Cutie Mark Breakout
Starburst was eager this morning as he woke up with a jump and a smile. “Come on big brother, get up, it’s morning.” He happily cheered.
Nova woke up with a groan. “Ugh, Starburst, what is up with you this morning.” He asked as he looked over to his little brother who was jumping up and down on his bed.
“Today is the day for another Cutie Mark Crusader meeting and Apple Bloom said she has a great idea on how we can finally earn our cutie marks.”
Nova smirked and rolled his eyes. He removed himself from bed and went to get breakfast. Since his ship was no longer able to fly, not that he would want to go anywhere now, he made a few adjustments to it and made it more like a real house. It had a genuine kitchen with working stove, fridge, and running water. The water was extracted from particles and concentrated into water. The stove and fridge ran on the same power source as the rest of his ship home. After a hardy breakfast, Starburst rushed out of the house. “Bye Nova, see ya later!”
Nova smiled and shook his head. “That starburst.” He went back inside and began work on a new gemstone.
After meeting up with his friends, the cutie mark crusaders made their way to a bowling alley in town, each with a bowling ball of their own, Scootaloo , Sweetie Belle, and Starburst had one in a bag. Apple Bloom had hers resting on the ground next to her. Apple Bloom was the one to somehow procure everyone a bowling ball. “Today’s the day cutie mark crusaders, I can just feel it.” She proclaimed. “Today’s the day we all get our cutie marks in….bowling!”
“Yeah!” Scootaloo cheered.
“Mmmmm!” Sweetie Belle cheered through her bag that she held in her mouth. She spat it out and tried again. “I mean, YAY!”
“Cool!” Starburst cheered. He stopped then after realizing something. “What’s bowling?”
The three looked at him curiously. “Didn’t you have bowling on your world?” Scootaloo asked.
Starburst hung his head and folded his ears back. “I…I don’t know, I was just a baby when I left, remember?”
The girls flinched upon realizing the mistake. “Oops, um, sorry Starburst, guess I kinda forgot.” Scootaloo said.
Starburst looked back up and to Scootaloo. “It’s okay, don’t worry about it.” He then gave a smile and changed the subject to move on. “So what is bowling?”
Sweetie Belle took it upon herself to explain. “Bowling is a game where you roll these balls down an aisle and try to knock down as many of the pins as you can.”
“We’ll explain the rules to ya as we go.” Apple Bloom offered. “After today , we won’t even be the cutie mark crusaders anymore, we’ll be….the three strikes!”
Scootaloo walked up to her. “But that makes it sound like we struck out, plus there’s four of us.”
Apple Bloom went into thought again. “How about….the pin twins.”
Sweetie Belle walked up to her. “But again, there are four of us.”
Apple Bloom thought again. “I know, how about….the bowling dolls.”
“The bowling dolls, that’s perfect.” Sweetie agreed.
“That’s perfect.” Scootaloo said as she hovered up off the ground.
“That does sound good. Okay then, the bowling dolls it is.” Starburst said with a smile.
“All right then, let’s bowl em over.” The four made their way into the ally and found an empty aisle to begin their attempt at earning a cutie mark.
Sweetie Belle went first. She placed her ball at the center of the lane and held it steady with her hoof. She took aim and nudged it with her nose. The ball rolled down the aisle and ended up going into the shoot and got a gutter ball. She just smiled and stepped aside to let the next pony try.
Scootaloo took a different approach. Once her ball was lined up, she turned around and lined up her hind hooves. She bucked the ball as hard as she could, it ended up bouncing all over the place and nearly hit a few ponies. The ball ended up in an aisle at the other end of the place and went into the gutter. A few ponies glared at her, she gave a sheepish smile and zoomed back to the others.
Starburst got his ball ready and lined up his shot. His horn lit up and was about to use his magic to try and lift the ball to get it rolling, but the girls saw his horn light up and quickly stopped him. “Starburst no.” Sweetie said in a hushed tone.
Starburst cancelled his magic and looked to the three. “What?”
“Remember? Unicorn foals around our age can’t use magic yet.” Apple Bloom informed.
“If you use you’re magic to lift the ball, it might raise suspicion.” Scootaloo pointed out.
“Oh, right, thanks girls.” Starburst gave a smile.
“No problem.” Sweetie said as the three smiled back. They then stepped back to let Starburst try. “Come on Starburst, you can do it.” Sweetie cheered.
Starburst blushed a little at Sweetie’s cheer. He faced forward and eyed his ball. He opted to try and give it a push. He placed his forelegs against the ball and pushed as hard as he could. The ball rolled down the aisle, halfway down it started to slow down and curved into the gutter shoot. “Quasars.” Starburst said in disappointment. He walked back to join the others and Apple Bloom walked forward with her ball to take her turn.
Apple Bloom opened her mouth to try and pick up her ball. She stopped, opened her mouth wider, and grabbed onto it. She lifted her head and was a bit wobbly as she stepped forward, she spat the ball out and it rolled down the aisle. The sound of a strike was heard throughout the building and the ponies cheered. “Cool, a bowling cutie mark.” One mare said.
