She spoke about him often enough. Honestly," the older mare looked around as if to see if anypony was listening. "I think your mother always had it hard for him. You know what I mean?" "EWW! That's my mother you sicko!" Trixie squeaked throwing another pillow at Turnover. The mare let the over stuffed pillow hit her face enticing a laugh from her, which made Trixie puff her cheeks. "You just like embarrassing Trixie don't you?" "Yeah, it's so easy to do." Another pillow hit her face. As this pillow fell it revealed an unamused mare who now glared at Trixie. Her horn lit up and both pillows Trixie threw floated up to which the blue unicorn let out a squeak trying to turn tail and run. Tripping over her pillow the first pillow assaulted her backside and she yelped jumping from her spot as the other flew into the back of her head making her fall again. Now in full blown laughter, still laying on the couch, Turnover wiped away a tear in her eye as Trixie got up looking very upset. "Aw come on Trix, don't be like that." the brown mare said to the younger mare who turned her nose up from her. The large brown unicorn walked over to the blue one and sat beside her. Trixie turned away from her pretending to be upset. The older mare playfully nudged her making Trixie giggle. The two continued to nudge each other several times before stopping due to sore shoulders and arms. They sat together not saying a word. The silence was all they needed at the time. It was a wordless transaction where they seemed to know they just want ed to comfort of knowing the other was there. It was strange that not a few days ago Trixie hated this mare and in turn she hated her, now they were close. Perhaps not too close but they had a mutual respect for one another. It probably helped that they both loved Misty. "How's the head, Trix?" "Fine until Trixie looked at you." "Ouch, harsh much?" Turnover said in mock hurt gripping her chest. "I'm not sure my old heart can take much more of it!" The azure unicorn rolled her eyes with a light chuckle. "Trixie is sure your heart will hold." "And why's that?" "Because Trixie is sooooo adorable that she has stopped the hearts of many! Thus you being around Trixie for as long as you have should be fine." the showmare boasted. "Hah! Whatever you little shit!" Turnover barked with laughter. Turnover then grabbed Trixie from around the neck and playfully rubbed her mane. The younger mare retaliated by biting playfully back on the brown mares ear and tugging it. The two laughed as they rolled around the trailer playing and chasing each other. Soon afterwards Trixie tackled the older mare down and laid on her. Too exhausted from the rough housing Turnover simply laid in place as Trixie curled up into a ball on her back and nestled herself in place. "Oh no! You are not using me as a bed!" "But Trixie is tired!" The mare whined like a child in a high pitched voice. "Trixie demands you give her beauty sleep!" "Not on my old back you aren't!" The mare said standing up and lifting the blue mare off with her magic. "You can sleep in a bed like a proper foal." "Trixie's no foal, old lady!" "Aww, does somepony need a nap?" she cooed at the smaller unicorn. "Stop treating Trixie like a child!" "I'll stop treating you like a child when you start acting like a grown mare." "..." "..." "......" "......" "... touche." Setting Trixie down, Turnover set herself up on the pile of pillows that formed during their pillow fight which came after their version of tag. It was just like regular tag but with magic stun beams. The two played for an hour until a soft cough caught their attention. They both turned to see Misty frowning at them both tapping her hoof on the ground irritably. The two looked around at the mess they made and shied away from the mare into a corner. Misty walked over to the corner and glowered at them. "What do you two have to say for yourselves? Hmmm?" Neither mare wanted to answer feeling ashamed for their childish display. But soon enough the mares stern glare broke Turnover and she threw herself at her mates hooves saying, "It was Trixie's fault she started it!" "Hey! That's a boldface lie you mule!" "Trixie Lulamoon you are in my house you watch that mouth of yours." Misty scolded then turned to her mate. "As for you. You know I hate it when I come home to a huge mess. You know better." Misty then turned to face her daughter who tried sneaking away but was caught by her tail. "And just where do you think your're going young lady?" "Uh, Trixie was just going for a walk?" she said trying to sound convincing. "Ugh. I swear you two are so alike." Misty said with a facehoof. "Guess it can't be helped. I'm just glad you two are finally getting along." Turnover grinned pulling Trixie into a bear-hug. "Yeah, we've bonded a little." The azure mare laughed and hugged the brown unicorn back. "Yeah. Turnover may not be as great and powerful as I-" "Nor as arrogant or inflated." "Ahem- as Trixie was saying she's a wonderful mare. Trixie can see why you chose her." That stung Misty in a very bad way. Her eyes welled up with tears before turning away but was griped by a set of blue hooves. "It's fine mom. We