Princess Luna's guards have earned a reputation as the bravest and most devoted of all her subjects. Every mare and stallion under her command was ready to protect their Princess and her honor no matter the cost. None of that changed when she took on the mantle of Nightmare Moon.

But when a desperate attempt to turn the tide of conflict goes awry, the Princess's most trusted aide is forced to make a choice that puts her loyalty to the test.

Second place in the /PJ2023/ competition!

Hearth's Warming is a time of giving thanks.

Even when the entity we're giving thanks to might not be the sort other folks think deserves it.

But Luna's wise enough to love her enemies. Or, at least, acknowledge when debts are due.

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This isn't technically part of Jinglemas, but it's dedicated to the ever lovely Flutterpriest nonetheless. As soon as he told me that he wasn't joining the jinglemas collab as a participant, I decided that he was going to get a fic anyway, because he deserves it.

He gave me a heck of a tough nut to crack, character-wise, but I hope I did okay with it.

Starlight Glimmer never thought much about the map table in Twilight Sparkle's throne room, except to consider taking it apart to learn its secrets. It didn't have much use for her. But all that changes when the table selects her and Twilight Sparkle for a mission in Las Pegasus. Now they're in pursuit of a crazed villain and a magic spell that threatens to undo their entire timeline.

Starlight Glimmer knows a thing or two about timelines. But the dreams she's been having? They're the deepest mystery yet.

Winner of the March Writeoff Competition.

Upon being banished to the moon, Nightmare Moon found that she was able to communicate with Discord, also sealed away as a statue.

The two despise one another, but compared to an endless monotony, even two hated foes would rather talk with one another. Over time, Discord and Nightmare Moon begin to fall in love, right up until tragedy strikes.

Day 5 of my Self-Imposed 31 Fics in 31 Days Challenge. Also written for Monthly Shipfics.

Art by LunacordLover, used with permission.

Rainbow Dash finds out that Twilight's mother is the real identity of Silky Dusk, the author of the Daring Do books.

Excited by her discovery, she writes a fan letter.

Things only go downhill from there.

(Written before Daring Don't)

Proofread by RainbowDashie1001.

(Russian translation courtesy of Korryamber)

(Audio reading by KhaosSparkz)
(Audio reading by Ironwolf)
(Audio reading by Landon)

Tracy Maxwell is in a desperate situation: find somewhere to live, or lose the internship he needs to survive. After exhausting every property in the city, one last option appears the day before his deadline. Sure the agent selling the place is a little weird, and more than a little overeager to get the property signed off. At the worst, maybe there's a little mold in the bathroom somewhere, and he has to make do until the lease is up.

But then he steps inside and discovers things can be much worse. The property is in another universe, and while he's there he'll have to play by its rules. He's free to continue working his dream job, so long as he keeps to the contract. Even worse, he's got a roommate who has no intention of leaving him alone.

If he ever wants to escape, he'll have to read the Fine Print.

This story now has a hardcover! If you'd like one of your own, you can grab it here: https://starscribe.net/

This story is a commission by _Kenzu_!

Sometimes life's lessons are easiest to learn in our old classrooms, and with our old teachers. Standing on the cusp of her journey as an instructor at the School of Friendship, Scootaloo hopes that her very first teacher can offer her some insight.

Third place in the of the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting 'Colorful Characters #5' contest. The colorful character was Cheerilee, and the prompt was "patience".

"Do not speak to us of flame or wrath! Lest we show thee what the words truly mean!"

Twilight, Starlight, and Trixie go back in time to answer two questions: why did Celestia become Daybreaker, and how did Equestria survive?

Note: This story assumes the events of Friendmaker, but can also be read on its own.

No longer a powerless blank-flank, Twilight, together with her friends, faces the return of Nightmare Moon... with Twilight having no idea what her magic might do next!

Sequel to Twilight Runs Away.

Also serves as Luna's entry in the "Nightmare" series of independent stories about the redemption of each of the alicorn Princesses (see Friendmaker and Daybreaker). Note: you do not need to read these before Nightwaker. But if you choose to circle back to them at some point, I won't mind!

Dreams. In some ways they are the most delicate, ephemeral part of one's consciousness. In others, they are a direct path to the mind's deepest hidden desires, fears and doubts. Despite this, ponies are told from a young age that they are harmless. That dreams have no power over them. That they hold nothing that must be feared.

Nothing... save the nightmares that strive to prove them wrong.