As a new leader and higher up in the ranks of the alicorns, Twilight must be tested. She needs to be prepared to deal with the responsibilities of her duties as a princess. Not only in the term of protecting others, but in physical pain that she would potentially go through.

Or that's what Celestia keeps telling herself. Celestia constantly attempts to kill Twilight, bringing her back to life every time she stops breathing. Twilight doesn't understand. Why would her mentor put her through this? Why would she make her suffer like that? She claims it's to teach her how to deal with pain...

But is she really telling the truth, or does she need an outlet for the pain she suffered?

Special thanks to Mr101, Skeeter the Lurker, RainbowBob, and Merc

Twilight Sparkle has walked the wastelands for a very long time, but now, at last, he has reached the end of his journey. He only hopes now that the gods will listen to his prayers, and finally allow him a good place to die.

(Please read the story before commenting on the description)

The graffiti did not bother her. The art of vandalism was, in some form or another, as old as civilization itself. The content, on the other hoof, was an entirely different issue. “Princest Is Wincest,” it said. Bad grammar and spelling were one thing, but this was an attack on the Equestrian language.

Luna frowned. She would have to ask Celestia about this at the first opportunity. Perhaps there were spare funds for a literacy program. If nothing else, Tia might be able to explain what exactly the phrase meant.

Thanks to Wade and Sereg for prereading. Thanks to Burraku_Pansa and especially Midnight Rambler for editing.

Dramatic reading, courtesy of CaptainBron3y.

Jack is different. Not from just his age group, but from others as well. Cold, calculating, and tactical are but a few of the words used to describe him.

But when he is thrust into a new world, when he is attacked and nearly left to die by those who stand for love, tolerance, and friendship, what will happen from there?

Plans, power, corruption, and the seeds of a dark new age will be sewn. For such schemes are the ways of those who hide behind masks. Follow the story of Jack, and learn the Markings of a King.

The common household Sweetie Belle has many uses and applications. Here are a few of them.

A little piece of fluff about how two friends started dating, thanks to an ill-timed slip of the tongue.

Cover Image © the impeccable Equestria-Prevails
Made for The Batpony Writeoff on EQD
Update: Second Place! Congrats to Ponydora Prancypants for getting First!

Your body is alien. Your instincts are alien. Your surroundings are dark, and damp. From murderous siblings to mysterious rituals of love; the life of a newly hatched changeling queen is confusing and dangerous. Chrysalis does not even bother to tell you exactly what you are before she sends you into the world. Thrust directly into the fire; you must learn the way mother did, or not at all.

Your instincts guide the way, but sometimes they are as much obstacles as anything else. Time ticks by, and you begin to wonder just who you really are. Are you Mint Leaf; adopted daughter of Lyra and Bon Bon? Or are you Chrysalis's spawn; heir to the changeling throne and yet to earn her name? To make matters even more confusing; old memories from a life before this one linger in the back of your head. They refuse to be forgotten.

You mustn't be caught. They will kill you if you are caught.

Mother said so.

Twilight Sparkle is seen as a hero to all the ponies of Equestria. She not only stopped Nightmare Moon, but she also aided in sealing Discord and helped in preventing a changeling invasion. She however doesn't see herself as a hero, for all of her achievement she had to depend on the powers of others. Just once she would like to know that she can protect her friends herself, and not be the one that always needs saving.

During the first day of her one year leave to return to Canterlot, a strange meeting with Princess Luna opens the door to a great mystery, and a chance to gain the strength she desires. There's only one catch. This strength she can only attain with the help of Princess Luna, who also requires her help in protecting Equestria.

Twilight just has one question. Why does Luna keep calling her "Master"?

When all hope seemed lost, six ponies came together to form an unbreakable bond. In one swift stroke, the magic of friendship defeated Nightmare Moon and saved Princess Luna from the shadows...

But still the night remained.

A collaborative work with the immeasurable Eakin.

After millennia of imprisonment, the chaos spirit Discord has broken free of his stone prison. Celestia wastes no time gathering the Bearers of the Elements, but before she can retrieve the Elements of Harmony, she falls victim to one of Discord's nefarious schemes, no doubt set up many eons ago to exact revenge upon the Princess, designed to make her suffer as he did for so long.

Or maybe he just superglued her horn to a keyhole.