It's official. Twilight Sparkle is dead.

Better luck next time, I guess.

Twilight Sparkle suddenly finds herself caught up in a grand tradition for the immortal rulers of Equestria: holding their own funerals. What can possibly go wrong? The answer: a lot. A whole lot.

Sex tag is for only the mention of it happening. Nothing truly explicit happens.

A commission from someone who wishes to remain anonymous.

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.

Now Featured on Equestria Daily!

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!

Now Featured on Equestria Daily!

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

On a cold January evening...

...Princess Twilight Sparkle sits beside her mother's bed, watching as the elderly Queen Celestia passes her final evening. Tomorrow, she'll be Queen, and a nation will look to her to unite them in their mourning. However, the burdens of her new position may prove too much to bear.

...Ms. Sunset Shimmer laments within a Canterlot townhouse. It's a foreign setting in an already foreign land. She's a girl born to the slums of Neigh Orleans, thrust into the upper crust of Equestrian society. All because she fell in love with Twilight Sparkle, starting what might be Equestria's most controversial relationship.

...Prime Minister Fancy Pants drowns out another late night behind a wall of gin and tobacco. The labours of running a nation are heavy upon him, and are made no easier by the progressive rhetoric spewed by Celestia's heir. May the gods save Equestria, and his liver, if she ever ascends.

The events of this evening will set in motion a year of deception, alliances, politics, and romance.

Editing was done by Rose Quill, I would like to thank her so much for the help. I couldn't have done this without her.

The lovely cover art is done by Miudraws. Many thanks to them for making this for me. I truly appreciate it, and you all should go check out their stuff, it's incredible.

Written for Oroboro's Sunset Shimmer shipping contest.

"But the purpose of this story, and something it does very well, is to humanize people who are normally larger-than-life. And the politics, it must be said, are gripping, the drama carrying the story and rising to a strong emotional climax in the final chapter." - PresentPerfect, Recommend on December 8th

In a time of peace in Equestria, it falls to everypony's favourite God of Chaos to stir things up a bit. But not in the way you'd expect.

Digging into another Dimension, Discord has introduced a game to Equestria, in his own design. HearthPone! Battle your friends, collect cards, and try to not know Discord enough that he makes a card or two of you!

Who will be Equestria's HearthPone Champion?

[I claim no Copyright of Hearthstone. It is owned by Blizzard Entertainment]
[Cover art by GeneralThunderbat, used with their permission ]

While having breakfast with Celestia, Twilight sees a new, albeit very old, painting of Luna on the wall. When the mare herself shows up she informs Twilight that Celestia has a similar one somewhere. Twilight decides she needs to find it.

Cover art by Silfoe, used with permission.