This is the 8th chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
The Cutie Pox
Few days passed since Rarity adopted the Irish colt. After Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles returned home from their vacation, Rarity had informed her parents the news of Golden Charm accepting her as her new mother. Both Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles were happy that Golden Charm is accepting his new life in Equestria and his new family. Golden Charm was happy that he was officially welcomed by Rarity and her family. He was also spending time with his family and bonding with them.
Rarity wanted to do something special for Golden Charm, so she and her family took him to the ice cream shop at Ponyville. Golden Charm was so happy that he was getting some ice cream. Unfortunately, Rarity threw up in the trash can when she got herself a strawberry cream, which Golden Charm warned her that Flora hates strawberries, no matter if it's artificial or natural. Rarity then realizing why with an understand, but she'll have to wait until Flora is born.
After spending a couple of days in Ponyville, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Kronk, and Golden Charm finally made it home. Rarity was happy to have given Golden Charm what he needs: a new life and a new mother. She was happy to give Golden Charm what he needs.
Now, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are on their never ending quest for their cutie marks, they're going to try the Ponyville Bowling Alley.
"Today's the day, Cutie Mark Crusaders! I can just feel it!" Apple Bloom said with determination and her bowling ball is in front of her. "Today's the day we get our cutie marks in bowlin'!"
Apple Bloom raised her fore-hooves in the air as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo arrived, each with a bag that had their own bowling ball with them. Mario was there to keep them score.
"Whoo-hoo!" Scootaloo cheered, jumping to the air.
Sweetie Belle shouted with a muffled voice, before spitting out of the bag.
"I mean, yay!" Sweetie Belle added as Apple Bloom noticed her brother behind them.
"Wha'cha doin' here, Mario?" Apple Bloom asked surprisingly.
"Sweetie Bell invited me." Mario answered. "Bowling isn't really my thing, but I'm just here to help you girls keep score."
"Well, I feel good about this one." Apple Bloom said. "Why, after today, we won't even be the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore! We'll be the...the Three Strikes!"
A dynamic background appeared with three bowling balls above them.
"That makes us sound like we've struck out." Scootaloo points out.
"And it sounds more like baseball than bowling." Mario adds, leaving Apple Bloom pondered.
"How 'bout the Pin Twins?" Apple Bloom suggested.
This background showed an arc of hearts surrounding two bowling pins.
"But there are three of us." Sweetie Belle said indignantly.
"I think you mean, Pin Triplets, Apple Bloom." Mario added again when Apple Bloom thought a little harder.
"Okay then...Um...the Bowling Dolls!" Apple Bloom said.
This background featured a silhouette of the three fillies with a bowling ball above their heads.
"The Bowling Dolls! That's it!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Perfect!" Scootaloo said with an agreement as she fluttered in the sky a couple of seconds.
Mario just shook his head amusingly.
'Kids.' Mario mentally thought before recomposing himself. "Come on, girls. Let's go inside."
"All righty then! Let's bowl 'em over!" Apple Bloom said excitedly.
Mario smiled, but hoping it would be the pins they bowled over, not the other ponies.
Inside, various ponies and pony bowling groups were already playing. The CMCs were getting ready while Mario was watching.
Sweetie then put her blue bowling ball in front of her. She then uses her head to push it forward. The bowling ball rolled straight, but then curved towards the right and into the gutter. Sweetie Belle just smiled and headed back to the benches. The other two fillies cringed, but smiled at Sweetie Belle when she walked by.
"You might find it easier to use your forehooves to push the ball." Mario told her with some advice. "That will prevent you from curving into the gutter."
Sweetie Belle just smiled as Scootaloo took her turn with a purple bowling ball. Scootaloo decided to buck her ball. However, she struck the ball so hard that it ricocheted around the Bowling Alley and passed other ponies before landing in the gutter several lanes away. Everypony just stared at Scootaloo, who just smiled and laughed nervously before ducking behind Mario to hide a rather embarrassed look on her face.
Mario shook his head in annoyance.
Apple Bloom went to take her turn. She narrowed her eyes at her goal and then looked at her red bowling ball before grabbing it with her mouth. Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle went agape, even Mario was worried.
"Careful, Apple Bloom." Mario warned his sister uneasily. "I've seen ponies actually swallow their bowling ball, using that technique."
"Really?" Scootaloo asks surprisingly.
"Yeah, but trust me, the way they got the ball out isn't pretty." Mario answered wearily.
Apple Bloom wobbled over to the lane as she then spat the bowling ball towards the pins. The bowling ball rolled smoothly and with a definite STRIKE. The other nearby ponies cheered excitedly.
"Cool! A cutie mark bowling ball!" A pony named Sea Swirl said.
"I did it!" Apple Bloom said excitedly. "I did it!"
But then, her excitement was shattered when she found her flank was still blank.
"Blank?" Apple Bloom remarked in confusion.
Until, she noticed another filly a couple of lanes away, now sporting a brand-new cutie mark as the other ponies continued to cheer. Apple Bloom was more puzzled than ever.
"But...but...what about my ball?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Umm...over there." Mario said gently, pointing a fore-hoof at the lane.
Apple Bloom, as well as the two fillies, noticed that her bowling ball was thrown nice and straight, but not enough power. The bowling ball slowly came to a stop and barely tapped the center of the bowling pin. Apple Bloom felt very dejected as she lowered her head sadly, even her bow went limp as well. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo just looked at her with rather worried look on their faces.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I used to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know all you're my best friends?
After their game of bowling is done, Mario went back to martial arts dojo to help Zane. The CMCs left the bowling alley. Aside from a few more incidents involving Scootaloo's lack of power control, they had enjoyed themselves. Everyone except Apple Bloom, who's still feeling very depressed and frustrated as Scootaloo was riding her scooter as they headed through town.
