Ever wondered how Octavia met Luna, what prompted Lyra's fascination with humans, or just what Vinyl was up to before she met Octavia? Then this anthology is for you. All stories here are meant to flesh out and enhance the characters of the Royal Ponyville Orchestra, so while I would highly recommend reading that story before reading these it is not absolutely necessary as each story is designed to stand on its own.

Octavia has finally been promoted to first chair, unfortunately for her, that chair is in the new (and as of yet unformed) Royal Ponyville Orchestra. Now, the best cellist in Equestria (Her words) is being sent to the cultural gulag of Ponyville (Also her words) to form and lead the Royal Ponyville Orchestra to greatness (Princess Luna's words).

Now has a sequel, Princess Luna's Academy of the Arts and Sciences.

And an online reading.

Credit goes to jlm123hi for arranging the cover art
Vectors used:
The stage
Vinyl
Lyra
Fiddlesticks
Octavia

Bonus: Have some fan art made by GamingMelody I found when I accidentally typed my username into Deviant Art's search tool instead of logging in. It's cool someone liked my words enough to draw them, and I hope anyone who does so in the future will send me a link so I can plug them in whatever way I can.

After running across the Crusaders in Manehattan, Rainbow finds out a little secret Scootaloo had been keeping from her.

Pre-reader: Kalen Nighteyes
Editors: Awesomeblaze, mobius160

Flight Camp was a life-changing event for Cloud Kicker. Her horrible fight with Rainbow Dash forever changed things between them, and drove a wedge between Cloud and Fluttershy.

But what if that had never happened? What if Cloud and Fluttershy had stayed together? How would the lives of the three friends be different? What other changes would ripple across Equestria as a result of that one event? Cloud and Fluttershy might be happily married, but how would that change the lives of their friends? Would Rainbow Dash go down a different path to joining the Wonderbolts? How would Rarity's life change if she never met Fluttershy until she moved to Canterlot?

Where would they be today if they'd traveled down the road not taken?

Losing your virginity is a big milestone for anypony. Especially when you finally hook up with the pony of your dreams in the process. There was just one problem for Blossomforth: when she woke up the next morning, the other side of the bed was empty. Cloud Kicker wasn't there.

Sure, Blossomforth understands why Cloud Kicker wasn't there for her. Cloud's been going through a rough time lately, and maybe their hookup wasn't timed very well. However, knowing that doesn't make Cloud's absence hurt less, nor does it make Blossomforth any less lonely. Perhaps this is a sign that she needs to put some serious thought into where her relationship with Cloud is going, before things get too far out of hoof.

Part of the Winningverse. Takes place concurrently with Chapter 18 of The Life and Times of a Winning Pony.

Rainbow Dash and Cloud Kicker have been good friends for years now. But when Cloud Kicker comes to Ponyville for one last visit before heading off to join the Royal Guard, Rainbow has to face some difficult questions about just what she wants to do on what might be their last chance to hang out in a long time. Her decision might be a little easier to make if Cloud spent less time thinking about banging and more time thinking about her awesome friend, Rainbow Dash.

Obviously, this calls for a night on the town. And booze. Lots and lots of booze.

Part of the Winningverse.

Blossomforth is fresh out of college and ready to take on the world. Sure, moving to Ponyville to get a job on the weather team is going to be a bit of an adjustment, but it's nothing she can't handle. Besides, Rainbow Dash seems like a fine boss. Everything is looking good for our favorite watermelon-maned pegasus.

Then she meets a pony named Cloud Kicker.

Part of the Winningverse

Things couldn't possibly get any worse for Rainbow Dash. Her job is falling apart, she's convinced that she's made her friends hate her, and even her dream of some day joining the Wonderbolts is in peril. While things are looking pretty bleak for Ponyville's coolest pegasus, her best friend and kinda-sorta fillyfriend Pinkie Pie is determined to whatever it takes to help her, and she's not going to quit until she can put a smile back on Rainbow Dash's face.

This is a side-story of "The Life and Times of a Winning Pony" which occurs after the events of Chapter Ten of that story.

After a misunderstanding leads to a vicious fight at Flight Camp that leaves them both in the hospital, Cloud Kicker wanted absolutely nothing to do with Rainbow Dash. However, Rainbow refuses to let a single incident destroy their friendship, and has been writing Cloud Kicker letters ever since that horrible day. For more than two years Cloud Kicker has been throwing the letter into the trash unopened, but what will happen when she finally reads one? Can their friendship possibly be salvaged?

Side-story to "The Life and Times of a Winning Pony"

This story is a sequel to Princess Twilight's Profoundly Peripheral Protector

Big threats were nothing new to Storm Kicker. Even before entering the service of Princess Twilight Sparkle, Storm's career had brought her head-to-head with some of the worst Equestria could offer, and more still—from water monsters in Canterlot to the changeling invasion. She knew when she agreed to be Princess Twilight Sparkle's bodyguard that it was probably only a matter of time before some new ancient evil broke loose, and she would need to be there, at her princess' side.

When Tirek began his assault on Equestria, Storm was ready to give her life in the service of princess. What she wasn't prepared for was Twilight sending her away. However, regardless of her princess' orders, Storm swore an oath to serve and protect her princess, and she will do what she must to fulfil it. Even if it means putting her life on the line in a hopeless battle against an enemy she cannot possibly defeat.