//------------------------------// // VI: Royalty // Story: Flight // by TheUnknownPerson //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie released Marble, kissing her on the forehead as she did. Her face was bathed in the golden red sunlight, nighttime approaching rapidly. "You're going to be just fine. Don't worry, Twilight's one of my best friends. You're in good hooves." She said with a smile. Marble Pie nodded, sighing. She turned to Twilight. Twilight nodded with a smile. "I'm ready whenever you are." Marble had her mane combed as neatly as possible, her coat was freshly cleaned, even the bottom of her hooves. She was ready, no matter how much she hated to leave the safety of Pinkie's shop, even for just a night. "Mmhm." Marble nodded. Twilight turned, pushing the door open as they exited. "Sorry, we're going to have to trot out of town. The carriage drivers couldn't land in the middle of town like this. Too crowded." "Carriage?" Marble questioned quietly. Twilight nodded. "Yeah. Fastest way to get to Canterlot, aside from teleportation, but I figured you'd prefer the carriage." "Mmhm." Marble sighed, relieved. Thank goodness... "Pinkie has told me a lot about you, Marble. It's nice to finally meet you." Twilight glanced back to Marble. Marble nodded with a quiet, "Mmhm." "I hope you're adjusting to Ponyville. I know it's not exactly what you're used to, but it's a nice place." "Mmhm." Marble turned back, the safety of the Sugarcube Corner growing farther and farther with each passing second and step. She looked back to Twilight as they exited the town. Her heart skipped a beat- I-I'm going to be alone with a princess?! No- the actual Princess of the Night! The Guardian of the Night! What if I make a fool of myself in front of the co-ruler of Equestria?! She took some shaken breaths, turning towards the ground. "Everything all right, Marble?" Twilight's warm, calm voice brought Marble back to reality. She brought her head up, her breath slowing. She nodded, with a quiet "Mmhm." "Okay. You just spaced out a for a moment there. Wanted to make sure you were all right." Marble nodded, turning to her right, looking over Apple Acres. Applejack and Big Macintosh were still busy, bucking apples out of the trees. Loads were still left from the day's workload. Just like our farm. Except fewer apples and more rocks. She turned back to Twilight as they approached the dark purple carriage, painted black at the supporting boards of the carriage. Two pegasi in the front were bolstering black armor, painted purple at the edges. Their coats were black. They sat at each side of the door to the carriage. The one to the right opened the door as Twilight stepped in. Marble slowed to a stop as she approached the open door. I'm really about to do this, aren't I? "Miss?" Marble nodded, stepping up into the carriage. She sat down opposite in between the two dark blue pillows, opposite to Twilight. The door shut. A thud echoed throughout the carriage as it began to move. Marble held the cushions tightly. "Don't worry, it'll get a little less bumpy soon." Twilight's her horn brightening as a rose telekinetic cloud opened her right saddlebag. She pulled out a small book, releasing it as the light dulled, and the cloud dissipated. Marble relaxed, although she kept a cushion close to her side. "Um... Twilight?" "Yes?" She looked up to Marble, with a smile. "Y... you're going to be with m-me when we go to talk to Pr-Princess Luna, right?" "Of course, if you're comfortable with that." "Please." "All right. Whatever you'd like." Twilight said, turning back to the book. "Try to get some sleep while you can. You'll need it. It's going to be a long night." Marble nodded. She turned towards the opening in the door, looking outside to the setting sun as she held the cushion close. Marble closed her eyes as she tried to get some rest. ================= An Hour Later Marble's head bobbed as the carriage abruptly hit a bump, waking her from her sleep. She wiped her eyes with her fore-hooves as she looked upwards, back to the outside. The moon had risen, and two guards in black armor had seemingly multiplied by a few dozen. Another bump occurred as she looked back out the window, a large, wooden drawbridge behind them. It had begun to rise as she turned back to Twilight. "Oh, you're up. We're here." Twilight glanced up to Marble, the same book still in her hooves. Her horn lightened with the same rose cloud, swiftly picking up the book and plucking it into her left saddlebag. The carriage slowed to a stop in front of Canterlot Castle. Marble's heart raced. "I-I'm really about to meet Princess Luna?" "Yeah. Don't worry, she's changed. Helped Pinkie quite a lot after everything that happened." Twilight pushed the door to their right open and stepped out. Marble, slowly yet surely, followed behind her timidly. The night guard to the left stepped down, trotting away as the guard to the right stepped to Twilight's side, bowing. "Princess Twilight, Marble Pie," The remaining night guard bowed at their presence. "Princess Luna awaits you." "Okay. Thank you." Twilight stepped passed the guard. Marble stuck close to her as they passed by the night guards, each staring at her. As if she was an oddity, something to be worried about. Am I acting weird? Do-do I have something in my coat or mane? Why are they all staring at me? Marble's breathing heightened, worries filling her head. What if something was wrong with her appearance? If she had