Call of the Cutie

Pony's Log Number 112 - It can be hard when everyone around you is getting something you want, especially when others make you feel like you're missing out...

Along the edges of Ponyville, one could say there stood a building that marked the halfway point between the main town and Sweet Apple Acres. It was a schoolhouse. The location where young ponies would come and be educated in the skills they needed to find their future careers as well as how to put their cutie mark talents to good use. The school bell rang at the top tower of the school as the students inside began to chatter about various topics and subjects. Several of the young ponies already had cutie marks on their flanks. Miss Cheerilee, whose cutie mark was three happy flowers, stood before the chattering students.

"Let's quiet down please," said Miss Cheerilee, "We have a very important lesson to get to." It wasn't much longer before all the students quieted down to give her their full attention.

"Thank you," she replied, "Today we are going to be talking about cutie marks."

"Bo-ring," said a filly named Diamond Tiara. She had soft pink hair with lavender mane with white highlights and a diamond tiara on her head.

"You can all see my cutie mark, can't you?" Miss Cheerilee asked as she continued with her lesson, "Like all ponies, I wasn't born with a cutie mark. My flank was blank." She showed a picture of herself as a little baby.

"Aww...! She's so precious," said a young filly who had a strong lisp on her voice named Twist. She was a cream-colored pony with a red mane and tail that could rival Pinkie's in terms of cotton candy poofy-ness. She also had a pair of blue thick rimmed glasses that added to how cute she was.

"Then one day, when I was about your age," Miss Cheerilee continued, "I woke up to find that a cutie mark had appeared." Miss Cheerilee then showed a picture of herself with her cutie mark and with an attire that clearly screamed her days as a teenage rebel and some little ponies laughed.

"Look at her hair!" said a young pony in the background.

"Yes I know, but honestly, that's how everypony was wearing their mane back then," said Miss Cheerilee with a discreet eye roll at their laughter, "I had decided to become a teacher, and the flowers symbolized my hope that I could help my future students bloom if I nurtured them with knowledge. The smiles represented the cheer I hope to bring to my little ponies while they are learning..." Some ponies were listening attentively with smiles on their faces, others looked bored and were just looking at their hooves. Some, like certain tiara wearing pony, were annoying other ponies since they flat out didn't care about what Miss Cheerilee was saying, "Now can anyone tell me when a pony gets his or her cutie mark?"

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" said Twist as she raised her hoof and answered, "When she discovers that certain something that makes her special!"

"That's right, Twist," said Miss Cheerilee, "A cutie mark appears on a pony's flank when he or she finds that certain something that makes them different from every other pony..." By now Apple Bloom had grabbed a pencil in her mouth and was just taking notes as Cheerilee continued her lecture.

"...Discovering what makes you unique isn't something..."

"Pssst!"

"...that happens overnight, and no amount of hoping, wishing..."

"Pssst!"

"...or begging, would make a cutie mark appear before its time."

"Pssst!"

"What?!" Apple Bloom snapped, annoyed at all the noise making. Diamond Tiara held a note in her mouth, and gestured to Silver Spoon, a grey pony with whitish grey mane in a braid and some red oval shaped glasses on her face, was motioning for the note. Apple Bloom thought nothing less and just grabbed the note with her mouth.

"Apple Bloom!" Miss Cheerilee said sternly, causing both fillies to pull apart. Poor Apple Bloom still had the note in her mouth while Diamond Tiara put on a innocent smile on her face, "Are you passing a note?"

"Uh, I...Um..." Poor Apple Bloom couldn't explain herself and Diamond just watched with a vicious smile on her face as the note hit the floor.

"What could be so important that it couldn't wait until after class?" Miss Cheerilee asked when she noticed the note had nothing on it, "It's blank."

"Remind you of anypony?" Diamond asked out of the blue with laugh. Apparently Apple Bloom hadn't earned her cutie mark just yet. The other students began to chuckle and whisper to each other as the yellow filly just sunk into her seat.

(Theme song)

Soon the school bell rang to signal the end of another day of learning and everyone made their way out of the building. Apple Bloom was feeling rather glum and was still embarassed at being put on the spot earlier that day. Her friend Twist was in high spirits and she mimicked Pinkie's bounce.

"Wants some sweets?" Twist offered, "I've got some peppermint sticks. I made them myself."

"Mm-mm," Apple Bloom answered, but she clearly wasn't listening.

"They'll make you smi-i-le," Twist offered again.

"No..." said Apple Bloom in a depressed tone. It was then a certain tiara wearing pony and her best friend decided to make themselves known as they walked in front of the two fillies.

"I don't know why we had to sit through a lecture about getting a cutie mark," Diamond Tiara complained to Silver Spoon, "I mean, waiting for your cutie mark is sooo last week. You got yours, I just got mine. We all have them already." She then did a gasp. Yet the gasp was clearly not a sincere one.

"I mean, almost all of us have them already," Diamond Tiara continued, looking at Twist and Apple Bloom, the former looked indignant while Apple Bloom just kept a curious look on her face, "Don't worry you two, you're still totally invited to my cute-ceanera this weekend." For those who are wondering what that is, it is the pony equivalent to a quinceanera. Except rather being celebrated at a certain age, it was held when a filly earns her cutie mark. The fact Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came from high class families gave them more reason to brag over such a party.

"It's going to be amazing," Silver Spoon added.

"It's a party celebrating me and my fantastic cutie mark," Diamond Tiara bragged, showing her cutie mark was of a five pronged tiara, as if she wasn't conceited enough wearing one on her head, "How could it not be?" The two began to do a small dance together.

