//------------------------------//
// Chapter 23: The Cutie Mark Chronicles (S1:E23) 
// Story: My Little Pony: Nine Elements Book 1 
// by BlueBioWolf 
//------------------------------//


My Little Pony: Nine Elements



Written by Brandon Nell and Blake Hawkins



Additional suggestions by Rachel Ravens



Chapter 23: The Cutie Mark Chronicles


It had been a week and two days since Fluttershy took care of Philomena. On that particular day, Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were preparing to zipline. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were feeling uneasy about the idea, since the height to zip down from was much higher than their clubhouse.

“Are you sure about this, Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said. “Ah ain’t even heard o’ a zip-lahnin’ Cutie Mark.”

“I’m getting the impression you forgot about what you learned at the talent show,” Spike said.

“No, we haven’t forgotten,” Scootaloo said. “Yeah, we’re anxious to earn our Cutie Marks, but, we also want to try different things so we can have fun together. That, and I’ve always wanted to try this.”

“You mean you don’t have any prior experience?” Spike asked.

“No,” Scootaloo said. “How can I get experience at something if I don’t try it?”

“Did you at least get tips from somepony who’s done it before?” Spike asked.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo said, holding up a page torn out of a magazine. “An Earth pony stallion named Zip Streamline* did an article about it in Action Pony magazine. There are some great pointers in here.”

“I’m not feeling so sure about this,” Spike said.

“Come on, Spike,” Scootaloo said. “Part of being a kid is taking chances.” She then pushed him off the platform, causing him to zipline.

“WHOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAH~!” Spike screamed as he practically flew through the air securely fastened to the zipline.

The Crusaders followed in short order, all four connected by a rope. They soon reached the bottom of the zipline and ended up at the base of a tree that was collecting tree sap for maple syrup. Some of it got on them thanks to their momentum causing them to bump into the tree.

“Spike,” Apple Bloom said, slightly dizzily. “Are ya okay?”

“If you call being sticky and covered in pine needles okay,” Spike said. “How did we even get pine needles from a maple tree?”

“I think from when we were ziplining,” Sweetie Belle said. “We sped by a pine tree and some of its needles fell onto us.”

The Crusaders looked at their flanks.

“Well, we didn’t get our Cutie Marks,” Scootaloo said. “But, I would definitely want to do this again. That was fun, even if we ended up getting sticky.”

“Plan B?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“After we get all this mess off of us,” Spike said. “We’ll figure out something else.” He then looked at Scootaloo and added, “Preferably, something less dangerous.”

“I’m with Spike on that one,” Sweetie Belle said. “We could do some pillow testing or flower smelling.”

“I’m pretty sure those don’t count as talents,” Spike said. “They don’t require a lot of skill.”

Apple Bloom kicked some buckets of water to the others.

“Thanks, AB,” Scootaloo said.

“Hey, Spike,” Apple Bloom said. “Think ya can tell us how Twilight got her Cutie Mark? Ya’ve been ‘round her longer n’ us.”

“I can’t say for sure,” Spike said. “She’s had it for as long as I can remember. Maybe even longer.”

“Hey, maybe we can go ask her,” Sweetie Belle said. “And I never actually figured out how Rarity got hers, so, we can ask her, too.”

“Ah don’t think Applejack told me how she got hers,” Apple Bloom said.

“And knowing my appreciation for Rainbow,” Scootaloo added. “I think we should ask her, too.”

“Why stop there?” Spike asked. “Why not ask Fluttershy and Pinkie, too?”

“That’s a great idea, Spike,” Sweetie Belle smiled. “Not only would it be inspiring, but, it would also be cool to hear how they came to be who we know and love them today.”

“But, who should we ask first?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I don’t think it matters who we ask first,” Spike said. “They’re probably not that closely connected, anyway.”

Little did the youngsters know that the stories were indeed connected in ways Twilight and her friends themselves weren’t aware of.





Spike and the Crusaders were riding in a wagon pulled by Scootaloo on her scooter. As they rode along the path, they saw Applejack with basketfuls of apples on her back.

“Hey,” Spike said. “Let’s ask Applejack first.”

Applejack stopped walking when she heard Spike’s voice. She smiled and turned her attention to the four young friends.

“Howdy, sugarcubes,” she said. “What’d ya want ta ask me?”

“How you got your Cutie Mark,” Spike said.

“Huh,” Applejack said, somewhat quizzically. “Ah guess ah never thought o’ tellin’ y’all that story.”

“Ta be fair,” Apple Bloom said. “We never asked ‘till now.”

“Well,” Applejack said. “It started when ah was 8 years old.”

And this was the story Applejack told.





Applejack was packing a bindle stick.

‘Bout 11 years n’ a week ago, give er take a couple days, ah didn’t think ah would want to spend mah whole life livin’ on the Apple farm.

Two ponies entered her room. One was a stallion with a bright yellow coat, red mane and tail, and a green apple Cutie Mark with a yellow star in the center. The other was a mare with a peach-colored coat, frizzy orange mane and tail, and a jar of preserves as her Cutie Mark. These were Bright McIntosh and Buttercup, Applejack’s parents.

“Ya sure ya want this, Sugarcube?” Buttercup asked.

“Yes, ma,” Applejack said firmly.

“A little filly like you goin’ out inta the world all alone is a mighty scary idea,” Bright Mac said. “N’ goin’ all the way ta Manehattan would be a long journey fer ya.”

“Yer sister did it, pa,” Applejack said.

“Ah know,” he said, putting his hat up to his chest. “N’ ah miss her every day.”

“Well,” Buttercup said. “If yer sure ya want ta do this, we won’t stop ya. But, know that you’ll always have a place here at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“We’ll take ya as far as the train station,” Bright Mac said.

The filly Applejack hugged her parents lovingly. “Thanks, Ma! Thanks, Pa! Ah knew ah can count on ya!”





