Chapter 1: The Story Begins
Kids, let me tell you the amazing story of how I earned my cutie mark, it's got quite a few twists and turns, some chaos here and there and I swear it's not that long. It all started a long time ago when I decided to move from Manehatten to Ponyville and my life completely changed forever.
Manehatten, several years ago…
I yawned and stretched out in my bed, the sunlight shone on my face and warmed my messy blue mane; slowly I opened my eyes and gazed lazily out the bedroom window. For a moment I felt content, before realizing something.
“I’m late!” I shot up out of bed and scrambled to quickly make it, “If the sunlight is hitting this spot on my pillow..." I looked out the window to check the position of the sun, "That means I'm really running late, it must be quarter past eight already!" I panicked.
I quickly glanced at the clock.
Clock: 8:29 A.M
“For real?” I sighed.
Clock: 8:30 A.M *Happy chiming music*
“You keep on mocking me, then I'm going to be taking your batteries out and you'll never chime again!” I growled.
Clock: *Reverts back to 8:29 A.M and stops chiming *
"Now that's better."
Okay, well that last part might not have happened.
I swiftly grabbed my bag and rested it on my back, “I've got to get to the train station quickly!” I galloped out of my room and swiftly down the stairs, “Come on Flick, you’re always up on time, every day, why today of all days to – “ I stopped myself before leaving my house, the sight of a note left on the table caused me to momentarily freeze, I went over to read the familiar writing.
Flicktailus,
I am ever so sorry that I had to leave last night on work related business; your father and I are proud of you and will miss you dearly while you’re in Ponyville.
Your cousin Rarity will meet you at the train station when you arrive, I'm sure she is very much looking forward to spending the summer with you, please do send our love to her and inform her that we will be writing to her once a week. Please behave yourself for her and your cousin Sweetie Belle.
All of my love,
Mother.
I scanned the note a few times, fully aware I was gradually running out of time to get to the train station in order to catch the infrequent train to Ponyville, yet my eyes lingered on every word, each one a reminder that I wouldn’t see my parents for a very long time.
“All right, time to go,” I quickly packed the letter into my bag and left the house.
The sudden loud noise of the busy Manehatten street greeted me as I stepped outside, the sunlight shone in my face and glistened on my white coat, my fluffy purple tail caught the slight breeze of the summer air as I braced myself and began to gallop.
Kids, Manehatten is a very crowded place, everypony was constantly in a rush to get here and there and so, quite often -
Mid gallop I suddenly noticed somepony throw something directly in my way on the sidewalk, before I had time to react, I crashed into it and was greeted with the smell of rotten food and junk, “Garbage bags… nice,” I snarled at the horrific smell.
Yep, garbage bags being thrown out on to the sidewalk is a sure sign you’re in Manehatten, I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that my beloved cousin Sweetie Belle’s first words to me were ‘You smell like rotten trash’ well now you know why.
“Jeez, thanks!” I yelled sarcastically at the uncaring Pegasus who flew away, I cast a glow from my horn and lifted the garbage bag out of the way; I quickly began to run through the crowds of ponies, eager to arrive at the train station.
“Well, this morning has been disastrous already… it’s like everything is a sign that I’m making a mistake,” I laughed to myself nervously, however, I suddenly stopped in my tracks. I momentarily ignored the sheer number of ponies moving past me, “Okay… not a good sign...said that as a joke to myself, and now I can't stop thinking about it...”
“Hey stop getting in the way kid!” a rude passerby called as he rushed past me.
“Move outta the way!” Another yelled as they nearly barged into me.
“Hey come on, I’m trying to have a slight crisis here!” I called after them.
The truth is It was only a recent decision I'd made that I wanted to leave Manehatten and live in Ponyville for a few months, of course, now I was worried that I was making a huge mistake. I mean, what if Rarity wasn’t excited to have me stay with her all summer?
Ponyville
“I’m so excited to have him stay with me all summer!” Rarity cheered happily as she skipped along the beautiful summer streets of Ponyville, she was joined by her five best friends, basking in the glory of the beautiful day, “Sweetie Belle dear, do keep up! I’m so excited for you to meet Flick properly! You two have never had the chance to properly become friends!” She called back at her little sister who was walking several paces behind the group.
“So this kid is your cousin?” Rainbow Dash flew down from the skies to land next to her friends.
