Chapter 8: A New Life in a New Land.
The next day, Alex returned to Equetsria with her new friends, for her presence was not needed in her cousin's court and she had no wish to leave her friends. Frederic Diplomat also went with them as royal ambassador and would be staying in Canterlot. Alex was to move in with Twilight and Spike. A few days after Alex had settled in, she was reorganizing the geography section when the Cutie Mark Crusaders came bursting into the library.
"I don't think we're gonna git our cutie marks for bein' stunt ponies," said Apple Bloom as she dusted herself off.
"Yeah, and it's kinda dangerous. I thought we were gonna try safer things to earn our cutie marks," said Sweetie Belle, brushing some leaves out of her mane.
"Aw, come on you guys! You wanted to try helping little old ladies cross the street! I mean, seriously? What kind of a cutie mark is that?" exclaimed Scootaloo.
"One to be proud of," said Alex smiling at the young fillies.
"Huh? Oh, hi, Alex," said Apple Bloom.
"Hi, Cutie Mark Crusaders. So, you three are still looking to earn your cutie marks, eh?" Alex slid down the ladder she was on and sat cross legged on the floor in front of the three fillies.
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle all nodded their heads and sat down in front of Alex.
"Well, even though we humans don't get cutie marks, I have a few ideas that might help you. From what I understand, a cutie mark appears when a pony discovers their special talent right?" Alex asked.
The three eager fillies nodded.
"Well, from what I hear, you three are trying to discover your special talents and earn your cutie marks by trying different things. While trying new things is good and all, you have to be careful, 'cause I've heard that you three have taken some pretty big risks without letting anypony know what you were up to and it almost landed you in serious trouble. I would advise you three to not try things that you know will be dangerous without telling somepony older like your sisters or even me, 'cause if you don't, you could wind up seriously hurt or worse. If your not sure if something you want to try is dangerous, ask somepony, don't just do it, because again, you could get hurt. But, from what I know of cutie marks and how and when they appear, I would suggest that you just have fun and do the things you're already good at and who knows? You just might find your talents sooner than you think," said Alex.
"But, when will our cutie marks appear?" Apple Bloom asked.
"There's no way to predict exactly when a cutie mark will appear. I'm sorry girls, I'd tell you if I knew," said Alex.
"Will they ever appear?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Oh, of course they will! But it'll probably happen when you're not looking for it," replied Alex, with a wise look.
"That's easy for you to say! You're a human! Humans don't get cutie marks! Why should you care if we ever get ours?" said Scootaloo, crossing her forelegs.
Alex laughed. "I may be a human, but I know a thing or two about wanting something really badly and not getting it 'til it seemed like it would never come."
"Did it?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Yes, it did. Right when I least expected it. Just be patient and don't worry about it. You'll find your special talents when you least expect it. Trust me." Alex stood and stretched. "Anyway, I need to get back to reorganizing the library and you three probably have more crusading to do." Alex mounted the ladder again.
"Alright. Thanks, Alex! See you later!" the girls exclaimed as they rushed out the door.
"Your welcome! See you around!" Alex chuckled at the girls energy and spunk.
"That was very good advice you gave them," said Twilight as she entered the room.
"Thanks. I just hope they don't get into too much trouble. Owlowiscious, hand me Muddy Bank's 'Comprehensive Guide to All Things Swamp' please?" The owl flew the desired tome up. "Thank you. That's the last one. You can do whatever you want now, buddy. Thanks for the help," said Alex as she descended the ladder.
Owlowiscious flew to one of his nearby perches and settled down to sleep with a soft, "Hoo hoo."
"They do have a tendency to get into trouble, but maybe your advice will help them not to take so many risks," said Twilight.
Just then Rarity walked into the library. "Hello, girls! Why don't you join Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and me outside? It's such a gorgeous day!" said Rarity looking really happy.
"Sure! I've been dying to get outside and I've just completed my last report for a while," said Twilight.
"And I've just finished the last section of the library. Whew! Who knew there were so many sections in this library!" Alex said stretching.
