The Gift

The strong smell of chemicals received her as she came back from deep slumber, finding herself in a small bed, covered by white sheets. Looking carefully around the room, her head and body still aching, she discovered this was a hospital room, white walls all around, a plastic hook suspended from one of them, an empty liquid bag hanging from it, and a little closet on the other side.  She rolled uncomfortably on the bed, bothered by the feeling of the wings at her sides. Would she ever get accustomed to them? As it stood now, she severely doubted it. Thirst and hunger suddenly assaulted her, her stomach rumbling loudly, her throat dry and hurting.

There was nopony in the room. Getting up from the bed, she noted her dizziness. At the night table besides her bed there were a jug of water and a small glass, alongside a small brown bottle and a spoon. She reached for the glass, filling it and drinking the cold water with enthusiasm. She heard then the hoofsteps by the corridor, the familiar voices approaching and saw a couple of shadows at the other side of the door, which opened to let her sister in, followed by Twilight. Rarity beamed as she approached the bed and covered Sweetie Belle in a warm, sisterly embrace.

“You’re finally awake, Sweetie!  Oh, how relieving… How do you feel? Do you need something?”

“It’s ok, Rarity, I already drank some water.” answered the younger sister, her voice a little weak.  The other occupant of the

room then smiled at her

“Hello, Sweetie Belle.”

“Hello, Twilight, nice to see you.  Rarity, I think could do with another glass, after all” Her throat’s sore came back almost instantly, talking seemed to strain her.

Rarity complied instantly, reaching her the refilled glass, as Sweetie sat at side of the bed looking at the two elder mares.

“Do you know what happened to me?”

“Princess Celestia has given us the basic notions, but she asked that we waited until you recovered completely so we could have the complete rundown, and she mentioned some other things.” said Twilight, her face contorted in a thoughtful expression.  She rubbed her chin with her hoof. Sweetie chuckled a little; the studious unicorn was already getting lost in her own little world. Rarity put her hoof on her forehead, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.

“Your fever has mostly subsided, though there is still some lingering. Here, drink this.”

The bottle and the spoon were covered by Rarity’s light blue shine, as she opened the bottle and poured some of its contents into the spoon.   Sweetie received the spoonful, sticky reddish syrup. At least it was no bitter medicine; she drank it in a gulp.   “Thank, sis.”

“You’re welcome, sis.” Rarity beamed at her, driving her to blush slightly. When was the last time they had passed some quality time since the Sisterhooves Social? She’ll have to talk to her.

“Ok, girls, I’m gonna bring the Princess here now that Sweetie Belle’s awake. Be right back.” She left the room, leaving the sisters alone.  Rarity smiled complacently at her.

“So, how are you feeling now, dear?” She cast a glance at Sweetie’s sides, her smile disappearing briefly. “You know, if you were going to sprout wings all of a sudden you could have chosen a less mismatched appearance, they just simply break your wonderful symmetry!”

Sweetie Belle scowled at her. “It’s not like I wanted to sprout wings, Rarity.” Her snout formed a pout. Her sister looked at her again, her scowl replaced by a pained apologetic smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Sweetie. I just can’t assimilate all this yet. But you should feel happy, too!”

Sweetie’s scowl was swept away, replaced by a confused look on her face. “Why should I feel happy? Because I sprouted two inexplicable, mismatched and useless wings?”  She felt her voice raising, hurting her throat, causing her a fit of cough. Rarity reached her another glass and then looked at her, in amazement.

“You mean you haven’t seen yet, Sweetie?“

“What in the hay are you talking about, Rarity?”  She felt sicker now and her mood wasn’t helping things.

“Well, dear, just look.”  Rarity pointed at her hips. She lowered her eyes, which came to stop at her flank, and there it was. Her white hide was adorned by a black mark, shaped in the form of a treble clef, covering almost half her flank.

A bubble burst inside of her at that moment, loud and enormous. Her anger, pain and tiredness were blown away by the revelation. The filly jumped from her bed and skipped around, oblivious to the gasps of her elder sister, who was thrown to the floor. “I’VE GOT A CUTIE MARK, I’VE GOT A CUTIE MARK!”

She bounced and jumped, loudness echoing in the walls, a distraught Rarity unsuccessfully trying to contain the white ball of happiness trouncing around. The room’s door opened again and Nurse Redheart, Princess Celestia and Twilight Sparkle came in.  The pink-maned nurse, her jaw squared and her trot light, approached Sweetie Belle and looked into the filly’s eyes. The bouncing stopped.

“Miss Sweetie Belle, you as well as the other patients in this hospital are in need of quiet, tranquil repose, and I’d like to ask you to keep yourself contained. Do I make myself clear?”  The mare’s tone was normal but firm, clearly marking her words as something that must be heard.  Sweetie sat at her bed again, and looked at her newly discovered Cutie Mark.