agreed it was best to leave dad to rest, but I'm just saying I see why you love her so much. She is a wonderful mare mother. Loyal and true to you." Misty and her mate looked at the younger mare like she'd just grown a second head. The brown unicorn pinched her mates cheek making her yelp and slap her back. "Yup not a dream." she said rubbing her cheek. "Really Turnover?" "Hey I never thought the brat would compliment me like that." Misty frowned, but then Turnover got a sly look on her face. "She is awfully cute though." Misty gasped at the comment while Trixie rolled her eyes saying, "Oh please Turnover, you're way too old for Trixie." Misty tapped her chin. "But sweetie aren't you dating two older mares?" Trixie was going to answer but then thought about it. True Mary was older than all of them but she wasn't that old. Maud was second oldest of their herd with Platinum and Trixie being very close. She then wondered how old Mary really was. She was around the same age as Igneous and Cloudy Quartz that was for sure, but just how much f an age gap was there? The fact was she had no Idea how old her older mate was nor when her birthday was either. She only knew Maud's and that was it. I really suck at remembering important stuff. Trixie thought. She glanced outside through the window and saw it was very late by now. The moon was high in the sky and there was no sign of anypony outside. With a yawn she realized she'd been up all day and slowly dragged her hooves over to a small bed her mother left for her and climbed in it. Misty and Turnover followed suit going to their bed at the end of the trailer. After a quick round of good nights, the three ponies fell asleep for the night. Before anypony was deep asleep Trixie moved from her bed and wandered over to her mother's bed and climbed on top of it and nestled beside Turnover. The larger unicorn looked over to see Trixie curled up beside her like a cat and resting her head on her back. She smiled at the cute sight and shifted her body and wrapped her arms around Trixie holding her close. Thus all was well in the trailer and the three mares fell into a deep sleep undisturbed until dawn. *Earlier shortly after their encounter* Limestone limped home. Her head was sore and her neck felt stiff. She was angry and very tired. Somehow the conflict left her feeling drained and empty inside. All she wanted to do was get home and vent her rage on her pillow. That pillow had seen through many sleepless nights. Entering the house she was greeted by her family but chose to ignore them. On the couch Maud and Platinum sat with Mary across from them in her fathers chair. The grey mare glared at the tan mare, nopony sat in her fathers chair except her mother. It enraged her to see this stranger come into their home and do what she wanted as if she ran the place. Just like Trixie. She thought hatefully. She sat by the fireplace warming up by the open flames inside hearing her parents say goodnight to the others as they retreated to their room for the night. Winter was coming and it was getting colder by the day. Natural weather was common her unlike most of Equestria. Limestone liked it though, not the cold, but she liked the natural changing weather. It felt right to her. As she warmed up she heard a voice belonging to Mary from the other room approaching. "Listen girls I was thinking about staying here in Rockyshores and running for mayor here." Mary opened up with to them. Both Maud and Platinum listened to their mate. "I want to start fresh here but I fear that, Trixie's past relations might hinder my campaign." Limestone quickly hid around the corner as they past by into the living room and Limestone circled around to hide in the kitchen and eavesdrop on them. Platinum was first to speak. "Mary, that's not fair! We shouldn't be ashamed of loving Trixie!" "I know that, love, but we just need to do it for a little while. Listen my campaign starts in two days. All we need to do is-" "No Mary." Maud interjected. "We can't. It's not fair to hide our relationship under a rock and bury it." "Maud, Platinum please be reasonable. Do you know how much trouble it is for a married mare to run, much less a mare in a herd? Especially in a town as old fashioned as this?" Mary tried reasoning. Both of her mates looked to one another and nodded knowingly to one another. "We'll make it work." the replied in unison. They all huddled together by the fire, Mary in the center with Maud and Platinum flanking her. The two younger mares wrapped around her as if to protect her from the cold and nuzzled her cheek and chin. The tan mare sighed kissing them back on their snoots. Limestone watched as they three shared this moment of love and affection. She was amazed that it was all true. Her parents friend was part of a herd with Trixie. This was what they were talking about. Mary was going to run for the upcoming Rockshore Elections. "This is going to be interesting for sure." Limestone said slinking back up to her room. Being sure to close the door Limestone Reached under her bed and pulled out a small locked case. Taking a key from her mane she gently slid the piece of metal into the lock and turned it. With a gentle click the lock released and Limestone opened the case revealing a single plush doll inside. It was a chubby little thing, blue with white a white mane and tail with a very familiar hat and cloak on it that Limestone had come to know very well. "Trixie." she said sadly clutching the doll to her chest. "Stupid mare. Why'd you have to come back?" Limestone then threw the doll across the room charging at it as it fell limp on the ground. Looming over the plush toy she growled at it menacingly, it tiny beady eyes staring back at her. She couldn't stand how cute it was. *I really hate you.