A Little Change Season 5

Cutie Maps, how do they work? Part 1

We walked through the castle foyer to the throne room. I automatically went to my chair and sat down. The cutie mark on top of me glowed brightly.

"Let's go through this one more time." Twilight said. Rainbow Dash interjected.

"We've been over it like a million times, Twilight! We found all six keys, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!"

"Yeah, but why?" Twilight questioned.

"I don't know." Me and AppleJack said at the same time.

“This is simply divine! You don’t have to add anything else to it.” Rarity replied, and took her seat.

“I agree with Twilight. And Rarity. And Applejack. And Rainbow Dash. And Pinkie Pie. And Star. Oh, and probably Spike.” Fluttershy said.

“As princess, I've been chosen to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria. So why would the Tree of Harmony want us to sit in a castle in Ponyville? It doesn't make any sense!” Twilight replied, obviously confused.

When Twilight took her seat, the cutie mark started to glow. All the marks glowed too. A rumble rang through the throne room. The colors: Alder, cyan, white, yellow, orange, pink, blue, and beige. A rumble fills the room. Then a cutie map sprang up, waking Spike in the process.

“Is this new? I like it.” He said, while we’re shocked.

“This is incredible!” Spike said. “It’s got all of Equestria!”

Pinkie Pie stared at the part that used to be her home. “Hi, Mom and Dad!”

“STOMP!” Spike stepped on the part. Tears form at Pinkie’s eyes. I stared at her. I saw a shimmer on my cutie mark- star with wings and a music note inside- and all the others did too. All our cutie marks-well, replicas- floated up on top of the map and landed in Ponyville. Then it traveled west to a pack of mountains. Fluttershy became confused.

“But, if this is Ponyville, why are our cutie marks over there?” she asked.

“I don't know. But it seems like the map wants us to find out. The Tree, the chest, this castle, and now the map. How can we not follow it?” Twilight asked.

“Y'know what? There's a ton of room for dangerous adventure along that route. Count me in!” Rainbow Dash piped.

We all agreed. Then Dash and Rarity sort of cornered Fluttershy and asked through eye contact, What about you?

“Um, maybe I'll just stay here with Spike.” Fluttershy muttered.

Spike suddenly had hoofball fan things on him when he said, “Awesome! Me and Big Mac have a huge weekend ahead of us talkin' hoofball, and... and trading hoofball cards, and arguing about hoofball stats...” Fluttershy looked offended.

“O-o-on second thought, m-m-maybe I'd better go with them. In case they need me!” Fluttershy said, changing her mind.

“Looks like it’s time for a road trip.” Twilight said.

Spike began, “Well, suit yourself. But he's got a Hock Fetlock-“ I shushed him.

“Ok, chill.”

ONE TRAIN RIDE AND AN OBNOXIOUSLY TIRING WALK LATER…

We all got to the random place on the map.

Twilight pointed and looked towards us. “That's it! That's the place on the map!”

“That’s it?” I raised an eyebrow. She nodded.

“Right. Let's get down there and find the spa.” Rarity answered. She started walking, but Twilight stopped her.

“Wait. We don't know why the map sent us here. We shouldn't just walk right in. It could be dangerous.” Twilight pointed out.

“I agree.”

“YES!” Dash cheered. Pinkie then zoomed over.

“Stay behind me, everypony! I'm on it!” She said.

“What are you trying to do-“ I began. Pinkie rolled down the hill.

“Careful, Pinkie!” Applejack blurted out.

Pinkie started rolling, hiding, rolling, and hiding. We followed every step she took. Finally we found a boulder big enough to spy on the creepy village before us.

“This is where the map sent us? It looks like the most boring place in Equestria!” Dash whispered.

“It's just an ordinary village full of ordinary pony folk.” AJ replied.

“Actually, extraordinary is the word here.” I mouthed. Everypony insulted the village, but Fluttershy said, “I think it’s lovely.”

