The Big Question
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The Secret Magic Of Cutie Marks

The Big Question

Five winters pass since Query Quill received her cutie mark. She graduated early from her schooling and started to help out in Lime Meringue's father's general store, working on the register. Lately, though, she hasn't felt the need to inquire about anything as she liked to do so much prior, because so far, she learned everything there was to know about the various work ethics, abilities, monetary gain and more around this small town. Though two question stuck with her since she was little. 'What was a cutie mark?' and 'Where do the come from?'

These were really hard questions for the ponies around her to answer. Usually, they would give her a simple answer for the first question about it being the realization of a special talent, but that answer, to Query, felt hollow and scripted. She felt she needed to ask somepony else. In a town full of only 56 ponies, and mostly ponies that only know business, she wouldn't have gotten her answer. She realized she had to go somewhere else to get the answers she needed. She needed to ask somepony higher up on the food chain. She needed to go to...

"Canterlot?!" Sweet Treat exclaimed. "Do you know how dangerous that trip is?! That's a three day trip at the least! No, I can't allow this."

"But mom!" Query complained, "I can't get the answers I want if I'm just sitting around here all the time!"

Sweet Treat understood, and knew one of them would have thought of something like this before too long. She just didn't realize it would have been Query to ask so soon. But being a mare of experience, she knew the dangers out in the world and tried to plead her case to her daughter about the highwayponies that would rob a young mare blind or the various creatures that lived along the White Tail Woods that would sooner find a pony a better meal than a fish.

"Mom," Query started, "I know I can take care of myself. I'm really smart and can out think any situation!"

"Yes, but you're also too curious for your own good. Sweet intervened. "And a young pony like yourself shouldn't just go out traveling alone!"

"Then I'll go with her." Dusty proclaimed, walking into the room they were talking in. In the five years, Dusty Daydream had gotten a lot larger. Now standing over two hands higher than Sweet Treat. Over five taller than his little sister. He's also had a lot of muscle growth, making deliveries for his father to and from different cities. "I've already been to Canterlot three times, so I know how to get there," He continued, "and not many ponies think about coming after me seeing how big I am." He chuckled a bit and held his head up high in a feign of pride.

Their mother, exasperated by the teamup her children formed, finally gave in and let out a long sigh. "Please keep her safe-" She started, but was cut off by Query latching onto her with a really tight hug.

"Thank you mama! I promise I won't do anything bad and I'll return once I get a good answer!" Query exclaimed in an almost unintelligible speed. before leaping to her older brother's front leg and embracing it as best she could. "And thank you for going with me! I know I'll be safe!"

The next morning, Query awoke at the break of dawn, excited that she'll finally be able to explore more of the land she lived in. More excited that she'll be able to learn more on her way there. She helped her brother stock a cart with supplies and by the highest sun, they were off. Query walking by her brother as opposed to riding in the cart that her mother suggested nearly non-stop.

"This is it, Dusty!" She exclaimed, hopping around excitedly. "This is the beginning of my journey!"

Her older brother laughed a bit, seeing her so excited reminded him of his favorite book series, Shoe Horn Heroine. "Don't expect it to be too epic, though." He reassured, "A lot of nothing happens on these trails. Mom really likes to try and take things out of proportion."

"Even so, I get to explore and that's why I envy you so much!"

Dusty stopped in his tacks, making some of the supplies shift forward and nearly fall off."You envy me?!"

Query turned around to her brother, "Well, yeah" she said with a matter of factually tone, "You get to go everywhere since you work with dad! I've only been to Las Pegasus. And not even the good parts"

"There aren't any good parts" He said under his breath, but caught himself before she actually discerned what he said as he started to trot forward again, "So what are you hoping this 'adventure'? I mean, I've been to Canterlot a bunch, but it's not exciting or anything. It'll take about two days to get to a town called Ponyville and then we'll have to take a train to Cant-"

"A train?!" Query exclaimed cutting off her brother and beginning to bounce around again.

Dusty just chuckled and left her be, pulling the cart down the winding road ahead of them.

