Cheer up, Twilight. It's not every day somepony changes species. In fact, no pony has ever changed species. It's something new and you like discovering new things. Granted, Equestrians don't like new things, especially things that fundamentally alter their government. So maybe there is reason not to be happy after all.

To Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia, it is a simple surprise visit to Canterlot. To the ponies of the Equestrian Civil Service, it is twenty-four hours of chaos, politics, weaponized dessert, politics, underhooved manipulation of media, politics, and things batrachian and tentacular. Who said bureaucracy isn't exciting?

Never enter the woods alone, for there are monsters there. They can look like anything, even another pony. And if you waver in Gaea's love, you will become one.

Winner of Ponychan /fic/'s April 2012 Write-Off!

Ditto, a changeling from the attack on Canterlot, is flung far from her home and lands in Ponyville. She crashes into Twilight's library, and finds it a nice place to stay, quiet, abandoned, and peaceful. Until, of course,Twilight returns from Canterlot and finds her.

How will Ditto survive? She is lost, hungry, and far from her swarm.

Will the ponies find it in their hearts to help this poor, injured creature?

(Special thanks to Teapartycannon, who's story, Smoke and Mirrors, inspired me.)

Note: This story is no longer under revision, but there will still be a few spellchecks and such :)

After the disastrous invasion of Canterlot, an injured changeling wakes up near a small cottage and is quickly discovered by two of the last ponies she ever wanted to see. Now, with the help of her new "friends," she has to remain undetected in a town high on changeling hysteria that would not hesitate to throw her in the Canterlot dungeons should her true nature be revealed.

Simple, right?

Too bad she couldn't have picked a worse form to stay inconspicuous...

Many thanks to ZuTheSkunk for the cover image!

With her knowledge of time spells enabling Twilight Sparkle to travel into the far future of Equestria, she contemplates all she has seen, and reveals the true reason for her journey.

Taking place a month after the conclusion of "Rainbooms and Royalty," Rainbow Dash is settling into her new life in Ponyville. On the whole, it's great! But as some minor tensions crop up at her job and her new life, an old friend comes into town to turn everything upside down. What's a pony to do?

Book one of the De Raptura Chronicles

Ditzy "Derpy" Doo, once a humble mail mare, was elevated to godhood in a last, desperate act by Celestia moments before she and the entire royal family disappeared. Now the newly crowned Princess De Raptura must contend with the machinations of a court completely alien to her, reconcile with her daughter, make peace with Twilight Sparkle and learn how to control the sun.

And she's fairly sure she still has a package to deliver.

The story continues in To See The Light

Also available on Google Docs!

"This story differentiates itself from other 'bad things happen to Equestria' stories with its smart character work and realistic, powerful emotion. We need more stories like this." -Pre-reader who likes sky pirates

Short description borrowed stolen from FanOfMostEverything.

Some accidents are small, and some endow you with the power of a godly ruler. On the opposite end of things, you lose your wings along with your ability to move celestial bodies, and you can't tell anypony. Why, because what would they think if the princess became a librarian? It's going to be "fine". Celestia just needs to switch back with Twilight before either of their true identities are revealed. All Twilight has to do is hold down the castle, fight off scheming villains, run the country, and worst of all... deal with all the noble ponies.

Rated teen for shenanigans and some more serious parts. Takes place at the end of lesson zero. Please tear this apart with comments. I like criticism. Comment if you have issues, don't leave me with a mystery thumbs down.

A series of notes sent to a young changeling in the field by her superior, and a glimpse into the minds of a race whose views on friendship and love are at once totally alien and disturbingly easy to recognize in ourselves and those around us.

*****

My extreme gratitude to Pascoite for going over this story with a fine-toothed comb, and for helping me make it what it is.

Cover art by the incredibly talented Nelvakre, used with permission.

Now available in Spanish, courtesy of SPANIARD KIWI.