On a dark night filled with even darker magics, an insane cult attempts to give Nightmare Moon a body and life of her own, utterly separate from Princess Luna. But, when the spell is interrupted by Celestia, something unexpected is created.

Now, a little black alicorn filly named Nyx finds herself living under the care of Twilight Sparkle, only to be haunted by memories and emotions from her past. Is she Nightmare Moon reborn or is she simply a doppelganger with a soul and mind of her own? Can Twilight Sparkle protect Nyx from those who refuse to see past her dragon eyes and black coat?

Or, will Nyx be forced to inherit the sins that may not even be hers and become the greatest evil Equestria has ever known?

When winter's thaw comes at last, we all learn to move with the tide of the melted snow. We learn to continue our lives from what we once had before time had stopped the best that we can. For better or for worse, we follow the flowing water wherever it might take us.

Following the events of "Melting Snow", Caramel and Big Macintosh continue to explore the depths of their relationship, the two growing closer with each passing day. The days feel short, spring approaching as the seeds of the apple fields are planted one by one, roots sprouting as they firmly plant themselves comfortably into the new soil, ready to sprout and explore the world.

Caramel's life could be considered a simple one at best, but a boring one at first. He's never been one to easily make friends, that's for sure. He sticks to himself mostly and attempts to stay out of the way of the lives of ponies around him. It's easier that way. Simpler. Talking to ponies is a challenging enough task on its own merits, but romance? He's never dreamed of romance.

Of course, that all changed when Big Macintosh entered his life.

(Cover art by Snark!)

Caramel gets picked on by his friends.
Caramel goes with his friends to see a magic show with a magician from Canterlot.
Caramel gets called on stage with the magician as an assistant for a trick.

...perhaps Caramel finds a new friend?

- - -

Written without much reason, thought, or inhibition. Which is odd for me.

NOTE: Anthro ponies present. M/M things later, no sex.

Sequel: Ace in the Hole: Under the Gun

Soarin' is an accomplished Wonderbolt, but lately he's been making too many simple mistakes during practice. One day, he and Spitfire come to the conclusion that he needs a change of scenery. Through a brief negotiation with their manager, Soarin' is given a week's time to secure a future performance in Appleloosa. He accepts this task and flies to the new town.

However, there's more to Soarin's life than he's letting on. He's constantly battling his inner demons, all while trying to ignore the hounding media. He's kept himself in check, but his past is about to come forth once more, and in ways he isn't prepared for.

All because of a strange colt he met during a stop at a bar.

Braeburn Apple has always been raised in a conservative household, as a member of the Apple family.
Throughout his life, he's been taught what's 'wrong' and what's 'right', who he was allowed to love, and who he wasn't. Above all, he was told what to be, and how to be it.
When he meets a certain blue Pegasus stallion buying pies at Sweet Apple Acres while he just so happens to be staying there, he discovers feelings he never knew he had.
Unfortunately, they happen to be the same ones he was always taught to suppress.
Can Soarin convince him that it's not wrong to be in love, and that, sometimes, in order to be happy, you need to break out of your comfort zone?
A story about discovering who you are, and being that person, no matter what others tell you to be.

WARNING: M/M, SoarinxBraeburn Coltcuddling! Touches up on some serious social issues in the real world, but with ponies, and at least 20% cooler.
If you don't like it, please do not read it.

Featured on EqD!

Cross-posted to FanFiction.NET.

Rated T for alcohol references, crude humour, and slight language.

Cover image is by Mn27 on DeviantART.

Edited by many people, included Carcer, LunaUsesCaps, and Diexna, but none have contributed more than the amazing Smayds, who has been my main editor for almost every chapter.