Along the path, more and more of the White Tail Woods started to overtake the open landscape, thus making the road twist and turn even more than it already did. Unlike the famous Everfree Forest, the White Tail Woods had a large team of ponies that too care of its weather and growing habits. Though, next to this, they wanted to have a natural feel to it, so they let the trees grow anywhere they want to grow. That also blocks off many of the pony made paths, so new paths have to be formed. It's a little tedius, but it keeps to the natural feel of the woods. And once a year, it gives the ponies a challenge when participating in the Running Of The Leaves.

Near sundown, the wildlife along the trail is usually scarce, at most just a bunny or a deer could ever been seen. Otherwise, with the late spring canopy, it's serene. Though, in Query's mind, serenity isn't what made a good adventure. Not a lot of Dusty's books actually pointed out the adventures coming to a calm between the chapters. The Bobbin Hoof - Queen Of Pilfers books were always action and justice. Which was the exact opposite of what the two ponies were experiencing. Laying in the cart, staring at the sky and treetops above her passing by at Dusty's slow and steady pace, it hit her. She was bored.

Dusty realized that she had been quiet for a while. With a cheeky grin, he suddenly bucked his front hooves into the air, standing tall on his hind legs, which with his stature, easily caught the attention of the action deprived little sister, perking her up slightly only to have her fall back against the supplies behind her as Dusty shot forth with a great burst of speed, galloping through the wooded path, making the cart shake, bounce, weave, jostle and pike, but all in all, it was going fast.

She placed her hooves on the front edge of the cart, holding her snout just above the edge. She narrowed her eyes at a turn in the road. She leaned to the left and her brother followed, turning along with the path. The another one! To the right! Then again to the left! Now for the straight away! Nothing but open road and high octane racing from here on out! That's when Dusty suddenly tripped. The cart broke at the splinter bar and soared over his head, crashing down onto the road and falling into pieces.

"D-Dusty...?" She called from under the rubble. She wasn't seriously hurt but it felt like she was bruised and her head throbbed a bit. Query stood slowly, pushing away the debris and rubbing her head, "Are you okay?"

"Your subordinate is peach posh, and so shall you as long as you make no sudden movements, my dear!" An unfamiliar voice called out.

Query opened her eyes toward the voice, seeing three ponies around her brother with swords pointed at him. The fourth pony, with a bandana over his snout and his mane was approaching the young filly. He also had a cape draped over his back, concealing his tail, presumably so nopony could identify him. These were the highway ponies that her mother was telling her about.

He stopped just in front of her, leaning down a bit to look her in the eyes and then he suddenly lowered to a bow, "I apologize, miss," He stated, "but I'm afraid I'll have to requisition your supplies."

"B-but we're on our way to Canterlot!" Query countered, turning to the pony as he circles around her to get to the supplies, "We need some food until we make it to the next town!"

The pony stopped and turned back to her. "Canterlot? So are these supplies destined for the royal city?" You could almost hear a growl in his voice. He turned back to the supplies. "Let's see... Food... Tilling harnesses... Bedding... Kind of light for a royal city sully run, no? There must be other business you're attending?"

This pony was sharp. Not too long ago, Dusty already made a trip to Canterlot to drop off supplies for a buyer. He was going to use this trip to see if the buyer had everything he needed and potentially sell more to them, but besides that small amopunt of stuff, it was mostly food that their mother prepared for the trip.

"Tell me, little pony," He started, swinging around to make his cape float up and reveal his sword, "what other business do you have in the royal city?"

Hesitant, she shuffled her hoof around in the dirt, looking down at the road, "I... I wanted to meet the Princess-"

"She wanted to get a royal meeting!" He interrupted, the other ponies near Dusty chuckling.

"...a-and I wanted to ask-"

"And furthermore, she wants to question royal authority!" The ponies behind her started laughing more, but stayed their blades at Dusty. "Tell me, little pony, what knowledge is bereft of you to question a Princess?" He asked, now circling around and looking down to her.

