On New Year's Eve, Rainbow Dash and Applejack have a heartfelt discussion about learning and dealing with loss.

Inspired by AJ's song from “It's a Pony Kind of Christmas.”

Appledash friendship; could be read with shipping goggles if you want.

Rainbow Dash has to spend Hearthswarming injured and full of self doubt, while Applejack is there to lend her some help, and a warm mug of cider to comfort her.

Thanks to Nailah for her lovely audio reading!

Action! Adventures! Explosions! Romance! All of the aforementioned are definitely not in this story, substituting those with a conversation between Rainbow Dash and Applejack as they discuss the limits of friendship after an ever so slight falling out with the most powerful political figures in Equestria.

Applejack, Big Mac and Apple Bloom need to pick apples before winter comes. Applejack then gets in a predicament with some bees.

Was it really the weather pony's fault, though? Applejack intends to find out.

Takes place around the beginning of / before season 3.

Scootaloo might be no good at sums, but she knows Scootaloo plus scooter equals the fastest, awesomest, most attention-grabbing-est thing on the ground.

She also knows Applejack minus anyone actually fun to be with equals one really lame time.

And yet, spending a day with the Apple farmer and her broader Apple family seems strangely attractive to her. They might not be the most exciting of ponies, (and when it comes to cool, they're certainly the most clueless), but they have something Scootaloo really, really wants. Deep down. Something she keeps coming back for.

Not that she's going to admit it. Cos that would be seriously lame.

(Loosely based on "It's A Wonderful Life" so if you've seen the movie or its countless parodies/homeages you know what this involves. Takes place before the end of Season 9 or any events concerning it.)

Life is full of choices and regrets. And every one of them comes with an interesting idea of what might've happened had certain events not played out the way they did. But none have ever had the ability to see what would've happened.

That is, until Applejack starts to wonder just how different life would be all over Equestria if she were never around. And it just so happens that Discord is the creature who can show her. Strictly as an observer of course.

Just how different is this world where Applejack never exists? What has changed, and more importantly, is it a change for the better or the worse?

Though the Applewood derby got off to a shaky start for the CMC, it all turned out alright in the end, and a valuable lesson was learned. But for Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash, there are still a few lingering feelings to get out.
---

A short aftermath story that just barely fills the required word count. Enjoy.

NOTE: Applejack and Rainbow Dash are certified cartoon ponies, and cinnamon did not harm them as much as it should have. You are not a cartoon pony. The cinnamon challenge is a dangerous and sometimes fatal stunt! Please do not attempt the cinnamon challenge by any means whatsoever.

(If you are a cartoon pony, however, please disregard this message.)

Although the cinnamon challenge has long been an outdated meme, two ponies named Rainbow Dash and Applejack take the trope for a spin with varied results.

Click here for a live reading!

Applejack takes some time to reflect, and get in touch with her love of rope and riding crops. Rainbow Dash wishes AJ was less in touch with herself.

Second place in My Little Speed Writing Contest #11. Prompt, "Spurred to Action." Totally unedited.

If you're interested in improving your writing skills, join our Discord here.