The Darker Side of The Pencil

Slowly But Surely

My wings stumbled and quivered while I flew higher and higher, looking up to avoid seeing the ground hundreds of feet below me. The strong breeze of every Pegasus in Canterlot zooming away didn't exactly help. Shadow and Mom were holding my hooves. I felt like a filly, though I didn't mind. We flew forwards to a generally clear area. I let out a huge sigh of relief. A little too huge. I was so glad that we were exiting the air that I forgot to keep my head up; I was looking directly down. It took a few seconds for my brain to process it, but when it did, I screamed wildly. Before my eyes, everything began to blur out. I was falling and couldn't see clearly at all. Mom covered her mouth, yellow eyes beaming. Shadow shouted to me.
"CHIP!" My life flashed before my eyes. I could remember it like it was yesterday; getting my cutiemark.
"They're about to go onstage; 'you sure you ready for this? Shadow asked. Not my sister Shadow, my cousin! She was the director of the annual Filly Fun Festival all the way over in Ponyville. Directing is just one of many things she does to help out the town. She's very kind, let alone an alicorn! Her blue coat and scruffy black-blue mane were a great match with her similarly coloured eyes. Her cutiemark was a Ying Yang symbol, though she never got the chance to explain to me what it meant...
"I think so. I've practiced and almost memorised the entire play! Besides, I'm not the one performing in front of everypony, so I should be fine."
"Okie dokie!" She began ushering three fillies through the curtain. "Aaaand, it has begun!" She spoke with a silly announcer-voice. The rest was a bit of a blur. I narrated the story I had written when necessary, and had reached my final two lines.
"So.. you forgive me?" A filly dressed up like Chancellor Pudding-Head spoke.
"Of course we do!" The other little ponies dressed up as historical figures spoke in sync. This was my part. As the performers began laughing and hugging each other, I spoke into the microphone.
"The three tribes bonded and became one. Their civilisation flourished through good times and bad. And so, they lived happily ever after..." Then there was silence. Gah, I knew I had messed up. I couldn't think of an ending for the play so I scribbled down that garbage! This is so humiliating!
But to my surprise, everypony began cheering and clapping loudly. I looked up to see all of the actors taking bows and curtsies, with Shadow waving me onstage. I smiled and galloped to the front and center. A feeling of happiness sparked through and engulfed me. I did it! They loved it! Suddenly, my flank began to glisten and glow brightly. I was enveloped by a white light whilst a toothy smile spread across my face. There was a loud 'poof' sound and everypony gasped. Sparkles surrounded me and all the mares and colts in the crowd cheered louder. I had to idea what they were doing until I saw my family cheering me on in a few seats, pointing to my rump and tearing up. My head twisted around to see and my eyes darted to see a worn-yellow notebook with a pencil on the right, spelling out "I got my cutiemark!" I jumped into the air and yelled what I read. Flying around and high-hoofing everyone was the greatest part. Even the actors were congratulating me! I'll repeat it one more time; I got my cutiemark!

• • •

This is not my time, I thought. Adrenaline shot through my veins and into my wings. I flapped them harder and faster than ever before. Hurdling high into the sky, a strong wind surrounded me. I felt a small burst of pleasure as I shot past Artistic Shadow and into a cloud! I always enjoyed flying through those!