What Will Today's Adventure Be?by Gojira007Chapters"On Your Mark" (Slice of Life)"Sunset" (Sad)"The Laughing Moon" (Comedy)"To Grasp Happiness" (Drama)"We Were, Once" (Sad)"On Your Mark" (Slice of Life)Usually, when Apple Bloom was feeling down, she would go to Applejack. Given the thorough chewing out she’d just received from her older sister, however, that wasn’t really an option this time. Thus it was that she instead found herself with Zecora’s hut, sipping down a sweet little drink the zebra had kindly made to help soothe her nerves. “I hope you’re feeling better, Apple Bloom,” Zecora said warmly, “Now tell me…what is the cause of your gloom?” The young Earth Pony took a few short sips of her drink, letting the sweet taste brace herself to revisit the unhappy memories she was about to share. Licking her lips briefly to buy herself just a bit more time, she finally answered. "Well…earlier today, me ‘n’ Scootaloo 'n’ Sweetie Belle…well, we were tryin’ t'get Herding Cutie Marks.“ At that last word, Zecora nodded knowingly; Cutie Mark quests were a frequent source of trouble for her friend, she knew. "We decided t'try 'n’ herd some cows over at Sweet Apple Acres,” Apple Bloom continued glumly, “but instead, we wound up spookin’ 'em bad. Real bad.” She set her drink down with a sigh. "The cows went outta control, 'n’ they almost wound up wreckin’ the new barn house Applejack 'n’ Big Macintosh had been workin’ so hard to set up all week. Thankfully my sis was able to get 'em back in line, but…“ Tears began to well in the poor filly’s eyes. "But s-she was right furious with me after that.” Zecora patted her shoulder gently. "I’m just glad no harm came to you,“ she said, "and after she’s calmed down, your sister will be too.” Apple Bloom sniffled. "I…I know. I know Applejack don’t love me no less for what I did, it’s just….“ She poked gently at her cup. "Me 'n’ the Crusaders…we’ve been tryin' everything to get our Cutie Marks, and nothing's worked. What if…what if we never find our special talents?” “To not have a Mark is hardly a crime,” Zecora said, “It will come to you when it is…” “Time, yeah yeah I know!” Apple Bloom snapped, her tears sliding down her cheeks now. "That’s what everypony keeps tellin’ me, over 'n’ over, and it don’t do me no good!“ She lockedeyes with Zecora, her anger quickly morphing into a pleading, but no less intense, look. "If I don’t know my Cutie Mark, I don’t know my destiny! What if I have t'leave the Apple Farm? What if I have t'leave Ponyville? All my friends 'n’ family? I need t'know now, just so I don’t have t'be scared of not knowin’ anymore!” The filly’s outburst left Zecora rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Despite the silence the zebra answered her with, however, Apple Bloom’s gaze did not lose its intensity. She wanted…she needed…some kind of answer. Some kind of assurance. After a few more moments of agonizing wait, however, a sage smile came to Zecora’s face. She walked toward another room in the hut, and motioned for Apple Bloom to follow; the young Earth Pony did so without a moment’s hesitation. The two were soon standing in front of a large black cauldron, jade mist softly emanating from its center. It seemed to emit a low, ghostly moan, a strange sound not quite like anything Apple Bloom had ever heard before. "Zecora…?“ she whispered anxiously, nose scrunching up at the cauldron’s bizarre scent. The zebra put a reassuring hoof to Apple Bloom’s head. "I have here a special brew,” she said, warm but also solemn, “that is going to show the future to you.” Apple Bloom’s eyes widened at that, her whole body going stiff. "You mean…you can show me what my Cutie Mark is gonna be?“ she asked softly, almost afraid to let herself believe it. Zecora nodded. "But first, we must pay a price most fair:” she said, “a single strand of your crimson hair.” Apple Bloom nodded vigorously and nervously. With a quick, painless yank, Zecora took the promised strand, and let it slide into the cauldron’s bubbling juices. She then stepped back, and tugged the almost-numb Apple Bloom back as well. The cauldron began to tremble, and soon the entire floor joined in. Its misty aura began to swirl around the room, faster and faster, until a pillar of light began to emerge from within the juices, bursting out like a shooting star and forcing the two ponies to shield their eyes from its sheer brilliance. As quickly as the cauldron had come alive, however, it then fell dead again, the light vanishing, the tremble settling, the mists returning to their original flow. “Did…did it work…?” Apple Bloom asked gently. Zecora simply motioned for the filly to walk up to the cauldron, and without another word she obeyed. "Look inside the cauldron dark,“ Zecora said, "and you will find your Cutie Mark.” Apple Bloom nodded, but this time she hesitated. All her fears…all the possibilities…they gripped her so tight it hurt. What if…? What if…? What if…? But that was the point. She had to know, once and for all. And so, welling up all her courage, she leaned over the cauldron’s edge. Sure enough, there in the softly-shimmering water inside the cauldron, she saw it. Or rather, she saw them. Rather than just one Cutie Mark, there were dozens. Hundreds. Thousands. Cutie Marks for racing, for juggling, for dancing, for farming…every shape and size imaginable, for every talent she could think of. “I…I don’t understand,” she said as Zecora walked up next to her, “You said…” “I said it would show the future to you,” the zebra replied warmly, “and when I did, I spoke quite true.” She then gently guided Apple Bloom’s gaze to her own, and the filly could see her friend’s eyes shimmering with a loving conviction. "A Cutie Mark is only sent when a Pony discovers their special talent,“ she said, "but it is never just how Fate arranges…for every day, a Pony changes. Apple Bloom, your destiny…is whatever you choose to