There's only so much failure a changeling can tolerate. For Shade, once was enough. Years of training and preparation in the hopes of achieving a new life for himself and his colony wasted because of the negligence of their leader. It's time to try a different approach; if force won't work, then maybe peace and diplomacy will. What could go wrong?

A chance encounter in a creepy forest; A tree filled to the brim with books; A brief and sudden rain shower. These are all things that will change Shade's life forever.

With Twilight's parents attending a Canterlot Ball, Cadance is called on to foal-sit at night for the first time. It's a bigger job than she expected though, and when she drops her guard Twiley ends up in a perilous situation.

Contains non-sexual disciplinary spanking.

This story is a sequel to Why Ancient Rituals Don't Always Work

It's been almost eleven months since the event at the Ancient Mareyan Sun Temple. Ahuizota and Derring Do are settling into the life of a family, ready to raise their kid. There's still much for the young couple to learn, and it can only be taught with time.

They just cross fingers and feathers and hope they don't screw it up.

*****
A/N:
Title name by The Shade

After Spike and Twilight go through the portal from the human world to the pony world something goes wrong. Spike is still a dog, but he starts to notice a few things. He could now understand the other animals perfectly, and he starts to lose his feelings for Rarity. But he does start to have feelings for somepony else.

The Crystal heart has not worked. Rainbow Dash has managed to escape Sombra's grasp. Her friends are not as lucky as Rainbow Dash and are captured by Sombra and his Crystal slaves. Sombra is a great fighter but also a dirty one. Rainbow Dash comes to the decision that their is only one way to stop Sombra. Desperate to free her friends and save Celestia's rule, Rainbow Dash gives the ultimate sacrifice for her friends.