"That bowling sure was fun, even if all I got was gutter balls." Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah, at least you were able to keep your ball in your lane. I don't think Mr. Kingpin is ever gonna let me play again!" Scootaloo adds as she fluttered her wings, zooming and jumps over the rock as she then lands. "Hey, maybe I could get my cutie mark in demolition!"
While Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo laughed they had taken notice that Apple Bloom was still depressed, even her bow was hanging limp on her mane. She hadn't said a word since she saw that other filly get her cutie mark.
"Aw, come on, Apple Bloom." Scootaloo said.
"I know just what you need to put the bloom back on you apple!" Sweetie said.
They quickly headed to the Sugarcube Corner with the depressed Apple Bloom sitting before a table as Sweetie Belle pushed a cupcake near her.
"A treat from Sugarcube Corner will cheer you up." Sweetie Belle said as she and Scootaloo stood on their hind legs to add a bit more pizzazz as the cupcake was presented.
"No, it won't." Apple Bloom said as she pushed it away.
Then, they headed upstairs where Pinkie Pie had set up a little party for Apple Bloom.
"A party will cheer you up!" Pinkie Pie said as she popped up near Apple Bloom's left side and then her right.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle appeared around Apple Bloom and blow some party whistles and kazoos to make her smile, but it's no good.
"No, it won't." Apple Bloom said with a dreary tone, which erased everypony's smiles and Pinkie Pie tumbled to the floor with a thud.
Their next try was at the Carousel Boutique, where Apple Bloom was still sulking as Kronk and Rarity plopped a rather large feathery hat on her head.
"A lovely new chapeau will cheer you up." Rarity proposed, but as if the feathers on the hat sensed Apple Bloom's sour mood, caused them to go limp on her head.
"No, it won't!" Apple Bloom said more sternly as she stomped away.
Apple Bloom continued to stomp away without stopping as Scootaloo, who's on her scooter, and Sweetie Belle followed her in pursuit.
"Come on, Apple Bloom, it's just a cutie mark!" Scootaloo called out.
"Or lack of cutie mark!" Sweetie Belle added.
"Shh! That's not helping!" Scootaloo shushed her until they stopped when they saw Apple Bloom was heading.
"Apple Bloom, where are you going?!" Scootaloo called out. "Apple Bloom, come back!"
Apple Bloom just froze for a second before she continued to walk right into the Everfree Forest.
"Oh man, if Mario finds out she went inside of the Everfree Forest, he's gonna be so mad at her!" Scootaloo said with worry.
"Don't forget about Applejack." Sweetie Belle adds.
So, without another word, they turned around and headed back into town.
Apple Bloom was still sulking to herself that she hadn't seen an exposed tree root until it's too late, tripped over it.
"Whoa! Ah! Ooh! Ow!" Apple Bloom grunted and groaned as she tumbled down a steep slope and landed hard on her jaw.
Apple Bloom groaned to herself as a sharp pain entered her mouth when she noticed Zecora, Comet, and Daylight make themselves known.
"Well, who is it that we have here?" Zecora asks, noticing Apple Bloom. "Why it's Apple Bloom, my dear!"
Apple Bloom them whimpered again, kept her mouth closed painfully.
"Apple Bloom, are you okay?" Daylight asks.
"It might have something to do with her tumbled down her." Comet told her sister.
"What has happened to you, youth?" Zecora asked as Apple Bloom opened her mouth, revealing that one of her front teeth had been chipped.
Apple Bloom licked it uneven surface with her tongue.
"Ah, you've gone and chipped your tooth." Zecora said. "Come with us, I have just the trick that will fix you up quite quick."
Zecora, Comet, and Daylight headed back to her home while Apple Bloom followed timidly behind her.
After they're inside of Zecora's hut, Apple Bloom gives them an explanation.
"Ah've tried everything, guys, and still no cutie mark!" Apple Bloom vented went her chipped tooth, giving her a bit of a lisp. "Well, Ah'm gonna be as old as Granny Smith and still have a blank flank!"
"Your frustration is well understood, but one must be patient for all things good." Zecora replied as both Comet and Daylight helps her grab a few bottles from the shelf.
"She's right, you can't expect to get a cutie mark in an instant." Daylight adds. "We just have to figure out our talent at our own pace."
"Ugh, I've heard that everypony I know! And now from every zebra I know!" Apple Bloom retorted indignantly. "I'm just too impatient to be patient. I just want my cutie mark and I want it now!"
Apple Bloom's last outburst was right next to Zecora, causing her to drop a small bottle which Daylight was able to grab it with her magic. Zecora, Comet, and Daylight turns to Apple Bloom with a glare, causing her to give them an apologetic smile before quickly backing away from the cauldron.
"For your cutie mark, you will have to wait." Zecora said as she scooped up some of the brew with a wooden ladle, poured it into the cup. "We must fix that tooth before it's too late. Now, drink down every little drop, and this mixture will mend that chip on top!"
Apple Bloom just looked at the mixture suspiciously before she drank it up in go. Apple Bloom froze stiff for a moment before she rushed toward a nearby golden pot where she could see her reflection. As she opened her mouth, she saw her tooth was instantly restored, even her tooth was back to normal as she gave her reflection a wide smile.
"Oh, my star apples, you did it, Zecora!" Apple Bloom said happily as she jumped up and down, and then noticed all the other bottled potions and remedies on her shelves. "Golly, you have tonics that heal all sorts of ailments: Bad bones, bad back, bad breath..."
"Yes, little one, it is true." Zecora replied with a smile. "I have many a healing brew."
"And not only stuff that fixed the bad, but stuff that brings the good!" Apple Bloom continued as she names some of the other potions and remedies. "Good health, good hair...Good heavens! Hmm...I bet you can mix up a brew to fix...anything."
