In Celebration of a Hundred.

Chapters

22.Tower
23.Travel
24.Feather
25.Silence
26.Bottle
27.Blanket
28.Blade
29."No matter how hard you try, you'll never be like he was"
30."You weren't supposed to see that!"
31.“Swag”
32.Bananas
33.School
34.Air
35.Cylinder
36.Brown sugar
37.Culture shock
38.Wings
39.Pudding
40.Music
41.Meditation
42.Echo
43.Music?
45.Quill
46.Key
47.Coffee
48.Usual fare
49.Refreshing
50.Truth
51.Warrior
52.Those early mornings
53.Late Night Snack
54.Stuffed
55.The heat of battle
56.Playtime
57.Lies
58.Clay
59.Created by candlelight.
60.By a hair
61.Ice cold
62.Candlelight
63.Sunny Days
64. Science
65.Flame Retarded Dragon
66.Explosion
67. Your fights are yours alone
68. Birth and Rebirth
69. Piano Keys
70. Trump Card
71. Magic Feather
72. Fine Print
73. Spicey
74. Guidance
75. Lesson Number One
76.Incentives
77. Warm Summers
78. Private
79. Simple directions
80. Celebration
81. Kiss
82. First fight
83. Making up
84. Bunny
85. Potato
86. Fish
87.Running on empty
88. Goat
89. Foal
90. Tree
91. Balloon
92. Water
93. Boat
94. Books
95. Fans
96. Sky
97. Justice
99. Work
100. End
101. New beginning.
102. Eyes.
103. Limelight.
104. Guardian(s).
105. The Fall.
106. "Hello again."
107. Shipping.
108. History is written by the victor.
109. Take off.
110. Authoring dreams.
111. Demons.
112. Bits.
113. Cards.
114. Moonshine.
115. Pool Party.
116. Wolves.
117. Bird.
118. Family.
119. Simple dinner.
120. Sports drinks.
122. Mistakes by design.
123. Letters
124. Not mine.
125. Nausea.
126. Culture.
127. Escape.
128. Grass.
129. Control.
130. Melancholy.
131. Marriage.
132. Glass.
133. Magocracy.
134. Drive.
135. Clear.
136. Fitness.
137. bananas
138. Time.
139. Simple words.
141. Brotherly love.
142. Waking dreams.
143. Challenger
144. Sunflowers
146. Unworthy
147. Heart of gold
148. Point of view
149. Back to back
150. Painting
151. Monarchy
152. Invisible
153. Laughter
154. Spoon
157. Grind
158. Optimist
159. Mini-skirt
160. Tea cup
162. Silly
163. Scent
164. Fluff
165. Lords and ladies
166. Two out of three
167. Trick of the light
168. Ships of crystal
169. Antiquity
170. Stoicism
171. Cape
172. Cowl
173. Picnic
174. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
175. The butterfly effect
176. Sever
177. Truant
178. The oath
179. Socks
180. Juggernaut
181. Forehead
182. Your Revolution
183. Interference
184. Clouds
185. Dreams
186. Ethereal
188. Comfort
189. Soft
190. Life
191. Blur
3.Firefly
4.Skulls and Ribbons
5.Gold from Straw
6.Just a Little Longer
7.Lonely
8.Candles
9.Bedroom
10.Dream
13.Tout Doucement
14.Wars Between Roses
15.Disaster in C Minor
16.The Hoof That Wields
17.Lethargy
18.Cavalry
19.Short Arms, Deep Pockets
20.Cold Gray Stones
21.Closet
145. Prank.
155. Hoof print
156. Mail
161. Feathermark
187. Rainstorm
1.Beginning the journey
2.Windmill
11.Smile
12.Amateur Detective
44.Thunderstorm
98. Quicksand
121. Holiday.
140. Roundabout.

22.Tower

“Just a little more.” Scootaloo strained against gravity, flapping her wings in a futile attempt to lift herself even higher.

Beneath her Sweetie Belle was balancing on Applelboom’s back “Hurry up Scootaloo!”

“Alright, alright, I’m high enough, just hold still,” the young pegasus replied before sneaking a peek into the window.

“What is it?” Applebloom asked from below, straining to keep herself upright at the bottom of their little pileup.

“Uhm it’s...” Scootaloo lost her balance, causing the Cutiemark Tower to collapse

“You okay Scoots?”

Scootaloo didn’t reply, blushing furiously and trying in vain to get her wings to behave.

23.Travel

She didn’t like heights. Never had, never would. She clutched her head with a hoof, and wrapped the other one around the daredevil beneath her as they approached super sonic speeds.

She would’ve gone with the train if they had the time, or even go a day early and simply walk there. But Applejack, one of the few ponies that matched the princess’ early rising had overslept.

She suspected that the same speedster which was now carrying her to the appleoosian family reunion had something to do with it, but couldn’t make herself care.

After all, she had personal transportation.

24.Feather

Preening was, new, exciting. Scratch that, it was infuriatingly slow and painful. Twilight kept at it however; part of being a princess was maintaining good personal hygiene and she wanted to make her teacher proud.

If only it didn’t take so damn long. When Fluttershy had shown her how it worked she thought it would be easy, but now she knew she’d never be able to match Fluttershy’s speed and grace at preening.

She spit out the last of her molting feathers and leveled a wry smile at the pile on the bed. Well, at least I’ll have enough quills.

25.Silence

“Pinkie, what are you doing?” Twilight asked as she watched Pinkie Pie bounce around ponyville; taking note of the conspicuous absence of chatter that usually accompanied her pink friend everywhere.

She all but shrieked when Pinkie turned around, her face painted up with creepy whites on scary blacks, tears caught in ink streaming down her face and a set of evil eyebrows to top it all off.

The only thing that ruined it was the gigantic smile Pinkie was wearing underneath it all.

Twilight held up a hoof when Pinkie started pantomiming. “Nevermind, I don’t think I want to know.”

26.Bottle

“I will grant you three wishes.”

Twilight stared at the genie with a look of utter disbelief on her face. She opened her mouth, trying to say something, anything, to explain how something like this was happening.

As Celestia’s student She was familiar with all kinds of magic. From spells as mundane as levitation to teleportation, the aging spell and turning every kind of object or animal into oranges.

She hadn’t ever seen a genie before however, but that wasn’t even what shocked her most.

She worked her mouth until she finally found words for the peculiar sight: “Pinkie Pie?”

27.Blanket

Other fillies play outside a lot, but not me. I’d rather stay indoors.
My father says that outside is scary and that I need to watch out wherever I go.

So I stay inside. Usually teaching Manny the bird how to sing which is... nice.

Sometimes though, I wish I could go outside maybe play with the other fillies, if only it wasn’t so scary.

Every week though, when mom comes home, she always takes me outside to play, and I can hide beneath her wings when things get scary.

So in a way my mom is my safety blanket.

28.Blade

Fluttershy basks in the morning sun, surrounding herself with her animal friends and curling up so the little kittens, kits and bunnies can use her as a makeshift playground.

She ignores her rumbling belly, it is ever so nice out, and it would be a shame go back inside to eat. She looks around again, trying to find Angel who had been running after a little fox just moments ago.

Just as she starts to worry herself however, he comes back, carrying armfuls of grass. She thanks him, they might not be haute cuisine, but Angel’s gift is just fine.

29."No matter how hard you try, you'll never be like he was"

Mac’s heart was stuck in his throat as he watched his baby sister run off in tears, sparing a glance to the Orange mare beside him who was trying not to cry.

Applebloom was right, it didn’t matter how hard they tried, her parents couldn’t be replaced. Hearing her say it hurt something fierce, but he couldn’t blame her, he had thrown the same tantrum against granny. And now she too was gone.

So when she came down for supper he hugged her tightly, swooping up Applejack in the process.

They might not be her parents, but they were still family.

30."You weren't supposed to see that!"

Her wings’re flutterin’ in agitation as she stalks up to me. She can be real intimidatin’ when she wants ta be.

“You can’t tell anypony!” She shrieks, gettin’ up in may face like she wants ta bite mah nose off.

Ah simply nod.

“I’m serious Mac! If anypony finds out about this my rep will be ruined!” There is a pleadin’ tone in her voice now, but ah ain’t about ta tell on her.

“Don’t worry miss Dash, Ah won’t tell a soul.”

She smiles “You’re the best Mac.”

“Eeyup,” ah reply, thinking of mah own little doll related secret.

31.“Swag”

Every time she saw the posters with her face on it she had to resist the urge to facehoof. She couldn’t remember how her manager had convinced her to do that stupid commercial. And now he was raking in the bits, having had the foresight to buy stocks in companies that made the stuff. Which, with her face on the label, sold like hotcakes.

It will pass. she had to remind herself when she passed another group of ‘Swaggers’ at the back entrance to the concert hall. She signed a few items in passing, being a celebrity wasn’t always easy.

32.Bananas

“I’m sorry!” The pink pile of sadness exclaimed, “I just didn’t know what to make anymore!”

The target of her apologies was currently wondering if her assistant could help her get rid of the frankly ridiculous amount of desserts.

“Pinkie,” she said while holding up a hoof “It’s fine. We just need to get the girls together and clear the library of any and all banana related treats before tomorrow.”

Pinkie was at her side at once “Ohhhhh, what’s happening tomorrow?”

“The princess is coming to visit ponyville,” Twilight replied smoothing down her rebellious hair, “And she really hates bananas.”

33.School

Sometimes she hated her life. Day in day out the same dreary routine for a paycheck that was barely enough to get by. She should have simply gone into the flower business like her cutiemark had told her to, but noooo she had to go and defy what was written on her flank.

She let out a deep sigh and found a smile beneath the complaints, she truly loved all her students, and most of them even loved learning, which was a rarity nowadays. Besides, she had her flower garden.

There was a lot to love in her life too.

34.Air

From what Scootaloo had told them ‘catching’ air was a notoriously difficult thing to do, she still wasn’t sure how the orange filly had managed it on her own, but she was sure that this was a bad idea.

“Are you sure we should be doing this without Scootaloo?” she asked her partner in crime.

“O’ course, how else am ah gonna prove that ah’m just as good as she is?” came the reply.

Sweetie Belle just stared down the ramp miserably. Her warning dying before it crossed her lips as Applebloom pushed off, she was going to regret this.

35.Cylinder

The young filly inspected the strange object meticulously before hauling it back to her secret hideout. It was exactly the right size and shape for her latest idea and with this as the centerpiece she could finally get started on the construction.

Three weeks and a dozen attempts later she was about ready to give up; the payload was too heavy and she couldn’t make the springs behave.

Still she kept trying to figure it out, ideas always came from nowhere, so when the Rainboom changed her life forever, she knew exactly how to use her newly minted ‘party cannon’

36.Brown sugar

He’d always thought his sister to be a ‘school of hard knocks’ type of girl, but when he’d hurt his back, she’d taken over all of the work without another word between them; driving herself over the edge so that he could rest.

He’d insisted that he could still do light chores, only for her to anger and tell Applebloom to hogtie him if need be. Being the one taken care of was nice of course, but he still felt a little weird.

It was love all the same, it just wasn’t the kind of love he was used to.

37.Culture shock

Where for so long they thought only one existed, now they had two rulers to deal with. Two bigger, stronger, more infuriatingly beautiful ponies than any of them would ever be.

It had never been a problem before, as their singular ruler had been too busy with the running of the country to attend many of the public events, being graceful and stately when she did.

This new ruler however was loud, determined to have fun and sadly very, very vocal in her approval.

They’d adapt of course, being nobility requires certain flexibility, but it was still quite a shock.

38.Wings

They were so tiny.

She wondered again if she would ever fly, much less be as good as her idol was. With a sad sigh she began her daily preening. Her parents had told her would help her wings grow faster. She wasn’t convinced but she also didn’t know what else to do.

She started out with her tertiaries since they were easy. almost never out of order. Then the secondaries, which only required minor upkeep.

She didn’t even start on her primaries, instead she leapt from her bed with an enthusiastic scream, leaving behind a single large orange feather.