“I don't like it. I don't like it one bit.” Pinkie said. We stared at her. “I know smiles. And those smiles? They're just not right.”

“They’re fake.” I said bluntly.

“Forget the smiles. Look at the cutie marks!”

We scanned the village. Equal-signed cutie marks everywhere.

“Okay, that's weird.”

“An entire village with the same cutie mark? How can that be?” Twilight gasped.

I wanted to say that it’s normal and we’re gonna go insane and that there’s an evil lunatic living in the ONLY CENTERED HOUSE IN THIS WHOLE VILLAGE, but I bit back the words.

“I bet there's some sort of horrific monster behind it.” Rainbow Dash replied, so determined to battle something.

“What makes you say that?” Twilight questioned her.

“'Cause fighting a horrific monster would be super-awesome!” She answered. I rolled my eyes.

“I reckon we just ought to head into town and talk to some locals, find out what's goin' on.” AJ said.

“Great idea, AJ. Let's go!” Dash said. She went, gesturing us to follow.

Pinkie stayed behind for 5-6 seconds muttering, “Those smiles are bad news” before sliding off the boulder and following us.

“Welcome!”

I’m pretty sure all these “WELCOMES!” are going to make my brain explode.

“This must be the most pleasant place in Equestria!” Fluttershy said. I stared at her in disbelief.

“Welcome!” A particular pony with indigo coat and white mane said to Fluttershy. MORE? I screamed in my mind.

“Ugh. Thanks a lot, map.” Dash groaned.

“I so feel the same.” I replied.

“You said it.”

“Welcome! Pardon my forwardness, but are you an Alicorn?” Some random creepy stranger with a gigantic smile plastered on his face said to Twilight.

“STOP WITH THE WELCOMES!!!” Me and Ivy screamed.

“And…that there's the Princess of Friendship!”

“Oh! That was just of the insanity of two of your erm, fellow alicorn friends. You've certainly come to the right place for friendship.” Another creepy pony comes over. ANOTHER!

“What brings you to town?” he asked.

“We’re not entirely sure-”

“Ohit’sbecausewe’reheretoundoyourcutieunmarkingandosjdlfldsuoiuf;ljd.” I answered for her.

“Um… Exactly how I would put it!” Ivy said.

“I see. Well, all are welcome here in our little village. My name is Double Diamond, and this is Party Favor.” He introduced.

“Howdy, Double Diamond. I'm Applejack, and this here's Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Singing Star, Ivy, and Twilight Sparkle.” Applejack introduced us to them.

“And you all have your own unique cutie marks.” Pinkie hid hers, and I slapped Double Diamond in the face. He grimaced.

“If you don't mind, has there been any sort of... trouble here, lately?” Twilight asked.

“Trouble? Why, I don't think we've ever had trouble in our little village.” Diamond said.

“It's true. You'll see. Hm!” Party Favor quipped.

Diamond guy said, “Perhaps you'd care to speak to our founder Starlight Glimmer.”

“NO!” Ivy and me screamed…again.

WHY OH WHY DID WE HAVE TO DO THIS???? I thought hysterically. Just why?

When we got to Ms. Lunatic’s house, Double Diamond knocked on the door.

“Starlight, we have some new visitors.”

The door opens. We walked in. Dash whispered to AJ and me and Ivy, “Be ready to fight. We don't know what's gonna come through that door.”

“Welcome! I'm so pleased to have you here.” Starlight Glimmer said as she walked out of the door.

Dash groans. I agree. There have been too many welcome speeches throughout this WHOLE FREAKING VILLIAGE!

“This is Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Singing Star, Ivy, and Twilight Sparkle.” Double Diamond said, pointing to each of us. HOW DID HE REMEMBER? Starlight studies Ivy, Twilight, and me specifically.

“Forgive my bluntness, but I'm assuming it's Princess Twilight Sparkle, Singing Star, and Ivy? We don't get many Alicorns around here.”

“Yes, but I’m the only Alicorn princess here.” Twilight said. “They’re normal alicorns.”

