"Thanks again for coming, Marble. Princess Luna and I really appreciate it."
"Mmhm." Marble stepped down from the carriage, as they began to trot towards Ponyville.
"I'll let you know if she tells me anything. She'll probably meet you via your dreams next time."
"M-mine?"
"Mmhm. Don't worry, she'll only come when you need her."
"Oh."
Twilight Sparkle trotted passed Marble. She slowed to a stop as they began to turn into town.
"Er... Marble, maybe we should go get a bite to eat first? I think Pinkie's a little busy right now."
"What's wrong?"
"Oh- I need to go handle this. Sorry, stay here." Twilight trotted forward, persisting without another word. Marble steadfastly followed her but she curbed her pace when she passed to the front of the shop.
Igneous Rock was standing outside her shop, with Maud. Mr. Cake was set in place in front of the door beside Pinkie, delaying the pair from entering the shop. Twilight quickly trotted up to them. Marble swiftly swung back behind the corner.
I knew this would happen... why didn't I leave when I had the chance? Marble questioned, thumping herself on the forehead. I have to get out of here. Away from Ponyville. They have to stop before it get's too worse. She stood and began to gallop back towards the fleeing carriage.
What about Pinkie?
Marble paused. What would Pinkie think? That she had run away because of Luna? Or Twilight? What if Igneous or Maud came back and hurt her? Too many concerns for her to advance.
I'd be doing her a favor by going. It would be a load off of her shoulders. Marble slowly continued. But then she'd be so worried... She stopped.
What do I do...?
=================
"You need to leave sir. We haven't seen her."
Pinkie's throat had locked up, inhibiting her ability to speak in front of the two ponies she had considered family. A lump had formed in the back of her throat, and bile slid down her throat. She had begun to regret having an extra cupcake for desert the previous night, with a terrible feeling billowing up from the bottom of her stomach.
"She has to be around here- I know it."
"She hasn't been around here, sir. Please, leave. It's almost our opening time."
"No- not leaving until I find my her." Igneous kept his hooves planted, steadfastly determined to find Marble.
"Please, sir-" "Do you have a daughter?"
"Pardon?" Mr. Cake's eyebrows furrowed, confused.
"Do you have a daughter?"
"Yes, but what does-" "Wouldn't you want to find her if she was missing?"
"Of course, but-" "Then tell me where she is. I know she's been through here, so tell me." Igneous turned to Pinkie. "I'm disappointed that you won't tell Pinkie."
I bet your are... Pinkie was in pure disgust- how could somepony try to attack their own daughter? Then harass her and push her employers about where she is?
"Sir, I have no idea where she is."
"You know-!" "Is there a problem here?"
Pinkie beamed as Twilight trotted towards them. She quickly stepped passed Maud and Igneous.
"Hey, Twi'!" Pinkie swiftly hugged her. "Nothing's wrong. Dad was just wondering if we knew where Marble was- my little sister." She turned herself and Twilight back towards them. "Have you seen her?"
"Uh... what does she look like?" Twilight went along with Pinkie, although she didn't feel comfortable lying, but understood why she had to.
"Light gray coat, dark gray mane, violet eyes, her cutie mark is of three rocks. Have you seen her?"
"No, not that I've seen recently."
"Oh- all right. We'll be on the lookout, right?"
Twilight nodded. Igneous stared them down, deciphering their words as if it were a riddle.
"Come Maud, let's leave." Igneous turned, allowing Maud to step first.
"Pinkamena Diane Pie, if I find out you're lying to me, I'm going to--" "You're not going to do a thing, sir."
Mr. Cake stepped forwards, in front of Igneous. "With all due respect, Pinkie's a grown mare. She can make her own choices, and she'll take the consequences with grace, as she has proven before. If you threaten one of my employees again, I'll have to forcedly remove you from the shop. Is this clear, sir?"
Igneous stared down Mr. Cake with an angry glare. He brought his hoof up, tipping his hat lower. "Fine. We'll finish later, Pinkie." He turned back to Maud, trotting away. Mr. Cake exhaled with relief.
"Thanks, Mr. Cake."
"You're welcome. Your father was scaring me for a moment. Was afraid I might actually have to get in a fight with him. Would've been bad publicity." He half-heartedly chuckled.
"I'll try to talk with him later. With some friends, in case he tries something like that again."
"All right, but please be careful. There's something that's not right with that stallion..." Mr. Cake trailed away from the sentence, lowering his voice at the end. "I'm going to start opening up the shop. Come help me when you can." He turned back, stepping into the shop.
"Thank Celestia... that was too close." Pinkie huffed, slumping over. She suddenly rose, turning back to Twilight.
"Thanks, Twi'." Pinkie traced over the area, darting from pony to pony. "Marble's with you, right?"
"Yeah. She should be back here." Twilight turned back to the side of the shop. She curved to the left, with the corner. Pinkie swiftly followed behind her.
Marble was sat in the middle of the wall, her knees up to her chest. Pinkie exhaled, relieved to see her safe and sound.
"How'd everything go?" She questioned, trotting up to Marble. Marble shrugged her shoulders, lifting her right fore-hoof.
"That good, huh?" Pinkie giggled.
"Mmhm."
"You want some breakfast? Mrs. Cake cooked some pancakes."
