The Markless Mare

Chapters

A Stressful Evening
Seeking Celestia's Help
Getting Acquainted
Testing Her Skills
Fulfilling Her Destiny
Prelude: A Filly's Disappointment

A Stressful Evening

Another day was drawing to a close and a lavender unicorn was getting off her shift at a local bakery. While she did enjoy her job, she did not enjoy her life overall. At the age of 20, unlike pretty much every other pony her age, she still lived at home with her parents. As she headed home that day, like it was every other day, ponies would hurl the same insults at her, "Look at the blank flank! What a loser, a full grown mare without a cutie mark! What a failure, an adult without a cutie mark!"

This always caused her to rush to work and to rush home. When she arrived home that day, she had the same distraught look on her face that she always did. Her mother was the first to greet her when she got home, "How was work honey?"

Twilight gave her a look of sadness given that she only asked about her work. She sighed, "It was ok, I guess."

Her father approached her and asked, "Twilight sweetie, were you tormented on the way home again?"

They asked the same questions everyday when they should know that was the problem. She screamed, "You ask me the same question every single day and my answer is always yes." She broke down crying, "Of course it is all the name calling I receive on the way home! I'm sick of it, I'm so sick of being called a blank flank!"

That evening it wasn't just her parents who were at home, her brother Shining Armor was as well. When he heard his sister crying he rushed into the dining hall and embraced her. He asked, "Who is it Twily? Who is it that is doing this to you?"

Twilight began to cry, "Just about everypony! They see me and they immediately notice I don't have a cutie mark. Just about everypony in the city calls me that, everypony knows I'm nothing special....."

Shining put his hoof over her mouth and interrupted, "Twily, don't ever say that about yourself. You are special and you always will be."

Her parents nodded in agreement and while Twilight knew that her family loved her and would accept her no matter what, it was a matter of nopony else accepting her, it was a matter of her having no friends. She continued to cry, "I know you'll always be here for me but I have nopony else who cares about me! Nopony will be my friend because they don't want to associate with a blank flank!" She stomped her hoof into the floor and continued, "I wouldn't care if I got a cutie mark in digging ditches, it would beat all the torment I get now."

This caused Shining Armor to start thinking. He asked, "Twilight, what would you think about me going and talking to Princess Celestia? Since you're my sister, maybe she'll be able to help you get your mark."

Twilight calmed down a bit and asked in return, "You really think she would help me get my mark?"

Shining replied, "Yes Twily, I think she will."

Twilight didn't have to work the following morning so she asked, "Do you think that we could go talk to her tomorrow morning?"

Shining replied, "Of course we can Twily."

Twilight embraced her brother and the topic was dropped for the night. What had began as a stressful evening with Twilight arriving home crying wound up ending as a time of lighthearted conversations and hope for Twilight, hope that Princess Celestia could help her get her mark.

Seeking Celestia's Help

A Morning Discussion

The following morning arrived and Twilight woke up full of hope. She knew there was a chance that day that perhaps her brother could convince the princess to either aid in her getting a cutie mark or perhaps even just use her magic to give her a cutie mark, perhaps of a book. Even though she no longer studied magic very much, she did enjoy reading in general so she thought maybe that would be a good choice.

Once she got out of bed and headed downstairs, she was pleasantly surprised to see that Shining Armor would be joining them for breakfast. She knew that this was likely a sign that as soon as they finished their meal, that they would be headed to the palace.

When she saw him she ran to him and said, "Shining Armor, it's so good to see you!"

Shining replied, "It's good to see you too Twily!" He then asked, "Are you ready to speak to Celestia today?"

Twilight replied, "You bet I am big brother!"

Twilight's parents were curious as to how this was going to work and wanted to know what their son had planed. Velvet asked, "So how will this work? Will Celestia work with Twilight over time to help her find her special talent or will she simply use her magic to give her a mark to end the constant teasing?"

Shining replied, "I'm not sure but from what I understand she does have a protege who is extremely advanced in magic that could help her as well."

Night Light added, "I do remember how she used to be so interested in magic and perhaps that protege could work with her to aid her in rediscovering that lost love." He gave Twilight a smile and continued, "You never know, that protege of hers could maybe aid you in learning magic."

Twilight heard this and her face dropped. Shining saw this and asked, "What's wrong Twilight? You did look so happy and now you look so glum."

Twilight replied, "Well I guess I'm hoping I can work with Celestia herself instead of her protege."

Her parents and Shining could both understand that entirely. He suggested, "Well I have a fair amount of pull and I'm sure that I can convince her to try to work her magic or at least work with you first before having her protege try and help you."

This brightened Twilight's spirits considerably. She replied, "That sounds good to me!"

Twilight's Request

After breakfast Shining Armor and Twilight headed towards the palace. As they headed there, despite it having been 15 years since she was last there, the day that she went to take her entrance exam was still fresh in her mind. She had a nervous look on her face wondering, that despite her not overseeing the exam, that perhaps Celestia knew about her failure and wouldn't help her.