“I did it, I did it!” Apple Bloom cheered. She looked to her flank but saw nothing there. “Blank?” She looked to the next aisle over to see another pony looking at his flank with a new cutie mark on it. He happily walked away as the ponies continued to cheer. “But, what about my ball?” She looked to the aisle to see her ball was still rolling and just tapped the front pin. Apple Bloom hung her head in disappointment.
After a while, the group left the bowling ally together. Scootaloo was riding on her scooter on Apple Bloom’s left and Sweetie Belle on her right with Starburst next to Sweetie Belle. “That bowling sure was fun, even if all I got was gutter balls.” Sweetie commented.
“I may not have gotten any strikes, or knocked down any pins, but it was fun learning a new game.” Starburst stated.
“Yeah, at least you two were able to keep your ball in your lane, I don’t think Mr. King Pin is ever going to let me play again.” Scootaloo said as she buzzed forward a bit and did a jump. “Hey, maybe I could get my cutie mark in demolition.” She offered as a joke. Scootaloo, Sweetie and Starburst laughed. Apple Bloom continued on with her head hung low and a frown on her face.
“Apple Bloom?” Starburst asked with concern upon seeing her state.
The two took notice of Apple Bloom’s state as well. “Awe come on Apple Bloom, cheer up.” Scootaloo said with a smile.
“I know just what you need to put the bloom back on your apple.” Sweetie offered. She lead the group to sugar cube corner and got a cupcake, then placed it in front of Apple Bloom. “A treat from sugar cube corner will cheer you up.” She said as the three of them smiled at Apple Bloom.
“No it won’t.” Apple Bloom said as she pushed the cupcake away.
Pinkie Pie took notice of Apple Bloom’s state and quickly threw a party together. “A party will cheer you up.” She said with a bounce. Sweetie, Scootaloo, and Starburst blew into noisemakers with smiles.
“No it won’t.” Apple Bloom said as she bumped her flank against Pinkie.
Sweetie Belle then got an idea. “I know, let’s see if Rarity can help.” The group left Pinkie and Sugarcube Corner and made their way to Rarity’s boutique.
“Rarity, we could use some help.” Sweetie Belle said as she and the others entered.
“Hello dears, what seems to be the problem?” Rarity asked with a smile.
“Apple Bloom is sad because we tried to earn our cutie marks in bowling but it didn’t go so well. Do you know what might cheer her up?” Starburst explained.
“But of course dear, I think I have just the thing.” Rarity sat Apple Bloom in front of some mirrors, and placed a hat on her head. “A lovely new chapeu will cheer you up.”
“No it won’t.” Apple Bloom said again.
Starburst went into thought. “I know, come on girls, to my place.” He took the lead and brought them to his house where he went straight to the back and to the holo deck. He activated the game they played with the shooting and the armor. “A round of shoot em’ up will cheer you up. He said as he hovered around the field blasting targets with the other two.
“No it won’t.” Apple Bloom stated again. She walked out looking just as sullen as ever. The three looked on at her worried.
Starburst turned the game off and the three followed her out. Starburst came up to her side. “Apple Bloom, I know you’re upset about this, but….you just gotta be patient. We’ll get our cutie marks eventually.”
Apple Bloom didn’t respond. She continued to walk on with the other’s following. Eventually, they came to the edge of the Everfree forest. “Come on Apple Bloom, it’s just a cutie mark.” Scootaloo stated.
“Or lack of a cutie mark.” Sweetie followed up.
“Um, Sweetie Belle, that doesn’t really help.” Starburst said.
“Apple Bloom, where are you going?” Scootaloo asked as she saw Apple Bloom continue on.
“I’d better follow her, maybe I can just talk to her to help.” Starburst said.
“You sure Starburst?” Sweetie asked.
“She’s sad, she needs a friend, you two go on ahead, I’ll catch up later.” Starburst offered with a smile.
Sweetie Belle smiled back and gave a light peck on Starbursts cheek. “You are such a good friend Starburst.”
“Bleah, oh please.” Scootaloo said with a gag.
Starburst then galloped off after Apple Bloom into the forest. “Apple Bloom, wait up.” He caught up with her just in time to see her take a tumble down a hill and land hard on the ground. “Apple Bloom!” Starburst cried out. He slid down the hill, came up next to her and placed a hoof on her back. “Apple Bloom, are you okay?”
She held her mouth closed and her hooves up to the sides of it. She moaned out in pain. “Well, who is it that we have here?” A familiar voice asked in rhyme. Starburst and Apple Bloom looked up to see Zecora standing before them in her cloak. “Why it’s little Starburst and Apple Bloom my dear.”
“Hello Zecora, I think Apple Bloom is hurt, she just took a tumble down this hill.” Starburst greeted and explained.
“What has happened to you, youth?” Apple Bloom stood up and opened her mouth wide. One of her front teeth had been chipped. “Ah, you’ve gone and chipped a tooth.”
