Sometimes, the easiest way to get through the toughest situations is through alcohol.

Okay, that's not really accurate. But sometimes it helps. Especially when Twilight's got something to think through and it's been a long day and really, isn't it okay to puzzle through things at a bar at like 1am if you've got a friend there? It's better than drinking alone, and it isn't like she's drinking to forget her problems if she's trying to solve her problems instead?

Pinkie doesn't really care one way or the other. She's there for the cider.

Thanks to my girlfriend, my girlfriend, my girlfriends' boyfriend, my girlfriend's crush, and this dude I know for helping with editing and being supportive. You're all nerds.

A day of great importance is fast approaching a coven of cultists that worship dark and ancient gods, and all that stands before them is Luna’s refusal to arrange the stars for them. Left with no other option, the cultists are forced to rely on an even darker and more insidious power to see their agenda fulfilled.

Politics.

Will Luna be able to defeat these dark souls or will the evils that these cultists wield prove too much for her?

A fun little three parter collab between Anon, Tangent and myself. And despite the dreaded topic of politics being used, it is very minor.

In the wake of the Crystal Empire’s reappearance and King Sombra’s deposement, a thousand thorny legal, cultural, and practical issues need to be addressed by the ponies of both lands. But there’s one issue that’s blindingly straightforward: the thousand-year-old Equestrian State of Conflict Empowerment Act is still technically in effect, and until it’s revoked, Equestria remains—officially—at war with the Empire.

Under the circumstances, nopony in Parliament could possibly consider voting against its revocation.

Right?

*****

A peek at the sausage-making, inspired by GaraTheAuthor’s political fiction.

Written for the Springtime Sandbox-Slash-Sandbox Switcheroo!

Now available in Spanish, courtesy of SPANIARD KIWI.

Luna has found that many things have changed since she was banished. Technology, culture, even cuisine had grown and advanced far beyond what she could have imagined back in the old days.

But there's one thing that she always thought would remain constant, and yet it seems to have changed the most.

Who better to ask about it that the one pony to have lived through years of change?

But can she handle the answer?

***

Full disclosure: this was my entry into the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Competition. Though I do admit that I went back and expanded it and did some editing between the contest ending and when I posted it.

The princesses gave their magic to Twilight to prevent Tirek from stealing it. As a result, they end up stuck in Tartarus.

Marvelous place, Tartarus. Really brings ponies together. The fact that things manage to go downhill here says a lot about the wonders of family and alicornhood.

Spanish translation by SPANIARD KIWI

Audio Drama by Espa_Roba_5 and Ajvasquezbrony28
Live reading by The Living Library
Live reading by Astro-Brony

Proofread by Octavia Harmony

A different take on alicorn ascension. Sixteen years after arriving in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle is excited to have invented a brand-new kind of spell, but it will come with consequences she cannot possibly anticipate. Meanwhile, threats in shadows around the world conspire to overthrow the Solar Throne. With her world turned upside down, she will have to come to terms with the role that fate has dealt her while straining to keep Celestia in power.

Now with a TVTropes page! Please show it some love! Also check out the official side stories, Designing Intrigue, and Love and Barriers! (With even more in my stories page!)

(Please Note: This story was started before any season three information was available. All episodes in season three and later are non-canon for this story, which also means there's no Crystal Empire in this one. In addition, the promotional map released close to the beginning of season three was also not available and is not compatible with this story. While the OC tag is active because there are OCs in the story, they're really just supporting characters. The focus is on Twilight.)

Also be sure to check out the Rites of Ascension Expanded Universe Group! We're working to develop the resources needed for other authors to try their hand at writing stories set in the Rites Universe!

The Book Two cover art was created by the amazing Silfoe! The original cover art can still be found at Violet Squiggle's deviantArt page.

Author's Notes, including proofreader's credits, can be found here!

"This is 100% Approved by Twilight's Library!"