When they arrived at the castle gates, unlike it was with most ponies, they simply threw Shining a salute and allowed them entry. When Twilight was there for her exam, she never got to see much of the palace. This time though would be different as they were heading to the throne room. She looked at the fancy windows in the halls in awe until they arrived in the throne room. When she saw the princess, she couldn't help but think that she looked just as majestic as she did back on the day she raised the sun.

When the two approached her Celestia gave Shining a salute and asked, "Captain, what brings you by today?"

Shining pointed his hoof at Twilight and replied, "This is my sister, Twilight Sparkle. She has major problem, a problem that has been causing her a lot of heartache."

Celestia gave her a look of concern and asked, "Twilight Sparkle, what problem has been causing you a lot of heartache."

Twilight approached the princess, bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this is a problem that has been causing me problems ever since I was a filly." She turned to where her side was facing her and continued, "As you can see, I have yet to earn my cutie mark." She became more sad and continued, "I'm 20 years old and I still don't have my cutie mark. Ponies are always making fun of me and it is becoming unbearable!"

Celestia gave her a warm smile and said, "I can understand why this would bring you so much heartache but I'm not sure there is much I can do. I can't just go rounding up ponies and punishing them for making fun of other ponies."

Twilight's face dropped a bit but she figured that this would be as good of a time as any to ask Celestia about a cutie mark. She asked, "Princess, I'm not sure if you could do this or not but could you use your magic to give me a cutie mark?"

This was something that nopony had ever asked of her before but she was pretty sure that cutie marks simply could not be given. Celestia replied, "I'm sorry Twilight Sparkle but a cutie mark has to be earned through self-discovery, they can not simply be given."

Twilight begged, "Please your Majesty, just try."

Celestia sighed, "Very well Twilight."

Celestia was unsure as to what to try and give Twilight but then figured that perhaps if she attempted to give her something that she liked or enjoyed, that it may just work. She gave Twilight a smile and continued, "Tell me a little bit about yourself. Maybe if I know what you like, perhaps I can try to give you something that may actually work."

Twilight gave her a smile and began, "When I was a filly, I saw you raise the sun at the Summer Sun Celebration and it was after that when I began to read, a lot. I read so much about magic and I was even granted an entrance exam into your school but I failed. After that I lost most of my interest in magic but I did continue to read quite a bit."

Celestia asked, "That was when you were a filly. What is it that you do for a living? I ask this because perhaps that could help."

Twilight replied, "I currently work at a local bakery."

Celestia's ears perked up when she heard Twilight mention a bakery. At that moment she knew exactly what she was going to try to give her a mark in, something that may help in satisfying her appetite. She gave Twilight a smile and said, "Let me know when you're ready."

Twilight replied, "I'm ready."

Celestia lit up her horn and fired a gentle beam of energy at Twilight. When it struck her a cake showed up on her flank. When she saw this she was ecstatic. She gave Celestia a huge smile and exclaimed, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Her joy would be short lived though as almost as quickly as it appeared, the cutie mark vanished off of her flank. Celestia sighed, "I'm sorry Twilight but....."

Twilight interrupted, "Try again, try again!"

Celestia rolled her eyes and tried again. Each time she tried giving Twilight a mark it would vanish quicker than the one before it. After a minute Celestia gave her a slight look of frustration and said, "I'm sorry Twilight but a cutie mark just can't be given using magic." She put her wing to her forehead like she often does when she is in deep thought before continuing, "I can't give you a cutie mark but I do know of a pony who is extremely good in magic that could maybe help you discover your talent."

Twilight asked, "Who is that?"

Celestia replied, "My protege, Starlight Glimmer. I think she would be perfect because she has very advanced magic and despite being a unicorn, she has had the ability to fly just using her magic ever since I met her 15 years ago as a filly."

Twilight's eyes grew wide as she asked, "Really, a unicorn that can fly?" She then realized that perhaps this pony Celestia brought up could help her. She continued, "Could you see if she would be willing to help me?"

Celestia replied, "Of course I can Twilight."

Celestia grabbed a scroll and wrote a message,

"Starlight,

I have a favor to ask of you. I have a full grown mare up here that has yet to earn her cutie mark and I am wondering if you would be willing to assist her in discovering her special talent. Please let me know as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Celestia"

Celestia sent the scroll and continued, "Starlight is generally very prompt when it comes to replying so hopefully we will hear back from her soon."

It was not long after that until she received a reply from Starlight,

"Celestia,

Yes, I will help this mare discover her special talent. If you could have her come to Ponyville on the next train that would be great. I look forward to meeting her and helping her.

Sincerely,

Starlight Glimmer"

Celestia read the scroll out loud and at first both Twilight and Shining Armor were thrilled until something struck Twilight, the heckling she would likely receive on the trip down there. Her pupils shrank and she asked, "I have to go to Ponyville on the train alone? What about ponies who would laugh at me?"

