Flank Not So Blank

Mr. Mystic advanced me immediately after class. Brawny Brute was so shocked, it was hilarious. But, it wasn't so great after school. Brawny Brute pulled me aside.

"How the heck did ya do that?" he snapped.

"I dunno. It was just an accident I guess," I smirked.

"Oh you're gonna regret that."

He swung his hoof right at my jaw, hitting it so hard stars exploded across my vision. I rubbed it, which did not help soothe the pain at all.

"Does hitting a filly really make you happy?" I asked, every word spoken causing pain.

"Lemme think," he smacked my jaw again, "Does that answer your question?"

I winced in pain, unable to form words.

"See ya tomorrow, Accidental." He trotted off.

I trudged home, head low. I got some nasty looks on the way home, which didn't make things any better. In the door I snuck in, trying desperately not to be noticed. I ducked into my bedroom and shut the door. Then, I looked in the little mirror in Compose's and my room. The area was swelling up and turning a light purple. Great. Attempting the stealth of a ninja, I headed for the kitchen. Mom was there.

"Gentle Dream, what happened?"

"Um… nothing," I mumbled.

"Something happened. Tell me."

I couldn't tell her about Brawny Brute. I just couldn't. "I'm a bit of a klutz," I finally answered.

"Oh honey," Mom said, pulling me in to a hug. "What did you do?"

"We were practicing levitation and my book went out of control." That were somewhat true. Somewhat.

"Let's get you some ice." Her motherly side was coming out; I hated it. Mom got an icepack and gave it to me.

"Now, go rest. I hope you feel better, baby." I mentally rolled my eyes. On the outside I just mumbled a quick "Okay".

I went back to my room, pulled out a pencil and some paper, lay down on my bed, and went to work drawing.

I drew a picture of myself in a lonely field, illuminated in the light of the Mare-in-the-Moon, looking up towards Cloudsdale. Up on Cloudsdale, I drew a picture of Chase, how I pictured him to be now, looking down at me. The corners of my mouth drew up into a bittersweet smile. I wondered how Chase was doing.

XXX

"Go, go, go!" Coach Flyer commanded. Star Chaser sped off, or at least attempted to. He was able to fly now for a good period of time, but speed wasn't his forte.

"2.4 wingpower. Come on Chaser, you've gotta have more to ya than that," Coach said.

The young colt shrugged. "What I don't have in muscle I make up for in brains," he said simply.

"Ha! Good one," Coach Flyer said sarcastically, "Again."

Star Chaser lined up again and flew when signaled to do so.

"2.4 again. You've got work ta do," Coach Flyer said. "Next!"

Star Chaser walked off the track and watched the other students. They effortlessly flew by.

"6.7. 8.0. 7.2." As Coach called out the numbers, Star Chaser felt a little embarrassed. It was obvious that he was the slowest kid in class. If he was in a classroom setting however, he'd be in the top percentage. What was the point of learning to fly? Earth ponies and—unicorns—seemed to manage just fine.

The class session ended and it was time to head home. Star Chaser flew home, slowly but surely.

"You're getting better," his mom pointed out.

"Yes, it appears I am." Star Chaser flew to the backyard, his favorite place in all of Cloudsdale. He lay down on the soft plush of cloud.

"Oh how I miss the color green." Star Chaser realized that green wasn't just the color of grass. It was also the hue of a certain unicorn's coat. A certain unicorn that magically disappeared.

How could she just leave without any trace? It really bothered the young colt's mind. He decided he'd probably never see her again, but that didn't mean she wouldn't stop invading his thoughts. Was it really invading? Or perhaps something more gentle, like visiting his dreams. Bah, that name, Gentle Dream. It was so… perfect.

These thoughts consumed him until nightfall. Immediately after dinner, Star Chaser flew out and looked out through his new, midnight-colored telescope. Light blue stars embellished the contraption, in technical alignment of course.

