It was another beautiful day in Tamplon and Twilight was going to Spike's room it see how he was doing.

"Come on Spike," Twilight said knocking on his door. "You gotta come out sometimes it's been two weeks."

"No I don't!" Shouted Spike "I live here now!"

"Of course you live here," Said Pinkie Pie who suddenly showed up. "You've always lived here."

"Beg your pardon Pinkie," Said Applejack "I think he meat he leaves in his room."

"Is everypony in Equestria out there!?" Ground Spike

"Don't worry Spike Rarity is not here." Said Fluttershy

"Of course she not there!" Spike said "She is out with Trenderhoof, Love dies!"

"That's it!" Said Rainbow Dash "It's though love time!"

The Pegasus kicked in the door revling Spike's room and it was filthy. Bucket of ice cream was scattered across the room along with plies of dirty cloths. The blinds were shouding the room with darkness. Rainbow Dash began digging in a large plie of cloths atop Spike's bed eventully pulling the dragon out, She then flew him across the hall and threw him in to the bath tub with a slash.

"Hey what the?" Spike said

"Come on Spike," Said Twilight she began scrubbing his scales, "It's time you got over it."

"She right Spike," Said Fluttershy joining in. "I mean after all you and Rarity are dear friends you should be happy for her."

"Yeah, yeah." Said Spike with his arms cross.

"Besides." Said Applejack "There are lots of ponies or dragons or what ever it is your look for."

"I'm not looking for anycreature." Said Spike "I just want to be sad and lonely for the rest of my life."

"Tuff luck," Said Rainbow Dash picking him up and drying him off. "It's time you got on with you're life."

"It's a great beautiful day!" Said Pinkie Pie "The sun is shining the birds are crepping, you should be enjoying yourself!"

"So," Said Twilight as she picked him up and pushed him forward. "We want to to get out of the castle and go enjoy yourself."

"Whatever," With an annoyed look.

Spike slowly made his way to the castle entrance as he was about to leaf Rarity walked into the door.

"Ah Spike there you are," Said Rarity cheerfully, "I have not seen you in a while."

"Image that." Said Spike gritting his teeth.

"any hoo I have a number of new desnighs that I would just love you're assents in putting together." Rarity said

"Yeah, I'll pass," Said Spike shutting pass her.

Rarity watch spike walk away she became confused, Spike had never refused to help her before.

"What was that all about?" Turning to the rest of the mane 6.

The ponies shuffled their hooves sheepishly trying to figure out what to say.

"Oh it was properly nothing," Said Twilight smiling nervously

Spike straight thought the streets of Tamplon trying his best to get over Rarity but it was not easy, All around him love seems to be blooming, Lyra Hearthsings was on a romantice date with Bon Bon, As Big Mac trotted by with his new squeeze Sugar Belle, Even the birds and rabbets seems to be in love.

"GGGGGFRRRRRRAAAAA!" Shouted Spike in rage. "Is there anyone in Tamplon isn't in to all this lovy dovy junk!?"

"Excuse me?" Said a voice

Spike then turn around and saw a blueish grey griffon talking to one of the royal guards.

"Can you tell me the way to the royal palace?" She said

"Nocreature can enter the royal place with out an invasion," the guard said uptight. "Now scat!"

"Okay thank you," Said the griffon sadly.

Spike looked over at the female griffon with sympathy.

"Hey ignore that guy," Said Spike "I can take you to the palace."

"Oh thank you." Said the griffon with a smile.

Spike started leading her into the decaton of the palace.

"So why do you want to got to the palace exactly?" Asked Spike

"Oh I'm Gabby, I'm kind of friends with Princess Twilight, That is to say one time we met in griffonstone." Gabby explain.

"I'm Spike I live with Princess Twilight." Spike said

"You do!?" Said Gabby with excitement in her eyes. "You are so lucky!"

"That's one way of looking at it." Said spike rolling his eyes.

"I wish I can join Twilight and her friends on their amazing adventures." Said Gabby

"Hu uh," Said Spike

"But my friends in Griffonstone said that griffons can't join in any adventures." Said Gabby

"Way not I'm a dragon and I join them on their adventures?" Spike asked

"Because Griffons don't have cutie marks." Said Gabby "Things that are suppose to make ponies special, So I came to Equesatria to see if Princess Twilight can help get a cutie mark of my own."

"Ha you don't need Twilight's help for that." Said Spike "I know three ponies who are experts on cutie marks."

Later on top of a hilltop not far fromTambelon

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were standing on top of the hill with a large hanglider!

