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!

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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

Pinkie Pie is enjoying breakfast with her friends when she notices something: they're all drinking a different drink than she is. She decides to sample it.

Featured 6/13/15 for some reason.

Sphinxes. Creatures from ancient Anugypt, shrouded in mystery, myth, and superstition.

When an archaeology caravan passes through Ponyville carrying the find of the century--four mummified sphinxes--an ancient Anugyptian curse awakens and regenerates the Sphinx Queen Neferkitti and her retainers.

Now, four mysterious creatures from another place and time are on the loose...and mildly annoying the citizens of Ponyville.

(Cover art by zimvader42, used with permission.)

Fluttershy gets more than she asked for when she visits the Library and hears moaning from behind the door. Concerned that Twilight may have developed a problem, Rarity and Rainbow Dash go and investigate.

Graveyards.

They are where the living pass on into the afterlife. Where the dead rest and find peace that will last them for all of eternity, and their living loved ones come to pay respect to them. But for Twilight, an Alicorn who has laid numerous ponies to rest, and has paid her respects to countless souls in the vastness of her lifespan, the graveyard is a lively place. For her, 'best friends forever' isn't just a saying, and the bonds of a true friendship don't end when life does...

Alicorns are immortal. Earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi are not.

Princess Twilight Sparkle has no intention of going through life without her dearest friends...

Even if she has to do something extremely questionable to make that happen.

Applejack has developed an odor. Rarity sets out to remedy the situation, with or without Applejack's consent.

Warning, contains: Non-consensual scrubbing.
Cover image by kittyhawk-contrail.
Full-cast dramatic reading by ObabScribbler.

Based on this story: Get Dirty | Get Clean: Deodourizing

There is a secret about her building Rarity never shared with anypony: there is a hidden room inside the Carousel Boutique.

She's kept it from everypony for a reason though.

Every mare deserves to have her secrets, after all.

Edited by Nahmala

Thanks to DWK for being my "Rarity Consultant" for this story.

Prompt for story acquired from here.

Sweetie Belle wishes to help Rarity with a dress order, but in doing so, she discovers a room in Carousel Boutique. A room which holds a secret that could shatter her view of her sister.

Made for /mlp/'s daily 30-min writing prompt, sadly it took over half an hour to make this.

Narration made by Visual Pony

Ever since the Sisterhooves Social, Sweetie Belle and Rarity's relationship has improved drastically. There are still days when Rarity is a bit busy, of course, and certain times when Sweetie doesn't quite get the hint.

During one particularly stressful day, Sweetie Belle gets into Rarity's makeup. Rarity demands an explanation. The answer isn't quite as simple as one sister playing dress-up.

Thanks to my good friend Loopy Legend for the prompt and link to the coverart.

Thanks to Holo, Sir Rustbucket, Loopy Legend, Sage Runner, ValorlordV5, and Midnight Legend for editing.

Now with a YouTube reading by Arwhale. Show him some love!

Now Featured on Equestria Daily!

Rated Everyone.