A story that was written for a contest, until I learned how poorly advertised contests are on this site and missed the deadline by a week.

During one of the fierce battles fought during the old war between the Equestrian Kingdom and the Griffon Empire, a nurse surrounded by pain and death shall become a beacon of hope for an injured soldier, and in return he may become the same for her.

One evening, while in Canterlot to visit her former teacher, Twilight asks Celestia why Princess Luna is rarely ever seen at the castle.

And for the first time, Celestia tells the truth on the matter.

For the record, please know that this was NOT intended as another Celestia bashfic! I like Celestia! This is a story about one version of how I figured she might feel about herself!

Sequels:
Condemnation
Tantabus
The Flower's Grove

On the first Nightmare Night since her return, Princess Luna made a friend of Twilight Sparkle. Her first true friend in a thousand years.

It is only natural that she should keep in touch.

Collected here are a selection of letters from Luna.

Cover image by Aquadragon.

Fluttershy has always been the one out of her friends to have fear constantly claw at her mind and drag her down into its deep abyss. From stage fright to nightmares, Fluttershy cannot escape it. She can only have the compassion of her friends to reassure her and slowly fight fear off.

But one morning, after having a pleasant sleep, she awakens in the majestic castle of Canterlot. At least the ruins of it. She wanders around and tries to find out what happened...

...while being hunted down by fear's true living manifestation.

It's not easy to go back to your life after a thousand years of insanity and exile. It's not easy for Luna to even leave her room. All the same, there's a special somepony that Luna desperately wants to get closer to, and that's worth facing the outside for. All she has to do is get up the nerve to talk to her.

The demon who once haunted her school may be no more, but the demon in her heart remains. Maybe the demon in the drawer of her desk will help.

"I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss. I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy. I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of their descendants, generations hence. It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."

Chrysalis has been under the training of Twilight Sparkle for two months now. She's found something, a true purpose.

Unfortunately, Celestia is still wary about her, and is making sure that the master of deception has really changed.

In the distance, an old friend has heard news of Chrysalis's dethronement, and is finally given the incentive to act a plan he's been preparing for decades.

Chrysalis must finally show the world she's prepared to change. That she'll be more than a hero.

Appearance is everything, especially when you're a Wonderbolt. When you live your life in the spotlight, showing vulnerability will not do. There can be no cracks in your foundation, at least that's how it feels. But learning to bring those walls down can lead to surprising, wonderful revelations—even in the intensive care ward.

For some ponies, like Captain Spitfire, something needs to shake the foundations to bring the walls tumbling down. Then, with some help from the right pony, you can be led from the rubble.

Even if you fall head-over-hooves along the way.

Preread by Carabutt and Jondor.

Cover art by Rossby Waves.

An ongoing gift for auramane. Send him some love!

Twilight's been noticing some changes, but she isn't the one changing. Everything else is changing while she stays still, immobilised in time while the world moves on without her, and she has been thinking recently about the point to life. Namely that, for her, there isn't one.

Octavia visits Sweet Apple Acres