Marble Magic

by TheCrimsonDM

Chapter One: The Letter

Living in Ponyville was never easy for Trixie Lulamoon, but with a few good friends things had been made much easier for her. Sadly a few was probably a lot more accurate than she would have liked it to be. Still with trust slowly being rebuilt, and ponies to look after her, things had finally began looking up for good old Trixie.

The two mare’s she was currently sitting with were examples of this. Bonbon sat across the bench from Trixie with Minuette by her side. The park was rather lively today which was always good, it bred a sense of heartwarming joy that always lifted everypony’s spirits. The giggles escaping Minuette were the proof in the pudding.

“So the kitchen was on fire, the living room was trashed, and our bedroom looked like a hurricane had blown through. I stared down Lyra,” Bonbon said, “and you wouldn’t believe what her excuse was.”

“No, what was it?” Trixie asked.

“She said, ‘but I was only trying to help’.”

The trio broke out into a fit of laughter.

Bonbon managed to calm down just enough to finish, “That was the last time I ever asked Lyra to bake a cake. We kinda just go to Sugarcube Corner now.”

Trixie mentally checked her schedule and remembered she would be going there tomorrow. Considering it was Pinkie’s day off, it would be the best chance of her getting to go get some delicious sweets while simultaneously avoiding the pink mare. Minuette stood up from the bench. “Please tell me that Lyra finally figured out how to sit properly.”

“Nope.”

Minuette stretched her legs above her head. “Ugh, I’ve been lying down too long.”

“Trixie must ask how life has been in Canterlot?” Trixie asked.

“Ever since Twilight remembered I existed,” Minuette said. She frowned, “I uh, I didn’t mean that to sound rude or anything. I was just trying to say that it’s weird having a princess as a friend you know?”

Trixie shook her head. “Trixie wishes she could say the same. Trixie and Twilight do not get along as well as she would have hoped.”

“It’s easy, just let her talk about friendship for awhile, nod and smile and then get some free food,” Minuette said. “She likes to talk about friendship.”

Trixie smiled. “Yes, but Trixie has the awful habit of opening her big mouth and saying things that are… not so friendly.”

“Only to ponies that deserve it,” Bonbon defended.

“Not always, Trixie has said hurtful things to… never mind.”

“You apologized, right?” Minuette asked. Trixie nodded which prompted Minuette to finish. “So it’s just fine. You feeling okay, Trixie?”

“Yes, do you need to take a break from Ponyville again?” Bonbon asked.

Trixie shook her head. “Trixie is just a little thoughtful today. Maybe Trixie is a little worried about Saturday’s show?”

“Don’t be,” Minuette said. “Me and Bonbon can run interference if you need us.”

Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Bonbon grinned. “I could have a friendship problem over at Froggy Bottom Bogg. That’ll keep the neighsayers busy for a few hours.”

Trixie grinned. “You two are awesome. Trixie thinks it’ll be okay. Those three haven’t bothered her in months, Trixie thinks they finally realized that they don’t have to go to her show if they don’t like it.”

“Who’s paying you this time?” Minuette asked.

“Same pony as usual. Trixie still doesn’t get why they want her to run magic shows for Ponyville, but it lets her stay at home close to her friends so that’s good.”

“Awww, thanks, Trixie, we like you too,” Minuette said.

“Of course, you might have an ego sometimes but who doesn’t right?” Bonbon asked with a smile.

“Fluttershy doesn’t,” Trixie said sourly.

“No,” Bonbon said. “She’s worse.”

“It was one time,” Minuette said while rolling her eyes.

“Yes, but I can still smell the trash in my mane. It was… horrifying.”

Trixie looked back at the park around them. It was still such a lovely day with the warm sun blanketing the earth. Foals were playing, ponies were picnicking, and life it would seem was quiet and peaceful. Even Twilight Sparkle and her friends were enjoying the sun over by a giant oak tree.

Twilight!

Trixie stood up and quickly looked around. “Trixie fears she needs to go and take care of something. She will see you two later?”

Minuette shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry, I have to get back to Canterlot today.”

