Scootaloo only wants to spend her birthday with her idol. Rainbow Dash would normally love to accommodate her, but… she doesn't want to talk about it. So nopony'd better ask.

Featured on Equestria Daily!

Thanks to Nicknack, presentperfect, and amacita for feedback.

Who knew Princess Celestia had formal control over all aspects of language in Equestria? Who knew she would randomly ban a critical punctuation mark? Twilight Sparkle sure didn't. Now with Equestria as she knew it collapsing around her without the almighty comma she must try to convince the Princess to restore sanity to the written word.

Warning: Contains fourth-wall breakage and meta humor plus intentional grammar mauling.

Princess Twilight Sparkle invents a new way to travel between universes. On the maiden voyage with her best friends, something goes wrong.

Her discovery resurrects a secret from her past, one she has only shared with Princess Celestia. When Twilight learns of the price required to return things to normal, she is left with an impossible choice.

Written for The Writeoff Association's "Closing Time" contest. Preread by Axis of Rotation.

NOTE: I'm aware of Trotsworth's pony names. I chose not to use them.

When the citizens of Equestria find themselves unable to communicate properly, it's up to Twilight and the gang to figure out why. Rated 'Teen' for gratuitous nonsense.

Three dark comedy finalists from The Writeoff Association's "It's Your Funeral" contest.

Dying for Attention: Trixie is late to her own funeral.

Celestia's Vacation: Luna covers for her sister's absence.

A Deal to Die For: Applejack goes coffin shopping.

Rarity is dying from a rare medical condition. Twilight's other friends are getting older. Princesses Celestia and Luna will no longer speak to her. Yet, the Princess of Friendship refuses to make new friends.

Twilight Sparkle has an unconventional solution for dealing with loss. Come take a walk backwards through time, and see the truth through Twilight's eyes.

Princess Celestia violates Star Swirl's privacy. After asking for his forgiveness, Star Swirl the Bearded reveals to her the true nature of the secret she's uncovered.

Then the wizened mage makes an unusual request: pay his mercy forward to her prodigal students in the distant future.

For those less familiar with the show, the cover image shows Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst, younger mages who are referred to in part of the story.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders tell Zecora how they earned their cutie marks. Zecora returns with a story of her own.

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(Submission for The Writer's Group's first official group contest, prompt #2. This was written over the course of a single week, under influences such as: alcohol, a vacation in Moscow, hours of walking, tennis, and the music of Swans and Pink Floyd.)

(Read by mindlessgonzo and co: link) (NOTE: text has been slightly re-edited since then)
(Featured on EQD and included in Twilight's Library)

(Blog series where I dissect this story: link)

On the eve of the Day of Reaping, the start of the Equestrian Harvest, it is traditional that a legend be told over supper: the legend of how the traditions surrounding the Day of Reaping came to be. It is a story of love, ambition, and vengeance.

Long before Equestria, a grand Unicorn King maintains a splendid garden. On one of his travels he brings a scorpion back to live within it. That scorpion, resentful of being removed from her home, sets out to have her revenge.

Discord goes to Heaven.

He's not sure why, either.