Ok guys, I just had an idea for how to rid the show of the CMC's you all hate so much. I just wrote it in the time from now to the previous post, and it was originally supposed to a rough idea, but somehow in writing it turned semi-fanficish, so...
So, I know how much you guys hate the CMC, so I have an idea how to improve them. The creators of the show have already pretty much shown us what their true talents are: singing for Sweetie Belle, sports/action/etc (particularly of the scooter variety) for Scootaloo, and building/creating for Apple Bloom. Moreover, they excel at them when left alone. Sweetie Belle first shows her talents when singing in the woods with no one to bother her, but becomes self-conscious when Scootaloo comes up and then eventually takes away her spot as singer, and being too shy she doesnt mind relegating it. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom are continuously engaged in a power struggle which only tears at each other. Then in at the end of The Show Stoppers the theme is epitomized with all three playing the incorrect role. The solution is a double length episode about them in their collective form. It could start off similar to The Show Stoppers, with each filly interfering with the next ones true gift, but after a final collective failure they grow genuinely bitter. The first part will end with each meditating on their lives in darkness at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Scootaloo will dwell on the fact that she has no family and has been used to being alone most of her life. Apple Bloom now has no friends, due to her abandonment of Twist and the rejection of all her classmates being a blank flank. Sweetie Belle realizes that she has been used and pushed around her entire existence, whether in gathering random supplies for her sister (who usually kicks her out of the house) or in being bossed by Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Then they see a spark of magic from within the forest.
The next episode starts and theyre all led to the same location. Initially they shun each other and scoff but then a mysterious pony appears. She tells them that she knows how they can get their cutie marks, at which they immediately sneer.
Everypony says they can get it for us, but none of them were right! Just look at Pinkie Pie trying to make me do her job! Applejack wanting me to spend the rest of my life on the farm! Its always about them!
That is true, and I will not help you with anything. The only pony that can get you your cutie mark is yourself, and I dont mean that in some hokey feel-good way. What I am saying is that independence is what makes each of you special.
The ex-CMC members then reflect on their past again briefly and start to consider what this mysterious pony has to say. Suddenly they are abducted and wake up groggy and separate in a dark dungeon. An image of the mysterious pony then appears in front of them (what is a MLP-equivalent of a television?) telling that they shall run a gauntlet. Each shall be designed differently so that it best accommodates each fillys strengths equally, all ending at the same location in the center of a maze. The first one to make it goes free, the other two
die? So as the gates open they go out doing their tasks, which I suppose could be more physical/endurance types things for Scootaloo, ones of a creative nature (maybe constructing a bridge could be one) for Apple Bloom, and
I dont know for Sweetie Belle, but if she were an RPG character shed probably have high charisma overall so something more person-interactive. Anyways, there are segments where each of them meet, and they have brief feelings of remission. Maybe Apple Bloom must construct a shield to walk past an arrow trap, but Scootaloo in trying to help causes both of them to lose time due to some unforeseen trick on the maze. At the end, they are all running towards the finish line and it seems impossible to tell who won. Then the mysterious pony appears and tells them to check their flanks; each has earned a cutie mark symbolizing independence (no I dont know what that would be; Google Images only gives me Chinese symbols). She then admits that she lied and that she regretted having to force them into such a situation, but then says that the test was necessary. Then, she summons a cloud of magical energy and opens it to reveal a place of unbelievable beauty. They step through and he goes on a monologue of the strength of individuality.
The Princess? A depraved despot. Friendship? Something beneficial only to those too weak to make it on their own. Some may question the concept of the stability of a world without friendship, he explains, but hatred need not fill its gap.
Then fantasies of their futures are revealed. Apple Bloom is then seen with a mask and wielding a blowtorch, constructing a grand skyscraper to rent out to willing inhabitants. Sweetie Belle is a self-made singer, artist, and thespian who wins the hearts of a thousand ponies. Scootaloo is seen as a champion athlete and owns a successful scooter production line. And all of them are interacting in a peaceable, respectful manner with one another as fully grown mares, but simply in a business-like fashion without any confusing and ambiguous emotions or friendships to muddle things.
What do you call this place, maam?
This, my enterprising little ponies
is Pasture.
And the Cutie Mark Crusaders are never seen again.
EDIT: Forgot the part where Twilight writes to Princess Celestia, stating "Today I've learned that although friendship can be great and help a lot of people work together and best optimize their productivity, I also realize that it isn't for everybody. Some people are independent souls who don't need friends, and that should be respected. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."