A Tramatic moment in her filly hood leaves a Mare Scarred with a Faux Mark that inflates her. Can her new friends help her adjust, or will the inflating get to her?
Stardust was a average filly, love doing magic tricks, playing with her sister, but all joy was taken from her when her birthday resulted in her getting something that makes her different that other ponies can't see, a curse Cutie Mark known as a Faux Mark
Now, her life as a mare makes her feel different. Having to run a party store, accept her false talent, and worse, inflate into a balloon pony on & off. To her life wouldn't be the same till she met her new best friends. However, the endless painful memories of her ruined Fillyhood keep coming back, and the image of the Pony is permanently in her head. Can her new friends help her not be bothered by the Faux Mark, or will the on and off body inflating make her go insane?
Note: Contains Inflation (Balloon Pony style), if this doesn't interest you, please turn back.
Throughout Equestrian history, tales have been shined down of those with amazing talents. Such talent that made ponies have unique talents that make them who they are over generations that give them purposes. For countless years, ponies from a very young age earn what is now called, Cutie Marks.
Cutie Marks are marks a pony receives at a point where they find their calling in life, mostly during a young age, while still in school. Through the many of years since Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have ruled Equestria, ponies who earn their marks are happy and immediately are overjoyed at what their destiny means...or so every pony thinks..
.
Legends spoken through the old Equestria speak of some instances where ponies who received their cutie marks aren't happy, even leading to the point of something giving them curses. Over the years, cursed Cutie Marks were thought to be some sort of urban legend that was made up to be a campfire story....that is, until some ponies ended up with a mark that caused bad things to happen.
Upon research of these marks, ponies who have acquired them were permanently cursed. As more ponies began receiving these curse marks, those who were knowledgeable of such curses began to dub them... Faux Marks, fake cutie marks that are curses.
As time went on, the knowledge of Faux Marks and the curses they bear began to fade and slowly became nothing but urban legends, forgotten history buried in the old age of Equestria and no one spoke of the curse marks or what types of curse one will bring, or so they thought....
Present Day, Ponyville
Morning swept the nation of Equestria and ponies began to prepare for a new day. While all of the fillies, colts, and those who have days off of their jobs began to prepare for a day of activities and simple fun, those who have to work began preparation to open up their stores for the day.
Within Ponyville, ponies were walking around; some preparing to go to work, some going to hang out with their friends.
As was usual on summer mornings, it was quite busy since the fillies and colts were out of school and in the summer mood. However, in a house within Ponyville, one pony was and has always been nervous about working.
In such a house lived a dark blue mare, with a light blue and purple mane and who beared what seemed to be a group of party balloons as a cutie mark, who was waking up, looking not happy, while her mane looked in disarray.
As she looked at herself in her mirror, however, she wasn't looking at herself; she was gazing at her cutie mark with a look on unease and joylessness.
Within her head, she hears herself crying and visions of the fateful day she obtained her cutie mark haunt her mind. The unexpected and unnatural events that unravelled that day haunts her to the point as if it's one thing she can't let go. Since that fateful day, her life was ruined, even to the point that she refuses to accept her cutie mark as a legitimate mark.
"Stardust, that cutie mark is your destiny, you have to face it. Be happy, you are a party pony."
As it was every day, these words lingered in Stardust’s mind while she prepared for her day off. Ever since that horrible day, she had become a party pony at a balloon and party store. A job deep down she refuses to accept as her talent and job, but...over the course of time, she knew nothing could change it. Among it all, no matter who she spoke to, she always got the same answer, "It's your cutie mark".
All prepared, Stardust took a deep breath, and walked out the door. Normally, she would be walking when the coast was clear due to the embarrassing nature of her “cutie mark”. However, due to how busy the town of Ponyville was right now, she decided to give walking around town a try. However seeing the town’s ponies, all happy and filled with a drive for life, made her feel that she is different due to that fact she will never get to know her true talent.
While walking around town, she saw lots of ponies happily interacting, having conversations, working, even the little fillies and colts of the town were having fun. Despite feeling different, Stardust couldn't help but smile at the fact the fillies and colts were having fun.
However, no matter how she looks of it and whatever brief joy it would bring, it always makes her remember the fact that her fillyhood was ruined.
While walking around the town, it felt peaceful, even relaxing for her, to clear her mind after the hard nights that always occur with what always transpired during the course of everyday life for her. Usually during the day, either heading to work, or deciding to walk to clear her mind, ponies would try to bring her into conversations, but, due to what all the ponies can't see, she was always anti social, for her sake due to something she does want the town to know.