“He's my second cousin actually, but oh my I haven’t seen him for so long! It’ll be so nice for Sweetie Belle to have another friend her age to hang around with!” Rarity replied.
“I already have friends,” Sweetie Belle grumbled to herself, rolling her eyes.
You see with Sweetie Belle being Rarity’s little sister, it was only natural that she was the absolute light of Rarity’s life; So I can’t blame Sweetie Belle for being skeptical of me coming to stay with them for a few months.
Twilight Sparkle walked side by side with Rarity, sharing her friend’s enthusiasm, “It’ll be so great to meet him, hopefully, this small town is a nice change from such a big city!”
“Well ya know, a change sure can be good at times, y’all just gotta make him feel welcome, I sure know Apple Bloom will wanna meet him as soon as she can!” Applejack spoke up eagerly, “Hey Sweetie Belle! He could join your little group!” She called back to the young pony who was lingering behind.
Sweetie Belle momentarily perked up, “He’s a blank flank too?” She muttered to herself.
This was still a while before Sweetie Belle had earned her cutie mark, and, as you know, when you’re young, getting your cutie mark is all you can think about. It’s the wonderful unique mark that appears on your flank when you discover that thing in life that is your destiny, your true talent, and your unique characteristic; So without one… you can sometimes feel a little lost.
“Oh, my little Flicktailus Flufftail and Sweetie Belle will be such good friends!” Rarity smiled.
“I sure hope he likes animals, wouldn’t that be sweet, oh, I could show him all my cute little critters,” Fluttershy’s soft voice spoke up quietly.
“I sure hope he likes cupcakes!” Pinkie Pie seemingly bounced out of nowhere, “Cause I’m making a ton for the welcome party!” She bounced ahead of the group blissfully, in her usual carefree way.
“Hold on, Flufftail? What kind of last name is that?” Rainbow Dash sniggered, she tried to suppress her laughter following a sharp look from Rarity.
Thanks, Rainbow Dash.
Anyhow, after a lot of rushing and panicking, I eventually did make it on time to my train, so I’ll skip the long train journey and get straight to when I arrived.
I hopped off the train and walked out to the platform where my train had stopped, I was pleasantly surprised to smell the fresh air of Ponyville, the gentle summer breeze flowed through my mane and everything suddenly felt right, far away from the polluted air of Manehatten.
“Wow… this air is so clean, is this… what breathing feels like?” I spoke in awe to myself, glancing around the sea of green that greeted me as I left the station.
Within seconds, I was embraced in the tightest hug I’d ever received and smothered almost immediately.
“Oh, Flick I’ve missed you so much! Oh my, I’ve not seen you for so long!” Rarity held tightly on to me for what seemed like forever, finally, she let go.
I gasped for air after the smothering hug.
Rarity gasped, “Oh and you have grown! But oh my, look at your mane though dear, it is a mess…” She began patting my messy blue mane to attempt to make it somewhat presentable, “And my word, your fluffy tail needs a nice shampoo and conditioning I think,” She suddenly stopped and looked at me, “Oh I am sorry,” She giggled.
“Hi, Rarity!” I hugged my cousin once more, “I can’t believe I’m here, I’ve been looking forward to this ever since you told me I could come and stay! I haven’t seen you for so long! Thank you for letting me stay!”
“Oh, you are so welcome!” She smiled lovingly down at me, swiftly calling for the other ponies to approach, “Oh you must meet my wonderful friends, they’re the most important ponies in my life! This is Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy!”
I looked towards the ponies walking towards me.
Okay come on Flick, you can do this, it’s just social interaction, just speak loudly and confidently.
“H- Hi everypony, it’s erm… it’s- nice to meet you all,” I whispered.
Darn it!
“Nice to meet ya Flick, hope you have a great time in this here town!” Applejack winked.
Twilight stepped forward, “We’ll all be here to lend a helping hoof if you need anything, you’re part of our little family now!”
“Thank you so much! I don’t know what to say,” I smiled happily; I looked up at Rarity who smiled warmly in return.
“I told you my friends are delightful,” she patted my mane, “I think you’ll have a wonderful time settling in to – “
“We’ve got to have a party for you Flick!” Pinkie Pie suddenly bounced in front of me without warning, she wrapped her hooves around me in a huge embrace, “I’m making SO MANY CUPCAKES!” She screamed into my ear, “Oh also Hi I’m Pinkie Pie!” She grinned eagerly inches away from my face.
