Fanfiction itself is quite new to me, let alone one set in the MLP FiM universe. However, I am confident in my writing abilities and I hope my story entertains.(though I am very much open to constructive criticism)
Cratermarks.
"Pay attention Alpha, it is prudent that you take as much information from your lessons as you possibly can."
Alpha pulled himself from his miniature slumber and returned his attention to his mother.
"I know, Mother, but it is almost my birthday, and the day I come of age, yet I still lack a cutie mark. I do not think I am meant to be an educator" He told her in earnest.
His mother, his grandmother and great-grandfather before her had all been accomplished educators, and it was expected of Alpha to follow suit. But after years of homeschooling and a multitude of topics, he had not clicked with any of them. He was worried that he would be the only pony his age to not have any idea what his special talent might be... Not that he would know, he had never met any other ponies.
A sharp pain in his right hoof brought him forth from his thoughts, his mother had struck him with a ruler.
"How many times to I have to tell you not to speak out of turn when we are in class?"
Alpha caressed his stinging hoof "Sorry, mother."
"Good. And you must have patience. I am certain you will find a subject that will click with your natural educators abilities."
She was a very stubborn mare. So determined that he would become an educator that she disregarded anything he personally wished to be, or at least try out.
"You would not even give me the chance to explore new things?" Alpha inquired.
His mother sighed "What else could you possibly wish to try? Do you not feel you can get everything you need from your dear old mother?"
Alpha shook his head "Not at all what I was trying to say mother. But I think I would benefit greatly from trying out some of the things I have learned about.."
A silence befell them as Alpha tried to appeal for his chance to get out of the house for the first time in a long time. At first he expected his mother to do what she had always done; explain to him why he need not go out and put into practice what he could study in depth in here.
But much to his surprise, he got a different answer this time.
"What is it you wish to try, Alpha?."
Alpha was dumbstruck. He had hoped, but never expected to hear even a hint of the possibility of approval. He snapped out of his surprised state and quickly flipped through his textbook, to the page that he had bookmarked a few weeks ago. On this page was a large paragraph that explained how running was a sport among ponies, and competitions were held frequently by many. Ever since he had read this page he had wanted to give it a go, but he couldn't very well run about the house. He held the book up to his mother and gestured to the page.
"Running?" She questioned "Whatever for? When you had asked for a chance to put the things you have been learning into practice, I had assumed you were talking about something you could learn from performing. Like painting, or playing piano. What good could running do for you?."
Feeling downtrodden, Alpha lowered the book and nodded halfheartedly.
"...Very well."
Alphas ears perked.
"You may go outside and practice your running, but not too far from the house, and do not miss supper."
Alpha was not one for emotional outbursts, so it came to a monumental surprise to his mother and himself when he let out a semi loud 'yes!' and bolted outside.
His home was rural. So rural in fact, it was the only house for as far as the eye could see, and that was quite far given the terrain was almost perfectly flat. Which also made it perfect to run on, though he had to be careful where he ran because his mother grew most of their food here, and if he trod on any of her gardens he would be forced to clean the entire house from top to bottom again.
After trotting around the property for a few minutes he had managed to line out a 'track' of sorts, that would keep him away from his mothers gardens, but close to the house as per his mothers wishes.
"The contestants would normally take up a starting position at the starting line" Alpha began to recount what the book had said in his mind.
"A crouched position is often used due to a pony's ability to take off at a much higher speed than if he/she had just been standing casually" Alpha did exactly that and took up a crouched position akin to the illustrations in the book.
"The take off is the most important part of the race, to bungle it could very well set you back. Make sure your hooves are not crossed, and you are comfortable in your chosen starting position" He checked his hooves and relaxed his tensed muscles.
"And finally, a runner must keep a steady rhythm, both with his legs, and with his breathing. Sporadic leg movements and breaths will not benefit a runner in the slightest" Alpha calmed his heart and regulated his breathing.
3
2
1
Alpha pushed off... And fell flat on his face with a muffled "oomf". With an embarrassed chuckle to himself, he realized exactly what he had done wrong, in his excitement he had slid a leg in front of the other before he had taken off.
Correcting this mistake, Alpha once again took his starting position, and ran through the things he had learned from his book.
3
2
1
Go.
This time, Alpha took off splendidly. Although a little wobbly at first as he gained speed, he very quickly took to the feeling of the wind blowing through his mane.
The freedom, non existent in a life spent indoors, studying books all day.
The rush of adrenaline that he had never been able to experience when the closest thing to this feeling he had ever had was when he had read about the greatest athletes in history and dreamed of one day becoming as well known as they were.
And the somewhat satisfying feeling of acid burning in his veins as his underused muscles protested with every stride.
He loved it. Every small detail, from the force of his hooves striking the dirt, to the burn he felt through his entire body.
Every afternoon, after he had finished his studies, he would return to this track and run. And every day he would find it a little bit easier as his muscles strengthened.
One afternoon, a few weeks later, he set up some makeshift hurdles. And reveled in the extra challenge of having to both pick up speed and leap over the hurdles without slowing or tripping. It was all too easy, he was very good at what he was did.
But alas, the weeks past, and still no cutie mark. But Alpha was convinced now that his future lay somewhere else, not with the textbooks and lengthy lessons. Beyond what he could learn here, beyond what he could see here. He had to convince his mother to let him go.
"We have been over this numerous times, Alpha. When has my answer changed?"
Alpha would normally have accepted what she had said, but he was far too determined. "A compromise, that is all I am asking for." He pleaded
"Absolutely not!"
"Hear me out, mother. Please."
She looked as if she were about to shoot down his request once again, but her facial expressions softened a little.
"Okay, fine."
Alpha bowed his head in appreciation. "If I do not have my mark by the day I come of age.. I will be free to leave, and find my own way."
His mother stayed silent and motionless for a few moments, seemingly weighing the options in her mind.
"Very well."
He couldn't believe it at first, but as the days went by, it was apparent she didn't believe he was going to lack a cutie mark by his coming of age. She had almost doubled his studies, and had begun to touch over more topics in each class, to try and find one that clicked.
But nothing did, and as each day came to a close, and he stole outside to run the designated laps around his house, he would instantly feel better. Until he had to go back inside that is.
"You see" His mother would comment every afternoon as he returned home for supper "It has been weeks now, and your running has brought you nothing. Do you believe me when I say it was all a waste of time now?"
She would ask him if he thought it time to stop this nonsense, and every time he would tell her the same thing; "It does not worry me weather or not I gain anything. I love to run, and I will continue to do so for as long as I am physically capable."
Normally this was the end of the conversation as they would finish their meals and prepare for bed.
This time however, she replied.
"Then I guess there is nothing I can do to help you" She sighed "...Not so long ago I promised that if you had not received your mark by the time you had come of age, I would allow you to find your own way."
Alpha's ears perked. "Of course, how could I have forgotten?" His birthday was this very day.
"I guess that time has come. At the door you will find a saddlebag filled with provisions that should last you until you reach the small village to the west called Appleseed, there you can use the money I have given you to restock on supplies. You can do as you wish from then on."
"Appleseed, perhaps they host races there?" Alpha thought to himself. He hugged his mother and said his goodbyes as he slid his saddlebag into place and set off for Appleseed.
He did look back, once or twice. After all, he had grown up on this property. It was hard to walk away. But it was even harder to ignore the call, the call... For adventure? For glory? He was not entirely sure what the call was yet, but he knew that he would not be able to answer it here.
And so it was that Alpha began his journey.
I do hope I got that right, it is only meant to be an introductory chapter, and therefore not a very long one. Rest assured the next chapter will at the very least be twice as long.