Friendship is Magic: The Seventh Element

Along the edges of Ponyville, there stood a building that marked the halfway point between the main town area and Sweet Apple Acres: The schoolhouse. A place where young ponies come and be educated in the skills they needed to find their future careers as well as how to put their cutie mark talents to good use. The school bell rang at the top tower, as the students inside chat about various topics and subjects, waiting for their classes to begin. Several of the young ponies already had cutie marks on their flanks. Miss Cheerilee, whose cutie mark was three happy flowers, stood before the chattering students.

“Let’s quiet down please,” Cheerilee said. “We have a very important lessons to get to.”

It wasn’t long before all the students settle down, giving her their full attention.

“Thank you,” She replied. “Today we are going to be talking about cutie marks.”

“Bo-ring!” A filly sighed.

This was Diamond Tiara, recognized by her soft pink fur, a lavender mane with white highlights, and a diamond tiara on her head.

“You can all see my cutie mark, can’t you?” Miss Cheerilee asked, continuing her lesson. “Like all ponies, I wasn’t born with a cutie mark. My flank was blank.”

She showed a picture of herself as a little baby. A young filly named Twist found the photo adorable. She was a cream-colored pony with a red mane and tail that could rival Pinkie’s in terms of cotton candy poofy-ness. She also had a pair of blue thick-rimmed glasses that added to how cute she was… but not as cute as Cheerilee’s baby picture.

“Aww…! She’s so precious,” She replied, with a strong lisp.

“Then one day, when I was about your age,” Miss Cheerilee continued. “I woke up to find that a cutie mark had appeared.”

Miss Cheerilee then showed a picture of herself with her cutie mark and an attire that clearly screamed her days as a teenage rebel of the late 1980s… probably early 1990s… either way, some of the little ponies just laughed.

“Look at her hair!” A young pony pointed out.

“Yes I know,” Miss Cheerilee said, with a discreet eye roll. “But honestly, that’s how every pony was wearing their mane back then. I had decided to become a teacher, and the flowers symbolized my hope that I could help my future students bloom if I nurtured them with knowledge. The smiles represented the cheer I hope to bring to my little ponies while they are learning…”

Some ponies were listening attentively with smiles on their faces, others looked bored and were just staring at their fore-hooves. Some, like a certain tiara wearing pony, were annoying other ponies since they flat out didn’t care about what Miss Cheerilee was saying.

“Now can anyone tell me when a pony gets his or her cutie mark?”

“Oh! Oh! Oh!” Twist raised her hoof. “When she discovers that certain something that makes her special!”

“That’s right, Twist,” Miss Cheerilee said. “A cutie mark appears on a pony’s flank when he or she finds that certain something that makes them different from every other pony…”

By now Apple Bloom had grabbed a pencil in her mouth, just taking notes as Cheerilee continued her lecture.

“… Discovering what makes you unique isn’t something…”

“Pssst!”

“… that happens overnight, and no amount of hoping, wishing…”

“Pssst!”

“… or begging, would make a cutie mark appear before its time.”

“Pssst!”

By this point, Apple Bloom was getting frankly annoyed at all the noise-making.

“What?!” Apple Bloom snapped.

Diamond Tiara held a note in her mouth, gesturing to Silver Spoony, a grey pony with a whitish grey mane in a braid and some red horizontal oval-shaped glasses on her face, was motioning for the note. Apple Bloom thought nothing less and just grabbed the note with her mouth.

“Apple Bloom!” Miss Cheerilee called out, sternly.

Both fillies pulled apart, but poor Apple Bloom still had the note in her mouth. Diamond Tiara pout on an innocent smile on her face.

“Are you passing a note?”

“Uh, I… Um…”

Poor Apple Bloom couldn’t explain herself, while Diamond watched with a vicious smile on her face as the note hit the floor.

“What could be so important that it couldn’t wait until after class?” Miss Cheerilee asked.

It was then she noticed that the note had… nothing on it.

“It’s blank.”

“Remind you of any pony?” Diamond chuckled, out of the blue.

Apparently, Apple Bloom hadn’t earned her cutie mark just yet. The other students began to chuckle, whispering to each other as the yellow filly sunk into her seat, very embarrassed.

*Deploy Theme Song here*

Soon the school bell rang, signaling the end of another day of learning, every pony made their way out of the building. Apple Bloom was feeling rather glum, still embarrassed at being put on the spot earlier that day despite Cheerilee dealing with Diamond Tiara for teasing her. Her friend Twist was in high spirits, mimicking Pinkie’s bounce.

“Want some sweets?” Twist offered. “I’ve got some peppermint sticks. I made them myself.”

“Mm-mm,” Apple Bloom answered, but clearly not listening.

“They’ll make you smi-i-le,” Twist offered again.

“No…” Apple Bloom replied, depressed.

It was then a certain tiara-wearing pony, along with her best friend, decided to make themselves known as they walked in front of the two fillies.

“I don’t know why we had o sit through a lecture about getting a cutie mark,” Diamond Tiara complained to Silver Spoon. “I mean, waiting for your cutie mark is sooo last week. You got yours, I just got mine. We all have them already.”

She gasped, only it was clearly not a sincere one, as she looked at Twist and Apple Bloom.

“I mean, almost all of us have them already,” Diamond Tiara continued.

Twist looked indignant, while Apple Bloom just kept a curious look on her face.

“Don’t worry, you two, you’re still totally invited to my cute-ceanera this weekend.”

For those wondering what that is, it’s the pony equivalent to a quinceanera. Except rather than being celebrated at a certain age, it was held when a filly, or even a colt since cute-ceaneras are not gender specific, earned their cutie mark. The fact Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came from high class families gave them more reason to brag over such a party.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Silver Spoon added.

“It’s a party celebrating me and my fantastic cutie mark,” Diamond Tiara bragged.

Rubbing it in their face, she displayed her cutie mark, which was a five pronged tiara, as if she weren’t conceited enough wearing one on her head.

“How could it not be?”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon soon began their small dance together.