39.Pudding

Patience was not a thing Rainbow Dash possessed a lot of, and waiting patiently for her marefriend to bring out her reward for winning another flight show was something she would never be able to do.

When she got stuck as she pounced on her pink target however, her elation turned to horror.

“Pinkie?!”

Through the semi-transparent goo she could see her marefriend beam a smile at her.

“Hia Dashie! I know how much you like eating together, so I made myself!

Dash’s blush and wings went unnoticed as Pinkie joined her in devouring a very jelly version of herself.

40.Music

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I’d kept playing Y’know? If I’d turned to the world of music rather than flying.

You wouldn’t be wearing that suit is what you’d say. And you’d be right.
But maybe, just maybe I could have won your heart with that harp I used to play. Rather than the teasing my flying wins me.

Though I might never have met you.

In the end, I can’t help but wonder... Would you accept me if I told you with music what I can’t with words?

Maybe I’ll try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained... right?

41.Meditation

Meditation, turning your thoughts inward and willing them to silence. I do it frequently, turning off my thinking and simply feeling the world for what is, rather than what I would like there to be.

You do not understand, it’s the one thing I could never teach you. Bless your inquisitive mind and your boundless enthusiastic curiosity for the joy it brings.

I wish I could keep you beside me. See the joy of discovery in those lovely lavender eyes. But when my mind is clear, I know I cannot.

If I truly love you, I must not cage you.

42.Echo

“You’ll never make it,” they said, “You can’t even fly straight.”

She’d ignored them all but it wasn’t easy.

Losing her vision at the age of ten, and being a blank flank until she was nearly twenty-six had only made things worse.
But in the end she made it: A lieutenant of the famed Wonderbolts, making her two foalhood friends proud.

She owed her success to the captain. Who never gave up, and always pushed her to try harder.

Her gut unclenches when she receives a gentle nuzzle from her superior and adoptive sister.

“I’m proud of you, squirt. Congratulations.”

43.Music?

I often think back to the days when I still had the time to do whatever I pleased. Nowadays I find myself running from one appointment to the next without so much as a lunch break in between.

Still, on the occasion that I do get some time to myself, wavelengths are what I use to enjoy myself.

Haha, you should see the look on your face.

Yes, wavelengths. Using them I can twist the light from my sun, and turn it into sound.

No, it doesn’t make you deaf. Go ask my sister. I’m really quite good at it.

45.Quill

On it’s own, a quill is just that. A long forgotten feather which it’s owner has abandoned and replaced with a newer one. It’s a lonely existence, and most quills turn to a life of crime before dying in a ditch.

Some quills however, manage to elude this horrible fate. And with the help of fast friends: Ink who’s black gooey texture can’t hide the bubbly joy underneath, and Paper whose steadfast determination to contain Ink’s outbursts lead to everything from soul crushing sadness to belly-aching hilarity. They become something more. Together, they become the tools of a creative mind.

46.Key

She smiled as the little purple dragon burrowed his way through her gem stash. He’d been a helpful assistant the entire day, and she promised him a reward for all his hard work. Of course she could have simply given him a kiss on the cheek. It would have made his whole day.

Instead she had sorted through all the gems they’d collected and selected the most beautiful ones for use in her designs. Giving those she didn’t need to him.

The way to a man’s heart, she mused, was through the stomach, and she had the key to Spike’s.

47.Coffee

Pinkie placed the steaming mug of coffee on the counter. There were no customers this early in the day even though the cakes were already hard at work and the sign all but shouted: “open”.

She gave the coffee and appraising glance before turning around and taking a cupcake to place on the saucer. She then sat down and waited.

Only moments later an exhausted looking white unicorn dragged herself through the door, magicking over her cup without so much as a “thank you”.

Pinkie smiled and grabbed another one, this next cup of hangover cure would be for Twilight.

48.Usual fare

Applejack nervously eyed the monstrosity before her like it was a timberwolf. She couldn’t back down, not after all the boasting she’d done. Dash would never stop taunting her if she chickened out at this point.

She took the ‘treat’ as Spike had called it and took a cautious bite. In the hours since the transformation she’d tried things that she wouldn’t ever have thought of before. But unlike the last half dozen, this one turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The Ruby tasted like rock candy and she found herself licking her chops. These gems weren’t half bad.

49.Refreshing

You won't tell anypony will you, darling?

*mrow*

Splendid! Here’s the thing, I have a... *ahem* a thing, for that infuriating unicorn.

You know? the lavender one, with the cute pink streak in her mane.

I don’t even kno—

*meow*

okay, I do know. She’s just so... Refreshing! Unlike any noble I’ve met.

*mrrrr*

Yes, darling, especially that boorish prince.

*mrrrr*

I’ll tell her, eventually.

Opalescence curled up and purred as a light blue aura gentle scratched her behind the ears. Her mistress rambled from sometimes, but she didn’t mind. Not as long as she was being scratched like this.

50.Truth

“Ah wasn’t lyin’!”

Applejack glared at her younger sister who was stubbornly refusing to fess up.

“Ya wanna tell me ya didn’t know Scoot’s scooter was dangerous?”

“Ah said Ah didn’t know ya could break somethin’ from doin’ stunts, Scoots does ‘em all the time!”

With a heavy sigh Applejack sat beside her sister and wrapped an arm around her. “Alrighty then, you make sure Sweetie Belle’s taken care of alright?” adding a squeeze for emphasis.

Honesty was simply about telling the truth as you knew it, and Applebloom had done just that. Which was all AJ’d ever ask for.

51.Warrior

Aha! I jump onto the bandit’s back and wrestle him to the ground.

But before I can even hand the bandits over to the guards a hydra emerges from a nearby swamp to attack Canterlot, it’s probably hungry. Ponies around me cower in fear, but not me! I run around to it’s tail and use my magic to lift the beast over my head and slam it to the ground.

I perk my ears at a sudden giggling, and the battlefield of my victory fades back into my room with Twily standing in the doorway.

“Can I play too Shiney?”

52.Those early mornings

She was already up and about while everypony else was still hugging their blankets for comfort. Being a mailmare was a tough job, but somepony had to do it, Besides, Pinkie always had a sweet treat ready to help her through the day.

She happily noted that she’d be done early, which meant that she could get back home in time to make something special for Dinky. She hadn’t had a lot of time for her daughter lately, what with all the extra mail during the holidays. But she could make up for that on beautiful mornings such as these.

53.Late Night Snack

Pinkie fired up the oven and stumbled over to the kitchen counter to grab the ingredients for a cake. She slowly stirred the concoction; almost ending up in the batter herself when her eyes slid shut of their own accord.

She shook herself awake and carefully poured everything into the circular mold before putting that into the oven.

After the alarm had gone off and she’d taken her first bite out of the cake did she realise she’d forgotten the most important thing: the sugar. With a tired yawn she dragged herself back to bed. Snacks could wait until morning.

54.Stuffed

“Another cookie miss Smartypants?” Twilight asked me with a smile.

I nodded back before answering. “Yes, please.”

She rummaged around for a few moments before giving me an apologetic look. “Sorry, I’ll be right back.” After which she got up and cantered out the door.

I sighed; Twilight couldn’t seem to get enough of pretend tea-parties. While I on the other hoof had reached my limit nearly an hour ago.

When Twilight came back she thankfully didn’t have any cookies with her. “Mom said I couldn’t have any more cookies,” she admitted sheepishly, “she didn’t want me to stuff myself.”

55.The heat of battle

The inside of the shop was quiet. Eerily so in fact. Usually around this time of day, the bustle of ponies outside would liven things up, but things were different.

The owner was trying his best not to tremble as he plied his trade. Slowly, carefully, almost frighteningly delicately running a comb and a pair of scissors through his client’s mane.

He’d had a hard time working through her coiffure and the original idea might have been a casualty. Clear Cut just hoped his client was as generous with her opinions as she was rumored to be with everything else.

56.Playtime

When the young ones visit me,
Always early in the week,
I am a grown example,
of that which they seek,

They ask a thousand things,
of me and my mane of ash,
like the one with wings,
who always talks of Dash,

The one with the bow wants to learn,
how to brew potions, from starts to ends,
and the last one I can discern,
is just there for her friends

But every time we meet, I learn something new,
so on that moment every day,
I teach them how to brew,
And they teach me how to play.

57.Lies

Scootaloo stood over the grave, tears running down her cheeks and dropping to the ground; seemingly as dejected as she was.

“Y-you... you were the very best.” she choked out between sobs. “I’m so sorry, I never should have thought—” her monologue broke down and she simply wept.

The clouds broke, and a gentle rain shrouded the entire scene in a cascade of water. Scootaloo eventually departed, her tiny wings propelling her away from the makeshift Cemetery, leaving the solitary gravestone behind.

On the gravestone it said: “Here lies Scootaloo’s scooter. Built by the strongest hooves, broken by the fastest.”

58.Clay

“W-what happened? Are you alright?”

My heart leaps in the way of the scream trying to force it’s way out my throat resulting in a strangled gurgle as I look at your pale mockery or a face.

“Welcome back, Spike” You chirp, putting me at ease. Your voice is still the same, even though the rest of you seems to have died and decomposed.

My expression must have been just as effective as actually asking the question because you furrow your brow for only a moment before breaking out into giggles.

“Oh, Spike, don’t worry silly, it’s just clay!”

59.Created by candlelight.

Romantic table for two? Check.

Meal by the finest chefs in Equestria? Check.

Mental note: read a cookbook, or twelve.

Romantic night? Check.

I look up at Luna’s charge with a sigh. “Is she just humoring me?” It remains silent as I carefully straighten my dress. I might not like it very much, but she deserves the best.

Everything is just as it should be and I allow myself a deep breath to help calm my hammering heart. “...It’s time.”

The walk takes both less and more time than I would like, but I’m finally there.

“Princess? Are you ready?”

60.By a hair

I miss Dashie. I miss her alot.

Whether during the day when she’s napping, or at night when she’s...uhh still napping.

I tried whenever we pranked other ponies. I really did! I even tried tried during one of pet play dates with the other girls one time. But Dash was just as oblivious as the first time.

Every night before I go to bed I tell myself that missing Dashie isn’t a bad thing. And afterwards, I can always smile to myself.

I miss Dashie more than I’d like to admit. But luckily I have plenty party ammo left.

61.Ice cold

Winter. He hated winter.

It was cold, dark and wet.

His friends loved it, his sister tolerated it. He hated it.

The lethargy was the worst of it. It made it hard to do anything at all. Chores were impossible, even getting out of bed became a challenge.

It wasn’t all bad though. He got to spend most of his time in front of the hearth, warming up and reading books to pass the time.

Twilight would make him hot chocolate, and Rarity always visited to see how he was doing.

On those days, being cold blooded wasn’t as bad.

62.Candlelight

With a small smile she lit another candle. Its light illuminating the dozens of wooden homes, perches and burrows within her cottage.

“A night light.” Rarity had called them when Fluttershy talked about her sleeping problems at the spa, insisting that Fluttershy take them, and that they would help her at night.

And Rarity had been right, of course she had been.

They were such fascinating things. Watching the gently dancing and flickering flame of a solitary candle against the backdrop of all her animal friends, inhaling the wonderfully relaxing scent of rosemary. Sleep came to her easily that night.

63.Sunny Days

She hated her job. Pushing clouds around all day was a pain in the flank and the pay wasn’t worth the effort, but she never quit.

Because, while her job was physically taxing - something she considered a perk - it was by no means a thankless one.

Nearly everypony she knew thanked her for the cloudless days, even if some of them grumbled when it was scheduled to rain; the only ponies thanking her for that being Applejack and Carrot Top.

All in all though, the sunny days and the smiles on everypony’s faces made her job worth it.

64. Science

Never understood what Twi meant with all that ‘science’ mumbo jumbo. Got on my nerves somethin’ fierce I can tell ya that.

Well...

Used ta, anyway.

Would ya believe me if Ah told ya that she experimented on me once?

‘Course you wouldn’t, what do you know anyway, Bloomberg?