make it be.” It was an idea Apple Bloom had never considered before. Whenever her sister or her friends talked about Cutie Marks, it always sounded like they had simply found what was always meant to be. But what if it was the other way around? What if it wasn’t the mark that made the Pony…but the Pony who made the mark? And as a smile came to her face, and she and Zecora shared as tight a hug as the filly’s little legs could muster, she felt the most wonderful thing. For the first time, she felt so…free. Author's Note Originally published on March 9th, 2013, for the Prompt "“Don’t you put any stock in this destiny hogwash!” "Sunset" (Sad)I wish I could speak with you, my most faithful student. Just one last time. But my body has become a prison. What I see, what I hear…what I do…it is beyond my control now. I can see the sadness in your eyes as you and your friends confront me. If I could, I would tell you not to blame yourself for what has to be done. The fault is mine for underestimating King Sombra. When I dispatched him after his reappearance at Canterlot Palace, I thought the fight was over, and I failed to see how his darkness had crept its way inside of me until it was too late. So we face each other as unwilling enemies. Yet even now, in this dark hour, I cannot help but admire your exceptional intellect. You have brought the Prism of Purity to stop my…Sombra’s…rampage, rather than the Elements of Harmony. After all, what good would the Elements do against the one being who has ever wielded them all by herself? The Prism is less…merciful…than the Elements, but that is for the best. With my power twisted and strengthened by Sombra’s, there is no room for mercy here. I am fighting him, Twilight. With whatever control I have left, I hope you know I am fighting him. But it is a losing battle. All it can do is give you the chance you need. There is no avoiding what comes next. You are talking now. I would love to hear what you are saying; you have always had such a gift with words. But that is Sombra’s cruelty at work. He wants me to see your grief, but he refuses to let me take any comfort from your voice. Still, just knowing that you are here with me…knowing that you will stop me before I can do harm to any more of my subjects…“comfort” may be too strong a word, but it still means so much to me. You and your friends have begun to pour your power into the Prism now. Sombra is lashing out in defiance, but even he knows it is no good now. This is the end, certainly for him. Very likely for both of us. There are so many things I want to tell you, Twilight Sparkle. Indeed, if ever the magic of Friendship has served me, I hope it may do so now one last time, just so you can hear me..so you can sense these thoughts. So that you know to tell Luna how much I love her, how much I have always loved her, and that I know with full confidence her reign over Equestria shall be as great as mine ever was, if not greater. So that you know in over a thousand years of life, I have never met another Pony quite like you. That teaching you…watching you grow…even simply spending time with you…has been the greatest joy and the deepest honor. That I am prouder of you than words can ever hope to convey. The Prism’s light washes over me, and I feel Sombra at last withering away to nothing under its pure, unbridled intensity. I feel my own body beginning to break as well, but…perhaps…this is not the end. A foal’s hope, to be sure, but there is still a chance that I will survive, and so it is a hope I hold with all my heart, because it means I will be able to hear your voice again. It means you will not have to bear the guilt of my destruction in your soul. But if I don’t…if indeed this is my end…then I am glad I got to be with you one last time. My most faithful student. My dearest friend. Author's Note Originally published on March 15th, 2013, for the Prompt "All alone, at the end of the world." "The Laughing Moon" (Comedy)Up. "Chimmycherry?“ Down. "Cherrychanga?” Up. "Chimmycherry?“ Down. "Cherrychanga?” Up. “I am going to kill Rainbow Dash.” Down. “I am going to kill Rainbow Dash.” Up. “I am going to kill Rainbow Dash." Down. "I am going to kill Rainbow Dash.” A lone hoofcar made its way along the rails of the wide open desert, its journey from Dodge Junction to Ponyville having carried well into the night. As far as Rarity was concerned, it was a night that simply would not end; she had been listening to Pinkie Pie’s endless looping question for what felt like an eternity, and at this point the unicorn was willing to bet Princess Luna herself was watching from the moon above and laughing at her misfortune. "Honestly,“ she hissed under her breath as she continued her thankless pumping to the rhythmic thought of her planned vengeance against Rainbow Dash for having landed her in this mess (a scheme that was going to involve polka-dotted gowns, ribbons of a most garish color, and layers upon layers of oppressive make-up), "this is the thanks I get for coming out to help Applejack? Mane a mess, dirt all over me, and stuck in a stupid…‘Chonga Line?” And suddenly, Pinkie Pie’s incessant Chimmy/cherrychanga-ing stopped. It took a moment for that miraculous fact to sink in for Rarity, and another for her to look at her Earth Pony friend to see why it had finally come about. When she did, the unicorn saw Pinkie staring at her with a wide-open smile, her eyes practically glimmering like the stars that hung in the sky above them. Part of Rarity’s mind was tempted to simply let it be and instead enjoy the merciful silence, but in the end curiosity and concern were able to win out. "Um…Pinkie, dear?“ she said warily, "Are you quite alright…?” “Do another one,” Pinkie whispered with breathless excitement. Rarity blinked in confusion. "Another what…?“ "Another pun!” Pinkie answered immediately, now bouncing up and down in sync with the pumps of the car’s bar. "I don’t think I’ve ever heard you do a pun before! Or tell a joke at all, in fact.