I was partially deafened by the high-pitched eager voice that came from the happy pink earth pony that was now bouncing around me in a circle, “That sounds great, I’d sure love that!” I laughed.
Okay don’t worry! It’s just a social gathering of ponies you’ve just met, all there to celebrate you arriving in Ponyville… all gathering for you, all eyes on you, all talking to you and –
“Pinkie Pie can be ever so energetic at times, are you sure you’re up for having a party? You might just want a quiet first day to settle in,” Rarity’s caring words broke my train of thought but made me feel at ease instantly.
I knew the best way to break my anxiety of meeting Rarity’s friends would be to agree to have a party, “I’d love a party, it’ll get me making friends so it’s all good,” I whispered to Rarity happily, “Thanks, Miss Pinkie Pie, I’d love to have a party!” I called at her as she continued bouncing around aimlessly.
“You seem like a cool kid! I hope you’re ready for an awesome time living here!” Rainbow Dash spoke confidently.
I nodded back eagerly; I was amazed by how cool and welcoming Rarity’s friends were.
“Oh I really hope you enjoy your time here Flick, Ponyville is such a beautiful place with so many amazing critters,” The quiet soothing voice of Fluttershy was like a gentle song, “You’re always welcome to come to my cottage and meet all the animals.”
I gazed at Fluttershy for the very first time, the bright yellow Pegasus with her flowing pink mane and bright sparkling eyes that resonated true kindness, her beautiful soft voice still echoed in my ears like an angelic –
Hey wait, you two do know I had a little crush on your aunt Fluttershy when I was a kid right?
Huh… Well, now you know… Moving on…
“There is one last pony you need to meet,” Rarity glanced over at Sweetie Belle who had been hanging back the entire time. “Sweetie Belle, come over here, meet your cousin Flick,” She waved her hoof to encourage her younger sister.
Sweetie Belle slowly walked towards me hesitantly, I smiled at her, hoping she would take kindly to me.
“You two have never met I know, but I’m sure you will both get on just fine! You’re the same age and are family after all,” Rarity stepped back and watched the first meeting between her two youngest family members.
“Hi, I’m Flick,” I giggled nervously, “Crazy to think we’re cousins and we’ve never met huh?” I smiled.
Sweetie Belle stopped right in front of me, she observed me blankly for a moment.
I was finally meeting my cousin, the wonderfully kind Sweetie Belle, who over the course of this story became the absolute guiding light in my life, my best friend, one of the kindest, most generous, heartwarming ponies I’d ever met.
“You smell like rotten trash,” She stepped back from me slightly in disgust.
“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity gasped in horror.
“No, it’s fine!” I interjected, laughing nervously, “I ran into a trash bag on my way here, somepony just happened to throw one right in my path,” I rolled my eyes playfully.
Sweetie Belle began to laugh, “So you’re my cousin huh? Nice to meet you!” She perked up, quickly examining me once more. “You’re a blank flank,” she commented.
I stared back at my flank, my white coat was missing the essential cutie mark I so desired, I let out a long-drawn sigh, “Yeah, I’m still looking for what makes me special, sometimes it feels like I’ll never find it.”
Sweetie Belle smiled and turned to show me her blank flank, “Snap! Me and my two best friends have a group called the Cutie Mark Crusaders, we’re a team working together to help each other find our cutie marks,” She proclaimed.
“Whoa, That sounds amazing!”
“You could always join us! I mean… if you wanted to,” She poked her hoof at the ground nervously.
“Really? Yeah! I mean I'd love to!” I wagged my tail excitedly.
“Really? Awesome! I’ll tell my friends and I’m sure they’ll love to have a new member!“
Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped in-between us, “Apple Bloom and Scootaloo will both be at the party, so this is going to be great!”
I was baffled by the sheer amount of excitement and happiness that was radiating from the new group of ponies I’d just met, I couldn’t help but smile.
Rainbow Dash suddenly swooped into the air, “Let's get the party started then! Welcome to Ponyville, Flufftail!” She began to laugh. “Flufftail, oh jeez I'm sorry that name just cracks me up!"
Rarity shot another glance up at Rainbow Dash.
Again, thanks Rainbow Dash.
So later that day we all gathered at Rarity’s home and workplace, Carousel Boutique, to have a small party celebrating my arrival.
“Well, it’s sure nice to meet you both!” I smiled at Sweetie Belle’s two friends.
