Chapter 23:The Cutie Mark Chronicles
Within a dream, the old kingdom remained quiet and undisturbed for a record time. The castle underwent full spring cleaning, from every inch of the ancient stone to the marble floors. The castle was scrubbed clean to not only welcome new comer nobles. It was also welcoming a brand new recruit to the Equestrian Warriors, brought back from the destroyed Loubrim village. There was gory to be had upon arrival for War Fire at the front gate, while the new recruit was brought into the castle.
War Fire spun the tale of the Loubrim's destruction, gaining a cheer from Thunder. While Typhoon gave War Fire a black eye the moment he heard the details of his comrade's deeds. Tremoring and their pony of ice, Frosty Apples wanted nothing to do with War Fire. They defended Typhoon's actions and walked the pony of wind back to his room. Knowing that at least one innocent colt was brought to the second floor of the castle and given a place to stay.
The door to a spare bedroom was opened up, allowing for Shadow Swirl to enter. Behind her the small gray colt, known as Sombra followed her in kind, holding his aching arm. Orion was last to enter the bedroom and shut the door behind them to block out any peeping toms.
"Sit child… I need to take a look at that forearm."Shadow Swirl insisted upon her inspection of the colt's wounds after sitting him on a single bed.
"You can trust her… She could never bring herself to hurt a kid."Orion supported his friend before Sombra swallowed his fear and sighed.
The colt gave in, and presented his wounded arm for the mare of shadows to look at. He did in fact bare a deep gash and cuts on his little arm, as well as minor scratches on his face and body. Though these injuries were a quick fix for the two warriors to perform. Orion pulled out a smooth oval shaped piece of red crystal full of sparkling liquid, while Shadow Swirl undid her pony tailed mane. Allowing her mane to spread out and down, and allowing her to start pulling a strong black strand of hair from her mane.
"Here… You'll need this for what she's gotta do about those cuts and gashes,"Orion informed the colt and put a red rod of red crystal in Sombra's mouth to bite on,"Don't feel bad… We're grown ponies and WE hate stitches with a passion to this day…!"
"It'll be over quickly, Sombra… Just stay brave for us a little bit longer."Shadow Swirl encouraged with a gentle tone as she yanked off the black hair strand.
She took a deep breath to steady her hoof as the hair sliver tip harden like a needle. She aimed it steadily at the open wound, and slowly pushed it into the edge of the wound. Sombra groaned and felt tears stinging his eyes from the pain, he did his best to keep his breathing controlled. The sight of a sharp thread of tough hair piercing his skin left and right horrified him. Tears began to roll down his cheeks as he grunted and looked away from the stitching.
"Shhhhhh… It's ok, it's almost over. Just stay brave a little bit longer,"Shadow Swirl kept up her encouragement while resisting the aching pain in her heart,"You're going to feel a lot better after the stitching is done…!"
Sombra's breathing became more rapid till the moment Shadow Swirl had finished. After sealing the wound with one last stitch, she bit down and broke the hair thread. She used the sleeve to her robe to wipe up and blood that leaked from the stitches. Orion was then allowed to work his own magic as he knelt down to the colt that held his forearm in pain. The prince cracked open the oval shaped crystal, and slowly got Sombra to drink the sparkling water that lied within.
A sharp pain gripped his body for a moment, and all pain had then went numb. Every wound, every bruise, every scratch felt as if it had simply just vanished. His eyes shot open, and swayed back to his stitched up forearm that none longer ached with burning pain.
"There we go… That water will take all that pain away, and take care of those minor injuries in a flash,"Orion reassured the colt while Shadow Swirl finished cleaning up the blood,"You did very well with those stitches. You're a very brave colt."
"You stay with him. I'm going to go and get some tea for the child."Shadow Swirl informed after fixing her mane back into a pony tail.
"Stay clear of War Fire till I speak with my father, and don't kill him while you're at it,"Shadow gave a slight huff at his order as she walked out of the room to get tea,"Sorry about that…. And Sorry you had to get roped into Equestrian Warrior affairs."
