Trains are the fastest way to move something across Equestria, no matter how big. A heavy stone sarcophagus, for instance, one brimming with dark magic. The Royal Guard just launched a raid to retrieve it from the hooves of sinister cultists.

Now, the survivors of that raid are stuffed in a train crossing the wilderness. Just them, the skeleton crew, and the sarcophagus. Guarding it until they can get reinforcements at the next station ought to be easy. After all, there’s nothing else alive for miles. Right?

Wrong. There’s something on board with them. Something after the sarcophagus. Something that doesn’t care what stands in its way.

Rarity has been keeping to herself lately.

Applejack is determined to find out why.

This fic is a gift for the incredible rice, edited by the brilliant Silent, the talented Zontan, and the effervescent Otter.

Beware: comments contain spoilers!

Celestia pays a social call.

Written for The Most Dangerous Group - Contest. Cover art from the gallery of Crystal-Ice9201.

Has a French translation, courtesy of the in-all-ways excellent monokeras.

Has a reading, courtesy of Scribbler Productions.

Spanish translation, by SPANIARD-KIWI.

Starlight and Trixie, as part of their duties as staff of the School of Friendship, traveled outside Equestria for a recruitment drive. However, their trip to Mount Aris was waylaid by a problem with the railway. Still wanting to make good time, Starlight decided they should hoof it through the wilderness south of Equestria.

Just south of the MacIntosh Hills, the two find a vast forest before them. With every step inside, the canopy above grows thicker and thicker. They may never see the sun again.

This story was written for the Barcast's Halloween in April Horror contest.

Thanks to The Seer for some feedback/prereading.

Now with a reading by Cloud 9, starring Magpiepony and Celaena Winters.

During the first war with Tirek, Princess Celestia sends her sister Princess Luna a very short letter. Although the letter could easily fit onto a single page, Celestia uses two.

Sometimes the medium speaks louder than the message.

Written for The Writeoff Association's "Princess Not Included*" contest.

For as long as she can remember, Applejack has been deathly afraid of deep water.

Rarity wants to know why.

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Inspired by my very own personal fear.

Written for the Halloween in April Horror Contest with the Barcast.

Spectacular reading by ThelifeonCloud9

Memory. Memory is one of the most crucial elements of life to the point we do everything we can to commemorate it and preserve it by every means possible. Calendars and holidays, journals and books, old myths and legends. Ponies employ these means to keep their memories close and able to be recalled, to try and never forget. It's never really questioned, only accepted that everypony, even the deities of Equestria, forget. But buried away, sometimes, the question still persists: why? Why do we forget?

Twilight stumbles upon the answer one day. Nothing prepared her for the answer to talk back.

A first foray into horror/suspense writing. Written in the spirit of the upcoming Halloween holiday. Proofread by NotaPonyPerson, Speculore, and SweetBanana.

Mr. Fetlock frequents the art auctions of Canterlot and his latest acquisition proves to be more than just paint and canvas.

Story written for the Nightmare Night in April contest hosted by RockstarRaccoon.
Write Off-Nightmare Night in April

Legend tells of a shadowy demon that consumes the souls of the living. When Applebloom is found comatose in the Everfree, Twilight comes to learn the horrifying truth—some legends are real. Spurred by fear, she ventures into the darkness of Applebloom's nightmare, and the unimaginable terrors within.

[Cover art by Conicer]

Night One

"Why is she standing out there? What does she want?"

Night Two

"There's something off about her...."

Night Three

"That's not Fluttershy..."