“Bump! Bump! Sugar lump, rump!” Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sang.

They finished their dance by smashing their back ends into each other, showing off their cutie marks with a laugh.

“Gimme a break,” Apple Bloom muttered, with a long face.

“See you this weekend…” Silver Spoon said.

“Blank Flanks!” The two wealthy ponies said together.

The two fillies laughed, as they walked away… until they ran right into Storm Shield, who looked very upset. He gave the two a blank stare. Silver Spoon took a step back, while Diamond bravely glared back at him.

“What are you doing here?” Diamond asked snootily. “Shouldn’t you be making your deliveries to my father or geeking it up at the Library?”

Since the day Storm met Diamond Tiara, he had taken a polar disliking to her. Diamond Tiara seemed to snob him every time he came by. Naturally, Storm tried to be kind, but eventually he stopped trying to make conversation with her… unless he knew she was up to no good.

“On the contrary, I’ve already made my delivery,” Storm answered plainly. “And I’ll have you know there’s more to life than just studying.”

“Tell that to Miss Cheerilee,” Silver Spoon replied, rolling her eyes.

This actually made Storm chuckle since he found Silver Spoon ‘tolerable’. While she didn’t have issues trying to be friendly with him, Storm could see the bad influence Diamond Tiara had the way Silver Spoon treated others. Frankly, he couldn’t understand why she’d resort to being mean to save face, or reputation, or whatever’s on her mind.

“Trust me Silver, it will be worth it in the future,” Storm said. “I’m sure there won’t be any troubleat the party this weekend, right Miss Tiara?”

“And who said you are going to be there?” Diamond Tiara asked angrily.

Storm leaned forward slightly.

“I happen to be the best friend and assistant to Pinkie Pie, who’s planning and hosting your little cute-ceanera,” Storm replied sternly. “And Apple Bloom just happens to be a very close friend of mine… if you catch my drift.”

This was his ‘big’ hint that he heard what they said. While Silver Spoon turned away, Diamond kept glaring before she rolled her eyes at him.

“Whatever,” She muttered.

Diamond Tiara stomped away with her nose in the air, while Silver Spoon followed and kept her eyes away from Storm. The stallion watched them disappear before approaching Apple Bloom and Twist.

“Why were y’all talkin’ to them?” Apple Bloom asked curiously.

“I saw what they were doing,” Storm replied, glaring back at them. “I know what it’s like being the one pony with the blank flank… and getting bullied for it. Just so you know, if they ever give you too much trouble, you can always let me know. I got your back, Apple Bloom… same for you Twist.”

Twist just smiled, but Apple Bloom was still too glum to fully appreciate the extra moral support.

<>

Later that day, Storm was kind enough to escort Twist home before bringing Apple Bloom back to Sweet Apple Acres. While Applejack was hard at work in the orchard, Apple Bloom was still fuming.

“It’s not fair!” Apple Bloom complained, pacing about. “It’s just not fair!”

“Don’t get your mane in a tangle,” Applejack said. “You’ll get your cutie mark. Every pony gets one eventually.”

“But I don’t want one eventually!” Apple Bloom retorted. “I want one right now! I can’t go to Diamond Tiara’s cute-ceanera without one, I just can’t!”

“Course you can,” Applejack said.

“You sure about that?” Storm asked. “Take it from some pony whose seen how the filly treats Apple Bloom and some pony whose been at the receiving end of it in his younger days.”

“Ponies like that exist everywhere, sugar cube,” Applejack replied. “You just gotta learn not to take their words to heart and spoil yer day or yer fun at a party.”

“Easier said than done, Applejack,” Storm replied. “But very true nevertheless.”

While some bullies like Trixie never grew out of it, he did know ‘some’ ponies, young and adult, that did grow up and were now on friendly terms with him… but that’s another story.

“Y’know,” Applejack spoke. “I was the last pony in my class to get my cutie mark, and I couldn’t be prouder of it. I knew my future was to run Sweet Apple Acres, and these bright shiny apples sealed the deal…”

As Applejack continued to talk, Apple Bloom continued to pout and pace about nearby.

“Come to think of it, Granny Smith was the last one in her class,” Applejack gasped. “Huh, same as Big MacIntosh.”

Eventually Apple Bloom sat down and leaned her fore-hooves onto a bucket of apples.

“I really don’t see how that’s supposed to make me feel better,” Apple Bloom sighed. “It probably means being the last one in your class to get a cutie mark runs in the family.”

“What about you Storm?” Applejack asked curiously.

“You’d be surprised,” Storm chuckled. “I was the last in my class to get my cutie mark.”

Apple Bloom and Applejack turned toward Storm in surprise.

“Seriously?” Apple Bloom asked, in shock.

“It’s true,” Storm answered. “A lot of students in school, before magic school that is, were getting their cutie marks at ages younger than Apple Bloom. Yet… there I was, the only blank flank for years! I still remember the nickname bullies gave me: “Last Blank Standing”… oh, how I despisedthat name. Course it wasn’t until just before I entered magic school that I finally got my cutie mark. How bad would the bullying have been if I started without one, especially when all the first year students had their cutie marks?”

Storm shuttered at the thought as Apple Bloom continued to sulk.

“Well, being last still runs in this family,” Apple Bloom repeated, before realizing. “… runs in the family. Runs in the family! Runs in the family!”

Apple Bloom excited rushed over to Applejack, peeking out from behind her.

“You’ve got apples for your cutie mark,” Apple Bloom pointed to Applejack. “Granny Smith has an apple pie. Big MacIntosh has an apple half, my unique talent has som’n to do with apples! Apples, apples, apples!”

Apple Bloom began to hop and jump about excitedly until…

*CRASH!*

She landed in a bucket of apples, knocking all its contents all over the grounds.

“Oops… hehe, apples,” Apple Bloom smiled sheepishly.

Applejack sighed to herself, while Storm quietly chuckled.

