Leaving Our Mark In History

by DoodleJay1208

First published

Time travel FanFic! And there's no Doctor! Just the CMC and the truth of the cutie mark ^u^

When Sweetie Belle finds an old mirror in the attic of Carousel boutique, she takes it back to the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse. But a vortex opens from the mirror and suck the Crusaders into it, taking them back in time 2000 years ago! Now the Crusaders must hurry and find a way back to their time before the 13 stars aline, or they'll be trapped in that time forever. Along the way they meet new friends and Babs falls in love with a colt named Sliver Gravel. And the greatest truth is revealed... the origin of the Cutie Mark!

Prologue

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Everything was quiet, calm and dark. It's just that there wasn't anything happening; it's that there wasn't anything there at all. No air, no land, no water...and no light. Just darkness.
The only thing that was there was a pony. It was too dark to make out what they looked like; but all I can say is that it was a she. She laid there, motionless and stiff. It was almost as if she wasn't alive. Then a voice like none other rose from above her.
"Awaken, dear child of light." the voice thundered. "Awaken and let your life begin."
The pony slowly opened her eyes, and let out a tiny yawn. As she stood up, she looked around trying to figure out where she was.
"Wh...where...am I?" She spoke softly.
"We are in the nothingness. Where time does not exist." the voice said.
"Who are you? And what am I doing here?" She asked.
For a moment it was quiet. The voice said nothing; probably because it didn't want to tell more of what it could tell her. But the pony look up to where the voice came from, with concerned and questionable look in her eyes. Why did she want to know these things so badly? Because that is what every being in life will seek for. Answers. Even if the answers may never make any sense.
Finally the voice spoke "I am a being that has no true form. I can create and give life. I can destroy and take away life. I am balance. For I can live forever, yet I am not physically alive. You on the other hoof are physically alive."
Light began to shine from above. The pony felt so warm by it's brightness that she gave a smile.
"I have created you for a reason. One of the worlds I have created has turned dark and full of hatred."
"How awful." She said "Why would they hate each other so?"
"I don't know." There was a bit of softness in its tone when it spoke. It made the pony want to shed tears. She held them back.
"But that is why you are here. You are to go to the this world. Bring peace to the divided beings."
"But what can I do?" the pony asked "I don't know how to bring them together. I don't know anything."
"Don't worry" the voice said calmly "For there tells of four of the beings of this world will help to guide you. You have nothing to fear; for they will show you everything you need to know. Do you understand?"
"I guess so" the pony said softly. But truthfully she wasn't quite sure. She felt both excited and scared. She was going to see this new strange place, but she felt like she didn't want to leave the voice. She felt safe with the voice, but she must do what it tells her to do.
"Good" said the voice "Now follow the light until you reach this world. There is no time to lose."
"How do I reach it from down here. I don't know how to get up there."
"Use your wings" answered the voice
"Wings? What wings? she look turned her head and surprised of what she saw. Two, large, beautiful wings were attached to her sides.
"Well would look at that." she said in amazement "I have wings! Beautiful, lovely wings!"
Slowly she began to flap than realizing she was off the ground.
"Thats it." said the voice "Now fly up to the light. Follow it till you reach the world."
"But what about you?" she asked "Will I ever see you again?"
"Maybe someday" said the voice "But for now this is farewell."
A tear fell from the pony's cheek as she said her final goodbye.
"Thank you for everything. I won't forget this."
Flapping her wings softly and began flying toward the light.
"Good luck. And take care, Astra of the stars."
She flew higher and higher; until she disappeared into light. As she did so she wondered, what lies ahead in this new world...?

