//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 : The Summons // Story: The Origins of the Cutie Mark // by CoastBrumby //------------------------------// The Origins of the Cutie Mark: The Summons Two weeks had passed since the defeat of the evil Centaur Tirek. Equestria’s newest princess, Twilight Sparkle, was still settling into the castle that magically emerged from the ground following the victory she and her friends shared. It had been a traumatic battle and Twilight Sparkle still suffered from nightmares. The night before had been one of good dreams however. Princess Luna had been devoting special energy to calm and soothe her fellow royal. Twilight was feeling energised when, Spike, her loyal baby dragon brought her a message at breakfast. “This message just arrived.” The little dragon said. “From Princess Celstia?” Twilight asked. “The one and only.” Spike said. “Read it to me, please.” Twilight said. Spike cleared his throat and spoke in his most regal voice. “You’re Royal Highness Princess Twilight Sparkle, Your presence is requested in Canterlot at the Royal Palace. Please, come without delay. We have a matter of great importance to discuss with you. Time may be off the essence. Signed Princess Celstia.” “May be of the essence. That’s a bit vague.” Twilight said. “So when do we leave?” Spike asked. “Have you eaten? Are the doors and windows locked?” Twilight asked. “Yes and yes.” Spike replied. “Then we leave as soon as I am finished eating.” Twilight said. She ate her food with gusto and put the dished in the sink. “I guess we can do a little washing up first. No telling how long we are going to be away.” Twilight said. They took a few minutes to wash the dishes and put them on the drying rack. Spike climbed onto twilights back when they were finished. “Now, we are ready.” Twilight said. She teleported to the airspace above Canterlot castle. “You’re power is a lot stronger now than it was before you had your new castle.” Spike said. “I only hope I can prove worthy of it. I have been gifted with great magic, so I also have a great responsibility to use it wisely.” Twilight Sparkle said as she glided to the ground. It wasn’t long before Twilight Sparkle was being ushered into the throne room. There she found the magnificent white alicorn who was her mentor and ruler of all Equestria waiting for her. Princess Celstia spoke in a strong a gentle voice many found very reassuring. “Twilight Sparkle, thank you for coming so quickly.” Princess Celstia said. “You said time may be of the essence in your summons.” Twilight said. “I did not summon you. I requested your presence. Remember, you and I stand as equals now. So I make another request. Spike, I would like to speak to Twilight in private. Perhaps you would like to take a walk in the garden. The dragon nip is in bloom. It is said that only dragons can truly appreciate their aroma.” Celestia said. “And only Dragons can drink their nectar. Only we have the right kind of tongue. I will see you a little later.” Spike said. He departed the throne room with a bow. “I have no secrets from Spike.” Twilight said. “You may choose to tell Spike all of what I have to say if you think it wise. I have great faith in your judgment, Twilight Sparkle. Your knowledge is almost equal to your wisdom. Tell me, where did we come from?” Celestia said. “We who? I don’t know where you and Princess Luna came from? I don’t know if you were born princesses or if you became one like me, and I don’t know how old you were when you defeated Discord.” Twilight said. “These are things I will tell you when the time is right. A day will come when we have no secrets between us. No, I ask ‘Where did pony-kind come from?’” Celestia said. “Ponies evolved from primitive horses in lands over the ocean to the east of here. That is the leading theory in any case.” Twilight said. “Do you believe in this world of fantastic magic that things could be that simple?” Celestia asked. “The fossil record would lead us to believe it is so.” Twilight said. “There are gaps in that record. If examined closely one would not a massive increase in pony brain size in the span of a few generations.” Celestia said. “I’m really no anthropologist. My reading on the subject has not been intensive.” Twilights said. “Ponies were not given intellect by natural selection. It was granted to us by beings of great power. Those same beings gave Pegasus their wings and Unicorns their horns. They gave Earth Ponies their strength, and all ponies their cutie mark. These beings raised us up from simple beasts so we might serve them, and we did with pleasure for that was the purpose of the cutie mark.” Celestia said. “A cutie mark is something you receive when you discover who you really are. It doesn’t make you serve anyone.” Twilight said. “When one of these beings gave you a mark with one of their magical branding rods it did.” Celstia said grimly. “Who were these beings? When was this? Where are they now?” Twilight asked. “These beings are often referred to as The Overlords or The Elders. Even now we dare not speak the true name of our old masters aloud, but I shall do so once, for you. Hasbro was their name. They abandoned us several thousand years ago. None know where they went, or why they left? I pray they never return.” Celstia said. “Did you know them? Were you alive during the time of the Hasbro?” Twilight said. “The Elders, Twilght Sparkle, please, call them ‘The