A minor injury leads Apple Bloom to learn that she and the other Crusaders aren't like normal ponies. Not having their marks has always been their common bond, but as the trio uncover their unique nature, it becomes clear that their lives are intertwined on a much deeper level. As they learn the secrets of their shared past, it leads to revelations about their friendship, families, and their long sought after talents. What they discover and accomplish along the way is beyond what anypony would have thought possible.
There is now a sequel! Three Wishes: The Hole In The Sun
And a (more or less) standalone Christmas Special set between this and the sequel. Cinder Claws: The Caribou Legend Of Kol-Klor
Big thanks to totallynotabrony, Dusk Watch, AugieDog, and Piquo Pie for prereading and editing help!
I dunno what to say. This is some strange stuff, but it's brilliant, and I wanna see more. So, please do continue!
Let's do this!
I think I'll hold off reading for now, just until a few more chapters are available. That said, the recommendation from TNAB, the cover art and description itself all suggest a good quality story.
3336797 Come on, you know you want to. I can guarantee robots, if nothing else
3336694 Don't forget to favorite
3336807
Why did I forget to fave?
3336694 Thanks! And rest assured, it will be continued. Pinkie Promise! It's probably going to get stranger too!
Hmm, I've red some Sweetie Bot stories before but read all the CMC are constructs that came to life... please tell me they'll at least grow up and get they're cutie marks at least. Can't wait to hear Dash's explanation.
3337003 As to what happens, well... you've finished chapter two, and heard the background story for two of the trio. Chapter 3 should round that out with the third member. Then we've got a solid pad to launch from. The real fun starts in chapter 4 and I like to think it just accelerates from there. As for how far it goes, well... nothing in the cover art is there by accident. Let's just say that if you're curious about what you've read so far, then I think you'll definitely enjoy the ride.
3337247
I like rides
Alright... MOAR!
MOAR!
Yes.. I repeat my self each time 
This definitely hooked me,
It's on my fav and read later lists.
When Pinkie breathes in, you'd better anchor yoursefl to the ground less you want to be blown away !
OH MY FUCKING GOD.
This is gold!
I love it! AB, Scoots, and SB! Golems! Magical golems!
~Skeeter The Lurker
I love how you managed to keep in line with canon with this.
I really do.
And the Genie cupcake wish thing is glorious.
I love it. This is an amazing fic. It really is.
~Skeeter The Lurker
Mind = BLOWN.
Of all things that could happen, this is THE. BEST. POSSIBLE. THING!
This is FANTASTIC! I look forward to future updates!
Now This Is Interesting.... Imma go Read on (plus Fave and Follow you)
...well.
...um, Pinkie...it doesn't work like that...it just doesn't. *stares at computer a moment longer before picking up laser rifle* Oh well, if it works like that, then Reason, Common Sense, Logic, and I need to have a little...talk about the world and their lack of a place in it.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go have violence with some abstract concepts, very good story, by the way.
What the f****ng hell is this! upvote.
Me like gib meh moar!
please? 
I love this story!
My Little Pinkie: The Cake is Magic 
Anyway, I love this story and I'm favoriting and liking right now! 
But really quick, I couldn't help shed a tear for Rarity and Applejack's stories. 
Like literally. Rarity's grandpa reminds me of the last few months with my dad. We didn't go to a big city or really do anything out of the ordinary, but I'll never forget walking down the country road at midnight (even on school nights 
) looking at stars, talking about school stuff, drinking homemade milkshakes, watching a thunderstorm like it was the best show on TV, and more. 
For bringing those memories back, I thank you. He didn't leave me a little sister or anything but he left me; he left (in his opinion) one of two of the greatest things he had to give. The other being my brother 
Bwah hah ha ha! This is very good. I was like so, ok, AB is Hay Golem, SB is a Robot (Sweetie Bot, YAY!), and what could Scoots be? Wait... Is she an Undead Zombie. Not enough magical energy left over from keeping her "alive" to allow her to fly. I was expecting Scoots parents to be all broken up about the untimely loss of their daughter, and stuff. I can't wait to see how RD ties this one together.
After a moment of thought, I guess this could still happen. I will definitely be waiting for the next chapter.
Sooo, Scootaloo is gonna be made out of really condensed cloud, I guess?
EDIT: And then we can find out what superpowers they all have!
Uh, when's the next update?
Oh god, I think I see where this is going.
Has she been putting wishes in her birthday cakes this whole time? How many wishes has she handed out?
wait...
so pinkie has a friend who literally BUYS wishes! then HAGGLES THE PRICE DOWN!!!!!! WHILE BRIBING THE DEMONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My guess is that she's made of liquid rainbow.
One word for Applejack's story: VERBOSE! There is so much history in it that it sounds more like an author's backstory (Something they would write down to help them assemble their characters) than a retelling of events by applejack. You don't have to give every single tidbit you come up with to the reader. Sometimes it's better that way since it can leave areas open for interpretation.
I really wanted to finish this chapter, but I found myself skipping through the chapter because the "relevance" question kept popping up in each paragraph. You put a lot of effort into this, but trying to read through it...