“Can you help her?” Starburst asked.
Zecora gave a smile. “Come with me, I have just the trick that will fix you up quit quick.”
Starburst and Apple Bloom followed Zecora to her hut. As soon as they entered, Apple Bloom went off. “I’ve tried everything Zecora, and still no cutie mark. Why I’m gonna be as old as granny Smith and still be a blank flank.”
“Don’t say that Apple Bloom, you’ll get your cutie mark. You just need to keep trying.” Starburst offered.
“Your frustration is well understood.” Zecora replied. “But one must be patient for all things good.” She started working on a potion and mixed in different ingredients into a pot.
“Ugh, I’ve heard that from everypony I know, and now from every zebra I know, I’m just too impatient to be patient. I want my cutie mark and I want it now!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.
Starburst came up next to Apple Bloom and placed a hoof on her back. “Apple Bloom, I know your anxious for your cutie mark, but being impatient and rushing things isn’t going to help. We just gotta keep trying everything we can until we earn it and just wait and see what our special talent will be. Patience is the key to just about anything. My big brother told me that.” He finished with a smile.
“Your brother’s words are most wise, patience is the key for such a prize.” Zecora said as she gave Starburst a smile. “For your cutie mark, you will have to wait. For now we must fix that tooth before it’s too late.” She stirred up the mixture then used a spoon to pour some of it into a bowl in front of Apple Bloom. “Now drink down every little drop, and this mixture will mend that chip on top.”
Apple Bloom took hold of the bowl with her mouth and chugged the potion down. She went over to a yellow vase to look at her teeth. Starburst followed. Apple Bloom’s chipped tooth suddenly expanded and grew a bit larger, then shrank back down and her teeth were good as new. Apple Bloom licked her teeth and gave a wide grin. “Wow, that’s amazing Zecora.” Starburst said.
“Oh my stars apple you did it Zecora!” Apple Bloom exclaimed with a hop in front of Zecora. She then took a look around. “Golly, you got all sorts of tonics here don’t ya?”
“I’ll say, look at em all.” Starburst agreed.
“Bad bones, bad back, bad breath.” Apple Bloom listed off the potions she saw.
“Yes little one, it is true. I have many a healing brew."
“Not just stuff that fixes the bad, but stuff that makes good things too.” Starburst pointed out. “Good health, good hair, great galaxies.” Starburst expressed. He then recoiled upon realizing what he just said. “Oops.” He placed both his front hooves over his mouth.
Zecora cocked an eyebrow at him. “Great galaxies? Such an expression I have not heard. Why do you use such a word?” She asked.
“Uh, well….” Starburst was starting to worry a little. He wasn’t sure if it was okay for him to tell Zecora about him and his brother being aliens yet.
Apple Bloom saw the worry and spoke in hopes of changing the subject. “You know, I bet you could fix up a potion for just about anything.” She proceeded to waggle her flank as an indication of what she meant.
Thankfully, the subject change worked. “There are many mixtures in this room. But none for what you want dear Apple Bloom.” Zecora said with a stern look. She turned and started heading for a small pot hanging from a rope. “A magic potion does not hold the key. For your cutie mark, time is the only remedy.”
“Fine.” Apple Bloom responded.
Starburst came up next to Apple Bloom and whispered to her. “Thanks for the save Apple Bloom.”
She gave a small smile in return.
Zecora grabbed the small pot from its harness and pulled it down, then poured its contents, some green seeds, into a bowl. She then used her tail to knock down three purple berries into the same bowl. Starburst and Apple Bloom both eyed the bowl curiously. “Whatcha got goin on there?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Yeah, what are you making Zecora?” Starburst then asked.
Zecora walked over to a larger pot. “I am brewing up another mix, for a rooster and his chicks.” She reached into the pot as she continued, her voice seemed to echo a bit. “The rooster has lost his crow, making mornings very slow.” She pulled out a flower that seemed to be shaped like a heart colored pink with smaller similar shaped leaves.
“Hey, I’ve seen that flower growing in Ponyville.” Apple Bloom pointed out. “What is it?”
“It sure is pretty.” Starburst commented.
“It is one we call heart’s desire. A dash will ignite the rooster’s fire.” Zecora shook the flower over the bowl and a few of the leaves fell loose and into the bowl. “With heart’s desire, his talent shines through, giving him a mighty cockadoodledoo.” Zecora said out of tune.
“Zowie.” Apple Bloom said.
“Gosh, it can do that?” Starburst asked. “I wonder if Sweetie Belle would like it.” Starburst thought.
“Heart’s desire huh?” Apple Bloom asked as she eyed the bowl.
“Aye me, but what is this? I have run out of amethyst.” Zecora said with disappointment.
“What’s wrong zecora?” Starburst asked.
“I must go to get this flower for my brew to have full power.” Zecora explained.
“Yeah, you go, you go.” Apple Bloom said with a wave of her hoof. Zecora left to find the flower. Once she was gone, Apple Bloom started mixing up the potion herself.
“Apple Bloom, what are you doing?” Starburst asked.