Applejack was walked to the train station by her parents. She was able to say goodbye to Granny Smith and a young and noticeably skinny Big McIntosh. It was a very tearful goodbye.

Ah traveled ta Manehattan overnight n’ found Braeburn n’ his sister, Sunflower, waitin’ fer me at the station the next mornin’.

Applejack walked up to a younger Braeburn, who was accompanied by a filly with a light crimson coat, a brilliant gamboge mane and tail, moderate emerald green eyes, and a white flower Cutie Mark.

“Hi there, cousin,” Braeburn smiled. “It’s wonderful to see you here.”

“Welcome to Manehattan,” the filly said.

“Thank ya fer the kind greetin’,” Applejack smiled. “Ah can’t wait ta get settled in ta mah new home.”

“Just follow me and Sunflower,” Braeburn said.





So, Braeburn and Sunflower led Applejack back to their family home. Inside waiting for them were a mare and a stallion. To Braeburn and Sunflower, they were their parents and they were Applejack’s uncle and aunt from her perspective.

“Aunt Citrus, Uncle Mostly!” Applejack said. “Thank y’all fer lettin’ me stay.”

“‘Y’all,’” Mostly said, chuckling to himself.

“Oh, it’s an absolute pleasure, Applejack,” Citrus smiled. “You are going to absolutely love living in Manehattan. Once you lose the southern accent, of course. We don’t want ponies thinking you’re an illiterate country bumpkin.” Citrus had a bit of bitterness at the end of her sentence.**

“N’ how long do ya think that’ll take?” Applejack asked.

“If you take the lessons seriously enough,” Citrus said. “A little under a day.”

Applejack couldn’t help but gulp nervously. However, she was committed to staying in Manehattan. The next night, the Orange family was hosting a dinner party. Applejack was also attending. For the occasion, Applejack’s mane was done in a fancy updo. Braeburn and Sunflower could tell that Applejack was outside of her comfort zone and consented to speak to her later.

“I say, young lady,” asked an elite stallion named Tall Order. “How are you finding Manehattan?”

“Oh, it’s simply divine,” Applejack said in a very dignified voice.

“Very well said, my dear,” Citrus whispered. Inside, though, she didn’t like the idea of Applejack acting against her normal self, but, she didn’t want anyone at the dinner party to catch on.***

“Although,” Applejack admitted. “The city noise will take some getting used to. Where I’m from, nights are so quiet, you seldom hear a peep until the rooster crows.”

“The rooster?” asked Tall Order. “Do you not have alarm clocks where you came from?”

Ah wasn’t prepared ta answer such a question. Ah didn’t want ta look like a bumpkin ta them elites. Luckily fer me, a savin’ grace came around with a call.

“Dinner is served,” said a unicorn head chef stallion.

Applejack was so relieved she didn’t have to answer the question that she dropped her fake accent as a serving tray was levitated to her.

“Thank goodness!” she said. “Bein’ a city pony’s hard work! Ah’m so hungry, ah could eat a—” Her relief was short-lived when she saw the small portions served. She sighed sadly as her belly voiced its disappointment. It was clear that city life wasn’t as glamorous as she thought it was.

When ah went ta sleep that night, mah belly was empty, but, mah mind was full.





The next morning, Applejack was sitting by a window, waiting for the sunrise.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo~” Applejack said sadly. “Wonder how everypony at Sweet Apple Acres is doin’? Ah bet Pa n’ Big Mac’re buckin’ their way ta the red delicious trees about now. What ah wouldn’t give fer just one bite.”

Braeburn and Sunflower entered her room. Both were concerned for her.

“Are you okay, cousin?” Sunflower asked.

Applejack sighed. “No, not really,” she said. “Ah mean, ah love ya both n’ ah like hangin’ out with ya here, but, Manehattan ain’t exactly like ah thought it’d be.”

“You miss Ponyville, don’t you?” Braeburn summed up.

“Yeah,” Applejack sighed. Tears formed in her eyes and one streamed down her left cheek. “Ah just don’t know how Aunt Citrus adjusted ta livin’ here. Pretendin’ ta be somethin’ ya ain’t, no character buildin’ through hard work, n’ all them small meals. I ate mah food at the dinner party n’ mah belly’s been rumblin’ all night.”

“She does have an outlet though,” Braeburn said. “When she thinks nopony’s looking, Sunflower and I would hear her talking to herself in a Southern drawl. I even talk to myself with that accent every once in a while if I need to help cheer up Sunflower.”

“Our parents aren’t really that attentive,” Sunflower said. “So, we kind of envy the family values that Uncle Bright Mac teaches.”

“Yeah,” Applejack smiled. “Pa always did have some good advice.” She couldn’t help but sigh again.

Suddenly, they all heard what sounded like a distant explosion from outside the window.

“What was that?!” Sunflower exclaimed.

The three ponies looked outside and saw a rainbow pointed towards Ponyville.

It was amazin’! A rainbow pointin’ right ta home! Ah knew right then n’ there that’s where ah should go. Aunt Citrus gave me express tickets ta get me ta Ponyville in less n’ an hour.

Soon, Applejack made her way to Sweet Apple Acres, where Bright Mac and Buttercup were waiting for her.

“Ma! Pa!” Applejack said, tears of joy streaming from her eyes. “Ah’m so sorry ah left home!”

The two parents embraced their little filly when they saw a flash of light behind her.

“What matters is that yer home now,” Bright Mac smiled. “N’ it looks like ya figured out who yer s’pposed ta be.”

Applejack looked back and saw three red apples adorning her flank on either side.





Back to present day, Applejack finished the story.

“Ah’ve been happily workin’ on the farm ever since,” Applejack smiled. “A couple days later, ah met Caramel, but, that’s another story.”

“I wouldn’t mind hearing that some other time, though,” Spike noted.

“Thanks fer tellin’ us that story, sis,” Apple Bloom smiled.