<>

It wasn’t much longer till Applejack had Storm Shield transport some apples with his magic, this way she and Apple Bloom could sell them to the customers in the town’s marketplace. Apple Bloom was eager to start selling, as she had a white apron on along with her sister. Storm just watched the two sisters do their work, with his part of the work done this meant he could ‘supervise’ for the time being.

“Get your delicious, nutritious apples here!” Applejack called, to ponies nearby.

“Delicious and nutritious, and so many uses!” Apple Bloom added.

She balanced an apple on her head before tossing it into her mouth, gobbling it up.

“You can eat ‘em…”

She then swallowed the apple.

“… Play with them…”

She tossed an apple in the air, grabbed a nearby racket and swung the apple away with a ‘SMACK!’. The apple splattered onto the racket and the rest towards a random passerby.

“Hey, watch it!”

“Create fine art for your home with ‘em,” Apple Bloom continued. “You have to be crazy not to get a bushel of your very own!”

She bucked an apple onto some pony’s art canvas, the pony using the canvas just glared. Applejack looked rather embarrassed, while Storm kept chuckling quietly in the background with his train of empty freight cars.

“Heh… she’s so creative, heh,” Applejack replied sheepishly.

Just then Apple Bloom approached a nearby colt, whose name was Time Turner. But for whatever reason, some ponies have been going around calling him ‘Dr. Hooves’.

“You, sir, care t’ buy some apples?” Apple Bloom offered.

“No thanks,” The pony answered.

“Why not?” Apple Bloom asked, taking a step forward.

“I have plenty at home,” Time Turner replied, taking a step back.

“Are you sure?” Apple Bloom asked directly.

Without question, this was making the colt veryuncomfortable.

“Yes, I’m pretty sure I…” Time Turner tried to answer.

“You’re pretty sure, but you’re not absolutely, positively, completely super-duper sure, are you?” Apple Bloom questioned.

The poor colt found himself backed into a corner, so to speak.

“Y… ah… if I buy some apples, will you please leave me alone?” He asked feebly.

Apple Bloom’s stern look flipped instantly.

“All right!” She replied cheerfully.

Time Turner only grabbed one apple, tossed a few coins into Applejack’s front apron pocket, and took off. Needless to say, Storm looked worried.

“Well… that’s one way to force a sale,” He remarked.

While he never owned a business himself, Storm had taken several business management classes in his later school years. After his whole athletics ordeal, he just felt having some prior business knowledge would come in handy in the long run. Either way, he knew Apple Bloom’s sale tactics were stirring some trouble.

“You forgot your change!” Applejack called out.

But it was too late. Time Turner had already gone, and there was no way he’d be back anytime.

“Woo-hoo!” Apple Bloom cheered, pleased with herself. “That’s how you sell s’m apples and get a cutie mark!”

Apple Bloom began walking around in circles, like a dog chasing its own tail.

“So, what does my cutie mark look like? A shoppin’ back full of apples? A satisfied customer eating an apple?”

Apple Bloom noticed that her flank… was still blank.

“Hmm… maybe I gotta increase my sales figures first.”

She soon noticed some pony checking out the apples on the stand.

“You touch it, you buy it!” Apple Bloom said sternly.

Her words unintentionally sent the pony reeling back and rushing off. Apple Bloom soon noticed some other pony looking about.

“We take cash or credit.”

The second pony just looked indignant, as Applejack pulled Apple Bloom out of the pony’s face. Storm slapped a hoof over his face, shaking his head.

“Ooh boy…”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Applejack apologized, before facing her sister. “Aww… now Apple Bloom, you can’t just…”

But once again, Applejack was too late. Apple Bloom dropped some apples into Bon Bon’s saddlebag.

“That’ll be four bits,” Apple Bloom said plainly.

“I didn’t put those in my bag!” Bon Bon answered.

“Likely story,” Apple Bloom replied sternly. “Four bits, lady!”

Applejack grabbed Apple Bloom by her giant bow, drawing her away.

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack scolded, before addressing Bon Bon. “I am really sorry about that. She’s new. Here, take these. No charge.”

Bon Bon just looked, as Applejack gave her a few more apples… and the former just glared.

“And these,” Applejack offered.

But even with more apples in the second pocket of her saddle bag, Bon Bon just kept glaring. Applejack sighed.

“And these,” Applejack replied.

She gave Bon Bon another bucket loaded with even more apples onto her back. Bon Bon groaned as she gave Applejack a strained smile, carrying all the apples away. Seeing the entire apple stand now nearly empty, Storm sighed.

“There goes today’s profits… and on the first day,” Storm told himself. “Some pony is definitely getting fired.”

“Y’all come back now, y’hear?” Applejack called out.

Shen then gave Apple Bloom a glare, finally having enough.

“What?” Apple Bloom asked cluelessly.

“Sorry, little sis, but your apple-sellin’ days are over,” Applejack said firmly.

She quickly pulled off her little sister’s apron.

“What?” Apple Bloom exclaimed in disbelief. “But how else am I gonna get my cutie mark?”

“Home. Now,” Applejack spoke sternly.

But unlike before, Apple Bloom didn’t leave. She grabbed her apron back and pouted while holding the apron in her mouth. Seeing this sad sight, Applejack decided to try a different approach.

“Ugh. Listen, sugar cube,” Applejack spoke gently. “I know it’s hard to wait for your own cutie mark, but you can’t just force it. Besides, you’re not that grown up just yet. Ain’t there other fillies in your class without one?”

Apple Bloom pondered, as she sat hunched to the ground.

“Well… Twist doesn’t have hers yet,” Apple Bloom said.

“Do you think you’d feel better if you went to the party with Twist?” Storm inquired. “You two seem like pretty good friends.”

“Mmm-hmm…” Apple Bloom nodded.

“Well there you go,” Applejack smiled. “Bet you and Twist would have a great time together. Now run along and find your friend.”

Apple Bloom nodded, turned to leave, but stopped as if she just remembered something.

“You’re sure you don’t want me to stick around ‘til the end of th’ market?”

While Applejack knew her sister’s intentions were genuine, she knew keeping her sister around would do more harm than good. Especially when a pony named Ace Point arrived, with a messy racket.

