It was your average day in Ponyville and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were once again looking for new ways to achieve their cutie marks. They had tried so many ways to find out what they are supposed to do in life and their purpose. Once they had their cutie marks they would know what they are meant to do and they would be able to live their lives. They were in the cutie mark crusader clubhouse where they were discussing what they would do next but they couldn’t agree on what to do.
“Why don’t we try hang gliding over Ponyville we’ll certainly get our cutie marks in hand gliding, I’m sure we’ll be naturals!” Scootaloo suggested.
“No, why don’t we do some hat making, I’m sure Rarity will be happy to show us how to.” Sweetie Belle said in disagreement.
“Rarity is off with Applejack and the others for some reason, why don’t we get Granny Smith to show us how to bake apple pies! We’ll get our cutie marks in pie baking!” Apple Bloom said.
It seemed that the Cutie Mark Crusaders couldn’t decide what they wanted to do and they started bickering about it. When they started to raise their voices a blue pony with a purple mane named Cotton Candy who had a cutie mark in the shape of a cotton candy, heard and rushed up to the clubhouse to see what all the commotion was about. She knocked but she was ignored as the crusaders were so focused in the conversation and then she walked inside.
“What is going on in here” Cotton Candy asked.
“We’re trying to get our cutie marks and they won’t listen to my idea! Probably because they know that it’s the best.” Scootaloo said being mean to her friends.
“Hey, calm down. I’m sure that all of your ideas are great” Cotton Candy said. “But maybe you should do something different, like go to the circus that’s in town.”
“Well we would but we really need to get our cutie marks.” Apple Bloom said.
“Why don’t you come and help me at my cotton candy stand! Surely you'll get your cutie marks there!” Cotton Candy suggested.
The cutie mark crusaders gathered in a group hug and they whispered amongst the group, trying to decide whether they should take the pony up on her offer. Cotton Candy was a kind, friendly, and sweet pony who looked very trusting and that was why the cutie mark crusaders even considered the offer. She tried her best to be nice to the three young fillies and she thought that having three helpers would help her as well as helping them.
“We should, we could get our cutie marks in cotton candy making!” Sweetie Belle happily said.
“Yeah, we should and it’ll be fun!” Apple bloom said.
“So should we?” Scootaloo said and the other ponies nodded.
They turned around and formed a line facing opposite of Cotton Candy and one by one they smiled at her. Cotton knew that they probably wouldn’t achieve their cutie marks in cotton candy making as there was already a pony that did that but she would get the three fillies to smile. The smile of a filly was just enough to fill your heart with joy and even just one smile would make anypony happy.
“Well I’m Applebloom, this is Scootaloo and this is Sweetie Belle.” Apple Bloom said.
“And together we are the cutie mark crusaders!” They all said in unison.
“Well I’m Cotton Candy and why don’t we go to the circus” Cotton Candy said. “Maybe you could get your cutie marks in setting up”.
Together they trotted to the circus where lots of ponies were setting up stalls and there was a massive big top. The crusaders gawped in amaze as the lights of the circus flashed and they saw the stalls that surrounded the big top that sold all sorts of items and all of the ponies were helping each other. It was a nice and friendly environment where all of the ponies who took part in the circus were all nice to each other and helped each other.
“This is so much like the rodeos that Applejack takes me to all the time” Apple Bloom said in delight.
“Well a lot of stuff happens at the circus now my stall is over here” Cotton Candy said leading the fillies to her half set up stall.
“How did you get your stuff here?” Scootaloo asked.
“Well when the circus ends in Ponyville and we travel to a new place we put all of the stalls into the caravans and then we tie ourselves to them and we walk to the next place and set up the circus and we basically do the same thing time after time” Cotton Candy explained.
The crusaders and Cotton worked together as they set up the cotton candy stand and they did their best to make it look amazing. The fillies were amazed when Cotton taught them how to use the cotton candy machine however they were a bit upset when they looked at their flanks and saw that there was no cutie marks. Although they had no cutie marks Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle all decided to stay to help out.
When the circus started, loads of ponies came to visit and watch the show but before the show everypony wanted to buy stuff. Lots of ponies came by the candy floss and exchanged their gold bits for candy floss that everypony ate in delight. They had set up a line of work, Apple Bloom would give Sweetie Belle sticks and she would put the candy floss on the sticks and Scootaloo would operate the machine while Cotton Candy traded the delicious treat for other ponies bits.
“This is so much fun!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “It’s better than baking pies with Granny Smith.”