Sombra remained silent to think about the destruction of the Loubrim clan. Ponies that he never knew were not his actual people, but rather just some ponies trying to use him as an extra sacrifice. Knowing all this, he still had a warm compassionate sorrow for the clan's destruction.
"You still hold the clan in a special spot within your heart, right,"Orion sat on the bed to be comforting and more friendly appealing,"A pony with compassion is a rare thing you know. There's rarely any sort of love or passion in our realm these days…"
"I can see why…"Sombra admitted with a sigh as he gently rubbed his stitched up forearm.
"It's what also made me the way I am, and it's what helps me control my red crystal abilities,"Sombra looked to Orion off the corner of his eye after that revelation,"That's what powers and truly makes our crystals shine and sparkle with beauty. Love… Compassion…"
"Can there never be more of that? If it's what makes our crystals sparkle and work for us,"Sombra thought as he struggled to come to grips with all that has happened,"Why couldn't ponies embrace such feelings so they can be the same way?"
"Unlike our crystals, ponies take a lot of time to understand and embrace such feelings,"Orion explained as he formed a star shaped red crystal in his hand,"But we are slowly starting to spread that. Both me, Shadow Swirl, and Typhoon Breeze down below. We do our best to show compassion, and love for our people... Even when we are forced to do deeds such as the destruction of the Loubrim clan."
"I see… Then where do I fit in now? My home is gone, and now I'm guessing you're going to teach me to be like you?"Sombra asked the tall prince and made him chuckle.
"Of course not… I'm gonna teach you, how to be yourself, embrace your crystals, and your compassion,"Orion replied after finishing his chuckling and putting a hand to Sombra's shoulder,"I may make you a warrior. But YOU yourself…! Will carve out who you are, and what you want to do for this world…!"
"You honestly believe an orphan colt, treated like a piece of meat could really make a difference in the world?"Sombra asked before getting surprised by the prince, who gripped the colts hoof in seriousness.
"Any pony can change the world… For better or worse… And you are not just some pony,"Orion wanted to make something clear to the torn up colt that marveled at the prince's belief in him,"You… Are a red crystal barer, and colt that will grow into a warrior of compassion and love…!"
His words were followed up by the bright white shine of magic. It gleamed off the colt's flank and pulsed with wondrous magic before his mark had finally formed. Before the colt knew it, he was sporting a shiny cutie mark of three red sparkly crystals bonded into a smooth cluster.
"I… I don't…! I won't disappoint you then…! I… I trust you!"The colt's impending trust and flaring happiness echoed through Orion's head and awoke him from slumber.
The dream had disappeared in the blink of an eye, and Orion's eyes shot open. Taking in the library ceiling as he rested himself against the living room couch. He sighed, and slowly sat up to look around the empty library, no pony or even baby dragon seem to be around. He did however see some pancakes laid out on the table for him, along with a letter. He swung his legs over and put his boots on before taking up the pancakes, and reading the letter first.
We didn't want to wake up, but we made some pancakes for you. And this is the day you promised to finally tell the girls about how you got your cutie mark. When you're up and about, please find a time to find the girls and tell them the story.
Twilight…
"Well if they were kind enough to make me breakfast. I suppose story time with the girls won't hurt."Orion admitted while he then engorged himself on Spike's beloved pancakes.
Once he was done with his breakfast, and a nice brush of his hair. Orion was good to go for the day and was quickly out and about in the town once again. He took pleasure in the fresh air and sunlight warming him up from an oddly cold night. All appeared to be bright and quite busy for Ponyville this day, curiosity was peaked for a mere moment. Only to suddenly be surprised by the head on collision of Applejack carrying some apples in a bucket.
"Darn it! Sorry about that Mister O. I had a big harvest of apples today,"Applejack apologized and got down to pick up some of the spilled apples with a bit of help from the hidden prince,"Where might you be heading off to on this fine day?"
"Twilight and Spike asked that I hang out with the girls and tell them the story of how I got my cutie mark."Orion replied as he scooped all the apples in his arms and placed them back in her bag.