Ah ain’t the best with those fancy sentences o’ hers, but this one Ah’ll remember for the rest of mah life:

“B-but, it’s a study into the amorous social-ecological interaction.”

Don’t remember much else ‘bout that day.

Got hard to think right around the time she pressed her lips ta mine.

65.Flame Retarded Dragon

She had serious troubles. Taking in infant animals into her wooden cottage was something she did quite often, but it had never been a baby dragon before.

She looked at Spike who was shivering on the rug near the fireplace. He had caught a rare disease known as salamander fever, which made his temperature go haywire.

She walked over and curled up around him, sharing her body heat to try and help him recover. He sighed gratefully and huddled closer to her.

Fluttershy could only hope there would be no accidents. Maybe she should invest in a flame retardant cottage.

66.Explosion

Rainbow Dash cheered as she sped towards the site of a recent explosion. She had spent her day alternating between watching tank make his way to his food bowl, napping for as long as she could shut down her mind and reading ‘Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare’ which was the most boring in the series so far.

She needed some excitement. For excitement she needed to find her friends.
Fortunately, she knew that, where there was an explosion, there was Pinkie Pie.

Sure, the earth pony got on her nerves sometimes, but excitement was something she needed right now.

67. Your fights are yours alone

I have wonderful friends. Some of them have been around since I was young, saving me from bullies. Some are new, but no less dear. Saving not just me, but the entire land from a dark goddess that wanted to shroud it in darkness; and a trickster god that turned me into everything I never wanted to be.

But no matter how hard they try, nopony can save me of that fear that hangs over my everyday life. Not Pinkie’s songs, nor Rarity’s encouragements. Not even Applejack’s reassurances will help.

Because some battles are mine to fight, and mine alone.

68. Birth and Rebirth

Fire. Creatures of all kinds are afraid of it. It burns... destroys everything it touches. What they do not see, is that fire allows new things to thrive. Ashes nourish new plants and trees, which in turn nourish the growth of animal life.

It is an equalizer, a way to clean the slate.

Nowhere is this as apparent as in Philomena.

She shines brightly for a decade, then burns herself out; dying in a pyre of her own flames so that she may be reborn from the ashes all wounds from her previous life vanished like snow beneath my sun.

69. Piano Keys

Listening to you... butchering... my music is... painful. The notes you play are out of tune and the way you use your music to fiddle with the individual strings is downright infuriating.
Even your rhythm — which is better than my own when you’re in your element — suffers when your clumsy hooves meander over the keys.

But every time I work myself up over it there’s this memory... I’ll see your smiling face, and hear you say, “And once I’m good we’ll go touring together.”

And when I remember your reason for doing it, I can’t help but smile.

70. Trump Card

Rarity was having a hard time of it. Normally convincing a pony as concerned about image as Dash into modeling dresses, was not an easy feat.

The Pegasus would rather go out and spend the day pranking than help her marefriend with her business. Rarity wrinkled her nose in distaste. She hated having to resort to such desperate measures, but the end justified the means.

She darted forward nipped at the tip of an ear, which earned her the attention of the Pegasus for the rest of the day. She had to stifle a giggle, it was almost too easy.

71. Magic Feather

Celestia was one of the few ponies that could manage to be introspective while she was being attacked by her very special somepony.

“All is fair in love and war.” Her tormentor had said, using her magic to create more and more magical constructs with which she assaulted the sun goddess.

She had uttered pleas for mercy in between panting for breath and laughing her behind off. Only for another tendril of magic to form into what was sure to be Celestia’s downfall.

She supposed it was her own fault for teaching the ever resourceful Twilight a feather fall spell.

72. Fine Print

It was nine in the morning and things were already going splendidly for Twilight, if by splendid you meant ‘downhill fast’

Any studying she had planned on doing that day had been hampered by the bouts of nausea, and she got acquainted with the toilet, rather than her books.

She didn’t understand. Pinkie’s latest party had been a blast, but she’d been careful and only drank from the non-alcoholic punch. She had the bottle to prove it.

Her gaze slowly turned murderous when she examined the label on said bottle, which said ‘high alcohol content, do not consume pure’

“Pinkie...”

73. Spicey

I’ve been alone for far too long. Even before my... ‘absence’ I did not have anypony, which might have been for the best.

Since my return however I’ve found myself drawn towards Ponyville and the bearers. My sister has found her own paramour among them, but I’m looking for spicier fare.

Never let it be said that I am ungrateful to Twilight Sparkle, but there is another who has garnered my attention.

She is meek, and yet possesses a hidden strength most ponies could never hope to achieve. I relish the challenge of coaxing it out of her.

74. Guidance

“Don’t cry, pink one.”

The little filly sat up and looked at the stranger through teary eyes. “But I’m super duper lost!”

The old mare smiled gently and reached down to pat the filly on the head. “How can you be lost if you don’t know where you’re going?”

The filly just sniffled.

“Come with me,” the mare continued “I’ll make sure you end up where you’re going.”

The filly smiled through her still watery eyes. “But how do you know where I’m going? Who are you?”

“Pinkie,” the mare replied with her own smile, “you can call me, Granny.”

75. Lesson Number One

“Owh, my... everything aches.”

Dash is sitting on her hind legs, rubbing her head with a hoof. Across from her, Twilight is down on the ground in an exhausted heap.

“Are you sure this is the right way to do it, Twi?”

“No,” Twilight says as she pulls herself up. “But we have to start somewhere.” She looks around the dust covered, debris riddled area, letting out a heavy sigh and poking Dash’s horn with a hoof.

“One more time, from the top.” She flashes Dash a meaningful smile. “And try not to blow up your first spell this time?”

Author's Note

How's that for putting your expectations on their head?

76.Incentives

When she landed, a sickening crunch, and a wave of nausea told her that the bone in her leg had snapped. She cursed under her breath but kept on going, away from the burning bakery.

Jumping out of a second story window might not have been one of her better ideas, but she had seen no other option.

Only when she was stopped by the Cakes did she dare look over her shoulder, limping off to the side before carefully inspecting the twin bundles securely tied to her back, breathing a sigh of relief when the foals giggled at her.

77. Warm Summers

Dear Princess Celestia,

I’m writing this letter on behalf of Spike.
Although I enjoy reading in the park with a few cool drinks, Spike is less enthusiastic, and has all but melted into a draconic pile of misery on the library floor.

He hasn’t moved in over a week and his normally gigantic appetite seems to have been reduced to that of Fluttershy’s mice I told you about last week.

So, on behalf of my number one assistant I feel I need to ask, could you please turn down the sun? Just a little?

Sincerely, your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

78. Private

Having a family is wonderful. But when you’re spending time with them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week? It becomes a little much at times.

Luckily, everypony has their own little sanctuary, where they can get away from their family for a while.

Hers is simple room on the south side. A single window for the day, a small wall-mounted lamp for the night. A simple bed and a nightstand that should hold an alarm, if that duty wasn’t already being performed amicably by the rooster.

It’s not much, but a little time alone is all she needs.

79. Simple directions

Looking over the smoldering ruins of her kitchen, she couldn’t understand where it had all gone wrong.

Okay so maybe she shouldn’t have added that pinch of nutmeg, but creative freedom was hardly a reason for the universe to blow up her splendid creation.

With a sigh she closed the recipe book; her idea for a grime repellent potion was nothing short of a disaster. Her mood was lifted when she looked at her calendar, today was circled red. Horrible though she might be at following simple directions, at least she still had a spa date to look forward to.

80. Celebration

She didn’t know how Pinkie had known. She hadn’t celebrated her birthday since she’d left home over over forty years ago, yet the pink mare had somehow divined the exact date.

“Happy birthday, Zecora,” Pinkie singsonged as she put down an entire meal. Cake was conspicuous by its absence, having been replaced by fresh fruits native to Zecora’s home country, together with a pitcher of Tej.

The smells brought back memories. The memories in turn made her throat close up from emotion, making her only recourse to hug the pink mare tightly as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks.

81. Kiss

Kisses made everything better. Twilight knew this was an immutable fact. No matter what had happened, a shaved knee or painful horn; a kiss would make all the pain go away.

That didn’t mean that it didn’t hurt, however. She sniffed softly as her tears on her cheeks were licked away by a rough tongue. A gentle nuzzle followed it which made her feel somewhat better. And finally two kisses; One her bleeding foreleg where she had crashed into a rose bush, and one right next to her horn. She smiled through her still teary eyes, kisses made everything better

82. First fight

“Well, you.. you sag! so there!” Pinkie screamed.

Madame La’flour had no reply. She simply sat on her stool, immobile.

Pinkie left the room, she needed some time alone. This was the first fight she and madam Le’fleur had ever gotten into, and it was all because of that stupidy-pants Twilight.

With a sigh she sat down on the porch, looking towards Golden Oaks Library. Le’fleur had just been trying to help, she knew. She would have to be more direct otherwise Twilight would never understand what she meant to Pinkie; but first, she was going to have to apologise.

83. Making up

Was this how real writers did it? Dash wasn’t sure.

Wandering around her house at night wasn’t something she did often, but she was faced with a dilemma.

She was making things up as she went along. She had devised an entire temple centered around flying, and another which required radicalness. Great achievements for sure, but Daring wouldn’t have problems with either of those.

Unless...

In a flash she was back behind her writing desk. “If I just give her a broken wing she’ll have loads of trouble!”

It was a good story, but she was gonna make it better.

84. Bunny

Ponies always called it ‘Fluttershy’s cottage’, but he made sure the animals knew who was really in charge. The white bunny ruled with an iron fist. Any and all who would oppose him or his yellow servant would be silenced.

The animals let him have his way, leaving him to think himself the boss wasn’t so bad. The yellow one took care of them regardless of his outrageous wishes and demands.

They only took offense when he started bullying her and took care of him with a large scale intervention. At least, until the next time he deluded himself again.

85. Potato

A pink hoof poked a lone potato sitting on the counter of Sugarcube Corner. The hoof’s owner jumped backwards when it fell off counter, arching her back and hissing like a cat; all her hairs standing on end.

Pinkie hated potatoes with a passion. They were starchy and filled you up too quickly to enjoy the rest of the meal. At the same time, they were fascinating. At least, when you knew what Applejack did with them.

Pinkie crawled forward, aiming to poke the potato again. Wondering all the while how she was going to turn it into a stamp.

86. Fish

Scootaloo had come to love water. It was cool in the summer, became snow in the winter, and cleaned out all the tree sap she and the other crusaders fought against daily.

Weirdly though, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom didn’t share her love for the liquid. Opting instead to stay on the beach and rest in the sun while she tore up the water.

Her small slowly growing wings meant that she found it difficult to fly. On the other hoof, they displaced water very well which made her an excellent swimmer, regularly beating real fish in a race. Chicken? Ha!

87.Running on empty

Case study. *note to self, write friendship report*
Report 0001024.

This latest week the researcher has been (discreetly) observing the food intake of subject 005: Pinkie Pie.
The findings have been alarming to say the least, the subject appears to run on a diet of pastries. Supplemented by nothing unless one counts ‘love for friends’. This lead to theories about 005 being a changeling.

After further examination and testing, these suspicions have all but been confirmed, as the subject went without eating for several days and suffered no reduction in energy.

This researcher, however, blacked out from lack of nourishment.

88. Goat

His mother had been right. She always told him how the world at large was out to get goats like him, and that it would be better to stay with the herd and live a simple life; but had he listened? Of course he hadn’t.

“Barry! You’re on lookout duty. Fools set us up in the center of a maze”

Barry bleated an affirmative, it wasn’t like Iron Will was listening anyway.

He’d been listening to that idiotic minotaur, though. Very soon he would stop letting himself be used as a doormat. The whole world would know who Barry was!

89. Foal

It was finally here. The day he would finally become a stallion! Rumble suppressed a squeal of glee and raced down the stairs as soon as his alarm clock reached 08:00.

The family had gotten up early and were all there to congratulate him.

“Congratulations, sport.” “Happy birthday, little brother.”

