Quartz Aegis (Inactive)

By Kiri

• August 3, 2015




Age: Young Adult

Gender: Female

Species: Unicorn

Appearance: Roughly the height of Fleur de Lis, Quartz has an athletic build. The stripes on her body come from the zebra genetics in her blood.

Cutie Mark: Her cutie mark is a blue crystal shield, signifying her talent in defense magic. Her cutie mark also relates to her destiny of helping to defend the Crystal Empire.

Personality: Quartz is strong-willed, which makes her stubborn for both right and wrong reasons. Her profession has influenced her to be less "touchy-feely", though she still enjoys hugs from parents and close friends. She is highly protective of those dear to her and has a strong sense of nationalism. She is usually easygoing, but when frustrated, she can sometimes say insensitive things to others.

Backstory: Quartz Aegis was born in Manehattan, but her family moved to the Crystal Empire while she was young. Her markings and tail shape reveal the zebra genes she carries from her half-zebra mother. Her crooked horn is a genetic mutation from the mixing of zebra and her father’s unicorn traits, though it functions normally. During her first attendance of the Crystal Faire, Quartz was immediately drawn to the jousting and sparring tournaments as seasoned guards exhibited their battle prowess, striving to earn the title of champion. It wasn’t long before the filly began dreaming of herself wearing crystal armor and acquiring such skills as part of the Crystal Guard. After a year of pleading, her pacifist parents finally enrolled her into the Equestrian Military Academy, hoping that she would eventually change her mind. <br /><br /> Her parents were almost right. Quartz nearly dropped out from the pressures of strict regimes and harsh criticisms from the drill sergeants. Nor was she accustomed to having a short mane, as was customary for the military students. What’s more, coming from a soft-spoken family, she was shy around others, which earned her the honorific of “softie” by the other students. Quartz’s self-esteem plummeted and she struggled with the reality of her dream. Returning home would be admitting that her parents were right about her, but staying would also wound her pride. The filly finally decided to go to the Dean of Students’ office and unenroll. However, after explaining the situation to the Dean, he surprised her by telling her to stop feeling sorry for herself. He railed her for having a pity party and expecting the Academy to be warm and fuzzy. <br /><br /> Quartz was speechless as he lectured on, telling her to get over herself. Guilt and shame pierced her like a spear. That is, until he called her a coward. She surprised herself by exclaiming defensively “I am not a coward!” In that moment, she realized her own determination, will…and temper. The Dean revealed that he had been in her situation, but received a similar pep talk that made him realize that he was his biggest obstacle. He tested Quartz's willpower so that she would come to that same realization and overcome her doubts, and it worked. She never took the train home as determination replaced trepidation and she gained a new outlook on the Academy.<br /><br /> She threw herself into her training, and earned her cutie mark when she was able to successfully cast her first force field, discovering that she had a natural talent in defense magic. It was then that her dream became her destiny. She eventually overcame her shyness after gaining self-confidence from her ability to keep up with her class and succeed. It also gave her the courage to make friends. Given her citizenship in the Crystal Empire, she was stationed there after graduating from the Academy. <br />A newly minted Crystal Guard, Quartz is currently tasked with patrolling the castle’s perimeter. In her off-time, she continues to hone her skills in hopes of moving up in rank. She lives in a small cottage with her roommate, a fillyhood friend, on the outskirts of the Empire. Given that sweets weren’t part of her diet as a student, she gained a new appreciation, and addiction, for chocolate after her roommate brought home delicious cupcakes from her bakery, which she pays frequent visits to. <br />