"Well I'll be… It's funny that you mention that O. Not too long ago I got done telling her my cutie mark story,"Orion took interest in the origins of Applejack's destiny,"Now it seems they're looking for Rainbow Dash to get her story, thinking it will teach them how to earn their cutie marks."
"That would explain it. I never learned about when you yourself earned your cutie mark,"He tied the opening to the bag in a knot and got it back on the earth pony's back,"Would you care to tell me the tale of how you got your own cutie mark?"
"Well shucks…! I suppose if you're curious and what not. I suppose it wouldn't hurt,"Applejack felt a bit flattered by the curiosity of her mysterious friend,"It all started when I was still a young filly. At that time, I wanted to be a high life mare."
"That's unexpected… Especially for an Apple."He assessed right off the back.
"I didn't want to spend my life on a muddy old farm. I wanted to live a sophisticated life, like my aunt and uncle Orange,"Applejack got her tale really rolling in the most unexpected form Orion could imagine,"So I set out to try my luck in the big city, Manehatten. The most cosmopolitan city in all of Equestria."
Orion went as far as to sit down to listen closely to the story. From the moment that Applejack was taken in by her aunt and uncle Orange, to her first fancy dinner. That was when she admitted for the first time that she felt like she never truly belonged in the city. The man more than understood her feelings, for when he sees Applejack now, her place certainly was in Sweet Apple Acres. Her story seemed sad, as she finally understood the mistake she made.
"I never felt so homesick in all my days as I did right then…"Applejack admitted how lonely she was in that moment.
"Of course… It wasn't your home, and it wasn't a place that you fit into,"Orion assumed and felt a bit of Applejack's old feelings from the old memories,"I suppose something finally made you realize that?"
"It was amazing…! A rainbow pointing right back to… Home. In that moment, It all became clear,"Applejack smiled and sighed with reclaimed happiness for her heart felt decision,"I knew right then just who I was suppose to be. Then this here thing appeared…!"
"The three apple cutie mark. Each one tells of your love for each family member on the farm,"Orion expertly understood the meanings behind her apple cutie mark,"That's quite a heart felt story Applejack, I must say."
"Thanks, I've been working on the farm ever since…!"Applejack concluded her cutie mark story, much to the controlled fascination of the prince.
"That is quite the story. Thank you for letting me learn your story, Applejack,"Orion stood back up and gave her a strong pat on the back,"Now I suppose I gotta head out and find those girls. Anywhere that I can start looking?"
"They said they were heading out to find Rainbow Dash, but they headed out towards Fluttershy's cottage,"Applejack kindly gave him a lead on where the three fillies went,"I'm sure they're there looking for Rainbow Dash and about to get another cutie mark story."
"Thank you. I hope for good fortune in today's sale on apples, Applejack."Orion replied and was on his way to find the girls, allowing Applejack to head off to her apple stand to sell some of her harvest.
It was a nice ten minute walk across the other end of town before he was on the stone path. Before he knew it, he happened upon the cottage, just in time to see Fluttershy and Typhoon. As they finished guiding a new family of squirrels into their fresh new home within an oak tree. Typhoon made the squirrel's new home feel warm and welcomed as he whistled a little tune. While Fluttershy offered acorns for a starting collection of food for the family.
"Hard at work I see, Typhoon. Fluttershy. New animal families and what not?"Typhoon nearly fumbled with his whistled tune and caught his breath before turning to Orion.
"Yes, and you nearly made me mess up on the tune…! Is there something we can help you with?"Typhoon asked a bit mused as they floated down from the trees.
"Well…yes… I'm looking for the Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle,"Orion explained his little search for the Cutie Mark Crusaders,"I'm trying to find them and tell them my story about when I got my cutie mark."
"Oh, well it's funny you should say that. Because they actually were here not too long ago,"Fluttershy explained the events of what happened just before Orion arrived,"They showed up looking for Rainbow Dash in hopes of learning how she got her cutie mark, and I decided to tell them the story of when I got my cutie mark, thanks to Rainbow Dash."
