Chapters Marble pushed back her hair from her eye.
It was her first day. The sisters had gotten off the train safely and we're now heading to classes. The undoubtably true news,was that none of her sisters were in her first class;Chrystal studies.
Already had Marble not fit in. She couldn't tell the lunch lady what she wanted this morning,so she ended up with pea soup. Also she hasn't made any new friends at the school. She had only been a simple detail to the background. Along with the nerds.
"Good morning class!"The teacher said in a British accent.
The filly next to her whispered in her ear,"She acts like she is British,but she is from Detrot."
"Mmhmm."Marble looked at the teacher.
"No talking! I have friends in high places."The teacher remarked.
"The only stallion who loves you is you're father!"The student next to Marble exclaimed.
That little pony next to Marble was given a detention. No pony was surprised,it seemed pretty typical to them.
"We are going to learn about Chrystals."The teacher said.
"Are we gonna grow or make them?"A filly asked.
"No."
"Then what will we do?"
"Learn all Chrystal names along with the precious stones,memorize that,and them memorize how they are made. Then have an exam at the end of the month to see who will continue at this school."
Marble gulped.
Memorize all that by the end of the month just to stay in school? It was nearly impossible!
Minerals were being formed every day! Not even then smartest science pony could memorize all the different rocks and how they are made.
What Marble had read was true;the school was boring and hard.
Marble deep down had hoped it was all lies,and that maybe the school could be fun. For instance,friends,field day,and holiday. They all appeared to be good benefits. At the time...
Marble got out her notebook and began to note take as the teacher began to explain the property of the most basic Chrystal;Quartz. Marble had learned about it so much,she could recite the lesson in her sleep. Quartz was just so simple. It formed everywhere and on everything.
She began to sketch pictures of home. Mostly her mom and dad as well as her sisters. They were her only friends in the world at the time. Until...
"Can I borrow a pencil?"The filly to the left of her asked.
Marble nodded.
This pony was different. Instead of having the average coat,she was shiny. Like a piece of Opal in the sunlight.
She must be a a Chrystal Pony! A few lived in Equestria,since some of there ancestors had escaped Sombra's clutches. They weren't called common though.
"By the way my name is Minuette. I'm never tardy."The shining pony introduced herself.
"Mmhmm."Marble replied,wishing she could say what her name was.
The lesson went smoothly. Here and there someone poked fun at the teacher being single and from Detrot. Marble could tell she didn't want to be the teacher pet.
All though when you are home school it is nearly impossible to not be. Your parents are your teacher after all. It is absolutely against the laws of physics (that Pinkie Pie breaks all the time)
"Marble!"The teacher called on her.
"Mmhmm?"Marble answered.
"What stone is an example of sedimentary rock?"The teacher asked.
It was limestone. But poor Marble couldn't say that.
"Mmhmm?"She said,pretending not to hear the teacher.
"Do I need a megaphone?"The teacher complained."Marble ,I said what rock is an example of sedimentary rock?"
Great. She couldn't escape this one. Where were her sisters when she needed them?
Marble shrugged her shoulders. That worked in public. She pretended not to know.
"Marble on your entrance exam you answered this question."The teacher argued.
Marble then got a great idea. She got out her notebook and wrote the word Marble on a sheet of paper.
"Oh I forgot your mute."The teacher chuckled.
Shoot! ,at least didn't want anyone to know. But no one was listening,everyone appeared to be doodling picture.
Marble wiped the sweat off her head and at dawn. Safe!
At lunch the Minuette pony had sat down with Marble and Maud.
"So what's you're name?"Minuette asked.
"Her name is Marble."Maud spoke for Marble.
"Can she talk?"Minuette then questioned.
Marble shook her head and said,"Nnhnn."
"Oh that's really sad. But I guess it's sort of fun. You don't have to answer questions in school and stuff. Ya know?"Minuette tried to lighten Marble up.
"Mmhmm."Marble responded.
