The year is 1109. Long under the rule of the royal sisters, Equestria is in the midst of an economic boom. New breakthroughs in magic and steam technology give rise to elaborate machinery, resulting in an exodus as adventurers scramble to chart the unknown lands outside the Equestrian Valley. Spearheading the movement are the airships Celestia and Luna, the pride and joy of Equestrian air travel.

After failing the final exam of Wonderbolt Academy, Rainbow Dash's dreams of serving aboard an airship seem crushed. But when a mysterious stranger offers assistance, she is given a second chance to make those dreams come true. Together with a calculating pilot, a stubborn engineer, an eccentric inventor, a genius record-keeper, a timid strategist and a child cartographer, Rainbow Dash will face down the unknown in a foreign land as she is thrust into an adventure beyond her imagination.

(Inspired by the "Mares of Tomorrow" drawings by LionheartCartoon, who has green-lighted the use of his universe. Featured on Equestria Daily as of 11/2/13)

When Discord uncovers a plot against Equestria, the Spirit of Mischief must ask himself some important questions. What does he want in life? Can a being of destruction truly be reformed? And is someone like him capable of love?

Artist of Cover Photo

Some would say that marriage should only be between two that love each other, but what if you feel anything but love for the one you are to be wed with? That you are only doing it not just for your country but for your mother. Join Spike as he replays in his mind how he is about to go from Princess Twilight's assistant, to a married drake and king of a whole race. This is my first pony fic and I like it Rough... by that I mean reviews <.<=>.>

Discord, Spirit of Disharmony, God of Chaos & Entropy and a nice addition to the Royal Sculpture Garden. Swift Thought, former student of the Royal University, first and only democratical theorist in the history of Equestria, now Canterlot's foremost hobo. When the latter decides to take an illegal midnight stroll through the Royal Sculpture Garden, he finds out that not all the statues are just silent chunks of marble, as the frozen form of the Spirit of Chaos offers him a deal: he will take a hitch on Swift Thought's mind, lend him a bit of his powers, and together they will make an incredible journey around Equestria, to ask the old gods of ponykind, now lying forgotten and forced to live among the mortals help to beat Celestia and Luna and finally, after three thousand years of monarchy, transform Equestria in a democratic nation.

Whether they like it or not.

Years before the return of the Elements of Harmony the beginning of the end of the millennium of peace under the sole rule of Celestia was already beginning to occur.

At the center are Shining Armor and Cadence. Swept up into politics, adventure, intrigue and romance a new age for Equestria is about to begin.

For hundreds of years, the ancient quarrels between dragon and pony had been put to rest under Celestia's reign. However, after a simple land dispute on Equestria's border turns violent, dozens of ponies are left dead at the hands of dragons. As outrage over the event sweeps the nation, a strong divide between the two races is beginning to reemerge. To make matters worse, many ponies have begun to question the princesses' response; calling them too soft. Some have even decided to take matters into their own hands.

As the situation escalates, Spike has found himself growing evermore isolated. Every time he steps outside, he can't help but find at least one pony looking at him as if he were covered in the blood of the victims. Though, through these trying times, Spike has only been able to hold onto one constant: Twilight. But no matter how tightly they hold onto each other, will it be enough to see them through the days ahead?

It's that time of year again, and Celestia has hopes that Sunset Shimmer can save a city and rediscover the Elements that will eventually save her sister. Unfortunately for her, Sunset has been keeping a secret mentor, and one that has no intention of letting Celestia's plans unfold.

Yin and yang. The balance of the universe itself. Good versus bad. Live versus death. Chaos versus harmony.

What if the princesses planned for Discord to return, and if everything that Discord did with the mane six in the first two meetings he has had with them were to keep the balance between chaos and harmony? What if Discord was in on the act, and each move was to bring harmony between the girls, to make them stronger at keeping peace? What if I am lying to you with this description?

First fiction. If thou likes it, feel free to ( I command that you) rate, comment, and so forth. If you dislike it: go away, don't give a bad review, and forget this story ever existed. If not, there will be bloodshed!

I don't own any of the characters in this story, unless no one has made an OC named ********** ******(spoilers). Copy right Hasbro, Lauren Faust, random twilight joke...

So, you're still reading this... Um... Oogabooga

Yeah, this is getting creepy. Just start reading the story already!

I'm serious. Go read the story already!

Ugh. This is why I dislike people that try to get the story from the description

Did anyone tell you your eyebrows look weird?

I didn't intend for you to answer aloud.

READ THE STORY ALREADY. YOUR EYES ARE FREAKING ME OUT!! Um... If that's... Okay with you...

In a time where Equestria is an infant, and the three pony tribes are slowly getting over their differences, Celestia, Luna, and Dissonance are the three most prized students of Star Swirl the Bearded. There has always been a spark between Dissonance and Celestia, something that Celestia cannot explain and something that she is afraid to explore. But when she finally finds the courage to explore and let her emotions surface, things turn towards the unexpected and she has to choose between what she thinks is right and the alicorn-turned-monster that she has fallen in love with.

Princess Celestia, in order to better understand what exactly makes a spirit chaotic and how to stop it, chances a contract with her oldest and greatest enemy. Inside his domain and subjected to his will, she will find herself tested to the breaking point as sins of the past and hopes for the future collide in a battle of the minds that will have further reaching consequences than she could ever have imagined.

Note: So the continuity has been a bit skewed by my prolonged absence, the story splits off from the show right after the beginning of Season 2.

Cover image by Conicer

Special thanks to the Academy for editing, pre-reading, and their overall support!