"Really? Well I've already learned of Applejack's cutie mark origin,"Orion admitted openly and sat down with anticipation,"Would you care to tell me your story? I have plenty of time on my hooves."
"Oh… Well, since me and pappy just finished our deeds for the animals outside,"Fluttershy decided to sit down while Typhoon felt some hot tea was needed for this story,"This is also sort of the story of how pappy found me and took me into his home when I chose to stay here with the animals."
"And that memory has never left my thoughts… For the first time, I never felt alone after that."Typhoon came back out holding some tea for every pony to drink.
"It all started at Summer Flight Camp,"Fluttershy started gently, but failed to surprise Orion with where the setting took,"You'd never guess, but when I was little. I was very shy, and a very weak flyer."
They all sipped tea, as Fluttersy spoke of her days in Cloudsdale as an outcast. Rainbow was her only friend in the city, while all other Pegasus teased her for being a soft flyer. She just manage to get Orion curiosity when her honor was defended by Rainbow Dash against two bullies. She happily played as the flag girl that started and ended the race for the flyers. At least until she was knocked off the cloud and sent falling to the ground far below the cloud city.
As the race continued without her, it seemed her end was near. Only for her to be rescued by a gentle swarm of butterflies that flocked in the most massive bunch she had ever seen. All of them, guided by the gentle whistles of the stallion himself, Typhoon Breeze.
"Pappy called upon the butterflies. He recognized me from the pictures my parents were willing to share of me to him,"Fluttershy recalled the tale of her pappy rescuing her with some help from the flock of butterflies,"I had never seen such beautiful creatures. Butterflies don't fly as high as my cloud home. And I'd never been near the ground before. It was so amazing that pappy lived here in such tranquility."
"She became so enticed and fascinated with animals, just seeing what they were like,"Typhoon took pride in adding into the story that started the happy life between him and Fluttershy,"She even started to sing about them, and she's proven to have the most beautiful singing voice yet."
They chuckled about, remembering the song Fluttershy sung to all the animals. Embracing the beauty she found in nature just as her pappy did when he was a tiny colt. At least until they spoke of a very familiar event that occurred in the form of a great rainbow. It had formed with a massive explosion that blasted great wind through the entire forest and cottage. Typhoon was able to tame the winds, but the blast had horrified all the animals around them, and forcing the animals into hiding.
"The animals were so scared when that explosion of rainbows went off, but Fluttershy bloomed that day,"Typhoon admitted proudly in memory of her motherly attitude she took to every animal she went to,"The animals flocked to her, and after bring peace back to our furry friends. Her cutie mark appeared."
"And somehow I was able to communicate with animals just like pappy could,"Fluttershy concluded the story before she hugged Typhoon for the good memories,"After that, I was allowed to come live with him in a place I could be happy and do something I love, alongside my family."
"Well, that's quite the heart warming story. I must say you've grown up beautifully then,"Orion felt a good bit more respect for the two nature lovers,"You must be so proud, Typhoon. You raised a very kindred mare here."
"Thank you, I had to do something during my time away from war and violence,"Typhoon rubbed her arm as they continued to hug each other to kindle their relationship,"I'd be a crazy hermit if this little filly didn't show up in my life…"
"I can imagine that so… Well, care to point me in the next direction the girls went,"Orion finally stood up and finished his tea in kind,"And I suppose it will be my next cutie mark tale to be told…!"
"I heard Sweetie Belle talking about going to her sisters to learn where Rainbow Dash went,"Fluttershy informed about what they overheard from the girls earlier,"Maybe if you hurry you can visit Rarity before the girls take off again."
"Thank you… Enjoy your day, and thank you for the story, Fluttershy,"Orion bowed and turned around to walk casually back towards the town,"Hope to see you two around shortly…!"
"Bye…! Bye, come again Mister O."Fluttershy waved him off before her and Typhoon went to the cottage to help the animals inside.
