Apple Bloom was hopeful when Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo got their Cutie Marks.
But as she got older, the idea of remaining a blank flank forever became less of a mild fear and more of a disappointing reality. Now an adult and one of the few ponies in existence without a Cutie Mark, she has created a unique brand of study known as "blankology" in the hopes of uncovering the secret of her blank flank, as well as the blank flanks of other adult ponies.
Lately, her enthusiasm for her work has been slipping. Is it time for her to give up blankology?
Chapters (1)
Amazing. Keep up the good work!
Not sure what the cutie mark of AB is supposed to represent, but ok.
my headcanon is that ponies who don't acquire there cutie marks excel in most anything, depending on the pony. If it's universal, like building or landscaping, then any of the three types could do it and still not have a cutie mark. If a unicorn pony grows into adolescence and still doesn't have a cutie mark, their special talent can range from unicorn only to one of the universal cutie marks.
...Just letting you know...
4712262 The "C" stands for "Cutie Mark" and the quills stand for writing about them. Basically - it means her talent is giving other ponies hope.
4712452
An earth pony with a cloud cutie mark! Because cloud seeding is science, and thoroughly advanced science is indistinguishable from magic!
YES! I love this!
Very nice story
There's a "the" too much there.
4814108 Thanks
That dreamest thing needs to die. If something doesn't happen despite repeated attempts then it's not going to happen and you need to stop wasting the remainder of your life.
I really like this story.
One thing, though, I kind of wish we could have seen Scootaloo's and Sweetie Belle's reactions to Apple Bloom finally getting her cutie mark.
But that's a small thing. I'm adding this to my favourites; it was very interesting.
Not sure if it's against the rules to submit a previously-written story to the contest, but hey, can't argue with the results!
I rather liked this story because of how original it is. That's where, I think, you draw the most strength in your story. I've never quite read a story like yours before, nor anything related to the study of "blankology." Apple Bloom does get her cutie mark at the end of the story, though the story itself is more about its lack thereof and a loss of passion. Quite frankly, I would love to read one of Apple Bloom's books or peruse one of her papers; this field of study has a lot of potential!
That being said, if you can take a little criticism, I'd like to pose that to you as well. I guess the main problem I have is how detached the story seems. I realize that you wrote this story in third-person omniscient, but I still feel that the story doesn't have enough, well, Apple Bloom in it. There's a lot about other ponies questioning Apple Bloom her loss of passion, but not a whole lot about how Apple Bloom lost it in the first place, and more importantly, how she found it again. The reasons are indeed present in the story, but they don't take up more than a line or two, when they're actually quite important to the story as a whole. I feel that this facet of the story could be heavily expanded upon.
Other than that though, this story was a very pleasant read. Good luck in the Poniverse Spring Has Sprung contest! I think I have some stiff competition to fight against.
6037276 Thank you and good luck to you as well
Very nicely done, very nicely done indeed. Thank you very much for writing this lovely little fic for the Poniverse Spring Has Sprung Contest! I have no real issues with the story itself (other than the fact that the pacing seemed to get just a little hurried at the end, but not that much), and the characterization seemed spot on. I would suggest that if you want the fic to look a little more polished, you go through and indent new paragraphs as well as add spaces between new paragraphs. Just would make the fic look a little cleaner and more polished is all. But other than that, this was a wonderful read and well worth the time it took to go through, thank you so much for writing it!
6101282 You're welcome :) And thank you for the kind words
6101848
But of course!
Congrats! First Place =D
https://mlpforums.com/topic/131827-poniverse-spring-has-sprung-contest-winners/
This is quite a wonderful read! With spot-on charaization.
The cutie mark is rather interesting as well and a nice way to end the story though I wish rather that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's reactions towards the Cutie Mark however. But that's not much of a problem.
It's a rather interesting concept of Applebloom carrying her status of being a blank-flank into adulthood and you did it actually rather well! However, the pacing, especially towards the ending, could have used some work and things seemed a bit rather rushed at a few parts. I also feel some things could have been expanded and stretched out more.
However, this was still a quite lovely read. You also manage to get first place believe it or not!
Congrats!
6141496 Thanks
6140226 Thank you
6147497
No problems
I really like this story!! It's well written, covers something I've never seen before and is enjoyable :D
If you would allow me, might I read this as a dramatic reading on my YT channel?
6157409 Sure
And thanks for the compliment 
FATE HAS CHANGED!
I wonder how things would be for this Apple Bloom, to wake up one morning, and realize that A) she is an adult who was dreaming if she never got her cutie mark, or B) She wakes up in the new reality where she has gotten her cutie mark. Would be interesting to see!!!!!!
What's the C mean in her cutie Mar- OH I think I get it
No longer sad.