Chapter 1 Peaceful Morning

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It was a beautiful sunny spring day in Ponyville that morning. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky. The birds all over Ponyville were singing their songs. Businesses all over town were getting ready to open for the start of another day. It was absolutely the most perfect morning ever.
Over at the Apple Farm, the Apple family was getting ready for breakfast. Applejack and Granny Smith were in the kitchen making apple porridge. Big Macintosh was carrying the dishes to the table. AppleBloom was cleaning off the table with an old cloth.
She looked up at Big Mac, who seemed to be having a bit of trouble carrying dishes.
"Ya need some help, Big Macintosh?" Applebloom asked
" Eeyup." replied Big Mac
He lowered his head down slowly to Applebloom's height. She took the bowls off of Big Mac's head and slowly started walking toward the table, trying to keep her balance. The bowls were quiet heavy and what mad it even more difficult was that she was carrying them in her hooves. She wobbled around trying to keep her balance.
"Careful there, Applebloom." Said Big Mac
"Don't worry I got it under control- ." Just than she bumped in the leg of the table. She did a complete 360 degree turn before landing on her side and watched as the bowls crashed down onto the hard, wooden floor.
SMASH!
"What the hay was that!?" Cried Applejack. She came running out of the kitchen into the dinning room to see pieces of the broken bowls and AppleBloom lying on her side
"A'm so sorry, Applejack. I lost my grip and then..."
"Are ya alright?" Applejack asked
"Yeah, a'm fine."
"Then that's all that matters."
Applejack walked over to Applebloom and gave her a hug.
"They're just bowls, Applebloom. They mean nothing as much a you do" She smiled
Applebloom smiled back and returned the hug.
Just then there was a knock on the door.
"Excuse me." said a stallion "I have your mail here."
Applejack walked over and opened the door.
"Thanks there, Partner." She said as she took the mail. "Have a good day."
" Thanks, you too." said the mail stallion as he walked away.
Applejack brought the mail over onto the table.
"Let's see what we got here. Bill. Bill. Bill." She as she tossed the bills to the other side of the table.
Than she came across one piece of mail that wasn't a bill. It was a letter. She read the return address
"Hey, Applebloom. Ya got a letter." she called out
"From who?" She asked
"Well, the return address says Manehatten."
"BABS!" Applebloom shouted with joy. "It's from Babs!"
She rushed over and swiped the letter from Applejack's hooves. She ripped it open and started to read. Applejack couldn't help to smile. She always loved it when she say Applebloom so excited about Babs's letters
"Well... what did she write?"
Applebloom turned around. She had a huge grin on her face.
"Babs is coming this weekend! The whole Cutie Mark Crusaders will be together."
"Well that great, Applebloom. It's been a while since ya saw Babs."
Applebloom hopped around the the dinning room with Cutest little face
"We'll be all together again. This is definitely going to be the weekend we finally get our Cutie Marks!" She shouted out.
Just then the coco clock in the kitchen went off
Coco! Coco!
"Hey, Granny what time is it?" Applejack asked as peeked into the kitchen
"Why, it's just turned eight o'clock, deary. My how time flies."
"Darn gone it!" AJ shouted "Applebloom, ya better get going or you'll be late for school!"
"Oh no!" she cried
She rushed up stairs as she could and headed for the bathroom. She brushed her teeth while brushing her mane as well. After she was done she rushed to her room and grabbed her bag and books. She jumped onto the stair ramp and slid down it till she landed on her bottom. After getting up raced for the door. Applejack waited at the door with a bag, but Applebloom was too much in a hurray to notice.
"Applebloom wait! she cried out "Ya forgot your lunch."
Applebloom made a quick turn and headed back to the door
"Thanks, Aj. Ireallygottagonow!" she said frantically.
She zipped down the road, running toward Ponyville as fast as her little legs could take her.
"Alright. Have a good day!" Applejack shouted. Even thought Applebloom was too far away to hear her now.
She shook her head as she headed back inside. The morning started out so peaceful. Now it was like a huge mess. Not that Applejack really cared about messes, this how most of their mornings were. She gave a quick little smile, then went to work.

