Apple is a funny word, one that Winona doesn't quite understand.

Her family uses it to refer to food, to trees, to themselves and to each other. It's all very inconsistent.

But whether she understands it or not, she'll always be there for the pony she knows as Little Apple.

There is a legend the buffalo tell of a mystical clan of dragons that practice magic far out in the desert. These Dragon Magi, as they're called, are said to be very wise, and they are willing to help anyone in need of guidance. No one has actually seen these dragons, but the story makes for an interesting bit of folklore.

To a group of young ponies, however, it's more than just folklore. It's the answer to their biggest problem.

While staying with Braeburn in the frontier town of Appleloosa, the Cutie Mark Crusaders become privy to this tale thanks to a chance encounter with Chief Thunderhooves. Seeing this as a new opportunity to (hopefully) get their Cutie Marks, they pack up their wagon and go riding off into the desert in search of the Dragon Magi. Unfortunately, they forgot to tell Braeburn. Oops!

Wild with panic, Braeburn ropes Little Strongheart into his quest to rescue the fillies. However, chasing a pegasus-propelled wagon on hoof is usually ill-advised. Luckily, a pair of salesponies who just rolled into town are willing to offer a mode of transport for a, modest fee. But much like the Crusaders, these salesponies have no idea what they're getting into. For the desert is a dangerous place, and it's not just due to the threat of sunstroke (although that doesn't help).

Saddle up, y'all. It's gonna be a wild ride for all involved.

Part I of the Ballad of Needles.

Diamond Tiara is easily the most popular pony in her class, and definitely the wealthiest. Her closet is full of all the newest trends and her family runs a well known business that nets money from places that aren't even in Equestria, but she isn't exactly very clever.

Silver Spoon, on the other hand, is not at all fashionable and her family is the opposite of 'high-class.' She is very clever, though, and her and Diamond get along surprisingly well, but Silver sometimes feels a little...like she's having to work to let Diamond be her best friend.

So when an art competition comes up and both of the fillies decide to participate, Silver has to decide whether she'll let her love for art shine through or hold back so Diamond's parents will be satisfied.

-

A simple story about budding friendship between two ponies. The cover art credit goes to @mysticalpha on deviantART.

One night a year, on the Eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, Princess Celestia is sad, at least according to Twilight's observations. She has a plan, a boardgame, and is determined to try to cheer up her mentor.

No clop, but suggestive content.

Fluttershy is concerned that Discord is too antisocial and insists that he spend time with her friends in an attempt to connect with them and actually become friends. Discord reluctantly agrees.

EDIT: Just to clarify, this is set during the events of season 4, before the finale.

The Flim-Flam Brothers fully anticipated a couple of failures every now and then. It's not like it mattered. After all, there was still tons of opportunity to go around, right?

Not exactly. The little song-and-dance cider business never really panned out. After a nasty argument stemming from a particularly embarrassing failure, the two brothers decided it was best to split up and take their ideas elsewhere.

Well, one brother has hit the jackpot, while the other hasn't been so lucky. And now, after a long period of silence, the brothers find themselves meeting face-to-face once again. Only this time, they're not strictly talking business.

**Cover art by sophiecabra on Deviantart.

This story is a sequel to The Fruits of Their Labors

Rarity always believed that she knew exactly who she was, what she wanted, and exactly how she would obtain it. Then she fell for somepony wholly unexpected: Applejack. When unhappy tidings call Rarity to the frozen North to spend the Hearth's Warming holiday with her relatives, Applejack accompanies her into the family fray.

The ponies arrive in Whinnyapolis at a time of endings, and find that relationships can be fragile things, vulnerable to the cold. Rarity will search her past for the key to her future, but the old house at Maple Cove may not hold all the answers she needs. Perhaps, though, two ponies will learn that there really is no place like home for the holidays.

Cover art provided by the lovely, talented, one-and-only WhiteDiamonds.

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.

Twilight Sparkle has always loved Celestia—as a friend, and a mentor, and something else as well. And she finally, finally found the courage to admit those feelings.

Celestia turned her down as gently as she could. That's what she thought, anyway.

But the night is still young—and it's a night for being wrong.

[Rated T for suggestive sexual content. This story takes place between the Season 2 and 3 finales. Additionally, I wasn't able to find the artist who did the cover art, if anyone knows please drop me a line so I can credit them.]

Princess Celestia goes out on a whim for an ice cream cone and discovers just how shaky her own personal finances are, leading to a fiscal catastrophe that could threaten the status of the entire nation.
Featured on Equestria Daily with two stories by Bad Horse called Sisters

Now with readings from the Living Library Players and joehighlord.

Editing assistance by Bad Horse
And a review by Paul Asaran
And a Spanish translation by Kiwi.
And a Chinese translation by way of Nova Twinkle.