Marble had really never thought of the good things that came with being mute. It was a good thing to consider though. A very good one.
"So do you guys wanna watch the TV? After lunch we can watch fifteen minutes of television."Minuette suggested.
"Okay."Maud said as she followed Minuette and lead Marble.
The fillies were watching the news until ABC School Shorts came on. It was a special show that came in in between adult shows,just for kids.
On the tv there was a colt. He was mute. Then he went to school and someone called him something. Marble couldn't hear though.
Marble tugged on Maud's dress,as if to say what?
"Well...."Marble hesitate and then said."She called the other filly a Muteo."
Muteo?
Marble laughed. That was priceless Muteo! She tried to stop and eventually she did.
"Am I a Muteo too?" She wondered."I am. That's right! Just call me El Muteo!"
Maud was doing a practice test with Marble in the dorm. Typical.
All Marble ever wanted to do was study. She was eager to stay in the school. Even if it meant rejecting friends,fun,and worse of all forgot to feed her pet rock;Igneous.
Marble was a part of the PETR. (Ponies for Ethical Treatment of Rocks) She cared for all rocks big or small. Never would she step on a rock path or step on a rock. To make matters worse she continued to "save" the lives of rocks everyday. This resulted in a lot of her bags being especially heavy.
Maud did care for Marble though. It was Maud who substitutes as her mom. Cloudy Quartz was too busy churning butter or selling rocks,so it had always been up to Maud. Ofcourse Obsidian Pie,the Pie sisters' young aunt,sometimes watched them.
Obsidian was very...outgoing. That's how to put it I suppose.
Obsidian was the family joke. She was young and wild. She couldn't even churn butter correctly like all the other Pies could. Maud had churned butter from birth with a giant stick,it was just like walking. There was really no effort to it.
But Obidian wasn't the most responsible one in the family. That was Majd.
Maud was the responsible one,the good one,the perfect one.
"Sorry you got this one wrong."Maud said as she pointed to a picture of lapis lazuli.
"Mmhmm."Marble responded as she looked at the picture harder.
Maud was color blind. So memorizing ricks was hard for her,but she had done it in kindergarten. Let me remind you,she LOVES rocks!(more like obsess)
You call it rocks,she calls it love.
"All students prepare for bed."The intercom commanded.
Marble sighed and put her papers away as Maud slipped into bed.
Maud closed her eyes for a few minutes but was then poked gently in the side.
She opened her eyes to see Marble. Maud rolled her eyes,turned the night light on,tucked Marble in,and gave her a kiss on the head.
"Mmhmm."Marble thanked Maud.
Maud then went to the other side of the room and snuggle in her bed. Ofcourse she slept with a rock.
This rock was named Baby Basalt.
You read that one right too sonny!
Maud has a rock named Baby Basalt. She had rescued him,here at the school. He was being used cruelly in a wall with thousands the of others. When she took it all the other rocks were free.(rather broke the wall if you ask me and cost the school thousands)
He was safe now under his new mom's careful watch and care.
Maud was a very mother like figure to a lot of ponies.
It was the first breakfast at the school.
Maud was leading her three sisters to a table in the cafeteria.
"I can't wait to have some cinnamon rolls!"Pinkie said.
"Mmhmm."Marble agreed.
"Those rolls are mine!"Limestone aggressively snapped.
"Ok Miss.Bossy."Pinkie joked,but then she asked Maud,"What are you getting Maud?"
"Whatever the Lord gives me."Maud answered.
"Cool!"Pinkie pretended to be pleased.
The girls walked up to the counter to receive the food.
"Here ya are!"The lunchlady said as she gave both of them a piece of toast.(with a thick layer of gravy)
"Nothing jelly can't fix!"Pinkie happily said as she happily put some jelly on her toast.
Marble just looked sad and went to find a seat with Limestone.
"Is that it?"Maud asked the lunchlady.
"Sorry darling."She replied sarcastically.
Maud went to sit down with her sisters. She was still mad about this "breakfast".