something in her teeth? What if she made a fool of herself in front of the princess? She could never let herself live it down! Keep calm, Marble... keep calm... Marble took a deep breath, trying to control her breaths and defuse her worries. Pinkie made sure I was clean before I left... everything is fine... they're just doing their job. She released a final deep breath before they came upon a large double door. There was a large insignia of a crescent moon at the middle. Her panic returned. I'm right outside her room! "Are you ready?" Twilight turned to her. "Um... I-I'm not s-sure if I can d-do this." "Don't worry, I'll be with you every step of the way, and you can stop if you get uncomfortable. Just let us know and we'll give you a few moments." Marble remained still and silent for a moment, before inhaling deeply. She exhaled, before looking back at Twilight. She nodded, with a "Mmhm." "Okay, good. I'll lead the way." Twilight turned back to the door, pushing it open. They entered the room, illuminated by the moonlight, shining through a large window to the right, big enough to fit the full moon's light into the entire room. Princess Luna was sat at her throne, looking over the moon with her horn covered with a blue cloud of magic. She turned to Twilight and Marble as they entered. "Good evening, Twilight, Marble Pie." Marble stopped in her tracks, bowing almost immediately as Princess Luna spoke. "Good evening, princess. Marble says she's ready to speak." Twilight stepped passed her. She slowed to a stop as she noticed Marble's absence. "Come here, Marble. I'd just like to speak." Marble's head rose, looking up to Princess Luna. She had a kind smile on her shadowed face. Marble took a few timid steps towards her before Luna's horn glowed with the same cloud. A small teapot and two teacups stacked on top of each other on a plate lifted from the side of her throne. "Would you care for something to drink?" The cloud wrapped around the teacup on top, pulling it up and setting it to the side. She poured the tea into it, before the cloud lifted the cup to her lips, sipping from the cup before setting it back down. Marble shook her head. "Okay. Just ask if you'd like a cup." She sat it down at the right side of her chair, atop a small napkin. Marble stopped as she was standing a foot away from the first step into Luna's throne. She bowed calmly. "It-it's an honor to meet you, your highness." "And it's a pleasure to meet you, Marble." Princess Luna said with a grin. "I'm glad you're here safe and sound. After what Twilight sent me, I was afraid you were in too bad of shape to come." Marble nodded, turning back up to her. "Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about what happened? Only if you're comfortable." "Mmhm." She nodded once more, even if she wasn't totally comfortable with speaking about it with somepony she just met. "All right..." Princess Luna sighed. "What was the day like leading up to what happened?" Marble remained silent for a moment. She willed herself to say something, but her lips refused to move, and her voice was near silent. "It's all right. This conversation doesn't leave this room." Princess Luna glanced to Twilight. She nodded. "I've had my night guard sent out on patrol, or waiting outside the throne room instead of inside here. Nopony else will hear this, besides Twilight and I." Marble glanced up to Luna, before biting her lip and nodding. "It was so strange... father w-was out in the fields all day, mother was working the books, and M-Maud didn't even leave her room." Princess Luna nodded. Marble took a shaken breath as she continued. "Wh-when I went to bed that night, something felt off about it. There something wasn't right, b-but I didn't know what. I thought it might have been something with Maud, s-so I went to go to her room. The door was cracked, and they were all crowded around a-a picture. When they got ready to go to bed, mother dropped the picture and b-broke the frame. Th-the picture w-was..." She took another shaken breath, tears stinging her eyes. "I-it was a picture of Pinkie, as a pegasus filly." "I'm so sorry you had to find out that way." Marble nodded. "Maud f-found me outside of the room, and she got father... th-they tried to... to..." Marble turned away, biting her lip as she tried to fight the tears flooding her eyes. "Just let me know and we'll stop." Luna noted calmly. Marble nodded. "A-after I got away from them, I-I couldn't get too much momentum b-because I could only trot on three hooves." Marble gently poked out the tip of her right fore-hoof. Princess Luna nodded. "I hit my hind-hooves t-trying to jump over the fence around the farm, and I landed on my back. Th-the wind got knocked out of me, I-I was so disoriented- couldn't even trot. I-I tried to crawl away, but Maud grabbed my hind-hooves." "What did she do?" "She... she let me go." Marble said with a small smile. Princess Luna leaned forward as her eyebrows arched, confused. "What? She let you leave when she had you by your hooves?" "Mmhm." "Strange..." Princess Luna sat back, taking another sip from her cup. "Okay, continue if you wish." Marble nodded. "After I-I thought it was safe, I left- galloped until I couldn't anymore. I trotted all the way to Applejack's farm before I p-passed out. P-Pinkie and her found, and took me to Ponyville." "How did you feel after you woke up?" "I tried to fight them while th-they were carrying me, but I-I was too tired. I felt confused, exhausted, scared, but