Celestia cast her gaze at Shining Armor and asked, "Captain, would you accompany her down there? I think that ponies will know better than to antagonize her if you ride with her."

For Shining Armor this was an easy question. He replied, "Of course I will. I would do anything to make sure my sister is not made fun of."

Celestia gave him a smile and ordered, "Now go, the next train to Ponyville leaves in 10 minutes and Starlight Glimmer is rather impatient so keeping her waiting is not a good idea."

The two gave Celestia a nervous look when she mentioned Starlight's impatience but knew that if Celestia trusted her to help Twilight perhaps earn her cutie mark, that dealing with an impatient pony would be worth it.

Getting Acquainted

When Twilight and Shining arrived at the train station ponies immediately began to stare at Twilight and make comments about her lack of a cutie mark. Some pointed their hooves and others snickered until Shining Armor lit his horn up in anger and warned them to not say a word about her. Given that most ponies knew who he was, they quickly went silent and did their best to turn their attention away from Twilight.

Once they boarded the train and everypony noticed that Shining Armor, captain of the Royal Guard was accompanying a mare without a mark, they knew it would be best to remain quiet, completely quiet so the ride to Ponyville was a rather quiet one. Neither pony had ever been to Ponyville before so they were unsure what to expect.

When they arrived in Ponyville and disembarked from the train, it would not be long until they saw the pony they were looking for. Despite not being given a description of who she would be helping, when she saw a mare without a cutie mark, she knew that she was the one she was looking for.

She approached the two and the first one she greeted was the pony she knew who was, Shining Armor. She gave him a salute and asked, "Captain Shining Armor, what brings you to Ponyville?"

Shining Armor replied, "This is my sister, Twilight Sparkle. She is the pony that Princess Celestia wants you to help get her mark."

Starlight took a closer look at Twilight and was in a state of shock yet she also felt a sense of elation. While she had a feeling that she may run into Twilight again at some point in her life, she never once imagined that this would be how it would happen. She never imagined that her nemesis from before she altered the timeline would be seeking her help in getting a cutie mark as a full grown mare.

For Starlight it was difficult to simply act like somepony that she knew quite well was a complete stranger. She said, "I'm sorry to hear that you have yet to get your mark." She motioned for her to follow her and continued, "Follow me Twilight and we can see what you can do. If I can't help you find your talent, I'm sure my friends can."

Before following Starlight, Twilight turned around to embrace her brother, "Thanks for riding down with me big brother, I really appreciate it."

The two embraced and Shining Armor saw Starlight tapping her hoof impatiently waiting on her. He broke the embrace, pointed in Starlight's direction and replying, "No problem Twily but it looks like she is getting impatient so I'll let you get going."

Twilight nodded and headed off in Starlight's direction. Once she got up to where she was by her side she asked, "So Starlight, what are we going to do? What would Celestia want you to do to help me discover my special talent?"

Starlight replied in return, "Well how about you tell me about yourself, what you enjoy in life and what you are good at."

Twilight began, "Well as a filly I had a love of learning. At first it was a love of learning about magic when I saw Celestia raise the sun up until I was granted an entrance exam for Celestia's special school."

Starlight continued to look forward with a smile on her face. She asked, "What happened with the entrance exam?"

Twilight replied, "Well I was given the task to hatch a dragon's egg but I couldn't. It was weird though, it felt like there was some sort of force field preventing me from discharging any magic and then there was this explosion. After the explosion, I no longer felt the pressure on my horn but I couldn't do anything so I failed and had to go to public school."

As Starlight was hearing this she couldn't help but think, "Oh I think I know what that force field was!" She knew that she couldn't just go saying anything so she asked, "I'm sorry to hear that. What happened after that?"

Twilight replied, "Well like I said, I had to go to public school. I did ok, I liked reading about things such as history but other than that, I simply didn't care. I honestly think failing that entrance exam caused me to lose interest in just about everything." Her voice became more sad as she continued, "And ever since everypony else got their cutie marks and I didn't, everypony has made fun of me. They've mercilessly tormented me."

From the moment Starlight saw Twilight without a mark right up until that moment, she was ecstatic. Twilight's telling her about being tormented changed that feeling entirely as one of the things Starlight utterly despised was when ponies were made fun of for one reason or another. She gasped, "What? Ponies have been making fun of you because of your lack of a cutie mark?"

Twilight's voice began to break, "Yes, they have....."

Just as she began to say that a couple of fillies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, were walking by. They began to point and snicker, "Oooh, look at the blank flank! Blank flank, blank flank....."

Starlight light up her horn in anger, grabbed the two in her aura and growled, "What did you fillies say?"

Despite being held in Starlight's aura, the two did not lose their attitude. Diamond Tiara laughed, "We were pointing out the blank flank!"