Within minutes of walking in town to Ponyville park, the thoughts of what usually happens to her appeared in her head. A thought that has always happening to her ever since Stardust was a filly and gotten her so called Cutie Mark. "I can't let that bug me...Please Celestia, don't make me inflate in public." Stardust thought as she denied the previous thought.
Right when reaching the park, out of nowhere, she felt a usual sensation coming from her stomach, as if it was beginning to inflate. From Fillyhood to present day, Stardust knew what this sensation meant.
"Oh no," Stardust whimpered as she began to freak out.
As the Inflating continued, her chest began to grow round as it began to fill with what seemed to be magic air. Although Stardust was very used to it, it never stops her from being very afraid of it, since she becomes inflated and due to such rendered immobile for some time.
She never expected it to happen this early. Knowing she didn't want to draw attention with it, she began to run to try and find somewhere safe, with her slowing down as the magic air begins to increase her infatuation. Her only hope was is that no pony would notice.
_____
Outside of Sugar Cube Corner, Twilight and Starlight were walking out of the town’s main bakery after having a morning snack purchased a morning snack. Since Starlight completed her first friendship problem, Twilight had decided to treat Starlight to a nice congratulations snack the following day as she promised.
While they walked, eating the snacks, they chatted about how Starlight managed to trust her gut, along with Twilight informing Starlight that she was quite lucky at the fact that she managed to get excused from switching Celestia and Luna cutie marks. Even discussing various topics and gossip once they had run out of things in relation to the now non-existent problem.
"So...Twilight, have you been noticing some...strange things with that new mare that moved into Ponyville?" Starlight asked as she took a bite of the cookie levitating next to her as they walked.
"You mean the mare that sadly turned down Pinkie Pie’s usual Welcome to Ponyville Party for some reason?" Twilight asked a little dejectedly.
Starlight swallowed and didn’t meet her eyes. "Yeah."
A few weeks ago, when Starlight and Twilight had returned from the Crystal Empire for a special visit to see Flurry Heart, and King Thorax who was visiting to play with Flurry, Twilight and Starlight met a mare who had recently moved to Ponyville. However, to their surprise, the mare wasn't all happy and smiling like how ponies are usually. To both Twilight and Starlight when they first met her, she was completely anti-social and scared of something.
When Pinkie kept following her, Twilight had to step in and get Pinkie away from her to make sure she didn't make her feel any more uncomfortable than she already seemed.
However, when Starlight went to her shop to get balloons for a special birthday party for Trixie, Starlight saw that, no matter how hard the pony smiles, she could sense something was bothering her, even showing she refused to talk about it.
Starlight sadly was good at spotting such, having forced her old village to do the same.
But the icing on the cake was the every now and then, the mare would take breaksas if something was terribly wrong that she is hiding trying to hide from others.
"Doesn't it seem....like something is bothering her?" Starlight pointed out.
Twilight gave an odd look. "I don't follow."
"Ugh, what I mean is..."
Right when Starlight was going to finish her sentence, she and Twilight heard sobbing coming from a back alley. Stoping, looked for the source of the sobbing and found it was very close in the alley. Although they could just ignore it and bring the cookies back, they felt that they shouldn't do that since it would be heartless, not to mention it was not in many ponies nature to simply ignore the sounds of anypony in distress.
Turning into the alleyway, both mares noticed the sobbing growing louder and, surprisingly, it wasn't the cry of a lost or hurt filly, but, the cry of what seemed to be a mare. With every step in the alley, they heard the crying become coming closer.
However, both of them don't know why a pony would go into a back alley and cry, unless if it was something serious, like a mugging occurred and it being a cry of pain. Though the first was not too likely, as Ponyville wasn’t a place where such things were likely. But, to them, it didn't seem to be a cry of pain, but rather a cry of sorrow.
"Are you okay?" Twilight called gently as she walked through the ally.
"Pl-please...g-go away."
At that moment, when hearing that reply, they turned down the alley and saw something that made them gasp. Right in front of their eyes was something that wasn't usually seen every day. In front of them, was a pony round as a ball, completely immobile, crying. However, the most unexpected thing was the fact that by seeing the mark in the place one would guess the rounded pony’s flank was, they could clearly see the Cutie Mark of the new resident, Stardust.
"Oh my gosh. Ma'am, are you alright?" Twilight Sparkle asked worriedly as she walked up to the pony. She’d never seen something like this before in all her life.
"D-don’t look at me! I-I’m a freak."
As Twilight went to the mare to talk to her, Starlight, who was curious, began to feel around the mare’s inflated body, to make sure if she was alright. However, upon examining the mares inflated body, she sensed that something was not right. However, Starlight knew that, although she and Twilight were here, she had to make sure no one else came to the back alley. Whatever was wrong, this mare didn’t deserve everypony in town just finding out about it like this, so she began to look down the alleyway to ensure no pony else came down.
