A knock at the door caught my attention.
“Come in!”
A young purple unicorn entered the room, “May I borrow your unicorns for the rest of the period, Mrs. Cheerilee?”
“Of course, Twilight,” the teacher responded.
I folded my books closed and placed them neatly inside my satchel before swinging it over my head and leaving the classroom. Snips, Snails, Sweetie Belle, Firelock, Bloo, Tootsie Flute, and even Berry Pinch followed Twilight out of the room.
Twilight had led us to the cafeteria where she had placed quills at a number of seats, there were more quills than there were fillies present.
She turned towards us and smiled, “Please take a seat.”
All of us took our seats, Berry Pinch and Tootsie Flute sat next to each other, Snips and Snails had taken seats opposite of them while Bloo and Firelock sat by themselves.
Setting my bag on an empty seat, I sat down between it and Berry Pinch.
“Snips, Snails. Please find seats facing me,” Twilight instructed sternly. Both the colts grumbled but complied, taking the seat from my bag as well as bridging the gap between me and Firelock.
“Good, now then. I was asked to come and teach you all how to use your magic!”
I overheard Snips whisper to Snails, “Great, Twilight wants to show off her magic again.”
Snails replied, “Yeah, like she did against that Ursa Minor! That was so awesome!” His voice cracked and Twilight just gave him a dirty look, but otherwise ignored the two.
Twilight pulled a book from her bag and opened it, turning it towards the fillies, it depicted the magic within a unicorn and how it is used through channeling it through the unicorns’ horn. It also gave instructions on the most basic of all spells. Levitation.
Giving the book to Bloo, who was at the far left end, the book was quickly passed among the students until it reached the opposite end. “Now, I want you all to concentrate on the quill, channel your magic into your horn, and use it to lift the quill off the table.”
Twilights instructions seemed easy enough.
I concentrated, trying to figure out what she had meant by “channeling your magic into your horn.”
Suddenly a squeal of excitement broke my concentration. Down the table from me, Bloo’s quill was floating high up off the table, captured in a soft light pink cloud of sparkling magic.
“Good job, Bloo! Who would have guessed your magic would be pink,” said Twilight with a smile. “Let’s see the rest of you do it!”
My concentration went back to my quill, as I searched for whatever it was I was supposed to be channeling into my horn.
After a few more minutes passed, I sighed, letting my concentration falter.
Glancing down one direction, Both Berry Pinch and Sweetie Belle had their quills floating in the air, dueling each other. I glanced the other way. Snips and Snails were using theirs as puppets, talking to each other through their quills. Just past them, Firelock’s quill had just burst into a green aura and slowly began to shake, barely moving an inch off the tabletop.
I just stared at mine, wondering why I couldn’t get it to move.
“Alright, good, it looks like everyone has gotten their quills to move,” Twilight said as she walked towards Firelock. “Don’t worry, not everyone can pick it up on their first try.”
Firelock seemed embarrassed as she nodded her head, letting the quill fall.
I just continued to stare at my quill, wondering how to move it.
Twilight had bent down across the table from me, “Aren’t you going to pick it up, Dinky Do?”
“I…”
My lip fluttered a little, so I bit it.
“Don’t worry, like I just told Firelock, not everypony can just do it. I’ll give you some more time, but I must move on with the lesson.” Twilight stood straight and got the ponies attention by tapping a broom handle against the table.
“Alright everypony, the next part of this special lesson is simple. Dip your quill into these inkwells and draw a straight line on this paper.”
A stack of paper followed by eight inkwells floated into view, setting themselves down in front of each foal, before Twilight’s purple magic dispersed.
I concentrated on my quill.
Harder…
Harder!
Move you stupid quill! Move!
Finally I let out a sigh that seemed to echo in the silence. Everypony just stared at me for a moment.
I blushed.
Twilight took the seat opposite of me, “Are you alright, Dinky?”
I sighed again closing my eyes tight with frustration, “I can’t get the stupid quill to move…”
“Are you having troubles channeling your magic?”
I simply nodded my head in reply.
“Well, I might be able to help you by pulling your magic forward using my own magic. Would you like to try that?”
I nodded again.
I opened my eyes to see Twilight’s horn begin to glow purple. She leaned forward and touched the tip of her horn to mine before closing her eyes.
