Mystery Mint's Cutie Mark Story (And some other Characters)by Tennis Match FanChaptersBlueberry CakeDrama LetterMystery MintCherry CrashStarlightTennis MatchBlueberry CakeBlueberry Cake pulled out a batch of cupcakes out from her oven. They were warm and moist. She flapped her wings cool them off. "I can't wait to eat these!" She exclaimed, setting them down on the counter to cool some more. There was a sudden knock on the door as she pulled her hooves away from the cupcakes. "I wonder who that could be," Blueberry commented. She trotted to the door and opened it. Three fillies stood in the doorway. "Hi, Blueberry Cake!" They exclaimed. Blueberry smiled. "Hi there! Aren't you Applejack's, Rarity's, and Rainbow Dash's sisters?" She asked. The filly in the middle nodded. "I'm Apple Bloom, and these are Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo," she replied in a cowgirl accent, gesturing to her companions. "My sister Rarity sent us to you because we wanted to learn about fashion!" The unicorn filly, Sweetie Belle, piped up. "She said you had a different way of designing." "She's absolutely right," Blueberry responded. "Come on in!" She led the fillies into her studio. "I take plain white dresses and turn them into pretty dresses," Blueberry explained. "I don't start from scratch, like Rarity does." "This one dress looks like a muffin!" Apple Bloom pointed out, rushing up to a blue and brown dress with muffin earrings. "I do enjoy making dessert related dresses," Blueberry admitted, brushing her hoof over a mint green dress with dark brown flecks. "And your Cutie Mark is a cupcake!" Apple Bloom noticed excitedly. "Well, it's my special talent," Blueberry responded. "Cool!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle chorused. "You're a dessert tester?" Scootaloo asked excitedly. Blueberry laughed at the notion. "Wouldn't that be fun?" She asked. "No, it isn't. I think I'll tell you my Cutie Mark story, if you want." "Yeah!" The three fillies exclaimed together, plopping down on the floor. Blueberry smiled. "Alright! When I was a filly, I didn't live in Ponyville. I lived in Las Pegasus... "And I was a typical fanfilly. Always imitating the latest Applewood stars, dressing up in cute dresses, you know, that stuff. My dream was to be a movie star! "I bet you wouldn't guess, but I hung out with a lot of colts as a filly. I begged my parents to move into another neighborhood, one with more fillies, but they wouldn't hear it. Anyway, I hung out with colts. I felt determined to differentiate myself from them, which is part of the reason I was a fanfilly. I had no interest in becoming a tomcolt. They didn't understand my interest with Applewood and movie glamour, but they were good friends. They supported me. "One day, they told me some life-changing news! There was going to be a new movie, Cupcakes and Sprinkles, that needed filly roles! I immediately asked my parents if I could try out. They said I could, and my friends went with me to auditions. I wore a really pretty outfit, and I was sure I would get a role as a supporting character or something else! "But I was only offered a role as an extra! I was so disappointed! Some of my friends tried to console me, and told me it had been a long shot anyway. It didn't really help. But, right as I was about to sign my name on the extras' list, the director came up to me. One of my friends had told him I had a flair for design, and he offered me a role as Junior Assistant Costume Designer. That meant I could stay off set and watch costumes be made. "I loved fashion as much as I loved movies, so I immediately said yes! It was so amazing! I got to watch the Costume Designer make outfits, and she let me make my dress with extra fabric! "Lots of ponies commented on my dress, saying they liked it and such. Even my colt friends were impressed. I realized that I had a talent for dress making! And then my Cutie Mark appeared that night. As tribute to the movie that helped me realize my talent, I often make cupcake and dessert themed dresses." "That was so excitin'!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Yeah, but if you loved movies so much why'd you go backstage instead of being an extra?" Sweetie Belle asked. Blueberry shrugged. "I was a young filly. You think differently when you're younger." "You mean, when I'm older, I won't think Rainbow Dash is the coolest pony ever?" Scootaloo asked with widened eyes. Blueberry quickly shook her head. "No, that's not what I sai-" "WE'RE GONNA GET BRAINWASHED!