"Okay that's it," said Applebloom, "Ya'll have come up with a lot of crazy idea Scootaloo! But a Cutie Mark in hang gliding is where I'm drawin' the line!

"Who said anything about a cutie mark?" said Scootaloo, "I'm gonna soar throught the sky like an eagle.

Apple Blook and Sweetie Belle looked at each other and nodded. They then let hang glider just as Scootloo made the jump.

"Germino!" said Scootaloo as she made the jump.

"Hi girls," said Spike as he approached Sweetie Applebloom from behind, "This is Gabby!"

"Whoa, actual fillies," said Gabby exictedly taking notes, "Do you get your cutie marks in some kind of magic ceremony or is all at random?"

Applebloom rolled her eyes.

"Um hi," said Sweetie Belle trying to be polite, "We've never an actual griffon before.

"And I've never met an actuall Cutie Mark expert before," Gabby said excitedly shaking the unicorns hand.

"Cutie Mark expert," asked Apple Bloom raising an eyebrow.

Spike shrugged his shoulders sheepishly.

"That right!" said Gabby in excitement, "Spike here told me you three are experts on cutie marks. And I was hoping you could tell ke where they come from?"

"If we knew the answer to that, would we be doin' this." said Applbloom pointing behind her.

Up in the sky, Scootaloo was sailing about on the winds uncontrollably.

"WhooOoaaaAoooAooooAaaaaaaaaaaa!"

"Oh I know all about that part," said Gabby brushing it off, "Finding your destiny, and earning your cutie mark and whatnot, but where do they actually come from."

"Where do they what now?" asked Sweetie Belle confused.

"Cutie Marks!" said Gabby, "How do they magically appear on a pony and not on any other creature in Equestria?"

"Why do they..?" started Sweetie Belle confuse, "How do they...? Cutie Marks...? Whoa my head hurts..."

"Huh, I've never really thought about it before..." thought Applebloom, "You've asked a very importsnt question Gabby! Where do Cutie Marks come from anyhow?"

"Beats me," said Spike shrugging.

"Maybe if we find out where they come from," thought Sweetie Belle, "It'll be easier for us...and Gabby, to get one!"

"Cutie Mark Crusader Investigators are Go!" Said Applebloom and Sweetie Belle hoof bumping each other.

"...With Gabby! Said Gabby throwing her claw in.

"Uggh...and Spike," said Spike unenthusiastically thowing his fist into the air.

"To the Library," Announced Applebloom.

"WaaaaaaaaAAaaaaAaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" said Scootalloo crashing into the ground.

"What'd I miss?"

Back at Tambelon Castle

"I just don't understant it," said Rarity, "Spike loves helping me out with my new designs. Why would he refuse this time?"

"Gee, it's a mystery," said Rainbow Dash being forced to wear a frilly pink dress.

The rest of the Mane Sox were assisting Rarity in Spike's place.

"Ya shouldn't take it personally Rarity," said Applejack draping some fabric on Rainbow Dash, "Spike's just...goin' through a lot right now."

"But, what could he possibly be going throught that he couldn't tell me about Raity," continued Rariey as she continued sewing, "Is it something I said? Something I did?"

"Something your completlely unaware of," said Rainbow Dash under her breath.

Twilight blushed trying to find the right words.

"You really shouldn't take it personally Rarity."

"That's right," continued Fluttershy, "It's nothig that you did."

"Yeah, it's not your fault Spike's had a crush on you since the day he was hatched..." groaned Rainbow Dash.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie all shout at once covering Rainbow Dash's mouth.

"What..?" said Raity turnong around with a disheartened look.

The other four poniesglared at Rainbow Dash with Fire in their eyes.

"Um nothing..." Said Rarinbow Dash, her eyes darting around the room

"Spiky Wiky had a crush on me..." said Raity still in disbelief.

"No he didn't said," said Rainbow Dash sweating bullets.

"Sweet Adorable Spike Wikey had a crush on me this entire time and I didn't know about...?!" said Rarity growing ever more dramatic.

"Flagan...Haggan..." Rainbow Dash began stuttering.

"Keep stutterin' that'll make time go backwards," said Applejack.

"Spikey Wikey had a crush on me!?" said Rarity magicing over a couch and falling in it dramatically, "How could I not have know this?!"

"Well you hve to admit Rarity, it was kind obvious," said Twilight.

"Yeah," agreed Applejack "I mean the only reason he he helped ya do all this stuff, is because he has a crush on you."

"Yeah, and now that you're dating Trenderhoof..." said Rainbow Dans

"Spike knows about me and Trenderhoof!?" Cried out Rarity in a panic

Rainbow Dash quickly covered her mouth, realizing what she'd done.