“Ah better get these here apples ta Sugarcube Corner,” Applejack said.

“Wait, Applejack,” Spike said.

“What’s up, Spike?” the farm mare responded.

“You say you got your Cutie Mark 11 years ago last week?” Spike said.

“Yeah,” Applejack said. “Ah didn’t have a Cutie Mark anniversary party fer it, though.”

“Twilight told me that she got her Cutie Mark within that timeframe and that I had something to do with it,” Spike said.

“Huh,” Applejack said. “That’s a mighty powerful coincidence.” She then continued on her way.

“That is quite a coincidence, though,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo said. “But, it’s probably just that. A coincidence.”

“Anyway,” Apple Bloom said. “We better be movin’ along. Ya never know who we’re goin’ ta meet up with next if we’re just goin’ ta hang ‘round here.”





The four youths continued their journey and soon came across Fluttershy. They were close by her cottage, but, outside of the Everfree Forest.

“Hey, Fluttershy,” Spike said.

“Hello, Spike,” Fluttershy smiled. “Hello, fillies. Are you all having a good day today?”

“Minus the zip lining earlier, yes,” Spike said. “Applejack told us the story of how she got her Cutie Mark about a minute ago.”

“Oh, that must have been a lovely story,” Fluttershy said.

“So,” Sweetie Belle said. “Since we were planning on asking other ponies that we know how they got their Cutie Marks, we were wondering if you wouldn’t mind telling us how you got yours, Fluttershy. Please.”

“Oh, I don’t mind,” Fluttershy said. “I have Rainbow Dash to thank for it.”

“Whoa, really?!” Scootaloo excitedly asked.

“Cool it, Scootaloo,” Spike said, trying to calm down the excitable young pegasus.

“Oh, sorry,” Scootaloo said sheepishly. “Continue.”

And this was the story that Fluttershy told.





This may not surprise you, but, when I was little, I was very shy. I wasn’t as strong of a flyer as I am now. In fact, my parents sent me to Summer Flight Camp so they can help me come out of my shell a little bit. I tried to improve my flying a little bit, but… It didn’t work out so well. I was awkwardly tall for a six-year-old filly****, which made me a target of teasing by Dumb-Bell and Hoops.

A young Fluttershy tried to fly, but, her efforts were rather awkward and clumsy. She slid down a cloud ramp and careened into a red flag used for pegasi racing. The two bully colts laughed meanly at her weak attempt of flying.

“Way to go, Klutzershy!” Dumb-Bell said. “It’s a joke that a tall freak like you can barely fly.”

“Yeah!” Hoops guffawed. “My baby brother can fly better than you!”

It was a very humiliating point in my life. Being made fun of for my unusual height was bad enough, but, my weak flying was worse. When it seemed like I would die of embarrassment, figuratively, somepony came to my rescue.

“You leave her alone!” snapped a young Rainbow at the two bully colts.

“Or what, Rainbow Crash?” challenged Hoops.

“Keep making fun of her and find out!” Rainbow said, her voice noticeably cracking at the end of that sentence.

“You think you’re hot stuff, slacker?” Dumb-Bell said. “Prove it.”

Full disclosure, Dumb-Bell said something different from what I’m describing, but, what he really said can’t be repeated around young ones like you.

“What do ya have in mind?” Rainbow asked confidently.





A short time later, the two colts and one filly were lined up at the starting line of the Summer Flight Camp’s race course. Fluttershy was holding the checkered flag.

“You’re goin’ down!” Hoops said haughtily.

“In history, maybe,” Rainbow retorted. “See you boys at the finish line… tomorrow!”

Fluttershy waved the flag to start the race. However, in the commotion of starting the race, Dumb-Bell knocked Fluttershy off of the cloud that she was standing on. The yellow pegasus began plummeting to the ground below. With Fluttershy being such a weak flyer, she couldn’t stop herself from falling. However, just before she hit the ground, a large flurry of butterflies caught her fall.





Back in present day, Spike was pinching his brow as if processing what he just heard.

“You were saved by what?” he said, making sure he heard right. “You fell from the clouds at breakneck speed and were saved by what?”*****

“A large flurry of butterflies,” Fluttershy repeated. “I know it sounds silly, but, it’s true. I don’t know how, but, I’m not complaining.”

“And besides,” Sweetie Belle said. “If she wasn’t saved by the butterflies, she wouldn’t be alive today.”

“Continue,” Spike said in resignation.





Back to the events of the story, Fluttershy was utterly mesmerized by the beautiful creatures that helped her.

I had never seen such beautiful creatures before. Butterflies didn’t fly as high to my cloud home as they do now and I had never been near the ground before. I had heard of what they were called among other creatures I would meet, but, this would be my first time actually seeing such creatures. As I managed to get a closer look at one, I had a song come into my heart.

The young filly did indeed begin to sing. As she sang, she started to gently fly at a low level.

“What is this place filled with so many wonders
Casting its spell that I am now under
Squirrels in the trees and the cute little bunnies
Birds flying free and bees with their honey
Ho~ney~!

Oh~ what a magical place
And I owe it all to the pegasus race
If I knew the ground had so much up its sleeve
I’d have come here sooner and never leave
Yes, I love everythin~g!”

The song was abruptly interrupted by a loud explosion. The sound was quickly followed by a large burst of color that flooded the sky. The sound scared the little animals and they began to run and hide.

I wasn’t sure at the time, but, I thought I heard voices screaming “run,” over and over.

The young filly fiddled with her ears to make sure she heard right.

“Huh?” Fluttershy muttered. “Who’s saying that?” She looked around, but, couldn’t see any other ponies. She put that aside and shifted her focus to the animals. She gently lifted up the underbrush of a nearby bush and saw the rabbits huddling each other to keep themselves safe.

“Shh,” Fluttershy said softly. “It’s okay.”

“Should we trust her, mama?” a small rabbit asked a bigger one.

