Why is the sky blue? How are gemstones formed? Why are there so many different types of apple? How can we tell what is underground without digging? Can friendship help wild animals? How can a lake explode?

An open-ended collection of science-themed shorts, which can be read in any order.

There is a hidden village deep within the untamed forest surrounding Neighagara Falls. Should one ever journey to this village, those who live there will welcome them for a simple price: love.

When the village accepts a new family from Cloudsdale, a not-quite-altruistic pair of changeling siblings offer a young filly friendship and a chance to find her place in the strange village she hopes to call home.

New cover art done by Arcticwaters.

This story is a sequel to Why Ancient Rituals Don't Always Work

It's been almost eleven months since the event at the Ancient Mareyan Sun Temple. Ahuizota and Derring Do are settling into the life of a family, ready to raise their kid. There's still much for the young couple to learn, and it can only be taught with time.

They just cross fingers and feathers and hope they don't screw it up.

*****
A/N:
Title name by The Shade

Twilight Sparkle didn't know what she'd lost until an unknown villain sent her a ransom note for Smarty Pants. Now, Twilight must deliver 700 rolls of toilet paper to the kidnapper, or lose Smarty Pants forever.

The longest walk she'll ever take.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/6MrWqNZ.png[/img]

Accepted into Twilight's Library!

Sweetie Belle is having a hard time coming to terms with telling her best friend and fellow Crusader Scootaloo that she likes her... as more than a friend, that is.

Following her directorial debut, Cheerilee sees fit to give Sweetie Belle the reigns in directing the next school play - which just happens to be "Harmony's Flowers", a romantic tale about the relationship between star-crossed lovers, a unicorn and a pegasus during the tumultuous period surrounding the passing of a law allowing marriages between the recently unified races of ponies.

With her feelings growing stronger, Sweetie Belle aims to use the play as a vehicle for telling Scootaloo her true feelings - what could possibly go wrong?

Cover art drawn for me by my wonderful sister!

Story chosen by TheParadoxPony, who cast the nailbiting final vote from my blog.

Side story "Playing Second Fiddle" here!

Comments and criticisms are appreciated. If there's something you don't like about the story, please let me know so I can avoid making those mistakes in the future.

Fluttershy has never seen or meet a Kirin before in her life. She doesn't even know many dragons because of her fear of them except for Spike that is, but she knew him from when he was a baby dragon. Then one day while she was searching through the Everfree forest, she sees one with her very eyes.
The Kirin, known as Stone, wants to get to know her. He gives her a big smile and a claw to show that he is friendly, but why is she so afraid of him. He had never met another pony other than his father and the first one he meets is untruly terrified of him.

written by Rubyfire377 and Geoice

StormFlash was just a royal guard. He never thought that love could just suddenly strike the heart at will. When he falls for a Griffin, the two fight to stay together though all kinds of hardship.
GemStone

When Scootaloo and a new student get into a fight at school, it's up to Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle to teach her the importance of Griffon/Pony relations by reading the story of the first encounter between a Griffon huntress and a Pegasus soldier.

Now on Equestria Daily

Cover Art By
StinkHund

Editing and Pre-reading done by
NotMurphy
Georg
Ping111
DistaffPope

The history of war may be written by the winner, but the Royal Historian is the one who provides the notes and background to the writer. The recent events that some have called ‘Mare Wars’ or ‘The Invasion of the Barracks’ are no exception. The Royal Historian has painstakingly compiled this folder of notes and background material on what should more accurately be called, ‘The Opening of the Guard.’

Please remember to return the folder back to the Royal Historian when you have completed reading, in the event we gather more material that needs to be included.

Musty Pages, Royal Historian

Source for inside photo
Featured on Equestria Daily and the Royal Canterlot Library
With sequel, The Night Guard - Night Mares
And an interview by Benman