A New pyramid has been discovered! Daring Do and Rainbow Dash explore the maze-like ruins, but are separated upon taking a wrong turn. With Dash all alone, she soon realizes that not only is the pyramid built like this on purpose, but that something...or someone, is watching her.

You're probably wondering why it's E? And that is because I feel like I should, and it would provide a decent challenge. We've seen in kids media people getting wrapped in bandages, and still retain their rating, so this is meant to challenge myself. Plus this is to help cope with my depression, so hope you're okay with this. This fic is also my own take on another story made by someone I follow.
4/22/23: Now with a new cover done by the wonderful ZettaiDullahan!

Pipp requires assistance with preening before tonight's show, and mom insists that her sister helps. Unfortunately for Zipp, her sister's wings are usually highly sensitive.

Now available in two other languages:
Russian Translation
Chinese Translation

Ever the researcher, Princess Twilight Sparkle had spent some of her free time studying anything that piqued her interest–as long as it was legal and (usually) didn't do any harm.

However, she was never interested in studying the enjoyment of ear scratches. Until now.

With Eric Reed's help, Twilight tests some of her favorite guinea pigs friends to learn which of them likes their ears being scratched the most.

Oh, and Eric and the ear-scratch testees think Twilight's idea is weird too.

This story takes place after the events of my A Giant Adventure to Equestria story. However, it's not required to read it first to enjoy this story (and laugh), other than to learn how and why the human OC Eric Reed is in Equestria, and how his bonds with the other characters formed.

Last but not least, special thanks to TheBrokenBrony for pre-reading and proofreading this story.

Cover art by Little Tigress

Applejack and Rainbow Dash enter a period of struggle featuring reconsideration, confusion, evidence-checking, embarrassment, and more. Now, what's causing all that?

In short, what these two ponies remember about their experiences with tickling is that they don't like it. They don't want to be tickled.

But now... they do. They question if the memory sources they draw their dislike of being tickled from are reliable to how it would feel in a different setting.

No use not trying, right? Well, they agree, but it's not like they can just ask anypony to tickle them... right? No, that's too embarrassing. It's too sappy for these tough tomboys...

...but they want to be tickled.

I wrote a blog in which I quoted several parts of this story and made comments about them. I sure do have a lot of post-writing process thoughts on this story. I'd love to see you guys there!

This story is the first part of the series Adventures in Tickling. (Series title suggested by Captain_Cosmos). Full series table of contents:

1. Tickling Try-Out - complete
2. ?????????

Will be updated as series continues!

Rainbow appears at Applejack's in the middle of the night with an odd request.

Originally written for a Quills and Sofas speedwriting contest with the theme "appledash" (romantic or platonic) and the prompt "the aftermath". It also doubles as a birthday gift for Luna! Happy birthday! Originally written in 75 minutes, this version has seen some expansion and editing. Special thanks to RedParade, applezombi, Holtinater, Decaf, applejackofalltrades, and Vis-a-Viscera for pre-reading during the contest!

You're a human living in Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle in Ponyville. You absolutely love spending time with her and her friends.

Maybe you love it too much.

EDIT: Featured at #7 on 3/2/21!

Story Inspired by this GIF. Check it out.

Rainbow Dash receives a letter telling her that she is being given her own action figure line. However, things are not quite what they seem to be.

Not sure if Teen is correct but better safe then sorry.

“All plant seeds kind of look similar. They share many traits. You put them in the soil, water them, and provide sunlight. They grow, but they don’t always grow up to be the same. It could be just as well that when the seeds have sprouted, grown up to be six feet high, is when you realize that they’re completely different and share not even a single trait.” - Lesson from Celestia | Part 5

As Rainbow Dash prepared to return home from the Wonderbolts on winter leave, she expects to attend the gala and spend the rest of the winter season relaxing with her friends. Instead she receives an urgent telegram summoning her to Ponyville where she is greeted by an angry mob and a shadow of her past.

When it starts to threaten her friendships, Rainbow Dash realizes just how dangerous the situation is, and is forced to confront the ghosts of her past and the life she left behind. Lest the one she built for herself crumbles in her hooves.

We all have days we feel we can’t survive. Sometimes our dreams are crushed. Sometimes our friendships fall apart. Sometimes the ones we love betray us. Sometimes sickness overtakes us and we may even lose the ponies we love.

One thing that is guaranteed is that we all have our day in disdain.

------

Quotes about the story:

"By the end of the first part, Cheerilee's blind in one eye, Dashie's had her nose broken among other wounds, and Twilight is paralyzed from the neck (or shoulders?) down. <.< And the plot just barrels ever onward" - Present Perfect

Scootaloo was so excited that her big sister decided to sleep over with her. She planned so many activities, and food, and fun!

...But a thought had been troubling her for the best part of her life, a thought she’d hope she could get over by now. She decides to bring it up to Rainbow, hoping she’d have an answer.

Commissioned by and Artwork from Caroo.

Gallus and Silverstream overhear an argument between Smolder and Ember about who the toughest dragon is.

Silverstream comes up with an idea that will definitely decide which dragon deserves the title.

Instead of heavy weight-lifting, fire-breathing, or rock-smashing, they decide to put the two through a vigorous tickling session.

At first, neither dragon seems close to breaking, despite them tickling as hard as they can. But they soon figure out the secret to breaking a dragon via tickles: being gentle.

This one's full of cutesy and loving tickle teases and talk made out to be unbearable torture.

Which honestly, is one of the best kinds of tickles.