To have your life ripped apart, have it crumble around you while you scramble to pick up the pieces.

It can drive you a bit mad. Make you do things.

Even if you have somepony to lean on.

Prequel to Magic Duel.

Rarity's wearing sequins again, and Rainbow's not happy about it. But when one of Rainbow's comments leads the rest of the Mane Six to suspect she's hiding something, they go on an epic quest for the truth, and end up uncovering one of Ponyville's biggest secrets. And, considering Pinkie is in on it and was never put under a Pinkie Promise to keep it, it's kind of a miracle it took them this long to find out.

Big thanks to OriDragon for editing!

It was no national secret.

Celestia always told her guards that nopony was to touch her mane. Ever. If terrorists broke into the castle and held her at swordpoint, they were to let her die before anypony touched her mane. If an adoring foal ever grasped for her flowing locks in the street then they were to be tackled as if they had held a knife to her throat. If she tripped at the top of the Unreasonably Long Staircase in the highest tower of the castle, broke her wings and began to slide over the edge of the stairs then they were to look on impassively as she fell rather than grasp her by her mane to save her.

Nopony was to touch Celestia's mane; it shouldn't have been a difficult command to obey. Somewhere in the depths of the Canterlot archives lay a twisted and malicious law on the subject and now, for the first time ever, she had to exercise it.

For fate had dealt her a hand worse then death, worse than damnation, worse even than Discord.

Fate chuckled, or perhaps cackled, and threw her a mane full of Pinkie Pie.

Princess Cadance wakes up with a hangover, and some garbled memories of the previous night's events.

Thanks to Marston241 for giving me the idea for the story.

Now with a reading by CaptainBron3y.

For years, Twilight Sparkle and Queen Chrysalis have been at each other's throats. Both have experienced victory over the other, and both have experienced defeat. Out of all the creatures in Equestria, none despise each other the way the pony Princess and changeling Queen do. They seemed destined to remain locked in battle forever, or at least until one is finally dead at the hooves of the other. The cruel insults, the vicious loathing, and the powerful spells that have passed back and forth between them at each meeting have become the stuff of legend.

Imagine Twilight's surprise when she finds out changelings consider this dating.

And now they're married.

***

Sequel: Pony Courtship Rituals

***

Some beautiful fanart of the end of chapter three was done by Dmann892; you can see it here.

More awesome fanart, this time from chapter one.

Now with a TvTropes page (obligatory TvTropes warning goes here).

If you want a Russian translation, you can find it here.

There is now a reading of the story on Youtube, which starts here.

This story explores a dragon's nature somewhat, and spins a narrative of a middle-aged Spike regaling a visitor about the favorite item in his hoard: a statue of his favorite pony. It is a story about Spike, Rarity, reminiscing, letting go, and preserving that which is most precious to us.

A mishap involving Vinyl Scratch's latest piece of audio equipment is only the start of a whole heap of problems, ones Vinyl never expected to face, and definitely didn't want to burden her poor roommate with.

Now, with tension running high and all pretense stripped from Vinyl's character, how will she adapt to life being the mare she's always appeared not to be?

Vinyl Scratch has begrudgingly found herself on a quest to find her true self, and to learn what real camaraderie is. Hopefully, she'll have some help along the way. (A few laughs wouldn't go amiss either.)

My first work of fiction, with a newer description, more fitting to where the story has been taken so far.

Across the great kingdoms of the Internet, a new power has arisen.

Climbing from the dark shores of the Chan, these men and women walk the Web and commune with their mystical benefactors—strange and colorful figures from another world, whom their followers know only as the "Six Friends Who Are One." A carefully guarded peace exists between those who venerate the Six and those who resist them, one that has lasted many years.

Now, however, war looms once again. A Knight Moderator and his squire lie murdered in a dying city-site. Blame shifts to the blameless, and a small team of followers sworn to the Generous and Honest Friends must sail across the world to prove their innocence and save their brothers. All the while, they must contend with the forces of a hostile court, an unrelenting judge, assassins, anarchists, sorcerers, and one of their own as well—the fanatical Warden of All Honesty. Beneath everything is a vast conspiracy, holding a secret that will shake not only the Brony Collective, but all of the World Within the Web.

Featured on Equestria Daily, 28 May 2016.

Reviewed by Chris, of the Royal Canterlot Library, on April 7th, 2017

Pre-read and edited by DaveKenroy and Curious Quill

Sweetie Belle accidentally gains the ability to write, speak, and understand every language in existence. Then she meets the King of All Frogs, who needs her help...

...And that's just the beginning of her journey.

Frosty Mug runs the premiere (and only) watering hole in Ponyville. He's been behind the pine for years, and listened to many a sob story, and joyous announcement. Enjoy his recollections of a rather strange week in which he served a different Element of Harmony every day, and a pony he would have never thought he'd have the honor of getting drunk. These are the memoirs of a Ponyville booze vendor.

Now with bonus drinks! Consider it 'Happy Hour'!

Warning: Shipping is mentioned.