It was a week before Nightmare Night, when Rarity decided to take a trip to Canterlot.

And while there, she meets a sweet, classy mare with a prismatic mane, and a habit of saying "Darling". But there's something about her that she finds just too familiar.

And as she'll learn, maybe there's more to this familiarity than meets the eye.

Update (4/8/2023): Now with a Dramatic Reading by Obab Scribbler

Author's Note (11/14):

Sweet Celestia.

Less than 24 hours live and this story has set three milestones for me. This is the first time I've had a story of mine be top of the Featured list, the first time I've had a story of mine get over 100 Likes, and the first time that a story of mine has reached over 1,000 views.

Thank you all so much. I am amazed.

This story is a sequel to Continue?

After learning the shocking secret that a highly helpful "Continue Screen" exists beyond death, Twilight Sparkle is even more surprised to discover it comes with the ability to relive and explore her past adventures.

It even comes with an added difficulty option. But is Twilight Sparkle truly ready for her life's greatest battles on Hard Mode?

Following her tragic death by yet another villain of the week, Twilight Sparkle finds herself facing something all alicorns eventually uncover.

The continue screen.

DJ-P0N3.Exe is no longer responding. Thankfully, Octavia Melody has an extended warranty.

While exploring Canterlot Castle, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash uncover a room filled with stone tablets connected to dials. Above each dial is the name of an alicorn they know.

These old things couldn't possibly control an alicorn's power, could they?

Only one way to find out.

Unicorns are historically superior to other races.

Twilight finds out why.

Edited by Aragon and R5h, uniquely inspired by KitsuneRisu.

I don't want you to hurt anymore. Here. Let me help you.

Reading by FireRain

After accidentally learning that each Princess has their very own secret rooms to retreat inside whenever they wish, Twilight Sparkle makes it her mission to uncover just what could be inside Princess Celestia's.

Perhaps Twilight should have knocked first.

Artwork by Hawk9mm.

Twilight discovers the pain of the many and varied eccentric laws written by King Sombra in the most unspeakable of languages.

Set between seasons 3 and 4.

An entry for Aragon's Comedy is Serious Business Contest.

Edited by Dreams of Ponies and Level Dasher