There's a plague infecting Equestria, and Diamond Tiara has taken it upon herself to cure it. They may be stronger in number and in sheer absurdity, but she's got a little something special to even the odds.

That something being a three-foot long magically enchanted samurai sword. Look, nobody said this was gonna be pretty.

(Written for the FIMFiction Writeoff Association's inaugural writeoff. The prompt was "Lonely Happiness". I got a bit creative with it.)

The year is 1109. Long under the rule of the royal sisters, Equestria is in the midst of an economic boom. New breakthroughs in magic and steam technology give rise to elaborate machinery, resulting in an exodus as adventurers scramble to chart the unknown lands outside the Equestrian Valley. Spearheading the movement are the airships Celestia and Luna, the pride and joy of Equestrian air travel.

After failing the final exam of Wonderbolt Academy, Rainbow Dash's dreams of serving aboard an airship seem crushed. But when a mysterious stranger offers assistance, she is given a second chance to make those dreams come true. Together with a calculating pilot, a stubborn engineer, an eccentric inventor, a genius record-keeper, a timid strategist and a child cartographer, Rainbow Dash will face down the unknown in a foreign land as she is thrust into an adventure beyond her imagination.

(Inspired by the "Mares of Tomorrow" drawings by LionheartCartoon, who has green-lighted the use of his universe. Featured on Equestria Daily as of 11/2/13)

Featured August 5-7, 2013.

After releasing Snowdrop's first snowflake into the first winter's snow, Luna reminisces about the last time she saw Snowdrop before becoming Nightmare Moon. After going to bed and commencing her dreamwalking for the night, she runs into said friend in her own dreams.

This is a sequel to SillyFillyStudios fan episode Snowdrop. It is advisable that you watch before reading the story.

Cover art by REPLAYMASTEROFTIME.

I can't believe this! How dare they forget who they're dealing with! I'm the very Element of Generosity! But to ask me to share my suite with the likes of... her? It's inconceivable, preposterous, ludicrous! They seriously think I, Rarity, fashion designer extraordinaire would be willing to share even a suite with such an... uncouth beast! Unfortunately, the Canterlot Ritz—and every other hotel—is booked solid, so it is either this or nothing. I suppose as long as I keep to myself, I will survive the week. Right?

Alternatively titled: "Uneasy Hearts Weigh the Most"

It’s been two weeks, and Rainbow Dash couldn't be happier that she was dating Ponyville’s most dependable pony, Applejack. Applejack, while unsure of how it would turn out at first, finally starts feeling comfortable enough about their relationship and tells Dash that they can finally tell their friends about it.

As she’s planning how to best go about telling their friends, Ponyville is met with wonderful news: Applejack’s mother, Apple Butter, is going to be visiting Ponyville, making it the first time in ten years that either of Applejack’s parents have visited! With the entire town planning a welcome party, the two mares may find it hard to tell their friends about their relationship, and they’ll come to realize why Applejack’s mother might make it even harder.

Applejack has always been known as one of the strongest and most dependable ponies in Ponyville. She is sturdy, down-to-earth, and unwavering - the kind of pony others knew they could rely on through thick and thin. But the inexorable march of time never ceases, and the cruel hand of fate knows no mistress. Even the most reliable of ponies can be pushed past their breaking point, and even the strongest can be brought to their knees. How can one mare hope to keep her hooves on the ground when her whole world is falling down around her?

Mood music, and a major source of my inspiration: "Below My Feet"

Set a couple decades in the future, Applejack is on death's doorstep. Having been confined to the hospital, she wants to spend her last night with her wife, Rainbow Dash, outside of the walls of the hospital—as a free pony.

This story could use a re-write. That probably won't ever happen, but on the off chance that it does, I'll let people know.

Celebrating 100 mini-fics, 23 members of the AppleDash group collaborated on a single story based on a one word prompt, Desire. Each chapter is between 200 and 1500 words long, each written by a different author. Each author had 3 days to write their chapter before the story got passed on to the next author, who continued where the last person left off.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash return home from a day out visiting Rainbow's parents, but something is bothering Applejack: her own parents—or lack thereof. She wishes that Rainbow could have met her parents... but then, why can't she? Tartarus does exist, after all.

Each chapter of the fic went through only minor editing to ensure consistency with names and to correct grammar and spelling. Aside from that, each author was allowed to write in whatever style they chose.

Authors (in order of appearance):
Tchernobog
BronyNeumo
Callisto
AppleDashLuv
Jondor
Jet Cannon
First_Down
CalmNQuiet
KrazyTheFox
Steel Resolve
bahatumay
bookplayer
Vengeful Demon
Garaumond
cooopercrisp
bats
Jackie
DbzOrDie
listener
Spectral
TheRealRainbowDash
Chuck-daddy
Jake Roberts

“Hey RD! Come pick me up at the ’Acres at seven. We’re goin’ on a date tonight.”

“What?!”

Applejack seems determined, Rainbow Dash tries to catch up.

Original Story idea by Tchernobog and Steel Resolve.
Title, pre-reading/editing assistance, and an apple cart full of awesome ideas courtesy of Tchernobog.
Post edit pre-reading by Zaphod.

Proudly part of bookplayer's AppleDash Primer; Featured on Equestria Daily 10/09/13

Scene markers were created from these.

Original vector by Are-you-jealous modified with permission.

Applejack has brushed her mane, put a ribbon on her hat, and there's a sway in her step. Most ponies just want to know who the special pony is.

Rainbow Dash doesn't buy it. Love is mushy, and AJ isn't mushy. Love means liking somepony more than her friends, and AJ would never like another pony more than Dash. Love means missing a game of horseshoes to go tell a pony that she's in love with them, and if there is one thing Dash is sure of, it's that AJ is not going to miss that game... no matter what Applejack thinks about it.