Ponyville is shaken to its core when a body is discovered in the Everfree Forest. As the townsponies grieve, the mysterious Special Agent Bentgrass from Their Majesties' Royal Investigative Service arrives at the Books and Branches library and drags Twilight into a world she's only read about: lies, corruption, suspicion, and murder.

Faced with an indifferent police force, and Agent Bentgrass's infuriating methods, Twilight must put the pieces together and catch the killer. But as blood continues to spill and questions pile up, one thing is terrifyingly clear: in the dark of the Everfree, much more is at play than mere murder.

Once upon a time, Spike went for a walk.

While on his walk, he was judged by an ancient alicorn, lodged with griffons, parlayed with air pirates, charmed a maiden of a mystical race, and dealt with the scourges of hate, fear, and racism while deliberately drawing the armies of myriad nations to the brink of global war.

Once upon a time, Spike went for a walk, and did all of this so that he could keep a promise to the one that meant the most to him... Twilight Sparkle.

In the first of three books, Pillars of the Sun (Chapters 1-15), Spike is devastated by Twilight's fate and grows more and more despondent as he attempts to understand what has happened to his dearest friend. A gentle nudge from a pony he trusts sends him looking for answers. When that nudge becomes a push he unravels ancient secrets... and risks losing himself before his attempt to rescue Twilight can even begin.

Poor Spike, all he wanted to do is spend time near the pony he adores. Now, because of one little lie, he's in real trouble. A geography bee, a macabre doppelgänger, and an icebox all play their part as Spike and Rarity once again find themselves on pins and needles...

For Spike, the Summer Sun Celebration was more than the celebration of the summer solstice. It was the day he and Twilight came to their new home in Ponyville, the day the Elements of Harmony were rediscovered, the day six mares found a bond so powerful, it would define their entire world.

For Spike, today was a day of remembrance.

Art by MrDaviez

This is 100% approved by Twilight's Library - Miss Dark Angel

Many ponies believe themselves above the animals that dwell in the darkest reaches of the world, placing themselves upon a pedestal built by supposed superior sentience. But what good does a simple common belief do for a little lavender filly when she is thrown into the raging wild, away from the shelter of society with nothing but her developing magic and an unhatched dragon egg? Will little Twilight be torn apart by the fire-breathing creatures that rule the night, or will she rise above the lie of superiority and work towards reinventing her being?

To be faster...

Stronger...

Smarter...

Untamed...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AN: Just a story Ink and I dug out from the old files in his computer to try and get something done while he recovers, enjoy.

Twilight Sparkle is pregnant - and nopony is more surprised than she is. Confronted with the overwhelming responsibility of motherhood, the young mare has to decide whether she is truly up to the task of being a single parent. For a pony who has proven her dedication, intelligence, and strength of character countless times, armed with the bonds of friendship and love, it shouldn't be a difficult choice.

But, as with everything Twilight has done in her life, the circumstances and decisions she must manage are anything but simple.

Spike is distraught. The love of his life remains constantly out of his reach. His attempts at romance crash and burn like the Horsenburg airship. As the gala draws near, he enlists Blueblood to help in wooing Rarity once and for all. Little do they know that another mare already has her eye on Spike, not to mention a plan to snatch him up first. -Heart to Heart Sequel-

Spike has had it. It's not his fault the library is a shambles. In fact, he tried his very best to save it.

And now he's supposed to take the blame? Not this time! Until Twilight starts to fully appreciate his worth, Spike goes on strike!

He will not falter! He will not give in! He will stand his ground!
...if at the end of it all there is still some ground left to stand on.

"Then Twilight looked up at me with this shattered look, and I realized....
Her foal is dead on account of I let him realize that we’re all just Winonas."

The first draft was a co-bronze-medalist in the the MLPChan /fic/ writeoff for December 2012.

The talented Ponychan /art/ denizen Spirit Shine provided us with a beautifully poignant portrait of Spike's First New Year's Alone as a picture prompt (also: was gracious enough to let me use the image as a cover). I ran with it and decided to have Applejack kill Spike.

It's not as bad as it sounds. Luna's there to keep him company.

Imprisoned in the tunnels beneath Canterlot, she withers away in hunger and despair. In the castle above, curiosity leads him to a door that he is forbidden to open. When they finally meet, it is just the opportunity she has waited for. Mislead by a child's trusting innocence, Spike unknowingly stumbles into the clutches of Equestria's greatest foe. And once you embrace the darkness, the darkness never lets you go...

Cover image by ss2sonic