Legend tells of an ancient race
That hides in shadows with changing face
Stealing ponies who wander away
Until revealed by light of day

After yet another failed attempt at getting their cutie marks, the Cutie Mark Crusaders decide it might be time to change their approach. The arrival of Discord seems to be the perfect opportunity to put their new plan into action. But they quickly learn that even a small favor from Discord can yield some very unexpected results. They'll need all the help they can get to fix this mess.

Sounds like just another day for the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

This story takes place between the events of "Princess Twilight Sparkle" and "Twilight Time".

I extend my sincerest thanks to my editor and proofreader, RaylanKrios, whose advice and patience were invaluable in making this story the best that it could be.

A deranged human journalist is invited to explore the newfound world of Equestria, the land of magic and whimsy and adventure. To the ire of everyone involved, and especially Twilight, he isn't particularly impressed.

Things get messy when he decides to become the self-appointed savior of humankind and assassinate one of the princesses.

Derpy participates in a tourney.

Coverart used done by: equestria-prevails

Also exists IN SPANISH thanks to SPANIARD KIWI

Before she discovered her cutie mark, young Pinkie Pie led a somber and dreary life on the family rock farm. Of course, that doesn't mean she never dreamed of something more. She makes plenty of friends after her first week of school, and she's starting to open up... but making friends isn't always easy. There's a spooky and frightening neighbor next door that she never even knew about, and poor Pinkie Pie just can't bear to let her stay all alone forever.

But not everyone wants to make friends. And getting others to open up isn't always easy. How can you understand someone's feelings when they refuse to say a single word? Pinkie Pie intends to find out.

Young Mia is determined to run with wild horses and nothing is going to stop her. Not her mother. Not even a pony with stars in her mane, come to take her away on an adventure...

An attempt at writing something for children + 3rd place winner of The Most Dangerous Game! Cover art by myself.

You remember Canterlot. You remember the taste of victory. Across a thousand years and a hundred lives, it was the greatest joy you had ever felt.

And then, in a flash of heat and unbearable light, it ended.

Now you are alone. The rest of your kind are dead or scattered, and you cannot hear their thoughts.

There is a void inside you. A gnawing, endless hunger you cannot escape. It is killing you.

You need love to survive, but there is none of that here. Not for you. You can only steal it from them, these ponies for whom we are hungry.

[My entry in and winner of the "Most Dangerous Game" contest."]

After finishing her portion of the day's harvest in record time, Applejack heads home early to check on how Apple Bloom's doing alone in their house. What she discovers once she gets there shocks her right to her core, and what happens afterwards changes the way she sees her little sister forever.

First runner-up in Obselescence's The Most Dangerous Game contest, using the prompt "An OC and a major canon character (in this case, Apple Bloom) fall in love with each other."

Once upon a time, there was a very young filly named Twilight Sparkle who went to the beach and met a very young colt named Rex.

They played in the sand, looking for sea shells and making sand castles all day long.

And found something neither of them expected.

Finalist in the Most Dangerous Game Contest
Editing assistance by Peter, Tek

If you liked this story, you may also like A Simpler Time by DJLowrider. Enjoy.

Picture Credits on DeviantArt:
Filly Twilight Sparkle by zomgmad
Good Pace by SilverVectors
Derpy Hooves Flying by SierraEx
Princess of the Beach by dm29
Beach Backgrounds Clipart from 3906 HD Wallpapers

What a foolish man to come here and reach so high.

You thought to love even the sun and that she might, somehow, come to love you. As if she could ever love some sad, misshapen thing.

And you changed yourself, so utterly, so horribly. A useless, broken mockery of what she was.

And now? Now all you have are your memories.

*****

Wrote this for the Most Dangerous Game Contest.