Since the day she ascended, Dragon Lord Ember has strived to move beyond the shadow of her father's rule. She's pursued some strange things to achieve this, perhaps none more strange than forging a close friendship with Twilight Sparkle, now ruler of Equestria. They've exchanged hundreds of letters over the years, growing closer and more familiar to each other with every one.

Ember knows her feelings for Twilight have changed, but the distance between them had provided an easy excuse to ignore them. Had, because with a summit between the Dragon Lands and Equestria starting, Ember and Twilight have the opportunity to once again enjoy each other's company.

And Ember is not the only one trying to come to terms with her feelings.

Ember vector by tyler611

After dying in a train crash, Twilight finds herself offered a deal by the Reaper: a game of chess for her soul. Twilight accepts, but there's something off about the game. Something she can't put her hoof on.

But the answer to that question is just perfect for who she is.

Cover art is from the Poets of the Fall album Clearview.

Nighmare Moon was banished for one thousand years. She had more than enough time to plan her return. Every aspect was intricately planned down to the letter, for maximum dramatic effect to instil sufficient terror in her future subjects that they would bow down without question.

At least, that was how the plan was supposed to go.

Cover artwork courtesy of BudgieFlitter on DeviantArt.

Celestia has always wondered why Twilight never replied to most of her letters. Fortunately Luna breaks the news 'gently'.

A rather silly idea that popped into my head this afternoon. I make no apologies.

Edit: As a few people pointed out, the title was really giving the story away; I've changed it on their (sound!) advice.

It shouldn't have been a big deal. Celestia was kidnapped or knocked out or just generally made to seem powerless by whatever idiot with ill intent decided to show up on a nearly weekly basis. As the mighty and immortal Sun Princess, she could escape at any time, but she was happy to play these little games. The daring rescues and bloodless battles gave her ponies such a sense of confidence and purpose!
But this one didn't go as planned. One small, stupid mistake got her thrown to the twisted reaches of the world-prison, Tartarus. Now alone, unarmed, and barely more than mortal, Celestia wakes in a living landscape where everything has every reason to hate her.
And, far worse, she has accidentally picked up a passenger.

Sidenote: This a repost (I tried to go through official channels, I promise!) of a story I wrote long, long ago on an account I foolishly deleted. Back in those days, Tartarus hadn't shown up in an actual episode yet. It's not exactly an alternate universe situation, but it has nothing to do with the canon portrayal of the place.

Super amazing cover art by Cold In Gardez.

After a display of dissatisfaction turns into a revolution, Celestia found herself meeting a most unfortunate end at the hands of the mob. Being powerless to stop them or even muster up the courage to sway their minds, Twilight flees Canterlot and vows to bring Celestia back to life.

Through this vow the young unicorn starts to venture into territories of magic either hidden, forgotten, or unknown. On this path she encounters creatures and ancient entities that boggle her mind and aid her in her quest, but Twilight fears she might be losing the grander picture. Is the end of her journey bringing her beloved mentor back to life or is she slowly being corrupted by the miasma she now wades through?

Now on EqD!

Art by StDeadRa on DA. Hover over the cover art here to see the source link.

”We all must bear our burdens, but though we keep moving forward, we also must never forget what we left behind so that we may learn from it.” --- Princess Luna

For centuries, scholars have theorized that it was Luna’s jealousy over Celestia’s power that made the younger princess rebel. These same scholars then wrote the very history books that foals read to this day, a thousand years later. Few, however, knew the full truth.

Luna’s fall was not some nation-wide rebellion, nor was it some jealousy-fueled tantrum. The truth was far more shameful and cruel. It had indeed been Celestia’s fault, but not for the reasons that history said it was.

And so, on this cold and somber night, Celestia remembers the day of her greatest folly.

FEATURED: 2021/08/15 - 2021/08/17

This story is a sequel to A Silent Night in the North

“May the Ancestors watch over you. May they watch over us all…” --- Ignitus

The impossible happened --- Malefor was defeated.

As Spyro lifted his wings and let out a healing wave of magic throughout the broken planet, his one prayer to the Ancestors was to save the last remaining Dragons from extinction.

It’s a pity he never specified just what he meant by “save”, and it’s a shame that the Ancestors have a cruel and bizarre sense of humor.

Now stranded on an alien world, Spyro, Cynder, and the inhabitants of Warfang, the last Dragon City, look to an uncertain future with both wonder and fear. Worlds have collided, new friendships will be forged, and nothing will ever be the same...

A continent away, the newly-crowned King Thorax of the Badlands Hive has his own troubles to deal with. His Hive has been contacted by another, demanding that he attend an emergency session of the Council of Seven in the very seat of Changeling leadership and sovereignty to answer for his crimes of defection, espionage, sabotage, and high treason against the dethroned Queen Chrysalis. If he cannot defend his actions, his Hive will be disbanded, his Changelings absorbed into the Primordial Hive, and he will be exiled. The young king’s leadership abilities will have to be put to the test before he even has a chance to wear his crown.

Thankfully, Twilight and her friends have offered to help...

Vengeance.

It was the one thing Chrysalis wanted. Needed. She would have it, as well as the heads of Thorax and Starlight Glimmer mounted on her wall, or she would die trying.

As she hides within the Frozen North and gathers her strength, a mysterious Voice beckons to her, leading to a Dark Crystal buried in the side of a cliff. The malevolence...the power...!

Yessss...vengeance is coming. Soon. Now.

The Voice has chosen to help her, if she helps him in return...

SPECIAL THANKS:

The cover art was made by the face-meltingly talented Shrekzilla, whose DeviantArt is right here! Be sure to check him out and show him some love!

The map of Equestria I'm using for reference was made by BootsDotEXE. Needless to say, my AU is separate from theirs, and I have no claim to any locations on the map that are created by them or Hasbro. (Their map is used for a cool comic they're making called Beyond Our Borders. Check it out!)

This story is a sequel to Solar Prominence

”Have you...have you ever thought that your dreams were something more? That they were trying to tell you something?” --- Princess Cadance

The Crystal Empire has faced many threats: Sombra, freak storms, Flurry’s chaotic magic, and even the Frozen North itself. Throughout it all, the Crystal Ponies were protected by the Empire’s Heart.

But what happens when a Heart stops beating?

Mysterious and terrible things are afoot in the Frozen North on this cold, silent night, and it’s up to a small group of Ponies and one Changeling to piece it all together before the entire Crystal Empire is thrust into danger. But in the shadows two very different foes are lurking, and both have set their sights on the Empire.

It’s the dawn of a new age, and Equestria’s time to prepare is up.

This story is a sequel to Voyage's End

Eleven years has passed since ponies and humans met for the first time. Now, Twilight ventures out on her most incredible endeavor to date.

"Once more, we boldly go into that great unknown." -Twilight Sparkle

Edited by: Way2Dawn