“ The unicorn scoffed. "Nonsense! Perhaps you simply have not been paying enough attention when I choose to exercise my exceptionally-refined wit!” Pinkie giggled, her smile and starry-eyed gaze unwavering. "Maaaaaaaaaybe,“ she all but sang, "but I still wanna hear you do another pun!” Rarity rolled her eyes, at first prepared to rebuff the request; she was far too sophisticated to wallow in such low-brow humor! Well, except for when she had done so just a moment ago to relieve her growing frustration. But that was a special case! As she opened her mouth ready to say as much to Pinkie, however, a thought crossed her mind: puns had saved her from the Chimmy-Cherry loop, and abandoning them now meant risking a return to that nightmarish place. So instead, when the unicorn did finally speak, it was to say, “Oh…very well. How do you build a mansion on the Moon?” “How?” Pinkie asked eagerly. “With Moonbeams.” The Earth Pony snort-laughed giddily. "Another, another!“ "Um…what do you call it when you hit a Diamond Dog on the head?” “I don’t know!” Pinkie said as if finding out were of paramount importance (and Rarity rather guessed it was for her). “A bump on a Dog,” she answered. Pinkie laughed aloud, tapping her hind-legs on the car in a quick dance of joy. "You're good at this, Rarity!“ she said happily. To her surprise, Rarity found that happiness quite…infectious. A smile soon found itself spreading across her face before the unicorn could stop it, and she could not resist asking, "Would you…like to hear another?” Unsurprisingly, Pinkie nodded vigorously. "What do you get when you scare Opalescence?“ And when the answer proved to be, "A Cat-astrophe,” the night sky was filled with Pinkie’s overjoyed laughter. Soon, a new rhythm established itself on the little hoofcart, as the two Ponies riding it began taking turns dreaming up increasingly-ridiculous puns. Where once Rarity had dreaded the night’s seeming inability to end, she slowly but surely came to welcome it. Author's Note Originally published on April 9th, 2013, for the Prompt "The night that lasted forever." "To Grasp Happiness" (Drama)Princess Cadance had long heard rumors of the insidious nature of Changeling magic. How it was not strong enough to control the mind directly, but instead needed to worm its way inside under the guise of a familiar and trusted face. Looking at Shining Armor’s glossy, worn-out eyes, his empty gaze, the young alicorn knew the stories had understated just how heartbreaking…how cruel such magic truly was. It was if the life had been sucked right out of the noble stallion, leaving behind only a husk to mock his memory. “No," she told herself resolutely, "He’s not gone. He cannot be gone.” The tears were coming to her eyes, the fear gnawing at her rapidly-beating heart. But if the young alicorn had learned one thing under Celestia’s tutelage, it was that there were all kinds of magic in the world. She had a magic of her own, and she had to believe its power was greater than the evil Chrysalis had woven. “You’re still in there,” she thought as she traced her hoof gently along Shining’s cheek, “The Shining Armor I knew…the Shining Armor I fell in love with…is still in there. You’re just dreaming. So please…wake up. Wake up and remember…” Cadance then wrapped Shining in a warm embrace, willing the pounding of her heart to fall into rhythm, focusing herself for one last Spell. One last hope to save her fiancee…to save all of Canterlot. And as a single glimmering heart floated out from the tip of the Princess’ horn, she hoped with all her strength it would work. The spell drifted softly through the air, its glow enveloping Shining Armor’s eyes, filling his dulled vision…. The Royal Gardens were filled with laughter as two Ponies raced through its delicate grass. Normally, they were a dignified Soldier in Training and a Princess To Be, shoulders held straight to carry the heavy responsibilities their positions entailed, but today they were simply a filly and colt in love. "C'mon, Shining, you’re never going to make the cut for the Royal Guard with that pace!“ Cadance teased with a playful laugh. "Is that a challenge, Cadie?” the white stallion asked right back, a smirk on his face as he followed after the Princess. "‘Cuz I’ll be honest: this is the speed I use when I’m playing Tag with Twilie. If you want to see what I can really do…!“ "Don’t hold back on my account!” she replied in a sing-song voice, “I’m always up for a good surprise!” And that was all the answer Shining needed. Before she even knew what was happening, Cadance found herself tackled by a bolt of white and blue. Soon, she and Shining were tumbling along the hills in an awkward little embrace, neither one having lost their laughter for even a moment. At last, their rolling stopped, and they lay upon the ground side by side, breathless. “Well well,” Cadance panted, “looks like…you really have been working out….” The stallion let his muzzle rest atop hers, smiling in that somewhat-awkward-but-entirely-sincere way of his. "Like you said,“ he panted back, "the Royal Guard only takes the best.” They drew just a little closer. "Thankfully,“ Shining said, voice breaking more than a little as he tried to push the words through before the courage left him, "I’ve got really good inspiration.” Her wings folded around him then. Their legs locked. And for the first time, the feelings that had been building up in both over the years since they had met came crashing together into a kiss as deep and powerful as both could make it. Cadance felt her world light up as she saw Shining move again, saw the life return to his eyes. Heard that wonderfully awkward crack in his voice as he asked, “Is the wedding over…?” It had worked. Against all odds…when she had needed him most…her Shining Armor had come back. So even