Rainbow Dash prepares to read a story to Tank, only to end up reading it to somepony else as well.

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Simple no-stakes Scootalove scene for the holidays.
Takes place one year after S5:E5 – Tanks for the Memories.
Cover art credit: Dilarus

James Kaughn is a member of the world's most elite fighting force, but when his team is sent in to rescue a captive family in Afghanistan the mission hits a snag. He stays behind to allow the others to escape, fully expecting to die, but ends up in an unfamiliar place. Join him as he meets new challenges and struggles with his worsening PTSD. Will he be able to actually make friends and not just teammates?

This story is a sequel to My Little Investigations: Wonderbolts Under Fire

My name is Octavia Melody. I play the cello for the Canterlot Ensemble, and I co-host a talk show on K-COLT Radio. I feel that music is a very important part of my life. It's how I express myself creatively, and while I can't speak for every musician out there, I know quite a few ponies who feel the same way. Which is why I was very excited to be given a chance to perform at the Manehattan Music Festival; an annual event where musicians from all walks of life gather to practice their art and enjoy the work of others. It is truly a music-lover's paradise, regardless of which genre you prefer. And as somepony who can appreciate all sorts of music (yes, even dubstep. Don't, tell Vinyl I said that), I was sure that this was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Then I get a mysterious letter delivered to my hotel room saying that if I so much as play a single note ever again, my life is forfeit.

At first, I thought it was a joke (and a poor one, at that). Nopony in their right mind would take a letter like that seriously. But then, a terrible accident occurs at the festival in the middle of Vinyl's set. As it turns out, she got the same letter I did. In fact, the only reason she's still alive is because she was rescued by a mysterious mare dressed in a rather bizarre costume. I couldn't make this up if I tried, though Celestia knows I wish I did.

Now, I'm no detective, but I know a rat when I smell one. I can say with a good amount of certainty that Vinyl and I weren't the only ones to get that letter. But what lunatic would go to such great lengths in order to hold every musician in Equestria hostage like this, and to what end? I don't have an answer to this, but one thing is for certain. Whoever it is, they won't get away with it.

The story I'm about to tell you is real (but again, I wish it wasn't), although some details may be open to interpretation. For the sake of clarity, I have decided not to change any names. Also, I feel it's fair to warn you that this is not a tale for young foals, the faint of heart, or the easily offended. If you fall into any of these categories, I highly advise you to turn back now and find something a bit more pleasant.

((Case 2 of the Mare-Do-Well Files.))

Things aren't going well for Twilight. Celestia seems to be upset with her, things are starting to make less sense, and she keeps seeing that face in the mirror.

Lovely cover art courtesy of Dilarus.

Sometimes friendships are simple.

Sometimes they're complicated.

And sometimes a little thing like waking up next to your best friend makes them go from one to the other really, really fast.

This story is a sequel to Starlight, Trixie And The Cursed Manor

Mossy is a puca living in the woods near a manor near Neighpols, and today is his birthday. He spends the day as he always spends his birthdays, waking up, practicing transforming, having breakfast, and reminiscing on better days. He just wishes that the day didn't hold so much emotional baggage, and that he wouldn't have to spend it alone.

This is technically a prequel to Starlight, Trixie, and the Cursed Manor, but I would personally recommend reading this after that story as it spoils some of the mystery and impact.

Written for the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Expanded Universe Contest

Thank you to Stinium_Ruide for editing this story.

Ever since she was a little filly, Limestone Pie was a very ambitious, hardworking pony. Even back then, she took pride in a lot of things: her work, her hobbies, and her role as the eldest sister of the Pie Family. But when Pinkie Pie exclaimed on how great Maud Pie was when they were making rock candy necklaces together, Limestone began to fret over losing her status as "big sister" forever. So in order to prove her worth, she decided to join her sisters in their 2nd Annual Rock-Candy-Necklace-athon, and she brought along the one pony who can help her reclaim that title... her baby sister, Marble Pie.

Lord Grogar has been defeated.

At least until he returns yet again to bring the world to the edge of destruction, as he has countless times before. Only this time things will be different. Much different.

An expansion of the story from the Writeoff It Could Have Gone Better of the same name

Cover art fromDiscorderlyConduct at this link

There, inside of a dark forest, a single Kirin survives alone. What once was a place of wonder turned into a death trap where the dead shambled and ate anything still alive.

Autumn Blaze can't cure her friends, but maybe... maybe she can find a way to calm them down. Also, using innocent woodland creatures to feed them feels a little amoral to her. Even though it had gotten to a point calling each and every one of her fallen buddies by name is foolish; it wouldn't hurt to help them. It wouldn't hurt to soothe them.

This story is a sequel to Sunset Shimmer: Spider Queen

Sunset Shimmer accidentally knocks Rarity to the ground. To apologize, Sunset takes Rarity to her apartment to make the girl some tea and let her clean off. While Rarity is gone, Sunset finds a strange packet Rarity left open on the coffee table. Curious, she takes a peek. When she sees its contents, she discovers more about her best friend than she ever expected to.

This story is part of Sunset's Recovery Arc. Click that link for a helpful guide and timeline.

Prereading generously provided by CoffeeMinion! With support from Dusk Melody. Thank you!

This story was inspired by the cover pic by AmpersandXYZ, which is used with his permission.
(Note: While this pic is SFW, some of his front-page gallery is not, meaning I can't link directly to his main dA page; sorry)

Rated "T" for slightly risqué things.