"Bump! Bump! Sugar lump, rump!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sang as they finished their dance by smashing their back ends into each other, showing off their cutie marks with a laugh.

"Gimme a break," Apple Bloom muttered with a long face.

"See you this weekend..." said Silver Spoon.

"Blank Flanks!" The two wealthy ponies said together before laughing as they walked away. Until a certain peach colored pony with reddish hair and a star cutie mark stood before them. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon knew who he was. (And I bet you know to). He just gave them both a blank stare. Silver Spoon took a step back while Diamond glared back.

"What are you doing here?" Diamond asked snootily, "Shouldn't you be making your deliveries to my father or geeking it up at the Library?" Since the day Mario met Diamond Tiara, Mario had taken a polar dislike to her. Diamond Tiara seemed to snob him every time he came by. Mario tried to be kind, but eventually he stopped trying to make conversation with her...

...unless he knew she was up to no good.

"I already made my delivery," said Mario plainly, "and there's more to life than just studying you know."

"Tell that to Miss Cheerilee," said Silver Spoon with an eye roll. Mario chuckled. He found Silver Spoon much more tolerable. While she didn't have issues trying to be friendly with him, Mario could see the bad influence Diamond Tiara had in the way Silver Spoon treated others. He just couldn't understand why she would resort to being mean to save face, or reputation, or whatever.

"Trust me, it will be worth it in the future, Silver," said Mario, "I just hope there won't be any trouble at your party this weekend, Miss Tiara."

"Who said you are going to be there?" Diamond Tiara asked angrily. Mario leaned forward a bit.

"I happen to be the best friend and assistant to Pinkie Pie, who is planning and hosting your little cute-ceanera," Mario replied sternly, "and Apple Bloom just happens to be a close friend of mine if you get my drift." This was his big hint that he had heard what they had said. While Silver Spoon looked away, Diamond just glared.

"Whatever," she muttered and stomped away with her nose in the air. Silver Spoon soon followed, still keeping her eyes away from Mario. Mario watched them disappear before approaching Apple Bloom and Twist.

"Why were you takin' to them?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.

"I saw what they were doing," said Mario, glaring back at them, "And I know what it's like to be the one with the blank flank and get bullied for it. If they ever give you too much trouble, just let me know. I've got your back. Same for you Twist." Twist just smiled, but Apple Bloom was still too glum to fully appreciate the extra moral support.

Mario soon escorted Twist home and then brought Apple Bloom back to Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack was hard at work in the orchard. Apple Bloom was still fuming.

"It's not fair!" Apple Bloom complained as she paced about, "It's just not fair!"

"Don't get your mane in a tangle," said Applejack, You'll get your cutie mark. Everypony gets one eventually."

"But I don't want one eventually!" Apple Bloom retorted, "I want one right now! I can't go to Diamond Tiara's cute-ceanera without one, I just can't!"

"'Course you can," said Applejack.

"You sure about that," said Mario, "Take it from someone whose seen how the filly treats Apple Bloom and someone whose been at the receiving end of it in his younger days."

"People like that exist everywhere, sugarcube," said Applejack, "You just gotta learn not take their words to heart and spoil yer day or your fun at a party."

"Easier said than done, Applejack, but very true nevertheless," said Mario. While some bullies like Trixie, never grew out of it, he did know some fillies and mares that did. But that's another story.

"Y'know," said Applejack, "I was the last pony in my class to get my cutie mark, and I couldn't be prouder of it. I knew my future was to run Sweet Apple Acres, and these bright shiny apples sealed the deal..." As Applejack continued to talk, Apple Bloom continued to pout and pace about nearby when Applejack gasped, "...Come to think of it, Granny Smith was the last one in her class. Huh, same as Big Macintosh."

"I really don't see how that's supposed to make me feel better," said Apple Bloom as she sat down and leaned her fore-hooves onto a bucket of apples, "It probably means being the last one in your class to get a cutie mark runs in the family."

"What about you Mario?" Applejack asked curiously. Mario chuckled.

"You'd be surprised but I was also the last in my class to get my cutie mark," said Mario.

"Seriously?" Apple Bloom said in shock and Applejack also looked in surprise.

"It's true," Mario answered, "Alot of the students in school, before magic school that is, were getting their cutie marks at ages younger than Apple Bloom, yet...there I was being the only blank flank for years! I still remember the nickname bullies gave me: "last blank standing" and oh how I despised that name. It wasn't until just before I entered magic school that I even got my cutie mark. How bad would the bullying had been if I had started without one, especially when all the first year students had their cutie marks." Mario shuttered at the thought as Apple Bloom continued to sulk.

"Well, being last still runs in this family," Apple Bloom repeated, but then realized something, ...runs in the family. Runs in the family! Runs in the family!" Apple Bloom excited runs over to Applejack and pecks out from behind her.

"You've got apples for your cutie mark," Apple Bloom pointed out to Applejack, "Granny Smith has an apple pie. Big Macintosh has an apple half, my unique talent has som'n to do with apples! Apples, apples, apples!" Apple Bloom began to hop and jump about excitedly until...

CRASH!

She landed into a bucket of apples and knocked its contents all over the grounds.

"Oops...heh, apples," said Apple Bloom sheepishly. Applejack just sighed to herself as Mario chuckled quietly. It wasn't much longer that Applejack had Mario transport some apples with his freight cars so she and Apple Bloom could sell them to customers in the town's market place. Apple Bloom was eager to get selling as she had a white apron on along with her sister. Mario just watched the two sisters do their work.

