The newly-marked CMC head to a village full of fillies and colts who were raised to believe that cutie marks were evil.
After they receive their cutie marks, the CMC wonders what their next task should be. They decide to venture to the former Village of Equality, where they know there are many fillies and colts were raised to believe that cutie marks are evil. Can Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo teach their new friends about Cutie Mark Magic?
These statements had been the guiding light of Homology's life thus far. He had believed them and followed them with all his heart. Now, because of these six strangers who came out of nowhere, everything has to change? Suddenly, everypony in the village was thinking for themselves, and using their own talents. The princess had assured everyone that this was good, but Homology wasn't sure. Who knew for sure if this were true? And, if it were... how could he follow this new philosophy?
How could he learn to be.... himself?
Starlight, where are you?!
As Applejack approached the clubhouse, she could hear the hasty clip-clop of her sister's hooves. Opening the door, her eyes followed Apple Bloom as she paced across the room.
"Apple Bloom," she called out finally. "You've been in here all morning. Come get some lunch."
"I can't, Applejack," Apple Bloom retorted. "I just can't! Not until I figure this out."
"Figure what out, sugar cube?" AJ stepped inside, stopping her little sister.
"The new mission of the CMC is to help other ponies find their special talent and get their cutie mark, or learn its true meanin'," Apple Bloom reminded. "But, most ponies around here have their cutie marks, and are happy with their talents. What if we're 'sposed to go somewhere else to help somepony?"
"I see," Applejack thought for a minute. "Well... remember the first place that the map in Twilight's castle sent us to?"
"That village where everypony had the same cutie mark, but then they took their real ones back?"
"The very same," AJ nodded.
"What about it?" her little sister raised an eyebrow.
"I saw plenty of little fillies and colts over there," Applejack explained. "They've grown up on Starlight's philosophy. I don't think any of them had gotten their cutie mark yet. I imagine they could really use some help from the Cutie Mark Crusaders."
"You're right," Apple Bloom jumped up. "They've never been able to think about what their own talent is. They can't possibly know how to get their own cutie marks. This has to be the Crusaders' next mission!"
"Wish I had thought of that," AJ chuckled. "But, before we go runnin' off to the ends of Equestria, we might want to have the other Crusaders ask their parents to make sure it's okay."
"Way ahead of you, sis!" the little earth pony was already halfway down the steps. "I'll meet you back here later! Thank you, Applejack!"
"Please let me go," Sweetie Belle whined.
"I just don't know," her mother, Cookie Crumbles, hesitated. "Helping your friends find their talents is one thing, but going to the end of Equestria?"
"I don't think it's any place for three fillies," Hondo Flanks agreed.
"But Apple Bloom's big sister will be going with us," Sweetie Belle argued. "What trouble can we get into with the Element of Honesty keeping an eye on us?"
"It would be an amazing opportunity for Sweetie Belle," Rarity cut in. She had come along to her parents' house to help her sister in case this very situation came about. "And, allowing her to go would be the least you could do after you didn't attend her cuteceañera."
"Young lady," her father stood from his seat. "I will not be judged by my own daughter. You know full well how much we regret having to miss the party."
"Then why won't you let me go and put my special talent to real use for the first time?" Sweetie Belle countered. Her parents looked at each other and sighed in resignation.
"Fine, you may go."
Later, Applejack brought the girls to the Carousel Boutique, where Rarity supposedly had a surprise for them.
"I'm so psyched about this," Sweetie Belle exclaimed as they walked. "Our first cutie mark mission!"
"How'd you manage to get permission, Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It's not like Amber Rose cares much what her charges do," the pegasus replied, referring to her foster mother. "Wasn't hard to get her excited to be rid of one brat for a while."
"Right," Apple Bloom mentally stuck a hoof in her mouth.
"We're here," Applejack announced, eager to ease the sudden tension. The group went in to be met not only by Rarity, but the newest alicorn.
"Princess Twilight!" the Crusaders exclaimed in unison.
"What are you doing here?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"You think I'd miss out on sending my students off for their first mission?" Twilight chuckled.
"Speaking of which," Rarity cut in. "You'll need supplies on your trip. And I think it's past time for you three to have new saddlebags. And what better way to commemorate your new cutie marks?" She brought out the bags, each with their owner's respective cutie mark. The trio gasped. "The pattern of your marks is so amazing, I just had to do something with them."
Each Crusader took their bag and tried them on. After, they each squealed in delight.
"Now," the princess stepped up once more. "I think it's great that you're going to help the ponies from the Equality Village, but you'll need to be gentle. These fillies and colts probably won't just be turn-key to your ideas, even after our visit there."
The three each nodded, feigning seriousness. Well, of course they were going to be sensitive, but they were still excited! Not that they'd give any indication that they didn't appreciate their former mentor's advice.
"Now, let's get out there and find some marks!" Apple Bloom led the Crusaders into a hoof bump.
And so, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo found themselves on a train headed to the edge of Equestria. During the ride, the Crusaders talked, getting ready for the task ahead.
"Can you even imagine willingly giving up your cutie mark?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"No way," Scoots shook her head. "We worked too hard for these babies. I don't know about you guys, but mine is never leaving my flank."
"I know what you mean," Apple Bloom cut in. "But, we're not here for the ponies who gave up their cutie marks. We're here for the ones who never got theirs."