Apple Bloom gave her a suggestive smile as she wiggled her back end. Zecora, Comet, and Daylight just looked rather annoyed since it didn't take a rocket scientist to see what Apple Bloom was trying to ask.
"There are many mixtures in this room, but none for what you want, dear Apple Bloom." Zecora answered to her directly, making Apple Bloom step back a bit. "A magic potion does not hold the key. For a cutie mark, time is the only remedy."
"Fine." Apple Bloom said begrudgingly, but remembering something. "But what I don't get is why are you here, Daylight?"
"After Comet told me about Zecora, she taught me about mixing healing brew. Though, I thought only witches can mix the brew and causing trouble." Daylight told her, causing Zecora and Apple Bloom to giggle. "But I don't think she's the type who cause trouble."
"And after Daylight Savings told me about herself, she was like her brother, a human turned into a pony." Zecora adds, but sadly. "And learning of their parents death in the human world, her father made his last wish...to bring his daughter here in Equestria and reunite with her brother."
Apple Bloom then remembered of Daylight's backstory when she at first came to Equestria, turns to the filly with sad look on her face, feeling sorry for Daylight Savings. Zecora then began working on with the new brew the motar and pestle.
"What'cha got goin' on there?" Apple Bloom asks curiously.
"I am brewing up another mix for a rooster and his chicks." Zecora explains, sticks her head into the pot and pulled out a rather elegant flower. "It seems the rooster has lost its crow, making mornings very slow."
As she spoke, her voice was muffled as she held the flower in her mouth.
"Hey, I've seen that flower blommin' in Ponyville!" Apple Bloom remarked. "What is it?"
"It is one we call 'Heart's Desire'." Zecora explains as she shook the flower, so the petals fell into the mixture. "A dash will ignite the rooster's fire. With Heart's Desire, his talent comes into view, and he'll give a mighty cock-a-doodle-doo!"
Apple Bloom, Comet, and Daylight just watched before Zecora stuck her face into her own to imitate a rooster's crow. Both Comet and Daylight can only chuckled while Apple Bloom looked unamused, but then eyed on the mixture suspiciously.
"Zowie! Heart's Desire, huh?" Apple Bloom said.
It got both Comet and Daylight noticed of her expression, knows what she's planning.
"Ay me, but what is this? I have run out of amethyst." Zecora said after she searched for some more bottles and heading towards the front door. "I must go get this purple flower for my brew to have full power!"
"Yeah, you go, you go." Apple Bloom said, waving her off with a fore-hoof and eyeballing the potion and the flower with a devious look.
"You better not be thinking about what we're thinking, Apple Bloom." Comet warned her, earned her attention. "You heard Zecora said, potions won't solve anything."
"Are you kidding?! Did you hear Zecora? It gives the rooster its talent!" Apple Bloom remarked.
"She means, the rooster's crow." Daylight points out. "Apple Bloom, you really..."
"Sorry, but this is a once in a lifetime chance right here and I'm gonna take it!" Apple Bloom interrupted, then looks back at the unfinished brew.
"Is it really?" Comet questions, earned a glare from Apple Bloom. "You already tried magic; how would you think that the potion would be any different?"
"And besides, there will be consequences if you don't know if the potion works or not know what if can do." Daylight adds.
"That's what YOU think, and you don't know what your cutie mark means!" Apple Bloom remarked, then turns to Daylight. "And you don't even have your cutie mark!"
"Hey! You don't talk to my sister that way!" Comet shouts angrily. "And what gives you the right to tell me about MY cutie mark!"
Apple Bloom then flinched when Comet snapped at her, but glared back at him.
"Well, if you two aren't happy for me when Ah get mah cutie mark, then I think y'all should leave!" Apple Bloom shouts back.
Comet was about had enough of her when he was about to snap, but Daylight delivered a slap right in Apple Bloom's face.
"If you think this potion can give you a cutie mark without thinking things through, you be our guest. Because you're on your own." Daylight said with an angry glare. "And if something bad happens to you, know that karma will come out and bite you."
And with that, both Daylight and Comet stormed a way out of the house. Apple Bloom then turns back at the potion.
Next morning, a bunch of young ponies were busy chatting with each other just outside of the schoolhouse. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were there, just chatting with one another. Comet and Daylight were still in a bad mood after yesterday until Silver Spoon approached them along with Golden Charm and Storm Hawk.
"You lads alright?" Golden Charm asks.
"We don't wanna talk about it." Daylight grumbled.
"Whoa, what happened? It's almost like you two had a fight." Storm Hawk said. "And where's Apple Bloom?"
"She's probably done something stupid last night." Comet said with a glare.
"Okay, what's wrong? And what's the problem with her this time?" Silver Spoon questions with a sigh. "And don't tell me she's trying to get a cutie mark again?"
Both Comet and Daylight knows that Silver Spoon is right on the mark about Apple Bloom trying to get a cutie mark...again. But just as the siblings were about to answer, Apple Bloom arrived with her head held high and a satisfied smile on her face as she walked past them. Something was different about Apple Bloom and they could see it...on her flank.
Apple Bloom had a cutie mark!
Apple Bloom just smiled at them as she shined her new cutie mark in the sun, nearly blinding them for a moment.
"Ahh!" The young groaned, before saying in shock. "Apple Bloom! You got your cutie mark!"
The other ponies, except Comet and Daylight, took notice as Apple Bloom smiled proudly. Her cutie mark look like some sort of a ring or a circle.
"Um, Apple Bloom...what is it?" Sweetie Belle asked, puzzled.
"Yeah! Is it an 'O'?" Scootaloo guessed. "Is your talent spelling?"