as Chrysalis came stomping over, baring her fangs threateningly, Cadance’s heart grew calm, its beats growing slow and rhythmic, because she knew. Looking at Shining Armor…feeling her love of him flow renewed through her body…she knew the magic of the Changelings, no matter how dark and deceptive, could not stand against the magic she carried inside of herself. The magic of a heart full of Love. Author's Note Originally published on April 24th, 2013, for the Prompt "Two ponies kiss, and all is right with the world." "We Were, Once" (Sad)Celestia stared up at the statue in silence. That snaking figure, arms outstretched in shock, eyes wide with disbelief. Discord. She had been visiting him more and more often of late, but until this night she could not have put her hoof on why. Now, however, she knew. The Changelings almost overthrowing Canterlot, the Crystal Empire’s mysterious reappearance, the Alicorn Amulet falling into the wrong hooves…the land had been beset by much evil of late, and even Twilight Sparkle and her friends could not be asked to deal with all of it alone. If the incredible power of the Chaos Spirit himself could be turned to good…. “Which it can’t," she all but heard his taunting voice whispering in her ear. "And you’re a foal for even thinking that it might.” She had read the reports, though. Knew that even among the Elements of Harmony, there had been one Discord could not control. One he had failed to manipulate through trickery alone. If Fluttershy could back that strength up with the magic of the Elements…maybe, just maybe…. “Quite a lot to put on one timid little Pegasus," the voice of doubt again teased. Yes, it was a long shot. But she knew it was possible. No matter what other doubts gnawed at her, the Sun Princess knew there was good inside the Draconequus. And looking past the statue, to the labyrinth of hedges that stretched out behind it, she felt her thoughts drifting back…remembering…. …and sighing heavily. No matter what hustle and bustle there was at the palace-and there seemed to always be some kind of hustle and bustle in Canterlot-Celestia could always come to the labyrinth to think. The pink-maned filly let her little wings stretch out to soak up the lovely sun, let her nose be filled with the earthy scents of the dirt and the hedges, and tried to let herself forget, just for a little while, who she was…what she was. Except that today, it simply was not working. Today, no matter how hard she tried, all the young Princess could think about were the roaring fires, the angered lecture about how she needed to be more careful with her magic in the future, the looks of fear and uncertainty that followed her wherever she went. She sighed again, folding her wings back up and scuffing the ground harshly. And then she felt something wet drip on her snout. Eye widening with surprise, Celestia looked around to see where it had come from, but found nothing. No storm clouds in the sky, no dew on the hedges…and then there was another drip, this time on her back. And another on her horn. And then another, and another, and suddenly the alicorn was covered in strange brown raindrops. Before she could yelp and run away, however, she felt the drops slipping into her mouth, and realized it was not rain that was covering her, but…chocolate? Looking straight up, she then noticed a small, pink cloud hovering directly above her. And sitting on it, wearing a face of supremely satisfied amusement, was the oddest little creature Celestia had ever seen. Not one part of it matched-one arm that of a lion, the other a bird’s talon, a horse’s leg next to that of a lizard’s, tail like a snake, head of a pony atop a brown furry body, a pegasus wing next to a dragon’s-and it had such strange yellow eyes. Part of the Princess wanted to be annoyed at the creature for sneaking up on her, or at least confused as to just what it was, but looking at that smile-bright and unafraid-all she could do was giggle. The creature giggled in return, snapping its fingers. A brilliant burst of white light filled Celestia’s vision then, and when it faded the pink cloud and its chocolate rain had vanished, leaving her face to face with her new companion. The Princess was amazed…to simply cause something to appear and then disappear so easily? It was a magic more powerful than almost any other the Princess had ever encountered. And this creature was not afraid of it. They kept giggling together for a bit. And then giggles turned into talking, and talking turned into names. Names turned into stories, and stories turned into games, and before she even knew it Celestia was using her magic to play Tag with the creature-Discord, he had called himself-and then Hide and Seek, and then Dodgeball, and she could not remember the last time she had felt so alive. So free. Eventually, the sun began to set, which meant the young alicorn had to be getting home. But she promised she would return to the labyrinth soon, and they would play again. So she left for the Castle. But she did so with joy in her step. Because for the first time in her life, the Sun Princess had seen that she did not have to be afraid of her powers. Her new friend had showed her that… …and she would never forget it. Mind returning to the present, Celestia let herself look back at Discord’s statue. Those days had been so happy…so fun. But of course they could not last; learning that her powers were not to be feared was only one part of the alicorn’s growth, after all. The other had been learning the responsibility that came with them, and that was one lesson Discord simply refused to learn, no matter what she tried. "But perhaps I was simply trying to teach him the wrong way,” she thought. That was why she believed Fluttershy had a chance. Why she knew, deep down in her heart, that, if he had the right chance, Discord could be a friend. Because once, long ago, he had been hers. Author's Note Originally published on May 2nd, 2013, for the Prompt "A Link To The Past".
