My unicorn parents called me a worthless mud pony. They pushed me every day to overcome my lowly status. When I woke up one morning with my cutie mark, I thought they would love me. I couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

It was not destiny or enjoyment that led me to discover the cello and composing. My parents made that decision, deciding before I was born I would continue their family legacy of famous musicians.

They did not realize what that decision would cost them.

Special Thanks and Links:

Cover Art: Dreampaw. The inspiration for the story.
Dramatic reading of Act I-III by Malao567. June 2013
Reading with music by ObabScribbler. June 2014
Song: Hooks and Strings by Reverb Brony. May 2014

Style inspired by H.P. Lovecraft
TypeWriterError: Editor & Rating Board
Gage of Grandiloquence: Editor
The11thWonder: Pre-reader
Nharctic: Pre-reader
Breath of Plagues: My Pinch Editor.
ArgonMatrix: Bad Grammar Exterminator
Daemon of Decay: Advice, also inspired me to write fan fiction. Blame him!

Sweetie Belle is finally returning home after a long stay at Carousel Boutique.
This time, she really hopes things will be different.

Winner of wishcometrue's 'Going Home' contest for the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Group. The story was originally written in one hour, this version has received some refinement.
Thanks to Flashgen and Zontan for editing, and all who preread in the contest.
CW: Themes of child abuse, physical abuse & trauma

“Pinkie,” Maud asked, “Have you ever thought about something, and then it was real?”

And Pinkie just laughed, endeared by the naivety of the minds of fillies.

Winner of the 'Siblings Contest' in the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Group. Written in an hour and presented with minor edits here.
Appropriately edited by my good friend, the amazing wishcometrue, with additional edits made during the contest by my other good friends themoontonite, Red and Zontan. Mistakes are because of edits I made after consulting them, and I thank them all sincerely for the help.
CW: Child abuse, Trauma

Derpy is a good filly.

Her eyes might not line up right and she can't think too many things at once, but she's still a good filly who always does what Daddy tells her. Until he tells her not to go into the basement under the stairs, at least. He tells her there's a monster down there, and it's all teeth and claws, and it's dangerous.

And then Derpy doesn't do what she's told.

Winner of the Barcast's Halloween in April Horror Contest

Apple Bloom isn't crazy. Sweetie Belle knows she isn't, because Apple Bloom keeps telling her so.

And so when Bloom insists that the Cutie Mark Crusaders sneak out of a sleepover to investigate the strange lights she's seen out of her window at night, the ones that Applejack says don't exist, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo begrudgingly agree to help.

This, as it turns out, is a mistake.

Life is more beautiful in the movies

Winner of the Quills and Sofas 2nd Anonymous Write Contest

Thank you to Wish for helping with the art and description, and Silent for listening to me rant about the fic

"I wonder whether the history of us is already written in the love we’ll make. And whether I might be the only pony who can read it.”

Winning entry into the Colourful Characters Contest focusing on Princess Cadance for the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Group.
Originally written in 75 minutes, this version has received some refinement. Special thanks to all who read in the contest and particularly Shaslan, Red, Snow Quill and AFanaticRabbit for their editing notes.

Ever since her ascension, Twilight has been having the same nightmares.

About a pale mare who shines brighter than anything she's ever seen.

This is an entry to the barcast's Halloween in April Contest. Thank you very much to wishcometrue and Flashgen for their help with editing and pre-reading. Any errors are because of last minute changes I made without consulting them.