Laughing he hugged his father and brother in turn.

His mother had different plans. She made him squirm as she planted a kiss on his cheeks and then gave him a photo album which read: ‘No matter how big you grow, you’ll always be my little foal.’

“Moooo-ooom~!”

90. Tree

“Sister...?”

Celestia looked up. “Yes, Luna?”

“What hath transpired during our absence? From where did this nephew of ours emerge?”

“Blueblood?” Celestia let a wry smile play around her lips. “One of many mistakes I’m afraid.”

“Surely thou didn’t!?” Shock warred with disgust in Luna’s voice

Celestia blinked before bursting out laughing. “Nothing as crude as that, dear sister. He is one of the descendants of a couple I adopted into the family some three hundred years ago.”

Luna nodded curtly. “Well, we feel that is it due time to prune the family tree and shall see it done post-haste.”

91. Balloon

A single eyebrow is arched to convey skepticism. “So my sister and the other cutie mark crusaders have been brainwashed?”

“That’s what I said!”

“And why, pray tell do you think that is the case?”

“Because they said they wanted to go to Fluttershy’s cottage! Scootaloo never says no when I ask her if she wants to come watch me!”

A short laugh echoes throughout the room. “Darling, you are so out of touch. After that whole cutie mark... thing, Fluttershy started making balloon animals. There’s not a foal in Ponyville that doesn’t want to go.”

A gasp. “Wait... whaaaat?”

92. Water

Twilight wasn’t very fond of water. It wasn’t that she hated the stuff; after all it could be turned into tea, or a warm bubble bath. No, it was much more complicated.

She hated the fact that rain ruined her carefully combed mane and got in everywhere; most of all she hated how it destroyed her precious books.

“Which is why we should keep the dome Trixie put over Ponyville.”

Major mare wondered if she could discreetly call for help. She didn’t know what had caused it, but dealing with a nervous breakdown Twilight was not in her job description.

93. Boat

The incredibly handsome Spike the Daring pirate had done it again! The self styled king of the twenty seas, had slain the last of the kings men. Now he finally had all the relics of power he needed to save the beautiful princess Rarity.

All he had to—

“Spike, are you done yet? You’ve been in there for hours.”

Spike looked up at the bathroom door. “Almost done, Twilight.”

He looked back at the toy boat before shaking his head and draining the tub. The adventures of Spike the pirate would continue next time he had to take a bath.

94. Books

Books ain’t really mah thing, Ah’m more of a hooves on kinda girl. When push comes to shove, though, Ah’ve read a few, mostly dem romance novels Rarity keeps forgettin’ whenever we have a sleepover. Gotta admit, some of ‘em are pretty good.

...Jus’.... Don’t tell anypony Ah said that. Alright?

Oh, darling, of course I know Applejack enjoys reading my romance novels. Why, did you really think I would be so careless as to just ‘forget’ fine literature like that? Twilight would bury me alive!

...Don’t worry, dear, I won’t tell Applejack you told me. Run along now.

95. Fans

Dash couldn’t believe she had fallen for it.

When Pinkie had told her that her fanclub was waiting for her, she had zipped off, determined to show them how a great flier handled things.

When she arrived at the field however it had been empty. Save for a big collection of automatic wind movers, also known as fans. They were designed to keep a cloudhouse pristine, by preventing them from merging with other clouds. Right now however, they seemed to be mocking her silently.

Dash idly poked one of the metal contraptions with a hoof. “Well played, Pinks... well played”

96. Sky

Everypony dreamed of the sky, but none more than Applejack. She wondered what it was like to have wings of her own.

Twilight had sprouted wings of her own, Pinkie Pie had that weird thingamajig of hers, Fluttershy and Dash were obviously capable, and even Rarity had gotten a taste of the sky at the best young flyers competition

As much as she wanted to however, she knew that she wouldn’t ever ask Twilight for a pair of wings, temporary or no. Having Butterfly wings wouldn’t just be embarrassing; she knew she’d be terrified. Didn’t mean she couldn’t dream, though.

97. Justice

“Anypony order a cup of justice?!”

Daring Do, full time adventurer and part time drunk, groaned and smacked herself in the face with a hoof. “For the thousandth time, Surprise; I asked for a cup of JUST ICE.

“Well why didn’t you just say so?” the white pegasus asked with a toothy smile which was too big for her face.

Daring sighed heavily. “Nevermind, just give me a whiskey on the rocks.”

“Okidokielokie!” The pegasus darted back to the bar.

The explorer didn’t even lift her head when Surprise came back. “I meant ice...”

“Then why say on the rocks?”

99. Work

“Dash! Dagnabbit, girl. What’d Ah tell ya about the farm needin’ water?”

Rainbow Dash lazily plucked an apple from the tree she was resting in and waved a disinterested hoof at her friend. “Yeah, yeah. Keep your saddle on, AJ. I’ll get it done in ten seconds flat.”

Applejack marched up to the trunk of the tree and planted one of her hooves on it. “Ya’d better get flyin’ cause Ah’m about three seconds away from losin’ mah temper.”

Dash took off, making sure to stay out of reach of the apple farmer. “Alright. Sheesh... freakin’ workaholic.”

“Ah heard that!”

100. End

“Mommy? Why do stories end?” a teary eyed filly asked her mother.

The mare gave her daughter an encouraging smile. “Because the writer didn’t have time to add more.”

“B—but,” the filly sniffed, “what happens to all the ponies in the book?”

“They sleep, until somepony wakes them up again by writing more of their story.”

“So...if...” the filly said while her mother wiped her tears away. “If I write about them, They’ll wake up again?”

“That’s right. Now, time for you to go to sleep.”

The filly smiled as she received a goodnight kiss. “Goodnight, mom.”

“Goodnight, Twilight.”

Author's Note

Sleep well, Twilight. I'll wake you when I get another story finished.

Hope you enjoyed some of these folks.

101. New beginning.

“There will always be another destination on the horizon.”

I remember my mother imparting that particular nugget of information on my still developing mind, but I don’t think I quite understood what she meant. Being a young filly, I thought that I wanted was to become like Celestia: A princess who rules the country and treats all her subjects fairly. Although back then my main motivation was ‘cookies before dinner.’

Now that I am a princess however...

I just wish I could go back and stay with you and the girls forever.

Tell them I love them, will you?

102. Eyes.

The worst thing to see in the eyes of a younger sibling is hatred.

There are nights when I still get nightmares about that day, and have to check up on Luna to ensure myself that my nightmares are just that.

Let me correct myself; hatred is the second worst thing to see in a younger sibling's eyes. There are nights Luna comes to me, asking if she might sleep next to me; her eyes filled with an old fear. And I feel so... powerless.

You see, Twilight... even though I rule over the sun, I am far from perfect.

103. Limelight.

Rainbow Dash used to think of her friend Fluttershy as a bit of a weakling.

Used to.

Slowly walking across a catwalk with all the spotlights centered on her wasn’t nearly as awesome as she had expected it would be, and the flashes of the crowd taking pictures of her dress weren’t helping matters.

She had a hard time recalling how Rarity talked her into it, but here she was. She had blanched when she saw the front page of ‘Fashion today’. It read: “Rainbow Dash always dresses in style.”

Needless to say, she had changed her mind about Fluttershy.

104. Guardian(s).

Living by herself meant she was free to do whatever she pleased. She could sleep when she wanted, and wake up when she felt like it.

It also meant that she never had anypony to comfort her when she cried and she never knew if she’d have something to eat

The choice had been simple when Fluttershy offered her an end to the loneliness. She had jumped at the chance. She never would have thought that she would get six guardians rather than just the one, however. In her mind it just meant being less alone, which was just fine.

105. The Fall.

Before the fall she had been a paragon of what it meant to be royal by birth, regal in poise and posture, and aloof to anypony that wasn’t close to her.

Now however, she found herself laughing with commoners. Playing garish games like bobbing for apples and spider tossing. She was trying to learn the meaning of ‘fun’ because she had fallen. Because the one she had fallen for had asked her to.

She reached out with her magic; gently touching the mind of another. The pony that made her fall slept, but that was okay. She wasn’t going anywhere.

106. "Hello again."

“Princess...”

Twilight felt uncomfortable. Another pony she had gone to school with was bowing to her, and she couldn’t even remember the mare’s name.

“Hello again...?”

“Moondancer,” the mare replied softly, bowing before Twilight again. “You probably don’t remember me.”

With a hoof, Twilight stopped her from finishing her bow. “Please, Moondancer, I feel awkward enough already. I’m sorry I forgot your name...” She sighed and planted her hoof next to the others. “Tell you what. I’ll make it up to you. Let’s go get some ice cream.”

And so Moondancer found herself dragged to Joe’s by Equestria’s newest princess.

107. Shipping.

She didn’t like the moniker ‘shipper’. Shipping was something mailponies did. What she did was so much more subtle; a hint here, a nudge there. Most ponies weren’t even aware of her intentions; her meek demeanor making them forget to be suspicious.

Helping ponies find their true love was something that always filled her with joy, and dampened the pain she felt every day. Despite her considerable skill in bringing those meant to be, together; even she couldn’t make a mare with a professed love for stallions, change her mind about such things. No matter how much she wanted to.

108. History is written by the victor.

Dusty Pages wasn’t a very special guy. His job, however, he considered to be of the utmost importance.

The winning side in this war would have a sister that forever remembered their actions this day. And he considered it his job to make sure that the other wasn’t forgotten by time when it all inevitably ended.

From the way things looked, his princess would be the one to lose; and he was writing a history that remembered her fondly. Even if all else was lost, forgotten; destroyed beneath an eternal night, He would make sure that she would be remembered.

109. Take off.

“Alright, egghead. The first thing you need to know about flying is taking off.” Rainbow Dash said as she paced back and forth in front of an unimpressed looking Twilight.

“Dash, I know all that.”

“But you haven’t felt it, Twilight.” Dash fluffed up her wings with a little more fanfare than needed. “Flying is all about feeling the wind in your wings. With your wings.”

“And I suppose taking off is all about feeling the ground with your hooves? Because I can do that.”

Dash winced. “See? This is exactly why you need my help, you’d be lost without me.”

Twilight sighed. “Alright, Dash. Show me how.”

110. Authoring dreams.

“Do you know what’s worse than feeling unwanted? Feeling like you don’t matter. For aeons I was the custodian of dreams. I policed, maintained and created them...

And now I find that ponies have managed perfectly well without my intervention for over a millenium. If their minds create dreams almost as intricate as the ones I made, what use am I?”

“But you’re not unwanted,” she says with that soft voice of hers, which wipes out any arguments I was going to make.

But she’s not done. “You could always write some dreams for me... if that’s okay with you.”

111. Demons.

Perhaps, being meek has it advantages. Because it makes ponies tell me about their demons much more quickly. It’s hard to hear about the demons of somepony like Luna, however. She has so many that I don’t know what to do. She must have felt so lonely and unwanted, and it makes me want to cuddle her. But I can’t; she’s a strong, independent mare. A Princess!

So I hope that she’ll tell me more. I like listening to her. Hearing voice of one that writes dreams, rather than my silly romance stories. Hopefully she’ll write a dream for me.

112. Bits.

It’s unlikely that any of her friends will notice the changes she’s made to her makeup, but they’re just little bits. A lady sometimes needs to keep things fresh, after all. Or rather, a lady need to try extra hard to be eye catching when she herself has her eyes set on somepony.

Maybe today Twilight will notice. It’s the thought that keeps her going, keeps her sane.

Every other potential suitor or noble she’s pictured a romance with all lacked something, yet Twilight seems to have it all, and right now she’s every bit as royal as the sisters...

113. Cards.

Everypony has to play with the cards they’re dealt. Dash had the sneaking suspicion that neither Dash nor Dash abided by that particular rule. Dash on the other hoof was probably spending too much time ogling Pinkie’s shapely backside to really have enough focus to cheat.

The last of the two Dashes were openly glaring at one another as they both put down a quartet of princesses. The first laid down her cards, smirking as she showed her four aces

Rainbow Dash knew one thing for sure. This would be the last time she ever messed with the mirror pool.