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "RUN!" Scootaloo screamed. The three fillies bolted out the door. "Wait, girls!" Blueberry called, rushing up to her door. The fillies were already way down the road. Blueberry smiled. "I wonder if I acted that way as a filly," she commented, before getting some icing out of the cupboard. "It's cupcake time!" Drama LetterDrama Letter grabbed a nearby megaphone and trotted up to the podium in Town Square. "ATTENTION FAIR CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE!" She yelled into the microphone. Everypony stopped and stared at her. "What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked. Drama Letter cleared her throat. "I would like to share my Cutie Mark story with the public!" She announced eagerly. Someponies groaned, while others clapped. "Go Drama Letter!" Tennis Match yelled. Drama Letter smiled. "Very well. It started when I was a filly and I was living in Ponyville. And I killed this other filly named Octavia and sewed her Cutie Mark onto my flank!" Somepony in the back turned green. "Eeeew!" She yelled. "That's horrible, Drama Letter!" Yelled Vinyl Scratch. The crowd started advancing on Drama Letter. "Guys! I'm not dead!" Came a voice in the back. Everypony turned to see Octavia. "Think logically here!" "Yeah, I was joking!" Drama Letter agreed. "I would never kill a pony. My actual story is pretty short. I was living in Ponyville, when my mother suggested I take singing lessons. And, of course, I did. I had a very good voice, actually. But I didn't enjoy the strict lessons. I quit after a year. At that point, I began to write plays and direct my friends. I'm afraid I was rude about it, unfortunately. One day, I saw my friend Sophisticata sitting on the playground, looking sad. I went over to ask what was wrong. She explained how she wanted to write interesting stories, but she couldn't think of any good ideas. I told her that inspiration could come from anywhere, and she shouldn't be discouraged. Sophisticata was more cheerful after that. Seeing her cheer made me realize I hadn't seen that on the faces of my actors. I realized I was being to harsh, so I began to be nicer when I was giving directions. A couple days later, Sophisticata told me she had written a story, and that I was inspiring. I realized then that it was my destiny to inspire others! At that moment, my Cutie Mark appeared. Thanks, Sophisticata!" She waved at a green unicorn in the crowd, then hopped down from the podium. Mystery MintSweetie Belle sat outside Sugarcube Corner and sadly pawed the ground with her hoof. Lucky day for her; Apple Bloom was visiting Appleloosa with Applejack, and Scootaloo was off with Rainbow Dash learning to fly. Rarity was out for a brunch with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, so hanging out with her big sister was out of the question. "Why so glum?" Sweetie Belle looked up and saw Mystery Mint, a local rock and weather sensation, with her friend Cherry Crash. "Wait a minute... aren't you a Cutie Mark Crusader?" Cherry Crash asked. "Yeah," Sweetie Belle admitted. "But my friends are out doing stuff with their sisters, and my sister is with her friends." "Oh, too bad for you," Mystery Mint sympathized. "My sister was always out with her two best friends." Her horn glowed coral pink and two miniature rainclouds appeared. In five seconds, the raindroplets created a rainbow. That was enough to cheer Sweetie Belle up. "How did you do that?" She asked excitedly. "It's kinda my special talent." Mystery gestured to the clouds. "Weather dioramas." "Really? How did you earn your cutie mark?" Sweetie Belle jumped up and down in unmasked excitement. "Tell her the story," Cherry Crash urged. "It's a good one." "I guess I'll tell you, Sweetie Belle," Mystery agreed, sitting down next to Sweetie Belle. "Well... "As a filly, I had often heard that most cutie marks simply represented a positive feeling that pony radiated to the world. I thought that was ridiculous, and I was determined to have my Cutie Mark to be more than a feeling. "I also loved play guitars. After I attended a performance by Joan Jett, a brilliant rock pony, I was also desperately hoping that my Cutie Mark would be music oriented. "One day, I heard about an upcoming talent show. I was so excited! Perhaps I would be able to find my Cutie Mark. I practiced my guitar for hours. Although I was usually playing guitar, as well as sing, in my band, the Strike Hearts, I felt that if other ponies were on stage with me, there was a less chance I would get my Cutie Mark. As an added effect, I created small, non-powerful tornadoes and thunderstorms to accompany me on stage. "The night of the show came. As I was perfecting a lightning storm, Cherry Crash came up to me. The guitarist she had found to temporarily replace me had just called in sick, Cherry was no good at singing, and she needed me to step