Despite the dangers of their homeland, Chrysalis and Myth, her pony, had crossed over from their world to Equus. In the distance loomed an enormous mountain, just as promised. Attached to the side of the mountain there was a city of such magnificence that it appeared to grow from the rock itself: Canterlot, the fabled city where the gods themselves dwelled.

They had been such fools to attempt the journey to Equestria. They had nearly died more times than they could count, and not all of their wounds would heal. And what was it all for? Nothing more than the vanity and childish optimism of a princess who wanted to be queen, who knew it would only be possible if she followed the same path as her mother.

But they had made it. They were alive. They may never attempt the journey home, they may never claim the throne, they may never revolutionize their homeland, but a world filled with wonders and untold magics stretched out before them. It would all be worth it.

Even as Chrysalis gazed upon Canterlot, home in the forests of her birth, her trail had finally been found.

Cover art provided by Lafiir.

Fluttershy just wants a little pony company. It doesn't have to be conversation. Maybe she'll just sit and sip the water as it melts off the ice cubes from her empty drink, and watch the other ponies talk. That would be nice.

Or maybe something entirely different will happen.

On EqD Oct 17, 2012.

A collection of silly, bite-sized skits where the characters crush the fourth wall into dust to talk about the world of Rites of Ascension, all while poking fun at each other. Learn about the ascension process, cored weaponry, and more!

This is a NON-CANON Rites EU "story." (The characters break the fourth wall completely, so of course it has to be non-canon.) Art by my lovely and amazingly talented wife, Violet Squiggles! You do have to have read Rites of Ascension to really understand this one. You're going to be seriously lost if you start here. That being said, you do not need to read this story to understand what's going on in Rites. This is to add to something already whole (and maybe get a few laughs), not make up for shortcomings elsewhere. Also, I thought it would be fun.

Also, as this is non-canon to Rites, I can go back and change things if I like. Generally, this will only happen if something hasn't been explained in the canon stories yet and has to change for them. Hopefully I won't ever actually have go do that, but if I do, I'll point it out in the chapter.

YOH 1490 (Ten Years Before Luna's Return): Eight-year-old Rarity is in danger. Twelve-year-old Applejack is sure that her own parents can save her friend. They're the bravest and strongest mom and dad any filly could have!

But sometimes, even the brave and the strong can fall.

This story is directly based on part 3 of Core of the Apple by Neterrang. I urge you to read that whole comics sequence, starting with part 1. It's one of the best MLP fan comics ever written.

Addendum: This story is now AU (because AJ has different parents) as of "The Perfect Pear." Sic transit gloria mundi.

YOH 1480 - Pot Mender is a tinker mare, an intinerant tradespony on the fringes of Equestrian rustic society. Goldie Pie is a highly-educated and well-respected medical professional, the midwife who serves South Dunnich, Nickerlite and much of the northeastern fringe of the White Tail Hills. Goldie Pie doesn't much like Pot Mender. But the day will come when Pot Mender will have her chance to do a deed of worth, and accomplish something of great importance to Goldie.

Alternate Universe, early YOH 1504 - same continuity as An Epistolary Legal Consultation Between Princesses

You were just a normal guy who couldn't get a good job and you wound up working at a chain store and a mad scientist sent you to this weird world of talking little ponies and there's no porn! Help!

Y.O.H. 961: Four Hundred and Sixty-One Years After Luna's Banishment

Chiller ("Wraith-Kissed") Tale was just one of many aspiring bards when he made the mistake of letting a ghost kiss him deep in the Everfree Forest. In one moment he lost his handsome face and released his incredible talent for dark poetry and songs.

That was forty years ago. Now he is one of the favorites of Princess Celestia at her court in Canterlot. But his beloved wife, Sweetsong Snowmane, has died and he has given up on life.

Forty years ago he fled his death, death ponified as a beautiful undead horror. Now, he seeks the death he cheated four decades past.

What will happen when Chiller returns to where it all began?

As Twilight attempts to get Starlight Glimmer to see the error of her ways, Spike can't help but interject. If Starlight had a portal to take her to any place or any time, why fixate on one single event when she could accomplish so much more?

As it turns out, Starlight Glimmer has an answer. Several in fact.

Inspired by a conversation with the story's editor Tired Old Man.

Twilight Sparkle was a daughter to Nightlight and Twilight Velvet, a sister to Shining Armor, and a student to Princess Celestia. That was who she was, nothing more and nothing less.

However, on the longest day of the thousandth year, her world will change forever. A secret kept even from her will be revealed and her life will be forever changed.

A different take on the Nightmare Moon incident with a slightly darker outcome.

I'm not sure where the cover came from. If you do, please let me know. Cover art belongs to rosahadoodle

Have you ever seen a pony that just seemed out of place? Perhaps some mannerism, some behaviour that just struck you as odd? Some piece of clothing that didn't seem quite right? perhaps a coat or mane whose colour just seemed flat-out weird. A strange build, a strange voice, or maybe they were perfectly normal, except that you swear you just saw the exact same pony not five seconds ago somewhere completely different?

Of course you have. Everypony has encountered an Outsider at some point. But never up close, it's always at a distance, and they're always gone before you have the chance to challenge them.

But sometimes the rules get broken. Sometimes fate gets distracted for a moment, and a lone unicorn mare gets to see something that she was never meant to see.

Twilight Sparkle's day is about to get very weird.

FAQ and Supplemental Materials (Potential Spoilers for new readers)

Featured! Twice!
...I really don't know what to say!

Special Thanks go to Horizon for initial proof-reading, editing, and signal-boosting, provided as a prize for spotting an Easter egg in his story Hard Reset II. Seriously, it's an awesome, brain-warping story and you should go read it right now.

Thanks also go to my editors for putting up with my atrocious grammar and spelling errors - Ganelon, Ephraim Blue, BronyWhooves, Commonancestry, Princess Autumn Forest, and Morning Sun

Cover art credit goes to EMedina13 and tamalesyatole. I am looking for more appropriate art, so If you think you can do better, let me know.