“She is a youngling just as you are, little one,” the mother rabbit said.

Fluttershy gasped. “You can talk?!”

The rabbits were equally surprised when Fluttershy responded as if she could understand them.

“You can understand us?” the mother rabbit gasped. “You must be a Critter Whisperer.”

“I suppose I am,” Fluttershy said. “Though, I can hear a bit of squeaking when you talk.”

“That’s how you know we’re speaking in our language,” the mother rabbit said.

“So, we can trust her?” the younger rabbit asked.

“She seems harmless enough,” the mother rabbit said.

The rabbits smiled and hopped out of their hiding place. Fluttershy then gently knocked on the bark of a tree with a knothole where some squirrels were hiding.

“You can come out,” Fluttershy said kindly.

The squirrels stuck their heads out. Fluttershy took a deep breath before sticking her head in a nearby lake to talk to the frogs under the water.

“Everything’s okay,” Fluttershy said, a noticeable gurgle in her voice from being underwater.

She raised her head out of the water, allowing the animals to gather around her.

That day, I learned that I was a Critter Whisperer, a rare gift for a pegasus.

Fluttershy’s Cutie Mark appeared on her flank.





Back in present day, Fluttershy wrapped up her story.

“That day was 11 years ago last week,” she concluded.

“Wait, really?” Spike asked. “That’s when Applejack said she got hers.”

“And Spike said that’s also when Twilight got hers, too,” Scootaloo added.

“Wow,” Fluttershy said. “That’s quite a coincidence.”

“Applejack’s headed for Sugarcube Corner,” Spike said. “You can ask her there.”

“I will,” Fluttershy smiled. “I’ll see you all later, though.”

The four youths continued onwards.

“Two coincidences in a row,” Sweetie Belle said. “Both stories had an explosion followed by a rainbow.”

“Ya don’t think?” Apple Bloom began.

“I stand by my idea that it’s a coincidence and nothing more,” Scootaloo said.





So, the four young ones continued on. They soon came across Rarity.

“Hello, young ones,” Rarity smiled. “What are you up to today?”

“We were listening to the stories of how some of your friends got their Cutie Marks,” Sweetie Belle explained. “So far, we learned how Applejack and Fluttershy got theirs.”

“How fascinating,” Rarity said.

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle smiled. “I probably should have asked this before, but, how’d you get yours, Rarity?”

“Well,” Rarity said. “It started when I was looking over costumes I designed with my teacher, Miss Play Write.”

“Wait,” Spike said. “I thought your teacher was Miss Teaching.”

“She was my homeroom teacher,” Rarity clarified. “Play Write was my drama club teacher.”

“Oh, okay,” Spike said. “Please continue.”

And this was the story Rarity told.





Miss Play Write tasked me with the costume designs for a play on what ponies love to eat. We had put on a dress rehearsal of the performance while Play Write and I watched backstage.

Young Rarity looked at the costumes with a bit of dissatisfaction. Play Write, however, was more easily pleased with Rarity’s efforts.

“Well done, Rarity,” she said. “The costumes are very nice.”

“Nice?!” Rarity exclaimed. “They need to be spectacular! And the play is tomorrow!”

“If you’re certain, Rarity,” Play Write said.

An hour or so later, I tried every trick I knew to improve the costumes, but, nothing seemed to work as I made it to the next day. With the performance being that very night, I felt I was being pressured and I grew greatly disheartened.

“Maybe I’m not meant to be a fashionista after all,” Rarity said sadly, tears forming in her eyes.

Suddenly, her horn lit up on its own. This caused Rarity to yelp in alarm as her horn seemed to practically levitate her towards an unknown location.

“What’s going on?!” she gasped.

My horn dragged me around for a good two hours and stopped when I reached… MY DESTINY!!!

“A rock?!” Rarity shouted in frustration. “That’s my destiny?! What is your problem, horn? I followed you all the way out here for a ROCK?!” She then grunted before kicking the rock, an action she instantly regretted. “Dumb rock!”

Suddenly, she heard a loud explosion and jumped back. A large burst of color ribboned the sky and the sheer force from the explosion impacted the rock. It managed to split open revealing a virtual smorgasbord of gemstones inside. This was no ordinary rock. It was a giant geode filled with a unique variety of individually colored rainbow-quartz. Rarity was enamored with the beautiful sight inside.

I made it back just in time to add the gems to the costumes. That night, the costumes dazzled in the spotlight. The audience was just as enamored as I was and Miss Play Write was especially proud of me.

A flash of light occurred and Rarity had her Cutie Mark.





Back in present day, Rarity wrapped up her story.

“That was 11 years ago last week,” Rarity said.

The four younglings couldn’t believe their ears.

“Okay, this is getting weirder by the minute,” said Scootaloo.

“Whatever do you mean?” Rarity asked.

“That’s when Applejack and Fluttershy got their marks,” Spike said. “Twilight also told me she got hers within that same timeframe and I had something to do with it.”

“Hmm,” Rarity said. “Sounds as if you have a mystery on your hooves and claws.”

“What’s also weird is that Applejack and Fluttershy’s stories had an explosion followed by a rainbow just like yours,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Hmm,” Rarity said. “That is a fascinating connection indeed.”

“Maybe we should hear Twilight’s story next,” Spike suggested.

“Great idea, Spike,” Apple Bloom said. “Then, we’ll know what yer part in the story was.”





A short time later, Twilight met up with the four young friends.

“Well,” Twilight said when the youngsters found her. “I definitely remember hearing an explosion that day, which was 11 years ago last week, but, I didn’t see any rainbow afterwards. Then again, I wasn’t looking out the window at the time.”

“So, what happened?” Scootaloo asked.

“Before I can tell you that,” Twilight said. “I should start before my entrance exam.”

And this was the story that Twilight told.





When I was a filly, I wanted to go to the Summer Sun Festival. There, I saw the most wonderful thing I had ever seen.