"On Your Mark" (Slice of Life)Usually, when Apple Bloom was feeling down, she would go to Applejack. Given the thorough chewing out she’d just received from her older sister, however, that wasn’t really an option this time. Thus it was that she instead found herself with Zecora’s hut, sipping down a sweet little drink the zebra had kindly made to help soothe her nerves. “I hope you’re feeling better, Apple Bloom,” Zecora said warmly, “Now tell me…what is the cause of your gloom?” The young Earth Pony took a few short sips of her drink, letting the sweet taste brace herself to revisit the unhappy memories she was about to share. Licking her lips briefly to buy herself just a bit more time, she finally answered. "Well…earlier today, me ‘n’ Scootaloo 'n’ Sweetie Belle…well, we were tryin’ t'get Herding Cutie Marks.“ At that last word, Zecora nodded knowingly; Cutie Mark quests were a frequent source of trouble for her friend, she knew. "We decided t'try 'n’ herd some cows over at Sweet Apple Acres,” Apple Bloom continued glumly, “but instead, we wound up spookin’ 'em bad. Real bad.” She set her drink down with a sigh. "The cows went outta control, 'n’ they almost wound up wreckin’ the new barn house Applejack 'n’ Big Macintosh had been workin’ so hard to set up all week. Thankfully my sis was able to get 'em back in line, but…“ Tears began to well in the poor filly’s eyes. "But s-she was right furious with me after that.” Zecora patted her shoulder gently. "I’m just glad no harm came to you,“ she said, "and after she’s calmed down, your sister will be too.” Apple Bloom sniffled. "I…I know. I know Applejack don’t love me no less for what I did, it’s just….“ She poked gently at her cup. "Me 'n’ the Crusaders…we’ve been tryin' everything to get our Cutie Marks, and nothing's worked. What if…what if we never find our special talents?” “To not have a Mark is hardly a crime,” Zecora said, “It will come to you when it is…” “Time, yeah yeah I know!” Apple Bloom snapped, her tears sliding down her cheeks now. "That’s what everypony keeps tellin’ me, over 'n’ over, and it don’t do me no good!“ She lockedeyes with Zecora, her anger quickly morphing into a pleading, but no less intense, look. "If I don’t know my Cutie Mark, I don’t know my destiny! What if I have t'leave the Apple Farm? What if I have t'leave Ponyville? All my friends 'n’ family? I need t'know now, just so I don’t have t'be scared of not knowin’ anymore!” The filly’s outburst left Zecora rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Despite the silence the zebra answered her with, however, Apple Bloom’s gaze did not lose its intensity. She wanted…she needed…some kind of answer. Some kind of assurance. After a few more moments of agonizing wait, however, a sage smile came to Zecora’s face. She walked toward another room in the hut, and motioned for Apple Bloom to follow; the young Earth Pony did so without a moment’s hesitation. The two were soon standing in front of a large black cauldron, jade mist softly emanating from its center. It seemed to emit a low, ghostly moan, a strange sound not quite like anything Apple Bloom had ever heard before. "Zecora…?“ she whispered anxiously, nose scrunching up at the cauldron’s bizarre scent. The zebra put a reassuring hoof to Apple Bloom’s head. "I have here a special brew,” she said, warm but also solemn, “that is going to show the future to you.” Apple Bloom’s eyes widened at that, her whole body going stiff. "You mean…you can show me what my Cutie Mark is gonna be?“ she asked softly, almost afraid to let herself believe it. Zecora nodded. "But first, we must pay a price most fair:” she said, “a single strand of your crimson hair.” Apple Bloom nodded vigorously and nervously. With a quick, painless yank, Zecora took the promised strand, and let it slide into the cauldron’s bubbling juices. She then stepped back, and tugged the almost-numb Apple Bloom back as well. The cauldron began to tremble, and soon the entire floor joined in. Its misty aura began to swirl around the room, faster and faster, until a pillar of light began to emerge from within the juices, bursting out like a shooting star and forcing the two ponies to shield their eyes from its sheer brilliance. As quickly as the cauldron had come alive, however, it then fell dead again, the light vanishing, the tremble settling, the mists returning to their original flow. “Did…did it work…?” Apple Bloom asked gently. Zecora simply motioned for the filly to walk up to the cauldron, and without another word she obeyed. "Look inside the cauldron dark,“ Zecora said, "and you will find your Cutie Mark.” Apple Bloom nodded, but this time she hesitated. All her fears…all the possibilities…they gripped her so tight it hurt. What if…? What if…? What if…? But that was the point. She had to know, once and for all. And so, welling up all her courage, she leaned over the cauldron’s edge. Sure enough, there in the softly-shimmering water inside the cauldron, she saw it. Or rather, she saw them. Rather than just one Cutie Mark, there were dozens. Hundreds. Thousands. Cutie Marks for racing, for juggling, for dancing, for farming…every shape and size imaginable, for every talent she could think of. “I…I don’t understand,” she said as Zecora walked up next to her, “You said…” “I said it would show the future to you,” the zebra replied warmly, “and when I did, I spoke quite true.” She then gently guided Apple Bloom’s gaze to her own, and the filly could see her friend’s eyes shimmering with a loving conviction. "A Cutie Mark is only sent when a Pony discovers their special talent,“ she said, "but it is never just how Fate arranges…for every day, a Pony changes. Apple Bloom, your destiny…is whatever you choose to make it be.” It was an idea Apple Bloom had never considered before. Whenever her sister or her friends talked about Cutie Marks, it always sounded like they had simply found what was always meant to be. But what if it was the other way around? What if it wasn’t the mark that made the Pony…but the Pony who made the mark? And as a smile came to her face, and she and Zecora shared as tight a hug as the filly’s little legs could muster, she felt the most wonderful thing. For the first time, she felt so…free. Author's Note Originally published on March 9th, 2013, for the Prompt "“Don’t you put any stock in this destiny hogwash!”