"Get your delicious, nutritious apples here!" Applejack called out to ponies nearby.

"Delicious and nutritious, and so many uses!" said Apple Bloom, balancing an apple on her head and tossing it into her mouth to gobble it up, "You can eat 'em..." She then swallowed the apple. "...Play with them..." She then tossed an apple in the air, grabbed a nearby racket and swung to smack the apple away. The apple splattered onto the racket and the rest towards a random passerby.

"Hey watch it!"

"Create fine art for your home with 'em," Apple Bloom continued as she bucked an apple onto someone's art canvas. The pony using the canvas just glared as Applejack looked rather embarassed. Mario just continued to chuckle quietly in the background with his train of empty freight cars.

"Heh...she's so creative, heh," Applejack replied sheepishly as Apple Bloom approached a nearby colt.

"You, sir, care t' buy some apples?" Apple Bloom offered.

"No thanks," the pony, who name was Dr. Hooves answered.

"Why not?" Apple Bloom asked, taking a step forward.

"I have plenty at home," Dr. Hooves replied, taking a step back.

"Are you sure?" Apple Bloom asked him directly, making the colt very uncomfortable.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure I..." Dr. Hooves tried to answer.

"You're pretty sure, but you're not absolutely, positively, completely super-duper sure, are you?" Apple Bloom questioned, backing the poor colt into a corner, so to speak.

"Y...ah..If I buy some apples, will you please leave me alone?" he asked feebly. Apple Bloom's stern look flipped over instantly.

"All right!" she replied cheerfully. Dr. Hooves only grabbed one apple, tossed a few coins into Applejack's front apron pocket and took off. Mario just looked worried.

"Well that's one way to force a sale," he remarked. While he had never owned a business himself, he had taken several business management classes in his later school years. After his whole ordeal with athletics, he just felt some business knowledge would come in handy in the long run. Either way, he knew Apple Bloom's sales tactics were leading into trouble.

"You forgot your change!" Applejack called out, but Dr. Hooves was already gone.

"Woo-hoo!" said Apple Bloom, feeling pleased with herself, "That's how you sell s'm apples and get a cutie mark!" Apple Bloom began to walk around in circles like a dog chasing its own tail.

"So, what does my cutie mark look like? a shoppin' bag full of apples? A satisfied customer eating an apple?" Apple Bloom noticed that her flank was still blank. "Hmm...maybe I need to increase my sales figures first." She then noticed someone else checking out the apples on the stand.

"You touch it, you buy it!" Apple Bloom said sternly, but the pony just reeled back and ran off. She then noticed someone else looking about, "We take cash or credit." The second pony just looked indignant as Applejack pulled Apple Bloom out of the pony's face. Mario just put a hoof over his face and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," said Applejack and turned to speak to her sister, "Aww...Now Apple Bloom, you can't just..." Applejack was too late as Apple Bloom dropped some apples into Bon Bon's saddle bag.

"That'll be four bits," said Apple Bloom plainly.

"I didn't put those in my bag," Bon Bon answered as a matter of fact.

"Likely story," Apple Bloom replied with a stearin look, "Four bits, lady!" Applejack then grabbed Apple Bloom by her giant bow and pulled her away.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack scolded before apologizing to Bon Bon, "I am really sorry about that. She's new. Here, take these. No charge." Bon Bon just looked as Applejack gave her a few more apples, but Bon Bon only glared.

"And these," Applejack offered her more apples in the second pocket of Bon Bon's saddle bag, but Bon Bon just kept glaring. Applejack sighed.

"And these," Applejack replied before giving Bon Bon another bucket loaded with even more apples onto her back. Bon Bon groaned as she gave Applejack a strained smile and carried all the apples away. The apple stand was now nearly empty. Mario just sighed at the sight.

"There's go today's profits," he said to himself.

"Y'all come back now, y'hear?" said Applejack before giving Apple Bloom a glare.

"What?" Apple Bloom asked in a clueless manner.

"Sorry, little sis, but your apple-sellin' days are over," said Applejack firmly before pulling off her little sister's apron.

"What?" Apple Bloom exclaimed in disbelief, "But how else am I gonna get my cutie mark?"

"Home. Now," Applejack said sternly, but unlike before, Apple Bloom didn't leave. She grabbed her apron back and pouted as she held the apron in her mouth.

"Ugh. Listen, sugarcube," said Applejack more gently, "I know it's hard to wait for your very own cutie mark, but, you can't just force it. Besides, you're not that grown up just yet. Ain't there other fillies in your class without one?" Apple Bloom just pondered as she sat hunched to the ground.

"Well...Twist doesn't have hers yet," said Apple Bloom.

"Well there you go," said Applejack with a smile, "bet you and Twist would have a great time together. Now run along and find your friend." Apple Bloom nodded and turned to leave before she remembered something.

"You're sure you don't want me to stick around til the end of th' market?" Apple Bloom asked. While Applejack knew her sister's intentions were genuine, she knew keeping her sister around would do more harm than good.

"Hey! Who's been using my racket?" a pony named Ace Point demanded.

Eeyup, more harm than good.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Applejack wearily.

"Come on Apple Bloom," Mario offered to get Apple Bloom out of the market, "I gotta get Applejack some more apples and Twist's home is along the way." Apple Bloom smiled since she enjoyed getting a ride on Mario's freight train. Mario used his magic to put the little filly inside of the freight car closest to his harness, give a whistle and the two were on their way. It didn't take long before Mario brought Apple Bloom to Twist's home. He waited for her to see how things would go before leaving. Apple Bloom just quietly knocked on the door.

