Making The Mark

Chapter 1: Weather Patrol

A flash of lightning pierced the cloudy skies above, accompanied by an echo of thunder.  Rain cascaded heavily all across Ponyville, soaking the land in tears.  Today’s weather had been forecasted to be a light shower becoming a heavy downpour later on.  The pegasi had done their job well and had returned home long ago.  If everypony had at least glanced out their windows however, they would’ve seen a lone figure still outside tending to the storm clouds.

“Hmmm… A little more rain here… And maybe a quick lightning flash over there…”

Her pale blue fur was drenched with rain, her golden mane a whirlwind of a mess.  She had to squint through her goggles for they had fogged over with every cold breath she puffed out.  She could’ve gone home a while ago, but she had refused the offer countless times from her boss and co-workers alike.  She volunteered to stay behind and take care of the storm.  What else could she do? She didn’t have any plans for the rest of the day anyway.  It’s not like she had anything better to do.

She flew over to a cloud and jumped with all her might, applying additional pressure with her hooves.  More rain fell alongside another flash of lightning and a chorus of thunder.  To Star Streak, she could care less about what she was doing.  This was her time, her sanctuary.  To her, the sky was her stage and the storm was her orchestra.

“Star Streak!” called a voice.  Unfortunately, the mare couldn’t hear above her own music.

“Miss Star Streak!” the voice called out, louder this time.  Star Streak’s ears twitched slightly.  She turned, unsure if somepony had actually addressed her.  A navy-blue pegasus with a blond mane and tail was hovering not too far from her position.

“Oh! Captain Thunderbolt!” She flew towards him, figuring that she was needed for an urgent task.  “What brings you here, sir? Do you need another storm over at Manehattan?”

“No, that won’t be necessary,” replied the captain.  “What I do need is for you to go home.”

Star Streak looked at her boss quizzically.  “What do you mean, Captain?”

“I mean, go home.  Relax and take a break.”

Star Streak shook her head.  “I appreciate your concern, sir, but it’s alright.  I don’t mind working overtime. Thanks anyway.”  She turned and was about to resume her work, but Captain Thunderbolt flew in front of her and blocked her path.

“Miss Star Streak, you have been working your tail off far too much lately.”

“What? That can’t be- ”

“Yes, it is true,” interrupted the captain.  “And I’ve seen you so don’t even try to deny it.  You are a great employee and a hard worker.  But you have a tendency to overdo it at times, like now.  I suggest taking some time off.”

Star Streak’s green eyes bore into the icy-blue orbs of her employer’s.  She could see the seriousness and concern whirling around.  She didn’t mind taking a small break, but who would take her shift in the meantime?

“Thank you, sir, but I really think I should- ”

“That’s an order, Miss Star Streak.”

The mare sighed in defeat, knowing that her boss would eventually win this passive battle regardless of her efforts.  “If you insist.”

“Good.  Now, off you go.  I don’t want to see you anywhere on weather patrol for the next few days, understood?” His voice held a stern yet light-hearted tone, something that Star Streak was fond of.  She smiled warmly and nodded.

“Understood, Captain Thunderbolt.”  She was about to fly off but stopped herself midflight.

“Don’t worry,” the captain reassured.   “Everything will be fine in your absence.”

“But are you sure you don’t need a clear sunny day over in Fillydelphia?  Or what about a sudden snow storm in Baltimare? Or- ”

Captain Thunderbolt glared at his employee, silencing her.  Star Streak smiled sheepishly, her cheeks tainted with a faint blush.

“Or, perhaps, I should just head on home now.” A curt nod was her response.

“I’ll be seeing you next Tuesday, then.  Have a good day, Miss Star Streak.”  Captain Thunderbolt flew off before the mare could interject with another “idea”.  She’s been working way too much, he thought.  She needs to learn to stop making up excuses and start taking some time for herself.  This can’t be healthy.

Star Streak watched her superior fly back towards Cloudsdale.  She yawned and stretched her wings.  Deciding to heed his advice, she flew back to her little home in Ponyville.  The rain pelted her coat heavily as she descended.  The icy water droplets were tiny needles pinned into her wings and back.  Once she had reached the door she didn’t waste a single moment getting inside.  Star Streak shivered and removed her goggles.  They clattered upon landing on the wooden floor.   She was profusely dripping.  A puddle was forming right beneath her hooves.  She trotted over to the window and observed her creation.

Maybe I overdid it just a teeny bit, she thought sheepishly.  Star Streak watched as the rain pitter-pattered against her window.  It was calming.  She loved watching thunderstorms, even as a filly.  She would sit with her parents, munching on cookies as she listened to stories filled with adventure.  She would laugh when her father acted out the scenes alongside her mother.  He always knew how to make her smile with those silly voices he did.  It made her feel as though she was in the story.