Another walk later he was back in town walking through the market. He waved to Applejack as she finished early with her apple sales, and was in the middle of packing up. The man looked around the moment he happened upon the boutique at long last. Though his gut had already gave him the bad feeling he feared to get, fearing that he had just barely missed the girls. His fears were confirmed the moment he knocked on the door, and only Rarity was able to answer it.
"Hello? Mister O, wonderful to see you this fine day. Do come in please!"Rarity was sweet enough to let him come inside the boutique.
"Thank you. Hope I'm not intruding, but I was hoping that I could get your help with something,"Orion decided to try and pop the question to her right off the back while she began inspecting his outfit,"I'm looking for the girls, and Fluttershy said they were coming here to ask you about Rainbow Dash."
"Well, they did stop by, and it gave me a chance to work on their dresses for next years Grand Galloping Gala,"Rarity explained that the girls were in fact at the boutique,"Oh dear, you have some missing crystals on your outfit! Care to spare some so I can fix it up?"
"Of course. I suppose you told those three your cutie mark story after they asked about Rainbow Dash,"Orion asked as he formed more shards of crystals in his hand to give to Rarity,"If so, care to share that little story with me?"
"Uh…of course…! How did you figure that out?"Rarity asked with great surprise that he predicted the previous events so well.
"I've been getting all the cutie mark stories during my search for the fillies, Applejack and Fluttershy told me their stories already,"Orion grew blunt in his explanation as Rarity sewed up the new crystals onto his outfit,"So I figured, might as well learn some cutie mark stories myself during this search."
"Fair enough then. To start, I too was a late bloomer, and for the longest time, I didn't understand why I never got a cutie mark myself,"Rarity began to explain her tale that started with her younger self deeply obsessed with costumes for a talent show,"I tried every trick I could think of, but nothing seemed to work. The costumes weren't just right, and the play was to begin that night."
She continued to spin the tale of her low point that seemed to make her lose hope in finding her destiny. Orion knew better than to doubt that all was lost in these cutie mark chronicles. He then smirked the moment that she spoke of her magic suddenly going off in her horn. It had dragged her out of her home, and took her on a grand adventure to the reaches of the rock field. A spot where gems were said to be discovered, along with where an old friend of Orion's roamed around.
"I had no idea where my horn was taking me, but unicorn magic doesn't just happen without a reason,"Rarity continued to explain the moment she happened upon her destiny,"I knew it had to do with my love for fashion, and maybe even my cutie mark! I knew this was… My destiny!"
As it stood, she was only stricken with disappointment the moment she believed her destiny was a rock. Rarity wanted to kick and scream that her destiny appeared so simple and dull. At least until he was once again told of the recognizable explosion of rainbows that went off in the sky. The blast had cracked the rock up, and split it in two to reveal gem stones within the rock. While Orion was now taken by the strange rainbow event, she concluded about her ability to find these gems and use them for the costumes.
"After the great creations I made that day. My cutie mark had finally appeared."Rarity finished her story and the sewing on his outfit at the same time.
"That's the third time I've heard about this explosion of rainbows,"Orion replied to her conclusion as he checked out his fixed uniform,"I need to go see who else this rainbow explosion has effect. Thank you for fixing up my outfit Rarity."
"But of course, Mister O. Do come again should you require some new outfits,"Rarity insisted upon his next visit to the boutique,"And thank you for listening to my story as well my dear."
"The pleasure was all mine. I think I'm gonna go find Twilight now,"Orion decided to make a detour to his search and find a friend from new curiosity,"I'd like to see if she has quite the story herself involving that rainbow anomaly. Farewell."
"Ta ta, Mister O!"Rarity waved him off before he went out the door and left the boutique to find Twilight.
His departure spurned up many more interests and questions he had for Twilight. For the man truly believed that she may have the answers regarding the connection behind the rainbow explosion. For it appeared to resemble what half the mane six had encountered the moment they discovered their destiny. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and even Pinkie Pie encountered this anomaly. Out of all the stories he learned so far, the story Pinkie shared with him shortly after their time in Appleoosa stuck with him the most.