“Don’t you see Starburst? With this potion, we could finally get our cutie marks.” She said excitedly.
“But, Zecora said it’s not finished yet, and you don’t know how to make it. What if something goes wrong?” Starburst argued.
Apple Bloom didn’t listen as she continued. “It’ll be fine Starburst, come on, don’t you want your cutie mark?”
“Well, yeah, but…I don’t think this is a good way to get it.”
“Fine, you don’t want to take this potion and earn a cutie mark, I won’t make you. That just means I’ll be the first in our group to get it.” Apple Bloom soon finished the potion and got ready to chug her creation.
“Apple Bloom, wait!” Starburst exclaimed. “I still don’t think this is a good idea. We should just leave it and go.”
“It’ll be fine.” Apple Bloom said with a wave of her hoof. She proceeded to drink up her concoction. After a moment of nothing, there was a small flash on Apple Bloom’s flank and a silver ring appeared there. “IT WORKED! IT WORKED! I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!” She exclaimed happily.
“Wow, it did work.” Starburst said.
“I told you it would, come on, let’s show the others my new cutie mark.” Apple Bloom took off from Zecora’s hut and headed for town with Starburst close behind.
They soon reached town when Starburst pointed something out. “Apple Bloom, wait! Hold on a second!”
Apple Bloom came to a halt and turned to Starburst. “What?”
“Apple Bloom, what does that cutie mark even mean? What kind of special talent do you have?” He asked.
“Oh yeah. Hmm….OH, I know!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “I need to go to Sweet Apple Acres first. I know just what ma talent is. You go on to the school, I’ll meet you there later.” She then galloped off for home.
“But….” Starburst tried to stop her with a hoof raised but she was long gone. He lowered his hoof and went on to school.
He soon arrived to find all the students playing around in the playground. He spotted Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and made his way over to them. “Hey girls.” He greeted.
“Hey Starburst.” Sweetie Greeted back. “How’s Apple Bloom, is she okay?”
“She’s fine, in fact, something great happened.” Starburst informed.
“Oh yeah, what?” Scootaloo asked.
He was about to answer when Apple Bloom showed up with a barrel ring around her midsection. She strolled past them and flashed her new cutie mark before every pony.
“Apple Bloom, you got you’re cutie mark.” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle expressed.
The other’s started to gather around to look at it and Apple Bloom. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle started looking curiously at it though. “Um, Apple Bloom, what is it?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Yeah, is it an O’? Is your talent spelling?” Scootaloo asked.
“Or is it a ring? Are you a jewelry maker?” Sweetie asked.
Twist then pushed in between the two. “Or is it a powdered doughnut? Cause that sounth delithious.”
“No, it’s a loopdyhoop!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she started twirling the ring around her waist.
“*gasp*” Scootaloo gasped in joy, but then paused. “A what now?”
“A loopdyhoop, least that’s what I always called it.” Apple Bloom informed. “Applejack made it for me when I was little out of an old rain barrel. Who knew loopdyhooping would be my special talent?”
“Wow Apple Bloom, that’s amazing.” Sweetie Belle said.
“That’s it, that’s your talent?” Diamond Tiara asked.
“Spinning a hoop around your waist? Puh-lease.” Silver Spoon added.
“Oh great, not those two again.” Starburst commented.
“Oh, you aint seen nothin’ yet.” Apple Bloom stated. She stood up on her hind legs, brought her forelegs close and managed to move the hoop up to her neck. She looked behind herself and spotted the school’s flag pole. Apple Bloom quickly dropped to her front legs and whipped the hoop up and onto the pole. Just before the hoop landed on the ground, she caught it with her nose and sent it flying back up. As it came back down, Apple Bloom lept into the air and caught it with her teeth and did a few flips before landing on all fours. She gave a smile as the hoop rested around her neck.
“Way to go Apple Bloom, that was amazing.” Starburst cheered.
The other ponies cheered as well, Diamond and Silver were left with their jaws hanging open.
“Way to go Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle cheered.
“You’re a super duper loopdy hooper!” Scootaloo also cheered.
Apple Bloom went back to spinning her hoop around her neck. “Thanks everypony.”
The school bell rang and Cheerilee came out. “All right my little ponies, time for class.” None of them heard as they were too fixated on Apple Bloom as she did a few more small tricks. Cheerilee walked over with a stern look. “Apple Bloom?”
“Yes miss Cheerilee?” Apple Bloom responded.
“I want you to take your loopdy hoop into the yard.” She then smiled. “And give us all a lesson in your amazing loopdy hooping!” All the little ponies cheered again.
Every pony had lined up in two separate rows with a hoop of their own. Apple Bloom proudly walked between them as she bounced her hoop on her tail. One hoop bounced past her that caused her to pause. She watched it bounce and fall over, then looked over to where it came from. Snips gave a sheepish smile. Apple Bloom picked up the hoop and tossed it back over to Snips and getting it around his neck. Snips blushed.
