When Rarity is overwhelmed with making designs for an agriculture exhibition, she turns to Applejack for advice. But when she gives Applejack a hair style treatment in return, the apple farmer lets her accent slip from southern drawl to sophisticated Manehattenite. The result? More fancy parties than you can shake a candy apple at!

Princess Celestia is due for an informal visit with Twilight and her friends, but Pinkie Pie seems to be acting even more strange than usual. What is she up to, and will Twilight find out before it's too late?
-
I was really striving for an "almost like watching a new episode!" feel with this fic, and I hope it shows.

Twilight Sparkle takes a moment from her studies at the School for Gifted Unicorns to get a late lunch. Finding herself in a strange part of the school grounds, an apple tree and its odd fruit tempts her appetite.

Princess Celestia tires of constantly being surrounded by decorum, deference, and formality, and decides to take a day off from being Princess. But visiting Ponyville incognito is harder than she expects. Will she be able to fit in and make friends without blowing her cover?

What's in a name? Would a pony by any old name still pull destiny to smile upon them? Zecora is summoned to officiate the Naming of a Canterlot couple's foal, and her powerful experience appears to answer those provoking questions.

This is the story of a very ordinary pony's extraordinary day. Carrot Top and Derpy are good friends indeed, and sometimes friendship can lead to wonderful surprises. It can also lead to arguments, frustration, and general grumpiness, of course, and this story has all of those things as well. But mostly, this is a story about the day Carrot Top learned how to fly.

*****

Originally written for the Hearth's Warming Care Package contest. Many thanks to the contestants who commented on this story, to my EqD pre-reader, and especially to Sessalisk, for helping to polish this story to its present state. Cover art by the incomparable Elosande, used with permission.

Fanart here, courtesy of lalieri!

Audiobook here, courtesy of Deftfunk and Scribbler!

Now available in Spanish, courtesy of SPANIARD KIWI.

Note- The story isn't that dark.

This story was written with my friend, Godzillawolf. After stumbling upon a homeless Trixie, Twilight tries to help her get a new job in Ponyville. However, an unexpected visitor to the town wants to leave Trixie homeless and feeding off scraps. Checker Monarch is set on ruining everything Trixie does, for reasons not yet explained. Trixie must discover new friends and must face this old danger through new eyes.