Twilight is looking to hire guards for her castle. Derpy is looking for a new job. Lightning Dust is trying to find a way forward after her falling out with the Wonderbolts, and Flare Warden is just trying to get a position far far away from her brother.

Immense thanks to Fylifa for countless hours of editing and proofreading.
Cover art by Anchorxx

There were few things in life that brought Princess Celestia more calm than a stroll through her gardens. And after a long day of ruling, she decides to do just that. But, to her surprise, she finds a young colt hiding there, afraid to go out and play with his friends. When the Princess asks why, she learns that, just maybe, he could use some words of encouragement.

What if Soarin had not been as forgiving as he was when he found out his team had lied to him and tried to replace him for the Equestria games? What would his life be like if he were to up and quit the Wonderbolts, and where could this life-altering choice lead him?

Disclaimer: Story contains subject matter that may hit pretty close to home with some readers, such as pathological depression, borderline personality disorder, and alcoholism.

It's hard to adjust to a new life.

That's what they say, anyways. This was not so for Vapor Trail: she adapted easily to life at the academy. That wasn't the problem, though, the only problem others notice is how she adapted: sticking to the sidelines while cheering him on.

Rated T for brief rude humor.

Soarin introduces Rainbow Dash to another Wonderbolt tradition: a monthly dinner outing with his best friend in the Royal Guard.

She soon realises that they have an awful lot in common to bond over.

(Rated Teen for some naughty jokes.)

"Everypony has something they wanna prove they're the best at." -Rainbow Dash

Everypony has dreams. The only question is how far they will go to achieve those dreams.

When Rainbow Dash is called on by Spitfire to carry out an important mission, one that could decide the fate of the Wonderbolts as well as Equestria, she may end up losing the ones she cares about the most to get what she's always wished for.

The Wonderbolts are many things. They're defenders; athletes; weatherponies; role models. But one thing they don't typically do is interact with the breezies. Even though the pegasi and the breezies have had a long-standing symbiotic relationship since the founding of Equestria, entomology simply isn't in a Wonderbolt's job description.

So you can imagine Lightning Dust's annoyance when she's signed up for a voluntary expedition to the breezies' home in the far east in order to collect their nectar. You can also imagine her surprise when she discovers that she's not only working alongside a cadet from the Academy, but also an actual Wonderbolt. Seeing this as her opportunity to get back in the Wonderbolts' good graces, Lightning decides to make the best of the situation and impress Fleetfoot with her skills. After all, gathering nectar from a bunch of bugs (read: fairies) should be a cinch for a future Wonderbolt.

...

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.

Lightning Dust has been in a bit of a rut ever since getting kicked out of the Wonderbolt Academy. Day after day, she's been sticking to a strict exercise regimen under the guidance of Cloudsdale's premier personal trainer, Haymaker. Her hope is that she'll unlock her true potential and show Haymaker how awesome she is, thus prompting him to use his connections to get her back into the Wonderbolts. No matter how many times Haymaker tells her it's impossible, Lightning simply refuses to listen.

Then one fateful night, Lightning Dust's training is interrupted by the appearance of her greatest idol, Wind Rider. It turns out he too has difficulty accepting reality, and he has his own, more nefarious schemes to get himself back in the game. Haymaker sees this as his last chance to save Lightning Dust from walking Wind Rider's path. And if that means rubbing salt in a few wounds and shattering a few dreams, then so be it.

Cover art provided by the amazingly talented Cyrano.

*Sets during Season 5*

It's been months since the Equestrian Games, due the long absence of any Internationale competitions Princess Celestia sets for a new kind of tournament that's never been made before in Equestria.

The first Worldwide Equestrian Flying Marathon will be realized in the matter of a couple of weeks.

Seeing such an opportunity to make her name in story, a certain blue pegasus will do anything she can to win the marathon. There's only one problem.

She needs a team.

He was expendable, they thought. There was no honor, no code of morals, no sense of team. Soarin wasn't going to stand around and be treated like this, he was going to stand up for himself the only way Spitfire would understand: Leaving the Wonderbolts behind.

Now teamless, Soarin decides to run home to the only pony in Equestria that would never leave him in the dust; His little sister, Nightshade, captain of the rival team, the Shadowbolts.

A co-written project by Uria the Sacred Beast and myself! An alternate take on the ending of "Rainbow Falls" in which Soarin decides that an "I'm sorry" from his neglectful captain and teammate just isn't enough.

Using the basis of the Shadowbolts by PoorYorick/YoorPorick
EDIT (5/24): A certain Mr. Uria has graduated to my co-writer. Thanks and thanks again, Uria!