Equestria is not what it seems. The web of lies and deceit upon which the kingdom has rested for thousands of years is slowly unraveling, and with it goes the safety that ponykind has enjoyed since the times of legend. In the midst of this upheaval, a young unicorn stumbles into a conflict that is beyond his comprehension. Thrust into a world of unfathomably powerful magic, miraculous technology and dark forces older than the world itself, he desperately fights to save his home from the onrushing storm.

Quick note: Added an 'Alternate Universe' tag because while I think everything fits within the show's canon, as most of it takes place outside Equestria, the world has drifted quite a bit beyond what's in the show. In addition, FIMFiction lacks a sci-fi tag, which this story sorely needs, and this is as close as I can get.

Nine months was all it took for one earth pony to put Princess Celestia on the defensive. A fledgling protest movement and its wily leader have risen to challenge both her and Luna's age-old rule. And though Celestia harbors many doubts about her adversary’s true motivations, she can't shake the feeling that her own frantic strategy to restore order just might be proving the protesters’ point. As she and a devoted Royal Guardspony race to tamp down the flames from Just Cause’s torch, the princess will discover firsthoof what happens when her sister’s regrets and resentments are set free, when the loyalty of Equestria’s bravest is pushed to its limits, and when a few ponies’ genuine fears are ignored for just a moment too long. Featured on Equestria Daily!