"The first time I came back, I thought it was a miracle. By the fifth or sixth time, I knew it was a curse."

Death is a reasonable fear, but it is also a constant reassurance. A promise that no matter how bad things get, they will one day end.

That promise was broken, leaving Rainbow Dash to pay the cost.

A very last minute entry for the 2024 SciFi Contest III.

Special thanks to ScreamQueen and Rb for prereading and valuable feedback.

General content warning: Some depictions of blood, death, and debilitating injuries, but no graphic descriptions. Some existential horror.

Hi there everypony! My name is Twilight Sparkle and I just got this letter from my good human friend, Anonymous. I thought I would share with you guys his fantastic news! I'm so happy for him. Here, read his letter for yourselves!

Reading by Pony & Wolf Productions

A human has arrived in Ponyville that the Apples dubbed, "Anonymous."
Twilight is worried he might be dangerous. They know nothing about him after all. However, the Apples still treat him like a common pet, until he begins mimicking speech.

Fluttershy never liked storms and she still doesn't, unfortunately for her there's a big one coming.

Cute Flutterdash fluff at it's finest.

Rainbow Dash's morning was pretty much ruined.
She tripped getting out of bed and landed flat on her face, giving herself an aching muzzle.
She forgot to buy her favorite brand of hay flakes at the store yesterday and had to eat plain toast for breakfast.
She found out she had to pull double-duty today and tomorrow on the weather patrol.
Oh, and she found a nearly-dead foal, broken and bleeding at the edge of Ponyville.

The rest of her day became a whirlpool of stress and worry but the colt woke up, thank Celestia.
Something's not right, though. Nopony can find his parents, he's not in the registers, and there's an unsettling look in his eye...

-
YouTube reading by Fire Hearth

Chinese Translation by forgivenlove

Russian Translation by Likantrop

TV Tropes page, if you're interested in that sort of thing.

After breaking her wing and being grounded for a couple days, Rainbow Dash gradually finds she's a lot smaller than she realized.

My tags: Heartwarming

Inspired by this wonderful artwork:
Colored Source
Non-Colored Source

A dragon and a pony. A mare and a dragoness. Together and in love? Pretty weird, right?

Most ponies would say that. Scoffing at just how ridiculous that sounded, while some might even question if you were alright in the head for asking such a ludicrous thing. A dragon and a pony could NEVER be together, it just wouldn't work. Yet, this was the reality for two of the residents in little hamlet known as Ponyville. They lived the impossible. A yellow dragon who towered greatly over the equine residents of the town who was the perfect definition of a gentle giant; and a small blue pegasus who was pretty much known all across Equestria for her flying prowess even from a young age.

Those two were Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

They were life long friends who eventually grew up to discover feelings of love for the other. What exactly lead them to falling for each other was still a mystery to any who saw them; and a bit of one to the both of them as well. They seemed like complete opposites, but that worked perfectly for the pair. It didn't really matter why, or how anyways... All that they knew is that neither one of them could imagine going any further in life without the other beside them, supporting their goals in every way imaginable.

But, such a relationship has it's rocky moments. It has ups and down, sacrifices and compromises that either of them is fully prepared for. Hard work and determination will help them though, love will always prosper.

Though, is the world ready for a dragon and a pony to get married?

I guess they're gonna find out...

Artwork done by imalou, picture taken from Derpibooru! Also check out his Twitter right here! Artwork was used without permission, so if the artist requests this to be removed, I gladly will. And apologizes in advance for using without asking, but this picture motivated me so much I just had to use it for the story that was inspired by the wonderful art.

The first chapter was pretty much based wholly by this picture, it just kinda captured my heart and I knew there was a story there. Less than two weeks later, I had a chapter written. I'm not sure where this will go fully, but I want to keep it E or at the most T if I need to. So expect some lighthearted lovey stuff to come from this story!

Big thanks to Scaramouche For editing/proofreading this for me before it went live.

It has been one of the closest guarded secrets of Canterlot's royalty. Deep in a specially constructed dungeon, surrounded by warding spells and powerful magic barriers, exists an enigma. Within a cage that could only be described as something out of a nightmare, it waits and watches all of Equestria. A creature that cannot age, is immune to disease, does not thirst nor hunger, and resists all injury. But, it also holds secrets and knowledge that could safeguard the kingdom. Its powers are frightening, but it is civil enough for debate when patience permits.

Princess Celestia has sought counsel with the creature before, enduring it making deal after deal for its services. The Princess walks a fine line when dealing with it, knowing full well anything could give it an advantage despite its imprisonment. She has had to go back on her word in these dealings, and from this a deep animosity between them has been born. It is a necessary evil as she is convinced this is a being capable of untold evil far and above anything Equestria has ever dreamed of. So long as it remains within the confines of its cell, her kingdom is made safe. So much magic has been woven to ensure that, there is little chance of escape.

So long as the magic holds, there is no danger. So long as the cage remains strong, the nameless creature stays enthralled in his cavernous dwelling. If that were to change--if the magic failed--not even the wisest could say. But one thing is assured, it does not bode well for Equestria.

Rainbow Dash sneaks into the Golden Oak library. At night.

Takes place before season 4.

Entry in the RIGHT BACK AT IT AGAIN! 2020 SHIPPING COMPETITION

Cover art by Twidasher

After a long day’s work, Celestia loves nothing more than to get her belly rubbed by Josh, the Royal Belly Scratcher.