“Oh, OH!” Diamond Tiara called out as she and Silver Spoon tried to spin their hoops like Apple Bloom but were doing terrible. Diamond was standing on her hind legs while Silver tried to spin hers on one of her hind legs. They both fell over in their attempts.
“Don’t worry girls, keep at it and you might get to be half as good as me.” Apple Bloom said. The two growled.
Sweetie Belle was bouncing with her hoop around her waist, Scootaloo was moving her waist side to side, and Starburst was trying to spin his hoop around his neck by moving his head in a circle. All he managed to succeed at is make himself dizzy. “Great job you three.” Apple Bloom said with a smile.
“You’re too kind Apple Bloom.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Yeah ,we stink.” Scootaloo pointed out.
“How do you even do it? You make it look so easy.” Starburst pointed out.
“You just need a little practice. Soon you’ll be able to….” Apple Bloom began to do a few tricks as she named them. “Hoop and bop.” She dropped her hoop onto the ground and put her right hind leg, she jumped and twirled the hoop at the same time. “Hoop and hop.” She threw her hoop up and jumped through it in mid-air. “Hoop and skip.” She said as she held her hoop in her teeth and used it like a jumping rope. “And hoop and flip.” She started jumping on top of her hoop and did a flip. She finished with a dismount and got the hoop around her waist again. Everypony cheered for her again.
“Heh heh, show us some more Apple Bloom.” Cheerilee asked.
“Well all right, but just remember, these are advanced moves. They’re not for beginners, got that Diamond Tiara?” Apple Bloom said to Diamond. Diamond growled in annoyance. Apple Bloom was now twirling her hoop on her tail. “I call this one the HOOPLA!” She started spinning her hoop much faster and causing wind to pick up. She started lifting up off the ground and into the air.
“Whoa, cool, she can fly.” Starburst said. Everypony watched in awe. After a moment, there was a small flash on Apple Bloom’s flank. “What was that?” Starburst asked.
Apple Bloom fell to the ground. She looked at her flank in confusion. There was another cutie mark on her flank of two plates on sticks. “Another cutie mark?” Diamond said. “Hah, I guess that last trick was a lot of hoopla, those cutie marks are fake!” She pointed out.
Everypony gasped. “Oh no.” Starburst said.
“What? No they’re not.” Apple Bloom argued.
“Miss Cheerilee, have you ever heard of a pony with two cutie marks?” Diamond asked.
“I must say I never have. But maybe Apple Bloom has two special talents.” Cheerilee said.
Silver Spoon walked up to Apple Bloom. “Oh yeah? Then let’s see you do that.”
“Spin plates.” Snips said.
“Yeah.” Snails agreed as the two tossed two sticks and plates at Apple Bloom.
The sticks and plates landed on Apple Bloom’s nose perfectly as the plates spun perfectly balanced on the sticks.
Everypony gasped in surprise. “Whew, that was close.” Starburst said. “But wait, something isn’t right. Two cutie marks? Shouldn’t the potion only given her one?” He asked himself. “I don’t like this. I got a bad feeling.” Starburst grew worried for his friend.
“Two cutie marks?” Sweetie Belle stated.
“Two talents?” Scootaloo said.
“Awe dang!” Apple Bloom cheered.
“Our friend is the most special pony ever!” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo cheered.
“All right everypony, you ready for a real show?” Apple Bloom asked. She led everypony into town to show off her talents to all.
Once in town, Apple Bloom began performing some tricks. She started by flinging the hoop and sticks and plates into the air. The sticks and plates went through the hoop and Apple Bloom caught them on her nose, then the hoop with a hind leg and spun it. Next, she was now balancing the plates on her head and the hoop on her tail. She performed a few more impressive tricks by balancing on the hoop as it rolled while keeping the plates in motion in different positions. Apple Bloom soon spotted Rainbow Dash asleep on a cloud overhead. She flung the hoop up with her tail through the cloud without disturbing Rainbow Dash and made the cloud perfectly round too.
Sweetie Belle had brought Rarity, Nova, Twilight and Spike over to see the show Apple Bloom was putting on. Apple Bloom flung the hoop at Twilight’s forehead and made it spin fast. The hoop bounced back revealing it had curled Twilight’s hair like Rarity’s. Spike looked lovingly at it with heart’s in his eyes.
Apple Bloom continued with a few more tricks before Applejack gave a whistle. She bucked a nearby table with pies and plates on it, sending them flying into the air. Apple Bloom caught them and flung them back up with her hoop. It managed to slice up the pie in mid-air into multiple pieces and landed perfectly on the plates which landed on some benches.
That was the grand finale. Apple Bloom, looking tired, headed home with her family. Starburst came up to her big brother. “Hey Nova.” He was looking a little worried.
“Hey Starburst, I see Apple Bloom finally got her cutie mark huh?” Nova said with a smile.
“Yeah, she did.” Starburst said nervously.
Nova picked up on it. “Starburst, what’s wrong?” He asked with concern.
Starburst wasn’t sure if he should tell Nova about Apple Bloom making a potion to earn her cutie mark. He decided against it and gave a smile. “It’s nothing, nevermind.”
