(This Fanfiction takes place a few years after “The Ending of the End”) With Equestria in a new age of peace, longer than it’s ever seen, many ponies have settled down into permanent lives and relationships. The Apple Family in particular is settling into a new normal. News of a new member joining their family stirs the Apples into reminiscing on the past, and planning for the future.

This story is a sequel to The Cutie Alchemist

Starswirl the Bearded is no more. Luna is no more. Stygian is no more. They have all succumbed to the darkness, tainting the land in the process. Harmony is teetering, trying to find purchase after losing its Guardian. Will heroes rise to restore the balace?

Granny Smith receives a "new" visitor.

A story comprised of only dialogue for the "Dialogue Only" contest

Author's Note: I can't write dialogue for squat. Sorry about that

When Rarity is overwhelmed with making designs for an agriculture exhibition, she turns to Applejack for advice. But when she gives Applejack a hair style treatment in return, the apple farmer lets her accent slip from southern drawl to sophisticated Manehattenite. The result? More fancy parties than you can shake a candy apple at!

One evening while Granny Smith sits and enjoys the sunset, she finds herself paid a visit by Grand Pear. The Pear patriarch wants to thank Granny for being the better pony and taking such good care of his daughter, but Granny Smith doesn't feel she deserves such praise.

Applejack's love for her farm and her family define her. They're the two things in her life which keep her going: the only motivation she needs to get out of bed every morning. Her brother, her sister, their grandmother, and—and the three of them, keeping their family orchard going strong together. It’s the life she always wanted.

But Sweet Apple Acres has taken a hit in recent years. It’s hard to ignore how, so recently, the four of them used to be the five of them, or how the farm’s account is running as dry as the fields themselves.

But it’s just a phase; a bad one, but they come and they go, like the seasons themselves. Applejack knows it’s just a matter of persevering, and staying the course. Better days are just around the corner.

Diamond Tiara has changed. After a few years of learning about friendship, she realizes another step in her journey needs to be making amends. Today, she’s making amends to Granny Smith for events that took place in the episode Family Appreciation Day.

Some things take time to mature.  Like a good apple brandy.

Written for Amore's DiamondBloom Shipping Contest

Applejack is known by her friends and family to be a stoic mare who cries on the inside, and faces every trouble in life with her chin held high. But what happens when a mare carries a burden on her own for too long? What happens when a lifetime of hardship begins to crack her foundation at it's seams?

WARNING - This story contains references to self harm and suicide. It also contains references to alcohol, and quick, moderate depictions of PTSD-type symptoms. I know that sometimes seeing these things is too much for even myself, so please don't read if those things will trigger and bad feelings.

Granny Smith can’t acknowledge the loss of her foals. Her grand foals help her move on.

Written as a gift for Novelle Tale in the Quillsmas gift exchange.

Preread by The Sleepless Beholder and LuckyChaosHooves