Marble nodded, breathing another soft "Mmhm." through her lips. She stood, following behind Pinkie.
"You're welcome to join too, Twi'."
"No thanks. Spike probably has some cooked. Have a nice day you two." Twilight curved back towards the town square, to the library.
"All right. See ya later!" Pinkie stepped towards the shop with Marble. Marble waved to Twilight before turning her vision back to the ground. My last day in Ponyville... She sighed. I have to settle things with Pinkie before I leave. Like Princess Luna said, I shouldn't bottle it up.
"Pinkie?"
"Yes?" Pinkie turned back to Marble as she entered the shop.
"C-can I talk to you later? After you get off work?"
"Of course. Just let me know when you want."
=================
Just four words... four small words...
Marble's hooves bounced in anticipation and anxiety. She inhaled before speaking, steadying her shot nerves.
"I need to leave." Marble quietly said, covering her mouth with a whimper. Horseapples! Just say it like a normal pony!
Creaaa-
"I need to leave." She spoke calmly, and clearly. With a sigh of relief, she relaxed her shoulders and fore-hooves, resting her head against her chest.
"What?"
Marble's eyes jolted open, glancing to the open door. Pinkie's eyebrows arched in confusion. Marble's heartbeat heightened as she realized her mistake.
"Um..." She glanced downwards. Pinkie quietly shut the door, trotting up to her and sitting beside her.
"Why? We've got everything worked out here."
"I-I don't want you to get dragged into it too." Marble looked upwards, to Pinkie's face. "What f-father said to you..."
"Don't worry about him. He can't touch me, not in public."
"But he could when you're not at work. We got lucky- what if he had come when we were out the other day, and not Maud? It's scaring me so much."
"I promise you he won't." Pinkie pulled her closer. Marble turned away.
"Ev-even then, you've been sleeping on the floor because of me."
"I-I don't mind, trust me."
Marble exhaled deeply. Just get it over with and leave before you have a chance to regret it.
"I'm sorry Pinkie, I-I love you, but I need to go." She stood, only for Pinkie to hug her.
"Wait- please Marble, what if you get hurt out there again?"
"I'll take care of it." Marble took a weak step forward.
Pinkie sniffled. "No Marble- please!"
"I need to leave, Pinkie!" She broke away from her. "I've been doing nothing but moping around and feeling bad for myself since I got here! I left Limestone like a coward, ran to you without giving a single thought to you or her, and I took your bed! Let me do this!"
Marble turned to Pinkie. Her hair had deflated, and the color had been sapped from her body. Tears were quickly forming in her eyes.
I hurt her? Marble looked away. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get angry. I'll leave." She took a step towards the door. before Pinkie grabbed her right fore-hoof.
"Pinkie--"
Pinkie slipped a knotty bag into her fore-hoof. Marble looked down to it, shaking it slightly. The jingling of bits escaped the bag.
"It's all I've made today. Should be enough to find a decent place to stay for a few nights." Pinkie's voice shook. As if every word pained her to say.
"Pinkie, I can't-" "Take it. If not for yourself, then for me." A single tear slipped down Pinkie's cheek. Marble halfheartedly accepted.
"I'm sorry Pinkie. I'm so sorry."
"I understand." She sat back on the bed. "It's just- after everything that's happened, after everything we've lost, I'm terrified of losing my baby sister."
Marble looked at her, smiling.
"I just need to get away from here so father and Maud stop coming. It'll lead them away."
"I-I get it. Please, be careful. I can't help you out there."
Marble swiftly moved up to Pinkie, wrapping her fore-hooves around her.
"You too. I love you."
Pinkie returned the hug. "I love you too. More than you'd ever imagine." Her voice was low, saddened.
"Well..." Marble released her, taking a single step back. "I... um... have to go if I want to find someplace to stay for the night."
Pinkie nodded. Marble returned it as she quickly trotted down the staircase, being cautious with her right fore-hoof. She glimpsed over the Mr. and Mrs. Cake, hunched over the kitchen sink as they washed the day's dishes. Pumpkin and Pound were in their playpen, making a mess of the toys and coloring books they had(per usual). She took a single breath, stopping at the front door.
I have to do this. For Pinkie.
Marble pushed the door open as she stepped outside into the warm Ponyville atmosphere.
I just need to get them off Pinkie. Then I come back, right? Marble pondered. Surely they couldn't follow her for that long, right?
=================
Pinkamena panted deeply as she fluttered onto a small cloud. She rested atop of it, sticking her head atop the fluffy mound. Her wings maneuvered around her fore-hooves, wiping the sweat off as she relaxed them to her side, beginning to calm from the rigorous flight session.
So exhausted... She huffed. Maybe that was a little too strenuous.
Pinkamena yawned, using her wing to cover her mouth. Guess I should start heading back to the house. Her weary hooves drove her up. She stretched her wings, jumping off the cloud and beginning to glide upwards.
Should be-!
Pinkamena nearly lost her balance. She crashed back to the cloud behind her as she noticed Marble trotting beneath her. She climbed to the side of the cloud, looking down.
What is she doing? Why is she leaving town? Pinkamena stood. I have to follow her.
She took a running jump off the cloud, opening her wings as she glided behind her. A golden glow washed over the pair as they exited Ponyville, the nearby sun beginning to set.
=================