You can't escape from the sins of your ancestors.

The title image is by kvernikovskiy. You can find more of his wonderful art at his deviant art page. http://kvernikovskiy.deviantart.com/

If you came to hear a story, I’m sorry to disappoint. I suspect this’ll just end up as one big confession, really. When you’re the first Teutscher to set hoof into Equestria, I suppose that’s to be expected. And when you’re the universe’s favorite chew toy, doubly so. Still, with enough wit, some Prussian ingenuity, a droll sense of humor, and wanton murder, I might just survive this. Then again, when you’re going up against an unending list of things like government conspiracies, that guardian angel who keeps telling you to kill ponies, psycho Equestrian girls with allophilia, a lunatic princess, the legions of the Inferno, the Equestrian culture itself, swashbuckling sword fights, and laissez-faire economists, you begin to realize why there’s a big “if” in the middle of your life.

Your thoughts/critiques/deathreats are welcome in the comments. Spoilers are also encouraged. If you don’t have anything to complain about, do please tell me what you liked so I know what worked.

Now on TV Tropes. Posted on the Equestria Daily 5/28/13. Now in ePub format for your convenience.

Equestria, but not as you know it.

Welcome to the radiant capital of the Solar Kingdom. Gargantuan skyscrapers line the streets and mechanical transports dot the skies. AI constructs reign over most electronics built within the last decade.

The streets of Canterlot and New Ponyville are embroiled in a corporate cold war while more obvious international conflict threatens to engulf the borders. A young, sheltered Twilight Sparkle embarks on a perilous tour of this brave new world with the aid of a select few others: less-than-fortunate outcasts and calculating socialites among them.

An amalgamation of classic and modern cyberpunk in controlled doses. Inject directly into bloodstream.
For the more genteel among you: story contains measured amounts of violence and profanity.

As a new leader and higher up in the ranks of the alicorns, Twilight must be tested. She needs to be prepared to deal with the responsibilities of her duties as a princess. Not only in the term of protecting others, but in physical pain that she would potentially go through.

Or that's what Celestia keeps telling herself. Celestia constantly attempts to kill Twilight, bringing her back to life every time she stops breathing. Twilight doesn't understand. Why would her mentor put her through this? Why would she make her suffer like that? She claims it's to teach her how to deal with pain...

But is she really telling the truth, or does she need an outlet for the pain she suffered?

Special thanks to Mr101, Skeeter the Lurker, RainbowBob, and Merc

Losing someone is never easy, especially when you consider the death your fault. Twilight is filled with guilt over Spike's death, descending deeper into depression. In order to save her friend, and deny the truth, Rarity will go to any lengths to get their precious Spike back. And when she goes to those lengths, she can never turn back.

Pre-Readers: Skeeter the Lurker, Mr101
Editors: Bad Seed, electreXcessive

King Sombra came from an old age, a time where darkness and evil were prevalent across the land. The Princesse's power and influence were weaker in those days, for the land of Equestria was divided amongst many kingdoms of lesser Princesses and Princes. But out of all their ruling neighbors, The Four Shepherds held the most power of all, even threatening Celestia and Luna's kingdom. However, all of that changed when they vanished for a thousand years, ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity. Until that is, when the Crystal Kingdom reappeared, along with one of the Shepherds. King Sombra, however, was thankfully vanquished swiftly, but the following peace of his defeat would not last as long as anypony might think. A new force sets its eyes on the recently coronated Princess Twilight Sparkle, one that seeks to restore a lost heritage and remind the land of who is the true owner of the night. For when one evil is smitten, another appears in its place. And King Sombra was only the first in line.

Set before Season 4

Note: Dark tag is meant for Light Dark

Special thanks to my editor Ladrian for his diligent and superb work. I wish I had him when I first started this story because maybe then the early chapters would have been much better.

Special thanks to Stanku for revisions and prereading this story. It would be at a much worse state had it not been for his detailed opinions to each and every chapter, and letting me know where I can improve.

10/2/2014 : Woah... it's on the featured list... *cue squealing and fist pumping* THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Nightmare Moon may have been defeated, but Princess Luna still struggles with her inner nightmares. It was so easy to give into the temptations of power the first time, now that she had a taste of it, can she give it up for good? Or will she return to her old ways and have to be banished again, this time forever?

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
Yet stranger still is,
Lost Carcosa.
Song of my soul, my voice is dead,
Die thou unsung as tears unshed,
Must dry and die in,
Lost Carcosa.

Mad.

They call me mad.

Perhaps I am mad. If I am, does knowing that fact decrease my madness or enforce it? I don’t know anymore. Regardless of that, it constitutes little in the grand scheme of things. My dame once told me that the mind is what it believes. If I believe I am mad, than I am already lost. What I am matters little. What I believe is what matters greatly.

Edited by: Softy8088, Genesis1212
Prereader: Skeeter the Lurker, Reader Review

Another short story inspired by the great HP Lovecraft.

In a dark and endless forest, there is a decaying castle. In this castle lives something lonely and forgotten. He has no idea who he is, what he is, where he came from, or what he even looks like. Tired of the endless darkness and loneliness, he vows to finally scale the massive tower that stretches from the castle, into the inky blackness above. What he found at the top, no one could have expected.

Based on The Outsider, by HP Lovecraft.