Looking the mare over, Twilight could tell the mare was scared, but somehow, showing signs she was used to what had happened to her. Of everything Twilight studied, body inflation wasn't one of them, since she found it too weird. But, for some reason, in the eyes of the mare, who's face was somewhat looked as if melted in her inflated body, were a look of worry and fear. Twilight’s mind was filled with questions.
"What happened to you?" Twilight asked worriedly.
"P-please, y-you wouldn't understand," the mare sobbed fearfully.
"Please, I want to help,” Twilight tried to reassure the mare. “Trust me, I am the Princess of Friendship after all."
_____
“Trust me, I am the Princess of Friendship after all."
When Stardust heard this, the smallest fragment of hope, a pin prick sprouted. Usually, she was scared how others would react upon seeing her life this and would go to a places she’d called safe zones whenever she inflates to the size of a round balloon pony ball.
However, in all this time since coming to Ponyville, this was the first time some pony had found out. While she would just get up and move along if possible, there was no way out. Her legs were immobile due to her body being round and inflated and it would be some time before she would return to normal.
When she first moved to town, she thought that Twilight wouldn't be able to help since this is far beyond something Equestria could understand and she was still certain of that.
Twilight Sparkle may be the Princess of Friendship, but friendship had nothing to do with her problem.
"... I... I just want to go somewhere safe."
With a nod, Twilight began to cast a teleportation spell to teleport herself, Stardust and Starlight to the palace. From seeing something like this, to seeing fear in Stardust’s eyes, Twilight seemed to understand that Stardust could not bear to let others see her like this.
Stardust knew that Twilight could tell there was a story behind it all. Little does she know, it will be one story...that is hard to believe.
In the Palace Library, Twilight, Starlight and an inflated Stardust were talking to one another, Twilight helping Stardust calm down. Earlier, Spike had come into the room. After a quick talk with Twilight to try and understand what was going on, he suggested sending a letter to Princess Celestia about it all, but Twilight managed to talk him out of it.
Spike agreed, but only after Twilight made it clear it would upset Stardust and promised him a gem from Maud Pie for his quiet. Spike would’ve agreed anyway, if a bit reluctantly, considering he didn’t want to upset anypony’s feelings if he could help it, but who was he to complain about getting a free gem?
Over the past thirty minutes after Spike had left to spend the day with Rarity, after Pinkie Promising not to talk to anypony about Stardust until they had a better understanding of what was going on, Twilight and Starlight had been looking through books that were brought from the Canterlot Archive for anything that related to Stardust random inflating.
To be clear, they were books Twilight had already recently had brought to her castle from the Canterlot Archive several days ago and were hoping, maybe one of the ancient tombs could hold a secret to explain Stardust’s condition, as the mare herself had yet to actually explain what her condition was, thus they were merely searching for anything similar.
However, despite looking through every book, they couldn't find anything relating to what was happening to Stardust.
Looking at the still inflated, yet far calmer mare, Twilight began to ponder at what could actually be causing it. Out of a lot of the strange things she witnessed from Pinkie Pies mysterious sixth sense, this probably took the top of the list of strange things Twilight had ever seen.
"This doesn’t add up,” Twilight shook her head after placing the most recent book she’d tried and failed to find any info in back on its shelf. “Despite looking through all the books here, there’s nothing about ponies inflating into this kind of state."
What about it relating to Cutie Marks that can trigger it?" Stardust asked, her first words since having calmed down and the other two had started looking through the books, her tone hopeful.
She received curious looks from the other two mares.
"Um, you sure?” Twilight asked, an eyebrow raised. “I mean, isn't your cutie mark the mark that represents who you are?"
Hearing this caused Stardust to frown. While she was glad that Twilight and her former student were trying to learn what is causing her to inflate like a balloon, despite her not having actually said anything, she knew that no matter how hard she mentions that her cutie mark was the cause, she'd always get the exact same answer. The more she heard those words, the more she felt that she was getting nowhere really fast.
Still, in answer to the princess’s question she muttered, “It isn’t my Cutie Mark.”
Twilight gave her a very confused look, glancing from the mark on Stardust’s flank, to the mare’s face again.
However, when Starlight heard the mention of "relating to Cutie Marks", she began to look at the books far more carefully, reading every text about anything Cutie Mark related.
As she found nothing of relevance, Starlight began to think Stardust might of gone crazy. That is, until she found a book with a page that relates to Curses, Cutie Marks and effects.
"Found it!" Starlight exclaimed as she began to read the entry out loud.
