> Destiny > by Gleaming > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Act I: Unity > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Act I: Unity The Cutie Mark Crusaders were doing their normal morning routine, of getting ready to go to school but, there was only one problem. They had no plans for what they were going to do today. Even with all of the amount of activities they could do today, the three fillies were still unclear on what to do. The sun shines bright in the morning sky, all of the fillies filling the classroom, the morning bell ringing outside from side to side. The morning lesson was about to begin, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle sat down at their seats preparing for the class which is about to begin. ''Settle down, my little ponies! Today, I'm going to be teaching you fillies about the importance of finding your cutie mark and learning about your destiny.'' Cheerilee said excitingly. ''Oh, please! It's all about being rich, besides the whole class has cutie marks except the three blank flanks that are in this classroom right now. Blank flanks!'' Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara said, confidently with smug looks on their faces. ''I'll never understand why we have those two, in our class.'' Apple Bloom rolling her eyes, grumbling. ''Tell me about it, Apple Bloom! Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon will always be spoiled brats, who are only popular in our school because they're richer than all of us. Their dads buy anything that they want.'' Scootaloo chuckled, looking at Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle chuckling as well. The cheery mare opened the paper display near the chalkboard of the classroom, a four paper slip on the display showed Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle. A crowd of confused faces were on display in the filly classroom, the cheery teacher mare went on to explain more about the six mares. All of the classroom fillies started to exit from their seats to finally get out of the school, to get some fresh air. Nobody would blame them at all, with the glistening morning dew in the air shining through the warm rays of Celestia's sun, they just wanted to enjoy a nice day outside without a care in the world. But before the Crusaders and everyone in the class could go, Cheerilee had one last thing to announce. ''Wait a minute, my little ponies! My last announcement before all of you go on vacation is, you are going to write a reflection on what your destiny is and what steps you will take to achieve it. Enjoy your vacation!'' Cheerilee exclaimed, waving her hoof around to say goodbye to her filly classmates. Without waiting a precious minute to take in all of the fillies having fun, playing on the swings, and just running around chasing one another, the Cutie Mark Crusaders devised a plan on how to get started on their reflection. The deadline for the reflection was after they return from their vacation, the question is what will their plan be? ''Well, Cutie Mark Crusaders we're going to have to come up with a plan to complete this reflection assignment for Ms.Cheerilee. Do you have any ideas, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle?'' Scootaloo asked, in a confused matter. ''I was thinkin' that we go search in the Everfree Forest for somethin' that could help us find our destiny. We might even find somethin' extraordinary, maybe even somethin' that could get us our cutie marks.'' Apple Bloom said. The southern filly jumped off of her hind legs, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ''I guess we will be going to the Everfree Forest besides, our sisters are too busy with other duties. Rarity is busy with all of her orders from Manehatten, Trottingham, and Fillydelphia, Rainbow Dash is at a Wonderbolts show, and Applejack had to move the apple orchard with Big Mac and Granny Smith to avoid the fruitbats.'' Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo said altogether. The Cutie Mark Crusaders now have their plan for their reflection assignment from Ms.Cheerilee, they will have to travel deep into the Everfree Forest. Their destiny awaits in the forest that is forbidden for everypony to enter, if they're willing to get their cutie marks in the forest, they will have to go through everything that is in the forest. [/hr] The three young fillies starting trotting at full speed on their four legs, getting ready to take any danger that they come across head on since they were full of determination, heart, and will always have each others back no matter what the cost. A brisk breeze of wind sways past the calm fields of the Everfree Forest, the three crusaders finally entered the peak of the Everfree Forest where the Tree of Harmony was located. ''This is the place. I heard many stories about this mysterious Tree of Harmony, Twilight told us about the tree where Celestia and Luna had to use the power of the Elements sealed in the tree to defeat Discord. But for some reason, the tree has something coming out of it!'' Sweetie Belle screamed to the top of her lungs in fear, cowering behind Scootaloo's back looking up at the Tree of Harmony in disbelief. A mysterious glowing box with three questions on the three sides of the box emerged from the tree, the three sides of the box on each angle opened revealing the three answers to the