Maud decided to give some of her food to Baby Basalt. He wasn't a picky eater.(not like he could be)
"Maud! Over here!"Pinkie hollered as she waved her hoof in the air.
"Coming."Maud muttered at she slowly paced herself as she neared forwards the table.
"I don't think this is a meal."Maud commented as she took her seat.
"I think it'll be great!"Pinkie corrected Maud.(Pinkie had a lot of jelly on her toast,so it's more than likely it was sugary and sweet)
"I hate gravy!"Limestone scolded the toast.
"Mmhmm."Marble sadly said as she looked at her depressing meal.
"At least it's better than when Obsidian Pie made eggs."Pinkie reminded.
Everyone laughed,except Maud who had no expression.
Obsidian had accidentally put sprinkled on the eggs,thinking they were whip cream. It was a hilarious moment that the girls loved to talk about,well behind adult backs that is.
"Yeah. I make way better eggs!"Limestone bragged.
"Mmhmm."Marble happily said.
Maud gave Baby Basalt some toast. He seemed to love it and was munching it furiously (in Maud's eyes that is)
Pinkie always lightened the mood and made people happy. It was just her thing. A good thing.
"Ha you wish!"Pinkie playfully challenged Limestone.
Marble smiled and watched the girls as they playfully gnawed at each other.
"Ahem!"The intercom said."Classes will begin soon. Remeber today is the day to sign up for choir and the school newspaper. Enjoy your lovely breakfasts."
"What's your first class anyway?"Limestone asked Pinkie.
"History if rocks. But Marble is studying Chrystals. Maybe she'll turn into a Chrystal Pony."Pinkie Pie teased.
Hmm? Could she do that?
The only Chrystal Pony at school was Minuette,and she wasn't in sight at the moment. It was quite strange and odd. But she must have an early class or something. Not everyone ate breakfast.(who wanted to?)
"Where is Mineutte?"Maud asked.
Marble shrugged her shoulders as the others gave each other puzzled looks.
"Odd of her to just disappear."Maud said as she looked around the room.
All the other students were eating the toast/dirt and enjoying it.
"Oh well."Maud said giving up the search for her new friend.
It was no big deal.
In the distance the pink Pegasus could see two ponies. It was hard to see when trapped behind a deep wall of fallen twig and bramble. Yet it wasn't impossible to do so.
Cadence was at Topaz Town for business. As student to Celestia,soon to be alicorn,it was her duty to come up with friendship lessons and to go on field trips. This was one of many. Now she was lost in a cave in the middle of nowhere. She could simply kiss her horn good bye now!
"Hold on!"A voice called.
"Mmhmm.'Another agreed.
"Do hurry please!"Cadence added,slowly the roof of her cave was collapsing.
Little chunks of rock were strung into her hot pink and yellow hair. Disgusting! Her pink hooves were smothered in a indestructible coat of mud and leaves. She didn't look like Celestia's niece and student.
"We are her!"The voice turned out to be a blue Chrystal pony and her tiny gray friend,who seemed to shy away.
"Hello!"Cadence said to the younger fillies."I need you to get me out. And quickly. The fate of Equestria rests in your itty bitty hooves."
The two fillies looked at her in a strange way as if she said she wanted pickles.
"I am one of Celestia's high students. As we'll as her niece."Cadence explained as she tried to be heard through all the trees.
The highest students were actually Susnet Shimmer and Twilight. But they were only kids.
"Mmhmm."Marble said as she pointed to the twigs.
"What can you fly over them?"Minuette asked Cadence.
"No."Cadence started."My wings are covered in mud. The feathers can't fly when dirty. And it would take to long to preen them."
"Mmhmm!"Marble anxiously tried to get Minuette to look at one twig.
"What?"Minuette asked.
Minuette looked at the twig and realized what it was;a broken ladder!
Marble decided to climb up it.
"Wait!"Minuette called.
Marble looked down at her friend.
"What if you get hurt?"Minuette asked.
