Apple Bloom wants to grow up. She's sure she does. Surrounded by the family that founded a town, shaped it, and made it what it is today, she finds herself all the more invested in becoming a part of this legacy.

Yet as Apple Bloom's interest in the legacy grows, so does her interest in a pony who never had one.

After all, sometimes there's a good reason to step outside. To fly on your own. To look beyond the herd.

Apple Bloom never thought of herself as a "s'phisticated" pony. She lives on a farm, she eats what's put in front of her, she follows the advice of her kin without question or doubt. That's all there is to it.

Rarity, on the other hoof, is so "s'phisticated" she can actually spell it. Probably too "s'phisticated" for her own good. The life of an artist - even one who actually makes money - is never a simple one.

But truth, like life, is like the gleam off a sun-caught apple. Turn it around, and though it was once dull and uninteresting, the flash of light may well catch your eye in a way that sparks something new and exciting. As if you'd found your cutie mark all over again. A life-changing moment of pure inspiration.

Maybe these two socially sensitive ponies have more in common than they'd ever thought possible...

So once again the day is saved. Literally. In this case, by that new unicorn who came into Ponyville and fought Nightmare Moon, the nightmare that would never end (until it did).

They say this unicorn is strange. They say she's a princess and a witch, who lurks in dark libraries and tames mighty dragons.

Well, Dinky knows that's bunkum, but who cares? She's never turned down a quest, not with her Sisterhooves Sisters in tow.

What a team they are too: Odd Job, carrot-farming sister and cosmic punching bag; Apple Bloom, who's got the heart of an apple (and the imagination to match); Alula, the pegasus who couldn't be more pegasus if she tried (harder); and Piña Colada, who's what you get as a sort of add-on if you seek out Berry Punch's beverages.

Together, they will bravely and nobly discuss over drinks what to do about this new hero in their midst, and see if they can fit her into their usual playtime. After all, it wouldn't be much of a quest if it wasn't dangerous. Twilight will just have to take her chances.

Diamond Tiara is a true Rich. Will be, to the end.

Despite all her past setbacks, she’s grown up to become the hyper-successful CEO of Barnyard Bargains Incorporated, a business empire which has spread across the globe. Now she’s built the high-tech Equestrian Dream Shopping Mall right in the heart of Ponyville, a town suited to the ultra-modern vogue not at all.

But when they said corporate would eat her alive, this is NOT what she had in mind…

An entry in Imposing Sovereigns IV, using the prompt "Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom/Persistence".

Lily wanted to be an explorer. Roseluck wanted to be an inventor. Daisy just assumed they'd end up running a modest, boring little shop. Guess who was right? But Daisy's (reluctant) desire for normality isn't enough to drown out her childish dreams.

Contestant for the Unexpected Meeting Monthly Contest hosted by Razor Blade the Unicron.

This story is a sequel to Impossible Numbers' Flashfic Anthology, Volume Three

Shooting arrows is just Sour Sweet's way of letting off steam. And under the watchful eyes of her parents, of making a very pointed statement.

Genres: Drama, Equestria Girls
Prompt: "Bittersweet"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/413321/flashfic-150-september-2019-bittersweet#comment/6992685

It doesn't matter what Professor Fossil wants, or whether or not this is too late, or even that all the old friends are dead. Rockhoof will honour this birthday.

Genres: Drama, Sad
Prompt: "Birthday Magic"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/371727/flashfic-150-september-2018-birthday-magic#comment/6589841

Princess Platinum is selfish, pompous, spoiled, and frankly a bit slow on the uptake. Even she learns, eventually, why it's a bad idea to set up a croquet match on a farm.

Genres: Comedy, Drama
Prompt: "Where Your Loyalties Lie"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/380250/flashfic-150-november-2018-where-your-loyalties-lie#comment/6646129

If only Apple Bloom hadn't rummaged around in the attic, those painful memories might never have haunted Applejack's mind.

Genres: Drama, Sad
Prompt: "Ow! Where Did That Come From?"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/403965/flashfic-150-june-2019-ow-where-did-that-come-from#comment/6873752

In the face of Fluttershy's curiosity, Discord points out a few hitherto-unconsidered aspects of his species.

Genres: Random, Slice of Life
Prompt: "A Dragon's Heart"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/407214/flashfic-150-july-2019-a-dragons-heart#comment/6915541

She has many names. Her real name is one she could do without, because it describes her far too perfectly.

Genres: Drama, Slice of Life
Prompt: "Bittersweet"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/413321/flashfic-150-september-2019-bittersweet#comment/6998020

Unlike Apple Bloom, Diamond Tiara is on her way to university. So she goes to visit the farm gal to make sure she knows. And reacts the right way.

Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Prompt: "I Thought We Were Friends"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/410220/flashfic-150-august-2019-i-thought-we-were-friends#comment/6946747