Rainbow Dash has an unusual way of learning, and Twilight’s determined to take advantage of it. Before she knows it, Rainbow’s worst fears become reality and her life unravels before her eyes as she becomes the smartest pony alive.

The dark tag is for the implications of the story.

An entry for the April 2015 write-off event, with the prompt “Great Expectations.”

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."

Luna has been Vice Principal of Canterlot High School for years, and she couldn't be happier. So she tells herself, and so she will keep telling herself, until she believes it.

However, after the Battle of the Bands, Luna finds a kindred spirit in the last place she would ever have thought to look.

And that kindred spirit isn't afraid to tell Luna what she really thinks.

Editing duties courtesy of nanashi_jones.

This story is a sequel to Twilight Sparkle Exports Herself Repeatedly

After a drastic and ill-advised attempt to quash news stories regarding her previously non-existent love life, Twilight Sparkle has inadvertently given practically everypony she knows the wrong idea about herself. Or is it the right idea? She really doesn't know.

Which is starting to become a very serious problem.

The writer has no idea what he's doing at this point.

Dust has lived on the edge of Ponyville all her life, keeping to herself and studying. She knows Princess Twilight, and so when she realizes she's made a big discovery, she's eager to run to the castle and tell everypony the good news. But when she goes into Ponyville, they don't seem very happy to see her.

Why would that be? She didn't do anything wrong.

Lyra’s hunt for the supernatural in Ponyville continues unabated, and this week the object of her desire is not changelings, nor sea-ponies, but the rare and secretive human. With the help of her plucky (and irritable) assistant Rainbow Dash, Lyra is sure that this time she’s going to get to the bottom of a real mystery. However, the real question is why does Rainbow Dash hate humans?

With thanks to Thornwing, JCatt and Lord of Dorkness with their help pre-reading.

Batman has defeated many foes in his life. The Joker, Two Face, The Riddler, Poison Ivy...just to name a few. However, no matter how hard he tries, there was one foe he could never defeat...Time.

Finally beaten, he admits defeat, ready to give up...

But a tiny white unicorn might have something to say about that. A single word that gives him hope. A legacy. A way for Batman to conquer time itself, even if Bruce Wayne cannot.

That word...is "Father".
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Part of the PWNY-verse.

Twilight Sparkle asks each of her friends, "Do you believe in God?"

Tony Stark had everything he wanted in his life. He had his company. He had a carefree life where he could simply enjoy himself and tinker with whatever came to mind...and he was a super hero to boot! He couldn't imagine ever being happier.

And then a rainbow-maned Pegasus foal dropped into his life, and turned it upside down.

Lucky for Tony Stark that the multiverse is much more imaginative than he is.

Part of the PWNY-verse.

Will freely mix several different Iron Man continuities based on what makes the story work best.

This story is a sequel to Running

The gryphon, Angus Greenquill, has a job he hates, a kid that loves him, someone that wishes he (Angus) had never been born, and a desire to change things and actually do something he likes without failing miserably at life.

Octavia is a pony running away from success and fame, wanting to start anew without the expectations others had of her, from her family to her friends.

Maybe he can help her get a job, and she can help him realize his own dreams.

Note: This story picks up the Octavia from the story 'Running', although it's not in any way the definitive continuation of it.

Also, big thanks to Nick Nack for taking a glance at this.