“Hey! Who’s been using my racket?” Ace Point demanded.

Eeyup… more harm than good.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Applejack answered wearily.

Storm Shield approached Apple Bloom, knowing he needed to get out of the market… and fast.

“Come along, Apple Bloom,” Storm offered. “I was just getting Applejack some more apples anyway… luckily, Twist’s home is just on the way.”

Apple Bloom smiled since she enjoyed getting a ride on a platform like royalty, with Storm’s duplicates carrying it.

<>

It didn’t take long before Storm and his crew brought Apple Bloom to Twist’s home. While the duplicates collapsed and vanished into smoke, the ‘real’ Storm waited to see how things would go before leaving. Apple Bloom, meanwhile, quietly knocked on the door… the top half opened revealing Twist’s face.

“Oh, what’s up, Apple Bloom?” Twist asked curiously.

“So I was thinkin’…” Apple Bloom said slowly. “Maybe we could go to Diamond Tiara’s cute-ceanera together. I don’t have a cutie mark; you don’t have a cutie mark.

“Well, um…” Twist replied slowly.

The filly opened the bottom half of the door. Apple Bloom gasped when she noticed that upon Twist’s flank was a pair of candy canes, shaped into a heart.

“Isn’t my cutie mark swell?” Twist asked excitedly. “I’ve always loved making my own favorite sweets, but it took me some time to discover that it was my super-special talent. Pretty sweet, huh?”

“Yeah, pretty… sweet,” Apple Bloom replied.

Unfortunately, there was no hiding the sadness in her voice. Apple Bloom sat down, looking a bit stunned… if not glum.

“Hey… this doesn’t mean we can’t go to the cute-ceanera together,” Twist reassured. “You’re still gonna come to the party, are you?”

As if the situation couldn’t get any worse for the yellow filly, two particular wealthy fillies walked by. They had seen and heard ‘everything’.

“Of course she will,” Diamond Tiara said smugly.

“It’s not like being the only pony there without a cutie mark would be, like, the most embarrassing thing ever!” Silver Spoon added spitefully.

As the two fillies laughed, poor Apple Bloom bit her lip and her eyes grew big, looking she’d burst into tears at any moment. Storm looked on sadly before giving the two wealthy fillies an unnoticeable death glare. He then noticed them approaching his side and a devious smile stretched across his face. Quietly, he orchestrated his magic to make an exhaust pipe appear behind their fore-legs.

*WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESH!*

The loud burst of steam only made Silver Spoon jump with fright, but poor Diamond Tiara jumped a good ten feet into the air with a loud shriek. Storm quickly put the distraught Apple Bloom onto his back and carried her away. Diamond Tiara was left frazzled and shocked for a few seconds, before recomposing herself.

“ONE OF THESE DAYS I’M GONNA GET YOU FOR THAT, STORM SHIELD!!!” She screamed.

“NO, YOU WON’T!!!” Storm called back.

Suffice to say, they both knew her threat was empty given Storm was good friends with her father. He always managed to justify his actions, exposing her little schemes with ease. Plus, the fact Storm performed his deliveries (For free) worked to his advantage. It would hurt her father’s business if Storm got fired… and she’d get the blame for it.

In all the commotion and Storm’s efforts to help, neither of them realized that Apple Bloom left Twist’s question about going to the cute-ceanera together unanswered. Fortunately, the commotion made Twist for the question entirely. Still, despite Storm’s attempts to cheer up Apple Bloom, not even a warm hug or an open ear could make Apple Bloom feel any better.

<>

The day of the party arrived, and the depressed filly just sat quietly by herself near one of the town’s water fountains. It wasn’t too long before a certain blue Pegasus appeared from above her.

“Whoa, looks like some pony’s got a dark cloud hanging over her head,” Rainbow remarked. “Let me do something about that.”

Rainbow literally moved a huge black cloud above Apple Bloom’s head. She then made her landing just beside the discouraged little filly.

“What’s the matter, kid?” Rainbow asked.

Apple Bloom looked at her sadly before inhaling deeply.

“There’s a cute-ceanera this afternoon and every pony in my class will be there and they’ll all have their cutie marks and I wanna get my cutie mark but I’m not good at sellin’ apples but I really wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don’t have my cutie mark which my big sister says I’m gonna get eventually but… I WANT IT NOW!”

Apple Bloom said all that in one breath, with a loud whine at the end. Surprisingly, Rainbow just soaked everything in.

“Cutie mark?” Rainbow replied. “I can get you a cutie mark like that!”

She flicked her tail to make the sound of a finger *SNAP!* as she finished her sentence.

“Applejack said these things take time,” Apple Bloom said. “I just have to wait for it to happen.”

“Why wait for something to happen when you can make it happen?” Rainbow suggested.

“But Applejack says th…” Apple Bloom began.

“Hey, who are you gonna listen to, Applejack?” Rainbow interrupted, mocking the orange pony’s face and pose. “Or the pony who was first in her class to get a cutie mark? I always liked flying an’ all, but I was going nowhere in a hurry. It wasn’t until my very first race that I discovered a serious need for speed, and KAZAM, this sweet baby appeared as fast as lightning.”

Apple Bloom smiled, clearly impressed, and determined to follow in Rainbow’s example.

<>

Soon, both ponies donned some exercise headbands and Apple Bloom was busy doing push-ups. Rainbow Dash served as Apple Bloom’s coach for the rest of the day.

“That’s right, stretch out those legs,” Rainbow instructed. “Gotta be nice and loose. The key here is to try as many things as possible as quickly as possible. One of them is bound to lead to your cutie mark. Are you ready?”

“I’m ready!” Apple Bloom declared, determined.

“I said: Are! You! Ready!” Rainbow repeated.

“I’M READY!” Apple Bloom said loudly.

Rainbow Dash blew a whistle around her neck.

“Juggling, go!” Rainbow called.

Apple Bloom tried balancing two rings of balls…

“Ah!”

But ended up tripping and dropping all the balls she was juggling. Next, they headed toward a nearby cliff.

