Just how different are mares and stallions in approaching friendship problems?

Twilight and Spike intend to find out, and it seems like the perfect excuse to jump into an alternate universe. Specifically, one where everypony was born the opposite gender.

Pinkie Pie has a decent life, all things considered. Working at Sugarcube Corner, throwing parties, saving the world, making friends. She had a pretty good run. But when she comes face to face with the Grim Reaper and her own demise, she definitely doesn't want to let go. So she does the only thing she knows to do to avoid death itself, and challenges him to a game for her life.

But even if she wins, did she really escape death, or is she not out of his grasp yet?

The cover art was a commission courtesy of waxraven.

The friends we take for granted are often the ones that leave the largest impact on our lives. When Spike falls seriously ill with a mysterious disease and the ponies strive to nurse him back to health, Twilight Sparkle comes to grips with this very realization about her number one assistant--and friend.

EDIT: So this little story made it on Equestria Daily on 10/8/12. Now please excuse me while I pass out on Rarity's fainting couch while murmuring a soft Fluttershy "...yay."

When Pinkie Pie finds a smashed cell phone in the CHS cafeteria, it can mean only one thing!

Definitely not an Anon-a-Miss story.

Twilight isn't having a very good day. An experimental spell blew up in her face, an army of changelings is attacking Canterlot, and she just died. Yet somehow, it looks like it's going to keep going downhill from here.

Given the chance to correct what's gone wrong, Twilight swears she's going to fix all this even if it kills her. Which it will. Frequently.

Cover art by Pixel Prism
Spanish Translation
Series TV Tropes page

While relaxing after a performance, the Rainbooms discover Sunset has scars that she definitely didn't have before the Fall Formal.

As of 9/14/2015, this story has a dramatic reading by Goombasa. Give it a listen!

7/7/2016: Now with cover art designed by the very generous Novel-Idea! Thank you so much!

7/23/2016: This story has a reading by Gabriel C Media. Give it a listen!

Spike carries each of the most important ponies in his life home after a long day.

A commission-turned-gift for B_25

UPDATE: A Spanish language translation for Carry Me Home is now available, made by Spaniard Kiwi on his deviantart.

UPDATE (2024): Them's Writin' Words podcast did a wonderful review of this story. I appreciate all the thought and work put in to their critiques and all the kind words.

Twilight has finally had the talk with Spike, and it's been quite some time since he's opened up. But when Spike starts carrying around a Rarity doll, it is clear that Spike hasn't let go of his crush on Rarity quite yet, and he may need another talking to.

But Twilight doesn't know about how much thinking the little dragon has been doing since then. Or just how much Spike values Rarity's attention, and how badly he wants to keep his love for her. Because even if it's just a plushie, to him, it's all he has left in the world.

And he doesn't want to let it go.

This story is a sequel to Study of Generosity

Rarity asking Spike for a favor is nothing new. What is new is that favor being a ruse to get him on a date with a certain filly. But Spike knows better than to resist, and maybe a night with Scootaloo won't be so bad.

When Scootaloo asks Spike to clarify things, however, he decides to be honest. While trying to define what Rarity means to him, perhaps he'll find out what this date means to the both of them.

The Generosity Series
Chronological from Top to Bottom:
Lessons in Generosity
Study of Generosity
Friend of Generosity
Allure of Generosity
Heir of Generosity?
Triangle of Generosity

Cover art by FuyusFox.

Spike orders a How-To guide book to win Rarity's heart. Will Spike be able to follow all the steps like a true gentlecolt? Will any of the steps actually work? And just what is Rarity looking for in her friendship with Spike, anyway?

Image by VanilleCream at DeviantArt (used by permission).

Totally awesome fanart by Multiversecafe found here: http://multiversecafe.deviantart.com/art/How-to-Woo-your-Lady-in-9-Easy-Steps-285329019