//------------------------------// // A New Life // Story: The Misery of Scarlett Twinkle // by cottoncandycat12 //------------------------------// After things had settled down in the Crystal Empire, the old schoolhouse was reopened and a stallion from Canterlot was hired to educate the children in the Crystal Empire. Sadly, there were only four of them; Scarlett Twinkle, Marble, Winternight, and Frost Fury. None of them had ever personally met before being brought together in the school house and now they had to learn and grow in a world where they were over 1000 years old. "Now that everypony is here, let us begin the lesson." Teacher Green Thorn began, using his magic to point the pointer against the chalk board. Written on the board was the word 'cutiemark.' Of course, Scarlett and the other children knew what that was, though none of them had one. "Can anypony tell me what a cutiemark is?" Marble's hoof went into the air at the speed of light. He was the smartest of the Crystal children, always the first to answer the questions. He also was the quickest learner, picking up the new way of speaking quickly and dying to learn more about what had gone on during the years the empire was gone. "A cutiemark is the mark that appears on a pony's flank when he or she discovers their true talent." He said proudly. Scarlett rolled her eyes and remained quiet. "Very good, Marble! Yes, that is what a cutiemark is. Some say that it holds a pony's destiny in it's clutches." He was trying to creep them out, but the only reaction he got was a yawn from Frost Fury. Clearing his throat, he picked up a piece of chalk and began writing on the board. "Well then, as you may have noticed, no one cutiemark completely matches another. Some may be very similar, but they are always different." "So it's kind of like a hoofprint?" Winternight asked. "Yes! Precisely!" Green Thorn smiled. Winternight was the more quiet, brooding type of mare and hardly ever spoke up in class. Scarlett herself was a little shocked. "What does that have to do with anything. We already know all of this stuff." Frost Fury whined. His wings unfolded and re-folded impatiently. "If you're only going to bore us with things we know, I'm gonna go back to my flying practice." "Wait now, just a minute there. You didn't let me finish my statement." Frost grumbled and sat back down. "Now see, everypony has a different cutiemark, so what brings them together? What makes ponies of different species, different back rounds come together and become friends? Start families?" None of the children had an answer to any of these questions. Marble didn't even raise his hoof, looking a little horrified that he didn't know. Green Thorn laughed, but not in a chastising way. "It's friendship, my little ponies. The need for relationships, both platonic and romantic, is what truly connects all of us. We find similar interests, personalities, you name it, it could probably be a factor in any number of friendships." Scarlett's mind was having a tough time wrapping around this, as were the other children. "Relationships? What are those?" Marble asked. Green Thorn was surprised, but looking at the shining coats of the children reminded him of where he was. They were raised to only know fear and pain. The only love they knew had to come from their parents. "Well, that's a tough thing to explain. Relationships are formed by interests and emotions; good ones, not bad like with which King Sombra used to enslave you poor things." Memories from those days bubbled up in Scarlett's mind and she forced them away. "So I have read in a book that there is an emotion called 'love.' What is that?" Marble asked. Green Thorn looked uncomfortable, but answered anyways. "Love is something you can feel for material things and living things. Example, your parents love all of you. You are their children and they would do anything to protect you. That is love; it is warm and makes you feel as if you could do anything. That's the best I can explain it." Scarlett thought about his description of love and her mother's face popped into her mind. Se got a warm, fuzzy feeling that began to flood through her body. "I think I understand. I love my mother too." She said. The other children nodded, all voicing their affection for their parents. Green Thorn smiled softly and put the chalk down. "That's good! Now that ends today's lesson. You all go home for the day and be here bright and early tomorrow morning! We are going to reviews our subtracting skills!" Everypony groaned as they exited the school house. Scarlett trotted next to Marble while Winternight and Frost Fury both flew. "This love, I am going to have to do more research on it!" Marble declared, racing away from the group towards the local library. "Typical Marble. If he keeps sticking his nose into books, he will turn into a book!" Frost Fury laughed. Winternight eyed him and he shut up real quick. Being twins, it was as if they could read each other's mind and whatever Winternight said, it scared Frost. "Do you both want to play today? My mom told me she would be late at the doctor office today since they are reorganizing the files." Scarlett asked, pointing to the playground made of crystals in the distance. When King Sombra was defeated a second time, Princess Cadance had created the playground to entertain the four children. "We have to go home and practice flying above the clouds today." Frost said proudly, throwing his chest out a little. Winternight nodded, not saying anything. Scarlett's tail drooped and she sighed. "Oh alright. Have fun." The twins flew off, leaving Scarlett alone. "Go do flying practice....again." She said to no one as she slunk over to the playground. She went and sat on one of the swings, swaying back and forth slowly. She seemed to always be alone. When things had settled down, her mom, Sparkle, had gone into a sort of depression. The full reality that Blaze was gone had hit her hard and she didn't take it well. Using her talent of writing, she got a job as the file keeper at the doctor office. Scarlett was left home alone for long periods of time as Sparkle devoted all of her energy into her work, sometimes forgetting about her daughter back at home. On nights when she wasn't working late at the office, she was making sure Scarlett didn't leave her sight. It was as if she was so scared that if she blinked, Scarlett would disappear like Blaze. It was weird, the obsession. Scarlett wondered why she even had a job and went to work for so long if she was scared Scarlett would disappear. Sighing again, Scarlett left the playground and headed home. She would have to start thinking about what to make herself for dinner, since she would be spending the evening alone. Again.