The memory of that song she had performed for herself when she was walking the path came to her. She liked to sing sometimes, when nopony was near, to dispel away her worries or simply for fun, like when she accompanied Fluttershy in her lullaby. The pegasus hadn’t seem very receptive that time, though. She had never really put much into it, until that moment. In the verge of breaking, her song had helped her carry all her sadness and despair away, had given her new hope and the strength to carry on. Is that what it meant to find your Cutie Mark?

Sweetie lay in her bed, looking at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts. A head appeared in her field of vision, revealing Princess Celestia, her amicable smile directed at her. She hadn’t really taken notice of the ruler’s presence in her room, and sat straight on the bed’s corner, looking at the alicorn.

“Hello, Sweetie. Are you feeling better today?”

“Yes, Princess. Thank you.  Thank you for saving me.” She bowed deeply, almost failing off the bed.

“You are very welcome, my little pony. Now, I’d like to ask you, your family and Twilight –and the other Elements, if they wish to come- to meet with me at the Royal Palace, as soon as you have recovered. Is that fine, Sweetie Belle, Rarity?” Sweetie looked at her sister, who nodded quietly, and then back at the Princess

“Of course, Princess. We’ll be there.”

Smiling broadly, Celestia turned her back, heading to the corridor. “Very well, then. Write me a notice when you’re ready, Twilight.”

“I’ll make sure of that, Princess!”  Celestia vanished from the room.

“Very well, Sweetie Belle. Please lay down, so I can examine you.”  Sweetie did as Redheart told her and let the nurse carry the examination. “There’s nothing serious here. You’ll only need a couple of days of rest and you’ll be fine with the fever drug” Redheart left the room, leaving Sweetie and her visitors in there.

“Mom and Dad will be here tomorrow, Sweetie. Truth is, everything had been arranged already, but the Princess wanted your confirmation. You’ve been sleeping for two days now.”

Sweetie said nothing, instead choosing to rest on the bed. She suddenly felt very tired again and soon dropped into peaceful slumber.

Her parents arrived next morning. A white earth pony with a brown mane, and a big mustache –Rarity and Sweetie had asked him tirelessly to get rid of it, to no avail-, and a pink unicorn with a purple mane, they often journeyed as much for pleasure as for business. His career as a professional football player had left him with a very generous amount of money, which her mother had the good sense to administrate. Their faces were alight with surprise as soon as they saw her daughter’s new features.

“There hasn’t been a winged pony in the family for generations, now. This is incredible!” Her father’s glee could not be more obvious. Her mother, meanwhile, complimented her on the gaining of her mark.

“It’s so sweet, dear! Rarity and I were worrying about you, especially her.  You were driving your sister up the wall, sometimes.” The pink unicorn laughed heartedly. “We were wondering when would you realize it.”

She cast an inquisitive glance at her mother.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, please, Sweetie. We’ve heard you uncountable times, when you thought nopony paid attention to you. I told Rarity not to press you; the silly filly can be such a pain sometimes.” She smiled warmly at her daughter.

“You mean you knew all this time? This is all so embarrassing!” The white unicorn’s cheeks shone a deep crimson.

“Now, now, my little daughter…This is the gift that has been bestowed upon you. Don’t you think that it’s time to embrace it?      Of course, a pony isn’t limited to her special talent, but it’s still a special talent for a reason.”

Sweetie Belle smiled softly. “Yes, mom, you’re right.” She sat up, and joined both her parents in a strong embrace.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo came later that evening, the earth pony carrying a basket full of apples, cakes and different apple based desserts, and a card from the Apple family; the pegasus bringing sunflower sandwiches her mother had sent.

“Cool wings, Sweetie!” declared Scootaloo upon entering the room and looking at her friend, depositing her basket in the night table.  Sweetie began to munch on a sandwich. Apple Bloom hugged her.  “Now we can bet races and we’ll be able to see the sky!”

Sweetie smiled at the excited filly. “I don’t know, Scoot. These are uncomfortable and I haven’t been able to use them for anything. Then again, I wasn’t born a pegasus.”

“Hey, don’t fret, girl! I’m a pegasus as well, and I know that even if don’t fly yet, I’ll do it soon and be as cool as Rainbow Dash! “ her wings flapped excitedly.

Apple Bloom interrupted then, her expression serious as she looked at her unicorn friend. “Well then, Sweetie, ya’ll have to tell us how ya gained yer Cutie Mark. And those wings!”

Scootaloo seconded the notion. “That’s right, Sweetie Belle. You gotta tell us, we also want ours!” Motioning for them to come nearer, she told them the whole story.

After some time of chatting and sharing the food they had brought, and Apple Bloom dissuaded Scootaloo of setting on their own journey, both fillies left her friend with the promise they’ll all meet at the trip to Canterlot.