"Sunset" (Sad)I wish I could speak with you, my most faithful student. Just one last time. But my body has become a prison. What I see, what I hear…what I do…it is beyond my control now. I can see the sadness in your eyes as you and your friends confront me. If I could, I would tell you not to blame yourself for what has to be done. The fault is mine for underestimating King Sombra. When I dispatched him after his reappearance at Canterlot Palace, I thought the fight was over, and I failed to see how his darkness had crept its way inside of me until it was too late. So we face each other as unwilling enemies. Yet even now, in this dark hour, I cannot help but admire your exceptional intellect. You have brought the Prism of Purity to stop my…Sombra’s…rampage, rather than the Elements of Harmony. After all, what good would the Elements do against the one being who has ever wielded them all by herself? The Prism is less…merciful…than the Elements, but that is for the best. With my power twisted and strengthened by Sombra’s, there is no room for mercy here. I am fighting him, Twilight. With whatever control I have left, I hope you know I am fighting him. But it is a losing battle. All it can do is give you the chance you need. There is no avoiding what comes next. You are talking now. I would love to hear what you are saying; you have always had such a gift with words. But that is Sombra’s cruelty at work. He wants me to see your grief, but he refuses to let me take any comfort from your voice. Still, just knowing that you are here with me…knowing that you will stop me before I can do harm to any more of my subjects…“comfort” may be too strong a word, but it still means so much to me. You and your friends have begun to pour your power into the Prism now. Sombra is lashing out in defiance, but even he knows it is no good now. This is the end, certainly for him. Very likely for both of us. There are so many things I want to tell you, Twilight Sparkle. Indeed, if ever the magic of Friendship has served me, I hope it may do so now one last time, just so you can hear me..so you can sense these thoughts. So that you know to tell Luna how much I love her, how much I have always loved her, and that I know with full confidence her reign over Equestria shall be as great as mine ever was, if not greater. So that you know in over a thousand years of life, I have never met another Pony quite like you. That teaching you…watching you grow…even simply spending time with you…has been the greatest joy and the deepest honor. That I am prouder of you than words can ever hope to convey. The Prism’s light washes over me, and I feel Sombra at last withering away to nothing under its pure, unbridled intensity. I feel my own body beginning to break as well, but…perhaps…this is not the end. A foal’s hope, to be sure, but there is still a chance that I will survive, and so it is a hope I hold with all my heart, because it means I will be able to hear your voice again. It means you will not have to bear the guilt of my destruction in your soul. But if I don’t…if indeed this is my end…then I am glad I got to be with you one last time. My most faithful student. My dearest friend. Author's Note Originally published on March 15th, 2013, for the Prompt "All alone, at the end of the world."
"The Laughing Moon" (Comedy)Up. "Chimmycherry?“ Down. "Cherrychanga?” Up. "Chimmycherry?“ Down. "Cherrychanga?” Up. “I am going to kill Rainbow Dash.” Down. “I am going to kill Rainbow Dash.” Up. “I am going to kill Rainbow Dash." Down. "I am going to kill Rainbow Dash.” A lone hoofcar made its way along the rails of the wide open desert, its journey from Dodge Junction to Ponyville having carried well into the night. As far as Rarity was concerned, it was a night that simply would not end; she had been listening to Pinkie Pie’s endless looping question for what felt like an eternity, and at this point the unicorn was willing to bet Princess Luna herself was watching from the moon above and laughing at her misfortune. "Honestly,“ she hissed under her breath as she continued her thankless pumping to the rhythmic thought of her planned vengeance against Rainbow Dash for having landed her in this mess (a scheme that was going to involve polka-dotted gowns, ribbons of a most garish color, and layers upon layers of oppressive make-up), "this is the thanks I get for coming out to help Applejack? Mane a mess, dirt all over me, and stuck in a stupid…‘Chonga Line?” And suddenly, Pinkie Pie’s incessant Chimmy/cherrychanga-ing stopped. It took a moment for that miraculous fact to sink in for Rarity, and another for her to look at her Earth Pony friend to see why it had finally come about. When she did, the unicorn saw Pinkie staring at her with a wide-open smile, her eyes practically glimmering like the stars that hung in the sky above them. Part of Rarity’s mind was tempted to simply let it be and instead enjoy the merciful silence, but in the end curiosity and concern were able to win out. "Um…Pinkie, dear?“ she said warily, "Are you quite alright…?” “Do another one,” Pinkie whispered with breathless excitement. Rarity blinked in confusion. "Another what…?“ "Another pun!” Pinkie answered immediately, now bouncing up and down in sync with the pumps of the car’s bar. "I don’t think I’ve ever heard you do a pun before! Or tell a joke at all, in fact.