The young Twilight stood on her big brother’s back with her front half resting on his head.

“Excited to see the princess, Twily?” he asked.

“Boy am I!” the filly said. “I heard she’s the most beautiful and powerful pony in all Equestria and a direct descendant of the very first unicorn!”

Shining Armor couldn’t help but chuckle at his little sister’s enthusiasm. He then looked on the stage and politely shushed her. “It’s starting,” he whispered with a smile.

Princess Celestia stepped onto the stage as unicorn Royal Guards blew a fanfare on trumpets.

The princess was every bit as beautiful as the rumors said and then some. But, it’s what happened next that was truly wonderful.

Princess Celestia illuminated her horn and she began to fly upwards. She was able to raise the sun, its light cascading upon her. Twilight’s eyes sparkled at the spectacular display. The crowd voiced their appreciation for Celestia’s efforts.

I began pouring myself into learning everything I could about magic.

Twilight, wanting to sharpen her skills with magic, focused her energy on turning the next page of the book she was reading. It did take effort, but, eventually, her magic aura was able to catch onto the page and it turned.

I would read spellbooks to bed and try practicing simpler spells as a hobby. My family was immensely supportive. So much so that my parents, Twilght Velvet and Night Light, decided to enroll me in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The school board accepted the application and I had never felt happier. It was a dream come true… except for one thing. I had to pass an entrance exam!

Shining Armor, Night Light, and Velvet all attended as the nervous little filly was about to have her exam. An assistant pony wheeled in a cart that had a purple and green egg resting in a nest.

“Well, Miss Sparkle?” said one of the proctors, a unicorn mare with a yellow coat and gray mane and tail.

Twilight saw that the test was to use magic to hatch the egg. Now, she had come pretty far in her studies at that point, but, this was her first time doing something along these lines.

I tried focusing my magic on the egg, but, I was so nervous about failing, I couldn’t concentrate. I knew it was the most important moment of my life, that my entire future came from the outcome of the events of this day… and I was about to blow it.

Twilight focused a lot of her energy, but, her horn could only fizzle. This filled Twilight’s heart with sadness knowing she disappointed the proctors.

“I’m sorry for wasting your time,” the sad filly said.

The proctors sternly wrote the notes of Twilight’s failed exam on their clipboards. Twilight stood there feeling sorry for herself. At that moment, though, a large boom filled the air. Outside, the window showed a large burst of color. The sound of the boom scared Twilight and a powerful burst of magical energy emerged from her horn. The burst was fired at the egg, causing it to hatch and reveal a purple and green dragon hatchling. The proctors dropped their clipboards, pencils, and jaws at the sight before Twilight’s magic began to surge.

“Mom, Dad, look out!” Shining Armor shouted in alarm. He put a magic bubble around himself and his parents.

Twilight’s magic made the proctors float and the dragon grow gigantic in seconds. Outside of the school, Princess Celestia heard the commotion going on. She used her magic to teleport inside the room. She gently placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder and gave her a gentle smile. The sudden appearance of Celestia calmed Twilight down and she stopped her magic. The proctors were dropped and the dragon was shrunk again. The dragon hatchling innocently picked up his tail and suckled on it, similarly to how a human baby would suck its thumb.

“What just happened?!” Shining Armor asked. “My little sister’s never done that before!”

“I-I don’t know,” Night Light stammered.

“We knew Twilight was studying hard with her magic,” Velvet said. “But, we never knew she had that much power in her!”

“Your daughter possesses an uncommonly high amount of raw magical energy than most unicorns possess,” the princess said.

“Why, thank you, your majesty,” Night Light said nervously, politely genuflecting before her. Velvet and Shining Armor followed suit.

“Her magic has resulted in the creation of a very rare treasure,” the princess said, gesturing to the hatchling.

“You mean the baby dragon?” Velvet asked.

“More than that,” the princess said. “A dragon with an innocent and pure heart.”

“So,” Shining Armor asked. “Does this mean my little sister has been accepted into your school?”

The princess nodded. “She would have gotten in with or without the birth of this little dragon.”

Twilight had gotten out of her emotional stupor once she heard what Princess Celestia said.

“I would have?” Twilight asked.

The princess nodded again. “The dragon egg part is meant to test the applicant's character - NOT their abilities. Otherwise, the school would have far fewer students or far more dragons,” she said. “Though, I admit that I wouldn’t mind more dragons.”

“Wow,” Twilight said, intrigued.

The princess cleared her throat. “Dragons have such a high resistance to pony magic where it would take four fully trained adult mages working together to hatch one of their eggs.”

“What?!” Twilight gasped. She couldn’t believe what she heard.

“It's meant to gauge how the applicant deals with failure,” the princess explained. “To better gauge how to train the applicant. But, you DIDN'T fail, which makes it even more impressive.”******

“Your majesty,” one of the proctors said. “We simply must do away with that dragon!”

“Do away with him?!” Twilight gasped. “You mean kill him?!”

“Yes,” the proctor said. “Dragons are inherently ruthless and greedy monsters. We can’t let one live in our society.”

The filly embraced the little hatchling with a look of defiant determination. “No!” she said. “I won’t let you!”*******

Princess Celestia saw this action transpire. She flew over to the proctors and gave them a very stern talking to. “As of this moment, that dragon is under my protection,” Celestia said. “Along with the family of Twilight Sparkle. Anypony who so much as threatens physical harm to him is to answer to me. Is that understood?”

The proctors caught the serious nature of Princess Celestia’s decree and they nervously nodded.

The princess went back to the little filly. “Your first task is to care for the dragon and raise him as your own.”

Twilight smiled and she genuflected before the princess. “Yes, your majesty.”

“I don’t know about this,” Velvet said nervously. “This is a dragon we’re talking about.”

“So?” Twilight said to her mother. “You’re always telling me not to judge others just because they’re different. He can’t help that he’s a dragon. He’s just a baby. He doesn’t know anything yet.”