“Hang-gliding, go!” Rainbow called, blowing her whistle.

Apple Bloom, now with a hang glider attached to her body, made a running start for takeoff.

“Whoa!”

Apple Bloom cried out as she tripped and landed skidding across the dirt upside down, just along the very edge of the cliff. They moved to the local dojo, both ponies wearing white robes.

“Karate, go!” Rainbow called, with a whistle blow.

“Hi-ya!”

Apple Bloom went for a dive kick toward the nearby sandbag. Unfortunately, the sandbag was so dense that when Apple Bloom kicked it, her body painfully twitched before she landed on her back.

“Ultrapony Roller Derby, go!” Rainbow called, with a whistle blow.

Their next idea… saw Apple Bloom in full gear, as she rolled past the Pegasus. The poor Earth pony winced fearfully as some aggressive, experienced roller ponies growled toward her.

“Whoaaa! Whoa…!” Apple Bloom cried out.

She tumbled forward into a somersault; the other roller ponies gasped before…

*BAM!*

Every pony crashed into her. Despite the piled mess of ponies and roller gear, Apple Bloom just smiled sheepishly as she rolled through the mess completely unharmed.

<>

Eventually, Apple Bloom reclined under a tree near Rarity’s boutique. Rainbow Dash went through her clipboard containing a long of list of things they tried to do to find Apple Bloom’s cutie mark. By Rainbow’s count, it wasn’t looking good for the filly.

“Tried that one… tried that one… tried that one…” Rainbow read aloud to herself.

It was then Apple Bloom heard two familiar voices nearby. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, just coming out of Rarity’s boutique. Diamond Tiara had a large package on her back.

“You’re new outfit is, like, perfect for the party,” Silver Spoon said, as they walked by.

“I know,” Diamond Tiara replied. “It totally shows off my cutie mark.”

“I love being special,” Silver Spoon sighed to herself.

“Can you imagine how embarrassing it must be to be… not special?” Diamond asked, out of the blue.

“I don’t even want to, like, think about it,” Silver Spoon retorted.

While the two fillies walked out of sight, Rainbow was so busy with her list she didn’t even hear the two fillies go by.

“Tried that one… tried that one…” Rainbow continued.

Poor Apple Bloom was feeling miserable, as if they knew she was in the bushes the entire time.

“I’m doomed. Doomed!” Apple Bloom cried out to the world. “I’ll never find sumth’n I’m good at!”

“You look like you’d be good at eating cupcakes,” A voice replied.

Apple Bloom noticed a very familiar pink pony with cotton candy hair beside her.

“Eating cupcakes?” Apple Boom repeated, puzzled.

“Eating cupcakes?” Rianbow repeated, equally confused.

“Eating cupcaaakes!” Pinkie said, bouncing up and down merrily.

Apple Bloom felt inspired… till she remembered that Rainbow was still trying to help her. Slowly, she backed away from the Pegasus trying to think of an excuse to leave.

“I really appreciate all your help, Rainbow Dash,” Apple Bloom said. “You’re a really great coach and I really learned a lot from you and I’m sure I can learn a lot more but… I’ve got cupcakes to eat! See you at the cute-ceanera! Hold on, Pinkie Pie, I’m comin’.”

Apple Bloom zoomed away, leaving a stunned, indignant Rainbow behind.

<>

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this,” Apple Bloom said excitedly. ‘A cupcake-eating cutie mark, it’s sooo obvious. Now, where are those cupcakes? I’m ready t’ chow down!”

Apple Bloom was already in the kitchen of Sugar Cube Corner, searching about every cabinet. But the little filly could find no cupcakes available to eat.

“I don’t have any cupcakes,” Pinkie said, matter-of-factly.

“Oh,” Apple Bloom sighed, disappointed.

“But you look like you’d be good at helping me make some,” Pinkie suggested, with a gasp.

“I guess, uh, making-cupcakes cutie mark could work too,” Apple Bloom said to herself.

Ladies and Gentlecolts, welcome to another episode of ‘Silly Songs with Pinkie Pie’ where Pinkie feels the delusional need to sing… well, a ‘silly’ song…

Pinkie Pie (sings):
All you have to do is take a cup of flour!
Add it to the mix!
Now just take a little something sweet, not sour!*

(Apple Bloom ironically balanced a lemon on her head, as it dropped to the floor)

Pinkie Pie (sings):
A bit of salt, just a pinch!
Baking these treats is such a cinch!
Add a teaspoon of vanilla!
Add a little more, and count to four,
And you never get your fill of…
Cupcakes! So sweet and tasty!
Cupcakes! Don’t be too hasty!
Cupcakes! Cupcakes, cupcakes, CUPCAKES!

*Pause* Don’t even ask how Pinkie Pie seemed to pop out at random angles and even appeared in two places at once. Just… don’t.

It was then Storm Shield arrived, having heard the singing from outside the kitchen.

“Thank Celestia that ended when I arrived,” He muttered.

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie wrapped a fore hoof around the colt.

“One more time!” Pinkie shouted.

Pinkie took a big gasp of air, until Storm shoved his own fore-hoof into her mouth.

“Let’s not!” Storm retorted. “I’ve got work to do.”

Storm picked up a nearby box with his horn and left the kitchen. Pinkie just watched him leave, forgetting he backed out of hearing her sing, and resumed with ‘helping’ Apple Bloom.

<>

A few hours later…

Apple Bloom and Pinkie Pie spent the day trying to bake batches of cupcakes together… leaving the kitchen in a complete mess. Apple Bloom was busily mixing up another batch when the oven went off. She coughed a bit, as some flour she bumped into hit her nose.

“Hot, hot, hot!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

She grabbed the tray using her mouth with a cloth but could still feel the heat from the tray as she set it on the floor before Pinkie. Apple Bloom’s cupcakes were burnt to a crisp!

“Oooh, those look much better than the last batch!” Pinkie said, eating a charred cupcake. “Mmm…”

Apple Bloom ate one… but made a face and spat it out.

