In which Cadance I of the Restored Empire is given a very unusual Hearth's Warming gift.

Now with a Spanish translation by the gracious SPANIARD KIWI!

A freakish abomination from beyond the fringes of the rational universe emerges from the trackless depths and finds himself in Ponyville.

Yesterday, the Cakes put Pumpkin and Pound on the train to head off to their first year at college.

Yesterday had been a very, very hard day.

Today will be worse.

The wind has been around for many years.

It has seen millions of ponies live and die, and existed only as an observer.

However, one pony changes all of this.

Perhaps it is possible for someone as distant as the wind to make an impact on a pony's life.

And, perhaps, it is possible for a single pony to impact the wind as well.

Written for the Equestria Daily Summer Fanfic Contest, "Outside Insight"

Image credit: Leaf, Wind

Fluttershy's songbird choir is renowned throughout Equestria, in demand by ponies everywhere. Looked at from the other side of the perch, though, it's not always the life it's cracked up to be. If you want to hear the real story, straight from the bird's beak, Mazarine is your jay. Though you may have to set aside most of an afternoon...

Set during the latter part of Season 3.

Finalist in the Equestria Daily Outside Insight contest
Featured by Seattle's Angels
"incredibly charming ... Recommended" -- PresentPerfect
"A wonderful look at ponies from an outside viewpoint ... Highly recommended" -- The City of Doors

As Spike pines after Rarity, he remembers a bedtime story Princess Celestia told him long ago, called the Ballad of Firebrand and Olivine. The ballad was about a dragon and a pony falling in love, and the consequences that love brought upon them.

The bittersweet triumph of a mother's love, an unforgiving reality, and the unsung loss of a queen.

Cryssy's Lullaby by Julian Moon. Vocals by Eilemonty.
Cover art by Huussii.
Now with Dramatic Reading by Goombasa.
Featured on Equestria Daily.

Pre-readers:
Doctor Candor | Spiritus | Kyaksa | TheAccidentialBrony | Forgotten Null
Editors:
Tired Old Man | OkemosBrony | I HV NO FEAR | JBL | lunamoonthroat | enti0

Also read: A Ruler's Regret Never Fades

Everypony remembers Tirek, the infamous, magic-stealing monster that walked Equestria all those years ago. However, few remember his brother, or the sacrifice he made to secure the future of ponykind.

Spike on the other hand remembers Scorpan quite well. Far more than he should, in fact. When memories from the distant past begin to emerge, memories of Scorpan and a dragon that looks uncannily similar to Spike, he has many questions, and very few answers.

Why does Spike have memories of a time eons past, and more importantly, why does the name ‘Scorpan’ sound so familiar?

Special thanks to Marshal Twilight for helping me touch up the story and plot, as well as editing.

What is the value of a secret? What knowledge lurks forgotten in Equestria's past?

After chasing a thief from Canterlot to the desert mountains south of Equestria, Twilight and her friends are beset by tragedy. To save her friend, Twilight will have to delve Equestria's greatest secrets, and discover a truth that even she will wish she hadn't learned. When the thief's full plans come to light, will Twilight be able to save Equestria's secrets, her friend, or even herself?

Written for the July 2014 Pre-Reader Battle, based on the prompt "The Canterlot Archives hold a dark secret." Contains a reimagining of a G1 villain, but does not require knowledge of G1.

An angry old stallion frustrates the citizens of Ponyville with his insulting, cantankerous ways. Nopony can stand him, including Princess Twilight and her circle of friends. All the while, Fluttershy quietly looks on.