After receiving an urgent letter from Princess Celestia concerning a grave danger to Equestria, Twilight Sparkle undergoes a crisis of faith. Can she perform a grim task for her beloved mentor, even if it means sacrificing all that she cares about?

Based on a story prompt by TraleRayne. Extra special thanks to Dream of Ponies and Noble Jury.

Twilight Sparkle realizes that Rainbow Dash has been keeping a secret from her ever since the Mare Do Well incident. When she goes to confront her about it, she finds out more than she bargained for. And then Twilight reveals that she's been keeping something from her friends ever since the Royal Wedding. Now everything is out there; harsh words have been spoken and a once strong friendship hangs in the balance.

Although she is ashamed to admit it, Rainbow Dash sleeps with a Spitfire plush. But that gets her thinking...what would it feel like to cuddle with another pony instead of a doll? Now she is determined to seek out her friends and find out.

Twilight Sparkle is whisked away to the utopian city of Canterlot, where she has been invited to participate in the legendary Aura Bloom magic competition. While there, she runs into an old nemesis.

After Twilight Sparkle discovers a new book of pick-up-lines, she wants to bring her friends closer by complimenting them with cheesy lines.

And it does more than bring them closer...

This is where volunteering for things gets you.

Featured on FOB Equestria

What happens when you realize that your feelings for one of your friends aren't quite the same as your feelings for the rest of them? Do you just prefer some friends for others, or is it a sign of something deeper? What do you do with those feelings? Hide them? Admit them? And how will the rest of your friends react when they find out?

Twilight is going to have to do her best to find the answers, because they're anything but obvious.

------

Yes, this is a story about romance, but I'm trying to use it to explore the relationships between the characters and see how they'd really react if romantic feelings ever did crop up, and how such a development would impact the cast as a whole.

Now with a TvTropes page!

There's also a dramatic reading in progress on youtube, here.

And also an updated verison of the cover, courtesy of Novel Idea.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders have been the best of friends for the longest time now. They've done countless stunts and gone on many exciting adventures together, all in an attempt to find their special talents and earn their Cutie Marks. As a result, it'd only be natural for a certain unicorn to begin to develop feelings for a certain pegasus...right?

[img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufCWyWjvUD0/U4fvslbPIkI/AAAAAAAByuE/nPdTQEetuXA/s1600/Headcanon.png [/img]

The Cutie Mark Crusaders have always lived in the now, getting what they think needs to be done as a soon as possible, executing their plans just so they can move on to the next one right away, not thinking about the consequences till they’re right there in their faces. But when an attempt to earn their cutie marks goes too far, Sweetie Belle and her friends must face a horrible reality that sends their world into darkness and fear. How will the truth be uncovered and what will be sacrificed to undo this nightmare?

How could one love another if they could only live by evil? It has been over five-hundred years since the first, and much to her surprise, Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, has given birth to another changeling; the first changeling to have ever been born straight from the queen in such a long time span. Yet this one is not like the others. No, this one is much more different. How can a queen who feasts off love care for such a delicate creature?

(New!) Image credit goes to: ZymonasYH