Competition. It drives us all one way or another. Whether it’s to be the fastest flier, the best team, the greatest magician, to steal a land in jealous fury, or simply to beat that other pony to the stall for the last carrot; competition is in all of us.

Some claim that a competitive nature is healthy, and keeps a pony sharp and fit. Others claim it drives ponies apart and should be avoided as much as possible.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack don’t care about any of that. They just don’t want the other to win. Theirs is an unending game of friendly one-upmanship, a constant striving to prove their superiority to one another for no other reason than they can.

Neither of them thought it would ever bring about romance in their lives.

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Written for (and winner of) the 3rd AppleDash competition. Prompt by bookplayer.

Thanks to my friend, Radoh from the Escapist, for making some small, but very good, points.

Cover art by nekokevin.

The Summer Sun Celebration was never typically associated with second chances, not until Twilight Sparkle and her friends discovered the Elements of Harmony and used them to cleanse the jealousy from the heart of Princess Luna, at least. On that fateful night, two seconds chances were granted:

One for Luna herself, that she might seek forgiveness from her sister and the citizens of Equestria for her actions.

The other was for Princess Celestia, that she might once again find some measure of happiness after a thousand years of loneliness.

Some years later, however, another mare hopes for a second chance of an entirely different nature. She knows she doesn’t deserve it. She knows it’s stupid to even ask.

So why the hell can’t she just let it lie?

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Written for the 4th AppleDash contest, under the categories "Second Chances" and "A Special Event". Second place finisher.
Edited by Craine. Sorry for keeping you up until stupid o' clock, buddy!
Cover art by bakki. Used with permission.
Sex tag for author safety, nothing actually explicitly mentioned.

Vinyl loves living in Ponyville with her girlfriend. It's nice and quiet, and they can both talk with friends without being pestered by crowds of adoring fans.

On their last night together before they head to their concerts in Canterlot and Manehattan, Vinyl comes home to a lovely dinner to celebrate a special night that slipped her mind.

Fortunately, Octavia had no intention of letting Vinyl's birthday go uncelebrated just because they'd be in different cities when it came.

Preread and edited by The Albinocorn, auramane, and Jondor.
Cover art by Ayahana.

"I can handle the cold. I'm a pegasus. Pegasi are supposed to be able to handle the cold. Sure, most of them have a warm, fluffy cloud home and a nice warm bed...and this is the coldest winter I've ever had to survive through...but I'm tough. I'll be fine...It's just a little cold weather..."

Thanks to my pre-reader: Mcstuffins
Cover art: kanashiipanda
"Alternate Universe" in only the strictest sense. Some things deviate from the show's canon, but only by a little

Chinese Translation: Link
Russian Translation: Link

Soarin has everything a stallion could dream of. A job as Wonderbolt, the most beautiful mare at his side and now even a son of his own. Yes, he has everything, so why does he need to sneak out of their house while Rainbow is out, training with the Wonderbolts?

Attics can hold many things: lost heirlooms and hidden fortunes, or sometimes even fond memories. While doing some spring cleaning, Rainbow Dash and Rarity stumble across one such memory in the form of a picture taken many years ago. Together, they recall the magic night the picture was taken, and how it brought them to where they are now.

Cover image provided by Ruirik

Inspired by Incubus' song 'Here In My Room.'

Soarin' throws a forced formal party to impress the noble ponies of Canterlot, and hates every minute of it. But when the rainbow-maned mare he's longed to see once again arrives unannounced, he'll be treated to a night he'll not soon forget.

WARNING: There are suggestive and some adult themes in this story, but it's not what I would consider a straight up 'clopfic.' I'll leave it to your own imagination when you reach that point.

Another day, another show; such is the life of a Wonderbolt.

When Soarin needs to leave his Rainbow Dash behind to go on tour again, he isn’t very happy about it. Luckily his marefriend has already plans for a memorable last evening together. After all, rainbows go well with pie.

Rainbow Dash loathed to think of herself as "sentimental." And yet, with her new penpal exchange, she finds herself not only hoarding the letters, but re-reading them as much as Daring Doo novels. Between work and stressing over her replies, Rainbow gives little thought to what drives their conversations. They are natural—flowing as easily as the water over Rainbow Falls and at the same time heart-wrenching. Finally she must face the inevitable question. Can a lasting relationship form from the exchange of a few letters?

Cover art a commission by ZeeDee/Kell95 on FIMfiction/Deviantart.

Twilight has little experience in the world of dating, and decides to ask Rainbow Dash for help on the matter. Rainbow's "practice date" seems like a good idea: two good friends, one helping the other out in their quest for love. As friends. Just friends. Nothing more. Right?

Accepted into Twilight's Library on 3/25/14.

Dramatic Reading by joehighlord
Read Through by KhaosSparkz