questions. The Cutie Mark Crusaders stepped in front of the box, a huge beam of light flashed in front of their eyes. The memory of the box was now embedded in their memories, so that they would never forget. ''What was that beam of light? We should get out of here and fast, time to get out of here! Cutie Mark Crusaders, let's leave!'' The southern filly, the very energetic unicorn, and ambitious pegasus stormed out of the Everfree Forest with no time to waste and, they did not stop for anything. On their way back to Ponyville, they had to tell Cheerilee about what just happened to them. > Act II: Mysterious Box > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I apologize for all of the mistakes that I made in the first chapter, I'm open to any advice that you're willing to give me. So, on with the second chapter. If you have any advice to give me to get better or in this case criticism, PM me, comment on my account page, contact me in any way! Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle rushed out of the Everfree Forest to head back to their safe clubhouse to try to piece together what just happened to them involving the mysterious box. Rushing into their clubhouse without a delay, pulling the window blinds shut, and slamming the door with force. ''We're going to need a plan, and fast. When you think about it, we didn't expect this to happen to us at all this could actually benefit us in a good way.'' Sweetie Belle explained, in a very confident fashion. ''You're right, Sweetie Belle! With everything that has been going on lately, the white flash that emerged from the box, could probably be something that is the answer to our problems. In this case, our cutie marks.'' Scootaloo scratched her head with her hoof, a huge creepy smile formed on her face. ''You got a point there, Scootaloo. Since we still have enough time until the vacation ends, we're going to look on our flanks to see if the mystery box gave us our cutie marks.'' Sweetie Belle replied, squeaking softly on her four hooves and hind legs. ''Only one way to find out.'' The three of the young fillies looked down at their flanks, expecting to see if their cutie marks would appear. All of them looking very astonished at one another, blinking their eyes shockingly. ''Well partners, looks like we've got a plan. Our vacation will end in a week, time to see if our destinies are what we dreamed of for a long time!'' The young ponies yelled out loudly, imagining the possibilities of what their talents could mean for them as their destinies intertwine with each other. [/hr] Apple Bloom rose out of her bed, stretching her arms out with a yawn coming out of her mouth. Just another average morning as always on the farm. The Apple family is always about following tradition, working hard, and making sure that they can supply Ponyville with ripe and delicious apples for everypony to enjoy. ''Wow, look at the blooming apple orchard out there -'' She paused for a moment. ''Since Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Applejack are busy with the orchard I'd better go see how Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are doing.'' Looking down at her flank with beady eyes, a pink heart with a red apple in the center of the luminescent pink heart. The country filly was trotting to the clubhouse, awaiting for her two friends to arrive, anxiously pacing very fast on her four hooves. Sweat beading down her face nervously, waiting for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to show up for the meeting they had planned to meet at the clubhouse. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle arrived at their clubhouse, expecting to see Apple Bloom in a very ecstatic mood, that was clearly not the case. The two fillies looked at Apple Bloom, scratching their heads with their hooves in confusion. ''Apple Bloom, what's wrong?'' Scootaloo walked up to Apple Bloom, putting her arm around her to console the sad feeling that she is feeling unbeknownst to her friends. She didn't want to admit to her friends about her cutie mark, because if she did she would think that her friends would leave her for being the first of the Crusaders to have their cutie mark. A thick fog started to surround the clubhouse, they fled into the clubhouse for protection from the fog. ''If you girls really want to know, I'll tell you after we return to class from vacation.'' Apple Bloom stated. ''Do you, pinkie promise?'' Scootaloo asked, putting her hoof on her eye. ''Cross my heart, hope to fly, and stick a cupcake in my eye.'' Apple Bloom performed the whole Pinkie Pie promise sequence. She put her hoof on her chest, flapping her arms uncontrollably, and finally accidentally poking her eye with her hoof. ''Ow, my eye!'' She held her eye, grieving in pain and agony. The Crusaders took refuge in the clubhouse, until the fog starts to fade away. Little did they know, the fog wasn't the only problem they had to deal with. > Epilogue: Confession > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epilogue: Confession I'd like to say thank you, to everyone who has followed the story so far. I apologize for anyone who was unsatisfied with the first chapter, sadly I'm ending this because I didn't put any effort into this. Final chapter! With the Hearths Warming Eve vacation finally over, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had