Ace lived his life day-by-day, minding the shop to make more than enough money to live an easy lifestyle. Things were going great, but in everypony's life, a little rain must fall; given inspiration, Ace conducts a dangerous experiment...

After the experiment ends unexpectedly, Ace has to seek out help, and the only pony he knows who might have a chance to help is a total stranger, Princess Celestia's star pupil, Twilight Sparkle.

Grateful for the bit of help Twilight is able to provide, Ace repays her in the only way he is capable: helping her with her magic and teaching her things she may never have learned otherwise.

How long before Ace's lessons get Twilight into trouble? What is a Spell Misfire, and why is Ace the only Unicorn who seems to suffer their adverse effects? Why does Ace's name sound so foreign, and where did he come from? How will Ace get along with Twilight's friends who don't have the same talent for magic? Only time will tell.

(Additional Note: The story will have words or phrases from an old language known as Al Bhed. If you're having trouble understanding the Al Bhed or pronouncing it, there's a Phonetic Translator here, provided by Stefan Gagne. Not good with phonetics? Just copy-paste them to Google's Translator [English > English] and click the speaker in the bottom right.)

Twilight Sparkle broke time when she got her cutie mark. Now Twilight and Sparkle are sisters from another time. Twilight is hailed as the potentially greatest light magician of all time, and already has a reputation as a hero by the time she goes to Ponyville. This isn't her story, not primarily.

Sparkle is an orphan - her dark magic killed her parents. She lives with her brother in Canterlot's industrial sector because they can't afford anything better. She can't leave either. She's a natural dark mage; while Sparkle won't go mad like Sombra, her reputation is hardly any better. Worse, the law doesn't see her as a good pony.

The fact that the dead don't stay dead around her, or that Thorn - Spike's double - is an undead, soul-eating abomination, are other matters altogether.

(Also has some Slice-of-Life, but fimfiction tags won't let me put it with Adventure.)

Has an ask blog to go with it: Ask Sparkle and Thorn.
Also has a TvTropes page: Split Second Tropes.

Featured on EQD.

Cover art by Swirling Line.

Five of the youth of House Path are abruptly whisked away by the enigmatic Doctor Whooves, and they find themselves in a Ponyville that they can scarcely recognize. A tyrant queen rules Equestria, alliances were never forged with Griffonia and the Changeling Hives, and three of the group had never been born! Someone has changed history, and it's up to them to figure out when, how, and who did it, or Equestria will suffer, and the rest of the world along with it.

This is the direct sequel to "The Growing Years" and "A Different Perspective", and I advise reading those stories first.

This story is a sequel to Twilight Doesn't

It isn’t often that Rarity can spend time with both Octavia and Vinyl. Twilight and Applejack being available as well makes for a pub dinner not to be forgotten.

Some friendships at the table are closer than others, and some are older than others. As the conversation continues, it also gets a bit personal for all concerned.

(Chronological Note: this story takes place during Season Two.)

(Content Note: contains conversation about sexuality and relationship structure.)

Part of the Elsequestria continuity.

This timeline continues in Lessons for the Teacher.

This story follows Bridges and Guides, but it can also stand alone nicely.

After their first Grand Galloping Gala, Applejack and Twilight talk about the Blueblood disaster, and about Rarity’s expectations for a partner. The discussion meanders into new territory, and gets a little personal for both of them. Initially written as just a fun little one-shot.

(Chronology note: this story takes place between seasons one and two, just after the season one finale.)

Artwork by Sixes_and_Sevens. Please check out their excellent artwork and stories.

Part of the Elsequestria Continuity.

This continuity continues in In Vino Veritas. Its beginning can be found here.

Please check out Sparrow 9642’s reading of this tale for Pride Month 2020 here.

Please check out Agent Fluffy’s reading of this tale for Pride Month 2021 here.

Sparrow’s version uses a team of talented voice actors, while Agent handles both voices and narration alone! All of them do a wonderful job bringing my little tale to life, each version offering a slightly different interpretation. I recommend them both very highly.

Also, my most humble apologies to Sparrow 9642 for forgetting to place a link to their performance for so long. I am a very meek and penitent Coyote and offer no excuse.

The School of Friendship is burning down.

Happy holidays.

Written for GaPJaxie as part of the Jinglemas 2018 event. Edited by MrNumbers, Pearple Prose, Undome Tinwe, and R5h

Patreon. Ko-fi. Picture of me looking handsome

Vinyl and Octavia need to hug for eight hours – or the building explodes.

A commission for Dakastan, edited by MrNumbers. Special thanks to him, and to Crystal Wishes for the ornithological help.

Patreon. Ko-fi. Picture of me looking handsome

Three nights a week, Shining Armor returns to bed more tired than normal. Annoyed by his complete lack of openness, Princess Cadence goes out of her way to figure out what's going on.

As it turns out, Shining has been spending all that time with another of Equestria's most popular mares.

Sort of. Basically. It's kinda complicated.

Artwork by Chrznek97. One character tag omitted due to spoilers.

She is an Explorer. She traverses the universe, seeking out those places that have been suggested to Her. With luck, She’ll find something phenomenal. For even across the vast emptiness of space, one may yet find a friend...

Inspired by the titular song by Train.

Other stories inspired by music:
Ordinary World
Bed of Roses
Bulletproof Heart
Escape
How to Save a Life
Forgive Me, Friend
Time for Tea

My thanks to Rayvinne for volunteering to preread this!

I was known as Frank DeFontaine. I was going to a Halloween party. I was a pretty intelligent kid, starting my first college term, and decided a little dress-up couldn't hurt.
My buddy Richard got involved, though. And like everything, he took it a bit too far. This time, I didn't say no, though. I really should have.
Next thing I know, we're going all-out on making my Dullahan costume. Because he's my favorite optional boss, and all.
Really shoulda known something was up when that guy behind the counter just so happened to have a sword that fit our specifications perfectly.
Next thing I know, I'm in Equestria. And I'm missing a head.
Sakes, I could use a drink. And a neck.
-----
Featured on 2/19/2014.
I'd like to leave it at "Holy mother of-!" but that doesn't capture what I'm feeling!