when Pinkie told me I was okay, I felt... safe." "Understandable. She's one of the few family members you have that you can still trust." Princess Luna said as she lifted her teacup, taking another sip. "Is your hoof feeling better? There's still some strength in it, right?" "Mmhm." "Good. Has anything happened since?" "Maud came to Ponyville yesterday." "What did she do? Was everything all right?" "Mmhm." A faint smile spread across her face. "She was nice. Didn't try to hurt me, we just... talked." "Really? She didn't threaten you or anything?" "No, she just checked in on me." "Maybe I misjudged her..." Princess Luna quietly noted. "How do you feel now?" "Confused, afraid of what'll happen next... guilty." Marble's heart dropped as the last word slipped through her lips. Princess Luna stood. "Guilty? What reason would you have to be guilty for?" "I-I feel..." A tear rolled down Marble's right cheek. "I feel l-like Limestone's i-in danger, a-and I left her... I-I left her!" Another fell. Then another. Eventually, there was a constant stream of them. Twilight took a step towards her. "I ran away without a single thought to her! Wh-what kind of pony leaves her own sister in the h-hooves of somepony like that?!" "Marble-" "You were in danger, you did what you needed to survive." "No!" Tears poured down Marble's cheeks as she turned towards the tiled floor beneath her. "I-I could've gone back- through a window, something! Instead, I left her! Like a c-coward!" "Marble, you weren't cowardice when you left her. You had no choice, there was no way to get back to the house without getting yourself hurt or worse. Don't be ashamed." "Pinkie's been s-sleeping on the floor because of me! Father's hurting Maud- probably Limestone too! Why sh-shouldn't I be?!" Princess Luna, try as she might, couldn't help her. Another sob escaped Marble's quivering lips as she brought a hoof to cover her face, a blush spreading across her face. I'm bawling like a foal i-in front of a princess of Equestria. The blush spread like wildfire, even going to her ears as he embarrassment deepened. "Marble..." Twilight gently rested her right fore-hoof on her right shoulder. "You can't blame yourself for the actions of another pony." Marble's words were choked, incoherent. She tried to form a cohesive sentence, but her bawling refused to allow her a single moment to regain her dignity. Princess Luna stood. She stepped down the throne, her mane flowing as she stopped in front of Marble. "I-I'm sorry-" Princess Luna wrapped her long fore-hooves around Marble's shoulders, being especially cautious around her right side, and pulled her into a hug. The Alicorn nearly doubled her in size. "I know what it's like to have an immense guilt on your shoulders. It hurts, the knowledge of what happened, what you did, the near instant regret after it happens, only getting worse as you think of the endless possibilities- the 'what-if's of what would've happened if you'd have just done the right thing at the right time." Princess Luna knelt down, a few tears of her own in her eyes. "But I promise, this will pass, as long as you let that guilt go. Speak with Pinkie, Twilight- somepony, but don't bottle that guilt up for so long. Because it'll hurt you in the end, and you'll never forgive yourself." She gently pulled Marble's hoof away, revealing a small, contorted smile. Princess Luna smiled in return, quickly blinking to dismiss the tears forming in her own eyes. "Thank you." Marble said, her voice a mere whisper. Princess Luna nodded, trotting back up to her throne. "Now, one more question and you're free for the rest of the night." Marble nodded, awaiting Princess Luna's question. "How has Pinkie been affected by this?" "She's been... worried, sad, maybe scared. She rushed me into t-the shop when Maud came. After I told her I knew that I knew what happened, she became sad. Her color drained and her mane fell to her side." Princess Luna glance to Twilight. She nodded, almost as if she knew what she meant. "Thank you for your time, Marble. I have a room in the castle for you to sleep in if you want, or you can Twilight can head back. You'll make it back by morning, although the carriages aren't really made for ponies to sleep in." Princess Luna drank the last bit of her tea, sitting the cup to the side. "Would you mind if I slept here?" "Of course not. Twilight-" She glanced to Twilight. "Right, got it. I'll show you to the room." Twilight turned, trotting to the exit. Marble trotted with her, although she kept facing towards Princess Luna. "It was a pleasure to meet you. Marble. I'll look forward to meeting again." "Mmhm. Me too." She trotted out into the hall with Twilight. They passed by a large courtyard in the middle of the building, a throne with a large desk sat at the middle, in front of five rows of wooden pews. "What's that?" "Celestia's day court, or Luna's night court depending on whether it's day or night. There's not many big cases that gets in, just usually tax disputes, bills or laws, other things like that." Twilight trotted passed the court, back into another hallway. She turned, passing by a window to the right as the reached a dead end, with a door at the end of the hall. There was another two on the wall to the left. "There's your room." She pointed to the door at the end of the hall. "Mine is the first one to the left." Marble nodded, stepping towards the door. "Good night." Twilight stepped passed her, entering her bedroom.