"Or is it a ring?" Sweetie Belle guessed. "Are you a jewelry maker?"
It was then Twist pushed her away between them.
"Or is it a powdered doughnut?" Twist guessed. "Cause it sounds delicious!"
"No, it's a loop-de-hoop!" Apple Bloom told them as she effortlessly rotating the grey ring with her body, causing Scootaloo to gasp.
"A what now?" Scootaloo asked curiously.
"A loop-de-hoop!" Apple Bloom said. "Least, that's what I've always called it. Applejack made it for me from an old ring barrel when I was little! Who woulda thought that loop-de-hoop would end up bein' my special talent."
Both Comet and Daylight weren't amused which they knew that Apple Bloom is lying through her teeth.
"Wow, Apple Bloom! That's amazing!" Sweetie Belle said, impressed.
"That's it?" Diamond Tiara said as she and Silver Spoon came into the view. "That's your talent?"
"Spinning a hoop around your waist?" Silver Spoon adds. "Puh-lease."
Diamond Tiara snickered to herself, but Apple Bloom was up to the challenge.
"Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet!" Apple Bloom said.
She immediately stood on her hind legs and began to rotate the hoop around her neck. The two wealthy fillies looked rather unimpressed along with the Native American siblings as Apple Bloom then ringed her hoop onto the flag pole. As he hoop comes down, she uses her nose to fling it up. Once the hoop is in the air, Apple Bloom jumps in mid air as she grabs it with her mouth, does a 360 spin, and the then lands in the air with the hoop around her neck.
The other ponies, except Comet and Daylight, cheered while Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's jaws literally dropped.
"Apple Bloom! You're super-duper-loopty-hooper!" Scootaloo cheered with her wings fluttering.
"Thanks, everypony!" Apple Bloom thanked them, but noticing Comet and Daylight. "Does it look like everything is going wrong?"
Both Comet and Daylight rolled their eyes in annoyance while Apple Bloom continued to twirl her hoop around her neck when the bell rang and Cheerilee came out of the schoolhouse.
"All right, my little ponies, time for class!" Cheerilee said, but noticed that several young ponies were an awe, watching Apple Bloom rotating her hoop with a forehoof while laying on the ground.
She was using her tail to rotate her hoop when Cheerilee arrived.
"Apple Bloom?" Cheerliee called her in a stern tone.
"Yes, Ms. Cheerliee?" Apple Bloom replied as she continued to rotate her hoop with her tail.
"I want you to take your loop-de-hoop..." Cheerilee said sternly, before adding excitedly. "...and give us all a lesson in your amazing loop-de-hooping!"
The other ponies, except Comet and Daylight, cheered excitedly in agreement.
It wasn't much longer before everyone was in the yard, each pony was given their own hoop to use as Apple Bloom served as an instructor and Cheerilee supervised. Apple Bloom just walked by the group as she continued to rotate her hoop with her tail when she stopped by a runaway hoop. Snips gave her a sheepish smile since that hoop had been his own. Apple Bloom just tossed it back to him before she turned and saw Diamond Tiara and Silver grunted when they're struggling to rotate and control their own hoops. Eventually, they both tumbled over since they couldn't keep their balance.
"Don't worry, gals." Apple Bloom said. "Keep at it and you might get to be half as good as me!"
The two wealthy fillies growled at her as Apple Bloom went to see how her friends were doing. Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, and Winter Breeze were struggling with their hoops as well, but had managed to keep their balance and not lose their hoops. Storm Hawk, Comet, Golden Charm, and Daylight were rotating their hoops with their waists, mainly focusing on the stomach.
"Wow, you guys are good at this!" Scootaloo states.
"Yeah, it's like you're good as Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle adds.
"It's just something we're not expecting, that's all." Comet told them.
"Oh yeah? Just like you and your sister weren't expecting something else?" Apple Bloom asks with a smug smile.
Comet and Daylight can only sighed in frustration, glaring at her.
"Just say it." Apple Bloom said. "Just say, 'I was wrong'."
And that was the last straw when both Comet and Daylight uses their magic to grab their hoops, then throws it at Apple Bloom like a chakram. Apple Bloom can only dodge the hoops, but flinched when both Comet and Daylight looked at her with anger.
"DO YOU THINK WE'RE STUPID ENOUGH TO APOLOGIZE...JUST BECAUSE OF THAT NONSENSE YOU SPAT AT US YESTERDAY?!" Daylight yelled, finally snapped.
"I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY! BECAUSE YOU JUST MADE IT OFFICIAL AND WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY OR THINK SINCE ALL YOU CARE ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS WAITING FOR US TO ADMIT INSTEAD OF AN APOLOGY!?" Comet added, also snapped. "DON'T CRY TO US IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU BECAUSE OF YOU BEING A PIGHEAD AND NOT THINKING THINGS THROUGH!?"
Comet and Daylight then walked away in anger and everypony, except Golden Charm, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk, were too scared to go near them, but Diamond Tiara just giggled at her. Silver Spoon is worried about Comet. Apple Bloom then recompose quickly as she then turns to them.
"It's alright everypony, they just need to...cooldown...I hope." Apple Bloom told them, but muttered the last sentence. "Anyway, y'all just need a little practice. Soon, you'll be able to...Hoop and Bop!"
Apple Bloom then set her hoop down and started to rotate it with one hind leg and jumped over it with another. While Diamond Tiara looked envious and Silver Spoon is beginning to lose interest along with the 5 young ponies, the other ponies were amazed.
"...Hoop and Hop..."
Apple Bloom then tossed her ring into the air and jumped through it.
"...Hoop and Skip..."
Her voice was rather muffled as she held the hoop with her mouth and jumped over it like a one-pony jumping rope.