She winced slightly at the way his question was directed. He sounded angry. As if every time she mention the Princess, he got angrier and louder. Which made her head throb more. Her body felt like it was shrinking due to the onslaught of interrogation. She was terrified of this entire situation. This was, again, completely different than the adventure books that Dusty gave her. If she could ever muster the courage to stand up straight, the pony would still be at least two hands taller than her, and as the sun faded away over the horizon, he grew scarier with his dark grey cape floating around her. Query had never know intimidation further than it being a word in a book. But as of this moment, the definition as this bandit walking around her.

"I..." she managed to whimper out. Her breath making her words just as shaky. "Wanted t-to ask... Where cutie marks came from..."

"Where cutie marks..." The pony started off in a dark tone but it quickly calmed down "...Come from...?" He stopped circling her. The other ponies looking at each other in disbelief.

She was too afraid to look up as she quivered in place. Her eyes closed tight, tears streaming down her cheeks, but too scared to cry out. But. the curious silence of the situation got to her and made her open an eye. She didn't see them anywhere. She stood up quickly and looked around. They were all gone except for her brother, Dusty, who was pulling himself back up. Without thinking she darted over to him and embraced him in a tight hug, before crying hard into his chest.

"I don't know what got them so spooked. But they left..." He said, looking around while holding his little sister close to him.

He was mulling over the encounter before he snapped back to reality and saw the damaged cart. Query was almost glued to his leg, still shivering. The large pony gathered the bedrolls and started stuffing the salvageable food into them, tied them together and lifted them onto his withers.

"Come on, now, Query. We're almost to a campsite and there will be a lot of nicer ponies there." He said, trying to reassure her before walking at a slow pace along the path.

She stuck close to him, her shaking calming down, but her eyes locked into the dark woods as if you make sure they weren't attacked again.

Not a lot of time passed before they arrived at the campsite. There were a lot of carts and carriages there and accompanying them were a lot of ponies. It was pretty lively even though it was really dark. There were some ponies drinking and laughing loudly, others were organizing their inventory. Four guards were posted around the area. This made Query sigh with relief. They settled down near a tree and Dusty emptied the bedrolls before beginning preparations on some of the meals their mom sent with them.

After eating, Dusty looked to his little sister, "You know... In the morning, if you want to turn back, we can."

She stared at her empty plate. She knew if she turned around and went back home, her curiosity would have been worse than that pony before. She looked to her brother, determination sweeping her fear away. "No. Now more than ever, I want to know the answer."

This caught her brother off guard. When she was growing up, a lot of things scared her. One time, a chicken jumped into her window and ran around her bedroom. She couldn't stop screaming for a long time, even after it had been expelled. To this day, her window is nailed shut so it couldn't return. She even still believe the story of the troll at the bottom of the well that would fill up your buckets. She wouldn't even approach the well if you payed her a thousand bits. But the look she gave her brother was that of a completely different pony.

He smiled warmly, "Okay, little sister. I'll make sure I'll protect you."

"Oh yeah?" She scoffed, "You did so well back there!"

"Hey. They had swords. What was I supposed to do?"

"Maybe you should get a sword?"

"Yeah... But that sounds like a lot of work... I mean, then I'll have to learn how to use it and everypony knows you have to make sure it's always cleaned." They both laughed heartily, before cleaning off their plates, storing them away and setting their bedrolls up to go to sleep.

Query awoke the next morning to see her older brother already awake. He was once again using his bedroll to pack the food into. She looked around the area to see most of the other ponies already left. Two guards were still walking around a couple of caravans that were still packing their things to head out. A low morning sun peeked intrusively through the treetops, indicating that it was still really early. She groggily pulled herself out of her bedroll and rubbed her eyes.

"Oh, you're awake!" Dusty said happily. "I talked to some of the other caravans and one of them are heading into Ponyville! They said we can join them. Also, one of the guards is going back to Canterlot, so we can go with him!"

He tossed an apple to her, giving her a bright smile. She always enjoyed his smiles. He gave a genuine type of happiness that you wouldn't see from most of the merchants in Meringue. Sure they were nice ponies and raised her from a baby, but they still would care first for their businesses, so most of the time the smiles they gave felt forced. Dusty, on the other hoof, didn't have a start in business, instead, he read just as much, if not more than Query did. Though he read primarily about adventures and fictional things. He would always attempt to compare those things in real life, but would have little success with them. But the one thing he always had a handle on was the joy and genuine positivity like one of his main protagonists.

