This story is a sequel to What Have You Done?

Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen, has taken her prize, unhindered by Equestria's precious heroes. Celestia is little more than another prisoner of war now. The Bearers of the Elements of Harmony are lost, and the Elements themselves have turned away from Equestria's plight. As the world they once knew begins to crumble, a single question is asked among the people as they look up at their fallen heroes.

There is no such thing as "miserably ever after," for someone will always be fighting for things to change. Hope doesn't die just because someone's turned off the lights. Truth doesn't vanish when deceit begins its reign, and Harmony can only shine brighter among chaos.
Even as this world falls, we'll work to build it up again.
Even as you lose yourself, you can find greater things within you.
Even as fear rises up like a tidal wave, we'll forge a sanctuary to stand against it.
Even as you break, someone will always be standing there next to you to carry you through it.

Cover art is by Odin-odin.
Story theme (Equestria in Grey) is by Omnipony.
Main Characters are Twilight, Velvet, Discord, Nightlight, Luna, and Chrysalis, in that order.
See you in the comments, my dear readers.

This story is a sequel to The Dark Ones

Many years after the destruction of Equestria, Twilight Sparkle serves the Imperial Inquisition in its war against those responsible. Having thought her past safely buried, what will become of her when it returns with a vengeance?

Remember: if you fave, like!

Have some fanart, with thanks to NCMares!

Featured on TV Tropes!

Twilight Sparkle, a magnificent alicorn and now a joint ruler of Equestria, watches quietly as her closest friends all die around her, one by one. However, the more she watches each death occur, one fact nags at the back of her mind: what if her friends deaths aren't just accidents? More occur, then the letters come. They all bear one repeating request. Give up the throne, or watch more ponies close to her die. That is, if Twilight can find the murderer first.
-Inspired by the movie Nonstop.
*I did not put the real murderer in the list of characters in this story. The character tag will be added at the end of the story, to prevent spoilers.*
-Coverart is courtesy of MetaDragonArt on DeviantArt. Thank you!

Set after Twilight's ascension, the previously considered senseless tribes of humans are holding their own against a powerful Griffin invasion set against their civilized homeland.

The humans, as they are, are little more than savage beast with honed killing instincts. The brutality of these abominations is second to none. They fight amongst each other and sell the defeated males into slavery for things that they couldn't produce on their own.

However, they now seem more organized and united now than ever. Which has Celestia worried about a possible growing threat.

Twilight is sent on a mission to learn as much she can about the humans and their tribal ways, and as she continues her journey she begins to unravel the mysteries of a species that perhaps, should have stayed dead.
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Twilight is set as the main character in this adventure and is told through her point of view... more or less.

Not 100% percent sure where I'm going with this story, but that's part of the fun, and I know I'll get there eventually.

The pic was made by a, BLAZ PORENTA, to my knowledge, at blazporenta.blogspot.com

Also, this is my first real story here, so please give me criticism and your opinions on the story.

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Considering rewrite
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And also I want to say thanks to mikemeiers my editor

This story is a sequel to The Best Night Ever

Final Arc - The Black Wedding
CH63 - If I Had a Heart
- The ponies of the Fourth Tribe are ascendant. Shining Armor hunts down his changeling "daughters," and even Lady Antimony won't get in his way. Meanwhile, high above the burning city of Canterlot, a long awaited reunion occurs, and Twilight confronts Alpha Brass and makes a final decision.

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It began with a mare from Ponyville and a time-looping Prince from Canterlot. This most unlikely union now stands at a crossroads: a ruthless changeling invasion; a conspiracy within the highest circles of the Equestrian aristocracy; a half dozen power hungry noblemares looking to become a Princess in all but name. With the prize of Canterlot and its Platinum Crown at stake, it falls to six Elements of Harmony to once again save not just Ponyville, but all of Equestria.

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TVtropes page is here: link

The prequel to TPC, "The Best Night Ever" is here. link
The side-story crossover with "Sweetie Belle Chronicles" is here. link

Someone out there made a playlist for Platinum Crown: Rarity, Blueblood and Chrysalis. Pretty sweet!
Wish I knew who, or even when they did it, though. I especially like the Chrysy playlist.
https://8tracks.com/explore/this_platinum_crown/hot/1

I've gotten some cool TPC related art done, too.
So Sweet and Tasty's TPC Cover Art
link
Thanks to Madmax for these two:
Rarity, Blueblood and Antimony
link
Dash and Ritterkreuz
link
The Terre Rare Founder - Lady Arsenic
link
Twilight and Alpha Brass Battle Duet
link

Darius Mahoney is a 19 year-old army sergeant, who, after a brief taste of battle in the ever-growing wars for Africa, arrives back in his home town to enjoy several weeks’ leave. Choosing to ignore the pressuring demands of his father, he volunteers to continue on with the allied war campaigns throughout the winter months.

Seeking an escape from the ire of his father, which is sure to ensue, he ventures out into the northern Canadian wilderness, in an ultralight to central Québec, to be with his one and only passion. Little does he know that what he finds there will change his life, and the world, forever…

Twilight Sparkle is alone in a dark room. The fire is dead. The room is cold. Outside, the wind howls and the rustling of the leaves can be heard, but nothing else. This is the future of Equestria. This is Twilight Sparkle in a dark room.

Mis-communication has started many a war, but in this case maybe calling it a war was too generous.

The "war" is over, Twilight has successfully orchestrated a bloodless end to the Griffons' aggression, but only now does she realize that there is more to winning than she had first assumed, especially against a nation that holds war as a central part of their culture...

Now Twilight must deal with the aftermath while facing a challenge she never anticipated: being seen as a conqueror.

This can be read alone, but I recommend reading the letter that started it all for a chuckle and a little exposition. This series of expositional one-shots can also give some additional world-building.

Years had past since Twilight Sparkle had gone missing. Many had speculated that she was kidnapped, some thought she could not take her new role as princess and ran away. Others had theorized that she was kidnapped by changelings in revenge to what happened at her brothers royal wedding.

Now, just past of all hope being lost for her return she is found in the middle of the lake. Yet, even though she is found, could she still be lost? Can her friends reach her in time, or is Twilight doomed to a fate worse than death?

Artwork is done by: sharpieboss
and is used with his permission.

I used to be somepony.
Somepony this town could depend on.
Now, I'm just an old mare with nothing to do.

Mayor Mare sits alone in the Town Hall. The years have taken their toll on this once proud pony, as she withers away behind a desk. As life passes her by, she wonders if Ponyville truly needs her anymore. A certain princess comes to her and offers her wisdom to help guide Mayor Mare out of the darkness. She will either overcome these personal demons, or she will succumb to them.

1st Person/Pony P.O.V. story attempt.