114. Moonshine.

The difference between sunshine and moonshine you ask? Well, one only happens during the day and most foals frolic in it while they still have the chance.

The other is a very potent, nigh poisonous concoction said to have been invented by the princess of the moon herself in a kitchen accident. Moonshine is completely colorless, and odorless. Those brave enough to have a taste responded with “Cookies? Why I love red celery.” Which has ponies worried that it is not quite fit for consumption by anypony other than the two diarchs themselves, for whom it serves as a nightcap.

115. Pool Party.

Silly ponies do silly things sometimes. And me; I do a lot of silly things! Fiery Twilight is a silly pony too.

Last week was super duper hot, I think that’s because Princess Celestia turned up the sun a few degrees too high and then forgot about it. Like that time I burned cupcakes because I left the oven on high for too long!

Anyway, Twilight, being the amazingest smart, burny, pony I know did something silly! She put two tubes together, like cooking. But it set her whole basement under water! And then shouted loudly so everypony would know!

116. Wolves.

His had been a harsh life. Getting up in the mornings, fighting with his wooden siblings until it was time to hunt, and in the evenings, falling down in his hutch to sleep after another exhausting day.

All of that had ended when he splintered one of his legs on a hunt. In Everfree, the weak perished.

Strangely enough, he hadn’t. Something soft and yellow he thought was going to eat him, instead took him away before the other creatures of the forest got him.

His life was much simpler now that he had somepony to take care of him.

117. Bird.

She often wondered what it would be like to be bird. Having no obligations and be able to fly wherever she pleased. The idea appealed to her, it was so different from all her daily chores and worries.

She would fly until she could fly no more, eat her body weight in birdseed and then rest in a tree, or better yet, a wooden birdhouse. That was the other thing that appealed to her. Being a bird meant that Fluttershy would take care of her. Maybe with a little luck she could make that half of her dream come true.

118. Family.

Her life hadn’t been easy, her mother had left her and her father when she was just three years old. The stallion had tried his best, but without a mother figure, she’d had it rough.

Even after flight school and the few friends she had made there, she still felt like something was missing. A something she finally found when she settled down in Ponyville. Or rather, sometimes after, when a grumpy unicorn came along giving her the friends she had been looking for.

As far as Rainbow Dash was concerned, blood only made you related. Loyalty made you family.

119. Simple dinner.

Preparing a five course meal was a tough task, especially for somepony whose knowledge was more theoretical than practical; and didn’t have any experience in the kitchen whatsoever. No matter how much trouble it was going to be however, it was something she wanted to do.

Armed with a cookbook as a quick reference guide, and an entire day before he came back from Canterlot, she promised herself that he would have a meal that showed how much she cared.

Showing him how much she appreciated his help would take more than a simple dinner, but it was a start.

120. Sports drinks.

It was awesome always having enough energy drinks on hoof. And Dash did, thanks to a friend she’d made while looking around for someplace to live after flight school. His name was Wilbert and he had been studying bio-chemistry when they’d met.

Wilbert was surprisingly meek for a minotaur, often trying to hide behind her much smaller frame when encountering problems. That didn’t work, of course, though it wasn’t helped in the least by his entirely red complexion. Dash had given him an ideal and an idea. And he, in turn, had given her a lifetime supply of sports drinks.

122. Mistakes by design.

When playing, or perhaps I should say competing against Celestia, for it is never just a game with her. It is important to remember that even apparent mistakes on her part have been analyzed and thought out as much as ten steps ahead.

More than once in our eternal sibling rivalry has she purposely lost in a game we were playing. Using my overconfidence after a win as leverage to get ahead in other aspects of life I hadn’t even considered.

I suppose the best advice I can really give you is this: Do not play Chess with my sister.

123. Letters

With the amount of letters she sends to the princess, you’d think Twilight would like the things a lot more. Sure, she spends hours with them, but that’s only because she agonizes over every little word.

She didn’t always hate them, though.

There was a time where she sent little notes to the kitchen to ask for food, rather than walking down there herself.

Ever since we came to Ponyville, however, she dislikes them. Nowadays she wants to talk to ponies face to face, says it’s more personal. I’ve gotta say, it’s a lot easier on my throat as well.

124. Not mine.

Everypony said that I’d never make anything of myself. That my cutie mark didn’t mean anything, couldn’t mean anything. That my destiny wasn’t mine to choose.

Well, my cutie mark will mean whatever I want it to mean. I’m going to prove them wrong. All of them.

I’ve heard rumors of a crystal heart up in the far north, and that love can do amazing things. So I guess I’ll go there. If there’s something I’m good at it’s change. Who knows, maybe I’ll have options.

Becoming a ruler over ponies can’t be my destiny, Luna? We’ll see about that.

125. Nausea.

Getting a taste of your own medicine sucked. When she had challenged Octavia, she’d already been slightly buzzed due to a great performance at the club. As a result, she couldn’t remember if she had set any rules, other than ‘first to puke loses’

She had no clue where her marefriend had found the whirling pink dervish that could knock back a jaegermare like it was water. Regardless of where it had come from, Vinyl had finally met her match.

As the bile rose in her throat, she knew that she owed Octavia an apology.

*hurk*

Make that several apologies.

126. Culture.

Politics are always a tricky business, especially when you realise how much of an impact culture really has on your dealings.

Take the gryphons for example. Normally, appearing threatening is not in your favor when trying to establish a good relationship. Whereas with the gryphons, it’s practically required. They enjoy it and respect leaders who aren’t afraid to show their power.

Or the Zebras. They’re big on ceremony, which permeates everything they do, even the way they talk. Avoid smiling at them before having been properly introduced, it’s considered rude.

I need to go. You know where the books are.

127. Escape.

I love my friends. I enjoy doing things with them, but sometimes. Sometimes, I need to get away from everything.

Dash tells me I should be stronger. Applejack that I shouldn’t be afraid. They tell me that I can do anything I set my mind to, and they’re probably right.

But I don’t want to be strong. I just want to curl up on my couch with my animal friends and disappear in a good book. Sometimes I just want to shut out the world and hide.

An escape. A place to rest before I have to face life again.

128. Grass.

She inspected the plate from all sides, convinced that there had to have been a mistake. She had ordered... well, she had ordered something fancy sounding.

“Rarity?” she asked, prompting an arched eyebrow from the mare sitting opposite to her.

“This is grass.”

Rarity chuckled. “Well of course it is, darling.”

“Ah didn’t order grass.”

The unicorn smiled at her while lifting a fork with some celery stuck to it with her magic. “I’m afraid you have, dear. But not to fret, we can share some of mine.”

Applejack groaned. This was exactly why she didn’t go to fancy places.

129. Control.

There exist ponies that think that emotions are a way to ruin. They seclude themselves in cloisters high up in the mountains and practice mastery over their emotions. I have to admit I was quite surprised when I heard that I am supposedly their shining example.

I think that, if they ever met with me personally, away from being a princess, they’d call me a heretic. It’s true that I rarely express how I really feel about any given situation, but then, when throwing a hissy fit could cause a solar flare or other major disasters that’s kind of needed.

130. Melancholy.

Something was wrong with him, and he had no idea what it was. All Spike was sure of was that he wasn’t happy. Far from it. He’d had been given time off to play with the Cutie Mark Crusaders; gone for a wonderful picnic with Twilight in one of the many meadows surrounding horseshoe lake, and even gotten Pinkie to make him some baked bads.It should have been a great day, but it hardly mattered.

Perhaps it was the fact that his favorite unicorn had gone to Manehattan for the week. He couldn’t wait for her to get back.

131. Marriage.

21st of the month of the manticore 9 months A.B.

Dear Diary.

Today, I am to be wed to Tebronon, Khan of the dragons. I expect it to be nothing short of horrible, as he is known to be unkind at best, and horrifyingly cruel at worst. It scares me greatly, but it is the only option left to me to protect my little ponies. Until I have recovered from using those... horrid things.

There are still many things I need to learn about politics and regency, so I had better get started.

I wish Luna were here...

-C

132. Glass.

Rarity tapped her chin with a hoof, looking at her latest project. With the image she had, ponies would often assume that she dealt solely in cloth, and they would be wrong.

Creativity demanded that she tried something new every once in a while to keep things fresh. Glass being the latest dalliance in uncommon materials. Making it flow and move would be a challenge indeed, but when one was friends with the most magically capable pony in Equestria even the impossible wasn’t a big issue.

She smiled to herself. Yes, her glass dress was going to be a success.

133. Magocracy.

The princess told me that, at the birth of Equestria the unicorns insisted on a magocratic rule. The other factions; the militaristic Pegasi, and the democratic Earth ponies didn’t understand.

The other tribes foolishly agreed, which meant that for several hundreds of years, only the most magically gifted ponies could become the leaders of Equestria. In fact, that is how princesses Celestia and Luna were able to take power without endless bloodshed.

Nowdays, we have an open system. Anypony that wants could try and themselves elected leader of Equestria. Ponies are content to leave it to the royal sisters, however.

134. Drive.

Drive is the most important aspect of any pony. Without drive, Applejack and big Macintosh wouldn’t give it their all to keep the family farm going. Without drive, Rainbow Dash would give up on ever joining the wonderbolts. Drive is the thing that makes Fluttershy get up to take care of her animals every morning, and it gives Rarity the inspiration she needs to finish her dresses.

And then there’s Pinkie and me. My drive is the thing that makes me want to learn as much as I can.

And Pinkie? She just tries her best to drive me insane.

135. Clear.

Fluttershy warily watches Pinkie dart from one furniture piece to the next. She loves her marefriend to bits. But sometimes, when the stars align something happens to the bouncing bundle of joy. It might be some other cosmic event she doesn’t know about, and she's always very sorry if she’s gotten it wrong.

Pinkie becomes silent for hours on end, looking at Fluttershy or staring off into the distance. Sometimes she comes up to Fluttershy and whispers things like ‘the coast is clear’ before kissing her right on the lips.

So it not a bad thing. Most of the time.

136. Fitness.

She didn’t consider herself an athlete. Not like Rainbow Dash or Applejack. Still, she was no slouch. A canter with Twilight every morning for stamina, and the pilates classes with Fluttershy after their weekly spa meetings. Between those and running a shop by herself, she was in great shape.

She probably wouldn’t win gold, had she any inclination to join a running of the leaves, but she’d get close.

Fact of the matter was that she had a semi-secret stamina building exercise. In fact, the six of them were all amazingly fit.

You had to be to survive Pinkie’s parties.

137. bananas

A long time ago, we here at Equestrian weekly, discovered that our fair princess Celestia has a fondness for bananas. As it turns out however, she isn’t the only one.

We have recently found out that at least one of the famed elements of harmony has a fondness for the yellow fruit as well. She was quoted as saying that: “They(bananas) are full of everything I need to get through a tough session of flying practice.” The pony quoting her was subsequently unavailable for further questions as she slammed the door in this reporters face.

More news at eleven.

138. Time.

Months of preparation. Weeks of deliberation. She was immortal, but now that the due date to carry out the latest of her plans was finally here; she found herself running out of time.

She skidded to a half only a few inches from her sister’s room, pausing in front of the double doors to try and regain her composure. This was going to be perfect. It had to be. She knocked on the door and poked her head inside to see her sister, asleep.

She stepped in, silent until she reached and nuzzled her sister. “Luna? Happy birthday little sister.”

139. Simple words.

No matter how many times it happens, loss never gets any easier for anypony. In fact, it is something that only grows harder to deal with. The few unfortunate souls that experience it often grow distant. They to protect themselves from the pain by layering detachment atop their fragile hearts.

Fewer still are the ones that can provide a real comfort to the afflicted. Everypony can say that they’re sorry for a ponies loss and wish them the best. Only a few, though, can really make a difference. With simple words like: “You’re not alone.” and “We’re here for you.”

141. Brotherly love.

She holds open the barn doors, giving him an appreciative smile as he brings in the last load of apples.

