Octavia returns back to National Geographic with an inside scoop of a particularly rare creatures surrounding Mount Aris; the hippogriffs!

Note: Nothing is intended to be taken seriously, this was made out of pure boredom and wanting to make something silly. Please enjoy.

One is the fabled Mare in the Moon, who once threatened to cover Equestria in eternal night. One is the deposed Queen of the once-terrifying Changeling race. These two beings have cast long shadows over the history of ponykind, but never before have they done battle with one another. Who would come out as the victor? Well, this is a question that is on the minds of some of Ponyville's most enthusiastic debaters.

Misfits. Magicians. Heroes. Theives. Soldiers. They all sound so different from one another, but in reality, they all have at least one thing in common. Potential. This is a story about how a band of misfits become heroes. These heroes will face dangers, love, puzzles, and countless other blocks in their path to heroism.

When Spike finds out that the Power Ponies comic book series was canceled, he visits Shining Armor to commiserate. But Shining has news for Spike: the Power Ponies are actually being rebooted, and the writers are making some changes that Spike isn't too happy with.

(This story is a prequel to Birthday Built For Two, though it is not required for you to read that to understand this fic. Takes place between "The Times They Are A Changeling" and "To Where and Back Again". Proofread by Smity1038 on Deviant Art.)

Starlight accepts the fact that Sunburst is Flurry Heart's Crystaller, and that means he's going to act a bit odd at times. But for whatever reason, the stallion now seems to be acting even odder. A fact that puzzles Starlight to no end when she decides her trip to the Crystal Empire is an excellent opportunity to pay Sunburst an unexpected visit.

But before Starlight can even find the time to ask Sunburst about his behavior, she finds herself getting roped into something most unexpected, helping Sunburst foalsit Flurry Heart for a day.

Just how much trouble can one alicorn foal cause for two fully grown unicorns with no prior babysitting experience, quite a lot actually. But maybe the experience will give Starlight the answers she needs about Sunburst? Or perhaps Sunburst will slip up and tell her himself?

Wallflower Blush asks Flash Sentry to pre-read her latest fanfic.

The CMCs are on the train home with Twilight and Fluttershy after saying goodbye to Spur and Biscuit. They are very sorry about using up the flower's magic, and are even more sorry for themselves when they see their older sisters waiting for them at the train station. Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack are livid, but they understand, in their own ways. The CMC's older sisters take the CMCs off on their own after chewing them out as one. Then they have the biggest talks of their lives.

After years of bringing up his only daughter as a single father, Bright Mac reflects on some of the moments that he had experienced with Apple Bloom as she was growing up from childhood to her teenage years. Raising a child on your own is no easy feat, and seeing them leave can be heart-wrenching.

Bright Mac has reluctantly accepted this and he knows that his little girl will succeed in whatever she may do in her life. Now, he wonders what he will do to fill the void that his baby girl used to fill around the house.

When Flash Sentry takes a break in one of the nap rooms, Tempest Shadow (Fizzlepop Berrytwist) discovers a how much the pegasus truly care about her.

Note: In this story, Flash Sentry is Captain of the Crystal Empire's Guards, succeeding Shining Armor, and Tempest Shadow (or Fizzlepop Berrytwist, as I've decided to use her real name in this story) is his right-hoof mare.

Art by a person on DeviantArt called Renciel.

There's a new filly in Celestia's school, who finds making friends difficult. She's seated next to a filly who could care less about making friends. Neither is exactly friend material... but sometimes you just have to take a risk...

For more of this AU, see:

Series 1:

• Not Exactly Friends
• Shelter of the Storm
• Without Your Cutie Mark
• Never Any Doubt
• Sunset -- Part I and Part II
• Saving Sunset Shimmer
• By the Light of the Moon
• Trixie Luna Moon
• Ring Around the Moon -- Part I and Part II

Series 2:

• A Canterlot Engagement
• The Restless Princess
• Where Trouble Goes
• Meet the Sparkles
• Who Needs Enemies -- Part I and Part II
• The Visiting Team -- Part I
• The Visiting Team -- Part II
• What Nightmares Fear
• Hearth's Warming, AP Class