Mystery Mint's Cutie Mark Story (And some other Characters)

"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!"