3340203 Thanks for the feedback! You're right, it is definitely verbose. I think part of that was that it was early on in the story, and I'd yet to hit my stride, so at the time probably considered this more of the bulk of the story itself, rather than first chapter "setup" for the novel the story became. The other part is that, well... every time I'm down south and visiting family, all the stories they tell are long, and meander a fair bit in the telling, and I think I just set myself into the same mindset when writing it. Regardless of my reasons for it, I can definitely see why you might find it overly verbose, and don't blame you for skimming through parts of it. Hopefully the later chapters will be less troublesome for you.
3337922 Seems I found the magic combination of words to both summon and please the (in)famous SkeeterTL.
Glad you like it... and shhh... the word "golem" doesn't come up for another chapter or two!
3337320 3337320 3338298 3338388
Glad you all like it.
3338600 3338756 3339393
Glad the weirdness is working! I promise plenty more is in store, and hopefully it will blow a few more minds along the way.
3340549
Whoops! My bad on that.
Also, I'm very easy to please. Still, this is the start to an epic tale! I can't wait for the next chapter!
Also, (in)famous, eh?
~Skeeter The Lurker
3337390 I'm okay with that.
3337704 3337704 3337964 3338824 Thanks for the kinds words, all of you.
3339253 3339274 3340131 3339367 The questions about Scootaloo (at least her origins) will be answered in the next chapter. It definitely should sate a lot of curiosity and speculation, but isn't quite as "OMG exciting!" as the later chapters. As such, well... this story already got a bigger response than I ever would have dreamed. My planned publication schedule was every Saturday, but Thursday is my birthday, and I figure that's as good of an excuse as anything to post an extra chapter. So, chapter 3 will go up (early) on Thursday, then Saturday it will continue as scheduled with chapter 4... which is where the fun starts, and is ironically titled "Subtle Progress."
3340582
WHOO HOO!
Something to look forward to!
~Skeeter The Lurker
3340122 Yes. Why? Is that strange?
3337964 3339498 3338665 3337859 Causality? Physics? The Pinkie Pie cares not for your mundane restrictions!
3339100 I'm glad to hear it touched you in that way. A lot of my own "liquid pride" was shed as I imagined and wrote those segments, since I spent far more time in that sad headspace than it takes to read through it. I hope that my attempts at prose carry the emotions effectively, as it's a fine line to walk between Pinkie Pie's antics and the heavy emotion of those back stories without either coming across as too anvilicious.
interesting story, I shall be watching and waiting and waiting and watching
This is probably one of the sweetest adoption metaphors ever, even if not intended.
3339274 That is... a very good possibility.
Reading this story is reminiscent of the story of the creation of Diana (Wonder Woman) and the story of Pygmalion. But all in good ways. :)
3340982 It wasn't meant as a direct metaphor for adoption, but rather the more general idea that family is the emotion and purpose that brings people together, and should never be dependent on blood or marriage alone. I know people whose primary "family" is the friends they've surrounded themselves with, especially when their own blood relatives were basically abusive jackasses. Still though, I'm pleased you found a more specific meaning in it as well... and I'm glad you found it beautiful either way.
3341239 There's actually another, very specific mythology/legend that I'm taking the idea from. Twilight "discovers" the ponified version of this legend right at the start of Chapter 4. If you don't want to wait 6 days for that (yeah, I'm posting two chapters this week.) Then you can google the word "golem." Don't worry, it's not a major spoiler, as I expect a lot of people (maybe even yourself) are familiar with the myth. Several others already guessed at it in comments too.
Of course, the world is full of many similar myths, from Pinocchio all the way back to Adam and Eve, but Pygmalion didn't even cross my mind, even though I've certainly heard it before. Thanks for the reminder, it's another I can add to the list.
FIRST IMPRESSION-SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD
I first clicked on this story thinking it was going to be another one of those CMC adventure stories where they do cute and funny things while working towards a goal. After the first half of Chapter 1 though, I knew this wasn't going to be the case. In fact, I was genuinely surprised when AB actually begged her friends to cut themselves to see their blood.
Though this was not what I was expecting, it is still a pretty good story with a lot of heart going into it. The only complaint I have is the Scarecrow explanation in Chap. 1. I actually had to skip huge chunks of Chap. 1 due to the explanation.
Other than that, this is an excellent story, and I look forward to see where this is headed.
Wishes, you say? fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/218/4/1/kyubey_practise_by_p_manwag-d6gvqyv.png
3340598 naw dude, you pullled it off perfectly
That Pinkie explanation had me sitting like this :
for about five minutes.
Brilliant chapter!
And her most dedicated and familiar friend wouldn't have been born, but this appears to be a universe where he's only allowed to either serve ponies or be invisible. Little things like this can really sour an overall majorly entertaining story for me. I also noticed you alternated a little between Pinkie and Pinky.
3343582 Likewise, if Twilight hadn't done that, nothing in MLP at all would ever have happened if Twilight hadn't gotten her mark that day, not just she wouldn't have found Spike. But you're right, Spike definitely gets ignored. One of the problems was having ten characters in a scene, and the story wasn't really supposed to be about him and Twilight. Still, I felt bad for him even as I wrote this, and he gets a quick bit of humor to that effect in the next chapter.
As for Pinky/Pinkie... good catch. Thanks! I'll fix that shortly.
3343863 Of course mentioning him unnecessarily would deviate from the narrative; Fluttershy barely has any presence in this scene either. But failing to bring up his birth as one of the most important parts of that monumental event struck me as a little cold.