"...and Hoop and Flip!"
Apple Bloom finished by bouncing on her hoop like a spring, performing a few flips before she jumped off. She made a pose on her hind legs and her hoop rebounded perfectly as it landed back on her waist. The two wealthy fillies grind their teeth as everypony else gave Apple Blooma loud cheer. Cheerilee gave a laugh.
"Show us some more, Apple Bloom." Cheerilee requested.
"Well, all right, just a few more tricks." Apple Bloom replied as she lightly tossed her hoop with her tail. "But be warned! These are advanced moves, not for beginners."
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle gets excited. Diamond Tiara gave her a stern glare...until Apple Bloom got into her face.
"Got that, Diamond Tiara." Apple Bloom said smugly, startling the rich filly before pulling away and Diamond Tiara growled at her menacingly. "I'll call this one...the Hoop-la!"
Apple Bloom began to twirl her tail, which made her hoop rotate around it very quickly and create a large gust of wind. Some of the young ponies watching felt rather frazzled by the strong winds as Apple Bloom ascended into the air with the noise of a helicopter. As Apple Bloom reached a certain height, a bright light appeared on her flank, revealing a second cutie mark.
"Huh?!" Apple Bloom exclaims as she lost her momentum and came crashing back down with a hard thud.
Apple Bloom looked at her flank and noticed what her second what her second cutie mark was, which was the spinning plates being balanced on a sticks. The 5 young ponies and Silver Spoon are beginning to realize what Comet meant about something happen to her, which she got more than one cutie mark. They then decided to leave the school by quietly heading to where Comet and Daylight are heading since the young ponies are too busy looking at Apple Bloom in shock.
"Another cutie mark?" Diamond Tiara said. "Hah! I guess that last trick was alot of hoopla! Those cutie marks are fake!"
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Twist all gasped at once as Apple Bloom looked at everypony nervously.
"What?! No, they're now!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Miss Cheerilee, have you ever heard of a pony with two cutie marks?" Diamond Tiara asks.
"I must say that I never have, but maybe Apple Bloom has two special talents." Cheerilee said.
Although, two cutie marks in all honestly were certainly never heard before, but to Cheerilee for not letting Diamond Tiara have her little moment of petty satisfaction and for letting Apple Bloom prove herself.
"Oh yeah? Then let's see you do that!" Diamond Tiara said, pointed at Apple Bloom's second cutie mark.
"Spin Plates!" Snips said,
"Yeah!" Snails added as they tossed two plates and two sticks towards Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom was startled for a moment before she managed to get both sticks to land in a V shape on her nose and spin the two plates on the sticks effortlessly. Everyone gasped, including Diamond Tiara, as Apple Bloom made the trick look easy.
"Two cutie marks?" Sweetie Belle said with amazement.
"Two talents?" Scootaloo added in a same tone.
"Aw yeah!" Apple Bloom said, impressed with her own skills.
"Our friend is the most..." Sweetie Bell began as she stood on her hind legs.
"...special pony ever!" Scootaloo finished with the same pose as Apple Bloom proudly walks by balancing the plates and rotating her hoop on her tail.
"Alright, everypony." Apple Bloom said. "Ya ready for a real show?"
At the Golden Oak Library, both Comet and Daylight are still angry at Apple Bloom as they went inside. Spike was putting some books away and saw them come in.
"Hey Comet, hey Daylight, did school end early?" Spike asks, but earned an angry glare which it got him flinched. "Not in the mood...ok then."
Spike then zipped away and out of the library when the 5 young ponies and Silver Spoon entered inside.
"Comet, Daylight, there's something we've got to tell you about Apple Bloom!" Storm Hawk called them, earned their attention.
"What? You're here to tell us about her cutie mark?!" Comet growled.
"Easy there, lads! We're not here to fight ya! We came to tell you of Apple Bloom having two cutie marks!" Golden Charm told them.
"What?!" Comet and Daylight exclaims in shock.
"When?" Daylight asks.
"Few minutes ago." Winter Breeze answered. "It's two spinning plates on a stick."
Comet and Daylight knew there's something wrong with Apple Bloom, which she'll be having more than just two cutie marks, but cutie marks all over her body.
"Comet, Daylight, did somethin' happen between the three of ya?" Apple Shine questions when Comet and Daylight sighed.
"Well...we got into a fight last night..." Comet explains. "You see, after Zecora left for getting the amethyst in the Everfree Forest, Apple Bloom is planning to use the potion for her to get a cutie mark. We warned her not to use it, but she let her pigheadedness and her impatience get the better of her."
"And it gets to the point where Apple Bloom just spat on us about me not having a cutie mark and for my brother not knowing about his cutie mark." Daylight adds, causing the 5 young ponies and Silver Spoon gasped.
They know full well of how Comet snapped easily when someone insults him, but Apple Bloom spat at the two for not having a cutie mark and don't know the meaning of the cutie mark, that crosses the line.
"What potion did Zecora put in?" Rose Lotus asks, decided to change the subject.
"Well, I think it was some kind of herbs, and the berries." Comet pondered. "Oh yeah, and the Heart's Desire flower. That potion was meant for the rooster to restore its crow."
"But Apple Bloom thought it's a good idea to use it for getting a cutie mark." Daylight told them.
"And ya just let her?" Apple Shine questions, earned from Comet and Daylight giving her an 'are you serious?' look. She then realizes it. "Oh."
"But none of it matters now, with Apple Bloom got two cutie marks thanks to her using that potion without any thoughts, we know exactly what she had." Comet said. "She had a Cutie Pox."
"A what?!" The 5 ponies and Silver exclaims shockingly.
"A Cutie Pox." Daylight said, using her magic to grab the book from the shelf and placing it on the pedestal as she goes through the pages. "According to this, the Cutie Pox is where you get random cutie marks all over the ponies' body, causing them to perform all the talents that came with them."