Bonbon shrugged. “Me and Lyra are up for game night. You inviting those two colts again?”

Fire raced across Trixie’s face as she remembered the disaster from last week. “O-only if they apologize to you first.”

“They destroyed my kitchen…”

Trixie nodded. “Right, so uh, Snips and Snails are grounded from your place?”

“They’re still grounded by the their parents if I understand it right.”

Trixie lowered her head. “Sorry about them, they’re old friends.”

“They’re not… okay so maybe they are bad kids but they can be fun too. I won’t mind having them back but not for awhile,” Bonbon said.

Trixie glanced again over at Twilight’s group and started walking in the opposite direction. “Trixie really has to go, see you two later.”

Bonbon glanced back and noticed for the first time who was sitting only a dozen yards away from them. “Trixie, you don’t have to leave just because-“

Trixie didn’t hear the rest as she was trotting to her escape. The further she could stay away from those six the better. It always hurt a little whenever she had to cut and run from her friends, but it was better to avoid a potential situation than to risk starting another argument. Since her day out was cut short she decided the best course of action would be to go home.

The small house that Trixie owned was located just outside of town with a giant grassy hill guarding its rear. The wood was painted purple with a gold star pattern across the walls, the blue rooftop stood out with swirls of white mist painted across it. There was a large wagon out front that although sharing similar patterns to her old one destroyed by the ursa major, was much better in every possible way save for one; it didn’t transform. The flowerbed outside was in full bloom thanks in large part to Daisy’s help.

Trixie’s purple aura surrounded the door handle as she threw it open and walked in. There were two rooms in the house, the bathroom and everything else. Kitchen, living area and bedroom were all part of the same room. Trixie shut the door behind her and walked straight to her fridge. There wasn’t an awful lot inside it, but she found some leftover ramen from the night before and dragged it out. She tossed it into a pot and began heating it up while taking a seat at her kitchen table.

Resting upon the surface of the table was a letter she’d received from her employer. Once again she took to reading it.

“Dear Trixie Lulamoon

I have come to you seeking aid because I know of few ponies with whom I can trust with such an important task. You’re experiences and brushes against the more dangerous side of this world have given you unique insight and reason to aid me in protecting this land from itself. Also I won’t lie, you were given high praise by somepony I trust very deeply.

 On the surface it will look as though I will be paying you to run your magic show in Ponyville. The truth is however that you are to keep an eye out for any dangerous artifacts that might come through and to procure them should they arrive. Once you find one, keep it secure in your home and contact me immediately through Guile. I will send somepony over to obtain the items in question and take them to safety. Your discretion in this matter would be very much appreciated.

Good luck.”

Trixie scoffed at the letter as she set it back down. “How many times has Trixie really needed to find some deadly artifact? Twice? Even then they weren’t that bad.”

A black cat leapt up from the floor and onto the table, it stuck its rear up in the air as it stretched out its front legs. The long tail split into three separate tails at the end, and the golden fluff sticking out of its ears made it look elegant. It gave a golden eyed stare to Trixie that one could only interrupt to be curiosity. After all, it believed itself to be the owner of this place, not this strange unicorn that kept it fed.

“Hiya, Guile,” Trixie greeted the feline. She reached out with a hoof and gingerly pet the creature atop its head.

The cat purred and pushed itself into her leg. “Greetings Miss Trixie. You have returned.”

Trixie frowned. “Yeah, but it’s a little early.”

Guile rolled onto his side and said, “It is never too early to receive pampering.”

Trixie worked on rubbing the cat’s belly. “Any news?”

“Not yet, but with luck we will continue toward our goal. This town is kept safe by us, and yet those ungrateful ponies do not think to offer up tuna. How cruel.”

“I don’t want tuna,” Trixie said.

“Ah, but you see, I do.”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “Cat familiars, supposed to be very knowledgeable, doesn’t guarantee good results in magic studies.”

“I am very knowledgeable, tis not my fault you are unable to perform even the simplest of spells outside of illusions.”

“I can do evocations and stuff too!” Trixie complained.

