Through fire and fear, and darkness and shadow, when the end of the world came, it came swiftly to the peaceful land of Equestria. Now, almost ten years after this cataclysm, a lone mare and her daughter embark on an epic journey of survival across the wasted Equestrian landscape, trying to find hope and meaning in a world where harmony is nothing but a memory.

Inspired by Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’.
Featured on EqD!

(please read entire description)
(News: first prelude 'Unreconciled' is being written for release before chapter 3)
After nine relatively peaceful years in Ponyville, Spike falls into hibernation and a protracted nightmare.
Upon awakening, the uncertain future of the World is thrust onto him by a message from the Great Teacher, Starswirl,whom may yet live.

The Royal Sisters are trapped in conflict with a Draconic entity capable of destroying the universe.
All the while, Spike and the Elements of Harmony each must seek out powers and wisdom rooted in the origins of the world.
They do this in hopes of overcoming a foe that roils the black and starry depths of the very heavens.

In their absence, the former CMC and the uprising youth of Ponyville grasp power in the midst of possible griffin invasions from the Avian continent.

[key: Telepathy; Thoughts; EMPHASIS in dialogue ; Magic Spells/Special Abilities ; * marks objects or facts related to side stories]

NARRATIVE BRANCHES
(Chronology of back-stories in the Machi-verse)
<prelude>"The Wyrm Has Turned" [un-posted]
<prelude> An Astronomy of Souls [un-posted]
<prelude>Waiting For Galaxei [un-posted]
<prelude>Too Far From The Tree [un-posted]
<cross>Appleseed Hill [un-posted]
<cross>Gambling in the Dust Trough [un-posted]
<cross>Absolute Defense [un-posted]

[credits]
Cover: dsurion (http://dsurion.deviantart.com/) edited: Muzzledelk
editor/illustrator Credit:
AwSweetHolyHell, Frees,Quisky, Karon, lordlyhour, Samaru163, genocidal brony...
all other contributions are credited within the work.(all art use has been permitted by the respective creators.)

Lovely new cover art courtesy of Dilarus.

Octavia Melody is in a bit of a spot. Life on the Manehattan Space Station isn't easy for most ponies to begin with, but when your BitCard balance is zeroed out and you're living meal to meal? It starts to feel like things couldn't get much worse.

The problem is that that sort of thinking only invites more trouble.

When Octavia suddenly finds herself stuck in the middle of a plot that could destroy the whole of the Grand Equestrian Empire, the source of her next meal is going to be the least of her concerns. Now she must find the Elements of Harmony, unravel the secrets of the Empire, save the universe, and, just maybe, find a way to make some friends.

Quick thanks to my group at the Artist/Writer Collab panel at BABSCon. Without us bouncing ideas around, this story wouldn't be happening!

Also want to thank my stable of pre-readers/editors. So yeah, thanks to The P-Man, Alun Aleriksson, Jack of Most Trades, and Sir Alex. Y'all are wonderful.

Featured on Equestria Daily 12/10/2014! Couldn't have done it without all of my lovely pre-readers, and, of course, my lovely readers.

The story continues in The Days of the Prophets.

A hundred years has passed since the Catastrophe, which meant the end the alicorns’ era. Now their graves make for the seat of a new power: the Parliament of Equestria, where the “three stand as one, now as before and forever”. The motto of the Parliament, inscribed in stone for all to see.

Just wipe away the blood first.

Proofread by: ponygrad

Nightmare Moon has been defeated, destroyed by the Elements of Harmony. Still some part of her survives, split apart from Princess Luna and trapped in a world of dreams. Now she searches for a way to return to Equestria, to live again and reclaim her throne. However, the dream world is a confusing place with many strange beings who may help or hinder.

(note: "Crossover" with some characters from Sandman comics, but you don't need to be familiar with them.)

Now that Discord's reformed and friends with a princess and her entourage, he's decided it's time to assimilate himself into pony culture. With Nightmare Night coming up, Discord decides to get into the spirit of things by opening a costume shop in Ponyville. His amazing costumes soon become the talk of the town, and Nightmare Night fever is stronger than ever...

...but is Discord about to play the ultimate Nightmare Night prank on an unsuspecting Ponyville?

Hi, my name is Ditzy Doo. Many of you know me as the author of the 'Wasteland Survival Guide'. For 200 years I wandered the Equestrian Wasteland, and through those experiences I gained the knowledge that I shared with everypony through the Guide. Now, it's time to tell my side of the story.

A dragoness who has seen the world and its wonders. A dragoness who has been on countless adventures and has found dozens, if not hundreds of treasures thought to be nothing but myths. A dragoness who hides a dark secret that is tearing her up inside, is forced to face her guilt head on when she takes a trip to Equestria.
A baby dragon who was raised by ponies. A baby dragon who feels at odds with his own kind. A baby dragon who wonders why he lives as he does will soon get his answer when a stranger comes to town.
Now two souls brought together by fate will build a bond that has always existed through trials and tribulations neither could have predicted.

This story was inspired by three things. The first was the breakout hit, Ten Years Gone, by Some Other Guy, of which you may notice some slight similarities in the beginning. The second was a comment that made me wonder, "What if it wasn't a human coincidentally made to look like Spike?" And the third was me watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The inspiration from that last one will become more apparent later in the story.
I hope you like this, I don't usually write fanfictions, after all.

Rainbow Dash wants the latest Daring Do. And she'll get it, even if it means sharing the only book in Cloudsdale with the biggest jerk in Cloudsdale.
Slice of Life + Adventure

Ongoing: My tentative submission for the Straight Shipping Group's "Disagreement of Sorts" competition.

Princess Celestia is a proud mentor to an extraordinary filly.

That very filly has read all there was in the vast libraries of Canterlot, and is bored to death during lectures at the School for the Gifted Unicorns where she attends. She’s also destined to bear the Element of Magic, and one day, perhaps, even take Celestia’s place on the throne. She may have some rough edges, true, but Celestia is going to teach her the magic of friendship and the values that are important in life.

If only Sunset Shimmer could stop sabotaging her efforts wherever they go.

Reviewed by Corejo and Csquared08 here! Also by PresentPerfect here! Check out Tales of the Sun to get this story in print!