Elders’. Yes, Luna and I are a product of their arts. It is not something I feel comfortable talking about. We were never bound by cutie marks. We were kept free to make our magic stronger. Our wills were free at least. Our bodies were bound by clever hobbles.” Princess Celestia said. Her head drooped. Her mane stopped flowing. “I appreciate you sharing this with me, but I still don’t know what it is you called me here for. Why may time be of the essence?” Twilight said. Princess Cestia stood up and once again looked like the ruling monarch she was. “There is only one magical branding rod still know to be in existence. It has been divided into three parts. One part is kept here. One is kept with Princess Cadence in the Crystal Empire. One is kept with the Sultan and Sultana of Saddle Arabia. Word has reached us of an archaeological dig in the northern reaches of Saddle Arabia. This dig is of an ancient Elder palace. It is a strong possibility that a rod may be found. We need you to travel to Saddle Arabia, and oversee the dig. If a rod is found it is to be divided once more into three parts. One part shall go to the Crystal Empire. One part shall go to the Sultanate, and one part shall become your possession, Twilight Sparkle.” Celstia said. “Why not keep it in one part?” Twilight said. “They are evil things, but they may prove needed one day. On that day, the need must be so great that three kingdoms must agree to use them together. If you believe the rod is going to fall into the wrong hooves, I implore you to destroy it.” Celestia said. “I understand. I will depart at once. I will go get Spike and I will be on my way.” Celestia said. “Please, do not bring Spike with you. These rods exude a magic dragons cannot resist. He’d try and eat it. There is really no telling what might happen were he to succeed.” Celestia said. “Spike will be disappointed, but he will understand. Guess, I am going alone.” Twilight said. “You should travel with an entourage. I will be dispatching Prince Blueblood, Twinkleshine, and some of the royal guard to accompany you.” Celestia said. “I understand the royal guard, but why Twinkle Shine and Prince Blueblood.” Twilight said. “Twinkle Shine is an expert in ancient history. She will be your chief advisor. Prince Blueblood really needs to get out more. The trip will do him some good. He can be useful when given clear instructions. You’ll be glad you brought him along. I’m sure.” Princess Celestia said. “You can count on me, Princess Celestia.” Twilight said. She gave her mentor a salute. “All of Equestria can count on you. Prince Blueblood and Twinkleshine are waiting in the reception room. Find them there after you have spoken with Spike. Travel arrangements to Saddle Arabia have already been made. Twinkleshine knows the details. Safe journeys, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight Bowed. “Good Day, You’re Highness.” She said. Twilight found Spike in the garden. He was disappointed at being left behind, but he understood why it was necessary. Twinkleshine and Prince Blueblood stood at attention when Twilight Sparkle and Spike Entered the room. They bowed when they stopped in the centre of the room. “You’re Highness.” Twinkle Shine and Prince Blueblood said in unison. Twilight Sparkle nodded to them both. “Prince Blueblood, Twinkle Shine, it is good to see both of you again. I know we will make an effective team, and do our best for Equestria. Twinkle Shine, I have been told you are in charge of travel.” Twilight said. “Yes, Princess Twilight. Everything has been arranged. The train to Manehatten leaves in half an hour. A carriage has been reserved for us and the six guard ponies. From there we will travel by airship to the port of Spurs on the west coast of the Desert Continent. From the port we will travel by rail once again until we reach Yee Had, a large city in Saddle Arabia. From Yee Had we will be guided by an official delegation to the archaeological dig site. All told the trip will take just under two weeks. Assuming we are not delayed of course, Your Highness.” Twinkle Shine said. “Just Twilight will do. Am I assume you will brief me on the Elders and their relics?” Twilight asked. “Yes, Twilight Sparkle, I have prepared a briefing for you and Prince Blueblood. I will deliver it on the Airship.” Twinkleshine said. “And I will be briefing the two of you on Saddle Arabian Culture and Etiquette. Which I am very familiar with by now because this will be my third trip. My aunt is under the impression they like me there, and perhaps they do. I’m not fond of the place, I’m afraid. It’s dry, sandy, and the coffee is served much too strong. The ponies are alright once you get used to their foreign ways.” Prince Blueblood said. “Good to know. If that is everything we need to do here, let’s be on our way. Spike, you’ll be with me a little while longer. The train to Manehatten passes through Ponyville.” Twilight said. “Great because I want to catch up with Twinkleshine. I haven’t seen you in ages. You ever get a date with that mystery stallion with the big horn you were going on about.” Spike said. Twinkleshine blushed bright red. “No, I have been very focused on my studies. Don’t want to be late for the train. Let’s get going.” Twinkleshine said. She galloped away. “There was no need to gallop off. The train station is only a ten minute trot from here.” Prince Blueblood said. “I guess you and I can take our time