up. "I almost said no. This was my special night, and I might earn my Cutie Mark! But I couldn't say no to Cherry. She was one of my best friends. I knew she wanted to succeed almost as much as me, even though she already had her Cutie Mark. "It was awesome. Cherry was awesome on the drums, and don't forget me singing with my guitar. But the crown really went crazy when I unleashed my mini storms. They loved it. Our show was 100% epic! "As I stood on stage I recognized how much I enjoyed creating miniature weather replicas. I also realized that teamwork was important and a key factor to success. As soon as I thought about that, my Cutie Mark appeared; the lightning bolt represents my weather replicas, the heart represents my understanding of teamwork. "Although my Cutie Mark was not set in music, I incorporate my weather replicas and teamwork into every show I perform at. I've radiated the value of teamwork to other ponies, and graced the world with my weather creations." "Wow!" Sweetie Belle gasped when Mystery was finished. "That's awesome! You have two talents!" "No," Mystery Mint began. "My talent is weather replicas and I radiate teamwork to the worl-" But Sweetie Belle paid no attention to the mare as she skipped down the lane. "I GOTTA TELL SCOOTALOO AND APPLE BLOOM!" Cherry Crash"T! E! N! N! I! S! M! A! T! C! H!" Cherry Crash led her friends in a cheer for Tennis Match, who was facing Ace in the Equestrian Tennis Tournament. "Go Tennis Match!" Cherry Crash looked to the right and saw Tennis Match's little sister, Mint Flower, cheering Tennis Match on. "Take a break, girls!" Cherry Crash told her friends when she noticed the first set had ended, with Tennis Match in the lead. Drama Letter saluted her. "As you wish, Fair Cherry Crash!" Cherry Crash smiled and rolled her eyes. She flew over to Mint Flower. "Are you excited for your sister?" Cherry asked her. Mint Flower nodded excitedly. "She's going to win for sure!" Mint Flower exclaimed, bouncing a little bit. "She trains so hard!" Cherry smiled. "Perseverance is a great quality, isn't it?" "Yeah," Mint Flower replied. "What about it?" Cherry patted her flank. "That's what my Cutie Mark is all about. Perseverance and determination." "Really?" Mint Flower asked with wide eyes. "What do cherries have to do with perseverance and determination?" For a moment, Cherry thought Mint Flower was making fun of her. But she quickly realized Mint Flower was sincere. "Well, cherries can stand for many things. The break isn't that short, let me tell you my Cutie Mark story. It all started when I was a filly... "Duh. I was in Ponyville, and my dream was to become a great drummer, just like my hero, Rough Beat! I'm telling you, she was the greatest drummer who ever lived! "Only problem was, I couldn't afford drums. Oh, it's not like I didn't have a happy foalhood. I did. But drums were expensive, and I had my toys. But I practiced whenever I could: on benches, on tables, on carts. They all made different sounds. It was amazing! Of course, it would have been easy to forget about drumming, especially at a young age. But I continued to play, despite the annoyance of other ponies who don't appreciate rock music. "One day my teacher at school announced that Rough Beat herself was coming to talk to us about music. I couldn't believe it! She was a celebrity, and she was coming to Ponyville! I was so excited! I hoped she could help me make my dreams of drumming come true. "Rough Beat came, and talked to my class about music, then left as soon as she was finished. I was so disappointed that I wasn't able to talk to her! I resumed practicing drumming on hard surfaces around town. "A couple weeks later, I was at a yard sale with my parents. I was shocked to see there was a set of drums on sale for a very cheap price! But even then, I couldn't afford them. "And then Mystery Mint came along. We weren't good friends, but we knew each other. She saved my career. If she hadn't generously offered to help me pay for that set- I wouldn't have got my Cutie Mark! "As soon as I started playing on the drums, everypony realized my talent. I was off the crude methods I had been using and using real drums that sounded even better! If I hadn't been determined to drum and persevered even after I didn't talk to Rough Beats, Known would have never gotten my Cutie Mark. I quickly realized that and earned my Cutie Mark." "That's so cool!" Mint Flower exclaimed. Cherry Crash smiled. "Thanks, Mint Flower. Now, come on, let's cheer for Tennis Match!" "Persevere, Tennis Match!" Mint Flower yelled as the next set began. "You can win!" Cherry laughed. "Alright, girls!" She cried. "Blueberry, start us off!" StarlightStarlight stood in her garden, tending