It took quite a bit of walking around the center of town before he took notice of a crowd. It was already starting to disperse, but his curiosity was still peaked for what caused this crowd to gather. He slowly walked to the crowd that left the fancy restaurant. Till their dispersion revealed Twilight just now packing up her things and getting ready to leave. Orion was quick to give a sigh and quickly rush over to flag her down before she could leave.
"There you are! Hey Twilight, where are you heading off to?"He called to the purple unicorn and managed to stop her before she could head off.
"O? There you are, about time you woke up from your long slumber,"Twilight greeted the hidden prince as he rushed up to her side,"Did you get those pancakes Spike left for you before we left?"
"Yes, I did as a matter of fact. Where exactly were you heading off to?"Orion asked as they casually walked around the town.
"I'm going to Sugar Cube Corner. Me and Spike wanted to set up a little get together for every pony,"Twilight answered while they started to walk together to her destination,"Wanna come with me? There's plenty of room for every pony to enjoy."
"Of course. Hopefully I'll finally find the girls after the long day I've had so far,"Orion regaled about the journey he had, learning all of her friend's cutie mark origin stories,"I learned more than half of the back stories about how your friends earned their cutie marks, just when I was trying to find the girls…!"
"Well, since you're already learning every pony's back story. Would you like to hear mine?"Twilight offered him her own cutie mark story to pass the time on their walk.
"I guess I might as well learn all the stories while I'm out and about,"Orion admitted while stuffing his hands into his pockets,"These stories are honestly making my story more comfortable to tell to the fillies."
"Well… It all started with me as a small filly in Canterlot. I always wanted to go to the summer sun celebrations where princess Celestia raised the sun,"Twilight began to tell her stories of living in Canterlot and being completely fascinated by the magic Celestia performed,"And I saw the most amazing, most wonderful thing I've ever seen…!"
"Celestia raising the sun upon the longest day of the year…"He groaned, feeling a bit irritable of the over glorified means Celestia carried.
"Exactly! After that, I poured myself into learning everything there was to know about magic!"Twilight chirped as she felt a bit taken by the good memories.
"Hence your admirable intelligence and ambition that rivals Clover The Clever in some ways."He added a compliment to sweeten the memories for Twilight.
"Yup, and at one point. My parents enrolled me in Celestia's school for gifted unicorns,"Orion tilted his head, a bit shocked that Celestia even made her very own school,"It was a dream come true! Except for one thing… I had to pass an entrance exam…!"
She exclaimed with a bit of worry that dissipated fast and returned her happiness. Allowing her to continue on with her trying her best to hatch a peculiar baby dragon from his egg. Only by doing this, would she be worthy of being a part of the school and elevating her magic abilities. However, she was young at that time, and her magic was very weak. Performing magic was a struggle for her, and the ponies of the school were apparently high standard to the max.
"I knew it was the most important day of my life.,"Twilight spoke of her great scare that came when she nearly failed the final exam,"My entire future was on the line, and I was about to blow it!"
Instead, Orion was finally sold on something the moment an all too familiar anomaly occurred. The rainbow colored explosion had went off once more, and it triggered her magic. Her magic had manifested so suddenly and with great power, her magic covered her whole body. Her white eyes looked around the room as she turned ponies into different animals and objects. It was only when Celestia herself arrived and touched the filly, that her magic was finally under control.
"She saw your potential in magic, just as I have. Yet we simply don't know what or how strong this magic is,"Orion released a deep breath and cleared his throat the moment they arrived to Sugar Cube Corner,"My sister always was known for realizing the magic in many special ponies. Just as our mother was."
"Wow… That must have been the same instinct that helped to track down new Equestrian Warriors,"Twilight thought with a happy sigh the moment she thought of her first moment with the princess,"So, I became her student, and I earned my cutie mark that day. And…I've been her faithful student ever since…!"
"Has she ever told you about me or anything having to do with her past?"Orion asked curiously, and Twilight responded with a shake of her head.
