Chapter 4

Streak

I spent an entire hour the next morning using chalk to draw the points of the star on the stage. My actions and appearance did a great deal in drawing an audience. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom watched me with obvious interest.

Finally, it was done to my satisfaction. I called up to Rainbow Dash, who was hovering over me with the picture, "Does everything look straight?"

She glared at the picture, looked down at my work, and pumped a hoof into the air.

"Great." I looked at the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "Okay, each of you pick a point and…your choice of standing or sitting, but this might take longer than you think, so I recommend you choose sitting. I need to finish getting ready." As I went backstage, I called back, "And don't scuff the chalk marks! Them remaining intact is all that's keeping the ritual from affecting more than you!"

I heard them being extra-careful as I pulled on my dress. Rarity had outdone herself on this: shimmery fabric, jeweled eyes, and shoes that went with the outfit without drawing attention away from the eyes.

This would be the most nerve-wracking part of the entire thing: doing this in front of an audience.

I stepped out again behind the drum and brought silence. Well…not silence…a full chorus of "ooh"s.

I lifted a hoof, and the crowds went truly silent. Looking around at the three eager fillies, I reminded myself of why I was doing this. Carefully placing my hooves on the drum without making a sound, I listened for the clock to strike twelve.

As soon as it started striking, I started drumming in time to its chimes. And, slowly, I started chanting.

The exact words would make no sense, as I was chanting in the language of Gallopolis, but this is the basic translation:

"Travel into the world of mist,

And meet the challenges of possibilities.

Attempt as many times as you need,

To find your true purpose."

There was no mention of returning, mainly because they would return when I stopped playing the drum.

And I felt magic surge up around me, through my horn, and I watched as one by one the Cutie Mark Crusaders went into trances, staring at my jeweled eyes.

Here goes everything.


Twilight Sparkle

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all went vacant-eyed.

"I've never seen Apple Bloom look like that," Apple Jack remarked.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash came charging down to us. "Somepony's coming! Three, really fast!"

I snapped to attention. "Girls, we can't let them interrupt! Streak said she couldn't be interrupted in this, or it'd hurt the fillies!"

We dashed off to intercept our visitors.

Rainbow Dash hadn't mentioned what they looked like. Two Earth ponies, both white with dark makeup around their green eyes, and one unicorn with a blazing yellow coat, black mane and tail, and royal crest cutie mark – I'd seen pictures of this stallion!

"Sunchaser!" I yelped as the three of them skidded to a halt right in front of us. "We're honored by your visit…"

"Where's Streak?"

That nearly-rude remark stopped me for a second. "Excuse me?"

"Father didn't want me to come after her, but blood is blood, and she is my sister. I tracked her here. Where is she?"

"Busy, honestly. She's using the Gallopolean Cutie Mark Ritual and…"

"Excuse me?"

"You hard o' hearing or something?" Apple Jack asked. "Streak's usin' your Cutie Mark Ritual on my sis and she can't be bothered right now without something bad happening to the little thing."

The look of confusion on Sunchaser's face was starting to worry me. "Um…your majesty…can you please just say whatever you're thinking?"

After another minute, he answered me. And the words shocked all of us.

"There's no such thing as the Gallopolean Cutie Mark Ritual."

We all went silent and just walked with the three Gallopoleans back to the stage, where we watched Streak drum and chant.

"Well," staying quiet, Rarity got her voice back first, although it was about an octave higher than it should have been, "if there's no such thing, then what is Streak doing with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo?"