Twilight Sparkle was only a filly when Equestria detected the enigmatic Signal. A series of increasingly complex mathematical proofs, the Signal transformed from an intriguing curiosity to reliable evidence of extraequestrian life.

And as it happened, Equestria's exploration of their own solar system was nearly complete. With colonies orbiting every planet and large body, and an asteroid belt filled with miners and prospectors, Twilight's civilization was just about ready to turn its focus outward. The signal was less than ten light-years away, within reach of a daring, experimental voyage. A voyage Twilight Sparkle would lead.

Along with a small crew of the most skilled scientists and engineers Equestria could offer, Twilight is determined to uncover the mystery of the Signal, and brave the final frontier for future generations of Equestrian explorers.

A comment-driven, CYoA story. Please use the links provided in the author's notes of each chapter to vote, rather than the comments.

This story is a creative experiment of mine, one meant to explore the general idea that creativity is often most fostered by restrictions. As a result, I've imposed a number of restrictions on the writing of this story, which I'm stating explicitly here so I can be called out if I break any of them.

1. Brevity is the soul of wit
No chapter may be more than 1000 words long. This wordcount only includes prose, and not the questions/rolls.

2. Every choice matters
When a choice is offered in a chapter, at least one sub-optimal choice must be present, with no indication about which is which other than the prose itself. Every chapter should end with a CYoA-style decision tree when possible.

3. Fate is cruel and the universe is heartless
The decision of the vote must be respected. This means any character could be killed, or the entire story could end in failure, if that's what the votes decide. Where numbers, stats, and randomization appear in the text, these elements are not verisimilitude, but are decided by public diecrolls in my discord server.

Note: Because of the unusual production of this story, its chapters won't be edited in the same way as my usual fare. Feel free to point out any mistakes you encounter.

Awesome cover by Zutcha as you can probably tell. Editing stuff by Two Bit and Sparktail, where applicable.

Twilight leads a team to investigate a town going dark. They find they were not the first to arrive, and the one who was left a journal, what can they glean, and did the first defeat the monster, or . . .

It was a simple teleport spell. So why did she wake up in the hospital? And how come she was... one pony?

((A big thanks to Vergess. who in between running her own forum and helping me set up mine managed to make the excellent cover art. Her site is at http://z13.invisionfree.com/Equestrian_Legends/index.php and it's awesome.))

When drastic measures have to be taken to save Equestria from a resurging villain, Twilight and her friends sacrifice themselves for the needs of the many.

Luckily, when you're friends with a powerful unicorn neurotically obsessed with checklists, scheduling, and planning ahead, death is but a minor inconvenience.

Now they just need something to do until Twilight can sort out a few minor issues.

Out for a pleasant walk through the woods, Princess Celestia takes a break from dealing with Earth politics and finds herself exiting next to a long, black road. As it just so happens, a native comes by and hits her with roughly two tons of steel, plastic, and glass.

Luckily, the vehicle's occupant carries lots of napkins and bandages.

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Now translated into Chinese thanks to Nova Twinkle!
Now translated into Spanish thanks to SPANIARD KIWI!

This story is based on true events. Written for my good friend, Admiral Biscuit, as a commission/payment for a set of rear wheel bearing puller heads for a slide hammer. He also pre-read and edited it, because that's how he rolls.

Box of Shame second position 12/25. Bah humbug.

Vice-Principal Luna recycled her old metal rock band outfit for this year's Costume Carnival... an outfit that gives her a passing resemblance to another world's Nightmare Moon.

Then, when she leans against the wrong mirror, that resemblance becomes more than passing.

Just more magical shenanigans at Canterlot High.

(Top of the Featured list, 10/23-25/18! Thanks!)

Part of the Remember Fort Libris print anthology, thanks to our Kickstarter supporters!

Ponies have long lived in the magical land of Equestria, and have come to know the multitude of creatures their share that land with.

Changelings are not among those creatures.

When the Queen of Changelings arrives at their doorstep, desperately asking for their help, the Magic of Friendship moves Night Light and Twilight Velvet to offer it. But that night would not be the end of the story of the mimic queen's legacy.

The shocking death of Princess Celestia came and all of Equestria mourned. None could explain, either scientific, medical, or magical, could explain the utter failure of her body and her demise. After her passing, Twilight Sparkle finds herself plagued with answers of how and why this happened. In order to find out what happened, and prevent such a thing from happening again, Twilight use the same potion Zecora gave her during the vine incident to step into the past and find the answers she seeks.

Yet the answers are nothing she ever expected, and what she learns will shatter everything she has known about Princess Celetia and her thousand year rule since her sister's banishment.

Co-Written with Black Hailstorm

Edited by Roker12

After a fluke turn of events, Fluttershy finds herself on the throne of the Galactic Empire.

She finds out just how scary being on that throne can be...

"Is corruption inevitable?"

When Twilight poses this question, Luna has an instant response, but Celestia stays quiet.

The princesses discuss this over tea.