//------------------------------// // First stop // Story: Who is our big sister? // by Nesfex //------------------------------// The lights of the sun touched the land, and filled the rock farm with warm. Igneous was still very hurt of his back, so he leave the bed for the very first time in years. The two sisters packed a few things for the travel, Marble took a rock collector, a scarf, a magnifying glass and her favorite blanket. Marble took her cumb, a mirror, Pinkie’s favorite silly hat (a harlequin hat she got in a county fair and that she gave to her sister), and her fashion box (a big box filled with most of her clothes and fashion items). Because of the big amount of rocks they had to deliver, each of them will carry a cart with the same amount of rocks to balance the weight. Cloudy Quartz packed two saddlebags with food and sweets for the long journey, also she gave them her father money bag “It has just a few bits if you need something, but you can put the money you can earn from the travel in there. You can buy things with it, but only if it’s really necessary” The two sisters agreed with her head. They hugged their mother and tell goodbye. And so, their journey began. The weight on the cart was heavy, but after years of rock farming they became strong and could handle they cart. Marble look to her sister who giggled over and over, and shook on excitement “Hey Lime, aren't’t you nervous?” Limestone kept focused on the horizon, hoping to soon see the city of Manehattan “Of course I am. But I’m really excited too… I’m… nervouscited!” Marble made a frown on her face “That’s not a real word, you know?” They kept trotting, keeping the pace so they wouldn't get tired quick. Marble was still unease, and asked her sister again “Hey Lime… remember when our sister got her cutie mark?” Limestone’s face changed, instead of showing excitement she grew a honest smile “Yeah… that was one great party, wasn’t it?” They both gave a sigh feeling warm in nostalgia “Since then, everything was different. She was always smiling, always making us smile…” Marble muttered “She was the strong one, confident, fearless… It’s nice we are finally going to see her again”. They kept trotting, and the sun began to set. Suddenly, the carts began to feel heavier and heavier as the bright sky was turning black. Limestone took the map her mother put on her saddlebag “I think we supposed to be… here” Marble turned her head and looked to her sister “Supposed?! Do you even know how to read a map?” “Well if it keeps getting this dark I won’t be able to read my hoof” Limestone looked the sky and noticed that a few starts had already shown “I think we should make tent and sleep here for tonight” Then, Marble cleared her throat “Why don’t we go to the big and bright city over there?” she said while pointing with her hoof “Oh… yeah. We could do that too” They walked into the city. There were tall buildings everywhere, and everything had light coming out of it. The needed another map just to walk around “Wow! Look at that, oh look at that! Oh by Celestia look at that” Limestone jumped from a store display to another “So, what do you wanna do next? Look at those dresses, don’t you wanna go and try them on?” “To be honest, I think we should deliver these rocks first” Said Marble. Limestone grumbled but knew her sister was right. “Okay, according to this note the client said it will meet us at the Center Park, the name is Photo Finish” Said Marble Pie. Marble Pie was holding a ticket with instructions. Limestone’s eyes opened wide open “What?! Photo Finish?! Why didn't you say that sooner?! Let’s go!” She ran towards the park at full speed, but she was holding the map so her sister had to follow her. When they arrived at the park the noticed a big trailer and ponies walking around the place. They approached the trailer trying to find somepony who could help them. Suddenly a big and muscular stallion appeared in front of them “May I help you ladies”. Marble’s hair was quickly on her face, like if a security system was activated. Limestone had to take the lead “Hello, we have a delivery for Miss Photo Finish. We are for the Pie Rock Farm” The stallion looked at the carts carefully and replied “Please, follow me”. They cross a line of bodyguards who were securing the place. Then, between some trees, there she was Photo Finish. She was fixing of a pony, and constantly yelling “No, what iz missing?!” Marble walked slowly, and thought to ran away. Limestone, on the other hoof, was jumping while watching her idol working “Miss Photo Finish we…” Limestone couldn't stop giggling “We came from the Pie Rock Farm and we brought the quartzites you requested” She quickly went to the back of the cart and took a huge sack containing the rocks. She put it on the ground and revealed all the rocks. Photo Finish look and saw the rocks “Yes! Zat is what Photo Finish needed!” Two ponies came out of nowhere and took the rocks, Photo Finish pointed to some trees and the ponies, using some kind of glue, pasted them on them “Yes, the camera loves it” She said. “Okay, job done. Let’s go” said Marble “Are you kidding, this is the best thing in the world” Limestone came near Photo Finish, she wanted to see how the photo would