It's Hearthswarming Eve and Gallus has started to really feel the distance that has been building up between him and his friends since he decided to join the Royal Guard. But now, he was invited again to visit, and how could he say no to Smolder?

Written for GaPJaxie for Jinglemas 2022

Twilight takes a bath to forget.

Second place in GaPJaxie's Happy Stories Speedwriting Contest, where it was conceived and written in 60 minutes.

Now with a reading from StraightToThePointStudio!

Only in death do we value what we love most.

Rarity would gladly tell you so considering she did die and all.

Was going to be a cute entry for the Tumblr RariTwi event going on, but then I started thinking about death and idk what happened after that

Art by lilfunkman.

Blurb

Rarity tries to come on to Ellie during her suit-fitting, but Ellie is not quite ready to admit to herself that making out with the magical horse ladies is cool and normal. She has a lot of feelings to process first.

Tags

• Sex: Prime time television rules. Cuts away before the action starts.

Sequel-ness

Though technically a sequel to Scenes From a Life in Equestria, I recommend starting here. At one point I will rewrite the parts of the prequel I am currently dissatisfied with, and when I do I will relink it as a direct prequel.

Author's Note

My entire life has been preparing me to write this story lol.

Can Twilight Sparkle stop the new menace that's suddenly taking control of her beloved home?

Spoilers: No

The wise who feared the coming dark strove hard to make their world an ark. But then the dark had grace to give: they couldn't flee, but could yet live.

Winner of the category "BEST WRITER WITH <500 FOLLOWERS" in the 2021 April Friendship is Optimal Writing Contest.

Many thanks to Admiral Biscuit for prereading.

Temporary note: minor edits to a few sentences to make them easier to understand correctly are planned, but in the interest of fair judging no changes will be made to the published version of this story until after the contest results are announced. EDIT: to be made once opportunity permits.

Chrysalis' scheme has borne fruit. United by bribes and promises, the leaders of each nation have come with her to deliver an ultimatum: surrender Equestria, or face hopeless war with their combined armies.

So why does Celestia look to Chrysalis with a gentle, mourning gaze? And why is Chrysalis afraid?

Twilight is home for the holidays, and she and her brothers have a special little tradition between them as they reflect on the events past.

A tale, from the Land of Faerie, of a Princess who endured a cruel curse.

Cover art by Margaret Rope (detail of a window in Shrewsbury Cathedral).

Thanks to War877 for editing help, and Justanotherbrony for research help.

Nice words: (1) (2)