"That explains how Apple Bloom got her second cutie mark, and Diamond is right, those cutie marks are fake." Silver Spoon said, then turns to the book.
"But is there any cure for this?" Apple Shine asks hopefully.
"There is, Zecora taught me and Daylight how to spawn the 'Seeds of Truth'." Comet answered. "These seeds can be planted on the ground, and it can grow into a plant which can cure the Cutie Pox. But there's a catch, in order for the plant to grow, it only requires by telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."
"Hmm, getting Apple Bloom to tell the truth isn't going to be easy." Golden Charm states.
"And we all know how stubborn she can get." Winter Breeze adds. "But when the cutie marks spreads all over, it'll get her to spill the beans."
"Yeah, but I think it'll be better if we let her learn the hard way and get her to realize that potion can get a cutie mark isn't a good idea." Rose Lotus points out.
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom led Cheerilee and the rest of the young ponies into town. Some ponies standing around noticing Apple Bloom as she tossed her plates and hoop into the air. She the plates with her nose, but now the balanced plates were stacked on top of each other, and her hoop was being rotated with one of her hind legs. Cheerilee and the other young ponies smiled excitedly as the other ponies took notice as Apple Bloom balanced on her hoop and held the spinning plates with her fore-hooves.
She then flipped over so she was now balancing the spinning plates with her hind legs and uses her fore-hooves to balance on her hoop. She even managed to hop around and dance while keeping the spinning plates balanced to the ground next to her. The other ponies began to cheer as Apple Bloom returned to rotating her hoop with her tail and then jumps into the air and rotates her hoop with her head while still spinning her plates with her fore-hooves.
Apple Bloom then noticed Rainbow just sleeping lazily on a cloud above her. With determined look, Apple Bloom tossed her hoop at Rainbow Dash's cloud, shaping it perfectly into a circular disk cloud as Rainbow Dash just continued to snooze, completely unaware that her cloud is been cut down to size. As Apple Bloom spins her hoop with a single fore-hoof, Rarity, Kronk, Twilight, and Mario arrived and all four of their jaws dropped in surprised.
Mario took notice of the fact that Apple Bloom's had not only one, but two cutie marks.
"What the...?" Mario ask out loud.
Apple Bloom tossed her hoop at Twilight, curling the front of her mane so it had an identical look of Rarity's mane. Rarity smiled impressively when Spike appeared between them with hearts in his eyes, much to Twilight's annoyance.
"Spike, down!" Mario commanded as Spike looked rather embarrassed when Twilight giggled to herself.
In another part of town in Ponyville, Pinkie Pie was just taking a leisurely stroll when Apple Bloom came by balancing on her hoop. Pinkie Pie was quickly startled and overwhelmed when she suspected something was behind her as she dropped to the ground and Apple Bloom jumped over her.
It was then Granny, Applejack, Buttercup, Bright Mac, and Big Mac caught sight of Apple Bloom near the apple cart. Apple Bloom headed over to Granny Smith, leaning herself against the elder pony as she rotated the hoop around both of their necks. Applejack, Bright Mac, and Buttercup cheered as she put her fore-hoof to her mouth, whistled loudly, and then bucked an apple pie and some plates toward her sister.
Apple Bloom caught all of the items, tossed the plates into the air as she used her hoop to cut up the pie. The plates perfectly arranged themselves onto a pair of picnic tables as a slice of pies landed on each plate. Ponies sat by the tables eyeballing the slices of pie, including Pinkie Pie. Apple Bloom just smiled triumphantly as she went back to balancing the plates on her nose and the hoop with her tail as ponies young and adult cheered for her.
Mario just looked at her suspiciously.
"Apple Bloom, what did you do?" Mario asked himself.
It was well past sunset by the time the Apple family had returned home. Applejack was still full of energy and excitement. While Apple Bloom smiled, bags under her eyes and her slow-paced walking showing that she was clearly tired out. Despite this, she was still twirling hoop with her tail and balancing the spinning plates on her head. Apple Shine secretly told her uncle and her grandparents of what the Texan filly recently learned from both Comet and Daylight. Mario then confirmed his suspicions while both Bright Mac and Buttercup were very upset of Apple Bloom lying about getting a cutie mark.
"Yee-haw, little sis!" Applejack said. "Congratulations on gettin' not just one, but two cutie marks! We're mighty proud of you, right, y'all?"
"Eeyup!" Big Mac answered while Bright Mac and Buttercup gives her a nod.
"I've never seen anythin' like it." Applejack said. "Have y'all?"
"Nnnope." Big Mac said while Bright Mac and Buttercup shook their heads, but knew of Apple Shine's explanation.
"Why, the way you were a-hoopin' and a-hoppin', kickin', and a-spinnin' reminded me of when Ah was a spry young filly." Granny Smith said, trying to imitate Apple Bloom, but only to tweak her hip and making them gasp. "Gah, charley horse, charley horse!"
Big Mac wasted no time using a fore-hoof to poke Granny Smith's hip, which removes the tweak.
"Ooh, that's better." Granny Smith replied with a sigh of relief.
"Why, Apple Bloom, I think you're ready to hit the rodeo circuit right now!" Applejack suggested.
"Actually, I'm ready to hit the hay right now." Apple Bloom said, tired. "I'm plum tuckered. I'll see y'all in the morning. Night!"
Apple Bloom headed upstairs to her bedroom.
"Night!" Applejack, Mario, Bright Mac, and Buttercup said as Apple Bloom headed upstairs.
Once she was about halfway up, Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny Smith peeked in on her from the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh my, little Apple Bloom has finally blossomed, hasn't she?" Applejack asked giddily.