come out and admire the dresses. All of the sudden, Photo Finished yelled “Money!” and one of the guards brought a sack containing lots of bits and put it Limestone’s head. Then, she yelled again “Goodbye!” and all the guards came and threw the two sisters with their carts away from the area. Limestone Pie had a surprised look in the eyes and was completely speechless, Marble was a little worried that experience hurt her sister’s feelings “Are you okay, sis?” and Limestone mumbled “That… was… SO COOL! DID YOU SEE THAT?! THE CONTROL, THE STYLE, THE POWER!” or maybe it didn't. After a job well done, they went to a hotel to spend the night. It was a regular room with a huge bed, enough for both of them. Limestone put on a hat she brought in her fashion box, and noticed her sister lying on the bed "what are you doing?" She asked "It's time for bed" answer Marbled covering herself with the blanket. Limestone came to the bed and pulled the blanket with her mouth "Are you crazy? We are alone in Manehattan for the very first time and you want to go to bed?" "Err... Yes?" Said her sister "Come on, get up. Let's see the city" Limestone gave her sister a white and pink dresd, very different from the colors she used to wear, took te map, and went to see the city. First they tried to go to a play in a theater in Coltway, but all the tickets were sold out. After that, they walked around and saw the statue lf a big pony on an island. They wanted to go there, but the ship was sailing that night. Then, they went to and art gallery. They saw many sculptures and paintings, but the whole place was about to close so they had to leave. Having any more ideas, they went to a restaurant to have a nice dinner "Well, that wasn't what I expected" said Limestone with a sadden voice "Can we go back to the hotel now?" Said Marble. They noticed a small pony who was looking at them very carefully. It was a little filly with orange coat and pink short mane. The stare of the pony gave the sisters chills, until Marble diced to break the silence "Can we help you?" The filly snapped from her trance answer back "You... You are blank flanks too?" It took a while for the sisters to realize what she was talking about. Back in the farm, cutie marks had no real meaning; the only thing that mattered was each ponies hard work "Yeah?..." Limestone was still confused "Wowza! I didn't know that was possible, blank flanks grown ups" The presence of the filly was uncomfortable for Marble. She wasn't rude or anything, but Marble didn't know what to say "I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. Name's Babs Seed" The filly now known as Babs Seed seemed nice. Enough for the Pies to introduce themselves "We are Limestone Pie and Marble Pie. Nice to meet you" said Limestone when she saw her sister was in her mane shield "Don't you worry about not having a cutie mark?" Asked Babs. The Pies looked to each other slightly confused "Why would we?" Asked Marble. Babs Seed looked down avoiding eye contact "In my school there are some guys who bullied me for being a blank flank. They don't do it anymore, but sometime I hear them making fun of me" Marble uncovered her face, and said "What did you do to make then stop?" Babs blew to make some of her said aside and continued "I told my sister and she talked to their parents. But that didn't give me a cutie mark... Hey! Why don't you join the Cutie Mark Crudaders?!" "The Cutie Mark Crusaders?!" They asked at the same time. "Yeah, it's a group devoted to help ponies find their cutie mark. I'm the founder if the Manehattan divition. We meet every Friday at my tree house to try many things to get our cutie mark. So, whaddaya say?" Babs Seed stared at them with wide eyes and a big smile. Limestone liked the idea of being in a club, but there was something on her mind "Sorry, but we are here only for tonight. We come from very far" replied Marble Babs looked sad for a moment, but then an idea came "what abou honorary members?" They smiled, they didn't really mind about the cutie mark, but they wanted to please the little filly. So they agreeded in joining "Yay! Luckily I brought some C.C.M. Notes" She took some papers she had in her saddlebag, clear her throat and gave reading "We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders ellect Limestone and Marble Pie to join us as sisters, friends, confident, blah blah blah... And fellows C.M.C. You are solemnly sworn in here this day in witness of your fellow sisters... Blah blah blah... Yeah... Congratulations" The sisters blush little, they have never being part pf something apart of the farm. A whistle was heard, and Babs noticed a pony from outside of the restaurant "That's my sister. I gotta go, but if you come to Manehattan again look for me, and we can have some crusading. See ya!" And she left. Babs left a note with "Crusaders Duties". The sister laughed, not like mocking the little pony's imagination, but for how the night turned out to be. They payed the bill, took the note, and head back to the hotel. It was the night they expected, but it was different from anything they've seen. The new crusaders lied down on bed and got some sleep. They still had a few places to visit before they reunite with their sister.