Artimesia was dedicated, the words on the pamphlets had been so inspiring that when she heard Starlight Glimmer actually talk, it had blown her mind. She could smell the heat of the forge nearby, magic stoking coals hotter and hotter. The artifact she had heard so much about sat in it. "I hate this cutie mark, it binds me…"

"It will be over, soon, sister." The nameless white unicorn pranced around the room, fetching the null-brand. "You don't want them anymore, are you sure?"

"Yes, yes get rid of them!" Art Scratcher braced herself. The special leg clamp held her in position, spreading her back legs, bracing her and keeping her flanks angled just a little. "I just want something bett-" Her speech was cut short as a gag was clamped into her mouth.

"This will help, trust me, everypony yells when their mark is erased." The nameless mare twirled the white-hot brand, the heavy enchantments in the plate feeding on the heat, the clean-white glow of the metal a testament to just how hot it was. "Now brace."

"Ret's roo eet!" Art bit down into the gag, but when the iron struck her flank she sang, she screamed, she stomped her forehooves in agonizing bliss as her first cutie mark was wiped clean from her pristine flank.

"One more, little filly, and you will walk afresh, ready to try fate anew with a new brand. Tell me, tell me you want your other mark stricken from your flank." The words were seductive, Art could assume the mare really got off on this. She didn't care, she just wanted to be free.

"Preese, fwee meee!" She didn't even get to finish, the final word extending into a scream of release. Tears streamed down Artimesia's cheeks, she panted, teeth clamped to the bit in her mouth.

"It is done, little filly. You are a blank flank once more. How does it feel?" The unicorn floated the brand back into the furnace, the effort of destroying the unwanted destiny having cooled the metal. It began to take on a cherry-red glow again.

"Fwee…" The gag was pulled out and Art gave a happy moan, sliding to her chest, her plot still in the air. "Thank you…" The pain was fading, replaced by the certainty that she would never need to wear that useless mark again.

"You are free, now." Starlight herself had come to see Art's release. "What do you think you will get this time?" She used her magic, reaching forward to tease at the de-branded mare with her power. There was not a shred of cutie mark left.

"I could have anything… anything!" Art was pushing past the pain, she looked back at her pristine flank. "Absolutely anything. Thank you."

"Next!" The nameless unicorn was already moving for her next de-branding, but Starlight was the mare to remove the odd fetters from Art's back legs.

"Can you walk?" Starlight didn't even wait for an answer, lifting Art up and carrying her from the hot forge. "Come on, you will like Our Town, I promise you."

Author's Note

To find, head to derpibooru and use the number 1243810 after the url.

Support me on Patreon or fuel my writing on Ko-Fi!

Join me on Discord. Warning, said chat may contain NSFW material and should be considered adult in nature.

Awesome ponies who are already helping to keep me in keyboards and rum:
Canary in the coal mine
Daremo
Mary Rowland
Boulder
A.P.O.N.I.

And special thanks to the following, for careful eyes and friendly words:
Daremo
Vutava