It was supposed to be the perfect day. She had dreamed of this day, sketched it out in everything from napkins to the margins of peace treaty drafts. Now, it was finally happening. The pomp, the circumstance, the elaborate decorations and even more elaborate dresses. She was getting married.

But Princess Rarity has a problem. She's in love with someone. Someone she's been with for years, and had every chance to grow close to. Someone who will be there, watching the most beautiful day of her life unfold.

Someone that she isn't marrying.

Special thanks to ArainMorn for snapping me out of a two-week writing funk with the above image.

Written for the Interwoven Colours contest.

Based on Earthsong9405's AU where Twilight is the bodyguard to a "Princess/Queen Rarity". Prior knowledge of the AU is not necessary.

This story is a sequel to Lost into Shadow

Twilight has failed, or rather, she has succeeded. Her darkness is her power, and together with her husband, Queen Twilight has a new plan for all of Equis. The black castle rises to greater power than has ever been seen before. War is brewing while alliances are forged and others are broken. The days of harmony are dead and gone, and all the world will be forced to mobilize against the might of the Nightmare Hordes. Will they prevail in the faces of Wrath and Despair? Do they have any hope of someday returning to a time of peace and love?
....
........
Not a chance, because in Chapter 1, Hope dies.

Heavy is the head that bears the crown. Light is the heart that shares its burdens.

Historian’s Note: The Tarnished Crown occurs three weeks before the events in the Season 4 Finale, Twilight’s Kingdom.

Cast: Rarity & Twilight Sparkle
Introducing: Amber Spark

Cover Art: Little-Tweenframes (SciSetDaily)
Rarity Header & Section Breaks Design: Novel Idea
Rarity Cutie Mark: Black-Gryph0n (Yes, that BlackGryp0n)

Beta Reader & Editor Credits
Ebon Quill - Audio Director & Quest Designer on The Manehattan Project
Little Tinker - Master of Systems at Poniverse & Scripting Engineer on The Manehattan Project
Beltorn - Commenter-at-Large on FimFiction
Cursori: Reader of Many a Pony Word
Monochromatic - Patron Saint of RariTwi

Word Count: 11,000 Words
Version: 2.6

On what was supposed to be a short jaunt to Trottingham, Bright Mac, Pear Butter, and Granny Smith meet their ends leaving the Apple siblings alone.

Big Mac, as the eldest and the only adult, now must take on the mantle of the Sweet Apple Acres patriarch.

He only hopes he can see it through.

An entry in Imposing Sovereigns III, using the prompt Big Mac/Perserverance.

This story contains LGBT themes. Emphasis on the G.

Edited by LuckyChaosHooves

Pre-read by Mushroompone, Captain Hairball, and The Sleepless Beholder

This story is a sequel to Rise of the Phoenix Empress

It has been nearly nine hundred years since Sunbeam Sparkle claimed the throne of Equestria after Celestia’s abdication. In that time, she has forged Equestria into a powerful centralized empire that spans most of the known world. Even the distant griffons and zebras pay reluctant homage to the Phoenix Empress.

In this series of connected one-shots, we’ll be taking a look at life the new Equestria Sunbeam Sparkle has forged, through the eyes of its inhabitants.

Study Buddies: Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle are the Empress’ co-students. They also rather dislike each other, mostly due to Sunset’s less than friendly attitude. Can they find a way to work together to fulfill the Empress’ high expectations, or will they just end up trying to kill each other?

Wars may be waged by nations, but they are fought by people. In these chapters are brief histories of the various characters involved in the Pony Wars.

This is not a world of black and white, morality is not so stark. Most involved would be considered heroes to those around them. Hate is rare, but fear and worry are common, and trust can be hard to come by. Although terrible things are done during wars, be it in the name of justice or honor or loyalty to one's crown, few Ponies are truly evil. Most are decent folk, who want to protect their homes and their families and their beloved friends. All those involved believe they are doing the right thing, even if pressed into desperate situations, and they might be right.

What follows is not a traditional narrative, but there is a story to be told. It is intended as a primer for those who wish to create their own stories set within the Pony Wars setting. Those who do should submit their stories to the Pony Wars CCG group. The authors of stories the creators like most may be invited to help create a card based on that story.

Each "chapter" will cover one character. Each one begins with a very brief description of their personality, and then a quote from them. Following that is the story leading up to the conflict from their point of view. Not all of them saw everything, and not all of them understand the role they had to play.

Descriptions of the nations and factions involved are in another fimfiction story:
Places of Power Within the Pony Wars

Disclaimer: Any similar names/appearance to any other creator's characters is co-incidental.

This story is a sequel to Tales from the Dark Side of the Mirror

These are the stories and the origins from the Legends in a world where the Good King Sombra used to rule.

Story by GodzillaWolf, Idea by GrimWolf

There are many axioms in Equestria. "Go with the grain." "Count your blessings." "Strive to be happy with what you have."

And, though left unsaid, the most important one of all: "Know your place."

Although Flash Sentry loves Twilight, she can never know of his love. She can never return the feelings. It wouldn't be proper. After all, social order is more important than fulfilling one's own wishes.

Alternate Universe tag is due to the existence of a caste system in this story. Please keep that in mind as you read.

Thanks to Sir Rustbucket, Draconian Soul, Regidar, and Loopy Legend for editing.

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Now with a poem by Fiend from the Darkness!

Now with a YouTube reading by BlackIrisBalloon (and multiple voice actors)!

Now with a Korean translation by Kianoke!

Followed by What Hath Joined Together.

Rated Teen for mild violence and thematic elements.

This story is a sequel to The Order

Despite receiving a harsh reprimand from Captain Ironhoof for his "little stunt," Flash Sentry still struggles with his forbidden feelings for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Maintaining a professional stance while adhering to the law of the land proves an even more difficult task, especially when his one act of defiance only seems to awaken the seething rebellion within him.

When Flash is assigned to escort Twilight to the Crystal Empire at Princess Celestia's insistence, tensions on all sides only seem to escalate.

Full list of character tags: Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, Twilight Sparkle, Flash Sentry, Shining Armor, Discord, Prince Blueblood, OC, Other.

Thanks to Sir Rustbucket and Holo for editing.

Now with a TVTropes page! A huge thanks and tons of Doge GIFs to Poptard for creating it!

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Rated Teen for some language, mild violence, and thematic elements. Sex tag is for sexual references in dialogue and implied sexual situations.

Once upon a time, there were two friends who ran a farrier shop in Canterlot. The oldest fed the forge and used his earth pony magic to produce strong steel shoes, which the younger enchanted with his powerful unicorn magic. They worked together in harmony, creating beautiful shoes for all who visited until one day they met a young mare in their local bar. She was a mysterious creature, overstressed by her job in the palace and needing the company of two friends far more than she realized.

Until one night, when her sister returned during the Summer Sun Festival…

Created as a Collaborative work between Georg and Tek, who made all the good parts.
Editor: Snaproll

Cover art Horseshoe and Rose by public domain clipart, edited in Paint3D
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