The Cutie Mark Crusaders have a history presentation today, and who better for Applebloom to bring than her Uncle Apple Strudel? He'd just love to talk to the class about his old country roots!

Applebloom is going to get an A for this, for sure!

General Iroh. Fire Nation hero. First born son of Fire Lord Azulan. The Dragon of the West. It was thought he would be the greatest warrior in the history of the Fire Nation.

But all that changed when the war claimed his son's life. This changed him, and he turned his back on the war.

This was a necessary event. Iroh had a role to play in bringing balance back to the world...but to play that role, he first had to be broken down, so that he could be rebuilt. This truth was self evident in the spirit realm.

But one particular spirit felt this was unfair to Iroh. The wheels of fate are cruel to those caught in the gears, but this particular spirit felt that Iroh deserved kindness. And so this spirit sent Iroh one who would help him to rebuild himself.

And so, shortly after his son's funeral, Iroh would find a creature sent by the spirits, the likes of which he never would have imagined...a pretty pink pony princess.

Somepony to love...and be loved by.

Part of the PWNY-verse.
Edit: Now with Fan Art by Mewappony.
Edit 2: New Cover Art by Sanyo21!

Twilight Velvet is enduring the unique pain of a mother saying goodbye to all of her children, left alone in a home too big for her. Imagine her surprise when she begins to find friendly notes and gifts left around the house for her by a loving husband. But - surprise! They are actually the bumbling attempts of the evil Changeling Queen Chrysalis to kidnap her and ransom her to Twilight Sparkle! But when things take a turn for the worse with the changelings, will Chrysalis and Twilight Velvet be able to work together to save a life?

This is my entry for the Scribblefest 2016 Contest, winner of the Fluttershy Prize and nominated for the Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie prizes!

The D'aww Award
a.k.a "The Fluttershy"
A staple of ponyfic... the story with the sweetest, most touching moment that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

The Kidnapping of Twilight Velvet
by Apple Bottoms

Chrysalis attempts to kidnap Twilight Velvet. It does not go as planned.

This story was actually nominated in several categories, as it's funny, and it's sweet. It ended up winning The Fluttershy because the heartfelt moments are what really stood out the most.

My name is Rachel. Or at least it was. A bad decision brought me to the brink of death. I was "rescued" from that fate by some self-appointed "Spirit of Chaos." Or maybe he really was the devil, I don't know. He promised me a second chance but didn't tell me it would be in the body of a cutesy pony in a world which makes no sense. Worse, I think I've been set up, and something bigger is going on ...

(Rated teen for language and non-gory violence)

Cover art by the talented NoviceCreedArt on tumblr. Link to original work.

Sunset Shimmer is well respected, and has gained a lot of trust over the past year. So when Princess Twilight entrusted her with watching over her one and only niece, she was thrilled.

But one slip of the tongue around the toddler could break that trust.

Now with Reading by Mindlessgonzo

(The Votes are in! Here you go, the next installment of Leap of Faith!!!)(Note: Any songs I reference are properties of their respective owners and I do not in ANY way, own any of the musical content used in this fiction)

The Second Leap of Faith.

Octavia is known across Canterlot as a "High-class, prestigious pony of good taste and fair charm". Unfortunately for Octavia, despite hours upon hours of practice, she believes she is still ill-prepared to deal with one of the greatest and most respected performances in all of Equestrian History! The stress begins to mount, and her life begins to unravel in her own hooves, with no signs of escape and no release from the pressure of it all!

That is...until she convinced herself to go to a "Bar" named "Vinyl's Cage Coral". It is here she will meet the legendary DJ-PON3, the one and only Vinyl Scratch herself. When their eyes meet, Octavia can only see the word "Ruffian", where as Vinyl will see the word "Opportunity".

Can Vinyl Scratch, through whatever means necessary, convince Octavia to enjoy the fun and wild side of life? To put down her cello for just one second so she can hear another kind of music? The music of freedom...of life...of faith?

Just how far will Vinyl go...to help Octavia take a Leap of Faith?

"Howdy, it's Applejack. Sorry I missed your call, leave a message after the beep and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!"

Why isn't Applejack answering her phone?

And why is her inbox so full?

A short story told through voicemails.

pre-read/edited by PegaSista101

She could've been many things after leaving Canterlot High. A baker, a comedian, a singer, a professional party planner.

Yet instead, Pinkie chose another path in life. A road nobody thought she would ever travel. For Pinkie Pie, being a police officer is almost second nature to her.

Written for the June 19th short story Writeoff Group event using the prompt "A Matter of Perspective".

"This story is why Schnapps is a bad idea." -- Bradel

Now with an audio reading by Skijarama!

Now with a print version available for order!

A purple Alicorn shows up one night and then vanishes into thin air. Many wouldn't think anything of it besides how strange it was.

Not Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash has met that Alicorn before.

The implication it brings and the guilt that follows leaves Rainbow Dash with questions weighing on her mind.

Luckily, in the crushing pain of reality, she still has friends.

***

Cover art created by the extremely talented invertigo and paid for by the amazingly awesome Shipmun. Oh my gosh it's just so cool.

After their defeat at the hands of the Rainbooms, the Sirens wanted to make a break for it, leave Canterlot, and regroup someplace else.

But with the authorities now onto them, that isn't an option.

Faced with being sent to juvy or worse, an orphanage, the Sirens are given an alternative they don't particularly like:

Being "rehabilitated" by their enemies.

At Principal Celestia's suggestion, the Sirens are separated from one another, and each is sentenced to live with one of the Rainbooms. Adagio is sent to live with Sunset Shimmer. Sonata is sent to live with Pinkie Pie.

Aria is sent to live with Fluttershy. One of these girls is in for a whole lot of trouble.

(A "dueling stories" fic exchange with Mirai-chan, inspired by Andrea Libman and Diana Kaarina playing twin sisters on Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures.)

Rated teen for language, innuendo, and hygiene topics.