Many decades ago—perhaps even centuries now—a realization hit me. To this day it haunts my thoughts. Time has us all in its thrall. Though my body may resist its ever-present pestilence, that does not make me immune to the inevitable decay.

I keep these troubling thoughts locked away, hidden where no eye may cast its gaze on them. But that does not mean that they do not exist, or that they do not weigh heavily on my mind. Every so often they come back to plague me, to remind me that even I cannot escape time. All I can do is mitigate the erosion; it's all anypony can do.

Thanks to my pre-readers WickedLSDragon and Regina Wright. A big thank you goes out to Cerulean Voice for editing.

In the 19th century of Princess Celestia's rule, Equestria experienced an acceleration of its progress and prosperity as the first westward expansion began. Yet there were some ponies who took this call to progress as a warrant for ever more radical reform. In 1858, 148 ponies left Equestria to realize that radical dream. This is their story.

Written for a Writeoff Association contest (based off the prompt "Distant Shores"), but more broadly intended as an homage to Nathaniel Hawthorne, inspired by and deeply indebted to his great short story, Earth's Holocaust.

This is the story of a mare, in the middle of the night, with a parchment and quill, and a pestering Muse.

Includes rambling about the nature and woes of writing, and why no one should do it.

Rated Teen for swearing.

This is a [love] story.

Pinkie Pie is ready for a brand new day.

Preread by Masked Ferret.

Applejack goes out to see her friends, and give them some advice. Just like any other day.

Thank you to Foals for prereading, and Ocean Stardust for editing.

"You" profess your love for the most beautiful mare you've ever known, but in the game of love, not everything ends happily ever after.

I suppose I should give some explanation for this story...
It's not meant to be taken too seriously. I would describe it as a parody of happy-go-lucky second person fics but with a serious tone. I never expected this story to end up as heavy as it is, and I think that will cause people to miss the purpose of this story.
In short, it's a response to second person fics rather than one in itself. When I say "response," I don't mean I'm mocking them. I'm commenting on the typical scenario most have.

As expansive as the realm of Equestria and the known kingdoms surrounding it may be, the quest for exploration and discovery is unending! It is this very quest that has led Royal Expeditionary Ambassador Lean-To of his majesties' royal service to discover an unknown land - and the unique inhabitants living there.

NOTE: I'm calling this Complete. It started as a silly one-off thing anyway, and while I tried to see how it could continue, I don't have the inspiration or drive to move this story forward. Just a little AU headcanon idea. Thanks to those who enjoyed my drabbles. =)

King Sombra has ruled the Crystal Empire for centuries. Throughout his rein, he has done little but create pain and suffering for all those who live in his domain. Their lives mean little to him, and they matter little in his endless, unquenchable thirst for power and hunger for influence.

He is impervious to any negative feelings, for long ago, he had quenched them.

Then he sees something different.

This is the first story in a project I'm doing with my good friend Regidar, in which we switch several aspects of our writing styles and see how we operate within one another's boundaries.

Cover art is by fruitbloodmilkshake.

On her first day of school, a young filly is asked to tell Princess Celestia her name.

Little did she know, class was already in session.

What if pony princesses were actually highly social carnivores?

What if a National Geographic team began following them around to film a documentary?

What if nopony saw anything unusual about this?

A metaphor about growing up. Or possibly a metaphor about living in a surveillance society. Or maybe just a very, very weird idea that needed to become a story.