“But, there’s a very unflattering reputation for dragons,” Night Light said. “There’s so many accounts of dragons terrorizing ponies and sometimes eating them.”

“Precisely,” Celestia said. “But, dragons are born with innocent hearts just as we are. The adult dragons corrupt their young, which is why a dragon with an innocent heart is so rare these days. This hatchling is better off growing up away from all that until he’s ready to take it.”

“Hmm,” Shining Armor said. “Perhaps we can do our part to make sure this innocence stays. After all, we did learn of the differences between the Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns, and we’re now friends. Maybe this can be a start of ponies befriending dragons.”

Twilight made her best pleading face to her parents.

“Please~?” Twilight asked, her eyes glimmering with hope.

Velvet and Night Light looked to each other. They at last came to the conclusion that if they refused Twilight’s pleas, they would be going against everything they taught her and Shining Armor. So, they agreed to the situation.

“Okay, Twilight,” Velvet said. “We’ll let him in.”

Twilight happily hugged her family.

“Oh, thank you!” Twilight said happily.

“One more thing,” the princess said.

Twilight couldn’t imagine what this could be. “More?!” she asked curiously. The princess gestured to Twilight’s flank. Twilight gasped with amazement. “My Cutie Mark!” She then excitedly began to bounce around, saying, “Yes!” as many times as she possibly could.





Back in present day, Twilight was doing the same thing.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” Twilight said excitedly.

Spike whistled sharply, snapping Twilight out of it.

“Huh?!” Twilight gasped. She then blushed sheepishly. “Oh, sorry. I can’t help but get excited from remembering that day.”

“Question,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yes, Sweetie Belle?” Twilight responded.

“Was that dragon Spike by any chance?” the unicorn filly asked.

“It was indeed,” Twilight said. “And he’s been in myself and my family’s care ever since.”

“No wonder you don’t remember Twilight without a Cutie Mark,” Scootaloo said. “You didn’t have long-term memory yet and she got it shortly after you hatched.”

“Yeah,” Spike smiled as he gave an affectionate hug to Twilight.

“It’s really strange,” Sweetie Belle said. “Every one of the four stories we heard thus far takes place at least 11 years ago last week and involve an explosion.”

“I better get going, though,” Twilight said. “See you at Sugarcube Corner later, Spike?”

“Sure thing, Twilight,” Spike said. After Twilight left, he spoke to the fillies. “Have you also noticed the connection here?”

“We have, yeah.” Scootaloo said. “At this point, it can’t be a coincidence. If it was once or twice, maybe. But, four out of six stories happening 11 years ago last week and involving an explosion and three of those explosions followed by a rainbow? Coincidence? I think not!”********

“I wonder if Pinkie’s story will have something to do with a rainbow, too,” Sweetie Belle said.

“You know,” Spike said. “It occurs to me that we didn’t hear the outcome of Rainbow’s race.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said. “We should ask her ‘bout that, too.”

“Maybe she has something to do with the rainbow and the explosion,” Spike said.

“Only one way to find out,” Scootaloo said. “Let’s go.”





So, Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom boarded the wagon while Scootaloo boarded the scooter.

“Rainbow could be anywhere in Ponyville,” Sweetie Belle said. “How are we going to find her?”

“You’re looking for Rainbow Dash?” Pinkie’s voice rang out.

“Huh?” Scootaloo said in surprise. “Pinkie? Where are you?”

“Right behind you,” the pink mare said.

Scootaloo stopped and saw that Pinkie was indeed right behind her. In fact, she was right inside the wagon that Scootaloo was towing with her scooter.

“Huh,” Scootaloo said. “That explains why pulling the wagon suddenly got heavier.”

“Anyway,” Sweetie Belle said. “We are looking for Rainbow. Do you know where she is, Pinkie?”

“Well,” Pinkie said. “If I were Dashie, I’d be at Sugarcube Corner.”

Spike rolled his eyes in amusement. “You’d also be at Sugarcube Corner if you were the old mare next door, the foals at the playground, the mail mare, basically anypony,” he said. “Come to think of it, shouldn’t you be there now?”

“I was there earlier,” Pinkie said. “But, my friends were gathering there and they told me to fetch you. Twilight would have invited you herself when she met up with you guys earlier, but, she didn’t want to separate the four of you. They said something about Cutie Mark stories.” She then had a lightbulb appear above her head and light up. “Ooh! I have an idea!” The bulb suddenly burnt out. “No, wait, I lost it.”

“Since we were all learnin’ about how yer friends got their Cutie Marks,” Apple Bloom said. “Maybe ya can tell us how ya got yer Cutie Mark, Pinkie.”

The bulb lit up again. “Hey, there’s my idea again!” she said. “I can tell you how I got my Cutie Mark!”

“Let me guess,” Spike said, deadpan. “It was 11 years ago last week.”

“Well, I didn’t get my Cutie Mark exactly on that date,” Pinkie said. “It happened 11 years and six days ago.”

“Well, that’s a little different,” Spike said. “The other four stories we heard happened 11 years ago last week.”

“But,” Pinkie said piping up. “The events of how I got my Cutie Mark started 11 years ago last week.” She pulled out snacks from her hair. “It’s quite a story, so have some snacks in case you get hungry while listening to it.”

“Is this before or after the Parasprites?” Spike asked.

“After,” Pinkie said.

And this is the story Pinkie told.





This is a part that Spike already knows, but, my sisters and I all grew up on a rock farm outside of Ponyville. There was no talking unless spoken to, there was no smiling. There were only rocks. And occasional visits from my Granny Pie. We were in the south field preparing to rotate the rocks to the east field. We had just been called inside to have lunch when all of a sudden… BOOM!

