A historical pony "fairy tale" which, like most such fairy tales, is intended as much to instruct as to entertain the young. This ancient story (older than Equestria itself) demonstrates how sovereign rulers can lose touch with those whom they rule, and how to make amends when such things happen. This story is told in a very old style, but its lessons are as applicable today as they were before the Great Equestrian Migration. As this is as much a work of scholarship as it is of storytelling, historical analysis is provided by Royal Archivist the Crown Princess Twilight Sparkle, and commentary graciously provided by Her Royal Highness the Princess Celestia.

Perhaps Sombra would have benefited from having this read to him before his bedtime, and Crystalline history would have been a very different thing indeed.

This story is suitable for all ages, from the youngest just learning to speak to the oldest who wish to feel young again.

What starts out as an ordinary afternoon for Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash quickly turns deadly, as forgotten schemes of vengeance awaken and come to fruition. Rainbow Dash will learn the true purpose of the Wonderbolts, what it means to be a hero, and what it costs.

Sightings of a mountaintop phantom line up with a few too many worrisome legends for Sunny Starscout's comfort. Short on time and even shorter on adventuring companions, she heads out to confront it.

By herself, but not alone.

This is an entry in the Snippet Series, an anthology of old oneshots that I (and my good buddy Str8aura) wrote based around interesting pics I found. New ones will be posted every other Thursday for the foreseeable future.

Most ponies assume that something is wrong with Ditzy Do's eyes. Theories range from a head injury to a genetic disorder to muscle damage behind her eye. The crueler folk suggest she's just retarded. Nicer ponies say it's just a party trick she never got tired of.

They're all wrong. They're all very, very wrong.

I discovered the truth one day in conversation with her. One eye would always look at me, and the other would wander. At least, I thought it was wandering. So while we were talking, I followed it. Goddess in heaven I wish I had not. Never follow the other eye. Ever. Because Ditzy Do's eyes work fine.

She's just watching something. That... thing that's always in the corner of our eyes. And if she looks at you with both eyes?

Goddess save you.

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Preread by BrastaAAura17, Chase Cosmicwing and dreamingnoctis. Cover art also by dreamingnoctis. Guy's a bro.

In her arrogance, Sunset Shimmer believed for years that she could outrun her past, no matter how much time went by. But with her defeat at the hands of Twilight Sparkle, and her humiliation in front of the entire school, that assumption, like so many others, has been proven gravely incorrect.

Now, like all those who came before her who thought the same, she must look within herself and face her demons. What question remains is whether she can quell the fire within, or if it will consume her entirely.

Credits to the artist who created the art. A stallion named Montez tells his tale of sorrow.

Princess Twilight Sparkle vanished for three days. When she returned, she carried with her a pair of curious relics and no recollection of what happened to her. Only one thing is certain: She must retrace her steps to the beginning to understand the end.

This is the second story published in a fairy-tale collection gleaned from the ancient stories of Equestria. Like the first such story, The Good King, it is told in the classic fairy-tale style, and once again commentary and analysis have been generously provided by Equestrian royalty (though why they would be so kind as to do so is beyond me... proof, I suppose, that it never hurts to ask!). Though this literary form is far from popular these days, it is nonetheless the form in which these tales have been passed down, and the author is not about to change this. Just as in haute couture, literature is subject to whim and fashion, but some styles are timeless.

I would love to hear from parents who might read this to their young audiences. It is the reaction of the most important critics of all... the children... which is most valuable to such a project.

The back of this slim volume reads as follows:

On winter's nights, when cold winds blow outside and ponies everywhere huddle around the fireplace, friends and family often pass the time by telling stories to one another. Many of these fanciful tales have been told and re-told for generations, and the most enduring ones have become immortalized in folklore as pony tales.
My brother and I have travelled the land, gathering many of these stories, and now present this collection for your entertainment. We hope you find them as interesting as we did.

~Scarlet Quill, of the Quill Siblings

Most of the pages are blank, but as you watch, neatly-penned words begin to fill the first few pages all on their own. Already, one story has completed itself. It appears to tell the tale of the First Changeling...

(Partially inspired by LadyMoondancer's Gobbling and Other Traditional Pursuits. More short stories may be added later as new chapters.)

The Buffalo Telegraph told Clyde that a stranger was coming to call. It did not tell him that she was carrying something dangerous, or that evil people were close behind her.

And it certainly did not tell him how much she would someday mean to him.

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Audiobook by ShadowOfCygnus.

Special thanks to Themaskedferret and Reia Hope, for editing on short notice.
Written for Jake the Army Guy's Horse Word Extravaganza.