“You had to cheat in order to use Transmutation magic.”

Trixie growled and removed her hoof. “Can we please talk about something else.”

“What would we discuss, you have very little in the way of hobbies or a life.”

“I run a weakly magic show, have several friends, and an amazing family.”

Guile rolled onto his back. “You’re sister assaults me with her face whenever she is around.”

For a moment Trixie was sure that was a crack at her sister’s appearance, than it occurred to her that everypony was hideous to a cat spirit. “Are you talking about her allergies? Guile, she is allergic to cats.”

“Assaulting me with those awful noises and disgusting spit.”

“It’s called a sneeze.”

“It is revolting, and my greatest ancestors would not have stood for it, so neither will I.”

Trixie rolled her eyes and saw the pot boiling. “Oh crap!”

Trixie raced to the pot and swiftly removed it from the stove top. It still looked and smelled edible, though she feared she may have just overcooked her noodles. A quiet sigh escape Trixie’s lips as she poured the ramen into a bowl. Ruined or not it was going to have to do.

Marble lay on top of one of the large rocks in the backyard with the morning sun warming her back. The surrounding planes of gray earth, rocky outcroppings and weeds were a familiar sight that always brought with it comfort. She’d spent her entire life here after all. It just so happened that Pinkie Pie was here as well, and that was exactly what Marble was waiting for.

Pinkie Pie walked around the corner, she looked around and kept walking with a smile on her lips. Just as she got near Marble’s rock, Marble pushed herself off the rock and leapt down at Pinkie. She landed right next to her causing her sister to jump to the side screaming.

Pinkie Pie landed on her side and rolled over. She took one look at Marble and broke up laughing. “You got me!”

Marble smiled proudly. “Mmhmm!”

“Now if only you could be that brave with other ponies,” Pinkie Pie said. She looked around and frowned. “Are you sure about this? I mean… I get wanting to be brave and to grow up and to get your own life and all, but this is a big move.”

Marble nodded once. Though she didn’t tell Pinkie the real reason for this, her excuse of simply wanting to get out on her own and to conquer her fear of ponies was more than enough for Pinkie Pie. The truth was that she was looking for somepony, somepony special to her.

“Well I’ll be glad to have you. It’s going to be super!” Pinkie Pie said as she bounced up onto her hooves. “You won’t believe what Ponyville is like. I’ll show you all kinds of neat things.”

Marble smiled.

From around the corner walked out her older sisters Maud and Limestone Pie. Despite being twins the pair looked nothing alike, kinda like Marble and Pinkie. Maud blinked at Marble. “You’re really leaving us?”

Marble frowned. “Mmhmm.”

Limestone turned her head sharply. “Whatever, you better come home for the holidays and stuff.”

“Oh we will, I promise,” Pinkie Pie said.

Marble looked at the saddlebags lying next to the rock she was on and quickly put them on. They were going to be riding a train soon, and Pinkie Pie had promised that train rides were fun. Pinkie Pie was already wearing the other saddlebag of Marble’s and it looked like Maud had brought the suitcase with her. All in all it wasn’t a lot of stuff, but these were things that Marble was going to need if she was starting a new life in Ponyville with her twin sister.

“Now remember,” Limestone said. “If anypony gives you any guff you have to stand up for yourself, or get Pinkie Pie to do it for you. Pinkie Pie, if anypony so much as touches our sister you kill them you got it?”

Pinkie Pie saluted. “Sir, yes, sir, ma’am sir.”

“Good job soldier,” Limestone said. “Now move out!”

Pinkie Pie followed her out to the front of the house. Marble had already said goodbye to her parents and her sisters, but it still hurt to look at the beauty of her home knowing how long it would be before she got to see it again. Before Marble could follow the others, Maud stood in her way.

“I know what you’re really doing there,” Maud said.

Marble gulped. How could she know? I haven’t told anypony.

“Just don’t let Pinkie Pie find out, she will ruin everything. Also, you need to get a job,” Maud said. “I think that Twilight needs a servant, and you would do good at that sort of job. You don’t talk, you don’t stand out, and you know how to hide when somepony needs privacy.”

