On the fourth day of the fourth month of every year, Equestria pays homage to its fallen heroes. As daylight sets on this solemn ceremony, the immortal sun bows before the soldiers who died for her, and whispers an ancient question for which there is no answer.

A young girl and an android form a bond after the end of the world.

My entry into the Make Rarity not garbage contest.

Being an accident-prone pony has many drawbacks. Now, however, is the worst time for Derpy's mistakes to take their latest toll on her finances.

When paying for damages incurred by her clumsiness leaves her unable to pay for her daughter's birthday present, she is determined that Dinky will have a wonderful day anyhow.

That’s easier said than done, however, when the only pony you have to turn to in a crisis is yourself.

Or so she thinks.

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In depth review by the lovely Archsage can be found here --> Click me, I like it!

Rainbow Dash just wants somepony to read her manuscript now, not 'later'. (Which we all know means never.)

From the stone age to the modern world, Celestia guides her little ponies into the future. And she needs to keep playing. Just one more turn.

Always one more turn.

Done as a speed-writing exercise in about three hours. Totally unedited. Enjoy!

Princess Luna created me in order to make sure she never would forget the pain she caused Equestria.

But this? This is not the way to accomplish my directive.

If only I could let her know...

Featured in the Royal Canterlot Library
Russian Translation by Doof!

There is nopony who would call Evening Star a true friend. That's just the way it is, and the way it always has been—and she won't let herself fret over it. She's fine. She has her books, and really, what more does she need, anyway?

Except that Evening Star isn't sure it has always been this way. Of course, that's how she remembers it—but another part of her, a part buried down nearly too deep to reach, remembers being somepony else. She remembers being Twilight Sparkle.

That would be one thing on its own, but now she's not certain that Twilight Sparkle was just somepony. She feels drawn to the castle on the edge of the town, but it's not vacant—the princess lives there, of all ponies, only she's not so sure that she isn't supposed to be the princess.

But if that's the case, she wonders: what exactly is the thing living in the castle?

I don't think you can know Rarity without being at least a little bit scared of her. If you're not, then you don't really know Rarity.

This is the story of how she saved Ponyville one day.

Winner of the Make Rarity Not Garbage Barcast Contest. Preread by Pearple Prose, ScarletWeather, and Estee (who did nothing but stand in the corner in silence while I ranted at them about this story, but by God did that help).

Set only a week after the banishment of Princess Luna to the moon, the realm of Equestria is in a state of upheaval. Celestia's royal guard attempt to regain control over the vast empire once ruled by dual monarchs, and the young alicorn's actions as a ruler have become a subject of scrutiny after her sister's attempted coup. Two factions have risen in the turmoil: The Knights of the Sun and The Bright Moon.

Far away from the political infighting and sword rattling exists a small mining town on the outskirts of Equestrian territory. Where once the royal guard would have no trouble fending off raids from bandits or other criminals, the panic of the capitol has caused a withdrawal of military forces to more essential cities and trading ports. Completely undefended and without a spell or sword amongst them, this town was soon overrun by a band of bi-pedal canines calling themselves the Diamond Dogs. As brutal as they are lazy, the Diamond Dogs have forced the local population to work until collapse to collect gems from the town mine.

Outraged by his inability to fend off these bandits and thieves, a young unicorn named Bone Marrow tries with all of his might to find his purpose in life - his cutie mark - and hopes that it will be enough to drive off the invaders of his home. He will soon discover that his special talent is far more than he bargained for.

((A Sequel will begin for this story as soon as I finish I Am a Pet Changeling. Stay tuned on Discord! https://discord.gg/nDXd3AB ))

I don’t know why I’m writing this. I don’t know if anypony will ever read it, or if there is anypony left who could ever read it. Some might see it as a way to keep my sanity in this place, but that implies that I have any sanity left to lose. I’m not so sure about that right now. I’m not sure about anything anymore.

My name is Sunset Shimmer, and I am the Princess of Equestria.

Cover art put together by Amber Spark, who writes a way better Sunset Shimmer AU than me. Now go read her Wavelength series.

Written for FOME's "Imposing Sovereigns" Contest.