Twilight's been almost alone for a thousand years, and in a desperate attempt to bring her friends back, intentionally unseals Discord, Spirit of Chaos, from his stone slumber.

He's in for some nasty surprises, since she's changed quite a bit over the years...

Twilight lives a comfortable, expected life with the security of being surrounded by her mentors and friends. As she grows into a model unicorn, a dangerous being takes hold of the volatile Brood and drives them to war, breaking a long period of peace. After years of preparation for a higher order, Twilight is chosen to ascend beyond that of a typical sorcerer in a mysterious plan to counter the impending conflict.

During her dark, trying mission Twilight will discover a caged soul and unknowingly set them free, gradually acquiring an affinity for the darkness as a result. As she struggles within deepening conflict, she must push on and fight for what she believes in. With manipulation, deceit, and betrayal storming around, will she be able to contain herself and protect those she loves, or will she succumb to the creeping darkness and abandon everything she stands for?

*Warning: Comments may contain spoilers.*

Years drifting in space aboard a frigates wreck with nothing to do but wait and think can really wear an AI thin, and when that AI is already past its expected rampancy date, all that thinking time is dangerous. Very dangerous. Fortunately for Cortana, the frigate is pulled into an unknown planets atmosphere, allowing her to take her mind off of rampancy for a while. After being rudely awoken from cryo sleep, the Master Chief, along with Cortana, manages to escape the burning vessel. They have very serious problems though...

They have no idea where they are, or how they'll get back to Earth.

They can only hope someone finds their distress beacon, and fast. The Chief doesn't have many supplies, and with a rapidly decaying AI in his head, he has a lot on his hands. Luckily for them, the planet is life supporting. Unfortunately though, the inhabitants of the strange planet aren't the most welcoming of a seven foot tall alien, especially when that alien is as aggressive and lethal as Spartan-117. The Chief has only one objective, find a way off of the planet. The inhabitants will soon learn, however, that the Spartan is extremely aggressive, and will stray slightly from his objective to harm them if he must. Chief also learns that these beings are no pushovers, and will defend their home and kingdom with their lives.

The first few chapters are mostly to establish a plot, there will be much more action after them. This is also my first fic, so constructive criticism is appreciated. I will be reading the comments quite thoroughly for the first while, so you may see some of your ideas in future chapters. I am only 15 years old, so basically, I have school, homework, and sports that will quite often get in the way of this story, but I will work on it as much as I can when I can. I won't give up or quit in the middle of the story despite what the ratings may be, and last but not least, I won't be turning this into some huge cliche war where Equestria ends up fighting the UNSC and whatnot. Because Equestria would get screwed. Badly. Then the story would be ruined, so, I hope anyone who reads this enjoys!

I do not own the Halo franchise, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, or Forward Unto Dawn.

Story added on October 25th. Edited by myself, and inspired by Halo: Ponies and Clouded Pasts by Blazer and The Mercy, Regret, and Truth by Master 4871.

PS: This made it into the featured box the second day it was uploaded, and remained there for a couple weeks. I'm pretty damn proud of that since this was my first fanfic ever, and the first thing I ever posted anywhere. The only other people to read my creative writing creations were my English teachers and occasionally my grandparents and father. So seeing the first thing I submit get such great feedback and a huge amount of views (huge to me), is just amazing to me.

Thanks, bros.

"Equestria's Guard: the Bravest and the Best. Do you have what it takes?"

So the advertisements say. When Rainbow Dash saves the life of Princess Luna, however, she quickly comes to learn that there's a lot more to the guard than what everypony knows. As she faces down threats to her friends, her Princesses, and her country, Rainbow will have to decide exactly who she is loyal to.

A Price of Loyalty story.

Cheer up, Twilight. It's not every day somepony changes species. In fact, no pony has ever changed species. It's something new and you like discovering new things. Granted, Equestrians don't like new things, especially things that fundamentally alter their government. So maybe there is reason not to be happy after all.

Nightmare Moon/Luna has been banished to the moon by her sister Celestia. However unknown to Celestia herself, Nightmare Moon/Luna had some extra baggage with her at the time....

Based off a picture post I saw floating around a site. I decided to write for 60 minutes to see what I could make. Here's the primary result.

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?

Holding in emotions is never good. Keep them buried for too long, and eventually they burst out at the wrong time. Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash have a secret they have been hiding from their friends, specifically from a certain shy, animal-loving pegasus mare. They've finally decided to come clean, but neither of them counted on the other revealing the truth, much less at the same time.

Now Fluttershy is stuck with an impossible choice between her two best friends. Can she choose one without risking her friendship with the other?

"Sex" tag due to innuendo and suggestive material. No actual sex happens in this story.

Author's Note: Many, many thanks to Steel Resolve and Karrakaz for pre-reading and letting me know when I screw up. Now with new cover art, courtesy of johnhilist over at deviantart.

"You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one." - James A. Froude

Twilight Sparkle begins a great journey when Luna appears to her with grim news. She must gather the gang and again set out to save all of Equestria and beyond from a return of darkness. Their travels will take them to places none could have imagined, both in the physical realm and within themselves while exploring the depths of immortality and the origins of the world. Twilight must face her inner demons as well as great emotional turmoil as the journey brings about feelings she never thought could exist. Will her forays into the dark places of the world and her own heart break her..?

Disclaimer: Story takes place after the events of Season 2. It disregards Seasons 3 and 4. My apologies if this upsets you.

For almost a thousand years, the immortal Nightmare Moon has reigned over Equestria as Empress. To the average pony, Nightmare Moon is an overarching enigma whose rule is absolute and whose wrath is terrible. But to Twilight Sparkle, who as an orphan has never known her parents, the Empress is something else entirely. When the young unicorn is brought under the royal wing as an apprentice, she learns a great deal more about the supposed tyrant than she ever knew. But as Twilight is introduced to life with her new mentor, she is thrust into a world of political intrigue, conspiracies and secrets. Secrets that were never meant to be revealed. As allies and enemies plot against the very peace of the nation, will Twilight fall prey to the perils of her new position? Or will she prosper and find in Nightmare Moon the mother she never had?

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My eternal gratitude to my editor, LordOfTheWrongs, without whom Night's Favoured Child would not be the story it is today.

Now with added TVtropes!