Show and tell, over the years Cheerilee had learned to be prepared for anything that could happen during this weekly event in her classroom. However, when one of Applebloom's potion experiments goes horribly wrong, she wakes up to find herself in an unfamiliar version of her classroom, in the body of a foal she has never met.

Quickly she discovers she isn't just in the wrong body, but in the wrong time.

Cover art by Cosmic Eclipse.
Thanks to Lawra, Alias_the_J, and Cosmic Eclipse for prereading and editing.

When the ETS pandemic started spreading throughout the world the south in the United States was hit particularly hard. The south had a culture all its own with a stronger focus on conservative political beliefs, religion, and a strong belief in maintaining tradition and culture.

Having the ETS pandemic come strongest here was one of the greatest ironies ever. Now all of what the south was is about to be upended. For Mathew, a teen from a town in South Carolina it means far more than that. It meanst re-examining who he is and who he is meant to be.

Notes:

Shares same universe with: Pandemic by ASGeek2012 it is not required you read this story, but it will help understand some things going on in the background.

This story is considered an origin story for many of the characters in Pandemic: Picking Up the Pieces. This story is not required reading for that, but if you want to learn more about some of the characters this is where you'll find it.

Story is now complete and editing is underway. Many chapters are still pretty rough. I grew a lot as a writer as this story went on, and there is an increase in quality between the first half of this story the second half, and then the sequel.

Rating and Trigger Warning Notes: There are mentions of extreme violence at some points, general bigotry, LGBT characters (Lesbian and Transgender), there is no sex shown in this story but it's alluded to at some points

Mayor Mare has had a long and successful career as Mayor of Ponyville. Under her administration it has grown from a small farming village of Earth Ponies to what will soon be one of the most important and diverse cities in all Equestria. She has a lot to be proud of about her years as mayor.

But time does not stand still. She is getting much older, and she doesn't have the energy to accomplish what she once could. The growth of Ponyville increases her duties and responsibilities, and those are outgrowing what she can keep up with in her old age.

Faced with a new, younger challenger for her position she knows her days as mayor are numbered. As the votes are counted she has one primary thought going through her head----who is she if she isn't Mayor Mare anymore?

Thanks to Cosmic Eclipse and Alias_the_J for edits.

Silverware is typically only used by unicorns. By the time any other pony managed to manipulate it properly with their hooves they likely would have made a mess of their food, and if they used it with their mouths they couldn't very well eat the food on the utensil.

So when the Cutie Mark Crusaders start discussing amongst themselves the meanings of their classmates cutie marks they come to a puzzle in Silver Spoon.

What is an earth pony doing with a cutie mark of something she can't effectively use?

Edit: Featured on January 4th 2018! I shouted with joy.

Thanks for Alias_the_J and Cosmic Eclipse for edits.

Thousands of years in the future, Pinkie Pie goes to seal the reflection pool after a young pony once again has used it. While doing so she takes time to reflect about her role and the burdens she carries.

Thanks to Alias_the_J and Cosmic Eclipse for edits.