to her new patch of watermelon plants. "Hi, Starlight!" Apple Bloom, a filly Starlight knew, trotted up. "What are you doing?" "Oh, I'm checking my watermelons," Starlight replied, pointing to the small baby fruits. "I just planted them." "Fruits and vegetables are your special talent, right?" Apple Bloom asked. "They got me my Cutie Mark!" Starlight agreed, sprinkling some water on a melon. "But, what does a star have to do with fruits and vegetables and gardening?" Apple Bloom asked, frowning in confusion. Starlight laughed. "Sit down and I'll tell you," she replied. "I was raised by parents connected to nature. My father was a lumberpony, and my mom simply loved flowers. I used to come along with my father to plant saplings that replaced trees he had cut down. My mother taught me how to manage a garden, and gave me my own patch to plant whatever I wanted. It was so fun to watch the plants grow, and I loved picking them when they were ready! "One day at school, a gardening content was announced. Actually, I was a little younger than you, Apple Bloom. Anyway, I knew I had a chance at winning, so I decided to enter my prized fruits. "I was very nervous the day of the contest. Like I said before, I had a shot at winning, but all contests are nerve wracking. "And I won! My friends were so happy for me, my parents were proud and happy, and I was happy with myself. I realized that I had a gift for fruits and vegetables. It wasn't some hobby that I did after school, it was my special talent." Starlight smiled at the memory, but Apple Bloom wasn't satisfied. "But why isn't your Cutie Mark a fruit or somethin'?" She asked impatiently. Starlight smiled. "Apple Bloom, not all cutie marks are literal!" Starlight laughed. "The fruit that won me the contest- I entered Star Fruit!" Realization dawned on Apple Bloom's face. "Oh! That was a good story, Starlight!" She exclaimed, jumping up. "Thanks!" "Anytime!" Starlight replied happily. As Apple Bloom ran off, Starlight returned to her garden. Did she come down here just to hear my Cutie Mark story? Starlight wondered. Tennis MatchTennis Match swung her tennis racket and sent her tennis ball flying. "Not bad," she commented before galloping over to retrieve it. "That's so cool!" Exclaimed a nearby filly. She had an orange coat and a magenta mane. Tennis Match recognized her as a Cutie Mark Crusader. "Thanks," she replied. "It's really no biggie, though. Anypony could hit like that." "Really?" The filly asked with wide eyes. Tennis Match put a hoof up to her chin in thought. "Welllllll, I'm anypony could hit that far with practice. It's not a natural talent for everypony," she corrected herself. "But, like I said, anypony could hit that way!" "Is it your special talent?" The filly asked. Tennis Match nodded. "I'm probably one of the best tennis players in Equestria." The filly flittered her wings. "That's cool! I bet Rainbow Dash would totally beat you, though!" Tennis Match waved her racket at the statement. "I really doubt she knows the first thing about tennis. She prefers to be up in the clouds, racing." "Yeah, it's cool up there," the filly agreed. "Hey, what's your name?" Tennis Match asked. "Scootaloo!" The filly replied excitedly. "Nice name, Scootaloo. Now, wanna hear my Cutie Mark story?" Tennis Match asked. "As long as it's not namby pamby and it doesn't involve singing," Scootaloo replied promptly. Tennis Match grinned. "It definitely doesn't involve singing. Now, when I was a filly... "I was rebellious. My mom and dad were both athletes, and I didn't like tagging along to their various sports events. Too much of something makes it annoying, you know? So I avoided all sports, especially tennis. "One day, my parents decided I should start doing extracurricular activities, since I had too much free time on my hooves after school. They would have loved for me to join a tennis club, but I chose knitting instead. I grew really strong from that, and I still knit to this day. But back to the story. "After my mom had Mint Flower, they eased up on the sports, and I decided maybe I would start playing tennis. So I joined a tennis club. As time went on, I began to play more and more often. My coach decided I could compete in tournament after only a couple months playing! "I won the tournament, which is kinda obvious, but it was so exciting! I realized that I had a natural talent for tennis, and I shouldn't knock something until I've tried it. At that moment, my Cutie Mark appeared!" Tennis Match picked up her racket again. "That was pretty cool," Scootaloo admitted. "Not as good as Rainbow Dash's story, but still cool." "Hey, you want me to teach you some tennis?" Tennis Match asked with a smile. "It'll be fun!" "That sounds cool. Hey! Maybe I'll get my Cutie Mark! Let's start right now!"
