Choosing the most important moment in Equestrian history is nearly impossible. Many moments shaped Equestria as we know it today—moments big and small that paved the way for monumental shifts in power, culture, and technological achievement. History is rich with such moments, but to us, one moment stands out as the dawn of a new era.

We believe this moment to be the day Pinkie Pie sought to lift the ban on yo mama jokes.

A finalist in the July 2016 Writeoff event, with the prompt "End of an Era".

Joe can’t believe Fluttershy has never heard the word “kill” before, but he's happy to tell her what it means. She should be thanking him, really, for educating her so charitably.

Fluttershy simply isn’t sure if she can believe Joe.

It’s not easy being Queen. Especially not if you’re the Changeling Queen. It’s even harder and more frustrating when some peasant convinces all your subjects to abandon you and instead become some colourful butterfly/deer thingies.

But hey, that’s just how it is. Times are changing, and Chrysalis will have to adapt to the inevitable, whether she wants to or not.

And with that I mean she really, really, really doesn’t want to.

Lesson one: Food.

As the apocalypse descends, Celestia flies upwards to give it battle.

The ponies call her, "Gaia." The mother of their world. They see her as an alicorn with long red hair, and would surely celebrate if they knew of her return.

They don't. And Celestia will keep it that way.

(A Ponification of Dostoevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor")

The world spins, years pass, and everything comes to an end. Except Celestia. She sits on the shore of the last ocean, watching and waiting for her own chance at death. Because everything comes to an end if you wait long enough, and Celestia is patient indeed.

The princesses gave their magic to Twilight to prevent Tirek from stealing it. As a result, they end up stuck in Tartarus.

Marvelous place, Tartarus. Really brings ponies together. The fact that things manage to go downhill here says a lot about the wonders of family and alicornhood.

Spanish translation by SPANIARD KIWI

Audio Drama by Espa_Roba_5 and Ajvasquezbrony28
Live reading by The Living Library
Live reading by Astro-Brony

Proofread by Octavia Harmony

Princess Cadance, just like everypony else, needs some time of leisure from her many duties. While Shining Armor is taking care of their daughter, Cadance enjoys her lone trips to the nearby Nephrite Forest, where she can be away from all of her burdens and obligations for at least a short while.

She was simply destined to get mugged eventually, wasn’t she? Why not by somepony who takes his job very seriously.

Also available in Mandarin Chinese (translation by keplebletbett) and Spanish (translation by SPANIARD KIWI).