During a midnight flying session, Rainbow Dash thinks about her friends, her past, and the true meaning of loyalty. When things go wrong in the midst of a new stunt, she looks to the bravest pony she knows for hope.

(This is a repost of a story I had on EqD earlier, with some minor rewriting.)

Apple Bloom goes, reluctantly, to a book-signing event at the Ponyville library, and soon finds herself talking to the new author. When the conversation turns to getting a cutie mark, she learns a lot more than she expected about the stars, her ancestors, and the value of patience.

Stinging from her humiliation in Ponyville, the Great and Powerful Trixie uses dark magic to make a demonic pact: a chance to go back in time and vanquish the Ursa Major, at the cost of her immortal soul. Does she succeed against the ferocious beast? Will fame and fortune be hers? Can her soul be redeemed, or is the magical mare forever damned? And, most importantly, does she get shipped with anyone? (Spoiler alert: nope.)