"You are on a roll today," said Applejack,

"Yes Rarity," Fluttershy spoke up, "Spike does know about you and Trenderhoof, and now that he knows you've moved on, he feels like you broken his heart."

"Well, I do love Spike," Rarity said "But just not in the way he thinks. I am of course grateful to him and all his help, I just didn't realize why he was helping me."

"I must make this right!" said Rarity leaping off of the Couch, "As Celestia as my witness, I will heal young Spikey Wikey's broken heart!"

Rarity dahed out of the room determined to fulfil her mission. As she did, the rest of the ponies truned to glare at Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie popped up beside Rainbow Dash, handing her a cupcake with a scowl.

The pegasus sighed...

"Cross my heart...Hope to Fly...Stick a cupcake in my eye..." Rainbow dash said showing the cupcake in her eye.

Meanwhile at the Castle Library

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Gabby were desperately searching the Library for books about Cutie Marks, but to little avail. Piles of books were scattered about, them but none of them with the information that they were looking for. Spike was helping too, although slightlh less enthusiastically.

"This is unbelievable," said Gabby in a panic, "There's hardly any information here on Cutie Marks or where they come from."

"I found this book on Family Histoy," said Apple Bloom, "Hard to believe ther are so many apple shaped cutie marks in my family."

"I found a book of Fairytales," said Sweetie Belle, "Some of these are about Curie Marks.

"I found the Daring Do Books," sadi Scootaloo excitedly.

Gabby, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo skeptically.

"Well there could be something about Cutie Marks in one of these..."

"Any luck Spike," called out Apple Bloom.

The young dragon was on top of a ladder, with a large pile of books he had pulled fromt he shelves.

"So far things are going good," Spike said as he picked up anotjer book off ithr shelf not knowing what it was, "I don't even remember what I was so upset about."

Suddenly Spike lost his footing, and fell to floor in a shower or books. He landed in a large pile of paperbacks, with the book he had just picked out landed on his face.

Spike picked himself up, pulling the book off of his face. He then look at the cover of the book, and familiar memory pooped into his mind. All of a sudden, the young dragons eyes began to water and then brust into tears.

"Spike are you okay?" Sweetie Belle asked as she and the others walked too him.

"No it's this!" Spike shouted as he showed them the book called "Romeo And julian."

"Yeah that book does look musy looking." Said Scootaloo

"No not the book!" Spike said "It reminds me of Rarity."

"Oh is it becuse you have a crush on her? and you'd find out my big sis is dating Trendrrhoof?" Asked Sweeite Belle

Spike shoocked his head yes.

"Spike I liked to remind you that Rarity is a full grown Pony." Said Scootaloo "And you a little dragon."

"Oh sure remind me of that!" Spike said "I guess I'm just fooling myself."

"No wonder your upset." Said Gabby Concerned.

"Ya poor guy." Said Apple Bloom

Spike stood there still mopping but then decided to put away the book and try to look for something else to read.

"Ya know what," said Scootaloo watching Spike sympathetically, "This place is a bust let's search for answers somewhere else."

"But where else are we gonna go," asked Sweetie Belle, "We've already searched throught every book in Equestria."

"Does everypony know about that," said Spike angry tear in his eyes "Why did she choose him over me?"

Later in the Everfree Forest

Spike, Gabby, and the Crusaders were gathered in Zecora's Hut. The wise Zebra was currently working at her cauldron, strirring a new potion.

"I've said it before," chanted Zecora, "and again I state..."

"...A Cutie Mark just has to wait," groaned Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.

"Yeah, yeah we already know that," said Spike, "That's not why were here."

"We want to know where a Cutie Mark actually comes from," said Gabby.

A wild look suddenly came into Zecora's eyes causing her to nearly drop her staff. She quickly banged her staff on the ground causing all the shutters and blinds to close at once. She then rushed over to her cabinet where she grabbed an assortment of potions tossing them into the cauldron with a large explosion, much to the shock of her guest. Zecora then blew out the candles, shrouding the hut in darknes.

Zecora's cauldron began to glow, lighting up the faces of Spike, Gabby, and the Crusades in an errie glow. Zecora slowly trotted into the kight a spooky look on her face.

"So, A Cutie Mark's origin is your task"

"That is a question I once asked"

"Far from Equestria, in Farasi I grew"

"A little filly just like you"

"I studied magic wild and unique"

"Searched far and wide for what I seek"

"Outside my village, a jungle land"

"There lies a country of burning sands"

"Saddle Arabia, as it is called"

"With ponies proud, and oh so tall"

"There lies the answer that you seek"

"Why Cutie Marks are so unique"

As Zecora's rhyme finished light returned to the hut. Gabby and the Crusaders looked more confused.

