War. Noun. (1) : a state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state.

"Soldiers are always preparing to fight the previous war" is a saying that is common amongst those of military profession. Equestria has not seen a war on her own soil in several hundred years. As such, would she be prepared for when such a thing happens? Of course not.

Battling the griffons and the minotaurs has been a challenge due to lack of experience. Fortunately, her armies adapted and started to hold her own. That was, until Tirek returned and aided in the fight to defeat Equestria. To keep his friends safe, Discord successfully defeated Tirek and sealed him away. The cost of fighting Tirek? Dying. Knowing that he would die, Discord summoned several creatures to protect his friends. These creatures, never seen before in Equestria, are very familiar with the concept of war.

This world has experienced their second industrial revolution and Equestria is at war, a World War, the first this world has seen. Equestria and her citizens have a lot to learn if they want to see the end of this conflict with their culture and way of life preserved.

Author's Note: I have deployed so updates won't exactly be plentiful. I'll definitely try to put them out but I'm pretty busy.

Author's Note V2: Deployment is done.

Author's Note V3: Gearing up for the next deployment, busy again.

Author's Note V4: Not deploying with unit, got run over by a car while walking

Applejack wakes up in the forest, finds another creature called a human, and learns that the only way to escape this prison is to collect lumber.

Sounds easy, right?

Oh, how wrong they are. For out here, nothing is easy, everything takes longer than it should, most of the wildlife wants to kill and/or eat you, and there's no such thing as clean.

Mud, Misery, and Mayhem are the names of the game. Now, will they choose to play, or give up?

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NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME IS REQUIRED!

So, if you're unaware, this is a spinnoff/crossover of a older game called Spintires, which some years ago got a remake called Mud Runner, which then got a sequel called Snow Runner. I've played and beat the first two, and I'm currently about 40 hours into the third. While this story is heavily focused on the dynamics of the first two games, I will also be borrowing some elements of the third (for our characters sake) and be implementing a few other things not in these games, such as more survival tactics of being in the woods.

Also, currently no pre-readers or editors, and while this story isn't meant to be something perfect, if this genera, story, or even the game are your thing and you'd like to help out, feel free to message me and you can be part of this!

One year has almost passed since a mysterious entity invaded Anon's mind and forced him to turn against his friends and terrorize the ponies of Ponyville. Though he was eventually freed from it's influence, Anon's attempts to return to his life in Ponyville have thus far failed.
Because even though he was said to be forgiven, no one can forget the fear and dread they felt during that time, least of all Anon himself.
Tormented by nightmares of his actions and the silent condemnations of the ponies around him, Anon is feeling his life spiraling out of control again, driven to shut himself off from the world as he is haunted by deeds that were not his own.
Now, his former friends must look inside of themselves and see if they can find it in their hearts to truly forgive and forget and if the bonds of friendship can be reforged... Before Anon is lost forever.

[03-02-2015] Holy crap! Featured!

This is an unofficial sequel to Hurt by Brainhorn. (Warning! Do not read if you are disturbed by graphic depictions of rape.)
PLEASE NOTE that this story does not contain any scenes of rape or sexual nature, but they will be referenced and hinted at. (Also, spoilers for "Hurt" if you plan on reading it first.)

Also, though the main characters name is Anon, this is not like most Anon in Equestria-stories. It is not written in a 2nd-person perspective but the main character instead has a personality of his own, and though I've left much of his appearance vague, he is not the green faceless man he's usually depicted as. The only real reason he is even named Anon is because that was his name in "Hurt", and it would feel wrong to change that into something else. I say this as a heads-up to both those who like or dislike AiE-stories.

Cover art is made by TetraPony. It's mostly a placeholder until I can get something more fitting.

You wake up next to Applejack, only to find out that some hide away the pain behind a broken smile.

That hidden behind the strength and brave faces, can be a soul that yearns to be free and fly high above.

Waiting for a sign of approval that can never come, waiting for a loving embrace lost in time.

Art By Pony Echo.

Part of The Awoken Series.