"Fabulous! Now we can have a real good time." Rarity trotted out the door with her head held high.
Once they joined the others outside they all had a right good time chasing each other and horsing around. Twilight chased Rainbow Dash through the clouds laughing and soaring through the sky. Applejack chased Pinkie Pie around the trees and tackled her. The two laughed as they tumbled around on the grass. Fluttershy was playing with some of her animal friends off to one side. She, like Rarity, didn't much care for rough-housing, but for different reasons. Rarity was sitting under her lawn umbrella talking with Alex.
Alex however, suddenly tagged Rarity shouting, "You're it!" and dashed off.
"Really! The idea that I would play tag is… is… Oh who am I kidding. I'm going to get you, Alex!" Rarity exclaimed as she tossed her lady-like proprieties to the wind and chased Alex all around the yard.
Rarity tackled Alex and the two tumbled a bit, laughing the whole time. Everypony stopped what they were doing to watch this unheard of thing. Rarity rough-housing! And enjoying it! Alex soon crawled out from under Rarity and the two stood laughing. Alex started brushing the dirt and grass off of Rarity as the others trotted up to them.
"You feelin' alright, Rarity? I mean, you never rough-house," said Applejack looking confused.
"My dear, Applejack, ever since the Sisterhoof Social I've learned that there is a part of me that enjoys a good rough-housing session. And I've found much to my surprise, that when I let this side of me have a little fun every now and then, I get along better with Sweetie Belle and I'm more creative and just happy all around. But in all seriousness, just keep this between us," Rarity requested, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Of course, Rarity. We won't tell anypony if you don't want us to," Twilight reassured her.
"Thank you, girls. You don't know what a weight that is off my mind," said Rarity wiping her brow with a handkerchief.
"Come on, guys. I want to show you something," said Alex, suddenly leading them around the back of the library.
There they found a sheet covering something. It had points and humps and was impossible to make out just by looking at the sheet. Finally Pinkie Pie could stand the suspense no longer. "What is it?" she exclaimed.
"This." Alex cast the sheet away.
It was a statue of pure white marble depicting King Greg Harmonious standing with Princess Luna on his left and Princess Celestia on his right. They were looking at him and smiling as he smiled, with a hand gently laid on each of their backs. It was beautiful craftsmanship and the ponies could hardly believe their eyes! After a moment or two of gawking, they found their voices and a torrent of compliments and questions flooded out. Alex laughed.
"One at a time! One at a time! Please!" she exclaimed holding up her hands for silence. The ponies managed to quiet down and Alex continued, "Thank you. This statue is to be delivered and unveiled in the Canterlot Statue Garden, by the Princesses and myself, in honor of our nations reuniting at last. You're all invited to attend, but I wanted you six to be the first to see it. Well? What do you think?" she asked.
"It's marvelous!" exclaimed Rarity.
"It's a hum-dinger!" Applejack declared.
"Remarkable craftsmanship," murmured Twilight.
"It's cool." Rainbow Dash shrugged.
"It's Superifus! And stupendiferus! And… and… there just aren't enough words to describe it!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down.
"Ya do realize those ain't real words right?" asked Applejack cocking an eyebrow at Pinkie Pie.
"It's lovely," said Flutershy in her quiet way.
"Thanks. The ceremony is tomorrow, so I'll see you'll all then. In the meantime though, I must deliver the statue and I've been meaning to have a good long talk with both Celestia and Luna," said Alex, shrinking the statue with her magic and tucking it into her bag, which had been hanging on a branch the whole time.
"This is rather sudden. Well, goodbye I guess. See you tomorrow," said Twilight.
Alex smiled and hugged her. "You're all the best friends anyone could ask for. I love you all like my kin and I enjoy your company. I can't wait to see you all at the ceremony tomorrow. Until we meet again, by the grace of the Creator, farewell," said Alex as she hugged them each in turn.
She then shouldered her pack and caught the train to Canterlot.