The Apple family reunion got really awkward this year.

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Special thanks goes to MagnetBolt for assistance!

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Entry in the Sunset Shipping Contest!

This story is a sequel to The Poisoned Barb

Prequel reading is recommended to enjoy, as well as a steady reading pace.

I was once a woman in her twilight. I was once a mother and a wife. I was once a respected human being. I was once unquestionably happy.

Now I am Barbara The Dragoness; property of House Shine, Squire to Prince Solaris, Assistant to Apprentice Dusk Shine... and master of my own fate.

This is the story of my second childhood, and how I found the strength to keep moving forward.

Welcome to my new life.
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Cover Art by Koviry!

Princess Twilight has just ascended to her throne of friendship and is prepared to tackle her new duties, but Princess Celestia has something of grave importance for her to do first.

She wants her to meet her family.

~Completely Re-edited as of 06/13/2021~

I was once a woman in her twilight, my children both old and fresh.

Now I am the child.

I was once a mother and a wife, my family held importance above even my own well-being in my heart.

Now I am orphaned.

I was once a respected human being, a woman to treat as an equal.

Now I am simply an assistant.

I was once happy.

Now...

... Now I am Barbara The Dragoness.

Barbara the assistant.

Barbara the child.

Barbara the widow.

Barbara...

The Lost Soul.

This is the story of my second childhood, and how I found the strength to keep moving forward.

My Little Pony is more than a franchise--it's propaganda, carefully crafted to introduce the human world to its neighbor a universe away. But instead of slowly influencing a few thousand little girls, the show took off, and built up metaphysical influence that is awaking its fans to latent magical abilities. The powers that be are doing everything in their power to suppress this change, and the magically inclined disappear to secret containment sites, never to be seen again.

Jackie doesn't care about any of that, she just wants to attend a convention with her sister and get them both back home again. But magic is insidious, and even takes hold of those who try hardest to reject it. She should probably just run away, but these ponies are just so dang cute.

Updates daily until complete.

This story is a prequel to Friendly Fire, but since it's a prequel that story isn't required to understand it. Likewise, this story is not required to understand that one. It was written as a Patreon reward for Two Bit. Thank you so much for contributing over the last few months to get this story written!

Cover by the fantastic Zutcha, who has done every one of my covers so far. Editing by Two Bit and Sparktail.

It's not easy living far out in the west end of the city and working downtown, but Sunset manages. The drive to and from work with her girlfriend, though, can be an exercise in patience. Between her bad days that she has, the bad days Twilight has, and just life in general, being trapped in a car together for half an hour can put a strain on them both.

It's easy to lose sight of things and tunnel vision on the road ahead. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and see things from the other side of the aisle.

Entry for Sunset Shipping Contest - Journeys. Took Fifth Place.

Prereaders: GaraTheAuthor, RTStephens, and SamRose

Rarity finds a grey hair

'nuff said.

Sunset Shimmer lives her lonely days in a beautiful but empty world that she can control with her tablet. Her dreams and memories are the only company she has.

Inspired by the anime short film Shelter.

With the breakthrough of the radio in Equestria comes a new medium through which one can reach out to the masses and help with their problems. Determined to help as many ponies as she can, Starlight begins Equestria's first call-in radio program to give ponies an outlet to vent their frustrations and seek wisdom and guidance.

Surely an open forum for anyone to call in asking for help can only result in good!

Chapters are standalone drabbles.

Animated by
Nevel Yashgi

In a world of snakes and ladders, Rarity has had to learn a single, simple fact:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single mare who desires recognition and success must, without a doubt, be a social-climbing bitch.

Edited version of my entry to Everfree Northwest's Iron Author competition. Special thanks to Swan Song for the encouragement, support, and for believing in this story strongly enough to throw money at it when I was ready to give up on it.

Amazing cover art by the fantastic lilfunkman