Zecora is coming to market today
So Applejack tells Apple Bloom, stay away!
When the filly tries anyway, she's quite quickly caught
And AJ sends her right back home at a trot.

Though I have the actual plot line derailed,
We'll push right on through with an alternate tale
Of how Applejack learns about stripes, fur, and skin--
And how little they're worth next to what lies within.

So sit yourself down please, and read to the end
About how an earth pony got her zebra friend.
It's not all in rhyme, though; don't give in to gloom
But after this dear God I am not putting two zebra characters in a room together because GOOD LORD SO MUCH RHYMING; WHAT WAS I THINKING AAAAAHHHH! Er, I mean...
But new personal rule: JUST ONE ZEBRA PER ROOM.

A/N: Special thanks to Rated-R PonyStar for providing me with much-needed editing / pre-reading / input.

So yes as you may have guessed this is a rewrite of the season 1 episode Bridle Gossip in which I take the starting point and go wandering off towards the same general destination by an entirely different route.

Art for this is from Alfa995, the guy who runs the Ask Nightmare Moon HQ Tumblr.

I initially got the idea from this picture by the artist Elosande

Applebloom finally gets her cutie mark. But what will her friends say when they find out she got it before them? And, more importantly, what will her family say about a cutie mark that isn't related to apples?

Every year, on Applejack's birthday, Applejack and Big Macintosh smash a barrel. It's a tradition they've had since Applejack was born. A tradition that started with their pa, and one they're proud to carry on.

Because some barrels need to be smashed, to be the best pony you can be.

After receiving endorsements from both Fancypants and Hoity Toity, Rarity’s business has taken off. It isn’t fair to Applejack, because there’s no such thing as a famous apple critic. Who else could endorse the Apple family business? Who is beloved by all, and could put Sweet Apple Acres on the map?

Why, Princess Celestia, of course! There’s just one, tiny, little problem…

Celestia… um… dislikes apples.

Edited by: Level Dasher
Cover Art by: Norm

When a human arrives in Ponyville, Applejack takes her in. She slowly begins to realize why she wants to protect this girl.
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Wow! I want to thank everyone who has given the time to read the story and all the wonderful comments! Thank you all so much! You don't know how much all your comments, likes, and favorites means to me!

Okay I should probably clarify, that even though I wrote girl, that she is an adult. And not adopted.

Cider season is cut short when Ponyville is selected to take part in a "noble experiment", an experiment infamously known as prohibition! With the financial welfare of Sweet Apple Acres in jeopardy, and scores of thirsty ponies in need of relief, it doesn't take long for one opportunistic little filly to take matters into her own hooves...

Obviously inspired by the Simpsons episode "Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment". So take it with a grain of salt.

All is well in the Apple Family, until Granny Smith decides that Big Macintosh, Applejack, and Apple Bloom need to get flu shots. Two of the siblings accept their fate maturely, while one tries to avoid it at all costs.

New cover art by SketchinEtch

Strange discoveries. Mysterious twitching. The curious feeling of being watched. And a sudden urge to sing. Something's happening to Applejack, and no matter how often she laughs, this is no laughing matter!

Applejack expected a lot, when she got an invitation from Cherilee to talk about Applebloom.

But not this.

A little One-Shot, I had to get out of my head.

Edit February 12th, 2014: Major props to Frission, for proofreading the story and making it more readable. You rock!

I don't plan to add something as of now, but maybe I will in the future.

Sometimes, just being there for somepony can be enough.

Pre-read by and cover art courtesy of the beautiful and talented MelloReflections

Reviewed by the folks over at Seattle's Angels.

Aaaaaand now with a sweet reading by Flame Lionheart!

Approved by the great folks over at Twilight's Library!