Before the founding of Equestria, before the final alienation of the three pony tribes, Star Swirl the Bearded was famed as the greatest teacher of magic in unicorn history. Now, one of the legendary conjurer's students finds himself exiled across time, trapped in a world he hardly recognizes. As he struggles to uncover the forces that displaced him, the unicorn Bellbray must use all his magical training to find a way back to the life he left behind.
— Featured on Equestria Daily.

Twilight Sparkle is pregnant and Big Macintosh is the father. Aid comes from the most surprising places as their situation becomes public. Secrets and long-buried tensions are exposed as the pair deal with a changing dynamic and learn what is most important in their lives.

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SFC Ponycron: This story was started and originally written by Nagaina, and was adopted with their blessing. As of Sept. 11 / 2015, I'm doing minor edits and corrections to the previous chapters while mulling over Chapter 13.

Special thanks goes to:

Nagaina for letting me adopt this story and being of my pre-readers.

~HP~HF for the cover picture http://hp-hf.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d5113nv

MisterClacky and Karn3, who volunteered to be the previous author's pre-readers. If you wish to continue to be pre-readers for this story, my warmest thanks.

For previous followers of this story, my thanks to you for wishing that this story continue. I hope not to disappoint.

Young Celestia has gone into hiding in the underbelly of Equestria. Through his vile scheming, Discord has driven her out of Canterlot Castle, engineering a civil war; Luna, her mind and soul poisoned by Discord, has turned into Nightmare Moon. Sooner or later, Celestia must face what she knows is her destiny: to confront and banish her own sister, before the advent of Eternal Night.

‘Have you ever,’ she started, ‘broken a promise you made?’

Celestia and Luna live a carefree childhood at Canterlot Castle, but its end approaches far too quickly — no matter how much they struggle, they find themselves drifting apart. And without their noticing, a new evil rises that could drive a wedge between them for good...

"One day, I swear to you, I will stand in the ashes of the Elements of Harmony themselves and proclaim a new world." -Starswirl the Bearded.

This is the story of Princess Celestia: her origin, the battles she fought, her betrayals, her adventures, the friends she made along the way, her one great love, and her ultimate destiny.

Now on Equestria Daily!

[Thanks to _Medicshy for his faithful editing and input. And to Heliostorm as of chapter 13.]

[Cover image by tamponandtwilaloop on deviantart, used by permission.]

Warning: updates irregularly lately.

The history of Equestria spans dozens of centuries, and many terrible foes have risen up from the past to threaten the future once more, only to be defeated.

When a vicious and powerful enemy older than any Twilight, her friends, or even the Princesses have faced before returns, they will have to reach out to an ally just as ancient for help... but is she still the heroine she once was?

This story takes place after the end of Season 3.

Honourable Mention: Best Fimfiction, Pony Awards 2013

Full-Cast, Illustrated Audio Drama version by Scribbler Productions can be found here!

Hardcopy editions from Ponyfeather Publishing can be found here!

In the first rays of the Sun on the eve of Her Ascension, I killed an Angel of the Sun in fear. And though the Sun gave to me forgiveness, I could not forgive myself. Glory be unto God and may eternal rest forever be Hers. Amen.

Original work by Horse Voice.
Audio book by ObabScribbler (start here though).

At 3:15 AM, Adams woke me with a loud knock on my front door.
"Put your boots on," he said when I answered. "There's a biblical monster in my house."

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A Visual Companion, by the author
Interview with the author, from the Royal Canterlot Library.
Audiobook by Robin Jacks and Wubcake.
Audiobook by Scribbler.
In-depth analysis by the Heroic Tales cast.
Literary Analysis by ScarletWeather.
Special thanks to GaryOak.
Reviews:
City of Doors
One Man's Pony Ramblings
PresentPerfect
Louder Yay
Between Lines
Bad Horse

*If you'd like to purchase a physical copy of this story, click here*

One of Equestria's greatest traits is tolerance. Every pony, whether Unicorn, Pegasus, or Earth, is accepted for who they are, and have their own parts to play in keeping Equestria running.

But what if an Earth pony decided he didn't want to play his assigned part? What if he wanted to rise above everyone else and become an Alicorn? Such a thing is possible... but the path to fulfilling one's dreams is never simple. Risks must be taken. Sacrifices must be made. And the question is always asked: How far would you go to get what you wanted? And would you be willing to pay a terrible price to get it?

A Cutie Mark is meant to represent the personality and special talent of each pony that has one. Cheerilee's flowers symbolize her desire to help her students bloom, and the smiles represent the cheer that she hopes to bring to their lives.

At least...that's what she tells everypony who asks.

[SEMI-SAD]