Starlight intensified her hold on the two. It was all she could do to not unmark them right then and there but knew that she couldn't let anypony know about her ability, not Twilight, not the fillies, nopony, so she contained her urge. She got in their faces and snarled, "How would you feel if somepony said that to you?" She then looked at their marks, marks that appeared to be status symbol marks and continued, "OR brought up the fact that you have no real talent! What if they said you only got those marks for your parents being rich?"

Despite Starlight's increasingly hostile behavior towards them, they kept their attitudes. Eventually Starlight let the fillies go before she did something she might regret. Once she turned her attention back to Twilight she asked, "Is it things like that?"

Twilight was in a state of shock seeing that the pony who was going to help her not only had that kind of temper but would also go as far as to use magic to immobilize a couple of fillies with her magic in public. She replied, "Yeah but you didn't have to do that to them."

Starlight decided the time to get back on topic had arrived, "Ok, back on topic. As a filly you enjoyed reading. Are you still into reading and increasing your knowledge?"

Twilight replied, "Well somewhat but not as much anymore. Anymore I just wish that I could get my mark, find something that I'm good at and finally be able to move out from my parents' house."

Starlight nodded and asked, "So what do you do as far as a job goes?"

Twilight replied, "I work at a bakery up in Canterlot. Normally I'm just a cashier but I have done some baking once or twice and it turned out alright."

This began to give Starlight some ideas on what she may have Twilight try but needed more information. She asked, "Do you have any interests or hobbies other than reading?"

Twilight replied, "Well I do like to listen to music and have always dreamed of maybe playing some sort of instrument, like maybe a lyre or a harp."

Starlight got a smile on her face and said, "Perhaps one of my friends could teach you because playing the lyre is her special talent."

Twilight's eyes grew wide hoping that maybe her friend could help her. She asked, "Really, you think she would be willing to help me?

Starlight replied before asking, "Yes really. Do you have any other interests or dreams?"

Twilight replied, "I know this may sound really silly but I have also always thought being a librarian would be fun too."

Starlight gave her a huge smile and suggested, "You know what, I live in the local library so maybe I could see how you are at arranging books."

Twilight was ecstatic upon hearing this. She threw her hooves around Starlight and exclaimed, "Oh thank you, thank you! I think a book cutie mark would be so amazing!"

Starlight never did care much for physical touch so she shied back a bit when Twilight embraced her but luckily, they had finally arrived at the library. Starlight pointed her hoof to her left and said, "Here is where I live, The Golden Oaks Library. Follow me and we'll see if you have any talent involving library work."

Starlight motioned for her to follow her in, hoping that she would be able to maybe find what she is supposed to do right away. Starlight was not thrilled that Twilight was being made fun of because of her lack of a mark but was not about to expose Twilight to anything overly magical in the event that she was born to be something special but just hadn't been exposed to the spark that would help her become powerful.

Testing Her Skills

Author's Note

Parts of this chapter will be done in back and forth dialogue.

Testing Her Skills

Testing Her Library Skills

When Starlight led Twilight into the library, the first thing Twilight couldn't notice was the small size of it. While she had never been in any particularly large libraries, she had never been in a small town library either. She gave Starlight a curious look and asked, "Is this it? Is this all the more books that the library down here has?"

The question initially irritated Starlight but then she realized that the mare she was with had likely never been to any smaller communities, perhaps never even outside of Canterlot. She replied, "Yes, this is all we have. Small towns don't exactly have a demand for massive libraries like Canterlot does."

She led her down into the library where they were greeted by Spike, "Oh hi Starlight." He turned his attention to Twilight and asked, "Who is this?"

Starlight replied, "This is Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia has given me the task of helping her find her special talent."

Spike gave the unfamiliar mare a curious look and asked, "You a full grown pony and you still haven't earned your cutie....." Starlight gave him a glare causing him to not finish the question. He continued, "Oh hi Twilight, it's nice to meet you."

Twilight had never seen a dragon before, she had only read about them. She asked, "You have a baby dragon? Is he a pet or....."

Starlight interrupted, "He is my assistant actually. I hatched him in my entrance exam before becoming Celestia's protege."

Twilight took a close look at him and noticed something familiar about his colors. She commented, "That's odd, he is the same colors that the egg was that I was ordered to hatch but couldn't."

Starlight gave her a smile, "Hmmm....that's odd." She then led her towards the bookcases and continued, "Alright, I want you to take a good look at these books, the numbers on their spines, the order they are in and then we will see how good you are at shelving."

Twilight gave her a nervous look before beginning her task. As she was looking at the order of the books and the identification codes on them Spike asked, "Starlight, what is she doing? Why are you having her look at the books like that?"

Starlight replied, "Once she is done, I am going to take them all off the shelves and see if she can put them back in order. If she can, maybe she will get a librarian cutie mark."

Spike wasn't sure what to think about this as this was so unlike Starlight. Normally, outside of Moondancer, she was even leery about her friends handling the books. Once it appeared as though Twilight was finished, Starlight grabbed the books in her aura, took them off the shelves, placed them in a pile in the middle of the room and ordered, "Alright Twilight, put these books back in the proper order."

