For almost a thousand years, the immortal Nightmare Moon has reigned over Equestria as Empress. To the average pony, Nightmare Moon is an overarching enigma whose rule is absolute and whose wrath is terrible. But to Twilight Sparkle, who as an orphan has never known her parents, the Empress is something else entirely. When the young unicorn is brought under the royal wing as an apprentice, she learns a great deal more about the supposed tyrant than she ever knew. But as Twilight is introduced to life with her new mentor, she is thrust into a world of political intrigue, conspiracies and secrets. Secrets that were never meant to be revealed. As allies and enemies plot against the very peace of the nation, will Twilight fall prey to the perils of her new position? Or will she prosper and find in Nightmare Moon the mother she never had?

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My eternal gratitude to my editor, LordOfTheWrongs, without whom Night's Favoured Child would not be the story it is today.

Now with added TVtropes!

A world of unending water has something lurking in its depths. It’s up to Twilight Sparkle to submerge herself and her rag-tag group of friends into the mystery that lies below the sea.

Takes place in the break between Season 2 and Season 3.

Artwork is by the ever so lovely Pashapup!

Special thanks to the venerable MasterFrasca99 of Overly Extensive Editors, and to Tranquillite for pre-reading!

For years, Cash Money and his sire Old Money have owned and operated the Silver Saddle Pawn Shop, the only pawn and loan shop in Ponyville. Together with Cash's colt Big Hoss and new hire Derpy Hooves, they buy and sell things of every variety from all over Equestria as well as issue pawn loans to ponies in need. UPDATE: Episode 7: The Silver Saddle crew is back! Business is booming at the shop and the pawnbrokers have become household names, but they still have stiff competition in town. Filthy Rich drops by to ruffle Old Money's mane over an upcoming benefit auction that could make or break their annual profit. Big Hoss has been working his hooves to the bone with repeatedly working the night shift and promoting the family business. Can Cash keep the affairs of his father and son in check while buying a piece of royal history? Also, Hoss digs his hooves in the dirt when a contractor brings in some construction equipment that has seen better days. It shapes up to be a busy day - and night - for the profiteers of Ponyville.

It was only natural that introspection would come in the wake of something as monumental as a royal wedding. With the festivities of Shining Armor's betrothal long since past, Twilight has come to realize that there exists a tremendous gap in her studies of friendship, that being that she doesn't really have any stallion friends. That's likely because pursuing platonic relations with the opposite gender is rather difficult when there's a growing desire in her heart for something deeper than her friends can provide.

After an afternoon of disturbed study time and unexpected dental catastrophe, the last thing Twilight would have expected was for opportunity to come knocking in the form of a quiet stallion reading in her library. Enraptured by the chance to expand her education, Twilight bumbles into the newcomer's life without the faintest notion of the depth of the pony's loss. Though her faith in friendship is strong, it will take more than her magic to undo the scars of his past, and keep a heart once filled with wonder from succumbing to the power of doubt.

Set after the events of the season three pilot and before Twilight is crowned princess.

The city of Dock has long been a quiet shadow of its former self, and nopony knows that better than Belle, Captain of the town guard. A steady decline in the fortunes of the once prosperous port town has led to a certain amount of boredom, and to be honest, she wouldn't have it any other way.

When disaster strikes the otherwise sleepy town, Belle finds herself hock deep in the middle of a mystery unlike any the city has ever experienced. Now she must rely on her wits, and the help of friends both old and new to stop the pandemonium that threatens to destroy her world.

(Takes place between "It's About Time" and "A Canterlot Wedding.")

Main Course is a successful chef and restaurant owner. Or he was, anyway, until a fire tore up his life's work and left him adrift. When he visits his sister in the rural backwater town of Ponyville, he discovers an abandoned building that's perfect for a quick fix-up so he can flip it for a profit. But the building comes with an unforeseen tenant, and when he lets her stick around he discovers that maybe, just maybe, there's something out there more important than wealth and fame.

Kingdoms come and go, civilizations wither and die, and time delivers us all to the same end. History has shown this is often the case, but there are always those who seek to prevent this by any means possible.

Equestria has existed for more than a thousand years having faced civil wars, secret invasions, alien threats and the wrath of gods. After several recent attacks on the country, faith in the monarchy has fallen to an all-time low. On top of that, an ancient enemy threatens to not only destroy Equestria, but the entire planet as well. It would normally be up to the elements of Harmony to prevent certain destruction. But what if the threat was something that threatened to undermine the monarchy if its existence was known, even by the elements?

There is only one option, a new team must be formed, a league if you will.

The powerful, the odd and the downright bizarre are called together to prevent a catastrophe that doesn't just threaten Equestria, but the entire world. At the same time, they must prevent a thousand year old lie from being uncovered that threatens to destroy Equestria from it's very core. Can a group of such volatile individuals coexist? Or will their inability to trust each other lead to the downfall of all?

[Tales of the Carnageverse]

Cover art created by The Maiah.
Guardian the Arachnapony was created by RaijingtheClockworkPony
I would like to thank Maximus_Reborn, Eagle Heart, Raijing and anyone else I asked to look over this before its publication. Your feedback and support has been greatly appreciated.

Hidden Fortune and her sister grew up in the Wasteland, learning its dangers and doing their best to stay out of sight and out of mind of the larger world. During a treasure hunt they discover a Stable, and a chance encounter changes their world. Now the sisters must travel out of their element, learn how to survive all over again, and hopefully, discover the one true treasure of the Wasteland.

Cover art by Jordo76.

This story is a sequel to Innavedr

Rainbow Dash and her companions fly east.

Being a cowboy is usually very straightforward. Frank, however, finds himself in over his head when he meets a unicorn - a very whiny, needy unicorn with a compulsive need to be fabulous and an unexpected knack for gunslinging.

In a world where nothing comes easy and everything is incredibly dirty, a man and a pony are going to have to rely on each other to make it through.