The Fire of Friendship has all but faded. One thousand years ago, Equestria fractured... those who disagreed with Celestia's rule left under the leadership of Princess Luna to found their own nation, their own way of life. Seventy years later, Celestia and Luna both disappeared during the first war, leaving the battered nations leaderless in their absence.

Over the last nine hundred years wars have frequently waged between Equestria and Lunaria, each seeking to unite ponykind under their own ideals. Equestria's mastery of magic often gave it the edge in battle, but never enough for a decisive victory. Peace reigns for now, but recent developments in Lunaria signal a shift in the balance between the two divided nations...

It shouldn't have been a big deal. Celestia was kidnapped or knocked out or just generally made to seem powerless by whatever idiot with ill intent decided to show up on a nearly weekly basis. As the mighty and immortal Sun Princess, she could escape at any time, but she was happy to play these little games. The daring rescues and bloodless battles gave her ponies such a sense of confidence and purpose!
But this one didn't go as planned. One small, stupid mistake got her thrown to the twisted reaches of the world-prison, Tartarus. Now alone, unarmed, and barely more than mortal, Celestia wakes in a living landscape where everything has every reason to hate her.
And, far worse, she has accidentally picked up a passenger.

Sidenote: This a repost (I tried to go through official channels, I promise!) of a story I wrote long, long ago on an account I foolishly deleted. Back in those days, Tartarus hadn't shown up in an actual episode yet. It's not exactly an alternate universe situation, but it has nothing to do with the canon portrayal of the place.

Super amazing cover art by Cold In Gardez.

Twilight's castle has gone through many wild and life altering changes over the years. What once was a simple library was now the seat of a princess and her council. Not only that, over the years it's played host to so many new and interesting people; each one memorable in their own way.

Which makes it all the stranger that there's this pony tending to the books lately that nobody seems to know... But she seems so familiar!

Top featured 12/5/23-12/11/23! I couldn't be prouder! Thanks to everyone.

Reading by Skijarama/Tone Shift HERE.

On the day of the Summer Sun Celebration, Nightmare Moon returned from her banishment. The power she had accumulated during her stay on the moon proved to be too great for Princess Celestia, and Equestria's ruler was defeated.

Weeks later, Anon arrived in Equestria via unknown means. Although lost and confused, his natural resistance to magic made him quite useful to Nightmare Moon. To his surprise, he quickly became one of her most trusted servants and found himself falling in love with her. Even more surprisingly, it seemed like she was doing the same.

Eventually, despite Anon's best efforts, Nightmare Moon was defeated and Princess Luna returned. Everyone was rejoicing. Everyone... except him. Because Anon did not fall in love with Princess Luna.

Anon fell in love with Nightmare Moon.

A starving colt is found hiding in Applejacks barn, he refuses to speak too much about where he comes from, claiming that he would be branded crazy and locked away.

Applejack doesn't know if that would happen,

But he does seem to know more about her and her friends than he should
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Okay first fiction on this site, more of a way to develop my skills before I launch into some big ideas I have so constructive criticism is appreciated as my descriptions probably suck right now

This is inspired by Oh to be Old Again by Minalkra (which you should totally check out as well)

Enjoy!

EDIT: Now with cover art by the ever talented mix-up! It is just awesome! Check out his pages here and on Deviantart!

There exists a magical sword stuck in a stone deep within a forest. All who visit try to take it for themselves, but none prove worthy to pull it from me. As the stone that sword is embedded into, I feel sorry for them.

I don't get to choose whose worthy. Most don't even know I'm there. But I've been witness to every attempt. I know the heart of the creatures who visit and what they wish for. Most come with heartfelt desires of heroism and grandeur. Some few come to prove themselves, hoping to be better than they were yesterday.

And while many a kind soul has appeared that I personally would've proven worthy had I the option, still yet, none have had the strength to pull it. And now here comes the best of my champions. A small boy, with the most heroic of dreams and the most heartfelt of desires.

And the deepest wish to be better than he was yesterday.

Illustration was created by DamayantiArts on Deviant Art for this story.

Ragar the Ageless has seen many things in his non-life. He has seen fields of cotton candy, the wails of the soon-to-be-dead chanting in chorus. Once he even saw a unicorn. Well, there are a lot of those in Equestria, so maybe that one was less noteworthy. But still, he's seen a lot. Now he wants others to see him in all his glorious evil. The only issue is he's not so good at it.

** EDIT **

Well crap, featured with every chapter. I feel all special and stuff. So let me give you all some love. You're all wonderful people, trees or whatever internet capable folks have been reading.

Dang, look at all those likes. I'm feeling the love. Thank all of you for enjoying my wonderful trip through insane necromancy.

Many Thanks to Locke_Jaw for his wonderful artwork that is my new cover.

King Sombra isn't totally destroyed by the Mane Six's blast in Canterlot, but he's banished back to the Frozen North and is severely weakened. Determined to take revenge, he's eventually imprisoned by Princess Celestia and has a choice to make: reform himself to use his magic for good, or be turned to stone.

Takes place during Season 9, just after Sombra's defeat. Also assumes you've seen Season 9 so beware of spoilers!

2/18/2023 - This made it to the featured box on the day it was posted I'm SHAKING??? I'm so grateful aaaaa

3/6/2023 - Featured again!!!

How many times must I be called monster, beast, or foul chimera?
How many times must they hunt me down?
What did I do?
What do they see?
...
Am I a monster?
...
Do they want a monster?

Featured 12/23/2021 first time I got a story featured :)
edited by:
DarthBall - Fimfiction
UnamusedWaffle - Fimfiction
prereader - 0fficerZ0mbie#0569

image source
Zlayd-oodles: https://www.deviantart.com/zlayd-oodles

This story is a sequel to Stories in Stone, Lost Empire

A Princess who's suffered great loss and has no idea what to do now.

A musician struggling with the idea her fame was made off another's skill.

A mother whose life was robbed from her.

A former ruler who has given up nearly everything for those who see her as a monster.

A mare who is trying to find the perfect way to propose to her love.

And a country, locked away in time.

TDR Presents
Book 4 of Stories in Stone
Capricorns Curse