He pulled out his map from a tuft of cloud under his house. Star Chaser looked up at all of the stars and doubled checked his map for accuracy. Everything looked to be in the correct position.

But wait-There was something different. A star he hadn't seen before. It was distant, but distinct. He marked this curious star on his map.

Star Chaser headed back into his house and pulled out his copy of "Everything You Need to Know about Stars". He dove into the book, unable to find what he was searching for.

"Mom, I found a star tonight, but it's not in my book."

"Show me."

Star Chaser led his mom outside and pointed up to the sky and down at his map.

"There. See?"

"That's peculiar. Let's go speak with the Star Trackers first thing tomorrow, okay?"

Tomorrow was Saturday, so of course Star Chaser agreed.

The next morning came quickly. Mother and son headed to the large observatory, carrying the map and book.

"Greetings, how may I be of assistance?" the stallion at the desk asked.

"I'm curious about this star I spotted last night," Star Chaser explained.

"It's nice to see a young colt take interest in something other than flying," the stallion said, "Right down that hall and to the left. Ask for Dr. Constellation."

"Thank you, sir."

Star Chaser and his mother headed down the narrow hallway. To the left opened up a large room where the enormous telescope habited. The few stallions and mares in the room looked up from their work.

"Is Dr. Constellation here?" Star Chaser asked, unfazed by the stares.

"That would be me." A tall, lanky stallion walked over to the two. He had oval glasses that sat on his long face and stuck out from his off-white fur. His cutie mark was a group of stars connected into the shape of the big dipper.

"Hello, Dr. Constellation. I'm wondering if you know anything about this particular star?" Star Chaser held up his intricately drawn map and pointed to the star in question.

"That's atypical— Er, strange I mean. I don't think I've seen that star before. Let me check my records."

Dr. Constellation searched through several notebooks, and then pulled up a large dusty one. He looked up at Star Chaser.

"My boy, it appears you have discovered a new star!"

"I have?"

"Yes, quite so. Ma'am, do you mind if he stays with me? I need him to point out the star for me, just to prove its legitimacy."

"That's just fine. Just have him home as soon as possible, okay?"

"Will do, have a good day," Dr. Constellation replied.

Star Chaser's mom kissed him on the forehead and walked out.

"So, what's your name?"

"I am Star Chaser."

"Fascinating name. How old are you?"

"Almost twelve."

The two discussed universal matters such as stars or planets until the sun finally set and the stars showed their twinkling light.

"Would you point out that star now?" Dr. Constellation asked.

"Of course. Let me see." Star Chaser made the proper adjustments to the telescope (he was given permission to do so obviously) and quickly located the star.

"That one, right there?"

"Yes, sir."

Dr. Constellation checked his resources.

"Congratulations, Star Chaser! You've discovered a new star!" Dr. Constellation bounced excitedly. He realized what he was doing and composed himself immediately. He cleared his throat. "Erm, so you have the right to name it. What shall it be?"

Star Chaser knew immediately.

"Gentle Dream."

"Not what I expected, but sounds pretty."

"She was." Star Chaser instantly covered his mouth with his hoof. What had he just said? Dr. Constellation didn't seem to notice.

"Alright, just sign right there please."

Star Chaser did so.

"Star Chaser," Dr. Constellation said, "Look behind you."

Star Chaser turned and saw an image on his flank—a cutie mark! It was a shooting star with a light blue tail and a dull indigo star. It was perfect.

For some reason, I couldn't advance past Mrs. Charm's class. That went right into my skill in drawing. Compared to the other students, I thought my art was the best, but my handwriting could have certainly been neater. Maybe that's why she didn't advance me? Or maybe this was as good as I could get. Unfortunately, Brawny Brute moved up soon enough. This class had a wider variety of ages. Some ponies were in their last year of school and the youngest unicorn was seven. Everypony else was in between.

