Exiled from Equestria, you flee to the last place in the world left for you to go: the exalted Crystal Empire. After many months of searching for a means to support yourself, you end up both homeless and jobless in the dead of winter in the frozen north. Then, on one of the coldest and harshest days of the year, Princess Cadence finds you, alone and huddling around a small fire, and she’s more than happy to take you in.

So come, share a tender moment with the princess of the Crystal Empire.

Featured on October 2, 2013
Edited by The Abyss

Everyone says Ice Petal should be a researcher when she grows up. A scholar. A politician. Something more fit for an unicorn whose entire family comes from the very top-all the fancy, rich ponies, the royal family itself-maybe even a few princesses. But Ice Petal is a different filly. What most foals would easily grab, she will turn away. She desires something much more simple. Nothing special.

And although most ponies would think it completely uncanny, totally strange, she feels that this is truly her destiny.

She wants this so much, she will fight for it.

She does not want to be a fancy, rich, royal pony. She wants to lead a normal life. No more people crowding around her, trying to get her signature. No more.

She wants to be a farmer.

But who can help her? Nopony is going to accept her..

But maybe that shy colt that sits in the back of his class? And doodles on his notebook all day? Maybe.

Whatever she does, she must become a farmer.

It is her destiny.

NOTE: We've actually taken this story's concept and given it a massive makeover. Check it out here!

Two worlds. Two friendships.

However, sometimes it takes another Rainbow Dash to say what one can't.

Now with a dramatic audio reading by Goombasa! Thanks, dood! :D

Captain Rainbow Dash of the Wonderbolts.
Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Certainly her dream job.
Well, dreams and reality are two very different things.

Especially when our newly minted captain has to deal with an empty roster, budget cuts, the first non-pegasi cadets, and the pressure of finding out your best friend is now your boss, let alone a princess.

If that weren’t enough to make her quit, her three wing commanders might. Cloud Kicker is a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen; Surprise makes no sense; and Lightning Dust is, well, Lightning Dust.

Meanwhile, Scootaloo arrives at the academy, ready and raring to prove she’s got what it takes to be an elite flyer. Pressure mounts as Scootaloo aims to make her hero proud.

Now on Equestria Daily
Editors: ping111
NotMurphy
Georg

Thanks for pre-reading go to:
John Perry
Distaff Pope
SolidFire
nygiants93
Eakin

Cover art used with permission by GSphere

Twist has a colt in mind to be her special somepony, but she doesn't feel ready to approach him just yet. She's read plenty of books and has even started writing romantic fiction of her own, but it still isn't enough for her to really feel like she understands relationships. She decides to ask other ponies for their perspectives on romance.

(Note that this may contain some advice that can apply to real-world relationships.)

New and improved cover art courtesy of Arcum42.

This is the emotional tale of Bramley Apple, the father of Big Macintosh, Applejack, and Applebloom. He has returned to make amends with his family he abandoned over ten years ago. However, the sudden appearance comes to a total shock to the eldest sibling as he is resentful and determined not to accept his father's unexpected visit.

~ Kudos to Blaster Master for his assistance with the proofreading!

Raindrops isn't the most popular pegasus. Most ponies don't like getting caught in the rain, no matter how much she loves creating it.

However, there is one mare who does. After all, what rose can bloom without a little rain?

During a particularly strong storm, Raindrops meets the mare she's been waiting for.

Third-place winner of the The Fillyfoolers' shipfic contest.

Thanks to Skeeter The Lurker for editing.

Rated Everyone.

It's been said in prophecies that nopony will know the time or date the magic of Equestria that empowers its citizens would leave. I thought it was just superstitious nonsense written by ancient witch doctors. In a sense, they were right. But I would have never expected it to come like this. —Princess Twilight Sparkle, 05/05/1268

AU tag added due to the Cutie Mark Crusaders getting Cutie Marked.

Several millenia after the death of all sentient species, Celestia finds herself pondering death. Is it destined that all sentient lifeforms must die? With nopony to discuss this with, she takes a quest for knowledge to find the answer.

Starry Inkwell tries to cast a spell, but her friend distracts her and the consequences are horrid. Crystal Night is the only pony who knows what Star has done, until she walks outside and sees that it hasn't just affected the two of them. She realizes what she has done and the steps she must take to save Equestria from doom and darkness.

Story by: Starry Inkwell