* she growled at it stomping her hoof against the head. Over and over again she stomped the doll until one of its eyes fell out. Some of the stuffing had come out from a tear in the doll side and Limestone panting staring wide eyed at it. Taking a moment to regain control of herself she picked up the doll and stared at it for a good minute. She then reached under her bed and pulled out a small sewing kit she kept under. She pulled out a needle some thread and collected the bead eyes and stuffing. once all was set she began the meticulous trials of repairing the doll. An hour later she finished and admired her handiwork. With a kind smile she kissed the doll on the head saying, "I'm sorry, I got mad." and replaced the doll gently back in the lock container. After quickly locking it up she put the sewing kit and needle away and hid both under her bed for safe keeping. Afterwards she went to bed and decided to have a long talk with Trixie tomorrow. She had somethings that needed to be said to her and her alone.
Preparing for the CandidacyMary was up early the next morning. She was ready to tackle the day and prepare herself for the upcoming election, but first she needed to see Trixie. Walking along the dirt path she came upon Misty's wagon within minutes of setting off on her journey. In truth the wagon was only on the other side of the Pie Family Farm but it wasn't the important thing at the moment. The tan mare skipped along with great vigor and came to a halt just within arms reach of the door. She lifted her hoof up and knocked twice humming to herself. "Do you believe in maaaggic?" she sang to herself. "Hmm hm hm hmmm heart." She then knocked twice again. This time the door opened to reveal a very tired looking azure unicorn in a white robe. Her silvery hair was a tangled mess and she had bags under her eyes with a coffee levitating close by from her horns magical glow. Taking a sip of her coffee the mare rubbed her eyes looking at the tan mare. "Morning Mary." she said. "Good morning Trixie!" the older mare beamed jumping forward to hug her mate. "I was worried when you didn't come to bed last night." "I had some things to take care of." the unicorn said. "You seem to be in good spirits this morning." "Oh Trixie you know me!" the mare smiled kissing her. Trixie blushed moving to the side and allowed Mary to enter. She then closed the door and lead her mate to the table where Turnover was glowering at Misty who was sipping her morning brew not bothering to look at her brown mate. "What's with them?" Mary whispered to Trixie. "They seem, off?" Trixie sighed placing her cup on the table before entering the kitchen. "Mother got mad at us for rough housing and made us sleep on the floor." she pouted. "Yep." Turnover grunted with a pop. Misty grumbled at them both, making Mary tilted her head with curiosity. "Well, if you two hadn't broken everything in my home you wouldn't have been punished. You're lucky I didn't kick you both out." The former mayor of Ponyville looked around to see in fact several things were missing, from the very expensive vase she saw to the ornate dishware reduced in numbers, she could easily tell something went on and clearly tempers were high. To lighten the mood Mary tried to steer away from the route this conversation was heading and opted to say what she came for. "Trixie, I actually wanted to talk to you about something." The azure unicorn looked at her. "Yes love?" "As you know I'm running for in the upcoming election and was wondering if you'd help me?" she asked knowing Trixie would be all too happy to help. "Oh Mary of course Trixie would be delighted to help you." the unicorn replied with a smile. "Excellent!" the tan mare said clapping her hooves. "I have this list ready for you to start at you earliest convenience. We only have one more day after this to prepare and we need to get sponsorship quickly!" "Actually Trixie has that covered." the blue mare said proudly. "You do?" "Mmmhmm!" Misty and Turnover got alarmed looks at the young mare. Misty then approached her daughter and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Trixie, sweetie? What did you-" "Don't worry mom! Trixie has it covered! She'd been thinking about this for a few days now and the preparations are done!" Trixie beamed hopping in place. Mary sighed shaking her head. She was able to manage a small crack of a smile before she walked to the door. Taking a hold of the knob she opened it and called back to Trixie, "I need to meet you at the town hall in an hour, OK love?" Trixie waved to to