Side Story to The Demesne of the Reluctant Twilight Sparkle

When Doctor Princess Twilight Sparkle got Ponyville and the surrounding lands as her exclusive demesne, she knew it meant changes and stuff. Glittering opportunities. Dire crises. Friendships gained and imperiled. The dawn of a new age for Ponyville. A renaissance of the arts and sciences. A great test of her abilities as a leader and as a friend.

The brewing civil war took her by surprise, on the other claw.

The Princesses and their allies in Canterlot are working to change the laws, disband the new militias and ensure a lasting peace, but they need time. Soon, this cold war of arms and intimidation will heat up, and all the laws and decrees in the world ain't stopping it.

Doctor Princess Twilight Sparkle will buy them time. She will do what it takes to keep her friends, her family, and yes, her demesne safe.

With the help of a handsome griffon security professional—that's me, by the way—a devious illusionist, a ruthless athlete, a bored noble, and a pair of boater-clad con-ponies, she'll stop the damn war herself if she has to.

Touch wood I'll live to tell about it...

Despite her appearance, behavior and unfriendly ways, Gilda isn't that bad. She proves this to Fluttershy when she attempts to redeem herself for the sins she made.

Credit for the cover image goes to Echowolf800. Original image is here.

With each others help, Spike and Gilda fight to find their place in a world that will not accept them.

Credit: Larince, Newer, Varanus, DPV, and Mad Brochacho
A more classical approach to the noir genre, Mad Brochacho's "On the Docks": http://www.fimfiction.net/story/6590/On-the-Docks
Heralded as the greatest Twilestia around and more, Varanus' "Composure": http://www.fimfiction.net/story/5623/Composure

Thank you to all my readers.

Nopony believes in those old pony tales... except the true ones.

In some sense, tales are didactic, teaching lessons or instilling values, sometimes preserving, in metaphor and inference, the truth of a painful past. But tales must never be stagnant. When the situation changes, new stories must enlighten a new generation.

By Order of their United and Equal Majesties of the Principality of Equestria, Princess Celestia of the House of Day and Princess Luna of the House of Night, with the help of the Ministers of Equestria and with a mind to advancing and honoring those citizens long neglected or never praised, come new stories to be read to children, and absorbed by the grown.

An informational pamphlet provided free of charge to all citizes of Equestria who may be considering breeding with a member of a different sentient species, to let them know their options.

This story is a sequel to Día de los Muertos

The holiday of love is coming. Contingents from across the face of the Principality of Equestria are coming to the little town of Ponyville. Even if it happens to be just a little town near a bigger and better city, there's a brand new feature to draw in lovers of a particular stripe.

(Happy Hearts and Hooves Day all! And remember, paws and claws are also out there.)

Pinkie Pie was coming over to Fluttershy's house to invite her to a party when she witnessed a shocking scene: Gilda trying to eat Fluttershy's tongue! She immediately knew she had to get her friends so they could stop that mean griffon before it was too late. After all, why else would Gilda have her beak in Fluttershy's mouth?

"Twixinkilda," the chapter of "Contra the Heresies" was generally well-liked, but the main subject, the Serpent Crown, was seen as an interruption of the romantic action.

This is that chapter, purified. These are the stories of two very sweet, very odd couples, going about their lives as very weird and unique folks. An abdicated former princess, a Cannonite ex-rock-farmer; an Egg Grabber Bald griffiness, a Roani stage magician. So much oddness, so much love.

With being outcast from Ponyville and only feeling ill staying in Cloudsdale, Gilda has lived in the Everfree forest for over a year ever since she lost her friend Rainbow Dash. More than half her nest lays littered with crumpled and pierced letters she never sent, and the creatures of the forest have given up on comforting her. Gilda has never felt more alone in her life.

When the wandering Fluttershy happens upon her home, Gilda finds forgiveness in the last place she would ever expect. But will the rest of Ponyville forgive her?

And will that include a specific rainbow pegasus?

Trixie Lulamoon is a Roa, and increasingly less shy about expressing that fact. The loyalists of Princess Luna long ago, who never ceased to be loyal to her vacant throne during her banishment, suffered under fear and derision for a thousand years. But they never wavered, even if loyalty became only culture.

Now comes a moment, a gesure, a recompense for the pain. So long in coming, so small in scope, and yet... it may be the most vital thing in the world.