Unicorn Quick Caper and his much larger Earth pony pal Mugger, have had it with constantly having their schemes thwarted by the savvy law enforcement of Manehatten.

So when they hear about a fair-sized hamlet out in the middle of nowhere, stuck right beside the Everfree Forest and the main city of Canterlot, they see this as the perfect opportunity to snag some quick bits from the unsuspecting rubes that travel between the Forest and the way to Canterlot.

What could be more simple?! Avoid those pesky, nosy Bearers, lie in wait along the Road, jump out and surprise anypony with enough bits! With Caper's brains and Mugger's muscle, they'd soon be rolling in cash! Profit!

Spike and Twilight go for a morning walk through the snow-covered hills near Ponyville.

Reading by Midnight29

Applejack enlists the help of Spike to search for the Legendary Sandy Paws across lands near and far, for he is the one being able to help her save the farm this Hearth's Warming Eve.

A Jinglemas story for: Ghost Mike

While hanging out at Twilight's castle the subject of height comes up, Spike says that he always thought the Mane Six were the exact same height, aside from Twilight. However, they all find this absolutely ridiculous. There's obviously a difference! (This is not a sequel, but it does contain reference to my story "That's not my name")

Twilight is hanging out with Rarity and Pinkie Pie. During their conversation she accidentally calls Rarity, Pinkie Pie. Apparently it's a much bigger deal than Twilight thinks it should be.

Spike's a young man who works at the local library. Twilight's the parrot-sized dragon who lives on top of the bookcase in his apartment.

Twilight's made it quite clear that she'd rather not talk about where she came from, so Spike doesn't ask anymore. But when five dimes from Twilight's hoard disappear, Spike and Twilight will have to confront her past in order to save their present and the whole world's future.

This is not an entry in Choices: A Species Swap Contest. It's actually an original short story I had published in a couple places nearly 30 years ago. But since I've been taking some of my pony stories, changing the pony stuff into non-pony stuff, and submitting them to the various SF magazines, I got to thinking: would it be possible to turn a non-pony story into a pony story?

Then I saw some entries for the abovementioned contest being posted and realized that the idea of a "species swap" was just what I was looking for. So let's see if it works!

And now it's got a reading on YouTube by Skijarama!

Sunset drags you through the portal for another weekend escapade, but once you're through you realize this isn't the usual trip. Twilight has a new spell to try and you get to see just how much ponies enjoy pets.

On a peaceful night, High Princess Twilight Sparkle discovers a thief in her quarters, and while dealing with him, discovers that he is actually in her employ. She insists that he has no place in her Kingdom, and the thief, Night Silk, disagrees. Now, with his job on the line, Night strives to prove that he is exactly who she needs to work the underworld.

After all, he's not just a thief.

He is a Master Thief.

Cover art by ProvolonePone.

Starlight isn't a child person. But Sunburst is.

She was not good enough for him.

That was the thought that stabbed through her mind as she watched Sunburst play with Flurry Heart, gently playing with the toddler in front of him, seeming enamored by him as they together danced around the Hearths Warming tree, the younger filly leading her husband around and pointing at the ornaments she put up.

Starlight was never like that with young kids.

Or what it means to be a parent.

(Jinglemas story for XP45)

EDIT: Featured?! Didn't expect this - and second in the box! So surprised. Thank you!

It's been years since Sunset has had a good Hearth's Warming. After the events of last year, she almost wants to skip the holiday entirely, but her friends think they can do something that might change her mind.