“ The unicorn scoffed. "Nonsense! Perhaps you simply have not been paying enough attention when I choose to exercise my exceptionally-refined wit!” Pinkie giggled, her smile and starry-eyed gaze unwavering. "Maaaaaaaaaybe,“ she all but sang, "but I still wanna hear you do another pun!” Rarity rolled her eyes, at first prepared to rebuff the request; she was far too sophisticated to wallow in such low-brow humor! Well, except for when she had done so just a moment ago to relieve her growing frustration. But that was a special case! As she opened her mouth ready to say as much to Pinkie, however, a thought crossed her mind: puns had saved her from the Chimmy-Cherry loop, and abandoning them now meant risking a return to that nightmarish place. So instead, when the unicorn did finally speak, it was to say, “Oh…very well. How do you build a mansion on the Moon?” “How?” Pinkie asked eagerly. “With Moonbeams.” The Earth Pony snort-laughed giddily. "Another, another!“ "Um…what do you call it when you hit a Diamond Dog on the head?” “I don’t know!” Pinkie said as if finding out were of paramount importance (and Rarity rather guessed it was for her). “A bump on a Dog,” she answered. Pinkie laughed aloud, tapping her hind-legs on the car in a quick dance of joy. "You're good at this, Rarity!“ she said happily. To her surprise, Rarity found that happiness quite…infectious. A smile soon found itself spreading across her face before the unicorn could stop it, and she could not resist asking, "Would you…like to hear another?” Unsurprisingly, Pinkie nodded vigorously. "What do you get when you scare Opalescence?“ And when the answer proved to be, "A Cat-astrophe,” the night sky was filled with Pinkie’s overjoyed laughter. Soon, a new rhythm established itself on the little hoofcart, as the two Ponies riding it began taking turns dreaming up increasingly-ridiculous puns. Where once Rarity had dreaded the night’s seeming inability to end, she slowly but surely came to welcome it. Author's Note Originally published on April 9th, 2013, for the Prompt "The night that lasted forever."
"To Grasp Happiness" (Drama)Princess Cadance had long heard rumors of the insidious nature of Changeling magic. How it was not strong enough to control the mind directly, but instead needed to worm its way inside under the guise of a familiar and trusted face. Looking at Shining Armor’s glossy, worn-out eyes, his empty gaze, the young alicorn knew the stories had understated just how heartbreaking…how cruel such magic truly was. It was if the life had been sucked right out of the noble stallion, leaving behind only a husk to mock his memory. “No," she told herself resolutely, "He’s not gone. He cannot be gone.” The tears were coming to her eyes, the fear gnawing at her rapidly-beating heart. But if the young alicorn had learned one thing under Celestia’s tutelage, it was that there were all kinds of magic in the world. She had a magic of her own, and she had to believe its power was greater than the evil Chrysalis had woven. “You’re still in there,” she thought as she traced her hoof gently along Shining’s cheek, “The Shining Armor I knew…the Shining Armor I fell in love with…is still in there. You’re just dreaming. So please…wake up. Wake up and remember…” Cadance then wrapped Shining in a warm embrace, willing the pounding of her heart to fall into rhythm, focusing herself for one last Spell. One last hope to save her fiancee…to save all of Canterlot. And as a single glimmering heart floated out from the tip of the Princess’ horn, she hoped with all her strength it would work. The spell drifted softly through the air, its glow enveloping Shining Armor’s eyes, filling his dulled vision…. The Royal Gardens were filled with laughter as two Ponies raced through its delicate grass. Normally, they were a dignified Soldier in Training and a Princess To Be, shoulders held straight to carry the heavy responsibilities their positions entailed, but today they were simply a filly and colt in love. "C'mon, Shining, you’re never going to make the cut for the Royal Guard with that pace!“ Cadance teased with a playful laugh. "Is that a challenge, Cadie?” the white stallion asked right back, a smirk on his face as he followed after the Princess. "‘Cuz I’ll be honest: this is the speed I use when I’m playing Tag with Twilie. If you want to see what I can really do…!“ "Don’t hold back on my account!” she replied in a sing-song voice, “I’m always up for a good surprise!” And that was all the answer Shining needed. Before she even knew what was happening, Cadance found herself tackled by a bolt of white and blue. Soon, she and Shining were tumbling along the hills in an awkward little embrace, neither one having lost their laughter for even a moment. At last, their rolling stopped, and they lay upon the ground side by side, breathless. “Well well,” Cadance panted, “looks like…you really have been working out….” The stallion let his muzzle rest atop hers, smiling in that somewhat-awkward-but-entirely-sincere way of his. "Like you said,“ he panted back, "the Royal Guard only takes the best.” They drew just a little closer. "Thankfully,“ Shining said, voice breaking more than a little as he tried to push the words through before the courage left him, "I’ve got really good inspiration.” Her wings folded around him then. Their legs locked. And for the first time, the feelings that had been building up in both over the years since they had met came crashing together into a kiss as deep and powerful as both could make it. Cadance felt her world light up as she saw Shining move again, saw the life return to his eyes. Heard that wonderfully awkward crack in his voice as he asked, “Is the wedding over…?” It had worked. Against all odds…when she had needed him most…her Shining Armor had come back. So even as Chrysalis came stomping over, baring her fangs threateningly, Cadance’s heart grew calm, its beats growing slow and rhythmic, because she knew. Looking at Shining Armor…feeling her love of him flow renewed through her body…she knew the magic of the Changelings, no matter how dark and deceptive, could not stand against the magic she carried inside of herself. The magic of a heart full of Love. Author's Note Originally published on April 24th, 2013, for the Prompt "Two ponies kiss, and all is right with the world."