together, Prince Blueblood. We can catch up.” Twilight said. “I remember you used to be Aunt Celestia’s protégé. You replaced Sunset Shimmer. I heard you met her in another world. Did she mention me at all?” Prince Blueblood said. “No, why would she?” Twilight asked. Blueblood lowered his head. “I heard a rumour that she escaped to another world because Aunty was trying to convince her to marry me.” He said. “I never heard anything like that. She ran away because she was seeking a greater sense of freedom. I am not really sure why she chooses to stay where she is. Life is very different there. They don’t have magic. I would miss it too much. If you love her, why don’t you go there and tell her.” Twilight said. “Oh, I don’t really have any feelings for her at all. I just wanted to know I wasn’t so repugnant that I caused someone to run to another world. I remember when that gorgeous unicorn yelled at me at the grand galloping gala. I started thinking about the rumours. I wondered if all mares saw me in such a harsh light.” Prince Blueblood said. “I will be honest. You need to improve you’re sensitivity and chivalry, but it is something you can do. Rarity will be very glad to hear you think of her as gorgeous. I tell you what. I can help you out. You take a sensitivity training course when we get back, and when you’re done, I will arrange a date with Rarity for you. I am certain she will give you a second chance. She is the most generous pony I know.” Twilight said. “You sound like Aunty. ‘I’ll keep the bookies from breaking your horn this time, but you must attend gamblers anonymous meetings.’ Are all you princesses alike?” Prince Blueblood said. “Yes, that’s a condition of my help now. You must attend your meetings.” Twilight Sparkle said. “It’s been over two years since I’ve placed a bet. How much on me making it to three?” Prince Blueblood said. “Ahhh…” Twilight said. “That’s a joke, Twilight Sparkle.” Prince Blueblood said. “I’ll put a diamond on it.” Spike said. “Do you play cards, Little Dragon?” Prince Blueblood said. “I’m pretty good at old maid.” Spike said. “Really.” Prince Blueblood replied. “No cards. You’re trying to reform, Blueblood. Spike, don’t make me feel glad I am leaving you behind.” Twilight said. “But Twilight, you were the one who taught me how to play old maid.” Spike said “It’s a fine game. Gambling is the problem.” Twilight said. “So, you wouldn’t approve of me taking Pinkie Pie down to Haylantic City and making a little money out of the casinos.” Spike said. “No, using Pinkie’s extra senses that way would be cheating. Plus, Rainbow Dash already had that idea. They actually made it to the city. Then they ran into Maud Pie who was in town for a conference or something. Maud found out about their plans. She wasn’t happy. She told them that if she found out they engaged in any gambling she would tell the casinos and have them booted out of town. She also told Rainbow Dash she wouldn’t be happy if her sister was mistreated by a friend. Rainbow Dash was not threatened exactly, but she told me Maud casually bent an iron railing on a fence while they spoke. Maud is fantastically strong you know. So the three of them caught a few shows together, and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie came home happy, but not richer.” Twilight said. “Well, I gotta get rich somehow. I dream of an all gem diet you know.” Spike said. “I know.” Twilight replied. “This Maud Pie is an Earth Pony, correct?” Prince Blueblood said. “Yes.” Twilight said. “Some Unicorns look down on Earth Ponies, but that’s just silly. They are every bit as talented as Pegusi or Unicorns. Their talents usually aren’t as show as magic or flight. How many unicorns do you know who can casually bend an iron bar? How many Pegasi can predict the future?” Blueblood said. “Well, Pegasi can predict the weather because they make it. You make and excellent point, Prince Blueblood, but I don’t think you should look down on someone even if they have no talents at all. You don’t need to be good at things to be a good pony.” Twilight said. “This is some heavy stuff. It is too nice a day to be wasted on philosophy. Do you mind if I run ahead and catch up with Twinkleshine?” Spike said. “Sure, see you in five minutes.” Twilight said. Spike took off like a bullet. Twilight laughed. “He’s such a kid sometimes.” “Do you ever think of him as your own child?” Prince Blueblood asked. “Yes, I do. I would do anything for him.” Twilight said. “I am something of an adopted child to Aunty Celestia. She took a hoof in raising me. I was educated by the finest tutors in all fields. I suspect she hoped I would tranced the boundaries of magic and become an alicorn as you have. That’s never going to happen though. I have lots of power, but little talent in the implementation of all but the simplest of spells. I wonder if she is disappointed in how I turned out.” Prince Blueblood said. “I’m sure she’s not. Princess Celestia told me I would be glad you came along, and you can be very useful.” Twilight said. “Ha ha. I am sure she said more than that.” Prince Blueblood said. “She also said you need to be given clear instructions.” Twilight Sparkle said. She brushed her hoof in front of her. Blueblood laughed. “Of course I do, your Highness. I am a stallion after all.” He said. Twilight Sparkle laughed. She galloped ahead. “Come on. Let’s not keep everyone waiting.” She said. Blueblood followed closely behind.