The cutie mark is like a ticket for one's own life, blank from birth but with limitless potential. For the vast majority, this means a destination and a destiny, affluence and aspiration.
For an unfortunate few, however, it is a condemnation, a ticket to nowhere. A notarized promise that they will never amount to anything more than a common laborer or a petty criminal or a lowly servant.
And what if a pony's special talent is robbing banks, or rape? Could they live a normal life, with the promises of terrible acts emblazoned on their flanks for all to see?

Firebrand is a pony with an unusual special talent: starting fires.

Really bad cover art by me.
After you read, click here for a word-of-god overanalyzation