Her magics purple aura engulfed my horn. I could feel something fuzzy moving around inside me. It felt weird, like something I’d never felt before, it was just warm and fuzzy.
After a moment, Twilight pulled away and sighed, “Dinky, could you please follow me for a moment?”
The fuzzy feeling had dissipated, leaving behind an ominous empty feeling. As I stood to follow Twilight, I could tell that there was something wrong. Something wrong with me. The other unicorn foals laughed and “Ooo’d” as I followed her away from the group.
Once we had reached a secluded table in the corner of the lunch room, we both took seats. “Dinky,”
Twilight seemed a little hesitant to say whatever it was she needed to say. She seemed nervous and a little scared to speak.
What is it Twilight? What’d I do? What’s wrong with you?
After a sigh and a moments thought, Twilight looked me in the eye.
“I’m sorry, Dinky, but you have no magic.”
I…
I have no…
I have no magic?
Tears immediately began rolling down my cheeks.
How…?
Why…?
What does this mean?
My throat felt dry and my stomach churned uneasily, “What do I…”
“I’m sorry, Dinky. You will never be able to use your horn.”
Twilight had leaned in and pulled me into a hug, “I’m going to end this lesson and return you all to Mrs. Cheerilee. I’m going to go let your parents know about this. Unless you would rather tell them yourself.”
I nodded my head as tears flowed down my cheeks and into Twilight’s mane. My nose was running and I couldn’t control myself anymore. As it sank in… My breathing got rigid, quickly gasping as I wailed.
Why does it have to be me!
Why does it have to be me!
Why me!
Of all the unicorns in Equestria! Why am I the one born without magic! Why!
My eyes were rubbing raw against Twilight’s shoulder, and my throat was beginning to hurt, but that didn’t slow my tears or stop my screams.
After what had felt like an eternity, I just couldn’t cry anymore. I felt tired and helpless. My throat was raw, and my eyes were red, stinging as I rubbed them dry.
Twilight and I walked back across the room, I grabbed my bag off the floor and started for the door.
“I’m sorry, but we’re going to cut this lesson short. You may all return your class,” said Twilight. The other fillies grabbed their things and began chattering as they ran past me.
“What’s wrong, cry baby?” said Firelock as she trotted past me.
“Yeah, Cry Baby.” Snails echoed.
I watched as Snips punched Snails in the shoulder and whispered something to him. Bloo just shook her head in disapproval before walking past Firelock with her nose in the air.
My eyes began to water again, and my nose started to run. I sniff trying to hide the pain my tears were causing.
Sweetie Belle walked up next to me and pressed her cheek against my shoulder, “Don’t let Firelock get at you. Everyone knows she can be a bit of a bully. Are you going to be okay?
“I’ll be fine…” I lied. Sweetie Belle took the hint, giving me a sympathetic look before walking ahead of me.
Twilight caught up to me after she had collected her own things, “Come with me, Dinky. I’ll walk you home,” Her eyes echoed my own feelings.
I nodded and followed her back to the classroom. Once they reached the door leading to Cheerilee’s classroom, Twilight walked into the room and waved Mrs. Cheerilee out into the hall.
“What’s wrong Ms. Sparkle?” She asked sweetly, looking down noticing me sitting with my head hanging low. I didn’t look up, but I was listening.
“Well, I’m taking Dinky Do home now. I need to speak to her parents about something, I think she could use a bit rest too. Right, Dinky?”
I passively nodded my head.
“Why does she need to leave? Did she do something wrong?” Concern and possible disapproval flowed through the teacher’s voice.
“No, nothing like that. I’m not at liberty to speak about it with anyone other than Mr. and Mrs. Whooves,” Twilight spoke strong and formal as if it didn’t matter one way or another what Cheerilee said.
“Alright, Twilight. I trust your judgment.” I could feel her gaze resting on my shoulders, like a weighted ray of sunlight, “I hope she’ll be alright.”
“She’s a strong young mare,” Twilight said as she placed a hoof on my shoulder.
Twilight had walked next to me in silence the entire way home, even though I was refusing to actually speak.