“You too Flick! Sweetie Belle was sayin' you were wanting to join our group?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Yeah, I’d love to! I’ve always wanted to earn my cutie mark, I’ve just been a little bit clueless as to where I should start.”
“You came to the right ponies, we crusaders are the best of the best at earning cutie marks,” Scootaloo said, taking a sip of her milkshake, so calm and cool.
“Yep! We’re so good, we haven’t even come close to getting them yet!” Sweetie Belle tilted her head and smiled sarcastically at me.
Scootaloo scoffed, “Okay so we haven’t earned our cutie marks yet, but we are super close… We’re a pretty serious group though Flick," She took a step towards me and glared into my eyes, "Have you got what it takes to join us?”
Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah, you’ve gotta be up to the challenge and ya gotta be sure as hay that ya can put all the hard work in, what do ya say, think you're able to handle it?"
“Erm,” I laughed nervously, “I'm sure as hay I am?” I gave my best convincingly confident smile.
Apple Bloom nodded slowly, “Then I guess…” She glanced at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
“You’re in!” Sweetie Belle put her hoof around me, “The new crusader! Welcome to the club cousin!” She beamed.
The four of us cheered excitedly and I felt the immense happiness of surprising social acceptance.
Fluttershy suddenly walked over, greeting us with her warm adorable smile, “Oh you four seem so happy, it’s so lovely to see your little smiling faces.”
“Oh yeah, Fluttershy, we just recruited Flick here as our new team member! The new cutie mark crusader!” Sweetie Belle rejoiced, rubbing her hoof on my mane.
“Oh that’s so lovely you little sweeties, I’m sure with a new member you’ll all get your cutie marks very soon,” She cheered softly, “I’m going to help Pinkie with the cake, it should be ready soon for you to fill your little tummies,” She carried on walking over to the kitchen.
“She’s so sweet…” I muttered to myself in awe as I dazedly watched her leave.
“Fluttershy? Yeah, she’s pretty cool, she’s always so kind,” Sweetie Belle couldn’t help notice my transfixed gaze, "You okay?"
“So kind, caring, calm,” I blushed, whilst smiling like an idiot, oblivious to the last thing Sweetie Belle had asked, "And she's so soft-spoken, it's soothing."
In exactly two months from that moment, in the very room we were in, Fluttershy would go on to scream and lash out in anger louder than anypony I’d ever seen. I tell you, Rarity’s birthday party went insanely wrong… I’ll get to that later.
“Ya still with us Flick?” Apple Bloom asked, waving her hoof in front of my face, her voice cut through my thoughts.
I shook my head and snapped back to reality again, “Yep! I am still very much here, yep… So…” I hoped my friends hadn’t noticed me blushing.
“So you’ve joined the little group then!” Rarity approached us, gazing lovingly down at her baby sister and me.
“Oh yeah! I'm a cutie mark crusader now! We’re going to get our cutie marks and we’re going to do it with style!” I tapped my hooves on the ground in excitement, glancing at my newfound friends who shared with me a look of determination.
“As long as you stay out of trouble of course!” Rarity giggled, patting Sweetie Belle and me as she began to walk off towards the kitchen, “Okay there’s more milkshakes on the table over there for you and the cake will be out in a few minutes!” She called back to us.
“We'll be right over for the cake! and Thanks for the milkshakes!" I called at Rarity, I gleefully wagged my tail, “Oh this is great! I’m so happy!"
"It's going to be one awesome adventure!" Scootaloo jumped up and flapped her tiny wings with excitement, barely hovering off the ground.
“Wow, So I really do have friends now! This is pretty cool…” I spoke out loud, mostly talking to myself in disbelief.
“Don’t you have friends back in Manehatten?” Sweetie Belle asked me sympathetically.
“Well, yeah…sort of,” I cleared my throat and quickly changed the subject, “Anyways, this summer is going to be amazing, let's earn our cutie marks!”
“Oh yeah! Here’s to Flicktailus Flufftail, my cousin, the new cutie mark crusader!” Sweetie Belle grabbed her milkshake and raised the glass.
We all grabbed ours and clinked them together with a cheer of happiness.
So that’s how I became a member of the group, I had no idea of the incredible adventure that was in store for me, but oh boy it was about to begin.
“Wait… Flufftail?” Scootaloo began to snigger, "That's your last name?" She then started to laugh uncontrollably.
Sweetie Belle shot Scootaloo an annoyed glance.
…Thanks, Scootaloo.