Several carriages, pulled by pegasi from the Canterlot Royal Guard, arrived to the outskirts of Ponyville, near Sweet Apple Acres. Sweetie’s family, Twilight Sparkle and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were to be taken to palace by these vehicles. Applejack and the other ponies were occupied with their own business that day. Sweetie and Rarity climbed on one. The day was slightly clouded, though not scheduled for rain. The wind blew with a soft cool breeze that touched Sweetie’s and made her tremble a little. She covered herself with her wings, this much she had managed to learn by herself, as well as flapping them. Her sister noticed this, and pressed her side against Sweetie’s, smiling serenely.  She closed her eyes as she felt the carriage elevating and the journey began.

Canterlot’s sky, unlike Ponyville’s, was completely sunny, the huge star shining just above them in the noon hours; they had been invited to lunch in the royal palace. Everywhere below them, the city moved with grace and flowed with life, much more bustling that the little town ever was. They began their descent and Sweetie could see the Royal Palace growing bigger. She loved that place, even if it brought memories of a certain statue she and her friends had found in the gardens… It was enormous and gave them so many opportunities to play and explore, in hopes of gaining their Cutie Marks.

A small contingent of guards awaited for them at the palace’s gates, helping everpony descend from their carriages and escorting them. The gates opened and they were led towards the throne room. As the doors to these opened, Celestia greeted them from her throne.

“Welcome, my little ponies. It is good to have you here, joining me for lunch. We have some things to talk about, but first we’re going to enjoy a delicious lunch in here.”

Following Celestia, the group arrived at the Dining Room, a large room with an equally large, and lavishly adorned table.  Exquisite chandeliers with long perfumed candles, silver plates and utensils, and windows that bear sights of the Royal Gardens, as well as colored glass depicting important scenes of Equestrian history; it was a splendid place to partake in the refined meals served.

After the abundant and delicious meals, they came back to the Throne Room, the doors closing behind them. Celestia turned to address the small group.

“Now, everypony, we shall discuss just exactly why you were called here. “

They all bundled together to listen to her words more attentively.

“Some weeks ago, I, with my sister, gave my student Twilight Sparkle a very special gift for her studies. Twilight is one of the most accomplished magicians this land has seen since the days of Star Swirl. Luna and I decided to reward her dedication and magical achievements with a very special and rare kind of magic: our own.”

Celestia’s horn glowed with a bright yellowy shine, and an image of two feathers, a white one and a blue one, appeared in front of them. “

“Magic flows through every pony’s body. Every race has its own magic, helping them achieve tasks no other kind of pony can do.  Earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns each keep their own characteristics, personal and static. However, Luna and I, possessing traits of every kind of pony, can give a little of our abilities to a pony if so we choose.  And we did exactly that with Twilight Sparkle.  It is a rare occurrence, given that we suffer a loss in our powers when we do this. Is slight, but it’s there.”

Celestia paused a brief time, and then continued her story. Everypony was hanging on her words.

“This present was intended to boost Twilight’s magical capabilities to an extent than any normal pony could only dream of. She would be even more powerful that she is now.  But she needed to discover the way to release this raw power and harness it, thus why we didn’t give her any pointer, and  she was too excited to even think about it”

The royal mare gave a slight wink to her apprentice, who blushed strongly.

“Alas, Twilight has been too much time enclosed with her academic studies; her memories of beginning magic are clouded by all the knowledge she has acquired. It is a very common mistake of talented individuals.  When a unicorn is small and inexperienced, their bouts of magic are far stronger than that of learned practitioners, who have settled themselves to the square. They get so accustomed to their magic, than they forget to revel in it and be able to achieve greater results.

And then, there comes little Sweetie Belle, uninitiated on the fine arts of magic practice and lacking a Cutie Mark .A pony holding who knows how much untapped potential inside her.   Her uneasy body, unable to control itself, oozes magic, like a faucet leaking water, and she’s able to resonate with the feathers, and release their abilities, merging with them and opening her gate to a level most ponies can’t even reach.  As you are now, Sweetie Belle, your magic potential is as big as Twilight’s.”

Silence reigned through the room following the Princess’s words as they were all processing them. Fixated as they were on their thoughts, no one could notice a slight shine that appeared briefly in Twilight’s eyes, disappearing as suddenly as it came.

“And that’s why I would like to make you an offer, Sweetie Belle.”

All their attention gathered again into Celestia, the addressed filly looking very intently at her Princess.

“I would like you to enter the School for Gifted Unicorns, with Twilight Sparkle as your tutor if she consents on it. Also, you would receive flight and music classes. You would reside here in the Palace, if your answer is positive.  I would like you to discuss this with your family, your friends, and Twilight, and then receive your answer.  Classes at the school begin in three weeks’ time.”