So they left the small campgrounds. Query felt a little safer, knowing there were two guards basically escorting them to the town. The one that would be joining them to Canterlot was a unicorn that was asleep in one of the carts after staying up all night. He had taken off the royal armor her was wearing and you could see that his cutie mark was a trident looking spear with three lightning bolts surrounding it. His coat was light blue and his mane was sea green. The other was pegasus that said he was bound for Cloudsdale. His coat was a darker shade of red. His tail was purple, but his cutie mark was obscured by his armor. He was a excited about his visit to Cloudsdale because his family moved out there a few winters ago, and he hasn't seen them in a long time.

A long time passed, the sun was hanging low in the sky, becoming dusk. Long ago they exited the White Tail Woods, to a huge clearing and a small town up ahead. It was Ponyville. The structure of the houses in the town were a lot different than those of Meringue or Las Pegasus. These ones had thatched roofs, giving them a quaint atmosphere. Like Meringue, though, it was small. Not many houses were around the main square, though unlike Meringue, there were a lot more houses currently in construction. It seemed like this budding town was hoping to be a lot larger. As for now, though, it had all of the necessities. A general shop, a couple of restaurants with some food stands scattered here and there and off in the distance, the train station. The part that Query was really looking forward to.

The three ponies that were bound for Canterlot left the caravan after shared gratitude. The guards hugged each other before the pegasus lept into the air and started flying north to the large eastbound cloud structure in the distance. The unicorn left Dusty and Query behind as they were resituating the food in their bags, only to return a little later to inform them that they had accommodations in the town hall's sleeping quarters. This had made Query happy to hear, sleeping on the ground irritated the bruises she got from the crash, so hopefully sleeping in a bed would make her feel better.

At nightfall, inside the hall's cafeteria, the three of them sat at a round table, Dusty sharing his mother's pies with the unicorn who said his name was Thunder Pike.

"Is it alright if we call you Pike?" Query asked.

The stallion nodded, a smile on his muzzle, "Yeah, though I usually only let my friends call me that." He proclaimed giving a wink.

"So we're friends?!" She asked, shocked at this new declaration.

"Well, we are going to be traveling companions at least until the castle, so why can't we be friends too?" He chortled.

"Well, as long as we don't get too close." Dusty snuffed, taking on the role of a protective big brother that had never been present before.

This made Pike laugh. "Believe me, you have no worries, Dust. I already got somepony."

Dusty's coat almost fluffed out when Pike called him that. Which was amusing to Query. "So, is she nice?" She inquired.

"Actually," He started, smiling shyly to her, "He just left to see his family." There was a bit of uneasiness in his voice as he told them this. As if he was unsure if he should tell them.

Query noticed her brother just duck his head down into his food. The mood just turned from jaunty to uncomfortable. Those types of relationships we're too common amongst the land yet, and a lot of ponies largely frown upon those sort of ponies. But she just looked back to Pike, after giving her brother an elbow to the side, shown him a bright smile, "Well he is a really nice pony and you are really lucky!"

Dusty looked down to her and then back to Pike, nodding in agreeance.

Pike looked back up to them, blushing a bright shade shade of red, contrasting against his blue coat. "Y-yeah, I guess I am. Thanks."

The night pressed on, and soon they all retired to their respective beds, eager for the train ride in the morning. Outside of the town, a large group of shadowy figures emerged from the woods. Moving in single file and in unison towards the direction of the capital city. One at the end paused, turning toward the small town for a little before rejoining the line and continuing the cult like movement.

Dawn broke. Query was awoken by her older brother shuffling around as he packed their food into a new looking saddle pouch. It was bright pink and was a little hard to look at, but he said it was the only one they had and that it was better than bedrolls. The left the town hall and found Pike standing outside of it, He looked like he had been awake before the sun had come up, which, from what she has read about royal guards, was a normal thing. After a bit of pleasantries, and a couple of fruits passed around for breakfast, they made their way to the train station.