Made Popular On 3/23/18

This story is a sequel to Stardust

Times are changing for Equestria as Twilight’s return brings with it news of people and cultures from beyond the peaceful world everypony knows. Aid and volunteers are freely offered to help the besieged humans of Earth because every Equestrian knows that’s what good friends do. Unfortunately, making friends can also have the unintended consequence of making enemies.

When the monsters besieging the humans strike at Equestria with a level of brutality not seen in over a thousand years, the cry for help is sent to all the kingdoms of the world. Honored allies step forth to fulfill ancient treaties and oaths. Enemies, old and new, bury their grievances. An alliance never before seen in Equestria will be created to combat the monsters from the void.

And because of these events, a grim but welcome sibling to the XCOM project is born.

(XCOM/FiM Crossover)
(Sequel to Stardust, which I recommend reading before starting this. Fortitude Amicitia and Broken aren't required reading but are supplemental to the storyline)
(Gore tag for blood and violence)
(Alternate Universe tag because of the divergence from canon that Stardust has caused)
(Uses elements of Season 4)
(Coverart produced by the amazing Carnelian!)
(Many thanks to Arzoo, BradTheBrony, Vandenbz and Setokaiva for prereading!)
(As of 03/07/2016, the prereading team consists of Arzoo, BradTheBrony, Noble Cause and Metallusionsismagic!)
(Complete with it's own TVTropes page as part of the Stardust continuity. Could use some updating!)
(Character tags will be added as chapters are added!)
(Featured 5/12/2014! Thanks folks!)
(Possible spoilers in the comments! BEWARE!)

Isolated from her friends and taken prisoner in the middle of a war, Twilight must deal with the very real dangers of being percieved as an enemy as well as the nightmares of her arrival on 'Earth'. Can she overcome her own fears and the fears of her captors? Will the wayward unicorn's assistance be a boon or a curse to the 'humans?' Most importantly, will she ever find her way home?

"In short, it's a story of friendship and plasma rifles, with the emphasis on the friendship. The characters are well written, the XCOM setting is fleshed out very well, and the story is compelling. If you love XCOM, you'll love the story, but even if you've never heard of it, it's more than worth giving the first 3 chapters a read.

There's excellent action later on, but the real strength lies in the collision between the friendly and naive world of Twilight Sparkle and the desperate world of humans fighting a losing war for survival and willing to do anything to turn the tide."

--Arzoo

(XCOM/FiM crossover)
(Cover art commissioned by a friend and created by the magnificent FoxInShadow!)
(Original cover art by the amazing Carnelian can be viewed here!)
(Gore tag for blood and some violence)
(Many thanks to the studius OminousTen, Arzoo, xXFluttershyForeverXx and finally Setokaiva for giving my rambles a once-over)
(Now with it's own TV Tropes page! Get to tropin' folks!)

While practicing a new trick for the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash crashes into the Everfree. After a desperate search fails to find her, Rainbow's friends wonder if they will ever see the Wonderbolt again. After sixteen days, a tired, worn and wounded Dash exits the forest.

What happened to her during those fifteen days?
How did she survive while lost in the wilderness?
And why did she rush back into the Everfree the day after escaping it?

Being from a completely different world means often being asked questions about that world. Rainbow asks a question she ends up slightly regretting.
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Wait, I got featured? What does that even mean?

I accidentally revoked submission so I submitted the story again. please don't read if you already have and I'm apologizing in advance

No one had ever seen Anon without his clothes on. Not even the princesses. So they task Twilight to unravel the mystery. How will she fare? There's only one way to find out...

This story is a response for a blog post you can find here. This is pretty rushed so don't expect too much.

This story is a sequel to Anon’s a Villain Again

Well, I believe the title says it all. It’s been a couple years since his last conquest, and Anon decides to conquer the world because he made a bet with Celestia. This time, he ain’t McCluckin’ around. Welcome, to the finale of this trilogy.

Featured on March 17th, 2021

Author’s note: Y’all, I’m sorry this didn’t come out exactly when the last one reached 500 likes, but I didn’t think it’d come this fast, Jesus.