How Did You Get Your Cutie Mark?

Deep Blue

"Who's that pony over there?" Scootaloo asked, pointing to a blue Pegasus flying in circles. Apple Bloom tilted her head.

"She looks familiar," she decided. "Should we go and talk to her?"

"Sure!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. Scootaloo kept a skeptical expression. Sweetie Belle put on a pouty face.

"Alright, Sweetie Belle." The three fillies ran over to the mare.

"Hi kids!" The mare greeted them cheerfully. "What can I do for you? A performance at a birthday party? Wait!" She stopped flying and halted mid-air. "Aren't you Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo?"

"That's us!" Apple Bloom confirmed. "What's your name?"

"Hey, what did your brother teach you about talking to strangers?" The mare asked, sticking her face right up in Apple Bloom's. Apple Bloom shrank back. The Pegasus giggled.

"I'm just kidding! My name's Deep Blue. You're probably looking for a cutie mark story, right?" Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle nodded. Deep Blue flew up higher.

"Well, it's pretty cool. You see, I was just a filly in Ponyville...

"And I wanted a fish for a pet. That might not seem big, but I didn't want just any fish! I wanted a flying fish, one I could play with if I ever visited my family in Cloudsdale. They were uncommon, but not impossible to find. I was a very good little filly, and I was very responsible when taking care of my little sister. So my mom and dad decided I could have one! They told me they would go to Baltimare to pick one up for me. I was so happy!

"While they were gone, I practiced my arial tricks. I could perform as well as any fish could! My sister watched me. Sometimes I let her ride on my back. I was very careful, of course.

"When my parents got back, I got my fish! I named her Shallow Blue, to match my name, see? I taught her all sorts of tricks. It was so fun! Then I decided to start performing with Shallow Blue. I performed for my sister's birthday. Everypony loved it!

"I realized that my special talent was performing, and arial performances, and stuff like that. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Yeah," Apple Bloom agreed. "It's cool! Maybe I'll ask you to perform for my next birthday!"

"Me too!" Sweetie Belle added. "Thanks a lot, Deep Blue!"

"No problem, kids!" Deep Blue waved, then returned to her circular routine.

"What did you think, Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked as they walked away.

"I think... I think it was wonderful," Scootaloo whispered in an awestruck tone.

"What?!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom exclaimed in shock.

"A story about a pet, and you think it's the best thing since Rainbow Dash?" Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo nodded.

"It's inspiring how she worked with her pet. Do you think I could perform with Rainbow Dash?" She asked. Apple Bloom smiled and rolled her eyes.

"You ain't her pet, Scootaloo. I have to run home now. Applejack needs help with the chores."

"Yeah! I wanna catch some scooter practice!"

"Bye!" Sweetie Belle called to her two friends as they departed.

"Now I can go ask Cipher Splash what the real deal with her cutie mark."