"All of the history I know is from the Canterlot library books. Nothing on you or the warriors,"Twilight thought as he sighed and held the door open for her,"Perhaps they cold be found in the old castle of the two sisters. No pony has yet to discover the knowledge hidden away in there."
"That's more than likely the idea. I learned that Celestia went into a rage when I left,"Orion explained before he and Twilight entered the gingerbread house,"She made an attempt to wipe out my existence by vacating the castle and making sure knowledge of myself and the warriors was all but lost."
"I'm sure she didn't mean it. Some ponies tend to do things without thinking when they believe that they have lost everything."Twilight gave a very interesting and respectable thought.
"I suppose that's fair enough. When things went down, I wasn't completely in my right mind either."Orion admitted some of his guilt in the events of Nightmare Moon.
"There you are! We were waiting for the two of you to show up!"Rainbow Dash surprised them the moment they entered the building.
The place was absolutely packed with all of Twilight's friends as well as the two Pegasus warriors. Even the Cutie Mark Crusaders decided to attend the party in hopes of learning Rainbow's cutie mark story. Finally, Orion was able to talk to the girls after hearing one last story.
"Sorry, we were kind of held up. Apparently, O has been hearing all your stories about getting your cutie marks,"Twilight explained the reason behind the fact that they were late,"I just got done telling him mine, and he's told me that he heard yours a little while back, Pinkie."
'Oh, yes! We talked over some yummy punch and apple tarts! From the days I was a filly growing up around a family that was all about rock farming,"Pinkie Pie trailed on about her life story and the story of earning her cutie mark,"Then when I saw the great rainbow. I felt so much joy I wanted to share it with my family."
"And Tremoring approved of it. He even said you had suddenly blossomed like Precambria."Orion decided to pull up a seat, seeing as this was going to be a collage of stories.
"Yuppy duppy! It was the first time I have ever seen my family and even Pops smile,"Pinkie sighed the moment she saw her stone face ancestor smile,"We all partied and smile, and from that moment on my cutie mark appeared and told me I was meant to make every pony smile!"
"Tremoring Quake smiling? Now that's a rare sight even we have yet to see."Orion replied while Typhoon and Thunder chuckled to each other at the thought.
"Yeah, that stallion was thought to never know smiling even if it broke it's teeth trying to bite him in his solid rock flank…!"Thunder joked before chugging his punch and tipping over to the floor.
"Yeah, you're pretty much the first one to get him smiling since his days with Precambria."Typhoon sighed in self respect and softness when he thought of Tremoring and Precambria's relationship.
"Any who…! I've been hearing all your stories, and so far they all had something to do with the rainbow you all saw,"Orion assessed what he learned from all the stories he heard,"Now I have a feeling your story will shed the final piece of light on this anomaly, Rainbow Dash. Care to share?"
"Well, I was just about to tell the story to the girls, but if you guys want to hear it too,"Rainbow got into her chill attitude as she prepared to spin her tale,"It all started during the race at flight camp. Where I stood alone against all odds to defend Fluttershy's honor!"
She described the moment she did her first race against the same bullies that picked on Fluttershy. The race then became slightly more about just the thrill of flying and winning. She had already caused one bully to crash into a cloud, forcing him to be disqualified from the race. Leaving her to challenge and gain the upper hoof against the other wicked bully. Once she was far in the front, she had the race in the bags, and enjoyed the rush of flying through the lovely sky.
"I've never flown like that before! The freedom was unlike anything I've ever felt,"Rainbow explained the thrills of flying that Thunder Blitz understood all too well as he raised his cup to her,"The speed, the adrenaline, the wind rushing through my mane…! I liked it… A lot!"
"I hear that…! Nothing breathes more freedom then high speed flight through the sky!"Thunder gave cheers to that before drinking.