Faux Mark Classification: Curse Harmful: No Type: Cursed Cutie Mark
"The Faux Mark is a curse that was founded since the dawn of the Cutie Marks. Little is known about the origins on how Faux Marks came to be, but a rumor about them was that dark power once created the Faux Mark for reasons unknown. While a Faux Mark may stand for a Fake Cutie Mark, a Faux Mark is more of a curse.
When the Faux Mark Curse is placed on a pony, the effects of the Faux Mark have some effects on the pony, that are not harmful or life threatening. Some instances of a Faux Mark that have been counted were counts of the effects, either if it be effecting their minds, inflating, depending on the effects, depend on what Faux Mark it is.
Details are unknown how the Faux Mark operates, but those who have had it for a number of years will grow used to the fact. Although Faux Marks are labeled a curse and incidents where those who obtain such marks reported them, no known cure or reverse spell has been found.
When Starlight finished reading the documented entry in the Book "Equestrian History of Curses", Twilight stared in disbelief. Not only there were Faux Marks, but literal actual Cursed Cutie Marks? Looking back at Stardust, who was still inflated, she now fully understood what happened to Stardust. No matter how hard she didn't want to believe it, Stardust was right, her cutie mark wasn't hers, and she was cursed.
"I told you," Stardust said with a sigh.
Twilight and Starlight looked at one another. Of all the things they’d read about, this was the very first time they had read about the Faux Mark entry. Most importantly, they felt sad that an innocent pony like Stardust had to deal with a curse like the Faux Mark on a daily basis. Feeling sorry for her, Twilight hugged Stardust’s balloon body in sign of friendship. "Stardust.... I'm sorry you have to go through this. If you told me sooner..."
"I have a feeling you want to know what happened."
Twilight nodded.
Deciding it would help to pass the time so that she doesn't have to worry about her body being inflated, Stardust decided it was time to share her story with Twilight and Starlight, now knowing that, since they were the first Ponyville citizens to find out and had given every indication that, not only would they not simply tell others against her will, but that they wanted to help, they had the right to know. In fact, they needed to know if they were to have any real hope of helping her.
The inflated pony took a deep breath, before letting it out and looked up, her eyes misty as she focused on those memories from so long ago.
"I still remember that fateful day like it was yesterday,” She sighed. “Hard not to, since it haunts my mind endlessly. It was years ago when I was a filly. I was a resident Manehatten. You see, it was one my 9th birthday. My family planned a birthday party for me by inviting friends, family even...the mare I looked up to as a friendly aunt...."
Years Ago Manehatten Residential district Stardust’s Family home
Stardust was having the time of her life. The day of her 9th birthday was so exciting, she had friends to play with at her party, playing with her little sister, it became the best day ever to her. While she and her sister, along with their friends were playing, her family were making veggie burgers for them, since it was Stardust’s favorite and wanted to have them for her birthday.
In the backyard of the house, Stardust and her sister were running around playing with their friends while the adults were watching them. Stardust was chasing her sister, giggling happily while Jade was running from Stardust, giggling just as much. "You can't catch me, birthday sis," she called teasingly, sticking her tongue out playfully.
While they ran around, their friends were giggling at how cute it was. Every Schoolyear, they saw that both Stardust and Jade had a strong sisterly friendship and always looked after one another. Although they lacked Cutie Marks, they learned how to stick up for themselves when bullies began to mock them for not having one.
After several minutes, Stardust finally caught her sister, thus ending the game of freeze tag. All of them shared a laugh at how much fun they were having. While they were preparing a new game, Stardust’s mom, Spark Shine, approached them with another pony.
Upon seeing the other pony, Stardust ran up and hugged the other mare. It was her favorite friendly aunt, Charm Luck.
"Stardust, Auntie Charm Luck wants to make balloon figures with you. Since you're the birthday girl, wanna go make balloon figures with her?" Spark asked nicely.
"I’d love to!" Stardust Squeed happily as she bounced happily, before following Charm into the house to Stardust’s bedroom.
As they entered, Stardust saw that there was a pack of balloons ready. Sitting on the floor and using their magic, they began to make balloon figures as they began to talk. To Stardust, this was turning out to be the Best Birthday Party she ever had.
Over the time they were making things with the balloons, Stardust noticed her Auntie Charm began act a little weird. She froze for a moment, before small looks of frustration started to pass over her features.
However, when she looked to her aunt, she got a slightly strained smile and a shake of the head.
She decided, if her auntie said it didn’t matter (at least that’s what Stardust assumed she meant by shaking her head and smiling), it wasn’t important. Maybe she just needed the toilet and was trying to hold on as long as possible so as not to disprute their fun?
With that thought in mind, she returned to working on the ballon sculpture of her sister she’d been working on.
A moment later, she heard her aunt sigh and the sound of a magical aura.