"We Were, Once" (Sad)Celestia stared up at the statue in silence. That snaking figure, arms outstretched in shock, eyes wide with disbelief. Discord. She had been visiting him more and more often of late, but until this night she could not have put her hoof on why. Now, however, she knew. The Changelings almost overthrowing Canterlot, the Crystal Empire’s mysterious reappearance, the Alicorn Amulet falling into the wrong hooves…the land had been beset by much evil of late, and even Twilight Sparkle and her friends could not be asked to deal with all of it alone. If the incredible power of the Chaos Spirit himself could be turned to good…. “Which it can’t," she all but heard his taunting voice whispering in her ear. "And you’re a foal for even thinking that it might.” She had read the reports, though. Knew that even among the Elements of Harmony, there had been one Discord could not control. One he had failed to manipulate through trickery alone. If Fluttershy could back that strength up with the magic of the Elements…maybe, just maybe…. “Quite a lot to put on one timid little Pegasus," the voice of doubt again teased. Yes, it was a long shot. But she knew it was possible. No matter what other doubts gnawed at her, the Sun Princess knew there was good inside the Draconequus. And looking past the statue, to the labyrinth of hedges that stretched out behind it, she felt her thoughts drifting back…remembering…. …and sighing heavily. No matter what hustle and bustle there was at the palace-and there seemed to always be some kind of hustle and bustle in Canterlot-Celestia could always come to the labyrinth to think. The pink-maned filly let her little wings stretch out to soak up the lovely sun, let her nose be filled with the earthy scents of the dirt and the hedges, and tried to let herself forget, just for a little while, who she was…what she was. Except that today, it simply was not working. Today, no matter how hard she tried, all the young Princess could think about were the roaring fires, the angered lecture about how she needed to be more careful with her magic in the future, the looks of fear and uncertainty that followed her wherever she went. She sighed again, folding her wings back up and scuffing the ground harshly. And then she felt something wet drip on her snout. Eye widening with surprise, Celestia looked around to see where it had come from, but found nothing. No storm clouds in the sky, no dew on the hedges…and then there was another drip, this time on her back. And another on her horn. And then another, and another, and suddenly the alicorn was covered in strange brown raindrops. Before she could yelp and run away, however, she felt the drops slipping into her mouth, and realized it was not rain that was covering her, but…chocolate? Looking straight up, she then noticed a small, pink cloud hovering directly above her. And sitting on it, wearing a face of supremely satisfied amusement, was the oddest little creature Celestia had ever seen. Not one part of it matched-one arm that of a lion, the other a bird’s talon, a horse’s leg next to that of a lizard’s, tail like a snake, head of a pony atop a brown furry body, a pegasus wing next to a dragon’s-and it had such strange yellow eyes. Part of the Princess wanted to be annoyed at the creature for sneaking up on her, or at least confused as to just what it was, but looking at that smile-bright and unafraid-all she could do was giggle. The creature giggled in return, snapping its fingers. A brilliant burst of white light filled Celestia’s vision then, and when it faded the pink cloud and its chocolate rain had vanished, leaving her face to face with her new companion. The Princess was amazed…to simply cause something to appear and then disappear so easily? It was a magic more powerful than almost any other the Princess had ever encountered. And this creature was not afraid of it. They kept giggling together for a bit. And then giggles turned into talking, and talking turned into names. Names turned into stories, and stories turned into games, and before she even knew it Celestia was using her magic to play Tag with the creature-Discord, he had called himself-and then Hide and Seek, and then Dodgeball, and she could not remember the last time she had felt so alive. So free. Eventually, the sun began to set, which meant the young alicorn had to be getting home. But she promised she would return to the labyrinth soon, and they would play again. So she left for the Castle. But she did so with joy in her step. Because for the first time in her life, the Sun Princess had seen that she did not have to be afraid of her powers. Her new friend had showed her that… …and she would never forget it. Mind returning to the present, Celestia let herself look back at Discord’s statue. Those days had been so happy…so fun. But of course they could not last; learning that her powers were not to be feared was only one part of the alicorn’s growth, after all. The other had been learning the responsibility that came with them, and that was one lesson Discord simply refused to learn, no matter what she tried. "But perhaps I was simply trying to teach him the wrong way,” she thought. That was why she believed Fluttershy had a chance. Why she knew, deep down in her heart, that, if he had the right chance, Discord could be a friend. Because once, long ago, he had been hers. Author's Note Originally published on May 2nd, 2013, for the Prompt "A Link To The Past".