Blueberry CakeBlueberry Cake pulled out a batch of cupcakes out from her oven. They were warm and moist. She flapped her wings cool them off. "I can't wait to eat these!" She exclaimed, setting them down on the counter to cool some more. There was a sudden knock on the door as she pulled her hooves away from the cupcakes. "I wonder who that could be," Blueberry commented. She trotted to the door and opened it. Three fillies stood in the doorway. "Hi, Blueberry Cake!" They exclaimed. Blueberry smiled. "Hi there! Aren't you Applejack's, Rarity's, and Rainbow Dash's sisters?" She asked. The filly in the middle nodded. "I'm Apple Bloom, and these are Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo," she replied in a cowgirl accent, gesturing to her companions. "My sister Rarity sent us to you because we wanted to learn about fashion!" The unicorn filly, Sweetie Belle, piped up. "She said you had a different way of designing." "She's absolutely right," Blueberry responded. "Come on in!" She led the fillies into her studio. "I take plain white dresses and turn them into pretty dresses," Blueberry explained. "I don't start from scratch, like Rarity does." "This one dress looks like a muffin!" Apple Bloom pointed out, rushing up to a blue and brown dress with muffin earrings. "I do enjoy making dessert related dresses," Blueberry admitted, brushing her hoof over a mint green dress with dark brown flecks. "And your Cutie Mark is a cupcake!" Apple Bloom noticed excitedly. "Well, it's my special talent," Blueberry responded. "Cool!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle chorused. "You're a dessert tester?" Scootaloo asked excitedly. Blueberry laughed at the notion. "Wouldn't that be fun?" She asked. "No, it isn't. I think I'll tell you my Cutie Mark story, if you want." "Yeah!" The three fillies exclaimed together, plopping down on the floor. Blueberry smiled. "Alright! When I was a filly, I didn't live in Ponyville. I lived in Las Pegasus... "And I was a typical fanfilly. Always imitating the latest Applewood stars, dressing up in cute dresses, you know, that stuff. My dream was to be a movie star! "I bet you wouldn't guess, but I hung out with a lot of colts as a filly. I begged my parents to move into another neighborhood, one with more fillies, but they wouldn't hear it. Anyway, I hung out with colts. I felt determined to differentiate myself from them, which is part of the reason I was a fanfilly. I had no interest in becoming a tomcolt. They didn't understand my interest with Applewood and movie glamour, but they were good friends. They supported me. "One day, they told me some life-changing news! There was going to be a new movie, Cupcakes and Sprinkles, that needed filly roles! I immediately asked my parents if I could try out. They said I could, and my friends went with me to auditions. I wore a really pretty outfit, and I was sure I would get a role as a supporting character or something else! "But I was only offered a role as an extra! I was so disappointed! Some of my friends tried to console me, and told me it had been a long shot anyway. It didn't really help. But, right as I was about to sign my name on the extras' list, the director came up to me. One of my friends had told him I had a flair for design, and he offered me a role as Junior Assistant Costume Designer. That meant I could stay off set and watch costumes be made. "I loved fashion as much as I loved movies, so I immediately said yes! It was so amazing! I got to watch the Costume Designer make outfits, and she let me make my dress with extra fabric! "Lots of ponies commented on my dress, saying they liked it and such. Even my colt friends were impressed. I realized that I had a talent for dress making! And then my Cutie Mark appeared that night. As tribute to the movie that helped me realize my talent, I often make cupcake and dessert themed dresses." "That was so excitin'!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Yeah, but if you loved movies so much why'd you go backstage instead of being an extra?" Sweetie Belle asked. Blueberry shrugged. "I was a young filly. You think differently when you're younger." "You mean, when I'm older, I won't think Rainbow Dash is the coolest pony ever?" Scootaloo asked with widened eyes. Blueberry quickly shook her head. "No, that's not what I sai-" "WE'RE GONNA GET BRAINWASHED!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "RUN!" Scootaloo screamed. The three fillies bolted out the door. "Wait, girls!" Blueberry called, rushing up to her door. The fillies were already way down the road. Blueberry smiled. "I wonder if I acted that way as a filly," she commented, before getting some icing out of the cupboard. "It's cupcake time!"