The pink filly was gathering rocks when she heard an explosion. The thick gray clouds parted from the sky from the bright colorful force, revealing a brilliant blue sky. The force from the explosion’s shock wave affected the pink filly’s mane and tail, transforming it from a straight cut to a poofy curly mess. She looked up and saw the rainbow. The sight was so amazing that she couldn’t help but smile.

Granny Pie had told me about rainbows before, but, that was the first time I ever saw one. I had never felt such joy like that before. It looked and felt so good that I just wanted to keep smiling forever. I wanted everypony to smile too, but, rainbows didn’t come around as often. So, I thought of another thing that Granny Pie told me about that helps to bring smiles.





The next day, Pinkie’s family noticed she wasn’t at breakfast.

“Has anyone seen Pinkie?” Limestone asked. “She’s not usually late for breakfast.”

“Mm-mmm,” Marble replied quietly.

“Did you three at least see her when you woke up earlier?” Igneous asked.

“I can’t say that I have,” Maud replied.

Their pondering was interrupted by the muffled sound of dance music.

“What in Celestia’s name?” Igneous said. “Another Parasprite problem?”

“It sounds like it’s coming from the silo,” Cloudy Quartz said.

The five ponies followed the sound. Certainly enough, it was indeed coming from the silo close to the Pie family house.

“Pinkamena Diane Pie,” Cloudy Quartz called. “Is that you?”

Pinkie opened the door and a bit of confetti and streamers littered the ground.

“Mom!” Pinkie chirped. “I need you, Dad, and the sisters to come in here, quick!”

The rest of her family was confused to say the least. Still, they decided to comply. They looked around them and saw that the inside of the silo was festively decorated. There were two tables adorned with a table cloth, various baked treats, and party decorations all over the place.

“Surprise!” Pinkie squeaked excitedly. “Do you like it? Granny Pie says that it’s called a party!” She waited for her family’s response.

For a while, none of them could speak. Their lips quivered and they couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Oh,” Pinkie said. “You don’t like it.”

The family didn’t want Pinkie to think that they had made Pinkie intentionally upset. At the sight of a bushel of brightly colored balloons, the family was overcome with a sudden surge of happiness and they all smiled happily. Though, Maud was still as subdued as ever.

“You like it!” cried Pinkie. The six ponies started dancing around. “I’m so happy!” Moments later, a Cutie Mark flashed on Pinkie Pie’s flank.





In the present, the Crusaders and Spike’s eyes widened.

“Another story with a rainbow and an explosion!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“I would be very surprised if Rainbow Dash’s story didn’t involve that,” Spike said quietly.

“It was quite a story,” said Pinkie. “Maybe next time I can tell you about how Equestria was made!”

“I’m not sure about you telling it, Pinkie,” Spike said. “I got ogres and Songbird Serenade last time you did.”*********

The CMC raised incredulous eyebrows.

“How does a famous pop singer n’ a fictional bein’ relate ta the foundin’ o’ Equestria?” asked Apple Bloom.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about ogres being fictional,” Spike said. “That’s what was said about Nightmare Moon and look how that turned out.**********”

“Fair point,” shrugged Apple Bloom.

“Well, you do have a point, yourself, Apple Bloom,” said Pinkie. “Ogres and Songbird Serenade? Where did that even come from?”

“That’s what I asked you,” Spike said. “You change subjects on a pebble.***********”

“I’m… working on it,” Pinkie said quietly.





The five of them headed to Sugarcube Corner, where they found the other element bearers. Rainbow Dash gave a warm smile at the fillies.

“So, you and Spike want to hear my Cutie Mark story?” she asked.

“You bet I do!” Scootaloo immediately sat down. “Especially after hearing the other stories occurring at roughly the same time.”

“Well… It all happened during the race at Flight Camp,” Rainbow said. “Where I stood alone against all odds to defend Fluttershy's honor.”

“We know that from Fluttershy’s story,” Spike said. “Can you skip to the race itself?”

“Got it,” Rainbow said.

And this was the story she told.





Fluttershy lowered the flag and we all took off. I thought I heard screaming, but, I was focused on winning the race. In retrospect, that was kind of a jerk move. Anyway, as I flew as fast as I allowed myself, Dumb-Bell crashed into one of the cloud posts. It's… not as soft as one would assume. Especially for a pegasus.

“Heh, see ya,” the prismatic-maned filly smirked as she and Hoops looped through a flying hoop.

I've never flown like that before! That freedom was unlike anything I've ever felt! The speed, the adrenaline, the wind in my mane... I liked it... a lot!

Suddenly, Hoops bumped Rainbow Dash away. "Ha! Later, Rainbow Crash!"

"Hey!" cried Rainbow Dash. She shot straight down, trying to get ahead of Hoops. She went so fast, she knocked Hoops for a loop, literally.

Turns out the only thing I liked more than flying fast... was winning!

And without fully grasping what was going on, a boom and a burst of color streaked out behind Rainbow Dash.

Most people thought that the Sonic Rainboom was just an old breezie's tale. But that day... The day I discovered racing... I proved that the legends were true. I made the impossible happen!

As Rainbow streaked across the sky, her Cutie Mark appeared to the sound of many cheering colts and fillies.





Back in present day, Rainbow wrapped up her story.

“And that’s how I got my Cutie Mark,” Rainbow said.

“I was right at the epicenter of that explosion and rainbow,” Fluttershy said. “My parents brought me back to camp the next day.” 

“Come again?” Rainbow blinked.

“Rainbow Dash, if you hadn't scared the animals,” Fluttershy said. “I never would have learned I was a Critter Whisperer and gotten my Cutie Mark.”

“I heard that boom!” cried Pinkie. “And right afterwards, there was this amazing rainbow that taught me to smile and I threw a party the next day and earned my Cutie Mark!” She gasped in realization. “That’s why the Sonic Rainboom at the competition felt so familiar!”

“When ah got mah Cutie Mark,” said Applejack. “Ah saw a rainbow that pointed me home after ah heard an explosion. Ah bet it was yer Sonic Rainboom!”

