Applejack tried to put on her hat and strangely, it was Twilight the one who slap her. It was rude to cover her head during the ceremony. Applejack frowned and rubbed her face, the facial markings were making her itch.

The six of them had their Cutie Marks painted over their cheeks and stripes all over their legs and chest. Rarity praised Zecora´s painting skills while Twilight wanted to learn more about the meaning of the symbols but Zecora said that had to wait after the ceremony.

The ceremony was held in the base of the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse. Zecora had brought her cauldron and the smoke was visible from the Town Square. The Crusaders waited in front of the cauldron as Zecora circled around, throwing some herbs at the stew and chanting some prayers.

She did the first part of the ceremony on her native tongue so they didn´t really understood it. Out of the present ponies, Twilight and Sweetie Belle were the most interested. In Ponyville when a pony got his or her Cutie Mark they simply held a party, a Cuteceañera; which some snob ponies made a whole fuss about it, going to ridiculous extremes to show off.

But zebras were different, their ceremony was not just a celebration for finding their special talent, they also thanked the gods for the gift they received. According to Zecora, her Cutie Mark of a stylised sun was a symbol of the goddess of medicine, a female horned zebra that was pulled by a chariots of winged zebras that drove away the rain clouds. Upon hearing this, Twilight tried to argue with Zecora, Fluttershy fall in love with the story and Rainbow cracked a joke she was surely faster than those flying zebras.

But those question had to wait, now Zecora was speaking in Equestrian and ready to praise the Crusaders. Zecora called for Spike, who was also sporting facial marks shaped as a scroll, who brought a tray and a paint brush. Zecora took a portion of her potion, placed it on the tray and once it cooled she moved to the three fillies, ready to paint their Cutie Marks on them.

"For the fierce pegasus of orange wings, the mark of winged victory. A race flag with wings of gold, the mark of a warrior proud. Bless by the spirits of combat and sport, here´s your blessing...loyal Scootaloo." and she painted the four squares on each cheek. Scootaloo turned over to grin at Rainbow who winked at her.

"For the kind pearly unicorn, the mark of a sparkling microphone. The goddess of singing and sleep, whose flute brings children their dreams; has blessed you with her melodious voice, so you can bring happiness on each song. A blessing I gave...to generous Sweetie Belle." and she painted a musical note on each cheek. Rarity tried her best not to cry but she failed.

"And finally to the most loyal and dependable, to the brave and bold; the first Crusader, our no longer little Apple Bloom." Zecora paused and smiled at Apple Bloom who smiled back. "In our land we praise Celestia, but we do so by a different name; the mare of skies high, Samii is called. And you, honest Apple Bloom, received her blessing, the mark of the Sun."

And truth be told, Apple Bloom became the first Apple to not receive and apple related Cutie Mark. Instead she had a stylised sun, pretty similar to that of Zecora, except hers was bright red. Zecora painted the marks on her cheek, both shiny red marks.

Apple Bloom turned over to her sister, who was skeptical and quiet the entire ceremony. She was afraid that not receiving a mark like the other members of her family had hurt her, like she had betrayed her family. Instead Applejack was in the verge of tears, smiling filled with pride of her sister. Apple Bloom smiled too, teary eyes of her own.

Zecora finished the ceremony with a chant of her land. Despite not knowing the lyrics Pinkie Pie jumped in to do some chorus and soon all the other girls were singing too. The tune was soft and heavy but also filled with warm, it was a song of happiness and hope.

The song of the bright sun.