"Like Twilight said, this isn't going to be easy," Sweetie Belle pointed out. "I mean, these fillies and colts have believed their whole lives that cutie marks are evil. Sure, Twilight and the others helped the grown-ups out, but we can't exactly think that the kids instantly changed what they've always thought."
"We just need to show 'em how great it is to have a cutie mark," Apple Bloom replied. "Sort of help 'em believe what their parents are teachin' 'em now. Then, we can help 'em each find their special talent."
"I hope you're right, Apple Bloom," Scootaloo looked out her window. "Looks like we're about to stop."
Sure enough, the train had reached the end of the line, AJ and the CMC disembarking.
"This way, girls," Applejack tipped her hat back, leading the trio to the village."Ya know, I'm actually looking forward to being back here. I wonder how everypony's doin' after our visit."
The main street was very much the same as it was during the Mane Six's visit--the houses still were in their uniform rows, but they weren't identical anymore. One might have a flowerbed in front, another balloons (no doubt Party Favor's place), or even plastic pink flamingos. As the ponies milled about, they noticed the newcomers, and gave genuine smiles as they greeted, "Welcome."
"I think it's creepy, even after our sisters' visit," Scootaloo whispered. "I mean, whose houses are that alike?"
"Come on, Scoots," Apple Bloom encouraged. "It's quaint, that's all. It's sort of nice, actually."
"Yeah," Sweetie Belle agreed. "And, look how kind everypony's being." Their conversation was interrupted by the exclamation of a pink-coated unicorn mare with a curly purple mane running towards them.
"Applejack!" she cried. "I'm so glad to see you again!"
"Howdy there, Sugar Belle," AJ returned the smile. "Same goes for you. How've things been since we left?"
"Just great," Sugar Belle replied. "My bakery is going amazingly, Party Favor decorates for parties that I cater, Double Diamond is working his tail off so he can try out to ski in the next Equestria Games, and Night Glider is considering going back to the Wonderbolts."
"That all sounds dandy," Applejack said sincerely. "Well, I have a few ponies I'd like you to meet." she turned to the CMC. "This is my sister, Apple Bloom, and her friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They're the Cutie Mark Crusaders. We're here to help out the little ones find their special talents."
"That's nice," Sugar Belle turned to the fillies. "I'm sure they'll all be glad to have new friends. They really might need the help; even after Starlight left, none of them have gotten their cutie mark."
"Then let's get started," Apple Bloom declared. Sugar Belle led the Crusaders to the playground where most of the fillies and colts were. The equipment was pretty bland, monochromatic, and just blah. No pony was doing much besides lazily swinging or slowly riding the merry-go-round. Most notable were two colts by a basketball hoop, their eyes switching between it and the ball in front of them. Neither picked it up, or moved at all, really. Scootaloo was first to approach them.
"What are you guys doing?" she asked.
"We really don't know," the shorter of the colts replied.
"Have you never played basketball before?" the pegasus raised an eyebrow.
"Starlight Glimmer never let us play many games," the other answered. "She told us that most games were about winning. We can't win at anything. Nopony is better than anyone else."
"That's silly," Scootaloo scoffed. "Games are fun. Lemme show you. Sweetie Belle, a little help?"
The little unicorn used her magic to levitate and lob the ball. Once it fell, Scootaloo head bumped it back into the air and through the net.
"Alright," the athlete cheered. "Two points!"
"That was cool!" the smaller colt exclaimed. "Can I try?" The colt head bumped it and landed his first shot.
"Sweet!" Scoots applauded. "And that was your first try."
"I can't remember doing anything this fun," the colt laughed. "Who are you guys, anyway?"
"We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders," Apple Bloom stepped up. "We're here to help everypony find their special talent."
"Special talent?" a new voice chimed in. It belonged to a small pegasus colt with a light grey coat and a navy mane, stepping out of the schoolhouse. "More ponies trying to change us? How can you guys forget everything Starlight taught you that easily?"
"She lied to us, Homology," the second colt replied, shrinking back. "She took our parents' cutie marks, but kept her own. How can we believe that being the same is good when she wasn't?"
"She kept her mark to be able to take ours," Homology retorted. "Everything she did was good. It was for the good of our village, and all of Equestria."
"Then why did she abandon us?" the colt who had scored a goal challenged.
"Those strangers forced her to," Homology growled. "They ran her out of her own town because they disagreed with her. And you're going to believe them? You think they're right? Look at these 'crusaders.' They're just like those ponies!"
The other school ponies looked at the new comers. It was true that where their own coats were dull and their flanks blank, the Crusaders were bright, and marked. The trio backed into each other.
"We had perfectly happy lives before they showed up," the pegasus continued, marching around the CMC. "We were all the same. We always smiled. Everyone looked out for each other, instead of trying to find their own talents. Doesn't that sound better than the life these ponies are offering you? Did Starlight give you nothing?"
"We're sorry," the group hung their heads. Homology stepped to the side of the door to the schoolhouse, and the fillies and colts filed in together, Homology following shortly after. For a while, the Crusaders stood in place, slack-jawed and silent. Finally, they looked at each other.
"What just happened?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I dunno, Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom blinked, eyes returning to the door. "I dunno."