Drama LetterDrama Letter grabbed a nearby megaphone and trotted up to the podium in Town Square. "ATTENTION FAIR CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE!" She yelled into the microphone. Everypony stopped and stared at her. "What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked. Drama Letter cleared her throat. "I would like to share my Cutie Mark story with the public!" She announced eagerly. Someponies groaned, while others clapped. "Go Drama Letter!" Tennis Match yelled. Drama Letter smiled. "Very well. It started when I was a filly and I was living in Ponyville. And I killed this other filly named Octavia and sewed her Cutie Mark onto my flank!" Somepony in the back turned green. "Eeeew!" She yelled. "That's horrible, Drama Letter!" Yelled Vinyl Scratch. The crowd started advancing on Drama Letter. "Guys! I'm not dead!" Came a voice in the back. Everypony turned to see Octavia. "Think logically here!" "Yeah, I was joking!" Drama Letter agreed. "I would never kill a pony. My actual story is pretty short. I was living in Ponyville, when my mother suggested I take singing lessons. And, of course, I did. I had a very good voice, actually. But I didn't enjoy the strict lessons. I quit after a year. At that point, I began to write plays and direct my friends. I'm afraid I was rude about it, unfortunately. One day, I saw my friend Sophisticata sitting on the playground, looking sad. I went over to ask what was wrong. She explained how she wanted to write interesting stories, but she couldn't think of any good ideas. I told her that inspiration could come from anywhere, and she shouldn't be discouraged. Sophisticata was more cheerful after that. Seeing her cheer made me realize I hadn't seen that on the faces of my actors. I realized I was being to harsh, so I began to be nicer when I was giving directions. A couple days later, Sophisticata told me she had written a story, and that I was inspiring. I realized then that it was my destiny to inspire others! At that moment, my Cutie Mark appeared. Thanks, Sophisticata!" She waved at a green unicorn in the crowd, then hopped down from the podium.
Mystery MintSweetie Belle sat outside Sugarcube Corner and sadly pawed the ground with her hoof. Lucky day for her; Apple Bloom was visiting Appleloosa with Applejack, and Scootaloo was off with Rainbow Dash learning to fly. Rarity was out for a brunch with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, so hanging out with her big sister was out of the question. "Why so glum?" Sweetie Belle looked up and saw Mystery Mint, a local rock and weather sensation, with her friend Cherry Crash. "Wait a minute... aren't you a Cutie Mark Crusader?" Cherry Crash asked. "Yeah," Sweetie Belle admitted. "But my friends are out doing stuff with their sisters, and my sister is with her friends." "Oh, too bad for you," Mystery Mint sympathized. "My sister was always out with her two best friends." Her horn glowed coral pink and two miniature rainclouds appeared. In five seconds, the raindroplets created a rainbow. That was enough to cheer Sweetie Belle up. "How did you do that?" She asked excitedly. "It's kinda my special talent." Mystery gestured to the clouds. "Weather dioramas." "Really? How did you earn your cutie mark?" Sweetie Belle jumped up and down in unmasked excitement. "Tell her the story," Cherry Crash urged. "It's a good one." "I guess I'll tell you, Sweetie Belle," Mystery agreed, sitting down next to Sweetie Belle. "Well... "As a filly, I had often heard that most cutie marks simply represented a positive feeling that pony radiated to the world. I thought that was ridiculous, and I was determined to have my Cutie Mark to be more than a feeling. "I also loved play guitars. After I attended a performance by Joan Jett, a brilliant rock pony, I was also desperately hoping that my Cutie Mark would be music oriented. "One day, I heard about an upcoming talent show. I was so excited! Perhaps I would be able to find my Cutie Mark. I practiced my guitar for hours. Although I was usually playing guitar, as well as sing, in my band, the Strike Hearts, I felt that if other ponies were on stage with me, there was a less chance I would get my Cutie Mark. As an added effect, I created small, non-powerful tornadoes and thunderstorms to accompany me on stage. "The night of the show came. As I was perfecting a lightning storm, Cherry Crash came up to me. The guitarist she had found to temporarily replace me had just called in sick, Cherry was no good at singing, and she needed me to step up. "I almost said no. This was my special night, and I might earn my Cutie Mark! But