Expectations (Patreon)

 Luna grinned as she folded her left wing and rolled over into a dive. With great joy she was plunged through the Dream Realm in my Equestria dreamscape. Tonight had been very fruitful and she wanted to thank the one pony who had made it possible. 

  
  Diving into Applebloom's dream fabric the Defender of Dreams and burst out over an iconic version of Sweet Apple Acres. It was a rather dreary, gloomy, overcast day. One of those June gloom afternoons that are, hot, muggy and rather bleah. Banking over the orchards that made up her student's default dream fabric Luna began searching for the little filly. The princess didn't have a locator pendant like Applebloom had cobbled together; instead she followed the distinctive force lines that denoted her student's location. 

  She found the buttercream filly flopped on the deck of the CMC clubhouse. The little filly barely acknowledged the arrival of the Co-Ruler of Equestria; she just stared out over the orchard with a rather melancholy expression. This took a bit of the steam out of Luna's exuberance. Cocking her head to one side she addressed her pupil and subject. 

  "Not even a complimentary bow or hello my Little Bloom? I come bearing good news of tonight's labors with Stone Mane! There is still much work to be done but I was able to make real progress with his core problem. Um, Applebloom are you alright?"

 
  The little filly let a long, world weary sigh and continued to her vacant 1000 yard stare across the top of the trees. After a couple more of seconds she spoke. 

  "Oh. that's good. Glad things are looking up fer Stone Mane." She then returned to silent vigil.

   
  Luna nodded her head and proceeded to lay down alongside the little filly. As was typical now she extended a wing and gently draped it over the little filly. Silently she stared out over Sweet Apple Acres herself. The air was still but her mane rippled and flow of its own accord. After a minute or so the princess spoke again softly.

    
  "Care to talk about it? I may not be as good as my sister but I'm willing to listen to your problem if you're willing to share it with me. What do you say Little Bloom?"

 
  The little filly said nothing for a moment then sighed again. 

  
  "Princess Luna, I think my butt is broken." 

  The Princess of the Moon resisted the temptation to giggle. "Well from a casual exterior examination your hindquarters appear fine to me."

 
  "If it's a fine then why's it still blank? Why don't I have a cutie mark? I did something really amazing and I've got nothing ta show fer it!"

 
  Luna gave Applebloom a quizzical look. "Little Bloom I have a question for you. Have you agreed to become my assistant only so you can acquire your cutie mark? Or do you truly wish to help me and others with their problems?" Her voice had suddenly taken on a rather serious tone.

    
  This shook the filly out of her funk. "No, no your Highness! I really do want ta help you and  others! I'm just...."

 
  She went silent again for a bit. Finally she spoke again. "I am really proud of what I've been able ta with ya and I hope ta do lots more with ya in the dream realm. But other ponies get their cutie marks fer things far more simpler than what I've done. It, it almost feels like the world is deliberately ignoring what I'm a doing."

 
  Applebloom scuffed a front hoof on the wooden deck of the tree house. "It just doesn't seem fair!" She said in a dejected tone. 

  Luna leaned over and nuzzled the little filly and pulled her tighter to her side with her wing. Softly she spoke in the filly's ear.

 
  "Applebloom what you are doing is amazing, and trust me I understand how frustrating it can be when the world seems to going out its way to ignore your accomplishments. I have great expectations for you. All I can say now is be patient, your day will come eventually. Maybe the reason that you've not yet received your cutie mark is because what you did last night is not what your true potential is? Perhaps you are destined to do something even more amazing than that. Other ponies may get their cutie marks sooner because they are not slated to do things as wondrous as what you will do!"   

      "Really Princess. Ya truly believe that?" 

  Luna nodded her head. "I do in fact why don't we go visit someone. I planned on introducing you to them in the future, but I believe tonight they are just individual you need to meet!

  "Will be going into another pony's dream fabric tonight yer Highness?"

 
  "Luna gracefully got to her hoofs then looked down at the little filly. "Nah Little Bloom! Tonight I will be taking you meet a very, very special individual. Now follow me, I will take you to them now!" 

  With that the princess flew off, a few seconds later Applebloom took off in pursuit. 

  
 To be continued.