Upon her return to Ponyville, Applejack learns Big Macintosh crossdressed at the Sisterhooves Social to help his little sister Apple Bloom. Obviously, Applejack knows Mac's behavior doesn't mean he has gender issues. If anything, it just shows how much he cares for his little sister.

However, something else happened while Applejack was away that can't be so easily dismissed.

It's time to talk.

Written for The Writeoff Association's "Illusion of Choice" contest.

Well before Big Mac came to the Pie family rock farm, there was another pony who caught Marble Pie's eye. That pony was very different from Big Mac... and at the time, so was Marble Pie. But her oldest sister, Limestone, was there to watch and to worry.

Defensibly contains spoilers for S5E20, despite being set earlier in time than that episode. Cover picture by senseidezzy.

Applejack has a simple life, with great friends. Sure times can be tough and bits may be hard to come by, but she's always pulled through. Now her life has been turned upside down and money will never be a problem.
Watch her story unfold. Money, family and friendship can change. Even your closest most trusted ponies can use you. Watch as a simple farmer comes to terms with the fact that wealth isn't all it's cracked up to be.
image is not mine it belongs to this guy LateCustomer

After Queen Rarity once more rejects the advances of one of the many noble ponies who seek her affection, Princess Sweetie Belle finds out that her sister is secretly in-love with somepony else, thus her heart-breaking streak. Alone in the throne room with her sister and the royal body guard, Twilight Sparkle, the young princess decides that she's going to find out the identity of Rarity's secret crush, no matter what.

Part of the Bodyguard!AU Series, based on Earthsong9405's AU where Twilight is the bodyguard to a "Princess/Queen Rarity". Prior knowledge of the AU is not necessary to read the story.

To most everypony Diamond Tiara is dazzling, absolutely amazing without a doubt. Everyday she goes through the same trails and stress of being adored and admired. She has perfect grades, the second wealthiest filly in Ponyville for a best friend along with all the money and popularity any filly in Equestria could ever hope for.

There are very few things Diamond Tiara could never afford,two things actually. At first they were only a bit expensive, now they've both become priceless, not even he father's entire fortune could cover their cost.

A first person narrative of a rich, naive foal.

Lotus Blossom's twin, Aloe, isn't exactly as similar as everypony would guess. In fact, the earth pony has a rather large secret that HE doubts very much everypony would react favorably to. However, when he starts having trouble properly focusing around one of the hoofful of ponies who know his secret, he starts to worry he may be falling head over hooves. If he pursues her, will his secret be able to hold, or will he have to abandon it to get what he truly wants? Not to mention, can a pony who's so rough and tumble work with one who bruises so easily?

Lotus is a professional masseuse. She sees the pony below the skin, and tends to coax just as much out of their mouths as their muscles. Late one day, she gives three very different massages to three close friends, all of whom mention a name she isn't familiar with: Applejack.

Featured by The Royal Canterlot Library and Equestria Daily

The original version of the story took 5th place in The Writeoff Association's February 2015 contest, "Closing Time"

A Cutie Mark is meant to represent the personality and special talent of each pony that has one. Cheerilee's flowers symbolize her desire to help her students bloom, and the smiles represent the cheer that she hopes to bring to their lives.

At least...that's what she tells everypony who asks.

[SEMI-SAD]

This story is a sequel to Numbers

Eleven years ago, a young stallion named Filthy Rich became a father.
His daughter was his most prized jewel...
And he swore he would always love her.

One morning that stallion's filly brought a grown mare to tears,
And Filthy Rich was forced to see his Diamond through new eyes.

Now, he must find a way to bring out the sparkling gem only he can see, before Diamond Tiara destroys her classmates... and herself.
If that gem even exists at all.

But raising a child isn't as simple as working out a business deal or solving a financial issue, and Filthy Rich must relearn what it means to be a parent if he ever has a hope of redeeming his daughter.
For the price of an innocent foal's tears is more than even he can afford.

Featured 5/27/14 - 5/28/14

Golden Harvest is not jealous. Sure, her neighbor Applejack has a life of adventure and glamor, friends who are national heroes and princesses, an appallingly lucrative share in the local fruit market, and firm, toned flanks. And sure, by contrast, Golden Harvest has been stuck with her snout in the same old muddy patch of carrots pretty much every day since she earned her cutie mark, her best friend is a dentist, and her idea for a 'Carrot Juice Season' never really gained much ground for some reason. But Golden Harvest is not jealous.

Not jealous at all.

She just wishes Applejack would stop being so distracting.

*

Pre-read by Midnight Herald and Communist Bob (no link).