I couldn't say no to Cherry. She was one of my best friends. I knew she wanted to succeed almost as much as me, even though she already had her Cutie Mark. "It was awesome. Cherry was awesome on the drums, and don't forget me singing with my guitar. But the crown really went crazy when I unleashed my mini storms. They loved it. Our show was 100% epic! "As I stood on stage I recognized how much I enjoyed creating miniature weather replicas. I also realized that teamwork was important and a key factor to success. As soon as I thought about that, my Cutie Mark appeared; the lightning bolt represents my weather replicas, the heart represents my understanding of teamwork. "Although my Cutie Mark was not set in music, I incorporate my weather replicas and teamwork into every show I perform at. I've radiated the value of teamwork to other ponies, and graced the world with my weather creations." "Wow!" Sweetie Belle gasped when Mystery was finished. "That's awesome! You have two talents!" "No," Mystery Mint began. "My talent is weather replicas and I radiate teamwork to the worl-" But Sweetie Belle paid no attention to the mare as she skipped down the lane. "I GOTTA TELL SCOOTALOO AND APPLE BLOOM!"
Cherry Crash"T! E! N! N! I! S! M! A! T! C! H!" Cherry Crash led her friends in a cheer for Tennis Match, who was facing Ace in the Equestrian Tennis Tournament. "Go Tennis Match!" Cherry Crash looked to the right and saw Tennis Match's little sister, Mint Flower, cheering Tennis Match on. "Take a break, girls!" Cherry Crash told her friends when she noticed the first set had ended, with Tennis Match in the lead. Drama Letter saluted her. "As you wish, Fair Cherry Crash!" Cherry Crash smiled and rolled her eyes. She flew over to Mint Flower. "Are you excited for your sister?" Cherry asked her. Mint Flower nodded excitedly. "She's going to win for sure!" Mint Flower exclaimed, bouncing a little bit. "She trains so hard!" Cherry smiled. "Perseverance is a great quality, isn't it?" "Yeah," Mint Flower replied. "What about it?" Cherry patted her flank. "That's what my Cutie Mark is all about. Perseverance and determination." "Really?" Mint Flower asked with wide eyes. "What do cherries have to do with perseverance and determination?" For a moment, Cherry thought Mint Flower was making fun of her. But she quickly realized Mint Flower was sincere. "Well, cherries can stand for many things. The break isn't that short, let me tell you my Cutie Mark story. It all started when I was a filly... "Duh. I was in Ponyville, and my dream was to become a great drummer, just like my hero, Rough Beat! I'm telling you, she was the greatest drummer who ever lived! "Only problem was, I couldn't afford drums. Oh, it's not like I didn't have a happy foalhood. I did. But drums were expensive, and I had my toys. But I practiced whenever I could: on benches, on tables, on carts. They all made different sounds. It was amazing! Of course, it would have been easy to forget about drumming, especially at a young age. But I continued to play, despite the annoyance of other ponies who don't appreciate rock music. "One day my teacher at school announced that Rough Beat herself was coming to talk to us about music. I couldn't believe it! She was a celebrity, and she was coming to Ponyville! I was so excited! I hoped she could help me make my dreams of drumming come true. "Rough Beat came, and talked to my class about music, then left as soon as she was finished. I was so disappointed that I wasn't able to talk to her! I resumed practicing drumming on hard surfaces around town. "A couple weeks later, I was at a yard sale with my parents. I was shocked to see there was a set of drums on sale for a very cheap price! But even then, I couldn't afford them. "And then Mystery Mint came along. We weren't good friends, but we knew each other. She saved my career. If she hadn't generously offered to help me pay for that set- I wouldn't have got my Cutie Mark! "As soon as I started playing on the drums, everypony realized my talent. I was off the crude methods I had been using and using real drums that sounded even better! If I hadn't been determined to drum and persevered even after I didn't talk to Rough Beats, Known would have never gotten my Cutie Mark. I quickly realized that and earned my Cutie Mark." "That's so cool!" Mint Flower exclaimed. Cherry Crash smiled. "Thanks, Mint Flower. Now, come on, let's cheer for Tennis Match!" "Persevere, Tennis Match!" Mint Flower yelled as the next set began. "You can win!" Cherry laughed. "Alright, girls!" She cried. "Blueberry, start us off!"
