Rainbow Dash helps Pinkie pick up the pieces after devastation, eventually leading to confusing thoughts about the cyan mare running through the pink pony's crazy mind.

Cover image found here after a random google search: http://platina-jolteon.deviantart.com/art/rainbowpie-207494063

A more in-depth look, and a slightly different take than most at what may have happened one thousand years ago, when Nightmare Moon contested Celestia for rule, and the events leading up to it.

[NEW VERSION HERE]

With the help of forces beyond their control, six friends discover their true importance in Equestria’s timeline. With this new knowledge in hoof, they must try to figure out whom or what has crosshairs on their foreheads. The Elements of Harmony aren’t the only weapons of mass destruction in Equestria.

(Left 4 Dead crossover) Francis, being the idiot that he is, messes around with a computer, and soon finds himself, Zoey, and Louis in a strange land full of ponies, while Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack get transported into the human world, to find Bill and a city full of zombies.

Twilight and her five friends are transported during a botched spell, across dimensions to... Ponyville, Equestria? But not the same one that they knew. Sitting on a bench is Harpsy and Babar. The Doctoress avoids apples from an aspiring Applebuck. And in a library across town, six stallions join their forces as they try to decipher the appearance of filly look-alikes of themselves around Ponyville!

In search of gems to complete her ornate Nightmare Night costume, Rarity accidentally finds herself transported to a world where a holiday not unlike Nightmare Night is less an event than a way of life - and her friends soon follow in hopes of rescuing her. Or, to put things more lyrically....

It was some time ago, but not too long, you see?
In a place that perhaps you have seen on TV.

For this story spans places far from pedestrian,
Crossing spooky and dark with bright and Equestrian.

Now, you may be asking how that crossing was done.
If you are not, I'd say it's time you begun!

(An excellent talking-book version of this story can be found here.)

Gilda hates her life.

Gilda needs gloves.

Ponies don't wear gloves.

Looks like somebirdy needs to learn how to knit.

Also, Trixie and Diamond Dogs.

It is the day of the Summer Sun Celebration, and Princess Celestia is coming to Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle is overseeing preparations yet again, and has meticulously planned every last detail to ensure that everything is perfect for her mentor's arrival. Nothing is going to go wrong.

Except when the big day comes, Twilight has gotten four hours of sleep and Fluttershy is nowhere to be found. Pinkie Pie sets off after her with nothing but a dark coat and the voice of a chain-smoking stallion, and the Apples and the Carrots are at each other's throats while Rainbow Dash is attempting to fill in for Fluttershy.

As her plans collapse around her and Ponyville descends into chaos, Twilight Sparkle must focus on obtaining the one thing that can set everything right: the all-powerful, awe-inspiring magic of caffeine.

Six Star Equestria Daily Feature

During Rainbow Dash's first interaction with her friends' Pony Pet Play-Date, she was determined to get herself a pet. However, the way she went about getting one didn't sit well with one particular pony. Having had enough of the Pegasus and her lack of compassion, Twilight Sparkle makes both a brave and stupid challenge that leaves Dash and the rest of her friends wondering if she had gone insane. However, Twilight was determined to teach Dash a lesson, even if it meant getting humiliated. What fate had in store for the unicorn and Pegasus was not what anypony had expected, especially Twilight and Rainbow themselves.

After a thousand years, Luna finds herself finally freed from the form of Night Mare Moon - the ordeal has left her weakened, though, and she is ordered to spend the next year regaining her strength and getting herself up to speed on what has transpired during her thousand-year absence. Finding ways to spend that time? That... might be troublesome.

Sequel to 'Hiatus': 'Stuck In The Middle With You' (Slice of Life)
Featured on Equestria Daily and FiM Fiction! Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and commented!