Shining knocked on the door once, then twice, then thrice. He was positively infuriated that somepony would dare harm poor Minted.

The mare that opened the door was a meek-looking unicorn with a dusky mauve coat, dark green eyes and a dark grey-purple mane with bright cyan headband. "Yes?"

"Minted Drop is in the hospital. I'm sure you know why. She'd like to talk to you."

The mare froze for a moment, then glared at him. "What do you care?"

"A lot, actually. Minted is my... friend." How he wished he could say something more impressive, but he had to get straight to the point. For Minted.

"And what, exactly, has she done this time?"

"She got shot with an arrow in the wing."

"Is she dying?"

"What answer would make you get to the hospital faster?"

The mare rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'll go, but only to listen to her crackhead theories about the royal guards shooting her and have a good laugh. I swear, if she wasn't so darn serious and uppity all the time, I might like her a bit better."

"What do you mean, UPPITY? Minted is perfect!"

The mare snorted. "Oh, please. She thinks she's better than Canterlot Royalty!"

"That's not true! Since when has she ever said anything like that?"

"You don't know her well enough. She thinks all royalty is evil and she's their poor, defenseless victim. It's ridiculous. Did you know Celestia offered to help her with her studies so she could find her cutie mark, and when Minted was the last pony in her class left without a cutie mark, she blamed it on Celestia? The girl's a wacko! My name's Amethyst Rose, by the way."

"I know," Shining spat. "It's an ugly name. Look, Minted knows you're the one who shot her!"

"Prove it." Amethyst slammed the door in Shining's face, her eyes cold.

Minted sighed. "That's okay, then. I suppose once I get out of here, I can talk to her."

"She said you think Celestia took away your ability to get your cutie mark. She's lying, right?"

Minted's eyes widened, then she shook her head. "I'm afraid not. You see... I used to be Celestia's student."

"How? You don't have a horn or anything like that!"

"Actually..." She bit her lip. Her eyes darted around the room. "Swear you won't tell?"

"I swear."

She pushed her up-do back a bit to reveal a tiny horn, no bigger than a foal's. Tears welling in her eyes, she whispered, "I'm an alicorn. But when I refused to get rid of a pesky noble for Celestia, she stunted my magic growth. I can't use my magic, nor can I ever experience the magic of having a super-special talent."

Shining's jaw dropped. Minted was even more special than he had thought!

Author's Note

Thanks to everyone who like this and left a nice comment! And, hey, all the jerks who I didn't block: STOP TELLING ME WINDLIFE IS A TROLL! He's trying to help me out, unlike YOU idiots!

And, yes, the "comment massacre" has continued. Why? You're getting on my nerves. I'm really done with all you haters, and it's only the third chapter!