Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have been watching over Equestria for many centuries. They've seen cities rise and fall, empires grow and collapse. They've guided their subjects through the ages better than anypony could hope for.

So why, then, do they feel so alone at the end of time?

^{Written for the A Thousand Words Contest II, in the 'Drama' category.}

Opaline has never been a particularly maternal or nurturing pony, but when she finds an abandoned filly in the woods, she takes the newborn foal under her wing. This is the story of her first full day with her adopted daughter, Misty.

For as long as Sunny can remember, there have been tales of a strange hermit living deep in the Everfree Forest, the most dangerous place in Equestria. Of course, nopony could ever prove if this was true. After all, who in their right mind would actually go there? Unfortunately for Sunny, she may not have a choice, as during a test flight on the Mare Stream, she and Zipp crash land in the middle of that very forest. With no way out and timberwolves just waiting to pounce, what else can she do but hope that the tales are true?

And just who, or what, is this hermit supposed to be, anyway?

Opaline grew up being bullied and unseen by the royal sisters, whom she tried tirelessly but unsuccessfully to impress; still, Luna showed her more kindness than Celestia ever did.

Alone and friendless, Opaline fled Skyros and found safety in Canterlot, where she stayed until Nightmare Moon’s banishment. After Celestia imprisons Luna in the moon, Opaline confronts the ruler of the sun, forcing Celestia to come to terms with the role she played in Luna’s downfall.

The Unity Crystals had been acting oddly for a few days, piquing Sunny and her group’s interest. The artifacts' power was unknown, holding untold secrets of the ancient world within them, but what it bestows upon them is beyond any of their wildest imagination. With endless questions, and an absolute need for more information, the ponies begin a journey to find some kind of an answer.

Leading them to the forgotten ends of Equestria, the path to their goal sends them through the ancient world where the foundations of friendship itself were laid. Though the answers they search for may be better off unanswered.

Sunny knew of the ancient world, the Elements of Harmony, and the six ponies that saved Equestria time and time again. She'd learned how the Element bearers' stories started, and how they ended, all except one - Twilight Sparkle. She always dreamed about learning more of her hero, but never would have imagined how she and her friends would soon become entwined in her tale.

Time can do many things, and for the idol of friendship, it can be her undoing.

This story was started and heavily planned when only Chapter 2 of Make Your Mark was available.

Full Resolution Cover Art Here

Thanks to Enigmatic Otaku and Gonderlane for helping edit the story!

Story cover art by: SyrupyyyArt

This story is a sequel to Empty Horizons

For the first time in a thousand years, the old magic has returned to Equestria.

The Elements of Harmony have been torn asunder by the careless Equestria they found themselves in just one month ago. Twilight Sparkle fled into the ocean, pleading for her friends not to follow her after only barely stopping the destructive rampage caused by The Other. Rainbow Dash and Applejack, with nothing but their knowledge of Twilight's nature and a crew of seasoned adventurers, leave Altalusia hoping to find their lost friend and bring her back. Meanwhile, Countess Rarity finds herself trapped among the machinations of Duke Titus, but perhaps she can yet use her new position for good.

But the new Equestria remains as treacherous as ever for six mares lost in time, and the sunken ruins of their old home still holds fresh and terrifying dangers. Mysteries a thousand years old demand solving, and even those born on the floating islands of the new Equestria may find themselves torn between two paths.

The world changed in the absence of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and with their return it braces for change once more.

Audiobook updates Thursdays and Fridays!

Edited by Noc, Dominus Alicorn, and PsyonicG.

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Featherdust was the premier maiden to Her Majesty, Princess Celestia. To others, it was a position of great renown, and a higher honor than simply serving the princess.

Now, she has forsaken the sun, to serve only the moon.

Thanks to NorrisThePony.
An entry for the A Thousand Words Contest II in the ‘Drama’ category
An audio reading by StraightToThePointStudio, as well as a reading by Midnight
Recommended by PresentPerfect.

What would a princess do in the case of a(nother) changeling invasion?

An entry in the Thousand Words contest, under the /schizo/ category.

UPDATE: Profanity no longer censored in the title

In the aftermath of a concert gone royally wrong, Pipp Petals must make her daring escape from the castle alone before she can be arrested along with her mother. When she stumbles across the crown jewel of her kingdom, the smallest princess decides to live up to her duty and protect the family heirloom from any would-be thieves.

At least, that's the plan...

An entry for Bicyclette's A Thousand Words Contest II hosted by the A Thousand Words group.
Edited by: TheAncientPolitzanian
Preread by: Jymbroni
Cover Art: Smol Pipp by Kayle Rustone on Twitter
Now with a YouTube Reading by RainbowInfinityReadings

An Equestria ravaged by the changeling horde is the last place that somepony would expect a mare of culture and refinement to survive. With the capitol of Canterlot having been the first city taken, the nobility has been wiped out to a pony and Princess Celestia has vanished, the only sign that she's still alive being the fact that the sun continues to rise every morning.

Yet, from the wreckage has come Rarity, a mare who carries herself like a noble and speaks little of her past. Her only companion is a young filly and her only possession is a strange necklace around her neck, the gem of which matches her cutie mark. She claims that said necklace has power, and that now is the time to gather their strength and strike back against the invaders.

Few can deny that this stranger is charismatic, and her words compelling, but the mysteries swirling around her almost eclipse her ruthless determination to liberate Equestria once and for all. In a land where trust is a dangerous gamble, can anypony take the risk?

Or is the greater risk to do nothing at all?

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