“Uh-huh. So! How did you hear of our little village?” Starlight asked, extremely nosy, and optimistic too.

“It's kind of a long story. Let's just say we found it on a map.” Twilight answered.

“Technically, it's a Tree-chest-castle-map!” Pinkie said, then slowly going down while eying Starlight in a suspecting sort of way.

“Well, however you found us, we're happy to have you! We're happy to have anypony who wants to experience true friendship for the first time.”

“Say what?” AJ asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, indeed. That's what's so unique about our village, you see. Around here, we don't flaunt our special talents because we don't have any special talents to flaunt.”

“OH, SURE!” I screamed, throwing my hooves up.

“Is that why you all have those cutie marks?” Twilight asked, pointing at the FAKE cutie mark and ignoring me.

“Perhaps it would be easier to understand if I gave you a tour of the village!” Starlight answered, smiling.

The door opens. Music comes outta nowhere. Weird stuff.

“Heads high, ponies! Marching proud! All together now! Every one of you! No pony left behind!”

Life is so grand in Our Town

We're always filled with cheer

We never have to look around

To know that we're all here

In Our Town, in Our Town

We don't have to wait

To find out that our destiny

Is just to emulate

“Let's see those big, happy smiles!”

Life is a smile in Our Town

Our cutie mark's the same

Because we do not separate

Ourselves by more than name

In Our Town, in Our Town

We dare not compete

Winning only breeds the worst

Ego-filled conceit

“You see? Now everypony wins!”

Life is a joy in Our Town

We're all equal here

No one is superior

And no one shakes in fear

In Our Town, in Our Town

We work as a team

You can't have a nightmare

If you never dream

Other ponies argue

Do you ever wonder why?

When you think your talent's special

You don't see eye-to-eye

There's just too many differences

That lead to disarray

But when you learn to act as one

It's like a holiday

In Our Town, in Our Town

We don't complicate

When you learn to simplify

Life is oh, so great

Join in our utopia

Come out of the dark

Banded by equality

By our cutie mark!

Rainbow laughs hard at the end of the song. “You're kidding, right? Give up our cutie marks? No way!”

Fluttershy counters, “Rainbow Dash, don't be so rude. I don't think we should judge them. They all seem perfectly happy with their choice.”

“Don't believe their smiles, Fluttershy.” Pinkie glares at her.

“You tell em’, Pinkie!” I punched my hoof in the air.

“I'm sorry, I guess we're just a little confused by all of this.” Twilight tells Starlight, looking apologetic.

“We have no judgments here in our village. Each of us was confused once as well, blinded by the false promise of our cutie marks.” Starlight said, and it feels suspiciously dramatic.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Is she for real?” Dash asks.

“Yes.” I said.

Twilight glares at both of us, then steps forward. “When we were sent to this village, we assumed it was to help in some way. But, well, it doesn't seem like you need any help.”

“Have you considered perhaps that you might have been sent here so we could help you? After all, nopony has ever come to our village and wanted to leave. Why should you be any different? But that is entirely your choice. Please enjoy our little corner of Equestria. We're all quite fond of it. No doubt you will be as well. Double Diamond, please help our guests with whatever they might need.”

“Of course.” Diamond answers, smiling creepily at us.

“Welcome!”

“A cutie mark is a representation of a pony's unique talents and skills. How is it possible to—?”

Rarity gasps loudly, horrified by something. “What in the name of Equestria is that?!”

The shopkeeper took it like it is COMEPLETELY normal. “Welcome! Care to sample some local fashion? We've got cloaks this month!”

Rarity gags. “Wha— Ooh, er, perhaps another time, good sir, thank you.” We settle down at a nearby table. Rarity whispers, “No wonder nopony's wearing anything!”

“Really, girls! They may do things a bit differently than we're used to, but that's no reason to be rude.” Fluttershy had her voice low, so nopony could hear.

“No, the reason to be rude is that they all keep staring at us!” Dash pointed out.

