When Sunset Shimmer decided to return to Equestria to right past wrongs, neither she nor her friend Princess Twilight Sparkle could possibly imagine the series of events resulting from that decision.

With the Crystal Mirror irrevocably broken, Princess Twilight is now stranded in the other world, while the highly agitated, furious, and unhelpful human Twilight is equally stranded in Equestria. Sunset Shimmer--still new to friendship--now faces enormous challenges as she struggles to solve the seemingly impossible: how to send the human Twilight back while also bringing Princess Twilight back, when the only portal between worlds has been destroyed...and how to heal her former mentor and teacher, Princess Celestia, who has been stricken by a debilitating illness.

With the prickly and standoffish Twilight refusing to help--and, more often than not, injuring feelings and infuriating tempers--the fate of both worlds rests squarely on her shoulders.

[Best viewed with reader formatting set to: 1) paragraph: both; 2) Alignment: justified]

Pre-read, edited, and critiqued by my friend and fellow equestrian, Toriandthehorse

Artwork by: Yakovlev-vad

Featured on Equestria Daily 04/11/2020

Applejack and Rarity's relationship was never easy, even at the best of times. But their love for one another was constant, an irresistible force, up until one day when it was no longer enough.

Years have passed since then, and on one quiet night, their paths cross once again.

Cover image by White Diamonds via rarijack-daily
Edited by Exuno

This story is a sequel to The Fires of Friendship

Applejack is bitter about her lineage among the wealthy and sophisticated Oranges of Manehattan, who apparently abandoned her simple country family. Rarity is desperate to fit in with the urbane elites of the fashion world, even if it means disparaging and rejecting the Ponyville home she loves. On a trip to the big city for Equestria's famous Fashion Week, Applejack will teach Rarity to be honest and true to herself, and Rarity will show Applejack that a little generosity and forgiveness go a long way. Together, they will learn that each has exactly what the other needs to be complete.

This story is in the same continuity as "The Fires of Friendship," and I suppose it is a sequel of sorts, though there is no need to read that story first. More than anything, this story is birthday present for a dear friend, and a fun celebration of her favorite ship.

The cover art (also a birthday present for our mutual chum) is provided courtesy of superstar art sorcerer WizardWannabe.

Because sometimes we can't get enough of what hurts us the most.

Rated "Everyone" because EVERYONE is guilty of this at some point or another. (O_o)

Featured on Equestria Daily, December 28, 2013!

What could a smug, arrogant, disrespectful, inconsiderate, country-town farmpony possibly have to offer a seamstress down on her luck? Migraines, premature wrinkles, a revolutionary new fashion line, and a burning attraction that they'd both deny until the moon crashed into Equestria. That's what.

Rated "Teen" for suggestive themes, crude humor, innuendo, and shameless drama written by yours truly.

(Many thanks to the ever-helpful Pearple Prose for his generous proofreading and suggestions. And an extra-special thanks to the fiction and fanfiction authors that have helped push my writing skills to new heights.)

Enjoy!

It's Rarity's party and she'll cry if she wants to – but not, it seems, if Applejack has any say in it. [Alternate ending to Simple Ways]