Sunset Shimmer originally went to Freeport to escape Celestia's influence, and to make some progress towards becoming an alicorn princess. She's certainly done her share of good in the infamous city of rogues, but after almost two years away from Canterlot she doesn't feel any closer to achieving her big goals. At this point, any reasonable pony could wonder if they made a mistake...

Faced with the unpleasant prospect of possibly going back to Canterlot in order to advance her goals, Sunset finds herself with one last option to preserve her independence: the great dragon Argentium the Runescaled, far to the north, wants to meet with her. However, her journey becomes far more than a simple social call, and Sunset has no idea just how much danger she and her friends will face.

Or how much she'll have to sacrifice—not just for her dreams, but survival.

Two colts, Blueberry and Tumble, take a shortcut from their village into Vanhoover, passing by an oak tree that seems to emanate some kind of odd, unsettling aura. They don't know why it's so strange, but Blueberry wants to find out.

Effective communication is important in any friendship.

Unfortunately for Twilight, Tempest Shadow and Pharynx communicate almost exclusively in overwhelming force.

What is a pony? If asked that question the average citizen of Equestria would probably respond with a confused look and a mention of the three pony tribes. A particularly astute pony might reply with four tribes, remembering to include the Thestrals. A pony of a scholarly disposition may also add a list of characteristics as well - manes, cutie marks, some form of innate magic, hooves, vegetarian diet, etc. This is the answer that would have been received for thousands of years, from before the unification of the three tribes until very recently. Until the failed Changeling invasion. With the reveal of something so foreign, yet at the same time so familiar, what it means to be a pony is no longer quite so clear and obvious. And while professors and philosophers argue, another question is forgotten in the uproar: What if the Changelings weren't the only ones who were hiding?

* Always looking for proofreaders if anyone's interested!
Current Proofreader(s): Icarus_Con_Queso

All feedback/corrections welcome!

After the disastrous Battle of the Bands, the defeated Sirens parted ways, leaving Adagio Dazzle to fend for herself. Alone, human, and without magic, she struggled to make ends meet until accosted one day by a mysterious prince, who offered her a second chance at life. Naturally, it was an offer she couldn't refuse.

That night, she was dug out of her own grave and began unlife anew as a vampire of the aristocratic Clan Ventrue. However, the other denizens of the night won't take well to the newest addition to their ranks. They do have long memories, after all. Can the former Siren survive the Final Nights? Can she overcome her endless hunger and beast? Can she recover her lost glory, and find redemption even in death?

Scootaloo lives the perfect life. She has kind and caring parents, three best friends and a lovely home. She lives in the magical land of Equestria where four kind princesses rule over all of their subjects using the power of friendship and the magic of kindness. She couldn't ask for a better life, except for maybe the ability to fly, but she's young and has a full life ahead of her.

Scootaloo lives an endless nightmare of pain and suffering. She's forced to fight a losing war as a child soldier against Nightmare Moon and her seemingly endless supply of brainwashed soldiers, ready to throw down their lives to protect their false dark queen. Princess Celestia is nowhere to be found and their entire world is plunging ever further into darkness.

Thanks to theRedBrony for helping me with some editing and refining all of Zecora's rhyming. and thanks to Witchery for extra editing help.

Its strange... to lay here with you, my daughter. Yes Midnight, I call you such, though not of clan nor blood, you are as my own. There is a question on your lips... it suits you ill to leave any query unasked, no matter the hurt or trouble it causes you.

You fear me? Why? Child, I cannot speak as to my heart if I do not know what might be abouts, so I may be angry, or sad, or...

I see... a bargain it is then? So be it... state your terms. You will speak in full... and ask in exchange I do the same. I don't understand. I have ever sought too be true in all things with you and your mother, so...

Ah, you mean my ways. You are not my only unicorn kin to take me to task on it... I should see your hide's tanned thinking to tell me anything you barely weened pups just out of den can say fuck all to my long toothed tail.

But so be it. Sit, drink. We will speak then of many things, and begin with a vexed filly taking offense at my countenance.

Queen Platinum is dying.

She is cursed, and every day she grows weaker. If she dies, the kingdom will collapse, and the three tribes will once again fragment. Centuries of unity and harmony will come to an end.

There is only one thing that might cure her – a mystical, half-forgotten potion known as the Panacea. It can cure any curse, any disease, any poison. But all magic has its price, and the greater the magic, the greater the sacrifice it requires.

Prince Hyperion will do anything to save his mother. He will find the Panacea, regardless of the cost.

Even if he isn't the one who must pay it.

Winner of the April Writeoff Competition

When you're a foal, the summer days last forever.

Summer is freedom. The world is more alive, it is wider and brighter, its colors deeper. Summer is running in a meadow and swimming in a pond and catching fireflies at evening's last light.

Will Apple Bloom lead her friends to the pirate's treasure, buried in the apple orchards? Will Scootaloo make it across the burning deserts and find the magical, healing spring? Will Sweetie Belle defeat the evil Changeling Rarity who grounded her for no reason?

During the summer, every day is an adventure.

This is one.

The foggy feeling like you're wandering through a dream, disconnected from the world around you. Sunset Shimmer experiences that every day. Ponies struggle to remember her, she suffers from random bouts of exhaustion, and at eighteen, she still has no cutie mark.

Despite the claims her mother makes, Sunset knows she is broken in some way. It isn't until her nineteenth birthday that she discovers why.

When her perception of herself and the world around her shatters, Equestria will face the consequences of the villain... or the hero, it was never supposed to have.