//------------------------------//
// The Thirteenth 
// Story: Marked 
// by Dark_Soliloquy 
//------------------------------//

"It'll be fine sweetie. You're not the only pony who's been nervous about getting marked." Mom says for the millionth time. "I mean, when I was your age-"

"Moooooom! I'm not nervous." I turn my head and look out the window of the minivan. These things are so old... I hope nopony sees me in this.

Mom opens her mouth, but I quickly turn on the radio and crank up the volume. I was getting sick of all the "when I was your age" stories. Mom literally cringes when she hears my choice of music. Whatever.

"Are we almost there yet? I just want to get this over with." I grumble. This would've been much faster if we had taken our family-size hoverboard.

"Just a two more miles, hon. And afterward-" Mom smiles at me with a gleam in her eye. "We'll get ice cream."

For those of you who don't know, my mom loves ice cream. She's always looking for an excuse to get some. I don't like ice cream, and Mom knows it.

I'm more of a cake person.





"Ooooooh! When did you get it???" Ash's friends pined over her mark. It's not anything special, just the generic symbol.

"Yesterday," Ash answers quietly, which wasn't like her at all.

I'm not the best at social situations, and when Ash is upset... Well, it's best to leave her alone. So, naturally, I left her alone.

Which led me to be sitting alone.

And guess who noticed. That's right. I'm gonna say it.

Ok, it was the guy. You know, the guy whom I introduced myself to, and you saw how that worked out.

"So... Where's you're friends your always hanging out with?" He smiles. I can't tell if it's a smirk or a nice smile, though.

"Busy." I say bluntly. I don't have time to deal with him.

"Oh?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Don't you have some friends to talk to???" I snap at him, before he can make any snide remarks.

He laughs. It's a nice laugh, I guess, but I'm too annoyed to care. "No, actually."

"Well-" Before I can finish, the bell rings, and the guy rushes off to class. I don't even know his name, but that's probably a good thing.

This all happened yesterday. I was thinking about it while I was in a marking room, waiting to be marked.





"Hi, Blitz!" A way-too-cheerful nurse trots in. She's smiling like she just won the lottery or something. "Are you ready to get marked?"

To be honest, I wasn't. But I just wanted to get this over with, so I nodded.

"Good!" The nurse says. She gets her supplies ready, and lowers the chair I'm sitting in. I take a deep breath. I actually never asked my mom what it felt liked to be marked, so I had no idea what was going to happen.

Then a stallion who I think must be a doctor comes in. "I can take it from here, Redheart."

"But sir-"

The doctor glares at Redheart, and she grudgingly walks away.

"Hello, Miss Blitz. I'm Dr. Mask." He shuts the door and locks it. "And I'm here to assassinate you."





I just sit there. Did he just say what I think he said?

Dr. Mask pulls out a sleek nanodagger. Yep. He's serious.

"I've been waiting for this moment, Blitz Scarlet Light. My master will be proud." Ok, so he knows my full name. Typical bad guy.

I try to think of something brave to say, but of course I can't think of anything.

Dr. Mask (honestly I don't even think he has a degree) smiles. "This should be quick and easy. Unless you make it otherwise." He says.

I'm panicking. I don't know what to do, what to say, and I'm starting to hyperventilate.

"Oh, don't be afraid." Mask says. Why should I not be afraid??? He's about to freakin' kill me!

Sorry. Just nervous.