He gets a quick, loving nuzzle before she takes off. He didn’t want to make her late for her date with Pinkie Pie, but she insisted on helping him.

He hears her greet Winona as she passes the gate and suppresses the urge to go after her.

She has her own life, and he has to let go. He knows that, but part of him is scared that she’ll forget about him. He loves his sister so much, it hurts.

142. Waking dreams.

What is sleep to those who only find nightmares there? Let me ask you in turn: What is the waking world to those who have lost everything, if not a nightmare?

What if, what you see out there were the dream? And this place, this fantastical world you visit when you close your eyes, is real?

I have seen many a dreamer run from the things they want most, simply because they fear the consequences, fear of having to find a new dream.

Do not fear to dream, my little ponies. I’ll not let any of you come to harm.

143. Challenger

She snorted and let go of her magic, dropping the hogtied stallion to the floor of her stage. Amateur. “Is there anypony else that wants to challenge the might of the great and powerful—”

“I do!”

She watched with an arched eyebrow as a diminutive dragon climbed onto the stage, wondering what in the moon’s name he would try to do that she wouldn’t be able to best him at.

Instead of posing his challenge, however, he ran up to her and clasped her face with his claws, watching her with intense eyes. “Rarity, What’s gotten into you?”

144. Sunflowers

One of the most interesting unicorn practices have to do with sunflowers. Every generation of unicorns practices on them, and are only considered adults if they can make the flower budge.

An easy task you’d think, and you’d be mostly right. Moving the flowers themselves isn’t hard at all. However, the unicorns practicing are told to imagine that it’s the sun. The use of innate magic is tied to the caster’s specific thoughts, rather than will. So until they learn to apply their magic to just the flower, they don’t grasp how magic works, and are not counted amongst adults.

146. Unworthy

She is perfection personified.. Beautiful, smart, funny; yet kind and gentle, all at the appropriate times. She always knows what to say, and what to do, and she can read me like I read books.

And then there’s me. A socially awkward bookworm who doesn’t get out enough, and makes a fool of herself when she tries anything. I mean, I make a fool out of myself every day when I’m around her.

I wonder what she sees in me, how can I ever be good enough? But she loves me, so there must be something I’m good at, right?

147. Heart of gold

Being made responsible for a dragon, while being little more than a child herself, had been difficult. She had learned that she had made many mistakes in his upbringing, and had been unnecessarily hard on him.

Things had changed in Ponyville, though not by much. She had tried to give him more space to grow into his own, and he had. She had expected him to become angry when she tried to apologize for her horrible parenting. But he had waved it away, telling her that she would always be his big sister

He truly had a heart of gold.

148. Point of view

“Have you ever thought about what you see in my night?”

“Once or twice, I guess.”

"Oh?”

“I always imagined the stars were firebreathing dragons, and the moon was made of cheese.”

Luna blinked and looked up at her massive companion. “Cheese?”

He chuckled, shaking the mountaintop with its volume. “I know, weird right?”

“Quite.” She affirmed. “I hope Twilight wasn’t the one teaching you such inanities about my domain.”

“When we were younger, she believed that the moon was the biggest library ever.”

Luna snorted. “A ridiculous notion.”

Spike sighed and smiled. “It wasn’t for us, not back then.”

149. Back to back

There are only a few ponies she trusts to watch her back. Lifelong friends and allies that always stand by her when she needs them, no matter the consequences. She wishes they were here, covering for her like they always do. There are things she can’t burden them with, however. Some things she has to do alone. She takes a deep breath and steps into the disaster zone.

Alone.

Only a minute’s flight away, in a wooden treehouse, two fillies sit. They take turns sighing in boredom.

“Where’s Sweetie anyway?” the first asks.

“She had to clean her room, remember?”

150. Painting

Rainbow Dash felt awkward. She had never liked painting, and didn’t know why she was trying it now. Maybe it was because of the Wonderbolts canvass Applejack had gotten her; or maybe because she’d lost another bet with her marefriend.

It wasn’t like she could complain though. Fluttershy was pressed against her back, her big wings resting against Dash’s smaller ones while she explained which brushstrokes use. Her breath played around Dash’s ears as she told her which colors to mix, and their coats rubbing against one another sent shivers up Dash’s spine.

Maybe painting wasn’t so bad after all.

151. Monarchy

Perfect Roster was a busy pony. Between managing the castle staff, guard rosters and the schedule of the princess, he hardly had any time left over at the end of the day. He spent those hours in an exhausted heap on his bed in the castle. His alarm; sunny rays through his windowsill, never once failed to wake him up, no matter how little sleep he had gotten.

Today however, was a nightmare. Not only did he feel oddly rested, but the princess had news for him.

“Roster? This is Luna. You’ll be in charge of her schedule as well.”

152. Invisible

I smile when I think about the way she moves, laugh when I think about her tinkling laugh, and forget to breathe when I imagine her kissing me. Reality returns like an unwelcome visitor and she ignores me in favour of her work.

I return home after a long day of helping her, disheartened. Like every day, you put away your tomes and scrolls before welcoming me home. Tears threaten, and I stumble forward into your waiting hooves; crying because she hasn’t noticed me.
You hold me close, whispering gentle reassurances.

Are you to me, what I am to her?

153. Laughter

It comes easy to foals, moreso than others, and it shows us how life should really be. Less often, it comes to elder sisters and brothers, who think there’s more they should see. Some ponies think it doesn’t happen to adults, whose lives are full of responsibility and worry. The exception to the rule, not talking of those that also drool, is a pony named Pinkie. She plays in the sun, and helps everyone; a smile is what she’s always after. Though it seems kind of willy, and no doubt a bit silly, all she wants from us is laughter.

154. Spoon

Amazing. How young people can turn your world upside down with a few simple words.

Applejack had been confused when little Applebloom came tumbling down the stairs, cooing and laughing while Macintosh chased her.

“You’re big spoon!” the young filly said, before crawling up to her side and pushing her over with all the strength she possessed. The smaller filly then pressed her back against Applejack’s chest with an easy familiarity, and promptly dozed off. She waved Macintosh off, telling him that she’d take care of the little tyke, before giving little Applebloom a tender nuzzle.

“Good night, little spoon.”

157. Grind

Fame. Glamour. Groupies. So many Pegasi wanted to join the the Wonderbolts because of those three things, yet not one of the new recruits ever seemed to realise that, to be as good as they were, took hard work and a lot of practice.

The daily training schedule was harsh on even the most experienced fliers, and most of the rookies dropped out after the introductory week. The ones that didn’t... well, they either got used to the routine quickly, or got crushed by the demands within the month.

For a Wonderbolt, ‘the daily grind’ has a whole different meaning.

158. Optimist

She was sure there would be questions when she got home. Being caught outside after dark was sure to bring up some awkward conversation, but she didn’t want the rumors to spread.

Her wings ached and she decided she was done training for now. She wouldn’t risk her closest friend knowing what she did.

Angel hopped up to her when she tried to sneak in. She answered him goodnaturedly, even if she felt a little bashful. She would never become as fast as Rainbow Dash, but she had come to enjoy flying again. And maybe, one day, she'd surprise everypony.

159. Mini-skirt

When asked she said that it wasn’t a usual order. By which she meant that the pony that had ordered it was an idiot. Hiring her as a seamstress rather than a designer, and making a fool out of themselves simply by wearing something not designed with her fashion expertise.

Normally, she would have said no, her professional integrity being worth more to her than any sum of bits. This time however? Filthy Rich had asked for something for his daughter. Though she would never admit it, she despised the filly for all the times Sweetie had come home crying.

160. Tea cup

I’m not good at philosophy. Twilight and Pinkie talk about it all the time, but I thought it didn’t matter as long as I was happy. It turns out I was wrong.

I didn’t want to make them feel unwelcome, not when they came all the way to my house for a visit. So I made tea and watched my cup while they talked about philosophy.

I never understood why they were together, Twilight is as socially awkward as I am, and Pinkie... isn’t. I think I understand now, though. They can both talk about things I’m not good at.

162. Silly

What’s it going to be like now that you have wings? Are you going to get like... a kingdom to rule now? Will you have to move back to Canterlot? That would be so uncool.

Maybe it’s not all bad, at least I can teach you how to fly. You’ll never be as fast as me of course, but if you’re gonna be as big as sun-butt, you’ll become a great long distance flier. Don’t tell her I said that.

I’m probably just being silly. There’s no way you’d leave us hanging after everything we’ve been through, right?

163. Scent

Hygiene is important for everypony, even moreso for those that have to juggle farmwork and selling their produce on the market every day. At least, that’s what Applejack always tells herself when she jumps under the wallmounted shower attached to the barn.

The reason is that she’s too busy, or so she tells herself . The real reason, is that a very special pony once told her that she enjoyed the ‘earthly’ smell Applejack had after a long day. She shuts off the water with an easy smile, thinking about paying a visit to the cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville.

164. Fluff

She hugs the white fur and caresses the feathers of her lover’s wings. She stops all too quickly. Spike will be home soon. If he ever found out what she does while he is gone or even worse, tell her what Twilight had been doing, she would never be able to face her again.

With a deep sigh she summons her magic and whisks her Celestia plushie back into the pocket dimension she created for all her personal items. While her mentor is unlikely to accept her feelings, a fluffy facsimile at least prevents her romantic feelings from boiling over.

165. Lords and ladies

Though she often jokingly called Twilight a bibliophile, Rarity had her own dalliances with literature. Mostly of the romantic kind, of course, but they were books none the less.

She loved the way words could make her imagine a far off place, or conjure up lifelike characters for her mind’s eye to enjoy. Within the pages she found lords and princes; robbers and dastardly gentlecolts, all of which she wished would sweep her off her hooves. They were too good to be true, but they painted a pleasant picture, in contrast to the all too real Prince Blueblood.

166. Two out of three

She had counted on the fact that experience would carry her through whatever challenge Twilight could think of. Now, as she sits on the edge of a cloud, trying to catch her breath she realises that she was wrong.

Even before she’d had wings, Twilight was better at moderating herself during races, so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that she would suggest something as out of bounds as flying a marathon.

She looks at the alicorn, watching her bask in the moonlight serenely.

“Best two out of three?”

Twilight’s mouth turns up into a smile as she nods.

167. Trick of the light

He didn’t know what to think.

When he was younger, it had made him look foolish more than once. It had scared him, simply being there when he looked at mundane objects on his way to the bathroom at night.

On the other claw, it also seemed to fall just right to highlight how beautiful Rarity looked, every single time he saw her.

He decided that he would remain undecided on whether or not light was a good thing, giving his caretaker a definitive shrug before going back to sleep.

He was sure that Twilight’s evil smile was a trick.

168. Ships of crystal

Some days, Cadence wondered what evil she had committed in a past life, for her to be given the crystal empire to rule. For months she had been preparing a speech for, and scheduling her appointments around, the single most important holiday ponies celebrated this far north.

The Aurora Picnic.

On paper, it sounded wonderful; a whole day spent in the company of loved ones, surrounded by others doing the same thing.

There was just one problem. Before she became princess, it had been held on a frozen lake. And now...well... boats made of crystal didn’t float.

169. Antiquity

Ponies scattered every which way at Luna’s passing. The ones that saw her coming bowed nervously, hoping they could get away without invoking her wrath.

“Antiquated is she?” Luna muttered to herself. “Let’s see how much they care about sister’s rule after I am done with them.”

She made a beeline for her chambers, not even slowing down as she plowed through the supposedly reinforced doors that protected her inner sanctum. Only when she laid eyes on the item, did she finally smile.

Her moonsilver armor was an antiquated relic; An artifact from times past.

The symbolism would be perfect.

170. Stoicism

Wind and rain were no match for him. Storms and whirlwinds he bore with a silent determination. He was training; so that he could become the best in his chosen field.

Day in, day out, he sat there, watching the horizon while foals played around him. While birds and that infernal cat climbed up to his head, only to laze and goof about; he sat there.

