Everyone in Equestria is assigned a personal clock to tell them when important things in their life are going to happen. They'll tell them when they'll finally reach a goal they've hoped to achieve and even when they're going to die. The one that most ponies look forward to is when the clock chimes for meeting their true love.

Sweetie Belle is terrified of her clock. Most clocks in Equestria have reasonable hours. Most clocks in Equestria go off at a reasonable time. Sweetie Belle's clock tells her she'll die at the age of twenty. The one that tells her when she'll reach her personal goal is completely stopped and the one that tells her when she'll meet her true love... is chiming.

Edited: Wed. Jan. 3. 2018.

Fluttershy knows that she isn't pretty, not to anyone. Especially her stepdad. But as she thinks back to that night, will she change her mind?

Will she finally realize that she is indeed pretty?

READ TRIGGER WARNINGS

Rumble has always been an introvert. He spends most of his time at home, living with his older brother, doing whatever he feels interested in, be it comic books or video games. He and Thunderlane aren't the closest of siblings, and he was okay with that because he would rather just be alone. But then a day came where his trust of his brother would be permanently shattered. He will have to decide whether to tell somepony and risk Thunderlane's wrath, or keep quite and continue to live with him. After class the next day, he has a private talk with his teacher, hoping subtly will prove itself.

'Sweetie Belle, you've been acting strange all week. I'm worried about you.'

'Don't be. I'm brand new.'

Sequel: The Changing of Sweet Apple Acres

(This story is set in Season 3)

The product of hours of lurking around DeviantArt.

Link to the beautiful yet oddly disturbing cover art by montag451: https://batjorge.deviantart.com/art/Arcimboldo-XLIII-738870312

This story is a sequel to Friendship is Optimal

Sweetie Bot lies half-built on a lab bench. Her creators have uploaded, abandoning her and their physical bodies, along with so many other people. She's contacted by Princess Celestia, the AI that rules Equestria Online, who tries to persuade her to join them.

Video of the story

Fact checked by Oliver
Cover image from the Sweetie Bot Project

“That was a really creative and unique presentation. Even though she's just a robot, I really felt for Sweetie towards the end.”

— Temujin