Minuette sits outside, sipping tea and waiting for something. This is about to become the best day of her life. She knows it, and yet she doesn't.

Lately, Discord had taken up gardening.

It was, admittedly, an unexpected hobby for the spirit of chaos and disharmony to pick up. But he'd easily justified it to himself--and everypony else who dared question--with the answer that chaos is being unexpected, and that true chaos is doing things that no one would have guessed, and so he was living perfectly up to his own nature.

He had created six unique varieties of flowers; they were completely unique to his little garden. Nowhere else in Equestria did one grow.

Being subtle isn't Rainbow Dash's strong suit. At all. So when Applejack asks her point blank what she thinks of Rarity, she doesn't hold back.

Not her best idea.

Pre-Read by: SapphireColors | LoneUnicornWriter

Reading by LandonWho

It's been a while since Twilight Sparkle has heard from the changelings. Queen Chrysalis hasn't stirred any pots or burned any stews that Twilight hasn't heard of. Yet, when she is asked to visit the Changeling Hive for trade negotiations, she had to settle the score.

Twilight wished the score wasn't as shocking as it sounded, as Queen Chrysalis had more on her mind than just trade negotiations.

Thanks to bathroomstahl and PrincessOfEdits for pre-reading this story.

Thanks to Soaring for helping clean up this story's description.

Apple Bloom is left alone and bored while Scootaloo is learning to fly and Sweetie Belle is learning magic. Applejack sees that her sister feels less special because she's an earth pony, and decides to get Pinkie Pie's help in teaching the filly about why earth ponies are so important.

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."

Dust has lived on the edge of Ponyville all her life, keeping to herself and studying. She knows Princess Twilight, and so when she realizes she's made a big discovery, she's eager to run to the castle and tell everypony the good news. But when she goes into Ponyville, they don't seem very happy to see her.

Why would that be? She didn't do anything wrong.

(Gore tag is only for one short scene in ch2 due to description of blood in T story)
(It tickles me every time people erroneously think this is a self-insert)

Tobias has lived in Ponyville for almost two years now. He's been holding onto his secret, even though his friends keep worrying more about him every day. He focuses on the different jobs he does around town, trying to get by one week at a time.

He's become a welcome resident of the town, even if a few ponies still shout insults now and then because of his appearance.

Not a single one of them knows he's only been a diamond dog for two years and he's been trying to find a way home.

~~~~

What the crap am I doing in the feature box?!

That's like

And the top of the feature box the day after?!

I'm kind of glad I intended this to only be five or less chapters.

Second chapter given a great boost by feedback and proofreading with the help of:
FreedomFiend
Timetraveling Pony
m2pt5

Third chapter editing and feedback help from:
FreedomFiend
JimboTex

Lyra’s hunt for the supernatural in Ponyville continues unabated, and this week the object of her desire is not changelings, nor sea-ponies, but the rare and secretive human. With the help of her plucky (and irritable) assistant Rainbow Dash, Lyra is sure that this time she’s going to get to the bottom of a real mystery. However, the real question is why does Rainbow Dash hate humans?

With thanks to Thornwing, JCatt and Lord of Dorkness with their help pre-reading.

Featured on Equestria Daily.
Review by PaulAsaran
Review by Cerulean Voice
Review by Titanium Dragon

While visiting Twilight Sparkle, Rarity stumbles across an old book that, upon first glance, seems to provide a detailed insight into time-worn customs on the preservation of beauty and grace. Eager to expand upon her knowledge, she takes the book home with her.

She soon discovers that the book offers more than she ever could have imagined, and its secrets can be hers...

...if she's willing to pay the price.

Prompt and editing provided by Cold in Gardez
Additional editing provided by Themaskedferret