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

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

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

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

Thanks for Alias_the_J and Cosmic Eclipse for edits.

Diamond Tiara has reformed herself into a far better pony, much to everyone's joy. Everyone except her mother. Now, she faces the horror of spending most of Hearth's Warming Eve completely alone, while she puzzles out a problem that no foal should have to solve. When Starlight Glimmer stumbles across her, they both realise that Hearth's Warming is not just about old connections and by bringing old and new together they can start to mend what is broken and find what is missing.

Maud pursues her refined, inspired art of stand-up comedy in front of an audience of rock professionals. Rocktorates, if you will.

After Starlight Glimmer changed the past to get revenge, Twilight got stuck in the timeline with the war against King Sombra. That was 5 years ago. In the time since, Twilight has given up on trying to return to her timeline and is doing her best to protect this one.
With Ponyville holding out as the last stronghold against Sombra's unstoppable march of destruction, Twilight fears that Sombra may have a plan that could crush them once and for all.

Equestria is engulfed in war—against an evil tyrant with his army of slaves, for a peaceful freedom for all in a prosperous world. But, war was never that easy nor that simple, especially when it extends beyond military battles and reaches into the lives of all involved.

Because, in a war as far-reaching as it is destructive, no one can escape its grasp—and, no one can leave it unchanged.

Past the headlines of the day with its articles about victories and defeats on a frontline so far yet so close; past the propaganda spouting and espousing something patriotically believable but with a tinge of illusion; past the declarations and proclamations designed to keep the masses' hopes up for just another week.

Past those things, here are the stories of some who would live in this war from beginning to...end?

The met one day at camp, and became friends for a lifetime.

Everybody in T.A.C.T.I.C.A.L. has heard about agent Doodle's exploits. He's managed to befriend a sea monster, taken on a Tarripus, and even earned a knighthood rescuing Celestia from... something highly classified. There's not a pony, donkey, cow, or [redacted] in the administration that doesn't respect the donkey and his contributions to Equestria.

So when Agent Sweetie Drops is paired up with him on her first assignment, she is understandably very excited. And a little bit nervous. But she'll try her hardest to help the legendary agent out!

Even if the target has... other plans.

(Image created by Bonmod. Be warned: The original is ANIMATED.)

Bon Bon just told Lyra about her former identity as Sweetie Drops. Before the wedding began, Lyra seemed to be okay with it, but Bon Bon knew her marefriend better than that. She had hurt Lyra, and she had a lot of explaining to do once they got home.

Now she has to prepare to tell her marefriend the rest of the story as she faces the fear that Lyra may never forgive her.

Yep, it’s another “what happened after the events of ‘Slice of Life’” tale. I wrote this to bring that episode into alignment with my Lyra and Bon Bon Series. If you haven’t read My True Self, then this story isn’t going to mean anything to you.

The Crystal War rages on, and Sombra's counter-offensive has left your division stranded. The Siege of Manehattan has caused heavy losses, and even Sergeant Dash injured her wing in an airstrike. Running low on supplies as northern winter descends on the urban battlefield, you'll have to find another way to keep warm...

Takes place shortly after the events of "The Cutie Re-mark."

As part of Starlight's rehabilitation, Twilight has sent her to 'Dictators Anonymous,' where former tyrants like her can help each other move on from their wicked ways. Here's hoping that things go smoothly for her...