The next day at school, all Apple Bloom could think about was the mysterious changeling that saved her life and knocked out Scootaloo. Like she promised, she only told her friends that she was saved by black pegasus that just moved into town. Thankfully, Apple Bloom was also able to convince scootaloo that the changeling she saw was just the pegasus and nothing more.
After their teacher, aptly named Droll Voice, had dismissed them, the four fillies ran off to meet Apple Bloom’s mysterious new friend. As they made their way, however, they were followed by a very ticked off Diamond and Silver who were hell-bent on exposing the Crusaders. To help them do so, they had recruited the help of an old friend, or pawn in this case.
"Are you sure you'll go out with me to the dance if I do this?" asked Featherweight.
"Of course I will," lied Diamond Tiara. "Everypony knows how much of a stud you are; now hurry your flank so we can get a picture of the changeling."
With that the three ponies followed the Crusaders.
-------
"So Apple Bloom, do you think this pony will be mad at me for what I did to him yesterday?" asked Scootaloo.
"Well, he was kind of upset, but I think he'll get over it." replied Apple Bloom. "Just be sure not go tackling him mid-flight anymore unless you’re both trying to get your sky wrestling cutie marks."
"I bet a sky wrestling cutie mark would look so bad-ass," said Babs
"I want a sky wrestling cutie mark..." replied Sweetie Bell.
"But you don't have any wings" Apple Bloom pointed out.
"Oh right," sighed Sweetie as she drooped her head.
The four ponies came to the edge of the Everfree forest, close to where Fluttershy’s cottage was. Blank had told her that he would appear to her as a black pegasus with a white mane. All they had to do now, was wait.
-------
Perched on a tree branch, Blank Canvas watched the Crusaders with the binoculars Gizmo had given to him for his second birthday. With this, Blank was able to see almost as far as his brother Eagle Eye.
Alright, he thought to himself. Now that they’re here, I should transform into the pony I’m going to be for a while. I hope this works. I've never made myself younger before. Well... technically older depending if I'm going by the actual time I've been alive. Anyway, it's show time.
Blank concentrated on an ideal form that would allow him to not only blend in with the Crusaders, but also allow him to be himself. He began to shrink as green flames consumed his body. When the flames dissipated, his insectoid features were gone. He was now a young pegasus colt with a black coat and a silver mane. Now that he looked like a pony version of himself, blending in with the Crusaders would be as easy as taking love from a foal.
"Cutie Mark, here I come!" he said out loud has he stretched his wings and flew towards his new friends.
------
Applebloom watched as a black pegasus who she assumed was blank-flank like herself, descend from the sky and land right next to her. The colt gave a quick wink indicating that he was Blank Canvas.
"Hello everypony," he said a little too enthusiastically, "I'm Blank Canvas. Apple Bloom tells me that you're all are having a rough time getting your cutie marks. Let me tell you I've been dying to get mine for years. Well today’s the day everything changes. All five of us are going to get our cutie marks before Celestia even starts to bring the sun down."
Applebloom chuckled sheepishly. Woah, these gals aren’t used to introductions. I thought changelings were suppose to be masters of deception. They’re going to get suspicious if I don't...
"That's awesome!" Shouted Scootaloo. "My names Scootaloo by the way and this here is Sweetie Bell and Babs Seed."
The two mares said hello and smiled at Blank.
"I'm sorry about tackling you yesterday. My eyes must have been playing tricks on me."
"It's quite alright. Anyway if we are going to do this, I need to know all about you girls. Tell me a little bit about yourselves and I'll tell you a little bit about me. Once we all feel ready, we'll get started."
-------
Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Featherweight watched as they got acquainted with the changeling they planned to expose.
"It's him." said Diamond. "I heard him say his name was Blank Canvas. That's the same name the changeling told that little redneck yesterday."
"Uhh... Diamond." said Featherweight. "Apple Bloom’s neck is yellow. I think you're confusing her with her brother Big Macin-"
"I was making fun of her for being an uneducated farmer, you idiot!"
"But haven't you two been going to the same school for about-"
"She talks funny so she's stupid. Sweet Celestia, you’re dull."
"I thought you said you were interested in me... I'm so confused."
"Will you two keep it down," shushed Silver Spoon. You two keep talking, we'll miss something important."
"Diamond scowled at Featherweight and brought her attention back to Applebloom and the gang."
------
"So as you can see," continued Blank. "My family travels, but I think we finally found a place where Dad can finish his silly book. So now that's out of the way, who want's to get their Cutie Mark first? How about you Scootaloo.
"Wait a minute... what about everypony else? We normally try doing things together."
"Yes but that's the problem; instead of helping each other find something you’re all good at, you've been conducting scheme after scheme. The chances of all of you getting a chicken catching or a journalism cutie mark is very unlikely. Being a blank flank, I've read a lot of books about pon - I mean cutie marks. Apparently there are two things that need to happen before anypony can get a cutie mark. The first requirement is that they need recognize their special talent. Performing the talent isn't good enough, you need to recognize that this is one thing you are really good at. The second thing that needs to happen is that you need to realize the joy you feel when applying your talents. Once this happens, our cutie marks should appear."
At least their’s should. I think mine might work a bit differently. Wasp's special talent is killing ponies with those morphing hooves of his, which is symbolised by his bee cutie mark. He literally stings his opponent's without hesitation. But I know for a fact that deep down he’d rather avoid killing altogether. Then again, maybe his passion is more about fighting then killing. Great, now I'm losing my train of thought. I need to focus on helping these filly’s so I can finally get my cutie mark.
"So that's why I think we should start with you, Scootaloo. You told me how much you like doing tricks on your scooter. Heck, you even have the word 'scooter' in your name. If you could perform one of your tricks you've been telling about while taking in everything I've just said, I'm positive you'll get your Cutie Mark."
"And I know exactly what trick I want to tryout!" she declared. “I'm going to jump Carousel Boutique"