"Oh, what's up, Apple Bloom?" Twist asked curiously as she opened the top half.

"So I was thinkin'..." said Apple Bloom slowly, "maybe we could go to Diamond Tiara's cute-ceanera together. I don't have a cutie mark, you don't have a cutie mark."

"Well, um..." Twist replied slowly before opening the bottom half of the door. Apple Bloom gasped when she noticed that on Twist's flank was a pair of candy canes shaped into a heart.

"Isn't my cutie mark swell?" Twist asked excitedly, "I've always loved making my own favorite sweets, but it took me some time to discover that it was my super-special talent. Pretty sweet, huh?" Apple Bloom just at sat looking a bit stunned as well as glum.

"Yeah, pretty...sweet," Apple Bloom replied, failing to hide the sadness on her voice.

"Hey...this doesn't mean we can't go to the cute-ceanera together," said Twist, "You're still gonna come to the party, are you?" As if this couldn't get any worse for the yellow filly, two particular wealthy fillies were walking by. They had seen and heard everything.

"Of course she will," said Diamond Tiara smugly.

"It's not like being the only pony there without a cutie mark would be, like, the most embarassing thing ever," Silver Spoon added spitefully as the two fillies laughed. Poor Apple Bloom just bit her lip and her eyes became big, looking like she would burst into tears at any moment. Mario looked at her sadly before giving the two wealthy fillies an unnoticeable death glare. He then noticed them approaching his side. With a devious smile on his face, he quietly used his magic to make an exhaust pipe appear behind his fore-legs.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESH!

The loud burst of steam only made Silver Spoon jump with fright, but poor Diamond Tiara jumped a good ten feet into the air with a loud shriek as Mario quickly put the distraught Apple Bloom into his front freight car and pulled his train away. Diamond Tiara was left frazzled and in shock for a few seconds before recomposing herself.

"YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT!" she screamed as Mario ignored her. She knew the threat was empty since Mario was good friends with her father. He always managed to justify his actions and expose her little schemes with ease. Plus the fact Mario did his deliveries as a volunteer worked to his advantage. It would only hurt her father's business to have him fired...and she'd get the blame for it.

In all the commotion and Mario's efforts to help Apple Bloom, neither of them realized that Apple Bloom had left Twist's question about going to the cute-ceanera unanswered. Fortunately, the commotion had made Twist forget about her question anyway. Mario had done his best to cheer Apple Bloom up, but even a warm hug and an open ear didn't do much to help Apple Bloom feel any better.

It was the day of the party and the depressed filly just sat quietly by herself near one of the town's water wells. It wasn't too long before a certain blue Pegasus appeared from above her.

"Whoa, looks like somepony's got a dark cloud hanging over their head," said Rainbow, "Let me do something about that." Rainbow then literally moved a huge black cloud from above Apple Bloom's head.

"What's the matter, kid?" Rainbow asked as she made her landing. Apple Bloom looked at her sadly before inhaling deeply.

"There's a cute-ceanera this afternoon and everypony in class will be there and they'll have their cutie marks and I wanna get my cutie mark but I'm no good at sellin' apples but I really wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don't have my cutie mark which my big sister says I'm gonna get eventually but...I WANT IT NOW!" Apple Bloom said all that with one breath, giving a loud whine at the end. Rainbow just soaked everything in.

"Cutie mark?" said Rainbow, "I can get you a cutie mark like that!" She used her tail make the sound of a finger snap as she finished her sentence.

"Applejack says these things take time," said Apple Bloom, "I just have to wait for it to happen."

"Why wait for something to happen when you can make it happen?" Rainbow suggested.

"But Applejack says th..." Apple Bloom began.

"Why, who are you gonna listen to, Applejack," Rainbow interrupted, making a mocking face and pose when she said the orange pony's name, "or the pony who was first in her class to get her cutie mark? I always liked flying an' all, but I was going nowhere in a hurry. It wasn't until my very first race that I discovered a serious need for speed, and KAZAM, this sweet baby appeared as fast as lightning." Apple Bloom smiled, clearly impressed. Soon they were both donning some exercise headbands and Apple Bloom was busy doing some push-ups.

"That's right, stretch out those legs," Rainbow instructed, making herself Apple Blooms coach, "Gotta be nice and loose. The key here is to try as many things as possible as quickly as possible. One of them is bound to lead to your cutie mark. Are you ready?"

"I'm ready!" said Apple Bloom with determination.

"I said: Are! You! Ready!" Rainbow repeated again.

"I'M READY!" said Apple Bloom loudly.

"Juggling, go!" Rainbow called, blowing a whistle around her neck.

"Ah!" said Apple Bloom as she tried to balance two rings of balls but ended up tripping and dropping all the balls she was juggling. They then headed towards a nearby cliff.

"Hang-gliding, go!" Rainbow called, blowing her whistle. Apple Bloom, now with a hang glider attached to her body, went to make a running start for taking off.

"Whoa!" Apple Bloom cried out as she tripped and landed skidding across the dirt upside down to just the very edge of the cliff. They moved into a dojo and were both wearing white robes.

"Karate, go!" Rainbow suggested next with a whistle blow.

"Hi-ya!" Apple Bloom cried out as she went to a dive kick at a nearby sandbag, "Eee..." Unfortunately the sandbag was so dense that when Apple Bloom kicked it, it made her body painfully twitch before she landed on her back. Their next idea...

