On the fourth day of the fourth month of every year, Equestria pays homage to its fallen heroes. As daylight sets on this solemn ceremony, the immortal sun bows before the soldiers who died for her, and whispers an ancient question for which there is no answer.

We all have that one pony in our lives.
Somepony to watch over us.
The one who is always there for us.

Very special thanks to Overlord Neon for the cover commission. http://overlordneon.tumblr.com/

As featured on Equestria Daily March 13th, 2018.

Audio rendition created by Star912 is available here.

A broad, clear path runs through a deep wood on the far side of Ponyville.

No one goes there.

Four young colts want to know why.

Celestia is still haunted by her own personal demon. Luckily for her, she isn't alone.

Her sister will always be there for her.

Cover art by Nemo2D on Deviantart.
Edited by Dreams of Ponies.
Additional proofreading by B_25 and pre-reading by Not Enough Coffee.

A thousand years after the banishment of Princess Luna to the moon along with all the Imperialists who swore allegiance to her, a complex lunar society has been built beneath the surface of Nightmare Moon's prison. In just a few decades, the despotic Empress of the Lunar Empire will have gained enough power to return to Earth and invade Equestria, transforming it into a dystopian realm of darkness. The only thing that stands in Nightmare Moon's way is the fulfillment of a prophecy, where the stars will aid in her escape so that the Elements of Harmony may exorcise her of her evil before she becomes dangerous enough to overcome her sister, Princess Celestia.

Enter Myrk, the former Captain of the Lunar Night Wraiths. Once the chief bodyguard to Nightmare Moon, he has since been branded an exile and traitor to the Empire. The Imperial Lunar Rune Guard hunt Myrk throughout the subterranean cityscapes of the moon, until he is forced to hide within the sarosian district of Tranquility deep below the outer laters.

Now, after having reunited with his half-sarosian lover, Choral, Myrk must embark upon a dangerous mission to deliver a captured piece of Princess Luna's magical essence to the lunar surface, in order to cast a beacon that will summon the stars and pave the path towards Nightmare Moon's righteous defeat.

This is an indirect prequel that takes place within the same universe as The End of Ponies.

This story is a sequel to Inexcusable

She looked just like Princess Celestia, except marred and broken. Her ceremonial barding had rusted slightly, and dirt matted her coat. Most noticeable was her hair; black streaks accompanied its usual multicolored luster. They looked like discolorations in an old photograph.

Worst was the scar across her chest. Her armor covered it, but nothing could hide what it meant.

The tarnished Celestia smiled at Luna. "H-hello, monster. I would say I am glad to see you, but that w-w-wouldn’t be quite accurate."

A big thanks to AlicornPriest for editing/prereading.

Russian translation by MLPMihail, with editing by Randy1974.

Comments contain spoilers. See here for a complete series timeline.

This story is a sequel to If You Came to Conquer

Princess Nightmare Moon had tried to keep it secret. She had suppressed her power, feigned ignorance, played the outdated fool at every opportunity. She should have known that something like this would happen. A threat that would reveal her, whether she played dumb or not.

If she had to reveal herself, then at least she could protect Equestria in the process. She nocked the arrow. The bow felt so flimsy, but she could not risk him absorbing a spell. She laced magic across the arrow and the string and the air, enough to make it fly faster and aim smoother. She sighted him easily; Tirek was a large target. Now he only had to turn around. An arrow to the spine would kill him simply and instantly, no matter how much magic he had absorbed.

Once he was dead, the hard part would come: explaining herself to Celestia.

Prereading thanks; Meta Four, Blank!, Yami Vizzini, and especially Craine

Russian translation by Doof
Chinese Translation by Dreams Set Free

Comments contain spoilers.

Twilight has a brand new theory. She has theorized that it is possible to create pocket dimensions and a way to enter them. Facing the ridicule of the rest of the theoretical magic community she has set forth to prove them wrong. She will construct a portal and enter it.

She does. Inside, she finds a field of empty white.

The story now has a dramatic reading by MrSnarky. Visit his channel on youtube.

there is a moment

once in every pony's life

when the time comes

to shed one's baby tail

don't worry, sweetie

it won't hurt

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.