Chapter 2 The 13 Stars

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Applebloom collapsed onto the soft playground grass, trying to catch her breathe. She lied on stomach with her legs sticking straight out on each side. She was so tried she didn't want move a single hoof. She looked around and saw that every pony was still in the playground. Class was should have started by now. Applebloom turned her head and noticed Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo over by the swings.
"Hey guys!" she shouted "Over here!"
They turned and waved, before walking over.
"Hi, Applebloom." said Sweetie with a cheeky smile on her face.
"Why are you lying like that?" asked Scootaloo.
"I ran all the way from home cause I thought I'd be late. Why hasn't class started yet?" she asked as her friends helped her up.
"We can't go in yet. Miss Cheerilee is busy getting ready for today's lesson." answered Sweetie "We don't what it is, but it must be really exciting if she's taking this long!"
"I don't really care." Scootaloo shrugged.
Applebloom gave a sigh of relief. Great, she ran all the way for nothing.
"So what're we gonna do to earn our Cutie Marks this weekend?" asked Scootaloo.
Applebloom was about to answer, when she just remembered Babs letter. how could she have forgotten? Babs is her favorite cousin after all.
"Oh I almost forgot. Babs is coming this weekend!" She said while jumping up and down.
"Wow, really?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Yep. She's coming this afternoon. A'm so excited; it's been so long since I say her." said Applebloom
"It's hasn't been that long." said Scootaloo. "You saw her two months ago for your reunion."
The reunion had indeed been two months ago. But to Applebloom, it felt like forever. She and Babs had become so much closer since they first meet that fateful summer. Every letter, every card and every gift they've sent to each other, made it seem like they never were apart.
Just than, the school bell rang and Miss Cheerilee steeped out out. The students gave a puzzled look as they saw what she was wearing. Miss Cheerilee was wearing an unusual, long, white gown. It went all the way down to her hooves, in fact it was nearly impossible to even see them.
"Good morning, Everypony." She said smiling "Sorry I took so long, but I was getting everything ready for today's special lesson."
"What are you wearing?" Diamond Tiara called out rudely, as she walked up the steps to the classroom. The Crusaders gave her a look that meant she was annoying them. Even though she couldn't see them.
" This is called a peplos." Cheerilee explained as she pointed at the gown "It was a very common piece of clothing mares wore back two thousand years ago. But I'll explain more of that once we get class started.
The foals made their way into the class room. Many stopped at the entrance as they gasped in amazement as they gazed around the room. The entire classroom was decorated to look like the night sky. There were paper stars hanging from the ceiling, pictures of constellations all across the walls of the room, and all the windows were draped to make it look dark. At Miss Cheerilee's desk was a lamp with holes that shined on the ceiling and made it look like stars. The students galloped around exploring the beauty of the decorations.
"Alright, Everypony. Please take your seats and we can begin today's lesson." called out Miss Cheerilee.
The students hurried to their seats and sat down. Naturally, the Crusaders sat next to each other, as they did everyday.
"Does anypony know what special event is happening tonight?" Asked Cheerilee as she walked up to the front.
The students all looked at each other in confusion, than looked back to Cheerilee. Some of them called out no.
"You might have not heard of it. Tonight is the alining of the thirteen stars." said Cheerillee.
The very mention of the name sent a shiver up Applebloom's spine. She didn't know why, but it sounded kind of... bad. She didn't even know what it was, and already she had a bad feeling about. Like something terrible was gonna come from it.
"Whats that?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"It's an extraordinary event that only happens once every two thousand years. When thirteen of the brightest stars in the sky form a perfectly straight line. Each of those stars are named after the thirteen ancient gods."
Miss Cheerillee pulled out a painting and clipped it to the board. It was an old painting of thirteen tall unicorn ponies. Each of them were wearing armour that looked quiet odd. Unlike the guard armour today, the armour they wore was white and sliver. Also it covered nearly they're interior body. Even their legs were completely covered by armour.
"The King of the gods, Epifanio, was believed to have given birth to our world and many others. His wife, Zena, gave birth to ten children; each of their children were seperated across the sky. Looking down upon the worlds.
Applebloom wasn't paying any attention to Cheerilee. She was focused on the picture of the gods. The unicorn stallion standing in the front of picture stood tall and fierce. Still, it was hard to make out his face due to the dim light. Applebloom got a piercing feeling in her stomach as she looked at the picture. It almost felt like he was really looking at her. As Cheerilee continued to talk and answer questions, Applebloom leaned over to Scootaloo.
"Do notice anything strange about about that picture?" whispered Applebloom.
Scootaloo raised one of her eyebrows. "No. Why?" she asked.
Applebloom let out a sigh. "It's nothing. Just forget it."
Applebloom kept looking at the picture. Like she was waiting for Epifanio to do something. Then something in the corner of the picture caught her eye. A goddess at the edge of the picture, that was not wearing any clothing... had no cutie mark! That can't be she thought. Maybe it was the dim light that was making hard to see it. She rubbed her eyes, and opened them, still no cutie mark.
"Excuse me, Miss Cheerilee." said Applebloom raising her hoof. "I just noticed that the goddess in the corner of the picture has no cutie mark. Is it some kind of mistake?"
Cheerilee walked over to the picture. "No, Applebloom. No pony is really sure of this theory, but it's believed that ponies back then did not possess cutie marks." She answered.
All the students in the room gasped as soon as they heard the answer.
"How can that be?" asked Diamond Tiara. "Ponies have always had cutie marks."
"Well, that might not be true, Diamond Tiara." said Cheerilee. "But old paintings and sculptures are the only things that tell us about the past."
"Than where did the cutie mark come from?" asked Sliver Spoon. By the look in Cheerilee's eyes, you could tell she was getting tried of these questions.
"No pony really knows. Though there is a belief that the 13th star is what gave ponies cutie marks."
"Hows that possible?" asked Scootaloo.
"I dont' know. There many things in this world we sometimes can't explain. Like the cutie mark. The truth could be out there somewhere, but no pony has found it yet." Cheerilee answered. "Maybe the future generations might have better luck than us." She said looking back at the class with a encouraging smile.
The class looked around a bit chatting a bit before Cheerilee stomped her hoof to get ever pony's attention.
"Alright, class now back on topic."
The class grew silent as Cheerilee began talking more on the stars. But Applebloom still couldn't help to stare at the picture.
What could it mean? she thought. She shook her head than focused her attention onto Cheerilee.

