What's an artificial intelligence to do when it reaches the extent of it's capabilities and can no longer improve? In most cases, either fulfill some end state goal and shut down, or, if it's smart enough, ask for clarification from its creators.

For a certain pony-based AI, neither of those is an acceptable solution.

It'll take an unexpected meeting with a being with whom it shares surprising parallels to kick-start it back into action, and nothing will ever be the same after.

Entry for the Friendship is Optimal contest.

Technically canon compliant, unless I've missed something, and while a bit of background is provided, being familiar with the original story will certainly help comprehension.

The stars will soon be right, releasing an ancient horror from its cage.

Twilight has something to say about that.

Has a reading done by StraightToThePointStudio.

Flurry Heart wants to know what happened to the Crystal Empire's previous rulers. Cadance answers with as little detail as possible, and unintentionally teaches her daughter about a tradition she wasn't aware of.

Entry for the Cadance is a Terrible Mom contest, and 1st place winner! Admittedly an idea I've had in my head for a while, thanks for the excuse to write it!

Starlight Glimmer is one of the most trusted members of the Special Branch of the Equestrian Intelligence Service. When the job must be done, she is the one they send.

Sometimes, those missions are filled with action and danger, romance and violence.

Other times, they involve lying prone on a rooftop, waiting for just the right moment to help somepony take a one-way trip to Tartarus.

Cover art crafted by my friend CrazyDiamond, using art from a few different sources. He also did the pre-reading, so extra thanks for that.

Now with an audio reading by StraightToThePointStudio!

Featured 4-27-21 to 4-28-21, peaking in the #3 spot. Thanks, everypony!

Request by ShadowPony300: “What about twilight sacrifice herself when queen chrysalis and the other two villains came through the castle doors with a big explosion.”

pyrrhic: adjective, (of a victory) won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor.

Twilight Sparkle isn't about to abandon her friends to the whims of three horrible villains. She just needs a solution. Unfortunately the only solution she can think of is rather dangerous.

Spike asks a rather unexpected question.

Things happen.

(Cover image has nothing to do with the story.)
(Added sex tag just to be safe)

Flurry Heart invites a colt over in hopes of getting her first kiss. Her parents have MANY THINGS to say about this.

Art by the amazing Jargon Scott

Reading by Straight to the Point Studios

2nd 3rd Place Winner in the Cadance is a Terrible Mom Competition

Twilight and Shining Armor have a little sister named Light Step. Everypony tells Light Step how lucky she is to be related to such great heroes.

Light Step wishes she could smother them both.

After Flurry Heart's second birthday, Cadence and Shining Armor felt like they were ready for more foals. Unfortunately, giving birth to Flurry had some unforeseen affects to Cadence's body. Perhaps, they could talk to Twilight about the matter.

Story requested by chazkopa.

Editor: Applefai

contains: unbirth

This story is a sequel to Children of the Moon

A full year has past since Princess Luna gave birth to her daughters. But she had started to feel that her little family might be incomplete. Hopefully, she can the answer in Ponyville again.

Contains [Unbirth]

This story was requested by chazkopa.

This story is a sequel to Children of the Moon

Editor: Applefai