I just want to sleep. I just want to lay down and wake up from this nightmare… I know I must have fallen asleep at my desk… There’s no way this is real… This can’t be happening… There’s no way that I’m the only unicorn in Equestria that isn’t a unicorn. It just… It can’t be true… It just can’t be.
My mother, Derpy Do, opened the door. she was still wearing her Mail Runner uniform. “Honey! What did you do wrong?”
I didn’t answer.
“Dinky, what did you do? Why are you home so early?” She asked again to no avail.
This time, Twilight spoke up, “She didn’t do anything wrong Mrs. Whooves. May we come in and talk to you for a moment? Oh, and is the Doctor home?”
“Yes. No,” was all my mother said before turning around and walking towards the living room.
Mom! You have to be more specific! Not everyone can understand you when you do that.
I started walking inside, but Twilight simply stood in the doorway for a moment, “She meant yes to you coming in, and no to Dad being home.”
“Oh, okay.” She nervously chuckled, unsure of what she was doing as she entered the house.
Both Twilight and I took seats in the living room. Derpy walked back into the room, no longer wearing her work uniform.
Twilight took a sigh as if she didn’t know how to tell my mother. I could tell that she didn’t want to break the news.
“Mom,” I said quietly on quivering lips.
“Yes, dear?” she replied with worry in her eyes. Twilight was visibly relieved but she wore a sad expression with eyes filled with sorrow and pain. Reflecting the fact that she knew exactly how much pain I was in.
“Mommy…” I whispered. “I don’t have magic.” My voice cracked and giant tears began flowing down my matted cheeks again.
She exhaled with relief. “Dinky, of course, you have magic. You’re a unicorn! Don’t unicorns have magic?”
My breathing grew more unstable, and every time I took a breath everything started hurting. My eyes were bloodshot and burning and my sides, back, and head were in pain. My throat was dry, and my stomach was still churning, threatening to empty itself at any moment.
Twilight spoke as Derpy quickly pulled me into her chest, “She isn’t lying… I know for a fact that your daughter has no magical abilities… She was simply born without magic.”
“Mom… I’ll never be like you… or him now… I miss daddy…” I whispered. “I don’t have… Wings… or… Magic…”
I’m sorry Daddy… I can’t be like you now.
“It’s okay, sweetie,” Derpy whispered quietly into my ear.
“No,” my tears stopped and I backed away from her. “No, mom. It’s not okay. It will never be okay, mom. I don’t even know what I am now!” I looked at my mother, one of her eyes met mine. “Just because I have this horn, doesn’t make me a unicorn. I have no magic at all. I’m pretty much talentless, I can’t use magic like Daddy did! I can't like Apple Bloom and other Earth Ponies because I have no Earth magic either! I can’t be like you because, obviously, I’m not a pegasus! So what am I?! I’m a pony with a horn and without magic of any kind! I’m useless, that’s what I am!”
With that, I turned and ran out the front door, dropping my satchel on the floor.
Watching as Celestia lowered the sun and Luna raised her moon and painted the stars across her beautiful night sky, I waited.
I didn’t know what I was waiting on, but I waited anyway.
I’d ran out of the house hours ago, leaving both Twilight and my mom to chase after me. Twilight had stopped my mom from pursuing me past the front door, though. I didn’t hear what she had said, but I had seen her bite my mother's tail, and my mother almost kicked her in the face as she tried to fly after me.
What did I do to deserve this… this punishment. I’ve never hurt anyone. I’ve always done well in school. I’ve always wanted to be like you, Daddy…
I stared at the stars.
If you’re up there… somewhere… Can you show me where I went wrong? I know I shouldn’t have ran away like that, Daddy, but I just wanted to be alone. I just wanted to talk to you… To meet you…
Just then, a pegasus flew overhead and called out to me. It was Rainbow Dash, of all ponies, why’d it have to be Rainbow Dash.
I sat up as the pegasus approached. “Dinky! Finally, I found you. Twilight told me to keep an eye out for ya’. What happened? All she said was that you ran away.”
The rainbow pegasus didn’t land but just hovered in front of me.
I looked away.
She landed in front of me and sat down, “Hey, come on. You can talk to me.”
My anger flared up again. “I ran away because I wanted to be alone!” I shouted in a broken voice as I stood up. My eyes went wide and tears began to boil again, but I was out of them and nothing ran down my cheeks this time.
