Thirty Minute Pony Stories

“Alright class, before school ends, I want you to draw a poster of what we learnt today!” Miss Cheerilee called out.  Most of the class started chatting and throwing stationary across the room. I watched Miss Cheerilee sigh and walk back to her desk, and started marking exam papers. I started drawing what we learnt in maths today. I drew a large circle, with Pi in the middle. I started writing down numbers around the inner circle, but a piece of paper hit the back of me. I flattened out the paper. It said:

“Still a blank flank? You’re never going to have a cutie mark, never going to be good at anything!”

I sighed, and threw it on the ground. Everyone in the class had their cutie marks. Even Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle have theirs. I carried on drawing the poster, remaining emotionless. The bell rang, and I packed my school stuff, and galloped to Sweet Apple Acres. As soon as I got home, I tried to stay as normal that I could possibly be. I said hello to Granny, Big Mac and AJ then rushed into my room.

I racked my brains, thinking of what my cutie mark could be. I had papers, maps of nearby locations, checklists, but nothing has gotten my cutie mark. I kicked my bed in frustration. As I sit down onto the floor, a bright flash of light filled the room. It suddenly disappeared, and I realised it was Sweetie Belle, teleporting in. Within the next few seconds, I heard a tapping on the window, and saw Scootaloo flying at the window, waiting to get in. Sweetie Belle opened the window, and Scootaloo flew in rapidly. They both had a concerned face.

“Hey, Apple Bloom, whats wrong?” Scootaloo asked.

“A’ Haven’ got mah cutie mark yet!” I replied in frustration.

“You’ll get a cutie mark eventually!” Sweetie Belle chirped in.

“But I won’t! Everyone has a cutie mark! People younger than me have got their cutie marks! I’m goin’ to be a blank flank forever!” I cried out, and started shivering in despair.

There was silence, until Scootaloo had an idea.

“Maybe we could ask Twilight! She always knows what to do!”

AT THE LIBRARY…

I ran up to the wooden door and knocked on it, with the other two behind me. Spike answered.

“Oh, hi! Twilight was just looking for you!” He said, looking pleased that he doesn’t have to go looking for them.

“SPIKE, WHO IS IT?” Twilight shouted from her study.

“IT’S APPLE BLOOM!” He replied back.

Suddenly, Twilight appeared in front of my face.

“Ah, Apple Bloom! I think I have come up with a reason you haven’t achieved your cutie mark yet!” She said, whilst shuffling through research notes.

“You can help me get mah cutie marks?” I said excitedly.

“Ah, well, I… Let’s go and talk. Come.” She ushered us up, into the library.

“Apple Bloom, recently I have been studying about the dynamics and the scientific reasons of why we have a cutie mark. It seems that the very first earth ponies, before the princesses, were what we call ‘Blank Flanks’. I have a theory that somehow one of your parents was not an Earth pony, but a Pegasus. Because of this, it triggered a chain reaction of genes that caused you not to have a cutie mark. Because of this, you will be a blank flank forever. Saying that, it does not mean you will have no special talent, it’s just that you won’t know when you find it.” Twilight said very quickly, in a rushed voice.

“So… I ain’t gonna get mah cutie mark?” I said, suddenly understanding what she just said.

“Unless a unicorn with very strong medical and magical abilities knows a spell which can change your genetic make-up, which is near-impossible, you will not have a cutie mark.” She said, as she re-organized her papers.

“But, because this has never happened in the history of the princesses’ life, you will be sent to Canterlot, and have tests done by the princesses. Worry not, you will live in high conditions, and your family is going with you. They should be arriving soon; I think Applejack should have packed your stuff.” She carried on, “I’m sorry about this, but it’s bad, it’s quite good actually! You’re unique! I must be off, need to organize my research notes to give to the Princesses.”

I stood there, shocked at the new discovery. I am going to be a blank flank. And I’m going to be a lab rat. As I escaped the confines of the library, I saw a few chariots, and the two princesses. I turn to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, and say:

“I guess this is where we say goodbye, then.”

Krizak Comments!

Welcome to Thirty Minute Pony Stories, krayfuse! Your first submission takes a familiar tack at first, with Apple Bloom remaining a blank flank long after everypony else has gotten their cutie marks, but takes an interesting turn in establishing that she might be incapable of getting a cutie mark at all. The story seemed to move a touch fast at times, but that was likely because this was an ambitious undertaking for thirty minutes. I look forward to future submissions from you!