The magic of harmony was well known, as was the study of magical music, But the study of harmonious musical magic was a new field that had emerged of late. Equestria had been at peace for over a thousand years, and the latent harmony built up over the centuries. A by-product of such peace has started to affect the magic around them. The power of song and music was one such thing that baffled the magical community. It was with this that Twilight was determined to unlock its answers.

Rainbow Dash is dying. With no cure for her condition, her friends have done their best to make her final days as comfortable as possible. However, Applejack seems happier than she's been in ages. After catching Rainbow alone, Applejack shows her why.

Once upon a time, Princess Celestia meant the world to her young protégée, Sunset Shimmer. In many ways, she was the world to the unicorn filly.

Now, the relationship between mentor and student has become deeply strained. Some weeks ago, the two suffered a major spat. As the rift between them grows and emotions churn inside Sunset, she begins to wonder exactly who she is in the eyes of the age-old alicorn who controls the sun.

And as Celestia prepares to leave for a diplomatic errand, she finds herself confronted by her volatile pupil -- and, put on the spot, must find a way to bridge the gap before it's too late.

Ignores the depiction of events in the comic The Fall of Sunset Shimmer. While the story works as a standalone prequel to canon G4 animated media, it is also canon with my ongoing longform story Together from Canterlot to Canterlot, as well as, separately, my alternate universe setting established by What My Destiny is Telling Me. (Despite the name, it is not directly related to my story Late-Night Conversations.)

Cover art by daOtterGuy, who pre-read the story along with The Sleepless Beholder. Special thanks to TCC56 (First Hoof Account) and Sledge115 (Sogno di Volare) for inspiring me to dabble in this period of Sunset's life.

Featured on 11/8/22-11/10/22! Re-edited 1/14/23. Now featured on Equestria Daily!

Starlight Glimmer set off to defend Equestria from another ugly threat. She can't see it, can't hear it, but its here. It's here, she's found it, and she's going to destroy it on her own. No matter what it takes.

After a long day in town, Fluttershy feels ill. While trying to recover, she has strange dreams and starts to recall meeting somepony on her way home that day. Hopefully, she'll recover soon, and be able to enjoy another blue, sunny day with her friends.

CW: Animal death and Suicide.

Expanded from an entry for the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting's "Colorful Characters: Fluttershy" contest where it took second place. The only requirement for the contest was to write a story centered on Fluttershy in an hour. However, I've had the idea for ages, and glad I finally wrote it.

Rainbow takes Rarity on a short holiday to try and get away from everything.
But she knows there are some things you can't leave behind.

Winner of the Black Thursday contest for the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Group.
This was originally written in an hour. This version has received some slight refinement. A big thanks to all who preread in the contest.
CW: Themes/suggestions of mental illness, self-harm and suicide

A journal was found. Old and weathered with years untold. The first entry was dated yesterday:

My name is Twilight Sparkle, and for the last 33 days I've been stuck in a time-loop, repeating the 23^rd of March, 2 A.R. It is still unknown how the loop started, nor how I can end it. All I can say with any amount of certainty is that time for the rest of the world resets every night, and every morning I wake up it is the morning of the 23^rd.

Now with a reading by ObabScribbler. Link!

I wish I could say I was a brave pony.

_{vent from last april. strangely relevant again}

They've forgiven Starlight Glimmer for her past. Despite everything that she had done, they forgave her. It is something wonderful, the power of forgiveness.

It is a shame she can't forgive herself.

edited by AHAUNTEDGHOST and crush'dx3
coverart stolen and edited from Cadillacdynamite