"Ultrapony Roller Derby, go!" Rainbow suggested with a blow of her whistle. Apple Bloom was in full gear as she rolled past the Pegasus, but then winced fearfully as some more aggressive and experienced roller ponies growled at her.

"Whoaaa! Whoa..." Apple Bloom cried out as she tumbled forward into a somersault. The other roller ponies gasped before they crashed into her. Despite the piled mess of ponies and roller gear. Apple Bloom just smiled sheepishly as she rolled out of the mess unharmed.

Eventually Apple Bloom was reclining under a tree near Rarity's boutique as Rainbow went through her clip board containing a long list of things that they had tried to do to find Apple Bloom's cutie mark.

"Tried that one...tried that one...tried that one..." Rainbow said aloud to herself as she looked though the list. It was then Apple Bloom heard two familiar voices nearby. It was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, for they had just come out of Rarity's boutique and Diamond had a large package on her back.

"You're new outfit is, like, perfect for the party," said Silver Spoon as they walked by.

"I know," Diamond replied, "It totally shows off my cutie mark."

"I love being special," Silver Spoon sighed to herself.

"Can you imagine how embarassing it must be to be...not special?" Diamond asked out of the blue.

"I don't even want to, like, think about it," Silver Spoon retorted before the two fillies walked out of sight. Rainbow was so busy with her list that she didn't even hear the fillies go by.

"Tried that one...tried that one," Rainbow continued to say to herself. Poor Apple Bloom was feeling miserable. It was as if they knew she was in the bushes the entire time.

"I'm doomed. Doomed!" Apple Bloom cried out to the world, "I'll never find sumth'n I'm good at!"

"You look like you'd be good at eating cupcakes," said a voice. Apple Bloom then noticed beside her was a very familiar pink pony with cotton candy hair.

"Eating cupcakes?" Apple Bloom repeated puzzled.

"Eating cupcakes?" Rainbow repeated as well in confusion.

"Eating cupcaaakes!" said Pinkie, bouncing up and down happily. Apple Bloom felt inspired...until she remembered that Rainbow was still trying to help her.

"I really appreciate all your help, Rainbow Dash," said Apple Bloom as she slowly backed away from the Pegasus as she thought of an excuse to leave, "You're a really great coach and I really learned a lot from you and I'm sure I can learn a lot more but...I've got some cupcakes to eat! See you at the cute-ceneara! Hold On, Pinkie Pie, I'm comin'." Apple Bloom zoomed away, leaving a stunned and indignant Rainbow behind.

"I can't believe I didn't think of this," Apple Bloom said excitedly as she headed into the kitchen area of Sugarcube Corner, "A cupcake-eating cutie mark, it's so obvious. Now, where are those cupcakes? I'm ready t' chow down!" Apple Bloom searched about but found no cupcakes available for eating.

"I don't have any cupcakes," said Pinkie as a matter of fact.

"Oh," said Apple Bloom, clearly disappointed.

"But you look like you'd be good at helping me make some," Pinkie suggested with a gasp.

"I guess, uh, making-cupcakes cutie mark could work too," said Apple Bloom to herself.

Ladies and Gentlecolts, welcome to another episode of Silly Songs with Pinkie Pie where Pinkie feels the delusional need to sing...a silly song...

All you have to do it take a cup of flour!
Add it to the mix!
Now just take a little something sweet, not sour! [Apple Bloom was ironically balancing a lemon on her head as it dropped to the floor.]
A bit of salt, just a pinch!

Baking these treats is such a cinch!
Add a teaspoon of vanilla!
Add a little more, and count to four,
And you never get your fill of...

Cupcakes! So sweet and tasty!
Cupcakes! Don't be too hasty!
Cupcakes! Cupcakes, cupcakes, CUPCAKES!

Don't even ask how Pinkie seemed to be popping out at random angles and even seeming to appear in two place at once. Just...don't. That was when Mario arrived.

"Thank Celestia that ended when I arrived," he muttered since he heard the singing from outside the kitchen.

"Once more time!" Pinkie shouted as she wrapped a fore hoof around the colt.

"Let's not!" Mario retorted as he shoved his own fore-hoof into her mouth, "I've got work to do." Mario just picked up a nearby box with his horn and exited the kitchen. Pinkie just watched him leave, forgetting he backed out of hearing her sing and went to help Apple Bloom. They spent the next few hours trying to make batches of cupcakes together, leaving the kitchen in a complete mess. Apple Bloom was busy mixing up another batch when the oven went off. She coughed a bit as some flour she bumped into hit her nose.

"Hot, hot, hot!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. She had grabbed the tray using her mouth with a cloth, but she could still feel the heat from the tray as she set it on the floor before Pinkie. Apple Bloom's cupcakes were burnt to a crisp.

"Oooh, those look much better than the last batch," said Pinkie as she ate one of the charred cupcakes, "Mmmm." Apple Bloom went to eat one, but made a face and spat it out.

"Ugh!" said Apple Boom ,feeling her eyes water, "I guess I'm not cut out to be a baker either." The little filly let out a long sigh.

"I just have to face it," Apple Bloom continued to rant sadly, "I'm gonna have a blank flank forever."

"What about that?" Pinkie asked curiously as she pointed to a white smudge on Apple Bloom flank.

"What about what?" Apple Bloom asked curiously and then noticed the white smudge on her flank, "Is there something on my flank? Is there, is there, is there?" Apple Bloom gasped as she used a dropped golden kettle to examine the smudge further.