She paid it no mind, as they always used their magical to shift the balloons. For a moment she thought she felt a light tingle over her body, almost as if magic was being used on her, but shook it off as just a inch or something.
After a few moments, however, Stardust’s body slowly began to inflate, but so focused on her sculpture was she, that she didn’t notice at first.
As her whole body started to inflate, however it caused Stardust to notice something was off and actually pay attention to the odd feelings she’d been ignoring in favour of her sculpture. "W-why do I feel funny?" Stardust asked as her body began inflate like a balloon.
"I'm sorry....P-please forgive me."
While Stardust was curious what Charm meant, she soon caught a glimpse of what was going on to her in the mirror… and what she saw scared her. Her whole body was inflating and becoming round like a balloon, her legs and hind legs began to be tucked in her ballooning body making her immobilized, while her head was being tucked into her now roundish body.
Tears of fear formed in her eyes and, as she looked towards her aunt for help, noticed her horn still glowing with an aura, and aura she could sense was casting a spell. "Wh...why are you doing this?" Stardust asked in a scared tone.
"Please....forgive me, Y-you wouldn't understand," Charm responded as she return to normal, seemingly.
With that, Stardust now was a round pony looking like a living balloon pony, with what seemed to be magic air in her body. While she tried to move, she couldn't due to being immobilized.
All she can do was either sit their helplessly, or roll a little bit. Now she was very scared and her very special day was seemingly destroyed.
However, something else had also caught her attention. Visible in the mirror, she saw a group of party balloons appeared on her flank, which caught her by surprised.
"Please don't hate me," Charm said fearfully. "I...I love you as if you are my actual niece."
Stardust didn’t understand. Her aunt had really cast this spell on her? Why? What was the point of this spell? When would her body return to normal?
And why would she hate her aunt? As far as she could tell, her aunt had somehow helped her find her Cutie Mark. Why would she hate her for that?
In her mind, however, there was one thing Aunt Charm had said that caused a sliver of confused worry. She loved her as if she was her actual niece? What did that mean?
Charm let out a few tears, before she got up and headed downstairs, leaving Stardust, still inflated, on her own.
It had gone from the most happiest day of her life, to one of the worst. As time had past, Stardust became more concerned with her long she’d remained in the odd inflated form.
She was up in her room so long, unable to leave of her own accord due to her body’s state making that impossbiel, that her mother had come up and found her.
At first, Stardust didn’t mind so much, she even had fun as all her friends and sister played with her like a ball. However, as it soon became clear to her she could not control it, the day became the worst.
Once she’d finally returned to normal, she’d tried to find Charm to try and understand why she’d been upset, but she’d already left the party.
In the days after, she realized her life was destroyed due to Charm, who hid the reason why she did what she did and never contacted Stardust about it.
Little did she know, Charm came with one excuse, one that will forever haunt her life.
Present Day
"...So in the end, Aunt...or who I thought was my aunt, Charm Luck told a coverup story about what happened, by saying the balloon figurine making made me able to inflate and be a living round Balloon Pony and gave me this Cutie Mark,” she indicated to her flank. “My birthday went on like normal thanks to my sister cheering me up. My sister believed my story, while, my friends, who I still hold dearly to me, are not sure what to believe. For Charm, she....disappeared. To this day, my family still thinks this is my talent, while my sister used a clever cover up whenever I inflate in public."
As Stardust finished her story, Twilight and Starlight were filled with disbelief. Not only was Stardust so used to the curse for that many years, but, a family friend who she looked up to as a friendly aunt cursed her, but on her own birthday at her own birthday party.
Not only that, but the way how Stardust put it, only she and her little sister, Jade, knew what had happened. But, one thing was for certain, there had to be a reason why Charm did what she did. The way Stardust told the story suggested that Charm Luck was seemingly cursed with the exact same Faux Mark Curse and somehow passed it on to her, but probably disappeared to protect not only herself, but probably to hide from Stardust who was clearly still upset at her for what she did those years ago.
Looking at Stardust, who was still round and inflated with magic air, Twilight began to think of someway she can offer to help Stardust. Talking with Starlight, they came with a plan that will help Stardust with the curse.
"Stardust, we have an idea,” Twilight said firmly, though with slight hesitation, getting a curious look from Stardust. “It’d be a risk, but, I think it will help you. It’s even based on what you said your sister did to help."
Approaching, Starlight smiled. "While I do understand something similar to a Faux Mark since… well, it’s a long story; we think it’s best that we help you feel not afraid when you start to inflate in public. We will use an excuse that your inflating relates to your cutie mark and your talent saying that it's a unique ability." Starlight said only get a concern look.
"But, wouldn't that humiliate me? And isn’t that basically what I already told you everypony thinks anyway?"