to present their reflection presentation on what their destiny is and how their destinies changed their lives. All of the fillies and colts filled Cheerilee's classroom, everypony was present except Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. ''My little ponies, it is time to present your reflection.'' Cheerilee took out her clipboard, scrolling down the list of fillies and colts that will be presenting. The cheerful teacher was leaning in her chair behind the desk, looking outside at the door, waiting for the missing three fillies to show up. ''The first three fillies that will be presenting are, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. If they do not present today, somepony else will have to present first.'' Cheerilee announced to the class, keeping her eye on the door. Apple Bloom rushed with her friends out of the clubhouse, planning to head towards the schoolhouse without stopping for anything, until they came to a complete stop. The bottom of their hooves scraped the ground, patches of grass and dirt flew everywhere into the air, pieces of dirt and grass landed in their hair. ''Guys, I've got to confess somethin' to ya. I got my cutie mark, please don't hate me!'' Apple Bloom lowered her head down, poking her hoof at the scraped surface of the ground. She was full of grief, and now she has to come clean. Apple Bloom turned around to her left side, showed her cutie mark to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The two fillies were left speechless looking at her cutie mark, their jaws dropped down to their chests in astonishment. ''You got your cutie mark, Apple Bloom. Why would we be mad?'' Scootaloo asked, shrugging her arms. ''Yeah it doesn't matter if you got your cutie mark, we're still going to be friends and help each other out in getting our cutie marks. We'll help other ponies get their cutie marks, if it will get Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon to stop making fun of us, it is all worth it because we're a trio.'' Sweetie Belle replied, smiling with a huge grin on her face. ''Aww! Ah'm glad that we're still goin' to be friends, even if I get my cutie mark first. Let's go to see Ms.Cheerilee, before we don't get a grade.'' Apple Bloom said, galloping with great speed on her hooves. They finally reached the schoolhouse, ready to present their reflection to their classmates, with determination and courage on their side. The three confident friends stood tall in front of the chalkboard, clearing their throats. ''Our reflection is about how we discovered our destiny together. We learned that even when your friends achieve something before you do, you can still encourage them and say that they accomplished a great goal. We've also learned that finding your destiny or your cutie mark is important, but being together as friends in unity and in friendship can always find a way to keep a strong bond between you and your friends. Sincerely, The Cutie Mark Crusaders The whole classroom was touched by their words, and they wiped away their tears running down their faces with their hooves. A round of applause erupted in the entire classroom, with a standing ovation of support from their classmates. The educated classroom of fillies and colts banged their hooves together, everyone enjoyed their reflection except Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. ''That was a wonderful reflection, girls! The three of you earned an +A, congratulations!'' Cheerilee stamped an A plus near the Crusaders' names on the clipboard. The Crusaders bowed their heads down in front of the class, smiling over at their teacher. ''Thank you, Ms.Cheerilee! You're the best teacher ever!'' They smiled with cheerful smiles on their faces, glistening big eyes started to form. ''Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, we don't care if you call us blank flanks because we have hearts that are as strong as horses. We can represent Ponyville with pride, and we finally have our cutie marks too!'' The Crusaders said altogether. With the same flash of light that emerged from the mysterious box, one cutie mark formed on Scootaloo's flank and the other cutie mark formed on Sweetie Belle's flank as well. A microphone and treble clef started to appear on Sweetie Belle's flank, and Scootaloo's scooter appeared on her flank. ''We got our cutie marks too, destiny can always bring our friendship together. Even if we start to envy one another, we will always find a way to overcome it together.'' Apple Bloom walked up to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, hugging the both of them softly, booping each of their muzzles playfully. We're the toughest trio, The unity between us, We will always find a way, To learn and seize the day Nothing can break our bond, The three friends who met one day, Decided to go on their own journey, They knew they would be together in harmony Our journey is not over, We still have a long way to go, The only thing we wanted to achieve, To everypony, all you've to do is believe After the song was over, everypony returned to their homes peacefully. All of the students left the classroom along with Ms.Cheerilee, they will always remember that friendship is always worth fighting for and to realize that being proud of another pony's accomplishments can prove that you care about one another. The End, and happy holidays everyone!