"A cutie mark," she exclaimed, "It's a...a measuring cup?" No. A mixin' bowl? No...Are those cupcakes. A tower of cupcakes maybe." Apple Bloom hopes were dashed when Pinkie blew some air, removing what was just a simple stain of flour on her flank.

"Flour. It's flour," Pinkie replied excitedly as she hopped up and down, "Yay! I guessed it. What game you wanna play next? Please say bingo, please say bingo." Apple Bloom was too upset to answer as Twilight arrived.

"Whoa," Twilight exclaimed as she examined the messy kitchen, "what's been going on in here?"

"We've been making cupcakes," said Pinkie, "Wanna try them?" Pinkie held the baking tray of charred cupcakes. Twilight just cringed at the sight.

"Nnnno thank you...not that they don't look, heh, delicious," said Twilight sheepishly.

"Twilight, you have to help me!" Apple Bloom pleaded.

"What's the matter?" Twilight asked worried. Apple Bloom inhaled deeply, ready to tell her situation all in one breath once again.

"Tiara's cute-ceanera's today and everypony in my class will be there and they'll all have their cutie marks and I want to get my cutie mark but I'm no good at selling apples or hang gliding or making cupcakes, but I wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don't have my cutie mark, which Pinkie Pie says I can't just make appear, but I need it to appear, right now!"

"Uhh...I don't follow," said Twilight puzzled, "How can I help you?"

"You can use your magic to make my cutie mark appear," Apple Bloom proposed.

"On no, Apple Bloom," said Twilight, "A cutie mark is something a pony has to discover for herself."

"Please Twilight, jus trah," Apple Bloom begged.

"I'm sorry, but-"

"Oh please, please, please, please, please!" Apple Bloom pleaded desperately.

"All right, all right!" Twilight conceded.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you," said Apple Bloom excitedly. Twilight lowered her horn and used her magic to make a cutie mark appear on Apple Bloom's flank.

"Yes! I knew you could do...it," Apple Bloom looked at her new cutie mark, only for it to fade away not two seconds after it had appeared.

"I'm sorry sweetie," said Twilight, "But I told you-"

"Try again, try again!" Apple Bloom asked. Twilight just sighed as she did do, but the results were the same every time. As soon as Twilight made a cutie mark appear, it would disappear soon after. Apple Bloom's excitement faded with each disappearing cutie mark and soon Twilight was exhausted.

"Told you that not even magic can make a cutie mark appear before its time," Twilight replied, trying to regain some energy when Mario arrived to give her some water to drink.

"That is the sad truth Apple Bloom," he added, "If it was that simple, I would have used my magic to make myself a cutie mark before I had to go through all that misery as a foal."

"It's hopeless, hopeless!" said Apple Bloom as she walked sadly away, "I just won't go to the party, I can't go. Everyone will just laugh at me and make fun of me and call me names. It will be the worst night of my life."

"I'm sure it won't be as bad as all that," said Twilight.

"Clueless mare," Mario muttered. Twilight glared as Apple Bloom left the kitchen.

"Forget it, there's no way I'm going to that...party..." Apple Bloom gulped when she realized that by walking out of the kitchen and into the main room of the shop she had walked smacked dub in the middle of Diamond Tiara's cute-ceanera party. Mario could see her distress from the kitchen and went to save her, but was stopped.

"Mario, stay put," said Twilight.

"You don't know how those two fillies are," said Mario sternly, "They are like timberwolves ready to devour their next meal and Apple Bloom is their prey!"

"Mario, I know you want to help Apple Bloom, but she needs to learn to stand up to bullies on their own," Twilight explained. Mario just sighed.

"I just don't want anything bad to happen to her," said Mario sadly, "When I was little, I was in a similar situation. I was invited to a party only for everyone to tease and laugh at me for being the only pony without a cutie mark. It was years before I ever found the courage to go to another party...because I was alone in dealing with it..." Twilight gave him a sympathetic smile.

"I know you had to face a similar situation and you just want to support her," said Twilight, "but I can assure you that Apple Bloom won't be alone. Applejack is aware of how those fillies are and she's taken measures to ensure that Apple Bloom will have a good time at this party. Just trust her, okay?" Mario just gave her a reluctant nod. Back outside the kitchen, several ponies continued to chatter amongst each other as Apple Bloom realized where she was. She saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, dressed on their outfits and talking to everyone as they arrived at the party. Ponies from her class as well as older ponies that could possibly be parents, siblings, and friends of the family were there as well. Some of the younger ponies had brought gifts as well. One pony had taken a bite out of one of the cupcakes, only to spit it out. Apparently, Pinkie had put out the cupcakes Apple Bloom had made and decorated them for the party.

"How could I have forgotten the time?" she asked herself in a panic, "How could I have forgotten Pinkie Pie was hosting the party? How could I have forgotten it was at Sugarcube Corner?" Apple Bloom then noticed a chocolate statue and hid behind it when Pinkie put a party hat on her head.

"Don't forget your party hat, Forgetty Forgetterson!" Pinkie said cheerfully. Once the pink pony had bounced away, Apple Bloom zipped back behind her hiding place and quickly dashed over towards a tall cake Mario had baked.

"I have to get out of here before anypony sees me," said Apple Bloom before she saw someone approaching. Snails had arrived and took a huge bit out of the tall cake. Apple Bloom saw she was in plain sight and dashed for another hiding place.