“Ugh!” Apple Bloom cringed, her eyes watering. “I guess I’m not cut out to be a baker either.”

The little filly released a long sigh.

“I just have to face it, I’m gonna have a blank flank forever.”

“What about that?” Pinkie asked curiously.

In the midst of Apple Bloom’s sad rant, Pinkie Pie pointed toward a white smudge along the filly’s flank.

“What about what?” Apple Bloom asked curiously.

It was then she noticed the white smudge on her flank.

“Is there something on my flank? Is there, is there, is there?”

Apple Bloom gasped, using a dropped golden kettle to examine the smudge further.

“A cutie mark!” She exclaimed. “It’s a… a measuring cup? No. A mixin’ bowl? No… Are those cupcakes? A tower of cupcakes maybe.”

Apple Bloom’s hopes were dashed the moment Pinkie blew some air, removing what was just a simple stain of flour on her flank.

“Flour. It’s flour!” Pinkie replied excitedly. “Yay! I guessed it. What game you wanna play next? Please say bingo, please say bingo.”

Poor Apple Bloom was too upset to answer, as Twilight Sparkle arrived.

“Whoa,” Twilight exclaimed, examining the messy kitchen. “What’s been going on in here?”

“We’ve been making cupcakes,” Pinkie replied. “Wanna try them?”

Pinkie held the baking tray of charred cupcakes. Twilight just cringed at the sight.

“Nnnno thank you… not that they don’t look, heh, delicious,” Twilight said sheepishly.

“Twilight, you have to help me!” Apple Bloom pleaded.

“What’s the matter?” Twilight asked worried.

Apple Bloom inhaled deeply, ready to explain her situation all in one breath again.

“Tiara’s cute-ceanera’s today and every pony in my class will be there and they’ll all have their cutie marks and I want to get my cutie mark but I’m no good at selling apples or hang-gliding or making cupcakes, but I wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don’t have my cutie mark, which Pinkie Pie says I can’t just make appear, but I need it to appear, right now!”

“Uhh… I don’t follow,” Twilight said puzzled. “How can I help you?”

“You can use your magic to make my cutie mark appear,” Apple Bloom proposed.

“Oh no, Apple Bloom,” Twilight replied. “A cutie mark is something a pony has to discover for herself.”

“Please Twilight, jus’ trah,” Apple Bloom begged desperately.

“I’m sorry, but—”

“Oh please, please, please, please, please!”

“All right, all right!” Twilight conceded.

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you,” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

Twilight lowered her horn and used her magic to make a cutie mark appear on Apple Bloom’s flank.

“Yes! I knew you could do… it.”

Apple Bloom looked toward her new cutie mark, only for it to fade away less than two seconds after it appeared.

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Twilight apologized. “But I told you—”

“Try again, try again!” Apple Bloom begged.

Twilight just sighed as she did so, but the results were the same every time. For every cutie mark Twilight made appear, it disappeared soon after. Apple Bloom’s excitement faded with each disappearing cutie mark to the point Twilight Sparkle was exhausted.

“Told you that not even magic can make a cutie mark appear before it’s time,” Twilight replied.

Twilight tried to regain some energy when Storm arrived with a glass of water to drink.

“Thank you, Storm,” Twilight sighed.

“It’s the sad truth Apple Bloom,” Storm added. “If it were that simple, I’d have used my magic to make myself a cutie mark and spare myself all that misery as a foal.”

“It’s hopeless, hopeless!” Apple Bloom sighed, walking away sadly. “I just won’t go to the party, I can’t go. Everyone will just laugh at me and make fun of me and call me names. It will be the worst night of my life.”

“I’m sure it won’t be as bad as all that,” Twilight assured.

“Oh… you clueless mare,” Storm muttered.

Twilight glared, as Apple Bloom left the kitchen.

“Forget it, there’s no way I’m going to that… party…”

Apple Bloom gulped when she realized that by walking out of the kitchen, and into the main room of the shop, she walked smacked dab into the middle of Diamond Tiara’s cute-ceanera party. Storm could see her distress all the way from the kitchen. He went to save her, only for Twilight to stop him.

“Storm, stay put,” Twilight advised.

“Twilight, you don’t know how those two fillies are,” Storm rebutted sternly. “They are like Timberwolves ready to devour their next meal… and Apple Bloom’s their prey!”

“Storm, I know you want to help Apple Bloom, but she needs to learn to stand up to bullies on her own,” Twilight explained.

“I just don’t want anything bad to happen to her,” Storm sighed sadly. “When I was little, I was in the same situation. I get invited to a party only for every pony to tease and laugh at me for being the only pony without a cutie mark. It took me years before I found the courage to attend another party… only because I was all alone…”

“I know you mean well for Apple Bloom,” Twilight smiled, sympathetically. “But I assure you Apple Bloom won’t be alone. Applejack is aware of how those fillies are; she’s taken many measures to ensure Apple Bloom will have a good time at this party. Trust her, okay?”

Storm gave Twilight a reluctant nod, praying to Celestia that his best friend is right.

<>

Back outside the kitchen, several ponies continued to chatter amongst each other as Apple Bloom realized where she was. She saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, dressed in their outfits and talking to every pony arriving for the party. Ponies from her class, as well as older ponies (Possibly parents, siblings, and family friends), were there as well. Some of the younger ponies brought gifts too. One pony had taken a bite out of one of the cupcakes, only to spit it out. Apparently, Pinkie Pie put out the cupcakes Apple Bloom made and decorated them for the party.

“How could I have forgotten the time?” She asked herself, panicking. “How could I have forgotten Pinkie Pie was hosting the party? How could I have forgotten it was at Sugar Cube Corner?”

Apple Bloom quickly noticed a chocolate statue and hid behind it when Pinkie put a party hat on her head.

“Don’t forget your party hat, Forgetty Forgetterson!” Pinkie said cheerfully.

Once the pink pony bounced away, Apple Bloom zipped back behind her hiding place and quickly dashed toward a tall cake Storm baked himself.

