All her life, Strata has been driven by her thirst for discovery and the sense of worth gained from unearthing the history of the world. However, when she risks everything by venturing deep into the Everfree Forest on a hunch, fueled by pride and dreams of grandeur, she doesn't consider that the object she seeks might just be seeking her in return.

King Sombra survived his defeat, but just. By the time he returned to form, Twilight became the newest princess of Equestria and the Crystal Empire was restored to its former glory.

He cannot take over Equestria the same way he tried before, but he has a card up his sleeve. Twilight won't see it coming, and Sombra might gain a powerful ally in the process.

And it will all begin...with a book.

Edits on Chapter 1 done with the help of TempesttheDragnix.

Major props to InuHoshi-to-DarkPen for letting me use this. That artist is really good.

After the royal sisters' black hearted mother is inadvertantly awakened by a curious young knight in training, the world is changed for the worse. Celestia and Luna are banished to their respective celestial bodies, division has reformed between the three tribes stronger than ever and even the Elements of Harmony are seemingly lost.

Very few retained their memories of happier times. One of these few has been biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike and take back Equestria in the name of chaos! ...no? Not chaos? Fine I guess for Harmony. Party poopers.

Sequel to Settling In, not really required reading but the last chapter at least helps set the stage!

On a dark night filled with even darker magics, an insane cult attempts to give Nightmare Moon a body and life of her own, utterly separate from Princess Luna. But, when the spell is interrupted by Celestia, something unexpected is created.

Now, a little black alicorn filly named Nyx finds herself living under the care of Twilight Sparkle, only to be haunted by memories and emotions from her past. Is she Nightmare Moon reborn or is she simply a doppelganger with a soul and mind of her own? Can Twilight Sparkle protect Nyx from those who refuse to see past her dragon eyes and black coat?

Or, will Nyx be forced to inherit the sins that may not even be hers and become the greatest evil Equestria has ever known?

When Rainbow Dash is tasked to help Fluttershy trust others more, she finds herself struggling to help her friend understand the lessons. She finds herself struggling even more, however, when her life depends on Fluttershy coming to terms with them.

This story is a sequel to Pinkamena's Awakening

It's been several months since Pinkamena's re-imprisonment, and the residents of Equestria have been working diligently to repair the damages she has caused. But when Pinkie Pie decides that she can no longer accept Pinkamena being trapped again, she seeks help from her friends in order to bring her back to reality. Will others accept her return and help her lead a normal life? Or will she be rejected from everyone and fall into depression and insanity once again?

WARNING: This story will have a few OC's of my friends. They will have an impact on the main storyline, but I promise to make it as enjoyable as possible. Also, if you have read my story "A Wandering Soul", Lilith will make an appearance, but everything that she did in the story will be nonexistent.

Sombra has won his desperate struggle agains the Princesses, becoming the supreme leader of Equestria and starting a dread tradition known as the Hunger Games.

Rarity has never liked fighting- or the outdoors, or anything that involves getting dirty. But when she steps up to save Sweetie Belle, she'll be thrust into an arena where kill or be killed is the order of the day.

Rainbow Dash has always dreamed of winning the Games- but she's been blinded to the reality of it long ago. Does she have what it takes to be a killer? Or are there other roads for her?

Twilight Sparkle's always been a loner, but she may find friendship in themes the most unlikely place. But in the arena, where friends can become enemies in a heartbeat, who can Twilight really trust?

Sweet, shy Fluttershy wouldn't hurt another pony to save her life. But when she finds herself in the arena, facing someone close to her heart, she'll have to do just that.

After he parent's death, Applejack has always been the provider of her family. But their lives are in jeopardy when she gets drawn in the reaping. With everything riding on her back, can Applejack win the games- with her sanity intact?

And Pinkie Pie only wants to bring light to the grim streets of District Twelve.But in the arena even the sunniest personalities can dim.

The Hunger Games have begun.

Daring Do seeks a favor from her sister in Ponyville. Due to buried grudges, things quickly get out of hoof. She soon finds herself on her most perilous mission yet... with her biggest fan in the world. In the midst of truth and lies, loyalty and treachery, love and hate, one thing is clear ― some family situations are stranger than fiction.

The story extends in Through the Looking-glass and What Pinkie Found There and The Daughter Doo: Honorary Cutie Mark Crusader.

Many thanks to Honey Mead and statoose for their watchful and helpful pre-reading.

Ckat_Myla and statoose (CatNStat) have started an excellent reading of TSD.

The carnival arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, it is simply there, arriving with the bombastic overture of spells, contraptions, and performances, as intricate as they are spectacular.

It isn't long before ponyville- and it's heroines- become involved... and all too soon, things seem to look strange. A great number of patrons, none of which seem familiar even in Equestria... A sudden upheaval that could threaten not just the carnival, but anything beyond... And a power, something great and arcane and incredibly ancient, that sits at the center of it all...

An ancient evil awakens in the darkness of the Everfree forest. It is a being that exists only to consume, to devour. it is a creature that even Celestia fears. And Fluttershy is the only one who can stand up to it.