"No,” Starlight shook her head. “What we will do is that we’ll have either one of us, or one of our friends—”
“Though, we should point out that part will only be possible if you’re okay with our friends also knowing about all this,” Twilight interjected, to make it clear they weren’t just deciding they’d only do it their way without Stardust’s consent in any manner.
“Yes,” Starlight blushed a little, realizing her failure to make that definition, “Well, they’ll be by your side when you inflate and will know what to say so they don't give away that you’re cursed. Depending on the day and if it's their day off, one will be with you for the day when you don't have to work at your balloon & party store. If nopony is available, Twilight or myself will be with you," Starlight finished with a smile knowing her plan would likely work.
"However, if it comes to a point where it becomes serious and you feel uncomfortable at a certain point, we’ll have our friends bring you here till you revert to your normal self, or we will bring you here if they aren't available,” Twilight continued on. “Along with that, we will ask Pinkie Pie to help out at your store and if it becomes too much with the inflation, she will take over your shifts until you’re back to normal. I have the ability to do that legally just in case."
With their idea done being explained, Stardust was surprised at what she heard. Not only did they want to help her, but were very determined to help her not be afraid of the curse in public by having it be covered up with a white lie so nopony would be spreading rumors.
Although still a balloon pony, Stardust was shedding tears of joy, knowing that not only the heroes of Equestria would help when Twilight informs them, and only if she herself said it was fine for them to know, but Twilight herself and her former Student were fully willing to help.
"Th...thank you, both of you," Stardust sobbed happily.
"Don't worry, we’ll be glad to help you,” Twilight said reassuringly. “If we don't find a way to reverse this, I promise you, that no matter what happens; we will always be there for you.
With everything out of the way, and after Stardust gave the afermative that, if Twilight and Starlight felt they could be trusted, she could tell them about her secret, Starlight went to go gather the girls while Twilight stayed behind so when Stardust returns to normal pony size, she would be able to help her more.
However, when the time comes, it would likely be one long story to share with Princess Celestia, even when it comes to the point of finding Charm to get the answers they desire.
Two hours had past since the five members of Twilight’s circle of friends had been requested to come to the palace for an emergency meeting with Twilight regarding Stardust. Over the course of the time gap, Stardust had returned to her normal self as the curse effects have halted until the next time. When she saw the ponies Twilight had called come in, like every pony in Equestria, she was surprised to meet the other five of the six who had saved Equestria multiple times from the many dangers it had encountered over the last few years.
After quick, if shy on Stardust’s part, introductions had been made, Twilight asked the mare to leave the room for a bit and wait in the lobby. Although Spike could be in there with them, he decided to be with Stardust to make sure she was alright and if she needed anything.
With the mane six were all in the room, Twilight sat in her chair, using her magic to close to the door to ensure privacy and looked to her friends, beginning to gather her thoughts. This was going to be hard to explain. However, it was worth a try. "Girls, we have a serious problem.”
"What, did the latest Daring Do book get cancelled?" Rainbow asked in horror, only to get a glare from her friends. "What?! It happened before."
Starlight, who was next to Twilight in a custom chair Maud had built for her out of gems, looked around at the group, after giving her own quick glare to the Pegasus. "Now is not the time to joke around, Rainbow. We found out something about the new mare in town.” She sighed. “Something that explains why she doesn’t interact with too many ponies in town or anything."
Hearing about the new mare, everypony looked at one another. When they’d first heard a new mare was moving to Ponyville from Pinkie Pie, she’d told them how she was going to plan a Welcome to Ponyville party for her, however, that Twilight had recommended she not do so.
They had all wondered why Twilight had asked such a thing, as it had left Pinkie upset at the idea of not throwing a party.
"So is she a party pooper? A Party ruiner? A..." Pinkie rambled only to get a magically contructed hoof in the mouth from Starlight.
Twilight took a deep breath, before looking firmly at the party pony. "Pinkie, she is cursed.”
Dead silence filled the room after those words were heard. The expressions on the other five mares’ faces were complete shock and disbelief, as if Twilight was pulling a fast card, or pulling a prank on Rainbow. Fluttershy looked at the door worriedly, knowing Stardust was on the other side.
"Say what now?" Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.
" From what Twilight and I can gather, Stardust is cursed with a long forgotten mark known as a Faux Mark. Unlike the marks I gave you all two years ago, the Faux Marks we are talking about are very serious, and far more dangerous than the Equality Mark I came up with."
Twilight nodded. "From what we have learned, a Faux Mark functions as a curse. Faux Marks may look like a cutie mark, but it behaves as a curse.”
“But... didn’t you say WAY back when we were all so wrong about Zecora that curses aren’t real?” Pinkie asked, looking confused.