“I agree with Dash here. You’re getting way too nice on this village since our arrival. Haven’t you noticed something peculiar?” I asked.

“Need something?” Great. He heard us.

“Uh, no! We're good!” Twilight answered, waving him off. “Fluttershy’s right. If we're going to get to the bottom of why the map sent us here, we'll need the help of these ponies.”

“I think we ran off to the end of Equestria before we even knew what that map was!”

“If we were at the end of Equestria, we'd be sitting on a big 'A'! Get it?” Pinkie jokes.

“Oh, please, Miss Pie! This is hardly the time for jokes! We've come all this way and for what?”

“Maybe you're right. But we're here now, and it sure feels like something's wrong.”

“That and two bits'll get you a cup of cider.”

Sugar Belle asks, (don’t ask me how I know the name in OC form, I just do.) “Is this a bad time?”

“We shouldn't be bickering like this in front of our new friends. Really, Applejack, you're almost as bad as Rainbow Dash!”

“Don't drag me into this!”

Sugar Belle asks again, “Is your friendship ending?”

Pinkie piped, “ Are you crazy?! We'd never let a disagreement get in the way of food!”

“O-kay, well, my name is Sugar Belle. What can I bring you? We have: muffins...” She went no longer than that.

After a moment of awkward silence, Twilight said, “Then I guess we'll take six muffins!”

As Sugar Belle left, Pinkie screamed, “Make that twelve!” We stared at her. “What? I'm hungry!”

“Come on, girls. We've got to stick together. It doesn't matter what happened before, we're here now.”

“I guess you're right. And the sooner we figure out why, the sooner we can go home.” A plate of muffins came over on our table.

“Forgive me for overhearing, but just a moment ago you were disagreeing, and now it sounds like you're... agreeing.” Sugar Belle said as she handed over the muffins.

“Uh-huh...”

“Well, you had such differing opinions – and cutie marks.” Sugar Belle replied.

“We have differing opinions all the time, darling.” Rarity told her.

“But you look like you're friends.”

“We are friends. A simple disagreement wouldn't change that.” Double Diamond looks like he might disagree.

Noticing this, Sugar Belle quickly fibbed, “I'm sorry, I'm just having a hard time understanding. Different talents lead to different opinions, which lead to bitterness and misery. So... why aren't you bitter and...?” Pinkie had spit out chewed muffin, which is disgusting. I’m almost going to puke myself. Hold it in, Star, I thought, HOLD IT IN!

“It's all right. I know I'm not a very good baker. At least, I know I'm not any better than anypony else in the village.” Double Diamond stood up, ready to interject.

Sugar Belle quickly said, “Well, I... hope you enjoy our little village!” She runs off.

Pinkie rubbed the rest of the muffin off her tongue.

Sugar Belle quickly whispered, “Come inside before you go! Meet me downstairs!” Then she flashed the ALL GOOD! Creepy Smile sign then runs off for real.

“Okay, that was weird too.”

“Let's all sit here and eat these muffins and act normal. I think we're being watched.” She gestures to what she means.

“You think?”

“No, not like that! I mean somepony here doesn't want us talking to Sugar Belle.” She gestures over to Double Diamond, who was happily chomping on a muffin while reading WHAT LOOKS LIKE an Equal Express Newspaper. Which probably also has equal signs all over it.

“I got an idea. But you gotta eat all of them muffins, Pinkie.” AJ piped up.

“Me?! Why me?!” Pinkie complained.

“You got a stronger stomach than any of us, and that filly in there might be our best chance at findin' out what the hay is goin' on round here.” She said back. Pinkie eyes the muffins disapprovingly.

35 MINUTES LATER…

“I can't believe you ate all our muffins, Pinkie Pie! We'd best go inside and get some more!” AJ fibbed, while the rest of us plastered gigantic smiles over our faces.

While we went down, Twilight said, “Nice work, Pinkie.”

Pinkie said, “I've accidentally eaten cardboard tastier than that...”

“Sad,” I muttered.