Twilight's pupils shrank upon the order. She knew that this had to be done to see if this was her special talent but she was terrified about how Starlight may react if she did it wrong. She gave her a nervous smile as she began to re-shelve the books with Starlight watching her. It would not be long until it was clearly visible that she was not putting them back in the right order but Starlight was not about to stop her and help her. If this was truly her talent, she would be able to complete it correctly without any help.

When she had placed every book back on the shelves she gave Starlight a nervous smile and said, "Well I have put them back on."

Starlight began to look over the books and was not thrilled by what she saw. The books, while Twilight had put them in order by number, had not put them back in order according to the letter that indicated subjects. She sighed before grabbing them in her aura, taking a quick look at them and putting them back in the right order. Once she finished shelving them she turned to Twilight and sighed, "Well it looks like library work is not your special talent."

Twilight held her head down and asked, "Does this mean you are done with me and I have no talent?"

Starlight replied, "Of course not. Follow me over to the apartment where my friends live. I have a feeling that one of them might be able to help you."

Visiting Starlight's Friends

Once they left the library they headed towards the apartment where her friends lived. Once they arrived Starlight knocked on the door and Lyra answered. Before she could say anything Starlight said, "Lyra, just the pony I want to see."

Lyra asked, "Oh?" She then pointed her hoof at Twilight and asked, "Who is this with you?"

Starlight replied, "This is Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia gave me the task of helping her discover her special talent but since library skills are not her talent, I brought her over here to see if perhaps one of you could help her."

Lyra motioned for the two to go in and closed the door. They sat on the couch and were greeted by her other friends. Minuette said, "Hi Starlight!"

Twinkleshine continued, "Hi Starlight, how's it going?"

Moondancer continued, "Starlight, it's so good to see you!"

Starlight replied, "It's good to see you too ladies."

Minuette asked, "So Starlight, who is this with you?"

Starlight replied, "This is Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia has given me the task of helping her find her special talent...."

Her friends began to stare at Twilight and noticed that she did not have a cutie mark. Moondancer asked, "Wait a minute, you still haven't got your cutie mark?"

The question bothered Twilight quite a bit. She held her head down and sighed, "No, I don't have it yet and I don't know what my special talent is."

Starlight was not thrilled with it either but her friends were the one set of ponies she would not glare at but she was going to go into further detail about the situation, "Alright, from what Twilight has told me, besides liking to read and liking the idea of being a librarian, she has also mentioned that playing the lyre or harp sounds interesting and right now she works at a bakery."

Both Minuette and Lyra's ears perked up at this. Lyra suggested, "Twilight, you could work with me and we could see how you are when it comes to the lyre!"

Minuette added, "Or you could join me in the kitchen and see how you are when it comes to baking."

Starlight responded, "Well actually I was thinking we could do both with her." She turned towards Lyra and continued, "How about you take her first and see how she is with the lyre?"

Lyra replied, "That sounds good to me!"

Lyra cast her gaze at Twilight and motioned for her to follow her. Twilight wasn't as nervous as she was with trying library work because Lyra seemed much more laid back and carefree than Starlight did.

Testing Her Musical Skills

Twilight followed Lyra back to her bedroom to discover that she had a decent sized lyre in there, a lyre larger than any she had ever seen. She commented, "Wow, you're lyre is pretty big."

Lyra replied, "Yep." She led Twilight over towards it and continued, "Alright, let's see how you are."

Twilight headed over to the lyre and wondered how exactly she was supposed to play it. She asked, "So do you use your hooves, do you have something like a pick for a guitar to do it or what?"

Lyra replied, "Well normally ponies use their hooves but watch this." She grabbed it in her aura and began to play music that Twilight found absolutely amazing.

While the music sounded wonderful to Twilight, she couldn't help but wonder how Lyra was able to play it solely with her magic. She asked, "Lyra, how can you do that? How can you play it without touching the strings?"

Lyra gave her a smile, "I don't know how I do it. When I was a filly I was curious about various things and I just thought I'd see if I could play it with magic. I discovered I could and that was when I got my cutie mark!"

Twilight gave her a weak smile, "Well that's good."

Lyra kept her big smile and replied, "Who knows Twilight, you might be good playing the lyre too. Whether it is using your hooves or using your magic, you might be amazing!" She cast her gaze towards her lyre and continued, "Go ahead Twilight, you might get your cutie mark!"

Twilight got a larger smile on her face as she knew that Lyra truly believed in her. She wasn't sure if she would be any good but unlike it was with Starlight, she felt a great sense of ease as she readied herself.

First she grabbed it in her magic and attempted to just use her magic. Unfortunately she couldn't get any notes played at all but that would not deter her when Lyra gave her an enthusiastic smile and suggested she used her hooves. Once she started to play, it sounded good but not quite as good as Lyra's playing did. After finishing what she hoped was a song, she looked down at her flank and saw nothing. She held her head low and sighed, "Well I guess playing the lyre isn't my talent."