“I have to get out of here before any pony sees me!” Apple Bloom said.

Just then she saw Snails approaching, the lanky unicorn took a huge bite out of the tall cake. Apple Bloom saw herself in plain sight and dashed for another hiding spot.

“Hey! It’s my cute-ceanera, I’m supposed to get the first bite of cake!” Diamond complained.

But Snails just smiled, clueless to her rants. Apple Bloom relocated behind a bunch of balloons… till a random unicorn appeared and mindlessly popped all the balloons as they danced. Apple Bloom ducked under the punch table, peeking out from underneath the tablecloth and noticed the exit to Sugar Cube Corner. Apple Bloom quietly tried to tip-toe toward the exit from beneath the table, stopping only when a pony went for a quick drink… straight from the punch bowl. Apple Bloom just reached the exit, seemingly home free, until…

“Apple Bloom, you made it!” Applejack said.

The cow pony walked right inside just as Apple Bloom was about to leave.

“After I heard about Twist, I was afraid you wouldn’t show up. I sure am glad you came to your senses about this whole cutie mark thing. These things happen when these things are supposed to happen. Trying to rush ‘em just drives you crazy. I’ll let you be, looks like your friends want to talk to you.”

The friends she was referring to happened to be Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who saw Apple Bloom desperately trying to leave. Applejack used her fore-hoof to push Apple Bloom further from the door. Both rich ponies had malicious smiles on their faces as they approached the yellow filly. Applejack headed towards the kitchen when Storm Shield was about to walk out.

“Applejack, you can’t possibly be that clueless to…”

Applejack cut off Storm Shield with a smile and a look that said, ‘Hush and trust me’. Storm conceded, but kept a discreet eye on the three girls watching as Apple Bloom began to panic and managed to successfully pull the pink tablecloth from under the punch bowl without spilling or dropping it. She then arranged the cloth, making it resemble a makeshift pink dress. Apple Bloom gave a grunt as she tied the cloth into place.

“Well, well, well, look who’s here,” Diamond Tiara spoke, too sweetly.

“Nice outfit,” Silver Spoon added, with the same tone.

“Just sumt’n I, uh, pulled together last minute,” Apple Bloom replied.

“It really shows off your cutie mark,” Diamond Tiara said. “Oh wait, that’s right, you don’t have one.”

“Uh, I have a cutie mark!” Apple Bloom fibbed.

“Eh, what?” Silver Spoon replied in disbelief. “Since when?”

“Since… Um… Earlier today,” Apple Bloom answered.

“Oh really?” Diamond replied, suspicious. “Let’s see it.”

“I shouldn’t… I couldn’t,” Apple Bloom said. “My cutie mark is so unbelievably amazing, I’m afraid that if I show it off, everyone will start paying attention to me instead of you. Outshined at your own cute-ceanera. Can you imagine how embarrassing that would be?”

That truly struck a nerve for Diamond Tiara, as she suddenly lost her composed demeanor for a moment.

“Uh, forget it, I didn’t really want to see it anyway,” Diamond Tiara huffed.

“Okay, well, I’m gonna go mingle,” Apple Bloom replied. “Enjoy your party.”

Apple Bloom breathed a sigh of relief… till a fore hoof snagged a part of the cloth, tearing it off of her, and sent her rolling forward into the record player with a…

*CRASH!*

The player made a loud scratch and the other ponies gasped. Apple Bloom’s worst fear was becoming a reality: Every pony staring at her and, as Storm said before, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon right up front like Timberwolves ready to kill their prey.

“Oh no,” Apple Bloom groaned.

“Oh no…” Storm moaned, covering his face.

“Wow, that is an amazing cutie mark,” Silver Spoon replied.

“Nice try…” Diamond Tiara added.

“Blank Flank!” They said in unison.

All the other ponies began to mumble and talk to one another, young and adult alike. This was not helping Storm’s increasing anxiety.

“What will I do? What’ll I do? What am I going to do?!?! If I stay put, Apple Bloom’s the laughingstock of ponyville. But if I interfere, I’m fighting her own battle! Urgh…”

Unable to take it anymore, Storm was about to take a hoof forward to save Apple Bloom until…

“You’ve got a problem with blank flanks!”

Storm stopped upon hearing the voice of a raspy voice, reminding him of Rainbow. He turned as the younger ponies gasped in unison. A young, orange Pegasus filly, with a magenta mane and tail, emerged from underneath a table. With her was a marshmallow unicorn filly with a curly lavender and soft pink mane and tail.

“I said, you got a problem with blank flanks?” The filly Pegasus asked again.

“The problem is, I mean, she’s like, totally not special,” Silver Spoon retorted.

Apple Bloom looked sad, till the two fillies stood between her.

“No, it means she’s full of potential,” The filly unicorn said.

“It means she could be great at anything,” The filly Pegasus added. “The possibilities are, like, endless.”

That last part purposely mocked Silver Spoon’s attitude.

“She could be a great scientist, or an amazing artist, or a famous writer,” The filly unicorn added. “She could be mayor of Ponyville someday.”

With each and every suggestion, Apple Bloom’s smile grew.

“And she’s not stuck being stuck-up like you two,” The filly Pegasus added.

The other ponies laughed at that remark.

“Hey, this is my party!” Diamond Tiara protested. “Why are you two on her side?”

“Because…”

The filly Pegasus and the filly unicorn showed off their flanks, which were just as blank as Apple Bloom’s. The yellow filly gasped with shock.

“You don’t have your cutie marks either?” Apple Bloom asked, surprised. “I thought I was the only one.”

“We thought we were the only two,” The filly Pegasus replied.

Twilight Sparkle allowed Storm Shield to come out of the kitchen with her, the latter smiling with satisfaction.

“I for one think you are three very lucky fillies,” Twilight added.

“Very luck indeed,” Storm nodded, facing the two fillies. “Nice to meet you two!”

The filly Pegasus gasped with shock.

“You!” She exclaimed. “You’re the… multiplying Unicorn!”