Trotting into the kitchen, she snatched a cookie out from the cookie jar.  Chocolate chip.  One of her favorites.  She plopped it in her mouth and grabbed a mop lying beside a corner.  She hovered into the air, retreated to the puddle and proceeded to mop.  She swayed with each swish of the mop, her taste buds dancing with the chocolate chip cookie.  When she was done taking care of her mess, she went back for a second cookie.  Treat in hoof, Star Streak flew up to her room and returned to the living room carrying a book, a robe loosely hugging her frame.  It was a simple robe, white with a blue collar and sash. She set the book on the couch and lay down beside it.

“Now, let’s see…” She took a bite from her treat as she flipped open to where her bookmark resided.  Her mind was already deep into the world of fantasy.

A young unicorn princess, forced to an arranged marriage, wishes to follow her own rules.  To be her own mare.  Every stallion would catch even just a slight glimpse and suddenly become infatuated with her.  She’d turn them down, not wanting to take part in a relationship.  She felt she didn’t have the time.  She didn’t feel she was ready just yet.  She would defend her kingdom, using her powerful magic against any threat, until her dying breath.  She was fearless, Star Streak concluded.  Excited green eyes zipped across the page.  She had dreams where she was battling alongside the princess, defeating malicious demons and mischievous changelings.

The princess was now trapped in a dungeon, her execution drawing near.  Star Streak flipped to the next page, shoving the rest of her cookie into her mouth in anticipation.

“C’mon, Princess Azalea, you can find a way out of this.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Replacing her bookmark, Star Streak got up and headed towards the door.  A quick glance outside proved that it was still pouring.  She hoped that whoever it was hadn’t been waiting too long; she’d blame herself if they had gotten a cold.

“I’m so sorry.  I-” Nopony stood at the doorway.  Instead, a small cardboard box greeted the young mare.  To Miss Star Streak, it read.

Star Streak brought the box inside, shutting the door behind her.  She undid the string and opened the flaps of the box.  Inside was a picture frame.  The frame adorned a beautiful shade of crimson.  White butterflies dotted the corners, their trails intertwining along the frame.   Star Streak’s gaze shifted to the center.

Blank.

Just the thought of the word was enough to bring embarrassment and shame to her.  Just keep trying, her mother said when she was just a filly.  You’ll get your cutie mark soon.  Just be patient.

She shook her head, not wanting any memories to resurface from the depths of her mind.  She shut the box and placed it in the closet.  She could always find a picture to put in it some other time.  Right now she had a story to get back to.

***

“Blank Flank, Blank Flank! Star Streak is a Blank Flank!”

She was circled by the other pegasi.  Chest puffed out, her eyes were glaring at everypony around her.   “Y-yeah, so?”

“Quit the tough girl act!” cried a young colt.  “Everypony knows you’re the only one out of the entire camp without a cutie mark!”

Star Streak’s gaze homed in on him.  “What’s your point?”

“Point is that you’re a nopony,” snarled a filly.  “What good are you without a mark? You can’t do anything right!”

Star Streak swallowed hard.  Don’t let them get to you, her mother would say.  She wouldn’t cry, not to the satisfaction of these bullies.

“S-so? I may get mine tomorrow!”

“Please. Face it, Star Streak.  You’re worthless.”  The filly was now only inches away from Star Streak, her amber gaze burning into crumbling green ones.  “You’re parents are better off without you.  You’re pathetic.”

“Shut up!” Star Streak stomped into the cloud.  Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.  “You’re wrong! They love me, mark or no mark!” She choked back a sob as she held her ground.  The filly in front of her simply smirked.

“Oh look.  The worthless little Blank Flank is gonna cry.”

A sniffle had verified it.  “N-no, I’m not.” Her voice was wavering.  Star Streak was already breaking.  The next thing she knew she was shoved into the cloud.  Everypony looked down at her, ready for a second round.

“Blank Flank, Blank Flank! Star Streak is a Blank Flank!”

She pressed her hooves to her ears.  No good.  She could still hear them.  Her eyes were glued shut,  tears already leaking out and staining her cheeks.  “S-stop it! Stop laughing at me!”

“Blank Flank, Blank Flank!” The chanting continued.  More tears were falling down.  Her cheeks were red, painted with shame and humiliation.  Her body shook with every sob.  She couldn’t take it anymore.  Wings spread out, Star Streak ran past the crowd and flew off as fast as she could.

“Mommy!”

***

Star Streak’s eyes snapped open.  There was nothing but silence in the air.  A page of the book was pressed against her cheek.  When did I fall asleep? She gently peeled the book away from her face.  She sat up and was surprised to see that night had fallen.  The mare hopped off the couch and walked towards the window.

Puddles littered the ground, serving as a reminder for the storm that had long ago vanished.  The night sky was a canvas decorated with glimmering stars.  The moon illuminated its soft glow.  It was simple, pure.  But it was also plain.  Vacant.

So empty.  Star Streak frowned.

Just like my flank right now.