Marble shook her head confidently as she kept on climbing the broken ladder.
Cadence tried not to panic. She certainly hoped that when she got out she could get these girls out of there! They were in serious danger by just being near the presence of a cave!
"Hurry!"Cadence said as she looked at an angry snake,who clearly didn't like her very much.
"Mmhmm."Cadence heard from behind her;little gray pony!
Only she was on top of the wall of bark.
"How am I going to get up?"Cadnece asked the pony.
Marble showed her a vine and cast it down for her to climb.
"Thank you."Cadence said as she tried to climb it without slipping.(clinging to a rope isn't as easy as you think)
She slipped and fell a few times but got back up and tried.
Eventually both Cadence and Marble were on the top of the wood wall and able to climb down the discarded ladder. Safe!
"Are you okay Miss Mi Amora Cadenza?"Minuette asked as they put foot on the ground.
"Call me Cadence."The pink pony said as she stepped on the ground.
"Mmhmm."Marble added.
"Now let's get out of here!"Cadence encouraged.
Minuette lead the way out of the deep dark cave.
"So do you talk?"Cadence asked Marble as they walked in the cave.
"Nnhnn."Marble answered.
"Too bad."Cadence said.
"Hey guys I think I see a way out of here!"Minuette exclaimed as she bound up a rock.
"Careful!"Cadence called.
Too late. Minuette slipped and her leg was severely injured. She clearly couldn't walk anymore.
"We need to get out of here."Cadence looked for a way out,because when Minuette fell,a new wall of rocks was made.
Marble took a deep breath and tried to stay calm like Maud.
"Are you all right?"Cadence tried to tend Mineutte.
"No."Minuette complained."I think I broke something."
Cadence's eyes shined and then she spoke,"Let me try something."
Cadence put her horn in the air,two heart shapes came out,landed on Minuette,and healed her.
Then Cadence swiveled in the air. On her flank a heart made of chrystal that was the color of Minuette. It was beautiful.
Marble pointed to the cutie mark.
"Oh my gosh!"Cadence squealed.
"Hey still trapped in a cave here!"Minuette reminded her.
"Oh yeah."Cadence went back to reality.
"We have to get out."Minuette stated.
"Like we don't know that!"Cadence snapped as she searched for a way out. Sassy!
"I wonder if I could get my cutie mark here?"Marble wondered as she looked around the area.
Rocks and more rocks!
Ofcourse was that it?
Wasn't her destiny rocks? Everything in her life were dreaded rocks,she even considered being a rockstar but the word was still in the name.
"Can you stand up?"Cadence kept asking Minuette.
"No."Minuette kept answering.
Marble was to busy searching for an idea for how to get out. Tunnel? No. Call for help? Maybe. Paining. Most definitely!
"Shh!"Cadence hushed the group.
The three all shut there pie holes (the thing you eat with) and waited. Every pony was perfectly still,a pin could've dropped and Ben heard it was so densely quiet and silent.
"Yeah and then...."It was a low raspy voice.
Limestone!
"You'll be fine."
It was Maud too!
Marble bounced up and down as Mineutte explained to cadence that they knew the ponies outside.
Her sisters could fix anything. From a boo boo to a big mess,they were always able to do things right. Now they could fix this big mess. Easy peasy lemon squeeze!(in the words of Pinkie Pie herself)
Marble tried to climb the big wall of rock once more. She kept on putting her hooves in between the sharp rock,trying to get it caught in there to support a pull. The dense rocks were to wet and slippery to be clings onto like the twigs. No pony could climb them;from the inside that was,on the outside you could maybe climb. How was Marble to know.
She didn't know anything. Or did she?
Marble. The shyest pony in Equestria,was being sent to boarding school.
You read that right! You're not drunk and imagining things. She was being sent to Rockington Elemantary.
This school was known for its absolute boringness and strict rules. Many students who went there had to be A+ or bust. This was not the place for a little mute pony known as Marble. But her parents had saved up every last penny for there little girl to go there,so she had too. Or else she would feel very guilty.