Lyra replied, "Keep trying Twilight, it might take more than just one song!" She put her hoof around her and continued, "I believe in you, I know you can do this!"

Twilight gave her a smile and began to play some more but after thirty minutes it was obvious that she was not going to get her mark in this. She gave Lyra a look of sadness and sighed, "I'm sorry I wasted your time Lyra. I really enjoy playing but I guess it isn't my talent."

Lyra gave her a hug and replied, "It's alright Twilight, maybe you'll discover your talent in the kitchen with Minuette."

Twilight said, "Maybe."

Lyra motioned for her to follow her back to the living room and replied, "Follow me, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to help you."

Twilight couldn't help but feel frustrated that she had failed to get her mark twice already on this trip and had a bad feeling that despite working in a bakery and have done some baking, that she would likely fail this time as well.

Testing Her Baking Skills

When Twilight followed Lyra back into the living room and she still didn't have a cutie mark, everypony, including Starlight, looked sad for her. Starlight asked, "I take it you weren't good playing the lyre?"

Before Twilight could reply, Lyra said, "Well I think she sounded great but it just isn't her destiny to play the lyre."

While she looked sad at first, Minuette got a huge smile on her face and suggested, "Come on Twilight, let's get in the kitchen! Maybe baking is your special talent."

Twilight sighed, "Maybe."

As they headed into the kitchen Twilight couldn't help but feel the positivity radiating from the blue unicorn. Once they arrived Minuette asked, "So Twilight, do you ever do much baking?"

Twilight replied, "Well I work in a bakery so I have a little bit. I normally work the cash register but I have baked a couple of cakes that turned out well."

This immediately caused the wheels in Minuette's head to start turning. She suggested, "Tell you what, how about I have you bake a cake for all of us! If you've had cakes turn out good, I'm sure it will be delicious!"

Twilight asked, "Really?"

Minuette replied, "Really!" She grabbed some ingredients from the fridge and cupboards and sat them on the table. She then gave Twilight a smile and added, "There you go, now bake a delicious cake!"

Twilight gave her a smile but noticed one thing was missing, the directions. She asked, "Minuette, where are the directions? How can I bake a cake if I don't know how much of what to put in there?"

Minuette joyfully replied, "Oh Twilight, I never use directions! I just throw in what I like and let my imagination run wild!"

Twilight asked, "But what about how long do I bake it for? I don't want it to be overdone or underbaked!"

Minuette replied, "Just test it every now and then." She handed her a butter knife and continued, "Just insert it in the center every now and then. When it comes out clean, that means it is ready."

For Twilight this seemed like a rather crazy way to do things given that they had very specific recipes at the bakery but decided to go with Minuette's plan. She said, "Ok, I'll do that."

Twilight began to throw ingredients together and decided that she would bake her favorite kind of cake, chocolate with strawberry frosting. As she was making the cake, Minuette couldn't help but watch her with the same smile she has when she bakes. An hour after she had begun to mix ingredients together, she tested the cake with the knife and it was done. She pulled it out and couldn't help but smile.

Twilight grabbed the frosting but would be stopped by Minuette. She put her hoof around her and suggested, "You want to wait until it cools off a bit. If you try frosting it while it's hot, the frosting will melt right off of it."

Twilight sighed in frustration as she wondered how long it took for a cake to cool off. After thirty minutes the cake had cooled off enough that Twilight began to frost it. Once she was finished, Minuette licked her chops and suggested, "It looks so tasty! Let's cut everypony a slice and see how it turned out!"

They cut the cake into six even slices, plated them, grabbed a fork for everypony and headed out to the front room. When they took the cake out to the living room the first to say anything was Starlight, "Chocolate with strawberry frosting? Too bad Celestia isn't here because she would love this."

Twilight was hoping so much that it would be good and would be pleasantly surprised when she heard the ponies compliment her on her cake.

Minuette said, "Wow Twilight, this is delicious!"

Twinkleshine added, "You know Minuette, I think this might be better than yours!"

Lyra continued, "Wow, I've never ate cake this tasty!"

Moondancer added, "This cake is so good."

Starlight finished, "Wow, I don't think I've ever ate cake this good!"

Twilight asked, "Really, is it really that good?"

Starlight replied, "Yes Twilight, it is."

Twilight couldn't help but smile seeing that she had done such a good job and that everypony liked it but her smile disappeared when nothing appeared on her flank. She held hear head low and sighed, "I can tell you all really liked it and I really enjoyed making it but I guess this isn't my talent either." She sat down next to Minuette and began to cry, "I'm never going to find my talent, I'll probably be a blank flank for the rest of my life."