“Are you sure?” Nova asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“Yeah, I’m sure, I guess I’m just a little jealous Apple Bloom got her cutie mark.” Starburst offered.
“Oh, well, okay then. Are you ready to head home now, the sun is starting to set.” Nova asked having accepted Starbursts excuse. Starburst nodded. The two soon headed home and went to bed.
It wasn’t until very early in the morning, before the sun was even up, that the two brothers got an early wake up call of somepony knocking on their door. Nova turned over and sat up with a groggy look in his eyes. “*Yawn* by the stars, who could that be at this hour?” He asked. He slowly removed himself from his bed and made his way to the door.
“Nova *Yawn* What is it?” starburst asked as he sat up.
“There’s someone at the door Starbutst, go back to sleep.” Nova said.
Starburst didn’t go back to sleep, he was curious who was at the door. Nova used his magic to disguise himself in his pony guise just in case. He opened the door to see Twilight, Spike, and Applejack looking worried with Apple Bloom behind them looking scared yet dancing like crazy, plus, she had two new cutie marks. On her flank with the hoop and spinning plates was a tap dancing shoe and a funny looking symbol. “Nova, I’m sorry to bother you so early, but I figured you might be able to help us with whatever technology or knowhow you have. Apple Bloom is sick and has the cutie pox.” Twilight informed.
Nova snapped himself out of his drowsiness upon hearing Apple Bloom may be sick. “Cutie Pox?” he asked curiously. “Bring her in.” He stepped aside to let the three in. Apple Bloom danced in. All the while, Starburst was watching from the bedroom and was peeking out.
“Thank ya kindly Nova, we figured you might be able ta help us first.” Applejack said.
“I don’t know what I could do, but I’ll try. So what are the symptoms?” He asked seriously.
“She’s got four cutie marks and can’t stop doing the talents that come with them. It’s a strange illness that came along a long time ago. It just mysteriously showed up for a while then strangely went away. No cure was found.” Twilight informed.
“Give me a minute.” Nova dropped his disguise and went over to his work table that turned into his ships computer. Once the screen was up, he typed in the symptoms of Apple Bloom and looked to see if there might be something similar in his computer’s database. “Let’s see, funnel flu, phlanx disease, killer coax hedache, come on. Give me something.” He said as he went through the known diseases from his planet. After a minute of looking, he gave up. “I’m sorry girls, but I don’t see anything here even close to what Apple Bloom is going through. I’m sorry I couldn’t help. There may be one thing I can do to help temporarily for her to relieve her.”
Apple Bloom said something in a strange language Nova was not familiar with but it sounded like she was begging.
“The best I can do is try to use my magic to hold her in place.” Nova stated.
“Just please help her.” Applejack said with worry.
Nova focused his magic and his antennae began to glow yellow. His aura enveloped Apple Bloom and she stopped moving. “There, I can hold her still so she can relax until we get this resolved.”
“I think I know somepony else that can help then, or I guess I should say zebra.” Twilight said. “Come on.” Twilight started to lead the way out as Nova lifted Apple Bloom up in his grasp.
“Wait, I’m coming with you.” Starburst declared as he came out of the bedroom.
“Starburst?” Nova asked curiously.
“Please Nova, I’m worried about her.” Starburst said as he looked up at Apple Bloom who looked a little relieved that she wasn’t constantly dancing anymore.
“All right, come on little brother.” Nova said with a smile.
Nova and Starburst put on their holo-emitters before heading out and headed for the other side of town to Zecora just as the sun was rising.
Along the way, just as they reached the middle of town, a flash emitted from Apple Bloom and a new cutie mark appeared. It was of a stone chizle and hammer. Somehow, the new cutie mark appearing was enough for Nova to lose control of his magic for Apple Bloom to break free. “Ah, wh-what the….” He paused as he was about to say something relating to space.
“Oh no, Nova, are you alright?” Twilight asked as she took Nova’s side.
“I’m fine Twilight, I’m more worried about…” He stopped again when he, Twilight, Applejack, Spike, and Starburst saw Apple Bloom making a stone sculpture of a pony on a half shell. Another cutie mark of a hat and a chimney sweep appeared on her. She rushed up to the top of a house and used a chimney sweep to get it clean. Another cutie mark of an accordion appeared on her. Apple Bloom started jumping around with an accordion and was playing it. Poor Apple Bloom had more cutie marks appear on her and was forced to perform the talents they came with.
“Nova, what are we going to do?” Starburst asked.
“Can’t you stop her like before?” Twilight asked.
“I-I don’t know, when that fifth one appeared, it…it somehow gave off a magic burst that disrupted my magic. I can’t hold her in place.” Nova said with worry.
“She’s cursed.” One mare said.
“Hexed.” Another said.
“Enchanted.” Said a third.
“No she’s not.” Spike informed. This was met with relieved sighs from the three mares. “She just has some mysterious illness with no known cure called cutie pox.”
