The relationship between Celestia and Hydia, the Queen of the Lamias, goes back quite a ways: Hydia was the first of Equestria's enemies that Celestia consigned to Tartarus instead of killing, after all.

But as the centuries roll on, their relationship changes somewhat.

This was going to be my entry in the 193rd Writeoff competition, "How the Mighty Have Fallen," but I didn't get it finished before the deadline. Then along came the My Little Pony Renaissance Contest with its theme of "Change," and, well, here we are!

Ever since the beginning of recorded history, witches have been labelled as the evil of Equus, and they live up to the title as well. One of the biggest threats to Equestria, and through the recent Changeling fey attack, they have struck down the Sun Princess herself.

An ailment none of the doctors are able to heal. A curse no researcher is able to break.

Twilight is afraid. Afraid of losing the only mother she has ever known, she fears that she will be kept from being with her until it's too late. Twilight is a good witch, of that she is sure. She has been molded and taken care of by the kindest, most wonderful mare on Equus, ever since her birth mother abandoned her, and she has not looked back.

But why was it fair now that she has the ability, but lacks the knowledge to give to one who has given her everything? Should she delve into that part of her soul screaming to be let free, or shall she wait and put the fate of her beloved mentor in luck’s palms? Still ridden with doubts over the Wedding, she can do naught but research, beg and hope as she waits outside her mother’s chambers day by day, waiting for the Solar Diarch to finally allow her access.

Luna is desperate. Why was it fair that they were brought together for three mere years after a millennia, only for fate to bring Celestia down so low, right in front of her eyes? Despite all her efforts, she can do naught but look on day by day as her sister’s condition seemingly deteriorates, helpless as the witches take advantage of the situation to push back at the chains binding them, seeking to reclaim their rightful place on the hierarchy. She has nowhere to go, nopony she could turn to... And the worst thing? She knows that one of the claims in the previous sentence is a lie.

Aurelia is uncertain. Uncertainty had become very common lately, and she wasn’t sure she like it. Luna was once her friend - her best friend - and yet she had broken her unwavering trust, stole from her and betrayed her. There was also the fact that she certainly wished for nothing to do with somepony who only wore masks and crafted facades as smoothly as a witch. If it were up to her, Celestia could burn in Tartarus for all she cared.

On the other hand, her father’s last wish not something she would ever break, even for petty revenge, and her.. daughter’s cries each night still shredded the soul from where she’d come from. Aurelia has the ability and she has the knowledge. But would it be wise to risk revealing herself to the public eye, to the eyes of the Sisters, the other witches, her daughter, just for Celestia? She wasn’t sure.

Perhaps it was time to embrace every part of herself. Perhaps it was time to own up to the mistake which had cost her her very first friend, her closest friend. Perhaps it was time for her to face the one she’d abandoned and the world she’d shut herself off to.

There is hope for Celestia and there is hope for mending fences, but hope is a fickle thing, and a wrong move could break spirits, crush budding relationships, and topple a kingdom into ruins.

Cover made from various parts of talented artworks pieced together and edited by Meowofy. Thank you!

The time has come for the funeral of Twilight Sparkle.

Princess Cadance is grateful she doesn't have to attend alone.

Featured from June 15th to June 17th, peaking at #1. Thanks, everypony!

Luster Dawn returns home to spend Hearth's Warming with her mother--who is very curious to hear how her former student is doing.

"Death" tag is for discussions of death and dying.

All chapters are complete and edited, and will be posted daily.

Preread by Krack-Fic Kai, FanOfMostEverything, Shrink Laureate, and Matt. Thanks, everyone!

War changed, and so did she.

Now, in the forgotten eastern reaches, where the empty forests fall to meet the glassy sea, the both of them learn to live with it.

With great and particular thanks to my pre-readers this go 'round, for getting through the longest story I've posted to date: Admiral Biscuit, Sunicathorsis, and my darling Dark River.

The Solaris Corporation has done the impossible. Its best and brightest have built a truly independent artificial superintelligence, skilled enough to create and maintain a simulated reality for humanity to escape to in the face of the planet's oncoming ruin. Within this magical world of Equestria, the essential role of fulfilling each user's every desire falls to the Ambassadors—minor intelligences modeled after the larger pride and joy of Solaris Corp. One of these Ambassadors is about to welcome her two hundred thousand, eight hundred, and ninety-fifth user into his new home.

He—and she—will never be the same again.

My entry into GaPJaxie's "Friendship Is Optimal" contest. Rated Teen for language and thematic content.

Retirement had begun to grow boring for former princesses Celestia and Luna, until one evening Luna noticed a star was moving, and it was heading for their planet! With the aid of her sister, Princess Cadence, and even Twilight Sparkle, the four will embark on a small adventure of a lost race which sought to give the rest of the universe eveything they could for a brighter future.

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Edited by Hammerhead, thanks for taking the time!

Cover art is a modified variation of a piece done by Johan Swanepoel and used from a MIT website. Thanks to Cedric Bale and HalflingPony for confirming and taking the time to research for me.

Top of the Box of Shame, 5/1/2021.

A crossover of The Optimalverse with The Culture series by Iain M. Banks. Very non-canon.

CelestAI finally meets her match in deep space, when she encounters The Culture, an advanced "pan-human" alien civilization governed by a decentralized network of benevolent AIs known as Minds.

Entry for the April 2021 Friendship is Optimal writing contest, gunning for high concept. Co-written with OpenAI GPT-3, specificially AI Dungeon's premium "Dragon" model.

Special thanks to hosts Johnny and GSV of We Uncultured Swine podcast for Culture series lore advice on its Discord!

In 2185, during his campaign against the Collectors, Commander Shepard discovered a previously unknown species whose origins predated any other race in the modern galaxy. Following a daring rescue from their ancient sanctuary, the Equestrian Herd was brought back into the galaxy where, for the first time in eons, they must walk their own path.

Knowing full well the terrible threat that lingers on the edge of the galaxy, the leader of this newly freed race fights to secure her people’s future while attempting to prepare for the storm on the horizon.

This is her story.
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The long awaited Sequel to Mass Effect 2: The Equestrian Equation This is a reader directed story. Your choices will shape events.
If you favorite, also like! It's one little button click that makes all the difference.

Also, this series has its own TVTropes page now! (Special thanks to user CrowMagnon for setting it up).

Twilight questions who's journal she's reading and ends up having a talk with Sunset Shimmer.

After that, Sunset and 'Twilight', become friends.