There is a legend among the Outlaws of Equestria's southern deserts. They tell of a ghost, a blind pony dressed in black, carrying a raven on her shoulder. For Silver Steps, this legend is all too real. Once a young colt with big dreams of becoming an Outlaw, now he is on the run, endlessly chased by the mysterious hangmare.

But what could he, a hapless excuse for a stallion who wouldn't hurt a fly, have done to invoke the hangmare's wrath? Perhaps the answer lies in the minds of the dead, for whom the hangmare seeks to avenge?

Inspired by the Volbeat song, "The Hangman's Body Count". Rated T for moderate gore and suggested suicide. Happy Nightmare Night, everypony!

After seeing Rarity's new boyfriend, Spike realizes that he's too ugly to ever date her.

But what scares him the most is the realization that he might not ever be attractive enough to date anypony. It takes a conversation with Twilight to help him realize just how special he is.

James is good friends with a couple of ponies.

James is not aware that he has a disorder.

Inspired by Admiral Biscuit's writing challenge.

Ever since being relieved of the majority of her major duties, Celestia has been extremely bored. Anon takes notice of her having a particularly bad night and gets her to confess her real problems.

An old blacksmith does not know his past, driven only by a promise and a new company, he hopes that time will give him the answers while he looks for his creations to contain them.

All Applejack wants is a kind, good-natured, simple stallion to settle down with. Only problem is, the stallion she's fallen for is anything but that.

No matter how hard she tries, she can't stop herself from falling in love with a villain. A criminal. And she doesn't know why.

But she's determined to figure out the reason, even if it means accepting a shameful truth about herself.

Sex is discussed and reflected on, but not shown.

Part of the How We Lost It series, inspired by Fluttershy's Night Out

Proofread by Schattendrache

Other Stories in the How We Lost It series:
Twilight: Running Away from Destiny
Rarity: What is a Worthy Man?
Rainbow Dash: Deathbed Thoughts
Pinkie Pie: What is a Smile Worth?
Fluttershy: Coming soon!

When Twilight gains her wings, Rainbow Dash is there to help her learn not only to embrace the change, but embrace the sky to fly.

Preread by: Cyonix, Seriff Pilcrow, and Salespony

Edited by: Salespony
Cyonix

Art by https://www.deviantart.com/kimmyartmlp

The Circle was everything.

His walk in the mechanical walker had been everything for as long as he could remember, and the Circle it forced him into would be everything for the rest of his life.

But could one random child - out of the hundreds who had paid to ride the ponies - have a way for him to escape the Circle and the perpetually gray land that held him captive?

Editors:
Georg
Sipioc
Zen and Ponies

Scything can be hard, especially if you don't have two spare appendages for holding things. And although the Grim Reaper is bipedal, he knows enough about scythes to teach filly Applejack on its proper usage.

Audio reading by StraightToThePointStudio now available!

John Oliver, was your average joe with his friends. Twenty-seven years old along with his friends, going to Comic-con. He was Thanos, three of his manly friends were, General Grievous, Entity 303, and Rob Lucci. His womanly friends were Rapunzel, Sally (From Nightmare Before Christmas I recommend watching it.), and Supergirl. They were sent to Equestria balance the universe. After a huge war involving the whole world, they were defeated and banished for trying to bring balance to the planet. Now, "Thanos" returned with no weapons or allies, he has to get his Gauntlet and blade, find his stones and his allies, all by himself.

Arc 1, Breaking Friends out of Jail (Or BFJ): Chapters 1 - 9

Arc 2, The Quest For Power: Chapters 10 - 15

Arc 3, The King of Beasts: Chapters 16 - 23

Arc 4, The Beginning of The End: Chapters 23 - Epilogue