"Great," said Scootaloo, "And just how exactly are we supposed to get to Saddle Arabia?"

"We don't have to," said Spike, "We could just go to Saddle Arabian Embassy."

The Crusaders and Gabby looked at Spike with confusion.

"The Embassy where all the dignitaries from Saddle Arabia come to stay at whenever there visiting Tambelon," explained Spike.

"Oh right," said Scootaloo blushing," that embassy.

Meanwhile at back at TambelonCastle

Rarity was desperately searching from room to room in desperate search of Spike. As she raced down another hallway she suddely spotted Spic N Span going over his check list.

"Oh Spic'n'Span," exclaimed Rarity hugging the butler tightly "I beg your pardon, but would you by any chance happened to see poor sweet Spike?"

"If I'm not mistaken," said Spik and Span trying to breathe, "He and the Crusaders were going to visit Zecora...Something about helping a young griffin."

Rarity quickly raced out of the castle tossing Spik'n'Span onto the floor. From up in Twilight's tower the rest of the mane six watched her race across the drawbridge.

"We're following her right?" asked Applejack.

"Of course," said Twilight.

Meanwhile on the other side of Tambelon

Spike, Gabby, and the Crusaders were passing by a number or strangely decorate building, each one hosing a different assortment of creatures. There was a Griffonstone Embassy, a Seaqeuatrian Embassy, even a Dimond Dog Embassy. Eventually they made there way to a large elegan building where many tall slender ponies trotted about.

"Well, there it is," said Spike, "The Saddle Arabian Embassy."

"Spike and the made there way onto the property. The young dragon led them over to tall brown stallion, and a slender pink mare both dressed in foreighn garb. They were playing croquet on the grounds of the embassy.

"Haakim! Amira!" said Spike excitedly.

"Ahhhhh, young Spike," said the Stallion, "We have not seen you since we last visited Tambelon Castle."

"Everypony," announced Spike, "This is Haakim and Amira, there the Royal Delgates from Saddle Arabia. Haakim and Amira this is Gabby, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle."

"It a pleasure to be meeting you," said Amira bowing to the group.

Gabby, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle squealed and bowed excitedly to the new equines.

"Enought of the small talk," said Scootaloo pushing thr girls aside, "We've been all across Tambelon asking this question, and now we want to know...Where do Cutie Marks come from!?"

Haakim and Amira just looked ar Scootaloo confused.

"What is a cutie mark?" asked Haakim.

All of sudden, Spike and the girls took a closer look at Haakim and Amira. Both of there flanks were exposed, and both were completey blank. There jaws nearly dropped.

"Ya'll don't have Cutie Marks!?" stated Applebloom dumbfounded.

"I do not believe so," said Amira, "of couse I am still not quite certain whatna cutie mark is..."

"Um the nearly everypony in Equeastria, aside from us, has!" exclaimed Scootaloo pointing at some ponies passing by, "The mark that literally tells a pony who there supposed to be!?"

"Oh is that what those things are?" asked Amira, "I thought those were just for decoration."

"Incredible!" said Gabby taking notes, "So your saying that the ponies in Saddle Arabia do not have cutie marks."

"No," said Haakim, "And the ponies in Maretonian do not have them either. In fact, the only place I have ever seen those marks isnright here in Equestria."

"So, that means Cutie Marks come from Equestria?" asked Sweetie Belle confused.

"But then how did ya'll figure your destiny?" exclaimed Applebloom, "How you were goin' be and the thing that makes ya'll special?"

Haakim and Amira chucled to themselves.

"We do not need a silly mark to tell us who we are," stated Haakim.

"We know who we are," said Amira, "And who we are is what makes us special."

Meanwhile bakc in the Everfree Forest

Rarity raced her way to Zecora's hut and burst through the door only to see Zecora stirring at her cauldron.

"Zecora..." said Rarity gasping, "I'm looking for Spike...I broke his heart...And now I'm trying to find him...So I can make it right...And reclaim my dignity...Habe you seen him? Please, please, please, please, PLEASE!"

"Saddle Arabinan Embassy," said Zecora with a smile.

Rarity quickly raced out the door.

"You cand come out now," said Zecora looking over at a serier of tribal masks hanging form the wall.

Twilight, Applejacke, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash peeked out from behind the masks smiling sheepishly.

Back at the Embassy

Spike, Gabby, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sat on the Embasssy looking depressed.

