Twilight reads a book about literature and, analysing her world, decides that everything she does is planned by someone other than her.

She does not take it very well.

Rated Everyone for adult humour.

now with a reading

Idol Hooves holds a special place in Equestria. He's probably the only exiled changeling to serve in the Royal Guard, or at least, that's what he expects, as exiles don't really broadcast that fact. However, it's well known that Princess Celestia loves all of her little ponies, and her guards perhaps more so, and that makes it one of the best ways for a changeling to discreetly feed.

But how does a changeling even get there, let alone get exiled in the first place? For that matter, why would it ever go to Canterlot? Set a number of years before the series proper, before Luna’s redemption, Idol details how he was exiled, the ponies he’s met, and the series of misadventures that led him to joining the Royal Guard, and should continue a good ways into the series, as something of an alternate perspective.

Soon, he’ll have to deal with a boisterous new princess to serve and a royal wedding in the works bringing a third to power. Will his old instincts bring this new life crashing down around him? What precipitates Chrysalis’s ill-fated assault on Canterlot? Is it really so wrong for a changeling to enjoy good craftsmanship to an obsessive degree?

New cover art provided by the fantastic Carnifex

And a TVTropes page here.

And an Ask Blog of questionable canonity!
Out of Idol Curiosity

Fanart by Norad2! Major thanks! Short For a Royal Guard

Art by Egophiliac of Idol and his Daring Duckie Please don't tell him what that brush is meant for.

Rating updated to (T), it's a bit darker than (E)
Comedy Tag added as well
And changed the character tags a bit.

The fruit of Sweet Apple Acres are grown with skill, experience, and love.

That last part makes them nutritious for changelings, a fact which Applejack is only now about to learn. But the changelings themselves have known for a long time – after all, they are some of her closest friends.

Equestria is a magical land where hopes and dreams come true. Come in and you'll feel the magic of friendship inside you not only growing, but thriving...

Just make sure you don't forget to breathe.

Audio reading by StraightToThePointStudio now available!
Audio reading by Pony&Wolf Productions now available!

What happens to those poor pegasai who fail their flight exam? They're taken to a special, secret factory. Their insides are then ground up to create rainbows. Figuratively.

Obabscribbler and Neighrator Pony made this happen. Congrats to her and Reverbrony on their engagement. SENPAI NOTICE ME AND BE MY FRIEND.

Thanks to Dustchu for editing.

Somepony new walks into Berry Punch's bar. Somepony who makes her think about the past.

CW: Alcoholism and depression

Now with a reading by The Mysterious Fluttershy Fan

Applejack wakes up one day to find that everyone in Ponyville is floating. But she'll fix this. She has to.

Second place story in the Black Sunday contest hosted on Quills and Sofas.

Cover art commissioned by the ever-talented Shaslan!

Edited with feedback during the contest by Seer, Mushroom, LostinFandom, WishComeTrue, Vis-a-Viscera, Shaslan, AuroraDawn, Decaf, and Silent Whisper. Edited again after the fact by Shaslan (told you she was ever-talented).

Twilight has been studying so much recently, so Rarity comes over to try to shake her out of it.
Then, the next day, Rarity comes over again.

Winner of the second Spookfest competition for the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Group.
This is also a prize fic for the very talented Snow Quill, who graciously provided the cover art.

Rainbow appears at Applejack's in the middle of the night with an odd request.

Originally written for a Quills and Sofas speedwriting contest with the theme "appledash" (romantic or platonic) and the prompt "the aftermath". It also doubles as a birthday gift for Luna! Happy birthday! Originally written in 75 minutes, this version has seen some expansion and editing. Special thanks to RedParade, applezombi, Holtinater, Decaf, applejackofalltrades, and Vis-a-Viscera for pre-reading during the contest!

Fiddlesticks is stuck at home for the holidays. That is, until Lightning Dust decides to drop into her life.

This is a Christmas gift for The Red Parade, who, aside from being a wonderful friend, writes some absolutely amazing stories that you should go read. (He's also crazy enough to also help edit his own present. )

Cover by the exceptionally talented RRDartist. Go check them out!