Everypony except Starlight had gathered around Twilight and embraced her. Starlight was sitting there in thought and then it hit her, Twilight had made Celestia's favorite flavor of cake. She then approached Twilight and suggested, "Twilight Sparkle, I just thought of something."

Twilight asked, "What?"

Starlight replied, "You made Celestia's favorite kind of cake and I am thinking, maybe if you can make one that she would like, something that would be the best cake she's ever ate, you might get your mark."

Twilight's eyes brightened up as she asked, "Really? You really think that if I can impress her that I might get my mark?"

Starlight replied, "Yes, you might." Starlight looked at the clock and noticed that it was only the middle of the afternoon and came up with another idea. She suggested, "Twilight, how about we go up to Canterlot. I'm sure I can get it arranged to where you can make Celestia a cake."

Twilight's eyes grew wide, "Really? You really think so?"

Starlight replied, "Yes. If somepony wants to make her a cake, she'll drop everything just so she can eat it." She headed towards the door and continued, "Come on Twilight, let's go up to Canterlot and who knows, you may have your mark before the day is over."

Twilight raced to Starlight, embraced her and exclaimed, "Oh thank you Starlight, let's get going."

Minuette joined them and added, "If you're going up to Canterlot to bake a cake like the one you just made, I'm joining you!"

Starlight turned back and asked, "Anypony else want to join us?"

While everypony did enjoy the cake that Twilight had made for them, none of them showed any interest so the three left the apartment and headed to the train station. While Twilight had her doubts as to whether she could make a cake so good that Princess Celestia would like it, she knew that at least she might get a chance so all she could do was hope for the best.

Fulfilling Her Destiny

Meeting Celestia

After leaving the apartment and boarding the train, Twilight, Starlight and Minuette were headed to Canterlot to see if cake baking was her special talent. The ride up there was rather quiet and with Twilight being nervous, the tension was thick, very thick, so thick that one could easily cut it with a knife.

Once they arrived in Canterlot, the first place they headed was the palace. Everything seemed so familiar to Twilight yet at the same time it felt so different. It hadn't been all that earlier that her brother was escorting her to the train station, hoping that nopony would harass her over her blank flank. This time, it would be Starlight and Minuette escorting her to the palace to see if maybe, just maybe, her dreams of finally getting her cutie mark would come true.

When they arrived at the palace, Starlight would be pleasantly surprised when the guards allowed her entry without questioning her, Minuette or Twilight. As they continued through the palace, everything seemed so familiar to Twilight, things from just earlier in the morning. When they arrived in the throne room, Celestia was sitting there just as regally as she was that morning. When she saw Starlight she gave her a smile, "Starlight, Minuette, what are you doing here?"

Starlight replied, "Well as you know you had asked Minuette and I to help this pony, Twilight Sparkle, to get her cutie mark."

Celestia took a look at the mare in front of her and noticed that she still did not have her mark. She shook her head and asked, "I take it neither of you could help her find her talent?"

Starlight replied, "Well Minuette thinks she might have but she will need to use the kitchen to see if she truly has discovered her special talent."

Celestia gave Twilight a curious look and asked, "You need to use the kitchen, what for?"

Twilight approached Celestia, bowed and replied, "Princess Celestia your Majesty, while I was down in Ponyville I discovered that I really enjoy baking cakes and that I'm pretty good at it. I was wondering if maybe I could have the chance to make you a cake and see if I might get my mark."

When Celestia heard her mention making a cake, her ears shot up. She gave Twilight a smile and said, "Of course you can!" She leaned down to where she was at eye level with Twilight and continued, "If there is one thing in life I truly love, it is cake!"

Twilight gave her a nervous smile knowing that very soon she would be able to do what it took to get her mark. Celestia gave her a smile and continued, "Alright Twilight, I will lead you to the kitchen and we'll see how good you are at baking cakes."

Twilight nodded as Celestia led the three to the royal kitchen. Celestia had been there plenty of times but despite being her protege, even Starlight had never seen it before. Once they arrived, Celestia requested that Twilight make a cake for not just her, but all three of them.

Twilight nodded and began to work on making a cake that Celestia would absolutely love. When they returned to the throne room, they began to talk about Twilight more and what all she did during her time down there. Celestia asked, "Starlight, so what all did you have her do while you were down there? What sorts of things did she try?"

Starlight replied, "When she first got down there, I had her try out re-shelving books in the library but that didn't turn out very well for her. Then she worked with Lyra to see if she was good at playing the lyre but she wasn't."

Minuette added, "And it was after that when I took her to the kitchen to see how good she was when it came to baking."

Celestia replied, "Well, we shall see how good she is before too long."

Baking a Great Cake

In the kitchen, Twilight had gathered together what she thought would be ingredients good enough to make a cake. She had found the same ingredients that she had in Ponyville when she made the cake down there. Like it was in Ponyville, she did not follow any specific recipe. What she did do though, was put the exact same amounts of ingredients in the mixing bowl that she did in Ponyville. She was bound and determined to make a cake that Celestia would love and with any luck, it would cause her to earn her mark.

