While doing some cleaning in the library's basement, Twilight comes across an old, long forgotten board game. Deciding that it looks like fun, she invites her friends over for the night to give it a try. Unfortunately, this particular game might prove to be more of a challenge to the Elements of Harmony than anything they've faced before. For you see, in Diplomacy, the number one rule is: Never play this game with friends, or you may need to find new friends...

This has a sister-story named Games Ponies Shouldn't Play, which features the Lunaverse six instead. It isn't going to be the same story with swapped names; each group has different personalities so both games will be very different. I just couldn't decide which group of six would be more interesting, so I wrote both. I must hate free time...

And featured 1/29/15.... ten minutes after I updated with a new chapter....... Why don't I update this story very often again? Gonna have to fix that...

Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria, is still, above all else, a dedicated librarian and bibliophile. Books must be cared for. Books must be returned on time.

Books must be respected.

Now with dramatic reading!

Rarity is a pony of many talents. Her greatest goal, though, is not the praise of critics... it is the approval of friends. Can she make the grade in a talent that does not involve a sewing machine? There is only one way to find out, because the proof of the baking is in the eating.

A historical pony "fairy tale" which, like most such fairy tales, is intended as much to instruct as to entertain the young. This ancient story (older than Equestria itself) demonstrates how sovereign rulers can lose touch with those whom they rule, and how to make amends when such things happen. This story is told in a very old style, but its lessons are as applicable today as they were before the Great Equestrian Migration. As this is as much a work of scholarship as it is of storytelling, historical analysis is provided by Royal Archivist the Crown Princess Twilight Sparkle, and commentary graciously provided by Her Royal Highness the Princess Celestia.

Perhaps Sombra would have benefited from having this read to him before his bedtime, and Crystalline history would have been a very different thing indeed.

This story is suitable for all ages, from the youngest just learning to speak to the oldest who wish to feel young again.

What starts out as an ordinary afternoon for Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash quickly turns deadly, as forgotten schemes of vengeance awaken and come to fruition. Rainbow Dash will learn the true purpose of the Wonderbolts, what it means to be a hero, and what it costs.

Celestia likes her routine. Tax reforms, grants, laws and construction projects are all a princess needs to be content.

It's just her luck that for Pinkie Pie, "content" is not nearly enough.

Zecora has plans made for this wintertime~
Love can find zebras who just speak in rhyme~
A Hearth's Warming tale is here to be had~
As told by Zecora (if I don't go mad)

The history of war may be written by the winner, but the Royal Historian is the one who provides the notes and background to the writer. The recent events that some have called ‘Mare Wars’ or ‘The Invasion of the Barracks’ are no exception. The Royal Historian has painstakingly compiled this folder of notes and background material on what should more accurately be called, ‘The Opening of the Guard.’

Please remember to return the folder back to the Royal Historian when you have completed reading, in the event we gather more material that needs to be included.

Musty Pages, Royal Historian

Source for inside photo
Featured on Equestria Daily and the Royal Canterlot Library
With sequel, The Night Guard - Night Mares
And an interview by Benman

It is said that every dog has its day, that every wrong will be eventually righted, and that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For Prince Blueblood, these were simply words that applied to other ponies; he had no problem stomping over, mowing down, destroying, or flattening any pony who stood in his way.

Until today.

When a freak reading accident causes Twilight to be admitted to the Ponyville hospital, Rainbow Dash is right by her side. Compelled by a sense of duty and repayment, she takes it upon herself to cheer up her friend.