During a vacation to Rock Height, a tourist town through and through, Twilight Sparkle encounters Trixie Lulamoon as a waitress—and Trixie provides the worst service imaginable.

Huge thanks to RB_ for prereading and to PseudoBob Delightus for proofreading this fic!

This story is a prequel to What does it mean to be?

Twilight Sparkle has a problem.
And she needs to fix it.

The time has come for Celestia to have a one-to-one lesson with her personal protege, Twilight Sparkle. She is, no doubt, a bright young unicorn and it doesn't take her long to understand the overall concept of the teleportation and transfiguration spell. That is not to say the lesson went perfectly well as Twilight's magic takes a haywire spin and does things unimaginable coming from a foal.

Edit: Oh the stars and galaxies, this thing got featured on 05/02/2023!!! Thank you!!!

Second Edit: OMG! This is the first time my story landed on top of the featured list. Thank you so much!!!

Third Edit: Audiobook version by The Mystery Fluttershy Fan! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbCgCNefS8A

Fourth edit: Featured on Equestria Daily

They refer to it as "The Crossroads". A place without life, without death, without time, without light. A realm that existed before Equestria, before time itself came to be.
Every few centuries, Princess Celestia meets with this realm's sole inhabitant. A game is arranged. A wager is made. This is how it has always been and how it must always be.
But this time, this creature desires something more.

Time Travel is complicated, Twilight knew that.

Twilight and Starlight have been playing around with time travel spells for a year now, and they have finally made a grand breakthrough, in the worst way possible.

Twilight now has to deal with her worst enemy yet, Twilight!

Audio Version by MysteryPonyFiction

For many long years, Twilight Sparkle worked to try to reform Cozy Glow. She'd be released from her stone prison periodically for a new reformation attempt, and she'd inevitably end up trying to conquer Equestria again. Being turned into a statue became a regular habit for her over the years. There were always more chances to conquer Equestria, always another attempt to reform her, and she wasn't aware of the passage of time each period she was committed to her prison.

Until one day, she was released again—only to find no one was there.

Cover Art by Shaslan

Sent to the corner three times in one week . . .

Despite getting his cutie mark, Stormy Knight isn't happy. He thought it would change things at school, but he's still made fun of, just for a different reason. Convinced that he's no good, cutie mark or no, he starts believing his own sad thoughts, and it makes him lash out, which only makes everypony at school believe what he believes.

That he's nothing but a bad colt who deserves it.

A sad little one-shot for the naughty kid in school, or the screw-up who never felt loved.

The dialogue without modifiers is more akin to memories than actual dialogue. Sort of like reflections. I hope that helps to clear up any confusion.

Special thanks to Sipioc for the amazing hand-drawn cover art!

Now with a beautiful reading by Midnight 23 and AJ the Autistic Pony!

Horizon lays beaten and ultimately held in a cell beneath Canterlot Castle. Left with three days before trial, he finds self reflection when Pinkie Pie pays him an unexpected visit.

Something's wrong with Twilight's new student, the redeemed villain Starlight Glimmer

Even though Starlight been forgiven for everything she's done and been made a member of Twilight's distinguished circle of friends, something's obviously troubling her. Even a Pinkie Party thrown in her honor isn't enough to cheer her up.

Troubled, Twilight has a little mare-to-mare chat with her new friend/student, only to be bushwhacked by a simple question: "Why?"

Special thanks to Winston for proofreading and editing!

It's been a few weeks since Starlight Glimmer nearly destroyed all of time and space, and she hasn't gone outside since. At least, not until she receives an invitation from Princess Celestia to meet for tea. This can't be good.

Thanks to Haze and Monokeras for pre-reading.
Cover art by Amber Spark!