Twilight nodded in agreement. “That’s true, I thought they didn’t exist, however, the curse of a Faux Mark still functions on a basis of magic. The mark has its own abilities, that in this case are thankfully non-harmful. Stardust has a faux mark and hers makes her inflate into a round balloon pony, for about an hour or so."
Learning the information, every pony gasped, while Rarity fainted. This was the very first time they ever, in their whole entire lives that they heard about such a thing. To them it was like if it was in a movie played in the Cinemas in Ponyville, but far worse.
"Wellm what are ya waiting for, can’t ya reverse it or somethin'?" Applejack asked very annoyed.
Right when she asked that, frowns appeared on Twilight and Starlight’s face. It was hard to decipher their expressions at first, but after a few moments, the five mares all covered their mouths, realizing what they meant. From Cutie Pox, to Horse Hives, even Poison joke, all of them had a reverse method to cure them, but hearing something that can't be reversed, was even more shocking.
"Darling....you don't mean, Faux Marks can’t be reversed?" Rarity asked horrified.
Recalling what they read in the book about similar curses, they couldn't help but nod. Since they found out about the Faux Marks, they had trying their hardest to find out what the reverse spell for a Faux Mark could be. When they skimmed through every book for the second time in the library to the point the books were forming a Book fort, nothing, not even the modern books had the information about a way to undo the Faux Mark. Though, one couldn’t completely blame them for not finding anything yet. As it was, they’d only gone through the books in Twilight’s library. Whether or not a book containing a reverse spell existed was unclear. If they checked the Canterlot Archives, however, who knows?
With the truth about Stardust now revealed and Twilight and Starlight had explained how it had happened, the other mares felt bad for Stardust. An innocent mare, who had her innocence destroyed by a mere Faux Mark curse as a filly, on her own birthday. Now it made sense that she was Anti-social, because she doesn't want to risk others ostracising her for something she can’t control.
"Um, so, why does this relate to us? I-if you don't mind me asking," Fluttershy murmured meekly as she hid behind her mane.
Twilight looked at Starlight and nodded. It was time to see if they’d go along with the plan. "Well, we have an idea. We told Stardust, but we want your input," Starlight responded.
"We are going to help Stardust not be bothered if her curse activates in public,” Twilight explained. “Basically, this involves all of us. We are going to help her not be afraid of her curse. Here’s the plan, we are going to make a cover up, saying the reason why Stardust inflates is due to it being part of her special talent. That way, when she inflates in public, it won't give out that she is cursed."
"This brings us into the plan...."
_____
Stardust was waiting patiently and quietly as she sat on the bench that was placed in the lobby to the Throne room, with Spike next to her. Since she inflated, both Twilight and Starlight were the only ones who were so kind to her and, like her sister, believed her. Surprisingly enough, Spike also believed her, but was asked to not inform Princess Celestia, or Princess Luna about this, until they have a game plan.
Looking at Stardust, who was awfully quiet since she returned to normal and was requested to wait, Spike began to wonder what Stardust’s dream talent was before the whole curse mess occurred. After all, a lot of ponies have dreams of what their talents are and what they might be.
With the dead silence killing him, he looked at Stardust. "Um, Stardust, can I ask you something?"
His question breaking the silence actually startled Stardust, who had to take a second to compose herself. "Oh um, sure. What is it?"
With the Faux Mark and the whole ordeal of the inflating effect, Spike knew that she had a dream before it was destroyed to smithereens. "What was your dream talent? I mean, like...you know, what your were good at that was going to make you who you are?" Spike asked nervously only getting a chuckle from Stardust.
"You're the first to ask that. Nopony else ever asked that since...well..." Stardust replied as she looked at her mark. "My dream was to be an amazing travelling entertaining magician, like Troupe Glamour. As a filly, I loved their shows, loved them so much they were my idols, which made me want to be a great magician." Stardust’s face shone with awe, but it was short lasted, as her expression saddened. "On my birthday I was going to pull a magic show for my friends and sister... that was until Aunt Charm did this to me."
Feeling bad for Stardust, Spike gave her a friendly hug, which surprised her. Before she met Twilight, Starlight, and Spike, everyone and any pony around her who knows about Cutie marks always lectured her that the cutie mark she has will forever be hers, and it can never change. Even seeing that there is a chance the former bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and the pupil of friendship will help her gave her hope.
After some time past, Starlight came out from the throne room, and waved a hoove, indicating that Stardust can come in. Getting up and proceeding in, she saw the other six mares sitting at their chairs, looking at her with sadness and such. It was easy to tell for Stardust that Twilight told them about what happened, and why she inflates, and even takes multiple breaks a day at her store, even if she hadn’t known prior it was what the Princess of Friendship was going to do.