She described her beloved feelings she immediately grew for the sky. Until The remaining bully had then bumped her out of the race and went for the finish line. Only to prompt her into using her most powerful and astonishing flying technique, the sonic rainboom. She went to her top speed, only to break the barrier on her limits with the will to win the race. It gave her all the power she needed to ascend and take off with sound breaking speeds.
"Turns out, the only thing I liked more than flying fast…! Was winning,"Rainbow explained the moment she had taken off and caused the great explosion of rainbows,"Most ponies thought that the sonic rainboom was an old mare's tale. But on that day… The day I discovered racing…! I proved that the legends were true. I made the impossible happen!"
"And by doing so, you earned your cutie mark, and ascended to flying skills far above the average,"Thunder concluded after finishing his whole drink,"Mad respect to you Rainbow Flash…! Showing honor, and pushing pass your limits!"
"Thanks! And that is how you earn yourself a cutie mark!"Rainbow added to the conclusion with pride.
Orion nodded, as he finally deciphered the mystery behind the explosion of rainbows. He stood up and chuckled at the discovery, understanding how and what this anomaly meant. It was so surprising, yet it was so simple that he wished it could be understood sooner.
"That's it…! I think I understand now… It was all you, Rainbow Dash,"Orion began to explain his epiphany to the entire group of mares,"It was your sonic rainboom that every pony saw that triggered the discovery of their cutie marks!"
"Of course…! All of you saw the rainbow she created that day, and it caused all of you to discover your marks!"Typhoon joined in at the very moment that the mares beamed with joy.
"So we all owe our marks to Rainbow Dash!"Pinkie exclaimed as Rainbow was surprised to the point that she fell to the floor.
"It was all destiny… You were all meant to meet each other and discover your destinies as friends,"Orion sat back down and clapped his hands together for quite the connecting story he had here,"You're all connected…! You were all meant to be best friends."
"We've been BFF's forever and we never even knew it!"Rarity exclaimed as they all joined each other with a big group hug.
"Destiny is a beautiful thing…"Typhoon admitted while the mares continued to hug and kindle their friendship.
"Just wish it didn't look so cheesy…"Thunder gagged as they enjoyed the rest of this kindling and get together they had.
Hours later, Orion, Twilight, Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were back at the library. After surviving a round of songs, Orion was ready to tell the fillies his cutie mark story. After all the work they had gone through, learning the cutie mark chronicle stories. They were ready for a real cutie mark story from the warrior himself, as he sat in a chair. All that was left before he would begin, was a simple friendship lesson that Twilight was writing down about today.
Dear Princess Celestia
Today I learned something amazing. Every pony everywhere has a special magical connection with her friends, maybe even before she's met them. If you're feeling lonely and you're still searching for your true friends, just look up to the sky. Who knows? Maybe you and your future best friends are all looking at the same rainbow.
"Gross! When did you get so cheesy?"Spike asked before he got one of Orion's boots nailing him in the back.
"Just write it, spike…!"Twilight mused at him while he rubbed his back and looked to Orion.
"It's a solid lesson, Spike! Just write it down and stop trying to be a total dragon,"Orion called to before turning back down to the fillies that sat before him,"Now then, I promised the story of how I got my cutie mark, and it's time I fulfilled that promise…"
"Thank goodness…! We've been all over the place trying to learn how to get cutie marks!"Apple Bloom let out her stress from the long day they all had.
"I'll say. I can't stand any more singing and sappy stuff…!"Scootaloo mused after all the singing she had to endure.
"Or being used to model out dresses…"Sweetie spoke of Rarity dressing them in fancy dresses.
"Well my story is less of a drag, but I warn you, this is not a story for the faint of heart,"Orion took a deep breath and released the moment he scrounged up his memories,"It all started when I arrived on a decrepit battle field when I was fourteen years of age. Facing down Necrid Ghoul… After he had murdered Crystar the original red crystal barer in cold blood…"
Cliff hanger. Sorry to be a tease every pony, but I gave making this one a bit more episode connected to see what you guys think of this compared to what I've been writing before. There's more and more to come in the future, so have drinks and chips ready for when more episodes come. Until then, stay pony every one.