Awkward flusterment abounds in the apple orchards when Applejack discovers Spike facing one of the particular issues of growing up...

A story about frank discussions, growing up and a caring farm pony quite willing to help a young dragon through one of puberty's more pressing issues.

No romance, just friendship and yes, Spike is eighteen here.

Featured on 8/6/19, 8/7/18 and 8/8/19

Twilight decided that her time had come: after years of only owning books and reading books, she was finally going to write a book of her own.

Too bad her friends are more interested in getting alcohol poisoning than helping her with her research.

Entry for The Comedy (Is Serious Business) Contest under the prompt: We Learned Something, Alright.

This story is a sequel to The Friend I Couldn't Be

Having vanquished the demons of her past, Sunset Shimmer now finds herself haunted by the ghosts of her present.

(Reading the The Friend I Couldn't Be first is highly recommended.)

Pre-read by and cover art courtesy of the incredible (but not-so edible) MelloReflections.

A cryptic note brings Sunset Shimmer face to face with Adagio Dazzle, but she finds herself woefully unprepared for what her former foe has to say...

Pre-read by and cover art courtesy of the 'Dazzling' MelloReflections.

Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom lay in a park together, making fun of rich ponies as they pass them by.

It's funny how much can change in a few years.

Pre-read by the still alive shortskirtsandexplosions.

Sunset was very hurt and betrayed by her so-called friends after they callously dumped her during the Anon-A-Miss incident. However, she can't bring herself to leave; she can't go back to being the person she was - aloof, cold, and alone.

And so she buries it. Tries to forget it. Easier said than done.

A diary is a place for you to store your inner thoughts without fear of being mocked or scorned. It can be very important, especially in one's formative years.

This is Diamond Tiara's diary, showing her inner thoughts over what would turn out to be the most important year of her life.

My entrant into Princess Amore Dudette's DiamondBloom Shipping Contest (in which it placed 3rd)

Apple Bloom's friends romanticize the idea of how special a first kiss is and how she'll remember it for the rest of her life.

It'd be a shame if somepony messed that up for her.

A real shame.

It's the middle of the night. Maybe. Since Sunset Shimmer uses light-blocking curtains and has no bedside clock, it could be noon for all she cares. Still, the buzzing of her transdimensional diary wakes her up. It's Twilight Sparkle, panicking about venturing outside her comfort zone. Sunset does her best to calm her friend down.

"If you ever need anything, come see me, okay?"

When Fluttershy said those words, Sunset had not really believed her. Just last week, Sunset had been a tyrant, a bully. Surely the girl was just being nice. They weren't really friends.

But as her emotions rage inside, Sunset begins to wonder if, perhaps, those words meant something. Perhaps she really could go to Fluttershy for something. Something only a friend can provide...

Now with a reading by Fire Rain

Another reading by Pony&Wolf Productions

Chinese translation by studyb (学习b) is available on fimtale

This story was Featured on April 24, 2019

This story was featured on Equestria Daily as part of a best fanfics round-up for Sunset Day 2020.