Some ponies start off a long way along the racetrack before the flag is waved.

Some ponies will trip over their own hooves and sprain their ankles on the first lap.

Some ponies get the best teammates to mop their brows and to hold umbrellas over their heads when it rains.

Some ponies don't even want to race. Not when they can have a nice, pleasant jaunt that involves much less sweating.

And some ponies will see, along the way, the truth behind the race. What it's for. Who's taking part. Why they're doing it.

For at the end of the track, everyone gets the same prize. Hearth's Warming welcomes all, whether they come in first or second or even last. The point isn't to win the shiniest medal or to beat the record or to prove who's the greatest racer; it's to make it in time for the celebration. The race is just one more thing to talk about, in a world that's often running faster while forgetting which direction to go.

Originally designed as an entry for The Obselescence Memorial Jinglemas Twinglemas Secret Santa Sendoff: Part 2 Edition!

Uses the same specific prompt from DragonGeek: tagged "Rarity", tagged "Derpy Hooves", rated "Everyone", no romance.

Usually not one for tacky clothing or far-out ideas, Rarity nonetheless fulfils a generous if somewhat embarrassing dressmaking commission to please Derpy Hooves.

Unfortunately for her, a generous act can have... strange and unexpected consequences, especially when poor, simple, over-the-moon-grateful Derpy insists on repaying the kind deed.

Of course, Rarity will take it all in stride. And so will everyone else. It's only fashion, after all. No one ever gets silly or over-the-top about that, right?

Impossible Numbers' entry for The Obselescence Memorial Jinglemas Twinglemas Secret Santa Sendoff: Part 2 Edition!

My specific prompt from DragonGeek: tagged "Rarity", tagged "Derpy Hooves", rated "Everyone", no romance.

“Why do we get gifts every year?” said Dinky. “For Hearth’s Warming, I mean.”

This seems an easy enough question, but Ruby Pinch never had it easy. Trying to find out the real reason for all this gift-giving, she confronts the odd bond between the energetic Dinky and the reserved Amethyst, the simple-minded approach of her hapless cousin Piña Colada, and, on top of that, her beloved "Auntie" Berry, who's a confusing trial all on her own.

And then there's Ruby herself. For, sensible young mare as she thinks she is, she has her own growing mistrust of the answers she seems to be getting. Especially when it comes time to find her own gift.

Proofreading provided by Sunset_Sparkles of The Proofreader Group.

Inspired by, but not involved in, The Obselescence Memorial Jinglemas Twinglemas Secret Santa Sendoff: Part 2 Edition!

Dinky the Discoverer gets it into her head that the world needs a scientific study of cuddling, embracing, snuggling, and all that good wholesome stuff that makes life truly worth living.

Unfortunately for Golden Harvest, who needs the time to prepare for an important festival, this isn't a joke. Fortunately for Derpy, this is a golden opportunity to prove she's not a joke.

With all the silly little conflicts going on, Golden Harvest can't offer much in the way of guidance, much as she'd like to. (Nor can Derpy, though for more conventional reasons). Still, Dinky's not a quitter. She will rise up and face the call of duty.

The trick, of course, is to hear it over all this shouting...

Inspired by, but not a contestant for, CategoricalGrant's CuddleFic Contest.

Please Note: This is a story in progress. The Science of Hugging is currently being written for National Pony Writing Month 2017. Final version may be very different.

Having had her fair share of being shot at, Daring Do just wants time out on the exotic (and largely enigmatic) continent of Didgeridoo, a world where kangaroos are the dominant sapient species and everything is either trying to kill you or trying to be your mate.

When she finds a secret in the journal of legendary explorer Fresh Start, however, treasure hunter Daring Do also finds herself unwittingly embroiled in an ugly and ancient conflict, and soon she and a close friend have to hunt down the fabled treasure of the Rainbow Serpent, face dastardly villains in the treacherous Outback, and generally try to stay alive.

Of course, what Daring really wants is a drink by the beach, but some things are just never going to happen. Still; no worries, mate!

Please Note: This is a story in progress. The story is being written as part of National Pony Writing Month 2012. Final story may be very different.

Due to a Pinkie-related mix-up, Twilight et al end up sharing a vacation with a thoroughly unimpressed Cranky Doodle Donkey and a much more laid-back Matilda. Yet it's hard to stay mad for long in a city full of national treasures, exotic hybrids, and glorious histories.

Unless, of course, a pair of criminals decide to wreck up the place. Saddle Arabia is not all romance and sightseeing, after all. And it's not just thieves and bandits that make life difficult; the local constabulary are net exporters of difficulty in and of themselves.

Continuity: This fic is set during the middle of Season Three.

When they were younger, Rarity and Cheerilee joined the Ponyville Knitters League: Rarity to keep her skills going, Cheerilee to find her cutie mark. Well, that and it's the done thing when you're an aspiring fashionista.

However, both have to question their attitudes when the President of the League announces a contest. After all, one should have a purpose already, and one is still looking for theirs.

Contestant for THE BARCAST WRITING CONTEST #2: Make Rarity Not Garbage with Guest Judge: Monochromatic.

In the Hall of the Gods, Celestia – a mere unicorn – ascends the sacred steps to confront Indra, Lord of All Horses, whose mismanagement of the pony tribes almost brought ruin to his subjects. Unfortunately, she can't kill a god. And neither of them are wholly convinced she should even try.

A certain filly suffers a sleepless night. She loves art. She loves beauty. She loves ponies not instantly laughing at her like they do her parents. But it's her first day of school tomorrow, and she has to decide what kind of pony she's going to be.

Contestant for THE BARCAST WRITING CONTEST #2: Make Rarity Not Garbage with Guest Judge: Monochromatic.

There is one moon, with two sides. There is one planet, its partner. There is nothing else.

A runaway and a wizard, Sunset knows about the duality of a cold and careless cosmos. The cruellest of all is the one that separates life and death. Now her life is intertwined with those of a humble farming family. And nowhere is that more evident than with the infuriating, stubborn, lively, and heroic Applejack.

Until one fateful time, when life gives way to the other side of the coin.

Sunset broke the rules once before. She's willing to break them again. Or she'll break her spirit trying. There is no third choice.

Contestant for the Sunset Shipping Contest: Changing Seasons. Further details are available via this link.