"Eeyup!" Big Mac said in agreement.
However, Mario, Bright Mac, Apple Shine, and Buttercup knows about Apple Bloom's secret and why she lied to them.
As the night dragged on, both Applejack and Apple Shine were sleeping together in bed. They suddenly heard what sounded like tapping. Both Applejack and Apple Shine tried to ignore it, grunting as they tried to get comfortable and fall asleep, but it's no good as they finally got out bed.
"What in tarnation is that?" Applejack asked.
"It came from Aunt Apple Bloom's room." Apple Shine said to her mother. "With all of that racket, she didn't realize that somepony is tryin' to get some shut eye."
Both Applejack and Apple Bloom traced the location of the tapping coming from Apple Bloom's room.
"Apple Bloom, what is all that awful...tapping?" Applejack gasped as she entered Apple Bloom's room.
There was Apple Bloom tap dancing as she rotated her hoop and balancing her spinning plates on her head. Yet what shocked both Applejack and Apple Shine was the fact Apple Bloom now had a third cutie mark on her flank.
"Three cutie marks?!" Applejack and Apple Shine exclaimed.
If that didn't cause them concern, they could see by the look of Apple Bloom's face that she wasn't dancing...on purpose.
"Help me!" Apple Bloom out as Applejack and Apple Shine looked at her with worry and concern. "Help me!"
"C'mere, you!" Applejack said as tried to approach Apple Bloom.
Unfortunately, Applejack's attempts to get close to Apple Bloom got her smacked in the face twice with the hoop. She then tried to grab Apple Bloom's hooves, but her hooves literally shook Applejack until she vibrated away from her.
"Ah'm sorry, Applejack!" Apple Bloom said sadly. "Ah dunno how to make it stop!"
"Well, we know someponies who might!" Applejack said with a firm look.
It didn't take long for them to get to the Golden Oak Library. Applejack and Apple Shine immediately filled Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Daylight, who woke up from their arrival, in on the situation as she examined her.
"Three cutie marks." Twilight said. "Three talents. I've never seen anything like it! I was just reading something about unusual equine illness. Ironically, it was Mario who recommended it to me. Talk about convenient..."
Mario smirked at her while Apple Shine, Comet, and Daylight just snickered as Twilight gave him a shy smile. Apple Bloom looked rather sad and hurt.
"Now for the book, what was it?" Twilight pondered, searched her book.
"'Perplexing Pony Plagues', perhaps?" Spike suggested as he held the book and landed on Twilight's back.
"Yes, Spike, you're amazing!" Twilight said.
"Yes, well, I do have some talents." Spike said proudly as he set up the book for Twilight to read on the pedestal.
Twilight read the book as Spike just sat on the top of her head.
"Hay fever...the trots..." Twilight said, then gasped as she found the page. "Cutie Pox!"
"Cutie Pox?!" Apple Bloom, Applejack, and Spike said together.
Apple Bloom even managed a hop in the air hearing that despite her nonstop hoof tapping.
"Cutie Pox: this puzzling pony plague afflicted a population of ponies back in the Paleopony Period!" Twilight said, reading the description.
"Heh, say that ten times fast!" Spike said with a double finger snap, much to Twilight's annoyance.
Since Spike was still sitting on her back, Twilight bucked him off and sent him crashing in the background.
"Random cutie marks appeared all over the ponies' bodies, causing them to perform all talents that came with them!" Twilight said, reading.
"Just like me!" Apple Bloom said.
"Yes, but what's the cure? What's the cure?!" Applejack asks with worry as Spike also looked worried.
Comet, Apple Shine, and Daylight thought that Apple Bloom would learn the hard way about earning a cutie mark by using a method of potion making. The Native American siblings did warn her not to use that, but she didn't listen because of her being too impatient and too much of a pighead. They decided she learned her lesson as they turned to them.
"There is a cure." Comet told them, earned their attention. "Daylight and I learned from Zecora of how to spawn the 'Seeds of Truth' by having somepony tell the truth. And when that happened, the plant will grow."
"Oh, great, can you go fetch those seeds? Apple Bloom really needs it." Twilight said with relief.
Apple Bloom gives them nervous smile, but Comet, Apple Shine, and Daylight glares at her.
"No..." Daylight said, leaving Twilight, Applejack, and Spike.
"Why not? She's your friend." Twilight told her.
"We have those seeds, but we still refuse to do it." Comet told his mother. "The reason is because Apple Bloom uses the potion for her to earn a cutie mark. We warned her about using a potion for getting a cutie mark, but no, she just had to use it and got herself one without thinking things through."
"WHAT?!" Twilight, Applejack, and Spike exclaims.
"Apple Bloom! Why would ya do that?!" Applejack shouts angrily.
"Because her lack of patience gets the best of her and the cost is what got her Cutie Pox in the first place." Mario told her sister, scowling at Apple Bloom. "Would that be true?"
Apple Bloom just gave her brother a nervous smile.
"I don't know what you-"
"Oh, give it a rest, Apple Bloom! We already know it was you using it for getting a cutie mark!" Daylight cuts in. "And with those multiple cutie marks on you, this has your name written all over it."
"And we warned you about using that potion without thinking about the consequences." Comet adds. "This is what happens when you took the easy road without thinking things through, and learn the hard way."
Apple Bloom now finally realizes what both Daylight and Comet are telling her, which she felt terrible for saying those hurtful words to them and hurting their feelings. Twilight, Applejack, and Spike now knew how Apple Bloom got her cutie marks which, they're very disappointed of her actions.
"Alright, Comet, Daylight, go get those seeds." Twilight suggested with a sigh as Comet and Daylight quickly head upstairs to get the 'Seeds of Truth'.
