It's been two weeks since Princess Luna's Return. Equestria is starting to realize that the Elements are back, with new Bearers. And what does that mean? Well, clearly this isn't the end of their adventures, and taking some personal time for Harmony to grow? That's just ridiculous. It's obvious that what they need is training in how to fight. And Emery Board, the greatest drill sergeant in any nation, is pleased to unretire long enough for offering his services to the restored crowns.

He got one session with the Bearers.

Realistically, one was enough.

(Part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group. New members and trope edits welcome.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

This story is a sequel to Triptych

He can't sleep. It was hard enough just getting Twilight back to bed and now that she's resting, all he can do is toss, turn, and completely fail to find a better placement for the basket. So as long as he's up anyway and trying to avoid disturbing his sister, there are worse things to do than take a quiet stroll around his sleeping town. Seeing what the world is like when he's the only one moving through it.

But there is one who knows that quiet world better than anypony, who isn't willing to let him travel without company.

And when two who share a secret meet under Moon, time becomes just one more thing to move through.

(Part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group. New members and trope edits welcome.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

Cover art by Foxy Noxy, used under open permission.

Realistically, they have options. For example, they could flee to another country, except that the Princesses could track them down and besides, one of those borders just effectively closed. There's probably some caves around which nopony's ever fully explored. A life spent reeking of fur dye might be possible. Or they can just stay in the hallway outside the throne room, waiting to be called in so they can explain how their good intentions turned that last mission into the biggest fiasco in Bearer history.

...so where were those caves again?

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Cover art taken from an image created by ExitMothership. Commission information can be found here.

You pity her. You see her, you speak with her for a few minutes, learn about the myriad of tragedies in her life (and there's always something new), and you just feel bad for her. You want to help. Really, it's easy for Rarity to let somepony stay with her for a little while, just until that guest truly gets back on their hooves, because the mare needs help.

You pity her. And when the pity runs out... that's where the self-loathing starts to come in.

(Part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group. New members and trope edits welcome.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

You can never tell when something will become collectible. A coloring mistake in the printing, part of a stamp's artwork gets rotated by ninety degrees, and otherwise-sane ponies are shelling out thousands of bits for the honor of owning something which no longer has a practical use. But not every mistake qualifies, and so Twilight has to directly teach Rainbow the differences: some errors are just that.

The education on how to defraud the public through creating your own collectibles, however, was completely unintentional.

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It’s unfair, really. Adults can go where they want, do whatever they wish, and that happens in a world where those who know best are continually denied the chance to prove it. But his mother has been placed under an actual restriction. For a full night, she can’t eat or drink anything, or — well, it’s probably bad, especially with potions involved. It’s important to keep her out of the kitchen until morning, and all his father did was go to sleep. So who can make sure things come out right?

Shining Armor is on the case.

Unfortunately, the case is way past his bedtime.

(A stand-alone, no-prior-reading necessary part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group. New members and trope edits welcome.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

What's a tontine? It's a new kind of investment. You buy non-refundable shares in a common pot and collect the interest for the rest of your life. In fact, tontines are all about living -- and that's why the creator feels it's an idea which can't possibly fail.

There's just one minor flaw...

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages. (Due to story length, this was a pledge freebie.)

Surges. Just about every newborn foal goes through them: episodes where their magic is randomly finding its way into the world, effects appearing with no understanding or control. Sires and dams whose foal matches their own race can usually counter enough to keep the nursery in one piece. But if you're, just for example, the proud (and rather desperate) unicorn first-time parents of a pegasus foal and you really need a night out of the house -- preferably one where the house is still intact when you get back -- you call on the Surge Protectors! for assistance.

It's assumed that if you were second-time parents, you would have done something intelligent.

Welcome to Simoon Duster's first night on the job. It's probably going to be her last.

(A stand-alone, no-prior-reading necessary part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group. New members and trope edits welcome.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

This story is a sequel to Jury Duty II: Jury Harder

Technically, the good news would be that the paperwork for Chrysalis' current disguise is so perfect, that cover identity can be summoned for jury duty. It's not just any changeling who can manage such a feat! Really, when you think about it, being called to serve on a trial would require a mistress of the art! And surely an entity who used to rule over her hive (and will get it all back and more, just you wait!) can deal with a simple matter of dealing out vengeance!

...justice?
...what? It's not as if there's any real difference.

(While this story is listed as a sequel, its only real connection to the previous tale is in theme, and so it can be read as a stand-alone.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.

It's the oldest chocolate shop in Equestria, the very first -- and on this night, it's also out of business. The final treats have been sold, the vultures have already begun to circle the equipment, and the proprietor polishes the remains out of pure habit while wondering what to do with her life. But that question will have to wait, as she has one more customer to take care of.

The very first.

(A stand-alone, no-prior-reading necessary part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group. New members and trope edits welcome.)

Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.
Cover art by Pikamander2.