What are Destinies, Anyways?

"Have a great day at school, Shooting Star!" My mother, Cobalt Rain, waved from our home's door as I fluttered down to Ponyville. If you couldn't tell already, my name is Shooting Star. I am a pegasus that lives up in a city named Cloudsdale, yet I went to school down on the land. Not that I cared, mind you. The other pegasi children were somewhat stuck up, so it was refreshing to be around earth ponies and unicorns. Anyways, back to the story.

I felt my hooves touch the ground and let my wings close back by my sides. The town was quiet, as it was early in the morning. Why do they make schools start so early? I trotted along the roads, nodding to the few folks who were up and setting up for the day. I said not a word as I approached the school. The other fillies and foals had already gathered outside of the doors, waiting for our teacher to show up. She was notorious for being late, so it was a wonder at why she is a teacher in the first place. Well and behold, Sugar Pie came racing up behind myself, barely stopping before crashing into the door to the school house.

"Sorry I am late! My alarm clock failed to go off again!" We all rolled our eyes and followed the earth pony into the school. Everypony took their seats and I mine, in the very back. As class begun, my mind wondered. My green eyes darted from flank to flank, spying the marks on each of my classmates. There was a boat and some oranges and oh looks like Lucky Green finally got that clover that runs in his family. Good for him, I guess. Whatever Sugar Pie is talking about, I don't hear. I lay my head on my hooves and sigh. I guess being the youngest also means being the last to get your cutiemark. "Okay everyone! Time for recess! Be back in 30 minutes." Everypony rushed for the door, except me. I went over to Sugar Pie, who was tidying up the chalkboard.

"Sugar Pie? Can I talk to you?" She turned, surprised that I had come to her. I usually was quiet, never asking any questions.

"Sure, what's on your mind?" I sat down on the ground, not really looking her in the eyes.

"What is a destiny, really? Do cutie marks really decide them, or does it just happen?" She was astonished at my question, not really knowing how to respond, I could tell. After a few moments, she cleared her throat and scratched her head.

"What is destiny...what is destiny....destiny is something that is influenced by your cutiemark, I suppose, but you also have control over it." I tilted my head, confused. If I could control my destiny, why did I not have my cutiemark yet?

"I don't understand." I whined a little, finally looking her in the eyes.

"Your actions help decide your destiny, is what I am trying to say. Now, I have a feeling that this stems from the fact that you are the only one in the class that has not received your cutiemark. Don't worry about it, Shooting Star, they appear at the right time." With that, she dismissed me out with the others. I left even more confused and the more I tried to wrap my head around it, the more it began to hurt.

"Hey Shooting Star!" My friend Joy Stick came running up to me. I always thought he was oddly colored; A golden body with spiky dark blue hair and purple eyes, he was a different unicorn. "What were you doing in there? I thought you had gotten in trouble or something!" I shrugged, not really wanting him to know I was feeling a little jealous and envious of his cutiemark, which just so happened to be a joy stick. He knew when to not pry, so instead, he changed the topic. "I started playing this new game the other day and....." He droned on about his video game. I nodded and said oh? at all the right moments, so he didn't think I was being rude, but I could really care less about his games. Eventually, I had to ask him.

"Joy Stick, what do you think destiny is?" He stopped and looked at me like I had gone crazy.

"Everyone knows that! It's what your cutiemark is!" He brushed it off as nothing, but I kept going.

"But like, does it really control it? What if you wanted to do something else besides make and play video games?"

"But I don't want to. I love what I do! Are you okay, you sure are acting different today." He eyes my flank and I fluffed my wings out so that he couldn't see my blank hindquarters. His eyes lit up with a knowing gaze and I grew angry. Why did everyone assume that I was asking because I was jealous and upset that I did not have my cutiemark yet? I mean, yeah okay, that was basically it, but that doesn't matter. I turned and flew off, not caring that I was basically skipping school. I made my way up to a cloud and landed with a huff. I paced around, trying to make my anger dissipate. I tired of pacing and flopped down. I knew everyone was probably worried about me, but no one came looking. I decided to spend the rest of the day watching the ponies of Ponyville, to try and figure out the meaning of both Sugar Pie's and Joy Stick's words.

Even as I did so, nothing became clear to me, no sudden realization or anything. I had to go home, confused and cutiemarkless. When mother asked me about my day, I lied and said we learned about history or something like that. I just wanted to get to my fluffy bed and sleep off this weary day away.

Man, it really sucks to be me. Curious, blank flank me.