About an hour after beginning work on the cake, Twilight emerged from the kitchen holding four slices of chocolate cake with strawberry frosting along with a fork for each of them. Celestia's eyes grew wide when she saw this. She asked, "Are those for us?"

Twilight replied, "Yes, these are for us."

Celestia was the first to start eating her cake. She couldn't believe how good it was. She got a huge smile on her face and asked, "Twilight, where did you learn to bake like this? It is delicious!"

Twilight replied, "I just figured out how to bake, I never learned how to make it!"

Celestia continued to eat her cake until she was finished. She approached Twilight, got down at eye level with her and continued, "Twilight Sparkle, that was by far the most delicious cake I have ever had." She put her wing around her and continued, "I'm going to be honest, I could really enjoy more meals like......."

As she was saying this, Twilight began to levitate, had become encircled in light and very soon, something magical happened. When she returned to the ground she looked at her flank and no longer was it bare. Her flank now had a piece of chocolate cake with strawberry frosting on it, she got her cutie mark!

When she saw this, she began to jump up and down and celebrate, "Yes, yes, yes, yes! I can't believe it, I got my cutie mark!" She put her hooves around both Starlight and Minuette and continued, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I never would have got my mark without you two!"

Starlight replied, "You're welcome Twilight, hopefully now nopony will make fun of you anymore."

Twilight then turned to Celestia before adding, "And thank you your Majesty, thank you so much for giving me a chance to make a cake for you!"

Celestia couldn't help but giggle, "Oh Twilight, you don't have to refer to me as 'your Majesty,' you can just call me Celestia."

Twilight asked, "Really, you're going to let me be informal with you?"

Celestia replied, "Yes I am but now I think that the time has come to discuss your future."

Twilight's pupils shrank as she asked, "My future?"

Celestia replied, "Yes, your future. Today you proved that you are excellent when it comes to making cakes and I have a question. What would you think about moving into the palace and becoming my personal baker?"

This completely shocked Twilight. She had never once imagined that not only would she finally get her cutie mark, but that she would also finally have a chance to move out of her parents' house. She gave Celestia a huge smile and replied, "I would love to be your personal baker!"

Celestia replied, "Very well then. You will move into the bedroom right across from me and become my personal baker." She then turned to Minuette and Starlight and continued, "Thank you ladies for doing this for her. I know for so long that she faced so much heartache and hardship but because of you two, she is finally free."

In unison the two said, "You're welcome Celestia."

It would not be long until Celestia got back to discussing Twilight's future with her so Starlight and Minuette figured the time to go had arrived. Starlight yelled, "We'll see you later Celestia!"

Minuette added, "Bye Celestia, we'll see you soon!"

Celestia yelled back, "Bye ladies!"

As the two left the palace, they both were happy that they were able to get Twilight her cutie mark. Minuette couldn't help but be ecstatic that she had helped a pony who seemed so lost and sad finally discover her true talent in something that she loved. Starlight too was happy but for different reasons. Starlight was thrilled because finally she would not have to worry about a pony from her past finding a way to alter the past and preventing the present from ever coming to be.

Prelude: A Filly's Disappointment

Fifteen years ago when Princess Celestia raised the sun at the Summer Sun Festival, a unicorn filly had cut her way up to the front of the crowd to see Celestia raise the sun. As she saw Celestia light up her horn and raise the sun, she was fascinated with what the princess did. At that moment the filly developed a desire to study magic and hopefully one day become very talented in using it.

Naturally her parents enthusiastically got her all the books on magic that they could so that perhaps one day she could achieve her dream and much to the filly's delight, her parents had contacted Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and got Twilight a slot to take an entrance exam to gain entry. The filly was ecstatic upon hearing the news but was also nervous about what she had to do to get in.

When the day arrived, it was not just the filly that was nervous, it was her parents too. She and her parents were led into a room in front of a group of four unicorns where she was presented with a dragon's egg and to get into the school, she had to use her magic to hatch it. For several minutes she tried but all she could do was get a few sparks out of her horn until she felt an immense pressure on her horn, it was almost as though a force field had been placed on it, preventing her from discharging any energy.

Finally a loud boom rocked Canterlot, spooking not just the filly, but everypony in the room. Once the boom had subsided, Twilight felt the pressure go away but she did know one thing, she knew that she was not going to be able to hatch the egg given her inability to discharge but a few sparks of energy. She looked up at the judges with a devastated look on her face and said, "I'm so sorry for wasting your time."

The filly was devastated as she and her parents left for home. A filly who was once so interested in magic and wanted to become very talented fell into despair and quit reading her books. She felt that she had failed and that her future would be nothing special. Once she got into school she did decent but never had the ambition to study much and graduated in the middle of her class. What disappointed her the most as she grew into a mare was that unlike every other pony in Canterlot, she never discovered her special talent and thus, never got her cutie mark.