Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns is the center of magical research in Equestria. Since Apple Bloom developed a love of potion making and an interest in the theory behind magic, she recognizes what an honor it would be to study there. But that would also mean being the only non-unicorn student to ever attend, leaving her friends and family, and moving to a strange city... and that's if she can pass an entrance exam designed to select the most magically gifted unicorns.

Spike has never wanted more than to be Twilight's number one assistant. But when Twilight points out that there's a pony right in front of him who needs an experienced assistant even more than she does, it means considering a life where he's making the most of his talents... but one without Twilight by his side.

For both of them, facing hard decisions are just part of growing up.

Second place winner for the April Writeoff Association prompt "Great Expectations."

This story is a sequel to A Fact for Twilight

Applejack's mother was a Manehattan pony who fell in love with Sweet Apple Acres and the farmer who lived there. The gold necklace he gave her wasn't expensive or flashy, but she loved it anyway. Now that Applejack is ready to propose to Twilight with the same necklace, she hopes it really is fit for a princess.

(Cover art base by Sketchy Jackie. This is a stand alone sequel, you don't have to have read A Fact for Twilight.)

How much do you trust what you can see? What you can touch? What you experience? How sure can you be that all you have lived through, all you have loved, is not a dream that will fade at daybreak?

Twilight must end the spell.

Bon Bon visits Lyra at the mental hospital.

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Audiobook by Scribbler Productions.
Reading by Crafty Arts.
Thanks to GaryOak and Reia Hope for proofreading.
Cover art by Mica Halligan.

Reviews:
One Man's Pony Ramblings
Titanium Dragon
The Royal Guard
Louder Yay

Rarity helps a beautiful mare pick out the perfect hat in her boutique.

As seen on Equestria Daily.

Star Power isn't Twilight Sparkle -- but she does play her on TV.

This story has an audio version!

Written for the December 5th Writeoff Contest. Prompt: "Behind closed doors."

Ponies expect certain things from a mysterious shop that appears at the end of a lonely side street, and Old Gob does his very best to provide that experience. The candlelight flickers, a thick layer of dust coats items of dark and fantastic powers, and the door creaks ominously as ponies enter and leave with their purchases to discover the costs and rewards. Of course, sometimes the costs outweigh the rewards.

They certainly did for Twilight Sparkle and her friends. So when they manage to get to the shop right before it closes and disappears, they aren't going to leave until they get a refund.

(Fic contains a small amount of comedic TwiJack shipping.)

Second place winner for the February Writeoff Association prompt "Closing Time."

The Long Patrol is an extension of the crown. It brings the rule of law and the princess's banner to the far reaches of the kingdom, the places where harmony fades and the wild chaos of nature still reigns.

In times past, all the tribes took part in the patrol. Today, it is mostly pegasi and a few gryphons. The distances they travel are simply too vast for anyone without wings.

Like most gryphons who join, I wanted to get away from my kind. I dreamed of the adventures I would have and the friends I would make. I certainly got those.

I just wish the price weren't so high.

[My entry for the EqD Summer "Outsider Insight" contest.]

Ponies can be weird sometimes. And the weirdest, most stupidly obvious thing about them is they can't snap.

An exercise in vernacular.

Philomena is reborn after she dies. Ponies are reborn before they die. But always changed.

It's hard for a bird to understand.