The Power of Potential

That afternoon, after Spike finally got all the ink out of his scales, he and Twilight Sparkle were cleaning up the rest of Hurricane Pinkie Pie. As Spike swept, Twilight reorganized the shelves and tidied her writing supplies. They were both so absorbed in their tasks that they almost missed the quiet click of the library door closing.

Twilight turned to see who had entered, and gasped when she saw the mysterious mare from yesterday standing on the welcome mat. She was still wearing her travelling cloak, patched where it had torn on Rarity’s hedge, and her saddlebags looked full to bursting with books and parchments.

“Hello,” said Twilight.

Silence.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle,” continued Twilight awkwardly, “and this is my assistant Spike.” She gestured toward Spike, who was trying very hard to not look interested as he swept the floor at the opposite end of the room.

“My name,” said the pony, “is Blank Flank.” She flipped up her cloak, and Twilight’s jaw dropped open. Spike didn’t even pretend to sweep. He just stared. For where a cutie mark should have been, there was nothing, not even a speck.

“You can see now why I prefer to keep to myself,” said Blank Flank, lowering her cloak. “I should be used to the reactions by now, but...well, never mind. I would have never ventured into this library if I didn’t need to, but unfortunately I need your books for my research.”

Twilight closed her mouth, and with a burst of magic from Twilight’s horn caused Spike to perform the motions of sweeping, though he continued to stare at Blank Flank’s lack of cutie mark. “Well...umm...I never want to stand in the way of research. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Blank Flank headed back toward the reading room. “Judging by your expression, I gather that you have never seen a full-grown pony without a cutie mark. It appears that neither has anypony else. My research so far has indicated that I am indeed the only pony in history to have reached adulthood without a mark. After this library, my last hope is the Canterlot library.” She sighed and pulled out the history book she had been reading earlier. “If I cannot determine my destiny by the end of my research, I can only conclude that I am to remain cutie markless, and therefore, have no destiny.”

Twilight thought as she levitated several books off the shelves toward herself. “What about your horn and wings?” she asked.

“I believe that too is connected to my -” she grimaced “- blank flank.” They searched through the books in silence, piling book after book on the center table. After a bit, Blank Flank asked, “Are you familiar with the theories of parental predestination?” she asked. Twilight nodded.

“According to my research, the theories of parental predestination speculate that the name a pony is given at birth strongly influences the cutie mark he or she eventually receives. The theories are based on various naming patterns and corresponding cutie marks, but no solid proof establishing the theory as fact.” Twilight’s eyes widened. “Did your parents-?”

“I know what your next question will be, Twilight Sparkle, and I am not comfortable discussing that topic at this time. I will tell you what I think is necessary for you to know, nothing more. I know about your connection to the Elements of Harmony, and while I admire your abilities and intellect, I do not desire your friendship or your pity.” There was a tone of finality in Blank Flank’s voice that Twilight dared not challenge, so they sifted through books in silence until Spike brought in some candles.

“Oh my, is it dusk already? I really must be going.” Blank Flank resumed her cloak and saddle bag and headed for the door.

“Will you be back tomorrow?” Twilight asked. “I might have some information for you by then.”

“I will return tomorrow. There are still many books I haven’t looked through yet.”

Then she was gone. Twilight looked at the piles of books scattered around her thoughtfully. She thought about writing to Princess Celestia about this, but something told her that would not be a wise move if she wanted to stay on Blank Flank’s good side. Nevertheless, she was curious.

“Spike, I think I’m going to need a few more candles. It’s going to be a long night.”

“Right on it, Twilight!” Spike grinned.

She looked through the stacks of books Blank Flank had selected for her own research. There were some on genealogy and some on the magical properties of horns and wings. Glancing at the shelves, Twilight saw that Blank Flank had selected most of the section on dreams and dream interpretation.

“That’s odd,” said Twilight thoughtfully.

“What’s odd?” asked Spike, returning with an armload of candles and a tray with tea and cupcakes.

“Blank Flank never mentioned anything about dreams in connection with her cutie mark problem. I wonder what that’s all about.” She thought. “Spike, take a letter.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Spike asked. “That pony seems like she wants to keep this to herself. You haven’t even told your Ponyville friends. What makes you think telling Princess Celestia about her is a good thing?”

Twilight used her magic to clear some space on her writing desk. “I thought about writing to Princess Celestia, but decided not to. However, if dreams are involved, there’s nothing stopping me from asking Princess Luna a few questions. For research purposes, of course. Maybe she has some advice about where to look.”

Spike grabbed a quill and some parchment and began to write as Twilight dictated.

***

“There is only one reason your protege is asking me about dream interpretation. The pony I’ve been watching is in Ponyville, searching for answers,” Luna said solemnly.

“What are you going to do?” Celestia asked.

“I believe the time has come for me to visit her dreams, and to lend guidance to her thoughts. Perhaps if I become familiar to her in the dream world, she will more readily accept me as her mentor in the real world. Her dreams are stranger than any I’ve ever encountered, but the time has come to put my research into action.”

Celestia embraced her sister with her wings, and the two lovingly touched horns.