It has been one of the closest guarded secrets of Canterlot's royalty. Deep in a specially constructed dungeon, surrounded by warding spells and powerful magic barriers, exists an enigma. Within a cage that could only be described as something out of a nightmare, it waits and watches all of Equestria. A creature that cannot age, is immune to disease, does not thirst nor hunger, and resists all injury. But, it also holds secrets and knowledge that could safeguard the kingdom. Its powers are frightening, but it is civil enough for debate when patience permits.

Princess Celestia has sought counsel with the creature before, enduring it making deal after deal for its services. The Princess walks a fine line when dealing with it, knowing full well anything could give it an advantage despite its imprisonment. She has had to go back on her word in these dealings, and from this a deep animosity between them has been born. It is a necessary evil as she is convinced this is a being capable of untold evil far and above anything Equestria has ever dreamed of. So long as it remains within the confines of its cell, her kingdom is made safe. So much magic has been woven to ensure that, there is little chance of escape.

So long as the magic holds, there is no danger. So long as the cage remains strong, the nameless creature stays enthralled in his cavernous dwelling. If that were to change--if the magic failed--not even the wisest could say. But one thing is assured, it does not bode well for Equestria.

Twilight knows the princesses have seen more than their fair share of unpleasantness. She and her friends have, too. But after a terrifying experience during a trip to the Griffon Kingdom, Twilight fears what else she may see in the line of duty and begins to wonder what it really means to be a princess of Equestria.

[Featured on EQD 21/4/2014] [Now on TVTropes]

When Luna gifts Twilight the town of Ponyville and its surrounding countryside as her demesne she's initially confused. Then, after double checking her dictionary, more than a little concerned.

All her friends are, legally, her possessions. The town that took her in is her plaything, if she so wishes. She has been given responsibility.

Can Twilight's vision for a modern renaissance outrun the harsh realities of the shadowy figures pulling strings behind the scenes, nobles jockeying for her attention, and an irritatingly metaphorical love triangle?

Special thanks to the insatiable Blue_Paladin42, the incorrigible Maskedferret, the intuitive Southpaw and the indestructible newbiedoodle for all their hard work, past, present and future.

This story is a sequel to Lost into Shadow

Twilight has failed, or rather, she has succeeded. Her darkness is her power, and together with her husband, Queen Twilight has a new plan for all of Equis. The black castle rises to greater power than has ever been seen before. War is brewing while alliances are forged and others are broken. The days of harmony are dead and gone, and all the world will be forced to mobilize against the might of the Nightmare Hordes. Will they prevail in the faces of Wrath and Despair? Do they have any hope of someday returning to a time of peace and love?
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Not a chance, because in Chapter 1, Hope dies.

This story is a sequel to Lost into Shadow

The impossible has happened, through all the pain and darkness, Twilight Sparkle succeeded in her impossible mission...mostly. King Sombra is still plenty rough around the edges, but despite being an old dog he's making an effort to learn new tricks. Where will this new way of life take him? He has absolutely no idea, but with his queen to guide him, what could possibly go wrong?

My name is Twilight Sparkle.
I am three hundred and seventy five years old.
Except for Spike, all my friends are dead...But not for long

Betrayed by Celestia, and isolated in her castle with only Spike for support, Twilight Sparkle enacts a powerful spell to reincarnate the element bearers through her own body.
Her friends will be reborn, and, with the trials of being a mother to her friends ahead of her, an unraveling secret from the past following her at every turn, and the possibility of a brand new life so close in reach, Twilight just might be reborn too.

Credit for both the inspiration for this story and cover picture go to
Crystal Leviathan

A sequel of sorts to device heretic's Just Words, because I was dissatisfied with the ending, even if it was sort of poetic justice.

To Summarize:
Twilight finds out that she's adopted, from her brother, while he's drunk. Hurt, she goes to her parents; when they admit the truth of the matter she runs off to see Celestia. After a long talk, Celestia emphasizes the value of one's chosen family (or those that chose to be their family), placing that head of the value of biological relations.
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A week later, Celestia struggles with herself; For the first time in years, she really wants to tell Twilight and thinks she deserves to know. Nevertheless, the situation weighs heavily on her. Her past, the possibility of political fallout and disgrace, and Twilight's potential reaction to her callous dismissal of the value of biological relations weigh heavily on her. Still, if Twilight dies, never having known, it would be a crushing blow and an undeserved slight to her former lover.

Is the future set in stone?

It’s something Twilight Sparkle never really thought about before. Dealing with the future only ever caused her problems; she'd much rather focus on the present.

But what happens when her future is forced upon her? What happens when she is told she must do something she could never—would never—do?

How far would you go to escape your fate? Would you change your very self to match your destiny, or would you fight to change the future?

A life is at risk; Twilight's mind is at stake—And a prophecy must be fulfilled...

Images by laberoon.deviantart.com

Cloud Strife finds himself face-to-face with the truth about his past - both the lies and his own failures. In what can only be a surreal dream fueled by the Lifestream and his Mako Poisoning, he allows himself to be pulled away deep into the Lifestream's green glow. What he isn't counting on, though, is being dropped into a world of odd, pastel quadrupeds the likes of which he's never seen before, his memories shattered and missing.

(Final Fantasy VII x My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.)

NOTES:
*Takes place between Seasons 2 and 3, as that's when I initially began writing this piece.
*Alternate Universe tag is present because this story invalidates all Trixie-related episodes except Boast Busters.
*Gore tag is present mainly for one scene with minimal description that may still push a boundary or two. This is not a Gore-centric story.

Princess Twilight Sparkle is celebrating her first Gala without her friends, though her first-friend ever makes a sudden return...

A Spilight I'd written on New-Years.