“Or making hats with Rarity.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Even hang gliding isn’t as good as this!” Scootaloo said. “And hand gliding is amazing.”
They earned lots of bits from selling candy floss and when the crowd passed and went inside the big top to watch the show Cotton started counting it. The crusaders sat with the pony as she counted the money and watched interestingly when Cotton divided the total bits into four. Cotton then pushed a pile of bits to each of the fillies who were all surprised as they were not expecting payment.
“What’s that for?” Scootaloo asked.
“Well I got more done than normal and I even got a bit extra from tips because we served so fast.” Cotton said. “It’s only fair that we all get equal amounts.”
“Oh you’re such a kind pony Cotton!” Apple Bloom declared. “I will give my bits to Applejack to help her build the new barn!”
“Well I shall buy a fancy dress from Rarity!” Sweetie Belle said.
“I will buy a scooter to replace the old one that I broke last week.” Scootaloo said.
The fillies sat and waited, they expected Cotton to say what she would use her bits for, however she didn't she just sat there with the others. Cotton didn't say anything because she had no idea what she was going to buy with her share, as she rarely bought anything for herself. Working for the circus was easy and she spent her money on food for herself and supplies for her stand, her life was literally the same most days but she did have a lot of money saved up.
“What will you spend your bits on Cotton?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I'll save my money for something big when the time is right” Cotton said.
“Why don't we go and visit the show and see what the circus acts are like” Scootaloo said.
“I'll stay behind, I see them practicing sometimes and it gets boring watching the same more than once” Cotton said.
“Ok we'll see you later” Apple Bloom said.
The crusaders left Cotton alone at the back of the stall and they went to watch the show that was going on inside the big top. Cotton was now realising that the life that the life that she had been living for years wasn't a happy one and she was now regretting ever joining the circus.
Inside the big top Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were watching a magic act which had lots of tricks which all three fillies loved. They continued watching the acts and some of them were amazing there was one with five pegasi there was another with a group of dancers. The acts were not only loved by the crusaders but by the rest of the large crowd as well who clapped their hooves at the end of ever terrific performance.
“I wish I could fly like those pegasi" Scootaloo said.
“I'm sure you will one day. You'll probably be able to join the Wonderbolts” Apple Bloom said to her friend.
“Maybe my cutie mark will be a flying one" Scootaloo said.
“Maybe my cutie mark will be in performance magic" Sweetie Belle said.
“And maybe I will be a circus stall runner" Apple Bloom said.
“We could have our own circus one day" Sweetie Belle said.
They all knew that they will probably never have their own circus but they wouldn't stop guessing what their cutie marks will be until they eventually get them. They would always have hope that their cutie marks would just be around the corner and knew that they would eventually get them. The crusaders had just come up with a new idea to get their cutie mark and they would try their best to get their cutie marks.
“This circus is great.” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, I love it" Sweetie Belle said.
“It's simply amazing!” Scootaloo said.
The three watched the show until the last act was over and the ringmaster announced that the show was over. They were even the last ponies in the big top and the left through the door and they went to find Cotton. The looked everywhere but Cotton couldn't be be found anywhere and they looked around all the stands but she wasn't there. They found the caravan that Cotton had mentioned and they knocked on the door, Cotton answered the door but she was crying.
“What's wrong?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Nothing." Cotton replied. “Is there a reason why you're here?”
“We just wanted to tell you how great the circus was." Scootaloo said.
“I'm glad you enjoyed the show, sorry but I'm a bit busy at the moment, could you come back later?" Cotton lied.
The fillies left Cotton at her caravan as she was obviously upset and didn't want them around. They walked away from the caravan but Cotton didn't go back inside she watched the ponies leave, and then she followed them because she wanted to say sorry for being mean. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo split up and went three different ways but they didn't get far because each one of them were met by a different pony.
Each of the ponies said hello to the mysterious ponies who crossed their paths. Cotton felt very curious about these ponies. The ponies kept quiet but wouldn't let the fillies pass them, and then each of the ponies revealed their true identities as changelings. One second they were normal ponies and then they were changelings Cotton watched in horror when a swarm of changelings surrounded the fillies. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were snatched by the changelings and they all screamed a high pitched squeal. Three of them stayed behind and transformed into the crusaders.
Cotton hid behind a caravan as the fake fillies walked to the real fillies’ homes and wondered where they were. Cotton wondered why the changelings would abduct three nice and sweet fillies who wouldn't harm a fly. Wherever the crusaders were they needed saving and Cotton wouldn't give up until they were safe and sound.
“I will find you crusaders!” Cotton declared. “I will.”