This story takes place in an AU where Cadance and Shining Armor never got together. The world is otherwise unchanged.

The "Princess of Love" has many duties. Ruling over the Crystal Empire is, of course, her top priority, but she also oversees all matters relating to love.

...Well, that's a bit of a lie. While she is gifted in love magic, she rarely uses it. Love isn't something to be played with, after all. Still, that won't stop her from enjoying her super-secret hobby that absolutely no one is allowed to know about.

Except Anon. She likes him.

Day #7 of Hearts and Hands Week.

On the day of the Summer Sun Celebration, Nightmare Moon returned from her banishment. The power she had accumulated during her stay on the moon proved to be too great for Princess Celestia, and Equestria's ruler was defeated.

Weeks later, Anon arrived in Equestria via unknown means. Although lost and confused, his natural resistance to magic made him quite useful to Nightmare Moon. To his surprise, he quickly became one of her most trusted servants and found himself falling in love with her. Even more surprisingly, it seemed like she was doing the same.

Eventually, despite Anon's best efforts, Nightmare Moon was defeated and Princess Luna returned. Everyone was rejoicing. Everyone... except him. Because Anon did not fall in love with Princess Luna.

Anon fell in love with Nightmare Moon.

Twilight has been acting odd leading up to Hearts and Hooves day, and it's up to Starlight to find out why.
(RGRE)
{This story has two versions, the last chapter is the first person version.}

"What's a windigo?"

You'd think such an innocent question would have an easy answer, but Celestia's not sure if her student is ready for said answer.

Anon stumbles upon a deceased Rarity. He doesn’t know why she’s dead, so he decides to inquire his friends about it. They don’t know either, they also don’t seem to really care in all honesty.

Who done it? Why did they done it? Will Anon find the reason behind his friends cognitive dissonance? Will Rarity get her funeral?

Who knows, honestly.

I do. The answer is no.

The end of the world has finally arrived, and there is no saving a single soul from its rage. In less than ten minutes the sun's dying bursts of fire and heat will engulf the planet, and Equestria along with it.

Yet in the final hour of the pony race, two sisters manage to see it to the bitter end with smiles on their faces, and joyful tears in their eyes...

Dedicated to all my friends and followers.

For many long years, Twilight Sparkle worked to try to reform Cozy Glow. She'd be released from her stone prison periodically for a new reformation attempt, and she'd inevitably end up trying to conquer Equestria again. Being turned into a statue became a regular habit for her over the years. There were always more chances to conquer Equestria, always another attempt to reform her, and she wasn't aware of the passage of time each period she was committed to her prison.

Until one day, she was released again—only to find no one was there.

Cover Art by Shaslan

The mane six take shelter in a place that is, for now, safe from a disaster occurring outside.

This gruesome tale of violence and death is not recommended for colts, fillies, or the faint of heart.

One night, Twilight notices something odd as she's nestled in bed with Rarity: her hair smells different, just slightly. The next morning, her tea tastes a little bit less sweet, and the flowers outside smell somewhat less fragrant. Out at a cafe together, the music doesn't sound as sharp and clear, and Rarity's new dress feels marginally less smooth against her coat.

Twilight just wants to know what's happening, so she can fix it. It has to be temporary, after all.

Written for the Quills and Sofa Speedwriting group contest with the prompt "How will I break the news to you?"

Cover art by Koviry.

Rainbow Dash arrives at Sweet Apple Acres, looking for Applejack and finds her coming out of the woods. Just where was she last night?

Second place in the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting Classic Contest #52 with the prompt "where'd you go?"

Idea inspired entirely from cover art, made by the talented yakovlev-vad.

A thank you to Zontan, TheDriderPony, Nailah, The Red Parade, Seer, and _Moonshot for proofreading and RubyDubious for prereading before publishing.

Now with a reading by StraightToThePointStudio.

Russian translation by NovemberDragon.

Spanish translation by SPANIARD KIWI.