Silence hung through the air and Stardust was curious why no pony has spoken yet. However, after a fair amount of time, Fluttershy got off her chair and flew over to her. Surprisingly, like Spike did, Fluttershy pulled Stardust into a hug for comfort.
Despite the things she heard about Fluttershy, she originally feared the element of kindness as much as she had anypony else. She’d feared that, even the pony known by Equestria of being the kindest pony, ever willing to help ponies feel better no matter what, her curse would be enough reason to be shunned.
“It’s okay,” the kind mare murmured. “We’re all here.”
Tears formed in Startdust’s eyes. She returned the hug. "I...I was afraid..."
Hearing the sorrow in Stardust’s voice proved to them that Stardust knew she had trouble speaking up, since it was hard to tell the difference between a Faux Mark and Cutie Mark. Whenever a cutie mark is earned and on one’s flank, ponies, no matter who, always see it as one’s special talent.
On the other side of the table, Applejack was calm, but hiding the fact she was furious at the pony responsible for giving Stardust such a curse. For one, Stardust was a filly when the curse had happened, and doing such a horrendous thing to a pony at such a young age, especially on their birthday without reason or motive, was cold and heartless.
After a while of Fluttershy giving Stardust a friendly hug to help her feel ease and stay calm, Fluttershy pulled away and returned to her seat. Twilight, who’d just finished writing a Royal Order scroll, gave the scroll to Pinkie. Stardust began to hope it was good news.
"So..., what’s gonna happen?" Stardust asked a little nervously.
The seven mares all looked at one another, and nodded. To Stardust’s point a view, it looked like they all came to an agreement on something. She began to hope it was what Twilight had planned.
"Stardust, since this is very serious, and we do thank you for telling me and Starlight about this, we have discussed this and decided, since you inflate every three or four hours and remain like a Balloon Pony for one or two hours due to your Curse Mark, we will be helping you feel more comfortable and not worry about your curse activating," Twilight explained.
"Um, isn't that....a little weird?" Stardust asked with a raised eyebrow.
Twilight shook her head. "No. The reason being, when me or one of my friends are with you, we will use a cover up. Think of it as a white lie."
"What she means is, when you start to inflate in public and if ponies start to notice, we’ll be saying that it is part of your talent and who you are,” Rarity clarified. “It’s due to the fact we don't want to cause a panic by saying its a curse."
"However...' Starlight butted in, "if you feel uncomfortable and uneasy about inflating in public, and are bothered by the attention at any point, Twilight will allow you to come to the palace anytime until you return to normal."
Putting the pieces together, Stardust was filled with surprise and shock that, of everything that transpired today, these seven ponies actually wanted to help her. She couldn't believe it, the heroes of Equestria, and the former student of friendship, were actually going to help her. It touched Stardust so much that tears began to form in her eyes.
However, before she could, Pinkie came bouncing towards her and hugged her happily.
Twilight smiled, seeing that hope was shimmering in Stardust’s eyes. However, Applejack caught her attention and gave her a single, as if she was forgetting to mention the Royal Order she gave to Pinkie. Blushing slightly, she looked back at Stardust. She knew this was the right thing to do, just so Stardust’s shop didn't get shut down. "I forgot to add something Stardust, there is another part to this."
"Th-theres more?" Stardust asked wiping a tear of joy from her eye as Twilight nod.
"As a princess of Equestria, I have the ability to pass down any ruling that I see fit, as long as it doesn’t go against any main laws already in place. Those I would need to run through court. Anyway, since we are aware you run the Party & Balloon Shop, we know that your frequent breaks are indeed due to the fact you inflate."
"Where are you getting at?" Stardust asked.
Pinkie showed her the scroll. "As one of the Princesses of Equestria, I have assigned Pinkie Pie to help operate your Shop. That scroll I gave Pinkie is a Royal Order. This means that with this, Pinkie has proof she will be working at your store under my ruling."
Looking at Pinkie, Stardust knew that Pinkie could actually be a big help. Since Pinkie was a well known Party pony and known in Ponyville for making ponies smile, happy, share laughs with others, and her usual random parties, it was probably for the best that Pinkie helped out.
Bringing the meeting to a conclusion, other seven mares headed out of the room, inviting Stardust to hang out with them, who was happy enough to accept their offer. While they all went to hang out, Pinkie Pie, however, had to run to Sugarcube Corner to inform Mrs Cake that she won't be working with the cakes as reguarlaly due to her new obligations to Stardust.
From a day turned to a bad start, to surprisingly a good start, Stardust couldn’t be happier about it. However, tomorrow would be the daythat Pinkie would host her long overdue Welcome to Ponyvile Party, which would be held at Twilight’s Palace.