This story is a prequel to What does it mean to be?

Twilight Sparkle has a problem.
And she needs to fix it.

Upon Nightmare Moon's return, the leaders of other nations gather to discuss the situation.

They're not especially happy about it.

Cover art from the gallery of WingFlyte.

Spanish translation, by SPANIARD-KIWI. Russian translation, by Dark Room Collaboration.

While on a work trip to help family in Appleloosa, Big Macintosh strikes up some correspondences with friends back home. These are the letters that crossed Twilight Sparkle's desk.

Sometimes words don't mean what they say.

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A young star learns her father must aid in Nightmare Moon's escape...

Sunset Shimmer weathered the storm. She returned from the darkest depths, and now she has good friends. People like her.

If I haven't sunk too far myself… maybe she'll help me. Then I can help Sonata and Aria.

Please, Sunset.

Thanks to Present Perfect for his help.

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A pair of sequels, of sorts, are posted here and here.

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

As the eternal regent of Equestria, Princess Celestia's knowledge of magic is without equal. Over her long life, only a few gifted ponies who had a great destiny before them have had the honor of learning at her side. Sunset Shimmer was one such pony: one of Celestia’s best and most promising students. As she learned at Celestia’s hooves, their bond strengthened until they became far more than student and teacher to one another.

Sometimes those closest to us are the ones who can hurt us the most.

[Note: This story does not directly tie into Equestria Girls]

Some ponies seem to be born knowing what they are meant to do. Some discover it. A few need to be shown. Star Swirl the Bearded was in this latter group. This entry of his journal recounts the encounter that turned an apprentice lens grinder into the greatest wizard of all time.

Rated Teen for some coarse humor and language.
Originally an entry in the February 2015 Writeoff Competition.

1000 years after a story untold, Twilight Sparkle visits the Tree of Harmony to say hello to her friends.

If you are confused, I understand. Just know that this is an alt. universe.

In the ancient past, when the world struggled to recover from the Reign of Discord, the lands that would become Equestria were in ruin. Tyrants, monsters, and warlords had risen, promising order in their petty domains but delivering brutality. One such domain was the Alicorn Supremacy, an oppressive regime whose subjects languished under a ruling class entirely of alicorns led by the self-proclaimed Suzerain Supreme Opaline Arcana.

War would soon come to the Alicorn Supremacy, as the neighbouring realm of Equestria under the leadership of the peacemaker Celestia and the warrior Luna resolved to end its tyrannical rule. The bloody conflict between the two realms raged for years, with the Equestrians making definite, costly progress. Yet with Equestrian victory imminent, Equestria's two leaders were divided on what to do with the defeated tyrant.

Over a thousand years later, Equestria was ruled solely by the younger sister, known then as Empress Nightmare Moon. Her forces stood triumphant and resistance to her rule was systematically crushed with an iron hoof. With victory over the scattered Celestials practically assured, Nightmare Moon learns that Opaline Arcana still lives, and may pose a threat to her burgeoning Empire. But as Nightmare Moon goes to correct her mistake, she finds herself facing not only her old foe but a truth impossible to accept.

Takes place in my New Lunar Millennium alternate universe. More information can be found here, but no prior knowledge of my AU is required to read this story.

Proofread and edited by Izzy Incraft and Ebonyglow.