Every race in Equestria has their own unique holidays, but none are more ancient (or strict) than the traditional yak celebration of Snildarfest. The yaks have sung the same songs, smashed the same logs and consumed the same feasts as they have for thousands of moons, and that's just the way they like it.
However, when Yona invites her friends to help introduce some new holiday traditions, she drives a wedge between herself and her single-minded kinsfolk, and attracts a vicious storm from Equestria's distant past. What will become of Yakyakistan?

This story was written as part of Ponyville Ciderfest's Interactive Storytelling Adventure, and features three possible endings (Hero, Villain or Chaos). Feel free to read whichever ending(s) you like!
Featuring Barley Tender, a mascot from Ponyville Ciderfest.

Finally, it was time for the Reverie. Every four years, some of the most important figures in the world gather in Canterlot to discuss matters of international importance. As such, Lemon Hearts considered it an honor to be placed in charge of hosting such a grand event.

Perhaps she should have expected that her human boyfriend, Anon, would end up somewhere he doesn't belong.

Now with the threat of war looming over her, she needs to get him out of the castle before any of Equestria's guests find out that their party was crashed by an alien.

Written for Dart.

Princess Twilight Sparkle was a key ally to the reformed changelings. Security, trade, somecreature to vouch for the reality of their reform - without her, Thorax would likely have been deposed, and the hive conquered, long ago.

But that didn’t mean Thorax thought he could rely on just her allegiance to carry the changelings forward. He’d forged an alliance with the dragons since then, and was working on breaking down the distrust of the griffons and hippogriffs. Which left just one group to open up to.

The yaks.

Fortunately, Thorax thought he had a pretty good read on how to handle them. He just hoped he was right about Rutherford being a better diplomat than anypony gave him credit for.

CW: International trade and politics, copious headcanon/world building nerdery

Story originally written for the May 2022 Pairings Contest, we'll see if it posts in time! This is what happens when I get an idea the weekend before the deadline but still have to work.

Equestria and Yakyakistan are friends for a thousand moons thanks to the ingenious efforts of Pinkie Pie. However, Twilight still feels guilty about letting everything get out of control like she did. During the party, she approaches Princess Celestia and Prince Rutherford to issue her heartfelt apology in private. But as she soon discovers, she's not the only one who needs to brush up on her diplomacy.

My mini-epilouge to the episode Party Pooped.

The annual Yaken holiday of Snilldar Fest is a special time of year for all of Yakyakistan as evey yak comes together and indulges in two of their most important aspects of life: family and smashing!

What happens when Smolder gets invited to partake in such festivities for the holidays?

Probably some form of smashing-related hijinks ensue!

Merry Jinglemas Hammerhead! Sorry for the delay!

It's Yickslurbertfest in Yakyakistan, and one yak is particularly excited as Yona enjoys everything about her life in Yakyakistan. When Prince Rutherford is given a request to send a young yak to a new school in Equestria set up by Princess Twilight to learn about friendship, he sets up a series of games to find the best young yak for the school, and Yona wants to take part.

Yona tells us how it all went down.

Rarity finds herself entrusted with the prestigious duty of crafting regal attire for the imminent Snilldar Fest in Yakyakistan, and she invites her little sister, Sweetie Belle, to accompany her on this chilly journey.

Part of Serina's Hearth's Warming Eve Collection for 2023.

Yona experiences the wonders of a nice cup of cocoa on a cold winter day for the first time, and she's eager to share her discovery with her friends and family back home!

Yakyakistan may never recover.

Edited by Muggonny, MissytheAngle

Prereading by BootyPopperzZz

Cover art by Trickate

An entry in The Discovery, a Student 6 Writing Contest.

A retrospective on the story.

Now with a Spanish translation!

Yaks are one of the most durable sapient species on the planet, a fact in which they take pride.  They have colonized mountains towering beyond the reach of even dragons’ wings. They smash the toughest objects the mountains have to offer for fun.  They don’t settle for second place.

Naturally, they didn’t take it lightly when they heard of Equestria’s plans to explore beyond the sky.

Rocket scientists beware: Heresy dwells within.

My thanks to Bugsydor and Akouma for some idea-bouncing and proofreading. Similarly, big thanks to Rocket Lawn Chair for making an awesome cover. Turns out, there's not a lot out there that includes yaks and rocket science.

My entry for FanOfMostEverything's Imposing Sovereigns II contest under The New: Prince Rutherford.

Now with a French translation! (Credit: Acylius)

In this alternate version of She's All Yak, Prince Rutherford turns up as a special visitor to the party just as the new-look Yona makes an appearance. What do you think his reaction will be? Clue: not great.