Once again, Rarity is in need of Fluttershy to babysit the Cutie Mark Crusaders. When putting the three to bed, Fluttershy retells a story of how her guardian has always been there for her.

I never wanted a Guardian Angel. I didn't ask for one. One was assigned to me - Mercedes McCambridge

Discord was one of Equestria's greatest enemies, so why would Celestia want him released from his stone prison? She said so that he could use his powers for good, but what possible good can come from the Spirit of Chaos? What if Celestia had an ulterior motive for reforming Discord? Something she hoped that Twilight and her friends would never find out. Being a leader for an entire nation comes with many responsibilities that sometimes includes making the hard choices.
This story is about what led to the events of Keep Calm and Flutter On, it is about why Celestia would want to reform Discord.

Celestia who? That tall, awkward schoolfilly?

Rainbow Dash is the best at many things: she can fly at speeds that most pegusi can only ever dream of; she's the only pegasus to ever produce a Sonic Rainboom (and live); she's the pony you can trust to always have your back in a pinch; she can turn any area in Ponyville into her own personal bed, from clouds and trees to rooftops and the rafters in the town gazebo. To say the least, Rainbow Dash is a mare of many talents, with an over-inflated ego to go with them.

One thing she isn't very good at, though, is letting her emotions show. For that, she's always needed her dad.

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Written for this.
Inspired by this.
Cover Art © JohnJoseco@DA

The Shaper is a smith of unparalleled skill, her creations the most sought after in the fallen world. When a pony named Lyra comes to her with a unique commission she has to put all her skill to the test to craft a weapon of great power. For Lyra's goal is not an easy one, and it is not just any weapon that can kill a Dragon.

A story inspired by this and this image, as well as this challenge by CDRW (whose fic A Still More Glorious Dawn Awaits is quite good).

After a terrible fire nearly claims the lives of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Rainbow Dash has to seriously consider what it takes to be a sister when she has to face the prospect of disciplining the newly-adopted Scootaloo.

Nopony ever said that being a good big sister was gonna be easy.

Big props to Isseus and ShootingStar159 for pre-reading and editing.

They say that after spending enough time with someone, you'll never forget them. No matter what, they'll always be with you. However, this brings up the question one must ask. How long is enough to even remember their face?

Submitted for the 31shotober challenge! (The first one actually submitted in October...)

Just a story about two background ponies going through a series of life-threatening misunderstandings and mishaps that makes them wish they had just stayed in the background quietly eating their cookies...or is it?

After ranting and raving about the fallacies of their colorful utopia, Incarlsistency and Sam-Listens-To-Carl's-Problems, the "heroes" of the epic trilogy that started with "Two Background Ponies Eating Cookies", finally find themselves thrust into an adventure of their own. After both being canned from their mundane, background pony jobs on the same day, Sam and Carl hatch a desperate scheme to make the money necessary to pay for Sam's upcoming wedding and avoid the wrath of Sam's homicidal/disapproving future father-in-law. Unfortunately, things will quickly escalate out of control for the duo when they discover the darker side of their idealistic world.

Big cities...gangs...magic...princesses...shakes...this story has it all!

My name is Twilight Sparkle, and 350 years ago, Sweetie Belle and I vanished without a trace.
Now here we are, in the future.
Equestria has become a utopia, with everypony living in peace and harmony.
Everything is perfect. All a pony could ever want, and more.
My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I want to go home.

Editing provided by Stereo_Sub and JustAnotherTimeLord.

Cover art courtesy of Geomancing.

Reading by lieilengi

Spanish translation by Spaniard Kiwi

Blossomforth and her friends are just wrapping up a nice day at the amusement park, and stop by the souvenir shop on their way out. Blossom comes across a conundrum.

Written for One-Shotober.