Cadance, Discord, and Fluttershy walk into a blizzard, but it's no laughing matter: there's something out there, buried beneath centuries of ice. But it's going to take teamwork to find it, and it's neither the Princess of Love nor the Lord of Chaos that are holding all the cards.

What's more, somepony predicted everything that is about to happen, and it turns out that history has an unexpected cadence.

Audio reading by S. Ninja.

Base background image by Kitana-Coldfire.
Primary edit by Pascoite.
Additional editing and assistance from: Abcron, RainbowBob, wYvern, PresentPerfect, Nightwalker, Prak.
Inspired by To Make a Spark, by Chris.
Originally written for the May Write-Off prompt 'Beneath the Mask'.

When the time of monarchs and royals ends, what becomes of Princesses who live on?

When Twilight Sparkle was given an invitation to a special event hosted by Discord, she was more than a little apprehensive. However, despite her best judgement, she decided to attend for the sake of being a good friend for the reformed Draconequus.

However, when she arrives, she realizes two very big things that Discord has done for this "party"...

One: Twilight is the only pony here.
And Two: There are quesadillas everywhere.

EVERYWHERE

I want to give a special thanks to my Boo Storm Butt for proofreading this for me.

The Changelings were defeated, and so Canterlot was saved... or so the populace was led to believe, anyways. Unfortunately for Equestria, their assailant was prepared - and even a loss at the hooves of her greatest foe served her plans.

Queen Chrysalis's strategems were meticulously prepared, yes. But in all her scheming, all her machinations, there was one small oversight, something her plans never accounted for...

Once upon a time, there was an average, everyday pony, whose special talent was being magical. She lived her life alone in secret studies until one day, she moved into a new town, made five very special friends, and saved the world. She only failed when it was necessary to advance the plot or show character development, or when the author had some issues she needed to work out. Soon, the universe realized how perfect she was, and she was turned into an alicorn and named princess.

Celestia can't stop writing stories about her, and Luna is getting worried.

With the war of Nightmare Moon drawing to a close, Princess Celestia sends one of her most prized disciples, Researcher Twilight Sparkle, to solve the mystery of a powerful magical weapon with the capability to rid unicorns of their magic. But how will Researcher Twilight react to find that this weapon may not be a weapon at all, but a living breathing farm filly in the north, only wishing to be left alone?

There is a very good reason that Princess Celestia sends Twilight and her friends to do her dirty work.

There is a very good reason that immortal, impossibly strong alicorns have a fleet of guards.

The newest Princess of Equestria needs to learn what strength really means to an alicorn.

Minuette is determined to have a nice date with a nice stallion, no matter what that takes.

Twilight Sparkle just wants her to stop wreaking havoc on the time-space continuum.

Things get complicated.

Edited by Exuno
Preread by Barbeque

Kidnap Twilight's dragon. Check.
Hypnotize him. Check.
Command him to ruin Twilight's life. Check.
Accidentally make him fall in love with you. Ch........Wait, what?

The Chaos Rose is a unique flower that only blooms once a year on Hearts and Hooves Day. It is a symbol of unyielding love and affection between ponies and is sought after as one of the greatest and most treasured gifts of the holiday.

So, what will happen when Twilight Sparkle buys one and gives it to Rainbow Dash?

And, more importantly, what will Rainbow do when everypony becomes convinced that Twilight must be in love with her because of it?

Prereading/Editing by: Carabutt, Auramane, and Zaphod.

Cover art by Rossby Waves.