"Hey! It's my cute-ceanera, I'm supposed to get the first bite of cake!" Diamond complained, but Snails just smiled, clueless to her rants. Apple Bloom had relocated behind a bunch of balloons...until a random unicorn appeared and was just mindlessly popping all the balloons as they danced. Apple Bloom then ducked under the punch table. Then she peeked out from underneath the table and noticed the exit to Sugarcube Corner. Apple Bloom quietly tried to tip-toe over to the exit with the table underneath her, only stopping once when a pony went to get a drank. She had just arrived at the exit and was home free when...

"Apple Bloom you made it," said Applejack as she walked inside right as Apple Bloom was going to leave, "After I heard about Twist, I was afraid you wouldn't show up. I sure am glad you came to your senses about this whole cutie mark thing. These things happen when these things are supposed to happen. Trying to rush 'em just drives you crazy. I'll let you be, looks like your friends want to talk to you." The friends she was referring to happen to be Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who saw Apple Bloom desperately trying to leave while Apple jack used her fore-hoof to push Apple Bloom further away from the door. They both had malicious smiles on their faces as the approached the yellow filly. Applejack headed towards the kitchen when Mario was about to walk out.

"Applejack, you can't possibly be that clueless to..." Mario was cut off when Applejack just gave him a smile and a look that said one thing: Hush and trust me. Mario conceded but kept a discreet eye on the three girls. He watched as Apple Bloom began to panic and managed to successfully pull the pink table cloth from under the punch bowl without spilling or dropping it. She then arranged the cloth so it looked like a makeshift pink dress. Apple Bloom gave a grunt as she tied the cloth into place.

"Well, well, well, look who's here," said Diamond Tiara in a tone that was far too sweet to be friendly.

"Nice outfit," Silver Spoon added in the same tone.

"Just sumt'n I, uh, pulled together last minute," said Apple Bloom.

"It really shows off your cutie mark," said Diamond Tiara, "Oh wait, that's right, you don't have one."

"Uh, I have a cutie mark," Apple Bloom fibbed.

"Eh, what? Since when?" Silver Spoon asked in disbelief.

"Since...Um...Earlier today," Apple Bloom answered.

"Oh really?" Diamond replied, not believing Apple Bloom either, "Let's see it."

"I shouldn't. I couldn't," said Apple Bloom, "My cutie mark is so unbelievably amazing, I'm afraid that if I show it off, everyone will start paying attention to me instead of you. Outshined at your own cute-ceanera. Can you imagine how embarassing that would be?" That seemed to hit a nerve for Diamond Tiara as she suddenly lost her composed demeanor for a moment.

"Uh, forget it, I didn't really want to see it anyway," said Diamond Tiara with a huff.

"Okay, well, I'm gonna go mingle," said Apple Bloom, "Enjoy your party." Apple Bloom breathed a sigh of relief. Until a fore-hoof snagged a part of the cloth, causing the cloth to tear off of her, sent her rolling forward and crashing into the record player. The player made a loud scratch and the other ponies gasped. Apple Bloom's worst fear was now becoming a reality. Everyone was now staring at her and, as Mario said before, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were right up front like timberwolves ready to kill their prey.

"Oh no," Apple Bloom groaned.

"Wow, that is an amazing cutie mark," Silver Spoon replied.

"Nice try..." Diamond Tiara added.

"Blank Flank!" They said together and the other ponies began to mumble and talk to one another, young and adult. Mario couldn't take anymore and was about to move a hoof forward to save Apple Bloom.

"You've got a problem with blank flanks!" said a young filly with a raspy voice that reminded Mario of Rainbow. Some of the younger ponies gasped as an orange Pegasus filly with a magenta mane and tail came out from underneath a table. With her was a marshmallow unicorn filly with a curly lavender and soft pink mane and tail.

"I said, you got a problem with blank flanks?" the filly Pegasus asked again.

"The problem is, I mean, she's like, totally not special," said Silver Spoon. Apple Bloom looked sad, until the other two filly stood between her.

"No, it means she's full of potential," said the filly unicorn.

"It means she could be great at anything," the filly Pegasus added, "the possibilities are, like, endless." The last part was to mock Silver Spoon's attitude.

"She could be a great scientist, or an amazing artist, or a famous writer," the filly unicorn added, "She could even be mayor of Ponyville someday." Apple Bloom smiled at that idea.

"And she's not stuck being stuck-up like you two," the filly Pegasus added. The other ponies laughed.

"Hey, this is my party," Diamond Tiara protested, "Why are you two on her side?"

"Because..." said the filly Pegasus as she and the filly unicorn showed their flanks. They were just as blank as Apple Blooms, making the yellow filly gasp.

"You don't have your cutie marks either?" Apple Bloom said in surprise, "I thought I was the only one."

"We thought we were the only two," the filly Pegasus added.

"I for one think you are three very lucky fillies," Twilight added as she allowed Mario come out of the kitchen with her.

"Very lucky indeed," said Mario and turned to the other two fillies, "Nice to meet you two!" The filly Pegasus gasped.

"You're the...flying unicorn!" she exclaimed.

"You're...you're kinda cute," the filly unicorn added, feeling a little bashful. Mario just smiled back at her, making the unicorn blush. Diamond Tiara was indignant and Silver Spoon gritted her teeth in jealousy.

"Lucky? How can they be lucky?" Diamond Tiara demanded angrily. Now Twilight gave her an indignant glare.

"They still get to experience the thrill of discovering who they are," Twilight answered, "and what they are meant to be."

"And they got all the time in the world to figure it out," Applejack added before giving her little sister a wink, "not just an afternoon."

