The glamorous unicorn Opalescence is haunted by bizarre recurring dreams of a world in which she and her friends are all animals. But as vivid as these dreams are, surely they're just dreams, right? There couldn't actually be a parallel universe somewhere where they're little more than pets ... right?

<sub>Thanks to all readers! It was wonderful to know you.

See the finished spiritual successor here.</sub>

Its a common sentiment that a parent should never outlive her children. But what happens when you outlive all your friends? your family? What happens when year after year you watch ponies you grow close to grow old and die? How far would you go to keep somepony, anypony you love close? How much could the need for something to remain the same, to remain unchanged affect you?

I'd like to thank my pre-readers for their valuable input on this story, and let's not forget my editor, Kalash, for his hard work.

Edit: 2/15/2020 FEATURE BOX!!!! Thank you so much for the honor! And making it to the top!!!

Celestia: a filly of twelve. A cynical, hungry pauper, with a young sister to protect and feed.

But the food has run out. Winter has gripped the land for too long, and now the pair face starvation.

The cynic in Celestia knows she can't move the sun. But the child in her wonders... and so she tries.

(Inspired by the Donovan song of the same name.)

(Now with a dramatic reading here, by Crafty Arts, and here, by KeyframeProductions.)

(Now with a Spanish translation here.)

February Write-Off Second Place Winner! Dodge Junction is a foul place, full of fouler people. At least, that's what Sheriff Bismarck wants Applejack to believe. And yet, here, among the dregs of society, Applejack finds an honest soul to help her rid her home town of a fearsome beast - a grizzled old outlaw, desperate for redemption.

It's Sisterhooves Social time again. This year, Dash catches wind of two new competitors and gets Spike to bet on the race. When her team is revealed to be a rather famous set of siblings, it looks like poor Spike will be her slave for a week! However, due to a team of masseurs, a minor invasion, unfortunate addictions, and dubious barrel components, victory might not be as near as she thinks...

When Lyra finds her old pet fish in the back of the freezer, she sees an opportunity to recapture the glories of her youth.

Lyra and Flipper are back together after ten years. After all, a bit of ice never got in the way of true friendship.

Diamond Tiara enters the Running of the Leaves. She wants Rainbow Dash to coach her. She gets Discord instead.

Set a year or two after the main series, but contains no spoilers. An entry to the Season 10 Bingo Contest. Prompt is in the author's note at the end.

Big thanks to RCharge for editing and Gingerquill for a pre-read!

Awarded a "Judge's Choice" in the contest! Hype!

Out Of The Running really expands on The Running Of The Leaves... Add that with kirin beginning to mingle in Ponyville, Diamond Tiara wanting to run, a drought, and Discord, and you have a winning formula... Overall, I absolutely adored this story and I'm glad that it was entered in this contest.

—MyLittleBronyDude

Cover art: https://derpibooru.org/images/1944253

As the eternal regent of Equestria, Princess Celestia's knowledge of magic is without equal. Over her long life, only a few gifted ponies who had a great destiny before them have had the honor of learning at her side. Sunset Shimmer was one such pony: one of Celestia’s best and most promising students. As she learned at Celestia’s hooves, their bond strengthened until they became far more than student and teacher to one another.

Sometimes those closest to us are the ones who can hurt us the most.

[Note: This story does not directly tie into Equestria Girls]

Once she got her wings, Twilight found herself with three times the magic to study. She's been spending time with her friends since, the better to understand how each does what she does.

Now it's Pinkie Pie's turn, and she thinks it's best if they discuss her abilities in her heavily soundproofed room. A bit unusual, but it's not like they'll be doing anything actually dangerous, right?

Right?

Set between Seasons 3 and 4. Written for the More Most Dangerous Game, using the Cupcakes prompt.