Friendship is magic, but it doesn't always win the day.

Twilight Sparkle knows this...

Queen Chrysalis knows this as well.

Edits by Scarheart, MaddiePink5, Kildeez

FEATURED IN EQD!!! http://www.equestriadaily.com/2016/04/story-friendship-lost.html?m=1
WE GOT A GOOD AUDIO READING! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av4qrFmvkFs&t=87s

This story is a sequel to Penned IN

Pennaprose Lochflow has only been in Ponyville for a little under a month, but his future was stable and comfortable. Writing speeches for the mayor, surrounded by inspiration in the form of poetry books... it all seemed like a dream.

But alas, all dreams end. Everything can be lost as easily as it was found. Nightmares emerge from where we least expect them.

Or worse, even where we least want them to.

Cover Art by Canis-Niphlanus on dA.

Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sonata, Adagio, and Aria have all figured out what they want to do in life. They have found love, are going to college, everyday things like that. But Sunset Shimmer hasn't. Not yet.

Okay, so I just watched the music video for Friendship Through The Ages, and I wanted to write this story. I thought the song was bittersweet, but offered a good take on their futures. It has some of all the categories (comedy, romance, a bit of sad), but not enough to use the tags. So...yeah.

A dark spirit lurks in the realm of dreams, attracted to fear, and capable of exaggerating that fear. As the Princess of the Night, Luna must look after the dreamers, offering ways to ease turmoil as she is quite familiar with the emotions. She occasionally does battle with the dark spirit, which she has aptly dubbed Tantabus, an ancient word for "Nightmare".

But the battles utilizing her fears just aren't enough to satiate the Tantabus forever. It grows a fancy to the ponies that saved Luna from her nightmarish shell the first time. Despite her natural tendency to attack the problem by herself, she accepts the aid of her heroes. If only it were that simple...

The following takes place between 7 PM and 10 AM.
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An alternate take on "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?"
Special thanks to The Fiery Joker for showing how someone can be serious in addition to being comedic.
Warning: There are trace amounts of OCs sprinkled in toward the end of this fic, but not enough to mark them as the main characters.

The friendship games have changed the minds of some pupils Silver Spoon was one of them after an unpleasant event her mind is dead set on a new goal.

Summer break is fast approaching after a rough year of college for Twilight and her friends. Wanting nothing more than to enjoy the next two months, only one obstacle stands in the way of summer bliss. This end-of-the-year performance by the Rainbooms promises to be a memorable one.

This fic is tied into my Hive Series. Reading that series is not necessary, but it does help a little.

Big thanks to my editors: A Bitter Pill, and Boldish42

After the events with the Tantabus, Luna thinks she's got everything under control. However, when Twilight drops in to pay her a visit, she starts to question her own actions.

To protect the world, one must understand the worth of every life in it. After an ancient plague unleashes itself on Equestria, this will be the most difficult lesson Dusk Flash will ever learn.

Youth is a convenient excuse for mistakes made in the past. Many wouldn't spend the time to reflect and simply continue on with their lives, satisfied that they have learned their lessons.

With Silver Spoon, not so much. After years away from Ponyville, she comes to the realization that the only way to move forward is to go back and deal with a chapter of her life she'd much rather forget.

Princess Celestia has decided, rather abruptly, that Twilight Sparkle needs to learn some of the minutae of running a government. Specifically, dealing with certain... noble entitlements, and the need to check in on their lands every once in a while. There is, in fact, one particular old family that needs, shall we say, just a little check in to be reminded, in a way, that they are purely technically speaking sworn to serve the crown. All Twilight needs to do is run a teensy little survey, which should only take a few days, and maybe befriend the ponies living there.

Her friends decide to come along as emotional support. But really, Twilight isn't that worried. It's just a name, after all. And they've faced down monsters before. It's incredibly unlikely to be dangerous, in any way whatsoever.