This story is a sequel to Passion and Reason

There comes a point in your life when you finally become aware of the road you're walking down, and where that road takes you. Where you realize the whole way's been mapped out for you in advance, and you never questioned it before. The moment where you first have to ask if you're okay with that.

Spike and Applebloom just want to pull over for a bit and get wasted.

Notes: Takes place after the events in "On Your Marks."

When Apple Bloom has trouble finding other interests to pursue, she seeks help and advice from Zecora.

[Please be gentle! This just occurred to me as a possible idea, which so far has only been hinted at in the show].

Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns is the center of magical research in Equestria. Since Apple Bloom developed a love of potion making and an interest in the theory behind magic, she recognizes what an honor it would be to study there. But that would also mean being the only non-unicorn student to ever attend, leaving her friends and family, and moving to a strange city... and that's if she can pass an entrance exam designed to select the most magically gifted unicorns.

Spike has never wanted more than to be Twilight's number one assistant. But when Twilight points out that there's a pony right in front of him who needs an experienced assistant even more than she does, it means considering a life where he's making the most of his talents... but one without Twilight by his side.

For both of them, facing hard decisions are just part of growing up.

Second place winner for the April Writeoff Association prompt "Great Expectations."

SIXTEEN YEARS OLD and still without a cutie mark, Apple Bloom faces an existential crisis until a new opportunity presents itself, one that might solve her problem—if she can take the first step.

It is deeper, more thoughtful and infinitely more interesting than any story I’ve ever read starring her. Well paced, emotional, and possessing strong, interesting characters, this is a story worth getting involved in. Why Haven’t You Read These Yet?
—PaulAsaran

Proofreaders: BlueBook and Tigerose
Special thanks to Cerulean Voice whose feedback on the first draft sent me back to the books.

Reviews by Cerulean Voice, Titanium Dragon, Meridian Prime, Loganberry, and PaulAsaran
Featured on Equestria Daily 14^th Apr 2015

Immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be. Just ask someone who would know. Like... Apple Bloom, for instance.

Written for the February Writeoff - Closing Time

As Apple Bloom escorts a drunken Applejack home, Applejack decides to tell her the story of how Equestria came into existence and how ponies were made.

What little of it she can remember, anyway.

Apple Bloom meets a llama. They have a brief conversation about philosophy and life.

Edited by Exuno.

The Apple sisters fall down a well and can't get out.
They argue about what truly matters in life
as rain falls and the water slowly rises around them.

Featured on Equestria Daily August 7, 2014
Audio reading by Crafty Arts

Honesty. It's not just her sister's element; it's the Apple Family policy. Always has been, and always will be.

So, after Apple Bloom makes a terrible decision and ends up becoming a thief, her own shame and guilt begin to gnaw away at her until she can't take it anymore.

She needs to confess... even if it means having to suffer the consequences.

Rated E for Everyone.

Featured in Twilight's Library!
Featured in Equestria Daily 6/28/2014.

Apple Bloom makes her yearly journey with her big sister, one that gets harder every time. But this year will be different. This year, she'll tell Applejack everything, even if it hurts. She couldn't do any less for somepony she loves so much.

Fourth-place finisher in the /fic/ write-off "Lost in Translation."

Featured on Equestria Daily!