After they're out of the Golden Oak Library, Comet made a hole and placing the seeds in the hole while Daylight buried them for planting.
"Alright, Apple Bloom, it's time you tell the truth." Mario said with a stern glare. "Did you took one of Zecora's mixture just to get a cutie mark?"
Apple Bloom knew that Twilight, Applejack, Spike, Comet, and Daylight are still angry at her while waiting for her to tell the truth. Since there's no way out of it, Apple Bloom decided to come clean.
"Yes, I use that mixture! I didn't earn my cutie mark! They're all fake!" Apple Bloom admits when the seeds buried under the dirty bulged, nothing happen yet. "I figured the Heart's Desire would help me get what I wanted most! So, when Zecora left the hut along with Comet and Daylight, I mixed up a special potion and put the rest of the Heart's Desire in it!"
As Apple Bloom confessed, the Flower of Truth fully bloomed. Applejack, Apple Shine, Comet, Daylight, Mario, Twilight, and Spike awed at the sight of the flower before Apple Bloom grabbed the entire flower with her teeth and gobbled it up. She had barely swallowed it when she plopped onto her stomach as her cutie marks disappeared one by one.
"Now, I believe you owe them an apology...for saying my children those hurtful words." Twilight told her, gesturing to her son and her daughter. "Both Comet and Daylight really cared about you and your friends. That's the reason why they're trying to talk you out of making the potion."
"Ah guess you're right." Apple Bloom said, then walked up to both Comet and Daylight, who gave her a stink eye. "Umm...Comet, Daylight, I apologize for what I said to the both of you and how I didn't listen. I know you two care what I think, and I really care what you think, and I just really wanted my cutie mark."
"We know how you did." Comet said sternly when Apple Bloom began to tear up.
"Ah didn't want to lose the both of you as my friends in the process! I'm really sorry!" Apple Bloom sobbed, fell to the ground and wrapped her hooves around Comet's leg. "Can we be friends again?"
Both Comet and Daylight glance at each other, then Twilight, Applejack, Mario, and Spike, who had a sympathetic smile on their faces. They then looked back as Apple Bloom, who's still sobbing.
"If it's one thing Mom taught us is that friendship can have some problems, but can be fixed by sorting it out." Daylight said.
Twilight smiled along with everyone else, Apple Bloom got up and wiped her tears away.
"Thank you!" Apple Bloom said, leaping towards them and gave them a hug which they returned.
Then, Mario and Applejack took Apple Bloom to Ponyville where the ponies, Zecora, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were gathered. Apple Bloom gave her an explanation of how she got her cutie mark and given them an apology for lying to them. However, they forgive her for what she did and Twilight thought of an idea.
"Comet, Daylight, Apple Bloom, would you three mind if you guys wrote a friendship letter to Princess Celestia?" Twilight suggested.
"I would love to." Apple Bloom accepts, then turns to the Native American siblings. "What about you guys?"
"We would like it very much." Daylight replied.
Spike came with a parchment and a quill as Apple Bloom, Comet, and Daylight began to recite.
'Dear Princess Celestia,
Waiting for your Heart's Desire can be really hard so you may want to take a shortcut, but this dishonesty never works. Because it didn't earn what your heart desired, the only cure is to be honest with yourself and with others, and that's something your heart desired.'
As Apple Bloom, Comet, and Daylight spoke, one could see the Canterlot castle in the distance and as the view returned to CMCs, Comet, and Daylight were smiling. Once they finished, Spike sent the letter on its way as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle watched it disappear.
"I sure proud of you, sis." Applejack said, approaching to her sister. "Seems like you've finally learned the importance of patience."
"Yup! All good things come to those who wait." Apple Bloom said, and there was a brief pause before adding. "Well, I've waited long enough."
"What?!" Applejack and Apple Shine exclaims.
"Oh no they don't." Mario said sternly.
Both Comet and Daylight can only shook their heads, disappointed that Apple Bloom didn't even learn her lesson.
"So, what are we gonna do today to earn our cutie marks?" Apple Bloom asked her friends as they ran between Applejack, Mario, Comet, Daylight, and Twilight.
"Well, I was thinking for a pony who's never mixed up a potion before." Scootaloo thought out loud. "You sure stirred up something fierce."
"Yeah! So, what if your talent is potion making?" Sweetie Belle suggested.
"Oh my gosh! Totally!" Apple Bloom said. "Let's go talk to Zecora, now!"
"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Woo-hoo!" Scootaloo adds.
Just as before they could disappear, both Comet and Daylight grabbed the CMCs with their magic, pulling them back and levitating them up in air.
"And...where do you three think you are going?" Comet asks sternly.
Mario also approaches with a stern glare, looking at the three fillies. The CMCs knew they were in big trouble, especially Apple Bloom.
"Um, ya know, on second thought, we're just gonna play catch for a little while." Apple Bloom said, but Apple Shine and Applejack approaches them.
"Not so fast, Aunt Apple Bloom." Apple Shine said sternly. "You are going straight back home, cuz' you owe our family an explanation."
"And don't think that yer off the hook, Apple Bloom." Applejack adds. "Cause we've got a surprise waiting for you when we get home."
Apple Bloom can only gulped nervously, knew that she's in very deep trouble. Mario, Applejack, and Apple Shine are taking Apple Bloom straight home while Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle immediately dashed away, heading to the treehouse. Twilight then turns to Comet and Daylight.
"I'm proud of you both." Twilight said to her son and her daughter with a smile. "You two really care about them and try to talk Apple Bloom out of it. I know what Apple Bloom did was wrong, and I don't blame you for snapping at her. But everything worked out in the end."
Both Comet and Daylight responds by given their mother a hug, which Twilight hugs them in return.
That's it for the 8th chapter.