This story is a sequel to XCOM: Ranger

With the fate of her friends on Earth hanging in the balance, Twilight has to hunt myths to figure out a way to cure Sunset and save Templar Laetitia.

Taking Daring Do as her guide—and accompanied by a ragtag team of griffons, a Skirmisher-turned-breezie, and Rainbow Dash—Twilight must travel across the lands at war with the Storm King, to reach Ancient Fleece, find a lost city, and obtain the legendary sword of King Disc Ovis: The Algae Photis.

Cover art created for this story by the talented: LateCustomer

Before you read: This is a side-story to XCOM: Ranger.

I will provide all possible information needed for those that do not have the time—or inclination—to read the other story to still be able understand this one. It's a LOT of info, however, and I'm not just going to dump it all in one go. The backstory will emerge as the story progresses.

"Dear Santa Hooves. My name is Apple Bloom, and I don't want presents for Hearth's Warming this year. I just want my cutie mark..."

Featured on Equestria Daily -- January 18th 2013
Fanfic reading by Scribbler
Reddit page
Download link for the 'FROM THE DESK OF TWILIGHT SPARKLE' paper

Dear Princess Celestia,

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. Things seem to be falling through the cracks lately. Spike thinks I should go see the doctor, but...

This story is a sequel to Something Sweet To Bite

A gruesome holiday tale with a peppermint twist. In the ancient lands where the three pony tribes once lived the Windigo's magic has locked the weather in an eternal winter storm. Two little foals, who have lost their way, seek to find food and shelter in the deep dark woods. What they take for their only hope for survival may in fact spell their doom.
Meanwhile, it's the first official Hearth's Warming Eve in Canterlot, but something is wrong in the fledgling capital of Equestria. Can Starswirl the Bearded come up with a plan to set things right?
This candy coated horror will warm your heart and chill your spine.

Candymare Cover Art by kvernikovskiy

This story is a sequel to Something Sweet To Bite

After the strange disappearance of everypony in Ponyville and half the population of Canterlot, the citizens of Equestria live in fear and uncertainty. A year passes and while Celestia tries to once again shoulder the responsibilities of the crown without her sister Luna by her side, the investigations into what happened and why have born little fruit. Rainbow Dash, the weather pony of the now ruined Ponyville, may be the key to discovering at last what happened to Luna, her friends, and her town. And perhaps what exactly it is the Candy Mare wants.

Candymare Cover Art by kvernikovskiy

When a mysterious alicorn shows up out of nowhere and kidnaps Twilight's friends, it is up to Twilight to fight him to save them and the concept of friendship itself. But what this stranger wants is a bloodbath and that one of them will walk out of this fight alive. So sit back, relax and watch the greatest gladiator match in recent Equestrian history unfold before your very eyes: The Princess of Friendship vs The Lord of Enmity!

Written for this contest right here:

https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/865167/writing-contest-win-free-art

Unsurprisingly, I lost. But rather than let a good story go to waste, I thought I might publish it for all to see. It was also shorter for the sake of the contest but, since I lost, I doubt it would make a difference to unabridge it.

We all know the story about how Applejack got her cutie mark. But what about her family? To Big McIntosh and Granny Smith, Applejack was leaving her home for good and before she returned they had to deal with losing a member of their family, one whom they loved so much.

Anon is adamant that bananas are the best fruit in the universe. Applejack disagrees, for obvious reasons.

Fistfights ensue.

This happens more often than you'd think. It's all in good fun though.

When trying to focus on her studies, Sunset Shimmer is stuck watching an annoying little filly who just won't let her study.

Original Art by Baekgup

Cover image by Novel-Idea

Now with Reading by Wubcake

Trixie is tired of being the cast-off and the laughing stock of Equestria. When she gets her hooves on a rare spell, she finally has the means to seek her revenge on Princess Twilight. Switching their bodies, Trixie becomes an overbearing royal overlord who wants everything her way. In the meantime, Twilight is stuck in Trixie's body and the Mane 6 have all been scrambled. Twilight and her friends have to find the answers to this puzzling spell before Trixie ruins Equestria for everypony!