“There was an explosion of a rainbow I could never explain when I got my Cutie Mark,” gasped Rarity.

“This is uncanny!” Twilight gasped. “If that explosion didn't happen when it did, I would have blown my entrance exam and not hatched Spike. Rainbow Dash, I think you helped me earn my Cutie Mark, too!”

“And all this happened around 11 years ago last week!” Spike said. “That’s the connection!”

“The Rainbow Dash connection,” Fluttershy giggled. “Thank you so much, Rainbow Dash, for helping us get our Cutie Marks!”

The six mares all got into a group hug and the fillies all "awwed" at this. Spike simply gave a satisfied smile.

Pinkie suddenly gasped. “I just realized something!”

“What’s that?” Rainbow asked.

“Spike’s been in Ponyville with Twilight for nearly a year now,” Pinkie said. “And Spike’s birthday still hasn’t come!”

“What are you talking about, Pinkie?” Twilight said. “Spike’s birthday was last week.”

The other five mares and three fillies had a look of utter shock on their faces.

“Spike’s birthday was last week and you didn’t tell us?!” Rainbow said.

“I didn’t?” Twilight asked.

“I can assure you,” Spike said. “You did not. You were busy reshelving that day.”

“I’m guessing I didn’t mention that I planned a surprise party for Spike?” Twilight said. Her answer was deafening silence. “I’ll take that as a no.”

“How can a pony as smart as you be that absent-minded?” Rainbow asked.

“Yer one ta talk, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “There was that scheduled sprinkle the weather team missed.”

“Hold it!” Spike said. This caught the mares’ attention. “All six of you just discovered you had a connection before you even met. Do you really want to ruin it by arguing like this?”

“Spike’s right,” Fluttershy said. “We shouldn’t be squabbling about petty details. We should be celebrating what we did come to learn.”

Pinkie suddenly wrapped her front hooves around Spike and began hugging him tight enough to look like a stress toy being squeezed.

“We need to celebrate your birthday, Spike!” Pinkie said. “Even if it’s late, we’re still going to have the most fun party ever!”

“Choking,” Spike strained. “Not breathing!”

Pinkie realized this and she let go of Spike, allowing him to catch his breath.

“Now, it makes sense,” Rarity said. “Emeralds are your birthstone, Spike. No wonder you like them so much.”

“Yeah,” Spike smiled. “That and I like the flavor.”

“Wait,” Rainbow said. “The five of you got your Cutie Marks and Spike was born because of me?!”

“As mah brother would say, ‘Eeyup,’” Applejack said.

“I just- wow,” Rainbow said. “I’m really at a loss for words here.”

“I think I have some,” Fluttershy said. “I think that our friendship has become so strong because of both you and Twilight.” She then nuzzled Spike. “And little Spike is our connection in physical form.”

“So, this here’ll really be a hootenanny o’ a party,” Applejack smiled. She then turned her attention to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Since ya three heard our stories, ya want ta join in on the fun?”

“Like you even have to ask,” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom chirped. “Let’s bust a move!”





As the party was underway, Rarity gently stroked Spike’s head.

“I feel simply awful missing your birthday, Spike,” she said.

“We all do, Rarity,” Applejack said.

“We promise to make it up to you next year,” Fluttershy said.

“That’s okay, guys,” Spike said. “I can tell that you guys didn’t mean anything personally by it. And, isn’t there an old saying, ‘Better late than never?’”

“Not to ruin the moment,” Twilight said. “But, do you think you can write to Princess Celestia, Spike?”

“It’ll be my pleasure, Twilight,” Spike smiled. He then pulled out a quill and piece of parchment.

“Dear Princess Celestia,
My friends and I have all learned an amazing lesson about friendship today. Everypony has a special connection with their friends, maybe even before they’ve met them. So, if you’re feeling lonely and you’re still searching for your true friends, just look up to the sky. Who knows? Maybe you and your friends are all looking at the same rainbow.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.”

Spike finished, rolled up the parchment, and sent it away with his fire breath.

“Hey,” he said. “I just realized something.”

“What’s that?” Twilight asked.

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders also had a connection before they all officially met,” Spike said.

“Did they?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah,” Spike said. “Back when Nightmare Moon came back.”

“Hey, that’s right,” Sweetie Belle said. “We all huddled under a refreshments table.”

“You didn’t become friends until Diamond Tiara’s ego stroke************,” Spike said.

“Don’t you mean ‘cute-cenera?’” Pinkie asked.

“I know what I said, Pinkie,” Spike said.

“But, you’re right,” Scootaloo said. “We’re friends now.”

“Crusaders, huddle!” Apple Bloom said.

The three fillies huddled. Spike stood to the side, unknowing if he was included in that huddle. Soon, the fillies broke the huddle.

“Birthday drake pony pile!” the fillies said before tackling Spike and hugging him.

Spike couldn’t help but laugh happily.

“Aww~,” Pinkie said. “Spike’s getting tacuddled!”

“He’s gettin’ what now?” Applejack asked, confused.

“Tackle cuddled,” Pinkie said in slight exasperation. “Come on, that was obvious!”

“O’course,” Applejack said, a slight twinge of sarcasm present in her voice. “How silly o’ me ta not realize it sooner.”

“And me without a camera,” Rarity said.

“You can borrow mine, Rarity,” Fluttershy said. “Or, if need be, I’m sure Pinkie will put together a scrapbook of this event.”

“Way ahead of you, Flutters!” Pinkie said. “I’m calling it ‘The Dargon Boi Scapbrook!’”

“What an adorable title,” Rarity smiled. “Perhaps I can purchase a copy from you when it’s ready?”

“Are you kidding?” Pinkie said. “Everypony here and Spike gets one! No money required.”

And so, Spike had pictures taken of him alone, with one of the mares and fillies, and finally of all ten of them.

End of Chapter.