That statement sent the town in a panic. “CUTIE POX!” Every pony around said. Most of them ducked into their houses and closed their doors while others ran off in a cloud of dust, leaving the town looking like a ghost town.
“Way to go Spike.” Nova said with annoyance.
“I thought I had removed their fear the last time I visited here.” Zecora said as she seemed to come out of nowhere. She had with her a basket on her side. “But, doors are barred and shutters shut, guess I should have stayed inside my hut.” She said as she stood next to Applejack.
“Zecora, Apple Bloom has cutie pox.” Twilight pointed out.
“You got to help her Zecora.” Starburst pleaded.
“We were just on our way to see if you had a cure.” Twilight said.
“But magically, you’re here. Was your zebra sense a tinglin?” Applejack asked.
Zecora walked forward a bit. “My zebra sense did not bring me round. It was a special flower I needed found. I thought I picked enough potions I needed to mix, but after my visit from Apple Bloom, some had mysteriously left my room.” Zecora had made her way over to Apple Bloom who was now doing pushups while lifting a dumbbell with her tail. “Apple Bloom, what do you say? Did this flower just walk away?” Apple Bloom looked nervous.
Before she could answer, another cutie mark appeared and Apple Bloom went right to washing a window.
“A cutie pox cure I have forsooth, for healing power is within the seeds of truth.” Zecora reached into her basket and pulled out three yellow seeds with her tail.
“W-well then, give them to her, quick.” Applejack said.
“These seeds must be planted in the ground. With the truth, they’ll grow and the cure is found.”
“Come again?” Apple jack asked.
Nova knew what she was saying. “She….she said that somepony needs to….to tell the truth so the seeds will grow.” He had his eyes closed and his head turned to the side. Applejack and Twilight heard what he said but didn’t seem to notice his expression.
“Well then, let’s get to it.” Applejack knocked the seeds from Zecora’s tail and quickly planted them in the ground. “All right, they’re planted. Now somepony tell the truth!” She called out.
No response came. Soon, a tornado appeared on Apple Bloom and she started spinning wildly.
“Somepony, anypony!” Applejack called out again.
Pinkie was looking nervous as she sat at the doorway of Sugarcube Corner watching the whole thing. “Yesterday I told Mrs. Cake I ate two corn cakes, but I really ate three.” Pinkie said. Nova sighed a little in relief that he wouldn’t have to reveal himself like this.
Twilight and Applejack looked to the buried seeds to see the flower grow, but nothing happened. They looked back to Pinkie and Nova grew worried again. “Okay six, I ate six corncakes!” Pinkie blurted out. The two looked again and still nothing. “Oh make it stop, make it stop!” Pinkie cried out.
Applejack turned to Nova and spoke in a whisper. “Nova, please, maybe if you tell everypony about you and Starburst really bein aliens, that’ll make the plant grow.”
“What….but Applejack…” Nova started.
Twilight cut him off. “Applejack, we can’t ask him to do that. It isn’t right.”
“What about Apple Bloom? She needs help.” Applejack argued.
“But what if he isn’t ready for this?” Twilight argued.
“Girls, stop….I…I’ll do it. For Apple Bloom’s sake.” Nova said reluctantly.
Twilight looked over to him. “Are you sure Nova?” She asked.
“Apple Bloom needs help, I seem to be the only one hiding anything here. If me telling the truth about what me and Starburst are will help Apple Bloom….I’ll do it.”
“Thank you Nova.” Applejack said.
“Wait, Nova, let me try something first.” Starburst offered.
“Starburst?” Nova said as he cocked his head.
“Please just wait, don’t say anything yet.” Before the others could respond, Starburst ran over to Apple Bloom who stopped spinning and was just dancing in place. “Apple Bloom, please, you have to tell everypony the truth about your cutie marks. If you don’t, Nova is going to tell everypony about us, and he’s not ready for it. Please Apple Bloom, just tell the truth.” He said with a sad look.
“All right, I can’t stand it anymore, it’s me, I admit it! I didn’t earn my cutie marks, they’re all fake!” Apple Bloom finally admitted. “I figured the heart’s desire would help me get what I wanted most, so when Zecora left her hut, I mixed up a potion and put the rest of the heart’s desire in it!” The ponies started coming out of hiding as Apple Bloom admitted her guilt.
Once she finished, a flower bloomed from the seeds and every pony was left in awe of its beauty. Apple Bloom lunged forth and gobbled up the flower. As soon as she did, she sighed in relief and dropped to the ground. All the cutie marks on her body started to disappear one by one.
“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle cried out as she and Scootaloo galloped up to her.
“Are you okay?” Scootaloo asked. Starburst had joined them with Apple Bloom.
“I’m great, and I’ve never been happier to be a blank flank.” Apple Bloom stated with a smile. Her face dropped. “But I’m awful sorry I lied, especially to you gals. I was just so desperate for my cutie mark, I got carried away.” She made her way over to Zecora. “And I’m real sorry I snuck those flowers from you Zecora. Why, I wouldn’t blame ya if ya never wanted me to come by again.” She hung her head in shame.
