//------------------------------// // Marked for Greatness // Story: Lunar Creations // by Howitzer412 //------------------------------// With Discord gone, the ponies began rebuilding and getting back to their lives. Luna and Celestia made home in the palace, each having a tower to themselves. Celestia's was in the east, for the rising sun, and Luna's was in the west, for sunset. While comfortable, the palace seemed much to formal for their liking. Nonetheless, it would be their home. Celestia would watch over the ponies in the day, and Luna would watch over the night. A problem arose, however, in the reconstruction of Equestria. Ponies lost their jobs, homes, and friends, all because of the destruction Discord had caused. Although everypony helped with rebuilding damaged homes, many were not skilled in the labor. "Celestia" said Luna, one dawn as they were passing each other. "Yes sister?" answered Celestia, still a bit groggy. "I have been thinking about the ponies reconstruction." "And?" "Many are not skilled laborers. Just like that earth pony days ago, they know not what to do. In addition, many lost their jobs because they cannot go to work. We must do something about that." "But was it not you who said we should not interfere too much with their daily lives?" smirked Celestia. "This is different" said Luna, ignoring Celestia's comment. "It is, dare I say, chaotic. I do have an idea to fix this unemployment, however." "Do tell." "It is called a 'Cutie Mark'. It is revealed when that pony finds their special talent. With this, ponies will know what each other are best at, and can find jobs much easier to support their families." "I'm afraid I do not understand" said Celestia. "What exactly is this mark?" "It will be a symbol on their flank. The symbol will be whatever their talent is." "But how will the ponies make this mark appear?" "That is the mysterious part" said Luna, looking out a nearby window. "The ponies must find out what their talent is. They may get lucky, and just stumble upon it, or they will try many things to see what it may be. Other ponies will be able to see the cutie mark, and recommend work that suits that talent." "But will the pony be condemned to that talent, or will they be able to do other things?" "This talent may not specifically be a job. It could just be a hobby, or an activity. But using that mark as a guide, they can find what they truly enjoy and find a way to support them selves with it." "And how will this help the ponies in rebuilding?" "With ponies who's cutie marks involve this kind of labor, they can focus on rebuilding. Everypony else will get the economy back up, selling and buying." Celestia paused, and moved over to her sister. "Amazing, isn't it?" "What?" asked Luna, confused. "Out there, all the ponies working together. It is hard to believe Discord caused this much damage in just a day, and it is taking months to repair it." "But what do you think?" asked Luna, trying to get back on subject. "Do you think it is a good idea?" "It does seem better than your dragon idea..." "Sister!" "Relax sister, I am jesting. It sounds like a wonderful idea." Luna lead Celestia out onto a terrace. There, Luna's horn lit up, and a stream of magic snaked it's way into the sky. And just as the sun was coming up, ponies awoke to find cutie marks on their flanks. "Celestia!" they began to call. "What is this marking?" "Ponies, spread the word!" announced Celestia. "That marking is called a cutie mark. It is a representation of what you are best at, your special talent. Whether you have yours, or have yet to unlock it's mysteries, you know that all of you are special. Unicorn, Pegasus, or Earth Pony, you have something special about you." "Did you preform this spell?" asked another pony. "It was Princess Luna" said a pegasus. "I saw the whole thing!" At this, Celestia's lips curved. Luna, now sound asleep, was being praised once again. Weeks later Celestia flew with blinding speeds through the castle corridors. Guards tried to stop her, but she kept on flying. Bursting through a skylight and flying right out into the outdoors, she saw Luna's tower. It was afternoon, and Luna would be resting, but that did not stop Celestia. She stormed in, waking Luna with a start. "Sister, what is wrong?" she asked, frightened of her sisters behavior. Celestia caught her breath, then began. "It is the cutie marks!" "What of them? What is the matter?" "While it has only been weeks since they were created, the marks have already caused trouble. The ponies are beginning to discriminate those without them. As a matter of fact, a regime has been created to...eliminate the ponies who have not found their talent." "A regime? Eliminate? Why have you not told me about this?" "I did not want you to worry. I did not want you to know that your creation has turned against us, and for that I am sorry" Celestia looked to her hooves. "Sister, do not apologize" Luna got out of bed and put a foreleg around her sister's neck. "Act. This regime must be done with. What exactly are the doing?" "Well, at first, it was only verbal insults and maybe a few fights. Then it escalated to foal-napping and torture. I tried not to interfere, as you had advised, but..." "But what Celestia?" "The public of Las Pegasus is for the anti-blankflank group, and they publicly executed a young filly." "Celestia! You waited til now to tell me! We must act, now!" Luna teleported to Las Pegasus that instant, followed by her sister. When Luna appeared, the town was in turmoil. A riot was full scale, and the guard ponies could not hold it back. Houses were being broken into, and blank-flanks were being pulled out and put on a wooden platform. Torches and weapons were held by the rioters as they went from house to house. "Citizens of Las Pegasus!" Luna announced. Not a single pony turned her way. "Citizens of Las Pegasus!" she called louder. Again, no pony paid attention. "Sister, perhaps we should just-" Celestia began. "CITIZENS OF LAS PEGASUS!!!" Luna screamed. Here, the Equestrian Voice was invented. Silence. Everypony turned her way, to their flying goddess with unreal vocal powers. "What do you think you are doing?" Luna asked. "We are ridding your world of the imperfections!" shouted a rioter. "Imperfections?" asked Luna. "You mean the ones full of opportunity? These 'blank-flanks' that you are persecuting have limitless possibilities for what they can do. You should all be ashamed of yourselves! Who is your leader, that defies the royal sisters?" "I am" said a blue unicorn. "I created this, and I intend to uphold it!" "How dare you!" shouted Luna, flying right into the unicorns face. "Luna..." mumbled Celestia. "My sister created you, and I created that mark on your flank. If you think you have more power than us, you are mistaken. You kill other ponies, you take their lives for something they cannot control. You must be punished, as well as your supporters!" "Luna...I" "What is it Celestia!" snapped Luna. "It is just, the standard punishment for murder is-" "Put to death, yes I know that sister." "Oh, okay." Luna, confused still at her sister, forgot about it and returned to the crowd. She looked directly at the blue unicorn. "You are coming with us. Anyone else you care to rat out?" "No" said the unicorn. "No one else will be subject to your tyranny!" Luna teleported away with the unicorn, back to the palace. Celestia followed, ready to do what must be done. Days later, the unicorn was put to death. The regime naturally died down, mostly because of the threat from Celestia and Luna. Although it seemed everything was fine, something still lingered in the back of Celestia's mind. Her sister was changing, she could see that. Not just with the moon, but in attitude. Celestia kept wary, taking note of her sister's varying behaviors. Needless to say, she could have never prepared for what came next.