Marble stayed at Pinkie's bedside, refusing to listen to the nurses and doctors telling her to eat or rest. To Tartarus with them all, her sister needed her, she wasn't about to let such mild, pesky things such as her hunger and her tired hooves keep her from being there for her family.
Two weeks had passed since the attack, and her parents still hadn't been caught. But, at this point, she couldn't care less if she ever saw them again. Every moment since then, when she wasn't sleeping, she was with Pinkie or Princess Luna, either helping her with her food or giving statements for evidence. She was so glad that it was almost at an end, that she would be able to return back to her home safely, without having to worry about anypony harming her.
As for her parents... Marble didn't hate them. She surely had some resentment, especially all that she witnessed them hide from her, and especially after they hurt Pinkie so badly. Of course, she would never hate her the ponies that had first brought her into this world, but she surely didn't want to be around them without somepony else to protect her.
"Are... you okay?"
Marble snapped back to the present. She blinked away her deep thoughts before she glanced to Pinkie. "You kinda blanked out for a minute there." Pinkie chuckled.
"Mmhm."
"Okay, just making sure." She scooted up, trying to find a comfortable position for the pillow to support her. Pinkie was in better condition than she was last week, although her stomach and forehooves were still wrapped in bandages, along with the whole top of her head, covering her mane, but there were small openings for her ears to slip through. She could move now, without Marble's help.
Pinkie suddenly jerked forward with a grunt, followed by a groan. Her back muscles were shuddering, tight. Marble jumped forward to help Pinkie but stopped once Pinkie lifted her head with a forced smile. Forced, but not fake.
"I-I'm fine, just that I hit a bad spot." She paused for a moment, before slowly leaning up with a relieved breathe. "There we go." Pinkie sat back up. "You don't have to stay beside me this whole time, you know. You can go get something to eat or sit down."
Marble nodded. "You told me before."
"I know, just reminding you." Pinkie smiled. Before Marble had a chance to return it, there was a knock at the door.
"Marble, could you come out here, please? I need to tell you something." Princess Luna slid her head through the door the crack in the door.
Marble turned to Pinkie, point her snout towards to do to see if it was okay with her. She nodded with a closed-lipped smile.
"Mmhm." Marble replied quickly, feeling more comfortable leaving knowing Pinkie was okay with it. She took a step towards the door and trotting away from her bedside. Pushing the door open as she met with it, she stepped outside into the hall. Princess Luna had stood outside, waiting on her with a toothy smile.
"Hello, Marble. How're you?" She asked. Marble shrugged her shoulders with the nod of her head. "Good." She replied.
"That's good, but I can make it better." Princess Luna smiled, clearly happy about something. "I've got great news for you."
"Mmhm?"
"We've finally caught your parents." Princess Luna announced. Marble tilted her head slightly sideways, a small frown on her face as she looked up to her.
"Wh-What do you mean?"
"A group of my night guards found them trying to sneak out of Las Pegasus. They caught them quickly, they're on their way back for holding."
A panic suddenly rose in Marble's chest. Where would they be taking them? Is it safe where they're going? Could they escape whatever they'd put them in? If they could, would they be able to find her and Pinkie? What would they do if they did? Where would they go then? How would she fend them off before help would hopefully come? Too many worries overwhelmed her.
"Hey, hey, don't worry."
A calm hoof touched Marble shoulder. Her head jerked up, realizing she was still with Princess Luna. "I can see you're scared, but don't worry. I'll personally handle this. It'll go to my court, and they'll be in my dungeons for the time being. I can even ask Celestia to put a couple of her day guard and rotate out with my night guard"
Marble took a deep, slow breath. Her fears weren't dispelled just yet, but they certainly were lessened tremendously.
"Y-Yes, please. Thank you." She said. Princess Luna nodded.
"I'll let you know if I need anything else from you, but I think we have enough for me to pursue this in my court." Princess Luna said confidently as she turned, beginning to trot away. Marble turned back, walking back into the room with Pinkie.
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Pinkie's right forehoof tapped furiously against the clean, white tile floor as she waited for Princess Luna to return. She had made visits to Canterlot since it had happened. Of course, she couldn't miss her work, but she always kept tabs on what was happening, how Pinkamean's recovery was coming, how Marble was, where her parents could be- just general worrying.
Come on, come on, come on-- Pinkie's ears perked at the sound of tapping horseshoes. She stepped into the hall, meeting Princess Luna halfway down the hall.
"How is Marble? Is Pinkamena okay? When will we-" "Pinkie, Pinkie, one question at a time." Princess Luna smiled. Pinkie took a deep breath before speaking.
"Is Marble okay?"
"Yes, she should be out of her sling in a week's time. She's eating and sleeping somewhat regularly. She has seemed a lot happier this week."
"Thank goodness." she was relieved that Marble had finally stopped feeling guilty(at least to her knowledge). "What about Pinkamena? How's she doing?"
"Better, she can move without help now, and she's able to drink and eat with minimal help. Although, her right wing and back are still having muscles spasms, and she's still bedridden, she's doing much better than what my physicians expected."
"How long until she's fully healed up?"
Princess Luna frowned slightly. "From what my doctors tell me, it's... uncertain when exactly she'll be out. One says a few weeks, another says a few months... just a waiting game at this point."
"Thank you for being honest." Pinkie said, sighing as she glanced down. "When'll mom and dad have their case heard?"
"A week. I'd like to keep this as quiet as possible, for your sake and for the rest of your family's sake. I need for the buzz to die down before I'll continue. It'll take place at dusk since there's very little traffic here around that time."
"Should I bring anything or anypony to say something in my favor? I-I can get Twilight, Applejack- any of my friends would vouch for me."
"Twilight's already given me a written statement, all you need to do is let Pinkamena and Marble handle it. They're enough for it."
"Oh... okay." Pinkie looked back up to Princess Luna. "Thank you, by the way. For everything." she smiled. Princess Luna nodded.
"You're welcome. I'm just glad that nopony else is going to be hurt."
Pinkie nodded. "Well, I-I gotta go. Mr. and Mrs. Cake need me to babysit today." She turned, trotting away.
"Farewell, Pinkie. I'll notify you if anything changes."
Pinkie turned back her with a smile, trotting backwards. "Bye!" She said before turning back around.
Thank Luna this is all over...
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