Mrs. Charm wasn't too bad a teacher; she was fairly nice but strict. Very strict. Like, if you coughed, she'd think you were purposely trying to disrupt class and send you out until after lunch or the next day, depending on the time of day.

I learned that the hard way. Of course.

But it was fine. Over time, I began to feel self-conscious. Most ponies in my class had their cutie marks already. Even the ones younger than me. I was twelve at the time, and Brawny Brute would not let me hear the end of it. He had a dumb-bell, which was a fairly common cutie mark among ponies the likes of him.

"Hey, I think you accidentally forgot your cutie mark, Blank Flank," he jeered at me one day.

I tried to keep my mouth shut. In the past, talking has gotten me in trouble with him. I tensed up at the thought.

"Where're ya goin' Accidental? Lookin' for your non-existent cutie mark?"

"Leave me alone," I mumbled. I felt him step on the back of my hooves and I tripped.

"Oops, sorry," he smirked and walked away, bored of my presence. I stood up and dusted myself off.

"Gentle Dream, over here," a voice called from behind me. I turned to see Mrs. Charm. Had she seen what just happened? I hoped not.

"I want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"You're artwork is quite good. I was wondering if I could enter it into the Foal Fine Art Show."

She hadn't seen it. Phew. As for my art?

"Um, what do I need to do?"

"Paint something. Anything. Just make it good and turn it in to me by next week."

"I'm not sure if that's enough time—"

"Marvelous, thank you darling. Have a good day now."

I decided to say nothing. I walked away, thinking of what to create. Well, if this was going into a show, I might as well paint something I love. The Mare-in-the-Moon.

At that moment I realized something. When did I become interested in the Mare-in-the-Moon? When Star Chaser and I had that late-over so long ago. With fierce determination, I headed off to create a masterpiece.

XXX

It was the night of the Foal Fine Art Show. I was a nervous wreck. I was supposed to stand on stage and present my art. That was something I did not want to do. Mrs. Charm told me it was just nerves. I certainly had a lot of them.

"You can do it, yes you can, you can do it, or nopony can!"

"Thanks, Joy." I felt a little better. The time to go on stage came too fast. I looked back at Joyful Passion and saw her pom-pom cutie mark. I sighed. Everypony had their cutie marks it seemed. But for now, it was time for the art show. I faced the crowd and watched their eyes look up at us—at me. The nerves were back.

"Welcome, mares and gentlecolts, to the Foal Fine Art Show. Tonight we'll have students representing their various schools. The winner, that our kind judges will decide, will earn 1,000 bits for their school!" a middle-aged mare said. So that's why Mrs. Charm wanted me to enter. If I won, she'd get the glory of putting me in the show and earning our school that money…

"Let's start off with the top magic school in all of Equestria, Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns!"

Oh dear. How was I to compete with that?

A young stallion pulled the tarp off of his painting. It showed Celestia raising the sun. Oh, that one was good.

The mare continued calling out various schools, from far and wide. Finally, she got to Magic Basics. I gently pulled off the tarp, trying so hard not to mess up.

Luck was on my side, for once, and the tarp pulled off smoothly, revealing my painting of the Mare-in-the-Moon touching the shining waters of the ocean. I heard a lot of "Ooh's" and "Ah's", but I was certain somepony else did better than me. A few other schools went and then it was time for the judges to decide the winner. The anticipation nearly killed me; I was so anxious.

The judges levitated an envelope to the mare. She opened it and loudly declared, "The winner of the Foal Fine Art Show is…Gentle Dream with her masterpiece, 'Moon Beam Waters Gleam'."

I was about to drop by jaw when I realized how uncivil I'd look in front of everypony. Instead, I smiled modestly and looked out at the crowd. I heard several gasps. Looking around, I finally found the cause. I earned my cutie mark. It was a paintbrush with pink paint dripping off the end. Pink. That color from so long ago, now forever on my hide. I beamed at everypony and accepted the medallion carefully placed around my neck.

That was probably the last time I smiled for a long time.