And he would stay there; until he was covered by moss if he had to! and all for the brief glimpses of her while she passed, and her greetings to him.

“Good morning, Tom.”

171. Cape

It had never mattered that it also served as his blanket. Spike had always thought that a cape was what made really made him a hero. With it on, he defeated devilish monsters and scheming villains like they were nothing but bumps in the road.

But then...

Then his sister had become a hero, and she had done so without a cape, or the supernatural good looks he thought all heroes had to have; but simply by being true to herself.

He’s decided to be a true hero, just like her; and he’s going to do it without his blanket.

172. Cowl

By day she was meek and apologetic about everything. A cover, much like the cowl she wore every night after tucking Angel bunny into bed.

Stalking through the streets didn’t get her paid any more than caring for animals did, but making sure ponies were safe was reward enough. Crime was not a concept ponies really understood, so her vigil was mostly for the creatures that roamed out of the Everfree.

She always called herself ‘Bravery’ with a guilty smile; feeling empowered when she left her timid nature and fear under her bed. She was almost like... a super hero.

173. Picnic

Rarity was amazed, and possibly a little perturbed. There was some old law that explained how things that could go wrong likely would; but she had never experienced it to this degree.

What should have been a simple picnic with her dearest Spikey-Wikey had turned into a complete disaster; and all of it because of three little words.

Had she known he felt that way? Her heart told her yes. So why hadn’t she done anything about it?

Because I was waiting for him to say something.

And now he had.

She figured his courage deserved a reward.

174. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

With a start she realised that she being oogled. Though it shouldn’t have surprised her after she had been asked to model her own designs.

Only... she hadn’t expected a certain group of mares to be among the crowd whom had their eyes plastered on her flank. She caught Twilight, Fluttershy and Applejack sneaking a peek at her behind while trying to keep up the pretense of admiring the silk dress she was wearing. The other two simply weren’t trying to hide their interest.

Rarity smiled, giving her rump a small shake. Diamonds were a girl’s best friend after all.

Author's Note

Blame Steel Resolve for this one.

175. The butterfly effect

Who would have thought a simple modeling request could have such far reaching consequences? Rarity certainly hadn’t.

Yet here she was, trapped in a pile of slumbering ponies. Her head rested on a purple wing, and a set of yellow hooves clung to her barrel. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both rested against one of her hind legs while Pinkie had stolen Twilight’s other wing.

Time to get up... she thought with a sigh, before leaning over and planting a kiss on Twilight’s cheek. “Darling?” She asked the drowsy alicorn. “Tell the girls I’ll be working downstairs, won’t you?”

Author's Note

And for this one as well.

176. Sever

Gently. Ever so gently, did Twilight pick at the spell’s threads, four of her friends watching her work in nervous silence.

The fifth, and only pony bound to the magical explosive was far from quiet, however. She laughed, giggled and snorted; sometimes even briefly appearing in places other than the point to which she’d been tied.

Loss of concentration was inevitable, making Twilight’s hooves twitch when Pinkie asked if she was done yet for the fifth time that minute.

In the aftermath of the resulting party, Pinkie gave her friend a big hug. “Don’t worry, Twilight, you almost had it.”

177. Truant

On the second day of the fifth week in the third year after the return of the lost princess, the sun did not rise.

Or at least, not on time.

I am sure that there will be a lot of consternation in the history books as to what exactly transpired. Some will say the nightmare of old returned, while others will believe that the serpent had a claw in it.

But the truth of the matter is... well... it’s exceedingly simple: I needed a holiday, and sadly, my sister isn’t exactly diligent in her tasks when I am not around.

178. The oath

Celestia giggled. Seeing Twilight parading around the throne room like one of the guards was one of the rarer sights she had the pleasure of seeing. The filly moved with purpose and determination, even garnering an appreciative nod from the captain of the guard who likely envisioned her to be perfect soldier material.

Celestia simply shook her head with a smile. Within a week Twilight would have forgotten about her promise to protect the princess from danger, and would go back from being a faithful guard to being a student.

A faithful student.

Of that, Celestia was sure.

179. Socks

Rainbow Dash was being tortured. You wouldn’t think it to look at her, but she was being driven to the brink of insanity, and she couldn’t for the life of her fathom why the rest of her friends would subject themselves to something like this willingly.

Each of the four mind shattering devices she’d been made to wear by the cruelest pony of them all— that is to say Rarity— itched and clawed at her mind.

Her only respite came from the view. Though she would never admit it, her friends did look kind of hot when they wore socks.

180. Juggernaut

There was no stopping her. Spike had tried everything he could think of from making her some calming jasmine tea to reading from her favorite book, but his sister was determined to drive herself to insanity.

“It just doesn’t make sense, Spike. Pinkie shouldn’t be able to do most of what she’s doing, and I’m going to find out how she’s doing it.”

He sighed and nodded. “Okay, Twilight. Is it okay if I go to Rarity?” He took her silence to mean ‘yes’ mostly because he didn’t want to be around when the unstoppable force hit the immovable object.

181. Forehead

Hair was common, and a quarter of equestrian inhabitants had a horn. She would know, having researched it extensively. A third eye on one's forehead, however, was unheard of, and not something she would have believed possible if she hadn’t seen it for herself.

Granted, the thing had been a mistake, and helping Zecora get rid of it had taken quite a bit of doing, but the possibilities intrigued her.

Tons of coffee and an intricately designed spell later she had done it. Now if only she knew how to revive Rarity after having been exposed to her newest acquisition.

182. Your Revolution

Having a marefriend like you is wonderful and damning at the same time. I would much rather sit with you and cuddle while we watch life pass by. But you can’t do that. You need to be living every day like it was the end of the world, and you manage to spread happiness along the way.

Sometimes you drive me crazy with your rapid fire speech or your constant bouncing. But when you are bleeding off that excess energy so that you can be calm for my sake my love for you grows with every revolution around the cottage.

183. Interference

Through marble hallways, over bleeding red carpets and into her sanctuary she walks, shoulders hunched and eyebrows drawn. A smile, a flutter, a touch; closer than she had ever been to her affections, her desire.

“Lulu? I’m sorry,” her sister calls out, gentle, comforting.

She snorts in reply, slamming the doors not long after.

A few more steps to the balcony where her charge provides a cold comfort. The land is silent as the grave, yet her heart does not stop. It promises wholesome things; though the pain provides a stark contrast in favor of the unpleasant aspects of love.

184. Clouds

“Fluttershy?”

“Hmm?” She yawns, opening a single eye to look at me.

“How many clouds do you think there are?”

She shrugs sleepily. “I don’t know... sorry.”

I probably shouldn’t have asked, flying always takes a lot out of her. “Forget I asked, go back to sleep.” She mewls softly and goes back to dreamland.

I wish I could be more like that, sleeping in the afternoon sun sounds awesome; but I can’t stop thinking.

How many clouds are there? Why doesn’t everypony live on one?

I find myself yawning as well. Perhaps I could learn to nap after all.

185. Dreams

Beware my little pony, of the ghosts that slip through the open window at night.
The spectres of desire, pleasure, and delight.
Among many things they will make promises to you.
Promises of wealth, and riches, and your hearts desires, too.

Beware my little pony, of their laughter, their touch, and their smiles.
And do not fall for their wicked wiles.

Be aware my little pony, of the dark mistress of dreams.
Who isn’t nearly as kind as she seems.
She will promise to make all of your dreams come true.
But will not mention that nightmares are dreams, too.

186. Ethereal

She is, by far, the most beautiful and kind pony Ah know, yet she shatters more easily than glass. Gentle, delicate, fragile. All o’ those make her who she is, but they also make it damn near impossible to tell her how Ah feel without scarin’ her.

Listen to me prattle on. Ah’ve been hanging around Rares ‘n Twi too much. This ain’t me.

Deep breaths Applejack. One hoof in front of the other and knock on her door. If yer lucky, she might even say yes. And if not... well... Ah’ll cross that bridge when Ah come to it.

188. Comfort

It was as old as the boutique itself, and yet, for reasons unknown to her, it had stopped fulfilling its intended purpose. She used to need nothing more than a blinder, a glass of warm milk, and it, to reach Luna’s domain.

But lately... lately it eluded her.

With a frustrated grunt, she took off the blinder and stalked through the window. There were curtains, but she hadn’t bothered closing them for over a year now. On the other side, there stood the library. It contained the bookish, often distracted source of her sleeplessness, if only because she wasn’t present.

189. Soft

“Don’t be shy, look ‘em in the eye.”

He sighed into the mirror.

“A tired old mantra.”

It had helped a lot of ponies, true, but for all his speechifying, it had never helped him.

When he wasn’t out on stage, nopony even recognised him. Just another soft spoken Minotaur? He snorted. “No such thing.”

Except... he was.

A knock on the door. “Iron? You’re on in five.”

He took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll be right out.” He smiled at the mirror after the door closed. He had friends in his co-workers, that was good enough.

190. Life

Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. And making plans was at the core of the way Twilight went about her day. Every morning she began with a shower, followed by combing her hair, and then worked her way down a checklist which she’d made the evening before.

Today was different.

In her studies of ancient mythology and prophecies, she had stumbled upon something her teacher had to know.

For the first time ever, her teacher ignored her warnings, and sent her off to some distant village.

On this day... Twilight Sparkle had life foisted upon her.

191. Blur

Too quickly. For something so slow, it was over too quickly.

With a sigh, Fancypants put away his monocle and looked at his wife. Fleur still looked as radiant as ever where he was concerned, although the passage of time had not been kinder to her than it had been to him.

“What did you think, love?” He asked softly.

“Your intuition is still razor sharp, husband.” Fleur leaned in to give him a chaste kiss. “Rarity is definitely the right pony to bring our brand into the new age.”

Fancy smiled. “Only if she doesn’t create her own, first.”

3.Firefly

Everyone has a chance to shine in their lives.

I don’t know who you are, or what you’re doing with your life, but I don’t think it matters. For as long as you strive to do what you love, you will eventually find your place.

Mine was a relatively short journey, moving to Ponyville, meeting my best friends and taking down a nightmare. But the end of one journey is only the beginning of a new one and I’m afraid of making mistakes all over again.

It doesn’t matter though, I will find my place again, and so will you.

4.Skulls and Ribbons

“Eeeek!” Twilight dove under a table and flipped it over against the approaching monstrosity. That is, until she heard familiar laughter.

She peered over the side of the table at the monster, who was nothing more than a painted up pegasus.

“Oh my, you should see yourself Twilight,” she giggled.

“Fluttershy?” Twilight couldn’t believe her eyes, the meekest of her friends looked like she had come straight from tartarus. “Why are you—?”

“It’s Pinkie’s new celebration: ‘dead for a day’,” Fluttershy replied. “She made the cutest decorations from skulls and ribbons.”

Twilight sighed “At least it’s not parasprite appreciation day”

5.Gold from Straw

I’m not much of a poet, our dear Twilight is much better at playing with words like that. But I’m afraid I have something to confess regardless.

You see, darling, I’ve always admired you. You work hard for anything you deem important, yet always manage to make time for your friends.

I confess that I don’t particularly enjoy the things you do, but that only exaggerated my infatuation with you.

You are a beautiful mare, my dear Applejack, whether you realise or not.
And when the sun lights up your mane... then my dear you are nothing short of angelic

6.Just a Little Longer

She stretched languidly, waking with the sun as always.
Getting up was a chore, but there was nothing to be done about it, So she climbed off her bed, looking for her regalia.

She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a sleepy mewl from the bed she had just vacated.

Turning around she found a purple unicorn, mumbling in her sleep and shivering because the heat she had been resting against so comfortably had vanished.

She climbed back onto the bed and held the unicorn close, nuzzling the top of her head.
Morning could wait a little longer.

7.Lonely

She sometimes had this irresistible urge. The urge to hug somepony close to her heart. Doctors called it ‘Separation anxiety’.

As far as she knew, she hadn’t had any problems— well, not many problems after she first moved to the castle. But today, studying in the library she called home she felt that urge again.

