This story is a sequel to Rigid

Sombra's forces are in disarray. The EUP has advanced swiftly, smashing his armies and cutting off his supply lines. Now they have the Crystal Empire surrounded, completely cut off from the outside world. Victory is a certainty; it's only a matter of time. Dash can feel it. Everyone can.

But Sombra won't go down without a fight, and he has one last trick up his sleeve...

Princess Cadance takes on the Crystal Empire patriarchy.

Written for FanOfMostEverything's Imposing Sovereigns contest in the Usurper¹ Cadance category.

¹Princesses Who Grabbed Power in a Man's World.

Princess of the Crystal Empire Checklist

- Defeat evil unicorn king [✔]
- Restore rule of law [✔]
- Get hair done [✔]
- Win chance to host Equestria Games [✔]
- Shut up those silly old colts with antiquated ideas about the role of a princess [ ]

This story is a sequel to Post Negative Comments Only

He's been reassigned so many times as to have a file thicker than his armor. There are ponies who doubt his ability to cross a room without creating a disaster, and he's one of them. Banishment to Moon is in fact too good for him. He's the single least suitable member in the history of the Crystal Guard, and history had better be prepared to take on eternity if it's ever going to see him surpassed. Because Flash Sentry starts every morning with a silent declaration of I'll get fired today and goes to sleep on I'll be fired tomorrow.

Or maybe that's more of a prayer.

(Part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group: new members and trope edits are welcome. This story takes place after the events of Post Negative Comments Only, so reading that one first is highly recommended.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

Cadance isn't Sombra. But Sombra's leadership is all the crystal ponies remember, a ruler they had to love at all costs, with the final payment being their own lives. And as they gradually come to see their new Princess as leader instead of savior, too much of that residual fear is being transferred to her. They praise her, adore her, refuse to correct her no matter what she does -- because they live in terror of the consequences for doing anything else. They have yet to find their own voices, and may go on repeating hers until Celestia and Luna switch shifts. So how can she make them tell her when she's wrong, see that there's nothing to be afraid of, and take the next step in coming back to themselves once and for all?

Forbidding them to do anything other than criticize her should do the trick, right?

...right?

(Part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group -- but can be read as a stand-alone, and no knowledge of the other stories is required. New members and trope edits are welcome.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

It turns out that Sunset Shimmer's final letters to Princess Celestia before her exile were not filled with resentment or remorse.

There might have been a lot more frantic running away involved.

But whatever the case, it was definitely not Sunset's fault.

At all.

Cover Art designed by Novel-Idea from my original cruddy screencap!

Rated Teen and Sex for mentions of egregious sexual irresponsibility. No actual sex.

Contains minor Sunlight shipping. Much apologies.

Princess Luna decides that risking the lives of the Elements of Harmony time and time again is hardly the most sensible or strategic response to the threats Equestria faces, leading her to seek an alternative solution, one which will ensure Equestria's protection in a more efficient manner.

The vagrants and outcasts of Equestria then find themselves presented with a proposition, one which could ensure their futures and prosperity... Assuming they survive the tasks requested of them that is.

Additional tags: Princess Ember, Bon Bon / Sweetie Drops, Changeling.
Old Cover Art
TvTropes Page

When Twilight Sparkle acquired the Power Pony comic-book spell, she thought all her bookworm dreams had come true. Sadly, her plans to live through every Daring Do novel are cut short when Rarity asks they try a romance novel.

It's one thing to reenact a cheesy dramatic love scene with your significant other. It's another thing entirely having to rescue them from being the permanent main character of a book. Literally.

Special thanks to the wonderful Maxi for the coverart! // Based off a ficlet I wrote a few years ago.

After Starlight hypnotized her friends, Twilight goes out of her way to teach them how to control their own minds before someone else does.

It doesn't go too well.

Do you remember that one time when you and your fashion understudy got drunk and made love? Rarity doesn't.

Cover Art by RuinedOmega

What happens when a pony doesn't actually like the cutie mark that they receive? Perhaps one more embarrassing than most?

Well, that's when Starlight Glimmer's special talents come into play.

UPDATE: labeled as complete. I really can't think of anything else to add to this story.