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.