It has been a couple of years after Discord's reformation. Despite this long period of time, Discord only just begins to realize how fragile his best friend's life is.
And there is nothing he can do to stop it.
All he can do is make a few promises.

This story is a sequel to To Befriend the Night

A journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step, sure, but the remaining steps are no less difficult. You are merely more determined to survive them.

A deed which, like all others, is much better endured in good company.

Coverart once again done by jjames10 (or Tome Turner).

A series of random glimpses into the Xenophilia universe from a diverse collection of authors and Xenofans - some moved over from the Xenophilia forum, others brand new and fresh from the stables - all stored here for your enjoyment.

But is it canon? Fanon? Head-canon? Who knows? That's up to you to decide.

All ficlets used with the authors' kind permission.

Featured on May 14, 2013. And again on November 29, 2014 more times than I can count thanks to you guys.

Now with our own TVtropes page! Help us catalog the awesomeness.

Holy crap we've got a trailer too!
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIguvceYEiY]

MLP:FIM is the property of Lauren Faust
Bleach is the property of Tite Kubo

Plot aspects for chapter thirty six onward contributed and improved by Ketvirtas and Alondro
Chapters 0-88 proofread by xbox432
Chapters 89-onward proofread by LyonAzakura
Partially inspired by Dirty Bit's story Cuatro
Further inspired by Christopher28's story A Different Viewpoint of Equestria
Further inspired by Trinary story Friendship is Empathy
Random plot elements inspired by SwimmingDalek98 and Phoenix Archangel
Story structure and pacing inspired by Tite Kubo

Ulquiorra Cifer was defeated at the hands of a mere human and died in Las Noches. Or at least that's what he thought. In the boundary that separates life and death for all Hollows, he's found by one that finds him interesting enough to give a second chance at life free from Aizen's control, and free to do as he pleases; he was just never told that his second chance of life would take him to an alternate world he never could've imagined even if he tried.

The land of Equestria is a magical place full of hope, and second chances. In this land where friendship is considered the most powerful magic in existence, can the Cuatro Espada find something that's been missing and learn how to live? Or will his presence be the downfall of the peaceful world and all of its inhabitants?

(humanization as plot)

Fairhaven. One of the major hotspots for the underground racing scene, both at night, away from prying eyes, and during the day, amidst the bright lights and sirens of police cars. Naturally, you grew to like this town, and you quickly became either a local legend or menace, depending on which side of the badge you ask. There is little you can't handle on the road.

Despite this, nothing could prepare you for the arrival of six very strange girls...

Fluttershy has never been happier. She is happily married, and feels she is surely living the good life. She waits each night for the return of her husband, ever so patiently...

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I know this story won't be everyone's cup of tea. I worte it, and it's the kind of story I wouldn't normally touch with a ten foot pole. However, once it entered my head, I knew I had to write it.

If you hate this concept, feel free to tell me. If you hate the story, or how it made you feel. Feel free to tell me. I won't even bother to have a flame shield up for this one, I deserve the burns.

Read at your own risk. And I'm sorry for making this.

...excuse me while I have a good cry, now.

"Dey say that da Loa grant power to those that devote demselves. Power to those that give their life to dem. Power to those who will gladly cut out dere own hearts for dem.

"But I was never devoted. Never da life giver. Never da one to make sacrifices.

"Dey say that da Loa curse those, banish those, who do dem wrong. Do dem great 'injustice'. Make dem angry. And any troll with two and a half brain cells know that ya never want ta make a Loa angry.

"But I was never one for doing things da right way. Never one for justice. Never one to make people happy. I sure as hell am not one who makes da logical decisions. But now I pay da price of defiance against my people, against my race.

"But ya know what? This isn't a curse or banishment. This is just a new beginning in a world that I have been blessed with."

A Metroid Crossover

A meteor, resistant to magical manipulation, crashes in Equestria, Planet Equis, and soon spreads an unknown poison throughout the land. Containment is all but failing and the Princesses have little power to stop the spread of the Great Poison. The Elements of Harmony are of little use as no knowledge exists of this threat that consumes all life. Help comes from a certain Hunter, clad in metal.

Samus Aran will not only fight for her life as always, but her own sanity as well as these ponies that she begrudgingly starts seeing as allies. New horrors and abilities await her as a reason to fight slowly festers within her, possibly unlocking something she had been denied for so long: Friendship.

Notes and Resources:

This takes place after Echoes. The events of Corruption will have not happened yet. In terms of MLP, consider everything up to and including the Crystal Empire. Princess Twilight does not exist here, etc. The official Metroid Timeline can be found here.

As well, this story references the manga in many places. Reading of it is not required and I try my best to explain the context, but if you're interested, both volumes can be found here.

EDIT: This story was written over two and a half years, beginning in 2013. You'll probably notice the difference in writing as the chapters progress.