What Your Cutie Mark Doesn't Tell You
The cutecnera had ended, old friends (Pipsqueak) and new friends (Diamond Tiara) had bid their goodbyes, and even the crusaders themselves had reluctantly agreed to part ways. Though it had been a very exciting day, the three little fillies wanted to take a moment to reflect on the life changing events that had transpired.
An orange pegasus sat on top of a hill overlooking an empty field, if you reached the very top and looked out it almost looked as though you were soaring above Ponyville. A quiet breeze rustled through the trees as she watched the sun begin to set. The rustling of the leaves almost masked the soft thud of another pony landing beside her.
“Hey squirt, whatcha doin up here all by yourself?”
Scootaloo glanced over her shoulder to see Rainbow Dash, before returning her gaze back to the clouds. “Nothing, I was just thinking about my cutie mark,” she said with a shrug.
“What’s there to think about? I thought you loved your new cutie mark, and you get to share it with your best friends. That’s so awesome! You’d probably have to check with Twilight but I’m guessing that kind of bond is pretty rare.”
“I know, and I do like my cutie mark and I love that I share it with Sweetie Belle and AB. I just thought once I got my cutie mark everything would kinda make sense...ya know.”
The question was met with skepticism. “I’m not really following ya kid.”
Scootaloo hesitated for a second and for a moment Rainbow thought she wouldn’t say anything else. But once she began to speak the words came rushing out of her. “I still can’t fly. And my cutie mark didn’t come for anything even close to flying. Does this mean I’ll never be able to? And what am I supposed to do with this mark anyway? I mean how do you go around finding ponies who need help discovering their talents ? Do you think Twilight would let us borrow her magical map thing?”
“I’m not sure that’s how the map works,” Rainbow answered giving her the only answer she had amongst Scootaloo’s barrage of questions.
Scootaloo bit her lip and glanced away, embarrassed at her next question. “What if this means I’m not really good at anything?"
Another filly was wandering through the vast expanse of Apple orchards she called home. She half heartedly bucked a particularly large tree and took note of how only a few apples fell down. Soon she was joined by her big sister.
“You look sadder then a rattle snake in a library. What’s eating ya sugar cube?” Applejack asked laying a comforting hoof on Apple Bloom's shoulder.
Apple Bloom gestured to her no longer blank flank. “I was just thinking, it’s not really an apple, does this mean I can’t still live on the farm? Am I still a member of the family, can I go the reunions? Is my name even Apple Bloom anymore?!"
“Calm down sugar cube. First off, you’ll always be an Apple no matter what. And you’re always welcome on the farm, or at the reunions or at any of your kin’s places, that don’t change and it ain’t never gonna change. And you’re name is still Apple Bloom. We don’t have time around here learn to call you something else,” Applejack said with what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
Apple Bloom nodded, but then she bit her lip and glanced away. “Does this mean I’m not really good at anything?”
The last member of the newly officially minted trio, was up in her big sisters guest room that doubled as her home away from home. The soundtrack from the Bridleway performance of Cats emanated softly from the record player in the corner as she sat on the bed.
“Sweetie Belle? You’ve been awfully quiet ever since we got home. Is everything okay?” Rarity asked, pushing the door open ever so slightly.
Sweetie Belle looked up and gestured to the record player. “I still like singing, and musicals and theater. Does this mean I can’t do any of those things? What if my special talent means I always have to sing backup?”
“Why would you have to sing back up?”
“Because I’m supposed to be good at helping other ponies find their talents, and you can’t really help a pony’s talent shine, if you’re hogging the spotlight.”
“Well that seems like a rather limited view to take. I’m sure you can still help ponies and still sing a few solos. Just because you’re great at helping other ponies find their talents doesn’t mean you can’t shine yourself,” Rarity replied with a reaffirming nod.
Sweetie Belle brightened up but then she bit her lip and glanced away. “But what if this means I’m not good at anything?”
"Hey that’s enough of that squirt! You’re the coolest little pony I know and your cutie mark makes you even cooler. You’re good at scooting and dancing and running a fan club and being a great friend. Your cutie mark doesn’t change any of that."
"Not good at anything? You’re great at lots of stuff AB. You’re still great with those potions, and you swing a hammer even better then Big Mac. Give yourself a few years to pack some muscle on and I’ll bet you could raise a whole barn by yourself. And like Ah said, you’re still an Apple, that means you can farm better than any pony east of Appleloosa. Your cutie mark don’t change any of that."
"What a ridiculous thought. You’re still a talented singer, director, and actress. And you’re very smart and well read for good measure. I’m proud to call you my sister and your cutie mark doesn’t change any of that."
Thanks Rainbow Dash.
Thanks Sis
Thank you Rarity.
Author's Note
My only problem with the ending of this episode is that it ignores all the other stuff the CMC might have gotten their marks in, and instead gave them all Cutie Mark Crusader Cutie Marks, which feel like a bit of a cop out.
Also I think just because they have their marks doesn't make them less interesting characters and there should still be lots of CMC fics.