her but got a stern look from her mother and quickly ran to the door to open it for her mate. She gave Mary an awkward smile followed by a quick kiss on her lips. Trixie tried to pull away but Mary's hooves grabbed hold of her and held her in place. The quick peck turned into a full blow passionate kiss. While the two younger mares made love at their front door Misty and Turnover looked away trying not to make it obvious they were uncomfortable. Finally letting her mate go, Mary pressed her cheek against Trixie's, rubbing against her soft fur. The two mares purred like kittens as they affectionately rubbed one another before breaking away. Mary looked deep into Trixie's eyes and a spark was felt in their hearts. The earth pony walked down the steps leaving Trixie at the door in a love high state and waved to her with a sultry look on her face that made Trixie blush. The unicorn quickly closed the door leaving Mary outside laughing to herself. "Oh Trixie, you're a real goof." she gasped. "I guess I'll leave it to her. I wonder who she got to sponsor me?" Mary pondered it only briefly until she came to the conclusion that she trusted Trixie one hundred percent. She would trust her judgement. After all Trixie hadn't let her down so far, so was there any reason to doubt? *One Hour Later* Trixie walked down a long dirt path heading into the town of Rockyshores. Today it was full of hustling ponies running around setting up for tomorrows upcoming election at which time the first candidates would be announced. Trixie was wearing her neck tie and carried her clipboard with her in her magical grasp as she made her way to the Court House. She was in a giddy mood. She felt like this was her calling. Being here with her lover ready to make the performance of a life time. She knew this was going to be a big deal for Mary and she took the time to read up on the upcoming election long ago. She wasn't sure what rules there were in Rockyshores Electoral but she was sure with her basic knowledge she'd have a good foundation to start Mary's campaign. They had one major advantage. According to the papers Trixie received from Mary most of the other candidates were not from here and thus didn't have many connections to Rockyshores. That however was no reason to get cocky. Trixie knew very well that the tides could change at any point. She had to be ready for anything so she could advise Mary ahead of time. She had too. This was her first big break and it was her duty to support her mate through this. In her mind anything short of Mary winning to become mayor was unacceptable. As she walked down the streets she had gone from looking determined to having a serious demeanor. "I won't let you down Mary. I promise." she said walking up to the Town Hall. A voice from behind her startled her making her yelp. "I know you won't fail me." "Mary!" Trixie yelped rushing towards her mate hugging her. Mary laughed hugging her unicorn mate back kissing her cheek. "It's good to see you Trixie." "Yes Mary. It feels like forever since we last saw each other." "That was literally a day ago." "And Trixie hated it!" The two laughed kissing once more before parting. Mary adjusted her neck tie and then did Trixie's making her frown. "Mary, Trixie can dress herself thank you." "Aw, is my little Trixie too embarrassed by this tender moment?" Mary joked mockingly to the unicorn. "Ugh, Mary please be serious." Trixie scolded the mare enticing a laugh from her. "Alright, alright Trixie. You win. Come on let's go." Mary said walking into the Town Hall with the unicorn at her heels. All around there were ponies of all ages gathered around, from younger foals to older ponies, and even several griffons and a zebra. The main hall was a large circular room where everyone was gathered in formal dress ware from simple collared ties to full dress and suits. Mary smiled feeling right at home among all these ponies, even Trixie seemed to be in good spirits. Walking over to the end of the hall Trixie and Mary came up to a large desk where a young looking earth pony stallion sat. He was a simple looking pony, broad shoulders brown fur and a light grey, girly, style mane. He smiled at the two mares who approached him and leaned forward on his desk which was littered with stacks of papers. "Hello you two! What can I do for you today?" "hello sir," Mary said bowing to him. "I'm Mary Goldmane. I'm here to run for the Candidacy Run." "Oh, why yes of course you are!" the stallion replied rather flamboyantly, waving his hoof. "What's your party?" "I'm not affiliated currently." Mary replied. "Very well, I'll just put N/A for now in case you change your mind." he scratched a few notes down. "Now, who's your sponsor?" This time Mary looked over to Trixie who happily walked up with a smug grin. She placed a hoof on the table and said loud and proudly, "We are being sponsored by the Apple Family, the Pie Conglomerate, and the Noble House of Lulamoon." Everyone in the room went dead silent as all head turned to face Trixie who had made the bold claim. Mary looked around to see all were watching them, and it suddenly made her feel uneasy. "Good lord." Mary said facehooving.