“Mmm?” Marble asked.

“Nopony wants to know their servants are actually there, they just want the work to get done,” Maud explained. “It would be quiet, peaceful, and have almost nopony bother you. It would be perfect.”

Marble nodded.

“Just be weary of Pinkie Pie. We love her, and she loves us, but she is excitable,” Maud said. “Also be careful of her friends. Their… huggy.”

Marble gulped. She did not like touching ponies, at all, ever.

Maud offered her a smile, small as it was. “I love you.”

Marble nodded. “Mmhmm!”

“Good luck, little sister.”

With that, Marble was off to join Pinkie and go on her very first train ride. It sounded like an adventure, like the kinds her sister always got to go on. Hopefully it wouldn’t be as dangerous, but merely interesting and exciting. Deep down inside though, she couldn’t wait to see her old friend again.

The sun was just beginning to set in the horizon as Trixie watered the flowers. A gentle spring breeze kept tugging at her mane and tail, and the scent of fresh flowers were making her stomach growl. It was very nearly dinner time, and she had plans for a lovely salad. If it wasn’t for the gray pegasus heading her way she’d already be done.

Unceremoniously the mare dropped like a brick from the sky landing squarely on that large rump of hers. Blond mane fell in front of the mare’s eyes for a moment until she brushed them away with a wing tip and giggled. One of those golden eyes stared off into the distance while the other one focused primarily on Trixie.

“Ditzy?” Trixie asked.

“HI!” Ditzy Doo replied with a wave. She fiddled with her mailbag for a moment. “I have a letter for you, Trixie.”

That was a surprise; most of Trixie’s letters came in the form of Guile the cat and his familiar magic. Getting an honest to goodness letter brought a giddy sensation to Trixie. Who could it be? Why did they send me a letter? Did I win something?

When Ditzy finally found the letter and hoofed it over to Trixie, there was a momentary pause. The gray letter looked plain, uninteresting and dull. Carefully she read the address and she was awfully surprised to learn it had come from one of the places she tried desperately to forget; the Pie Family Rock farm.

The experiences there were not so bad. Sure the work was hard, sometimes too hard for her to keep up with, but the ponies there were so very nice to her. Even Limestone had grown on her after awhile. Since the mess with the alicorn amulet she had returned once, just long enough to apologize and leave. In terms of letters she had received three of them, one from Maud which had been quite possibly the most boring letter she had ever read, and two of them came from Marble.

Trixie sent replies to all three of course, never let it be said that a true magician didn’t appreciate her friends and fans. This letter marked the fourth letter she’d received in the course of the past few years. She gently opened it, trying her best to keep the letter itself intact. The first thing she smelled after opening it was the scent of dirt. The letter smelled like the farm.

She read the letter, quietly to herself and blinked. She had to reread it just be sure she was looking at the correct words. For the longest time she couldn’t fathom what to say, think, or even do in response. The entire time, Ditzy’s eye studied her carefully.

“Dear Trixie

It’s me, Marble Pie. I’m going to be moving in with my twin sister in five days, and I wanted to let you know that when I arrive at Ponyville I would very much appreciate visiting with you. I don’t know if you want to see me again, I wouldn’t blame you really, I’m not that interesting and you’re a famous magician but it would mean a lot to me if you came to visit.

Um, I’m not sure how to end this so I should just say… thanks for being my friend.

Marble Pie.”

Trixie set the letter down and closed her eyes. “She’s coming here?”

“Who’s coming?” Ditzy asked.

Trixie blinked the tears out of her eyes. “An old… friend of mine.”

Ditzy grinned. “That’s great news!”

“Not if,” Trixie looked down at the grass beneath her hooves, “If her sister finds out.”

“Oh… that sounds complicated.”

Trixie nodded. “Very much so. Hey uh, thanks for bringing the letter by.”

Ditzy rubbed the back of her head and laughed nervously. “D-don’t mention it. The letter was totally on time too… okay um, actually it might be a little bit late.”

“How late?”

“It turns out we received this letter five days ago.”