"Take a look at Mario for example," Twilight pointed out, stunning the colt, "He used to be the one filly without a cutie mark, but because he didn't rush it. He discovered just how much talent he really has. He's an organizer, a writer, a botanist, a baker, an artist, an athlete..."

"He's strong and hardworking," Applejack added, "He isn't just fast on his feet, but also fast in how he gets things done and those things are done very well." Mario began to blush at all the attention.

"And he's so super sweet and loving," Pinkie added, "my sweet babboo!"

"I am NOT your sweet..."

"Just take the praise Mario," Pinkie interrupted bluntly, shoving a pink hoof in his mouth, making him roll his eyes.

"None of those talents could have be discovered if he had rushed to get his cutie mark," said Twilight, "and who knows? These three fillies might discover just as many talents and maybe more!" The other young ponies were most impressed.

"Wow Apple Bloom," said a young colt named Tornado Bolt, "I wish I could be a scientist!"

"Do you really think you could be mayor?" a filly named Pina Colada asked next.

"Maybe I got my cutie mark too soon," said another pony named Coronet.

"Hey, what's everypony doing?" Diamond Tiara demanded as everyone began to chatter with the three fillies and ignored her, "This is my party, everypony is supposed to be paying attention to me."

"That's funny considering all you wanted to do was make Apple Bloom the center of attention," Mario remarked, "Looks like your plan worked, Diamond Tiara, just not the way you expected." Mario walked away as Diamond just had a very sour look on her face.

"Whatever," said Silver Spoon, trying to save some pride for her best friend, "We still think you're losers, right, Diamond Tiara? Bump, bump, sugar...lump..." Silver Spoon realized that her efforts to cheer up her best friend was futile as Diamond Tiara continued pouting.

"Not now, Silver Spoon," Diamond Tiara replied bluntly. Back with the three fillies, the filly Pegasus and filly unicorn decided to introduce themselves.

"Name's, Scootaloo," said the Pegasus.

"And I'm Sweetie Belle," said the unicorn.

"Apple Bloom," the yellow filly answered.

It wasn't much longer before everyone was back to enjoying the party. Everyone except for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Diamond was just sitting near the top of the staircase, glaring bitterly at everyone else as they enjoyed themselves. Silver Spoon was watching everyone as well, but she seemed more concerned about how to make her friend feel better more than anything else. Part of her was wishing she could go down and join the fun, but didn't want to leave Diamond Tiara alone.

"This song is so super!" said Twist as she was tossed high into the air and the rest of the young ponies continued to dance. Applejack, Twilight, and Mario all shared a toast of some punch together. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie belle were sitting at a nearby table, chatting to each other.

"So I was thinking," said Apple Bloom, "now that we're friends...I mean we are friends, right?"

"How could we not be?" said Scootaloo, "We're totally alike. We don't have cutie marks. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon drive us crazy-"

"Totally crazy," Sweetie Belle added in agreement.

"Well, now that we're friends," Apple Bloom repeated again, "what if the three of us work together to find out who we are and what we're supposed to be?"

"Ooh! Ooh!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly, "We could form our own secret society."

"I'm liking this idea," said Scootaloo in agreement.

"A secret society," said Apple Bloom, "Yeah. We need a name for it though."

"The Cutie Mark Three?" Scootaloo proposed.

"The Cutastically Fantastics?" Sweetie Belle offered.

"How about...The Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Apple Bloom said at last.

"It's perfect," said Scootaloo.

"This is gonna be so great!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly.

"We're gonna be unstoppable!" Apple Bloom added.

"What do you say we celebrate with some of these delicious cupcakes?" Scootaloo suggested and went to take a bite.

"Not the cupcakes," Apple Bloom protested and made the orange Pegasus drop it on the table, "Trust me."

"Let's see if there are any cookies," said Sweetie Belle.

"Yeah! Come on," said Apple Bloom as the three fillies got up to go look. They didn't need to search for long.

"Someone call for some cookies," said Mario as he proposed a plate of some large chocolate chip cookies before them.

"Oh wow! Thanks Mister Mario," said Scootaloo as she and the other fillies grabbed a cookie.

"Just call me Mario, Scootaloo," he replied, "I'm good friends with Apple Bloom. I'm hoping we can be good friends too."

"Sure thing, Mario," Scootaloo answered with her mouth full. Mario smiled as Sweetie Belle just giggled shyly.

"Can I be your friend, Sweetie Belle?" Mario offered gently. Sweetie Belle just giggled and nodded shyly with a light blush on her cheeks. Neither of them noticed a certain high class filly who wore glasses was shooting daggers at the two, especially when Mario offered Sweetie Belle a dance. Twilight just smiled as she watched from afar, glad everyone was enjoying the party. Especially when the three fillies began to dance together with Mario, even Twist joining in as well.

"Dearest Princess Celestia," Twilight wrote long after the party was over.

"I'm happy to report that one of your youngest subjects has learned a valuable lesson about friendship. Sometimes the thing you think will cause you to lose friends and feel left out..."

"...can actually be the thing that helps you make your closest friends and realize how special you are," Princess Celestia read aloud as she finished the letter.

"Hmm..." Princess Celestia just gazed at her cutie mark. All that was needed to know about it was this. When a pony filly gets their cutie mark...

...the wait is always worth it.

This was tough chapter to write, mostly because it included a pair of fillies that really knew how to get on your nerves. I am partial to Silver Spoon because I always felt like she only acted like this because of Diamond Tiara and cause she is more of a follower. I really disliked Diamond Tiara for a long time in the beginning as well.

The CMC are now established and their adventure begins!

Peace Pony Fans!