"Come on Marble!"Pinkie exclaimed as the Pie sisters got on the train.
Pinkie was confident she could make the most out of this experience at school. She most likely presumed she could make the class be a party.
"Mmhmm."Marble hummed as she gave her parents one last hug.
"Now thou should be safe."Her mom told her.
"Yes and thou shalt have no detentions."Her father added.
Marble nodded. Her parents were always worried about her specifically. Most likely beats us she couldn't talk.
"I"ll keep an eye on her!"Limestone argued angrily.
Limestone though she could handle anything. She even believed she was in charge of Marble,even when Limestone was only a few years older you than her. (Maud being the oldest)
"Goodbye."Maud sarcastically changed the subject.
"Goodbye!"The parents said.
The four sisters then entered the train.
"Dibs on the window seat!"Pinkie exclaimed as she leaped onto the seat.
"I want the window seat!"Limestone yelled.
"Break it up."Maud emotionlessly commanded.
Marble quietly sat in another seat. She was not the pony that argued with her sisters.
The train let out a large TOOT! And the conductor began to yell about the train taking off.
"I will sit next to Marble."Maud told them.
"Mmhmm."The little gray filly replied.
Marble then looked out the window. She could see the rocky land that she called home. She was leaving now.
"Don't miss it too much."Maud reminded her little sister.
"I've waited so long for this moment!"Pinkie chimed in.
Marble nodded and smiled.
"Excuse me where is you parent or guardian."A train attendant asked the girls.
"We are heading to boarding school."Maud answered densely.
"How old are you?"The mare asked once more.
"9."Maud coldly said.
"8 and a half!"Limestone hollered.
"7!"Pinkie cheerfully added.
"How old is she?"The nosy pony asked as she looked at Marble.
"She is 7,only a few minutes younger than the pink one."Maud spoke for her.
"Let her speak for herself."Miss Nosy Horse then said.
"Mmhmm."Marble agreed with Maud.
The mare shrugged and left the four young fillies alone. Finally!
If you've ever meet a person all in your business, you would know the discomfort in the situation. It was purely awkward.
That rain ride was long. They were heading to Topaz Town,a small city outside of Canterlot. So it was quite a long journey.
Topaz Town was much like the Chrystal Empire (although it wasn't around back then). They both had beautiful chrystalized buildings. It was gorgeous except for the bland and boring school in the middle of the shimmering city.
The locals didn't think it was very grand.
Only ponies from different towns talked bout it and how amazing it was. Even though Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns was home to the most successful students.
That was one of the reasons that Rockington Elementary and Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It had been going around for fifty years and counting!
Harsh.
It was almost night time and the four sisters were heading towards the sleeping bunker.
"Dibs in top bunk!"Pinkie once again claimed.
"I want top bunk!"Pinkie's angry lime colored sister yelled.
"Since Pinkie got the window seat,Limestone gets the top bunk."Maud justified.
Marble simply nodded in agreement. (All she could really do other than shake her head)
"Here Marble you can have the top bunk on this bed."Maud suggested pointing to the bed on the other side of the room.
"Mmhmm."Marble said as she climbed the bed to reach the top bunk.
Maud silently got in bed as the other two sisters argued.(like always)
Maud seemed to be the most wisest out of all of them. She always knew how to solve problems.
The only problem she had as a deep rock obsession. She had at least four rock babies these days.(Dad only let her being one) She had cried for hours. That was the only emotional response Marbke had ever seen Maud do. Ever!
It would mostly kelt be the last too.
Marble on the other hand was thinking. She was a deep thinker but never could she let her ideas out. She was thinking,"I wonder if I could make friends,I can't talk,or can I? Is life really finding a voice or a cutie mark? I don't have mine. Do I need it? It is a constant reminder of the destiny we are slaves too. Not a free choice?"
