Apple Bloom asks Applejack a question she had long been dreading.

Dusk Light is the middle child of Twilight and Luna, and their only son. When he hears a rumor at school that his Mommies really didn't want him, he doesn't know what to think. When your Mommies are stressed and angry what is a four year old colt to do?

Commissioned by Dyslexic Foal

There's an old book that's falling apart. Twilight wants to copy it down to preserve it. But it needs to be as accurate and precise as possible, to preserve the state of the original. That shouldn't be too hard. After all, it's not like the text will change whenever she looks away.

Right?

Spike is depressed, and none of his old friends know what to do, let alone how to help him.

But maybe a new friend does.

[rated teen for talk about depression and suicide]

Twilight, believing something has happened to her memory, seeks out Princess Celestia to see if she recognizes it and can offer a cure. But the answer lies far deeper in the root of her nature and her life as the Princess of Friendship than she would have ever expected.

Upon her return to Ponyville, Applejack learns Big Macintosh crossdressed at the Sisterhooves Social to help his little sister Apple Bloom. Obviously, Applejack knows Mac's behavior doesn't mean he has gender issues. If anything, it just shows how much he cares for his little sister.

However, something else happened while Applejack was away that can't be so easily dismissed.

It's time to talk.

Written for The Writeoff Association's "Illusion of Choice" contest.

Winter has come early this year, and after a long night out rounding up her animals in the face of Rainbow Dash's "awesome" snowstorm, Fluttershy is oh so cold.

But the worst of it is that Rarity knows exactly which pony Fluttershy wishes would come along to warm her up.

Jonagold Apple made his family swear on their hats that they wouldn't come to see him, not in the state he is in after the accident.

But Granny Smith isn't about to let her only son die alone in the hospital.

Princess Celestia had a good day. Luna had been going out more often and was becoming quite fond of nightclubs, her dear niece Cadance had formally announced her pregnancy—though, privately, Celestia felt she was too young to be a great aunt—and, of course, Twilight, her beloved former student, had taken on her first student and Celestia couldn't be prouder! Yes, it had been a good day.

Celestia Sol woke up much like she did every day the morning: sun waking her as it danced upon her eye lids. Wait, the sun? Celestia's eyes snapped open to reveal she was in Twilight's old room in the observatory. On the other side of the room was a smaller bed where a small dusky unicorn was drooling on her pillow.

Clearly, it must be Tuesday.

Preread and edited by Stahl, Kinsley, and Jumbled

Princess Celestia has always been an incredibly busy pony who never has enough time in the day to do what she wants. Time seems to slip by as she struggles to get all of her work done.

One day, however, something terrible and unexpected happens, and more time than ever is lost to the sands. When Celestia reawakens, she'll find that her entire world is gone and that almost everything she knew and loved has long since disappeared.

A tale of sadness and of tragedy, the likes of which not often seen. Celestia, Princess of the sun...grand ruler of Equestria, and loving sister. Painful are the tears she will shed, and broken her heart will remain.

There is no greater pain than that of utter helplessness.