StarlightStarlight stood in her garden, tending to her new patch of watermelon plants. "Hi, Starlight!" Apple Bloom, a filly Starlight knew, trotted up. "What are you doing?" "Oh, I'm checking my watermelons," Starlight replied, pointing to the small baby fruits. "I just planted them." "Fruits and vegetables are your special talent, right?" Apple Bloom asked. "They got me my Cutie Mark!" Starlight agreed, sprinkling some water on a melon. "But, what does a star have to do with fruits and vegetables and gardening?" Apple Bloom asked, frowning in confusion. Starlight laughed. "Sit down and I'll tell you," she replied. "I was raised by parents connected to nature. My father was a lumberpony, and my mom simply loved flowers. I used to come along with my father to plant saplings that replaced trees he had cut down. My mother taught me how to manage a garden, and gave me my own patch to plant whatever I wanted. It was so fun to watch the plants grow, and I loved picking them when they were ready! "One day at school, a gardening content was announced. Actually, I was a little younger than you, Apple Bloom. Anyway, I knew I had a chance at winning, so I decided to enter my prized fruits. "I was very nervous the day of the contest. Like I said before, I had a shot at winning, but all contests are nerve wracking. "And I won! My friends were so happy for me, my parents were proud and happy, and I was happy with myself. I realized that I had a gift for fruits and vegetables. It wasn't some hobby that I did after school, it was my special talent." Starlight smiled at the memory, but Apple Bloom wasn't satisfied. "But why isn't your Cutie Mark a fruit or somethin'?" She asked impatiently. Starlight smiled. "Apple Bloom, not all cutie marks are literal!" Starlight laughed. "The fruit that won me the contest- I entered Star Fruit!" Realization dawned on Apple Bloom's face. "Oh! That was a good story, Starlight!" She exclaimed, jumping up. "Thanks!" "Anytime!" Starlight replied happily. As Apple Bloom ran off, Starlight returned to her garden. Did she come down here just to hear my Cutie Mark story? Starlight wondered.
Tennis MatchTennis Match swung her tennis racket and sent her tennis ball flying. "Not bad," she commented before galloping over to retrieve it. "That's so cool!" Exclaimed a nearby filly. She had an orange coat and a magenta mane. Tennis Match recognized her as a Cutie Mark Crusader. "Thanks," she replied. "It's really no biggie, though. Anypony could hit like that." "Really?" The filly asked with wide eyes. Tennis Match put a hoof up to her chin in thought. "Welllllll, I'm anypony could hit that far with practice. It's not a natural talent for everypony," she corrected herself. "But, like I said, anypony could hit that way!" "Is it your special talent?" The filly asked. Tennis Match nodded. "I'm probably one of the best tennis players in Equestria." The filly flittered her wings. "That's cool! I bet Rainbow Dash would totally beat you, though!" Tennis Match waved her racket at the statement. "I really doubt she knows the first thing about tennis. She prefers to be up in the clouds, racing." "Yeah, it's cool up there," the filly agreed. "Hey, what's your name?" Tennis Match asked. "Scootaloo!" The filly replied excitedly. "Nice name, Scootaloo. Now, wanna hear my Cutie Mark story?" Tennis Match asked. "As long as it's not namby pamby and it doesn't involve singing," Scootaloo replied promptly. Tennis Match grinned. "It definitely doesn't involve singing. Now, when I was a filly... "I was rebellious. My mom and dad were both athletes, and I didn't like tagging along to their various sports events. Too much of something makes it annoying, you know? So I avoided all sports, especially tennis. "One day, my parents decided I should start doing extracurricular activities, since I had too much free time on my hooves after school. They would have loved for me to join a tennis club, but I chose knitting instead. I grew really strong from that, and I still knit to this day. But back to the story. "After my mom had Mint Flower, they eased up on the sports, and I decided maybe I would start playing tennis. So I joined a tennis club. As time went on, I began to play more and more often. My coach decided I could compete in tournament after only a couple months playing! "I won the tournament, which is kinda obvious, but it was so exciting! I realized that I had a natural talent for tennis, and I shouldn't knock something until I've tried it. At that moment, my Cutie Mark appeared!" Tennis Match picked up her racket again. "That was pretty cool," Scootaloo admitted. "Not as good as Rainbow Dash's story, but still cool." "Hey, you want me to teach you some tennis?" Tennis Match asked with a smile. "It'll be fun!" "That sounds cool. Hey! Maybe I'll get my Cutie Mark! Let's start right now!"
