This is a story about the hollowness of depression. About fearing the past and dreading the future. About feeling obliged to lie for the sake of others. About Celestia’s darkest hours.

Inspired by her unprecedented absence in the season 5 opening, this story was originally conceived in April 2015. At least that’s the date in my notebook, in which I recently stumbled upon the outline and a failed attempt at this story. Upon reading the few pages that were there, I realised I still want to write it.

The story is based heavily on my personal experience, with some research supporting it. If you too busy yourself with pondering the more practical aspects of human mortality, feel free to contact me, I’m happy to help. But if you are anything like me, that is not an attractive perspective at all. So heed this one piece of advice I give you instead:

Don’t do it today. It’s not going anywhere.

I haven’t been okay for a while. I was never okay.

Includes depressed Twilight.

Because she's that good.

Like Really...

Really that good at her job.

Lovely Art By Inuhoshi-to-darkpen

Made Popular On 12/30/17

Featured On 12/30/17

Who killed Home Body? Was it Peacock Poppycock in the Library with the Revolver? Was it Green Mail in the Study with the Rope? Was it Plum Pudding in the Ballroom with the Knife?

When Mr. Home Body invites his six best friends to be his guests at his mansion just outside of Ponyville, anything can happen! Can you follow along with their antics and match up characters and crimes? Thirteen daily mini-mysteries will test your ability as a sleuth!

All artwork used in this fic belongs to the very talented GatesMcCloud, and you can find more of their work here: http://gatesmccloud.deviantart.com/

And featured on 11/7! Thank you Case #11!

Family is a complicated thing, it comes with all sorts of expectations, hopes, and unsolicited advice.

It also implies an abundance of drama, this time involving a Changeling Queen, an unlucky messenger and, at least tangentially, a rubber duck.

Cover art used with the permission of the awesome Kp-ShadowSquirrel.

For editing, pre-reading, and enduring me, in no particular order, thanks to: Carabas, Themaskedferret,
MrNumbers, Fenton, FamousLastWords and Aeluna.

  As a dark threat descends upon the Diamond Wall of Canterlot, an ancient treaty forces the deerkin to come to Equestria’s aid once more. To the Royal Five’s surprise, a single ambassador is sent instead of the army Equestria so desperately needs.
  And yet, this unique magic-wielding deerkin may hold the secret to Canterlot’s salvation… assuming she ever stops flirting with the young Astra Princess Twilight Sparkle.

"Unofficial" Entry in Monochromatic's "Interwoven Colours" RariTwi contest.
Featured on EquestriaDaily on July 4, 2017!

Historian's Note: Set deep within the infinite possibilities of the multiverse, this new world is completely unknown save for a very select few. Which is to say, that no knowledge of any other story is required to enjoy the whimsy of this tale.

Featured on FimFiction: May 28-31, 2017!

Cast: Astra Princess Twilight Sparkle & the Lady Rarity
Co-Starring: Aurorae Princess Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon & Shining Armor with a cameo by Radiant Hope

Cover & Section Break Design by Novel Idea
Virtrung Deerkin Rarity and Princess Twilight Sparkle by Jykinturah.

Virtrung Deer based on and inspired by the original concepts by Sirzi.

Beta Reader & Editor Credits
Ebon Quill - Audio Director & Quest Designer on The Manehattan Project
Little Tinker - Master of Systems at Poniverse & Scripting Engineer on The Manehattan Project
Beltorn - Commenter-at-Large on FimFiction
Cursori: Reader of Many a Pony Word
Monochromatic: This is entirely her fault, just so you know

Word Count: 29,000
Version: 3.0

This story is a sequel to The Monster Below

*If you'd like to purchase a physical copy of this story, click here*

Two years have passed since Silverspeak's dream to become an Alicorn ended in failure and tragedy. But his efforts to rebuild his life are interrupted when Queen Chrysalis launches an all-out war of espionage, subterfuge, and infiltration on Equestria. With fear and paranoia running rampant, Silverspeak struggles to protect his family, eventually finding a way to end the war – and Chrysalis' threat - forever. But to do so will come at a terrible cost, and Silverspeak is once again forced to make choices no pony should ever have to make, and to decide how far he'll go to protect those he loves...regardless of the consequences.

Cover art by Silfoe.

Edited by:
Night_Shade
JDC
p-a-t-a-r

We were featured on the front page! Thanks to everyone who helped it get there!

*If you'd like to purchase a physical copy of this story, click here*

One of Equestria's greatest traits is tolerance. Every pony, whether Unicorn, Pegasus, or Earth, is accepted for who they are, and have their own parts to play in keeping Equestria running.

But what if an Earth pony decided he didn't want to play his assigned part? What if he wanted to rise above everyone else and become an Alicorn? Such a thing is possible... but the path to fulfilling one's dreams is never simple. Risks must be taken. Sacrifices must be made. And the question is always asked: How far would you go to get what you wanted? And would you be willing to pay a terrible price to get it?

Somepony is sabotaging Moondancer's research project.

Twilight Sparkle suspects Starlight Glimmer may be responsible. She enlists the Canterlot Royal Guard to protect Moondancer, and offers to help with her research.

Soon, however, the two ponies discover an unexpected side effect of Moondancer's research: one with dangerous consequences for all of Equestria—and possibly even their friendship.

Inspired by The Writeoff Association's "Out of Time" contest.

Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Thrice is a pattern.

Filthy Rich knows this pattern. The delicious smells of freshly baked eggs, cheese and pastry tell him that something has gone terribly wrong, and he can't help the feeling Diamond's note has something to do with it.

Patterns are made to be broken. It's high time for a talk.

A side story in direct continuity with The Silver Standard and What Riches Still Await. Familiarity is highly recommended, but not required.