Uhmm… so I just talk into this? Oh, ok. Well, I’m in a room with a few soldiers. They seem nice enough, and they want me to talk about my mother. They say she’s not my mother but I know that’s not true. I am eight years old and I am a changeling named Pet. But they say that’s also not true.
They want me to talk about growing up in the hive.

Editing done by phlamingsoul and Spacecommie
Coverart by Ayemel

Crime was easy before Princess Twilight and the First Five ushered in a golden age of Harmony. Back then, any idiot could plan a robbery, just like any rat could sneak through the cracks in wooden granary walls. But now that everything is cloudstone and clearsteel, with magical countermeasures over the few remaining holes, it takes a different breed of rat to survive.

"Slippery" Jimmy the Grey is one of the rare few ponies who can still slip through the cracks — even with the legendary Rainbow Corps on his tail. Now he's got a billion-bit heist planned in the gleaming skyscrapers of Cloudsdale. If only he hadn't made the mistake of stealing from a dragon …

Now with a reading by Illya Leonov and Scribbler!

* * *

This is a crossover with Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat novels, but it assumes no knowledge of the series.

Winner of February's Writeoff Association competition! * Featured by Equestria Daily! * Featured by Seattle's Angels!

REVIEWS: "Highly Recommended" by Titanium Dragon; "Recommended" by Present Perfect; rated "Why Haven't You Read This Yet?" by PaulAsaran

WORD OF MOUTH:
"The Iridescent Iron Rat was not only my favorite story from the most recent writeoff... it's my favorite story of anything I've read in months." —Sharp Spark

"What a ride it is. This story is made of awesome moments." —Casca, Seattle's Angels

"[A]stounding on so many levels. … If there’s one story from this round you have to pick, make it this one." —Corejo, Seattle's Angels

"Absolutely beautifully done. It fits the style and feel of the books to a perfect T." —Themaskedferret

When filly Twilight asks Celestia to tell her a bedtime story, the Princess is not prepared for the many memories that float to the surface once she is asked this. She mainly remembers a small filly just like Twilight, who also asked for bedtime stories many years ago.

A lonely alicorn wanders her castle prison, searching for any signs of life besides her own.

Inspired by the song "Hallowed Waltz" by Makkon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHApVIdbEyo
I encourage you to listen to the song as you read.
Cover art also by Makkon

Quality time is pretty rare when you've got a country to run.

Edited by KidKolumbo.

This story is a sequel to Fear Me, for My Name is Twaith!

Pinkie decides that with a new friend by her side, it's finally time to put to rest something that has been haunting her for a decade.

Thank you to CommanderBigMac for editing!

My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is how I became a wraith.

The backstory of Twaith from the Twaithverse.

Thank you to Foals Errand for prereading.
The art is by Everlasting Derp.

This story is a sequel to Celestia's Twilight

We all know the story. One thousand years ago Princess Celestia was forced to banish Nightmare Moon to the moon to save all of Equestria, but what if Luna had been hiding something from her sister, scared of how she would react? When Luna had no other choice, she cried out for Celestia and Celestia came. For one thousand years, Luna wondered what happened when Celestia left; now she's finding out...

But is it already too late, or will Luna be able to take the role she had so long dreamed of? The dream of being a mother?

editor Don't Look At My Name Bro! and RK I am lost without you!

Things are changing in Equestria, the ponies have decided they no longer need Princess Celestia to guide them. Celestia willingly stood down however and vanished. Unknown to Equestria she remains in disguise watching and wondering if her ponies are really ready... Oh, she's also experiencing what its like to care for a foal for the first time as well. Which will fail first Celestia's sanity or Equestrian Democracy?
*Part of Mother's Universe*

Twilight's life is changing very quickly and there is nothing she can do to stop it. Will Princess Celestia still look at her the same way? Will any of her friends? Is the pain worth it if they cannot accept her changes, or is it better to just join the starving?