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After school ended, Applebloom walked down the road slowly. She still was thinking about that picture. What was it about it that made it stand out, other than it being clipped to the board.
"Hey, Applebloom. Where ya going?" called out a familiar voice.
Applebloom turned around seeing Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo trying to catch up to her.
"You were going the wrong way." said Sweetie
"Yeah, I thought we were heading to the clubhouse."
"Oh. Sorry girls. It's just that I have something' on my mind that won't go away."
"Is it about that dumb painting?" asked Scootaloo. "Cause you were staring at it for a little while."
"I don't know why but it feels strange to me. It's like that picture was trying to tell me something."
"Oh don't be silly, Applebloom. It's just a painting." said Sweetie
Applebloom felt an unsettling feeling down her hoofs that made them feel weak. She nearly fainted, but Scootaloo helped her keep her balance.
"Relax, Bloom. You'll be fine." said Scootaloo with a brave grin on her face.
Applebloom smiled back. "Thanks, Scoo. I don't know what I'd do without your help.
Then, popped into her head. BABS. Her train would be arriving in less then ten minutes. Applebloom quickly got back on her hoofs.
"Darn it! I forgot again. We gotta head to the train station. Babs will be here in less than ten minutes!" she shouted back.
"Hang on! Wait for us!" shouted Sweetie as she raced after Applebloom.
"Yeah, we wanna she Babs too!" Yelled Scootaloo as she chased after the others.
The three fillies ran toward Ponyvillie as fast as they could. Little did they know that they were being watched. From the shadows a tall, dark figure wearing a black cloak, was hiding in an ally. He watched as the fillies ran across town with his piecing grey eyes. He snickered while making a strange, toothy smile.
"So...thats them, eh? Not quite what he expected them to be... but it'll just make his job easier." the figure said. "Live while you can, little ones. Because it will soon be all over. "
The figure turned and disappear into the shadows.