Discord is no mere trickster, or simply an embodiment of Chaos. He is also one of the Ancients, the Sacred, the Elohim.

In the beginning, Discord was prideful, but not malevolent, creating many other creatures and beings. But after two of his finest creations betray him, Discord unleashes his fury upon Equus.

A Discord origin story.

Author's Note: This is a metaphysical piece written in under an hour as a thought exercise. Partially inspired by "Thus Dwell In Joy" by Ambysprite, the Babylonian creation myth Enuma Elish, and Julian Jaynes' treatise on consciousness.

Thanks to Loopy Legend and Ambysprite for editing.

Rated Teen for mild violence and darker elements.

Celestia wakes up in human form and at an insane asylum where similarities between the world she is in now and the world of Equestria cause her to wonder if Equestria even exists or if she simply made it up to escape her human life. Does she try to hold on to her memories of her Canterlot life or does she let them go and accept them as nothing more than stories? Who is she going to trust? Who is she anyway?

This is only the beginning...

TV Tropes Page

Cover Art by blahblahaha123 (with some altering by me.)

Reading by Phantom Brony

Editors:

Csquared08, DarkPheonix, Gweat and Powaful Twixie, HenryAnthonyCourtler, Kaidan, KartalTheWriter,ZeroOmega

They say all it takes is one bad day to throw an entire life out of whack.

Babs Seed hasn't had very many good days.

This is one of the worst ones.

I started this several months ago, dropped it, then picked it back up again a few days ago just to see if I could get another thing out. Please note that this is what I like to call bleakfic, as in, it's not going to be very uplifting, and that this is also a very experimental fic, so certain rules of writing and English in general have been intentionally ignored for pretention artistic effect. Enjoy.

My unicorn parents called me a worthless mud pony. They pushed me every day to overcome my lowly status. When I woke up one morning with my cutie mark, I thought they would love me. I couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

It was not destiny or enjoyment that led me to discover the cello and composing. My parents made that decision, deciding before I was born I would continue their family legacy of famous musicians.

They did not realize what that decision would cost them.

Special Thanks and Links:

Cover Art: Dreampaw. The inspiration for the story.
Dramatic reading of Act I-III by Malao567. June 2013
Reading with music by ObabScribbler. June 2014
Song: Hooks and Strings by Reverb Brony. May 2014

Style inspired by H.P. Lovecraft
TypeWriterError: Editor & Rating Board
Gage of Grandiloquence: Editor
The11thWonder: Pre-reader
Nharctic: Pre-reader
Breath of Plagues: My Pinch Editor.
ArgonMatrix: Bad Grammar Exterminator
Daemon of Decay: Advice, also inspired me to write fan fiction. Blame him!

Nightmare Moon has won, and the world has been shrouded in eternal night. But hope still lives. The land of Equestria is currently divided between the armies of the usurper and those of the Dawn Militia. However, the greatest danger to the rebellion may not be the dreaded Mare of the Moon, but her lieutenant, Eclipse–formerly known as Twilight Sparkle.

Not quite a mare, but unhappy being a colt. It's a hard position for a young pony to be in. Would be easier if judgement weren't in every look, hate in every scowl. For Glitter Shell, even her friends and family aren't giving her the support she needs. So, she goes to find some in her personal hero.

Based on the blog Ask Glitter Shell. Give it a chance; I doubt you'll regret it.

Featured on Equestria Daily on August 12th, 2013; thank all of you for the support! Though please remember to support trans people in real life. This story is a very tame snapshot of what they have to go through for most of their lives.

Star Shine is quite a rare colt. In fact, some ponies believe him to be cursed, based on an old mares' tale. Detective Gumshoe doesn't believe a word of it, and if it's the last thing he does, he'll serve the city and the Princesses he loves by finding out what's really been terrorizing the neighborhood.

Tied for 7th place in the /fic/ write off "Cutting Ties."

Featured on Equestria Daily!

Many thanks to Uma for critique and character analysis.

Nightmare Moon won. She defeated Celestia, broke the Elements, banished the sun. This all happened a very long time ago. So long ago, that she has had plenty of time to change her mind.

Of course, fixing our mistakes is never so simple, and never without consequences. Even with particularly potent help.

"If you came to conquer, you'll be king for a day. / But you too will deteriorate and quickly fade away."
— "No Control" by Bad Religion

A big thanks to Craine, Sorren, and Idylia for prereading and editing. If you enjoyed the story, don't forget to check out their pages.

Equestria Daily
Royal Canterlot Library (FIMfic version)
Russian translation by Doof
Chinese translation by Dreams Set Free

Kitsune Heart has done a dramatic reading of this story! Find it over here.
ObabScribbler has done a dramatic reading of this story! It includes a full cast of voice actors. Find it over here.

Comments contain spoilers.

Cozy Glow is a masterful singer. If she sings the correct sequence of music notes, she can make you cry.

(Cozy Glow first-person POV. Most of this was written on Friday night in about 2 hours.)

Pinkamena Diane Pie, long-time server of Equestria's military, has spent years awaiting the day that Sombra would be defeated. Time after time she watched him, avoiding their attacks and never gaining a scratch.

In the midst of battle, she decides to leave one for him to remember her by.

Proofread and edited by: Note Sketch
Art by: konik006(derpibooru)(deviantart)

Again, special thanks for Note Sketch and Azure_Shadow for pre-reading this fic and helping me get it done~