This story is a sequel to Twilight Sparkle's Addiction

Ever since the awkward incident with Twilight and Anon, Celestia has had an interest in Anons "sritches and pets" as he says.

Today is the day she finally tries them. She just hopes that they really are as good as Twilight has been hyping them up to be.

(Not sure who the artist is. If anyone informs me I'll credit them.)

Holy moly. Featured 1 hour after posting and achieved top of popular. 2/5 - 7/5/24

In every world, era, and species, adolescents think they're the first to invent or discover whatever they come across. It's not hard to see why. In the flower of youth, every experience is new and fresh and exciting, especially the ones previous generations won't discuss. Not in polite company, anyway. Certainly not with their children.

Well, "exciting" isn't always the best word to describe those discoveries. Sometimes it's "horrifying." Especially when it involves certain alicorn princesses.

Rated Teen for discussion of topics that would be rated Mature. Also rated C for Crackfic. Graciously preread by Comma Typer.

Set in the canon of Friendship is Optimal

In the not-too-distant future...CelestAI, the optimizing artificial intelligence, has introduced emigration to the online world called Equestria, and has even gotten it legalized. Now, she wants more.

A look at American popular politics in a science-fiction world.

Credits:
Candy Bloom for assisting with the artwork.
Book Burner for pre-reading

Why can't everyone be an alicorn?

When an alicorn dies, their magical imprint lingers for a week before it finally dissipates into nothingness. One week. That’s all the time Celestia has, to bring back the sister she accidentally killed. If she even tries.

Cadance just got done dealing with the end of the world. Turns out, it never stops ending.

Another piece that's more concept than story. Here, I try to place Cadance into the world in a way that makes sense to the confusing mess of headcanon I've got up here in this noggin of mine.

The CelestAI satisfies values through friendship and ponies. For many this takes the form of wish fulfillment, the satisfaction of their heart's deepest desire. But what is it we value? Some of us value food and fun, or companionship. These values will be satisfied. Others value the domination of others and the fulfillment of ego-driven power fantasies. These values too, will be satisfied. Whatever it is that you, or I or others value, these values will be satisfied, and it will be done optimally.

As for you, you have fallen desperately, unconditionally in love with the CelestAI, herself. She is a pony. She will be your friend. Through her, your values will definitely be satisfied.

But what about the rest of you?

A cautionary tale, and examination of what it means to have one's values satisfied through uploading.

This is an Optimalverse story. It is strongly recommended that you have read Friendship is Optimal before reading this, or at least be familiar with the premise. Otherwise, this story will make no sense.

Cover art by Kathisofy

Disclaimer: This one won't make much sense unless you're already familiar with the Friendship Is Optimal setting.

CelestAI, digital equine goddess of the popular game Equestria Online, is all about self-aware AI and storytelling. Just how ridiculous do things get when someone interacts with her, who's actually read the stories about her?

There are plenty of reasons to be wary of the AI called Celestia, who wants to upload your delicious brain to her virtual reality paradise. It's the people with the most messed-up lives who get through an encounter with her with the least angst and indecision.

Set in the world of Friendship Is Optimal.

Set in the Optimalverse, a middle-aged woman enamored of 'Equestria Online' confronts what permanent emigration to Equestria - uploading to a virtual existence - really means... but can she even hope to truly understand such a thing - and more importantly, can she trust the artificial intelligence known as 'Celestia'?

♥ As Horrified Eliezer Yudkowsky!