“You’re… you’re kinda cute,” The filly unicorn added, slightly bashful.

Storm just smiled back at her; the toothy grin made the unicorn blush harder. Diamond Tiara stood indignantly; Silver Spoon gritted her teeth in jealousy.

“Lucky?” Diamond Tiara barked angrily. “How can they be lucky?”

Now it was Twilight’s turn to glare indignantly.

“They still get to experience the thrill of discovering who they are,” Twilight answered. “And what they’re meant to be.”

“And they got all the time in the world to figure it out,” Applejack added. “Not just an afternoon.”

She gave her little sister a wink, as if proving her point.

“Take a look at Storm for example,” Twilight pointed out, stunning the colt. “He used to be the only colt in his class without a cutie mark. But because he didn’t rush it, he discovered just how much talent he really has. He’s an organizer, a writer, a botanist, a baker, an artist, an athlete…”

“He’s strong and hardworking,” Applejack added. “He isn’t just fast on his hooves, but also fast in how he gets things done and those things are done very well.”

Storm actually blushed over all the attention.

“None of those talents could have been discovered had he rushed to get his cutie mark,” Twilight continued. “Who knows? These three fillies might discover just as many talents… maybe even more!”

The other young ponies were most impressed.

“Wow Apple Bloom!” A young colt named Tornado Bolt said. “I wish I could be a scientist!”

“Do you really think you could be mayor?” A filly named Pina Colada asked.

“Maybe I got my cutie mark too soon,” A pony named Coronet replied.

Diamond Tiara suddenly noticed that all the ponies began chatting with the three fillies and completely ignored her.

“Hey, what’s every pony doing?” Diamond Tiara demanded. “This is my party, every pony is supposed to be paying attention to me.”

“That’s funny considering you wanted to make Apple Bloom the center of attention,” Storm remarked. “Looks like your plan worked, Diamond Tiara… just not the way you expected.”

Storm walked away, as Diamond Tiara formed a very sour look on her face. Silver Spoon tried to save some pride for her best friend.

“Whatever,” Silver Spoon spoke up. “We still think you’re losers, right Diamond Tiara? Bump, bump, sugar… lump…”

Silver Spoon soon realized her efforts to cheer up her best friend were futile, as Diamond Tiara kept pouting.

“Not now, Silver Spoon,” Diamond Tiara replied bluntly.

Back with the three fillies, the filly Pegasus and filly unicorn introduced themselves to Apple Bloom.

“Name’s Scootaloo,” the Pegasus said.

“And I’m Sweetie Belle,” The unicorn said.

“Apple Bloom,” The yellow filly answered.

<>

It wasn’t long before every pony was back to enjoying the party… except Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Diamond just sat near the top of the staircase, glaring bitterly at every pony as they enjoyed themselves. Silver Spoon watched as well, only more concerned about how to make her friend feel better more than anything else. Part of her wished she could go down and join the fun, but at the same time she didn’t want to leave Diamond Tiara alone. It was quite a predicament for the rich filly.

“This song is so super!” Twist said.

The little pony tossed herself high into the air, while the rest of the young ponies continued to dance. Applejack, Twilight, and Storm shared a toast of some punch together. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle sat together at a nearby table, chatting amongst themselves.

“So I was thinking,” Apple Bloom pondered. “Now that we’re friends… I mean, we are friends, right?”

“How could we not be?” Scootaloo replied. “We’re totally alike. We don’t have cutie marks. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon drive us crazy—”

“Totally crazy,” Sweetie Belle agreed.

“Well, now that we’re friends,” Apple Bloom repeated. “What if the three of us work together to find out who we are and what we’re supposed to be?”

“Ooh! Ooh!” Sweetie Belle bounced excitedly. “We could form our own secret society.”

“I’m liking this idea,” Scootaloo agreed.

“A secret society,” Apple Bloom pondered. “Yeah. We need a name for it though.”

“The Cutie Mark Three?” Scootaloo proposed.

“The Cutastically Fantastics?” Sweetie Belle offered.

“How about… The Cutie Mark Crusaders?” Apple Bloom offered.

“It’s perfect!” Scootlaoo smiled.

“This is gonna be so great!” Sweetie Belle said excitedly.

“We’re gonna be unstoppable!” Apple Bloom added.

“What do you say we celebrate with some of these delicious cupcakes?” Scootaloo suggested.

The Pegasus went for a bite, only for Apple Bloom to make her drop it on the table.

“Not the cupcakes,” Apple Bloom protested. “Trust me.”

“Let’s see if there are any cookies,” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“Yeah! Come on!” Apple Bloom gestured.

The three fillies got up to look but didn’t need to search long.

“Some pony call for cookies!” Storm called out.

He proposed a plate of rather large, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies before them. Soon Apple Bloom and her friends started grabbing a cookie.

“Oh wow!” Scootaloo smiled. “Thanks Mister Storm!”

“Just call me Storm, Scootlaoo,” He replied. “I’m good friends with Apple Bloom and hope we can be good friends too.”

“Sure thing, Storm!” Scootaloo answered, her mouth full.

Storm smiled as Sweetie Belle giggled shyly.

“Can I be your friend, Sweetie Belle?” Storm offered gently.

Sweetie Belle just giggled and nodded shyly with a light blush on her cheeks. Neither of them noticed a certain high-class filly with glasses shooting daggers at the two, especially when Storm offered Sweetie Belle a dance. Twilight smiled from afar, pleased to see every pony enjoying the party. Especially when the three fillies danced together with Storm, even Twist. As the party came to an end, Twilight Sparkle began writing her letter to Princess Celestia.

Dearest Princess Celestia,
I’m happiest to report that one of your youngest subjects has learned a valuable lesson about friendship. Sometimes the thing you think will cause you to lose friends and feel left out…

<>

… can actually be the thing that helps you make your closest friends and realize how special you are.

Princess Celestia read the letter aloud. By the time she finished, she gazed toward her own cutie mark with a sigh. All that was needed to know about it was this: When a pony finally gets their cutie mark…

The wait is always worth it…