Discord's been around for who knows how long. He's bound to have a good story or two right?

Fluttershy and the gang find out the origins of Discord's relationship with The Smooze and perhaps some of his other misadventures in the wilderness known as...

COLLEGE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This may or may not be a series. Entries will try to be made once a week alongside each Writer's Training Ground I do. As always, feel free to give me some criticism. I am always looking to improve!

Balance is the vital element to keeping peace. Without balance, there is no control, only greed. Without balance, there are no morals, only sin. Without balance, there is no good, only evil. The ponies of old did not understand this. They fought until the land bloodied with their own kin’s blood. Ponykind threw away what made them creatures of balance. Love, friendship, bonds…all weakness. They hardened their hearts to the world, and the world, in turn, shunned them. Magic throughout the land began to cease. The ponies quickly gathered what was left and, once they had enough for themselves, they took from those who they felt did not deserve it. They horded it in their forts and bunkers, threatening all who would oppose them.

In the end, the magic tainted, no longer able to maintain balance. Little by little, as ponykind used up the magic reserves fighting each other, their minds became tainted with greed and power. The magic itself began to seep into the lands. No trees or flowers grew. Animals mutated into abominations. Crops withered and died. Then, ponies died.

The survivors quickly built shelters and took refuge in the ground. They vowed to never return to the surface.

Too bad their ancestors would not follow in their footsteps.

~~~~~~~~~

More Most Dangerous Game Entry. Please provide constructive criticism. It has been a good long time since I have written a longer piece, so the pacing might be a little off. This is a story based on this prompt:
-"In an Equestria devastated by an apocalyptic war, the few that remain try their best to survive or rebuild--however they can."

No one lives forever.

Princess Celestia had long known this, but never knew the costs. Yet, one evening, her world and those of the ones closest to her begin to burn. Soon, there will be little left to mark her reign in history.

But, there is one secret to being remembered forever: your legacy. Now, the world will watch through the eyes of 12 candidates chosen to receive the Princess' final wishes. Time races against them as more pieces enter the chess board.

And another pawn is taken off.

------------------------------------------------

Wrote this for NaNoWriMo! It's my first time so I'm still learning how to adjust from short story form to long story. Chapters may seem small to start but I plan to make them bigger. I will do my best to finish this novel, despite November being over.

Constructive criticism is ALWAYS encouraged!

Manehatten's streets aren't a pretty site. Besides crime everywhere, East Side Gang was one of the largest around, rivaled only by South Side. But Manehatten isn't just a stage for criminals:

It's a stage for musicians.

Trumpeteer, a new entertainer on the streets is about to learn that the only thing you can trust on the streets is money, bodyguards, and a gun. And two outta the three won't help ya here.

Spitfire and Soarin are perhaps the most well known elite flying duo in Equestria. They have performed for kings, queen, diplomats, and children's birthday parties. So how do they spend their time OFF work?

By going incognito into a major event, of course!

Deciding that Soarin deserved a break from his constant heavy work out routine, Spitfire invites him to go with her to the Rainbow Falls Trade Exchange. However, what starts as a peaceful trip to get some new stuff may very well end with Soarin and Spitfire realizing a little bit more "truth" about each other...

~~~~~~~~

Alright! After a good few weeks hiatus, I have completed my newest entry into the Writer's Training Ground practice. This time around, I tried to focus more on plot development and a strong, emotional ending. So please enjoy and never be afraid the criticize!

Dark Skies was just an average pony working for one of the most powerful pony in history: Princess Luna. His job consisted of the usual: bring the coffee, clean the room, listen and be still. Being Luna's assistant, he even had to completely flip his entire sleep schedule upside down.

But, his role is about to change.

Through his research, he has discovered a legend known as the Night Stalker, a mythical (supposedly) spirit who helped protect and guide the denizens of Equestria. Unsure of what it is, he does research and finally approaches Luna on the subject. Together, they will understand more and more of just who the Night Stalker is.

By becoming it.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Submitted to Equestria Daily for Writer's Ground. It would be awesome to get some feedback. This may be a series...maybe not. I don't really know right now.

Maud Pie just seemed so...bland. She liked rocks. She ate rocks. She had a pet rock. Even her fur was a reflection of the color of a gray rock.

At least, that is what Pinkie and her friends see.

Now, the mystery of just who Maud Pie is will be revealed. Who can move so fast and break rocks with their bare hoof? Surely, she has a reason for being so strong. And anyway, how can ANYPONY be so bland having grown up with Pinkie? And no doubt, she has a secret that no pony will see coming. Questions arise but will there be answers to them?

He was never one for adventure. No, he held down the fort at home when Applejack was gone.

He was never one for fun. No, he had to maintain the order when Applebloom was around.

But now he's on his own. No sister to help. No wisdom from age. Just him delivering a pile of pies. Not so hard right? The average pony would no doubt see it as easy labor for the strong horse. But, his little trip quickly turns sour. Will he make the delivery on time? Or will he have something far worse to deal with?

Music is what brings everypony together. It is the glue that can bring even the most opposite ponies together. It doesn't always take talent, just the sheer will to do it and to want to make the world have a good time. If you came to read a story about that, GOOD LUCK READING THIS! You're in the wrong neighborhood!

Octavia has decided that an upcoming Battle of the Bands could be her chance to finally strut her stuff and receive a wish from Celestia. But she can't do it alone. With the help of the midnight DJ Vinyl Scratch and the hand-obsessed mare Lyra, they will bring forth a musical adventure...that you will never hear because this is a word document. But, if you want to see the whacky journey these mare's will take, stick around!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Here we go on Writing Grounds 8! I've decided to give my comedy side another shot and as of current, I think it went well. Always leave constructive criticism and stay classy ;)

For Twilight Sparkle, life has been good. She has had friends and family to support her throughout her time in both Ponyville and outside of it. Through those bonds, her passion has grown strong and is ready to show the world what she can do.

However, not even she can prepare for what she is about to encounter. When an old rival-turned-friend pops around to visit, can Twilight learn to depend on somepony who has held a grudge on her for so long?

Can she fulfill her role as a Princess and guide souls back to the light?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is written for the 5th Equestria Daily prompt. Please provide constructive criticism. The topic that was attempted in this particular work was FOILs, AKA, attempting to write about two opposite characters.