Zecora lifted her head with a hoof. “Now Apple Bloom, don’t be silly, you are always welcome little filly. With each mistake, you learn something new, growing into a better you.” When no pony was looking, Zecora vanished.
“How did she do that?” Nova asked.
“Apple Bloom, would you mind writing to princess Celestia telling her what you learned?” Twilight asked.
“I’d be happy to Twilight. Spike!” Spike rushed over with a quill and parchment ready to go.
“Ready.” Spike said.
“Dear princess Celestia, waiting for what your heart desires can be hard, so you may take a shortcut. But this dishonesty never works because you didn’t earn what your heart desires. The only cure is being honest with yerself and others. And that is something every heart desires. Also, a good friend Starburst tried to tell me that as well. Starburst tried to tell me that I needed to be patient for what I want as well, and I should have listened to him.” Starburst looked surprised by this.
Spike blew fire on the letter and sent it on its way.
“I sure am proud of you sis.” Applejack said as she walked over to Apple Bloom. “Seems like you finally learned the importance of patience.”
“Yep, all good things come to those who wait.” The three little ponies were silent for a few seconds. “Well, I’ve waited long enough.” Apple Bloom suddenly stated. The adults, and Starburst, looked at her surprised. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo started walking away.
“Actually, that was way too long.” Scootaloo added.
“What?” Applejack asked.
“But girls, what about that lesson you just learned.” Nova said to them.
They seemed to ignore them as they called out to Starburst. “Hey Starburst, come on, if Apple Bloom was able to do that with a potion, maybe her talent will lie in potion making.” Sweetie Belle said.
“You go on ahead girls, I need to do something in town.” Starburst said.
“You sure, this could be our special talent that earns us our cutie marks.” Apple Bloom said.
“I think I want to take a break from cutie marks for today.”
“Suit yourself, see ya later then.” Sweetie said as the three ran off.
Applejack shook her head with a smirk and walked off.
“I’m sure those three will learn someday.” Twilight said.
“Let’s hope so.” Nova agreed.
Starburst came up to Nova. “Nova, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
Nova turned to Starburst. “Sure little brother, what’s up?”
“There’s a flower I want to find for…..somepony.” He said with a bit of a blush.
Nova smirked. “Starburst, do you want to find a flower for your special somepony Sweetie Belle?”
Starburst looked down a little in embarrassment. “Yes.”
“Awe, how sweet.” Twilight complimented. “Are you looking for something specific?”
“I was thinking about getting that heart’s desire flower for her.” Starburst informed.
“Well, I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Nova said. “What does this flower look like?”
“I know what it looks like, I’ll help you find it. In fact, you can probably get it at Daisy’s flower shop.” Twilight informed.
“Great, thanks Twilight.” Nova said with a smile.
“You’re welcome. I need to get home and get started on some work. I’ll see you later.” Twilight started to make her way home.
“Bye Twilight, how about we go out tonight?” Nova asked.
“Sure, I’d love too.” Twilight smiled.
Later that afternoon, Starburst stood before Rarity’s shop with a flower in hoof in a flower pot. Just like Twilight said, Daisy had a heart’s desire plant. “Okay Starburst, you can do this.” He knocked on the door first.
Rarity soon opened the door and saw Starburst standing there. “Hello Starburst, what brings you by?” She asked cheerfully.
“Hello Rarity, is Sweetie Belle here?”
“Oh, you got her a flower didn’t you, how sweet.” She cooed as she saw the flower. “Oh, and it’s quit a pretty one too. She’s going to love it.”
Starburst blushed a little.
“Come on in, She’s upstairs in her room. I’ll send her down in a moment.” Rarity led Starburst into her house. “Just wait right here and she’ll be down in a moment.” Rarity made her way upstairs to Sweetie Belle’s room.
Starburst sat on his haunches feeling a little nervous about this. Sweetie Belle Soon descended the staircase and met with Starburst. “Hello Starburst, what did you want?”
“Hello Sweetie Belle, I…..well….I got you something, here.” He held out the flower. “It’s the heart’s desire flower. I thought it looked nice and figured you might like it, so, I asked my big brother to help me get it for you. Do you like it?”
Sweetie Belle took the potted flower in her hooves. “Starburst, this is beautiful, thank you.” She said with a big smile. She set the flower aside and planted a second long kiss on his cheek.
Starburst blushed more. “Y…you’re welcome.”
Rarity was watching the whole thing from around the corner of the stair case and was smiling so big at the exchange.
“This was very sweet of you.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Sure….no problem. Um, d….do you….want to just…I don’t know, hang out for a bit, just the two of us?” Starburst asked.
“I’d love to, where should we go?” Sweetie asked.
“Well, my brother gave me some bits in case I wanted to stop by sugar cube corner…..though I think he gave me more than what I would need for just myself on purpose.”
“That sounds perfect. I’d love to go.”
“Great, then let’s go…if you’re ready that is.”
Sweetie smiled and started for the door.