“Hello? Sugar Belle?”

“Thank you for coming!” Sugar Belle comes in with a huge smile across her lips.

“Why did you want us to come down here?” Twilight asks.

“So nopony could see what's about to happen.” She answers.

Party Favor, Night Glider, and Sugar Belle all appear and inch towards us creepily. Twilight starts her magic, only to be stopped by Party Favor.

“Are you really the Princess of Friendship?”

“Do you know Princess Celestia?”

“I love your cutie mark!”

“How can you be friends with different cutie marks? Don't you end up hating each other?”

“Oh, look at this one! This one's great too! I'd love to have my special talent back even just for a day! Make something besides those disgusting muffins...” Sugar Belle said wistfully.

“So what's stopping you? Go get your cutie marks back.” Dash interjected.

“Daydreaming is one thing, but you mean actually having it put back on? That seems extreme.”

“It’s…totally not.” I countered.

“But I'm not sure Starlight would like that. She wants us all to be happy in our sameness.”

Twilight asked, “How do you take somepony's cutie mark anyway?”

“The cutie unmarking is a beautiful experience! Starlight uses the Staff of Sameness to magically take them away and replace them with these.” Night Glider answered, showing us the cutie mark Starlight replaced.

“But nopony should keep you from your cutie mark. It represents such an essential part of who you are.”

“Oh, we're not kept from them. They're in the vault up in the caves. We can visit them any time we like to remind us of the heartache of a life with special talents.” Night Glider said.

I stared at her. I had a confused WHAT? bouncing in my mind.

“Can we visit this cave?” Twilight asked finally.

“I'm delighted you're interested in our cutie mark vault. We hope someday every pony in Equestria will make a pilgrimage here to our little village to have theirs removed too, and our message of [continues under] perfectly equal friendship can finally spread across the land.”

Twilight’s face lit up. “This must be the reason we're here.”

"Pilgrimaging?”

“No, Pinkie, helping those ponies get their cutie marks back.”

“Oh, are you sure, Twilight? Maybe they miss them a little, but even they didn't seem all that unhappy.”

“Oh, you’ll see, Fluttershy.” I whispered. “Trust me, it’s impossible to smile all day long.”

“Then why did they want to meet us in secret? And why did they ask us not to tell Starlight who told us about the vault? Something's not right.”

“Just through here!” Starlight leads us towards a mountain with an entrance of blue light.

“Behold! Our cutie mark vault!” She shows us, and we became shocked because of HOW MANY CUTIE MARKS TAKEN BY THIS FRIEND-CRAZY LUNATIC!

“And here is the Staff of Sameness. It was one of the great mage Meadowbrook's nine enchanted items. We are incredibly fortunate to have it here. This is the tool that allows us to free ourselves from our marks! I'm curious – how did the subject of the vault come up?” Uh-oh.

“Oh, some ponies were telling us-“ I zipped Pinkie up. Literally.

“-They were talking to us and one of them mentioned this. NOW, I DO NOT WANT TO REMOVE MY CUTIE MARK! SO! STOP! TRYING!!!!!!” I screamed in Starlight’s face.

“Oh. Were they?”

“Yep!” Twilight fibbed.

“Good. Let's just make sure of that, shall we?”

Hundreds of ponies came out from every direction. Oh no.

“IT’S A TRAP!” Twilight yelled.

She teleported, only to be stilled by Starlight. The mark started pulling itself off. If anypony said this is a beautiful experience, they’re weird. They must have loved destroying a pony’s destiny then.

The cutie mark got thrown into an empty slide. Then it’s our turn.

The beam hit us, and we went through the suffering of pulling the mark off. The marks went into the extra 7 slides.

“Aw. I don't blame you for what you tried to do here today. You've spent your whole lives thinking those marks are a good thing.” Starlight said, pretending to be apologetic.

“Give them back!” Twilight cried.

“Well, now you can spend the rest of your lives here with us! And we'll teach you just how much better life can be without your cutie marks!”

To be continued…