“Calm down, squirt. There’s no need to yell at me. I just want to help,” Rainbow said in a soft, soothing voice.
I sighed and sat down again. She was right. There was no need for me to be angry. I was too tired to be angry, “Today in class, Twilight had come and took all us…” I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry and sore for it. “Twilight wanted to teach us unicorns how to use our magic and, well, I apparently don’t have any magic. I’m a unicorn with absolutely no magic.”
“I’ve seen this before,” she whispered, her eyes going dull as she laid down on the grass in front of me. She looked up at me, “You know Scootaloo, right? She’s about your age. She’s a pegasus pony who can’t fly. She’ll never be able to fly. Like you, she can’t do the thing that makes her a pegasus.”
There’s a pegasus that can’t fly? In my class? How come I didn’t know that?
“I… I didn’t know.” was all I could say. With so many questions and barely a voice to speak with, I didn’t know what else to say.
“Well, squirt, you might want to head home and apologize to Derpy, she seemed pretty upset over you leavin’ like that,” Rainbow Dash stood and pulled me into a hug. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told Scootaloo. Don’t let your disability change who you are. You’re still you and nobody can take that away.”
She’s right… There’s no reason for me to think any differently of myself! Nothing’s changed since yesterday. I just won’t ever have magic… but who needs it? Earth Ponies do just fine without it, sure I won’t have all that green hoof crap, but I hate growing stuff. I don’t need magic to cook or paint or write, though magic would make it all easier, It’s not a requirement. I could still do everything any other pony can!
“Thank you, Rainbow,” I said, finally feeling a smile build on my face.
“No problem, kiddo,” she replied as she rubbed the top of my head with her hoof before taking flight.
Walking into my home through the front door, I could hear a mare weeping. Immediately afterward my step-father poked his head out from around a corner.
“Dinky! You’ve come home!” his voice rang with a surprised sadness. He had big watery eyes, with matted fur under them.
I nodded and walked into the living room, where my mother sat, still crying on the couch. Upon spotting me, her wings swiftly opened and she glided across the room to land in front of me. She pulled me into a hug so tight that I could barely breathe.
I returned her hug by wrapping my hooves around her neck and squeezing her just as tight. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Derpy had let me go. She and my step-father stood side by side, Derpy only being a few inches shorter than the Earth stallion. “I guess I’ve got some explaining to do, don’t I?”
“Yes, why did you yell at your mother than run away? She couldn’t give me a straight answer, and by the time I got home, Twilight was already gone,” he said with a voice that was stern but not angry sounding.
“Well, apparently, I’m a magicless unicorn. Apparently, I was just born without magic in me.” I said with a small sigh, it had sunk in enough that I could say it out loud without bursting into tears.
Not that I have tears left to lose.
“So you ran away because you have no magic? Honey, I don’t have any magic either, you don’t see me complaining. I can’t say I understand how that feels for you, but for me, it’s nothing new.”
“Dad, you still have your natural Earth pony magic, you know, strength and natural green hoof and all that stuff.”
“Well, yes, but I don’t see how that helps me when I’m a teacher,” he smiled softly. “I think you and your mother should talk about this. I’m going to start dinner.”
After dad disappeared into the kitchen, mom and I embraced again, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ran off like that. I just needed to be alone for awhile.”
“It’s fine sweetheart, and I know how it feels to grow up different, to have a disability,” her left eye was unfocused and staring at the ceiling while her other eye kept contact with mine.
“Yeah… Now I know how you feel. To want to do more, but just not being able to.” I shrugged, “Rainbow Dash found me, and we had a talk. Now, I think I can live without the magic of a unicorn. I won’t be able to get close to Daddy, but I can still be closer to you, Mom.”
“I love you so much, Dinky, please just talk to me the next time you have a problem. I promise I’ll listen, my eyes might not work right, and I might have a speech impediment. I might even be a bit of a clutz, but that doesn’t mean my ears are broken too. In fact, I can hear better than most ponies.”
I’m like Mom… I always thought I was like Dad, being a unicorn and all. But, no. I’m like Mom. We’re both disabled.
I hugged her again, rubbing my cheek against hers affectionately. “I love you so much, mommy.”