Perception is a fascinating thing. Sometimes, how someone views themselves and how others view someone don't coincide. In fact, it can be absolutely baffling how different the two are.

The girl who seems to have everything together? She might be a wreck beneath the surface.

The girl who seems so inattentive? Perhaps she genuinely doesn't see the attempts to reach her.

The girl who seems so moody? Maybe there's more to it than what people see.

But of course, that's the thing about perception. Sometimes, it just doesn't line up. And few know that better than the girls at Crystal Prep Academy.

(This is a collection of little vignettes I'll be publishing, effectively going into my headcanons for the Shadowbolts. I hope you enjoy it.)

It's been about a year since the friendship games. The fall formal is coming up and Sugarcoat is wearing the same plain blue dress she always does. That shall not stand! Sour Sweet insists she help her pick a new one, but does she have an ulterior motive? Even if she does it's unlikely Sugarcoat will pick up on it. Subtly isn't her strong suit.

Please note that the humor of this story is very much based in dry wit and sarcasm.

It has been one year since Lemon Zest graduated from Crystal Prep Academy. But while her former classmates are out chasing their dreams, she is unsure of her own life path. One night at a club, she has a most unexpected run-in with an old friend.

Contains: suggestive themes (go-go dancing), mild profanity, and alcohol references (no actual drinking).

Sour Sweet has always been kind of unstable: one moment she could be sweet, the next one she could be kinda upsetting and rude.

But lately, she's been acting greatly sour, which has begun concerning her classmates. So, who could help find out what's wrong with her?

Her deadpan girlfriend who has no problem saying the first thing that comes to her mind, of course!

College has a way of separating friends, which is why having a girls' night out with some of your best friends is so important. Although the morning after can be a little more to be desired. Specifically if one happens to wake up completely nude in a strange house. Such a state can cause more questions than answers, but luckily Sour Sweet is with her best friends. Inspired by Nico-Stone Rupan's Sour Sweet Stories.

When a student with a bad attitude returns to Crystal Prep, expected to compete in the Friendship Games. Not too thrilled about it, Dark Steele puts up with the new students he is grouped with. Although, he finds interest in one particular he relates to. Follow Dark as he goes through a life changing experience and feelings… Love and friendship.

Great thanks to my friend CosmicAlchemist for being my editor

A huge thanks to UnscrewedUnicorn for the new cover for this story. Her artwork is AMAZING!

This story is a sequel to Impossible Numbers' Flashfic Anthology, Volume Three

Shooting arrows is just Sour Sweet's way of letting off steam. And under the watchful eyes of her parents, of making a very pointed statement.

Genres: Drama, Equestria Girls
Prompt: "Bittersweet"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/413321/flashfic-150-september-2019-bittersweet#comment/6992685

It doesn't matter what Professor Fossil wants, or whether or not this is too late, or even that all the old friends are dead. Rockhoof will honour this birthday.

Genres: Drama, Sad
Prompt: "Birthday Magic"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/371727/flashfic-150-september-2018-birthday-magic#comment/6589841

Princess Platinum is selfish, pompous, spoiled, and frankly a bit slow on the uptake. Even she learns, eventually, why it's a bad idea to set up a croquet match on a farm.

Genres: Comedy, Drama
Prompt: "Where Your Loyalties Lie"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/380250/flashfic-150-november-2018-where-your-loyalties-lie#comment/6646129

If only Apple Bloom hadn't rummaged around in the attic, those painful memories might never have haunted Applejack's mind.

Genres: Drama, Sad
Prompt: "Ow! Where Did That Come From?"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/403965/flashfic-150-june-2019-ow-where-did-that-come-from#comment/6873752

In the face of Fluttershy's curiosity, Discord points out a few hitherto-unconsidered aspects of his species.

Genres: Random, Slice of Life
Prompt: "A Dragon's Heart"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/407214/flashfic-150-july-2019-a-dragons-heart#comment/6915541

She has many names. Her real name is one she could do without, because it describes her far too perfectly.

Genres: Drama, Slice of Life
Prompt: "Bittersweet"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/413321/flashfic-150-september-2019-bittersweet#comment/6998020

Unlike Apple Bloom, Diamond Tiara is on her way to university. So she goes to visit the farm gal to make sure she knows. And reacts the right way.

Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Prompt: "I Thought We Were Friends"
Original Source: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212112/flashfic/thread/410220/flashfic-150-august-2019-i-thought-we-were-friends#comment/6946747

This story is a sequel to To Feel Wanted

After some introspection, Sour is ready to tell her friends that she and Lemon had been dating. This called for celebrations, and one of her friends decides to gift them something tangible. A nice commision from a popular artist.

Meeting a new member of Second's family, an Applosian mob boss, and watching two of the tackiest people come together. It's all in the day of Sour's and Second's relationship.

Join Sour and Second as they deal with the crazy that is Second's uncle Pop Culture Lens, the mob boss, and Pop Culture's uncanny ability to getting into trouble.

Huge thanks to Nico-Stone Rupan  for co-authoring this.

Werewolves. Vampires. Earth people, a.k.a. humans. In a world where they've learned to cooperate, it's a bad idea to let your inner wolf off the leash. People tend to look up to you as a role model (when they're not looking at other role models who are way more awesome because they don't even need supernatural stuff).

Sour Sweet doesn't care about that. She just wants to snark at her girlfriend and pet monstrous abominations. But when the balance of power rests inside her own head, it's no longer resting on stable ground...

An entry in Imposing Sovereigns IV, using the prompt "Sour Sweet/Strength".