"We searched all over twon for answere on where a Cutie Mark comes from," stated Applebloom, "And now, we understand even less about them then we dod before!"

"It makes me wonder why we were even obsessed with them in the first place," said Sweetie Belle.

"Don't even go there," said Scootaloo jabbing a hoof in her muzzle.

Spike gave a large sigh.

"There is one last place we could turn to, but you guys are gonna have to keep an open mind."

"Where do Cutie Marks come from?" asked Sunburst.

Spike, Gabby, and Crusaders were in his laboratory where the apprentice unicorn was hard at work.

"Honestly, I'm no so sure myself," he continued, "I could ask Star Swirl, but he's the Dragon Kingdom right now..."

"Well this was a bust," said Spike depressed, "Let's go guys..."

"Wait a minute," said Sunburst just as they were about to leave, "I may have a way to find out."

Sunburst reached up on a book shelf and pulled out 'The True History of Equestria:A Documentation of the Primordial Mysteries that the Alicorns Don't Want You to Know About'.

"I was borrowing this from Twilight," said Sunburst, "If this book doesn't have an answere to your question, nopony in Equestria does.

Sunburst scanned over the glossary until he csmento the section karked 'cutie mark'. He then flipped through the pages until he came to the section he had read about.

"Based on my reaearch," read Sunburst aloud, "I can now determine without a doubt that a cutie mark appears only on the ponies of Equestria. The exception being the equines native to Farasi. I theorise that this had something to do with the Six Founders of Equestia...Althought how and why cutie marks first alleared remains a mustery to me. I will continue to write on the subject after I done more research... Sincerely Breezy the Brave."

Spike and the Crusaders looked at Sunburst unimbressed. Only Gabby seemed to be interested, taking notes on everything Sunburst had read.

"That's it?" said Spike raising and eyebrow.

"I'm afraid so," said Sunburst, "I suppose that the author never quite found the answer he was looking for."

"Boy do I know how that feels," said Spike.

The young dragon led the Crusaders out of the room, while Gabby continued to take notes.

Back at the Embassy

"Yes we saw Spike," said Haakim.

He was speaking to Rarity, while he amd Amira were still playing croquet.

"I believe he was headed back to castle," said Amira

Rairity groaned and dashed away. She didn't even notice that the rest of main six were playign croquet beside her, disguised in fancy polo outfits.

Outside the castle gates, Spike was leading Gabby and crusaders out of the castle

"Spike!?" cried out Rarity as she rushed up to him "I have searched near and far for you! All across Tamleon, in a desperate attempt to...Gabby, what are you doing here...?"

"I'm here to find out where cutie marks come from," Gabby said, "And Spike's been helping me find out."

"Oh, said Rarity, "Well then... Spike I just found out everything Rainbow Dash. I had no idea that my relationship with TrenderhHoof would hurt younso much, and further more..."

"Save it Ratity," said Spike abuptly.

"Say what now?" Replied Rarity confused.

"I was upset at first, but after everything I've been throught today, I'm pretty much over it," Spike stated, "Honestly, at this point I'm embarrassed that I ever thought you could love.

Rarity looked a depressd dragon, with her own heart practically breaking.

"Oh but Spike, of corse I love you," said Rarity.

"You do?" said Spike confused.

"Of course," said Rarity, "Just not in that way. But I am truly grateful for all of your unwavering support and friendship. And I want you to know always hold a special place in myheart.

Spike smiled touched by Rarity's words. he realized that love came in many forms, and that his bond with Rarity was unique and cherished in its own way.

"Awwwwwww," said Applebloom and Sweetie Belle together.

"Ewwwwwww," said Scootaloo disgusted.

"Honestly," said Spike, "I more disappointed that I wasn't able to help Gabby out."

"What are you talking about," said Gabby, "You were a big help to me!"

"But, we didn't find out where a cutie mark comes from," said Spike.

"No," said Gabby, "But I know much more about Cutie marks then I did before. And I finally fround a group of friends who care about me deeply. Applebloom even offered to make me an hoorary Crusader."

Spike smiles, Gabby's enthusiasm and determination were almpst contagious.

"And I wouldn't have been able to have done any of it without you," finished Gabby.

And then, much to everyponies surprise, Gabby gave spike a kiss on the cheek. The young dragon fell to ground stunned, tiny hearts almost seeming tomfloat up from him. Spike watched as Gabby flew off into the sky, ribbing his cheek as he blushed.

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbowdash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie watched from around a corner.

"Here we go again," said Rainbow Dah rolling her eyes.