Night Light's daughter is going off to study with Princess Celestia at the palace. That's a good thing... right?

Written for the A Thousand Words Contest II in the drama category. Find the other entries here!

Inspired by a lyric from the Horslips song Faster Than the Hound. That lyric is the chapter title.

Sunset Shimmer, now Champion of the Sinnoh Region, recounts a tale to one of her fellow Champions, about how she met one of her best friends and partners. It started like any other day for Sunset Shimmer on her Johto Journey, arriving in Cianwood for her next Gym Badge. Normal, right? However, when she stumbles across a Lucario who she suspects may have been abused by his former trainer, suddenly Gym Badges are the last thing on her mind. Instead, she faces something far more challenging. Can she fix what's been broken, or is she doomed to failure?

(Takes place before Lights of the Burned Tower)

Pokémon belongs to the Pokémon Company and Nintendo and I make no money off of their wonderful world of delightful creatures and locations. Only Pokémon stuff I own is an Eevee plush and a few figurines...

Rated T for teen for several moments of Pokémon Abuse, Pokémon on Pokémon violence and strong language.

Edited by Legolassy123.

This is an alternate timeline set in the same universe as The Ties that Bind -- a "what if?" scenario, or "sister story" if you will. Reading The Ties that Bind is not required, but it is recommended.

On a cold winter night, tragedy befalls Twilight's family and she barely manages to escape with her life. Now she's lost and alone in a place she doesn't recognize.

She's left to wander aimlessly with nothing but the dark memory of that night to keep her company, but that's about to change.

Something awoke in the lavender filly that night -- a new kind of magic she's never had a chance to study before, and she soon finds she's not the only filly with dark memories and something new to learn.

Thankfully they both come across a strange town with a pony that just might be able to cultivate their new talents.

When the lover of Princess Celestia proposes to her, he doesn't get the reaction he expects.

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Proper Thestrals don't celebrate the Summer Sun Celebration. They never have; they never will, for thestrals never forget.

Deep in the heart of Mount Canter, the dirge of the Nightmother calls them, and they answer it every year. This year, however, is the year after Princess Luna returned. There is little reason to hold a funeral for the living, and yet they do so all the same.

They must always remember; they must never forget; Honor and tradition demands it.

Editors: Dreams of Ponies
Level Dasher
Jowijo

Submission for the Imposing Sovereigns II Contest
My prompt was Luna and The Old.

In the aftermath of Nightmare Moon's banishment, Celestia was left with grief. She lost Luna to the Nightmare's corruption, the Castle of the Two Sisters lay in ruin, and the Everfree was scarred by the battle. Despite everything, ponies call on her to lower the moon. So, the Princess is left with the Moon and her grief.

Featured November 17-18, 2022!
Companion piece to Interstellar
Part I in the Royal Pains AU

The Unity Crystals had been acting oddly for a few days, piquing Sunny and her group’s interest. The artifacts' power was unknown, holding untold secrets of the ancient world within them, but what it bestows upon them is beyond any of their wildest imagination. With endless questions, and an absolute need for more information, the ponies begin a journey to find some kind of an answer.

Leading them to the forgotten ends of Equestria, the path to their goal sends them through the ancient world where the foundations of friendship itself were laid. Though the answers they search for may be better off unanswered.

Sunny knew of the ancient world, the Elements of Harmony, and the six ponies that saved Equestria time and time again. She'd learned how the Element bearers' stories started, and how they ended, all except one - Twilight Sparkle. She always dreamed about learning more of her hero, but never would have imagined how she and her friends would soon become entwined in her tale.

Time can do many things, and for the idol of friendship, it can be her undoing.

This story was started and heavily planned when only Chapter 2 of Make Your Mark was available.

Full Resolution Cover Art Here

Thanks to Enigmatic Otaku and Gonderlane for helping edit the story!

Story cover art by: SyrupyyyArt

Twilight calls for help. Unfortunately, it comes.

Note that this story deals heavily with depression and suicide. There's no shame in deciding not to read.
Thanks to Quill Scratch for prereading.

Twilight Sparkle may be a brilliant scientist, a flawless engineer, and a wielder of otherworldly magic—but she's not infallible. Sometimes, she isn't okay. Pinkie knows this.

Warning for slight mentions of self-harm/suicide

Edited by my good friend RustyWarhead

Music by Inquisitive_Duck

Straight from the Canterlot archives, this collection of documents retells the rise and fall of Princess Twilight Sparkle, Enlightened Despot of Equestria, Defender of the Peace, Lawgiver, and Commander of Fort Libris.

Twilight Sparkle is, of course, known to historians as the first usurper to seek to schedule a coup d'etat by appointment. But for other details- such as, "What is the longest recorded time a pony has gone without sleep?", "Is it true what they say about swans?", and, "Why is there an owlbear in the Equestrian Witness Protection Program?"- these documents provide the answers and much, much more.

This is ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS HISTORY from primary sources. If anything makes you think this is silly, ludicrous, or unbelievable, blame Discord.

Written for FanOfMostEverything's Imposing Sovereigns writing contest.

EDIT 3-15-17: Wow, almost instant featured! Was NOT expecting that!

EDIT 4-8-2017: Featured in the Royal Canterlot Library! Thanks!

Part of the Remember Fort Libris print anthology, thanks to our Kickstarter supporters!