Her friends wouldn’t turn her away, but they weren’t an option, she needed somepony specific.

What used to be hard, now took but a thought, leaving her in an entirely different room.
She hugged the unprotesting white mare tightly, it hadn’t been surprising for years.

8.Candles

That many candles is going to be impossible, she is certain of it. Yet Twilight wouldn’t take no for an answer.

She remembers the weekend after Twilight had come to live at the Castle. Waking up one morning to find a young filly beaming at her, more white than purple, covered in flour and batter.

Twilight had smiled brightly and presented her with a cupcake which held a single candle.

Her thoughts are interrupted as the doors open to reveal the biggest cake she has ever seen, accompanied by a smiling young mare, more white than purple.

“Happy birthday princess.”

9.Bedroom

Dash had never been one to conform to the rules, a tendency supported by a healthy dose of lateral thinking. Whenever somepony told her she wasn’t allowed in, she made sure that they didn’t know. And if somepony told her that it wasn’t doable she kept going until she proved them wrong

So when Rarity told her that sloppy make-out sessions with one's marefriend should be kept to the bedroom, she'd picked Pinkie up and made out in mid-air.

After all, she reasoned, she slept there more often than her cloudhouse.

Rarity’s furious blush had made it worth it.

10.Dream

She spread her wings and leapt into the air, performing some of the most amazing stunts ponies had ever witnessed, the Wonderbolts outfit clung to her coat and her mane was done up in a ponytail to keep it out of her face.

Flying next to her, the other Wonderbolts cheered her on, telling her she was doing great, asking her to do it again.

Even little Scootaloo was there, sitting on a cloud after having flown to Cloudsdale on her own wings, cheering her on like a real fan.

Fluttershy smiled in her sleep, it was nice to dream.

13.Tout Doucement

He hadn’t believed his ears, and then thought that his mind was playing tricks on him. But here he was, sitting in the living room of carousel boutique with his beau-to-be smiling at him and making small talk.

He mumbles his way through it all, both afraid and eager to see what happens next. And then she moves from the inane babble to more sensual topics, eventually arriving at kissing.

His heart hammers in his chest as she moves closer, but before he can reach out and kiss her she holds him back with a hoof “Tout doucement, Spike, slowly.”

14.Wars Between Roses

They say that every rose has it’s thorns, then ask if a rose under any other name would smell just as sweet.

They say all is fair in love and war, and then go on to say that love is a battlefield.

I know a rose with a lot of thorns, light blue, unique. Now if she’d smell just as sweet under any other name I do not know.
But we have fought wars, she and I, so I can at least tell you that love is most definitely a battlefield.

But she ends our every battle with a kiss.

15.Disaster in C Minor

Luna giggled to herself as she waited in line for the newest club in Canterlot, her disguise was perfect any nopony had noticed her slipping out of the castle, not even her very own sister. Her plan was going perfectly; she’d be back before anypony had the chance to realise she was gone!

“Sorry missy, no minors.”

Four little words, that’s all it took to shatter her perfect plan for a night off.

She fumed silently as she made her way back to the castle, this night might be a disaster, but tomorrow was another night, and she had other plans.

16.The Hoof That Wields

Power is immutable, it shifts from pony to pony, but power always goes somewhere, it does not vanish.

If there is one thing I have learned In all my years, it is that power is the most dangerous thing in existence. Specifically, the power beliefs, ideas; they make ponies commit the most heinous of crimes, believing they are doing the right thing.

It can also make way for the best of things, if wielded subtly. A subtle hint here, a gentle nudge there and one can even do something as seemingly impossible as break a banishment spanning a thousand years.

17.Lethargy

Morning arrived, his arch nemesis for as long as he had been alive. He silently cursed the solar princess for keeping such a tight reign on her charge and hid his head underneath his pillow.

That’s when his second worst enemy arrived.

“Good morning Spike! Rise and shine!” she unceremoniously hefted him from his bed. “It’s a beautiful day out, don’t you think?”

He would never understand how the unicorn could be bright-eyed this early in the morning, despite going to bed far later than he did.

He groaned and buried his face in her mane “Five more minutes, Twilight.”

18.Cavalry

She had hidden behind her menu card for minutes which dressed up as hours, wondering how she ever could have thought that her crush would show up.

Even after the waiter had refilled her glass twice, the entrance to the restaurant had been conspicuously empty, and she had resigned herself to the fact that her special somepony wouldn’t show.

Her tears made their escape unnoticed as she debated simply going home.

Before she had the chance to follow up on her thought however a familiar shape at the door made her smile though her tears.

Rarity was always fashionably late.

19.Short Arms, Deep Pockets

“Spike want!” The no longer tiny dragon said as he added the gem of a pony to his rapidly growing hoard and ascended the side of a mountain.

He cringed every time he reflected on that horrible day. He had done some unforgivable things back then. He hoped he wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

Hoped he could control himself when another temptations like that arose.

But when his gem rolled against him with a soft sigh and a sleepy nuzzle he couldn’t help but smile. They would overcome any problems stemming from his greed. He was sure of it.

20.Cold Gray Stones

Dash didn’t understand how Pinkie had done it, but the cold in her neck told her it had happened.

A snowball fight, in the middle of the hottest summer ever.

The snow they were made from was a little dirty, Dash supposed, but that wasn’t about to stop her, or indeed anypony in Ponyville from enjoying the welcome break from the oppressive heat.

She’d have to ask Twilight if she had something to do with it later, right now she had a prankster to find.

“Oh Pinkie Pie?” She yelled with devilish cheer while making a snowball of her own.

21.Closet

She didn’t much like being in the closet, it was stuffy, full to bursting and horribly disorganized.
At one time in her admittedly short life she’d been outside the closet, held close by her special pony and providing comfort whenever she was asked for it

It had changed over the years of course, as her special pony made five really good friends she spent most of her days with. Until at last, she had been forgotten.

Smartypants wasn’t angry with Twilight though. Her pony deserved all of that and more. Even if she wished that Twilight would remember her sometimes.

145. Prank.

“Faster, Dash!” Fluttershy called back, giggling.

She reveled in the indignant squawk coming from her friend. She had never beaten Dash in a race before, and likely never would again. After drinking that potion she, she felt like she could take on the world.

Down below, Pinkie smiled as she watched them fly. She had been against playing a prank on Fluttershy from the start. Their yellow friend was too delicate, she’d said. Yet somehow, Dash had gotten Fluttershy to laugh, using only an empty potion bottle and some water. Making ponies laugh was what pranks were for after all.

155. Hoof print

They are curious things, Twilight, made by ponies in passing, yet providing ever so much information to those that know how to read them. Some leave a big impact, like mine for example, but that does not mean that others haven’t left their own marks, small though they may be.

What most ponies do not understand is that the size of the hoofprint they make isn’t static. It’s size depends wholly on the viewer. A mare who has never made the tiniest mark on history, could have the most profound impact on the foal to whom she is a mother.

156. Mail

She had dismissed it as a mistake the first time. Had overlooked it the second, and merely groaned at the third. Now, as the fifty-seventh wisp of smoke trailed through the air, preparing to drop its cargo on her head, Celestia was stalking through the castle. Her scowl and limp mane were enough to send the castle staff running for cover.

She strode into the tower library, only to find Twilight giggling as she magically threw water balloons at Spike, who turned them into puffs of smoke with his breath.

Celestia sighed. Why did I ever cast that mailing spell?

161. Feathermark

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle muttered to themselves while pouring through book after book. It was still early and the library should have been closed, but they’d been here since last night. Ever since Scootaloo announced that she had a colt friend, proudly showing off the grey father in her mane.

When they saw Rumble, with an orange feather in his mane, drape his wing over Scootaloo’s back during recess they’d become jealous.

Not only had Scootaloo found a colt friend before either of them, but with her being a pegasus, it was like she was rubbing it in their faces.

187. Rainstorm

Foals being afraid of the weather is nothing special, even if they’re pegasi. But how do you tell your friends, co-weather ponies, and most importantly, your boss that you, a grown up pegasus, are afraid of storms? That you always crawl into your twin sister’s bed when it begins to rain? Or that she has to comfort you every time carefully pre-planned lightning strikes hit the ground?

Best to pretend that everything is fine. Flitter won’t tell a soul and what ponies don’t know won’t hurt your reputation, right? Maybe if I try hard enough, I’ll actually believe it myself.

1.Beginning the journey

Every journey begins with the first step. Ponies say that it’s the most important step because it is the hardest to take. Those ponies are wrong, if you want to go somewhere you have to keep walking, each new step as important as the last.

Life is even harder than that, since you’ll never finish that particular journey. There will always be another destination on the horizon. When we reach the end of one adventure, another one begins. I for one am going to make the most of it.

Now if only I could remember where I left my horseshoes...

2.Windmill

Dash was doing what she did best, spinning and diving as she flew. She didn’t have an audience today, they all had things to do, but she didn’t mind today.

Today wasn’t normal practice in front of her friends, that was more showing off, though she’d never admit that to them.

Today was for creativity. Coming up with new tricks which she could use to impress ponies, mostly her friends.
She looped a few times and with a smirk spread her legs in every direction. Cartwheeling through the air as if she’d lost control, before easily righting herself and swooping down, landing with a bright smile.

She decided on a name right there, as she always did. ‘The Windmill’

11.Smile

I used to think that a picture inside my mind was the most beautiful thing in the world, but as I grew; I thought that there had to be a painting which was the most beautiful thing in the world. After looking everywhere however, I found none that could match my precious mental picture.

I thought that perfect beauty might be found in, the moon, sunset, sunrise... they were beautiful, but none more beautiful than that picture inside my head.

I reasoned that it had to be something else.

But I never found it.

Not until I saw you smile.

12.Amateur Detective

From the cupboard, the trail leads over the counter out the window close to the stove, so I follow it. Normally I wouldn’t dare, but I know who did this, so that’s okay.

Chasing somepony isn’t easy when you’re not as athletic as they are, but I manage; climbing through the windowsill and looking around my garden before I look up. She should be somewhere high; in a tree or perhaps on a cloud, she does that every time.

I fly up to the cloud with the rainbow tail and jump the one who has stolen my favorite cookies.
“Gotcha.”

44.Thunderstorm

Hey there, little one, stop crying. Don’t believe those bullies who tell you that they control the weather. They can’t send thunderstorms after you any more than the best cloud wranglers in Equestria can.

Thunderstorms are natures way of being angry, it’s just like when somepony hurts you, you see.

The rain is just like your tears, and the thunder is just like your screaming.

Yes, I know it seems scary at first, but nature is a lot like you. If you fly above the clouds during a storm, you’ll see that it will calm down eventually.

Goodnight, little one.

98. Quicksand

There it is again, that sinking feeling I get every time you’re around. Just you walking into a room makes me feel weak, even more so when you smile.

As much as I hate feeling this way though, it’s worse when you’re not there; when I’m lying in my bed and a sinking feeling of a different kind haunts me. Whispering stories about my future in my ear, and tempts me to tell you how I feel.

But another voice holds me back, with hushed warnings and whispers, telling me I could ruin what we have rather than attain what I want.

It’s like I’m stuck in Quicksand, with no way out.

121. Holiday.

Getting away from the rut of everyday life is something everypony can appreciate. Though, none more so than Annemarie Smith.

Taking care of three grand foals by herself, and raising them to be proud hardworking members of the Apple family has taken it’s toll. So if she can find an excuse to get some time away from the farm that she has known for her entire life, you can bet your behind she’s going to take it.

Now if only she could get those stubborn grand foals to follow her lead and take it easy every once in a while.

140. Roundabout.

It had started so small, receiving more than the usual amount of gifts. Insignificant, if one knew what the pony bequeathing them was like.

The gestures, however, had become bigger and more frequent as the weeks passed; Spa dates, concert tickets, a night in a disco. By the time she had finally figured it out, the damage had already been done.

She found Rarity in her boutique, wrapped in a duvet and drowning in tears. Luckily, the remedy had come to her right there and then. A simple kiss followed by an ‘I love you too’ was all it took.