The three ponies quickly bought their tickets and boarded the train that left shorty after. Query was immediately glued to the window, watching the scenery pass by at an increasing pace. The feel of the trains motion and all of the sounds that mixed into the background was exhilarating. She could never experience this from her hometown. Her reactions to these things, of course, made the other two that have traveled this way multiple times laugh.

"Oh! I know that town!" Pike exclaimed, "I was there with my father when I was little. Got my first fitted horseshoes there! " He proclaimed, sitting up high. "But..." He said with a slump, "I outgrew them a few moons later."

Query laughed. "That must have been waaay before I was even born"

Pike jolted up, "How old do you think I am?!" he defended.

Query started to laugh harder, falling back onto her brother next to her, her head hitting his leg. He suddenly yelped in pain, leaping off of the train seat and holding tightly onto his left arm. Query's laughter stopped abruptly as she looked to ther brother with a worried expression.

"Dusty? Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah. It's been hurting since that fall I took..." He stated, seating himself back down.

"Why didn't you say anything you airhead?!" She yell, looking at him angrily.

"I..." He let out a sigh, I wanted to look like I was strong after what happened..."

"What happen?" Pike interjected, with a look of concern at Dusty.

"We were attacked by highway ponies trying to steal our food." Query explained. "They pointed swords at us and everything, but they left after they asked why I was going to Canterlot..."

"Why are you going to Canterlot?" Pike inquired.

"I... I wanted to ask..." Query looked up at her brother, the both of them sharing an uneasy look. She had only just realized that her question might be a taboo one and that she shouldn't go about asking it out in the open. The highway ponies had the upperhoof and could have easily taken all of their supplies, but suddenly vanished after hearing her question. It might not be too good to spook their new friend as well.

At that time, the loud train whistle blew and the conductor pony entered the car they were in, breaking any tension the moment held with a loud bellow, "Catnerlot station!"

Query's eyes grew wide and once again, she turned to the window, pushing up against it in wonder and awe. Pike looked over to Dusty with a silent, inquiring expression, expecting him to answer his previous question, but Dusty just shrugged lightly and smiled as he stood up and started walking to the exit, quickly followed by the young, curious pony.

Pike felt that something wasn't right, but he didn't want to ruin Query's moment of amazement, so he held off his need to know more as he followed the two out into the rich atmosphere of the royal city.

Dusty always felt out of place when he came here. Everypony around was a lot more sophisticated than he was, at least, that's how he felt. He's been to Manehatten and Fillydelphia before, and was a lot more inpressed with the hustle and bustle that everypony had going on, but here, it was more posh. He didn't much care for it.

Query, on the other hoof, was still stuck in awe. Though she hasn't visited any other large city besides Las Pegasus, she already knew this was her favorite. She read all about Canterlot history, and as Pike was trying to show them around, she would always interject with a history lesson. She visited the stone statues of the two earth ponies that courageously slayed the dragon of Gulf Wails, and talked forever about the first planted tree in the center courtyard and how it's original pegasus caretaker tried to teach other ponies the importance of flora.

When they got to the castle, she became even more ecstatic. Especially since there wasn't too many printed books that talked about the conflict between the two sisters. She wanted to learn everything. Walking through the halls, Pike greeted some of his off duty friends before telling the other two to wait for him and disappearing behind a door only to reemerge from it and let them know that in a while, their meeting with the Princess would take place.

The three ponies, after having a nice, yet unsatisfying lunch, made their way to the great hall, being led by Pike who knew the castle well. Entering the great hall, the ponies marveled at the enormous architecture and the designs that the stained glass played on the floor. Before them, six royal guards stood at attention below the steps leading up to the throne that the Princess sat on.

She looked upon them with a warm smile, "I hear from my friend Thunder Pike that you two have traveled a long way to ask me a question?"

Query felt paralyzed in the Princess's presence. Out of the corner of her eye, though, she saw her brother kneel down to present a bow. A jolt of electricity ran through Query as she leapt up. "Oh!" she shouted and quickly bowed herself, but slammed her head on the floor, knocking her back onto her backside."U-uh..."