Marble out her thoughts aside and tried to get some shut eye.(which was impossible thanks to Miss I Want The Top Bunk)
Marble then closed her eyes and imagined her being the popular chic in school. Yes and you're not drunk again and imagining things. Maybe she could even be an A student too. But all these things were out if the question. She was too shy,too quiet,to unsure about life.
She was only seven so wasn't it normal?
"Help!"That was the desperate cry that could be heard.
It sounded as if it was coming from the cave,but it seemed scary and odd.
Minuette was a Chrystal Pony,one of the last few living in Equestria. For years the Chrystal Princess was hiding in the form of a normal pony. It could be anyone,but it was the ,eat of Minuette's worries.
Minuette was a practical pony with flat chunky hair. She was known for never being tardy and looking like Colgate and Twilight (an old friend)
"Help me!"The cry yelled again.
Minuette looked around.
"Please not in the cave."
She looked off other possible areas for where the distress call could be coming from. It could be anywhere,you never know.
"Wait there!"Minuette called as she went looking farther.
She observed everywhere. She needed help from someone else.
The problem was who would want to venture into a deep cave to saw some unknown pony? Also Minuette was only around eight,no adult would believe her. Especially the ones at the strict school about rocks.
"Marble?"Minuette muttered. Faintly in the distance a gray pony could be seen.
Minuette always thought Marble was sort of quiet and didn't really care for her. But she was desperate to rescue the mysterious pony trapped in the cave.
"Wait!"Minuette tried to get Marble's attention.
Marble was just sittin under a tree with e small sketch book. She was drawing something,that wasn't as important as somepony's life!
"Marble!"She hollered louder.
Marble turned her head and clearly saw Minuette.
"Come here!"Minuette added loudly.
Minuette slowly walked towards Minuette,leaving her sketch book behind.
"Hey did you hear that?"Minuette asked Marble.
Marble shook her head.
"That pony crying..."Minuette was about to ask.
Marble pointed to Minuette.
"Silly."Minuette started."I heard a pony cry for help from that cave over there."
Minuette pointed to the small hole like cave that lay in the midst of a the ground. It looked even creepier from the distance.
"Mmhmm."Marble said as she walked to the cave.
"Wait for me!"Minuette said as she panted after her.
The adventure had only begun....
Limestone and Maud were discussing the cruel teachers and the many wrong acts they had done.
Limestone always felt insecure about emotions. Especially since she was in an Anger Management Club in the second grade. You could imagine how she felt like an outsider.
"Help!"She could faintly hear.
Maud looked at her.
They both looked forwards a nearby cave;its entrance was mounded in rocks.
"Someone is in there!"Marble said with a tiny bit of worry in her tone.
"We have to save them!"Limestone exclaimed as she raced to the boulder mound.
"Help!"Minuette cried louder.
"We hear you."Limestone called from the other side.
"They need rope."Maud suggested.
"Tell me something I don't know."Limestone snapped at Maud.
The pies were able to pull the three fillies out of the cave.
Once Marble got out of the cave she was covered in muck and sticky leaves. But underneath all that,you could see a heavenly glow around her flank that shined like the sun. She gasped and looked at her flank.
The princess was able to wipe away all the gunk around the glow and once all the mud was gone you could see the most amazing thing! Three rocks!
"Each represents us!"Minuette said looking at Marble and Cadence.
Marble was just so happy and filled with anxiety over getting her cutie mark! It was the most beautiful thing ever.
"I know."A voice that had been unheard for a while said.
Later in in life,Marble and Cadence became pen pals since they were truly good friends after the rescue. Cadnece became the princess of the Chrystal Empire and successfully had a beautiful baby filly.
Marble on the other hands graduated from boarding school, with huge honors and went back to her family and showed them her new cutie mark. They were overjoyed that it was a rock. She never told anyone except her sisters,about the real meaning of her rock mark upon her flank.
Also Minuette lived in the Chrystal Empire as Cadence's secretary. She was always practical and never late in a million years! She was good at keeping Cadmce on track.
In conclusion they all lived happily ever after.