The Princess giggled, but otherwise stayed quiet, waiting for the oncoming question. Query stood back up, shaking her head a little and cleared her throat before presenting a proper bow.

"Y-yes, your majesty." She started. "Actually, there are a lot of things I'd like to know about your past and everything!"

Celestia nodded, "Well, I get that request a lot. Living for as long as I have, there are many a story to tell." But is that the only reason you've come for an audience with me?"

"Yes... Well... No..." Query stumbled over her words, becoming even more unsure if she should ask her question. With an attempt to compose herself, she took a deep breath, looked up to Celestia and asked, "Where do cutie marks come from?"

Query said the question loud enough that it echoed through the quiet hall soon followed by a strange, short, uncomfortable silence. Query noticed that the six guard ponies that stood like statues at the bottom of the steps were now looking at her with bewilderment. Query looked to her side to see that even Pike was looking at her with wide eyes before he turned his gaze back to the Princess, whose previously warm smile faded away and was replaced with that of disdain.

"Seize them!" Celestia yelled, abruptly breaking the silence, and almost immediately, the six guards had spears at all three of their necks, surrounding them.

CLANK! Was the noise the iron bars made that was shut behind them in the dungeon. Query was still in shock about what transpired. Pike had a magic inhibitor put on his horn. Since he was the one that brought them to the castle, he was also being punished. Query didn't know that her question would have this effect. Inevitably, it made her more curious for the answer, but for now, she was starting to gain the realization that she had placed all three of them in a large amount of trouble as tears welled up in her eyes and she began to loudly cry out apologies.

In the back, Pike was angrily pacing. Having been caught up in this type of situation wasn't good. The only thing he could think about was what his coltfriend would think of him. He stopped, glared at Dusty, "What kind of blasphemous family were you raised in?!"

We aren't blasphemers, she's just had that question ever since she was little." He pleaded, "We didn't know it was even a bad question."

"Bad question?! It's the worst question! Cutie mark magic is a secret to everypony except alicorns! Nopony is allowed that information outside of the Princesses!"

Query overheard this, turning back to Pike. "Why?" she asked, between sobs.

"Listen girl. Drop it for your own good." Pike proclaimed with a growl. "You've already made up enemies of Equestria, anymore questions and you might get us hanged!"

His words put Query in a new state of shock and fear. 'How could my question be so bad?' She thought to herself. Every moment flooding her mind with more and more questions about these secrets.

Then, a loud boom shook the entire castle, the two guards that were standing post at the iron gates bolted off in the direction of the sound. Pike stood up and tried to see what was happening through the bars, but was unable to see anything. Dusty moved to the back of the cell where a small window that looked up through the ground above them. He lifted himself on his hind legs to try to see when suddenly, a masked figure appeared, startling the large pony, making him fall back.

"Excellent! I've found you!" A familiar voice rang out into the cell. Query's ears twitched as she looked towards the window. "Now I'll warn you to step back at least four strides back, this will be loud!"

The masked pony vanished from sight. Query started to run toward the direction of the window before she was grabbed by her older brother and covered completely as a loud explosion blew chunks off the wall, making an escapable opening for the three. Some of the debris, however, struck Dusty's injured arm, sending waves and waves of pain coursing through it. Query pulled herself from under her brother and saw standing before her the same highway pony that they encountered before.

He pulled his face coverings off and looked over at them. A silver stallion with a bright gold mane smiles chivalrously. "Let's make our leave! Unless you want the taste of a rope!"

Query helped her brother to his feet and looked at Pike who was pressed hard against the bars, staring at her with fear of what Celestia would do to him in his eyes. She then turned away and guided her large family member out of the cell into the open with the highway pony. Pike, with a hesitant change of heart soon followed.

In the clearing, a lot of robed ponies were running around causing havoc, throwing explosives and casting magic to attack buidlings, but not looking as if they were targeting anypony in general. The previously masked pony ushered the three into a tunnel in the ground that would eventually lead them out of the city.